08.31.07

Blessed Mother Teresa's legacyremains vibrant Blessed nun to be remembered on 10th anniversary ofher death

Missionaries of Charity cherish their founder's calling

By DEACON JAMES

By DEACON JAMES ,N. DUNBAR

N. DUNBAR

NEW BEDFORD - The four nuns clad in blue and white saris knelt before a statue ofthe Blessed Mother in the chapel of their convent. : Beneath the statue was a color photo of a smiling Mother Teresa of Calcutta, their foundress, and in front of it was a small reliquary containing a drop of blood of the beatified woman, who like St. Therese of Lisieux - whose name she took as a religious - personified their motto: "Do small things with great love."

Mother Teresa vividly reflected her goal when she received the Nobel Peace Prize in Oslo, Norway in 1979. She accepted it "in the name of the hungry, of.the naked, of the homeless, of the blind, of the lepers, ofall who feel unwanted, unloved, uncared for throughout society."

In a visit with four of Mother Teresa's Sisters last week, it was candidly clear that the humanitarian mission the world famous nun had begun in India in 1950, was actively being carried out in New Bedford - as well as by approximately 5,000 professed Sisters in more than 550 convents in 26 countries across the globe. ''We are involved in many things, much like Mother Teresa was:' reported SisterAloka, suPerior of the convent that cur, rently is'home to four of the Missionary Sisters. Also taking part in the interview with The Anchor, was Sister Lenis, Sister Cecil-Ann, and Sister Carmelina.

Their personal lives and ministries reveal a life of prayer, sacrifice, .and service to the poor. They reflected their founder's combination of serene, simple faith and direct, practical efficiency that often amazed those who came In direCt contact with her.

By night the nuns' convent on County Street across from Tum to page 18 ---c Sisters

SPECIAL BOND - Missionary Sisters.of Charity pray before statue of their heavenly mother Mary, for Mother Teresa, their founding mother, pictured in photo, whose presence in a drop of blood in a brass reliquary is a, reminder of their common mission. Below, Mother Teresa prays in New Bedford's St.路 Lawrence' Church during,her 1995 visit. (Anchor photos)

NEW BEDFORD - The Fall River Diocese will remember Mother Teresa ofCalcutta - her magical 1995 visit here and her death in 1997 - with a Mass on September 5 celebrated by Bi~hop George W. Goleman in St. Lawrence Martyr Church at? a.m.

Known now as Blessed Teresa ofCalcutta since her beatification on O<;t. 19,2004, the diminutive, wizened nun, whose life and the Missionaries ofCharity she founded key on working for the sanctification and salvation of the poorest of the poor, became' one 'of the most admired persons in the world.

In her day, presidents, kings and queens, popes, bishops and philanthropists welcomed and embraced her, and they listened to h~r wisdom like no other. Ironically, the humble, saintly nun was given honor after honor from international govemments1and agencies as they acknowledged her counter cultural, un~orldly but pragmatic message that humankind should pay attention to other peoples' needs.

Blessed T~resa died at age 87 on Sept. 5, 1997 in Calcutta, India. The world mourned. .

Known aJ the "saint of the gutters," she said she had received a speqial call from Jesus Christ in 1946 telling her to , Ii devote her life to the downtrodden, It happened after she came across a man I dying in a gutter in Calcutta. .

On路 that rainy June 14 Wednesday in 1995, thousands of . people holdillg umbrellas filled the streets near St. Lawrence . Church, pati~ntly waiting for hoUrs for a glimpse of the famous nun. dnIy 1,000 could fit inside the granite church for the 3:30 p.m., Mass celebrated by then Bishop Sean. P. O'Malley, OFM Cap., now a cardinal and arch~ishop of Boston. Several hundred stood outside: Blessed Teresa's congregation had established a mission .Tum to page 18 -'Anniversary

Freemasbn phUosophies not compatible' with Church teaching

By GAIL BESSE ANCHOR CORRESPONDENT

But Freemasoriry's core philosophy is incompatible with the Catholic faith, noted Bishop Gianfranco Can Catholics also be "Masons?

The question repeatedly arises, Girotti at a forum on the issue at and the answer is still no, a Vatican Rome~s St. Bonaventure Pontifical official reminded participants at a路 Theologlcal Faculty, Zenit news rerecent conference on Freemasonry. ported.

Bishop Girotti, regent of the ApThe worldwide frateinal' group 'certainly accomplishes impressive' ostolic Penitentiary, quoted the 1983 charitable works, as ,its 22 Shriners' "Dechlration on Masonic AssociaHospitals for Children a~est.

Tum to page 14 - Masons "

THAT'S THE SPIRIT - It's always a full house at the diocesan Portuguese Charismatic Convention as evidenced by this photo of a past event. Hundreds of-faithful路 are expected to attend the Portuguese' Charismatic Con'erence 2007 at the Kennedy Center in New Bedford September 7-9. All are welcome to attend the sessions spanning over three days which will,include teachings, inspiring. music, intercession, healings, and special encounters with the Lord. Registration is limited. For more information and/or to register call Celia Pires at 508-992-9892.

$ NEWS

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FROM*THE VATICAN

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AUGUST

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Dark spots comprise a small part of Church's reality, says Vatican official

By CINDY WOODEN CATHOLIC NEWS SERVICE

they are news.

The cardinal also was asked to VATICAN CITY - Dark spots comment on the fonnal decision of exist in the Catholic Church, but they Amnesty International leaders meetare only a small part of the reality of ing in Mexico August 11-17 to supthe Church and its members, said port the decriminalization of aborCardinal Tarcisio Bertone, Vatican tion and defend women's access to abortion when their health or human secretary of state.

In an interview with Vatican Ra- rights are in danger. The human dio, the cardinal said media that fo- rights organization adopted the pocus only on the failures of Church sition as part of its campaign to Stop members are giving the public a dis- Violence Against Women.

"Certainly one must combat viotorted vision of the Church.

"It is as if they presented a dark lence against women, the inhuman fragment of the great, restored fonn of violence which is rape, and Sistine Chapel, which is a splendor struggle together to defend the digand has reacquired Michelangelo's nity of women, of any woman," the original colors," the cardinal said. cardinal said.

As a historical record, the restoHowever, he said, one can never ration workers left a few spots un- push for the taking of another hutouched to show the dirt and grime man lif~, "even if it is the fruit of that had accumulated over the cen- violence." turies.

Vatican Radio also asked Cardi"If someone pointed a television nal Bertone about remarks he made camera at one of these dark spots to in an August 19 homily about the show the Sistine Chapel instead of struggle between good and evil.

He told the radio there are many focusing on the splendor of the Sistine Chapel (as a whole), it would signs that the devil continues attackbe a falsification," he said. ing all that is good and all that is of The dark spots are part of the God. chapel, he said, but they do not por''Think of violence, which is so tray accurately the overall impact of widespread and which erupts almost Michelangelo's masterpiece. spontaneously, even in places that In the same way, Cardin,al . ~hould be sanctuaries 9flove: within Bertol).e saip, '~~{:h.'!f~h.i~.~.gr~l!(',· ~JaIDily,'m (orums ofsh~g, recmasterpiece ofGod's and ofthe men'" ol!ciliation anq friendship; and the and wOlllell 'ci¥ tii~~~Ch~h'h',~~' '~Fio""' ~vioi~ce di~t'ex~iOde~ oh"the of have done and continu'e to d~ "an '~ligion~," he said. immense volume of good in every "Religions were created for peace part of the world." because they look toward the same Cardinal Bertone said that God of all," he said. "sometimes it seems that there is "Each of these are signs of the a plan" on the part of the media furious attacks of the evil one in our . to present only negative stories age, which we must oppose with a about the Catholic Church and to strong faith, the faith ofone who folfocus on them 100ig past the time lows Christ," Cardinal Bertone said.

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OffICIAlNEWSPAPER:Of

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ANTICIPATION - A poster welcoming Pope Benedict XVI appears at the entrance of the Cistercian Abbey of the Holy Cross in Heiligenkreuz, Austria. The pope is scheduled to visit the 12th-century monastery during his September 7-9 visit to Austria. (CNS photo/Herwig Prammer, Reuters)

Cardinal 'hopes pope's visit to Austria will spur evangelization

By CAROL GLATZ CATHOLIC NEWS SERVICE VATICAN CITY - Catholic leader:s in Austria hope the pope's September 7-9 visit there will ,strength~npeople's faith in God and encourage Catholics to evangelize, said Austrian Cardinal Christoph Schonhorn of Vienna. ''The biggest challenge today is mission" and taking the Gospel message to others, the cardinal told Vatican Radio.

Pope Benedict XVI met with Cardinal Schonborn, president of the Austrian bishops' conference, and Bishop Egon Kapellari ofGrazSeckau, Austria, at the papal summer residence in Castel Gandolfo, Italy, in mid-August.

The cardinal said that now, "after very difficult times," there is "a

great awakening" among Austrian Catholics, who realize "our sOCiety needs the Gospel, faith, prayer."

When a pornography and sex scandal at the diocesan theological seminary of Sankt Polten led to the closing of the seminary and the bishop's resignation in 2004, Austrian bishops expressed concern the scandal would cause a drop in confidence in the Church.

The number of Catholics leaving the Church by discontinuing "Church tax" payments increased .sharply after the scandal, according to an August 2004 report by Vienna's Die Presse daily, raising fears of a permanent decline in Austria, where Catholics nominally make up 78 percent of the population of 8.1 million.

Cardinal Schonborn told Vatican

Radio that even though there is "great vitality" evident in Austria's parishes, there are "also all the problems that arise out of a lack of priests and young people."

He said one of the aims of the pope's upcoming visit will be to offer encouragement "to Austria's entire parish network," strengthen people's faith in God and show people "how beautiful it is to follow Christ."

Cardinal Schonborn said taking the Gospel to others is a priority, but added, "To tell the truth, I must also say I don't know if we are up to this challenge."

God "asks us to press ahead, to go outside our communities to pay witness to the Gospel. We are still not sufficiently missionary enough," he said.

Pope says to follow Christ, show charity, solidarity with suffering VATICAN CITY (CNS) - Charity and solidarity with the suffering are indispensable signs of truly following Christ, Pope Benedict XVI said.

Citing the teaching of St. Gregory Nazianzen on charity at his August 22 weekly general audience, the pope again appealed for international assistance for the victims of the August IS earthquake in Peru.

"Once again I want to remember with great affection and spiritual closeness the beloved Peruvian people, so tried in these days, asking for gestures of Christian solidarity," he said.

The pope returned briefly to the Vatican from Castel Gandolfo for the weekly audience and continued a talk he began August 8 about St. Gregory, the fourth-century doctor of the church.

Pope Benedict told the estimated 8,000 people gathered in the Vatican audience hall, "Gregory reminds us that as human persons, we must be in solidarity with each other. He wrote, 'We are all one in

the Lord, rich and poor, slave and free, healthy and sick, and one alone is the head from which all derives - Jesus Christ.'"

Referring to the obligation to help the sick and the poor, the pope said St. Gregory taught that "'this is the only salvation for our bodies and souls: charity toward them.' Gregory emphasized that man must imitate the goodness and love of God, and so he recommends that 'if one is healthy and rich, he must alleviate the needs of one who is ill and poor.'''

St. Gregory also emphasized the importance and necessity of prayer, the pope said.

"He affinned that 'it is necessary to think of God more often than taking a breath' because prayer is the encounter of God's thirst with our thirst. God thirsts for us to thirst for him," said the pope.

Pope Benedict said that in prayer "we allow our masks to drop" and present ourselves honestly to God as an offering to be purified and transfonned.

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AUGUST

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31, 2007

Pope's brother!1 says criticism of pope signals 'good pontificate" PASSAU, Germ~ny '(CNS) - Pope Benedict XVI's elder brother said criticism of the pope should be expected as the sign of !l good pontificate and that recent controversie,~ showed papal leadership could not be "all peace, I' joy and pancakes."

"I'm mainly concerned th<lt the new situation will work well for my brother in relation to his faith, and I can witness that he's fulfilling what the good Lord expects of him and also, being understood by many people," Msgr.

Georg Ratzinger said in an interview with Bavaria's Passauer Neuen Presse daily. ' Msgr. Ratzinger said he had contacts "only with people who wish me and my brother well~" adding that "negative voices" reached him ''through detours, when they've already been purified and don't hurt me anymore."

He said he was aware of recent controverI' sies, such as debate over the pope's July 7 document allowing wider use ofthe Tridentine MaSs, the liturgy that predates the Second Vatican Council, and a July 10 Vatican declaration that the Catholic Church is the one, true Churchi ''These critical voices were to be expected - ifeverything went smoothly, it wouldn't be , I a good pontificate," Msgr. Ratzinger said. ''A person active in God's kingdom has to expeet resistance - just like Our Lord, who also encountered enemies time and again. It can't all be peace, joy and pancakes."

Asked about Pope Benedict's upcoming September 7-9 trip to Austria, Msgr. Ratzinger said he and the pope were ''Austria lovers," adding that he especially appreciated that Austria was "a foreign country with no language barriers" and the home ofcomposers Joseph Haydn, Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart, Franz Schu~rt II

BECOMING A MEMBER - A girl looks out from a pew, as she waits for the start of a mass baptism in the cathedral in Manila, Philippines, August 21. About 5,000 children from poor families were baptized at different churches that day., Fees for their baptisms were paid through a program sponsored by former Philippine Congress, man Mark Jimenez. (CNS photo/Darren Whiteside, Reuters)

English bishop leaves Amnesty after it adopts abortion policy

By SIMON CALDWELL CATHOLIC News SERVICE

trials for all," he added.

The bishop said that the Catholic Church LONDON -An English bishop has re- shared Amnesty's strong commitment to signed from Amnesty International after the oppose violence against women but said human rights group adopted a policy to that "appalling violence must not be anfight for the decriminalization of abortion swered by violence against the most vularound the world. nerable and defenseless form of human life Bishop Michael Evans of East Anglia ' in a woman's womb." announced in an recent statement that he "Catholics would want to show practiwas leaving Amnesty after 31 years of ac- cal compassion for such women and entive membership to protest 'the abortion sure for them all the medical and spiritual policy adopted at a meeting of Amnesty care and support they need," he added. "But leaders in Cocoyoc, Mexico, August 11- there is no human right to access to abor- - - - - - - - - - - - tion, and Amnesty 17.

The organization's In'There is no human right should not involve itself ternational Council - to access to abortion, and even in such extreme more than 400 delegates Amnesty should not in- cases." from 75 countries - ' ap- volve itselfeven in such exAmnesty Internaproved, the proposals as treme cases." tional was set up in 1961 part of Amnesty's Stop by the late English lawViolence AgainstWonien yer Peter Benenson, a campaign. convert to Catholicism, to fight for the reThe council voted to "support the de- , lease of prisoners of conscience, for fair criminalization of abortion, to ensure trials for political prisoners and for an end women have access to health care when to torture, ill treatment, political killings, complications arise from abortion, and to disappearances and the death penalty. defend women's access to abortion, within Bishop Evans joined the group in 1976, a reasonable gestational limits, when their year after he was ordained a priest, and imhealth or human rights are in danger." mediately began encouraging ChurchBut Bishop Evans said that the policy based justice and peace groups to affiliate made it "very difficult for Catholics to re- to the organization. main members of Amnesty or to give it any In 2005 and 2006, the prayer he was financial support." asked to compose for Amnesty's "Protect "This regrettable decision will almost the Human" campaign, which had the aim certainly divide Amnesty's membership of recruiting a million new British memand thereby undermine its vital work," he bers, was published on thousands of postsaid. "Among all human rights, the right to ers and cards. life is fundamental."

An Am,nesty International spokesBishop Evans was an Amnesty member woman said in an August 19 statement that for 31 years; in the 1980s, he served on the ,the group "supports freedom of expression British Section Council and its Religious of every person."

Bodies Liaison Panel.

"As such Amnesty respects Bishop "I remain deeply committed to Michael Evans' decision to resign his memAmnesty's original mandate: to work for' bership from the movement," she said, notfreedom for prisoners of conscience, an end ing that other Catholics have continued to to torture and the death penalty, and fair support the organization's work.

.

and Anton Bruckner.

"I'm hoping for beautiful days of celebration, and that the devil which hides in the details, as we know, will remain hidden," said Msgr. Ratzinger.

He added that Austrians "are quite different than the northern Germans, who are very rational and hide the feelings, which they certainly have, under an externally frigid cover. This isn't the case with Austrians. They're friendly and nice - nicer than us Bavarians. We're a bit grumpy, and Austrians are friendlier."

He said he had given the pope a copy of his new book, "Der Bruder des Papstes" (''The Pope's Brother"), during a four-week stay at the papal summer residence in Castel Gandolfo, Italy.

He said the book was reasonably accurate in its depiction of his public and private life, as well as his theology and passion for music, and he told the paper he regretted that few parents gave their children a musical education.

"Unlike me, with my eye problem, my brother can read very fast," Msgr. Ratzinger said. "Joseph will certainly take time to read the book."

Meanwhile, Msgr. Ratzinger said that his "privacy has suffered abit" since his brother was elected pope in 2005.

The 83-year-old retired monsignor said he led an "independent life," but remained in regular touch with the pope by telephone and routine visits to Rome. ''To see my life only from the perspective of the pope would naturally be one-sided," Msgr.

'Ratzinger told the newspaper. "But the fraterilaldoseness and togetherness haven't changed at all. We siill have a family life."

Other pilgrimage destinations are Mexico, Lourdes, the Holyland and many more.

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] 4

4; THE CHURCI-I IN THE U.S.

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AUGUST

31,2007

:Catholic Extension brings parishes together for Gulf Coast recovery

By JOSHUA GARNER CATHOLIC NEWS SERVICE WASHINGTON - Two years 'after Hurricane Katrina swept through the Gulf Coast, Catholic parishes are facing the lingering effects with some churches still holding Mass i~ outdoor tents while others are abandoning immediate plans to rebuild.

The Chicago-based Catholic Church Extension Society, which runs the Parish Partnership Program, has been aiding in the recovery of the region since September 2005.

The program links parishes in the Guif Coast with others across the U.S. in a buddy system whereby 'donor parishes send funds and items to parishes in need. There are 317 donor parishes from 113 dioceses .enrolled in the program.

"It's hard to keep the awareness that these (Gulf Coast) dioceses are still struggling," said Bridget Monahan, Catholic Extension's director of special projectS. ''The biggest goal of this program is to remind parishes to look outside themselves."

Since September 2005, more than $1 million has been ~.onated and sent to parishes hit hardest by Hurricane Katrina. Monahan said that donations began to slow down only months after the hurricane, but said the need for continued support is still great. . Father Charles McMahon of St. Peter the Apostle Parish knows all too well about the continued need. . Nearly three feet of water swept through the parish convent and rectory in Pascagoula, Miss., when Katrina hit. The church was also , damaged, he said, so for months Mass was held in a small tent; the school building was destroyed and along with it nearly '100 years of history. The parish will celebrate its centennial in December.

The parish is still in the process of rebuilding, he said in an August 16 phone interview with Catholic News Service.

Still, Father McMahon said ~he parish would not have made the progress it has without the help of the Parish Partnership Program. He said that St. Peter the Apostle has received thousands of dollars in aid from parishes across the 'country.

But money is not the only thing donated.

Parishes have sent clothes, gifts, Bibles and even manpower to help rebuild fellow parishes.

St. Eleanor Parish in Coilegeville, Pa., sent a carload of Christmas gifts to children in St. Thomas Parish in Long Beach, Miss. ''They (the children) didn't have toys," said Susan Gordon, stewardship coordinator at St. Eleanor. ''Their toys were washed away."

Gordon said her entire parish helped raise funds and donate items. The pastor of St. Eleanor wanted to make a personal connectionwith the people of St. Thomas and arranged for parishioners to hand-deliver the gifts. Schoolchildren at St. Thomas had no idea they would be receiving Christmas gifts during class, so it was an unexpected surprise for them, Gordon' said.

Anothet: goal of the Parish Partnership Program is to let parishes in the Gulf region know that they have not beeq forgotten.

"It's such an uplifting story from misery to blessing," said Bragg Moore, director of youth ministries in the Diocese of Biloxi, Miss. "I sit and marvel every day."

Moore said there is still plenty of recovery that needs to be done.

The Biloxi Diocese lost 10 buildings during Katrina and hundreds more were damaged.

"It doesn't have to be a financial commitment; it can be a spiritual commitment," she said.

Likewise, Father McMahon said it was easy for those outside the Gulf Coast region to forget about the hurricane, but "Katrina is not history here. We live it every day," he said.

PITCHING IN WITH PRAYER - Catholics pray for the victims of the Peru earthquake during a special Mass at St. Matthew Cathedral in Washington recently. More than 500 people died and hundreds of thousands were left homeless in the disaster. (eNS photo/ Rafael Crisostomo, EI Pregonero)

THAT'S A WRAP - Women sort and wrap pastries and bread at Las Delicias Bakery in Trenton, N.J ..

The bakery's owner and some of its workers came to the U.S. from Salcaja, Guatemala. Thousands of Salcajenos live'in the Trenton area. (CNS photo/Nancy Wiechec)

Guatemalans working in U.S. 路find life has mixed blessings

By PATRICIA ZAPOR CATHOLIC NEWS SERVICE

stead they splurge on fancy birthday parties or expensive clothes and luxury items from Quetzaltenango, the region's major city, a short bus ride away, he .said.

For some households, the pressures of having one parent or sometimes both - working thousands of miles away leads to kids who aren't properly supervised, have time on their hands

brother who headed north even made it across the border.

The International OrganizaSALCAJA, Guatemala - Fation for'Migration estimates that ther Juan Poz can quickly tick off the mixed blessings of emigraabout 10 percent of Guatemala's tion from this town in population lives abroad, mostly in the United States, and their reGuatemala's western highlands mittances help support about 30 where he is pastor of San Luis percent of Guatemalans at home.

Rey Parish.

At his parish, when he needs The shrinking population is evident in Salcaja, where even on money to repair the roof or help a weekday morning only a handa family in need, it's much easier to raise the funds. More ful of people cross the children are able to go to square by the church.

For some households, the presFather Poz also told of school instead of having to help support their families sures of having one parent - or more serious problems, by working. sometimes both - working thou- such as families split by di"It is people's dream to sands of miles away leads to kids vorce once the husband rehave nice houses" better who aren't properly supervised, turnS. In one case he deroofs, a small business, a have time on their hands and get scribed, the husband piece of land," Father Poz into trouble with drugs, drinking and couldn't accept how well his wife had managed the said in an interview at his gangs. Marriages fall apart. church. One person' workmoney he sent home. ing in the U.S. for ,a rela"For human reasons it's tively short time can dramatically and get into trouble with drugs, better to live in Guatemala, drinking and gangs. Marriages where families are closer," Father improve a family's fortunes.

"Some are away for two years fall apart.

Poz said. and they come back and their "The youths say 'I have In one U.S. enclave of houses are fantastic," he said. money,'" and think that means Salcajenos, Hugo Sotovando of The typical way of building a they don't have any responsibili- Trenton, N.J., said he is struck by home for the majority of ties, he continued. "They don't the changes to his hometown Guatemala's population is to start study, they get bored, get into when he visits every two to three with a basic one- or two-room drugs, get into trouble. The real- years. The prevalence of televistructure - often of adobe. Bed- ity is families are disintegrating. sions, refrigerators, microwave rooms, a bathroom, electricity, The husband gets another woman ovens and home improvements plumbing and flooring are added up there, the wife finds someone are among the obvious differand building materials are up- else here. This is a big problem ences, he said in an interview this summer at his business, Salcaja with consequences for many," graded as money permits.

But Father Poz is also very Cesar Yovani, who works at Towing in Trenton.

But he also sees "the destrucaware of the downsides of hav- the Salcaja parish, estimated that ing 60 pel'Cent Or more of the 80 percent of the people he tion of the family" in such things. families in town dependent upon knows have a relative in the U.S. "Parents try to buy the love of relatives who send money from . Of those, perhaps 25 percent their children with a car," for insend no money home, he said. stance, he said. another country.

"But many children get into Some families, unaccustomed Some families wait for years with trouble," he said. "It's part of the no word about whether their hus, .to having extra quetzales: the nati?nal currency, don't save. In- band, father, sister, mother or evolution of prosperity."

AUGUST

By

$ THE CHURCH IN THE U.S. 4; Lay ecclesial ministry seen as 'traditional and radically new'

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31, 2007

CATHOLIC NEWS SERVICE

National Shrine of Ou~ Lady of La Salette

Austin, Texas, who also spoke at the symposium, described lay COLLEGEVILLE, Minn. HEALING SERVICES WITH MASS ecclesial ministry as "an essential One of the "top three or four most Sun., Sept. 2 - 2:30 p.m. Hispanic Healing Service part of the Church" and welcomed important ministerial shifts" in the F~ John P. Sullivan, M.S. the "energy, faith, commitment last 2,000 years has been the Sun., Sept. 30 - 2:00 p.m. English Healing Service Fr. Pat, M.S. and serious conversation" of the "emergence of lay ecclesial minparticipants.

MASS SCHEDULE istry over the past 40 years," said Monday - Friday 12:10 & 6:30 p.m.

He identified four challenges Edward P. Hahnenberg, assistant SatPrday 12:10 & 4:30 p.m. for sustaining excellence in professor of theology at JeSunday 12:10 p.m. lay ecclesial ministry: adsuit-run Xavier University Monday, Sep~ember 3 - Mass at 10:00 a.m. only in Cincinnati.

"Who knows what shape lay mitting fears and overcomHOLY HOUR He said it was on "a his- ecclesial ministry will take in 1,500 in~ ambiguities; providing Eucharistic Holy Hour and devotions to torical par with - and in years, or in 15 years, "he said. "The carefully designed, high Our Lady of La Salette and Divine Mercy fact may even eclipse - the shape of the spirit in the lives of the quality, affordable and diWednesdays at 7:15 p.m. in Church verse formation opportunichanges to the Church baptized will find new forms as new ties; developing a clear thebrought about by the rise of JOHN POLCE: BETHANY NIGHTS needs arise. Change is not worri- ology of vocation and aucommunal forms of monasFri., Sept. 28 -7:30 p.m. Music - Healing - Church ticism in the fifth century, some, it is wonderful. It is exciting thorization for lay minis. Good-will donation. try; and living out justice the birth of mendicant or- to see God at work in the world."

SACRAMENT OF RECONCILIATION in the ministerial workders in the 13th century, or Monday - Friday 2:00-3:00 p.m. . place. the explosion of women's I 2:00-3:00 & 5:00-6:00 p.m.

Wednesdays In another address, Bishop religious communities in the 19th on our story" to future ministers, 1:00-4:00 p.m.

Saturday-Sunday Ii David A. Zubik, who is chairman he added. century."

Hispanic Reconciliation, Sunday September 2 1:00-2:00 p.m.

"Who knows what shape lay of the U.S. bishops' Committee on Hahnenberg, who is also a No Sacrament of Reconciliation Mon., Sept. 4 & Sun., Sept. 16 theological adviser to the bishops, ecclesial ministry will take in the Laity, stressed the need for DAY OF RECOLLECTION put the development of lay 1,500 years, or in 15 years," he people to work together in the "EXPERIENCING THE LIVING CHRIST THROUGH MARY" ecclesial ministry within a broad said. "The shape of the spirit in Church.

The "vision of the Church must Saturday, Sept. 8 9:30 a.m.-4:oo p.m. historical context as being both the lives of the baptized will find new forms as new needs arise. embrace lay-clergy collaboraAnna R~e-Kelly & Fr. John Sullivan, M.S. "traditional and radically new."

In Shrine Cafeteria He was one of the keynote Change is not worrisome, it is tion," said the bishop, head of the speakers at the National Sympo- wonderful. It is exciting to see Diocese of Green Bay, Wis., who INTERCESSORY PRAYER GROUP was appointed in July to head the sium on Lay Ecclesial Ministry, God at work in the world."

Sept. 13 7:15 p.m. Chapel of Reconciliation Bishop Gregory M. Aymond of Pittsburgh Diocese. held July 31-August 3 at St. . PAX CHRISTI MEETING :;.: John's University in Collegeville.

7:1~ p-.m: Tuesday, Septe'mbet 18' -.r_-路 The theme was "Working in the ,' Vineyard of the Lord."

1;"-PADRE'P'it)'PRAY1~'tfGR:ottp'" I The symposium explored areas 7:15 p.m. Monday, September 10 such as formation, pathways to INSTITUTE OF RELIGIOUS EDUCATION Reco~ciliation Chapel Shrine Church ministry and the ministerial workAND PASTORAL MINISTRY MASS FOR THE UNBORN place.

Continuing a Tradition of Excellence in Educatingfor Ministry Since 1971 . 4:30 p'lm. Mass Saturday, September 22 It was organized in response to the call by the U.S. bishops in CONTINUING EDUCATION PRAYER GROUP & DISCUSSION their 2005 statement on. lay September 6,13 & 20 7:15 in Church FALL SEMESTER 2007 ecclesial ministry, "Co-Workers : With Dr. Ryan Welter in the Vineyard of the Lord," to LECTURES, WORKSHOPS AND ONLINE LEARNING LA SALETI'E LIFE IN THE SPIRIT PRAYER GROUP review the reality of the ministry Tuesday,', September 25 7: 15 p.m. in Church DATES SEPTEMBER: across the country.

Seminar Series: Spiritual Nourishment in Parish Ministry: Sept. 13, 20, 27 More than 200 lay ministers, .BIBLE STUDY Ways of Christian Prayer Oct. 4, 11, 18 priests, religious and bishops repThe Gospel of.Tohn Part 2 Workshop: Parish Development: Fundraising for Parish Leadership (Delong and Hastings) resenting 26 national organizaPresenter Rev. Donald Paradis, M.S. Workshop: The Priest as Collaborative Minister (Bac:ik) tions, formation institutes and Saturday mornings September 29 - November 17 Workshop: The Ignatian Way with Art (Ciilroy) 11 :00 a'~":l2:00 p.m. Chapel of Reconciliation Catholic colleges and universities were in attendance. About 60 repCATHOLIC FAMILY PILGRIMAGE OCTOBER: DATES resentatives were from the HisSunday, September 9-.

Seminar Series: Presiding for Lay Persons (Mongelluzzo) 2, 90 16, 30j Nov. 6, 13 panic, African-American and In Dialogue: Listened Into Life: A Primer on Spiritual Direction (Silk) 3 Rosary 11 :30 a.m., Bi-Lingual Mass 12: 10 p.m.

Lecture: AChurch of All, Especially ofthe Poor (Impagliazzo and CardinalO'Malley) 4 Bishop Etileritus Louis E. Gelineau of Providence Asian-Pacific communities.

Lecture: The Parish of Tomorrow: Storefront or Megachurch? (Cardinal McCarrick) 16 1:30 Lunch and Entertainment Shrine Cafeteria In an address titled "The Holy In Dialogue: Inter.religious and Ecumenical Understanding (Cuenln) 17 Spirit'S Call: The Vocation to In Dialogue: Lay Pastoring of the Parish (Hintz) 24 PORTUGUESE PILGRIMAGE Ecclesial Ministry," Hahnenberg Sunday, Sept. 23 beginning at 1:30 p.m. said that "the rise of lay ecclesial I Prayers, Procession & Mass NOVEMBER: DATES Annual Ministry Renewal Day: The Future of Parish Ministry: (Ciroome and Criftith) 9 Presider Rev. Pedro Chingandu, M.S. ministry brings something new."

Lecture: The Hopes and Challenges of Parish Leadership (Jewell) 28 of National La Salette Shrine Attleboro, MA But it "also brings a'challenge Choir fr6m the Annunciation of the Lord Parish to the way things have always Taunton, MA DECEMBER: DATES been done, a challenge to the minWorkshop: An Effective Model for Leading Church Locally (Bishop and Sweetser) Cafeteria isterial order of the Church just "Open 11:00 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. as radical as that brought by the with Portuguese food ON LI N E: (Credit/AuditCEUs) DATES mendicant friars or the active sisJesus the Christ: Who Do You Say I Am? (Radtke) Sept. 4-DeC. 7 i' _._-----_...-..ters."

For Retreat House/Center of Christian Living Information FALL OPEN HOUSE: . ~ober 18, 'l007 Please call 508-222-8530 He urged his listeners to keep WEE KE N 0 COU RSE:(Credlt/Aulilt/CEUs) Gift Shop 508 - 236 - 9090 the mission of the Church always Death and Dying, atherine 0' Connor, CSS E~ery Day 10:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m.

9/14-15; 10/1:1'13; 11/2-) (Friday 4:O<>-9:oopmj before them, remembering that Saturday g:ooam-):oopm, each weekend,) ..

Featuring Gifts For: ministry exists to "foster the bapStudents must attend all three weekends, http:nw-.bc.ec!u/irepm Confirmation Communion Baptism Weddings Anniversary Holidays tismal discipleship of all believFOR MORE I N FORMATION: Huge Selection of Bibles, Books, CDs, Videos & Children's items. ers so that together we can transMaureen Lamb Chestnut Hill, MA 02467-393' 947 Park Street路 Attleboro, MA 02703 . 508-222-5410 . FAX 508-222-6770 'form the world in the light of Boston College Institute of ReligIOUS 800-487-1167 or 617-55>-8057 website - www.lasalette-shrine.org . email- programsof'fice@lasalette-shrine.org Education and Pastoral Ministry IIREPM) r"x: 617-552 0811 email: Ireprn@bc.edu Christ."

Hahnenberg also reminded his audience that the majority of those in lay ministry are not getting any younger. "The median age for laypersons in parish ministry rose from 45 in 1990 to 52 in 2005," he said. Today's ministers need to "find a way to pass

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6 Amnesty International and abortion promotion The most notorious violations of human rights often occur by those who pwport to uphold human rights.

The way they try to get away with these crimes is arbitrarily to classify the human beings whose rights they wish to violate outside ofthe group ofhuman beings whose rights need to be protected We saw this with our founding fathers and those who upheld apartheid in South Africa: they simply wrote blacks outside the category of full human beings. We witnessed it with the Nazis, who taught that Aryans were the real human beings and Jews closer to vermin needing to be exteiminat:ed. We watched it with Stalin, who regarded the tens of millions he starved to death merely as "statistics." We note it today with Al-Qaeda, who go after innocent children claiming that these civilians are aggressive war combatants who need to be killed in self-defense. We observe it in China, where prisoners are deemed to have given up their rights and therefore can be licitly vivisected and killed in order to profit from their organs. We behold it in the Netherlands, where those who are incapable of work through old age or handicaps are no longer considered to have human dignity and are involuntarily euthanized like sick pets. And nowhere is this seen more frequently than in the grisly practice of abortion, when human beings at the same age of existence we once were are given less protection than pit bulls in Vtrginia The examples can be multiplied. but the principle is the same: such violators claim they support human rights, but merely do not support the claims ofsome to be human. Even if they begrudgingly are forced to admit, biologically, that their victims are not orangutans or members of other species, these violators .retort by citing man-made laws stipulating that the victims are not human persons, and therefore are undeserving of rights. The only logical way to defend against this - in other words, to say that the Nazis were wrong--':' is to affinn that human rights flow, not from concession by those in power on whomever they please, but from a human being's innate human dignity.

This is why the recent decision of the leadership ofAmnesty International to begin promoting a "right" to abortion is so disturbing and self-defeating, because by it, Amnesty International is undermining the very foundation of its defense of human rights.

Since it carne into existence through the work of the English Catholic convert Peter Benenson in 1981, Amnesty International has been one of the foremost defenders of human rights in the world. Now with 1.8 million members, Amnesty International has sought to be a voice for the voiceless, fighting to free prisoners ofconscience under totalitarian regimes, to stop torture, to abolish the death Pen.aIty, to end violence against minorities and women and so many other just causes. It bas persistently shone a strong international light on human rights ab~and路has-acl:rieved inucb 'siicCeSs~ With respect to th~ iSsUe 'of abOrtion, Amnesty International had adopted a policy of neutrality. Its members were divided between some who looked at abortion as a right and others who viewed it as the greatest violation of human rights. The organization simply asked all members to focus on what united them and work to eliminate those abuses which all members in unison denounced.

Earlier this month, however, Amnesty International's leadership council decided to abandon neutrality and begin to promote a right to abortion. Their public rationale is that they see no other way to protect the human rights of women raped in places like Darfur or incest victims in patriarch3.I cultures.

They say that they are not intending to promote a universal right to abortion, but anyone who has followed the history of abortion access knows that once abortion is seen to be a right in some circumstances it quickly begins to be viewed as a right in any circumstance.

Reaction from Catholic leaders has been strong and immediate. The U.S. Bishops' Conference, in a statement last week, said, ''This basic policy change undermines Amnesty's longstanding moral credibilitY and unnecessarily diverts its mission. In promoting abortion, Amnesty divides its own members (many of whom are Catholics and others who defend the rights of unborn . children) and jeopardizes its support by people in many nations, cultures artd religions who share a consistent commitment to all human rights. !!

"To some," the bishops continue, ''the action ofAmnesty International r$y appear to be a compassionate response to women in difficult situations ofpregnancy, but this is a false compassion. True commitment to women's rights plits us in solidarity with women and theirunborn children. It does not pit one against the other but calls us to advocate on behalf of both.

The Vatican Secretary of State, Cardinal Tarcisio Bertone; was equally as clear. ''Violence cannot be answered by further violence, murder with murder '" for even if the child is unborn it is still a human person.... It has a right to dignity as a human being. We can never destroy life. We must always save life even if it is the fruit of violence."

The simple truth is that a rape or incest tragically cannot be undone. Abortion does not liberate a victim from the violation ofher human rights and all the pain associated with it, but turns her into a perpetrator of a second violation of human rights that is even worse than the first: Abortion imposes the convictions of the powerful upon the weak to the point of death.

Amnesty International, and all people ofgood will, should focus their great resources on the prevention of rape and incest and the cultural factors that promote them rather than try to convince the world that two wrongs make a right, or that a stronger and older human being has a human right to violate the essential human dignity of one who is even more vulnerable.

Many Catholics, including priests and bishops, have already begun to resign from Amnesty International as a result of the decision of the leadership council.

Catholic faithful in the Diocese ofFall River should consider doing the same.

The Anchor ~

AUGUST

31, 2007

the living word WORKERS HARVEST WATERMELONS AT MAPLE CREEK

FARM, AN ORGANIC FAMILY FARM NEAR DETROIT IN AUGUST. LABOR DAY, HONORING WORKING PEOPLE OF AMERICA, IS MARKED SEPTEMBER

3 THIS YEAR.

(CNS PHOTO/JIM WEST) "WEALTH OBTAINED BY FRAUD DWINDLES, BUT THE ONE WHO GATHERS BY LABOR INCREASES IT" (PROVERBS

13:11).

The stages of conversion and sanctity St. Peter's conversion came when, at Jesus' word and against all piscatorial wisdom about catching fish in shallow water during darkness, he cast his nets out into deep water in broad daylight. That small act of trust, and the huge catch of fish that resulted, led him to fall on his knees at Jesus' feet saying, "Depart from me, Lord, for I am a sinful man." Butthe Lord reeled Peter in and allowed him to depart only when, as a reconciled man, he received the mission to fish for and reconcile other sinful men.

This episode point!! to the truth that to "put into the deep" always involves conversion, because it entails exceeding one's comfort zones through faith in Christ and his words.

Conversion always demands turning away from one's current ideas and idols and turning with trust toward Christ.

But it does not stop there. The word "conversion" literally means, "turning with" Christ. Since Christ never stops turning toward God, others and us with love, so the process of conversion can never be "once for all," but must be a continual growth toward turning in unison with the will and the love of God. We saw that in the life of St. Peter, who after his first conversion at the seashore of Galilee, needed continually to calibrate his heart to the heart of the Master. We see the stages of his progressive conversion after each of his many falls. His'life showsusiliatconversionisa joumey, not an event.

On Thesday, we celebrated the memorial of St. Augustine (354430), whom Pope Benedict in April called "one of the greatest converts in the history of the Church." Many Christians are familiar with the most

notable aspects of St. Augustine's conversion story, which we briefly mentioned last week in the column on his mother, St. Monica: how Augustine turned from Manichean philosophy to the truth of the Christian faith and from a wild life of lust to one of chaste love for the sake of the kingdom of heaven.

But as Benedict said in his April homily in Pavia where Augustine's relics are enshrined. Augustine's joumey of conversion did not end when he was baptized at 33. It was

just the first of three ''landmark conversions" in an itinerary that extended throughout Augustine's whole adult life.

His first fundamental conversion, Benedict declared, was to the truth.

Augustine was a passionate searcher for the truth, but looked for it in the wrong places of false philosophy ~d counterfeit love. Eventually he discovered it in Christ, in the Truth incarnate. He discovered that his heart would be restless until it rested in God, and to rest in God, meant to humble himself in faith to accept God's truth and live by it.

The second conversion was a further step in humility: to live, not for himself, but for others. "Christ died for all," he read in St. Paul's second letter to the Corinthians, "so that those who live should not live for themselves, but for him who died for them."

After his first conversion, A~gustine determined to live in prayerful solitude with his friends,

but God had other plans. The Bishop of Hippo needed someone who could preach well in Latin, and, though Augustine initially resisted, he allowed himself to be ordained a priest and then a bishop. This required great sacrifice. 'This was the second conversion which this man, struggling and suffering, was constantly obliged to make," Benedict stressed: "to be available to everyone, time and again, and not for his own perfection; time and again, to lay down his life with Christ so that others might find him, true life."

The third and decisive phase of his transformative odyssey carne at the end of his life, when, the pope stated, Augustine discovered a third and definitive stage of humility: "Not only the humility of integrating his great thought into the humble faith of the Church, not only the humility of translating his great knowledge into the simplicity of proclamation, but also the humility of recognizing that he himself and the entire pilgrim Church needed and continually need the merciful goodness of a God who forgives every day." The deepest sense of conversion occurs when we become, like God, people of mercy, and share that merciful love with others.

It took St. Augustine a lifetime to learn of the need not just to "tum toward" God's merciful love but to "tum with" it toward others.

He would write, "Too late have I loved you, 0 Beauty ever ancient and ever new!" His feast is an occasion for us to love and live that beauty now, along our own lifetime pilgrimage of conversion.

Father Landry is pastor ofSt. Anthony's Parish in New Bedford.

AUGUST

~ The Anchor ~

31, 2007

You want to talk tough?

Their team photo looks more like a centerfold from the 1918 classic, "Gray's Anatomy."

Rodney Harrison is recovering from tears in his knees and a broken arm and other assorted ailments.

Last season, Junior Seau's arm looked like an interstate on a road map.

Laurence Maroney is coming off shoulder surgery. Tedy Bruschi is only a few seaSons removed from suffering a stroke.

Name a New England Patriot

and you'll find a different bodily injury at some point in time.

Tough guys? You bet ya.

Especially when compared to their baseball counterparts, but that's a whole other story.

Yet, as tough as these warriors

are, they're pussy cats compared with Agnes Gonxha Bojaxhiu, more commonly known as Blessed Mother Teresa.

You want tough? Mother Teresa was as tough as they come.

Last week some of Mother Teresa's secret writings were splashed all over the secular media.

"Mother Teresa doubted her faith," was the mantra of the day.

You think? There's not a soul alive that wouldn't have doubted many things having experienced what she experiencedin her

Did Our Lady appear in the U.S. 50 years ago?

This past week, on August 22, Conception, in 1858, Mary the octave of the feast of the appeared to St. Bernadette Soubirous at Lourdes, France, Assumption, the Church celtelling her, "I am the Immaculate ebrated the Memorial of the Queenship of Mary. Pope Pius Conception."

The bishops ofthe United xn instituted this feast in'1954, on the occasio ll of the 100th States in the 20th century pooled resources to build the ,largest anniversary of the dogmatic .church in the Americas, the definition of the Immaculate National Shrine of the ImmacuConception, that Mary was conceived without sin in consider- late Conception, in Washington, ation of the anticipated merits of D.C. Begun just after World War I her Son. on the campus of the Catholic Mary's queenship, according University of America, most of to Pope Pius XII, was the building of the upper church expressed by "the early writers of the Church," who "called Mary 'the Mother of the King' and 'the Mother of the Lord,' basing their stand on the words of St. Gabriel the J3Y~Wight DunC811" archangel, who foretold that the Son of Mary would reign forever (Luke 1:32-33) and on the words was completed during the 1950s, of Elizabeth who greeted her with though work on individual reverence and called her 'the chapels and mosaics and sculpMother of my Lord' (Luke 1:43). ture continues to this day.

On May 31, Archbishop Thereby they clearly signified that she derived a certain eminence Raymond Burke of St. Louis sent and exalted station from the royal his fellow American bishops a dignity of her Son." Of course, letter regarding Our Lady of she is the heavenly Queen Mother America. The devotion originated with Sister Mary Ephrem but also our mother, too.

(Mildred Neuzil), a sister of the Significantly, the United States had already been consecrated to Most Precious Blood of Jesus', in Mary under the title of her the 1950s, and had the approval Immaculate Conception from of her spiritual director, Msgr.

1847, when the bishops of the Paul F. Leibold, then Vicar country, assembled in Baltimore,in General and later Archbishop of 1846, petitioned Blessed Pius IX Cincinnati. (Sister Mary Ephrem to name her as our patroness: "to di~d in January of 2000.) place ourselves and all entrusted to Supposedly, Mary appeared to our charge throughout the United Sister Mary Ephrem several times States, under the special patronage beginning in 1956, and entrusted of the holy Mother of God, whose ,some messages to her in the Immaculate Conception is ' nature of private revelation, which venerated by the piety of the were published with the imprimafaithful throughout the Catholic tur of the archbishop. Her first words to Sister were, "I am Our Church." That was seven years before Pope Pius IX infallibly Lady of America. I desire that my proclaimed the dogma in 1854. children honor me, especially by Four years after the pope's the purity of their lives." According to the "Catechism of the proclamation -of the Immaculate

JUdge For Yourself

Catholic Church," private revelations "do not belong to the deposit of faith. It is not their role to improve or complete Christ's definitive revelation, but to help live more fully by it, in a certain period of history" (No. 67).

Archbishop Burke writes that, "In a particular way, Our Lady of America expressed her desire that the United States of America, through her intercession~ be devoted to the purity of love.:.. ' Seemingly, as has been 'expressed

by Father Peter Damian Feulner, El, the moral crisis of our time; which demands a new teaching and living of the virtue of purity, has found an especially fitting response of loving care from the Mother of God in her message to Sister Mary Ephrem." Amen to that.

The statue of Our Lady of America is currently on display in the old Cathedral of St. Louis, Mo. Previously, it had been displayed at the Bishops' Conference last December, where it was blessed by Archbishop Burke, and carried in procession at St. Mary's Cathedral in Cheyenne, Wyo. While there has been as yet no definitive ecclesiastical pronouncement on the apparition or messages of Our Lady of America, this could be authentic. The real question is whether her image will be enshrined at the National Shrine of the Imrna~ulate Conception, as she supposedly requested. Of course, like any private revelation, you don't have to believe it. Judge for yourself. For more information about this devotion, including prayer cards and images, you can visit the Website:

www.ourladyofamerica.com.

Dwight Duncan is a professor at Southern New England School ofLaw in North Dartmouth. He holds degrees in civil and canon law.

71 nearly 70 years as a religious Sister.

Mother Teresa knew disease.

She lived with it every day of her life. Mother Teresa knew poverty.

She lived with it every day of her life. Mothe~ Teresa knew despair.

She lived with it every day of her life.

Mother Teresa regularly lived among circumstances we would find repulsive in mere photographs.

In Mother Teresa's world, there was very little evidence of the love of God. Death, disease, despair ... all on a dail}l basis.

I'm sure there weren't many retreat moments for her. Moments like a beautiful sunset; or birds chirping on a warm summer morning; or the quiet stillness of crickets after'dark.

No, her world consisted of hungry infants crying; the moan of terminally ill patients lacking the necessary medications; the wailing of family members having just lost a child; and the smells that accompany the hOp1eless~ the dirty, and the diseased; Is there any,surprise that Mother Teresa

couldn't feel God's love?

That great little lady surely had her doubts, fears and frustrations. , Why had God abandoned her?

Didn't her beloved Jesus ask the same thing of his Father?

If Mother Teresa struggled with her faith, how come she never bailed out on her people?

Because she never lost her faith.

She knew deep down inside she was where she was supposed to be. Whether she felt God's presence or not. She feels it now.

If the secular world should take anything from Mother Teresa's struggles, it's that they made her an even more incredible human being.

All of us doubt our faith to a degree at one time or another.

How comforting is it that Mother Teresa did as well? Plenty, for me anyway.

Mother Teresa met with scores of world dignitaries, many of whom couldn't look her in the eyes. Not because she was too short, but because she stood so tall'- Mother Teresa walked the walk ... even when she felt alone.

You don't get any tougher than that.

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The Anchor

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AUGUST

31, 2007

'Humble yourself the more, the greater you are ...'

We begin our reflection on Scripture this weekend with a reading from the Book of Sirach. The first three verses of this passage focus on the most fundamental of all virtues, humility.

As pride is the source of all sin, humility is the foundation of all virtue. "Humble yourself the more, the greater you are," Sirach says, "and you will find favor with God." There is perhaps no greater advice than this, and we can apply it to our relationship with God and other people. Sirach continues with equally challenging advice: "My child, conduct your affairs with humility and you will be loved more than a giver of gifts." How often do we have to remind ourselves to conduct our affairs with humility! I know I try to remember this all the time, especially when I get angry.

These words on humility connect us to today's Gospel.

Jesus concludes the parable of a wedding banquet by saying: "For everyone who exalts himself will be humbled, but

the one who humbles himself will be exalted." Jesus illustrates what humility looks like by his advice on inviting to a banquet those who are not able to repay. That counsel calls to mind a story.

In the middle of the 19th century, in Japan, there live a man by the name of Yamaoka Tesshu. He is known by many as the greatest swordsman that ever lived. That reputation led to his being placed by the emperor in charge of his _ _.... entire army, political prominence and a hefty salary.

Yet Tesshu and his wife were the poorest of the poor throughout their entire lives and in fact were so poor that their first two children died of malnutrition.

The explanation for his poverty is that every month, after he received his payment from the emperor, Tesshu put on a banquet. The invitees were not the rich and famous or the members of the emperor's court, but the poor, homeless, sick, and all those rejected by

society. He treated them like kings and queens, provided them with the best food he could get and even hired rickshaws after the meal to take the guests back to wherever they lived, under the bridge or to an old shack along the

_ country road.

This is a powerful - and very literal - example of doing what Jesus says: "Rather, when you hold a banquet, invite the poor, the crippled, the lame, the blind; blessed indeed will you be because of their inability to repay you."

Of course we don't have to go back in history to find people who selflessly provide for others without expecting repayment. We just need to take a look around us. We can tum

to our parents, to O1;lr teachers, to people in our town and parish who each week provide a meal for the poor and homeless, to those in another parish who sponsor and cook a lunch for seniors.

How easy it is today literally to provide a banquet for the least fortunate in the world! I remember this any time I open The Anchor and see the advertisement from the Christian Foundation for Children and Aging inviting us to adopt a child or an elderly person from a third world country. Everyone who responds to that ad sets a feast of food, clothing, shelter, medical care, education, simply a feast of love before someone in need who cannot pay us back.

With gift giving, however, we often need to struggle against our human nature and a secular worldview that teaches us nothing i~ free and that we should be repaid for everything.

The fact is that when we give gifts, we often do expect

repayment, if not much more than a thank you note.

This'mentality, whether we like it or not, often creeps into our worship, too. Putting their offering into the collection basket, some people treat it as a payment for a service and get upset when something is not the way they want it to be; after all, they reason, they paid for it.

When we want to support someone in need, rather, our every gift should be seen as " ... a banquet for the poor, the crippled, the lame, the blind."

Such banquets need to be thrown not only for the physically poor and blind, but also those who suffer spiritually, emotionally, and otherwise.

A true gift must be given with a humble heart. When we do this, we will rejoice hearing Jesus say: "Blessed indeed will you be because of their inability to repay you. For you will be repaid at the resurrection of the righteous."

Father Kalinowski is a parochial vicar at St. Patrick's Parish in Wareham.

Upcoming Daily Readings: Sat, Sept 1, 1 Thes 4:9-11; Ps 98: 1,7-9; Mt 25: 14-30. Sun, Sept 2, Twenty-Second Sunday in Ordinary Time, Sir 3: 17-18,20,28-29; Ps 68:4-7,1011; Heb 12: 18-19,22-24a; Lk 14:1,7-14. Mon, Sept 3, 1 Thes 4:13-18; Ps 96:1,3-5,11-13; Lk 4:16-30. Thes, Sept 4, 1 Thes 5:1-6,9-11; Ps 27:1,4,13-14; Lk 4:31-37. Wed, Sept 5, Col 1:1-8; Ps 52:10-11; Lk 4:38-44. Thurs, Sept 6, Col 1:9-14; Ps 98:2-6; Lk 5:1-11. Fri, Sept 7, Col 1:15-20; Ps 100:1-5; Lk 5:33-39.

On the 10th anniversary of a breakdown In the late summer of 1997, I fled Washington with 20 linear feet of flies, a Toshiba laptop, and two magnums of Kentucky's finest, and hightailed it to Divine Redeemer rectory in Hanahan, S.C. There, for a busy week, Father Jay Scott Newman generously provided southern and Catholic hospitality while I tried to figure out how to ,fit the extraordinarily busy life of Karol Wojtyla, Pope John Paul n, inside the covers of a publishable book. The result was a 124-page outline that stood up well when I got to writing "Witness to Hope."

My keenest memory of that period, though, is of sitting with Father Newman at night, sipping a meditative bourbon, turning on the news, and watching an entire country - Great Britain - have a nervous breakdown in the wake of the death of the Princess of Wales, killed in a Paris auto accident.

Some of the essential background to that staggering week in September 1997 comes into lurid, fascinating focus in Tina Brown's "The Diana Chronicles" (Doubleday). I'm not usually an admirer of Brown's buzz-driven style of journalism, with its combination of salaciousness and archness.

Yet, despite salaciousness in spades, "The Diana Chronicles" is full of genuine insight into the wreckage caused by dysfunctional noble families in an age of media prurience, an age in which the only real aristocracy is what Brown neatly dubs "the aristocracy of exposure."

In the Victorian 19th century, English editor arid political ' theorist Walter Bagehot wrote that "a princely marriage is the brilliant edition of a universal

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fact, and, as such, it rivets mankind." That Bagehotism, endlessly repeated when the Prince of Wales married Lady Diana Spencer in 1981, now seems an indictment of gullibil-

ity. For as "The Diana Chronicles" makes painfully clear, Charles-and-Diana was a disaster-in-the-making long before Earl Spencer walked his youngest daughter up the aisle of St. Paul's Cathedral..Emotional immaturity, intellectual incompatibility, false expectations, and adulteries on an epic scale combined to send the wheels flying off Cinderella's , carriage, quickly; the outcome ultimately proved as lethal to one of the parties as the marriage was wretchedly unhappy for both.

Bagehot, dedicated servant of the monarchy, was also a successful magazine editor. Yet

this accomplished journalist warned his fellow-scribes that "we must not let daylight in upon the magic" - lest the monarchical magic shatter. That, Tina Brown suggests, is precisely what a desperate Diana tried to do: to shatter the monarchy by letting in, not just daylight, but the harsh floodlight of tabloid publicity, aimed at all the royals she felt had betrayed her. She could try, because, as Brown notes, the British monarchy had "changed from an institution of power to one of representative virtue" - and was thus far more vulnerable to tales of tawdriness.

Diana's revelations of Life Among the Windsors didn't destroy the monarchy in her lifetime. But they helped create a media climate that blasted the public reputation of her exhusband into smithereens, with consequences that can't be foreseen.

So now the whole nasty story is out - or is it? For, while reading ''The Diana Chronicles," I kept remembering those nights in Hanahan, and the British national nervous breakdown.

What was that all about?

That's not a question Tina Brown satisfactorily answers, perhaps because she doesn't explore the spiritual emptiness of so much of contemporary British life. That emptiness helped wreck the Wales' marriage; it was embodied, with unintentional irony, in the decision to have Sir Elton' John sing at Diana's funeral in Westminster Abbey, scants yards from the mortal remains of Edward the Confessor. A historic Christian nation that has abandoned, culturally, its biblical heritage confronts a public tragedy, and what happens? The quiet courage of the Battle of Britain - "England can take it" gives way to mass hysteria. An entire country becomes, for a week at least, a front-page tabloid wail.

Diana's cultural revolution continues, as does the prurience of the British press; both previously played important roles in shaping the post-Christian society of 21st century Britain.

The long-term effects on that sceptered isle are not likely to be happy ones.

George Weigel is a senior fellow ofthe Ethics and Pubiic Policy Center in Washington, D.C.

AUGUST

$ The Anchor: $ And now for something completely different ...

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Sunday 26 August 2006 Three-Mile River, the Dightons National Dog Day Bad news, dear readers. greyhound Napoleon died peacefully on Tuesday 21 August at the age of 50 (people years) while undergoing surgery for cancer. Born in Abilene, Kansas, he was the son of My Mr. Bocephus and Big Mama. His paternal grandparents were My Bocephus and Good Point. His maternal grandparents were Greenane Slippy and Cleo Kasy.

He left no survivors. Having retired from a career in profes-

sional sports, Napoleon boarded for several months in a kennel on Cape Cod. He was adopted on 23 July 2003. He had recently moved

from Assonet to Three-Mile River in the Dightons. Shy but affectionate, he was an incorrigible prankster. A private cremation was held in Middleboro. He will be

sadly missed by his loving pack, Cleopatra and Sic Transit, and by his human companion (me).

Monday 27 August 2007 Three-Mile River, the Dightons - Agnes Gonxha Bojaxhiu's 97th birthday (Mother Teresa) I also have some astonishingly good news: In a nutshell, the Lord really does provide.

Here's the scoop. One day I was walking my dogs when a vehicle pulled up. The driver wanted to chat. This stranger said he and I had things in common. He said he had adopted a greyhound named

Brady. This formed an immediate bond. We greyhound pe9ple stick together. Then he told me we had something else in common. He collected Nativity sets from around the world. Amaiing! We Nativity collectors are ~ even rarer breed than greyhound adopters. Then the stranger knocked my socks off with a third item: "I am, like you, a Catholic priest."

Well, to make a long story short, Father Richard Furlong holds a master of divinity degree and has been a priest of the Diocese of Buffalo, New York, since his ordination there in 1972 at the hands of Bishop McNulty.

As a transitional deacon, he was the first diocesan spiritual director to the Cursillo retreat movement.

As a young priest, he Worked in their diocesan home mission in Aft OU1S1ana. er a few years of parish ministry, and at Father's II request, Bishop Edward Heads 'I granted Father Furlong some time-out for prayer and discernment. During the hia~s, Father took a temporary job. Well, one month passed and then another.

One year passed and then another.

Father Furlong climbed the proverbial ladder of sriccess in the world of business and!lfinance. He eventually became a rluuang executive. He kept always in mind that he was a priest a~ove all else, although not functj.onfng in active ministry. Then came tpe day when (Father) Richard Furlbng retired from his corner offic~1 in a Boston high-rise tower. That's when I met him on the street. Th~t's when he said, "I am, like you, .~ priest."

Well, one thing led to another.

The Bishop of Buffalo, after thorough research, declared that Father Furlong has always been a priest in good standing of the Buffalo Diocese, albeit now retired and residing in the Diocese of Fall River. Bishop Edward Kmiec also granted permission for Father Furlong to minister in the Diocese of Fall River, should that be acceptable toBishop ':George W. Coleman. It was. ...,Bishop Coleman gf~ted Father

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Wouldn't it be nice conversion. He also became married." Actually all of my When I was in high school, I very good friends with several husband's three siblings always dreamed of marrying a of the Benedictine monks who married Catholics, and this of good Catholic man. And he has stayed in touch with to course made me feel more although I considered the this day. comfortable being part of his vocation of religious life, I He also said that he had always knew that if I chose to family. gone through RCIA at St. As we approached our 15th be married, having a Catholic Monica's but decided not to wedding anniversary, by spouse was important to me. complete the profession of lt would be like the Beach husband made plans with our faith. This was largely because Boys song, "Wouldn't lt Be pastor, Msgr. Daniel Hoye, to he was concerned about renew our wedding vows. We Nice." "We could be married, upsetting his culturally devout would meet with him at Christ then we'd be happy ... wouldn't Orthodox parents, and also due it be nice." Yes, wouldn't it be the King Church after the 8:30 nice to meet and marry f'!""!'~"'"",,~""''l'"'''J!!~-'''''-''''''-"'''''':~~-'''a .m. Mass, on the feast a man who was i,",','to,o"l:' \I:~'. ~:OI""~1 ',/~i t, of the Assumption. .'i"\' 1'•• ( Catholic. r':i" , t\}1,\1 ..' I ~ (\\'" ,~.' ',: ' That morning we t!'!J , / I met my husband at 1" \,t:\:r,~> stood before Msgr.

St. Monica's Church in I I ~\ J. Hoye and also Father " ~"I, Santa Monica, Califor.I v 'I r~AI·I"" Iii. :51\ Lawrence Jerge from r:"l.l~ IlJr"'St. Patrick's in nia. He had with him a book on spirituality . re~;NI~cKoul Falmouth, who is a good friend of ours. But written by a Catholic just before we were monk, and as we began to the fact that when he went to get acquainted, he told me going to renew our vows, Msgr. through his spiritual converthat he prayed the rosary daily.

Hoye turned to me and told me sion, he began to consider that George had decided that he But he was not Catholic. becoming an Orthodox priest.

He was Antiochian Orthowanted make a profession of He decided to remain as he was faith into the Catholic Church. dox. and to take some time for What is this curve ball you He had even spoken to his discernment. are throwing me God? I would parents and received their Then we met. We both felt blessing. soon find out. that God had brought us I was so completely surprised.

At the time I knew very together for a reason and that It was his gift to me for our 15th little about the Orthodox our religious beliefs were very anniversary. Although he had Church and he explained to me similar. We were married at St. practiced the Catholic faith that the two churches were in Monica's Church on Aug. 15, many ways very similar, but during all of the years of our 1992. Three months later we that there are doctrinal differmarriage, in that moment I felt a traveled to Worcester. to joy and a spiritual bond with him ences that keep them from participate in a wedding that I had never felt before. being in union. According to ceremony at St. George That evening, we went to see the Code of Canon Law, the Antiochian Orthodox Cathedral, the Beach Boys at Mohegan Catholic Church does not the church of my husband's Sun. When the song "Wouldn't object to the reception of family. His family is a very large It Be Nice" was sung, I looked Communion by Orthodox Lebanese clan, visualize "My Christians, however the over at him and smiled. He had Big Fat Greek Wedding;' and always been the man of my Orthodox Church does not look you get the picture. Everyone is upon Catholics with the same dreams, but he is someone who a "cousin" and there are no reciprocity. continually makes my dreams bundtcakes in sight. come true. And yes God, it is He told me that although he The ceremony was beautiful, very nice. had been raised in the Orthodox with the crowns and the Greta and her husband Church, while attending St. chanting. After the ceremony, George, with their children are Anselm's College he attended one of my husband's brothers members of Christ the King Mass and received Communion jokingly said, "Now they're Parish in Mashpee. often, which led to a spiritual

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Furlong a license to practice in the Fall River Diocese. This is called "priestly faculties" in the trade. Father has now resumed priestly ministry and is available to all parishes of the Diocese of Fall River, especially in North Dighton. Just when I most need a priest to help me out here, the Lord sends one to my door - and one with extensive experience in business and finance to boot.

What are the odds of that happening? The Lord provides. And "I ain't just whistling Dixie."

But wait, there's more - as hawkers of multiple-function food blenders say on late-night TV. Having declared a Parish Holy Year of Hospitality, I need the help of a community organizer with both pastoral and administrative expertise. I pray, "0 Lord, You have already sent me a priest.

Thank You. Dare I ask for a layman also? Amen." Prayer petition granted.

After Mass, a man in the congregation approaches. "May I volunteer my services?" he asks. Of course I accept - not knowing what form the offer might take.

God gives me yet another gift on a silver platter. The parishioner's name is Donald Emond, MSW, ACSW, UCSw. Now retired from practice, he has 48 years experience in the field of human services, specifically in the areas of clinical counseling1 a4ministration, teaching, organization, and planning. He lias most recently been president and CEO of a large health and human services agency.

It involved some 350 staff members with clients encompassing thousands of people from birth to death.

He is also a man of great faith.

As I sit on a metal folding chair in a huge half-empty rectory, feeling sorry for myself and wondering how I am ever going to tackle my new parish assignment, God answers loud and clear: "Silly priest, Deus providibit - the Lord provides."

This time I get the point.

Father Goldrick is pastor of St. Joseph's Parish in North Dighton.

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\I; The Anchor $

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Catholic groups sign on to call for U.S. leadership for safe wate~ WASHINGTON (CNS) - A spread by dirty water and lack of dozen Catholic organizations have access to decent sanitation." joined other religious groups in On average women in developcalling for U.S..leadership to in- ing countries walk nearly four mile.s crease access to safe water for th~ each day to fetch water. "Clean world's people. water is key to every other aspect "Water is a gift from God to be Of development - from children's preserved and shared for the ben- education to economic growth and efit of all people and the wid~r cre- . environmental sustainability," it ation," said the Religious Working said.

Group on Water's statement,' "WaThe Millennium Development ter for All." Still, "around 1.2 bil- Goals, agreed upon in September lion people do, not have acc~ss to 2000 by nearly 200 heads of state, . safe water and 2.5 billion do not include reducing by half thenumhave access to improved sanita- ber of people worldwide' without tion," it added. "1\vo million chil- clean water and adequate sanitation dren die each year from infections by the year 2015. .

ANCHOR PERSONS OF THE WEEK - John Ramos, left, built two cabinets for the Alzheimer's unit at Catholic Memorial Home in Fall River, including the one shown. He and his brother Armand Ramos, right, have kept in touch with nurse manager Barbara Cruz, near right, who .cared for their mqther.

Ramos brothers keep the Home fires burning

,NOT A DROP TO DRINK - A farmer collects water from a driedup and algae-filled pond in Yingtan, in China's Jiangxi province. recently. A dozen Catholic organizations have joined other r~ligious groups in calling for U.S. leadership to increase access to safe '. water for the world's people. (CNS photo/Reuters)

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By MATT McDONALD, ANCHOR STAFF tially wanted to leave. But after a while she got used to .

When John and Armand Ramos's mother died of the routine of games and activities and her new friends,: Alzheimer's disease last October, they couldn't let go ';md whenever she visited with family or stayed in a ; of the nursing home where she had lived. hospital she was anxious to get back to the nursing i , They asked the nurse manager of the Alzheimer's home. unit, Barbara Cruz, what she needed. Over th.e last sev"She feU in love with the people here. They were so 1. eral months they have donated a paper shredder and a good to her," Armand said. "So Catholic Memorial ac- .. transport wheelchair; they and their two sisters made a tually got to be her home." cash donation; and in June, John Ramos made two cabiHe noticed that the aides and nurses made a connets to hold the dentures, hearing aids, and eyeglasses nection with the people they cared for. of patients.

"One of the things about the unit and the people . '''Things can easily be misplaced or lost, especially there, was every time someone would pass away, you in this type of unit," said Tom Healy, administrator of could see they really missed that person," Annand said.

Catholic Memorial Home in Fall River.

"It would be like they took a loss themselves. And you'd .

John used his carpentry skills to make the cabinets. feel it, you'd sense it."

"Elizabeth was very One is about 21 inches long ~" . . " .' . . , andtheotherisaboutthree .v~ • ''''. .... .

- . ' , ,""., • ~~. -" . ; < . '• . " friendly, sweet, lovable," said feet long. They are each ". ....~·;~·-·:~t6Iles.:.~~:~ cniz, who came to the unit • about18incheshighand7 -;,; ",:.-:~'~., . ' ..:-,_., .. , .' /~ as a certified nursing assistant inches deep and painted '" .

Y~:fP' ~4k.:: around 1993, then became a ' off-white. "", t ."~" I~,.-,..+ '. .' . ~;:;~ registered nurse and finally . nurse managerfor the unit ' The bigger cabinet has Still, as a mother, she didn't always 'take assistance • 45 little compartments; the smaller one has 28.

Cruz said staff members find the cabinets handy, eaSily. When Armand would try to help her eat, she because they previously had no place to store the small would say, "You can't feed me." belongings of the 43 patients in the Alzheimer's uitit.

"And I'd say. 'You fed me when I was a baby. Now Elizabeth Ramos grew up in Fall River and worked it's my turn to feed you'," Armand recalled. as an inspector and trimmer in a <iress shop while also She died October 16, 2006, at age 92.

"So when she did pass on, we just wanted to do as : raising four children.

Around the late 1980s, in her 70s, she showed signs much ~ we could - for the unit especially, because . of forgetfulness. For a while, Armand looked after her they were her children, her family," Armand said. while she lived in a house next to him in Fall River. But On a visit to the nursing home last week, John and Armand stopped to talk with patients they know. her problems worsened.

Armand Ramos, 72, a retired machine engineer in 1\\'0 priests recommended that the Ramoses put their mother in Catholic Memorial Home ron by the dio- the apparel industry and disabled veteran of the Kocese, not far from where Armand and his mother lived. rean war, still lives in Fall River. He is participating in a ''This Catholic Memorial Home was a Godsend for Harvard University research study on Alzheirner's care.

John Ramos, 73, lives in Somerset. He is a former us," Armand Ramos said in an interview last week. ''When we saw what they could do for us here, we were longtime resident of Swansea, where he ran Ye Olde able to say, 'Oh, you're still in the neighborhood,''' Colonial Restaurant during the 1970s and ' 80s. He also John Ramos fought the idea. "You love your par- owned a general store and a dress shop in Swansea. He ents'so much. You want to take care of them, because now works part-time as a carpenter.

Cruz said the Ramoses' generosity has been a big they took care of you," he said.

He changed his mind when he visited a room one- help.

"You know what I say to people? It's not what you time and saw an aide who didn't know he was there hugging one ofthe patients. It's the sort of thing he got have in this world that people remember when you pass used to seeing during the 16 years his mother lived on on. It's the memories of you and what you've done, the third floor. that stays in their mind." ''You hear so many bad stories about nursing homes, The Anchor encourages readers to nominate othand it's sad, because I never witnessed anything like ersfor the Person ofthe Week - who and why? Subthat here," John said. mit nominations to: theanchor@anchomews.org, or It was a tough transition for Mrs. Ramos, who ini- write to TheAnchor, P.O. Box 7, Fall River, MA 02722.

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~ The Anchor

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It's story time for Merton the dog at California Catholic school

THE ALASKAN BRADY BUNCH? -:- The 14 members of the Lochner family are pictured hlate June on the stairs of their home in Eagle River, Alaska. From top are, parents George and Sue, and children Mary, 26; Elizabeth, 24; George, 23; Rebekah, 21; Peter, 19; Timothy, 17; sar~hJ 15; Andrew, 13; Regina, 11; Stephen, 9; Erik, 7; and Blaise, 4. (CNS photo/courtesy Lochner family)

For Alaska clan of 14, family' life ·a. blessing and a challenge

By JAMES DECRANE CATHOLIC NEWS SERVICE

George Lochne£ told the Catholic Sacrifice is also important. SevAnchor, newspaper of the Anchor- . eral years ago, to the dismay oftheir

ANCHORAGE, Alaska - With age Archdiocese. . children, George and his wife de11 siblings, family life is both a "Many people think that large cided to pull the plug on the televiblessing and a challenge, said 17- families are a financial burden," Sue sion so the family could focus more year-old Timothy Lochner as he . Lochner said. "But we've never on each other. The added time gave prepared for a recent Anchorage .gone without. God has always given rise to more family conversations bike trip with members of his 14- us what we ~. If you embrace and opportunities for the parents to person clan.· your marriage vocation and accept share and instill Catholic teachings The outgoing Lochners ac- children lovingly, you won't have on topics like marriage and being knowl~dge that their family size is anything to worry about. You can't open to life. outside the norm but say they It was hard at first, the kids wouldn't have it any other admitted, but said they now way.

"Many people think that large like to spend that extra time "In a family with two families are a financial burden,"Sue in conversation with one an(children), you have to get other.

Lochnersaid. "But we've nevergone along with those two. The "(Now) it's not uncom.without. God has alWays given us mon for us to be talking and more people you have, the more you get to interact what we need. Ifyou embrace your chatting till 2 a.m.," Elizabeth with," said 15-year~0IdSarah marriage vocation and accept chil- Lochner said. dren lovingly, you won't have anyWith a tot of children you Lochner.

As newlyweds, George thing to worry about. You can't be might expect a slew ofactiviand Sue Lochner talked seri- afraid of the costs. " ties, and the Lochners are no ously about having a large exception. Scouting, spotts, family. "We jokingly said six, civil air patrol and music are just a few of the activities in which but not more than 12," George said: be afraid of the costs."

Over the years, that conversation In the apostolic' exhortation the family engages. So how do they . proved prophetic as the couple ;'Familiaris Consortio," on the role manage so many schedules? raised five girls and seven boys, of the Christian family, Pope John Because activities were ruling now ranging in age from four to 26. Paul II focused on ~ks he said them, the family made the decision "Large families are were crucial to strengthening fami- to limit each child toone activity. countercultural," George Lochner lies. Those inClude living in com- "We did that because we think it's said. "Back in earlier generations, 'munity, serving life andparticipat- importam to ·choose one activity families with 12 or 13 children were ing in both the Church and the that really matters and get good at it," ·be said. fairly common." greater world.

While the "Catechism of the "Our parents always taught us ,to One activity the family shares is Catholic Church" teaches that there become a community. to be cour- the ministry of music. George may be reasons for married couples teous to one anotherand to lookom Lochner and,several ofhiscltildren to space the births of their children, for one another," said 24-year old are musicians atSt. AndrewChurcl1 in El§le.River. Both beandhis wife it also affirms that couples have "a Elizabeth Lochner.

The key to that, the Lochners said active involvement in the duty to make certain that their desire is not motivated by selfishness said, is tlexibilityandmaking fam- ChurCh is the most important thing they' try to.teach theirchitdrenat but is in conformity with the gen- ily time d1e No. 1 priority. erosity appropriate to respon"We always have dinner together home. sible parenthoQd." "Prayer is~y mother's first - it might be at five or six, oreven "Being open to life within the at 9 (p.m.), but we always try and -question and first answer to life~s stru,ggles," Elizabeth Lochner said. marriage - that's the only way," have it," George Lochner said.

By PAULA DOvu: to stop. Wehavea lo-minute limit with CATHOUC NEWS SERVICE the children, and they want to go beGLENDALE, Calif. - Students yond They say: 'One more chapter, who find themselves ileeding assis- one more chapter.' All of them," said tance in leaming how to listen - and Mitchell, a dog owner who believes how to appreciate the value of read- dogs have a calming effect on people.

She also has taken Merton to cheer ing - could take a lesson or two from Merton. residents at a local rest home.

Because when it comes to paying "I think the kids really enjoy readattention, few do it as well as Merton; ing to Merton and it's very rewarding a female blackLabrador retriever wtto. for me," said Mitchell. "I get a kick three times a week lends ~r ears and out of watching the kids enjoy the loving presence to the students at 10- dog." carnation School in Gl~ndale. .

Librarian Nerisha Hihn said Not only has she br~)Ught joy to the Merton is a great motivator for strugchildren who read to h~r, Merton also gling readers. haS inspired many of tliese students to "We have done some research on delve more deeply intoII the treasures the Internet. (Studies) indicate readof their school library. i ing to a dog sometimes helps kids who On Mondays, Tuesdays and have had some difficulty in theirread,Wednesdays -accompanied by her ing," said Hihn. "I think it builds their "handler," parish sabristan Mona .confidence. All the children want the Mitchell- an enthusiastic, tail-wag- opportunity to read to the dog and ging-Merton enters th~ school library they're all excited about it." for her listening sessions. The dog Pictures of animals line the walls belongs to Incamation ~s pastor, Father and stuffed animals, many of them representing book characters, decorate Paul Hruby.

Three preselected Stude~ts from the room. '., think the color and the different kindergarten through third grade excitedly await their indiVidual turns with . animals 1 have here help to make it Merton in a library hap corner. There exciting to come to the library;' said they read out loud to their beloved Hihn. " think the library is more than canine friend books they have chosen. . just a place where students come to Many of the books: have animal or take a test. They come here to explore moostefthenies. Tl1iI'dLgraderZaehary bqoks." .E.91l)e(9 r~t.tqy ·fiftis~,re.adi.ng: .F~-~.~e.Hartwig, who ·"Summer of die Sea Serpent" to" often volunteers her lIme as a comMerton.' puter-savvy librarian's assistant, said "I've read to her three times this she enjoys reading at the library with year. I think she likes me. She always her classmates during their weekly comes to me and licks me when 1first scheduled session. get here," Zachary told The rulings, " just think it's a lot of fun that newspaper of the Los Angeles Arch- kids have the chance to read all these diocese. different books in the library," said He enjoys giving Merton's paw a Hartwig: handshake and feels the dog consid"like the library because 1 get to ers him a friend read,"added classmate Dani Chavez.

Mitchell, who started bringing Fa- "My h,ouse is'noisy, my dog barks. 1 ther Hruby's dog over after the Easter don't really get lot of quiet time. And break, said the children are thrilled even though most of the time 1 talk in here, it's still good because1here's so . when they can read t9 Merton.

"They're very en~iastic about many books and I just like looking at wanting to read, and:they.don't want them -and reading above my level."

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·DOGGONE GOdO STUDENT - Mona Mitchellwatehes as Merton, '.the .pastor's·t:foQ"licks -third.,grader Zachary Romero at Inca~ation :School in Glendale, Catif. Merton, a female·black Labrador retnever, 'lends her ears :and loving presence three times a week to the .stu-dents at the schdoL(CN~ .photo/Paula :DoyJe, The Tidings) .

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31, 2007

DVD/video reviews NEW YORK (CNS) - The fol- rating applies to the full-screen lowing are capsule reviews of new edition, not the unrated and recent DVD and video releases widescreen edition to be issued sifrom the Office for Film & Broad- multaneously.) (Weinstein) "The Ultimate Gift "(2007) casting of the U.S. Conference of Modern-day parable about a Catholic Bishops. Theatrical movies on video have a USCCB Of- self-absorbed young man (Drew fice for Film & Broadcasting clas- Fuller) who, to inherit his tycoon sification and Motion Picture As- grandfather's (James Garner) forsociation of America rating. These tune, must first accomplish a seclassifications refer only to the the- ries of tasks intended to teach him atrical version of the films below, significant life lessons. His learnand do not take into account DVD ing curve is accelerated by a plucky, terminally ill girl (Abigail releases' extra content.

Breslin) and her single mom (Ali ''The Ex" (2007) Sour and simple-minded com- Hillis), whose gift of friendship edy about a husband (Zach Braff) provides the catalyst for his evenwho feels his manliness threat- tual transformation. Director ened by one of his wife's Michael O. Sajbel's heartfelt ad(Amanda Peet) old lovers (Jason aptation of Jim Stovall's novel Bateman), a paraplegic known for avoids excessive sentimentality as his sexual prowess. Director Jesse it imparts positive messages about Peretz and two first-time screen- gratitude, forgiveness, family and writers are neither clever nor sa- altruism that overcome its uneven tiric enough to transcend formula, script and some average perforand their film is gratuitously vul- mances. Mature thematic elegar. Some crude and crass lan- ments, some brief violence and a guage, one instance each of the f- few instances of crude language. word and of mild profanity, some The DVD includes a behind-thesexual banter and innuendo, con- scenes featurette, two music viddom use, a mild scene of clothed eos, and a public service anmarital groping, some slapstick nouncement from star Bill Cobbs violence and several inadvisable about willing a legacy to a good scenes of a child trying to swal- cause. The USCCB Office for Iowa hamburger whole. The Film & Broadcasting classificaUSCCB Office f6rFilm &'Broad- .. tion is A-I1- l!9ults and ~doles颅 cents. The Motion Picture Assocasting classification is A-Ill adults. The Motion Picture Asso- ciation ofAmerica rating is PG ciation of America rating is PG- parental guidance suggested.

13 - parent~ strongly cautioned. Some material may not be suitable Some material may be inappropri- for children. (Fox Home Enter.ate for children under 13. (This tainment)

Diocese of Fall River TV Mass on WLNE Channel 6 Sunday, September 2 at 11:00 a.m.

Scheduled celebrant is Father Richard D. Wtlson, pastor of Our Lady of Guadalupe Parish at St. James Church in New Bedford

CHR5TIAN APosrouc TRUE

HOLY ONE

lovING

HELPER

INFAlliBLE

SPEOALIST

CtwurABLE

THERAPEU1lST

ICaalVSUlllies NEW YORK (CNS) - The following are capsule reviews of movies recently reviewed by the Office for Film & Broadcasting ofthe U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops. ''Mr. Bean's Holiday" (Universal) The perennially pleasing Mr. Bean (Rowan Atkinson) wins a trip to the French Riviera, butbefore reaching the beach he manages to complicate the lives of a Russian film critic (Karel Roden), the critic's young son (Max Baldry), a self-obsessed movie director (Willem Dafoe) and a charming French actress (Emma de Caunes). As directed by Steve Bendelack, the film is an unmitigated delight: gentle, ingenious and equally appealing to children and adults. Some mild scatological humor and a few slightly frightening scenes that might upset very young children. The USCCB Office for Film & Broadcastingclassification isA-I -

parents strongly cautioned. Some material may be inappropriate for children under 13. ''Superbad'' (Columbia) 1\vo nerdy high school friends (Jonah Hill and Michael Cera), who are about to graduate and go to different colleges, team up with their more dweebish sidekick (Christopher Mintz-Plasse) to pursue the girls of their dreams (Emma Stone, Martha MacIsaac and Aviva), elude the local police (Bill Hader and Seth Rogen) and have a series ofoutlandish adventures as they fight for their right to party. Director Greg Mottola's film is unremittingly low-minded and vulgar, though in the end the main protagonists' plans of sexual conquest come to naught, in the case of at least one, as the result of a reasonably respectable moral choice. Unceasing rough, crude and crass language; premarital sexual activity; some gross-out humor; much sexual humor and innuendo, much of it coarse; porn imagery; underage drinking; drug use; and a s.cene with disturbing violence. The USCCB Office for Film & Broadcasting classification is 0 - morally offensive.

The Motion Picture Association of America rating is R - restricted. Under 17 requires accompanying parent or adult guardian.

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general patronage. The Motion Picture Association ofAmerica rating is Ggeneral audiences. All ages admitted. ''Resurrecting the Champ" (Yari Film Group) Compelling film, based on true events, about the evolving friendship between a young sportswriter (Josh Hartnett) and a homeless former boxingchamp (SamuelL. Jackson) which forces the writer to take a fresh look at himself and to reevaluate his basic relationships, including those with his wife (Kathryn Morris) and son (Dakota Goyo), and the troubling memory of his deceased father. Director Rod Lurie's deeply moving - as well as moral - film features morally complex characters who experience redemption, an excellent script, and outstanding performances, though the boxing sequences may prove disturbing to those with a low tolerance for the sport. Occasional vulgarity and . profanity, boxing violence including one sequence with blood, skimpy costuming and suggestive movements, public urination and images of a disturbing body scar. The USCCB Office for Film & Broadcasting classification is A-ID - adults (though it's probably acceptable for most older teens). The Motion Picture Association of America rating is PG-13 -

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BEAN THERE, DONE THAT - Rowan Atkinson stars in a scene from the movie "Mr. Bean's Holiday."

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AUGUST

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Religious communities notice more young women open to religious life

By ANDREA SLIVKA CATHOLIC NEWS SERVICE WASHINGTON - Girls often dream of saying "I do" at the altar to their future spouse.

Katrina Gredona hopes she'll be saying those words to Jesus as a religious Sister.

"When I look at a community of religious women, I see women who contribute fruitfully to the Church and to the world in a very specia:I way and in a very essential way, and I think that's exciting," said Gredona, a student at Seton Hall University in New Jersey.

Ten years ago, Gredona's interest in religious life would have been unique in comparison with the majority of other Catholic girls, as reports indicated a decline in the number of religious Sisters in the United States. But recently campus ministers and the vocations directors of some women's religious communities have been noticing a new trend of more young women looking into religious life.

Many vocation directors, in interviews with Catholic News Service and in responses to a survey by Vision Vocation Guide, reported a notable increase in the number of women contacting them for information. A small number of communities reported a 'stable increase in young entrants.

The cloistered Dominican Monastery of Our Lady of the Rosary in Summit, N.J., is one community with a significant increase in interest in the order. Founded in 1919, the community has had 15 aspirants spend time with the Sisters in the past three years to discern whether to enter the community.

That number is much higher than in previous years, when the community would be lucky to have one aspirant each year, said Sister Mary Catharine of Jesus,

novice mistress.

Sister Mary Scholastica Lee, vocations director for the Carmelite Sisters of the Most Sacred Heart of Los Angeles, said the change is more than just an increase

nity recently. Nineteen percent said they have had more candidates preparing to'enter in the past three years than in previous years. However, 41 percent said they currently have no women in formation. I''

New Communities Profile Since 1965 at least 259 new Catholic communities for lay and religious have emerged in the U.S.

THEY FOLLOW THESE SPIRITUAL MODELS

THEY ADMIT

THEIR WORK CENTERS ON prayer/contemplation catechesislevangelization retreats/missionS/prayer groups teaching work with the poor parish ministry Source. "EmellJing Communities of Consecrated Lire ill dle United StltllS 2006," Center for Applied Research in dle Apos1IJlate

in numbers - she has noticed more commitment by young women to follow through on their initial interest in her community..

In a recent survey sent to 165 communities' vocations directors, 71 percent said more people inquired about their commu-

The survey was conducted by Vision Vocation Guide, a magazine for those discerning vocations to the religious life and priesthood, and 80 percent of resportdents I were for women's communities.

Secular news organizations have recently highlighted rapidly growing com-

munities, such as the Sisters of Mary, Mother of the Eucharist in Ann Arbor, Mich., the Dominican Sisters of St. Cecelia in Nashville, Tenn., and the Sisters of Life in New York, that have up to 15 young women entering each year.

Those communities include the Religious Sisters of Mercy of Alma, Mich., founded in 1970; the Sisters St. Francis of the Martyr St. George in Illinois, founded in 1869; the Carmelite Sisters of the Divine Heart of Jesus, based in St. Louis and founded in 1891; and the Benedictine Sisters of Perpetual Adoration in Missouri, founded in 1874.

"It's not a kickback to the' 50s. It's so , . different. Young women have seen it all," said Sister Mary Gabriel, vocations director for the Sisters of Life.

The late Pope John Paul II plays a large role in the new trend, according to several vocation directors and campus ministers interviewed by CNS. Another reason for the increase in the interest in religious life, is more campus ministries nurturing and promoting vocations.

Sister Mary Gabriel said not long ago it was a "rarity and oddity" to be a college student discerning a vocation. But now she sees girls coming from campus ministries, particularly at public schools, that have eucharistic adoration, Scripture study and daily Mass. "If you put these together, it's a recipe for falling in love with the Lord," she said.

It's uncertain still whether the current increase. in interest will lead to a significant increase in the number of those entering, according to Holy Cross Brother Paul Bednarczyk, executive director of the National Religious Vocation Conference, an organization in Chicago serving vocation directors.

"It's still too soon to say; however, this is very good news," he said.

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Poor Clare Sisters in Omaha break ground for future monastery OMAHA, Neb. (CNS)- Though the Poor Oare Sisters in Omaha have yet to reach their financial goal, they broke ground for a new monastery on land near a Benedictine abbey August 15.

The date was chosen because Aug. 15, 1878, was the date the first Poor Oares monastery was established in Omaha The monastery was the religious community's first in North America

The groundbreaking included praying the fivejoyful mysteries ofthe rosary and the two glorious mysteries about Mary.

"We hope the event fosters greater interest and participation from those who are in a position to help in a big way;' said Sister Theresina of Jesus Santiago, coordinator of project.

The $5 million monastery will reflect the symbol of their order's founder, St. Francis - the tau cross, which is a T-shaped cross. The building will have 18 rooms for sisters, allowing room for future vocations.

The objective "is not to fatten our-

selves" with a huge amount ofmoney ''but to get just enough;' said Sister Theresina of Jesus. '''Then, through a period of discernment, we can decide who is called to another Poor Oare monastery to help them."

Also planned is a large chapel, which will allow the public to join the sisters for Mass and other special celebrations. ''We just hope the Lord will send us many vocations and give us the opportunity tohave other people join us for liturgy;' said Sister Mary Oare Brown, abbess of the Poor Oare Sisters in Omaha A 99-year renewable lease was signed with the monks of Mount Michael BenedictineAbbey in March, granting the Poor Oares permission to build on more than six and a half acres ofland.

After the lease-signing, the nuns were presented with a key to the main gate and in return made the payment for the year 2007 - $1.

The sisters hope to begin construction later this year.

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AUGUST

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Continued from page one

tions," signed by then prefect of the by the Masonic-dominated political Although attracted by its camaCongregation for the Doctrine of.the party. The Church could not own raderie and philanthropy, he became Faith, Cardinal Joseph Ratzinger. schools or communications media, increasingly troubled by its philosoThe text states that because the and priests and religious could not phy. His parish priest was unaware principles of Masonic associations vote. of any prohibition against joining. "have always been considered irrecMexican bishops recently anFinally, Salza became more litoncilable with the doctrine of the nounced their intention to regain erate in his own faith, and found Church," membership in them, these rights. This prompted the theologians who showed him the therefore, "remains forbidden."

Grand Lodge of the Valley of light. In "Masonry Unmasked: An Masonry's philosophy is based Mexico to accuse the Church of try- Insider Reveals the Secrets of the on relativism, explained Father Paul ing to control politics, according to Lodge," he gives a Catholic perspecRobinson, judicial vicar of the Fall an August 9 Catholic News Agency tive. .

River Diocesan Tribunal. report.

Nebraska Bishop Fabian The main discrepancy regards the The Lodge's Great Teacher Pedro Bruskewitz made the issue clear in question oftruth, said Father Edward Marquez complained, "The Catho- his Lincoln Diocese in 1996. He forMcNamara, professor of liturgy at lic hierarchy wants to dictate a po- bid Catholics there to belong to Freethe Regina Apostolorum University, litical policy and that is a very grave masons and 11 other groups whose in an earlier Zenit report. error, as our society is no longer in goals were "perilous to the Catholic "Masonry requires that its mem- the era of Christianity and priests are faith."

Among the groups were Planned bers adhere to a minimal belief in a no longer viceroys of New Spain." supreme architect of the universe Zenit reported that during the Parenthood, the Hemlock Society, and leave aside all other pretensions Rome conference, Franciscan Father and three groups affiliated with the oftruth, even revealed truth," he said. Zbigniew Suchecki, an expert on the Masons: DeMolay and Rainbow This basically means that Masonry subject, referred to Number 1374 of Girls for youth, and the Order of the requires members to renoUnce truths the Code of Canon Law: "Whoever Eastern Star for women.

Bishop Bruskewitz gave memsuch as Christ's divinity and the is inscribed in an association that Trinitarian nature of God. plots against the Church must be . bers a month to renounce their mem"A Catholic cannot ignore the punished with a just penalty; who- bership and seek reconciliation. fundamental principles behind an ever promotes or directs that asso- Those who remained members aforganization, no matter how innocu- ciation, must be banned." ter that were forbidden to receive ous its activities appear to be," FaAdds the declaration signed by holy Communion; their actions conCardinal Ratzinger, now Pope stituted grounds for excommunicather McNamara noted.

Father Robinson said he believes Benedict XVI, "The faithful who tion, his order read.

The dissident group Call to Acmost American Masons join for fra- enroll in Masonic associations are in ternal reasons, although in Europe, a state of grave sin and may not re- tion protested the order to Rome, which in 2006 upheld the bishop's the group is "a Qifft!rentanim.aI.",.... c,eive holy Coinmunion."

Particularly in Europe and" Apparently. thet:e are more than a ruling.

There are nearly five million MaMexico, Masonry ha~'~'~ec'ord ~f f~~'Cath~lics'~r;clearon the issue. anti-Catholicism.

In a book released by Our Sun- sons worldwide, according to the In Mexico anti-clerical policies day Visitor Publishing, author John Grand Lodge of Masons in Massawere enforced from 1928 to 2000 Salza explains how as a lifelong chusetts. Within the state, there are Catholic, he was initiated into 236 lodges, some sharing the same building, as do the two in Fall River.

Wisconsin's Masonic Lodge.

Both the King Philip Lodge and the Sales And Service Massasoit-Narragansett Lodge are Commercial & Industrial housed at 152 Columbus Drive.

Gas/Oil Burners Fall River's Largest Father Roger Landry, pastor of Display of TVs St. Anthony's in New Bedford and LEMIEUX HEATING, INC. executive editor of The Anchor said ZENITH • SONY he's approached a few times a year Complete Boilerl8umer Service

by Catholics asking whether it's pos1196 BEDFORD ST. 2283 AcushnetAve. sible to become Masons.

FALL RIVER New Bedford, Mass. 02745-2827 "In Europe, the anti-Catholicism 508-673-9721 508-995-1631 Fax 508-995-1630 of the Masons has been and remains much more overt. Here in the United States, while many individual Masons would not be anti-Catholic, the institutional position of the organization they belong to is. Faithful Catholics for obvious reasons should not join an anti-Catholic organizaAugust 25, 2007 tion." ~edjugorje, Bosnia-Herzegovina Father Timothy Goldrick, pastor of St. Joseph's Parish in North Digh"Dear children! Also today I call you to conversion. May ton and an Anchor columnist, said your life, little children, be a reflection of God's goodness and he has been asked about membernot of hatred and unfaithfulness. Pray, little children, that prayer ship in Masonic youth groups, and may become life for you. In this way, in your life you will disalways advises against it. cover the peace and joy which God gives to those who have "I am aware of the animosity of an open heart to His love. And you who are far from God's the Masons towards all things Cathomercy', convert so that God may not become deaf to ·your lic - and even Christian- espeprayers and that it may not be too late for you. Therefore, in cially with our essential doctrine of .this time of grace, convert and put God in the first place in the resurrection ofthe dead," he said. your life. Thank you for having responded to my call. " "Since membership in the Masons is Spiritual Life Center of Marian Community in decline, a recruitment drive is 154 Summer Street underway. I expect to be-asked more Medway, MA 02053· Tel. 508-533-5377 questions about the possibility of Paid advenisement membership."

Eastern Television

~

The Anchor ~

Our Lady's Monthly Message From Medjugorje

SURVIVAL MODE - Father Marco Martinez directs the delivery and distribution of emergency aid from a temporary warehouse in Ica, Peru, where a magnitude 8 earthquake struck August 15. Truckloads of supplies have been arriving from the national Caritas office in Lima as part of the Catholic outreach to earthquake survivors.

(CNS photolWalter Hupiu)

Working through parishes, Church responds to Peruvian quake victims LIMA, Peru (CNS) - When it Stan in Guatemala in 2005, the erupcomes to dealing with disasters like tion of the Tungurahua volcano in the powerful earthquake that struck Ecuador in 2006, and flooding earPeru's southern coast August 15, the lier this year in Bolivia.

By August 21, the situation had Catholic Church has an advantageimproved in lea. Bishop Guido Brena the pastors know the people.

Lopez ofIca told Catholic News SerIn responding to an emergency, vice by telephone that electricity had "you build on your strengths," said been restored and some shops and Aaron Skrocki, South American markets were open again. emergency program manager for In Pisco, however, where more Catholic Relief Services, the U.S. 80 percent of the houses were than bishops' overseas humanitarian and destroyed, there was still no electricdevelopment agency. "Having a lo. ity.

The bishop said reliefefforts were cal (parish) community in place that concentrated in the center of the city, knows the people better than any lomaking it difficult for people in more cal government official does makes it much easier to get a response. ef- remote areas to get assistance. He said people are still very nervous because fort up and running." there have been a lot of strong afterSkrocki arrived in Peru the night shocks. after the earthquake and traveled to "One characteristic in Peru is that Chincha, Pisco and lea, the three citrelatives and neighbors help one anies nearest the epicenter. other," the bishop said. Many people, The scene was chaotic immediespecially those with small children, ately after the earthquake, which . are trekking north to take refuge with killed more than 500 people, injured relatives in Lima, while southbound more than 1,000 and left at least 35,000 families homeless. Although buses have carried a steady stream of more than 200 flights, carrying more people from Lima carrying food, than 600 tons of supplies, had arrived blankets and other supplies to family at the air force base in Pisco, distri- members in the affected cities.

On August 18, government emerbution was slow.

'There was a lack of coordina- gency agencies and international ortion," said Luis Cordoba, emergency ganizations such as CRS, the Red coordinator for CRS in Peru. ''No one Cross and Red Crescent, Oxfam and knew 'what assistance had arrived, others set up a command center at the what had been distributed and what air force base in Pisco to exchange information and coordinate efforts. else was needed."

Security was the first obstacle.

1\\'0 days after the quake, people were ''waiting all day in line for one Shortly after the earthquake, looters one-liter bottle of water," Skrocki struck, sometimes foraging for necessaid. 'The longer this goes on, the sities and sometimes raiding the rubble of people's homes for anymore desperate people become."

Part of the problem with distribu- thing of value. Although tents and tion was logistical: Electricity was cut shelters have been set up in all three off, water could not be pumped and towns, many people have camped out roads and bridges were damaged. But in front of the ruins of their houses to part of the problem, Skrocki said, protect anything that might be left.

That worried Dr. Manuel Pena, seemed to be fed by political infightdirector of the Pan American Health ing over whether the central governOrganization office in Lima. In an ment or local and regional governinterview with the Channel N cable ments should oversee relief efforts.

TV station, Pena warned that if "Unfortunately, it's a similar story people stayed near their homes the (in) many other countries," said of water and toilets could lead lack Skrocki, who has been involved in to the spread of disease.

CRS disaster responses to Hurricane

IAUGUST 31, 2007 Our readers respond Only one Catholic Church In response to Kathleen Schatzberg's letter, a few points are in order. I work closely with Evangelical Christians who are prayerful, faith-filled, with a deep biblical sense, loving witnesses to Christ, and active in many ministries including ProLife - where I have formed strong and permanent bonds with them.

Pope Benedict's using the term "Church" in relation to the Catholic Church only, is neither demeaning nor offense to other Christian faiths. The unfortunate use of the word "defective" probably referred to the fact that something is missing in the other denominations.

What is missing is that Christ chose Peter as the rock on which he would build his Church and all those who follow Peter form the succession of "Church" leaders. The Protestant Reformation and breakaway churches severed that succession.

Former Christian pastors who have come home to the Catholic Church often cite the liturgy, sacrament - especially the Eucharist - and the authority of the Church as reasons for return. These are gifts Catholics should cherish. We are blessed to have them as we witness the one, holy, Catholic and apostolic Church.

Doris Toohill Orleans Assigning blame After reading your August 10 editorial, I found it difficult to restrain myself from writing to you.

You have taken the sexual abuse cases and assigned blame and atonement in right order and I'm grateful for that.

The Church, my Church, must be purged from time to time. Often I have seen pomposity and pride emanate from the Church's hierarchy. Pride seeks power and from that can come a cascade of abuses. Jesus knew only "humility." Everything he did and said - including his birth - was put forth with humility. This is what ''we the Church" should imitate.

The Anchor has another column which is probably the best I've ever read about the value ofLife.

Father Tad's column should be sent to all Catholics. There are many who through some kind of ignorance or complacency do not understand that you cannot be Catholic and approve of or condone abortion! What is it they don't understand? Life comes before all else. Choice, one of the feminists' favorite words, is something you do before the sexual act, not after it.

Thank God for people like Father Landry and Father Tad who say it the way it is for Catholics!

Lillian Heffernan East Falmouth The key word is ''illegal'' Regarding the August 17 article by Deacon James N. Dunbar on immigration and CSS Atty.

Ondine Galvez Sniffin - I agree with her that it is certainly a great cause to battle for immigrant rights but not for illegal immigrant rights.

Illegal immigration is a crime, which Atty.

Sniffin seems to forget. These millions of illegal immigrants place an incalculable amount of finan-' cial burden on our health care, school and legal systems. Untold taxpayer dollars are diverted from other programs to help in these matters.

Immigrants should be required to go through the naturalization process just as millions of immigrants before them as well as my grandparents and the parents of my wife. megal immigrants, as well as their employers, should be prosecuted to the full extent of the law.

Clement E. Walsh Bourne

Fair is fair I read The Anchor every week and enjoy the paper very much.

However, I found the immigration article disturbing, in that it did not mention that illegal immigrants are unfair to their fellow coUntrymen, who patiently wait their tum to legally enter the U.S. When I was a boy, there was a movie theatre in Waltham that had a matinee on Saturday afternoons for 25 cents starting at I p.m. We would get their early and patiently wait in line hoping to get good seats. Bullies would show up 'about five minutes before the theatre opened and jump in line. This aggravated me and my companions.

When I was in the service, my buddies and I would be waiting in line for our meals for over an

15

The Anchor

hour. The drill instructors would arrive and go right to the head of the line. Very unfair. megal immigrants are unfair to others, who wait their tum to enter legally. megal immigration from a Catholic point of view should be a question of fairness as well as compassion.

I certainly feel bad for them and their families.

However, I temper this with the fact these folks are illegal and were grossly unfair to those that wait to enter legally.

I do not see the raids as being horrific. I am glad that our goverm'nent is clamping down on illegal immigrants by enforcing our laws.

Dick Finnegan Westford, MA Bush's war is unjust Although I usually support George Weigel, his recent articles in The Anchor supporting the Iraq war as a ')ust war" cannot be accepted.

Regardless of whether the invasion of Irag was justified by a need to search for weapons of mass destruction - on which there is considerable doubt - none was found. That rationale, however, cannot be used to justify the next four years when we proceeded to 路the war we have today. We pushed "head-on" a war that has never been declared, is not constitutional and has extended well beyond the purported search for weapons of mass destruction.

Morality alone should convince the American people that the war needs to be over and we should withdraw. As a whole, we do not seem to desire to finish the war we started. Why should American men and women fight and risk death during a period of desired withdrawal? It is unjust to subject them to death while the stated policy is to withdraw.

We know that for America, the Iraq war will come to an end far ahead of when the withdrawal of troops will take place. How can there be moral justification for killing when we want to get out?

This administration asks us to "be patient," while men and women are being killed almost daily. What morally justifies killings when the motive is not victory, but withdrawing without victory? The continued killing ofAmericas, and the war itself, should not be allowed to go on in the withdrawal stages.

I question whether President Bush really cares whether the war is just or unjust. We should all be aware of the thoughtful opinions on this issue by Archbishop Fulton J. Sheen, who many years ago, wrote on the necessary conditions for a ')ust war," conditions that have not been met in the case of the Iraq war.

In my opinion, withdrawal should be immediate and full. A war conducted or continued mainly for the purpose of delaying a withdrawal is unjust.

Our politicians must not ignore the reality that our men and women are being killed daily in a war that is "unjust to all." On top of all of this, considering the total failure of any post invasion plans, the killing ofover 3,500 American servicemen and women, the growing 3 billion dollar price tag that our children and grandchildren will receive from us, and a rise, not decline, of the number of terrorists worldwide who have been "inspired" by President Bush's .~ vision of the American interest across the globe, . bow can anyone cOllQlude that President Bush's . actions are cpnsistent.w,ithjustice for anyone?

Unfortunat~ly,.~o ,consideration was given by the Iraqi study group to the moral injustice of this war, which, I submit, is'a proper subject of inquiry for them. When General David Petraeus, the top U.S. military commander in Iraq, gives his report to Congress in September, let us see whether he gives consideration to the moral justification for continuing the war as we withdraw.

President Bush and his team tell us that the war is above all for "freedom." Justice is a higher value than the President's concept of freedom. This war has not been, and is not now, just.

The Honorable William H. Carey Dartmouth

Leners are welcome but the editor reserves the right to condense or edit for clarity if deemed necessary. Leners should be typed, no longer than 100 words and should include name, address, and telephone number. Letters do not necessarily reflect the editorial views of The Anchor. Letters should be sent to: The Anchor, Letters to the Editor, P.O. Box 7, Fall River, MA 02722-0007, or emailed to fathe"ogerlandry@anchornews.org.

$ The Anchor news briefs Midwest no safe harbor from human trafficking KANSAS CITY, Mo. (CNS) - "HumllI) trafficking is more prevalent in this region than most people know," said Janel D' Agata Lynch, program manager for community services at Catholic Charities of Kansas City-St. Joseph. "Local people were shocked when the news broke about the massage-parlor raids in Overland Park, Kan., and earlier this year, the central Missouri boy who was found, along with a second boy, in the St. Louis area," said D' Agata Lynch. "Human trafficking is not always 'someplace else.''' A June report by the State Department's Office to Monitor and Combat Trafficking in Persons, labeled the United States as "a source and destination" country for thousands of men, women and children trafficked annually for sexual and labor exploitation. Melissa Snow of Shared Hope International, a nonprofit organization founded in 1998 to serve sexually exploited women and children, told The Catholic Key, newspaper of the Diocese of Kansas CitySt. Joseph, that the Midwest has become a kind of pipeline for human trafficking. 'The truck traffic on Interstate 35 may be carrying more than meets the eye," she said. "1-35 bisects the country from Laredo, Texas, to Duluth, Minn., with access to highways leading east and west.

African clergy, religious celebrate unity, diversity of work in U.S. CLARK, N.J. (CNS) - Calling for unity among African missionaries and religious in the United States, a New Jersey pastor welcomed '~hose worthy ambassadors from the African soil" at the eighth annual convention of the African Gonference of Catholic Clergy and Religious in the United States. "Our work is truly extensive and scattered," said Father Anselm I. Nwaorgu, pastor of Blessed SacramentlSt. Charles Borromeo Parish in Newark and president of the organization known as ACCCRUS. ''This conference is our trumpet blasting for people to join us in New Jersey," he added. 'This conference demonstrates oUr care, faith and commitment to our work. It is an expression ofour own vision and an expressiori of our expansive and fruitful missions." Held Aug. 2-5 at the Crowne Plaza Hotel in Clark, the n.ational gathering of African missionaries and religious, which celebrated a welcoming spirit of openness, unity and diversity, featured keynote presentations by Auxiliary Bishop Joseph N. Perry of Chicago, episcopal liaison to the African apostolate, and Bishop Martin Munyanyi of Gweru, Zimbabwe.

Korean nuns run trendy book cafe as way to introduce Catholicism PUSAN, South Korea (CNS) - The Palma Book Cafe looks almost like another trendy bookstore, where young people read books qver a cup of coffee or tea and talk in whispers. Almost because it also has two prominent statues of Mary and nuns in gray habits helping people find books, serving beverages and operating .~e cash register. "Originally, the cafe was for Catholics to gather and share about their life while qrinking coffee or tea. They would visit here after Mass or a devotional group meeting," said Sister Augustine Lee Myoung-hi. "Now it has became another way for the church to approach those from other religions - with books, statues of Jesus or the Vrrgin Mary, and Catholic music," SiSter A~gustine, a member of the Sisters of Palma of the Blessed Korean Martyrs, told the Asiah church news agency UCA News. The cafe opened last year in front of the Namchon Cathedral in Pusan, nearly 200 miles southwest of Seoul, after the late Bishop Augustine Cheong Myong~jo of Pusan asked nuns working in his diocesan office to run a cafe where people could gather and spend time. Bishop Cheong died of lung cancer in June.

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Come andjoiiJ''us In our 'AimlVerialji: .

Ce1ebratil1g the Annu'alSolemn Liturgical Feast To Honor

GOD THE FATHER I'

Of All Mankind

Whoever has

more

seen

you

ME

honor

has

Me,

seen

the

the

more

FATHER

Twill

bless John 14:9

WHEN:

you.

SEPTEMBER 9,2007 - SUNDAY

TIME;

WHERE:

- ..

12:00 noon

SACRED HEART CHURCH 160 SEABURY ST. FALL RIVER, MA 02720

CELEBRANT: "REv. FR. GEORGE ALMEIDA This event Includes devotion to God the Father, Holy Sacrifice of the Mass, Divine Mercy Chaplet, Benediction II Outdoor Procession with the participation of St. Anthony's Band from Fan River and the Azotean Holy Ghost Brotherhood of New Bedford Followed by Refreshment. POT LUCKm It's FREE. Offertory collections - All given to Sacred Heart Church Directions: From tho North qf Fall R'".,r: Take Rte 24S. Take Exit S/US-6 onto Eastem Ave/President Ave. Conlinue on N. Eastem Ave. Tum Right on Bedford St. Tum Right on Seabury St. Sacred Heart Church is on your Left.

From tho South qf Fall River: Take Rte 24N. Take Exit 4 onto 1-19SW. Take Exit 7-6/US-81 S onto Plymouth Ave becomes 13" St. Tum Left on Bedford St. Tum Right on Seabury St. Sacred Heart Church Is on your Left

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YOUTH PAGES

AUGUST

31, 2007

Defending champs are playing the 'Blues' ATTLEBORO Bishop Feehan High School's competitive marching band is gearing up to defend their championship season with the creation of an all-new production called "Blue."

A pairing of Gershwin's "Rhapsody in Blue" and Ticheli's "Blue Shades" will be performed during this season's 10-event schedule culminating in the November 9th USSBA's Northeast Championship at Giants Stadium in New Jersey.

Fifty-five students attended this

summer's band camp guided by this year's drum major, Brandon Murphy '08 and color guard captain, MacKenzie Smith '08.

Music Director Joe Taylor says they've got a great head start for their first competition on September 22 against Joseph Case High School in Swansea. "They've done great," he said. "They're excited about performing a whole new show in less than a month, but they're well ahead of schedule this year."

THE GOOD OLD DAYS - Bishop George W. Coleman recently celebrated a Mass for his classmates who attended the 50th class reunion of the Coyle High School Class of 1957. The Mass was held at Coyle and Cassidy High School in Taunton. The group also toured Taunton Catholic Middle School to relive the memories from the old Coyle High School. Other festivities were held at the Holiday Inn in Taunton during the weekend celebration.

Sydney paper reports World Youth Day opening to be on waterfront

DEFENDING CHAMPS - Bishop Feehan High School summer band camp students stand in formation. Below, marching band percussionists practice in the shade and the brass section stands at attention.

SYDNEY, Australia (CNS) - Barangaroo, a stretch of waterfront named after the wife of an Aborigine who befriended the first British'settlers to Sydney, will be the venue for the opening Mass of World Youth Day July 15, 2008 in Sydney.

A Sydney newspaper reported August 18 that the 54acre site, situated on the eastern side of Darling Harbor, also will be a main venue for other World Youth Day events, including the Stations of the Cross.

Barangaroo will also make "a dramatic and telegenic backdrop" to the arrival, by boat, of Pope Benedict XVI on his first visit to Australia, said the newspaper.

Barangaroo is named after the wife of Bennelong, a leader of the Eora clan of Ab- wor~d original people who befriended Sydney's first governor, Arthur Phillip, in 1788. Situated in the next inlet along

from where the Sydney Opera House sits on Bennelong Point, Barangaroo is a former shipping container terminal earmarked for an urban renewal project. .

The announcement of the venue preempted an official announcement by the New South Wales government and the World Youth Day Organizing Committee, which are negotiating with port authorities and a stevedore company whose lease on the property is due to expire at the end of ~ the year. ~" In late August, the government of New South Wales was due to receive an independent review detailing the impact of the World Youth Day vigil and closing Mass on racing operations at Royal Randwick Racecourse. The review also will deal with World Youth Day's 2008 shared access to the track with horse trainers and other suppliers who say their businesses will suffer because of the disruptions.

youth day sydney

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Please note that The Anchor now has a separate email address for school and : Religious Education news. Send photos I and copy for consideration to: : schools@anchornews.org

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AUGUST

31, 2007

Catholic school guarantees tuition refund if students aren't reading DETROIT (CNS) - Our Lady of La Salette Catholic School in the Detroit suburb of Berkley is making a guarantee: First-graders will be reading at a second-grade level by the end of the year. If not, parents can ask for a full tuition refund.

It's an idea that came to came to principal Carol Smith while she was brainstorming for the coming school year.

Her first-grade class was looking a little small for the upcoming year, a bit of an oddity for a school with an enrollment of nearly 200 students in preschool through eighth grade. She believes her teachers are top-notch, and thought it would be a shame if more stu~nts weren't getting the benefit of a La Salette education. .

'1 thought, I had to get people's attention," Smith told The Michigan CatJwlic, Detroit's archdiocesan newspaper. Yearly tuition for a student who is not a parishioner is $5,080.

There's no catch, but there is a commitment required. Parents must sign a contract promising to spend at least 15 minutes - a time.recominended by most educators - reading with their child every day.

The first-grader must be new to the school, and he or she will take a test to make sure he or she is ready to learn and has no learning disabilities. At the end of the school year, the child will be given a standardized third-party test to be sure he or she is at a secondgrade reading level. If not, parents may

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.~ YOUTH PAGES

request a refund.

Smith, who said she hasn't heard of anyone else offering such a guarantee, said she was motivated partly by getting students learning to read early in their education - which sets the stage for the rest of their school years. '1f they don't read, it impacts their whole education," she said.

The federal No Child Left Behind initiative mandates that each child is reading by the third grade.

Smith said there was concern about the guarantee from first-grade teacher Ann Kolley, other teachers and even parents, but she said no one will be held responsible if a child isn't read. ing by the end of the year.

She has confidence in all her teachers and in Kolley's method, which includes constant communication with parents. She said she considers the guarantee an effort ofthe entire school.

"We have incredible ~hers here," she said. "We have to keep teachers out ofthe school (during the summer) so we can wax the floors:' Smith said she had not gotten any takers as of early August,· after sending out a letter to families in the school's ZIP code with young children. However, in the meantime, firstgrade enrollment had nearly doubled from six - which caused her initial concern - to 11 students. To date, parents ofthe newly enrolled students have not asked for the guarantee.

'1 want parents to feel they're secure in that investment," Smith said.

God will catch us -7i time after time

By CHARLIE TIME AFTER TIME Lying in my bed I hear the clock tick and think ofyou Caught up in circle confusion is nothing new You say go slow; I fall behind The second hand unwinds Refrain: If you 're lost you can look and you will find me Time after time If you fall I will catch you; I will be waiting Time after time Time after time Time after time Sometimes you picture me I'm walking too far ahead You're calling to me I can't hear just what you've said You saygo slow; I fall behind The second hand unwinds (Repeat refrain.)

After my picture fades and darkness has turned to grey Watching through windows, you're wondering if I'm OK You say go slow; I fall behind The drum beats out of time (Repeat refrain twice.)

Time after time Time after time

Sung by Quietdrive Copyright (c) 2006 by Red Int/Red Ink/Epic How much can you depend on God? Maybe this is not the first thought that comes to your mind as you listen to Quietdrive's "Time After Time." However, I will suggest how their current hit leads us to consider this question.

As far as I know, this is Quietdrive's first chart hit. The song

MARTIN' -

CATHOLIC NEWS SERVICE

is off their debut disc "When All That's Left Is You." If you are old (say, like us parents' age!), o~ have an extensive knowledge of rock history, you recognize "Time After Time" as a remake of the 1980s Cyndi Lauper hit , .

The song's character reflects about an obviously special relationship in his life. He tells this individual: "If you're lost you can look and you will find me ... if you fall I will catch you; I'll be waiting." He also mentions how sometimes he's "caught up in circles of confusion." In fact, even when the other person says "go slow," he finds that "I fall behind." Yet, these facts do not change how he fedls. He knows that whatever happens, tIley will connect with each other "time after time."

These are powerful promises.

When love brings people together, the potential within these promises can be attained. However, all ofus are imperfect and sometimes ~e fail to fol· low through on even our clearest intentions. No one can bel there for another all the time, that is, ex~ept in one relationship.

As you might guess, I speak of our relationship with God, For all of us, life brings a variety of surprises, disappointments and real .loss. Yet, as you develop your relationship with God, you will discover the meaning of the song's words that ~ndeed, when you are "lost" or when you "fall," "time after time" God will walk with you through the pain. ...

The key phrases in ·this last sentence are "develop" anCl "walk with you." To ·experience this depth of God's presence in your Iife, you first have to form a lasting friendship with God. Like in any friendship, this

builds from bringing real effort toward being together.

Often, this means that you find a time in each day, in purposeful quiet, to share your heart with God. Doing so establishes a foundation for. a friendship that lasts a lifetime.

The other phrase "walk with you" explains something of God's response. Many, many things happen to us in life. Having a deep relationship with God does not mean that we do not face very difficult circumstances.

God is not testing us. It is just that life at times can be hard.

What you discover as you develop your friendship with God is that God will help us through life's pain. God is always there for us, even when we are so hurt that we cannot reach out to him.

God does not tum back the hands of the clock to take away what has injured us. Our human life is not set up that way. Instead, God helps us to find those people and situations that bring us healing and a renewed openness to life. ,As you live your life with God, the words of the song speak more and more clearly about what it means to have this caring friendship with God,.

Yes, you may get '''caught up in circles of confusion" or even feel that you have "fallen" behind God, but these feeling are not the truest reality.

Eventually, all of us see. "Time after time" God is "waiting" and he is there to there to "catch you." Yes, time after time!

Your comments are always welcome. Please write to me at: chmartin@swindiana.net or at 7125W 200S, Rockport, IN 47635.

I'

You can make a difference It's back to school! Hooray! I'm Thompson taught, she was required sure many of you are eager to get to review each child's past records and she put Teddy's off until last. back to learning and discovering the special person that you are.

When she reviewed his file, I want to share a story with you - however, she was in for a surprise.

Teddy's first-grade teacher wrote, Father Craig Pregana first told it to "Teddy is a bright child with a me. It's a story of hope, determination and love, and how a person can ready laugh·. He does his work neatly and has good manners ... he really make a difference in someis a joy to be around." His one else's life - something to second-grade teacher ponder as the new school year wrote, "Teddy is an begins. Read on.... excellent student, well Mrs. Thompson was an elemenliked by his classmates, b1Jt tary school teacher. As she stood in he is troubled because his front of her fifth-grade class on the very first day of school, she told the mother has a terminal illness and life at home children a lie. Like most teachers, must be a struggle." His she looked at her students and said third-grade teacher wrote, that she loved them all the same.

"His mother's death has been hard But that was impossible, because on him. He tries to do his best but there in the front row, slumped in his father doesn't show much his seat, was a little boy named interest and his home life will soon Teddy Stoddard. Mrs. Thompson affect him if some steps aren't had watched Teddy the year before taken." Teddy's fourth-grade and noticed that he didn't play well teacher wrote, "Teddy is withdrawn with the other children, that his and doesn't show much interest in clothes were messy, that he school. He doesn't have many constantly needed a bath, and friends." could be unpleasant. It got to the point where Mrs. Thompson would By now, Mrs. Thompson actually take delight in marking his .realized the problem and she was papers with a broad red pen, ashamed of herself. She felt even making bold X's and then putting a . worse when her students brought her Christmas presents, wrapped in big "F' at the top of his papers. beautiful ribbons anq bright paper, At the school wh~re Mrs.

except for Teddy's. His present was clumsily wrapped in heavy, brown paper from a grocery bag. Mrs. ThompsonJook pains to open it in the middl,e of the other presents.

Some of the children started to laugh when she found a rhinestone bracelet with some of the stones missing, and a bottle that was one

quarter full of perfume. But she stifled the children's laughter when she exclaimed how pretty the bracelet was, put it on, and dabbed some of the perfume on her wrist .

Teddy Stoddard stayed after school· that day just long enough to say, "Mrs. Thompson, today you smelled just like my mom used to."

After the children left she cried for at least an hour.

On that very day, she quit teaching reading, and writing, and arithmetic. Instead, she began to teach children. Mrs. Thompson paid particular attention to Teddy.

As she worked with hiIp, his mind seemed to come alive. The more she encouraged him, the faster he respOnded. By the end of the year, Teddy had become one of the smartesfchildren in the class and, despite her lie that she ~ould love all the children the same, Teddy became one her "teacher's pets."

A year later, she found a note under her door, from Teddy, telling her that she was still the best teacher he ever had. Six years later she received another note saying he fini~hed high school, third in his class, and she was still the best teacher he ever had. Four years after that, she got another letter, saying that while things had .been tough at times, he'd stayed in school, had stuck with it, and would soon graduate from college with the highest of honors. He assured Mrs. Thompson that she was still the best . and f.avorite teacher he ever had.

Then four more years passed and yet another letter came. This time he explained that after the got his bachelor's degree, he decided to go a little further. The lett~r explained that she was still the best and favorite teacher he ever had. But now his name was a little longer-

the letter was signed, Theodore F. Stoddard, MD. The story doesn't end there.

There was yet another letter that spring. Teddy said he'd met this girl and was going to be married. He explained that his father had died a couple of years ago and he was wondering if Mrs. Thompson might agree to sit in the place at the wedding that was usually reserved for the mother of the groom. Of course, Mrs. Thompson did. And guess what? She wore that bracelet, the one with several rhinestones missing. And she made sure she was wearing the perfume that Teddy remembered his mother wearing on their last Christmas together.

They hugged each other and Dr. Stoddard whispered in Mrs. Thompson's ear, 'ThaDk you Mrs. Thompson for believing in me.

Thallk you so much for making me feel important and showing me that I could make a difference." Mrs. Thompson whispered back, ''Teddy, you have it all wrong. You were the one who taught me that I could make a difference. I didn't know how to teach until I met you."

God bless.

OWe Pacheco is Faith Fonnalion director at Santo Christo Parish, Fall River.

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$ The Anchor $

18

AUGUST the seats Mother Teresa sat in, was left vacant in her memory.

It didn't go unnoticed. Bishop O'Malley called attention to it and recalled the visit of one of his "favorite people."

"Her visit here made such an impact on all of our lives that just the mention of her name elicits a response from people of New Bed-

Sisters

Blessed Mother Teresa attends a Mass with Missionary Sisters of Charity at St. Lawrence Martyr Church in New Bedford on June 14, 1995. Below, Mother Teresa greets a gathering of faithful waiting outside the Sisters' convent in New Bedford. (Anchor file photos) A GOOD THING IN A SMALL PACKAGE -

Anniversary

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house in New Bedford several years earlier. At the time her Sisters numbered more than 5,000, served in more than 500 missions in 126 countries, ministering to people affiicted with leprosy, AIDS, neglected and abandoned children and people suffering from disease or poverty.

Probably everyone in the crowd that day knew something about the frail nun who was born Agnes Gonxha Bojaxhiuto AlblUlian peasant parents in Skopje, in what is now Yugoslavia, on Aug. 27, 19l0.Atage 12, she knew she had a vocation to help the poor. '1 wanted to be a missionary:' she wrote.

She left home at age 18 tojoin the Irish branch of the Institute. of the Blessed Vrrgin Mary, known as the Loretto Sisters. After training she took her first vows in 1928.

Depressed by the destitute and dying on Calcutta's streets, the homeless urchins and the ostracized sick lying prey to rats and other vermin in streets and alleys, received a "call withiri a call" as she described it. "'I ..-was to leave the convent and help the poor while living among them:' she said.

Two years later, the Vatican gave her permission·to leave the Loretto Sisters and follow her new calling.

After three months of medical training under theAmerican Medical Missionary Sisters in Patna, India; Mother Teresa went into the Calcutta slums to bring children cut off from educa-· tion into her first school. Soon volunteers, many ofthem her former students, came to join her.

In 1950, the Missionaries ofCharitybecame a diocesan religious community, and 15 years later the Vatican recognized it as a pontifical congregation, directly u!Jder Vatican jurisdiction.

Those fortunate to have been able to get a seat in St. Lawrence Church in 1995, saw the fragile women in the now well-known white and blue sari sitting in a front pew, her hands

Continued from page one

clasped in prayer and her head bowed. Laity and members of the clergy had crowded around, hoping to get a glimpse of her as she walked from the convent to the church. Now they were anxious to hear the 1979 Nobel Peace Laureate on a toUr of the United States and visitation with her colleagues, speak.

New Bedford was one ofthe final stops that began in Nigeria and took . her to missions in Poland and Italy.

When she did speak, she called for prayer for those suffering, "That we may continue this beautiful labor of love throughout the world. Pray fOf us that we may continue this gift of hope:" she said. "We need lots of. prayers to serve God with the poor."

Her talk was met with resounding applause from the people i!1side and outside the church.

Bishop O'Malley welcomed Mother Teresa to New Bedford, "a city beleaguered with problems" of poverty, unemployment, sickness and substance abuse. ''Your visit fills us with hQpe:' he told her, adding that because of it, "people can hope that their community can be more caring, more loving, more forgiving, and hope that there can be heaven on earth."

After the Mass, and to the delight ofthe crowd, Mother Teresa appeared in a window of the convent with Bishop O'Malley and her Sisters.

What all will also remember is that a news conference was cancelled because ofMother Teresa's frail health.

In December 1990, doctors had implanted a heart pacemaker after problems. She had stepped down in April 1990 as superior ofher congregation, and was succeeded by Sister Nirmala Within a year ofher New Bedford visit, Mother Teresa was confined to a wheelchair, but it did not hamper her zeal. Although in pain, she thought first of others and was a cheerful, constant inspiration to those around her.

She died ofcardiac arrest on Sept.

5; 1997 in the motherhouse of her congregation in Calcutta. .

Hundreds crowded into St. Lawrence Church on September 11, that year to recall the visit ofthe holy woman who had so affected them as well as the rest of the world by her words and example.

A photo of Mother Teresa was set up in the sanctuary during the Mass celebrated by Bishop O'Malley. The picture was mounted atop a column dJ:aped with a blue and white sari, the garb won by the Missionary. Sisters.

During the bringing of gifts to the altar, one of the nuns placed a wreath around it.

Although members of the Missionary Sisters of Charity sat in the same seats they did in 1995, this time, I

31, 2007

ford and of the area:' the bishop said. "This is a day ofjoys and sorrows for us, because Mother is gone and yet we know she is really with us."

Her spirit lives on, he said, in the work her Sisters are doing, "and the lives of the people who have been touched by her as seen by this turnout today."

Continued from page one

St. Lawrence Martyr Church becomes a shelter for women and children suffering from every kind of hardship including failing relationships, abandonment and abuse. ''They arrive at 4 p.m., and can stay until 8 a.m. We feed them a breakfast and dinner, and the maximum they can stay is three weeks:' Sister Aloka explained.

"We have 13 available beds, and while we have seven with us right now, the numbers can go up and down, but we average from 10 to 11:' Sister Lenis noted.

Some of those they host accompany them to morning Mass in St. Lawrence Church. On Thursdays, when the working nuns make extra time for prayer, Mass is celebrated in the convent, usually by Franciscan Friars of the Immaculate frOm Our Lady's Chapel downtown, or by retired diocesan priests.

• Besides their night hostel, the Sisters visit the elderly, the homebound, those in nursing homes, and when requested, those who are hospitalized.

"We try to help them and we pray with them and simply show them God's love:' Sister Aloka said.

Their ministry, however, is not easy.

"While MotherTeresa would take homeless people out ofthe gutter, the sick and the dying, those with AIDS and leprosy and reach out to the poorest ofthe poor in Calcutta, we in New Bedford come in contact with only a few whose problems are being homeless and living on the street:' Sister Lenis and Sister Carmelina noted.

"But what's much more difficult is the same ministry in regards to the unfortunate and hurting women like those we visit at the Bristol County House of Correction in Dartmouth and others who ask our help for them and their families in so many ways:' they explained.

"We meet two days a week with women at the jail who are still being held and facing deportation follow-· ing the March immigration raid on the factory here:' Sister Aloka added.

"We bring our presence to them ... ifthey want to talk to us, for counsel, and we pray with them and try to bring God and his love into their lives" which have become very unstable and complex, Sister CecileAnn said.

The outreach is also to the young.

"We run a Summer Camp at Holy Family-Holy Name School. just up the street," the superior said. On weekdays from 9 to 11 :30 a.m., they

are involved with the youngsters in a mix of prayer, Bible study and arts and crafts.

Each Saturday during the months when schools are in session, the Sisters are host to children in the convent setting, providing a mix of prayer, arts and crafts, time at the playground and trips to such places as aquariums lind museums.

"At the same time we get them to know Jesus:' Sister Cecile-Ann said, smiling.

Another facet of the Sister's work is a food pantry that weekly doles out staple fOOds to a regular turnout of approximately 10 needy families or 30 individuals. To accomplish that, the Sisters count on a host of regular benefactors.

What makes that most difficult is that while members of the Congregation take vows of poverty, chastity and obedience, the vow of poverty is stricter than in other congregations because as Mother Teresa explained, "To be able to love the poor and know the poor, we must be poor ourselves."

The fourth vow the Missionary Sisters of Charity take is of "wholehearted and free service to the poorest of the poor."

MotherTeresa once said, "Money - I never think ofit. It always comes.

The Lord sends it. We do his work; he provides the means. Ifhe does not give us the means, that shows he does not want the work. So why worry?"

Although the New Bedford Sisters continue to hear stories from many recalling the visit of Mother Teresa to New Bedf9rd in 1995 and the Mass celebrated commemorating her 1997 death, and find so many anxious to pray to the woman hailed as "the heroine of our times:' there has been a drop in membership of her congregation.

"It's been up and down," Sisters Aloka, Carmelina and Cecile-Ann noted. While the majority of vocations have come in past years from India, the numbers from Africa and the South America and the Philippines are on the increase.

Even as documentaries and video releases about the counterculturallife and times of Mother Teresa continue to be regularly broadcast, there have been no recent reports ofthe progress of the canonization cause for the saintly nun, whose spiritual beauty awed even the most materialistic.

"We hear of a new miracle or two from time to time, but nothing official," Sister Aloka commented. "But we confidently keep watching."

AUGUST

$ Tile Anchor $

31, 2007

Brother Francis Mary PI; prqlific writer and speaker

Around the Diocese ~ :It-'

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IEucharistic Adoration ATTLEBORO - ADivine Mercy holy hour is celebrated after the 6:30 p.m. Mass every Wednesday at the National Shrine of Our Lady of La Salette, during which the Blessed Sacrament is exposed. The shrine is at 947 Park Street.

TAUNTON - Adoration of the most Blessed Sacrament will take place September 7 in the Chapel of the Annunciation, 51 First Street. After the 8 a.m. Mass, the Blessed Sacrament will be exposed, and adoration will continue throughout the day. Confessions will be heard from 5:15-6:15 p.m. Rosary and Benediction will ' take place at 6:30 p.m.

[Miscellaneous ~ _._ _ - - _ . _ ...

ASSONET - Beginning September 7, First Friday Mass will be celebrated at St. Bernard's Church at 9 a.m. The sacrament of reconciliation will be,offered at 8:30 a.m. For more info call 508-644-5585 or email Stbemardassonet@aol.com.

ATTLEBORO - AHispanic healing service is scheduled for Sunday at 2:30 p.m. at the National Shrine of Our Lady of La Salette. La Salette FatherJohn P. Sullivan will lead the service, which includes Mass, teaching, music, and the opportunity to be anointed and prayed over individually. The shrine is at 947 Park Street.

ATTLEBORO - Dr. Ryan Welter will lead a prayer group and discussion at 7:15 p.m. September 6, 13, and 20. The meetings are in the reconciliation chapel of the shrine at 947 Park Street.

BREWSTER - La Salette Father Richard Lavoie will lead a healing service at Our Lady of the Cape Church, September 5 at 7 p.m. The service takes place the first Wednesday of the month at the church located at 468 Stony Brook Road.

CHATHAM - ATridentine Mass celebrated in Latin according to the 1962 missal is celebrated 1 p.m. every Sunday at Our Lady of Grace Chapel on Route 137 in Chatham.

FAU RIVER - The Catholic TV program, "Boa Nova da Vidd ("Good News for ute1 will air tonight and september 19 at 9:30 p.m. on the Portuguese Channel.

The topic will be "Prayer Therapy in a Modem Day Environment.HYANNIS - Youths and adults from various faiths will explore homelessness and how to live the Gospel message by helping those with no homes, at a weekend gathering. Participants will meet homeless and formerly homeless and hear stories and participate in worship and fellowship. Sponsored by the Cape Cod Council of Churches, the first Street Reach Program is from 6:30 p.m. september 7 through 3 p.m. 8eptember 8 at the Federated Church at 320 Main Street.

For more information call Marilyn Lariviere at 508-775-7781 or email mlariv@comcast.net. .

NEW BEDFORD - On september 14, at 5:15 p.m. at St. AnthOny of Padua Parish there will be Mass offered in Latin according to the 1962 Missal promulgated by John XXIII. Mass will be preceded by a holy hour at 4:15 and followed by' confessions. All are invited.

REGIONAL - An organization that provides housing for the homeless and others who need help is seeking bicydists and sponsors for a fund-raising bike race from Sandwich to Provincetown. The Last Gasp Bike Race is September 16. For more information, call Paul Hebert, director of CHAMP Homes, at 508-771-0885 or go online to www.thelastgasp.com.

REGIONAL - Asix-week Grief Support Group for Adults sponsored by Community Nurse & Hospice Care will meet every Tuesday from September 11 until October 16 from 9-10:30 a.m. at Whaler's Cove Assisted Living, 114 Riverside Avenue, New Bedford. The group will focus on sharing strengths, hopes and experiences with other participants. For information, contact Karen Marshall or Jennifer Marszalek at 508-992-9278.

IPro-Ufe Activities SANDWICH - The Respect ute Committee at Corpus Christi Church has a morning group that meets at 10 o'clock and an evening group that meets at 7, both on the third Tuesday of the month. For more information, contact Heather Wesp by email at HeatherWesp@comcast.net or Pat Stebbins by calling,'S08833-8432.

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ISocial Events

II

Dean leaves path of flooding, death in Mexico MEXICO CITY (CNS) - As Hurricane Dean moved west and weakened to a tropical depression, it left widespread flooding across Mexico's GulfCoast and left at least three people dead.

They were killed in the Mexican states of Veracruz and Hidalgo, according to separate statements by the states' governors August 23.

Meanwhile, the heavy rains caused rivers to overflow and dozens of landslides that blocked roads and highways in the region.

The state leaders said that 37,000 people had taken refuge in regional shelters, and thousands of homes were damaged. Widespread crop damage also was reported.

In the neighboring state of -Puebla, lelevisioo'imiges" showed muddy, turbulent rivers and continuing rains.

Eufemio Flores, emergency coordinator for Caritas Mexico, warned that the risk of further mudslides was still high because the rains had loosened soil on eroded mountain slopes.

"Even though Dean is now a tropical depression, the amount of rain that we're still expecting is considerable," Flores told Catholic News Service in a telephone interview August 23. Flores said Caritas workers were assessing the situation and dispensing emergencysupplies.

Caritas Mexico is klocal affiliate of Caritas InternAtionalis, the international network of Catholic aid and development agencies.

Meanwhile, relief efforts continued on the Yucata~, Peninsula, where Dean hit as a rare category 5 hurricane in the early hours of August 21. The stonn destroyed an estimated 60,000 acres of crops and damaged homes in indigenous Mayan communities.

Father Francisco Velazquez Trejo, a director for Caritas Mexico in the state of Campeche on the western side of the Yticatan Peninsula, said the hurrican~ had flooded the island city of Ciudad del Carmen. Dean also caused widespread damage to the legion's agricultl.lr3l路6eias路 and .'cOfumunities路of .' indigenous Maya, many of whom live in impoverished conditions.

"The region's poorest inhabitants were the worst hit," Father

Velazquez said.

The stonn also leveled trees and power lines across the southern portion of the peninsula.

After crossing the Yucatan and emerging in the Gulf of Mexico, Dean made its second landfall August 22 on Mexico's Gulfcoast near Tecolutla, north of the port city of Veracruz.

Flooding, electrical failure and downed trees were reported in Chetumal, 240 miles south of the tourist resort of Cancun, and surrounding areas. In Cancun and nearby areas, damage was lighL Dean also hit Belize to the south, causing damage but no deaths.

Thousands of tourists evacuated the Caribbean coasts ofMexico and Beuu'befbre路the'storin bit.

The h~Cane killed at least 20 people as it passed through Haiti, Jamaica, the Cayman Islands and the Dominican Republic.

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J!LYQl!rPr~y~rs _ Please pray for these priests during the coming weeks

Sept. 3

ATTLEBORO - The annual Catholic Family Pilgrimage to the National Shrine of Our Lady of La Salette is September 9, with 11 :30 a.m. rosary, noon Mass in English and French celebrated by retired Bishop of Providence, R.I., Louis Gelineau, and 1:30 p.m. lunch and entertainment. Arts and crafts, free pony rides, a bunny petting zoo, and face painting are available during the pilgrimage, a French-American tradition since 1955. The shrine is at 947 Park Street.

ATTLEBORO - St. Mark's Parish is celebrating its 40th anniversary at the annual 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Hot dogs, hamburgers, .pizza, pastries, and ice cream are among the attractions, along with a raffle and music from the Colonial Bagpipe Pipers. The church is at 105 Stanley Street in Attleboro Falls. parish ,fair september 8 from

ISupport Groups

NEW BEDFORD - Franciscans of the Immacu- fodnded the Youth Mission for the Immaculata, which late Brother Francis Mary, 84, ofOur Lady's seryed as a seed bed for countless vocations to the Chapel, an author, speaker and organizer of priesthood, religious life, and married state, Marian congresses and pilgrimages, died and sponsored a summer catechetics program.

He transferred to the Franciscans of the August 17, after a long illness.

Born Martin Kalvelage, he was raised in Immaculate in New Bedford in 1995. He San Francisco, Calif. He served in the armed wrote and edited several books in the series "Saints and Marian Shrines," and his last forces as a pilot in the Pacific during World War II. four years were spent in prayer and penance for the conversion and sanctification of sinInspired by the apparitions of Our Lady of Fatima which he promoted by the martyr ners.

St. Maximilian Mary Kolbe, which he pro- BROTHER FRANCIS He leaves nieces, nephews and cousins. moted, he professed vows as a Conventual MARY, FI ' His funeral Mass was celebrated August 26, Franciscan on April 22, 1953. He edited the II in Our Lady's Chapel. Burial was in St. Mary's magazine Immaculata and after Vatican Council II Cemetery in New Bedford.

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BREWSTER - The Lazarus Ministry at Our Lady of the Cape Parish will hold a six-session program to help people grieving the death of a loved one. The first session is scheduled for September 7 from 7 to 8:30 p.m. The program continues every Friday night until October 12. The parish is at 468 Stony Brook Road.

For more information, call Happy Whitman at 508-385-3252 or Eileen Miller at 508-896-4218.

MASHPEE - A Bereavement Support Group for people who have lost loved ones will meet on Wednesdays from 10-11 :30 a.m. from September 5 to October 17 at Christ the King Parish at Mashpee Commons off Route 151. Sister Dympna Smith is the facilitator. Call508-477-nOO or stop by the parish office to register.

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

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

~~tHT'

Rev. Napoleon, A. Messier, Pastor, St. Mathieu, Fall River, 1948

PUNERAL PLANNING

Sept. 7

~ it IllSinpta.,. "-

Very Rev. James E. McMahon, V.F., Pastor, Sacred Heart, Oak Bluffs,

1966 Rev. Raymond Pelletier, M.S., La Salette Shrine, North Attleboro, 1984

Sept. 8 Rev. Thomas Sheehan, Founder, Holy Trinity, Harwich Center, 1868

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The Anchor ,

THAT'S SHOW BIZ - Students from New ~edford Catholic schools perform in a musical production, the culmination of a two-week drama camp in the Whaling City.

New Bedford area students" 'break'a leg' in lively musical performance

By MATT McDONALD

, school officials are hoping to share some resources - such as part-time teachers - and DARTMOUTH - A high-energy musi- benefit from increased numbers (sqch as purcal performance marked the first formal col- chasing power). .The August drama camp is the first joint laboration among Catholic elementary effort among the six schools. schools in the New Bedford area.

It was the culmination of a two-week Twenty-eight students going into grades drama camp that drew from six Catholic five through eight took part in the drama camp, which took place 8 a.m. to noon Monschools in the area.

Cecilia Felix, the principal of Holy Fam- day through Friday from August 13 through ily-Holy Name School, came up with the idea August 24. The perf9rmance, a Disney mufor the musical production. sical celebration, took place the night of Au"All the schools wanted to get together and gust 24, in front of about 125 people, most do, something as a group, and music is the of them family and friends. universal language. It's a great way," Felix' Melissa Murphy and Lynne Dandeneau said. "And it's a great way for the kids to share directed the singing and dancing. the talents they've been blessed with by God.'" "I think the friendships that these' kids Two kindergarten-through-eighth-grade , made are amazing, the bonds that they got Catholic schools in New Bedford closed this through the music:' said Melissa Murphy. past June. The remaining four and two othMurphy, who is the music director at ers nearby are planning to.work mere closely Bishop Stang High School, is planning to together. start a chorus for grades five through eight The Catholic K-8 schools in the New Bed- for the Catholic schools in New Bedford. ford area' are' each run by a parish. That is: Candidates must be a member of their They're in the diocese, ,but not exactly of it. school's choir and be recommended by , Each pastor and principal is independent of their music teacher. (For more' informathe others. ' tion, contact Murphy at Bishop Stang by But some school officials want to see more calling 508-996-5502 Extension 406 or by cooperation among the schools, which is why sending an email message to they formed the Greater New Bedford Catho- , MMurphy@BishopStang.com.)

The event began with instrumental seleclic Schools this past spring. It's notclear what the alliance will become, but at a minimum tion from Disney songs, including "Mickey ANCHOR STAFF

I'D LIKE TO THANK THE ACADEMY - Atrio of performers seemed very pleased with the response from the audience 'at last week's musical program in New Bedford. ,(Photos by Matt McE?onald)

Mouse March," "It's A Small World," and "When You Wish Upon A Star." Michael K;alisz played drums and piano, Judyth Lucien played flute, Kendall Morin played clarinet, and Aaron Couto played,saxophone.

Tony Borges directed.

After an intermission, the kids sang and danced to a dozen recorded Disney songs, including "Hakuna Matata:' "You've Got A Friend in Me:' "Can't You Feel the Love Tonight:' "God Help the Oucasts:' and "Circle of Life."

All the performers had substantial dane- ' ing and singing roles, and several had short solos, as well.

The flawless up-tempo performance drewenthusiastic applause at the end. ' Afterward, flush with success, 14 of"the performers spoke in interviews about how much the drama camp meant to them.

There are plenty of chances for kids who want to play baseball or soccer during the' summer, but far fewer for those interested in theater.

"I like to sing and dance. When 1 saw someone who would actually help me succeed in it and do it better, I wanted to take advantage of it," said Rachel Roderick, 12, who is going into the eighth grade at St. JohnSt. James School in New Bedford. , "When my mom told me about this camp I got excited because you can sing and dance.

Singing is my favorite thing/' said Lindsey Florent, 10, who is going into the fifth grade at St. James-St. John.

Judyth Lucien, 12, who is going into eighth grade at Holy Family-Holy Name, played flute in the instrumental portion of the show, and later sang a solo in "HakuI)a Matata."

Though she has experience in other choirs, she was happy to take part in the drama camp.

"Music is like something I mainly can't live without," she said.

Tiffany Gutierrez; 13, who is also going into the eighth grade at St. John-St. James School in New Bedford, said she likes structured school "events; but that she had never done anything like the drama camp.

"I joined this camp because I always like to try something new," she said. "I wanted to come here with my friends and enjoy the time, and show my mom that I'm proud of

what I'm doing."

Christoplier McIntyre, 10, who is going into fifth grade at Holy Family-Holy Name School in New Bedford, had more experience going in; he had performed in a Christmastime opera called "Amahl and the Night Visitors."

He said he was excited to take part in the drama camp arid the performance.

"Ws fun, because you get to show people your talents:' he said. .

Only about a half-dozen of the 28 kids were boys. They were conscious, about being unnumbered, but quickly settled in.

Kenny Viera, 10, who goes to St. Francis School in Acushnet, went to the camp for one thing but ended up with another.

"The reason why I came was because of the scenery. That's what 1 wanted to do. But then 1had to do singing and dancing. When 1 got into it, 1 loved it:' he said.

That, of course, is one of the main attractions of show business.

"I like being in the spotlight. 1 like being there. 1like doing what I'm doing because I'm happy:' said Kasey Casella, 12, who is going into seventh,grade at St. James-St. John.

Victoria Monteiro, nine, who is going into fifth grade at Holy Family-Holy Name, said she got excited when she saw there was a song she could sing. She sang a solo in the song "I Just Can't Wait To Be King."

"Singing really makes me happy. So when 1 sing it feels good," she said. , Kelsey Pacheco, 12, who is going into seventh grade at St. James-St. John, said she has been dancing she was three-and-a-half.

She especially likes ballet. " "I really enjoy being on stage and having people clap for me:' she said.

As for the drama camp, like many of the participants she didn't know most of the others when'it began a few weeks ago.

"At first 1only knew a few kids, but 1 made some friends:' she said. "It was really fun."

Several of the performers said the company united through the practice and the production.

"Before everyone was sitting at different tables," said Amber Viera, .11, who is going into sixth grade at St. Francis School in Acushnet. "But then we all started coming together like one big family."

MOMS TURNS FIVE - The Ministry of Mothers Sharing from St. John the Evangelist Parish in Attleboro celebrated their Fifth Season in April. The seasons' participants included: seated: Melissa Quinn, Jeanne Barry, Taylar McDonald, Midia Chikomba, and Andrea Frappier. Standing: Meg Keenan (facilitator), Madeleine Santala, Krissy Donoghue (facilitator), Joan Kenton, Marcia Sweeney, Robin Antonik, MarY Poirier, and Terri-Anne Shea (facilitator).