07.07.23

Samaritan House Shelter continues commitment to hope and Healing in new location

By Shawna Erickson Diocesan Catholic Foundation

TAUNTON — On June 28 a dedication was held with representatives of the Diocese of Fall River, non-profit partners, and city and state government officials to celebrate the Samaritan House Shelter’s new location. The gathering was an opportunity to acknowledge the many hands and hearts that contributed to opening its new home in the former Rectory of Our Lady of the Holy Rosary Parish as well as to highlight the critically important work that the Samaritan House and its staff carries out every day.

A longstanding ministry of Catholic Charities of the Diocese of Fall River, Samaritan House

provides shelter for 18 homeless individuals and serves as a vital conduit in linking them to additional resources to aid in their journeys toward transitional and permanent housing.

CEO of Catholic Charities, Susan Mazzarella, reminded the group not only of the root of Samaritan House’s name from the Biblical Parable of the Good Samaritan aiding a brother in need, but also of the shelter’s current spiritual and corporal role. She said, “Pope Francis said that we must immerse ourselves in today’s problems and needs, bandaging wounds and healing broken hearts with closeness, compassion, and tender love. Here at Samaritan, we acknowledge that we cannot be

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On June 3, Bishop Edgar M. da Cunha, S.D.V., ordained three men as priests of the Fall River Diocese at St. Mary’s Cathedral in Fall River, and on June 9 he traveled to Aracaju, Brazil to ordain Father Thiago Menezes Santos. Top photo, the bishop says the Prayer of Ordination for, from front to back, Fathers Brian Connors, Christopher Hughes and John Garabedian. Middle photo, Father Jay Maddock; Father Walter Carreiro, a priest of the Archdiocese of Boston; and Father Michael McManus pray over, from left to right, Father Connors, Hughes and Garabedian. Bottom photo, the bishop with Father Thiago Menezes Santos in Brazil. See page two for the bishop’s reflection of the events and page four for the reactions of the four new priests.

July 7, 2023

Special to The Anchor

Susan Mazzarella, CEO of Catholic Charities of the Diocese of Fall River, speaks during a dedication ceremony for the new location of Samaritan House in Taunton on June 28. (Photo by John E. Kearns Jr.)

A memorable moment for the diocese: Bishop da Cunha reflects on ordinations

We came together on Saturday, June 3, to celebrate the Priestly Ordination of three of our Diocese’s seminarians. God saw in these men the goodness and generosity of their hearts prayerfully to shepherd His people. They go now as Apostles into a world hungry for

God and His compassion. Their primary task is to preach the Good News of Jesus Christ. I reminded them that when we preach the Gospel, we do so more with our lives than with our words, as St. Francis of Assisi is credited with saying, “Preach the Gospel always, when necessary

use words.”

The grace we receive from God transforms lives. That grace is the Spirit of God living within us and helping us to serve and give

our lives for the needs of others. For these newly-ordained priests, their life and time are no longer their own. They belong to the Church and to God’s people: to lead prayer and worship; to work daily on the sanctification of those in their care as well as their own; to guide others as they respond to our universal call to holiness that we received through Baptism; and to follow Christ and be like Christ, to walk the path Christ walked.

The Church needs their prayers, their faith, their fidelity, their holiness, and their generosity. Recognizing the need truly to follow God’s will, they must seek to be and remain humble, with a joyful spirit of giving, to be steadfast in faith and a shining example of Christ’s love to those they encounter.

I pray they remember these three things: Their priesthood is for the service of God’s people;

They are now instruments of God’s Word, grace, and mercy — flowing through them to His people; and

To conform their life to the Lord and the Mystery of the Cross.

[The bishop traveled more than 4,200 miles to celebrate Father Thiago Menezes Santos’ ordination in his hometown of Aracaju, the capital of Sergipe, Brazil.]

I am honestly astounded at the unexpected yet truly positive impact of my decision to travel to Brazil to ordain Father Thiago Menezes Santos. I’ve received a tremen -

dously positive response from the priests and parishioners in the diocese, with many sharing how glad they were that I was doing this for this young man.

When I shared my plans at the recent Lumen Christi Gala, commenting on how I had to finish packing to catch an early plane in the morning for Brazil, my comments were met with great applause. No other decision could have been made; this was just the right thing to do, and it is amazing how many hearts it has touched. Despite the challenge of a long trip, which had me arriving at 3 a.m. on the day of the ordination, the happiness and joy I saw in Father Thiago’s family, friends, and childhood parish as they witnessed his becoming a priest made it all absolutely worthwhile.

As I spoke to the many people in attendance at Father Thiago’s ordination, it was clear that he has touched many lives. This was also evident in the number of people who came from the United States to celebrate with him in Brazil, including his English tutor from New Jersey, parishioners from the parish in Seekonk where he spent time as a seminarian (which he referred to as his “adopted mother”), so many who watched on live-stream, caring friends from the U.S. and Brazil who wanted to be there for this memorable day. Clearly, Father Thiago has endeared himself to many people. In all, there were 25 priests, along with

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† Diocese of fall RiveR † official appointments

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

Reverend Deacon Bryan R. Bangs, Transitional Deacon at Holy Family Parish in East Taunton.

Effective June 1, 2023 to August 6, 2023

Reverend Deacon James P. Adams, Permanent Deacon at Saint Joseph, Guardian of the Holy Family Parish in Falmouth.

Reverend Deacon Jeremias A. Carranza, Permanent Deacon at Our Lady of Guadalupe at Saint James Parish in New Bedford.

Reverend Deacon Richard V. Fish, Jr., Permanent Deacon at Saint John the Evangelist Parish in Pocasset.

Reverend Deacon David A. Gaspar, Permanent Deacon at Santo Christo Parish in Fall River.

Reverend Deacon Tyrone P. Gonsalves, Permanent Deacon at Saint Anthony-Saint Rita Parish in Mattapoisett and Marion.

Reverend Deacon Leonard K. Guyette, Permanent Deacon at Corpus Christi Parish in East Sandwich.

Reverend Deacon Philip J. Koch, Permanent Deacon at Saint Joan of Arc Parish in Orleans.

Reverend Deacon David L. Laird, Permanent Deacon at Christ the King Parish in Mashpee.

Reverend Deacon Thomas F. Martin, Jr., Permanent Deacon at Our Lady of the Cape Parish in Brewster.

Reverend Deacon Joseph L. Martino, Permanent Deacon at Saint Julie Billiart Parish in Dartmouth.

Reverend Deacon Americo A. Miranda, Permanent Deacon at Espirito Santo Parish in Fall River.

Reverend Deacon John C. O’Brien, Permanent Deacon at Immaculate Conception Parish in Easton.

Reverend Deacon David W. Roderick, Permanent Deacon at Our Lady of Victory Parish in Centerville and Our Lady of the Assumption Parish in Osterville.

Reverend Deacon Shawn J. Seybert, Permanent Deacon at Saint Theresa of the Child Jesus Parish in South Attleboro.

Reverend Deacon Scott E. Taveira, Permanent Deacon at Our Lady of the Immaculate Conception Parish in New Bedford.

Effective July 1, 2023

Annual Pro-Life Boot Camp rooted in the right to life for all

By Dave Jolivet Editor davejolivet@anchornews.org

FALL RIVER — The diocesan Secretariat for the New Evangelization has a July event to assist young people in the diocese to give greater thought to their future as part of the universal and local Church, particularly in the area of the right to life for all.

The Secretariat for the New Evangelization is hosting the annual ProLife Boot Camp, for young

people ages 14-17, from July 26-27. It will be held a La Salette Retreat Center, 947 Park

pandemic.

Street, Attleboro.

The cost of the two-day camp is $150.

This will mark the 11th

The camp offers teenagers a chance to learn about the importance of life, from birth to natural death, through a series of inspiring speakers, by hearing prayerful witness, and by partaking in the Sacraments — along with some fellowship and fun.

camp the diocese has sponsored. It began through the then-Pro-Life Apostolate (now part of the Secretariat) in 2010, with none held in 2020 because of the

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

Reverend Brian P. Connors, Parochial Vicar at Our Lady of Mount Carmel and Our Lady Queen of Martyrs Parishes in Seekonk

Reverend John P. Garabedian, Parochial Vicar at Corpus Christi Parish in East Sandwich, and Associate Director of Vocations

Reverend Christopher D. Hughes, Parochial Vicar at Our Lady of Victory Parish in Centerville and Our Lady of the Assumption Parish in Osterville, and Chaplain of St. John Paul II High School in Hyannis

Reverend Thiago M. Santos, Parochial Vicar at the Cathedral of Saint Mary of the Assumption, the Parish of Good Shepherd and Saint Stanislaus Parish in Fall River, and Chaplain of the Brazilian/Cape Verdean Community at Holy Rosary Church in Taunton

Effective: June 21, 2023

Reverend John M. Schrader, Director of Vocations, while remaining Pastor of Corpus Christi Parish in East Sandwich

Effective June 30, 2023

Past events saw the campers gathering outside the Four Women Abortion Clinic in Attleboro to pray for the women who were entering it as well as the unborn baby they were carrying. After praying outside the clinic, the group attended Mass at an Attleboro church where some of the Pro-Life leaders from the parish served them breakfast.

They also stopped by to visit the new Little Flower Early Childhood Learning Center in Attleboro.

Bishop Edgar M. da Cunha, S.D.V. regularly comes to share some fellowship and fun with the campers.

The theme of this year’s Pro-Life Boot Camp is “Perhaps you were born for a time such as this,” taken from Esther 4:14.

The camp is two days and one night, meals, snacks and full-day agendas.

Deadline for registration is July 15.

To register, or for more information, contact one of the senior leaders; Abby-Lin Resendes at plbc@ gmail.com or all 508-6176622; or Edilia Alves at alves@yahoo.com or call her at 774-510-1403.

† Diocese of fall RiveR † official appointments

New diocesan priests reflect on ordinations

FALL RIVER — On June 3 Bishop Edgar M. da Cunha, S.D.V. ordained three men as priests of the Diocese of Fall River at St. Mary’s Cathedral in Fall River. On June 9 the bishop traveled to Aracaju, Brazil to ordain Father Thiago Menezes Santos as a Fall River priest. The ordination took place there because of travel issues with some of Father Menezes Santos’ family members. Each of the new priests shared what the day and the life to come mean to them.

Father Brian Connors

“Choosing a few things to highlight from our ordination weekend, as you can imagine, is incredibly difficult. I found the laying on of hands from each priest a particularly moving moment of the Ordination Rite, realizing the honor and blessing of being part

of this brotherhood of priests. It was also amazing to see so many people come to support us and be present at the Cathedral for the ordination.

“At my first Solemn Mass celebrated on Sunday, again, I was moved by the number of people present. It meant so much to look out and see everyone who supported my becoming a Catholic eight years ago and throughout my vocation journey. As for the Liturgy itself, there are simply no words to describe how it felt to pray the words of Consecration for the first time.

“I pray as a priest that I am instrumental in creating parishes where people always encounter Jesus in meaningful and profound ways. I pray I am able to serve the Church and help people discover Jesus’ great love for them.”

Father John Garabedian “ This past weekend was the most beautiful and enjoyable one yet. At my ordination and first Mass I

experienced a deep peace and joy. It felt natural and comfortable but also surreal and mysterious. I was aware of the incredible gift God was giving me and was doing my best to fully receive it fully, enjoy it and soak it all in.

“I felt blessed to be surrounded by all the people who love, formed, and supported me — including my family, friends, priests, parishioners, high school friends, old co-workers, and baseball coaches. It was like all of my worlds colliding — New Jersey, Fall River, old friends, new friends.

“Lastly, it was very humbling giving out so many blessings and having my newly consecrated hands kissed by brother priests.”

Father Chris Hughes “ This weekend was absolutely incredible! The

Ordination Mass and First Mass were moments in my life that I will never forget. I have never felt as close to the Lord — or experienced so much joy — as I did then.

“As I processed down the aisle and saw so many people, I felt the love of God in a very intimate way. I truly felt that this was a preview of Heaven — as I was surrounded by so many people I know and love dearly in many ways — family, friends from college, high school, and childhood, parishioners, friends from seminary, and priests that were role models for me in my discernment that I am now humbled and privileged to call brother priests. “ The joy has continued throughout my first few days of my priesthood as I have celebrated my first Masses, anointings, and heard my first

Confessions. God is good and I feel so blessed to share in the Priesthood of Jesus Christ!”

Father Thiago Menezes Santos

“One of the dreams that I always had from my childhood was to be ordained a priest in my home parish alongside my parents and family in Brazil.

Since I came to the United States in 2020, however, I started to accept the fact that I would have to be ordained thousands of miles away from my homeland as I was going to be incardinated here in the Diocese of Fall River.

“Since coming to the diocese in 2020, I have been challenged in many different ways. I believe that all those experiences helped me to grow and to mature. We were hit by the pandemic only two months

8 Continued on page 13

Stonehill College choristers perform at Vatican

EASTON — The spring 2023 semester was a whirlwind for Jessika Crockett-Murphy, Class of ’24. Six weeks after receiving the sacrament of Confirmation, she left the United States for the very first time to travel to Italy. While there, she represented Stonehill College at a Papal Audience in Vatican City. She and her peers sang “Vive el Señor Jesus,” Pope Francis’ favorite hymn, while the bishop of Rome traveled through St. Peter’s Square and greeted thousands from his Popemobile.

“There are many Catholics who never get to have an experience like this,” Crockett-Murphy said. “I’ve been Catholic for all of 45

days, and I got to go to the place where the Church was built from the ground up. It was so impactful and moving.”

The rising senior was in Italy as part of a Campus Ministry-sponsored pilgrimage, which took place from May 25 to June 1. She and other members of the College’s Chapel Choir traveled across the globe to share their musical talents with an international audience. They were joined by Stonehill staff, alumni and family members.

“For many of the students, this was their first real experience of international travel. It was great to help them feel immersed in another culture. There

was also the fact that Rome and the Vatican are such important locations to our faith. To be in places we have seen, heard and read about all our lives had a great impact on all who went on this journey,” said Philip Pereira, campus minister for Music & Liturgy.

The Stonehill coristi (Italian for “choristers”) offered three performances during their time away. The first took place on the second day of the trip at the Basilica of St. Francis in the hill town of Assisi. Fittingly, the group sang “Prayer of St. Francis,” a hymn otherwise known as “Make Me a Channel of Your Peace.”

The group then sang at a Mass at St. Peter’s Basilica. Brother James Walters, C.S.C., also served on the altar during this liturgy. The campus minister for Retreats & Faith Formation said the most moving part of this Mass occurred at the end.

of the largest and most important churches in the world was a truly humbling experience. I have never been so proud to be a Skyhawk.”

The pilgrimage to Italy culminated in a free concert that took place on the choir’s final day in the country. Held at the Basilica of the Twelve Holy Apostles in Rome, the program attracted parishioners and pilgrims alike.

When they weren’t busy showcasing their musical talents, the choir took advantage of sightseeing opportunities. In between visits to attractions like the Sistine Chapel, the Colosseum, the Trevi Fountain, the Pantheon and more, they made stops for gelato and delectable dishes.

“The night I got back to America, my family or-

dered a pizza, and it definitely wasn’t the same as authentic Italian food,” joked Taylor Sprague ’23, a lead cantor for Chapel Choir who joined the pilgrimage just days after graduating from Stonehill.

As she settles into her first post-college job as a legislative aide at the Massachusetts State House, Sprague is grateful for this unique experience.

“This was a once-in-alifetime opportunity,” she said. “I never imagined when I started performing at six years old that it would culminate in this trip to Italy and getting to sing in front of the pope. I am thankful to everyone at Stonehill for making this possible.”

By Liam Dacko, Marketing Department, Stonehill College. Used with permission.

INTERIM EXECUTIVE EDITOR

FatheR RogeR J. landRy - fatherrogerlandry@anchornews.org

EDITOR;

david B. Jolivet davejolivet@anchornews.org

ADVERTISING Wayne R. PoWeRs waynepowers@anchornews.org

“As the clergy and I were processing out of the Basilica, the Chapel Choir sang ‘Queen of the Summit,’” he said. “Hearing our alma mater sung by Stonehill students in one

Members of the Stonehill College Chapel Choir at the Basilica of the Twelve Holy Apostles in Rome.

The courage To live Sunday aS a chriSTian Editorial

In June, the Supreme Court announced major decisions on affirmative action, redistricting, student loans, immigration enforcement, free speech and religious freedom. On the last, the justices of the often deeply divided court decided unanimously to strengthen anti-discrimination protections against religious believers in the workplace.

In Groff v. DeJoy, the nine justices all determined in favor of an evangelical Christian from rural Pennsylvania, Gerald Groff, whom the U.S. Postal Service (USPS) had unsuccessfully forced to work on Sundays in violation of his religious belief at the risk of losing his job. The Court said that employers should grant religious accommodation requests unless they would impose a “undue hardship” on the employer that would be “substantial in the context of an employer’s business.”

Experts say that the decision will impact not only believers in general not to be compelled to work on religious holy days in violation of their faith but also to dress according to their religious beliefs, from kippahs to headscarves and hijabs, to habits and crucifixes. They add that it will likewise provide a different standard by which to evaluate employees’ requests to take short prayer breaks during the day or to refuse vaccines on religious grounds, pharmacists’ petitions to ask for workarounds not to have to fill prescriptions for contraceptive or abortifacient drugs, medical staff’s appeals for Sunday shifts that permit attending Mass, and teachers’ entreaties to be exempt from referring to students by pronouns not corresponding to their biological sex — all of which can make it harder for religious believers to obtain and maintain jobs.

Now, employees who feel that their requests for religious accommodation are not being seriously considered in the workplace will have much stronger cases to take their employers to court should the employers not take steps to find solutions that would not constitute a substantial hardship for the business.

Prior to Groff, the deck was stacked in favor of employers, who only needed to show that making such a religious accommodation would require them to “bear more than a de minimis cost,” meaning a small or trifling burden. That lower standard came, Justice Samuel Alito wrote in Groff, from an erroneous interpretation of a 1977 Supreme Court Case, TWA v. Hardison, which was deemed by some lower courts to define “undue hardship” in Title VII of the 1964 Civil Rights Act according to a minimalist standard of burden. That low bar was used by various employers to discriminate against religious employees in ways that never happen to other protected groups. Alito clarified that “hardship” means “something hard to bear,” and “undue” means “excessive” or “unjustifiable.” He wrote that employers now “must show that the burden of granting an accommodation would result in substantial increased costs in relation to the conduct of its particular business.”

While the decision is very good news for people of faith in the workplace, one question is whether Christian people of faith will seek to take advantage of it, particularly as it relates to work on Sunday.

The case of Gerald Groff can provide an examination of conscience.

Groff began working for the USPS in 2012 out of the Quarryville, Pennsylvania post office. At the time, the USPS did not deliver on Sundays. In 2013, however, the USPS signed a contract with Amazon to deliver on Sunday. Groff requested a transfer to Holtwood, a small rural post office that at the time did not make Sunday deliveries. When in 2017, Holtwood likewise had to begin making Sunday deliveries, Groff offered to take extra shifts on holidays and extra shifts on weekdays to avoid working on Sunday. But when eventually other members of the small staff complained, Groff was required to work on Sunday and was progressively disciplined for not violating his conscience and

coming to work. When the penalties brought him to the verge of being terminated, in January 2019, he resigned and a few months later sued the USPS under Title VII. The June Supreme Court decision didn’t decide ultimately in his favor but sent his case back to the lower courts to determine, with the newly clarified standard, whether granting him an accommodation would be an undue substantial burden to the business of the USPS.

In fidelity to the commandment to keep holy the Lord’s day, Groff was willing to shift work places, volunteer for double shifts and national holidays, to lose his job and to go through the vicissitudes of a multiyear legal battle. How much are Catholic Christians willing to do?

In May this year the Church marked the twenty-fifth anniversary of St. John Paul II’s apostolic letter Dies Domini on keeping the Lord’s Day holy. In it, John Paul II urged Catholics to remember that to keep the Lord’s Day holy involves not just Sunday Mass, prayer and works of charity, but also “abstention from work.”

God gave the Third Commandment, he reminded us, because the Israelites were once slaves in Egypt, implying that to do nonessential work on the sabbath is to be enslaved either to the work itself or to what it might provide. Imitating God’s rest on the seventh day, he said, is indeed “something sacred” and restorative, especially for those in poorer circumstances, who are often oppressed by long hours as well as miserable, unjust and exploitative working conditions. He summarized that Christians “are obliged in conscience to arrange their Sunday rest in a way that allows them to take part in the Eucharist, refraining from work and activities that are incompatible with the sanctification of the Lord’s Day.”

To restate the Third Commandment’s prohibition of “work or activities that hinder the worship owed to God, the joy proper to the Lord’s Day, the performance of the works of mercy, and the appropriate relaxation of mind and body” (Catechism 2185) is not to become like the Pharisees of Jesus’ time, or some Orthodox Jews of our own age, who specify how far one can walk, how much one can lift, or whether one can flip on or off a light switch on the Sabbath day. But it is to express the Sabbath’s sacred value and to try to ensure that it is not lost in the midst of a consumerist age prone to the ancient worship of the golden calf and to underemphasizing or forgetting altogether the human person’s spiritual needs.

The freedom that the Sabbath is meant to express and reinforce is often freely squandered when Christians use that freedom to yoke themselves with unnecessary work on Sunday, from teens working at supermarkets and convenience stores, to adults enticed by premium pay in factories, to nonessential workers forced to work to deliver packages that somehow can’t wait until Monday. Sabbath work gradually grinds down individuals, weakens family, and changes culture for the worse.

But how many Christians have the faith, courage and firm and formed conscience like Gerald Groff to refuse to do unnecessary work on Sunday?

As we mark this week our nation’s Independence and celebrate with gratitude our hard-won freedom, we remember that it was for freedom that we were set free and, therefore, should not squander our freedom by using it to submit to the yoke of slavery (Gal 5:1).

Now that the Supreme Court has unanimously stated that employers need to make religious accommodations unless they pose a major burden on the company’s bottom line, how many will ask for such reasonable accommodation and stick to them if their bosses or human resource directors are slow to acknowledge and grant them?

In an age that prioritizes mammon over God, how many Christians will have the courage to live Sunday as Christians?

The Daily Readings appear on page 14.

Second Lumen Christi Gala continues to shine the light on St. Mary’s Cathedral

WESTPORT — More than 260 guests gathered at White’s of Westport on Wednesday, June 7 to celebrate the special role of St. Mary’s of the Assumption Cathedral for the Diocese of Fall River and to raise funds needed for the restoration of this historic Mother Church. Thanks to the generosity of donors and sponsors, the Gala raised nearly $160,000. Lead sponsors were the Carney Family Charitable Foundation, BayCoast Bank, Jim and Maryellen Sullivan Hughes, and Waring-Sullivan, Rock, Nickerson and Doane Beal and Ames Funeral Homes. District Attorney Thomas Quinn III shepherded the evening’s festivities as its Emcee.

The cocktail hour was not only an opportunity to mix and mingle, but also to become educated on the work taking place and the urgent need for repairs. Thanks to Lumen Christi Gala Committee Member Deacon Tom Palanza and New England Stained Glass, a display showcased for guests the renovation in progress with samples of the old and cleaned stained glass, distressed and new lead came (metal strips), and deteriorated versus newly milled window frames. Proceeds from the evening’s Text to Give campaign — led by event co-Chair and co-Chair of the Catholic Foundation, Nick Christ, CEO of BayCoast Bank — will be allocated to continuing the restoration dozens of stained-glass windows at the Cathedral.

Then Cathedral Rector,

Father Thomas Washburn shared the importance of the Cathedral and the event created in her honor and led the opening prayer. Bishop da Cunha presented the Luminary Award to John Dawley who accepted on behalf of his parents, Jack and Susan Dawley, whose example of faith, service and philanthropy had a lasting impact on the Diocese of Fall River. Notably, not only did the Dawleys support the WIFI initiative in the diocese’s Catholic schools, which proved crucial during the COVID-19 pandemic as the schools pivoted to online learning, but also supported seminarian education through an endowment established for this important resource for the future of the Church.

Indeed, among those gathered were many active and retired clergy and three newly-ordained priests for the Diocese of Fall River: Fathers Brian Connors, John Garabedian and Chris Hughes. Parishioners and pastors from Christ the King, Mashpee; Church of the Holy Name, Holy Name, Taunton; St. John of God, Somerset; St. John Neumann, East Freetown; St. Joseph Guardian of the Holy Family, Falmouth; St. Margaret’s, Buzzards Bay; and St. Mary’s, Mansfield, were among those in attendance as was Father John Denning, C.S.C., President of Stonehill College.

Another highlight of the evening enjoyed by guests and Lumen Christi Cathedral Gala Committee members Frank Baptista, Kevin Kiley, Carl Sawejko,

Carl Taber, Deacon Alan Thadeu, and Dr. Ryan Welter was a special a cappella performance by members of the Cathedral Choir. Madeleine Grace led the performance which included, among others, her husband, choir member and Lumen Christi Cathedral Gala Committee member Dr. Richard Grace. The choir sang four hymns, concluding with the joyous “Malawi Alle-

luia,” accompanied by the choir’s percussionist, David Heath, who played the West African djembe Thanks were expressed to all who joined together from across the Diocese of Fall River to celebrate the Mother Church and Seat of the Bishop. Resources raised for the effort to restore the Cathedral of St. Mary of the Assumption will help provide for a re -

newed center of worship for generations to come. More information about the Lumen Christi Cathedral Gala, its sponsors and donors, and the Cathedral’s needed repairs can be found at www. catholicfoundationsema. org/cathedral-gala. Dr. Richard Grace’s video tour of the Cathedral may be found at https://vimeo. com/819639439.

Bishop Edgar M. da Cunha, S.D.V., presents the Luminary Award to John Dawley in honor of his parents Jack and Susan Dawley for their philanthropy and example of living the Catholic faith. The presentation took place at the annual Lumen Christi Gala June 7 at White’s of Westport, to benefit St. Mary’s Cathedral restorations.

Historic novena and feast return to Saint Anne Shrine

FALL RIVER — Saint Anne Shrine in Fall River is hosting its 151st (which includes the old parish church on Hunter Street) Solemn Novena and Feast of St. Anne on July 17-26.

During the first nine days (July 17-25), Mass will be celebrated daily at 6:30 p.m. Mass will be followed by a Holy Hour, during which the Novena to St. Anne will be prayed, and the day’s preacher will give a reflection.

July 26, the feast of St. Anne, will feature opportunities for the Sacrament of Confession between 1-3 p.m., devotions at 3 p.m., the recitation of the Rosary at 5 p.m., and the Solemn Feast Mass at 6 p.m., followed by an outdoor pilgrims’ procession.

The theme of this year’s novena is “Saint Anne: Grandmother of the Eucharist.” The theme seeks to highlight the connection between the Shrine’s patronal namesake and the ongoing Eucharistic Revival being promoted by the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops (USCCB). The preachers of the Novena are Father Michael Racine (July 17and 19), Father Edward A. Murphy (July 18), and guest missionary Father Tony Stephens, CPM (July 20-26).

Michael E. Antaya, director of Liturgy & Devotions at the Shrine, said: “The annual Solemn Novena is the highlight liturgical event at the Shrine. It has drawn faithful pilgrims from all over the region and beyond. It is my goal as Liturgical Director to reinvigorate a spirit of pilgrimage and encourage the faithful to take part in these spiritual exercises at the Shrine.”

Saint Anne Shrine of Fall River is an historic Catholic shrine located in the heart of Fall River. Since 1895, it

has welcomed visitors and pilgrims from across the world who are drawn by its magnificent architecture, history, and confirmed physical healings.

The Shrine currently operates under the St. Anne Shrine Preservation Society, a 501(c)3 nonprofit, and is owned by the Diocese of Fall River.

For more information about this event, please contact Michael E. Antaya at info@st-annes-shrine. org, or at 508-678-1510. All other inquiries may be sent

to Sonja Morinat sonja@ westcottcollective.org, or at 508-974-3794.

View media related to this event at bit.ly/SASPSnov-photos

The young man approached the manager of Duffy’s Circus and asked for a job as a lion tamer. So the manager took him to the lion’s cage where the lion tamer, a lovely young woman, was preparing for a rehearsal with the lion. The young man watched with fascination as the young woman stepped into the

The daring duo

cage, removed her cape with a flourish, displaying a gorgeous costume and a gorgeous figure. Lions love a gorgeous costume and figure. Then she spoke a command to the lion. Immediately, the lion crept toward her, rolled over twice, sat on its hind legs and begged for a treat. At this the circus manager turned to the young man and said, “Do you think you can learn to do that?” Without

any hesitation the young man replied, “I’m sure I can — but first you’ll have to get that lion out of there.”

As you probably know, we do not have any lions here in Kalaupapa but we do have herds of Axis deer and wild pigs and lots of mongoose. In the waters off-shore we have creatures of the deep, including sharks. It is in the deep that Mermaid Kelly Moore, our marine ecologist supreme, exercises her diving talents surveying the marine life and taming the tiger sharks. Accompanying her into the deep is our Aquaman, Glauco Puig-Santana. When this dar-

ing duo are not exploring the deep, they are caring for the monk seals which give birth on our local beaches each spring and summer. We salute our daring duo.

Of late we have been privileged to welcome to our shore Bishop Larry, Father Ed, Dr. Maria and other guests, Chaplain Father John and his guests, Father Sean and Father Adam from Oklahoma, Rev. Janet Vincent from the great state of New York and writer, Valerie Monson, and guests. We might say that things are beginning to heat up here in Kalaupapa and we hope and pray that the land tamed by St. Damien and St. Marianne soon returns to being a place of pilgrimage.

Aloha

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

More than 700 attend Mass for Bishop Connolly students, staff

FALL RIVER — Bishop Connolly High School was blessed to welcome more than 700 alumni, students, families, faculty, staff and supporters to the Mass of Thanksgiving held in the school’s Monsignor Prevost Auditorium on June 15. The Mass of Thanksgiving was held to mark all of the blessings bestowed over many years as Bishop Connolly prepared to close its doors at the end of the 2022-2023 academic year.

Along with many priests from across the diocese and representation from the Society of Jesus (Jesuits), Father Riley Williams, Bishop Connolly chaplain, honored Bishop Connolly’s legacy of faith, academic excellence and Christian service throughout the liturgy.

The special evening included a Sports Hall of Fame induction ceremony, a reception after Mass, and

informal tours as guests reconnected and reminisced in the halls and classrooms of their beloved school. The Catholic Schools Office confirms that 94 percent of Bishop Connolly students will remain in the Diocese of Fall River Catholic school system.

More than 700 students, staff, faculty, alumni and others attended a Mass of Thanksgiving at Bishop Connolly High School on June 15.

Four of ten Bishop Feehan High School graduates are from St. Mary-Sacred Heart School

NORTH ATTLEBOR-

OUGH — In 2004 when Dr. Stephanie Payne and Dr. Joseph Capua were looking for an elementary school for their eldest son, the North Attleborough parents knew that the school would need to align with their Catholic values along with providing a nurturing and safe environment. The reputation of St. Mary-Sacred Heart School in North Attleboro quickly became apparent through word of mouth, and soon “SMSH” became the second home to both sons.

Quickly enough, their younger son, Dylan, was in middle school and it was decided that he would attend Bishop Feehan High School, following in his older brother’s footsteps. From experience the family knew that St. Mary-Sacred

Heart School would have provide ample preparation for the rigorous academics at Bishop Feehan. Dylan excelled in seven AP courses in his junior and senior years, enabling him ultimately to become the class Salutatorian. His cousin, Ava Mitchell, also placed in Bishop Feehan’s top 10, and also attended St. Mary-Sacred Heart School. For the class of 2023, four of Feehan’s top 10 are graduates of St. Mary-Sacred Heart.

School, said, “As a former teacher at Bishop Feehan High School, I am keenly aware of what students

that we are truly preparing our Saints for the academic rigor that awaits them on their academic journey.

Benjamin Sadler, Jack Toncelli, Ava Mitchell, and Dylan Capua, all graduates of St. Mary-Sacred Heart School in Attleboro, were among Bishop Feehan’s top 10 students this year.

Lisa Serak, principal of St. Mary-Sacred Heart

need to be successful as a Shamrock. So for that reason, one of my most immediate goals as the new principal was to ensure

Bishop da Cunha reflects on recent ordinations

continued from page two

many seminarians, at his ordination; it is a testament to how well-liked and respected he is that all of these priests would take the time to be there and support him.

The spirit of joy and gratitude just overflowed from parishioners and family in attendance, so many of whom supported his vocation to the priesthood. What a blessing to be in his home parish, Paróquia São Pio X, in Aracaju, Brazil, where he grew up, and was involved in the faith formation, youth group, liturgies, and received his sacraments. It was his dream, I later learned, to be ordained there. It is amazing how God answers our prayers

in the most unexpected ways. What seemed like the lowest point for him as his father’s visa to come to the U.S. for his ordination was denied, turned into the avenue through which God performed the most amazing gift in allowing Father Thiago’s childhood dream to be realized.

Witnessing this powerful connection between the church where he worshiped and was so active as a youth and was there now as a priest is a powerful example of how young people can be involved in their parish and discern their vocations. Young people can be dedicated to God, possess a generosity of heart, and be genuinely inspirational. No one can

As guides of learning, we understand that some students may need some additional assistance, and others, like Dylan, need a bit more to be challenged — knowing that all students may want the opportunity for a Catholic high school education. And most of all, SMSH forms students

spiritually by integrating the Catholic faith into all teachings. Ultimately, this serves as strength for our students as they navigate through the challenges of life.”

Tim Sullivan, President of Bishop Feehan High School said “At Feehan, we always love our students who come to us from our diocesan partner schools St. Mary-Sacred Heart, St. John the Evangelist (Attleboro) and St. Mary’s Mansfield. These students are consistently well-prepared academically, excel in our classrooms and really embrace all that Feehan has to offer. Dylan and his Class of ’23 SMSH classmates certainly reflect that perfectly.”

mistake the hand of God working in Father Thiago’s life — such a source of strength and inspiration to others to continue their journey of faith.

It was my honor to be there and ordain Thiago; I know he will be a wonderful priest, along with the other three young men ordained this June. The Diocese of Fall River is blessed to have each of them join our presbyterate in this mission of evangelization, sanctification, and salvation.

Extracted from the Bishop’s Blog at fallriverdiocese.org. For comments from the newly-ordained see page four in this edition or visit the blog at fallriverdiocese.org.

Diocese of Fall River TV Mass on the Portuguese Channel

Sunday, July 9, at 7 p.m.

Broadcast from Immaculate Conception Church, New Bedford ***

Sunday, July 16 at 7 p.m.

Broadcast from St. Anthony Church, Taunton ***

Sunday, July 23 at 7 p.m.

Broadcast from Espirito Santo Church, Fall River ***

Sunday, July 30 at 7 p.m. Broadcast from Our Lady of Mount Carmel Church, New Bedford

CALLAHAN, Fla. — Joao DeAmaral Moniz, age 84, of Furnas, São Miguel, Azores, Portugal, passed away on June 18, 2023. He was born on Aug. 17, 1938, to the late Joao Moniz and Irene DeAmaral.

For 10 years Deacon Moniz was head of border patrol for the Portuguese government in Mozambique. He and his wife, Liliana resided

,

there with their two children, John and Suzana.

He often stated that the land was amazingly beautiful, and the

culture was fascinating. While there, he learned to speak Zulu in order

Diocese of Fall River TV Mass on WLNE Channel 6

Sunday, July 9 at 11:00 a.m.

Celebrant is Father Marek Chmurski, Administrator of Saint Margaret of Scotland Parish in Buzzards Bay

Sunday, July 16 at 11:00 a.m.

Celebrant is Father Freddie Babiczuk, Pastor of St. Anthony, St. Jude the Apostle and St. Mary Parishes in Taunton

Sunday, July 23 at 11:00 a.m.

Celebrant is Father Peter R. Scheffer Jr, Pastor of Our Lady of Grace, Saint George and Saint John the Baptist Parishes in Westport.

Sunday, July 30 at 11:00 a.m.

Celebrant is Father Anthony V. Szakaly, C.S.C., Director of Campus Ministry and Alumni Minister at Stonehill College in Easton.

to communicate with the local tribes. After immigrating to the United States, he obtained a bachelor’s degree in psychology and worked many years as a social worker in the Mass Migrant Program.

Deacon Moniz then discerned a call by the Lord to enter the diaconate program for the Diocese of Fall River and was ordained. He served the at the Parish of Espirito Santo in Fall River for many years and led charismatic programs in various parishes throughout the diocese.

In his spare time, he enjoyed carpentry, golf and traveling. He was active and inquisitive and helped many people in his community.

Deacon Moniz was also preceded in death by his brother, Alfredo DeAmaral, and sister, Odette DeAmaral.

He is survived by his loving wife of 66 years, Liliana Moniz; son, John C. (Debbie) Moniz; daughter, Suzana (Shawn) Pattison; grandchildren, Cameron T. Medeiros and Austin J. Moniz.

A Funeral Mass was celebrated on June 30 at Our Lady of Consolation Catholic Church in Callahan, Fla., where he had retired after his service in the Diocese of Fall River.

July 7, 2023

Permanent Deacon Joao DeAmaral Moniz

Supreme Court sides with web designer opposed to same-sex marriage

DENVER — (CNA) The U.S. Supreme Court has ruled that the First Amendment’s free speech clause protects a Colorado web designer who feared she would be prosecuted under state anti-discrimination law for her faith-based objections to designing websites that promote samesex marriage or same-sex weddings.

Lorie Smith, owner of the graphic and web design studio 303 Creative LLC, filed the legal challenge. It was not a response to government action; rather, it was a pre-enforcement challenge intended to prevent the use of the law against her.

Colorado’s Anti-Discrimination Act includes sexual orientation and gender identity as protected classes. The question before the court was whether compelling an artist to speak or stay silent violates the First Amendment’s free speech clause. It did not take up the question of whether it is a religious freedom violation.

“In this case, Colorado seeks to force an individual to speak in ways that align with its views but defy her conscience about a matter of major significance,” Justice Neil Gorsuch said in the 6-3 decision. “But, as this court has long held, the opportunity to think for ourselves and to express those thoughts freely is among our most cherished liberties and part of what keeps our republic strong.

“Of course, abiding by the

New

priests reflect

continued from page four

on vocations

Constitution’s commitment to the freedom of speech means all of us will encounter ideas we consider ‘unattractive,’ ‘misguided,’ or even ‘hurtful,’ but tolerance, not coercion, is our nation’s answer. The First Amendment envisions the United States as a rich and complex place where all persons are free to think and speak as they wish, not as the government demands.”

Smith was represented by the Alliance Defending Freedom (ADF) legal group, and her attorneys argued that state law affects creative professionals who have religious or moral concerns about creating content that violates their beliefs.

ADF characterized the decision as a “landmark” victory.

“More than just a win for Lorie Smith, this is a sweeping free speech victory for every American,” the group said recently on Twitter.

Gorsuch’s decision in the case known as 303 Creative v. Elenis invoked several Supreme Court precedents. Students are protected from being compelled to salute the American flag and say the Pledge of Allegiance; a St. Patrick’s Day parade in Boston could not be forced to include a gay, lesbian, and bisexual group; and the Boy Scouts could not be forced to include a gay man as a scout leader.

Justice Sonia Sotomayor authored a dissenting opinion, joined by Justices Elena Kagan and Ketanji Brown

Jackson.

“Today, the court, for the first time in its history, grants a business open to the public a constitutional right to refuse to serve members of a protected class,” she objected. “The law in question targets conduct, not speech, for regulation, and the act of discrimination has never constituted protected expression under the First Amendment.”

Sotomayor said the decision had consequences beyond questions of sexual orientation and gender identity and would allow the exclusion of other groups from many services.

Smith told CNA in December 2022: “I serve everyone, including those who identify as LGBT. I love to custom create and will work with anyone — there are simply some messages I can’t create regardless of who asks me.” She said her case is about freedom of speech for all artists.

“After I started my own design studio, I wanted to expand my portfolio to custom-create art and websites to tell stories about weddings, but Colorado made it clear I wasn’t welcome in that space.”

She said she challenged the law because she didn’t want “to be punished for saying what I believe.”

“Colorado officials are censoring my speech and forcing me to speak messages about marriage that are inconsistent with my beliefs — the core of who I am.”

after arriving in the United States without knowing the language well. A little more than one year later, I lost my beloved mom, Laura, and my cousin, Johnathan, in a car accident that caused me indescribable pain that made me discern whether God wanted me to pause my studies and go home or persevere no matter how painful that would be.

“Well, God spoke through my dad Sergio, who wisely and out of love told me to return to the U.S., be strong for him, and not give up on my vocation as my mom dreamed of seeing me as a priest. Six months later, his dad, my grandfather, Manuel, also passed.

“ Truly being ordained

in Brazil was the greatest consolation I could ever receive from God after all that my family and I had to go through. Since my ordination, I have celebrated Masses daily, baptized one baby — my goddaughter, and heard the confessions of many people. I have never been so happy in my life.

“As I said in Brazil at the ordination, I repeat again here that only a bishop who has a fatherly heart would feel the pain and sorrows of his son, and Bishop da Cunha has truly been this father to me who not only welcomed me in his diocese but has accompanied me at all moments and helped me to get to the altar of the Lord as a priest of Jesus Christ.”

Sat.

Daily

In Your Prayers

pray for these priests and

July 8

Rev. Edward J. Murphy, Pastor, St. Mary, Fall River, 1887

Rev. Msgr. Patrick J. O’Neill, Retired Pastor, St. Julie Billiart, North Dartmouth, 1995

July 10

Rev. Pie Marie Berard, O.P., Dominican Priory, Fall River, 1938

Rev. Maurice E. Parent, Assistant, St. Michael, Swansea, 1972

Rev. John E. Morris, M.M., Retired Maryknoll Missioner, Former Assistant, St. Joseph, Fall River, 1987

Rev. Theodore M. Morin, M.S., La Salette Shrine, North Attleboro, 1987

Rev. Edward Keeney, SS.CC., 2004

July 12

Most Rev. Joseph P. Delaney, Bishop of Fort Worth, Texas, 2005

July 13

Rev. Arthur P. Deneault, M.S., La Salette Father, 1979

July 14

Rev. Nicholas Fett, SS.CC., Pastor, St. Boniface, New Bedford, 1938

Rev. Edmund J. Neenan, Assistant, Sacred Heart, Oak Bluffs, 1949

Rev. Vincent F. Diaferio, Pastor, Holy Rosary, Fall River, 1998

July 15

Msgr. Joseph R. Pannoni, Retired Pastor, Holy Rosary, Fall River, 1992

July 20

Rev. Joao Medeiros, Retired Pastor, St. Elizabeth, Fall River, 1983

July 22

Rev. Francis L. Mahoney, Retired Pastor, Holy Name Fall River, 2007

July 23

Rev. Patrick F. Doyle, Founder, SS. Peter & Paul, Fall River, 1893

Rev. George B. McNamee, Founder Holy Name, Fall River, 1938

Rev. Roger J. Levesque, Founding Pastor of St. Joseph-St. Therese, New Bedford, 2018

July 25

Rev. Michael J. Cooke, Pastor, St. Patrick, Fall River, 1913

Rev. Raymond R. Mahoney, SS.CC., Former Pastor, Our Lady of Assumption, New Bedford, 1984

Rev. Luciano J. Pereira, Retired, Former Pastor, St. Michael, Fall River, 2019

July 26

Rev. Msgr. Alfred J.E. Bonneau, P.A. Retired Pastor, Notre Dame de Lourdes, Fall River, 1974

Rev. Fernando A. Veiga, C.M., 1993

July 16

Rev. Bernard Percot, O.P., Founder, St. Dominic, Swansea, 1937

Rev. Matthew F. Sullivan, SS.CC. Retired Chaplain, Bristol County House of Correction, Former Pastor, St. Mary, Fairhaven, 2002

July 17

Rev. William J. Smith, Pastor, St. Jacques, Taunton, 1960

Rev. Edmond Rego, Assistant, Espirito Santo, Fall River, 1981

Rev. Ernest N. Bessette, Retired Pastor, St. Joseph, Attleboro, 1997

Rev. Thomas Paris, M.S., 2005

July 18

Rev. Adalbert Szklanny, Assistant, St. Patrick, Fall River, 1968

Rev. Lionel G. Doraisi, SSS., 1984

Rev. Msgr. Joseph M. Quinn, C.S.C., 2007

July 19

Most Rev. Daniel F. Feehan, D.D., Second Bishop of Fall River, 1907-34, 1934

Rev. Francis M. Coady, Pastor, SS. Peter & Paul, Fall River, 1975

July 7, 2023

July 27

Rev. Damien Veary, SS.CC., Former Pastor, St. Anthony, Mattapoisett, 1981

Permanent Deacon James Meloni, 2011

Rev. Eugene, V. LaPlante, A.A., 2019

July 29

Rev. Mathias McCabe, Retired Pastor, Sacred Heart, Fall River, 1913

Rev. Charles P. Trainor, S.S., St. Edward Seminary, Seattle, Wash. 1947

July 30

Rev. Francis Kiernan, Pastor Sandwich, New Bedford, Wareham, 1838

July 31

Rev. Daniel Hearne, Pastor, St. Mary, Taunton, 1865

Rev. Hugh J. Munro, Chaplain, Marian Manor, Taunton, 2003

Rev. Fernand A. Cassista, M.S., 2014

Aug. 1

Rev. Marc H. Bergeron, Pastor, Our Lady of Fatima, New Bedford, 2014

Rev. William M. Costello, Retired, Former Pastor, Our Lady of Mount Carmel, Seekonk, 2018

Setting a moral vision as parents

When I was recently visiting with friends, a group of young girls was playing in a neighboring yard. Every few minutes, for more than an hour, one of them would scream at the very top of her lungs. A woman in our group finally commented, “When I was a kid, if I ever screamed like that, mom would have pulled me aside and said, ‘Don’t you dare raise your voice like that in public!’”

In another episode more recently, I saw two young people, maybe 16 years old, rush out of a home. A girl with pink hair and tattoos was following a guy, yelling at him and saying, “Don’t get into that car! Don’t even think of leaving!” As he got into the car and started to back up, she began pounding her fists on the driver side window, letting out a series of expletives. Next, she placed herself right in front of the car and began to beat the hood. Then she got up onto the hood and started to pummel the windshield, screaming a barrage of profanities. By this time, other vehicles had stopped. When the girl stepped aside from the car for a moment, the driver sped off. She took off after him, running down the road, waving her arms and yelling hysterically.

In a middle class residential family neighborhood, I was surprised to witness such an occurrence. In discussing it with a couple of bystanders, one offered, “I guess you just chalk it up to their being teenagers.” Another countered, “When I was growing up, even teens knew they couldn’t engage in a spectacle like that.”

Seeing it firsthand made me wonder where the parents were, and whether as a society, we are trending more and more towards “lowest common denominator” standards and behaviors. How concerned should we be when indignation, rage and narcissism replace civility and a common moral

code? Not only are young people caught up in these concerns, but society itself seems to be grappling with them ever more broadly.

R.J. Snell gets it right when he says that we shouldn’t be “complaining about kids these days, since it’s not the kids who are the root of the problem: it is the duty of a coherent society, coherent religion, and coherent family structure to provide a moral horizon. This is the fault of the adults, those who refused the grave obligation to offer tradition to the young.”

How is it that we sometimes fail to set a moral vision for the next generation? Kids are endowed with some of the finest hypocrisy-detecting systems in the world, and when Catholic parents, to pick a relevant example, drop off their children at the parish for Catechism, but do not themselves attend weekly Mass, the children cannot fail to notice the disconnect. Similarly, when a Catholic parent continues to live in an irregular marital situation, or picks and chooses from among the Lord’s teachings, the mixed messaging pops up quickly on children’s moral radar. Consistency and coherence are key parental traits for transmitting robust values to children.

Another is parental fortitude. As children are pulled sideways by schools, false ideologies and other societal forces that undermine family life and sound parenting, setting a moral vision for one’s children can be a Herculean task requiring enormous dedication.

I often think back to the strength and determination of my parents as I was growing up, battling not only me as a willful teen, but also

pushing back against many of these broader currents and challenges around them.

While parents may sometimes deserve blame for the shortcomings of their children, many times they do not. Parenting is no easy endeavor and parents are oftentimes unsung heroes.

When young people witness their parents standing firm and practicing their faith by serving the Lord and others, they are more likely to take their own spiritual and religious identities seriously, becoming empowered to make significant sacrifices for others. They also are strengthened to be able to

continued from page one

the singular simple solution to this complex problem. However, we are a part of a solution, by bringing people in from the streets and encampments and tending to their wounds of homelessness.

“Here they have a place to shower, do their laundry, [and] have a meal. They have a warm, clean place to lay their head, an environment where they aren’t judged and where, with the bandages of acceptance, safety, and compassion, they are given the beginnings of recuperation and restored dignity.”

Mazzarella recognized The Samaritan House staff, Bishop Edgar M. da Cunha, S.D.V., the Catholic Charities’ Board of Directors and Facilities Department, the diocese’s Chancery and Real Estate Department, the Catholic Foundation of Southeastern Massachusetts, community Counseling of Bristol County, Our Daily Bread, the United Way, the City of

make intentional moral decisions and to direct their behaviors in ordered ways.

Parents who set a moral vision for themselves and their children build up the life of the family. As kids experience the joys of a family life not governed by the insatiable demands of their own desires, they can contribute to building a neighborhood and a world where narcissism and the “lowest common denominator” are replaced by goodness, generosity, right order and peace of heart.

Anchor columnist Father Pacholczyk earned his doctorate in neuroscience from Yale and did post-doctoral work at Harvard. He is a priest of the Diocese of Fall River, and serves as the Director of Education at The National Catholic Bioethics Center in Philadelphia. See www.ncbcenter.org and www.fathertad.com.

Taunton’s Building Commissioner and Fire Department, State Representative Jim Hawkins, and Catholic Charities’ many volunteers for their contributions to making the work of the opening of the new location possible.

The speaking program also included words from the Mayor of the City of Taunton, Shaunna O’Donnell, and State Representative Carol Doherty. Bishop da Cunha closed the speaking program. He shared more context about the Parable of the Good Samaritan that reminded those gathered to reach across divides to offer help and hope to those in need and offered a closing prayer.

The event also included tours of the facility as well as a luncheon for guests to continue in fellowship, united by a common purpose: restoring the dignity of the homeless individuals in the community and supporting their fragile and resilient paths forward.

Newly-located Samaritan House dedicated

A simple action is not so simple

The smallest of actions can lead to powerful reactions. I’m convinced that no matter what we do in life, no matter how seemingly inconsequential to us, can affect others in magnificent ways.

I like to think of it as similar to the “Butterfly Effect,” the precept being that should someone travel back in time and make one small change to what has already happened, i.e., stepping on a butterfly,

dandelion greens that my spouse had long wanted to try.

The cashier and I chatted about the greens and she asked, “Is that a Fender guitar shirt?” “Yes,” I replied. “I play guitar and my Fender is the favorite of my three babies.”

She told me it reminded her of her son — who had passed away. He, too played guitar. “He was my best friend,” she said becoming a tad choked up. “I think of him every day and miss him.”

I told her that I, too, had lost a son, but at a very tender age. I said I can’t even imagine losing someone you lived with for so long yet who died so young.

the effects would be like that of tossing a stone into still waters — where the ripple created by the contact radiates from ground zero and grows larger as it travels.

I write this because such a situation arose today. When I get out of bed in the morning, I know what the weather will be for the coming day (as much as one can know such a thing in New England), and dress accordingly.

I wanted to go to the market and pick up a few things. I threw on a pair of shorts and selected a T-shirt, no easy fete for me when I have choices of rock bands, Boston sports teams, etc. I selected one, but saw another and yanked that out of the bureau drawer.

The T was a “Fender” shirt, with the well-known label and classic “F” of Fender guitars and strings splashed across the chest.

Pleased with my attire, I headed to market and did my usual hitand-run shop, getting in and out as quickly as possible. Shopping is not one of my favorite past times.

I saw a cashier with no one at his station and headed there, but before him was a woman who, also, was without customer. I had often had delightful chats with the woman, about my age — often about the amount of celery bunches or greens I purchase. That’s all because of Denise, who is more health conscious than I.

This day I grabbed a bunch of

She expressed her condolences for my loss. And then I looked her square in her mournful eyes while pointing at the Fender on my T, and said, “He’s saying ‘Hi mom.’” I meant it and I felt it.

She said, “I know he is. Thank you.” I firmly believe that our loved ones who have gone before we do make their presence known every now and again. I’ve felt it with my dad, mom, my son, and my pup Igor.

Again, she said, “I miss him so much.” I made the transaction and then reiterated, “He’s saying, ‘Hi mom. Everything is good.’”

She looked at me and mouthed the words, “Thank you,” being too filled with a bittersweet joy to express out loud. We both smiled and parted ways.

I know deep in my heart that I was the conduit for what that woman needed this day. I know that God sends little reminders to us poor creatures on earth to remind us all is not lost with a loss.

The simple act of selecting a T-shirt made someone else’s day. It boggles my mind.

There’s no way to know what will happen, so there’s no way to act any other way than what’s usual for us. God takes care of the rest.

There are simple actions in life that do lead to powerful reactions. God’s love and mystery at its best.

davejolivet@anchornews.org