Diocese of Fall River, Mass.
Friday, July 22, 2016
Bishop Edgar M. da Cunha, S.D.V., is welcomed by campers at this year’s recent Pro-Life Bootcamp at Stonehill College, prior to their soccer challenge. (Photo by Michael Manzi) The Anchor - July 22, 2016
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‘Called By Name’ retreat hopes to spark relationships with God
Weekend provides opportunity to escape day-to-day ‘busyness and distractions’
By Dave Jolivet Anchor Editor davejolivet@anchornews.org
a master’s in Theological Studies from the Christendom Graduate School in Alexandria, Va. She also holds a certificate in Youth WAREHAM — Dr. Martin Luther King Ministry (accredited by Franciscan University Jr. once said, “Darkness cannot drive out in Steubenville, Ohio). She spent a number of darkness: only light can do that.” Next month, years serving as a coordinator of Youth Minthe Vocations Office of the Diocese of Fall istry in the Arlington Diocese. She currently River will sponsor a “Called By Name” retreat resides in New England with her husband for women ages 18-30 entitled, “Spark! It and children. is Time to Ignite Something with God,” in In a conversation with The Anchor, Terracorder to spark the flames that will illuminate cino said, “In today’s culture, God’s people the darkness of this world. are bombarded with an array of noisy temptaThe Called By Name retreats for women tions. If we aren’t careful, we can easily trade have been a summer staple in the diocese in recent years, providing young Catholic women the opportunity for prayer, reflection, relaxation and fun, at the peaceful and picturesque Sacred Hearts Retreat Center grounds along Buzzards Bay. “This year’s theme comes from the wellknown quote of St. Catherine of Sienna, ‘If you are who you should be, it will set the whole world on fire,’ Dominican Sister Paulina Hurtado, associate director of the diocesan Vocations Office, told The Anchor. “The ability to set the world on fire begins with the spark of life which God has ignited in each person and the gift of His very life and love at Baptism.” The weekend, which runs from August 12-14, is designed to help young women discern a possible vocational call, be it Marriage, ministry as a religious, or the single life. “The course of life one is invited to follow in search of happiness and fulfillment will give this spark the freedom to expand and grow,” continued Sister Paulina, “for as St. Catherine also says in one of her letters, ‘Do not be satisfied with little things, because God wants great things.’” Young women attending the three-day weekend will have the chance to take the time to reflect on what God may be asking of them and begin or expand upon the thought process of their vocation in life. And all of this is done in a relaxing, God’s Kingdom for an earthly one. Spiritual scenic and serene environment of summer fun vision is lost, or perhaps never gained, when and peace sharing with other young women held captive in the virtual world that’s always similar feelings of hope and doubt about the at our fingertips. future. “Ladies can awaken their hearts by dwellAs in past Called By Name weekends, ing in beauty, the beauty that God made, there will be presentations, prayer and daily and the Spirit wrote through the authors Mass. of Sacred Scripture.” She added that wireThis year’s guest speaker is Jennessa Terless technology can be a distraction towards raccino. “Jennessa is a passionate servant of becoming who God desires us to be. Jesus, a dynamic speaker and writer,” Sister Christine Smith is the Faith Formation diPaulina told The Anchor. Terraccino earned rector at St. Patrick’s Parish in Wareham. She 2
The Anchor - July 22, 2016
has served on Called By Name team before, and is again a member of this year’s retreat. “A weekend like Called by Name is very important because it provides an opportunity for these women to pause the busyness of their everyday lives which will allow them to hear the voice of God in their hearts,” she told The Anchor. “God has a purpose for all of us, and He gave us this purpose so we can live life joyfully and to the fullest. Women of this age group begin to ask themselves the big questions: ‘Who am I and why am I here? Who do I want to become? What is my purpose in this world?’ “During a retreat like Called by Name, they can start to discern these questions in the light of their Catholic faith. As they sit quietly with God, or listen to speakers, they may begin to hear God’s voice and be lead to the vocation they were created for.” Terraccino and Smith agree that young women today encounter a barrage of distractions that can prevent some from hearing what God is asking of them. “If we are open to God, He will lead us to a ‘mountain-top moment’— a place of quiet, and an encounter with Him,” continued Terraccino. “Throughout Scripture, this is precisely what God does. Some of the most powerful realizations of God and commissions were found in the wilderness. Sometimes all it takes is a good retreat, an Adoration hour, and some solid Spiritual reading.” “There are so many distractions and pressures in the lives of young women today,” added Smith. “They live in a world that drowns out the voice of God. Finding the time to stop, listen, and respond to God’s call is counter-cultural. As Church, we need to turn that around and make being in God’s presence and responding to His voice the norm for these young women because not only will it change their lives for the better, but it will change the world as well.” Sister Paulina encourages young women to “come enjoy a summer weekend of fun and peace, while at the same time giving yourself space for reflection and enlightenment on where God is leading you for happiness and fulfillment.” Smith said she says “yes” to being part of Called By Name retreat teams because, “as a Catholic Christian I feel called to help others hear the voice of God and to experience the Turn to page 19
Diocesan groups heading to Poland for World Youth Day
By Kenneth J. Souza Anchor Staff kensouza@anchornews.org
WAREHAM — According to Maureen Lindquist, office manager of St. Patrick’s Parish in Wareham, the 10-day adventure that six parish youth are about to embark on to attend World Youth Day in Krakow, Poland this weekend began nearly two years ago. “We are actually the only group on Cape Cod who has been doing fundraising to support the trip,” Lindquist recently told The Anchor. “The parishioners and even the wider community have been so supportive of them and their trip in the hope that they can see Pope Francis.” The ongoing fund-raising campaign has included dinners, car washes, youth performances of Living Stations of the Cross, and collecting returnable cans for cash, which allowed older shut-ins to “partici-
pate and feel like they’re helping out,” Lindquist said. “We’ve received a lot of cans from the Sacred Heart Retreat Center, too — so it’s been awesome,” she added. “It’s really turned into a fantastic community event.” Lindquist said the effort has also helped to bring the parish together to rally around a group of kids who “have always been active in the Church.” “They have all worked so hard for this trip and really made their presence known in our parish — I am so proud of them,” she said. “They’re all kids who have been active in the parish, but this has helped get their faces out there even more.” Two of those faces were beaming from ear to ear this past Sunday as pastor Father John Sullivan imparted a special pilgrims’ blessing upon them during the 10 a.m. Mass. The
Diocese of Fall River
OFFICIAL His Excellency, the Most Reverend Edgar M. da Cunha, S.D.V., D.D., Bishop of Fall River, has made the following appointments: Deans Very Reverend Daniel W. Lacroix, V.F. –— Attleboro Deanery Reverend Monsignor Stephen J. Avila, V.F. — Cape Cod Deanery Very Reverend Jay T. Maddock, V.F. — Fall River Deanery Very Reverend Paul A. Caron, V.F. — New Bedford Deanery Very Reverend Richard E. Degagne, V.F. — Taunton Deanery Effective: September 1, 2016
pair — cousins Robert Giannelli and Michael Lindquist — will be joining Melissa Giannelli (Robert’s sister), Hal Schwarz, Wil Paling and Constance Chandler on the pilgrimage to Poland from July 23 to August 1. “I am very excited about the trip — I just want to see the pope,” said 18-yearold Robert Giannelli, who is a cantor at the parish. “I think it will really be a great experience because we always go to Mass and pray, but to be at World Youth Day with (Pope Francis) is the culmination and you really get to be immersed in the faith.” “I think it’s going to be kind of cool to be with the pope and to be there together with a group of friends — we’ve been friends for years and we’ve done a lot of things like this together,” said Michael Lindquist, 19, who teaches Faith Formation at the parish. “All of us here really want them to see a glimpse of the pope — that would be beyond anything,” agreed Michael’s proud mom, Maureen. “I get goose bumps just thinking about it!” She noted that the group from St. Patrick’s will be joined by a larger contingent from area parishes, led by former parochial vicar Father Ron Floyd, for the 4 p.m. Mass on July 23 after which a send-off pot luck dinner will be served in the parish hall. “There are youth from St. John Paul II High School in Hyannis going, and there’s a group from Corpus Christi Parish in East Sandwich, I think there are others from Westport and St. Anthony’s Parish in Mattapoi-
sett,” she said. Knowing that Father Floyd is going to be serving as one of the trip’s chaperones and tour guides helps puts her mind at ease. “We’re lucky to have Father Ron Floyd because his mother is from (Poland) and he’s been there many times and he knows all the best places to see,” she said. “I know they are planning to go to St. John Paul II’s house — that’s one of the stops.” Another pilgrim excited about attending World Youth Day in St. John Paul II’s homeland is Deb Jezak, youth minister and Faith Formation director at St. John of God Parish in Somerset. “To be in the homeland of the World Youth Day founder, St. John Paul II, and all the saints of mercy, is just incredible,” Jezak said. “It’s like the perfect song, of all good things coming together at one time. It’s really a blessed time for all of us. I can only imagine there’s going to be a positive, rippling effect from all of this because this is really centered in mercy.” Jezak could be considered something of a World Youth Day expert, having now achieved a veritable hat trick by experiencing three different WYD events with three different Holy Fathers. She was there in Toronto, Canada in 2002 with St. John Paul II — his final WYD appearance; she was in Sydney, Australia in 2008 with Pope Benedict XVI; and now she’s heading to Krakow, Poland to share WYD with Pope Francis. “I feel really blessed about getting the opportunity to not only attend three WYDs in my life-
time, but also to experience them with three different popes,” Jezak said. “I’m getting up there, closer to retirement, so I’m excited about getting to see the third pope.” This year Jezak will be traveling with two young women from her home parish of Good Shepherd in Fall River — two students enrolled at Durfee High School in the city. “Both (of my previous) experiences were well beyond anything I could imagine and I know now after doing two of these that this third one will also be beyond anything I can imagine, so I’m not even going to try,” she said. For example, she still remembers being within feet of St. John Paul II in Toronto after being urged on by bus captain Father Roger Landry to make her way closer to the fence near the side entrance. “Father Landry knew a lot of things and gave us very good advice, so we were blessed to have him,” Jezak said. “He said ‘Don’t go to the center stage where the altar is, go to the fence,’ so we’d be closer and get a better view of the pope. It was a very narrow path for the pope mobile and we were within feet of him when he arrived. It was incredible and well beyond words. It was almost like you could feel the presence of the Holy Spirit.” Then she had the privilege of sharing her second World Youth Day experience with her daughter and son in Australia. Her daughter, Christin, was invited to perform her renowned “Person-toPerson: A Mother Teresa Project” one-woman show Turn to page 14
The Anchor - July 22, 2016
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When there’s a crisis, catechesis begins at home
By Becky Aubut Anchor Staff beckyaubut@anchornews.org
FALL RIVER — When Beth Mahoney, the president-elect of the Fall River Diocesan Council of Catholic Women, heard about the Extraordinary Jubilee of Mercy, she began to explore it from the perspective of the family: “I wanted to give something substantial to the family that they could relate to in today’s world and today’s time; knowing that families are in need of reconciliation, forgiveness and healing.” The words from Pope Francis equating the Church as a field hospital stayed in her mind, and she understood the pope was giving her a blueprint to follow. “I started to look at Pope Francis’ words about the Church and the domestic
Church as a field hospital,” she said. “The pope said that when [people] come to you when they’re hurting, you don’t check for cholesterol or test for sugar, you heal the wound. I thought how realistic is that with families in our Church today?” Understanding families needed to see how they live in their own life, and how they can apply mercy as individuals and as a family, Mahoney realized there was a family that everyone knew and could relate to, and that was the Holy Family. Mahoney incorporated the Holy Family with the pope’s idea of the Church as a field hospital into a presentation entitled, “The Home: First Aid Station for Mercy, Forgiveness and Healing,” at last year’s Faith Formation Ministry Con-
vention. She highlighted three events between Mary and her Son Jesus to help use as guideposts for families to follow. “I talked about the first one, the finding in the temple,” said Mahoney. “In that event of the Holy Family, Jesus was learning and understanding the will of His Heavenly Father, but at the same time He was learning how to respect His earthly father.” In today’s world, many children explore options to find their own path, which sometimes deviates from the path his or her parents have — with the best of intentions — laid out for them. “I started to think about all the times I was in parish ministry, that parents would come to me and say, ‘We
just spent thousands of dollars on education and now [my child] doesn’t want to go into the family business like we wanted them to do, but want to go into missionary work,’ or another area of work they didn’t expect them to go into,” she said. “Families live that in today’s society. They have to learn to allow their children to listen to the call of God within them, but the children also have to learn to respect their earthly parents, and that’s that reconciliation that happens within families.” A second example that Mahoney shared was the Wedding in Cana when Mary turned to her Son and said there was no wine, and “Mary had such confidence in her Son that she just said to the servants, ‘Do whatever He tells you.’
I thought, how often in families do we struggle to find this healing presence of children seeing the confidence that the parents have in them, and the parent having that freedom to share that confidence with them. Sometimes that doesn’t happen and there’s a breakdown in communication.” Mahoney’s third example was the Pentecost: “I looked at the example of how the Apostles were upstairs and frightened because Jesus left. In that encounter, Mary was present with them and the Spirit came and descended on them, and gave them the energy and the confidence, and the fortitude they needed to carry on the mission that Jesus left them with. “Within families, we have that same example; we have loved ones who leave us, whether they die or move away, and we wonder how are we going to continue? How are we going to make it? The Apostles experienced that after the Ascension of Jesus. We read in Scripture they were lost, and fighting, and they didn’t know what to do; they lost their belief in themselves. The Spirit gave them that confidence, and Turn to page 19
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The Anchor - July 22, 2016
W
A perfect symmetry — the close of the Appeal and the parable of the Good Samaritan
e are always called to reflect on the issues of the day in the light of the Gospel. Given the intense effort by so many to advocate for the social ministries of the diocese through the annual Catholic Charities Appeal and the disturbing violence we have witnessed over the past weeks, I was conflicted by the mix of elation and despair. On one hand our faithful had again come through with a record amount of generosity for the needy among us. On the other, our world was rent with suspicion, anger and mistrust of each other. How should we feel? Can I reconcile the examples of localized charity with the instances of grief and loss in Dallas, Baton Rouge, Minnesota and Nice? Where could I go to make sense of it all? Thank God for Pope Francis! My conviction was strengthened when I read the Gospel that Christians throughout the world heard recently in their Masses: the parable of the Good Samaritan. A muchbeloved parable, the story hinges on a simple question put to Jesus by one of His opponents: “And just who is my neighbor?” The parable is widely known. The Good Samaritan is understood as a remarkable example of compassion in action. However, the most challenging part of the parable is often lost. To grasp just how challenging the parable is, we have to remember that the Samaritans were a despised group for the people to whom Jesus was speaking. They were ethnic outsiders
and thought of as heretics. do I love as myself ? My relatives? My friends? My Therefore, the lawyer who posed the question to Jesus fellow countrymen? Those of the same religion? Who would have been startled is my neighbor? by Jesus’ very charitable “It is not up to us to try observation of “The Good to categorize people, to see Samaritan.” Even the if they count as our neighpoor man who fell among the robbers. He may have been bewildered by the It’s What fact that he was We Do abandoned by the priest and Levite, By James A. the holy men of his Campbell own tradition, but saved, consoled, and cared for by a hated outsider. Both cases bors. Rather, the decision to be, or not be a neighbor, (the case of the lawyer depends on us. It depends posing the question and on me. It depends on me the victim assisted by the to be or not be a neighSamaritan) are used by Jesus to challenge His fol- bor to the person I meet who has need of my help, lowers to an examination even if he’s a stranger, or of consciousness and a radical conversion of heart. even hostile. And Jesus In both cases, Jesus invites concludes: ‘Go and do His audience to see people likewise’ (v. 37). It’s a great lesson! And He says to through God’s eyes. I would like to conclude each of us: ‘Go and do likewise,’ especially to the with some of the reflections on the parable of the brother or sister you see in Good Samaritan delivered trouble. ‘Go and do likewise.’ Do good works, do by Pope Francis as part of a recent Angelus address in not just say words that go to the wind. A song comes St. Peter’s Square. to mind: ‘Words, words, Pope Francis on the words.’ No. Please, do. Act. Good Samaritan: And by the good works “We too can ask ourthat we do with love and selves this question: Who joy for others, our faith is my neighbor? Whom
grows and bears fruit. Let us ask ourselves — each of us responding in our heart — let us ask ourselves: Is our faith fruitful? Does our faith produce good works? Or is it rather sterile, and therefore more dead than alive? Am I ‘the neighbor’ or do I simply just pass along? Or am I among those who select people according to their own pleasure? It’s good to ask ourselves these questions and often because, in the end, we will be judged on the Works of Mercy. The Lord will say to us: ‘But you, you remember that time on the road from Jerusalem to Jericho? That man was Me half dead. Do you remember? That hungry child was Me. Do
you remember? The migrant who many want to drive out it was Me. Those grandparents alone, abandoned in nursing homes, it was Me. That sick person alone in the hospital, that no one goes to see, was Me.’” Although he was not directly addressing our nation’s and world’s troubles, I believe that his words offer us wisdom to confirm that our way forward must continue to emphasize charity and compassion and eschew anger and bitterness. Thank you to all who made this year’s Appeal an occasion of Mercy. Anchor columnist James Campbell is director of the diocesan Development Off ice/Catholic Charities Appeal/Foundation to Advance Catholic Education.
The Anchor - July 22, 2016
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Anchor Editorial
Mercy is needed
Having completed our review of the Spiritual and Corporal Works of Mercy here in the editorial column, we now face the current situation of crisis — a situation which demands that we live out the Works of Mercy if we are to come to a peaceful, just solution to this multifaceted chaos. We read on page two of this Anchor St. Catherine of Siena’s quote, “If you are who you should be, it will set the whole world on fire.” She did not mean with a fire burning down the world, killing people, but with the fire of love, coming from the Holy Spirit, liberating people from the slavery of sin, that slavery which is causing so much death and hatred in our own country and throughout the world. Deb Jezak, quoted on page three, gives a message of hope as she prepares to go to World Youth Day in Poland: “I can only imagine there’s going to be a positive, rippling effect from all of this [WYD] because this is really centered in mercy.” Her hopeful attitude is not Pollyanish, if we remember how Our Lady of Fatima was able to bring down the Berlin Wall. Mary begged us to pray and sacrifice and eventually the Warsaw Pact countries were freed from communism. We need to have that same trust in God (and commitment on the part of ourselves to do our part, first with prayer and sacrifices, then with concrete actions guided by that prayer) that the cultural conflicts in our country and our world will not go on forever. Jim Campbell on page five shares with us his hope for the future, rooted in Pope Francis’ application of the parable of the Good Samaritan to our times. “His words offer us wisdom to confirm that our way forward must continue to emphasize charity and compassion and eschew anger and bitterness,” Jim wrote. On page seven Father Landry shares with us his joy about the new feast of St. Mary Magdalene, a woman who had received Christ’s mercy and then lived out the Works of Mercy. Father Landry quoted the new preface for the saint’s Mass, which lists Magdalene’s merciful service to Christ: “Mary Magdalene beheld Him on the cross as He was dying, sought Him in the tomb as He was lying, and was the first who adored Him as He Rose from the dead. He honored her with the task of the apostolate before the Apostles, so that the Good News of new life would reach until the ends of the earth.” Even in the midst of such terrible news that we hear every day, we are reminded that Christ’s Good News is much more important and is the context in which we should face these tragedies — knowing that Christ is present and He wishes us to help make that presence known through our prayer and action. Dwight Duncan on page nine depicts a woman who did what she could to live out that Divine command, while Rose Mary Saraiva on the next page reminds us, “In all the tragedies that so blatantly play out in the media, small glimpses of God’s care and love are very evident.” Bishop Kevin Farrell of Dallas released a statement after the murder of five police officers in his city: “We have been swept up in the escalating cycle of violence that has now touched us intimately as it has others throughout our country and the world. All lives matter: black, white, Muslim, Christian, Hindu. We are all children of God and all human life is precious. We cannot OFFICIAL NEWSPAPER OF THE DIOCESE OF FALL RIVER www.anchornews.org
Vol. 60, No. 15
Member: Catholic Press Association, Catholic News Service Published bi-weekly 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 Edgar M. da Cunha, S.D.V. 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.
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The Anchor - July 22, 2016
lose respect for each other and we call upon all of our civic leaders to speak to one another and work together to come to a sensible resolution to this escalating violence. Let us implore God our Heavenly Father to touch the minds and hearts of all people to work together for peace and understanding.” Bishop Robert Muench of Baton Rouge has had to release a series of statements — first after the suspicious death of Alton Sterling at the hands of the Baton Rouge police, then after the Dallas massacre, then after the killing of three Baton Rouge policemen this Sunday. In his first statement (issued July 7), the bishop said, “This week in our community, as in our nation, and as in our world, we find ourselves facing the many emotions that accompany acts of violence. To all these, Our Lord invites us to renew our trust in His promise of fidelity, to increase our prayer, and to renew our commitment to peace and mercy toward one another. In the parable of the Good Samaritan (Lk 10:25-37), Jesus’ powerful story encourages us, among other things, to remember we are all companions on the journey, called to support each other along the way, and be ambassadors of hope and mercy. May fear not lead us into despair. May anger not move us to inflict pain upon others. Rather, moved by the grace of Christ’s suffering for us, may we in turn impart that grace to one another.” After the Dallas shootings, the Diocese of Baton Rouge issued a call to prayer and fasting: “As we mourn the deaths of Alton Sterling in Baton Rouge, Philando Castille in Falcon Heights, and the five Dallas police officers: Brent Thompson, Patrick Zamarripa, Michael J. Smith, Michael Krol, and Lorne Ahrens, we search as a diocese to respond in a way that will unite us and bring us together to work for converted hearts and spirits, let’s do what we can do now. Our immediate response is a sincere request that all adult persons in our diocese pray and fast this week so that we may gain wisdom and courage to become personally and communally involved in building bridges across everything that divides us to become better brothers and sisters to each other.” Then, after the murder of the police in their own city, the Louisiana Diocese announced, “In response to the recent violence in Baton Rouge and especially the slaying and wounding of six police officers and sheriff deputies this past Sunday, July 17, Bishop Muench is inviting all Catholics of our diocese (and non-Catholics as well) to spend some time in Adoration [on Sunday, July 24] before the exposed Blessed Sacrament and to offer our prayer in reparation for sin, for the healing of wounded bodies and Spirits, and for the repose of the souls of those who have died by injustice and violence. In Sunday’s Gospel, we heard the story of Mary sitting at the feet of Jesus, listening to Him. When her sister Martha complained to Him about Martha’s ‘inactivity,’ Jesus said to her, Mary has chosen the better part, and it shall not be taken from her. Christian contemplation precedes Christian service. We must sit at the Master’s feet if we are to know how we are to serve Him. Please plan to spend some time in the Lord’s presence as we ask Him to lay His healing hand upon our community and our country.” Let us heed this invitation.
Daily Readings July 23 — August 5
Upcoming Daily Readings: Sat. July 23, Jer 7:1-11; Ps 84:3-6a, 8a,11; Mt 13:2430. Sun. July 24, Seventeenth Sunday in Ordinary Time, Gn 18:20-32; Ps 138:1-3,6-8; Col 2:12-14; Lk 11:1-13. Mon. July 25, 2 Cor 4:7-15; Ps 126:1b-6; Mt 20:20-28. Tues. July 26, Jer 14:17-22; Ps 79:8-9,11,13; Mt 13:36-43. Wed. July 27, Jer 15:10,16-21; Ps 59:2-4,10-11,17-18; Mt 13:44-46. Thurs. July 28, Jer 18:1-6; Ps 146:1b-6b; Mt 13:47-53. Fri. July 29, Jer 26:1-9; Ps 69:5,8-10,14; Jn 11:19-27 or Lk 10:38-42. Sat. July 30, Jer 26:11-16,24; Ps 69:15-16,30-31,33-34; Mt 14:1-12. Sun. July 31, Eighteenth Sunday in Ordinary Time, Eccl 1:2;2:21-23; Ps 90:3-6,1214,17; Col 3:1-5,9-11; Lk 12:13-21. Mon. Aug. 1, Jer 28:1-17; Ps 119:29,43,7980,95,102; Mt 14:13-21. Tues. Aug. 2, 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. 3, Jer 31:1-7; (Ps) Jer 31:10-12b,13; Mt 15:21-28. Thurs. Aug. 4, Jer 31:31-34; Ps 51:12-15,18-19; Mt 16:13-23. Fri. Aug. 5, Na 2:1,3;3:1-3,6-7; (Ps) Dt 32:35c-36b,39abcd,41; Mt 16:24-28.
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oday, for the first time in its two millennial history, the Catholic Church celebrates St. Mary Magdalene with a feast, which is an important manifestation of the extraordinary Jubilee of Mercy. The Church has for centuries marked July 22 by remembering St. Mary Magdalene with a “memorial,” a Liturgical classification below “Solemnities” and “feasts.” A Solemnity is celebrated like a Sunday Mass, with four Scripture readings, a Gloria, Creed and often a proper preface, something that we see, for example, on holy days of obligation as well as the major celebrations of Our Lady, SS. Joseph, Peter and Paul and John the Baptist. A feast honors the Apostles and evangelists, a mystery of Our Lord or Our Lady, and, exceptionally, St. Lawrence the Deacon, because of his prominence in the history of the Church in Rome. It has some proper prayers, three readings like a typical daily Mass, some of which can be proper, and a Gloria. A memorial is usually of saints but can also celebrate some devotions to Our Lord or Lady like Jesus’ Holy Name or Mary’s Immaculate Heart. Obligatory memorials must be celebrated except when they fall on Sunday; optional memorials are at the discretion of the celebrant. They normally have proper opening prayers and perhaps a proper reading, but there is no Creed, no Gloria, and no unique preface. To raise St. Mary Magdalene from an obligatory memorial to a feast, as the Church did on June 3 at the express will of Pope Francis, is more than something of
A new feast of mercy
Liturgical bookkeeping and Church. St. Luke tells us that, after having received trivia. It’s a clear sign that Christ’s mercy, she was one the Church thinks that, of several women “who had among the saints she, like the Apostles and evangelists, been cured of evil spirits and infirmities” who faithfully is particularly important. accompanied Jesus and the In the Decree of the Apostles during His jourCongregation for Divine neys and “provided for them Worship and the Disciout of their resources” (Lk pline of the Sacraments, 8:2-3). This was not a group it gave three reasons for of bored do-gooders who this Liturgical upgrade: St. Mary Magdalene is a witness of the Putting Into transforming power of Divine Mercy, a the Deep model of the indispensable service and By Father dignity of women in Roger J. Landry the Church, and an epitome of evangelifigured that these wanderzation. ing 13 men would be lost It’s fitting today, on her inaugural Liturgical feast, to without their Spiritual and practical maternity. No, each ponder all three. of them had received from St. Mary Magdalene is, Jesus a physical healing, a first, a model of response to Spiritual healing, or probGod’s mercy. St. Luke and ably both, and in gratitude St. Mark tell us that she wanted to give Jesus and His had seven demons cast out from her (Mk 16:9; Lk 8:2). mission all the love, time and material support they She had in some way been could. under the hold of the devil. And St. Mary Magdalene St. Augustine surmised that particularly excelled in this these seven demons may care. The evangelists all tell have been the seven deadly us that when almost all of sins. Regardless of what their manifestation was, she Jesus’ disciples abandoned had experienced the healing Him, St. Mary Magdalene was faithful with Him to the power of the Lord. end, standing at the foot of In order to be a true disciple of the Lord, we, too, the cross together with the need to relate to Him in His Blessed Mother, with Mary the wife of Clopas, with saving mercy. In a bookSalome and with St. John. length interview before he She remained indomitably became the Successor of Peter, Pope Francis said that faithful with feminine courage at the most difficult momany Catholics have sadly ments of discipleship. She not had the experience of helped Mary and Joseph of being redeemed by Christ Arimathea take Jesus’ Body because they do not think down and prepare It for they’re sinners in need of a burial. She returned after the Savior. “It’s only we great sinners who have this grace,” Sabbath to anoint His Body. he said. That’s a grace we see Her care for Christ and His mission is a model for every on beautiful display in the disciple: she loved Jesus, life of Mary Magdalene. Second, she is an embodi- Whose mercy transformed ment of the feminine genius her life, and consecrated her life to Him and His redeemat work in the heart of the
ing work. Third, St. Mary Magdalene is an archetype of the apostolate. She was the first person to whom the Risen Lord Jesus appeared and she was sent as the first witness of the Resurrection to the Apostles who were quivering in the Upper Room. Jesus commissioned Mary to be, according to St. Thomas Aquinas, apostolorum apostola, the Apostle of (or better to) the Apostles, the one sent to those who would eventually be commissioned to bring the Good News of great joy of Jesus’ Resurrection to the entire world. Her message was simple: “I have seen the Lord,” she announced, and reported to them what Jesus had told her. She is an exemplar of the type of evangelization that each of us is meant to carry out, sharing with others the central joyful message of Christian faith: that we have met the Risen, living, lifechanging Lord Jesus in His Real Presence, in His Word, in His mercy, in His Church, and that we can’t keep Him to ourselves but want others to know and receive that same Gift. As Pope Benedict commented in an Angelus meditation 10 years ago tomorrow: “The story of Mary of Magdala reminds us all of a fundamental truth: a disciple of Christ is one who, in the experience of human weakness, has had the humility to ask for His help, has been healed by Him and has set out following closely
after Him, becoming a witness of the power of His merciful love that is stronger than sin and death.” For today’s new feast, the Vatican published a proper preface in Latin, which summarizes St. Mary Magdalene’s life and turns it into a prayer. It’s entitled, “About the Apostle of the Apostles,” and as the Church prays it Liturgically for the first time, it’s good for all of us to offer it to God in unison: “It is truly right and just, our duty and our Salvation, that in all things we proclaim You, Almighty Father, Whose mercy is no less than His power, through Christ our Lord, Who revealing Himself in the garden appeared to Mary Magdalene who loved Him while He was living, beheld Him on the cross as He was dying, sought Him in the tomb as He was lying, and was the first who adored Him as He Rose from the dead. He honored her with the task of the apostolate before the Apostles, so that the Good News of new life would reach until the ends of the earth.” Indeed, as we celebrate St. Mary Magdalene, we celebrate the mercy, the “Good News of new life,” that she commenced in her mission to the Apostles, that they advanced, and now we continue to bring to everyone we meet. Anchor columnist Father Landry can be contacted at fatherlandry@ catholicpreaching.com.
The Anchor - July 22, 2016
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Cremains and respect for the human body
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n the famous story of David and Goliath, Goliath boasts to the young David that after he kills him, he will give his flesh “to the birds of the sky and beasts of the field.” He conveys his profound disdain for David by speaking this way, deprecating even his corpse. This offends our sensibility that dead bodies should not be desecrated, but should instead be respectfully buried. Proper disposition and care of another’s body also manifests our Christian faith in the resurrection of that body on the Last Day. Over time, this has evolved into a deeper understanding about the handling of corpses, including regulations surrounding cremation. For Catholics, cremation is considered an acceptable form of han-
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The Anchor - July 22, 2016
dling the human body after death, in the Diocese of La Crosse in the although as noted in the “Order year 2000: of Christian Funerals,” cremation “With the growing practice of “does not enjoy the same value as cremation, there has also develburial of the body. The Church oped a certain lack of care for the clearly prefers and urges that the cremated remains of the dead. body of the Funeral deceased be directors Making Sense present for who have the funeral been asked Out of rites, since to store the Bioethics the prescremated By Father Tad ence of remains Pacholczyk the human report that body better those reexpresses the mains often values which the Church affirms are left unclaimed by family or in its rites.” friends. Those charged with the Moreover, cremation can lead to arrangements for the funeral rites problematic practices, which Car- of the deceased should see that the dinal Raymond Burke referenced cremated remains are interred or in a pastoral letter to the faithful entombed at the earliest possible time. It is not permitted to scatter cremated remains over a favorite place, and it is not permitted to keep cremated remains in one’s home or place other than a cemetery. The cremated remains of one deceased person may not be mixed with the cremated remains of another person. It is not permitted to divide the cremated remains and inter or entomb them in more than one place.” These clearly articulated concerns remind us of our obligation to respect the remains of the dead, even in their ashen state. By becoming lax in our approach to handling cremains, we can easily betray the respect that is owed. A story comes to mind involving a friend of mine who works as a pilot. He was asked to take up a passenger in a small plane for the “final repose of ashes” into the ocean. As they were taking off, he told the passenger, “Just be sure that you don’t ever open that urn! It needs to be thrown overboard when I open the hatch window and give you the signal.” The passenger, however, was determined to do it his way, and when the pilot opened the window, he popped off the top of the urn and tried to scatter the ashes at sea. Instead, the ashes were seized by the violent air currents and scattered throughout the internals of
the airplane, among all the instrumentation and dials, and in the hair and clothing of the pilot and the passenger. Another reason to bury cremains in the earth or inter them in a mausoleum, rather than scattering them abroad, is to establish a particular place to be able to visit and pray for the soul of that person, in the physical presence of their mortal remains. The burial site serves as a point of reference and connection to the embodiment of that individual, rather than reducing them to a kind of vague and wispy nothingness. Keeping grandma’s ashes on the fireplace mantle or up in the attic alongside the antique paintings is another problematic practice that can easily end up down-playing or denying her human dignity, tempting us to treat her mortal remains as just another item to be moved around among our various trinkets. It can be helpful to encourage the family, and all who are involved with cremains, to think about ashes in a manner similar to how we’d think about a full body. Would we keep a casket and corpse at home for a few weeks? If not, then we shouldn’t do the same with someone’s ashes. Regrettably, many people are not thinking about cremains as the revered remnants of a fellow human being, but more as something to be disposed of whenever it’s convenient for our schedule and budget. We don’t approach full-body caskets that way because we recognize more clearly the duty to bury our beloved dead. The Sacred memory of our departed family and friends, in sum, calls us to carefully attend to their remains with authentic and objective gestures of respect. Anchor columnist Father Pacholczyk earned his doctorate in neuroscience from Yale and did post-doctoral work at Harvard. He is a priest of the Diocese of Fall River, and serves as the director of Education at The National Catholic Bioethics Center in Philadelphia. See www.ncbcenter.org.
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few months ago, the mother of one of my best friends died. Her name is Ruthanne “Dolly” Donahue. I knew her, because I knew her son Jim from the time he arrived at MIT as a freshman in 1987 until he got a Ph.D. in chemistry from Harvard in the 1990s. In fact, I was best man at Jim’s wedding to his wife Kelly a while back. Dolly’s House in Osceola, Ind., where Jim grew up, was always a haven and shelter for people who needed a home and a family. In this Year of Mercy, we do well to re-
Judge For Yourself By Dwight Duncan
member and to celebrate those like Dolly for whom the Works of Mercy are a lifestyle and a continual calling generously responded to. Notre Dame Magazine, the alumni magazine for the University of Notre Dame, just ran a piece on “Dolly’s House” in its Summer 2016 issue. The piece by Ken Bradford is well worth a full read. Here’s the link: http://magazine.nd.edu/ news/67847-dollys-house/. The reason for the Notre Dame connection is that faculty and students from the university would volunteer to help out at Dolly’s House over the past 25 years. The fact is that Dolly, while always welcoming to people in need, did not seek attention for herself. There was no public relations person at her house, nor a dedicated fundraiser. She virtually never gave press interviews. She simply took in and cared for whoever needed shelter. It seems like every one of the 14 Corporal
Goodbye, Dolly and Spiritual Works of Mercy, from welcoming the stranger to comforting the sorrowful, were daily practices at Dolly’s House. And, according to Matthew, chapter 25, when Dolly died last April at age 72 from terminal brain cancer, she doubtless heard Jesus say, “Come, blessed of My Father and enter the inheritance prepared for you from the foundation of the world. For I was hungry and you fed Me; I was thirsty and you gave Me to drink, etc. For as long as you did it to one of these least of My brothers and sisters, you did it to Me.” Neighbors got alarmed when an elderly woman from the house, who had dementia, got lost in the neighborhood. State agencies investigated, and not only cleared Dolly of any charges of wrongdoing, but ended up praising her for her tireless and generous work. In fact, she was well known to the local police and social service agencies, because she was always willing to take the toughest clients, people whom no one else would take. As Ken Bradford wrote, “Most facilities have limits. They have criteria on income, age or gender. They may require sobriety. They ask you to fill out forms, find your solutions and eventually move on. When it comes to checking those boxes, some people just don’t fit. And what do you do with the severely handicapped baby whose overwhelmed parents just want to cut and run? “For the past 40some years, Dolly’s House provided the answer. She flung open her doors to hundreds of people of all ages with all kinds
of needs — from those abandoned babies to abused mothers to alcoholics and addicts and Alzheimer’s patients. She welcomed all of these as children of God, accepting them as they are and helping them live better lives.” Before she died of terminal brain cancer on April 20, she gave her first press interview. She said she expected her mission would continue. “It’s not as complicated as people think it is,” she whispered to the reporter. “It’s just doing what’s in front of you.” When I was a teen-ager some 50 years ago, the biggest musical on Broadway, and my personal favorite, was “Hello, Dolly!” starring Carol Channing as Dolly Gallagher Levi, a charismatic matchmaker who famously said, “Money is like manure. You’ve gotta spread it around to make little things grow.” Carol Channing, the ultimate Broadway diva, is still alive and in her 90s now. I dread the eventual news of her death. Well, another and greater Dolly, not a fictional one, is gone from us in the person of Ruthanne Donahue, who spread love around so liberally. I feel quite confident that she’s in Heaven now, and though she’ll obviously
be missed, it’s nice to have her there where she belongs. Goodbye, Dolly! Anchor columnist Dwight Duncan is a professor at UMass School of Law Dartmouth. He holds degrees in civil and canon law.
The Anchor - July 22, 2016
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I
Through Your eyes
n a world of confusion, bitterness and hatred, we hear Jesus telling His disciples “Ask and it shall be given, knock and it shall be opened” (Lk 11). Yet, we wonder why is all this still happening all around us? Why does so much evil still prevail? We often feel as if all has been abandoned. God is ever present: we are not abandoned or forsaken, but we are human and imperfect, and God in His infinite wisdom and mercy, granted us free choice. It is this element of choice that allows for so much of what is happening in our world today. Working as I do with so many individuals who are hurting, the very question of why and how could God let this happen to us, our family, communities, etc., echoes repeatedly, time after time. Often the feeling that our
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prayers go unheard and thing to aide a neighbor; unanswered leave us feel- individuals putting their ing alone and adrift. It is personal beliefs and biin these times of darkness ases aside to come to oththat God is ever more ers’ assistance. These are present. It is in those glimpses of God’s Holy times of harried prayer Spirit working through and frantic hurriedness, us, for us, answering our that God is closer. He is prayers. hearing our prayers; He It is through the eyes is opening the doors we of faith, that we see the are knocking on; He is answering our pleas. When In the Palm we look at our of His Hands own lives and the world around us, By Rose Mary we see the people Saraiva who come into our lives, seemingly out of nowhere to comfort and be answers to our prayers, there for us. it is in those moments In all the tragedies that of despair that we can so blatantly play out in see His mercy and love, the media, small glimpses as the Holy Spirit works of God’s care and love are among God’s people. This very evident. In the child is what Jesus is reminding reaching out to comfort us of in Luke’s Gospel, “If an adult; the mother you then, who are wicked, using her own body to know how to give good shield her children; total gifts to your children, strangers stopping every- how much more will the
The Anchor - July 22, 2016
Father in Heaven give the Holy Spirit to those who ask Him?” When we choose to start counting the blessings in our lives, we begin to see how God has been present to us in those difficult and trying times. We begin to see how prayers and knocks have been answered, how the Holy Spirit has been working in our lives. Just a few weeks ago I had the joy of working with youth from throughout our diocese at Christian Leadership Institute. Along with the leadership skills they acquired, they experienced different forms of prayer. One such prayer, the Examen, gives us the opportunity to reflect on our day in the presence of God. A simple prayerful practice that allows us through prayer to recognize the ways God moves through our daily lives. It is a simple yet profound way to finding the good in all that is evil around us. In the midst of all the turmoil in our lives and world, taking the time to look for God in our lives, reassures us that we are not alone. The five steps to the Examen are very simple: 1.) Ask God for light. Let me see the world through God’s eyes, removing my filter. 2.) Give thanks. This day is a gift from God, how am I thankful for this gift. 3.) Review your day. Allowing the Holy Spirit to guide me, I look back at my day. 4.) Face any shortcomings. I face up to what is wrong — in my life and in me. 5.) Look
toward the day to come. I ask God to be with me where I may need Him in the day to come (www. ignationspirituality.com). This may not change the world around us, but it has a profound change on us, as we begin to recognize the presence of God in every corner our lives. In time, our perspective changes and becomes noticeable to others. So even though we may not realize its effect, there is a ripple that is far reaching. That is how the Holy Spirit works with us and through us to effect change. It is the person walking among the protesters bearing a sign saying “free hugs” in the midst of the violence. It is the individual who sees a brother or sister in need, not a race, color or creed. We have the ability to make a difference, but that difference begins in the changes we make in ourselves. When we dare to find God in every nuance of our lives, we begin to find a joy that is contagious. And even in the midst of our own personal pain, we find peace and love, understanding and compassion, if we dare to look at this world through God’s eyes. If we dare to ask God to let me see the world through Your eyes today, Lord. Amen. Anchor columnist Rose Mary Saraiva lives in Fall River and is a parishioner of St. Michael’s Parish, and she is the Events Coordinator and Bereavement Ministry for the diocesan Off ice of Faith Formation. She is married with three children and two grandchildren. rsaraiva@dfrcs.com.
Yum, yum Friday 22 July 2014 — Sheltering in place — Birth Anniversary of Rev. William Spooner (1844) — See “spoonerism” he German language, dear readers, routinely strings words together to coin a new multisyllabic word. My favorite is rechtsschutzversicherungsgesellschafte. That would translate as the single English word “an-insurance-companyproviding-legal-advice.” My German language skills are very limited. The only other German word I know is gesundheit. Using them together would involve encountering a monolingual German insurance agent who happens to have a bad head cold. No, I don’t think I’ll ever have occasion to use rechtsschutzversicherungsgesellschafte and gesundheit in the same sentence. Oh, wait. I just did. I decided to invent a new word, as the Germans do. My new word is inspired by “snowbound.” Somebody invented that one in the early 1800s. Even here, where we tell those from “over the bridge” that it never snows on Cape Cod and that we play golf in January, “snowbound” is a well-used word. Truth be told, Cape Codders are sometimes snowbound. When the snowdrifts top four feet Cape Codders (like everyone else) simply stay home. Well, it’s exactly the same in summer — except different. We are “sunbound.” Here’s why. Firstly, there are many people of Irish descent on Cape Cod. We Irish tend to have very fair skin, thanks to the contribution of invading Viking hoards to our gene pool. Irish dare
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not venture outdoors in the Cape, it’s true what they summer without a broadsay: “You can’t get there brimmed hat and a galfrom here.” God forbid lon of industrial-strength your detour involves leftsunblock. Some Irish, they hand turns. You might as say, are so pale that they can’t even pass The Ship’s Log an open window in Reflections of a the month of AuParish Priest gust without risking second degree By Father Tim burns. “No sense Goldrick going out,” we say at this time of year. “Too sunny.” well bring a boxed lunch. I am 14 percent Viking. And if it should happen to I get sunburned easily. be a lousy beach day, Main Before they invented sunStreet will become a giant block, I worked two sumparking lot. Just be thankmers as a lifeguard. It was ful cars are allowed on painful. Main Street, even if you’re Another reason to stay stuck in traffic. Sometimes home is traffic. Down at the town will ban all vehicDippin’ Donuts, the word ular traffic on Main Street is that there are more so that some kind of fair visitors than ever on Cape might be held. “No sense Cod this summer. There going out,” we say. Cape can be a line 20 cars long Codders are sunbound. at the drive-up window — The locals have come up at 5:30 a.m. with strategies to handle Traffic is horrendous. the situation; one is to take We say that every sumthe back roads. With the mer, of course, but this year invention of Google Maps, it may well be true. The MapQuest, and other such media reported that at the conveniences, the secret close of the Fourth of July shortcuts have become weekend, traffic leaving common knowledge. Now the Cape was grid-locked the back roads, too, are from the bridges to the clogged. Orleans rotary (a 25-mileAnother ploy is to long traffic jam). Some observe the times of traffic say the Cape actually sank surges — and then avoid three inches into the sea them. This may mean that from the added weight you will be on the road that weekend, but these are earlier in the morning or unconfirmed reports. later at night. It involves The situation is exacnot only the time of day erbated by road construcbut also the day of the tion. It begins as soon as week. It’s a complicated the winter weather breaks. formula that takes years to There seems to be no master. coordination at all between I recently had to cross the various contractors. the bridge. Bishop Edgar We encounter detours on M. da Cunha has initiour detours and expect ated a series of small group more detours after that. meetings with all priests We drive in endless circles on active duty. He invites — often in the opposite six or seven priests of apdirection from our destina- proximately the same age tion. Sometimes, on the to come to his residence
at noon. After a period of prayer, priests and bishop sit down for lunch. Afterwards, everyone moves to the sitting room across the foyer for an hour or so of open discussion. The bishop’s lunch program began with the oldest group of active priests, myself being among them. The younger priests, after all, have the benefit of time. We older men, not so much. It was a rare opportunity and well-worth crossing the bridge. And besides, traffic is light on Tuesday mornings.
Understand, dear readers, that the travel for some of my classmates was much more arduous. For some, it involved an airplane piloted by Father Mike Nagle. Rarely do Cape Codders venture out in the summer, but always when the bishop invites you to lunch. Lunch, by the way, was delicious — Brazilian/ Portuguese style. Besides Viking, I am also part Portuguese. “Yum, yum,” as Father Wallace always says. Anchor columnist Father Goldrick is pastor of St. Patrick’s Parish in Falmouth.
The Anchor - July 22, 2016
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FRDCCW to display that ‘Diocese of Fall River’s Got Talent’
By Dave Jolivet Anchor Editor davejolivet@anchornews.org
and the Schwartz Center. The idea for a diocesan talent show was spawned at a National Council of Catholic Women Convention. DCCW current president, Fran Brezinski, told The Anchor, “While attending the last two NCCW conventions, there was a ‘Padres and Madres on Parade.’ Several of the priests in attendance performed and a woman dressed as a nun told jokes. It was one of the highlights of the convention. “That definitely sparked me to try and initiate something similar in the Fall River Diocese. Father Racine, our Spiritual advisor, and many of the ladies in the Fall River Diocesan Council of Catholic Women supported the idea; along, with Bishop da
volunteer to participate, and the list keeps growing,” said Brezinski. Father Racine will be EAST FREETOWN — the emcee, and to date the Each Wednesday evening, following individuals are countless television viewers scheduled to perform: tune into NBC’s “America’s Bishop da Cunha will Got Talent,” to watch a share his fine singing talplethora of contestants vie ents; for the top prize of $1 milFather Richard E. Delion. gagne, pastor of Immaculate On August 14, the Fall Conception Church in River Diocesan Council of North Easton, a classical Catholic Women will whitpianist, will perform two tle down America’s talent to pieces and will be the ac“The Diocese of Fall River’s companist for the bishop’s Got Talent,” during a showperformance; case of diocesan performers, Father Thomas E. Costa including Bishop Edgar Jr., pastor of Annunciation M. da Cunha, S.D.V., at St. of the Lord in Taunton, John Neumann Parish in will utilize his humor to put East Freetown at 1:30 p.m. a smile on the attendees’ The site is air-conditioned. faces; Proceeds from the funFather Richard M. Roy, filled event will help the pastor of St. Julie Billiart Fall River Diocesan CounParish in North Dartmouth, cil of Catholic Women to will use his special vocal talent to sing two songs; Father Christopher M. Peschel, a parochial vicar at St. Pius X Parish in South Yarmouth, has many talents and will surprise show-goers with his performance; Deacon Paul Levesque, of St. Bernard’s Parish in Assonet, is a guitarist and will also lend his fine vocal abilities; Deacon Joe Medeiros, of St. Jude’s Parish in Taunton, Deacon Paul Levesque from St. Bernard’s Parish in As- will be play the guitar and sonet will be playing the guitar at the upcoming Talent sing two Portuguese songs; Showcase fund-raiser, sponsored by the Fall River Diocguitarist Russell Costa esan Council of Catholic Women on August 14 at St. John will play and sing, and has Neumann Parish in East Freetown. vocalists who will accompany him; Cunha. Luke Clougher, the choir support its many endeav“We started planning this director from Annunciaors, including sponsorin September 2015. To my tion of the Lord Parish in ing a Walk for Domestic knowledge, the council has Taunton, will be playing the Violence in the fall. The bagpipes; council has also made many never done this before.” The DCCW-sponsored the “Unnun Nuns from contributions to charities within the diocese; has held event has drawn a very good Leisure Woods,” will response from folks across perform. Leisure Woods is a Breakfast on Domestic Violence 2015 and on Hu- the diocese who are willing a mobile park in Taunton, to share their talents for this and these ladies have been man Trafficking in 2014; very good cause. creating an annual show for contributes to the Catholic “We have been fortunate the residents of the park. Charities Appeal; and supto have several individuals They will be performing ports the Donovan House 12 The Anchor - July 22, 2016
songs from “Sister Act.” Judy Cooney, who plays the piano at La Salette Shrine in Attleboro on Saturdays, will play and sing at
In addition to the talent showcase, there will be a 50/50 raffle, a $150 lottery basket raffle, and door prizes.
Father Richard E. Degagne, pastor of Immaculate Conception Church in North Easton, a classical pianist, will perform two pieces and will be the accompanist for Bishop Edgar M. da Cunha’s singing performance at the upcoming Talent Showcase fund-raiser, sponsored by the Fall River Diocesan Council of Catholic Women, on August 14 at St. John Neumann Parish in East Freetown.
the talent show. Elizabeth Montigny will present an interpretation of “The Joyous Mysteries” of the Rosary. Brezinski also mentioned to The Anchor that there will be a “Mystery Guest” to be announced during the show. And while Heidi Klum, Howie Mandel, Mel B, and Simon Cowell won’t be there judging the performers, and there isn’t a cool million dollars on the line, a wonderful time is in store for those who do attend.
Tickets are $10 for adults and $5 for children. For more information, for tickets, or to volunteer to perform, contact any of the following DCCW members: Helen Stager, 508-9926680; Mary Mitchell, 508-993-3742; Lynette Ouellette, 508-674-7036; Maddie Lavoie, 508-6726900; Beatrice Pereira, 508823-7623; Virginia Wade, 508-676-6515; Adrienne Lemieux, 508-824-8395; or Fran Brezinski, 508-8245279 or email frdccwfran@ aol.com.
Statement of the Massachusetts Catholic Conference on the passage of Transgender Legislation
Today’s [ July 8] passage of an act relative to transgender anti-discrimination, commonly known as the “Transgender Bill” follows several months of debate and discussion in the Massachusetts legislature and numerous expressions of public opinion. While the purpose and intent of the legislation is to provide protection and access to public accommodations for transgender individuals in the Commonwealth, the issue of its implementation will require careful oversight and respect for all individuals using such public accommodations.
Debate about this legislation and its implementation will undoubtedly continue in some form. It will inevitably touch on themes not easily captured by law. Pope Francis, for example, in his recent encyclical, “Amoris Laetitia,” acknowledges the pluralism within and among cultures regarding sexuality and Marriage, but he also warns against an absolute separation of the physical and cultural understanding of sexuality and gender. We too recognize wide disparities about sexuality in American society. The understanding of and respect
for transgender persons has only recently commanded widespread attention. The complex challenge of crafting legislative protections for some in our community while meeting the needs of the wider population will require sensitive application of the legislation just passed. We urge respect in this discussion for all those whose
rights require protection. In our parishes, schools and other institutions, the Church will respect the civil law while upholding the principles of our faith and our religious freedom. The Massachusetts Catholic Conference is the public policy voice of the Archdiocese of Boston and the Dioceses of Worcester, Springf ield and Fall River.
The Anchor - July 22, 2016
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Father John Sullivan, pastor of St. Patrick’s Parish in Wareham, offers a special blessing to Robert Giannelli and Michael Lindquist, two of the six parish youth who will be traveling to World Youth Day in Krakow, Poland this year. (Photo by Kenneth J. Souza)
Parish groups heading to Poland for World Youth Day continued from page three
at WYD 2008 and her son, Nathaniel, was also there to provide music. “We went as a family and traveled with the Archdiocese of Boston but we stayed with a host family in Australia and that was a unique experience in itself,” Jezak said. “It was very different from our experience in Toronto because we were staying and living with this family in Australia.” But the one thing that remains Jezak’s most treasured memory from past World Youth Days is when a fellow pilgrim with muscular dystrophy, Val Monteiro, got a wave and a smile from St. John Paul II in 2002. It was during that first trip — when the diocesan group got close to the pope mobile near the fence — that Monteiro’s wish came true. “This really was his dream: to be able to go to a World Youth Day and see the Holy Father,” Jezak said. “And because we were 14
The Anchor - July 22, 2016
traveling by bus, it was possible for him to join us. He was on the bus with us and his wheelchair was put in the storage area below. “When the day came for us to see the pope, he was right up against the gate and as the Holy Father was coming along he was waving to the left and to the right and it just happened — I think it was Divine intervention — that the Holy Father turned and had a direct view of Val in the wheelchair and he waved at him. So the tears started coming down his eyes — it was everything he had hoped for. We all got a little emotional because we knew what it meant to him.” As for this year’s pilgrimage, Jezak is excited about the slate of speakers and presenters and is confident that the theme of mercy will be prominent throughout. “I’m sure many of the speeches and homilies will be about that,” she said. “They’re actually calling this
a ‘School of Mercy,’ and I think that’s pretty cool. Given this pope, I think the effect of this will trickle down and it is really going to be a powerful message for the entire world.” First-time WYD attendee Michael Lindquist said he couldn’t even begin to express “how much it means to us” and how appreciative he’s been for the parish’s support. “We really want to thank everyone,” he said. “They’ve all stepped forward to help us.” “I was just looking around at all the faces as they were receiving the blessing from Father Sullivan and everyone was smiling,” Maureen Lindquist added. “It’s been great to see so many people support this trip — and it’s great to see the parish rally around the youth, since they are our future. I just had a woman come up to me and give me a donation. It’s all about sharing their faith and belief with them, and that’s huge.”
Bishop announces interim superintendent of diocesan schools
July 14, 2016 Dear heads of schools, principals, school pastors, and School Task Force members: I am pleased to inform you that Steve Perla, a veteran administrator and leader in Catholic education, will serve as interim superintendent of schools for the Fall River Dio-
cese while the selection process continues for a permanent candidate for the post. The appointment will become effective August 1. Steve comes with more than 30 years’ experience in Catholic school education as a former senior leader for the University of Notre Dame’s interna-
tional Catholic schools consulting organization, ACE Consulting; as superintendent of schools for the Diocese of Worcester; as a teacher at Notre Dame High School in Fitchburg; and as a public policy advocate as executive director of PACE, the former statewide Parents Alliance for Catholic Education. With his extensive background he comes ready to step in to lead our Catholic schools as well as to work with the Schools Task Force now completing its study, while we continue the search process to select the right person to serve
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Diocese of Fall River TV Mass on WLNE Channel 6 July 24, 11:00 a.m.
Celebrant is Father Brilhante, chaplain at Charlton Memorial Hospital in Fall River, in residence at Santo Christo Parish, Fall River.
July 31, 11:00 a.m.
Celebrant is Father Jeffrey Cabral, judicial vicar of the diocesan Tribunal Office and in residence at St. Mary’s Parish in Mansfield.
as superintendent on a permanent basis. I am deeply grateful to him for his willingness to take the position for the short term to help at this important juncture. For his part, Steve has said that he understands well that this is an especially meaningful time for our Catholic school community, and that he looks forward to partnering with all of its members to strengthen and advance Catholic education in our diocese. It may be of interest for you to know that in his work with ACE Consulting, Steve assisted more than 150 Catholic schools
and 50 (arch)diocesan Catholic School Offices with strategic planning and decision making in the areas of faith development, academics, stewardship, and leadership. It is my hope that you are getting some time to rest this summer. Please know of my gratitude to you for all you do to support the mission of Catholic education. Sincerely yours in the Lord,
Most Reverend Edgar M. da Cunha, S.D.V., D.D. Bishop of Fall River
‘Kalaupapa’s Got Talent’
in concert, not for fame n April 11, 2009, or fortune, but to praise a 47-year-old the Lord in music and Scottish lass named Susan Boyle shocked and song. Featured on piano we had Debbie, who was stunned the listening audience of “Britain’s Got also our emcee for the evening as well as beTalent” show with her jaw dropping rendition of “I Dreamed A Moon Over Dream.” As we Molokai all know by this time, this showBy Father stopping perforPatrick Killilea, SS.CC. mance catapulted her to overnight fame and singing ing the program director. success. Yet unspoiled by Claire and Zianna, Carrie her sensational success, and David played classishe still lives in her own cal with pizzazz as well as council house, though religious music. Richard she did purchase the on clarinet and harmonhouse next door. She is ica provided rhythm and certainly a model and an inspiration for all aspiring blues while Ryan played percussion with gusto. professional singers. Eddie with the golden So it was some weeks ago that many of our Ka- voice and uke brought laupapa community gath- Gospel and Soul music to our evening and provided ered one evening at St. background for Jenny Francis Church to hear and Zianna as they told our local artists, vocalists a story in Hula dance. and musicians, perform
Nurse Debbie thrilled us with a touching rendition of “Ave Maria” and I attempted my best version of Elvis Presley’s “In The Garden,” and Cat Steven’s “Morning Has Broken.” Thankfully nobody tossed eggs or tomatoes! There were no judges present that evening and no one expected to be voted onto the next show as in “America’s Got Talent” or “Britain’s Got Talent,” but there was loud applause and respectful acknowledgement of the efforts of the evening’s participants. This had been an evening for community participation and community building and, yes, it was an evening for us to say, “Kalaupapa’s got talent.” Anchor columnist Father Killilea is pastor of St. Francis Parish in Kalaupapa, Hawaii.
The Anchor - July 22, 2016
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Youth Pages North Dighton mission team to return to Guaimaca; seeks assistance
NORTH DIGHTON — The mission to Guaimaca, Honduras, sponsored by the St. Nicholas of Myra Knights of Columbus Council 14947, which began in 2011, continues. On August 5, mission team No. 6 returns to Honduras with a passion to help advance the process of bringing more aid to the people of Guaimaca by assisting the Dominican Sisters of the Presentation and St. Rose of Lima Parish through their St. Vincent de Paul Society. The missionaries are preparing for another trip which will focus on aiding the people of Guaimaca and the surrounding villages with food, clothing and medical supplies; building their infrastructure; and with improvements to the mission. They will be working with the Sisters at the Marie Poussepin Center, the clinic and the Nazareth Farm. Missionaries will be asked to assist in various mission projects requested by the Sisters, and will be assigned to groups to accomplish the goals. There is great excitement about the opportunities to assist wherever the missionaries are needed. You can review the Sisters’ endeavors at: http:// dompresentation-usa. blogspot.com/ There are wonderful things being done to make a difference in the lives of others, and in doing so, it is making a difference in everyone involved. Jesus is calling. Say yes (See: Mk 12:31). Team No. 6 still has openings for missionaries available. All are welcome. Children under the age of 18 must be accompanied by a parent/guardian. Those interested in joining the team can contact: Manuel Avila at 508-369-6873 or Ruth at DTI at 774-409-2933, weekdays from 9 a.m. to 12 p.m. To make a donation to support the mission team, make a check payable to: St. Nicholas of Myra Knights of Columbus No. 14947, with “Honduras Mission Team,” in the memo, and mail it to: St. Nicholas of Myra Parish, P.O. Box 564, North Dighton, Mass. 02764. Attn: Honduras Mission Team: Manuel/Ruth.
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ith two recently Some are heading to born grandsons, high school, others off my wife and I are spend- to college. Perhaps othing more time on the ers are heading to a new road traveling from here city or starting a new job. to western Connecticut As you will soon learn or to spend time with our may have already learned, children and grandchilthe road of life is a somedren. With many hours times flat, easy ride and on the road each week, other times a twisting, I’ve noticed that there turning, pothole-filled seems to be a lot more path with hills and valconstruction going on. leys. In all cases, on the And there are signs road there are road signs everywhere telling us what to do and where to go. I know we probably grow so accustomed to seeing signs that perhaps By Deacon we don’t pay much Frank Lucca attention to them. But they are there, guiding us on our jouralong the way to guide ney, nonetheless. And if us through. Bump ahead. we don’t pay attention to Time to slow down and them, well, we could very hold on. Construction well end up in a ditch or ahead. Time to be causomething worse! tious. Curve, slow down! Stop. Keep Out. Bump. Still on the journey. A Merge. One Way. Like a way to go before our final highway journey, so goes destination. life. We’re on the road. We’re all on this jourWe’re on the way. Signs ney called life. We can guide the way. read the signs or move For many of you readblindly on hoping to ing this, you are emsomehow get to our barking on another part destination. Sometimes of your journey of life. we’ll make good time and other times we’ll get bogged down. Moving ahead too quickly, doing things we’re not supposed to — we’ll get stopped, hopefully, before we do something to hurt someone else or ourselves. And of course, sometimes getting to that dead-end and having to turn around and find our way back. As you move on to the next phase of your journey, I encourage you to heed the signs that are there to get you to your destination safely. In life
The Anchor is always pleased to run news and photos about our diocesan youth. If schools, parish Religious Education programs, home-schoolers, or Vacation Bible Camps have newsworthy stories and photos they would like to share with our readers, send them to: schools@anchornews.org 16
The Anchor - July 22, 2016
Rest stop ahead
Be Not Afraid
we call those signs parents, teachers, priests, and good friends. They’ll help you steer your way and to stay on the road to your final destination. Don’t be fooled by some signs that may lure you to somewhere you don’t want to go, especially those bright neon signs off the side of the road that try to make you take the exit. Those signs that try to make the evil and bad look good and attractive. Pay attention and you’ll know which signs to look for and to pay attention to. In all cases stay on the road. Here comes the next sign: Slow down — Rest Stop Ahead. I think we can all use a short break before the next phase of the journey begins. Enjoy the summer. As you prepare to move up a grade, or to head off to college or work, watch for the signs in your life and thank God for placing them in your path. He will never steer you wrong. Travel safely. See you along the way. Anchor columnist Frank Lucca is a permanent deacon in the diocese of Fall River, a youth minister at St. Dominic’s Parish in Swansea, and a campus minister at UMass Dartmouth. He is married to his wife of 37 years, Kristine, and the father of two daughters and their husbands, and three grandsons. So blessed! Comments, ideas or suggestions? Please email him at DeaconFrankLucca@ comcast.net.
Youth Pages
Students and faculty at St. James-St. John School in New Bedford held a fun day shortly before school let out for the summer.
Laudato Si’ was presented to students at Holy Family-Holy Name School in New Bedford by Sister Elaine Poitras. She presented the message from Pope Francis to the different Catholic schools in the area. Sister Elaine collaborated with the City of New Bedford Recycling Program who taught the students how to recycle at home. Pictured are Sister Elaine, representatives from the City of New Bedford and some students.
The youth group from Good Shepherd and St. Stanislaus parishes in Fall River recently held a community breakfast at Good Shepherd Parish.
ltar boys Brandon Silva, Donovan Brito, Ethan Pimentel, and Nathan A Camara from St. Michael’s and St. Joseph’s parishes in Fall River prepare to serve Mass with pastor Father Jay Mello.
Pre-kindergarten students at Our Lady of Lourdes School in Taunton recently released their butterflies after learning about the life cycle of the creature.
Girls and moms from the “Girl Power Program” at Holy Trinity Parish in West Harwich celebrate participating in the Harwich 5K Road Race. Girl Power Program, designed by Barbara Foley, is for two sets of girls: one group in grade 5-7 with adult female mentors ages 60-80, and the other group (new this year) is grades three and four girls with adult female mentors ages 60-80. There are four precepts to the program: 1.) Journal writing together about questions to empower. Then sharing and getting to know each other. 2.) Making a healthy snack together so that the kids are not reliant on adults to have to make everything for them and we give them the easy recipes to go home with. 3.) Community speaker or Program to empower girls and keep them safe. 4.) A fun healthy exercise. The Anchor - July 22, 2016
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Youth Pages
St. Mary’s School in Mansfield recently hosted Spirit Day. Students and their families were invited to wear their SMCS Spirit wear to all of the basketball games, cheering on the SMCS Stars. Families of eighth-grade players joined the team for a photo to honor their coaches and parents.
First-grade students at St. John the Evangelist School in Attleboro learned about rain and created “thunderstorms” in their music class. Music teacher Sue Fortin explained, “It’s part of a unit I’ve been doing on songs about rain. We made a rainstorm with rainsticks and a thundermachine instrument. We acted out another song from a book called the ‘Yellow Umbrella’ with a piano piece written to accompany it.” The students also read Noah’s Ark story and learned the Bible song, ‘Who Built The Ark?’ Using a fabric prop that looked like water, the students pretended to be the animals entering the ark.
The Interact Club of Bishop Connolly High School in Fall River, a subsidiary of the city’s Rotary Club, recently completed its “Backpacks for Literacy” project by presenting more than 75 backpacks to children in K-2 who attend the afterschool program at the Fall River YMCA. Each backpack included books and a “reading buddy” or stuffed animal for each child to read to. The Connolly Interact Club is in its inaugural year.
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The Anchor - July 22, 2016
Coyle & Cassidy Warriors recently returned from a mission trip in New Orleans, La. The group served for a week at Second Harvest Community Kitchen and at PACE, an elderly nursing care facility. Warriors continue to model the school motto, “Enter to Learn, Leave to Serve.”
When there’s a crisis, catechesis begins at home continued from page four
how often do we do that in families?” People often don’t think about Jesus and Mary in that way, and by humanizing the Holy Family and understanding their own struggles at home, families understand they are not alone. “Sometimes we have this aspect that the Holy Family was perfect,” said Mahoney. “They had their moments, but when we put it into the concrete reality of our everyday life, it did raise an awareness of it. A couple of people said to me after the workshop, I never thought about it that way. There’s so much we can learn through the interaction from the Holy Family.” The Year of Mercy offers a chance for people to be open to communicating more, showing understanding and mercy, and creating a stronger bond through healing and reconciliation. When there is someone going through the grieving process, or even when families have children go away to college or get married, parents are happy for them but it changes their lives. “It’s that reminder of the presence of God in each one of us and in our families to give us that strength,” said Mahoney Mahoney paraphrased John Paul II’s apostolic letter, (Rosarium Virginis Mariae) “The Most Holy Rosary,” saying, “When family members gather together to pray, it’s the opportunity to look each other in the eye to embrace that, to look at reconciliation and forgiveness, and to be a moment of Sacredness within the family.” To help families to understand this in this Year of Mercy, she offered easy-tofollow activities that would
unite the family through sharing and prayer. Place a bowl on the kitchen table, said Mahoney, and ask family members to jot down something they would like to pray for, like a sick family member, an upcoming test or a problem at work. When the family leaves to start his or her day, each member will reach in the bowl and grab one of the prayer intentions and carry it with them all day. “They may not have the time to sit down at the table to pray,” said Mahoney, “but they’re unified in that they are praying for one member of their family who has a situation that needs attention, and some prayer and guidance.” Another unifying idea to help open up communication within the family is for them to create a Sacred space in the home, be it a chair in the living room or at the kitchen table; someplace where if a family member goes there, the other members know there is a need to pay attention to that person, and to reach out to see what they need to share with the family. “What I’ve heard over the years is, sometimes there is a lack of communication,” said Mahoney. “They want to do it [to share an issue with the family] but they don’t know how to do it. So this example of having a Sacred space in the home, they know if they see someone sitting there, the others need to pay attention.” Mahoney wants people to recognize the home is the first stop, the true “first aid station” for hurting family members. “Often when there’s a problem in the home, we go outside the home” to fix
it, she said. “We have the tools in the family to help each other. Oftentimes we go to someone else outside the family, and we don’t go within to strengthen the family.” Many people don’t recognize how much we have within the family, she added. Culture and current media have guided people away from the family in the sense that it’s become normal to complain to friends and simply not embrace familial communication, but instead reach out to others. “I think for many years we lost the aspect that the family is our first place for catechesis,” said Mahoney. “For a long time, we’ve put that on the parish or Religious Education or Catholic schools, and we’ve lost the sense the true Spirituality of the family. Our faith journey starts within the family and is rooted within the family.” She then highlighted the Corporal and Spiritual Works of Mercy and “put it in the context of, we live these within our family.” Mahoney then shared a story of her father who had been hospitalized while ill. Upon his release, her brother came to visit and mentioned he was hungry. Her father immediately rose from the couch and went into the kitchen to cook her brother something to eat. “I went into the kitchen,” said Mahoney, “and said to my dad, ‘What are you doing?’ and he said, ‘As long as I’m capable of feeding my children, I will feed my children. I am going to feed my son.’ “I looked at that and realized he showed me what it is to live the Corporal Works of Mercy. He was feeding the hungry. Fami-
lies live those every day. It can go both ways on how families witness to each other; children can witness this to their parents, as well as parents to their children. This is not something new. These are basic necessities that people have in life, and families try to live this and they struggle with it. It’s now easy, but we’re called to live the Works of Mercy in the family.” The home is the domestic Church, said Mahoney, and during the workshop she raised the question, “Do you believe your family is holy?” Many responded no way, recalled Mahoney, as they began to state that just getting the children up, fed and ready for school; it’s chaos. Mahoney then countered with her next question, “How do you think
the Holy Family lived?” They had stress, disappointments, struggles, moments where they had to reconcile and forgive each other. They had their own hurtful moments where they had to heal. “That was a real awakening for people and that helped put the human aspect on the Holy Family, and I think it did the reverse, too, and brought Spirituality to their families,” said Mahoney. “I tell them your family is holy, and just because you have a crisis or there’s a struggle or lack of communication, that there isn’t that Sacredness within the family. I think we’ve lost that as a society and we need to get back to that, to the roots of our faith and the roots of our faith within the family.”
Retreat aims to spark relationship with God continued from page two
wonder of our Catholic faith. Each woman may be called to a different vocation whether it be religious life, married life or the single life, but no matter what vocation they are called to, they are all called to invite God into their hearts. A weekend such as this will encourage them to do so, and I am excited to be a part of it. “I believe Mother Teresa said it best, ‘When we look at the cross we our reminded of how much God loved us then. When we look at the Tabernacle we are reminded of how much God loves us now.’ To know God’s true love, these young women need to take the time to reflect on the gifts God has given to them. As they discern and follow their calling, they will find that the love God has for them is abundant and never-ending.
Knowing this, they will discover the peace, joy, and fulfillment that comes when they hear God call them by name.” “Through the grace of God, I have been blessed with some opportunities to speak to young women, and get to the heart of what really matters,” said Terraccino. The weekend runs from Friday, August 12 at 7 p.m. through Sunday, August 14, ending at 1:30 p.m. at the Sacred Hearts Retreat Center, 226 Great Neck Road, Wareham. The cost, including all meals, is $70. Young women interested in going should make a reservation by August 4. To register or for further information, contact Sister Paulina Hurtado, O.P., via email at Sr.Paulina@dioc-fr.org, or call her at 508-6751311.
The Anchor - July 22, 2016
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Detour to Brooklyn, lesson in kindness to Yonkers where we were staying with his relatives. My boss was Working my first black tie dinner as a very Rev. Bartley MacPhaidin, president of Stonehill junior public relations College in Easton, which person, I learned virtuI have served for well ally nothing about my over 30 years now. chosen profession. The Father Bart wanted to scale, pace and glitz of visit an old friend who the fund-raising dinner was not well. I yearned at the Waldorf Astoria in New York City during for sleep. Keeping my grumblings to myself, I the early 1980s overdrove out with him from whelmed me. The event Manhattan to Brooklyn. simply reinforced how Our destination was a much I had yet to master neighborhood bar owned in the business of comby an Irish immigrant munications and fund who, like Father Bart, raising. hailed from Donegal. The night, however, was not a complete loss, While he visited with his as an after-dinner expe- friend in the apartment rience taught me a more above, I sat solo at the bar sipping beer. In my valuable life lesson. tuxedo, I cut an awkward As the gala wrapped figure. Out of place twice up, my boss took me in one night, inexperiaside and suggested we enced at the Waldorf take a detour to Brookand way overdressed at a lyn instead of returning
By Martin McGovern Special to The Anchor
In Your Prayers Please pray for these priests during the coming weeks July 23 Rev. Patrick F. Doyle, Founder, SS. Peter and 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 Permanent Deacon James J. Meloni Jr., 2011 July 29 Rev. Mathias McCabe, Retired Pastor, Sacred Heart, Fall River, 1913 Rev. Charles P. Trainor, S.S., St. Edward Seminary, Seattle, Wash., 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. 1 Rev. Marc H. Bergeron, Pastor, Our Lady of Fatima, New Bedford, 2014 Aug. 5 Rev. Martin J. Fox, Founder, St. Paul, Taunton, 1917 Rev. Thomas A. Kelly, Pastor, SS. Peter and Paul, Fall River, 1934
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The Anchor - July 22, 2016
bar that catered to working folks. No wonder the minutes ticked by slowly as my frustration festered. After about an hour or so, Father Bart came down the stairs. Finally, we headed for Yonkers and the prospect of sleep. Breaking his silence as we drove, he spoke about his friend’s terminal illness but in such a compassionate tone that guilt gnawed at me for having been so grumpy about the detour. My mind had been on relaxation and recuperation after a difficult professional baptism. His was on an act of mercy and kindness, tending to the sick and the dy-
ing. The gap between us humbled me. In the first half of the evening, Father Bart had charmed a banquet hall full of prosperous benefactors in an elegant hotel. In the second part, he sat in less glamorous surroundings with a family coming to terms with the prospect of a devastating loss. He had raised a lot of money for the college that night, but success did not distract him from his pastoral mission or loyalty to a friend. He found the energy, time and care to reach out to someone in need at the very moment he could have been basking in professional glory.
That was an instructive lesson for me about priorities and balance in life. I have never forgotten its moral or the example of its teacher. In the years that followed, I was blessed to have Father Bart as a mentor, a friend, a Sherpa guide to life in America, and the best man at my wedding. He died in March this year and, since then, that detour to Brooklyn has been playing in my mind regularly. A jarring lesson at the time, it will be in my heart forever. Originally from Dublin, Martin McGovern lives in Mashpee and works at Stonehill College in Easton.
Father Richard John Neilson
CHATHAM — Father Richard John Neilson, 92, a retired priest of the Archdiocese of New York, died July 5 on Cape Cod, where he has resided for the past 19 years. Father Neilson was born in Glasgow, Scotland on Feb. 8, 1924, a son to Frederick and Mary Judith (McClouran) Neilson. He maintained a very close relationship with his aunts, uncles and cousins who were influential in maintaining his well-being. He attended schools in Scotland, St. Peter College, St. Mary College and graduated from St. Aloysius College. Father Neilson immigrated to the United States in 1946, settling first in Wilmington, Del. where he worked at DuPont Corporation. It was here he became a citizen of the U.S. in 1956. In 1963 he moved to New York City where
he worked for Grundfeldt in finance for several years on Wall Street. In the early 70s he and three other men established a Wall Street business, becoming very successful corporate businessmen. Being a deeply pious man and inspired by Blessed John Henry Cardinal Newman, he set out to live a chaste life in conformity to what he believed the Lord’s Will was for his life. After much encouragement from the late Msgr. William Smith, S.T.D. and Father Benedict Groeschel, founder of C.F.R.’s, he was ordained to the priesthood on Dec. 8, 1983, the Solemnity of the Immaculate Conception, for the Arch-
diocese of New York. The late Bishop Joseph Thomas O’Keefe ordained Father Neilson at St. John the Evangelist Church in New York City. He served in two parishes of the Archdiocese of New York in New York City: St. Peter Parish, Barclay Street, and Our Savior Parish, Fifth Avenue. In 1997, Father Neilson retired to Cape Cod. In his retirement Father Neilson served Holy Redeemer Parish of Chatham and Our Lady of Grace Chapel of South Chatham. He is survived by several cousins. A Mass of Christian Burial was celebrated on July 13 on the grounds of Marycrest at the Chapel of the Immaculate Conception, 164 Quaker Hill Road, Monroe, N.Y. Burial followed at Our Lady Assumption Cemetery at Marycrest.
Father William G. Condon, C.S.C.
NOTRE DAME, Ind. — Father William G. Condon, C.S.C., 82, died at Our Lady of Fatima House, Notre Dame, Ind. on July 3. He was born on June 30, 1934, to William and Helen (Murphy) Condon in Boston. He was received into the Congregation of Holy Cross on Aug. 15, 1954. Father Condon professed his First Vows on Aug. 16, 1955. He earned a bachelor’s degree from Stonehill College in Easton in 1952, a master’s from Holy Cross College, Washington, D.C., in 1961, and was ordained to the priesthood on June 1, 1961. Father Condon served as Tiroc Pastorale at Notre Dame High School in Bridgeport, Conn. from 1961 to 1962 and then as instructor at the same from 1962 to 1965, while also completing a master’s degree in political science at Catholic University in 1965. From 1965 to 1969, Father Condon served as an instructor at St. Peter High School, Gloucester, and also served on the provincial council from 1966 to 1969. From 1969 to 1970, Father Condon was assistant dean at King’s College in Wilkes-Barre, Penn. In 1970 he was principal of Notre Dame High School in Bridgeport, Conn., until 1973. From the fall of 1974 to 1984, Father Condon served as a military chaplain, while also obtaining a Ph.D. in psychology from the University of Humanistic Studies in San Diego, Calif., in 1984. From August 1984 to the spring of 1985, Father Condon
served at St. Mary Parish in Tampa, Fla., before again serving as a chaplain in the military, U.S. Navy branch, from the summer of 1985 to the summer of 1990, after which he served as vice president of Student Affairs at King’s College. In 1995, Father Condon shifted from the east to west coast, serving as national director of Family Theater in Hollywood, Calif., until 1996, when he returned east to head up the renewal program at St. Luke Institute in Silver Springs, Md. In 1997, he returned to Connecticut, this time as a psychotherapist in Brooklyn, Conn., for their prison release program. In late 1997, Father Condon became chaplain at Rose Hawthorne Home, where he remained until 2002. From late 2002 to August 2004, he assisted at
St. Joseph Hall, North Dartmouth, then served as chaplain at Nativity Prep School in New Bedford until 2006. From 2006 to 2010, Father Condon was assistant superior in North Dartmouth and also an auxiliary priest in the Fall River Diocese from 2003 to 2016. Preceding him in death are his parents, William and Helen Condon. Surviving are brothers James Condon and Richard (Linda) Condon. A Funeral Mass was celebrated at the Chapel of Mary, Stonehill College, on July 12. Burial followed at the Holy Cross Community Cemetery at Stonehill College. Gifts can be made in support of the mission and ministries of the Congregation of Holy Cross via: United States Province of Priests and Brothers, Office of Development, 500 Washington Street, North Easton, Mass., 02356-1299 or online at donate.holycrossusa.org.
Celina C. Oliveira, mother of Msgr. John J. Oliveira
NEW BEDFORD — Celina (Cordeiro) Oliveira, 96, of New Bedford, passed away peacefully at home July 8. She was the widow of John J. Oliveira and daughter of the late Manuel Cordeiro Amarelo and Maria (Marques) Amarelo. Born in Fall River, Celina resided in New Bedford for most of her life and was a parishioner of St. Mary’s Parish, New Bedford. Bishop Daniel A. Cronin presented her with the Marian Medal. Celina owned and operated her own beauty salon in downtown New Bedford for many years and later was employed as an administrative assistant to her son, Dr. Lawrence J. Oliveira, at Orthodontic Specialists of Southeastern Massachusetts. She cherished the time she spent with her family especially house visits where everyone had to go home with a lollipop. Celina was an avid reader, enjoyed traveling by car for long rides and watching her game shows on TV. Celina had a great memory and heartwarming smile. Her family includes her daughter, Teresa M. Gaffney and her husband James of Dartmouth; two sons, Msgr. John J. Oliveira, P.A., pastor of St. Mary’s Par-
ish, New Bedford; and Dr. Lawrence J. Oliveira and his wife, Charlotte of Mattapoisett; eight grandsons, Paul Gaffney, Mark Gaffney, Michael Gaffney, Christopher Gaffney, Neil Oliveira, Kevin Oliveira, Steven Oliveira and Philip Lima; 18 great-grandchildren and one niece, Madeline Amarelo. She was predeceased by her twin daughters, M. Gloria Lima and Celina R. Oliveira; two brothers and a sister. Celina’s family would like to thank her longtime caregivers, Rebecca, Irene, Judy and Kelly for their excellent care and patience shown to her on a daily basis. Also thanks to recent caregivers Community Nurse Home Care, especially Sandy and Maria. Lastly thanks to Nurse Avril for her organization and support. A Funeral Mass was celebrated in St. Mary’s Church, New Bedford, on July 14. Burial followed at St. John’s Cemetery. Donations may be made in Celina’s memory to the St. Vincent de Paul Society of St. Mary’s Church, 106 Illinois Street, New Bedford, Mass. 02745. Funeral arrangements were entrusted to Aubertine-Lopes Funeral Home, New Bedford.
The Anchor - July 22, 2016
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Around the Diocese St. John Neumann Parish, 157 Middleboro Road in East Freetown, will be hosting another “Day of Silence with the Masters” on July 23, this time offering a summer day with St. Thomas of Aquinas. The quiet day of prayer will be at the camp house and outdoors on the grounds (camp house is accessible through road next to the rectory) and will begin at 9:30 a.m. and run until 4:30 p.m. with the parish Liturgy at 5 p.m. as an option for those who would like to stay. Midday prayer is offered at 1 p.m. and Confessions are available at 4 p.m. St. Thomas Aquinas’ teachings will be posted throughout the property at 12 stations and a booklet containing those stations and midday prayer will be distributed. There is no charge, but participants are asked to bring a bag lunch and beverages will be provided. One may come for the whole day or part of the day. For more information, email Karen Howard at klhoward@aol.com or call 508-947-0193. A facilitator training retreat entitled “Lord, Teach Me to Pray,” will be held Friday-Saturday, August 19-20, beginning at 6:30 p.m. Friday through 4 p.m. on Saturday at Glastonbury Abbey, 16 Hull Street in Hingham. If you are interested in improving your prayer life and helping others with theirs, this retreat and training prepares you to facilitate small Ignatian prayer groups in local parishes. Or if you simply want to learn more about the LTMTP prayer series and Ignatian prayer, you are welcome to attend. The retreat itself is free and is open to all. Retreat Center fees apply for room and meals. For more information or to download a registration form, visit www.lordteachmetopray.com or contact Carol Weiler at 504-439-5933 or carolweiler@cox.net. The Culture of Life Chaplet communal prayer in St. Jude’s Chapel of Christ the King Parish in Mashpee has been suspended for the summer but will resume on September 15 at 1 p.m. Copies of the chaplet for personal prayer may be obtaining by contacting the Respect Life Ministry at the parish or by calling Betty Kelley at 508-477-8417. Please consider enriching your Spiritual self through this prayer. “Hymn Sing for the Year of Mercy,” a music event to celebrate the Jubilee Year of Mercy, will take place at the Cathedral of St. Mary of the Assumption in Fall River on Sunday, September 25 beginning at 3 p.m. Choirs and organists from the Fall River Deanery have been invited to share in presenting and singing hymns that help to reflect on the mercy of God and how we can share this gift with others. There will be several familiar hymns for all who attend to sing with the hope of filling St. Mary’s with the sound of voices uplifted in prayer. Please share this invitation with others and plan to enter through the Holy Door with your family and friends on that afternoon. The 12th annual golf tournament to benefit Holy Family-Holy Name School in New Bedford will be held on September 25 beginning with registration at 11:30 a.m. and a shotgun start at 1 p.m. at the Allendale Country Club, 1047 Allen Street in North Dartmouth. For more information about the event, contact Tricia Grime at pgrime62@msn.com or call 508-648-2783. Volunteers are also needed to help with the event — if interested, call 508-993-3547.
To submit an event for consideration in The Anchor’s “Around the Diocese” listing, send the information by email to kensouza@ anchornews.org
Visit the newly-designed Diocese of Fall River website at fallriverdiocese.org The site includes links to parishes, diocesan offices and national sites. 22
The Anchor - July 22, 2016
Eucharistic Adoration in the Diocese Acushnet — Eucharistic Adoration takes place at St. Francis Xavier Parish on Monday from 9:30 a.m. to 8:30 p.m.; Tuesday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 8:30 p.m.; and Saturday from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. Evening prayer and Benediction is held Monday through Wednesday at 6:30 p.m. ASSONET — Beginning September 14, St. Bernard’s Parish will have Eucharistic Adoration every Monday from 9:30 a.m. to 6:30 p.m. The Blessed Sacrament will be exposed on the altar at the conclusion of 9 a.m. Mass and the church will be open all day, concluding with evening prayer and Benediction at 6:30 p.m. ATTLEBORO — Eucharistic Adoration takes place in the Adoration Chapel at St. Vincent de Paul Parish, 71 Linden Street, from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. daily. 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 — There is a weekly time of Eucharistic Adoration Wednesdays from 7-9 p.m. at St. John the Evangelist Church on North Main Street. 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, Monday through Saturday, from 6:30 to 8 a.m.; and every first Friday from noon to 8 a.m. on Saturday. 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 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 — S t . M a r y ’s C h u r c h , M a i n S t . , h a s E u c h a r i s t i c A d o r a t i o n e v e r y Wednesday from 8:30 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. in the Chapel of Reconciliation, with Benediction at 11:30 a.m. 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 — St. Bernadette’s Church, 529 Eastern Ave., has continuous Eucharistic Adoration from 8 a.m. on Thursday until 8 a.m. on Saturday. 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 and concluding with 3 p.m. Benediction in the Daily Mass Chapel. A bilingual holy hour takes place from 2 to 3 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 7 a.m. Mass, with Benediction at 4:30 p.m. HYANNIS — St. Francis Xavier Parish in Hyannis, 347 South Street, Hyannis, has Eucharistic Adoration from noon to 3 p.m., daily Monday through Friday. MANSFIELD — St. Mary’s Parish, 330 Pratt Street, has Eucharistic Adoration every First Friday from 7:30 a.m. to 6 p.m., with Benediction at 5:45 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. Please use the side entrance. 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 Fridays from 7:30-11:45 a.m. ending with a simple Benediction NORTH DARTMOUTH — Eucharistic Adoration takes place at St. Julie Billiart Church, 494 Slocum Road, every Tuesday from 5:30 to 6:30 p.m., ending with Benediction. The Sacrament of Reconciliation is available at this time. NORTH DIGHTON — Eucharistic Adoration takes place every Wednesday following 8:00 a.m. Mass and concludes with Benediction at 5 p.m. Eucharistic Adoration also 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. NORTH EASTON — A Holy Hour for Families including Eucharistic Adoration is held every Friday from 3-4 p.m. at The Father Peyton Center, 518 Washington Street. ORLEANS — St. Joan of Arc Parish, 61 Canal Road, has Eucharistic Adoration every First Friday starting after the 8 a.m. Mass and ending with Benediction at 11:45 a.m. The Sacrament of the Sick is also available immediately after the 8 a.m. Mass. OSTERVILLE — Eucharistic Adoration takes place at Our Lady of the Assumption Church, 76 Wianno Avenue on First Fridays from 8:30 a.m. to noon. SEEKONK — Our Lady of Mt. Carmel Parish has perpetual Eucharistic Adoration seven days a week, 24 hours a day in the chapel at 984 Taunton Avenue. For information call 508-336-5549. Taunton — Eucharistic Adoration takes place every Tuesday at St. Anthony Church, 126 School Street, following the 8 a.m. Mass with prayers including the Chaplet of Divine Mercy for vocations, concluding at 6 p.m. with Chaplet of St. Anthony and Benediction. Recitation of the Rosary for peace is prayed Monday through Saturday at 7:30 a.m. prior to the 8 a.m. Mass. Taunton — Adoration of the Most Blessed Sacrament takes place every First Friday at Annunciation of the Lord, 31 First Street. Exposition begins following the 8 a.m. Mass. The Blessed Sacrament will be exposed, and Adoration will continue throughout the day. Confessions are heard from 5:15 to 6:15 p.m. Rosary and Benediction begin at 6:30 p.m. WAREHAM — Eucharistic Adoration at St. Patrick’s Church takes place 9 a.m. Thursday through 7 p.m. Friday. Adoration is held in our Adoration Chapel in the lower Parish Hall. ~ PERPETUAL EUCHARISTIC ADORATION ~ 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. NEW BEDFORD — Our Lady’s Chapel, 600 Pleasant Street, offers Eucharistic Adoration seven days a week, 24 hours a day. For information call 508-996-8274. SEEKONK — Our Lady of Mount Carmel Parish has perpetual Eucharistic Adoration seven days a week, 24 hours a day in the chapel at 984 Taunton Avenue. For information call 508-336-5549. 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 are invited to sign up to cover open hours. For open hours, or to sign up call 508-430-4716.
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The Foundation to Advance Catholic Education, or FACE, held its 19th annual Summer Gala on Cape Cod on July 15, to raise funds for need-based scholarships for children attending Catholic schools in the Fall River Diocese. Taking a moment for a photo were, from left: gala co-chair Richard Colman, Bishop Edgar M. da Cunha, S.D.V., co-chair Marilyn Colman, and student greeters Owen McGrath, Harry O’Brien, and Victoria Burgess, all from St. Margaret Regional School, Buzzards Bay. (Photo by John E. Kearns Jr.)
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The Anchor - July 22, 2016
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Graduates and team members from the recent Christian Leadership Institute gathered with Bishop Edgar M. da Cunha, S.D.V., following his visit with them at Cathedral Camp in East Freetown.
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The Anchor - July 22, 2016