09.17.21

Diocese of Fall River, Mass. † Friday, September 17, 2021

Diocesan schools focus on social emotional professional development

FALL RIVER — Within distractions which add a has also contributed to an the past few years, there lot of pressure during these increase in family difficulhas been a huge increase formative years of develties as the stresses of lost in the social and emotional opment; thus students of jobs, financial challengneeds of students across es, and limited personal all ages are suffering from all age groups, economic contact have taken a toll on mental health issues more status, and cultural backeveryone, including chilthan ever before. grounds. A dren. It is no 2018 Pew ReThe pandemic has also contributed to an in- surprise that search Center crease in family difficulties as the stresses of lost schools are survey of jobs, financial challenges, and limited personal encountering kids between contact have taken a toll on everyone, including a soaring 13 and 17 number of children. concluded students with that seven social and in 10 teens think anxiety emotional needs and are The advent of the and depression are major looking for ways to help COVID-19 pandemic and problems for their peers them. its lingering effects exand that almost 60 percent acerbate this problem by During the final two of kids categorize bullying disrupting student scheddays of August, the Dioas the second most major cese of Fall River Catholic ules and environments, in problem for their peers . schools prepared their addition to heightening There are dozens of other teachers, administrators concerns about the health studies that confirm toand staff members to meet and well-being of friends day’s students are full of and family. The pandemic 8 Turn to page 12

Teachers and school leaders break out into smaller groups to better identify the specific social emotional needs of their students, at the recent social emotional professional development sessions sponsored by the diocesan Catholic Schools Alliance .

Beth Mahoney, principal at St. Stanislaus School in Fall River, was recently installed as president of the National Council of Catholic Women, at the national meeting in Arlington, Va. on August 28. With Mahoney are, from left, Bishop Michael Buridge of the Diocese of Arlington, Va., and Father Thomas Washburn, pastor of the Catholic Community of Central Fall River.

Diocesan woman installed as President-Elect of NCCW

By Dave Jolivet Editor

davejolivet@anchornews.org

ARLINGTON, Va. — At its annual convention on August 28, the National Conference of Catholic Women installed Beth Mahoney, a member of the Fall River Diocesan Council of Catholic Women, as NCCW President-Elect, beginning a six-year term with the longstanding Catholic women’s organization.

Mahoney is the first person from the Diocese of Fall River to be elected to this position, which includes two years as President-Elect, two as President, and two as Past President. She is also

currently the principal at St. Stanislaus School in Fall River.

“I was excited to learn I was elected, a little surprised and very grateful,” Mahoney told The Anchor.

Mahoney, who is no stranger to the NCCW, having served on its board for the last six years; having chaired the Spirituality Commission and the Education Committee; and serving on the board as the Boston Province Director, chose to run for the office because she felt she had much to offer and to share with the organization and Catholic women across the country. “I believe my gifts of organizational skills and 8 Turn to page eight

September 17, 2021 †

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Attleboro Pro-Life community prepares for 27th annual 40 Days for Life campaign

By Dave Jolivet Editor

davejolivet@anchornews.org

ATTLEBORO — In what feels like an never-ending battle against the culture of death, the Attleboro Pro-Life community is making plans for its 14th annual 40 Days for Life campaign, this year running from September 22 to October 31. Nationally, this is the 27th campaign.

The 40 Days for Life campaign is an internationally coordinated 40-day campaign that aims to end abortion locally through prayer and fasting, community outreach, and a peaceful all-day vigil in front of abortion businesses.

Ron and Angela Larose, the Attleboro coordinators, told The Anchor, “We are looking forward

to seeing all our faithful supporters who have joined us in witness and prayer as we begin our 14th year of prayer and fasting.

“We stand united for life in our small corner of the vineyard at the last remaining abortion clinic in the entire southeast region of Massachusetts. Recent legislative initiatives at the state level across the country demonstrates the resolve of the Pro-Life movement to protect mothers and babies from this terrible affliction in our land. Please consider spending time in prayer and fast with us this campaign as we continue our faithful witness to the Gospel of Life.”

The Attleboro chapter now has an active website, www.40daysforlife.com/ attleboro. The site includes a

Portuguese Charismatic Conference ‘Jesus 2021’ takes place September 25 TAUNTON — The Portuguese Charismatic Conference “Jesus 2021,” sponsored by the Diocesan Portuguese Renewal Service Committee, with the theme “Jesus 2021 — Empowered and Moved by the Spirit,” will take place at the parish hall at St. Anthony Parish, 126 School Street, Taunton, on Saturday, September 25.

Attendees will gather at 8 a.m., and the conference will conclude at approximately 5:30 p.m.

Conference topics will include: 1. A special session of “From Praise to Glory”; 2. Three main Presentations, namely: a) “Jesus is Lord” (To bring Baptism to the whole Church); b) “Jesus, Lord of Unity” (Build Unity in the Church); c) “Serve the Poor” (Jesus Lord, did not come to be served but to serve); 3. Workshops with group discussions; and, 2

4. Exposition of the Blessed Sacrament, Prayer of Intercession and Healing, Blessing with the Blessed Sacrament amidst the assembly, and Benediction of the Blessed Sacrament.

All are invited and will be gladly welcomed to attend this very special “Current of Grace” in its entirety, or part of it. One and all will be greeted with the favorite salutation “Jesus is Lord!”

For those planning on attending, contact a leader of one of our Diocesan Portuguese Prayer Groups, namely: Espírito Santo Parish Prayer Group, Fall River; Our Lady of Mount Carmel Parish Prayer Group, New Bedford; Our Lady of the Immaculate Conception Parish Prayer Group, New Bedford; and St. Anthony Parish Prayer Group, Taunton.

There is no admission fee.

† September 17, 2021

vigil calendar where faithful can sign up for a specific hour during the campaign. It also includes campaign flyers and information about the national campaign.

The Attleboro flyer for this year’s campaign implores people to “Help save lives in Attleboro!”

It indicates that all can help save mothers and children by joining the worldwide mobilization to pray and fast for an end to abortion.

The vigil location in Attleboro is Four Women Clinic, 150 Emory Street in Attleboro. The vigil hours are daily from 6 a.m. to 6 p.m.

Statistics show that because of the prayers and fasting of ProLife advocates over the last 26 years, nearly 19,000 babies were spared the horror of being aborted; 221 abortion workers converted; and 112 abortion clinics were closed.

Locally, a Memorial Service for Aborted Children will take place tomorrow, September 18, at St. Mary’s Cemetery, Towne Street in North Attleboro from 10:3011:30 a.m.

On this day, Pro-Life Americans across the country will gather at memorial sites such as St. Mary’s Cemetery for the ninth annual National Day of Remembrance for Aborted Children.

Prayer services are held at these sites to commemorate the

more than 60 million innocent lives taken by abortion since 1973. The services are also a reminder to all of the humanity of the unborn child.

Also tomorrow (September 18) St. Catherine of Siena Church in Norwood, 547 Washington Street, will host the Pro-Life Prayer Launch for the 40 days.

A 6 p.m. Mass will be celebrated with Father Michael McNamara. Steve Karlen, the North American Campaign Director, will speak at 7 p.m. (There is no opening ceremony in Attleboro this year.)

After volunteering to lead the campaign in Madison, Wisc., Karlen successfully led the fight against opening a late-term abortion center on the campus of his alma mater, the University of Wisconsin. He documents the story in his book, “This is When We Begin to Fight.” All are welcome and there is no charge for the ceremony.

On September 23 there will be an Abundant Hope Virtual Fundraiser at 7 p.m. Folks can register for this at ahprc.ejoinme. org/2021celebratelife. For more information or questions call 508-455-0425 or email director@ ahprc.org.

For local information about the Attleboro 40 Days for Life, contact Ron or Angela Larose at 508-736-9813 or email 40dflattleboro@comcast.net.

New Bedford parish to host Men ̕ s Retreat October 30

By Dave Jolivet Editor

davejolivet@anchornews.org

NEW BEDFORD — In a homecoming of sorts, Father Roger J. Landry, currently serving as the Permanent Observer Mission of the Holy See to the United Nations in New York City, and a former pastor of St. Anthony Parish in New Bedford, will be returning to the parish he loved, on October 30 to preach and take part in a Men’s Retreat there. The focus of the retreat is, “St. Joseph — A Call to Manly Holiness.”

Father Landry has led retreats and has taught at events all over the world.

In an interview with The Anchor, where Father Landry was once Executive Editor and still submits a regular column, he said, “One of the great privileges of my life was to serve as pastor of St. Anthony for seven years (20052012). It is one of the most beautiful churches in the United States, built by humble hard working immigrants who wanted to do something truly beautiful for God. “I always love to return

† Diocese of Fall River † OFFICIAL Appointments

His Excellency, the Most Reverend Edgar M. da Cunha, S.D.V., D.D., Bishop of Fall River, has made the following appointment and transfer: Reverend Riley J. Williams, Catholic Priest Chaplain to the Barnstable County House of Corrections while remaining Pastor of Holy Name Parish in Fall River Effective: September 2, 2021 Reverend Christopher Stanibula, from Parochial Vicar of Saint Pius Tenth Parish in South Yarmouth, to Administrator of St. Anthony of Padua Parish in Mattapoisett and St. Rita of Cascia Parish in Marion Effective: September 23, 2021 His Excellency, the Most Reverend Edgar M. da Cunha, S.D.V., D.D., Bishop of Fall River, has accepted the request to retire of: Reverend John C. Ozug, Pastor of St. Anthony of Padua Parish in Mattapoisett and St. Rita of Cascia Parish in Marion

there. Not only does the extraordinary beauty always lift me up, but it reminds me of so many graces I received there, from God and the parishioners. I can’t wait for October 30.

“The Year of St. Joseph is a special year of grace for all Catholics, but especially for Catholic men. As a Spiritual father, model and intercessor, he helps us grow to become, like him, more just, faithful, obedient, converted, prayerful, Christ-centered, charitable, humble, meek, vigilant, fatherly, hard-working, chaste, and in love with our Lady.

“I look forward to being able to speak very practically about how devotion to St. Joseph helps us to become stronger, better and holier Catholic men.”

The retreat will take place on a Saturday, beginning with the celebration of Mass with Father Landry at 9 a.m. The events of the day will begin following the 10 a..m.

Liturgy.

Father Mariano Varelo, pastor of St. Anthony’s, shared with The Anchor his

A Liturgy at a previous Menʼs Retreat at St. Anthony Church in New Bedford. This year’s event will take place on October 30. happiness hosting the retreat: “With much enthusiasm and joy, I recently learned that Father Roger Landry, former pastor, is going to lead a retreat for youth and men based on the life and Spirituality of St. Joseph. This day of prayer and reflection seems to me a particular grace for men, fathers and husbands, and young men, who today need a lot of encouragement to fulfill their vocation ‘a perfect man, unto the measure of the age of the fullness of Christ’ (Eph 4:13).

“I say a particular grace, because this meeting will take place within the framework of the year dedicated to St. Joseph, foster father of our bless-

† Diocese of Fall River † OFFICIAL Appointments

His Excellency, the Most Reverend Edgar M. da Cunha, S.D.V., Bishop of Fall River, has made the following appointment:

Reverend Brian Albino, Parochial Vicar of Saint Anthony of Padua Parish in Fall River

Reverend Jojappa (Joseph) Pasala, ss.cc., Chaplain of Charlton Memorial Hospital with residence at St. Anthony of Padua Rectory in Fall River

Effective: September 23, 2021

Effective: August 18, 2021

ed Lord. Nowadays, it is common to observe that very often the figure of a father as leader, educator, and protector of the family is being disfigured by false models who want to equate the personality and role of men.”

The day is open to all men ages 13 and up. “We highly encourage youth beyond the age of reason to either come with a family member, friend or by himself,” Edwin Aldarondo, a parishioner involved with the retreat, told The Anchor. “It is very important our youth also be included since they will have to face the challenges and need to be prepared for them.

“St. Pope John Paul II said, ‘As the family goes, so goes the nation.’”

In addition to the opening and closing Liturgies, the day will include talks, praying the Rosary, Eucharistic Adoration, the availability of the Sacrament of Confession, and fellowship.

The one-day, guided retreat is a wonderful opportunity for men, including fathers and sons, to live a Spiritual encounter 8 Turn to page 14

September 17, 2021 †

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Be a blessing

glanced at Fulghum’s book entitled “All I Really Need to Know I Learned in Kindergarten.” I smiled as I relived a moment with my seventh-graders. School policy was silent passing in the halls. To the seventh-grade boys, “silent” meant lower volume. In addition, silent was somehow understood to be an invitation to tease the girl next to them or smack/push the fellow next to them. The Kindergartners were heading our way.

My seventh-graders were supposed to stand silently against the wall. I stood protectively between my most rambunctious students and the passing space.

Those kids were so tiny and quiet! Each had their left palm on their left hip. Each had the right index finger over their lips. As they passed, each turned his or her head to peek at the big kids behind me. I turned to find my students charmed by the little ones. I suggest-

ed we try the hand on hip and other hand on lips silent walk. One actually said, “No. Let’s be role models who show that young adults don’t need those reminders.” The book’s author had a point about the universality of Kindergarten’s lessons.

The story where Jesus reminds the disciples that leadership is about service (Mk 9:3037) reveals a loving God with remarkable patience. Jesus was beginning to reveal God’s plan that the Son of Man would suffer and be killed.

The disciples responded — “Whatever.” Then, they argued to “prove” who was the greatest! Parents and educators know such moments only too well. Sometimes you wish to scream enough already with being in your own world and not listening to or looking out for others! But, no detailed lecture or volume of

screaming will ever convey the point. Such lessons are the fruit of discoveries within the heart. They must blossom before they can be drawn forth. The soil is fertile only when the

is from immediately after 9/11. We were amidst the no-fly days where all planes were grounded. I arrived at my friend’s house to find her four-year-old son racing around the house with his plastic jet. She said, “He doesn’t know. He’s only four.” Her son pulled me to the living room. He emptied the box for his new Lego airplane set at my feet. He happily anhuman heart is open. Jesus nounced, “Mommy promsaved His response until ised that as soon as you got the disciples were open to here we could build.” The listening. pieces from the kit remindJesus places a child ed me of wreckage. in their midst. Jesus says, I looked into the eyes of “If anyone wishes to be this smiling child. In an infirst, he shall be the last stant, I knew that the world of all and the servant of I wished to pass on to him all” (Mk 9:35). A child is was one where airplanes modeled both as leader were tools (not weapons). and as the image of the People used tools to build. purpose of leadership. In They cared for other people. general, leadership is about That is a world where the building community and Greatest Commandment service to that community. is lived. That is the world Those ideas on leadership vision shared with Kinderare as revolutionary and gartners. That is Robert important today as they Fulghum’s world of playing were to the disciples. Jesus fair, sharing, cleaning up, challenges each of us to not taking things that aren’t re-imagine our world with yours, not hitting others, the vision, wonder, and and a world where those trusting heart of a child. who hurt others say they The example I have are sorry. The instant I sat from my life about pursuing to build the airplane with such a reset in perspective him, I made a commitment

to finding a way back to (then remaining within) that world because that was the world I wished to pass on to his generation.

The four-year-old I am remembering just began his Ph.D. program. He is exploring ways he wishes to make a difference in our world.

The true challenge of being a leader is to live each day as a blessing in the lives of others. What is in it for me in living that call is more than what first meets the eye. It is more than sacrifice or the cycle of life. Jesus said, “Whoever receives one child such as this in My name, receives Me; and whoever receives Me, receives not Me but the One Who sent Me” (Mk 9:37). Choosing to build that airplane was a moment where we each were a conduit of God’s love for the other.

One final image from Fulghum’s work is the end of the hide-and-seek game with scattered children coming back together to the call of “olly-olly-oxen free.”

Can you hear the call?

A world awaits us where all belong and each knows God’s love.

Anchor columnist Dr. Helen J. Flavin, Ph.D., is a Catholic scientist, educator and writer.

Noted EWTN personality to speak in neighboring Providence Diocese

GREENVILLE, R.I. — ­Mike Aquilina, EWTN personality, former editor of the Pittsburgh Catholic newspaper and New Covenant magazine, author/ co-author of more than 60 books, many of them on the Fathers of the Church, will be speaking at St. Philip Church, 622 Putnam Pike 4

† September 17, 2021

(Rte. 44), Greenville, R.I. on September 21 at 7 p.m., as part of the Diocese of Providence’s 150th anniversary celebrations.

His topic will be ”St. Joseph and His Work: A Revolutionary Approach to Our Everyday Labor.”

For more events visit dioceseofprovidence.org.

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Father Verbis Lafleur: One of St. Landry̕ s most valiant sons

t the beginning of August, I traveled to Grand Coteau, La., to preach some conferences to the seminarians of the Diocese of Lafayette. I always love to go Lafayette, not just because I have several priest and lay friends there but because within the diocese there’s a county felicitously called “St. Landry Parish” — counties are called “parishes” in Louisiana, as in Alaska they’re called “boroughs” — and in the heart of that county a city named Opelousas with a majestic parish church dedicated to the same saint.

Outside of Louisiana, when I mention “St. Landry,” most people think I’m engaging in comical self-canonization. But there is a St. Landry. In fact, there are officially four: St. Landry, Bishop of Sées (405-480, feast day July 16); St. Landry, the 27th Bishop of Paris (d. 661, feast June 10); St. Landry, Bishop of Metz and Abbot of Soignies and Aumont (622700, feast April 17); and St. Landry, pastor of Bonneval and later a Benedictine monk who was martyred about 1050 in Lanslevillard, France (feast June 14).

The St. Landry after whom the civil parish and exquisite Opelousas Church is named was the bishop of Paris. He was famous during and after his lifetime for his charity, selling all his personal possessions, furniture and Sacred vessels to feed the poor during the great famine of 650-51 in Paris and founding a hospital to care for the indigent (which became the famous Hotel Dieu). He built the Church of St. Germain L’Auxerrois, now next to the Louvre, where his relics were entombed until being destroyed by French revolutionaries. In the 1738 Paris Missal, his annual memorial is celebrated as a feast, with not only the typical proper antiphons, opening Collect, Prayer over the Gifts and Prayer after Communion to which we are accustomed

today, but also a proper Preface and lengthy Sequence before the Gospel extolling his virtues.

When I was growing up, I had never heard there was a St. Landry, not to mention four. I remember my delight, however, on June 9, 1989 reading “Butler’s Lives of the Saints” in prayerful anticipation of the following day, when I saw the entry on “St. Landericus or Landry, Bishop of Paris.” Several years later, when I was a seminarian in Rome, I traveled to Paris, where I was able to visit the chapels dedicated to him at Notre Dame Cathedral and St. Germain L’Auxerrois.

For my diaconal ordination, a fellow seminarian from the Diocese of Lafayette gave me as a gift a hardbound copy of the history of St. Landry Parish, which was the first time I had heard of the civil jurisdiction and parish church and filled me with a desire to visit. That visit happened the week after I was ordained a priest, when, in New Orleans for the ordination of a classmate, I borrowed a car and drove to Opelousas, where with seminarian friends from the diocese, was able to celebrate my 10th Mass at the historic St. Landry Church, whose history goes back to before the Louisiana Purchase.

On one of my subsequent visits to Opelousas, I saw outside the front of the church a huge, arresting statue of Carrara marble.

Initially I thought it may have been dedicated to the parish patron, but as I drew near, I saw that it was a homage, dedicated in 2007, to Father J. Verbis Lafleur, a former parishioner who had his first Mass at St. Landry Parish in 1938, later became an Army Air Corps chaplain, a Japanese prisoner-of-war, and ultimately died saving others lives on Sept. 7, 1944.

Franco Alessandrini’s statue featured on its pedestal various bas reliefs of his priestly work and close by were bronze plaques with a biography and the story of his death. It was the first I had heard of Father Lafleur.

I was proud of his service to God and to our country, proud to discover the details of his heroic service as a chaplain and proud of the parishioners of St. Landry to remember him, promoting devotion to him and erecting to him such an extraordinary work of art.

I was delighted when at their annual spring Plenary

Assembly in June, the U.S. bishops held a canonical consultation on his cause of beatification and canonization for the Vatican’s Congregation for the Causes of Saints and expressed their support for its advancement. Last week, on September 7, we marked the 77th anniversary of his death.

Joseph Verbis Lafleur was born in 1912 in Ville Platte, La., the youngest of seven children. His father abandoned the family when Verbis was just a boy, leaving his family in severe poverty, and forcing his mother to take odd jobs and grow a big garden to feed her hungry kids. When he was 14, he, his mom and the other young children moved in with his older sister Olivia and her husband who were living in Opelousas. He soon confided to Msgr. Albert Colliard, the pastor of St. Landry Church, that he felt a calling to the priesthood, and the good priest arranged for him to enter St. Joseph’s Minor Seminary in St. Benedict, La., the

following year. Twelve years later, Father Lafleur celebrated his first Solemn High Mass at St. Landry Parish on April 5, 1938.

His one parish assignment was as parochial vicar to the people of St. Mary Magdalene Church in Abbeville, where he distinguished himself as a zealous priest, avid sportsman and inspiring Spiritual father, pawning his watch to buy for the poor boys of the parish baseball gloves, bats, balls and other equipment and coaching them on the diamond and in life.

Three years later, in the summer of 1941, he responded to a need for chaplains in the Army Air Corps and was sent to Albuquerque, N.M., before being assigned with the 19th Bombardment Group to Clark Field near Manila in the Philippines, only a few weeks before it was attacked by the Japanese, the day after the attack on Pearl Harbor.

Lafleur immediately distinguished himself for bravery in action, caring for the wounded and absolving the dying with abandon. While evading capture aboard the S.S. Mayton, he helped save the life of three men who had gone overboard during a Japanese bombing attack. When given the chance to evacuate he replied, “I shall stay here.

My place is with the men.”

The surviving airmen were eventually captured and became prisoners of war, regularly getting moved to various POW camps. In his two-and-a-half years of captivity, Father Lafleur was in four different camps, where he routinely sacrificed his meager rations and malaria medicine for the other soldiers, traded his watch and glasses for more food for the famished, suffered regular beatings for breaking the Japanese rules against visiting those in the infirmaries, and took the place of those too

weak to do brutal work. In one location he built out of bamboo a chapel dedicated to St. Peter in Chains and, by various means, especially through the celebration of morning Mass with wine from a medicine dropper, he sought to help them maintain faith, hope and mutual charity. Nearly 200 American prisoners converted to Catholicism because of his witness and work.

When 750 men were going to be moved to do the grueling work of repairing a Japanese airstrip, he exchanged places with one of the men chosen. He wanted to provide a priestly presence.

With them he boarded the freighter ship Shinyo Maru, which, because it wasn’t flying a white flag symbolic of transporting prisoners, was torpedoed by U.S.S. Paddle, a submarine. While the attack was ongoing, he led everyone in praying the Rosary, gave absolution and blessed them.

Alessandrini’s sculpture features what happened as soon as the hatch to the hold was opened. Amid Japanese soldiers firing guns and throwing hand grenades into the ship’s hold, “Padre” Lafleur is depicted, pushing his fellow prisoners, most of whom were severely malnourished, dehydrated and weakened by heat exhaustion, to possible freedom through the one escape hatch to the deck of the sinking ship’s burning hull. He refused to ascend until they were out. He never made it.

The 83 who escaped and survived the treacherous swim to shore told the story of his heroism.

At a time in which Catholics are being summoned to live our faith with greater courage and charity, this spiritual son of St. Landry is a great example and, we pray, will become a much-sought intercessor.

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

September 17, 2021 †

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Editorial Seeing and witnessing

On Tuesday, while visiting Slovakia, Pope Francis celebrated an Eastern Rite Liturgy and preached about the Triumph of the Cross. He began by quoting St. Paul: “We proclaim Christ crucified… the power of God and the wisdom of God” (1 Cor 1:23-24). The pope then noted that the Apostle “does not hide the fact that, in terms of human wisdom, the cross appears as something completely different: it is ‘scandal,’ ‘foolishness.’ The cross was an instrument of death, yet it became the source of life. It was a horrendous sight, yet it revealed to us the beauty of God’s love.

The Gospel of John takes us by the hand and helps us to enter into this mystery. The evangelist himself was present, standing at the foot of the cross. Gazing upon Jesus, hanging lifeless there, he writes: ‘He who saw this has testified’ to it (Jn 19:35). St. John both sees and testifies.

“First comes seeing. What did John see as he stood beneath the cross? Surely, what others saw: Jesus, an innocent and good man, brutally put to death between two criminals. Yet another of the many injustices… the latest proof that the course of events in our world does not change: the good are cast aside and the wicked prevail and prosper. In the eyes of the world, the cross represents failure. We, too, can risk not going beyond this first, superficial gaze; we too can fail to accept the message of the cross, that God saves us by allowing all the evil of our world to be unleashed upon Himself. We can fail to accept, except perhaps in words, a weak and crucified God, and prefer instead to dream of a God who is powerful and triumphant. This is a great temptation. How often do we long for a Christianity of winners, a triumphalist Christianity that is important and influential, that receives glory and honor? Yet a Christianity without a cross is a worldly Christianity, and shows itself to be sterile.”

This is challenging stuff.

The Holy Father then returned to the beloved disciple and said that he “saw in the cross the presence and work of God. In the crucified Christ, he recognized the glory of God. He saw that despite appearances, Jesus is not a loser, but God, Who willingly offers Himself for every man and woman. Why did He do this? He could have saved His life, He could have kept His distance from the misery and brutality of human history. Instead He chose to enter into that history, to immerse Himself in it.” In saying this, Pope Francis is in disagreement with Bette Midler, who sang that “God is watching us, from a distance.”

To be close to humanity, God “chose… the cross. So that no one on earth should ever be so desperate as not to be able to find Him, even there, in the midst of anguish, darkness, abandonment, the scandal of his or her own misery and mistakes.

There, to the very place we think God cannot be present, there He came. To save those who despair, He himself chose to taste despair; taking upon Himself our most bitter anguish, He cried out from the cross: ‘My God, my God, why have You forsaken Me?’ (Mt 27:46; Ps 22:1). A cry that saves. It saves because God took upon Himself even the experience of our abandonment. And now, with Him, we are no longer alone, ever.”

Then the Holy Father issued a challenge about how we see the cross. “Some of the saints teach us that the cross is like a book: in order to know it, we have to open OFFICIAL NEWSPAPER OF THE DIOCESE OF FALL RIVER Vol. 65, No. 19

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† September 17, 2021

it and read it. It is not enough to buy a book, take a look at it and put it on a shelf in our home. The same is true for the cross: it is painted or carved everywhere in our churches. Crucifixes are found all around us: on necks, in homes, in cars, in pockets.

What good is this, unless we stop to look at the crucified Jesus and open our hearts to Him, unless we let ourselves be struck by the wounds He bears for our sake, unless our hearts swell with emotion and we weep before the God wounded for love of us. Unless we do that, the cross remains an unread book whose title and author we know, without its having any impact on our lives. Let us not reduce the cross to an object of devotion, much less to a political symbol, to a sign of religious and social status.”

This contemplation then must bring “us to a second step: bearing witness,” the pope said. “If we fix our gaze on Jesus, His face comes to be reflected on our own: His features become ours, the love of Christ wins us over and transforms us. Here I think of the martyrs who in this nation bore witness to the love of Christ in troubled times, when everything counseled silence, taking cover, not professing the faith. How many generous persons suffered and died here in Slovakia for the name of Christ! Theirs was a witness borne out of love of Him Whom they had long contemplated.” He was referring to Christians who died there under the Nazis and Communists.

Then Pope Francis spoke about “our own time, in which there is no lack of opportunities for bearing witness. Yet our witness can be weakened by worldliness and mediocrity. For the cross is not a flag to wave, but the pure source of a new way of living. Which? That of the Gospel, that of the Beatitudes. A witness who bears the cross in his or her heart, and not only on his or her neck, views no one as an enemy, but everyone as a brother or sister for whom Jesus gave His life. A witness of the cross does not dwell on the wrongs of the past or keep lamenting the present. Witnesses of the cross do not employ the ways of deception and worldly pretension: they do not want to impose themselves and their own, but to give their lives for others. They seek not their own advantage, in order to be seen as devout: this would be a religion of hypocrisy, not a witness to the crucified Lord. Witnesses of the cross have but one strategy, that of the Master: humble love. They do not look for triumphs here below, because they know that the love of Christ bears fruit in the events of daily life, renewing all things from within, like the seed that falls to the ground, dies and produces much fruit.

“Dear brothers and sisters, you have seen such witnesses… lowly and simple persons who gave their lives in love to the end. Witnesses generate other witnesses, because they are givers of life. That is how the faith is spread: not with the worldly power but with the wisdom of the cross. Today the Lord, from the eloquent silence of the cross, is asking all of us, as He is asking you, and you, and you, and me: Do you want to be My witness?

“Standing with John at Calvary was the Holy Mother of God. Through her intercession, let us ask for the grace to turn the eyes of our heart to the crucified Jesus.

Then our faith will be able to flower in its fullness; then our witness will bear its full fruit.”

Daily Readings † September 25 - October 8

Sat. Sept. 25, Zec 2:5-9,14-15a; (Ps) Jer 31:10-12b,13; Lk 9:43b-45. Sun. Sept.

26, Twenty-sixth Sunday in Ordinary Time, Nm 11:25-29; Ps 19:8,10,12-14; Jas 5:1-6; Mk 9:38-43,45,47-48. Mon. Sept. 27, Zec 8:1-8; Ps 102:2,16-23; Lk 9:46-50. Tue. Sept. 28, Zec 8:20-23; Ps 87:1-7; Lk 9:51-56. Wed. Sept. 29, Dn 7:9-10,13-14 or Rv 12:7-12a; Ps 138:1-5; Jn 1:47-51. Thu. Sept. 30, Neh 8:1-4a,5-6,7b-12; Ps 19:8-11; Lk 10:1-12. Fri. Oct. 1, Bar 1:15-22; Ps 79:1b5,8-9; Lk 10:13-16.

Sat. Oct. 2, Bar 4:5-12,27-29; Ps 69:33-37; Mt 18:1-5,10. Sun. Oct. 3, Twenty-seventh Sunday in Ordinary Time, Gn 2:18-24; Ps 128:1-6; Heb 2:9-11; Mk 10:2-16 or Mk 10:2-12. Mon. Oct. 4, Jon 1:1—2:2,11; (Ps) Jon 2:3-5,8; Lk 10:25-37. Tue. Oct. 5, Jon 3:1-10; Ps 130:1b-4b,7-8; Lk 10:38-42. Wed. Oct. 6, Jon 4:1-11; Ps 86:3-6,9-10; Lk 11:1-4. Thu. Oct. 7, Mal 3:13-20b; Ps 1:1-4,6; Lk 11:5-13. Fri. Oct. 8, Jl 1:13-15; 2:1-2; Ps 9:2-3,6,8-9,16; Lk 11:15-26.

D

uring the month of September, we traditionally honor the Seven Sorrows of Mary. We recall the seven swords of sorrow in which Our Blessed Mother was pierced, from the prophecy of Simeon in the Temple to the laying of Jesus in the sepulcher. Just as St. Joseph was associated with Mary in her joyous and glorious privileges, so too, he also had deep sorrow and was afflicted in his chaste heart over the sorrowful events he endured in union with Jesus and Mary during his lifetime. Like Mary, St. Joseph suffered continually in his heart, however at these seven events his suffering became more acute but with heroic constancy he proved his love for God by his trustful abandonment to the Divine will. By meditating on the sorrows of St. Joseph we can find in him a compassionate fatherly heart to strengthen and encourage us through the difficulties and trials we encounter in this vale of tears.

The first sorrow of St. Joseph was the anguish he suffered when he understood that the Virgin Mary, his betrothed, was with Child before they had lived together. Without doubting the holiness or purity of Mary he was simply confronted with the law of God and decided to put her away quietly. He did not want to see Mary stoned to death or left in disgrace and yet he was prepared to obey God’s law rather than be unfaithful to God. This was an anguish for a devoted heart like St. Joseph’s who loved Mary more than we can understand. Like Abraham who was willing to

The Seven Sorrows of St. Joseph sacrifice his own son Isaac in obedience to the God’s command until the Angel of the Lord restrained him, Joseph, too, was willing to “put away quietly” the woman he loved and be separated from her rather than be unfaithful to God’s law. Like Abraham, Joseph’s justice and faith in God was rewarded. Even as Abraham kept his son and sacrificed a ram instead, Joseph, too, was rewarded by keeping Mary. Scripture tell us “on his thinking of these things, behold, a messenger of the Lord appeared to him in a dream, saying, ‘Joseph, son of David, do not fear to take Mary as your wife, for that which was begotten in her is of the Holy Spirit’” (Mt 1:20). However, the words spoken by Abraham in reply to his son Isaac would be fulfilled by the son of the carpenter and Son of God, “God will provide for Himself the lamb for a burnt offering, My Son” (Gn 22:8). Indeed, Joseph protected the giver of the New Covenant, Christ the Lord, the Lamb of God, Who would sacrifice Himself for the many who would believe in Him. The second sorrow was the deep hurt and rejection St. Joseph suffered in the town of Bethlehem in search for a place for the Mother of God to give birth to Our Lord Jesus.

St. Joseph’s sorrow was not for himself but for the privations of young Mother Mary, the Queen of the Angels, and her Infant God to be born in a stable because there was no room in the inns. The hearts and

homes of the multitude in Bethlehem were closed to this poor Holy Family.

They wandered from place to place only to be rejected by the lovers of this world.

With great uncertainly and sorrow Joseph prepared the only stable he could find, where animals feed, for the Virgin Mary to miraculously give birth to the Son of God. Joseph waited patiently on God the Father to lead him like a blind man completely dependent upon His will.

The third sorrow was

the circumcision of Jesus.

While God did not permit Abraham to draw his son’s blood, Joseph was called to present the Infant-God to suffer the first shedding of His Precious Blood. What sorrow St. Joseph suffered at the sight of the wound, the Precious Blood shed and the tears of the Divine Mother. This was an anticipation of the Passion Jesus would suffer on Calvary in which St. Joseph would not be present but mystically understood in this first shedding of Blood.

The fourth sorrow occurred at the prophecy of the aged Simeon when St. Joseph learned that a sword of sorrow would pierce Mary’s soul. St. Joseph, who was learned in the Scriptures, understood that Jesus was the Messiah prophesized as the suffering servant of Isaiah whose humiliations and sufferings

would deliver God’s people.

From that moment on the sorrows of Jesus and Mary became his own and he carried these sorrows in his heart his whole life long.

The fifth sorrow was the flight of the Holy Family into Egypt to escape the persecution of Herod who was seeking the Infant King. This event filled St. Joseph with dread as he heard the exhortation of the angel, “Rise, take the Child and His mother, and flee to Egypt, and remain there until I tell you, for Herod is about to search for the Child, to destroy Him.” This terror made St. Joseph depend completely on God to lead the Holy Family safely into exile. The fears suffered by the tender heart of St. Joseph cannot be measured. So great was his responsibility that he overwhelmingly depended even more strongly on the arm of the Lord to deliver them from evil.

The sixth sorrow was the hard trip back from Egypt. At the appointed time, the Angel of the Lord once again spoke to Joseph and made him aware that Herod was dead. “This fulfilled what the Lord had spoken through the prophet: ‘I called my Son out of Egypt’” (Mt. 2:16).

Just as the Lord had drawn His people and made a covenant with them at the Passover leaving the cruel slavery of Egypt to the promised land under the Commandments of God, Joseph would protect the Son of God Who would make a New Covenant in His Blood the source

of the Sacramental life of the Church, calling us by Baptism and the Eucharist to a Divine life in Christ as children of God. The seventh sorrow was the loss of Jesus for three days on their journey from visiting the Temple in Jerusalem.

Joseph’s sorrow was the responsibility felt as head of the Holy Family for the loss of His Son as well as the anguish of Mary. Although no one can understand the designs of God, this can be understood as a sharing in the sorrows of Mary where she would alone be separated from Jesus for three days from His death on the cross to His Rising on Easter Sunday morning. As Joseph would not live to share in these events God in His mercy and love fulfilled St. Joseph’s desire to share in the compassion of Jesus and Mary, His Lord and Son in union with His Mother and spouse.

If God so willed to have St. Joseph share in these sorrows, it is clear that He wants us also to honor his sufferings. We can grow to honor St. Joseph and endure our own crosses by meditating upon the patience, compassion, and long-suffering of St. Joseph throughout these sorrows.

May we find in the heart of St. Joseph a compassionate heart to accompany us along the way of the Cross.

Small and her husband Bill have made their solemn profession as Third Order Franciscans of the Immaculate, through the Franciscans of the Immaculate in New Bedford.

September 17, 2021 †

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Diocesan woman installed as NCCW President-Elect continued from page one

vision can help take the NCCW into its next century,” she said.

Bishop Edgar M. da Cunha told The Anchor, “For us it an true honor to have one of our own,” as NCCW president.

“For Beth, this is a service to the national organization that has served the Church for 100 years; for us it is a honor to have one of the members of our diocese elected for such an important national role.

It brings the name of the Diocese of Fall River to a national scene.

“We are grateful to Beth for all she has done for our diocese, and now for all she will do for the NCCW.” Under the auspices of the U.S. Catholic bishops, the NCCW was founded in March of 1920. According to the NCCW website (nccw.org), “The bishops had witnessed the important work done by Catholic

8

women’s organizations during World War I and had the wisdom to call for the founding of NCCW to bring these organizations together. This gave U.S. Catholic women a unified voice, a national service program and the ability to reach out to each others through a national organization.”

Since 2020 was pretty much a lost year for many things, the NCCW’s 100th anniversary celebration was put off to this year, and when it convened in Arlington last month, it installed Mahoney as it marked a new century of service to the Church.

The nomination process began this past March when potential candidates submitted an application, a resume, a letter of intent, a letter from a past DCCW president, and a letter from the local bishop.

A review committee went through each of the

† September 17, 2021

applicants and whittled the nominees down to two and the election process ran from April 1 to May 1 of this year.

All women of good standing in the NCCW, the DCCWs and parish groups across the country, were eligible to vote, having access to the information each candidate submitted.

Mahoney mentioned that they were also allowed to campaign, sending out flyers and more information about themselves.

“The NCCW is very strong today and we are working to continue and enhance the work we do,” said Mahoney. “We are strongly connected with the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops and the projects they propose, as well as many Catholic women’s organizations in the U.S. and around the world.”

Closely aligned with the U.S. Catholic bishops, Vatican agencies and numerous women’s organizations across the country and around the world, the NCCW is a hands-on, pro-active organization that empowers women and brings women’s organizations and others together; among which include: Catholic Relief Services, Cross Catholic Outreach, Center for Missing and Exploited Children, Catholic Climate Covenant, Religious Alliance Against Pornography, Catholic Mobilizing Network, Bread for the World, U.S. Catholic Sisters Against Human Trafficking, The Center for Concern’s Education for Justice, and National Catholic Educational Association.

“We are a unified voice,” said Mahoney, “that is strong in connectedness

with the Catholic faith, and encyclicals and documents that come from the Vatican and directives from the USCCB. “I truly desire to see more women want to become members and be part of a core group that advocates national projects to assist, improve and enhance the lives of all, particularly women, children and those most vulnerable.

“It’s important for women, locally and nationally to understand what the NCCW does and how it affects the lives of women in the Church.”

During Mahoney’s two-year stint as President-Elect, she will work with the current President, “shadowing” her and learning what needs to be done and how. “I will also be working with the wonderful staff at the new NCCW office in Fairfax, Va.,” Mahoney told The Anchor. “I’ll get to know the staff there and as President-Elect, I will chair the Convention Committee, handling the details of our annual get together. This year that will be in Minneapolis, Minn. in November.”

As President, Mahoney will be responsible for all NCCW happenings, programs and projects. And when the time comes for her role as Past-President, she will be in communication with former Past Presidents, examining what is working and what needs tweaking; a type of communication liaison for the NCCW. With the current system, there are always three women with an executive role in the NCCW, another way to keep it strong and vibrant.

Mahoney told The Anchor that the organization has taken an active role in the USCCB pastoral letter,

“Healing Racism.” “Our goal is to let local DCCWs know what the bishops are saying about ending racism in all forms, and let that information trickle down to the local level women and even to the parish level.”

As mentioned earlier, the NCCW is a pro-active group. It has programs that reach out to young women in college and high school to help make them aware of what the NCCW is and does and how it impacts them as women.

“We’re extending to them an invitation to get to know us and to know that we offer resources on many topics relevant to women and the family,” said Mahoney.

“I’m also very excited about a new type of outreach project geared toward elementary-age students, called Children of Mary Project. We reach out to young girls and teach them about our Blessed Mother and what service to the Church and to others is really like.”

Reaching out to young women and girls is vital because the world has changed a great deal since the NCCW’s inception a century ago. Back then, many young women and girls would attend DCCW or parish meetings with their grandmothers and mothers and perpetuate the organization with new generations of women.

Mahoney said that the NCCW has heard from women who attended with grandmothers and mothers and then for one reason or another, were no longer active. “But many said they felt the need to come back, and they have.”

But demographics, lifestyles and other life hurdles have curtailed that dynamic, and the NCCW feels 8 Continued on page nine

FACE Fall Dinner hosts 27th edition on November 3

WESTPORT — As we celebrate the FACE Fall Scholarship Dinner, we are hopeful and inspired by our community which comes together to raise critical scholarship funds for Catholic school children in need. We are delighted to announce that inspirational Christian recording artist Matt Maher, will perform live at the 27th Annual FACE Fall Scholarship Dinner which will be held on Wednesday, November 3 at White’s of West-

port. Co-chairs John Feitelberg, president of HUB International and Janna Lafrance of Lafrance Hospitality invite you to join us for a spectacular evening.

During the program, Dennis Kelly, FACE board member, chairman of the Bristol County Savings Bank Charitable Foundation, and former president and chairman of the Board of Bristol County Savings Bank and loyal advocate for Catholic education in the Diocese

Beth Mahoney installed as NCCW President-Elect continued from page eight that by reaching out to youngsters, they can bring home the message to the family.

“Children are such great evangelizers,” Mahoney told The Anchor. “They absorb so much and they are excited to share that with people at home. We may not know what the children are learning and understanding, but the seeds are being planted.”

Mahoney will maintain her position as principal at St. Stanislaus as well as tackle the duties and responsibilities of her new NCCW post.

“I would just like to extend an invitation to all women to come and learn what the NCCW and the Diocese of Fall River’s DCCW are all about,” added Mahoney. “We have so much to offer. So many of our members have said that it feels wonderful sharing their gifts and talents, but they get even more back in return.”

For more information about the National Council of Catholic Women, visit nccw.org. For information about the Diocese of Fall River’s DCCW email Mahoney at nccw2023@gmail.com.

of Fall River, will receive the Timothy J. Cotter Friend of Catholic Education Award in recognition of his many years of tremendous leadership and unwavering support of our Catholic schools.

Matt Maher, Juno Award winning, nine-time Grammy nominee and four-time GMA Dove Award winner will perform some favorites and hit songs like “Lord, I Need You,” and “Your Grace Is Enough.” Maher’s live performance will bring guests inspiration and joy.

All proceeds from this event go directly to student scholarships across the diocese. Please consider

becoming a sponsor and helping make a difference for hundreds of students and families in need. So many young lives will be changed for the better with your support!

We hope to see you at the event as we celebrate the good work of our community together. Please visit www.

FACEfalldinner.org or call 508617-5306.

Scan the QR code for more information.

St. Vincentʼs Services in Fall River recently held its 16th annual Motorcycle Run and Raffle that took bikers on a scenic 45-mile bike run that traveled through the scenic back roads of Fall River, Assonet, Berkley, Lakeville, and ended back at the Elks Lodge in Fall River, where the bikers enjoyed a barbecue and raffle. This year was the largest run ever with 210 bikes and 265 riders and passengers, raising nearly $25,000 for various programs at St. Vincentʼs. Preferred Concrete was the presenting sponsor for the 14th consecutive year.

September 17, 2021 †

9

Which way Religious Life?

An interview with Brother William Gural, SS.CC.

By Father David Lupo, SS.CC. Pastor, St. Mary’s Parish, Fairhaven Editor's note: This is part I of a two-part interview with Brother Bill Gural. The conclusion will run in the October 1 Anchor edition.

"The consecrated life, through the promptings of the Holy Spirit, ‘constitutes a closer imitation and an abiding re-enactment in the Church’ of the way of life which Jesus, the supreme Consecrated One and missionary of the Father for the sake of His Kingdom, embraced and proposed to His disciples” (cf. Mt. 4:18-22; Mk. 1:1620; Lk. 5:10-11; Jn. 15:16).

[Vita Consecrata [25th Anniversary of the document!] Pope St. John Paul II #22] Biography: I have been an English teacher, an advocate for the homeless and mentally ill, writer and seeker. I was raised as a Protestant Christian, had many positive experiences in these churches, and received much love.

However, I was searching for a deeper relationship with Christ, and a more abundant life.

I lived in an intentional Christian community called Isaiah House. Our mission was to share a common life of prayer, practice hospitality and works of mercy. We hosted single moms and their children. I got to know Catholic Workers and was impressed by their courage, generosity, and 10

witness.

I went back to theological school with the plan of becoming a Protestant minister, but fell in love with the Catholic Church and entered on Easter 2009.

Spending a year as Clinical Pastoral Education hospital chaplain confirmed my call to the priesthood and apostolic ministry.

I found the Sacred Hearts of Jesus and Mary, whose Eucharistic Adoration, devotion to the Sacred Heart of Jesus and the Immaculate Heart of Mary, outreach to the poor and outcasts, and connection to St. Damien of Molokai appealed to me.

Q1.

Brother Bill, in light of the quote by Pope St. John Paul, there should be something fascinating about consecrated life. What, if so, do you find fascinating?

A. Jesus is fascinating.

A life motivated to seek and emulate Him and be filled with the Holy Spirit, to love God the Father, Jesus the Son, and the Holy Spirit, and to assist others in finding and loving Him is interesting — not a boring, drab lifeless existence.

It should not be if we are true to Jesus. It is such a

† September 17, 2021

wonderful mystery and privilege that God calls us in different ways to glorify and serve Him and build up His Kingdom of love and righteousness.

Through my consecration to God in religious life, I am given another path of loving God and neighbor than married couples, for instance. I am

called to proclaim the love of God, and preach the Good News as a religious.

My single-ness (without marital and family ties) allows me freedom to love and serve a broad group of people although clearly through our Baptism we all called to imitate Christ and serve our neighbors with generosity.

It has been fascinating to witness the transformation of others through their surrender to Christ.

Through pastoral ministry, I am afforded the

opportunity to enter into the lives of parishioners as they share their journey. It is fascinating to see God’s presence in His beautiful and varied people, young and old, wealthy to-do and humble, and from different cultures. Experiencing the Kingdom of God as a consecrated religious is an incredible blessing — as is being a parent and in other vocations. As it is said: “You can’t out-give God.” Q2. Brother Bill, what was it like for a guy from Bedford, MA to get his theology done in Fiji? What is the school like?

A. God is a God of surprises; following Christ is a wonderful journey. I was in pre-novitiate in 2015 at our Wareham retreat house when our director, Father Stan Kossala, enthusiastically reported to us that our seminary was changing from California to Fiji. With my dad recently diagnosed with leukemia, I was lackluster about the news. However, Pacific Regional Seminary in Suva, Fiji turned into an excellent place for seminary as I was pushed out of my comfort zone (we’d periodically lose power and water at our formation house). I encountered

Christ powerfully in these people from such different cultures.

People in Fiji in general have a stronger faith that we do in our modernized, more individualistic, and more secular culture.

For instance, the ladies working in the seminary kitchen, who were called affectionately and respectfully the “Mothers of PRS” prepared our exit exam room with tea and many snacks, and more importantly assured us that they were all praying for us. The weekly seminary Mass always had beautiful and dynamic music and songs in different Pacific languages. Most of my lecturers were priests from the South Pacific who had a deep love of God and great compassion for the sheep of Jesus’ flock.

I also learned that sitting cross-legged on the floor for hours drinking kava, singing and listening to music, joking and telling stories was “social.” Going where God calls demands that we be open to others’ way of life. Seminary was a close-knit community, a family in Christ. Overall, as a “missionary” seminarian I was learning that God provides, and that God calls us often to unexpected places to build up His Kingdom and for our ongoing conversion.

Q3. Brother Maiki has told us of the numerous religious communities at the school in Fiji. What are the ideas, dreams, and understandings of young religious men and women 8 Turn to page 13

Dear St. Margaret of Castello Editor’s note: The National Catholic Partners on Disability website recently posted this letter from a Dominican Sister in response to the upcoming September 19 Canonization Mass to be celebrated in Cita de Castello, Italy. St. Margaret was canonized in April and the Mass will take place Sunday. She is the patron saint of persons with disabilities.

Dear St. Margaret of Castello, How should I write about you? Although in awe of the Lord’s graces at work in your life, I felt anxious and afraid to start this letter, because I knew it would lead me to get in touch with my own infirmity and inadequacy. Nevertheless, your life is a testimony of Divine grace and love, which is like a spring of water in my arid desert.

St. Paul’s words echo in my heart: “We know that all things work for good for those who love God, who are called according to His purpose.”

I contracted polio when I was 11 months old.

As a result, I walk with a limp. The right side of my body, most notably my arms and legs, is considerably smaller than my left side. Reading about your life gave me enormous insights into my own Spiritual journey. In this 800th year of celebrating our founding father, St. Dominic, entering eternal life, a sense of exuberating joy fills my soul. Reminiscence of my Dominican vocation floods my mind. The door at St. Catherine Convent of the Dominican sisters of

Mary Immaculate Province opened to me; I was overcome with happiness when the Sisters accepted me as one of their own. I could imagine how happy you were when Fra Luigi, the Prior of the Dominican Convent, presided at your consecration as a Mantellate, a member of the Third Order. Dear St. Margaret, may we join our voices with the angels to praise the Lord for His abiding love and goodness.

Do you know that I truly admire your unwavering faith and courage?

I wonder how you felt when your parents kept you secluded, away from the public for 14 years? As noble and wealthy people who were horrified to see at your birth that you were blind, and had physical disabilities, their confining you to a room without a door was a form of imprisonment. Precisely in this “solitary confinement,” God allowed you to develop a deep sense of prayer and a lasting relationship with His Son, Jesus Christ: through the Blessed Sacrament, solitude, and many catechizing lessons from the parish priest. As for me, how many times have I let worldly distractions take precedent, instead of letting God be the center of my life?

Remember the time your parents took you to Fra Giacomo’s shrine to seek a miraculous cure?

When they saw that no cure was to be, they abandoned you. It must have been an immense misery and a devastating experience of being deserted by the people one loves most, but you endured this great affliction with patience and meekness. By meditating on the Lord’s Passion and death, you found the strength to bear patient-

ly the wrongs done unto you. Instead of harboring hatred and bitterness in your heart, you manifested forgiveness by unfailingly defending your parents.

While so many souls are tempted to befriend despondency, resentment, and helplessness, what a beautiful witness of charity and humility you give to them! How sweet it is to completely abandon ourselves to our Heavenly Father, Who lavishes His tender care for each one of us.

The truth about our Heavenly Father’s love

manifested itself in the event of your birth. At that time, you were given a name by a maid. I wondered if she knew that “Margaret” means a pearl?

Being an unwanted child with many physical deformities, those who saw you may question the beautiful meaning of your name. Yet, more and more, you had proven them otherwise in your joyfulness and serene countenance. With a keen intelligence, you learned to live humbly; you embraced and appreciated our human nature with all its aspirations and frailties. Beyond human strength and imagination, your life was filled with Divine graces. Those who witnessed your humble, yet exemplary services were touched by a light of hope. With gentle courage and steadfast compassion, you served the dying and the poor, even the most precarious prisoners did not hinder you from approaching them. You would gently and sweetly tell them about the love of the Heavenly Father and that we are the apple in His eyes. We are all Jesus’ precious “pearl” of great price, whom He has redeemed by His Own life. As in the words of the Psalmist, “I will praise You because I have been fearfully and wonderfully made.”

Thank you for teaching me the beauty of having

complete confidence in the Lord, to surrender my difficulties, weakness, and sins instead of holding onto them. With this utmost trust in Divine Providence, I would be steadfast in the service of God and others and would gladly sail to the end of the earth proclaiming His truth and love. May I extol God’s love and goodness unto us by recounting these beautiful words: “St. Margaret, who in the darkness of your blindness found true light; in your physical disabilities showed the beauty of love and joy; and from being rejected became a support for the marginalized without giving in to resentment: obtain for us freedom from all earthly attachments and from indifference, so that we may become rich in faith and love. We pray to you for all persons who experience disability, so that, with your example, your help and with our support, they may discover the many abilities that flow from charity. You, who received the Holy Family in your heart, make our families welcome life and be attentive to those who are alone.”

St. Margaret, teach us to love. Pray for us. Amen.

Yours truly, Sister Theresa Paul Tran, O.P. Sister Theresa is a Dominican Sister of the Mary Immaculate Province in Houston, Texas.

She is currently serving as a catechetical leader in the Diocese of Fort Worth.

September 17, 2021 †

11

T he C hurch

and

Y outh & Y oung A dults

Be the light!

I

t’s that time of year again! Beginning of the school year; a fresh, new start! It’s also that time of year where I share with you all what our school theme at Bishop Stang is going to be! Last year we were guided by the theme to “Rejoice in Hope.” Going into the year, we had the hope that there would be some normalcy coming back. We tried. But now this year, we are ready to “Be the Light.” Regardless if we are a still masked, still keeping some distance, we need to take ownership for the joy and the goodness that we have been missing for a while.

In the Gospel of Matthew, Jesus reminds us that we are called to be the light.

In chapter five, verses 14 through 16 we read, “You are the light of the world. A city built on a hill cannot be hidden. No one after light-

ing a lamp puts it under the bushel basket, but on the lampstand, and it gives light to all in the house. In the same way, let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father in Heaven.”

We are the light of the world because He first put the light in us. In the same way that we are reminded to be the Body of Christ, we too, are meant to share His light.

What I love about this call to be the light is when you think about why you turn on a light, it is never to make the light known. We use light to find things or to find a way. When we enter a dark room, we turn on the light so we do not walk into anything. When we drop something under the bed,

we turn on the flashlight to seek it out. The same is with the Light of Christ. When we shine our light out to the world, we are helping ourselves and others find a

way through the darkened world. We are helping to light a path for people to find Christ. We are often that flashlight for people who have felt lost and let them know that God is still right here, He is still with them.

Light needs a source to pull from: the wick of a candle, electricity, heat. The same goes for us. When we

Schools focus on social emotional professional development continued from page one

the challenges of social emotional needs of their students through professional development provided by Molly McMahon, Ph.D. Dr. McMahon is the Director of Leadership Programs at Boston College’s Roche Center for Catholic Education, whose passion and experience focuses on managing and overseeing social emotional learning (SEL) curriculum.

Dr. McMahon reviewed the five broad and interrelated areas of competence known as the CASEL5, which takes a systemic approach that emphasizes 12

the importance of establishing equitable learning environments and coordinating practices across key settings of classrooms, schools, families, and communities to enhance all students’ social, emotional, and academic learning .

“Catholic schools are inherently equipped to provide social and emotional learning through the core values of our faith that we possess, believe and teach. What I have learned is that when social emotional learning is implemented effectively in schools, for both students

† September 17, 2021

and staff, the school culture is transformed,” shared Dr. McMahon. “School leaders set the educational, social-emotional and Spiritual culture of the school, and teachers are the single most important factor in a child’s education. Therefore, leadership matters now more than ever.”

Diocesan Superintendent of Schools Daniel S. Roy said, “The mission of the Diocese of Fall River Catholic schools aligns perfectly with the core definition of social emotional learning and during these very challenging times,

think about how the moon lights up the darkness of night, it does so because it is reflecting the sun. We are called to reflect the Son as well. There is a song I heard a few months back by Chris Tomlin called, “Be the Moon.” In the chorus of the song, he sings, “I wanna be the moon, up among the stars Fly around the world Lighting up the dark at night I’m nothing without the Son’s amazing grace On everything I do If You’re shining on me, I’m shining right back for You I wanna be the moon Lord, I wanna be the moon for You” He reminds us that it is our calling to shine the light

of grace that He pours out on us, to all those who we encounter. This light can go a long way. In the Gospel of John, we read that there is no light that can be defeated by the darkness. Ten out of 10 times, light wins! So when we look around this world and we see sickness, and destruction, and violence and when think, where is the light of Christ is this darkened world, we need to throw away that bushel basket, get up on that lampstand, a reflect the Son to all the world. In doing so, they will see how great our God really is!

Anchor columnist Amanda Tarantelli has been a campus minister at Bishop Stang High School in North Dartmouth since 2005. She is married, a diehard sports fan, and resides in Cranston, R.I. She can be reached at atarantelli@ bishopstang.org.

many families are choosing our schools because of this alignment. The pandemic has raised awareness to needs of students which may be better met at one of our Catholic schools because of the mission-based philosophies, smaller classes, and nurturing of the mind and soul of our students. We are thrilled to continue to equip our school leaders and educators with knowledge and skills to better help all students navigate their emotions and improve their abilities to learn.”

The Catholic Schools Alliance comprises administrators, teachers, staff,

parents and clergy joined in partnership to educate the children of the Diocese of Fall River in Catholic faith and values. Our schools have a demanding educational culture that helps students from across the academic spectrum reach their God-given potential. With an emphasis on service and respect for the dignity of every person, we prepare students to meet the challenges of today’s diverse world and become meaningful contributors to society.

For more information about the Catholic Schools Alliance, visit www. catholicschoolsalliance.org/.

Which Way Religious Life — Brother William Gural, SS.CC. continued from page 10

in Fiji?

The young religious in Fiji are hopeful, trusting in God’s Providence, adventurous, simple, joyful, communal, and faithful.

They are pleased and happy to be in religious life and discerning God’s call. Some discern out, but at least they are seriously considering God’s call

within the context of lived experience of religious life/seminary.

The Pacific religious seem to be dreaming of Christ’s presence transforming their society and welcoming them into eternal fellowship. For instance, Catholic schools are very prominent in the Pacific. Religious are

Diocese of Fall River TV Mass

on the Portuguese Channel Sunday, September 19 at 7 p.m.

Broadcast from St. Francis Xavier Church in East Providence

Diocese of Fall River TV Mass

on the Portuguese Channel Sunday, September 26 at 7 p.m.

Broadcast from St. Anthony Church in Taunton

Diocese of Fall River TV Mass on WLNE Channel 6 Sunday, September 19 at 11:00 a.m.

Celebrant is Father Marek Chmurski, Parochial Administrator of St. Margaret’s of Scotland, Buzzards Bay

Sunday, September 26 at 11:00 a.m.

Celebrant is Father Maurice O. Gauvin, Pastor of Espirito Santo, Fall River

doing much good there through the witness and service, and are content with the simplicity of their lives. A religious Brother and now priest described to me the process of building a new church dedicated to the Holy Spirit: “We need to trust in God; He will provide.” He was brimming with enthusiasm and hope.

Religious and seminarians there have a playfulness and joy. They express a lot of warmth and affection. In spite of the many challenges, religious are quite exuberant and hopeful.

Religion and faith are inextricably woven into the fabric of life. For instance, the Pacific people have elaborate grieving rituals which involve the whole community and can last for days. Perhaps this integration of religion into everyday life to life makes it easier to follow Christ as a religious; however, Jesus always is calling us to let go of what takes us away from abundant life in and through Him. The culture in the Pacific Islands is more communal which is conducive for religious life.

The Catholic sense of “We are not saved alone, but together,” is more palpable there. God can call us through community to cast into the deep.

Q4. What are some of the religious communities that brought Catholicism to the south Pacific?

A. The Sacred Hearts were unable to missionize the entire Pacific so the Marists were assigned the Western Pacific in 1835.

The Sacred Hearts assisted them by hosting them in Chile and Tahiti before the Marists embarked for the Southwest Pacific. Marist Brothers founded by St. Marcellin Champagnat started many schools in Fiji which are considered the best. They have a wonderful fraternity of alumni called the Old Boys.

Marist Sisters and Missionary Sisters of the Society of Mary (SMSM) also have worked side by side with the Marists. Missionaries of the Sacred Heart were sent to missionize Kiribati (formerly the Gilbert Islands) in the latter part of the 19th century.

After the Columbans were kicked out of Communist China, they were invited to Fiji to evangelize the Indo-Fijians. My Columban Scripture teacher picked up his cell phone during a class on Zoom to speak Fijian; he also celebrated Mass in Hindi. The Salesians of Don Bosco are big in Samoa with several schools and churches. They were great in reaching out to the youth in settlements (squatter villages) and from there building up the community. The Vincentians also came to Fiji and have done terrific work with the poor. Cluny Sisters run schools. The Sisters of Our Lady of Nazareth is an indigenous Fijian congregation. These Catholic communities remarkably have quickly transitioned from receiving missionaries to sending them. A few of my seminary classmates are now priests serving in Peru, Pakistan, and other countries. How the Holy Spirit is working!

Q5. Fascinating stuff !

Brother Bill, what is it that attracts you to religious life? Does it have anything to offer men and women today?

A. Jesus attracts me to religious life. It is a privilege to serve Him and get to know Him better as brother, friend, Lord and Savior. He is demanding in that He does not ascribe to cheap grace, and wants the best for us and from us. The way of the cross can be difficult, but His “grace is sufficient.”

Yes, religious life has much to offer men and women today. No one who has left spouse, family, property for the sake of the Kingdom of God will not receive back an overabundant return.

I believe women religious can identify more with a spousal relation to Christ though I am grateful to experience a brotherhood and bonding with Christ through my consecration to His Sacred Heart. I am feeling closer to our Mother Mary through my consecration to her Immaculate Heart. These two hearts beat as one; it is a blessing to be close to their hearts. Though this vocation is often challenging, Jesus is carrying most of the load. I find this way of following Christ very fulfilling.

Part two of the interview with Brother William Gural, SS.CC., will appear in the October 1 Anchor.

September 17, 2021 †

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New Bedford parish to host Men’s Retreat October 30 continued from page three

with other men and youth.

Father Varelo told The Anchor, “Pope Leo XIII already at the beginning of the 20th century in one of his encyclical letter dedicated to St. Joseph imploring the protection for the Church said, ‘We see faith, the root of all the Christian virtues, lessening in many souls; we see charity growing cold; the young generation daily growing in depravity of morals and views; the Church of Jesus Christ attacked on every side by open force or by craft.’ Being said that the beginning of the 20th century was threatened by this coldness in young generation, how much more we need to be ready to face the new challenges of the 21st century?

“That is why I encourage all fathers and their sons to make every effort to participate in this retreat. This is the moment the Lord is knocking at the door of your hearts; open the door to Jesus Who invites you to renew with

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joy your commitment as His disciples in order to contribute for the common good of the society, being the salt of the earth and the light of the nations.

“Our modern world is filled with too many uncertainties, and we must prepare ourselves and our family to meet those challenges,” said the event promotion in the parish bulletin.

“The retreat day was scheduled for two days before the celebration of All Saints Day, to give us a chance to focus on how St. Joseph helps us to fulfill the vocation we’ve received through our Baptism, to become holy as God is holy,” Father Landry told The Anchor.

“Sometimes we can have the impression that holiness is just for a few uncommon heroes, the Bobby Orrs and Larry Birds of the Christian life.

But St. Joseph shows us that holiness is very compatible with being hardworking, protective, provident men and fathers, men

† September 17, 2021

whose deeds speak more loudly than their words, men who give their lives to make it possible for their wives and children to fulfill their vocations. Pope Francis talks about the ‘saints next door.’ We’re going to examine how allowing St. Joseph more into our life can help us to become such holy neighbors.”

In stressing the importance of gathering together in a retreat environment, Father Landry explained, “Jesus was constantly taking the Apostles away from the crowds for a little while to be with Him, to speak to them about their work, to help them recuperate and rest in a way that would press the reset button for their bodies and their souls.

“Jesus would take them out on boats, up high mountains, into gardens.

It’s essential for us to take some extended time with Him each year, so that He can reinvigorate us for the journey of life, so that not only we can finish but support others to continue the journey as well. St. Joseph is a model of manly prayer, of the importance of silence, of wonder at the blessing of Jesus in his life.

I think Jesus and Mary are praying that many men make the decision to take some time away, to focus on St. Joseph and the Call to Manly Holiness, because he will help to bring us to Mary and together with Mary to Jesus.”

Aldarondo added, “We ask from everyone, prayers for the fruits of this Men’s Retreat.”

The cost for the day of inspiration and Spirituality

is $20 per person. Attendees are asked to bring their own lunch. Coffee will be served in the morning.

Men interested in attending the day of retreat can visit the St. Anthony’s

rectory at 1359 Acushnet Avenue to request a registration form, or call 508993-1691. Folks may also register at the door the day of the event, but pre-registration is encouraged.

In Your Prayers Please pray for these priests and deacons during the coming weeks: Sept. 25 Rev. Robert J. Woodley, S.J., Missionary, Taunton, New Bedford, Fall River, 1857 Permanent Deacon Robert B. Raymond, 2007 Sept. 26 Rev. John J. Donahue, Assistant, St. William, Fall River, 1944 Rev. Flavius Gamache, SMM, Former Pastor, St. Peter, Dighton, 1996 Rev. John C. Martins, Retired Pastor, St. Anthony of Padua, Fall River, 2008 Rev. Clement E. Dufour, Retired Pastor, Sacred Heart, New Bedford, 2009 Sept. 27 Rev. John W. Greene, S.J., Former Teacher, Bishop Connolly High School, Fall River, 1991 Sept. 29 Rev. J.A. Payan, Founder, St. Mathieu, Fall River, 1899 Rev. Roman Chwaliszewski, O.F.M. Conv., Retired Pastor, Our Lady of Perpetual Help, New Bedford, 1993 Sept. 30 Rev. John J. Griffin, Pastor, St. Paul, Taunton, 1963 Rev. George Taraska, O.F.M. Conv., Parochial Vicar, Holy Rosary, Taunton, 1993 Permanent Deacon Paul G. Metilly, 2013 Oct. 1 Most. Rev. William O. Brady, S.T.D., Archbishop of St. Paul, 1961 Oct. 2 Rev. John D. O'Keefe, 1916 Rev. Joseph E. Sutula, Pastor, St. Casimir, New Bedford, 1961 Rev. Rene R. Levesque, Pastor, Blessed Sacrament, Fall River, 1999 Rev. Msgr. Stanislaus T. Sypek, St. Adalbert, Hyde Park, Mass., 2011 Oct. 3 Rev. Msgr. Arthur G. Considine, Retired Pastor, St. Mary, South Dartmouth, 1991 Oct. 5 Rev. Jean D. Pare, O.P., Assistant Director, St. Anne Shrine, Fall River, 1999 Oct. 6 Rev. Stephen B. Magill, Assistant, Immaculate Conception, North Easton, 1916 Rev. Roland Brodeur, Uniondale, N.Y., 1987 Rev. Thomas McElroy, SS.CC., Former Pastor, St. Joseph, Fairhaven, 2017 Oct. 7 Rev. Caesar Phares, Pastor, St. Anthony of the Desert, Fall River, 1951 Rev. Msgr. Arthur G. Dupuis, Retired Pastor, St. Louis de France, Swansea, 1975 Rev. Andrew Jahn, SS.CC., Sacred Hearts Seminary, Wareham, 1988 Oct. 8 Rev. Thomas R. McNulty, 1875 Rev. Roger P. Nolette, O.S.B., Former Chaplain, Cape Cod Hospital, Hyannis, 2006

I

n May of this year, I received a phone call at The Anchor from a woman who entered my life for the first time and left an immediate mark on my heart and soul. A friend for life I would say.

Her name is Kathy Rodriques of Norton and she called to share about a book that she had recently

The loudest quiet girl

written and published, but it’s the subject matter is what left an indelible mark on me.

Kathy and her husband Abel had one remarkable, loving, friendly, caring child, Erin.

They still have her, only Erin is with the Heavenly Father now.

A display of the biography and writings of Erin Rodriques at Four Echoes in Seekonk will be there for the month of September.

In 2013, at age 23, and just five months from getting

brated her funeral Mass.

Remarkably after Erin died, Josh shared a collections of journals Erin was keeping since her teen years. And as Kathy told me she, couldn’t believe how deep, thoughtful, insightful and married to her fiance, Josh inspiring her writings were Moore, Erin tragically lost from such an early age. her life in a car accident Reading through some during a snow and ice of Erin’s writings, I found storm in Spenser, Mass. a very strong common Obviously Kathy, Abel theme: everything is in and Josh lived the nightGod’s hands and to see mare of the tragedy of the things as God sees them. loss of a wonderful young Erin said in her writwoman. ings that she hoped that Erin was a typical child, they would some day lift up teen and college student. someone who needed it.

She had her fears, her anxKathy and Abel, despite ieties, her joys, her hopes, the devastating loss, couraher illnesses, and frankly, geously opted to share Erher whole life ahead of her. in’s story and her writings, The Rodriques had been with Kathy as the conduit. parishioners at St. Mary’s I plan on writing a feain Norton and also at St. ture for The Anchor in the Mary’s in Mansfield. Erin near future, so I’ll eschew was confirmed by Bishop giving all the details of the Sean P. O’Malley, OFM publication, other than, Cap., and she received her despite the sad story line, first Penance and Commu- it is filled with hope and nion from family friend, inspiration and a warm and Father Greg Mathias. And unforgettable read. years later, when scheduled The reason I bring up to marry Erin and Josh, Kathy, Abel and (forever) instead Father Mathias cele- Erin now is that Kathy’s

labor of love, titled, “The Loudest Quiet Girl: Messages of Hope in a Dark World,” is available to all, even though the release in January of 2020, the cusp of the pandemic, was bad timing as far as getting the word out about the book.

Well the Rodriques are not people who can let Erin’s story go untold. Kathy recently emailed me and told me that the book of Erin’s life and writings is available during the month of September at Four Echoes in Seekonk, who gave them the opportunity to be featured for the month. Four Echoes is a non-profit vintage shop at the Grist Mill, 380 Fall River Avenue.

I’m writing to encourage folks in the area to please try to visit while the display is there.

Erin’s all-too-short life was not in vain and she will always be remembered, but so many more people can benefit from her simple wisdom and messages. To me, she is much like the Gospel writers who took what God told them and shared it with others.

At the tender age of 15, Erin wrote in her journal, “I hope that whoever may be reading this in the future, if you are going through a hard time or do in the future, please NEVER lose hope! God is always there for you and He will never leave your side.”

I encourage anyone who can make it to Seekonk, please do so. For those who cannot, please visit Kathy’s website at www.KathyRodriques.com.

Erin most likely, has a message for you there. davejolivet@anchornews.org

September 17, 2021 †

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Bishop Edgar M. da Cunha, S.D.V. of Fall River, ordained five members of the Congregation of Holy Cross to the Transitional Diaconate. He shared the experience in a recent blog that can be found at fallriverdiocese.org. In the September 3 Anchor it was incorrectly noted that the bishop attended the men’s profession of final vows the day before at the Cathedral of the Sacred Heart in Notre Dame, Ind.

Diocesan Red Mass makes return in 2021 FALL RIVER — While the COVID-19 pandemic precluded its taking place in 2020, the Red Mass planning committee is pleased to announce that the annual fall celebration will return to the Fall River Diocese this year.

Bishop Edgar M. da Cunha, S.D.V., will celebrate the Red Mass at 4 p.m., Saturday, October 2, in St. Mary’s Cathedral in Fall River.

A long-standing tradition in the Church, the Red Mass is offered in the diocese to ask for God’s guidance and strength on those who work to promote justice in the legal system. Judges, attorneys, and others working in the justice system throughout Southeastern Massachusetts, Cape Cod and the

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Islands are invited to attend.

The Red Mass will conclude with the presentation of the St. Thomas More Awards by Bishop da Cunha to members of the area legal community in recognition of their dedicated service. The awards are a tradition unique to the Red Mass in the Fall River Diocese.

Selected to receive this award this year are, as distinguished jurist, Judge John Casey, Chief Justice, Massachusetts Probate and Family Court; as distinguished attorney, Steven Sabra, of Sabra and Aspen Law Offices, Somerset; as distinguished court employee, Ralph Tavares, retired Court Officer, Fall River Justice Center; as distinguished recipient of the ecumenical

† September 17, 2021

award, Dean Eric Mitnick, Esq., Dean of the University of Massachusetts Law School; as distinguished recipient of the Joseph P. Harrington Founder’s Award, Gerlinde Lowe, retired Program Administrator, Bristol County Bar Advocates; and, as distinguished recipient of the Public Service Award, Representative Alan Silvia, Seventh Bristol District, Fall River.

Award recipients were nominated for the recognition by the Red Mass planning committee, which is led by New Bedford attorney Michael J. Harrington.

“We are blessed that we are able to gather once again for the Red Mass with Bishop da Cunha, our honorees, family and friends,” said

Harrington.

“The staff at St. Mary’s Cathedral has been exceptional in working with our Red Mass Committee to ensure a safe and welcoming venue for the celebration of the Mass. This year’s awardees follow in the tradition of our past 23 years of honorable recipients of the St. Thomas More medallion for their faith and commitment to the law, our profession, and our community. After all we have been through with the pandemic over the past 18 months, I look forward to our gathering with Bishop da Cunha for this year’s Red Mass celebration.”

The Red Mass is so named because of the color of the vestments worn during the Liturgy, which is the Mass of the Holy Spirit, Who will be invoked upon those in attendance.

All are welcome at the Red Mass. A reception and dinner will follow for which a ticket is required. For more information about the Red Mass and reception, please contact Red Mass Committee chairman Attorney Michael J. Harrington at 508-9945900 or by email harringtonpc@ aol.com.