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Diocese of Fall River, Mass.

Friday, September 16, 2016

This newly-installed statue of the Immaculate Heart of Mary now welcomes all guests to the Holy The Chapel St. Rose ofCenter, Lima at Cross FamilyofMinistries Beach in Westport located Horseneck next door to the Stonehill in July 1932. The chapel was College Campus in North Easton. destroyed and tossed one-quarter The statue was previously mile in the Hurricanelocated of 1938. outside Sacred Heart Church infour.

Fall Story on page archives photo) River.(Photo(Diocesan

by Kenneth J. Souza) The Anchor - September 16, 2016

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St. Francis Xavier School in Acushnet had a wonderful start to its 2016-17 school year.

Students in the grade three learned about the life of St. Teresa of Calcutta, and had an opportunity to celebrate her with a special visit from principal, Michelle Russo, who shared with them the two miracles that led to her canonization. They are pictured here with their teacher, Miss Ketschke.

Blue Mass celebrations planned for public safety personnel

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

MASHPEE — Diocesan faithful will have unique opportunities to honor and pray for public safety personnel during two upcoming Blue Mass celebrations.

The first will be celebrated on Thursday, September 29 at the National Shrine of Our Lady of La Salette, 947 Park Street in Attleboro, beginning at 6:30 p.m.

This is La Salette’s second annual Blue Mass celebration, which is traditionally held on Michaelmas, the feast of St. Michael the Archangel, who is the patron saint of police officers.

Uniformed personnel from all branches of area public safety departments — police, fire and emergency medical services — are cordially invited to attend, along with the general public.

A first-ever Blue Mass 2

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celebration will also take place on Friday night, October 7 beginning at 7 p.m. at Christ the King Parish in Mashpee.

“We’re including all the police and fire departments in the Mashpee area — actually the Christ the King Parish area, which includes Cotuit, Marstons Mills and the Town of Mashpee,” said Deacon Gregory J. Beckel, who is coordinating the event for his parish.

While the Red Mass — celebrated for judges, attorneys and those working in the legal profession — has been an annual tradition in the Fall River Diocese for some time, the Blue Mass hasn’t been as ubiquitous here; but Deacon Beckel hopes these celebrations might inspire a new, diocesan-wide trend.

“We were thinking of possibly expanding it to include the entire Cape Cod area,” Deacon Beckel told

The Anchor. “I’m not sure about expanding it across the diocese, but we have a feeling there will be a lot of support for this, especially with everything that’s been going on nationally. I think we can expect a lot of participation and some large crowds — at least, that’s my best guess.”

A Blue Mass is celebrated annually in the Catholic Church for those employed in the public safety field — everyone from police officers, firefighters, and correctional officers, to 911 operators and EMS personnel. The color blue relates to the blue-colored uniforms predominantly used by these services.

“Traditionally the Blue Mass is celebrated for the ‘people in blue,’ but I think it extends to the fire department, EMTs and other emergency personnel,” Deacon Beckel said. “Ours Turn to page 23

St. Thomas More award-winners named; to be recognized at 20th annual Red Mass at cathedral September 24

renounce papal authority.

The awards will be presented following the Mass.

For the past 20 FALL RIVER — In 1997, while years Michael Borserving as Bishop of the Fall River Diocese, the future Cardinal Sean P. den has been a probation officer in the O’Malley, OFM Cap., inaugurated Fall River Division of a Red Mass to invoke the Holy the Trial Court.

Spirit’s guidance and strength on In 2006 he was those working in areas of law and recognized by the Frank C. justice.

Corso, Esq. Commissioner of With hopes of it becoming a Probation for exemdiocesan tradiplary work in the community and tion, then-Bishop dedication to the profession. That O’Malley’s wishes same year he initiated Project Lights became reality, and Out, which tracks sex offenders on on September 24 Halloween to ensure the safety of he will celebrate the the community.

20th annual Fall He has been a team leader of the River Diocese’s Red Michael Probation Warrant Apprehension Mass at St. Mary’s Borden Team for the past 15 years. He was Cathedral in Fall recognized last year by the National River.

Alliance of Mental The Red Mass has a long history Illness for outstandin the Catholic Church, originating ing service with the in 13th-century Europe, its name mentally ill. coming from the color vestments He is a longcustomarily worn by the celebrants. standing member Currently, Red Masses are commonand volunteer of ly celebrated across the U.S. Southcoast YMCA, All working in the legal system Judge Kathryn and for years has across Southeastern Massachusetts E. Hand been involved with are invited to the Mass for a blessing distributing Thanksand to recognize five of their peers giving baskets and working with a who will receive the St. Thomas Christmas Toy drive. He was the More Award, acknowledging their Fall River YMCA Volunteer of the dedicated service to the profession.

Year in 2015.

Bishop Edgar M. da Cunha, He and his wife Gail reside in Fall S.D.V., and planning committee River and are members of St. Michairman New Bedford attorney chael Parish.

Michael Harrington recently anAttorney Corso is a native of nounced this year’s recipients: Distinguished Jurist — the Hon- Brooklyn, N.Y. and he and his wife currently reside in Rehoboth. They orable Kathryn E. Hand; Distinguished Attorney — Frank have five children.

He leads Corso Law, LLC, with C. Corso, Esq.; offices in Rehoboth and Boston.

Distinguished Court Employee In Martindale & Hubbell and — Michael Borden; Distinguished Ecumenical Award other ratings he was named AV Recipient — Margaret Xifaras, Esq.; (highest), Massachusetts Super Lawyer, and one of Boston MagaJoseph P. Harrington Founder’s zine’s Top Lawyers in Massachusetts.

Award — Father Jay T. Maddock.

He was admitted to practice in The award, unique to the Fall River Diocese’s Red Mass, is named Massachusetts, and for the U.S. District Court for the District of Masfor St. Thomas More, an English sachusetts in 1985, and for the U.S. layman and lawyer of the 16th century, who was executed for his oppo- Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit in 1991. sition to the request of King Henry He is admitted Pro Hac Vice for VIII for a divorce, and for refusal to

By Dave Jolivet Anchor Editor davejolivet@anchornews.org

Trial in the courts of N.Y. (state and federal courts), Conn., N.H., R.I., and Fla. He has experience in catastrophic injury and wrongful death trial and appeal in all Massachusetts state and federal courts; before local land use authorities; and general corporate practice counseling with a diverse business clientele.

He received a Juris Doctorate from the New England School Father Jay T. of Law in Boston, Maddock and attended State University of N.Y. and John Jay College of Criminal Justice.

He was editor of New England

Law Review, was New England Scholar, and received the Amos L. Taylor Award for Excellence in Academic Achievement.

He has taught at New England School of Law and MasMargaret sachusetts School of Xifaras, Esq. Law. Attorney Corso is credited with several publications and is or has been a member of a number of Massachusetts law academies and associations. He is also the recipient of the first-ever Robert Morris Award for Courageous Advocacy presented by the American Board of Trial Advocates.

Turn to page 21

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Hurricane of ’38 took its toll in northeast, Fall River Diocese

By Dave Jolivet Anchor Editor davejolivet@anchornews.org

WESTPORT — Earlier this month, residents across the Diocese of Fall River, particularly those living in coastal areas, breathed a sigh of relief as once-Hurricane Hermine whisked past the region inflicting far less damage than had been feared.

Residents of the same areas, several generations removed, weren’t so fortunate, when, on Sept.

21, 1938, the diocese was devastate by “The Great Hurricane,” that roared through New England, leaving behind a tragic path of death and destruction.

After the winds died down, the sea returned to

its rightful domain, and the rains ceased, 69 folks in Southeastern Massachusetts lost their lives and thousands more were left homeless or lost a majority of their possessions.

One priest, Father George Jowdy, pastor of the Maronite Our Lady of Purgatory Parish in New Bedford, was killed when he was washed away by the storm surge at the summer home of his nephew at Sconticut Neck in Fairhaven.

St. Mary’s Church in New Bedford sustained irreparable damage; the monumental spires of Notre Dame Church in Fall River sustained heavy damage; and St. Rose of Lima Chapel, a mission of St. John the Baptist Parish

St. Rose of Lima Chapel on East Beach, near Horseneck Beach in Westport, was destroyed by the Hurricane of 1938. The building, inset, was moved one-quarter of a mile from its original location by the massive storm surge. (Clamflats Photos)

in Westport, located on East Beach near Horseneck Beach in that town, was destroyed. A large section of the skeleton of the chapel was found one-quarter of a mile away from its original site.

Ruth Hurley, a parishioner of St. Mary’s Cathedral in Fall River, was a teen-ager at the time. Her uncle was then-Father Patrick H. Hurley, pastor of St. John the Baptist Parish in 1938.

“I remember the chapel being completely destroyed,” Hurley told The St. Mary’s Church in New Bedford fell prey to the winds Anchor. “My uncle told me and rains of the Hurricane of 1938. The building toppled that the chapel had shut and caved in. After a short period, the parish disbanded down for the season the for 14 years until ground for a new church building was day before the hurricane. broken in 1953. (Photo from St. Mary’s Parish Dedication He said he removed the Booklet published in 1988) Blessed Sacrament from

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The Anchor - September 16, 2016

the chapel, and he was so glad he was able to do that before it was destroyed.

“It was his first pastorate, so I’m sure he was devastated by the loss.”

The massive storm caused about $5 million in damages in Southeastern Massachusetts, including $100,000 of diocesan losses, with the six-plus inches of rain, the 120-mileper-hour winds, and the deadly storm surge.

Coastal homes throughout the diocese were leveled or destroyed, even as far inland as Fall River, where several homes on Atlantic Avenue in that city were washed away.

In all, the Hurricane of ’38 killed nearly 800 people and caused about $300 million in damage (nearly $5 billion by today’s standards), in New Jersey, New York and New England.

In an age where the Weather Channel was something not even of science fiction, the storm caused such a large loss of life because it came so quickly and without warning.

The storm was spawned,

as are many Atlantic hurricanes, off the western coast of Africa, near the Cape Verde Islands, on September 9. It meandered its way westward across the Atlantic gathering strength on its journey.

According to today’s weather designations, the hurricane reached a category five stage, the highest level on the Saffin-Simpson Hurricane Scale used by meteorologists.

On September 21, 12 days after its birth, the hurricane ceased its westward path and began an extremely rapid northern trek, reaching a speed of about 70 miles per hour, which amazes today’s storm experts.

The poor souls in the Diocese of Fall River region had no idea what was on the way.

A book published by St. Mary’s Parish in New Bedford in 1988, commemorating the blessing and opening of the current St. Mary’s Church building on Tarkiln Hill Road, contained an account of that fateful day: Turn to page 14

Bishop da Cunha to lead Pro-Life prayer service at Angell Park

By Becky Aubut Anchor Staff beckyaubut@anchornews.org

Diocese, has been keeping up-to-date on the latest from the USCCB and each year her office provides every parFALL RIVER — The Respect Life Program begins ish and school in the diocese the USCCB Respect Life anew each year on Respect Life Sunday, the first Sunday Kit. “This year’s kit is titled in October. The program is highlighted in Liturgies and ‘Moved by Mercy,’” said marked by special events. The Desrosiers. “The kit is a wonderful resource that can USCCB Secretariat of ProLife Activities publishes new be used throughout the year. materials each year to call at- Our annual diocesan essay’s tention to numerous human theme is chosen from this kit.” life issues. The Secretariat of This year, the six brochures Pro-Life Activities, under the guidance and direction of are: “Every Suicide Is Tragic” the Committee on Pro-Life — Consequences of emActivities, works to teach bracing a false distinction respect for all human life between requests for death from conception to natural by the mentally ill and those death, and organize for its terminally ill. protection.

“Serene Attentiveness To serve this goal, the USCCB (http://www.usccb. to God’s Creation” — A org/about/pro-life-activities) relationship with God, each other and creation are helps develop educational important to a culture that material on Pro-Life issues; values all human life and care conduct educational camfor God’s creation. paigns in the Church such “Caring for Loved Ones as the Respect Life Program at Life’s End” — Ten sugthat begins on the first Sunday of each October; the gestions allow us to provide People of Life Action Cam- authentic compassionate care with unconditional respect paign; conduct educational for all human life. campaigns on radio, print “Bridges of Mercy for and through exhibits; cirPost Abortion Healing” — culate fact sheets and other information on critical issues; Real-life stories illustrate publish “Life Issues Forum,” how abortion can affect a biweekly column for Cath- someone’s life and how can olic newspapers; publish Life we be the bridges of God’s mercy?

Insight newsletter; encour“Accompanying Expectage and enable programs to ant Mothers Considering meet the needs of pregnant Adoption” — One mother women, children, persons shares her personal experiwith disabilities, those who are sick or dying, and all who ence of placing a child for adoption and includes nine have been involved in aborpointers of ongoing support tion; provide dioceses with for expectant mothers who Pro-Life Liturgical suggestions each month; coordinate might consider adoption.

“Seven Considerations and advise on public policy While Navigating Infertility” efforts concerning these — Compassionate guidance issues; and assist dioceses to for couples struggling with implement major Pro-Life infertility and also help for programs. the reader to have a better Marian Desrosiers, understanding of this issue. director of the Pro-Life At 8 a.m. on October 1, Apostolate of the Fall River

Bishop Edgar M. da Cunha, S.D.V., will be leading a 40-minute prayer service at Angell Park in Attleboro.

The park is located across from the Four Women Health Services Clinic, the only abortion-providing clinic in the diocese. A Mass at 9 a.m. will follow at St. Vincent de Paul Church, 71 Linden St. in Attleboro.

Desrosiers will be attending the prayer service and the Mass and feels the event is a “great opportunity to join our bishop to pray and witness in the ‘public square’ to the Sacredness and dignity of all human life and to God’s great gift of mercy.

We are all called to create a culture that does not accept sin, while humbly realizing that we all sin. What the Holy Father calls a ‘culture of waste’ or a ‘throwaway culture’ sees and treats human life as disposable. The elderly are marginalized, and the lives of persons with disabilities are deemed less worth living. The fundamen-

tal truth that ‘the inalienable worth of a human being transcends his or her degree of development’ is forgotten — leading to the destruction of unwanted babies in the womb and experimentation on embryonic children in the lab.

“We place our hope in God in order to endure the troubles of this world and face them with the compassionate Spirit of Christ. We are called to live out the Corporal and Spiritual Works of Mercy. Therefore, we will be a visible sign to the woman and her child, offering support, love and tangible solutions to help her find the strength to choose life. We need to bring her hope, that her dreams for the future can still be fulfilled. We pray for the father, that his eyes will be opened to the gift of his child, that with God’s help, he will protect, support and love mother and child.

“We pray that God’s mercy will touch the hearts of all those who work at the

clinic, leading them to a deep inner conversion, so that they too will become the greatest defenders of the unborn and everyone’s right to life. Jesus teaches us to forgive, as He did, so that we might show others the loving mercy of God and transform this world.

“We pray that this site will close its doors forever and that the community of Attleboro and our diocese will be blessed abundantly as we strive to rebuild a culture of life and love.”

An invitation has been extended to all clergy and members of the diocese to attend the prayer service and the Mass. The visit by Bishop da Cunha falls within the 40 Days for Life fall prayer campaign, and Bishop da Cunha expressed the desire to pray at Angell Park, said Desrosiers.

“During the Year of Mercy seemed a most appropriate time,” she said. “OcTurn to page 15

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Anchor Editorial

Mercy and Redemption

Pope Francis has been having special general audiences for the Jubilee Year of Mercy and at one on September 10 he spoke about the connection between mercy and Redemption. He commented on a quote from the first letter of Peter 1:18-21, which speaks about God the Father mercifully saving us through the Blood of His Son. The Holy Father noted that “the word ‘Redemption’ is little used [today], yet it is important because it indicates the most radical liberation that God could perform for us, for all of humanity and the entire creation. It seems that today’s man no longer loves to think of being liberated and saved by God’s intervention; man today is, in fact, under the illusion that his liberty is a force to get everything. He also boasts of this.

But the reality is not so. How many illusions are sold under the pretext of freedom and how many new forms of slavery are created to this day in the name of a false freedom! Many, many slaves: ‘I do this because I want to do it, I take drugs because I like it, I’m free.’ They are slaves! They become slaves in the name of freedom. We all have seen such people eventually end up on the floor [translation note — this could also mean ‘under ground’]. We need God to deliver us from all forms of indifference, selfishness and self-sufficiency.”

Given the epidemic of drug overdoses in our area, the pope’s words really hit home. However, other addictive behaviors — be it drinking, gambling, sex, smoking, etc. — also begin with the idea that we human beings are “free” and should be able to do “whatever we want.” As the pontiff points out, the addiction leads us to doing what we’d prefer not to do.

St. Paul discussed this tendency in regards to our sinfulness. “For I do not do the good I want, but I do the evil I do not want” (Rom 7:19).

He explained, “I see in my members another principle at war with the law of my mind, taking me captive to the law of sin that dwells in my members” (Rom 7:23). In other words, we are dealing with our fleshly desires, which are pulling us away from God and towards sin. In the next two verses, the Apostle expresses his exasperation with his temptations and his gratitude to Christ in helping to fight them: “Miserable one that I am! Who will deliver me from this mortal body? Thanks be to God through Jesus Christ our Lord. Therefore, I myself, with my mind, serve the law of God but, with my flesh, the law of sin” (Rom 7:24-25).

Getting back to Pope Francis’ recent talk, he said, “The words of the Apostle Peter very well express the sense of the new state of life to which we are called. By becoming one of us, the Lord Jesus not only takes on OFFICIAL NEWSPAPER OF THE DIOCESE OF FALL RIVER www.anchornews.org

Vol. 60, No. 19

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.

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

PUBLISHER - Most Reverend Edgar M. da Cunha, S.D.V. EXECUTIVE EDITOR Father Richard D. Wilson fatherwilson@anchornews.org EDITOR David B. Jolivet davejolivet@anchornews.org OFFICE MANAGER Mary Chase marychase@anchornews.org ADVERTISING Wayne R. Powers waynepowers@anchornews.org REPORTER Kenneth J. Souza k ensouza@anchornews.org REPORTER Rebecca Aubut beckyaubut@anchornews.org Send Letters to the Editor to: fatherwilson@anchornews.org

PoStmaSters send address changes to The Anchor, P.O. Box 7, Fall River, MA 02722.

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The Anchor - September 16, 2016

our human condition, but He raises us to the possibility of being children of God. By His death and Resurrection Jesus Christ, the Lamb without blemish, has conquered death and sin to free us from their domain. He is the Lamb Who was sacrificed for us, that we might receive a new life of forgiveness, love and joy. These three words are beautiful: forgiveness, love and joy. All that He has taken [into Himself ] has also been redeemed, liberated and saved. Sure, it’s true that life tests us and sometimes we suffer in it. However, at those times we are invited to turn our gaze on the crucified Jesus Who suffers for us and with us, as a certain proof that God does not abandon us. Never forget, however, that in distress or persecution, as in daily pain we are always freed by the hand of the merciful God Who raises us to Himself and leads us to a new life.”

The pope is reminding us that true joy is tied into our being loved and forgiven. We’re all sinners and all in need of forgiveness. Our self-sufficiency will get us neither love nor forgiveness. The “my way” approach to life is not the way to happiness.

Unlike human love, “God’s love is boundless,” the pope added. “We discover ever new signs indicating His focus on us and especially His willingness to reach out to us and to go before us. Our whole life, though marked by the fragility of sin, is placed under the gaze of God, Who loves us. How many pages of Holy Scripture tell us about the closeness and tenderness of God for all people, especially for the little ones, the poor and the afflicted! God has a great tenderness, a great love of children, for the weak, for those society has discarded. The more we are in need, the more His gaze is on us, full of mercy. He feels a compassionate sympathy towards us because He knows our weaknesses. He knows our sins and forgives us; always forgives! So good, so good is our Father.”

The Holy Father closed his discourse in Italian renewing an invitation he has made over and over again during his pontificate: “Therefore, dear brothers and sisters, let us open ourselves to Him, let us receive His grace! Because, as the psalm says, ‘with the Lord there is mercy, and with Him is plenteous Redemption’” (Ps 130:7).

Pope Francis has repeatedly reminded us that God never tires of forgiving us; we tire to asking for forgiveness. We ask God to help us overcome our internal pride or shame so that we can approach Him in the Sacrament of Reconciliation, confess our sins with true sorrow (for what they did to our neighbors, to Him on the cross, to ourselves) and a true resolution to leave behind this slavery, so as to walk in the freedom of our Redemption.

Daily Readings Sept. 17 — Sept. 30

Upcoming Daily Readings: Sat. Sept. 17, 1 Cor 15:35-37,42-49; Ps 56:10c-14; Lk 8:4-15. Sun. Sept. 18, Twenty-fifth Sunday in Ordinary Time, Am 8:4-7; Ps 113:1-2,4-8; 1 Tm 2:1-8; Lk 16:1-13 or 16:10-13. Mon. Sept. 19, Prv 3:27-34; Ps 15:2-4ab,5; Lk 8:16-18. Tues. Sept. 20, Prv 21:1-6,10-13; Ps 119:1,27,30,3435,44; Lk 8:19-21. Wed. Sept. 21, Eph 4:1-7,11-13; Ps 19:2-5; Mt 9:9-13. Thurs.

Sept. 22, Eccl 1:2-11; Ps 90:3-6,12-14,17bc; Lk 9:7-9. Fri. Sept. 23, Eccl 3:1-11; Ps 144:1b,2abc,3-4; Lk 9:18-22.

Sat. Sept. 24, Eccl 11:9—12:8; Ps 90:3-6,12-14,17; Lk 9:43b-45. Sun. Sept.

25, Twenty-sixth Sunday in Ordinary Time, Am 6:1a,4-7; Ps 146:7-10; 1 Tm 6:11-16; Lk 16:19-31. Mon. Sept. 26, Jb 1:6-22; Ps 17:1bcd,2-3,6-7; Lk 9:46-50.

Tues. Sept. 27, Jb 3:1-3,11-17,20-23; Ps 88:2-8; Lk 9:51-56. Wed. Sept. 28, Jb 9:1-12,14-16; Ps 88:10b-15; Lk 9:57-62. Thurs. Sept. 29, Dn 7:9-10,13-14 or Rv 12:7-12a; Ps 138:1-5; Jn 1:47-51. Fri. Sept. 30, Jb 38:1,12-21; 40:3-5; Ps 139:13,7-10,13-14b; Lk 10:13-16.

Being led through the Door of Mercy

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ormally during jubilee years, the only indulgenced Jubilee Doors are found at St. Peter’s Basilica in the Vatican and the three other papal Basilicas in Rome. One of the innovations of the extraordinary Jubilee of Mercy has been that Pope Francis has allowed bishops throughout the world to designate Holy Doors in their cathedrals, major shrines, and basically any church they deem appropriate.

The pope’s idea was generously to allow the jubilee’s intended interior exodus from sin across the threshold of Divine Mercy to be experienced by everyone across the world, including by the vast majority of Catholics who would not be able to journey to Rome. And the bishops of the world have responded by naming various churches in each diocese jubilee pilgrimage sites.

Since last December when the Jubilee Year began, I have had the chance to pass through many doors of mercy in different dioceses in the United States and in a few other countries. I noticed a couple of things.

First, while in some places the doors are prominently adorned, in the majority they are poorly-indicated and decorated, perhaps just with a poster or vinyl banner over or astride the threshold with the Jubilee logo. At one prominent cathedral that receives thousands of visitors of day, you need to ask the ushers which door is the Jubilee Door, because there’s no indication whatsoever. In another church, the Jubilee Door looked like it has needed to be repaired for

decades. I got the impresin Rome where the Pontifision in some places that all cal Council for Promoting that was done by the pastor the New Evangelization or the rector was to choose has done an excellent job in one of the church’s doors preparing people Spiritually and leave it at that. The to enter through the door. extraordinary privilege of They encourage everyone to having one’s church chosen make a pilgrimage startto be a center of pilgrimage ing at the beginning of and conversion seems to be the Via della Conciliazione, taken for granted. the long boulevard leading The second thing I have noticed is that even in Putting Into those churches in which the Jubilee the Deep Doors have been taken seriously and

By Father Roger J. Landry made prominent and graceful, there’s seldom much assistance for pilgrims to up to St. Peter’s Square. know what to do: not only Everyone receives a sheet are there no volunteers, with psalms and prayers to but there are no signs or be said at various stages as fliers with special prayers one approaches the basilica, to say — like, for example, passes through the door the beautiful Jubilee Prayer and rejoices afterward. It composed by Pope Francis. is a simple and inexpensive There is no information example for what every provided as to the jubilee other church with a Jubilee indulgence, to whom it can Door could be doing. be applied (oneself or the The best experience of a souls of the deceased), and pilgrimage through a Jubiwhat needs to be done to lee Door I have witnessed obtain it, namely, receive goes to the Basilica of St. the Sacrament of ConfesAnthony in Padua, which sion and Holy Communion I was able to visit during worthily, pray for the inten- vacation last month. As tions of the Holy Father you approach the basilica, (by saying, for example, there are signs galore drawan Our Father and a Hail ing you toward the Jubilee Mary), and be detached Door and even a prominent from the affections for one’s starting point outside the sins. All that exists in many basilica to enter the queue places is the door itself. to pass through the door.

Passing through it seems Before you enter, there are like walking through any signs indicating for you other door, something that to pass through the door risks leaving people with prayerfully and sheets in just a “been there, done various languages to pick that” experience or, worse, a up with the jubilee itinerary sense that the Jubilee Door through the basilica. is a just a magical portal “While waiting your through which Catholics turn to enter the Door of superstitiously pass.

Mercy,” the flier states, “reOne obvious exception cite the St. Francis Prayer, to this is St. Peter’s Basilica ‘We adore you, most Holy

Lord Jesus Christ, here and in all Your churches throughout the world, and we bless You, because by Your holy cross, You have redeemed the world’; once you have reached the door, stop for a moment at the threshold and touch the jubilee medallion fixed on the door post, then proceed to the crucifix nearby, touch it, and sign yourself with the sign of the cross.”

Then the itinerary — which is mapped out in the flier and indicated in a colored route on the basilica’s floor — leads you to the Chapel of St. Anthony where, it encourages you to place your hand on the marble slab of the saint’s tomb and pray a prayer of mercy written by the saint himself.

Next you’re led to the Chapel of the Black Madonna, where you are encouraged to pray another prayer written by St. Anthony to entrust oneself to the Mother of Mercy. It’s at this point that you start seeing signs for the Sacrament of Confession everywhere.

Fourth on that itinerary is to go to the baptismal font in the Chapel of Blessed Luke where you reflect on your baptismal promises and renew your faith, reciting the Creed.

The next station is the Chapel of the Relics in which St. Anthony’s incorrupt tongue is prominently displayed. The guide sheet reminds you that by Baptism, you have received a “new tongue” that you should use to thank God for the gift of His mercy.

You’re encouraged to

recite a prayer written by St. Bonaventure about St. Anthony’s tongue.

The penultimate stop is the Hall of Confessions, reached through a beautiful cloister, in which there are sheets on how to make a good Confession, beautiful paintings portraying God’s mercy, and new state-ofthe-art confessionals — priests should see them!

— with up to 24 confessors hearing in various languages at any given time. The pilgrim is explicitly encouraged to accept St. Anthony’s invitation: “My beloved brothers, be humbled and enter by the gate of Confession. As you have been taught, confess your sins and their circumstances, because now is the acceptable time for Confession, now is the day of Salvation for making amends.”

The final station on the jubilee pilgrimage is the main altar, where you are encouraged to pray an Our Father, Hail Mary and Glory Be for the intentions of Pope Francis and to attend one of the many Masses celebrated during the day. Every pilgrimage, after all, is meant to lead us ultimately to Christ, Who is the “gate” for the sheep ( Jn 10:9)!

Conceptually the pilgrimage was brilliant, using the words of the saint and the various places in the basilica to help pilgrims make the interior journey that the passage through the Jubilee Door is meant to facilitate.

It’s a model for every church privileged with a Jubilee Door.

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

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Environmental justice begins with each of us

ne of Pope Francis’s recurring themes in his encyclical, Laudato Sí, is that the poor suffer the most as a result of environmental degradation. He points out that, “human beings, too, are creatures of the world, enjoying a right to life and happiness and endowed with a special dignity,” and “we cannot fail to consider the effects on people’s lives of environmental deterioration, current models of development and the throwaway culture.”

The pope explains that, “the human environment and the natural environment deteriorate together. We cannot adequately combat environmental degradation unless we attend to the causes related to human and social degradation. Deterioration of the environment and of society affects the most vulnerable people on the planet. Both everyday experience and scientific research show that the gravest effects of all attacks on the environment are suffered by the poorest.”

Despite the technological advances that we have made over the last 200 years, the growth of many cities throughout the world has actually lead to increasingly unhealthy conditions, “not only because of pollution caused by toxic emissions, but also as a result of urban chaos, poor transportation, and visual pollution and noise.” Pope Francis tells us that, “we are not meant to be inundated by cement, asphalt, glass and metal and deprived of physical contact with nature.”

Personally, the ability to be in contact with the natural environment and stand in awe of the majesty of His creation has always been a 8

powerful means of restorfor these inequalities. The ing my sense of well-being. decision-makers and policyUnfortunately, the poor are makers are often living in often excluded from areas affluent areas and are out of natural beauty through of physical contact with the privatization of spaces, or the problems of the poor. He lack of green spaces in the explains how this can lead areas where they live. to a “numbing of conscience Some businesses seeking and to tendentious analyses to bypass environmental or which neglect part of realoccupational regulations in ity.” Tendentious describes their own countries, have analyses which strongly gone to developing countries promote particular causes where these laws are weak or nonexistent.

Our This results in expoCommon sure of workers to unhealthy conditions, Home and the release of polBy Professor lutants into neighborRobert Rak ing communities.

When some of these companies cease their or points of view. He sugoperations in the developing gests that, “a true ecological countries, the pope describes approach always becomes how they leave behind great a social approach. It must human and environmental integrate questions of justice liabilities such as unemploy- in debates on the environment, abandoned towns, ment so as to hear both the depletion of natural resourc- cry of the earth and the cry es, deforestation, impoverof the poor.” ishment of agriculture and In our own country poor local stock breeding, open and minority communipits, riven hills, polluted riv- ties have been selected for ers and a handful of social siting LULUs, or Locally works which are no longer Unwanted Land Uses, such sustainable. as dumps, landfills, incineraToxic wastes are sometors, and companies emittimes transported from first ting toxic chemicals. The world countries to developterm “environmental racism” ing countries. This action is was coined to describe the termed “toxic colonialism.” situation where minorities Worldwide the disposal are more often subjected and accumulation of gases to higher environmental into our atmosphere from risks in their neighborhoods the burning of fossil fuels is and at their jobs. Native resulting in climate changes. American reservations are Those with wealth are betsometimes offered economic ter equipped to adapt to incentives in return for the changes created, while allowing environmentallythe poor suffer from deadly risky operations to be located heatwaves, droughts which on their lands, since their devastate their meager sovereign nation status farms, floods, and sea level exempts them from state rise, which takes away their environmental regulations. homeland.

Minorities in poorer comPope Francis sheds light munities are much more on some of the reasons likely to be exposed to high

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levels of the neurotoxin, lead, due to the existence of lead paints in their homes, or old lead pipes which supply their drinking water. The recent incident involving Flint, Michigan’s water supply is a prime example. Millions of children in the U.S. have dangerously high levels of lead in their bodies.

The environmental justice movement began in our country in the early 1980s as a result of African American communities being subjected to a disproportionate amount of dumps, landfills, and other environmentally hazardous operations.

The United States Environmental Protection Agency defines Environmental Justice as “the fair treatment and meaningful involvement of all people regardless of race, color, national origin, or income with respect to the development, implementation, and enforcement of environmental laws, regulations, and policies. The EPA has this goal for all communities and persons across this nation. It will be achieved when everyone enjoys the same degree of protection from environmental health hazards and equal access to the decision-making process to have a healthy environment in which to live, learn, and work.”

The pope wants to make the world aware of the plight of the poor and the moral responsibility that we all have in caring for our common home. The poor make up the majority of the world’s population, yet in our present model of distribution, a minority of people living in rich countries, like our own, believe that they have the right to

consume in a manner which could never be universalized among all peoples. Our planet could not support this level of resource use by all people, nor could it contain the waste products of such consumption. We each play a role in environmental justice.

When we conserve energy and reduce our use of fossil fuels, we reduce the impact of climate change on the poorer nations who bear the brunt of the impacts without receiving the benefits.

When we recycle we reduce resource use and the stresses on landfills, which are often placed in the poorer sections of a community. When we dispose of harmful chemicals properly, or choose not to use them altogether, we keep the water and soil clean for all peoples.

We need to carefully assess the impacts of environmentally sensitive developments on all of the stakeholders. We must look at the care of the Earth with a sense of shared responsibility.

As Pope Francis teaches us, “We need to strengthen the conviction that we are all one single human family. There are no frontiers or barriers behind which we can hide, still less is there room for the globalization of indifference.”

Anchor columnist Professor Rak is a Fall River native and a parishioner of St. Mary’s Parish in Fall River.

He has been a professor of Environmental Technology and coordinator of the Environmental Science and Technology Program at Bristol Community College in Fall River for 18 years. He earned a bachelor’s degree in biology from Holy Cross College in Worcester, and a master’s degree in marine biology from UMass Dartmouth. rrak@verizon.net

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Leaving our values at the door of the strip club

was recently talking to a Massachusetts family with a 21-yearold son on the autism spectrum. Because of the Asperger syndrome and obsessive compulsive disorder that have affected him since childhood, he is only about 13 or 14 in his understanding and behaviors.

Jimmy (not his real name) has been in and out of mental institutions and recently had to be placed into a group home because his single mom could no longer manage him at home. Jimmy came from a good family, conscientious and Catholic, raised in a clean environment by his mother and grandmother, who hoped to see him cared for in a protected and secure setting at the group home.

Soon they saw, however, that there were issues: the residents had unlimited TV access in their private rooms; there seemed to be high worker turnover; and some of the tattooed staff were not only heavy smokers but used foul language.

Things took an unexpected turn as Jimmy prepared to celebrate his 21st birthday. Others at the group home started pushing him to visit the strip club in a nearby town now that he was “going to be an adult.” Always guileless, and never hesitant to talk openly about whatever was going on around him, Jimmy blurted out to his grandmother that the group home staff were going to drive him the next weekend to the Foxy Lady Club. A series of phone calls ensued.

When the grandmother back to the mental hospispoke with a staff memtal. When she continued ber at the home, she to protest that visiting was informed there was such a club was not a nothing she could do to good or moral activity, prevent it, that the group the official replied, “Well, home routinely offered if you’re concerned about transportation to the ‘values,’ I leave my values strip club not only for at the door every time I their residents, but for residents of the other group Making Sense homes run by the Out of same company Bioethics in nearby towns.

By Father Tad The staff member Pacholczyk said that Jimmy was now 21 and the group home had to let him do what he go to work in order to get wanted. A second phone my job done.” call to the staff supervisor Cases like Jimmy’s resulted in the same song serve as a disappointing and dance: the group reminder of how low the home had no choice but bar has come to be set to cater to his wishes; he in certain segments of was within his legal rights our society. The misapnow that he was 21; they propriation of public tax would drive others at the money by state agencies home to the strip club, to subsidize damaging etc. behaviors in a vulnerable Finally, the grandpatient population is also mother called the Masregrettable and fundasachusetts Department of mentally unjust. The Developmental Services, family’s struggles further which had contracted highlight an astonishing with the company runcultural misunderstanding ning the group home, and around the idea of “huspoke to the woman in man rights.” To suggest charge of Jimmy’s case. that the activity of leering She noted that Jimmy lecherously at the bodies was not only within his of naked women is a “balegal rights, but it was, sic human right” is itself a she asserted, a matter of profound perversion, and basic human rights to represents a lamentable allow him go to the strip instance of outright moral club. His grandmother re- bankruptcy. plied it would be a failure Probably the most to care for persons with striking element of a mental disabilities if care- case like Jimmy’s is the takers facilitated sexually- remarkably well-honed addictive practices, which ability of some who serve such persons were prone in positions of authority to engage in anyway, ofand leadership — while ten struggling with selfprofessing to be “good” control and masturbatory or even “religious” people behaviors, and this might — to jettison their values set them up for a trip and beliefs the moment

they are called upon to stand up and defend what is right.

Because individuals like Jimmy are consistently unable to make good decisions on their own behalf, it goes without saying that they require a guardian to attend to their interests and protect them.

Yet legal guardians, like Jimmy’s grandmother, are finding themselves in the unenviable position of being ignored on certain issues by those entrusted with the care of institutionalized residents, apparently determined to bypass the guardian’s will whenever specific sexual agendas or views about “rights” need to be duly imposed.

Good parents never drive their children to strip clubs, and neither should any institution entrusted

with a protective parental role; on the contrary, such institutions should erect appropriate boundaries and limits on harmful behaviors, so their residents can grow and flourish, contribute positively to society, and perhaps one day become good and mature moral agents themselves.

Anchor columnist Father Pacholczyk, Ph.D. earned his doctorate in neuroscience from Yale and did post-doctoral work at Harvard. He is a priest of the Diocese of Fall River, and serves as the director of Education at The National Catholic Bioethics Center in Philadelphia. See www. ncbcenter.org.

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

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W

hen the school year gets underway it is soon time to start up Religious Education programs throughout the diocese.

By now most of the programs have their catechists in place, but many are still putting out that plaintive plea for help. September 18th is Catechetical Sunday, the traditional kick-off of Religious Education programs in the United States.

In parishes throughout the country people will stand before the congregation and will ceremonially accept the responsibility of handing on the faith to the youth. The ritual signifies much more for the catechist than being at the other end of a hurried search among parishioners by a desperate catechetical

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Catechists leader. “Those whom that it is hard to find the community has des- the content, and others ignated to be catechists so laden with doctrine will be called forth that it could bore a dog to be commissioned off a meat wagon. Missfor their service.” The ing in this debate is the Church presumes that most important element there is a pool of poof sound catechesis; tential catechists within that is, the catechists the community because themselves. Pedagogy is all are called to hand the science of teaching, down the faith by virtue of our Baptism, which makes us faithful followers The Great and witnesses to the Gospel.

Commission Catechists are

By Claire McManus often overlooked in the vigorous debate in the Church about the but it takes on a very necessary components different flavor when of catechesis. One camp it comes to Religious espouses content while Education. The role the other side advocates of the catechist is to for better methodology. bring to life the seeds The religious textbooks of faith already planted are the battleground for by God. The pedagogy the conflict, with some of God is more than so filled with method the words in a textbook.

God’s pedagogy is best depicted by the parable of the Prodigal Son. The father stands at the door looking for the son; waiting for his return. God’s pedagogy is the father running out to meet the son even before he has a chance to recite his rehearsed apology.

Throughout the history of catechesis we have searched for ways to describe the unique relationship between the learner, the catechist and God. The learner is an open receptacle of God’s offer of faith. As St. Augustine explained, “You have made us for yourself, O Lord, and

The Anchor - September 16, 2016

our hearts are restless until they rest in You.” The catechist and parish are the vehicles by which the message of God is inculturated.

God assumes the character of the person who teaches, the community in which it is taught, and the conditions that shape the learner.

Even though we place emphasis on the Religious Education programs as the be all and end all of catechesis; just as much focus should be on the parish as catechist.

St. Pope John Paul II described catechesis as “the whole effort within the Church to make disciples.” Catechists can be found presenting the systematically planned lessons that trained professionals put together, and in the mother who blesses her children at bedtime.

Catechists are in the social justice committee that informs parishioners that the upcoming election involves issues that are aligned with Catholic social teaching, and in the prayer shawl ladies that knit the symbol of God’s embrace of the sick.

We need catechists to come forth out of their profound desire to share their lives, not just because they feel obligated to volunteer.

If catechesis is to be the pedagogy of God, then it must be perceived as an act of love.

In his first encycli-

cal, Lumen Fidei, Pope Francis placed before us the essence of God’s catechetical method.

“If love needs truth, truth also needs love.

Love and truth are inseparable. Without love, truth becomes cold, impersonal and oppressive for people’s day to day lives.” Quoting St. Gregory he said, “Love itself is a kind of knowledge possessed of its own logic.” Catechists teach the Word of God with their whole lives.

Doctrine can neither replicate nor supplant this lesson.

Every person who has brought their children to be baptized has promised to be the bearers of God’s love to their community. “You have asked to have your children baptized. In doing so you are accepting the responsibility of training them in the practice of the faith.

It will be your duty to bring them up to keep God’s Commandments as Christ taught us, by loving God and our neighbor.” This is a good reminder for the people of the parish.

Rather than beg them to teach, promise them a reward in Heaven, or appeal to their volunteerism, maybe they just need to be reminded, “I see how much you love your children, do you think God might want you to share your love with others?”

Anchor columnist Claire McManus is the director of the Diocesan Office of Faith Formation.

The golden age of guano Friday 16 September 2016 — Port-O-Call: Penzance Point — International Preservation of the Ozone Layer Day ’ve lately been considering the nicknames of various cities in the Diocese of Fall River. The City of Fall River is “Spindle City” — a reference to the importance of textile manufacturing. New Bedford is the “Whaling City,” Taunton is “Silver City,” Attleboro is called “The Jewelry Capitol of the World.” These nicknames involve notable industries of the past.

I’ve never heard a nickname for Falmouth. Falmouth, as we all know, was called “Suckanesset” by the original inhabitants, the Wampanoag. “Suckanesset” translates as “place-by-thesea-where-black-seashellcurrency-is-found.”

“Falmouth by the Sea and Money for Free” has a certain ring to it.

Falmouth does have the longest coastline of any in Massachusetts. Still, the Wampanoag name for Falmouth lacks a certain je ne se quoi. Besides, it’s much too long.

Falmouth deserves a pithy nickname. I set out to correct this oversight.

I didn’t have far to go.

On Main Street I find the principal industries of Falmouth commemorated in a series of 11 lovely bronze plaques: “Looking Back: Falmouth at Work” by local artist Sarah Peters.

Each bas-relief represents a different industry in Falmouth’s convoluted history: ship building, ice cutting, woolen manufacturing, cranberry growing, whaling, marine sciences, eel fishing, salt gathering, strawberry farming, tourism, and guano works.

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Wait. What? Guano? all-natural fertilizer.

Yes, dear readers, FalShips sailed the Camouth is famous for guano ribbean and the Pacific — which was once really, searching for uninhabited really big business. “Guaislands on which wild bird no” is the highfaluting colonies, over the centuterm for bat manure. Peo- ries, had deposited tons ple use the word to also of guano (this was before describe seabird droppings. ecological awareness). The I’ve been unable to find a raw guano was shoveled word specifically for seabird droppings The Ship’s Log as distinct from bat Reflections of a droppings. “Guano” Parish Priest will have to do.

I learned all

By Father Tim about guano in a Goldrick tattered old book entitled “Suckanesset” (1930) by Theodate off the rocks into wooden Geoffrey. This particular barrels and brought triumcopy was discarded in phantly back to Falmouth.

1984 by Bishop Feehan Town residents stood on High School. Do they the dock and cheered as no longer teach all about each barrel of guano was guano in schools? I have off-loaded. (Sorry. I got no idea how Father Fran- carried away.) cis X. Wallace ended up The guano was then with it (neither does he), mixed at the Falmouth but he gave the book to processing plant with me. squished fish and pulAt any rate, beginning verized animal bones to on page 149, I found more become the gold standard than I needed to know of fertilizer. about the guano industry For decades, guano in Falmouth. It seems back processing was the major in 1859 shipping merindustry in Falmouth. In chants from Boston and its prime, the company New York incorporated as employed 200 workers. the Pacific Guano ComIts stock was worth milpany. They soon opened lions. Even New Bedford’s a giant guano processing miserly millionaire Hetty headquarters right here in Green, the “Witch of Falmouth. Guano, by the Wall Street,” came sniffing way, was favored by horaround. ticulturists as an effective It was the guano indus-

try that put Falmouth on the map. It was the guano industry that brought the railroad to town. (The railroad also brought tourists.)

Falmouth is the town that guano built.

Similar to many startups before and since, the guano market crashed. The plant closed, the building was razed, the land was divided and sold off.

Today, the New York Stock Exchange has absolutely no interest in guano. Sad, but true.

Take heart, dear readers, for the peninsula formerly occupied by the malodorous processing plant has been repurposed. It’s now called “Penzance Point” after a seaside town in Cornwall, England. Looking at a map, one can see geographical similarities.

I understand the other name proposed, “Guano Estates,” received no votes at all.

Penzance Point is one of the most exclusive Cape Cod neighborhoods, a gated community by the sea, and the location of 29 magnificent estates owned by the rich and famous.

The mansions on Penzance Point have fabulously verdant lawns. I’m not at all surprised.

I did investigate a house

for sale on Penzance Point — only out of curiosity, you understand. The house was built in 1900, soon after the collapse of the guano industry. The asking price is $14 million.

This includes seven bedrooms, eight bathrooms, and extraordinarily green grass. Unlike Gilbert and Sullivan, I saw no pirates of Penzance. The coast was clear.

There are no longer whalers in New Bedford or silver manufacturing plants in Taunton. Long passed is Falmouth’s Golden Age of Guano. I suspect, however, a nickname like “Falmouth: Guano Capitol of the World” would be bad for tourism.

Having completed this unsuccessful search for a town nickname, I have concluded that plain old “Falmouth” will have to suffice.

Sometimes history is best forgotten, especially by high-end real estate agents. That $14 million house has been on the market for more than a year now. Prospective buyers, I suspect, smell something fishy.

Did she say, “Next, please?”

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

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9.4.16 — The canonization of Pope Francis: Mother Teresa shows us our ‘vocation to charity’

Vatican City (CNA/EWTN News) — More than just helping people in need, the Christian life must include the roots of charity, putting our entire lives at the service of Christ, as Mother Teresa did, Pope Francis said September 4.

“The task which the Lord gives us is the vocation to charity in which each of Christ’s disciples puts his or her entire life at His service, so to grow each day in love,” the pope said in his homily for the Canonization Mass of Mother Teresa of Calcutta.

It is estimated that there were 120,000 people in attendance at the Mass, according to the Vatican Press Office.

Referencing the question: “Who can learn the counsel

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of God?” in the Book of Wisdom, Francis said our task is to realize the call of God and then to do His will. But in order to do His will, we must first find out what it is.

“We find the answer in the same passage of the Book of Wisdom: ‘People were taught what pleases you,’” he said.

What we are called to do, therefore, Pope Francis said, is “to translate into concrete acts that which we invoke in prayer and profess in faith.”

Following Jesus is not for the weak, the pope continued, but is a serious task, although one “filled with joy.

It takes a certain daring and courage to recognize the Divine Master in the poorest of the poor and to give oneself in their service.”

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The many volunteers and workers of mercy present in St. Peter’s Square Sunday for the Jubilee of Mercy and for Mother Teresa’s canonization are like the “large crowds” traveling with Jesus in the Gospel of Luke, the pope said. They make visible Christ’s concrete love for each person.

“How many hearts have been comforted by volunteers! How many hands they have held; how many tears they have wiped away; how much love has been poured out in hidden, humble and selfless service!” he said.

Mother Teresa’s life was given to this service. She was committed to defending life, especially the “unborn and those abandoned and discarded,” Francis said. She was “a generous dispenser of Divine mercy.”

“She was committed to defending life, ceaselessly proclaiming that the unborn are the weakest, the smallest, the most vulnerable,” he added.

Just as Christ has bent down to help us, we must bend down to help the Christ found in those in need. “Wherever someone is reaching out, asking for a helping hand in order to get up, this is where our presence — and the presence of the Church which sustains and offers hope — must be.”

Speaking of Mother Teresa, Pope Francis noted how she “bowed down before those who were spent seeing in them their Godgiven dignity.”

“Today, I pass on this emblematic figure of womanhood and of consecrated life to the whole world of volunteers: may she be your

model of holiness!” he said.

“Let us carry her smile in our hearts and give it to those whom we meet along our journey, especially those who suffer. In this way, we will open up opportunities of joy and hope for our many brothers and sisters who are discouraged and who stand in need of understanding and tenderness.”

After the Mass, Pope Francis continued immediately with praying the Sunday Angelus, first greeting and thanking everyone who took part, especially the Missionaries of Charity, whom he called the “Spiritual family of Mother Teresa.”

He also greeted the various national delegations, pilgrims, volunteers and workers of mercy, and anyone who, through media, joined in the celebration

from around the world.

“I entrust you to the protection of Mother Teresa: she teaches you to contemplate and adore Jesus crucified every day, to recognize Him and serve Him in our brothers in need.”

The pope concluded his Angelus message by asking for prayers especially for Sister Isabel, 51, a Spanish missionary nun who was shot and killed September 2 in Port-au-Prince, Haiti during what appears to have been a robbery.

Pope Francis prayed for an end to violence, and for greater security around the world.

“We also remember other Sisters that recently have experienced violence in other countries,” he prayed, doing so “by addressing in prayer the Virgin Mary, Mother and Queen of all saints.”

Vatican City (CNA/EWTN News) — On the occasion of the canonization of Mother Teresa of Calcutta, Pope Francis decided to offer a pizza lunch to 1,500 poor and needy people cared for by the Missionaries of Charity throughout Italy.

According to a communique from the Vatican, the guests are “are poor and needy people, above all from the dormitories of the Sisters of Mother Teresa and come from all over Italy,” including Milan, Bologna, Florence, Naples and from all the houses in Rome.

They traveled on different buses overnight to make it to the canonization Mass for Mother Teresa of

Calcutta, now called Kolkata, and sat in a reserved section near the statue of St. Peter at the front of the square called the “Reparto San Pietro.”

After the Mass, the guests headed to the Vatican’s Paul VI Hall, to eat a lunch consisting of Neapolitan-style pizza.

The lunch was served by some 250 of Mother Teresa’s sisters, as well as 50 Brothers from the male branch of the congregation and some volunteers.

With such a high number of people invited to the lunch, the pizza was prepared by a staff of nearly 20 people who brought three of their own mobile ovens to cook in.

Pope offers pizza lunch to 1,500 poor after Mother Teresa canonization

St. Teresa of Calcutta

Scenes from the canonization of St. Teresa of Calcutta at the Vatican on September 4. (CNA photos) The Anchor - September 16, 2016

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‘Great Hurricane’ took its toll on Fall River Diocese continued from page four

The Standard-Times [the New Bedford daily newspaper] had no news on the approaching storm, “No sense of alarm or warning of impending danger.

“On page two, the tiny-print weather forecast, if one bothered to read it, was for rain and cooler with shifting southeast gales off the coast. Further, ‘a tropical disturbance northeast of Cape Hatteras [North Carolina] with maximum wind velocity of 56 MPH ... the center moving rapidly northeastward off the coast.’

“The proceeding hours were filled with the drama of unleashed natural forces, countless small heroics, and accounts of death and rescue as the storm

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The Anchor - September 16, 2016

raged.”

Weather experts report that the unusually rapid speed of the hurricane’s northern trek, made the winds on its east side even more powerful. Southeastern Massachusetts was on the eastern side of the eye.

Between noon and 2 p.m. conditions deteriorated, but people still had no idea what was about to be unleashed.

According to reports, the hurricane made landfall on Long Island, N.Y. between 2 and 2:30 p.m. as a category three storm with maximum sustained winds of 120 MPH. The St. Mary’s Parish commemoration book said, “The most

destructive hurricane had reached winds of 100 MPH and had struck with such suddenness that those who lost their lives could not have escaped.

“In our parish, the church building was toppled and caved in.”

The book also reports that the then-pastor, Father Thomas Taylor, was away at the time, and that a young altar boy of the parish was sent by his mother to “crawl under the demolished church to recover the Blessed Sacrament and Sacred vessels and take them to the rectory until a priest came to remove them to another church.”

“Bearing Fruit By Streams of Water: A History of the Diocese of Fall River,” by Msgr. Barry W. Wall, indicated that “the cost of lowering the damaged spires of Notre Dame Church in Fall River

would be $25,000.”

It took St. Mary’s Parish years to recover. Its commemoration book said, “After the remains of the church were cleared away, only the foundation, overgrown with weeds, stood as a reminder of a once-vital parish.

“The faithful attended Mass for a while at Motta’s Hall or St. Kilian’s and the French-speaking people transferred to St. Theresa’s.

St. Mary’s Parish was disbanded in 1939 and would remain in limbo for the next 14 years.”

In 1953, ground was broken on a new St. Mary’s Church building, on the site of the destroyed one.

St. Rose of Lima Chapel, dedicated by Bishop James E. Cassidy on July 3, 1932, which once bustled with summer vacationers to the Horseneck Beach area, was never rebuilt.

Missionary priest in India seeking Rosary donations

KERALA, India — The Anchor recently received a request from Father Paul Cruz from Kerala, India, seeking donations of Rosaries for the people he is serving.

“We are a community (and) 30 percent of us are well off and the rest are poor and half-educated,” Father Cruz wrote. “But they are

pious people. We kindly request your readers to send me their spare Rosaries for the needy people over here.

We will be keeping you in our prayers and Holy Masses.”

Rosaries can be mailed to: Father Paul Cruz, Kottiyam P.O., Kollam 691 571, Kerala, India.

Bishop to lead Pro-Life prayer at Angell Park continued from page five

tober 1 begins Respect Life Month [and] is the month of Our Lady and the Rosary.

It is the first Saturday of the month and the first Saturday of the 40 Days for Life fall campaign.”

October is full of Pro-Life programs and initiatives, including the TV Respect Life Sunday Mass scheduled for October 2 and the MCFL March for Life in Boston on October 9, with registration at 1 p.m. and the walk commencing at 2:30 p.m. Those participating will gather

at the Boston Common Parkman bandstand and sponsor sheets and information are available online at www.MassCitizensForLife. org. Preparations and meetings are also underway for the 2017 March for Life in Washington D.C. Though October may seem like her busiest month, Desrosiers doesn’t wait until the fall to help support the Pro-Life message. She is also director of Project Rachel, an outreach by the Catholic Church to all men, women

and anyone who has been involved with the tragedy of abortion: “We receive calls, throughout the year, on our designated confidential Rachel Line. It is devastating to hear the pain and suffering in the voices of those who contact our office. But, through this incredible ministry, we can offer Christ’s mercy, hope and healing.”

Desrosiers asks that for those who cannot attend any Pro-Life event, to “please join with us by offering your prayers and fasting.”

Diocese of Fall River TV Mass on WLNE Channel 6 September 18, 11:00 a.m.

Celebrant is Msgr. Stephen J. Avila, pastor of St. Anthony’s Parish in East Falmouth and diocesan director of the Television Apostolate.

September 25, 11:00 a.m.

Celebrant is Father Paul E. Canuel, a retired priest of the Fall River Diocese, living at the Cardinal Medeiros Residence in Fall River.

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For and About Our Church Youth Transitions — Developing a personal creed of faith

everal weeks ago, Diocesan Campus Ministry sponsored a retreat for those students heading off to college.

The EMBARK Retreat is designed to help our young people navigate the transition from high school to college and beyond.

As someone who wasn’t involved much with church or religion in my early years, it is always a source of joy when I meet young people who are active in their faith and in their relationship with Jesus Christ as many of our retreatants and team are and who are trying to follow Him as they move through life.

One such young person was a team member on the EMBARK Retreat.

Lindsey is a junior nursing student at UMass Dartmouth and a peer minister on campus. During the retreat, the team and retreatants were asked to spend some time developing a personal creed of faith. We explained that transitions transform our beliefs about ourselves, our lives, and our God. Therefore, we asked them

to draft a creed of faith retreat leader has given me regarding transition. This so much joy and peace. I statement of personal truly feel my faith grows beliefs, we hope, will help immensely while helping ground each during the of- others grow in their faith. ten turbulent and uncertain Being able to share my aspects of transition and remind them of their faith as they navigate through each transition they will face in life.

By Deacon I asked LindFrank Lucca sey if she would summarize and share why she is so active in her faith life and experiences and serve as a in Campus Ministry and mentor to fellow peers/cola little bit about the EMlege students deepens my BARK Retreat. I hope her relationship with God and words will inspire many of gives me a sense of connecyou to get involved in your tion with what the Lord is parishes or campus minasking of me. This EMistry and to validate those BARK Retreat was such a who already are. What wonderful experience, to you, as peers, can do to help incoming college stufoster the faith life of othdents relieve some anxieties ers far surpasses what most regarding the beginning adults can do. We need of a new transition; one you to support your peers that I have experienced in developing that genuine and remember very vividly. and close relationship with Conversations including: Jesus Christ. As you know, what to bring to college Jesus changes everything! to how to stay connected So many need to know with our faith during the that! college years. College is a Lindsey said, “Being very difficult time with all a campus minister and of the new transitions that

Be Not Afraid

The Anchor is always pleased to run news and photos about our diocesan youth.

If schools, parish Religious Education programs, or homeschoolers have newsworthy stories and photos they would like to share with our readers, send them to: schools@anchornews.org 16

The Anchor - September 16, 2016

we face; however, remembering that we are never alone. Campus ministry has helped me stay connected with others who are serving the same mission of God, and helping guide others to stay connected as well.

One of the most beautiful aspects of UMass Dartmouth’s Catholic Campus Ministry is that we serve not only UMass Dartmouth students but students from Rhode Island College, BCC, Wheaton, local high school students (Bishop Stang), community members, faculty and staff of the school, etc.

“Father David Frederici and Deacon Frank Lucca have worked with our campus ministers to implement many programs, and provide many opportunities to grow in faith, for not only UMass Students but any college student who wishes to partake. Many students from local colleges will attend our retreats and even our weekly Mass and Pasta Dinner Nights on Thursdays to help stay connected with the Lord and peers.”

Lindsey’s Personal creed of faith, that she wrote while on EMBARK, beautifully summarizes her beliefs that have sustained her through many challenges and transitions. She is happy to share it with all of you.

“My Creed of Faith by Lindsey Meunier: “I believe that I am never alone in my struggles, worry, depression and illness. Amidst my difficulties, God has blessed me in countless ways: family, friendships, and

my fellow peers in Campus Ministry. Although at times I may feel in darkness, I can always see God’s shining light in my heart and through the hearts of others.

“My God, my Father, my Brother, my Protector, and my Friend: You hold my hand and guide me through joyful and challenging times; For I am not afraid. I believe that You speak to me in many ways; In nature, in song, in conversation with others, and through your Holy Gospel.

“Lift up your eyes on high and see Who has created these stars. The One Who leads forth their host by number.

He calls them all by name; because of the greatness of His might and the strength of His power, not one of them is missing (Is 40:26).

“With faith I hear Your commands, with love I serve Your people, and with Your mercy and forgiveness — I am saved.”

I think that says it all Lindsey. Thank you! Now, I hope Lindsey has inspired you all to take some time to develop your own Creed of Faith. This creed may help you in the transitions that you will surely face. May it remind you of what you truly believe — at the time you most need to be reminded of it.

Anchor columnist Frank Lucca is a permanent deacon in the Diocese of Fall River, a youth minister at St. Dominic’s Parish in Swansea, and a campus minister at UMass Dartmouth. He is married to his wife of 38 years, Kristine, and the father of two daughters and their husbands, and three grandsons. Comments, ideas or suggestions? Please email him at DeaconFrankLucca@ comcast.net.

For and About Our Church Youth

Students from St. James-St. John School in New Bedford, started the school year with a prayer service.

St. John the Evangelist School in Attleboro recently opened its doors for the upcoming school. Along with Johnny the Eagle, happy to be back are Maya Greige, Maya Patel, Mackenzie Kern, Bella Parisi, Allie Peterson and Madeline Neary.

St. Mary-Sacred Heart School in North Attleboro opened its doors today for the 2016-2017 school year for its first- through eighth-graders. School director, Father David Costa, welcomed the students and spoke of the tradition of 93 years of Catholic education in the city. He introduced the new faculty members: Mary Jackson, the new middle school science teacher; Maria Turner, the new middle school social studies teacher; and the new principal, Charlotte Lourenco. Here, Lisa Wojes sits with her new third-grade student, Sharlyne Ngige.

Bishop Stang High School hires former Red Sox player Brian Rose as head baseball coach

north Dartmouth — Bishop Stang High School announced the hiring of Brian Rose as head baseball coach. Well-known and respected in the area, Rose is a retired professional baseball player with 12 years of playing experience in Major League Baseball. He began his professional career with the Boston Red Sox and also played with the Colorado Rockies, New York Mets and Tampa Bay Rays.

Rose brings his impressive credentials to the Stang Spartans as the current owner/head coach of his own baseball company, Brian Rose Baseball, and continues to make alumni appearances for the Boston Red Sox and assist with their Youth Clinics. Previously, he served as

the assistant general manager and pitching coach for the New Bedford Bay Sox of the NECBL and worked with both the MLB and Pawtucket Red Sox Youth Clinics.

Rose could also be seen as a Red Sox Analyst for NESN Sportsdesk.

In addition to his baseball experience, Rose coaches hockey in the area and has served on the Board of Directors for the South Coast Panthers Youth Hockey.

Bishop Stang Athletic Director, Ryan Silvia, stated, “After meeting with Brian to discuss the baseball program at Bishop Stang, it became clear that even though he has a wealth of knowledge and experience about the game of baseball, he is more concerned about develop-

ing young people and has a student centered approach to coaching. We are excited to have a coach of his caliber join the Bishop Stang family.”

With the desire to share his passion for baseball within his own community, Rose works for the Bristol County District Attorney’s Office for the Community Affairs Division acting as Program Manager, Neighborhood Liaison, Youth Prevention Programmer, and Office Volunteer Coordinator.

Rose shared, “I am really excited to start my next chapter in this great game of baseball as new head coach of the Bishop Stang baseball program. I feel obligated to give back to my community what I have

learned throughout my baseball career as a player, and I look forward to being the best coach, role model and mentor that I can be.”

The Anchor - September 16, 2016

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For and About Our Church Youth Bishop Stang announces three new members to the President’s Advisory Board

A growth-mindset activity welcome the eighth-grade science class at Holy Name School in Fall River to the new school year. The students were trying to solve a paper puzzle.

North Dartmouth — Bishop Stang High School recently announced three new members to the President’s Advisory Board: Robert Gauvin, Janna Lafrance, and Erich Miller.

Robert Gauvin is currently president of Anesthesia PROfessionals, Inc. and resides in Mattapoisett with his wife, Kara. Robert and Kara are parents of five Bishop Stang alumni: Zachary ’04, Julie ’07, Luke ’10, Andrea ’12, and Meredith ’15.

In addition, Robert is the founder of the Rita LeBlanc Memorial Scholarship Fund for Bishop Stang High School.

Janna Lafrance, Community Relations for Lafrance Hospitality Company, resides in Westport with her husband, Chris. Janna and Chris are the

parents of Bishop Stang alumna Emma ’12 and current students Maggie ’17 and William ’20.

Janna has also served as the chairman for the Bishop Stang Annual Auction since 2015.

Erich Miller presently serves as president of My Brother’s Keeper. Erich lives in Bristol, R.I. with his wife, Jodi, and they are the parents of Mary Clare from the Bishop Stang Class of 2020. Erich also partners with the Bishop Stang as a part of its Service Program.

The returning members of the President’s Advisory Board include: Maureen Sylvia Armstrong ’82; Dr. Joanne Dykas Cameron ’76; Patrick Carney ’66; Elizabeth Carroll, Michelle Neves Hantman ’95; Atty.

Michael Harrington ’79; Carol Duclos Hegarty ’85; and Atty.

John A. Markey Jr. ’82.

The new school year is off to a fresh start at St. John Paul II High School in Hyannis. The staff welcomed returning students and incoming freshman and several other new students into the JPII family.

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The Anchor - September 16, 2016

F

riends, happy September! This is the first year in many that I’m not amongst the hordes of children and teens purchasing their new backpacks, pencil cases — yes, I used one in graduate school — or 17-cent notebooks.

Alas, I am a full f ledged adult, launching myself into adulthood. Right now my life involves a lot of travel and trying to maintain contact with friends who have started jobs elsewhere in the country, and keeping relationships with friends from home strong.

Just last week, in the Charlotte airport, I was text messaging back and forth with a friend from my graduate program and after some conversation, received a message that started with “This might be weird but I’m just gonna say it anyway.”

Unsure of where this was going, I read on.

“Would we be able to do like a religion chat/ exploration/Bible study?

Exploring my faith is something I’ve wanted to do since I realized that’s a

Living out loud

part of my life I’d like to then that I realized that get in tune with.” Awed Justin only knew this was and humbled, I immea part of my life because diately went to respond.

I had already been talkBut I paused, searching ing about it and he’d for the right words, not already seen me live a life wanting to mislead him. of Christian values that For the more I thought he could recognize. It about it, the more I bebrought me back to a valcame painfully reminded ues exercise we had gone that I’m in no way an through in class. This expert on Catholicism or exercise was a bidding theology. war, where each student What did I have to had a certain amount of share when I still have questions every day about my Radiate faith and struggle Your Faith with my stance

By Renee on social issues Bernier or even just how to describe why I believe what I believe? money to bid and “spend” In a way, at its core, on their values of choice. it’s a dilemma many face. Once your money was How do you talk to peogone, you were left with ple about what you cannot the values you bid on and see and hold out to them won — no matter what as a tangible thing? unknown values may And then I read the come next in the auction. rest of the message. It When a traditionally read, “Totally cool if you Christian value was put don’t feel comfortable up for auction, there were but I know this is a big snickers across the room part of your life and I feel and glances exchanged like I’d feel comfortable amongst my peers. Only talking to you about how Justin, myself, and anothto get started and what er cohort member bid on to look for, etc.” It was this value. Their glances

continued and the laughter quieted, and eventually the bidding ceased.

But he saw it there. He saw what he knew to be a display of faith in those uncomfortable moments, moments that feel like hours when all eyes are on you and not in the most friendly or understanding of ways.

The more I reminisced, the more I realized that I was nothing but my authentic self with Justin.

He heard me talk about going to Church on Sunday.

I was unafraid to be vulnerable in our class conversations about Catholicism being a part of my identity, and he watched me grapple in class with some of our topics.

This reminder opened my eyes to the fact that this friend who was expressing his trust in me was not doing it without thought and consideration. He saw someone living out loud their values through the easy

times and more often, through the difficult.

And that was enough for him to find a safe space.

So this month, I challenge you to be someone’s safe space. We see from Moses that we need not be afraid to be clumsy in our speech, and this is the lesson I’m learning as well as I move forward with my friend in his pursuit of faith. I may misspeak, I’ll share my doubts and questions that make up this journey. But I will continue to live in a way that makes people comfortable enough to approach me about whatever they feel called to.

Happy living out loud — it’s something that’ll never steer you wrong and will bring people and moments into your life that remind you of why you are who you are.

Anchor columnist Renee Bernier graduated from Stonehill College and is a graduate student in the College Student Personnel Program at James Madison University in Harrison, Va.

Winner announced in Red Sox-Yankee ticket raffle

FALL RIVER — As a way of thanking its faithful readers and supporters, The Anchor recently offered them the chance to win a pair of tickets to a Red Sox-Yankees game at Fenway Park on September 17.

A drawing was held on September 12 from among those who donated at least $20 to The Anchor in recent weeks and the winner was an-

nounced as Mary Fuller of Buzzards Bay. The staff contacted Fuller at her home on Monday and she was excited to learn she was the winner. She claimed her prize — two tickets to the Red Sox game vs. the New York Yankees at Fenway Park in Boston on September 17 — the following day. We hope she enjoys the game!

The Anchor would like

to thank all those generous folks who have donated and renewed their subscriptions to help us keep our publication in print during these trying financial times in the diocese.

And you can still send donations in any amount to The Anchor, 887 Highland Avenue, Fall River, Mass. 02720.

We appreciate your continued support!

The Anchor - September 16, 2016

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Hymn Sing for the Year of Mercy being held at the Cathedral

By Becky Aubut Anchor Staff beckyaubut@anchornews.org

FALL RIVER — The Hymn Sing for the Year of Mercy, a free music event to celebrate the Jubilee Year of Mercy, will take place at the Cathedral of St. Mary of the Assumption, 327 Second Street in Fall River, on September 25 at 3 p.m.

The Cathedral is extending an invitation for those attending to enter through the Holy Door with family and friends.

“I had attended hymn sings in the past, and it’s really uplifting to hear a large community of people singing in an occasion that’s not a concert, not a Liturgy, but a way to pray through music,” said Madeleine Grace, director of music at the Cathedral. “Hymns are beautiful, poetic prayers, and when I thought about all the lovely hymns we have that concentrate on the theme of mercy, I thought that it would be a wonderful occasion to do this kind of event.”

Grace recalled the Cathedral’s organ dedication concert in July, which also had hymns, and she felt those hymns “really raised the roof; it really was the most exciting part of the whole event. Not that the

20

organ music wasn’t, but just having everyone in the congregation who loved music singing at the top of their voices. It was uplifting.”

With so many wonderful choirs in the diocese, Grace said she had a difficult time trying to choose who should come, finally deciding to begin close by, and extend the invitation to choirs in the Fall River deanery: “I thought if I opened up to everyone in the diocese, it might become more than I could handle.”

The choirs that are participating are Our Lady of Grace in Westport, led by Claudette Petit; Our Lady of Mount Carmel in New Bedford, led by Shirley Guerreiro, a member of the Cathedral choir who asked to bring her choir for the event; St. John of God in Somerset, led by Tobias Monte; Holy Name in Fall River, led by Erik Thompson; St. Joseph in Fall River, led by Adam Morin; Cathedral Hispanic Community Choir, led by Waldemar Rivera; and the Cathedral Choir and Fall

The Anchor - September 16, 2016

River Diocesan Choir, led

by Grace.

The idea is for each choir to present one or two songs in their personal repertoire, and then alternate with

familiar hymns concentrating on the Year of Mercy for the entire congregation to be able to participate and sing along. One of the centerpieces is the ‘Our Father’ by Malotte, said Grace, adding, “I look forward to hearing all those voices in the combined presentation of three selections: ‘God, Full of Mercy’ by Lucien Deiss, ‘A Universal Blessing’

by Alice Parker and ‘Our Father’ by Malotte.”

There will also be presentations in Portuguese and Spanish. Organists have also been invited to each play a hymn during the event; “I felt it would give them an opportunity to play the relatively new

pipe organ,” said Grace.

“The music concentrates on God’s mercy but also how we include Mary in her role through singing ‘Magnificat’ and ‘Salve Regina,’ and how we can extend mercy to others with the singing version of the ‘Beatitudes.’”

It’s a great opportunity to take advantage of the Cathedral being open for those wanting to walk through the Holy Door.

The Holy Door is also accessible at the usual Mass times on weekends on Saturday at 4 p.m. and at 7 p.m. (Brazilian), Sunday at 10 a.m. and at 12:30 p.m.

(Spanish).

Pope Francis directed cathedrals around the world to open their Holy Doors so that symbolic pilgrimage could be experienced by the faithful without needing to go to Rome.

When he opened the Holy Door at Rome’s Basilica of St. John Lateran last December, the pope said, “It begins a time of great forgiveness. It is the Jubilee of Mercy,” adding, “God does not love rigidity.

He is tender.”

These doors are symbolic of God’s mercy. The jubilee is “extraordinary” in the sense that it does not follow the usual Catholic practice of having jubilee years at 25-year intervals.

This jubilee coincides with the 50th anniversary of the closing of the Second Vatican Council, which sought to proclaim Gove’s love to modern society.

“The official hymn by Paul Inwood was composed for the Holy Year, and I remember when the bishop opened the door at the beginning of the year, we all sang it,” said Grace.

“It joined you to the Holy Door with the world and in Rome, and thinking about how entering through the narrow gates, you’re making this effort to observe this time of prayer and to receive the Sacrament of Reconciliation.”

This event is celebrating the Year of Mercy and to have it done in song is something different, said Grace, adding, “It’s for anybody who likes to sing hymns or listen to hymns.

We often say that our hymns are prayers and are beautifully composed. Many are contemporary but many have lasted for hundreds of years; we don’t want to lose track that these are prayers.”

Cardinal O’Malley to honor five at 20th annual Red Mass continued from page three

Judge Hand presides at Massachusetts Trial Court, District Court Department in Barnstable. Her roles at the Barnstable location include: Regional Administrative Justice, Region I; Presiding Justice of the Appellate Division, Southern District; Supreme Judicial Court Access to Justice Commission; Supreme Judicial Court Standing Advisory Committee on the Rules of Civil and

Appellate Procedure; Acting First Justice, Nantucket District Court; District Court Civil Proceedings Committee member; and New Judge Mentor of the District Court Mentoring Program.

She is the former Norfolk County district attorney in Dedham.

She attended Boston College School of Law and Harvard University.

Judge Hand has served on

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

Sept. 17 Rev. Thomas F. McNulty, Pastor, St. Kilian, New Bedford, 1954 Cardinal Humberto Sousa Medeiros, Archbishop of Boston, 1970-83, Pastor of St. Michael, Fall River 1960 -1966, 1983 Rev. Felix Lesnek, SS.CC., Former Associate Pastor, St. Joseph, Fairhaven, 1991 Sept. 18 Rev. Luke Golla, SS.CC., Seminary of Sacred Heart, Wareham, 1945 Rt. Rev. Msgr. Edmund J. Ward, Retired Pastor, St. Patrick, Fall River, 1964 Sept. 19 Rev. Henry E.S. Henniss, Pastor, St. Mary, New Bedford, 1859 Msgr. Arthur W. Tansey, Retired Pastor, Immaculate Conception, Fall River, 1985 Sept. 20 Rev. Simon A. O’Rourke, USN Chaplain, 1918 Rev. Omer Valois, Retired Pastor, Sacred Heart, New Bedford, 1958 Sept. 21 Rev. George Pager, Founder, Sacred Heart, New Bedford, 1882 Rev. George Jowdy, Pastor, Our Lady of Purgatory, New Bedford, 1938 Rev. William H. Crane, S.M., Superior at National Shrine of Our Lady of Victories, Boston, 1988 Sept. 23 Rev. Antoine Charest, S.M., Former Assistant St. Jean Baptiste, Fall River, 2001 Sept. 24 Rev. Joseph E.C. Bourque, Pastor, Blessed Sacrament, Fall River, 1955 Sept. 25 Rev. Robert J. Woodley, S.J. Missionary, Taunton, New Bedford, Fall River, 1857 Deacon Robert B. Raymond, 2007 Sept. 26 Rev. John J. Donahue, Assistant, St. William, Fall River, 1944 Rev. Flavius Gamache, S.M.M., Former Pastor, St. Peter, Dighton, 1996 Rev. John C. Martins, Former Pastor, St. Anthony of Padua, Fall River, 2008 Rev. Clement E. Dufour, Retired, Former Pastor, Sacred Heart, New Bedford, 2009 Sept. 27 Rev. John W. Greene, S.J., Former Teacher at Bishop Connolly High School, Fall River, 1991 Sept. 29 Rev. J.A. Payan, Founder, St. Mathieu, Fall River, 1899 Rev. Roman Chwaliszewski, O.F.M. Conv., 2012 Sept. 30 Rev. John J. Griffin, Pastor, St. Paul, Taunton, 1963 Rev. George Taraska, OFM Conv., Parochial Vicar, Holy Rosary, Taunton, 1993 Deacon Paul G. Metilly, 2013

numerous committees and has been a faculty member of a number of universities, institutes and conferences. She is also the co-author, with Patricia L. Kelley, Esq., of “Emotional Distress, Massachusetts’ Tort Handbook,” MCLE. She is a parishioner of Our Lady of Victory Parish in Centerville.

Father Maddock is pastor of Holy Name Parish and pastoral administrator of St. Bernadette’s Parish, both in Fall River.

He was ordained a priest for the Diocese of Fall River

by Bishop Daniel A. Cronin on Aug. 2, 1975.

He received a licentiate in canon law in 1979 from the Gregorian University in Rome and worked in parishes and in the Chancery Office and Diocesan Tribunal. Bishop Cronin appointed him Judicial Vicar of the diocese in 1989.

Father Maddock dedicated 21 years of his priesthood to service at the tribunal, all the while serving at various parishes in the diocese. He stepped down as Judicial Vicar in 2001, and continues to assist in tribunal work today.

One of Father Maddock’s passions has been serving as director of the diocesan Catholic Youth Organization since 1986. He has served several terms on the Priests Personnel Board, and is currently a member of the Presbyteral Council and the Diocesan Pastoral Council.

Father Maddock was dean of the Taunton Deanery from 2003-2010, and has been dean of the Fall River Deanery since 2010. He also represents the bishop at certain events when requested to do so.

Attorney Xifaras is a partner in the law firm of Lang, Xiafaras & Bullard in

New Bedford, with a general practice of civil litigation with special emphasis on family law, wills, trusts and estates; as well as consumer protection and small business organization.

She attended Boston University School of Law, receiving the Book AwardHighest Grade in Criminal Procedure and Publication Award-Highest Grade in Judicial Interns.

Xifaras also earned degress from Southeastern Mass.

University (now UMass Dartmouth), Fletcher School of Law and Diplomacy, and the University of Illinois.

She has served as Special Assistant to former Governor Michael Dukakis; Special Assistant District Attorney, Bristol County; Regional Administration Assistant, Congressman Gerry Studds; and as a private attorney.

Xifaras has also served

as a Peace Corps volunteer teacher in Malawi, South Central Africa.

She was named Southcoast Woman of the Year for advocacy related to UMass School of Law; was program president of the Massachusetts Bar Foundation; has served on various panels and committees.

In the community, Xifaras is a board member and officer for Southcoast YMCA; a contributor and volunteer for Habitat for Humanity; and received community service awards from the Bristol County Bar Association and the Big Sister Association.

She is married with three children and six grandchildren.

All are welcome to attend the Red Mass. A reception and dinner will follow for which a ticket is required.

For information, please contact Atty. Harrington at 508-994-5900.

The Anchor - September 16, 2016

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Around the Diocese A Healing Mass will be celebrated on September 22 at St. Andrew the Apostle Church, 19 Kilmer Avenue in Taunton. It will begin at 6 p.m. with the recitation of the Holy Rosary and will include the Sacrament of Confession. Mass will begin at 6:30 p.m. and will conclude with healing prayers and benediction of the Blessed Sacrament. For more information email standrewtaunton@comcast.net or call 508-824-5577.

A Life in the Spirit Seminar will be held at Christ the King Parish, 3 Job’s Fishing Road in Mashpee, on September 23 from 6 to 9:30 p.m. and September 24 from 8:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m., including talks and discussions presented by the Cape and Islands Deanery. Bring a bag lunch on Saturday; refreshments will be served. To register or for more information, contact Peter Celi at 508-563-2073 or Pat Roach at 508-349-1641.

On September 24, St. John Neumann Parish in East Freetown will host a Silent Retreat Day with the Masters featuring the teachings of St. John of the Cross. The day begins at 9:30 a.m. at the camphouse on the lake (between the rectory and the church).

Outdoor stations with the teachings of St. John of the Cross will be posted along the lake for personal reflection. Midday Prayer is at 1 p.m., Confessions at 3:30 p.m., and the day ends at 4:30 p.m., although all are welcome to join the regular weekend Liturgy at 5 p.m. There is no cost, but attendees are asked to RSVP to Karen Howard at klhoward@aol.com or 508-947-0193.

The Fall River Diocesan Council of Catholic Women will meet on September 24 at St. Mary’s Church, Illinois Street in New Bedford, beginning at 9 a.m. The speaker will be Kaylee Peixopo, a senior at Bishop Stang High School, who attended World Youth Day in Poland with Pope Francis and thousands of youth from around the world. She will present a video of her trip, and a brief meeting will follow. For more information, contact DCCW president Fran Brezinski at 508-824-5279.

At 3:30 p.m., on September 25, Steven Young will open up the Music at St. Anthony’s 2016-2017 concert series with an organ recital on the custom built 100-year-old exquisite pipe organ at St. Anthony of Padua Church, 1359 Acushnet Avenue in New Bedford. All are welcome to attend. A freewill offering will be accepted for the pipe organ fund and used toward ongoing renovations. Directions and more information about the church and the organ fund are posted online at www.saintanthonynewbedford.com.

Massachusetts Citizens for Life is sponsoring a Massachusetts March for Life to raise money for Pro-Life charitable organizations across the Commonwealth. The March will be held on October 9 beginning at 2:30 p.m. from the Parkman Bandstand, Boston Common. The Greater Fall River MCFL Chapter is sponsoring a bus to bring local walkers to the Boston — no need to worry about parking or traffic. Round trip fare is only $5 for adults, $2 for 18 and under. Children age five and under are free.

The central pick up location is Holy Name School at the corner of Stetson Street and President Avenue in Fall River. Departure time will be at 11:45 a.m. There will be a second pick up at the Taunton Galleria Park and Ride at approximately 12 noon. To reserve seats or for more information, call Paulette Martinville at 508-673-9757 or Liz Montigny at 781-521-3677 by October 5.

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 16, 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 4:15 to 4:45 p.m.

Rosary and Benediction begin at 5 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.

Blue Mass celebrations planned for public safety personnel continued from page two

will include the Mashpee fire and police departments, the Cotuit fire and police departments, and the Barnstable Police are going to be part of it as well.”

Similar to the Red Mass, the service honors those who have died in the line of duty and those currently serving as first responders.

The Mass is also an opportunity for the community to show gratitude to first responders and their families.

In Washington, D.C., the service is typically celebrated in conjunction with National Police Week.

The first Blue Mass was celebrated on Sept. 29, 1934 at St. Patrick’s Church in Washington, D.C. and was inaugurated by Father Thomas Dade as part of his duties with the Catholic Police and Fireman’s Society.

Like that first Blue Mass, the impetus behind Christ the King’s celebration came from Deacon Beckel’s work as chaplain to the parish St. Vincent de Paul Society.

“At the beginning of the year I became the Spiritual director for the St. Vincent de Paul Society,” Deacon Beckel said. “So we were talking about having a day of reflection for the St. Vincent de Paul Society group, of which we have more than 300 members, and we were talking about how the local police and fire departments have helped so much with raising donations — especially for our food bank.”

Since St. Vincent de Paul’s feast day is September 27 and St. Michael’s follows quickly behind on September 29, Deacon Beckel thought it would be appropriate to combine the two and have a Blue Mass sponsored by the St. Vincent de Paul Society as a way of thanking the area public safety groups.

“We wanted to thank them because they’ve helped us out so much,” he said. “So that’s how it started. Because of scheduling conflicts, however, we decided to delay it one week and have it October 7.”

Planning for the Mashpee Blue Mass started back in April, when Deacon Beckel began meeting with members of the St. Vincent de Paul Society and representatives from area public safety departments.

“We’ve been planning this with the cooperation of the fire chief from Mashpee, the fire chief from Cotuit, the police captain from Mashpee, and we’ve also had some help from a parishioner named Chris Hughes, who has been helping to plan the Liturgical aspects for us,” Deacon Beckel said.

“He’s been involved in a lot of our Liturgies, ever since he’s been very young, but lately even more so. Deacon Frank Fantasia and myself have been involved as well.”

Since talk about public safety personnel, especially police officers, has become a predominant topic in the national media, Deacon Beckel said the timing is right to honor these public servants whose “lives are always in danger.”

“When we started this, all the killings and controversy over the police hadn’t happened yet, so it took on added emphasis after all these incidents came up,” Deacon Beckel said. “I don’t know how many members of the departments will be attending … (but) interest in it has grown immensely in the past couple of months.”

The Blue Mass at Christ the King Parish will be celebrated by pastor Father Edward J. Healey, and Deacon Beckel said they have “invited all local churches in the area to participate.”

After the Mass celebration, there will be a reception for all those attending inside the parish hall with refreshments and desserts.

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A Mass commemorating the canonization of St. Teresa of Calcutta was celebrated September 4 at St. Lawrence Martyr Church in New Bedford, the church she visited in 1995.

World War II veteran Antonio Sol had met Mother Teresa during that visit. His 88th birthday was the same day as the Mass and he was able to sit in the same spot in which she prayed to celebrate her sainthood. Below is St. Teresa of Calcutta praying in the same pew as Sol. (Top photo by Erika Fernandes; below, Anchor file photo)

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The Anchor - September 16, 2016