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Diocese of Fall River, Mass.

F riday , September 25, 2015

Pro-Life Apostolate reacts to pope’s letter while gearing up for October, Respect Life month

By Becky Aubut Anchor Staff beckyaubut@anchornews.org

Second-graders at Holy Trinity School in West Harwich created Pope Francis puppets to welcome the pontiff on his first visit to the United States.

Locals seek to defund abortion, pray for the unborn

By Christine M. Williams Anchor Correspondent cmwilliams@ intheserviceoftruth.com

ATTLEBORO — Undercover videos have prompted a nationwide call to defund Planned Parenthood, but in Massachusetts, public funds pay directly for abortions. A citizen initiative petition, recently approved by the attorney general, seeks to stop taxpayer dollars from subsidizing abortion.

The petition, which must garner

nearly 65,000 registered voters’ signatures by November 18, would add to the state constitution the sentence: “No provision of this constitution shall be construed as requiring the public funding of abortion.” After receiving enough signatures, the measure would need to be voted on favorably by a quarter of elected officials in two consecutive state legislative sessions before appearing on the ballot in 2018.

Although federal funds cannot be Turn to page 13

FALL RIVER — Women often feel shame, regret, loss or despair after having an abortion, sometimes feeling that God no longer accepts and loves them, causing them to stay away from the Spiritual help which can assist in healing.

According to Planned Parenthood through its latest data for the calendar year of Oct. 1, 2012 to Sept. 30, 2013, and published earlier this year, it performed 327,653 abortions; that averages 898 abortions per day and 37 abortions per hour during those 365 days.

According to the website NumberofAbortions. com, since Roe vs. Wade, there have been more than 58 million abortions, with roughly 780,000 having already taken place in the United States this year alone.

Pope Francis has offered a message for these suffering women and others who

have been involved in abortions — great joy can be found in Christ’s mercy and love for them. In his announcement calling for the celebration of a Jubilee Year of Mercy from Dec. 8, 2015 to Nov. 20, 2016, he stated, “I am convinced that the whole Church will find in this jubilee the joy needed to rediscover and make fruitful the mercy of God, with which all of us are called to give consolation to every man and woman of our time.”

In a more recent statement, and as part of the Church’s Jubilee Year of Mercy, Pope Francis opened the door for women who have had an abortion — an act considered a grave sin by the Catholic Church — to be absolved if they express contrition and seek forgiveness from a priest. In a “Letter of his holiness Pope Francis according to which an indulgence is granted to the faithful on the occasion of the extraordinary Jubilee of Turn to page 18

Bishop da Cunha’s first year filled with joy, hope and looking to the future

By Dave Jolivet Editor davejolivet@anchornews.org FALL RIVER — It was a warm autumn day when Cardinal Sean P. O’Malley, OFM Cap., of the Archdiocese of Boston, the Metropolitan Archbishop, and a former Bishop of the Diocese of Fall River, welcomed Bishop Edgar M. da Cunha, S.D.V., at the doors of the Cathedral of Our Lady of the Assumption in Fall River, prior to Bishop da Cunha’s installation as the eighth bishop of the Diocese of Fall River.

That was on Sept. 24, 2014. “I don’t know where the time went,” Bishop da Cunha said during a recent interview with The Anchor to discuss his first year as the shepherd of the 111-year-old diocese.

Looking back over the last year, Bishop da Cunha said he has experienced the joy of shepherding a diocese filled with people of faith, commitment and hope for the future.

been able to visit every school yet, but “So many good things have hapthrough the gathering of schools at pened during the last year,” he said. various Liturgies across the diocese I “I’ve met many very good, faithful was able to share the Eucharist with and devoted priests, religious and lay all of them. And each time I people all across the diocese.” met with the Bishop da Cunha said students they that one of the highlights were as excited for him of the last to meet me year has been the as I was to opportunity meet them. I to celebrate see such great Mass with the hope for the children future of the of the Church in the diocese’s Diocese of Fall Catholic River by meetschools. ing with these “I’ve been able students and the to celebrate Mass teachers and adminiswith all of the children trators who guide them.” who attend our Catholic In addition to his having schools during the last year,” the bishop It was slightly more than one year ago when The Anchor met with added. “I traveled to Newark, N.J., to interview the newly-named the young haven’t eighth Bishop of Fall River, Edgar M. da Cunha, S.D.V. students of (Photo by Dave Jolivet) the diocese, yet

Bishop da Cunha told The Anchor that he has so far visited 54 diocesan parishes. “I was hoping to visit them all this year, but it just wasn’t possible,” he said. “There are 26 more to go and my hope is to visit those fine parishes by this coming spring.

“It’s been a real joy to visit the parishes I have so far. So many times I’ve heard, ‘We’re so glad to have you here,’ and I can’t help but respond, ‘I’m so happy to be here with God’s people.”

In his interview with The Anchor in Newark, N.J., last September, Bishop da Cunha said, “I need to know more about the priests, the people, the parishes. I’m ready to go in with open ears and do a lot of listening.

“I want to hear, before anything else, I want to hear what the needs are; the gifts are, so that we can put those gifts and needs together and plan the work for the future.”

True to his word, Bishop da Cunha has listened to the needs and hopes of Turn to page 18

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Vatican City (CNA/ EWTN News) — While the international community can’t seem to find solutions to the current crisis ravaging the Middle East, thanks to the media it’s caught the world’s attention and can’t be ignored, Pope Francis said.

He referred to the “overwhelming human tragedies” taking place in Iraq and Syria as a result of ongoing conflicts, which have caused millions to flee their homes.

The pope’s words were addressed to participants in a recent meeting sponsored by the Pontifical Council Cor Unum to address the current humanitarian crisis in Iraq and Syria.

He said that Lebanon, Jordan and Turkey are bearing the brunt of the weight, having received millions of refugees, he noted, saying they have been generous in welcoming those seeking to escape violence.

“Faced with such a situation and conflicts that are

News From the Vatican Pope says no one can play dumb on what’s happening in the Middle East

expanding and disturbing in an alarming way the internal and regional equilibrium, the international community seems unable to find adequate solutions while the arms dealers continue to achieve their interests.”

However, unlike in the past, the terrible atrocities and human rights violations which characterize the conflicts “are transmitted live by the media.

Therefore, they captured the attention of the whole world.”

“No one can pretend not to know!” Francis said, adding that in his view, it’s obvious to see that those most affected by the wars are the poor. A non-violent solution is needed, “because violence only creates new wounds,” he said.

In attendance at the Cor Unum were several Middle Eastern bishops and representatives of various Catholic charitable organizations who work in the region. Among them were Msgr. Giampietro Dal Toso, secretary of Cor

Unum; Msgr. Alberto Ortega Martin, apostolic nuncio to Iraq and Jordan; Cardinal Leonardo Sandri, prefect of the Congregation for the Oriental Churches; Msgr.

Mario Zenari, apostolic nuncio to Syria and Bishop Antoine Audo, Chaldean Bishop of Aleppo.

Stephen O’Brien, undersecretary general for Humanitarian Affairs and Emergency Relief Coordinator of the United Nations, was also present.

Pope Francis urged attendees not to miss their “vital commitment” in caring for the Spiritual and material needs of the most weakest and most defenseless, particularly families, children and the elderly.

In Iraq and Syria, he said, evil doesn’t just destroy buildings and infrastructure, but also and especially “the conscience of man.”

“In the name of Jesus, Who came into the world to heal the wounds of human-

Vatican welcomes its first family of refugees following pope’s appeal

VATICAN CITY (CNS) — Embracing Pope Francis’ request to sponsor a refugee family, the Vatican’s St. Anne Parish has welcomed a family of four from Damascus, Syria.

In a recent appeal, the pope called on every parish, religious community, monastery and shrine in Europe to take in a family of refugees, given the ongoing crisis of people fleeing from war and poverty.

He said being Christian means giving a concrete sign of hope and God’s mercy to those in need.

The papal Almoner’s Office, which responds to individual requests for assistance and helps coordinate Pope Francis’ direct requests for assisting the homeless in Rome, recently announced that a refugee family was being cared for by St.

Anne’s Parish inside Vatican City.

The family — a mother, father and two children — belong to the Melkite Catholic Church, one of the Byzantinerite churches in full union with Rome.

The family arrived in Italy the day the pope made his appeal, the Vatican said; they have been offered a Vatican apartment near St. Peter’s Square, as requested by Pope Francis.

Their request for asylum had been filed with Italian authorities, the Vatican said, and in accordance with Italian law, family members are not allowed to seek employment for the next six months. St. Anne’s Parish was providing all needed assistance and care in the meantime.

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The Vatican said St. Peter’s Basilica was still in the process finalizing details for taking in a refugee family.

The Almoner’s Office said that for years it has made financial contributions to Jesuit Refugee Service’s Astalli Center in Rome to help cover the costs of permits that allow refugees to stay in Italy. The office also provides funding and aid in the pope’s name for many refugees who receive services at a variety of other centers in Rome.

In addition, Pope Francis recently made available a mobile medical unit for refugees in Rome.

The medical unit had been donated to the pope a few years ago, the Almoner’s Office said, and had been used only during papal events.

“For a few days now,” the unit has been brought out “a few times a week to assist refugees” in the outskirts of Rome.

The mobile unit is staffed by volunteers, who are doctors, nurses, Swiss guards, Vatican City State employees, staff at a Rome university and members of an Italian association of volunteer medics, the office said.

ity, the Church feels called to respond to evil with good by promoting an integral human development,” the pope said, and encouraged Catholics to strengthen intra-ecclesial ties and collaborative efforts.

“Please, do not abandon the victims of this crisis, even if the world’s attention were to lessen.”

According to United Nations, so far more than 200,000 people have been killed and more than one million injured since the beginning of Syria’s civil war in 2011. And 8.6 million people are currently in need of immediate humanitarian assistance in Iraq, while in Syria the number is 12.2 million.

Those internally displaced by violence number 7.6 million in Syria and 3.2 million in Iraq, while 4.1 million Syrians alone have fled since 2011, and are taking refuge in neighboring countries.

United Nations statistics show that currently there are 1.9 million Syrian refugees in Turkey, 1.1 million in Lebanon and more than 600,000 in Jordan.

An annual survey carried out by the Information Focal Point — formed by several Catholic aid agencies in 2014 and which is based at Cor Unum — Church entities in 2014 raised $126 million for humanitarian efforts in Syria, Iraq, Lebanon, Jordan, Turkey, Egypt and Cyprus, the countries involved in the survey.

While funding has gone up to $150 million so far in 2015, participants in the meeting expressed concern that the trend won’t last long, and that donors will soon tire of continuous giving.

The extent that aid reaches is widespread, ranging throughout almost the entire crisis areas, including internally and externally displaced persons, as well as areas that are risky and hard to access.

Organizations contributing to the survey note that the aid is distributed via at least 2,000 professionals and 5,000 volunteers, in addition to the volunteers, priests, and religious who work daily within dioceses and communities.

Key areas of intervention have been education, food aid, assistance in non-food items, healthcare and rent and shelter.

September 25, 2015

Areas deemed insufficiently covered in the seven countries covered by the survey were education, livelihoods, psychological and social support and rent and shelter assistance.

Priorities for the future were identified as education psychological support for children and families, healthcare, food aid, livelihoods and rent and shelter.

In recent comments made to CNA/EWTN News, Msgr.

Mario Zenari, apostolic nuncio to Syria, said that the pope’s words on putting a stop to the arms trade hit on the essence of what needs to change if the current conflicts are to come to an end.

“I think it’s at a critical point to stop the flow of weapons to the Middle East,” he said, and cautioned that after years of war, “hate is gaining and gaining in the hearts of people.”

“People, they don’t trust each other. There is too much hate,” the nuncio continued, adding that “everybody sees this happening.”

“I think the international community must multiply the efforts in order to convince or to oblige the conflicting parties to see that they are able to reach some compromises.”

O’Brien, under-secretary general for Humanitarian Affairs and Emergency Relief Coordinator of the United Nations, told journalists during the conference that working with Catholic charities has been crucial in getting aid to those in need, thanks to the vast network they have.

Speaking to CNA/EWTN News, he said that the Catholic Church “has got a vast network, and it’s that network of people deep in their communities who have been there for generations who really know what is going on locally.”

He stressed the need to listen “very carefully to the expertise, the knowledge, the experience” of those who have been on the ground locally for generations as well as the charities that offer support from abroad.

“So it’s been a very, very important discussion to look at the intensifying of our partnership with such a strong network, as clearly the Catholic Church and the Catholic charities represent.”

3 The International Church Pope urges Cuba’s youths, consecrated people to love and hope

September 25, 2015

HAVANA (CNS) — In a hot and steamy cathedral after listening to a Daughter of Charity talk about her work with people with severe disabilities, Pope Francis set aside his prepared homily and spoke about serving those the world considers “useless.”

“Serving ‘the useless’ makes Jesus shine,” the pope said at an evening prayer service with religious, priests and seminarians gathered in Havana’s cathedral.

Pope Francis thanked women religious around the world who dedicate themselves with love to caring for people the world ignores or would like to forget.

“Thank you for what you do and through you, thank you to all of these women, so many consecrated women, for their service to the ‘useless,’” he said. The religious “are not building an empire, you can’t make any money off of it, you can’t carry forward anything absolutely ‘constructive’ in quotes with those brothers and sisters of ours — the smallest, the least of these.

That’s where Jesus shines.”

Those “who try to kiss you and cover your face with drool,” he said, “speak of Jesus.”

The pope said he knew the priests present, who work in normal parishes, were probably wondering what they should be doing to serve Jesus in the smallest, the weakest and the least of society.

Start with the 25th chapter of Matthew’s Gospel, he said, feeding the hungry, clothing the naked and welcoming the stranger. And, he begged them, spend time offering the Sacrament of Reconciliation, patiently and tenderly welcoming all.

Jesus did not berate sinners, the pope said, “He

disastrous treasurer — “it’s a embraced them.”

St. Ignatius of Loyola, the blessing.”

The confessional, he said, is pope said he wasn’t givDaughter of Charity Sister where every man and woman ing his order publicity, but reveals his or her misery. found wisdom in St. Ignatius’ Yaileny Ponce Torres, who works at a large government“If you are without sin, teaching that poverty “is run home for people with sethrow the first stone, but the wall and the mother” of vere handicaps, spoke before only on that condition,” the consecrated life. It stimulates the pope about pope told her ministry. the priests.

When she was “And think, about to begin you could her work, she be in that said, another Sisposition and ter told her she remember would not be able that in that to help “staring at moment, Jesus” present in you hold a her patients. treasure in “The place I your hands,” live is beautiful,” the ministeshe told the pope. rial power “It is beautiful to forgive because there, sins in God lives and God’s name. shows Himself Cardinal in His weakest Jaime Ortechildren.” ga Alamino Pope Franof Havana cis said Sister introduced Ponce’s testithe congremony was an gation to illustration of the pope, responding to telling him, Jesus’ teaching “the Church that whatever one in Cuba does for the least is a poor of his brothChurch,” ers and sisters is and the way done for Him. that Cuban Leaving priests and the cathedral, religious the pope went and foreign outside to meet missionaryoung people — ies embrace that poverty Pope Francis blesses a boy with a disability at the Father Felix Varela Catholics, followcultural center in Havana this week. (CNS photo/Paul Haring) ers of other faiths “is admiand nonbelievers rable.”

— at the Father Felix Varela Pope Francis said the cartrust in God and blocks out cultural center. dinal “used an uncomfortable worldliness.

Dreaming, hope and word: poverty. The spirit of “Love poverty the way you friendship were the key topics the world does not know that love your mother,” he told of his talk, which like his talk word, doesn’t seek it, hides it.” them. inside the cathedral, was adPoverty, he said, can be a A wise old priest once libbed. person’s greatest wealth, but told him, the pope said, that He began by telling the the search for wealth can when a religious commuyouths of a saying he likes: destroy a person’s life. nity becomes too attached to “People have two eyes, one of Quoting the Jesuit founder, money, God usually sends a

flesh and the other of glass.

With the eye of flesh we see what we look at. With the glass eye we see what we dream.”

“Dream that you can make the world different. Dream that you can make it better,” he told them. “Don’t forget to dream.”

Picking up on one of the themes he was discussing with the religious, Pope Francis told the young people “the empire of the god money” promotes the idea that one can and should discard anything or anyone that is not useful or productive, including young people and the elderly.

Societies and nations that do not invest in their young people, he said, are stripping themselves of hope.

Hope, he said, is not just easy optimism. It takes effort and a willingness to sacrifice and even suffer for a goal.

“It’s not easy. You cannot take it alone,” he said. “There is an African proverb that says ‘If you want to go fast, go alone. If you want to walk far, go with someone.’ I want you to walk with each other.”

“Even though you may think differently, that you have different points of view, I want you to walk together,” he said. “It is the sweet hope of homeland for which we must come together.”

“I urge you to try to talk about what we have in common and then we can talk about our differences. This is only possible when we have the ability to dialogue.”

Before leaving, Pope Francis asked the young people if they wanted him to pray with them.

“I ask that you pray for me,” he said. And acknowledging that not all of those present believe in God, he added, “if one of you is not able to pray for me, I ask that you wish good things for me.”

The Church in the U.S.

4

September 25, 2015

House votes to transfer federal funding from Planned Parenthood to health centers

Washington D.C. technician recounting an (CNA/Europa Press) — In a incident where organs were recent 241-187 vote, memharvested from an intact debers of the United States livery that still had a beating House of Representatives heart. voted to freeze funding for The House also passed Planned Parenthood for one 248-177 H.R. 3504, which year, following months of would add the criminal penpolitical debate surroundalty of first-degree murder ing information revealed in to the Born-Alive Infants a series of undercover videos Protection Act, a law which on the abortion provider. ensures that babies who sur“This is about ensuring vive failed abortion attempts that laws are followed, that receive adequate healthcare Americans care and proknow how their tection. ragically, money is beOne reprePresident ing spent, and sentative, Steve Obama — the Abortion King (R-Iowa), that the conPresident — has vowed voted as “presscience rights of taxpayers are to veto this pro-child, hu- ent” for H.R. respected,” Rep. man rights legislation, a 3134 and H.R. Diane Black position that is extreme, 3504, objecting (R. - Tenn.), anti-child, inhumane that the bills sponsor of the allow abortions bill, said on the and indefensible.” in cases of rape, House floor incest, and before the vote. risks to the mother’s life.

Black added that the The Susan B. Anthony Defund Planned Parenthood List, a Pro-Life organization, Act of 2015 (H.R. 3134) will commented that the lack redistribute more than $235 of Democratic support for million saved from funding both bills “are evidence of the organization to more just how wedded to the idea than 13,500 health care clin- of abortion on-demand, at ics around the country. any time, for any reason, that The vote was largely along the Democratic Party has party lines, though three become.”

Republicans (Charlie Dent “Only five Democrats (R-Pa.), Robert Dold (R— five out of 188 — could Ill.) and Richard Hanna (R- bring themselves to vote to N.Y.) voted against the bill, protect a baby who survived and two Democrats voted a failed abortion,” said SBA in its favor: Dan Lipinski List President Marjorie (D-Ill.) and Collin Peterson Dannenfelser in a statement.

(D-Minn.).

“Where is the compassion Meanwhile the House of and concern for ‘the little Representatives will conguy,’ the abortion survivor, tinue an investigation into whose heart is beating and allegations that the abortion alive?” provider has broken federal While both bills passed laws banning the profit off the House, neither is exof human body parts harpected to pass the Senate vested during abortions, or to be signed into law by changes in abortion proPresident Barack Obama. cedures in order to harvest The Senate failed to bring body parts, the use of illegal a similar bill to the floor in “partial birth abortion” tech- early August. niques to harvest body parts, “Tragically, President and the refusal of medical Obama — the Abortion care to infants who survive President –— has vowed to abortion attempts. veto this pro-child, human The vote and the invesrights legislation, a position tigation follow a string of that is extreme, anti-child, undercover videos by the inhumane and indefensible,” Center for Medical Progress wrote Rep. Chris Smith showing Planned Parent(R.- N.J.) of H.R. 3504 in a hood officials discussing statement. modification of abortion In August Alabama, New procedures, suggesting that Hampshire, and Louisiana some victims of abortion are each voted to strip Planned born alive at Planned ParParenthood of funding from enthood clinics, and a former their state budgets.

“T

Cardinal Donald W. Wuerl of Washington leads a prayer during the dedication of the newly-named Pope Francis Emergency Care Center in the Providence Health System in Washington recently. (CNS photo/ Jaclyn Lippelmann)

Pope Francis Emergency Care Center dedicated at Washington hospital

WASHINGTON (CNS) — In preparation for Pope Francis’ historic September 22-24 visit to Washington, Providence Health System has dedicated and named its hospital’s emergency care center in honor of the pontiff.

Washington Cardinal Donald W. Wuerl, in blessing the Pope Francis Emergency Care Center, noted that it was fitting to name the emergency facility after the pope because “Pope Francis reminds us to be present, especially to those in need.”

“Just as Pope Francis sees the inherent dignity in every person, Providence is here to serve those same individuals,” the cardinal said. “The Holy Father is symbolized by the work being done here.”

The emergency care center is at the Providence Health System’s hospital in northeast Washington. The 408-bed hospital was founded in 1861 by the Daughters of Charity and is a part of Ascension, this country’s largest nonprofit health system.

“As we prepare to welcome our Holy Father here in Washington, the Pope Francis Emergency Care Center stands as a symbol to all — that Providence Health System truly ‘walks with Francis’ through its dedication to mercy, service to all and quality care for our brothers and sisters in need, especially those on the margins of society,” Cardinal Wuerl said.

Pointing out that “there has been a lot of discussion about the so called ‘Francis effect,’” Cardinal Wuerl

defined the effect as “recognition that we are supposed to be there for one another. We are supposed to reach out to one another.”

“The Sisters who founded this hospital demonstrated the ‘Francis effect’ long before there was a Pope Francis,” the cardinal said.

Amy Freeman, president and CEO of Providence Health System, said it “is fitting naturally, beautifully and without any stretch of the imagination to dedicate (the emergency care center) to Pope Francis.”

“It is our belief that the pope’s message and the Providence mission are one and the same,” she said. “Those who are in pain physically, those who are in pain emotionally, those who have been hurt — they are our neighbors. When they walk in or are carried in, it is our promise to show respect to all, whatever their station in life.”

Dr. William Strudwick, medical director of the Pope Francis Emergency Care Center, said the work performed at the facility will be inspired by its “transformation, Spiritual leader” namesake.

“Pope Francis wants to be in the trenches. His focus is on those who do not have power, those who are hurt — that sounds kind of like our patients,” Strudwick said. “We offer the highest quality care with the highest level of compassion — with the emphasis on compassion.”

Also during the dedication ceremony, Providence officials honored philanthropist Judi

Teske, who through a legacy created by her and her late husband, Richard, provided the hospital with the largest donation it has received from a living person.

Teske said that she wanted the donation amount to remain private and offered prayers that “God bless those who serve and are being served” at the Pope Francis Emergency Care Center.”

The District of Columbia’s mayor, Muriel Bowser, said the newly-named emergency care center “is a huge and important part of the hospital network in the city.”

Bowser, a graduate of Elizabeth Seton High School in Bladensburg, Md., noted that with the pope’s arrival to the district, “I couldn’t be more happy that our city will be the first American city to host the pope” on his U.S. trip. Seton High School’s Honors Concert Choir sang during the dedication ceremony.

“I am looking forward to hosting the pope. It is a big thing and we are ready,” she said.

Cardinal Wuerl said the Washington visit of Pope Francis and his message of care for others, “will remind us why the Sisters began this hospital and why the hospital continues its mission today.” He added that while in the city, the pope will bless a marble plaque commemorating the naming of the emergency care facility.

In his blessing of the facility, Cardinal Wuerl asked God that “those who come here sick are restored in Spirit and body to ever praise Your name.”

September 25, 2015

The Church in the U.S.

5

Pope names U.S. Jesuit planetary scientist to head Vatican Observatory

Cardinal Sean P. O’Malley, OFM Cap., of Boston leads the procession for a recent Mass of thanksgiving for the 450th anniversary of the founding of the United States’ first parish, the now Cathedral Basilica of St. Augustine. (CNS photo/Scott Smith, St. Augustine Catholic Magazine)

Cardinal sees anniversary as chance to retell missionaries’ stories ST. AUGUSTINE, Fla. (CNS) — Boston Cardinal Sean P. O’Malley, OFM Cap., is no stranger to the Sunshine State.

The Capuchin Franciscan, who is known as much as being a close confidante to Pope Francis as he is Boston’s Spiritual shepherd, served as Palm Beach’s bishop for nine months between 2002 and 2003.

Although he served in that five-county diocese for less than a year, he visited every parish there twice and found the people of the Palm Beach Diocese “very welcoming.”

But even before that, he was well-acquainted with the state when he was bishop of St. Thomas in the U.S. Virgin Islands. The year was 1984, and then-Bishop O’Malley attended the celebrations marking the establishment of the Venice and Palm Beach dioceses.

So when Pope Francis appointed Cardinal O’Malley as his papal envoy to the 450th anniversary of Founder’s Day in St. Augustine, he felt as if he was “coming home” to visit priests and religious he had “known for a long time.”

Although the anniversary was a celebration of St. Augustine, the event drew lay people, clergy and religious from across the state. That is a phenomenon that did not surprise the cardinal because he discovered first-hand the “cohesiveness” the seven dioceses of Florida maintain, something that is not found in many other states.

“Part of that is the function that the entire state used to be one diocese for so long,

and then was two dioceses,” the cardinal said. “That gives the priests who serve across the state a history together.

Thanks to (St. Vincent de Paul Regional Seminary) that is supported by all the dioceses, many of them studied together.

That is a wonderful.”

And he said the love for the “mother diocese” of St. Augustine was evident.

“I think it was a great success,” said the 71-year-old cardinal, who took an active role in celebrations, attending some six events in one day. “I was amazed by the huge numbers for the historical re-enactment and at Mass at the cathedral.

The Liturgies were done with precision and beauty and it was a joy to be a part of it. When I see the pope, I will give him a full report,” he said in an interview with the Florida Catholic newspaper, which publishes biweekly editions for the Orlando, Palm Beach and Venice dioceses.

This year, Cardinal O’Malley celebrated his 50th anniversary of taking vows as a Capuchin Franciscan friar, and said he joined the friars “in hopes of joining the missions.”

Florida’s own missionary history came to life during the historical re-enactment held on the grounds of Mission Nombre de Dios.

But before viewing the presentation, the cardinal, along with Bishop Felipe J. Estevez of St. Augustine and other priests, viewed items retrieved from the archaeological dig on the grounds. One of the lead researchers, seeing the cardinal dressed in his distinctive Fran-

ciscan robes, showed him pieces of pottery that were possibly a cup that he theorized was used by Franciscan missionary priests. The cardinal remarked how amazed he was to view the pieces of pottery that dated back to the 16th century.

“It is remarkable to think that the processes they had so many centuries ago, and it was fascinating to hear about their discoveries there,” he said. “We (Franciscans) have a wonderful history and tradition to serve the ends of the earth on the peripheries. I have always found our missions to be quite an inspiration, especially the stories of the early Franciscan and Jesuits who came here in colonial times. They never returned to their native lands; instead, they lived to serve in missions and evangelize.”

When the cardinal joined his order, he had served in a mission in Puerto Rico. He was slated to go to another mission in Easter Island, 300 miles off the coast of Chile, but was instead called to serve in Washington, which, at the time, had an influx of immigrants from Central America and could use the services of a young Deacon O’Malley, a fluent Spanish-speaker.

“We are still quite a missionary order,” Cardinal O’Malley said, referring to one-third of all friars who serve in foreign missions. “I think celebrating this anniversary (in St. Augustine) gives an opportunity to re-present a lot of the stories and histories of the missionaries, which could surely serve as a source of inspiration.”

VATICAN CITY (CNS) — Pope Francis named U.S. Jesuit Brother Guy Consolmagno to be the new director of the Vatican Observatory.

He replaces Argentine Jesuit Father Jose Funes, 52, who has been on the staff of the observatory since 2000 and had been its director since 2006.

Brother Consolmagno is a planetary scientist who has studied meteorites and asteroids as an astronomer with the Vatican Observatory since 1993.

He had been serving as president of the Vatican Observatory Foundation, coordinator of public relations and curator of the Vatican meteorite collection in Castel Gandolfo, one of the largest in the world.

A graduate of the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Brother Consolmagno was a post-doctorate lecturer at Harvard College Observatory and at M.I.T. before serving in the U.S. Peace Corps in Kenya where he taught physics and astronomy. He entered the Jesuit order in 1989 when he was in his late 30s.

His research focuses on meteorites, asteroids and the origin and evolution of small bodies in the solar system.

He was honored for his work by the International Astronomical Union in 2000 with the naming of an asteroid after hiam, the “4597 Consolmagno,” a small, 12-mile-wide rock orbiting near the sun.

Author of numerous books on science and faith, he received the prestigious Carl Sagan Medal in 2014 for his ability to communicate accurately and clearly the discoveries of planetary science to the general public.

The same day the Vatican announced Brother Consolmagno’s appointment, Pope Francis met with the observatory staff and guests taking part in a special symposium sponsored by the papal astronomers.

“The Church urgently needs religious who dedicate their lives

to being on the very frontiers between faith and human knowledge, faith and modern science,” the pope told the group.

He also recognized the importance of communicating with the rest of the world how the Church and its priests “embrace, encourage and promote authentic science,” adding that it was “very important” his papal astronomers keep sharing their scientific knowledge with others, “freely giving that which you freely have received.”

Pope Francis encouraged continued and deeper dialogue between science and religion, underlining the special role scientific research can have in promoting interreligious dialogue, “which is more urgent than ever today.”

The recent symposium, held at the Vatican Observatory’s headquarters at the papal villa in Castel Gandolfo, celebrated the 80th anniversary of Pope Pius XI establishing their headquarters there.

The observatory traces its origins back to the observational tower erected inside the Vatican

by Pope Gregory XIII in 1578 in preparation for reforming the Western calendar.

Pope Leo XIII formally established the Vatican Observatory inside the walls of the Vatican in 1891 as a visible sign of the Church’s centuries-old support for science. It was then moved from the Tower of the Winds to the papal summer residence in Castel Gandolfo in 1935 to escape the nighttime light pollution coming from Rome’s streets.

The Vatican Observatory then set up a second research center in Tucson in 1981 after the skies above its telescopes in Italy got too bright for nighttime observation.

Pope Benedict XVI officially inaugurated a more modern headquarters for the Vatican Observatory in the gardens of the papal villa of Castel Gandolfo in 2009.

6

September 25, 2015

Anchor Editorial

The revolutionary Blessed Mother

Tuesday morning Pope Francis celebrated Mass in the Basilica of Our Lady of Charity of Cobre in Santiago, Cuba. He began his homily by speaking about how the Blessed Mother did not stay and rest in Nazareth after she had agreed to God’s plan and became pregnant with the Baby Jesus. Instead, since she had learned about her cousin Elizabeth’s pregnancy through the Annunciation by St. Gabriel, she crossed Israel so that she could go and be of assistance to her kinswoman. She “did not think that everyone needed to come and attend to her and serve her,” instead she went to serve Elizabeth.

“And since that first day this has always been her peculiar characteristic,” the pope preached. “She has been the woman who has visited many men and women, children and old people, youth. She has known how to visit and accompany in the dramatic gestations of many of our lands; she has protected the fight of all who have suffered for defending the rights of their children. And how, she still does not fail to bring us the Word of Life, her Son, our Lord.” In this paragraph one can see the pope alluding to the Ladies in White, who protest every Sunday in Havana the detention of their relatives by the Cuban government. The pope witnessed similar protests earlier in his life, during and after the dictatorship in Argentina, when the Mothers of the Plaza de Mayo in Buenos Aires would march, demanding to know what happened to their children who “disappeared.”

After speaking about how the Cuban bishops had written to Pope Benedict XV a century ago, asking that this avocation of the Virgin be made the patroness of Cuba, Pope Francis spoke about how Mary had accompanied and continues to accompany the people.

“In this Sanctuary, which keeps the memory of the holy people, faithful to God, who journey in Cuba, Mary is venerated as Mother of Charity. From here she guards your roots, your identity, so that we do not lose it in ways of despair. The soul of the Cuban people was forged amidst sufferings, hardships, which were not capable of extinguishing the faith, that faith which was maintained alive thanks for so many grandmothers who continued doing whatever was possible, in the daily life of home, [to make present] the living presence of God; the presence of the Father Who frees, strengthens, heals, gives courage, and Who is a secure refuge and a sign of the new Resurrection. Grandmothers, mothers, and so many others with tenderness and care were the signs of the Visitation, like Mary, of bravery, of faith for their grandchildren, in their families.

They maintained open the little crack [where] like a mustard seed the Holy Spirit continued accompanying the heartbeat of this people.”

The pope then quoted his apostolic exhortation, Evangelii Gaudium, paragraph 288: “Whenever we look to Mary, we come to believe once again in the revolutionary nature of love and tenderness.”

In this editorial we are laying out the flow of this homily because some discussions of the pope’s trip to Cuba in our local media would have people believing that the Holy Father has essentially embraced communism over democracy. We are writing this editorial before time has elapsed enough for there to be a reaction to what he said on talk radio, but when reading this homily, one can see that the Holy Father began by speaking about how Mary has accompanied the Cuban people in their sufferings, before and after Castro’s revolution, and that his use of the adjective “revolutionary” is not about communism, but about the Blessed Mother and the Divine project of the Incarnation.

The pope then invited everyone to be part of a revolution — but not a political one. “Generation and generation, day after day, we are invited to renew our faith. We are invited to live the revolution of tenderness like Mary, Mother of Charity. We are invited to ‘get out of the house,’ to have our eyes and heart open to others. Our revolution passes through tenderness, through the joy that makes all neighbors, which creates compassion — which is not pity, it is suffering with, so as to liberate — and brings us to become involved, so as to serve, in the lives of others.”

He added, “Like Mary, Mother of Charity, we want a Church which leaves the house so as to build bridges, break down walls, sow reconciliation. Like Mary, we want a Church which knows how to accompany in all the ‘pregnant’ situations of our people, engaged in life, culture, society.”

Playing off of the meaning of the word cobre in Spanish (it means “copper”), the Holy Father closed with a reference of Mary’s Magnificat: “This is our most precious copper, this is our greatest treasure and the best legacy we can leave: like Mary, learning to get out of the house to go on the byways of the Visitation. And learning to pray with Mary, the canticle of the people of God who journeys through history. It is the living memory of God amongst us; it is the perennial memory of God Who has looked upon the humility of His people, Who has helped His handmaid as He had promised our fathers and their descendants forever.”

May we learn that lesson here and store up for ourselves treasures in Heaven.

Pope Francis’ Angelus message of September 20 I thank Cardinal Jaime Ortega y Alamino, Archbishop of Havana, for his fraternal words, and I greet all my brother bishops, priests, religious and lay faithful. I also greet the president (Raul Castro) and all the authorities present.

We have heard in the Gospel how the disciples were afraid to

question Jesus when He spoke to them about His Passion and death. He frightened them; they could not grasp the thought of seeing Jesus suffer on the cross.

We, too, are tempted to flee from our own crosses and those of others, to withdraw from those who suffer. In concluding this Holy Mass, in which Jesus OFFICIAL NEWSPAPER OF THE DIOCESE OF FALL RIVER

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has once more given Himself to us in His Body and Blood, let us now lift our gaze to the Virgin Mary, our mother. We ask her to teach us to stand beside the cross of our brothers and sisters who suffer. To learn to see Jesus in every person bent low on the path of life, in all our brothers and sisters who hunger or thirst, who are naked or in prison or sick. With Mary our mother, on the cross we can see Who is truly “the Greatest” and what it means to stand beside the Lord and to share in His glory.

Let us learn from Mary to keep our hearts awake and attentive to the needs of others.

As the wedding feast of Cana teaches us, let us be concerned for the little details of life, and let us not tire of praying for one another, so that no one will lack the new wine of love, the joy which Jesus brings us.

At this time I feel bound to direct my thoughts to the beloved land of Colombia, “conscious of the crucial importance of the present moment when, with renewed effort and inspired by hope, its sons and daughters are seeking to build a peaceful society.”

May the blood shed by thousands of innocent people during long decades of armed conflict, united to that of the Lord Jesus Christ crucified, sustain all the efforts being made, also here on this beautiful island, to achieve definitive reconciliation. Thus may the long night of pain and violence can, with the support of all Colombians, become an unending day of concord, justice, fraternity and love, in respect for institutions and for national and international law, so that there may be lasting peace. Please, we do not have the right to allow ourselves yet another failure on

this path of peace and reconciliation. Thank you, Mr. President, for all that you do in this work of reconciliation.

I ask you now to join in praying to Mary, that we may place all our concerns and hopes before the heart of Christ. We pray to her in a special way for those who have lost hope and find no reasons to keep fighting, and for those who suffer from injustice, abandonment and loneliness. We pray for the elderly, the infirm, children and young people, for all families experiencing difficulty, that Mary may dry their tears, comfort them with a mother’s love, and restore their hope and joy.

Holy Mother, I commend to you these your sons and daughters in Cuba. May you never abandon them!

After the final blessing: And I ask you, please, not to forget to pray for me. Thank you.

7

September 25, 2015

One holy, Catholic and apostolic Church with and under the living Peter

J

esus Christ founded His Church with a personal, not a geographical, center.

He founded it on a rock, a living stone, one that moves, that breathes, that preaches, that binds and looses, that goes to the end of the end to strengthen the faith of his brothers and sisters (Mt 16:18-19; 1 Pet 2:4; Mt 28:19-20; Lk 22:32).

The members of the early Church used to say and sing, “Ubi Petrus, ibi Ecclesia,” “Where Peter is, there is the Church.”

Today the center of the Church is in the United States as the living Peter is in our land.

Whenever I give tours of St. Peter’s Basilica in the Vatican, I point out two Latin inscriptions on the huge interior pillars holding up Michelangelo’s famous dome.

They indicate the role of Peter in the Church, the first Peter — the former Simon son of Jonah whose name was changed to “rock” and made the foundation for the Church Jesus Christ was building — as well as every one, down to the 266th Peter who is now in our midst.

“Hinc una fides refulget,” the first expression reads. “From here,” from Peter, “one faith shines.”

“Hinc sacerdotii unitas exoritur,” reads the other. “From here the unity of the priesthood emerges.”

Today God wants that one faith, that unity of the

baptismal and ministerial Francis will say or do, the peopriesthood, to radiate and ple he will meet, the crowds arise. He wants it to ascend who will gather around him over the White House and physically or watch him on Capitol Hill, to tower over the television. The most imporskyscrapers of New York and tant part is whether he will to bring a new dawn for the strengthen us as Catholics to family to Philadelphia. become what God has called The Holy Father is meant us to be, to manifest the to be a sign and agent of the “marks” of the Church in a unity of the Church, the one who incarnates and inspires us to be, as Putting Into we proclaim at the end of the Nicene Creed, the Deep one, holy, Catholic and apostolic Spiritual

By Father family.

Roger J. Landry He has the task to help us become morally what we are ontologically compelling way that will leave and Sacramentally: united, our fellow citizens marvelsaintly, reaching all people, ing even more at the living and built on apostolic sucfaith of the Church working cession tracing itself back to through love than it admires Christ’s Own action in the the faith of Pope Francis.

Upper Room and in Caesarea Beyond all the drama of the Philippi. first canonization ever in our And this unity of the country, the first papal address Church — shown in the unito a joint session of Congress, versal call to holiness through his speech at the United Nathe means God has given, tions to the largest assembled through our all becoming number of world leaders in part of the universal mission papal history, the encounter Christ has confided for the with so many families in the world’s Salvation, and through City of Brotherly Love and our communion with the more, the biggest drama will apostolic pillars of the Succes- be over whether Christians sor of Peter and the Apostles manifest the unity we prothat form the architectural claim in the Creed. foundation for the Church in Jesus prayed during the every age — is an ever-needed Last Supper for us to be as Divine gift and ever-urgent united with each other as FaChristian task. ther and Son are One, so that, The most important part He emphasized, the world of this papal pilgrimage to may believe that the Father our country is not what Pope sent the Son and loves us just

John F. Peragallo III of the Peragallo Pipe Organ Co. tests the keyboard of the organ at St. Patrick’s Cathedral in New York City. The 9,000-pipe instrument was getting a final tuneup in advance of Pope Francis’ visit to the cathedral. (CNS photo/Gregory A. Shemitz)

as much as He loves the Son ( Jn 17:20-23). The essential work of the Holy Spirit is to make us “one body, one Spirit in Christ.” St. Paul called us to live in a manner worthy of our calling, “striving to preserve the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace” (Eph 4:1-3).

But at the same time God is seeking to unite us, the devil is seeking to divide us just like he sought to divide Adam and Eve in the beginning. As Christ is praying, the devil is slithering so that we won’t be one, so that the world won’t find the Incarnation credible and will doubt not only whether God loves us but whether He exists.

The fruitfulness of the Church in the United States, just like the Church at any time and any place, depends on our becoming one as God desires.

It’s important that we Christians grasp this deeper drama. Every time there’s a news story about how divided Catholics are in the U.S. on doctrinal, moral, or even political issues, the anti-Gospel of disunity is being proclaimed.

Every time Catholics criticize the pope publicly or privately and separate themselves to one degree or another from him, it’s hell, not Heaven, that rejoices. Just as many try to exploit divisions among Catholics for political or other ends to weaken the Church in their favor, so does the evil one and his minions.

None of this means that as Catholics we can never have spirited fraternal disagreements or in the right forum give constructive feedback even to the Holy Father. After all, Pope Francis humbly admits that he makes mistakes and has said repeatedly that his first idea is almost invariably wrong. But we have to grasp division in the Church for what it is, the result of sin and the consequence of not cooperating enough with God’s grace and plans. And then we have to do everything we can to preserve the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace.

The visit of Pope Francis is a time in which, with all our Spiritual siblings, with and under the Successor of St. Peter, we can show that this Spiritual unity — built on one faith, one Baptism, one hope, one Lord, one God and Father of us all (Eph 4:4-6) — is not a façade or a theological talking point but a way of life. It’s an occasion for us to show by our unity that God has in fact sent His Son, loves us as much as He loves Him, and calls and wants to help us to love each other in the same way.

This is the way God is hoping we respond to the papal visit so that, now and long-after, we might give true testimony of the one, holy, Catholic and apostolic Church He founded on Peter and his successors.

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

8 n this week’s Scripture I readings, Moses wishes for God’s gifts to be distributed as

widely as possible. Moses is not concerned that his own prestige may be lost, he is hoping more of his people will receive God’s gift.

We see James addressing those who have an abundance of material goods, warning them not to value wealth over human beings.

James condemns those who tread on the poor. It is one thing to have wealth but it is what one does with his wealth that matters.

The Bible speaks on social justice. It does not condemn wealth but insists on wealth’s responsibility to the poor. Jesus warns His closest disciples about complaining who is the best when they see others who do not belong to their group driving out demons. Jesus’ reply is swift, “Do not prevent them. There is no one who performs a mighty deed in My name who can at the same time speak ill of Me.” How little they have comprehended over these last few years. They may be called disciples, however, they still have much to learn. Last week they were arguing over which of them was the greatest. They feel they are the only ones who can do Jesus’ works.

Where has Jesus’ teachings gone regarding picking up your cross, serving the people, and being the least? They continually question Jesus just as much as

September 25, 2015

Hearing God’s call, and acting on it

we do. We have a lot in common provide six weekend retreats a with these men. We have been year; three for the men and three subjected to similar weaknesses. for the women.

Like us, they have the same huChaplain Dave has always man tendencies to think about been very helpful in assisting us their own needs and desires more to put these retreats together. than the needs of others.

Again, it’s these other groups Being the chaplain at the coming together, not apart, to do Barnstable House of Correction is a wonderful ministry and I work with Homily of the Week different faiths. Chaplain Twenty-sixth Sunday Dave Robbins is a Baptist minister and is a full-time in Ordinary Time chaplain at the jail. We do not criticize other

By Deacon faiths but strive to bring Daniel M. Donovan the Word of God to the incarcerated men and women. We come as one leading the lost sheep who want to come to Christ to find His unconditional love.

The Catholic prison ministry is called Residents Encounter Christ. REC was started by Deacon Dick Murphy and Deacon Joe Stanley. The volunteers of REC are the team members.

The team consists roughly of 50 Catholic men and women from the Cape Cod area. Most of the team has been together nearly 20 years. The jail ministry is not about the volunteers, it’s about a group of people working together, bringing different gifts and answering God’s call to use these gifts in the jail ministry. We hold meetings in jail. We have Communion services. We also

God’s work. The Good News is for all of us. Jesus is always ready to welcome us back, no matter where we have been or what our circumstances are. Jesus has broken the bond of sin and death so we are all called to share in the gifts of His Spirit.

St. Paul writes about the fruits of the Spirit, “But the Spirit produces love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, humility, and self control. There is no law against such things as these” (Gal 5:22-23). These fruits are those wonderful characteristics that grow in us as God works in our lives. We do our best to bring these same gifts to those in jail.

I believe there are many roads by which Christ carries

us to Heaven. People can get to the same destination by starting out in a different spot. Our REC follows a similar retreat called Cursillo, a short course in Christianity. We share our Catholic faith with these men and women residents. We show how the Sacraments have helped us grow in Christ.

However, we respect their faiths at the same time.

We do our best so that no one leaves the jail without somewhere to go. Finding halfway homes for the residents is difficult, but with God’s help it gets done. We also hope and pray that they will never come back to this institution. This, however, is not always the case.

Many of the men and women need a breakthrough. They are stuck, or trapped in a destructive pattern of addiction or abuse, and many are inclined to abuse others. They have hearts hardened and turned away from God. They have hit rock bottom. They need a radical change; a change that comes from Christ. Most will receive this breakthrough in finding Christ’s unconditional love and forgiveness through Reconciliation, which is available during the REC weekend.

An important part of our weekend retreat is to have priests hear Confessions on Saturday mornings and celebrate Sunday

Mass.

In Mark chapter 9 we hear the harvest is abundant and the laborers are few. I don’t know where the jail ministry and other ministries would be without the laborers; Christians all pulling together. The devil would surely like to take over all these jails. He may believe that this is his club and his membership, but we as REC members refer to the jail as the Barnstable House of Christ.

No matter what you may feel about the Catholic Church, it has been a leader in social justice, such as feeding the hungry, clothing the naked, visiting the sick, consoling those who mourn, and visiting the prisoners.

Like many other churches on Cape Cod, St. Patrick’s in Wareham along with the neighboring churches meet the needs of the community by coming together to feed the hungry and to give shelter to the homeless.

Christians coming together to make a difference in others’ lives.

There have been many saints in the past who have been involved in these ministries, having heard the call of God, and acted.

I pray like Moses did, that the Lord might bestow His Spirit on all. What will you do with your gifts? God bless.

Deacon Donovan serves at St. Patrick’s Parish in Wareham and as chaplain at the Barnstable House of Correction.

Upcoming Daily Readings: Sat. Sept 26, Zec 2:5-9,14-15a; (Ps) Jer 31:10-12b,13; Lk 9:43b-45. Sun. Sept. 27, Twenty-Sixth Sunday in Ordinary Time, Nm 11:25-29; Ps 19:8,10,12-14; Jas 5:1-6; Mk 9:38-43,45,47-48. Mon. Sept. 28, Zec 8:1-8; Ps 102:2,16-23; Lk 9:46-50. Tues. Sept. 29, Dn 7:910,13-14 or Rv 12:7-12a; Ps 138:1-5; Jn 1:47-51. Wed. Sept. 30, Neh 2:1-8; Ps 137:1-6; Lk 9:57-62. Thurs. Oct. 1, Neh 8:1-4a,5-6,7b-12; Ps 19:8-11; Lk 10:1-12. Fri. Oct. 2, Bar 1:15-22; Ps 79:1b-5,8-9; Mt 18:1-5,10.

T

he history of popes in these United States is full of surprises.

And one of them, to begin at the beginning, includes the littleknown fact that Blessed Paul VI was not the first pontiff to set foot on American territory, when he landed at newly-renamed John F. Kennedy International Airport on Oct. 4, 1965. No, the first pope to plant a papal slipper on the sovereign territory of the United States was Blessed Pius IX, way back in 1849.

1848 was a year of upheaval throughout Europe; in November of that year, Pius IX fled Rome and took refuge at Gaeta, a harbor town south of Naples. A month later, U.S.S. Constitution, “Old Ironsides,” sailed for Europe to show the flag and protect American interests and citizens amidst the political turmoil. After stops in Tripoli and Alexandria, the big frigate cruised into Italian waters and in August 1849 was berthed in Gaeta. The ship’s surgeon invited the pope and King

Popes in these United States

Square Garden to the piety of Ferdinand II of the Kingdom of the Two Sicilies to visit Constitu- Iowa farmers gathered around the Bishop of Rome in a corntion, where the two rulers were field — testified to the vitality of duly welcomed with all honors.

American Catholic life. America Pius IX blessed the Catholics was not, it seemed, a trans-Atin the crew, who were lined up lantic version of western Europe: on the gun deck, and after being entertained by the captain in his quarters, was seen off with another 21-gun salute. Pius later sent Rosaries to all the Catholic sailors on “Old Ironsides,” and gave the ship’s captain, John

By George Weigel Gwinn, a medal with the papal image and coat-ofarms. religiously desiccated, vaguely St. John Paul II’s first papal guilty about its impiousness, and pilgrimage to the United States thus aggressively secular. was, I think, a surprise for him.

And as the Church in the He had previously visited the United States continued to pay U.S. on two occasions, but his far more serious attention to John exposure to Catholic life in Paul II’s challenging teaching America was rather limited on than the Church in Great Britthose trips. That changed in ain, France, the Low Countries, October 1979, when everything and the German-speaking lands that happened during John of western Europe, John Paul Paul’s visit — from the cheers of began to encourage the new deraucous teen-agers in Madison

The Catholic Difference

mocracies of central and eastern Europe to look to the United States for one important model of how to be Vatican II’s “Church in the modern world,” after the Wall came down.

And speaking of surprises, who could have imagined, in 1945, that a former German prisoner-of-war, held briefly by American forces as the Nazi regime crumbled, would be welcomed as pope on the South Lawn of the White House by the President of the United States and the U.S. Army band? Or that that same pope, long pilloried in the more ignorant sections of the American press as reactionary and authoritarian, would, in New York, make the gothic beauties of St. Patrick’s Cathedral the central metaphor in a stunning homily on the openness and spaciousness of the Church when viewed “from inside”? Lots of people were surprised by the joy and

warmth of Pope Benedict XVI’s visit to the U.S. in 2008; but a German pope who could thank the British people for winning the Battle of Britain during World War II proved capable of far more surprises than his cultured detractors imagined.

The popes in America have spoken words of challenge and encouragement, and that will surely continue with Pope Francis’s visit.

Unlike Paul VI, John Paul II and Benedict XVI, however, Francis will be visiting the United States for the first time. Here he will find the Church that, for all its difficulties, is the best example of his “Church permanently in mission” in the developed world. As Francis encourages his American flock — and likely challenges us, too — my hope is that he is also challenged, encouraged, and perhaps even instructed by the vibrant faith he experiences among us.

George Weigel is a senior fellow of the Ethics and Public Policy Center in Washington, D.C.

September 25, 2015

Thursday 24 September 2015 — Becalmed on Falmouth Harbor — “Innergize” Day (really) here’s a new word in the English language — “staycation.” Coined during the economic setbacks of the early 21st century, a staycation is much less expensive than a vacation. On a staycation, you just stay home and participate in whatever activities you may like but are normally prevented from enjoying because of your frenzied lifestyle. If you travel at all on your staycation, it’s a day trip to local places of interest (think Profile Rock). While on a staycation, you sleep in your own bed. You have no worries about who will be taking care of your pets. That would be you.

My parents knew all about staycations. In August, when the factory closed down, my father couldn’t go to work. The family would take a staycation. Routine went out the window. We could get up early, sleep in, or take afternoon naps. We could eat whenever and whatever we could afford — maybe send out for steamed hot dogs (sprinkled with onions and celery salt) from the corner stand or maybe fish and chips (wrapped in newspa-

T

W

hat does it mean to be a prophet? “Oxford Dictionary” defines a prophet as, “A person regarded as an inspired teacher or proclaimer of the Will of God.” In this Sunday’s readings, we hear of how the Spirit led those It fell upon to prophesy. When others complained that they were not following “the rules,” they were reminded that, “if they are not against us, they are for us.”

Jesus and Moses knew that the mere mention of God would provoke thoughts and musings, generating a curiosity that would lead individuals to seek a deeper relationship with God. About a week ago, while driving in Fairhaven with my daughter and grandsons, we spotted Jesus as we approached an intersection. This man’s appearance left no doubt in our minds as to who he was portraying. As he continued to walk along the road, and into busy parking lots, you could not help but look for him. Of course as he walked amongst us, you could hear people whispering and wondering if they needed to worry about his mental state or their own safety.

The beauty of that day for

Anchor Columnists Staycation one-room “cottage” for a couple pers) from that fish place down the street, or perhaps a delicious of nights and then drove home.

The cottage was stucco painted linguica pizza from the Knotty turquoise.

Pine Café on the next block.

I still remember this family On our family staycations, vacation as being a great advenwe did whatever we wanted ture. I was happy to report to my to do. We went wherever we classmates that I had traveled wanted to go. If we decided to do something as a family, we did abroad on my summer vacation. it whenever we wanted to do it. We did, however, The Ship’s Log spend three hours every Reflections of a day at the beach. Our Parish Priest staycations were very refreshing (except for the

By Father Tim sunburns. I’m Irish). I Goldrick was raised on staycations.

The problem was that, (I used to exaggerate a bit back when I returned to school in then — I’m Irish).

September, the teacher would There needs to be a balance often ask what we did on our summer vacations. I couldn’t get between work and leisure.

Leisure is essential to wellmy mind around this strange rounded human development. concept of vacation.

It’s “re‐creation.” It’s physiI didn’t fly on a plane until I cally and psychologically rewas nearly 20 years old. I didn’t storative. Leisure, though, isn’t get to Disney World until I was an end in itself. Work, leisure, in my 40s. It was too late to happiness, creativity, Spiritureport back to my fifth-grade ality, and personal fulfilment classmates. are linked.

Only once did we go on a Did you know that, for family vacation. We jumped in centuries, leisure has been a part the beat-up beach wagon (the of monastic life? “Don’t just do one with the rusted out floorsomething,” the Buddha said. boards) and headed for New “Stand there.” Monastic leisure Hampshire. We all stayed in a

is an alternative to the way people vacation these days.

Monks take vacations. In this case, “vacation” doesn’t have the same meaning, however, as when we use the word. Monastic vacation is a designated period of time during which the individual monk is relieved of most of his community duties, dispensed from manual labor, and freed of certain obligations. A monk needn’t hop a plane and fly to Tahiti for vacation, unless, of course, there’s a monastery in Tahiti. (which, come to think of it, there is — the Monastery of St. Clare). In that case, a monk can stay there for free.

Monks observe other forms of leisure as well. There is quies — an attitude of rest; a sense of peacefulness; a letting go of responsibilities, concerns, and worries. There is also otium —­unstructured time, freedom from “business-as-usual.” Lastly, monasteries observe the sabbatum — the Biblical Sabbath, the day of rest (but not only on Sundays). Is not every day the Lord’s Day? I try, at least, to keep a daily Sabbath.

Even Jesus needed to “get

9 away from it all.” Every once in a while, He headed over to the home of His friend Lazarus and kicked off His sandals, or up into the mountains, or down to the seashore, or even out into the desert wilderness.

When people today decide to take vacations, they’ll need lots of money. And there’ll be all sorts of arrangements to be made in advance. The time away may prove to be more overscheduled than the busiest workday. Then there’s the whole problem of technology — the laptops and cellphones we carry with us on vacation. You end up having a “working vacation.”

That, dear readers, is an oxymoron. And when you return home, you’re more exhausted than when you left. It takes at least a week to recuperate — and longer for your credit card to cool down.

Monks have the right idea. I, too, take staycations. Now that September is ending, though, how can I write a column on all the things I didn’t do on my summer vacation?

Oh, wait. I just did.

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

Calling all prophets us and is very real and very much my daughter and me was how alive. This man regardless of his the boys reacted (ages five and state of mind, made everyone three); they, like the people of who saw him that day stop, Jesus’ time, wanted us to find and think of God, Jesus and Him. When we couldn’t see the workings of the Spirit. He Him, they would ask why we couldn’t find Jesus and where had he gone. Did he go back to Heaven?

They did not look at this man with malice or contempt, but with

By Rose Mary a wide-eyed innocence Saraiva of someone meeting a person, Whom they had heard so much brought to life Jesus, and any about, for the very first time.

They were so amazed by the fact photos that were taken of him and shared on social media, that they had seen Jesus, that were captioned with the words, as we left the location where Jesus had been, my five-year-old “I found Jesus!” By his actions, he was and is a modern day grandson asked us, “Since we prophet, by walking around have found Jesus, do we need dressed as Christ, he created a to go to church tomorrow?” I stir and brought the name of thought how adorable, but yet Jesus to so many lips; lips that I wondered why so many of us may have not spoken His name have stopped looking for Jesus and that just maybe this little boy in a while or at all.

At Baptism we are called to be was on to something here. prophets, to spread the message For some this man represented a nuisance, someone of Salvation far and wide. There are many modern day prophets, to be rid of, for those two little boys, they saw the incarnation of individuals who by their actions and deeds remind us that God what they are taught to believe. is very present in our lives. Pope That Jesus is always with us, Francis not only imparts wisdom, taking care of us, walking beside

In the Palm of His Hands

but demonstrates the love of God by his actions; reminding us that we need to “Get out in the real world to find Jesus,” and “people need to learn these three languages — of the mind, heart and action” (Glatz; CNS, 9/23/2013). By traveling this vast world, he is evangelizing to all peoples regardless of race or creed, etc.

Mother Teresa and so many like her, who brought the words of the Gospel to life with her deeds and actions, offer simplistic messages of love.

In this modern world, as so many of Moses’ and Jesus’ time, we fear being ridiculed or shunned for our beliefs, but yet the mission is quite simple really. Looking at Pope Francis, Mother Teresa, and others, they chose and choose to spread the Good News by showing love.

St. Therese of Lisieux once said, “There is but one thing for us to do in the night of this life and that is to love, to love Jesus with all the energy of our heart and to save souls so that He may be loved by them. O, let us cause Jesus to be loved by men!” That is the Spirit that led Eldad and

Medad to begin prophesying, and what Jesus was trying to explain in the Gospel, that anyone who speaks His name, does so out of love for Him and all that God represents in their lives.

We do not have to walk around dressed like Jesus to spread the Good News, yet we do have to “put on Christ” so that others may see and experience the love that Jesus has for us. The love that He preached and taught about, reaching out to the outcast, curing the sick and opening His arms to all who believed in Him. Are you willing to be Christ to others? Will we allow the Spirit to move within us, guiding our words, deed and actions, causing others to fall in love with Jesus, and to the relationship He wants for us to have with God, our Father. Jesus is out there, we just need to know where to look. He needs us prophets to help others find Him as well.

Anchor columnist Rose Mary Saraiva lives in Fall River and is a parishioner of St. Michael’s Parish, and she is the Events Coordinator and Bereavement Ministry for the diocesan Office of Faith Formation. She is married with three children and two grandchildren. rsaraiva@dfrcs.com.

10

September 25, 2015

Church called to be tender mother, not rigid association, pope says VATICAN CITY (CNS) — If the Church loses touch with its maternal side, the only thing that remains is “rigidity and discipline,” Pope Francis said at an early morning Mass with members of the international Council of Cardinals advising him on the reform of the Roman Curia.

Celebrating the recent feast of Our Lady of Sorrows with the nine car-

dinals and other guests, Pope Francis focused on Jesus’ words from the cross entrusting Mary to His beloved disciple as mother.

As Jesus was dying, the pope said, Mary “becomes a mother another time,” and her maternity expands to embrace the disciple and all those who will come to follow Jesus throughout history.

Jesus had told His disciples, “I will

not leave you orphans,” the pope said, and He kept His promise by giving Mary to be their mother.

“We have a mother who is with us, protects us, accompanies us and helps us even in difficult times and at terrible moments,” the pope said.

The Church, too, is called to be a mother to all Jesus’ followers, he said.

“Our ‘holy mother Church’” is what Christians are born into at Baptism and is the community that helps them grow.

“Mother Mary and mother Church know how to caress their children and give them tenderness,” Pope Francis said.

Referring several times to the writings of the 12th-century, England-born Abbot Isaac of Stella, France, the pope said that while it could shock people, he believes the abbot was correct in teaching that “our soul is mother as well,” and that is seen in men and women when they demonstrate “humility, welcome, understanding, goodness, forgiveness and tenderness.”

Where there is a sense of the maternal, he said, “there is life, there is joy, there is peace,” but when that maternal instinct is missing, there is just “rigidity and discipline.”

11

September 25, 2015

Filipinos warned against making money out of ‘miracles’

MANILA, Philippines (CNS) — Philippine Church leaders have warned the faithful against making money out of reported “miracles” and “apparitions” of Mary.

Father Melvin Castro, director general of the Confraternity of Mary Mediatrix of All Grace, noted that stories of weeping images of the Jesus’ mother had surfaced in the media.

The stories followed a Church declaration that a reported apparition of the Mary in the province of Batangas in 1948 has a “supernatural character.”

On September 12, Archbishop Ramon Arguelles of Lipa, Philippines, issued a decree declaring “with moral certainty” that the events of 1948 were “worthy of belief,” ucanews.com reported.

“It’s possible that some people think that this is some sort of fad that they should join in, but people should also be

discerning,” Father Castro said.

The priest told reporters that what was recognized by the Church was the event that took place in 1948 that is “beyond any statue or picture.”

Retired Archbishop Oscar Cruz of Lingayen-Dagupan, Philippines, advised the faithful to carefully consider the reports.

“Hopefully, there would be no individuals who would make money out of it by producing this item or image, medals, candles left and right for business,” he said.

Archbishop Cruz explained that the Church is careful in declaring as authentic so-called miracles because once these are proven false, it will negatively affect the faithful.

Evidence must be gathered and sent to Vatican officials, who in turn will send experts to conduct interviews and gather empirical data.

Father Castro said the Vatican usually respects what a local bishop says. “If the Vatican will not reject it, that’s already a silent confirmation,” the priest said.

On Sept. 12, 1948, Mary reportedly appeared before Teresing Castillo, a Carmelite postulant, and apparently told the aspiring nun she was Mary mediatrix of all grace.

The apparition was followed by several unexplainable showers of rose petals inside and outside the Carmelite convent in Lipa.

“The shower of petals created some kind of a mass hysteria,” Father Castro said, adding that the event was “commercialized.”

After 67 years, he said, people should “go beyond the external and focus on the message” of Mary.

In the 1948 apparitions, Mary reportedly appealed for humility, penance and prayers for priests and the pope.

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12

September 25, 2015

Knock knock. Who’s there?

Pope Francis, apparently.

New York City, N.Y. (CNA/EWTN News) — The pope, a priest, and Bill Murray walk into a bar….

Just kidding. Sort of.

But if you can come up with a funny ending to that joke, you should “donate” it to the just-launched Joke with the Pope campaign, sponsored by the Pontifical Mission Societies in the United States.

The campaign is an effort to raise awareness and funds for three pontifical missions throughout the world, just ahead of Pope Francis’ visit to the U.S. and the organization’s launch of its new app, Missio.

Jokes can be written or filmed and submitted online at jokewiththepope.org, and the person voted as the funniest jokester will get to choose which of the three missions will receive a $10,000 donation.

Oh, and they’ll also receive the title of “honorary comedic adviser to the pope,” the firstever person in the history of the Church to receive such a title. Probably.

Father Andrew Small, national director of the Pontifical Mission Societies in the United States, said he thought the campaign would be a fun way to raise awareness of the missions in the Spirit of Pope Francis.

“I’ve met him several times and there’s that great Spirit of warmth and connection that he has, so we thought this would be sort of an off-beat way to introduce people to the Church’s missionary activity and to create this sort of Spirit of connection, which comes from Pope Francis,” he told CNA. Francis, of course, is the same pope who wrote “The Joy of the Gospel” encyclical, in which he wrote that missionaries especially should not be known for being “sourpusses,” Father Small said.

At the time this article was written, the campaign already received 400 jokes from people — Catholics and nonCatholics — from 22 countries throughout the world. It has also attracted some bigname contributors, including late-night television host Conan O’Brien, who joked on his show: “The drought is so bad, people in Napa are asking the pope to change the wine into water.”

Other well-known pope

jokesters include Cardinal Timothy Dolan, EWTN TV host Raymond Arroyo, and even actor Bill Murray, who is kind of the “godfather” of the project and will help judge which joke is the funniest, Father Small said.

“God works in mysterious ways,” Father Small said when asked how Murray became involved. “When we spoke to him about it he was very excited, he has a Catholic background, one of his sisters is a Dominican nun, so he’s got that in his bones and in his blood.”

The three causes that the winner will be able to choose from are helping children in need in Argentina, housing the homeless in Ethiopia, or feeding the hungry in Kenya.

The Argentinian cause, based out of Buenos Aires, has a special connection to Pope Francis. Father Pepe, the parish priest in the area, is a long-time acquaintance of the pope’s back when he was archbishop of the diocese, and considers Francis his Spiritual father.

Father Small said besides being a fun way to spread the Spirit of Pope Francis during his U.S. visit, the campaign is a way to raise awareness of the new Missio app, which helps connect people to similar causes throughout the world.

“Pontifical Mission Societies is responsible for missionary activity in 1,150 dioceses around the world, mostly in Africa and Asia, and also in Latin America,” Father Small said.

The app will help connect users to people throughout the various missions, and from there they can learn about the people involved and offer prayers or financial support.

“Humor gets us over that initial bump of trying to meet new people who are not your family and friends, he said. “You tell a joke, you learn about the good causes that the Church is engaging in throughout the world, and then you stay connected through the app.”

Jokes can be donated to the campaign on jokewiththepope. org through October 2, and the winner will be announced October 5. The Missio app is available for free download in the App Stores and Google Play.

Trevor Allen Martin and Hayden Christensen star in a scene from the movie “90 Minutes in Heaven.”

For a brief review of this film, see CNS Movie Capsules below. (CNS photo/Giving Films)

CNS Movie Capsules NEW YORK (CNS) — The following are capsule reviews of movies recently reviewed by Catholic News Service.

“90 Minutes in Heaven” (Samuel Goldwyn) Writer-director Michael Polish’s adaptation of the 2004 best-seller by Don Piper (Hayden Christensen) tells the true story of the Baptist minister’s near-death experience following a devastating car crash. After a brief vision of Heaven, he endures a torturous recovery marked by unbearable pain.

Yet the emotional toll for his family, in particular his wife (Kate Bosworth), is even greater. Though the film’s celestial journey is overshadowed by its medical narrative, it remains an inspiring tale about faith, hope and persistence. Considered as a whole, moreover, its evangelical viewpoint on prayer and the promise of eternal life is mostly consonant with Catholic doctrine. Disturbing images, some mature themes.

The Catholic News Service classification is A-II — adults and adolescents. The Motion Picture Association of America rating is PG-

13 — parents strongly cautioned. Some material may be inappropriate for children under 13.

“Captive” (Paramount) Honorable but slack drama, based on real events, in which an escaped prisoner (David Oyelowo) on a murderous rampage takes a drugaddicted diner waitress (Kate Mara) hostage in her home.

As the already fragile woman struggles to stay alive, she reads sections of Rick Warren’s self-help best-seller, “The Purpose Driven Life,” to her captor, hoping he’ll recognize the positive choices still available to him. Director Jerry Jameson’s screen version of Ashley Smith’s memoir “Unlikely Angel”

promotes upright, God-centered values, and the general absence of problematic material makes his film acceptable for most mature adolescents.

Yet earnest performances from the gifted principals can’t compensate entirely for a sluggish pace or the confused, blunted impact of the story’s outcome.

Stylized but potentially disturbing gunplay and other violence, including the implicit threat of rape, narcotics use, at least one crass term. The Catholic News Service classification is A-III — adults.

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

Diocese of Fall River TV Mass on WLNE Channel 6 Sunday, September 27, 11:00 a.m.

Celebrant is Father Michael A. Ciryak, pastor of St. Francis of Assisi Parish in Swansea

13

September 25, 2015

L

ast week I had the pleasure of visiting a small elementary school in Natick that was founded in 2013 by some friends of mine. St. Benedict Elementary School offers “a classical education in the Catholic tradition” to 60 students, from kindergarten to grade six. Unlike the Catholic school that I attended back in Rockville, Md., from the mid-1950s to the mid-1960s, and which I loved, it is not a parish school taught by nuns.

At that time, 50 years ago in 1965 when the Second Vatican Council ended, there were record numbers of priests and nuns in this country, and record number of Catholic baby-boomers to be educated. The vision of the Third Council of Baltimore of 1884, and its beloved “Baltimore Catechism,” still prevailed, which had decreed that every parish have its own parochial school to which Catholic parents should send their children, preferably free-of-charge.

The abundance of women religious teaching and working for a pittance made this vision possible, but it did not last. St. Benedict’s is the only Catholic school in Natick,

A new kind of Catholic school sive (and young) educators. but it’s not a parish school.

One student said he Vatican II, and the 1992 didn’t like the homework, “Catechism of the Catholic which the new headmaster, Church,” had talked about Jay Boren, called “rigorous.” parents being the primary Every Monday a memo goes educators of their children, including in matters of faith, to the parents to advise them of expectations in that regard and the importance of lay for the week, the better to persons taking responsibility and initiative in the apostolate based on their Baptism and Confirmation, rather than necessarily waiting for a direct mandate

By Dwight G. Duncan from the hierarchy.

The board, staff and teachers are lay involve the parents as pripeople, parents and educators who share a common vi- mary educators.

The school accents the sion of education which goes beautiful in arts, poetry, beyond the common core to literature, and history, “our embrace a classical educaintellectual birthright,” as tion (Latin, for example, is offered in the fifth and sixth the gifted headmaster says, who comes from teaching grades). at a Catholic high school in As Daniel Webster said Mobile, Ala., where he also, of his beloved Dartmouth Renaissance man that he is, College, it is a small school, coached the football team. “and yet there are those who love it.” It has grown from 26 (I think he misses Alastudents in its first year of ex- bama high school football, istence, to 45 in its second, to though). The artwork around the school is indeed eyeits current 60. The students, catching. Its sixth-graders when asked what they liked will read “The Odyssey” this about the school, often comyear. All the classes have oramented how much they love the teachers, who are impres- tory on Friday, where they

Judge For Yourself

Locals seek to defund abortion, pray for the unborn continued from page one

used for abortion, except in the case of rape, incest or danger to the life of the mother, Massachusetts has subsidized abortions under Medicaid since a 1981 Supreme Judicial Court decision which approved the practice of state government paying directly for abortion.

The court also termed abortion a “fundamental right.”

Tom Harvey, the lawyer who filed the petition, said that if successful, the petition would allow the issue of funding abortion to come before the Massachusetts legislature and that voters would be able to hold their elected representatives accountable for supporting taxpayer dollars being spent on abortion.

He added that the current makeup of the legislature is “better than it used to be” in terms of the Pro-Life cause.

The petition is the first “small step” toward making more local Pro-Life gains.

There has been a national and local push for the defunding of the nation’s largest

abortion provider, Planned Parenthood, since the Center for Medical Progress released undercover videos that show high-level Planned Parenthood employees pricing fetal organs; the selling of human body parts is a federal crime. PP officials at the national level have denied illegal activity, saying that the employees were merely discussing the “reasonable payments” for the “transportation, implantation, processing, preservation, quality control or storage of human fetal tissue” allowed by federal law.

Agatha Bodwell, executive director of Catholic Citizenship, said that the videos show the “atrocities” that occur in abortion clinics. Public funding should never pay for abortions or go toward abortion clinics.

“The Planned Parenthood undercover videos have forced people to think about what is really happening in the abortion industry. The timing of this ballot petition couldn’t be better,” she said.

There are several Pro-Life

bills before the Massachusetts legislature this year, including a bill that would require abortion facilities to be licensed and inspected as well as the proposed Laura’s Law, which would inform pregnant women of resources available to them and the effects of abortion.

Catholic Citizenship supports both bills and to further the respect for life, the organization will sponsor a celebration of life day in the Great Hall of the Massachusetts Statehouse on October 14 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. The event will recognize the lifesaving work of crisis pregnancy centers.

Every fall also marks the start of another 40 Days for Life campaign, which will be held outside six Massachusetts abortion clinics in Attleboro, Boston, Haverhill, Lynn, Springfield and Worcester from September 23 to November 1.

Ron Larose, co-coordinator at the Attleboro vigil, said that the number of people praying outside the clinic has increased

learn to recite pieces from memory.

The Catholic tradition is also stressed. After all, the university arose in the Middle Ages in the heart of Catholicism, and so did the Renaissance, another blend of classical and Christian culture. The students pray the Angelus at noon, and the music class is learning, among other things, Gregorian Chant.

The tuition is $6,580 for the school year, but there is plenty of student aid, as the school does not want to turn away students for financial reasons. And, of course, the co-ed school does not discriminate in any way on the basis of race, color, national or ethnic origin.

And while modern university education, and the public schools, have largely abandoned character education, St. Benedict Elementary unabashedly proclaims: “Our virtue-based character education program teaches students universally-valued virtues such as honesty, integrity, perseverance, respect for self and others, self-control, and patience through weekly

‘virtue talks.’ We intentionally integrate this formation in the virtues into the culture of the school as well through our study of character development and heroism in literature and history.”

The great Catholic moral philosopher Alasdair MacIntyre, ends his 1981 book “After Virtue”: “What matters at this stage is the construction of local forms of community within which civility and the intellectual and moral life can be sustained through the new dark ages which are already upon us. And if the tradition of the virtues was able to survive the horrors of the last dark ages, we are not entirely without grounds for hope.

This time, however, the barbarians are not waiting beyond the frontiers; they have already been governing us for quite some time. And it is our lack of consciousness of this that constitutes part of our predicament. We are waiting not for a Godot, but for another — doubtless very different — St. Benedict.” Precisely.

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

significantly since the Center for Medical Progress began releasing its undercover videos.

He expects that publicity to boost attendance at 40 Days as well.

“We’re optimistic that we can keep the momentum going,” he said.

Kathleen Hill, who leads a Bible study for post-abortive women at Abundant Hope Pregnancy Resource Center in Attleboro, said that the undercover videos are particularly affecting women who have had

abortions. She said that supporting women in continuing their pregnancies benefits the child and the mother.

“They say it’s like tearing a scab off a wound. And these are women that have gone through healing,” she said. “I spoke to one woman who had an abortion 41 years ago and she said, ‘I think about that baby every single day.’ They don’t ever forget.”

For more information on the citizen initiative petition, visit stoppublicfundingofabortion.org.

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

14

September 25, 2015

Sister of Msgr. John F. Moore remembered as ‘dedicated educator’

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

NEW BEDFORD — The one thing that Msgr. John F. Moore will always remember about his late sister, Rosemary, was her enthusiasm for education.

“She was always outgoing and helping people,” Msgr.

Moore told The Anchor. “And it was always a very positive experience — not a negative experience. She always approached things from the stance of ‘What can we do?’ and not from the idea of ‘What should we do?’ And there is a big difference mentally on that. I’ll always remember her enthusiasm for education — it was very important for all of us.”

Although Rosemary (Moore) Bowen, 77, passed away September 6, it’s clear that she left behind a lasting legacy through her lifelong devotion to Catholic education. Before marrying her future husband, E. Howland “Ted” Bowen, and becoming the mother of five children, the New Bedford native served as the first laywoman teacher at Bishop Stang High School in North Dartmouth from 1959 through 1968.

“She was always involved in education and Church,” Msgr. Moore said. “I think she taught for maybe a little more than six months in a public school, and then the opportunity came for her

to be hired at Bishop Stang High School as they were beginning. She had a deep affection for Bishop Stang — in fact, I just got a card today from one of her former students, who is now a diocesan priest. She had many (future) priests in her classes when she was a teacher at Stang.”

“She was teaching at Roosevelt Junior High School (in New Bedford) after she graduated, but she was also teaching part-time at Bishop Stang and the next year she transitioned to teaching full-time at Stang,” recalled Bowen’s son, Daniel. “I know she talked about the fact that all her coworkers at the time were men, so I’m certain she was the first female layperson teaching there.”

“She was very much involved in the school and all her children eventually went to Bishop Stang,” Msgr.

Moore added. “She had a great attachment to Catholic education. At the time, I was serving at Coyle and Cassidy as the chaplain, and they were still two separate schools. We were all very interested in the Catholic school system in the diocese.”

In fact, during those early years at Bishop Stang, Msgr.

Moore noted the only other women that Bowen encountered were the Sisters of Notre Dame de Namur, who staffed the high school and also lived in the adjacent convent.

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

“She was very close to the Sisters of Notre Dame de Namur,” Msgr. Moore said.

“When she married Ted, I remember their wedding day. She was going from St. Lawrence Martyr Church, where she was married, to the reception at White’s in Westport; but the one thing she and Ted did was they stopped at the convent to meet and greet the nuns.”

“That’s absolutely true — it’s in their wedding album,” Daniel confirmed. “We were just looking at the photos the other day!”

Although Bowen eventually left teaching to raise a family and pursue other interests, her passion for academic achievement never waned and it clearly made an indelible impression on her children.

Daniel is currently teaching at Georgetown Prep School in Washington, D.C. and his brother, Patrick, just joined the faculty at Diman Regional Vocational Technical High School in Fall River.

“My first job after I finished graduate school was teaching religion at Bishop Feehan High School (in Attleboro),” Daniel said.

“My mother had worked

with George Milot, who was principal there at the time, and he told her they needed a religion teacher. I lived at home for the first two years, and my mother pretty much coached me through my first two years of teaching.”

“There were skills and methods that she taught that have stayed with me,” he added. “For instance, I remember having trouble with a student during my first year, he was very rowdy, and she told me: ‘Well, before you think about class management, think about his feelings and don’t ever embarrass a student or a teen-ager in front of his friends. Always give him an opportunity to save face, always take him aside.’ And that person-centered teaching always stayed with me.”

But it wasn’t just academics that interested Bowen, she was also concerned with athletic achievement as well.

“When she graduated from Bridgewater State College, her younger brother — my uncle Kevin — said she was astounded when she went there, because they had a major in physical education and she thought that was the greatest thing ever,” Daniel said. “She was totally committed to education and athletics from the time she was an undergraduate. She ultimately got her master’s degree while she was teaching at Bishop Stang, attending classes at night.”

According to her son, Bowen was also the first women’s athletic director at Bishop Stang and she coached all of the girls’ sports for every season. She was also a physical education teacher while teaching English classes.

“She did it all,” Daniel

said. “And she also started the Our Lady of the Lake Day Camp for Girls. The diocese already had a day camp and an overnight camp for boys (at Cathedral Camp in East Freetown), but she started one there for girls.”

“I was doing the equestrian program at Cathedral Camp at the time, working with horses,” Msgr. Moore recalled. “So she became interested in helping to develop a sports program for girls at the camp. She was very dedicated.”

A native of New Bedford, Bowen spent the last 48 years living in Little Compton, R.I., where she also served as owner and principal broker of Spinnaker Real Estators since 1978.

Bowen is survived by her husband and five children: Edward, Patrick, Sean and Margaret Manning, all of Little Compton, R.I., and Daniel of Kensington, Md. In addition to Msgr.

Moore, she leaves two other siblings: Margaret Grandchamp of Adams, Mass. and Kevin Moore of Narberth, Pa. But for those who knew Bowen best, the most important thing she leaves behind is how to appreciate and value a Catholic education.

“I think she had a great love for Catholic education, I really do,” Msgr. Moore said.

“But it was a joyful love of education, not the education for the sake of education.

The gift of education was given to all of us, especially through the Sisters of Mercy at Holy Family School (in New Bedford). It was quite spectacular. And to be able to stay there at your own parish and go through high school was (a blessing).”

“I remember walking through the Dartmouth Mall as a little kid with her and people would stop her and come up to her and say: ‘Oh, Miss Moore, you taught me English’ or ‘You coached me,’” Daniel said. “The connection that she made with students was amazing. She coached every single girl that went through Bishop Stang from 1959 through 1968, and she really formed personal bonds with every single student. She always was able to connect with the person — they were never just kids to her.”

15

September 25, 2015

Pope Francis: Do you believe that Christ can transform you?

Havana, Cuba (CNA/ EWTN News) — Pope Francis celebrated his second public Mass during his papal visit to Cuba, reflecting that an encounter with Christ has the power to transform even the most rejected sinners into missionaries.

“The gaze of Jesus gives rise to missionary activity, service, self-giving,” the pope said, drawing his inspiration from the conversion of St. Matthew, whose feast was celebrated September 21.

“Jesus’ love heals our shortsightedness and pushes us to look beyond, not to be satisfied with appearances or with what is politically correct.”

Reminding the faithful that they too are sinners, the pontiff called them to take a moment and “recall with gratitude and happiness those situations, that moment, when the merciful gaze of God was felt in our lives.”

“He sees beyond this, to our dignity as sons and daughters, a dignity at times sullied by sin, but one which endures in

the depth of our soul,” Pope Francis said. “He came precisely to seek out all those who feel unworthy of God, unworthy of others.”

Tens of thousands were in attendance at the papal Mass in Cuba’s southeast city of Holguín, in the central Revolution Square, marking the second full day of Pope Francis’ visit to the island nation. He is the third Roman pontiff to visit the country, having been preceded by St. John Paul II in 1998 and Pope Benedict XVI in 2012.

Pope Francis spoke on the conversion of St. Matthew, an Apostle and evangelist, whose Gospel account tells “us what it was like, this encounter (with Jesus) which changed his life.”

“How strong was the love in that look of Jesus, which moved Matthew to do what he did!” the pope said. “What power must have been in His eyes to make Matthew get up from his table!”

At the time of this call, Matthew had been working as a tax-collector. Also known

as a publican, it was a reviled profession which involved the collection taxes from the Jews to give to the Romans. Those who engaged in this work were considered traitors.

“Publicans were looked down upon and considered sinners; as such, they lived apart and were despised by others,” the pontiff said. “One could hardly eat, speak or pray with the likes of these.”

“Jesus, on the other hand, stopped; He did not quickly take His distance. He looked at Matthew calmly, peacefully.

He looked at him with eyes of mercy; He looked at him as no one had ever looked at him before.”

Just as when Jesus called Zacchaeus, Bartimaeus, Mary Magdalen, and Peter, the pontiff said, His “look unlocked Matthew’s heart; it set him free, it healed him, it gave him hope, a new life.”

Pope Francis reflected on how Matthew encountered the “joy of service” in Jesus’ gaze, and left behind his life as a tax-collector to follow Christ’s

mission.

Jesus, moreover, challenges us in our belief: “Do you believe it is possible that a traitor can become a friend? Do you believe is possible that the Son of a carpenter can be the Son of God?” “His gaze transforms our way of seeing things, His heart transforms our hearts. God is a Father Who seeks the Salvation of each of His sons and daughters.”

The pope then called the faithful to look upon the Lord in the Sacraments of the Eucharist and Confession.

He also invited them to extend their gaze to those who “feel excluded and abandoned,” like the sick, those in prison, the elderly, and families experiencing difficulties.

“Again and again we are called to learn from Jesus, Who always sees what is most authentic in every person, which is the image of His Father.”

The pope acknowledged the work and challenge of the Catholic Church in Cuba to

spread the Gospel, including the “most remote areas,” especially “mission houses.”

In light of the shortage of churches and priests, these mission houses “provide for many people a place for prayer, for listening to the Word of God, for catechesis and community life,” the pope said.

“They are small signs of God’s presence in our neighborhoods and a daily aid in our effort to respond to the plea of the Apostle Paul: ‘I beg you to lead a life worthy of the calling to which you have been called, with all lowliness and meekness, forbearing one another in love, eager to maintain the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace’” (cf. Eph 4:1-3).

Pope Francis concluded his homily by appealing to Our Lady of Charity of El Cobre, the patroness of Cuba.

“May her ‘eyes of mercy’ ever keep watch over each of you, your homes, your families, and all those who feel that they have no place. In her love, may she protect us all as she once cared for Jesus.”

Pope Francis’ gift to Castro: A challenging message from Cuban leader’s old teacher Havana, Cuba (CNA) — Pope Francis met with Fidel Castro and gave him a special gift: a book and two CDs with the homilies and songs of Father Armando Llorente, a Jesuit priest who was Castro’s school teacher.

Before Father Llorente’s death, he publicly asked for Castro’s conversion and repentance.

Father Llorente was Castro’s teacher and mentor at Belen Jesuit Preparatory School, where Castro studied until he was 16 years old.

In 2007, in an interview given from exile in Miami, Fla., the priest asked to meet Castro and said he was willing to immediately go to Cuba and hear his Confession.

“The first thing that we would do would be to give each other a big hug, laugh and remember the adventures that we had together, which were many and very beautiful.” Then he would tell him: “Fidel, the moment of truth has arrived,” Llorente told the news agency Efe. The Spanish-born priest emphasized that he maintained hope that he would be able to absolve Castro of his sins. He stressed the need for him to publicly ask for forgiveness “because his sins were not only personal.”

Llorente was a 24-year-old Jesuit novice when he was sent

to Cuba in 1942 to finish his formation. When he was a teacher at the preparatory school, Castro was his best student and had many very good friends.

In 1945, the priest wrote in the school yearbook: “Fidel Castro, has the makings of a hero, the history of his motherland will have to speak about him.”

In the 2007 interview, Father Llorente said that Castro’s school years were the best of his life because up until then “he didn’t feel loved by anyone.” He had many “traumas and issues” knowing that he was the conceived in an extramarital affair of his father, Angel Castro, and Lina Ruz, who worked as a servant in his house.

During the Cuban Revolution in December 1958, Father Llorente, under the guise of a rancher, was able to reach Castro and speak to him.

“He confessed to me that he had lost the faith, and I responded to him: ‘Fidel, one thing is to lose your faith and another thing is to lose your dignity.’”

Castro would expel the Society of Jesus from Cuba.

In 1961, Father Llorente was forced into exile in Miami where he established a branch of the Agrupacion Catolica Universitaria, a Marian Congregation whose Spirituality is based upon Jesuit formation principles with a strong

Marian reflection.

Father Llorente lived in Miami until his death on April 28, 2010 at the age of 91.

After the priest’s death, Cardinal Sean O’Malley, OFM Cap., wrote that Father Llorente “gave more retreats in one year than the majority of Jesuits give in their lifetime. He had a great gift to inspire the youth to be more active in the Church.”

Cardinal O’Malley described the priest as “an eloquent teacher of Ignatian Spirituality and the Gospel life.”

Fidel Castro and Father Armando Llorente, S.J. (CNA photo)

This week in 50 years ago — Msgr. Raymond T. Considine, then-acting vicar general for the diocese, capped 16 Carmelettes who did volunteer work at Our Lady’s Haven in Fairhaven. Among them were twin sisters Deborah and Dolores Dufresne.

25 years ago — Priests of the Fall River Diocese gathered for a special anniversary Mass at Cathedral Camp in East Freetown to commemorate Bishop Daniel A. Cronin’s 22nd anniversary as bishop.

Diocesan history

10 years ago — Parishioners of St. Joseph’s Parish in Attleboro marked the 100th birthday of their parish by recalling the past during a special Mass celebrated by Bishop George W. Coleman.

One year ago — Father Matt Malone, S.J., the youngest editor-inchief ever appointed to the national Catholic news weekly America, was the featured speaker at the 20th annual St. Mary’s Education Fund Fall Dinner.

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Youth Pages

September 25, 2015

St. Mary-Sacred Heart School in North Attleboro celebrated its first Mass together for the 2015/2016 school year with all 291 students. Father David Costa spoke to the students about how important each one is to the school. The Mass also marked the annual blessing of the new students and faculty. In this photo all the new students from kindergarten to eighth grade, and the two new teachers, stand in the Sanctuary after the blessing by Father Costa.

Grade-six students from St. Joseph School in Fairhaven recently created lava lamps as they investigate convection currents in the earth’s mantle.

The kindergarten class at Holy Family-Holy Name School in New Bedford experienced an “edible” math class. They used Skittles to practice sorting, graphing, and tallying. After their lesson, the children enjoyed eating all the candy. Pictured helping her students is Sister Muriel Lebeau, SS.CC.

Students from St. James-St. John School in New Bedford recently enjoyed spending academic time with their school buddies. Pictured are grades three and six working on “All About Me.” St. John the Evangelist School in Attleboro sponsored a welcome back BBQ for the students and faculty.

Shown are Tatiana Troy, Claudia Dellaleh, Emily Billard, Abby Smith, Olivia Baker, and Katelyn Pencarski in the buffet line.

Youth Pages God is always around in the little and simple things

September 25, 2015

T

hey came to Jericho.

And as Jesus was leaving Jericho with His disciples and a sizable crowd, Bartimaeus, a blind man, the son of Timaeus, sat by the roadside begging. On hearing that it was Jesus of Nazareth, he began to cry out and say, “Jesus, Son of David, have pity on me.” And many rebuked him, telling him to be silent. But he kept calling out all the more, “Son of David, have pity on me.” Jesus stopped and said, “Call him.”

So they called the blind man, saying to him, “Take courage; get up, He is calling you.” He threw aside his cloak, sprang up, and came to Jesus. Jesus

ing to us is because we limit said to him in reply, “What ourselves to the way we want do you want Me to do for to hear God. Can’t God you?” The blind man replied speak to us in any way He to Him, “Master, I want to see.” Jesus told him, “Go your chooses? If we choose the way God speaks to us then I way; your faith has saved you.” Immediately he received his sight and followed Him on the way (Mk 10:46-52).

When you call on the Lord, do you sometimes get the feeling He’s not

By Ozzie Pacheco listening? Some people find it difficult to hear the Lord, and, in a crisis believe we are unknowingly situation, feel like God is ignoring His answer to our ignoring them altogether. Is prayers, His saving grace. If He really?

I wonder if the real reason you believe that God never abandons us, then you must we can’t hear God speak-

Be Not Afraid

The students and faculty of St. Francis Xavier School in Acushnet observed a special day of remembrance, dialogue and prayer on September 11. Pictured are the students of grades six through eight who marked the day in school by walking to the Acushnet 9/11 Memorial together to witness this powerful monument and spend some time in prayer for peace in our world.

Bishop Connolly High School (Fall River) student ambassadors flank Msgr. Thomas J. Harrington, a diocesan priest and member of the Massachusetts Corps of Fire Chaplains, at a memorial ceremony at Battleship Cove on September 11 marking the 14th anniversary of the 9/11 terrorist attacks. From left: Aidan Corey, Samuel McCarten, Paxton McLane, Mitchell Carter, Michelle Lanctot, Msgr. Harrington, Jillianne Chippendale, Nathaniel Chhim, Nicholas Sasse, and Megan Quigley.

also believe that He answers our pleas. The problem is, are we listening the way we should?

And once your prayer is answered, what continues to trouble you? Oh yes, Jesus’ request to follow Him. That’s the unknown. Follow Him where? Why? The blind man had no trouble following Christ because he believed and trusted in Him. Do you believe and trust in Jesus?

You also know the story of the rich young man who asked Jesus what he must do to have eternal life. Jesus said to him, “If you wish to be perfect, go, sell what you have and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in Heaven. Then come, follow Me.” When the young man heard this statement, he went away sad, for he had many possessions. Then Jesus said to His disciples, “Amen, I say to you, it is easier for a camel to pass through the eye of a needle than for one who is rich to enter the Kingdom of God” (Mt 19: 21-24).

Our worldly possessions don’t make us perfect. In fact, they can be obstacles to inheriting eternal life. The same is true with your faith.

You fall often to sin, but you get up each time and ask forgiveness and promise to try to do better. You trust in God to be there for you always. And God is always there. But, sometimes the fear of the unknown still remains — that can be a scary thing. Don’t be afraid to follow Jesus. What He asks you

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to do is only for good, never to harm you. If only the rich young man could have understood this.

Next time you ask the Lord to hear your plea be open to the way God chooses to answer you or call you.

I share this story, author unknown, with all young people in ministry as a hope for them to be open to any way God chooses to speak to them. It’s titled “God, Speak to Me”: “The man whispered, ‘God, speak to me.’ And a meadowlark sang. But the man did not hear.

So the man yelled ‘God, speak to me.’ And the thunder and lightning rolled across the sky. But the man did not listen.

The man looked around and said, ‘God, let me see You.’ And a star shined brightly. But the man did not see.

And, the man shouted, ‘God, show me a miracle.’ And a life was born. But the man did not notice.

So, the man cried out in despair, ‘Touch me, God, and let me know You are here.’ Thereupon, God reached down and touched the man. But the man brushed the butterfly away and walked off unknowingly.”

This is a great reminder that God is always around us in the little and simple things that we take for granted. The Good News is that you are loved.

Don’t miss out on a blessing because it isn’t packaged the way that you expect.

God bless!

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

The Anchor is always pleased to run news and photos about our diocesan youth. If schools, parish Religious Education programs, or homeschoolers have newsworthy stories and photos they would like to share with our readers, send them to: schools@anchornews. org

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September 25, 2015

After one year, bishop looks back; ahead

Pro-Life Apostolate reacts to pope’s letter; gears for 40 Days

the people of the Diocese of Fall River. Based on his many encounters with the priests, religious and lay people across the diocese, Bishop da Cunha established two task forces: one to study the needs and resources of diocesan schools and the other of diocesan parishes.

“There are many challenges to face in the diocese, but the establishment of the task forces is a step so we can strengthen our parishes and schools,” said the bishop. “We have great potential and great resources to strengthen both for the future.

With hard work, time, and collaboration on the part of the priests and lay faithful this can happen.”

Bishop da Cunha said that he was very hopeful for the future because, “So many of our priests have high morale and a commitment to serve the diocesan faithful. And the lay people of the diocese are equally committed to the Church and have great faith.

It’s a joy to enter into a collaboration with them for the future of the diocese. We can face any challenge together.”

The bishop said this first year was “a honeymoon year,” adding, “I’ve had only wonderful experiences and have met so many priests, religious and lay people who have been extremely supportive and welcome.”

The bishop relayed a story of visiting Holy Family-Holy Name School in New Bedford.

“I visited each classroom and was warmly welcomed by the students in each class. In one class, they had a duckling that hatched the day of my visit.

The children named the duckling Edgar.

“It was wonderful. The children feel so connected to you.”

Bishop da Cunha also fondly looked back on sharing time with the young men who were on the Quo Vadis retreat this past summer sponsored by the diocesan Vocations Office, and the young men and women who were attending the Pro-Life Boot Camp, facilitated by the diocesan ProLife Apostolate. “I was able to get out to both events and play a little bit of soccer with the young men and women. It was fun for all of us.”

It hasn’t only been the diocesan faithful who have warmly welcomed its new shepherd. “I have been treated very well by the local TV and radio stations and newspapers,” the bishop

Mercy,” Pope Francis addressed those women directly: “One of the serious problems of our time is clearly the changed relationship with respect to life.

A widespread and insensitive mentality has led to the loss of the proper personal and social sensitivity to welcome new life.

The tragedy of abortion is experienced by some with a superficial awareness, as if not realizing the extreme harm that such an act entails. Many others, on the other hand, although experiencing this moment as a defeat, believe they have no other option. I think in particular of all the women who have resorted to abortion. I am well aware of the pressure that has led them to this decision. I know that it is an existential and moral ordeal. I have met so many women who bear in their heart the scar of this agonizing and painful decision.

“What has happened is profoundly unjust; yet only understanding the truth of it can enable one not to lose hope. The forgiveness of God cannot be denied to one who has repented, especially when that person approaches the Sacrament of Confession with a sincere heart in order to obtain Reconciliation with the Father. For this reason too, I have decided, notwithstanding anything to the contrary, to concede to all priests for the Jubilee Year the discretion to absolve of the sin of abortion those who have procured it and who, with contrite heart, seek forgiveness for it. May priests fulfill this great task by expressing words of genuine welcome combined with a reflection that explains the gravity of the sin committed, besides indicating a path of authentic conversion by which to obtain the true and generous forgiveness of the Father Who renews all with His presence.”

“I think it’s a wonderful message to the world that the Church seeks to be the visible face of Jesus in offering forgiveness and mercy and embracing those women who have been involved in procuring an abortion,” said Marian Desrosiers, director of the Pro-Life Apostolate for the Diocese of Fall River. “The pope is showing us that the Church is a place of mercy and compassion for those women, even though he recognizes the seriousness of the sin itself. I think he’s also looking at the terrible effect, not only on the unborn, but also on the women and others who have been involved in some way.”

Desrosiers said the release of the letter may have created some confusion among women since

continued from page one

added. “I have made myself available to them and cooperate with them. I think we’ve grown to have a good rapport.”

Not everything that needs to be done is good news, like the closing of Sacred Heart Parish in Fall River, with the cathedral taking on the faithful there, and the closing of St. Kilian’s Parish in New Bedford with the faithful there being welcomed by those at St. Anthony’s Parish, also in the Whaling City.

“The Sacred Heart closing was in the works before I got here, but it is so very good and hopeful that the Sacred Heart soup kitchen, which has assisted so many in need, was able to relocate to St. Bernadette’s Parish in Fall River,” the bishop said.

“The closing of St. Kilian’s and the welcome by Father Edward A. Murphy and the parishioners of St. Anthony’s went so very smoothly,” Bishop da Cunha told The Anchor.

“I didn’t hear any negatives during the process, and I tried to make myself available to everyone as much as I could; celebrating a closing Mass with the faithful at St. Kilian’s and joining with the symbolic procession from St. Kilian’s to St. Anthony’s. I joined the procession at the halfway point to show the faithful that I am with them through this difficult time. It’s the small things that matter also.”

The bishop also felt a sense of satisfaction with the great success of the recordbreaking Catholic Charities Appeal campaign this year, and the retooling of the St. Mary’s Education Fund into the Foundation to Advance Catholic Education.

“This first year was largely devoted to listening and planning,” the bishop said. “There is a lot to accomplish.”

The bishop mentioned that Pope Francis’ visit to the U.S. comes at time of his first anniversary in the Fall River Diocese. “People are enthusiastic about Pope Francis,” he said.

“I’d like to follow the visions of Pope Francis and hopefully his visit to America will bring hope of faith to many. And I pray that his visit will bring a renewal in the Diocese of Fall River as well.

“In my second year I hope to build on this renewal and reenergizing of the diocese, and build on that hope.”

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mostly all priests in the United States and Canada, according to her understanding, have been given that power to forgive through the Sacrament of Reconciliation by their bishops.

“They already had those faculties,” she said, “but I think the pope is presenting this opportunity worldwide so I think it does send a message of the love and mercy of Christ to the world.

We condemn the sin, not the sinner. I think some women were confused that possibly this wasn’t available years ago, so were they or weren’t they forgiven? I think some of the confusion came in and it did need to be articulated more and allow women to understand.”

September 23 was the launch of the 16th consecutive campaign of the Attleboro 40 Days for Life, with a 9 a.m. Mass scheduled for September 26 at St. Vincent de Paul Parish in Attleboro (www.40daysforlife.com/ attleboro).

“With the recent release of the Planned Parenthood videos depicting the sale of fetal body parts, there is a heightened awareness of the significant moral and ethical issues surrounding abortion,” stated a recent email from organizers. “We are praying that this will encourage more individuals to join us in prayer to change the hearts and minds of all who see us stand witness in front of the clinic.”

Though 40 Days for Life is not under the direction of her office, “it is fully supported by the diocese,” said Desrosiers, and she encourages continuous prayer and fasting, even by those who cannot make it to the clinic in person, and for a peaceful vigil at the Four Women Health Services, the abortion clinic in Attleboro.

“We’re really encouraging people to take it a step further as far as the prayer and fasting, and really committing to it,” she said.

“We know the recent videos that were released just grieved us even more,” she said of the rash of released videos showing Planned Parenthood discussing procurement and selling fetal organs for a profit.”

Planned Parenthood has countered through the media, stating that they donate the tissue for scientific research and are only reimbursed for their expenses. “[The videos] show the agony of what is happening to our country,” added Desrosiers, “but also to those women who may have been affected because of their own personal abortion ex-

perience. We pray and fast in the hope that the women will have a change of heart, and for the doctors and nurses and medical people who are involved.”

October is Respect Life Month, and the Respect Life Program begins anew each year on Respect Life Sunday, the first Sunday in October. The program is highlighted in Liturgies and marked by special events. The USCCB Secretariat of Pro-Life Activities publishes new materials each year to call attention to numerous human life issues, and Desrosiers has made sure parishes and schools have received their Respect Life kits, “Every Life is Worth Living,” ordered by the Pro-Life Apostolate office from the USCCB to be used on Respect Life Sunday and throughout the year.

A Rosary Rally for Life will be held on October 15 for seventhand eighth-grade students from the New Bedford area Catholic schools to be hosted at Bishop Stang High School in North Dartmouth: “They make a commitment to do a project, choosing a child who is unborn to pray for and that is acknowledged at the rally,” she said.

The weekend following the rally, Desrosiers has committed to three different talks on ProLife issues, including talking to students at a Catholic elementary school and to a group on the Cape about physician assistedsuicide — a timely presentation considering the upcoming hearing being led by Representative Louis Kafka (D-Stoughton), who has filed a Death with Dignity bill for this session (the fourth time he’s done so) and backed by 39 lawmakers. Though the bill cannot return to the Massachusetts ballot until 2018 because of the Commonwealth’s rules on the initiative process, it doesn’t prevent lawmakers from discussing it; the hearing is scheduled for October 27.

Desrosiers said though the fall may seem like her busiest time of year, her office works year-round to help promote Pro-Life issues and will continue to stay updated on the latest.

“I think we have to keep focusing on the horror of it all and that our country has moved in this direction,” she said. “We all know that human life begins at the moment of fertilization; science has proven that, there’s really no argument there. The question is, when do we as a society come together and rebuild the Culture of Life, and really embrace that every human life is worth living?”

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September 25, 2015

Eucharistic Adoration in the Diocese Acushnet — Eucharistic Adoration takes place at St. Francis Xavier Parish on Monday from 9:30 a.m. to 8:30 p.m.; Tuesday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 8:30 p.m.; and Saturday from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. Evening prayer and Benediction is held Monday through Wednesday at 6:30 p.m.

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

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

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

ATTLEBORO — There is a weekly Holy Hour of Eucharistic Adoration Thursdays from 5:30 to 6:30 pm at St. John the Evangelist Church on N. Main St. Brewster — Eucharistic Adoration takes place in the La Salette Chapel in the lower level of Our Lady of the Cape Church, 468 Stony Brook Road, on First Fridays beginning at noon until 7:45 a.m. First Saturday, concluding with Benediction and concluding with Mass at 8 a.m. buzzards Bay — Eucharistic Adoration takes place at St. Margaret Church, 141 Main Street, Monday through Saturday, from 6:30 to 8 a.m.; and every first Friday from noon to 8 a.m. on Saturday.

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

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

FAIRHAVEN — St. Mary’s Church, Main St., has Eucharistic Adoration every Wednesday from 8:30 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. in the Chapel of Reconciliation, with Benediction at 11:30 a.m. Also, there is a First Friday Mass each month at 7 p.m., followed by a Holy Hour with Eucharistic Adoration. Refreshments follow.

Fall River — Espirito Santo Parish, 311 Alden Street, Fall River. Eucharistic Adoration on Mondays following the 8 a.m. Mass until Rosary and Benediction at 6:30 p.m.

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

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

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

FALL RIVER — Good Shepherd Parish has Eucharistic Adoration every Friday following the 8 a.m. Mass and concluding with 3 p.m. Benediction in the Daily Mass Chapel.

A bilingual holy hour takes place from 2 to 3 p.m. Park behind the church and enter the back door of the connector between the church and the rectory.

Falmouth — St. Patrick’s Church has Eucharistic Adoration each First Friday following the 7 a.m. Mass, with Benediction at 4:30 p.m.

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

MASHPEE — Christ the King Parish, Route 151 and Job’s Fishing Road has 8:30 a.m.

Mass every First Friday with special intentions for Respect Life, followed by 24 hours of Eucharistic Adoration in the Chapel, concluding with Benediction Saturday morning followed immediately by an 8:30 Mass.

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

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

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

NORTH DIGHTON — Eucharistic Adoration takes place every Wednesday following 8:00 a.m. Mass and concludes with Benediction at 5 p.m. Eucharistic Adoration also takes place every First Friday at St. Nicholas of Myra Church, 499 Spring Street following the 8 a.m. Mass, ending with Benediction at 6 p.m. The Rosary is recited Monday through Friday from 7:30 to 8 a.m.

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

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

The Sacrament of the Sick is also available immediately after the 8 a.m. Mass.

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

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

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

Taunton — Adoration of the Most Blessed Sacrament takes place every First Friday at Annunciation of the Lord, 31 First Street. Exposition begins following the 8 a.m.

Mass. The Blessed Sacrament will be exposed, and Adoration will continue throughout the day. Confessions are heard from 5:15 to 6:15 p.m. Rosary and Benediction begin at 6:30 p.m.

WAREHAM — Eucharistic Adoration at St. Patrick’s Church begins each Wednesday evening at 6 p.m. and ends on Friday night at midnight. Adoration is held in our Adoration Chapel in the lower Parish Hall. ~ PERPETUAL EUCHARISTIC ADORATION ~ East Sandwich — The Corpus Christi Parish Perpetual Eucharistic Adoration Chapel is open 24 hours a day, seven days a week at 324 Quaker Meeting House Road, East Sandwich. Use the Chapel entrance on the side of the church.

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

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

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

Meeting in Jerusalem, European bishops call on nations to support migrants

JERUSALEM (CNS) — Leaders of the European bishops’ conferences expressed solidarity with people of the Middle East, especially those being forced from their homes, and called on European states to act generously, justly, and respectfully toward the influx of migrants and refugees now reaching their shores.

In a recent statement, the last day of their meeting in Jerusalem, the bishops said they met in the Holy Land to “renew their rootedness in Christ.” Looking at the joys, sufferings and challenges of the Church in the different countries, there emerged a picture of the great movement of peoples: asylum-seekers, refugees, migrants.

The anguish knows no bounds,” the leaders said. “The complexity of this exodus, with its inevitable differentiations, demands great attention from the individual states, whose situations are radically different,” they said, noting that the

In Your Prayers Please pray for these priests during the coming weeks Sept. 25 Rev. Robert J. Woodley, S.J. Missionary, Taunton, New Bedford, Fall River, 1857 Deacon Robert B. Raymond, 2007 Sept. 26 Rev. John J. Donahue, Assistant, St. William, Fall River, 1944 Rev. Flavius Gamache, SMM, Former Pastor, St. Peter, Dighton, 1996 Rev. John C. Martins, Former Pastor, St. Anthony of Padua, Fall River, 2008 Rev. Clement E. Dufour, Retired, Former Pastor, Sacred Heart, New Bedford, 2009 Sept. 27 Rev. John W. Greene, S.J., Former Teacher at Bishop Connolly High School, Fall River, 1991 Sept. 29 Rev. J.A. Payan, Founder, St. Mathieu, Fall River, 1899 Rev. Roman Chwaliszewski, OFM Conv., 2012 Sept. 30 Rev. John J. Griffin, Pastor, St. Paul, Taunton, 1963 Rev. George Taraska, OFM Conv., Parochial Vicar, Holy Rosary, Taunton, 1993 Deacon Paul G. Metilly, 2013 Oct. 1 Most. Rev. William O. Brady, S.T.D. Archbishop of St. Paul, 1961 Oct. 2 Rev. Joseph E. Sutula, Pastor, St. Casimir, New Bedford, 1961 Rev. Rene R. Levesque, Pastor, Blessed Sacrament, Fall River, 1999 Msgr. Stanislaus T. Sypek, 2011

Church in Europe was acting with “great commitment” to collaborate with their states following Pope Francis’ appeal that every parish, religious community, monastery and sanctuary to take in at least

one refugee family.

The bishops also called on the United Nations to “reach effective solutions” to stop the violence in the migrants’ countries of origin and work towards peace in each nation.

Around the Diocese The Fall River Area Men’s First Friday Club will meet on October 2 at St. Joseph Church on North Main Street in Fall River.

Mass begins at 6 p.m. and will be celebrated by Father Andrew Johnson, pastor of Good Shepherd and St. Stanislaus parishes. Following the Mass, the club will gather in the church hall next door for a hot meal prepared by White’s of Westport. Following the meal, the guest speaker will be Father Johnson. The Mass is open to the public and any gentleman wishing to join for the meal and listen to the guest speaker should reserve a seat through a club member or by calling Daryl Gonyon at 508-672-4822.

How would St. Paul use Facebook? Find out on October 3 at St. Patrick’s Parish Hall in Wareham. A fun and informative workshop, presented by Deacon David Murphy and Allison Gingras, will take place from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. on using social media to share the Catholic faith. Cost is $15 and includes lunch. For more information or to register, call 508-243-1133, or visit www.HowWouldStPaulFacebook.eventbrite.com.

A Mass of Healing will be celebrated on October 5 at 6 p.m. at Our Lady of Victory Church, 230 South Main Street in Centerville. If you are coping with any physical illness, dealing with worries, fears or anxieties, struggling with a life crisis or just feeling lost Spiritually or if you are concerned about a friend or family member and don’t know how to help them, then come and pray for these concerns. The Mass is sponsored by Our Lady of Victory Catholic Cancer Support Group, which meets immediately following in the Msgr. Perry Parish Center at 7 p.m. The guest speaker will be Virginia Ryan, a former member of the parish, who will explain and demonstrate Chair Yoga, a gentle form of exercise with wonderful health benefits. The support group also offers an informal discussion opportunity for members who would prefer a smaller group that meets once a month. For information regarding date and times, contact Geri Medeiros at 508-362- 6909.

On Columbus Day weekend, Our Lady of Lourdes Parish will host its annual Holly Fair at 2282 Route 6 in Wellfleet. The event will take place on October 10 from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m., then again on October 11 beginning after the 10:30 a.m. Mass. The fair will offer beautiful themed baskets, a quilt raffle, books, teacup raffle, homemade items, toys, ornaments, baked goods, wreaths, silent auction, White Elephant table, jewelry, cookies and much more! Photos with Santa will be taken on Saturday (October 10) from 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. Food offerings will include hot dogs, stuffed quahogs, sausage and peppers, clam chowder, chili and more.

The Women’s Guild of St. John Neumann Parish, located at 157 Middleboro Road in East Freetown, invites all to its One Day Only Barn Sale being held in the parish barn on October 17 from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m., rain or shine.

The Barn Sale has a large variety of items available to choose from and the prices can’t be beat!

The Fall River Diocesan Council of Catholic Women will host a breakfast presentation on Domestic Violence on October 24 at 9 a.m. in the parish center of Holy Name Parish, 850 Pearce Street in Fall River. Speakers will include District Attorney Thomas Quinn, Lt. Andrew Cook of the Fall River Police Department, and Paula Wilding, a representative from SSTAR. For reservations or more information, contact Mary Mitchell (508-993-3742), Lynette Ouellette (508-674-7036), Virginia Wade (508-676-6515), Rebecca Dean (508-761-4638) or Bobbie Dwyer (508-743-5448). The deadline for reservations is October 19 and no tickets will be sold at the door.

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September 25, 2015

Four-of-a-kind? I fold

hope that those who read Yet, these soothsayers know my weekly column actubetter — even better than the ally get the chance to read this Lord Himself Who said of the one. I say that because there end of times in Matthew, “But are some who are convinced of that day and hour no one that the end of times will hap- knows, not even the angels of pen this week or weekend.

Heaven, nor the Son, but the If that’s the case, I hope it’s Father alone.” And certain pasafter Sunday’s Patriots-Jaguars tors I guess. game. I’d like to have the I have to admit that ever chance to watch the Patriots since I found out the moon one last time before the world ends.

At the poker table any player worth her or his salt would go ga-ga over a hand revealing four-of-a-kind. But not

By Dave Jolivet with some Christian prognosticators.

For those who don’t know, this Sunday night wasn’t made of cheese, the orb will mark the fourth straight hasn’t had that much of an total lunar eclipse, a fairly rare impact on my life. phenomenon, but not all that And if the world doesn’t end unusual. this weekend, the collapse of This has raised the ears and America isn’t far behind. That’s imaginations of modern day because several “learned” in“prophets,” with the theory of dividuals know that the banks the “Four Blood Moons,” and will fail, sending all of us into a their relation to the end of world of anarchy. times.

The way I look at it is I don’t Scientists actually say that have that much money to lose, no one knows if a full moon so I can still sleep at night. will be the color of blood until And if the Four Blood it actually appears in the sky. A Moons or the collapse of blood moon (Hunter’s Moon) America doesn’t get me soon, is usually the first full moon Facebook will. after the Harvest Moon, usuThere are many well-intenally occurring in late October. tioned, but I believe misin-

My View From the Stands

formed people on social media who feel that if you like and share a picture of Jesus within five minutes of seeing it on your timeline you will become rich and worry-free. If you don’t share it or if you delete it, you will experience bad things within the next 24 hours.

The way I look at that one is that the bad thing that happened was receiving that post in the first place. Delete.

Finally, there are those who are just waiting for something to happen to Pope Francis during his U.S. visit. An ISIS attack in particular.

If Pope Francis heeded any of the theories floating around in each of the lands he visits, he’d never leave his humble home at the Vatican.

He would just connect with his sheep via Facebook — but then he’d have to beware of Jesus pictures threatening bad luck.

That doesn’t mean we shouldn’t pray for the Holy Father’s safety, it simply means, like the blood moons, total anarchy, and creepy Jesus Facebook posts, there is only so much we can control.

Perhaps folks should concentrate more on the here and now, and leave the future to the Almighty. God knows the here and now is a mess, and that beats four-of-a-kind any day. davejolivet@anchornews.org.

More than 125 motorcycle enthusiasts and their passengers recently joined St. Vincent’s Home in Fall River for the 10th annual Motorcycle Run raising more than $18,000 to benefit children, youth and families. The 38-mile Motorcycle Run was held in honor of Tony Sousa of Preferred Concrete, the title sponsor of St. Vincent’s Motorcycle Run for the past eight years and a key supporter of the event for all 10 years. The run began in Fall River with an escort from the Massachusetts State Police, winding through the scenic roads of Freetown, Lakeville, Taunton, Rochester and Berkley, ending back at St. Vincent’s. Bikers Against Child Abuse were well represented with more than 20 motorcycles. Pictured are Jack and Tony Sousa of Preferred Concrete.