08.26.05

VOL. 49, NO. 32 • Friday, August 26, 2005

FALL RIVER, MASS.

Southeastern Massachusetts' Largest Weekly • $14 Per Year

Diocesan parishes prepare to endorse marriage amendment Parishioners'votes seen vital to placing the one-man, one-woman marriage initiative on the 2008 statewide ballot.

By DEACON JAMES N.

DUNBAR

FALL RIVER - Like his episcopal colleagues in other Massachusetts Catholic dioceses, Bishop George W. Coleman is asking the faithful in every parish to sign a petition for a new constitutional amendment in the Commonwealth on the definition of marriage. [n an August 12 letter to every pastor or parish administrator, .,f . Bishop Coleman said the effort

"Responds to the 2004 ruling of the Massachusetts Supreme Judicial Court that forced the state to issue marriage licenses to samesex couples. The people have a right to decide the matter and the signature drive is the first critical step towards placing the issue on the 2008 statewide ballot."

Saying the amendment would define marriage as the union between one man and one woman, he said, "help at the parish level is vita\."

From September 21 to the third week of November, a citizen ballot committee called VoteOnMarriage.org will gather signatures for a new constitutional amendment on how marriage is Turn to page 13 - Amendment

POPE BENEDICT XVI waves from a cruiser to World Youth Day participants gathered on the banks of the Rhine River in Cologne, Germany. The pope expressed joy at returning to his homeland and being among hundreds of thousands of enthusiastic young Catholics.

(CNS photo from Reuters)

PC?pe u~rges more than a million youths to discover power of faith

By JOHN THAVIS CATHOLIC NEWS SERVICE COLOGNE, Germany - In back-to-back encounters with more than a million young people from around the world, Pope Benedict XVI urged them to discover the transforming power of the faith and join the "true revolution" of personal holiness.

At a World Youth Day vigil August 20 and a closing Mass the next day, the pope preached about the inspiration of the saints and the mystery of the Eucharist, encouraging the youths to change themselves if they want to change the world.

"Only from the saints, only from God does true Turn to page eight - Pope

BISHOP GEORGE W. Coleman spends time with parishioners following the centennial Mass for Our Lady of the Assumption Parish, New Bedford. The bishop was principal celebrant and homilist.

Our Lady ofthe Assumption Parish celebrates 100 years

By MIKE

GORDON ANCHOR STAFF

NEW BEDFORD - More than 1,000 people gathered August 14 for the celebration of Mass marking the 100th anniversary of Our Lady of the Assumption Parish and it was a special day for all who have called the parish home over the years.

Mass was celebrated at New Bedford High School to accommodate the huge crowd and Bishop George W. Coleman was joined by 24 concelebrants including Bishop Arlindo Gomes Furtado, bishop of the Diocese of Mindelo in Cape Verde; Sacred

Hearts Fathers David P. Reid and Martin Gomes, and pastor Father Stanley Kolasa. Deacon Eduardo Pacheco and two other deacons assisted.

"It was a moving celebration," said lifelong-parishioner Lucille Ramos. "The day was fabulous and everything went beautifully."

Ramos has been a secretary at the parish for more than 40 years and said she was baptized and married there. "It was a fantastic day for everyone," she declared.

In 1905, Bishop William Stang charged the Congregation of Sacred Hearts of Jesus and Mary Turn to page 16 - Centennial

ST. MICHA.EL'S Parish in Fall River recentl~ hosted its second-annual Youth Mass, Block Party and Cookout for youth of the Fall River Deanery and their families. Nearly 500 youth and YQqtt) :If;)aders from the FaIlRiy~,.are~, attended. A contemporal)( music group, comprised of:Ybung musicians from various p~rishes throughout the dioqese, provided praise and worship music for the Mass. At righbs Philip Pereira, director of Music at St. Michael's. Following the Mass, everyone enjoyed a cookout and block party, accompanied by a local OJ, on parish grounds. (Photo by Rick Snizek)

,;~{"!:

\';Friday, August 26, 2005

Saint Anne's Hospital seeks volunteers FALL RIVER _. Saint judgment, and comfort in dealAnne's Hospital is seeking vol- ing with people from various unteers for several areas and .backgrounds. Walking and standing are required. Training programs at the hospital.

Currently, volunteers are and orientation for all positions needed to assist in Patient Infor- are provided.

To schedule an interview, or mation, the ·Gift Shop, and the to learn more about these or Emergency Department. Posiother volunteer opportunities at· tions for adults and teens are also available in other patient Saint Anne's Hospital, call Volcare and non-patient care areas. unteer Services at Saint Anne's According to Diane Palmer, Hospital, 508-674-5600, ext. director of Saint Anne's 2080.

Information about volunteer Hospitai's Volunteer Services, positions for adults and high and other programs is also availschool students offer diverse and able on Saint Anne's Website, rewarding opportunities for www.saintanneshospital.org.

Located in Fall River, Saint those who enjoy serving others.

"Volunteers play an impor- Anne's Hospital is a 160-bed, tant role in the daily activities acute-care community hospital MORE THAN 200 graduates of the former Msgr. Prevost High School, Fall River, c.ame of the hospital's nursing and with comprehensive inpatient other clinical departments and and outpatient services that from all over the country to celebrate special anniversaries at its annual reunion recently at help expand the hospital's mis- serves southeastern Massachu- White's Restaurant in Westport. Fire destroyed the school in 1968, which graduated classes sion of compassion and caring," setts and Rhode Island. Saint from 1938-1972. Pictured is the Class of 1940, marking their 65th anniversary. From left, said Palmer. "For as little as two Anne's offers specialized ser- standing: Raymond Guay, Robert Laroque, Lionel Thiboutot, Roger Dufour, and Femand Lizotte. or three hours a week, it's a vices in oncology,' pediatrics; Seated is Clarence McCarthy. Marking 60 years were Jean-Louis Goulet, Albert Mercier, George wonderful way to help the staff diabetes, cardiac care, rehabili- . Briere, Gerard Lachance, Thomas Walsh, Roger Lamonde, George Levasseur, Lawrence during busy times while making tation, behavioral medicine and Talbot, Andre DeVillers, Charles Gagnon, Hector Bosse and Normand Heon. Representing time at the hospital enjoyable for pain management. Saint Anne's the Class of 1955 (50 years) were: Normand Lapre, Leo Rochefort, Robert Ouellette, Alfred Hospital is a member of Caritas Roy, Armand Forcmd, George Frenette, Louis Pelletier, Edward Olivier, Joseph Boucher, Armand patients and visitors."

Applicants for all positions Christi Health Care, the second Thiboutot, Paul Theroux, RogerThibault, Paul Plante, Arthur Bousquet, Armand Lebel, Normand should possess a warm and posi- largest not-for-profit health sys- . Lavoie, Raymond Vaillancourt, Donald Boutin, Armand Carpentier, Arthur Ferland, Paul tive attitude, maturity, good tern in New England.

Chouinard, Roland Sorel, L. Robert Plante, and Roland Seguin.

SERVICE By caring family and seroice-family professionals TRUST In the people you know CHOICE Custom-designed, personalized tributes AFFORDABILITY. .. Dignified seroices at affordable cost 508·676-1933 508-999-5100 "1IftIUtY a.1lJI.UV.i\M' • AIftI'ON. cotJGHtJM .. muscou.

www.waring·sulJivao.com ASF.RVICEfAMU,Y Aff1UA11:0f AFfSf,WlVlCECORP, p.m.. m ROCl\S!'!\F.tf, fALLRIWR. MAMi:m SOHi~·2;;4

~"~"Peciaf., Light a virtual candle at

HathawayFunerals.com

amz

.

H FAMILY 1

ATHAWAV

;;.;..;......FU ......N ......ERAL HOMES

Helping people find hope.

PRACTICE THE DEVOTION OF THE FIRST SATURDAYS, AS REQUESTED BY OUR LADY OF FATIMA

On December 10,1925, Our Lady appeared to Sister Lucia (seer of Fatima) and spoke these words: "Announce in my name that I promise to assist at the hour ofdeath with the graces necessary for the salvation oftheir souls, all those who on the first Saturday of five consecutive months shall: 1. Go to confession; 2. Receive Holy Communion; 3. Recite the Rosary (5 decades); and 4. Keep me company for 15 minutes while meditating on the 15 mysteries ofthe Rosary, with the intention of making reparation· to me. " In a spirit of reparation, the above conditions are each to be preceded by the words: "In reparation for the offenses committed against the Immaculate Heart of Mary."

Confessions may be made during 8 days before or after the first Saturday, and Holy Communion may be received at either the morning or evening Mass on the first Saturday.

'.I;

t

,hi

Letters to the Editor

Editor: , To suggest by innuendo as the editorial "Matter matters," did that Christ, God, must have made a mistake because Christ called men only to be his disciples is simply a grossly false assumption. Christ ofcourse did not explain why he chose only men, and his action alone cannot be presumed to express that men alone should be called to priesthood. The only argument with a shred ofvalidity for an all male priesthood is that the pope declared it so. However, St. Thomas Aquinas stated that authority is the weakest argument for truth.

Would that suggest a careful study by a collegial body that included women?

To attribute to the Holy Spirit the reason than an all":male hierarchy has refused to ordain women is a presumptuous stretch. The action ofthe Holy Spirit is not limited to the hierarchy. ,. but to the whole Church, including those who are not ordained. Is it not possible the Holy Spirit has been calling women to the priesthood? There exists among many theologians and some bishops a strong case for the ordination of women. An open and objective study of priestly ordination of females, but also males, is needed. Since "Ordinatio Sacerdotalis" says Catholics were to stop discussing this issue ... and the editorial brought the matter to our attention, I thought it only fair to respond. .

George E. Lee Somerset Editor: It took a reader six paragraphs ofquestionable logic and a frightening conclusion to find out the editor's guns were aimed at the largely unnoticed but sad event in Canada, the supposed "ordination" ofseveral women by a supposed female bishop, It was basically a nonevent and hardly likely to cause the next great schism.

A howitzer was used where a peashooter would have sufficed. ' There are good reasons why the Church does not allow the ordination ofwomen; it just hasn't come up with them yet. I suspect Catholics who support women don't believe Jesus made a mistake, but rather that he never addressed the subject.

If we are to accept the editor's logic that women

can't be ordamed because Jesus' ftrst priests, the 12 apostles, were men, does it not follow that future priests should be married as were the original 12?

Paul SuUivan Brewster Editor: Congratulations on your appointment as executive editor. Your first editorial was a questionable start. You shoot down Supreme Court Justice Sandra Day O'Connor's contribution to our justice system by zeroing in on one decision. One needs to read all of her dicta to see what her legal basis was. She said we each have freedom to define what life means. Is that heresy? You distort what our forefathers meant by right to life in the Declaration. Ifthose beliefs are not "Catholic beliefs" it does not mean they are wrong, because they are not "givens" as you describe them.

You say Catholics have a duty to pray for the presi~ dent - especially President Bush at this time so he will appoint a strict constructionist to the Supreme Court, I think it's the duty ofCatholics to pray President Bush removes troops from Iraq, The Catholic Church should stay out of politics. When some bishops tell Catholics they commit mortal sin when they vote for John Keny, that's going too far. Bishops should be lobbying for removal ofthe extension ofthe Statute of Limitations for the sexual abuse ofchildren, Using St. Paul's analogy of pouring hot coals on enemies "would be an interesting strategy to implement at Guantanamo Bay" is absolutely shocking.

Please Father Landry, stay out of politics.

Ed Scahill Mashpee Editor: You wrote an eloquent piece in the July 8 edition on a legacy offalse liberty. Keep up the good work. I promise to pray for President Bush's choice to replace the retiring Justice O'Connor. I was thrilled when I learned who President Bush had nominated.

Hank Drews Harvard Club of Cape Cod

Friday, August 26, 2005

3

the

Papal homily at closing Mass of World Youth Day "Let Us Go Forward With Christ!"

COLOGNE, Germany (Zenit.org).- Here is the homily Benedict XVI delivered August 21 during the closing Mass of World Youth Day, celebrated in the Marienfield near Cologne.

(In German) Dear young friends, Yesterday evening we came together in the presence of the Sacred Host, in which Jesus becomes for us the bread that sustains and feeds us (cf. John 6:35), and there we began our inner journey ofadoration. In the Eucharist, adoration must become union. At the celebration of the Eucharist, we find ourselves in the "hour" of Jesus, to use the language of John's Gospel. Through the Eucharist this "hour" of Jesus becomes our own hour, his presence in our midst. Together with the路 disciples he celebrated the Passover of Israel, the memorial of God's liberating action that led Israel from slavery to freedom.

Jesus follows the rites of Israel.

He recites over the bread the prayer of praise and blessing.

But then something new happens. He thanks God not only for the great works of the past; he thanks him for his own exaltation, soon to be accomplished through the Cross and Resurrection, and he speaks to the ~isciples in words that sum up the whole of the Law and the Prophets: "This is my Body, given in sacrifice for you.

This cup is the New Covenant in my Blood." He then distributes the bread and the cup, and instructs them to repeat his words and actions of that moment over and over again in his memory.

What is happening? How can Jesus distribute his Body and his Blood? By making the bread into his Body and the wine into his Blood, he anticipates his death, he accepts it in his heart and he transforms it into an action of love.

What on the outside is simply brutal violence, from within becomes an act of total self-giving love.'

This is the substantial transformation which was accomplished at the Last Supper and was destined to set in motion a series of transformations leading ultimately to the transformation of the world when God will be all in all (cf. 1 Corinthians IS :28). In their hearts, people always and everywhere have somehow expected a change, a transformation of the world. Here now is the central act of transformation that alone can truly renew the world: Violence is transformed into love, and death into life.

Since this act transmutes death into love, death as such is already conquered from within, the Resurrection is already present in it.

Death is, so to speak, mortally wounded, so that it can no longer have the last word. To use an image well known to us today, this is like inducing nuclear fission in

POPE BENEDICT XVI greets the crowd as he arrives for the World Youth Day Mass at Marienfeld outside Cologne, Germany. More than one million people gathered for the service at which the pope urged young people to discover the transforming power of faith.

(CNS photo from L'Osservatore Romano) the very heart of being - the victory of love over hatred, the victory of love over death. Only this intimate explosion of good conquering evil can then trigger off the series of transformations that little by little will change the world. All other changes remain superficial and cannot save. For this reason we speak of redemption: What had to happen at the most intimate level has indeed happened, and we can enter into its dynamic. Jesus can distribute his Body, because he truly gives himself.

(In English) This first fundamental transformation of violence into love, of death into life, brings other changes in its wake. Bread and wine becomes his Body and Blood. But it must not stop there, on the contrary, the process of transformation must now gather momentum. The Body and Blood of Christ are given to us so that we ourselves will be transformed in our turn. We are to become the Body ofChrist, his own flesh and blood. We all eat the one bread, and this means that we ourselves become one. In this way, adora. tion, as we said earlier, becomes union. God no longer simply stands before us, as the one who is totally Other. He is within us, and we are in him. His dynamic enters into us and then seeks to spread outwards to others until it fills the world, so that his love can truly become the dominant measure of the world.

I like to illustrate this new step urged upon us by the Last Supper by drawing out the different nuances of the word "adoration" in Greek and in Latin. The Greek word is "proskynesis." It refers to the gesture ofsubmission, the recognition of God as our true mea-

sure, supplying the norm that we choose to follow. It means that freedom is not simply about enjoying life in total autonomy, but rather about living by the measure of truth and goodness, so that we ourselves can become true and good. This gesture is necessary even if initially our yearning for freedom makes us inclined to resist it. We can only fully accept it when we take the second step that the Last Supper proposes to us.

The Latin word for adoration is "ad-oratio" - mouth-to-mouth contact, a kiss, an embrace, and hence ultimately love. Submission becomes union, because he to whom we submit is Love. In this way submission acquires a meaning, because it does not impose anything on us from the outside, but liberates us deep within.

(In French) Let us return once more to the Last Supper. The new element to emerge here was the deeper meaning given to Israel's ancient prayer of blessing, which from that point

on became the word of transformation, enabling us to participate in the "hour" of Christ. Jesus did not instruct us to repeat the Passover meal, which in any event, given that it is an anniversary, is not repeatable at will. He in-

structed us to enter into his "hour." We enter into it through the sacred power of the words of consecration - a transformation brought about through the prayer of praise which places us in continuity with Israel and the whole of salvation history, and at the same time ushers in the new, to which the older prayer at its deepest level was pointing. The new prayer - which the Church calls the "Eucharistic Prayer" - brings the Eucharist into being. It is the word of power which transforms the gifts of the earth in an entirely new way into God's gift of himself and it draws us into this process of transformation. That is why we call this action "Eucharist," which is a translation of the Hebrew word "beracha" thanksgiving, praise, blessing, and a transformation worked by the Lord - the presence of his "hour."

Jesus' hour is the hour in which love triumphs. In other words: it is God who has triumphed, because he is love. Jesus' hour seeks to become our own hour and will indeed become so if we allow ourselves, through the celebration of the Eucharist, to be drawn into that process of transformation that the Lord intends to Turn to page 13 -Forward

La Salette Retreat Center 947 Park Street Attleboro, MA 02703-5115 508-222-8530 Sept. 9-11

Retiro Para La Familia En Espanol Padre Juan P. Sullivan, M.S. Para informacion Hamar a: Marina Carpioal tel: 508-222-8355 durante la manana

Sept. 16-18

Living Your Life with Purpose - Pat Hastings

. Support Groups GnefEducation Program - Sr. Judith Costa, SSD - Dorothy Levesque Widowed, Separated, and Divorced - Dorothy Levesque Grandparents Support Group Evening Seminars on a Variety of topics - Dorothy Levesque Please call for more information, dates and times

A SHORT COURSE IN PASTORAL CARE EDICTAL CITATION DIOCESANTRIBUNAL FALL RIVER, MASSACHUSmS Sincethe actual place of residence of DEBRAA.lMARTlN)THOMASis unknown.

Wecite DEBRAA.lMARTlNjTHOMAS to appearpersonally beforetheTribunal of the Diocese ofFall River onTuesday, September 6, 2005 at 2:30 p.m. at887 Highland Avenue, Fall River, Massachusetts,to givetestimonyto establish: Whetherthe nullity ofthe marriage exists inthe Sellers-Martin case?

Ordinaries ofthe place orotherpastors havingthe knowledge ofthe residence of the above person, Debra A. (Martin) Thomas, mustseeto itthatshe is prope~y advised in regardtothis edictal citation.

(Rev.) Paul F. Robinson, O. Carrn.,J.C.D. JudicialVicar Given atthe Tribunal, Fall River, Massachusetts on this the 19th day of August, 2005.

For men and women who are currently involved or wish to be involved in parish ministry to the sick, hospitalized and homebound.

Five consecutive Thursday evenings:

September 15th through October 13th 7-9 PM Parish Center of St. Anthony Parish, Mattapoisett To register or receive further information contact: Sr. Roberta O'Connell Catholic Chaplains' Office Charlton Memorial Hospital, Fall River 508-679-3131 ext2306

.Cost ofthe Course is $50 .

Permission ofone sproper pastor is required to enroll.

Friday, August 26, 2005

T HE LANDINGOur Inner Pilgrimage When Jesus returned to Nazareth and preached in the synagogue that Scripture was fulfilled in their hearing, those ofhis native place rose up and tried to throw him offthe precipice on which Nazareth was built (Lk 4: 1630).

When Pope Benedict XVI returned to Gennany, 'many skeptics were predicting that he would encounter a similarly cool-to-hostile recePtion and rediscover that a prophet is accepted except in his native place. Instead oftryingto throw him offa hill, however, they built him a hill- and called it the "Pope's Hill" - \\ihich was a fitting symbol of how he, on this first foreign apostolic voyage, exceeded almost everyone's expectations.

His arrival in Cologne could not have been more synthetic and symbolic. He rode high aboard the RheinEnergie, a high-tech modern version of the barque of Peter, from which he, as Christ did in Peter's first boat, spoke to the crowds on the shore. The words he spoke were perennial, but the pulpit was ultra-modern.

From there, the pope announced that he had come to join the young Catholics pre.sent- and indeed the entire Church - on a modern pilgrimage to an ancient place: Bethlehem. They were all going to follow the wise men on the path that makes people wise, the search for the one true God. Along the way, he had amoving encounterwith Jewish leaders at Germany's oldest synagogue as well as a very candid exchange with Muslims, giving each praise to the extent that they are seeking out the light ofthe one, true God. But he spent most ofhis time with his younger Christian companions on thejourney. He put into practice the words with which he called them to put into action during his Sunday homily (printed on page three ofthis issue): "Anyone who has discovered Christ must lead others to him. A great joy cannot be kept to oneself. It has to be passed on."

Like the original wise men, whose words "We have come to worship him" (Mt 2:2), were th~ theme of this World Youth Day, Pope Benedict was seeking "fellowtravelers to continue together to follow the path ofthe great pilgrimage that the Magi from the East first pointed out." And the young people enthusiastically committed to join him on thatjourney. It is a journey of communion in faith that Benedict wants the whole Church to make with him.

The itinerary ofthe pilgrimage is two-fold. First, like the wise"men, it is a seeking ofthe "newborn king ofthe Jews." Benedict, within this year of the Eucharist, pointed out that the modern version of the star indicating Christ's presence is the tabernacle lamp and the altar candles. . ~e Magi themselves, he noted, must have been surprised when they discovered the humble appearance ofthe king wrapped in swaddling clothes and placed within a manger in an animal stable. Likewise, many of our co~temporaries are taken aback, he said, by the claim that that same king is veIled underneath the appearance ofbread and wine in the Eucharist. But the same King ofKings is present in both. Benedict called all ofus firSt to make the physical effort to journey into that King's hurnble presence.' .

The second stage of the trip路 is interior. When the. Magi arriv~d in Bethlehem, "a new journey began for them, an inner pilgrimage which c~anged their whole lives." They gave to Christ great material gifts, but the deepest gift of all occurred when they dropped to their knees and gave Christ humble adoration. Slowly Christ began atransfolll)ation. in their hearts so that when they left, they "departed by another route:" They did not leave the way they came, but thoroughly transfonned. : ' '.

Benedict is calling all.ofus today - however:yoUng we are - to a similar interior pilgrimag~, to fall down in adoration before Christ in the ~ucharist, and to receive through 'the Eucharist what the Magi could not e~en. drearp. of: a union with the one adored through the loving reception of hrrn m holy Communion.

The episode of the Magi, he concluded, "is not a distant- story that took place long ago. It is with us now. Here in the sacred host, he is present ?efore us and in our midst. As at that time, so now he is mysteriously veiled m a sacred silence; as at that time, it.is here that the true face of God is revealed. He"is present now as he was then in Bethlehem. He invites us to th~t inner pilgrim~~e which is calle? adoration. Let us set off on this pIlgrrrnage ofthe spmt and let us ask him to be our guide."

EDITOR <;~"I i)avi,d 8, J~Jivet.

the living word A YOUNG

PILGRIM RE-

CEIVES ABSOLUTION DURING CONFESSION AT WORLD YOUTH DAY IN COLOGNE, GERMANY. PRIESTS WERE AVAILABLE FOR THE SACRAMENT OF RECONCILIATION PRIOR 'TO THE VIGIL AND MASS WITH POPE BENEDICT

XVI AT

MARIENFELD. (CNS PHOTO BY BOB ROLLER)

"HE WHO CONCEALS HIS TRANSGRESSIONS WILL NOT PROSPER, BUT HE WHO CONFESSES AND FORSAKES THEM WILL FIND COMPASSION" (PROVERBS

28:13).

rr

Loving them in the truth "Pastoral charity." It was one .knew that Our Lord had promof the most debated catch ised that the truth would set us phrases of formation during my free (In 8:32), and that the years in the seminary. All agreed greatest happiness in life comes that it refers to the requirement only by living according to the to act out of love when dealing truth, without watering it down, with souls, and that it is one of . or cutting comers to avoid it. We the most important goals for trusted in the inspired words of every priest, as well as for every St. Peter, who wrote, "By committed Christian. But the obedience to the truth you have precise definition of this term . purified yourselves for a was another matter. genuine love of your brothers" For some, "pastoral charity" referred to the . felt need at times to lighten the message, for fear of offending the listener. Suggested examples included the ByliFatflef,'David路 difficult and challenging task of addressing very ,..~igf'lat9 sensitive matters, such as the invalidity of a person's marriage, or the gravity (lPet 1:22). We knew that of a sin in confession. In cases genuine pastoral charity could such as these, it was argued, never avoid the truth. the full truth of the situation I will never forget the need not be spelled out, lest definition offered by one of the the listener react unfavorably. seminarians, which was quoted By "being pastoral" was in a homily to the whole meant路the practical need to seminary: "Pastoral charity is bend or even break the rules, meeting souls where they are, for the sake of not losing but not leaving them there." It those who would otherwise means understanding the tum away. The idea was that, condition of a soul, with sometimes, reaching out to compassion, but then inviting people requires more love and the soul, with gentleness, to see less truth. the truth of its condition, as well But, for many of us, this as the invitation of Christ to definition did not sit right. It leave a sinful condition behind. didn't seem right that love and I will also never forget the truth could ever be opposed. We words of Bishop David Foley,

at the ordination Mass of one of my classmates in the Diocese of Birmingham, Ala. While exhorting the newly-ordained priests to imitate Christ the good shepherd, he reminded them that real love clm never be separated from or attempt to neglect the truth. To the new priests he said, "Do not be afraid to speak the message of truth - to speak the truth in love. Never compromise the truth. The lost sheep .caught in the thorny bushes does not want to be moved. The shepherd in love must cause a little pain to release the . sheep from its miserable . condition. So the priest in freeirig the souls of the faithful must not allow them to be lost, but carefully lift them up, some. times hurting them with the truth no matter how gently spoken. Do not be afraid. This is the concern of Christ to save . them, uniting them to himself."

Such is the task of the priest and any devoted Christian who tries to bring the Gospel message to those who are trapped in their sins. Truth without love is painful, but love without truth is empty. And even though the truth spoken with love may still cause a little pain, it is the pain of purification, which will always lead souls to an even greater love.

Friday, August 26, 2005

the aftChOfCS)

Trying to warm up to ice hockey How weird will it be to watch It never happened. Maybe it NHL ice hockey again? For nearly was because, thanks largely to a year-and-a-half, the only Bruins' ESPN, I could ~atch a colJege or action I've seen is Bobby Orr pro football game just about any flying through the air over and over again in Game Four of the 1970 Stanley Cup finals, thanks to one of several regional "Greatest Sports Moments" videos.

To be honest, there's

By Dave Jolivet not much that will ever compare to that moment. I still well up with tears time of the day or night, seven when I see it, as I did as a 14-year- days a week. Or maybe it was old on May 10, 1970. because I was tired of watching I've been a fanatic of the big the Bs fizzle in the first playoff four home teams since the mid- to round each season. There just late-60s, so when the NHL wasn't that thirst for something on employed its lockout last season, I ice. truly thought there would be some Now that the spoiled rich kids kind of withdrawal experience. and the spoiled rich adults have '

My View From the Stands

reached an agreement, I'm close to thinking about becoming interested in the Bruins again. But it's going to take some big time convincing.

The NHL game seems to be far less exciting that it was in the Big Bad Bruins days of the 1970s. I think many others agree. For instance, the NHL just signed a new television agreement with a fledgling cable network. Even ESPN, which covers everything from log rolling to the world series of whist, didn't think the product was worth the money.

Add to that the fact fans don't know who plays for what team any more. The league is -laden with teams from Miami to Vancouver (there may be a Honolulu franchise yet) with

5 rosters filled with players acquired from one of the largest tent sales ever seen.

I find it easier to keep track of which face belongs to which area furniture outlet commercial than it is to remember who skates for whom.

In fact, when the work stoppage ended (did I say work, I meant play stoppage), I wanted to write a column imploring hockey fans to boycott arenas everywhere. For a full season, the league didn't care about us, yet we're expected to welcome it back with open arms?

But then I thought of all the little people devastated by last year's breath-holding contest. It wouldn't be fair for the hot dog hawks and the popcorn pushers to take it on the wallet for another season. Yes, I even felt sorry for the parking IQt attendants after realizing they're not the ones who reap the benefits of the asfronomi-

The vocation of women "An hour is coming, in fact has already come, when the vocation ofwomen is being acknowledged in itsfUllness, the hour in which women acquire in the world an influence, an effect and a power never hitherto achieved. That is why, at this momentwhen the human race is undergoing so deep a transformation, women imbued with a spirit ofthe Gospel can do so much to aid humanity in not falling. " These inspiring words about the vocation of women were proclaimed 40 years ago at the closing address of the Second

And the soul felt its worth; a thrill of hope...the weary world rejoices and for yonder brings a new and glorious mom."

In God's plan, a woman is to be found at this "definitive point of God's self-revelation to humanity" (John Paul II, "On the Dignity and Vocation ofWomen," No.3).

Another hymn declares, "Mary the dawn, Christ the Perfect Day; Mary the gate, Christ the Heavenly' Way!" Having conceived the Son of God, Mary is united to God in a way that "exceeds all expectations of the human spirit," even beyond

No. II) This is especially realized in the gift of motherhood as motherhood involves a communion with the mystery oflife. A . woman has a "unique contact with the new human being developing within her, which gives rise to an attitude towards human beingsnot only towards her own child, but every human being which marks the woman's personality" (c£ No. 1.2). .

John Paul observes, "the moral and spiritual strength of a woman is joined to her awareness that God entrusts the human being to her in a special way" (c£ No. 30). With

.....

Vatican Council and dare _----------lr--~-its prophetic voice, the we say they have a Council proclaimed that prophetic quality. Never ''women can do much to before in history has .aid humanity in not humanity been threatened falling." We are called to by so many evils: loss of live out our vocation as the dignity ofthe human women. May the Spirit person, science gone awry help us recognize and pass particularly concerning

By Lisa M. Gulino on to the next generation life issues -cloning, inthat we are in fact our vitro fertilization, brothers' and sisters' embryonic stem-cell research, the expectation of the people of "keeper" because God entrusts us to one another. euthanasia, poverty, the sexual Israel. In the "fullness oftime," slave trade, pornography, nuclear this ''woman stands as the repreDown through the ages, at day's proliferation and terrorism. sentative for all ofhumanity: man end, the people ofGod often sing, With these grievous attacks on and woman (c£ "Dignity of "Loving Mother ofthe Redeemer, human life and our innate dignity, _ Woman," No.4). The late Pope gate ofheaven, star ofthe sea, one does in fact see humanity John Paul II reflects, "the event at assist your people who have fallen faltering and falling.

Nazareth (the Annunciation) yet strive to rise again. To the The Apostle Paul writes to the highlights a form of union with the wonderment of nature you bore Galatians, ''when the time had living God which can only belong your Creator." This weary world . fully come, God sent forth his son, to the 'woman', Mary: the union which ''rises'' and "falls" needs to born of woman" (4:4). The apostle between mother and son." Mary drink deeply from the "springs of writes, "born of woman" rather becomes the Mother of God. The life giving water," to encounter the than calling the Mother of Jesus by divine child is entrusted to the many manifestations of God's love her proper name, Mary. This woman Mary. Again we sing, and to experience a new outpourhearkens us back to the garden "Mary the mother, Christ the ing of the Holy Spirit so the soul when God said to the serpent, "I mother's son by all things blest can once again feel its worth.

• will put enmity between you and while endless ages run.."

This series will present the woman, and between your To Elizabeth her cousin, Mary women who actively and offspring and hers" (cf. Gen 3: 15). proclaims, "He who is mighty has effectively work in union with This ''woman'' is present at the key done great things fot me" (Lk 1:49). the dignity oftheir vocation as moment in the history ofsalvation.

Surely these words refer to her woman and to manifest the In the "fullness of time" a Savior is conception, but, as John Paul II "feminine genius" with their born to us. The sacred Christmas writes, ''these words signify the corner ofthe world. song, "0 Holy Night," captures the discovery of her own feminine .

Lisa M. Gulino is director of profundity ofthis mystery: "It is humanity ... just as God wanted Adult Educationfor the Diocese the night of our dear Savior's birth. her to be, a person for her own ofFall River, and is assistant Long lay the world in si.n, and sake, who discovers herself"by director ofthe Rite ofChristian death, and pining until he appears. means of a sincere gift ofself' (cf.

Initiation for Adults.

The Dignity of Women and The Church

I

cal parking fees fans pay to watch a game with an even higher admission price.

Too many people were hurt by the first full season lost to a labor dispute in north American sports history. Even folks across the pond took it on the chin when NHL players migrated to play in Europe, literally stealing jobs away from players who actually raise families on salaries equaling mere lunch money for NHLers.

Yes fans, NHL hockey will be back in a few weeks, and I'll be there, front row, in my living room glued to NESN, eager to witness the Phoenix rise from the ashes.

And ifI.don't like what I see, I think the Lumbeljack Olympics are on ESPN. ' Dave Jolivet is a former sports editor/writer. Each week he gives his view ofthe unique world of sports.

Comments are welcome at dave;olivet@mchornews.org.

Correction The masthead in last week's Anchor incorrectly identified the executive editor. It should have read Father Roger J. Landry. This was a printing company error.

LETTERS TO EDITOR Letters are welcome but the editor reserves the right to condense or edit for clarity if deemed necessary. Letters should be typed, no longer than 100 words and should include name, address, and telephone number. Letters do not necessarily reflect the editorial views of The An-

chor.

Letters should be sent to: The Anchor, Letters to the Editor, P.O. Box 7, Fall River, MA 02722-0007.

Abstinence Educator Seeking FT energetic and creative individual to facilitate character-based sexual-abstinence education presentations/ trainings for students, educators, parents, and community leaders. Program emphasizes building self-esteem, healthy relationships, and positive decision-making. Must have a Bachelor's degree and at least 2 years experience related to health services, teaching, adolescents, or abstinence training. Bachelor's degree in Health Education preferred. Strong public speaking skills, interpersonal skills, experience with PowerPoint and Publisher, and flexible schedule required.

Bi-Iingual preferred. Competitve benefits. Send resume by 9/02/05 to: Catholic Social Services, PO Box M, South Station, Fall River, MA 02724 AnN: Steven Gangloff or E-mail resume to: Steven@cssdioc.org -- EOE

EDUCATION: PRINCIPAL The Sisters Faithful Companions of Jesus are seeking qualified Catholic candidates for principal of the St. Philomena School in Portsmouth, R.I. The School is a fully accredited K-8 Blue Ribbon School of Excellence (1999). The appointment is to commence in June of 2006. Candidates should hold an advanced educational degree and have at least 3 years of administrative experience preferably in a Catholic elementary school. For more information visit"WWW.saintphilomena.org or candidates may send resume, cover letter, 3 letters ofprofessional recommendation and a letter of recommendation from the pastor of the parish where the applicant is a member, to: Search Committee (D), P.O. Box 4353, Middletown, RI 02842

Friday, August 26, 2005

Dealing with suffering Jeremiah's lot is one that I hope we all face in our lives of faith. At first glance, that is a crazy, even a masochistic thought. Jeremiah's lot is, after all, to be an object of scorn and laughter, derision, reproach, and mockery. Why? His '.'crime" is to be a prophet of the Lord, preaching the Lord's word out of season.

We understand, then, that Jeremiah feels duped. But just when we think he might walk away from his call, Jeremiah feels the Lord's name becoming "like fire· burning in my heart, imprisoned in my bones. "There will be no w~.lking away for this prophet, regardless the cost. His life is the Lord's, come what may.

St. Peter might have t~ken a lesson from the experiences of the prophet Jeremiah. This prince of the Apostles certainly has his good days and his bad days. On his . good days, he really g~ts it.

"You are the Christ, the Son of the living God" (Mt. 16: 16 -last week's Gospel reading) and "Lord, to whom shall we go?You have the words of everlasting life" (In. 6:68). On his bad days, as in this week's Gospel, he is way off. Jesus tells his disciples of the need for him to go to Jerusalem, to suffer and to be killed only to be raised from the dead on the third day.

Jesus predicts the paschal mystery!

Peter's response could not have been more wrong: "God forbid that this happens to you." Rather, God help us if it had not happened for us men and for our salvation.

Before we take St. Peter too far to task, we must remember that Peter's love for the Lord and lack of comprehension of salvific suffering account for his

horrible misstatement. He, nor the other apostles, nor very often us, can see the value of suffering in our lives of faith. Jesus uses the occasio~ to gently teach us

that we, like him, must all take up our crosses and follow him. That involves denying ourselves, the very thing that Jeremiah was grappling with so mightily inthe first reading. \ Clinging to our lives, the refusal to acknowl~dge suffering and death as a) realities and as b) salvific are soine of the most fundamen-

tal of challenges facing the Church today in the modern world. Eventually Peter will get these notions, and he will indeed offer his most profound witness to Christ by his own suffering and death out of love for him..

St. Paul offers practical advice to help us as we deal with suffering. He suggests that we not conform ourselves to the modern world, but rather be transformed by the renewal of our minds so that we may more readily discern the will of God in our minds. This renewal of our minds involves prayer, frequent contact with the sacraments ,of the Church which are conduits of grace, and the constant striving to know Christ and his teachings more and more deeply.

We do these things to prepare ourselves to offer our lives to the Lord, living witnesses to the love of God manifest' in the world through Jesus Christ, his apostles, and the Church he founded on them and which continues even to this day. St. Paul urges the Romans, and us by extension, to offer our bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God. To do so involves more than just our corporal bodies, but rather our hearts and minds, our very selves. Christ wants, and deserves, nothing less. We seek to give our all to him who gave his all for us. Only in doing this can we be guaranteed that nothing will separate us from the love of God.

Father Ryan Lewis is vice-chancellor ofthe Archdiocese ofOmaha who is helping out this August at (;ood Shepherd Parish on Martha's Vineyard.

A look inside the church By

FATHER THOMAS

M.

KOCIK

cloths around Christ's entombed more solemn Masses), symbolic This week we'll take a look corpse. . of Christ, the light of the w<;>rld. at the inside of a typical CathoBehind or near the altar is the To remind us that,the Ma~s is lic church, since Mass is ordi- tabernacle, often plated with the Sacrifice of Calvary made narily celebrated in church. At gold or silver and lined with silk, . present sacramentally, a crucithe entrance is a basin of holy in which are kept the conse- fix (not a bare cross nor an imwater. On entering church, a . crated breads, or hosts,. reserved age of the risen Lord) is on or Catholic dips his right near the altar. Also in hand in the holy water the sanctuary (behind i!;¥tI!I; and makes the Sign of or to the side of the al-' l the Cross. The water is tar) is a chair, slightly a reminder of baptism, elevated, where the the sacrament that priest as presiding celmade us members of ebrant sits during parts Christ's Body the of the Mass, as well as Church. a lectern or ambo from From wherever we which the,Word ofGod stand in the larger cen_ is announced. There ter section of the church (called for Communion to the sick and may also be a cantor's stand opthe nave), our attention is drawn for adoration by the faithful. Our posite the ambo, for the use of to the sanctuary (from the Latin Catholic faith teaches that once the cantor who guides the consanctus, "holy"), which is raised the bread and wine are conse- gregation in singing. a few steps above the nave to crated at Mass, they cease to be emphasize its importance. (In' bread and wine and become insome churches, the sanctuary is stead the Body and Blood of Daily Readings divided from the rest of the in- Christ, whose real presence in Aug 28 Jer 20:7-9; Ps terior by a low gate or "altar rail" . the consecrated elements reRom 63:2-6,8-9; a few feet tall.) In the center of mains as long as the appearances .

12:1-2; Mt 16:21the sanctuary is the altar, pref- ofbread and wine last. (The con27 erably made of a single natural secrated bread and wine are also Aug 29 1 Thes 4:13-18; stone to remind us of the rock called the Blessed Sacrament.)

Ps 96:1 ,3-5,11ofsacrifice in the Old Testament A sanctuary lamp burns near the 13; Mk 6:17-29 (cf. Gen. 22; Ex. 24:4). The al- tabernacle night and day to inAug 30 1 Thes 5:1-6,9tar is both the table ofthe Lord's dicate Chri!'t's sacramental pres11; Ps27:1,4,13Supper and the place where the ence, which makes the church 14; Lk 4:31-37 Col 1:1-8; Ps Aug 31 Sacrifice of the Cross is made literally the house of God. For 52:10-11; Lk present. Within it are sealed rel~ this reason, Catholics maintain 4:38-44 ics of martyrs, linking us to the a reverent silence in church, not Sept 1 Col 1:9-14; Ps earliest days of Christianity talking except when necessary, 98:2-6; Lk 5:1-~1 when Mass was offered on the and genuflecting on entering and Sept 2 Col 1: 15-20; Ps tombs of those valiant believers leaving church or passing before 100:1-5; Lk5:33who continued the passion and the tabernacle.

39 death ofJesus in their own lives.

When Mass is celebrated, at Sept 3 Col 1:21-23; Ps A white linen cloth spread over least two lighted candles are on 54:3.-4,6,8; Lk the altar symbolizes the linen or near the altar (four or six for 6:1-5

. . Lo'vilng';" and Li'Vig'gt the l\IIiilis··';!iliii j'

In addition to these, there are other things inside the church that are important but not directly involved with the Mass: images of Our Lady, the angels and saints; the confessional booths and/or Reconciliation rooms; the Stations ofthe Cross; the baptismal font and paschal candle; and perhaps other altars or shrines. Whether or not Mass is being celebrated, the whole church should be arranged so as to invite prayer and contemplation, expressing visibly the sense

of "heaven on earth."

Father Kocik, an author of two books, one on the liturgy, is chaplain at Charlt~n Memorial Hospital, Fall River, and resides at St. Thomas More Parish, Somerset.

111I111111111111111111111111111 THE ANCHOR (USPS-545-Q20) Periodical Postage Paid at Fall River, Mass. Published weekly except for two weeks in July and the week after Chrisunas at 887 Highland Avenue, Fall River, Mass. 02720 by the Catholic Press ofthe Diocese ofFall.River. Subscription price by mail, postpaid $14.00 per year.

POSTMASTERS send addres!; changes to The Anchor, P.O. Box 7, Fall River. MA 02722.

In Your Prayers Please pray for the following priests during the coming weeks Aug. 29 1921, Rev. Joseph DeViUandre, D.D., Founder, Sacred Heart, ~\ North Attleboro

Fal:~~~~Sg,. Wi~~"to" Holr Name,

1993, Msgr. Anf;iand~Annurtziato, Pastor, St. Mary, Mansfield 1996, Rev. Thomas M. Landry~0'p" Fonner Pastor, St. Anne, \ Fall River .

-

S~Ll

\

1985, Rev. Jorge J. de Sousa, Pastor, St. Elizabeth,'Fall River . \ \ .

Sept. 3

\j

1912, Rev. Thomas 1. McGee, D.D., Pastor, Sacred Heart, Taunton

Sept. 4· 1864, Rev. Joseph P. Tallon, Pastor, St. Mary, New Bedford 1894, Rev. John J. Maguire, Founder, St. Peter the Apostle, Provincetown

Friday, August 26, 2005

7

We're losing it 20 August 2005 - Feast ofSt. Bernard We're losing it. Summer is slipping away. The evidence is clear. August feels mellow and so do I. The air weighs heavy. People tend to take it easy, walk slower, spend time chatting with neighbors or go away on a family vacation. By September 14, feast of the Exultation ofthe Holy Cross, we give up pretending summer lasts forever and we lift high the cross before the encroaching darkness.

I see Willie's tomato plants thriving in Our Lady's Garden. The cheny-sized fruits are quickly ripening. Every morning Willie is out tending his tomatoes.

Soon he will have garden-fresh tomatoes to share with all his friends in the Adult Day Care. I played a prank. I tied a big fat tomato on Willie's plant. He questioned the day care staffand soon figured out I was the trickster.

Willie thanked me for the miraculous tomato, and then ate it for

lunch.

Our Lady's Garden is overflowing. For the past two years, Joyce and Tony Souza ofBerkley have donated a truckload ofperennials.

First I remove spent blossoms; then cut the pot-bound root ball

with my trusty, rusty drywall saw.

The plants seem to do just fine after radical surgery.

24 August 2005 - St. Bartholomew Day Farmers once kept track of the chores ofplanting and harvesting by saints' days. Folks could even predict the weather based on what saint's feast occurred at that time.

"St. Bartholomew brings the cold dew." Still does. On August 24, look for the silvered webs in the grass.

Strolling by the river, I see the signs of the turning season. The Canadian geese have finished raising their goslings. I watched the little ones grow. One day they're tiny; tum around and they're "goose teen-agers" - just like our own children.

Now the flock is practicing flight formation in preparation for the trip south. Ifwe have another winter like the last one, perhaps I'll join them!

The Queen Anne's lace in the vacant lot at the Four Comers is in glorious bloom. I understand this plant is an escapee from long-ago colonial gardens. As a child, my Irish-born grandmother warned me never to pick Queen Anne's lace. I still wonder why not? With no ill effects, I've picked bunches of goldenrod for the sanctuary on St. Bernard's Day. They say it's not the goldenrod to which people are allergic but rather the unnoticed ragweed that grows beside it.

There used to be an abandoned building on that comer lot. It had

Growing faith at home "Home-grown." "Hand Picked." "Native Probe relying on the inspiration of the Holy Spirit to duce." Signs like this are beginning to dot the help me do this in the midst of my own parenting roadside as sticky hot August rolls into cool crisp responsibilities, and would appreciate your prayers.

A few tidbits about myself: My husband, John, September. Ask anyone in my family and they'll tell and I rec~ntly celebrated 0'fl{17th anniversarY. We you that it is my favorite season of year. Why? Because I absolutely love fanner's markets, roadside are both cradle Catholics turned committed stands, and V-Pick produce! In an age of mass Catholics. (More stories about that to come.) As production and slick marketing schemes, handdo farmers with their crops, John and I have painted, roadside signs like these attract my attenexperienced fruitful seasons and barren seasons in tion. First of all, it must be admitted that this our family life. We went for a nearly instant attraction comes from the fact that I have a fruit family and had five children in eight years right tooth as well as a sweet tooth, but also because such after getting married. The fatigue of that planting signs let me know that whatever is being produced season crossed seamlessly into the frantic phase of has been chosen carefully and tended to with love. having toddlers who needed as much diligent care Chosen carefully and tended to with love; it is as do window boxes in April. Our youngest child the same way I would is now seven. He can describe how to produce swim reliably when we a faith-filled Catholic go to the beach, and I family, simple as it may would be throwing a party to celebrate my sound. Why do I introduce my new freedom from keeping a column on raising a safety vigil 24/7, except Catholic family with that the oldest is now 15 such a ordinary image

By Heidi Bratton years old, growing as rapidly as bean sprouts as home-grown produce in July, with a driver's instead of trying to dazzle you with my license being my next qualifications and expertise? Because I want you great test of late night sanity. to know, from the beginning, that I am neither a Other personal notes are that our family has theologian nor an expert in Christianity. I am lived in Falmouth for nearly eight years, because simply a Catholic Christian myself. The titles I am my husband works as a geo-chemist in Woods most proud of aren't dazzling at all; they are Hole. Both he and I were raised in Wisconsin, but •Mrs.' and 'Mom,' and they are also the duties that have moved a good deal following his career to occupy the majority of my time. Yet, in as much New Hampshire, California, back to New Hampas God has primarily called me to the vocations of shire, and finally to Massachusetts. We have been marriage and motherhood, he has also given me home schooling for six years, although the two life-long passions for photography, writing, and oldest kids are now attending Bishop Stang High teaching through which I have been able to share School. an insight or two with others on how to tend to the There is more, and I am looking forward to faith life of family with loving care. sharing my love of Jesus with you, but that's My chief hope in writing this column is to make enough for now. It's early August, my favorite faith in Jesus Christ real and relevant to you by time of year, and I do believe there's a wild sharing stories and analogies that illuminate blueberry patch calling my name.

Heidi Bratton is the at-home mother offive scriptural truths. I'm a big believer in the idea that faith is more often caught than it is taught, and even children. She is the author and photographer of when it is taught, ] believe that you can only teach 11 Christian children ~ books and one trade book effectively that which you love. So I want to on mothering called "Making Peace with encourage you, as parents, to love Jesus more. ] Motherhood and Creating a Better You. " Heidi believe that if I can encourage you in doing this, and her husband, John, make their home and your c.h!ld~t;'l will, ~atc.h. 9!1.narl!r.ally.. I:!TI .£..o.ing!o .. __ .gr.,o}t.'. !hejr faith in Falmouth.

been a country hardware store. result ofChristians having lost a One day, the building literally flew sense of connectedness to the away. An airplane pilot purchased earth, and consequently to the it and transported it lock stock and Church's worship cycle. barrel to Martha's Vmeyard. It now The solemnity ofthe Assumpserves as his lovely seaside home. tion is a perfect example. What Reminds me of the "Holy House better time ofthe year to celebrate ofLoreto." According to the story, the fullness ofMary's humanity this was The Blessed Mother's than when the earth itselfis most family home in Nazareth. The fruitful? Artist Coretta Kent once house, they say, was mysteriously created a serigraph honoring Mary transported several times until it and including in the design a ripe finally arrived at Loreto, Italy, on tomato. It was controversial at the 10 December 1294. Assonet's time. It's a bit Zen-like, but I think flying house is easier to explain.

I understand. Mary, assumed into January was named after the Heaven, allows us to glimpse the god Janus because he had eyes in fruition ofour human race. She is the back ofhis head and could the first ofGod's end-time harvest conveniently look in both direcof souls. tions at the same time (like parents Our lives are no longer synand teachers). January looks back chronized with the natural world as to winter and forward to spring. they once were. We've lost it. Our CaesarAugust named the month of worship is the lesser for it. But August after himself. I don't know what does this Old Salt know about Caesar, but I think August about such landlubber things? also has two faces. It looks back to Father Goldrick is pastor ofSt summer and forward to fall.

Bernard Parish, Assonet ComBishop Sean O'Malley ments are welcome at sometimes commented on the StBernardAssonet(jj;aoLcom. ''New Age" movement. Actually Previous columns are Online not a religion as such, it's a at www.stBernardAssonetorg. hodgepodge ofreligions, much of it having to do with the natural NATIONAL world. New Age is old hat. The fact is that our Church's ancient MORTGAGE feasts and seasons directly relate to the turning of the natural year.

Those whose hearts are attuned to the earth are better equipped to Low, low rales starting at celebrate the Liturgy. I suppose ''New Age" is at least partially the

c.c.

AI.

43~O/O*

Love Is Ageless at

NO POINTS, NO CLOSING COSTS 1ST, 2ND, 3RD MORTGAGES PURCHASE OR REFINANCE IMPROVEMENT, REPAIR DEBT CONSOLIDATION CREDIT CARD PAY OFFS. HOME EQUITY, COMMERCIAL 2ND HOMES, TUITION. SELF EMPLOYED NO INCOME VERIFICATION POOR CREDIT - NO CREDIT PAY OFF LIENS & ATIACHMENTS FORECLOSURE· BANKRUPTCY APPLICATION TAKEN ON PHONE NO APPLICATION FEE. FAST SERVICE. WE CAN HELP!

St. Joseph Manor Catholic-sponsored nursing home Private Resident Rooms Daily Communion & Chapel Adult Day Program Post-Hospital Rehab Care Respite Care

Home Grown Faith

CALL NOW Cape Cod 508·362·7777 New Bedford 508·992·1400

Free application on Internet

508-583-5834

www.ccnm.com

215 Thatcher St., Brockton

MB# 1161 'APR 5.78,30 yr $10k min.

www.SJMBrockton.org

r--------------------------; : .. ()~tIi,qltMlNf~e~ ~ I ..

I I

All proceeds go directlY to the fall Rlvtr. MA OloctSan Mission In Gualmaca. Hondum

I p,,-~.

I Name: I Addrfss:

_

:

CIty:

_

I

SllIle: _ _ ZIp:

..

_

Phone:

_

I Coo4kt;~ I ~o/~~+ t"PP4~1J.JIaL I Qpanll!y: _ _ baV at SIO ea. a S _ I

I I I

Shipping (see below):

.. $ .. $

TOIllI

I ~C~' I I bag: $5.00 $6.00 I 2 bags: I 3 or more ba£$: $7.00

_

Please make checks payable Mission GlIaimaca

10

: s-J u.u 10- aUtJ. ~ ("'-" ~ - - , tMJc,.,) t...

I :

L

Mission Guaimaca P.O. Box 2563 Fall River, MA 02722

9'vL ission

"

,

J

1 j 1 j

i

.1

j !

II 1

Friday, August 26, 2005

We Have Come Together Pope Continued from page one

revolution come," he told a 路vast candlelit crowd spread across a field outside Cologne.

The pope was presiding for the first time overWorld Youth Day, and he did so in a solemn and dignified style. At the vigil, he sat quietly as he watched slow liturgical dancing and listened to Scripture readings.

Unlike similar megameetings with Pope John Paul II, there was no papal bantering with the crowd or light-hearted silliness. At the end of the long evening, dressed in a golden cope, Pope Benedict led the crowd in adoration ofthe Eucharist.

In his talk, he retold the simple story of the Wise Men who found Jesus in a manger, thus discovering an unworldly kind ofpower.

The pope's emphasis on the saints -old ones like St. Francis ofAssisi and more recent figures of holiness like Blessed Mother Teresa of Calcutta - resonated with many in his young audience.

"We agree with him," said 16year-old Mackenzie Gilpin, who recently began attending an "all saints club" at her parish in Milford, Pa. She punctuated her statement with a whoop that caused nearby pilgrims to stir in their sleeping bags.

"What he said wasjust so beautiful. The saints were normal people just like us," Gilpin said. She looked a little bleary-eyed after a night on the plain ofMarienfeld, or "Mary's Field," where she was camped beneath an American flag.

The young people at Marienfeld路 had spent a week visiting German parishes, listening to catechetical talks, attending musical and theatrical performances and joining in prayers and processions through the streets ofCologne.

They all came together for the first time at the evening vigil, where the pope's appearance in his popemobile set offcheers and camera flashes.

His first act was to bless a huge bronze bell dedicated to the memory of Pope John Paul, who founded World Youth Day. As the bell tolled deeply, many in the crowd broke into chants of"Giovanni Paolo" - John Paul's name in Italian.

The vigil was heavier on prayer and lighter on entertainment than previous such events. Spiritual dances by young women from India and Ghana alternated with brieftestimonials and the singing ofhymns.

As a clarinet played a haunting melody, the pope accepted a candle lit from fire that came from Bethlehem, West Bank, and thousands ofsrrraller candles lit the darkness as far as the eye could see.

The pope said the saints represent ''the shining path which God himself has traced throughout history." They are the world's true re-

Amid sea of sleeping bags; energetic cheers and a hunt for Communion COLOGNE, Germany - At 6 been built in the center of the a.m., Marienfeld was a sea of field with dirt from many counsleeping bags as far as the eye tries, and instead watched on procould see. The first heads were jection screens. Most seemed to emerging from bags, and pil- really begin to concentrate only grims were braving the cold to as Pope Benedict began his hommake their way to washstands to ily. brush their teeth.

Three thousand priests in Following an August 20 vigil white and yellow chasubles and with Pope Benedict XVI, hun- carrying yellow umbrellas began dreds of thousands of young to fan out from the Pope's Hill to pilgrims had spent the night distribute Communion.

Mark Feeney of Edmonton, sleeping on plastic sheets spread out on the damp, clay Alberta, missed Communion; he soil of Marienfeld, a former had to leave with the rest of his open-cast mining area west of group to catch a train to the airCologne. port.

Fitzgerald Umah, president of "I did receive a blessing from POPE BENEDICT XVI smiles as young people approach the Catholic student association a priest," he said. "Even ifit's not with the eucharistic gifts during the closing Mass for World at the University of Lagos, Ni- the same, it was very uplifting.

Youth Day at Marienfeld outside Cologne, Germany. (CNS geria, said the atmosphere had When we get back home, I do been wonderful, but he had been hope I'll be able to attend daily photo from Reuters cold.

Mass to receive Communion.

"We're not used to this down Hopefully, our real journey beformers and have taught Christians at stake, attending S,unday Mass be- there in Africa," he said. "Luck- gins when we get home."

Brother Jason Zink, a member that love, not ideologies, will save comes very important for young ily, our host families gave us the world, he said. people - even if it may seem in- warm clothes, cardigans and of the Brotherhood of Hope who blankets." works at the Boston University The pope also cautioned young convenient.

Slowly this huge temporary Catholic Center, had brought a people to avoid constructing a "pri"Letus pledge ourselves to do this city came to life, and pilgrims portable radio and tuned in to the vate God" or a ''private Jesus," but - it is worth the effort," he said. to trust the Churchas the place where His words may have carried spe- began to make their way to the English translation, repeating believers come together in a real cial significance in his native Ger- stands where. they could get what he heard for .the students communion. many, where only about IS percent breakfast: a can ofMediterranean gathered around. They feared "There is much that could be criti- ofCatholics are estimated to attend salad, yogurt, rye bread and mar- Communion would never reach garine. cized in the Church," but it remains Mass regularly. them, but Brother Zink said, Morning prayers came and "Look, there are some umbrellas, the "great family ofGod" that unites The pope then spoke about the all peoples and cultures, he said. duty of Christians to evangelize, went, and most pilgrims did not run over to them," and off they As the pope left the area for the spreading the joy of their own en- take much notice. They were ran. evening, young people joined in counter with Jesus. In contemporary waiting for the arrival of the One of the students, Garrett singing a hymn of the ecumenical society, he said, this missionary im- pope, who was cheered energeti- Quinn, said it was a moving exTaize community, "Stay With Me." petus has led to a "new explosion of cally as he came in the perience to attend a papal' Mass.

The official program ended at that religion" but also brought a tendency popemobile.

"I never got to see John Paul point, but youths talked, prayed and to market Christianity.

Another cheer arose when II," he said, "but there's clearly sang in small groups through much Neither ofthe pope's talks, how- Cardinal Joachim Meisner ofCo- a contrast with Benedict XVI. ofthe night. ever, explored specific forms ofcon- logne welcomed the pope with John Paul may have been more At a closing Mass the next morn- temporary injustice, poverty or op- the words, "You belong to the charismatic, but Benedict is a ing, the pope, dressed in gold vest- pression. The young people, many youth, and the youth belongs to more thoughtful type ofscholarly ments, was joined by more than 900 of whom listened on radios to run- you." pope. His homily was very bishops, 9,000 priests and a much ning translations of the papal talks, As Mass began, the young thoughtful. The part that hit home smaller number ofmale and female said they were more interested in his people settled down slowly. to me was not to be selfish, to altar servers.

Sqme had trouble seeing the ar- devote oneselfto others as Christ words about the faith.

The sleep-deprived crowd of "It was more religious than po- tificial Pope's Hill, which had did." young people came to life as the litical. I think that's fine because popemobile appeared through a light that's what we really came for. He fog, escorted by a heavy security made a very good impression," said contingent. Youths in feathered head- Gabriela Delgado, a 24-year-qld dresses played congas in welcome. California Catholic.

In a sermon delivered alternately Many at the Mass site huddled in in five languages (homily appears blankets in the cool morning air, reon page three), the pope explained lighting votive candles from the night two essential concepts of the faith: before and rolling up sleeping mats the Eucharist and mission. and tents.

At the Last Supper, he said, Christ At the end of the Mass the pope transformed the bread and wine into prayed the Angelus in Latin and his Body and Blood, anticipating his spoke a few sentences ofgreeting in own death and transforrnirig it into nine languages, including Swahili an action oflove. It was destined to and Tagalog. set in motion a series ofchanges that "May the light of Christ, which will ultimately transform the world, you have followed on your way to he said.

Cologne, shine ever more brightly To bring it home to his young and strongly in your lives," he said A PRIEST gives Communion to a young man during the audience, he compared this series of in English. transformations to nuclear fission, The pope also announced that, as closing Mass for World Youth Day at Marienfeld outside Cocalling it an "intimate explosion of expected, the next World Youth Day logne, Germany. More than a million 路people gathered for the good conquering evil." will take place in Sydney, Australia, service at which the pope urged young people to discover The pope said that with so much in 2008. the transforming power of faith. (CNS photo by Bob Roller)

Friday, August 26, 2005

theanc~

To Worship Him

9

WYD On crowded German trains, young people keep good humor

By ANN AUBREY HANSON

"What're you going to do?" asked one young pilgrim, shrugLEVERKUSEN, Germany- ging. "At least we're here."

Then she grinned and added, Streetcars, public buses and even the renowned German train ser- "But, we're sure going to fight to vice ground to a halt and remained get a spot in the Marienfeld for overburdened and off schedule the closing Mass with Pope Benewith the arrival of the hundreds dict presiding."

The newspaper Express reof thousands of pilgrims flocking to Germany for World Youth Day. ported that 19 pilgrims collapsed Cologne's transport company, in the crowded train stations AuKVB, had not expected the enor- gust 18.

"The people were dehydrated; mous rush that began August 16, or the multitudes that continued some of them had had nothing to to affect the service as they moved eat," said Stephan Landbrink, from the outlying areas into down- public information officer for the town Cologne to participate in the Cologne fire services.

For the most part, the pilgrims ongoing activities surrounding the were taking the delays in stride, 20th World Youth Day. According to KVB estimates, singing, dancing and sharing AN AERIAL view shows the crowd gathered for the World Youth Day vigil at Marienfeld in more than 100,000 people wanted laughs while they waited 16-deep Cologne, Germany. Pope Benedict presided over a nighttime service and a Mass the day by bus or rail to the on the platforms for a train that to travel after closing the international Catholic gathering. About one million people were present for RheinEnergie Stadium in Cologne might or might not come. New the Mass. (CNS photo from Reuters) arrivals on the platform who tried for the opening ceremonies. to crowd in front were addressed "Crowds of this size just cannot be dealt with without some with good humor and shown the disruption," said a KVB spokes- end of the line. Most responded man that evening, after transpor- in kind and waited their tum.

"This is what World Youth Day tation had ground to a stop, stranding pilgrims and preventing them is all about," said Praem Kodiath

By CATHOLIC NEWS SERVICE of San Rafael Parish in San Diceive the Eucharist, often in se- from arriving in time. celebrate Mass. ego as he disembarked from a Not that arriving would have COLOGNE, Germany When he was out of solitary cret and at great risk. packed train. "It's not just about guaranteed entrance: The gates to Bishops addressing World Youth confinement, the priest celebrated "It is perhaps only when a the workshops, but about meeting Day participants in catechetical Mass at one point with a small Christian is deprived of access to the stadium were closed when the people." crowd reached maximum capacsessions stressed the importance piece of bread smuggled into the the Eucharist that the sense ofloss "That is the kind of moment I ity, so thousands of pilgrims of the Eucharist and highlighted camp with a medicine capsule of is most acute," he said. for. It's great," he said. came missed the event.

In a session in a Dusseldorf the lengths to which some people wine inside it, the bishop said.

Despite the crowded condiBefore Pope Benedict XVI travhave gone simply to obtain the arena, Archbishop Terrence "One night .. , in his barracks, tions, young people sang in dif- I eled by boat down the Rhine River Eucharist while in prison camps. he lay in the dark on his bunk and Prendergast of Halifax, Nova ferent languages, good-naturedly August 18, thousands of pilgrims At St. Rochus Parish in whispered the prayers of the Scotia, told young people that trying to teach the others. of getting into gave up any hope Dusseldorf, Auxiliary Bishop An- Mass. His chest was the altar. "Jesus comes and is present With shouts of "See ya, KanCologne for the event, opting inthony Fisher of Sydney, Austra- Though they risked their lives by just as he will be at the end oftime sas!" or "Later, South Africa," and stead to watch the event on or at the end of our lives lia, told World Youth Day "Go, USA!" crowds of youths Leverkusen hotel televisions, where in holy Communion." pilgrims that the Eucharist He said that Pope John they would at least get a chance to tumbled off the trains and headed provides believers with a "It is perhaps only when a ChrisPaul II declared this year as see something ofthe eagerly antici- into myriad directions to their much-needed time of quiet temporary residences. reflection in today's world. tian is deprived of access to the a year of the Eucharist be- pated arrival of the new pope.

"Today silence is diffi- Eucharist that the sense of loss is cause he "saw the need for cult to attain. We are sur- most acute," said Irish Archbishop the whole Church to become more profoundly rounded by noise, much of Diarmuid Martin of Dublin. rooted in this central mysit horrible, brutish noise," tery of our faith, holy Comhe said, describing traffic munion as the culmination and construction. "Even by ourselves we are never far from doing so, those in the bunks ofour weekly Sunday Eucharist."

Archbishop Kevin McDonald the CD or iPod to shield us from nearby whispered their responses the uncomfortable encounter with and received a crumb of Christ's of Southwark, England, told World Youth Day delegates at body," Bishop Fisher said. silence."

At St. Pancratius Parish in Co- Christ the King Parish in Neuss The bishop spoke at one of more than a dozen English-lan- logne, Irish Archbishop Diarmuid that the great challenge of spiriguage sessions for pilgrims at- Martin of Dublin also recounted tual life is "to open ourselves to tending World Youth Day activi- the stories ofmen who longed for the true source oflife, to the grace the Eucharist while they were im- ofChrist. To some that may seem ties in Germany. The sessions and additional talks in other lan- prisoned. He mentioned a Polish empty, nothing, opening ourselves guages - were at sites in Cologne archbishop who was imprisoned to nothing, but if we are open, in a Nazi concentration camp the empty, receptive, then we will and surrounding cities.

Bishop Fisher told the story of day before he was to be ordained have ~ife."

Auxiliary Bishop Jaime Soto of a friend of his, Dominican Father a priest and a Vietnamese archOrange, Calif., told the youths at Vincent Nguyen Tien Hai, who bishop imprisoned for 15 years.

PILGRIMS SING by candlelight during the World Youth Day was imprisoned in Vietnam for Archbishop Martin said he re- St. Michael Parish in Hennef that vigil at Marienfeld outside Cologne, Germany. At the service, being a priest. While he was in counted these stories because they "the Eucharist is the abiding divine Pope Benedict XVI encouraged young people to look to God solitary confinement he was un- demonstrated the lengths to which epiphany that waits for us to come and the saints for inspiration. (CNS photo by Bob Roller) able to .receive the Eucharist or people would go in order to re- with reverence, wonder and awe."

CATHOLIC NEWS SERVICE

Bishops stress great ,impo~!~ance of Eucharist in catechetical sessions

r

o

,

---. ---

'• •- .

~-

........,-.

-~-

..

-- .... __ ...

-._~--

1t"'_S!fj,/~::

#riday, August 26, 2005 . ".,i;~

Religions see world differently. than media does, faith leaders say CHICAGO (CNS)-Religion is news and will be in the news, but reporters must remember that the news media and religious communities see the world through different lenses. That was the assessment ofa panel of faith leaders speaking at a symposium on"Religion and the Press." . ''Media and religion both want to define the world for other people," said Cardinal Francis E. George of Chicago at the event, co-sponsored by the Medill School ofJournalism and Sheil Catholic Center at Northwestern University in Chicago.

The cardinal joined a panel of religious leaders that included Edith Blumhofer, director of the Institute for the Study of American Evangelicals; Michael Kotzin, executive vice president ofthe Jewish United Fund/Jewish Federation of Metropolitan Chicago; and Safaa Zarzour, chairman of the Chicago chapter ofthe Council onAmericanIslamic Relations.

They were questioned by media panelists from local television, newspaper, magazine and radio outlets.

Cardinal George said reporters most often want to tell a story, a story whose structure requires a protagonist and an antagonist to engage in some fonn ofconflict.

"There's a difference between telling the truth and telling stories," the cardinal said. ''The media (are) concerned with telling stories, with factual accuracy. You have to have a good guy and a bad guy. The facts that support that are the facts that are reported."

That doesn't mean that the media are bad, the cardinal said, pointing to Vatican documents such as Pope John Paul II's apostolic letter on social communications, the last major document ofhis papacy. That

letter called on the mass media to promote global solidarity.

A 2000 document on ethics in the media called on the Church itselfto help media professionals by providing knowledgeable representatives to answer questions.

Even then, the cardinal said, re-: porters working in a society where individual freedom is the highest .value, living in a political world, of.;. ten misunderstand the Church.

"We have a government, but we're not a country," the cardinal said. ''We teach, but we're nota university. We have financial concerns, but we're not a corporation.

Kotzin agreed with the cardinal, suggesting that readers, viewers and listeners would be better served if reporters and editors offered "news reports" instead of"stories."

Blumhofer said reporters often settle for following in one another's tracks; failing to see the bigger religious picture. She read headline after headline about evangelicals' supposed political power and their attempts to wield it, but said few media outlets seem in touch with the small rural churches or urban storefront and neighborhood congregations that make up the backbone of American evangelicalism. .

Take all of those problems, put them together and add a large dose ofAmerican ignorance, and you see part ofthe problem American Muslims face with the media, said Zarzour.

He asked that newspapers and other media outlets not give a platfonn to those who spread hate or equate Islam with terrorism and, on a local level, for reporters to seek out community-based stories involving local Muslims, who are not as media-savvy as their Christian and Jewish neighbors.

o

o

Newscaster Russert chosen for Gabriels'Achievement Award DAYTON, Ohio (CNS) Tim Russert, NBC News' Washington bureau chief and host of "Meet the Press," has been named the recipient ofthe GabrielAwards' Personal Achievement Award for 2005.

KNOM-AM ofNome, Alaska, was named the Gabriels' Radio Station ofthe Year for the lIth year in a row and for the 13th time in the 4()c.year history of the awards, according to the CatholicAcademy of Communicating Arts Professionals, which sponsors the awards.

New England Cable News in Newton, Mass., won the Gabriels' Television Station ofthe Year prize for the third straight year, according to the CatholicAcademy, which is based in Dayton.

The awards are to be presented September 24 in the Washington suburb ofSilver Spring, Md. Gabriels are awarded to film, TV, radio and Spanish-language media projects for their "ability to uplift and nourish the human

o

spirit," said a Catholic Academy announcement.

Movie winners were "Ray" for dramas, ''The Polar Express" for children's movies, and "Saving Grace" for documentaries.

"America's Choir: The Story ofthe Monnon Tabernacle Choir," a documentary, was awarded a certificate ofmerit.

Local TV winners included: - Short feature, markets 1-25: "A Plus," WCVB, Boston; - News/infonnational, local release: New England Cable News' "A Leap ofFaith."

Local Spanish-language winners were: - ArtsIenterlainment, national radio release: "EI Navio de los Corazones" ("The Ship of Hearts"), Family Theater Productions, of Hollywood, Calif., and North Easton, Mass.; --=- Community awareness PSA, national radio release: "Tesoros Escondidos" ("Hidden Treasures"), Family Theater Productions.

0

II

THE ANIMATED movie· Valiant'; tells the tale of a runt who joins Great Britain's Royal HomingPigeon Service despite naysayers who tell him he is too small. For a brief review of this film, see CNS Movie Capsules below. (CNS photo from Disney)

l~~'()~ie lca.I1~~I~ NEW YORK (CNS) - The following are capsule reviews ofmovies recently reviewed by the Office for Film & Broadcasting ofthe U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops.

"The 40-Year-Old Virgin" (Universal) Relentlessly vulgar story of shy electronics store clerk (likeable Steve Carell, who, alas, co-wrote the execrable screenplay) whose rowdy co-workers (Paul Rudd, Romany Ma1co and Seth Rogen) set out to help him, finally, lose his virginity, and he falls in love with a single mother (Catherine Keener) who works across the street. Director and co-writer Judd Apatow's film has' many good ingredients, including an appealing cast and classic comic setup, but the nonstop expletives and raunchy sexual talk and situations make for an embarrassingly tasteless two hours, uriredeemed even by its morally sound ending.

Profanity, rough and crude language, racial epithets, rear and partial nudity, heavy sexual content including strongly permissive view of premarital sex, characters displaying demeaning view ofwomen, crass gay and bathroom humor, drug use and drinking. The USCCB Office for Film & Broadcasting classification is 0 - morally offensive. The Motion Picture Association ofAmerica rating is R - restricted.

"The Great Raid" (Miramax) Stirring World War II drama set in the Philippines which tells the reallife story of the daring mission to

o

rescue 500 American POWs from a Japanese prison camp by a vastly outnumbered joint team of U.S. Anny rangers Oed by Benjamin Bratt and James Franco) and Filipino nisistance ~fighters; Directed by Johll Dahl, the movie has an old-fashioned patriotic feel, and while the acting and writing are less than stellar, it hardly detracts from what is a tremendous tale of heroism and sacrifice; Intense wartime violence, including torture, executions and scenes ofburning bodies, some vulgar language, profanity and ethnic slurs. The USCCB Office for Film & Broadcasting classification is Am-adults. The Motion Picture Association ofAmerica rating is R restricted.

"Red Eye" (DreamWorks) Uneven psychological thriller about a young air passenger (Rachel McAdams) en route to Miami who becomes an unwilling accomplice in a deadly assassination plot against a high-ranking government official orchestrated by the charming stranger (Cillian Murphy) sitting next to her on the plane, who coerces her cooperation by threatening to have her father back home in Florida killed if she refuses. Directed by Wes Craven, the· initial takeoff is smart and suspenseful, but the film hits story turbulence midflight before nosediving in the third act. Several instances of intense violence, including a graphic throat puncturing, as well as some crude language. The USCCB Office for Film & Broadcasting classification is L -limited adult audience, films whose problematic content many adults would find troubling. The Motion Picture Association ofAmerica rating is PG13 - parents are strongly cautioned.

Some material may be inappropriate for children·under 13.

"Supercross: The Movie" (20th Century Fox)

0

Turbo-charged turkey about two motorcycle-racing brothers (Steve Howey and Mike Vogel) who dream about competing professionally and whose bonds are tested when one is offered a spot on a corporate-sponsored team with a chance ofwinning the motorbiking world's equivalent ofthe Super Bowl. Directedby Steve Boyum, the fast-paced but fonnulaic and instantly forgettable film tries to distract viewers from its utter lack of story and character with lots of high-flying race sequences, amounting to little more than a 90-minute promo for the extreme sport. Some racetrack roughhousing, sexual situations and humor, scattered crude language and profanity. The USCCB Office for Film & Broadcasting classification is A-III - adults. The Motion Picture Association of America rating is PG-13 - parents are strongly cautioned. Some material may be inappropriate for children under 13.

"Valiant" (Disney) Whimsically entertaining, ifa bit featherweight, computer-animated adventure set in World War II-era England about a tiny but stalwart carrier pigeon (voiced by Ewan McGregor) who is given the dangerous mission ofdelivering a vital communique from occupied France safely to England while being hunted by a squadron of ruthless Gennan falcons. Despite a script that is a little light in the plumage, the visually vibrant film imparts a positive self-esteem message that "it's not the size of your wingspan, but the size of your spirit." Some scary images that may frighten the youngest viewers and a few innocuous flatulence jokes. The USCCB Office for Film & Broadcasting classification is A-I- general patronage. The Motion Picture Association of America rating is G general audiences.

FRANK AND SAL.LV Casey pose for a photo with their children, Vincent, four, MarY, two, and Joseph. nine montrs. in the Diocese of Fargo, N.D. The couple, once at odds with the Catholic Church's teaching on contraception. have embraced natural family planning and have taught the method to about 65 couples. (CNS photo by Tanya Watterud, The New Earth)

Couple says natural family planning has been good for th~ir marriage

By TANYA WATTERUD CATHOLIC NEWS SERVICE

FARGO, N.D. - For Frank and Sally Casey of the Fargo diocese, practicing natural family planning has been good for their marriage.

"It keeps us honest with each other and it forces us, even sometimes against our will, to be realistic about what size our family should be and when we should have

our children in terms ofGbd's will, not our culturally formed will," Sally Casey told The New Earth, Fargo's diocesan newspaper.

The couple also teach the method to other couples - they have trained about 65 couples so far - and feel that by doing so they are helping promote a culture oflife.

"It's a challenge for me (to teach it). In a way, I treat it as repara-

tion," Frank Casey said with a smile. "You're just laying yourself out there. You're talking about personal things you don't want to talk to your best friend about. But there are a lot of benefits. You are converting the culture. This culture's a cultUre of death and we really need to discover a culture of life."

Bishop Samuel J. Aquila of Fargo recently announced that ef-

As mother camps near Bush's ranch, Californians remember her son

By NANCY WESTLUND CATHOLIC NEWS SERVICE

SACRAMENTO, Calif.

Am1Y Spc. Casey Sheehan, who was

killed in April 2004 in an ambush in Sadr City, Iraq, was "a very dedicated young person, very willing to help people," recalled Father Benedict DeLeon, a pastor in the Sacramento diocese.

Whether he was helping as an altar server, a youth ministry leader or an extraordinary minister ofholy Communion at his home parish, St. Mary Church in Vacavi11e, the young man was always ''unselfish and generous, always willing to give a thousand percent," the priest told the Catholic Herald, newspaper of the Sacramento diocese.

The priest made the comments as the dead soldier's mother, Cindy Sheehan, .remained camped out along a road near President George W. Bush's ranch in Crawford, Texas, protesting the U.S. war in Iraq and demanding that Bush talk to her.

Now pastor of St. Thomas the Apostle Parish in Oroville, Father DeLeon was pastor of St. Mary Church from 1996 to 2001. He remembered Cindy and Patrick Sheehan and their four children being "regulars" at the Sunday night youth Mass. At that time, Cindy

Sheehan was the parish's youth minister, a position she held for eight years. . Cindy Sheehan began a vigil in front ofBush's ranch August 6. Last year, shortly after her son was killed, Bush met with her and a number of other parents who lost children in the war. At the time she said she was grateful for the meeting. But now, she said, her feelings have shifted from shock to anger and she wants the president to answer her questions about the war.

Two ofhis advisers met with her but Bush has not said ifhe will.

"I want to let .(the president) know that millions of Americans believe that the best thing we can do for our security, for our soldiers and for the Iraqi people is to bring the U.S. troops home from Iraq now," said Sheehan in a recent commentary published in the Sacramento Bee daily newspaper.

Patrick Sheehan told the Catholic Herald that his eldest son, who attended Catholic school from kindergarten through eighth grade, had a special love for his Church.

"We always speculated that Casey would enter the seminary," he said. He recalled that his son enlisted in the Anny in August 2000 with the goal ofbecoming a chaplain's assis-

tant but was told that a position in that program was not available at the time, so Casey Sheehan was deployed as a mechanic.

Patrick Sheehan, who has been separated from his wife since June said that several months after his son was killed he had a conversation by E-mail with a soldier in Iraq who told him how Casey had spent one ofhis last days there.

"He was part ofa small group that had waited for a priest to arrive for Communion, but when it became apparent the priest was not going to show up, they decided to have a prayer service," Patrick Sheehan said. "Ultimately, Casey died the way he lived, serving other people."

While completingArmy training at Fort Hood, Texas, Casey Sheehan was actively involved at the chapel where he attended Mass.

Steve Tholcke, who is director of Camp Pendola, a diocesan-operated summer camp, first met Casey Sheehan, then 17, when he arrived to work as a youth volunteer.

"Casey's world was other people, not about Casey," Tholcke said. "Casey lived his faith."

Since the young man's death, Camp Pendola's Web page has been filled with memories of him from volunteers, staff and campers.

fective September 8 engaged when Sally was fertile. couples across the diocese will "For the first six months of our have to be instructed in the theol- marriage, we did use all three signs ogy of the body and complete an and we used them very meticuapproved course in natural family lously," Sally Casey said. When planning before they can marry in they moved to Fargo for Frank'sjob, the Catholic Church. they decided to no longer abstain The Caseys were not always so on fertile days and Sally became enthusiastic about natural family pregnant. Sally joined the Catholic planning.

Church nine months after their first In fact, Frank Casey recalled baby, Vincent, was born. that in 1999, when they went The Caseys now have three through marriage preparation, he children: Vincent, four, Mary, two, had a strong reaction to the Catho- and Joseph, nine months. "Among lic Church's teachingthat artificial our friends," Sally Casey said, "the contraception is morally unaccept- spacing ofour children is about the able. "I thought the Church just same as for those using contracepneeded to get with the '90s," he tion." said. So did his wife-to-be.

About six of the couples the At the time Sally Casey was Caseys have instructed on natural Lutheran. The couple wanted to get family planning chose to learn married in a ·Lutheran church. A about the method after being marCatholic priest agreed to be present ried and using artificial birth conat the wedding ifthey would agree trol. About half of the engaged to meet with him for marriage couples they teach use artificial preparation. It was during that birth control. meeting they first learned about Some attended because they are natural family planning. required to, "but some of them do Sally Casey said she was trying have a conversion," Sally Casey to find things that were wrong with said. "A lot of them will have a the Catholic Church, hoping her conversion to chastity before marhusband-to-be would embrace her riage. That's what my husband and I did, as well."

Lutheran faith.

Frank Casey said people have to "Her challenging me on the things I believed as a Catholic re- be open to God's graces ''particularly ally ericouraged me to dig deeper," for the Roe v. Wade generation."

Frank Casey said. The couple also "My generation has grown up in divorced families: My generabegan praying together.

"Once I started going and re- tion has seen sex everywhere; ceiving the sacraments and' the people who escaped being graces that come from them, then aborted," he said. "Particularly, our the battle was over for me," he generation has been exposed to said. "Then when we started un- relativism. Once you start seeing derstanding the history, and the . that there are absolutes ... there are natural law, and the reason for this foundations we can base our lives thing, then it was over for Sally." on, there's hope in this world."

The couple learned the method offered through the Couple to Montie Plumbing Couple League. They found that & Heating Co. they could determine whether Over 35 Years Sally was in a fertile stage in her of Satisfied Services menstrual cycle by checking body Reg. Master Plumber 7023 temperature, cervical mucus and JOSEPH RAPOSA, JR. making cervix observations. Ifthey did not feel ready for a pregnancy, 432 JEFFERSON STREET FALL RIVER 508-675-7496 . they avoided sexual contact during the seven or so days a month

St. Anne's Prayer "Good St. Anne, Mother of Mary, and Grandmother of Jesus, Intercede for me and my petitions. Amen."

In honor of Sister Lucia dos Santos, seer of Fatima, who died Ft:bruary 13,2005, age 97.

Lucia pray for us.

Charlie's Oil Co., Inc. • Prompt 24 Hour Service • Automatic Deliveries • Call In Deliveries • Budget Terms Available • Free Estimates

You Never Had Service Until You Tried Charlie's We're located at ...

46 Oak Grove Ave., Fall River or call ...

508-675-7426 • 508-674-0709

, Friday, August 26, 2005

In synagogue, pope recalls Holocaust was 'darkest period' in Germany COLOGNE, Gennany - In a Benedict was forced to join the visit to a synagogue in his native HitlerYouth program, and he served Gennany, Pope Benedict XVI re- in the Gennan army during the war called with sorrow the Nazi perse- before deserting his unit. In his talk, cution of the Jews as "the darkest he did not mention his personal experiod of Gennan and European periences, but described how the Nazi rise to power scarred his history."

The pope warned of new signs homeland and devastated Jewish ofanti-Semitism today and said the communities.

"In the 20th century, in the darkCatholic Church has a duty to remember the Holocaust and to teach est period ofGennan and European its lessons to younger generations history, an insane racist ideology, who did not witness the "terrible born of neopaganism, gave rise to events" that took place before and the attempt, planned and systematically carried out by the regime, to during World War II. Toward the end ofhis August 19 extenninate European Jewry," he . speech, he said Christia!1s and Jews said.

Pope Benedict noted that this have to respect each other and added, off-the-cuff, "and love each year marks the 60th anniversary of . the liberation of the Nazi concenother."

The pope spoke to some 500 tration camps. Like Pope John Paul, PEOPLE PAY their last respects at the body of Brother Roger Schutz, founder of the Jewish representatives in Cologne~ the pontiff said, he wanted to bow Taize monastic community, in Taize; France, August路 18. Pope Benedict XVI, world leaders' in a synagogue destroyed during the his head before those who died and and ordinary Christians ex'pressed shock at the August 16 m'urder of Brother Roger, 'one of 1938 Kristallnacht pogrom and re- remi~d the world that those tragic the 20th century's leading ecumenical figures. He was stabbed to death by a woman during built in 1959. The Jewish commu- events must "never cease to rouse a religious service.

(CNS photci from R~uters) nity in Cologne is the oldest in Eu- consciences." was careful to distinThe pope rope north ofthe Alps and was deciguish between the Nazi attempt at mated during World War II. The 78-year-old pope was annihilation of the Jews and Chriswannly welcomed as he entered the tian-Jewish relations, which have complex, pausing to pray silently had their own "complex and p'ain- . before a memorial to Holocaust vic- ful" history, he said.

By JOHN THAVIS Forty years ago, he said, the Sec7 tims. After the singing ofPsalm 23 the strength to continue the work nity of our profoundest sentiments CATHOLIC NEWS SERVICE - "The Lord路is my shepherd"- ond Vatican Council openedup new begun by their founder - foster- as we share in your suffering and an elder blew a long blast on the prospects of dialogue with Jews, .

VATICAN CITY - ' Pope ing peace and reconciliation. loss," said Bishop William S~ ram's hom, or shofar, a Jewish ritual recognizing the common roots and Benedict XVI said he was shocked Brother Alois, a 51-year-old Ger- Skylstad of Spokane, Wash., in a announcing an important event. spiritual heritage shared by mem- and saddened at the slaying of man, returned from World Youth letter to Brother Alois. "One with At the end ofthe service,the sung bers of both faiths. Again quoting Brother Roger Schutz, founder of Day'in Oologne to take up his new Brother Roger and the community blessing of"Sim Shalom" implored Pope John Paul, he said that ''who~ the Taize community and ~me of duties. in a finn faith in the Resurrection, God to grant peace and goodness: ever meets Jesus Christ meets Ju- the world'~ leading ecumenical figThe papal telegram said Brother we recommit ourselves to the com"Bless us, our Father"all ofus as one, daism." ures.

Roger was a "man offaith passion- mUnion to which he bore witness with the light ofyour face."

As for the future course ofChrisBrother Roger, 90, was路 stabbed ately in love with the Church" . in life and death.'"

The hour-long visit marked only tian-Jewish dialogue, the pope said: three times in the neck by a Roma- whose community helped "numerAnglican Archbishop Rowan the second time a modem pope has "Much remains to be done." . nian woman during an evening ous generations of Christians" Williams of Canterbury said entered a Jewish place of worship. . Together, he said, they should prayer service at the Taize deepen their own faith and meet Brother Roger ''was one ofthe bestPope John Paul II made a historic help show young people in particu- community's headquarters in east- Christ through prayer and friend- loved Christian leaders ofour time." visitto Rome's synagogue in 1986. lar that ''the Ten Commandments are em FranceAugust 16. He died soon ship.

In a written statement from LonIn路 Cologne, Pope Benedict be- not a burden, but a signpost show-. afterward. Authorities arrested the Brother Roger had met several don, he said, "hundreds of thougan his talk with the Hebrew words, ing the path leading to a successful woman, 36, who was said to show times with Pope John Paul II, who sands will be feeling his loss very "Shalom lechen!" ("Peace to life." The pope received a statiding . signs ofmental instability. briefly visited Taize in 1986. Pope personally." you!"). As a young man, Pope 'ovation at the end of his speech.

A visibly moved Pope Benedict, Benedict personally greeted Roger Schutz was born May 12, in impromptu remarks during his Brother Roger when, as Cardinal 1915, the son of a Swiss Calvinist weekly general audienceAugust 17 . Joseph Ratzinger, he celebrated pastor and a French Protestant at the papal summer villa in Castel Pope John Paul's funeral Mass in mother, in Provence, a small town Gandolfo, said he had been given Rome in April. in Switzerland. He was a minister the sad and ''terrifYing'' news that For many of the pilgrims at- of the Swiss Refonned Church. tending the papal audience, the morning. .

He founded the Taize commuFALL RIVER - Father Marc Although Brother Roger was It was all the more shocking, the news also came as a shock. Hun- nity in 1940 with three companions.

H. Bergeron, ecumenical officer 90, "he still was playing an impope said, because he had received dreds of thousands of people, es- It grew to eventually include more for the Fall River diocese, called portant part in ecumenical relaa "very moving and very friendly" pecially youth, have visited the than 100 Anglicans, Lutherans, the death of Brother Roger tions, and there was talk that he letter from Brother Roger the pre- ecumenical monastic community evangelicals and Catholics from "quite a loss for the ecumenical was on the verge of becoming a viousday. of Taize or participated in its ac- more than 20 countries. movement in the Church."

Catholic," Father Bergeron reThe pope said Brother Roger had tivities.

Many of Taize's visitors are' Father Bergeron recalls having ported. "As a matter of fact, written to explain that for health reaThe pope did his best to com- young people, who for a few days met Brother Roger at Taize, which Brother Roger had appointed a . sons he could not join the pope for fort them. or weeks experience a spiritual is' in the Burgundy region of Catholic priest to succeed him.

World Youth Day celebrations in "In this moment of sadness, we community life that is far removed France, "and not far from the his"That there is now talk of Cologne, Gennany, but would be can only entrust to the Lord's good- from the materialism ofmany Westtoric Abbey ofCluny. That abbey Brother Roger's canonizationthere spiritually. ness the soul ofhis faithful servant. ern societies. played an important role in the being perhaps the first nonfrom the bottom "He writes that We know that from sadness ... will As Brother Roger once wrote: resurgence ofthe faith in Europe. Catholic to be canonized - is ofhis heart he wants to tell me: 'We be reborn joy," the pope said.

"We know that they have not come And Taize brought a resurgence very interesting," Father are in communion with you and "Brother Roger is in the hands here as tourists. If so, they would in the ecumenical movement and Bergeron noted. with those gathered in Cologne,'" ofeternal goodness and eternal love have come to the wrong address. inter-faith relations throughout Because Pope Benedict XVI the pope said, quoting from the let- and has arrived at eternal joy," he Most of them have come with one Europe," Father Bergeron noted. has set meetings with Jews and ter in French. said. and the same question: 'How can I "Brother Roger was an amaz- Muslims as an immediate prior"In his own hand, he writes that In the lJnited States, the head of understand God? How can I know ing person and was recognized ity of his papacy points up the 'our community of Taize wants to the U.S. Conference of Catholic what God wants for me?''' by our late Holy Father John importance he thinks the ecuwalk in communion with the Holy Bishops said the U.S. Church Since 1978 the Taize community Paul II, and collaborated with menical movement is.

Father,'" the pope said. shared "this moment of grief with has sponsored a series oflarge interhim on greatly furthering the re"I think the presence ofBrother In a telegram sent to the current the Holy Father" and expressed national gatherings ofyoung people. lationship of all faiths with Roger and the strength he brought head of the community, Brother "great sadness" at the "horrific Called a "Pilgrimage of Trust on Christianity and the Catholic to ecumenism will be sorely Alois, the pope prayed that God news" of Brother Roger's death: Earth," the encounter features ecu.

Church." he added. missed," Father Bergeron stated. would give community members . "We assure you and the commu- meni,cal discus.sion and prayer.

Pope shocked at slaying of Brother Roger, Taize founder

Fall River priest laments death of Brother Roger Schutz

. .; ;th. ; .:;e; . .a=o.onc;,.,; L. =;'lo'. :.;:h:. .;:o;,.,; ol: )-=~

1_ _F_ri_d_ay_,A_U_9_us_t_2_S,_2_00_5

Forward bring about. The Eucharist must become the center of our lives. If the Church tells us that the Eucharist is an essential part of Sunday, this is no mere positivism or thirst for power. On Easter morning, first the women and then the disciples had the grace of seeing the Lord.

From that moment on; they knew that the first day of the week, Sunday, would be his day, the day of Christ the Lord. The day when creation began became the day when creation was renewed. Creation and redemption belong together. That is why Sunday is so important. It is good that today, in many cultures, Sunday is a free day, and is often combined with Saturday so as to constitute a "week.end" offree time.

Yet this free time is empty ifGod is not present.

Dear friends!

Sometimes, our initial impression is that having to include time for Mass on a Sunday is rather inconvenient. But ifyou make the effort, you will realize that this is what gives a proper focus to your free time. Do not be deterred from taking part in Sunday Mass, and help others to discover it too. This is because the Eucharist releases the joy that we need so much, and we must learn to grasp it ever more deeply, we must learn to love it. Let us pledge ourselves to do this - it is worth the effort! Let us discover the intimate riches of the Church's liturgy and its true greatness: It is not we who are celebrating for ourselves, but it is the living God himselfwho is preparing a banquet for us. Through your love for the Eucharist you will also rediscover the sacrament of reconciliation, in which the merciful goodness of God always allows us to make a fresh start in our lives.

(In Italian) Anyone who has discovered Christ must lead others to him. A great joy cannot be kept to oneself.

It has to be passed on. In vast areas ofthe world today there is a strange forgetfulness ofGod. It seems as if everything would be just the same

Amendment defined.

"You may permit the collection of signatures at appropriate parish events and at weekend Masses including, ifyou choose, having signup tables and inserting copies ofthe signature petition in your bulletins," the bishop's letter explained.

"Your support would greatly aid VoteOnMarriage.org in reaching its goal ofacquiring well over 66,000 signatures by November 23," Bishop Coleman added. He suggested that a parishioner be designated to organize the signature efforts and to contact the Massachusetts Catholic Conference, which has been working with Raymond Flynn, former ambassador to the Vatican, and his group, Catholic Citizenship, to coordinate the effort.

Sainthood cause for POW priest advancing well, says promoter

Continued from page three

even without him. But at the same time there is a feeling 0'ÂŁ frustration, a sense of dissatisfaction with everyone and everything. People tend to exclaim: "This cannot be what life is about!" Indeed not. And so, together with forgetfulness of God there is a kind of new explosion of religion. I have no wish to discredit all the manifestations of this phenomenon. There may be sincere joy in the discovery. Yet if it is pushed too far, religion becomes almost a consumer product. People choose what they like, and some are even able to make a profit from it. But religion constructed on a"do-it-yourself' basis cannot ultimately help us.

It may be comfortable, but at times ofcrisis we are left to ourselves. Help people to discover the true star which points out the way to us: Jesus Christ!

"Let us seek to know him better and better, so as to be able to guide others to him with conviction.

This is why love for sacred Scripture is so important, and in consequence, it is important to know the faith ofthe Church which opens up for us the meaning of Scripture. It is the Holy Spirit who guides the Church as her faith grows, causing her to enter ever more deeply into the truth (cf. John 16: 13). Pope John PaulII gave us a wonderful work in which the faith of centuries is explained synthetically: the "Catechism ofthe Catholic Church." I myself recently presented'the "Compendium of the -Catechism," prepared at the request of the late Holy Father. These are two fundamental texts which I recommend to all of you.

(In Spanish) Obviously books alone are not enough. Form communities based on faith! In recent decades movements and communities have come to birth in which the power of the Gospel is keenly felt. Seek communion in faith, like fellow travelers who continue together to follow the path ofthe great pilgrimage that the Magi from the East first pointed out to us. The spontaneity of new . communities is important, but it is

1----131

also important to preserve communion with the pope and with the bishops. It is they who guarantee that we are not seeking private paths, but are living as God's great family, founded by the Lord through the Twelve Apostles.

(In German) Once again, I must return to the Eucharist. "Because there is one bread, we, though many, are one body," says St. Paul (1 Corinthians 10: 17). By this he meant: Since we receive the same Lord and he gathers us together and draws us into himself, we ourselves are one. This must be evident in our lives. It must be seen in our capacity to forgive.

It must be seen in our sensitivity to the needs ofothers. It must be seen in our willingness to share. It must be seen in our commitment to our neighbors, both those close at hand and those physically far away, whom we nevertheless consider to be close. Today there are many forms ofvoluntary assistance, models of mutual service, of which our society has urgent need. We must not, for example, abandon the elderly to their solitude, we must not pass by when we meet people who are suffering. If we think and live according to our communion with Christ, then oureyes will be opened.

Then we will no longer be content to scrape a living just for ourselves, but we will see where and how wÂŤ are needed. Living and acting thus, we will soon realize that it is much better to be useful and at the disposal of others than to be concerned only with the comforts that are offered to us. I know that you as young people have great aspirations, that you want to pledge yourselves to build a better world.

Let others see this, let the world see it, since this is exactly the witness that the world expects from the disciples of Jesus Christ; in this way, and through your love above all, the world will be able to discover the star that we follow as believers.

Let us go forward with Christ and let us live our lives as true wor~hippers of God! Amen.

ST. LOUIS (CNS) - The saint- 2003 of Father Hotze to head the hood cause for an Army chaplain Father Kapaun Guild. who died in a Chinese prisoner-ofThe effort involves collecting and war camp during the Korean War is organizing information about the advancing well, said the promoter of man and his life with the informathe cause during a fact-finding trip tion to be sent to the Vatican's Conto the St. Louis area. gregation for Saints' Causes.

The chaplain, Father Emil J. FatherKapaun now is recognized Kapaun, was taken prisoner by the by the Church as a "servant ofGod," Chinese communists in North Ko- the title given to those whose cause rea in 1950. During his seven months for canonization has been officially in captivity, Father Kapaun tended opened. The next step will be to deto his fellow paws, nursing the sick clare him "venerable," if officials and wounded, and giving them hope. find the priest led a life ofheroic virHe developed a blood clot and was tue. denied medication. He died in the After one miracle attributed to his prison camp on May 23, 1951. intercession is verified the candidate FatherJohn Hotze ofthe Diocese may be declared blessed. A second ofWichita, Kan., the promoter, was miracle js ordinarily required before in St. Louis at the end ofJuly to in- he can be proclaimed a saint. terview three surviving seminary Father Hotze told the St. Louis classmates of Father Kapaun. Review, archdiocesan newspaper, Wichita was the late priest's home that there are some alleged miracles diocese. ''worthy ofbeing investigated." .

FatherKapaun graduated in 1940 He said it has become clearto him from Kenrick Seminary in from personal interviews with Shrewsbury in the St. Louis Arch- people who knew Father Kapaun in diocese. His classmates are Msgrs. his early years that he lived a saintly Patrick J. Molloy and Jerome life even before his military service.

"I'm convinced that he's a saint.

Sommer and Father Edwin J. There's no question in my mind,just Burmester.

They shared their memories of from the stories that people tell about Father Kapaun with Father Hotze, him," said Father Hotze, who is juwho planned to incorporate the in- dicial vicar for the Wichita diocese terviews in documentation to be sent and auxiliary chaplain at McConnell Air Force Base in Wichita. to the Vatican.

The three confirmed information The most important thing people from others that FatherKapaun lived can do to help Father Kapaun's cause a saintly life before becoming a chap- is to pray, Father Hotze said. People lain, said Father Hotze. should pray for his cause and for his After ordination, Father Kapaun intercession, he added. was a parish priest in the Wichita Though his intercession ''might diocese. Then he was anArmy chap- not provide a miracle that can be lain in World War II and the Korean .proven to help his sainthood along, it can certainly be something that War. Many people over the years have helps you personally," he said.

"When you think he was just a suggested Father Kapaun as a possible candidate for sainthood for his priest for 11 years, that was a very sacrifices as a chaplain. The Wichita short time," said Father Hotze. ''The diocese officially began looking into number ofpeople that he touched in . the matter with the appointment in those years is just amazing."

Continuedfrom page one

Larry Cirignano, executive di- chusetts Legislature, which gets to rector of Catholic Citizenship, vote on it twice in two legislative said, "Catholics need to step up sessions, and then the people get to the plate and be heard: This is .to vote on it in 2008 when it apthe citizens' petition that will al- pears on a statewide ballot," he low us to stop gay marriages in said. "We only need 200 signaMassachusetts. People can sign tures per parish to make it hapthe petition, which, after it passes, pen, but we'd like to get more and means they will be able to vote the time frame for the signatures on the issue when it makes the is only two months," Cirignano nQted. "The sooner we get the sigballot three years from now."

He offered details. "Those who natures the better."

Even as parishioners in the Fall sign the petition at their parish church need to be registered vot- River diocese get ready to sign the ers and they need to sign in ink initiative, so do Massachusetts - with a pen - and use their Catholics in the dioceses of street address where they are reg- Worcester, Springfield, and the istered to vote, and not use a post Archdiocese of Boston, whose Church leaders are also commitoffice box address."

He said the petition "needs ted to defining marriage in the Bay nearly 66,000 signatures in order State before the high court to be brought before the Massa- changed it.

U.S:MILITARX chaplain Father Emil J. Kapaun is piGtured ministering to a soldier in this undated photo. (CN~ photo courtesy Catholic Advance)

Friday, August 26, 2005

..

~ a~ges ";Z~Wt~~4;r-';;'';';;'~::';;''~ , ~~

Local'student volunteers at The Farm in Kentucky

By MIKE GORDON

program today has ·a broader'mission.

FALL RIVER - For most stuDennis Mathieu said his daughdents, spring break is spent resting t~r Jennifer is a hard worker and is on a beach or at home to gather currently spending her summer strength for college finals, but not working at a local group home. "I'm Jennifer Mathieu, a parishioner of very prqud of her. The Farm was a SS. Peter and Paul Parish, Fall real challenge for her."

Mathieu traveled with seven River, and a junior at St. Anselm College in Manchester, N.H. She . other students from St: Anselm's spenthertime working at The Farm where she is studying sociology. in Vanceburg, Ky., where she helped They were joined by students from build homes and visited the elderly South Dakota State University, at a nursing home. . Loyola University of Chicago, "1 felt like I was making a differ- Bowling Green State University and ence," said Mathieu on why she Marian College.

"It was nice to meet and work chose to do an· alternative spring break. "I'm a eucharistic minister at with students from around the councollege and I heard about The Farm try. There were 35 ofus there during through a friend. Helping people is our visit," said Mathieu. important and we did a lot of that."

According to Mathieu, one ofthe The Farm is an immersion pro- toughest things they did was prepare . gram of the Glenma'ry Home the camp for future visitors, which Missioners and it provides students included getting logs for campfires from around the country with an and bonfires. experience ofservice and the culture "We had to carry logs from a site of people who live in the Appala- that was a mile-and-a-half from . chian region. camp. We got them to a river where Glenmary is a Catholic society of . we floated them dOwTIstre~m and priests and brothers who, along with then carried them to The Farm."

STUDENTS FROM· St. Joseph-St. Therese School in New Bedford ride a float adorned co-workers, is dedicated to serving Mathieu added that when you with home-made flowers and a" miniature schoolhouse they and their parents decorated for the spiritual and material needs of thought of the work that the previthe feast of the Blessed Sacrament Parade earlier this month. The theme was StJosephthe people throughout Appalachia ous visitors had done for you, it . and the rural South and Southwest. wasn't so bad. .

St.Therese School- "Planting the seeds that grow in faith."

"We visited patients in a nursing In addition to building homes home and at a hospital where we with People's SelfHelp Housing the worked with people facing emo- students also visited a seniorcitizen's tional difficulties," said Mathieu. center and helped sort and stoc.k "We also moved bales of hay at a items at a used clothing shop affililocal woman's farm and built homes. atedwith the Christian Community It was a lot of hard work and physi- Center in Vanceburg..

TEACHERS CRISTINA cal labor, but we knew we were The Glenmary's believe that by Raposo _and ·Susie Lopes making a difference and that's r~­ reaching out to those in need the from St. Anthony's School, warding." volunteers apply their Christian valNew Bedford, share a smile Hundreds of young volunteers ues and leam there is more reward with Dino at the National make the trip throughout the sum- associated with giving than receivCatholic Educational Confer. mer and leam about helping others ing. ence in Philadelphia. They and the value of hard work. The Ifyou would like more informawere among several colFarm began in 1972 to raise interest tion about bringing a group of volin young men to join Glenmary as unteers to eastern Kentucky contact leagues who made the trip priests or Brothers. Although young Joe Grosek ofthe Glenmary Volunand participated in some of men pursuing religious vocations teer Program at P.O. Box 7, the 400 sessions offered fothrough GJenmary have often par- Vanceburg, Ky. 41179 or call 606cusing on all levels of Cathoticipated in work at The Farm, the 796-3421. lic education.

ANCHOR STAFF

Fall R~iver ~YO announces golftournament results

BISHOP FEEHAN students Matt Hall and Dan Beksha work on an original construct in mathematics that earned first place at the Regional Science Fair and the Intern'ational Science and Engineering Fair, where they competed against students from several countries.

FALL RIVER - The annual Fall River Area CYO Golf Tournament was held recently at the Fall River Country Club and golfers in four divisions competed to win coveted spots in the annual diocesan tournament scheduled for later this summer.

In the Senior Division, Fall River's Andrew Gendreau shot a round of 84 to capture First Place while Jonathan De Jesus of Westport came in second. . Jonathan Sirois of Fall River

captured the Intermediate Divi- edged out Andrew Desrosiers of sion with a score of 81 for the day Somerset to capture the title in the to finish ahead of another Fall . Cadet Division.

Riverite, Jeremy Wood, who Father Jay Maddock, diocesan posted an 88. In 2004, Wood took director of the CYO, offered first place and Sirois was runner- thanks to golf pro Tom Tetreault up. and all the members of the Fall In the Junior Division, River Country Club who continue Somerset's Kevin Levesque fin- to welcome the Fall River Area ished on top with a round of 85 eyO Tournament to the course and Brandon Freitas ofFall River each year. was a close second with 86. This He also offered thanks to was the closest finish of the day. Roger Dugal who served as tourNick Thwaite of Somerset nament director.

Friday, August 26, 2005

...

'.!"' . . :-'-~ '\

the aACnOl\..Y

Catholic schools need money, " innovation to avoid closing WASHINGTON (CNS)-The wave ofinner-city Catholic school closings across the country has served as a wake-up call, say Catholic educators.

No one was aware of the crisis facing Catholic schools, said Jean O'Shea, executive director ofFutures in Education, a program that provides scholarships for students attending Catholic schools in the Diocese of Brooklyn, N.Y. She said the announced closings of schools in Brooklyn "hit everyone" and the immediate response was a resolve to "plan for the future." .

In an interview in July, O'Shea told Catholic News Service that many Catholic school administrators have been trained as educators, not as fund-raisers or business managers, yet they need business savvy to keep their schools afloat.

She said Brooklyn diocesan officials are taking a close look at how they can provide the resources for school administrators, especially in the city's poorer areas, to develop and carry out a five-year plan. To do this effectively, the city's struggling Catholic schools will now be run by lay boards, taking the financial reins ofthe schools from the pastors and principals.

The plan to have lay boards steer the school finances was announced by Brooklyn Bishop Nicholas A. DiMarzio the day after the diocese announced it was closing 22 schools this year. Later, the number of closures was reduced when three schools secured enough funds to remain open.

The lay boards will consist of alumni members, community and business leaders and otherswho will be in charge of three to five schools. The boards will put together budgets and business plans and hire and oversee teachers.

O'Shea said many schools need to learn to better tap into their alumni, something she said elementary schools have never approached aggressively, while high schools and colleges do this as a matter ofcourse.

According to Clare Giangreco, associate director of the Metuchen, N.J., diocese's Office of Development, schools vary widely in their approach to alumni development. Some have been doing it for years with great success; others are just getting started and few Catholic elementary schools have programs specifically geared toward alumni development.

The key is building a database of alumni phone numbers and addresses. For Immaculate Conception School in Clinton, N.J., the diocese's newest elementary school, it means keeping up with each graduating class ofeighth-graders.

Kenneth Sanchez, the school's volunteer director ofdevelopment, said the alumni database, now numbering only 60 from three graduating classes, already figures prominently in the school's development initiatives.

The Diocese of Wichita, Kan., which has 34 elementary schools, 23 middle schools and four high schools, has offered tuition-free education to the children of active Catholic parishioners since 1993.

Father Matt Eyerman and parishioners at St. Columbanus Parish in Chicago to launched a similar plan. "It's not about the money," the priest told The Catholic New World, Chicago's archdiocesan newspaper. "It's about a way oflife. The whole parish has .to. s~PI1.~rt t.he school. W~.have to get peoR!~ away. from thinking 'I don't have kids in school so it's not my problem.' We all have the obligation to pass on the faith."

Inner-city Catholic schools at crossroads after recent closings WASHINGTON (CNS) - At the end ofthis past school year, Catholic schools in Chicago, Brooklyn, N.Y., Detroit, Cleveland, St. Louis, Boston and several other cities, closed their doors for good as Church officials pointed to declining enrollments, changing demographics and overall lack of funds needed to keep the schools functioning.

Students left with tearful farewells, armed with advice about nearby Catholic schools. Teachers and administrators, also hard hit by the closings, suddenly had to scramble for new jobs, many of them after decades of working in the same school.

The Archdioceses of Chicago and Detroit closed 18 schools and the Diocese of Brooklyn closed 19.

Initially, both Chicago and Brooklyn planned to close more, but the number was reduced when a handful of schools came up with additional funding.

In the Diocese of Rochester, N.짜. - where four schools closed and seven were consolidated - students and faculty at one of the closing schools, Sacred Heart Cathedral School in Rochester, bid tearful farewells to each other June 17.

NCEA officials have commissioned the Center for Applied Research in the Apostolate, located at Georgetown University, to specifically look at the issue ofurban Catholic school closings. The study is to be released this fall.

For some schools, closing is the result offinancial trouble or changing demographics; in other cases a lack of leadership or strategic planning has forced closure.

A statement released this summer by the U.S. bishops, called "Renewing Our Commitment to Catholic Elementary and Secondary Schools in the Third Millennium," notes that more Catholic schools have closed than have opened in the past 15 years.

According to the statement, there are currently 7,799 elementary and secondary schools, about 10 percent fewer than there were 15 years ago. It also notes that Catholic schools have suffered a net enrollment loss of 170,000 students since 1990 and that the average tuition costs have more than doubled.

Jesuit Father Joseph O'Keefe said he is curious to see what kind of action the bishops' document will bring about for inner-city schools.

The priest, interim dean of the Lynch School of Education at Jesuit-run Boston College, has been studying urban Catholic education for years. He led a team of the university's researchers in conducting a study published in 2004 by the NCEA on "Sustaining the Legacy: Inner-city Catholic Elementary Schools in the United States."

He stressed that Catholic school officials need to remember the mission ofa preferential option for the poor and provide "places for people of little or no faith to encounter Christ."

But, he said, some Church officials think Catholic schools should primarily be for children from Catholic families.

Father O'Keefe said the traditional Catholic school organization model has lacked "strategic thinking and has been very haphazard."

The setup creates a "survival of the fittest" system, he told CNS, so schools with the least amount of resources and students end up closing their doors.

Amid the continuing number ofclosings, the priest said he sees glimmers of hope in areas where people are trying innovative ways to keep city schools open, such as the Diocese ofMemphis, Tenn., where previously closed schools are reopening. As he sees it, people need to look at places that are bucking the closing trend and find out ''why they are surviving."

Which of our sacrifices matter?

By KASE JOHNSTUN

than large groups. A lot of small towns in Illinois had done the The Chicago group stepped in same thing we did, struggled front of the camera before us. The through the night, legs 80 or so ofthem looked good. marsmallowy, to reach Peoria, They looked like they'd just carrying less than $10,000 to give gotten dressed for work. They to St. Jude's. looked rested, to say the least.

In the Gospel of Luke Jesus Most had the stereotypical looked up and saw rich people runner's body, thin and muscular. putting their gifts into the treasury, They had relayed from Chicago but he also saw a poor widow put the previous day and a half to in two copper coins. He said, raise money for St. Jude's cancer "Truly, I tell you, this poor widow has put in more than all of them; research. . . for all of them "$250,000," . . the announcer at have contributed out of their the Memphis to abundance, but Peoria telethon she out of her announced. of Chicago had poverty has put raised a quarter of in all she had to live on." a million dollars for St. Jude's . .- - - - - - - - - . . First let me hospital for cancer research and note that I do not regard the big other diseases that plague thougroup from Chicago as having sands ofchildren every day. They given any less than the rest of us did well. That's a lot of money. gave; they played their part in They deserved to present it. collecting a little from many The 12 of us walked up next. A supporters and from themselves, small group, ragged, exhausted and they sacrificed to get there as (with nontypical runners' bodies), well.

But while running into the sharing a stretch of 105 miles from Champaign to Peoria. Our convention center following the large Chicagoan group in front of legs were shot, and no one had slept more than an hour in the last us, I noticed one thing: The cancer survivors and their 36. When we heard about the families cheered just as loudly for $250,000 from the Chicago us as for those who preceded us, runners, we felt a little deflated. I know we shouldn't have, but deep and cheered just as loudly for them as for us. The geographical down we did. "$9,000," the announcer talked source ofthe money did not matter to them, but the spiritual into the camera. He interviewed location did. It came from the our organizers, and we were ushered gently and respectfully hearts of every runner and supporter who made the trek to off the stage. We held our heads Peoria that night. high, proud ofthe accomplishOur lump sum may not have ment of our little team. Decatur to been as big as others and may Peoria followed behind us, have been bigger than others, but another small group that raised around $12,000. They were proud every "sole" of every shoe that ran through the crowd that day too. As we scanned the large sacrificed what it could. Every banquet center, we noticed that sacrifice was real. small groups were more common CATHOLIC NEWS SERVICE

Coming flge

SACRED HEART Cathedral School students say goodbye to teachers during a closing ceremony and prayer service at the Rochester, N.Y., school. Sacred Heart merged with Rochester's Holy Rosary School at the Holy Rosary site. (CNS photo by Mike Crupi, Catholic Courier)

-',

Publicity chairmen are Our Lady of the Cape Church, 468 asked to submit news items for Stony Brook Road. A healing serthis column to The Anchor, P.O. vice led by La Salette Father RichBox 7, Fall River, 02722. Name ard Lavoie will follow. For more of city or town should be in- ,information call 508-385-3252. cluded, as well as full dates of BREWSTER - Organist and all activities. DEADLINE IS composer Becket Senchur wiIl perNOON ON FRIDAYS. Events published must be ofin- form a free concert Sunday at 7 p.m. terest and open to our general at Our Lady of the Cape Church, readership. We do not carry no- 468 Stony Brook Road. For more tices of fund-raising activities, information call 508-896-2950. which may be advertised at our NORTH DARTMOUTH regular rates, obtainable from our The Diocesan Divorced-Separated business office at 508-675-7151.

Support Group will meetAugust 29 ATILEBORO-The National from 7-9 p.m. at the Family Life Shrine of Our Lady of La Salette Center, 500 Slocum Road. Guest will welcome singer musician John speaker Mary Kennedy will address Po1ce tonight at 7:30 p.m. for his the topic "My Journey and EnlightTHE COMBINED English- and Portuguese-speaking choir from Our Lady of the AssumpBethany Nights Program. It will in- enment Through Divorce." Retion Parish, New Bedford, provided the music for its recent centennial celebration. The parclude prayer, music and the oppor- freshments will follow. For more tunity to be prayed over individu- information call Bob Menard at . ish was'established in 1905 by the Congregation of Sacred Hearts of Jesus and Mary.

508-673-2997. ally.

A healing service will be held at .ORLEANS-ASeparated-Dithe Shrine Sunday at 2 p.m. with Continuedfrom page one Father Pat. For more information vorced Catholics Support Group will meet Sunday at 7 p.m. in the Father's with the spiritual care of . ticipating priests, who were' Through the intercessi?n of Our call 508-222-5410. parish center of St. Joan of Arc Cape Verdeans living in New given the vestments to keep.

Lady of the AssumptIOn, may ATTLEBORO FALLS - St. Church. Guest speaker Father Bedford, according to a parish Parishioners, including many our Lord watch over and bless Mark's Parish will hold its annual fair Rodney Thibault will speak on the . history. young people, nave been .pre- you ah~ays." on September 10 from 9 am. t04 p.m. topic of annulments. For more inMUSIC was prOVIded by a PorA mission church located on senting spiritual and educatIOnal beginning with a road race. There will formation call Father Richard Roy Water Street became a parish for programs on the 15th of each tuguese- and English-speaking be music by an American Legion at 508-255-0170. immigrants from the archipelago month and those will continue choir accompanied by various Band and the Colonial Pipers Bagof Cape Verde comprised of 15 throughout the celebration year. musicians. "I wa~ the first Cape STURBRIDGE - Father pipe Band and OJ NateAdams. Food islands in the Atlantic Ocean A recent topic was "The Differ- Verdean organIst when the will be available. For more informa- Ralph A. DiOrio will lead a heal- more than 300 miles off the ent Faces of Mary in the church was on Water Street and tion call 508-699-7566. ing service at II :30 a.m., SeptemChurch." There was even a pa- I wanted to sing in the choir this coast of Africa. ber II at.the Sturbridge Host HoOn August 15 of that year an rade earlier this summer. time," said 75-year-old Mary BREWSTER - Mass will be tel. For more information call 508old chapel was purchased and Father Kolasa expressed his Lourdes Houtman. "It was a specelebrated September 7 at 7 p.m. at 791-0233. was named in honor ofOur Lady thanks to all those who helped 'cial time and Our Lady of the of the Assumption. In 1957 the make the centennial celebration Assumption has been like famchurch on Water Street gave way special. He also said it was won- ily." . to the one that is located at 47 derful to have Bishop Coleman At the banquet a proc1amaSouth Sixth Street and continues and Bishop Furtado at the tion was received from the State to be run by the Congregation of events.

Senate and City Counselor JoBishop Coleman was princi- seph Fortes of Ward 4 and Counthe Sacred Hearts of Jesus and Mary. It serves some 1,400 fami- pal celebrant and homilist for the selor-at-Iarg~ Brian Gomes re.ad lies in New Bedford.

Mass on August 14 and told at- a proclamatIOn from the CIty "It was a celebration of com- tendees he was privileged to be council. Bishop Furtado premunity," said Father Kolasa. with them on the day of the sented th~ parish with a framed "They prepared it and it was for parish's founding and grateful needlepomt work that marked them and it was wonderful." for the invitation to share in the the centennial and focused on "Many parishioners from out day from Father Kolasa. the Cape Verde connection deof town came back for the day "We are thankful for the dedi- picting the numerous islands and and it was a special time," added cated pastoral work that he and flags from both countries.

Ramos. the Fathers of the Sacred Hearts On the Monday night, Bishop Father Kolasa, who has been have carried out here at Our Furtado celebrated Mass in Porpastor for four years, but in- Lady of the Assumption Parish tuguese, but preached in Criolo, volved with the parish for 36 for 100 years. As you celebrate the native language of Cape years, said there were two days 100 years of the faith, we look Verde. "He was vibrant and it of celebration. The Mass on to the past with gratitude for was superb," said Father Kolasa.

Sunday was followed by a din- what has been provided us. We The homily focused on Our ner at White's of Westport, are thankful for those who pre- Lady of the Assumption's image which nearly 500 people at- ceded, for their strength and for and her place in the Chur~h. tended. A Mass was also cel- the sacrifices they made in or- Mass was followed by an Ice To reserve a copy, send the coupon below, along with a " ebrated on August 15 at 7 p.m. der that their children and grand- cream social. check for $14 payable to Anchor Publishing to:

by Bishop Furtado. children be provided with a Deacon Pacheco saId bemg a Anchor Publishing, P.O. Box 7, "It was marvelous," said Fa- church that would nurture their member of the parish has "meant Fall River, MA 02722. Price includes postage. ther Kolasa. "Everything was faith and enable their participa- a lot to me. I love to be there and (Scheduled release date is mid-September) prepared by different commit- tion in the sacramental life of the the people are so kind. When we Name: tees, but came together per- Church." have an event people turn out. fectly. Preparation for the cenBishop Coleman added, The church is full." ~e went on tennial celebration had been go- "these 100 years have brought to say that the centenmal celebraAddress: ' ~-~---------------ing on for more than a year with countless blessings to genera- tion was "a spec!al day." . young and old parishioners in- tions of parishioners. On this day The centennIal celebratIOn Zip: _ City: State: --------of celebration andthanksgiving, "will continue throughoiIt the volved."

This message sponsored by the following Parishioner Maria "Matuca" we can say that, with God's year," said Father Kolasa. The business concerns in the Fall River diocese Freitas worked' with other, grace, the priests and people of church will continue its spiritual GILBERT C. OLIVEIRA INSURANCE AGENCY women in the parish to create this parish are marked by their and education programs on the FEITELBERG INSURANCE AGENCY hand-made vestments for all par- faith and love in Christ Jesus. 15th day of each month.

Centennial

---------------

~~

.