09.20.02

VOL. 46, NO. 3S

• Friday, September 20, 2002

FALL RIVER, MASS.

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St. Mary's Education Fund Fall Dinner slated for October 30

PROCESSING INTO Our Lady of Mt. Carmel Church, New Bedford, for its centennial celebration Mass are, from left, Nathan Macedo, altar server; Bishop Robert Mulvee of the Diocese of Providence; Father John J. Darcy, secretary to Bishop Mulvee; Bishop Januario Ferreira of the Diocese for the Military Services of Portugal; and Father John J. Oliveira, pastor.

Our Lady ofMount Carmel faithful celebrate centennial NEW BEDFORD - More than 400 parishioners and friends of Our Lady of Mt. Carmel Parish, New Bedford spent Sunday night reminiscing about the life of their parish as they marked its centennial with a dinner at White's of Westport.

Earlier, at a Mass in observance ofthe 100th celebrated in the church, Bishop Robert E. Mulvee of the Providence diocese and Bishop Januario Ferreira for the Diocese of the Military Services of Portugal, were concelebrants,

along with pastor Father John J. Oliveira and several other diocesan priests.

"While this stone church is made up of so many beautiful things like the stained glass windows, it is you, the parishioners, who are the living stones that comprise this church because you are the Church," Bishop Mulvee said in his homily. "You should be very proud of your parish and we are very proud of you," he added.

Founded in 1902 and with Father Jose Tum to page 13 - Centennial

MATIAPOISETI - The St. Mary's Education Fund eighth annual Fall Dinner is set for Wednesday, October 30, at White's of Westport, and with about a month and a half to go, the push is on to make the yearly scholarship fund-raiser the most successful ever.

Dinner chairman Carl W. Taber and his area committees are hard at work inviting businesses, community and academic leaders, and individuals to support the Fall Dinner and the hundreds of children who will benefit from it.

Proceeds from the dinner go to St. Mary's Education Fund, which provides tuition assistance to needy students attending Catholic elementary and middle schools in the Fall River diocese.

Taber has been involved with the Fall Dinner for the past six years, serving for many of them as chair of the New Bedford area committee. At the conclusion of last year's dinner Bishop Sean O'Malley, OFM Cap., tapped him to become overall chairman.

As the senior vice president of New Bedford's Compass Bank for Savings and the man responsible for the company's entire

mortgage lending operation, Taber is obviously a busy man.

Yet he said he makes time for things that are important to him.

He is drawn to the work of the St. Mary's Education Fund by a combination of things he noted, specifically, his commitment to ,his faith, his other involvement in diocesan initiatives, and, most importantly, his interest in helping children.

"What endeared me to the St. Mary's Fund is that it gave to children who wanted a Catholic education the means to achieve a Catholic education," he said recently.

"In particular, it's a real resource for inner city kids."

He explained that four area committees have been meeting since last spring, first to identify prospective donors and then to , discuss the best approach to edu'cate them on the St. Mary's Fund and'to solicit their participation in the Fall Dinner.

"Labor Day marks the real turning point though," he said, "since then committee members - a great group of really committed folks - have been really Tum to page 13 - Education

Our Lady of' Carmel Church New Bedford, Mass.

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BISHOP SEAN O'Malley, OFM Cap., addresses the congregation gathered at St. Lawrence Martyr Church, New Bedford, at a Mass observing the anniversary of Mother Teresa's death. MotherTeresa had visited the church in 1995.

(Bruce McDaniel photo)

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THE ANCHOR - Diocese of Fall River - Fri., September 20, 2002

(@bitunry Sister Regina Descoteaux DHS

PUTNAM, Conn. - Sister Regina Descoteaux, 90, a member of the Daughters of the Holy Spirit, died September I at the Holy Spirit Health Care Center where she has been a resident since 1997.

Sister Descoteaux, who was retired, had done district nursing in Fall River, Mass.

Born in St. Mathieu de Bellemore, PQ. Canada, she was the daughter of the late Albert and the

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late Leondine (Lafreniere) Descoteaux.

She entered the religious life in 1928 and made her religious professiory on August 25, 1931 at the motherhouse in St. Brieuc, France.

Upon returning to the United States in 1938, Sister Descoteaux's distl;ct nursing also took her to Hartford, Conn.; and Providence and Pawtucket, R.I. She also served for 25 years as a nurse's aide at St. Clare Home in Newport, R.I. She is survived by nieces and nephews.

Her Mass ofChristian Burial was at the Holy Spirit Provincial House Chapel. Burial was in St. Mary Cemetery, Putnam, Conn.

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FATHER HENRY J. Dahl, director of the diocesan RCIA program, looks over its new Website. It was launched last week and provides information about the RCIA and links to helpful information. With Father Dahl is Lisa Gulino, director of adult education and web designer Dave Gawron. (Anchor/Gordon photo)

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FALL RIVER - The diocesan Rite of Christian Initiation for Adults program successfully launched its new Website last week and director of the program, Father Henry 1. Dahl sees it as a means to reach more people and provide valuable information. ''The Website will' be a way of encouraging QUI' mission and allow for networking between parish RCIA teams," said Father Dahl. "It looks great and we're very pleased with it."

He and Lisa Gulino, director of adult education and evangelization, met with web. designer Dave Gawron recently in the RCIA office to officially launch the site and each took turns browsing the various features and links of the site.

"It's a wonderful opportunity to

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508-675-7426 • 508-674-0709 Sept 27 PRACTICE THE DEVOTION OF THE FIRST SATURDAYS,

Sept 28

AS REQUESTED BY OUR LADY OF FATIMA

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

In a spirit of reparation, the above conditions are each to be preceded by the words: "In reparation for the offenses committed against the Immaculate Heart of Mary."

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

Sept 29

Prv 3:27-34; Ps 15:2-5; Lk 8:1618 Prv21:1-6,10-13; Ps 119:1,27,30, 34-35,44;Lk 8:19-21 Prv 30:5-9; Ps 119:29,72, 89,101,104,163; Lk 9:1-6 Eccl 1:2-11; Ps 90:3-6,12-14,17; Lk 9:7-9 Eccl 3:1-11; Ps 144:1-4; Lk 9:1822 Eph 11 :9-12:8; Ps 90:3-6,1214,17; Lk 9:43b45 Ez 18:25-28; Ps 125:4-9; Phi 2:111 or 2:1-5; Mt 21 :28-32

1II11I1111111111111111111111111 THE ANCHOR (USPS-545-D20) Periodical Postage Paid at Fall River. Mass. Published weekly except for the first two weeks in July am the week after Chrisunas at 887 Highland AvelUle, Fall River, Mass, 02720 by the Catholic Press of the Diocese ofFall River. Subscription price by mail, postpaid $14.00 per year.

POSTMASTERS send address changes to The Anchor. P.O. Box 7, Fall River, MA fJ27'12.

leam about the RCIA process," said Gulino. "It has a question and answer section and it will be a wonderful resource for people."

Gawron, who has designed websites for several parishes said that the process only took "a few weeks" to put together although there has been several months of

communication with the RCIA director. " The site has a calendar ofevents, photos and other information about RCIA. The address, is: www.rciafalbiver.com.

For more information about the Website design call Gawron at40l766-2155.

Diocese of Fall River

OFFICIAL The Most Reverend Sean O'Malley, OFM Cap., Diocesan Administrator of Fall River, has released the Reverend Thomas M. Kocik, Parochial Vicar, Saint Francis Xavier Parish, Hyannis, for service in the Archdiocese of Omaha as a member of the Priestly Society of John Henry <;:ardinal Newman.

Effective October 1, 2002

The Most Reverend Sean O'Malley, OFM Cap., Diocesan Administrator of Fall River, has announced the following appointment: Rev. Marek Chmurski from Parochial Vicar, Immaculate Conception Parish, North Easton, to Parochial Vicar, Holy Trinity Parish, West Harwich. " . . ,Effective October 4, 2002

In Your Prayers Please pray for the following priests during the coming week .. ,((~.;'

., Sept 24 1955, Rev. Joseph.E.C~ Bourque; Pastor, Blessed Sacrament, Fall River ", ' Sepl26.

1944, Rev. John l Donahue, Assistant, St. William, Fall River 1996, Rev. Flavius Gamache, SMM,Lourdes Shrine and Retreat Center, Litchfield, Conn.

Sept. 27 1991, Rev. John W. Greene, S.J., former teacher at Bishop Connolly High School, Fall River Sept. 29 1899, Rev. lA. Payan, Founder, Sl. Mathieu, Fall River

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THE ANCHOR - Diocese of Fall River - Fri., September 20, 2002

themoorinS:-,

the living word

S~.feguarding peace It;s inc!eed difficult to seek peace when t~e nation is geared up for war. Yet we must always affirm that first and foremost, peace is the desired object. War must be avoided at all costs. Yet the tenor of the times is immersed in warfare. The hawk of war vic~ timizes the d~ve of peace. , Few se'em to make real efforts to ass,ure peace. However, despite the 'propaganda of war we have the' obligation.o,f remembering, the Commandment, "You shall not kill." The teaching of the ? . " Churcp in this matter is more than,clear. The Fifth Commandment forbids the intentional destruction of human 'life. All citizens and governments are obliged to work 'for the avoidance of war. This becomes an imperative when one considers the weapons of annihilation,that man has developed and could use in warfare. Acts of war involving these. weapons can infli~t massive and indiscriminate devastation far exceeding the boundaries of legitimate defense.. ' The arsenals of the world can decimate the planet. In this light we l1)ust evaluate war with an entirely new attitude. We should be convinced that the arms race in which so m~ny countries are currently engaged is nota safe way to preserve alasting.peace. Nor does the so-called balance of power resulting from thatrace assure authentic peace. Today's weapons encourage the causes of war. It is evident that we must initiate new approaches in order to rewove this weapons trap thereby restoring a genuine desire fQr peace.

In fact, it is our clear duty.to exercise every possib'le means to JE\yISH, CHRISTIAN A~m MUSLIM CHILDREN AT THE JEWISH-ARAB BILINGUAL HAND TO work for a time when all war can be completely outlawed by interHAND SCHOOL IN JERU'SALEM LIGHT: A CANDLE BEFORE THE START OF AN )NTERRELIGIOUS national consent. Peace must be born of mutual trust between naREMEMBRANCE SERVICE ON THE FIRST ANNIVERSARY OF THE TERRORIST ATTACKS ON tions rather than imposed on them through fear of one ano~her's weapons. .

AMERICA SEPTEMBER 11. LATIN-RITE PATRIARCH MICHEl:. SABBAH JOINED MUSLIM AND Our current \,Var on terrorism has indeed dimmed our vision of JEWISH LEADERS AT THE SERVICE. (eNS PHOTO BY DEBBIE HILL) peace. The' growing hatred between extremists has place<;l us on a course where peace has a'minimum chance f\'r success.

"FORI WILL RESTORE YOU TO HEALTH; OF YOUR WOUNDS I WILL HEAL YOU, As our leaders scurry around seeking allies in a poteritial Iraqi SAYS THE LORD" (JEREML.\H 31:17). involvement, it is obvious that there is a national determination to go it alone if n~cessary. Inflaming the situation at hand is the torrid, r¢ligious hatred. that is emerging throughout the world. There is riothing' more 'viole"nt than war based on conflicting religious determinations when manipulared'oy ~xtremists. The pages of history give stark testimony to this fact. It is so very sad torealize that . ,we are allowing ourselves to be dragged into a religious war. No

By FATHER EUGENE HEMRICK drives us to ask how we underone really wins when such h~tred becomes a standard ofjudglearning who we are.

CATHOUC NEWS SERVICE When, for example, we become stand the tensions and stresses that ment. We now find ourselves in a situation where violence breeds When we're feeling unnerved depressed and lonely, it is easy to pound us daily.' Of course, withviolence. In such an atmosphere is there really any hope for peace?

In this regard we must recall that true peace-cannot be obtained by the recent Chur~h s~x-abuse become. confused - to lose sight out tensions, humanity never without safeguarding the goods of persons 'and above all respect scandals, the last thing we want to of who we are, withdrawing into would have made progress. A defor the dignity of individuals and peoples. As the prophet reflected, hear is anything that may remind a shell or; on the contrary, acting gree of tension is basic to life. It us of them. Least of all do we want out our depression in bizarre ways. can tug at us in positive ways. ':Peace is the tranquillity in order." It is the work of justice and the to talkabolit sexuality. ,We. may turn to alcohol,' sexual So there is value in tensions, but effect of change. In the search for peace we should not deride peace- . But while' that topic may seem misbehavior or become reclu- we need to distinguish healthy tenmakers. Those who renounce violence and bloodshed in order to unsettling at this time, this year's sive. sion from debilitating stress. When· safeguard human rights should be treated with respect. After all, annual meeting of vocations stress takes control of us, our, . they bear legitimate witness to the gravity of the physical and moral directors hosted by J.S. sense of ourselves may risks of violence with all its desolation and death. We need to be Paluch in Chicago nonetheThe fact is, the clearer w~ become weaken. Our capacity for reminded of this as 'we prepare to engage the nation and ourselves less bit the bullet: inviting .about who we are, the clearer we seeing the good in ourselves and in others suffers. The rein an act of war that will have dreadful effects on all of us. Ulti-. Franciscan Father Cani'ce will be about how to relate to our- sult of this can be damaging. mately peace is the only answer than can bring the peoples of the Connors, a noted psycholoselves, to others and to the world Knowing ourselves world together in a lasting bond of fraternity and good will. Be- gi'st, to talk about it.

Surprisingly, Father' us. means recognizing how the around cause of the evils and injustices that accompany all war, we must Connors didn't start with the - - . . , . . . - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - forces around us, including join with"the whole Church and pray that the Prince of Peace may . idea ofsexuality but the wisthose tliat produce stress, affree us from the bondage of war. ,I dom of the old adage: Know thyAt times' like this, knowing our- . fect us.·

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Self-knowledge and sexuality

The Execut~ve Editor

EXECUTIVE EDITOR Rev. Msgr.John F. Moore " . EDITOR" • Davicl B. Jolivet

NEWS EDITOR James N. Dunbar

OFFICE MANAGER Barbara M. Reis

self first. As much as we think we know ourselves, too often we aren't really attentive to our experiences, the.,directions in which they are moving us and who ulti- . mately is responsible for .that direction. . To address our sexuality, we must first understand ourselves.

The fact is, the clearer we becorrie about who we are, the. ·clearer we will be about how to' relate to ourselves, to others and to the world .around 'us. Lacking this clarity, confusion and chaos . may direct our aCtions. . 'As simple as this sounds, it is difficult to practice because we usually don't spend enough time

selves means asking whether we .

What does this have to do with realize that our life has a certain sexuality?

When we speak of human sexu. direction to it, despite its seeming chaos -'-that someone.has.put us ality, we're not just talking about here and loves us. It means asking relationships involving two ourselvf<s whether we understand people. We're talking about our that we have a purpose in life, .identity, which is basic to our abilwhether that .purpose is to create ity to be intimate, outgoing, lovsomething fantastic or to accom- ing, human and noble in all our plish more ordinary but equally relationships. . enriching goals. .

Healthy human sexuality is and We need to ask ourselves ques- always has been at the heart of an tions such as this in order to ex- ordered life. When it is balanced, pand our horizons and get us out goodness and virtue ensue. of ourselves into a bigger world.

So it is vital that we understand We need to spend some time' pon- who we arc. As St. Catherine of dering ~hy Ood chose us and what Siena tells 'us, "When we are whom we arc called to be, we will our purpose is. " Practicing self-knowledge also set the'world ablaze."

A bargain'at any price The scene is an elaborate baby hasn't been on the market has an ace pitcher, one who pracshowroom nestled in the high- for sometime,.and we're looking tically owns the Cy Young award. rises of downtown Boston some- for just the right people to take There's a canon-armed shortstop time last year. The sales associ- her home. that hits a ton, and a catcher who ate greets two well-dressed "There are so many appealing can handle any pitching staff with gentlemen as they enter ease. Also included is a the establishment. One tough-as-nails right fielder has an Indiana Jones who likes to get down and kind of look to him bedirty, and in the meat of fore he removes his hat. the order is a homer-slug"Greetings gentlemen. ging outfielder-DH, who's Welcome to the finest seworth his weight in gold. lection of sports fran"And this nucleus is chises around," says the surrounded by a great supBy'Dave Jolivet associate. "Are you lookporting cast. Experts have ing for something in parremarked about the treticular. orjust browsing?" mendous 'chemistry' here.

Mr. Henry, with hat in hand, features to this model. First off, The prior owners have weeded responds, "Oh, we know what she has a tremendous, passionate, out all the malcontents to sweeten we're looking for. It's that little, very, very loyal fan base. Some the deal, so what you see is what red, time-tested model over there. say they're the finest in the land. you' get. And what you get is a She's a beaut!"

Secondly, the package includes fanatical following, a beautiful Mr. Henry's partner, Mr. one of the best, ifnot the best little ballyard and a team on the verge Werner, chimes in, "Exactly. So ball park in the world .. The build- , of doing what 80 previous teams I think we can eliminate the sales ing itself is nearly 90 years old, couldn't - bring home a champitch on these other models. Let's but with the right tou<;:hes, it can pionship! " talk turkey." last another 90. , "Just imagine Misters Werner Bug-eyed with anticipation the "But the real beauty of this, and Henry - imagine the celassociate begins, "All right. Let's model is it's capable of paying ebration in this very town when see, where do I begin? Well, this dividends right from th~ st,art.¡ It that happens - and it'will be all

My ,View

From the Stands

Olympic official welcomes papal endorsement of Olympic truce, WARSAW, Poland (CNS) -An Olympic official was effective in ancient Greece, so let's hope today's has welcomed the pope's endorsement of a suspen,- world will follow up (on) the idea,too," said Archsion of armed conflicts when the Summer Games are bishop Foscolos. "But this doesn't depend on churches hosted by Greece in 2004. , - only on the government and commercial interests However, the head of Greece's Catholic Church at work on the international scene." criticized the Greek government's failure to consult The Olympic Truce was introduced in ancient Catholics over the planned truce and predicted the ini- Greece during the eighth century B:C. to enable athtiative would have a "limited interfaith impact." letes and spectators to attend the Games at Olympia "The pope's latest statement shows there's a com- unhindered. It ran from seven days before the Olymmon willingness to back initiatives that bring people pics to seven days after the event ended. together and benefit peace," said Katya Mascagni, head Military operations were temporarily suspended of the Intemational Olympic ' during the30-year' Committee's Truce Founda- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - Pelo'ponnesian War, which tion in Lausanne, Switzer"The pope's latest statement shows spanned several consecutive Olympic contests. . land. there's a common willingness to back In July 2000, the Interna'The support given by religious leaders to this move- initiatives that bring people together tional Olympic .Committee ment is crucial in raising and benefit peace," said Katya' established an Olympic Truce awareness that something Mascagni, head of the International Center with the Greek govcan really be done to promote Olympic Committee's Truce Founda- ernment to promote the ceasefire. Such a cease-fire also a global solution to local contion in Lausanne, Switzerland. was backed by 170 countries, tlicts," she said. including the United States, Mascagni was responding to Pope John Paul II's appeal dUl;ng a recent meeting in a U.N. resolution in December before the Winter at Castel Gandolfo with Greece's new ambassador to Olympics at Salt Lake City.

Sjnce November, a'n appeal urging governments the Vatican, The pope said the return of the Olympics to Athens created a unique chance "to overcome ha- and organizations to work for "a world based on rules tred and to bl;ng individuals and populations together." of fair competition, humanity, reconciliation and tolMascagni said the Olympic movement was using erance," has been signed by more than 100 leading "all possible means" to foster dialogue and reconcili- figures, including Cardinals Francis Arinze and Walter ation without "interfering with the agendas of states Kasper, presidents of the pontifical councils for Interreligious Dialogue and Promoting Christian Unity, . and governments."

She added that the anniversary of the September respectively, as well as Jewish and Muslim leaders, 11 attacks on the United States had reinforced calls and Orthodox patriarchs from Alexandria, Antioch, for peace but should not conceal "other long-running Armenia, Constantinople, Georgia and Serbia.

It also has been signed by presidents, and governwars and contlicts" worldwide.

"We have to look at the whole future and see what ment leaders of 50 countl;es, including China, Iran, the sports movement can do to bridge divisions,''' Yugoslavia, Israel, Afghanistan, Pakistan and the PalMascagni said in a recent Catholic News Service in- estinian National Authority.

The Orthodox president of the Conference of Euterview. "The pope's powerful message of support has ropean Churches, Metropolitan Jeremie Caligiorgis of now given this endeavor a tremendous boost."

However, plans for the truce were criticized by Paris, told CNS the truce initiative should be seen in Catholic Archbishop Nikolaos F9scolos of Athens, conjunction with the pope's interfaith peace encounwho told CNS that Greece's govemment and'predomi- ters in Assisi, Italy.

"Religious leaders can exert a real influence for nant Olthodox Church had made no effort to involve peace, when time and circumstances are right," the Catholics. ' The ru'chbishop said his bishops' conference had metropolitan added.

"Even if no truce occurs, we will at least have made set up a special commission for the 2004 Games, but had received no llnswer to requests for a meeting with people aware that this was the practice in centuries past and reaffirmed the age~old spiritual opposition to government officials.

"We support the truce and hope it will happen - it war and conflitt," he said.

THE ANCHOR - Diocese of Fall River - Fri., September 20, 2002

5

yours!" what happened. Are you sorry In unison, the two shoppers Mr. Werner?" squeal, "We'l\ take it!"

Mr.Werner's eyes scan the hoThe scene shifts to the beauti- rizon and then the half-filled park ful lit'tle ballpark in Boston's and responds, "No Mr. Henry.

Back Bay .section. The two part- I'm not either. I can still recall ners 'are sitting high above the how excited we were in that baseball cathedral. It's mid-Sep- showroom last year when we tember and the sun is setting be- bought this baby. I just wish we yond the field and on the team. had decided to take out that mainMr. Werner looks over to Mis- tenance agreement." ter Henry and asks; "Are 'you Dave Jolivet, editor of The sorry we got into this?"

Anchor, is a former sports Mr. Henry draws a deep writer/editor, alld regularly gives breath, pauses for moment and one fail's perspective of the says quietly. "No. No I'm not. I ullique world'of sports. love this place. I love this town. I Commellts are welcome at love this team. I just don't know .davejolivet@allchomews.org.

Letter to the Editor Editor: In her letter'to The Anchor on Augu~t 30, Bernice Loring wondered why no one has ever questioned the "supposed victims" of priestly sexual abuse as to their part in what happened. Apparently to Ms. Loring the real villains of this scandal are those seven- to 14-year-old boys, over the age of reason, who allowed themselves to be raped and molested by adult priests. Her reaction to the sins of some of our priests, and the derelicti<;>n of duty by some of our bishops and diocesan officials, is to publicly point the finger of blame at children who were grievously wronged by

Catholic priests. That is simply morally obtuse.

Some of these boys and their parents did complain and the institutional response of the Church in some dioceses was to sweep the complaints under the rug. Young children can't validly consent to have sexual relations, That is why we have statutory rape laws. Instead of increasing the pain of these victims by fatuous "wondering," we should love them and pray that they can distinguish the message of Jesus from the actions of some of his priests.

Gerald McDowell, Chatham

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THE ANCHOR - Diocese ofFall River - Fri., September 20, 2002

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Selling. or reselling blessed, items

Q. We need your opinion on how to handle reli.Q. I received a copy of your column on the need , gious items at our semiannual parish rummage of parents to memorialize their children who die sales. It seems that when a parent dies the children before birth. Your readers may like to know that, pass on to us all the rosaries, Bibles; siCk- call sets at the request of many parents, the hospital where and 'statues.. ' ,. .1 work conducts a burial and graveside service for Some shoppers want these items free. Others parents, families and friends of miscarried babies, \ criticize us for selling. When we ask for donations even the tiniest. we may receive 50 cents for the entire day. What The service, which began ul1993, is nondenomiATTLEBORO --'- The musical who has lost a significant person in. can you suggest? (II1inational, includes Scripgroup "How Sweet it Is" will per-' their lives. It will meet each Wednes- nois) _---------...;.---r-~:::iiiii ture, song and prayer, form at the La Salette Shrine Coffee' day until November 6. For more in-,' A. The Church has no and is conducted three House tomolTOW at 6:30 p.m. formation call the parish office .at detailed rules on this to times a year. Only parents A Portuguese Pilgrimage Day 508-477-7700. cover all circumstances. who have stated they wish will be held at the Shrine Sunday at Usually, blessed items to be informed are notitied.

I:30 p.m. Irwill feature prayerand MASHPEE - The Cape Cod should not be,sold. One processions and a Mass in Portu- Celiac Support Group will meet reason is to avoid any semBy Father . The cemetery has set guese, c~lebrated by Bishop D: September, 29 at 2 p.m. in the par- blance of selling or taking John J. Dietzen aside a beautiful area, which contains a new lanuario Dorgal Mendes Ferreira of ish hall. at Christ the King Church, , monetary advantage of .

Lisbon, Portugal. ' " . monument marking the Route 151. For more information , blessings. Thus rosaries, - - - -.....- - - - - - statues and other religious items normally are blessed burial site. It is visited by many parents, especially Noted author Barbara Shlemon ca1l508-477-770b. after they ,are sold by religious goods dealers. . on feast days and anniversaries. The stafTthere tells Ryan will lead a day of reflection, cntitled "Open My Eyes Lord," Sep- .

MISCELLANEOUS - The 1 believe a nominal amount may be asked jl,Ist for' us this is the most visited grave site in the cemetery.

Often a miscarriage is just ignored. Knowing . tember 28 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. AGAPE Community's 20th anni- your providing the opportunity to purchase the items.

For more information call 508-222- versary celebration will be held Oc- Also, it is generally held that when particularly pre- their babies' 'remains are cared fqr with love, dig~ tober 4 beginning at 10 a.m. at Holy cious or historic items are sold, a price may be set for nity and respect offers some sense of comfort to 5410.

Cross College in Worcester. It will their artistic or antique yalue. 'grieving parents. We feel that by recogrrlzing imd ATTLEBORO - The Grief feature guest speaker Auxiliary Another consideration is that when objects, even acknowledging their feelings we give them the gift Education Program of La Salette will Bishop Thomas Gumbleton of De- sacred places like churc,hes, are destroyed so they can of compassion, and help them heal and continue meet September 23 at 10:30 a.m. for troit who recently returned from a no longer be used for their proper religious purpose or their journey. (Indiana) "Healing Old Wounds," and Sep- humanitarian mission in,Afghani- when they are permanently given to.secular use, they A. Thank you for sharing your experience. judging tcmber 26 at 6:30 p.m. for "Healing stimand Iraq. He will address the lose their blessing (See Canon 1212). from the number of parents and grandparents who have topic "Moral and Spiritual Cost in , The same holds true for smaller 'sacramimtals. written to me on this subject, I suspect others will want in Broken·Places." Sessions are held a Culture at War," at 7 p.m. On . in the Pastoral Counseling Center's October 5, Bishop' Gumbleton Candles, 'palms, rosaries, statues, holy pictures, etc., to consider establishing a program like this in their Romero Room. . will speak at 10 a.m. at the Agape lose their blessing when they lose their identity and own communities.

Readers and groups who wish more information Community 'in the Quabbin wa- suita~ility for religious use.

EAST FREETOWN - A post tershed in Hardwick, MA. For Therefore, unless one has room to store genera- are invited to contact Cathy Dardeen, Parent Faciliconfirmation YES Retreat will be more information call 413-967- tions of Bibles and other religious items, there are limits tator at St. Mary's Medical Center, 3700 Washingto how many one can save. To significantly alter their ton Ave., Evansville, Ind. 47750. Or phone 812-485held November 22-24 at Cathedral 9369. identity, and hence their ble'ssing, by breaking orburn- 4646.

Camp. Young people who are interested in aitending should contact A free brochure answer.ing questions Catholics NORTH EASTON - Im- ing or otherwise destroying them is not irreverent but their parish pliest or youth minister. maculate Conception Parish wil) is a respectful way'to dispose of blessed religious ar- ask about receiving the holy Eucharist is available by sending a stamped, self-addressed envelope to preseIit a, parish mission on Sep- ticles.

Being aware of this may help those who wonder Father John Dietzen, Box 325; Peoria, IL 61651. . ,FALL RIVER - A program tember 23-24, and September 30Questions may be sent to Father Dietzen at the entitled ~.'Ma~mogra~s:~hat.oo~s Odober I; as par! of the.RENEW what to do with, an excess of old and unusable reli. same address,. or E-mail: jjdietzen@aol.com. ;tht;·~adI9toglsJ,.See? :V:'~ll be .he!d .. proc~'ss. For more, information gious articles.

'September 25 from'6-7 p.m. at the call 508-238-3232.

RRSTFED Center for Breast Care ' . . . at Saint Anne's Hospital. For more SOUTH ATTLEBORO - A infOlmation call 508-235-5353. concert of Chr.istian music 'performed by Sean Forrest of "MovWe all have our special attrac- sachusetts Institute of Technology groups, from the increased stockpilFALL RIVER - Catholic So- ing With the Spirit," will be held , tions, and.one of mine is going to Press, says that some 1,300 people ing of weaPons of mass destruction cial Services is looking for vol- September 28 from 7-9 p.m. at St. used book sales. I always findsome c . responded, many reacting to the past and from the explosive Middle East unteers to provide education and Theresa of the Child Jesus Church, thing special among the piles. A re- century of war. It was noted that even hatreds. after World War II, 130 new wars, Of three essay winners, I was outreach" on domestic violence in 18 Baltic Street. For more informa- cent gem is a case in point.

The title grabbed me, "How big and small, erupted around the surprised at the almost .prophetic .

Fall River and New Bedford. For tion callTerry Paquette at. 508-761- Peace C ame to tenor. h nr Id" I st~ed g I0 b e. It 'Impresse d me th at 7'h . presente d b y.'R"IC h ar d I, e scenano more information call Sivaing An 7656 . , 'reading then and there. It begins Monitor saw each citizen, and not" Lamm, then governor of Colorado. at 508-674-4681.

WEST HARWICH _ The with: "Nothing threatens us more just so-called leaders, as having a He described a grim disasterthatreMASHPEE - A Bereavement . Celebrate Life Committee of Holy today than the 5~,OOO nuclear war- responsibility to be involved in peace suited from a nuclear war between heads that s~d m a state India and Pakistan, a sceGroup will'begin meeting Septem- Trinit Parish will hold a hoi O' Y of near readIness around nario much speculated upon ber 25 from 10-11 :30 a.m. at Christ the th· g I0 be. v.Iet'In th'e year , recently. hour unday'at 1:3 p.m. In h h ~ ' e the King Church. It is for anyone In his essay, the honified c urc .

2010, the world is at peace, and the threat of nuclear world,. glued to television devastation has vanished." sets, watched the annihilaA prophesy? A fantasy? tion of two' nations, where , I was seduced, and, as they people going about their say, here's thestOry'! It . By Antoinette Bosco daily routines one minute were ashes the next. "In dates back to a contest proposed by The' Christian' ....-.--------:---i..~ ~_J-I those moments ... came the EAST FREETOWN Bishop O'Malley will then, Science Monitor in 1985, with a spe- planning. horror of modem weapons. Thus,· Bishop Sean O'Malley, OFM celebrate the liturgy.... · cific aim -'- to get readers to jump . From 'the essays submitted, it was wisdom came not through treaty but .Cap., will honor religious The day will conclude with a ahead 25 years to the year 20 I0, 'eyident that some writers "saw peace through tragedy. The goal of peace jubilarians at a Mass on Septem- prayer,service in the afternoon. imagining a world at peace and then almost entirely in terms'ofa lack of was no longer something left to poliMercy Sister Elaine' her 28. at Cathedral Camp. explai'nif)g clearly how this had armed conflict; others saw it as a ticians but became the demand of The liturgy will be part of a Heffernan, episcopal representa-" come about. progressively' interactive exchange every citizen: Peace is a change of Day of Recollection for members . tive to religious for the diocese,,' The Moniior explained: "Peace among the nations,ofthe world; and heart. Peace was not negotiated; it 'of religious communities .of men coordinator of. the ~vent, indiis a condition all the world's states- some related it in the end to the peace burst on a stunned mankind," Lamm .and women from across the Dio- cated the jubilee celebranJs inmensay they yeam for. Every indi- of the individual that'is felt first in wrote in his winning essay. cese of Fall River. clude those marking 25, 50, 60, Would that our leaders in Washvidual would like to live in peace. his or her family and then radiates Coordinating the conference 65, 70, and 75 years of service.

The Beatitudes call the peacemak- outward." I would say all three are ington could read this .book, which aspect of the retreat will be S.a"It's a wonderful time to get ets 'the children of God.' Instead of con,jitions of peace. ends with a truth: that peace does cred Heart Father Fintan' together with the men and only reacting to each new intern3:,. I was not surprised'that many not come easily. "We have work Sheeran. women religious of the diocese . tional ~risis, let's think instead abou~ would see terrible consequences before us," writes Dr. Stephen E. As in the p~st, the Day of Rec- and to share what has happened . what conditions could prevail that coming from deteriorating relations' Silver, a Connecticut physician. ollection will begin with light re- during the past year," said Sister would bring about a substantially al- between the rich nations and the "However, let us be eager to do it, freshments at 9:30 a.m., followed Heffernan. "And it will a'1low us tered climate of world opinion." poor,' Third World countries, from for it is holy work." by the conferences with Father , an opporturi'ity to spend time To that I say, "Amen!"

The boo~, published by the Mas- the rising conflicts among ~Iigious with the bishop."

Sheeran.

QlJlestions and .

Answers

,

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Peace ,·i.n, the world' in 201 0'

§.

'Bishop to cel~brate with religious Jubilarians

The Bottom , Li n e

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Pros and cons of tithing via credit-debit card This will not come as any kind on an envelope. We are admitof shock to those of you who are tedly in an era when almost half accustomed to hearing the inspi- of us pay things through autorational phrase, "No more checks matic deductions or electronic to write." It certainly did not come as a surprise to those of us hunkered down here at Church Bureaucratic Monitoring Bunker No. 7.

As a matter of fact,

By Dan Morris we were surprised it had not happened sooner: A company has been put together specifically to "bill pay." help Catholic entities and agenIt is interesting, though, to poncies - from parishes and schools der the pros and cons of running to endowment funds and pledge up credit-card debt as a form of drives - receive their payments tithing. via automatic monthly deductions Con: Any late or over-the-limit from our checking, savings or fees could have gone to the credit-card accounts.

Church.

This does make sense in a day Pro: Giving to the parish might and age when it is about as cheap qualify you for more airline miles.

Con: Might your name be sold to hire a cab to deliver your bills and letters as it is to put a stamp to telemarketers?

The offbeat world of Uncle Dan

Pro: The telemarketers would probably be selling you nice devotional items or trips to holy places.

Con: Would there be a psychological distancing from a sense of stewardship by using such a remote form of giving?

Pro: You would have a handy record for the IRS. Con: Is there the danger of creating a caste system within the parish where credit-card givers are subtly considered better donors?

Pro: Maybe Visa or Mastercard would issue a card over the parish's crest and slip the parish a few extra bucks in the process.

Con: Could a payment be contested by a donor if he or she did not like a homily?

Pro: Maybe all parish events could be rigged to accept credit

Canon law head says bishops' sex abuse policy needs clarifications

By CATliOUC News SERVICE

McKenna, a priest of the Diocese of Rochester, N.Y. NEW YORK - The U.S. bishops' child sex abuse The canon lawyer said a clear definition is needed policy needs clarifications regarding the legal defini- for the phrase "credible accusation," since an accusation of abuse, due process procedures, and protection tion automatically means that a priest is temporarily refrom "frivolous" accusations, said the president of the moved from ministry until an investigation is completed.

Canon Law Society ofAmerica in an article for America Such a definition would also be helpful to investigators magazine. and review boards, he added.

The bishops deserve praise for developing a multi"Care must be taken to protect against frivolous acfaceted policy to deal with a serious crisis, but many cusations launching immediate removal from ministry," canon lawyers want more emphasis on due process "be- he said. "Anyone who gets angry with a priest and falsely yond encouraging the accused cleric to retain canonical accuses him could have him suspended for doing nothand civil counsel," said Father Kevin McKenna, soci- ing," he said. ety president.

"The immediate referral of any allegation, even if He said Church legal procedures for removing priests frivolous or unfounded, to civil authorities raises ques"can be cumbersome," but if they had been followed to tions about the right of any accused person to a good prosecute known offenders in the past rather than shift- reputation," he added.

The term "sexual abuse" also needs to be clearly ing them to different parishes, he noted, the current Church crisis could have been prevented. defined, "since it is envisioned in the charter that the Father McKenna's comments were in a bylined ar- penalty is the same - permanent removal from ministicle in the September 16 issue of America, a New York- try - for all possible offenses," he said.

Father McKenna said the U.S. bishops' definition based national Catholic magazine published by the Jesuits. The article analyzed the "Charter for the Protec- lacks precision because it refers to canon law which tion of Children and Young People" and the accompa- speaks of an "objectively grave violation of the Sixth nying legal norms approved by the U.S. bishops in June. Commandment" and to a looser Canadian bishops' defiFather McKenna said clrnification of the bishops' nition "which describes various scenarios that mayor policy could come from the Vatican, which has to ap- may not be present, but still constitute abuse."

He said the bishops' norms open the door to double prove the bishops' norms before they become U.S. Church law, or from a commentary by the U.S. Confer- jeoprn'dy by which a priest who committed an abuse many years ago and has successfully completed the sancence of Catholic Bishops.

"Concern for alleged victims is appropriately high- tions imposed is now subject to dismissal from the priestlighted in the churler," he said. "But there must also be hood because of the same abuse.

The bishops' policy states that a single act of child concem for the alleged perpetrator, who is presumed innocent until guilt is proven or admitted," said Father sex abuse, even in the past, is enough to permanently remove a cleric from ministry.

"Normally laws are made for the future, not the past," said Father. McKenna. .

Church law states that an accusation cannot be presented after the alleged victim has reached 28 years of age. The U.S. bishops' policy does not mention any FALL RIVER - Saint Anne's Hospital will statute of limitations. launch a 10-week fall "Get Fit, Live Fit" total Assessing imputability "is a serious issue if the acfitness series for women experiencing cancer on cused suffers from addictions or compulsions," he said.

Septcmber 30.

Addictions or compulsions, under Church law, would Mectings will be on Mondays from 4:30-5:30 not prohibit a bishop from taking action to limit minisp.m. and Wednesdays from 9:30-10:30 a.m. All try but "it could affect the ability of the bishop to imsessions will be held in Room 134, Clemence pose the most serious penalty, dismissal from the cleriHall, Saint Anne's Hospital. cal state," he said.

There is no charge but registration is recFather McKenna also questioned whether the U.S. ommended. For more information call 508bishops can require an alleged offender to undergo psy674-5600, ext. 2515. chological evaluation against his will.

Hospital to offer series for women with cancer

THE ANCHOR - Diocese of Fall River - Fri., September 20, 2002 or debit cards - from bazaars to spaghetti feeds.

While I have not talked directly to anyone at the new company - ParishPay LLC in Long Island City, N.Y. - I very much doubt they would encourage a situation where parishioners have to swipe their credit cards as they enter church, much less be required to choose between "credit" and "debit" and punch in a PIN. That would be like coin-operated devotional candles that are not candles at all but timed light bulbs.

7

What? That is already being done?

Well, regardless, we probably don't have to worry too much about this getting out of hand. It's not as if your Catholic college alma mater would be tempted to send you a $10 check that, when deposited, would trigger your enrollment in its capital fund campaign, with payments coming directly from your credit card account.

Right?

Comments are welcome. Email Uncle Dan at cnsunc1e@yahoo.com.

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THE ANCHOR - Di6ceseof Fall River - Fri., September 20,2002 • .. • .

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'War of the:huDlan heart'DluSt be won, bishop 'says at. 9/1.1 Mass

By MARK PATTISON CATHOLIC NEWS SERVICE

THE LAST remaining girders of the World Trade Center towers stand in the form of a cross at a memorial,inside ground zero in' New York. Various memorials ringed the site where the towers fell Sept. 11, 2001, after two hijacked planes hit the buildings. A red, white and blue heart covered the entire side of a nearby building. (CNS photo from Reuters)

of war 'out there." That's relatively easy to do. 'It's those evil people doing those evil things.'

WASHINGTON - The reason terrorists commandeered But S1. James tell us that war is not caused by external factors, four jetliners and "flew fuelbut by 'the passions within your laden planes into buildings members,' or, in the words of the filled with people" a year ago is Holy Father: 'The human heart because they lost "the war of the has depths from which schemes human heart," said Bishop of unheard-of ferocity Wilton D. Gregory of sometimes emerge.'"

Belleville, 111., president This war, the bishop of the U.S. bishops' con"The only way you and I can ever added, "must be fought ference.

In a homily on Septem- defeat violence is to know Christ, to within each and every huber 11, the first anniver- receive him in the holy Eucharist, to man heart. ,Bloodied sary of the attacks, Bishop love him, and to choose life in him. battlefields are but exterGregory said the terrorists Then we will know the 'peace the nal manifestations of the "embraced the darkness of world cannotgive'andjoined to Christ unresolved wars which at people's souls. War death and turned from the we will be a leaven forpeace in a world tear begins, St. James tells us, brilliance' of light." by coveting, then proceeds But war "is never truly burdened by violence and hate." to envy and finally breaks won by those with the out in full-fledged viomost potent weapons or the greatest strategic advan- the Potomac River, where one of lence.

"Each of us is a participant tage," he added. "The only way the four planes smashed into the you and I can ever defeat vio- Pentagon a year ago. Another in that war, which uses weapons lence is to know Christ, to re- plane, believed to be headed to- far more strategic than bombs ceive him in the holy Eucharist, ward Washington, crashed into and guns. It uses suspicion, into love him, and to choose life a field in Shanksville, Pa. Two nuendo and bald-faced lies," he in him. Then we will know the other jets were flown into the continued. 'peace the world cannot give' twin towers of the World Trade "Our servicemen and women, and joined to Christ we will be Center, both of which collapsed always close to our hearts, cona leaven for peace in a world within two hours of impact, kill- tinue to pursue strategies for deburdened by violence and hate." ing nearly 3,000.· fense and all of us seek ways to Bishop Gregory was the prinIn referring to the New Tes- promote peace with an uncertain cipal celebrant and homilist at tament reading from the Letter future in a very uncertain a noontime Mass at the Basilica of James, Bishop Gregory said, world," he said. of the National Shrine of the Im- "So often we look to the causes

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. PAUL DILLON'S painting of Father Mychal Judge, the fire chaplain who died in the collapse of the World Trade Center on September 11, will be unveiled October 4 when the chaplain will posthumously receive a community service award. Artist Dillon, father of actors Matt and Kevin Dillon, is known for capturing . a SUbject's personality and has painted portraits of such notables as ·the late Cardinal John J. O'Connor and author Mary Higgins Clark. (CNS photo by Phillip Jacobs, The Anthonian)

maculate Conception in Washington. He was in Washington to preside over a meeting of the U.S. bishops' 50-member Administrative Committee. Committee members were concelebrants at the Mass.

It was mere miles from the shrine, on the Virginia side of

THE ANCHOR - Diocese of Fall River - Fri., September 20, 2002

MICHELANGELO PRESENTS this image of Christ giving judgment at the second coming. The artist's "Last Judgment" covers the altar wall of the Vatican's Sistine Chapel. (CNS photo by Nancy Wiechec)

End times? Church officials aren't counting down to apocalypse

By JOHN THAVIS CATHOLIC NEWS SERVICE VATICAN CITY - To judge by bumper stickers, best-selling books and magazine covers, interest in humanity's "last days" has surged in recent times, especially since the September 11 attacks of 2001.

So when Pope John Paul II spoke in early September about the biblical vision of the end of the world, ears pricked up in the Vatican's audience hall.

But to the growing number of sign-hunting, rapture-ready Christians, the pope's words probably lacked the thunder and the thrill that has marked recent popularizations of the apocalypse.

The pope's take on the end

times was straight out of the Second Vatican Council. Reflecting on the prophet Isaiah's vision of the last days, when "all nations will stream toward the mountain of the Lord," he said it evoked trust in God's ultimate design.

The end of time will bring the "miracle all humanity has always been waiting for," the moment when the curtain will finally fall on conflict and hatred, he said.

This expectation is healthy and allows people to lift their gaze beyond their daily routine, he said.

But it doesn't mean giving up on this world. In fact, he said, it calls on Christians to work harder for justice and peace in this life.

Not surprisingly, the pope's

talk to some 6,000 people did not even register on the main Websites tracking "end-time activity" - the signs across the globe that, in the eyes of apocalypse enthusiasts, are evidence that the final days are very near indeed.

In June, Time magazine published a cover story on the phenomenon, citing its own poll that showed more than one-third of Americans were paying more attention to how the news might relate to the end of the world. It said 59 percent believed the apocalyptic events in the Book of Revelation will come true, and that almost one-fourth thought the Bible predicted the September 11 attacks.

One of this summer's fastest-

selling books has been "Left Behind: A Novel of the Earth's Last Days." It's the 10th in a series of "End Times" books that have collectively sold more than 32 million copies.

Such popularizations start with the Bible, but owe much to the creativity of a 19th-century Anglican preacher, the Rev. John Nelson Darby. He elaborated the apocalypse playbook to include the "Rapture" or instant resurrection into heaven of true Christians, a seven-year "Tribulation" on earth survived by a small remnant of humanity, and a final battle between Christ and the Antichrist.

Although this complicated scenario has roots in an early letter of St. Paul and other biblical passages, Catholic theologians don't think much of it. In fact, some see it as harmful.

"I wouldn't give much credence to this kind 'of talk, and I find it evasive. There's a passivity here .,...- it lets us off the moral hook," said Jesuit Father Gerald O'Collins, 'a theologian at Rome's Gregorian University.

Father O'Collins suggested that instead of tracking supposed portents of the apocalypse, people should look at any number of real problems in the world - for example, environmental damage - and actually do something abolitit. ' He said, that's the basic Catholic approach: People should have an "active hope" about the coming end times, a hope that "gives us' not less responsibility but more responsibility" for life in this world.

Father O'Collins said the line from St. Paul that gave rise to the "rapture" notion has been plucked out of context and exaggerated.

St. Paul wrote that the Christians living at the end of the world would rise with the Christian dead to "meet the Lord in the air."

But it's wrong to read into this

9

some kind of exclusive right to early salvation by a Christian elite, Father O'Collins said. 5t.

Paul's other letters spoke of all creation "groaning" for salvation, he said.

Dominican Father Georges Cottier, the pope's in-house theologian, said most Catholic thinkers have wisely avoided trying to pin down the time of the end of the world. Personally, he said, he thinks it doesn't make much sense to talk about Christ's second coming as long as his command to preach the Gospel to all nations remains unfulfilled.

"This time of mission is very important. When you think of the great areas of Asia that have not been evangelized, one can easily imagine that the end of the world will not happen tomorrow," he said.

The "Catechism of the Catholic Church" tries to offer some perspective on the end of time, based in part on interpretation of Scripture. The catechism says the Church believes that Christ's death and resurrection marked the entry of humanity into "the final age of the world," and that the world's renewal is already under way.

But Christ's second coming and final victory over evil will not be accomplished before the church undergoes a last phase of persecution and the world experiences widespread "pseudo-religious deception," it says.

Therefore, the present age is seen as a time of "waiting and watching," but it is also a time for acting - for doing good works and accepting God's grace.

The catechism offers no timeline for the last days, mindful of Christ's own words in the Gospel of St. Matthew. When asked by his Apostles when the end would come, he said, "Of that day and hour no one knows, neither the angels of heaven nor the Son, but the Father alone."

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10 THE ANCHOR -

Diocese of Fall River - Fri., September 20, 2002

Tests show no explanation for Promote what is good weeping Mary statue -in Australia

on T~ ignore the rest, priest advises

--

PERTH, Australia (CNS) - Scientific tests con- made," he said. ducted by an Australian television program on a weep"Nevertheless, the sight of Mary's statue weeping ing statue of Mary have shown no obvious explanation tears has already had powerful spiritual effects, causfor the phenomenon. ing many people to return to God," the archbishop Mario D'Orazio, executive producer of the Today said.

Tonight current affairs television program, which airs Although he gave his consent for the scientific tests

By ANA RODRIGUEZ-SOTO on Perth's Channel 7, said university tests showed the conducted by the Perth universities. the archbishop said But it was a breakthrough for CATHOLIC NEWS SERVICE tears to be an olive oil with a jasmine scent. he saw no need for a Church investigation. television because it showed netHe said scientists at Perth's Curtin and Murdoch 'The Church takes a patient view ofphenomena such DORAL, Fla. - A priest who work executives that they could universities had taken X-rays of the statue at his as this and, provided there are no negative effects, the works in Tinseltown has this ad- touch the topic of faith and reliprogram's request, and the Church lets them take their vice for Catholic mothers and gion without losing viewers. As a statue was found to be ficourse," he said. grandmothers: Ifyou want to send result, Martin Sheen can now porberglass. Intemally the ma"I have satisfied myself a message to Hollywood, it is tray an openly Catholic president terial was porous, but ex. there is no trickery i n. more effective to promote the on "West Wing" and "Seventh ternally it appeared to be volved: These are good Heaven" can focus on the life of good than to trash the bad. sealed, he said. people and there is no ques"If we get ourselves all a Protestant minister and his famThe statue of Our Lady tion of fraud in my mind," wrapped up in protesting and boy- ily. of Lourdes caught worldhe said.

"Nothing Sacred," however, cotting, then no one will be able wide media attention after "On the other hand, I to tind all the good programming was a $20 million gift from the a report on it appeared in have not said it is a miracle, that is out there," says Father Ber- entertainment industry that CathoThe Record, weekly newsbecause I do not know," he nard R. Bonnot, a priest of the lics themselves rejected, Father paper of the Archdiocese of added.

Diocese of Youngstown, Ohio, Bonnot said. The series portrayed Perth.

Patty Powell, owner of who is senior vice president of the daily life of a Catholic priest At the time the next edithe statue who agreed to let special programming for the Hall- yet was the focus of boycotts led tion of The Record went to Channel 7 perform the tests, mark Channel. by the Catholic League for Reliprint September II, the fisaid she did not receive any Father Bonnot was the keynote gious and Civil Rights. nal results were not conmoney for the story. She speaker at the general assembly "It had a decent audience. It firmed, but tests did not insaid -the tests were paid for of the National Council ofCatho- was-not removed because of audicate any attempt at fraud

by Channel 7, which then lic Women, held in the Miami area dience. It was at least partially reor hoax, D'Orazio said. had exclusive rights to air last week. moved because it became very Over the weekend of the test results.

His message to the nearly 600 conflicted to advertisers and to the September 7-8 an estiPowell told The Record women gathered there, all lead- public," Father Bonnot said.

AN OIL-LIKE substance flows from an eye she hoped the tests would mated 3,000 people ers in their diocesan councils: He also cited movies that, on a statue of Our Lady of Lourdes in the allay some skeptics. flocked to Our Lady of There are good programs on tele- while not overtly religious, repreLourdes Church in the "For me in my heart home of owner Patty Powell in the southern vision. Hollywood does make sent religious values as being part southern Perth suburb of Perth suburb of Rockingham, Australia. (CNS there is no need forthe tests wholesome films. Take the time of people's daily lives, such as the Rockingham to witness the photo by Bronwen Clune, The Record) to be done," she said. to find them and then spread the current hits "Signs" and "My Big phenomenon.

Powell said she was disword about them to your children. Fat Greek Wedding." He sugArchbishop Barry 1. Hickey ofPerth visited the statue appointed when another Australian television station; and grandchildren. gested the love story "Returri to , .-"When we find the gold, we Me," starring David Duchovn'y _ in 'early September and later told The Record it was a Channel 10, ran a story claiming that tests done on the , '.'truly remarkable phenomenon." . statue had shown there was a vat slowly releasir!1~ oil need to promote it," Father and Minnie Driver, as a Catholic ','Iwent'to see this statue with some misgivings and from behind the statue's eyes. , Bonnot said. . counterpartio "My Big Fat Greek , skepticism; but frankly I must say I was very impressed," "Even with what was said on Channel 10, I know in Wedding." , He reminded the women that my heart what is correct, and I have a strong faith in Spread the word about such - he said. as far back as 1957, Pope Pius XII "Whether it is of natural or supernatural origin I God and a strong family and friend base to help me had called the media "a gift of films, Father Bonnot' told the cannot say, as no official investigation has been through whatever is dished up," she said.

God." NCCW members. And simply "You don't look a gift horse in ignore the rest. the mouth. You appreciate the "The way to counteract (trash gift," Father Bonnot said. "There TV and movies) is to accept the are loads of films and there are fact that we live in a society loads of television programs. Are where individual freedom and they the Gospel? No. But is there freedom of speech are core valHOLLYWOOD (CNS) . we. all face when we have this di- stay alive," even steal a baby and something really good there that ues," he said. "Those things are of the best-loved movies of Some lemma before us," Wright added. pretend the child was his. is worth spending your time with? going to be in the media. HollyAnother hit movie of the past our generation are "Jesus stories," "Before the ship went down, they Yes." wood and the creative commudecade that illustrates these themes tales in which a central character had to make a decision: Were they Among the examples of high- nity are always going to be pushis "The Fugitive," with HaJTison shows his willingness to offer his life going to survive or were they going quality programming he cited , ing at the edges.

Ford as falsely convicted Dr. Richfor others, according to a Catholic to die?

And if they were going to "Touched by an Angel," which he "Let the rest of the world go screenwriter. die, what kind of person were they ard Kimble, who tries to track down called a "breakthrough" program by," he added. "Find whatis good Jesus is not a central character in going to be in their final moments? the one-armed man who murdered and promote it as enthusiastically for television. the films, according to Kate Wright, All persons aboard the Titanic, this his wife, with Tommy Lee Jones as "It's a very basic message: God and energetically as we can to our who also teaches screenwriting ship of dreams, were forced to make a U.S. marshal assigned to bring in exists. God loves you. God will people. That will change what is Kimble, already sentenced to die for classes at UCLA and serves as a that decision." help you," Father Bonnot said. produced." "script coach" to Hollywood writA member of Catholics in Me- the murder.

Kimble is unexpectedly freed ers. But the leading characters in the dia Associates, an organization of film walk a path parallel to that Hollywood Catholics on both sides after a prison transport van has an which Jesus trod, even if the char- of the camera that promotes values accident, Wright said. But "it isn't acter doesn't die. in entertainment media, Wright said enough for him to be freed," she If you don't believe Wright, then her screenwriting students "always added. "He saves the most haJ'dened VATICAN CITY (CNS) pontificate would exceed that of just look at the biggest-grossing film pick the one they identify with most" criminal" from certain death followPope John Paul II's pontificate Pope Pius VI, who ruled for 24- of all time: 1997's "Titanic," in in the movie: the crew members who ing the accident, she said.

As Kimble resumes his quest to has become the fifth-longest in and-a-half years in the late which Jack Dawson (Leonardo helped others into rescue boats, DiCaprio) acts to save the life of knowing there would not be any for find his wife's murderer, he is bethe Church's history.

1700s.

At the end of August, the pope Pope Leo XIII reigned for 25 debutante Rose Bukater (Kate them; the orchestra playing "Nearer, friended and befriends a number of surpassed the papacy of Pope years and five months, 1878- Winslet) at the risk ofhis own. Even My God, to Thee" as the Titanic con- people along the way. "As you Hadrian I, who ruled for 23 years, 1903, and Pope Pius IX's papacy before that, he works to open the tinuedto sink; Molly Brown, the. watch him, you want to become 10 months and 16 days in the lasted more than 31 years and gates so that the poor immigrant American woman in the only res- more and more like him," Wright passengers in steerage will at least cue boat that went back to the Ti- said, adding that it reveals "our deeighth century. seven months, 1846-1878.

On October 16, Pope John By tradition, the Church's have a chance to survive the vessel's tanic to pick up more passengers; sire for mercy in the face of injusPaul will mark the 24th anniver- longest pontificate was that of St. crash into an iceberg. and Jack or Rose or even Jacob tice."

Wright, originally from "It's the No. I film in the history Astor. "He was going down in sary of his 1978 election.

Peter, the first pope. Historians Dubuque, Iowa, was a researcher for Of the four popes whose pon- have established no official dates of mankind and it's taken in $1.9 style," Wright said. tificates have lasted longer, of his papacy, but he is believed billion" at the box office worldwide, Some, she added, even identified "Romero," the film drama about three reigned during the last 200 to have reigned between 34 and Wright told Catholic News Service. with Rose's fiancee. Cal (Billy slain Salvadoran Archbishop Oscar "The moment of death is what Zane), who would "do anything to Romero. years. Next April, the current 37 years.

Best-loved movies ar~ 'Jesus stories,' screenwriter says

Pope John Paul II's reign becomes fifth-longest in Church's history

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Canonization process begun f~r noted TV personality Archbishop Sheen

By AMY

RIEDELL

parents who practiced Christian virtues and "raised this boy to be a saint," Bishop Jenky said.

PEORIA, Ill. - The Diocese of Peoria has About five years later the family moved to petitioned the Vatican to open the sainthood cause Peoria, and Peter attended St. Mary's Cathedral of Archbishop Fulton J. Sheen, a "son of the heart- School, where he came to be known by his land" who became a legendary orator, writer and mother's maiden name, Fulton. television personality.

Following his ordination as a priest of the PeoSpeaking last week from the Sheen Pastoral ria diocese on Sept. 20, 1919, Father Sheen studCenter, the diocesan offices named for the Illi- ied at The' Catholic University of America in nois native and former bishop of Rochester, N. Y., Washington, the Catholic University of Louvain Peoria Bishop in Belgium and Daniel R. Jenky said Angelicum Univer: he was "delighted sity in Rome, where and proud" to anhe received a doctornounce that the petiate in sacred theoltion had been forogy.' mally presented in He returned to the Rome several hours Peoria diocese in earlier by Msgr. Ri'1926. chard Soseman, diFrom 1926 to ocesan judicial 1950, he taught phivicar. losophy at Catholic The diocese's acUn'iversity in Washtion will lead the ington. During that way for an in-depth time he also began "a study' of the lifelong career of archbishop's writbringing atheists to ings, virtue, works Christ," Bishop of charity and serJenky said. Famous vice to the Church. If Catholic converts incanonized, Archfluenced by Archbishop Sheen could bishop Sheen include become the first Clare Booth Luce, American-born male Henry Ford II and saint. .

Heywood Broun, Archbishop first president of the Sheen - who was American Newspaborn in EI Paso; in per Guild.. the Peoria diocese, The archbishop gained fame in the was one of the first to 1950s as the host of speak out against "Life Is Worth LivHitler, voicing his ing," a national telecriticisms on his ARCHBISHOP FULTON J. SHEEN vision· program that weekly radio show, won two Emmy awards and bested Milton Berle "Catholic Hour," which debuted on NBC in 1928.' in the ratings.

Archbishop Sheen was appointed auxiliary.

"The Church canonizes saints to help us grow bishop of New York in 1951, the same year "Life in holiness by their example," he said. "When I Is Worth Living:' debuted. The show drew a read (Archbishop Sheen's) works, I hope I could weekly audience of 30 million viewers from all have even a drop of his zea1." denominations and walks of l!fe by the time it The oratory skills evident on his television ended in 1957. show, however, "came out of a life of prayer," He was appointed bishop of Rochester in 1966 the bishop said. "He lived an intensely busy life, and, following his 1969 retirement, was nam'ed but he never ne'glected that walk with the Lord." titular archbishop of Newport, Wales, by Pope The future archbishop was born Peter John Paul VI. He continued hosting retreats and lecSheen on May 8, 1895, to Delia and Newt Sheen, tures until his death on Dec. 9, 1979.

CATHOLIC NEWS SERVICE

Dominicans .'gather in New 'York to fast for peace

By TRACY EARLY • CATHOLIC NEWS SERVICE NEW YORK - A group of Dominicans disturbed by the talk of war gathered in New York for a September fast for peace.

"There's got to be another way," said Dominican Father Brian J. Pierce, one of the organizers. "We're not politicians, and are Ilot sure what that way is, but we're trying to give God some room to work."

Interviewed on the eighth day of a water-only fast, Father Pierce said the group had not set a date for ending it, but hoped to continue for the rest of the month.

Al)lOng those coming in to offer SUppOlt for the fasters was Father Timothy Radcliffe, an Englishman and former Oxford professor who ended a nine-year term as master

general of the Dominican friars last year.

He was to preach at an upcoming interfaith service and said tie would urge that in fighting terrorism '·'first we must see our own participation in telTorism in our own hearts."

Fathers Pierce and Radcliffe were il\terviewed at the corner of Union Square where the group was spending most of its time.

Organizers of the fast asked for a permit to spend the month at Dag Hammarskjold Plaza, a site near the United Nations frequently used for demonstrations, but were allowed only eight days, Father Pierce said.

But New York supporters pointed out that Union Square was a place where many people gathered after the attack on the World Trade

Center and a place with a tradition of use by unions and other people engaged in social causes, he said.

They Iiad also learned that Dorothy Day, a pacifist, came to Union Square on May Day of 1933 to sell the first issue of her paper, The Catholic Worker.

Father Radcliffe said he was not a pacifist and recognized the possibility· of a,just war. But he warned against a "something-must-bedone" mentality that did not carefully consider whether the "something" would actually solve the prob~m. . . For those wanting to fight terrorism, he wamed that "the first thing you don't do is alienate the Arab world, which would b~ the immediate consequence of an attack on Iraq."

THE AN,CHOR - Diocese of Fall River - Fri., September 20,2002

11

NCCW launches program to help members pass on 'ancient wisdom' By

ANA RODRIGUEZ-SOTO CATHOLIC NEWS SERVICE

_ DORAL, Fla. - Imagine two women ata well, sharing wisdom: A Bible story from 2,000 years ago? A scene today in a Third World country?

The National Council of Catholic Women wants to bring that image to 21 st-century America. .

Leaders of the group gathered for their general assembly near Miami September 5-7 were introduced to the concept of mentoring by keynote speaker Janet Claussen, an Atlanta-based religious educator who specializes in mentoring and 'women's spirituality.

At the same time, the NCCW introduced its Women Embracing Women mentoring program, which leaders hope will be used by members in state and local councils to SUppOit each other and train new leaders.

The goal, said Andrea Schellman, NCCW's communications director, is ."to help women grow in spirituality. and leadership."

"We see women fractured," pulled in all directions by their jobs, their household responsibilities and the needs of their children, said Schellman. Even women who stay -at home full time feel pressured, she said, because often they are doing so much of the volunteer work that it becomes almost a part-time job.

"Women no longer have the natural places to meet" and simply share stories, added Claussen.

"The world has changed more in the last 50 years than in all the centuries before, particularly in terms of the roles of women.

Th~t's where we lost this more natural, women meeting women at the well, women meeting in homes, women meeting in neigh~ borhoods that my mother experienced," Claussen told The Florida Catholic, Miami archdiocesan

newspaper, in an interview.

"It's the stories we tell that help us to know our place in the world, knowing the path that God is calling us to. And women are very good at this," she said.

"There's so much wisdom that we have."

The question is how do today's women find the time and place to pass it on?

Mentoring cannot be another formal program, Claussen said.

Neither should it be viewed as something older women do for younger women. In her own life, she was mentored by a younger woman who was a theologian.

"She had traveled a path that I had not yet traveled," said Claussen. "She said, 'You can do this.' At ttie same time, I was mentoring her on being a mother."

That is something that older women can do for younger women, since so few live ncar mothers and grandmothers or extended families.

"What wisdom do you have for women today who are pulled in all these different directions?"

Claussen asked the women of the council, most of whom are in their 50s and 60s.

Precisely because today's women lead such fJ'actured lives, groups such as the NCCW are doubly important, she said.

"It's the nurturing spirituality that I think is the big need. Ho\y qo you find your spiritual sisterhood?" Claussen said.

"An unbroken line of women disciples," she said, goes back "to our earliest biblical sisters. It's the same issues seen in a di fferent way - women in relationship with God and with each other, with men and their children."

Claussen added, "There's so much richness in the experience of Catholic women. It's the ancient wisdom. This is the well, in a sense."

CAROLE UPDYKE of the Diocese of Galveston-Houston and Mary Hargaden of the Archdiocese of Atlanta exchange information at the National Council of CatholicWomen's general assembly in MiamLAmong the issues discussed were entertainment media and the environment. (CNS photo by .

Ana Rodriguez-Soto, The Florida Catholic)

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12

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THE ANCHOR - Diocese of Fall River - Fri., September 20, 2002

CRS:'Food remains in' warehouse as Zambia airs genetic mo~i;fication

By BRONWEN DACHS

famine that is threatening 13 million peopl"e. The others are CAPE TOWN, South Africa Malawi, Mozambique, Lesotho, - A warehouse full of food for Swaziland and Zimbabwe: starving Africans cannot be disTwo successive years of poor tributed beca.use" the Zambian' harvests caused by drought, government will not a~cept ge- floods 'and frost, coupled with' netically modified food, a Catho- economic crises and disruption of lie Relief Services official said. farming, have slashed food out"We are waiting 'in' the hope put and availability across therethat a solution will be found gion. J:>rices of the staple food soon," said Jennifer Lindsey, maize are soaring..

CRS director of media relations.

However, she said CRS under'The corn is not really'perish- s tan d s some governable, but it's the ments' conpeople who are cems that, "if facing a time "It is a very precarious pe'ople plant limit," she said. situation with the' foOd,the corn, it, The U.N. availab"e but the govein- could conWorld Food ment saying 'hold on;"',Fa- taminateexistProgram has ther Mwebe said in a re- ing crops." , said thin Zambia' "We are is the only fam- cent telephone interview .e d u cat i n g people, tel1ing ine-hit southern 'from Lusaka.

African country . them only to to reject geneticonsume the cally modi tied food aid after con- corn and not to plant if," she said. cerns raised by Zimbabwe and Zambian Presi,dent Levy Moz~mbique were resolved.

Mwanawasa said his government .

"There is often' a tension be-' has rejected the genetical1y modi. tween relief agencies who know fied food ,as there is no concluthe situation on· the ground and· sive evidence that. it is safe. governments w.ho make procla'. "We wish not to use our people mations and might not be very as guinea pigs in this experiment," aware of what is happening," said he told reporters.

Father Ignatius Mwe,be, secretary Lindsey, who arrived in general of.the Zambia Episcopal: Malawi in late August, said .that' Cb'rlfe\·ence." ")1"1 'I ' : ~,' " , 'i' ' . "the' early .warning systems that . ·'It is a very precarious situa- 'are in place" wil1 prttvent southtion with the food available but ern Africa's present crisis from' the government saying 'hold on,'" reaching disastrous proporiions.

Father Mwebe said' ina recent "Although the famine is altelephone interview from Lu·saka. ready having an effect it won't' "We hope that the government reach the drastic proportions that soon gets the positive information it has in the past in other African they' need to give the green fight countries," she said. to the distribution," he said. .

But with the high rate of AIDS , Zambia is one of six southern infections in southern Africa, "there African, countries affected by a is a double crisis," Lindsey said.

CATHOLIC NEWS SERVICE

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friest says Mother Teresa heard' Jesus tell.her tofound order ROME (CNS) - According to letters that have come to light since her death, Mottier Teresa heard Jesus tell her in an interior, mystical way to found an order' dedicated to,the poor, said the postulator lor her canoni zation cause.

She described the "interior locutions" in confidential letters to the then-archbishop of Calcutta, .India, to explain her inspiration for, the order she wanted to found in his archdiocese, said Missionaries of Charity Father Brian Kolodiejchuk. .

"Mother never wanted to say anything about it in her lifetime," Father Kolodiejchuk toJd CNS. "The whole focu's was on Jesus. She said if people find out ab"outthe beginning, then they are going to pay more attention to me . and less on Jesus," he said.

The priest, a member of the order she founded, discovered the

letters as he was preparing a four- . volume, 5,000-page spiritual biography of Mother Teresa that he submitted to the Vatican's saint-, hood congregation in late April.

The "interior locutions" began Sept. 10, 1946, and continued "for some months," Father Kolodiejchuk said. They focused on "what Jesus wanted her to do, the work, and the new community that he wanted fourided" specifically aimed at the poor. ' He said he is preparing the letters and other documentation for publication as a book in coming months..

MotherTeresa died in September 1997. Father Kolodiejchuk described as "pure speculation" Italian reports that her beatification.will take place early next year, but said it is "technical1y possible" if all the Vatican approvals com~ through.

TWO'IRAQI men sell fish from the Tigris River on a street in central Baghdad. Twelve years after the United Nations imposed sanctions on Iraq, punishing the oil-ric.h country for invading Kuwait; the country's system and infrastructure are in ruins. Living standards have fallen dramatically from pre~embargo years. (eNS photo from Reuters) ,

Churcb leaders say conditi9nsnot .-right for strikes against 'Iraq'

OTTAWA' (CNS) - Church government's position that any September 11 meeting of the Queleaders in Canada, Scotland and military intervention, in Iraq must bec bishops' conference.

In Scotland the same day, the Australia said jus~-war criteria have receive prior approval by the U.N. not been me.t in considering mili- Security Council. As weIl, any such Scottish bishops sought "prayers tary strikes against Iraq and any .'action "must be conditional on . for those who bear the heavy resuch actions should be channeled proof being provided that Iraq is . sponsibility of governing demothrough the United Nations. directly involved in supporting acts cratically."

The bishops s~d they shared the The ~ead of tne Canadian bish- of terrorism," he said. ' ops' international dev~lopment Dubois also called on Chretien concern of people anxious to avoid agency said further military action to help alleviate the poverty and suf- war and conflict and supported "atagainst Iraq would only add to the fering of the Iraqi people by doing tempts to build a widespread con"terrible suffering" Iraqis have ex- whate~er he could to lift all non~ sensus in the face of any threats to world peace" and efforts to use,the perienced since the Per~ian Gulf military sanctions against Iraq.

War.' "We believe the government of ' United Nations in dealing with .

"Let us not tum the people of Canada's actions can have a pro- Hussein.

The Australian Catholic Social Iraq into victims of the WilT on ter- found impact on the stance other rorism as weIl," said Roger Dubois, natiops take· on this is,sue,'' said Justice CO!Jncii said it was "alarmed national president of the Canadian Dubois. "We trust that you will not and saddened by the threat of a miliCatholic Organization for Develop-,waiver in your efforts to play a tary attack on Iraq." It reiterated ment and Peace, i!1 a letter to Prime moderating role in the international Catholic teaching on when the use of force is justifiable and said it was Minister Jean Chretien. debate on military intervention." "l strongly encourage you to' Bishop Raymond Saint-Gelais "yet to be demonstrated that these continue resisting pressure from . of Nicolet, president of the Quebec conditions have been met simulta_President George w,. Bush to sup- bishops" conference, expressed neously in relation to the situation port a unilateral military attack on hope that the strength of public with Iraq."

In mid-August, CAFOD, the Iraq," he said. . , opinion in favor of peace would The letter was released as influence the actions of U.S. politi- international aid and development agency of the English and Welsh ,Chretien met with the U.S. presi- cal leaders. dent and told him he should take ,,''The use of weapons arid repris- bishops, said ;t military strike his case against Iraq to the United als can do nothing to serve the cause against Iraq would exacerbate the Nations if he wants to convince of peace, because revenge simply dangers of terrorism in the Middle other countries of the need for mili- breedS"further revenge. The circle East and under,mine the authority tary action. Th~ prime minister said of hatred 'can only be broken by of the United Nations. It said "a he wanted eyidenc~ that Iraqi Presi- love, forgiveness and reconcilia- proper debate is urgently over-, dent Saddam Hussein posed a new tion," Bishop Saint-Gelais said at a d ue." , and; imminent danger, but he did not receive it.

Addressing the U.N. General Assembly September 12, Bush sai~ action against Iraq would be ,Presbyterian Church in. Ireland; DUBLIN, Ireland (CNS) unav9idable unless the United'Natiqns forced the Mideast nation to The leaders Of Ireland's four main and the Rev. Winston Graham, disarm. He chaIlenged the general churches have called for an im- president of the Methodist Church ,. assembly to compose a new reso- mediate end to the sectarian street in Ireland.

In late August, ,Archbishop lution on Iraq or face the possibil- vioIen'ce that has caused severe' pames appealed to' paramilitary ity of unilateral action by the. disruption in Northern Ireland. groups on both sides to suspend , The statement,· issued after a United States.

Earlier in the day, U.N. Secre- meeting last w~ek, was signed by violence in order to negotiate an tary-General Kofi Annan told the Archbishop Sean Brady of end to the most recent 12-15 assem,bly that, except in cases of Armagh, Northern' Ireland, months of sectarian rioting in and self-defense, only the .United Na- ' Catholi.c' primate 9f all Ireland; around Belfast, Northern Ireland. tions could authorize the use of Anglican Archbishop Robin In the last year, more than 730 Eames of Armagh, head of the police' officers have been injured force.

Dubois said Development and Church of Ireland; the Rev. in the almost-nightly street disturPeace' shared the Canadian RusseIl Birney, moderator of the bances in North Belfast.

..Irish church leaders appeal for end to sectarian violence

Education pushing to reach potential contributors."

Last year the Fall Dinner brought in slightly over $224,000, and Taber would like to see this year's efforts surpass that, but he is concerned about the effects of recent local cutbacks and,a sense of uncertainty about the economy.

Along with boosting the evening's receipts, Taber has set for himself some other goals that he believes are also important for the overall growth of the St. Mary's Education Fund. They are increasing the awareness of the fund and expanding the make-up of area committees, both of which he sees as related.

"When folks learn about the St. Mary's Fund and experience the Fall Dinner, they witness the effects of the fund on local kids and their families. This leads to a better understanding of what it's all about; that's how grass roots efforts begin and people get involved," he said.

Taber would know something about being involved. He has been past director and president of the Board of Directors for New Bedford Child and Family Service as well as former director of the Waterfront Historic Area League

THE ANCHOR - Diocese of Fall River - Fri., September 20,2002

13

Continued from page one

CARL

W. TABER

(in New Bedford) and Coastline Elderly Services. In addition, he has served as past loaned executive for Junior Achievement and the United Way. , Married and the father of two, he and his wife Natalie are active members of St. Anthony's Parish in Mattapoisett, where he is a eucharistic minister and member of the RENEW committee. He was also a lay director ofCursillo Movement weekends in the dlbcese.

Working with Taber 011 the Fall Dinner are four area chairmen and their committees.. Members are as follows: In the Attleboro area,

chairman William H. Adair and George Agostini, James S. Brennan Sr., and Russell Morin.

In the Fall River area, chairman Nicholas M.Christ, vice-chairman John Feitelberg, and Ann Ramos Desrosiers, Gary Fealy, John P. Kinnane, Christian Lafrance, Maria C. McCoy, Hank Nadeau, George Oliveira, Thomas Pasternak, ,Richard M. Pierce, Doreen Plasski, John Riley, Sandra Sevigney, and Rolande Sullivan.

In the New Bedford area, chairman James Kalife and John G. Hodgson Jr::Michael J. McGlone, John Santos, and Roland Seguin.

In the Taunton area, chairman Harold J. Rose, vice-chairman Michael J. Tabak, and Maureen Cody, Allan Colleran; Frank Fantasia, Jeanne M. Quinn, Louis Ricciardi, Victor P. Santos, Kathleen M. Thomassen, and Frank L. Tosti.

Anyone inter:ested in supporting the Fall Dinner or obtaining more information on the St. Mary's Education Fund, is encouraged to contact Taber, any listed committee member, or Michael J. Donly at the Diocesan Development Office at 508-6751311.

St. Mary'~ Education Fund makes Catholic education a reality for all MATIAPOISETI - "I am a single mom with commented Principal Denise Peixoto of St. Marytwo young children. I left an abusive husband in or~ Sacred Heart School, North Attleboro. del' to protect my children and myself. Thank you Sister Sullivan added, 'Tve seen tears in the eyes, for being there for me and my son when we needed of desperate parents when they learn of the availyou most." ability of the fund. If only the donors to the fund . "I am a disabled father with severe heart prob- could see the faces of those who receive it." lems. I have had major heart surgery leaving us with Part of the St. Mary~s Education Fund is also retremendous medical bills. Without the St. Mary's served to respond to emergency tuition needs that Education Fund to assist us, my children would have arise in the course of the school year due to unforeto leave their school." seen circumstances, such as illness or death of a par"I am a grandmother who has legal custody and ent of some other acute family problem. total responsibility for my three grandchildren. I love . "It has gotten some families through some desthe children and want them to have a strong Catholic perate times," said Edmund Borges, principal of St. education. Because of you, they can experience the James-St. John School in New Bedford. "Without it, .safety and support of their school." . they would have had no choice but to leave the These heartfelt words of gratitude are taken from school." actual thank you letters from families who this year The Diocese of Fall River established the St. are receiving a financial scholarship from the St. Mary's Education Fund in 1991 from the proceeds Mary's Education Fund. . of the sale of the former St. Mary's Home in New In a powerful way they show just how the fund is Bedford. Accrued interest on the fund's principal base making a difference in the lives of children and their and the proceeds from two annual fund-raisers - a families in the Fall River diocese. summer event on Cape Cod and a Fall Dinner at The St. Mary's Education Fund provides need- ' White's of Westport - provide the financial backbased tuition assistance to students attending Catho- ing for the'scholarships each year. . lie elementary and middle schools in the diocese.

From the 1995-96 school year through the 200 I. Catholic school principals know the scenario well. 2002 year completed in June, more than $2.1 milHard working parents or a single parent who, de- lion has been distributed to over 2,400 students. spite much sacrifice and sometimes a second job, Along with tuition assistance, the St. Mary's Educan't make the tuition payment for another year or cation Fund also provides a per capita student alloteven pay the balance for an ongoing year. Job loss, ment to elementary and middle schools and a contrisickness, hard times, marital break-up, multiple chil- bution of 10 percent of yearly available funds to secdren - the reasons are many and real. ondary schools for their scholarship programs.

Scholarships from the fund are awarded solely . "In this time ofeconomic uncertainty and job cuts, many families cannot afford to send children to a 'onthebasisoffinancialneed,andeachyearthenumCatholic school," said Mercy Sister Bernadette, bel' of applicants increases. There were 877 elemenSullivan, principal ofSt. Michael School in Fall River. tary/middle school students who applied for avail"They want the Catholic education for them, but they able aid for the current school year. know they can't pay.

Directors of the St. Mary's Education Fund are "With the St. Mary's Education Fund, they can hoping to grow the fund to the point where it can make the choice for a Catholic schooL" assist all needy students and eliminate the cost of In the academic yearjust begun, 651 girls and boys tuition as a barrier to a Catholic education. enrolled in diocesan elementary and middle schools Anyone interested in supporting the St. Mary's are receiving $534,605 in tuition aid from the fund.

Education Fund should contact the Diocesan De"Parents are very grateful. The St. Mary's I:und velopment Office for more information at 508has enabled quite a few families to stay in this school," 675-1311.

SEVERAL SISTERS'of St. Dorothy, who formerly taught at Our Lady of Mt. Carmel School in New Bedford, attended the parish centennial banquet at White's of Westport last Sunday.

Centennial Duarte Nunes as its first pastor, the parish has over the' century served the changing needs of the Portuguese-American community in the greater New Bedford area.

Among guests attending the' Mass and dinner were Dr. Fernando Fazendeiro, Consul of Portugal, and the Sisters of . St. Dorothy, who staffed the parish school.

On Tuesday, during a visit to The Anchor,' Bishop Ferreira said he was "Inspired by the faith 'ofthe parish communities I have met on this, my"first vi.sit to New Bedford. As in all Portuguese faith communities they

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Continued frolll page one

strive to keep their faith very much alive, and through their cultural and spiritual traditions hand down the love of God to their young families."

Correction In the obituary of Catherine L. McCarthy of Taunton, sister of the late Father James F. McCarthy, it was erroneously stated that he was the former pas'tot' of Sf. Patrick's'Parish in Falmouth. He was the former pastor of Sacred Heart Parish, Fall River. The Anchor regrets the error.

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14 THE ANCHOR -

DioceSe of FaIl River - Fri.; Sept~mber 20, 2002

Taunton Catholic Middle School opens 32nd aca~emicyear路 with Mass of Rententbrance

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TAUNTON - Students', faculty, parents and grandp'lrentsgathered at Taunton Catholic Middle School September II for its traditional opening of school Mass, but because of the one year anniver, , sary of the terrorist attacks the day took on new meaning.

It began with students and teachers gathering, on the front lawn of the school for a flag-raising ceremony. Sixth-graders Amber Goulart" Samantha Kiesel and Emily Lively, who raise the

flag every day, raiseditto the top of the pole and th~n lowered it to half mas.! in remembrance.

Principal Robert Jeffrey directed the assembly to observe a moment of silence in memory of the lives that were 10st'September II, 200 I. Eyeryone saluted the flag with a Pledge of Allegiance a'nd sang "A>merica the Beautiful" before leaving' for Mass. ' , Newly-ordained Father Jeffrey Cabral welcomed students to a new school year and spoke of the Mass being said .for hope, .... healing and remembrance. Four candles were placed and lit on the altar each representing one of the planes filled with people who lost their lives at the hands bf the terrorists. Father Cabral told students "We must have faith that God will sustain us in our sorrow."

The Communion meditation, World Peace Prayer, was sung by students of PattyLacerda~s music class and led by cantOI: Mary Norman. ' Every student of Taunton' Catholic Middle S,chool designed a quilt square to represent their J}i~ 'J' feelings, attitudes or concerns re~);. .f, . . garding September II. They' . . ' wen~ assembled by ,art teacher FATHER JEFFREY Cabral addresses students and teach- , Valerie Russell and placed in ers of Taunton Catholic Middl~ School during its opening of front of the altar to represent the, school Mass.. September 11. A moment of. silence was ob- healing, hope- and remembrance served to remember those who lost their lives a year ago. of all the students. '"

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, UNITED WE STAND - Students from Holy Family-Holy Name School, New Bedford, joined for prayer and to recite the Pledge of Allegiance to remember victims of last year's September 1-1 terrorist attacks. It was held at St. Lawrence Martyr Church ,and many parents attended. ,

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Diocesan golfers compete at tourney ,

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TAUNTON - The 43 rd anFinally in the Cadet Division, nual Fall River Diocesan CYO where players compete in a nineGolf Tournament was held re- hole tournament, Taunton's cently at the Segregansett Coun- David Newman captured the try Club in Taunton with golfers 'first-place trophy with a score of ',from throughout the diocese 45. The runner-up was 路Michael qualifying through play at local Crowley of Fall River. tournaments.

The prestigious Bill Ooyle In the Senior DiviTrophy, named for a sion, Fall River's Brian former director of the Dempsey took first place annual event, was honors with a score of awarded to Ti m 79. He needed a 'one Desilets, outstanding hole playoff to defeat golfer for the tournafellow Fall River golfer ment. , Jeff Hankins who placed 'Father Jay Maddock, second. diocesan CYO director, The Intermediate Divioffered his thanks to Larry sion was won by Tim Desilets.

Masterson of Taunton who This' was his fourth straight di- again served as tournament diocesan title having won the Ca- rector. Thanks also went to di- . det Division and two Junior Di- rectors of other areas including vision ~hampioriships' in previ- N~il Loew of Attleboro, Everett ous years. Desilets defeated Jeff Smith and Roger Dugal of Fall Lindo of.Tau'nton in a sudden River and Masterson', who dideath playoff. rected the local Taunton tournaIn the Junior Divison, Andrew , ment: Father Maddock offered THREE NEW staff members were welcomed at Notre Dame School, Fall River, this Gilbert ofTaunton took first place . special appreciation to thc year. With Principall;\nne Conlon are, from left, Michael Clappi, middle school math and with, a 'round of 81. Jacob Segregansett CC, its board of discience teacher; Cindy Piques, pre-K teacher; and Linda Fiola, kindergarten teacher's Sebastiao 路of Fall River placed rectors and mc'mbers For \again .assistant. " second shooting an 87. hosting the tournamcnt. ,

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THE ANCHOR - Diocese of Fall River - Fri., September 20, 2002

15

Faith, football intersect as college season kicks off By

CATHOLIC NEWS SERVICE

WASHINGTON - The onset of the college football season has produced some interesting intersections between God and sport.

In Madison, Wis., the Badgers of the University of Wisconsin have been training at the Bishop O'Connor Catholic Pastoral Center - headquarters of the Diocese of Madison - for three weeks each summer since 1972. Their coaches believe the camp has been a key to the team's success.

"There's not a better facility in the country for a college football team," said John Chadima, assistant athletic director and director of football operations, in describing the O'Connor center, a former seminary.

"It has everything: football fields, meeting space, dining room, kitchen, swimming pool, and sleeping rooms," he added. "It's absolutely the best facility in the country!"

Chadima told the Catholic Herald, newspaper of the Madison diocese, that the center is far enough away to free the players from distractions, "but it's close enough for emergencies."

For the 16 days of camp, the Badger football team - 105 players plus more than 40 coaches, trainers, student managers and graduate assistants - moves in.

The players' car keys are collected when they check in, although they are allowed some nights off. Cell phones arc restricted to the players' sleeping rooms.

The O'Connor center's staff works with the Badgers' staff to ensure that things run smoothly. For example, the Badgers supply some of the fertilizer, grass seed, and a water wheel for the fields they use during practice, and the center provides all the labor to keep the fields in shape.

"It takes ajoint effort to keep it looking like it is," said Tom Murphy, director of engineering and custodial services at the center. "We just want quality fields for them. The Badgers are guests just like anyone else. Other guests of the center may want a conference room

cleaned; the Badgers' priority is the fields."

Staff and priests at the center are impressed by the players' behavior. Madison Bishop William H. Bullock said.

"It's always reinvigorating to see the athletic talent of young men on the foot-

ball team and the kind of regimen they accept in training procedures."

Meanwhile, thousands of miles to the south on the Mississippi River, the faithfootball connection is not about place but approach. Nick Saban, head football coach at Louisiana State Univer-

sity, said he applies the Gospel everywhere he can. He said it's the key ingredient to becoming a champion in life.

"Lots of people have potential," he told the Bayou Catholic, newspaper of the Diocese of Houma-Thibodaux. "But they don't have the work ethic and the

self-discipline it takes to pull it through.

It's about the right thoughts, habits and priorities.

"Everyone can be a champion," he said. "A person may not necessarily be a good athlete. They may be a good leader, a good supporter or they may set the ~est standard to being a good person.'

He doesn't waver from these principles.

"Nothing.external affects or compromises my principles and values. It comes from in here," he said, pointing toward his heart.

"If I do the wrong thing, I'll say I made a mistake. I don't try to justify it.

My motivation is internal," he said in a no-nonsense fashion.

Saban applies this faith to raising his children.

"Adolescence is hard," he said.

"Sometimes I wonder why they can't see and believe, but at age 15, they don't even know what they want to do much less what they can be a champion of. I see this even in my players who are 18, 19, 20 years old."

Saban is not only influencing his two children, but molding the lives of the young men on the football field.

"I tell them that I want them to be better people than football players, that I want them to find more success in life," he said. "I want them to find selffulfillment and happiness. It's not about money or what kind of car they have.

"I want them to get an education that will affect the quality of their lives so that they will be able to fulfill what they want to."

"And I want them to have a great record at LSD," he said. "I want every guy to be a part of a championship team.

It's something they will remember forever. It elevates their standards, security and self-confidence."

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An after-school project about your parents

By CHRISTOPHER CARSTENS CATHOUC NEWS SERVICE

Family life with teens is a dense forest ofemotions. Often, neither the parents nor the teens have any clear idea where they stand in the forest, and it isn't at all clear which paths lead to safe c1eal;ngs and which lead to darker, more dangerous places.

Two facts bear remembering.

First, almost everybody makes it through alive. By the time young people reach their mid-20s, most end up fairly productive, fairly happy, no matter how much their parents feared othelwise.

The second ttUth, however, is that hardly anybody gets through the teen years without a good deal of pain. Parents and teen-agers sometimes break each other's hemts.

When you're a little kid, you imagine that your mom and dad are

perfect. One of our very early im- existed; they were something you make bad mistakes, they are living ages of God is based on the abso- imagined. It was what you needed out patterns they learned from their lute sense of rightness and moral to believe. The evil alien beings that own moms and dads. They're doautholity that three- and four-year- now occupy the bodies of your mom ing what they learned.

Your own maturity and growth olds imagine in their parents. Kids and dad don't really exist either. But come from understanding how your that age think that if there is a probparents got to be the way they are. If lem between parent and child, it is you want to get out 路01' the trap of because the kid is bad. They can't anger and resentment, and avoid rethink any other way. peating your parents' mistakes in As teen-agers, you see that your your own life, there's a little project parents aren't perfect. In fact, you you should start wor.king on right develop a remarkably clear vision now. of their faults. Your parents may Learn all you cim about what seem obsessed with controlling ev-. erything you do. They may stJike magnifying parents' 路flaws is a nor- . your parents lived through while they were growing up. Ask them you as petty or selfish. Teen-agers mal part of the teen years.

Neither angels nor demons, your now, while they're still available and may become aware that their parents dlink too much or have nasty parents are ordinary people who willing to talk, what their lives were tempers. These flaws, somehow in- want to do light and be loved. They like when they were kids. Make it a visible when you were little, come make mistakes. Some of their habit when you and your mom are seem completely dliving across town together to ask clearly into focus before your teen- choices wrongheaded, but it's the best they a question such as, "What was age eyes.

Your pelfect parents never really can do. Mostly, when your parents Grandma like when you were little?"

QJming of

flge

Or, "How did Grandpa punish you when you were in trouble?" Then listen to the stOl;es.

Foster a cUl;osity about your parents' lives. First, they may well enjoy this and tell you some interesting stOl;es. However, an important change happens over time as you come to understand how your parents became the people they are today. In rich and powerful ways, this will feed your growing knowledge and understanding of yourself and of your own life.

It seems like a small thing to do, but I can hardly th.ink of any investment yielding greater rewards across the rest of your whole life.

Your conunents are welcome.

Please address: Dr. Christopher Carstens, c/o Catholic News Service, 3211 Fourth S1. N.E., Washington, D.C. 20017.

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16 THE ANCHOR -

Diocese of Fall River - Fri.• September 20. 2002

Catholic beauty pageant conte.stant promotes • strong marrIages lI

By CAROL ZIMMERMANN

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against eight other women and CATHOLIC NEWS SERVICE won the Mrs. North Dakota title.

WASHINGTON - Stacey From there. she went on to Majkrzak. a 26-year-old North the Mrs. International competiDakota native. hesitated to en- tion held in August in Pigeon ter a beauty pageant because she Forge. Tenn.

Although she did not place in wondered what people would the top 10 - first prize went to think.

But at the 'same time, she Mrs. Virginia. Tonya Matney couldn't get the idea out of her Majkrzak described the whole experience as a life-changing mind.

When she was a little girl it one. was something she had l;llways For starters. she was able to wanted to try. but now she was work on and develop her own married. had' a college degree platform. which was on the imand the job of communications portance of strengthening mardirector for the Diocese of riages both before and after a couple gets married.

Fargo. N.D. _" ' The topic was particularly Yet Majkrzak couldn'tshake close to Mrs .. the nagging feeling of wantNorth Dakota ing to get' insince her parvolved in the ents divorced . after a 25-year local commu,marriage when nity and to meet more she was 19. ;Their divorce. people ,she said. devsomething that was right along astated her and .made her dethe lines of what she had termined to heard the Mrs. make her own International :, marriage work competition ofahd to help fered. others become . stronger in After looking into the their marriages. pagc::ant. she found some Majkrzak. more aspects STACEY MAJKRZAK of who got marthat sold her: its Fargo, N.D., is pictured as a ried three mission of fos- candidate in the Mrs. Interna- years ago. and tering tradi- tional competition. Majkrzak, had converted tional family chosen Mrs. North Dakota in to Catholicism values and the Aprii;:'found the beauty pag- earlier that· fact that it eant; held in Tennessee, to year. said she didn't have a have "substance." She is com- and her husswimsuit com- munications director for the Dio- band went petition. through the.dicese of Fargo. (CNS photo) "I had a lot ocesan marof concerns beriage preparation program and fore I did it. I prayed a lot about met with a mentor couple prior it," Majkrzak told Catholic to their wedding.

News Service in a telephone inDoing that kind of preparaterview. . tion. she said. is "extremely imShe said she wanted "sub- portant. To answer tough quesstance" in a pageant and was tions before you marry is key." convinced the Mrs. InternaSince the competition. she tional competition fit the bill. has spoken out on the issue beThe contest. which started 17 fore other groups. and she hopes years ago and is run by Catho- to continue to do so. lic directors. is for 21- to 56She also hopes to keep up year-old women who have been with the women she met. whom married at least six months. Or- she describes as "high-caliber. ganizers say the contest is a tremendous women with a pasmeans to promote the accom- sion for family and community plishments and .strong family -and very spiritual." commitments oftoday's married B.efore the competition. women.

Majkrzak said she had "her own Contestants are judged by the .stereotypes" about what goes on interview segment and the in beauty pageants. but the Mrs. evening gown and aerobic wear. International contest turned competition. those ideas upside down.

In April. Majkrzak took part And before the curtain went in what she describes as "not up. she added. the women "held too grueling" competition hands and prayed. 'God. give us grace...•

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BARBARA TOLAN was recently name recipient of the Perfect Attendance Award at Catholic Memorial Home, Fall River. She 'received a cash award. From left ~re: Diane Leclair, director of nursing; Tolan; and Sister Mary Robert Romano, administrator. .

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California governor signs Dleasures to expand abortion access. in' state

By JUUE SLY

By allowing nonphysicians to perform nonsurgical abortions. he said. SB 1301 will deny women SACRAMENTO. Calif.

California Gov. Gray Davis on "the maximum protection and medical safeguards to which they September 5 signed four measures are entitled." expanding women's access to abortion. despite opposition to two of refl~ti~ofthewillofCalifornia The new law is not about prothe bills from the state's Catholic voters. who accept the reality of moting or protecting "a women's abortion rights. but view abortion right to choose:' he said. "It is truly bishops.

The most prominent measure- itself as a 'necessary' evil. not a about promoting the abortion industry in California. It is SB 1301. sponsored by Democratic Sen. Sheila Kuehl - is about increasing exponenaimed at protecting the abortially the number ofabortions tion procedure in California The new law is not about promot- at the possible expense of should the U.S. Supreme ing or protecting "a women's right to women's health."

Davis also signed meaCourt one day overturn its choose. It is truly aboutpromoting the sures that: own landmark ruling.

- require state medical The new law d~lares that abortion industry in California." women's decisions about residency programs in obstetbirth control and abortion are rics and gyn~ology to offer fundamentally private choices. pro- 'good,''' he wrote. "In addition. abortion training for their physitected under state privacy-rights Californians would never support cians-in-training. The state's bishlaw. ' sub-par medical treatment for preg- ops opposed the measure; The new law also allows mid- nant women if they knew what this - require emergency rooms to wives and nurse practitioners. not bill proposes to change in Califor- inform sexual assault victims about just doctors. to dispense so-called nialaw." emergency contraception. keep it abortion pills such as RU-486.

-The bishop added that women on hand and provide it without cost In an August 28 letter askiilg the who choose to use RU-486 need a to victims who request it; governor to veto SB 1301. Bishop physician's oversight to rule out a - block public access to the William K. Weigand ofSacramento possibly fatal ectopic pregnancy addresses ofabortion providers and said the measure legally enshrines and to perform surgery in the case patients who fear they will be tarabortion as good public practice of an incomplete abortion. geted.

CATHOUC NEWS SERVICE

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and policy in California and lowers the standard of care for women seeking a chemical abortion. The bishop serves as vice president of the state's bishops' conference.

"Neither of these positions is