10.03.03

VOL. 47, NO.37 • Friday, October 3,2003

FALL RIVER, MASS.

Southeastern Massachusetts' Largest Weekly • $14 Per Year

Pope names 30 new cardinals

BISHOP GEORGE W. Coleman celebrated Mass at the Retreat Day for Religious at Cathedral Camp, East Freetown last week. With the bishop are, left: Sisters of Mercy Elaine Heffernan, diocesan Episcopal Representative for Religious, and Lucille Soccarelli, who this year is celebrating 50 years of religious life.

Bishop ColeDlan addresses religious on annual retreat EAST FREETOWN - Bishop George W. Coleman told 85 members of the diocese's religious congregations at a day of recollection that "people need you as religious men and women to offer hope and love."

He told them that "through your simple gestures and strong faith you can offer hope and communicate the message that there is no reason to fear .... It is not enough for these maxims to be in our minds; we must bear witness to them by our gentle and charitable care."

As homilist of the Mass in the camp's chapel on September 27, the feast of St.

Vincent de Paul, Bishop Coleman, who was the principal celebrant, told the congregation, "I thank God for the witness that you, consecrated women and men, bear in our diocese. Our people need you and the witness you offer. They hunger to experience your hope, your faith, and your love.

They yearn to have fear dispelled from their hearts."

The assembly also heard from Sacred Hearts Father William Heffron during two conferences in the Villa. He said that the ultimate norm for the religious life is the following of Christ set forth in the GosTum to page 13 - Religious

VATICAN CITY (CNS) - Pope John Paul II named 30 new cardinals, including Philadelphia Archbishop Justin F. Rigali, enlarging and further internationalizing the group that will one day elect his successor.

Absent from the list of new cardinals was Archbishop Sean P. O'Malley, OFM Cap., of Boston, who took over the archdiocese last summerin the wake ofclerical sex abuse scandals. Many inside and outside the Vatican had expected him to be given the red hat.

The new cardinals represent 18 countries from all six continents. Seven are Vatican officials, 19 are heads of archdioceses around the world and four are priests over 80 years old being honored for their service to the Church.

The pope also said he was preserving the name of one new cardinal "in pectore," or in his heart. In the past, such cardinals have served in places where public knowledge of their appointment might provoke hostility against the Church.

The pope will induct the cardinals in a consistory at the Vatican October 21, adding a major event to an already heavy program of celebrations for the 25th anniversary of the pope's election. "'The candidates ... come from various parts of the world and carry out diverse duties in the service of the people of God;' the pope said in announcing the names from his window above St. Peter's Square September 28.

He spoke in a weak voice and sounded short of breath.

Those named included Australian Archbishop George Pell of Sydney, Canadian Archbishop Marc OuelletofQuebec and Scot-

tish Archbishop Keith O'Brien of Edinburgh.

For the first time, cardinals were appointed from the Mrican countries of Ghana and Sudan.

The pope made his announcement during a nine-hour electrical blackout in Italy, and the Vatican had to fire up emergency generators so pilgrims could hear the pontiff. The appointments will bring the total number in the College ofCardinals to 194, a record high number of cardinals from 69 countries. After the last consistory of 2001, there were 184 cardinals.

As he has done previously, the pope waived the maximum of 120 cardinal-electors, those under age 80 and thus eligible to vote in a conclave. When they accept their "red hats" at the consistory, the total number of cardinal-electors will be 135- matching the record high number of 2001. All but five of the 135 have been named by Pope John Paul.

Cardinal-designate Rigali, 68, worked for 30 years at the Vatican, where he was president of the Holy See's diplomatic academy, 1985-89, and secretary of the Congregation for Bishops, 1989-94. Appointed as archbishop of St. Louis in 1994, he was recently named to head the Philadelphia Archdiocese and will be installed there October 7.

In Canada, Cardinal-designate Ouellet is a 59-year-old Sulpician who took over as head of the country's third-largest archdiocese, Quebec, less than a year ago.

The list ofnew cardinals including Vatican officials are: - French Archbishop Jean-Louis Tauran, 60; Italian Archbishop Renato Martino, 70; Tum to page 13 - Cardinals

Annual Red Mass will honor members of justice system ~

Diocese's Sf. Thomas More Medal to be awarded to an attorney, a probation officer and two judges.

By

DEACON JAMES

N.

DUNBAR

FALL RIVER - Four members of the justice system will be given the prestigious St. Thomas More Award for their distinguished service at the annual Red Mass to be celebrated October 26, at 3 p.m., at St. Mary's Cathedral.

The names of the honorees were released

this week by Father Mark R. Hession, liaison to the Red Mass Planning Committee and Atty. Joseph P. Harrington, committee chairman.

They are: Judge James M. Cronin, first justice of the Bristol Division of the Juvenile Court; Joseph Hasset of Cummaquid, chief probation officer of the Superior Court for the counties of Barnstable, Dukes and Nantucket; Attorney Francis M. O'Boy of Taunton; and the ecumenical recipient, Judge John A. Markey, retired first justice of the Third District Court of Barnstable, Tum to page 13 - Red Mass

SIX OF the eight members oHhe Fall River Diocesan Council of Catholic Women attending the National Council of Catholic Women Convention in Minneapolis, Minn., this week, include, from left, President Lynette Ouellette, District One President Margaret Giza, Past President Joanne Quirk, Past President and Parliamentarian Claire McMahon, Past President and NCCW Nominating Committeewoman Theresa Lewis, and District Five President Mary Donovan. Also at the convention are Moderator Sister Eugenia Brady, SJC, and Past President Betty Mazzucchelli, who is running for the NCCW Nominating Committee. (Photo courtesy of Maddy Lavoie)

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Sister Evelyn Kelley SP ST. MARY-OF-THE-WOODS, Ind. - Sisters of Providence Sister Evelyn Kelley, 79, also known as Sister Marie Clare, died September 18 in Mother Theodore Hall.

Sister Kelley was a special education teacher at Nazareth Hall in Fall River, Mass.. from 1971 to 1986, and also served as a homemaker/Respite Care Provider in New Bedford, Mass., from 1986 to 1987.

The former Evelyn Frances Kelley was born in Everett, Mass., the daughter of the late Joseph E., and the late Evelyn S. (Kennedy) Kelley. She entered the Sisters of Providence in 1944, made her first profession of vows in 1947 and her

final vows on Jan. 23, 1952.

She earned a bachelor's degree in education from St. Mary-of-theWoods College in Indiana and a master's degree in education from Indiana State University.

Besides her service in Fall River and New Bedford, Sister Kelley taught at schools staffed by the Sisters of Providence in Indiana, Illinois, California, North Carolina, New Hampshire and Taiwan.

She leaves three sisters, Jane Driscoll of Stoneham, Mass., Sister of Providence Eileen Ann Kelley of Indiana, and Eileen Kelley of Reading, Mass.; and a brother, Father John J. Kelley of Spokane, Wash.

Her funeral Mass was celebrated September 23 in the Church of the Immaculate Conception, St. Maryof-the-Woods. Burial was in the Cemetery of the Sisters of Providence, also in St. Mary-of-theWoods, Indiana.

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ENJOYING A recent awards ceremony at St. Vincent's Home, Fall River were, from left, front: award recipients Missy Reis, Brian Brisson, Rachel Fellows, and Elaine Thomas; middle row: award recipients Mercy Sister Elaine Marchand, Ursuline Sister Anita Whitely, Mercy Sisters Lourdette Harrold, Bernadetta Ryan and Ludivine Perry, Holy Union Sister Helen McPeak, Mercy Sister Rosemary Laliberte, and Holy Union Sister Barbara Kirkman; back row: Bishop George W. Coleman, award recipient Mercy Sister Ellen Maytum, and Executive Director John T: Weldon.

St. Vincent's Home celebrates sixth annual Mission Awards

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FALL RIVER - Employees, friends and family Of St. Vincent's Home gathered in celebration with Bishop George W. Coleman recently for the home's Sixth Annual Mission Awards.

Four individuals along with a team of nine religious sisters were recognized for their devotio9t1.Q'St. Vincent's mission of

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Jon 1:1-2:1,11, (Ps) Jon 2:2-5,8; Lk 10:25-37 Jon 3:1-10; Ps 130:1-4,7-8; Lk 10:38-42 Jon4:1-11;Ps 86:3-6,9-10; Lk 11 :1-4 Mal 3: 13-20a; Ps 1:1-4,6; Lk 11 :513 JI1:13-15;2:1-2; Ps 9:2-3,6,89,16; Lk 11 :15-26 JI4:12-21; Ps 97:1-2,5-6,11-12; Lk 11 :27-28 Wis 7:7-11; Ps 90:12-17; Heb 4:12-13; Mk 10:17-30 or 10:17-27

1111II1111111111111111111111111 THE ANCHOR (USPS-545-D20) Periodical Postage Paid at Fall River, Mass. Published weekly except for the first two weeks in July am the week after Ouistrnas at 887 Higltlam Averwe, Fall River, Mass. 02720 by the Catholic Press ofthe Diocese of Fall River. Sull;cription price by mail, postpaid $14.00 per year.

POSTMASTERS send address changes to The Anchor, P.O. Box 7, Fall River, MA fJl712.

"Giving Children in Need What Reis, Elaine Thomas, and "The They Need Most." Saint Sisters Team" of Holy Union Vincent's Home is the largest Sisters Barbara Kirkman and special education and residential Helen McPeak; Mercy Sisters treatment center in southeastern Lourdette Harrold, Rosemary Massachusetts. The agency Laliberte, Elaine Marchand, helps children and families with Ellen Maytum, Ludivine Perry, a wide range of challenges heal and Bernadetta Ryan; and and grow.

Ursuline Sister Anita Whitely.

During the ceremony Bishop More than 100 guests celColeman recognized Brian . ebrated the honorees' many acBrisson, Rachel Fellows, Missy Continued on page three - Home

In Your Prayers Please pray for the following priests during the coming weeks Oct. 6

1916, Rev. Stephen B. Magill, Assistant, Immaculate Conception, North Easton 1987, Rev. Roland Brodeur, Uniondale, N.Y. Oct. 7

1951, Rev. Caesar Phares, Pastor, 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.CC., Sacrt:~ Hearts Seminary, Wareham ,

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1918, Rev. James C.J. Ryan, Assistant, Immacuh,lte Conception, North Easton 1987, Rev. Boniface Jones, SS.Cc., Chaplain, Sacred Heart Home, New Bedford .

1990, Rev. Joseph A. Martineau, Retired Pastor, St. Theresa, New Bedford Oct. 11

1952, Rev. James A. Downey, Pastor, HQly Ghost, Attleboro Oct. 12

1999, Rev. Felician Plichta, OFM Conv., Parochial Vicar, Corpus Christi, East Sandwich .

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Friday, October 3, 2003

Celebrating 25 Years of Service to the Church Pope John PaullJ will mark the 25th anniversary ofhis election as pope on October 16, and to celebrate that The Anchor will run a variety ofphotos and stories about His Holiness and the events that have marked his pontificate.

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

Young people return Pope John .Paul II's love for them VATICAN CITY (CNS) - When he slurs a line in a speech or fails ·to stifle a yawn, Pope John Paul II shows his age.

But put him among young people, and watch the years fall away.

His eyes light up. His voice gets stron-

ger and more emphatic. He extemporizes and might even sing a song. And a smile - that telltale barometer of papal humor - returns to his face.

At 83, the pope has learned that young people are often the best medicine. But it's

not· only that they rejuvenate him: He reaches them in a special way, too.

The pope's affinity for young people began early. As a bishop in Poland, he loved to lead groups of youths on hiking and canoe trips, discussing religious and

moral questions around a campfire.

After his election in 1978, he made young people a priority. In 1984, he instituted World Youth Day, which brings hundreds of thousands of Catholic young Turn to page J2 - Young

Horne Continued from page two

complishments. In his opening remarks John T. Weldon, St. Vincent's executive director, said this of the award recipients: "We celebrate who they are as individuals, what they bring to the healing experience of residents and families, the ways in . which they lead and challenge the rest of us to embrace our core values in all of our interactions."

"Each of these honorees has been selected, from 84 nominations, not for a single act of kindness, but rather for the way they integrate the agency's core values in their everyday life," continued Weldon.

Each award recipient was nominated by one or more of their co-workers; nominations were then reviewed by a panel of their peers who selected the award winners. In remarks at the commencement of the ceremony, Mission, Coordinator Sis!er ~osemary Laliberte said: "Whatwe are about to do here is quite extraordinary.

We now honor members of our staff who have received the support and recognition of their coworkers."

In presentations by co-workers, each award recipient was recognized for their individual contributions to the agency, however it was clear that each recipient shared a love for their work, the children of St. Vincent's Home, and demonstrated extraordinary dedication to the agency's mission. When combined, the years of service devoted by the honorees totals more than 160 year of dedicated s~rvice and mission fulfillment.

Sponsored by the Diocese of Fall River, St. Vincent's Home is part of the diocesan network of social services. It welcomes young people from all races, religions, and backgrounds, and provides services ranging from crisis stabilization and diagnostic assessment to a variety of residential treatment programs, special education, Ii fe skills training, and after-care planning. For more information, call 508-679-8511.

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

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the living word

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The Godness of creation Three years ago, the bishops of the Boston Province, Massachusetts, Vermont, New Hampshire and Maine, issued a pastoral letter on the environment. Sad to say, it really did not get the recognition it deserved.

It reflected upon the concern that we must have for the gift of creation, beginning with the fundamental concept that respect for human life is the basis for creation concems. As we face the many difficulties of our times, it is increasingly evident that the promotion of human dignity cannot be separated from our care and, protection of God's creation.

There are those caught up in environmental challenges that refuse to recognize this reality. They would save the whales and dolphins, while at the same time support the abortion of human babies. If we are truly respectful of all of creation, we must first and foremost respect human life from the moment of conception to the time of natural death. We believe in the dignity of human creation because individuals are made in the image and likeness of God. Men and women bear a unique responsibility under GOd to safeguard all his creation. To achieve this goal requires us to live responsibly with creation, rather than manage it as though we were outside it. The human family is charged with preserving the beauty, diversity and integrity of nature.

The whole universe is God's dwelling. The biblical roots for this belief are forthright and many. For many people the environmental movement has reawakened appreciation of the truth that through the created gifts of nature, men and women encounter their creator. Pope John Paul II has called for all Christians to respect and protect the environment, so that through nature people can ~'contemplate the mystery of the greatness and love of God." We are the stewards of his creation.

Stewardship implies that we must both care for creation according to the standards that are not of our own making, and at the same time be resourceful in finding ways to make the earth flourish. It is a very difficult bajancing act, requiring both a sense of limits and a spirit of experimentation. .

At this particular time in our national history, let it be clearly stated that war represents a serious threat to the environment, as the darkened skies and oil-soaked deserts of Iraq clearly reminded 'us. In their pastoral statement "Renewing the Earth," the bishops of the United States reflected that, "The pursuit of. peace, lasting peace based on justice, ought to be an environmental priority because the earth itself bears the wounds and scars of war. Likewise, our efforts to defend the dignity and rights of the poor and of workers are clearly linked to efforts to preserve and sustain the earth. These are not distinct and separate issues, but complementary challenges. We need to help build bridges among the peace, justice and environmental agendas and constituencies."

These are but a few concepts to urge the consciences of believing people ofall faiths to an attentive discernment of issues amidst the many variants of ecological ideologies.

The world of Western man is a treasure in grave peril. What we really must foster is the realization of the awareness that there is a moral character between man and the environment. There is an ethical responsibility that should be nurtured. Respecting the natural environment as an ordered whole, the use of creation in moderation reflecting the common good, attention to the quality of all human life on this planet are but a few of the ethical principles that should be integral to any environmental discussion.

Let us affirm that we will not be successful in our efforts to develop a new attitude toward our environment unless we are sustained and nourished by a new vision. For all of us this vision must blossom forth from our understanding of the world as God intends it to be.

God looked on all of his creation, and saw that it was good.

The Executive Editor -~

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OFFICIAL NEWSPAPER OF THE DIOCESE OF FALL RIVER Published weekly by the Catholic Press of the Diocese of Fall River . 887 Highland Avenue P.O. BOX 7 Fall River, MA 02720 Fall River, MA 02722-0007 Telephone 508-675-7151 FAX 508路675-7048 E-mail: TheAnchor@Anchornews.org Send address changes to P.O. Box, call or use E-mail address

EXECUTIVE EDITOR Rev. Msgr. John F. Moore EDITOR David B. Jolivet

NEWS EDITOR James N. Dunbar

OFFICE MANAGER Barbara M. Reis

COLOMBIAN BISHOP MISAEL VACCA RAMIREZ LEADS A RECENT PROCESSION HONORING THE LADY OF THE ROSARY OF CHIQUINQUIRA OUTSIDE ST. MICHAEL CHURCH IN GASTONIA, N.C. THE BISHOP OF YOPAL IN COLOMBIA SAID HE WAS THERE TO PROMOTE UNITY AMONG COLOMBIAN AND OTHER HISPANIC PARISHIONERS AND TO ENCOURAGE PRAYERS OF PEACE FOR HIS NATION, WHICH HAS STRUGGLED WITH CIVIL WAR FOR DECADES. (CNS PHOTO BY KEVIN

E.

MURRAY, CATHOLIC NEWS

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"SO THEN WE PURSUE THE THINGS WHICH MAKE FOR PEACE AND THE BUILDING UP OF ONE ANOTHER" (ROMANS 14:19).

~Iumbing By

FATHER EUGENE HEMRICK CATHOLIC NEWS SERVICE

the depths _of celibacy

breaks his or her promise or vow of celibacy, but the person "How I wish our teachers is also stigmatized because would have addressed these celibacy is still considered a ideas when I was in the semisacred undertaking. nary!"

2. "Celibacy breeds creativity.

That thought coursed through It is a powerful force in our life my mind as I listened to Father that can be used to either William Jarema of the Mercy enhance our life or hinder our Center in Colorado Springs, spirit. The personal meaning and Colo., speak at the annuaIJ.S. value of celibacy must outweigh Paluch Seminar for Vocation the law of celibacy. If not, the Directors on the topic of .experience of celibacy will be celibacy and personal wholelabored and burdensome." ness.

Here I thought: Celibacy can Three thought-provoking never ehd up as just a condition statements of his had me for ordination, it must be a state thinking about celibacy in ways of life one embraces as a way of I never thought of it before. complementing one's personal1. "Healthy and conscious ity. Without this personalization, celibacy is a matter of life and/ it is a meaningless rule, not the or death for clergy, religious wholesome spirit it is intended to and professional helpers. There be. is little room or no room in the 3. "Celibacy can either be a eyes of the public for error in choice or a consequence. If one's practice and application of celibacy is reduced to a consecelibacy." quence, then there is less chance Hearing this, it struck me that路 for personal growth and happias much as some people would ness. Remember that today like to do away with celibacy there are millions of men and and have married priests, the women who have been forced public still has certain fixed into celibacy because of separaideas about how a celibate tion, divorce, widowhood, person should conduct himself health or personal trauma. or herself. There may be Whether you have a choice for forgiveness when a celibate celibacy or have been forced

into it by consequence you will need to learn how to manage the biological, psychological and social dimensions of this powerful discipline called celibacy."

We heard during the seminar that the best way to manage these dimensions of celibacy is to better know our thoughts, ideas, feelings, emotions, imagination and inner world.

We need also to unders"tand how family background, culture and religion relate to our celibacy.

To achieve this understanding, it is valuable to raise questions such as: Who best represents the beauty of celibacy for me? How exactly does this person fit my idea of it?

How does celibacy lend character to my ministry? Do I ever thank God for the gift of celibacy, and exactly what is it .in celibacy that I thank God for?

What influence did my family background, culture and . religious upbringing have on my choice of the celibate life?

Questions such as these are thought-provoking and help to drive a celibate deeper into his or her inner self, and it is only there that the gift and mystery of celibacy can truly be understood.

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Friday, October 3, 2003

51

I want nothing more In the great scheme of things, Sox world championship. it's really not all that important.

Maybe it's because they were But in the smaller scheme of my first love. Maybe it's because unimportant things, having the they infiltrate my living ~oom 162 Boston Red Sox win the World Series is the most important of all ... for me anyway.

I want this sooooo badly I can taste it.

At some point during every waking hour, I daydream about where

By Dave Jolivet I'll be when the final out is recorded and the celebrations begin. I try to imagine times per year. Maybe it's because just what emotions I'll feel when it these guys feel like family (having finally happens. I've already made entered my living room 162 times plans with my wife and daughter per year). to attend the victory parade in I've felt the sting of disappointBoston. which, depending on how ing seasons with all four teams, long the Series lasts, may be a but nothing hurts like a Red Sox unique way to celebrate our 25 th disappointment - conversely, wedding anniversary. nothing will feel as good as a Red I know that by the time this Sox championship. column comes out, we may be I love the Boston Red Sox. I down two games to none and on may have trashed them in a the verge of elimination. But I also column or two or three or four this know to never count this team out. season, but I love the Red Sox. I And I also know, we may be up may have nicknamed Nomar two games to none, or tied at one "Pop-upciaparra," and Tim "Teegame apiece. ball" Wakefield when things got During the last 40 or so years bad, and I may have questioned of my being a New England Pedro's and Manny's loyalty to the team, and Todd Walker's sports fan, I've had the thrill of watching the home team win it all fielding, and the bullpen's - the 1970 and '72 Bruins; the impression of the Venus de Milo, '63, '64, '65, '66, '68, '69, '74, but those were moments in the '76, :81, '84, and '86 Celtics; and heat of battle. I love these guys. the 2002 Patriots. But nothing, I know the heavens must be NOTHING will compare to a Red flooded with prayers for the Sox to

My View From the Stands

win it all this season. And I know just as many prayers are being raised for the Chicago Cubs. If it comes dpwn to a hanging chad to spell the difference, let's hope it's in our favor.

WeB, it's time to wrap up this column now. I've got work to do - in between daydreams.

Dave Jolivet, editor of The Allclwr, is a former sports editor! writer, and regularly gives one, fan's perspective on the unique world of sports.

Comments are welcome at daveiolivet@anchornews.org.

La Salette Retreat Center 947 Park Street Attleboro, MA 02703-5115 508-222-8530 Basic Prayer Recollections - Reflections on the Rosary Pre~ented by Fr. Dan Bradley, MS - 5:00 p.m. - 8:00 p.m.

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Pope elevates three top aides to archbishop; one is American VATICAN CITY - The day after naming 30 new cardinals, Pope John Paul II named three of his closest aides, including U.S. Bishop James M. Harvey, to the rank of archbishop.

Also given "the dignity of archbishop" September 29 were Polish Bishop Stanislaw Dziwisz, 64, the pope's personal secretary for the past 37 years, and Italian Bishop Piero Mrnini, 61, the pope's mastel' of liturgical ceremonies.

The three men were ordained

bishops together in 1998 by Pope John Paul.

DUling his 1998 homily at their episcopal ordination, the pope said the three men were "particularly tied" to his daily ministry as head of the universal Church.

Archbishop Harvey, who will celebrate his 53rd birthday Octobel' 20, is a native of Milwaukee who worked for years in the Vatican Secretariat of State before being named prefect of the papal household.

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Friday, October 3, 2003

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ATTLEBORO - Holy Ghost Parish, 71 Linden Street, will celebrate its annual Feast ofOur Lady ofFatima October 12. Mass will be celebrated at 6 p.m. and a candlelight procession will follow. It will include Benediction of the Blessed Sacrament.

ATTLEBORO - La Salette Father Victor Chaupetta invites all to bring their pets to a blessing of animals. It will be held October II at II a.m. in the Garden of St. Francis.

"My Spirit Rejoices: A Celebration of the Rosary in Prayer, Song and Dance," will be held October 12 at 3 p.m. in the Shrine Church. The day will include prayer of the rosary, music and scripture. For more information call 508-222-5410.

FAIRHAVEN - Bereavement Support Groups for adults and children are currently being held at the Southcoast Home Care and Hospice Office, 28 Sconticut Neck Road. The children's group meets Tuesdays from 4-5 p.m. through October 28. The adult group is held Thursdays from 34:30 p.m. year round. For more information call 508-984-0202. .

FALL RIVER - The Fall River Diocesan Council ofCatholic Women will hold its annual Living Rosary October 9 at 7 p.m. at Espirito Santo Church. For more information call 508-674-6401 or 508-672-6158.

FALL RIVER - The First Friday Club will gather for Mass celebrated by Father Edward Healey tonight at 6 p.m. at St. Mary's Cathedral. A meal and talk by guest speaker Dominican Sister Joanna Fernandes will follow. For more information call 508-672-8174.

HYANNIS - Father Roger Landry will lead a "Morning of Recollection," Saturday from 9 a.m. to noon at St. Francis Xavier Parish. It will begin with the celebration ofMass and include several talks on prayer and Mary and Benediction of the Blessed Sacrament.

MISCELLANEOUS - Volunteer tutors and teachers in English as a second language are needed in each of the Fall River deaneries. Training will be provided as well as teaching materials. For more information call Catholic Social Services 508-6744681.

MISCELLANEOUS-A motor coach, sponsored by the Massachusetts Citizens for Life, will transport walkers to the Respect Life Walk in Boston Sunday. Departure' time is II :30 a.m. from Immaculate Conception Church, Fall River. The walk begins at I p.m. from Boston Common.

For more information call Dot Nicolau at 508-674-8695.

MISCELLANEOUS - Massachusetts Citizen's For Life Group has a 24-hour resource hotline telephone number dedicated to giving men and women important information on alternatives to abortion. For more. infor-

phile works.

Parish surveys done recently in , A trained therapist, Hammelthe Rockville Centre diocese on Zabin soon realized that Alan's Long Island brought out the shock stories showed directly and in and anger Catholics feel over the detail that a pedophile doesn't lurk reported abuse cases involving mysteriously in the dark. "Rather," certain priests. Consistently, it was she says, "it could be the nice boy clear that the primary concern was mation call 508-678-3030. the protection of children.

Responding to this NEW BEDFORD - Volunteers are needed for the Donovan House, a concern, the diocese transitional home for women and chil- launched an "awareness dren. Share your time, knowledge and training" program. The skills. Training and ongoing support first step has brought will be provided. For more informa- together people nomition call Debra Kenney of Catholic nated by their pastors for

By Antoinette Bosco sessions teaching them Social Services at 508-999-5893. the nature and patterns of NEW BEDFORD - St. Joseph- child sexual abusers.

St. Therese Church is asking people When their training is next door, the distant relative, the to join their Rosary Drive for Peace in completed, these "facilitators" will sweet baby sitter," and, as we so .. then take their knowledge to this year dedicated by the pope as the sadly know, a teacher, Scout leader Year of the Rosary. Add your recited parishes, conducting awarenessand clergyman. rosaries to their drive through Octo- raising sessions for Church From what she learned about employees and volunteers.

Well ber 16. For more information call the nature of pedophilia, Hammelbegun! .

Therese Beaulieu at 508-995-2354.

Zabin wanted to pass this informaProtecting children from sexual tion on and provide strategies for NEW BEDFORD - The New abuse must begin with knowing' parents and educators to help Bedford Catholic Guild for the Blind what a serious, horrible crime children avoid becoming victims. pedophilia is.

One woman who is presently having a membership' She has done this in a book titled drive. They provide social and spiri- learned unexpectedly about this "Conversations With a Pedophile, tual services for the blind and visually devious, destructive condi.tion is In the Interests of Our Children" impaired in our community and meet Dr. Amy Hammel-Zabin. A music (Barricade Books, Fort Lee, N.J.). regularly at Holy Name of the Sacred therapist, she worked in a prison I had heard that Hammel-Zabin where a man named "Alan" was Heart of Jesus Church. If you can dowas writing this book before it was nate your time call Bernadette Mendes incarcerated. He confided to her completed because we met several that he had abused more than . at 508-994-2431. years ago at the home of my son 1,000 boys before he finally was Frank and his wife Judi, also music NEW BEDFORD - The third arrested. He also began to write to annual Candlelight Procession in her, spelling out the chilling details therapists, longtime colleagues of hers. When I got in touch with her, honor of Our Lady of Fatima will be· of his actions. Thus she learned we talked about the problem, how it held October 12 at 7 p.m. at Saint clearly how the mind of a pedoAnthony of Padua Church, 1359 Acushnet Avenue. It begins with the litany of the Blessed Vrrgin and will Q. My dog recently died and I teaching on your question one way be followed by an outdoor procession. or another. In a nutshell, however, It will conclude with Benediction of feel such·a loss. He was a real this reflects the way most Christhe Blessed Sacrament. For more in- comfort for many years. I'm tians have answered it through the formation call 508-993-1691. wondering, since animals are God's creation and another centuries.

Q. I read your column in the NORTH DARTMOUTH - A testament of God's glory, and newspaper of our archdiocese Widowed Support Group, for those since we have St. Francis as and would like to see a discussion widowed five years or less, will meet patron saint of animals, do of ways to secure prayers after Saturday at 7 p.m. at the Family Life animals·have some part in death. I seem to recall some Center, 500 Slocum Road. For more eternal life? information call the Office of Family }\.Isuspect~erUlln Ministry at 508-999-6420. readers might consider your question a bit ridiculous, NORTH EASTON - The pub- but it isn't silly at all. lic is invited to participate in the pray- Theologians have woning of the 20 mysteries of the rosary dered and speculated about on Sundays at 5 p.m. in the chapel of this subject for centuries. the Father Peyton Center at Holy Cross One way of answering

By Father Family Ministries, 518 Washington is to note that heaven is John J. Dietzen· Street. The daily rosary at 9 a.m. and where we will be perfectly the noon Mass each week are also happy. If we really need a open to the public. dog to be perfectly happy, surely God will see that we have programs for perpetual prayers.

POCASSET- St. John the Evan- one. I don't believe anyone could No one else in my immediate gelist Church, 841 Shore Road, will argue with that. family is a practicing Catholic, host a recitation oftherosary October though they would foUow my Questions about what eternal ' 7 at 6:30 p.m. For more information life with the Lord will be like are wishes in this matter. (Maryland) call Joanie Zak at 508-759-5744.

A. First and most important, if treated brilliantly and with wide . you listen carefully to the Euchascholarship in the book "Land of SOUTH EASTON - Members the Living" by Father James ristic Prayers at Mass you will of the Taunton District Council of the O'Connor (1992, Catholic Book discover that a constant intention St. Vincent de Paul Society will host a Publishing Company). of every Mass that is offered, Mass October7 at7 p.m. at Holy Cross In a Foreword to the book, the anywhere and anytime throughout Church for the intention of the can- late Cardinal John O'Connor of the world, is offered for all who onization ofBlessed Frederic Ozanam New York speaks of the harmony have died, especially "our brothers and in memory ofdeceased members. God will bring to that transformed and sisters in the faith," and that Its regular monthly meeting will fol- but enduring universe. Explicitly includes you. low in the parish hall. referring to dumb animals, he This is a beautiful and consolwrites, "If il,ldeed all things were ing truth many Catholics forget.

WESTPORT - An educational made 'through him (Jesus),' and if Sometimes one hears pious seminar themed "Who Meets the he is the same yesterday, today prayers for "the most abandoned Spiritual Needs of the Patient." for all and forever, then should it be out soul in purgatory." As far as the health care workers and the general cif the question that all things will Catholic Church and its beliefs and public will be held Saturday from 9 somehow endure?" liturgy are concerned, there is no a.m. to 2 p.m. at White's ofWestpol't.

The Church has no specific "abandoned soul in purgatory."

The Bottom Line

causes such pain and is kept hidden for so long. Hammel-Zabin said that Alan had allowed her "to understand why abuse occurs in the first place. This understanding is the key to prevention."

I thought I knew a lot about the problem, but in all honesty I was unprepared for the reality, the tricks sexual abusers perfect to gain the confidence of their victims, how their fantasies become actions, with . no responsibility taken for what they've dO!1e, how deviously they use secrecy - mainly, the child's shame and fear of how parents would react if they knew - as a way of staying in control of the·child. . Alan admitS he "targeted victims," looking for boys with a poor communications network with others, mainly their parents, and making them feel accepted, respected, wanted and listened to.

We may not like to hear this, but we must list~n.

Hammel-Zabin's uncle is a Capuchin priest, Father Lester Knoll, pastor of St. Mary of the Assumption Church in Herman, Pa. He believes that "this book should be required reading for all priests, ministers, rabbis and all who are involved in working with the young. It gives a clear understanding of the nature of pedophilia that is not usually exposed."

oAre there animals in heaven?

QUeestions and .Answers

Every celebration of the Eucharist, as an unbloody renewal of the sacrifice of Calvary, has the same worldwide reach and efficacy as the first offering of that sacrifice by Our Lord. The entire human family, living and dead, are recipients of the merits of that supreme act of redemption.

Beyond that, of course, there are other ways Christian tradition provides for the spiritual good of those who have died. We can ask people to pray for us.

We can request a few Masses to be offered for our special intentions, remembering again lhat every Mass is offered for everyone.

Or maybe even more practically, through a gift to one or more charitable, humanitarian or religious organizations, you can arrange for some good work to be carried on, for God's glory and in . your name, after you die.

Try these. And as you think of death, give yourself over to the loving care of our heavenly Father as Jesus did when he died, and you will do well.

A free brochure on ecumenism, including questions on intercommunion and other ways of sharing worship, 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, or E-mail: iidietzen@aol.com.

_.... _L - _%"\ the CU1Cf1OI\..Y

Friday, October 3, 2003

Getting clear about saints Today's Roadkill Theological Roundtable catecheticallesson focuses on saints, the making of saints, the almost-making of saints and how to appreciate a saint without violating canon law or insulting your Protestant friends and relatives.

This all has to do with Mother Teresa of Calcutta, as you probably guessed.

As I know you know, she is going to be beatified October 19, probably in a ceremony presided over by Pope John Paul II himself.

The problem is that lots of people - Catholics and nonCatholics alike, including my Uncle Chet- think Mother Teresa is going to be officially declared a saint.

Nope. She's going to be declared a "blessed." Saints are canonized. "Blesseds" are beatified.

Being beatified - that is, becoming a "blessed" - is the step before becoming a saint.

(Note: "blessed" is pronounced "bless-id," as if you were blessing someone named Id or Ed, as opposed to pronounced "blest,"

which rhymes with "best." "Blest" was a real word in the olden days, but that has nothing to do with this particular lesson).

Confusion arises in the case of

The offbeat world of Uncle Dan

By Dan Morris

Mother Teresa because most of us think she is a saint already. It becomes all the more confusing because there has been a lot of talk (among the people who actually understand the difference about becoming a "blessed" before becoming a saint) about just jumping over that step for Mother Teresa because it seems kind of superfluous.

(Note: "Superfluous" is not an official Church word, although it can sound like one.)

Some wanted to "fast-track" Mother Teresa's canonization.

However, it seems the pope has decided to stick with things as they

currently are - that is, declaring Mother Teresa a "blessed" and then waiting a while before the .

Church bestows full-fledged saint status.

A real sticky problem, though, is that lots of people say things like, "I just worship the grouJ;ld that woman (aka Mother Teresa, future "blessed") walked on."

Old-time Catholics will whack you for saying things like that.

They do this because they themselves were whacked but good a hundred or so years ago in CCD and religion classes, which stressed that only God, Jesus and the Holy Spirit (known then as the Holy Ghost) are to be worshiped.

We venerate, revere, admire, appreciate, extol, etc., saints and "blesseds," but we DO NOT worship them. No, no, no. If you want to make old CCD teachers wince, just say, "I worship St. Anthony." Then step back.

From my reading of Church history, the reason we Catholics decided to make a hard, fast and potentially painful distinction

7 between worship and veneration had to do with Protestants and a handful of agnostics who accused us of worshiping idols, and statues, .and statues of saints, and paintings

by Michelangelo, and an occasional Notre Dame coach on a par with God. Of course, we knew this was not true, but we wanted to make sure they knew we knew that they

knew we knew this was true. I know you are following this. So, we initiated wincing and whacking as reminders that we greatly approve of saints and attempt to imitate them (venerate), but we do not think they are God (worship).

OK, then.

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

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Pope says 'mysteries of light' show splendor of God CASTEL GANDOLFO, Italy (CNS) - The new "mysteries of light" Pope John Paul II proposed for meditation when praying the rosary are events that show the splendorofGod's nature shining through Jesus, the pope said.

"Jesus, with the power of his word and his works, completely reveals the 'face' of the heavenly Father, inaugurating his reign of love, justice and peace," the pope said during his midday Angelus address recently.

In his October 2002 letter on the rosary, the pope encouraged people to meditate on "the mysteries of light": Christ's baptism in the Jordan; his self-manifestation at the wedding of Cana; his proclamation AdYellisement

of the kingdom of God; his transfiguration; and his institution of the Eucharist.

Meeting with visitors in the court- . yard of his summer residence at Castel Gandolfo, the pope noted that the Blessed Virgin Mary remained mainly "in the background" during the events recalled in the new mysteries, except for the Cana wedding feast.

At Cana, she encouraged Jesus to intervene when the wine ran out and encouraged those at the wedding to do exactly what Jesus asked them to do.

"For this reason, the Virgin is the first and principal teacher of Christian prayer: In her school one learns to contemplate the face of the Lord"

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Pope John Paul repeated his hope to go to the Shrine of Our Lady of the Rosary in Pompeii, Italy, October 7 to celebrate the feast of Our Lady of the Rosary.

"In these last weeks of the Year ofthe Rosary, let us feel more united than ever in reciting the holy rosary, especially for families and for peace in the world," he said.

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Iraqi bishop says media distorts coverage to discredit U.S.-led war LONDON (CNS) - An Iraqi Catholic bishop has accused Western media of lying about the postwar state of his country. Auxiliary Bishop Andraos Abouna of Baghdad said he believed media were running a propaganda campaign to discredit the Americanled coalition that ousted Iraqi President Saddam Hussein and now runs Iraq.

Bishop Abouna, a Chaldean Catholic, told The Catholic Herald in London that the situation in Iraq was steadily improving rather than descending into a morass resembling the Vietnam

War, as often depicted by media outlets.

"It's getting better but still there are many problems," Bishop Abouna said. ''The first problem is that they need security, then they need water and electricityand all these things are getting better," the bishop said.

"The media are exaggerating a lot of things. They should be realistic about the situation in Iraq. Newspapers and television are saying a lot of things that aren't true. When they go there they can see everything (is changing)," he said.

SALVADORAN CATHOLICS carry a figurine of their patron, San Cristobal, in a boat September 22 in 1I0pango, EI Salvador. Processions, that cross the 1I0pango Lake are popular on the feast day. (CNS photo from Reuters) .

Cardinal: Church can bring hope, healing to those yearning for peace

By ROXANNE KJNG CATHOLIC NEWS SERVICE

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nity is compromised, the Church has not only a role, but a responsibility to raise its voice in the public DENVER - The challenge for Catholics in a realm," he said. world troubled by terrorism, globalization issues and Among tne greatest challenges to Catholic social a clergy sex abuse scandal in the Church.is to be thought are issues related to globalization, he said. "leaven," bringing "hope, healing and reconciliation," While globalization has been blamed for a variety of Cardinal Roger M. Mahony of Los Angeles said. ills, ranging from changing and potentially volatile The world yearns for such an assist, the cardinal financial markets to growing disparities in wealth and said at a recent conference at Regis University in income between peoples and nations, it also has posiDenver. ,. tive attributes, Cardinal Mahony said. Those include His tillk kicked off the fall component of alec:' opportunities to establish lasting peace and to proture series begun by the Jesuit school in the spring mote "genuine solidarity." to commemorate the 40th anniversary of the Sec"One of th~ greatest challenges put before us in ond Vatican Council. Called by Pope John XXli the Gospels is the call to love our enemies," he said. . to update:and renew the Church, the council con"If the question - 'And who is my neighbor?'sisted of four sessions, approximately three months were posed to Jesus today," the cardinal said, "he each, held in the years 1962-65. might very well respond with a story about an IsCardinal Mahony said the council "marked a sig- raeli and a Palestinian, or a United States citizen nificant turning point for the Church, particularly and a person from Iraq, or a North and South Koin the area of Catholic social thought." rean.

Events of the last two years have affected the "In a world where the technology of modem warclimate in which the Church conducts its social jus- fare has given us unparalleled power to destroy tice efforts, he noted. The Sept. 11, 2001, terrorist and ina time where we have seen this power used attacks stopped immigration reforms between - the command to love our enemies is perhaps the Mexico and the United States that seemed immi- most profound challenge of our day," he added. nent. Just months after the attacks, the clergy sex abuse scandal broke.

"These events have changed us," Cardinal Mahony said. But, he said, the Church needs to press forward with social ministry.

"Rather than quietly stepping back from this role until the climate improves, we need to continue pro-' claiming our social teaching publicly as we apply it more rigorously to our own internal problems," he said.

People still look to the Church for support and guidance on important issues of the day, he said. In his own archdiocese, the nation's largest, the Church often "stands alone in (the) struggle for immigrants' rights," he said.

"Low-wage workers still want to hear from the Church that their efforts to unionize are legitimate.

Immigrants still want to know that the clergy and other leaders stand with them in their campaign for :a new amnesty," Cardinal Mahony said. "Many in our communities still want us to weigh in regarding the war in Iraq, the Middle East and other places."

LOS ANGELES Cardinal Roger M. The Church speaks out politically, he said, be- Mahony delivers an address at Regis Unicause "public policy impacts people's lives." versity. (CNS photo by Robert Linn, Denver "When human life is threatened and human dig- Catholic Register, o

Friday, October 3, 2003

the ~

9

Relic of cross found in dusty back room at Columbus cathedral By

LAURA TROIANO

doubt about the identity and veracity of these sacred relics," the declaration concluded.

COLUMBUS, Ohio - On an ordinary day Catholics in the Columbus diocese speculate last May, Deacon James Gorski made an extraor- that the relic could have been obtained by Bishop dinary find: a relic of the true cross in a dusty Sylvester Rosecrans, first bishop of the diocese, back room at St. Joseph Cathedral in Columbus. as a surprise for parishioners of St. Joseph's CaDeacon Gorski was looking around the build- thedral, which took more than 10 years to build. ing for a place to store some outdated electronic Consecration ceremonies for the cathedral beequipment. He discovered a suitable area above gan at 5 a.m. on Oct. 20, 1878, and lasted nearly the second sacristy on the east side of the cathe- four hours. During the vespers service, Bishop Rosecrans fell ill. The 51-year-old bishop died dral.

He found an array of jumbled items and clut- Oct. 21, 1878, just one day after he had conseter. As he began sorting through boxes, he no- crated the cathedral. He is buried in the ticed a small, tattered wooden box at the bottom undercroft.

The legof a large cardboard end of the box. When he opened true cross bethe tattered box, he , saw an object' I '. gao about 326 A.D. wrapped in transparWhile on a ent paper. pilgrimage in After removing Jerusalem, the paper, Deacon St. Helena, Gorski was shocked the mother of to discover he was Roman Emholding a carved, per 0 r golden reliquary enConstantine, casing what appeared apparently to be a remnant of the unearthed the true cross. cross on Fragments of the which Jesus true cross, generally had been cru" about the size of a cified at Calsliver, are authentivary. cated by an accompaSplinters nying document and from this ,true bound into a concross were tainer sealed with widely distribwax and stamped , uted.

The with the signet ring of i cross was kept the authenticating : in the Church prelate. of the Holy Deacon Gorski Sepulcher in discovered that "on Jerusalem unthe bottom of the i til 614, when relic there was a Chrosroes II piece of paper that of Persia was affixed by nails ' moved it to and some string. I his own land carefully opened the after capturdocument, just ing the city. slightly, to view what More than a was written there. dozen years Unfortunately for later, Roman me, it was written in Emperor Old Latin," he told THIS RELIQUARY, containing a splinter from what The Catholic Times, is known as the true cross, was uncovered recently Heraclius renewspaper of the Co- from a neglected storage room at St. Joseph Cathe- covered the true cross and lumbus diocese. , He immediately dral in Columbus, Ohio. The relic was authenticated returned it to 'drove to the Pontifical by a Vatican official in 1730. (CNS photo by Laura Jerusalem.

The relic College Josephinum, Troiano, Catholic Times) was then bewhere he showed the relic to Peter Veracka, director of the lieved to have been hidden by Christians in Josephinum library. Veracka forwarded a copy 1009. It remained hidden for almost 100 years. 'of the document to Father Leo Stelten, profes- But, at the battle of Hattin in 1187, the Muslim sor emeritus of classic language at the leader Saladin seized Jerusalem and took the true cross. Despite the efforts of Richard I durJosephinum..

Because of the document's condition, Father ing the Third Crusade, the true cross remained in Muslim control. Throughout the years after Stelten was unable to completely translate it.

But it contains a March 9, 1733, statement the Crusades, fragments which came off the

by Archbishop Joseph Maria Martelli of Flo- true cross were gatQered and brought back to 'rence, Italy, that "the sacred relics as exhibited Europe. and described below in our presence are taken . In the 19th century, architect, religious arfrom authentic places" and "are clearly particles' chaeologist and author Charles Rohault de of the wood of the cross of Our Lord Jesus Fleury cataloged all known relics of the cross and estimated that they constituted less than one,Christ."

"Let nothing from the past nor anything in third of the cross thought to have been used in the future ever happen at any time so as to cause the Crucifixion.

CATHOLIC NEWS SERVICE

MISSIONARIES OF Charity Sister Trishita holds fivemonth-old Safan at the House of Peace in the West Bank town of Nablus. (CNS photo by Debbie Hill)

Missionaries carry on Mother Teresa's work in 'West Bank city

By JUDITH SUDILOVSKY CATHOLIC NEWS SERVICE

NABLUS, West Bank - Just a few minutes' walk from the heart of Old Nablus with its bombed-out buildings and bullet-riddled windows, six Missionaries of Charity nuns carry on the spirit of Mother Teresa's work.

In a sparse, bUt sparkling clean and airy two-story building, the sis, ters care for 14 elderly women and 14 severely handicapped children in their House of Peace. In the crumbling city ofNablus - which, as one of the centers of Palestinian extremism, has been the scene of Israeli-Palestinian battles the home is an oasis of tranquility, with a shaded patio and a neatly tended garden.

"We are trying our best to carry on (Mother Teresa's) work, although here there is always war.

Even though it is very difficult, we are happy to spread Mother's spirit in the Holy Land;' said Missionaries of Charity Sister Jeremy.

Mother Teresa of Calcutta, India, who is scheduled to be beatified October 19 in Rome, founded the Missionaries of Charity in 1950 to help the poorest ofthe poor. Now the order has sisters in 132 countries.

In her last post with the Missionaries of Charity in Sierra Leone, Sister Jeremy and five other nuns were held prisoner by rebel forces for 22 days; only two lived to tell of the ordeal.

Now she smiles as she recounts that episode of her life and feeds five-year-old Amudi, who is lying on her back on a mat. Like most of the other children under their care, Amudi comes from a poor family who abandoned her at birth because of her severe handicaps.

Until the age of 12, the children stay at the House of Peace free of charge, with the sisters relying on "providence" to help provide for their charges. Then social workers - and sometimes the families who are still in touch with their children - must find other living arrangements for them.

''We do for them what we can, and then they are in God's hands.

He will provide for them;' said Missionaries of Charity Sister Trishita, who like Sister Jeremy has been at the House of Peace for three years.

Before the Palestinian uprising began, physical therapists would visit weekly to work with the children, but two years ago they stopped coming, said Sister Trishita.

Sister Trishita said when the work gets too tiring and difficult she turns to prayer for strength.

"We receive all our strength from him. When Jesus is with us we have strength. Itis his work that we do; he uses our hands," she said.

"We should be happy doing for the Lord, having one more chance to serve him. He also worked in this land."

On a pleasantly warm fall day, a handful of elderly women sat around the shaded patio as Sister Trishita joined them for a moment.

Some teased her about her rudimentary Arabic.

Fatima Odeh, who is around 60 years old and mentally handicapped, used to live as a beggar on the streets of Jenin until the sisters began caring for her. A few of the other women are also slightly men- . tally handicapped, while the others never married and have no children to look after them in their old age.

Amad Esa Ahmed, 25, came to visit his 65-year-old aunt, who has heart and hearing problems.

"She helped raise us, but now my mother cannot care for her alone. Here she is well taken care of;' he said. ''We come to visit her.

My aunt is Muslim, and this is a Christian place, but I see there is no difference here for the nuns Muslim, Jewish, Christian."

Sometimes young children stone the nuns as they walk in the street or throw stones and rocks at the gates of the House of Peace compound, Sister Trishita said as she began clearing away a pile ofrocks in front of the gate.

"What can I do?" she asked, smiling. "I say a little prayer for them."

-

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Friday, 'October 3,<2003

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viewers, Eric Till's biopic veers from his(/(/t.I(/t.lNr.~/," '1I'1PH!/ torical accuracy, oversimplifying complex religious and political issues, glossing over Luther's shortcomings with a revisionist glaze, while painting the Church as worldly and self-indulgent. Recurring violence and "BollywoodIHollywood" (Magnolia) Strained tale of a westernized Indian . theological compleXities. The USCCB Canadian (Rahul Khanna) under pressure Office for Film & Broadcasting classificato present a traditional Indian woman as tion is A-III - adults. The Motion Picture his fiancee so he hires someone he believes Association of America rating is PG-13 . POTLUCK ,. is Spanish (Lisa Ray) to pass as Indian, parents are strongly cautioned. Some ma: 5U?PER be inappropriate for children terial may with budding romance complicating matTONIGMT . ters. Writer-director Deepa Mehta color- under 13. fully satirizes Bollywood-genre films but "My Life Without Me" (Sony Classics) A 23-year-old terminally ill wife and stereotypical characters, some hammy acting and bogus melodrama undercut any mother (Sarah Polley) examines her life MARK O'NEILL:S cartoon strip "Potluck Parish" puts a positive but huintended humor and charm. Musical num- when faced with only a few short months morous spin on Church life. (CNS photo courtesy Four County Catholic) bers in Hindi. An implied affair, fleeting to live, secretly preparing her family for strip-club shot of pole dancers and some her absence while realizing unfulfilled profanity. The USCCB Office for Film & dreams. Writer-director Isabel Coixet's Broadcasting classification is A-III three-hankie tearjerker takes an unflinchadults. The Motion Picture Association of ing look at young life and the prospect of America rating is PG-13 - parents are death, but the bleak film suffers from distrongly cautioned. Some material may 'be minishing returns as it grows progressively PRESTON, Conn. (CNS) ...:...- In Father speaks before she thinks, and her 30-year-old inappropriate for children under 13. sadder and, in the absence of faith, mor~ Gus' parish, the youth group leader is 102 son, Brizbane, who still lives at home; typical "Duplex" (Miramax) tality is seen solely as a dismal end, not a years old and Sister Bettina's cheerful exte- parish couple Gladys and Harold Glick; and A young New York couple (Ben Stiller beginning. An extramarital affair and spoand Drew Barrymore) move into a picture- radic rough language. The USCCB Office rior belies her ability to put a fellow shopper the absent-minded Dr. Treet.

O'Neill, 38, said he chose the name of the perfect townhouse, only to discover that it for Film & Broadcasting classification is into a headlock.

Where is this church? strip to reflect the diversity of personalities comes equipped with a chronically intru- A-III - adulls. The Motion Picture AssoFor the moment, the parish and its crew present in a parish. sive elderly tenant, whom they contemplate ciation of America rating is R - restricted.

"For a potluck supper, everybody brings a bumping off in order to prevent their dream "Under the Tuscan Sun" (Touchstone) exist in cyberspace at www.comics.com. The home from turning into a nightmare.

Standard but enjoyable yarn about a strip is published daily Monday to Saturday little something different to the table," he said.

Though frequently funny, the film, directed recently divorced San Francisco author on the Website of United Feature Syndicate, "Like a potluck supper in a Potluck parish,

by Danny DeVito, is fueled by an ugly (Diane Lane) suffering from depression an information and entertainment company you're getting a lot of different people adding something - and you never know what brand of dark humor which treats cruelly and writer's block who impulsively buys with syndication and licensing divisions.

But Mark O'Neill, author ofthe strip called you're goiI)g to get." as an occasion for laughter. A black com- a Tuscan villa with the hopes of rechargO'Neill described himself as a devout edy murder plot, an implied sexual encoun- ing her life. Based loosely on Frances "Potluck Parish," hopes you'll soon be able laugh at the predicaments of Father Gus, .to Catholic and said his strip is not about controter, recurring vulgar humor and sporadic Mayes' travel memoir, writer~director crude language. The USCCB Office for Audrey Wells' film is Iighton believable his associate pastor, Father Quigley, and rec- versial issues. bashing Catholics or making Film & Broadcasting classification is A- plot, but packed with lovely Italian vis- tory housekeeper Ledotta every time you open fun of the Church.

"I'm a very staunch Catholic," he said.

III - adults. The Motion Picture Associa- tas with Lane's appealing performance your local newspaper. of St. Bernard O'Neill, a 1983 graduate ''That being said, my strip is a comic strip. I tion of America rating is PG-13 - par- elevating an otherwise predictable fairy ents are strongly cautioned. Some mate- tale. An implied sexual encounter, ref- High School and parishioner of St. Patrick don't pretend that it's on par with papal enrial may be inappropriate for children un- erences to a lesbian relationship, brief Cathedral in Norwich, said he came up with cyclicals."

Msgr. Anthony Rosaforte, rector of S1. der 13. crass words. and an instance of rough the premise for the strip about four years ago.

"I mailed about 40 copies to the five big Patrick Cathedral, who has run the strip in the "Luther" (RS Entertainment) language and profanity. The USCCB Sweeping but flawed historical drama Office for Film & Broadcasting classifi- syndicates," O'Neill said. ''All were rejected. church bulletin, attests to both O'Neill's charabout the life of Martin Luther (Joseph cation is A-III - adults. The Motion Pic- But I was really confident I had something so acter and the job he does of portraying the Fiennes), the 16th-century German monk ture Association of America rating is PG- I kept working because if anyone said, 'Hey, humorous side of parish life.

"Mark is a great Catholic Christian," he instrumental in triggering the Protestant 13 - parents are strongly cautioned. Mark, I'll pick you up,' I'd panic if! couldn't said. ''He's always in church. And the humor Reformation. Though making the issues Some material may be inappropriate for . think of more strips."

After creating 250 strips and writing char- (in the strip) is great. It's not detrimental to and personalities accessible to modern children under 13. acter profiles, the 1989 graduate ofFranciscan the Church."

University in Steubenville, Ohio, tried again.

O'Neill said that, although the strip occa"I heard from four syndicates," he said. sionally incorporates Catholic elements such ''There was one to go and I literally said a as confession, he draws his humor from situprayer. I sai.d, 'I need a little help here.' ations in which people find themselves, thus ''That's when I got an E-mail from United making the strip appealing to people of all reFeature Syndicate asking me if I was inter- ligions. ested in having my strip posted on their Web "It's my way of adding a little faith life to site," O'Neill said. "I was like, 'Do you have the mainstream media," he said. . to ask?' To me they're it. They put out 'PeaAnd he is hoping that more media outlets nuts' and many of the big-name comics." will soon have access to his humor.

Mary Anne Grimes, executive director of O'Neill receives a small payment from public relations for United Feature Syndicate, United Feature Syndicate for publication of said the company liked O'Neill's humor. the strip, but for him to make a living from it a "We look for somebody who can write, newspaper would have to syndicate the strip whe- can draw and who can create characters or buy it from.United Feature and run it reguthat people can care about and something that larly. is unique," she told the Four County Catho"I would love to get it in newspapers," said lic, newspaper of the Diocese of Norwich. O'Neill who works parttime at the local li"Mark has certainly done that with 'Potluck brary. ''That'd be a huge thrill."

Parish.'''

The money from syndication also would The strip was first published on the United enable him to marry his fiancee, Ann Feature Syndicate Website on March 13, Parkhurst, to whom he proposed through the 2001. strip last Christmas. That strip, in which the Since then O'Neill has created about 800 artist himself interrupted to pop the question, ,,' ACTRESS SARAH Melici, center, meets audience members Maureen and Bob Copesky, of St. Stephen Parish in Old Hickory, Tenn., after her more strips, which he describes as "almost a appeared on the Web on Christmas Day. microcosm of a small-town parish."

"I heard from dozens and dozens of people perform~nce in "Fool for Christ." The play, a one-woman show by Donald In addition to the strip's main charact~rs, from as far away as Malaysia, Singapore and Yonker, IS the story of Catholic activist Dorothy Day, who co-founded the there's Ollie, the parish maintenance man Nova Scotia who wanted to know Ann's anCatholic Worker Movement and who died in 1980. Actress Melici felt com- whose idea of fixing a squeaky-door is to hand swer," he said.. pelled to play the role and believes that Day is a good example for young out ear plugs; parish agitators Mrs. After she realized he wasn'tjoking, she said people. (CNS photo by Andy Telli, Tennessee Registery Noggledonk, a domineering mother路 who "yes," O'Neill reported.

NEW YORK (CNS) - The following are capsule reviews of movies recently reviewed by the Office for Film & Broadcasting of the U.S. Conference of Catho:lic Bishops.

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Comic strip putS. positive, humorous spin. on' parish life

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Friday, October 3, 2003

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Proposed Vatican document on liturgy returned to drafting panel ROME (CNS) - A proposed Vatican document on liturgical norms was sent back to its drafting committee after cardinals and bishops raised some objections and encouraged some changes.

Among other things, the draft presented to consulting prelates in June reportedly discouraged the distribution of Communion under the forms of both bread and wine and said altargirls were permissible only for a good reason.

The Rome-based magazine Jesus, a publication of the Pauline Fathers, reported that it had obtained a copy of the June draft.

Cardinal Achille Silvestrini, a member of the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith and former prefect ofthe Congregation for Eastern Churches, said the draft was discussed by members of the doctrinal congregation and the Congregation for Divine Worship and the Sacraments in June.

"Many observations were made, both negative and positive," he told Catholic News Service last week.

"The document which will be released eventually will not be the same document I saw," he said, because it was sent back for revision.

"I have not seen a new draft, so I cannot say what will be in it," the cardinal said.

Another prelate who received the draft but could not participate in the June meeting said members of the two congregations were asked not only for observations about specific points in the draft, but also whether they believed it was "opportune" to publish the document.

The prelate, who asked not to be named, said it was his understanding that the document was being rewritten.

Pope John Paul II, in his April encyclical on the Eucharist, said he had asked the congregations to prepare a document, "including prescriptions of a juridical nature;' on the obligation to follow Church rules fOrlhecelebration of Mass and adoration of the Euchmist.

AVatican official, who asked not to be named, said it is'normal for a document to be returned to its drafting committee for revision prior to publication.

According to Jesus magazine, the draft released in June emphasized the importance of maintaining the distinctions among the roles of the priest, deacon and laity at Mass, reaffirming the Vatican's ban on anyone but the priest or deacon giving the homily.

The magazine did not give any more details on distribution ofCommunion under both species, but said the document also: - specifically discourages lay "pastoral assistants" in a parish from assuming liturgical roles during the Mass; ....,.... recognizes a bishop's authority to permit girls and women to serve at the altar, "but never without a just pastoral reason, and priests must never be obliged to call girls to this role"; - reminds Catholics that "the minister of the Eucharist" and the only celebrant of the Mass is the priest. Lay people who help distribute Communion when necessary are to be called "extraordinary ministers of Communion" and not "extraordinary ministers of the Eucharist."

The Mass is not a "concelebration"of the presiding priest and the congregation, therefore the expressions "celebrating community" or "celebrating assembly" should be avoided.

The magazine said the draft document also states that: - "applause and dance inside a sacred building, even outside of the eucharistic celebration" are not allowed. The rule could mean a change in liturgies at which Pope John Paul is present; he is always greeted with applause and, with congregations from certain parts of the world, dance has been permitted, particularly during the offertory procession; - every Catholic has a right to report liturgical abuses or raise questions about liturgical practice with

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his or her bishop. Those who complain about liturgical abuses are to be treated with respect; - under most circumstances non-Catholics are not allowed to receive the Eucharist at a Catholic liturgy. Ministers from other Christian communities should not stand next to Catholic celebrants during a Mass, and they should not be asked to give ablessing to the Catholic congregation; - where the central gates in an altar railing have been removed, they should be restored and their inclusion should be considered for churches under construction.

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Tom Kendzia at Stonehill College Sunday, October 19, 2003 Chapel of Mary From 3-5 PM Worship with Tom and the Stonehill College Chapel Choir at 7:00 PM in the Chapel of Mary Tom will showcase the music from his wonderful new collection Clothed in Love, a recording of Tom's latest release is a sequel to his popular collection, Lead Us to the Water, offering exuberant, gospel-style music for the liturgy.

Through the use of repertoire, voice arrangement, choir placement, diction and presence, we will examine how to turn the "performing" choir into leaders of song. There is a unique difference between the cantor and the choir that "cantors." A choir that ministers to a community in this fashion is irreplaceable. The basis of this workshop is Music in Catholic Worship.

Tom Keridzia, a professional liturgical musician for over 20 years, is known throughout the United States as a composer and arranger, recording producer, teacher, clinician, author and performer. Currently he is director of music ministries at Christ the King Church in Kingston, Rhode Island. Tom lives in nearby Westerly with his wife, Mary Carol, and . two children. .

Registration is not required. Free Admission

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1·12'

Young

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Friday, October 3, 2003

Continued from page three

has recognized that gestures as welI as speechmaking can have a huge impact on his young audiences. He has held hands and danced with them on stage, answered their questions in a classroom, invited them for lunch, listened to their personal testimonials and accepted their gifts - including a St. Louis. Blues hockey stick, which he gamely swung once or twice.

At a recent conference in Rome anticipating the 25th anniversary of Pope John-Paul's election, a Congolese seminarian, Gabriel Mukekwa, sat in the auA BRAZILIAN boy, hoping that drivers might throw a few dience. He said he decided to become a priest after the pope vis- coins his way, fills potholes along a highway near the town of ited his city'in 1985 ·and asked . Estreito in Brazil recently. (CNS photo from Reuters) young people to consider a priestly vocation. . Today he counts himself among the "John Paul II generation" - young Catholics who grew up under this pope, who WASHINGTON (CNS) - The from the nongovernmental sector, share his vision of the Church and who are determined to live it in Brazilian bishops are working to including the Church, said the sohelp eliminate hunger in their coun- cial researcher. the decades to come. try while developing pastoral proChurch-state cooperation ingrams to stimulate the shrinking cludes participation by Caritas, the Catholic population, said a Church bishops' national welfare agency, in social researcher. a government plan to construct one The bishops have joined with the million cisterns to build up water federal government in an ambitious reserves in drought-prone sectors of effort to eliminate hunger in the the country, he said.

South American country, where Catholic groups on the local level more than one-quarter of the popu- are involved in projects that provide lation does not have enough to eat, government funds for low-interest said Luiz Gomez de Souza, execu- loans for small businesses that would tive director of the Religious Statis- generate employment and promote tics and Social Investigations Cen- family farming on small plots of land ter. near their homes, he said.

The bishops also are developing Hunger is tied to Brazil's ecopastoral programs to stem the rapid nomic disparity between rich and drop-off of Catholics, he said. poor, Gomez de Souza said.

The percentage ofBraziliqns listThe income of the top one pering themselves as Catholic on the cent on the economic ladder is alnational census fell from 90 percent most equal to that of the bottom 40 in 1970 to 74 percent in 2000, percent, he added.

Gomez de Souza said in a recent As a sign of Church-state unity interview with Catholic News Ser- in fighting hunger, Gomez de Souza vice while in Washington for meet- said that in May da Silva became ings with officials of the U.S. Con- the first president to attend a bishops' conference meeting, where he YOUNG PARISHIONERS hold up a sign with a message of admiration for Pope John Paull! ference of Catholic Bishops.

The percentage of Catholics ac- talked about his social priorities. during the 2002 World Youth Day in Toronto. The pope is ''the only global leader who is worried . Brazilian news stories prior to about the spiritual well-being of today's men and women:' said papal spokesman Joaquin Navarro- tively involved in Church life is . much less, but there is no accurate that meeting cited some tensions Valls, reflecting on the pontiff's 25 years in office. (CNS file photo by Karen Callaway) data on this, he said. over Church criticisms that da Silva Gomez de Souza's research cen- was moving too slowly on promised ter was started by the bishops to pro- economic and social reforms. Da vide them and other Catholic orga- Silva, unlike his predecessors, nizations with studies needed to comes from a working-class backCAPE COD· FALL RIVER form social and pastoral programs.

TAUNTON NEW BEDFORD ATTLEBORO ground and was a union leader be261 SOUTH ST. 1600 BAY ST. Regarding hunger, Gomez de fore entering politics. He was elected 78 BROADWAY 10 MAPLE ST. 238 BONNEY ST. HYANNIS P.O. BOX M - SO. STA. Souza cited government statistics on a platform favoring economic 508-824-3264 508-226-4780 508-997-7337 508·771-6771 508·674·4681 released in mid-September. The data and social reforms of the country's shows that 21.7 million Brazilians free-market system.

• ABUSE PREVENTION • COMMUNITY ORGANIZING in extreme poverty and 44 millive In a newspaper article published • ADOPTIONS: • COUNSELING lion, almost 28 percent of the popu- after the May meeting, Gomez de INFANT • HOUSING COUNSELING lation, do not eam enough money Souza said da Silva was able to overINTERNATIONAL • IMMIGRATION, LEGAL EDUCATION to buy basic foods needed to avoid come criticisms among the bishops SPECIAL NEEDS AND ADVOCACY PROJECT malnutrition. and received their general support.

• ADVOCACY FOR: • INFORMATIONIREFERRAL Even before Brazilian President SPANISH SPEAKING Regarding the shrinking number • INFANT FOSTER CARE Luiz !nacio Lula da Silva announced of Catholics, Gomez'de Souza said FISHERMEN • PARENT/SCHOOL CRISIS INTERVENTION PERSONS WITH AIDSIHIV a "zero hunger" policy after taking that reasons include aggressive evan• REFUGEE RESETTLEMENT PERSONS WITH DISABILITIES • HOUSING FOR WOMEN: office January I, the bishops had gelization by Pentecostals and a reCAMBODIANS ST. MATHIEU'S listed reducing hunger as a top priory jection of the institutional church.

• BASIC ENGLISH FOR LIFE-LONG LEARNING EMERGENCY HOUSING FOR WOMEN & CHILDREN oftheir social programs, said Gomez This is not a rejection of belief • CAMPAIGN FOR HUMAN DEVELOPMENT ST.CLARE'S but "keeping a distance from instide Souza.

• BASIC NEEDS The president "has said that his tutions," he said.

SPONSORSHIP: Many people experiment by gois to have no one suffering dream SOUP KITCHEN SPECIAL APOSTOLATES: ing to different churches and to Afrofrom hunger within four years," said COMMUNITY ACTION FOR APOSTOLATE FOR PERSONS WITH DISABILITIES Brazilian cults, he added.

Gomez de Souza.

BETTER HOUSING APOSTOLATE FOR SPANISH SPEAKING This is possible with cooperation Continued on page J3 - Hunger

people to a different city every tions precisely because he holds "the bar of expectation high" two or three years.

At World Youth Day, Pope when it comes to questions of John Paul is definitely the star at- faith and morals.

Joaquin Navarro-Valls, the traction; but the cheers and chants Vatican spokesman, said he that erupt from the crowds are only part of the story. Perhaps more thinks the pope strikes a chord of than any other audience, young authenticity that appeals to young people listen closely to his words. listeners.

"In a culture of images, the "We have a sense he is speaking the truth to us," said one Pol- pope's message is that human ish .girl at a recent youth day identity is not formed from outs'ide images but from within," event.

At one level, the pope's mes- Navarro-ValIs said.

"He demands from young sage to young people is simple.

At Toronto in 2002, for example, people what no one else has the he asked them to get to know . courage to demand, sometimes Jesus and accept him as "the faith- even the parents. But he does ful friend who never lets us more than make demands - he gives them reasons for what he down."

But he also explores the chal- says," the spokesman said.

Pope John Paul often appeals lenges that flow from the Gospel, asking young people to be more to young people's sense ofjustice honest, more giving, less materi- and generosity, as well as their alistic and more chaste than much optimism. In Toronto, asking youths to build a better world, he of contemporary society. , Papal biographer George told them: "The future is in your Weigel said the pope has had a hearts and hands."

Over the years, the pope also great impact on younger genera-

CATHOLIC SOCIAL SERVICES

Brazilian bishops work with state to stop hunger

Friday, October 3, 2003

Hunger

SEVERAL RELIGIOUS celebrated jubilee years as religious and were acknowledged by Bishop Coleman at the Retreat Day for Religious at Cathedral Camp. With Bishop Coleman are, front, from left: Religious Siste'rs of Mercy Lucille Soccarelli, 50 years; Patricia Custy, 60 years; Gertrude Donnelly, 70 years; Jessica Aguiar, 60 years; and Virginia Sweeney, 60 years; back row: Dominican Sister Joseph Marie, 50 years; Holy Union Sister Virginia O'Hare, 60 years; Good Shepherd Sister Elizabeth Escobar, 50 years; and Holy Union Sisters Helen McPeak and Barbara Kirkman, 50 years;

Continued from page 12

'They circulate searching for religion," he said.

Pentecostal churches are growing, especially among the poor, because they have small congregations that provide a more welcoming, personalized setting while Catholic pat'ishes are bigger and more impersonal, he said.

To help counter this trend, he said, the bishops have developed a series of programs involving small groups, which include: - Basic Church communities that gather at'ound Bible study, liturgical celebrations and reflections on contemporary problems.

- Charismatic Calholic groups.

-- Bible circles that deepen knowledge of biblical texts.

The bishops also have revamped outreach programs to youths by

emphasizing music, liturgical renewal and sports, said Gomez de Souza.

"Brazilian youths are moved more by their feelings than by their intellect," he said. "They're interested in concrete things. They won't go to conferences or listen to lectures."

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Religious pels and that they should follow the traditions set by their founders even as they met the changing needs of the times.

Among thejubilarians honored at the Mass was Mercy Sister Gertrude Donnelly, with 70 years of service.

Red Mass who is the ecumenical recipient.

Following tradition, a judge, lawyer, court officer and an ecumenical recipient are honored at the Red Mass.

It is so named because of the red vestments worn during the Mass of the Holy Spirit, whose blessing will be invoked upon the medal recipients.

Bishop George W. Coleman will be the celebrant and homilist at the Mass.

A reception and banquet will follow at White's of Westport.

The awards are named for St. Thomas More, a 16th century English layman who was a lawyer and mattyred for opposition to the divorce of England's King Henry VIII and for refusing to renounce papal authority.

The keynote speaker at the dinner at White's, will be Chief Justice Robert A. Mulligan, the new

Cardinals Italian Archbishop Francesco Marchisano, 74; Spanish Archbishop Julian Hemmz, 73; Mexican Archbishop Javier Lozano Barragan, 70; Japanese Archbishop Stephen F. Hamao, 73; and Italian Archbishop Attilio Nieora, 66.

The complete list of residential archbishops, in the order named: Italian Archbishop Angelo Scola, 61, the patriarch of Venice; Nigerian Archbishop Anlhony Olubunmi Okogie of Lagos, 67; French Archbishop Bernard Panafieu of Marseilles, 72; Sudanese Archbishop Gabriel Zubeir Wako of

Continued from page one

Others, observing 60 years of ministry were Mercy Sisters Patricia Custy, Jessica Aguiar and Virginia Sweeney; and Holy Union Sister Virginia O'Hare.

Cited for 50 years of service were Holy Union Sisters Barbara Kirkman and Helen McPeak; Do-

minican Sister Joseph Marie, Good Shepherd Sister Elizabelh Escobar, and Mercy Sister Lucille Soccarelli.

Coordinator of the day of recollection was Mercy Sister Elaine Heffernan, the episcopal representative for religious in the Fall River diocese.

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508-675-7426 • 508-674-0709 Continued from page one

chief justice for Administration and Management of the Trail Court in Boston effective October 1.

A Superior Court justice since 1982, he is a 1965 graduate of

SUPERIOR COURT JUSTICE ROBERT

A.

MULLIGAN

Holy Cross College and graduated from Suffolk Law School in 1968, the same year he was admitted to the bar.

From 1980 to 1982 he was a Boston municipal court judge; was an associate justice of the Superior Court from 1982 to 1994; and was chief justice of the Superior Court from 1994 to 1999.

Justice Mulligan chaired the Massachusetts Sentencing Commission; was an assistant attorney general for Massachusetts and as an assistant U.S. Attorney General; and served in the U.S. Army infantry.

He and his family are members of St. Paul Parish in Wellesley, as well as St. Joan of Arc Parish in Orleans on Cape ~od.

Pictures and biographies of the 2003 S1. Thomas More Awards recipients will be published in the October 10 edition of The Anchor.

AS REQUESTED BY OUR LADY OF FATIMA

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

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

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

Our Lady's Monthly Message From Medjugorje September 25, 2003

Continued from page one

Khartoum, 62; Spanish Archbishop Carlos Amigo Vallejo of Seville, a 69-year-old Franciscan; Archbishop Rigali of Philadelphia; Scottish Archbishop O'Brien ofSt.Andrews and Edinburgh, 65; Brazilian Archbishop Eusebio Scheid of Rio de Janeiro, 70; Italian Archbishop Ennio Antonelli ofFlorence, 66; Italian Archbishop Tarcisio Bertone of Genoa, a 68-year-old Salesian; Ghanian Archbishop Peter Turkson of Cape Coast, 54; Indian ArchbishopTelesphore Toppa of Ranchi, 63; Australian Archbishop Pell of Sydney, 62; Croatian Archbishop

PRACTICE THE DEVOTION OF THE FIRST SATURDAYS,

Medjugorje, Bosnia-Herzegovina Josip Bozanic of Zagreb, 54; Vietnamese Archbishop Jean-Baptiste Pham Minh Man of Ho Chi Minh City; Guatemalan Archbishop Rodolfo Quezada Toruno of Guatemala City, 71; French Archbishop Philippe Barbarin of Lyons, 52; Hungarian Archbishop Peter Erdo of Esztergom-Budapest, 51; and Archbishop Ouellet of Quebec.

The four elderly priests named have personal ties to lhe pope: Swiss Dominican Falher Georges Cottier, 81; Belgian Msgr. Gustaaf Joos, 80; Czech Jesuit FatherTomas Spidlik, 83; and Polish Father Stanislas Nagy, 81,

"Dear Children! Also today, I call you to come closer to my heart. Only in this way, will you comprehend the gift of my presence here among you. I desire, little children, to lead you to the heart of my Son Jesus; but you resist and do not desire to open your hearts to prayer. Again, little children, I call you not to be deaf but to comprehend my call which is salvation for you.

"Thank you for having responded to my call."

OUR LADY QUEEN OF PEACE GROUP Marian Messengers P.O. Box 647, Framingham, MA 01701· TeL 1-508-879-9318

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the anchof(S)

Friday, October 3, 2003

Saint Joseph School seeks. alumni FAIRHAVEN - Saint Joseph . letter. In addition to Saint Joseph School will be celebrating its 95 th School alumni, they would also anniversary this year with an all- welcome information on graduclass reunion OctOber 17 at the ates from Sacred Hearts Academy and Sacred Hearts School.

Century House in Acushnet.

Currently alumni are searchSaint Joseph School was ing for names and addresses of founded by the Sisters of the Saformer graduates to be added to . cred Hearts of Jesus and Mary the database for the alumni news- Sept. 8, 1908. They also estab-

lished the Sacred Hearts School and the Sacred Heart School in Fairhaven.

If you know of any alumni or you yourself are one, contact the school to sign up for its newsletter. For more information call Cathy Melanson at 508-9961983. ,

SEVENTH-GRADERS Victoria Pinheiro and Adam DeFrias of Our Lady of Mount Carmel School, New Bedford, served as cantors at an opening school liturgy.

Pictured below is the school choir. They are directed by sixth-grade teacher Ann DeFrias.

BISHOP STANG Student Ambassadors were recently chosen for the new school year. From left to right seated: Carlos Farias, Katherine Connolly, and Sean Dulmaine. Standing from left: Riley McLean, John Mateus, Jonathan Rezendes, Alex Roan, Stephanie Kravitz and Emily Babbitt.

Student A.mbassador Committee elected NORTH DARTMOUTH - Members of the Student Ambassador Committee at Bishop Stang High School were recently elected for the 2003-2004 school year. They coordinate and run the summer student orientation program for incoming freshmen and transfer students. They also accompany the ad-

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missions director to visits to other schools and fairs speaking to potential students.

Members are: Katherine ConnoUy, president; Sean Dulmaine, vice president; Carlos Farias, secretary; Riley McLean and John Mateus; Emily Babbitt; Jonathan Rezendes; Stephanie Kravitz and Alex Roan.

BISHOP FEEHAN High School Vice Principal for Academics Karen Brennan presents a certificate to Senior Jacqueline Anderson, a 2004 National Merit Scholarship semi-finalist.

Feehan student named Merit Scholarship semi-finalist

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ATTLEBORO Bishop Feehan High School principal Christopher Servant recently announced that Senior Jacqueline Anderson has been named a semifinalist in the 2004 National Merit Scholarship Competition. That places Anderson among the top one percent of all high school seniors and she will now advance further in the competition vying for

some 8,000 awards valued at $32 million.

Anderson is a member of the Feehan girls' soccer, winter and spring track teams. She also plays flute in the school's concert band, is captain of the math team and participates in the school's Big Sister Program. She is a member of the French, Science ~d Tri-M Music honor societies.

BISHOP CONNOLLY High School students and staff enjoyed a recent convocation for non-athletic events. It showcased activities at the Fall River school like its Pro-Life Club, Debate Team, Automobile Club, Drama Club, Fly Fishing Club, Chess and Math clubs. From left: Seniors Laura Honohan and Catherine Machado, Principal James McNamee, Sophomore Austin Moniz and Vice Principal for Student Affairs Bob Jarvis.

Friday, October 3, 2003

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~=~~~~;~!~~~Trip gives Alaskan young people a look at Catholic life in rural area Bv JOHN ROSCOE CATHOLIC NEWS SERVICE ANCHORAGE, Alaska Remy Spring used to think that his frequent attendance at Mass made him a better Catholic than those who miss church now and then.

But a trip with a Church group to the Yup'ik Eskimo village of Pilot Station showed him that's not necessarily true.

"Out in the vilIages they may not have a church to go to every day," 14-year-old Spring told the Catholic Anchor, newspaper of the Anchorage Archdiocese. "So the way they profess their faith is by being so kind and generous. That showed me no matter where you are God is there."

Spring, a member of Our Lady of Perpetual Help Parish in Soldotna, joined a group of six other young people and three adulls from Kenai and Anchorage for a week in Pilot Station.

Kenai and Soldotna, neighboring towns on the Kenai Peninsula that have a combined population of about 11,000 people, are connected by road to each other and to Anchorage .and thus are considered big cities by Alaskan standards.

The "urban" group had been invited to teach a first Com,munion class at St. Charles Spinola Parish in Pilot Station, a village of roughly 700 people on the lower Yukon River. St. Charles doesn't have a resident 'pastor and is short on people knowledgeable enough to teach

religion.

"We had some old women that used to take care of teaching catechism, but they died," said Abraham Kelly, parish administrator. Several other parishioners taught the classes for a time but no one stuck with it, he said, and that prompted him to ask for outside help.

Word reached Mercy Sister

Joyce Ross, pastoral administrator in Kenai, who had been looking for a rural Alaskan site for a mission trip with her youth group.

"We had taken kids to Tijuana (Mexico) twice before, and we decided we wanted to do something in Alaska," Sister Ross said. "I wanted us to learn about our own state, to get

some sense of what it's like out there (in rural Alaska)."

The group spent a week in Pilot Station, eating and sleeping in the church, teaching village children about the sacrament of Eucharist and learning abol!t life in a small, isolated Eskimo vilIage.

The young catechists came armed with teaching manuals

MEGAN KENNEDY and Katie Dunn visit with children at the Yup'ik Eskimo village of Pilot Station in Alaska in early September. The teens were among a group of urban Alaskan youths invited to teach catechism and get to know the parishioners of St. Charles Spinola Parish in the isolated village on the lower Yukon River. (CNS photo courtesy Katie Dunn from Catholic Anchor)

on the Eucharist and were excited to get started that first morning.

"That first day they were a little shy," said Katie Dunn, a 17 -year-old who spends the summers in Kenai and the school year in Anchorage. "But the next day they showed up an hour early, and by the last day they stayed all day and into the night and just would not leave.

It was so much fun!"

On Sunday at the end of the week, 32 of the roughly 50 village kids who took part in at least some of the classes received their first Communion.

Kelly, the parish administrator, was surprised at how many youngsters came to learn.

"That was a lot for this village," he said. About half the people of Pilot Station call themselves Catholic and half would say they are Russian Orthodox, Kelly said, but "not very many families are really religious."

The villagers performed two Eskimo dances for the group; took them on a boat ride up the Yukon, where they visited a traditional family fish camp and dined on dried salmon and wild berries; showed them how to weave grass into baskets; took them berry picking and swimming; and invited them to a traditional steam bath.

"We try to use our resources to help other people," Sister Ross said. "Passing on the faith is one of the best uses of our gifts and talents."

I

Take out a 'Tell the Truth' insurance policy Bv KASE JOHNSTUN CATHOLIC NEWS SERVICE I was a fool. I was exposed as a fool many times when I was young. For no reason, I used to lie.

If a group of friends standing in the hallway at school asked if I'd seen a movie and I hadn't, I would nod and say "yes" just to be cool. As the words slipped out of my , mouth, I wondered, "Why did . I say yes when I haven't seen , the movie?"

As the conversation continued, I was.exposed. If I had seen the movie, I could have answered the question, "What part was your favorite?" But not

having seen it, the foolish look on my face gave me away.

If I was with a nice group of friends, they would just move on, but if not, someone would say, "You never saw the movie." Exposed!

While telling a story, if people weren't laughing or seeming intrigued, I would lie or embellish - as I would later rationalize - to make people listen, laugh and basically think I was cool.

To this day, although I have learned my lesson and given up the practice of digging myself into a deep hole, friends from high school and grade school always ask

during a story, "Is that true?"

This is very frustrating.

This is my own fault.

I feel like I am standing

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flge alone with another boy and his wolf, unheard, ready to be eaten by the pack.

Honesty can purchase an insurance policy developed for two kinds of claims. The first,

to provide a shield against being thought of as a fool, tangling in a spr~wling web of lies concocted to cover the first lie. The second is the "Tell the Truth" package we take out early on in life to be paid in full by St. Peter.

"You Shall Not Bear False Witness." I could never find "you shall not embellish" in the 10 Commandments, so being young, I took the law as the law is stated. I didn't think I was doing anything wrong by adding a quote from someone who never said a word or saying, "I told them to go jump off a building," when all I said was, "OK," and walked

away.

We have alI heard those dreaded words uttered after we tell a story about being angry or upset, Did you realIy say that? And then, the typical response, -"No, but I wanted to" fumbles out of our mouths.

There are still times when someone asks if I have seen or done something, and my initial urge is to say "yes," whether I had or not. Now, even if the yes comes out, I stop and say, "Sorry, I haven't seen that."

Then I don't have to think about why I lied the rest of the day. It isn't worth the hassle.

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

Our Lady of the Immaculate Conception Parish, New Bedford NEW BEDFORD - First a mission of the mother church of St. John the Baptist, Our Lady of the Immaculate Conception Parish was formed in 1909.

Services were held in the North End of New Bedford in a hall at Acushnet Avenue and Holly Street. Records show 250 parishioners comprised the new parish and Father Augusto J. Taveira became the first pastor.

The current church, at Earle and Diman streets, was constructed in 1913 to meet the needs of a growing congregation of more than 900 families. Additionalland adjacent to the new site was also purchased for the rectory.

The front of the church is brick and the body 'of the church is brick veneer. The sanctuary measures 24-feet-by-20-feet and there are two side altars; one given by parishioners who were natives of the Madeira Islands in the Azores, and the other donated by those . who hailed from St. Michael, also in the Azores.

Father Augustino P. Santos succeeded Father Taveira in 1924 and Father Santos was succeeded in 1930 by Father Antonio M. Fortuna.

In 1947, Father Fortuna was honored with the Cross of C/leva-

lier of the Ancient and Most Noble Military Order of Christ of Portugal, in recognition of his work for the welfare of the Portuguese community in which he spent his priesthood.

When Father Fortuna died in 1956, Father Asdrubal C. Branco was named pastor.

The parish reached a milestone in August 1958, when' Bishop James L. Connolly dedicated the new, 12-room, Our Lady of Immaculate Conception School that cost $450,000. In addition to classrooms for 550 students, the school contained a spacious combination gymnasium-auditorium-cafeteria and social hall. It was staffed by members of the Community of the Sisters of the Holy Name of Jesus and Mary.

In 1962, more than 2,000 parishioners were carried on the parish rolls, and among the active parish organizations were the Holy Name Society, Children of Mary, Our Lady of the Rosary and the St. Vincent de Paul Society.

In November 1992, when Father Evaristo Tavares was pastor, Bishop Sean P. O'Malley, OFM Cap., celebrated Mass and blessed the parish center and renovated school. In· the fall of

parish observes the feast of the Blessed Sacrament. It fulfills a vow made in 1915, containing a pledge made by four emigrants from Madeira to New Bedford, who prayed for a safe passage.

Other pastors included Father A. Castelo Branco, Father Manuel P. Ferreira and Father

Henry S. Arruda.

The current pastor is Father Daniel O. Reis. Albertino F. Pires is the permanent deacon. The rectory is located at 136 Earle Street, New Bedford, MA 02746. It can be reached by phone at 508-9929892; and by FAX at 508-9929907.

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that year, . Bishop O'Malley blessed a new function hall for the Society of Senhor da Pedra.

For many years the parishioners have paid homage annually to Senhor da Pedra, (Our Lord of the Rock), and to Our Lady of Fatima. But the biggest celebnition is held in August when the

NEW BEDFORD - The history of St. Joseph's Parish began in 1910, when it was separated from St. Anthony of Padua Parish.

Until 1913, Masses were said in a former casino. Then a combined church-school was erected with six classrooms and a large hall accommodating 900 Mass-goers. All this was under the direction of St. Joseph's first pastor, Father Jovite Chagnon, later to become a monsignor.

From 1910 until 1923, priests of the parish had no rectory. Father Chagnon, said to be ''totally allergic to wasting money" and anxious to provide a church and school for his people, rented the second floor of a threestory tenement house for himself and his assistants. Rent was only $4.50 a week.

A house was purchased for the Sisters of St. Joseph who staffed the parish school for 48 years after its inception in 1913.

But it was not until 1922 that Father Chagnon, who remained pastor at St. Joseph's for 44 years felt able to proceed with planning of the current parish buildings, He was succeeded in 1954 by Msgr. Louis E. Prevost who remained until 1969.

Subsequent pastors included Msgr. Henri Hamel, Father Daniel Gamache, Father Louis Boivin, Father Marc H. Bergeron and Father Roger J. Levesque.

When the parish celebrated its golden jubilee in 1960, it could boast of its magnificent school, renovated at a cost of $315,000

and its enrollment of 623 students, and the arrival of a $50,000 organ.

At the celebrations banquet attended by 700, the talk was of the 12 of the 20 priests who came from the parish who concelebrated the Mass with Bishop James L. Connolly; the 50 young women from the parish living as religious in 10 congregations; as well as young men of the parish in six brotherhoods.

The anniversary booklet included pictures of the parish complex, which occupied an entire city block, dominated by the lovely cruciform church.

But by the mid-1990s many old inner city parishes were seeing an ongoing dwindling of parishioners.

That, a shortage of priests in the diocese and the request for retirement by Father Roland Bousquet, pastor of St. Theresa's on Acushnet Avenue - struggling with fewer active parishioners - led to the November 1999 merger of St. Theresa's with St. Joseph's.

Ironically, St. Theresa's, founded in 1926, was originally a division of St. Joseph's.

The new parish, St. Joseph-St. Theresa, is led by pastor Father Roger J. Levesque.

The permanent deacons are Maurice Lavallee and Leo W. Racine. The coordinator of Religious Education is Edward Mello Jr. The rectory is at 51 Duncan Street, New Bedford, MA 02745-6108. It can be reached by tele-' phone at 508-995-5235; and by FAX at 508995-7266.