08.10.18

Diocese of Fall River, Mass.

Friday, August 10, 2018

Residents from Sacred Heart Home in New Bedford had a wonderful night out attending a New Bedford Bay Sox game recently at the Paul Walsh Field in the city. The group was visited by “Slamu,” the team’s official mascot, and it was a great game because the Bay Sox won! (Photo from Diocesan Health Facilities Facebook page) The Anchor - August 10, 2018

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The plea is out for area faithful to join the ‘Novena For Our Nation,’ and the USCCB’s ‘A Call to Prayer’

Simultaneous nation-wide Novenas call the faithful to pray for our country and to protect human life

By Dave Jolivet Anchor Editor davejolivet@anchornews.org

NEW BEDFORD — There’s a battle being fought on the streets and in the neighborhoods and homes of America.

It’s very similar to the battle Christ faced when He walked this earth two millennia ago — a culture of life against a culture of death — and the culture of death doesn’t play by the rules, it makes them up.

There is, however, as it was in Jesus’ time, one

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powerful weapon to combat evil and that weapon in prayer.

It’s for this reason that the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops and the Holy League are sponsoring Novenas to rally the country’s faithful to turn to God for help in turning the tide against evil and its culture of death.

On August 3 a Novena was

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started by the USCCB as part of its “Call to Prayer,” initiative.

Bishop Edgar M. da Cunha, S.D.V. recently wrote encouraging people

to become involved: “I invite you and your parishioners to join me and Catholics nationwide in a weekly moment of prayer from early August to late September 2018 for the legal protection of human life.

“Each Friday, from August 3 to September 28, we’ll have the opportunity to join in a nine-week effort of prayer, fasting and education that a change in the U.S. Supreme Court will move our nation closer to the day when every human being is protected in law and welcomed in life.”

The bishop also said that those who choose to participate can receive weekly prayer reminders by text message or email by signing up at www. usccb.org/pray.

“In addition to the current invitation to fast on Fridays, participants will be encouraged to pray one Our Father, Hail Mary, and Glory Be for this intention,” wrote Bishop da Cunha.

Beginning August 15 and continuing through October 7, the Holy League, a national parishbased network of men united in devotion to the Blessed Sacrament, is sponsoring a “Novena For Our Nation.”

The 54-day Rosary Novena is meant to pray for freedom and faith in the United States. The league references the prophet Jeremiah, “If that nation against which I have spo-

ken, shall repent of their evil, I also will repent of that evil that I have thought to do to them” ( Jer 18:8).

In its promotion of the Novena, the Holy League says, “The time is now to call upon God, through the powerful intercession of Our Lady of the Rosary, to heal our country and return it to holiness.”

The Holy League encourages faithful who wish to participate in the 54-day Novena For Our Nation to use the Rosary as a powerful tool against evil: “We are called upon to help turn our country back towards God,” it reads on its Website at novenaforournationcom.

“We will accomplish that through prayer; prayer that can change hearts, change families, change our communities and change our country. There is no stronger weapon in the Spiritual battle than the Rosary.”

Those who wish to participate in the Novena are asked to visit the website and sign up to receive daily reflections sent directly via emails.

According to the Novena For Our Nation Website, the 54-day Novena had its start in 1884 when a young girl with several terminal illnesses prayed for Our Lady’s intercession for healing via a Novena. The Blessed Mother promised healing to the child if she prayed three Novenas, followed by three more Novenas of thanksgiving, thus the 54 days.

The site explains: “The Novena consists of five Turn to page 17

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Second annual men’s conference to be held September 8

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

EAST TAUNTON — Deacon Robert Craig of Holy Family Parish in East Taunton gives all the credit — or maybe it’s more the blame? — to fellow Deacon Rick Varieur of St. Theresa of the Child Jesus Parish in South Attleboro for coming up with the idea for last year’s inaugural men’s conference.

“Deacon Rick had suggested reading a letter by Bishop Thomas J. Olmsted

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from Arizona probably two years ago,” Deacon Craig recently told The Anchor.

“Deacon Rick has never steered me wrong in the past, so I read it. The title was ‘Into the Breach.’ In it, he really challenged the men of his diocese to kind of look at where they are with meeting their responsibilities as Catholic, Christian men and their role as leaders in their homes and leaders in the Church and how that priority has kind of been lost over almost a full generation. It was really a great

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call to arms for men.

“So, that being the inspiration, in talking from time to time, whenever we would see each other at different events, we just kept saying we need to do something — let’s do something!”

It was that initial “call to arms” that sparked the two diocesan deacons into action, resulting in the first-ever Southeastern New England Men’s Conference they spearheaded last year and hosted at Holy Family Parish in East Taunton.

Titled “Into the Breach” in a nod to Bishop Olmsted’s inspirational letter, the day-long conference drew nearly 50 participants together to listen to presentations, celebrate Mass, pray and share a unique camaraderie as fellow Catholic men living out their faith.

“The whole idea of ‘Into the Breach’ is we have to have the willingness to do that as men,” Deacon Craig said. “I guess I hoped it would be impactful for the guys who came. I thought the talks all segued very nicely and it started off in the morning with Deacon Rick’s wife, Karen, actu-

ally speaking about what those expectations were for women of faith, what they should be able to expect in their men and in terms of their relationship together and how a man and a woman should be working in unison. I think it was a really neat perspective for the men to hear to start the conference off.”

Given the success of last year’s debut conference and the positive responses they received, it didn’t take long for Deacon Varieur and Deacon Craig to start setting the wheels in motion for this year’s follow-up, sophomore effort, which will take place on Saturday, September 8, once again in the Holy Family Parish Center in East Taunton.

“I would say the people who attended that conference last year ranged from people who were nominal Catholics who were just looking to see and maybe do a little bit more, to some really great men of deep faith,” Deacon Craig said.

“And, across the board, they all took away some great fruit from it. Which made us immediately start talking

about what we would do in year two.”

“This year, we have as keynote speaker Father Roger J. Landry, who currently works for the Holy See’s Permanent Observer Mission to the United Nations in New York and is the former executive editor and current columnist with The Anchor,” said Deacon Varieur. “He also has a new book, ‘A Plan of Life: Habits to Help You Grow Closer to God,’ and it’s a great book and he’s going to be speaking about what Jesus in the New Testament means to us as men. He’ll be excellent for us and we’re very blessed to have him come up that weekend.”

Deacon Varieur said one of the themes of this year’s conference is how popular culture seems to be dictating how men should act and behave and how they are often discouraged from taking on leadership roles.

“When we look at culture, what it does to men is it shames them and guilts them,” Deacon Varieur said. “It makes us feel guilty about things that we think, Turn to page 19

Diocesan parishes embrace ‘Celebrate the Beauty of Every Child’ campaign with needed items and prayer

By Dave Jolivet Anchor Editor davejolivet@anchornews.org

FALL RIVER — The old adage says, “Two heads are better than one.” Well taken a bit further, five ministries are just plain awesome.

Recently a handful of local ministries collaborated on a plan of action to assist area babies, toddlers and their families who struggle just to make ends meet. Called “Celebrate the Beauty of Every Child, Prayer and Newborn/Toddler Campaign,” the event found 31 diocesan parishes, including schools and Religious Education programs, take part on the weekends of June 2-3 and June 9-10.

Joining forces were the diocesan Pro-Life Apostolate, St. Vincent de Paul Societies, Catholic Social Services, the Knights of Columbus and Massachusetts Citizens for Life. The goal was to obtain much-needed new infant and toddler clothing and items for families in need, as well as to rally families in participating parishes to gather together to pray for their less-fortunate brothers and sisters.

“The objective was to assist young mothers and let them know they are not alone,” Barbara Wenc, chairman of the greater Fall River Chapter of MCFL told The Anchor. “We as a Church can do so much more than individually.”

Despite taking place in the middle of a successful Catholic Charities Campaign, diocesan faithful rallied to help this campaign bring in necessary items valued at an estimated $31,607. In addition to the physical donations, participants pledged prayers in a number of ways. In all, 8,600 Knights of Columbus prayer cards were distributed, as were 8,600 Magnificat prayer cards handed out by the Pro-Life Apostolate.

Additionally, 2,315 Rosaries were pledged; 48 Novenas, nearly 150 hours of Eucharistic Adoration, 31 Divine Mercy Chaplets, 95 Masses were offered, and 83 other types of prayer, including prayers from children were pledged.

“I am so grateful to all who orchestrated and/or generously supported the Celebrate the Beauty of Every Child Campaign,” Marian Desrosiers, director of the diocesan Pro-Life Apostolate told The Anchor.

“With the support and guidance of Bishop Edgar M. da Cunha, S.D.V.,

five agencies prayed and worked together to assist parishes throughout the diocese implement this highlysuccessful campaign. Every child, created in the image and likeness of God, is a gift of beauty and hope to our world. May we all continue to pray and support children and families in need.”

While number totals are always a subjective issue, some are worth noting during this recent successful joint venture incorporating the Corporal and Spiritual Works of Mercy. St. Pius X Parish in South Yarmouth garnered from its faithful parishioners nearly $6,000 in items to assist in-need infants and toddlers.

Knight of Columbus Paul Devin coordinated the efforts at the Cape parish.

Devin was quick to express his thanks to the many donors, pastor Father Paul Caron, and the K of C Council 10346 members. He added Turn to page 15

Faithful from across the diocese responded generously to the recent “Celebrate the Beauty of Every Child” campaign to help in-need infants, toddlers and their parents. (Photos courtesy of Barbara Wenc) The Anchor - August 10, 2018

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Anchor Editorial

Prayer for life

Bishop Edgar M. da Cunha, S.D.V., last week wrote to all the priests of the diocese to ask that we invite the laity to join with us for a weekly moment of prayer every Friday from now until the end of September to pray “for the legal protection of human life.”

You can read more about this prayer campaign on page two of this edition of The Anchor. We are praying that a “change in the U.S. Supreme Court will move our nation to the day when every human being is protected in law and welcomed in life,” as Bishop da Cunha wrote.

We are doing this because “as soon as Justice Anthony Kennedy announced his retirement, pro-abortion groups began lobbying the U.S. Senate to reject any nominee who does not endorse Roe v. Wade,” the 1973 decision which legalized abortion. Bishop da Cunha termed this “a litmus test of support for abortion.”

Some people are critical of Catholics’ support for candidates who pledge to end legal abortion. A letter writer on page 20 admitted that “it is wrong to abort a baby,” but then tried to give reasons as to why she felt the need to support politicians who promote legal abortion. She did seem to indicate that she supported them not for their views on abortion, but for their other opinions which she felt showed their greater compassion (when compared to Pro-Life politicians).

In response, we Catholics have been trying to show that we have compassion both for the baby and for the mother. As reported on page five of this edition, many people from across our diocese just completed a campaign of prayer and service to help mothers and children in need. Although this was a big project, it is something which many Catholics (and other people of good will) engage in often, even daily. The woman known as Jane Roe (Norma McCorvey) actually began her journey from being the cause of the 1973 Supreme Court decision to dying as a Catholic Pro-Life activist by her interaction with humble crisis pregnancy center workers, who set up shop next door to the abortion clinic where she worked. It is an amazing story of God’s love (you can read it at https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/acts-of-faith/ wp/2017/02/18/jane-roe-made-abortion-legal-then-a-minister-made-herrepent/?utm_term=.e94a932028d3).

Pope Francis, in a letter on Sept. 1, 2015 granting indulgences for the Year of Mercy, wrote, “One of the serious problems of our time is clearly the changed relationship with respect to life. A widespread and insensitive mentality has led to the loss of the proper personal and social sensitivity to welcome new life.

The tragedy of abortion is experienced by some with a superficial awareness, as if not realizing the extreme harm that such an act entails. Many others, on the other hand, although experiencing this moment as a defeat, believe they have no other option. I think in particular of all the women who have resorted to abortion. I am well aware of the pressure that has led them to this decision.

I know that it is an existential and moral ordeal. I have met so many women who bear in their heart the scar of this agonizing and painful decision. What OFFICIAL NEWSPAPER OF THE DIOCESE OF FALL RIVER www.anchornews.org

Vol. 62, No. 16

Published bi-weekly by the Catholic Press of the Diocese of Fall River, 887 Highland Avenue, Fall River, MA 02720, Telephone 508-675-7151 — FAX 508-675-7048, email: theanchor@anchornews.org. Subscription price by mail, postpaid $25.00 per year, for U.S. addresses.

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The Anchor - August 10, 2018

has happened is profoundly unjust; yet only understanding the truth of it can enable one not to lose hope.” Here the Holy Father displays the compassion which the letter writer doubted in Pro-Life politicians.

Pope Francis continued, “The forgiveness of God cannot be denied to one who has repented, especially when that person approaches the Sacrament of Confession with a sincere heart in order to obtain reconciliation with the Father. For this reason, too, I have decided, notwithstanding anything to the contrary, to concede to all priests for the Jubilee Year the discretion to absolve of the sin of abortion those who have procured it and who, with contrite heart, seek forgiveness for it. May priests fulfill this great task by expressing words of genuine welcome combined with a reflection that explains the gravity of the sin committed, besides indicating a path of authentic conversion by which to obtain the true and generous forgiveness of the Father Who renews all with His presence.” Here the pope is describing true compassion, which is both welcoming of the penitent and affirming of the reality of the dignity of the baby (whose dignity is equal to that of all involved in abortion).

On June 16 of this year Pope Francis met with members of Italian family associations. In his “off the cuff ” remarks, he said, “Children are the greatest gift. Children who are welcomed as they come, as God sends them, as God allows — even if at times they are sick. I have heard that it is in fashion — or at least customary — in the first months of pregnancy to have certain exams, to see whether the baby is not well, or has some problems. The first proposal in that case is: ‘Shall we do away with it?’ The murder of children. And to have a nice life, they do away with an innocent.”

Unfortunately, this is all too true — and has led to situations like the one Patricia Heaton (the wife on “Everybody Loves Raymond” and the mother on “The Middle”) described in America magazine: “I was taken aback when I read the CBS News tweet that stated, ‘Iceland is on pace to virtually eliminate Down syndrome through abortion.’ But as I tweeted on August 14, the country was not, in fact, eliminating Down syndrome. They were just killing everyone who has it” (America, Dec. 4, 2017).

Pope Francis continued his remarks, “When I was a boy, the teacher was teaching us history and told us what the Spartans did when a baby was born with deformities: they carried it up the mountain and cast it down, to maintain ‘the purity of the race.’ And we were stunned: ‘But how, how could they do this, the poor babies!’ It was an atrocity. Today we do the same thing. Have you ever wondered why you do not see many dwarfs on the streets? Because the protocol of many doctors — many, not all — is to ask the question: ‘Will it have problems?’ It pains me to say this. In the last century the entire world was scandalized over what the Nazis were doing to maintain the purity of the race. Today, we do the same thing, but with white gloves.”

We ask God to help us to turn our hearts away from rejecting human life, at any stage from conception until natural death. God hasn’t rejected us. We should not reject each other.

Daily Readings Aug. 11 – Aug. 24

Upcoming Daily Readings: Sat. Aug. 11, Hab 1:12—2:4; Ps 9:8-13; Mt 17:1420. Sun. Aug. 12, Nineteenth Sunday in Ordinary Time, 1 Kgs 19:4-8; Ps 34:29; Eph 4:30—5:2; Jn 6:41-51. Mon. Aug. 13, Ez 1:2-5,24-28c; Ps 148:1-2,1114; Mt 17:22-27. Tues. Aug. 14, Ez 2:8—3:4; Ps 119:14,24,72,103,111,131; Mt 18:1-5,10,12-14. Wed. Aug. 15, Assumption of the Virgin Mary, Vigil: 1 Chr 15:3-4,15-16; 16:1-2; Ps 132:6-7,9-10,13-14; 1 Cor 15:54b-57; Lk 11:27-28.

Day: Rv 11:19a; 12:1-6a,10ab; Ps 45:10bc,11-12ab,16; 1 Cor 15:20-27; Lk 1:3956. Thurs. Aug. 16, Ez 12:1-12; Ps 78:56-59,61-62; Mt 18:21—19:1. Fri. Aug. 17, Ez 16:1-15,60,63 or 16:59-63; (Ps) Is 12:2-6; Mt 19:3-12.

Sat. Aug. 18, Ez 18:1-10,13b,30-32; Ps 51:12-15,18-19; Mt 19:13-15. Sun. Aug. 19, Twentieth Sunday in Ordinary Time, Prv 9:1-6; Ps 34:2-7; Eph 5:15-20; Jn 6:51-58. Mon. Aug. 20, Ez 24:15-24; (Ps) Dt 32:18-21; Mt 19:16-22. Tues.

Aug. 21, Ez 28:1-10; (Ps) Dt 32:26-28,30,35-36; Mt 19:23-30. Wed. Aug. 22, Ez 34:1-11; Ps 23:1-6; Mt 20:1-16. Thurs. Aug. 23, Ez 36:23-28; Ps 51:12-15, 1819; Mt 22:1-14. Fri. Aug. 24, Rv 21:9b-14; Ps 145:10-13ab,17-18; Jn 1:45-51.

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he sad revelations about the sins of former Cardinal Theodore McCarrick, involving the sexual abuse of male minors and seminarians, have brought the Church in the U.S. and beyond to a second phase in the necessary purification of the clergy of the Church.

The first phase happened in 2002 after the disclosure that more than 4,000 (out of 110,000) priests had been accused in the U.S. of sexual abuse of minors in the previous half-century. The U.S. Bishops convened in Dallas and adopted what has overall been a heralded systemic response to root out those who have abused minors from the priesthood, protect children, and care for survivors.

But there were a few major problems with Dallas, however. First, the phrase “credible” accusations was exceedingly vague, and could encompass even accusations that were immediately demonstrably false. Second, bishops exempted themselves from the policy. Third, they didn’t have the courage to address what the data clearly showed was the main part of the crisis: it wasn’t pedophilia, or the sexual abuse of pre-pubescent girls and boys; rather, it was the same-sex molestation of post-pubescent boys, encompassing more than four out of five accusations. Fourth, they did not focus adequately on the corrupt culture that permitted such widescale abuse and the lack of determination to eradicate it: the practical toleration in many dioceses of priests living double lives cheating on their vocations with men and women. As Father Thomas Berg recently wrote, “We can’t prevent the sexual abuse of minors or vulnerable adults by clergy while habitual and widespread failures in celibacy are left unchecked.”

The accusations against

The reform of the clergy, part two Archbishop McCarrick have many questions.

How should we respond exposed these last three lato this? First, by reparation, cunae in disgusting fashion. because God is the most Several bishops, most notably Houston Cardinal Dan- offended of all. Second, by iel DiNardo, president of the demanding to get to the U.S. Conference of Catholic bottom of it, which is part of firm purpose of amendment, Bishops, have put out firm and will help to prevent its statements indicating that recurrence. Third, by fobishops must no longer be exempt, that all sexual abuse cusing on living the faith. and harassment by clergy of Jesus told the Parable of the Wheat and the Weeds anyone must be addressed (Mt 13:24-30) to teach us — and all sexual activity that our fundamental focus by clergy is abusive, even if consensual, because it is Spiritually incestuous — and that the Putting Into Church must address the cancerous prevathe Deep lence of an unchaste same-sex subculture

By Father in the clergy.

Roger J. Landry These are not easy issues to talk or write about. They sicken and justly should never be on rooting out the weeds but rather on scandalize believers. Light, the growth of the wheat. Evhowever, is a great sanitizer.

Just as the revelations of the ery crisis in the Church is a crisis of saints, and God will thousands of cases of clerical sexual abuse of minors in respond to infidelity with many graces of fidelity to 2002 was not the problem help bring the Church back but the abuse itself that to the holiness in earthen had remained hidden for vessels that He wants to decades, so the disclosures characterize it. against Archbishop McHow could God permit Carrick and others in recent such abuse? God created us weeks, although nauseating free, free even to betray Him and infuriating, are a necessary part of the healing pro- and others. We see this in Judas and in the fleeing of cess. The truth is needed in the other Apostles on Holy order to set the Church free Thursday. To stop evil, God of these sacrileges, which would have to eliminate our devastate individual vicfreedom. But God doesn’t tims and wound the whole remain on the sidelines as Church.

Since this second wave of a shocked and impotent scandals has hit, I’ve received bystander. He always wills to bring good out of the evil hundreds of phone calls and emails from friends and we commit or endure, just like He brought the greatest reporters. The Internet has exploded with fair questions good ( Jesus’ Resurrection and the eternal life it made that deserve answers. The faith of many in the Church possible) out of the greatest as a holy, rather than corrupt, evil (the murder of Jesus on institution has been shaken. Calvary).

How could Archbishop People don’t know what to think about their bishops or McCarrick rise through the priests. They legitimately ask ranks while being guilty of how such depraved miscon- such sins? It shows several clear holes in the process of duct could go on so long. selecting bishops. Before one I’d like to attempt candid becomes a bishop, there is a responses to some of their

lengthy process with multiple confidential questionnaires sent out to many who have lived and worked with a candidate, but the process is only as good as the information given in response and the weighing of that information. Once one is made a bishop, such thorough investigations are no longer part of the process. The candidate himself is never interviewed.

While no process is perfect, this process is prone to gross errors especially if someone has powerful promoters. In McCarrick’s case, the process failed four times. His notorious case, the similarly infamous ones of Scottish Cardinal Keith O’Brien and Austrian Cardinal Hermann Groer, as well as recent scandals leading to episcopal resignations in Honduras, Chile, and elsewhere, ought to precipitate appropriate reform.

How bad is the problem of same-sex unchastity in the clergy? It varies among different dioceses and religious orders, and no hard numbers exist, but in various places, it’s big enough to do serious damage. When priests cheat on their vocations with women, normally either the woman gets pregnant or gives the priest the ultimatum to choose her or the priesthood, with the result being that most priests who persist in infidelity leave the priesthood. It’s relatively rare, therefore, that an active priest has a longterm mistress, although when he does, it’s terribly corrosive. Priests who cheat on their vocation with men or fellow priests, on the other hand, often are able to persist in the doublelife without the same pressure or sense of incompatibility. When there’s a high enough incidence, it can dramatically impact the culture of Church institutions

and presbyterates, because such infidelity in one area of priestly life often leads to infidelity and corruption in many others.

Seminarians in the 1980s often had to confront openly homosexual subcultures among faculty and seminarians. I was a seminarian in the 1990s, when the problem had begun to get cleaned up, but I still personally encountered it without nuance at the beginning of my seminarian application process and then while studying languages during summer break in a foreign country, when the priest tried to make his move 10 minutes after picking me up at the airport. Many priests, at some time or other, have come face-to-face with this clerical depravity.

Why didn’t people who suffered or knew of the abuse say anything? For the reasons that victims often don’t: they don’t think people will believe them, or, worse, they think those to whom they report the information will be part of the same corruption. Many have wondered, in particular, why the multiple seminarians whom Archbishop McCarrick pressured to share his bed didn’t say anything. The reason, I believe, is that they didn’t know to whom to go; they didn’t trust that they wouldn’t protect the predator, since after all, they had made him a bishop; and they feared that McCarrick, if he found out, would be able to Turn to page 14

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T

he words “please walk” were powerless amidst the sea of kids running and screaming. I diffused one touchy situation by calmly helping to pick up some papers that had fallen after a collision. Afterwards, I inched closer to the corner of the hall so as to more effectively slow students. I sighed.

It was this same nonsense day after day in the passing time between classes for this summer program. I was a mentor and an educator, not a hall policewoman. Teachers are always all three, but somehow here this summer there was too much time spent on the latter.

Again I thought “Lord, this isn’t what I signed up for. I had wanted somehow to make a difference in their lives. I know I am not doing so. I feel sadly out of place here.”

I felt a gentle tug at my arm. It was too gentle

Touch a heart a touch and voice to be “The Shack,” the author an emergency. The stuWillliam Paul Young has dent was perhaps a rising God speaking to the main seventh-grader who was character Mack. In the not in any of the classes I book, God says, “Because had visited. His innocent you are important everyyet radiant, peaceful smile thing you do is important. calmed me. He started Every time you forgive, talking to me about asteroids.

He was showing Wrestling with God me his drawHolding on for ings of asteroids His blessing striking planets.

Amidst the chaos

By Dr. Helen J. Flavin streaming by us he had found me to talk about science!

The asteroid in his the universe changes; pictures was striking every time you reach the earth. I recognized out and touch a heart or the significance of that. life, the world changes; I looked again into his with every kindness and smiling eyes. I wondered service, seen or unseen, what lay behind that my purposes are accompicture. I gently asked if plished and nothing will he would like some more ever be the same again.” information on asteroids.

That is an amazingly Against the backdrop of powerful image. Each all the other times this time one touches a heart, program’s students had the world changes for the said no, his yes was rebetter. freshing.

My perspective on Though the work is my summer experiences fictional, in the book changed the instant that boy spoke with me.

Alone, I could never change the hallway chaos.

In addition, I could not share my science knowledge with uninterested students. My attention was stuck on what I could

not change. However, I knew this student was interested in the science. I also hoped to be able to ease his unspoken fears. With the seed that student planted within my heart that morning, my energy was refocused upon a task where I had a chance of success in bringing about a small, but positive change.

As a Catholic educator, in so many professional development seminars, we spoke about Jesus’ parable of the sower of the seeds (Mt 13:3-9, 18-23). The reference was always on us educators serving Our Lord by sowing seeds for God. Understanding of the reciprocity of the seed-sowing had escaped me. What was my yield from this seed planted within me? In essence, that would be measured with the changes within me and with the student’s changes.

In the information I gave him, I shifted the focus to asteroids hitting places where no one lived as well as how scientists measure craters. Two hours later he had written me an asteroid story

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

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as well as colored me a picture.

I almost gave him a “Thank you, how nice” type response, but that gentle voice within stopped me. It wasn’t until I picked up his story to describe it that I understood what was nagging at me. The tale had too many scientific details for a made up story.

I checked the scientific literature. He had some data and ideas that were incorrect, but still readily available on social media.

I verified NASA’s data on the asteroid and found the student an article about how scientists are now testing ways to deflect an asteroid.

For the student, final measurement of the fruits of these discussions might be years down the road. Who knows — 50 years from now when that asteroid finally does approach earth he may lead the scientific team that saves earth. More likely though, he may just feel safe enough to let the asteroid worries fade. With the latter, the fruits would be perhaps invisible, but nevertheless his world would have been changed for the better.

This week, when you look around you (even amidst chaos) is there one person or situation you feel where you might listen in support or act to plant a seed for change?

If so, follow that gentle whisper from within to where God wishes you to touch a heart so as to plant then nurture that seed. Enjoy watching the seedling grow.

Anchor columnist Helen Flavin is a Catholic scientist, educator and writer.

Pope Francis accepts resignation of McCarrick from College of Cardinals

Vatican City (CNA) — Pope Francis recently accepted the resignation of Archbishop Theodore McCarrick from the College of Cardinals, and suspended him from the exercise of any public ministry.

Pope Francis accepted McCarrick’s resignation from the cardinalate July 28 and applied a suspension a divinis, which according to canon 1333 in the Code of Canon Law, prohibits him from acts of the power of order and governance and from the exercise of the rights or functions attached to his office.

The pope also directed McCarrick to observe “a life of prayer and penance in seclusion” until the end of the canonical process against him, stated a July 28 press release from the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops.

Cardinal Daniel DiNardo of Galveston-Houston, president of the U.S. bishops’ conference, recently responded to the pope’s actions in a statement.

“I thank the Holy Father for his leadership in taking this important step. It reflects the priority the Holy Father places on the need for protection and care for all our people and the way failures in this area affect the life of the Church in the United States,” he said.

According to a statement from the Vatican, McCarrick submitted his letter of resignation to Pope Francis the evening of July 27.

Only a pope can approve the resignation of a cardinal from his official status, and it is a measure which, historically, the Church has used very rarely — though this is the second time Pope Francis will have employed similar measures.

The first was in March 2015 when the pope accepted the resignation of now-deceased Cardinal Keith O’Brien.

Cardinal O’Brien lived in similar conditions to those now imposed on McCarrick, until his death in March of this year; though while he resigned the “rights and privileges” of a cardinal, he was allowed to keep the title.

O’Brien stepped down as archbishop of St. Andrews and Edinburgh in Scotland following the February 2014 revelation of allegations that he had participated in inappropriate sexual behavior with other men in the 1980s.

Because of the scandal, O’Brien recused himself from participating in the March 2013 conclave that elected Pope Francis. In May 2013, after meeting with the newly-elected pope, O’Brien left Scotland for a time of prayer, penance and reflection. Almost two years later Pope Francis accepted his resignation from the cardinalate.

The Vatican’s decision to suspend McCarrick follows more than a month of unfolding allegations concerning the prelate.

On June 20, the Archdiocese of New York announced that it had concluded an investigation into an allegation that McCarrick had sexually abused a teen-ager, finding the claim to be “credible and substantiated.”

The Vatican was informed of that accusation, and as a result, Vatican Secretary of State Cardinal Pietro Parolin, by order of Pope Francis, prohibited McCarrick, 88, from public ministry.

Since that announcement, media reports have

detailed additional allegations, charging that McCarrick sexually abused, assaulted, or coerced seminarians and young priests during his time as a bishop.

The Diocese of Metuchen and Archdiocese of Newark disclosed that they had received reports that McCarrick engaged in sexual misconduct with adults, and reached legal and financial settlements in two

cases.

The New York Times reported July 19 a Virginia man’s allegation that McCarrick began sexually abusing him in 1969, when the priest was 39 and the man, “James,” whose full name has not been reported, was 11 years old.

McCarrick was reportedly a friend to the alleged victim’s family.

The man says that he

continued to be sexually abused by McCarrick for almost two decades, the Times reported.

The man claims the abuse contributed to alcohol and drug habits that plagued him for years. He also says he attempted to disclose the abuse to his father several years after it began, but was disbelieved, according to the Times.

After McCarrick resigns, D.C. archdiocese praises abuse victims’ courage

Washington D.C (CNA) — Alleged abuse victims are “courageously stepping forward” with new claims of abuse by former cardinal and retired Archbishop Theodore McCarrick, but these claims weren’t previously known to the Archdiocese of Washington, the archdiocese said in a recent statement.

“These experiences shared by survivors are profoundly troubling and represent a breach of trust and wounding that no person should bear alone,” the archdiocese said July 29. “Cardinal Wuerl again recently affirmed that those coming forward with new allegations show also a confidence in the Church to take seriously these charges and act quickly in responding.”

The archdiocese voiced continued prayers for abuse survivors and expressed understanding about “how difficult it is to share such painful memories.”

“While the struggle to confront such experiences is difficult for survivors, the archdiocese wishes to accompany them and help them through this process,” its statement continued.

“The archdiocese encour-

ages all coming forward to share these experiences with any diocese in which they reside so that these grave issues can be reviewed promptly by Church authorities, and that we can offer assistance to begin the process for healing and peace.”

Pope Francis accepted Cardinal McCarrick’s resignation from the College of Cardinals July 27. The pope directed McCarrick, the 88-year-old former Archbishop of Washington, to observe “a life of prayer and penance in seclusion” until the end of the canonical process against him.

The fact that there had been a substantial and credible allegation of child sexual abuse against McCarrick was made public in June.

The archdiocese said that it reviewed its own files when the first claim against Archbishop McCarrick was filed in the New York archdiocese. The Washington archdiocese found “no complaints of any kind” against the archbishop, who had led the archdiocese from 2001-2006.

“Further, the confidential settlements involving acts by Archbishop Mc-

Carrick in the Diocese of Metuchen and the Archdiocese of Newark were not known previously to Cardinal Wuerl or the Archdiocese of Washington,” the statement said.

As CNA previously reported, the Washington archdiocese’s vicar general Msgr. Charles Antonicelli sent a letter to priests of the archdiocese claiming that its current archbishop, Cardinal Donald Wuerl, did not know until recently about settlements made by two New Jersey dioceses in response to allegations of misconduct on the part of former cardinal Theodore McCarrick.

Sources close to the Archdiocese of Washington also told CNA that Wuerl was not informed of legal settlements in two New Jersey dioceses until June 2018.

In recent weeks, McCarrick has faced several additional allegations of sexual abuse and misconduct. These include charges that he pressured seminarians and priests into sexual relationships.

Cardinal Wuerl said the decision to accept the cardinal’s resignation shows Turn to page 20

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A glimpse of early Christian worship Editor’s note: This continues a series of columns by Father Martin L. Buote on Catholic worship. n the last installment about our worship, I quoted from chapter 67 of Justin’s long letter in defense of Christianity. If we gather everything that Justin said about our worship from all his writings, we have these elements for the picture of Christian worship as known by Justin in the year 150 A.D. 1. No buildings for religious practice but someone’s home, the domus ecclesia; 2. The requirement of Baptism for full participation; 3. Worship on the first day of the week, Sunday; 4. Readings from both the Old Testament and Christian writers. (The New Testament canon had not yet been fixed); 5. Exhortation to live according to the teachings of Jesus; 6. Universal prayers; 7. A kiss of peace; 8. Presentation of the bread and wine to the

I

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presider; Greek was a common 9. A special prayer over language throughout the the gifts; Roman Empire. Even if 10. An extended prayer a person’s native language of thanksgiving; was Aramaic, or Coptic, or 11. The Great Amen of Syrian, or Latin, or somethe people; thing else, he would likely 12. Distribution by the deacon of the gifts over How Catholic which the thanksWorship Came giving had been made; to Be 13. A portion of

By Father these gifts brought Martin L. Buote to the sick of the community; 14. The Eucharistic elements are sacrifibe able to get along in cial; Greek as well.

15. A collection of Justin indicated that the money, deposited with the presider would “give thanks presider; and at length” over the gifts.

16. Charity work done The Greek eucharistein with the funds collected. means “to give thanks,” and Does any of this seem is the source of the word familiar? we use today for the entire Except for the language worship ritual, and for the (Greek), anyone from the elements of Communion: Diocese of Fall River in The Eucharist.

2018 would have felt at The second part of that home in the Christian little quotation, “at length,” worship gatherings of the was soon to be modified. second-century Church: it Not everyone was so glib was the Catholic Church! with words as to be able to As to the language of come up with new phraseworship, in Justin’s time ology at each worship

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gathering, so sometimes there would be repetition from week to week, and sometimes a presider would borrow what he had heard from another presider.

Sometime before the year 215 A.D., the Roman presbyter Hippolytus published a model Eucharistic prayer.

This model prayer became very popular in the eastern part of the empire and we have extant copies in Coptic, Arabic, Ethiopian and partly in Syrian and some fragments in Latin. While this model was used over the centuries in the east, it did not enjoy wide use in Rome until the Second Vatican Council in the 20th century. The Eucharistic Prayer of Hippolytus is now embodied in Eucharistic Prayer II. While there is not room here to put the two side-by-side, here is the Eucharistic Prayer of Hippolytus as an example of the words of Catholic worship at the beginning of the third century.

The Eucharistic Prayer of St. Hippolytus (also known as the Apostolic Tradition, and as the Egyptian Church Order): “The Lord be with you.

And with your spirit.

Lift up your hearts.

We lift them up to the Lord.

Let us give thanks to the Lord.

It is right and just.

We give thanks to You, O God, through Your beloved Son, Jesus Christ, Whom You sent us in the final age as Savior, Redeemer, and Messenger of Your will, Who is Your inseparable Word, through Whom You made all things and in Whom You were well pleased, Whom You

sent from Heaven into the womb of the Virgin, Who, being conceived within her, was made flesh, and appeared as Your Son, born of the Holy Spirit and the Virgin, and gaining for You a holy people, extended His hands in suffering in order to free from suffering those who believe in You. Who, when He was delivered to voluntary suffering, in order to destroy death, break the chains of the devil, trample hell, bring the just to light, set the goal, and manifest the Resurrection taking the bread and giving You thanks, said, Take, eat, this is My Body which is shed for You. Whenever you do this, you commemorate Me. Therefore, remembering His death and Resurrection, we offer to You the bread and the chalice, giving thanks that You have held us worthy to be in Your presence and minister to You. And we pray that You would send Your Holy Spirit upon the oblation of your Holy Church. Give to all those gathered as one who partake of the holy mysteries the fullness of the Holy Spirit for the strengthening of the faith in truth, that we may praise and glorify You through Your Son, Jesus Christ, through Whom to You be glory and honor: Father and Son, with the Holy Spirit in Your Holy Church, both now and forever.”

Justin became a martyr under Marcus Aurelius, the Emperor, in 165 A.D. The presbyter Hippolytus became a martyr under the Emperor Maximin around 236 A.D. The Church was alive and recognizable during these years, but existed in the shadows as an illicit religion until the time of Emperor Constantine.

Father Buote is a retired priest of the Fall River Diocese and a frequent contributor to The Anchor.

Sunday 5 August 2018 — Homeport: Falmouth Harbor — four open houses in town today here are always lots of houses for sale on Cape Cod. The local newspapers list several pages of them, often with an accompanying photograph. I recently saw a photo of one house for sale in Falmouth.

The asking price was $13 million. We are talking big bucks here. Any good real estate agent will use all the tricks of the trade to “move” the house as quickly as possible.

And now, dear readers, I will let you in on a littleknown secret of the real estate business: these houses are staged. The agent often hires a professionally certified “house stager” before the showing.

The house needs to look attractive from the street.

This is called “curb appeal.”

The entryway should be inviting. There can be no clutter anywhere (not even stashed in the closets and cupboards). In fact, “accidentally” leave a closet door open to show how much extra room there is. The stager will put into storage any items you (hopefully) won’t be needing before you move out.

Any walls covered with something other than bland neutral paint will have to be redone. All family photographs, personal items, and keepsakes go away. Pets are banished. The house will need a “deep cleaning” so it looks like nobody actually lives there.

Make sure any household items like towels, bed linens, etc. are brand-new.

Set an elaborate dining room tablescape (just for show). Remove any added table extenders to make the dining room appear bigger. Turn on all the lights,

T

Staging

even in the daytime. Order arrive at the altar table fresh flower arrangements through the waters of Bap(nothing artificial). Pull tism. Baptized? Welcome! aside all shades and blinds Come on in! to let in more sunlight.

Near the Baptism font Rearrange the furniture you see a large candle. This to look cozy, not to meet is the Paschal Candle, your own personal needs. blessed at the Easter Vigil.

If your furniture is outdated, get rid of it. Rent something The Ship’s Log stylish. Use heaps Reflections of a of pointless throw Parish Priest pillows on couches

By Father Tim and beds.

Goldrick The place must be absolutely immaculate, perfect in every way. Beware: children It was, in turn, used to bless can destroy a staged room the water of Baptism. in the blink of an eye.

Also near the Baptism How different it is in the font, notice the ambry. It’s House of the Lord. Every that niche or cabinet conchurch building reflects taining the three Holy Oils the people who gather to of Sacred Chrism, Oil of worship there. The church the Catechumens, and Oil building is a home for of the Sick. The Chrism is the Church, the People of used in Baptism, ConfirmaGod, the parish family. No tion, Ordinations, and the parish family is exactly the consecration of churches. same as another. No church The Oil of the Sick is used building is exactly the same in the Sacrament of the as another. The building Anointing of the Sick. The reflects the history, charOil of the Catechumens is acter, interests, values and, used in praying over those most importantly, the faith who are preparing for Bapof a particular assembly. tism.

Our worship spaces are not From the entry area sterile showplaces. They are (narthex), we step into marked with our human the main room. This is fingerprints. Let’s take a called the “nave” (from tour. the Latin navis, meaning Ideally, the first thing “ship”). Americans expect you would see when you to find benches or pews enter the church is the in the nave. Many of our Baptism font or pool (or at ancient churches have least a Holy Water bowl). never had seats installed.

Baptism is the way we People stand. People need become certified members space to move around in of the People of God. We the various processions

that are part of Holy Mass.

Also, a standing congregation will teeter and glower and otherwise discourage long-winded preachers.

Historically, standing is the principal posture for Christian prayer. Kneelers were not introduced until the 1400s when people began kneeling at Mass for extended periods of time.

On the walls, you will see 14 numbered crosses, often adorned with pictures. These commemorate the last journey of Jesus from the house of Pilate to the garden tomb.

For an extra charge, some churches add a 15th station representing the Resurrection. Stations of the Cross became popular during the Late Middle Ages as

a meditation aid for those individuals unable to travel to the original sites in Jerusalem.

The main focus in the room is what we usually call the “sanctuary.” (Actually, the whole church is a sanctuary). Of the three essential sanctuary furnishings (altar, pulpit, and chair), the altar is most important.

The first thing to draw your attention as you enter the nave should be the altar.

The celebration of Holy Mass is the pivotal act of the community’s worship, ministry, and outreach.

Our tour of a Catholic church is proving to be quite different from an artificially staged open house, no? (To be continued.)

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

Visit us online at www.anchornews.org The Anchor - August 10, 2018

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Vatican City (CNA/ EWTN News) — When a person puts an object or a philosophy above God, it not only destroys happiness, it hinders the ability to experience real love, Pope Francis recently said.

“Attachment to an object or an idea makes us blind to love.

Carry this in your heart: idols rob us of love, idols make us blind to love; and to truly love we must be free from every idol,” the pope said.

“In fact, love is incompatible with idolatry: if something becomes absolute and untouchable, then it is more

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The Anchor - August 10, 2018

Idols blind us to love, Pope Francis says important than a spouse, a child, or a friendship.”

The pope resumed his Wednesday general audiences after a break for the month of July, commenting on the First Commandment: “You shall not have other gods beside Me.” To reflect on the theme of idolatry has great relevance for today, Pope Francis said.

“We Christians can ask ourselves: what is really my God?” he said, pointing out the idolatries of palm-reading and Tarot cards, vanity, money, and drugs.

Idols “promise happiness

but do not give it; and we find ourselves living for that thing or that vision, caught in a selfdestructive whirlwind, waiting for a result that never comes.”

The temptation to turn things into false gods is something all people can fall prey to, whether religious or not, he stated.

He said that often, idolatry can take the form of wanting to know the future, instead of relying on prayer and trust in the providence of God. “The true God teaches us to live in the reality of every day, concretely, not with illusions about the future,” he said.

The pope described three phases for how something may become an idol in some-

one’s life: the first step is fixation or obsession with some object or some goal as a means of “achieving my essential needs.”

In the second phase, “we prostrate ourselves and sacrifice everything,” he said, and in the third we become enslaved.

Idols are not innocent attachments, he said, they “ask for blood”; money steals one’s life and pleasure ultimately leads to loneliness.

“I invite you to think today, how many idols do I have or what is my favorite idol?” he asked. “Because recognizing one’s idolatries is a beginning of grace; and puts [us] on the path of love.”

W

ith a little coaxing and a firm push, I had managed to put Maka Reilly, my oldest cat, into a cat carrier in order to fly him to Topside Molokai for a scheduled checkup with Dr. Jayne, the veterinarian. Maka Reilly was not happy when I closed the door of the carrier and immediately began to resist his confinement.

Moon Over Molokai

By Father Patrick Killilea, SS.CC.

Soon he was rocking and rolling the light plastic carrier. His howl was like that of a jungle cat. Then this gentle animal turned into the equivalent of the Incredible Hulk. He grabbed the carrier door with his powerful paws, wrenched it back and forth and broke one of the plastic latches, nailing my finger with his sharp claws in the process. “It was catmantic,” as we say back in the west of Ireland. When I returned after wrapping my finger in an adhesive Band-Aid, he had escaped his cell and was laying quietly on the front steps, restored to his normal gentle self.

He even allowed me to stroke his back. However, suffice it to say that he did not accompany me on the plane to Topside.

In Kalaupapa we do not have many house cats but cats may outnumber resident humans and many of our residents make sure that our feline protectors are well-fed.

Though Maka Reilly had

Catmantic lots of friends and lots of feeders as the Post Office Cat, he adopted me five years ago, perhaps because of the menu I serve. Since then, I have been adopted by four more purring kitties who like and enjoy the menu. Of course good menus must be supported by good medical care and that is very lacking for our pets in Kalaupapa.

Not only are we without a resident vet, we seldom have a visiting vet come to our settlement. So, if there is a vet out there willing to care for our little furry friends, please come to Kalaupapa.

After touchdown at Topside airport, I was met by Father Kris Kaitapu, pastor of St. Damian Of Molokai Parish.

We stopped by the Molokai Humane Society on our way to Kaunakakai and got some medicine for Maka Reilly from Dr. Jayne with the gracious help of Kathy. Later I visited Catherine the Great, editor-in-chief of the Molokai Dispatch, who suggested that I write this article. So, if you do not like this little news flash, you know who to blame.

LOL! Father Kris and I later had lunch at the Molokai Burger. Then it was time to fly back down to beautiful Kalaupapa.

As I penned the draft of this “newsletter,” Baby Face Bailey, my second cat, had been trying to snatch my pen from my hand. He wanted equal time, I guess. Such are the happenings in this land of Saints Damien and Mari-

anne where cats reign supreme and humans are their servants. By the way, this story ends well. Maka Reilly is doing well — and my finger has healed.

Aloha.

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

The Anchor - August 10, 2018

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Father Landry: The reform of the clergy, part two continued from page seven

blackball them from following their priestly vocation. Instead, they put down their heads, focused on their training, and tried to remedy the evil by getting ordained and serving God and His people as God desires and they deserve. To eradicate sexual abuse among the clergy, a known, trustworthy, effective, accountable reporting system is a must, and at present, it doesn’t exist.

Is there hope that the situation will get better? Yes. In many ways, it already has,

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because of various reforms in the last few decades. But there are issues that must be confronted candidly. There is a strain in the Church that basically has no problem with sexual immorality among the faithful or clergy, who want to reduce this crisis to one of the “abuse of power.” This strain, in general, wants to use this second phase of this crisis like they did the first one, to pretend that “chaste celibacy” is the problem, as if allowing priests to have wives

The Anchor - August 10, 2018

will eliminate the problem of same-sex molestation of post-pubescent boys or same-sex sexual infidelity.

Chastity isn’t the problem; unchastity is. Abuse of power isn’t the main issue, but rather the sexual abuse that that power was used to commit and keep hushed.

That’s why we need more than revised “codes of conduct” that state the obvious; the Ten Commandments, and the Church’s moral theology, are pretty clear after all. Fidelity is the only adequate response to infidelity, and holiness to sin and corruption.

God always seeks to draw good out of evil and throughout Church history has shown this time and again. Where sin abounds, grace super-abounds. Now is the time to cooperate — and cooperate fully — with His cleansing fire.

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

Efforts to broaden abortion legalization continue in Chile

Santiago, Chile (ACI Prensa) — Pro-life groups in Chile are criticizing efforts to legalize abortion for any reason up to 14 weeks of pregnancy.

Guido Guirardi, president of the Senate Committee on Health, has pushed for the introduction of a bill to broaden the legalization of abortion, according to La Tercera news.

Guirardi said that there is no comparison between the value of “a complete person, a human being, a woman, who has consciousness, a life history, and a germ of life, which is not a person, which is the union of an ovum and a sperm, that has no consciousness, brain, feeling or life history.”

Chilean president Sebastián Piñera has promised to oppose efforts to expand abortion in the country, saying he will do “everything that is necessary to defend life.”

Last year, Chile approved the legalization of abortion on the grounds of rape, fetal non-viability, or risk to the life of the mother.

Elizabeth Bunster, director of Project Hope, told CNA’s Spanish language sister agency ACI Prensa that the new bill “makes obvious what we were saying: that approving abortion on three grounds opened the door for abortion to be [completely] legalized.”

Bunster emphasized that Pro-Life groups in the country continue their work by “accompanying women in crisis pregnancies and those who suffer from the consequences of abortion.”

Rosario Vidal, president of the Women Reclaim Movement, warned that “the pro-abortion position has strong media backing and a lot of foreign funding.”

It is important to address the roots of the problem, and various pressures that women face to abort, she said.

“You have to understand that abortion is not a freely made decision, nor does a woman have an abortion to make a decision about her body.”

Watch the Ordination to Priesthood Online

The 2018 Fall River Diocese Ordination to Priesthood is available for viewing on the videosharing website YouTube. Visit the diocesan website at www.fallriverdiocese.org and click on the Ordination to Priesthood image on the home page to access the video. The ordination took place on June 9 at St. Mary’s Cathedral in Fall River.

FRDCCW to host lobster roll dinner August 25 in Seekonk to support its many programs and activities

SEEKONK — The Fall River Diocesan Council of Catholic Women is sponsoring a lobster roll dinner on August 25 at Our Lady of Mount Carmel parish hall, 984 Taunton Avenue, Seekonk from 5-7 p.m.

The event is to raise funds to support the various programs and activities that are offered to encourage, empower and support Catholic women

in areas of leadership, service and Spirituality.

All are welcome, and may bring a friend, to enjoy a tasty meal, plus learn more about the mission of the National Council of Catholic Women and the many projects that support its causes on human trafficking, immigration, domestic abuse, and ministry within the Church.

Reservations are necessary to reserve a spot.

For more information contact Beth Mahoney at frdccwbeth@gmail.com, or call: in the Attleboro area, 508-369-0966; on the Cape, 508-743-5448; in the Fall River area, 508-674-7036; in the New Bedford area, 508993-5085; and in the Taunton area, 508-8216201.

Diocesan faithful rally to assist in-need infants, toddlers, parents continued from page five

Diocese of Fall River TV Mass on WLNE Channel 6 August 12 at 11:00 a.m.

Celebrant is Father Edward A. Murphy, pastor of St. Andrew the Apostle Parish in Taunton.

August 19 at 11:00 a.m.

Celebrant is Father Daniel M. Nunes, parochial vicar at Holy Name Parish in Fall River.

Visit The Anchor online at http:www.anchornews.org

it was important to have run the campaign on both weekends. “This activity is an important Pro-life activity and encourages mothers and families to have, keep and raise their children,” he told The Anchor.

In Seekonk, Our Lady of Mount Carmel Parish received from its parishioners pledges for nearly 300 Rosaries to be prayed and 60 hours of Eucharistic Adoration.

St. Michael’s Parish in Fall River had pledges for 40 Rosaries and 10 Masses to “Celebrate the Beauty of Every Child.”

“The response was wonderful from the people in the pews,” added Wenc. “With the support of Bishop da Cunha and the cooperation of the five entities, the

results were better than we expected.

“People in the Fall River Diocese are so generous. We just have to do what Christ asks of us and God provide.”

Wenc told The Anchor that the people on the committees from the five ministries were very pleased with the results.

“And the pastors were very helpful as well,” said Wenc. “It wasn’t only the material goods that were collected that was so encouraging, but the prayers and Spiritual pledges that are so important.

“The people who regularly attend daily Mass and commit to hours of Eucharistic Adoration were happy to include the intentions of infants, toddlers and parents in need. But I think that

encouraged others to pray an extra Rosary, attend Mass more and spend time before the Blessed Sacrament. And the prayer cards that were distributed are things that can be used at any time. It’s a reminder to pray for the unborn and those in need year round.”

Pastors in participating parishes were given the option to distribute the items collected in their parishes to their choice of organizations or individuals. Or the items will be distributed according to recommendations from the five ministries involved.

Members from each of the five ministries will meet and discuss the results of the recently concluded campaign and its successes, and discuss the possibilities of future such endeavors.

To become a subscriber, to renew your existing subscription to The Anchor, or to give it as a gift, contact 508-675-7151 or email subscriptions@anchornews.org The Anchor - August 10, 2018

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For and About Our Church Youth

American Heritage Girls Troop MA 3712 got together and earned the Catholic Faith Identity Patch for St. Miriam. The girls learned about St. Miriam and discussed what special moments in their lives have made them sing praises to God. The girls then decorated tambourines, composed their own psalms and sang them to God as St. Miriam did when she sang and danced with the other women when Pharaoh’s chariots were tossed into the sea.

At its recent annual Meeting Brunch held at the Coonemessett Inn in Falmouth, the Catholic Women’s Club of Christ the King Parish in Mashpee awarded six college scholarships to outstanding graduating high school seniors who have been active participants in the life of the parish community. Scholarship recipients were, from left: Justin Bernier, Michael Burke, Hannah Laird, Ilya Boyd, Joseph Papapietro, and Myranda Goveia (not pictured).

Officer Curtis Gonsalves made an impromptu visit to the summer camp held at Holy Family-Holy Name School in New Bedford.

The children were enjoying some water fun on a hot and humid day and were delighted to have the company of one of New Bedford’s finest.

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The Anchor - August 10, 2018

The call is out for diocesan faithful to pray for our nation continued from page two

decades of the Rosary (one set of mysteries) each day for 27 days in petition; then immediately five decades each day for an additional 27 days in thanksgiving, regardless of whether or not the request has been granted yet.

“So began six Novenas of Rosaries, which became known as the 54-day Rosary Novena.

“To do the Novena properly one must pray the Rosary for 54 consecutive days, without missing a day, and must pray the particular Mystery indicated for that day following the correct sequence.

“That is, the first day of the Novena always begins with the Joyful Mysteries (regardless of what day of the week the Novena is started); the second day, the Sorrowful Mysteries are prayed; and the third day of the Novena, the Glorious Mysteries are prayed.

“The fourth day of the Novena begins again with the Joyful Mysteries and continues on in that sequence throughout the 54 days of the Novena.

“People have asked over time about the Luminous Mysteries — this Novena was given by Our Lady as noted above in 1884 and only allows for the Joyful, Sorrowful and Glorious Mysteries.”

The Novena will culminate on October 7, the feast of Our Lady of the Rosary, with a “U.S. Rosary Coast to Coast” event and a Rosary Rally in Washington, D.C. The “Rosary Coast to Coast” is a call to all faithful to pray on October 7, joining thousands of their brothers and sisters across the country and those

gathered in our nation’s capital.

Edwin and Ana Aldarondo, members of St. Anthony of Padua Parish in New Bedford have been busy getting the word out about the Novena, Rosary Coast to Coast, and Rosary Rally, stressing the crucial nature of the events.

“A sense of urgency is too often ignored and cannot be ignored any more,” Edwin told The Anchor.

“Last year our Mother Church celebrated the 100th anniversary of the apparition of Our Lady in Fatima. Despite the many celebrations I felt all messages were guided to narrating the history of the apparition and nothing in regards to how the people have evolved since 1917. Where is humanity as to what Our Lady requested from us, where is our society, where is our Church?

“I truly believe we are living the signs of the times. Throughout history Our Lady has come to warn us but also to offer a solution. In 1981, Our Lady of Fatima warned through Sister Lucia that the final battle will be against Marriage and the family and that anyone who tries to defend them will experience persecution and tribulation.”

Aldarondo is the pilgrimage coordinator for Catholic Footprints Pilgrimage and is leading a pilgrimage to Canton, Ohio from October 4-7.

“We will either join any activity already planned or do something with the pilgrims who have joined our pilgrimage on that weekend.”

On the Rosary Coast to Coast Website (rosarycoasttocoast.com)

three parishes in the Diocese of Fall River have pledged action on October 7. As of press time the Holy Rosary Sodality at St. Stanislaus Parish in Fall River has pledged 20 decades of the Rosary.

Good Shepherd Parish on Martha’s Vineyard has signed up with a contact of Esther Deming (estercarolinedeming@ gmail.com) as has St. Pius X Parish in South Yarmouth, with a contact of Jennifer Hunter (jennhunter90@hotmail. com).

Aldarondo told The Anchor that via social media he has received support from Deacon David Pepin and Mary Cardoza at St. Francis Xavier Parish in Acushnet; Jane Wilcox at St. Bernard’s Parish in Assonet; the Missionary Sisters of Mother Teresa of Calcutta in New Bedford; and he

is reaching out to the Legion of Mary group in Fairhaven.

“Our stance with Rosary Coast to Coast is to beg Our Lord for mercy, for more time,” added Aldarondo. “For the sake of His sorrowful passion, have mercy on us and on the whole world.

Our Lady would surely rather that we pray and repent in order to hold back the judging hand of the Lord. We must pray the Rosary daily for the conversion of sinners. ‘Beg the Lord for poor sinners to repent’” (Eph 6:10-17).

The Rosary Coast to Coast Website gives participants a plan of action: “On the weekend of the October 7, feast of Our Lady of the Rosary, the U.S. — through Rosary Coast to Coast — will join with our international brothers and sisters to pray for our respective nations.

“Americans across the country are invited to pray Rosary Coast to Coast

wherever they can gather: in parish churches; in front of state capitols; along the U.S. coasts and borders; as families; or while viewing the live-stream of the National Rosary Rally.

Rosary Coast to Coast will take place at 4 p.m.

Eastern, 3 p.m. Central, 2 p.m. Mountain, and 1 p.m. Pacific. The reasoning behind these times will be to support all time zones in full participation of events, aside from Sunday Masses.

Indeed, the heart of the nation will be immersed in the Hour Of Mercy.

“The National Rosary Rally will take place, as well, in front of the U.S. Capitol on this day. We will begin with Mass at St. Peter’s on Capitol Hill followed by a Rosary procession to the rally site.

The Rosary Rally will be live-streamed.”

For more information on any of the events, visit Novena For Our Nation at novenaforournation.com and the Rosary Coast to Coast at rosarycoasttocoast.

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CONGREGATION FOR THE DOCTRINE OF THE FAITH Letter to the bishops regarding the new revision of number 2267 of the ‘Catechism of the Catholic Church’ on the death penalty

1. The Holy Father Pope Francis, in his Discourse on the occasion of the 25th anniversary of the publication of the Apostolic Constitution Fidei depositum, by which John Paul II promulgated the “Catechism of the Catholic Church,” asked that the teaching on the death penalty be reformulated so as to better reflect the development of the doctrine on this point that has taken place in recent times.[1] This development centers principally on the clearer awareness of the Church for the respect due to every human life.

Along this line, John Paul II affirmed: “Not even a murderer loses his personal dignity, and God Himself pledges to guarantee this.”[2] 2. It is in the same light that one should understand the attitude towards the death penalty that is expressed ever more widely in the teaching of pastors and in the sensibility of the people of God. If, in fact, the political and social situation of the past made the death penalty an acceptable means for the protection of the common good, today the increasing understanding that the dignity of a person is not lost even after committing the most serious crimes, the deepened understanding of the significance of penal sanctions applied by the state, and the development of more efficacious detention systems that guarantee the due protection of citizens have given rise 18

to a new awareness that recognizes the inadmissibility of the death penalty and, therefore, calling for its abolition.

3. In this development, the teaching of the Encyclical Letter Evangelium vitae of John Paul II is of great importance.

The Holy Father enumerated among the signs of hope for a new culture of life “a growing public opposition to the death penalty, even when such a penalty is seen as a kind of ‘legitimate defense’ on the part of society. Modern society in fact has the means of effectively suppressing crime by rendering criminals harmless without definitively denying them the chance to reform.”[3] The teaching of Evangelium vitae was then included in the editio typica of the “Catechism of the Catholic Church.” In it, the death penalty is not presented as a proportionate penalty for the gravity of the crime, but it can be justified if it is “the only practicable way to defend the lives of human beings effectively against the aggressor,” even if in reality “cases of absolute necessity for suppression of the offender today are very rare, if not practically non-existent” (n. 2267).

4. John Paul II also intervened on other occasions against the death penalty, appealing to respect for the dignity of the person as well as to the means that today’s society possesses to defend itself from criminals.

Thus, in the Christmas Message of 1998, he

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wished “the world the consensus concerning the need for urgent and adequate measures to end the death penalty.”[4] The following month in the United States, he repeated, “A sign of hope is the increasing recognition that the dignity of human life must never be taken away, even in the case of someone who has done great evil. Modern society has the means of protecting itself, without definitively denying criminals the chance to reform. I renew the appeal I made most recently at Christmas for a consensus to end the death penalty, which is both cruel and unnecessary.”[5] 5. The motivation to be committed to the abolition of the death penalty was continued with the subsequent pontiffs.

Benedict XVI recalled “the attention of society’s leaders to the need to make every effort to eliminate the death penalty.”[6] He later wished a group of the faithful that “your deliberations will encourage the political and legislative initiatives being promoted in a growing number of countries to eliminate the death penalty and to continue the substantive progress made in conforming penal law both to the human dignity of prisoners and the effective maintenance of public order.”[7] 6. In this same prospective, Pope Francis has reaffirmed that “today capital punishment is unacceptable, however serious the condemned’s

crime may have been.”[8] The death penalty, regardless of the means of execution, “entails cruel, inhumane, and degrading treatment.”[9] Furthermore, it is to be rejected “due to the defective selectivity of the criminal justice system and in the face of the possibility of judicial error.”[10] It is in this light that Pope Francis has asked for a revision of the formulation of the “Catechism of the Catholic Church” on the death penalty in a manner that affirms that “no matter how serious the crime that has been committed, the death penalty is inadmissible because it is an attack on the inviolability and the dignity of the person.”[11] 7. The new revision of number 2267 of the “Catechism of the Catholic Church,” approved

by Pope Francis, situates itself in continuity with the preceding Magisterium while bringing forth a coherent development of Catholic doctrine.[12] The new text, following the footsteps of the teaching of John Paul II in Evangelium vitae, affirms that ending the life of a criminal as punishment for a crime is inadmissible because it attacks the dignity of the person, a dignity that is not lost even after having committed the most serious crimes. This conclusion is reached taking into account the new understanding of penal sanctions applied by the modern state, which should be oriented above all to the rehabilitation and social

reintegration of the criminal. Finally, given that modern society possesses more efficient detention systems, the death penalty becomes unnecessary as protection for the life of innocent people. Certainly, it remains the duty of public authorities to defend the life of citizens, as has always been taught by the Magisterium and is confirmed by the “Catechism of the Catholic Church” in numbers 2265 and 2266.

8. All of this shows that the new formulation of number 2267 of the “Catechism” expresses an authentic development of doctrine that is not in contradiction with the prior teachings of the Magisterium. These teachings, in fact, can be explained in the light of the primary responsibility of the public authority to protect the common good in a social context in which the penal sanctions were understood differently, and had developed in an environment in which it was more difficult to guarantee that the criminal could not repeat his crime.

9. The new revision affirms that the understanding of the inadmissibility of the death penalty grew “in the light of the Gospel.”[13] The Gospel, in fact, helps to understand better the order of Creation that the Son of God assumed, purified, and brought to fulfillment. It also invites us to the mercy and patience of the Lord that gives to each person the Turn to page 23

Second annual men’s conference is September 8 in East Taunton continued from page four

the way we do stuff, all of that. And what I think the conference is about is actually getting to a place where we start to have a real solid respect for masculinity again. That there is something inherently wonderful and beautiful about masculinity and we need to recover that.

“In a recent study, it was found that 25 percent of children in America are raised without a father.

Now that doesn’t sound like much, but that’s without a father period. When you include stepfathers, it’s like 46 percent of the children are not raised with their own father. Those are staggering numbers. Just think about how much fathers provide to the development of their children — both sons and daughters. So we have to get back to the point where men realize that they have a real sense of responsibility to their families.”

“I think it’s clear to me there is really a desperate need in our Church today for men to start reassuming these roles of leadership and accountability in their own faith walk and those of their families,” Deacon Craig agreed.

Deacon Varieur even noted that in a couple of recent listening sessions with Bishop Edgar M. da Cunha, S.D.V., more than one person stressed the importance of getting more men involved in the Church if they want it to continue to flourish and succeed.

“People were saying, essentially, if you don’t get the men on board, it’s not happening,” Deacon Varieur said. “There’s very little pushback to what’s going on in our culture. Some of the Evangelical churches push back, but the only other one is the Catholic Church. We

try to maintain these standards and I think things like this can help draw people in, and get more people at work to say, ‘Yeah, you know, I was at this thing this weekend and a guy was talking about the fact that my wife really needs me’ and you know, there’ll be a little discussion and the truth always rips at our heart. Sometimes, you hear it and you never

money. But I wasn’t there to teach prayers or (Faith Formation). That was her job and it was a humbling experience when I kind of had that epiphany that, you know, I’m really supposed to be doing more of this stuff.

I’m really kind of responsible for this stuff.”

Deacon Craig said it was amazing to witness some men at last year’s conference

Father Roger J. Landry, former executive editor and current columnist with The Anchor, who also works for the Holy See’s Permanent Observer Mission to the United Nations in New York, will be the keynote speaker at the second annual Southeastern New England Men’s Conference to be held on Saturday, September 8 at Holy Family Parish in East Taunton. The author of the acclaimed book “Plan of Life: Habits to Help You Grow Closer to God” will discuss “Beholding Jesus the Man and Imitating His Manly Virtues.”

can tell what will happen.”

Both deacons agreed that it is critical to get more men and youth involved in the Church moving forward.

For too long, it seemed that Church remained the sole purview of the matriarch of the family.

“I can draw on my own development and faith experience, and for a long time I was completely content to have my wife do everything: all things Church-related were her department,” Deacon Craig said. “I’d go to work, I’d earn the

finally come to this realization.

“I watched and saw that some of the lights were going off, you know? The men were realizing that they not only had the responsibility, but it was something they should want to do,” he said.

“It should be something they are striving for. And it was a real positive thing to see some of these guys who I’ve known for a long time come to this realization.

They were probably a lot like me, just going to Mass every weekend but that was

it. It was one and done and the rest of the week they were on their own.”

In addition to Father Landry, this year’s conference will feature presentations from Deacon Varieur’s aforementioned wife, Karen, and Danielle Cohn, who will jointly discuss “Complementarily: As Wife and Mother.”

“Karen is a clinician, and Danielle used to work in the office of evangelization,” Deacon Varieur said. “The world presents something that feminists want from men and some of that may be accurate, but some of it is perhaps less than accurate.

Danielle just spoke recently at a Theology on Tap (event) on complementarity and what it means between men and women, in that we’re not complete by ourselves.

Marriage isn’t an option if we want to complement each other — if we want to be complete, we have to have the other sex with us.

So that’s what they’re going to be chatting about from a woman’s point of view.”

Michael Lavigne will also present “Life Long Journey of Fatherhood,” and Deacon Varieur’s son, John, will discuss “Complementarily: As Husband and Father.”

Pre-registration for the second annual Southeastern New England Men’s Conference is open through September 7 and costs $20. But participants can register on the day of the event for $25.

A lunch will be provided as part of the registration cost.

“Last year we didn’t charge anything, I remember it was just a freewill offering to attend,” Deacon Craig said. “But this year we’re charging a nominal fee because we have some expenses we have to cover.

And we’re going to provide lunch, so I think $25 is a pretty good price for a fullday conference. Hopefully, I don’t think anyone would be

turned away by the cost.”

The conference will once again be held in the Holy Family Parish Center, 438 Middleboro Avenue in East Taunton, and will kick off at 8:30 a.m. with registration and refreshments. It’s set to conclude by 3:45 p.m., as Deacon Craig noted there is a 4 p.m. vigil Mass that day at Holy Family Church.

“If there’s one thing I would like to say to the men coming to the conference: if you’re going to get anything at all out of this, it would be to move away from the shame and get back to a sense of respect for your masculinity,” Deacon Varieur said. “It’s absolutely necessary to provide what is needed and to engage in a serious complementary relationship with a woman.

But they first need to feel respectful of themselves.”

“I just hope they give themselves the opportunity to experience it without feeling that this isn’t what the rest of the guys are doing on a Saturday,” Deacon Craig added. “That they take the chance to give themselves the opportunity to come and learn a little bit about maybe what they’re doing right, what they could do better perhaps in their own homes, with their own families, and just enjoy being around other likeminded men. When you get into a community of guys who are all seeking the same thing, I think that’s kind of empowering to allow them to move forward in their faith walk.”

The second annual Southeastern New England Men’s Conference will be held on Saturday, September 8 from 8:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. at the Holy Family Parish Center, 438 Middleboro Avenue, East Taunton. For more information, contact Deacon Robert Craig at 508-8245707 or email imagodeihfp@ gmail.com.

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Our readers respond Roaming Catholics What is a Roaming Catholic?

Is being a Roaming Catholic a tradition? The best response can be found in the reply that Tevye gave to a question in the story, “Fiddler on the Roof.” How did the tradition get started? Tevye: “I’ll tell you!” (Pause) “I don’t know. But it’s a tradition — and because of our traditions — every one of us knows who he is and what God expects him to do.”

I thought of Roaming Catholics as I attended the funeral of Father Roger J. Levesque at St. Bernadette’s Church in Fall River. I saw several other Roaming Catholics there, and we all had one thing in common — we got to know and love Father Levesque from seeing him over the decades in the many different assignments he enjoyed during his 59 years of ordination.

When one receives Communion from a priest, goes to him for Confession, attends his Masses, and listens to his homilies, a

bond is developed. I was there to pay tribute to him as a result of this bond. So were many family, friends, and some 30-plus brother priests. It seemed so fitting to see the crucifix centered on the wall behind the altar, with Jesus looking down on the casket of one of His beloved servants, who had dedicated his life doing as Christ requested: “Do this in remembrance of Me.” Daryl Gonyon Fall River A picture of nature In response to your article in The Anchor on page 20, “Clarification of Anchor cover on June 29,” I do not agree with you saying you were wrong and should have pulled that picture to support complaints about this being Gay Pride month.

First of all, rainbows have been in this world way before the LGBT movement adopted it as their symbol. A beautiful rainbow is a natural form of nature; when it rains and the sun comes

Anchor renewal and price changes

FALL RIVER — The Anchor, the official Catholic newspaper of the Diocese of Fall River, has announced a few changes of which current subscribers should be made aware.

At the renewal date for each subscriber, the annual cost for The Anchor will become $25. This is the first rate increase for The Anchor in more than 10 years. While we realize it may be an extra burden to some, the $20 cost did not cover printing and mailing overheads. At the new rate, it still works out to costing subscribers less than $1 per issue, far less than most publications.

The Anchor is also offering its readers the option to renew for two years at $45 for 52 issues, a savings of $5.

The date in which the sub20

The Anchor - August 10, 2018

scription will expire will be listed in each edition above the name and address of the subscriber on page 24.

Subscribers are encouraged to renew their subscription by that date by sending a check or money order for $25 made payable to The Anchor, 887 Highland Avenue, Fall River, Mass. 02720. Subscribers may also renew via PayPal by visiting The Anchor website at anchornews.org and pressing the “Subscribe” button and following the onscreen directions. We cannot accept credit card payments by phone.

If a payment isn’t received within 30 days of the expiration date, The Anchor will send out one reminder notice.

A sample of the new mailing labels appears in today’s edition on page 24.

out it forms a rainbow of beautiful colors. This comes from God, not the LGBT movement.

Father Tim’s picture and article definitely belonged on the front page of The Anchor. I praise Father Tim for taking such a lovely picture of nature, and God’s hands making that glorious rainbow to make people feel happy and able to smile.

People can complain but they need to see the true meaning of this picture.

Sharyn Fitzgerald East Freetown We all have free will I read with great interest your article on “Immigration, Church Teaching and Political Calculus.” I felt I wanted to respond and share my opinion.

I supported President Clinton not because he supported legal abortion but because he led the country in peace and prosperity with intelligence and empathy for all.

Abortion is a choice one makes because of many different circumstances. We, as most Catholics and other religious people, would not choose abortion, but we live our lives differently and most have not been subjected to rape or incest that can be traumatizing. But with early intervention, pregnancy could be prevented. It is wrong to abort a baby and we should give them options. Some people are

so desperate that they will harm themselves if left to their own options. We can help people make the right decisions, but since the beginning of time, God gave all of us a free will. Our choices may lead us to suffer the consequences, but God is also all-knowing, just and merciful, and whatever God does to punish or forgive us is what we deserve.

I am a Democrat because I believe they work for the common good of all. I believe all elected officials are supposed to stand up for what is right for the country and the world. They should not do the NRA’s bidding, and they should not be passing legislation that favors the rich and corporations to reduce their fair share of taxes while bringing the country in further debt with eventual less money for the rest of us.

We should not ever elect a president like Trump (unfit, liar, cheater, etc.) who can do more overall harm than good for our country. Although he may nominate a Supreme Court judge who might be more conservative in his opinions, they are not supposed to be biased under party lines as they did when they stopped the counting of the vote when Gore was running. That was historically wrong.

Thank you for sharing your thoughtful feelings.

Evelyn Laliberte Mashpee

D.C. archdiocese prays for abuse victims continued from page nine

that Pope Francis “takes very seriously the allegation of an abuse of a minor.”

“I think this was a big step forward in trying to act quickly, decisively, even though the whole procedure isn’t concluded yet,” Cardinal Wuerl said told the Washington-area radio station WTOP recently. “The pope is saying that we need to show that we are hearing these things, paying attention and acting.”

Although the alleged abuse happened decades ago, he said, “people

are now coming forward and saying, ‘I know I’m going to get a hearing in the Church.’”

“It’s encouraging people who have kept these things buried to step forward and say, ‘Even though this happened a long time ago, I want you to know it happened,’” said Cardinal Wuerl.

He also told WTOP he had never been approached with allegations that McCarrick committed abuse.

He also said he was not aware of the decades-old rumors about McCarrick’s alleged misconduct.

Father Roger J. Levesque dies at age 84

FALL RIVER — Father Roger J. Levesque, 84, died on July 23.

Father Levesque was born in Fall River on Jan. 12, 1934.

He was the son of the late Romeo Levesque and Germaine (Lavoie) Levesque. He is survived by his sister, Claire Guillemette (late husband Armand) of Texas, seven nieces and nephews, 21 grandnieces and nephews and 18 greatgrandnieces and nephews.

Father Levesque attended Assumption College in Worcester. He pursued his seminary studies in Montreal, Canada, studying at the Seminaire de Philosophie and the Grand Seminaire de St. Sulpice.

Father Levesque was ordained to the priesthood by Bishop James L. Connolly on April 25, 1959.

He served as parochial vicar at St. Ann’s Parish in New Bedford, Notre Dame in Fall River, St. Theresa in South Attleboro, and St. Joseph in New Bedford. He was named pastor of St. Elizabeth’s in Edgartown in 1977; St. Joseph’s in Attleboro in 1981; St. Michael’s in Swansea in 1983; and St. Joseph’s in New Bedford in 1994.

From 1999 to 2004, he served as founding pastor of St. Joseph-St. Therese Church (formerly St. Joseph Church) in New Bedford where he remained until retirement.

A Mass of Christian Burial was celebrated on Saturday, July 28 St. Bernadette Church.

Father Philip Hamel, Father Levesque’s successor at St. Joseph-St. Therese Parish, was the homilist at the funeral Mass. He began by quoting a priest who was preaching at his own grandfather’s funeral.

“We are here to celebrate the life of a very special man. That man is Jesus Christ.”

Father Hamel focused on how Father Levesque’s humility always pointed to Christ, how his predecessor always “said yes to God.” He recalled how Father Levesque was told in his first assignment by

his pastor, “You can choose to simply be a good priest in your parish or you can climb the ecclesiastical ladder.” Father Levesque chose the former and found much joy in doing so.

Father Hamel spoke about a 1974 homily which Bishop Daniel Cronin gave at St. John’s Seminary in Brighton (at the invitation of the seminarians from Fall River).

“Sometimes people think that humility means deflecting compliments. That’s false humility. When someone pays you a compliment, just say ‘thank you.’”

When Father Levesque retired, he would come by his old rectory in New Bedford every Wednesday (his “day off,” he called it) and would sit and chat with whomever

In Your Prayers Please pray for these priests during the coming weeks Aug. 12 Rev. Victor O. Masse, M.S., Retired Pastor, St. Anthony, New Bedford, 1974 Aug. 13 Rev. Edward J. Sheridan, Pastor, St. Mary, Taunton, 1896 Rt. Rev. Leonard J. Daley, Pastor, St. Francis Xavier, Hyannis, 1964 Rev. Gabriel Swol, OFM Conv., Former Associate Pastor, Holy Rosary, Taunton, 1991

dropped by. “People would compliment him and he’d say ‘thank you,’” Father Hamel noted.

“He was extraordinarily humble,” Father Hamel said of his predecessor. “I’m sure he had to work hard to develop these qualities.”

Bishop Sean P. O’Malley, OFM Cap., told the priests of the Fall River Diocese more than once that they should look into the mirror each morning and repeat the words of St. John the Baptist, “I am not the Christ.” “Father Roger recognized that,” Father Hamel said, “but he knew that every time he put on the chasuble [for Mass], he stood in persona Christi, in the person of Christ. He was using the Lord’s grace to bring people into the Church. (He) humbly recognized he was a tool of the Lord.”

Father Hamel said that Father Levesque “was a very supportive mentor in many ways” to him. “When you look

[at the photograph portrait in the rectory for which Father Hamel made Father Levesque pose], you see his kindness.

He never thought of himself as less than others, he never thought of himself as more than others.”

Father Levesque’s nephew Philip spoke after Communion and recalled how his mother Claire, as a child of four, overheard Father Levesque’s mother praying for his health when he was six and was suffering from a severe infection. An older sister had already died and Mrs. Levesque prayed to God, “If you let me keep this one, You can have him as Your own.”

Philip Guillemette said that his uncle “never aspired for higher positions in the Church because he found happiness in serving God.” Donations in his name may be made to the Cardinal Medeiros Residence for Retired Priests, 375 Elsbree Street, Fall River, Mass. 02720.

Aug. 14 Rev. Raphael Marciniak, OFM Conv., Pastor, Holy Cross, Fall River, 1947 Rev. Conrad Lamb, O.S.B., Missionary in Guatemala, 1969 Aug. 15 Rev. Charles W. Cullen, Founder, Holy Family, East Taunton, 1926 Permanent Deacon Robert W. Pelland, 2016 Aug. 17 Rev. Cornelius O’Connor, Former Pastor, Holy Trinity, Harwich Center, 1882 Rev. Msgr. Maurice Souza, Retired Pastor, St. Anthony, East Falmouth, 1996 Aug. 18 Rev. Msgr. William H. Dolan, Retired Pastor, Holy Family, East Taunton, 1977 Aug. 20 Rev. Bernard H. Unsworth, Retired Pastor, St. Mary, New Bedford, 1982 Rev. Thomas Cantwell, SSJ., Retired, St. Joseph’s Seminary, Washington, 1983 Aug. 21 Most Rev.Lawrence S. McMahon, Bishop of Hartford, Former Pastor, St. Lawrence, New Bedford, 1893 Aug. 22 Rev. Msgr. Manuel J. Teixeira, Pastor, St. Anthony, Taunton, 1962 Rev. William R. Jordan, Pastor, St. Louis, Fall River, 1972 Rev. Msgr. Joseph C. Canty, USN Retired Chaplain, Retired Pastor, St. Paul, Taunton, 1980 Msgr. John F. Denehy, USAF Retired Chaplain, 2003 Aug. 23 Rev. Thomas F. Clinton, Pastor, St. Peter, Sandwich, 1895 Msgr. Anthony M. Gomes, PA, Retired Pastor, Our Lady of the Angels, Fall River, 1992 Aug. 24 Rev. Peter J.B. Bedard, Founder, Notre Dame de Lourdes, Fall River, 1884 Very Rev. James F. Gilchrist, CPM VG., Vicar General of the Congregation of the Fathers of Mercy, 1962 Rev. Msgr. James E. Gleason, Retired Pastor, St. Patrick, Falmouth, 1987

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Around the Diocese St. Anthony Parish Thrift Shop, 18 Davisville Road in East Falmouth (next to CVS), will host a Jewelry, Art and Fine Porcelain Sale on Friday and Saturday, August 17 and 18 from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. with early bird viewing on Thursday, August 16 from 3 to 6 p.m. The public may rent a table for a $10 donation to St. Vincent de Paul. Please call 508-540-0505 for more information.

A “Worrier’s Retreat” will be held on Saturday, August 18 from 8:30 a.m. to 12 p.m. in the Holy Family Parish Center, 438 Middleboro Avenue in East Taunton featuring Catholic author and speaker Allison Gingras of ReconciledToYou.com. She will host a morning of reflecting on what makes us worry and how God has given us all the tools to regain our peace. Coffee and pastry will be served and a freewill offering would be appreciated. For more information or to reserve a seat, call 508-243-1133.

Our Lady of the Cape Parish, 468 Stony Brook Road in Brewster, invites all to the final event of its Summer Speaker Series, which will take place on Tuesday, August 28 with Sister Kathleen Hagerty, CSJ, who will discuss “The Spirituality of Aging.” Sister Kathleen is a Sister of St. Joseph of Boston. She has served as an elementary and high school teacher and hospital chaplain and is currently conducting aging and Spirituality programs and retreats. A light dinner will be served at 5:30 p.m. for a cost of $6 in the parish center hall. The talk will begin at 6 p.m. and last for about an hour.

St. Anthony of Padua Church on Bedford Street in Fall River will host a recitation of the Holy Rosary and Litany with the Divine Mercy Chaplet every Monday evening at 6:15 p.m. All are welcome. For more information, call the rectory at 508-673-2402.

A Divine Mercy Cenacle group meets every Monday from 9:30 to 10:30 a.m. at St. Patrick’s Church, 306 South Street in Somerset.

Meetings are held in the parish center, except for holidays. Meetings include formation on the Divine Mercy message from the “Diary of St. Faustina,” readings from the Bible and “Cathechism of the Catholic Church,” and praying the Divine Mercy Chaplet.

All are welcome. For more information call 508-646-1019 or 508672-1523.

Holy Rosary Fraternity Gatherings are held in the hall of St. Jude the Apostle Church, 249 Whittenton Street in Taunton on the second Sunday of the month at 1:30 p.m. All are welcome. For more information, call 508-695-5430.

The Third Order of Carmelites meets on the third Sunday of the month at Christ the King Parish in Mashpee for 10:30 a.m. Mass followed by a teaching in Room A and daytime prayer in St. Jude’s Chapel. They meet every Sunday at 6:30 p.m. in St. Jude’s Chapel for evening prayer. All are welcome. For more information about the Lay Carmelite Order of St. John of the Cross, contact Dottie Cawley at 508-477-2798.

The Holy Rosary Fraternity in Taunton is seeking to grow. Adult Catholics interested in learning more about the Secular Franciscan Order are invited to contact Peter Fricano at 774-225-8874 or homevue@yahoo.com.

Renew the faith and rekindle the Spirit with “Holy Cross Landings.” If you have been away for a while, Holy Cross Parish in Easton invites you back to join them. For more information, visit www.holycrosseaston.org or call Harold Smith at 508-238-1899.

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

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The Anchor - August 10, 2018

Eucharistic Adoration in the Diocese Acushnet — Eucharistic Adoration takes place at St. Francis Xavier Parish on Monday from 9:30 a.m. to 8:30 p.m.; Tuesday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 8:30 p.m.; and Saturday from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. Evening prayer and Benediction is held Monday through Wednesday at 6:30 p.m.

ASSONET — St. Bernard’s Parish will have Eucharistic Adoration every Monday from 9:30 a.m. to 6:30 p.m. The Blessed Sacrament will be exposed on the altar at the conclusion of 9 a.m. Mass and the church will be open all day, concluding with evening prayer and Benediction at 6:30 p.m.

ATTLEBORO — Eucharistic Adoration takes place at St. John the Evangelist Church, North Main Street, Mondays and Wednesdays from 5-6:30 p.m.

ATTLEBORO — Eucharistic Adoration takes place in the Adoration Chapel at St. Vincent de Paul Parish, 71 Linden Street, from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. daily.

ATTLEBORO — The National Shrine of Our Lady of La Salette holds Eucharistic Adoration in the Shrine Church every Saturday from 1 to 4 p.m. through November 17.

Brewster — Eucharistic Adoration takes place at Our Lady of the Cape Church, 468 Stony Brook Road, on First Fridays from 11:30 a.m. to 7 p.m. buzzards Bay — Eucharistic Adoration takes place at St. Margaret Church, 141 Main Street, every First Friday following the 8 a.m. Mass, ending at 5 p.m.

East Freetown — Eucharistic Adoration takes place at St. John Neumann Church every Monday (excluding legal holidays) 8 a.m. to 9 p.m. in the Our Lady, Mother of All Nations Chapel. (The base of the bell tower).

EAST TAUNTON — Eucharistic Adoration takes place in the chapel at Holy Family Parish Center, 438 Middleboro Avenue, Monday through Friday, 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. On First Fridays, Eucharistic Adoration takes place at Holy Family Church, 370 Middleboro Avenue, from 8:30 a.m. until 7:45 p.m.

FAIRHAVEN — St. Mary’s Church, Main St., has Eucharistic Adoration every Wednesday from 8:30-11:30 a.m. in the Chapel of Reconciliation, with Benediction at 11:30 a.m.

FALL RIVER — St. Anthony of Padua Church, on the corner of Bedford and Sixteenth streets, has Eucharistic Adoration accompanied by music and prayer every first Wednesday of the month from 6-7 p.m.

FALL RIVER — St. Bernadette’s Church, 529 Eastern Ave., has continuous Eucharistic Adoration from 8 a.m. on Thursday until 8 a.m. on Saturday.

FALL RIVER — St. Anthony of the Desert Church, 300 North Eastern Avenue, has Eucharistic Adoration Mondays and Tuesdays from 9 a.m. to 7 p.m.

FALL RIVER — Holy Name Church, 709 Hanover Street, has Eucharistic Adoration Monday through Friday from 7:30 a.m. to 9 p.m. in the Our Lady of Grace Chapel.

FALL RIVER — Good Shepherd Parish has Eucharistic Adoration every Friday following the 8 a.m. Mass and concluding with 3 p.m. Benediction in the Daily Mass Chapel. A bilingual holy hour takes place from 2 to 3 p.m. Park behind the church and enter the back door of the connector between the church and the rectory.

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

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

Falmouth — St. Patrick’s Church has Eucharistic Adoration each First Friday following the 7 a.m. Mass, with Benediction at 4:30 p.m.

HYANNIS — St. Francis Xavier Parish in Hyannis, 347 South Street, Hyannis, has Eucharistic Adoration from noon to 3 p.m., daily Monday through Friday.

MANSFIELD — St. Mary’s Parish, 330 Pratt Street, has Eucharistic Adoration every First Friday from 7:30 a.m. to 6 p.m., with Benediction at 5:45 p.m.

MASHPEE — Christ the King Parish, Route 151 and Job’s Fishing Road has 8:30 a.m. Mass every First Friday with special intentions for Respect Life, followed by 24 hours of Eucharistic Adoration in the Chapel, concluding with Benediction Saturday morning followed immediately by an 8:30 Mass.

NEW BEDFORD — Eucharistic Adoration is held every Thursday, with Confessions, from 7:30 to 8:30 p.m. at Our Lady of Guadalupe at St. James Church. Please use the side entrance.

NEW BEDFORD — There is a daily holy hour from 5:15-6:15 p.m. Monday through Thursday at St. Anthony of Padua Church, 1359 Acushnet Avenue. It includes Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament, Liturgy of the Hours, recitation of the Rosary, and the opportunity for Confession.

NEW BEDFORD — St. Lawrence Martyr Parish, 565 County Street, holds Eucharistic Adoration in the side chapel Fridays from 7:30-11:45 a.m. ending with a simple Benediction NORTH DARTMOUTH — Eucharistic Adoration takes place at St. Julie Billiart Church, 494 Slocum Road, every Tuesday from 5:30 to 6:30 p.m., ending with Benediction. The Sacrament of Reconciliation is available at this time.

NORTH DIGHTON — Eucharistic Adoration takes place every Wednesday following 8:00 a.m. Mass and concludes with Benediction at 5 p.m. Eucharistic Adoration also takes place every First Friday at St. Nicholas of Myra Church, 499 Spring Street following the 8 a.m. Mass, ending with Benediction at 6 p.m. The Rosary is recited Monday through Friday from 7:30 to 8 a.m.

NORTH EASTON — A Holy Hour for Families including Eucharistic Adoration is held every Friday from 3-4 p.m. at The Father Peyton Center, 518 Washington Street.

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

ORLEANS — St. Joan of Arc Parish, 61 Canal Road, has Eucharistic Adoration every First Friday starting after the 8 a.m. Mass and ending with Benediction at 11:45 a.m. The Sacrament of the Sick is also available immediately after the 8 a.m. Mass.

SEEKONK ­— Our Lady of Mt. Carmel Parish has perpetual Eucharistic Adoration seven days a week, 24 hours a day in the chapel at 984 Taunton Avenue. For information call 508-336-5549.

Taunton — Eucharistic Adoration takes place every Tuesday at St. Anthony Church, 126 School Street, following the 8 a.m.

Mass with prayers including the Chaplet of Divine Mercy for vocations, concluding at 6 p.m. with Chaplet of St. Anthony and Benediction. Recitation of the Rosary for peace is prayed Monday through Saturday at 7:30 a.m. prior to the 8 a.m. Mass.

Taunton — Adoration of the Most Blessed Sacrament takes place every First Friday at Annunciation of the Lord, 31 First Street. Exposition begins following the 8 a.m. Mass. The Blessed Sacrament will be exposed, and Adoration will continue throughout the day. Confessions are heard from 4:15 to 4:45 p.m. Rosary and Benediction begin at 5 p.m.

Taunton — St. Jude the Apostle Parish in Taunton will host Eucharistic Adoration on Mondays following the 9 a.m. Mass and the St. Jude Novena, until 11:30, ending with Benediction. It will take place at Holy Rosary Chapel during the summer months.

WAREHAM — Eucharistic Adoration at St. Patrick’s Church takes place 9 a.m. Thursday through 7 p.m. Friday. Adoration is held in our Adoration Chapel in the lower Parish Hall. ~ PERPETUAL EUCHARISTIC ADORATION ~

East Sandwich — The Corpus Christi Parish Perpetual Eucharistic Adoration Chapel is open 24 hours a day, seven days a week at 324 Quaker Meeting House Road, East Sandwich. Use the Chapel entrance on the side of the church.

NEW BEDFORD — Our Lady’s Chapel, 600 Pleasant Street, offers Eucharistic Adoration seven days a week, 24 hours a day. For information call 508-996-8274.

SEEKONK ­— Our Lady of Mount Carmel Parish has perpetual Eucharistic Adoration seven days a week, 24 hours a day in the chapel at 984 Taunton Avenue. For information call 508-336-5549.

WEST HARWICH — Our Lady of Life Perpetual Adoration Chapel at Holy Trinity Parish, 246 Main Street (Rte. 28), holds perpetual Eucharistic Adoration. We are a regional chapel serving all of the surrounding parishes.

All are invited to sign up to cover open hours. For open hours, or to sign up call 508-430-4716.

Letter to bishops on ‘CCC’ revision to death penalty continued from page 18

time to convert oneself.

10. The new formulation of number 2267 of the “Catechism of the Catholic Church” desires to give energy to a movement towards a decisive commitment to favor a mentality that recognizes the dignity of every human life and, in respectful dialogue with civil authorities, to encourage the creation of conditions that allow for the elimination of the death penalty where it is still in effect.

The Sovereign Pontiff Francis, in the Audience granted to the undersigned Secretary of the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith on 28 June 2018, has approved the present Letter, adopted in the Ordinary

Session of this Congregation on 13 June 2018, and ordered its publication.

Rome, from the Office of the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith, 1 August 2018, Memorial of St. Alphonsus Liguori.

Luis F. Cardinal Ladaria, S.J. Prefect † Giacomo Morandi Titular Archbishop of Cerveteri Secretary [1] Cf. Francis, Address to participants in the meeting promoted by the Pontif ical Council for Promoting the New Evangelization(11 October 2017): L’Osservatore Romano (13 October 2017), 4.

[2] John Paul II, Encyclical Letter Evangelium vitæ (25 March 1995), n. 9: AAS 87 (1995), 411.

[3] Ibid., n. 27: AAS 87 (1995), 432.

[4] John Paul II, Urbi et Orbi Message of His Holiness Pope John Paul II: Christmas 1998 (25 December 1998), n. 5:Insegnamenti XXI, 2 (1998), 1348.

[5] Id., Homily in the Trans World Dome of St. Louis (27 January 1999): Insegnamenti XXII,1 (1999), 269; cf. Homily for Mass in the Basilica of Nuestra Señora de Guadalupe in Mexico City (23 January 1999): “There must be an end to the unnecessary recourse to the death penalty”: Insegnamenti XXII,1 (1999), 123.

[6] Benedict XVI, Postsynodal Apostolic Exhortation Africæ munus (19 November 2011), n. 83: AAS 104 (2012), 276.

[7] Id., General Audience (30 November 2011): Insegnamenti VII, 2 (2011), 813.

[8] Francis, Letter to the President of the International Commission Against the Death Penalty (20 March 2015): L’Osservatore Romano (20-21 March 2015), 7.

[9] Ibid.

[10] Ibid.

[11] Francis, Address to participants in the meeting promoted by the Pontif ical Council for Promoting the New Evangelization (11 October 2017): L’Osservatore Romano (13 October 2017), 5.

[12] Cf. Vincent of Lérins, Commonitorium, cap.

23: PL 50, 667-669. In

reference to the death penalty, treating the stipulations of the precepts of the Decalogue, the Pontif ical Biblical Commission spoke of the “ref inement” of the moral positions of the Church: “In the course of history and of the development of civilization, the Church too, meditating on the Scriptures, has ref ined her moral stance on the death penalty and on war, which is now becoming more and more absolute.

Underlying this stance, which may seem radical, is the same anthropological basis, the fundamental dignity of the human person, created in the image of God” (“The Bible and Morality: Biblical Roots of Christian Conduct,” 2008, n. 98).

[13] Second Vatican Ecumenical Council, The Pastoral Constitution Gaudium et spes, n 4.

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