08.05.94

t eanc 0 VOL. 38, NO. 30

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Friday, August 5, 1994

FALL RIVER DIOCESAN NEWSPAPER FOR SOUTHEAST MASSACHUSETTS CAPE COD &. THE ISLANDS

F ALL RIVER, MASS.

Southeastern Massachusetts' Largest Weekly

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Pro-lifers say killings mock their message

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VERY REV. Peter N. Graziano receives plaque from Rosa Neto Lopes honoring him for his service to the New England Catholic Conference of Social Ministries.

Catholic Social Ministries unit cites Father Graziano Very Rev. Peter N. Graziano, pastor of St. Mary's Church, Mansfield, and dean of the Attleboro area of the diocese, was previously for almost20 years director ofthe Diocesan Department of Social Services and concurrently pastQr of first St. James parish, New Bedford, then SS. Peter and Paul, Fall River.

Along the way he also made time to be a founding and very active member of the 17-year-old New England Catholic Conference of Social Ministries. His dedication was recognized recently when the NECCS M presented him.with a plaque citing his contributions to the organization.

It was presented by Rosa Neto Lopes, formerly director of New Bedford area Catholic Social Services, now retired, but continuing to volunteer as diocesan program supervisor for the U. S. Bishops' Campaign for Human Development and as diocesan representative to the NECCSM. The plaque, in the shape of the New England states, is inscribed: A Man Committed to the Empowerment of Others through Faith, Love, Justice and Peace REV. PETER N. GRAZIANO with Sincere Appreciation for Many Years of Service to the Catholic Ministries of New England

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WASHINGTON (CNS) - The killings of a Florida abortion doctor and a clinic escort were decried by church leaders and other opponents of abortion.

As the Justice Department announced U.S. marshals would be assigned to protect some abortion clinics, mainstream organizations opposed to abortion said violence has no place in the movement and denounced the killings of Dr. John Bayard Britton and James Herman Barrett in Pensacola, Fla., July 29. Barrett's wife • .June, who worked as a volunteer escort at the "Lad;e~: Center abortion clinic, was wounded. .

Paul Hill, an outspoken advocate of using violence to stop abortion, was arrested and charged with the shootings.

Los Angeles Cardinal Roger M. Mahony, chairman of the U.S. bishops' Committee for Pro-Life Activities, said violence in the name of the pro-life movement "makes a mockery of everything we stand for."

"We are deeply saddened by the kil-· lings," said D. Michael McCarron, assistant executive director oft·he Florida Cath-

Bishop 0 'Malley speaks in Lima

By Maye Agama LI MA, Peru - "Television suggests that we can purchase happiness, but the things we purchase too often become our owners," said Bishop Sean O'Malley, at a conference held July 22 to 24 in Lima to celebrate the Christian family and to build common cause against coercive population control policies promoted by industrialized nations but strongly opposed by Pope John Paul II and the world's bishops.

Bishop O'Malley spoke as a panelist on the topic of modern cultural influences on the family at the meeting, attended by some 1,200 persons from across Latin America and the United States and sponsored by the Pontifical Council on the Family and the Peruvian Bishops' Conference.

He said that the messages contained in much television programming push an agenda of "anti-values" and greatly complicate the Christian family's task of building a healthy conscience in children. lri addition to advancing an unhealthy view of sexuality, much of television's current programming demeans women, Bishop O'Malley added.

"Television is a dangerous babysitter," he said. "Too many parents set children before their TVs for hours at a time. The ideas they learn from the programs they watch make it much more difficult to create a community of Christian values."

In another presentation, Cardinal Alfonso Lopez Trujillo, president of the Pontifical Council, warned that modern

,.In This Issue--_--A Letter from the Bishop Page 2

Don't Blame Single Mothers Page 4

olic Conference. "We condemn these killings in no uncertain terms. Such violence shows no understanding of the pro-life movement and serves no purpose in stemming the tide of abortion.

"The commandment 'Thou shalt not kill,' the basis of the pro-life movement, has been violated," he said."We call on all people in the pro-life movement to condemn these violent acts."

Bishop John M. Smith of the diocese of Pensacola-Tallahassee said it "defies logic and flies in the face of divine law" for anyone to take a human life in the name of the pro-life movement.

A s(alerncnt fr.om Father Frank A. Pavone, national director of Priests for Life, said consistency demands denunciation of both the killing of abortion providers and the killing of babies.

"The response to today's tragedy should not be to further protect the abortion industry, but to stop all violence, including abortion itself," he said.

American Life League president Judie Turn to Page Seven

society is using "a language of evasion and understatement" to create a culture ofviolence hostile to the family.

He urged world leaders "to reject abortion as a tool of demographic politics" and stressed that the family is a foundation stone of human identity.

He criticized U.S. population policies for treating "the child like a virus and maternity like an illness" and for promoting a "false, cartoon-type freedom which actually enslaves" human beings and makes them tools.

The meeting also included major addresses by Denver Archbishop J. Francis Stafford, Archbishop Ovidio Perez Morales, president of the Venezuelan Bishops Conference, and Bishop Norberto Rivera Carrera of Tehuacan, Mexico, head of the Latin American bishops' family life commission.

Archbishop Stafford, speaking on "the vocation of marriage in God's plan," said that Christian married couples are called "to loving opposition and missionary zeal, opposition to the culture of death, and zeal to spread the truth about the nature of the human person, which is revealed fully in Jesus Christ."

He praised Latin America's bishops for providing "the most articulate and forceful criticism" to date of the upcoming U.N. sponsored Cairo population conference. He said that "no one understands better than the people of t\:le Southern Hemisphere that they are the target, not the beneficiaries of population controL"

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On Repeating a Grade Page 6

Ethics in Genetics Woods Hole Topic Pages 8-9

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5: 1994 Bishop's Night On The Cape 2 Catholic HIV/ AIDS workers discuss ,their ministry \.,:,

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CHICAGO (CNS) - Catholics involved in AIDS ministry won both praise and a challenge from Kristine Gebbie, the nation's first national AIDS policy coordinator, during a conference in Chicago.

They also drew a reminder from a leading spirituality author, Father Henri Nouwen, that AIDS "is not God's punishment, nor God's lesson." He, too, termed dealing with it part of "an enormous challenge" to Christians.

"You have been there with your quiet caring," Ms. Gebbie told the more than 300 participant~ in a Catholic HIV-AIDS Ministrv Conference, held last month at Loyola University. They included Father Jim Krupa, SJ, a faculty member at Bishop Connolly High S(:hool, Fall River, and an advisory committee member and volunteer at the Diocesan Office of HIV / AIDS Ministry.

Ms. Gebbie, a registered nurse, . recently resigned her post, amid some criticism of her performance as the nation's so-called "AIDS czar." She said her plans include_ ' continued invo!vement,in-dea'ling with !'this' epidemic," and challenged her audience to help counteract "a loud, negative, judgmental, exclusionary shout" that comes from what she considers a very narrow segment 'of the U.S. faith community - the religious right.

"That has become the public face of churches and HIV" she said. ' Ms. Gebbie told the conference sponsored by the National Catho~ lic AIDS Network, that she knew that in some religious communities dealing with AIDS-related questions would be difficult; but she urged her hearers to continue regarding people as whole human beings, not symptoms, and to reach ?ut to them. "That's the compell109 Gospel message out of which we operate," she said.

Father Nouwen said during the conference that "the one thing I ~ave learned is that the pandemic IS not God's punishment, nor God's lesson."

The true Christian community must be inclusive, not exclusive. in dealing with such issues, he sa'id.

"This can be an enormous challenge, because it asks me not to judge, not to blame. One thing is clear," he added, "the pandemic has really no longer allowed us to hide our faces from death."

'However, he told conference. participants, "one ofthe great mysteries of the Christian life is we look at a body that is broken and say, 'Here is my hope and salvation.' Jesus says death is not the end, but a beginning. It's not something to be afraid of, but something that opens up a whole new world."

During the conference, participants described the ways AIDS has affected their own lives, many because they themselves live with HIV or AIDS or are involved in various forms of assistance to thoslo: with the disease.

Marianist Father Rodney De~ Martini, executive director of the National Catholic AIDS Network, encouraged participants to share their faith, wisdom and even their anger. "The church, I believe, has to be a safe place to do that," he said. "If it's not safe in our church, where can people be safe?"

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When asked if it were difficult to be Catholic while being involved in AIDS ministry, many conference participants emphatically answered "yes."

"You're always having to explain yourself," said Father Krupa. AIDS ministers often seem suspect not only to the Catholic hierarchy but also to the gay community, he said.

"It's a sense of apologizing· all the time," added Father Dave Caron of the diocese of Springfield, Mass. "You apologize to the church structure for having a different theology. You apologize to family and friends for the church hurting them. You apologize for living the Gospel."

During a workshop, Father David Jaeger ofthe archdiocese of Seattle AIDS ministry office said the problem isn't so .much church teaching, but the way it is presented. While the church teaching on sexuality is clear, Catholics must remember that there is more toa rela~ionship.thari sex; he 'said. _':Sex has become the criterion, and it isn't," he said. "The criterion is love."

Biological colonialism VATICAN CITY (CNS) - The promotion of contraceptives worldwide is a form of "biological colonialism" based on financial interests ?f drug companie,s and political IOterests .of wealthy nations, says ColumbIan Cardinal Alfonso Lopez Trujillo. Conversely, natu~" ral family planning methods receive almost no government or international funding, although they are healthier and respect the nature of sexuality, he said. Unlike contraceptives, natural family planning methods respect the natural functioning of a woman's body and promote communication and cooperation between spouses, the cardinal said at a Vatican press conference.

No obligation There is no obligation to attend Mass on Monday, Aug. 15, the feast of the Assumption of Mary.

In 1992 the U.S. bishops made a decision, later confirmed by the Vatican, to remove the former obligation of Mass attendance on Jan. I, the feast of Mary, MotherofGod,and Nov. I, the feast of All Saints, as well a.s on the feast of the AssumptIOn, whenever those feasts fell on a Saturday or Monday.

Reasons for lifting the obligation included the confusion that often arises when holy days occur back to back with Sunday.

The faithful are nevertheless encouraged to attend Mass on those days, if possible, and pastors are asked to schedule Masses at convenient hours.

111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111I11111111111111111 THE ANCHOR (USPS-545-020), Second Class Poslagc Paid at Fall Rivcr. Mass, Publishcd weekly execpt tbe wcek of July 4 and the wcck afler Christmas at XX7 Highland Avcnuc. Fall Rivcr. Mass. 02720 by thc Cathohe Prcss of thc Diocese of Fall Rivcr. Subscription priec by mail. postpaid $11.00 pcr year. Postmasters scnd address ehangcs to Thc Anchor. P.O, Hox 7. Fall River. MA 02722, .

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. BISHOP SEAN O'Malley greets guests at the 1993 Bishop's Night on Cape Cod. The annual event takes place Tuesday, Aug. 9, from 7 to 9 p.m. at the Tara Cape Codder Hotel. Sponsored by the Diocesan Council of Catholic Women, the evening will include entertainment by the Music Plus Combo, dancing, refreshments ang ~h«;.opporiunity tb meet the bishop. Tickets are avaHable at 'diocesan rectories; and the hotel, is on Route 132, Hyannis, off exit 6 on the Mid-Cape Highway (Route 6). Proceeds benefit diocesan Catholic Charities. (Kearns photo)

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U .8. priest in Philippines rescued ZAMBOANGA CITY, Philip- . headquarters. The Belleville, Ill., pines(CNS) - A kidnapped Amer- priest was wounded in the butican priest wounded as he was tocks and left arm when guerrillas rescued by Filipino Muslim guer- of the mainstream Moro National Liberation Front fired on the van rillas said he thought he would die in a firefight between his rescuers carrying him and his captors after and his Islamic extremist abduc- it tried to ram through a checkpoint. "The thought [of being killed] tors. The military ordered a full alert on Jolo Island and tight crossed my mind. It was always a security around Christian churches possibility. Many people get killed and Muslim mosques'after'Islamic even just crossing the street," the gunmen seized Father Clarence 70-year-old priest said from his Bertelsman July 31 while he was hospital bed in Zamboanga City celebrating Mass inside J 010 police Aug. I.

.A letter from Bishop 0 'Malley July 31, 1994 My dear friends in Christ Last year, the Church' in the United States was honored to welcome P~pe John Paul II during his historic visit to World Youth Day 10 Denver. His Holiness, by word and example challenged the young people and the whole Church to work together to promot.e efforts of freedom, justice, and peace throughout the world firmly rooted in the Gospel of Christ.

Once agai~,1 come to you ~n behalf of Pope ~ohn Paul II for the ann~al Peter s Pence CollectIon which supports the spiritual and chantable works o~ our Holy Father. This collection will be taken up at.all Masses thIS weekend, August 6-7.

T~ls "Year's theme for the collection is "Build Your Lives on Chn~t. It ~rge~ us tQ reach out with the values of Christ to help rebUIld famIly life. Recognizing the great pressures and tensions that threaten many families, particularly in countries torn by war the Holy Father calls for structures to be set up to support familie~ affected ~y devastating misfortunes. The annual collection also ena~les hIm .to extend the Church's pastoral care and concern in the IOt.ernatlOnal community by· providing emergency relief to countnes devastated by natural disasters.

I. am. very much aware of the economic difficulties many are faclOg 10 our area at this time. However, I am also very much awar~ ~f the gene~~us.and faithful hearts of so many of you who ar~ wllhng to sacnflce. 10 order to continue the work of Christ and HIS Ch~rch;. SupportlOg the collection for the works of the Holy Father 10 hiS pastoral care .f~r the. worldwide Church is one very concrete w~y that you partIcIpate 10 the mission of the Church as we, together as one body, reach out to a troubled world.

I am most grateful for any sacrificial gift which comes from your heart.

You are in my prayers as you face the challenges of today's world. May we work together to build our lives on Christ.

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IRVING. Texas(CNS)- Representatives from II Tel(as dioceses recently held an unprecedented gathering to discuss church response to the societal crisis of sexual misconduct.

Among participants were Fall River native Bishop .JO'ieph P. Delaney of Fort Worth and' Bishops Leroy T. Matthiesen of .'\marillo and David E. FellhauerofVictoria.

"The Catholic Churchha:; moved very quickly to publicly detail its response to the issues of sexual misconduct." said Father Kevin McDonough. a main speaker at the workshop cosponsored by the Texas Catholic Conference and the diocese of Fort Worth.

"The fact is. compared to the legal. medical and other professions. we do a better job at keeping ?ur public informed and at providIng care of those who've been hurl' as well as,tho~c who do the hurting;" a'dded Father McDonough, vicar general of the archdiol;ese of St. Paul and Minneapolis.

"We offer a consistent spiritual dimension in the healing thai: other professions don't know how to address but recognize as incredibly important," he added. .Father McDonough said two myths need to be dispelled in order to face realistically the problems surrounding sexual misconduct.

Thefirst myth is that thechurch is not doing enough on child Rbuse.

The second is that the church is doing too much in response 1:0 the sexual exploitation of adults, "I think we need to unden:tand that child abuse is not conn,:cted to celibacy." Father McOon[)ugh said. "It is a problem in our whole society that we have to find ways to address together."

On the other hand. he ao'ded. some people express a certain relief tha.t ift~ei~ pri~st is beingsexllally aC~lve, It IS WIth an adult parishIoner and not with a child. :'It is absolutely wrong for pnests or other church leaders to' use their positions to engag,: in sexual contact with adults:: Father McDonough said. "The fact is :~hat most of the abusing going on is exploitation of adults, not abuse of children."

Father Bob Wilson, chancellor of the diocese of Fort Worth and among workshop organizers, ~aid sexual misconduct in the church has to be addressed as an issue for all church employees, since offer..ses by priests are only a small portion of cases nationwide.

Father Wilson said that before official sexual misconduct policies were implemented in Texas dioceses. allegations of sexual misconduct were handled by top dioeesan officials. Now. dioceses a,re implementing policies that call for outside teams of experts to interview people involved and report back to the bishop, he said.

Handling sexual misconduct allegations well is an important part of church ministry. Father Wilson said. He emphasized the import~nce of training regarding poliCtes. procedures and implementation. both for volunteers who are part of a diocesan response team. and for all church employees. . "We as a church are in a pOSItIOn to make a difference to the whole of society in how we respond," he said.

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Russian archbishop warns of abortion law dangers MOSCOW (CNS) - The head of the Catholic Church in Euro-' pean Russia says the country's abortion law carries "dire consequences" for family life and society in general.

Archbishop Tadeusz Kondrusiewicz, Moscow-based apostolic administrator for European Russia, said defense of life is "one of the most heated and relevant issues" facing Russia.

The pastoral letter, read in R ussia's Catholic parishe:s, was the archbishop's first n'ationwide message since his appointment in April 1991. It was also the first public pro-life appeal to be mounted by any Christian denomination in the country. . "The church, reminding its belIevers of the value and rights of human life, cannot :it the same time ignore the incn:asing violation of these rights., especially through the neglect of God's fifth commandment, 'Do not kill ... A~ch­ bishop Kondrusiewi(:7. sa{d in his letter.

"But the facts are shocking in themselves," he said. "In 1991 for every child born in Russia, there were officially more than two abortions. What is most alarming is that instead of three newborn children, only one is allowed to live.

And this is all happening in the name of convenience and a falsely understood freedom."

He said the "quest for comfort" had led many people to "use the excuse of difficult conditions of contemporary life" to argue for neglecting God's law, especially regarding birth control and protecting unborn children. ' A 1993 report from the British Broadcasting Corp. said up to 4 million abortions are reported annually in Russia. Physicians' earnings from abortions are believed to outstrip their normal salaries.

praye~BOX For the Family

o Jesus, I implore you to grant your special graces to our family. ,May our home be a shrine of peace, purity, love, labor and faith. Protect and bless all of us, absent and present, living and dead. o Mary, loving mother of Jesus, pray to Jesus for our family, for all the families of the world, to guard the cradle of the newborn, the schools of the young and their vo,eations.

Blessed St. Joseph, holy guardian ofJesus and Mary, assist us by your prayers in all necessities of life. Ask of Jesus that special grace. which he granted to you, to watch over our home, so that with Mary and with you, heaven may find our family unbroken in the Sacred Heart of Jesus.

Amen.

THE ANCHOR -

OBITUARY

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Fri., Aug. 5, 1994

LUDOVICO PERELLA has been named principal of St. Francis Xavier School, Acushnet. A teacher and administrator with 30 years of experience, he holds a bachelor's degree from Salem State College, a master's from Boston State and a Certificate of Advanced Graduate Study and a doctorate in administration.

A member of St. Dominic's parish, Warren, RI, he is married and has two children.

Church bombed VATICAN CITY (CNS) - A 13th-century Catholic Church in Budapest, Hungary, was damaged by a bomb blast, Vatican Radio reported. The explosion shortly after 4 a.m. July 23 damaged a side entrance to the gothic St. Matthew's Church, the report said.

Damage was estimated at about $250,000 and Hungarian police are offering a reward for information related to the bombing. Friezes sculpted in stone fell from the building, and several windows that were hundreds of years old broke.

MIAMI (CNS) - People told him it was risky, maybe even crazy, bu~ Father Pat O'Neill proceeded with a dream to build a Catholic law school in the middle ofa scrub pine lot.

The risk paid off. Today, St. Thomas University School of Law in Miami, the only Catholic law school in the Southeast United States, is 10 years old and has a string of important achievements to its credit.

"Ten years ago, we set out to build a flagship school- a Catholic law school which would provide access for minorities, women and students of limited financial means," Father O'Neill, former university president, told The Florida Catholic.

The law school today enrolls more than 450 students and has about a 75 percent rate for passing the bar. The law library houses more than 200,000 volumes and the faculty boasts 26 fulltime and 22 adju'nct professors. . But perhaps wha~ is most signifIcant about the Catholic law school. happens off campus.

Three years ago, the school fou~ded a'program called Legal A~slstance Wednesday involv'ing thIrd-year students in assisting residents of a disadvantaged Dade County neighborhood with civil litigation. Another outreach service of the school is the Krome Detention Immigration Center, where students regularly assist Hait~an detainees in fulfilling legal reqUIrements to obtain residencey or asylum.

When Hurricance Andrew raged through Florida, the school offered free assistance' to its victims by sending out teams of students and faculty to devastated areas of South Dade.

Students also are trained in the App~llate Litigation Cli~ic to represent indigents on appeal for

the Public Defender's Office. The lawyers-to-be gain valuable courtroom experience while helping some of the area's neediest clients.

The law school seeks to bring moral and religious principles to the legal profession, and encourages service and the spread of world peace and justice, according to the school's mission statement.

In its 10 years, the school has ~Iso reached Father O'Neill's origmal goal; nearly four of every 10 students are women or minorities.

Charters class member Mary Anne Lukas said, "We took a chance back then enrolling in a new school. But they also took a chance on some of us.

"The average age of our class was 31, many of us had been out of college for several years, and some , of us could not have gotten into other law schools. St. Thomas gave me the chance to realize my I!felong goal of becoming an attorney."

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Miami law school realizes dream

Aloysius J. Kearns The Mass of Christian Burial was offered yesterday at Holy Name Church, Fall River, for AloysiusJ. Kearns, a pioneer pariShioner and' Anchor advertising coordinator during the newspaper's early years.

He died July 30.

A Fall River native, he was the son of the late James W. Kearns and the late Martha(Solca) Kearns.

From 1941 until his retirement some 10 years ago, he was president and treasurer of the A.J. Kearns AdvertisingCo.,lnc. Prominent in church affairs for many years, he was named' a Knight of St. Gregory in 1959 by Pope John XXlll and was invested in January 1966 as a Knight of Malta by Cardinal Francis Spellman at a ceremony in New York City's St. Patrick's Cathedral. ' In the Fall River'diocese, Mr. Kearns was public relations director for the Catholic Charities Appealformany years and is cre-' dited with initiating the annual Bishop's Ball in 1959. ball has become ~n outstanding winter social event in the diocese.

He served on 'furtdraising committees for several of the diocesan high schools and was a charter member of the Fall River area chapter of Serra International, an organization prom9ting vocations to the religious life. He was a former dIrector of St. Vincent's Youth Treatment Center in Fall River.

A foe of racial prejudice, he received a national citation for a 1948 newspaper advertisement on the subject., Active in civic affairs, he was a director of the Fall River Chamber of Commerce and the Greater Fall River Development Corp., and was 'an advertising counselorfor the fall River Industrial Commission. On the state level, he was a I'obbyist for the Commonwealth in Boston and Washington, DC. ' Mr. Kearns is survived by his wife, Kathleen A. (McGinnis) Kearns, by two daughters, Kathleen A. Humphries of Arlington, Va., and Martha T. Jackson. of New York, N.Y.; two sons, James W. Kearns of Woodland Hiils, Calif., and Michael A. Kearns of East Greenwich, RI a sister, Sister Jessie Kearns, RsM, of St. Pat, rick's Convent, Fall River; seven grandchildren; and nieces and' nephews.

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To Russia with Love

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The old James Bond movie dealt with the· Russia of Marx and Lenin. Today we are dealing with a Russia that did not die under communism but merely bided its time to emerge again on the world stage. The Czar might be dead, but all for which Holy Russia stood is very much alive.

One of our national difficulties, however, is that most Americans still see Russia from the Cold War viewpoint. Our appreciation of Russian history, culture and civilization certainly withered in those dark days.

Of cours~, it is natural that as Russia does emerge from its communist cocoon into lIlewfound freedom, there will be difficulties and fears. For example, we should expect that the Soviet Union fallout will continue for years and will be a constant headache for the world family. The former Soviet republics were ruled by a police state that ignored their nationalistic yearnings and their ethnic differences; and they 'may well find as they deal with a new way of l.ife that the price of freedom can be high.

With controls removed, old hatreds and tensions are bound to surface and the problem will be how to handle them so that we do not have a repetition of what has Deen happening in the old Yugoslavia. Where reason and diplomacy prevail, benefits can be many, as reflected by the Czech and Slovenian republics.

But what had been smothered for 80-some years cannot be . expected to resurface without some difficulties. That is why we should hope that a strong Russia will rise from the ruins of the' USSR. Russia has natural resources beyond imagination, a population willing and eager to work and is, lest we forget, a military superpower. 'But it is also perhaps the most polluted nation in the world. In every way, .it faces a huge cleanup.

The Russians must undertake this task themselves. The 'world family can offer aid and support but it neither can nor should dictate the course of events. The nation is in a state of evolution and one certainly cano'otexpect the Western concept of democracy to take immediate root. There are simply too Kristen Cestodio photo many practical matters to be faced ..

The economy is of prime importance. The Soviets left a . TOMMY REIS OF BERKLEY THOROUGHLY ENJOYS HIS 5TH BIRTHDA Y CELEBRATION crumbling, inefficient and worthless market system. It must be "Let the little children come to me.' ...The kingdom of heaven belong:s reorganized, but this will take time. The Russian people want a free market economy, which eventually can assure a very to them." Lk. 18:16 healthy situation, and those in the West who have benefited from such a system should be ready to' offer guidance lest radical forces once again control the Kremlin.

And we Westerners should also change our fearful and

By Father Kevin J. Harrington There are many ugly facts about is that the Clinton administration suspicious view of Russia-without forgetting its still existing teenage pregnancies. For example, is spending less money than the The Clinton administration's vast military structure. Let us encourage development of a attempt to change public policy in California birth statistics show that previous two administrations on democratic system capable of directing and controlling Ruspromoting sexual abstinence in health care and welfare has unfairly men over 20 years of age father sia's huge domestic arsenal. targeted unwed teenage mothers. babies by highschool girls 2.5 educational programs and spendBut those who assail them indis- times more. often than do high ing more on birth control, condom Above all, we must not forget the Holy Russia of old, a criminately are guilty of further school boys and that adults are' distribution and abortions. If the nation which even today is the cornerstone of the Orthodox responsible for four times more health care package succeeds in victimizing the victim. church; communism could not eradicate the faith of the RusHalf of all children born in the births amongjunior high girls than including abortion, the adminissian people. .

1980s will live with a single mother are junior high boys! 700,000 teen- tration will in effect make every Let us pray that differences between their churches will not before reaching the age of 18. Half age pregnancies occur every year taxpayer an accomplice in killing of these children will be poor. But involving partners 20 to 50 years the unborn. In fact, this aspect of become yet another stumbling block to Russian <,lnd Western to blame single motherhood for all old. The policymakers are aware welfare reform is a thinly veih:d accord. It will,of course, take time to reestablish trust both in of our social ills is morally as well of these statistics but prefer to cast attempt to place a scarlet letter on and outside Russia; but thank God we are taking steps toward a blind eye toward them. It is far unwed mothers who refuse a free as factually wrong. peace rather than annihilation.

Mark Robert Rank, in a mas- more convenient to demonize the "convenience" abortion.

If the health care package th2.t The Editor terpiece entitled, "Living on the young, poor and politically power. the Clintons propose is to be fair, Edge," dispels the myth that only less. it must not make conscientious the urban underclass - the center What a far cry the Clinton adof most public policy debate - ,is ministration is from the days of objectors to abortion help pay for on welfare. His book convincingly the Johnson administration's War the procedu·re. Just as taxpayers asserts that the majority of welfare on Poverty. Poverty rates among can indicate on their tax return recipients do not fit the stereo- the elderly were reduced by two- whether or not they wish to give $:! types oflaziness and apathy. In his thirds from 1967 to 1993. Welfare to the presidential election fund, so those who oppose abortion OFFICIAL NEWSPAPER OF THE DIOCESE OF FALL RIVER analysis there is no division of"us" benefits are much lower in the should have the same freedom of and "them" because welfare recip- United States than in other counPublished weekly by The Catholic Press of the Diocese of Fall River ients actually have much in com- tries, yet single-mother families choice so fervently advocated by 887 Highland Avenue P.O. BOX 7 mon with the so-called middle . are much more common here than the pro-abortion lobby. Perhaps Fall River, MA 02720 Fall River, MA 02722-0007 money that would otherwise fi· class. elsewhere. From 1972 to 1992 wel- nance abortions could go towards The Clinton administration Telephone 508-675-7151 fare benefits in inflation-adjusted tracking down non-resident fathers FAX (508) 675-7048 should be helping us to see beyond dollars declined by 26 percent, and attaching their wages; providbiases and forming policies to Send address changes to P.O. Box 7 or call telephone number above .while the single motherhood rate ing ,subsidized day care to single counteract the forces in our society exploded. To claim that welfare is mothers, thus allowing them to that push so many people to life on . an incentive for teenage pregnancy earn money; and promoting eduEDITOR GENERAL MANAGER the edge. Unfortunately, the adminmakes for good rhetoric but for cational programs that reinforce Rev. John F. Moore Rosemary Dussault istration has only reinforced the very poor policy. ~ leary Press- Fall River self-esteem through self-control negative st~reotypes while doing little to confront the problem.

Another ugly fact often ignored including sexual abstinence!

Don't blame single mothers

the

'Ab'out

Religious reporting topic of forum

the death penalty

CHICAGO(CNS)- Tight deadlines, incompetence, ignorance, and the nature of religion itself contribute to unsatisfactory media coverage of the subject, New York Times reporter Peter Steinfels r.ecently told a Chicago conference.

"When you have to explain that some of these [religious) things take centuries, that has a dampening effect on editors," Steinfels told the Religion and the Media Commonweal Forum, sponsored

by Commonweal magazine and held at Loyola University, Chicago. "The end result of all this is that we don't tell news stories so much as we find ways to retell old stories."

Steinfels, senior religion correspondent for the Times, whose wife, Margaret O'Brien Steinfels, is editor of Commonweal magazine, said that in his experience newspaper editors are not hostile toward religious figures but suspicious that "practices almost always do not live up to the preaching." But more damaging to good reporting is lack of religious expertise, laziness, and inadequate resources at newspapers and television stations, he suggested.

Studies on religious practice by members of the media are inconclusive, he added. One study of major media outlets, including television networks, found that 86 percent of journalists seldom or never attended religious services.

In contrast, another study found ttiat only 4 percent of newspaper religion writers reported seldom or never attending services.

Those who believe newspapers are indifferent to or deride religion are often unable to distinguish between news stories and such expressions of opinion as editorials, Steinfels said.

He conceded that coverage of the so-called religious right and its involvement in politics has been slanted. "We have defined the religious right as a problem instead of in neutral terms," he said. "Even if you do feel threatened by the religious right, there's a truth to what they feel about the country."

During a panel discussion, Carol Marin, a nightly news television co-anchor, said that the media are not monolithic in their approach to religion. She cited a station that aired a nightly five-minute syndicated segment by evangelist Billy Graham.

Don Wycliff, Chicago Tribune editorial page editor, said that some journalists hostile to religion are still in adolescent rebellion at authority figures.

However, he said, the aging of baby boomers has helped change the way the media treat religion.

"There was a time [when) if you were hip and trendy, no one talked about religion. No one went to church," he said.

Daniel Lehmann, a Chicago Sun-Times reporter who formerly covered religion, said that newspapers can provide only a "glimpse of a subject."

"At the end of every story, I wanted to put: 'For more information ....", he said.

Lehmann also said journalists need to be as skeptical of religious figures as of other people.

Later in the program, he engaged in a lively but good natured exchange with Bishop Joseph L. Imesch of Joliet, Ill. Spotting the bishop in the audience, Lehmann

Q. Can you give us the Catholic Church's teaching about the death penalty?

Our discussion group reads that some bishops are against it, but many Catholics say you can believe anything you want.

Is there a doctrine on the subject, or is it open?

Most Catholics WE: know seem to feel some people ought to be killed for crimes they commit.

(Texas) A. There is no dogma of the Catholic faith on this matter, nor should we expect there to be one.

There is no question, however, that the common teaching today of popes, bishops and theologians of all leanings is that the death penalty is wrong and never an appropriate punishment.

One would, 1 think, find few of them in the United States or in most other nations who would defend the execution of criminals.

Bishops of the United States, together and as statt: bishops' conferences, have spoken strongly against killing criminals for any reason.

Most of these statements echo in one way or another the document released early this year by Cardinal John O'Connor, in the name of the New York bishops.

Killing people, regardless of their criminal offenses, is "an affront to the human dignity of both those on whom it is inflicted and those in whose name it is employed;" they said.

I n other words, capital punishment dehumanize's the one being killed and those who do the killing. We need only recall the faces we see on television outside the places of execution - faces contorted in hatred -- to know what they are talking about.

A noted author. recognized as one of the prominent conservative U.S. moral theologians, wrote last year, "It is hardly possible to see how the use of the death penalty can be reconciled with Christian conceptions of human dignity and the sanctity of every human life."

Catholic teaching on this subject, he said, can develop,just as its approval of slavery and of coercing people in matters of religion

Daily Readings Aug. 8: Ez 1:2-5,24-28; Ps 148:1-2,11-14; Mt 17:22-27 Aug. 9: E:z 2:8-3:4; Ps 119: 14,24,72,103,111,131; Mt 18:1-5,10,12-14 Aug. 10: 2 Cor 9:6-10; Ps 112:1-2,5-9; In 12:24-26 Aug. 11: Ez 12:1-12; Ps 78:56-59,61··62; Mt 18:2119:1 Aug. 12: Ez 16:1-15,60, 63 or Ez 16:59-153; Is 12:2-6; Mt 19:3-12 Aug. 13: Ez 18:1-10,13,3032; Ps 51:.12-15,18-19; Mt 19:13-15 Aug. '14: Pry 9:1-6; Ps 34:2-3,10-15; Eph 5:15-20; In 6:51-58

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.

._.. _---- -

By FATHER ,JOHN DIETZEN has changed (Germain Grisez in "The Way of the Lord Jesus," 1993).

The new Catholic catechism points out that the purpose of punishment is to preserve public order and the safety of people. It is not, in other words, to "get even" or take revenge. If that purpose can be served by "bloodless" means, then it should be, since such punishment contributes more to the common good and is "more in conformity to the dignity of the human person" (Nos. 2266, 2261, 2306).

Unfortunately, these clear positions of church officials don't seem to have much influence on the general Catholic population, whose clamor for death and vengeance appears about equal to that of the rest of the American people.

A few brief notes may help explain the growing consensus of religious leaders against the death penalty.

First, there is no indication that the death penalty reduces crime.

The new head of the Federal Bureau of Investigation, a Catholic by the way, said clearly last February that execution of criminals is no deterrent to crime.

Second, the penalty is applied incredibly unevenly, depending on who is the victim and who is the perpetrator. In the last 27 years, nearly one-third of those executed were in your own state of Texas.

Black people are executed far more often than white people convicted of the same crime. And in the last 60 years, though women committed 40 percent of the murders, 99 percent of those executed for this crime were men.

Finally, the growth of the antideath penalty position by the American hierarchy and theologians since the early 1970s coincides almost exactly with the heating up of the abortion struggle.

It is, as our bishops have seen with increasing conviction, part of a consistent ethic of respect for life. Either all life is sacred or none is.

Deliberately taking human lives, young or old, guilty or innocent, is not and will n(lver be a civilized or Christian response to any problem.

A free brochure outlining marriage regulations in the Catholic Church and explaining the promises in an interfaith marriage is available by sending a stamped self-addressed envelope to Father John Dietzen,Holy Trinity Church, 704 N. Main St., Bloomington, III. 61701. Questions for this column should be sent to the same address.

Salvation "The salvation of mankind lies only in making everything the concern of all." - Alexander Solzhenitsyn

---------'----~-----

THE ANCHOR -

Diocese of Fall River -

said half-jokingly that a factor in coverage of religion is the failure of religious leaders to return phone calls. .

Bishop Imesch quickly strode to a microphone and retorted: "One thing I do is return phone calls. If

Fri., Aug. 5, 1994

5

you called me, I called back and you were out."

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Lynn Grisard Fullman, author of "Alabama Miracles: Real Life Stories to Warm the Heart and Lift the Spirit" (Seacoast Publishing, Birmingham, Ala.), says she wrote the book because each 'of these stories had a "power."

All of the tales were told to her

by AI~bamians, and the more she talked to friends and neighbors, the "more convinced I have become that a power beyond our understanding is among us," she writes.

I found many of the 27 stories inspiring. Ms. Fuliman asks, "If there were no such things as mira-c1es, how could these. things have, happened?" I, for .one,?wouldn't presume to fumble around for an .answer.

Certainly, none of us ,has all the 'data about creation and how,it all, operates.. The' best thing .to (jo ,is say thanks to God who set everything we h'avein motio,n.

My favori'testory in'the book is "The Daisies:", A woman named Barbara dies and her friend, Haven, is troubled. They had had a disagreement; and Haven never had

the chance to tell Barbara she was ANTOINETTE sorry.

One day Haven began to pour out herregrets to Barbara, asking BOS,CO for her understanding - and for a sign that Barbara has forgiven her.

The next morning, in the middle of Haven's lawn, there stood a I recall a day when I wan 15, and foot-high clump of daisies. Daisies had been Barbara's favorite flowe'rs.

I was shopping with my mother. I Haven knew then that Barbara suddenly envisioned a picture of the Sacred Heart. had heard and that all was well.

Then I found myself running for How could it have happened?

Who really knows? For, me, it's about a block. I stopped in front of enough to accept it for what it a religious goods store, arid there , in the window was the pic':ure. appears fo be.

I gave a deposit on the picture Oth~r stories in this book are equally unexplainable. As the and within a mon'th, I earned the rest of the money to buy it. Today ,author puts it: "Who hollered someone's, name just in time to it hangs on'my bedroom wall.

I can't explain how I saw the divert disaster? How could a child be pulled' '--- by an unseen stranger picture before I came upon the - from.'the depths ofa swimming, store, but I have never seen 2,nother pool ...? What power could' make a ' like it, and I know it was m~ant to ' be mine. ' woman walk again fifter years' in a (I would love to hear st6ries of wheelchair?" ' , My guess is that most of us this kind from my readers, t,) share could relate a tale that is some- , with others through this column. what miraculous if' we thought Contact meat 23 Stony Hill Road, Brookfield, CT 06804.) about it.'

On re'peating a grade

were excellent after that, but the Dear Mary: Your column on frustration had been eliminated, " whether a child should repeat a grade reminded me of our own and our son felt go~d about school.

MASSACRE SURVIVORS and other, street kids mark experience. We moved when our Not everything was rosy. There the first anniversary of the killing of eight minors in Rio de sons were 7 and 5, After one year were times we had to deal with: Janeiro, Brazil. the banner reads: "Street kids - victims of in public school, we enrolled them "How could you do this to me? in our parish school, Don't you love me? I didn't flunk, destiny or of savage capitalismT' (eNSj Reuters photo) Our older, son, then in third so why?" " ' grade, h,adtrouble from the start.

I'm certain that between the He did not know cursive writing, school's support and our attitude and he was behind in other subjects. at home our son was able to come My son and I did many hours of ' to terms with being held back, church roles, we now have approxBy Father Eugene Hemricl{, homework each night. He did not Now'IS, he has a positive attitude' imately 10,000 ordained permanThe archdiocese of Chicago's fail any subjects, but he w·as basiabout what we did. ent deacons in the United States presbyteral council has approved cally a C student.

The only thing I would add a measure paving the way for lay -a non-existant role prior to 1971.

From the struggles we had to Interestingly e'nough, when Chipeople to take charge of the daykeep that C average, I was con- would be to include prayer in your to-day operations of some par- cago was considering lay people vinced there would be further frus- decision-making process. - Illinois ishes. The measure awaited ap- who might run parishes, there was ,trations and eventually failure.

Thank you for sharing your proval by Cardinal Joseph Bernar- concern that they not represent We had a decision to make: family's experience. solely a white and European heritdin's cabinet.

Have our son repeat third grade?, ..

You acted when your child was If approved, pastoral coordina- age,'but that they include AfricanLet him go on to fourth and try to still young. You and your husband tors would run a parish that lacks Americans, Hispanics and Asians. provide tutorial help? .. Just. let talked together, defined the probGreater awareness of our cultura resident priest as pastor. things go and hope for the best? lem and identified your concerns.

Just north of Chicago, Archbi- al diversity is among the signs of We decided to have our son y'ou recognized that a child does shop Rembert Weakland named a change in the church. It's enough repeat third grade. The school not have to flunk to benefit from laywoman as chancellor of the to make me say, "Don't blink the faculty and staff were supportive. retention.

Milwaukee archdiocese. Here is a next time you pass your parish. If Our son did not flunk. Faculty and You wisely called a meeting role that in the past was filled only you do, it may not be quite the staff let it be known, that if any between parents, teacher and prinby priests known for their talents same when you refocus your eyes." child made fun of him, the princicipaL You combined your ideas Church buildings themselves a~e and diplomacy. pal would step in and "set these and input to gather as much, inIt is becoming common for undergoing radical 'changes. No formation as possible. . children right." women to fulfill roles that at one longer do we build gothic or You emphasized the positive The next year we barely had to time were reserved to priests. A romanesque structures intended to do homework, while his grades aspects of the decision to your son. religious sister is an associate last forever. The buildings' are were excellent. Not all report cards You enlisted and received the plainer, with about a 75- to 100general secretary of the National Conference of Catholic Bishops. year life span.

A good way to interpret changes The National Catholic Educational in the church is to reflect on these Associat,ion's president is a nun.

Someone recently asked why a pork and beans with a rock. Add , Girls and women now have offi- architectural changes. New Catholic newspaper would run one to this the meditative mood created cial approval to serve at the altar if church'es in America reflect much the local bishop approves. Of more greatly the 'nation's heritage, 'of my observations on camping"":: while eating it with a stick straight specifically the scientific method froin the blackened can. course, women are servi'ng as lec- emphasizing light and space, and for establishing nicknames for par'Candidly, I have created and tors at Mass, extraordinary minis- pro·viding a good place for people ' ticularpieces of camping gear. even 'publicly proClaimed" some of ter's of the Eu~harist, parish coun'" to mingle.

Structurally these buildings are' "What' has this to do with the ·my most heartfelt and sin'cere cil members and ministers to the not meant to stand forever, and Roman Catholi'c Church: mucp prayers a·nd p·eiitions to the alsick. '.. ' less religion in ge'neral or even the mighty while camping.' , Many training centers have been thus they witness to a willingness ' , As 'a matter 9f fact, I drew a established to preRare'lay p'eople to serve and then to'move on, leav; 'spirituaTIjre?:' ~ was asked.

"Hah!~' faithful readers would' quite a crqwd at Camp Burned for such roles. The Chicago arch- ing the next generation fre'e to give" 'exclaim, realizirig that the core of Ba.con a couple summers ago while diocese put millions behind a'iay the church its personal touch.

In so many ways~ it appears that the ca'mping'experience is spiritual. exhorting my 6 h.p. outboard to ministry center which serves its Few other activities can provide 'start: It did. And while the official own laity and those in surround- we' are liVing' in, an age when the' ,church's real direction is toward you an unsullied view of creation's church has not 'recognized this as a ing dioceses.

Illinois Benedictine College, west new flexibility. Efforts to bridge majestic. mountains and streams, miracle, there are many' at Camp for example, with no background of Chicago, offers trai,!ing for pa,r- the gap between cultural groups, Burne'd Bacon who know 'in their noise except clfirpingchildren, bab- heart of hearts it was. ' ochial school teachers - U.S. Cath·· laity and clergy; men and women bling bathers and the putta-chunk Now, now, 'I know my friend olic grade schools now have 100,400 ate all signs of these times.

The emphasis is not so much on of,a 'nearby motor home's 4KW would object again: He'd claim lay teachers, compared with 10,681 generator. . that expressing frustration under sisters - as well as MBA courses the monumental and the select, but on the value of inviting each Forthetrulyadventuresome back- the veil of oeseeching the divine is for church administrators.

In addition to women religious, person to participate, with a per· packer there's the, mystical expe- a charlatan's tactic. He's right. rience of beating open a can of Ye~, campers take heart. Think of lay women and men taking on new sonal touch, in the church's life.

.w_-,JJl~9)IN

,Signs of the times

By Dr,JAMES& MARY KENNY

support of the school in facing any problems.

You seel11ed to take in stride any negative remarks that your son maqe. Children get frustrated just as adults do. At some point your child would have criticized your decision whatever it had been.

Finally, your experience .illustrates that, when repeating a grade is the right solution the effect can often be seen quickly and dramati· cally. The second year is much better than the previous year.

When repeating a grade does not bring such satisfactory res lilts, it is unwise to repeat yet again. The second retention will probably not improve things, and the child will then be significantly older thar.: his or her classmates.

Reader questions on family living and child care to be answered in print are invited by The Kennys; 219 W. Harrison; Rensselaer, Ind. 47978.

The spirituality of camping

By DAN MORRIS

all the charlatans like u's Jesus came to save.

Besides, anyone who has caught a'two-p'ound rainbow using bacon rind for bait' celebrates the livir.,g G'od in a special way. The last time I managed this 'feat (OK, the only 'time), I said to fellow fisherpersons: "How did I do it? I'm Roman Catholic. God answers prayenl.

Pass it on."

Right?

"The right to do something does not mean that doing it is right."-, William Safire

THE ANCHOR ---.:. Diocese of Fall River -

DIOCESAN PRIESTS 1987 1992

Consecration Dear Editor: St. Maximilian Mary Kolbe, whose feastday is Aug. 14, was greatly devoted to th{~ Immaculate Virgin, "Mamusia," as he affectionately called her.

He shared in his writings the efficacy of consecrating ourselves to Mary Immaculate in order to win victory over Satan. He stated how modern times would be dominated by him and the Mother of God requires our cooperation.

He says that the soul that dedicates itself to the Immaculate will not be harmed in any way a'nd if it happens to fall it will easily rise.

He tells us never to be afraid to love the Immaculate too much because we could never equal the love Jesus has for her and imitation of him is our sanctification.

Prayer of Consecration (repeat daily) Dearest Mary our Mother, we consecrate ourselves to your Immaculate Heart. We are all yours and everything WI: have is yours.

Keep us under your mantle of mercy. Protect us as your children.

Lead all our souls safely to Jesus in heaven. Purify aH that we give to you and take it to Jesus that he may use it to help save the world and souls. Amen.

Mrs. Jean Quinn South Dartmouth

Busy Vincentians Dear Editor: The Taunton District Council St. Vincent de Paul Society is looking forward to an even busier year than the last.

At the Ozanam Supper in April we began the new season with Top Hat Awards being presented to Msgr. ThomasJ. Harrington, Melvin Lewis, Joseph Castro, Richard Vincent, George Milot, and Thomas A. Souza.

Then began the signing up of boys and girls for summer camp, which is now in progress. Continuing is the heavy activity of dispensing clothing, furniture and appliances to the needy who appear weekly for assistance. This is a non-stop activity rain or shine, snow or otherwise, getting larger each week.

The Taunton Vincentians take great pride in their activities and it shows by our community's response when we are in need of assistance.

In fact, the St. Vincent de Paul were active in raising funds for the Kiddies' Day fireworks display by standing at traffic intersections with police and fin~men from morning to night and collecting over $22,000.

On we march to make this year even more productive for the needy and unfortunate.

Tom Souza First vice president and Secretary Taunton District St. Vincent de Paul Society

RELIGIOUS-ORDER PRIESTS 1987 1992

147,962 144,770

PERMANENT DEACONS 1987 1992

14,650 19,395

Source: SlaUsUcal YlIarbook 01 the Church 1992

=1994 CNS Graphics

Killings mock message Continued from Page One Brown said killing suspect Hill "is a creation of the tabloid talk-show media. He is not a leader in the pro-life movement."

The death of anyone diminishes each person's sacred role in life, said Mrs. Brown in a statement. "I pray for all those who have been affected by this ttagic loss of life.

We are called to convert abortionists and their accomplices, not kill them."

"The urgency of the pro-life message can only be advanced through prayer, education and peaceful protest," said Benedictine Father Matthew Habinger, president of Human Life International.

"We cannot trade evil for evil. Just as those people had no right to kill any of the millions of unborn children who are executed in their mother's wombs every year, the person who shot them had no right to take their lives away. Adding to the body count won't make it go away."

A spokeswoman for Americans United for Life said anyone who fails the criteria of compassion and nonviolence is not pro-life.

At a Washington press conference, Myrna Gutierrez said the "real face of ~he pro-life movement" is found among those providing care for women, working the legislatures, lobbying Congress and battling in the courts to make abortion less a part of American life.

The National Right to Life Committee issued a statement that said it "is false and offensive to suggest, as some pro-abortion groups have done, that speaking in favor of the right to life somehow causes violence. Such a suggestion is like blaming the civil rights movement - and all those who courageously spoke in favor of the rights of African-Americans - for the riots or deaths that were a part of that era."

The co-chairman of the House Pro-Life Caucus, Rep. Christopher H. Smith, R-N.J., called the shooting "a sickening tragedy." He also objected to news reports describing Hill as a "pro-life activist."

"N 0 one who destroys innocent human life -I- through abortion or any other means - can be called pro-life. It is a contradiction in terms." Smith said.

11111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111

1987. Very Rev. Roger L. Gagne, Past.or, St. Mark, Attleboro Falls

Aug. 6 1961, Rev. Joseph P. Lyons, Pastor, St. Joseph, Fall River Aug. 7 1986, Rev. John F. Hogan, Pastor. St. Julil~ Billiart, North Dartmouth

254,281 259,866

Aug. 8 1880, Rev. William Brie. Founder, St. Joseph, Fall River Aug. 12 1974, Rev. Victor O. Masse, M.S., Retired Pastor, St. Anthony, New Bedford

On Aug. I, Justice Department spokesman Carl Stern said U.S. marshals had been assigned to some abortion clinics after the shooting and a fire at a Falls Church, Va., abortion clinic the same night. The Commonwealth Women's Clinic was burned at its rear entrances by a fire late the night of July 29.

The Falls Church clinic reopened the next day.

Secretariat head WASHINGTON (CNS) - Father James J. Ronan, a priest of the Boston archdiocese, has been appointed executive director of the U.S. bishops' Secretariat for the Church in Latin America effective Sept. 19. He will succeed fellow Boston archdiocesan priest Father George Emerson, who will , return home for a pastoral assign-

Fri., Aug. 5, 1994

7

ment after five years heading the secretariat. The secretariat promotes and administers the annual collection that provides financial support for pastoral programs of the church in Latin America. Father Ronan, ordained in 1982, served six years in Latin America as a member of the Missionary Society of St. James the Apostle, which recruits diocesan priests for that purpose.

d- La Salette

Center for Christian Living

RIT

Attleboro, MA 02703-5195

Aug. 12·14

LETIING GO: THE SPIRITUALITY OF MEISTER ECKHART Presenter: Dr. James Finley

Aug. 20·26

GUIDED RETREAT Director: Fr. Donald Paradis, MS

Sept. 16-18

THE LA SALETIE MESSAGE FOR TODAY Presenters: Fr. Fem Cassista, MS; Fr. Normand Theroux, MS

Sept. 23·25

·COURAGE TO CHANGE" Presenter: Gloria Jane Legere

Sept. 30·0ct. 2 HEALING RETREAT Presenter: Elizabeth Lawrence For more information, please call or write Retreat Secretary 508-222-8530

Catholic Child Sponsorship . For Just $10 a Month Your opportunity to help one very poor child is much too important to miss. And Christian Foundation for Chilo dren and Aging is the only catholic child sponsorship program working in the twenty-two desperately poor countries we serve.

For as little as $10 monthly, you can help a poor child at a Catholic mission site receive nourishing food, medical care, the chance to go to school and hope for a brighter future. You can literally change a life.

Through CFCA you can sponsor a child with the amount you can afford. Ordinarily it takes $20 per month to provide one of our children with the life changing bene!its of sponsorship. But if this is not possible for you, we Invite you to do what you can. CFCA will see to it from other donations and the tireless efforts of our missionaries that your child receives the same benefits as other sponsored children.

And you can be assured your donations are being mag· nified and are having their greatest impact because our programs are directed by deqicated Catholic missionaries with a long standing commitment to the people they serve.

Little Conchita lives in a small village in the mountains of Guatemala. Her house is made of cornstalks, with a tin roof and dirt floor. Her father struggles to support the family as a day laborer.

Your concern can make the difference in the lives of children like Conchita.

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Religion, science, education intersect in Woods HoI

I

Annual lecture explores ethics in genetics

By Marcie Hickey "Wisdom lies where the truths of religion and science conjoin."

Mission Statement, NCCB Committee on Science and Human Values, January 1994

In the age-old quest to reconcile science and religion, reason andjaith, professionals and pastors in the scientific vi/rage of Woods Hole have long recognized the path to wisdom lies in constructive dialogue between the dis<;iplines.

In 1988, that aspiration was formalized with the establish-, ment of the Woods Hole Convivium, comprised ofleaders in the scientific, educational and religious institutions of Cape Cod and the Islands. ' With the intent o/researching, Father Joseph D. Cassidy, OP, debating and clar(fl'ing the impact Ph D, associate professor of huand ethical aspects of develop- manities and b'iological sciences at ments in science and technology, Providence College, a founding the group meets periodical(I' and member of the Woods Hole Conorganizes task forces, discussions vivium and a member o[the M BL and an annual lectureship, held at corporation for 30 years. Among the Marin.e Biological Laboratory other' clergy in attendance were in Woods Hole. The Convivillm Father William Norton o[ St. also records some of its programs Joseph s parish, Woods Hole; and [or distribution to universities, Father Joseph Maguire o[ St. seminaries and educational tele- Elizabeth and Sacred Heari -parishes on Marthas Vineyard. vision.

The annual Conklin-Scott- Lillie M BL Founders Lectureship on Dr. German, about to speak on ethics in science honors earll' M BL the history of and current develfigures Edwin Conklin, ~n emopments in human genetic research, bryologist; Sister of Charity Florrests on the podium a lecture prop: ence Scott; and president and dia glittering bowling-ball-sized rector Frank Lillie and his w([e sphere he calls his "crystal ball."

Frances. Mrs. Lillie, a Catholic The field of human genetics, he convert, donated the well-known asserts, is becoming more and more bell tower to St. Joseph:~ parish in a "crystal ball" in which researchers Woods Hole in 1929 and later can "foresee the future" of a initiated the parish s Mary Gardell. gamete, embryo or newborn carryThe couple spent summers in the ing particular genes. townfrom 1894 until their deathiJ', In the broader view, as the field his in 1947 and hers in 1958. of human genetics "comes of age," The Convivium s purpose is epi路 said moderator Father Cassidy, a tomized in a 1934 statement o[ new set of ethical issues opens up Conklin's that in "the substantiv~' as the human being "is no longer collaboration of science, religion frowned upon as the subject of and education. .. is the hope of thl' serious research." [uture. " Dr. German's topic, "Human Founders Lectureship topics Cytogenetics," the study of hum'an have included "Character and Vir路 chromosomes and their abnormaltue in Scient(fic Research,~'" Pro- ities, was illustrated with slides fessional Codes and Ethical Prin- that gave the audience a glimpse ciples in the Sciences" and, this not only into science laboratories year, "Human 'Cytogenetics: The of the past and present but into the Field That Has Come of Age. " laboratory of the living cell, where Held last month, the lecture was chromosomes are the keepers of dedicated to renowned French the genetic code. geneticist Dr. Jerome Lejeune, disDr. Lejeune, quoted 'by Father coverer of the cause of Down s Cassidy, called chromosomes "the syndrome and steadfast pro-/(fe tablets of the law of life... What is advocate. He died in April, just a bewildering is the minuteness of month after Pope John Paul II the scripture... the路 whole ,genetic had, named him president of the information necessary and suffinew Pont([ical Academyfor L([e, cient to build our' body and even established to promote the church s our brain, the most powetrul probmessage on the dignity of human lem-solving device, even able to I([e i!1 the medical and scient(fic analyze the laws of the universe, communities. ', could, be epitomized' so that its" Presentirzg the memorial lecture materia\'sybstratum could fit neatly was Dr. Lejeunes colleague and on the p'oint of a needle." [riend Dr. James German, direcThe specter of Nazi eugenics 'tor of the Laboratorl' of-Humaw efforts stigmatized' emerging re-'" 'Gen'etics at the New' York Blood search in human genetics in the Center. Also, with his w([e Mar19~Osand '50s, and it was Lejeune's garet, a parttime Woods Hole res- ., '1959 discovery that Down's syniderit,heisaffiliatedwiththeMBL drol)1e is' c,aused by an extra as a'l. independent investigator and chromosome lthat gave "a shot in librqry reader. the arm" to the field so that it "has Lecture respondents were Rev.' neVer lagged slhce," said Dr. GerWilliam Spurrier, pastor ofthe, man., Episcopal Church of the Mess(ah '. The ability to "map" the locain Jfoods Hole, and a professor of tion of genes responsible for vartheology and ethics at Wesleyan ious traits can reap enormous beneUniversity in Middletown~ CT,for fi~s for humanity, but ethical ques35 years; and Bishop William B. tionsarise with the reality of genetic Friend of Shreveport, LA., chair- defects causing conditions ranging man ofthe National Conference of from Down's syndrome to a preCatholic Bishops' Committee on disposition for cancer.

Science and Human Values.

While nature eliminates many Moderating the discussion was l:mbryos with severe genetic ab-

VIEW FROM THE MBL: ST, JOSEPH'S BELL TOWER It was the hope of Frances Lillie that the scientists of Woods Hole, in particular those of the Marine Biological Laboratory, would hear the tower's bells and reflect on the <;reator of the life whose mysteries they sought to understand. She wrote: "The Church is very old and she moves cautiously as one bearing a precious burden, but she is unafraid because her infallibility is promised by her founder ...

Science, in a certain sense, is also infallible. The faith of scientists is that our minds do not in the end deceive us, though as individuals deficient in discipline, we may and do err.

"Art, religion, science, all the various activities man has engaged in for his solace and enlightenment should not fear each other but endeavor to understand each other .and to cooperate in th~. darkness and mystery that sometimes seem .t~ 'overwhelm us in this strange w'orld."

From St. }oseph's Church, Woods Hole, Massachusetts, a History, 1882-1982, by Jane A. McLaughlin

normalities, others survive, said Dr. German, noting that "one in 150 newborns has a chromosomal abnormality" and "I in 50 has some developmental defect."

While Dr. Lejeune championed the care of and compassion for those afflicted, with genetic disease, there are those who would "tighten the surveillance already provided by nature to make possible as normal a child as possible, to prevent the birth of achild who can never be normal and would be considered a burden to society," said Dr. German. : . Use of technology for prenatal diagnosis of diseases that cannot at present be remedied is just one ethical concern in the human genetics field. Others outlined by Dr. German and respond~nts Bishop Friend and Rev. Spurrier follow: The., Moral Framework: The' 'ov:erarching question deals With the moral code to be observed in genetic and any.other scientific research.

Whose value system is to determine how'and.'to;what degree we interfere with the h}lma!1 ge.nome?

"Who would control genesr' asked Rev.' Spurrier;. "Who! defines the quality of lifer' ' .

Bishop Friend' noted that standards must be dev.eloped for acquisition of knowledge ' - ensuring informed consent and legal' regulation of human experimentation; and for moral use' of that knowledge - with, for example, applications in fetal tissue experimentation, reproductive technologies and gene therapy.

Also a factor is the personal prudent, wise and just use of our morality of the researcher. genetic endowment. .. is a human Father Cassidy noted that prerights issue requiring society's provious Founders Lectureship pretection of individual rights and senter Dr. Edmund Pellegrino asdignity." serted that "it is the character of Genetic Engineering: The pmthe investigator that determines sibility remains of efforts to elimithe moral quality ofresearch." nate "undesirable" genes, with the Father Cassidy added, "Day question of who decides what genl~ after day, Congress and the reis so undesirable that a child carrysearch-supporting public ask, can ing it should not be born, or all scientists (not science) be trusted adult carrying it should not be any longer to govern themselves? permitted to pass it on. Also, when ... Many wonder about the sciendoes genetic intervention cross the' tific community's ability to mainline from therapy to manipulation~' tain standards of truth and accuracy."

Role of Pastors , The NCCB science and human Issues more specific to the field values committee notes that the of genetics include: Genetic counseling and testing: church must understand and respond to "scientific humanism" Bishop Friend cited the need for quality control and credentialed and present Catholic moral values as a framework for social int.erpreprofessional~ in these ,areas and for controlling access to and use of tation of issues arising from science information obtained thr~ugh test- ,and technology.

While the race to do something ing. , first or to do something siinply , "How will the privacy of patients because it can be done can someand the, confidentiality. of their medical information be protec.ted','. times override mO'ral consideraso that it does not result ingenetic tions in scientific research, Bishop Friend sees the scientific commundiscrimination, he asked. , He also noled the need for ap- .. ity acknowledging the need' for moral accountability as the public propriate education and counseling of individuals concl;rning g~颅 increasingly demands it and fund. ing depends upon it. netic testing, respecting the wishes of those who want to, know their , "The scientific community is regenetic status but also those who :alizing it's not working in a vacuum anymore," he said. don't.

Religious leaders are thus seen Individuals have the right, he added, to make decisions based on as having an invaluable role in their genetic information "based offering moral/ethical guidance for on one's own values and without scientific research and applications. coercion from others."

Added Father Cassidy, "The Turn to Page Ni!1e

THE ANCHOR -

Diocese of Fall River -

Fri., Aug. 5, 1994

FRANCISCAN FRIARS MASS AND DEVOTIONS to

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GEORGIA MARTYRS: Artist Marjorie Lawrence created this sculpture mural of five Franciscan Missionaries killed off the Georgia coast in 1597. It hangs in St. Williams Church on St. Simons Island. (eNS photo)

Cause of Georgia martyrs moves forward SAVANNAH, Ga. (CNS) Research shows that ChristianNearly 400 years after five Fran- ity brought by the missionaries ciscan friars were martyred on the had taken hold in the larger Indian barrier islands off the coast of community but that a group of Georgia, people are starting to rebellious Indians did not want to talk about what the men mean for give up their practice of polygamy, Catholic life today. according to F. Lamar Pearson, a During a recent public session Valdosta State University proat St. Williams Church on St. fessor.

Simons Island in the Savannah Pearson said he ~as "grown diocese, men and women discussed spiritually" from his years of studythe cause for their canonization. ing the lives of the five friars Fathers Pedro de Corpa, BIas de Called the Georgia martyrs, the Rodriguez, Miguel de Anon and friars were missionaries from Spain Francisco de Berascola'and Brother killed by a small band of Guale Indians in 1597£01' their defense of . Antonio de Badajoz.. .the Christian belief of Ithe sanctity "The Franciscan Missions of of marriage.

Coastal Georgia" by Gillian Brown

says the missionaries converted many Guales to Christianity.

When a chiefs son, Juanillo, married a second wife and refused to give her up, Father de Corpa prevented him from becoming chief.

Angered by the decision, Juanillo assembled a group of Indians who killed the priest with a stone hatchet. After his death, they killed the other four.

Last year, the narrative of theological accounts of the martyrs required for the cause was approved by diocesan canonists and was to be forwarded to the Vatican Congregation for Sainthood Causes.

Religion, science, education intersect tary to that of physicians and counselors as they offer "loving presence and theological support," said the bishop. "In cases where blame, guilt and anger prevail, pastors are able to help in the process of reconciliation, mediation and hope. Prayer, sacraments and rituals are very effective in these and other experiences of healing."

Furthermore, pastors can make referrals to appropriate agencies and support groups and foster educational endeavors and dialogue between scientists, practitioners, counselors and families to "help build realistic expectations of science and medicine."

Parents cannot "expect their offspring [to] be genetically pei-fect in every case, to be ftee of defects, and demand that medicine guarantee such an o~tcome," said Bishop Friend.

"Religiously," ~e concluded, "people can be educated to be aware of the grace and mystery of creation."

Realm of Mystery Up close, a viewerspots a "catch" in Dr. German's crystal ball. There is nothing magical i~side the sphere, no set of ready answers; its surface is instead a mirror of its surroundings. As such it is a reminder that when searching for answers . scientific or religious - in. the realm of mystery, much depends on the perception~of the searcher.'

Dr. German noted that while" for him the "intricate system" which governs the "stuff of life" bespeaks the awesomeness of the intelligence behind it, others look , . at the same evidence and see not the hand 'of God but cosmic happenstance. .

Said Bishop Friend, "I return to Dr. Pellegrino's point that the researcher and clinician is called...to the prudent, wise and just use of knowledge about the human eNS ph010 chromosome complement, and its genetic endowment. It is his / her BISHOP FRIEND

Continued from Page Eight Pastors can evaluate "the var·ious voices of our day.. .in light of the divine word, so that revealed truth can be increasingly appropriated, better understood and more suitably expn:ssed," said Bishop Friend.

Without faith, added Rev. Spurrier, science is "just a parade of facts. If we are seeking absolute certainty in discussing emotional questions, we are going to run into trouble" if we rely on science alone.

"Imagination is part of the glory of science," and faith 'opens up "a wider vision," he said.

On the personal and community level, Bishop Friend continued, pastors have a role in helping people come to terms with difficulties such as genetic problem~.

"We are often with people as they struggle to make decisions of major import," he said. "The norm given for our activities is that whatever we do be in accord with God's design and will be for the benefit of the human race."

Pastors' role can be complemen-

integrity and ethical conduct that will come into the foreground in the public forum of our nation when certain undesirable or questionable outcomes beceme obvious. If one is not guided by a belief in God, one still is guided [by] the human rights issues and [by] the professional trust of beneficence."

In a pluralistic society, "no one vision of the moral life can unify the vast differences among the many moral traditions that coexist. At best we can search together for better approaches to ethical problems," he added. "In this effort we serve good medicine and research, and we serve humankind."

As Rev. Spurrier put it succinctly: "We do need each other, both scientist and theologian.. .long live our pursuit for the quality of life."

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THE ANCHOR:-Diocese of Fall River-Fri., Aug. 5, 1994

"The domestic church"

By Mitch Finley Father Richard McBrien, theology professor at the University of Notre Dame, is one of our most prominent Catholic theologians.

He is also the author of "Catholicism" - just out in a new, revised edition'-- a reference work for all, not just academics.

This book is designed, Father McBrien writes, to "mediate between the past and the present, and between different approaches within the chuch." It is written not only about Catholicism, he says, "but in the spirit of Catholicism as well, i.e., of openness to all truth wherever it is found and of all legitimate interpretations thereof' a notion straight from St. Thomas Aquinas.

In its earlier editions "Catholicism" sold over 150,000 copies and had a widespread impact as a trustworthy resource. This new edition promises to be equally influential, perhaps more so. One section, in particular, caught my attention.

Earlier editions took no ac:count of the Second Vatican Council's teaching that the family i~ "the domestic church." In this new edition, however, we find the following words: "The church comes into being at various levels of Christian community. The family is its most basic level. Indeed, the family has been called 'the domestic church."

Father McBrien provides references to a few ofthe official church documents which support this insight, then quotes Pope Paul VI, "This means that there should be found in' every Christian family the various aspects of the entire church."

It is highly significant that the new edition of "Catholicism" includes such a strong affirmation of the insight that the family - not the parish - is the church's "most

basic level." This is yet another sign that gradually, step by step, the importance of this insight is having an impact on the church as a whole.

Fifteen years ago people in family ministry were almost the only ones who took this idea seriously.

Today it surfaces among various professional groups within the church: religious educators, liturgists, musicians, social concerns advocates and those dedicated to evangelism. We still have a long way to go, however.

If the family - in its various forms - is the church's bottom line, that should make a big difference in how parish priests and other parish ministers understand their roles, but all too often this is not so.

In most cases, parish ministries - from liturgy to religious education, from finances to youth ministry - continue to function as if the parish is the most basic level of church life. But this is not so.

Family relationship networks are the church's bottom line. Therefore, if the parish is to be strong and healthy it must focus its resources on the nourishment, support and celebration of family life in all its forms. If parish ministers cling to the status quo, they shoot themselves - and the parish as a whole - directly in the foot on a daily basis.

It is not easy to leave the status quo behind, but that is what this new vision of parish'life demands of us. .

Pope John Paul 11, on one of his visits to the United States, put it even more' point-blank than Father McBrien does. Families, the pope said, "form the very substance of parish life."

The church exists first of all in family life, and it's about time we started acting like it.

FUN AFLOAT: Aaron Fields and Nathan Deien of Breese, Ill., paddle their canoe backward in a race at Camp Ondessonk in southern Illinois. Operated by the diocese of Belleville, the camp hosted 372 youths on a Catholic retreat this summer. (CNS photo)

Can alcoholism be inherited?

By Mick Conway Family history is an important part of all our I,ives. Our family is whowewere,whoweareandwho we may become as time goes on.

Thus, if there is a history of alcoholism in your family, it would be . wise to take note of it.

There are many components in families. Our genetic makeup is primary to our identity as individuals in our family. So are the interactions among family members. Relationships ~ith parents, grandparents, brothers, sisters and extended family members have an impact in our lives.

Some families have a high incidence of cancer. Other families may have a strong history of cardiovascular disease, diabetes or mental.il1ness.

Medical research has identified alcoholism as having a genetic association in some families. Medical research now recognizes a predisposition to the disease of alcoholism. This knowledge can be both good news and bad news for families with a history of alcoholism.

The good news is that if we are forewarned we are forearmed.

Knowing ahead of time that alcoholism is or was present in a family should provide a strong deterrent for family members who drink.

However, just because there is alcoholism in the family does not mean that all family members are doomed to become alcoholics.

What it does mean is that in such instances if one chooses to drink, there is a considerable risk factor for developing this disease.

Research shows that if one parent is alcoholic, there is a 50 percent chance that the children may develop the disease. If both parents are alcoholic, the chances rise to about 90 percent.

The medical evidence of these statistics provides reason to believe that genetics plays a large part in determining the risk factor in alcoholism.

There are many cases of alcoholics who have no history of alcoholism in their families.

Whether it be the frequency of drinking or the amount consumed over time, alcoholism can develop in such cases.

There is also the argument that alcoholism is a learned behavior.

For example, if heavy drinking is

accepted in the hom.e, children may grow up to repeat the pattern.

The same can be said for other patterns, such as dome!:tic violence or abusive behaviors.

In homes where alcohol is used occasionally in moderation, children may learn that dri nking is an adult activity that requires caution. If parents present a responsible attitude toward akohol consumption, chances are good that their children will do tbe same.

Real trouble usually develops in homes where alcohol is strictly forbidden. When drinking is considered evil or sinful, not acceptable under any circumstances, even among adults, children often react negatively.

Rigidity or inflexibility in any form is likely to cause trouble, but when alcohol is involved the results are predictable. It's like twitching the tiger's tail - you know it's dangerous but you're ben't on doing it anyway.

The bottom line seems to be respect. Respect for our genetic heritage. Respect for personal responsibility. Respect for relational behaviors. Respect for our role in society. It's a tough assignment.

Th'e youth we don't hear about

By Father Eugene Hemrick H is research includes essays Often we're presented a grim written by African-Americans and Hispanics who live in ghettos. picture of youth. Virtually every day we hear of youths arrested for "They reveal a concerned youth who is very much aware of his or drug trafficking or violent acts.

Much of the music young people her being black or brown and how enjoy irks many others in society. society sometimes writes them off."

"Most of all," says Younise, Then there are, the youth gangs, "the essays reveal young people pictured as tough and anti-social.

But some of those studying youth trying to sort it out and work tell us that their research is yield- toward a bright future. They are ing a more uplifting picture. intelligent persons asking some Peter Zollo, president of Teen- very serious and good questions." age Research Unlimited, says there In further conversation, Youhas been a dramatic shift from niss told me that the real youth of 1980 to 1990 among youth. They this country - not the ones porare less materialistic and more trayed in the media - give us globally concerned, he says. They ml,lch to be proud of. put less emphasis on money as an Now, most of us know at least integral part of future success. some youths who have been nothing They are much more interested in . but trouble. But if we took a helping people. deeper look at our. youth populaJames Youniss at The Catholic tion as a whole, we would find that University of America in Wash~ young people are very inspiring. ington, D.C., is finding that drug Why is this happening now? use among youth has decreased.

Many more young people than in First, we could be seeing a backthe past have jobs and want to help iash. When you see a number of people'. " people your own age waste their'

lives, it has a shocking effect and makes you want to'avoid whatever got hold of them.

Second, we could be witnessing the impact of efforts to alert youth to the risks they will encounter. I am always amazed how the campaign against smoking has c:hanged things. I think also of the influence of efforts to increase respect for the environment.

Third, youth could be experiencing the power of global consciousness. When they tell '~s how interested they are in helping others, it could well be because of news reports on starving peoples, genocide and corrupt governments.

No doubt there are many other reasons for these recent findings on youth. We all ought to participate in this research, however, asking young people with noble goals why they think the way they do.

I think we will find that youth are handling our shifting times much better than we thought.

----------...;.....----------------Adult incontinence is condition that must be confronted

By Monica and Bill Dodds The prime-time television advertising is there because the market for the product is there, and manufacturers know it. The commercials feature a girl-next-door movie actress.

She's talking frankly about adult diapers, but even so the subject of incontinence remains taboo in many families. Even so, too often a senior citizen believes he or she is the only one who suffers with this difficult condition.

But incontinence is more common than the general population realizes. And no matter what form it takes, it can be extremely embarrassing for an aging parent.

We're all taught from an early age that only very small children "have accidents." The major st!'=p of going from diapers to "big girl" or "big boy" underpants is met with applause.

The reverse step - 60, 70 or 80 years later - of returning to diapers is met with silence.

The parent may begin to isolate him- or herself, staying at home because it seems too risky to venture out.

Too risky to go to Sunday Mass.

Too risky to take a bus.

Too risky to enter someone else's home.

Too risky to admit the problem because maybe, just maybe, this will be the final straw, the one that leads to a nursing home.

Even if an aging parent doesn't say there is a problem, an adult child can watch for signs that something is wrong. Maybe your dad is remaining at home all the time now and his excuses just don't make sense.

Maybe Mom and Dad have moved to separate beds. Maybe there is an odor in the house that wasn't there in the past, an odor to which the person with incontinence has become accustomed.

Confronting the issue is not easy, but it needs to be done. The most criticalstep an adult child needs to

take is making sure Mom or Dad is seen by a doctor. There could be a physiological reason that eould be serious or as relatively minor as a bladder infection.

There could be a medical reason, a change in a parent's medication or dosage that is causir..g or could stop the problem.

There are theories that sometimes incontinence is diet-related or brought on by allergies.

There may be a solution. There may not. In either case, whitl: an aging parent is dealing with inc:ontinence, he or she needs to watch how much liquid is taken latl~ in the day.

It's also a good idea to make sure the path to the bathroom is clear or to keep a commode near the bed.

When there is an accident, an adult child lias to take care that Mom or Dad's embarrassment is kept to a minimum and that a parent's needs aren't met with finl!erpointing, or hurtful jokes, but with efficiency, and love.

,

"

Crunching the numbers

The Anchor Friday, Aug. 5, 1994

11 MRS head to work at Oxford

for parishes, schools WASHINGTON (CNS) - Researcher Joseph C. Harris has announced a new study to analyze how the nation's Catholic parishes and schools collect and spend about $12 billion each year.

The Lilly Endowml:nt has awarded a $61,070 grant for the study.

It is to be conducted under auspices of the Life Cycle Institute of The Catholic University of America in Washington, with three Catholic University researcher as project advisers.

Harris, a Seattle research consultant, is to carry out the research and write the report. In 1992 he did a national study of 1991 Catholic parish collection data, and he has written on various ot her aspects of parish and school finances.

The new study will: - Replicate and eX,pand on the 1992 research, also funded by Lilly, ofcontributions per Catholic household in 278 parishes from 40 states around the country.

- Analyze financial operating statements of each of the 278 parishes, employing a standardized accounting system all use, in order to compare data and assess their fiscal condition.

- Study the income and expenditure structures of Catholic elementary and secondary schools, using data collected by the National Catholic Educational Association.

The 1992 study analyzed 1991 contributions and giving patterns of nearly 330,000 Catholic households, as reported in the records of the 278 parishes studied. The new one will study 1993 contributions in the same parish(:s, again using parish records.

The separate studies two years apart will provide soma indication of how Catholic parish giving may be changing and will set a stronger database for use in future studies on long-term patt(:rns and trends in Catholic giving.

Dean Hoge, a Catholic University sociologist and adviser to the project who has done extensive research on U.S. Catholic life, said use of congregational records for national data on religious giving is commonamongnon-Catholicdenominations but "unique on the Catholic scene."

He and Harris said past national studies on Catholic giving have

Holy Cross Brothers ,elect, appoint to provincial council Newly elected and/or appointed provincial council members of the Eastern Province of Brothers' of the Congregation of Holy Cross are Brothers John McGovern, vicar provincial; Stephen LaMendola, councilor; Mark Knightly, secretary; p'etei- Martin, councilor financial services; John Thornton and Paul Bednarczyk, councilors. , At the provincial council meeting where the elections and appointments took place, it was also announced that five Rwandan Holy Cross brothers had perished during the conflict in Rwanda. Eleven others had survived massacres, with 10 believed to be in refugee camps in Zaire and one at a community formation house in Nairobi, Kenya.

In the Fall River diocese, Holy Cross brothers. serve at Stonehill College, North Easton.

been based on results of surveys in which Catholics were asked to tell a survey-taker how much they give each Sunday. The study on 1991 giving was the first to use Catholic parish contribution records as the basis for a national study.

Harris said. his 1992 research' showed that in 1991 the average amount of recorded parish contributions that could be traced to the household giving them 'was $280.15 per household or $5)8 per Sunday. When anonymous cash contributions in the Sunday collection were also added, the .average per registered household .increased to $301.19 or $5.79 per Sunday.

He estimated that Catholic parishes nationwide receivedjust under $5.5 billion a year f~om Sunday collections. They got about $1. 5 billion more from other parish fundraising and program income, he said.

According to NCEA data, about $3.7 billion is being spent on Catholic elementary schools across the country this year and $2.6 billion on Catholic high schools, for a combined total of $6.3 billion.

Harris found that parishes without schools reported an average of 670 registered households and an average collection income of $185,636 a year.

The typical parish with a school, he said, was nearly twice as large and had more than twice as much collection income. The average school parish in the study had 1,318 registered households and a collection income of $446,257.

The average household in a parish with a school put $338.59 a year into Sunday collections, while the average contribution per household in a nonschool parish was $277.07.

New national shrine LEWISTON, N.Y. (CNS) The Shrine Basilica of Our Lady of Fatima in Lewiston, in the diocese of Buffalo, has been designated a national shrine.

The designation was announced

by Archbishop James P. Keleher of Kansas City, Kan., chairman of the U.S. bishops' Ad Hoc Committee on Shrines.

The shrine is run by the Barnabite Fathers, who came to North America in the early 1950s looking for a location that would attract vocations from both the United States and Canada.

Lay people in western New York who helped the Barnabites also brought with them their concerns about the message of Our Lady of Fatima and desired a shrine devoted to her. Work on the domed church began in 1963 and was completed in 1965.

Barnabite Father Julio Ciavaglia, a native of Niagara Falls and one of the first Barnabite vocations from the area, directs the shrine. He also designs and engineers the enormous Festival of Lights. ce,1ebration on the shrine grounds at Christmas.

The shrine. gives support to charitable work in the area, including the Catholic Worker of Niagara Falls, which provides essential needs to the poor, abuse victims and at-risk youth; AIDS Family Services in Buffalo, a pastoral care service directed by Eudist Father Robert Perelli; and St. Luke's Project in Buffalo, an outreach program to center-city poor.

HELPING HANDS: Mother Teresa and another member of her Missionaries of Charity order assist a mentally ill woman who was recently released from a 20-year jail term and is one of 28 such women the Missionaries have accepted into their hostels. In India the mentally ill are ignored by the rest of society. (CNS/ Reuters photo)

Vatican paper says declining births reflect anti-life mentality V ATICAN CITY (CNS) Italy's declining population is the result of a selfish, anti-life mentality, said an editorial in L'Osservatore Romano, the Vatican newspaper.

This mentality opposes "the joy of birth" and has its origins in the same mindset that favors abortion and divorce, said the editorial.

Rather than seeing a child as a "joy for the future," couples regard children as cutting into "the comfortableness of the present," it said.

The aim is to leave undisturbed "our frenzied and drily programmed present," said the editorial.

The recent editorial commented on government figures showing that deaths outstripped births in Italy by 5,265 in 1993. It was the first time this has happened in 75 years, according to Istat, government statistical agency.

In 1992, births outnumbered deaths by 19,000.

The 1993 drop is coupled with a steady slip in birthrates since 1970, giving Italy a declining population. At current rates Italy would have a population of 53 million in 2025. The 1992 population was 56.8 million.

Birthrates have dropped from 2.43 children per woman in 1970 to 1.21 in 1993, the lowest in Europe and believed to be the lowest in the world. Almost 98 percent of Italy's population professes Catholicism.

Italian Bishop Alessandro Mag-

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giolini of Como also expressed worry over the declining birthrates.

Italian society is marked by "a fear of tomorrow," he said.

"Often people say, 'Why give birth to another unhappy person?''' he said.

WASHINGTON (CNS) - Jesuit Father Richard Ryscavage, head of the U.S. bishops' Migration and Refugee Services will resign in September to become the first recipient of the Arrupe Tutorship in Refugee Studies at Oxford University, England.

The position, sponsored by the Refugee Studies Program and Campion House at Oxford and by Jesuit Refugee Service, which has an office at Oxford, is named for the late Father Pedro Arrupe, superior general of the Jesuits from 1965 until 1983.

Father Ryscavage said the tutorship would give him time to write, do some public speaking and expand on his interests in international refugee work, particularly conflict resolution.

His time at MRS has been "a breathless existence," he said, with much travel, the need to oversee staff in offices across the country and abroad and a constant flow of new and changing issues in migra路tion and immigration.

Father Ryscavage has been executive director of MRS and president of the USCC's Catholic Legal Immigration Network Inc. Since 1991. His replacement will be John Swenson, who has been MRS associate director since September 1993.

Previously he was deputy executive director of Catholic Relief Services.

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LENDER

12

Commandments outline life in Chri:st

THE ANCHOR-Diocese of Fall River-Fri., Aug. 5, 1994

Commandments: Part Three of Catechism ~

In Part 3, the new "Catechi.sm of the Catholic Church" lists the 10 Commandments.

Here is the list: 1. I am the Lord your God: you shall not have strange

gods before me.

2. You shall not take the name of the Lord your God in vain.

3. Remember to keep holy the Lord's day.

4. Honor your father and your mother.

5. You shall not kill.

6. You shall not commit adultery.

7. You shall not steal.

8. You shall not beur false witness against your neighbor.

9. You shall not covet your neighbor's wife.

10. You shall not covet your neighbor's goods.

Q 1994 eNS Graphics

About kind actions The fourth and last article in a Think how the blessings we have suminer series on kindntlss by received from so many kind peoFather Pierre E. Lachance, OP; ple, beginning with our parents, superior of the Dominican com- have' a 10ng~lasting influence! In munity at St. Anne's Church, Fall turn, we can do good to others. It River. often costs little effort to do much Kindness might seem to be a good, and when it does cost, how "weak" virtue, as opposed to the rewarding the sacrifice!

The opportunities for doing good· strong ones, like courage, generosity, self-control. Kindness speaks abound. Even when we are ill in of gentleness, humility, and other bed, we can show kindness to the doctors, nurses, relatives who s'erve such virtues that make little impact us by expressing love and apprecion our rugged world. Or so it seems. ation, and, of cou.rse, patience. Let us not complain needlessly. What But that is not so. There is great edification we can give by being power in kindness: power to influgood patients! ence people l!-nd transform lives.

There is a'special way of showKind. thoughts have the power to ing kindness when people comfashion and perhaps reform our character; kind words have the pliment us. \Vhen someone begins to thank or praise' us, playfully power ~o influence others for good. stop him or her/if you can do so Wha~ are kind deeds? They ingraciously. However, some people clude good manners, courtesy, the need .to express their feelings.' In care not to offend, and a willingthat case, accept their' kindness ness to help. Think of cou~tesy on the roa.d, giving motorists a chance with simplicity. Simply refer all . to change lanes. We show kind- good things to God" their source. ness by being on time for work, for A word about kindness in accepting help or a gift. "One of our great 'appointments, by being patient modern vices is to feel disgraced when we wait in line. We. show by any need for help, to feel we kindness by practidhg the works must be able to pay in some immeof mercy Jesus speaks of: giving diate and concrete way for everyalms to. the poor, like food or clothing. Such an attitude is obviously thing or visiting the sick.

It is customary in certain coma barrier to the free flow of the . munities for neighbors to volun-· warmth of mutual charity. It is teer services when sickness or death ultimately a form of selfishness to comes to a family. There are counttry to seize every opportunity of less ways of helping people. Love serving Christ in our neighbor, is ever attentive to anticipate our . and yet to refuse to others the neighbor's wishes. "Do unto othsame opportunity. St. Thomas says ers as you would like them to do that it is an act of charity to receive unto you." That's kindness in charity." (Mary Perkins) action.

Father Frederick Faber believes Let me share a beautiful stol·y. that "kind suffering is a form of Some boys were taunting a poor kind action with peculiar rules of barefoot lad one day by making 'its own. If all kindness needs grace, fun of his faith. They said, "If God kind suffering· needs it a hundredreally loves you, why doesn't he fold. With kind and unobtrusive take better care of you? Why doesn't sweetness, the sufferer makes us he tell someone to send you a pair feel as if he were ministering to us of shoes?" The lad seemed puzzled rather than we to him. To wait on for a moment, then, with tears in him is a privilege rather than a his eyes, he replied, "I think he task. His getltleness makes us gendoes tell somebody, but they're tle. What is more beautiful than not listening." It's a matter of liHconsideration for 'others when we tening with our heart, and acting. ourselves are in pain? Kind sufferTo better appreciate the imporing makes us look habitually at what others feel of our crosses tance of kind actions, we might rather than at what we feel of them consider the blessings we have ourst:!ves." received from kind deeds done to Kindness bringsjoy in the midst us and how we might do similar of suffering. good for others.

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WASHINGTON (CNS) -"Life in Christ" is the title under which the new "Catechism of the Catholic Church" treats morality.

The 816-page catechism is divided into four parts, the third of which discusses morality.

Use of "Life in Christ" as the title for Part 3 signals that· whenever Christians approach moral questions, their first rule is discipleship, leading a life "worthy of the Gospel of Christ."

"Incorporated into Christ by baptism, Christians are 'dead to sin and alive to God in Christ Jesus' and so participate in the life ofthe risen Lord," says the introduction to Part 3.

It says the church's catechesis or teaching on moral life is far more than a list of do's and don'ts.

Rather, it includes a catechesis of: - The Holy Spirit.

- Grace.

- The beatitudes.

- Sin and forgiveness.

- The human virtues.

- The Christian virtues offaith, hope and charity.

- The twofold commandment of charity set forth in the Decalogue.

- The church as the community within which Christian life grows, develops and is communicated.

Part 3 has two sections. The first is a 77-page overview of the basis'. of Christian morality, titled "Man's Vocation: Life in the Spirit." The second is a liS-page survey of moral law and church teaching on specific moral issues, built around the 10 Commandments.

The first section is further divided into three chapters: The first, "The Dignity of the

Readers who' recall traditional Human Person,"treats the human catechetical formulas' used to desbeing created in the image and likeness of God, the Christian vo- cribe duties and prohibitions in cation to beatitude, human freethe Ten Commandmems may find dom, the morality of human acts, , some interesting differences in the new catechism's treatment of the the morality of the passions, moral conscience, the virtues and sin. same topics.

For example, where the Balti- The second, "The Human more Cateshism described the third Community," treats the person in commandment as forbidding "all society, participation in social life unnecessary servile wor;( on Sunand social justice.

The explicit integration of the day," the new catechism places the social dimensions of moral respon- law in the context of its 'purposes: sibility into the text of the cate- "On Sundays and other holy days of obligation, the faithful are to chism, reflecting a century of derefrain from engaging in work or velopment in church social teachactivities that hinder thf: worship ing, was widely welcomed.

- The third chapter, "God's owed to God, the joy proper to the Lord's Day, the performance of Salvation: Law and Grace," treats the moral law, grace and justifica- works of mercy and the appropriate relaxation of mind and body." tion and the church as mother and It goes on to say, "Family needs teacher of moral life.

Only after framing Christian or important social servic,e can legitimately excuse from th,e obligamoral life in terms of human dignity, human community and life in tion of Sunday rest. The faithful Christ does the catechism address should see to it that legitimate specific moral responsibilities in excuses do not lead to habits preterms of the 10 Commandments. judicial to religion, family life and The second section of Part 3 health." covers each of the 10 commandIt precedes its comments on ments after first placing the disSunday rest with a discussion of cussion in the framework of the the creation accounts in Scripture two great commandments to love and a commentary on why ChrisGod and neighbor. tians look to God, who n:sted on Some theologians nave said there the seventh day, as a modd for"a are "new sins" in the catechism, rhythm of work and rest" in human such as its condemnation' of the life. production of "human embryos It also discusses Christ's stateintended for exploitation as disment, "The sabbath was made for posable biological material." man, not man for the sabbath," as If there are new acts of evil, "the authentic and authoritative there are also new acts of good. interpretation" of the law of the For example, when certain condisabbath. tions are met, "organ transplants "The sabbath brings everyday conform with the moral law and work to a halt and provides a rescan be meritorious.... The free gift pite," it says... It is a day of 'protest of organs after death is legitimate against the servitude of work and and can be meritorious." the worshil? of money."

.Desire for baby CASTEL GANDOLFO, Italy (CNS) - A couple's desire to have a child is not a right to bear one by any means; 'Pope John Paul II said. ' Pretending that such a' right existed··..would mean 'treating a child as if it were a thing," he said last Sunday during his midday Angelus address' ~t his summer residence. " Because human beings'have both a body and a soul, babies are not only the creation of their parents, . but of God, he said and respect for their uniqueness arid their identity as persons means respecting their right "to be born from an act of true love according to normal biological processes,"

doe~n't

0 K use of any means,

Children born as a result of artifidal insemination, in vitro fertilization and surrogate motherhood are denied that right, he said.

The papal comments came the day after news reports ,about an English woman who had triplets, although three-and-a-half years separated the birth of the first two from the third. The three were conceived at the same time, using the woman's eggs and her husband's sperm, blH only two of the eggs were immediately implanted in her womb, The third was kept frozen until the couple decided they were ready for another child.

While not specifically mentioning the English case, the pope said science and medical technology

have "an obligation to support the natural generative processes, not the task of artificially substituting for them."

The' pope said c(>liple's,who desire children but are unable to have them without relying on means which separate their conception from marital intercourse should look to adoption.

He prayed that parents would be strengthened to desire and al;cept their children with great re!;pect for their individual personalities.

"May unconditional love for every human being be the force which inspires the building of a civilization worthy of that name," he added.

Converts flog'ged for leaving Islam for Catholicism ,

ROME (CNS) - 'Four members of a Sudanese clan that converted to Catholicism in the early 1970s were arrested in mid-July and charged with apostasy for renouncing their Muslim faith, ac'cording to the Comboni Missionanes.

Two were sentenced to flogging and one of them received 100 lashes.

The head of the clan - an extended family numbering nearly 100 people - was arrested July 14, tried four days later and found guilty, said a July 28 press release from the Comboni headquarters in Rome. .

The clan chief, Abdalla Yusif, 65, was sentenced to 100 lashes, but the flogging was stopped when he collapsed after the fourth stroke.

Another member of the clan, 43-year-old Mahanna Muhammad,

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received the full 100 iashes: the Comboni statement said. The other two men arrested with Yusif and Muhammad were scheduled for another trial and released.

Also July 18, three men in their 20s and a 35-year-old woman, all members of the clan, were also detained.

The Comboni Missionaries said that Yusif told a parish priest in the early 1970s that he had a

vision, and he and his clan wanted to become Catholic.

Archbishop Agostino Baroni of Khartoum, a Comboni who is now retired, received them into the Catholic Church "after having consulted the government authorities, who asserted that they were free to choose their religion," the statement said.

The Comboni Missionaries said members of the clan were forced to leave their Muslim village after converting. They now live in Wad Medani, near Khartoum.

Yusifs house was raided by security forces July 14, the Combonis said, and Bibles and baptismal certificates were confiscated.

Sudan, an officially Muslim nation, has been embroiled in civil war si nce the government adopt<:d Shariah, the Islamic law, as the basis for its national law.

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fteering pOintl PUBLICITY CHAIRMEN are asked to submit news lIoms for this column to The Anchor, P.O. Box 7, Fall River, 02722. Name of city 01 town should be Included, as well as full dates of all acllvIlles. Please send news of future rather than past events.

Due to IImlled space and also because notices of strlclly parish affaIrs normally appear In a parish's own bullelln, we are forced to limit Items to events of general Interest. Also, we do not normally carry nollces of lundralslng acllvltles, which may be advertised at our regular rates, obtainable from The Anchor buslnflss offlce,telephone (508) 675-7151.

On SteerIng Points lIems, FR IndIcates Fall River; NB IndIcates New Bedford.

O.L. CAPE, BREWSTER Vincentians' Harvest Sunday Aug. 7; pantry needs canned fruit, pancake mix, detergents and soap.

ST. FRANCIS XAVmR, HYANNIS Afternoon of Recollection for Women 3 to 5 p.m. Aug. 8; confessions 2:30-3 and at 5 with an Opus Dei priest. All area women welcome.

ST. THOMAS MORE, SOMERSET Food donations for Fall River Community Soup Kitchen will be accepted this weekend.

ST. JULIE BILLIART, N. DARTMOUTH Rosary for intentions of families and children is prayed 6:30 p.m. each Tuesday.

ST. MARY, N. ATTLEBORO No healing service or Thursday prayer meetings in August. Next Sunday healing service will be 2:30 p. m. Sept. II; prayer meetings resume 7 p.m. Sept. 8.

LaSALETTE SHRINE, ATTLEBORO Hispanic Pilgrimage Day 2 p.m.

Sunday led by Father Leo Maxfield, MS, of Shrine staff. Program includes prayer, procession, music and liturgy.

Father Benito. Lage)s, a native of Argentina serving in the diocesan Hispanic Apostolat1c, will be main celebrant and homilist for the Mass.

SACRED HEART" N. ATTLEBORO Parish picnic 12:30to 5 p.m. Aug. 14, Camp Ker Anna; sign up on church bUlletin boards.

SEPARATED/DIVORCED CATHOLICS, NB Support group meeting 7 t09 p.m.

Aug. 10, Family Life Center, 500 Slocum Rd., N. Dartmouth. Sister Jane Hogan will speak on "Relationships Are My Teachers."

CHRIST THE KING, MASHPEE Catholic Women's Club will tour homes of the rich and famous of Cape Cod with buses leaving parish parking lot between 9:30 a.m. and 2 p. m. Aug. 17. Reservation deadline: Aug. 15. Information: 477-7710.

SECULAR FRANCISCANS St. Francis of Peace Fraternity monthly meeting 2 p.m. Aug. 14, Holy Trinity Church, W. Harwich.

Father Cornelius Kelly, OFM, will celebrate Mass and speak on "St. Clare: Advocate of the Gospel Life."

Refreshments follow. Rosary recited 1:30 p.m. for end to abortion. Inquiries welcome. Information: Dorothy Williams, 394-4094.

STONEHILL COLLEGE Office of Continuing Education open house 11:30 a.m. to I p.m.

Aug. 16, Martin Institute. Administrators will be available to answer questions concerning degree, certificate, credit and noncr~dit programs; financial aid; career services and student life. Information: 230-1470.

CORRECTION The healing service with Fathers Tom de Lorenzo and John Cappucci announced in Steering Points for July 29 listed an incorrect tiine and date. The service will take place from 7 to 10 p.m., Wednes~ay, Aug. 10, at Cape Cod Melody Tent, Hyannis, with music by Rainbow Connection. Free admission: all welcome. Further information: 428-9456; 432-4435 TAUNTONSTATEHOS~TAL

For new crafts program, donations of colored yarn ribbons, material scraps, old nylons, fiberfill material and old TV Guides are sought. Information: Sanford R. Epstein, 824-7551 or 727-7978 ext.

127.

INTERFAITH COUNCIL, GREATER FR Ecumenical service with theme "Let Freedom Ring" 9 a.m. Aug. 14 in memorial room on USS Massachusetts at Battleship Cove. Participants will be Rev. Richard Beaulieu of Notre Dame de Lourdes Church, Andre Rebello of Espirito Santo Church, Cantor Richard Wolberg of Temple Beth-EI, 'Rev. Fuad Bahnan of Calvary United Presbyterian Church and Richard Shore, pianist, along with members ofthe Interfaith Council.

CONCERT WITH SPIRIT: The Rhode Island inspirational music group Spirit, best known for coffee house performances, will be featured in tomorrow's installment of the LaSalette Shrine Summer Concerts Series in Attleboro. The performance begins at 6:30, rain or shine. Group members are Ai me Brissette, Robert Brissette, and Paulette and Don Larence. Information: 222-5410.

CLASS OF '46: The first graduating class of Our Lady o'f Mt. Carmel School, New Bedford, held a 48th reunion last month with Mass at Our Lady of Mt. Carmel Church followed by dinner at the Seaport Restaurant, Fairhaven.

Reunited were: (front row) Louis Dumont, class president (left) and Sylvester Luce; (second row, from left) Mary (Pimentel) Gauthier, Mary (Britto) Homen, Mary Theresa (Silvia) Vermette, Sister Dorothy Costa, SSD, Mary de Lourdes (Melo) da Costa, Lillian (Cordeiro) Pereira and Mary (Amorin) Melo.

(Third row, from left) Philomena (Santos) Sbardella, Theresa (Correia) Ferreira, Natalie (Simmons) Kent, Elizabeth (Vieira) Pedras, Theresa (Ervoes) Fernandes, Edith (Rego) Nickell, Mary (Cordeiro) Sylvia and Urania (Pimentel) Reska.

Community life needed by religious, says Vatican VATICAN CITY (CNS) - Despite busy schedules and demands for their services, religious men and women must keep room in their lives for community prayer and activity, said a new Vatican document.

Members of religious orders, no matter what their specific ministry or tasks, are first of all called "to become brothers and sisters in a given community where all are called to live together," said the document.

"Fraternal Life in Community," written by the Congregation for Institutes of Consecrated Life and Societies of Apostolic Life, says the various types of religious communities, their size and the activity of their members require a variety of styles of common life.

But it said that a religious man or woman living alone must be an extremely rare exception, and it warned that many religious have become so busy in their ministry that they have neglected the community life essential to their identity as religious. .

"The tendency, in some institutes, to emphasize mission over community and to favor diversity over unity has had a profound impact on fraternal life in common, to the point that this has become, at times, almost an option rather than an integral part of religious life," it said.

Even the positive motives of wanting to serve the church and alleviate the suffering of the poor have led some religious men and women to be so busy that they have little time for prayer, communication and relaxation within their community, the document said.

The congregation also warned against overreliance on television as the only form of common recreation in Ii community.

The document said too much

television blocks real communication and the growth of relationships within communities.

"A truly fniternal community," the document said, is one in which: - "Each member has a sense of responsibility for the faithfulness of the others; - "Each one contributes to a serene climate of sharing life, pf understanding and of mutual help; - "Each is attentive to the moments offatigue, suffering, isolation or lack of motivation in others; - "Each offers support to those who are saddened by difficulties and trials."

Such a community requires hard work on the part of each member, especially when people of different ages, cultures, education, experience and temperament are living together, the document said.

"We stay together in community not because we have chosen one another, but because we have been chosen by the Lord," it said.

The document praised the efforts religious orders have made since Vatican II to renew theircommun-

ity life in such a way that the spiritual growth, talents and dignity of each member are encouraged and respected.

But many religious have been infected by individualism, it said, resulting in "the absolute priority of one's personal aspirations and one's individual path, regardless of others."

Religious cannot be content to be "consumers ofcommunity;" they must be builders of the common life they are called to, which shows the world the degree of love and communion possible among followers of Christ, it said.

While greater participation in decision-making can lead to a greater feeling of shared responsibility for community life, it said, some congragations have gone so far as to lose sight of the need for authority and obedience in their common life.

Religious communities must be places where peace reigns and where members show real pleasure in being together, it said.

"J oy is a splendid testimony to the evangelical quality of a religious community," it said.

Scholar honored BALTIMORE (CNS) - Sulpician Father Raymond E. Brown has been named a corresponding fellow of the British Academy, the highest scholarly distinction bestowed by the academy on nonresidents of the United Kingdom.

The honor was announced by his Baltimore-based order.

Father Brown, who is Auburn distinguished professor of biblical studies at Union Theological Seminary in New York, was recognized for his scholarship in biblical and theological studies. The British Academy has as its members outstanding scholars in a wide number of academic fields.

An instructor at Union Theological Seminary for 20 years, Father Brown recently received national attention in publications s'uch as Newsweek magazine and The New York Times for his twovolume book, "The Death of the Messiah." He also was awarded an honorary doctorate by the U niversity of San Francisco in May.

Degree's valuable A high school graduate can expect to earn around $820 thousand during his earning lifetime, while those with a professional degree, such as in medicine or law, can expect over $3 million.

", .'Te-e"ii" atch'er" sets" sight's'"

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on'1996 Olympics

TAKING ~ BOW: Tom McGarry aims,t~earna spot on the (Breen photo) , ' ,

WASHINGTON (CNS) -- Despite stt;reoty'pes, of, materialistic teenagers 'hanging around shopping malIs or fixated by t,elevision, most Americans ~ged 12 through' 17 perform weekly volunteer activities, according toa new n~tional sJudy, ' '" ' " , Moreover: the active teen vol~n­ teer is most likely a member 9(,a church or 'synagogue acting under, its auspices, according to the I&-, page report by Independent Sector, a coalitio!1 of.s<;>me 80f)charitable, educational and rdated organizations, inCluding: t~e U:S. Catholi~ Conference ~nd ,th~ JIlational Catholic Eoucati(;>naIAsso-, ciation.' , ' I ndepend~nt Secto:r' rep<;>rted tha't its'information on'teenage volunteerism' came from two sur7 vey's "co:no'uc(~d by The Gallup Organization' Inc, and fi~m a n<;l-, tional workshop~conference. , According to the report, "A,merica's Teenagers as Volunteers," 61 percent o'f young people 'aged 12 through 1,7 volunteere~ ~n aV,erag<: of 3 hours,and·.I2 minutt;s per week. The volunteers served 'as the, equivalent of'nearly I million employees and produced work valued, at $7 billion, the,report said, , Many of 'the young volunteers 'were'1inked to religious organil.ations. "The active teen volunteer is more likely to belong to a church' or synagogue and volunteer there," , stated the report, written by retired

u.s. Olympic. ar<:hery team.,' '

Independent Sector executive ,vice presid,ent E. B.K,nauft. "Such vol" unteeringcovers a, wide ,scope of activities, and the data show that over 40, percent of church-related activities reach out to the larger community and to nonmemh,ers in, many ways, distinct ,fr9m ,the sacramental or educational activities of the church or synagogue.:; " 'Youth - and adults - ,who volunteer in ~eligious,groups also are likely to volu,nteer in other St;ttings as, well, the report a~ded. ~ According to the rep'ort: - "74 percent of a'lI teens re7' ported, being' me.mbers· of a ~e1ig­ ious,institution, and 67 per~ent of them were volunt\:ers; this compares with 42,p\:rc\:nt voluntee'rs among those who were 110t church OJ synagogl,le meml?,ers. ',' _ .- "Tht;re w~re 7.0:pen.;en,t volun- . t\:er's among the,teens who ~ttended weekly religious services, compared, to 63 percent Yolunt,eers among thQ~e .~ho attended once. or twice ,a month a~d 48pen;ent.. fo~ those }Vho attended only a, few times, a year.'~ " , , Religious affiliation plays. a' stroQg role in rounding up volunteers,according to the study. "T.he organizati,ons m.ost frequently a~­ tracting or recruiting volunteers , are th\: church or synagogue, mentioned 62 percent of the ti.me; the school, 34 percent; and other charitable or voluntary organizations, 23 percent," the, repo~tsaid. '

High school graduates com- McGarry feels that whether he monly reflect in their yearbooks makes Team USA or not, the that they aspire to someday achieve experience will be invaluable, their dreams and ambitions.

"Archery depends on how you're Tom McGarry, iljuniorat Coyle- shooting on a given day. An archer Cassidy High School, Taunton, is, could get hot on the day of the already welIon his way to achiev- competition and earn a spot on the ing his aims. team. That's what I hope happens .. The 16-year-old fr«;>m West to me."

Bridgewater is a nationalIy~rec-Papia almost earned a ,position ognizedarcher who placed third in on the U.S. archery team in 1992 the Boys Scholastic Division at the and will aiso compete for a spot on recent Bay State Games. Fresh the 1996 team. , froin this medal finish, he's now McGarry, who practices archery targetirigarchery tryouts to be an hour-and-a-half a day ,four or held this falI for the 1996 Summer five days a week, is also involved with Boy Scou.t Troop 25 in West Olympic Gamesin Atlanta,' This:past spring, McGarry fin~' Bridgewater. A SC01.!t since age ished third at the'NationalArchery nine, he ~as recently notifi,ed that Festival i,n the I ~- to 17-year-old . he, has earned the Eagle Scout age group, just missing the gold Badge. ' ,'At Coyle-Cassidy, he is a member medal.

Reaching the tournament semi-" of the National Honor Soci,:ty and finals, "I had to face the nation's theSpanis'h Honor Society. He top ranked shooter" in head-to-, says the concenttation required in , head competition. "I lost to him in archery, is also applicable in the a tie-breaker, so I 'won .third," ',classroom and helps him with his explained McGarry. ' studies.

He is affiliated with Nickel', 'He'is a m'ember of the school's Archery in West Bridgewater, varsity soccer, basketbalI and tenwhere his coach, Angelo Papia, is nis teams. ' 'Spanish Honor Society faculty convinced that his student has the ambition to do great things in moderator Bill'Breen calls McGarry an exemplary student. archery., "Tom has drive and that's 1m-' . "He represents himself, hiH famportant,"said Papia. "He's'agood ily'and his' school so wl:11 in student. I like to teach people who whatever he does. He holds great want to learn. Two years ago he potential, in: so 'many areas," said came into the store and wanted to, : Breen. make' arrows for" a 'Boy Scout ".' Those areas include medicine, merit badge. Now it's, like he's ,which McGarry plans to'study in been shooting for a long time." college. :. ' McGa'rry participates in about "McGarry alsp takes piano les20 competitions'each year. In ,1'993, sQns an? has pl~y,~d in tWQ recitals. 'he finished fifth in the nation ,at "I play the plano to relax,. When age'15. Thisyear he has moved up I h,ave noth,ing to door wJ1en another bracket i!1 t'h,e'~g~ 18 a!1d something is on,my mind, it helps under group and piaced respec- me get, my min,d off the Nher table twelfth against more expe- things.',' , rieilced archers.' " Withso much competing for his 'He also placed third in New atieJ.1tion,:'I'v.e learned to budget England and second in state com- my time," said McGarry, who will petitiol1s. ,', ' " cOQtinu~.t~ ~hoot f~r success with Olympic archery tryouts have the conviction that, What~ver you not been offi'cially ann<,lUnced, but' put your mirid to, you cart do it."

Like' the church or symigogue, the school also plays a' part in volunteerism, the Independent . Sector data indicated. ~'There' is a clear relationship between th\: amount of volunteering and the ex.tent to "Yhich. a school encourage~ commuOl,ty seryice,:' In.4ependent ~ector reported. ~'The 55 percent of s,chools encouraging ,volunteering had 74' . pe;~ent student vO,lunteers, co~­ parc"d to 44 perct;nt volunteers I.n schools that did not encourage thiS prac~ice.":Eight percent of teen~ agers reporti::o that their schools required some form'of community ser~lce for graduation, the report added.' , :,", " , The report did not 'differe'ntiate private'and parochial ~ch()Ols from public schools." ,', .. , , However, Michael Guerra, National Catnolic Education~l. Association executive di'rector of secondary ~cho'9Is, ~s!i?1at,~d ,that ,.'95 percent of Catholic secondary schools in the United Sta.tes foster student volunteer service, and that "at -I\:ast half of those schools have made this a prerequisite" for gradu. I • ation. : "I know that vohinteerism, continues to, be a,really big component CI;IA~LOTTE, N.C. (CNS) Huffstetler, president of Southof Catholic sch'oo!education," conBetty Gregory has learned many eastern Insurance Group and board curred Barbara Keebler, NCEA of life's lessons the hard way. member for the nonprofit Charspokeswoman. "Sometimes it's not N'ow through the 3-year-old lotte Tornadoes. very well kn'own because it's done Charlotte Tornadoes, a,basketball Trinitarian Sister Eileen Mcvery quietly... team ' for,'black male teens, she Loug hI'10 ca'lIs Ms . Gregory "a hope,S to pass on some of that ,beautiful person and a committed Christian." knl)wledge. " .

"Th\: way to stay, feeling good "I call her once in a while to about yourself is to help others," work with someone in Alcoholics she told Catholic News & Anonymous, and she always helps Herald, Charlotte diocesan news- out," she said. pap\:r." ' h I For many years, alco 0 waH a Ms. Gregory, a member of the Rite of Christian .Initiation of big part of Ms. Gr\:gory's life.

AdtiltsprqgramatSt. Peter Church Now 47, Ms. Gregory drank in Charlotte, 'is p~oject manager, from age' 2Q to' 32. ,Her turning "mom" and cheej-Jeader for the point-was a Iiospital detoxification Tornadoes, a group of'kids aged program and Alcoholics Anony15- 1'9 who are trying to break the mous. Her motivation was her cycle Qfdrugs and 'poverty. son, Walter 'Jr., the ,Qriginal TorThe 2&-member Tornadoes team nado. Her olde~ son, 22:..year-old is funded by pr.i~iltedonations and Winston, is serving time in prison as a pilot project by the Foundafor dealing cocaine and for murder. tion for th'eCarQlinas.

Walter,18, is working part time ,As part of,their agreem\:nt to be and completing his high schol)1 on the team, the teenagers must . credits at Central Piedmont Com,take random drug tests, maintain munity College, He's aiming for decent grades; go to study hall college and a major in psychology every Wednesday night and do so he, like his mother, "can help volunteer 'work once a month. kids so they don't get into drugs Ms. Gregory takes the boys to and alcohol."

Walter' said he doesn't mind THREE CHEERERS: Betty Gregory (center) is project manager and cheerleader for the visit colleges and finds scholarships for them. Four alumni of the sharing his mother or his home __ Charlotte Tornadoes, a basketball team for at-risk', black male teenagers. Her son Walter Jr., team are in college. the Tornadoes' hangout and meetleft, was an original team member and, Lee Evans is a To'rnado' alumnus and mentor. (CNS "These kids had no chance withing, place .:...... ,with other kids. photo),.' , .:.. .. ' out Betty Gregory," .saidJohn ,"Everybody is~ikefa~ily," he said.

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By Charlie Martin

ANYTn~E YOU

NEED A FRIEND

If you're lonely And need a friend And troubles seem like They never end JWit remember to keep the faith And love will be there To light the way Any time you need a friend I will be there You 11 never be alone again So don't you fear E"ell If you're miles away I'm by your side So don't you ever be lonely Love will make it all right When the shadows are closing in A nd your spirit diminishing Just remember you're not alone And love will be there To guide you home If you just believe in me I will love you endlessly Take my hand Take me into your heart I'll be there forever baby I won't let go I'll never let go Written by Malriah Carey and Walter Afanasieff. Sung by Mariah Carey (c) 1993 by Sony Songs Inc./ Rye Songs (BMI)/WB Music Corp./ Wally world Music (ASCAP) "DEAR LOFtD: As always, I disc, her words seem appropthank you so much for blessing riatelyexpressed. me with the a bility to realize my The com bination of Goddreams." given talent and her own hard These words begin Mariah work places Ms. Carey among Carey's remarks on her" Music the best female recording artists Box" cover sheet. Given that today.

"Anytime You Need a Friend" This cassingltfs lyrics remind is Ms. Carey's fourth hit off this me what God might say to each

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of us. Surely, we all face times "when the shadows are closing in" and our spirits are "diminishing." It can feel like our troubles will "never end." We may wonder how we will make it through the discouragement and pain.

Yet, softly, .lUr God speaks to us: "lfyouj'Jst believe in me, I will love you endlessly; take my hand, take me into your heart.. .. I won't let go. I'll never let go."

These words of promise can be realized in each person's life.

It .is up to us whether we will decide to open our hearts and let God be our friend.

As with any friendship, much depends on how much effort we give to the relationship. God does not think less of us if we only turn to divine friendship during troubled times. Yet, how real can this relationship be if we never take time for quiet and listen to God's voice within us?

What will be the depth of our friendship if we only rarely pause to thank God for the blessings' given to us?

Time is at a premium in human life. There are school and/ or work responsibilities, personal interests, and connections with friends and family.

All this is good. Most of us enjoy the satisfaction that grows from meaningful relationships and engaging activities.

Because of time and energy constraints, all of us must reflect on our priorities. Even if we don't set priorities, how we use our time and energy determines what really counts in our lives.

Take a good look at your life.

How much time do you give to God? Do you allow God to be "by your side"?

Your comments are welcomed

by Charlie Martin, RR 3, Box 182, Rockl)Ort; iN 47635.

CRS names essay contest winners BALTI MORE (eNS) - Three Catholic high school students have been named winners of Catholic Relief Services' essay contest and will travel to West Africa this summer to visit CRS development projects.

The students an~ Monica Brady of West Philadelphia Catholic High School; Melinda Miles of Cathedral High School, Springfield,

Mass.; and Brian Steil, of Cathedral High School, 5t. Cloud, Minn.

They were selected for writing essays that, according to CRS, reflected both a spirit of Christian charity and youthful enthusiasm.

With their teachers or sponsors and CRS staff, they are slated to tour projects in The Gambia as guests of CRS, the U.S. Catholic

overseas relief and development agency.

CRS initiated the essay contest in February 1993 as part of its Development Leadership Program and plans to continue it this fall.

Further information on the contest is available from CRS, 209 W. Fayette St., Baltimore, Md. 212013443.

CENTENNIAL PREPARATIONS: Dominican Academy students work on .banners which will hang in the school throughout its centennial year. Founded in Fall River in 1895 by the Dominican Sisters of St. Catherine of Siena, DA is the only all-girl elementary school in the Fall River diocese. (Gaudette photo) . .

THE ANCHOR-Diocese of Fall River-Fri., Aug. 5, 1994

By Tom Lennon The topic of death is making a new appearance in somber messages on T-shirts that have become popular among teenagers.

Already the topic of death seemed to be in the air. The nightly news tells of driveby shootings.

Fictional TV killings go on and on. Millions of innocent babies are slaughtered in abortions.

But in recent weeks I have seen five different and grim messages printed on T-shirts. Here's what they said: - "Life is just sudden-death overtime - and the clock is running."

- "Life is not too short. It's just that you're dead so long."

- "He who has the most toys still dies."

- "It's not the pace of life that concerns me; it's the sudden stop at the end."

• - "Living - It's the only thing worth dying for."

I wondered what was behind this sudden spate of death messages. So I called the manufacturer.

He couldn't give me a satisfactory answer. He said some artists had submitted sample sketches about death. The company testmarketed them, and they promised to be good sellers.

I'm going to hazard a guess about this phenomenon. Teenagers are observant. They know they are surrounded by a culture of death. Some even fear they could be killed at school by a classmate.

The human race, as the Bible clearly points out, has a fundamental affliction: a fear of death.

Is it any wonder, then, that teenagers are preoccupied with dea~h?

If thoughts of death trouble you, there is a remedy. One of our greatest saints, Thomas Aquinas, says that faith in the resurrection of the body removes the fear of death.

"Since we believe," says Aquinas, "that there is another, better life to which we shall come after death, it is evident that no one should fear death or do anything wrong through fear of death."

But do we know anything about this "better life" after death?

Although much about it is mysterious and unknown, we do have some wonderful hints in the New Testament about the life to come.

St. Paul tells us that when Christ comes from heaven "he will change our lowly body to conform with his glorified body" (Phil. 3:21).

In another passage, St. Paul is more specific about the resurrection of the body. "It is sown corruptible; it is raised incorruptible.

It is sown dishonorable; it is raised glorious. It is sown weak; it is raised powerful. It is sown a natural body; it is raised a spiritual body. If there is a natural body, there is also a spiritual one" (I Cor. 15:42-44).

Scattered throughout the Bible are other clues about heaven and

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life after we die. If we have been faithful to Christ and his church we will be in a state of perfect happiness which no one can ever take away from us.

God will wipe away all tears.

The tragedies and sorrows of this life will be gone forever. Disease, famines, floods, hurricanes, crimes, oppression, sin will belong to the past.

At last we will be with the risen Christ, whom we have tried to serve in love and faith all our lives.

We will be caught in the love of God, a love surpassing all earthly loves.

So one way to dispel our fear of death is to say with deep conviction at every Sunday Mass, "We believe ... in the resurrection of the body and the life of the world to come."

Haitian homes sought WASHINGTON (CNS) - As Haitians by the thousands hope to gain asylum in the United States, the Catholic Church's refugee resettlement agency is looking for places where they can live. Jesuit Father Richard Ryscavage, director of the U.S. Catholic Conference's Migration and Refugee Services, said he's seeking dioceses willing to help resettle Haitians who have been cleared for asylum.

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BUILD YOUR LMS

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II challenges us to build our lives on Christ. . His words and exam.pIe encourage us to place our faith at the /center of our lives.

POPE JOHN PAUL

he tirelessly brings this message to the faithful and to, those who' have never heard the good news of God's love.

THROUGHOUT THE WORLD,

for the Works of the Holy Father gives' us an opportunity· to support John Paul Il in sharing the . g90d news..

THE ANNUAL COLLECTION

Give· generously' in your parish..

1994 Collection for the Works of the Holy, Father

AUGUST 6 - 7, 1994 Sponsored by the National Conference of Catholic Bi~hops