09.26.03

----. .pc lji{?~

<--~.,---~

~",~~""",,*,,_...-.

~-=-_.

the8n VOL. 47, NO. 36 • Friday, September 26, 2003

FALL RIVER, MASS.

Southeastern Massachusetts' Largest Weekly • $14 Per Year

Bishop to· ordain two new priests FALL RNER - 1\vo men who have May 11,2001, all at Mount St. Mary Semi- homilist. The vesting priest will be Father been serving as transitional deacons will be nary.

Paul Clifford. Marie Elena Fitzpatrick and ordained to the priesthood October 11 at 11 He will celebrate his first Mass October Anne Marie Fitzpatrick, sisters of the new a.m., ceremonies in St. Mary's Cathedral 12 at 2:30 p.m., in St. Mary's Church, priest, will be the gift bearers. here.

Mansfield. Father William Virtue will be the Rev. Mr. McCarthy, 29, is a native of Rev. Mr. Michael Joseph Fitzpatrick and Rev. Mr. Ethan Garrett McCarthy will be I ordained priests for the Fall River diocese : by Bishop George W. Coleman.

It wiU be the first ordinations by Bishop Coleman since he became bishop on July .22.

The two men were ordained deacons on March 29.

Rev. Mr. Fitzpatrick, 33, is the son of Michael and Elena Fitzpatrick of Wrentham. His home parish is Blessed Sacrament in Walpole.

He attended St. Catherine of Sienna School in Norwood, graduated from Xavarian Brothers High School in 1988, and received a bachelor of arts degree in philosophy from St. John Seminary College, Brighton, in 1996.

He has worked as a childcare counselor and as a residential teacher at the May Cen- . ter. His field assignments, including summers at St. Michael Parish in Swansea and St. Mary's Cathedral, Fall River, involved being a chaplain at a hospital and at a high school; and also serving at the Shrine at Mount Saint Mary Seminary in Emmitsburg, Md. TRANSITIONAL DEACONS Ethan McCarthy, left, and Michael J. He was admitted to candidacy for holy orders on Nov. 16, 2002; to the ministry of Fitzpatrick will be ordained to the priesthood by Bishop George W. Coleman : lector on May 28, 2000; and to acolyte on at St. Mary's Cathedral in Fall River on October 11. .

Annapolis, Md., and the son of Permanent Deacon Dana McCarthy and Diane McCarthy of Harwichport. He is a member of Holy Trinity Parish in West Harwich.

He attended Harwich Elementary School and Harwich Junior High School and graduated from Harwich High School in 1994.

He briefly attended Framingham State College and received a bachelor's degree in philosophy from St. John Seminary College, Brighton, in 1998. His field assignments have taken him to St. Julie Billiart Parish in North Dartmouth, Notre Dame Parish in Fall River, St. Francis Xavier Parish in Hyannis, and St. John the Baptist Parish, New Bedford. He has served in hospital chaplaincy and in college campus ministry.

He was admitted to candidacy for holy orders on Nov. 16,2001; to the ministry of lector on April 16, 1999; and to acolyte on May 12,2000, all at Mount St. Mary Seminary.

He will celebrate his first Mass October 12 at 3 p.m., in Holy Trinity Church, West Harwich. His father, Deacon Dana McCarthy, will be the homilist. Father Gerald T. Shovelton, former pastor of Holy Trinity Parish, will be the vesting priest. He and pastor Father Thomas Rita, will be the concelebrants.

Jeff and Siobhan Marzulft, and Brendan McCarthy, will bring up the gifts.

A chalice that will be used by Father McCarthy will be blessed by Father Rita.

Bishop ColeDlan attends orientation session in RODle By

DAVE JOLIVET

ministries of the bishop was one of the outstanding features of this orientation."

FALL RNER - Fall River Bishop Bishop Coleman said that there are George W. Coleman recently returned many similarities and at the same time from a 10-day orientation meeting in many differences in the ministries of his Rome for newly ordained bishops that he brother bishops in other lands. "I met a described as "very useful and of great young 44-year-old bishop from Romania benefit" to his and he relayed ministry. Nearly how his country 120 bishops, or"I assured the Holy Father of the is just now dained within the prayers of the priests and faithful of emerging from last 12 months, 40 years of gathered at the the Diocese of Fall River as he Communist rule. h Vatican for a se- marks the 25 anniversary of his "I also enries of lectures, service to the Church as pope." countered a new meetings and - Bishop George W. Coleman auxiliary bishop presentations led from Cologne, by Cardinal Germany who Giovanni Battista Re, Prefect of the told us about the plans already in motion Vatican's Congregation for Bishops, for World Youth Day 2005 to be held sponsors of the annual event. there." ''The presentations and the resulting Bishop Coleman also said that many discussions were excellent," Bishop of the bishops with whom he spoke reColeman told The Anchor. "Meeting in ceived a great deal from the orientation Rome with bishops from around the sessions. "The other bishops spoke about world for reflection and discussion on the Tum to page 13 - Orientation EDITOR

, !

~

l

I,

v

,( Jj \

I'

/~

POPE JOHN Paul II greets Fall River Bishop George W. Coleman, left, at Castel Gondolfo, Italy, during an orientation session for newly ordained bishops. Cardinal Giovanni Battista Re, Prefect of the Vatican's Congregation for Bishops is also pictured. (Official Vatican photo) '1·' :'

\

'.

thea~ ,

,New Bedford parish to host 'Living Rosary' October 5 NEW BEDFORD - St. Joseph-St. Therese Parish will host the annual "Living Rosary" and procession on October 5 at 3 p.m.

The event, at which pastor Father Roger J, Levesque will preside, will have a special meaning this year because it marks the 45 th anniversary of the establishing of the Legion of Mary in the parish.

The guest speaker will be Father Christopher Gomes, OFM Conv., of St. Anthony of Padua .

Parish in New Bedford.

Donald St. Gelais will lead the recitation of the rosary during the p~ocession.

In the church, Donald Veronneau will lead the rosary and there will be a Scripture reading by Paul Carrier.

Music will be under the direction of Jacqueline Rogissart and Mrs. Irene Belanger will be the soloist.

Various praesidia of the Legion of Mary, Men of the Sacred Hearts, and members of the Knights of Columbus will be among participating groups.

St. Mary's guild installs officers SOUTH DARTMOUTH The St. Mary's Guild recently held its installation of officers for the 2003-2004 year. The new slate of officers elected are:

LEMIEUX HEATING, INC. Sales and Service for Domestic and Industrial Oil Burners

508-995-1631 2283 ACUSHNET AVENUE NEW BEDFORD

Theresa Lewis, president; Marjorie Bourgeois, vice president; Ruth Santos, recording secretary; Sandra Carvalho, corresponding secretary; and Janice Monte, treasurer. Board of Direc" tors are Gail Costa, Florence Nisbet and Lorraine Santos.

The next meeting of the guild will be October 2. It will be a potluck supper. For more information call Janice Monte at 508-9936188.

Montie Plumbing & Heating Co. Over 35 Years of Satisfied Seniices Reg. Master Plumber 7023 JOSEPH RAPOSA, JR 432 JEFFERSON STREET FALL RIVER 508-675-7496

Eastern Television Sales And Service

JEFFREY E. SULLIVAN FUNERAL HOME 550 Locust Street Fall River, Mass, : Rose E, Sullivan William 1. Sullivan Margaret M. Sullivan

·508·672·2391

Fall River's Largest Display of TVs

ZENITH • SONY 1196 BEDFORD ST. FALL RIVER 508-673-9721

Friday, September 26, 20()3

@bUuarir6

"

Father Isidore Kowalski,-OFM

CODV.

missionary in Ghana, West Africa for eight years.

He was guardian of the Immaculate Conception Friary and chaplain of the Motherhouse of the Franciscans Sisters of St. Joseph in Hamburg, N.Y. Survivors include his extended families, the Rollek Family and the Owczarczak Family; and nieces and nephews. He was the brother of the late Leon Kowalski, Frances Maziarz and Caroline Jadach.

His funeral Mass was celebrated September 18 in Our Lady of Perpetual Help Church, New Bedford. Burial was in St. Stanislaus Cemetery, Buffalo, N.Y. The Machnowski-Schick Funeral Home, 472 Ashley Boulevard, New Bedford, was in charge of frrangements.

FAIRHAVEN Father Hyacinth Seminary in Granby.

Isidore Kowalski, 87, of the He studied philosophy and Conventual Franciscan Friars, theology at St. Hyacinth's, and died September 13 at Our in 1950 received a bachelor's degree in economics as well as Lady's Haven.

Since 1989 he had served as a master's degree in education parochial vicar at Our Lady of in 1964 from Canisius College, ,.

Perpetual Help Parish in New N.Y. Bedford, where he was known Father Kowalski' served in for his special devotion to Our various parish ministries in Pennsylvania, Maryland and Lady.

Born in Brandon, Vt., the son New York; taught at Bishop of the late Anthony and the late Ryan High School in Buffalo, Agnes (Sagan) Kowalski, he N.Y.; was assigned to St. spent a year of novitiate at St. Bonaventure University and St. Joseph Cupertino in Ellicott Anthony of Padua Friary, both City, Md., after which he took in New York; was a member of his first profession of vows on the General Curia in Rome and Sept. 29, 1936. a confessor at St: Peter's BaFather Kowalski made his silica; preached at St. Anthony solemn profession of vows on Mission House in Maryland; Oct. 11, 1939 and was ordained was a chaplain, residing at St. a priest on June 29, 1943 by Lawrence of Brindisi Friary in Bishop Thomas O'Leary at St. To'nawanda, N.Y.; and was a

Sister Mary Peter RGS HARWICH - Religious of eases. She also specialized in tu- Providence, R.I., Villa Loretto the Good Shepherd Sister Mary berculosis nursing at the State in New York, and Hartford, Peter, the former Lillian Fair, Sanatorium in North Wilmington. Conn.

Sister Peter also taught reli91, died September 14 at the During World War II she was Cranberry' Pointe Rehabilita- a staff sergeant in the Women's gion, trade sewing, and comtion and Skilled Care Center Army Corps and received many bined childcare with ministry to after an illness. She had been a service medals. She attended the sick and elderly sisters.

Sister of the Good Shephe'rd for Washington Lee lJniversity in In 1977 she was a mobile li57 years. ' Lexington, Va., and became a brarian and worked in food serBorn in Boston', the da~gh­ member of the Army Medical vice at Madonna Hall in ter of the late Daniel P., and the Corps, specializing in paraple- Marlborough, before retiring. late Lillian (Potts) Fair; she was gics and paralyzed veterans. She She leaves a sister, Virginia educated in Roslindale public also did ward nursing in Fort Mariano of East Boston; and schools and graduated from Devens Medical Hospital and at nieces and nephews. She was Hyde Park High School in , Cushing General Hospital in also the sister of the late Daniel, James and Leo Fair.

1930.

Framingham.

She was a licensed practical' In 1946 she entered the NoHer funeral Mass \yas celnurse graduating from, HoLy vitiate of the Sisters of the Good ebrated September 18 at the Ghost Hospital in Cambridge Shepherd in Peekskill, N.Y., in Good Shepherd Center in where she studied incurable dis- preparation for her life's work Marlborough. Burial was in Mt. with troubled teen-age girls. In Benedict Cemetery, West 1949 she made her first profes- Roxbury.

Daily Readings The Sullivan-Fitzgerald & sion of vows. She was assigned to Boston's Good Shepherd Collins Funeral Home, 378 LinSept'29 On 7:9-10,13-14 residential treatment center. coln Street, Marlborough, was or Rv 12:7-12a, Subsequent missions included in charge of arrangements.

Ps 138:1-5; Jn 1:47-51 Sept 30 Zec 8:20-23; Ps 87:1-7; Lk 9:5156 Oct Neh 2:1-8; Ps 137:1-6; Lk 9:57. Please pray for the following 62 ,Oct 2' Neh8:1-4a;5priests during the coming weeks 6,7b-12; Ps 19:811; Mt 18:1-5,10 Sept. 29 Oct 3 Bar 1:15-22; Ps 1899, Rev. lA. Payan, Founder, St. Mathieu, Fall River 79:1-5,8-9; Lk 10:13-16 Sept. 30 Oct 4 Bar 4:5-12,27-24; 1963, Rev. John 1. Griffin, Pastor, St. Paul, Taunton Ps 69:33-37; Lk 1993, Rev. George Taraska, OFMCon\,:;Pardchial Vicar, Holy 10:17-24 Rosary, Taunton Oct 5 Gn 2:18-24; Ps 128:1-6; Heb 2:9Oct. 2 . 11; Mk 10:2-16 or 1961, Rev. Joseph E. Sutula, Pastbr,St. Casimir, New Bedford 10:2-12 1999, Rev. Rene R. Lev~sque, Pastor, Blessed Sacrament, Fall River

In Your Prayers

F€>RE

.'

THeUGHT"

FUNERAL PLANNING

?rta/(j it easierfor tliose you .row

~.

\

1111I11111111111111111111111111 THE ANCHOR (USPS-545-D20) Periodical Postage Paid at Fall River, Mass, Published weekly except for the first two weeks in July am the week after Orrisnnas at 887 Highlam Avenue, Fall River, Mass, 02720 by the Catholic Press of the Diocese ofFall River. Sul:l;cription price by mail, postpaid $14.00 per year.

POSTMASTERS send address changes to The Aochor. P.O. Box 7,.Fall River, MA mID.

,

} I

..

}

"

Oct. 3 1991, Rev. Msgr. Arthur G. Considine, Retired Pastor, St. Mary, South Dartmouth '' Oct.S 1999, Rev. Jean D. Pare, O.P., Assistant Director, St. Anne Shrine, Fall River

Friday, September 26, 2003

Partial-birth abortion ban moves to conference committee WASHINGTON (CNS) The Senate's 93-0 vote to send the Partial-Birth Abortion Ban Act to conference committee "moves us one step closer to ending the brutal partial-birth abortion procedure," the U.S. bishops' pro-life spokeswoman said after the September 17 vote.

Cathleen Cleaver, director of planning and information for the bishops' Secretariat for ProLife Activities. said she hoped the conference committee would approve "a clean and straightforward ban" without a Senate-passed provision in support of Roe v. Wade.

"It is noteworthy that this vote did not instruct conferees to keep the resolution approving of Roe v. Wade," she said in a statement. "Polls have consistently shown that most Americans reject most of the abortions that Roe permits."

In an earlier letter to the Senate, the chairman of the U.S. bishops' Committee on ProLife Activities urged senators to eliminate what he called the "extraneous" provision in support of Roe v. Wade.

Cardinal Anthony 1.

Bevilacqua, who resigned in July as archbishop of Philadelphia, said the "sense of the Senate" provision added as an amendment to the bill was "the one remaining obstacle to enactment of this much-needed legislation."

Proposed by Sen. Tom Harkin, D-Iowa, the amendment states that the Supreme Court's 1973 Roe vs. Wade de.cision "was appropriate and secures an important constitutional right" and "should not be overturned."

"The fact that this provision is opposed by many members of Congress and the president. and has already delayed final passage of this widely supported legislation, is reason enough to remove it," Cardinal Bevilacqua wrote in a September 12 letter to the senators.

"More importantly, central claims in the resolution are question-begging and false, even in the eyes of judges and legal scholars who favor the public policy created by Roe," he added.

The Harkin amendment is the only difference between the Senate version of the legislation. approved in March by a 64-33 vote, and the version passed by the House June 4 by a 282-139 margin.

The debate and vote on sending the bill to conference committee were highly unusual in Congress, where such steps are

nearly automatic.

"Some senators' insistence on this amendment is but the latest indication of a hardening of their hearts and minds on the most controversial and unwarranted Supreme Court decision in recent memory," Cardinal Bevilacqua said in his letter.

He said most Americans and 30 state legislatures support ending the partial-birth abortion procedure, but they have been thwarted by court deci-

sions permitting such abortions.

"In a representative democracy, our elected representatives in Congress cannot ignore these developments indefinitely," the cardinal wrote.

"Here and now, they should not continue to delay a longawaited ban on the brutal killing of children emerging from the womb, by insisting on an endorsement of the very court decision that has led some in

our society to practice and defend such killing."

As defined in the legislation, a partial-birth abortion is any abortion in which the baby is delivered "past the navel :.. outside the body of the mother" before being killed. The bill allows partial-birth abortions when necessary to save the mother's life.

If the amendment on Roe v.

Wade is deleted in conference committee, both the House and Senate must again vote on the legislation before it is sent·to President Bush, who has promised to sign it.

"President Bush, 70 percent of the public, and four Supreme

Court justices say there is no constitutional right to deliver most of a living baby and then puncture her head with a scissors," said Douglas Johnson, legislative director of the National Right to Life Committee, in a statement.

"But in the Stenberg vs.

Carhart ruling in 2000, five Supreme Court justices said that Roe v. Wade guarantees an abortionist's right to perform a partial-birth abortion whenever he chooses," he added. "We hope that by the ti me this ban reaches the Supreme Court, at least five justices will be willing to reject such extremism in defense of abortion."

Women are well informed these days about the importance of breast health. They recognize the need for routine mammograms. They understand the benefits of early diagnosis. But what they may not know is that there's a single source for total care. The FIRSTFED Center for Breast Care at Saint Anne's.

As a dedicated center, breast health is our total focus. We offer the latest diagnostics including mammography,

stereotactic biopsy and ultrasonography. A wide range of educational and support programs. Leading-edge cancer care services through our Hudner Oncology Center's affiliation with the Dana-Farber Cancer Institute. Access to the latest national clinical trials. And all aspects of care are coordinated by a multidisciplinary team in a caring, . supportive environment. No one offers such comprehensive services.

It's .more than total care. It's total peace of mind. For more information or to schedule your mammogram, call 508-235-5353.

FIRSTFED Center for Breast Care

1\

Saint Anne's Hospital It's the way we care for you.

CARITAS CHRISTI HEALTH CARE

795 Middle Street· Fall River, MA 02721-1798 • 508-674-5600 • saintanneshospital.org

I.~f" ..

the moorins..-..

Friday, September 26, 2003

the living word

Some reflections on illegal immigration How many illegal immigrants are now living in the United States?

Sad to say, no one can correctly answer this question. Those regulatory governmental agencies responsible for immigration services cannot even approximate the number who are living in America. The issue becomes even more imperative since the horrendous revelations following the 9/ 11 catastrophe. In a rush to protect the nation, it was more than obvious that there really were no boundaries to the country.

Truly, anyone who wanted to get into the United States could find a variety of means for illegal entry. Currently, even with added funding being poured into national protection, millions of people are still crossing borders. The government has not yet developed an effective instrument to stem the illegal flow of people. Bodies are still coming into America, undocumented and unknown. As such they are subjected to living in darkness and deceit.

However, we are not the only nation struggling with the problems along these lines. Europe has become a new destination for many seeking a new life. Illegal immigrants from Central and South America have found Spain and Switzerland their new hope. Driven by poverty at home, the availability of forged documents and the new need for workers, it is thought that three million Latinos will enter Europe this year. They will be the fastest growing immigrant reality in Europe.

Since 9/11, Europe has become an easier entry point, and in some ways a more desired destination. In the hope of stemming immigration from Muslim countries, Latinos are a more welcome people. The European Union in the past has granted open access to Latin Americans who came to Europe as tourists. Spain, of course, is the most frequented port of entry. Language is a prime factor in this regard. The longstanding ties of the Spanish govemmept and the Americas have made it a most attracBALTlMQRE CITY FIRE AND RESCUE WORKERS MOVE STRANDED GUESTS FROM A FLOODED HOTEL tive location. With its expanding economy, Spain has a tremendous need for workers. As a further enticement, Spanish citizenship is available TO DRY LAND SEPTEMBER 19 IN BALTIMORE. AfTER HURRICANE ISABEL POUNDED AREAS ALONG after two years of residency. As a member of the European Union, it is THE MID-ATLANTIC COAST, CATHOLIC CHARITIES USA SENT OUT AN APPEAL FOR FUNDS FOR the open door for all other member countries. Moving from country to RECOVERY EFFORTS. THE MASSIVE STORM, BLAMED FOR AT LEAST 40 DEATHS, LEFf MORE THAN country is easy in Europe. Efforts to control the influx of people face 3.5 MILLION PEOPLE WITHOUT POWER AND SHUT DOWN THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT FOR TWO great difficulties simply because Europe needs new workers. The declinDAYS IN WASHINGTON. (CNS PHOTO BY OWEN SWEENEY ill, CATHOliC REVIEW) ing birth rate fails all hopes of a native labor force. New immigrants are most welcome because they do not demand high wages. The cultural tier, including religion, also makes them more acceptable than the millions of "I WOULD HASTEN TO MY PLACE OF REFUGE FROM THE Muslims who want to cross over the Mediterranean into Europe.

At one time, Switzerland relied on Spanish, Italian and Portuguese STORMY WIND AND TEMPEST" (PSALM 55:8). workers. Those days are now in the past. To fill their places, South Americans are swiftly replacing them. Black Market visas and birth certificates are readily available. Unlike the United States, these new illegal iinmigrants are welcomed secretly by governments who close their eyes to the legal issues at hand.

As rich nations become richer and poor countries become poorer, we

By FATHER EUGENE HEMRICK certain sacredness that isn't the procession of Benedictine .can be assured that the issue of illegal immigrants will not disappear CATHOLIC NEWS SERVICE present in their own churches. monks at the beginning of Mass. overnight. Nations will attempt to control the flow of peoples in various As I sat in the packed church This is not to say their parishes They never seem rushed. ways. Some will act out of fear, others out of need. The problem will are less sacred. Rather, a busy Rather, they are quiet and slow, continue to exist until sensible and rational solutions are agreed to, first of St. Vincent's Archabbey in parish contains a different type as if to say, "We are now and foremost on the international level. A single nation really cannot go it Latrobe, Pa., during its 5 p.m.

Saturday evening Mass, I of sacredness than does a entering the Holy of Holies." alone in this matter. wondered why so many people monastery a sacredness in And if you look closely, you Above all, nations must realize they are dealing with people, real hufrom surrounding towns were the midst of the busyness of will notice that many of the man beings, and not mere statistical numbers. People have some very here and not in their home daily life. monks make slow reverential basic inherent rights. Nations do not have the authority to destroy these parishes.

A monastery connotes bows in humility before our rights. When this occurs, they become partners in the exploitation of It wasn't the first time this solitude, quiet, contemplation and awesome God. people, along with ruthless employers. Yes, we must be able to make all question had occurred to me. stillness that allow one to be all During the "Lectio Divina" immigrants legal. Yes, we must defend the inherent dignity of the human When I celebrated Mass with present to God in prayer. It is the (the psalms and readings the person. the Benedictine monks at St. direct antithesis of the hurried life monks celebrate), the music One wonders if Jesus had the right papers when he crossed the border Procopius Abbey in Lisle, Ill., with its distractions and worldly they sing usually contains into Egypt. . and at St. John's in Collegeville, concerns. Interestingly, most simple, unrushed melodic lines, The Executive Editor Minn., it was the same. People monasteries are built on as if to say, "Lord we want to from neighboring parishes mountaintops or hills, suggesting show you reverence, not show flooded their Masses. a distancing from the world and a off."

Convenience may be one drawing closer to God. When we sum up the role reason for this. The times of In all of us there is, deep that architecture, processions, certain abbey Masses might be down, a longing to be united gestures, music and the monks more accommodating. Or with God through silent prayer themselves fulfill in an abbey . OFF'ICIAL NEWSPAPER OF THE DIOCESE OF FALL RIVER perhaps some of these people and peaceful meditation. To do church, they come down to ..Published weekly by the Catholic Press of the Diocese of Fall River have gotten to know certain this we want an inviting atmoreverence. Reverence entails a P.O. BOX 7 887 Highland Avenue monks and feel comfortable sphere where we can distance sense of awe at being in the Fall River, MA 02720 Fall River, MA 02722-0007 going to the abbey to be with ourselves from disruptions. presence of someone much Telephone 508-675-7151 FAX 508-675-7048 them, seeking also the important Whether all those people at St. greater than I. E-mail: TheAnchor@Anchornews.org sense of community and Vincent's were conscious of it In a day and age when Send address changes to P.O. Box, call or use E-mail address welcome fostered there. or not, I believe a reason they irreverence is becoming more My guess, however, is that come there is to fulfill this prevalent on TV programs, in EXECUTIVE EDITOR the reasons also point to a holy longing. our movies and on our streets, is c: .

Rev. Msgr. John F. Moore expectation. People go to the Monasteries also exude holy it any wonder that people flock ..• EDITOR NEWS EDITOR OFFICE MANAGER Masses at monasteries because gestures, which inspire thoughts to monasteries to renew their David B. Jolivet James N. Dunbar Barbara M. Reis they expect to experience a. of the sacred. Take for example sense of reverence?

Holy expectations at Mass

······theancho~

I'

Friday, SePte~er'26, 2003

You are now

the ~

en~ering ...

Writing a weekly column In February of 2002, the about baseball is by far the New England Patriots entered most difficult of the four major football's version of the TZ on sports. The masterpiece must a roll and they rode that roll be completed, at the very all the way to the land of jazz latest, on Tuesday morning (as and jambalaya holding aloft a is usually the case) and it Super Bowl trophy. doesn't appear to the readerOnce in the TZ talent isn't ship until Friday morning at the key. Just ask the 200 I the earliest. With baseball, Yankees against the Arizona much too much can happen between deadline and publication - especially with the Red Sox. But against my better judgment, here goes. As these words magically appear on

By Dave Jolivet my computer monitor, the Sox' magic number to clinch a playoff spot is four - with six games to play. I'm Diamondbacks, or the '97 going to go with the assumpIndians against the Florida tion that we will be part of the Marlins, or the '91 Braves post-season dance. (There, I've against the Minnesota Twins, said it and I'm not sorry ... or any prior Red Sox team yet.) against any World Series foe.

All Red Sox fans are now Nope, talent won't dictate on the cusp of entering, as the who, this year, will raise the late great Rod Serling would trophy adorned with more say, "another dimension, a flags than the United Nations dimension not only of sight - the TZ will take care of and sound. but of mind - A that. journey into a wondrous land All eight playoff teams and of imagination. Next stop their fans will enter the the Twilight Zone." mysterious vortex and swirl, Yes, disciples of the aIde tumble and spin until but one Towne Team, we are about to group squeezes through the enter the Twilight Zone. We other side with a championneedn't worry about which ship. And who's to say it team in the TZ has the most won't be us? Somehow, talent, because once in the someday, somewhere the Zone strange things will Boston Red Sox will win a happen. Last season the World Series Championship California Angels entered the - why not this year? What TZ on a roll, and they rode could be more sci-fi than that? that roll all the way to Well, fellow Red Sox fans, Disneyland holding aloft a let's buckle up for what could be a very enjoyable journey World Series trophy.

My View

From the Stands

a journey of sight, sound and mind - the signpost up ahead? - it reads "Boston Red Sox, 2003 World Champi" ons." Du du du du; du du du du; du du du duo .

And if for some reason we fail to even make the playoffs, don't blame me; blame it on a Tuesday deadline for a Friday publication.

And speaking of the Sox, I must pay small tribute to an old friend who passed away last week. A friend who with whom I stood in line outside Fenway Park for four hours on a Saturday morning in June, 1977 to get bleacher tickets for a Red Sox-Yankees slugfest. We not only saw the Sox beat up on the Yanks 10-4 with Yaz and Bernie Carbo each launching two homers, but we saw live and in person, Billy Martin and Reggie Jackson duke it out in the Yankee dugout. Not quite a world championship, but pretty darn close!

Kevin, whenever I watch the Sox, I'll raise a prayer for you and your family - and that will be quite often! The same goes for hearing Lynrd Skynrd, the Charlie Daniels Band, and any reference at all to Geoffrey Chaucer's "Canterbury Tales." Godspeed Kev.

5 PRACTICE THE DEVOTION OF THE FIRST SATURDAYS, AS REQUESTED BY OUR LADY OF FATIMA

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

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

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

SHERRY PAVES THE WAY

Any new court looks good on the surface but the asphalt underneath makes a difference on your feet, in your playing, and in how the court wears. Sherry All Weather Courts stand up to hard use and hard New England weather.

Sherry Driveways are especially engineered to endure heavy usage.

After years of experience paving every tiling from interstate highways to airstrips, Sherry knows the best technique and materials to use in your driveway.

A well constructed driveway or tennis court is a wise investment.

Either will increase the value of your property.

A trusted name in the Construction Industry Since 1933.

Dave Jolivet, editor of The Anchor, is a former

sports editor/writer, and regularly gives one fan's perspective on the unique world of sports.

Comments are welcome at davejolivet@anchornews.org.

Also: Excavating Equipment Rental Utilities Construction Seal Coating (508) 673路2051

Let us join with our Holy Father And the faithful around the world in Rosary Prayer As The Year ofthe Rosary culminates, let us come together To share a meaningful, multi-cultural experience of Rosary Prayer, music, procession, Benediction and Mass at the Father Peyton Center, 518 Washington St., N. Easton.

Monday, October 6, 7-9:30 p.m.

Candlelight procession Rosary - Mysteries of Light Benediction Tuesday, October 7, 9 a.m. -1 p.m.

Rosary hourly - English and Spanish Mass at noon

MOTHER TERESA of Calcutta joins others in pray~r at a global peace rally in Toronto in 1982. Pope John Paul II will beatify Mother Teresa, the founder of the Missionaries of Charity, October 19 in St. Peter's Square. (CNS file photo by Bill Wittman)

This event is co-sponsored by World Apostolate of Fatima and Holy Cross Family Ministries. For more information, call 800-299-PRAY

A World at Prayer is a World at Peace

HOLYCROSS

FAMILY MINISTRIES

the a~

16

Friday, September 26, 2003

The Magdalene laundries

Publicity Chairmen are asked to submit news items for this column to The Anchor, P.O. Box 7, Fall River, 02722. Name of city or town should be in· c1uded, as well as full dates of all activities. DEADLINE IS NOON ON FRIDAYS. Events published must be of interest and open to our general readership. We do not carry no· tices of fund-raising activities, which may be advertised at our regular rates, obtainable from our business office at 508·675·7151.

ATTLEBORO - Singer musician John Poke will host a Bethany Nights evening of prayer, worship and music tonight at 7:30 p.m. at the La Salette Shrine Church. For more infonnation call 508-222-5410.

A Portuguese Pilgrimage Day will be held Sunday at the Shrine beginning at' I:30 p.m. It will include Mass celebrated by Father Henry AmJda of St. Anthony Parish, Taunton.

Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament will be held October 3 from 12:45-6 p.m. at the Shrine.

CENTERVILLE - The 'parish nurses ofOur Lady ofVictory Church will sponsor a family rosary October 2. 9, 16. 23 and 30 at 7 p.m. in the church. For more infonnation call Mary Lees at 508-771-1106.

FAIRHAVEN - Bereavement Support Groups for adults and children are currently being held at the Southcoast Home Care and Hospice Office, 28 Sconticut Neck Road. The children's group meets Tuesdays from 4-5 p.m., now through October 28. The adult group is held Thursdays from 3-4:30 p.m., year round.

For more infonnation call 508-9840202.

MISCELLANEOUS -An educational seminar for all health care workers entitled "Who Meets the Spiritual Needs of the Patient?" will be held October 4 from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. at White's ofWestport It is sponsored by the Fall River Diocesan Council ofCatholic Nurses and Claire Stevens will be the main presenter. For more infonnation call Betty Novacek at 508-678-2373.

MISCELLANEOUS - A motor coach, sponsored by the Massachusetts Citizens for Life. will transport walkers to the Respect Life Walk in Boston October 5. Departure time is II :30 a.m. from Immaculate Conception Church, Fall River. The walk begins at I p.m. from Boston Common. For more infonnation call Dot Nicolau at 508-674-8695.

MISCELLANEOUS - In October the Portuguese TV program "Boa Nova da Vida," (Good News For Life), sponsored by the Diocesan Communications Department, will present another program in the series. It will run on the frrst and third Wednesdays at 9:30 p.m. on Channel 20. The monthly focus will be on the role of Mary in the mystery of

Christ and his Church.

NEW BEDFORD - The third annual Candlelight Procession in honor of Our Lady of Fatima will be held October 12 at 7 p.m. at Saint Anthony of Padua Church, 1359 Acushnet Avenue. It begins with the litany of the Blessed Virgin and will be followed by an outdoor procession. It will conclude with Benediction of the Blessed Sacrament. For more information call 508-993-1691.

NEW BEDFORD - The New Creation Prayer Community of Our Lady of Mount Carmel Parish invites all to attend a Mass celebrating its 25 th anniversary. It will be held September 29 at 7 p.m. in the church. Father Jack Oliveira will be principal celebrant. Refreshments will follow.

NORTH DARTMOUTH - A Widowed Support Group, for those widowed five years or less, will meet October 8 at 7 p.m. at the Family Life Center, 500 Slocum Road. For more infonnation call the Office of Family Ministry at 508-999-6420.

NORTH DARTMOUTH -Divorced-Separated Support Group will meet September 29 from 7-9 p.m. at the Family Life Center, 500 Slocum Road. Guest speaker Donna Tobin will speak on the court system process and obtaining a settlement in divorce matters. Group discussion will follow.

Ireland, incredibly, in 1996.

I cringed, I grimaced, I shrank What are we to make of this? down into my seat"and that was just My first impulse is to embrace in the first 10 minutes.

No, not a root canal. The cause of my favorite religious sister, for I know she represents all that is my pain was the recently released compassionate and good about movie 'The Magdalene Sisters."

First of all, a disclaimer. This is religious women in general.

The Magdalene laundries were not a movie review or recommendarun by religious orders, part of a tion.

But ever since I saw the "60 Minutes" report about the now-infamous "Magdalene laundries," aired in 1999 and again this summer, I've been fascinated by this chapter in hi~tory. I had to see the

By Effie Caldarola movie.

The pmn I felt wasn't ~"iJI·'·'III L so much from the 'film itself, intense as it was. It system of government-Church was my own relationship to the cooperation to provide orphanages, subject that hurt. Here was my Church being portrayed at its worst, homes for unwed mothers and other and in beloved Ireland at that. .public institutions for the needy.

The Magdalene laundries were And the Catholic families who sent Church-run institutions to which their daughters to the laundries were as complicit in this system as the Irish families could send their nuns who maintained it. "fallen" daughters. Candidates Another impulse is to cry "antimight be unwed mothers, who never were to know the fate of their babies, Catholicism," as some have in reference to the movie. Although I or a wild child the family couldn't control. Even an overly flirtatious agree with the reviewer who said it was unfair that not one person of girl might end up sent to "the Sisters" for reformation and ' authority in the film acted with penance. compassion, I resist the knee-jerk In effect the laundries became reaction of labeling everything that prisons from which the women points out our flaws and anyone who disagrees with us "anticould not escape without family Catholic." consent. Women spent their days in unpaid toil and desperate living That the movie perhaps could conditions. Many died and were have been more balanced doesn't buried at the laundries. take away from our need to explore this history.

The last such institution closed in

For the Journey

....IiJ

Win husband and wife reunite in heaven?

Q. My wife of 54 years died last union with those who have gone spring, and I'm having a hard before us, that they support us by time. There is still a lot of suffering their spiritual presence as well as by and grief, and wondering about their prayers for us before the throne the future. At her funeral the of God - which is, of course, why priest said a prayer that ''we will we pray to the saints asking for their r-"' intercession. be with her again!' Is there As for you and your wife, it is anything in the Bible or Church teaching that tells us a husband true that there is no married life in and wife will be united in heaven? (Iowa) A. The sadness and terrible pain you feel over the loss of your wife is truly a heavy cross to bear. But it is also something to be lovingly grateful for. It is a

By Father tribute to the long, devoted John J. Dietzen STOUGHTON - A Mass will and happy life you had be celebrated Sunday at 2 p.m. at together during those 52 heaven, at least in the physical Immaculate Conception Church, 122 years that makes her death such a reproductive dimension we experiCanton Street. A healing service will. heartache for you.

The Gospels do tell us much ence here. That is'not the whole follow. Father Joseph P. McDermott story, however. will be principal celebrant. For more about the answers to your questions.

We know that the heavenly Father Some years ago, Pope Pius xn infonnation call 781-344-2073. was intimately present to Jesus had some enlightening and consoling words to say on the, WEST HARWICH - The Cel- ' always, even in the midst of his subject. Speaking to engaged ebrate Life Committee of Holy Trin- passion and death.

He knew that, even for his Son, couples, he noted that while ity Parish will hold a holy hour Sunmarriage itself may not endure in day at 4 p.m..,This is instead of its this and other suffering was part of coming to a good and full human heaven, married love will continue. usual time of I:30 p.m. life, that it would lead to a joyful and What does that mean?

Christian tradition is clear that YARMOUTHPORT - Father eternal union at the completion of part of heaven will be our conscious Roger Landry of St. Francis Xavier our earthly existence.

I believe it all comes down to a union and intimacy with those who Parish, Hyannis, will lead a "Mornwere dear to us here on earth. ing of Recollection," October 4 from good bit of humility, being able to Beyond that, however, is the fact 9 a.m. to noon at the Sacred Heart acknowledge that some truths of that our personalities, our ways of Chapel. It will begin with the celebra- human existence lie beyond our loving, our ":lay of being "ourtion of Mass and include talks on comprehension in this life. Our prayer and Mary and Benediction of doctrine of the communion of saints, selves," which we will carry into eternity, are molded largely by the the Blessed Sacrament. For more in- which we profess in the Apostles Creed, means that we ~ already in people with whom we shared our fonnation call 508-775-0818.

NORTH EASTON - A celebration commemorating the end of the Year of the Rosary will take place at Holy Cross Family Ministries, 518 Washington Street on October 6 from 7-9:30 p.m and on October 7 from 9 a.m. to I p.m. The International United Nations Statue of Our Lady of Fatima will be displayed on Monday and there will be a candlelight procession, recitation of the Mysteries of Light, and Benediction. On Tuesday there will be hourly recitation of the rosary in English and Spanish and Mass at noon. For more infonnation call 800-299-7729.

Another thing. Let's examine the issue's scope. Even Peter Mullan, the Scottish writer and director of 'The Magdalene Sisters," admits this kind of institutional abuse wasn't just an Irish-Catholic issue.

"In Scotland, indeed, it was the Protestant Church," he said in an interview in the lris.h Echo, an IrishAmerican newspaper based in New York.

And here in the Puritaninfluenced United States, one doesn't have to be too old to remember when nothing was more dishonorable than an out-of-wedlock pregnancy, with the baby spirited away with barely a maternal caress.

It's probably unimaginable to ~ 20-something today when the flower girl at a wedding may be the newlyweds' child - to realize how much shame an unmarried pregnancy brought upon a "good" Catholic family in the notso-old days.

Now, we deeply regret the pain we caused. We're ashamed of a system that always made the woman pay the price for sexual transgression. And in anger at the system, we see the pendulum of sexual behavior swing wildly, in Ireland and in the United States.

We want to promote strong families, stable marriages, healthy sexual behavior. But we want to do so in the context of Jesus' loving, compassionate example.

The Magdalene laundries remind us there can be no other context.

Questions and Answers

lives here.

It is a fact that you are a significantly different person today than you would have been had you followed another vocation than marriage or if you had married a different persqn than the woman you did.

Her love for you and yours for her, the many ways you assisted each other, with your Christian faith, to grow and mature, the friends and other individuals who deeply affected you through the years - all these helped you become the persons you are at the end and who you will be in eternity.

All that goodness never will end.

In that sense the answer to your question is yes. You will without question be husband and wife, sharing your married love, in heaven.

I'm sure some will respond, but what about people who are married two or three times because their spouses died or for other reasons?

Doesn't that nullify what you are .saying?

Not at aiL It may add other dimensions to the husband-wife relationship and personal identities, but the truth that we are affected and fonned by others close to us remains the same. Whatever good we accomplish with and for each other never dies and by God's providence will find its fulfillment in his presence.

'I-

Friday, September 26, 2003

the anc~

Keys to winning theological arguments after Mass We at the Roadkill Theologi- own analysis of whatever we cal Roundtable (aka The are talking about before he ,Sunday Post-liturgical Donut arrives. That way I don't have to and Coffee Hour Gathering) embarrass myself in front of him. recently made note of an interesting phenomenon when it comes to our heartfelt arguing of ,things Catholic.

Maybe this happens for you too. Whenever the pastor drops by our table, we invariably let

By Dan Morris him override our opinions. We are big weenies -----------~~ when it comes to However, sometimes he confronting Msgr. O'Kneel. We will do about anything to please appears out of nowhere, and I him. am caught. Or my buddy Bud says something like, "Hey, It goes without saying that many of our theological stances Monsignor, Danny here thinks are based on what is commonly there might be a Scriptural basis for encouraging our ushers to known as Knee-Jerk Reactions to What We Heard on the News. use Doberman pinschers on But sometimes we have had short leases during the Offertory personal experiences relating to collection." the discussion - such as the Monsignor will then reply something like, "I can see where appropriate color to paint one might be led to that concluRoman Catholic parking-lot sion in a weird kind of deluspeed bumps. Or why "Spike" sional reading of Revelation, but and/or "Cinnamon" could be defended as confirmation I think a more appropriate animal might be a Brahman bull names.

Even so, we are chickens or maybe an albino rhino."

"See?" Bud says to me. "I when it comes to arguing with Msgr. O'Kneel. Personally, told you an albino rhino would be better - and, besides, it when I see him headed toward rhymes." our table, I try to blurt out my

The offbeat world of Uncle Dan

"Yes it does; yes it does," says Msgr. O'Kneel with a cerebral smile as he moves onto another cell of intellectual donut eaters.

We have come to realize there are keys to winning the type of theological arguments we most enjoy notably ones in which facts, education and knowledge are frowned upon.

-First, if possible, slap on a Roman collar.

Even people like Bud tend to look smarter when wearing a Roman collar, although it might clash with his paisley shirt.

However, it is difficult to keep a Roman collar handy at all times.

It is also viewed by many as poor taste or disrespectful to be taking one off and on during donuts after Mass, particularly with Msgr. O'Kneel standing there.

-Another effective tactic is making a sincere effort to talk louder than - and if possible over - the person with whom you are debating. Note: If you cannot think of an idea to use to counter the one you are hearing (in the sense of making it intelligible with real or pretend words), then repeat, "Oh sure,

Vatican works to influence cloning debate at U.N.

By TRACY

EARLY

tion against the reproductive cloning of human beings."

Archbishop Celestino Migliore, NEW YORK - The Vatican is engaged in a major effort to influ- Vatican nuncio to the United Naence a debate on human cloning tions, said that this issue was one scheduled to take place during this of the most sensitive and most imfall's meeting of the U.N. General portant that would be considered during the session of the General Assembly.

A U.N. working group explor- Assembly.

In a move unusual for the ing proposals to write an international convention on cloning will Vatican's U.N. mission, it set out meet September 29-0ctober 3, and its position in a formal paper dated possibly seek General Assembly in July, and got it officially circuauthorization to move ahead with lated August 21 by the General :drafting aconvention or some other Assembly committee that handles legal affairs and is responsible for legal instrument.

Most governments favor a ban the working group on cloning.

This paper began by asserting on reproductive cloning, but the key issue is whether international law that the Vatican "strongly supports ,should go further to rule out, as the the advancement of human biologiVatican advocates, all forms of hu- cal sciences," and approved use of stem cells for research if they were man cloning. , Opponents of a total ban argue not taken from live embryos or obthat cloning for biomedical research tained in other ways that violated could lead to cures for diseases human dignity.

Even when an embryo has not which currently are incurable and that so-called "therapeutic" cloning been implanted in a womb" it is "nonetheless a human individual, should be allowed.

Some countries, France and with a human life;' and "destroyGermany prominent among them, ing this embryo is therefore a grave ;say a ban on reproductive cloning moral disorder," the paper argued.

Furthermore, the Vatican said, ,could be enacted quickly, and so shoyld be undertaken first, with use of these embryos was not necessary because "adult" stem cells :further steps left till later.

Reflecting their view, the name obtained in morally acceptable •of the current working group speci- ways "contain a great scientific fies that it is to consider a "conven- promise."

CAlliOUC NEWS SERVICE

In other arguments, the paper said a ban on reproductive cloning alone would be "nearly impossible to enforce," research cloning would lead to viewing the body of a woman as a reservoir ofoocytes (eggs) and the practice would encourage "a trade in cloned human embryos."

Archbishop Migliore has also been presenting the Church's position in conversations with heads of other U.N. missions - sometimes meeting with them formally in their offices or in group sessions, sometimes raising the subject informally at social occasions.

Meanwhile in Rome, L'Osservatore Romano, the Vatican newspaper, announced that it would provide background information for the upcoming U.N. debate with a series of articles on the Church's opposition to cloning.

At the United Nations, Costa Rica has stepped forward as leader of the effort to rule out all human cloning, and is sponsoring a resolution that would ask the General Assembly to give a mandate for writing a convention not limited to reproductive cloning.

Although the U.S. government has been at odds with the Vatican on some issues in the past and in more recent times, they are agreed now in their opposition to all human cloning.

oh sure, oh sure, oh sure" changing inflection and pitch while nodding emphatically.

- Finally, it is potent to develop the ability to raise one's left eyebrow thoughtfully while resting one's chin intelligently on one's hand.

Then you say something like,

"I'll wager you won't find much support for that from the curia or canon law."

Naturally, all these tactics tend to be trumped by a great Bronx cheer or a hoot.

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

Charlie's Oil Co., Inc. • Prompt 24 Hour Service • Automatic Deliveries • Call In Deliveries • Budget Terms Available • Free Estimates

You Never Had Service Until You Tried Charlie's We're located at ...

46 Oak Grove Ave., Fall River orcall ...

508-675-7426 • 508-674-0709

WANTED Antit{ue Furniture in anlJ condition Don't trash 'lour cash - Estate house cteanouts a speciattlj Also... Old glassware, oil lamps, toys, clocks, baskets, costume jewelry, prints & paintings, jukeboxes, pinball, gumball & slot machines, and carpenter's tools. J will buy one piece or several.

Estate & yard-sales arranged.

For prompt and courteous service, Call: Bruce or Joe Toll Free: 1-888-636-7475 or 1-508-336-0180

Free Appraisals & Lamp Rewiring

The Healing Co-Op is pLeased

to present an evening workshop with worLd-renowned author/ psychologist

Thomas Moore Friday b.vening. october 24th 200~ from 6 to 9 pm Portsmouth Abbey 6chooL Auditorium - Portsmouth. 12..1.

DARK NIGHTS OF THE SOUL: Caring for the Soul in Illness and Loss Sponsored by: Portsmouth Abbey & School CEU's will be offered in the following categories: NCBTMB (Massage Therapists), MSWs, Nurses (pending) and LMFT's.

Certificates will be awarded at the conclusion of the workshop for a fee of $5.00 per contact hour.

This is a workshop in spiritual intelligence and deep and honest care of the soul. It will discuss the fundamentals of soul care, how to sketch out a way to be spiritual in the contemporary world.

It is aimed at those suffering illness and loss, families of the sick and dying, and professionals looking to expand and deepen their ways of healing.

Thomas Moore is the author of several best selling books including Care of the Soul, Soulmates, Meditations: On the Monk Who Lives in Daily Life, The Education of the Heart, Original Self, The Soul's Religion and is awaiting the publication of Dark Nights of the Soul.

Venue generously donated by Portsmouth Abbey & School.

Registration Fee: $60.00 To register by mail please make check payable to The Healing Co-Op, 272 Mitchell's Lane, Middletown, RI 02842. If paying by Visa or MasterCard please include card number, expiration date and name as it appears on the card. To register by phone call (401) 845-6777 by FAX (401) 845-9660 or by email at:HeaICoOp@aol.com. For more information please visit: www.thehealingcoop.org For directions visit www.portsmouthabbey.org

Pope John Paul 11 will mark the 25th anniversary of his election as pope on October 16, and to celebrate that The Anchor in the coming weeks will run a variety of photos and stories about His Holiness and the events that have marked his pontificate.

The stories will feature an overview of his papacy and how he has inspired millions ofpeople, his love for youth, how the Church has changed, interviews with people who know and work with him, areas in which he has had a special impact, his role as a communicator, his evangelization and lifelong devotion to the Virgin Mary, and what's in store as his pontificate continues.

DIOCESAN DEVELOPMENT Director Michael J. Donly, cente'r rear, shows new information materials produced for the St. Mary's Education Fund at a recent meeting of the Fall Dinner Attleboro area committee. With him are committee members, front from left: Robert Haggerty, Robert Hoag, Donald Smyth, and Daniel Pelletier; back: Paul Scanlan and William Adair.

Pope John Paul II canonized record numbers, with still more to come By

CINDY WOODEN

pope explained the ceremony as an opportunity to offer the world a specific model of holiness.

VATICAN CITY - Most Catholics have heard The Capuchin, who died in 1750, the pope said, of Sts. Maximilian Kolbe, Edith Stein, Padre Pio, "offers our generation, which frequently is inebriated Faustina Kowalska and Juan Diego, but 25 years by success, a lesson of humble and trusting adherence ago they were not officially recognized saints. to God and to his plan for salvation, as well as (a lesThey are just a handful of the record 474 men son) 'of love for poverty and for the poor."

Holiness is a gift of God, he said at the end of the and women Pope John Paul II has canonized during his pontificate, and he canonized three more ceremony, but since it is communicated from one perare a great group of committed per- recently. son to another it can be said that "saints generate sons who understand the importance Between 1588, when the canonization process saints." of the Fund to local boys and girls was centralized and careful record-keeping began, The record number of saints canonized by Pope and their families," Taber noted. and the 1978 end of the pontificate of Pope Paul John Paul is due partially to the fact that the list in'They've been out in the commu- VI, the total number of cludes large numbers nity approaching potent!a1 contribu- saints canonized was ~':""""":";"="""""~::-""=--="""""!""7 of individual martyTs tors and talking about the St. Mary's 296. canonized as a group: Fund."

Critics have· comfor example, he can''All of us involved want to see plained the Vatican onized 103 Korean the Fall Dinner and the Fund it sup- has turned into a "saint martyrs in 1984 and ports grow to meet the increasing factory" during Pope 117 Vietnamese marnumber of students applying for John Paul's tenure and tyrs in 1988.

-....~:::--I But the growing aid," he added. have lamented that beWorking with Taber on the event corning a saint is not as roll of saints officially are four area 'chainnen and their special as it once was. recognized by the committees. Members are as fol- . That is precisely the Catholic Church over lows: point of so many canthe past 25 years also In the Attleboro area, chairman onizations and beatifireflects Pope John William H. Adair and George cations, Cardinal Jose Paul's attention to ofAgostini, Robert Haggerty, Robert Saraiva Martins told a fering Catholics in inHoag, Russell Morin, Daniel conference last May. dividual countries exPelletier, Paul Scanlan, Donald "Holiness is not the amples of how someSmyth, and Wtlliam Walsh. luxury of some, but a one who lived and In the Fall River area, chairman binding obligation for died in their own naNicholas M. Christ, vice-ehair John all," said the cardinal, tions lived the call to Feitelberg, and Gina Almeida, John prefect of the Congreholiness.

F. Dator, Ann Ramos Desrosiers, gation for Saints' Most of the more Gary Fealy, Karl Hetzler, John P. Causes. "The Church than 100 trips Pope Kinnane, Christian Lafrance, Maria and' the world today John Paul has made C. McCoy, Michael J. McNally, have a great need of outside of Italy in the Hank Nadeau, George Oliveira, saints." past 25 years have inThomas Pasternak, Richard M. Pope John Paul's cluded a beatification Pierce, Anthony Riccitelli, John record-making run I or canonization litRiley, Sandra Sevigney, and also included reform- L........:..---''--_ _--.;'--\~/_'_J. ': urgy.

While proclaiming Rolande Sullivan. ing the entirt~ process.

POPE JOHN Paul II arrives for the canonization In the New Bedford area, chairOne of the first of Padre Pio June 16, 2002, in St. Peter's Square. their holiness before man James Kalife and Matthew 1. causes to take advan- (eNS file photo) the world, the pope Downey, John G. Hodgson Jr., tage of the faster track looked particularly to Robert Roderiques, and John P. to sainthood - that of St. Josemaria Escriva de Catholics in the United States when canonizing St. Santos. . Balaguer, founder of Opus Dei - drew sharp criti- Katharine Drexel, to Catholics in Sudan when he canIn the Taunton area, chainnan, cism for its speed. onized St. Josephine Bakhita, to Catholics in Canada Harold 1. Rose, vice-ehair Michael With even greater speed, Mother Teresa of when he canonized St. Marguerite d'YouvilJe and to 1. Tabak, and AJ. Andrews; Steven·, Calcutta will be beatified on October 19, just six Catholics in Guatemala when he canonized St. Pedro Brodeur, Allan Colleran, John . years and one month after her death. The beatifica- de sari Jose Betancur.

Correira, J. Ronald Pike, JeanneM. tion is being described as part of the celebrations of He also canonized martyrs from Japan, Paraguay, Quinn, Victor P. Santos, and NUno Pope John Paul's 25th anniversary.

Spain, China and Mexico.

Sousa. ' Pope John Paul.also beatified two martyrs in The founders of religious orders still have a lion's Anyone interested in support. Slovakia this month. They and Mother Teresa then share of the inscriptions in the universal calendar of ing the Fall Dinner or obtaining will would bring to 1,321 the number of men and saints' feasts, but Pope John Paul's beatifications of more information on the St. women recognized as "blessed" during this pon- laymen and women have set the stage for more variMary's Education Fund, .is en· tificate. ety in the future. couraged to contact Taber, any The first saint he proclaimed was St. Crispin of "Contemporary men and women need saints cacommittee member;oi' MichaelJ. Viterbo, an Italian Capuchin friar known for his pable of translating into today's language the life Donly at the Di~Develop~'charityand his infectious cheerfulness. and words of Christ," Cardinal Saraiva Martins said ment Office at 508-675.1311, As he has done at every canonization since,· the . in May. CATHOLIC NEWS SERVICE

St. Mary's Education Fund sets Fall Dinner

By JOHN E. KEARNS JR. ASSISTANT DIRECTOR OF CoMMUNICATIONS

WESTPORT' The changeover from summer to fall signifies many things to many people.

For the dedicated volunteers preparing for the St. Mary's Education Fund Fall Dinner, it's time to redouble efforts to make the yearly scholarship fund-raiser the most successful ever.

The annual Fall Dinner will take place this year on Thursday, October 30, at White's of Westport.

Since late summerchairman Carl W. Taber and his area committees have been contacting businesses, community and academic leaders and individuals to extend an invitation to support the dinner and the hundreds of children who will benefit from it.

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

In this current school year 702 students are receiving a total ofmore than $600,000 in tuition assistance from the Fund.

After leading a successful 2002 Fall Dinner, Taber, who is a senior vice president at Compass Bank and a Mattapoisett resident, signed on to serve as chairman again this year. ''What I like about the St Mary's Education Fund is that it gives to children who want a Catholic education the means to achieve a Catholic education;' he said recently. ''It takes on even greater importance given the cUrrent, tough economic times. I think it is more important than ever to, be able to help families .who want to send a child or children to a Catholic school."

He explained that four area committees have been meeting since last spring to identify prospective suppotters ofthe Fund and to solicit their participation in the Fall Dinner.

'The area committee members

an

,H' •

':;'-'

I

,

I

,

,

~''''

,.

9

Friday, September 26, 2003

\

I

,I

Contemplation, social justice .essential to Catholic college

By TRACY .EARLY CATHOLIC NEWS SERVICE

, CAROL WARREN and her husband, Todd Garland, stand near the solar panels on their property in Potato Knob, W.Va. Their home is powered by renewable energy sources, and their spirit gets a boost from a Franciscan way of life that stresses simplicity. (eNS photo by Thomas R. Papeika, The Catholic Spiri~

West Virginia couple sees green power as way to care for creation

By THOMAS R. PAPEIKA CATHOLIC NEWS SERVICE • POTATO KNOB, WVa. - On a mountain knob some 3,500 feet above sea level in rural Webster ~ounty, a wind turbine turns in breezes as light as seven m.p.h., while the sun shines on two solar panels in a fi.eld near an organic garden.

Here, the commonplace elements of wind and sun are converted into "green power" - electricity made from renewable resources that are said to have minimal impact on the environment. . It is on this mountaintop that Carol Warren, director of the Office of Justice and Life for the Diocese of Wheeling-Charleston, and her husband, Todd Garland, a candidate for the diaconate and co-director of the Appalachian Institute at Wheeling Jesuit University, have established their home as the Canticle of Creation Franciscan Center.

"We have long dreamed of having a spot where people could just hang out and absorb some Franciscan

Groups promote 'rosary-a:thon' to observe Pope Day HAMDEN, Conn. (CNS) - Connecticutbased Catholic World Mission and the Love and Responsibility Foundation in Cold Spring, N.Y., 'are promoting a Web-based "rosary-a-thon" as a way for Catholics to celebrate "Pope Day" on October 16, the 25th anniversary of Pope John ,Paul II's election to the papacy.

• Funds raised through the rosary-a-thon will !be used for Catholic World Mission's "Living Stones" project to build houses for the poor in .El Salvador and to spread marriage preparation ;and training programs based on papal teachings :developed by the Love and Responsibility :Foundation. Peter McFadden, president of the iLove and Responsibility Foundation, said Pope Day "began as a grass-roots celebration of the pope." ; Participants can register online at www.popeday.info. where they create their own ·rosary-a-thon Web page with an easy-to-follow template. They then send out E-mails to family 'and friends, with a link to the individual Web page so others can pledge or sponsor using a credit card.

spirit - the altemative power, organic gardening, the labyrinth, Franciscan library, and just the beauty of creation," Warren said. ''A number of our Franciscan community told us we already have a good bit of that going - we should just name and claim it - so we did!"

Warren and Garland are lay associates of the Franciscan Sisters based in Rochester, Minn. They share many ofthe same concerns, goals and approaches as the Rochester Franciscans, and it was through the order's $8,000 grant - about halfthe cost ofthe project - that they were able to construct the hybrid windsolar power system on their property.

Garland and Warren moved to West Vrrginia from eastern Kentucky in 1995, when they were working with now-retired Bishop Walter F. Sullivan of Richmond, Va., on the Appalachian bishops' document, ''At Home in the Web of Life," which calls for living sustainable lifestyles in Appalachia.

"We saw the damage coal mining was having on the communities in eastern Kentucky," Warren said. ''The quiet sound of the windmill is the sound of coal not being mined," Garland said.

They are not completely free from the conventional power grid, however. About half of their electrical energy comes from green power, while the other half comes from the electric company as they continue to work toward energy independence.

Warren said they have learned valuable lessons about electric power consumption throughout their project. For example, they have changed their light bulbs from inefficient incandescent lamps to compact fluorescent fixtures. ''We've learned to creatively use hot water," Garland said. Rather than keep their water hot 24 hours a day, they only turn the water heater on when they need it. This means that they plan ahead, and turn on the heater 30 or 40 minutes before taking a shower.

Ironically, some of the most outspoken opponents of wind energy in West Vrrginia have been environmental groups.

Opponents of the project such as Judy Rodd, director of the Friends of Blackwater, say the windmills are an eyesore, and they threaten birds, bats, flying squirrels and the endangered Vrrginia big-eared bat.

But Katherine Silverthorne of the World Wildlife Fund said danger to animals can be eliminated by proper siting of windmills, ''which isn't hard to do," she said.

NEW ROCHELLE, N.Y. - A college cannot be called Catholic unless it has "a contemplative side and a social justice dimension," according to the secretary of the Vatican Congregation for Catholic Education.

Archbishop Giuseppe Pittau, an Italian named to the post in 1998 after an educational career that included many years in Japan, said in a recent homily that the two essential aspects of Catholic education must be expressed explicitly by both faculty and students.

A Catholic college must first of all maintain the "vertical dimension" of emphasizing "contact with God," he said.

Connected with that, he said, must be the recognition that "to serve is an essential part of being Christian."

Archbishop Pittau was celebrant and homilist for a Mass that inaugurated a yearlong celebration of the centennial of the College of New Rochelle.

Founded by Ursuline Mother Irene Gill in 1904, it was the first Catholic college for women in New York state, and its Website says it is today the "largest Catholic college for women in the country."

Although the college now describes itself as "an independent institution of Catholic origin and heritage," President Stephen J. Sweeny told Catholic News Service that "it's a

Catholic institution."

Several Ursuline nuns serve on the board, and one of them, Sister Jean Baptist Nicholson, chairs the board, he said.

The college now admits men to its graduate school, school of nursing and school of new resources (for students beyond normal college age) - but only women to its school of arts and sciences.

In a statement at the beginning of Mass, Sweeny said the College of New Rochelle was "founded in faith," and a Mass was "the eminently appropriate way to begin" its centennial. ''Today, the college community prays particularly for the gift of fidelity - to the Gospel, and to our call to excellence as a university and to our animating Ursuline spirit," he said.

Archbishop Pittau was returning to the college where he received an honorary doctorate in 1999 during ceremonies marking the 75th anniversary of the chapel.

In his homily, Archbishop Pittau said the cross was "the fundamental symbol of the Christian faith," and a chapel had to be central at a Catholic college.

"A Catholic college cannot exist if the chapel is not at the center, and if we don't show through our lives that the chapel is the center," he said.

Those who study in a Catholic college, the archbishop said, should come out knowing more ofthe love of God and opening their arms to embrace and serve everyone.

-.\

J

.,'

Friday, September 26, 2003

£4uthor aims to help Catholics 'pummeled' by those who quote Scripture

By CHRISTINE ALEXANDER CATHOLIC NEWS SERVICE

TOLEDO, Ohio - If you've ever been bombarded by a wellintentioned friend throwing Bible verses at you, then you'·ll appreciate how Greg Oatis happened to write "Catholic Doctrine in Scripture." published by Coming Home .Resources in Zanesville.

"I never intended to write a book;' pe said. "I just wanted to compile verses for RCIA candidates for times when they would be confronted by well-meaning, but not well-informed folks regarding the Bible - those who know diddly about the Catholic faith."

So in 1996, Oatis started to comb tprough Scripture for explanatory verses giving background to what Catholics believe.

"As I read the Bible, the list just grew and grew." ~e explained in an 'i n t e r vie w with the

Catholic . Chron'ide, newspaper of the Toledo diocese.

He looked for "hOI-button" topics and issues directed against Catholie doctrine and views: papal infallibility; the real' presence of Jesus in the Eucharist; calling priests "Father"; statues I

....

--

L...-

in churc;h; Mary; infant baptism; and the J'rinity.

"Unless you're schooled in apologetics. most people can't confront this - they're frequently at a loss and can be thrown for a loop," he said.

Once'his list was fairly complete he started to pass it on and people would ~equest copies. Then an RCIA director requested 20 copies.

"I was up to 50 topics," the author explained, and his own search was bearing personal fruit.

"It w~s moving for me to spend time in Scripture and also readings of the early (Church) fathers," he said. "You cannot help but be impressed by seeing how the Hebrew traditions and Catholic faith are a seamless garment. It's like an electrical netwith the references of Old and New (Testaments) all connected. It really is one work - a set of books but one Word."

He said the unraveling was both "awe-inspiring and humbling."

And he discovered "no faith tradition captures it in all its immensity like the Catholic faith does.:' Oatis stresses that heis no theo-

logian..'Tm just a guy who came to love the faith late in life," he said.

But his humble search gained. a greater audience when he was involved in an Internet chat. "It was a, Protestant-Catholic dialogue kind of thing and I was getting pummeled," he said. "A lot of Christ-Iovi ng Protestants just have so many misconceptions about the Church."

Into the' dialogue came a nun from the Southwest who "rode in on her white horse and rescued me," he said, joking. Oatis sent her PAUL SORVINO and Ginette Reno star in a scene from the film "Mambo Italiano." For a a copy of his quotes and the next brief review of this film, see CNS Movie Capsules below. (CNS photo from Equinoxe Films) thing he knew 100 copies were reque.sted in the Southwest.

Then the "Coming Home" show led by Marcus Grodi, a TV show host spotlighting Protestants NEW YORK (CNS) - The chotic ex-con (Stephen Dorff) sets approval of the gay lifestyle and who have come to Catholicism, . following are capsule reviews of out to reclaim the house he lost acceptance of a person as a muchwanted to publish the manuscript. movies recently reviewed by the while in jail from its new owners loved son. A few instances of "Every U;S. Conference of Catholic (Dennis Quaid and Sharon Stone) same-sex kissing and implied step of the Bishops' Office for F)lm and by insinuating himself into their sexual encounters with intermitway this has Broadcasting. lives. Director Mike Figgis tele- tent rough language and profanbeen a Spirit"Anything Else" graphs plot points in advance ity. The USCCB Office for Film led project," (Dreamworks) while mostly routine performances & Broadcasting classification is Oatis said. "If Romantic comedy about an and flat dialogue further confine A-IV - adults, with reservations. the Holy aspiring New York writer's (Jathe film to B-movie status. A brief The Motion Picture Association Spirit had son Biggs) rocky love affair with sexual encounter, sporadic vio- . of America rating is R - reasked me dia sexually free-spirited ingenue lence, female topless photos, in- stricted. rectly to write' (Christina Ricci). Though fre- stances of substance abuse, mini"Secondhand Lions" a book, I (New Line) quently funny, the film, written mal profanity and recurring rough would have and directed by Woody Allen language. The USCCB Office for Exceptional coming-of-age said, 'I'm not (who also appears in a support- Film & Broadcasting classification heartwarmer about an introverted your man.' ing role), retreads material froin is A-IV - adults, with reserva- boy (Haley Joel Osment) who There are many of Allen's earlier movies, tions. The Motion Picture Associa- grows up during a summer spent many books and its observations about inter- tion of America rating is R - re- on the Texas farm of his two ecthat do a \won-. centric'uncles (Robert Duvall and personal relationships are under- stricted. derful job af. mined by the filmmaker's angry, Michael Caine) after being aban"Mambo Italiano" firming the fatalistic cynicism. A nihilistic doned by his mother. Directed by (Samuel Goldwyn) scriptural baview of morality, several sexual Strained comedy set in Canada Tim McCanlies, the film hits all sis for Catho- encounters, recurring sexually about a young gay man (Luke the right emotional notes, resultlic beliefs. crude and religiously irreverent Kirby) who tries to keep his ho- ing in an en'chanting yarn about They're humor, an instance of drug mosexuality hidden from his tra- family and the transmission of deeply educa---' abuse, as well as a few instances ditional Italian-immigrant parents values as generations change tional but you of profanity. TheUSCCB Office (Ginette Reno, Paul Sorvino); hands. Some thematic elements, pass through a lot of prose ~o get for Film & Broadcasting classi- even while he moves in with his sporadic mildly crude language to the meat of the verses. This one fication is A-IV - adults, with childhood friend and now-partner and some action violence. The is more streamlined." reservations. The Motion Picture (Peter Miller). Although director USCCB Office for Film & BroadAlthough the average Catholic Association of America rating is Emile Gaudreault's predictable, casting classification is A-II can feel overwhelmed when facR - restricted. long-winded film co~centrates adults and adolescents. The Moing a scriptural assault; Oatis said "Cold Creek Manor" more on ethnic stereotypes and tion Picture Association of this shouldn't be the case.

(Touchstone) identity issues than homosexual- America rating is PG - parental "Catholics don't realize how Banal thriller in which a psy- ity, it walks a fine line between guidance suggested. much Scripture they know," he said.

"We absorb it through years of hearing it at Mass, but it's not arranged topically. We can't quote chapter' and verse, but we knOw. the Bible.'"

NEW YORK (CNS) - The 6. "The Benedictine Hand4. "Waiting in Joyful Hope."

Is he critical of those who lob following is the Catholic' book." Anthony Marett-Crosby Mark G. Boyer (Liturgical Press) Bible verses at Catholics? "God. Bestsellers List for October 2003, . (Liturgical Press) 5. "Reading the Old Testabless evangelicals," he said. "I love according to the Cat;lOlic Book 7. "The Holy Longing." ment." Lawrence Boadt (Paulist) evangelical Protestants. We (Catho- Publishers Association.

Ronald Rolheiser (Doubleday) 6. "Believing in Jesus." lics) probably agree with them.on Hardcover 8. "Dear Papa." Richard & Vir- Leonard Foley (St. Anthony Mesa lot more than they would think."

1. "Heroic Leadership." Chris ginia Klein (Liguori) senger) Rather than being at odds with Lowney (Loyola) 9. "The Lamb's Supper." Scott 7. "2004: A Book of Graceone another, he said,· "We are al" 2. "The Poetry of John Paul' Hahn (Doubleday) Filled Days." Louise Perrotta lies against the pagan influence in II." John Paul II (USCCB Pub10. "The Promise of Dawn." (Loyola) our culture. We should be shoul- lishing) Philip Dunn (Crossroad) 8. "101 Inspirational Stories of der to shoulder."

3. "Catechism .of the Catholic Paperback the Rosary." Patricia Proctor More information on "Catholic Church" gift edition. (Doubleday 1. "Catechism of the Catholic (Franciscan Monastery of St. Doctrine in Scripture," is available and Our Sunday Visitor) Church."(Doubleday, Our Sun- .ClarelKaufer) on the Coming Home Resources 4. "Truly Our,Sister." Eliza- day Visitorand USCCB) 9. "Return of the Prodigal Son." Website at: www.chresources.com; beth Johnson (Continuum Inter2. "General Instruction of the Henri J.M. Nouwen (Crossroad) or by calling: (877) 455-3208; or national) Roman Missal." (USCCB) 10. "The God of Freedom and by writing: CHResources, P.O. 5. "The Great Mysteries." An3. "We Believe ..." Oscar Light." Stephen 1. Binz (Liturgi" Box 8290, Zanesville, OH 43702. drew Greeley (Sheed & Ward) Lukefahr (Liguori) cal Press)

eN'S Movie, Capsules

eNS bestsellers for October

•.r. .• ~

I

Friday, September 26, 2003

the anc~

11

Accused Geoghan killer explains motive in letter to Cq,tholic paper WORCESTER, Mass. - In a letter to the Worcester diocesan newspaper, The Catholic Free Press. the man accused of the August 23 slaying of defrocked priest John J. Geoghan at Souza-Baranowski Correctional Center in Shirley claimed the killing was meant to show the world that child predators must be dealt with more stringently.

The letter writer, who identified himself as Joseph L. Druce, said the sex offenders he has spoken to in prison never showed remorse, "only gloating and reminissing over past victims. That was my motivation." The letter included numerous misspellings and other errors.

The writer also expressed his sorrow and sent his "sincere and heartfelt apology" to Catherine Geoghan, sister of the deceased, for her loss, although he said "she'll probley not forgive me."

To mail correspondence

from the correctional center, a prisoner must give the letter to a corrections officer, who verifies that the name on the letter is the same as that of the prisoner handing in the letter for mailing, according to Justin L. Latini, director of public affairs for the Massachusetts Department of Correction.

Prison and Department of Correction officials said the identifying numbers listed on the letter and envelope in which it was mailed corresponded to those of Druce at the correctional center.

Latini said it is reasonable to assume that the letter is from Druce.

The letter, dated September 2,2003, reads: "I'm the alledged murdered of defrocked priest John J. Geoghan, and a victim of sexual abuse as a child. I'm writing to The Catholic Free Press for several reasons that despretley need to be address's.

"First I am most sorrowful to

Ms. Catherin Geoghan for her loss, and I am more sorry for her pain than anything eles and although she'll probley not forgive me, I send my sincere and heartfelt apology.

"For the victims who have expressed griefe over the loss due to never recieving answers, well as a witness to the conversations amounst several·sex offenders in the S.B.C.C. unit, there was no remorse, only gloating and reminissing over past victims. That was my motivation.

"To stop these tradegys and violence towards children we must come together and demand the house of legislaitors to re-enact stringent sentances and rehabilitations to cure this plauge on our children: Joseph Druce says 'Leave the children alone!' This was'nt a crime to committe a crime, but to let the world no that all child predators must be dealt with with a more stryngent hand, and to stop focusingO on Catholoism

Vatican official said he hopes every priest will see 'The Passion' ROME (CNS) - The head of Gibson arranged for a priest to the Vatican Congregation for come to the set to celebrate a Clergy said he hopes every Tridentine Mass each morning.

Cardinal Castrillon was out of Catholic priest will see Mel his office the week of SeptemGibson's film, "The Passion."

"One of the great achieve- ber 15-19. His secretary said, ments of this film is to have "The cardinal saw the film. We shown so effectively both the have nothing else to say."

In the interview, Cardinal horror of sin and selfishness, and the redeeming power of love," Castrillon said the film is "faithful to the meansaid Cardinal Dario Castrillon - - - - - - - - - - - ing of the GosHoyos, the con"It captures the subtle- pels as undergregation prefect. ties and the horror ofsin, stood by the Church" and is An interview with the cardinal as ~e" as the gentle not anti-Semitic, about the film was power of love and for- as some groups published Sep- giveness, without mak- have said.

"It captures tember 17 by ACI ing or insinuating blanket the subtleties Prens~, the Latin condemnations against and the horror of ~mencan Catho- one group" he said. sin, as well as the IIc news agency, ' gentle power of and September 18 by the Italian newspaper La love and forgiveness, without making or insinuating blanket Slampa.

Introducing the interview, La condemnations against one Stampa said Cardinal Castrillon group," he said.

"Anti-Semitism, like all forms of had seen a rough cut of the film.

The paper said Gibson came to racism, distorts the truth in order to Rome the first week of Septem- put a whole race of people in a bad ber and "a private viewing was light," the cardinal said. 'This film organized for a few Catholic per- does nothing of the sort."

Cardinal Castrillon said the sonalities," including the cardifilm, although at times graphic,. nal.

Cardinal Castrillon also is "provokes love and compaspresident of the Pontifical Com- sion."

"It is my belief that if we mission "Ecclesia Dei," the office established by Pope John could understand what Jesus Paul II for the pastoral care of Christ did for us and we could Catholics attached to the liturgy follow his example of love and as it was celebrated before the forgiveness, there would not be Second Vatican Council. While hatred or violence in the world," in Rome shooting the film, he said.

as the mainstream. Let's look at the crime and not the church."

The letter is signed: "Regretfully but sincerely, Joseph L. Druce" Prison authorities said Geoghan, 68, was bound, beaten and strangled to death in his cell by Druce, who is serving a Ii fe sentence for the 1988 murder of a homosexual man. The attack on Geoghan occurred in the protective custody unit of the maximum security prison.

District Attorney John J. Conte said Druce planned the attack for more than a month and apparently acted alone. He said Druce, a reputed racist and a member of the neo-Nazi

I

-

Aryan Nation, has "a longstanding phobia, it appears, toward homosexuals of any kind." He said Druce appeared proud of what he had done and "looked upon Geoghan as a prize."

Geoghan, a former priest in the Archdiocese of Boston, was in the second year of a nine- to 10-year prison sentence for fondling a 10-year-old boy in a swimming pool in the early 1990s. He faced trial on charges involving a 12-year-old boy and had been accused in civil lawsuits of sexual misconduct, from indecent exposure to rape, with nearly 150 minors, mostly boys. He was buried in Brookline six days after his death.

Siste1:C; (~f Sain.t }oseph. Of 130ston Have you remembered the Sisters in your Will?

Contact David Faulkner for more information on how you can help!

Thank You!

For information about us or to send donations: Sisters of Saint Joseph of Boston Office of Development 631 Cambridge Street Brighton, MA 02135

"We cannot direct the wind, but we can adjust the sails."

Feitelberg Insurance has been navigating the insurance marketplace since 1916. Let us put your business insurance program on the right course.

Life

Business

Personal

Employee BenMIIs

r; Feitelberg Insurance 508-676-1971 .. ,~...... ,,,UIlI"

........

FIVII STAR

Fall River • W. Bridgewater • Somerset Plymouth • Dartmouth • Hingham

>

Friday, September 26, 2003

Austrian sociologist

predicts crisis in East European Church

By JONATHAN

LUXMOORE

CATHOLIC NEWS SERVICE

VIENNA, Austria - A leading religious sociologist has warned that the Catholic Church must "expect a crisis" all over Eastern Europe as the price of integration with the European Union.

"The Church will be as strong as its believers are, and this requires a new way of organizing," said Father Paul Zulehner, sociologist and dean of Vienna University's Catholic theology faculty.

"It has to learn to live in a liberal society whose population may even use its freedom to leave the Church. It would be a pity if Church leaders saw this liberal society as an enemy and believed no changes were needed," he said.

In a Catholic News Service interview, he said, "pressing contemporary issues" were being tackled by a national church synod in the Czech Republic and had been the focus of similar gatherings completed or planned from Poland to Croatia.

"The Church in Eastern Europe has to go through a deep crisis in order to survive - the pastoral methods and instruments used under communist rule won't work in the Europe of the future," said Father Zulehner, who co-directed the European Values Study that charted continentwide attitudes to religion and morality in 1981, 1990 and 1999. . "In Western Europe, we made the mistake of assuming the people would always belong to the Church. East Europeans should be learning from this by building stronger believer networks and giving

-<:

--'::--

Catholics a sense of co-ownership," he said.

Father Zulehner said recent research had confirmed a continentwide revival of religiousness, reflected in advertising and mass culture.

However, he added that the . new spiritualization signified a "protest against secularization" rather than a return to established faiths.

"It's individualistic and based on choice, rather than linked with religious traditions - but it requires understanding and dialogue from mainstream churches," said Father Zulehner, who also heads Vienna's ecumenical Pastoral Forum, supporting Catholic initiatives in Eastern Europe.

"In the new Europe, the Church needs to avoid both the fundamentalist temptation of only looking for truth and the pluralistic temptation of 'anything goes.' Neither of these is useful for modern society," he said.

The sociologist said all main Christian traditions were needed to contribute "core values" to Europe, with Catholics offering justice, Protestants freedom and Orthodox "an open heaven."

However, Church leaders should also be aware, he added, that East Europ'eans would "use their freedom" and be prepared to adapt to changed conditions. ~'The Church doesn't have to lose people in order to modernize," Father Zulehner told CNS. "But to hold its own in a liberal society, it needs a new inner architecture. It can't expect to achieve this with the clerical model which prevails in much of Eastern Europe," he said.

(

,

)

"POPE JOHN Paul II grimaces as he attempts to read his homily at an outdoor Mass recently in Roznava, Slovakia. The pontiff's four-day trip to Slovakia taxed his fading physical strength. (CNS photo from Reuters)

QPope's struggles causes wonder if Slovak trip was his last

By JOHN THAVIS

respiratory and circulatory emergencies, is now kept with the pope wherever he goes.

The pope perked up the next day, but over the course BRATISLAVA, Slovakia ~ In the middle of a tiring four-day trip to Slovakia, Pope John Paul II was of the visit he exhibited occasional difficulties in breathhaving trouble. Seated in his popemobile, he could ing and speaking. As for his mobility, it's been months not muster the energy to stand up, and aides were try- since anyone saw the pope stand up on his own power. ing to lift him to his feet.

In Rome or abroad, he is moved on mobile chairs.

Vatican spokesman Joaquin Navarro-Valls conAfter one attempt, the 83-year-old pontiff seemed to lose"his balance and slipped back down into his firmed that no trips after Slovakia are on the pope's seat. Eventual1y, using leverage and brute strength, his schedule, but the pope has been invited to visit four two personal secretaries managed to tilt him out the countries next year, and said he thinks the pope will door. manage to do "some if not all of the trips."

The scene unfolded behind his airplane, but journal"Knowing the Holy FaThe reaction among those who ther, it's very difficult to say ists who witnessed it realized that the pope's bodily see the pontiff ranges from sympa- that this will be the last trip of struggles had reached a new thy to admiration. his pontificate," he said. level.

When he recited prayers at "For us young people, it's an in. More than any previous a liturgy in Roznava, the patrip, the visit to Slovakia spiration. If he can do such a thing, pal liturgist, Bishop Piero highlighted the pope's physi- we have to do so much more be- Marini, had to hold his fingers cal problems and left people cause we are young and strong," over the words so the pope wondering whether this said 23-year-old Peter Sipula at a would not lose his place in the might be his last foreign jour- Mass in Banska Bystrica. text. . ney.

Some Vatican officials say When he arrived in the pope's infirmity has Bratislava September 11, he brought a new dimension to . couldn't pronounce more than a few lines of his speech. his papacy. Vatican officials who travel with the pope Vatican aides had to quickly find a Slovak priest to generally seem unflustered by the pope's physical triread the text as the pope sat slumped in his chair. als. They have grown used to guiding him through The pope suffers from a neurological disorder be- events, directing his attention, moving him, straightenlieved to be Parkinson's disease, and speaking has be- ing his clothes and wiping his mouth when necessary. come a huge effort over the last two years. At times, The reaction among those who see the pontiff he seems unable to squeeze out more than a few brief ranges from sympathy to admiration. sounds, and his words are too slurred to understand.

"For us young people, it's an inspiration. If he can On the pope's first evening in Slovakia, just before do such a thing, we have to do so much more because he arrived for a visit to a cathedral in Tmava, Vatican we are young and strong," said 23-year-old Peter Sipula aides searched anxiously for a private room that could at a Mass in Banska Bystrica. accommodate the pontiff. That was unusual because But even some of his own Vatican aides say prithe pope 's mov~ll)ents on these trips are usual1y vately that the time may be at hand for the pope to hang up his traveling shoes. planned months in advance.

When the pope's Polish secretary, Bishop Stanislaw When he arrived, he was wheeled into the sacristy on a mobile throne and remained there for several min- Dziwisz, chatted with a reporter on a flight from Kosice MICHELANGELO'S DAVID at the Galleria dell'Accademia utes. Some journalists were alarmed because assistants to Bratislava, he remarked that the journalist had folin Florence, Italy, receives a cleaning for the first time since carried medical equipment into the room, but there lowed papal trips "from the first one to the last" and the massive statue was relocated to the gallery in 1873. (CNS was no indication that it was used. then added: "Wel1, let's not say the last, let's just say photo from Reuters) In fact, the medical equipment, including kits for until today."

CATHOUC NEWS SERVICE

Friday, September 26, 2003

Women chancellors changing dynamics of Church leadership

By JASON P,ERCE CATHOUC NEWS SERVICE

ceses in the United States. Only six were not religious.

Among the larger dioceses with women chancellors DALLAS - The offices of Church leadership are are Dallas; Rockville Centre, N.Y.; Orange, Calif.; and still a mostly male domain, but they're gradually be- San Bernardino, Calif. The Archdiocese of Newark, coming less so, according to statistics compiled by the N.J., also has a woman chancellor.

Texas Catholic, newspaper of the Dallas diocese.

Sheila Garcia, assistant director of the Secretariat for Women hold top posts in almost one-fourth of the Family, Laity, Women and Youth for the U.S. Confer205 Catholic archdioceses and dioceses in the United ence of Catholic Bishops, said that until 1983 only clerStates. ics were allowed to hold "ecclesiastical office." That Thirty women are chancellors, the highest "ecclesi- year, the Vatican decided to allow women to hold those astical" - or decision-making - office a layperson positions, notably in tribunal offices and administration, can hold in the Church. This position is variously ranked including chancellor, often second only to the bishop in second or third in authority after the bishop in a dio- the hierarchy of a diocese. cese.

She explained that the Under Church law, • change opened jobs to lay each diocese must have a people in general and bishop, a vicar general women in particular, esand judicial vicar, all of pecially in the middle whom must be priests; as ranks of diocesan staff, where there are typically well as a chancellor and a more women than men. chief financial officer, She said an increasing both of whom may be lay interest among the laity in people. The number oftop working for the Church officials in a diocese dehas created a pool of popends on the size of the tential lay candidates for diocese. ecclesiastical jobs. Many The number of women are people with backwho are chancellors ingrounds in law, accountcreased almost 66 percent ing or other professions from 10 years ago, acwho come to work for the cording to the 2003 OffiChurch as a second cacial Catholic Directory. =""------' reer.

The office of chancelLINDA BEARIE has served as chancellor of Sister Esther Dunegan, lor evolved from the practice in the early Church of the Diocese of San Jose in California since 1996. chancellor of the Beaumont diocese, said when appointing an official to (CNS photo from Texas Catholic) women came to hold disign and preserve the letters of the bishop. However, over the last century, bish- ocesan executive Posts nuns were the first chosen beops have come to rely on their chancellors to make ad- cause they had religious training. .

"Over the past 20 years, women religious have been ministrative decisions on their behalf, rather than serve made available to get canonical degrees because that's simply as record-keepers.

According to data from the most current directory, what qualifies them to be chancellors," said the nun, a out of 205 U.S. dioceses, 50 have women with the title Sister of the Incarnate Word and Blessed Sacrament.

"But now we are seeing more and more lay women of "chancellor." Of those 50 women, 28 are religious sisters. (Nuns and religious brothers are considered lay who are beginning to get canonical degrees:' including people.) Also, 26 dioceses have women who hold the licentiates or doctorates in canon law, she said.

While some bishops have hired lay people in an eftitle of "vice chancellor" or "assistant chancellor."

Laymen are the chancellors in 13 dioceses, and priests fort to diversify their staffs, others have done so out of serve the 142 other dioceses. In 1993, there were 31 necessity, because they cannot afford to take priests out women chancellors in the 201 dioceses and archdio- of their parishes, according to Edlund.

l'I••

REFEREES FROM the two top Italian soccer leagues surround Pope John Paul II for a photo at the end of a general audience at the Vatican recently. (CNS photo from Reuters)

. PHILIPPINE PRESIDENT Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo greets Cardinal Jaime Sin during a Mass celebrating his 75th birthday in Manila August 31 this year. Pope John Paul II accepted the cardinal's resignation in mid-September and named Archbishop Gaudencio B. Rosales of Lipa as the new head of the Manila Archdiocese. (CNS file photo from Reuters)

Orientation the rich experience of meeting other bishops of other dioceses and sharing experiences."

Another memorable moment for Bishop Coleman was concelebrating Mass with the principal celebrant Cardinal Re at the Altar of the Chair in St. Peter's Basilica. "To concelebrate Mass in proximity of the tomb of St. Peter and in close proximity of his successor was a very moving experience.

"It was especially meaningful to me because I was ordained to the priesthood at that altar nearly

COlltillued/rom page olle

39 years ago."

At the end of the sessions, the bishops made a trip to Castel Gondolfo, Italy, summer home of Pope John Paul II, for a personal audience with the Holy Father.

"It was a deeply moving experience to meet Pope John Paul II, who only a few months ago named me as bishop of Fall River," said Bishop Coleman. "I assured the Holy Father of the prayers of the priests and faithful of the Diocese of Fall River as he marks the 25 lh anniversary of his service to the Church as pope."

Knights of Columbus honor three families FALL RIVER - Three families, representing two parishes in the Fall River diocese, were recently honored by the Knights of Columbus as Diocesan Families of the Month. They were honored and recognized for their voluntee~ism in assisting their parishes, communities and councils accomplish their goals and objectives.

Honored were Kevin and Maryanne Downey and Roger and Theresa Cicero of St. John the Evangelist Parish, Attleboro, as well as Robert and Elaine Le Boeuf of St. Ann's Parish, Raynham.

The Downey's have a twoyear-old son, Aidan Patrick.

Maryanne is a member of the parish women's guild. Kevin is a member of the St. John's Council No. 404 and recently employed his construction knowledge and skills by clearing a parcel of land owned by the coun-

cii. He previously served as its outside guard.

Roger and Theresa Cicero have a teen-age son Matthew and younger children Anthony and Stephanie. They serve as babysitters, once a month, for the parish's to a.m. Mass. Roger teaches CCD, helps with the parish and council Christmas parties, and at Sturdy Memorial Hospital.

Roger is a Third Degree member of the No. 404 Council and a Fourth Degree member of the Edward Douglas Assembly.

Robert and Elaine Le Boeuf are the parents of two boys, Robert Jr. and John. Robert serves as a lector at St. Ann's, on its parish council and is involved in the parish Boy Scout program. He is a member of the St. Ann's Council No. 10289 in Raynham and has served as its Grand Knight and with numerous activities. He is in charge of the Knights' Family of the Month Program.

thea~

114

Friday, September 26, 2003

Father Hogan Scholarship recipients are announced

PHYSICAL EDUCATION activities, above, were a hit with these students at St. Mary's School, New Bedford, as the academic year opened. Ducking under the limbo bar, held by parent-helper Lisa Johnson, is Ross Pontes as friends Patrick Levine and Michael Tatro ready themselves to give it a try. Below, eighth-graders work on an experiment in William Butler's science class. Seated from left: Sarah Forgue, Ashley Gelinas, Bryanne Pepin and Katelyn O'Brien.

NEW BEDFORD - Four Father Hogan, a priest for 41 area students attending Provi- years, was admired, respected and dence College are the recipients loved by all who had the good of nearly $19,000 awarded dur- fortune of knowing him. The ing the 2003~2204 academic year "people's priest," as he was so from the Father John F. Hogan often called, was a friend to all, Scholarship Fund. and his boundless energy, vibrant They are: Senior Rebecca personality and endless unselfishCoons of Lakeville, a graduate of ness were inspirations to young Bishop Stang High School; Jun- and old alike. ior Amy E. Chandler of New The scholarship Fund is curBedford, a graduate of New rently conducting its annual fundBedford High School; Sophomore raising, which is highlighted by a Andrew Souza of New Bedford, golf event September 29 at the also a graduate of New Bedford Allendale County Club.

Organizers of the event invite High Schpol; and Freshman Sara Vaz of Dartmouth, a graduate of participants and donations. MerDartmouth High School. chandise and gfft certificates, The Fund was established in which are useful for prizes and 1986 in memory of the late pas- raffles, are also most welcomed tor of St. Julie Billiart Parish in" and appreciated.

North Dartmouth. During those The Father John F. Hogan 17 years the Fund has grown to Scholarship Fund continues to be one of the largest of its kind at accept contributions. For inforProvidence College, awarding mation on the fund or the golf more than $220,000 in financial gala, contact William J. Synnott assistance to area students study- at P.O. Box 7062, New Bedford, ing there.

MA 02741; or call 508-999-1539 Fund organizers noted that or 508-264-0270.

THE SOPHOMORE Class at Bishop Stang High School, North Dartmouth, recently held elections for class officers.

Seated is Brendan Good, president. Standing from left: Stephanie Paquette, vice president; Jimmy Cheung, treasurer; and Carley Caldas, secretary.

Bishop Stang reunion "weekend planned

~

SENIOR GARRET Moniz of Bishop Connolly High School, Fall River, accepts the Christopher M. Leahey Memorial Scholarship from Guidance Director Donna Fiori during a recent school event. The scholarship will aid Moniz with his tuition.

The award is "given in memory of Leahey, a 1987 graduate who died in a car accident.

;'

NORTH DARTMOUTH Bishop Stang High School is calling on membeI:s of the classes of 1963, 1968, 1973, 1978, 1983, " 1988, 1993 and 1998 to join in celebrating the anniversaries of graduation from the North Dartmouth high school.

A grand reunion is set for Thanksgiving weekend and all current and -former teachers and staff are invited tojoin the graduates, rekindle old friendships and reminisce.

On Thanksgiving morning the Stang Spartans football team will battle New Bedford Volk at 10: 15 a.m., at the Hugh J. Carney Memorial Stadium.

Friday night festivities will be held at the Hawthorne Country Club in Dartmouth beginning with a cocktail reception at 6:30 p.m., followed by class photos and dinner.

For more information call Mary Jane Roy, alumni director, at 508-996-5602 ext 433.

151 ..

Friday, September 26, 2003

._,~=-_-"_ Yor-a.~~f\~t)~~~ -~ue¥iit:rth---: -J" ,,=-;=:..:::::=:::.=:::::::::s ---

'" --'.-

-

--~.-~ --~-- _. t..~_ ..=~_.':"'

__.__ .

~.

¥ - - - - - - - - •• .:.. -

~--

--

-"~'-:--=----:::-..:.:=--=-~.:=-=--

.--------- -' _.~-=. :::"_~_ ~."- ~__~~:::-~ -- .'

Bono, bishops team up to seek greater U.S. AIDS effort

By MARK PAlTISON CAlliOUC NEWS SERVICE WASHINGTON - Rock star Bono teamed up with bishops from three Christian denominations to ask that President Bush and Con'gress live up to their pledge to commit $3 billion in the year ahead to ,combat AIDS in Africa.

Calling on America to "keep its promise to Africa" during a September 16 press conference at St. 'John Episcopal Church near the White House, Bono was joined by, among others, Bishop John H. Ricard of Pensacola-Tallahassee, Aa., chairman of the U.S. bishops' Committee on International Policy. ''The United States is the richest nation on earth," Bishop Ricard said. ''And it is a scandal that we are the last among industrialized nations in terms of per capita spending on development assistance for the poorest countries in the world."

Bono, lead singer of the rock group U2, met with Bush at the White House before joining the press conference. "We had a good old row," he said, adding that Bush was "very passionate about the problems. I believe him when he says he's committed to the long , term on AIDS. We just can't agree on the numbers."

According to Bono, Bush is willing to commit only $2 billion for the coming fiscal year, contending that it would be impossible for aid organizations to absorb a full $3 billion. "We want to build the infrastructure" that can distribute drugs and conduct education programs in up to a dozen African countries ravaged

and two sons to AIDS, said that when Bush made his promise last year of funds to combat AIDS in Africa "my hope grew even higher.

When he came to Ghana last July, I made the trip to thank him."

Lately, she added, "People are come to me asking, 'Where is the money President Bush promised?

I am dying.'''

Bono encouraged Americans to write and to call their members of Congress to fully fund Bush's AIDS in Africa initiative.

In the week prior to the press conference, CRS, DATA and the antihunger lobby Bread for the World conducted a coordinated call-in effort to the White House and the Senate to press for full funding on the

AIDS effort and the Millennium Challenge Account. The account is a new initiative which allots extra development assistance to poorer nations that have anti-corruption and anti-poverty systems in place, according to Bread for the World spokeswoman Shawnda Eibl.

The Rev. David Beckmann, a Lutheran minister who is Bread for the World president, said its members have sent about 150,000 letters to Congress on Millennium Challenge Account funding, which, depending on the House or Senate versions, is falling $500 million$800 million short ofBush's pledge of $1.3 biIlion.

In remarks directed at Bush, Christian Methodist Episcopal Bishop Lawrence Reddick said, "At a time when you are asking Congress for $87 billion for the aggressive fight on terrorism, I ask you, Mr. President, to find $3 billion for 2004 for the fight against HIVI AIDS and $1.3 billion in 2004 for the Mil1ennium Challenge Account."

Bishop Stephen P. Bouman of the Metropolitan New York Synod of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America, noted that his son and daughter-in-law are teachers at a Tanzanian school where many students have AIDS. "For me, it's not 'them,' but 'us,''' he said.

Also addressing Bush, Bishop Bouman said, "You have been to Africa. We have bOlh seen with our own eyes that conlinent of hUlt and hope. In both places you promised . to be a leader for healing and justice. We want to help you keep BONO, LEAD singer of the rock group U2 and advocate for Africa, addresses the media those promises, which lie at the spiritual core of our nation." in Washington, D.C. (CNS photo by Paul Haring)

by AIDS, the singer said.

Bono praised the work ofCatholic Relief Services, th.e U.S. bishops' overseas relief and development agency. ''They treat four million people in Africa - not all mv patients, but orphans, the problem as it breaks out," he said.

Bruce Wilkinson, senior vice president of World Vision US, said at the press conference that a new child is orphaned every 14 seconds in Africa because of AIDS - or more than 2.25 million a year with a current total of 14 million orphans. ''That would be like the total populations of New York City and Washington, D.C., consisting of nothing but parentless children," he said.

Bono founded DATA - an acronym for Debt, AIDS, Trade, Africa - to address health and development issues on the continent.

According to a September 9 letter from DATA executive director Jamie Drummond to U.S. senators, "Spending an additional $1 billion would save two million lives - by giving life-saving treatment to an additional 400,000 people who would otherwise die and preventing an additional 1.6 million people from ever contracting mvI AIDS." Such an expenditure would save the international community $1 billion a year in AIDS treatments, Drummond added.

Agnes Nyamayarwo, a Ugandan woman who lost her husband

Where is the real world?

By KASE JOHNSTUN CAlliOUC NEWS SERVICE

I

"Paradise Hotel." "For Love or Money." "Who Wants to Marry My Dad?" "Meet My Parents."

This list goes on and on. We have been run over by reality television.

It began in the early '90s as a gt;;m of an idea from the brain stem of a producer from MTV when he created ''The Real World." The show put a group of kids under the age of 23 into a home together for an extended period of time, finding personalities bound to sprout roots of controversy, bickering and, of course, sexual lewdness.

From these humble beginnings, network television pounced on reality and people's wish to be famous.

Don't get me wrong. I get

stuck on those shows too. I should be working on something at night, homework per say, but with one flip through the channels I get stuck on someone eating maggots on "Fear Factor."

All of a sudden there are famous people popping up from all regions of the country. You see them at Hollywood parties. They have stints as musicians or comedians. Then, except for a few, they disappear into the tabloid twilight, filing back into the rungs of regular society.

Their popularity is fleeting because it is not earned. They did not work hard to achieve it, and without hard work their popularity could not be sustained.

I heard on the radio this morning about a youth gang in Las Vegas whose members filmed themselves stealing from

convenience stores, robbing cars, holding people at gunpoint and committing numerous other crimes in the summer of 2003.

The news report indicated they did all of this with the intent to

Coming of flge sell the videotape to the media to make some money, because, of course, people love reality TV, and they could become famous for their video.

Those teens and young adults are being charged for their crimes as I type this column. I think they

wiII get their shot at being famous, but it may not be in the way they expected. They will have their opportunity to perform in front of a'live audience - a jury, and as they leave the courtroom, they too walk away into anonymity.

Now, without any smooth transition or warning, I am about to break into cheesy mode. There is no other way to do it. Hmmm.

Hmmm. Here we go. Bring on the cheese. Trust me though. I am going somewhere with the cheese.

A man opens his door this morning, letting in a group of teens. They file in, take their seats and open their eyes. A painting sits in front of them. Symphony echoes in the background from a small radio with tape on the antenna sitting in the comer of the room. The man turns to his

classroom with flailing aIms and acts as a conductor for the music.

They open a book from the same time period as the harpsichord and the oil base. Fearful of showing up for class without something to say, they've cluttered their books with notes.

The bell rings, and they walk out of the classroom. They walk away.

The man shuts off the music, sits for 10 minutes reading papers and then opens the door to another 10 students. At the end of the day he walks away.

Students 10 years later sit together at a restaurant discussing his classroom and his daily performance. They discuss how his influence has inspired them to teach or write music or even to write a column for Catholic News Service.

Fall River diocese marks its centennial The following are the next in a series of historical sketches of the parishes comprising the Diocese of Fall River, founded in 1904. The series will run in chronological order from oldest to newest parish, according to diocesan archives, concluding in March, 2004, the centennial anniversary of the diocese. Please note that ALL parish histories will run in the order they were founded - including parishes that have been suppressed or merged. Histories ofmerged parishes will run according to the time-line.

TAUNTON - The first Polish immigrants came to Taunton in the 1890s. Those settling in the North End of the city worked at the mill while those settling in the South End of Taunton found employment in the stove factories.

For several years, the Polish people attended neighborhood Catholic churches but they experienced difficulty since they did not understand the language of their adopted country.

The first priest who understood their mother tongue and attended to their spiritual needs was Father John Ch1nielinski of South Boston. He was followed by Fathers Paul Guzik and Stanislaus Basinski of Fall River and Fathers Edward A. Uminski and John A. NowiCki of New Bedford.

In 1907 Bishop Stang assigned Father Hugo Dylla, an energetic priest, as the first pastor of Our Lady of the Holy Rosary Parish.

As there was no church, services were held at St. Anthony Church on School Street.

It was on Old Boston Bay Road that a parcel of land was released to Father Dylla. Records, signed on Nov. 12, 1908, show that Ella' A. Converse of Worcester, in consideration of one dollar and other valuables, released the property to the Roman Catholic Bishop ofFall River, Bishop Daniel F. Feehan.

Father Dylla appointed a building committee and a sum of $3,600 was borrowed from the Taunton

Our Lady of the Holy Rosary Parish, Taunton .formed. In 1982, Father ......------------------------, Savings Bank.

OUR LADY OF THE

The DJ. Sullivan Construction Company, which built many beautiful homes along Broadway, was commissioned to build the church. On Nov. 25, 1909 the church was blessed and dedicated to Our Lady of the Holy Rosary.

Father Dylla was transferred to New Bedford in 1912. He was replaced by Father Basinski who was succeeded by Father Stanislaus Lipka.

In 1923 Bishop Feehan turned over the administration of the parish to the Franciscan Friars, Order of the Friars Minor Conventual.

After having been presented by the FranciscaQ Friars to the bishop for appointment by him, Father Michael Drzewucki became pastor on Dec. 1, 1924. The . main projects which Father Drzewucki undertook were the installation of an elaborate and ornate main altar and the installation of a pipe organ at the cost of $4,000.

In 1930, Father Callistus Szpara, OFM Conv., became pastor. During his administration the Children of Mary and the St. Vincent de Paul Society were organized. Father. John Zielinski, OFM Conv., served as pastor from 1944-60. Father Callistus returned as pastor from 1960-69. Father Sebastian Slesinski, OFM Conv., was appointed pastor in 1969..

During his tenure the St. Maximilian Kolbe Guild was

Bonaventure Jezierski OFM Conv., assumed the role of pastor.

In order to provide ample facilities for the religious education program, the building 路of the Parish Center was undertaken. Father Bonaventure organized multiple fund-raisers and the Polish Picnic to help defray the cost of the new project. The center was completed and dedicated in June of 1984. The Polish Picnic has become an annual August tradition in Taunton and the entire southeastern part of Massachusetts and Rhode Island.

At the Franciscan Provincial Chapter of 1991, Father Bonaventure was transferred to Trenton, N. 1., and Father Cyril Augustyn, OFM Conv., was presented to Bishop Daniel' Cronin for appointment as pastor of the parish. He served that role from 1991-97.

Father David M. Stopyra, OFM Conv., is the current pastor. Henrietta Sabina is coordinator of religious education and Frances Gorczyca is the parish secretary. Carol A. Souza is organist and rectory assistant and Ernie Correia and Paul Dufresne are m.aintenance engineers.

The rectory is located at 80 ' Bay Street, Taunton, MA 02780.

It can be reached by telephone at 508-823-3046; or by FAX at 508823-0585. The parish Website is www.myholyrosary.org.

HOLY ROSARY CHURCH, TAUNTON

./

Holy Name Parish, New Bedford HOLY NAME CHURCH, .

NEW BEDFORD.

/ ",

/\

/

'"

/

;

\,

"-

"!

\

l ....\

NEW BEDFORD - At the beginning of the 20 th century, Catholics living in what was then the North End of New Bedford were served by the priests from the Parish of St. Lawrence, Martyr, on Sundays in a chapel dedicated to St. Mary, at the comer of County and Studley streets.

However, by 1909 Bishop Daniel F. Feehan recognized the need for a more stable pastoral arrangement and established the Parish of St. Mary with Father James F. Coffey as founding pastor.

The former St. Joseph's School at County and Linden streets, staffed by the Sisters of Mercy, whose .convent was in proximity to the school, was placed under the jurisdiction of St. Mary's.

In 1915, this thriving child of the Church in New Bedford was "reborn" again, renamed Holy Name Parish.

After a long and distinguished pastorate, Father Coffey was succeeded by Father Timothy P.

Sweeney. There was a growing recognition that the venerable wooden church on County Street was inadequate and it was Father Sweeney, later to be named a monsignor, who undertook the construction of the beautiful brick edifice on Mount Pleasant Street which continues to serve the pastoral needs of the faithful in that quarter of the Whaling City.

Bishop James L. Connolly solemnly consecrated the church on Nov. 11, 1954.

Succeeding to the pastorate, Msgr. John 1. Hayes served from 1960 to 1970. Father Leo T. Sullivan returned briefly to the parish where he has served as curate. Upon his death, Father "John 1. Murphy became pastor in 1975. He wisely acquired property adjacent to the church and rectory and with the enthusiastic support of the parochial community, he undertook construction of a modern parish center which, after a quarter of a century, continues to serve the catechetical, recreational, social and cultural

needs of residents of the parish and neighborhood.

Father William F. O'Connell succeeded Father Murphy, only to be stricken, after a brief interval, with a serious illness. Msgr. Thomas 1. Harrington, having significant personal and familial associations with the parish, became pastor in 1994.

Collaborating closely with Father Clement E. Dufour, pastor of the nearby Parish of the Sacred Heart, and with collaboration of committees representing both af- . fected parish communities, Msgr.

Harrington became the founding pastor of a merged parochial community, the Parish of the Holy Name of the Sacred Heart of Jesus. It was called into existence during a solemn liturgy by then Bishop Sean P. O'Malley, OFM Cap., on the First Sunday of Ad- . vent in 1999.

The vibrant merged parochial community continues to worship in the Mount Pleasant Street church and to make vigorous use of the Parish Center.