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Diocese of Fall River, Mass.

Friday, September 2, 2016

This newly-installed statue of the Immaculate Heart of Mary now welcomes all guests to the Holy Cross Family Ministries Center, located next door to the Stonehill College Campus in North Easton.

The statue was previously located outside Sacred Heart Church in Fall River.(Photo by Kenneth J. Souza) The Anchor - September 2, 2016

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Speaker brings Catholic perspective to palliative care

By Becky Aubut Anchor Staff beckyaubut@anchornews.org

MASHPEE — Many people confuse Hospice and palliative care, thinking they are one and the same. Although they share a similar philosophy, the delivery of care is different.

Hospice and palliative care focus on quality of life or “comfort care,” including the active management of pain and other symptoms, as well as the psychological, social and Spiritual issues often experienced at the end of life.

Hospice focuses on relieving symptoms and supporting patients with a life expectancy of months not years, and their families.

However, palliative care may be given at any time during a patient’s illness, from diagnosis on even if not mortally ill.

This was the message MC Sullivan, R.N., M.T.S., J.D., director of the newly-established Initiative on Palliative Care and Advanced Care Planning for the Archdiocese of Boston, focused on during her presentation at Christ the King Parish in Mashpee.

The Center to Advance

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Palliative Care defines palliative care, also known as palliative medicine, as a specialized care for people living with a serious illness. It focuses on providing relief from symptoms and stress of a serious illness, whatever the diagnosis. The goal is to improve quality of life for the family and patient.

The keyword is “living” with a serious illness, not necessarily “dying” from a serious illness.

In any definition of palliative care, you won’t hear words like “death,” “endof-life,” or “Hospice,” because palliative care is not those things, said Sullivan: “If I could make a bumper sticker, it would say, ‘All Hospice care is palliative care, but not all palliative care is Hospice care.’”

More people are accustomed to hearing the phrase “Hospice care” than the phrase “palliative care” and are unsure of the difference. Many times healthcare professionals see those terms as synonymous, “and I can assure you, they are not,” said Sullivan.

Palliative care is introduced at the moment of the diagnosis of a

The Anchor - September 2, 2016

During a recent presentation on palliative care, MC Sullivan, a nurse, bioethicist, attorney, and director of the newly-established Initiative on Palliative Care and Advanced Planning for the Archdiocese of Boston, spoke to a rapt audience at Christ the King Parish in Mashpee as the parish wrapped up its Summer Speaker Series. In any definition of palliative care, you won’t hear words like “death,” “end-of-life,” or “Hospice,” because palliative care is not those things, said Sullivan: “If I could make a bumper sticker, it would say, ‘All Hospice care is palliative care, but not all palliative care is Hospice care.’”

(Photos by Becky Aubut)

serious, chronic, lifelimiting illness. Using the catchphrase, “at any age, at any stage,” Sullivan explained that at any age of a patient, at any stage of an illness, once a serious, life-limiting illness is diagnosed, palliative care ought to be invoked or offered so a team can meet the patient and family right away, have a care plan created and adjusted accordingly as the disease progresses and/or circumstances change.

“It should be a flexible,

dynamic thing that travels with the patient over the course of the disease,” said Sullivan. “If it starts early enough, generally you don’t see much of your palliative care team because you’ve just had the diagnosis, you’re probably living pretty well. As time goes on, and as the disease progresses, you may see more of them — you may see more of the chaplain at one time, and the social worker another time; more of the physician at one time, or the nurse at another time. It’s flexible and dynamic, and it completely depends on the needs of a patient and family at any given moment.”

Palliative care implements a holistic interdisciplinary care plan that identifies, assesses, and addresses the comprehensive needs of the seriously ill patient, including pain and other symptom management, psychosocial issues, emotional support and Spiritual care from a team of specialists from all backgrounds — nursing, psychiatry, social work,

chaplaincy, and so on — who work together on behalf of the patient.

“This thing that is so impressive about palliative care is that it is a method of treatment that implements a plan that is both constructed by and carried out by an interdisciplinary team of healthcare professionals,” said Sullivan.

Any age, any stage, a diagnosis can be made, and the disease may not just be life-limiting in the sense Turn to page 20

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

Month-long ‘Prayer for Peace’ commences September 9

rick Peyton, C.S.C., is ‘A world at prayer is a world at peace.’

FALL RIVER — In “When people pray, if light of recent incidents of their prayer is sincere, they violence and racial tension enter into a communion in communities across the United States, the president with God, and into communion with their brothof the United States Coners and sisters. If one is in ference of Catholic Bishunion with God, there is ops, Archbishop Joseph E. Kurtz of Louisville, Ky., has no room in their lives for violence. St. Paul reminds invited all dioceses across us in the letter to the the country to unite in a “Day of Prayer for Peace in Galatians: ‘But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, Our Communities.” forbearance, kindness, The Day of Prayer for goodness, faithfulness’”(Gal Peace in Our Communi5:22). ties will be celebrated on The notion of praying the feast of St. Peter Claver, for peace is not new to the September 9. The time of prayer will also be extended Fall River Diocese; in fact, the annual peace procession through the weekend as it marks the 15th anniversary and Mass began in October 1975. It was originated to of the terrorist attacks of honor Our Lady of Fatima 9/11. and takes place on the Here in the Fall River Diocese, Bishop Edgar M. Columbus Day holiday as it falls near and sometimes da Cunha, S.D.V., has expanded this important time on the October 13 anniversary of the final appearance of prayer to a month-long of the Blessed Mother to observance, to culminate with the annual peace pro- three children in Fatima, Portugal in 1917. cession already scheduled Initially begun to pray for Columbus Day weekfor peace in that country, end on October 10. the diocesan procession “During this month of and Mass has since broadprayer for peace, the faithened to include praying for ful and clergy of our diopeace worldwide. cese will be encouraged to “Since we already have pray for peace during Mass and by committing to daily the Mass every year on Columbus Day, I thought prayer for peace,” wrote that it would give a special Father John M. Murray, moderator of the curia, in a meaning connecting the letter to his brother priests. two days this year and lead people to pray for peace “Bishop da Cunha is sugnot just one day, but for a gesting that a daily Rosary whole month,” Bishop da for peace be part of the Cunha said. “Since we bepersonal prayer life of the lieve that prayers can have diocesan faithful throughan impact in people’s lives out this month.” and in our world, a month “Prayer for peace has of prayer for peace would been part of our tradition bear more fruits than one in the Catholic Church day of prayer. Prayer does for centuries,” Bishop da change the one who prays Cunha recently told The Anchor. “One of the famous and the situation for which one prays. As we read in quotes from Father Pat-

the prophet Isaiah: ‘You will keep in perfect peace those whose minds are steadfast, because they trust in you’” (Is 26:3).

This year’s peace procession will close out the month of prayer on October 10 beginning at 6 p.m. from St. Anne’s Church on South Main Street and traveling to St. Mary’s Cathedral at the corner of Second and Spring streets for a closing Mass celebration at 7 p.m.

“When the Blessed Mother appeared to the children in Fatima in May 1917, she told them ‘Say the Rosary every day, to bring peace to the world and an end to the war,’” Bishop da Cunha said.

“Again when she reappeared on July 13, 1917, she told them: ‘Continue to say the Rosary every day in honor of Our Lady of the Rosary, to obtain the peace in the world and the end of the war,’ because only she can obtain it.

“The Rosary is a prayer very dear to many Catholics, it is prayer that can be

said any time and at any place, by anyone — young or old — at any stage of their lives.”

This year’s special month of prayer for peace is also timely given next year’s 100th anniversary of Our Lady of Fatima’s apparitions, who is also known as “Our Lady of Peace.”

“Devotion to the Blessed Mother under the title of ‘Our Lady of Peace’ or ‘Queen of Peace’ goes back centuries in the Church,” Bishop da Cunha said. “As our Heavenly Mother, we know she would like all her children to live in peace with each other. So, she is very much interested in our peace and in a peaceful world. She would not want to see any of her children suffering. Where there is violence and war, there is suffering. Therefore we pray through her intercession for an end to violence and war, so that people may be spared the suffering these evils bring and peace may reign among all God’s people.”

Also of note during the

month of prayer for peace, Bishop da Cunha will be leading a prayer service on October 1 at Angell Park in Attleboro. This park is located across the street from Four Women Health Services Clinic, 150 Emory Street in Attleboro — the only abortion provider still operating in the diocese.

The service will take place from 8 to 8:40 a.m.

Mass will follow at 9 a.m. at St. Vincent de Paul Church, 71 Linden Street in Attleboro. The event coincides with the fall 40 Days for Life campaign.

In addition to designating September 9, Archbishop Kurtz has also appointed a special USCCB task force to support bishops in the day of prayer and, more broadly, in promoting peace and healing during this time of great strain on civil society. He noted the need to look at ways the Catholic Church can walk with and help these suffering communities.

“I have stressed the need Turn to page 15

The Anchor - September 2, 2016

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Immaculate Heart welcomes prayers and players to Holy Cross Family Ministries

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

EASTON — A towering statue of the Immaculate Heart of Mary that once stood silently sentinel outside the former Sacred Heart Church on Seabury Street in Fall River is now prominently displayed at the entrance to the Father Peyton Center and offices of Holy Cross Family Ministries.

“Father John Ozug, the rector at St. Mary’s Cathedral (in Fall River), came by one night to see the statue and he jokingly labeled her Our Lady of Seabury Street,” said Father Leo Polselli, C.S.C., chaplain of the Father Peyton Center. “The statue looks beautiful out there; I think it looks much larger here, too.”

The white plaster statue of Mary and her Immaculate Heart was recently added to the North Easton facility’s Washington Street entrance on the Stonehill College campus, perched on a pedestal at the center of a circular patch of grass also adorned with a sandstone bench that provides a peaceful place for people to sit, meditate and pray.

“When we closed our property in North Dartmouth, that bench was outside our main house on Tucker Road,” Father

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Polselli said, referring to the former retirement home for members of the Congregation of the Holy Cross that was shut down and sold last year.

According to Father Polselli, Father Wilfred Raymond, C.S.C., president of Holy Cross Family Ministries, liked it and had it brought to North Easton, with assistance from Deacon Thomas P. Palanza, who serves as a building consultant for the diocese.

“Deacon Tom can tell you that bench is priceless,” Father Polselli said. “He estimated it would cost in the tens of thousands (today).”

“When I first saw (the Immaculate Heart) in front of Sacred Heart Church, it struck me as an extraordinarily beautiful statue,” Father Raymond said. “We felt we needed a suitable statue to make the statement that Mary is an integral part to our ministry, and I knew this was it.”

The statue is just steps from the nearby Rosary walk, where a bronze statue of Servant of God Father Patrick Peyton, C.S.C. — the famed “Rosary priest” and founder of Holy Cross Family Ministries — is also on display next to another recent acquisition from the congregation’s North Dartmouth property: a statue of St. André Bessette, C.S.C.

The Anchor - September 2, 2016

“St. André is a little dwarfed by the statue of Father Peyton,” Father Polselli said.

Other religious items that have recently been repurposed from Sacred Heart Parish in Fall River include a gilded Tabernacle and smaller Immaculate Heart statue that are now housed within the chapel of the Father Peyton Center.

These are all part of the changes that have been made since Father Raymond took over as president of the ministry two years ago, according to Susan Wallace, director of external relations for Holy Cross Family Ministries.

“One of the areas where Father Raymond has really made his mark is in the Spiritual aspects of the building,” Wallace said.

“He’s made some not real significant but important changes in our chapel. I think it really changed the whole atmosphere. I think that’s going to be his legacy to this ministry — bringing us to the essence of it all, which is the Eucharist, praying for families and bringing families to pray together. He really has zeroed in on the essence of who we are and what we need to do.”

“I felt a little mixed about bringing the statue up here, because I know when a church closes, there’s always a sense of sadness and loss among parishioners,” Father Raymond said. “But I want to thank them and let them know that this statue now has a place of prominence and whole second life here, and we will always cherish it.”

In keeping with the mantra of Father Peyton — “the family that prays together, stays together” — Father

The Tabernacle, center, and statue of Mary, left, inside the chapel at the Father Peyton Center at Holy Cross Family Ministries were formerly the property of Sacred Heart Parish in Fall River that were recently acquired by the North Easton ministry. (Photo by Kenneth J. Souza)

Raymond has also implemented a research project at Holy Cross Family Ministries to “determine how families live together, pray together, and use media so we can be there with them and have a presence on social media,” Wallace said.

“We have to be more digital — that’s the reality today.”

Ironically enough, the newly-added Immaculate Heart statue and the Father Peyton Center itself have become important points of interest in a digital realm that has nothing to do with prayer or family interaction: the Pokémon GO game that has become all the rage on smartphones and tablets of late.

“This building is a gym and (the statue) is a stop, so we’ve had this whole influx of people coming here,” Wallace said.

According to the rules of the virtual reality game, “gyms” serve as battle locations for king-of-the-hill type team match-ups while “Poké Stops” provide players with items such as eggs, “Poké Balls” and potions used to lure and capture the elusive Pokémon creatures on the screen.

Apparently the Pokémon GO game uses Google mapping technology to identify religious sites such as shrines and churches as its so-called “gyms.”

“It’s been great, though, because I was thinking these are people who now know we are here,” Wallace said.

“If nothing else, they came and maybe the Holy Spirit touched them in some way while they were literally walking up and down that Rosary path looking for Pokémon.”

“I didn’t know anything about it, but (someone) opened the app and showed it to me,” Father Polselli said. “So now we’ve got all these people just driving by and stopping here (to play the game).”

“I finally had to download the game on my smartphone and I opened it up and I thought to myself: ‘This is crazy,’” Wallace added. “But it’s good — this is what we need to do. It’s where people are and you have to meet them where they are. If you can meet them where they are and draw them closer to Christ, hopefully that will draw them closer to the Eucharist.”

Nonviolent politics to be the focus of next World Day of Peace

Vatican City (CNA/EWTN News) — The theme Pope Francis recently selected for the 2017 World Day of Peace focuses on nonviolence as a political solution to what he has frequently termed a “piecemeal World War III” being waged throughout the globe.

“Violence and peace are at the origin of two opposite ways to building society,” a recent communique from the Vatican’s Council for Justice and Peace announcing the theme read.

“The proliferation of hotbeds of violence produces most serious negative

social consequences. Peace, by contrast, promotes social positive consequences and it allows the achievement of real progress.”

Therefore, “we should act within what is possible, and negotiate ways of peace even where they seem tortuous and impractical,” the message attached to the theme said.

By doing so, non-violence can take on “a more comprehensive and new meaning” composed not only of mere desire or a moral rejection of violence, barriers and destructive impulses, but also “of a realistic political method that gives rise to

hope.”

Titled, “Non-Violence: A Style of Politics for Peace,” the theme for 2017’s World Day of Peace marks the 50th anniversary of the celebration, and the fourth of Pope Francis’ pontificate.

Instituted by Blessed Pope Paul VI in 1968, the World Day of Peace is celebrated each year on the first day of January. The pope gives a special message for the occasion, which is sent to all foreign ministers around the world, and which also indicates the Holy See’s diplomatic tone during the coming year.

So far Pope Francis’

Vatican City, (CNA/ EWTN News) — In the wake of the Norcia earthquake, Pope Francis again offered prayers and said he hopes to visit the victims. He also reflected on the Gospel call to help the poor.

“Today, Jesus gives a voice to those without a voice and asks each of us an urgent appeal to open our hearts and make our own the sufferings and anxieties of the poor, the hungry, the marginalized, refugees, those defeated by life, those who are rejected by society and the arrogance of the strongest,” the pope said during a recent Angelus message.

He discussed the Gospel parable of a wedding feast where a guest who takes the highest seat of honor must move to the lowest seat when someone of a higher rank arrives.

“Jesus makes us understand the necessity of choosing the last place, to search the smallness and obscurity,” Pope Francis said.

Pride and vanity are the cause of many evils in the world, the pope explained.

When we lower ourselves,

then it is God Who lifts us up. He highlighted the duty of Christians to be humble and he warned against seeking the reward of men instead of the reward of eternal life given by God, which is a place “close to his heart.”

The pope led pilgrims in praying a Hail Mary for victims of the recent central Italy earthquake, saying he hopes to visit them “as soon as possible.”

Pope Francis again expressed his “Spiritual closeness” to the dead and survivors of the August 24 quake and said that the Church “shares their suffering and their concerns.”

The death toll from the 6.2-magnitude earthquake has reached at least 281, with more than 200 people rescued from the rubble.

The pope’s message repeated his frequent call to serve those on the peripheries.

Our hospitality must not be based off of an interest in recognition or receiving something in return, the pontiff said. He quoted Jesus’ words in the Gospel that when giving a banquet “invite the poor, the crippled, the lame and the

blind; and you will be blessed because they cannot repay.”

The pope said that in the reading, “Jesus shows His preference for the poor and the excluded, who are the privileged of the Kingdom of God, and launches the Gospel message that it is important to serve others for love of God.”

Open your hearts to those ‘defeated by life,’ pope says

messages have focused on themes close to his heart, such as fraternity, an end to slavery, including forced labor and human trafficking, as well as overcoming indifference on an individual and a political level.

His messages for the event have consistently included bold pastoral and political advice for ecclesial and international leaders, including his push for the abolition of the death penalty and amnesty for prisoners convicted of political offenses.

In the communique introducing the 2017 theme, it was stressed that nonviolence as a political strategy is “based on the primacy of law.”

If the equal rights and dignity of each individual are respected without discrimination, “then non-violence, understood as a political method, can constitute a realistic way to overcome arm conflicts.”

Pope Francis’ aim in

choosing this theme, the statement read, is to show “a path of hope” that’s proportionate to the context of today’s global circumstances.

“In this way, the settlement of disputes may be reached through negotiation without then degenerating into armed conflict.” With this perspective in mind, the cultural identity of different peoples will be respected, and the idea that some are “morally superior” to others will be overcome.

The statement cautioned that nonviolence isn’t the same as remaining indifferent to tragedies, but rather implies a recognition “of the primacy of diplomacy over the noise of arms.”

“Arms trade is so widespread that it is generally underestimated,” the statement read, adding that illegal arms trafficking supports “not a few world’s conflicts,” and nonviolence as a political style “can and must do much to stem this scourge.”

The Anchor - September 2, 2016

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Anchor Editorial

Peace and Mother Teresa

With the canonization of St. Teresa of Calcutta this weekend and next Friday’s beginning of the month of prayer for peace, let us see how these two topics are related, so that we can then grow in Christ’s peace, as this great saint did.

In Mother Teresa Square in Tirana, Albania in 2014, Pope Francis quoted Jesus’ charge to the 72 disciples He sent out — that they should say, “Peace be to this house!” at any home they visited. The Holy Father explained, “It is not only a greeting, but also a gift: the gift of peace. Being here with you today, I wish to repeat to you this greeting: May peace be in your homes! May peace reign in your hearts! Peace in your country!

Peace! The Risen and living Lord sends not only the 12, but the entire Church; He sends each of the Baptized to announce the Gospel to all peoples.”

As we pray for peace, we remind ourselves of this responsibility to be carriers of Christ’s peace to others, conscious that this peace needs to reign in our hearts if we are to be successful.

St. John Paul II, on Oct. 20, 2003 (the day after Mother’s beatification) said, “Where did Mother Teresa find the strength to place herself completely at the service of others? She found it in prayer and in the silent contemplation of Jesus Christ, His Holy Face, His Sacred Heart. She herself said as much: ‘The fruit of silence is prayer; the fruit of prayer is faith; the fruit of faith is love; the fruit of love is service; the fruit of service is peace.’ Peace, even at the side of the dying, even in nations at war, even in the face of attacks and hostile criticism. It was prayer that filled her heart with Christ’s Own peace and enabled her to radiate that peace to others.”

Here we are reminded that praying for peace is not just a thing we do in our minds; it leads to concrete actions. Nonetheless, for them to be effective, we need to begin with silence and contemplation. Contemplating Jesus in the Blessed Sacrament helps us to better recognize Him in our neighbor.

Mother made reference to this Spiritual reality in her 1979 speech accepting the Nobel Prize: “For we are touching the Body of Christ 24 hours [a day]. We have 24 hours in this presence, and so you and I. You, too, try to bring that presence of God in your family, for the family that prays together stays together. And I think that we in our family don’t need bombs and guns, to destroy to bring peace — just get together, love one another, bring that peace, that joy, that strength of presence of each other in the home. And we will be able to overcome all the evil that is in the world.”

In the Nobel speech she also gave another helpful hint for building peace: “If we all look into our own homes, how difficult we find it sometimes to smile at each other, and that the smile is the beginning of love.

And so let us always meet each other with a smile, for the smile is the beginning of love, and once we begin to love each other, naturally we want OFFICIAL NEWSPAPER OF THE DIOCESE OF FALL RIVER www.anchornews.org

Vol. 60, No. 18

Member: Catholic Press Association, Catholic News Service Published bi-weekly by the Catholic Press of the Diocese of Fall River, 887 Highland Avenue, Fall River, MA 02720, Telephone 508-675-7151 — FAX 508-675-7048, email: theanchor@anchornews.org. Subscription price by mail, postpaid $20.00 per year, for U.S. addresses.

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The Anchor - September 2, 2016

to do something.”

St. Teresa and her Sisters would pray the peace prayer of St. Francis of Assisi every day after receiving Holy Communion. In 1994 at the National Prayer Breakfast in Washington, D.C., she discussed that prayer and said, “We have come here especially to pray for peace, joy and love. We are reminded that Jesus came to bring the Good News to the poor. He had told us what that Good News is when He said: ‘My peace I leave with you, My peace I give unto you.’ He came not to give the peace of the world which is only that we don’t bother each other. He came to give the peace of heart which comes from loving — from doing good to others.”

In that speech Mother spoke about neglected elders who are rarely visited; about young people who turn to drugs due to a lack of love; about unborn children killed in the womb. “I feel that the greatest destroyer of peace today is abortion, because it is a war against the child, a direct killing of the innocent child, murder by the mother herself. And if we accept that a mother can kill even her own child, how can we tell other people not to kill one another? How do we persuade a woman not to have an abortion?

As always, we must persuade her with love and we remind ourselves that love means to be willing to give until it hurts. The father of that child, whoever he is, must also give until it hurts. By abortion, the father is told that he does not have to take any responsibility at all for the child. Any country that accepts abortion is not teaching its people to love, but to use any violence to get what they want. This is why the greatest destroyer of love and peace is abortion.”

One might wonder how is abortion relevant to the various intentions for peace about which we need to pray (the tensions between the AfricanAmerican community and the police; wars and terrorism throughout the world). Mother Teresa spoke about abortion often, even though her visible work was mainly with the poor (although she said in this speech that her home in Calcutta alone had saved 3,000 children from abortion), because she saw the abortion mentality was part of the mindset which led to endemic poverty and wars — the mentality that other people are not worth sacrificing our convenience to help them.

“Many people are very, very concerned with the children of India, with the children of Africa where quite a few die of hunger, and so on. Many people are also concerned about all the violence in this great country of the United States,” said Mother in that speech. “These concerns are very good.

But often these same people are not concerned with the millions who are being killed by the deliberate decision of their own mothers. And this is what is the greatest destroyer of peace today — abortion which brings people to such blindness.”

We ask God that this month of prayer will help to cure us of this blindness and help us build peace.

Daily Readings Sept. 3 — Sept. 16

Upcoming Daily Readings: Sat. Sept. 3, 1 Cor 4:6b-15; Ps 145:17-21; Lk 6:1-5.

Sun. Sept. 4, Twenty-third Sunday in Ordinary Time, Wis 9:13-18b; Ps 90:36,12-17; Phlm 9-10,12-17; Lk 14:25-33. Mon. Sept. 5, 1 Cor 5:1-8; Ps 5:5-7,12; Lk 6:6-11. Tues. Sept. 6, 1 Cor 6:1-11; Ps 149:1b-6a,9b; Lk 6:12-19. Wed. Sept.

7, 1 Cor 7:25-31; Ps 45:11-12,14-17; Lk 6:20-26. Thurs. Sept. 8, Mi 5:1-4a or Rom 8:28-30; Ps 13:6abc; Mt 1:1-16,18-23 or 1:18-23. Fri. Sept. 9, 1 Cor 9:1619,22b-27; Ps 84:3-6,12; Lk 6:39-42.

Sat. Sept. 10, 1 Cor 10:14-22; Ps 116:12-13,17-18; Lk 6:43-49. Sun. Sept. 11, Twenty-fourth Sunday in Ordinary Time, Ex 32:7-11,13-14; Ps 51:3-4,12-13, 17,19; 1 Tm 1:12-17; Lk 15:1-32 or 15:1-10. Mon. Sept. 12, 1 Cor 11:17-26,33; Ps 40:7-10,17; Lk 7:1-10. Tues. Sept. 13, 1 Cor 12:12-14,27-31a; Ps 100:1b-5; Lk 7:11-17. Wed. Sept. 14, Nm 21:4b-9; Ps 78:1b-2,34-38; Phil 2:6-11; Jn 3:1317. Thurs. Sept. 15, 1 Cor 15:1-11; Ps 118:1b-2,16ab-17,28; Jn 19:25-27 or Lk 2:33-35. Fri. Sept. 16, 1 Cor 15:12-20; Ps 17:1bcd,6-7,8b and 15; Lk 8:1-3.

T

he goal of this extraordinary Jubilee of Mercy is revealed by its Biblical motto: “Merciful like the Father.” It’s to be so transformed by God’s merciful love that we become the image and likeness of that mercy; like Jesus, “Mercy Incarnate,” we become to some degree an embodiment of that mercy. This is our Christian calling. This is what it means to become holy.

This is what God in His love wants to make of us.

Mother Teresa of Kolkata was someone who allowed God’s transformative mercy to have a free hand with her. The celebration of her canonization on Sunday, her feast day on Monday (on the 19th anniversary of her birth into eternal life) and the commemoration next Saturday of the 70th anniversary of her “call within a call” — Jesus’ summons of her to found the Missionaries of Charity to quench the infinite thirst of Jesus on the cross for love of souls and to labor for the Salvation and sanctification of the poorest of the poor — provide us with a Sacred opportunity to see what the Christian metamorphosis of mercy looks like and to respond, as Mother Teresa did, with loving trust, total surrender and cheerfulness to the vocation within our vocation.

Mother Teresa, born Agnes Gonxha Bojaxhiu of Albanian heritage in Skopje, Macedonia, in 1910, had certainly been

Quenching Jesus’ infinite thirst for mercy He wants to be for you living a good Christian life before Jesus spoke to or who He wants you to be for Him. The heart her on a train to Darjeeling. She had become and soul of [a Missionary of Charity] is a Sister of Loreto and had travelled to Calcutta only this — the thirst of Jesus’ Heart. Satiatas a Catholic school ing the living Jesus in teacher and principal, our midst is [our] only passing on the gift of purpose for existing. ‘I faith and education to thirst’ and ‘You did it to girls from families that could provide schooling for their daughPutting Into ters within the the Deep Sisters’ walled compound. At 36

By Father years old, howRoger J. Landry ever, as she was traveling into the mountains, Jesus Me’: Remember always revealed His desire for to connect the two.” her to share His mercy On the cross, Jesus, toward all those outdespite His parched side those walls, those tongue, excruciating who were too poor to pain and exhaustion, receive an education, cried out, “I thirst,” and those who were sufferthis was far more than to ing, abandoned on the request water or to fulfill streets, those who were Psalm 69. He was exdying — and living — without love and dignity. pressing His unappeasHe asked her to become able desire to save us, to free us not just from a “missionary of charthe punishment of our ity,” an ambassador of sins but from our sins, to His mercy to the most alienated and abandoned have us respond faithfully and generously to of those for whom He Him with the gift of our willingly gave His life love, and to transform on Golgotha.

The secret of her holy us to share that longing.

Jesus doesn’t just love us life was defined by her and others; He thirsts encounter, on Sept. 10, 1946, with Jesus’ infinite for us like a dry weary land without water (Ps thirst of compassion.

She would later write to 63). And that thirst beher Spiritual daughters, came the defining characteristic of the life of “Why does Jesus say, Mother Teresa and her ‘I thirst?’ What does it mean? ‘I thirst’ is some- Missionaries of Charity, thing much deeper than as anyone who visits one of their chapels readily Jesus’ just saying ‘I love sees: the words “I thirst” you.’ Until you know are inscribed next to the deep inside that Jesus crucifix as a perpetual thirsts for you — you can’t begin to know who reminder of Jesus’ thirst

until the end of time, a thirst to share His mercy with us and to have us become missionaries of that thirst.

Responding to Jesus’ thirst began with her approach to His mercy in the Sacrament of Confession, a gift she received once a week and to which she called all of us frequently to have recourse.

She would counsel, “One thing is necessary for us: Confession.

Confession is nothing but humility in action. We call it Penance, but really it is a Sacrament of love, a Sacrament of forgiveness. It is a place where I allow Jesus to take away from me everything that divides, that destroys.

Confession is a beautiful act of great love. Only in Confession can we go in as sinners with sin and come out as sinners without sin by the greatness of the mercy of God. There’s no need for us to despair, no need for us to commit suicide, no need for us to be discouraged, if we have understood the tenderness of God’s love.” She said elsewhere, very simply, “Confession is Jesus and I, and nobody else,” and added, “Remember this for life.” Confession is where we are bathed and cleansed by Jesus’ thirst.

But that mercy received becomes a mercy to be given. So often Mother Teresa and the Missionaries of Charity are viewed as a special

class of social workers who care for the toughest cases that others won’t touch: lepers; those dying in gutters being devoured by disease; those with HIV/ AIDS; the severely disabled; orphaned, abandoned and unwanted children; refugees; the untouchables; and the poorest of the poor. But Mother Teresa always firmly resisted the notion that she and her Sisters were simply glorified social workers. She was, rather, an emissary of God’s charity: Having received God’s love for her, she recognized that God infinitely loves every person, including those whom the world finds most difficult to love, and she sought to live according to that love and to invite others to do the same. She became the beautiful, wrinkled face of the Good Samaritan and showed us all how to cross the road with her.

As the Church celebrates her canonization, her feast, and the 70th anniversary of her call within a call to satiate Jesus’ infinite thirst for mercy, let us ask her from Heaven to pray for us that in this Jubilee of Mercy we, likewise, may come to experience that thirst and seek to quench it by responding to His calling us within our state of life to become, like Agnes Bojaxhiu, missionaries of that charity, too.

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

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Retreat for family healing planned for September 18

EASTON — A “Retreat for Family Healing,” including a workshop, lunch, adoration, Rosary, healing Mass and Benediction, will be held September 18, beginning with registration at 10:30 a.m. at the Father Peyton Center, 518 Washington Street (Route 138) in North Easton.

Led and facilitated by Father Pinto Paul, C.S.C., assistant to the president at Holy Cross Family Ministries, the day’s agenda will include a healing workshop from 10:45 a.m. to 12:15 p.m.; a simple lunch of soup, bread and salad from noon to 1 p.m.; ado-

ration inside the St. Joseph Chapel at 1 p.m.; Rosary at 1:30 p.m.; and closing with a Mass and blessing with St. André Bessette’s relic and anointing with St. Joseph oil at 2 p.m. The event is free and open to the public.

“It’s basically trying to help families to see what the dysfunctions are in the family and to have a session to raise awareness of this and what it is, why it is, and what can be done,” Father Paul said.

“We are trying to base the (workshop) on Scripture. If you look at the genealogy of Jesus beginning with Abraham you can see there were so many dysfunctions even in those great saints. Even the father of our faith, Abraham, had his own dysfunctions, so people should not feel discouraged or disappointed with what went wrong.

We conclude with the Eucharist because it is the ultimate healing source for

all of us.”

St. André Bessette, C.S.C., was known as the “Miracle Man of Montreal” for his intercession in healing thousands of faithful. Canonized a saint in 2010, he was known for countless miracles at St. Joseph’s Oratory in Montreal. More than one million people paid their respects upon his death in 1937 and two million visit his shrine each year.

St. André’s relic will be available for blessing and veneration at the Healing Mass at St. Joseph Chapel near the Father Peyton Center.

“For the last several years we’ve had a Healing Mass, focusing primarily on St. André,” said Father Leo Polselli, chaplain of the Father Peyton Center. “It’s a Sunday Mass with corresponding preaching and we anoint with St. Joseph’s oil at the end and then we pass around the (St. André) relic among the people. It’s the most touching thing you’ll ever experience. It’s amazing to see people touching, crying, and reaching out (to it).”

“I feel the most important ministry we can do is

A statue of St. André Bessette, the “Miracle Man of Montreal,” greets guests to the Holy Cross Family Ministries campus in Easton. (Anchor file photo)

to reach out to families,” Father Paul added. “It’s clearly Father Peyton’s message: ‘The family that prays together, stays together.’ It’s the root of it all and we all have to start there.”

To register for the workshop and lunch, call Family Rosary at 508-238-4095, extension 2002, or email jkaravetsos@ hcfm.org. For directions or more information, visit www. familyrosary.org/events.

Pocasset parish to host 5K Run & Walk to benefit food pantry, parish youth programs

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Pocasset — St. John the Evangelist Parish is hosting an inaugural 5K Run & Fun Walk on September 5 to benefit the Friends Food Pantry and parish youth programs.

The race is sponsored

by Wenzel Auto Body, The Lobster Trap, CMS Landscape and other area businesses.

The entry fees are $25/ individual; $80/family of four or more.

Veteran runners, new The Anchor - September 2, 2016

runners, joggers and walkers of all ages are welcome to attend. Participants are encouraged to bring a non-perishable food item with them on race day.

Pre-registrations are being accepted at the parish.

Race day sign-in opens at 7:30 a.m. with the race starting at 9 a.m.

Refreshments will be offered immediately following the race.

The top male and female from the following catego-

ries will receive recognition: age 14 and under; age 15-64 (top three male and female); age 65 and over.

The route begins at St. John the Evangelist Parish, then down Shore Road and will take participants around the beach and returning to the parish.

For more information about the 5K Run & Fun Walk, including a detailed route map visit www. stjohnspocasset.org or call 508-563-5887.

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iving in today’s world, we are so aware of our surroundings, what is happening in our neighborhoods, towns, states and countries; with the help of social media, we are kept in the know. With such advanced and immediate reporting of current events, it is very easy for us to fall for the hype around what is happening, even if it is worlds away.

The second reading this week from Philemon truly speaks to me of what is expected of us, regardless of what is transpiring. There is so much violence and hatred, so much political unrest, so much finger-pointing and blame, it is often hard to see beyond the negativity, to recognize the positive and good.

We as a people, just finished watching 17 days of the good that exists on this planet. The Olympics demonstrate that individuals can and do get along, working together for the greater good. We witnessed as Olympians strived to give it their all, even to the point of physical pain, to show the world their best. Athletes coming together to demonstrate the finest each nation had to offer.

Competitors recognized each other as brother and sister, working together to bring out the elite among them. Some even giving up the chance of winning to ensure that a fellow athlete finished as well.

For 17 days all these people came together and lived together under the same roof, proving to the world that we can and

He’s my brother ... do get along when biases the surface to find the are put aside. Yet with all good in others. It is also a this, the world constantly message of forgiveness, of barrages us with notions looking beyond the transand ideas that we can’t gressions of a nation, to and don’t get along. That see its people. To recogwe are enemies first and nize that they are truly no foremost, and we should treat others as such. We In the Palm cannot and will of His Hands not acknowledge others as equal,

By Rose Mary because they are Saraiva different, they do not worship, live, work or learn as we do. They eat and drink different, they work, play, and socialize so differraise families, and strive ently than we do, how can to have abundant lives we possibly entertain no- filled with love and hope, tions that we could even just as we do. get along, let alone live Recently I watched together? Yet the world a very intriguing and just did in Brazil, and we interesting video by witnessed it. momondo.com, entitled In the Scripture read“The DNA Journey.” ing, Paul is asking and A group of people of urging Philemon to varying nationalities were accept Onesimus as an interviewed and one of the equal, a brother. A Bible questions asked of them passage that was writwas, “Is there a country ten so many years ago, you do not really care for?” yet holds true for today’s The answers were varied, society. Onesimus was many believing they a slave and a runaway, were superior to others. as are many of today’s After the questions, refugees. They are runthey were asked if they ning from oppression and would be willing to hatred, from homes that take part in the DNA hold no promise for them journey. They agreed, in the hopes of beginand the results were ning anew. They, like amazing, with individuals Onesimus, are looking to discovering that their be accepted, treated as an heritage was diverse, and equal, and recognized as that there were many a fellow human being, on overlapping nationalities a similar journey through in the bloodline. The life. real surprise for some The message is very participants was finding clear, we must put aside that they had a relative in our misconceptions and the group. The message misguided beliefs, and of the project is very see the brother or sister clear, “there are more before us. To recognize things uniting us than others as equals, treating dividing us.” No different them as we would want to than Paul’s message to be treated. Seeing beyond Philemon.

So why do we still choose to find fault in our neighbor, to see them as being so different than ourselves? We truly are all brothers and sisters under the skin, with similar needs and wants, hopes and aspirations, doing what we can to provide our families with better lives. Yet we allow ourselves to be swayed by the belief that we can never be equals, because we are so different. Yet it is our uniqueness that continues to give glory to God, it is the very ability to be different that makes us wonderful and amazing. Just as each athlete brought his or her own unique style and talent to the Olympic games, giving us, the viewers, stunning performances that bore witness to what the

human body can accomplish and withstand. We too, can work together, uniting our combined talents in the effort of being more accepting of each other, choosing to see the brother or sister standing there.

In a world filled with so much turmoil, can we dare to be different? Can we voluntarily reach out to those in need, to those seeking acceptance, seeing them as they truly are, children of a loving God, and “our beloved brother or sister”?

Anchor columnist Rose Mary Saraiva lives in Fall River and is a parishioner of Holy Trinity, and she is the Events Coordinator and Bereavement Ministry for the diocesan Off ice of Faith Formation. She is married with three children and two grandchildren. rsaraiva@ dfrcs.com.

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The happiest day of Mother Teresa’s life Vatican City (CNA/EWTN News) — It’s been said that saints often come in pairs.

SS. Peter and Paul, Mary and Joseph, Francis and Clare, and Louis and Zelie Martin are just a handful of such saints, coupled together through Marriage or friendship.

Perhaps the bestknown modern saintly pair of friends would be Mother Teresa and John Paul II, whose lives intersected many times during her time as Mother Superior of the Missionaries of Charity, and his pontificate.

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When John Paul II came to visit Mother Teresa’s home in the heart of the slums in Kolkata in 1986, Mother Teresa called it “the happiest day of my life.”

When he arrived, Mother Teresa climbed up into the white popemobile and kissed the ring of the Bishop of Rome, who then kissed the top of Mother’s head, a greeting they would exchange almost every time they met.

After their warm hello, Mother took John Paul II to her Nirmal Hriday (Sacred Heart) Home, a home for the sick and the dying she had founded in the 1950s.

Footage of the visit shows Mother Teresa leading John Paul II by the hand to various parts of the home, while he stops to embrace, bless,

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Mother Teresa and John Paul II, May 25, 1983. (L’Osservatore Romano photo)

and greet the patients. He also blessed four corpses, including that of a child.

According to reports of the visit from the BBC, the pope was “visibly moved” by what he saw during his visit, as he helped the nuns feed and care for the sick and the dying. At some points the pope was so disturbed by what he saw that he found himself speechless in response to Mother Teresa.

Afterwards, the pope gave a short address outside the home, calling Nirmal Hriday “a place that bears witness to the primacy of love.”

“When Jesus Christ was teaching His disciples how they could best show their love for Him, He said: ‘Truly, I say to you, as you did it to one of the least of these My brethren, you did it to Me.’ Through Mother Teresa and the Missionaries of Charity, and

through the many others who have served here, Jesus has been deeply loved in people whom society often considers ‘the least of our brethren,’” the pope remarked.

“Nirmal Hriday proclaims the profound dignity of every human person. The loving care which is shown here bears witness to the truth that the worth of a human being is not measured by usefulness or talents, by health or sickness, by age or creed or race. Our human dignity comes from God our Creator in Whose image we are all made. No amount of privation or suffering can ever remove this dignity, for we are always precious in the eyes of God,” he added.

After his address, the pope greeted the gathered crowds, making a special stop to greet the smiling and singing Sisters of the Missionaries of Charity.

Besides calling the visit the happiest day of her life, Mother Teresa also added: “It is a wonderful thing for the people, for his touch is the touch of Christ.”

The two remained close friends, visiting each other several times over the years. After her death in 1997, John Paul II waived the five-year waiting period usually observed before opening her cause for canonization. At her beatification in 2003, John Paul II praised Mother Teresa’s love for God, shown through her love for the poor.

“Let us praise the Lord for this diminutive woman in love with God, a humble Gospel messenger and a tireless benefactor of humanity. In her we honor one of the most important figures of our time. Let us welcome her message and follow her example.”

No cutting Friday 2 September 2016 — Main Street, Falmouth — waiting in line at Dippin’ Donuts ow that schools are gearing up for another academic year, school children everywhere will need to be reminded of proper classroom etiquette. Children tend to forget such things during summer vacation. I remember the drill since childhood: no talking in class, respect your elders, pay attention, sit up straight, follow directions, do your homework, no fighting, and, of course, no cutting in line.

I suspect some of those oldfashioned rules may no longer be enforced. I know one of them has been challenged in court. This should come as no surprise to you, dear readers, given these litigious times. It involves, however, not schoolchildren but senior citizens. I read about it in the Wall Street Journal. Being a card-carrying senior citizen myself, the article piqued my curiosity.

It seems the city of Fortaleza, Brazil, has passed a law allowing people aged 60 years and older to cut to the front of any line, any place, at any time.

Businesses that fail to give seniors immediate attention can be fined $750 for each offense.

Some businesses and government offices in Brazil had already installed designated windows (caixas preferenciais) for senior citizens, but this new law goes further. I’m not fond of waiting in line. Perhaps line-cutting is an idea whose time has come. Let’s consider the possibilities.

It’s not so much the wait that annoys you, but rather those who try to hoodwink you out of your rightful place in line.

A late-arriving youth surreptitiously realizes that his long-lost best friend forever happens to be at the front of that very line. Of course, he’s

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moves faster than yours. going to walk up to express a I notice bank tellers simply tribal greeting by launching ask, “May I help the next perinto a complicated handshakson in line?” then smile while ing ritual. It’s the polite thing customers elbow each other to do. You can bet he’ll not be out of the way. Most Scripture returning to his place at the scholars maintain that this is end of the line. not the meaning of the Biblical Or there’s the innocentphrase, “The first shall be last.” looking little old lady who There forcibly are scienrams your tists who shopping The Ship’s Log actually cart out of Reflections of a study the the way so Parish Priest psycholthat she By Father Tim ogy of can beat Goldrick waiting you to the in line. checkout.

Really. I This, some am not making this up.

You say, is the origin of bumper car encounter their conclusions rides at amusement parks. every day.

Then there are those ahead You’ll be less impatient if the of you who, while waiting in line appears to be moving. This line, are mindlessly texting. The queue moves on without them. has given rise to the zigzag line. Disney is a master of this You stay put. tactic. It may seem you’ve proHow about those who apgressed by leaps and bounds, pear to be calmly waiting in but you’ve only moved ahead a line, then suddenly start flitfew inches. ting about, running over to You’ll be less frustrated if check the price of bananas in there’s an “estimated wait” produce or dashing off to pick announced. This has been up a jar of relish on aisle No. used not only at the Registry 87? “Save my place?” they ask. of Motor Vehicles, but also I use two criteria in deteron most highways leading to mining which checkout to choose. The first is the length of the line. The second is who has the fewest items in their shopping carts. Signs proclaiming “10 items or less” are pointless.

My criteria fail when a person actually has two shopping carts — one in front of them and one behind — like someone preparing for Armageddon. Or when half the items in someone’s cart need pricechecks. Or when the person in front of you pays with a personal check and has forgotten to bring some form of identification. Not to mention those dreadful Ziploc bags filled with expired coupons.

By the way, it’s a proven fact that the next line over always

Cape Cod. “Bourne Bridge — 5 minutes.” The estimated time of arrival cheers you up while you’re stuck in traffic. I suspect it raises to 45 minutes as soon as you’ve passed the sign.

Computers can be programmed to tell you how many people are ahead of you before a real person finally takes your telephone call. Might as well enjoy the insipid music.

I think awarding Cape Cod senior citizens line-cutting privileges would be a disaster.

The vast majority of us are senior citizens. The line for people over 60 would stretch around the block. Young people would be forced to remain at the end of the line until their AARP card arrived in the mail. It may work in Fortaleza (the median age in Brazil is 29 years) but in Falmouth, young and old alike would be waiting in line ’til the cows come home.

Call me old-fashioned, but the “no cutting in line” rule still works for me.

Did she say, “Next, please”?

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

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e are soon to celebrate Labor Day, our annual commemoration of work. And, of course, we celebrate work by taking off work. In doing so, we are following the Biblical pattern established by our Creator, Who rested after the work of the six days of Creation and enjoined the Sabbath rest on His cho-

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Laboring over work sen people. Our Sunday is if not sooner. It’s probably the Christian equivalent of worthwhile reflecting on the Jewish Sabbath for the the significance of work and Church. jobs and labor in our lives.

Indeed, Labor Day weekend has traditionally marked Judge the end of summer For and the beginning of Yourself the school year. So it’s back to work and

By Dwight Duncan school right after,

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Labor Day, after all, involves something we spend half of our waking hours doing most of our lives. For most people, work and family (and sleep) are what our lives are made of.

So it’s probably good that we think about our work once in a while. It’s also good, of course, that there’s such a thing as Arbor Day, an annual day dedicated to trees. And while I think I shall never see a newspaper column as lovely as a tree, our work is probably a more timeconsuming and energyconsuming aspect of our lives — unless, of course, we run a tree nursery or a lumberyard.

There’s a new book published by the Vatican entitled “DOCAT,” a question-and-answer version of the Church’s social teaching for young people, along the lines of the “YOUCAT,” the “Youth Catechism” promulgated by Pope Benedict XVI. Pope Francis wrote the introduction: “‘DOCAT’ answers the question: ‘What should we do?’ It is like a user’s manual that helps us to change ourselves with the Gospel first, then our closest surroundings, and finally the whole world.” As such, it’s good for kids of all ages.

After chapter five on the family, chapter six deals with Work: Occupation and Vocation. Asking what it means for a human being to work, “DOCAT” answers, in pertinent part: “To be able to work, to have work, and to be able to accomplish something for oneself and for others is a great source of happiness for many people. To be unemployed, not to be needed, takes the dignity away from

a person. Work plays a major role in God’s plan. God commanded man to subdue the earth (Gen 1:28), to protect and cultivate it. Doing simple tasks well also unites a person with Jesus, Who was a worker Himself.”

I can relate to that, as I have a job which I enjoy very much (classes started on August 22). Not everyone does, sad to say. Not only can I try to be creative in imitation of my Creator, I can try to be hard-working like Jesus.

In answer to the question how Jesus regarded work, “DOCAT” says, “He lived among fishermen, farmers, and craftsmen, and He Himself went through an apprenticeship and then labored until He was 30 as a carpenter in Joseph’s workshop. In His parables, He uses images from commercial life. In His preaching, He praises servants who invest their talents, while He condemns the lazy servant who buries his talent in the ground (see Mt 25:14-30). In school, professional training, and then in one’s occupation, work often seems to be a laborious duty. Here we can learn from Jesus and with Him take up our cross each day and follow Him, Who took up His cross to redeem us.”

Work, for better or worse, is what fills our days, if we can escape the scourge of unemployment or underemployment. In spite of its funky name, “DOCAT” (for which there is a free app for smartphones), can teach us how to make the best of our opportunities.

Anchor columnist Dwight Duncan is a professor at UMass School of Law Dartmouth. He holds degrees in civil and canon law.

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he rose to her feet with the agility of a 21-year-old athlete and the grace of a hula dancer.

Lending a helping hand to extricate her from her collapsed chair was none other than the choir director himself, Robert Mondoy, who had grown up on Topside, then went on to fame and fortune as a musician, singer, and composer.

I am not about to reveal the name of the choir member who caused this sensation lest she strike me over the head with a chair, but I can reveal that she is a long-time revered member of the St. John Vianney Choir in Kailua, Oahu. She and her fellow choir members come to Kalaupapa in mid July each year to put on a concert for the residents.

St. John Vianney in concert

This was her introduction to choir I returned from showing a young practice that morning and it started lady visitor around the settlement, with a bang. with the intent of cooking spaghetti The choir members had arrived for lunch, I found my house had here on been taken Monday by over by the plane and choir who Moon Over trail and were feverMolokai settled into ishly scrubtheir rooms bing and

By Father at the visitors cleaning.

Patrick Killilea, SS.CC. quarters.

Suffice it to Now one say that I had might figure that in an atmosphere absolutely no objection. The next day such as we enjoy here in Kalaupapa, it was the turn of St. Francis Church they might just hang around or go to get a scrubbing and washing inlounge on the beach, but they were side and out. I myself barely escaped intent on being of service to St. being hosed down by Robert.

Francis Church as usual while they Thursday evening arrived and are here. So one late morning, when many of the local residents took

their seats in St. Francis Church in eager anticipation of the concert.

Even Elizabeth was here in her motorized wheelchair as was the new administrator, Kenneth Seamon, and his family. The choir gave a magnificent performance as always, rivaling the Mormon Tabernacle Choir and culminating in a rousing singing of “Damien The Blessed.� Afterwards we joined the choir at the visitors quarters to partake of a fabulous meal prepared by them. Then it was time for the traditional sing-along under the moon. It had been a most enjoyable evening and a week to remember. Aloha.

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

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The Diocese has talent

The show “Our Diocesan Talent” at St. John Neumann Church in East Freetown, sponsored by the Fall River Diocesan Council of Catholic Women, had more than 300 people in attendance. The program was quite diversified from bagpipes, ukulele playing, comic presentation, vocals by priests, deacons, and other individuals within the diocese. One major highlight was the performance by Bishop Edgar M. da Cunha, S.D.V., singing “We are the World.” Refreshments were served after the performances. The council wishes to thank everyone who attended and the individuals on the committee who worked very hard to make the event a success.

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Month of prayer for peace begins Friday continued from page three

to look toward additional ways of nurturing an open, honest and civil dialogue on issues of race relations, restorative justice, mental health, economic opportunity, and addressing the question of pervasive gun violence,” Archbishop Kurtz said. “The Day of Prayer and special task

force will help us advance in that direction. By stepping forward to embrace the suffering, through unified, concrete action animated by the love of Christ, we hope to nurture peace and build bridges of communication and mutual aid in our own communities.”

Diocese of Fall River TV Mass on WLNE Channel 6 September 4, 11:00 a.m.

Celebrant is Father James J. Doherty, C.S.C., pastor of St. Mary’s Church in Taunton.

September 11, 11:00 a.m.

Celebrant is Father Robert A. Oliveira, pastor of Holy Name of the Sacred Heart of Jesus Parish in New Bedford.

Did you know Mother Teresa experienced visions of Jesus?

Vatican City (CNA/EWTN News) — Even her friend of more than 30 years, Father Sebastian Vazhakala, did not know Blessed Mother Teresa had conversations with and visions of Jesus before forming the Missionaries of Charity.

It wasn’t until after her death, for the vast majority of people, that this part of Mother Teresa’s Spiritual life was uncovered.

“It was a big discovery,” Missionary of Charity priest, Father Vazhakala told CNA. When Mother Teresa’s cause for canonization was opened, just two years after her death in 1997, documents were found in the archives of the Jesuits in Calcutta, with the Spiritual director and another of Mother Teresa’s close priest friends, and in the office of the bishop, containing her accounts of the communications.

Father Vazhakala, who co-founded the contemplative branch of the Missionaries of Charity alongside Mother Teresa, said he has a document handwritten by Mother Teresa where she discusses what Jesus spoke to her directly during the time of the locutions and visions.

During a period lasting from Sept. 10, 1946 to Dec. 3, 1947, Mother Teresa had ongoing communication with Jesus through words and visions, Father Vazhakala said. This all happened while she was a missionary Sister in the Irish order of the Sisters of Loreto, teaching at St. Mary’s School in Calcutta.

Mother Teresa wrote

that one day at Holy Communion, she heard Jesus say, “I want Indian nuns, victims of My love, who would be Mary and Martha, who would be so united to Me as to radiate My love on souls.”

It was through these communications of the Eucharistic Jesus that Mother Teresa received her directions for forming her congregation of the Missionaries of Charity.

“She was so united with Jesus,” Father Vazhakala explained, “that she was able to radiate not her love, but Jesus’ love through her, and with a human expression.”

Jesus told her what sort of nuns He wanted her order to be filled with: “‘I want free nuns covered with the poverty of the cross. I want obedient nuns covered with the obedience of the cross.

I want full-of-love nuns covered with the charity of the cross,’” Father Vazhakala related.

According to the missionary, Jesus asked her, “Would you refuse to do this for Me?” “In fact, Jesus told her in 1947,” Father Vazhakala explained, “‘I cannot go alone to the poor people, you carry Me with you into them.’”

After this period of joy and consolation, around 1949, Mother Teresa started to experience a “terrible darkness and dryness” in her Spiritual life, said Father Vazhakala. “And in the beginning she thought it was because of her own sinfulness, unworthiness, her own weakness.”

Mother Teresa’s Spiritual director at the time helped her to understand that this Spiritual dryness

was just another way that Jesus wanted her to share in the poverty of the poor of Calcutta.

The period lasted nearly 50 years, until her death, and she found it very painful. But, Father Vazhakala shared that she said, “If my darkness and dryness can be a light to some soul let me be the first one to do that. If my life, if my suffering, is going to help souls to be saved, then I will prefer from the creation of the world to the end of time to suffer and die.”

People around the world know about Mother Teresa’s visible acts of charity toward the poor and sick in the slums of Calcutta, but “the interior life of Mother is not known to people,” said Father Vazhakala.

Mother Teresa’s motto, and the motto of her congregation, was the words of Jesus, “I thirst.”

And that they could quench the thirst of Jesus by bringing souls to Him. ‘And in every breathing, each sigh, each act of mind, shall be an act of love Divine.’ That was her daily prayer. That was what was motivating her and all the sacrifices, even until that age of 87, and without resting,” he said.

Mother Teresa never rested from her work during her life on earth, and she continues to “work” for souls from Heaven.

“When I die and go home to God, I can bring more souls to God,” she said at one point, Father Vazhakala noted.

She said, “I’m not going to sleep in Heaven, but I’m going to work harder in another form.”

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For and About Our Church Youth Potatoes, eggs and coffee beans

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e honest and ask yourself, “Do I complain or criticize more often than I praise or commend?” Sadly, more often than not, we tend to focus on the negative things in our lives that eventually lead us to feeling down and out and we just can’t seem to get ourselves out of that mindset.

What can we do about it?

Many of you will be starting school in a few days (some of you already have). Are you excited about a new year of learning, setting goals and expectations, or, are you simply not ready or wanting to get back to school? The prospect of new challenges can be frightening. But, where would we be today as a human race if we did not meet our challenges and overcome our adversities? Faith in yourself and faith in God is all you need to persevere.

“Consider it all joy,

problem was solved anMy brothers, when you other one soon followed. encounter various triHer father, a chef, als, for you know that the testing of your faith took her to the kitchen.

He filled three pots with produces perseverance.

And let perseverance be water and placed each perfect, so that you may on a high flame. Once be perfect and complete, the three pots began to lacking in nothing” ( Jas 1:2-4).

Sometimes we focus so much on filling our lives with small things

By Ozzie Pacheco and then wonder why there’s no room for the boil, he placed potatoes most important things. in one pot, eggs in the Sometimes, however, second pot, and ground it takes small things to coffee beans in the third help us understand the larger picture of our very pot. He then let them lives. Take, for example, sit and boil, without the following story; “Po- saying a word to his tatoes, Eggs and Coffee daughter. The daughter moaned and impatiently Beans”: waited wondering what There was a daughter he was doing. After 20 who complained to her minutes he turned off father that her life was the burners. He took miserable and that she didn’t know how she was the potatoes out of the pot and placed them in going to make it. She was tired of fighting and a bowl. He pulled the eggs out and placed struggling all the time. them in a bowl. He then It seemed just as one

Be Not Afraid

American Heritage troop to hold information and registration meeting SEEKONK — American Heritage Girls Troop MA3712 will be having its first information and registration meeting on September 15, at 3:45 p.m. at the parish center of Our Lady of Mount Carmel Church at 1060 Taunton Ave (Route 44) in Seekonk.

Parents and girls are asked to come that day to visit the troop. Troop 16

MA3712 will resume regular meetings on the first and third Thursdays in October, from 3:455:15 p.m.

The troop will be holding an additional information and registration night sometime after the first of the year.

These will be the only two times they will be holding registration/ joining sessions.

The Anchor - September 2, 2016

The girls have fun, work on a badges, and do lots of service work while building women of integrity through service to God, country and community. Come check out faith-based Scouting.

If anyone has any other questions, please feel free to call Troop Coordinator Liz Day at 774-9910729.

ladled the coffee out and placed it in a cup.

Turning to her he asked.

“Daughter, what do you see?” “Potatoes, eggs, and coffee,” she hastily replied. “Look closer,” he said, “and touch the potatoes.” She did and noted that they were soft. He then asked her to take an egg and break it. After pulling off the shell, she observed the hard-boiled egg. Finally, he asked her to sip the coffee. Its rich aroma brought a smile to her face.

“Father, what does this mean?” she asked.

He then explained that the potatoes, the eggs and coffee beans had each faced the same adversity — the boiling water. However, each one reacted differently. The potato went in strong, hard, and unrelenting, but in boiling water, it became soft and weak. The egg was fragile, with the thin outer shell protecting its liquid interior until it was put in the boiling water.

Then the inside of the egg became hard. However, the ground coffee beans were unique.

After they were exposed to the boiling water, they changed the water and created something new. “Which are you?” he asked his daughter.

“When adversity knocks on your door, how do you respond? Are you a potato, an egg, or a cof-

fee bean?”

In our lives, things happen around us and things happen to us.

But, the only thing that truly matters is what happens within us.

Which one are you, the potato, the egg or the coffee bean? “We are afflicted in every way, but not constrained; perplexed, but not driven to despair; persecuted, but not abandoned; struck down, but not destroyed” (2 Cor 8-9).

To overcome adversity and change our complaining and criticism into praise and commendation we need to be the best that God created us to be, just as Amanda Tarantelli wrote in her last column, “To be the best version of yourself, to overcome these seemingly insurmountable obstacles, to be the person God created us to be, we must be full of goodness! In other words, we need to be full of Godliness.”

Stop complaining and fill yourself only with what is good!

“Then will you win favor and esteem before God and human beings.

Trust in the Lord with all your heart, on your own intelligence do not rely; in all your ways be mindful of Him, and He will make straight your paths” (Prov 3:4-6).

God bless!

Anchor columnist Ozzie Pacheco is Faith Formation director at Santo Christo Parish, Fall River.

For and About Our Church Youth

New students entering St. Mary-Sacred Heart School in North Attleboro for the 2016/2017 school year, posed with the two kindergartner teachers, Elizabeth Moura and Maria Stathakis. The Family School Alliance hosts a picnic each year to welcome the new students and families with games, face painting and food and desserts.

Damien Council Knights of Columbus awards scholarships

Mattapoisett — Damien Council No. 4190 of the Knights of Columbus recently awarded eight $500 scholarships to deserving area students. Funds for the scholarships were raised from middle school dances held throughout the past school year, as well as other council fund-raising activities. Directing the scholarship program was Grand Knight Al Fidalgo and the scholarship committee, including chairman Carl Junier, Jim Alferes, Jim Hubbard, Jim Grady, and Jason Mello.

Scholarships were awarded to the following students: Hayleigh Aubut of Fairhaven, Fairhaven High School; Amy DeSousa of Acushnet, New Bedford High School; Daniel Fealy of Mattapoisett, Bishop Stang High School; Jane Kassabian of Mattapoisett, Old Rochester Regional High School; Drew Robert of Mattapoisett, Old Rochester Regional High School; Nicole Tetreault of Fairhaven, Fairhaven High School; Paige Watterson of Mattapoisett, Old Rochester Regional High School; and Margaret Wiggin of Mattapoisett, Old Rochester Regional High School.

The Bill Jost Award of St. John the Evangelist School in Attleboro was given this year to parents Bob Quinn and Donna Melcher.

The award is presented to a volunteer who has given time, passion, and talent, in special ways to the school. Jost, who passed away more than 10 years ago, was a St. John’s parishioner and an active volunteer with the school and the Religious Education program. He didn’t have children or grandchildren in the school or the Religious Education program, but he demonstrated his Catholic values through his volunteerism.

Paul Raymond, DDS, (center) congratulates Bishop Connolly students Alex McCrae, left, and Mitchell Hibbert, who were awarded Lowney Scholarships. Lowney Scholarships are awarded at Bishop Connolly each year in memory of Jeremiah J. and Auxilia Lowney, parents of Dr. Raymond’s wife Theresa. Parents of 11 children, the Lowneys valued Catholic education and knew firsthand the sacrifices families often face to meet the costs of Catholic school. The Lowneys’ legacy lives on through the scholarship program established in their name to help area students reach their academic and career goals through a Catholic education.

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17

F

For and About Our Church Youth Young people, talk to your grandparents!

or many young Catholics the defining moment of the summer took place in Poland, where Pope Francis joined more than a million teens and young adults for World Youth Day. Although we Little Sisters of the Poor spend our lives in the service of the elderly rather than the young, we followed the festivities in Krakow with great interest.

For us, the most exciting moment of the event came at the very end,

when Pope Francis told young about the old. He did so at his people that the best way to prepare first World Youth Day in Rio de for the next Janeiro. “At World Youth this moment, Day is to you young Guest spend time people and talking to you elderly Columnist their grandpeople are

By Sister parents! condemned Constance Veit, LSP This is not to the same the first time destiny: that Pope exclusion.

Francis has spoken to the young Don’t allow yourselves to be excluded. Make yourselves heard; take care of the two ends of the New principal to lead population: the elderly and the St. Mary’s School, Taunton young; do not allow yourselves to TAUNTON — Michael ry School during the past school be excluded and do not allow the O’Brien has been appointed year” and wished her well as she elderly to be excluded,” he exprincipal of St. Mary Primary moves on. claimed in 2013.

School in Taunton. He takes on He also announced that the Speaking in Rio on the feast of the new post after 14 years at leadership team of Coyle and SS. Joachim and Anne, the grandCoyle and Cassidy High School Cassidy High School and Middle parents of Jesus, Pope Francis and Middle School, also in School has agreed to work “in continued with the same theme: Taunton, where he has been a collaboration with Mr. O’Brien “How important grandparents teacher, coach and an administra- to strengthen St. Mary Primary are for family life, for passing on tor.

School,” in a number of areas the human and religious heritage The appointment was including recruitment which is so essential for each and announced August 26, and development. every society! How important it is

by Fall River diocesan St. Mary’s School, to have intergenerational exchanges interim schools superwhich serves grades and dialogue, especially within the intendent Stephen A. pre-kindergarten context of the family. Children Perla and became effecthrough five, opened and the elderly build the future of tive immediately. the new school year on peoples: children because they lead The change in the August 31. history forward, the elderly because school’s leadership folIn her letter to parthey transmit the experience and lowed the decision earents and guardians wisdom of their lives. This relationlier of former St. Mary announcing her deciship and this dialogue between School Principal Elyse M. Sackal sion to resign, Sackal explained generations is a treasure to be to offer her resignation, citing a that while she enjoyed “many preserved and strengthened!” desire to return to teaching. She aspects of being a principal, my Echoing these sentiments in had been principal there for one heart and passion continues to Krakow, our Holy Father told year. remain in teaching and working the youth that if they want to be O’Brien, who is 53, had been with children. It took this past hope for the future they must talk serving as the assistant vice prin- year for me to realize how much to their grandparents because “a cipal of Student Affairs and diI miss it.” young person who cannot rememrector of Middle School AthletShe noted it was not an easy ber is not hope for the future.” As ics at Coyle and Cassidy. He was decision as she had deep affecLittle Sisters, we would like to ofalso varsity girls basketball coach. tion for the entire school comfer young people some suggestions He joined the staff of the school munity. about how to talk to their grandas a history teacher in 2002.

Her letter also updated parparents and elders.

In his announcement of the ents and guardians on improveFirst, keep in mind that the change at St. Mary’s, interim ments made to the school’s elderly are not really very different Superintendent Perla expressed physical plant over the summer from you. Although the means of the “deep gratitude” of the diocand on new programs that will be communication and other technolesan Catholic Schools Office to implemented this academic year ogies have changed since they were Sackal “for her leadership and in different grade-level curricuyoung, deep down your grandparcommitment to St. Mary Prima- lums. ents probably had interests very 18

The Anchor - September 2, 2016

similar to your own when they were your age. Ask them about their greatest challenges in school, what they did in their free time, their memories of family life or, for those who are immigrants, what it was like adapting to a new culture.

If you are facing important decisions ask your grandparents’ advice.

How did they discern what college to attend, or what career to pursue? How did they know that their future spouse was the right one for them? How did they navigate the ups and downs of married life, raising children and other important relationships? What advice can they offer you about getting a job, finding an apartment, or buying a car?

Ask your grandparents about their joys, accomplishments and even their disappointments and failures. Invite them to share their values, their personal heroes, how they got through the tough times, and the role of faith in their lives.

Confide to them your hopes and fears, your dreams and anxieties, and ask them to pray for you — the elderly are powerful intercessors!

Pope Francis seizes every possible opportunity to encourage young people to reach out to their grandparents because, as he says, “They have the wisdom of life and can tell you things that will stir your hearts.” He speaks from personal experience, often referring to the profound influence of his grandmother on his life. “I still carry with me, always, in my Breviary, the words my grandmother consigned to me in writing on the day of my priestly ordination,” he confides. “I read them often and they do me good.”

As Little Sisters, we are happy to help youth connect with their grandparents and other elders by offering volunteer opportunities to individuals and groups. We are sure that, like our Holy Father, you will learn lessons that will last a lifetime!

Sister Constance Veit is director of communications for the Little Sisters of the Poor.

Man arrested for killing two Mississippi Sisters

DURANT, Miss. — It is reported that the local prosecutor in Mississippi was still mulling over whether or not to seek the death penalty against Rodney Sanders, the accused killer of two women religious, Sisters Margaret Held and Paula Merrill.

The Sisters’ bodies were found murdered in their home on August 25 in the town of Durant. Both had been serving as nurse practitioners. Sister Paula had been a Sister of Charity of Nazareth, while Sister Margaret was a School Sister of St. Francis of Milwaukee.

The Sisters of Charity of Nazareth’s website (scnfamily. org) has a series of postings

about the murder and has a joint statement with the other order against the death penalty: “We two congregations, ask that we move forward together at this time in a prayerful and healing manner, focusing on the lives of Sisters Paula Merrill and Margaret Held, two compassionate, faith-filled women. We want to reiterate our beliefs as women of faith, that we value life. For years now the Sisters of Charity of Nazareth and the School Sisters of St. Francis have worked to abolish the death penalty, even as we seek justice and truth. Let us hold everyone involved in prayer.”

Sister Paula was a native of

Nun’s Rosary beads stolen at knife-point in Massachusetts

Boston (CNA/EWTN News) — A religious Sister was recently robbed while on a walk in civilian clothing in Quincy authorities said.

According to a report from a local CBS affiliate, police said that a Sister with the Daughters of Mary of Nazareth convent was walking shortly after 2 p.m. when she was approached

by Vanessa Young, 26, who was armed with a small knife.

“I’m not going to hurt you,” Young told the victim, according to police reports.

The nun noticed Young’s knife and another woman acting as a lookout, so she opened her satchel to reveal a Rosary, a key and a small memento. The vows of the Daughters of Mary of Nazareth include a vow of poverty.

Vanessa Young told the victim, “I’ll guess I’ll take the Rosary beads,” police said.

The Sister then returned safely to her convent and reported the incident to the police.

Soon after, police found the two women matching the Sister’s descriptions. Police reported that the pair were found

Stoneham, Mass.

Sister Angie Shaughnessy, SCN, commented on the website, “As Sisters of Charity of Nazareth, we espouse nonviolence. We seek to forgive the perpetrator as I know Paula and Margaret have already done. We do not seek an eye for an eye; we do not want him executed. We pray that he will one day join Margaret and Paula in Heaven.”

The School Sisters of St. Francis on its website (sssf.org) thanked the police for their help: “We wish to offer our deepest appreciation to the Mississippi state and local law enforcement teams and to the many other public servants who have worked tirelessly the past two days, under extremely difficult circumstances,

to investigate the Sisters’ deaths and gather evidence. They have been unfailingly kind and courteous to our congregation as they have kept us informed of their progress. We are most grateful for the care, consideration, and dedication with which they have carried out their work.”

The Sisters served in the Diocese of Jackson. Bishop Joseph Kopacz of Jackson was quoted on his diocesan website: “These Sisters have spent years of dedicated service here in Mississippi.

They absolutely loved the people in their community. We mourn with the people of Lexington and Durant and we pray for the Sisters of Charity, the School Sisters of St. Francis and the families left behind.”

with other stolen items — a checkbook and several cellphones — that had been reported missing during a house break-in that occurred in the same neighborhood around the same time as the robbery.

Vanessa Young was arrested and charged with armed robbery, assault with a dangerous weapon and breaking and entering in the daytime to commit a felony.

The woman acting as a lookout during the robbery incident was identified as 26-year-old Crystal Young, the legal spouse of Vanessa Young. Crystal was arrested and charged with armed robbery and accessory after the fact.

The pair pleaded not guilty in court.

“I was immediately concerned to make sure that they would get the help and that they will get the resources that they need because my heart goes after them,” said Mother Olga of the Sacred Heart, the Mother Superior and founder of the Daughters of Mary of Nazareth.

The stolen Rosary beads have not yet been recovered.

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19

Speaker brings Catholic perspective to palliative care continued from page two

of time, but also limiting in the sense of function.

So a child of seven who has just been diagnosed with juvenile diabetes is a perfect candidate for palliative care, explained Sullivan. The limitations on his or her function will be determined by the vulnerability that children experience with diabetes, the teen-age years as the hormones kick in, and as the disease more or less stabilizes in adulthood.

“Along the way, there are implications for their kidneys, their heart, their lungs, for their circulation,” said Sullivan, reiterating: “At any age, at any stage, palliative care is appropriate.”

The Initiative for Palliative Care and Advance Care Planning is a recently-established program of the Archdiocese of Boston (www.BostonCatholic. org/PalliativeCare).

Its goal is to provide education, outreach and advocacy that will create an informed public about palliative care, a multidisciplinary approach to the care of the seriously ill which is patientcentered and familyoriented. The program also supports, promotes and provides education about Advance Care Planning, which allows people to discuss and make known their wishes for care in anticipation of a time when they cannot speak for themselves. Most importantly, the Advance Care Planning component of the initiative provides information about how to designate a health care proxy or surrogate decision maker who will be their voice when they can no longer make or articulate 20

their health care decisions.

The new initiative was the brainchild of Cardinal Sean O’Malley, OFM, Cap., who, when bishop of Fall River, acquainted himself with and committed himself to palliative care, a new sub-specialty in medicine.

“He was really one of the early adopters,” said Sullivan, “and he has remained committed to it ever since.”

Why have an initiative for palliative care?

Palliative care is a “good,” said Sullivan. “It lifts out, considers, assesses the needs for every aspect of what makes us human because when we talk about palliative care, we’re considering the physical symptoms that people with serious illness suffer; we are talking about the physiological impact and the psychosocial impact on relationships, on family, on finances; we understand people are on an emotional roller coaster as they deal with serious illness; and most importantly, in the Catholic community, we understand there are many times when the most important thing we can offer people with serious illness is Spiritual care.”

When a patient is diagnosed, often they focus solely on the diagnosis, with a “why me?” attitude, feeling as if they have done something wrong; a patient will “feel abandoned” and that a “normal life” is no longer possible. Palliative nursing and medicine can appreciate an emphasis on Spiritual care.

“That’s important because it’s one of the reasons that makes palliative care so attractive to us and so attractive to the Church,” said Sullivan.

The Anchor - September 2, 2016

She added, “The interesting thing is, for those of us who have worked in palliative care, and particularly those of us who are people of faith who work in palliative care, we understand the incredible need for an importance of Spiritual in the care of people with serious illness. It is sometimes the last thing that the patients themselves realize they need. Sometimes they know right up front, other times they don’t.”

In context of palliative care, the focus is on the patient but care is also family-oriented “in whatever way we define family,” said Sullivan.

She added that palliative care is wonderful for the patient, and incredibly helpful and supportive for the network of caregivers surrounding the patient, making it a benefit to the community and the Church recognizes these benefits.

“Pope Benedict was particularly eloquent, I thought,” said Sullivan.

“The Church wishes to support the incurably and terminally ill by calling for just social policies.

Pope Benedict calls on just social policies which can help eliminate the causes of many diseases and urging improved care for the dying and those for whom no medical remedy is available, there is a need to promote policies which create conditions where human beings can bear even incurable illnesses and death in a dignified manner. Here it is necessary to stress once again the need for more palliative care centers, which provide integral care offering the sick the human assistance and Spiritual

accompaniment they need.

This is a right belonging to every human being, which we must all be committed to defend.”

St. John Paul II and Pope Francis are also supporters of palliative care, and Sullivan stated that if she could add anything to the words of Pope Benedict, she said it would be the word, “promote.”

Palliative care looks at the whole picture, at relationships, friends, and family.

The reluctance to accept palliative care is the result of misunderstanding what palliative care is, and how it benefits those with an illness.

“That seems to be a sticking point in our faith community,” said Sullivan, “that somehow it not only is not life-saving, but that it might be death-hastening. I can assure you there is nothing farther from the truth.”

Palliative care values the person and along with the ringing endorsements from past and present popes, another reason to have a palliative care initiative as a work of the Church is “that it is truly one of the few things that can, almost point-by-point, refute the tsunami of support for physician-assisted suicide that we are facing in our country,” said Sullivan.

Five states recognize legal physician-assisted suicide, and with every campaign, people become desensitized to it. There is no moral outrage. Each personal story shared plays on emotions; stories are so heart-wrenching and told in such sympathetic ways, there would be something wrong with us if we didn’t feel compassionate, said Sullivan.

“Feeling sympathetic for them does not mean we need to espouse their cause,” said Sullivan.

“Proponents [for PAS]

count on us to do what happened with abortion; [for us to say], I might be personally against it but I think it needs to be available for people. We can’t go there.”

Each proponent of PAS plays up the loss of dignity, independence, and unmitigated pain, but on a policy level, palliative care refutes all of those arguments. Dignity is there from the beginning because the patient drives the care plan, with the emphasis on the patient’s needs. There is no guarantee that no one will suffer pain, but advancements in the pharmaceutical field have been huge.

“We do know that pain is exaggerated and exacerbated by other kinds of suffering, by anxiety, by feelings of loneliness, by depression,” said Sullivan.

“All of that is handled and taken care of in a palliative care program.”

It’s OK to rely on others, especially if it’s done in a dignified and respectful way; “It’s not so bad. I may need help to walk or bathe, but I’m still the one in charge,” said Sullivan.

“That is hardly dependence.”

The USCCB offers a booklet with directives that reflect Church teaching that pertain to healthcare entitled, “The Ethical and Religious Directives for Healthcare Services.”

The USCCB has recast the challenge to PAS, said Sullivan, in that PAS is a threat to good palliative care, and it catches proponents of PAS off guard: “And that’s what we need to start doing,” said Sullivan.

To view Sullivan’s presentation in its entirety, including a question and answer section by attendants, go to www.

ChristTheKingParish.com/ video-gallery.

Sister Claire Carmody, SUSC

FALL RIVER — Sister Claire Carmody, SUSC (Sister Stella Marie) died at Catholic Memorial Home, Fall River at the age of 91 on August 10. She was born in Chelsea on Oct. 28, 1924, the daughter of the late Joseph and Stella (White) Carmody. In addition to her Holy Union Sisters, her sister-in-law Lydia and a niece and nephews survive her. She was predeceased by her brothers Roger and Joseph and sister Doris (Carmody) Siebert.

Sister Claire graduated from St. Rose High School, Chelsea. She entered the Holy Union Sisters in Fall River on Sept. 8, 1942, and pronounced her final vows on Aug. 22, 1950. She studied at Fordham University and Manhattanville College in New York

In Your Prayers Please pray for these priests during the coming weeks

Sept. 3 Rev. Thomas J. McGee, D.D., Pastor, Sacred Heart, Taunton, 1912 Rev. James F. Lyons, 2008

Sept. 4 Rev. Joseph P. Tallon, Pastor, St. Mary, New Bedford, 1864 Rev. John J. Maguire, Founder, St. Peter the Apostle, Provincetown, 1894 Sept. 5 Rev. Napoleon, A. Messier, Pastor, St. Mathieu, Fall River, 1948 Sept. 7 Very Rev. James E. McMahon, V. F. Pastor, Sacred Heart, Oak Bluffs, 1966 Rev. Raymond Pelletier, M.S., La Salette Shrine, North Attleboro, 1984 Sept. 8 Rev. Thomas Sheehan, Founder, Holy Trinity, Harwich Center, 1868 Sept. 10 Rev. Hugo Dylla, Pastor, St. Stanislaus, Fall River, 1966 Rt. Rev. Felix S. Childs, Retired Pastor, Sacred Heart, Fall River, 1969 Sept. 11 Rev. Joachim Shults, SS.CC., Our Lady of Assumption, New Bedford, 1987 Rev. Cyril Augustyn, OFM Conv., Pastor, Holy Rosary, Taunton, 1997 Rev. Francis E. Grogan, CSC, Superior, Holy Cross Residence, North Dartmouth, 2001 Rev. Martin Grena, 2004 Rev. Terence F. Keenan, Former Pastor, St. Mary, South Dartmouth, Former Pastor, Immaculate Conception, Fall River, 2010 Sept. 12 Rev. John J. Galvin, STD, Assistant, SS. Peter and Paul, Fall River, 1962 Most Rev. James L. Connolly, Sc.H D, Fourth Bishop of Fall River, 195170, 1986 Rev. John R. Folster, Pastor, St. Louis de France, Swansea, 1995 Sept. 13 Rev. Antonio Felisbesto Diaz, St. Lawrence Martyr (former St. Mary’s), New Bedford, 1866 Rev. Charles A.J. Donovan, Pastor, Immaculate Conception, North Easton, 1949 Rev. Isadore Kowalski, OFM Conv., Our Lady’s Haven, Fairhaven, 2003 Sept. 14 Rev. Stanislaus J. Ryczek, USA Retired Chaplain, Former Pastor Our Lady of Perpetual Help, New Bedford, 1982 Sept. 15 Rev. Henry J. Mussely, Pastor, St. Jean Baptiste, Fall River, 1934 Rev. Brendan McNally, S.J., Holy Cross College, Worcester, 1958 Rev. John J. Casey, Pastor, Immaculate Conception, North Easton, 1969 Sept. 16 Rt. Rev. Msgr. Jean A. Prevost, P.A., P.R., Pastor, Notre Dame de Lourdes, Fall River, 1925

and received a bachelor of arts degree in music from Anna Maria College, Paxton.

She did post-graduate work at Boston University and was an Mass.-certified music teacher.

Sister Claire taught elementary grades and music in Holy Union Schools in Massachusetts and New York. She taught music and humanities at the former Sacred Hearts Academy, Fall River and Coyle and Cassidy High School, Taunton. When she retired from formal teaching, she gave piano lessons to students at a studio in Fall River and in their homes in the Fall River and Taunton areas. She also visited Holy Union Sisters in nursing homes in Fall River and Taunton. Sister Claire was employed by Bristol Elder Services as an ombudsperson and regularly visited area nursing homes.

When she fully retired in 2011, Sister Claire joined the Holy Union Sisters at The Landmark, Fall River.

As her health declined, she moved to Catholic Memorial Home for Hospice care.

Throughout her life, Sister Claire was an avid reader of a wide variety of books and magazines. She had a particular interest in the writings of Pierre Teilhard de Chardin and was a member of the American Teilhard Society. She had a large classical music collection and listening to her many CDs was a source of great pleasure. Over the years, she was actively engaged in committees of the Holy Union Sisters. In 2012, Sister Claire celebrated 70 years as a Holy Union Sister.

The prayer vigil and Mass of Christian Burial took place at Catholic Memorial Home, Fall River. All funeral arrangements were by WaringSullivan Funeral Home.

Knights of Columbus donates $50,000 for Italian earthquake relief

ROME (PRNewswireUSNewswire) — The Knights of Columbus will donate $50,000 to the Holy Father to help provide relief for children affected by the recent deadly earthquake northeastern Rome.

Supreme Knight Carl Anderson informed Pope Francis of the donation at an audience August 28.

That conversation followed the Holy Father’s Angelus address in which he prayed for the victims and noted that the rapid response to the quake shows “how important solidarity is in overcoming such painful trials.” The pope continued by noting that “service to one’s brothers and sisters becomes a testimony of love, which makes God’s love credible.”

“The Knights of Colum-

bus is pleased to answer the Holy Father’s call and to assist those, especially children, who are suffering so much as a result of this devastating disaster in Italy,” said Anderson.

“Consistent with our first principle, charity, and as we have done in situations of natural disasters and other needs in the United States and around the world, the Knights of Columbus is committed to showing solidarity and God’s mercy concretely through our help of those most in need.”

The Knights’ support for earthquake victims comes at the same time that the organization has donated substantially in terms of funds and volunteers to the victims of the recent floods in Louisiana.

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Around the Diocese A Healing Mass will be celebrated on September 5 at 6 p.m. at Our Lady of Victory Church, 230 South Main Street in Centerville. The Mass will include anointing of the sick and is sponsored by the parish Cancer Support Group, which will meet immediately following the Mass in the in the Msgr. Perry Parish Center at 7 p.m. for refreshments and conversation. For more information regarding the support group and future meetings, call 508-362-6909.

St. Mark’s Parish, 105 Stanley Street in Attleboro Falls, will celebrate its annual fair on September 10 from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. The day will include a variety of activities, music and food, with DJ Nate Adams providing lively music throughout the day. There will be a raffle table with prizes totaling $1,750 and a special raffle to win an Apple iPad Air 2.

For more information, call 508-699-7566.

A Memorial Prayer Service for Children Lost to Abortion will be held at St. Mary’s Cemetery in North Attleboro on September 10 at 10 a.m. Participants are also encouraged to pray outside the Four Women Clinic, 150 Emory Street, from 7:30 to 8:45 a.m. that morning and join Mass at St. Vincent de Paul Church at 9 a.m. before the prayer service.

For more information, call 508-397-7280.

Join the campus community at Stonehill College, 320 Washington Street in Easton in remembering 9/11 with a special prayer at all Sunday Masses — 11 a.m., 7 p.m. and 9 p.m.

— on September 11 in the Chapel of Mary. There will also be a special prayer service on September 12 at 12:35 p.m. in the new Rabbi Werb Interfaith Prayer Garden next to the pond by the Chapel of Mary.

A sunset cruise aboard the beautiful Island Queen will cast off on September 13 to benefit the St. Vincent de Paul Society of St. Anthony’s Parish in East Falmouth. The cruise departs at 5:30 p.m., with free parking at the Island Queen pier starting at 5 p.m., and will return at 7:30 p.m. Tickets are $25 per person and include a light supper, 50/50 raffle and surprise door prize. For tickets or more information, please call 1-508-457-0085.

The Cape and Islands Deanery invites all to attend a one-day retreat entitled “Mary, the Reed of God” at the Sacred Hearts Conference and Retreat Center, 226 Great Neck Road in Wareham, on September 15. Registration begins at 8:45 a.m. and the retreat will conclude at 4 p.m. Mass and Reconciliation will be offered. The speaker will be Carol Diaz and the cost for the day is $45, including lunch. For more information, call 508-5632073 or 508-349-1641.

The Culture of Life Chaplet communal prayer in St. Jude’s Chapel of Christ the King Parish in Mashpee has been suspended for the summer but will resume on September 15 at 1 p.m. Copies of the chaplet for personal prayer may be obtained by contacting the Respect Life Ministry at the parish or by calling Betty Kelley at 508-477-8417. Please consider enriching your Spiritual self through this prayer.

The Council of Catholic Women at Our Lady of Grace Parish, 569 Sanford Road in Westport, will host its annual giant yard sale on September 17-18 from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. both days. The event will be held rain or shine and all are welcome. For more information call 508-672-6900.

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

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

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The Anchor - September 2, 2016

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

Evening prayer and Benediction is held Monday through Wednesday at 6:30 p.m.

ASSONET — Beginning September 14, St. Bernard’s Parish will have Eucharistic Adoration every Monday from 9:30 a.m. to 6:30 p.m. The Blessed Sacrament will be exposed on the altar at the conclusion of 9 a.m. Mass and the church will be open all day, concluding with evening prayer and Benediction at 6:30 p.m.

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

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

ATTLEBORO — There is a weekly time of Eucharistic Adoration Wednesdays from 7-9 p.m. at St. John the Evangelist Church on North Main Street.

Brewster — Eucharistic Adoration takes place in the La Salette Chapel in the lower level of Our Lady of the Cape Church, 468 Stony Brook Road, on First Fridays beginning at noon until 7:45 a.m. First Saturday, concluding with Benediction and concluding with Mass at 8 a.m. buzzards Bay — Eucharistic Adoration takes place at St. Margaret Church, 141 Main Street, Monday through Saturday, from 6:30 to 8 a.m.; and every first Friday from noon to 8 a.m. on Saturday.

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

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

FAI RHAVEN — S t . M a r y ’s C h u r c h , M a i n S t . , h a s E u c h a r i s t i c A d o r a t i o n e v e r y Wednesday from 8:30 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. in the Chapel of Reconciliation, with Benediction at 11:30 a.m.

Also, there is a First Friday Mass each month at 7 p.m., followed by a Holy Hour with Eucharistic Adoration. Refreshments follow.

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

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

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

FALL RIVER — Good Shepherd Parish has Eucharistic Adoration every Friday following the 8 a.m.

Mass and concluding with 3 p.m. Benediction in the Daily Mass Chapel. A bilingual holy hour takes place from 2 to 3 p.m. Park behind the church and enter the back door of the connector between the church and the rectory.

Falmouth — St. Patrick’s Church has Eucharistic Adoration each First Friday following the 7 a.m.

Mass, with Benediction at 4:30 p.m.

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

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

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

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

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

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

NORTH DIGHTON — Eucharistic Adoration takes place every Wednesday following 8:00 a.m. Mass and concludes with Benediction at 5 p.m. Eucharistic Adoration also takes place every First Friday at St. Nicholas of Myra Church, 499 Spring Street following the 8 a.m. Mass, ending with Benediction at 6 p.m.

The Rosary is recited Monday through Friday from 7:30 to 8 a.m.

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

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

OSTERVILLE — Eucharistic Adoration takes place at Our Lady of the Assumption Church, 76 Wianno Avenue on First Fridays from 8:30 a.m. to noon.

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

Taunton — Eucharistic Adoration takes place every Tuesday at St. Anthony Church, 126 School Street, following the 8 a.m. Mass with prayers including the Chaplet of Divine Mercy for vocations, concluding at 6 p.m. with Chaplet of St. Anthony and Benediction. Recitation of the Rosary for peace is prayed Monday through Saturday at 7:30 a.m. prior to the 8 a.m. Mass.

Taunton — Adoration of the Most Blessed Sacrament takes place every First Friday at Annunciation of the Lord, 31 First Street. Exposition begins following the 8 a.m. Mass. The Blessed Sacrament will be exposed, and Adoration will continue throughout the day. Confessions are heard from 5:15 to 6:15 p.m.

Rosary and Benediction begin at 6:30 p.m.

WAREHAM — Eucharistic Adoration at St. Patrick’s Church takes place 9 a.m. Thursday through 7 p.m.

Friday. Adoration is held in our Adoration Chapel in the lower Parish Hall. ~ PERPETUAL EUCHARISTIC ADORATION ~ East Sandwich — The Corpus Christi Parish Perpetual Eucharistic Adoration Chapel is open 24 hours a day, seven days a week at 324 Quaker Meeting House Road, East Sandwich. Use the Chapel entrance on the side of the church.

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

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

WEST HARWICH — Our Lady of Life Perpetual Adoration Chapel at Holy Trinity Parish, 246 Main Street (Rte. 28), holds perpetual Eucharistic Adoration. We are a regional chapel serving all of the surrounding parishes. All are invited to sign up to cover open hours. For open hours, or to sign up call 508-430-4716.

T

here is no escape, no where to turn, to run, to hide. And it’s only going to get worse following Labor Day. No, I’m not referring to the seemingly endless stream of potential hurricanes leaping off the coast of west Africa.

It’s far worse than that!

I’m alluding to the onslaught of political advertisements and media hype that is and will surround, engulf, swallow, and eat us whole.

When I was in Canada a few weeks back there was a reprieve from the U.S. political tsunami of lies, accusations, condemnations, name-calling, mud-slinging rhetoric spewing from this year’s presidential candidates and their supporters and detractors.

Canadians were concentrating on the upcoming Olympic games, the upcoming World Cup of Hockey tourney, and simply living life. Oh, if it ’twas ever thus.

I cannot bear to watch the “news” on television any longer, particularly the national media gurus; and more pinpointedly, CNN and Fox News.

“How can they be reporting on the same events?” I always think to myself, and sometimes to others. Same story, yet the slant is a complete 180 degrees apart.

Comedy shows are just as bad; no, let me correct that, they’re 100 times worse.

Hurricane season

Hollywood and the “minds” It would be nice and even that dictate what we are able more so, helpful, for Amerito view as “entertainment,” cans to see reporting and has become so sickeningly “entertainment” without a biased in its content. specific agenda. It would be There is absolutely no nice if the candidates would question as to which candidate My View Tinseltown endorsFrom es, and the repercussions are downthe Stands right embarrassing

By Dave Jolivet for the poor slob in their crosshairs.

concentrate on what they will do, rather than on what the other has done.

Frankly, I don’t believe what either candidate says. I think they’re both liars, cheaters, and have their own agendas, which doesn’t include our welfare.

Scarier yet, is that we have to vote for one of these, to put it bluntly, evil people. One will be our president for the

next four years.

At Mass Sunday, good friend, retired Father John Gomes said, “Only God knows what’s in our hearts.”

God knows both candidates and knows what lies ahead for us. From that neither one can escape.

As for us, hang on, it’s going to be a whale of hurricane heading our way. davejolivet@anchornews. org.

To advertise in The Anchor, contact Wayne Powers at 508-675-7151 or Email waynepowers@ anchornews.org The Anchor - September 2, 2016

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Online at anchornews.org

To subscribe to The Anchor, or give it as a gift, contact Mary Chase at 508-675-7151 or Email marychase@anchornews.org

24

The Anchor - September 2, 2016

First-class relic of Blessed Mother Teresa coming to St. Theresa’s Church

SOUTH ATTLEBORO — As the world awaits the Canonization of Blessed Mother Teresa of Calcutta at the Vatican on September 4, a local parish is preparing to welcome a first-class relic of the new saint.

St. Theresa of the Child Jesus Parish in South Attleboro (located at 18 Baltic Street) will offer an opportunity for all to venerate a first-class relic of Blessed Mother Teresa during and following the 11 a.m. Mass on September 18.

Hugo Rossi, the custodian of the relic, which is a vial of Mother Teresa’s blood, was a friend and coworker of Mother Teresa during the 1970s in the South Bronx, N.Y. where Mother

Teresa opened a Missionaries of Charity house.

Rossi will share some of his experiences with Mother Teresa following the 11 a.m. Mass.

All present will be given the opportunity to venerate the relic of the new saint and to seek her intercession.

It is very fitting that this relic should come to the parish of St. Theresa of the Child Jesus, as this was one of the saints which the future saint would choose as her religious name when she first professed her vows as a Sister of Loretto in 1931.

Please join us as the parish of the St. Theresa of the “Little Flower” welcomes a relic of the St. Teresa of the “Poorest of the Poor.”