10.27.06

FRIDAY, OCTOBER 27,2006

DIOCESE OF FALL RIVER

Candidates' stand on Marriage Act seen stirring Massachusetts voters Voters remember some legislators' reluctance to act

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By DEACON JAMES N. DUNBAR

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DOMINICAN SISTER MARIA GLORINA JUGO

Dominican nun took hurdles in stride to realize her vocation

By DEACON JAMES N.

DUNBAR

DIGHTON - When her family and a religious in the Philippines downplayed her teen-age thoughts of a vocation to the religious life, Maria Glorina Jugo turned to the academic world of science and married life in hopes of fulfillment.

But the fulfillment she truly sought began October 14, when Sister Maria Glorina Jugo, now 58, made her religious profession as a Dominican Sister of the Presentation in the chapel of the Congregation's Provincial House in Dighton.

In an interview with The Anchor last week, Sister Jugo traced her amazing journey to her vocation as a bride of Christ.

It was a bumpy road of many sharp turns that began in her native Philippines, took her to biological research in Manhattan, a medical device manufacturer in California, a broken marriage after 19 years - and a'Church annulment of the marriage - en route to convent life and her profession in Dighton.

And Sister Jugo's journey in religious life continues as she prepares to take up a ministry to prisoners aJ.ld those in health care in Brownsville, Texas as October ends.

"They say God draws a straight line with a crooked pen," the vivacious nun said, laughing, noting that indeed it seems that is the case in her own life.

Asked for the spelling of her last name, she noted comically that in her native Philippine language "Jugo means juice ... like orange juice."

Her heroic story of pursuing a religious vocation in spite of all the barriers placed against it, is a model of how one should persevere in seeking to do God's will for them.

"St. Luke in his Gospel tells us that the angel in announcing to the Virgin Mary that she will become the Tum to page 15 - Vocation

FALL RIVER - The war in Iraq, the economy, social security, immigration and even a congressional scandal are in voters' minds when they select their congressional delegation to Washington.

But as Massachusetts voters get ready to choose legislators at the state level in the upcoming November 7 general elections, one of the hottest, most controversial family issues - especially for faithfilled Catholics and members of many religious denominations - is a lingering cons*tutional amendment to define marriage as the union of one man and one WO~Iin the Bay State. . e it is not on this November's ballot, s pporters hope it will be in November 2008 as a petition. Massachusetts law maktrs elected next month will be the ones who will vote on it for its second needed acceptance in 2007, and whoever is elected can make or break the amendment in the coming year.

On November 9, two days after the elections, incumbent lawmakers - some

finishing out their terms - will convene in a joint legislative session earmarked to take up the proposal which outlaws marriage for same-sex couples in the only state where it is legal.

Even if those same legislators on No-

vember 9 come up with the 50 votes needed in this current year to move the Protection ofMarriage Act forward, it also requires the vote of 50 lawmakers in 2007 - some of whom will be elected this November - if it is to go to voters as a ballot referendum in 2008. ''That;s why Catholics, as well mem-

bers of more than 3,000 marriage act supportive religious congregations in Massachusetts, must be wary and vote for candidates in the upcoming election who support their faith beliefs, because who is elected will be the legislators next year who will make an important second vote on the initiative," said Bea Martins, public policy coordinator of Catholic Citizenship in the Fall River Diocese.

Martins, who last fall led a successful petition drive in the diocese that helped amass more than 170,000 signatures statewide needed to move the petition to the legislature, has also been working hard with voter registration in the parishes in an effort to get out the Catholic vote in line with the U.S. Catholic Bishops Conference's guidelines on Faithful Citizenship.

At aconstitutional convention last July, on a l00-to-91 vote, legislators voted to recess, sidestepping the issue and putting off a decision on the politically chmged issue until after the November 7 elections.

Tum to page 14 - Vote

LIKE OLD TIMES - Bishop George W. Coleman is flanked by Joyce and Joseph Pontes at the recent Mass at St. Mary's Cathedral, for couples celebrating significant wedding anniversaries. The Pontes were married 40 year~1 ago by then-Father Coleman at St. Kilian's Church in New Bedford. It was the young priest's first marriage ceremony. (Photo by Eric Rodrigues)

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Couples mark anniversaries, say faith has played role in success of marriage

By MIKE GORDON ANCHOR STAFF

FALL RIVER - Bishop George W. Coleman was principal celebrant at an October 22 Mass at the Cathedral of St. Mary of the Assumption for couples celebrating significant wedding anniversaries. This was the 27th annual anniver-

sary cel~pration sponsored by the Family Ministry Office.

Morellthan 140 couples, many marking their 50th, 25th and even their first wedding anniversaries in 2006, attended the Mass and were happy to be part of what has become a wonderful annual event for the diocese.

Tum to page 18 - Anniversaries

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NEWS FROM THE VATICAN ,

OCTOBER

27, 2006

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~aging a war t~rrorism says

won't eliminate Jesuit magazine

By CAROL GLATZ

La Civilta Cattolica said "waging war against countries that host, ROME - Waging a war against fund or train terrorist groups apso-called "rogue states" does not pears to be a grave political mistake and will not eliminate terrorism, but because war not only does not deit feeds the violent fanaticism that stroy terrorism, it fuels and prolifleaders aim to eliminate, said an erates it." influential Jesuit magazine.

Forces from Western, non-Mus"In order to fight terrorism, it is lim countries invading Islamic necessary to shelve any notion of countries create "a serious offense war - worse when 'preventative' against Allah" because the situation war - against an Islamic nation" represents an usurpation of his diand instead adopt other measures vine authority, which then motisuch as beefing up intelligence and vates radical elements to "defend freezing funds channeled to terror- Islam from Western aggressors," the ist organizations, said an editorial editorial said. in the magazine La Civilta The Jesuit-run magazine said Cattolica. there are more effective measures The October 21 editorial, re- in what will have to be a long-term viewed by the Vatican prior to pub- struggle against terrorism. lication and released to journalists, Leaders must emphasize that discussed the consequences of wag- "the fight against terrorism is not a ing wars against Afghanistan and battle against Islam" and they must Iraq in response to the Sept. 11, "avoid political and military actions 2001, terrorist attacks against the that might seem to embroil, humiliUnited States. ate, and deride Muslims," it said.

Military action and invasion did Leaders must find a just solution not help the United States succeed to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, in reaching its goals of capturing which represents an open wound Osama bin Laden or the head of the for many Muslims, it said, and leadTaliban, Mullah Mohammed Omar, ers "must give up the idea of imit said. posing democracy on Islamic And while elections and the es- peoples." tablishment of democratic constiDemocracy must come about tutions went ahead in both Afghani- from the citizens' own initiative and stan and Iraq, there still is no "real have the consensus of its own control throughout (each) country," people as well as respect their culsince ethnic factions "have rapidly ture and values, the magazine said. regained their power," the magazine Intelligence operations and posaid. lice efforts aimed at pinpointing After the war in Afghanistan, in . terrorist cells must be given precefact, terrorist training camps resur- dence in the fight against terrorism faced there which today draw while national security agencies young, "aspiring terrorists" living must be even more willing to coorin Europe, it said. And Iraq, too, it dinate efforts and exchange inforsaid, has become a magnet for sui- mation, it said. cide bombers "from everywhere' to Finally, it said, in order to deal a fight against "the Western invad- serious blow to terrorism, the chaners," while, before the war, "there nels or sources of funding for terwere no terrorists in Iraq" under rorist activity must be found and Saddam Hussein's dictatorial grip. frozen.

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Vatican says controversy shows importance of tal~s with Muslims

By CINDY WOODEN CATHOLIC NEWS SERVICE VATICAN CITY - Relaying Pope Benedict XVI's best wishes to Muslims around the world, the Vatican said recent controversy over a speech he made in Germany shows just how irnpo~t it is to continue dialogue.

At a press conference last week, the Pontifical Council for Interreligious Dialogue released its 40th annual message to Muslims set to celebrate th~ end of their monthlong Ramadan fast.

French Cardinal Paul Poupard, who signed the message, said the discussion surrounding the pope's message and especially a recent letter to the pope from 38 Muslim scholars demonstrated not only the importance ofCatholic-Muslim dialogue, but also the willingness of Muslims to engage in the process.

The Muslim scholars' letter offered a critique of Pope Benedict's remarks in Regensburg, Germany, and pointed out Islamic teachings they felt he misunderstood, but praised his commitment to dialogue, specifically on the relationship between faith and reason.

"An exchange of views and a reflection on the fundamental theme ofthe speech - the relation between reason and religion - has begun," Cardinal Poupard told reporters.

The Vatican's Ramadan message said the controversy and protests that followed the pope's remarks about Islam in September "demonstrate clearly that, however arduous the path of authentic dialogue may be at times, it is more necessary than ever."

In his September speech about faith and reason, the pope quoted the 14th-century Byzantine Emperor Manuel II Paleologus. Specifically

in reference to the use of violence to force conversions, the pope said some have argued that God is absolutely transcendent for Muslims and therefore not bound up with "any of our categories, even that of rationality."

The pope's remarks were greeted with angry demonstrations in some countries, numerous calls for an apology and Muslim attempts to demonstrate that Pope Benedict had either simplified or misunderstood their beliefs.

On several occasions, Pope Benedict expressed his regret that some Muslims found his speech offensive, and he met personally with ambassadors to the Vatican from countries with a Muslim majority.

The central point of the 2006 Ramadan message was a call for Christians and Muslims to cooperate in building cultures and societies marked by solidarity, justice and peace.

In the face of the world's problems, the message said, "the credibility of religions and also the credibility of our religious leaders and all believers is at stake."

"If we do not play our part as believers, many will question the

'The Anchor

usefulness of religion and the integrity of all men and women who bow down before God," he said.

"In those places where we can work together, let us not labor separately," the cardinal wrote. ''The world has need, and so do we, of Christians and Muslims who respect and value each other and bear witness to their mutual love and cooperation to the glory of God and the good of all humanity," he said.

Archbishop Pier Luigi Celata, secretary of the dialogue council: who had just returned to the Vatican from a visit to Turkey, said the Regensburg speech had put some Turkish Muslims "on guard" before the pope's planned November visit to their country, as did remarks made before he became pope in which he questioned the wisdom of allowing Turkey into the European Union.

However, the archbishop said, he had no doubt that the people ofTurkey would greet the pope with hospitality and respect.

Msgr. Khaled Akasheh, head of the council's section for relations with Muslims, said "An atmosphere, a culture of dialogue has been established and is developing," he said, despite "difficulties and problems."

OFFICIAL NEWSPAPER OF THE DIOCESE OF FALL RIVER Vol. 50, No. 41

Member: Catholic Press Association, Catholic News Service

Published weekly except for two weeks in the summer and the week after Christmas by the Catholic Press of the Diocese of Fall River, 887 Highland Avenue, Fall River, MA 02720, Telephone 508-675-7151 - FAX 508-675-7048, email: theanchor@anchomews.org. Subscription price by mail, postpaid $14.00 per year.

Send address changes to P.O. Box 7, Fall River, MA, call or use email address PUBUSHER - Most Reverend George W. Col~man EXECU'tIVe EDITOR Father RogerJ. Landry fatherrogerlandry@anchornews.org EDITOR David B. Jolivet davejolivet@anchornews.org , NEWS EDITOR Deacon James N. Dunbar jimdunbar@anchornews.org REPORTER Mike Gordon mlkegordon@anchornews.org OFFICE MANAGER Mary Chase marychase@anchornews.org Send Letters to the Editor to: fatherrogerlandry@anchomews.org POSTMASTERS send address changes to The Anchor, P.O. Box 7, Fall River, MA 02722.

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Iraqi Deaths

FRIENDLY CONVERSATION - Muslim Ahmed Elgamal talks with Father Sidney Griffith during the first meeting of the Catholic-Muslim Dialogue of Northern Virginia held at the All Dulles Area Muslim Society center October 16 in Sterling. (CNS photo/Nancy Wiechec)

OCTOBER

27,2006 II

Vatican asks for financial details. of all Enilish, Welsh parishes I

By SIMON CALDWELL CATHOLIC NEWS SERVICE

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MOUNTING TENSIONS - South Korean soldiers in Paju patrol recently along barbed-wire fences facing North Korea near the demilitarized zone that separates the two Koreas. (eNS photo/Kim KyungHoon, Reuters)

South Korean bishops say peace possible only with talk, .patience

By CATHOLIC NEWS SERVICE SEOUL,"South Korea - Catholic bishops in South Korea ·have insisted that peace in the Korean peninsula can be achieved only through dialogue and patience, after North Korea announced it had conducted a nuclear test October 9.

The bishops issued their Message for Peace and Reconciliation after discussing the nuclear test during their October 9-12 general meeting.

In their message, they said they "cannot but feel deep sorrow". at the North's decision to conduct the test, and they stressed that North Korea "must cooperate with us to maintain peace."

The bishops also said that having a nuclear weapon "cannot be justified in any way;' even if it is for self-defense, reported UCA News, an Asian church news agency based in Thailand.

"Peace can be achieved only through incessant forgiveness and reconciliation;' the bishops said, urging the international community to walk the path ofreconciliation and peace through dialogue and negotiation. .

The message, published in Korean and English, was signed by Auxiliary Bishop Lucas Kim Woonhoe of Seoul, president of the bishops' Committee for the Reconciliation of the Korean People, and Bishop Boniface Choi Ki-san of Inchon, president of the bishops' Committee for Justice and Peace.

Nonetheless, they acknowledged

that for peace to take root in Korea an agreement on the denuclearization of the Korean peninsula must be effectively practiced. North and South Korea agreed in 1991 on the Joint Declaration on Denuclearization of the Korean Peninsula.

In recent years, the bishops said, both North and South have maintained peaceful exchanges, through which the two Koreas have come to recognize each other not as enemies but as one people.

In light of this, "no one should block the way of reconciliation that the South and the North have paved;' nor should anyone "turn back" the tide of "peace and unity in the Korean peninsula;' the bishops said.

Furthermore, no one should make use of this situation to provoke hatred and confrontation, they added.

On ·October 14, the U.N. Security Council unanimously approved a resolution to impose sanctions on North Korea, including ship searches for banned weapons, an assets freeze and a travel ban on people related to the nuclear arms program.

The resolution demands that the communist country abandon its nuclear weapons program and that all other countries prevent North Korea from importing or exporting any material which could be used to make weapons of mass destruction, including ballistic missiles.

Bishop Kim told UCA News October 16 that the Korean Church opposes any form of violence, including the use of nuclear weapons.

Diocese of Fall River

OFFICIAL His Excellency, the Most Reverend George W. Coleman, Bishop of Fall River, has made the following appointment:

"In my personal view, I question how much the international community's sanctions on North Korea would help the reconciliation and reunification of our country;' he said.

"North Korea's nuclear test was definitely wrong;' the bishop said, but "we must try to solve this situation, not through imposing sanctions, but through dialogue and civilian exchanges."

"It is more important to persuade the North not to use the nuclear weapons" than to ask it "to abandon already developed weapons," Bishop Kim added, emphasizing that this is his "personal opinion."

The Lay Apostolate Council of Korea observed in a statement that North Korea had broken the joint agreement on the denuclearization of the Korean peninsula, which the council said both Koreas should uphold.

The statement, titled "Let's Build the Culture of Peace, Human Rights and Life," urged North Korea's leaders to use their resources to create a better living standard for their people, rather than to build nuclear weapons.

LONDON - The '{atican has asked for the financial details of every Catholic dioctilse in En" gland and Wales, months after diI' ocesan staff members left a bishop 10.2 millioh pounds " (US$17.8 million) in debt. " Archbishop Faustino Sainz · II M unoz, papa I nunclq to Great Britain, has asked hdds of dioceses in England andllWales for evidence to show that their accounts conform with bnon law as well as British civil" law.

I' In March, Bishop Patrick O'Donoghue of Landaster, England, apologized to c&urchgoers after he discovered that his central administration hadibeen "eat" ing up" money belong:~ng to par.IS h es an d trust funds without II per• • I!" mISSIon. I The Vatican's Cottgregation for Clergy now wan~~ to make sure that the scandal i: is not repeated, said' Archbishop Sainz.

In an August letter the bishops - leaked in October to The Tablet, a British Cathdlic weekly - the archbishop sail~ the congregation wished to bb informed of "the financial structhres and of the situation ... in every diocese."

The Lancaster cas6 arose out of confusion between civil law, which treats a diocese ~nd its parishes as a single uni~t, and the I' Church's Code of Canon Law, · h sees a pans . h a~I a d'Istmct . w hIC "

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body.. within the diocese I with its own money and assets.

Believing the diobese to be "asset rich," for nearI~ 15 years lay staff in Lancasteril had spent parish funds and used cash earII marked for other purnoses.

Among the funds litaken was money Bishop O'Donoghue saved from the 2002 Ible of his I,

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l6-room residence, which he had exchanged for a modest one-bedroom apartment in an attempt to "break free" from the customs, traditions and bureaucracy that held him back from being a more effective- pastor. Much of the money had been spent on ambitious projects such as an interfaith center and on staff salaries.

The debt came to light when the bishop commissioned a financial review after he grew suspicious about how the diocese was funding itself.

Bishop O'Donoghue told Catholic News Service recently that he was later summoned by Archbishop Sainz to explain how the situation could have occurred. ' "I was absolutely alarmed, I couldn't believe it," he said in a telephone interview. "I explained that I was aware that we had a very large staff and couldn't understand how we were funding it."

He added that the Vatican was pleased with the way the diocese had since approached "the issues and how we have set about rectifying them."

He said the Vatican now sought assurances from all the dioceses that they were "acting in line with canon law and treating parish funds and properties as belonging to the parishes."

John Gibbs, financial secretary of the Archdiocese of Westminster, confirmed that the Vatican was seeking the "reassurance that canon law is being observed in the conduct of each diocese."

"Each diocese will have to respond to the letter they have received, answering the question that has been posed," he told CNS.

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Watching shuttle launch scarier than being in it, says astronaut

By CHRISTIE CHICOINE CATHOLIC NEWS SERVICE

PHILADELPHIA - It is scarier to watch a space shuttle launch than it is to be part of one, according to Christopher Ferguson, who piloted the space shuttle Atlantis in September. "Sitting in the cockpit getting ready to launch is not the time to worry," he said.

Ferguson, 45, a captain in the U.S. Navy, said that by the time astronauts are locked in the shuttle they're too busy to be scared.

"When you're there, you're the one flipping the switches. You're the one responsible for making sure that things get done on time and correctly. You really put your fears behind you.

"If you're going to worry ... you worry about it before you launch," the Philadelphia native told The Catholic Standard & Times, Philadelphia's archdiocesan newspaper.

He was one of at least three Catholics on the six-member shuttle crew who were on a 12-day mission to the International Space Station. The Atlantis crew returned to earth September 21 after a journey of more than 4.9 million miles in space.

"But I think it's like most things in life, when you're ready to take a big leap. You make all your terms with God upfront, beforehand," he said. "Then you put your head down, you bore ahead, and you do everything you're supposed to do - hopefully, in the way that you're supposed to do it."

For Ferguson, a member of St. Bernadette Parish in Houston with his wife and three children, prayer was pivotal in his preparation for the September 9 space shuttle liftoff.

The astronauts' mission to the space station was the first in a series of missions. The crew began reconstruction of the station after a four-year break in the project. They installed a solar power Unit and truss structure and constructed three complex. spacewalks.

Ferguson said he remembers as a young boy watching television as Neil Armstrong stepped on the moon and his dad telling him he

would not forget that.

Another astronaut, Heidemarie Stefanyshyn-Piper, 43, who was raised in both the Latin-rite Catholic Church and the Ukrainian Catholic Church in St. Paul, Minn., currently lives in Houston with her husband and son.

She decided to become an astronaut almost by default. She failed the eye test necessary to become a Navy pilot, so she became a diver in the Navy doing underwater ship repair. She figured she could use those same skills in space doing repair and building work.

She told The Catholic Spirit, newspaper of the St. Paul-Minneapolis Archdiocese, that she was nervous before the launch because she didn't know what to expect, but she also trusted that God would take care of her.

"I know God and my guardian angel is looking out for me and is going to keep me safe," she said. "I feel that if it's time for me to go to heaven then the time路 is there. But at the same time, I definitely wanted to come back to the ground."

With this mission, she joined six other women in making space history by walking in space to help make repairs on the space路station.

Another astronaut, Daniel Burbank, is a 25-year member of the Knights of Columbus council in Tolland, Conn.

Burbank, who is married and has two children, did not initially think he would be involved in space flight. He was a U.S. Coast Guard rescue pilot for several years before applying to NASA - he applied three times before being accepted to the sPace program. His first space flight was in September 2000, also aboard Atlantis and also involving work on the space station.

In a NASA interview, Burbank stressed the importance of working with others, saying that in space flight in particular "your life is in the hands of your crewmates, and their lives are in your hands as well.

So you've got to genuinely care about them and they've got to care about you. I think being a good person, being reliable, being trustworthy, and genuinely caring about .people is real important."

SPACE PEOPLE - Astronauts Daniel C. Burbank, left, Heidemarie Stefanyshyn-Pipefand Christopher J. Ferguson are pictured in their official photos from NASA. The three Catholic astronauts were part of a six-member crew aboard the space shuttle Atlantis on a 12day mission to the space station in September. (CNS photo/courtesy of NASA)

A BANNER DAY - Tapestries hanging from the facade of St. Peter's Basilica show four new saints canonized by Pope Benedict XVI at the Vatican October 15. From left, the tapestries show Italian Sister Rosa Venerini, Mexican Bishop Rafael Guizar Valencia, Italian Father Filippo Smaldone and Mother Theodore Guerin, foundress of the Sisters of Providence of St. Mary-of-the-Woods, Ind. (CNS photo/Giancarlo Giuliani, Catholic Press Photo)

Completed U.S. saints' causes now include St. Mother Theodore Guerin

By NANCY HARTNAGEL CATHOLIC NEWS SERVICE

- St. Frances Xavier Cabrini (1850-1917) was the Italian foundress of the Missionary Sisters of the Sacred Heart. She emigrated to America in 1889, establishing a convent in New York to work among Italian immigrants. She became a U.S. citizen in 1909, and founded more than 50 convents in eight countries. She was beatified in 1938 and canonized in 1946. Her

was appointed the fourth bishop of Philadelphia in 1852. He was beatified in 1963 and canonized in WASHINGTON - With the re1977. His feast day is January 5. cent canonization of St. Mother - St. Rose Philippine Duchesne Theodore Guerin, foundress of the (1769-1852) was a French nun and Sisters of Providence of St. Maryeducator who emigrated to the of-the-Woods, Ind., seven saintUnited States for missionary work hood causes from the United States in 1818. She set up the first U.S. have been successfully completed. convent of the Society of the SaIn its declarations of sainthood, cred Heart in Missouri, established the Catholic Church recognizes the a number of schools and saints' holiness, declaring worked with Native Amerithey are with God in heaven cans in her final years. She and worthy of universal venWith the recent canonization ofSf. was beatified in 1940 and caneration. Churches and altars may be built in their names. Mother Theodore Guerin, foundress onized in 1988. Her feast day Their feast days are listed in of the Sisters of Providence of Sf. is November 18.

- St. Katharine Drexel the Roman martyrology, the Mary-of-the-Woods, Ind., seven official calendar of saints' sainthood cause~ from the United (1858-1955) was a Philadelphia-born heiress who used feast days.

Of these U.S. saints, only States have been successfully com- her family's banking fortune to establish more than 60 two, St. Elizabeth Ann Seton pleted. schools for Native American and St. Katharine Drexel, are and African-American chilnative-born; the others were dren. She founded the Sisters of the born in Europe and came to North feast day is November 13.

- St. Elizabeth Ann Seton Blessed Sacrament and Xavier UniAmerica as missionaries.

(1774-1821) was born into an up- versity of Louisiana, the country's They are: - The Jesuit North American per-class family in colonial New only historically black Catholic martyrs: St. Rene Goupil (1607- York. Widowed in 1803, she was university. She was beatified in 1642), St. Isaac Jogues (1607- left bankrupt with five children. She 1988 and canonized in 2000. Her 1646), St. Jean Lalande (died converted to Catholicism in 1805 feast day is March 3.

- St. Mother Theodore Guerin 1646), St. Antoine Daniel (1601- and founded the Sisters of Charity 1648), St. Jean de Brebeuf (1593- in the United States in 1809 in (1798-1856) was a French nun 1649), St. Gabriel Lalemant (1610- Emmitsburg, Md. She was beatified who, despite poor health through1649), St. Charles Garnier (circa in 1963 and canonized in 1975. Her out her adult life, journeyed to the American frontier in 1840 to min1606-1649) and St. Noel Chabanel feast day is January 4.

St. John Nepomucene ister in a diocese that covered all of (1613-1649). Six of the eight French-born Jesuits - all mission- Neumann (1811-1860) was a Bo- Indiana and one-third of Illinois. aries among the Huron and Iroquois hemian-born missionary ordained She founded the Sisters of ProviIndians - were priests; one was a in New York shortly after his arrival dence of St. Mary-of-the-Woods, lay brother and one a lay volunteer. there in 1836. He was admitted to Ind., and a girls academy that beThree were martyred in New York, the Congregation of the Most Holy came St. Mary-of-the-Woods Colthe others in Canada. They were Redeemer in 1840 and professed as lege. She was beatified in 1998 and beatified in 1925 and canonized in a Redemptorist in 1842. He served canonized in 2006. Her feast day is 1930. Their feast day is October 19. in Pittsburgh and Baltimore, and October 3.

OCTOBER

27, 2006

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The Anchor , II

Adoption by Choice Program celebrates National Adoption Month,

By KRISTEN PICARDI CATHOLIC SOCIAL SERVICES • FALL RIVER - In the month ofNovember, adoption is celebrated nationally. We celebrate birth parents that have placed their child with loving families. We celebrate the dreams that come true for adoptive parents. We celebrate the beginning of an adopted child's life journey.

Adoption is made possible at a local program, Adoption by Choice, a program of Catholic Social Services in Fall River. This program is coordi,nated by Nancy Harper, MSW, LCSW. Adoption by Choice is an adoption program licensed in Massachusetts and Rhode Island. The program is named Adoption by Choice because the members involved in an adoption have the ability to make

, their own choices. Prospective adoption parents can choose whether they want to adopt a domestic or an international child. Birth parents can choose the adoptive parents they would like their child to be placed with. Together, birth parents and adoptive parents decide on the degree of openness they would like to exist between the birth family and adoptive famiiy. Counselors at Catholic Social Services assist all partners in discerning what is best' for all the involved partners.

Licensed social workers offer .sUP(lort and counseling for each member of the adoption triad (birth parents, adoptee, a,doptive family).

Pregnancy counseling is offered for women who are contemplating placing their child for adoption. Birth mothers are supported through their

Bishops to vote on norms for hymns at Mass WASHINGTON - The U.S. of the United States of America. bishops will vote to establish norms The directory is to serve not so ,for ~ymns at Mass during their an- much as a list of approved arid unnual November meeting in, Balti- approved songs as a process by more, November 13-16. which bishops might regulate the The new norms, which will re- quality of the text of songs comquire a two-thirds vote by the bish- posed for use in the liturgy. Accordops and subsequent recognitio by ing to the proposed directory, theothe Holy See, are to ensure that li- logical adequacy may'be judged in turgical songs will be doctrinally two ways: correct, based in the scriptural and , - individual songs should be liturgical texts and relatively fixed. consonant with Catholic teaching The norms are part of a new and free from doctrinal error; "Directory for Music and the Lit- the repertoire of lit'urgical urgy for Use in the Dioceses in the songs in any given place should reUnited States of America." The di- fleet a balanced approach to Catho~ rectory responds to a recommenda- lie theological elements; tion of Liturgiam authenticam, the The directory warns Qf doctrinal, fifth Vatican instruction on correct compromise. For example, it notes: implementation of liturgical re'-liturgical songs must never be newal called for by the Second . permitted to make statements about Vatican Council. the faith which are untrue; Specific norms state that: - the doctrine of the Trinity - the approval ofliturgical songs should never be compromised is reserved to the diocesan bishop in through the consistent replacement whose diocese an individual song is , of masculine pronominal references published. He is supported in his to the three divine persons; work by this directory and by the '- - any emphasis on the work of USCCB Secretariat on the Liturgy; the members of the Church should - the diocesan bishop is as- ' always be balanced by anappreciasisted in his review of individual tion of the doctrine of grace and our texts through the formation of a complete dependence of the grace committee for the review of litur- of God to accomplish anything; gical songs consisting ,of the'olo- the elimination of archaic langians, liturgists, and musicians. The guage should never alter the meancoqunittee shall assure that each ing and'essential theological structext is suitable for liturgical use ture of a venerable liturgical song. based on the principles articulated The document also emphasizes in this directory. that care should be taken that hymns Within three years, the Comrnit- and songs should take their inspitee on the Liturgy will formulate a ration and vocabulary chiefly from Common Repertoire of Liturgical the Scripture and Liturgy. Th'e Songs for use in all places where document said that the large numthe Roman liturgy is celebrated in ber of liturgical songs that exist in the United States ofAmerica. While the United States have benefited the songs outside the core repertoire liturgy, but also said that "a certain may also be used in the Liturgy, this stable core ofliturgical songs might core repertoire will be included in well serve as exemplary and stabiall worship aids used in the dioceses lizing factor."

pregnancy and the loss of their child after the baby is born. There are no fees for birth mothers.

The Adoption by Choice program holds information sessions and workshops for prospective adoptive parents. Attending these sessions allows the' prospe~tive adoptive par- ' ents to ,gain a greater understanding of adoption, from legal issues to more personal issues. These group sessions are a great way for couples to connect with other couples inter~ ested in adoption. Adoption social workers also perform home studies, post-placement services, and assist with legalization.

Adoption by Choice conducts search cases for those involved in an adoption who want to gain information about or connect with a·member of the adoption triad. Social workers 'provide support through this'process.

Domestic and international adoption services are provided by the Adoption by Choice program.' The waiting period for a domestic baby

is approximately one to three years.

For an international chil~, the waiting period is 18 months. Adoption

by Choice has aSsis~ed in facilitating international adoptions from China, Guatemala, Haiti, and Russia. There are sliding-sc~e fees for

adoptive families.

Adoption by Choice wiu be holding an information session on November16,6:30-8:30p.m.,forthose interested in adopting a domestic or international child. For registration or information, caU 508- 674-4681.

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HAPPY FAMILY - Victor and Linda with their adopted son Evan.'

"CSS was very supportive through the adoption process/' said Linda.

"We liked that they eQcouraged the philosophy of openness. We felt we could count onliCSS. This was a fulfilling experience."

UWe cannot direct the wind, , hut we can aJju~t the sails." .

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Political cooperation in evil!

In last week's editorial on voting guides, the question was r~sed about the responsibilities of a faithful Catholic with respect to candiliiates who support the evil of abortion. Brief mention was made to a 2~ letter of then-Cardinal Joseph Ratzinger to the U.S. bishops in which he described, among other things, what would constitute sinful cooperation by a Catholic voter in the politician's support of abortion - and what wOl,1ld, therefore, lead to a Catholic voter's incapacity to receive holy COmnlunion beI cause of that s i n . .

The principles the future Pope Benedict elucidated are of reievance to Catholics with respect to the upcoming elections and the proper 90nditions for worthily receiving holy Communion.

Cardinal Ratzinger wrote with his characteristic clarity and co ciseness, . while incorporating some classical distinctions and termino~ogy fr m Catholic moral theology. . ·He began by stating, ''A Catholic would be guilty of formal c operation in evil, and so unworthy to present himself for holy Communion if he were to deliberately vote for a candidate precisely because of the clffididate's permissive stand on abortion and/or euthanasia."

I Formal cooperation means when one shares the bad will or intention of the other committing the sin; in this case, it would mean that Jne agrees with the candidate's support of abortion. This would be serio~sly sinful and would make one unworthy to receive holy Communion. I Then he continues, ''When a Catholic does not share a candidate's stand in favor of abortion and/or euthanasia, but votes for that candida~e for other reasons, it is considered remote material cooperation, which can be permit.ted in the presence of proportionate reasons." : It is helpful to flesh out and understand the premises to his cpnclusion.

Material cooperation means one enables the evil action of another without sharing the other's evil intention. Catholic moral theology teach¢s that material cooperation can be licit when the action is good or indiffer¢nt in itself and one has a reason for doing it that is just, proportionate to the: gravity of the other's sin and proportioned to the closeness of the assistanqe which is thereby given to the carrying out of that sin.

I. Applying these distinctions to the issue of voting for a can4i.date who supports 'abortion, we could say that under ordinary circums~ces, three criteria can be readily fulfilled: the action of voting itself is goodl the closeness of the assistance that would come from one vote in a gene~al election .is sufficiently "rem~t~" that the evil would likely still occur +thout the help of one's vote; and presumably most of thenon-abortion-relrted issues for which a Pro-Life voter might be led to consider voting for candidate who supports abortion would be ''just'' rather than evil.

• , I Therefore, whether the act of voting for a candidate who supports abortion would be good or evil would generally hinge on the fourtIl criterion: whether the reason for doing so is "proportionate to the gravity o£j the other's sin." The other's sin in this case would be, minimally, this pubpc figure's support of the destruction of innocent human life through abc;>rtion and, maximally, the consequences of what the candidate was able to ~o to legal. ize, furid it and expand it.

In the case of an election between two otherwise eligible candidates, one who supports abortion and on~ who opposes it, a f~thful Catholic'who wants to support the former must have, not just any reasons, but reasons~ that would morally outweigh the evil done by the candidate's advancing of tjle cause of the destruction of innocent human life. It would be 4ard to ~agine that fondness for a candidate's party affiliation, or economic ideas, or even philosophical approach to bigger or smaller govemment would suffic¢ to prevent an evil greater than the evil of abortion the candidate is advancir\g.

In some cases, however, there might be sufficiently weightiy justification. One can recall a recent southern election w~en the Pro-Lift candidate was also a former.leader of the Ku Klux Klan, and many C~tholic ProLifers concluded that to support such a virulent racist who de~ed the dignity of non-whites would set back the Pro-Life cause for generations.• ' Another case is an unfortunately common one in our Cormhonwealth: when both or all candidates are supporters of abortion. In this cirbumstance, a faithful Catholic could morally yotefor one of the candidates for "propor-. tionate reasons," such as the conviction that one candidate wQWd'do less bairn to innocent unborn children if elected; the candidate might be willing to vote to ban partial-birth abortion, to allow for parental notifi~on or waiting periods, to regulate abortion facilities, or to support pregnancy assistance centers. In voting for this person, one would not be choosing the lesser of two evils - because it is never licit to choose evil - but cboosingi rather, the good of limiting the even greater evil that other candidates might do.

These principles we have applied to the subject of abortibn are also relevant to candidates who support other unjustifiable and inthnsic evils, such as euthanasia, human embryonic stem-cell research and 40ning, .and • same-sex marnage. ,I The Church does not tell the faithful for whom to vote, but it has tl\e duty to properly form the consciences of Catholics so that they may live their faith in all their daily activities. Our conscience refers not to our own~'references, opinions; values or sets of priorities, but to the means God has given us to listen to his voice about what to do and what to shun in partic ar circumstances. The conscience is not the origin of truth. but the means recognize the truth revealed by God - through our reason, through sacrJd Scripture and through the teaching of the Church he founded - and apply it to our concrete choices, including the moral choice about for whom to vote.

The principles found in the future Pope Benedict's letter seek to help us to do just that. .

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27, 2006

the living word • P ASSIONIST SISTER MARy BEAUCHEMIN, STANDING AT RIGHT, IS PICTURED WITH, FROM LEFf, SISTERS JEANNE MARIE

PETrY, MARy ANDREA NIEHAUS, JOHN MARy READ AND, SEKrED, MARy BERNADETI'E.IN 1999, AFfER FIVE YEARS WITH A MAJOR CAR COMPANY, SISTER BEAUCHEMIN LEFf THE CORPORATE WORLD

TO ENTER REliGIOUS LIFE. (eNS PHOTO/COURTESY OF THE PASSIONIST NUNS OF

WHITESVII..LE, Ky., INc.)

"BUT WE WILL DEVOTE OURSELVES TO PRAYER AND TO THE MINISTRY OF THE. WORD" (ACTS

6:4).

Where 'grace abounds A few weeks ago, during a visit to the Bristol County House of Corrections in DartmQuth, I V;as asked to meet with a group of inmates who were gathered at that moment to console one of the men.

He had just beel) infoniled that his three-month-old baby had died in his sleep the night before, and there was no explanation for his death.

When I entered the room where the inmates were gathered, I saw . them sitting in rows, all in . . the same direction, facing

spiritual people in jail, and to hear from them some very profound professions of faith and trust in God. Prison is where there are often found souls experiencing deep ,remorse and regret, and desperately seeking reconciliation with God and with others: During the time that they serve, inmll;tes are forced to reflect on sinful and selfish choices of the past that have led to

boy. In the front row was the baby's father, who said to me, "Father, I know that I could choose right now, at this moment, to tum away from God and to curse him, but instead, I choose to praise him, even though I don't understand why this happened and I want my son back." What followed, among the inmates, was one of the most impressive and moving spiritual discussions I have ever experienced.

There is no question that a . prison.is a very spiritually intense place. The forces of sin and evil are p3.J.pably present. Indeed, if anyone doubts or denies the realitY of evil, .he need only hear some of the things that are said regularly in prison, to be compellingly convinced otherwise.

But as St. Paul says, ''Where sin increased, grace abounded all the more~' (Rom 5: 20). Precisely because there is great evil in prison, there is also tremendous grace, sent there by God, to offset the sin, and to move souls away from it and back to God. :nus is why it is not at all surprising to myet some very

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ruined lives. It is a place where the ' harvest is ripe, and ready for .reaping.

Because a jail is such a spiritually intense place, it is the ground for serious and challenging pastoral work. Thankfully, here in our diocese, much of this challenge is met by a retreat program for inmates, called "Residents Encounter Christ" (REC). The retreats take place periodically throughout the year, over a weekend, for groups of about 25 inmates at a time, and are structured on the Paschal Mystery of Christ's dying and rising again.

The retreats, offered to both men and women inmates, are conducted by faithful and dedicated volunteers, who give talks to the inmates and help them reflect on God's mercy and on what it means to be faithful to Christ. For many of the inmates, these retreats are the first time that the Christian call to holiness is presented to them, and

the first time that they encounter the idea and reality of unconditional love.

For some inmates, REC is the first proposal of true conversion, a proposai and challenge to be considered, and the beginning of a change in their lives. For others, it is the time when a definitive decision is made to tum back to .

God and to live according to his ways, and with his guidance and help. As any inmate who has experienced the REC retreat will tell you, the weekend is a great ray of light and hope that penetrates the darkness of their incarceration and the painful consequences of their' actions.

In addition to the weekend retreats, the REC ministry team also provides weekly prayer services at the jail, to encourage the retreat partici. pants to persevere in their conversions and in their faith. New volunteers are always needed for this important pastoral work of bringing the Good News to those in darkness. Anyone who'might be interested in joining the REC program is invited to attend an informational meeting on Thursday, November 9, at 7 p.m., at Bishop Stang High School, Room 101.

Evangelizing in a prison is one sure way to answer the Lord's call to put into the deep. It is also a sure way to follow and serve Christ, who said, ''When I was in prison, you visited me" (Mt 25:36).

Father Pignato is chaplain at Bishop Stang High School in North Dartmouth and is secretary to Bishop George W. Coleman.

OCTOBER

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An electoral battle of the booklets?

As the 2006 midterm elections approach, a battle of the booklets is likely in many U.S. Catholic venues.

First into the lists was "Voting for the Common Good: A Practical Guide for Conscientious Catholics," published last month by Catholics in Alliance for the Common Good, a group led by Alexia Kelley, an advisor to the Kerry campaign in 2004. While "V5ting for the Common Good" acknowledges that not all issues are to be weighed equally in forming one's public conscience and in voting, the booklet's overall thrust is reminiscent of the now-badly-tattered "seamless garment" or "consistent ethic of life" approach to citizen responsibility promoted by the late Cardinal Joseph Bernardin.

It may also strike some as curious that the booklet's only recommended reference for voters wishing to learn the

Church's social doctrine is the quadrennial publication of the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops, Faithful Citizenship. .Now comes "Catholics in the Public Square," written by

Bishop Thomas Olmsted of Phoenix, as part of the "Shepherd's Voice" series being launched by Basilica Press (www.basilicapress.com).

Bishop Olmsted takes a question-and-answer approach to controverted issues of Catholic conscience and political responsibility, and he doesn't mince words. Thus, on the question of whether Catholics can ever differ with the settled teaching of the Church on moral questions that have become public

policy issues, Olmsted writes that there can be legitimate prudential disagreements on the application of just war theory to a given conflict, or on whether capital punishment is justifiable in a particular circumstance. Yet he immediately goes on to add, "It should be emphasized, however, that, despite these examples, there are other [practices], such as abortion or euthanasia, that are always wrong and do not allow for the correct use of prudential judgment to justify them. It would never be proper for Catholics to be on the other side of these issues."

Which is a point not wellemphasized, shall we say, by "Voting for the Common Good."

Then there is the question of the relationship among our priority issues. Bishop Olmsted is quite clear that concern for other legitimate public policy issues of lesser gravity "can never justify a wrong choice" by

7 voters (or, one assumes, legislators) "when it comes to direct attacks on innocent human life."

To buttress his argument, the bishop cites John Paul II's teaching in "Christifiqeles Laici" ["Christ's Faithful Lay People"]: "Above all, ,the common outcry which is justly made on behalf of human rights - for example, the right to health, to home, to work, to family, to culture - is false and illusory if the right to life. the most basic and fundamental right and the condition for all other personal rights, is not defended with the maximum determination."

Which is also a point not over-stressed by "Vot\ng for the Common Good."

Finally, and With04t mentioning names, Bishop Olmsted demolishes the argument made

by Alexia Kelley's principal in the 2004 presidential campaign: " ...sometimes Catholic politicians mistakenly claim that they need to abandon their faith out of an obligation to respect those of differing opinions or to honor a political commitment inherent in their office. These claims are perhaps most frequently made I:

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when Catholic politicians claim to be personally opposed to the killing of innocent unborn children. Incredibly, it is sometimes claimed by such people that it would be inappropriate to support legislation protecting human life because doing so would impose their faith on others or somehow violate their oath of office.

These claims are ludicrous.

Protecting human life is not only a religious obligation, it is a human imperative, and it is an imperative for all people."

"Voting for the Common Good" stresses that no political party fully embodies the social doctrine of the Church. That is true, obvious, and not-quite-thepoint. If the guiding metaphor for Catholic engagement with American politics has shifted from the "seamless garment" to what the bishops, in 1998, called "the foundations of the house of freedom," then there is an irreducible priority to the life issues - precisely for the sake of the common good.

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

Painful memories Life is chock-full of stimuli that can evoke wonde.rful memories and feelings. I find music jolts my noggin more than any thing else. From the Beatles to Bob Dylan to Bo Didley to Beethoven, music in any form gets my brain "all shook up."

Food is another great shaker.

Even if it doesn't stir up some good vibes, it's still fun to chow down. And perhaps the most powerful of stimuli is watching the DVD of the 2004 Boston Red Sox - already a distant memory.

But last week, my 11year-old jogged my cerebrum when I picked her up from CYO basketball practice.

Emilie is starting to play organized sports for the first time, and she's really digging it - much to my delight. After a recent practice, she told me the ball bent her finger back and it was still sore. She wasn't complaining, she was simply sharing a new experience with me. Emilie's first basketball boo-boo opened a floodgate of wonderful recollections for me.

After telling EJIl1!lY that was the first of many more aches and pains to come, I took a turn down memory lane. It's said by some that pain can't be remembered.

Rather, it's the memory of having had pain. I'll buy that. When my daughter spoke of her throbbing finger, I felt a wave of melancholy

engulf me. "I miss my sports injuries," I thought to myself.

Having recently turned 50, I still have my share of aches and pains, but sadly, they're not sports-related. It now takes two efforts to get off the couch or out of bed in the morning, but that's age not athleticism. I still have fingers that throb with pain, but it's because of whacki!1g my

digits with a hammer, and I still have stiff, creaky knees but that's after staying crunched under a sink trying to fix a leaky pipe.

And of course, there's the occasional sliced hand - the result of cooking while watching football on a Sunday afternoon.

No, I don't miss pain. I miss sports pain. From my years as a puppy until my early 40s, I collected an assortment of sports -injuries and ailments. I can't count the times I've experienced the agony of a jammed finger from a basketball. I miss that.

Then there was the time I broke my 'thumb playing volleyball. I miss that. I still have the lump on my left shin from getting in the way of a slapshot while playing

ice hockey near\y 20 years ago. ., I miss the sore muscles and ligament strains after a rousing game of pickup football. I miss the feeling that my right arm stretched all the way to my ankles after a softball season making hundreds of throws to first from shortstop. There were times I felt like I could tie my shoes without bending down. I miss that.

Yes, there have been hundreds of boo-boos resulting from my passion for sports. Luckily I never experienced a really debilitating injury, or something along the lines of Joe Theisman's "L"shaped leg, courtesy of Lawrence Taylor. Had I gone through that, I may think a little differently about sports pain today.

I miss sports injuries. Or is it that I miss playing sports? The closest thing I come to sports injuries now are the abrasions I get from briars while looking for my golf ball in the woods. There jus~ doesn't seem to be time to compete like I used to. Then again, I don't know if my body could respond like it used to either.

Oh well, that's life I suppose. I guess I'll just have to live vicariously through Emilie's aches and pains. It's just not the same though.

I still have food and music though. As Carly Simon once sang, "I haven't got time for the pain." davejolivet@anchomews.org

BISHOP STANG Teaching Values For A Lifetime

Thursday November 2, 2006 7:00 PM u.s. Department of Education National Blue Ribbon School of Excellence 500 SLOCUM ROAD NORTH DARTMOUTH, MA 02747 508-996-5602 WWW.BI$HOPSTANG.COM

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OCTOBER

27,2006

Tb pray like Bartimaeus Today's Gospel recounts the healing of the blind beggar Bartimaeus who persists in crying out to Jesus, despite the crowd telling him to be quiet. Jesus calls Bartimaeus intohis presence and asks him, "What do you want me to do for you?" The blind beggar responds, "Master, J want to see," and Jesus restores his sight. When we read or hear this Gospel passage, we tend to focus on Jesus healing Bartimaeus' blindness.

However, something is also happening on a deeper level.

Jesus, as he often does in the Gospels, initiates a relationship with Bartimaeus.

The relationship begins because of Bartimaeus' desire to see, but the Gospel tells us that not only was Bartimaeus' healed of his blindness, but he also became a follower of Jesus, "Immediately he received his sight and fol-

lowed him on the way.;' yet many fall into the trap of believing that this is enough.

By virtue of our bantism, Jesus initiated an intilJ1ate However, if our relationship with Jesus is limited to saying relationship with each jone of prayers and going to Mass, we us. Sadly, many peopl~ never will never come to know mature in their relatioqship with the Lord because of a failure to understand that this relation~ ship requires the same, amount of effort as do the human relation- , ships that we forge in , our lives. If we hope to ') have our relationship Timothy P. Driscoll with the Lord grow and develop as time goes by, then daily, honest, Jesus, and what he wants of and open communication with us, unless we make the effort him is absolutely nece~sary. to listen to him speaking to us.

We encounter Christ, :jnd he The prayer of Bartimaeus encounters us, principally throu'gh our prayer and our teaches us that true prayer is not a monologue, but rather a participation in the lif¢ of the dialogue, an exchange be~ Church. tween us and the Lord.

Most of us are veryl good When we pray, do we do all about saying our daily! prayers the talking? When we go to and going to Mass on Sunday,

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church, do we really participate in the Mass, or do we attend Mass solely out of sense of obligation? Are we growing and developing in our relationship with the Lord?

If when we pray, we do all the talking, there is something wrong with our prayer, for prayer is a colloquy, a discourse between us and the Lord. That means that when we pray, we need to allow Jesus the opportunity to speak to us, whether we are praying the rosary, saying our morning and evening prayers, or spending time before his eucharistic presence in church. We need to be still and listen to him.

The same is true when we go to Mass; it's not enough just to sit idly in the pew. The Mass is not meant for specta-

tors, but for active participants. Jesus speaks to us through the Scriptures that are proclaimed, and we encounter him in a most intimate way in holy Communion. Do we hear him? We can't hear him if we rush out of Mass as soon as it ends, or worse, leave right after receiving Communion.

If we want to grow in our relationship with the Lord, then the exchange between Bartimaeus and Jesus can serve as our model. Jn our prayer, let us be as persistent as Bartimaeus, and respond as quickly to Jesus' voice as he did. Moreover, after having met our Lord in prayer, let us be transformed because of the encounter so that we can follow the path that leads to greater intimacy and friendship with Jesus.

Father Driscoll is a parochial vicar at Espirito Santo Parish in Fall River.

Upcoming Daily Readings: Sat, Oct 28, Simon and Jude,Apostles, Eph 2:19-22; Ps 19:2-5; Lk6:12-16. Sun, Oct 29, Thirtieth Sunday in ordinary time, Jer 31:7-9; Ps 126:1-6; Heb 5:1-6; Mk 10:4652. Mon, Oct 30, Eph 4:32-5:8; Ps 1:1-4,6; Lk 13:10-17. Thes, Oct 31, Eph 5:21-33 or Eph 5:2a,25-33; Ps 128:1-5; Lk 13:18-21. Wed, Nov 1, All Saints, Rv 7:2-4,9-14; Ps 24: 1-4ab,5-6; 1 Jn 3: 1-3; Mt 5:1-12a. Thurs, Nov 2, The Commemoration of all the Faithful Departed (All Souls) Wis 3:1-9; Ps 23:1-6; Rom 5:5-11; In 11:17-27. Fri, Nov 3, Phil 1:1-11; Ps 111:1-6; Lk 14:1-6.

Let the people 'vote!

Election Day is just around the corner, on Tuesday, November 7. Two days later, on Thursday, November 9, the legislators (our state senators and representatives) are scheduled to reconvene the constitutional convention to consider the proposed state constitutional amendment regarding marriage, to specify for the future that marriage in the Commonwealth shall only be between a man and a woman: "When recognizing marriages entered into after the adoption of this amendment by the people, the Commonwealth and its political subdivisions shall define marriage only as the union between one man and one woman."

That of course is our understanding of marriage as Catholics ("Male and female he created them"). But even more significantly, it is the universal consensus of human history until 2000 in the Netherlands, across wide cultural and religious divides, that marriage is a natural law institution based on reason. As the classical (and pagan) Roman jurist Ulpian wrote, "Out of natural law comes the union of man and woman which we call marriage, and the procreation of children.. and their rearing."

Only the union of a male and a female can beget children, and then provide them with the

optimal child-raising afl"angement of both a mother ~nd a i father.

170,000 people sign~d the petition to get this con~titu­ tional amendment on t~e ballot.

The state attorney gen9ral certified it, and even ol,lr state Supreme Judicial Court said it was a proper subject fdr, . constitutional amendm~nt by voter initiative. Articlei 48 of our state consti-I tution is clear as to the duties of the legisla- I ture at this juncture: I "A proposal for an amendment to the constitution introduced by initiative I petition shall be voted I upon in the form in i which it was introI duced .... Final legislative . action in the joint session shall I be taken only by call of, the yeas and nays, which shall be entered upon the journkls of the I two houses." The state's constitution further sprlcifies that the proposed amerldment needs only 25 percent df the combined vote of both Ihouses to advance to the next ktage (a similar vote in the next legislature, and then a referer1dum on the ballot in 2008).

I November 9 will not be the first time this matter h~s been before the legislature. d>n July 12, the state legislators Ivoted 100-91 to put off the issue until I I II

two days after the state general election. The Herald got right to the heart of the matter with its news story headline: "Pols do chicken dance over gay wed."

The newspaper's editorial read: "Political cowards rule on the Hill." Apparently, our elected representatives as a whole chose to run for cover before the election rather than vote on a

controversial issue dear to many constituents, pro or con.

The good news is that a majority of our representatives from this region, Cape Cod and the Southcoast, voted "No" on the motion to adjourn, signaling their readiness to vote on the merits. These were State Senator Robert O'Leary, and State Representatives Demetrius J. Atsalis, Stephen R. Canessa, Robert Correia, Shirley Gomes, Robert Koczera, Jeffrey Perry, John F. Quinn, William M. Straus, David B. Sullivan, and Phil Travis.

The local profiles in something-Iess-than-courage were

State Senator Mark C. Montigny, and State Representatives Antonio Cabral, Patricia Haddad, Matthew Patrick, and Eric Turkington.

It seems to me that all our elected representatives should be reminded that, as Massachusetts Common Cause has advised state legislators though it actually opposes the marriage amendment, "The constitution does require you to hold a vote on initiative amendments placed befor:.e you ..... The plain language of Article 48 indicates that that is what is required." No more procedural hijinx.

We have been here before. The legislative leadership, in previously attempting to amend the state constitution to overturn the wrongly decided Goodridge decision, only allowed a incoherent compromise that defined marriage as between a man and a woman but simultaneously granted same-sex couples the same benefits, protections, rights and responsibilities under state law as marriage. By not allowing their proposal to be split into two - the traditional definition of marriage, on the one hand, and a civil unions proposal on the other hand - they would not let the people vote to decide

both questions without binding them to each other inextricably and fatally.

In the summer of 2002, of course, there was a previous citizen-initiated attempt to amend the state constitution to enshrine the traditional understanding of marriage and thus head off what ultimately happened: the judicial imposition by a one-vote majority of same-sex marriage on the state - and recently, apparently, on Rhode Island as well. ThenSenate President Birmingham gaveled the convention to adjournment so the legislators would not have to vote on the substantive issue.

It's time. It's past time. John Adam's Declaration of Rights in our Massachusetts Constitution says, "All power residing originally in the people, and being derived from them, the several magistrates and officers of government, vested with authority, whether legislative, executive, or judicial, are their substitutes and agents, and are at all times accountable to them." Let the people vote. The first civil right, after religious freedom, is the right to vote.

And judge for yourself whether Margaret Marshall got it right.

Dwight Duncan is a professor at Southern New England School of Law in North Dartmouth. He holds degrees in both civil and canon law.

OCTOBER

27) 2006

Sic! Monday 23 October 2006 San Juan Capistrano, Calif. the famous swallows depart from the old mission church

"Sic." In a firm voice, I commanded, "Sic! Sic!" Not good.

The dog didn't budge but the people all ran for the hills. Now

OK, I confess. I've adopted a third greyhound. Dr. Trembley, my veterinarian, suspects I've been standing outside without a hat; too long in the hot sun. He may be correct.

The dog's name is

Sic Transit Gloria Mundi (Latin: "Thus passes the glory of the world," a phrase formerly used in papal coronations to remind the newly-minted pope of the virtue of humility). For short, I decided to call the dog

I call him Transit - Greyhound Transit (not to be confused with a certain bus company). Well, it's better than calling him Gloria.

I first met Transit when he was still racing professionally.

He was boarded at a specialized kennel here in the Village. One day, owner Tony Salpietro . asked if I knew anyone who wanted to adopt a greyhound. Seems Transit had incurred a minor injury but needed to retire from sports. I thought of my friend Mac. Mac is a priest. I phoned him. Off went Transit, the animal athlete, to live in a rectory in Rhode Island.

Unfortunately, it didn't work. Transit was too dog-gone lonely. "He's a fine pet," said Mac, "but he needs more company that I can provide."

Farrell McLaughlin is a

Mary and Martha for the holidays Here's some news to increase the stress level of any woman out there; Thanksgiving is only one month away, and Christmas is only one month after that. For days that are most often billed as joyful celebrations filled with family togetherness, the upcoming holidays sometimes become just another acceptable opportunity to get stressed. It does not have to be this way, however. Holiday gettogethers with family and friends can also present us with:the perfect opportunities to work on our "inner Mary" and our "inner Martha."

With this phrase, I am of course alluding to the famous set of biblical sisters, Mary and Martha. It is recorded in the Gospels that Jesus visited these sisters and their brother Lazarus on more than one occasion. It is, perhaps, for this reason, that in Luke 10:38-42, Martha appears to have become so close with Jesus as to have completely lost her appreciation for who he was.

Instead of demonstrating awe and admiration of Jesus, Martha begins tattling on her sister, Mary. In the process of hosting a dinner for Jesus and his disciples, "Martha was distracted by all the preparations that had to be made. She came to him and asked, 'Lord, don't you care that my sister has left me to do the work by myself? Tell her to help me."'.

Wow. Can you even imagine?

To welcome the Lord Jesus into your home, and immediately involve him is a sibling dispute?

Well, Jesus was savvy enough not to get caught in the middle

of a squabble between sisters. '''Martha, Martha,' the Lord answered," in the next verse, '''you are worried and upset about many things, but only one thing is needed. .fv1ary has. chosen what is better, and it will not be taken away from her.'"

Now it has to be said that

both sisters loved Jesus, and that both were doing their best to serve him. As holiday hostesses we need to have an "inner Martha" or a part of ourselves that is on the ball enough to do the bulk of the planning, shopping, decorating, and cooking ahead of time. Jesus did not reprimand Martha for being concerned about the details. He simply pointed out that her priorities, and therefore her timing, were a little off. This story of family dynamics reveals the idea that true, Christian hospitality is not measured in the quantity or quality of food served, by the cleanliness of one's house, or by the number of matching place settings and serving dishes One has. true hospitality is measured by the amount of love offered and attention given, even if the guests are . "only" our family members and close friends.

How long has it been, if ever, since we really looked at each

member of our family and saw a unique individual deserving of love, not because they are always so lovable, but because they are created in the image and likeness of God? Is it possible that, like Martha with Jesus, we have lost our sense of awe for our family members because we are in such close relationship with them? Could this be one reason why instead of welcoming the upcoming holidays as opportunities to slow down, catch up, and reconnect with loved ones, we often only feel overwhelmed by the impending work of playing host to them? If, before thanksgiving and Christmas are upon us, we will ask God to help us see each of our family members and close friends as he sees them, I think we will be better able to embrace our "innet Mary," or that part of us which, like Mary with Jesus, can justsit down and listen when our guests arrive even if all the details of the event are not in perfect order.

Mary and Martlla represent two, equally important ingredients of Christian hospitality.

Martha beforehand. Mary in the midst. Mayall of us who are hosting family gatherings this ThanksgiVing and Christmas be blessed with knowing when to call upon our inner Martha and when to send forth our inner Mary.

Heidi is an author, photog-

rapher, andfull-time mother.

She and her husband raise theirfive children in Falmouth.

Comments are welcome at homegrownfaith@yahoo.com.

sensitive man. Others might have shipped Transit off to the pound without a second I' thought. I already had two other greyhounds. What's one more? "Bring him on over," said I, in a fit of m6ral responsibility.

Transit is a 75-pbund male, II born on the Feast of St. Timothy in 2002. I held my breath when he was introquced to my old dogs, Napoleon and Cleopatra. Initial meetings can be tricky. Transit was greeted with rousing indifference. "Oh great. Look what the cat dragged in. Yawn.", .

I Have you ever stayed at a dairy farm? I have. Life on the farm revolves aroui:J.d milking time. You just can't pack up on a whim and fly to Aruba. You are responsible for, other living things. Your life mOst adjust to the animals. It was not so long ago that we humans lived I always in the company of . animals. We have lost this connectedness.

Jesus was born in a stable.

This may have been a barn or a cave, but more likely than not it was a human dwelling. Biblical anthropologists tell us that families back then often lived in one room along liwith their farm animals - humans on one side, animals on the other, with a feeding trough as a room divider. It would have been convenient for the liBlessed Mother to lay her new-born Son I in the fresh straw Of the feeding trough.

Parents teach tHbir toddlers that animals are living, breathing, feeling beings and need to be handled with care. I think all children should be responsible for an animal at some point even if it's just a goldfish, hamster or lizard. It teaches compassion. All creatures great and small, the Lord God made them all. Some psychologists say that you can almost predict the child who may grow up to become a mass-murderer by the ,I

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way -that child treats animals. I also suspect you can predict a future saint. I bet long ago in Assisi, little Francis was very fond of animals.

The sick and the elderly also need to be at least occasionally in the company of animals. It brings memories, makes connections, and even reduces blood pressure. It's great to see nursing homes and adult day centers introducing pets into the routine.

Even the terminally ill appreciate access to animals. I remember visiting the Rose Hawthorne Home in Fall River.

I noticed a seriously ill patient sleeping soundly. Next to her bed was her pet canary, cheerfully chirping in its cage. Her pet was comforting to her.

A former neighbor of mine was diagnosed with terminal cancer. A medical doctor, he kept pet greyhounds and whippets over the years. I would bring my hounds Aran All-Stars Only and Good Golly Miss Molly with me on pastoral visits. This option is not covered in your standard pastoral care of the sick book.

The "greys" were standing quietly at attention outside the church on the day of the doctor's funeral.

We sure could use more compassion in this world. There is so much rudeness, incivility, and down-right cruelty. "It's all about me" is the rule of thumb.

Maybe if we learned to better care for animals, we would then better care for each other.

I never told Transit that Father Mac replaced him as Top Dog with a cat named "Mad Hannah." A man's (sic) got to do what a man's (sic) got to do - but Transit doesn't need to know this. Sic transit gloria.

Father Goldrick is pastor of St. Bernard Parish, Assonet.

Comments are welcome at StBernardAssonet@aol.com.

Previous columns are at www.StBernardAssonet.org.

PRO-LIFER HELPER ADVISOR RESTORER MEDICATOR ANTI-ABORTIONIST 'CAREGIVER INSTRUCTOR .SPECIALIST THERAPEUTIST

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$ Diocese's Religious Education Convention set for November 4

year we hid an apple pie eating contest and overall ., I . .

FALL RIVER - Six workshops and also a Sadlier consultant; "Pasit s been very successful. It's a IDce commumty are planned for the annual Religious toral Planning: A Disciple's ReFALL RIVER - When Fran Tyrrell, a parishio- builder. not afraid to ask people to help."

Education Convention of the Fall sponse To Share in The Mission of Tyrrell 3.lso finds time to serve as secretary of the ner at SS. Peter and Paul Parish, heard she had been River Diocese to be held Novem- The Church," by Douglas nominated for person of the week, she said, "I was parish woten's Club, where she has held a variety ber 4 at Bishop Connolly High Rodrigues, consultant to the Office shocked and surprised." But given what she does for ofleadershfp positions. It is the oldest Women's Club School. of Pastoral Planning in the Fal1 the Church and her many years of dedication, it in the diocese and although it is not as active as it This year's theme is "Who do River Diocese; "I Volunteered ... should come as no surprise that a fellow parishioner once was, ~he said the members still enjoy raising you say that I am?"

Now, What In God's Name Do I thought to nominate her. money forlthe parish and are now trying to attract Keynote speaker will be DoDoT'

by Janet Rausch, coordinator She has been chairman ofthe parish Spiritual Life new memgership through various presentations inminican Sister Maureen Sul1ivan, of Religious Education at St. Committee for the past three years, helping to en- cluding quilting and cake decorating. who holds a doctorate in theology Patrick's Parish in Somerset; and l rich' the spiritual life of parishioners and the com"Fran is very much a woman of prayer," said Faand is an associate professor at St. "The Cultural Context of Today's munity. "We plan a lot of activities for the parishio- ther Salvador. "Her family has a long history at our Anselm's College in New HampYouth," by Linda Pacheco, director ners including the Giving Tree at Christmas and pro- parish and !she has always been involved in things. shire.

She has taught at graduate of Public Safety Education for the grams that highlight the seasons. In Lent we did a One thing Ithat impresses me is that she is always land Bristol County Sheriff's Office. undergraduate levels at theme "Change Our Hearts." This year they are do- upbeat. Even when things are not going well, she There will also be two workFordham University and her writing the theme "Peace on ,..----,-~_ _-------___,.-+I~or.---~ has a positive attitude." lings have appeared in many na- shops in Spanish by Pilar Latorre, Earth," for Advent. .:......... /..

Tyrrell also is indirector of Spanish Catechesis and tional publications.

The group also ,". volved with th~ parish a Sister Sullivan is being hosted by director of the Institute of Lay Forbrings in speakers to ~ , _ I pastoral councll where William H. Sadlier, Inc., for which mation for the Archdiocese of Bos-A~1ui,P~JJf.Jf.Rk she helps offer input on talk at the parish and she is a consultant, reported Deaton. they promote prayer in . - '.

I < parish operations, the con Bruce 1. Bonneau, director of The workshops are entitled: a variety of ways. parish Pro-Life CommitReligious Education for the dio''Ven Y Sigueme," and "Las ''There are a myriad of tee and its Vocation Team. cese, and coordinator of the convenLecciones Magistrales De Jesus."

"For the Pro-Life things we do and we're tion.

Several companies, which suphoping we can recruit committee, we sponsor a W. Coleman will Bishop George port the convention, will be exhibgreeters for Masses baby shower each year to iting the latest in textbooks be the principal celebrant and and soon. That's our next benefit Catholic Social homilist of a Mass to be celebrated materials for Religious Education, project."

Services. We also host the at 9 a.m. articles and gifts at the convention.

Her pastor, Father spiritually adopted baby They include, Bakerwoman The convention will hold regisStephen B. Salvador, is program and Roses for , tration beginning at 8 a.m.

FollowMinistries, Boston College, , c Life. Each year from happy to have her ining Sister Sullivan's presentation at Harcourt Religion Publishing, volved and said, "She is Mother's Day to Father's 10: 15 a.m., workshops will begin Pauline Books and Media, RCL very enthusiastic about Day we collect gifts and at 11 :20 and 11 :50 a.m., and in the Enterprises, Inc., Silver Burdett her faith and in helping money for babies." afternoon at 12:30 and at 1:45.

Ginn, Tally's Church Supplies, and others. Besides being Her involvement with Lunch will be available beginWilliam H. Sadlier, Inc. the vocation team has chairman of the Spirining at 11 :20 a.m.

Deacon Bonneau announced tual Life Committee been ongoing for four The workshops and presenters that the Office of Faith Formation she is also a member of -/ years and one thing she "Our Prayer-Graced will include, for the diocese will sponsor Youth the Festival Committee ~,-,., enjoys is sending cards Retreats November 17-19; as well Moments of Blessings," by Jane E. "".; and letters to seminarians and an extraordinary as an Advent Retreat Day entitled of the Ayer, an author and director minister of holy ComI" around the holidays. The "A Day Office of Religious Education for of Prayer and Reflection" munion among other DIFFERENCE MAKER - Fran Tyrrell has made tak th t helping others and her parish a big p~lrt of her life. grou~al e~ a on as a Catholic Schools for the ArchdioDecember 15 at the La Salette Rethings. She's always spec! prol'ect as we ll as (AnchotiGordon photo) ~ treat Center in Attleboro. cese of Boston; "If You Give a willing to help the I holy hours for vocations.

Religious Education Week will Mouse a Cookie ...." By John Church and I think that enthusiasm inspires others." She recently returned from Rome where she and 18 be celebrated in the Fall River DioCollins, principal of the Kane ElA Fall River native, Tyrrell attended school and others attenkled the transitional diaconate ordination cese beginning November 12. ementary School in Marlborough, was a member of St. Patrick's Parish when she was of Fall Rivdr seminarian Jay Mello. younger. She graduated from Bristol Community "That wr nice," said Tyrrell. "I met him through College and UMass-Dartmouth. She started work- youth mini~try and we were able to see the North ing for the Child Development program in Fall River American <rollege and visit Assisi." upon graduation and has been working there for 32 Never trlarried, she is close to her brother and years. two sistersj When she's not helping out at SS. Pe''That's what I wanted to do when I finished school ter and Paul, Tyrrell likes to travel, read and shop. and I absolutely love my job," said Tyrrell. "My title She also sdends some of her free time as a memis consulting resource teacher, but I wear a lot of ber of the Iboard of directors at the Deaconess hats. I supervise staff, handle the training of staff, Home in ~all River, a home for troubled girls. work with DSS on referrals to the program, assist in She's beenlinvolved with that organization for 20 classrooms as needed and help the office staff when years. necessary."

When asked how she does so many things for her She loves the Church also, as evidenced by her parish, Tyrrell smiled and said simply, "A lot of dedication to helping others. When she was 17, people say l don't have the time to do this and that, Tyrrell began teaching CCD and has been doing so butyoujust have to make the time. Sometimes I don't for an astonishing 39 years. "It's a ministry I feel have the enbrgy, but when I make a commitment, I' I good about and it's been nice to pass on the Catholic always fo1l9w through." . traditions to young people," said the 56-year-old One thing that keeps her going is prayer, and she Tyrrell. "It strengthens my own faith and it's a privi- tries to atterld perpetual eucharistic adQration at leas~ lege to see someone grow in their spirituality." She once a we4. "Prayer plays an impotUnt role in my added, "Although we may not ever know the results life and it's fomething that was always promoted by ofthe work, ifyou introduce faith to people you hope my family growing up. That gives me a lot of strength it will growth and bear fruit." and support!. I enjoy being involved in the parish. It She has served as an extraordinary minister of creates c0mtections with people and friendships. I've holy Communion for 25 years and has been a mem- met a lot oflgreat people over the years."

Submit nominations for Person of the Week ber of the parish festival committee for more than IN AWE - Jack Kelly, eight, of Indianapolis, touches a relic of St. 25 years. 'We do an annual fall event over the week- to theanchor@anchomews.org or The ;Anchor, Mother Theodore Guerin following Mass at the Church of the Imend with games, food and fun," said Tyrrell. ''This P.O. Box 7'1 Fall River, MA 02722. " maculate Conception at St. Mary-of-the-Woods, Ind., recently. (CNS . photo/K~ren Gall~\y~y, No.rt.hwe.s.t !,?dJE!nli! C{3!ho./~c) .. . ...

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UNDER A WATCHFUL EYE - Representatives of diocesan ministries and schools met recently for a Pastoral Planning session at St. Julie Billiart Parish, North Dartmouth. (AnchodGordon photo)

Diocesan leaders, principals provide input to Pastoral Planning process

By MIKE GORDON ANCHOR STAFF

NORTH DARTMOUTH Catholic school principals and diocesan leaders gathered on October 17 in the parish hall of St. Julie Bi1liart Church for a study session on pastoral planning. The meeting is a direct result ofevaluation recommendations for greater communication and understanding following the end of Phase One of the Pastoral Planning process.

The meeting began with prayer and the program was divided into two sessions. The first was entitled "Understanding Pastoral Planning" and the second, ''Future Efforts in Pastoral Planning." They were led by consultant Doug Rodrigues and Father David M. Andrade, director of the Office of Pastoral Planning.

"I thought it went very well," said FatherAndrade. ''It was good to bring all the heads of schools and directors together. It's important to introduce pastoral planning to more people and have the dialogue today like we did.

It helps create new ideas and establish greater communication."

Approximately 35 leaders including many principals attended. Among them was Dr. Patricia Marmen, principal at St. Pius X School in South . Yannouth who praised the efforts of Rodrigues. ''I have seen the process in other dioceses aJ1d it's not an easy one, but the end result is worth it. We need to find a way to best serve the needs ofour children and Catholics."

The first session focused on the meaning of pastoral planning and why it is needed. In many dioceses it is not simply an insufficient number of priests, but a desire to focus on the mission of the Church first and have everything else flow from that.

Marian Desrosiers, diocesan director of the Pro-Life Apostolate,

said, it was a helpful presentation.

"It's good to have a deeper understanding of what the pastoral plan is all about and I think opening up communication among the many departments ofthe diocese has a wide range of benefits."

Pastoral plapning was defined as a strategy to develop and allocate resources in order to fulfill a mission or vision. That"nission, according to

Rodrigues, is seen in Jesus' great commission: "Go, therefore, and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you" (Mt. 28: 18-20).

Rodrigues worked previously as director of pastoral planning in the Diocese of San Berdino, Calif., and

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"We are trying to explain what pastoral planning is all about," said Rodrigues. There are two primary issues we are looking at. The!1 first is understanding pastoral planning, how it impacts all of us, and what the proposed steps are. It will not be easy, but we must look to the Gospels. We are in this together and we can do this together. This is a process filled with challenges and hope."

What spurred the diocese, like so many others, to begin planning, is the priest shortage. Next year 10 priests will tum 70 and may retire while only one new priest will be ordained. There were no ordinations for the diocese in 2006.

But even if seminaries and convents were overflowing, as pointed out in the presentation, a diocese still must engage in such a process.

Rodrigues said, "More and more dioceses have begun to take a broader approach examining personnel and structure in light of mission.

"So far the feedback has txien very good and we continue to make positive steps. It's been an overwhelmingly positive process. We want to know at the local level what works for parishioners."

St. John of Cluny Sister ~ugenia Brady, moderator for the Diocesan Council of Catholic Women, thought the meeting went well. ''The sharing at my table was very deep and there : was a lot of insight. That was ~ncour­ aging. Although a lot needs to be done it seems to be moving forward in a positive way."

After a PowerPoint presentation, the large group broke into discussion

groups. They discussed what their reactions were and the concerns they had.

Questions raised included: How can the involvement of lay people in the process, especially young people, be increased? How do we keep the traditions of the past alive? How do we keep the positive attitude going?

How can we develop a more welcoming attitude with regards to evangelization? What is our mission at Catholic schools? What else can we do for those struggling with the cost of tuition?

According to Rodrigues, one of the keys to pastoral planning is collaboration. ''If you are truly going to cooperate it must include everyone.

You need true collaboration."Another key concept is that all Catholics must take a more active role in the mission and ministry of the Church. ''Working together is key, no parish or school is an island."

A similar presentation was given to priests at the end ofSeptember and a presentation to permanent deacons was held October 23. Plans are to bring the information to parish pastoral councils by Deanery in January and February.

Father Andrade is hoping to get more lay people involved and said, ''There is much more we need to do before we move ahead. As I've heard today everyone sees the challenges before us, but at the same time there is a great sense of hope. This process although challenging will enable us to engage in a deeper renewal of our faith and help our local Church to become stronger as we carry out the mission Jesus has entrusted to us."

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lowing are capsule reviews of new Peyton Reed draws good work from and recent DVD and video releases the stars, especially th~1 effortlessly from the Office for Film & Broad- appealing Aniston and scene-stealcasting of the u.s. Conference of ing Judy Davis, though the protagoCatholic Bishops. Theatrical movies nists from the start see~distinctly inon video have a USCCB Office for compatible. Undeme~th the notFilm & Broadcasting classification very-funny funny businfss, there are and Motion Picture Association of some universal truths aiout relationAmerica rating. These classifications ; ships, but the setup nev r quite rings refer only to the theatrical version of true, and the script sh uld be way the films below, and do not take into sharper. Considerable Jrofanity and accountDVDreleases'extracontent. crude language and instance of "American Dreamz" (2006) rough language, some Icrass sexual Fairly amusing satire of fame and banter, partial nudity ahd a permispolitics as a would-be terrorist (Sam sive view ofa premarital relationship.

Golzari)enamoredofAmericans?ow The US~CB Of~ce ~ilm & tunes winds up on an "Arne.:lcan ~r~adcastmg cl~Sdic~on IS L Idol"-like talent show, where his Af- limited adult audience, films whose ghan superiors expect him to kill the problematic content any adults eMotion U.S. president (Dennis Quaid) who would find troubling. is appearing as a celebrity judge to Picture Association of America ratboost his image, while the show's host ing is PG-13 - parents ftrongly cau(Hugh Grant) falls for a "white trash" tioned. Some material may be inapcontestant from Ohio (Mandy propriate for children der 13 (UniMoore). The performances, including versal). thqse of Marcia Gay Harden and "Over the Hedge'j (2006) Willem Dafoe, are good, and direcComputer-animated comedy 1 tor-writer Paul Weitz carefully avoids about a rascally racc1:(voiced by most of the pitfalls of such a premise Bruce Willis) who offe s to "help" a with a surprisingly sweet-natured groupofwoodlandcre I s(humorstory with no real villains, though the ously voiced by Steve qrrell, Wanda salvos about today's vapid pop cul- Sykes, Garry Shandl:t:, William ture, the public's misplaced priorities, Shatner and Eugene Uevy, among the need for understanding ofour "en- others) stockpile food for the comemies," and the obscenity of war ing winter by raiding tpe suburban could sometimes be more sharply housing development that has sprung focused. Scattered instances of four- up on their forest doorftep, but not letter words, profanity, sexual and telling them that he intends to use the crass expressions, an impli~ premari- purloined provision~ to r~ve ~s own tal coupling and a suicide. The an- fur. Based on a COffilC stpp, directors amorphic DVD includes about 12 TlmJohnsonandKareyKirkpatrick's minutes of deleted scenes, commen- good-naturedly entertaÂĽung and vitary by Weitz and Golzari, and a sually cheery fable re~es. on nutty couple of lightweight featurettes. The sight gags over story, 9ut nnp~ a USCCB Office for Film & Broadcast- commendable message rbo~t family ing classification is A-ill - adults. and acting unselfishly, Iwhile offerThe Motion Picture Association of ing some fun~lY comm~t~ on our America rating is PG-13 - pare~ts consumer SOCIety. SomeF~y crude strongly cautioned. Some matenal humor, a few rude expressIOns and may be inappropriate for children innuendo, and recurring fomic action violence. The USCCB Office for under 13 (Universal). ''lbe Break-Up" (2006) Film & Broadcasting clksification is Tepid but fitfully affable romantic A-I - general patrona~e. The Mocomedy charting the deterioration of tion Picture Association of America the relationship of an art gallery as- rating is PG - parental guidance sistant (Jennifer Aniston) and a lout- suggested. Somemateri~maynotbe ish Chicago tour bus operator (Vmce suitable for children I Paramount Vaughn) who ultimately leams to be Home Entertainment).

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BACK IN THE SADDLE - Alison Lohman and Tim McGraw star in a scene from the movie "Flicka."

For a brief review of this film, see CNS Movie Capsules below. (CNS photo/20th Century Fox)

lC~~ ~'t()viite (Call()~Ulllte~ NEW YORK (CNS) - The following are capsule reviews of movies recently reviewed by the Office for Film & Broadcasting of the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops.

"Flags of Our Fathers" (Paramount) Compelling World War II drama that tells the story behind the iconic photograph of six U.S. servicemen raising of the flag on Iwo Jima, recounting both the battle to capture the Pacific island from the Japanese and the homefront experiences of the three surviving flag-raisers (Jesse Bradford, Adam Beach and Ryan Phillippe) recruited into using their new celebrity to help sell war bonds and boost national morale. In adapting James Bradley (the son of one of the men in the photo) and Ron Powers' book, director Clint Eastwood combines intense battle re-enactments - horrifying in their realism - with outstanding performances to explore themes of heroism and the power of images to exploit and inspire. Graphic images of combat violence and gore, as well as recurring rough and crude language and profanity. The USCCB Office for Film & Broadcasting classification is A-llI adults. The Motion Picture AssociatiQn of America rating is R restricted. Under 17 requires accompanying parent or adult guardian.

"Flicka" (20th Century Fox) Warmhearted story set in con-

temporary Wyoming about a strong-willed teen (Alison Lohman) who, defying her tough but loving dad (Tim McGraw), determines to tame a spirited wild mustang, ultimately bringing father and daughter closer together, even as the former contemplates selling the financially strapped family ranch. In adapting Mary O'Hara's book,. director Michael Mayer makes some changes but remains faithful in spirit, imparting a sentimental message about family bonds, youthful ambition, - and the passing of the American West. Minimal mildly crass expressions and some minor peril involving a marauding mountain lion which may upset very young viewers. The USCCB Office for Film & Broadcasting classification is A-I - general patronage. The Motion Picture Association of America rating is PG - parental guidance suggested. Some material may not be suitable for children.

"Love's Abiding Joy" (Fox) Fourth installment in the "Love Comes Softly" series where pioneer rancher couple (Erin Cottrell and Logan Bartholomew), circa 1885, cope with financial hardships and the sudden loss of their child. The villainous mayor (John Laughlin) makes the husband the sheriff but only to manipulate him for his dastardly purpose~, while thwarting the budding romance between his own daughter (Mae Whitman) and the sheriff's adopted son (Drew Tyler Bell).

Michael Landon Jr. directs the leisurely tale capably; the production design, cinematography and musical score are assets, but the script and performances are bland and often anachronistically contemporary, while the faith elements, though -admirable, are heavyhanded. The USCCB Office for Film & Broadcasting classification

is A-I - general patronage. The Motion Picture Association of America rating is PG - parental guidance suggested. Some material may not be suitable for children.

"The Prestige" (TouchstonelWarner Bros.)

Convoluted thriller about rival magicians (Christian Bale and Hugh Jackman) in Victorian England who stop at nothing to sabotage (and steal the trade secrets of) the other after the accidental death of the latter's wife during a theatrical stunt. Director Christopher Nolan's adaptation of Christopher Priest's novel is, thanks to the selfserving characters, more unpleasant than intriguing and all the double-dealing grows tiresome, despite the flair of the two leads and the estimable support of Michael Caine as a retired conjurer and Scarlett Johansson as the romantic love interest of both. Some violence, including drownings, a suicide and a hanging, and some crass words. The USCCB Office for Film & Broadcasting classification is A-II - adults and adolescents. The Motion Picture Association of America rating is PG13 - parents strongly cautioned.

Some material may be inappropriate for children under 13. .

Movies Online Can't remember how a recent film was classified by the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops?

Want to know whether to let the kids go see it? You can look up film reviews on the Catholic News Service Website.

Visit catholicnews.com and click on "Movies," under the "News Item" menu.

OCTOBER

27, 2006

, The Anchor news briefs Bishops to vote on guidelines for ministry to homosexuals WASHINGTON - When the U.S. Catholic bishops meet in Baltimore November 13-16, they will be asked to vote on guidelines for ministry to those with homosexual inclinations. The proposed document clearly reaffirms and explains Church teaching against any sexual activity - homosexual or heterosexual - that takes place outside marriage, and it says authentic ministry must be based on that teaching. But it also says a homosexual inclination is not itself sinful and those who are homosexually inclined "must be accepted with respect, compassion and sensitivity." It sharply condemns hatred or "violent malice in speech or action" against homosexuals. ''Those who would minister in the name of the Church must in no way contribute to such injustice," it says. The 23-page document, prepared by the Committee on Doctrine of the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops, is titled "Ministry to Persons With a Homosexual Inclination: Guidelines for Pastoral Care." Despite the title, only about one-fifth of the document is devoted specifically to pastoral care guidelines; the larger and more important part of the text is devoted to the framework of Church teaching within which such pastoral care is set.

Former Iraqi minister: Only solution for Christians is governorate WASHINGTON - A new administrative region for Christians and other minorities in northern Iraq is the only solution to keep them from disappearing from the Shiite-majority country, said Pascale Warda, the former Iraqi minister of displacement and migration. Warda said minorities in Iraq - Assyrian Christians, Chaldean Catholics, Shabaks, Yezidis, Turkmen and others - do not want a divided Iraq. "We would like to organize a democratic and federalist Iraq," she said. Michael Youash, project director of the Iraqi Sustainability Democracy Project, said the administrative region with local jurisdiction would encompass the Nineveh plain and minority lands in the western part of the Dahuk region. All minorities, without exclusion, could live in the region, they said. Youash said the administrative region, or governorate, is guaranteed under a constitutional provision allowing creation of such areas for minorities. Youash and Warda spoke October 18 at a press conference at the National Press Club in Washington.

Oakland Diocese puts child abuse training online OAKLAND, Calif. - Nancy Libby, coordinatorfor the Oakland Diocese's Safe Environment for Children program, has a dream. She envisions "all of us as a Church watching out for kids. We all need to keep our eyes open and to be aware." Libby may be well on the way to seeing her vision come true. Since August 14, approximately 7,700 individuals affiliated with the Oakland Diocese have logged on to the "Shield the Vulnerable" Website - www.shieldthevulnerable.org. It features a new 9O-minute interactive course which teaches priests and diocesan, parish and school staffs and volunteers how to recognize, report and prevent child abuse. "Shield the Vulnerable" is a collaborative effort between the Oakland Diocese and LawRoom, a Web-based company started by Walnut Creek lawyer Ralph Yanello 10 years ago to provide computer trainings for employees around human resources topics.

Pope to Italian CathoUcs: West must return to its Christian roots VERONA, Italy - Addressing Italian Catholic leaders, Pope Benedict XVI said that unless the West returns to its Christian roots it will be unable to dialogue with other religious cultures. The pope did not mention Islam in his speech October 19, but his theme was one he has explored with increasing frequency in regard to dialogue with Muslims: that the followers of non-Christian religions like Islam mistrust the West's secular drift. He spoke in the northern Italian city ofVerona to some 2,700 Church delegates of the Fourth National Church Convention, a pastoral planning meeting held once every 10 years. The pontiff arrived in Verona under heavy security and was welcomed warmly as he rode through the city in a popemobile. The pope's hourlong speech, interrupted repeatedly with applause, explored a favorite topic of his 18-month-old pontificate: that personal faith Should have a cultural impact, particularly in areas of the family, marriage, protection of human life and education.

Governments must work together to reverse hunger, poverty,says pope VATICAN CITY - Governments must work together to reverse hunger and poverty and invest more in local agriculture, Pope Benedict XVI said on the occasion of World Food Day. ''Today more than ever, in the face of recurring crises and the pursuit of narrow selfinterest, there has to be cooperation and solidarity between states, each of which should be attentive to the needs of its weakest citizens, who are the first to suffer from poverty," he said in a written message. If nations do not look out for the common good of the whole human family through a spirit of solidarity, then "there is a risk of limiting or even impeding the work of international organizations that set out to fight hunger and malnutrition," the pope wrote.

Pope Benedict's written message was sent to the head of the U.N. Food and Agriculture Organization, Jacques Diouf, to mark the October 16 celebration of World Food Day.

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The Anchor ,

Our readers respond TV Mass needs a reminder box I appreciate The Anchor so much.

I am elderly and my daughter is typing this letter for me. I am a member of St. John of God Parish in Somerset. There are many good articles in The Anchor and it helps the elderly know what is happening in the churches. I especially like pictures of the pope and bishops and priests. They are important to me and I pray for them, and you, every day.

Sometimes I need to watch the TV Mass because of my age and illness when I cannot go to church to receive Jesus. The TV Mass is so important for me.

Many years ago in The Anchor there was a box that ran weekly that would be a reminder for the elderly about the TV Mass. It would announce the time, the priest and the name of the parish.

I think this would be good to do again. More importantly, it is areminder to the elderly friends who might not be able to attend church, and at the last minute, would not remember what time the Mass is celebrated. Place put it in a nice box, with big letters.

I hope you can do this. What a wonderful job you are doing at The Anchor.

Mrs. Rego Somerset From Father Landry: A good suggestion and we have already acted on it.

ing; and Irwin's 2004 Pro-Life column reprint was eloquent and inspirational.'

One bone I would pkk with you, however, has to do with the capsule reviews of movies by the Office for Film and Broadcasting of the U.S. Conference of Catholic ~ishops. Instead of rating films that contain lewd dancing and cheerleading, suggestive wardrobe, profanity and crude language and humor as "Am - Adults," any film l fitting this description should be designated "0 - morally offensive" to all, children and adults alike. .

Richara A. Carey Needham I:

Child abuse not behind us Child sexual abuse is now recognized as a universal c&ncern. Yet, it no longer gathers the intense attention it once received in recent years. Reforms have been put into place in many I,of those environments where children may be found. This is to the benefit of all children. Yet, it remains that we can easily assume that now all is well, that the problem I is now behind us, and that now we can move on and direct our energies on other pressing matters. However, our responsibilities to our children remain and it is now left to all of us to carry out those reforms that have been put into place. We must all remain vigilant because child predators remain a thteat. Consequently, it behooves all of us to know how to respond to a known abuse and to stay abreast of what resources are available to assist us in the protection of our children.

George Lee Somerset

in Lexington who tried to invoke his right to protect his son from liberal teachings and was unbelievably punished for his point of view, and this during a period when gays are probably on their best behavior pending further political maneuvering.

Was the Legislature's failure to vote on the marriage protection amendment, while thousands gathered to represent their points of view, a lack of courage or manipulation of the process? Consider Theresa Murray's explanation that there were too many items on the agenda. After 170,000 people signed the petition, and thousands of people traveled considerable distances to Beacon Hill to wait in uncomfortable circumstances, did the politicians think that there were 16 more important issues or do you suppose it was deliberately scheduled to be 21 st out of 22 being considered?

The world will not end because of this. It didn't end because ofvulgar music, disrespect for women, violence real and portrayed, corrupt politicians, casual approach to childbearing and routine abortion, and Hollywood's glorifying all manner of perverse activity. No, the world didn't end because of these things, but is it a better place?

Charles Howard North Falmouth Letters are welcome butthe editor reserves the right to condense or editfor clarity if deeme4 necessary. Letters should be typed, no longer than 100 words and should include name, address, and telephone number. Letters do not necessarily reflect the editorial views of The Anchor. Letters should be sent to: The Anchor, Letters to the Editor, P.O. Box 7, Fall River, MA 02722.0007, or emailed to fotherrogerlondry@anchomews.org.

Jury is still out on Medjugorje I have searched the media for a reasoned defense of Pope Benedict's discourse at the University of Regensburg. I have finally found it in The Anchor. The editorial "Reason and Rage" in the SepSilencing the M~jority tember 22 edition was excellent.

Enclosed is my check for subscripI've read many letters and articles on gay marriage and I have tion renewal.

My only criticism of your pub- never seen any name calling or genlication is your insistence on pro- eralizing by the anti-gay marriage moting the falsehood of people, but it is routine'for pro gays Medjugorje. 1\vo bishops occupy- and some journalists to label the oping the See in which Medjugorje is position when confronted with antilocated have investigated the al- gay marriage issues. ;,We seldom Sales And Service leged apparitions and found them hear the specifics addressed. The wanting of supernatural interven- usual response is that the charges Fall River's Largest tion. Please do us a favor and stop are mean-spirited or bigotry and Display·of TVs undermining episcopal authority in . small mindedness. Every state that has had its right to vote on the isthis instance.

ZENITH • SONY Henry J. Booth sue has rejected it. Are these milDartmouth lions of people all small minded, 1196 BEDFORD ST. mean-spirited bigots? I ask you to FALL RIVER From Father Landry: Ourpub- consider what happen~d to the man 508-673-9721 lication has simply printed news stories on the continuing study of PRACTICE THE DEVOTION OF THE FIRST SATURDAYS, the alleged apparitions in AS REQUESTED BY OUR LADY OF FATIMA Medjugorje. We, like the Vatican, On D~ember 10, 1925, Our Lady appeared to Sister Lucia (seer still have not made a determinaof Fatima) and spoke these words: "Announce in my name that I tion for or against. promise to assist at the hour ofdeath with the graces lIecessary for the salvation oftheir souls, aU those who on the first Saturday of Color it bad .•. for everybody jive consecutive months shall: My daughter in Taunton faith1. Go to confess~n; 2. Receive Holy Communion; 3. Recite the fully delivers to me each week a Rosary (5 decades); and 4. Keep me company for 15 minutes while copy of The Anchor, for which I am meditating on the 15 mysteries ofthe Rosary, with the intention of most grateful. For I can always find .making reparation to me." several interesting news stories, ediIn a spirit of reparation, the above conditions are each to be torials, and/or columns. preceded by the words: "In reparation for the offenses committed In the September 15 issue, for against the Immaculate Heart of Mary." example, the article on hazing was Confessions may be made during 8 days before or after the first most informative. Dave Jolivet's Saturday, and Holy Communion may be received at either the tribute to Steve Irwin, the Austramorning or evening Mass on the first Saturday. lian "croc hunter," was illuminatPaid advertisement

Eastern Television

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Vote

OCTOBER

27, 2006

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No doubt, theJuly vote reflected the lUleasinesS Second BEnst.1 District - Democrat Kate M. on the part of incumbents to make a controversial Jackson is ag. t a vote, while Republican John decision when reelection this fall was on the line. A. Lepper is for voteo Whether it signaled individual lawmakers favored While all tho* legislators are eligibleto vote on or disfavored allowing citizens their right to vote the maniage amendment in November, some of on the constitutional amendment, is another mat- them won'tbe in bffice afterJanuary when the second vote would dome. ter.

Kris Mineau, president of the Massachusetts Forexample'E'ep. Travis ofRehoboth andRep. Family Institute, told TheAnchor'i\ll91 who voted Gomes ofSouth aIWich, two stout supporters of not to adjourn might notbe with us on the maniage the maniage am ndment, did not seek reelection. amendment, but at least they sided with the state Apolling by theMassachusettsFamconstitution that they have to allow for a vote." ily Institute, the cOalition established to support the Martins recalled that the immediate reaction protection of mahiage amendment, offered more from voters in July was that the legislators reneg- specifics on how dIe candidates felt The candidates' positions are from voting. ing was a denial of the ordinaIy citizen's right to vote on the issue thepeoplethemselves had brought .records, questioQnaires, public statements, other organization's voter guides and other sources, the up. coalition reporre.4.

"So we also want to put into office legislators who lUlderstand their duty, their obligation to alAt the same*e MFl made it clear the reportis low people to vote and not deny them that right by not to be construfjd as an endorsement of any cantheir failure to act:' Martins asserted. didate.

I In the Fourth Bristol District - Democrat Mineau added: ''If they allow the vote next month, we are confident we have the 50 votes to StevenD' Amico~Republicanchallenger Steven Howitt are running for Rep. Travis' seat. D'Amico have the amendmentto pass this first time arolUld." Atthesametime,Mineausaid, "TheseNovem- and Howitt are t>?th listed as not favoring legislaher 7 elections are very important as they always tors voting to alloW citizens to vote on the maniage I are regarding family values, but on the marriage amendment amendment ... it is critical that we hold the votes In the Fourth 'amstable District, Sarah Peak, a Democrat, andAa'ron Malloy, aRepublican are runthat we have."

I As for November 9, ''We have been told that ning for Rep. Goqres seat. Peakis against any vote, . there will not be another vote to recess:' Mineau while Malloy is in favor of a vote. reported. ''However, iflegislators fail to show for a Other districuj with races and how the candiquorum or vote to adjourn, Gov. Mitt Romney has dates reacted to tbe questions by the coalition intheauthority toreconvene them. Whetherthey obey clude: : hirn ornot, will certainly play out on a high stage of Representativ~: media and public opinion:' FrrstBarnstable-IncurnbentDemocratCleon According to somepolitical observers, because Thmer, is against ~y vote, while Republican chalRomney is not seeking reelection could mean his lenger Richard N~itz is for a vote.

Second Barrultable - Incumbent Democrat authoritY to call the legislature into session will Atsalis, who is rePorted against allowing the vote, weaken as the year winds down. is challengedby ~ublican Wtlliam Crocker, who If no action were taken on the amendment by is in favor of the \iote.

December 31, the legislature would be in violation of Article 48 of the state constitution, which reTenth Bristol Democratic ~urnbent Willthe vote, while Republican quires a vote by thejoint session ofthe House and iam Straus is against I Peter Wmters had no response.

Senate on qualified initiative petitions.

Eleventh Bristol - Republican incumbent Last July, legislators within the Fall River diocese who voted to keep worlcing -and take up the Koczera favored ~ vote while Democrat Dennis Dallaire had no response. maniage amendment included: I Second Plym~uth - Republican incumbent Representatives: Demetrius 1. Atsalis, D-Hyannis; Stephen R. Gifford favored alvote while Democrat Margaret Canessa, D-New Bedford; Robert Correia, D-Fall A. Ishihara had n~ response.

Seventh Bristol - Democratic incumbent River; James H. Fagan, D-Taunton; Susan W. I Gifford, R-Wareham; Shirley Gomes, R-South CorreiaandRepuqlicanchallenger Raymond Leary Harwich; Robert M. Koczera, D-New Bedford; both favor a vote. I John A. Lepper, R-Attleboro; Jeffrey D. Perry, RSenators: I Bristol and NOrfolk - Democratic incumbent Sandwich; Elizabeth A. Poirier, R-New Bedford; I JohnE Quinn, D-Dartmouth; Michael 1. Rodrigues, James Tnnilty is ~t a vote, while Republican .

D-Westport; Wtlliam M. Straus, D-Mattapoisett; Michael Atwill is for a vote.

CapeandIslands-IncumbentDemocratRobDavid B. Sullivan, D-Fall River; and Phil Travis, I ert O'Leary, althojJgh he voted in July to stay and D-Rehoboth.

They werejoinedby Senator RobertD. O'Leary, take up the issue, is currently recorded as against a vote; while Republican Ricardo Banosis for avote.

D-Bamstable.

Area legislators who voted to adjourn andpost- O'Leary had voteHI not to adjourn on July 12 Norfolk, Bristol, Plymouth - Democratic Inpone action on the marriage amendment included: cumbent BrianJoyce is ~ a vote, and RepubRepresentatives Antonio ED. Cabral, D-New Bedford; Patricia lican James Al<!re{t is for a vote.

Among the supPorters ofthe Maniage Act beA. Haddad. ])"New Bedford; Matthew Patrick, DFalmouth;EricThJkington,D-Falmouth;andCleon sides Bishop Geotge W. ColemanofFallRiverand Turner, D-Dennis. the three otherRofuan Catholic bishops ofMassaAlso voting to adjourn were Senators Joan M. chusetts, are the BlackMinisterialAlliance, OrthoMenard, D-Somerset; Made C. Montigny, D-New dox churches, van-ous Lutheran, Presbyterian, Bedford; and Marc R. Pacheco, D-Taunton.

Methodist and E~iscoplian communities, the IsBarnstable, Dukes and Nantucket - Democrat lamic ColUlcil of New England and Vision New Fric TurkingtoIi was against a vote while Republi- England Church~. ''We can hope ~d pray that our legislators will cation James Powell did not respond to the Survey.

Frrst Bristol District- Republican Fred "Jay" take action, and that those we chose to vote into Barrows is for a vote, while Democrat Claire office this November will demonstrate by their future action our faitf:1 in them," Martins asserted.

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FIGHTING FOR LIFE - Volunteers assemble yard signs and organize mailings and fund-raising materials at the "Vote Yes For Life" campaign headquarters in Sioux Falls, S.D., recently. The Pro-Life group is waging a campaign to uphold the state's abortion ban, which goes before voters November 7. (CNS photo/Carey Gillam, Reuters)

A repeat of 2004 elections on ballot questions? Not exactly WASHINGTON (CNS) - In some ways the ballot questions voters are facing in 2006 may seem like a repeat of two years ago: A number of states are considering constitutional amendments to define marriage as the union of a man and a woman, and one state is facing an initiative that could make embryonic stem-cell research and human cloning a constitutional right.

But this year the stem-cell question comes up in Missouri, not California, and the ballot measure likely to get much of the nation's attention is a proposal in South Dakota to repeal a law banning most abortions..

"Real lives are at stake," says Bishop Blase J. Cupich of Rapid City, S.D., who adds that the referendum "provides all citizens in South Dakota the chance for a public debate on what kind of society we want to have."

In all, there are more than 200 ballot measures before voters in 36 states November 7.

They deal with immigration issues, smoking, public funding for education or low-income housing, the minimum wage, tax caps and spending limits, affirmative action, gambling, the death penalty and even such matters 'as the minimum living space required for preg. nant pigs and calves in Arizona and the preservation of "the tradition of fishing and hunting" in Georgia.

Catholic bishops have not taken an official stand on the pregnant pigs or the hunting tradition, but they have been vocal about what Catholic teachings have to say about many of the other issues.

"Same-sex unions simply do not conform to the essence of marriage:' said the three bishops of Tennessee in a recent letter supporting a state constitutional amendment on marriage. The two bishops of Virginia had a similar message about the proposal in their state.

Marriage questions are also on the ballot in Arizona, Colorado, Idaho, South Carolina, South Dakota and Wisconsin. Moreothan 80 percent of Alabama voters approved a con~ stitutional amendment on marriage there in June.

Colorado voters also face a measure that would validate "domestic partnerships" be-

tween people of the same sex.

The stem-cell initiative in Missouri is generating nearly as much discussion as the proposal to fund stem-cell research to the tune of $3 billion did in California two years ago.

Although Missouri's Amendment Two does not allocate any specific funding, it would take away the authority of state and l<:><:al governments to regulate and ban human cloning and embryonic stem-cell research.

In South Ditkota, the abortion ban passed. in March has never been enforced because of court challenges. The law would permit abortions only if the life of the mother is at stake.

Other abortion-related measures before voters are proposed constitutional amendments in California and Oregon that would require parental notification and a 48-hour waiting period before a minor's abortion, unless a judge waives the requirement.

Colorado voters still faced ballot questions that would prohibit businesses from deducting wages paid to illegal aliens from the businesses' taxes and direct the state attorney general to sue the federal government to enforce existing immigration laws.

Also on the Colorado ballot is a proposal to raise the minimum wage. Similar proposals are before voters in Arizona, Missouri, Montana, Nevada and Ohio. .

Arizona's Catholic bishops urged a "no" vote on a proposal there that would deny instate college tuition or child-care subsidies . to noncitizens who are not in the United States legally.

Other proposals before voters in Arizona would deny bail to some illegal immigrants, prohibit those in the U.S. illegally from receiving punitive damages in lawsuits and make English the official language of the state.

Among the other issues drawing Catholic comment include: Affordable housing and a gambling casino in Rhode Island; restoring the death penalty in Wisconsin; a casino in Ohio; banning affirmative action in Michigan, as well as a public education increase seen to hurt that state's poor and vulnerable.

OCTOBER

27,2006

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Intimidation tactics seen chilling Catholic voters'.free speech rights

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Vocation

Continued from page one

mother of God, tells her; 'All things - ters for most of my young life and I are possible for God.' Indeed they was used to being with them ... and knew pretty much what they are all are. I am an example of that:'

By DEACON JAMES N. DUNBAR words to expressly advocate the election or, defeat of a Sister lugo described how she about and it attracted me," she said.

FALL RIVER - On the theory that no one likes to dearly identified candid*, such as "elect," "support," She flew from California and grew up in a village north of Manila be hit in the pocketbook, various groups in this election . "defeat," or "oppose." This is called express advocacy. A in the Philippines, 80 percent of visited Dighton for a weekend. season have again begun intimidating tactics in an effort church many not engage in express advocacy. which is Catholic. She ~ecalled that Her mind made up, Maria An6ther key point, the Madison Center makes, is tllat to silence churches and pastors about the great social and a very young age, abo~t five years Glorina lugo entered the convent in individuals, such as pastors or priests, may participate in moral issues of our time. old, she told her parents she would Dighton as a postulant in 200~.

Because Catholic faith tradition also demands engage- political campaigns and endorse candidates as long as like to be a n u n . ' On October 14, Sister lugo knelt . ment in the secular order and involvement in the political they do so as individuals, not in the name of the church "I really di<4l't know what a nun at the altar in the Dominican Sisrealm to promote liberty, peace andjustice, it is theologi- or parish. was, but I knew it was a life in reli- terschapel in Dighton to profess her The pastor may statehis affiliation with his church, as cally incoherent to require Catholics to disconnect their gion," she said. "They I~idn 't react vows. The provincial, Sister Marina long as it is indicated that this is for identification purfiUth from their Political lives. and I knew they didQ't favor it. Mejia asked: "Sister Glorina, what At no time is the generally misunderstood leffersonian poses only, and that his endorsement is from him personLater, when I was a teen, I voiced do you ask of God, the Church and ''wall of separation" doctrine talked about more than at , ally, not his church. this again to a religious Sister in the Congregation?

Anyone, including a pastor, may wear different hats election time, when it is twisted in an attempt to silence . anoth~r congregation ll\ld I rememSister lugo answered: "I thank people of faith not only in the public square, but also in at differenttimes, and therefore, be involved in political ber I was told, 'The doors will be God for the gift of my vocation and activity - as long as he or she is wearing the right hat. their churches, one national church group contends. locked if you think of c9ming here.' for his faithfulness and love. I ask According to the Center, some ofthe things the church As Catholics mull who they will select as their repreSo when I reflected on fhose things him through the Church and the sentative leaders at alJ level:> of government next month or parish cannot do, but the pastor personally as an indi... and knowing my family would Congregation ... to receive the gift - rendering to Caesar what is Caesar's and to God what 'vidual can, but not on behalfof his church, are: distribute probably not give theirpermission, of myself in this community is God's- they find themselves facing amyriad ofguide- candidate campaign literature, endorse a political candiI decided on being a I student in- through which I may serve him and lines on how they are to do that and remain safely, legally date, allow his name to be used ~ a supporter, contribute stead."· !I his people." financially to a political candidate or make an indepen. within the limits of the law.

She resided with Dominican nuns She then made vows of obediIn September, F~ River Bishop George W. Coleman dent in-kind contribution to a political candidate, confor her early education and into high ence, poverty and chastity ... "to , sent a letter to his diocesan priests noting that because tribute to a Political Action Committee, and attend a causchool. She then studie~ at the Uni- live and die for the service of the parishes are exempt from paying federal taxes, they have cus or state/national political party convention at his own versity of St. Thomas in Manila and Church in the exercise of Charity. to abide by certain electioneering restrictions enforced expense. graduated with degrees ~n pharmacy Amen."

While pastors and other like-minded officials may by the Intern1Jl Revenue Service. and biomedical science.

A Mass was concelebrated by , establish a Political Action ConUnittee, care should be In essence, Bishop Coleman advised them: "It had been suggested that I be- Father Edward E. Correia, director - Neither parishes nor parish staff acting in their of- . taken that the committee is separate from the church and cornea physician, and i entertained ofVocations for the Fall River Dioficial capacity may support or oppose candidates. Under does not use assets from the church. . that for a while," she said. She took cese, and two priests from the SacThe following is a list ofactivities that may be consid-' no circumstances can the pastor authorize the distribuat a job in research ai:Beth Israel ramento Diocese, friends of Sister tion ofany materials produced by a candidate's campaign ered political activities in the broad sense and that a church Hospital in Manhattan, where she • lugo. Father RobertSmalley of Fall or by a political action committee., That' ~o applies to - or a pastor, in his individual capacity and using his River, a priest of the Ukrainian remained fodO yearsi . . any otllerlitera:tUre'iliai advOcates a CaIididate's election'· own fundS - may wish to do.

Wanting a change of pace in her Church, was present at the ceremoor defeat. .

The church and pastor can discuss the positions of career, she went to Sacramento, Ca- nies., - However, parishes ~ free and encouraged to edu- political candidates, host non-partisan voter registration . lif., and worked in a la1>oratory of a At the offertory of the Mass, 17 cate parishioners about ~aign issues and the Church's and identification activities, conduct non-partisan voter commercial firm that manufactures friends ofSister lugo, who had also position on those issues. Materials that mention candi- education,lobby for legislation, allow expenditUres reI, traveled from California to attend medical devices. dates and list their l?9sitions on the issues can be distrib- lated to state referendums, distribute candidate surveys It was during that time that she the profession, sang the Filipino uted on parish grounds - including its parking lot ~ with or voter guides and voting records of incumbents on . d was marne.

II hymn, "TangingAlay" which transthe pastor's permission if they are not biasedfor or against church grounds, rent lists of parish members to candi"However, after 19 years our lated means "The Offering." It's dates for their Use in seeking support or raising funds as anycandi~. marria~e broke up, and not having first verse seems written especially - Parishes may host non-partisan voter registration long as the candidate pays a fair ~et price for the list, any children, I didn't fnow what I for the newly professed nun in her drives and "get out the vote" campaigns, which, Bishop allow po~itical ads a~ regular rates in the church bulletin really wanted to do, ahd yet I was new spiritual relationship: "Praise Coleman said, provide an invaluable civic service that or newsletter and allow news stories in the parish bulletin somehow still discemingabout reli- and thanksgivi~g to you, my Lord encourages citizens to be more involved in the demo- or newsletter as long as they don't advocate a candidate's .gious life," Sister lugo ~aid candidly. and my God, my Savior; Your mer' .cratic process, as long as they are conducted in an unbi- election or defeat. ''My spiritual direct?r guided me, cifullove saved me, you gave me a However, the bulletin or newsletter cannot publish an ased manner, and not onbehalfofany candidate or party. and suggested I seek annulment new life."

All those are right on point editorial endorsing a candidate for political office. of my marriage. 1remember saying, What were Sister lugo's The Madison Center alsocontends that a political canResponding to the request from many pastors and 'but I don't intend to, fnarry again.' thoughts at the time? churches nationwide to expand on those tenets, the lames didate may appear at a church service if invited. But it That's when I was told. that without "I was thinking ofSt. Augustine's Madison Center for Free Speech in Indiana and the Alli- sets limits, including: all legiilly qualified candidates· an annulment no religiqus congrega- words, 'Late have I have loved you, ance Defense Fund in Arizona have provided guidelines should be invited; the questions should be prepared and tion 'would pay any ~ntion to me' 0 beauty so ancient and so new. Late and will respond free of charge to inquires by churches, presented by ~ independent nonpartisan panel; the topif I decided to go in thJt direction." have 1loved you,' which seem timely pastors, and priests on permissible political activities ics should cover a broad range of issues of interest to the When the annulment became fi- for me," she said. through emails, telephone advice and legal opi¢on let- public; each candidate should have an equal opportunity nal in 2000, Maria lugo had pretty And as if painting much of her to present his or her views; and the moderator should not ters. nearly decided that if ~ere any con- life to date, she added another apBut the Center makes it clear that while the dos'and comment on the questions or make comments that imply gregation or Order she wanted to propriate quote from the passion,don'ts summarize the requirements of the Federal Elec- approval or disapproval of the candidates. join, it would be the Dominican Sis- ate theologian and pastor of the The Center's stance on allowing political candidates tion Campaign Act and the Internal Revenue Code as ters of the Presentati~p. early Church: "You havt: made us they apply to churches and pastors, the guidelines should to be .introduced at a church ~ce or preach or read "It was ra$er natural. After all, I for yourself, and our hearts are restnot be construed as legal advice in any particular sitUa- Scripture without any ~ctions is ~ toward varihad been with the. Dominican Sis- less until they find rest in you." ous Christian denominations. tion.

'Fmally, churches and pastors may support or oppose Boiling down the issues, the Madison Center makes Our Lady of Fatima to Sister Lucia, Blessed it clear that the key or essential factor is that active elec- the appointment ofjudicial, cabinet or other nonelected Jacinta and Blessed Francisco July 13, 1917 tioneering - which involves actions such as endorse- officials. This is considered lobbying; not electioneering, "I shall come to ask for the consecration of Russia to my lmmaculate ment ofcandidates and expenditure offunds to expressly the Center explained.

Heart, and the Communion of Reparation on the First Saturdays. If The lames Madison Center for Free Speech may be advocate the election or defeat of a candidate for politimy requests are heeded, Russia will be converted, and there will be th at 1 South 6 Street, Terra Haute, IN 47807; by contacted cal office - cannot be done by a church or parish. peace. If not, she will spread her errors throughout the world, causing However, churches can freely praise or criticize officials voice at 812-232-2434; fax at 812-235-3685, wars and persecutions of the Church. The good will be martyred, the andcandidates-whichiscalied~advocacy -aslong www.jamesmadisoncenter.org; and email at Holy Father will have much to suffer, various nations will be annihias they do not use explicit wools expressly advocating the madisoncenter@aol.com. lated. In the end, my lmmaculate Heart will triumph. The Holy Father ',TheAllianceDefense Fund may be contactedat 15333 election or defeat ofa clearly identified candidate. will consecrate Russia to me, and she will be converted, and a period of peace will be granted to the world. In Portugal, the dogma of the Elaborating on that, the Center says the endorsement North Prima Road, Suite 165, Scottsdale,AZ 85206; and Faith will always be preserved, etc." ofa candidate includes any statement which uses explicit at www.aliancedefensefund.org. ,I

an

Paid advenisement

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27, 2006

HOPING FOR A TREAT - ' Students in the' Extended Care Program at St. Anthony of Padua School in New Bedtord prepare for .

Halloween by decorating the windows.

HELPING THE POOR - Father Richard M. Roy, pastor of St. John the Evangelist Parish in Attleboro, watches as children from the parish school bring up canned food items during a recent school liturgy.

Many items were collected and were donated to the St. Vincent de Paul. Society.

. HEISMAN CANDIDATES - Bishop Stang High School students Caitlin McQueen and Jack Carroll receive congratulations from . Academic Principal Mary Ann Miskel upon their being 'named a Wendy's Heisman nominee for 2006. The seniors were nominated for best exemplifying what it means to be a scholar-athlete.

MODEL CITIZENBishop Feehan High School, Senior Julianne Tarallo is a finalist in the Massachusetts Daughters of the American Revolution Good Citizen Award Program~ She serves on the peer ministry board of directors, teaches CCD, and is a cantor ,at Holy Cross Parish in South Easton.

Correction - In last week's Anchor, students who recently cruised the Acushnet River were incorrectly identified as being from St. Jospeph's School in New Bedord. It was actually St. Joseph's School in Fairhaven. The Anchor regrets the error.

PUMPKIN PATCH KIDS - Students from Lori Quigley's kindergarten and Jennifer Barboza's pre-kindergarten classes at Notre Dame School, Fall River, recently enjoyed a day at Keith's Farm in Acushnet. Above are Quigley with kindergartner Selena Medeiros. At left, pre-kindergartner Owen Teasdale picks out a pumpkin.

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College Outreach program aids Pro-Life college students in Illinois Bv KERRV LESTER CATHOLIC NEWS SERVICE CHICAGO - College is a time for sifting through a ton of confusing issues, finding one's voice and taking a stance.

Since 2004, a program called College Outreach has helped students address Pro-Life issues.

Sponsored by the Respect Life Office of the Chicago Archdiocese, it provides support to Pro-Life student groups at both Catholic and non-Catholic colleges and universities in the archdiocese and the Diocese of Joliet.

Alicia Torres, a senior at Loyola University Chicago and College Outreach coordinator, said three main components make up the outreach system: prayer, ministry and community.

"Prayer is the foundation of what these students do," she said, and peer ministry supports pregnant students and parents on campus. The final component is "creating a community on your campus which can extend to other Pro-Life communities in universities across the country," Torres said.

Each Thursday, members of the group at Benedictine University in Lisle in the Joliet Diocese wear "Respect Life" T-shirts.

For Respect Life Month, observed in October, the Benedictine group planned to hold an October 24 "student day of silent solemnity, giving up our voice for those who are voiceless," said Jamie Racki, a

Benedictine junior.

Working with colleges' campus ministry of~ices, College Outreach has' hosted a number of speakers.

Serrin Foster, president of Feminists for Life, has visited Loyola University, the University of Chicago, Northwestern University and Northwestern Medical School. The Rev. Alveda King, niece of the Rev. Martin Luther King Jr., has visited Northwestern University and the University of Illinois at Chicago to discuss abortion in the black community.

The program also sponsors students who are interested in attending Pro-Life conferences and events.

"Last January, we coordinated and sponsored an intercollegiate pilgrimage to the March for Life in Washington," Torres told The Catholic New World, Chicago's archdiocesan newspaper. "It was a blast. I can't wait to do it again."

Benedictine University's group participates in a host of activities throughout the year, assisted by College Outreach and its university administration, Racki said.

"We've been able to have a number of talks about all sorts of respect life issues - child abuse, cloning, etc.," she added, This year, a record number of new students have signed up for the group. "It seems like the word is really getting out; we have a lot of freshmen really excited about this," she said.

17

YOUTH PAGES

When alcoh,ol tells you ~t's time to leave

By CHARLIE MARTIN CALL ME WHEN

YOU'RE SOBER Don't cry to me If you loved me, you would be here with me You want me, come find me Make up your mind Should I let you fall Lose it all So maybe you can ref'!'lember yourself Can't keep believing We're only deceiving ourselves And I'm sick of the lie And you're too late Repeat first verse Couldn't take the blame Sick with shame Must be exhausting to lose your own game Selfishly hated No wonder you're jaded You can't play the victim this time And you're too late Repeat first verse You never call me when you're sober You only want it 'cause it's over - it's over How could I have burned paradise.

How could I, you were never mine So don't cry to me .

If you loved me, you would be here with me Don't lie to me, just get your things I've made up your mind Sung by Evanescence Copyright (c) 2006 by Wind-Up Three years ago, Evanescence made quite a debut in the rock/pop scene. Their "Fallen" CD went triple platinum and introduced

CATHOLIC NEWS SERVICE

listeners to Amy Lee's otherlearns is simply that the other person depends on alcohol! worldly vocal abilit~es. Just out this October is their new If you observe frequent use album "The Open Door." of alcohol by someone you are Pre-released off the new dating, you know enough. It's time to leave the relationship.

CD is "Call Me When You're Sober." In the song, a girl tells And even if the other only occasionally uses alcohol, you her soon-to-be former boyshould ask yourself whether friend that she's sick of his lies, and "if you loved me, this changes his or her behavyou would be here ~ith me." ior - especially in ways that She reminds him, "You never make you uncomfortable. call me when you're sober."

For example, does the other Finally, she says, "Just get person become more sexually your things, I've made up permissive or drive a vehicle after drinking? Do you feel as your mind." safe when this person starts Given the hurt sh~ apparently went through,one might drinking as you did before? If wonder why it took her so not, you are headed down a long to make this decision. . road to deepening hurt and However, most relationships heartbreak. are complex. Consequently, Does the other person need the right course to take when alcohol to relax?

For any of us, life can be one is unhappy wit~ things stressful. We need approaches isn't always clear.

One aspect of her exthat help us temporarily to put aside life's challenges and boyfriend's behavior should be a warning sign to anyone difficulties. But alcohol is a who dates: his use of alcohol. poor way to do this. As a Alcohol usage has ~urt many, chemical, alcohol acts as a depressant on our feelings. A many families and marriages. person who uses alcohol to While occasional, moderate and legal use probably is not a control stress is trying to escape difficulties rather than problem, there are several to manage them. signs related to drinking that Is this what you want in one should assess i~ a dating someone you date? relationship. Consider these questions: I If alcohol is involved with most of your dates, be careful.

Do most of your dates You may be dating someone involve alcohol? who limits the best in himself As a drug, alcohol affects the brain and thus how one or herself - and in you.

Your comments are always relates. One purposes of dating is to get to know the welcome. Please write to me at: chmartin@swindiana.net other person, but alcohol minimizes the opportunity to or at 7125W 200S, Rockport, do this. Perhaps what one IN 4763~.

God has a plan God has a plan. It doesn't always seem that way when we are in the middle of heartache} or grief, or stress, but God does have a plan and we are asked to trust that plan. Some things just don't make sense to us.

At Bishop Stang High School, we had an unexpected l death of one of our seniors, Matthew Benoit. Death is one of those things that makes us question the wisdom of God's plan, especially the death of a young person. We look at it through our human eyes and it's impossible for us to see how there could be any good in this tragedy.

But God can use even tragedy as a vehicle for grace. I don't think that God causes the tragedies we encounter, but I do belie.ve that God doesn't waste a thing. We just have to trust in

God's love and in his plan.

Trust doesn't always come easy, but we have to take that risk if we want to put ourselves in the arms of the one who will love us into eternity.

Fear will get in the way if we let it. Trust just lets us surrender ourselves to God. As we grow in our trust of God, we realize that nothing is going to get in the way of his plan. Whatever circumstances befall us, even when we get in our own way, St. Paul reminds us that all things will work together for good for those who love God (Rom 8:28). God will take the pieces of our lives and work with what we give him, to bring his plan to fulfillment. He can make good come out of any-

thing and everything.

And he's not just working on his plan for us as individuals, but his plan for all of his children. We never know how

something we may be going through will be used for the salvation of another. There are some things that we are just not supposed to know. When the disciples questioned Jesus: "Lord, are you at this time going to restore the kingdom to Israel?" He answered them "It

"il

is not for you to know the times or seasons that the Father has established by his own authority" (Acts 1:6-7). It's hard to accept! but there are,some things that m;e not for us to know.

I' This is the time of year when many seniors in high school are experiencing a great deal of stress. They are applying for icolleges, seeking recommendations, writing college essays, looking for scholarship money, all while sti11 trying to conceqtrate on their class assignments, homework and grades for:, senior year. It's important Iior our seniors to remember, God has a plan.

So, seniors, pray about where God wants you to go to

college. He just may have something to say to you. Trust him. Know that it's all going to be okay ... all things work together for good when you love God. Do your part, and then let God lead you in the direction that he knows is best for you.

Someone just recently told me "God isn't his name, it's his job!" You don't have to know how everything is going to turn out ahead of time..Just know that God is God, he loves you, he' wants you to succeed in following his plan, and he will work with you to help that happen. ' Jean Revil is director of Campus Ministry at Bishop Stang High School, where she has taught for 27 years.

Comments welcome at: jrevil@bishopstang.com.

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Theologians: Unbaptized babies in heaven more sensible than limbo

By CINDY WOODEN CATHOUC NEWS SERVICE

THE FIRST OF MANY - Celebrating their first wedding anniversary with Bishop Coleman were, from left: Mr. and Mrs. Scott Guglielmi, Mr. and Mrs. Henry Pinson, the bishop, Mr. and Mrs. Verne Schoonover, and Mr. and Mrs. Jeffrey Trip. (Photos by Eric Rodrigues)

Anniversaries

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Continuedfrom page one

Her parents also attend St. Father Gregory A. Mathias, di- ding," said Joseph. Asked for his rector of the Family Ministry Of- recipe for success, Joseph laughed Joseph's Parish and Jane said, "It fice, concelebrated Mass with and replied, "Don't go to bed an- was nice to be a part of the celebraBishop Coleman and was pleased gry. Work things out and love one tion. We were looking forward to it to be a part of a long-standing tra- another." He added that their shared for quite some time." Asked what dition in the diocese.

Catholic faith has had a positive the couple's secret to a successful 'These married couples are wit- impact on their relationship and marriage was, John gave a hearty ness to the young and old alike," said, "It means quite a bit to go to- laugh and said, "It's probably besaid Father Mathias. "This celebra- gether to Mass." cause I always agree with her. You tion is a very fitting one for the dioThe couple met through friends have to keep working at marriage cese. It's the triumph of couples and when Joseph was on leave from the and I believe our Catholic faith has grace in living out the sacrament of . army. When he got back from Viet- helped us along the way."

Mr. l!I1d Mrs. Alexis A. St. Onge marriage especially in a world in nam they were married in 1966. which we see the radical They have one son. Joyce said from St. Mary's Parish in Fairhaven deconstruction of marriage." young couples thinking about mar- celebrated their 66th wedding an"It's one of the most joyful cel- riage should give it serious thought niversary this year and one couple, ebrations we are a part.of and a very and "keep in mind it is a lifetime Mr. and Mrs. John Hall from St. special time for all the couples," together, not just one day. Faith is Anthony's Parish in Mattapoisett, said Scottie Foley, program direc- important," she added. who could not attend, were marktor of the Family Ministry Office.

It was a special day for Ann ing their 68th wedding anniversary.

'They enjoy participating in the Lubold and her husband Louis not They are 95 and 97 years of age.

"There is a lot of work that goes event and sharing it with Bishop only because they were marking 25 Coleman," Foley continued. "With years of marriage, but her parents, into this event, but it is all worth all the talk today about failed mar- Jand and John Pereira were cel- it," Foley said. "OUf entire office staff looks forward to it each year." riages we see this as a sign of suc- ebrating 50.

The readers for the Mass were cess of the family here in our dio"It's kind of amazing to think cese. It's an opportunity to focus on about," said Lubold. "It's really nice Richard and Gerry Castleberry.

They are celebrating their 45th anthe marriages that are doing well. to be sharing this with them."

We have more than 50 couples Lubold and her husband are niversary. The couple used to work marking 50 years of marriage." members of St. Joseph's Parish in on the Diocesan Marriage PreparaThirteen couples are celebrating Taunton and were married on April tion team.

Gift-bearers were Melvin and 60 years of marriage and one 25, 1981. They have two sons and couple is celebrating 66 years. a daughter. Lubold is a teacher as- Josie Gonsalves, from St. Among those participating were sistant at St. Mary School in the city Anthony's Parish in East Falmouth.

Joyce and Joseph Pontes of St. Julie and the couple met in Dighton They are also celebrating their 45th anniversary.

Billiart Parish, North Dartmouth. while working together.

The couple celebrated their 40th wedding anniversary on September 24 and got back from a vacation in Florida just in time to attend.

"We were looking forward to participating," said 62-year-old Joyce. "Our wedding at St. Kilian's in New Bedford was the first one performed by Bishop Coleman. Our pastor was out of town and he did the ceremony. I remember we were all impressed by his words and we feel like we have a more personal connection to him. We're proud to be celebrating our lives together."

Her husband Joseph, 64, recalls being asked by Bishop Coleman if he was nervous prior to the start of the wedding and responding, yes.

HAPPILY MARRIED - Mr. and Mrs. Alexis A. St. Onge marked 'The bishop said he was nervous their 66th wedding anniversary with Bishop Coleman at St. Mary's too because it was his first wed- Cathedral last week.

VATICAN CITY - To hope that babies who die without being baptized will go to heaven makes more sense than the idea that they go to limbo, says a group of papally appointed theologians.

While no one can be certain of the .fate of unbaptized babies who die, Christians can and should trust that God will welcome those babies into heaven, said members of the International Theological Commission.

The commission, a Vatican advisory board, met October 2-6 to continue work on a statement explaining why the concept of limbo entered the common teaching ofthe Church, why it was never officially defined as Catholic doctrine, and why hope for their salvation makes more sense, said Father Paul McPartlan, a member of the commission and aprofessoratThe Catholic University of America in Washington.

"We cannot say we know with certainty what will happen" to unbaptized babies, Father McPartlan said, "but we have good grounds to hope that God in his mercy and love looks after these children and brings them to salvation."

Speak~ng the last day of the commission's meeting, Father McPartlan said the 30 commission members were in agreement on the main thesis of the document, but they had not put the finishing touches on it.

If they vote on the final version by mail, the document could be released in 2007.

He said that while affirming people's hope, the document takes pains to explain the Christian belief that baptism is necessary to guarantee salvation and urges parents to baptize their infants.

The document "in no way means to lesson the urgency with which the Church invites parents to have their children baptized," Father McPartlan said. ''What we are trying to do is to say, 'What does the Church say when confronted with the situation ofan in-

Rac~el' s

fant who has died without being baptized?' That and that alone is what prompted our document.

'The answer is not a simplistic, 'Oh, don't worry; everything is fine,'" but rather that God's endless mercy, his love poured out in Jesus Christ and his desire to save all people gives a solid basis for hoping those children will be saved despite not having been baptized.

The commission also' hoped to be able to respond to questions raised by those mourning the lives ofbabies lost through abortion. Because the Catholic Church teaches that human life begins at conception, the question applies to those babies as well, Father McPartlan said.

He also said the theologians felt called to articulate a Catholic expression of hope in a world where hope is often lacking and lives are often laid to waste by war and violence.

Realizing some people could misinterpret the statement as saying that baptism is unnecessary for infants because they are incapable of sinning, the document reaffirms Church teaching about the reality of original sin.

The Church believes that with the exception of the Blessed VIrgin Mary and Jesus, every human being is born marked with the stain of original sin, which distances them from God. As the "Catechism of the Catholic Church" explained: "Born with a fallen human nature and tainted by original sin, children also have need ofthe new birth in baptism to be freed from the power of darkness and brought into the realm of the freedom of the children of God, to which all men are called."

But the catechism, published in 1992, did not mention limbo.

In fact, regarding the fate of children who die without the grace ofbaptism, it said, the Church entrusts them to the mercy of God. Limbo, he pointed out, was never a defined article of Catholic faith, but rather was a hypothesis formed on the basis ofthe Church's beliefin the need for baptism.

Hope expands worldwide

SAN DIEGO (CNS) - For 12 years, Rachel's Hope has reached out to hundreds of women and men with its post-abortion healing and reconciliation retreats.

Though the organization is based in SanDiego, its successful retreat format has been exported to regions of Mexico, the Philippines and, most recently, Ecuador. Now there is interest in bringing the retreat to San Francisco and Colombia Rosemary Benefield, a registered nurse who co-founded Rachel's Hope with her husband, Jim, in 1994, said the growth ofthe program ''means that God's healing word is expanding."

This summer Mary Ann Schwab, Project Rachel coordinator for the Archdiocese ofSan Francisco, visited

San Diego to learn more about Rachel's Hope. She was expected to send a few San Francisco-area therapists to San Diego for training as retreat leaders.

A former retreat participant who was returning to her home in Colombia told Benefield that she would try to establish the retreat in her country.

This year Flerida Calkins led the first Rachel's Hope retreat in her native Ecuador.

Four women, ranging in age from the mid-30s to the early 70s, participated. The women gave names to their aborted children, making it easier to pray and offer Masses for them.

Calkins plans to return to Ecuador next year to offer another retreat and train more women as retreat leaders.

OCTOBER

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Around the Diocese ~ .. .. ~

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The Anchor ,

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Father 1. Marc Hebert, CSC; was a teacher and chaplain

r . -..-.-.....- - . - . - - - -..---.--~

iHealing Masses L....-.........

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information call Rick Silvia at 508-4552331 or visit www.emmausretreat.com.

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ATILEBORO - A healing service, led

by La Salette Father Pat, will be held Sunday at 2 p.m. at the National Shrine of Our Lady ofLa Salette. For infonnation call 508222-5410.

BREWSTER - A healing service, led by La Salette Father Richard Lavoie, will be held November I at 7 p.m. at Our Lady of the Cape Parish, 468 Stony Brook Road.

For more information call 50~.J85-3252. !

LectureslP~~",~~().ns

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ASSONET - The Knights of Columbus Family of Councils is sponsoring a symposium on Dighton Rock, November 4 and II at 7 p.m. at St. Bernard Church, 32 South Main Street. It will feature presentations by author Manuel L. DaSilva and David Goudsward. For information call 508-6442136.

FALL RIVER - TIle Catholic television program "Good News For Life," sponsored by the Communications Department of the diocese, will present the next part of the Christian's Ask series "How Do We Read the Bible?" November I at 9:30 p.m. on the Portuguese channel.

SWANSEA - "Jerusalem: Through the Eyes ofa Pilgrim," an up-to-the-minute witness to the circumstances in the Holy Land, will be presented by Patricia Pasternak Sunday at 12:30 p.m. at the Venus de Milo Restaurant. It is part of the annual banquet of the Interfaith Council of Greater Fall River.

For more information call 508-673-1851.

[MiscellaneoUS,ij"-] EAST FALMOUTH- The Knights ofColumbus, Council No. 813, is sponsoring Saturday devotions including the Fatinla Rosary November 4 following the celebration of the 8 am. Mass at St. Anthony's Church, Route .28. Rel're.slwrel)~ will fQ~ow.

FALL RIVER A pilgrimage with Bishop George W. Coleman to Washington, D.C., for the annual March Fot'Life is being organized by the Pro-Life Apostolate of the diocese for January 21-23. It will include Mass at the Basilica of the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception. 1\ youth bus, which will return on the 22Iid will accommodate youth at a reduced fare.

For more information call 508-997-2290.

FALL RIVER - The Fall River Area Men's First Friday Club will meet November 3 following the 6 p.m. celebration of Mass at Good Shepherd Parish, 1598 South Main Street. A meal will follow and guest speaker Paul Solomon will address the group about the many benefits available for veterans. For information call 508-6724822.

FALL RIVER - The Diocesan Choir is holding rehearsals for new members in the Bishop's Chapel at the Cathedral ofSt. Mary of the Assumption. Tenors and basses are especially needed. For more infonnation call Madeleine Grace at 508-678-1054.

NORTH EASTON -A Mass will be celebrated on All Souls Day, November 2, at noon at the St. Joseph Chapel, Holy Cross Center, 500Washington Street. Especially remembered will be the Peyton Society members who committed themselves to support the world-wide ministry of Servant of God Holy Cross Father Patrick Peyton. A light luncheon will follow. All are welcome. RSVP for the luncheon by calling 508-238-4095.

!Retreats ATTLEBORO - The retreat, "Living Through the End of a Marriage," will be offered November 10-12 at the La Salette Retreat Center, 947 Park Street. It will begin at 7:30 p.m. and conclude at I p.m. It is open to anyone whose marriage has ended as a result of death, separation or divorce and will include prayer, presentations, joumaling and the celebration of Mass. For more information call 508-222-8530.

EAST FREETOWN - Emmaus, a co-ed Catholic retreat program for adults ages 20 and older who are seeking to grow in their relationship with Christ, will be held November 10-12 at Cathedral Camp. For more

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ISocial Events

ATTLEBORO - Musician John Polce will bring his Bethany Nights Program to the National Shrine of Our Lady of La Salette tonight at 7:30 p.m. It will feature music and prayer. For more information call 508-222-5410.

ATILEBORO - Singer Tatiana will perform Sunday at 7:30 p.m. at the National Shrine of Our Lady of La Salette. For more information call 508-222-5410.

FALMOUTH - Schola Cantorum of Falmouth will give a concert of Renaissance and Baroque choral and organ music with Peter Lea-Cox as guest conductor and organist at 3 p.m., November 5, at St. Elizabeth Seton Church, Quaker Road. For more information caB 508-566-4045 or scholafalmouth.com.

MASHPEE - Schola Cantorum of Falmouth will give a concert of Renaissance and Baroque choral and organ music with Peter Lea-Cox as guest conductor and organist at 8 p.m., November 3, at Christ the King Church, Route 151. For more inforor mation caB 508-566-4045 scholafalmouth.com.

NEW BEDFORD - A holiday fair will be held November 11-12 at St. Mary's Parish, 106 Illinois Avenue. It will feature a full kitchen, kid's comer, crafts, books and Chinese auction. It will run from 9:30 am. to 5:30 p.m. on Saturday and from 9 a.rn. to 3 p.rn. on Sunday. For more infonnation call 508-995-7229.

NEW BEDFORD - St. Joseph-St. Therese Parish is holding a craft fair on December 2. Crafters are needed. For information call 508-995-5235.

Nli:W B~FqRD

-::- The third organ.recital in the ''Music at St. Anthony's" fall concert series will be held November 5 at 3 p.m. at St. Anth,ony of Padua Parish, 1359 Acushnet Avenue. It will feature Rosalind Mohnsen and music written by French and American composers. For more information call 508-993-1691.

NORTH DIGHTON- Aholiday craft fair will be held November 4 from 10 a.m. to 3 p:m. at St. Joseph's Parish hall, 499 Spring Street. It features handmade crafts, baked good, open kitchen and raffles. It is sponsored by the St. Joseph's Women's Council. For more information call Laura Posca at 508-669-6992.

TAUNTON - St. Anthony's Parish will hold its annual Harvest Fair, Saturday from lOam. to 4 p.m. It will feature crafts, a quilt raffle, bazaar and face painting. Portuguese sweetbread and malassadas will be available. For more information call 508-8220714.

WEST HARWICH - Holy Trinity Parish Harvest Bazaar will be held November 4 from 10 am. to 6 p.m. in the church hall.

It will include a bakery table, Christmas corner, pies made by Father Edward J. Healey, a Chinese auction and games for children.

For more information call 508-432-4000.

WORCESTER - Membership of the Massachusetts State Jurisdiction of the Knights of Columbus will honor State Deputy Vmcent M. Rumasuglia at a Friendship Dinner November 4 at the Crowne Plaza. For more information call 781-5510628.

ISupport Groups NORTH DARTMOUTH - The Diocesan Divorced-Separated Support Group will meet October 30 from 7-8:30 p.m. at the Family Life Center, 500 Slocum Road. It will feature the video "Kids Care:' Refreshments will follow. For more information call Bob Menard at 508-673-2997. .

ORLEANS - The Separated-Divorced Catholics Support Group will meet Sunday at 7 p.m. at St. Joan of Arc Parish, 68 Canal Road. It will include the video "Dreams: Spiritual Recovery from Divorce and Separation," and discussion. Refreshments will follow. For information call 508-255-0170.

NORTH DARTMOUTH Congregation of Holy Cross Father 1. Marc Hebert, C.S.c., 82, died October 13 at the Holy Cross Community in North Dartmouth. When he did not join the community for the afternoon rosary, as was his custom, his brother priests went to his room where they found him dead in his chair.

Born in Chicago, Ill., he was the son of the late Arthur J. and Suzanne (Redon) Hebert, and grew up in Weymouth.

He entered the novitiate in 1943, and professed first vows in the Congregation of Holy Cross in 1944. Following studies in Washington, D.C., and at the University of Notre Dame, he professed perpetual vows in 1948, and was ordained to the priesthood in 1950.

He taught Latin at Stonehill College and went to Fordham University in New York for graduate studies. From 1954 to 1957, he was assigned to Father Baker High School in Buffalo, N.Y., and he returned to teaching at Stonehill where he remained until 1969.

While at Stonehill, he served as chaplain to the Brothers of Holy Cross at Moreau Hall.

Father Hebert left Stonehill in

In Your Prayers Please pray for these priests during the coming weeks November 1 Rev. William H. McNamara, Retired Pastor, St. Mary, Mansfield, 1924 Rev. Louis N. Blanchet, Assistant, St. Jean Baptiste, Fall River, 1927 Rt. Rev. Msgr. John F. Ferraz, Pastor, St. Michael, Fall River, 1944 Rt. Rev. Msgr. George F. Cain, Pastor, St. Mathieu, Fall River, 1953 Rev. William E. Farland, Pastor, St. Joseph, Taunton, 1987 Rev. William F. Gartland, C.S.C. Stonehill College, North Easton, 1988 Rev. John F. Sullivan, SS.CC., Retired Pastor Holy Trinity, West Harwich, 1994 Rev. Manuel T. Faria, 1999 November 2 A memento for the repose of the souls of our bishops, priests and permanent deacons not on this list Rev. Joseph S. Fortin, Founder, St. Jean Baptiste, Fall River, 1923 Rev. Michael V. McDonough, Chaplain, St. Mary's Home, New Bedford, 1933 November 3 Rev. Jose M. Bettencourt e Avila, Retired Pastor, Our Lady of Mt. Carmel, New Bedford, 1988 November 4 Permanent Deacon James M. O'Gara, 1990 November 5 Rev. Daniel A. Gamache, Retired Pastor, St. Joseph, New Bedford, 1998 November 6 Rev. Patrick S. McGee, Founder, St. Mary, Hebronville, 1933 Rev. Joseph Oliveira, Retired Pastor Our Lady of Lourdes, Taunton, 1999

1969 and was assigned to Notre Dame High School in Bridgeport, Conn., where he joined :the faculty and remained until 1972.

He then began a second career I

HOLY CROSS FATHER

J.

MARC HEBERT

in ministry as a hospital chaplain, first at St. Vincent's Hospital in Bridgeport, Conn., and then at Park City Hospital until 1976.

He returned to St. Vincent's as chaplain and remained,1 there until 1992, when he was granted elder

status and moved to the Holy Cross residence at North Dartmouth.

There he remained active in assistance at local parishes.

Father Hebert was an avid reader and scholar, and enjoyed gardening and outdoor work. He would often be seen cutting trees and clipping brush on the extensive property at North Dartmouth.

He is mourned by his brothers in the Congregation of Holy Cross, and by a sister, Sister Jacqueline Hebert, C.S.c., ofBrandon, Fla., and by eight nieces and nephews: John Silva of Sandwich, Manuel Silva ofDedham, Joseph Silva of Union, Ky., Marc Silva of Bourne, Elizabeth Kelley of Holbrook, William Silva ofAttleboro, Michael Silva of Boxboro, and Anthony Silva ofActon.

He was the brother of the late Theresa Silva.

His Mass ofChristian Burial was celebrated at the Chapel of Mary at Stonehill College on October 19.

Burial was in the Holy Cross Cemetery on the Stonehill campus. The Kane Funeral Home in Easton was in charge of arrangements.

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The Anchor ,

Harmonica-playing Detroit priest finds following - at 87

By ROBERT DElANEY

at the St. John Senior Community, said Father McGoldrick's coming to DETROIT - When 87-year-old live at the assisted-living residence Father William McGoldrick played has been a blessing.

"He is an inspiration to the resihis harmonica at a Detroit restaurant September 25, it was to a full dents and a big encouragement to house, a typical crowd for his fund- them. And he also draws encourageraising appearances for various ment from the residents' deep reliCatholic charities. gious faith," Father Ebong said.

"They're always booked up about Father McGoldrick regularly cel- \ 10 days in advance," said Cheri ebrates Mass on Fridays for the resiLaGrasso, Christian Service coordi- dents, and will follow the liturgy nator at Our Lady Star of the Sea with a little talk and harmonica playParish in suburban Grosse Pointe ing. He also takes his harmonica Woods. LaGrasso helps Father along when he celebrates Mass at McGoldrick with arrangements for Bon Secours Hospital in Grosse his performances at the Blue Pointe Pointe.

Restaurant on Detroit's east side.

The priest has someone who For years, Father McGoldrick has drives him to say Mass where been taking his harmonica along he is needed, he said. when he celebrates Mass at area He can no longer , drive himself because retirement and nursing homes, hospitals and parishes. he suffers from 'to, Parishioners at Our / c/ ) " _路0 macular degeneration, I f Lady Star ofthe Sea, ( an eye disease. where he was in resiAn accomplished dence for many years, pianist, Father have heard him McGoldrick also play during Mass plays the piano for on special occaspecial events at sions, and stuthe St. John Senior dents in the parish Community. elementary "It's wonderful school have often to have Father heard him play McGoldrick here during their lunch - he's the best period. : thing that ever i happened to this But his restaurant gigs just be- SING PRAISE TO HIM WITH place," said Sister A (BLUES) HARP - Father Mary Conway, a gan this year.

"He's got a William McGoldrick demon- Sister of St. 10great following, strat~s his virtu~sity on the har- seph who works and he's quite an mOnica after dally Mass at the at the seniors resiamazing guy," St. John Senior Community in dence Detroit, where he resides. (CNS '. . said Blue Pointe photo/Robert Delaney, The DespIte bemg owner David Michigan Catholic) so busy, Father Muer.

McGoldrick When Father McGoldrick first thinks of himself as having slowed started appearing at the restaurant down considerably. Formerly a every month or two, there would be champion handball player, he had to lines of people out the door. Muer give up the sport in his late 70s. decided to move his appearances to Father McGoldrick bought his Monday nights, when the Blue first harmonica as a child in Pointe would normally be closed. Detroit's St. Cecilia Parish. He took Now, with $5 of each patron's din- it up in earnest during his 27 years ner price going to some Catholic at St. Edmund Parish in suburban charity Father McGoldrick selects as Warren, where he was the foundthe beneficiary, his sold-out appear- ing pastor. ances each raise more than $500.

"I got that first one for 50 cents," Father McGoldrick selects a he told The Michigan Catholic, theme for each evening. He called newspaper of the Detroit Archdiohis September 25 performance cese. "Actually, the instruction "Halfway to St. Patrick's Day;' and manual cost 50 cents, and the harit consisted of mostly Irish tunes. monica came with it for free. Now, I He was joined that night by have a number of them, each in a singer Dorothy Ignasiak and a young different key, and the latest one cost Irish step dancer, Colleen Maher. $360."

Father McGoldrick also interThis fall, Father McGoldrick spersed humor with his musical will take his harmonica-playing a numbers. step further, when he records his A little extra variety was provided first compact disc. He's working

by Father Tom Ebong, a priest from with a professional musician and Nigeria, who sometimes joins Father their goal is to have the CD out in McGoldrick to sing Caribbean and time for Christmas gift sales. Proreggae numbers. ceeds will benefit a parish Life Teen Father Ebong, part-time chaplain program.

CATHOUC NEWS SERVICE

0

CENTER OF ATTENTION - Father Gerald P. Barnwell, rear, third from left, pastor of St. Peter's Parish in Dighton, recently dedicated the Parish Center in honor of Montfort Missionaries Father Francis Allen. Father Allen was pastor of St. Peter's from February 1993 to June 1997.

During his pastorate, he was instrumental in securing the funds needed to purchase the building. With the help of many volunteer hours from parishioners, the century-old building was renovated and is now a useful parish hall. Father Barnwell is pictured with the parish's firstgrade Religious Education class.

Sacred Hearts Fathers celebrate special liturgy to honor Connie Collinge's centennial year FAIRHAVEN - In honor of Constance "Connie" Collinge, who turned 100on October 17, priests and brothers ofthe Congregation of the Sacred Hearts of Jesus and Mary held a concelebrated Mass in their chapel at the Damien Residence on October 15.

Since her conversion to Catholicism in February 1949, Collinge has been a daily communicant at Holy Trinity Church in Harwich. At the time of her conversion, Collinge recalls going to Sacred Hearts Father Thaddeus Bouhuyssen. Now deceased, he was pastor at the parish, one of three on Cape Cod that were entrusted to the Congregation, an international missionary order. Collinge recalls telling Father Thaddeus that she wanted to "come into the Church."

Father Thaddeus replied, "What, is the door locked?"

The liturgy was in keeping with the

Congregation's charism that holds the Eucharist and adoration as ways to participate in the reparative work of the Gospel. Collinge says that the friendship and spiritual accompaniment she has received from the Sacred Heart Community over the years continues to inspire her work as a volunteer at Family Pantry Gabriel's Place in Harwich and ministry at Holy Trinity Parish.

Sacred Hearts Father Gabriel Healy, director of Family Pantry Damien's Place in Wareham, and a concelebrant said, "It's ajoy to celebrate Connie's centennial. I have known her for over 40 years, and during that time, I have seen the gift she has of touching the lives of others. Each week, she continues to share through her service to the poor and her parish work."

HAPPY DAYS - A beaming Constance Collinge, age 100, stands with Sacred Hearts Fa; ~r Gabriel Healy following a liturgy in her honor at the Damien Residence in Fairhaven. (Photo by Jack' I don)