07.24.2020

Diocese of Fall River, Mass. † Friday, July 24, 2020

Diocesan faithful generously respond to Catholic Appeal to help those most in need There is still time to make a difference!

FALL RIVER — The 79th annual Catholic Appeal has raised $2.7 million to date, with just one week remaining in the annual campaign, which ends on Friday, July 31. There is still time to make a gift in support of the many agencies assisting those in need throughout the Diocese of Fall River.

Each year, the Appeal invites parishioners

Catholic Foundation of Southeastern Mass. holds successful Summer Un-Gala.

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of the diocese and community supporters to bear witness to the good works their gifts make possible. Since 1942, the Appeal has helped meet the Spiritual and corporal needs of individuals and families throughout the diocese: from the Attleboros, Mansfield, Taunton, and the greater Fall River and New Bedford areas, 8 Turn to page eight

Diocese announces appointment of new superintendent of schools.

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New Bedford native ordained a Dominican priest on May 29 at Providence College.

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Pat and Jim Gonet, co-chairs of the FACE Summer Un-Gala, hosted a successful inaugural event. Story on page two. (Photo by Miriam Sherman)

Diocesan school students will be in class five days a week this fall

FALL RIVER — The Diocese of Fall River Catholic Schools Office announced recently that all Catholic schools serving Pre-K through Grade-eight students will fully re-open this fall with in-classroom instruction five days per week.

The four Catholic high schools will announce their plans for re-opening on an individual basis.

While the safety and health of students, faculty and families are paramount, research has shown that in-person instruction offers the optimal learning environment. Moreover, each school has submitted a plan to the Central School Office that follows the guidelines set forth by the Massachusetts Department of Elementary and Secondary Education.

Each school is able to follow the three to six feet of social distancing requirement and still provide 100 percent in classroom instruction. For students or families who have compromised health 8 24, Turn2020 to page July † 11

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Catholic Foundation of Southeastern Massachusetts celebrates successful first Virtual FACE Summer Un-Gala MASHPEE — July 10 marked the first virtual Foundation to Advance Catholic Education (FACE) Summer Un-Gala to support student scholarships.

For more than 25 years, The Foundation to Advance Catholic Education has raised millions of dollars in scholarship aid for Catholic school students in need throughout the Diocese of Fall River — helping them blossom as faithful citizens of the world.

Claudine Cloutier, Esq., FACE board chair, welcomed viewers to the Virtual Summer Un-Gala and expressed the importance of the event — while they were not physically togeth-

er, they were together in spirit, purpose and mission.

Bishop Edgar da Cunha, S.D.V., DD, offered a prayer of hope and welcomed guests. The bishop thanked everyone for their generosity in supporting the Foundation to Advance Catholic Education and expressed that the scholarship financial aid is needed now more than ever.

Yasmin Veloso, a student at St. John Paul II High School in Hyannis, was highlighted as the student speaker. She was followed by a video accentuating diocesan Catholic schools.

This is a screen grab of a portion of the successful inaugural Virtual FACE Summer The educator speaker Un-Gala held July 10. (Photo by Christina Duggan) was Jenn Perrault, a second-grade teacher at St. emphasized that remote the needs of all learning Pius X School in South learning was challengstyles.

Yarmouth and this year’s ing, however she and her The 2020 Al Makkay Sr. Massachusetts winner colleagues found success by Award recognized a dediof the national Sanford working together, shifting cated and well-loved memTeacher Award, given to and adapting during learn- ber of the Catholic school teachers who bring comcommunity, Sandro Correa, mitment and inspiration to ing time to be creative and more interactive to meet their classrooms. Perrault 8 Turn to page 13

Sandro Correa, center, the Facilities Manager at St. Pius X School in South Yarmouth for the past 14 years, pictured with the school staff, was the 2020 recipient of the Catholic Foundation of Southeastern Massachusetts’ Al Makkay Sr. Award recognizing meritorious service of an educator or student from a Catholic school on Cape Cod. (Photo by Jane Robin) 2

† July 24, 2020

Mass. bishops support bills to extend moratorium on eviction and foreclosure actions against victims of COVID-19 pandemic

By Dave Jolivet Print Editor

davejolivet@anchornews.org

BOSTON — Fall River Bishop Edgar M. da Cunha, S.D.V., and his three brother Massachusetts bishops have expressed great concern about the pending termination of a law signed by Massachusetts Governor Charlie Baker in April which provided protection to renters and homeowners who were financially affected by the fallout of the COVID-19 pandemic.

The bill is set to expire when the state of emergency in the Commonwealth ends or August 18, whichever comes first.

The current bill prohibits the initiation of eviction or foreclosure proceedings by landlords of rental properties or mortgagees of real property against individuals for non-payment of rent or mortgage.

The four Massachusetts bishops: Cardinal Sean P. O’Malley, OFM, Cap., of the Archdiocese of Boston; Bishop da Cunha of the Fall River Diocese; Bishop Robert McManus of the Diocese of Worcester; and Bishop Mitchell Rozanski of the Diocese of Springfield have expressed support for two bills presently before the Massachusetts Legislature: Bills HD 5166 and SD 2992, which would significantly extend the timeline protecting renters and homeowners who are having difficulty making payments.

In a letter of unified

support the bishops wrote: “Over the past several months we all have witnessed the COVID-19 virus cause serious illness and deaths among the elderly, African-American, Latino, and many other minority communities.

Many of these people have been on the front lines providing critical services to Massachusetts residents as each of us struggle with this new way of life.

We must be grateful for what they have done — not support a system that would abandon them and eventually lead them to homelessness. This is a matter of economic and racial justice that cannot be ignored.”

The deadline for these bills to be passed is July 31. The bills would continue aspects of the Eviction and Foreclosure Moratorium for those unemployed or underemployed by COVID-19 and try to create some housing stability going forward.

Advocating for the bishops is the Massachusetts Catholic Conference.

MCC executive director James F. Driscoll recently wrote to Senator Joan B. Lovely, State Chair of the Joint Rules Committee, and Rep. William C. Galvin, House Chair, Joint Rules Committee expressing the bishops’ support for “An Act to guarantee housing stability during COVID-19 emergency and recovery.

“The additional time provided by this legislation is critical for thousands of our most vul-

nerable individuals and families. For example, as early as mid-August, the Commonwealth may see as many as 20,000 eviction cases filed in the land courts if the current law remains unchanged. Our most vulnerable residents would suffer physical, economic and emotional hardships that would have immeasurable effects on their quality of life.

Homelessness would spike to unprecedented levels.

Our poorest communities would disproportionately

suffer the most if the legislature does not act before the end of the formal session.”

In introducing the bills to the Commonwealth’s legislature, proponents provided some very sobering facts: — The Coronavirus pandemic is devastating our communities, and it is taking a disproportionate toll on the most marginalized among us including low-income tenants, elders, immigrants, front line workers, and Black

and Brown renters and homeowners. COVID-19 is deepening racial disparities in health and exacerbating inequities across the board. More than 40 million people nationwide are unemployed and the public health catastrophe continues.

— Massachusetts already had a housing and displacement crisis before COVID-19, and the pandemic has made things far worse. Up to 20,000 eviction cases are 8 Turn to page 14

Diocese announces appointment of new superintendent of schools FALL RIVER — An educator with nearly 20-years of experience as an administrator and teacher in Catholic schools, including Bishop Feehan High School, has been selected to lead schools in the Fall River Diocese.

Daniel S. Roy, for the past three years an associate superintendent for schools in the Archdiocese of Boston, will become Superintendent of Schools for the Fall

River Diocese effective August 3, Bishop Edgar M. da Cunha, S.D.V., has announced.

He will succeed current superintendent Stephen A. Perla, who is leaving at the end of July to work nationally as an education consultant.

Prior to his position in the Boston Archdiocese, Roy was principal for six years at Nativity Preparatory School in Jamaica Plain, where he was also a teacher for six years earlier in his career.

In between his two posts at that school, 8 Turn to page 15

July 24, 2020 †

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F

A great innovation for growing in faith

or those who want to grow in their knowledge of the faith, there’s never been a greater time to be alive.

We have ready access not only to the Bible in every spoken language but also to so many great commentaries, websites, podcasts, commentaries, that help us to understand and live it.

There are scores of good Catholic publishing houses printing inspiring works from authors old and new.

There’s free digital access in most modern languages to the works of the Fathers and Doctors of the Church and almost every Spiritual classic.

There are now several 24-hour Catholic television stations and hundreds of Catholic radio stations that are no longer restricted to particular geographical areas but can be streamed anywhere in the world.

There are Catholic newspapers and magazines that through the web have increased their scope to form and inform from an authentically Catholic perspective.

There are millions of authentically Catholic websites and blogs, showing the beauty of the faith, carrying out the crucial work of apologetics, presenting Catholic commentary on every topic under the sun, and providing a digital narthex for millions.

There are the extraordinary apostolates of Bishop Robert Barron’s “Word on Fire,” Matthew Kelly’s “Dynamic Catholic,” the Augustine Institute’s “Formed,” and Ascension Press’ array of Scriptural and theological courses, which help people better understand the faith, live it and teach it to others.

These are all key parts of what the popes have called the New Evangelization.

While there is an undeniable crisis of faith today in the West leading in various parts to reductions in parishes and Catholic schools, Sacramental practice, vocations and public influence, these new forms of 4

outreach are all the buds of a new springtime that inspire hope, strengthen faith and build Catholic culture in the midst of the scorching rays of aggressive secularization.

The COVID-19 pandemic, while bringing much death and suffering, has also out of necessity mothered various inventions. Some, like parking lot Confessions and parking lot Masses, won’t outlast the pandemic. Others, however, will.

The streaming of online Masses, while obviously not the same as participation in person, is a great gift to those in places where faith is struggling, whether due to persecution or poor pastoral service or anything in between. My nieces and nephews told me in April that they loved attending the livestream Masses of Father Mike Schmitz from the Diocese of Duluth, one of the U.S.’s most capable priestly evangelists, especially to young people.

Since then I have been told by friends from various parts of the country as well as from Trinidad, India, Spain and Nigeria that they have been watching Father Schmitz as well and are grateful that the pandemic has allowed his gifts to be shared beyond northern Minnesota. Some have told me that, even though they love their parish priests and fellow parishioners, they have longed for more inspiring preaching and more conspicuously devout celebrations of the Mass. The pandemic’s live-streams have made that possible. It’s one illustration of the “catholicity” of our faith that many faithful are praying will continue.

I think one of the innovations occasioned by the pandemic that will and ought to last is the phenomenon of virtual Catholic conferences.

COVID-19 hit the U.S. right as we were preparing for Lent, when many diocesan men’s

† July 24, 2020

and women’s conferences, educational and Eucharistic conferences take place. When almost all of them needed to be cancelled, some Catholic apostolic entrepreneurs tried to convert that disappointment into opportunity and host a conference online.

Speakers and interested Catholics responded. And in the last few months, there have been massive virtual Men’s and Women’s Conferences, Theology of the Body Conferences, Marriage and Family Conferences, as well as conferences on chastity, Catholic Social Teaching, the Eucharist, apologetics, Catholic

formation and other themes.

Two of them had more than 60,000 attendees. Another had nearly 40,000.

Over the course of my priesthood I’ve had the chance to speak at many large Catholic conferences, from World Youth Days, to diocesan Men’s and Women’s Conferences, University and Youth Conferences, Eucharistic Congresses, Theology of the Body conferences and more. As a pastor, I always prioritized bringing as many of my parishioners to such events as I could. Their value goes beyond the powerful talks, Sacraments and opportunity for prayer that are the routine fare. It’s being surrounded by so many others like them seeking to grow in faith and to rejoice in it.

While Catholics can sometimes feel like outliers in their schools, workplaces and even sometimes homes, when they attend such conferences they recognize that they’re not isolated tapers in the midst of strong headwinds, but rather

a united torch with a mission to ignite the world with the light of faith.

I wondered how the online conferences, some of which I was asked to speak at, would be able to substitute for that experience. It was easier than I thought. At a typical in-person conference, there is a finite program with four to five speakers over a given day.

The virtual conferences were able to have several dozen speakers watched on-demand, in the order the viewer wished, over three days (Friday through Sunday). The fact that so many speakers signed up to share their gifts on related themes already created a baseline of community. That tens of thousands of others were interested in attending the conference added to a sense that the Holy Spirit was working to unite despite the isolation caused by social-distancing. And most of the conferences had breakout sessions over Zoom where participants could interact directly with the speakers, ask questions, and engage with conference-goers from across the world. It’s not the same as in-person contact, but nevertheless the conferences produced a palpable sense of Catholic community.

Because of the extended format and greater number of speakers, the online conferences are able to deliver on content even better, I think, than in-person conferences.

Not only is there greater variety to meet the heterogenous needs of attendees, but the different approaches, experiences and expertise of speakers make for a broader and deeper learning experience.

Being able to rewind to hear an important point missed, or to watch a whole talk again, can clearly assist comprehension. There’s also something powerful about the immediacy of a speaker looking right at you and, albeit through a

screen, speaking directly to you, rather than addressing a multitude of hundreds or thousands from a stage.

The financial model of the virtual conferences likewise is innovative and a win-winwin for attendees, speakers and organizers. Attendees are generally able to watch the talks for free during the weekend, which makes the content accessible to all, regardless of their financial situation. Those who would like to have access to some special talks and live sessions during the conference, or to the videos on demand afterward, can sign up for “premium packages,” but those fees are normally far less than what one would pay to go to in-person conferences.

Speakers are not given stipends, but receive generally half of the proceeds of all those who sign up for the premium packages through their recommendation. If speakers have large social networks, their own apostolates can do very well.

The other half of the fees go to the organizers to cover the computer and other costs incurred for a virtual conference as well as to strengthen their apostolates financially, which is particularly important during pandemic-related financial shortfalls.

Since these virtual conferences have been so successful, many are now trying to organize similar events. There will only be so many weekend conferences that even zealous Catholics will have the stamina to attend. But even after the pandemic has abated and in-person conferences are able to be held again, I believe — and am hoping — that the virtual conference model will remain an option, since it is able inexpensively, measurably and conveniently to expand the amount of people able to attend such powerful opportunities to grow in faith.

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

W

hile our nation was launching into summer on Memorial Day, the first holiday that allowed the quarantined to test the waters of social interaction, a Black man died at the hands of a police officer who was trained to protect his human rights.

Since that fateful day our nation has been thrust into a collective examination of conscience, questioning long-held traditions and symbols that were bred in our racist past.

Racism is a reality in our society, and whether one sides with the iconoclasts or the preservers of historic symbols, we all must face up to this naked truth. As Catholics, it is embedded in our doctrine on social justice that racism is a sin. As Pope Francis reminds us, “We cannot tolerate or turn a blind eye to racism and exclusion in any form and yet claim to defend the Sacredness of every human life.” This sin may not show up on the little “Examination of Conscience” cards left outside of the confessional because most of us would not recognize the inherent racism that has saturated our worldview. Racism is easy to recognize in the overt actions of radical hate groups, but is very difficult to see within the legitimate institutions that receive our tacit support.

Dr. Camara Phyllis Jones is an epidemiologist who specializes in the effects of racism on health.

She explains that the racism we see in overt expressions of prejudice and hate is only one part of a multi-level expression. Her study, “Levels of Racism: A Theoretic Framework and a Gard-

ner’s Tale,” explains racism as part of a system that is personally mediated by the individual, institutionalized in society, and internalized by its victims. An examination of our own conscience may reveal the racism hidden within our acceptance of this status quo.

Overt racism is easy to see, but Dr. Jones points out that every time we clutch our purse when we see a Black man, or cross the street in fear, we are personally mediating racism.

Shopkeepers that watch a Black person with suspicion, or lock up certain hair products, are part of an accepted level of racism in our communities. She goes further to point out the hidden racism that may reside deep within us. Expressing surprise at the competence of a person of color is one example. We may not mean any harm, but believing that the educated, articulate, and thoughtful person of color is an anomaly worth noting is racist to the core.

Access to a quality education, reliable housing, healthcare, and economic opportunity is something that most of us take for grated. Dr. Jones reminds us that not everyone in America has equal opportunity to these benefits. Such institutionalized racism exists and is often codified by law and custom, shielding it from public scrutiny. When one Black man dies at the hands of police brutality the whole world pauses in horror at such injustice. But when tens of thousands of people of color die each year because of

Racism

inadequate healthcare, toxic neighborhoods, and economic injustice, it hardly gets a glance. The unequal scourge of the Coronavirus within communities dominated by people of color is well documented. Even the

Center for Disease Control had to admit the inequity of the virus’ impact. A statement on the CDC website explains the fact that there are higher rates of hospitalization and death among ethnic minority groups.

“Long-standing systemic health and social inequities have put some members of racial and ethnic minority groups at increased risk of getting COVID-19 or experiencing severe illness, regardless of age.” The pandemic has made the nation

aware that not every citizen has access to the healthcare they need. This was a fact well before the onset of the pandemic.

The third level of racism is an insidious acceptance of the status quo by members of the stigmatized class. Dr. Jones names this as internalized racism.

Those who accept the narrative of the ruling class that they are not allowed to express themselves, are inadequate, and have limits to their potential have internalized the racism in which they were raised.

People of color are marginalized in our society, not by their biology, but by a man-made system of winners and losers.

Change is possible, but before it can take hold in our society it must begin within us. As Christians we are people formed and led by the Gospels, and must acknowledge that Jesus immersed Himself

among people on the margins, not with the winners. Richard Rohr, in reflecting on the inequity in our world, gives us some food for thought.

“The question is no longer ‘How can I maintain my special and secure status?’

It is ‘How can we all grow and change together?’”

Richard Rohr offers us a path through our Christian tradition toward a more equitable solidarity with the marginalized. We begin by recognizing the pain that racism and marginalization has caused.

This should lead to a righteous anger at the system that would treat another human being as unworthy.

We must then see what is good and holy in the other.

Once we change ourselves internally then we can address the impact that systemic racism has on all of us, not just its victims.

Anchor columnist Claire McManus is the director of the Diocesan Office of Faith Formation.

COVID-19 won’t stop Saint Vincent’s Bike Run

FALL RIVER — The show will go on. Riders for the 15th annual Saint Vincent’s Bike Run are asked to arrive at Saint Vincent’s starting August 16 at 9 a.m., and a Saint Vincent’s volunteer will direct riders to park their bikes in designated parking spots (all bikes will be six feet apart). Once parked each rider/passenger can stay on/near their bike to be checked in and receive their Bike Run T-Shirt.

Kick stands will be up at 10 a.m. and all riders are encouraged to enjoy the 50-mile bike run that

travels through the scenic back roads of Fall River, Freetown, Taunton, Berkley and Lakeville, and ending by driving past Saint Vincent’s.

Due to COVID-19 restrictions there will not be a lunch or raffle at this year’s run, but the staff hopes that won’t stop bikers from joining — the children look forward to seeing them every year.

Bike Run Timeline 9 a.m. — Registration 10 a.m. — Kick stands up 11 a.m. – Ride ends with a drive by at Saint Vincent’s

Services.

Proceeds from this year’s Motorcycle Run will be used to support the financial strain associated with the needs presented

by COVID-19. You will help support the additional cost associated with maintaining staffing ratios, the equipment needed to support telehealth options in the clinic, the increased demand for cleaning supplies and Personal Protection Equipment.

To purchase tickets visit saintvincentsservices. org.

July 24, 2020 †

5

Editorial Racism and Anti-Catholicism

Civil rights pioneer U.S. Rep. John Lewis died this past week. He suffered physically for those rights on March 7, 1965, when Alabama state troopers fractured his skull, as he participated in a non-violent protest in Selma, trying to cross the Edmund Pettus Bridge. He also suffered emotionally throughout his life, as people judged him according to the color of his skin, as opposed to the content of his character.

In a 2015 interview with CNN at the First Baptist Church in Selma, Congressman Lewis said, "It is important to come back to remember Selma. I don't want people to forget that people paid a price. Selma, these churches and these people, gave it everything they had. We wouldn't be where we are today as a nation and as a people (if it) hadn't been for this community."

The CNN article (https://www.cnn.com/2015/03/06/politics/selma-50-yearsjohn-lewis-bridge-anniversary/index.html) noted, “Churches — like Selma's First Baptist and Brown Chapel — served as important meeting places during the movement, in part because they were run by the Black community.” This fact is something for us Catholics to ponder, as we remember how few AfricanAmericans are Catholics. There are many reasons for this, but amongst them is the lack of welcome that many a Black person has felt when they came to a Catholic parish.

In a Sept. 18, 2019 article in America (“There is time for the Church to support black Catholics — if it has the will to do so”), Tia Noelle Pratt, a sociologist of religion at the Aquinas Center in Philadelphia, wrote, “The sociologist Elijah Anderson has defined the cosmopolitan canopy as ‘islands of civility in a sea of racial segregation’ and as ‘settings that offer a respite from the lingering tensions of urban life and an opportunity for diverse peoples to come together.’ If the Catholic Church were truly catholic, it would be these things for African-Americans. It would be a place where Blacks could find respite from racial segregation.”

Pratt then mentioned the reason for her article, which is even more timely today: “I was asked to explain for America readers how the Church falls short of this goal. But the question presumes that the Church wants to be a cosmopolitan canopy, and I am not convinced that it does. Unfortunately, it has been a place where such segregation is heightened and perpetuated.”

In the Diocese of Fall River only one parish has a majority African-American population, the Cape Verdean personal parish of Our Lady of Assumption in New Bedford. As was alluded to in our June 10 editorial, American Catholics, instead to breaking the cycle of rejection which greeted us as we arrived here from other lands, often perpetuated that breaking of the Fifth Commandment (as Christ had expanded it to prohibit hate), causing people of various ethnic origins to feel the need to establish separate parishes (when they didn’t abandon Catholicism altogether).

Dr. Ansel Augustine, the director of the Office of Black Catholic Ministries for the Archdiocese of New Orleans, addressed white Catholics on the website “Busted Halo” in 2014 (https://bustedhalo.com/life-culture/does-black-life-matter), “You don’t acknowledge my race’s daily struggles, or the gifts and contributions OFFICIAL NEWSPAPER OF THE DIOCESE OF FALL RIVER Vol. 64, No. 15

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† July 24, 2020

that we’ve made to society. This is also a reason why there is a ‘tension’ at times between the Catholic Church and Black communities. Because, many times, it seems the attention and resources of the Church are not directed to our communities.

There seems to be a ‘disconnect’ with the issues we are dealing with. God calls us to care for ALL of our brothers and sisters. Pope Francis has challenged the Church — and the whole world — to look out for the needs of others, especially those most in need. The silence of many of our Church leaders on issues of racism is hurtful to many, and for the Church to really be an entity that values ‘the dignity of the human person,’ we must be vocal on all issues that threaten human life.

We, as a people of faith, are challenged to look at racism, poverty, and injustice as right to life issues. Just as we are adamant about fighting abortion, we must fight to make life just after the child is born. Is this not what Jesus wants of us? This is the time for us to practice our faith. God is speaking through these situations. Are we listening?”

Some readers might point out that Congressman Lewis, unlike Dr. Augustine, was pro-abortion. That is incredibly sad, but it also can make us think and pray about how we in the Pro-Life movement can help everyone to feel welcome in it, since life is a gift God has intended for everyone, a gift often disrespected.

Some might also wonder — what about the Catholic churches and statues which are being attacked?! In particular, St. Junípero Serra has come under attack repeatedly in California (not that he had anything to do with oppressing Black people in that Spanish colony). Bishop Robert Barron, auxiliary bishop of Los Angeles, joined a group of Catholic men who were surrounding a statue of the saint in Ventura on July 4. The bishop got his fellow Catholics to not fear the crowd coming towards them, but to instead pray the Rosary. Thus, although the situation was a tense one, it did not turn violent (unfortunately, in the meantime, the Ventura City Council has voted to removed the statue. Of course, legally it has the right to do so).

In a July 20 article at wordonfire.org, Bishop Barron wrote, “And this brings me to the morally dangerous side of this issue. When I saw the videos of Serra statues being torn down, burned, spat upon, trampled, and desecrated in San Francisco and Los Angeles, I shuddered — not only because such behavior was boorish and unjustified, but also because it called to mind very similar activities at earlier stages of American history.” He then summarized the violence and prejudice Catholics endured here over the centuries, including from the Ku Klux Klan.

He added, “So when I see mobs of people tearing down and desecrating statues of a great Catholic saint, canonized just five years ago by Pope Francis, how can I not see the ugly specter of anti-Catholicism raising its head? We are passing through a Jacobin moment in our cultural history, and such periods are dangerous indeed, for there is no clear indication what can stop their momentum. So in this case, what’s next? Shall we call into question the Catholic faith and institutions that Junípero Serra brought to these shores?”

How we live the faith, being people of prayer and people of love, will be part of the answer to those questions.

Daily Readings † July 25 - August 14 Sat. July 25, 2 Cor 4:7-15; Ps 126:1b,2-6; Mt 20:20-28. Sun. July 26, 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 or 13:44-46.

Mon. July 27, Jer 13:1-11; (Ps) Dt 32:18-21; Mt 13:31-35. Tue. July 28, Jer 14:17-22; Ps 79:8-9,11,13; Mt 13:36-43. Wed. July 29, Jer 15:10,16-21; Ps 59:2-4,10-11,17-18; Jn 11:19-27 or Lk 10:38-42. Thu. July 30, Jer 18:1-6; Ps 146:1b-6b; Mt 13:47-53. Fri. July 317, Jer 26:1-9; Ps 69:5,8-10,14; Mt 13:54-58.

Sat. Aug. 1, Jer 26:11-16,24; Ps 69:15-16,30-31,33-34; Mt 14:1-12. Sun. Aug. 2, Eighteenth Sunday in Ordinary Time, Is 55:1-3; Ps 145:8-9,15-18; Rom 8:35,37-39; Mt 14:13-21. Mon. Aug. 3, Jer 28:117; Ps 119:29,43,79-80,95,102; Mt 24:22-36. Tue. Aug. 4, Jer 30:1-2,12-15, 18-22; Ps 102:16-23,29; Mt 14:22-36 or 15:1-2,10-14. Wed. Aug. 5, Jer 31:1-7; (Ps) Jer 31:10-12b,13; Mt 15:21-28. Thu. Aug. 6, Dn 7:9-10,13-14; Ps 97:1-2,5-6,9; 2 Pt 1:16-19; Mt 17:1-9. Fri. Aug. 7, Na 2:1,3; 3:1-3,6-7; (Ps) Dt 32:35c-36b,39abcd,41; Mt 16:24-28.

Sat. Aug. 8, Hab 1:12—2:4; Ps 9:8-13; Mt 17:14-20. Sun. Aug. 9, Nineteenth Sunday in Ordinary Time, 1 Kgs 19: 9a,11-13a; Ps 85:9-14; Rom 9:1-5; Mt 14:22-33. Mon. Aug. 10, 2 Cor 9:6-10; Ps 112:1-2,5-9; Jn 12:24-26. Tue. Aug. 11, Ez 2:8—3:4; Ps 119:14,24,72,103, 111,131; Mt 18:1-5,10,1214. Wed. Aug. 12, Ez 9:1-7; 10:18-22; Ps 113:1-6; Mt 18:15-20. Thu. Aug. 13, Ez 12:1-12; Ps 78:5659,61-62; Mt 18:21—19:1. Fri. Aug. 14, Ez 16:1-15,60,63 or 16:59-63; (Ps) Is 12:2-3,4bcd,5-6; Mt 19:3-12. Note: For this edition there are 3 weeks of readings. Future editions will be a week ahead.

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recent Sunday Gospel was the parable of the sower of the seeds (Mt 13: 1-23). As I do each time I go to prepare a column, I prayed, read the Gospel, and awaited the promptings of the Spirit. This read of the parable, I had a vivid image of a beautiful plant growing surrounded by thorns. Dismissing that idea, I remembered years ago giving a retreat talk to the seniors at the high school. I had taken a rather biological approach to the Spirituality in the parable. As the yield is 30-, 60-, or 100-fold in good soil, the essence of my talk had been the importance of enriching the soil so as to allow it to be ready, once seeded, to maximally produce a harvest that is rich in God’s (not society’s) eyes.

I had prayer, Penance, study, and plowing over poor crops (mistakes) as soil fertilizers. As the catch phrase, I had suggested the Miracle-Gro for the soil of our lives was the Eucharist. That analogy sparked vivid and polarized debate among members of the Religion Department!

Still smiling from the memories, I donned my Coronavirus outerwear and went for a walk.

I turned a corner as a man and woman started screaming at one another. He was yelling about a bird. She was yelling about the Coronavirus killing people. Truthfully wishing I had walked another block before turn-

Seeds of kindness

ing, I asked what bird. I was thinking of Matthew 10:29 about the sparrows.

The man pointed to a chimney a few houses away. A hawk was tearing apart a bird it had caught. Now both people were saying it was majestic. Personally, I was telepathically willing the number of small birds flying past to keep on moving. The hawk paused and looked at us. I finally realized there was a beauty to be appreciated in the imperfect situation.

I thought back to the image of the beautiful plant among the thorns. Maybe what I had taken to be a distraction had really been the whisper of the Spirit for this year’s world.

Back home I re-read Jesus’ words, “The seed sewn among thorns is the one who hears the word, but then worldly anxiety and the lure of riches choke the word and it bears no fruit” (Mt 13: 22). I would definitely have to say that within our garden there is a good amount of worldly anxiety with the Coronavirus pandemic. How to prune back those thorns?

Whether we wish to call it planting seeds of kindness or paying it forward, the essence is supporting the beautiful plant we see while reducing those choking thorns. All of it starts with accepting that I am not alone facing the thorns. My neighbor and I are together the

beautiful plants totally surrounded by thorns.

Any time I prune back the thorns so my neighbor can grow, I also get room.

If my neighbor is doing

the same for me, we both get more room to grow. In addition, we begin to restore that feeling of community. We are not alone in our fight.

Let’s take a real example from our world.

A coffee shop employee refused service to someone not wearing a mask.

She posted her grievance online. Someone saw that posting. He set up a GoFundMe page for the employee. The 17K raised will assist the young man continue to pursue his dream to be a dancer.

Along the way, there were many conversations about why we choose to wear masks to protect others and ourselves. The thorns were trimmed back and there was acknowledgment that we are all in this together.

For another example, see “12 Kinds of Kindness” started by a New York couple https:// 12kindsofkindness.com/ about/. One of my favorites is their leaving a wallet someplace with some money and a task.

A stranger gets to find the

money and task. He/she gets a chance to plant the seed of kindness.

Some of the changes we implement will prune things back far enough to enrich the yield. Sometimes though, that good idea that seemed so right, does not go according to plan. After prayer and study, we need to accept that and move on. Either prune that project back or plow that “poor crop” under. This situation will happen to all of us many times in our lives. Just as the bits of the “poor crop” plants enrich the soil for

the farmer, God will use circumstances that do not immediately work out well in a positive manner to mold us for future endeavors.

Bit by bit, the yield of our soil is increasing.

The absolute measure of production is taken at harvest; meaning the end of the age or the day of Judgment. However, Our Lord has also granted us an immediate earthly benefit. As Hazrat Inayat Khan said, “By our trust in the Divine beauty in every person, we develop that beauty in ourselves.”

Anchor columnist Dr. Helen J. Flavin, Ph.D., is a Catholic scientist, educator and writer.

The Anchor’ Anchor’s Ken Souza suffers medical setback

By Dave Jolivet Print Editor

davejolivet@anchornews.org

DALLAS, Ga. — Longtime Anchor staff member and current web editor, Kenneth J. Souza, recently suffered a very serious health emergency and is now being treated in a hospital in Georgia, where he and his wife Margie moved last October.

Ken has remained with The Anchor, contributing stories, editing copy, advising on tech issues, and keeping The Anchor website up to date with breaking news and placing each edition online as it is published.

While we ask that their privacy be respected, we ask Anchor readers to keep Ken and Margie in your

prayers, for strength and healing during these very difficult times.

Because of this major setback, The Anchor website will not be updated for the short-term future. Also, several articles on which Ken was working have been temporarily put on hold — most notably a two-part feature on the 13 diocesan priests who are celebrating major anniversaries of ordination this year.

We ask for your patience and support for an already taxed staff during this time of crisis.

Questions or comments can be directed to me at davejolivet@anchornews.org.

Again, we thank you for your support and ask for continued prayers for Ken and Margie.

July 24, 2020 †

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2020 Catholic Appeal nears homestretch There is still time to make a gift to help those in need Catholic Appeal Testimonials — Spoken From the Heart

“St. Clare’s isn’t just a home; it is a family.

I knew immediately it was the right place for me to become well again in spirit, mind, and body. I had to lose everything to gain myself back, and St. Clare’s allowed me to do that.”

— Julie Stockless Resident of St. Clare’s, Hyannis

“There is never enough time in the day to fulfill the mission at hand.

Without the help of many, then there would be a few. With that being said, everything would be that much harder but it would still be worth it. There is a lot more to learn, and a lot more to teach. I take things one breath at a time.”

— Ray Duarte, House Manager, Sister Rose’s House and Soup Kitchen

“For those who have donated to the Catholic Appeal, I thank you so much for allowing me as a Franciscan to live out my destiny as a deacon and a chaplain. In working and helping people in their most difficult time, in their pain and their suffering. Without you, I would not be here. Thank you.”

— Deacon Tony Cipriano Morton Hospital, Taunton

Staff and volunteers of Solanus Casey Food Pantry, New Bedford (photo from before the pandemic).

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Diocesan faithful respond to Appeal continued from page one

to Cape Cod and the Islands.

There are many ways to support the Catholic Appeal during its home stretch. Contributions to the Appeal may be made either through a onetime donation or through monthly, quarterly, or semi-annual pledges.

Donations may be

mailed directly to the Catholic Foundation Office, 450 Highland Avenue, Fall River, Mass., 02720; made online at www.givefrdiocese. org/2020; or dropped off at any parish in the diocese. Please contact the Catholic Foundation Office at 508-675-1311 with any questions.

“Whatever you did for one of these, the least of My brothers and sisters, you did for Me” (Mt 25:40).

Seminarian John Garabedian holds a conversation with a young member of the Diocese of Fall River.

(File photo)

Volunteers at Sister Rose’s Soup Kitchen, New Bedford (photo from before the pandemic).

New Bedford man ordained a Dominican priest at P.C.; another to be ordained a Jesuit August 1 in Boston

By Dave Jolivet Print Editor

davejolivet@anchornews.org

PROVIDENCE, R.I. — For the first time in school history, a Dominican priest was ordained on the campus of Providence College on May 23. The New Bedford native, Father Jordan Zajac, O.P., was ordained at St. Dominic Chapel by Auxiliary Bishop Robert C. Evans of the Diocese of Providence.

At the same time, six of Father Zajac’s Dominican peers were ordained in Washington, D.C., and another in New York City.

The Providence ordination of Father Zajac was sparsely attended due to COVID-19 gathering restrictions and social-distancing mandates. Under usual conditions, the Bishop Stang

Social-distancing was the order of the day at Father Jordan Zajac, O.P.’s ordination to the priesthood at the St. Dominic Chapel on the Providence College campus on May 23. (Photo courtesy of Stew Milne) High School graduate would have been ordained with his confreres in D.C., but having Type 1 diabetes made traveling very risky for Father Zajac.

In a year when nothing seems normal, James Ferus, also a native of the Whaling City and a former parishioner of St. Lawrence Martyr

Parish, who would have been ordained as a Jesuit priest in early June at Fordham University in New York, has had his ordination date moved three times to three different locations.

Deacon Ferus will indeed be ordained on August 1 in another limited-attendance Mass at Holy Cross Cathe-

dral in Boston by Cardinal Sean P. O'Malley, OFM, Cap. While the circumstances of these New Bedford natives’ ordination are indeed quite unusual, when one thinks about it, it was anything but usual when Jesus beckoned Peter and his brother Andrew from their fishing boat, and the rest of the Apostles

from their everyday routines to join Him and eventually become the first priests. It’s normal for men dedicating their lives to serving Christ to take a not-normal path to the priesthood.

While the Father Zajac’s Mass of Ordination was private, his parents, Peter and Judith Zajac were in attendance.

The ordination was viewed by many via a livestream of the Liturgy.

Following graduation from Bishop Stang High School in North Dartmouth, Father Zajac mulled over several acceptances from Catholic colleges. A visit to Providence College provided then-Timothy Zajac with the right vibes, and the decision was made.

8 Turn to page 16

July 24, 2020 †

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“To hear your voice, to see you smile, to sit and talk to you awhile.

“To be together the same old way, that would be our greatest wish today.” — John Williamson eople were gathering at the Kalaupapa Pier (I call it Damien’s Landing) which is a stone’s throw from my front porch — that is if one has a good arm. I watched as some vehicles pulled up in that vicinity and I wondered what was happening. Had someone caught a giant fish? Was one of the newly-born monk-seals frolicking in the water next to the dock? Had a mermaid surfaced and was putting on a show? What

P

Flowers on the water

a “tail” that would be! Had Sister Barbara Jean been pulled into the water by a massive fish she had just hooked?

My curiosity eventually got the better of me and so I headed for the pier.

On arriving, I saw that patients, nurses and others were tossing leis and flowers into the waters in memory of the patients who had been called to eternity. I should have known,

since I had blessed these leis and flowers earlier that morning. That’s what happens when one turns 76.

“To hear you laugh, to hear you cry, or just a chance to say ‘goodbye.’

To say the things we didn’t say, that would be our greatest wish today.”

The day was June 30 and that morning we were celebrating a kind of freedom, freedom from the quarantine. We were celebrating the 51st anniversary of the lifting of the quarantine on the patients who had been confined to this Hansen’s Disease settlement since they were originally sent here to live or to die. In 1969 the quarantine was lifted and they

were free to leave Kalaupapa and live elsewhere. Some did leave while others chose to live out their lives here. They considered this their home. Currently, we have five patients in residents here while seven others live in Honolulu in Hale Mohalu Care Home or with family.

From the pier the participants proceeded to Papaloa Cemetery where they laid leis on the graves.

It is there that we usually gather for a ceremony, but this year we had to limit our activities because of COVID-19. It had been a day of remembrance and of celebration.

“But all we can do is throw a flower on the water, look for the sun through the rain.

“Lay a little frangipani gentle on the water, remember how we love you.”

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

The Museum of Family Prayer announces first annual Mary Garden Contest NORTH EASTON — The Museum of Family Prayer, dedicated to the work of Venerable Patrick Peyton to help families pray together, announced the first annual Mary Garden Contest for a chance to win prizes.

While the museum is currently closed, it wanted to find a way to bring its mission to families in this time of Spiritual need. A Mary Garden is a great way to share faith in a fun and easy way for the entire family, especially as the family continues to watch it grow and take care of it together.

“I am really happy we are doing this! It’s vital that we find peace and live contemplating God’s beauty now!” said Father James Phalan, C.S.C., National Director of Family Rosary. “Mary Gardens are a devotion born in medieval times: enclosed gardens with an image of Blessed Virgin in the middle, surrounded by all sorts of flowers and herbs that carry her name. You may not realize that there are literally hundreds of plants named after 10

† July 24, 2020

Our Lady in some way!”

We love all types of gardens, large or small, colorful or monotone, pots or plateaus, any and all that touch your heart will touch ours and our viewers. Inspire us with your beautiful works of art.

Share your newly-finished Marian Garden or your long-time Mary Garden and share that beauty with others. The contest is designed to encourage families to build their garden, enjoy it as a special place for the family to pray.

“Our family is one of our greatest gifts from God. Why not pray together in a garden? Sounds uncomfortable? Give it a try,” said Father Phalan. “You’ll be surprised how quickly it becomes comfortable. Or, maybe you pray all the time? Head over to your Mary Garden the next time you need to pray.

Whatever your situation, we have prayers to make it special.”

The Museum of Family Prayer will award the top 10 Mary Gardens based on criteria such as 8 Turn to page 12

Our Lady of Lourdes School, Taunton appoints new middle school principal TAUNTON — Father Edward A. Murphy, pastor of Our Lady of Lourdes School, knew that the vice principal of the middle school would require a very unique skill set, due to the many changes and uncertainty brought on by the current COVID-19 crisis. Moreover, the ability to address the specific needs of middle school students ensured that the right person would need to be compassionate, creative, and patient in order to help lead the school through this historical year.

Father Murphy is pleased to announce Kara Lawrence as the new vice principal for the Middle

School at Our Lady of Lourdes School. Lawrence has been an educator for the past 10 years and started her career at the University of New Hampshire as a history instructor. After transitioning to secondary education in 2015, Lawrence taught social studies at Coyle and Cassidy High School for three years before becoming the department chair in 2018.

Part of her department chair responsibilities were to oversee the curriculum for grades five through 12, as well as supervising all teachers in the department, and serving on a leadership board.

“Ms. Lawrence brings

In Your Prayers Please pray for these priests and deacons during the coming weeks: 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 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 Aug. 12 Rev. Victor O. Masse, M.S., Retired Pastor, St. Anthony, New Bedford, 1974 Rev. Msgr. John F. Moore, Retired, Catholic Memorial Home, Former Pastor, St. Elizabeth Ann Seton, North Falmouth, Former Anchor Executive Editor, Former Diocesan Director of the Permanent Diaconate Office, 2018 Aug. 13 Rev. Edward J. Sheridan, Pastor, St. Mary, Taunton, 1896 Rt. Rev. Leonard J. Daley, Pastor, St. Francis Xavier, Hyannis, 1964 Rev. Gabriel Swol, OFM Conv., Former Associate Pastor, Holy Rosary, Taunton, 1991 Aug. 14 Rev. Raphael Marciniak, OFM Conv., Pastor, Holy Cross, Fall River, 1947 Rev. Conrad Lamb, O.S.B., Missionary in Guatemala, 1969

a wealth of experience in education, leadership, and curriculum development.

These are the qualities that will ensure the successful transition of the middle school program,” indicated Father Murphy. “The added

benefit is that the students and families know Ms. Lawrence from Coyle and Cassidy and we are confi-

dent that she will ensure that the middle school program provides a high level academic, social, and Spiritual experience for our middle schools students.”

Mary Turner, principal of Our Lady of Lourdes School, further noted, “I am so pleased to have someone like Ms. Lawrence to lead the middle school. We are so excited to bring these students into the Our Lady of Lourdes community, and I am certain that Ms. Lawrence is the leader we need at the helm of the middle school.”

“This is such a wonderful opportunity to continue to build my relationship with these students,” added Lawrence. “It is with great pleasure that I take on the

responsibility of helping to create an exciting and engaging learning environment for middle school students at Our Lady of Lourdes.”

Lawrence holds a BA degree with honors and a master’s degree in history from Binghamton University. She also completed a post-baccalaureate program at Bridgewater State University which licenses her to teach social studies in grades five-12 in Massachusetts. She and her family are active members of Annunciation of the Lord Parish in Taunton.

For more information about Our Lady of Lourdes School, please visit https:// www. https://www. ololtaunton.com/.

Fall River Catholic schools to open five days per week this fall continued from page one

conditions, every school will also offer live-streaming capabilities to ensure students choosing to learn remotely are still part of the school community. Positive parent feedback of the Catholic school remote learning experience started immediately and continued through the end of the 2019-20 academic year. While parents were highly satisfied with their child’s remote learning experience, there is consensus that students of all ages yearn for the sense of community provided by their Catholic school.

“We are so pleased that our students will be able to come back to the school they know and love this fall,” said Stephen A. Perla, diocesan superintendent of Catholic schools. “Our school leaders have worked extremely hard to ensure a safe and healthy environment for our students and teachers. They are just as excited to return to a building full of life with the activity

and sounds of happy kids.”

Andrew Raposo, principal of Espirito Santo Parochial School added, “We are blessed with such a big building that can safely accommodate our students and more.

We welcome any family who may have some concerns about their child’s learning experience and are interested in how our school could help bridge a learning gap.”

“Education is the hot topic this summer and we are so thrilled to return as close to ‘normal’ as possible,” indicated Mona Lisa Valentino, principal of St. John Paul II High School in Hyannis.

“Our students are excited to be back in class in August to pick up where they left off in the middle of June. There is a very strong sense of community and we welcome all new families who may feel a need to change their child’s educational direction.” St. John Paul II High School recently announced its return to school plans. Similar

announcements will be made by Bishop Stang High School, Bishop Connolly High School and Bishop Feehan High School.

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

About the Catholic Schools Alliance: The Catholic Schools Alliance comprises administrators, teachers, staff, parents and clergy joined in partnership to educate the children of the Diocese of Fall River in Catholic faith and values.

Our schools have a demanding educational culture that helps students from across the academic spectrum reach their God-given potential.

With an emphasis on service and respect for the dignity of every person, we prepare students to meet the challenges of today’s diverse world and become meaningful contributors to society.

July 24, 2020 †

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I

have never liked insects. I love all animals but insects and I are all set. I swat, I run away and if I’m going to be honest, I scream at a high pitch sound and call for help with some insects! And then my brother passed away.

I prayed for a sign that he was OK and he was still with me. My brother passed away on a Saturday night.

That next day I went to my softball game knowing I had to keep myself busy.

As I played the game that night, everywhere I went on the field, a dragonfly followed me. It hovered above my head as I stood in the outfield. It followed me as I went to the bench. It stayed with me as I got up to bat.

There were no other dragonflies in the field. Just my dragonfly.

This began my affinity for dragonflies. At first, the dragonfly reminded me of my brother. It brought me

F ocus on C hurch Y outh With brave wings she flies

comfort whenever I saw one. I knew this was the answer to my prayer; he was safe and he was with me in some way. Then I began to learn more about the dragonfly. The first thing I found was a story about dragonflies and grief. The shortened version of the story tells us that there were some water bugs that couldn’t understand why when one of their group climbed the lily pad stem, it never returned. They made a promise that the next one to go would return and tell them what was up there.

The little bug climbed the stem and when he reached the lily pad he lay down and his whole body transformed into a beautiful dragonfly. He was so overjoyed by his new life but he didn’t forget his promise to his loved ones. He tried

Museum announces Mary Garden Contest continued from page 10

overall look, design, usage of flowers and love for Our Lady. Second through 10th place will receive a $25 monetary gift card and the book by Margaret Rose Realy, “A Garden of Visible Prayer: Creating a Personal Sacred Space One Step at a Time.” First place will receive a signed copy of the book and a $50 monetary gift card. Enter the contest between now and August 5.

Winners will be announced on August 15.

“Getting in touch with beauty and peace, that’s what the Mary Gardens are all about,” said Father Phalan. “Do something beautiful for God.” Prayer resources and gardening ideas and directions are all available, 12

free downloads, on the Museum website: www.

MuseumOfFamilyPrayer. org. More information on the contact can also be found on the website.

The contest is brought to you by The Museum of Family Prayer, which offers a unique, interactive experience of prayer using digital media for the entire family to experience together.

Families and all visitors are treated to a new, different, fun, faith-filled experience.

The Museum is a member ministry of Holy Cross Family Ministries (HCFM), a family of Catholic ministries that inspire, promote and foster the prayer life and Spiritual well-being of families throughout the world.

† July 24, 2020

as hard as he could to get back under the water to tell them, but no matter what he did, he couldn’t reach them. He realized then that they may not recognize him in his new glorious body, and they would just have

to wait until it was their time to learn what beauty awaited them in this new life. The author concludes with the reminder that just because we can no longer see or communicate with our loved ones, it does not mean they cease to exist. (“The Dragonfly Story” by Walter Cavert) I found so much peace in the story of the dragonfly. My faith had always taught me that life does not end in death, but rather a

more beautiful life than we could imagine awaited us and so every time I saw a dragonfly, I found comfort in the reminder. The more I learned about the dragonfly however, it moved from being a symbol of comfort to a symbol of resilience.

Dragonflies were one of the first winged insects to evolve more than 300 million years ago. When everything around them began to change, they learned to adapt and survive.

Most of the head of a dragonfly is their eyes. A dragonfly has two compound eyes with thousands of lenses and three eyes with simple lenses allowing them to have 360-degree vision. Dragonflies spend only a fraction of their lives flying. Most of their lives they are larva. They only live about seven months once they get their wings.

Our world is changing all the time. In order to

survive and thrive, we must learn to adjust and transform. We must learn to see the world all around us.

Sometimes we get so consumed in our own lives we forget to look around and see all that we have been given. We are only given a limited time in this world and we have to make the most of that time.

Legend states that dragonflies come into our lives when our joy diminishes and consequently they have come to be symbols of happiness, light and change.

They are reminders to us to bring light and joy to those we meet. It is a huge transformation for the larva to become a dragonfly but once it does, it is with brave wings that it flies.

Anchor columnist Amanda Tarantelli has been a campus minister at Bishop Stang High School in North Dartmouth since 2005. She is married, a diehard sports fan, and resides in Cranston, R.I. She can be reached at atarantelli@ bishopstang.org.

Mashpee Catholic Women’s Club awards scholarships

MASHPEE — The Catholic Women’s Club of Christ the King Parish recently awarded college scholarships to five outstanding high school students who are active and participative members of the parish. The scholarship awards were presented by Father Edward Healey, pastor, and Gail Reilly, club president.

Kelley Skantz, a graduate of Mashpee High School, will attend UMass-Amherst majoring in either behavioral psycholo-

gy or special education with a focus on children with disabilities. Kelley was the recipient of the Dottie Hiltz Scholarship in addition to receiving a Catholic Women’s Club Scholarship.

Jack Harney, a Sturgis High School graduate, will attend Mass Maritime Academy to study Marine Engineering. Harney was also the recipient of St. Pius Youth Award.

Brendan Hyde graduated from St. John Paul II High School. Hyde plans to attend St. Anselm College

to pursue a major in business and finance.

Jakob Goveia, a graduate of Mashpee High School, was dually enrolled at Cape Cod Community College. Goveia will continue at Cape Cod Community College on his path to become and EMT/paramedic.

Caitlin Cotton is a graduate of St. John Paul II High School. Cotton plans to attend Quinnipiac University pursuing a five-year BA/MA course of studies in occupational therapy.

Our readers respond Death penalty must be halted There were many encouraging articles in the 6/26/20 Anchor on both subjects (Pro-Life and racism). I was particularly encouraged to see the picture of the annual March for Life demonstrators

carrying “Love Them Both” placards.

I hope that the Pro-Life Boot Camp and other educational programs will also focus on the opposition of the Catholic Church to capital punishment. Not only because it is unlawful to take a life before natural

Diocese of Fall River TV Mass on the Portuguese Channel Sunday, July 26 at 7 p.m.

Broadcast from Our Lady of Mount Carmel Church in New Bedford

Diocese of Fall River TV Mass on the Portuguese Channel Sunday, August 2 at 7 p.m.

Broadcast from St. Francis Xavier Church in East Providence

Diocese of Fall River TV Mass on WLNE Channel 6 Sunday, July 26 at 11:00 a.m.

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

Sunday, August 2 at 11:00 a.m.

Celebrant is Father Stephen Banjare, SS.CC., Pastor of St. Joseph Parish, Fairhaven

death, but because so many more people of color are imprisoned and executed.

We need to eradicate the death penalty in this country and all over the world and I would like to hear more condemnation of this practice voiced.

Anne Ellsworth Dennis Port From the Executive Editor: Thank you for your letter. I checked with Marian Desrosiers, who was director of the ProLife Apostolate for more

than a decade, and Irinia DeLucca, the current director, about your concerns regarding capital punishment.

Marian wrote, “We taught extensively on the death penalty using Cardinal Sean’s pastoral letter on the subject. He wrote it while he was Bishop of Fall River.” She said that she also quoted St. John Paul II, Pope Francis and the “Catholic Catechism” on the topic of capital punishment. “I spoke on the subject for 26 years throughout schools and parishes. Even

though we do not have the death penalty in Massachusetts, it is of grave concern for the protecting of all human life.” She added that she “also worked in prison ministry for a number of years as Pro-Life director. I saw first hand some of the inequities we need to correct.”

Irinia said that Bishop da Cunha gives a talk each year at the Pro-Life Boot Camp, in which he discusses all threats to human life and in particular discusses the Church’s opposition to the death penalty.

First annual Virtual FACE Summer Un-Gala a success continued from page two

who has served for 14 years as the Facilities Manager at St. Pius X School, for outstanding meritorious service.

FACE co-chairs, Pat and Jim Gonet, parishioners of St. John the Evangelist in Pocasset, followed the presentation. Pat and Jim shared, “Each year, FACE events help support scholarships for almost 1,000 Catholic school students.

These scholarships are made possible thanks to all of the generous donors who made the commitment to continue to support FACE during these challenging times. Your support is so critical, especially this year!”

Jane and Cassandra Robin announced the winners of the Amazon Gift Card raffle prizes, generously donated by Maureen Makkay. The first prize, a $500 Amazon Gift Card, was won by Al Moore.

Betsy O’Brien, Esq. and the Massachusetts State Coun-

cil Knights of Columbus each won a $250 Amazon Gift Card. The highest bid for the Dinner with Bishop da Cunha went to Dr. Ed and Marti Palank.

Congratulations to our winners!

Over the past several months, the FACE Un-Gala committee and co-chairs, along with the Catholic Foundation of Southeast-

ern Massachusetts team ventured into this new uncharted virtual event territory together with their ideas, enthusiasm and support. We are pleased to announce that our first Virtual Un-Gala raised more than $116,000.

The Catholic Foundation of Southeastern Massachusetts wishes to thank its generous donors.

July 24, 2020 †

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Mass. bishops support bills to extend help for renters, homeowners continued from page three

expected immediately after the current moratorium ends (possibly as soon as August 18), according to landlord advocates and estimates from the state’s Housing Court system.

— If we fail to take decisive action, a massive wave of evictions and foreclosures will cause more infections, hasten displacement, hamper economic recovery, tear communities apart, throw more people into an overwhelmed homelessness system, further entrench racial inequality, and cause untold suffering.

— Increased rental assistance is one part of the solution, but the scale of the crisis — with 29 percent of tenants surveyed by MassINC unable already to keep up with all rent payments from April through June — means that approach alone is not nearly enough. There is widespread support for bold action, with the same poll showing 75 percent of state residents back an extension of the eviction moratorium.

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A report by Metropolitan Area Planning Council estimates 120,000 households could be at risk of eviction if the Moratorium ends. A study by MIT and City Life found evictions just like who gets the Coronavirus, as disproportionately impacting people of color.

The following is a summary of “An Act to Guarantee Housing Stability during the COVID-19 Emergency and Recovery” (identical bills filed as House Bill HD 5166 and Senate Bill SD 2992): Protecting tenants — Protects tenants who are unable to pay rent due to a direct or indirect impact of COVID-19 against eviction for non-payment (for payments missed 3/10/20 through 12 months after the end of the State of Emergency); — Stops “no-cause” evictions through 12 months after the end of the State of Emergency with the option for municipalities to extend this “just cause” protection longer; — halts rent increases through 12 months after the end of the State of Emergency; — Prevents unfair damage to credit and negative court records.

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Assisting homeowners — Extends the ban on foreclosures of most owner-occupied properties; — Extends the right to mortgage deferment (with payments put on the end of the loan) through 12 months after the end of the State of Emergency; — Ensures borrowers cannot be charged penalties for missed payments during the forbearance.

Stabilizing landlords — Expands the right to a mortgage deferment to landlords who own up to 15 rental units; — Establishes a COVID-19 Housing Stability and Recovery Fund to assist property owners who lost rental income or missed mortgage payments due to the pandemic; — Ensures working-class homeowners and owner-occupant, non-profit, and smallscale landlords have first priority in receiving support from the Fund, and creates an oversight board with representation from communities hardest hit by the pandemic and housing crisis.

In conclusion, Driscoll wrote: “As religious and legislative leaders, we are called upon to promote the ‘common good’ for the residents of the great state of Massachusetts. That calling is more important today than ever. On behalf of the Roman Catholic Bishops of Massachusetts, I urge you to move these bills quickly through the legislative process and assist those who need it most.”

Fortunate to be here

T

o a person, we all think 2020 will be a year to forget. The mantra for this year is “What next?” But there have been years in the past that match the utterly bizarre series of unfortunate circumstances of 2020.

For the Jolivets that year was 1918; for millions of others too, actually. The year 1918 was also shattered by a pandemic — the Spanish Flu. The scourge began in February 1918 and ended in April 1920, leaving in its path 500 million people worldwide who contracted the flu, and anywhere from 17 to 50 million deaths.

I pray this pandemic won’t come close to the duration and devastation of 1918.

Add to that, the United States and the rest of the globe were involved in a worldwide conflict, World War I, which in and of itself contributed another 15-22 million deaths.

My grandfather, Loridas Jolivet, was in the U.S. Navy during WWI (and my dad was in the same branch during WWII). Not only was he serving his country during the worldwide confrontation, he contracted the Spanish Flu as well.

While researching my family tree online, I discovered a Fall River newspaper clipping from Sept. 21, 1918 headlined: “Seriously Ill With Influenza” indicating the parents of several “Fall River Boys in Service Notified.”

The subhead read: “Six Cases and One Death Reported to Local Board of Health In Last 24 Hours — Drug Stores Doing Large Business.”

My pépère showed up a few graphs in: “Seaman Loridas Jolivet at the Newport Naval Training Station is reported to be dying, and his parents Mr. and Mrs. Alfred (Pomela Desrosiers) Jolivet ... have left for the Training

Station to see their boy.”

Miraculously (and obviously) my pep survived the flu and the war. I’m not sure my dad even knew. He never mentioned it to me.

I cannot even imagine what my great-grandparents went through that year, but it has to be similar to that of families who are greatly affected by the COVID-19 pandemic today.

Eventually my grandfa-

ther married and he and his wife Laura (Dudevoir) had my dad and my Aunt Connie.

My mémère, sadly, died at age 33 in 1927 of tuberculosis.

My dad was six at the time.

While so much has changed in 100 years, the world is still so vulnerable to invisible enemies like influenza and disease.

Life is so precious and every day should be lived as such. Had not Loridas survived the Spanish Flu, I wouldn’t be here today. davejolivet@anchornews.org.

Diocese appoints new superintendent of schools continued from page three

he was on the faculty at Bishop Feehan High School in North Attleboro from 2007 to 2011, teaching theology for multi-grade levels.

“I am very pleased to welcome Dan as our new superintendent of schools and I look forward to working with him,” Bishop da Cunha said.

“Having taught in one of our schools, he already has a connection with our diocesan school system that will be helpful as he begins his work as superintendent.”

The bishop pointed out that it became clear through the interview process that Roy “has a tremendous love for the Church and a special enthusiasm and hope for our schools.”

Roy expressed his gratitude to Bishop da Cunha and the Fall River Diocese Central Catholic Schools Board for the opportunity to serve as superintendent.

“I look forward to returning to the Diocese of Fall River to join the work that lies ahead in raising the value proposition of Catholic education,” he said. “The strategic thinking led by Bishop da Cunha stands to bring diocesan schools to the next level, and I am eager to work with the Catholic Schools Office, diocesan staff, and other stakeholders to advance this strategy.

“We are at a critical juncture in Catholic education in our country.

Now more than ever, our

world needs schools that provide an education with Jesus at its heart.”

Central School Board chairperson Roger Sullivan, who was a member of the Superintendent Search Committee, also noted Roy’s enthusiasm for the mission of Catholic education.

“Among all of the candidates, Dan clearly expressed a strong belief and enthusiasm for Catholic education,” he said.

“We are pleased that Dan is joining us as we strive to bring the highest quality Catholic education to our students and their families, particularly during these challenging times. On behalf of the Diocesan School Board, I welcome Dan Roy wholeheartedly as our new superintendent.”

The Fall River diocesan school system comprises four high schools and 17 elementary and middle schools. It was announced early this month that elementary and middle schools will fully reopen for in-classroom learning in September while also providing an option for remote learn-

ing for students not yet ready to return. The high schools will announce their plans on an individual basis.

In the Boston Archdiocesan Catholic Schools Office, Roy served as associate superintendent for mission effectiveness and leadership, arranging for professional development programs for school leaders, developing and supervising a principal evaluation system, and providing ongoing support to principals and pastors on human resources, legal issues, and other school policy matters.

As principal at Nativity Prep, he directed a rigorous, faith-based academic middle school program for boys from low-income families residing in Boston. He worked closely with families from diverse backgrounds to address areas of academic challenges. While there, he developed a fourth-grade program that welcomed an inaugural class in 2013 and he oversaw an upgrade of the school’s technology.

Roy holds two master’s of education degrees from Boston College, in educational leadership and in secondary education. He earned his bachelor’s degree in religious studies from Macalester College in Minnesota.

He is married and the father of twin girls. His

wife is a Catholic principal outside the Fall River Diocese and his daughters attend a Catholic elementary school.

“As a family,” he said, “we are committed to ensuring that Catholic education is strengthened and sustained for future generations.”

July 24, 2020 †

15

Please note that The Anchor website www.Anchornews.org is currently being retooled and is not yet up to date. We will advise you when it is up and running again.

New Bedford natives’ unusual roads to ordination continued from page nine According to Jordan, a daily communicant at P.C., he didn’t feel a calling to the priesthood.

He went on to further his education at the University of Virginia, that coincidentally had a parish on campus, St. Thomas Aquinas, also ministered to by Dominican friars.

From there he attended UMass Amherst and during those years in a secular campus environment, Father Zajac often heard students take jabs at faith and religion, prompting him to study Catholicism more deeply.

He developed a friendship with Father Douglas McGonagle at the campus’ Newman Center. It was Father McGonagle who assisted Father Zajac in discerning his vocation.

Eventually Father Zajac felt a connection with the great Dominican influence he experienced at P.C. and UVA, and spoke with the vocations director at his Providence alma mater. He reported to St. Gertrude Priory in Cincinnati, Ohio for his

novitiate year in August of 2013.

Father Jordan returned to P.C. in 2018 spending the summer teaching a writing course, and he also worked in Campus Ministry.

Reacting to his being ordained on the P.C. campus, Father Jordan said, “For me, there’s a deep, personal richness to being ordained at Providence College. It’s me coming back home. There’s a whole symbolic and Spiritual element to it.”

Deacon Ferus, the son of Nancy and the late Paul Ferus, was born in New Bedford in 1985. He was a parishioner of St. Lawrence Martyr Parish there.

His Catholic faith was nurtured by his family, parochial schooling and years as an altar server.

He earned a bachelor’s degree in government from Harvard University; a master’s in philosophical resources from Fordham University; and a Master of Divinity from the Jesuit School of Theology at Santa

Father Jordan Zajac, O.P., distributes Holy Communion to his dad, Peter and mom, Judith Zajac at his May 29 Mass of Ordination.

(Photo courtesy of Stew Milne) 16

† July 24, 2020

Deacon James Ferus gives violin lessons at St. Ignatius School in the Bronx in 2013, during his formation to the priesthood for the Jesuits. He will be ordained a priest at Holy Cross Cathedral in Boston on August 1.

Clara University.

His involvement with campus ministry at Harvard introduced him to many Jesuits from around the world.

He entered the Jesuit novitiate at Syracuse University after spending two years in the Jesuit Volunteer Corps, at Cristo Rey New York High School, then at Operation Nightwatch community center in Portland, Ore. While studying at Fordham, Deacon Ferus taught violin to students in the Bronx and later played with the inmate choir at San Quentin State Prison during his theology studies in Berkeley, Calif.

He has most recently ministered as a deacon at San Quentin and Our Lady of Lourdes Parish in Oakland.

He will continue there next year as he completes his licentiate in Sacred Theology.

Father Mike Racine, pastor of the Whaling City Catholic Community, which encompasses the New Bedford

parishes of Holy Name of the Sacred Heart of Jesus, St. Francis of Assisi, and St. Lawrence Martyr, will represent St. Lawrence Martyr Parish at Deacon Ferus’ August 1 ordination.

“I am very fortunate to be present as representative from the parish,” Father Racine wrote in the Community's Sunday bulletin. “Ironically, Deacon Ferus served my first Mass 25 years ago at St. Lawrence Church.

What an honor as we rejoice with another native son ordained.”

The Mass will be televised on Boston Catholic TV at 10 a.m.

Father Ferus will celebrate a limited-attendance Mass of Thanksgiving on August 2 at St. Lawrence Church at 2:30 p.m. Plans are in the works for a live-stream of the Liturgy.

Special thanks go to Vicki-Ann Downing, assistant director of Editorial Services, Marketing and Communications at P.C. for information about Father Zajac and his ordination Mass.