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VOL. 48, NO. 37 • Friday, October 1, 2004
FALL RIVER, MASS.
Southeastern Massachusetts' Largest Weekly • $14 Per Year
~spect
f(ife Sundar
Octo6er ~ 2004 DCCW's Lavoie to receive 2004' Cardinal O'Connor Pro-Life Award By MIKE GORDON ANCHOR STAFF
Emmaus program celebrates 30 years of service to diocese By DAVE JOLIVET, EDITOR When Christ left his Church in the hands of his disciples more than two millennia ago, only God knew that millions upon millions of souls would walk in the footsteps of his Son through the years. In much the same way, only God knew what
would become of a fledgling, nameless retreat that took place at the Sacred Hearts Retreat Center in Wareham 30 years ago. What emerged from those efforts in June of 1974 was the Ernmaus Retreat Program, speTum -fa page 12 - Emmaus
FALL RIVER natives among the Religious of Jesus and Mary, who recently marked the closing of the Thevenet Mission Center on Highland Avenue in Fall River, are, from left, Sisters Irene Rheaume, Irene Castonguay, Denise Renaud, Antoinette GamacheJ Michelle Authier, Claudette Lapointe and Diane Dube. All but one are from Notre Dame Parish. (Photo courtesy of Sister Janice Farnham, RJM)
Religious of Jesus and Mary bid 'adieu'to Fall River FALL RIVER - After 127 years ofservice to the Fall River diocese ~md the community, Sisters of the Religious of Jesus and Mary closed their residence at 632 Highland Avenue as September ended.
The decision and the closing was announced by Sister Janet Stolba, RIM, provincial superior, after consulting with the Sisters of the U.S. Province. . Tum to page J3 - RiM
WESTPORT - Madeline "Maddy" Lavoie will be honored this year by the diocesan Pro-Life Apostolate as the recipient of the '2004 John Cardinal O'Cormor Award For the Gospel of Life. Bishop George W. Coleman will present the award during a banquet October 26 at 6 p.m. at White's of Westport for her decades of dedicated service to the . Pro-Life mission of the Church. The Fall River native said she was i astounded and the announcement came as a complete surprise when she found ... out she was get.. ting the award. "I was overwhelmed but absolutely honored to be the recipient," said Lavoie. She is a member of the Diocesan Pro-Life Committee and the District One Council of Catholic Women. Lavoie also volunteers her time helping out the Pro-Life
Apostolate whenever she can and has taught religious education for more than 30 years. She has been an active member of the Massachusetts Citizen's For Life group for 14 years and is a member of Our Lady of Grace Parish, Westport. "People ask me if I can come and help out and I always try to," declared Lavoie. When she was an expectant mother at St. Patrick's Parish, FalI River, some 40 years ago Lavoie and several other ladies at the parish started to provide others with information about pregnancies and raising children. She eventually got involved in the parish council and explored the Pro-Life aspect of it. She would bring information back from Pro-Life events or meetings and share that with her parish and also organized baby showers for expectant mothers. When Father Stephen A. Fernandes took over as director of the Pro-Life Apostolate, her inTurn to page /3Award
Diocesan Pro-Life advocates among those selected for MCFL awards BOSTON - Massachusetts Citizens For Life (MCFL) recently released a list of Pro-Life leaders who will be recognized at the annual MCFL dinner on October 15 in Randolph, and the Diocese of Fall River is well represented. Father Stephen A. Fernandes, diocesan director of the Pro-Life Apostolate and pastor of Our Lady of Fatima Parish, New Bedford, will receive the 2004 Ignatius O'Connor Award for outstanding contributions to the Pro-Life
movement in Massachusetts. Bishop Daniel A. Cronin appointed Father Fernandes head ofthe apostolate in May of 1990, and since then, he has faithfully and diligently worked for the preservation of life, from conception to natural death. According to MCFL, "Father Fernandes' eloquent defense of the culture of life is well known by all parishes of the diocese. He was instrumental in establishing and nurturing the Pro-Life Apostolate in individual parishes and networking parishes through the deaneries
throughout the Diocese of Fall River. That the Fall River diocese is a vibrant, informed and active ann of the Pro-Life movement is due in no small part to the dedication of Father Fernandes." Selected for a Chapter Service Award was Aime LaChance, a parishioner of Notre Dame Parish, Fall River. "LaChance has taken the lead in placing ads in the Fall River Herald News and developing a local billboard campaign that continued on the area's Regional Transit Turn to page J3 - MCFL
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Friday, October 1, 2004
Centerville parish to host ' ChristianIMuslim presentation CENTERVILLE Pax Christi-Cape Cod and RENEW will co-sponsor a special and timely presentation titled "Reaching Out: A Christian and a Muslim Share the Non-Violence of Their Faith," on . Sunday, from I to 3 p.m. at Our Lady of Victory Parish Center. The presentations will focus on the non-violent dimensions ofthe respective faiths. Featured speakers will be SisterofNotre Dame Patricia
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McCarthy, and Ammad Sheikh. Sister McCarthy is a teacher, lecturer, and author. For the past 15 years she has lectured on non-violence throughout the United States, Canada, Ireland, Japan, Bosnia, Vietnam, Croatia, andAustralia. She has published five books and won first place from the National Catholic Press Association in 2002 for her book 'The Word of God, The Word of Peace." Ammad was born and raised in Pakistan and came to the U.S. at age 14. He is a' graduate of Barnstable High School, Cape Cod Cqmmunity College, and a U.S. NaVy veteran. Currently a full-time student at UMass-Dartmouth, he also works as a career consultant with veterans. All are invited. Refreshments will be served.
CHOIR MEMBERS representing 'a number of parishes from throughout the diocese met recently at Corpus Christi Church in East Sandwich to rehearse for the Centennial Rosary Celebration, which will take place on October 11 at the National Shrine of Our Lady of La Salette in. '" Attleboro. Eric Carreiro of Our Lady of Mt. Carmel Parish, Seekonk, center, is seen leading the group. He and Mark Girardin of St. Pius. X Parish, South Yarmouth, are directing the choir and expect to have nearly 100 singers at the Rosary Celebration. (Bruce McDaniel photo)
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. . known :Sister Jeanne Regis, died ~ September'24 at the D'¥oijville i--'!"'P-R-A-C-T-IC-E-T-H-E-.-O-E-V-OT-I-O-N-O-F-T-H-E-F-I-R-ST-S-A,-r-U-R-O-A,-YS-.,.....--.. . Senior'Care C~nter here. . Sister Brien had taught 'at St. AS REQUESTED BY OUR 'LADY OF FATIMA Jacques and St. Mary's schools in On December 10, 1925, Our Lady appeared to Sister Lucia Taunton. After retiring from (seer of Fatima) and spoke these words: "Announce in my teaching, she coordinated recrename that I promise to assist at the hour ofdeath with the graces' ational activities for retired Sisnecessary for the salvation oftheir souls, all those who on the first ters at Sacred Hearts Convent in Saturday of five consecutive months shall: Fall River. She also provided 1. Go to confession; 2. Receive Holy Communion; 3. Recite the companionship for an elderly Rosary (5 decades); and 4. Keep me company for 15 minutes while housebound woman and volunmeditating 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 Daily Readings preceded by the words: "In reparation for the offenses committed against the Immaculate Heart of Mary." Oct 4 Gal 1:6-12; Ps Confessions may be made during 8 days before or ·after the 111 :1-2;7-1 0; Lk first Saturday, and Holy Communion may be received at . 10:25-37 either the morning or evening Mass on the first Saturday. Oct 5 Gal 1:13-24; Ps .
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teeI:~g in literacy' program for· ,adults. .> : Born in Manchester, N.fI., she was one.of seven children ofthe late Alphonse and the late Marie (Poulin) Brien. . . She entered Holy Union Novitiate in Fall River in 1933 an'd made her profession of vows on July 26, 1934 and September 20, 1940. She received a bachelor's degree from Catholic Teachers College in Providence, R.I., and '. _studied art, literature and Span'ish at The Catholic University of America in Washington, D.C., Manhattan College in New York,
Our Lady's Monthly Message From Medjugorje September 25, 2004 Medjugorje, Bosnia-Herzegovina "Dear Children! Aiso today, I call you to be love where there is hatred and food where there is hunger. Open your hearts, little children, and let your hands be extended and generous so that, through you, every creature may thank God the Creator. Pray, little children, and open your heart to God's love, but you cannot if you do not pray. Therefore, pray, pray, pray. "Thank you for having responded to my call." Spiritual Life Center of Marian Community 154 Summer Street Medway, MA 02053· Tel. 508-533-5377
Oct 6 Oct 7 Oct 8 Oct 9 Oct to
1,111111111111111111111111111111 THE ANCHOR (USPS-545..Q20) Periodical Postage Paid at Fall River, Mass. Published weekly except for the first two weeks in July and the week after Chrisbnas at 887 Highland Avenue, Fall River, Mass. 02720 by the Catholic Press ofthe Diocese ofFall River. Subscription price by mail, postpaid $14.00 per year. POSTMASTERS send address changes to The Anchor, P.O. Box 7, Fall River, MA 02722.
aha ~t the Univ~rsity of Puei:to Rico in Portee." . ,> SisterBrien also taught at schools in Rhode island and New York.. She retired to St. Mary's Villa in Lowell in 1995. . She leaves a brother, Philip Brien of Auburn, N.H.; nieces and nephews; and her Holy Union Sisters. She was the sister of the late Rita, Bertrand, Maurice, Roland and Raymond Brien. Her funeral Mass was celebrated Monday in St. Mary's. Villa Convent in Lowell. Burial was in Sacred Heart Cemetery in North Andover.
In Your Prayers
!
, 139:1-3,13-15; . Lk 10:38-42 Gal 2:1-2,7-14; Ps117:1-2; Lk 11 :1-4 ,Gal 3:1-5; (Ps) Lk 1:69-75; Lk 11 :513 Gal 3:7-14; Ps 111 :1-6; Lk 11 :t5-26 Gal 3:22-29; Ps 105:2-7; Lk 11 :27-28 2 Kgs 5:14-17;. Ps 98:1-4; 2Tm 2:8-13; Lk17:1119
•
'Please pray for the following priests during the coming weeks . .Oct. 5 1999, Rev. Jean D. Pare, a.p., Assistant Director, St. Anne Shrine, Fall River .
_ ~ct.6 . 1916, Rev. Stephen B. MagiJI\ Assistant, Immaculate 'Conception, North Easton. \ \~ 1987, Rev. ROlan~d Brodeur JJniondale;N.Y. .
~.
.' Oc~7\' . 1951, Rev. Caesar Phares, pastof\St. Anthony of the Desert, Fall River . \ 1975, Rev. Msgr. Arthur G. DUPuis\pastor Emeritus, St. Louis de France, Swansea \ 1988, Rev. Andrew Jahn, SS.Ce., Sacred Hearts Seminary, Wareham .
Oct.tO \ \ . ' 1918, Rev. James C,J. Ry~, Assistant, Il1lJ!lllculate Conception, North Easton 1987, Rev. Boniface Jones, SS.CC., Chaplain, Sacred Heart Home, New Bedford 1990, Rev. Joseph A. Martineau, Retired Pastor, St. Theresa, N~w Bedford
'.
Sister Fernandes leaves Saint Anne's Board for international post in Rome over the hospital, from finance and policies to administration. The bylaws were amended in 1950 allowing a change in the controlling board. SisterJoanna's new international responsibilities will be "to see where FALL RIVER - Dominican we are as a Congregation and what Sister of. the Presentation Joanna are our needs as multicultural and Fernandes, chairman of the Board multilingual communities and how .of Trustees of Saint Anne's Hospi- we develop the relationships between tal, is leaving October 8 to become ourselves and how we can live ina member of her community's in- ternationally," she said. "Like other members of the ternational governing council in council I will be doing a lot of travRome. "r certainly am going to miss ev- eling as we oversee the entire Coneryone and the hospital," Sister gregation," Sister Joanna said. ''We Joanna told The Anchor. "At the try to ensure that whatever we de- . same time it is a wonderful oppor- cided at the chapters will be carried tunity to get to know my commu- out and put into practice. We try to nity of Sisters at this new level and be that source of unity and remain also to be able to live in Rome," she faithful to our charisms and the added. "It's going to be very enrich- teachings of our foundress, Sister Marie Poussepin, and our origins in ing and very exciting." Sister Fernandes, 60, was elected 1696." to her new post at a July-August While she will be traveling to and gen,ral chapter held at the from the motherhouse in France, her motherhouse in Tours, France, at- new residence will be in Rome. A Taunton native whose roots tended by 72 delegates representing the approximately 3,000 Sisters of are in St. Joseph's Parish, Sister her community in 37 countries Joanna is one of 10 children of the worldwide. She is the first American nun elected to the six-member council. The delegates also elected a new superior general, Sister Monique Colret. Sister Joanna has served for 15 years on the hospital's board ex officio because she was the provincial for her religious community of Sisters who reside on Elm Street in Dighton. That tradition follows the long history of the Dominican Sisters who have had a presence at Saint Anne's Hospital since it was established in 1906. The hospital's first governing body was comprised of seven Dominican Sisters. The board they formed had complete control SISTER JOANNA FERNANDES, OP
She will become a member of her Congregation's governing council.
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late Anthony and the late Marian Fernandes. She attended schools there and graduate from Taunton High School. In 1965 she graduated from St. Anne's School of Nursing, becoming a registered nurse. It was there, she said, that she came to know the Dominican Sisters. She worked for a year as a nurse and then entered that Congregation. She professed her vows in 1972. She later received a bachelor's degree in psychology from Provi-
dence College. Her master's degree in fundamental Catholic spirituality was earned at Duquesne University. After that Sister Joanna returned to Saint Anne's and was involved in mission work, and was also a member of the trustees. She also was the formation director and vocation director for her community. It was in 1989 that she was first elected to a five-year-term as provincial of her religious community and became the cbairman of the hospital's trustees. "I loved being in Fall River and SaintAnne's and I'm pleased to have been able to do my little bit to help
strengthen health care in our area. Our main mission was to make sure health care is alive and stays alive," she said. "It is difficult for all Catholic hospitals daily becauseofthe reimbursement issues we come up against ... the ethical and moral issues we are faced with; and the need to continually educate our staffon all Pro-Life positions which run the gamut ofall life;' she explained. 'The people I have known and the relationships I've built up over the years have been so much a part of my life ... and it is difficult to leave all tha!;' she said. Then, brightening up, she noted, ''But the new job is only for five years, and I ex"
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Changing attitudes We he~ little about some of the most wondetful cultural happenings of our time. So caught up in the terror of the times, the war in the Middle East and the media fiascoes of an election year, we have relegated living. The massive undertaking of the Museum of Fine Arts in Boston, the excitement of the Peabody Essex in Salem, the plans to expand the Modem in New York, the rejuvenation of the Brooklyn, and even here at home, the acquisitions of the Whaling Museum in New Bedford are but a few of the major cultural endeavors that are currently in the works. Only a few are aware of such undertakings due to the lack of public awareness. They simply do not get the headlines. However, one new museum opening did get some well-deserved atten-, tion in recent weeks. The new National Museum' of the American Indian on the Mall in Washington became our nation's tribute to America's forgotten people, Built on the last open space on the Mall, this museum stands as a striking remembrance of a most tragic and horrendous history. The intention of its designers, all native descendants, was to bring to the nation's capi~ a positive sign of the living culture of American Indian families. Its .very site indicates that it will bea teaehing institution to remind:.· all visitors of the vast history which permeated the land before the advent of the white man, One of our greatest national tragedies was the complete'hostility that the U. S. Government evidenced in its handling of Indian affairs. When the country expanded its lands into Indian territories, the official mind-set in Washington was "the only good Indian was a dead Indian." After the greed of expansion settled, Indian natives were forced onto reservations, many of which were far from their native homeland. Indian people were left to the corruption and slavery of government.agents. Yet, there were those who came to their rescue. The Jesuits of New England, the Benedictines of the Midwest and the Franciscans of the west were but a few groups that took up the work of Indian missions. Today there are many of ~ese same groups healing the difficulties ofreservation life. However, in many circumstances, the culture that permeated so many Indian tribes became lost in the circumstances of the times. ' Sad to say, many museums took gross advantage of the demise of the Native American, and became collectors of the skeletons oftribal life. They stuffed their collections on the dead bones of the past, often with little sensitivity and compassion. Indians became mere museum objectives. As the nation grew and developed, we were exPosed to the cowboy and Indian story pattern that provided Saturday afternoon entertainment for millions of Americans. Most children growing up in this particular time only viewed Indians in negative and dark. terms. They were movie villains: Such an image ~s very difficult to remove from a child's mind. So many today continue to carry this misconceptiori. In recent ,time there has been a more tolerant and open minded reflection of the Native culture. The Indian world also has been determined to correct past faulty visions. The resurgence of cultural anthropology in our colleges has played a tremendous role in looking at Indian life, and will open eyes and knowledgeable ininds. Many Indian communities are still plagued by poverty and addiction. Not all have the benefits of Foxwoods and the Mohegan Sun. For those who have been left behind in these gambling days, much should be done. Pedlaps the new Indian museum will playa role in this pnx;ess of appreciating the native culture, which really was a civilization that was buried . by the new immigrants to America The thousands of visitors to the museum will have the opportunity to share in Indian rites and rituals that WiJl be introduced as part of museum life. And like all museums ~orth their salt, it will become a teaching institution that dispels the ignorance of the past and the questionings of the presenCThe reflections ofWtlliam James seem quite appropriate in this regard. He Wrote, 'The greatest discovery of my generation is that human beings by changing the inner attitudes of their minds, can change the outer aspec!S of their lives." The Executive Editor
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EXECUTIVE EDITOR Rev. Msgr. John F. Moore EDITOR David B. Jollvet
NEWS EDITOR James N. Dunbar
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OFFICE MANAGER Barbara M. Rets
SISTERS OF THE SERVANTS OF THE LORD AND THE VIRGIN OF MATARA JOIN A NIGHTIIME EUCHARISTIC PROCESSION ON THE CAMPUS OF THE CATHOLIC UNIVERoSITY OF AMERICA RECENTLY IN WASHINGTON. THE PROCESSION WAS PART OF A TWO-DAY EUCHARISTIC CONGRESS SPONSORED BY THE COUNCIL OF MAJOR SUPERIORS OF WOMEN RELIGIOUS. (CNS PHOTO BY NANCY WIECHEc)
"Is NOT THE CUP OF BLESSING WIllCH WE BLESS A SHARING IN ·THE BLOOD OF CHRIST? Is NOT THE BREAD WHICH WE BREAK A SHARING IN THE BODY OF CHRIST?"
(1
CORINTHIANS
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How to rediscover peace By FATHER
EUGENE HEMRICK CATHOLIC NEWS SERVICE
. even though it is momentary. We connect and are "all there" On a recent drive back from for each other. Chicago to Washington, I . Interestingly, the wonderful stopped at my favorite resting theologian Father Romano place, St. Vincent's Archabbey Guardini defined the power of in Latrobe, Pa. It is a monastery stillness and peace as "being all with a college, so it bustles with there." He meant that we're all activity. Yet, when I am there I there when we focus our whole am at peace. being on another, leaving self While staying overnight, I out of the picture. fell asleep to the melodious On that same trip home, I sound of crickets and awoke to happened to stay at a rectory in singing birds. A better accompa- order to meet with a friend who niment to restfulness you could was visiting there. While there, . not f i n d . . the pastor came in, sat down On my way to breakfast I and gave us his undivided looked out over the countryside attention. He was "all there" surrounding the monastery 'with us. Though I only stayed rolling hills dotted by trees and overnight, it was so refreshing lush fields. I allowed the to experience this hospitality wonder of God's peace to fill and to feel at one with him. !TIe. As I reflected on this, it On this particular visit, I dawned on me that as bad as the learned yet another lesson about priesthood shortage is, if we peace. Peace is generated by who are priests could be "all wholesome sharing. Many of there" for each other, even the monks have become close though 'momentarily, we would friends - people with \Yhom I . not only find the strength to . can share my ideas freely, carry on, but probably would be especially my inner .feelings. In a happier priesthood and 'attract my conversations with them, I more vocations. I believe ~his have had this experience often, holqs true for all of us facing
tensions and seemingly hopeless situations. When we feel someone is all there for us, it tends to free us up to be ourselves. Buried problems come to the surface and are aired out. Exciting aspirations are shared. New insights are generated. Hope is revived: What is more important, our spirit is refreshed and renewed. When an Italian says that he or she is doing well, a phrase that is used is "non si preoccupare," I am not preoccupied. In other words, I am not being tom apart by going in many directions. I am focused and "all there." Today it is so easy to be preoccupied by events or concerns that destroy our peace. The daily news more often than not is disturbing, and no matter where we look we can't seem to find serenity. If you feel you are at the end of your rope, find a friend who is all there for you . and be all there for him or her. Spend time sharing, and see if it doesn't restore that inner calm you seek..
The only, only, only Maybe it's because I'm Catholic, or maybe it's because I went too far this time, but since shipping off last week's column to press, I've been plagued with guilt. In last week's catastrophe of a column, I actually said in print that I had lost faith in the Red Sox. As soon as I fed those
My View From the Stands By Dave Jolivet sentiments into Microsoft Word, I knew I would regret them. How long did it take? Less than a day. Within hours of venting my frustration in print, I trudged home from work, still stinging from "getting bopped on the schnoz" again by the Yankees. Upon entering my dwelling place, I was lovingly mauled by Igor, our Australian cattle dog/ border collie, who wears her emotions on her paws. "Wow," I thought. "She loves me unconditionally. She would never tell the world she's 'lost faith in me.'" What had I done? To make matters worse, I went through my mail and found the Dropkick Murphys' CDIDVD that I had ordered. The local. punk-rockers had 1
recently rewritten and recorded "Tessie," the old fight song of the 1903 Boston (Red Sox) Pilgrims, that's become the anthem of the 2004 Pilgrims. I had to listen, and that just added to the guilt trip. The song's refrain sent chills up my spine: '''Boston, you know we love you madly. Hear the crowd roar to your sound. Don't blame us if we ever doubt you. You know we couldn't live without you. Red Sox you are the only, only, only." Yes, yes, YES! That's me. That's what I feel! Red Sox please don't blame me if I ever doubt you. You know I couldn't live without you. Red Sox, you are the only, only, ONLY! Immediately the healing began, and continues to this day. I can't erase what I wrote last week, and I know I wrote what tons of other Sox fans were
feeling. And I also know that they'll break our hearts again ... rip them out and stomp on them ... and I'll trash them again in print. But I:ll never, ever
publicly admit that I've lost faith in them again. I'll respond just like the rest of you - I'll blurt those words only to myself, and possibly . Igor, in anger and frustration . Red Sox, you are the only, only, only!
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Why aren't today's followers of Jesus Jewish? Q. If Jesus and his parents were Jews, why are we Catholic followers of Jesus not of the Jewish religion? Why did Jesus not stay with the Jewish faith? I know he told Peter, "Upon this rock I will build my church," but that doesn't explain why Jesus, in effect, defected from the Jewish religion. Should we not be one religion with the Jews now? (Wisconsin) ~ A. Please understand first that a Jewish answer to your question would be quite different from.my reply here, which would be the answer of at least the vast majority of
those who persecute you." Beyond his different teaching, however, Jesus saw his death and resurrection as the beginning of a new and final age for the human family. The New American Bible comment on Matthew, 5: 17 points out: "The 'passing away' of heaven and earth is not necessarily the end of the' world.... The 'turning of the ages' comes with the apocalyptic event of Jesus' death and resurrection, and those to whom the Gospel is addressed are living in the new and final age, prophesied by Isaiah as the time of 'new heavens and a new earth'" (Is 65: 17; 66:22).
Questions and Answers By Father John J. Dietzen
Christian believers. , The simplest direct response is that Jesus never considered himself as abandoning his Jewish religious heritage. In the Sermon on the Mount he tells the disciples: "Do not think I have come to abolish the law and the prophets. I have come not to abolish but to fulfill" (Mt 5:17). The Gospels repeat this theme in many ways during his public life, particularly by recalling that certain of his words and actions fulfill what was spoken by the prophets and other Old Testament writers. Mary's Magnificat for example (Lk 1:46-55) is largely based on Old TestameQ.t prophetic and historical passages, for example the hymn of Hannah, mother of Samuel (1 Sam 2), some of which appears word for word in the Magnificat. On the other hand, Jesus makes equally clear that he is setting a new course for Jewish tradition. Several times he declares his departure from the Hebrew Scriptur~s. "You have heard that it was said 'An eye for an eye and a tQoth for a tooth.' But I say to you, offer no resistance to one who is evil" (Mt 5:3839). It had been assumed (in Psalm 139: 19-22 for instance) that hatred of one's enemies and other evildoers was the expected way to honor God. "But I [Jesus] say to you, love your enemies, and pray for
Jesus did not therefore abandon his , Jewish faith. He built on it to complete God's final . and complete revelation of himself to the human race. As Jesus answered at the Last Supper when Philip asked to see the Father, "Whoever'has seen me has seen the Father.... Do you not know that I am in the Father and the Father is in me?" (In 14:9). As Son of God incarnate in a Jewish man, Jesus lived out God's life as a perfect human being, assuring us of the Father's unconditional love and showing us the ideal way to respond to that love. Jesus' establishment of a community of believers, a "church," to continue his presence and activity on this earth, as all his other works, must be seen in that larger context. He was, and is, the anointed one of God for our salvation. How, or if, we might someday be one with the Jewish faith is a mystery hidden in the Holy Spirit. In the meantime, as I believe ' Pope Pius XI said, we are all ' spiritually Semites. Like Jesus, Christians have and always will have their roots in God's revelation to the Hebrews. A free brochure describing basic Catholic prayers, beliefs and moral precepts is available by sending a stamped, self-addressed envelope to Father John 'Dietzen, Box 325, Peoria, IL 61651. Questions may be sent to Father Dietzen at the same address.
'Friday, Ootober 1, 2004
The ripple effect of
memori~s
To our relief, the social worker informed us that Alaska has a huge fire season each summer. It intensive tests indicated no Alzheimer's disease or doesn't get much national attention, since fires rage mainly in uninhabited fores~ lands. Many people are dementia, but found other causes, some treatable, for what they termed mom's "mild cognitive impairsurprised to hear that thou~ands of lightning strikes ment." can occur in one week in Alaska's interior. , Memory loss is a brutal thing. It is torment to But this year's conflagration was a recordthink of our memories, or those of our loved ones, breaker by any measure. Over 5.5 million acres of - Alaska burned this summer, and by mid-August being stripped away one by one until even treasured faces become the faces of strangers. nearly 100 fires still were burning across the state. Yet memory is illusive, isn't it? Fairbanks endured weeks of thick smoke. . I recently found, after Fortunately for us down in Anchorage, only a few r----------~r-_=:::_--,., having lost them for years, a pile of old days of noticeable haze photographs I'd taken blighted our sunny when I visited Ireland 30 s~mmer. years ago. I was exultant, But we probably not just for the pictures, breathed more smoke than we realized, because ,but for the memories that By Effie Caldarola came flooding back with reportedly the Alaskan the photos. Where had smoke was detected as far away as Manhattan. , ....- - - - - - - - - those memories been hiding? ' How interrelated, how connected we are to each other! You know the Where does memory go? I think of the good things my mother has done, the faith she has passed theory about the beating of a butterfly's wings on to her children. Even if she forgets these things, beginning the movement that creates weather they remain real, sending out their little ripples into patterns thousands of miles away? It must be true. Recently, back in the Midwest, my mother and the future like the fragile beating of a butterfly's wings or the imperceptible movement of smoke. our family went in for a consultation following extensive medical and psychological testing on St. Ignatius Loyola begins his famous prayer, the mom. One brother and I joined in by teleconference. Suscipe, by saying: "Take, Lord, receive, all I have All of us, mom included, had been concerned with and possess: my memory, unqerstanding, my entire her gradual loss of memory. She forgot ,that she had will.'" . given each of my children a sterling silver rosary with How hard, and yet how comforting, to say that the individual's name engraved on the crucifix. When prayer. everyone brought their wedding pictures ,to the lobby Take my memory, Lord, and indeed he will. of the facility where she lives, she forgot that she had Whether I, or my mother, yield it bit by bit as w~ , had pictures taken at her own wedding. grow into old age or whether it's taken all at once at One day, tired and stressed after a sleepless night, the mo~ent of our deaths, I like to believe we don't "lose" our memories, but rather we hand them over she even forgot to answer the phone as my brother repeatedly called her to make sure she was up for an to the care of a loving God. appointment. The same God who charts the movement of It was a sleepy 5 a.m. for me in' Alaska as the , smoke from the empty wilderness to the canyons of family gathered at 8 in the Midwest for the Manhattan knows where our treasured memories go, consultation. and he makes sure they're never lost.
For the Journey
Sixteen things I've .learned Pulitzer-pri.ze-winning being holy. Probably it should, 11. No one knows why pew humorist Dave Barry was but it does not necessarily make pencils are the same ones you use recently credited on the Illternet . us kinder or more moral than to keep score at a golf course. with authoring a list of "Sixteen others. 12. The longer one stays away Things That It Took Me Over 50 4. Many times it is easier to from confession, the harder it is ~o Years to Learn," a litany that pray to the Blessed Mother than go. Go anyway. included entries such as "Never to Jesus. 13. Hanging around someone lick a steak knife." 5. It is bad, bad form to decline who is a veteran of the mission I am confident the list is Barry's a five-year-old's invitation to lands can. be like Jesus rubbing work in that it also spit on the blindness of includes his well-known one's soul, and they are and insightful axiom always so fundamentally about dining out: ''A .darn happy. ~rson who is nice to you, 14. Putting men and but rude to the waiter, is women religious on a not a nice person." pedestal is not particu. It set me to pondering. larly healthy for them or By Dan Morris Are there 16 things that us. We all need support, took me more than 50 love and understanding years to learn about the in greater portion than Catholic Church and Catholics? adulation, pampering or deferBy golly, there ,are: hold hands during the Our Father. ence. 1. It is a4nost impossible not to 6. Becoming enraged with 15. Things Catholic make laugh really loudly when a fourGod is a potential eighth proof of much better theater and movie year~old drops the kneeler on his his existence. material than any other religion. father's ankle, thus forcing the 7. There is way too much 16. The Hail Mary is like duct father to lurch forward and pressure put on pastors. tape; kept handy, it can help you thwack his forehead on the back 8. A good homily really can through a remarkable number of of the pew in front of him, which, change a person's life. So can a situations. iI} turn, can leave him (the father) bad one. I know what you are thinking. a groaning lump. 9. Patience is a better tool than I left out all the truths about 2. Yelling at someone about panic for communicating with pancake breakfasts, bingo and the your religious convictions God. But both work. altar society. These are worth lists actually decreases the chances 10. It is good to distinguish of their own. that the person will hear you. between prayer and wishful Comments are welcome. E3. Attending Mass every week . thinking, but sometimes nearly mail Uncle Dan at should not be confused with impossible. cnsuncleOl@yahoo.com.
The offbeat world of Uncle Dan
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Friday, October 1, 2004
Cf?gspect f(jfe 2004 A call to effective action: When being right is not enough By MARY CUNNINGHAM AGEE
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At this pivotal time in our nation's history, many of us are struggling with the question of how to more effectively promote a culture of life. Even if recent legislative victories and polling data suggest we are doing enough, it's clear we fall far short of the "civilization of love" and "culture of life" about which Pope John Paul II speaks and writes so eloquently. Christ taught us to speak with our actions as well as our words. He taught us to show empathy, respect and love for our audience by adapting our message to their unique needs and circumstances. In each of his parables, he showed us how to engage an audience where they are. He bore witness to the truth through his actions one soul at a time. He repeatedly expressed his love through concrete, tangible actions. He refused to keep a safe distance from his subject whether in word or action. As good communicators with a message that desperately needs to be heard, we have no choice but to engage our audience where they are. In a culture in which women often have been abused by men through coerced at)ortion, divorce and desertion, would one generally expect men to be effective in demanding that a woman place the needs of an unborn child ahead of her own? A new voice is called for, just as different words are needed. We
should focus more on presenting moving personal testimonies from real women who have confronted the painful consequences of living in a culture of death. By allowing their anguished voices to be heard, the falsehoods lurking behind the "choice" rhetoric can be exposed. By permitting their tears to be seen and their broken hearts exposed, it will become obvious that women do "deserve better" than abortion. We cannot afford to overlook the fact that it is the mother who is being asked to accept the economic hardship, social embarrassment and physical sacrifice of her . unplanned pregnancy. It is the mother in crisis who must hear compassionate words and credible offers of assistance if she is to persevere on the lonely path of protecting the life of her unborn child. This awareness is what caused my professional life to take a sudden detour two decades ago to a modest office as founder and managing director of an international charity. While it initially took the personal anguish of a mid-trimester miscarriage for me to grasp the horror of prenatal death, it has taken the daily, life-saving activity of the Nurturing Network to teach me the primary importance of translating my reverence for all human life into concrete, Christlike action. It simply is not enough for any Christian to say that we are "for
life" unless we are willing to provide the practical means to support it. This heartfelt conviction is lived out every day in the courageous, sacrificial actions of our 40,000 Nurturing Network volunteer members worldwide. The simple but profound truth is that there is no efficient or effective substitute for the private, personal, time-intensive conversations that translate beyond
words into the most life-saving message of all, "You are a beloved child of God. No matter what mistake you may have made or sin you may have committed, you are infinitely valuable and precious in God's sight." These are the healing words that will help build a genuine and lasting culture of life. They ring true and find their way home in every wounded human heart.
Mary Cunningham Agee is' the founder and president ofthe Nurturing Network, a nationwide charitable organization comprised of over 40,000 resource members who have provided for the urgent and practical needs of over 16,000 women with unplanned pregnancies.
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Friday, October 1, 2004
~spect 9jfe2004 Surgical advances for unborn patients By DR. WILLIAM R. LILE JR., FACOG
All couples yearn for and even expect to deliver a "perfect" baby, yet in reality approximately two percent of all babies will be born with some type of birth defect. Most are non-life threatening and if need be, can be correctedafter the baby is born. Others, however, can result in the growing baby's death if not corrected. Today's ultrasounds are safe for mom and baby, and have opened a window into the womb thought to be impossible just 10 years ago. New instruments, such as fetoscopy, allow us to have real-time video of the baby in the womb, which are giving us unprecedented views of the developing baby. The images are so clear and 'full of vibrant color thM arms, legs, fingers and toes come to life in the ultimate "womb with a view." Maternal Fetal Medicine specialists are treating both mother and baby as individual patients in amazing ways. Spina bifida is a condition affecting approximately one in every thousand babies. During the earliest stages of development, the bones and tissues of the spine fail to fully cover the delicate nerves of the spinal cord. The exposure of these delicate nerves to the amniotic fluid can result in paralysis from that point, downward. This defect is traditionally treated shortly after birth, with mixed results. The defect can be surgically corrected by performing a Caesarean section, amniotic fluid returned, and the incision on the uterus closed. The baby is then allowed to continue gestation and is delivered months later. These surgeries have been performed as early as 19 wee.ks' gestation, less than halfway through a normal pregnancy. This is well before a baby can generally be expected to survive on the outside.
Many other conditions are now being treated surgically in the womb. While still in its infancy, fetal surgery is rapidly changing how we treat these tiny patients. Yet despite the ad-
FETAL SURGERY is now able to save lives and mitigate many disabilities. Samuel Armas, seen grasping his surgeon's finger and now a robust four-year-old, explained to Congress: 'They fixed my boo-boo." (Photo by Michael Clancy) vances in both equipment and technique, there are still conditions, diseases, and injuries in both adults and children that we just can't fix. Life is a gift from God. It is he that weaves us in the womb. To stop that life is an act of defiance against God and his will. In Luke 1:44 God uses the Greek word
"brephos" to describe how the as-yet unborn John the Baptist "leaped in the womb for joy" while in the presence of the unborn Christ. In the very next chapter the same word "brephos" is used to describe the already born baby Jesus (Luke 2: 12), God sees them as babies, whether born or unborn, with all the God-given human dignity and the same right to life afforded to adults. So what do we do when we diagnose abnormalities that we can't correct? The same thing we do for adults or children who develop incurable conditions, or suffer severe injury - we treat them with love, compassion, and dignity.. . We have all heard the public service announcements that heart disease is the number one killer of both men and women in the United States. I agree. Only a disease of the heart would allow for over a million babies to be aborted in this country every year. Until the hearts of the nation are changed, abortion will continue. We need to tell the truth to our friends, vote for those who value life, and hear about God's gift of life from our pulpits. The tens of millions of women who have had an abortion need to know that we serve a loving and forgiving God, and through that forgiveness true healing begins. "I have set before you life and death, the blessing and the curse. Choose life, then, that you and your descendants may live" (Deuteronomy 30:19). William R. Lile, Jr., D.O. is board certified in Obstetrics and Gynecology. He is licensed to practice medicine in Florida and Alabama, and has a private practice with the Sacred Heart Medical Group in Pensacola, Florida. He can be contacted- through www.ProLifeDoc.org.
Youth suicidal behavior By DANIEL BROWN, M.A., ART A. BENNETI, M.A. AND FRANK J. MONCHER, PH.D.
has been linked to suicidal behav- family, in particular, should create ior. '. a climate where listening and charRecent changes in American ity are reinforced. As John Paul II Suicide is the third leading family structures have resulted in writes in Familiaris Consortia: cause of death in people ages 15- increased emotional and behav- "Acceptance, love, esteem, many29 (after accidents and homicide), ioral problems for teens; including sided and united, material, emoand the sixth leading cause for suicide, criminal activity, un- tional, educational and spiritual children ages five-14. While girls planned pregnancy, and alcohol concern for every child that comes into this world, should always conare more prone to depression than use. Not surprisingly, teens who are stitute a distinctive, essential charboys, teen boys arid young men are four times more likely to commit promiscuous, have abortions, or acteristic of ... the Christian famsuicide. In the next 24 hours 1,439 begin sexual activity at an early ily" (no.26). For those parents whose child teens will attempt suicide, and 12 age experience high levels of emoyoung people between the is already showing signs of depression, or has路 menages of 15 and 24 will die tioned suicidal feelings in by committing suicide. . For those parents whose child is himself or a friend, it is imYoung people do this to make a change; a desperate already showing signs ofdepression, portant to get immediate attempt to force another (e.g. . or has mentioned suicidal feelings in help through a medical or a parent or ex-boyfriend) to himself or a friend, it is important to mental health professional see them differently; to make get immediate help through a medi- (your parish priest or local a choice when no choices should have referrals calor mental health professional diocese appear available; to escape available). The confidentiala desperate situation; to re- (your parish priest or local diocese ity of a counseling session lieve guilt over bad deci- should have referrals available). can sometimes provide a setsions, thus self-punishing; ting where they can divulge and/or to inflict harm or puntheir difficulties. tional distress and are thus at risk ishment on another. Finally, it is important to note Youth suicide is another con- for suicidal behavior. Also, youth that some psychological disorders, sequence of society valuing only involved in peer violence, either such as depression, can be heavily what is "useful," and rejecting as perpetrators or as victims, are influenced by one's biological whatever does not show an imme- at higher risk for suicide attempts. state. Medication or other medical The depth and nature of a . intervention may therefore be a diate, material benefit. A psychological disorder or youth's spiritual life can also be necessary component of addressemotional difficulty increases the an important factor in the decision ing the underlying cause of suirisk of suicide in an already whether to harm oneself. YO\lng cidal behavior. troubled youth. The impulsive ten- people with strong religious conYouth suicidal behavior is a dency to act without thinking victions are better able to inhibit serious problem in American sothrough a plan and its conse- impulsive temptations to suicide ciety. Our contemporary culture, quences is a symptom of a num- and to seek avenues of understand- with its emphasis on material.sucber of these mental disorders and ing and support. The Christian cess, can hamper the ability to .find
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meaning in situations where suffering occurs. The effective responses, however, are embedded in the Catholic Church's teachings on the role of the family in guiding and nurturing children in the domestic church, as well as on utilizing the best that science has to offer (e.g., psychotherapy, counseling or medication) in ways that support Christian moral truths. The authorsprovide outpatient
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counseling and psychotherapy to clients at the Alpha Omega Clinic and Consultation Services, Vienna, Virginia and Bethesda, Maryland. The clinic's mission is to integrateprofessional expertise in the fields ofpsychology, mental health and social work with the principles ofthe Catholicfaith to enhance personal, professiona~familialand maritaldevelopment.
SIGNS A YOUTH IS SUICIDAL I What are signs one should look for in the suicidal youth? The I following list should raise doubt as to the mental and emotional health of a youth, especially within the context of any of the circumstances mentioned in the article. Deterioration in personal habits Increased sadness, moodiness, and sudden tearful reac! tlOns Deliberate self-harming I Impulsive and aggressive behavior Frequent expressions of rage II - Feelings of hopelessness, especially when accompanied by anxiety I - The expression or communication of thoughts of sui! cide, death, dying or the afterlife (in a context of sadness, bore- I i dom, or negative feelings) -Declining school performance: consistently declining grades, absences, and falling behind in credits. I Loss of pleasure/interest in social and sports activities I Sleeping too little or too much I Significant changes in weight or appetite Use of alcohol and drugs Sudden withdrawal from family and friends I I
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Friday, October 1, 2004
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Cf?gspect f(jfe 2004 Human dignity in the 'vegetative' state By RICHARD M.
DOERFLINGER
On Christmas Eve, 1999, the family of Patricia White Bull in Albuquerque, New Mexico received an unexpected gift. After 16 years in a supposedly irreversible "vegetative state," Mrs. White Bull began to speak (The Washington TImes, January 5, 2000, p. A3). Mrs. White Bull's story is not unique. In recent years, a number of patients have unexpectedly recovered from the "vegetative" state - a dimly understood condition in which patients have sleep/wake cycles, but do not seem aware of themselves or their environment. The term "persistent vegetative state" was coined in 1972. Physicians said then that patients with this diagnosis had no consciousness or sensation, and could not recover once they had remained in this state for a certain number of months. The latest findings contradict all this. It turns out that patients diagnosed as being in a "vegetative" state may have significant brain waves, and substantial parts of the upper brain may be alive and functioning. . On March 20, 2004, Pope John Paul II delivered an important speech in which he clarified and reaffirmed our moral obligation to provide normal care to these patients, including the food and flu-
ids they need to survive. Here the starvation or dehydration is, in fact, Holy Father made several points: the only possible outcome as a re1. No living human being ever sult of their withdrawal. In this descends to the status of a "veg- sense it ends up becoming, if done etable" or an animal. knowingly and willingly, true and "Even our brothers and sisters proper euthanasia by omission." who fmd themselves in the clinical 5. The obligation to provide ascondition 6f a 'vegetative state' re- sisted feeding lasts only as long as tain their human dignity in all its such feeding meets its goals of profullness." The Church insists that viding nourishment and alleviating "the value of a man's life cannot suffering. be made subordinate to any judg6. We must not forget the needs ment of its quality expressed by of families caring for a loved one other men." in a "vegetative" state and reach out 2. In principle, food and fluids to give them assistance so they will (even if medically assisted, as in not face their burdens alone. The pope's speech responds to tube feeding) are part of that normal care. Such feeding, he said, is a serious moral and legal problem "a natural means of preserving life, that has divided families, ethical not a medical act." Even incurable advisors, and courts in the United patients have a right to basic care. States and elsewhere. Patients and families, like others 3. This judgment does not change when the "vegetative" state involved in medical decisions, need is diagnosed as "persistent" or un- to understand that while specific likely to change: 'The evaluation medical procedures may at times of probabilities, founded on wan- become useless or burdensome, this ing hopes for recovery when the can never be said of human persons vegetative state is prolonged be- themselves. Caring for loved ones yond a year, cannot ethically jus- who may never be able to respond tify the cessation or interruption of or thank us for ourfaithfulness could minimal care for the patient, includ- be the ultimate test of our commitment to a culture of life. ing nutrition and hydration." Richard M. Doerflinger is 4. Deliberate withdrawal offood and fluids to produce a premature deputy director ofthe Secretariat death can be a form of euthanasia, for Pro-life Activities, U.S. Conthat is, unjust killing. "Death by ference of Catholic Bishops.
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A TAPESTRY depicting St. Gianna Beretta Molla hangs from the front of St. Peter's Basilica during her canonization Mass earlier this year. Molla, an Italian laywoman and physician is often referred to as the Pro-Life saint. She died of a ~lterine tumor in 1962, one week after giving birth to her fourth child. She had refused medical treatment that may have saved her life, but put the fetus at risk. (CNS file photo)
The 10 great myths in the debate over stem-cell research Editor's note: The following is reprinted from the July 30 Anchor edition. I. Stem cells can only comefrom embryos.
In fact stem cells can be taken from umbilical cords, the placenta, amniotic fluid, adult tissues and organs such as bone marrow, fat from liposuction, regions of the nose, and even from cadavers up to 20 hours after death. 2. The Catholic Church is against stemcell research. There are four categories of stem cells: embryonic stem cells, embryonic germ cells, umbilical cord stem cells, and adult stem cells. Given that germ cells can come from miscarriages that involve no deliberate interruption of pregnancy, the Church really opposes the use of only one ofthese four categories, i.e., embryonic stem cells. In other words, the Catholic Church approves three of the four possible types of stem-cell research.
and to be rejected as foreign tissue by the recipient). Rather, embryonic stem cells really belong only within in the specialized microenvironment ofa rapidly growing embryo, which is a radically different setting from an adult body. 4. Embryonic stem-cell research is against the law.
In reality, there is no law or regulation against destroying human embryos for research purposes. While President Bush has banned the use of federal funding to support research on embryonic stem cell lines created after August 2001, it is not illegal. Anyone using private funds is free to pursue it.
by the same series of technical steps. The only difference is what will be done with the cloned human embryo that is produced: will it be given the protection ofa woman's womb in order to be born, or will it be destroyed for its stem cells? 7. Somatic cell nuclear transfer is different from cloning. In fact, "somatic
cell nuclear transfer" is simply cloning by a different name. The end result is still a cloned embryo. 8. By doing somatic cell nuclear transfer; we can directly produce tissues or organs without having to clone an embryo. At the
present 'stage of research, scientists are unable to by5. President Bush created pass the creation of an em3. Embryonic stem-cell research has the new restrictions to federal FATHER TADEUSZ bryo in the production oftisgreatest promise. Up to now, no human be- funding of embryonic steming has ever been cured of a disease using cell research. The 1996 Pacholczyk is the direc- sues or organs. In the future, embryonic stem cells. Adult stem cells, on Dickey Amendment prohib- tor of education at the it may be possible to inject the other hand, have already cured thou- ited the use of federal funds National Catholic Bioeth- elements from the cytosands. There is the example of the use of for research that would in- ics Center. (AnchortGor- plasm of a woman's ovum into a somatic cell to "reprobone marrow cells from the hipbone to re- volve the destruction of hu- don photo) gram" it into a stem cell. pair scar tissue on the heart after heart at- man embryos. Bush's decitacks. Research using adult cells is 20-30 sion to permit research on embryonic stem This is called "de-differentiation." If so, years ahead of embryonic stem cells and cell lines created before a certain date thus there would be no moral objection to this holds greater promise. This is in part because relaxes this restriction from the Clinton era. approach to getting stem cells. 9. Every body cell, or somatic cell, is 6. Therapeutic cloning and reproductive stem cells are part of the natural repair mechanisms of an adult body, while embry- cloning are fwuJamentally differentfrom one somehow an embryo and thus a human life. onic stem cells do not belong in an adult another. The creation of cloned embryos ei- People sometimes argue: "Every cell in the body (where they are likely to form tumors, ther to make a baby or to harvest cells occurs body has the potential to become an em-
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bryo. Does that mean that every time we wash our hands and are shedding thousands of cells, we are killing life?" The problem is that this overlooks the basic biological difference between a regular body cell, and one whose nuclear material has been fused with an unfertilized egg cell, resulting in an embryo. A normal skin cell will only give rise to more skin cells when it divides, while an embryo will give rise to the entire adult organism. Skin cells are not potential adults. Skin cells are potentially only more skin cells. Only embryos are potential adults. 10. Becausefrozen embryos may one day end up being discarded by somebody, that makes it morally allowable, even laudable, to violate and destroy those embryos. The
moral analysis of what we may permissibly do with an embryo doesn't depend on its otherwise "going to waste," nor on the incidental fact that those embryos are "trapped" in liquid nitrogen. If we think about a schoolhouse in which there is a group of children who are trapped through no fault of their own, that would not make it okay to send in a remote control robotic device which would harvest organs from those children and cause their demise. Rev. Tadeusz Pacholc~k did his Ph.D. in Neuroscience at Yale University and post-doctoral research at Massachusetts General HospiJalJHarvard Medieal Schoo~ prior to doing advancedstudies in Rome in Theology and in Bioethies. He was a priest of the Diocese ofFall River, Mass.
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New free AWe pregnancy health center soon to open in Fall River . . ~
A Womahs Concern center provides life-affirming assistance to women seeking abortion.
By DEACON JAMES N. DUNBAR FALL RIVER - A new branch center of A Woman's Concern, dedicated to providing healthy, lifeaffinning assistance to women and couples considering abortion due to lack of information and resources, is set to open in this city. . According to Father Stephen A. Fernandes, director ofthe Fall River diocese's Pro-Life Apostolate and the Rev. John Ensor, a Baptist minister and president of AWC, the new ministering facility will oPen in The Women's Center on Highland Avenue. "The AWC in Fall River will open when we have all the resources and finance in place," the Reverend Ensor said last week. He and others are seeking support ofindividuals and church communities to make pledges, especially during the month ofOctober, which is Respect Life Month. The local center is the fruit of the effort by a group of Catholics and Evangelicals working together to instruct and inspire a respect for life among faith-filled parishioners. It will be the sixth AWC the Boston minister has helped found. All of them offer services free of charge because they are supported entirely by gifts. provided by indi-' viduals and local churches through Heart for Life Partners. Other pregnancy centers in operation include one at the Cape Cod Center in Hyannis, as well as in
Dorchester, Brookline, Revere and Beverly. The center in Hyannis, which opened in 2000, ~as just this year added ultrasound services to its program; con~equently 77 percent of the women choose life, having seen the image of their newborn via ultrasourid, Father Fernandes reported. The' Reverend Ensor in a tele-' phone interview with The Anchor; said the AWC center in Hyannis came about after people on Cape Cod asked for it. He said that in 1999 tlten Fall River Bishop Sean P. O'Maney, OFM Cap., called for a meeting, hosted by Msgr. John J. Smith, pastor of St. Pius X Parish in SouthYarmouth, who introduced Reverend Ensor and the work ofthe AWC. ''There was enthusiastic support from them, and then we went to the other Evangelicals," the minister said. "We named a search committee, found a landlord who was sitting in a Baptist Church in Osterville and lie opened up space for us. It was truly a Christian com.munity, coming together to reach out to women in unwanted pregnancies in ahealthy, winsome, pr9.fessional way." The result: ''Within nine montlls we found enough support and volunteers and it resulted in the location of the Hyannis Center, which is situated right next door to the Cape's only abortion clinic." The upcoming center in Fall River is the r~sult of talks between Dr. Ensor, Bishop George W. Coleman, numerous Protestant clergy, Father FerJ].andes, and others. "We will have Dr. Mark
Lowney, who is an Ob/Gyn in Fall River, share space with us at The Women~s Center in Fall River." Dr. Ensor said that Dr. Lowney, "who comes from a well-known family in Fall River" was raised Catholic. But he became alienated from any Chris- '. tian faith until about five years. ago, when he underwent a real spiritual awakening and renewal. ' He is a profound Pro-Lifer, after being an abortionist for Plantled Parenthood." Dr. Lowney will be offering his testimony at an upcoming fundraising banquet in Hyannis for the new AWC center. 'There are many ways to promote the Gospel of Life," Father Fernandes said.,'The premise be~ . hind AWC is to remember that abortion happens one woman at a time and that women, more often , than not, resort to abortion rather than choose it." Ordained in 1982, Dr. Ensor studied at Gor~on-Conwell Seminary in South Hamilton. He pas~ tured at churches in Nebraska and in Boston and Dorchester. Since 1991."when the issue of . abortion came up in our chUrCh I began searching Scripture and came across' the whole issue of Jesus shedding his bIOQd," the Rev- . erend Ensor said. 'That's why we preach the cross." But more was to come. "We came across the statistics that 30 percent ofthe women in our,church have had' abortions. So we began asking ourselves what God's forgiveness is all about, what restoration is all about. We can't bring back the children lost. And we can't be silent. We can talk to women and
.Respect Life Walk for mothers and children set for Sunday By MIKE GORDON
Holy Trinity Church, West Harwich at 10:30 a.m. -.BOSTON - The 2004 Respect "We are always pleased to be Life Walk to Aid Mothers and Chil- joined by so many from the diocese dren, sponsored by the Massachu- for the walk,". said Marian Desrosetts Citizens for Life will be held siers, assistant director of the diocSunday, which is Respect Life Sun- esan Pro-Life Apostolate. "We're day. Participants will gather at Bos-. expecting a high level of participaton Common at 1 p.m. to hear guest tion from our youth population and speakers and music and the 5K cir- it's a great opportunity for the uncular walk will commence at 2 p.m. born to be heard from our solidarBuses will be available from the ity." , Fall River diocese to attend the The walk is also an opportunity peaceful family-oriented walk, to raise funds for the Pro-Life cause which is organized each year with as walkers get sponsors and pledges the purpose ofbearing witness to the . to support their efforts. Monies dignity of human life from concep- raised help mothers and children tion until natural death. throughout the Boston and Fall Buses will leave Immaculate River dioceses. Crisis pregnancy Conception Church, Fall River at centers, counseling services, 11:30 am. They will also pick up women's shelters, and the Pro-Life walkers at the Taunton Galleria Apostolate are just a few of the Park and Ride at 11:45 a.m. To re- places and groups that benefit from serve a seat or for more informa- the annual event and that's so imtion call Dot Nicolau at 508-674- portant according to Desrosiers. 8695. A bus is also leaving from . 'The walk gives us the opportuANCHOR STAFF
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nity to raise the much needed funds to support agencies that reach out on behalf of the unborn and their mothers," she said. . The event attracts tens of thousands each year including mothers and fathers with babies in tow and senior citizens. Many clergy also attend the event and all are welcome to participate in the peaceful afternoon. "I am looking forward to the walk and the other events ofRespect Life Month, said Desrosiers. ''We have many events, activities and educational programs going on this month. Events like the Boston walk help us refocus and double our efforts on behalfofthe sacredness and sanctity of all human life." Desrosiers said it's important for us to pray and reflect on the unborn . and their mothers and encourage those who cannot attend the walk to pray for the restoration and respect of allliuman life.
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families looking at abortion and that's when we opened our first center," he said.. To bring the issue of abortion to the fore, lie authored a book, ''Answering the Call," with a'subtitle, '''Saving Innocent Lives, One Woman at a Time." .' .When the center in Fall River is up and running, it won't be the .---
end of the line, the minister said. "We would like to open one in the Brockton area - and Framingham and Cambridge." For more information about the center or for donations to Heart for Life Partners, call 1-617- 929-1012, or check the Website www.awomansconcern.org/partners. --,
Say 'thanks' by taking a stand I'm glad my mom was Procountry. We are the 18-yearLife and if you're reading this, olds who have the right to vote and like me, were born in the and make a difference. I pray 1970s, then it would be wise that we can make that differto thank your mother too. How ence for the sake of our , many potential friends and children and our children~s peers can't read this article children. because the Roe v. Wade When King Herod ordered the massacre of all boys ages decision of 1971 made it impossible? Unlike generatwo years and younger in tions before them, they didn't Bethlehem, as told in the have the opportunity for life. Gospel of Matthew, one The impact on we who wonders what kind of uproar it were born in the 70s and 80s created. Were people too , is horrifying. Yet, that feeling' afraid to taJs:e a'stand against ' of anger is 'not ,expressed 'this injustice or were the'y enoug~ t>y my gt;neration. courageous enough to make a r
..;.....;...-.....:_..:.._-...;;.--r--::=:-...·-,., Looking Back, Looking Ahead By Mike Gordon
Before most people our age were born, the government decided to give women the right to have an abortion But no one consulted us - the babies in question who survived the early 70s. No one asked me,ho~J,fe1t abol,lt my potential plaYJ;llfltes and neighbors b~ing snuffed out before they had a chance at life.' It's a shame that we live in a world where the number of babies aborted since that dreadful day is approaching the 40 million threshold. I guess those older Americans who thought they were making the right choice for all Americans are to blame. But if the tragedy of abortion in all its forms continues to decimate the youth population in the decades to come, then we can begin to blame ourselves for not trying to right the wrongs in the world. Roe .v. Wade may be the law of the land, as it's been during our collective youth, but that doesn't mean we can't do something about it. We are the future politicians ana lawmakers of the
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Thatis what came to mind when thinking about the abortion issue of today. I • wonder why people holding signs in support of Herod's vision don't take a step back and thank God that they are alive today - that someone cared enough about them to give them life and a future. We should give the same love to those infants who cannot hold signs, but who would encourage young people and young adults to stand up for the Pro-Life cause on their behalf. The Pro-Life walk in Boston is happening this Sunday and it presents an opportunity for people especially young people - to stand up for the unborn and the sanctity of life. It's a cause that people in their 30s and under can no longer ignore if we want to be a society that respects human life. Your mother made the.right decision for you. Isn't it about time you rose up and showed her how much you appreciate ' that? I hope to see you in Boston. My mom does too.
Comments are welcome at MikeGordon@anchornews.org.
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volvement grew and she continued to do little things to make an impact like be a liaison for the DCCW bringing reports from meetings to all five deaneries. Marian Desrosiers, assistant director of the Pro-Life Apostolate, said Lavoie was chosen for the awm'd unanimously by the Diocesan Pro-Life Committee. "I am personally thrilled that she was chosen for the award," said Desrosiers. "She has an outstanding commit7 ment and compassion to the sanctity of all human life and most especially the unborn." From the time that Desrosiers can remember, Lavoie has served at the parish, diocesan and state levels championing the Pro-Life cause. "She is the first to volunteer her
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time and all her talents to Pro-Life;' said Desrosiers. "If you attend a diocesan Pro-Life event you'll see her there. She's a great person and
MADDY' LAVOIE at a ProLife march in Washington, D.C.
she does everything she can." Father Fernandes said "Maddy has been a stalwart support of the Church's Pro-Life mission for decades and certainly deserves this recognition." Lavoie is regularly a participant in the Pro-Life Walk for Mothers and Children held in Boston each year as well as the Pro-Life March in Washington D.C. each January. "I've always been interested in the Pro-Life movement," said Lavoie. Whether it is selling roses for the Massachusetts Citizen's for Life, walking in the cold winter weather for the unborn, telling confirmation students about the ProLife cause or placing the Holy Innocents Book in her parish to remember stillborn, miscarried and aborted children Lavoie is always supporting Life. "Being involved in the Pro-Life
movement has meant a lot of me," said Lavoie. "I always felt I was blessed to be born and I thought children should have a chance and right at life. It was always meaningful to me. I love children." The mother of three grown children, Lavoie lives with her husband Ray in Westpprt. She has seven grandchildren and three great grand children and hopes that young people will continue to stand up for the sanctity and dignity of all hu- , man life. ','It's important to teach our young people that life is precious. When you see a small baby it's a miracle and we must remember that
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life is a precious gift from God." Cathy Cleaver Ruse, the director of Planning and Information for the United States Council ofCatholic Bishops Pro-Life Secretariat in Washington, D.C., will be the keynote speaker at the Pro-Life Awards Banquet. She will speak on the context and consequences of the recent judicial decisions concerning the Partial-Birth Abortion Ban Law. For those wishing to attend the Pro-Life Awards Banquet contact the Pro-Life Apostolate. It can be reached at: Pro-Life Apostolate, 500 Slocum Road, No. Dartmouth, MA 02747-2930 or by phone at 508-997-2290.
A.G. Quintal INVESTMENT COMPAN Y. INC.
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year when three pioneers came from Canada to Notre Dame Parish in the Hint Section to begin what was to become more than a century ofedu• Mutual Funds Of All Types cational ministry to Franco-Ameri• Tax Free Insured Income Trusts can families. • U.S. Treasury Bonds & Notes Within 10 years, the Sisters • IRA's. Pension Plans opened Jesus~Mary Academy for girls. Ministering to boarders and • Tax Planning day students, the school known as BUSINESS AND TAX "JMA" flourished. Thirty-six of its alumnae entered the novitiate of the FINANCIAL PLANNING Congregation, and 26 others went to various religious orders. Estate ... Trust and Portfolio Analysis In 1971, changing demographics and diminishing number of Sisters in the area led to the merger of JMA with two other girls' schools, DominicanAcademy and Mount St. Mary's. The new school was Bishop Gerrard High School, which later became Bishop Connolly High School. From 1999 through 2002, the Highland Avenue house was the site for the Thevenet Center for ChilMARK A. QUINTAL CFP JOYCE B. WHITE , dren, a collaborative educational Cenified Financial Planner Account Executive project with Sakonnet Associates. Quintal Bldg. at Lunds Cor. _ For the past two years, the resiqent Sisters have welcomed various Continued from page one 2177 ACUSHNET AVE. groups of Sisters and associated in NEW BEDFORD, MA Authority buses, to educate and MCFL Community Service the province for meetings and holiraise awareness about the abortion Award, given to citizens in a chap- day gatherings. issue;' read an MCFL press release. ter who have demonstrated out"He is also active in Fall River standing support of the chapter's MCFL Chapter activities such as . local activities. "St. Denis has provided the flatRose Drives and also serves as a Website: -cssdioc.org bed truck lhat the Fall River Chapchapter photographer." CAPE COD FALL RIVER Also receiving a Chapter Ser- ter uses as a float in the acclaimed TAUNTON NEW BEDFORD ATTLEBORO 261 SOUTH ST. Fall River Celebrates America Pavice Award will be Mary and Paul 1600 BAY ST. 78 BROADWAY 238 BONNEY ST. 10 MAPLE ST. 'HYANNIS Tessier of St. Mark's Parish, rade in August, and the Somerset P.O. BOXM - SO. STA. 508-824-3264 508-997-7337 508-226-4780 508-771-6771 Attleboro Falls. "The Tessiers are Town Festival Parade in October," 508-674-4681 faithful members of MCFL and MCFL indicated.."His generosity • COMMUNITY ORGANIZING • ABUSE PREVENTION the Attleboro Area Chapter for _ in providing the flat-bed truck, • COUNSELING • ADOPTIONS: more than 20 years," read the re- which removes it from service for • HOUSING COUNSELING INFANT lease. "They presently serve as four days twice a year, is a remark• IMMIGRATION, LEGAL EDUCATION INTERNATIONAL Rose Drive coordinators, which able testimony to his commitment AND ADVOCACY PROJECT SPECIAL NEEDS invol ves 12-15 churches each to Pro"Life in Massachusetts." • INFORMATIONIREFERRAL • ADVOCACY FOR: The awards will be conferred at year. The couple also coordinates • INFANT FOSTER CARE SPANISH & PORTUGUESE SPEAKING chapter bulk mailings, and they the dinner on October 15 at The • PARENT/SCHOOL CRISIS INTERVENTION FISHERMEN are active letter writers to elected Lantana in Randolph. The sched• REFUGEE RESETTLEMENT PERSONS WITH AIDSIHIV • HOUSING FOR WOMEN: officials and to local newspa- uled featured guest speaker is Scott PERSONS WITH DISABILITIES Klusendorf, director-of. Bio-Ethics, ST. MATHIEU'S pers." CAMBODIANS· DONOVAN HOUSE .; BASIC ENGLISH FOR LIFE-LONG LEARNING The MCFL Chapter Service Stand to Reason. His topic wi~l be ST. CLARE'S/ST. FRANCES' • CAMPAIGN FOR HUMAN DEVELOPMENT Awards are given to those unsung "Making Abortion Unthinkable." • BASIC NEEDS heroes of local chapter work who The social hour begins at 6 p.m., SPONSORSHIP: SAMARITAN HOUSE have demonstrated the ability to go with dinner at 7 p.m. SOUP KITCHEN • SPECIAL APOSTOLATES: For infortnation about the din"the extra mile in service." COMMUNITY ACTION FOR APOSTOLATE FOR PERSONS WITH DISABILITIES ner, or to make reservations, call Victor St. Denis of the Greater BElTER HOUSING APOSTOLATE FOR SPANISH SPEAKING Fall River Chapter, will receive an 617-242-4199 by October 8. "It was a very sad day for us,"
served in a number of ministries in said Sister Janice Famham, a mem- the diocese. Some cared for senior ber of the Provincial Council. "We Sisters at the province's retirement loved Fall River and our history in center in the 1970s, while others the United State began there and administered and taught in schools, there are emotional attachments. educational centers and parishes of Unfortunately, our story is the same the diocese. one heard from other religious comThe house has been placed on the munities ofSisters: our members are market for sale, Sister Farnham regetting old, new vocations are few, ported. and to maintain the huge house in She also said that some of the Fall River where several Sisters re- Sisters who resided in Fall River sided and could no longer climb the have joined her in establishing a stairs was beyond us. We tried, but mission in Arlington where young it was financially impossible." women discerning a religious vocaOn August 29, approximately 30 tion will be housed. Other Sisters Sisters gathered at a reception to have taken up residence in the Jesus pray and thank God for the many and Mary Mission Center in blessings they have received and Plainville. One of the Congregation, Sister shared during their time in this city. Of them several were natives of this Irene Castonguay, a native of Fall city and six hailed from Notre Dame River, spent 10 years as the assistant managing director of Lafayette Parish. Since 1977, the large and lovely Place, which occupies the original house In the historic Highland Av- site where the Sisters began their first enue district has been home and foundation in America in 1877. It all began in the spring of that mission center to the Sisters who
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Friday, October 1, 2004
St. Mary-Sacred Heart students' celebrate Marian feast with a Mass
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NORTH ATTLEBOROFather David Costa recently celebrated Mass to kick off the new school year at St. Mary-Sacred Heart School. With the help of faculty, students, families, and friends of the school, he.Ied various song selections with the students and filled the church with spiritual music. Father Costa asked students to reflect in prayer on the good times they had over the summer and since the start ofthe new school year asking that each think about how they experienced God iIi.' those days. The altar was adorned with various icons of Mary as the Mass was celebrated on the feast day of her birth. The Gospel was the Annunciation according to St. Luke after which the homily focus~d on the various images of Mary and her obedience to God's will. In a question and answer format, the students identified all eight images of Mary from Our Lady
of Sorrows - The Twin Towers to Our Lady of Guadalupe, the only image of Mary pregnant with Jesus. Father Costa asked thest!Jdents what came to mind with the word "obey." Many said it involved following, loyalty, and agreeing to do something and then carrying it out. They all agreed that it was not easy to do. He then talked abo.ut the Latin root of obedience, "audire" which means "to listen." Before follow-' ing or being loyal, one has to listen by being quiet. Mary listened to God's plan and was loyal by following and carrying it out. Father Costa concluded by asking the students to listen during this new school year to their parents, teachers, one another, and most especially God. "He is present in all of those around us," said Father Costa and suggested that students take five minutes a day to listen to God in their hearts, mind and soul as Mary did.
SECOND-GRADER Alyssa Gartman of St. Ma~y足 Sacred Heart School, North Attleboro, carri~s an icon of. Saint Mary, Virgin of Vladimir, during a Mass processional.
THE STUDENT COUNCIL from St. John the Evangelist School, Attleboro, includes, front row from left: Kerrin . Gallagher and Matthew Moore; second row: Kara Adams, Paul Salvaggio,' Chris Adams, Caroline Fitzgerald, and Emily Walsh. Third row: Megan'Glasheen, Alexandra Fischbach, Sara Campion, and Douglas. Downey; back row: Racquel Pacella, Lauren Mahoney, Heather Sanford, Steve Carone, and Sam Carone.
Student council helping others with several projects . ATTLEBORO - Members of the St. John the Evangelist School's Student Council have organized a monthly food drive to help the St. Vincent de Paul Society's food pantry. The council is also working on
a project to send care packages to the members of the parish, or from the Attleboro community, who are serving in Iraq and Afghanistan. Those serving our country are remembered daily in the prayers of the St John's chil-
dren and members of the council 'are striving to make a difference for the soldiers. To add someone to the list, send their name and mailing address to St. John's School, 13 Hodges Street, Attleboro.
FIFTH-GRADER Kayla Scott from St. John the Evangelist School, Attleboro, displays an award she won for outstanding artwork in sunscreen awareness to prevent skin cancer, .and the art work that she created. Shonda Schilling, wife of Red Sox pitcher Curt Schilling and a melanoma survivor, is founder and president of the Shade Foundation, that sponsored the contest. Scott was awarded a certificate of appreciation signed by the Sox ace, which was presented to her by principal, Sister Mary Jane Holdel).
G'day, mates. I'm Steve Irwin, And soon her own blood, often a and welcome to another fantastic totally different type from her episode of "Croc Hunter." mum's, starts flowing through her Today we're on the trail of the veins. By six weeks, her brain waves most amazing animal in the whole can be measured and by eight wide world. He's the real king ofthe weeks, all her body organs are jungle and anyplace else he might present and complete! She even has happen to wander, from the Outback her own set of finger-prints unlike to downtown Sydney. His name is anyone else's in the world. Better honw sapiens. That means he's a ~u足 not cross the law little lady or you'll man and he's really smart. Not per- get busted! fect, mind you, he does really stuOfcourse, it's best ifshe can stay pid stufffrom time to time, but com- safe inside her mum for another pared to the rest of the animal king- seven months to get bigger and dom, homo sapiens is in a class all stronger, but today kids born a little by himself. more than halfway through pregThe immature young of this spe- nancy can survive with good medicies - like my little girl Bindi cal care. Unfortunately, in the U.S. are cute as a and many button and fun other counto photograph. tries, it's legal But the fantasfor a doctor to tic" story of abort these their life bekiddies right gins nine long up to the day months before they're born if we can snap that's what the first mum wants. Polaroid. In The most fact, as soon as remarkable mum's egg is thing about fertilized, a these Ii ttle brand new, tykes is someone-of-a-kind thing you girl or boy hucan't see: evSTEVE IRWIN man comes to e!)' human has be. a body and a In the beginning, she's as tiny as souL that's our innermost self, all a dot over an "i" but she has all the rolled into one. Like the Catechism genetic information she'll need for says, we are the only creatures in the her whole life - a library - full of world able to know and love God codes packed into a little-bitty one- and to share in God's own life. And cell dynamo. What she's going to because God makes us in his image look like, how smart she is, her per- and loves us so much that he died sonality and natural talents, how for us, eve!)' human life is priceless she's going to grow from one cell to and has equal dignity! Even fiveI:fillions - it's all right there in her day-old emb!)'os in lab dishes that genes. some scientists want to kill so they She's got instructions built right can use their stem cells in research, in that'll send signals to mum's im- even people struggling with disabilimune system when she's just a day ties and patients in comas, those who old: "I'm your little baby! Don't at- are dying, and poor people living in tack me like some nasty awful slums in far away countries, and germ!" And she tells her mum to even convicted killers. Everyone start producing more hormones so deserves our respect and concern. that, in her second week of life, she Currently there are more than five can nest in a nutrient-rich lining in billion honw sapiens on earth;-but mum's womb. Meantime, our little it's fair dinkum we're an endangered gal is busy growing and building her species. We keep finding new ways own placenta, a protective mem- to harm each other - terrorism, brane that cushions her and protects chemical and biological weapons, her from infection until the day she's abortion, destructive embryo reborn. Clever little girl! search, assisted suicide, and euthaEyen though she's doing her best nasia to name a few. Everyone urto grow and be strong and safe, she gently needs to do his part to defend might not survive if her mum's been life. using hormone-based contracepWhen we honor the image of tives or morning-after pills. Crikey! God in other people, we'll become They can change the lining of the more like Jesus himself and be more womb so it's hard for our little gal likely to share in eternal life with to implant and get the food and oxy- God. A good deal all around! gen she needs to stay alive. Respect Life Program 2004, If she does makes it, by her 22nd USCCB Secretariat for Pro-Life .day of life, her heart begins to beat. Activities.
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MORGAN POGEl, a fifth-grader at All Saints School, in the Diocese of Pittsburgh, cleans up the mud that accumulated in the classrooms after the remnants of Hurricane Ivan swept through the area earlier this month. More than 100 people lost their lives in the violent storm as it made its way across the Caribbean and into the United States. (CNS photo by Douglas Kaup, Pittsburgh Catholic)
Children are the treasure and hope ofthe Church - Pope John Paul II
By CHARLIE MARTIN· DREAMS Dreams are just dreams When they are stuck inside your head. And all it takes is a little help from you You know it's true that Dreams are for real When you see what I see And you feel it too We took the longest road just to make it harder Let's do it again. It only makes us stronger Refrain: Dreams, I guess we're just made of Dreams. Nothing else matters As long as we believe, I'm looking at you, and I see my life Passing before my eyes And when the journey's over And all my dreams come true I dream of you What do you see when you look inside your heart? A little thought can walk a thousand miles And change your life When dreams lead the way The impossible is sudd,enly in sight And every step we take just brings it all together You got to keep the faith when all seems lost forever (Repeat refrain.) You're the one That keeps my hope alive My vision clear I'll spend my life with you Conquer fear We'll make it through (Repeat refrain.) I dream of you I dream of you Sung by Diana Degarmo Copyright (e) 2004 by RCA
CATHOLIC NEWS SERVICE
ing the runner-up in the American Idol competition isn't a bad deal. Now it's Diana Degarmo's turn to leam this. She finished second to Fantasia Barrino in American Idol 3, but music critics agree that this 17-year-old will have plenty ofopportunity to demonstrate her star power. Just out is her CD-single "Dreams." , The disc also includes recordings of the classic "Don't Cry Out Loud" and the American Idol 3 signature song "I
reveals the vision of what life might be. For the most part, keep your dreams to yourself. Most people tend to view others' hopes through their personal lens. If their perspective differs from what your dreams say is possible, they are likely to take a negative stance on what you envision. Thus, only share your deepest dreams with the few who can suspend judgment and trust the movement of your soul. Of course, include God. Our God is thetruecreativeimpulseguidingwhat life can become. Focus on what you want, not on what you don't want. For example, if you dream of making the school academic honor roll this semester, don't spend energy worrying about the tough courses you've chosen. Instead, imagine what it will feel like to see your name on this listing. Your soul does its creative work through the power of intention and attention. Keep your vision focused on what your drean1S tell you can be positive and enjoyable in your life. Acknowledge discouragement when it occurs, but see it as temporary. Not every dream comes true. Yet, unfulfilled dreams often act as guides . that point us in a new direction. , Dreams can sltUt us heading toward one goal, but eventually lead us to an unexpected, new and good experience. Finally, don't dream just about your own life. Instead, dream of what you would like to see our world become. When I speak to teens, one question that I often ask is: How will you help? I want teens to think about how they can use their skills and interests to help the rest of us. You have the opportunity to affect God's family on this planet in positive, life-affirming ways. Your commellts are always welcome. Please write to me at: chmartill@swilldiana.net or at 7125W 200S, Rockport, IN 47635.
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Believe." , Deganrio's first chart hit focuses on one of life's most cherished gifts, the power to dream. The song's character says: "Dreams, I guess we'rejust made of dreams. Nothing else matters as long as we believe." She adds that ,"when dreams lead the way, the in1possible is suddenly in sight." The song prompts us to value our dreams. Consider these suggestions for acknowledging and nurturing your dreams: Don't be afraid to dream big. Too often we craft too small a vision of what our lives can become. We let current limitations define what is possible. Logical analysis helps us make decisions about practical concerns, but to expand your life, return to your cenAs Clay Aiken could tell you, 00- ter, your heart. This is where the soul
Greatness is for people doing their best By KAREN DIETLEIN CATHOLIC NEWS SERVICE
this grand exhibition of talent, brains and all-around genius, it Mid-August at the Art was easy to think of myself as a Institute of Chicago: just me, my . tiny being with no creative genes fiance and the trash-talking voice or guts whatsoever - just a inside my head, whose favorite crusty barnacle on the hull of the . thing to do is make sure that my ship of dreams. self-esteem isn't higher than the Until we rounded one water level in my toilet. interesting comer. We strolled through white This section of the museum rooms filled with impressionist was devoted to significant and paintings, marveling at the important shifts in American exquisite brushstrokes on the architecture and interior design. dozen Renoirs, gazing at the Here, we viewed influential splendor of Monet's garden and design elements from the 194Os, meeting the eyes of Vincent Van '60s, and '70s - including my Gogh, immortalized for all time friend Kait's living-room annin his most famous self-portrait. chair, significantly less battered All the while the little voice now that it was behind glass and cackled inside my head, attempt- tied to anti-theft devices. ing to convince me that museum It was an exact copy, right walls - or the annals of history, down to the kind of wood used for that matter - weren't for as the support structure and the people like me. Surrounded by time-worn look of the leather. I
should know; I'd sat in the chair almost every afternoon for four summers straight. I'd napped in it, curled up in it, rocked in it and eaten dinner in it.
Co'ming of
Age And here it was, defined as art: honest-to-God museum art, sanctioned by one of the leading institutes in the country! The fact that Kait's armchair is happily ensconced there is a potent reminder that all the Little Voices in all the esteemplagued heads throughout the
world are wrong. At the genesis of every great work, no matter how large or influential, is a human being. Monet's water lilies once floated in an actual garden in Giverny, France. Degas' little dancers were real and giggled at one another on their way to ballet class - not thinking that they'd become famous one day. And even Vincent Van Gogh sat in a room where he concentrated on making his self-portrait the best it could be, not knowing its eventual fate. The designer of that annchair didn't mean for it to be exhibited. I bet he sat in it, slept in it, read books in it and even munched crackers in it. Sure, those paintings now are ensconced in an art museum, behind a wall and an admission
fee. But once they were the property of their creators and inhabited their homes and imaginations, as close, as comforting and as real as they wanted them to be. That's what they concentrated on; that's the element that made these works special. They worried about the works themselves - not the Little Voice that poked and prodded at them, attempting to stop them before they even started. Imagine what we never would have had if Van Gogh had listened, saying, "I can't do this!" The next time the Little Voice comes to visit, I'll just smile and tell it: "I'm sorry. I don't have time to listen to YOll. I'm too busy doing my best." Because greatness is for people like us. We just have to work to get there, first.
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Friday, October 1, 2004
Italian cardinal says world. . has lostfaith in life after death~" ROME, Italy (CNS) - Faith loss of a loved one hits the trag di in God's promise of everlast- edy of the experience home for ',.,.' . , ' ing life after death has been lost many people. in today's high-tech culture But today's culture ha's and violent world, said Italian found no "compensation and Cardinal Camillo Ruini. substitute" to fill the void left "Any reference to the hope by the current lack of "faith in of a life beyond death has been the salvation that comes from weakened or is altogether ab- God, his redemption and sent" in today's culture, even grace," Cardinal Ruini said. in the words of someone who Christ's resurrection and has just lost a loved one, he God's promise of everlasting life give deeper meaning to the said. Cardinal Ruini, president unsettling experience of death, of the Italian bishops' confer- he said. ence, made his remarks SepThe Church must avoid leavtember 20 in his opening ad- ing "our eternal destiny out of dress to the Italian bishops' our preaching, our catechesis, permanent council meeting the way in which we care for the sick and their families and recently in Rome. "The reality of unexpected how we answer those who ask death" seems omnipresent in us about the meaning of life," today's violent world, espe- he said. cially in light of increasing terThe belief that everything rorist attacks across the globe, comes from God and that everything is in his hands together he said. However, the way in which with seeing God as "the friend death is portrayed in the mass and savior of humanity" makes People of native ancestry are found in every U.S. state, media and by film and televi- understandable and believable but the majority are located in the central and western sion has trivialized the mean- that "his love triumphs over regions of the ~ountry ing of death, he added. death and makes us forever Better health care and in- united with him," he said. creased life expectancies also· The Christian meaning of have reduced how often people death does not eradicate the experience the death of a fam- fear or suffering which may ily member or friend, and dy- arise from it, but it does make ing often. takes place faraway people closer to Jesus, he said. in hospitals under the superviOne's own death represents sion "of specialists," said the "taking part in the resurrection cardinal. of Christ, our sharing in his diDespite mankind's attempts vine life, just as he shared with "to outrun" death or "exclude us our human condition to the it from one's thoughts," the . very end," said Cardinal Ruini.
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RICt1ARD PHILLIPS and Phillip White carry a banner honoring Blessed Kateri Tekakwitha in a procession of Native Americans who gathered on the National Mall in Washington September 21 to celebrate the opening of the new National Museum of the Am~rican Indian. Blessed Kateri is a 17th-century· Mohawk and Algonquin Indian who was the first Native American to be beatified. (eNS photo by Paul Haring)
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Carltas launches appeal to fu'nd reliefin flood-stricken Haiti more than a decade. VATICAN CITY (CNS) some beyond repair," it said, Haiti has been especially hard Caritas Intemationalis has launched The U.N. World Food Program a major appeal to fund reliefefforts estimated some 175,000 people in ' hit this year; in May, floods killed Haiti have been left without food, more than 1,000 people and dein flood-stricken Haiti. stroyed many towns and villages.. Caritas is seeking $900,000 in water and electricity. funding and donations to provide, Caritas said the emergency Haiti is the poorest country in:the supplies to tens of thousands of funding would supply kitchen uten- Western Hemisphere; 80 percent of people left homeless by a string of sils, sleeping bags, tents, medicine, the nation's people live below the . chlorine and clean drinking water poverty line. powerful tropical storms. Florida Bishop John H. Ricard Mudslides triggered by heavy to 2,000 families in three different noted that while aid agencies such flooding killed more than 1,000 parts of Haiti. people and injured 100,000 more A Caritas emergency response as Caritas and the U.S. bishops' in Haiti after Tropical Storm Jeanne team also has been dispatched to Catholic Relief Services have hit the island in mid-September, help local Caritas officials assess moved quickly in responding to the Haitian disaster, more aid was .according to the Caritas written further needs. Though not as powerful as needed. appeal released recently. The bishop said it was essential "The hardest-hit region is the other hurricanes and tropical city of Gonaives and the surround- storms this year, Jeanne has been "that neighboring countries, and esing area. ,.. The damage' was cata- . the deadliest and is considered to pecially the United states, urgently strophic for residents, all of whose be the worst tropical storm to have provide the financial and material homes and buildings were flooded, swept across the Caribbean in resources required at this time."
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