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Diocese of Fall River, Mass.

Friday, July 28, 2017

Members of the Knights of Columbus at St. Anthony of Padua Parish in New Bedford build a grotto to honor Our Lady — page three­

Catholic Charities Appeal raises record $4.78M — see insert The Anchor - July 28, 2017

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From postal service to serving God — local woman discerns calling to religious order

By Becky Aubut Anchor Staff beckyaubut@anchornews.org

ATTLEBORO — This is not a conversion story or a vocation story, but a love story, explained Kimberly Todd, a communicant from St. Vincent de Paul Parish in Attleboro, and novitiate of the Poor Clares order.

However, Todd’s journey to contemplating a life as a Sister began with a conversion for her own sister. Todd’s father was Catholic, while her mother was Protestant.

When Todd’s sister asked her to be a godparent for her child, not only did Todd convert, so did her mother and sister. While attending the Rite of Christian Initiation for Adults when she was 18 years old, Todd said she “got the gist of the faith but not the nitty-gritty.”

Todd attended college and became a teacher. During this time she met her husband, and though she admits she saw the traditional “red flags” of abusive behavior, Todd married him.

As the abuse continued, Todd said she knew she “had to get out of the Marriage,” but was reluctant to break her vows. With the Church and its teachings still in her heart, she turned to a priest for advice.

“I couldn’t go on as the abuse got worse, and the priest actually told me that nothing was going to change, and that I needed to leave him,” she said. “I was surprised to hear a priest say this. It was a difficult time in my life. I started to go to Mass daily, and on Sundays. I joined the choir because I loved to sing.”

A choir member suggested Todd attend a Cursillo retreat and that was a “springboard” because once Todd had experienced the Cursillo retreat, “that’s when I really embraced my faith more. I started volunteering at My Brother’s Keeper in Easton; I started taking these classes that were offered at my church.”

Todd filed for divorce, and began finding joy in attending Mass and her volunteer activities.

“I felt like I was in love. I had no 2

The Anchor - July 28, 2017

desire to date anyone. I had this joy, and I couldn’t understand why,” said Todd. “Then one night I was picking up my Rosary to pray, and I felt this ‘aha’ moment and [realized] I’m in love with God. It seemed so silly to me at the time, but now it makes sense.”

That feeling kept growing inside, the “magnetic pulse,” as Todd called it, kept pulling her towards “something but I didn’t know what it was.”

It took three years for her divorce to be finalized, and her Marriage was later declared null. For the next few years Todd continued to pray and said she felt her calling was to pray for people.

“I know that I’m supposed to pray for people. A few friends of mine knew that I was trying to figure this out, and they knew a community that was trying to become an order, that they had these special healing services. I found out who they were and met with them,” said Todd.

There were initially two Sisters living at this particular convent, and when one Sister left, Todd was invited to live there to assist the remaining Sister.

“I loved the life. All the prayers we prayed. We prayed the Liturgy of the Hours. We prayed to the Blessed Sacrament exposed. That’s what I loved, that life. When it didn’t work out and they had to close the convent, I missed that life,” said Todd of her six-month stay.

Todd also discovered a discernment house for women, and was put on a waiting list for a year, ultimately living in the home for two years.

“It’s for women who believe they’re being called to a religious vocation, or for those who are trying to figure out if they’re being called to Marriage or the single life, or even a Consecrated Virgin — all these different vocations,” said Todd.

“It’s a house you can live in, pray as a community, but still go to work.

We had retreats at the house. It was just a great, great way to live in a community with women and to really be sure.”

Turn to page 13

Kimberly Todd, a parishioner at St. Vincent de Paul Parish in Attleboro and former U.S. postal worker, recently discerned a calling to join the Poor Clares order.

New Bedford parish builds grotto to honor Our Lady

By Kenneth J. Souza Anchor Staff kensouza@anchornews.org

NEW BEDFORD — Joe Amaral smiles as he looks at the fenced-in area that runs along the Nye Street side of the historic St. Anthony of Padua Church in New Bedford.

About a year ago he remembers it being something of an eyesore, overgrown and littered with debris.

“This area (of the neighborhood) was known not exactly for the best reasons,” Amaral said. “We found some needles in the bushes and all kinds of stuff.”

So when his pastor, Father Octavio Cortez, I.V.E., asked parishioners if they would help by building a grotto there to house a beautiful statue of Our Lady of Grace they had inherited from the former St. Kilian Church, Amaral and some of the members of his Knights of Columbus council immediately stepped up to the plate.

“That’s just what the Knights do: we serve,” Amaral told The Anchor.

“But other people helped as well, it wasn’t just the Knights. But we led the charge.”

“I wanted to bring whatever was possible from St. Kilian’s to St. Anthony’s,” Father Cortez explained.

“My hope is that making use of Liturgical items once used at St. Kilian’s will help former parishioners feel even more at home at St. Anthony’s by seeing familiar religious objects.”

Work began in earnest on the project last fall, but the winter weather temporarily put things on hold, according to fellow Knight Pat Robitaille.

“We started in the fall of last year,” Robitaille said. “We had the frame all built — the Knights built the frame — we had the wire mesh up but then it snowed and we had to cover it up and wait for the spring. So we finished it in June.”

Comprised of stone, cement and granite, the large arch-shaped grotto is now the centerpiece of a gardenlike area that has also been adorned with new plantings and fresh landscaping.

“We had the granite donated, but we cut all the granite and put it in ourselves,” Robitaille said. “All the

landscaping was done by members of the Spanish community here in the parish — they put in the sod and planted the flowers and bushes around the area. I’d guess there were about 30 or 40 people who worked on this project.”

The life-sized alabaster statue of the Blessed Mother is encased within the new grotto, which also has a blue sky painted backdrop that lights up at night.

“We hired a mason to do the stonework, but one of our Knights did the electrical work and installed the light inside — it’s on a light sensor,” Robitaille said. “When it’s lit up at night, the painting behind the statue has an almost three-dimensional effect.”

Robitaille said the Knights even found two white angel statues that matched the style and look of Our Lady of Grace and added them to either side of the new grotto.

“The angels on either side of the grotto were new — we bought them,” he said. “I think they match the look of the statue pretty well.”

As if the additional landscaping and guardian angels weren’t enough, Amaral said they recently showed up to find someone had purchased and installed a metal park bench so people could sit in front of the grotto and pray.

“We had planned on getting a bench ourselves, but then one day it just showed up,” he said. “I was told someone donated it.”

“I’m not sure by whom, but I’ve heard rumors,” Robitaille added.

“There was talk that one of the ministries in the parish wanted to donate the bench, but we were never told who it was.”

For Amaral, this anonymous donation is a prime example of how small efforts like this can touch and inspire others.

“Everything is done for the glory of God, and that’s the attitude that we have,” he said. “We do it for Him and when people see it, maybe they’ll stop here and say a Hail Mary or come in and ask questions, you know?

If we do it for Him, look what we can accomplish.”

Situated just steps from the lower level entrance to the St. Anthony of

Padua parish hall, where the busy food pantry is held every week, Amaral said the project even inspired a few of the clients to lend a hand.

“A lot of people helped us — even some people who were coming to the food pantry on Thursday,” he said. “I thought it was nice of them to help out, because I always say you can’t live on bread alone. And if you help someone, somewhere down the line it will come full circle.”

“I remember the clients who had come for the weekly food pantry and offered to help out — and that’s when we were doing the really dirty work, digging ditches for the power line and stuff like that,” Robitaille said. “They helped us do that and it was on a hot, hot day, too.”

Admitting he is very happy with the final results, Amaral is always looking to do just a little more.

“It would be nice if we had a little dome on it or had kneelers to pray, but that’s more work,” he said, smiling.

“I was hoping we could do more, but the guys who did it — everyone really came together and got it done. As we go forward, I hope we can do even more for this parish and to make this neighborhood better. If Father Octavio says, ‘I would like to have this done,’ then we’ll do it.”

“I think the end result far surpassed my expectations,” Father Cortez said. “Our Knights of Columbus did an excellent job. Parishioners and parish neighbors have expressed great satisfaction towards the grotto. I see people coming to pray in front of the statue, others make the sign of the cross as they pass in front of it.”

Parishioner Louise Parent, who watched the progress from when it began last fall, said she couldn’t wait for the grotto to be finished.

“I thought it was awesome when I first saw it,” she said.

“We waited a long time for it, but it’s beautiful.”

During this centennial year celebrating the 100th

anniversary of Our Lady’s apparitions to three shepherd children in Fatima, Portugal, it’s appropriate that the parishioners of St. Anthony of Padua have also selected a Marian-themed project to complete.

“It’s a way of honoring our Blessed Mother for who she is, for sure, and giving glory to God,” Amaral said.

“Our love for Mary is one thing by which our parish wants to be identified,” Father Cortez agreed. “We have Turn to page 24

The Anchor - July 28, 2017

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Pope: the choice between good, evil is one we all have to make

Vatican City — Pope Francis recently said good and evil are often entwined, and that as sinners, we can’t label any one group or institution as bad, since we all face temptation and have the ability to choose which path to follow.

“The Lord, Who is wisdom Incarnate, today helps us to understand that good and evil cannot identify with definite territories or determined groups of people,” the pope said.

Jesus tells us that “the line between good and evil passes through the heart of every person. We are all sinners,” he said, and asked for anyone who is not a sinner to raise their hand — which no one did.

“We are all sinners!” he said, explaining that with His death and Resurrection, Jesus Christ “has freed us from the slavery of sin and gives us the grace of walking in a new life.”

Pope Francis spoke to the crowd of pilgrims present in St. Peter’s Square for his Sunday Angelus address, which this week focused on the day’s Gospel passage from Matthew, in which an enemy secretly plants weeds alongside the wheat in a master’s field.

The image, he said, shows us the good seed that is planted in the world

by God, but also the bad seed planted by the devil in order to corrupt the good.

It not only speaks of the problem of evil, but also it also refers to God’s patience in the master, who allows the weeds to grow alongside the wheat, so that the harvest is not lost.

“With this image, Jesus tells us that in this world good and evil are totally entwined, that it’s impossible to separate them and weed out all the evil,” Pope Francis said, adding that “only God can do this, and He will do it in the final judgment.”

Instead, the parable represents “the field of the freedom of Christians,” who must make the difficult discernment between good and evil, choosing which one to follow.

This, the pope said, involves trusting God and joining two seemingly contradictory attitudes: “decision and patience.”

Francis explained that “decision” in this case means “wanting to be good grain, with all of its strengths, and so to distance yourself from evil and its 4

The Anchor - July 28, 2017

seductions.”

On the other hand, patience means “preferring a Church that is the leaven of the dough, which is not afraid to dirty her hands washing the feet of her children, rather than a Church of the ‘pure,’ which pretends to judge before its time who is in the Kingdom of God and who is not,” he said.

Both of these attitudes are necessary, he said, stressing that no one is perfect, but we are all sinners who have been redeemed by Jesus and His sacrifice on the cross.

Thanks to our Baptism, Jesus has also given us the Sacrament of Confession, “ because we always need to be forgiven for our sins,” Pope Francis said, adding that “to always look at the evil that is outside of us means not wanting to recognize the sin that is also within us.”

Jesus also teaches us a different way of looking at the world and observing reality, he said. In reflecting on the parable, we are invited to learn God’s timing and to see with His eyes, rather than focusing on our own, narrow vision.

“Thanks to the beneficial influence of an anxious waiting, what were weeds or seemed like weeds, can become a product of good,” he said, adding that this is “the prospect of hope!”

Pope Francis closed his address praying that Mary would intercede in helping us to observe in the world around us “not only dirtiness and evil, but also the good and beautiful; to expose the work of Satan, but above all to trust in the action of God Who renders history fruitful.”

After leading pilgrims in the traditional Marian prayer, he voiced his sadness over “serious tensions and violence” in Jerusalem over the weekend, which have left several people dead.

The deaths were the result of protests that were prompted by the placement of metal detectors at the entrance to the compound housing al-Aqsa mosque in the city, and have prompted world leaders to call for restraint on either side before the situation boils over.

Pope Francis invited pilgrims to join him in praying for a deescalation of the violence, and that “the Lord inspires in all proposals of reconciliation and peace.”

FACE celebrates 20 years at annual Summer Gala Presents memorial awards in honor of Feitelberg, Makkay

MASHPEE — The Foundation to Advance Catholic Education celebrated 20 years of providing scholarships and financial aid to students wishing to attend one of the Catholic schools within the Fall River Diocese with a Summer Gala event held at Willowbend Country Club in Mashpee on July 14.

To mark the special occasion, FACE established two annual awards in memory of Sheila Dunne Feitelberg and Al Makkay Sr., both of whom were well-known supporters of Catholic education in the diocese.

The first annual “Sheila Dunne Feitelberg Award” was presented to Joseph Feitelberg and family and will be given to recognize outstanding service to FACE as a volunteer or philanthropist in subsequent years. A devoted wife, mother and grandmother, Sheila founded the Fall River Hospice in 1990 and co-founded the St. Mary’s Education Fund (now FACE), which has helped to raise more than $5.5 million to benefit 6,000 children.

The first annual “Al Makkay Sr. Award” was presented to Maureen Makkay and family and will be given to recognize outstanding contributions by students or teachers in the Catholic schools of Cape Cod in subsequent years. A brilliant broadcasting executive, Makkay was active with many local veterans

Fall River Bishop Emeritus George W. Coleman, center, stands with Joseph Feitelberg and Maureen Makkay after having presented to each the respective award inaugurated this year to honor and commemorate their spouses, Sheila Dunne Feitelberg and Al Makkay Sr. Beginning next year, and continuing on an annual basis, the Sheila Dunne Feitelberg Award will be presented to a FACE volunteer or philanthropist and the Al Makkay Sr. Award will be given to a Catholic school teacher on Cape Cod.

groups and worked tirelessly on humanitarian projects, including building a school in Guaimaca, Honduras. He was an ardent supporter of FACE and Catholic education.

This year’s gala featured master of ceremonies Billy Costa, Boston TV and radio personality and the host of “High School Quiz Show” on WGBH and NESN’s “Dining Playbook.”

In his welcoming letter, Bishop Edgar M. da Cunha, S.D.V., thanked everyone for support-

ing FACE and for “investing in the future of the many children who will benefit from your generosity.”

“The need to provide a quality Catholic education has never been greater, but your commitment in these challenging times has never been more appreciated,” the bishop said.

Billy Costa, Emmy Award-winning radio personality known for Boston-based programs on KISS-108 FM, NESN and WGBH, poses with Jane Robin, assistant director of Development for Cape Cod events.

Costa served as master of ceremonies for the 20th annual FACE Summer Gala, which was held on July 14 at the Willowbend Country Club in Mashpee.

The Anchor - July 28, 2017

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Anchor Editorial

Sharing our joy

“We know our hope cannot come from a new bishop or from new programs or activities unless these are based on personal encounters with Our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. He is the source of our hope. He alone can prevent us from falling into the darkness of sin and death. Only Christ can bring us the confidence and the joy that allows us to feel true hope for the future!”

Bishop Edgar M. da Cunha, S.D.V., proclaimed that message to us earlier this year in his pastoral letter, “Rebuilding in Faith and Hope.” Here he reminds us that our hope must be rooted in our encounters with Christ (through prayer and serving Him). Nothing else can bring us into true hope.

Our bishop, together with a group from the Fall River Diocese, recently returned from a convocation of Catholic clergy and laity in Orlando, Fla., where they reflected on how we could better share the joy of the Gospel here in America.

In 2013 Pope Francis issued an apostolic exhortation, Evangelii Gaudium, in which he called upon us to share this joy. He lamented (in paragraph six), “There are Christians whose lives seem like Lent without Easter. I understand the grief of people who have to endure great suffering, yet slowly but surely we all have to let the joy of faith slowly revive as a quiet yet firm trust, even amid the greatest distress: ‘My soul is bereft of peace; I have forgotten what happiness is. But this I call to mind, and therefore I have hope: the steadfast love of the Lord never ceases, His mercies never come to an end; they are new every morning. Great is your faithfulness. It is good that one should wait quietly for the Salvation of the Lord’” (Lam 3:17, 21-23, 26).

The Biblical quote that the Holy Father cited is often read at funeral Masses. From the Old Testament book of Lamentations, it begins with a listing of woes, but then the author changes his perspective, guided by the Holy Spirit to see that even on our worst days, God is still offering us many blessings. As Christians, we are called to live this perspective and share it with other people. This is what gives us hope.

When he wrote the exhortation, Pope Francis acknowledged (in paragraph 25), “I am aware that nowadays documents do not arouse the same interest as in the past and that they are quickly forgotten. Nevertheless, I want to emphasize that what I am trying to express here has a programmatic significance and important consequences. I hope that all communities will devote the necessary effort to advancing along the path of a pastoral and missionary conversion which cannot leave things as they presently are.

‘Mere administration’ can no longer be enough. Throughout the world, let us be ‘permanently in a state of mission’” (the last phrase he borrowed from the 2007 Aparecida document of the Latin American bishops).

Bishop da Cunha has reminded us repeatedly that we need to move from a being a Church of “maintenance” to being one of “mission.” One need only look out at the corporate world to see companies which no longer exist because they “rested on their laurels” (e.g., Howard Johnson restaurants, Filene’s Basement, TWA, etc.). One could respond, “Well, Jesus promised OFFICIAL NEWSPAPER OF THE DIOCESE OF FALL RIVER www.anchornews.org

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The Anchor - July 28, 2017

that the Church will exist until the end of time.” Yes, He did, but He also ordered us to go out and preach the Gospel. He promised that He would help us do this, but requires this of every believer.

The Holy Father describes some Spiritual difficulties for laity and clergy in sharing the Gospel: “At a time when we most need a missionary dynamism which will bring salt and light to the world, many lay people fear that they may be asked to undertake some apostolic work and they seek to avoid any responsibility that may take away from their free time. This is frequently due to the fact that people feel an overbearing need to guard their personal freedom, as though the task of evangelization was a dangerous poison rather than a joyful response to God’s love which summons us to mission and makes us fulfilled and productive” (81).

After mentioning this fear of commitment, the pope then discusses ineffective pastoral work: “The problem is not always an excess of activity, but rather activity undertaken badly, without adequate motivation, without a Spirituality which would permeate it and make it pleasurable. As a result, work becomes more tiring than necessary. Far from a content and happy tiredness, this is a tense, burdensome, dissatisfying and, in the end, unbearable fatigue. This can be caused by a number of things. Some fall into it because they throw themselves into unrealistic projects and are not satisfied simply to do what they reasonably can. Others, because they lack the patience to allow processes to mature; they want everything to fall from Heaven. Others, because they are attached to a few projects or vain dreams of success. Others, because they have lost real contract with people and so depersonalize their work that they are more concerned with the road map than with the journey itself. [Another problem is] Today’s obsession with immediate results, [which] makes it hard for pastoral workers to tolerate anything that smacks of disagreement, possible failure, criticism, the cross” (82).

Pope Francis then wrote that “the biggest threat of all gradually takes shape: ‘the gray pragmatism of the daily life of the Church, in which all appears to proceed normally, while in reality faith is wearing down and degenerating into small-mindedness’ (speech of Cardinal Ratzinger to the Latin American bishops in 1996). A tomb psychology thus develops and slowly transforms Christians into mummies in a museum. Disillusioned with reality, with the Church and with themselves, they experience a constant temptation to cling to a faint melancholy, lacking in hope, which seizes the heart like ‘the most precious of the devil’s potions’ (Bernanos, “Diary of a Country Priest”). Called to radiate light and communicate life, in the end they are caught up in things that generate only darkness and inner weariness, and slowly consume all zeal for the apostolate. For all this, I repeat: Let us not allow ourselves to be robbed of the joy of evangelization” (83).

May we take advantage of the quiet of the summer to discuss with God in prayer how He would like each of us to evangelize, to bring hope and the joy of the Gospel to others.

Daily Readings July 29 — August 11

Upcoming Daily Readings: Sat. July 29, Ex 24:3-8; Ps 50:1b-2,5-6,14-15; Jn 11:19-27 or Lk 10:38-42. Sun. July 30, Seventeenth Sunday in Ordinary Time, 1 Kgs 3:5,7-12; Ps 119:57,72,76-77,127-130; Rom 8:28-30; Mt 13:44-52. Mon. July 31, Ex 32:15-24,30-34; Ps 106:19-23; Mt 13:31-35. Tues. Aug. 1, Ex 33:711; 34:5b-9,28; Ps 103:6-13; Mt 13:36-43. Wed. Aug. 2, Ex 34:29-35; Ps 99:57,9; Mt 13:44-46. Thurs. Aug. 3, Ex 40:16-21,34-38; Ps 84:3-6,8-11; Mt 13:4753. Fri. Aug. 4, Lv 23:1,4-11,15-16,27,34b-37; Ps 81:3-6,10-11; Mt 13:54-58.

Sat. Aug. 5, Lv 25:1,8-17; Ps 67:2-3,5,7-8; Mt 14:1-12. Sun. Aug. 6, Transfiguration of the Lord, Dn 7:9-10,13-14; Ps 97:1-2,5-6,9; 2 Pt 1:16-19; Mt 17:19. Mon. Aug. 7, Nm 11:4b-15; Ps 81:12-17; Mt 14:13-21. Tues. Aug. 8, Nm 12:1-13; Ps 51:3-7,12-13; Mt 14:22-36 or Mt 15:1-2,10-14. Wed. Aug. 9, Nm 13:1-2,25—14:1,26-29a,34-35; Ps 106:6-7,13-14,21-23; Mt 15:21-28. Thurs.

Aug. 10, 2 Cor 9:6-10; Ps 112:1-2,5-9; Jn 12:24-26. Fri. Aug. 11, Dt 4:32-40; Ps 77:12-16,21; Mt 16:24-28.

T

his year marks the 500th anniversary of the launch of the Protestant Reformation. As we draw closer to October 31, the date on which Martin Luther posted 95 theses on the door of All Saints’ Church in Wittenberg, it is important for Catholics to formulate the most fitting way to mark the occasion.

It’s not a time for celebration. Children don’t fête the day their parents separated and it’s impossible to imagine that Jesus rejoices at the 500-year-old rupture of His family in the West. Halloween 2017 should be more properly, for Catholics and Protestants, a day of conversion and reparation. Martin Luther’s original intention was to summon the Church to repentance, and the fuel that fed the fire of the Reformation was aversion toward the widespread corruption in the Church, and therefore it’s not contrary to a genuine spirit of ecumenism for Christians to ask for God’s mercy for all the sins that led to this 500-year-old fissure in the Church, for all the wounds against unity that have been committed since, and in general for the joint scandal of division given to the world for half a millennium. Joint repentance leading to conversion is indeed appropriate, and is a necessary precondition to shared docility to the means by which the Holy Spirit — in ways that believers today cannot foresee — will seek to restore unity in Christ’s family.

Looking from a Catholic perspective at the conversion needed, we do well to look at the saints God filled with grace and raised up to bring the Church back to its true identity, holiness and mission dur-

Reform from within

the episcopacy, the priesting the period called the hood and priestly formacounter-reformation. And the greatest reforming saint tion, eliminated scores of of all, the one who accom- abuses, reformed the Mass and the Sacraments, and plished the most and set produced a catechism to for us the most enduring paradigm for authentic ec- teach the faith and respond effectively to the doctrinal clesial reform, is, I believe, challenges of the ReformaSt. Charles Borromeo. tion.

As Msgr. John Cihak illustrates in a great new book, “Charles Putting Into Borromeo: Selected Orations, Homithe Deep lies and Writings,” St. Charles should

By Father have been part of Roger J. Landry the problem, because he arose from When his older brother within the corrupt system.

Frederick died unexpectSt. Charles’ mother was a edly at 27 leaving him Medici, his father a Spanas the senior male in the ish count, his uncle would be elected Pope Pius IV in family, his family and even his uncle the pope tried to 1559 and make him a cardinal the next month, even persuade him to leave the though he was only 21 and clerical path, marry and put the family first. He did a had only received minor orders. The following week retreat and emerged from it determined to be ordained he made him basically the a priest and a bishop. equivalent of today’s Secretary of State. Rather than He began to fast, reduce his sleep, use a discipline appointing a functional and wear a hair shirt, and archbishop for the huge finally persuaded his uncle Archdiocese of Milan, his to let him go to Milan to uncle named him admincare for the 600,000 Chrisistrator, so that he could tians, 3,000 priests, and profit from its wealth and tens of thousands of relikeep it “in the family.” He was likewise named admin- gious entrusted to him.

His 19 years in Milan, istrator of the Papal States until his death at the age and given several other of 46, show us what is benefices. It was a notoriinvolved in reform. Milan ous case of nepotism, but was a disaster. It hadn’t had God would avail Himself of the opportunity, and use a resident archbishop in 80 years. Pastors routinely young Charles’ faith and lived in open concubinage talents to lead the reform of the Church from within. far from their parishes.

One convent of BenedicHis uncle entrusted to tine nuns was so depraved him the plans to bring the the Sisters were aptly called Council of Trent, sumprostitutes. One male moned to respond to the religious order would try Reformation, to concluto assassinate him as he sion. He did and almost prayed. And the “corrupsingle-handedly got legal tion of the best” led to the canons approved in such corruption of all. a way as they could reImplementing the store discipline to those council’s decrees, he first who were supposed to be reformed the bishops of disciples. Trent reformed

the region to commit themselves to doing their jobs. He reformed next the priesthood, with patience, but when priests wouldn’t repent, he would have them dismissed. He founded the first seminaries to train future clergy to be holy men. He demanded the reform of convents and monasteries or would close them.

He distinguished himself during the famine of 1571, feeding 3,000 people a day, and the plague of 1576, where he himself ministered indefatigably to the bishops and challenged by example the priests of Milan to join him. He went on foot to the parishes of the sprawling archdiocese to meet with the people and call them to conversion and holiness. “Be what you promised you would be,” he would say to all, reminding them of their Baptism, of their marital or religious vows, or the promises of their ordination. And he would encourage people to pursue a holy life instead of a long one — a wish he would soon be granted.

St. Charles’ reforming work and words are not adequately known among Anglophones, because very little of what he said and wrote has been translated into English. That has now changed, thanks to Msgr.

Cihak’s new work. Msgr.

Cihak is a friend from seminary, who for the last nine years has served in the Vatican’s Congregation for Bishops and as a papal Master of Ceremony. One of the perks of working for the Vatican is access to the Vatican Library, where he found a treasure trove of the moving speeches Borromeo gave during his time in Milan. Cihak

worked for years to make those speeches accessible to English-speaking Catholics, eventually narrowing down the scope to Borromeo’s labors for the Spiritual renewal of bishops, of priests, of laity and of our relationship to Christ in the Eucharist.

St. John XXIII wrote his doctoral dissertation on St. Charles’ reform work through Provincial Councils, and it’s hard not to think that that study influenced his desire to convene the Second Vatican Council. When Blessed Paul VI, a successor of St. Charles as Archbishop of Milan, was elected pope in the middle of Vatican II, he had Latin copies of Borromeo’s 12 main discourses to bishops sent to the bishops of the world as a means to inspire and guide them in the reform of the Church that the Second Vatican Council had aimed to undertake. And the words have lost none of their power. With an earlier draft, I debuted some of the books contents in retreats for priests and bishops, and St. Charles’ words seemed to have as much an impact on retreatants as they first had on me.

The 256 pages of “Charles Borromeo” would make for powerful reading at any time, but they are particularly inspirational and instructive during this year making the 500th anniversary of the Reformation. St. Charles articulated and led the reform of the Church from within. And now, thanks to Cihak, we can all better profit from his enduring guidance as we seek the reform that will reunite God’s family.

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

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hat treasure do you seek? What treasure have you found?

This weekend’s Gospel speaks to us of what Heaven represents, and why we need to seek it out, and once we find it — cherish it and do all we can to hold on to it.

Yet, like any treasure worth its weight, it requires sacrifice and effort, not only to locate it, but to possess it as one’s own.

Anyone who watches programming such as the History Channel or National Geographic fully understands the stakes involved in preparing the trek, reaching the site, and then doing the laborintensive work of digging it up. For historians, archeologists and treasurehunters, alike, they will all tell you that the blood, sweat, and tears are well worth it when they catch a glimpse of the soughtafter prize. Jesus reminds us that the Kingdom of Heaven is no different, and that we must do all we can to acquire this treasure.

Let’s dig a little deeper into this parable, and try to really understand what Jesus is conveying. Like most treasure-seekers, the vision can quickly become narrowed and overly focused on the prize, leaving little room for anything else in one’s life. Yet, don’t we want to be narrowminded when it comes to achieving a place in Heaven? Yes and no!

Yes, we want to focus on getting to the desired location, but we must remember that going it alone makes it a solitary and arduous journey, and 8

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A treasure to behold

tions. We are instructed without willing companto live our lives in such a ions, we may find it difficult to uncover what lies way, that we continually increase His treasures. ahead.

Whichever way one Ultimately, it asks the chooses to interpret this question as to what the parable, it speaks of a treasure means to us, because the answer speaks to great discovery, which where one’s heart is. If one can be extremely difficult is focused on worldly pos- to keep under wraps for sessions, then the promise too long. And the joy in of Heaven is but a faint one.

In Matthew In the Palm 6:24 and Luke of His Hands 16:13 we are reminded that,

By Rose Mary Saraiva “no one can serve two masters, they will love one and finding the treasure begs hate the other.” This parto be shared. For us, it is able reminds us that we finding the treasure of behave the ultimate choice, ing treasured. Like a child and what we focus on who truly knows he or can bring us great joy or leaving us lacking in many she is loved, who blooms in unbelievable and exways. Our decision is the definitive cost of disciple- traordinary ways, we too ship, giving of ourselves in hold the treasure of being every sense of the word, to loved without measure. A acquire the most precious knowledge that needs to of treasures. In the parable, we see how those who found the treasure, quickly gave up all they had to obtain it, realizing it was worth far more than what they already owned.

But what if we are the “treasure” and Jesus has already paid the price in order to claim us as His own. After all He is the One telling the story here, and maybe He is letting us know that He has willingly paid the price — even unto death — in order to make sure that we are His. From this angle, we have much more work to do in order to be the disciples Christ is asking us to be. He has raised the bar and is asking us to step up to the plate, and go beyond His expecta-

be given away, a knowledge that leads us to the treasure within.

In a story I heard recently, an old man discovered a great treasure, and instead of keeping it all to himself, he chose to share it with others, providing for not only himself, but for countless others even years after he was gone.

As disciples, we are sent forth to share the joy and riches, bearing the Good News of love, hope and mercy that Jesus so readily demonstrated for us upon the cross. In doing so, we consistently multiply the value of the treasure by adding to the numbers He holds dear.

We must remember that we are not asked to pass judgment or be selective, we are simply asked to bring everyone

to the joy of knowing the Father and the Son. The “angels will go out and separate the wicked from the righteous,” our goal is to limit the numbers of those being cast out. We must consider that sometimes those who seem unworthy or undesirable, can become the “priceless pearls,” whereas, the paragons of virtue, can become the wicked (eventually the choice is theirs alone). We must do what is required of us to become and remain “priceless pearls” in the eyes of God, a treasure to behold; shining examples of what it truly means to be a beloved child of God. The greatest reward of discipleship.

Anchor columnist Rose Mary Saraiva is Events Coordinator and Bereavement Ministry for the diocesan Off ice of Faith Formation. rsaraiva@dfrcs.com

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Considering the options for infertile couples

hen Catholic couples experience trouble getting pregnant, they often seek medical help and begin to research what options are available to them. A number of moral considerations and questions generally emerge during this process: Why are techniques like in vitro fertilization considered immoral? What approaches will the Church allow us to try? What does our infertility mean, Spiritually and personally, in the face of our fervent but frustrated desire for a baby?

When a couple, after having non-contraceptive sexual intercourse for a year or more, begins to investigate whether there are issues related to infertility, some medical professionals simply encourage them to turn to the infertility industry and try IVF or a related technique like artificial insemination. These approaches, however, raise a host of moral concerns, including that they substitute an act of “production” for the act of marital self-giving, allow a third party outside the Marriage to become the cause of the conception, often require masturbation, and may result in significant “collateral damage,” including embryo destruction, embryo freezing and disruptive effects on a woman’s physiology from the powerful super-ovulatory drugs used during the procedures.

It can be helpful to keep in mind a particular “rule of thumb” for determining whether a procedure is morally acceptable: treatments that assist the marital act are permissible, while those

that replace, or substitute to release eggs; Viagra for, the marital act raise or other approaches to serious moral objections. address erectile dysfuncThe ideal approach to re- tion; correcting penile solving infertility involves structural defects such as identifying the underlyhypospadias; addressing ing causes (endometriopremature ejaculation; ussis? fallopian tube blocking Natural Family Planage? problems ovulating? ning to observe naturally etc.) and addressing those occurring signs of fertility causes so that marital interMaking Sense course can now result in a concepOut of tion.

Bioethics While this may

By Father Tad seem sensible Pacholczyk and even obvious, many obstetricians and gynecologists today do not offer much during the woman’s cycle more than a cursory to time intercourse; using workup or exam prior low tubal ovum transfer, to recommending that in which eggs are rethe couple approach a trieved and transplanted fertility clinic and employ into the uterus or fallotheir services to produce pian tube at a point likely a baby via IVF. Couples to result in fertilization ought instead to look following the marital into techniques that can act; and surgical resolumethodically diagnose tion of endometriosis. Dr. and heal the underlying Hilgers has formed and reasons for infertility, like trained a number of other Fertility Education and physicians who work as Medical Management, independent NaProTech(https://femmhealth. nology specialists in the org) pioneered by Dr. U.S. and abroad. FEMM Pilar Vigil, or Natural is building a similar netProcreative Technology, work. (see http://www.

On the other hand, a naprotechnology.com), number of other widelyled by Dr. Tom Hilgers. available techniques, Both are Catholic ob/ instead of assisting the gyns with great track marital act, end up rerecords in helping to placing it with another resolve underlying kind of act altogether, infertility issues and namely, an act of “produchelping couples to ing” or “manufacturing” conceive naturally. children in laboratories.

NaPro has been These techniques — like around a little longer IVF; intracytoplasmic and employs a range of sperm injection; artifiapproaches which may cial insemination; hiring include, for example, a surrogate to carry a hormonal modulation pregnancy; and cloning of menstrual cycle ir— obviously raise serious regularities; surgical moral objections. correction of fallopian In some cases, a tube damage or occlucouple’s infertility will sions; fertility drugs to end up being irresolvhelp a woman’s ovaries able. Even as a husband

and wife face the grief and sorrow of not being able naturally to conceive children of their own, they can still realize their paternal and maternal desires in other meaningful, fruitful and loving ways.

For example, they may discern a call to adopt a child, providing a mom and a dad to someone whose parents have died or felt that they could not care for the child. They might decide to become a camp counselor or a schoolteacher, or provide temporary foster care to a child in crisis, generously taking on an authentic parenting role. They may become a “Big Brother/ Big Sister” to youth in the community who yearn for a father or mother figure in their lives.

Although these solutions do not take away all the grief, they are a

means by which God helps to draw good out of their situation. By these means, couples are challenged to “think outside the box” and enter into the mysterious designs of God within their Marriage. By stepping away from a desire to conceive and raise biological children of their own, couples facing irresolvable infertility can discover new and unexpected paths to marital fruitfulness, paths that bring great blessings to others, and that can lead to abiding joy and marital fulfillment.

Anchor columnist Father Pacholczyk, Ph.D. 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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The June apparition of Our Lady of Fatima Editor’s note: This guest column by Grace Small, a parishioner of St. Vincent de Paul Parish in Attleboro and a high school teacher, is the fifth in a nine-part series on the apparitions of Our Lady of Fatima. ur Lady’s Apparition of June 13, 1917 came on the feast of St. Anthony. As one of Catholicism’s most beloved saints, he is often portrayed as carrying the Child Jesus in his arms. Due to the fact that St. Anthony is the patron saint of Lisbon, Portugal, the major pilgrimage in Fatima today is transferred to June 10, the feast of the Angel of Fatima which is also known as the “Children’s pilgrimage.”

St. Anthony is known as a Eucharistic saint. He once presented a challenge to a heretic who did not believe in the Real Presence. The heretic’s mule was starved for three days. When the mule was offered fresh feed, but came instead to kneel before the Blessed Sacrament held by St. Anthony, the heretic was miraculously converted to believe in the Real Presence. Our Lady of Fatima’s apparitions seem to reinforce implicitly once again the need for faith in Our Blessed Lord in the Most Holy Eucharist and for this purpose Mary comes in June to explicitly ask the children for the prayer of the Rosary and devotion to her Immaculate Heart. Just as through the intercession of St. Anthony, an unbeliever, was converted to faith in Jesus in the Holy Eucharist, so through devotion to the Immaculate Heart of Mary, who is our mother in the order of grace, we receive with living faith, the fruit of her womb, Jesus Christ, and are enabled to live lives pleasing

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month in July. They are to to God. After the May apparition pray the Rosary every day.

The virtues are born of of Our Lady, the contempt grace and are constantly of her family was a painnourished by prayer, the ful trial for Lucia who had simply been made to report breath of our soul. Lucia is told to learn to read. what had happened due to Jacinta’s indiscretion of let- Learning to read and then writing, which follows ting loose the secret. Lucia from an education, would states, “My one relief was to weep before the Lord, as be necessary for Lucia’s life as a nun as her mission I offered Him my sacrifice.

It was on this very day that was to remain on earth to Our Lady, as though guess- spread devotion to Mary’s ing what was going on, said Immaculate Heart, but this to me: ‘Are you suffering a great deal? Don’t lose heart. I will never Living Our forsake you. My Lady’s Message Immaculate Heart will be your refuge

By Grace Small and the way that will lead you to God.’ Our Lady’s apparition conwould be revealed to her veyed her mission to Lulater as Mary states, “Later cia with tender maternal I will tell you what I want.” compassion for her needs, So our Blessed Mother offering consolation in her requires of the children trials. Sister Lucia reports in her memoirs: “As soon as simple obedience. By obeyJacinta, Francisco and I had ing her requests they would finished praying the Rosary, obtain for themselves many graces with the unfolding with a number of other of future apparitions as well people who were present we saw once more the flash as the conversion and cure of many souls. When Lucia reflecting the light which asks Our Blessed Mother was approaching (which in a direct prayer request we called lightning). The for the cure of a sick person, next moment, Our Lady Our Blessed Mother replies, was there on the holmoak, exactly the same as in May. “If he is converted, he will ‘What do you want of me?’ be cured during the year.”

I asked. ‘I wish you to come Perhaps this is to show the here on the 13th of the next primacy of Spiritual conversion over physical healing month, to pray the Rosary and that no matter what our every day, and to learn to physical condition we must read. Later I will tell you each strive to turn more and what I want.’ I asked for the cure of a sick person. ‘If more to God in faith. Often in the Gospels Jesus rehe is converted, he will be quired an act of faith before cured during the year.’” a cure. For example, “When As in the prior May He entered the house, the apparition, Our Blessed blind men approached Him Mother appears on the and Jesus said to them, ‘Do 13th day of the month you believe that I can do with specific requests. The this?’ ‘Yes, Lord,’ they said children are to return on to Him. Then He touched the 13th of the subsequent

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their eyes and said, ‘Let it be done for you according to your faith’” (Mt 9:28). In this June apparition, Our Lady reveals the heart of the message of how we are to return to the heart of God. “I would like to ask you to take us to Heaven.” “Yes. I will take Jacinta and Francisco soon. But you are to stay here some time longer.

Jesus wishes to make use of you to make me known and loved. He wants to establish in the world devotion to my Immaculate Heart.

I promise Salvation to those who embrace it, and these souls will be loved

by God, like flowers placed by me to adorn His throne.”

Our Lady tells Lucia that Jesus wishes to make use of her to make His own mother known and loved. It is not the first time in history that Mary has chosen very simple, humble souls to bear her messages to the world.

This is true at all three apparitions of La Salette, Lourdes and Fatima. At La Salette in 1846, Our Lady asked two children Maximin and Melanie to make her message known to all her people reinforcing her role as intercessor before her Son and Reconciler of sinners, especially in regards to God’s Commandments.

In very direct terms and with great authority given her by God, the Blessed Virgin at La Salette warned against taking the Lord’s name in vain; the second Commandment, and about keeping holy Sunday, the Lord’s day; the day of rest; the third Commandment.

Working on Sunday and encouraging others to do so when that work is not strictly necessary is wrong.

Sunday is vital for thought and reflection on how we are living our lives; this is always vital; it should be a complete day of rest. The Blessed Virgin warns of the punishments ahead. She predicts the further great famine in France and reveals to the people the need to do penance.

In Lourdes, in 1858, Our Lady’s apparition to St. Bernadette as “I am the Immaculate Conception” is an affirmation from Heaven of the magisterial definition of the dogma of the Immaculate Conception, declared four years prior in 1854, which states that Mary was herself conceived without the stain of original sin. Immaculate Mary presents herself as mother and model of purity for the world in need of this virtue.

The Blessed Mother repeats that the most important thing is to be happy in the other life and that it is necessary to accept the cross in order to achieve that happiness. At Lourdes we see the importance of prayer, the Rosary, Penance, and humility (kissing the ground as a sign); a message of infinite mercy for sinners and for the care of the sick.

In Fatima, we see continuity in the need for sacrifice and Penance with the intention of making reparation to Jesus in the Blessed Sacrament. This was the focus of the angelic apparitions and remain so of the six Marian apparitions in which Our Lady asks for Communions of Reparation on the first five Saturdays, the consecration of Russia, devotion to Mary’s Immaculate Heart and the prayer of the Rosary. Recall in the previous May apparition on the feast of Our Lady of the Blessed Sacrament we saw Continued on page 21

Sunday 23 July 2017 — Homeport: Falmouth Harbor — “Hot enough for ya?” Day n this day we are officially allowed to utter those words that must suffice when nothing intelligent comes to mind: “Hot enough for ya?”

These are the hottest weeks of the year in New England. We call it “beach weather.” Think of the three “Hs” — hazy, hot, and humid. I last went to the beach as recently as 1983. I wouldn’t want to overdo it. Nevertheless, everyone else is out and about.

It’s high summer. New England weather can, at least in July and August, be described as “tropical.” The humidity index can surpass 90 percent. Fog hangs low over the land in the early morning and sometimes also in the evening.

Summer is my least favorite season. The very thought of perpetual summer sends shivers down my spine. The only reason I would ever go to a place like Florida is to visit Disney World — and even then I would require several gallons of sunscreen.

From the rectory, I can hear the old Nobsque (now spelt Nobska) foghorn. It’s just down the shore road in Woods Hole.

The foghorn used to be located close to the road but this proved problematic.

When activated, the foghorn blasts twice every 30 seconds.

Unfortunately, people driving past when the foghorn went off would be so startled that there was a danger of them losing control and driving off into a sand dune. The foghorn was consequently moved away from the road and closer to the water.

Untold car crashes were thereby averted. I am not making this up.

The lighthouse beacon blinks every six seconds, year round.

It emits 28,000 candlepower of light that reaches out 12 nautical miles. This also caused problems.

Neighbors complained that the light was shining in their bedroom windows and keeping them awake at night. So, during the

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Wish you were here

summer, the backside of the light f lees the beaches at the same is blacked out with panels. This time, gridlocking Main Street. effectively prevents widespread Why are beaches so quickly insomnia in Woods Hole (at least abandoned when there’s nothing during the summer). but some passing drizzle? Once With its blasting foghorn and they dive in the ocean, beachblazing beacon, Nobska light is goers are already soaking wet. an icon How is the of Cape water fallCod. Men ing from The Ship’s Log who wish the sky difReflections of a to wear ferent from Parish Priest “Cape Cod the water casual” can lapping on

By Father Tim purchase the shore?

Goldrick at the local I guess I’ll haberdashnever be ery slacks a beach embroidered with tiny lighthous- person. es. Add boat shoes (no socks) In a summer storm, the streets and a pastel golf shirt (collar also f lood with rainwater. Reupturned) to complete the look. cently, a sudden downpour

The St. Joseph Garden at St. Patrick’s Church in Falmouth.

Salmon-pink is always appropriate. Be sure never to wear an “I’ve been to Cape Cod” sweatshirt. You’ll stick out as a visitor.

Summer brings the possibility of downpours. We sometimes get two inches of rain an hour. With the first sprinkle, the streets f lood — with cars. Everyone

brought the water level up to the doors of passing cars. Tow trucks were busy all afternoon carting off disabled vehicles. With the sandy soil, the water soon dissipates but for days afterward you will notice lost hubcaps by the side of the road.

Summer on Cape Cod would

not be summer without the f lowers. The iconic shrub is the blue hydrangea. We even have a Cape Cod Hydrangea Society. A couple of years ago, we planted 28 hydrangeas on the front lawn of the church in a kind of horseshoe-shaped hedge reaching out towards Main Street.

As the shrubs mature, passersby are beginning to notice. I’ve seen summer guests stop to snap pictures.

There’s a young man in the parish who, as an Eagle Scout project, has offered to install a rose garden dedicated to the Blessed Mother. Edward Geishecker plans to have the project completed well before October, the month dedicated to the Rosary. I’m sure the rose garden will be lovely next summer. Hopefully someone will volunteer to help Karen Heard with all that weeding.

In the St. Joseph wildf lower garden, the coreopsis is f lourishing. From what I have observed, coreopsis attracts goldfinches.

The lemon-colored birds dart about as people enter the church.

A parishioner, in memory of the two boys killed last winter in that tragic auto accident, donated benches for those who might wish to spend a few prayerful moments in the wildf lower garden.

Speaking of birds, we are in the second generation of wild turkeys. One of the hens hatched last year is now a mother. She hovers (like a mother hen?) around the church property, protecting her brood of three chicks.

Then there’s the neighborhood osprey. A nesting platform was built years ago just down the street, but the osprey seems to prefer the view from the gilded Celtic cross atop our steeple. I watch at dusk from my secondf loor window.

And so goes another summer on the Cape. Wish you were here. Oh, look. Here comes the sun. Beach day everyone!

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

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Getting away from it all, riding in a fjord

ometimes, many times actually, life can become a bit overwhelming. On a personal level, the pressures of work, caring for family, health issues, financial issues, and day-today routines can sap even the strongest of the strong.

Add to that the daily woes and sufferings of our brothers and sisters across this not-so-big blue marble in the great Milky Way, one can become wary of letting one’s feet hit the floor to start another day.

God knows we need a breather every once in a while, and He provides those respites in a plethora of ways. We just have to look for them and recognize them.

Occasionally for me, the word mankind seems like an oxymoron. Too often I struggle to see the “kind” in mankind. That’s why I often find solace and comfort in God’s Creation with things not of man — nature, animals, silence and beauty.

Last week I had the great blessing of being able to vacation in the great northwest region of Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada.

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I had never been any fur- we pulled from the dock, I ther west than Cleveland, was transported to another so this was a great advenworld. Despite there being ture for me.

10 other people on board, I We touched down in was alone in world of majthe city surrounded by waterways and My View mountains and I was immediately at From home. the Stands As exciting as a

By Dave Jolivet large metropolis can be, I was mesmerized by what surrounded it, had the great esty and beauty — a world fortune of being able to only God could create. take an excursion just 30 Rising proudly on the minutes to the northwest northwestern horizon of to take a boat tour of the the sound was Mount southernmost fjord in North Garibaldi, a dormant, yet America, Howe Sound. possibly active volcano restThe boat ride, aboard an ing atop a glacier. Despite inflatable zodiac craft, was it being mid-July, snow two hours, and shortly after covered the marvelous

shapes, sizes, and colors.

Their reaction to our passing was more curiosity than fear. With no orcas in the sound to threaten them, the “seadogs” had nothing to threaten their leisurely existence.

Sharing the crags and rocky shores were a variety of sea and land birds.

Several reminders of the glaciers that roared through the area revealed themselves along the way.

Rounded mountainsides showed the paths the giant ice flows took on their way to the fjord that was constantly being fed by snow melting on the distant mountain tops, providing yet another shade of green to the pristine waters.

For nearly two hours, the mind-clutter that usually filled my head, disappeared.

In its place was a world where volcanoes erupted and glaciers flowed; where eagles soared and seals played; where birds sunned themselves after a fishing expedition. And where mankind wasn’t the dominant force. A little Heaven on earth, and a At left is Mount Garibaldi, a dormant volcano overlooking Howe Sound outside Van- God-given respite. couver, B.C. At right is evidence of a glacier that pushed its way into the Canadian fjord. davejolivet@anchornews.

(Photos by Dave Jolivet) org.

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mountain, as it did several of its neighboring peaks.

The water was pure and clean, taking on the hues of several greens and turquoises. The fresh air offered an intoxicating mixture of pure salt water, juniper, pine, and spearmint — all with a slight haze emanating from the more-than 150 wildfires burning across British Columbia.

Along the shoreline, I was greeted by several bald eagles, seemingly keeping watch over the stunning sea and landscape which is their home.

On the many rocks surrounding the islands in the fjord were seals of many

Former postal worker discerns calling to religious order continued from page two

Todd said she loved praying in community with others, and began to visit different religious communities but felt “an extraordinary peace” with the Poor Clares in Jamaica Plain, Boston, a cloistered monastery of roughly two dozen Sisters. The Poor Clares have been in the Boston area for 100 years (www.poorclaresboston.org).

In 1212, in the city of Assisi in Italy, a young noble woman by the name of Clare di Faverone di Offreduccio gave away her inheritance and left all she had in order to follow in the footsteps of Jesus according to the example of Francis Bernardone and his friars.

Soon other women joined her. They became known as “Poor Enclosed Ladies” who gave themselves to the love of Christ in a contemplative form of life, and to prayer for the Church, the world, and anyone in need. Later on,

after Clare’s canonization the Sisters were given the title, “The Order of St. Clare.” Through the centuries they became known as “Clares,” and then as “Poor Clares” because of the poverty in which they lived.

“I loved praying to the Blessed Sacrament exposed.

I could [happily] spend five hours in an adoration chapel,” said Todd. “It was definitely a process. Every time I visited there [Poor Clares], it felt more and more like home to me, and they felt more like family to me.”

During these years of discernment, Todd knew that her debt from student loans and her divorce needed to be dealt with prior to her entering any order. She struggled to pay off the balances while being underemployed, all the while thinking she would never be able to eradicate her debt, thus never being able to enter any religious order.

“I just didn’t see that light,” said Todd. “When I divorced, I moved. I was thinking in my mind there’s no way I could be debt free. My friend told me to have faith. I was a tutor and then Title I funds were cut, and I lost that job. I was going through so much at the time, and I prayed for the intercession of Mary to help me find a job to help me pay off my debt.

“Interestingly, I was at the Poor Clares — unemployed — I checked my emails one night, and I had an email on the feast of the Assumption, inviting me to an interview on the feast of the Queenship of Mary.

It was for the post office,” said Todd, who could not remember when she applied, but found out later she applied on the day of the feast of the Visitation.

“I was like this is amazing!

Mary did intercede for me all the way through this process.”

Being a member of the postal service was a tough and physical job, said Todd, but a good portion of her day was spent alone.

So Todd said she would take that time to pray the Rosary, pray Divine Mercy Chaplets, pray for the people she delivered to: “That’s the beautiful part of being a mail carrier, to have that time to truly contemplate,” said Todd, of the job she began in fall of 2014.

Another step in Todd’s journey found her going on www.VocationMatch.com and taking a 90-minute questionnaire, helping her narrow down her choice of religious order based on her answers. She kept visiting different monasteries, including traveling to Michigan, but she kept coming back to the Poor Clares.

Father Richard D. Wilson, Anchor executive editor and former pastor of St. Vincent de Paul Parish in Attleboro, poses with Kimberly Todd, who recently joined the Poor Clares order.

“I just found the most peace there,” said Todd.

“I visited there three or four times, and went for an extended stay because they’re discerning me as well. That [stay] was in February [of this year], and then it was decided. I knew I was home. I did not want to leave.

“I felt such joy. It’s not me. It’s never been about me. It’s about God. I know this is what God wants me to do. He is the One Who gives the joy so we know we’re on the right path.”

In the months leading up to her entering the convent as a novitiate, Todd has been embracing the words of St. Clare: “St. Clare says, ‘Give to the poor.’ The Gospel says, ‘Give to the poor.’ I can’t believe how many clothes I have. I have to tell you it was exhilarating throwing so many bags of clothes into a charity bin.

Last week was the hardest because I sold my car, and I’ve been using my dad’s 25-year old truck to get around,” said Todd. “The thing is, I feel free to let go of the possessions, and say ‘God, here I am.’”

At the time of this interview, Todd was in the final stages of packing before entering the monastery; “I’m taking it day by day. I know that God will reveal to me more and more if this is to be my life. You go through a novitiate and a postulancy. You’re still discerning. I won’t take first vows for another 10 months. It will be two years before I take my final vows.

I’m giving it to God. I know that it’s not going to be perfect because no lifestyle is perfect, but I know that this is where I want to be and I feel so much joy and peace. They’re like family to me, and I will grow with God and my Sisters.”

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On July 11, Anchor executive editor Father Richard D. Wilson joined members of his 1997 ordination class from the North American College for Mass at the Basilica of St. Paul’s Outside the Walls in Rome. Top left, the class assembles in the chapel of St. Benedict before celebrating Mass in honor of the saint on his feast day.

The class includes Fathers Robert Dillon, Augustine Tran, Timothy Keeney, Richard Wilson, Thomas Cook, David Toups, Timothy McKeown, Mark Knestout, Bartholomew Smith, Jason Gray, James Williams, Gregory Beaumont and Peter Idler. Below, the class prays before the tomb of St. Paul after celebrating Mass.

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The Anchor - July 28, 2017

Diocese of Fall River TV Mass on WLNE Channel 6 July 30, 11:00 a.m.

Celebrant is Father Matthew Fase, C.S.C., Campus Ministry, Stonehill College

August 6, 11:00 a.m.

Celebrant is Father Maurice O. Gauvin, pastor of Espirito Santo Parish in Fall River

A subscription to The Anchor would make a thoughtful gift for a loved one, a friend, or yourself. It’s a publication that provides a Spiritual uplift and keeps Catholics connected to our beloved Church — locally and beyond.

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

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The Anchor - July 28, 2017

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O

ne of the great benefits of social media is that we are able to remain connected to people from our past that prior to its existence we would just lose contact with and they would become simply a memory of our past.

Certainly, there are many struggles and dangers that we need to be aware of, however, there have always been dangers and struggles that we have always needed to be aware of: Don’t talk to strangers, don’t accept candy from a stranger, look both ways, etc.

I’ve noticed that there are more than a few people from my past, particularly people I knew as a kid, who have become active with their religion. Some were living lives or holding beliefs that were far from religion or God. Others, like myself, were indifferent to the whole thing. Oh, there were times

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For and About Our Church Youth Engaging others I had an interest, that I to hear it or not!). was intrigued by a belief I have had many enor a practice. But I usually counters with the Risen wandered back to a stance Lord throughout my life, of indifference. many I didn’t recognize as Something happened, such, others I did. I can’t with myself and with those say there was one particular from my past. I’m sure you moment that everything know of others who have had this change in life. Perhaps you are one as well.

While we all have different journeys of

By Father faith, I suspect that David C. Frederici there is something similar in all of our stories. I suspect that each of us has had some changed in a split second. type of encounter with the I feel I’ve been more like Risen Christ.

St. Peter or St. Thomas in This encounter probably the Gospels. I get it for a wasn’t Jesus ringing our moment and then stray off doorbell. It was more than course, but I keep looking likely that He was presfor help from the Lord and ent in someone else who with His help, pick myself rang our doorbell, called up, dust myself off and try us on the phone, consoled to take another step. us, challenged us or said The one thing that consomething that we needed soles me greatly and allows to hear (whether we wanted me to persevere despite

The Anchor - July 28, 2017

Be Not Afraid

tripping all the time is that I have come to understand that I am a work in progress and that God’s love for me is perfect and as a result He continues to reach out to me to console me, to heal me and to challenge me. He hasn’t given up on me so I guess I shouldn’t either.

I am not a great theologian. I do not have all the answers.

However, God has provided the means to connect to those answers: the Scriptures, the writings of the saints and the Church.

If these are going to make any difference in my life though, I need to take time to utilize them, to listen, to question and to learn.

Patience is also going to be necessary, lots of patience.

In all the talk, analysis and theories about the “nones,” — that is those who profess no religion — we can

forget that the vast majority of them are experiencing what so many of us experienced in our lives. One big difference from my journey and many of the “nones” is no one has engaged them in their searching. By engagement I mean shared their stories, their journey from doubt to deeper faith, their experiences of God’s presence and love and what they have learned.

Pope Francis has been repeatedly reminding all of us who have been baptized we are meant to engage others, to listen, to share and to be patient. It is the only way that others will come to a relationship with the Lord.

Anchor columnist Father Frederici is pastor of St. George Parish in Westport and diocesan director of Campus Ministry and chaplain at UMass Dartmouth and Bristol Community College.

For and About Our Church Youth

Pre-kindergarten students at Our Lady of Lourdes School in Taunton were pleased to pose with Miss Megan from Horizons For Homeless Children after the school presented her with a check for $300.

Students from St. James-St John School in New Bedford learned how ice cream is made and then had a special treat at Somerset Creamery.

Holy Family-Holy Name School in New Bedford held a benefit for the new science lab at the school. A fun time was had by all. Pictured is alumnus Robert Massoud who was part of the entertainment.

The Anchor is always pleased to run news and photos about our diocesan youth. If schools, parish Religious Education programs, homeschoolers, Vacation Bible Schools and summer programs have newsworthy stories and photos they would like to share with our readers, send them to: schools@anchornews.org The Anchor - July 28, 2017

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I

In prayer and in action

t was a beautiful Sunday morning in July.

The 8:30 a.m. Mass at Holy Name was just letting out and families were gathering in the back of the church, greeted by pastor Father Jay Maddock and happily making plans for how to spend the rest of this glorious day.

I’m sure many were planning to spend the day at the beach or at a picnic. Some were no doubt headed for a hearty breakfast or to wrestle with the Sunday paper. But not 14-year-old Isabella Moniz. She was headed into the back of the gym at Holy Name School. Her Sunday was not dedicated to rest nor relaxation. She was preparing for the final day of organizing, sorting and coordinating the hundreds of backpacks that she and her collaborators had gathered on behalf of children living in the shelters of her hometown.

Isabella is a force for good.

She possesses the poise and

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confident can-do attitude of to start the school year off a much older person. When right. asked why this project beShe found a willing partcame her personal mission, ner in an organization called she reflectively mentioned the School on Wheels which is example of her parents and located locally in East Bridgeteachers. “I was always taught water. The mission of School to help out. When you see a on Wheels of Massachusetts is problem, find a solution,” she to educate children impacted said. When the members of by homelessness by providing the Leaders in Training at academic support and oneHoly Name were given the on-one mentoring so children opportunity to visit the homeless shelters nearby their school, It’s What Isabella seized upon a We Do problem and worked tirelessly to bring

By James A. about a solution. She Campbell realized that so many children would not have easy access to “back to can reach their full potential. school” supplies because of the When they learned about circumstances of their lives.

Isabella’s drive to address the Chaos and poverty can be homeless children in Fall Rivcruel to young minds. Isabella er they quickly partnered with thought that one way to ease her. Her goal was to provide the burden for young people 250 fully-loaded backpacks would be to provide a ready for the children in shelters in made backpack filled with all Fall River. School on Wheels the essential supplies needed provided 147 and Isabella set out to secure the rest.

What prompts a young girl to care so much about other young people? According to her grandparents, Darlene and David Gagnon, Isabella has possessed this characteristic since she was a young child: “She was always the type that would literally give you the shirt off her back.”

Isabella’s parents echoed that sentiment: “ She is always a natural leader. When she was little she held court and was always comfortable around adults.”

Given her parents’ example, (they pray the Rosary each evening and Mr. Moniz begins each day listening to the Rosary on the radio for a halfhour before beginning his day a plumber) it is obvious that much of Isabella’s motivation comes from her faith. She and her brother and sister, Ezra and Gretta, have attended Holy Name since kindergar-

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ten. Next year Isabella goes off to Bishop Connolly High School. Her plan is to continue her mission of service to homeless youth and extend her outreach to the Connolly community as well.

Isabella said she was inspired by the theme of this year’s Catholic Charities Appeal, “Whatsoever you do.” “I thought about it and decided my answer to that challenge would be this drive,” she said.

In this issue we announce the monetary results of the 2017 Catholic Charities Appeal. We have much to be grateful for as for the third year in a row we set a new record of generosity for the social ministries of the diocese. We are sincerely grateful for each and every gift. On that Sunday morning however, I was struck by the power of one young girl and her singular contribution and service.

As I looked around the gym that Sunday morning I was struck by her faith

and her determination to do good. Everywhere I looked were stacks of notebooks, binders, pens, markers, erasers and glue sticks. Hundreds of backpacks some stuffed and some waiting to be stuffed, carefully organized by grade levels and attended to by family and friends, each hard at work, completing the tasks and ensuring the vision of one 14-year-old with an indomitable spirit, a will of steel and a generous, kind and loving heart. I thought of all the youngsters, strangers to her but cared for nonetheless, who would benefit from her selflessness. I thought of Jesus’ exhortation to act with love to neighbor and stranger alike.

I thought of the remarkable alchemy of family, teachers and priests that instill the values of service and responsibility in our youth. Whatsoever you do, indeed.

Anchor columnist James Campbell is director of the diocesan Development Office/Catholic Charities Appeal/Foundation to Advance Catholic Education.

Isabella Moniz and some of the backpacks she collected to benefit children in homeless shelters.

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ater this year, two American men will be beatified: Father Stanley Rother, who will be beatified in Oklahoma City on September 23 as a martyr; and Capuchin Father Solanus Casey, who will be beatified in Detroit on November 18 for having lived heroic virtue.

This will be a pair of firsts, as they will be the first U.S.born males to be raised to the altars (There have been a number of American-born females, like Native American St. Kateri Tekakwitha or St. Elizabeth Ann Seton, or St. Katharine Drexel.

Women tend to outpace men in the race to holiness).

And the men who worked in America that have been beatified or canonized up until now have all been from other countries: the martyr St. Isaac Jogues from France,

Men who gave their lives for others for example, or St. Junipero love than this, to lay down Serra from Spain, or St. one’s life for one’s friends” Damien of Molokai from (Jn 15:13).

Belgium. All these heroes of My impression is that this our faith, women and men, new category of sainthood stand as models of holiness better fits the case of saints and Heavenly intercessors for like St. Maximilian Kolbe, us before God. who was canonized as a The fact that they lived martyr, though a martyr for and worked in our society charity, since he voluntarily and close to our time makes them especially pertinent Judge as witnesses to the For universal call to holiYourself ness and apostolate that we all share.

By Dwight Duncan On July 11, Pope Francis added a third legal path to offered his life in exchange holiness in the Church’s for that of a fellow priscanon law, apart from heroic oner at Auschwitz arbitrarily virtue (Father Solanus’ way) condemned to death by the and martyrdom (Father Nazis. This is somewhat Rother’s way): giving one’s different from someone life out of love. This correexecuted because of his or sponds to Jesus’ words in the her witness to the truth of Gospel: “No one has greater the faith, which normally characterizes martyrdom.

Take the martyrdom of St. Thomas More or St. John Fisher, executed because of their fidelity to the teachings of the Church regarding the indissolubility of Marriage

and papal authority.

Among the requirements for recognizing this new path of holiness in someone is that the person freely offered their life out of love, accepting a premature death.

Someone who dies in an attempt to rescue others, like a fireman on 9/11, would seem to qualify.

At the same time, the person in question needs to have lived an ordinary level of virtue, not necessarily heroic virtue (This is different from the path of heroic virtue, obviously).

And a proven miracle due to the person’s intercession is also required (This is different from the canonical path to beatification of martyrdom, where a miracle is not required).

My candidate for an American to whom this category could apply is Maryknoll Father Vincent Capodanno, a Marine chaplain from Staten Island who died during the Vietnam War. Seriously wounded during a

In Your Prayers Please Please pray pray for for these these priests priests during during the the coming coming weeks weeks

July 29 Rev. Mathias McCabe, Retired Pastor, Sacred Heart, Fall River, 1913 Rev. Charles P. Trainor, S.S., St. Edward Seminary, Seattle, Washington, 1947 July 30 Rev. Francis Kiernan, Pastor Sandwich, New Bedford, Wareham, 1838 July 31 Rev. Daniel Hearne, Pastor, St. Mary, Taunton, 1865 Rev. Hugh J. Munro, Chaplain, Marian Manor, Taunton, 2003 Rev. Marc H. Bergeron, 2014

Aug. 1

Aug. 5 Rev. Martin J. Fox, Founder, St. Paul, Taunton, 1917 Rev. Thomas A. Kelly, Pastor, SS. Peter & Paul, Fall River, 1934 Aug. 6 Rev. Joseph P. Lyons, Pastor, St. Joseph, Fall River, 1961 Aug. 7 Rev. John F. Hogan, Pastor, St. Julie Billiart, North Dartmouth, 1986 Very Rev. Roger L. Gagne, V. F. Pastor, St. Mark, Attleboro Falls, 1987 Aug. 8 Rev. William Bric, Founder, St. Joseph, Fall River, 1880

battle, he refused evacuation so he could help wounded Marines and administer Last Rites. Aiding a wounded comrade, he was machinegunned to death.

Father Stanley Rother served as a missionary in Guatemala. He was killed in July, 1981 at the age of 46. During the brutal civil war affecting the country, he was put on a death list for his pastoral work among the poor.

He went back to Oklahoma briefly, but then returned because, as he stated, “the shepherd cannot run.”

Within days, he was killed.

It’s wonderful that this man who was a contemporary of many of us and hailed from the United States, will be beatified shortly as our first native-born martyr.

And that Father Solanus Casey will be beatified in November for his heroic virtue, his miracle having been approved recently by Pope Francis. Kind of an American Padre Pio, Father Solanus served as a humble doorkeeper for years at the Capuchin Monastery in Detroit. But he prayed for all the growing number of visitors, giving them Spiritual advice and healing (sometimes through miracles). His reputation for holiness has now been vindicated.

As he said, “Were we only to correspond to God’s graces continually being showered down on every one of us, we would be able to pass from being great sinners one day to being great saints the next.”

As has often been said, every saint has a past. And every sinner has a future.

Anchor columnist Dwight Duncan is a professor at UMass School of Law Dartmouth. He holds degrees in civil and canon law.

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Bishop Stang announces inaugural Athletics Hall of Fame

NORTH DARTMOUTH — Bishop Stang High School is pleased to announce the Inaugural Class for the Athletics Hall of Fame.

The Athletics Hall of Fame recognizes those coaches, teams and student-athletes who excelled in their sport and/or who achieved great success beyond Bishop Stang in athletic endeavors.

Bishop Stang presidentprincipal Peter Shaughnessy shared, “Athletics play a vital role in the fulfillment of Bishop Stang’s mission and tradition of excellence. This first Athletics Hall of Fame class exemplifies not only tremendous achievement on the field of competition, but also outstanding character as people.”

The 2017 Inductees for the Bishop Stang Inaugural Athletics Hall of Fame are: Coaches Theresa Dougall ’64 (posthumously) Coach Dougall graduated from Bishop Stang in 1964, having played field hockey, basketball and volleyball all four years of high school. Upon her return to Stang four years later, she coached field hockey for 20 years, leading the 1983 team to state champions. She was the Globe Coach of the Year in 1980 and 1986. Her impact on generations of Spartans is immeasurable.

William Hart ’64 Coach Hart graduated with the Class of 1964 and returned to serve more than 40 years at Bishop Stang. He coached football and girls’ basketball and assumed the position of Athletic Director in 1985.

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In his 25 years as AD Hart fostered the growth of the Bishop Stang Athletic Program from just 16 sports teams to 25. Coach Hart lived and breathed the mission of the school as well as that of the athletic program.

James B. Lanagan Jr. Coach Lanagan spent 15 years of his 37-year coaching career at Bishop Stang, with a record of 90-55-5 for the Spartan football team.

A man of great faith, many of the traditions he created within the football program still remain in existence. Today, Coach can be found working with Stang student-athletes at the summer conditioning program.

John C. O’Brien (posthumously) Coach O’Brien began his tenure at Bishop Stang in 1961 as the school’s first varsity basketball coach and in his tenure coached baseball as well. He served as Athletic Director beginning in 1965 through his passing in 1985. His concern for others and legendary style brought out the best in those around him. John O’Brien is at the very core of the Stang athletic family tradition.

Teams 1964 Varsity Football This Bishop Stang team, led by Head Coach Carlin Lynch and Coaches Charlie Connell, Gerry Hickey and Roland Seguin, earned the title of State Class C Champion Football Team and dedicated their season to Principal Sister Anne Denise.

They went 7-0 against teams from area schools of

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all sizes and were driven by the motto, “Nothing is impossible to a willing heart.”

1983 Field Hockey The 1983 Bishop Stang Girls Field Hockey Team earned the title of Division II Massachusetts State Champions.

Coached by Theresa Dougall, Carol Stigh and Karen Quintin, the team finished the season with a record of 17-2-2. Captains Lisa Demakis and Ellen Saunders led the team as well as rallied the school around this team’s energy.

Individuals Joan Fontaine ’78 Joan Fontaine was an all-season athlete, playing field hockey, basketball and tennis at Bishop Stang. As a sophomore, she was on the varsity team for field hockey and basketball, and as a senior was the captain of both.

A leader on the field, she raised the level of play for all her teammates.

Tracy Jackson Bright ’97 Tracy Jackson was an all-season athlete, playing field hockey, basketball and softball. She was a four year starter on Bishop Stang varsity basketball, serving as Captain her junior and senior year and a four-year short stop on varsity softball.

Tracy won the Theresa Dougall Award in 1997 and went on to a basketball career at Franklin Pierce.

Gerald Kavanaugh ’71 Gerry Kavanaugh played basketball for Coach John O’Brien, who described Kavanaugh as a “gem.” In the 1971 Bristol County League playoffs, he scored 40 points to

lead the Spartans to victory over undefeated New Bedford. After a year at Deerfield, Kavanaugh continued his basketball career at Lafayette College, holding the record for assists into the 2000s.

David Ottavianelli ’86 David Ottavianelli was an all-season athlete, playing football, basketball and baseball. He was a three-year starting quarterback under Coach Lanagan and led the team to its first 9-1 season since 1974 and repeated in 1985. David received the Carlin Lynch Award in 1986 and went on to the USMA at West Point where he continued to play football.

Kevin Phelan ’69 Kevin Phelan played basketball and baseball at Bishop Stang.

Coached by John O’Brien, his senior year he led the Bristol County League in scoring and

brought the team to the Bristol County League Championship. Phelan is in the 1000 Point Club at Bishop Stang and continued his basketball career at SMU. He was inducted into the UMass Dartmouth Hall of Fame in 2001, where he still holds the record for most field goals in a game.

Ellen Vera ’80 Ellen Vera was an allseason athlete, playing field hockey, basketball and track while at Bishop Stang. She was a threeyear starter in field hockey for Coach Terry Dougall and basketball point guard under Coach Bill Hart. She won the Theresa Dougall Award in 1980 and went on to play Division I field hockey and lacrosse at Northeastern.

The Inaugural Athletics Hall of Fame ceremony will take place on Saturday, Oct. 21, 2017.

For more information, contact the Bishop Stang Advancement/Alumni Off ice at 508-996-5602, extension 485 or email alumni@bishopstang.org.

Continued from page 10

towards Heaven, and I in that which was poured out how when Mary tells the on the earth. In front of the children, “You are going to have much to suffer, but the palm of Our Lady’s right hand was a heart encircled grace of God will be your by thorns which pierced it. comfort,” as she opened We understood that this her hands making the was the Immaculate Heart children see themselves in of Mary, outraged by the God. Moved by an interior impulse the children fell on sins of humanity, and seeking reparation.” their knees and repeated in This immense light their hearts, “O most Holy which Our Lady comTrinity, I adore You! My municated, is the light of God, my God, I love You in the Most Blessed Sacra- faith which we receive in our Baptism. The children ment!” Our Lady emphaonce again saw themselves sizes once again the union of the two hearts and in the in God, in the indwelling of the Blessed Trinity, which June apparition that Jesus they could now approach Himself wants to establish through the Immaculate in the world devotion to Heart of Mary. Francisco Mary’s Immaculate Heart alludes to this when he and those souls who emremarked, “These people brace this devotion of love are so happy just because toward Mary’s Immacuyou told them that Our late Heart will be loved by Lady wants the Rosary said, Him and will be placed by and that you are to learn Mary around His throne. to read! How would they This means we must imifeel if they only know what tate Mary’s complete love she showed to us in God, of God in faith, purity and in her Immaculate Heart, obedience to all His commands. Remember at Cana, in that great light! But this is a secret; it must not be Mary tells the servers, “Do spoken about” (memoirs whatever He tells you”( Jn 126). Francisco had come to 2:5). By loving Mary and loving our Eucharistic Lord deepen his understanding of the indwelling of God by way of Mary’s Immacuwithin his soul. Jacinta and late Heart, we come to the Francisco were in the part fullness of Divine charity, of the light which rose to loving Our Eucharistic Heaven because they would Lord through our mother’s suffer and go to Heaven own Immaculate Heart as soon. While Lucia would children of God. “‘Am I to stay here alone?’ remain on earth to live out the devotion to Mary’s ImI asked, sadly. ‘No, my maculate Heart as a Cardaughter. Are you suffermelite Sister and make it ing a great deal? Don’t lose known by her life of conseheart. I will never forsake you. My Immaculate Heart cration, prayer, sacrifice and writings. St. Jacinta reinwill be your refuge and forced this mission before the way that will lead you she went into the hospital. to God.’ As Our Lady She told Lucia: “You will spoke these last words, she remain here to make known opened her hands and for that God wished to estabthe second time, she comlish in the world devotion municated to us the rays of to the Immaculate Heart that same immense light. of Mary. When you are to We saw ourselves in this say this, don’t go and hide. light, as it were, immersed Tell everybody that God in God. Jacinta and Frangrants us graces through cisco seemed to be in that part of the light which rose the Immaculate Heart of

Mary; that people are to ask her for them; and that the Heart of Jesus wanted the Immaculate Heart of Mary to be venerated at His side.

Tell them also to pray to the Immaculate Heart of Mary for peace, since God has entrusted it to her. If I could only put into the hearts of all, the fire that is burning within my own heart, and that makes me love the Hearts of Jesus and Mary so very much!”

Once again, we see that the Hearts of Jesus and Mary are united and that we must obtain graces from God as mediated through the Immaculate Heart of Mary. This is the order established by God. Lucia’s life would shine before the world transmitting the brilliance of her faith by her sanctity of life. We also, each according to our state in life, should strive to consecrate ourselves to Jesus through Mary and with her help strive to live a life of immaculate purity and love for Our Eucharistic Lord.

We should strive to keep God’s Commandments and use the Sacrament of Reconciliation whenever we are aware of any grave fault before approaching our Eucharistic Lord. To help us we should examine our conscience with Mary, taking refuge in her heart and asking her to help us know how we have offended God, and to accompany us to make a good Confession to be reconciled to God. By the prayer of the Holy Rosary we are to meditate on our lives in light of the mysteries of Christ’s life as seen by Mary and ask her help to practice the Christian virtues.

Devotion to the Immaculate Heart of Mary is not new, nor is it something that originated at Fatima. It goes back to the 17th century when St. John Eudes preached about it together with that of the Sacred

Recently children at St. Anthony’s Parish in Taunton represented the children of Portugal for the feast of Our Lady of Fatima. Pictured here with pastor Father William Rodrigues are, from left, Matthew Correia, Emma Birge, Nathan Sousa, Jocelyn Correia, and Owen Sousa. (Photo submitted by Humberto Correia)

Heart; in the 19th century, Popes Pius VII and Pius IX allowed several churches to celebrate a feast of the Pure Heart of Mary. After the Fatima apparitions, Pope Pius XII instituted the feast of the Immaculate Heart of Mary for the whole Church in 1944, so as to obtain by her intercession “peace among nations, freedom for the Church, the conversion of sinners, the love of purity and the practice of virtue” (Decree of May 4, 1944).

The First Friday and First Saturday devotions are offered at my parish at St. Vincent de Paul in Attleboro. On the First Fridays we begin with a 7 p.m. Mass with Eucharistic Adoration and the Rosary until 10 p.m., and First Sat-

urdays with the 9 a.m. Mass until noon every month.

The First Fridays are in response to the request of the Sacred Heart of Jesus to St. Margaret Mary and First Saturdays are in response to Our Lady of Fatima’s requests.

Let us do our part to approach the Eucharistic Heart of Jesus through Our Lady’s Immaculate Heart making sincere acts of reparation for our sins and those of the whole world. If we embrace this devotion, as Sister Lucia and St. Francisco and St. Jacinta did, then we too can hope for the graces need for Salvation and to be among the number of flowers which she will place before the throne of God.

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Around the Diocese St. Vincent de Paul Thrift Shop, 18 Davisville Road in East Falmouth is now open! The shop hours are Monday through Saturday from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.

The shop is affiliated with St. Anthony’s Parish and is pleased to announce an Antique Sale on July 28 from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. There will also be a Bedding Sale for the back-to-college set and thrifty homemaker on Road Race weekend, August 25-26. For more information, call 508-457-0085.

Bishop Robert Reed, a priest of the Archdiocese of Boston and president of the CatholicTV Network, will speak at Christ the King Parish in Mashpee on July 31 at 7 p.m. The topic will be “From Fulton to Francis: Communication and Encounter.”

For more information visit christthekingparish.com.

The U.N. World Apostolate of Fatima Pilgrim Statue will visit Good Shepherd Parish, 1598 South Main Street in Fall River, on August 5 and August 6. The statue will be accompanied by first-class relics of St. Francisco Marto and St. Jacinta Marto, as well as a small piece of the tree on which Our Lady appeared in Fatima. There will be a Holy Hour with Exposition of the Blessed Sacrament and Confessions at 3 p.m. on Saturday, August 5 and at 7 a.m. on Sunday, August 6. The church will be open for prayer before and after all Holy Masses, which are at 4 p.m. on Saturday and at 8:15, 10 and 11:30 a.m. (Portuguese) on Sunday.

St. John Neumann Parish is hosting a series of silent, outdoor retreats that introduces participants to the writings and life of one saint or master in the Catholic tradition. “A Day of Silence with the Masters” takes place on the church grounds, 157 Middleboro Road in East Freetown, on Saturdays from 9 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. Retreats will be dedicated to Julian of Norwich (August 12) and St. Bernard of Clairvaux (October 14). The days begin at the camp house with an introduction to the master and an opening prayer or reading. Participants are then invited to silently move among outdoor stations to reflect on the posted readings from the master. Lunch is on one’s own, although the group gathers for midday prayer and a brief discussion at 1 p.m. and then goes back into silence until 3:30 p.m. All are invited to attend the regular 4 p.m.

Mass at St. John Neumann Church if desired. Beverages are provided, but participants should bring a bag lunch. For more information, contact Karen Howard at 508-947-0193 or email klhoward@aol.com.

A Holy Hour will be held every Monday (with the exception of holy days or holidays) beginning at 7 p.m. at Holy Name Church, 709 Hanover Street in Fall River. It will include Benediction and Confession (once a month) and every week will feature the Rosary, Novena, and prayers for vocations to the priesthood will be recited along with a short meditation. All are welcome.

The Diocesan Marriage Preparation Program needs more team couples — newly-married and veterans (age is not a consideration) who would like to enrich their Marriage while helping engaged couples prepare for their lifetime together.

The Diocesan Marriage Preparation program meets in three locations: Mansfield, Dartmouth and Harwich on Cape Cod. In each location there is a team of volunteers that facilitate three to five sessions per year. If you are interested in serving in this ministry, contact Claire McManus at 508-678-2828, extension 19 or email her at cmcmanus@dfrcs.org.

To submit an event for consideration in The Anchor’s “Around the Diocese” listing, send the information by email to kensouza@anchornews.org

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The Anchor - July 28, 2017

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 — St. Mary’s Church, Main St., has Eucharistic Adoration every Wednesday from 8:30-11:30 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 — St. Anthony of Padua Church, on the corner of Bedford and Sixteenth streets, has Eucharistic Adoration accompanied by music and prayer every first Wednesday of the month from 6-7 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.

FALL RIVER — St. Joseph’s Church has a Holy Hour every Tuesday from 6-7 p.m., with Benediction at 6:45 p.m.

FALL RIVER — St. Michael’s Church has Eucharistic Adoration every Wednesday from 9 a.m. to 5:30 p.m., with Benediction at 5:30 p.m.

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 is held every Thursday, with Confessions, from 7:30 to 8:30 p.m. at Our Lady of Guadalupe at St. James Church. 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.

NORTH EASTON — Eucharistic Adoration takes place at Immaculate Conception Church Chapel on the first Wednesday of the month beginning after the 8:30 a.m. Mass, until 6:40 p.m. Those wishing to make a monthly commitment can sign up on the parish website at www.icceaston.org or call the parish office at 508-238-3232.

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.

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 4:15 to 4:45 p.m. Rosary and Benediction begin at 5 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.

New Bedford parishioners attend Black Catholic Congress

ORLANDO, Fla. — Members of Our Lady of the Assumption Parish in New Bedford joined more than 2,000 participants from across the country who gathered in Orlando, Fla. earlier this month for the 12th National Black Catholic Congress, exploring themes of racism and reconciliation, and hearing speakers who stressed the importance of being active to work for change.

The congress drew its theme from the prophet Micah: “The Spirit of the Lord is upon me: act justly, love goodness, and walk humbly with your God.” The National Black Catholic Congress, which is held every five years, stems from an 1889 meeting between President Grover Cleveland and a group of nearly 100

black Catholic men. The gathering was organized by

at a time of continuing unrest and racial tension in

police shooting of Michael Brown in Ferguson, Mo.

Members of Our Lady of the Assumption Parish in New Bedford recently joined their pastor, Father Sudhir Nayak SS.CC., at the National Black Catholic Congress held July 6-9 in Orlando, Fla.

journalist Daniel Rudd.

The 12th congress comes

many parts of the country, ignited in 2014 with the fatal

In his keynote address, Cardinal Peter Turkson of

Ghana addressed themes of unity and reconciliation.

“When Pope Francis speaks, he doesn’t speak to nations, races and tribes. He speaks to humanity, invited to be disciples of Jesus,” the cardinal said.

“There is no Gospel for Africans. There is no Gospel for Americans. There is no Gospel for Italians or Europeans. There is one Gospel for all of us, created in the image and likeness of God.” None of God’s children should be marginalized or excluded, said Cardinal Turkson, who is the prefect of the Vatican’s Dicastery for Promoting Integral Human Development.

Submitted by Father Sudhir Nayack, SS.CC., with contributions from CNA News.

The Anchor - July 28, 2017

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Our Lady’s grotto continued from page three

Novenas, the daily praying of the Rosary, and special celebrations to honor Mary and this grotto, hopefully, will also help to serve that purpose.”

Amaral also sees the effort as a small gesture to help clean up the area and show that the parish is being a good neighbor.

“Hopefully by beautifying this area, our parish will grow and it will improve the neighborhood,” he said. “I remember a priest once told me, if you change just one person every day — meaning, I change a person, you change a person, that person changes a person — then how long will it take to change the whole world?

Thirty-three years. I like that.”

Calling the project “a labor of love,” Amaral said the Knights aren’t looking to be thanked or applauded for their efforts, but they hope it might just inspire others to find something similar to accomplish in their own parish.

“Maybe we can help other parishes do the same,” he said. “We can certainly share our ideas and supervise them.”

“We’d be happy to give them ideas, but they can provide the labor,” Robitaille agreed. “If we can do it, anybody can.”

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The Anchor - July 28, 2017

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