08.29.08

Diocese of Fall River

The Anchor

F riday , August 29, 2008

REBOOT CAMP — This scene in Bishop Stang High School’s computer lab will be replaying itself across the diocese each class day, as diocesan schools get back into the full swing of academic life. Many diocesan schools offer students the opportunity to stay in touch with the computer age, preparing them for college and beyond.

Diocesan schools well prepared to offer students quality academics and catechesis Religious Education testing in diocesan schools helps fine-tune curriculum

Curriculum mapping seen as catalyst for continued academic advances

By Michael Pare Anchor Staff

FALL RIVER — While not as immediately obvious as a newly waxed floor or a freshly painted wall, the 5,000 Catholic elementary and middle school students returning to classrooms throughout the diocese this fall will find their teachers more prepared than ever to educate them.

The blueprint for that preparation is found in implementing a standardized curriculum.

Dr. George A. Milot, superintendent of schools for the Diocese of Fall River, said during the summer months administrators, faculty, and staff members continued to work on fostering the

academic progress of diocesan schools.

For the elementary schools, he said, that meant a concerted effort to move forward with curriculum mapping.

“This is the contemporary way of ensuring that our curriculum is standardized throughout the diocese,” said Milot.

“It is based on Massachusetts state standards and national standards for every subject area. But also, these standards are mission driven. That is, the mission of our Catholic faith is incorporated at all levels.”

The move toward curriculum mapping started last year, said Milot.

“Mapping allows you to continually upgrade your curriculum,” he said.

Turn to page 18

By Kenneth J. Souza Anchor Staff

FALL RIVER — Just as the Massachusetts Comprehensive Assessment System (MCAS) tests in public schools were created to gauge students’ level of comprehension and to make necessary adjustments in curriculum, a similar Religious Education exam has been devised by the Diocese of Fall River’s Catholic Education Center to assess annually Catholic school students’ mastery of catechism and doctrine.

First administered five years ago, the test is given each year to students throughout the diocese from preschool through grade eight, and has become a vital tool in helping to fine-tune and stan-

dardize the Religious Education curriculum, according to Dr. Donna Boyle, assistant superintendent of Curriculum for the diocese.

“Our curriculum is mission-driven, standard-based, learner-centric and accessible,” Boyle said. “To do that, we have to come up with standards. Our philosophy is to integrate faith into learning, to proclaim the Gospel values, to give students opportunities to worship, to build community, and to educate for service and for justice. That’s the basic philosophy in every Catholic school in the diocese. Each school has its own vision as to how that’s going to be implemented, and each mission statement is going to be different.”

Turn to page 11

Ballot question to challenge ‘1913’ marriage law repeal

By Gail Besse Anchor Correspondent

BOSTON — Pro-family advocates are challenging Beacon Hill’s quick maneuver to export same-sex “marriage” across the country. Papers were filed

August 13 for a binding referendum petition to force a statewide vote on the Massachusetts Legislature’s recent repeal of the “1913 law.”

That statute had protected the sovereignty of other states’

marriage laws by prohibiting out-of-state couples from marrying here if they weren’t eligible to wed in their home state.

The ballot petition was filed by the Waltham-based famTurn to page 18

News From the Vatican

2

August 29, 2008

God calls all people to holiness, and to be saints, asserts pope

CASTEL GANDOLFO, Italy (CNS) — All people are called to holiness, and having extraordinary gifts does not make someone a greater saint than someone else, Pope Benedict XVI said.

“Precisely the ‘normal’ saints are the kind of saints God wants,” the pope said August 20, briefly setting aside the prepared text at his weekly general audience.

“Holiness is not a luxury. It is not the privilege of a few, something impossible for a normal person,” the pope told an estimated 4,000 people gathered in the courtyard of the papal villa in Castel Gandolfo, south of Rome, and in the square outside.

Holiness, he said, “is the common destiny of all people called to be children of God; it is the universal vocation of all the baptized.”

Pope Benedict told the crowd that the summer holidays are a perfect time to pick up a biography or the writings of a saint, but that the Church’s calendar also gives Catholics a daily opportunity to contemplate a saint.

“Naturally, not all saints are equal,” he said. They are different from one another like rays of “divine light” that have passed through a prism, he said.

“And a great saint is not necessarily one who possesses extraordinary charisms. In fact, there are many whose names are known to God alone because on earth they

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led an apparently normal life,” he said.

The example of the so-called normal saints proves that when one has a close relationship with God he or she is filled with joy and peace and becomes a source of serenity and optimism for others, the pope said.

By canonizing some of the holy men and women who have lived throughout the centuries and by remembering them at feast-day Masses, the Church proposes them as examples for all, the pope said.

“Cultivating a knowledge of and devotion to the saints, alongside daily meditation on the word of God and a filial love toward the Blessed Mother” is “important and profitable,” he said.

Pope Benedict highlighted some of the saints whose feasts are upcoming such as John Eudes, Bernard of Clairvaux, Pius X and Rose of Lima.

Speaking briefly to the pilgrims who gathered in the square outside the papal villa because of a lack of space in the courtyard, the pope mentioned the four saints, but focused specifically on St. Pius, “who, in a difficult period, led the Church and renewed the liturgy, in that way renewing the Church from the inside.”

In addition to encouraging the frequent reception of the sacraments of penance and the Eucharist, St. Pius was particularly strong in insisting on proper decorum during the celebration of the Mass. During his 1903-1914 pontificate, he highlighted the beauty and appropriateness of Gregorian chant, cautioned against using popular musical styles and encouraged efforts to ensure that the faithful could participate actively in the Mass by singing.

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BIG FANS — Nuns cheer during Pope Benedict XVI’s weekly general audience at his summer residence in Castel Gandolfo, Italy, recently. (CNS photo/Chris Helgren, Reuters)

Victims in Georgian violence need humanitarian corridors, says pope

By John Thavis Catholic News Service

VATICAN CITY — Pope Benedict XVI urged the international community to establish humanitarian corridors in Georgia so that the dead can be buried, the wounded can receive medical help and refugees can return home.

The pope, speaking at a noon blessing, said he was continuing to follow “with attention and worry” the events in Georgia, where a cease-fire agreement was reached the day before.

A Georgian attack on the breakaway province of South Ossetia August 7 followed by a Russian invasion of Georgia left an unknown number of dead, including civilians, and prompted an estimated 60,000 people to flee their homes.

The pope said the situation of the refugees, in particular women and children who lack basic necessities, requires a generous response by the international community.

“I ask for the opening, without further delay, of humanitarian corridors between the region of South Ossetia and the rest of Georgia, so that the dead who have been abandoned may receive a dignified burial, the wounded may be adequately treated, and people who desire to do so may be allowed to reach their loves ones,” he said.

The pope said it was important that ethnic minorities in the region be protected and their fundamental rights respected.

He expressed the hope that the cease-fire, brokered with help from the European Union, would last, and he called for new efforts to encourage “a permanent solu-

tion, through dialogue and mutual good will.”

The pope made his comments at his summer villa in Castel Gandolfo, south of Rome, where he was following a reduced summer schedule. Hundreds of people filled the courtyard at the papal palace to cheer the pontiff and receive a blessing.

Meanwhile, the Vatican’s diplomatic representative to Georgia, Archbishop Claudio Gugerotti, told Vatican Radio August 17, that humanitarian aid was not getting through to the needy.

He said he had visited a school near the Georgian capital of Tbilisi, where he found about 1,500 people temporarily housed without toilet facilities or adequate food. Children in particular were suffering, he said.

“I hope humanitarian aid arrives. It’s a question of guaranteeing the minimum for survival to these refugees,” he said.

Laura Sheahen, regional information officer with the U.S. bishops’ Catholic Relief Services, reported from Georgia that CRS was working with Caritas

The Anchor

Georgia to provide emergency aid. Caritas Georgia and CRS are affiliates of Caritas Internationalis, the international umbrella group of Catholic aid agencies.

“Caritas is already ministering to hundreds of internally displaced people in Tbilisi by providing hot meals at a soup kitchen, bringing bread and rolls to temporary shelters, and coordinating additional aid through worldwide Caritas partners,” Sheahen said in the report posted on CRS’ Website.

Caritas Georgia has been working to help displaced people from the destroyed sections of Ts’khinvali, the capital of South Ossetia. Caritas has been providing food and other needed items to families who fled the Gori region and have taken shelter in safe places, such as an isolated Catholic retreat house and city shelters.

“Because it already had a soup kitchen and large bakery, Caritas Georgia was able to swing into action early in the crisis and now is feeding 300 people three meals a day at one shelter alone,” said Sheahen.

OFFICIAL NEWSPAPER OF THE DIOCESE OF FALL RIVER Vol. 52, No. 32

Member: Catholic Press Association, Catholic News Service

Published weekly except for two weeks in the summer and the week after Christmas by the Catholic Press of the Diocese of Fall River, 887 Highland Avenue, Fall River, MA 02720, Telephone 508-675-7151 — FAX 508-675-7048, email: theanchor@anchornews.org.

Subscription price by mail, postpaid $14.00 per year.

Send address changes to P.O. Box 7, Fall River, MA, call or use email address

PUBLISHER - Most Reverend George W. Coleman EXECUTIVE EDITOR Father Roger J. Landry fatherrogerlandry@anchornews.org EDITOR David B. Jolivet davejolivet@anchornews.org NEWS EDITOR Deacon James N. Dunbar jimdunbar@anchornews.org OFFICE MANAGER Mary Chase m arychase@anchornews.org ADVERTISING Wayne Powers waynepowers@anchornews.org REPORTER Michael Pare michaelpare@anchornews.org REPORTER Kenneth J. Souza kensouza@anchornews.org Send Letters to the Editor to: fatherrogerlandry@anchornews.org POSTMASTERS send address changes to The Anchor, P.O. Box 7, Fall River, MA 02722.

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August 29, 2008

The International Church

3

Mexican Church leaders respond to death penalty calls after kidnapping

TO BE BUILT TO LAST — Parishioners look over plans for a bamboo structure being built to serve as a Catholic church in Pisco, Peru, recently. The church will be used until a new one is built on the site of San Clemente Church, which was destroyed in an August 2007 earthquake. Bamboo, light and flexible, is able to withstand tremors from earthquakes. (CNS photo by Barbara J. Fraser)

Catholic leaders say missionary activity must change, expand

LIMA, Peru (CNS) — Catholic leaders at an international mission conference for the Americas said the Church must become a missionary community with a new mentality.

The message for conference participants was that “we have to get involved if we’re going to be true to the Gospel of Christ and make a difference in the world in which we’re living,” Bishop Patrick J. Zurek of Amarillo, Texas, told Catholic News Service.

The Third American Missionary Congress drew more than 2,000 laypeople, bishops, priests and religious to Quito, Ecuador, August 12-17 to discuss challenges for mission, from family life and fundamentalism to ecology and science. Several participants talked to CNS by telephone during and after the conference.

The closing Mass marked the official launch of the “great continental mission” that bishops from Latin America and the Caribbean announced in May 2007 during their fifth general conference in Aparecida, Brazil.

Sister Mary McGlone, president of the U.S. Catholic Mission Association and a Sister of St. Joseph of Carondelet, said, “The challenge for mission for Latin America is to move beyond the boundaries of Latin America, to go out” to the world.

According to statistics on the congress Website, South America sends 5,785 missionaries to other countries and receives 12,011.

Auxiliary Bishop Octavio Cisneros of Brooklyn, N.Y., said that being a missionary Church means not just sending missionaries to remote areas, but “realizing that we are all missionaries. Even in our own parishes, we have to become those who ... listen, learn” and proclaim the Gospel.

Speaking on the first day of the conference, Honduran Cardi-

nal Oscar Rodriguez Mariadaga of Tegucigalpa said Catholics “must proclaim the good news of the kingdom in faithfulness and strength, especially because there are many who oppose it out of ambition for power, love of wealth or desire for pleasure.”

The cardinal said disciples must “be willing to renounce all they have had until now, to carry out the mission of propagating the faith both within and beyond the borders of the country.”

Cardinal Rodriguez said the Catholic Church in Latin America must reach out to people who “do not know the full manifestation of the love of God” incarnated in Jesus and must go beyond national borders “to the growing multitude of those who do not know Christ.”

At last year’s meeting in Aparecida, the bishops expressed concern about both the headway made by evangelical groups in the region and the number of Catholics who have become unchurched. One goal of the continental mission is to invite Catholics back into the Church.

Sister Mary said it is important to note that the bishops spoke of a “continental mission,” not just a Latin American effort. That poses the “challenge of seeing how this experience of interchange can help us become one Church in America,” she said.

The U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops and the Latin American bishops’ council, known as CELAM, work closely together in many areas. For the past decade, Bishop Zurek said, the prelates on both sides of the U.S.-Mexican border have met several times a year to discuss common concerns, especially ministry to migrants.

However, the U.S. bishops have not yet established an office to coordinate the continental mission with Canada, Latin America and the Caribbean, and it is not clear

what form the effort will take.

One challenge is to get Catholics in the United States “involved with the issues of South America,” Bishop Zurek said. “Can we make a difference with our government, in the sense of the way we do politics, or with our economic community, in the way we do business in Latin America, so that people will not have to leave to come and find work in our country?”

By including the U.S. and Canadian Church leaders in the continental mission, he said, “we are saying we are one America, we are one family, we are one Church.”

MEXICO CITY (CNS) — As Mexicans discussed reintroducing the death penalty as punishment for kidnapping, several Catholic leaders said capital punishment would not solve Mexico’s crime problem.

Archbishop Jose Martin Rabago of Leon said there are “no easy solutions” in the fight to stop the kidnappings in the country.

During Mass in Leon last week, he denounced the recently revived discussion on the death penalty.

Calls for reinstating capital punishment — only two years after it was formally abolished — resurfaced in early August after the kidnapped 14-year-old son of a businessman was killed by his captors.

In reaction to the public outcry, Mexican President Felipe Calderon suggested the country restore his old initiative to make capital punishment applicable only to the most heinous crimes.

Mexicans, fed up with the high crime rate and abductions for ransom, are divided on the issue.

Archbishop Martin said he understands the public anger but rejects the death penalty. He only would agree to more severe punishments if the entire Mexican judiciary system is overhauled so that criminals truly are brought to justice, he said.

The Mexican criminal justice system is known for its inability

to put lawbreakers behind bars.

In many states, the sentence for kidnapping is up to 70 years, but only two percent of all kidnapping cases result in a conviction.

“This culture of impunity is the main reason for all these problems,” he said.

Bishop Raul Vera Lopez of Saltillo made similar statements saying, “The high crime rate won’t be reduced through harsher sentences but rather by removing public officials from office who are the accomplices of the criminals.”

But Bishop Lazaro Perez Jimenez of Celaya said he was in favor of capital punishment, while at the same time he called for more “preventative measures,” reported the daily newspaper Correo.

Bishop Carlos Garfias Merlos of Netzahualcoyotl, a hotbed of drug trafficking, said he could imagine cases so horrendous that the Church would accept the death penalty.

“The Church accepts under certain circumstances, in case of serious crimes, as is the case of kidnapping, the harshest sentence, which could be capital punishment,” he told the newspaper El Universal. “I believe that kidnappers should get the maximum sentence so they really understand the gravity of their crimes.”

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The Church in the U.S.

August 29, 2008

Religious unity has necessary role in public life, says archbishop

By Roxanne King Catholic News Service

DENVER — Denver Archbishop Charles J. Chaput said that “religious witness has always had a vigorous and positive role in American public life, including the nation’s political life.”

It’s what the Founding Fathers “intended, and that’s the way it should be,” he said.

He made the comments in an interview with the Denver Catholic Register, the archdiocesan newspaper, about his new book titled “Render Unto Caesar: Serving the Nation by Living Our Catholic Beliefs in Political Life.”

In the book, he talks “about the right role of Catholic faith in American public life.” Published by Doubleday, it hit bookstores August 12.

“Democracies need people of moral conviction. (Pope) John Paul II said that, and so did George Washington,” the archbishop said. “Free societies thrive on public moral debate, and they need a moral consensus to survive.

“They need to stand for something. And that ‘something’ needs to be something more than the latest flat-screen television,” he said.

“Genuinely free societies need to be free for some principles of human rights and dignity, and some higher ideal of the human person,” he continued. “A society of individuals based on freedom from each other’s beliefs really isn’t a society at all. It’s a collection of hustlers.”

Because the American experience has religious roots, “religion isn’t a ‘problem’ for American politics,” according

to Archbishop Chaput.

He said people who have religious beliefs enrich the democratic process because they bring moral conviction to their consideration of political issues.

“That takes courage, because acting on one’s beliefs will always bother somebody, somewhere, and create conflict,” he said. “And in the face of that conflict, only love — an unselfish commitment to the common good — makes courage possible.”

Archbishop Charles J. Chaput

He said that “Catholics have a Gospel duty to work for justice through our nation’s public policies.” Politics involves power and how that power is used “has moral consequences,” he said.

“How we live our Catholic faith in our political decisionmaking has implications both for our nation’s moral health

and our own relationship with God,” he said.

U.S. Catholics “have a deep reservoir of moral witness” but they need to remember who they are “as believers,” why they’re here and how to live their faith live authentically, “in a culture that makes it easy to dumb down our taste for God, truth and real moral growth with a menu of material success and distractions,” Archbishop Chaput said.

Being a faithful citizen, he said, means having one’s priorities in order.

The “greatest gift” Catholics can give their country “is the moral witness of our faith — in our words, our choices and our actions,” he said.

“If we claim to be ‘Catholic,’ what does that actually mean in our behaviors?” he asked. “We can’t have it both ways. We can’t live one way in church on Sunday, and then ignore or conveniently amend our Catholic faith the other six days of the week.

“We need to choose. We need to be honest. If we want to live as Catholics, then we need to give ourselves fully to what the Gospel and the Church call us to be — real disciples. If we have that humility, will and desire, then God will provide the rest,” he said.

Explaining Christ’s words “render unto Caesar” in the title of his book, he said that “Christians owe respect and appropriate obedience to secular authority, because that authority ultimately draws its legitimacy from God.” But “secular law does not trump God’s law,” he said.

“When a nation passes bad laws, Christians have a duty to work to change them.”

THE GREEN PRIEST — Father Tom Lisowski, coordinator for the Office of Lay Ministry for the Diocese of Springfield, Mass., and a parochial vicar at St. Michael’s Cathedral Parish, sits on his electric bike in mid-July. Dubbed “The Green Priest,” Father Lisowski rides the bike to work as part of his mission to practice good stewardship. (CNS photo/Rebecca Drake, The Catholic Observer)

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August 29, 2008

The Church in the U.S.

5

Judge calls school’s English-only policy problematic, but not illegal

Catholics encouraged to pray novena in weeks before November election

By Catholic News Service

WASHINGTON — The U.S. bishops are encouraging Catholics to pray a novena for life, justice and peace before the November election.

An news release said the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops has made available for download from the Internet a podcast of a “Novena for Faithful Citizenship” at www. faithfulcitizenship.org/resources/ podcasts. It will be available until the November 4 election.

The special novena is part of “the bishops’ campaign to help Catholics develop well-formed consciences for addressing political and social questions,” said Joan Rosenhauer, associate director of the USCCB’s Department of Justice, Peace and Human Development.

The bishops adopted the document “Forming Consciences for Faithful Citizenship: A Call to Political Responsibility” in November 2007.

The “Novena for Faithful Citizenship” runs for nine days and can be used consecutively, one day each week, for nine days prior to the election, or “in any way that works best for a community or individual,” said Rosenhauer.

“Novena” comes from the Latin word “novem,” meaning nine, and the prayer form first appeared in the Middle Ages in France and Spain.

A novena is usually held prior to a special feast or for a special intention.

Examples of where recent novenas were announced to the public and their intentions include: the Diocese of Hong Kong, prior to the Beijing Olympics, for the Catholic Church in China; the bishops in the United States, for life, leading up to the feast of the Visitation; and the Indianapolis Archdiocese, for all the sick, after Indianapolis Archbishop Daniel M. Buechlein was diagnosed with cancer at the beginning of the year.

The USCCB Website suggests ways Catholics can pray the “Novena for Faithful Citizenship”: — start September 2 and pray for nine consecutive Tuesdays, up until the general election; — start the novena on any day of the week, whenever people gather, and pray on that day every week; — begin praying the novena October 26, nine days before the election, and continue each consecutive day; and — create any combination “and feel free to pray the novena more than once.”

Helen Osman, USCCB communications secretary, expressed hope the novena could help “Catholics enter into prayerful reflection as they prepare to vote.”

Osman said the USCCB wants to support Catholics as they weigh pre-election issues and that “providing a prayer resource on the Web can help us focus on our common values and identity as Catholics.”

WICHITA, Kan. (CNS) — A Kansas judge has ruled in favor of a Wichita Catholic school over its English-only policy, but from the bench scolded the school and the parents who sued, saying they could have handled the situation better.

U.S. District Court Judge J. Thomas Marten ruled that St. Anne Catholic School did not create a hostile educational environment for the three Hispanic students who sued the parish school and the Diocese of Wichita, asking that the policy be banned.

Marten said the school’s policy by itself was neutral and had not created a hostile learning environment because it was not implemented for a long enough period or stringently enforced, The Associated Press reported.

But he said it was a sad day for all involved and scolded the school and the parents for bringing into federal court a problem that could have been solved locally.

“There’s not a single person who ought to feel good that we are in here dealing with these issues,” Marten said.

“It has divided a school. It has divided a congregation. It has divided the Hispanic community in a congregation,” AP quoted Marten as saying. “And it has touched a nerve across the country.”

He said the school implemented the English-only policy without consulting the segment of the school that would be most affected by it.

The school adopted a policy in September 2007 requiring that only English be spoken during school hours, including lunch breaks and recess.

A press release issued by the diocese after the ruling said the policy was adopted after problems arose at the school “when the students, whose first or primary language is English, began speaking in Spanish to make derogatory comments about teachers, school admin-

istrators and fellow students, and to separate themselves from other students.”

“Both actions violated school policies. To address the behavioral issues, school officials put a rule in place requiring English to be spoken at school at all times,” the release said.

“This case was about a teacher’s or administrator’s right to discipline students in a private Catholic school,” Father Thomas Leland, St. Anne pastor, said in a statement.

The policy was intended to allow “unity and discipline for learning and (spiritual) formation to take place,” the priest said. “The unifying element in this case was the English language, because it’s the common denominator among the students, teachers and administrators.”

He acknowledged that the issue had been divisive and hurtful to the parish. “In that regard, there are no winners,” he said.

AP quoted one of the plaintiffs, Clara Silva, the mother of a student who was asked to leave St. Anne after he violated school policy by sitting with other Spanish-speaking students at lunch. She said the judge’s statement — that “Adam Silva didn’t do anything wrong” — and his questioning the fairness of what happened to Adam was helpful to her family.

“My son is a great kid, and he never did anything wrong,” she said.

Marten also criticized a rule that only applied to one segment of the school, Hispanic students. Administrators enforced a rule that required Hispanic children to sit with white children at lunch.

“The Caucasian students were not told to go eat lunch with Hispanic students or to participate in their soccer games,” AP quoted Marten as saying. “It was all directed at the Hispanic students.”

Marten said he would issue a detailed written opinion later.

Diocese of Fall River

OFFICIAL

His Excellency, the Most Reverend George W. Coleman, Bishop of Fall River, has accepted the nomination of the Very Reverend William F. Petrie, SS.CC., Provincial of the Congregation of the Sacred Hearts of Jesus and Mary, and has made the following appointment: Reverend Christopher Santangelo, SS.CC., Pastor of Our Lady of the Assumption Parish in New Bedford.

Effective, September 1, 2008

6

The Anchor What we celebrate on Labor Day

For more than a century, Americans have celebrated Labor Day on the first Monday in September. This national holiday was established in the 1880s for two reasons: to mark the irreplaceable role of the American worker in making this country prosperous and strong; and to have time to attend speeches and events on the spiritual and educational aspects of work, the worker and the good that comes from work.

While in many places, the spiritual and educational aspects of this holiday have been underemphasized — displaced, ironically, by a day off from doing what precisely the nation is celebrating: work — Labor Day remains an opportunity for all of us to reflect on the meaning of human work, and specifically our work, not only for the good of our country but also in God’s divine plan.

In the first command in the Bible, the Lord gave the human person the mission to co-operate (work together) with him in bringing his work of creation to fulfillment: “Be fruitful and multiply, and fill the earth and subdue it; and have dominion over the fish … the birds … and every living thing that moves on the earth” (Gen 1:28). God, who worked for the “six days” of creation and whom Jesus says “is still working” (Jn 5:17), made man and woman in his own image and likeness and called them to share in this work.

The first way we do so is through pro-creation, when in the image of the Trinitatarian communion-of-persons-in-love we “increase and multiply” that part of creation God deemed “very good.” The second way we cooperate in bringing creation to perfection is through “subduing the earth” and exercising “dominion” over all living things.

Right from the beginning, before the Fall, the human person had received this mission, which shows not only the goodness of human work but how central it is for man’s dignity, vocation and mission.

After the Fall, both aspects of man’s work became toilsome — procreation now would bring with it the “pangs of childbirth” for the woman and the work of subduing and having dominion would now bring “sweat” to one’s brow (Gen 3:16-19) — but work would remain fundamentally good, and in fact redemptive.

But the most important part of work was not its “transitive” function of perfecting God’s material universe, in cultivating the land, raising animals, and even, in modern times, making computer chips out of sand and life-saving medicines out of bacteria. It was the “intransitive” purpose of bringing God’s greatest work — the human person — to perfection. Work done well gives the human person the opportunity to cultivate all the various hidden talents and potentials God has implanted in him — physical, intellectual, and spiritual — which are far greater than those he has inscribed in the earth.

So great was Jesus’ appreciation for human work in God’s divine plan that he could not stop using it as the proper analogy for his preaching. In his teaching, he favorably mentions shepherds, farmers, doctors, sowers, householders, servants, stewards, merchants, laborers, soldiers, cooks, tax collectors and scholars and many more. He compares the work of the apostolate to the manual work of harvesters and fishermen.

Jesus did not merely praise ordinary human work but shared in it. He spent the vast majority of his life in Nazareth as a manual laborer. His fellow Nazarenes knew him as a “construction worker” (the Greek word teknon, in Mk 6:3, means is broader than “carpenter”). Following his foster-father, Jesus entered into the world of human work, not as a “cover” until his “real work” would begin, but precisely to redeem noble human work in his process of redeeming the human person He called all his listeners, of whatever noble profession, to be saints. A few he called to leave their fishing boats or tax-charts behind to proclaim the Gospel. The vast majority he called to proclaim the Gospel by living that good news right where they were. That’s still what Jesus does today.

Most of his followers are called to live out their discipleship and apostolate, their vocation and their mission, in the family and in the workplace. There they are called to become saints and bring others to sanctity through this “increasing and multiplying” and “subduing” and “dominion.”

One’s desk, or sewing machine, or kitchen, or chalkboard, or operating room, or workbench or boat, is meant to become an altar which sanctifies not only what is given to God in work, but the giver as well. It is there that the vast majority of men and women are called to be sanctified and sanctify others through showing the original dignity and meaning of human work.

Work is not principally about earning a paycheck, but about serving and loving others. When work takes on this meaning, the perfection of the human person continues, the work-place is evangelized, and God’s work is advanced.

On this Labor Day weekend, a diligent construction worker from Nazareth waves to each of us with calloused hands and says, “Come, follow me!”

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The real revolution

he second half of August is a time like Peter, Andrew, James and John who left when students begin returning to col- their fishing nets behind “immediately” to follege. It’s also a time when those preparing to low the Lord when he called them (Lk 5:11), be priests head to seminary. Most years this Hilgenbrinck left behind the soccer nets. “Deexodus of seminarians from their dioceses to layed obedience is disobedience,” he said.

He admitted that he still has a “great pashouses of priestly formation goes unheralded.

Not this year, thanks to a seminarian with a sion” for the game of soccer, but he was willing to give it up in order to obtain the “pearl local connection.

On August 19, Chase Hilgenbrinck entered of great price” (Mt 13:46): “I wouldn’t leave Mt. St. Mary’s Seminary in Emmitsburg, Md. the game for just any other job. I’m moving on In the days before he drove to the quaint for the Lord. I want to do the will of the Lord, Maryland town made famous by St. Elizabeth I want to do what he wants for me, not what I Ann Seton, Hilgenbrinck, a 26-year-old semi- want to do for myself.”

“My passion now,” he said in a press statenarian for the Diocese of Peoria, Ill., had more to deal with than merely obtaining clerical ap- ment released by the Revolution, “is to do the parel and breviary volumes. He also needed to will of God, which is wanting only what he respond to a lengthy list of interview requests, wants for me. Though I will miss the game of including from the Fox News Channel, USA soccer, I know that I am moving on to someToday, and the Associated Press as well as thing much greater.”

Hilgenbrinck hopes to bring the same pasfrom media outlets in England, Switzerland and Lithuania. The reason for the attention sion he had for soccer to the service of God was partially because of where he was going and others. “When you play soccer you have but mostly because of what he was leaving to continue getting better every day,” he said.

“It’s the same with faith. You have to improve behind.

Chase Hilgenbrinck was a standout soccer every single day, search for opportunities to player for the New England Revolution with deepen your relationship with Christ.”

He began the formal process of applying looks that got women blushingly to admit on to be a seminartelevision and in ian last summer. the blogosphere He interviewed that they would with his diocstart to take a esan vocation whole new interdirector and est in religion. then began a After graduating rigorous process as a superstar

By Father that included from Clemson, Roger J. Landry lengthy written he played proquestionnaires, fessionally in psychological Chile for four years before signing with the Revolution last evaluations, interviews with vocations boards, winter. He played in several games for the and background checks. Once he was acceptRevs as a defensemen and captained their ed, he informed his parents, Mike and Kim, reserved team before retiring from soccer in who he said, though surprised, wholeheartedly supported his decision. midseason in order to begin the seminary.

He also told his fellow players who he says His decision, he said, was not an abrupt one, but the result of several years of discern- curiously were less surprised. “As teammates, ment. “It was something very personal to me. I many of us shared our faith together each didn’t discuss it with anybody for a long time. week. It was interesting to see how hungry I just discerned it through personal prayer for people are for their faith and to know about a long time, trying to come to a conclusion if God. When I told them, everyone was interestthis was really what the Lord was calling me ed. There was no negative reaction. Everyone wanted to know more about it.” to or not.”

His coaches and the Revolution front ofThat process of discernment became intense when he was playing professional fut- fice were disappointed to be losing a great bol in Chile. “Being alone in another country, player, but they had nothing but admiration for with a new culture and language, I did a lot him. Coach Steve Nicol said, “There’s always of soul-searching” he said in an interview, something that surprises you. On this occamentioning how he began to look at prayer sion, it’s a good surprise. Chase is going to go and frequent reception of the sacraments with and do something that he really wants to go renewed appreciation. I fell back on what and do. There’s not many of us that can say I knew, and that was the Catholic Church. I we’re able to do something we really want to grew up as a Catholic. I was always involved do, so that’s great for him.”

Vice-president of player personnel Michael in the Church, went to Catholic schools. It was when I got out on my own that my faith Burns added, “Purely from a Revs standpoint, really became mine. I really embraced it. … I it’s too bad. But a lot of players leave the game looked to strengthen my personal relationship not on their own terms. He’s clearly left on his own terms, which is great for him.” with Christ.”

Hilgenbrinck has been shocked by the The stronger his relationship with Christ became, the more deeply he felt the Lord’s amount of attention his decision to enter the love and the more he sensed the beginning of seminary has generated, but he has taken it in a call to spread that love. “God has loved us stride. He sees his vocational path as an opso much and I’ve felt this love and felt him portunity to “give glory to Christ. … It’s about call me to this. I feel blessed that he has called him, not me. I feel like God is blessing me, me to administer the sacraments to his holy, being able to witness to so many people.”

As he heads to seminary, he enters a trainfaithful people.”

Even though he was fulfilling a life-long ing camp to play on a much larger team seekdream of playing professional soccer, the call ing a greater revolution and perduring victory. to something with higher goals was irresist- In an encouraging challenge to young people ible. “I felt called to something greater,” he at the 2005 World Youth Day in Cologne, Pope said in an interview. “At one time I thought Benedict described in what this revolution that call might be professional soccer. In the consists: “Only from the saints, only from God does past few years, I found my soul is hungry for true revolution come, the definitive way to something else.”

For a while he tried to negotiate with God, change the world. … True revolution consists saying that he could respond to that voca- in simply turning to God who is the measure tional hunger after his professional soccer of what is right and who at the same time is career was over. He also questioned whether everlasting love.”

That revolution has already begun in the he was ready or fit to be a seminarian. “I was putting up a bunch of barriers, saying I’m not heart of Chase Hilgenbrinck. Let’s pray for worthy to be called to something like that,” him and for all seminarians that they might he said. “But, one by one, the barriers started bring that revolution to us and to the world.

Father Landry is pastor of St. Anthony’s to come down.” He came to the conclusion that he could not allow himself to wait. Much Parish in New Bedford.

Putting Into the Deep

The full diocesan mission experience

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ach year parish and student for a week of mission work. The groups visit our diocesan group was comprised of adults mission in Honduras for a week and young people with differof service and mission experience. Each group arrives with enthusiasm and eagerness to get to work.

Their time and effort helps to further the work of the

By Father mission and strengthen Craig A. Pregana the bond between the Fall River Diocese and the parish in Honduras.

A short time ago a parish ing talents and skills. None were group from St. John the Evanparticularly versed in Spanish, nor gelist Parish in Attleboro came were they medical personnel; sim-

Our Mission

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ply brothers and sisters in Christ who wanted to offer their time in service to the poor.

The group worked in the various parts of the mission: the farm, the medical clinic, and the boarding school for girls.

They visited villages for Mass and went on Communion calls with members of the parish’s Ministry to the Sick.

They had a full experience of the diocesan mission.

Each night the group gathered

Islam and Christianity compared

e’ve already noted the God from true God.” There was core themes of Islam: never a time when the Son didn’t God’s absolute unity and soverexist, because his innermost being eignty; Muhammad as God’s final or essence is the same as that of messenger; the Qur’an as God’s the Father (and the Holy Spirit). word dictated to Muhammad by Father, Son, and Spirit are each the archangel Gabriel; the imporequally and fully God, without betance of surrendering to God and ginning or end. What distinguishes obeying Islamic law (shari’a). In each divine Person is precisely what follows, we’ll examine Islam his relation to the other two: the in the light of the gospel.

Father is the very act of paternity Islam has a powerful sense of by which he begets the Son in the God’s transcendence: his greatperfect love of the Spirit; the Son ness, his majesty, his incomparais the very act of sonship by which bility with anything else. It rejects the Christian doctrine of the Trinity, reasoning that the one God and The Fullness creator of all neither beof the Truth gets nor is begotten. “How can Allah have a son when

By Father he has no consort?” the Thomas M. Kocik Qur’an asks (6:101), as if the divine Fatherhood and Sonship within the Trinity were a matter of biology. It warns he is eternally generated by the the People of the Book (Jews and Father in the same perfect love of Christians) to “believe in Allah the Spirit; the Spirit is the very act and his messengers, and say not by which the Father and Son per‘Three’ … Allah is only one God” fectly love each other. The Trinity (4:171), and it denounces trinitari- is a movement of mutual giving anism as blasphemy (5:73). These and receiving of love; this is what Qur’anic passages indicate a the Bible means when it declares, profound misunderstanding of the “God is love” (1 Jn 4:8).

God whom Christians call Father, Heady stuff, this. But it helps Son, and Holy Spirit. explain why we human beings, Possibly the Qur’an was recreated as we are in the divine sponding to something other than image, feel more whole, more the orthodox Christian doctrine “at one” with ourselves when we of the Trinity – the terminology lose ourselves in love of another. of “three Persons in God” is, to Our relations are at the core of say the least, easily misleading who we are because relations are — though Muslims would take at the core of who God is. When offense at this suggestion, as it im- it comes to God and his image in plies that Muhammad, rather than man, plurality and unity are mutuGod, was the author of the Qur’an ally supportive, like Taoism’s yin/ or else that God misunderstood yang.

Christian teaching. It’s a difficult A necessary part of being challenge to convince Muslims Christian is believing that God (and Jews) that the doctrine of the (the Son) became man in Jesus Trinity, rather than contradicting Christ. Likewise, a necessary part God’s oneness, reveals the full of being Muslim is denying the indimensions of that unity. Here carnation of God. Islam denies the we plunge into the rich depths of divinity of Christ for the same reaChristian theology. son it denies the Trinity, namely, In the language of the Nicene to defend the notion of tawhid, the Creed, the Son is “eternally begot- oneness of God. Allah doesn’t sire ten of the Father,” not as a creature offspring — not in the dim mist but as “Light from Light, true of eternity, and certainly not in the

realm of time and matter.

What, then, does Islam teach about Jesus? The Qur’an calls Jesus (Isa, in Arabic) “God’s messenger and Word” (4:171) but denies his divinity in the same verse and elsewhere. It teaches that Jesus was one of only two men (the other being Adam) who were immediately created by God rather than having a human father (3:59).

It acknowledges Jesus’ virgin birth from Mary after the message of an angel (3:42-47). It reports miracles worked by Jesus by God’s permission, including some not found in the canonical gospels (3:49; 5:110).

Nevertheless, the Jesus of the Qur’an is very unlike the Jesus of the gospels. He is not the eternal Son of God and Savior of the world.

There is no divine incarnation; no atoning sacrifice for the sins of the world; no resurrection, ascension and present reign. At one point the Qur’an actually denies that Jesus’ enemies killed him, saying, “it only seemed so to them” (4:157).

According to Muslim tradition, Judas Iscariot was miraculously made to look like Jesus and was crucified in his place while Jesus was secretly taken up to God. (This tradition owes much to the so-called Gospel of Barnabas, which even Muslim scholars acknowledge to be a medieval forgery written to curry favor with Muslims of the time.) While most Muslims believe Jesus will return to earth at the end of time, it won’t be to judge the living and the dead and to establish his Kingdom; rather, he will proclaim Islam and usher in an age of unprecedented prosperity.

As we’ll see in the next, and final, segment on Islam, most of the other differences between Islam and Christianity flow from their fundamental disagreements about God and Jesus Christ.

Father Kocik is a parochial vicar at Santo Christo Parish in Fall River.

in the parish hall for supper and a simple reflection on the day’s experience. Customarily, each person has a chance to offer one word that would describe their experience that particular day.

“Faith,” “poverty,” and “compassion,” were just some of the words that we heard in the reflection on this particular night. Then Mary Gill, one of the visitors, offered her word, “catholic.” She used the word to describe the faith of the people, but also to describe the experience of the Church in its universality. The word seemed to capture the sense that we are all one family in faith; we are brothers and sisters ministering to brothers and sisters who are in greater need. Truly “Catholic.”

Our presence as a diocesan family at the mission in Guaimaca is a sign of the responsibility we have for one another. The Holy Father has dedicated this year to St. Paul, the great missionary who brought the word of the Gospel to distant lands. In a manner of

speaking, the diocese is preaching the Gospel through the work of the mission. The needs of the poor are being met, the sick are being treated, the young are being educated, and the Church is being nourished in word and sacrament.

This is the work of mission. It isn’t complete, nor is it perfect; however it is an outreach that the diocese is making because of the blessings we have received as a diocesan family.

The visitors sacrifice the creature comforts of home so that they can experience a bit of “life in missions.” We’re grateful to all them: doctors and nurses, teachers and students, old and young, ordinary men and women who want to share from their storehouse of blessings. They come with a desire to serve and they leave having been nourished by the faith of the Honduran people and the knowledge that they have made a difference.

For more information, visit us at: www.FallRiverMissions.com

MISSION LIFE — Mary Gill, left, makes sick calls with Martina and Thelma, members of the Ministry to the Sick in Guaimaca. Below some members of the contingent from St. John the Evangelist Parish in Attleboro, who recently visited the diocesan mission, gather for a photo outside a chapel in the remote village of Chelon. (Photos courtesy of Father Craig A. Pregana)

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Renewing our minds and transforming society

he Catholic Church has consistently taught that human life is sacred from the moment of conception, and that there is a divinely mandated and inseparable link between sexuality and procreation. For this reason, the Church condemns contraception, sterilization, abortion, and in-vitro fertilization as gravely immoral. Yet statistics reveal that Catholics contracept, abort, and initiate new life in laboratories at about the same rate as the general population.

Granted, most Catholics have never read “Humanae Vitae,” the 1968 encyclical of Pope Paul VI, which beautifully sets forth the Church’s fundamental vision of human sexuality and family life. Nor have most Catholics read Pope John Paul II’s 1995 encyclical, “Evangelium Vitae,” which provides an illuminating vision of the battle between the “culture of life” and the “culture of death.”

Even so, I suppose most Cathtempted to believe that sciolics are at least superficially ence and technology (science’s acquainted with the Catholic offspring) have all the answers perspective on these issues. At and make everything permisany rate, the evidence suggests sible. We know so much about a widespread abandonment the world today, about how of Catholic moral teachings, things work and how things which typically leads to the loss of faith altogether.

Homily of the Week In the Second ReadTwenty-second Sunday ing, taken from the Epistle to the Romans, of Ordinary Time the Apostle Paul chalBy Father lenges Christians to live Timothy P. Driscoll in a way that sets them apart from the surrounding culture. “Do not conform yourselves to this are made. We’re so advanced, age but be transformed by the so sophisticated; yet we’ve renewal of your mind, that you made the decision to limit our may discern what is the will of intelligence and our reason to God, what is good and pleasonly what we can experience ing and perfect” (Rom 12:2). directly or prove by laboratory Today, much like in firstexperiments. This causes us to century Rome, it’s easy to treat faith as a purely private allow the culture to instruct matter, as if religion in general and transform us, rather than and Christ in particular have the other way around. We’re no place in the public square.

Worse still, many of us fail to speak up when our faith and our Church are ridiculed.

We all need to heed St. Paul’s advice, allowing ourselves to be transformed by the renewal of our minds.

Our faith is a matter of the head as well as the heart. With the Internet, we literally have at our fingertips a wealth of information about what the Church believes and teaches — and why that is so. Every Catholic home should have a copy of the Bible (the inspired Word of God) and the “Catechism of the Catholic Church” (at least the abridged version, known as the Compendium). Reading a few pages of holy Scripture and the “Catechism” each day will go a long way in deepening our knowledge of the faith.

If your parish offers adult faith formation or Bible study,

I encourage you to take part in it. If not, attend classes at other Catholic parishes. St. Paul warns against a permanent infancy in faith. He pronounces fierce judgment on the Corinthians who remain milk-drinking believers, never learning to eat the rich meat and drink the good wine of the Gospel (see 1 Cor 3:1-3).

In our Western and secularized culture the public influence of religion, meaning mainly Christianity, will not be easily restored. In fact, it seems to diminish by the day.

The more promising prospect is for a renewal of Christian faith and life within the Church itself. Only then can we hope to transform the surrounding culture. But transform we must, for what is at stake is the truth about human nature, dignity, and destiny.

Father Driscoll is pastor of Annunciation of the Lord Parish in Taunton.

Upcoming Daily Readings: Sat. August 30, 1Cor 1:26-31; Ps 33:12-13, 18-21; Mt 25:14-30; Sun. August 31, Twenty-Second Sunday in Ordinary Time, Jer 20:7-9; Ps 63:2-6,89; Rom 12:1-2; Mt 16:21-27; Mon. Sept. 1, 1Cor 2:1-5; Ps 119:97-102; Lk 4:16-30; Tues. Sept. 2, 1Cor 2:10b-16; Ps 145:8-14; Lk 4:31-37; Wed. Sept. 3, 1Cor 3:1-9; Ps 33:1215,20-21; Lk 4:38-44; Thu. Sept. 4, 1Cor 3:18-23; Ps 24:1bc-2, 3-4ab,5-6; Lk 5:1-11; Fri. Sept. 5, 1Cor 4:1-5; Ps 37:3-6, 27-28,39-40; Lk 5:33-39.

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inston Churchill, master of eloquent bellicosity, is also remembered for saying that “‘jaw, jaw’ is better than ‘war, war.’” As a general matter, who could disagree? If conflicts can be settled by the arts of politics and diplomacy, they should be. But are there situations when “jaw, jaw” makes things more dangerous than the plausible threat of “war, war”? Can the soft power of “jaw, jaw” change minds bent on wickedness, absent the mind-concentrating possibility of the use of hard power?

The classic cautionary tale

Jaw, jaw, war, war

here involves Neville Chambetrayal — which was rooted berlain and Adolf Hitler. Prime in Chamberlain’s vane convicMinister Chamberlain’s “jaw, tion that he could talk Hitler into jaw” with Hitler at the 1938 reason and moderation — helped Munich conference wrote a death unleash the dogs of war, on very sentence for independent Czechoslovakia; when Chamberlain returned to London to proclaim “peace with honor” to the cheering throng, Sir Orme Sargent, a senior

By George Weigel Foreign Office official, observed acidly, “You might think that we had won a major victory instead of unfavorable terms for the defendbetraying a minor country.” That ers of civilization.

The Kennedy-Khrushchev summit of 1961 was another example of “jaw, jaw” making things worse. By Kennedy’s own (off-the-record) testimony, the Soviet dictator ran roughshod over him. Coming shortly after the Bay of Pigs fiasco in Cuba, the Vienna summit left Kennedy worried that Khrushchev judged him a weakling — a premonition that proved warranted a year later when the Soviet Union began installing nuclear-armed ballistic missiles in Cuba, dramatically escalating the Cold War. The net result of a failed “jaw, jaw” between JFK and “Mr. K”?

The Cuban Missile Crisis, and a world teetering on the brink of “one minute to midnight” (as Michael Dobbs’ new book on the drama of October 1962 puts it.)

“Jaw, jaw” was unavailing in

The Catholic Difference

the 1990s as Yugoslavia came apart at the seams; “jaw, jaw” has arguably made matters worse with North Korea (now a nuclear power), Zimbabwe, Sudan, and Burma. On the other hand, “jaw, jaw” prevented a bloody little war between Argentina and Chile in the late 1970s; “jaw, jaw” broke the political-military logjam between Egypt and Israel and led to the first ArabIsraeli peace treaty; and “jaw, jaw” may just have taken hold in the embryonic political institutions of Iraq, making something approaching responsible and responsive government possible there.

In the presidential campaign, the question of whether “jaw, jaw” is always better than “war, war” will likely focus on Iran. For six years, the world has known about Iran’s secret nuclear programs. American and European diplomacy has failed to get Iran to come clean on what it’s really up.

The U.N. has proven less-thanuseless; the organization’s chief nuclear inspector, Mohamed El Baradei, is usually dismissive of western security concerns about Iran’s nuclear program. Last December’s U.S. National Intelligence Estimate, which claimed that Iran had stopped pursuing the weaponization of nuclear technology shortly after Saddam Hussein

fell, is of cold comfort when you realize that building the bomb itself is relatively easy; what the Iranians have been concentrating on in recent years is hard part — creating sufficient quantities of weapons-grade plutonium.

Iran’s President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad calls Israel a “stinking corpse” and pledges to wipe it off the map; he’s made similar threats against the U.S. and Great Britain.

Ahmadinejad’s political fevers, and those of the mullahs who hold ultimate authority in Iran, involve apocalyptic speculations: as they understand Shi’a eschatology, vaporizing Jerusalem will hasten the messianic age. Is Ahmadinejad a man to whom one can talk reason? Are the mullahs?

If the Iranian nuclear program is not halted, the next president of the United States will almost certainly face the prospect of a nuclear-capable Iran that can wreak havoc in the Middle East, transfer nuclear weapons to terrorists, or, in its more subtle moments, conduct nuclear blackmail. How is “jaw, jaw” to prevent this, if Iran’s leaders imagine the West to be feckless?

That is a question of the gravest moral and strategic import.

It must be discussed seriously in the weeks ahead.

George Weigel is Distinguished Senior Fellow of the Ethics and Public Policy Center in Washington, D.C.

The doc on the rock

Friday 29 August 2008 — State Park. What was Dighton sailing down the Taunton River Rock doing in Berkley? I decid— today the Church commemo- ed to investigate. This led me to rates the martyrdom of St. John Dr. da Silva, the world authorthe Baptist ity on the subject. He lives just riendship takes time. We rarely encounter an individual with whom we bond imReflections of a mediately, but this hapParish Priest pened for me with the man I call “The Doc on

By Father Tim the Rock.” I’m not, dear Goldrick readers, speaking of Dr. Seuss. I’m referring to a physician who has spent 50 years researching the mysa short distance away in the tery of Dighton Rock. His name Diocese of Providence, but his is Manuel L. da Silva. heart is here in the Diocese of Dr. da Silva and I first met Fall River. when I was serving as pastor in Strictly speaking, our first Assonet. Within the boundaries meeting didn’t happen. Dr. of that parish is Dighton Rock da Silva, an octogenarian, is

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The Ship’s Log

a very busy man. He travels worldwide presenting his theories on the hidden message of Dighton Rock. He and I arranged to meet for the first time at the rock itself, but something came up that prevented him from being there. With sincere regrets, Dr. da Silva advised me to go to the Dighton Rock Museum anyway and there I would find a package. We would catch up later, he said.

The park ranger handed me a manila file folder. On the folder, in black magic marker, Dr. da Silva had written “for Father Tim.” Inside the folder were a slew of photocopied sheets. It was a facsimile of Dr.

On the wings of a dove

then some small comment is hint of pink silhoumade about the baby learnettes the eastern horiing to walk while the oldest zon as hungry cries drift into is away, and spontaneously my consciousness from the tears start to flow. crib. Early morning wake-up For many families, the calls are common when you ushering in of a new school have a baby, reason enough year is a season not only of to pull a pillow over your excitement and new beginhead, but there is more in this nings, but of launching and morning’s grab for my pilloss too.

A friend has her low. Late August has finally youngest child beginning arrived, bringing with it a kindergarten in a few weeks, foreboding about the future. and is mourning the loss of Moving the baby into bed her identity as the mother with me, I feel both his little of babies and preschoolers. body and mine relax as he settles in to nurse, and I began my morning prayers.

“Dear heavenly Father, please, come and be the wind in my sails this mornBy Heidi Bratton ing. You know I have neither the desire nor the energy to leave Another is bringing her last this peaceful mooring and child to college and wonderhead into the open seas of the ing what to do as an empty days ahead. Oh, Lord, please, nester. A third is going back be the rudder of my ship, to work after more than 10 too. The winds of change are years of full-time mothering, so strong, and I don’t know and a fourth will be homewhich tack I should take. schooling her children for the Please, my Lord and my God, first time. We all are adding with the dawning of this new fresh dimensions to our lives season of family life, be our and our relationships to our guiding light; stay close to me and to all those I love. Amen.” children, but losing cherished dimensions as well.

The changes particular to Lying here, enjoying a tenmy life this fall consist of a der moment with my baby and triple-whammy of sending my husband, who has woken our first child off to college up and joined us, I feel an 11 hours from home, transioverpowering desire to reach tioning our third child from out and wipe that trace of pink eight-and-one-half years of off the horizon.

I rather like home school to a regional the world the way it is, thank Catholic high school 40 minyou very much. I do not want utes away, and accepting the a new day to alter my life, my need to wean this sixth little nest, nor my identity even one bundle now contentedly coolittle bit. As a Catholic mom, ing in my arms. I think I’m however, I am blessed with the doing okay with it all, and

Home Grown Faith

peace that these beautiful children have never really been my husband’s and mine anyway.

They are God’s. Therefore, no matter how far they fly from our nest, they will still be under God’s protection, in the shelter of his mighty and allpowerful wings.

Another deep peace I have is in knowing the power that comes from my friends and I interceding for each other in these times of change. With this in mind, and with hopes of slowing the sun in its rising, if only a little bit, I nestle my baby nearer and envision my morning prayer rising like a dove from my bedroom window.

Ascending through the now broadening and brightening band of pink in the eastern sky, my prayer is joined by hundreds, then thousands, and millions of similar, sunrise petitions in its flight toward heaven. I see God on his throne with arms open wide, welcoming this early morning flock. How comforting to know that God hears our cries and is ever ready to nourish our hungry hearts with his love. How comforting to know that we are not alone in our experiences, that we can pray for our children and for one another, and that through such prayer, God will give to us the strength to rise above and overcome the challenges set before us.

Heidi is an author, photographer, and full-time mother.

She and her husband raise their six children in Falmouth. homegrownfaith@ gmail.com.

da Silva’s book, “Portuguese Pilgrims and Dighton Rock.”

The book had long ago sold out and was now out of print. I had heard of the book, but never seen it, let alone read it. I took home the folder and, like the Prophet Ezekiel, that night I devoured it. I was bitten by the bug — the enormous importance of Dighton Rock to all Americans, to Catholics, and to those of Portuguese ancestry.

There is in the Diocese of Fall River an overlooked historical monument. Both Plymouth and Gibraltar have their famous rocks, and in Ireland there’s the Rock of Cashel and even the Blarney Stone. The Diocese of Fall River belongs to this international rock group. That’s no blarney.

Dr. da Silva came to Assonet to address the men of the newly-forming Knights of Columbus Council. The men were so enthused about the historical significance of Dighton Rock they decided to name their group “The Cross of Christ Council.” This is in reference to a distinctive cross design, the symbol of the world explorations of the Portuguese Catholic “Order of the Cross of Christ.”

There are four of these crosses carefully etched on Dighton Rock. The fourth was discovered by Dr. da Silva himself.

As fate would have it, I was transferred from Berkley and shipped across the river to the Town of Dighton. The section of Dighton in which Dighton Rock is located was ceded to the Town of Berkley in the 18th century. That was just fine when I was pastor in Berkley, but now I’m pastor in Dighton.

I want my rock back.

That’s not about to happen. Nevertheless, I’m bent on recognizing the history of Catholics in the Town of Dighton. The rock indicates

we arrived on these shores in the year 1511. The rock is the core of our historical identity as Dighton Catholics. We’ll soon be unveiling four murals. These new murals in our church hall feature the cryptic symbols and the message of Dighton Rock.

Dr. da Silva will be here for the dedication on September 10, during our Week to Remember. First we will show the short-subject film, “Christopher Columbus: the Enigma.” It’s an historical romance about Dr. and Mrs. da Silva and Dighton Rock. The film won the gold medal at the Venice Film Festival and the blue ribbon at the Toronto Film Festival this year. Then my parishioners will get to hear the Doc on the Rock himself. I’ll be happy to see my friend again.

Now that Dr. da Silva has satisfied his search for answers about the mystery of Dighton Rock, he’s off on another quest.

While he and his wife Silvia, an accomplished scholar, were doing archival research, they noticed something on the documents pertaining to Christopher Columbus — two dots following his name. For 500 years, scholars have dismissed the dots as fly specks on the ancient manuscripts. Dr. da Silva recognized them as a mark of punctuation — a colon. As a bishop prefaces his signature with the mark of the cross; members of the Order of the Cross of Christ conclude their signatures with a colon. These are not fly specks, he says, but proof that Christopher Columbus belonged to the Order of the Cross of Christ. “Columbus was Portuguese,” says Dr. da Silva.

Leave it to my good friend!

Father Goldrick is pastor of St. Joseph’s Parish in North Dighton and St. Peter’s Parish in Dighton.

Our Lady’s Monthly Message From Medjugorje August 25, 2008

Medjugorje, Bosnia-Herzegovina “Dear children! Also today I call you to personal conversion. You be those who will convert and, with your life, will witness, love, forgive and bring the joy of the Risen One into this world, where my Son died and where people do not feel a need to seek Him and to discover Him in their lives. You adore Him, and may your hope be hope to those hearts who do not have Jesus.

“Thank you for having responded to my call.”

Spiritual Life Center of Marian Community 154 Summer Street Medway, MA 02053 • Tel. 508-533-5377

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I

The Anchor

... We just live in it

ask the question more often behind the wheel of a car than at other times, but the query is not reserved only for the highways and byways: “What makes people so nasty?”

The question arose just this morning on my way to the office. A woman, clearly in at least her 80s, was crossing a busy boulevard. The driver in a big gas-guzzling SUV was obviously perturbed by the woman’s slow progression. When he or she was able to utilize the gas pedal again, it was done while leaning on an SUV-sized horn.

My View From the Stands

By Dave Jolivet The woman was unphased.

Either she didn’t hear it, or she was accustomed to boorish behavior.

It seems everywhere we turn, someone has a case of the nasties — cashiers, delivery people, phone solicitors, young people, old people, people in the middle.

We see and hear it on TV, in the movies, and in music.

In some sports “nasty” is a desired trait. Some take it too far, like the Cuban taekwondo contestant who was upset with a referee in the recent Olympics and kicked him in the head.

In the 70s and 80s Eastern European women with the bodies of men were the norm.

Today it’s pre-teen girls with the

weight of their country on their petit shoulders.

Ball players bulk up with steroids and brawls break out in just about every team sport going.

Guys like Manny Ramirez hold their breath until they turn blue to get what they want — and it works.

It goes on and on.

At times, I’m guilty as well.

Particularly with phone solicitors.

When did our personal mantra become “It’s my world, you just live in it”?

Is it because it’s so easy to be nasty?

Maybe, but it’s also so easy to be nice.

I had another encounter with the nasties this past weekend.

While out shopping, a woman, with two young children, was blocking the aisle with her cart.

She had no intention of moving it, yet the young lad, about eight years old, steered it aside.

As I walked past him, I said a simple, “Thanks.” Clearly, it surprised him to receive such courtesy. As I continued on he responded, “You’re welcome.” This time the surprise was mine. The boy made me think all is not lost.

Perhaps our young people can reverse the plague of the nasties. Their uncluttered psyches must know it’s easier to be nice than nasty. As long as they don’t listen to music, watch TV, movies, and sports, or drive a car.

August 29, 2008

Woman finds charitable work ‘eye-opening’

By Kenneth J. Souza Anchor Staff

Methodist Church in preparation for the two-hour pickup time between 10 a.m. and noon every Saturday.

FAIRHAVEN — Although there were times durOn any given week, approximately 100 families will ing the past nine years when Blanche Pepin thought benefit from the efforts of the Shepherd’s Pantry with they wouldn’t have enough money to provide food for an estimated 3,300 families having participated since local families in need at the Shepherd’s Pantry, she’s they began nearly nine years ago. “More often than now content with the fact that it remains solely in God’s not, maybe two-thirds of the people show up on a reguhands. lar basis,” Pepin said. “Then maybe I’ll get a batch of “So far, we’ve never run out of money and we’ve people from prior months … and others who haven’t never had to turn anybody away,” Pepin said. “Being been to us for two years. Some people come every few a faith-based organization, I think the Lord is working months, while others come once and I never see them with us everyday. There are times when we’ve needed again. I’m hoping that means they had a one-time need something and there it is. So I don’t worry anymore. and they don’t need us anymore. But we often see the Whatever it is, it’s going to work out … and it usually same faces every week.” does.”

Pepin stressed there are no eligibility requirements While the charitable work of the Fairhaven-based — financial, religious or otherwise — to receive food food pantry is very much subject to God’s plan, a great from the Shepherd’s Pantry. Everyone is welcome, no deal of its success must also be credited to Pepin her- questions asked. self, who has served as the program’s coordinator for “I know some of the other pantries require certain the past seven years and helps organize the weekly dis- things … and people come here with their paperwork tribution of approximately 280 bags of canned and non- and receipts, but I don’t need to see them,” Pepin said. perishable food items to an estimated 100 local families In addition to the cadre of volunteer support, Pepin every week. noted each of the churches has a collection bin for food “We originally started because we knew quite a few donations and there’s also a bin in the Fairhaven Stop Fairhaven families were & Shop. Additional support going over to the Damien’s and funding is provided Pantry in Wareham,” Pethrough private donations, pin said. “We thought we’d an affiliation with the Bossave them a trip by openton Food Bank, and funding a small local pantry ing from Project Bread’s and this would take care annual walk-a-thon, which of our own. Initially we gave about $7,000 to the found we didn’t get a lot Shepherd’s Pantry last year. of local people coming in Bishop Stang High School … and someone told me also sponsors an annual that’s because they prefer “Rock-a-thon” which colto go where they won’t be lects food and donations to recognized. We get that all benefit the pantry. the time. I had a man come “We’re really at a point in the other day and said where we’ve become wellhe was embarrassed to be known enough where if we coming to a food pantry. I have to put the word out that told him, ‘Please don’t be we need help, people step embarrassed; that’s what up,” Pepin said. “One time we’re here for.’”

St. Joseph’s Church did a Pepin said especially in second collection for us today’s difficult financial ANCHOR PERSON OF THE WEEK — when we needed a boost.” climate, anyone can find Pepin’s level of involveBlanche Pepin. (Photo by Ken Souza) themselves in need in no ment and commitment to time, and they are there to the Shepherd’s Pantry has provide relief to anyone, regardless of their past, pres- reached a point where she no longer has time to deent or future financial situation. vote to some of her former duties at St. Mary’s Parish “Nobody should be embarrassed,” Pepin said. in Fairhaven as a Religious Education instructor, lector, “There are a lot of people who are in the same finan- and member of the parish council. “I had to let those cial situation. We’ve had people who had good incomes things go because so much of my time is spent here at and they drive down here in good cars because they’ve the pantry now,” she said. just been laid off. It seems nobody has any rainy-day Pepin said she’s also learned a lot from interacting savings to fall back on anymore — everything’s just so with the various church denominations on the Shepexpensive. A few weeks go by and they just don’t have herd’s Pantry effort. “It’s very interesting to see how enough to put food on the table. It’s tough.” even though there are different divisions and religions, A collaborative effort among six interdenomina- everyone has that same relationship with God,” she said. tional churches including St. Mary’s and St. Joseph’s in “We’re all working together to help those in need.”

Fairhaven, the Trinity Lutheran Church, the Fairhaven As far as how the experience has enriched and deepUnitarian Church, and the Church of the Good Shep- ened her own faith, Pepin said she feels that although herd also in Fairhaven, and the Long Plain Methodist people may sometimes be quick to dismiss God’s presChurch in Acushnet, which hosts weekly distribution ence in everyday life, he’s surely present in everything out of its basement, the food pantry has grown in popu- we do. larity and accessibility since its inception in 2000.

“It really makes you feel encouraged that even “We started at the Church of the Good Shepherd,” though church attendance may be falling off, there’s Pepin said. “Then folks at the Unitarian Church said still faith-based people out there who are doing what we could use their basement, but when they had to up- needs to be done,” Pepin said. “They’re doing what God grade their heating system, we had to get out of there. intended them to do — helping other people.”

One of our volunteers belonged to the Long Plain For Pepin, the experience continues to be a tangible Methodist Church and asked if we could temporarily way of following Christ’s example of “do unto others as use space in its basement until they were done with you would have them do to you” (Luke 6:31). the work over at the Unitarian Church. Members there “It’s really been an eye-opener as far as seeing the said they always wanted a food pantry of their own type of conditions that so many people have to live in,” and offered to fix up a space for us if we agreed to stay Pepin said. “So many times you read about a tragedy or permanently. We’ve been here and it’s been working disaster in the newspaper, and you think about sending out great ever since.” a check, but you really want to do something more conFor the past four years Pepin and six rotating groups structive. Here you actually see the people right in front of volunteers — one from each participating church of you and you’re giving them the help right there. It’s — have taken turns dividing up food, filling bags and much more satisfying, I think. It’s nice to know you’re stocking shelves in the basement of the Long Plain actually helping the people who need it most.”

HOME TEAM — John Paul II High School Freshman Liz Rossi, left, and Sophomore Greta Bieg sing the National Anthem before a recent Hyannis Mets home game in the Cape Cod League.

Diocesan Religious Education helps fine tune curriculum Continued from page one

While there may be variations in individual schools’ mission statements, Boyle said the test is used in conjunction with a set of established Fall River diocesan curriculum guidelines to ensure that students are all learning the same foundational beliefs at the same grade level.

“Because we say our curriculum is accessible, we have to make sure we’re doing what we’re saying we’re doing,” Boyle said. “We look at the tests and we revise the curriculum … under the guidance of the bishop.

By the end of grade eight we try to have all the children exposed to all of the major doctrine with special emphasis for each year.

We call that content focus.”

According to Boyle, the key teachings under this content focus model include specific emphasis on: — creation in pre-school and kindergarten; — the Holy Trinity in the first grade; — the Eucharist and reconciliation in the second grade; — the Catholic Church in the third grade; — the Ten Commandments and Beatitudes in the fourth grade; — the seven sacraments in the fifth grade; — the Old Testament in the sixth grade; — the New Testament in the seventh grade; and — Church history in the eighth grade.

In addition, there is a reaffirmation and fortification of students’ knowledge of prayers, the sacraments, Scripture, creed and doctrine, moral formation, and peace and justice throughout the

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August 29, 2008

curriculum at every grade level.

“What you do in any type of curriculum is you introduce it, then you practice it, then you master it,” Boyle said.

Devised by a curriculum committee comprised of “excellent Catholics,” said Boyle, the test itself has evolved and changed over the past five years.

“We put together a group of people who knew their religion and knew pedagogically what to do in each of these grade levels,” she said. “Every year I think the tests have gotten better and better. We get comments back, so this thing has evolved.”

In creating both the diocesan curriculum and the annual exams, Boyle said they used textbooks in each grade level that were approved by the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops and also had the endorsement of Bishop George W. Coleman.

“After we administer the exams, we look to the schools for input,” Boyle said. “We ask the teachers and principals to look at the results and see if there are educational gaps in any grade that need to be reinforced in prior grades.”

Maintaining an emphasis on prayer as part of Catholic ritual, Boyle noted that by the end of their kindergarten year, for example, students should know “by heart” the sign of the cross, the Our Father, the Hail Mary, the Glory Be to the Father, and grace before meals prayers. This discipline extends all the way through grade eight, by which time students should be able to recite the full Nicene Creed from memory.

“We measure the prayers,

too, and you’ll notice that on the tests,” Boyle said.

In addition to the expected fill-in-the-blank and multiple choice questions, all the tests also include at least one rubric assessment in the form of an essay or “thought question,” Boyle said, that compels students to apply what they’ve learned outside the classroom.

An example can be found on the fourth-grade exam which asks students to identify two of the Ten Commandments and then explain how they live each of these Commandments in their daily lives. “I don’t want people to think we’re only emphasizing the catechism,” she said.

The only minor stumbling block they’ve encountered in matching Religious Education curriculum with the appropriate grade level, Boyle said, has been when dealing with students preparing to receive the sacraments of first Communion and confirmation.

“All of the students who are in a parish school who are from the parish make their first Communion in the parish,” Boyle said.

“If they are not from the parish, we highly encourage them to make their first Communion in the parish where they reside.

They may not receive confirmation in their school parish unless they have permission from their own pastor.”

Likewise, students in grade eight preparing to receive confirmation are encouraged to do so through their home parish.

“We felt the sacrament of confirmation really is a function of a student’s parish and they should be making their confirmation in their parish,” Boyle said. “There is a definite focus on sacraments in grade five, but in grade eight there is a review of confirmation, but we do not do sacramental preparation.”

In annually reviewing and assessing the diocesan school’s Religious Education curriculum, Boyle feels they have a much better handle on what is being taught at each grade level. To her, their critical mission is to not only teach factual doctrine, but also provide a solid basis of faith so students can develop and nurture their own personal relationship with God.

“Students should have a tremendous amount of content with, we hope, an accompanying application for this information,” Boyle said. “If we can get students to have a tremendous relationship with God from the beginning and nurture this through experience, through the sacraments, and through opportunities to practice this in prayer, by the time they graduate they will be transformed into young adults with a formed conscience, built on what the Church teaches.”

Boyle added that by providing a comprehensive Religious Education to students, the diocesan schools are preparing them to follow Christ’s example in their daily lives.

“Religious Education is like a GPS system,” she said. “It guides us to make right decisions.”

A sample of questions and answers on the religion tests for first-, fourth- and eighthgraders appears in the youth section on page 16.

This Message Sponsored by the Following Business Concerns in the Diocese of Fall River Gilbert C. Oliveira Insurance Agency Feitelberg Insurance Agency

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The Anchor

Benedict on SS. Peter and Paul

T

he Holy Father’s very first talk for the Year of St. Paul was given at a time and place when some may have missed it, at First Vespers of the Solemnity of SS. Peter and Paul, on June 28th, when he preached a homily to those gathered to pray with him at St. Peter’s Basilica.

His mini-homily was directed especially towards those archbishops and metropolitans to whom he was about to give the pallium, the little woolen stole that is a sign of their special relationship with the Holy See, as chief pastors of the flock of Christ. It was truly a homily, meant to be heard rather than read, but the Holy Father’s thought is always so clear and well constructed (he is, after all, a German) that we can perhaps profit a little by reading it carefully and breaking down its structure.

There are three parts: first, a brief meditation on the ancient Latin hymn of the Solemnity.

Living the Pauline Year

By Father Andrew Johnson, OCSO Paulinus of Aquileia wrote in the late eighth century: “O Roma felix — Oh happy Rome, adorned with the crimson of the precious blood of such great princes, you surpass every beauty of the world, not by your own merit, but trough the merit of the saints whom you have killed with bloody sword.”

The blood of martyrs does not call for revenge — but reconciles. It does not present itself as an accusation but as a “golden light,” according to the words of the hymn of the first vespers. It presents itself as the power of love which overcomes hate and violence, founding, in this way, a new city, a new community. The pope refers to the fact that although both Peter and Paul were put to death in Rome by the state, their martyrdoms do not cry out for revenge, but for reconciliation within the Church and without. The blood of the martyrs does not incriminate or condemn — it consecrates.

Furthermore, the Holy Father says, the relationship between SS. Peter and Paul, though tense and even stormy at times, is now sealed by their deaths: “By their martyrdom they, Peter and Paul, are now part of Rome. Through martyrdom, Peter, too, became a Roman citizen forever, as Paul had been from birth. Through their martyrdom, through their faith and their love, the two Apostles show us where true hope lies, and are the founders of

a new kind of city, which must again and again be formed in the midst of the old city of man, which continues to be threatened by the opposing forces of sin and egotism. By virtue of their martyrdom, Peter and Paul are in reciprocal relationship forever.”

They had met at least twice in Jerusalem and once in Antioch.

Their meeting in Rome ended in death for them both under Nero, but hallowed the beginnings of the Roman See and of the whole Church. Plenty of food for prayer and thought in these few lines!

The pallium stole, given traditionally on this feast at the Vatican Basilica, is Peter’s yoke of love that is shared with the archbishops of the Church as a sign of pastoral fellowship.

It calls to mind the threefold command of Jesus at the end of John’s Gospel, “Tend my sheep!”

As Pope Benedict says at one point, “When we put the pallium on our shoulders, this gesture reminds us of the Shepherd who puts the lost sheep upon his shoulders — the lost sheep who by himself can no longer find the way home — and takes him back to the sheepfold.”

Thirdly, after a brief meditation on Peter’s coming to Rome, the Holy Father returns to St. Paul, and specifically to a phrase from the Letter to the Romans 15:15: “On some points I have written to you very boldly by way of reminder, because of the grace given me by God to be a minister of Christ Jesus to the Gentiles in the priestly service of the Gospel of God, so that the offering of the Gentiles may be acceptable, sanctified by the Holy Spirit.” Benedict’s words are worth quoting in full here: “[This is the one passage in all his letters] when Paul uses the Greek word “hierourgein” — meaning to offer priestly service. He speaks of the cosmic liturgy, in which the world of men itself must become worship of God, an offering in the Holy Spirit. When the whole world has become the liturgy of God, when in its reality it has become adoration, then it will have reached its goal, then it will be whole and saved. And this is the ultimate objective of St. Paul’s apostolic mission and of ours. It is to such a mystery that the Lord calls us. Let us pray in this hour that he may help us carry it out in the right way, to become true “liturgists” of Jesus Christ. Amen.”

Father Johnson is the diocesan director of the Pauline Year and parochial vicar at St. Francis Xavier Parish in Hyannis.

CNS Movie Capsules

NEW YORK (CNS) — The following are capsule reviews of movies recently reviewed by the Office for Film & Broadcasting of the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops.

“Death Race” (Universal/Relativity) Brooding dystopian futuristic action tale in which, after being framed for the murder of his wife, a factory worker (Jason Statham) is offered freedom by his warden (Joan Allen) if, with the assistance of a female convict navigator (Natalie Martinez) and a skilled pit crew (Ian McShane, Fred Koehler and Jacob Vargas), he competes in the car-races-tothe-death she supervises for public entertainment. Writer-director Paul W.S. Anderson’s updating of Paul Bartel’s 1975 “Death Race 2000” is one long paean to brutality, as the speedway gladiators are decapitated, gored and napalmed. Pervasive graphic violence with blood, fleeting rear nudity, frequent rough and crude language, and a couple of profanities. The USCCB Office for Film & Broadcasting classification is O — morally offensive. The Motion Picture Association of America rating is R — restricted. Under 17 requires accompanying parent or adult guardian.

“The Longshots” (Dimension/MGM) Fact-based sports drama in which an unemployed former high school football star (Ice Cube) living in a depressed factory town is hired by his hardworking sister-in-law (Tasha

August 29, 2008 Smith) to mind his shy, bookish niece (Keke Palmer) and, discovering that the girl shares his gift for the game, becomes her trainer and gets her a tryout with a local, previously all-boys team. Director Fred Durst’s upbeat, mostly unobjectionable film is a celebration of each individual’s power to bring about both personal and civic renewal. Brief sexual humor, a couple of profanities, a few crass words and mild oaths.

The USCCB Office for Film & Broadcasting classification is A-II — adults and adolescents.

The Motion Picture Association of America rating is PG — parental guidance suggested. Some material may not be suitable for children.

“Mirrors” (Fox/Regency) Clunky, contrived horror tale in which an ex-policeman turned security guard (Kiefer Sutherland) finds himself, his estranged wife (Paula Patton) and their children (Cameron Boyce and Erica Gluck) endangered by the demons who inhabit the many mirrors of the burned-out New York department store where he works. Except for one over-thetop scene, director Alexandre Aja keeps the violence relatively subdued, but his film grows tedious quickly. Some graphic violence, brief rear and partial nudity, some rough and crude language, and occasional use of profanity.

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 of America rating is R — restricted.

Under 17 requires accompanying parent or adult guardian.

“The Rocker” (Fox Atomic) Musical adventures of a likable lunkhead (Rainn Wilson) who, 20 years after being dumped by his band mates just before they catapulted to stardom, gets a second chance at fame when he joins a group made up of his socially challenged nephew (Josh Gad), a too-cool-to-smile guitarist (Emma Stone) and an angstridden singer-songwriter (Teddy Geiger), his bond with the last being strained by a budding romance with the lad’s mother (Christina Applegate). Director Peter Cattaneo’s sporadically funny comedy touches on themes of maturity and reconciliation and, though its values are somewhat hedonistic, this is largely a matter of talk, since Mom goes on tour as chaperone. Brief rear nudity, nonmarital cohabitation, sexual and scatological humor, one use of the f-word and some crass language, and drug and venereal disease references. The USCCB Office for Film & Broadcasting classification is A-III — adults.

The Motion Picture Association of America rating is PG-13 — parents strongly cautioned. Some material may be inappropriate for children under 13.

Diocese of Fall River TV Mass on WLNE Channel 6 Sunday, August 31 at 11:00 a.m.

Scheduled celebrant is Father Bernard Baris, pastor of Our Lady of the Cape Parish in Brewster

S

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August 29, 2008

A level playing field

ports have the capacity to allow many to focus on sheer talent and finesse, but often fans refuse to set aside politics, sociology or historical grudges for the sake of the game.

Interestingly, this was recently the case in the Middle East, as women athletes found themselves juxtaposed against Islamic ideologues, who worried that the athletic resolve of its stars would carry more on its shoulders than mere bragging rights.

A woman’s soccer team from Berlin was just invited to play the Iranian national team in Teheran, with fascinating consequences.

Strict guidelines were laid down for the visiting team — from dress code to approved speech, which proved daunting. The girls were instructed to cover themselves completely, excluding only faces, and contrary to the freedoms that they enjoyed in the West, the women found every move closely scrutinized from

meals to the lavatory. entertainment. It was, literally, a They soon found that their day at the park. sacrifices were well-worth the efAnd yet, it was so much more, fort. Upon entering the stadium, by the very admission of the the resounding warmth of the Iranian authorities. Evidently, Iranian fans stunned them. Here girls in cleats are a subversive were those who loved the game, force that carries tremendous loved their team, and loved this potential beyond the pitch. As group of Germans who embarked on this adventure well-outside the normal circuit.

The question that concerns us here is why the Iranian regime would

By Genevieve Kineke take such trouble to harass a group of simple athletes. This was not an Olympic match, there were few one official noted in an interview, cameras or outside observers.

“Any gesture, request or activity This was nothing like the U.S.by women is seen by the Iranian Russian hockey rivalries which authorities as suspect, something brought the Cold War itself to the as simple as women wanting to ice. This involved a city stadium, have a football match could be two benches filled with talented an international plot,” he said. women, and an outing for local “To sum it up, the Islamic regime enthusiasts whose diversions greatly fears the women, because paled in comparison to Western they are considered a symbol of

change.”

How fascinating. The Iranian government controls the military, may have weapons of mass destruction on order, and has compiled a host of laws that undermine the rights of women, their fundamental equality, and the very nature of marriage — and yet they fear women. What is it exactly that they fear?

Proper relations between the sexes is a fundamental teaching of the Catholic Church.

When the teaching on marriage is well-founded, when women are given room to reach their potential, and when the feminine-genius is allowed to flourish, raw power and unjust discrimination take flight. Even this brutal dictatorship, in its perverse way, underscored the truth of this teaching by its grave concern.

The match was a complete

success. Despite their initial forebodings, the German women were buoyed and captivated by the sheer affection of the Iranian fans. The day at the park was all in accord with Islamic custom — and yet the harsh proprieties didn’t squash the spirit of the encounter.

Perhaps sport cannot shed the layers of meaning that fans insist on attaching to it, and if that is so, let’s pray that the affection for the game, in this instance, carries with it the concern for legitimate freedom for women everywhere.

If Catholic culture could corrode Soviet power peacefully from within, then those who abuse power would do well to fear women with a firm grasp on their own self-worth — with or without cleats.

Mrs. Kineke is the author of “The Authentic Catholic Woman” (Servant Books). She can be found online at www. feminine-genius.com.

Patrick choosing wrong means We should never gauge the worth of our elected leaders solely by our perceived value of their promises and goals. We would be better served if we judged them also by the resources they utilize to reach these goals.

We should apply this “resource method” in evaluating the performance of Gov. Deval Patrick, who has forged his administration on so-called “life science,” embryonic stem-cell research, and casino gambling, about both of which The Anchor has recently written. Gov. Patrick said, “I am not that interested in gambling per se. It was the jobs and the revenue I cared about.” Hence, jobs and revenue are the goals; life science and casinos are the vehicles to get us there.

But what are the resources that drive these vehicles? Casinos are fueled by in-state and out-of-state vacationers, big spenders, thrill seekers, low-paid prospectors, fixed-income elders and addicts.

The crude of life science is the living (human) embryo, the target of in-vitro drilling, resulting in the destruction of the most complex and sacred of all natural environments — the human person.

Small business associations, skillful entrepreneurs, the average working person and any person of moral perception must be justifiably outraged. What this governor and Legislature are implicitly saying is that they have more trust for our economic future in the resources of profligate gamblers and multi-cellular corpses than in the energy of the intelligent, honest entrepreneurs of the Commonwealth. And they may just get their jobs and revenue; but not on the backs of dedicated workers, but through the odds of increased personal debt and homelessness,

and the technology of death.

If a Warren Buffet or Bill Gates type offered us a “projected” $400 million a year in potential cash and an estimated 20,000 permanent jobs, but only under the condition that we agree to an increased percentage of prostitution, organized crime, personal poverty, homelessness, divorce and suicide we would rush the scoundrel out of town.

Now add to this the governor’s plan, supported by other assorted butchers of Beacon Hill, to balance the budget by an embryonic blood bath, a slaughter that will surely be ignored. For it is clear that our societal penchant for abortion access relieves us of any hesitation we might have on our march toward embryonic stem-cell research: If we can tear apart a fetus, we should have no qualm about draining life from an embryo.

We would be historically appalled if Hitler had possessed this technology and had used it in his pursuit to create a “perfect” race, resistant to the effects of time and disease, yet we actually now use this death-dealing technology and excuse ourselves in our own quest for perfect health. But this has more to it than pure science.

It is a big-money venture and now a venture of government (just not Hitler’s).

We are made in the image of God, but every time we give ground on such issues we degrade our natural dignity and decrease our chances of ever regaining it.

We need to show the governor and lawmakers that we care deeply for the issues that keep us humane, good and free. If not, our foundation will continue crumbling while our leaders keep us content by bearing the obvious gifts we like so much, so as to be putty in

kneeling communicants, on their tongues. Isn’t it time for the rest of the Church to do the same?

Sincerely, Allen M. Maynard North Carver

Testament.

The Feminine Genius

Our readers respond their hands. Be assured — they have no reservations about making us into a lesser image.

Steven N. Guillotte Fairhaven

Receiving Communion Your July 11 editorial, “Receptivity Fitting for the Lord,” was a breath of fresh air. Few Catholics today seem to have any inkling that the norm is (still) to receive holy Communion on the tongue while the nearly ubiquitous practice of receiving by hand is an exception, born in disobedience but then reluctantly permitted by Pope Paul VI. Sadly, the introduction of this novelty into the dioceses of the U.S.A. in 1977 was achieved through the will of a vocal minority of bishops. Perhaps the case could be made that they meant well, but as Pope Paul had feared the results have been disastrous.

For several years, surveys have told us that a shrinking minority of Catholics believe in the real eucharistic presence of Our Lord; on a typical Sunday our eyes tell us that these statistics are accurate as we watch what goes on during Communion.

Recently we’ve seen some additional and compelling reasons to reconsider this practice: several incidents reported by the media in which the Blessed Sacrament was publicly and intentionally desecrated by individuals with an animus toward the Church. Also the Church has had to contend for years with Satanists who regularly seek consecrated hosts for their diabolical rituals. Communionin-the-hand makes it easier to commit these sacrileges.

As the editorial notes, Pope Benedict has recently returned to the traditional manner of distributing Communion at his Masses: to

Journalist Pat McGowan remembered Your tribute to our friend Pat McGowan in the July 11 edition of The Anchor was excellent. Pat, with all her expertise, couldn’t have done better. I have all but memorized it. It was well deserved.

Sister Gertrude Gaudette, OP, Fall River A voice for ordination of women I am offended and deeply wounded, although regrettably, not surprised, by the insulting and condescending August 8, editorial on the recent WomenPriests ordinations.

It is true, as the editorial states, that Jesus could not have made a mistake. But certainly the humans who have tried to live by his two great laws of love could make mistakes. Perhaps you are wrong, perhaps Church teaching is wrong in this case. Certainly, the Gospels record frequent lapses on the part of the Apostles and disciples in their understanding of Jesus.

Indeed, in the core of their faith, Peter denied Jesus three times, while the women stood with him at the cross. What do you make of that?

And by the way, Jesus did not ordain anyone. Ordination did not exist in his time, nor for a long time after his death and resurrection. Your editorial demeans your paper more than it demeans its targets. Perhaps you should look again at the two laws of the New

Kathleen Schatzberg Centerville

Ordination of women Your August 8, editorial sets forth arguments for keeping the sacrament of ordination exclusive to the male gender. One of the principal arguments given was that there was no woman at the last supper. We know that extant Jewish culture for public liturgy separated men and women. A cultural reason is not sufficient to provide seven sacraments to half of the Catholics and but six to the other half. Setting barriers was not the mission of Christ.

Paul has taught us that in Christ we are no longer slave or free, Jew or gentile, male or female.

By God’s goodness and love men and women, both, are invited to partake of all the blessings and graces Jesus has won for us.

At the last supper Jesus speaks to us saying, “This is my Body which is to be offered up for you.”

In the same way he says, “This is the Blood of the new covenant.”

The next day on Calvary he completes this liturgical sacrifice when he offers himself to God for all. This offering constitutes the act of priesthood.

At the foot of the cross, only one other person could truly say, ““This, too, is my body and blood being offered for the salvation of the world.” The mother of God, the mediatrix of all graces, is arguably the first priest after Christ. In her, all women are blessed. Are they not to be holy, not just in motherhood, not just as nuns or single lay servants, but also as intercessors, as priests offering the holy sacrifice of the Mass?

Herbert Donlan South Dennis

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The Anchor

August 29, 2008

Biden on Obama ticket: a Catholic with mixed record on Church issues

PRAYING FOR THE FORGOTTEN — An anti-abortion demonstrator leans against a security fence outside the Pepsi Center, site of the Democratic National Convention in Denver. The Democratic National Convention opened August 25. (CNS photo/Eric Thayer, Reuters)

WASHINGTON (CNS) — Delaware Sen. Joe Biden, announced by Sen. Barack Obama as his running mate for the White House, puts on the Democratic ticket a Catholic who supports legal abortion but on various other issues has been an ally for the Church ‘s public policy interests.

Biden, 65, has come in for his share of conflicts with Church hierarchy over his legislative support for keeping abortion legal.

The National Right to Life Committee gives him a rating of zero for his positions on select issues, including federal abortion funding and stem-cell research as well as some relating to lobbying by groups like the National Right to Life Committee.

Biden has also talked frankly about the importance of his faith in his life, maintains close ties with his Catholic high school and isn’t hesitant to show off ele-

ments of his Catholic education in the Senate.

Biden was born in Scranton, Pa., to parents with an Irish-Catholic background. When young Joe was 10, the family moved to Delaware, where his father was a car salesman.

He attended Archmere Academy, a Catholic prep school in Claymont, Del., but only after his mother told him he couldn’t go into the seminary, as he wanted, until after he had some experience dating girls, his mother told a reporter in 2007.

He has maintained ties with Archmere, which sought to name a new student center building for him in 2006. The plan was scrapped after Wilmington Bishop Michael A. Saltarelli opposed it, citing Biden’s votes on abortion.

In a 2007 interview with the Christian Science Monitor, when he was a candidate for presi-

National Shrine of Our Lady of La Salette 947 Park Street - Attleboro, MA 02703 Tel. 508-222-5410 www.lasaletteshrine.org

dent himself, Biden said “I was raised at a time when the Catholic Church was fertile with new ideas and open discussion about some of the basic social teaching of the Catholic Church.”

It quoted Biden as saying a teacher “led me to see that if you cannot defend your faith to reason, then you have a problem.”

On issues including immigration, minimum wage, providing health care for all children and reinstating the assault weapons ban, his positions have been close to those of the Church’s lobbying efforts. Biden voted to authorize the invasion of Iraq in 2002, but later became a critic of the war.

Chris Korzen, executive director of Catholics United, a nonpartisan organization that promotes the Church’s social justice message in the political arena, said Biden’s commitment to his Catholicism “has inspired his advocacy on issues such as genocide, universal health care, education, worker’s rights and violence against women.”

Phil Lawler, editor of the Catholic World News Website, said on a blog post that an Obama-Biden ticket might be helpful to the Pro-Life movement. “Any public discussion of (whether life begins at conception) can only help the Pro-Life cause, because the scientific facts are hard to deny,” Lawler wrote.

He said Biden’s choice also ensures a fresh debate on whether Catholic politicians who support legal abortion should be denied Communion.

“On that issue, too, the discussion can only be helpful,” Lawler wrote, because of the “powerful witness” of bishops who would refuse the Eucharist to such politicians.

DIOCESAN TRIBUNAL FALL RIVER, MASSACHUSETTS Decree of Citation Since her present domicile is unknown, in accord with the provision of Canon 1509.1, we hereby cite Susan G. Santos to appear in person before the Tribunal of the Diocese of Fall River (887 Highland Avenue in Fall River, Bristol County, Massachusetts) on September 15, 2008 at 2:30 PM to give her testimony regarding the question: IS THE GILL-SANTOS MARRIAGE NULLACCORDINGTOCHURCHLAW? Anyone who has knowledge of the domicile of Susan G. Santos is herebyrequiredtoinformherofthis citation.

GivenattheofficesoftheDiocesan Tribunal in Fall River, Bristol County, Massachusetts on August 25, 2008.

(Rev.) Paul F. Robinson, O. Carm., J.C.D. Judicial Vicar (Mrs.) Helene P. Beaudoin Ecclesiastical Notary

August 29, 2008

The Anchor

news briefs

Catholic law-school students get experience with death penalty cases WASHINGTON (CNS) — Summer is usually a chance to get a break from the books, but for some students at the University of San Francisco’s law school, this summer was an opportunity to put their book learning into practice. The students participated in the Keta Taylor Colby Death Penalty Project run by the law school at the Jesuit-run university. The project, founded in 2001, places students with death penalty projects in Louisiana and Mississippi. Professor Steven Shatz started the program after hearing about projects being set up to handle death penalty cases in Louisiana and Mississippi.

Shatz described a desire “to do more than write about (the death penalty). I was too academic. I wanted to try to make a contribution, involve students to reform or abolish the death penalty.” During the first two years of the program, Shatz would accompany the students and work alongside them for part of the program. Now that the program has developed, Shatz spends the first week in the region with the students.

For many of the students participating in the program this was their first chance to work with inmates on death row.

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The Anchor

Today The Anchor prints the third in an eight-part series on marriage published by the Massachusetts Catholic Conference. The series is entitled “The Future Depends on Love” and examines from a fresh and contemporary perspective topics such as human love in the divine plan, the intrinsic and public goods of marriage, the gift of fertility, the sacrament of matrimony and more. For more information about the series and added resources, visit www.MassCatholicMarriage.org.

Catholic officials pray for peaceful transition in Pakistan KARACHI, Pakistan (CNS) — Catholic leaders have praised Gen. Pervez Musharraf, Pakistan’s recently resigned president, for supporting religious minorities and expressed hope for positive change.

Father Pascal Robert, spokesman for the Karachi Archdiocese, told the Asian church news agency UCA News that the Catholic Church is praying for a peaceful transition to full democracy. “We express solidarity with political leaders and hope they will continue their struggle for democracy and protection of human rights,” he said. Only “secular and humanistic attitudes” can help develop Pakistan, he said. More than 95 percent of Pakistan’s 160 million people are Muslims, while Christians account for less than one percent of the population. Before resigning in mid-August, Musharraf was Pakistan’s uncontested ruler since he dismissed the democratically elected government in a bloodless military coup in 1999. He stepped down after the ruling coalition government threatened to impeach him for subverting Pakistan’s Constitution.

Pope approves beatification of St. Therese’s parents in Lisieux VATICAN CITY — Pope Benedict XVI has approved the beatification of Louis and Marie Zelie Guerin Martin, the parents of St. Therese of Lisieux. The couple will be beatified October 19, World Mission Sunday, during a Mass in the Basilica of St. Therese in Lisieux, France, the Vatican announced August 19. St. Therese and St. Francis Xavier are the patron saints of the missions. The Vatican did not say who would preside at the Martins’ beatification Mass. The Martins were declared venerable, one of the first steps in the sainthood process, in 1994. But despite the active encouragement of Pope John Paul II to move the cause forward, the miracle needed for their beatification was not approved by the Vatican until early July. Louis lived 1823-1894 and his wife lived 1831-1877. They had nine children, five of whom joined religious orders.

Beijing bishop hopes for papal visit; Vatican calls talk premature

ROME (CNS) — The bishop of Beijing said he hopes Pope Benedict XVI will visit China in view of the country’s improved relations with the Vatican.

In response, the Vatican said it was premature to talk about a papal trip to China, but it called the bishop’s remarks a “positive and encouraging” sign.

Joseph Li Shan, who was named to head the Diocese of Beijing last year with government and papal approval, made his comments in an interview August 20 with the Italian state television, RAI. “We strongly hope that Benedict XVI will make a visit to China. This is a great desire, and we have hoped for a long time that it will happen,” Bishop Li said.

“Relations with the Vatican are constantly improving. One can say there are important developments,” he said.

Jesuit Father Federico Lombardi, the Vatican spokesman, told Vatican Radio that Bishop Li’s comments could be considered a response to the pope’s expressed desire for a normalization of China-Vatican relations.

“For now, to speak about a trip by the pope to China is completely premature,” Father Lombardi said.

“However, the words of Bishop Li Shan show that all Chinese Catholics love and respect the pope, recognize his authority and would be happy to meet him, and this is certainly a very positive and encouraging aspect,” he said.

Youth Pages

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August 29, 2008

Highlights from the Diocese of Fall River Religion Exam

Are you smarter than a Catholic eighth-grader? Take the following pop quiz and see. The following are sample questions from the exam prepared by the Diocese of Fall River’s Catholic Education Center to assess Catholic school students’ mastery of doctrine and morals. The full story begins on page one. Answers appear at the end of the 15 questions.

Questions from Grade One:

1. The _______ is the head of the Catholic Church. His name is Benedict XVI. 2. In church, the Eucharist is kept in the ________________.

3. One symbol for the Holy Spirit is the _____________.

4. The prayer Jesus gave us is the _______________.

5. God forgives our sins through the sacrament of __________________.

Questions from Grade 4: 6. _______________ is the heart of all Christian life and is also known as the Eucharist.

7. The _____________ were given to us by Jesus as the heart of his moral teaching at the Sermon on the Mount.

8. We hear the Gospel reading during the part of the Mass called the __________________.

9. This feast day celebrates Mary being taken into heaven: __________________.

10. The Sign of the Cross expresses our belief in the _________________.

Questions from Grade 8: 11. As a sign of the four marks of the Church, every Catholic bishop today can trace his succession through the laying on of hands all the way back to the ________________.

12. What is the term used to refer to the moral and teaching authority of the Church, made up of the pope and bishops in communion with him? ____________________ 13. The Diocese of Fall River became a new diocese in 1904 when it was separated from the Diocese of ____________________.

14. The three theological virtues are faith, hope and ____________.

15. The Protestant Reformation began when _____________________ posted his Ninety-Five Theses protesting abuses within the Church.

AND THEY’RE OFF — Track alumni of Bishop Feehan High School take off for the mile race recently held at the Attleboro school’s McGrath Stadium, as part of the inaugural track reunion.

Bishop Feehan High School holds first-ever track reunion

ATTLEBORO — Bishop Feehan High School track coach and alum, Bob L’Homme ’77, recently hosted a track meet for more than 110 track alumni and their families at Feehan’s McGrath Stadium.

The meet included a 1.5-mile “fun run,” and events in sprinting, jumping, throwing, and relay. In addition to a cookout, young children where entertained with a race of their own and an inflatable moon walk.

Former Olympian, Mark Coogan ’84 (Exeter, N.H.) was in attendance as well as Brian Kelly ’90 (Foxboro), a national decathlon competitor; Kevin Myles ’96

(Roslindale), Feehan record holder in the mile; and multi-talented sprinter, jumper, and javelin thrower, Joanna (Zern) Scollo ’87 (Broomfield, Colo.).

“It went off like clockwork,” said L’Homme. “We had an unbelievable turnout of about 300 with friends and family included. The camaraderie, friends and laughter made up for the aching muscles afterwards.”

Athletic highlights include Pat Ward ’01 (Philadelphia, Penn.) winner of the mile race in 4:45 and the 2-mile in 9:45, and Chris Ryan ’07 (Plainville) winner of the long jump at 21’3”.

Please keep all our students, across the Diocese of Fall River in your prayers as they head back to the classroom.

May they be blessed with a happy, holy and safe school year.

8. Liturgy of the Word 9. Assumption 10. Blessed Trinity 11. Apostles 12. The Magisterium 13. Providence 14. love 15. Martin Luther

Answer Key: 1. pope 2. tabernacle 3. dove 4. Our Father 5. Reconciliation 6. The Mass 7. Beatitudes

August 29, 2008

T

his weekend, as a nation we celebrate Labor Day. It is the day that unofficially closes the summer season as students return to school and families try to have one last barbeque before placing the grill into winter storage. Many will hit those Labor Day sales at the stores in search of last minute school items. High schoolers will finish those summer reading books while still others will just be starting them.

But what is so special about Labor Day? Labor Day celebrates the working man and woman in the United States. It is a day that is not dedicated to war heroes or patron saints, but rather a day established for you and for me. Labor Day began in New York in 1882 as labor unions united calling for a day to honor the laborers in the

Youth Pages Laborers in the vineyard

union. It has evolved into a day In 1993, at the World Youth where those who labor daily Day Mass held in Denver, His sit back and relax — of course Holiness John Paul II chalthis probably worked betlenged the world’s young ter before businesses opened people. He told them, “Christ every holiday. But the practice needs laborers ready to work of celebrating Labor Day for in his vineyard. May you, many still exists. It’s a time to gather as friends and family; a festival of togetherness.

But we are not only laborers at school or work, we are also laborers in the vineyard

By Crystal Medeiros of our Lord. It is as the Lord’s laborers which many people, young and old, have self-proclaimed the Catholic young people an extended Labor Day. As of the world, not fail him. In laborers in his vineyard, we are your hands, carry the cross of called to help plant the seeds Christ. On your lips, the words of faith — to scatter them of life. In your hearts, the wherever they may fall and saving grace of the Lord.” He allow them to take root in our recognized the abundant fruits hearts and the hearts of many of faith in our young people others. and called them, and by proxy

Be Not Afraid

adults all over the world, to become Christ’s laborers in the vineyard.

This proclamation to the young people reminds us, whether we were 17 in 1993 or are 17 in 2008, that we must unite as brothers and sisters in our faith. If we accomplish this then we can, as Pope John Paul II claimed, carry the cross of Christ in our hands and his saving grace in our hearts.

So as our summer unofficially comes to a close and we return to school, work, or even church, we must call to mind the resolve of the first labor unions as they established Labor Day. The labor unions united to honor their fellow workers with the much needed respite from the day-to-day harsh realities of life. If we

17 follow that same spirit, and unite as one, holy, Catholic and apostolic Church as our Nicene Creed proclaims us to do, then we can come together, united in Christ’s love to continue spreading his word first throughout our homes and schools and then in our workplaces and communities.

The vineyard is ripe. Are you ready and willing to become a laborer of that vineyard? The work will not be easy, but it will be rewarding.

And we just have to remember that in the midst of creating the earth, even God had a Labor Day. Crystal is the assistant director for Youth & Young Adult Ministry for the diocese and youth ministry coordinator for St. Lawrence Martyr Parish in New Bedford.

You can contact her at cmedeiros@dfrcec.com.

Bikers hit the streets to raise funds for St. Vincent’s Home

BIG WHEELS — Motorcycles were the order of the day August 17 at St. Vincent’s Home, Highland Avenue in Fall River, as 145 riders took part in the third annual Motorcycle Run to raise funds for the young residents at the home.

FALL RIVER — St. Vincent’s Home’s third annual Motorcycle Run to benefit children and youth grossed an all-time high of nearly $20,000 August 17. Under bright blue sunny skies, 145 motorcycle riders and Fall River Police escorts rode the 55-mile route, meandering through the streets and back roads of Freetown, Dartmouth, Westport, and Fall River. The riders and their passengers took in views of the scenic coast including vineyards, farmland, and Horseneck Beach.

St. Vincent’s children and staff, as well as more than 50 volunteers, enjoyed watching the parade of bikes depart and arrive back at the Highland Avenue campus with the Monster Mini Golf Orange County Chopper leading the pack.

Music, food, raffle prizes, silent auction items, and Monster Chopper photos added to the festivities.

The Children’s Choice Award trophies for favorite bike as judged by the youth of St. Vincent’s were presented to the first-, second-, and third-choice winners.

The celebration was made possible by support from S&S Concrete Forms Construction, Inc.; Mechanics Cooperative Bank; Bristol County District Attorney C. Samuel Sutter; Deutsche Bank Championship; Mr. Cesspool/Sergeant Cesspool; New England Patriots Charitable Foundation; Precision Mechanical, Inc.; and Prima Care.

Funds raised benefit St. Vincent’s children and youth for programs and extra-curricular activities such as field trips, in addition to sports uniforms and class rings for the high school graduates.

For more contact Melissa Dick at 508-235-3228 or visit www. stvincentshome.org.

Correction The stained glass window in the Marie Poussepin Chapel at Fall River Diocese’s mission in Guaimaca pictured in the August 15 edition of The Anchor, was one of 12 donated by Our Lady of Health Parish in Fall River. Some of the pews came from St. Michael’s in Swansea.

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The Anchor

Ballot question to challenge law repeal continued from page one

ily advocacy group MassResistance. The Catholic Action League of Massachusetts is backing it, and longtime Catholic activist Larry Cirignano is helping to publicize it.

Gay activists effectively lobbied the legislature and Gov. Deval Patrick to scuttle the 95-year-old law on July 31, thus paving the way for homosexual couples to challenge the marriage laws of other states.

In signing the repeal law, Patrick acknowledged that it would help to destroy the federal Defense of Marriage Act (DOMA).

This will cause “legal havoc” in other states, said MassResistance Director Brian Camenker.

“It also further degrades our own marriage laws.”

Among the petition’s 10 original signers are David and Tonia Parker, the Lexington parents who are appealing to the Supreme Court in a civil rights case that involves homosexual indoctrination in their son’s public school kindergarten class. Their case highlights how religious expression and parental rights are being suppressed in the societal battle to redefine marriage.

The legislature’s repeal of the 1913 law “was done in a

particularly cowardly and insidious way,” Camenker said.

“The Senate passed it in a ‘voice vote’ to avoid going on the record. When the legislature heard we planned a referendum petition (that could have postponed the new law’s taking effect until voters approved it), they passed it again — adding special ‘emergency act’ language to make it go into effect immediately, instead of the usual 90 days.”

This means more of an uphill fight for citizens who oppose the repeal. Instead of the repeal being put on hold until the next statewide election, it will be in effect until at least 2010. Petitioners must gather about 33,300 signatures by mid-October.

“But this is a statement that the people of Massachusetts aren’t going to just sit back and take,” Camenker said. “We’re not going to let a small but powerful special interest be allowed to change our laws at will to push an offensive social experiment across the country.

“They think we’re beaten.

Well, we’re not,” he said. “Conversely, if we don’t fight back now, they have the green light to do anything they want in the future.”

The Boston media gave muted coverage to the story; both the Herald and Globe, which backs the redefinition of marriage, ran a small Associated Press article. However, word was spread nationwide

by WorldNetDaily.com, a well known independent news agency whose motto is “A Free Press for a Free People.” And the gay advocacy press definitely took note; the New England Blade ran a 1,100-word article about the challenge.

Catholic Action League Director C.J. Doyle said the referendum “would finally let the people of Massachusetts vote on traditional marriage, a right that was denied to them” when lawmakers buckled to pressure from the gay lobby and refused to allow a marriage protection amendment on the 2008 ballot.

But “unlike a state constitutional amendment, a referendum does not require approval by a legislature subservient to the homosexual special interest,” Doyle said. Referring to the 2003 state Supreme Court ruling that opened the doors to same-sex “marriage,” Doyle said, “Like Roe v. Wade, the Goodridge decision will never attain legitimacy. This issue will not be settled until traditional marriage is fully restored.”

The number of signatures needed for this referendum is less than one-fourth of the record 170,000 gathered for the proposed Marriage Protection Amendment, noted Cirignano.

He worked on that effort as the former director of Catholic Citizenship.

However, there will presumably also be fewer people gathering signatures, as Catholic Citizenship, the Massachusetts Catholic Conference, and the

August 29, 2008 Massachusetts Family Institute are not joining in this effort, spokesmen said.

But political activists familiar with all the groups predicted that despite this, individuals will undoubtedly step up to the plate on their own. “If people feel strongly enough, they’ll help anyway,” one observer said.

“Viral advertising” — spreading the word quickly via email networks — has proven effective in bypassing big media gatekeepers.

For example, Cirignano has emailed the news to his large base of associates developed over years of pro-family and Pro-Life political activism.

He’s currently working with March for Life founder Nellie Gray and Chris Slattery, who runs 15 New York City crisis pregnancy centers.

And Camenker, who is Jewish, has nationwide contacts among Christians and even

professed agnostics who realize that the civil rights of those who hold Judeo-Christian values are being trampled.

“I’m proud to be one of the original signers of this petition,” concluded Robert G. O’Brien, a Milton Catholic and a board member of Massachusetts Citizens for Life.

“Offering marriage licenses to out-of-state homosexuals who visit Massachusetts is a radical and destructive public policy change that ought to be put directly before the voters,” he said.

Attorney General Martha Coakley approved the referendum’s legality August 25 and forwarded it to the Secretary of State’s office to print signature forms. “We expect to start collecting signatures very soon,” Camenker said.

MassResistance.org can be reached at 781-891-6001 and the Catholic Action League at 781-251-9739.

Curriculum mapping is education catalyst continued from page one

Milot is confident that teachers throughout the diocese will embrace the integrated approach to planning lessons. For many of them, it will be a familiar approach, as approximately 20 educators from the diocese attended a workshop this summer at the University of Rhode Island and curriculum mapping was the topic at hand. The workshop was headed by Dr. Heidi Hayes Jacobs, who is considered an expert on the subject.

Curriculum mapping is used in every state and now, in countries around the world. Based on the pioneering work of Hayes Jacobs, curriculum mapping is an electronic tool and a revision process that is making a difference for schools and districts striving to become operational professional learning communities, according to informa-

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tion provided by the University of Rhode Island. It is used as a practical tool to respond to what children need in a specific setting.

Milot said those educators from the diocese who attended the conference at URI will continue to work with Hayes Jacobs as they implement curriculum mapping strategies.

In addition to curriculum mapping, the other issue taking a priority through diocesan schools is the effort to integrate technology into classrooms whenever possible. To that end, Milot is pleased to report that thanks to a grant, Catholic schools in greater New Bedford are welcoming two new fulltime technology professionals, Cherie Gilmore and Susan Massoud.

“Their job is to integrate technology into our curriculum,” said Milot.

Milot is hoping that through similar grants, technology specialists will be added to other schools. Integrating technology in today’s classroom, he said, is something that schools simply have to do.

“Kids learn today differently than they did before,” he said. “You have to be able to adopt your teaching styles to their learning styles. You don’t give up the basics or replace a standard, but you find ways to integrate technology into the curriculum.”

Milot said he is pleased with the enrollment figures throughout the diocese.

“We’re looking forward to another great year,” he said.

August 29, 2008

Around the Diocese Eucharistic Masses Adoration: MASSES IN THE FALL RIVER DIOCESE — Vacationers and travelers can find Mass schedules on the diocese’s Website www.fallriverdiocese.org. For Masses across the nation visit www.masstimes.org.

Eucharistic Adoration ACUSHNET — Beginning September 8, adoration of the Blessed Sacrament resumes at St. Joseph-St. Therese Church, 51 Duncan Street, Mondays following the 8:30 a.m., Mass until 1:30 p.m. For more information call 508-995-2354.

EAST TAUNTON — Eucharistic adoration takes place every First Friday at Holy Family Church, 370 Middleboro Avenue, following the 8:30 a.m. Mass until Benediction at 8 p.m. All are invited.

NEW BEDFORD — Eucharistic adoration takes place 7 to 9 p.m. Wednesdays at Our Lady of Guadalupe Church, 233 County Street, with night prayer and Benediction at 8:45 p.m., and confessions offered during the evening.

NEW BEDFORD — There is a daily holy hour from 5:15-6:15 p.m. Monday through Thursday at St. Anthony of Padua Church. It includes adoration of the Blessed Sacrament, Liturgy of the Hours and recitation of the rosary.

TAUNTON — Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament takes place every First Friday at Annunciation of the Lord Church, 31 First Street, immediately following the 8 a.m., Mass and continues throughout the day. Confessions are heard from 5:15 to 6:15 p.m., and the day concludes with recitation of the rosary and Benediction at 6:30 p.m.

WEST HARWICH — Our Lady of Life Perpetual Adoration Chapel at Holy Trinity Parish, 246 Main Street, holds perpetual eucharistic adoration. For open hours or to sign up for an hour call 508-432-4716.

Miscellaneous Miscellaneous: ASSONET — St. Bernard Church, 30 South Main Street, will hold its Harvest Festival September 27 from 11 a.m., to 10 p.m., and September 28 from 11 a.m., to 3 p.m. For more information call 508-644-2032.

ATTLEBORO FALLS — St. Mark’s Parish will hold its annual fair September 6, 9 a.m. to 4 p.m., on the parish grounds, 105 Stanley Street. There will be many activities, music, entertainment and food.

CHATHAM — A Tridentine Mass is celebrated 1 p.m. every Sunday at Our Lady of Grace Chapel on Route 137 through Labor Day. After Labor Day, the Mass will be each Sunday at 11:30 a.m.

FALL RIVER — Catholic Social Services, 1600 Bay Street will hold an information session for those interested in domestic newborn or international adoption, September 14, 1:30 to 3:30 p.m. To register and for information call 508-674-4681.

LAKEVILLE — The first annual Diocesan Health Facilities Golf Classic, formerly the Madonna Manor Golf Classic, will be held September 22 at LeBaron Hills Country Club. It will benefit the five diocesan facilities and two communitybased programs. For information call Mary-Ellen Murphy at 508-699-2740.

NEW BEDFORD — The Daughters of Isabella will hold its monthly meeting and a potluck supper September 9, 6 p.m., at the Holy Name of the Sacred Heart of Jesus Church, 121 Mt. Pleasant Street. Members are reminded to bring a dinner food or dessert.

NEW BEDFORD — A Day With Mary will take place at Our Lady’s Chapel, 600 Pleasant Street, September 6 from 9 a.m. through 4:30 p.m.

The event is a day of instruction, devotion and intercession based on the message given at Fatima in 1917. Included will be a Fatima video presentation, procession of Our Lady, prayers, Mass, exposition of the Blessed Sacrament, meditations, an act of consecration, Benediction, and enrollment in the Brown Scapular and conferment of Miraculous Medal. For information call 508-996-8274.

NEW BEDFORD — Two fund-raising events to benefit Holy Family-Holy Name School are planned. A concert featuring Dan Clark, “The Singing Trooper,” will be held September 14 at 3 p.m., in St. Lawrence Church, 565 County Street; and the annual Msgr. Thomas J. Harrington Golf Tournament is set for September 28 at the Acushnet Golf Course. For more information on the events call the school office at 508-993-3547.

NORTH DARTMOUTH — Bible study takes place Tuesdays at 10 a.m. and Wednesdays at 7 p.m., in the parish conference room at St. Julie Billiart Church, 494 Slocum Road. Weekly attendance is welcome but not required.

NORTH DARTMOUTH — St. Julie Billiart Parish’s “Septemberfest” opens with a seafood supper September 13 and the festival continues September 14, at the church at 494 Slocum Road. For more information call 508-993-2437.

NORTH FALMOUTH — The 20th annual Christ the King Golf Classic benefit will be held September 21 at the Ballymeade Country Club. For information and to register call 508-539-9330.

PROVINCETOWN — “Quiet Encounter,” a day of reflection for persons living with HIV/AIDS, as well as their caregivers, families and friends, will be held September 17, 10 a.m., to 3 p.m., in St. Peter the Apostle Church, 11 Prince Street. To register call 508-674-5600 ext. 2295.

Pro-Life ATTLEBORO — Concerned faithful are needed to pray the rosary outside Four Women, Inc., an abortion clinic at 150 Emory Street, Thursdays from 3-4 p.m., or 4-5 p.m. and Saturdays from 7:30-8:30 a.m. For information call 508238-5743.

19

The Anchor

Fall River area St. Vincent de Paul Society to walk for the poor October 4

FALL RIVER — The Society of St. Vincent de Paul has long featured a dedicated group of volunteers participating in responding to the needs of the poor. Vincentians see personal tragedy of poverty firsthand and do much to alleviate it.

The Society is celebrating the 175th anniversary of its founding by Blessed Frederic Ozanam in Paris, France in 1833. The Fall River Council of the Society of St. Vincent de Paul has plans to promote the first-ever Friends of the Poor Walk, a unique national fundraising effort organized nationally and locally.

The walk will be held Oc-

tober 4 at Bristol Community College on Elsbree Street in Fall River to raise significant funds for use in direct service to the poor. All funds raised locally will be used locally.

The money raised at this event will be distributed through the St. Vincent de Paul Society to needy causes in the Fall River area.

They assist people with food, clothing, furniture and bedding, and also help people pay their heating and utility bills. In the summer they sponsor children at Cathedral Camp, and also support area food pantries and soup kitchens with food drives and financial donations.

It is believed to be the first event of its kind sponsored by the society in the Fall River area.

Now is the time for individuals, community groups and corporations to commit their participation.

Folks are asked to join this event to celebrate the poor and honor those caring individuals who work directly in the community to bring about healthy change for men and women to live and grow as God intended.

To sign up to participate as a walker, a corporate sponsor, or a volunteer, call 508-677-1989, or visit www.svdpfriendsofthepoorwalk.org.

The following are the dates and times the image will be present in various churches and locations: August 30, Four Women Abortion Center, Emery Street, Attleboro, 7:30-9:30 p.m.

August 31, St. Dominic Church in Swansea, 3-4 p.m.

September 2, St. Stanislaus Church and School in Fall River, 9-10:30 a.m.

September 2, St. Anthony of Padua Church in New Bedford, 4-8 p.m.

September 3, St. Francis of Assisi Church in Swansea, 9 a.m.-8 p.m.

September 4, St. Julie Billiart Church in North Dartmouth, 4-5:30 p.m.

September 4, St. Francis Xavier Church in Acushnet, 6:30-7:30 p.m.

September 5, Holy Family Church in East Taunton, 9 a.m.-8 p.m.

September 6, Four Women Abortion Center in Attleboro, 7:30-9:30 a.m.

September 6, St. Jude’s Church in Taunton, 3-7 p.m.

September 7, Our Lady of the Rosary Church in Taunton, 8:30

and 10:30 a.m. Masses.

September 8, St. Peter the Apostle Church in Provincetown, 7-9:30 a.m.

September 8, Our Lady of Lourdes at Visitation Church in Eastham, noon-2 p.m.

September 9, Holy Redeemer Church in Chatham, 1-3 p.m.

September 9, St. Pius X Church in South Yarmouth, 4:307 p.m.

September 10, Holy Trinity Church in West Harwich, 8-10 a.m.

September 10, St. Francis Xavier Church in Hyannis, 11:30 a.m.- 4 p.m.

September 10, Our Lady of the Assumption in Osterville, 5-7:30 p.m.

September 11, St. Joseph’s Church in Woods Hole, 7:309:30 a.m.

September 11, St. Mary’s Cathedral in Fall River, noon-3 p.m. and 7-8 p.m.

Schedule of local appearances of image of Our Lady of Guadalupe

In Your Prayers

Sept. 1 Rev. Jorge J. de Sousa, Pastor, St. Elizabeth, Fall River, 1985

SERVICE ... By caring family and service family professionals TRUST ... In the people you know CHOICE ... Custom-designed, personalized tributes AFFORDABILITY ... Dignified services with a budget

Sept. 3 Rev. Thomas J. McGee, D.D., Pastor, Sacred Heart, Taunton, 1912

508-676-1933 508-999-5100

Please pray for these priests during the coming weeks

Sept. 4 Rev. Joseph P. Tallon, Pastor, St. Mary, New Bedford, 1864 Rev. John J. Maguire, Founder, St. Peter the Apostle, Provincetown, 1894 Sept. 5 Rev. Napoleon, A. Messier, Pastor, St. Mathieu, Fall River, 1948 Sept. 7 Very Rev. James E. McMahon, V. F. Pastor, Sacred Heart, Oak Bluffs, 1966 Rev. Raymond Pelletier, M.S., La Salette Shrine, North Attleboro, 1984

For over 135 years, families have turned to the Waring-Sullivan service family of compassionate professionals to guide them through life’s most challenging times.

Waring - Sullivan

Homes of Memorial Tribute www.waring-sullivan.com

A Service Family Affiliate of AFFS & Service Corporation International, 492 Rock Street, Fall River, MA 02720 508-676-2454

20

The Anchor

St. Mary’s Fund Fall Dinner is October 14

By John E. Kearns Jr. Director, Diocesan Office of Communications

FALL RIVER — As a new academic year begins, the St. Mary’s Education Fund is helping open doors of Catholic schools in the Fall River Diocese to hundreds of students who may not have otherwise been able to attend because of financial reasons.

The fund provides need-based tuition assistance to diocesan Catholic elementary and middle school students, and the annual St. Mary’s Education Fund Fall Dinner helps make it all possible.

Proceeds from the Fall Dinner support the fund and the students who benefit from it.

The 2008 Fall Dinner is set for October 14, at White’s of Westport, beginning with a 5:30 p.m. reception. A multi-course meal and program will follow at 6:30 p.m.

Diocesan Development Director Mike Donly, who oversees the St. Mary’s Education Fund disbursement process, reports that more than 700 Catholic elementary and middle school students will receive help from the fund in the 2008-09 school year and that $660,000 in financial aid will be distributed.

For the families of most student recipients, Donly points out, the availability of assistance from the St. Mary’s Education Fund becomes the determining factor in their ability to send their child or children to a Catholic school.

“I hope those who attend our Fall Dinner realize how absolutely critical their support of the event is to Catholic school students throughout the Fall River Diocese,” Donly said.

For the second year E. Dennis Kelly, president and CEO of Bristol County Savings Bank and Bristol County Savings Charitable Foundation, will serve as Fall Dinner chairperson.

Kelly, Donly and Fall Dinner committee members have been meeting since last year to build up the event.

“Given the economy, the need for support from the St. Mary’s Education Fund is growing,” said Kelly. “We want to ensure that no child is denied the opportunity for a Catholic education due to financial hardship.”

In commenting on his commitment to the St. Mary’s Education Fund, Kelly said, “All you have to do is attend one Fall Dinner and see the faces of the students involved in the program and you know why you do it. These kids are our future.”

Kelly and volunteer lay committees in four regions of the diocese are now reaching out to businesses, community and academic leaders,

August 29, 2008 and individuals to extend an invitation to sponsor a table or purchase a ticket for the Fall Dinner in support of tuition assistance.

Working with Kelly on the Fall Dinner are, in the Attleboro area, are Bill Adair, chair; and Jay Brennan, Pat Cochrane, Mark Cuddy, Jack Lank, Michael Tamburro, Larry Valentine, and Sandra Vandette.

In the Fall River area, John Feitelberg, chair; and Donald Berube, Nick Christ, Nicholas Christ, Christian LaFrance, Patrick Long, Maria McCoy, Joan Medeiros, George Oliveira, Tom Pasternak, Joseph Rebello, Michael Rodriques, Anthony Riccitelli, and Sandra Sevigney.

In the New Bedford area, James Kalife, chair; and Gary Fealy, Shawn O’Hara, Michael Reis, Frank Sousa, and Carl W. Taber.

In the Taunton area, Harold Rose, chair; and Jann Alden, Joseph Baptista, Frank Biedak, Allan Colleran, Melissa DaCosta, David Krupa, Jack Leddy, David Tipping, Larry Wagner, Victor Santos, and Michael Tabak.

Anyone interested in supporting the Fall Dinner or obtaining more information on the St. Mary’s Education Fund, should contact Kelly, any area committee member, or Donly who may be reached at the Diocesan Development Office at 508-675-1311.

By John E. Kearns Jr. Director, Diocesan Office of Communications

he also oversees matters related to the Catholic character of the university, operations of the Tantur Ecumenical Institute located in Jerusalem, and continuing development of the university’s relationship with Latin America.

He served in Santiago, Chile, prior to his current post, from 2000 to 2005, as rector or headmaster of St. George’s College, a Holy Cross-sponsored Catholic primary and secondary school with an enrollment of 2,600 students. It was his second assignment at the school. He was there for three years in the late 1980s with the first Holy Cross administration to recover leadership of the school from the Chilean military junta which seized power in 1973.

Ordained a priest of the Congregation of the Holy Cross in 1984, Father McDonald holds a bachelor of arts and a master of divinity degree from the University of Notre Dame and a master’s degree in Spanish and French Literature from Cambridge University in the U.K. He earned his law degree from the Catholic University of America’s International and Comparative Law Institute in 1994.

After that he was for three years treasurer and assistant provincial for the Indiana Province of Holy Cross of which he is a member, before becoming in 1997 the associate dean for administration of the University of Notre Dame Law School.

Along with his service at Notre Dame, he is now also a member of the Board of Trustees of Stonehill College in North Easton.

The Red Mass is open to the public. A reception and dinner will follow the Mass at White’s of Westport for which a ticket is required. Anyone interested in obtaining one or further information should contact Atty. Joseph P. Harrington, chairman of the Red Mass Planning Committee, at 508-996-6765.

Notre Dame vice president is homilist for 2008 Red Mass

FALL RIVER — Holy Cross Father James E. McDonald, associate vice president and counselor to the president of the Notre Dame University in Indiana and a former dean of that university’s law school, will offer the homily at this year’s Red Mass in the Fall River Diocese.

Bishop George W. Coleman will be principal celebrant of the Mass, which is hosted annually by the diocese to ask for God’s guidance and strength on those who work in the legal system.

The Red Mass is planned for 3 p.m. on September 28, at St. Mary’s Cathedral in Fall River.

Judges, attorneys, and others working in the justice system are invited to attend.

A centuries-old tradition in the Church, the Red Mass is celebrated widely in dioceses throughout the United States.

Its name derived over the years from the color of the vestments customarily worn during the liturgy which is formally the Mass of the Holy Spirit, who — as the source of wisdom and understanding — will be invoked upon those in attendance.

In keeping with a special tradition in this diocese, the Red Mass will include the presentation of the St. Thomas More Awards to recognize distinguished service to justice. This year’s recipients will be announced within the coming weeks.

As homilist, Father McDonald brings to the Mass a unique perspective on justice gained from his blend of legal, educational, and pastoral experiences in this country and in South America.

In his current position at Notre Dame, he is the liaison between the university’s president, its board of trustees and the school’s departments that report to the president.

Along with those responsibilities