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VOL. 49, NO. 41 • Friday, October 28, 2005,

Southeastern Massachusetts' Largest Weekly • $14 Per Year

Cape youth answer bishop's call to pray for priests

By ANCHOR STAFF

Jensen, Jeanne Giddings, Anne MASHPEE - In his October Gannett, Alex Moore and Frank 12 letter to the faithful of the Dio- Green, two gatherings were held. cese ofFall River, Bishop George The Tuesday ECHO group' met at W. Coleman asked everyone to Christ the King Parish in pray in a particular way for all Mashpee. The Thursday group the priests as they gathered as a gathering was held' at Our Lady presbyterate Tuesday through of Victory Church in Centerville.

Thursday this week. At two re- Fourteen people attended the treat gatherings the youth ofCape Tuesday group; and nearly 20 Cod answered the bishop with a people participated in the Thursresounding, "Yes, we will!" And day group meeting, In addition to the high school students and their they did.

The young people ofCape Cod adult leaders, there were also a sigand beyond who had previously nificant number of college stuparticipated in a weekend high dents who had previous made an school retreat called ECHO (En- ECHO. The educat.ional component countering Christ in Othcrs) mustered their spiritual forces. Under consisted ofgroup discussion on the adult leadership of Mary the meaning of priesthood. The Fuller, Jack and Ellen Driscoll, , technique of guided imagery Dave and Cheryl Ryan, Christine Turn to page J3 - Support

POPE BENEDICT XVI attends eucharistic adoration in St. Peter's Basilica at the Vatican recently. With simplicity and long stretches of silence, the pope and members of the Synod of Bishops gathered to show their devotion to the Eucharist. (CNS photo by Alessia Giuliani, Catholic Press Photo) "=:.-

Synod of Bishops closes with strong emphasis on eucharistic renewal

By JOHN

THAVIS

CATHOLIC NEWS SERVICE

VATICAN CITY - The Synod of Bishops closed with a strong crill for eucharistic renewal, urging a deeper understanding of the Eucharist among the world's Catholics but no major changes in Church rules on priestly celibacy or shared Communion.

Pope Benedict XVI, who presided over the three-week assembly, formally closed the synod Sunday with a Mass in St. Peter's Square. He thanked the more than 250 bishops for their input and invited Catholics to contemplate the Eucharist as the key to revitalizing their faith,

CAPE COD youth attending a recent ECHO Centerville Reunion work on a banner expressing support for the diocesan priests at last week's convocation. Below, folks from the Mashpee Reunion display their banner. (Photo by Mary Fuller)

Justice'system members to be cited at Red Mass

By DEACON JAMES

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Catholics should also understand that "no dichotomy is admissible between faith and life," he said.

The pope expressed his deep sadness that four Chinese members of the synod were not allowed to travel to Rome for the assembly and said the Church in China was still on a "suffering path."

On Sunday the synod handed the pope a list of 50 propositions, or final recommendations, which acknowledged a priest shortage in some parts of the world but said eliminating priestly celibacy and ordaining married men were not the solution.

In an unusual move, the pope immediately orTurn to page J3 - Synod

N. DUNBAR

FALL RIVER - A judge, a register of probate and an attorney will be presented the Fall River diocese's St. Thomas More Award for Service at the annual , Red Mass, Sunday, November 6, at 3 p.m. in St. Mary's Cathedral.

The honorees are: Distinguished Jurist Award, Judge Armand Fernandes Jr. of New Bedford, justice of the Bristol County Probate and Family Court; Distinguished Attorney Award, Attorney Russell Redgate of Marstons Mills; and Distinguished Court Personnel Award, Stephen J. Hanna of Somerset,

first assistant register of probate for the Bristol County Probate and Family Court.

The announcement of the award recipients came from Atty.

Joseph P. Harrington Sr., of New Bedford, chairman of the Red Mass Planning Committee.

Bishop George W. Coleman will be the principal celebrant and homilist at the Red Mass. It is so named because of the red vestments worn during the Mass ofthe Holy Spirit, whose' blessing will be invoked upon the medal recipients, A reception and dinner will follow at White's of Westport.

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

Judge Fernandes was appointed to the trial court bench on May 19, 1998, A graduate of Lehigh University and Suffolk University Law School, he is a member of the Law Office of Fernandes and Finnerty in New Bedford.

In addition to private practice he has served as assistant district Turn to page J2 - RedMass

.Friday, October 28, 2005

B-ehind every civil.'right is a popular vot~

By DANIEL AVlLA_ -, new constitutional amendment or stat- sidered citizens underouroriginal con- to cut comers. Judges obliged and ing implemented a vote ofthe people; Some oppose the effort to put ,an ute. The people speak and do so demo- stitution. They had no civil rights. The, adopted the policy of "separate but the SJC ruling did not. amendment on the 2008 ballot defin- crntically. Civil rights are the rights that public debate over the question of equal" that allowed for racial segreWhen someone tells you that we ing marriage as the union ofone man amajority ofthe people agree to honor. their status and over the rightness or gation. However, in 1954, the U.S. shouldn't allow the people to vote to and one woman by claiming that ''we Once adopted democratically, the wrongness of racial discrimination , Supreme Court reversed itself and take away the civil right of same-sex shouldn't put civil rights to a popular new law directs the courts to enforce was so intense it contributed toa civil struck down segregation in its deci- marriage, tell them that behind every vote." The civil right ofsame-sex mar-the people's will. If state agencies fail war. sion in Brown v. Board ofEducation, civil right is a popular vote and that riage, the argument goes, should be to honor the newly minted civil right, When theNorth won, Congress and even though such a ruling was un- the people never voted for same-sex preserve,d against "the tyranny of the then that's when the'courts come into 'the states debated and enacted two popular. marriage. Ifthe amendment to define majority." play. The judiciary'fills the role ofen- constitutional amendments to ban slaSome wrongly equate whaithe SJC marriage as the union between on man On the contrary, behind every civil forcer, not the creator of civil rights. . very and guarantee :due process and did with same-sex marriage to what the and one woman gets to the ballot in right is a vote of the people or their. The people's voice. is heard aid ap- equal protection within the states. The U.S~ Supreme Court did With deseg- 2008, then the people will have their elected representatives, and neither plied, not usUrped.' 'people spoke and the right not to be regation. The Brown decision was a say about marriage. That's what de-group in Massachusetts has el~vated.

None oftha(tookplacewith same- discriminated .against on the oasis <;>f legitimate exercise ofjudicial power mocracy is all about. same~sex marriage 'to the statUs of a sex marriag~ in Massachusetts. A race becaqJ.e a civil right ' ' , because the people had already spo'DanielAvila is the associate direc;, civil r i g h t . : group of attorneys got together and, , Yetracial prejudice persisted and ken through the 13th and 14th consti- torfor Policy & Research oftheMas- , The state started issUing marriage' oecided to enter a lawsuit against the lawsuits were filed asking the courts, tutional amendments. The Brown rul- sachus¢S Catholic Conference. licenSes to sClJlle-sex couples in 2004 ,state. They gathered some plaintiffs only becaust!' four, of the seven and filed some briefs. Four judges in unelectedjustic.es'oftheSupreme Ju- robes issued,3!1 order. ,' ',... / dicial Court commanded it in 2003.

That's it. There' was no prec,eding That is not now a democracy. creates public debate. There was no grueling Editor: ; by the current crisis." For instance, "The bishops civil rights. , democratic process that plit same-sex In ~esponse to ,the edit~nal Qctbber 14, there is a should continue to support the undertaking ofa comThose who designed oursystem of -' marriage into our constitution or stat-, need to- address the present. When will the hierarchy prehensive, scientific study relating to the causes of government envisioned that the people ute books., : . ~'geWJ" The Church crisis is nota homosexuality is~ sexual abuse in the Church and society." As you stated, would make the rules, and thatjudges Thus,' there waS po lXlnstitutional sue. The crisis resulted because many bishops/cardi- " .. .it is a first step toward an'open discussion of the would apply the rules. That is, the 'provi.'lion~(:m'sialtlte adopted by,the:' nals condoned pedophilia.committed by priests who, ... homosexual subculture.,. in seminaries and people legislate and the courts adjudi- people to direct the judges to ,rule for for the most part, were ordained in the 1950s. To' irn- presbyterates." But as the NRB found, it is just one of cate. The legalizationofsame-sex mar- the plaintiffs. NoJaw informed the . ' • ply thfit homosexuality iS,the issue is not only absurd the causes. All ofthe causes ofthe crisis also deserve riage by ,the SJC reversed the·order. courts that the people deemed same,it is downright,scientific~y wro~g. Gay bashing is an open discussion. Thanks for raising the topic in the Now we are being forced tp follow a sex marriage to be acivilright.1nstead, , ' ruling that acourt imPosed without the the fourjustices wanted acivil right to not going to restore the confidence of.the laity. There first place.

Ed Scahill people's consent. , be, enforced so they irivlmted one. needs to be abetter jol:!of screening, fonnitlg, and Mashpee We the people Inake the most funThe people were never consulted' . evaluatioq. ,of men a1r~adyoli th~ alt;rr who will be damental rules, what we call civil Instead of here comes everybody, it appOinted bishops/cardinals. The buck stops there. rights, by amending our copstitutjon was hereeomes the judge!', " ,:', '.

Helen Blair~ SCNA 'Editor: How distressing that, while lamenting the fact that oiby getting'our elected officials to Sometimes, after a civil right is cre- ' Hy'annis, the hopes engendered by the Vatican C~uncil n have enact civil rights legislation. This form, ated through the democratic process, Editor: gone largely unfulfilled, you appear to contribute to of lawmaking is hard to achieve be- public opinion shifts. Government ofcause it requires tremendous buy-in ficials may be ~jected to public presWe want you to know how we enjoy your editori- the reality by neglecting to include the order of deafrom the pUblic. Civil rights do not flow sure to take shortcuts to circumvent a ' als and so many other colUmns~ What ajoy it is as we con in listing the hierarchical structure of the Church from the pens ofjudges, but emerge constitutional amendment or statute. look forward every Friday for The Anchor. in your editorial. On behalfof deacons, both transiafter an intense'period ofopen,debate Or maybe the full import of the new Alice Hawkins ' tional and pennan~nt; I appeal to you to remember to andpublic deliberation. The rule ofde- civil right is resisted The courts he~ . Fall River include us in your W:riting. The permanent diaconate bate is - here comes everybody! ' and the agencies haw.. will never flourish until priests and bishops are willA consensus is forged and eventuThat's what happened with racial ing to recognize the authenticity ofour.call to orders, Editor: , ally is memorialized in the form of a, discrimination. Slaves were not conI truly do enjoy "The'Ship's Log" by Father as clearly defined by the Council. ' Deacon Ralph F. Cox Go~drick. It is my favorite and so upli.fting. It is' the Holy Trinity Church first that I read when I receive The Anchor. ' .'

SERVICEo ..By caring family and service.-family professionals ,West Harwich ,'Catherine E. Gregg North Dighton , Executive Editor s reply: TRUST in the people you know While Vatican n calledfor the restorfit!on ofthe

,Letters 'to the Editor

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Editor: ' permanent diaconate, it wasn't restored until two Today I received my October 14 issue of The years afiO the Council. To write that the Council Anchor. How delighted I was to see on page two FatherscalledpermanentdeaconstoholinessaJong the wonderful article about two of our jubilarians, with "bishops,priests, religious andlaity" would have It was well done and gave both Sisters the recogni- been anachronistic. tion they so well deserve, I'm confident that both Sisters Gert and Rose are very pleased. Thank you Editor: Father Pignato's article was right on target. He said and God bless all your endeavors in the' field of journalism. the Church might raise an article on fair wages, decent Dominican Sister of Hope . medical care and opposition to military hostilities. I .Donna L. Brunell highly applaud that. My concern is that I have written Ossining, N~Y. to many Catholic publications about the unjust war in . Iraq, but I've seen only one say anything about it There Editor: were none written on my requests to those publications Let me compliment you on your October 4 edito:. on a fair minirnwri wage and decent health care. The rial, a forthright discussion of "the long and hushed Catholic press has failed miserably on social justice. issue of homosexual subculture in seminaries and They say they were fighting Roe v. Wade and had no presbyterates." Much of what you say appears to be time for other concerns. What a shameful comment! true. Apparently some good men have.left the semi- Perhaps there would be fewer abortions iffamilies could nary because of this subculture. Our hierarchy is now afford to care for their own. We have a president who pushing our legislature to define civil marriage and lied; where is the outrage against the death ofour troops? ban same-sex marriage, while at the same time, some We have killed more Iraqis than Sadaarn Hussein. I ofthe bishops and clergy are alleged to be homosexual. exhort you and pray that the Catholic press start printDo the seminaries teach any courses on intimacy or 'ing and telling ,the truth about the needs ofour people. human sexuality? It would be very helpful ifyou could This is not a Republican or Democratic concern. It is a follow up with another editorial devoted to the Na- needltisadutyandobligationfortheCatholicpressto tionalReview Boardrecommendations for placing the speak out and I pray they do. But until now, they are Church in America "on a course to ensure the safety shamelessly silent. of its children and young people and to recover the Romeo Lafond confidence of the laity that so badly has been shaken Marstons Mills Letters are welcome but the editor reserves the right to condense or edit for clarity if deemed 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, L~tters to the Editor, P.O. Box 7, Fall River, MA 02722-0007.

BISHOP STANG HIGH SCHOOL Teaching Values For A Lifetime

Thursday November 3, 2005 7:00 p.m.

U.S. Department of Education National Blue Ribbon School of Excellence 500 SLOCUM ROAD NORTH DARTMOUTH, MA 02747 508-996-5602

BISHOP GEORGE W. Coleman joined area religious sLiperiors at a recent day of prayer and fellowship at the Family Life Center in North Dartmouth. (Anchor/Gordon photo)

Religious sup.eriors gather for day of prayer, sharing By

MIKE GORDON

the many faces of Jesus and the charism of each representative religious group. Meeting in NORTH DARTMOUTH Major superiors of religious or- pairs, they shared what their qers throughout the Fall River charism is and what they hope diocese gathered at the Family to have accomplished when their Life Center recently for a day of term as leader is complete.

There was also reflection and prayer and fellowship.

Mercy Sister Elaine Scripture.

"We need to spend time deep Heffernan, Episcopal Representative for Religious, organized in the Gospel," advised Sister the event and was pleased with Cook. "We need to sit contemplatively." the turnout and the day itself.

She also advised the group "It's wonderful," asserted Sister Heffernan. "We have su- that they must remember that "it periors or representatives from is love that gives us the courage more than 12 religious orders to face the uncertain and unhere today and it's a great op- known. If you are consumed portunity to get together and with fear or worry you cannot focus on Jesus." share their ministry."

Bishop George W. Coleman Mercy Sister Patricia Cook of Preston, Conn., was guest attended and shared his thoughts speaker and gave an interactive about the importance of the role presentation entitled "Standing of religious in the diocese.

"The local Church receives in Faith on the Edge of Tomorsuch richness from the charism row."

"I'm very honored to be here of those who belong to religious and I want to tell you how great life and as Pope John Paul II said the charism helps to build up the you are," said Sister Cook.

Her presentation focused on Turn to page'13 - Religious ANCHOR STAFF

http://www.bishopstang.com

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Friday, October 28, 2005

THE LANDINGThe Pearl of Great Price

/

In his first trip outside the Vatican this past May, Pope Benedict visited Bari to celebrate with 300,000 Italian Catholics the feast ofCorpus Christi.

In his homily, the pontiffbrought to the attention ofCatholics throughout the world the Eucharistic witness of49 Christians who were tortured and killed for the faith io 304 iIi Abitene, a small village in modem day Tunisia. .

Their crime was to violate the emperor Diocletian's order that forbade Christians, under pain of death, from gathering on Sunday to celebrate the Eucharist. When the pro-consul Anulinus asked them why on earth they had disobeyed the emperor's severe orders, one of them, named EmeritUs, replied simply, "sine dominico non possumus," that is, without Sunday we canriot live.

For Emeritus and his Christian companions, Sunday Mass was worth . dying for. They could not live without it.

This weekend the Year of the Eucharist draws to a close. It was dedicated toward actualizing the teaching ofthe Second Vatican Council that the Eucharist is ''the source and the summit of the Christian life." For someone's life to be truly Christian, the Council taught, the Eucharist must be the starting point and the goal of everything that person is and does. Every Christian worthy ofthe name is called to say, with Emeritus, ''without Sunday Mass we cannot survive."

This witness that Christ in the Eucharist is worth dying for is not a relic ofancient days. Still today in the S1.!darl,J&tbQl~~:often have to risk . deadly road-side ambushes by fundamentmMNlu1Ni-ts to walk for hours, in the dark of night, to celebrate Mass in secluded locations. In China, priests and faithful in the underground Church loyal to Ro~e risk lo~g­ term imprisonnient for the celebration of the sacred mystenes. In thirdworld regions where there is a drastic shortage ofpriests, Catholics jour~ ney on foot for miles in rough terrain to attend a Mass that they hope will last hours. By their actions, they show that Christ's sacrifice, love and life - made present in the Eucharist - is worth their sacrifices, their love, . and their lives.

Catholics in many areas of America are now starting to be asked to make greater sacrifices with respect to Sunday Mass. Because of the shortage of priests, some churches, where faithful have loved to attend Mass for years; are having to close. In other parishes, Mass schedules are being reduced. Last month in Scranton, Penn., Bishop Joseph Martino announced that, in order to prevent priestly bum out, he will begin to enforce Church law that a priest should only celebrate one Mass a day and must not celebrate more than three on Sunday and two on any other day ofthe week. There is a policy in the Archdiocese ofHartford that, in order to strengthen community in parishes and prevent priestly exhaustion, Masses in which fewer than 50 percent of a parish church is filled are to be combined with other Masses. In most places, Mass attendance is becoming increasingly inconvenient with respect to the past. Paradoxically, however, this extra hassle may be a blessing in disguise.'

In the'days when there were enough priests to offer Masses almost every hour in upper and lower churches, it was easy to start taking the Mass for granted. Almost everyone's personal preferences were able to be accommodated - early or late, simple or solemn, short or long, with music or without, even with or without one's favorite parish priest. While this variety had its advantages, it was also true that the divine treasure of the Mass was often obscured by one's preferred wrapping paper. As priests . and the Masses they're able to offer become fewer, that treasure will necessarily stand in greater relief, because priests will no longer be able to supply the variety of that gift wrap.

The truth is that Mass is probably not sufficiently appreciated until one is willing to go to any lengths to attend. In America, thanks be to God, we do not risk imprisonment or martyrdo~ to make Mass. But we may need to learn from those who do that Jesus in the Eucharist is worth those sacrifices and more. He is the "pearl of great price ...worth selling all we have to obtain." Even ifone needed to attend Mass at two 0' clock in the moming in an ice-cold church with a priest celebrating Mass contrary to almost every one of our.preferences, the opportunity - no, the privilege - to receive the nourishment ofthe God-man would still be worth it.

For without Sunday Mass, the Christian cann.ot live.

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Published weekly except for two weeks In the catholic Press of the Diocese of Fall River. 887 MA 02720, Telephone 508-675-7151 thearichor@anchomewsfotg. ,~ send address changes tORO. soX?, Fall Member: CathoucPress Assoeilltion. N~ england~i;s t , PUI3""~HER• p'.

EXECUTIVEEOITORFat/1er , ., EDITOR David B. JoItvet d1IVejOllVet@an NEWS EDITOR Deacon Ja~ N. Dunl:/ar REPORTER ; Michael ~on "'" OFFICE MANAGER

Mary Chase

Send Letters to the Editor to: theatld'lor@al'lChomews.org POSTMASTERS send address changes to The An~P.O.

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"Do WE NOT ALL HAVE ONE FATHER? lIAs NOT ONE GOD CREATED us?"

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In this month ofOctober, .

The basis for this belief, traditionally dedicated to the according to Pope John Paul ll, is Blessed Vugin Mary, it seems only the beautiful and familiar passage fitting that we put into the deep, from St Luke's Gospel, which exploring the revelation of Om recoIds the Annunciation (Lk 1:26Lady's significance in salvation 38). In particular, the Holy Father history. focused on the question that Om . Oneofthe teachings ofthe Lady asks the angel. After the Church regarding Mary is that she angel tells Mary that she will was "ever virgin." as we pray in conceive and bear a son, she asks the Confiteor at Mass. By this the angel, "How can this be since I teaching, we believe not only that Mary was a virgin when she miraculously conceived the Son Putting Into ofGod in her womb, but the Deep also that she remained a virgin even after she gave

By Father David birth to Jesus.

This 1;ruth ofMary's A. Pignato perpetual virginity meant that her marriage to St Joseph was a unique one, one that do not know man?" can be descnbed as a "communion For most people, Mary's of virginal love" (Pope Johri Paul question seems to express only her II, General Audience, Aug. 21, . confusion as to how she could 1996). As Pope 'ohnPauI II conceive a child, due to her present taught, "Joseph and Mary received state ofvirginity. For Pope John the grace ofliving both the charism . Paul II, however, who examines ofvirginity and the gift ofmarclosely the verb tense used by Om riage'" and relations between Lady, the question also reveals her Joseph and Mary were ofthe intention to remain avirgin nature of''virginaI affection" (General Audience, July 24, 1996).

According to Pope John Paul ·For a young woman about to be ll, however, Mary's perpetual married, it would not have been virginity was not a result of her smprising or confusing to be told vocation as the Mother of God. that a child would be coming in the Instead, the late Holy Father saw future. Such an announcement in sacr:ed Scripture the suggeswould have been the hope ofmost tion that Mary had already betrothed young women, assuming decided and intended to remain a that children would be part of virgiD, even before the angel married life. So, when Mary reacts appeared to her, announcing the with swprise and puzzlement at Incarnation. the angel's news, it suggests that

she was not planning on motherhood, as part ofher future, even though she was betrothed. As the Holy Father explains, '.'It may be preswned that at the time oftheir betrothal there was an understanding between Joseph and Mary about th~ plan to live as a virgin" (General Audience, August 21, 1996). , Such an interpretation of Om Lady's question is an example ofthe Holy Father's personal theological speculation, entirely within the bounds of divine revelation, and not binding on the faithful.

But, it offers us much food for thought The value for us of Mary's possible intention to remain a virgin, at a time when virginity was not widely valued or pursued, is the lesson of total dedication to God. If, indeed, Mary had committed herself to perpetual .virginity, even before she received the angel's news, such a commitment was a sign ofher total gift of self-body and soul- to God~ For most people, the vocation to • holiness does not include or require a permanent commitment to the virginal state, but Mary's intention, tied to her unique vocation, teaches us the importance ofliving our lives first and foremost for God, within our specific vocation. By following the example of Our Lady, and living our lives for God, we can better dispose ourselves to accept God's divine plan for our lives.

Frlday. Octob

When the weir runs dry Let's see. The Red Sox are Manny Ramirez in a trade and out playing golf and the New not receive just compensation.

England Patriots had a muchI'm afraid the Sox won't have needed bye week. Things were anyone to protect David Ortiz in pretty lean in the local sports the lineup, and Papi's bat will scene. Consequently a column simply collect cob webs. topic hasn't come all that I'm afraid Johnny Damon will easily. be "insulted" by a low-dollar, As most sports colurnnists know, this is the perfect time to come up .with one of those "list" columns where the topics are helter-skelter and the creative juices needn't flow that readily.

Thanksgiving is still

By Dave Jolivet several weeks away, and I'm not sure if my Tur- - - - - - - - - - - key Day column will be of the list variety, so I'll cash in short-term contract offer, and that chip now. he'll fade into the Red Sox sunInstead oflisting the things for set not like the hero he was.

I'm very afraid that I'll neverwhich I'm thankful, allow me to present those things of which I'm gain my passion for Boston Brumost afraid. ins hockey again. I've tried to get By the time you read this into it several times this season things may have changed, but I'm and ended up watching "Emeril very afraid that the Red Sox will Live." not sign Theo Epstein, the I'm afraid I'll never get used founder of our 2004 feast. the new ''trapezoid'' behind the I'm afraid we're going to lose nets in ice hockey. I still think

My View From the Stands

they're broken sticks lying on the ice.

I'm afraid I'll have to watch the Super Bowl as simply a- detached observer.

I'm very, very afraid that Peyton Manning and the undefeated Indianapolis Colts are going to throttle the Pats on Monday Night Football in a couple of weeks.

I'm afraid I won't be able to name any of the defensive players on the Patriots by year's end..

I'm afraid of the Boston Celtics.

I'm afraid that the glory days for New England sports have peaked and we're in for a free fall for the next few years.

And finally, I'm afraid of weeks like this when column topics don't appear from nowhere at the last minute.

Dave Jolivet is a former sports editorlwriter who frequently gives his view ofthe unique world ofsports.

Comments are welcome at davejolivet@anchornews.org.

All Saints Holy Day Tuesday, November 1, is All Saints Day. It a holy day on which Catholics are obliged to attend Mass.

Car crashes into St. Joseph's Church NEW BEDFORD - The side doors of St. Joseph-St. Therese Church were badly damaged in a car crash Sunday night.

The driver, 54-year-old Israel Vallejo ofNew Bedford, was traveling southbound on Acushnet Avenue around 10:30 p.m. _He struck a parked automobile before crashing into the church. The vehicle caught fire and Vallejo was pulled from the wreckage by arriving police officers.

Pastor Father Philip N. Hamel brought the oils for the sacrament of the sick but Father Robert Oliveira, chaplain of the New Bedford Fire Department, had al-

ready aQrninistered the sacrament to Vallejo.

Father Hamel reported "the doors were completely decimated and there was some fire damage to the wood around the door frame. The whole front of the car was wedged into the doors."

The double doors lead to the basement of the church. The building's foundation sustained no damage.

Vallejo was pronounced dead at St. Luke's Hospital.

Eastern Television

Believing that is a long time to be humiliIt was a dream about Jesus, building a team almost 2000 and in the dream, Jesus was years ago, and I chose you to be ated. Yes, I think that we can do wearing a Red Sox jersey. He something. Dad even put on a the Captain. You were always Red Sox hat too! You should the Most Valuable Player. And really did look a lot like Johnny have seen him. He looked great! through the years there have Damon, but even more hand"When the Red Sox were been so many people on our some, in many ways, beautiful; team, so many important players his sensitive brown eyes, long down 3-0 against the Yankees, that's when Father and I put the who have carried out the plans brown hair and warm smile. that we set forth. Yes, our Holy magic together. Father usually And I asked him, "Why are likes to get his rest but he stayed Spirit has been able to inspire you wearing that jersey Jesus?" many. up with me night after night as He told me th~t he began "And we both know that at the Sox clipped away at the wearing it in 2003. He said, Yankees one-win after another. times, some of our players have , "You know my Father and I, we not represented us well. Like Then in the final game of the try not to be partial to one with any team, there baseball team over another, but when it r-----------r----:::::iiia7-.,~ have been problems and changes have to be came to 85 years and made." the Red Sox were in the Then Jesus looked at playoffs against the me and said, "I know Yankees, well, I just had that these are situations to become a fan. I just in which Father and I had to believe. Even must lead the way in though there is no time forgiveness, and we just here, I told my Father want to say to our that on earth, 85 years people, don't lose faith can seem like a long in us, or our team. The Holy time, World Series we heard a knock Spirit will continue to work "I really thought that they at the door and it was Peter and through those who believe."

John, Paul, Luke, Mark and were going to win that year Then in an instant, his jersey Matthew, even Francis and and then when Grady Little turned pure white. He smiled kept Pedro in too long, and the Clare and Therese and Teresa! and winked at me and began to The girls were wearing those Red Sox lost, well it was pink red sox caps. What a party! leave. As he turned around, I unbelievable! I mean how saw what was printed on the Who says saints don't know much suffering can one team back of his jersey: Jesus Christ, how to have fun! take? How much SUffering can "When Foulke threw that last Most Valuable Player, and then a group of fans take? It the number 1, and just below throw to first base to win the _brought back memories of my his number, three words in game - wow! What a resurrecown suffering, my own cruciquotations, "Just keep believfixion. And I felt so bad for the tion! We felt the joy all the way ing." to heaven!" team, and for everyone who Greta MacKoul is the autlior "Now in 2005, Father and I believed. received so many prayers during and illustrator of"The Ocean "Then in 2004, I had a long Flowers, A Parable ofLove" the playoffs against the White talk with my Father and I said I and numerous articles. Greta Sox. But a World Series victory think that the Red Sox deserve and her husband George, with was not meant to be this year." something big this year. A true their children Maxwell and Then Jesus said that his resurrection. What do you say Marysa, are parishioners of Father was quiet for several Father, can we arrange it? He Christ the King Parish in days. And when he spoke he was quiet for a long time. Then said, "You know Son, we started Mashpee. he agreed, yes, 86 years, well,

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Nov. 18-20 Have You Given Up Fixing Yourself?

- Virginia Blass and Harry Cain, SJ Dec. 2-4-Companions in Healing - Advent - Judith LoGerfo and John Michalowski, SJ Dec. 2-4 Journey with Jesus through His Parables - Stephen Bonian, SJ Dec. 9-11 The Joyful Mysteries in Advent - James Mattaliano, SJ Dec. 9-11 Encountering God's Desire in Advent - William Barry, SJ and Robert Doherty SJ Jan. 13-16 Following in the Footsteps oflgnatius - John Michalowski, SJ Individually Directed Retreats 5/8-Day (Weekend): Nov. 7-12/15 (11-13); Jan. 2-7/10 (6-8); March 5-10/13 (10-12); May 21-26/29 (26-28)

6

Friday, October 28, 2005

Practice what you preach

,-

sin, but "he humbles himself It has been said of the truly "afflicted the comforttaking the form of a slave" Gospel that it comforts the able" with his words. (philippians 2:6-11).

Fortunately, ~here there is' a afflicted and afflicts the How can we "break open" comfortable. This certainly problem the Lord always offers the Word of God in our own' can apply to this week's a solution. This awkward lives? The Gospel always Gospel from Matthew 23! moment becomes an opportuchallenges us to conform our nity to teach his followers, Jesus does not mince any lives to Christ; therefore, we, words. Once again Jesus then and now, about true too, must be servants. But challenges the religious leadership. Jesus reminds his leaders of his day, namely the followerS: "The scribes and. Pharisees, to greatest among you practice what they preach. must be your servant [Homily of the.We~;k He criticizes them because Whoever exalts they know the Law of Moses himself will be XXXISundayln humbled; but whoever and the words of the prophets, humbles himselfwill yet they do not live what they Ordinary Time know. Our Lord tells his be exalted." Jesus followers to do whatever the embodies what it is to

By Father scribes and Pharisees combe a good leader by Michael ~iifY mand but do not follow their becom.ih.g servant to all. ' poor example. Jesus continues by giving a stinging commenReflecting on the tary on the way they live their how? A big step is humbly .Gospels as a whole, Jesus not lives: they do not pra,ctice what asking God for the grace to only tells his followers with his become servants. He will they preach, their works are wordSio be servants, but give us wharwe need. We done to be seen, and they take enfleshes what it is to be positions of honor in the . need God at work within us , servant - healing, feeding, in order to strive beyond our synagogues and the marketforgiving, restoring bodies and own limitations, giving us place. In essence, they honor spirits to life and wholeness, the hearts and hands of themselves and do not honor and, humbly, even washing a God or those created in his few feet. Imagine, the God of servants. Although this image and likeness. In the first thought can seem overthe universe not only takes on part of this Gospel Jesus has whelming at times, it's not all there is to be human, except

impossible.

In our baptism we were claimed for Christ, calling us to lives of holiness in a spirit of daily conversion. As Catholics we depend on the Eucharist and the working of the Holy Spirit to strengthen us.. With God at work in our lives we can be and accomplish more than our hearts can ever imagine.

This weekend our vocation office is promoting "Operation: Planting Seeds" which . supports and encourages vocations to the local priesthood. As a part of this campaign, priests are asked to . share their vocation story. In light of this weekend's Gospel, those of us who have been ordained have a great opportunity to reflect on our role as servants of God's people. As priests (and deacons) we are united,because we share in Bishop George W. Coleman's priesthood: As chief shepherd of the flock of Fall River, oUr

bishop gives us the faculties and privilege of sharing in his ministry of the sacraments and his teaching ministry. In other words, we share in his vocation as servant.

In a story about one of the greatest servants who modeled his life after Christ, St. Francis of Assisi was to have said to one of his brothers, "Preach, and if you must use words." In whatever walk of life we are in, if we want to follow Christ we must be servants. At the risk of sounding redundant, we must role up our sleeves and wash a few feet by becoming healers, forgivers, and restorers of life to those whom God has placed on our journey.

Whether we are a student, parent or priest; in this day an~ age, our actions must . speak louder than our words.

Father Ciryak is the director ofCollege Campus Ministry~ serving at Wheaton College and UMass'Dartmouth, and as chaplain ofBishop Connolly High School in Fall River.

He is Lord or our bodies as well as our souls ... Our tongues must preach him, our voices sing of him, our knees adore him, our hands supplicate him, our heads bow before him and our countenances beam of him." Holy vestments and vessels, noble furnishings, forms Of prayer, orders of ministers, ceremonies of devotion: all these, said Newman, signify '.'the coming

into this world of the invisible Kingdom of Christ." With this wisdom in mind, we are now ready to begin our tour of the liturgy of the Eucharist.

Father Kocik, an author of two books, one on the liturgy, is chaplain at Charlton Memorial Hospital, Fall River, and resides at St. Thomas More Parish, Somerset.

Postures The Church assigns particular profound bow is made to the gestures and postures throughout altar (which symbolizes Christ) Mass to engage the entire person, - unless the Blessed Sacrament' body and soul, in worshiping is present on it or is reserved in God. the tabernacle behind it, in which case a genuflection is made. A Standing is the position of reverent attention and is especially appropriate for the Gospel and Creed. It is also the ancient posture for prayers of petition, and so we stand for the principal prayers of

By Fr. Thomas M. Kocik petition, namely, the Collect (Opening Prayer), the Prayer over the Gifts, the Post-communion simple bow is made when Prayer, and the Prayer of the reciting the article of the Nicene Faithful (General Intercessions).

Creed regarding the Incarnation Sitting indicates attentive (''By the power of the Holy Spirit he was born of the Vrrgin Mary listening" which is particularly appropriate during the Scripture and became man''). The Roman readings (prior to the Gospel) Missal directs the priest to bow and the homily. his head when mentioning the Kneeling signifies humility n~e of Jesus, the Blessed and adoration and is therefore Vrrgin, or the saintpf the day. used during most of the EuchaRaised hands is the ancient ristic Prayer. . priestly gesture of supplication in Genuflection is the bending of the Jewish tradition. For this the right knee in adoration.. The reason, the.priest raises his hands priest genuflects to the Blessed at different points throughout the Sacrament at the elevations of Mass, especially during the the host and chalice after the Eucharistic Prayer and the Lord's consecration of the bread and Prayer. wine, before receiving' holy Striking one's breast is a sign Communion, and when apof humility and sorrow for sin proaching and leaving the and is used during the Confiteor tabernacle. Whether or not Mass (''1 confess...'') of the Penitential is being celebrated, we should Rite. genuflect whenever we pass.

Making the Sign of the Cross before the tabernacle, to acreminds us of the price of our knowledge Christ present in the . salvation. Mass begins and ends Blessed Sacrament.路 with the Sign of the Cross. The Bowing may be either priest blesses the gifts of bread profouild or simple. Whether and wine by making the Sign of during or outside Mass, a the Cross over them before they

Loving and Living the Mass

become the ~ody and Blood of the Lord; he also blesses the incense with the Sign of the Cross before using it.

There is always a temptation to minimize the importance of bodily postures and gestures, on the assumption that the more plain ~d informal our worship is, the more "spiritual" and路 "sincere." It is good to ponder what the great Anglican convert and later Cardinal, John Henry Newman, said of . this: "God is the Maker of all things, visible and invisible ...

Daily Readings Oct 30

Oct 31

Nov 1

Nov 2 Nov 3 Nov 4 Nov 5

Mal 1:14b2:2b,8-10; Ps .

131:1-3; 1 Thes 2:7b-9, 13; Mt 23:1-12 Rom 11 :29-36; Ps 69:30-31,3334,36; Lk 14:1214 Rv7:2-4,9-14; Ps 24:1-4ab,5-6; 1 In 3:1-3; Mt 5:112a Wis 3:1-9; Ps 23:1-6; In 11 :1727 Rom 14:7-12; Ps 27:1,4,13-14; Lk 15:1-10 Rom 15:14-21; Ps 98:1-4; Lk . 16:1-8 Rom 16:39,16,22-27; Ps 145:2-5,10-11; Lk 16:9-15

In Your. Prayers Please pray for the following priests during the coming weeks Nov.!

'1924, Rev. William H. McNamara, Retired Pastor, St Mary, Mansfield 1927, Rev. Louis N. Blanchet, Assistant, St. Jean Baptiste, Fall River 1944, Rt. Rev. Msgr. John fFerraz, Pastor, St. Michael, Fall River 1953, Rt. Rev. Msgr. GeorgeF. Cain, Pastor"St. Mathieu, Fall River 1987, Rev. William E. Farl~Pastor, St:JoseRh, Taunton 1988, Rev. William F.' Gartl~. tt\:.o'"'Cs:c:8tonehill College, North Easton ~. ~ 1994, Rev. John].--Su!!ivan;SS.CC., Retired Pastor Holy Trinity, West Harwich ~ ~L .

Nov. 2 A memento for the repose of the ~o s of our bishops, priests and permanent deacons not on this list \ 1923, Rev. Joseph S. Fortin, Founde~.

St. Jean Baptiste, Fall River 1933, Rev. Michael V. McDonough, O~Plain' St. Mary's Home, New Bedford , Nov.3 1988, Rev. Jose M. Bettencourt e Avila, etired Pastor, Our Lady of Mt. Cannel, New Bedford , Nov. 4 1990, Permanent Deacon James M. O'Gara Nov.S 1998, Rev. Daniel A. Gamache, Retired Pastor, St. Joseph, New Bedford .' , '.

Nov. 6 1933, Rev. Patrick S. McGee, Founder, 81. Mary, Hebronville 1999, Rev. Joseph Oliveira, Retired Pastor Our Lady of Lourdes, Taunton

Q

Friday, October 28, 2005

7

and marriage. Sickness and allowed to touch both life and death, too, are frequently part of death; to hear the first breath his ministry. I received an inhaled or the last breath death (it eased the grief) or 31 October 2005 - All began to reflect a changing emergency phone call recently. exhaled. maybe take one last jab at the ~ Hallows' Eve attitude towards death. A .

"Is this St. Brendan's Church?": ' Msgr. John Perry, diocesan Father Jack Andrews of Our living. Consider the epithet of a symbolic hand pointing corifiasked a distressed woman's secretary for Ministerial Personhypochondriac: "I told them I Lady of Lourdes Parish, dently. in the direction of the .. voice. (Actually, it's St. Bernard nel, volunteered to help a Wellfleet, and I have spent many was sick!" Or, in a pre-litigious heavens supplanted the skUll. Church). "Yes," said I, "How neighboring pastor with first age, "Killed by an explosion of a day haunting graveyards. This and cross bones. Very popular may I help you?" "We are not penance. After hearing 75 is not as macabre as you was an urn under a registered members of your children's confessions, the pastor might think. We would weeping willow tree, parish, but we have lived in the approached Msgr. Perry. "Do you enjoy our days off-duty often attended by a Village for years. My husband is have time for another sacmment, by visiting cemeteries. swooning figure remia 'lapsed Catholic.' He is in the John? "Sure. Did we miss a Local history buffs niscent of an Edward last stages of terminal cancer. second-grader?" ''No. I have realize you can learn a Gorky sketch. TwentiWould you come to oW' house?" cancer," responded the pastor. "I lot from cemeteries. In eth-century cemeteries I was there in minutes. The am scheduled for major surgery. the 17th and 18th tend to avoid the dying man was only 51. "I am a The prognosis is uncertain. I centuries, life in New' individuality of death. 'fallen-away' Catholic, Father. I request the sacrament of the England was tenuous.

Name, dates, that's am dying. At my mother's sick." "You-caught-me-byPeople acknowledged about it. I notice in our urging, I want to return to the· surprise," said Msgr. Perry with Farley's Non-Exploding Lamp death as a fact of life. Their 21 st century, gravestones are Church." I noti~ed a small statue hesitation. "i'm very good at Fuel." Or the words inscribed by again becoming more personal. philosophy is reflected in the of the Blessed Mother on the that," the pastor laughed. a widow on her late husband's oldest slate gravestones. The Some modem stones include bookcase. I thought - "at the The pastor sat in the tombstone - "Here lies the carvings are usually straightforportraits of the deceased or laser urging of your Mother" more presider's chair he used at every ward - a skull and cross bones, body of Nathaniel Swift. His etchings of homes, cars, mounthan you yet realize.

Mass. In an silent, empty widow Suzanne is alive and well tains, sunsets, and tlven motorperhaps. There is often an We celebrated the sacrament church, through the ministry of inspirational poem. "Remember and welcomes visitors at No. 32 cycles. We are giving future of the sick and the sacrament of his brother priest, he received Main St." Or my personal man as you pass by, as you are historians clues as to who we the dying, holyComkunion the ancient laying on of hands favorite "Here Lies the Body of were and what we considered now, so once was I. As I am Viaticum. Two days later, the· and the holy anointing. It was a Jonathan Fiddle - Gone Out of important. now, so you will be. Prepare phone rang again. It was the moment of grace. The surgery death and follow me," or simply Tune."

2 November 2005 - All woman. "I think my husband took place on· the feast of St. . By the 19th century, white "Memento Mor; (Remember Souls'Day has just died. Could you come Joseph - patron saint of priests.

Death)." People long ago would marble replaced slate as the A priest deals daily with life- over?" I stood in the living room The year was 1998. I was the material of choice. The artwork sometimes laugh in the face of by the hospital bed and together pastor Msgr. Perry anointed that passages: .birth, cQming-of-age, ,we said the comforting Prayers day. We priests must deal with for the Dead. Soft music matters of life and death. happened to be playing in the Including our own. background. This is holy . Father Goldrick is pastor of ground, I thought. We sat quietly SL Bernard Parish, AssoneL and spoke softly while awaiting Comments are welcome at

By Jo ANNE FLORES EMBLETON StBernardAssone~oLco~ many more from Mexico entering as bishops faced difficulties in vis-. the Hospice nurse. It is a CATHOLIC NEWS SERVICE Previous columns are at the process ofChristian initiation." iting the far-flung parishes in their humbling experience to stand The new order for the sacra- dioceses and were unable to bap- before the Majesty of God; to be www.StBernardAssoneLorg..

TYLER, Texas - Bishop Alvaro Corrada of Tyler has re- ments will be phased in, with full tize all new Christians, who, for the stored the sacmment of confirma- implementation at the beginning of most part, were infants. The cel~t. Anne's Prayer ebmtion of confirmation wac: de- . tion to its original place before first Advent in 2006.

Confirmation "is not a sacra- layed until a bishop could be Communion, allowing Catholics in "Good St. Anne, Mother of Mary, and the Diocese ofTyler to more fully ment ofmaturity, where you get old present.

Grandmother of Jesus, Intercede for me and my celebmte the sacrament ofEucha- enough to be like a little soldier for "In the begiJl!lin~ of the 20th Christ," said Linda Porter, dioc- century," Bishop Corrada said, rist. petitions. Amen."

"The place to make your com- esan director of faith formation. "children would have. received "You used to get slapped on the first Communion v.ery nea{ the mitment to the Catholic Church is in the Eucharist, not in confirma- cheek, a sign that you were going time oftheir confirmation,'genertion," the bishop said in a recent to suffer for the faith and that you ally about the age of 12. When letter titled "Pastoml Reflection on needed to be strong because you Pope Pius X defined the age for first Communion to be as the Sacmment ofConfirma.' Prompt 24 Hour Service • Automatic Deliveries tion." young as seven, the sarne • Call In Deliveries • Budget Terms Available "The relation ofbaptism and con- age of reason that was used "The sacraments draw • Free Estimates humanity into the truth and firmation to the Eucharist becomes in the celebmtion offirst reclove of God revealed in clear; each prepares a person to onciliation, it was designed You Never Had Service Christ, thereby disposing the take his appointed place within the to increase liturgical particiUntil You Tried Charlie's pation and the living of the faithful to live this love more We're located at ...

Christian life." deeply in their daily lives of life of the Church."

46 Oak Grove Ave., Fall River The age for first ComChristian freedom and witorcal/ ... ness," the bishop said. "The rela- were a soldier for Christ," she told munion was lowered, but confir508-675-7426 • 508-674-0709 tion of baptism and confirmation Catholic East Texas, Tyler's dioc- mation remained at age 12., ..

"They left it up there by' itself, to the Elicharist becomes clear; esan newspaper. "But that's not the each prepares a person to take his terminology we use now in under- and what happened was that publishers came out gearing appointed place within the life of standing the sacmment.

"It's tied very closely to our (catechetical material) toward the Church. , La Salette Retreat Center "Confirmation is given to baptismal promises, and tied very older children and we adapted to strengthen the baptized so that they closely to the Eucharist. Confirma- the pmctice," Porter ~aid. "Then· .

947 Park Street might be more perfectly bound to tion strengthens the gifts that we we tried to define our theology' Attleboro, MA 02703-5115 the Church and, as true witnesses celebmte receiving at baptism, the based on that.practice; rather than 508-222-8530 of Christ, spread and defend the gifts of the Holy Spirit, and helps the other way around." .

"The sacraments aresepafaith by word and deed," he said. us prepare for entering into the cel. Oct. 30 at 1:00 p~m. Fr. Fern Cassista, M.S. presents a Re,<ollection: This reordering of the sacra- ebration of the Eucharist," she mted," Porter said. "We start with Job: Man of Suffering, Man of Faith . this sacmment, baptism, and somement is not an unusual practice, said.

According to Bishop Corrada's times we don't see' the. families according to Bishop Corrada.

NQv. 6 at 1:00 p.m. Fr. Dan Bmdley, M.S. presents a Recollection: "A good number ofdioceses in pastoral letter, tqe early Christians again until a child prePares to iriake Friends and Saints the United States, Canada and Eu- "entered the communion of the his first Communion. Then you rope have reordered the sacra- Church through baptism and the might not see them again UQtil they Nov. 20 at 1:00 p.m. Fr. Fern Cassista, M.S. presents a Recollection: ments to go back to the usual way, laying on of hands." These sacm- come for confirmation. .' . . . '. Psalms ofPraise and Thanksgiving in Word and Song "Confirmation cannot be prop-. . which is baptism, confirmation and ments "introduced Christians into the Eucharist," he said. "In our dio- the life ofthe community and pre- edy looked at as a single eyent, Grief Education Progmm - Sr. Judith Costa, SSD cese, there is a pastoral need ... pared them to celebmte the eucha- done and then forgotten, like some Nov, 7 t 10:30 a.m. to noon & Nov. 10 at 6:30 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. type of immunization or graduawith so many people coming into ristic sacrifice."

For more information, pleases call or write Retreat Secretary The pmctice gmdually changed tion," Bishop Corrada said. the Church by conversion, and

R.I.P.

In Tyler, confirmation restored to its place before first Communion

Charlie's Oil Co., Inc.

Friday, October 28, 2005

Putting theirfaith into action, St. Michael'S parishioner$ help ease the plight ofarea homeless

By DAVE JOLIVET,

EDITOR

Earlier this month the St. Michael's ~d Sacred Heart soup kitchens joined forces for a daylong food drive in anticipation of ' the rapidly approaching winter months. "The response was great," Father Ciosek said. "Many people read about the drive in The Anchor, and that helped 'a great deal. We had people coming in from parishes across Fall River and also from Somerset and Swansea."

"It's amazing how many elderly people came in during the day to bring food items," said Correia.

Father Ciosek added that later in the day, when folks got out of work, "many young fam,ilies ar,rived to bring donations. It was a ,great succe~s."', , . Seventy-five-year-old Lena , Ramsey has been a soup kitchen volunteer from the onset. She felt a, callIng to help those in most need. "It does make you feel good . to reach out to those in need and ,help them out," she said.

"It's sad to see so many people who are so need, especially families. It touches your heart to see the children."

Like many of her fellow volunteers, Ramsey said, "the response of people who' donate is incredible. We have good people in this parish and in this city."

'- '~" . . . S h e said many of the same .c;;;.......;..O;;"'::....;__-"---.:._:i,;i<""';:;,-,;:.,-..:..,-.J people come back each month,

FALL RIVER- The late humanitarian Robert F. Kennedy was particularly fond of the George Bernard Shaw quote, "Some men see things as they are and say 'why?' I dream things that never were, and say 'why not?'" , It was a spirit such as this that prompted a group from St. Michael's Parish to embrace and

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served in the citY. Bill Leblanc and Elizabeth Gonsalves accompanied Father Ciosek when he ftrst visited the homeless sites in the neighborhood, and both are still very involved with the soup kitchen.

"It was an eye-opening experience," said Leblanc. "Father Ciosek saw the problem, wanted to act on it, and empowered oth- ,

it's heartbreaking when we have children coming in. Just last month, we had about six children." \ Right from the st¥!:, the parish response has been overwhelming.

Many parishioners can't volunteer to work hands-on in the soup kitchen, but have become involved in other ways .. St. Michael's parishioners, and those,

that most of the volunteers in the kitchen have been there since the beginning. "We,have a wond~rful group of people, and we have a good time in the process."

Many of the volunteers who shared stories with The Anchor agreed that it's vital to help these poor souls. .

Peter Boudreau has been with the soup kitchen from the beginning as well. "It was the right thing to do," he said. "We all need to pray, but we all need to take care of the things that we're able to do as well." , Boudreau works serving and cleaning at each session and he and his wife Helen have made it a family affair. "We wanted to do this to help those who are less fortunate, but we also'wanted to set an exanlple for our daughter. She receives so much from attending St. Michael's School and we wanted to enforce that at home.

"She loves to come to the kitchen and help us each month. The things we want to teach her, she's getting in buckets by helping us out."

'Boudreau added despite his family's busy schedule aside from the soup kitchen duty, the volunteer, work has, "brought us much . closer together as a family."

Jesus once said that we would always have the poor with us.

Many parishioners· of St. Michael's Parish in Fall River have taken heed by continually bucking cultural trends advocating taking care of one's self As easy as it is to look at things and ask "why?" they continue to ask, ''Why not help?"

Donations ofmoney, food, hygiene items, clean blankets and clothing are always needed To inquire about helping, contact SL Mtchael's rectory at 508-672-6713.

VOLUNTEERS AT Sf. Michael's Parish, Fall River, were recently on handto.accept food and "stop by after their meal just donations to the St. Michael's and Sacred Heart soup kitchens. Many people from parishes 'to say 'thank you,' and tell us how ,across Fall River, Somerset and Swansea responded generously. (~nc~or!~o~d0!1 phot~) gO?~:nmi~~:S~:ld outside, I ;" , ,,', ,. .'. can't help but think of those livminister to an ever-present num- ers to do the same." from surrounding pari~hes and" fig by the'railroad tracks and beber of homeless people living in Why people choose to help the communities continually help neath the overpasses," added the shadows of their church com- most needy of their brothers and keep the shelves stocked with Ramsey. "I get cold just keeping munity in north Fall River. ' sisters may differ- slightly or non-perishable food items, per- the heat down, and they're out Responding, to an article in a greatly from person to person, but sonal hygiene products, and warm there in the middle of it." local newspaper about men, they are each united in the desire clothing and blankets.

She also made a point to say women and children living near to provide nourishment, dignity railroad tracks, under overpasses and concern for those seemingly • and in cardboard boxes,Father forgotten by society.'

Scott Ciosek, a parochial vicar at ' "I think we are all called to do St. Michael's, and several parish something," Leblanc told The faithful "toured" the area. 'What Anchor. "We're just doing the they found· were piles of clothes, mission of the Gospel, including abandoned mattresses, food hang- those who support us fmancially ing from trees in bags to protect it or with material goods. No one from animals, and several sleep- here wants notoriety for what , ing bags -'- all telltale signs of we're doing. The rewards are in, homelessness. The group ques- trinsic." tioned some of the homeless ''I felt the need to reach out and ·people, asking what they cOuld do help people," said Mary Correia, to help. a St. Michael's volunteer since The result was the St. Michael's day one. "I wanted to do 'volunSoup Kitchen that began in Febru- teer work and this was the perfect ary, 2003. It was the ftrst Catholic opportunity." , soup kitchen in the city, followed Correia is among a faithful ,very shortly by one at Sacred Heart kitchen staffthat cooks and serves Parish. , meals once a month when the The dream to say "why not?" soup kitchen is open. "This is continues today. something that 1really believe in," The St. Michael's Soup she added.

Kitchen operates one Saturday a ''Through the years, the attenmonth at 5 p.m. in the church hall. clance at the monthly soup kitchen The schedule, which is available has been steady," Correia told The 'by calling the parish office" is Anchor. "We get anywhere from REPRESENTATIVES FROM the soup kitchens at St. Michael's, Sacred Heart, and Holy scheduled on a night when there 75 to 90 or so people. It's difl1- Trinity parishes in Fall River, recently met to discuss ways to improve the lives of the many are no other evening meals being cult to see people so needy, and homeless people,in the Fall River area. '

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Friday, October 28, 2005

9

Sacred Heart pantry, soup kitchen ladles out love as it battles hunger

By DEACON

JAMES

N.

DUNBAR

FALL RIVER - It wasn't the frayed jeans or the crumpled jacket or the matted hair or stubble of a beard that told Ryan's story. People with big bucks have made that look fashionable. It was his eyes.

They were too old and showed hurt and didn't fit with the 40something face. They scanned the fresh produce, the boxes of pasta and cans of beans and vegetables and loaves of bread that were free for the asking.

With something of a smile he packed the foodstuffs into a well-used plastic bag. Then, with a cane and the bag in one hand, the other on the railing, he limped up the stairs - one at a time - leading from Sacred Heart Church Hall and out onto Seabury Street.

Earlier, he had agreed to talk to me, those dark eyes questioning why I had picked him out of perhaps a hundred who had taken numbers and lined up in hours before the inner-city parish's popular food pantry had opened it doors, like it does every Monday from 4 to 5 p.m.

He was a regular there, Ryan said, his voice calm and low. He seemed uneasy as others passed by us, laughing and chatting as they toted their bags of food.

His was a simple story. He was a laborer and had fallen from scaffolding and injured his back.

He couldn't hold a job. His wife and children left. He had lived a couple of days on the street. He finally found an apartment. But even with disability benefits, he can't managc that and utilities and food too.

"This place makes all the difference," he said. "I can get by with this ... and eating here and at other soup kitchens. These people are good to me, to all of us who come here. I think they know us by name by this time.

They open the doors in the cold weather so we don't have to wait outside. Yes, the food is vel)' good and plentiful and I am grateful. " Then apologetically, he said, "I try to get to Mass. I'm'Catholic. I always say a prayer before I go to bed."

At 5 p.m., when Sacred Heart Parish and dozens ofspirited volunteer kitchen workers and servers opened the doors to its dinning hall to serve another 100 or more needy but deserving guests as it does every Monday, I didn't see Ryan among them. I hoped the interview hadn't kept him away, and that he arrived later.

"Welcome to our soup kitchen," Don Duarte said as he greeted me with a wide smile as he came across the bright church basement hall. There were neatly set tables with plates and utensils. Near each plate was a col-

orful piece of candy. It was a small touch, but it was at the heart of how this ministry of charity had become such ~ success.

For the past two years, Duarte, a Somerset hair stylist, has been the moving force behind the pantry and soup kitchen. His colleagues refer to him as "the chef."

The whole charitable endeavor depends a great deal on donations of money and food, "And with Fath~r Raymond Cambra, Sacred Heart's pastor at

serve the food too."

He said Father Tim Goldrick, pastor of St. Bernard's Parish in Assonet, had delivered a load of macaroni and cheese and chicken leftover from a dinner there. ''We're also serving that macaroni tonight, but we'll keep the chicken in our refrigerators for another time," Duarte said.

The Monday night menus often feature "our great soups including wonderful Portuguese soup. We're also famous for our meatballs. But we have served baked fish, lasagna, and roasts ...

"Other than donations, we place an order and purchase and receive food from the Massachusetts Food Bank in Taunton. We pay a small amount, a couple of hundred dollars twice a month.

We get cornflakes and stuffing and juice and soda and some other things. At the same time we get potatoes and onions and dry foods and canned goods from area markets and outlets. It is the wonderful generosity of our Sacred Heart parishioners - who specifically earmark money for either the 'pantry and the soup

BETH CAMBRA, front, second from left, and a group she called "Family and Friends," not only donated and prepared the October 17 weekly dinner at Sacred Heart Parish's Soup Kitchen in Fall River, but helped serve the meal as well. More than 100 people took advantage of their charity. (Photo courtesy of Holy Union Sister Kathleen Gibney) the helm, things work wonderfully," said Duarte.

Father Cambra, clad in a dark T -shirt with the words "Am I fired yet," was busily handing out boxes of pasta and other foods during the hour-long food pantry.

When that closed, he offered the blessing before joining the gathering for the meal.

"I don't think people realize what a wonderful group of volunteers we have," Father Cambra said. ''They are so kind and caring to those who come in and they ask for nothing in return. As for what we do, it fills a need.

We serve Christ. We treat everyone who comes to us as we would treat Christ."

The night's menu included pizza as the appetizer, chourico sandwiches, baked beans, all kinds of beverages and a variety of dessert's.

"All the food tonight has been prepared and donated by Beth Cambra, family and friends," Duarte reported. "And they have come here to help

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whatever God sends us," he added. ' Several area firms, societies and civic groups regularly donate food or checks as well as volunteers to present whole dinners for the needy. Most want to remain anonymous.'

"Last week, on the Columbus Day holiday, we offered a traditional pasta and meatball dinner in the Italian fashion, which was a gift from the Fall River Clover Club," he added. "They helped serve and also provided music and entertainment." .

The food pantry too, is the recipient of donations and other sources.

Duarte said that following the meal he expected to receive a truckload of food, a portion of what was collected in a collaborative food drive with St. Michael's Parish in Fall River.

Another recent gift, he said, were 15 cases of foodstuffs delivered by students of the Connell School in Fall River, who arrived in a school bus.

kitchen - and other charitable people who make all this work," Duarte explained.

Each person who comes to the pantry - and the average is 100 clients a week - is allowed to fill up one grocery bag with goods from the pantry. "It depends on how large the family is ... we offer them more," he said. "We take their names and addresses to keep track. We play no favorites. It is first come, first served for what's up there."

The numbers coming to the food pantry are rising, Duarte said. "It's the poor economy.

Things are not good. And when the cold weather arrives, we'll have more clients."

According to Holy Union Sister Kathleen Gibney, who serves at Sacred Heart Parish, when the soup kitchen began in March, 2004 it had 26 patrons its first night. That quickly jumped to more than 300 in subsequent months. In 2004, the soup kitchen served a total

3,437 m'~als.

By the end of September this year, the kitchen has already served 3,151.

Duarte and Sister Gibney said the people come not just for the food, but also for the warmth and companionship. "And our workers minister to them," said Duarte. "They know them by name. Sometimes you'll see the servers sitting down with certain people at the end of the meal, maybe to eat, or just talk."

The chef kept moving about during the interview that found us in the kitchen, in the office, at the beverage table, and at a table groaning with an assortment of desserts including fresh pie and cake, Danish pastry, cupcakes and brownies.

As a special treat, Halloween cookies and pastries - all donated - were placed on the tables following the meal.

Later, a new microwave oven, also donated, would be given to a needy family.

We walked past racks of used, but clean clothing. "We also offer people clothes ... and by the way, we need your size," he said, laughing.

Duarte exuded an untiring kind of energy as he went about his work. It was catching, I thought. Most of the workers in the pantry, the task force of eight who ran the kitchen and the 20 or more servers, were of retirement age and beyond.

Duarte kept up a constant litany of his workers, continually heaping praise as he introduced all those busily at work around him - Tom and Gabriel Kenney, Janet Rosa, Urban Medeiros, Pat Healey, Mary Champagne, Bill Lynch, Donald Francoeur, Ronnie Medeiros, Joanne Robinson, Marilyn Lafond and Tom Murphy, to mention a few.

Holy Union Sister Eugenia Margaret Ready, pastoral assistant at Sacred Heart, and one of the workers, introduced me to more of her colleagues, including Mrs. Mary Jane Camara, wife of the late Deacon Manuel H. Camara.

"Here's my bread scavenger, Toni Martin, without whom we'd have no bread," said Duarte.

"She gets us all the bread we need. She is a treasure. She goes out collecting bread from all the stores, and delivers bread to other soup kitchens as well."

Even with the gigantic weekly effort, the realization of God's gifts to the pantry and soup kitchen prompted a recent effort to help those in Louisiana suffering from August's Hurricane Katrina.

Duarte reported that Sacred Heart Parish had joined with St. Bernard's in Assonet in shipping a truckload of goods to the needy in New Orleans.

,. Friday, Octoober 28, 2005 :,,{.

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DVD/video reviews NEW YORK (CNS)- Thefol- correct B.C. (before Christ). (paralowing are capsule reviews ofrecent mount) "John Paul II: The DVD and video releases from the Office for Film & Broadcasting of Millennial Pope" (1998) the U.S. Conference of Catholic This journalistic report, which Bishops. originally aired on PBS, looks at the "not the I" (2005) life and times of Karol Wojtyla Convoluted, kinky story set in' mainly from a secular perspective, London about a temperamental fl~- though religious views are occasionmenco dancer (Natalia Verbeke) ally expressed by Catholics, former who, recovering from an abusive Catholics and those of other faiths. relationship, agrees to marry a, As might be expected, the documen" gentlemanly Brit (James D'Arcy), tary succeeds best with Wojtyla's butatherbachelorettepartyencoun- formative years in Poland. Also ters a video camera-Wielding Brazil- , handled well is the segment on Pope ian actor (Gael Garcia Bemal in his 'JohtlPaul's role in fostering the Solifirst English-speaking role), setting darity labor movement which ultithe scene for a romantic triangle. mately caused the fall of Poland's Writer-director Matthew Parkhill's' communist government. The docu, story ofseamy love is not quite what mentary stumbles in its simplistic it seems to be, as there are some neat trea1n.ient of the pope's concerns Hitchcockian twists along the way, ,about the liberation theology movebut the plot is improbable in the ex- ment in Latin America. The least sat- ' treme, and the execution - despite isfying section deals with the pope's some clever touches - feels standagainstwomen'sordinationas semiamateurish. Much rough and well as issues of birth control and crude language, sexual situations, abortion. The film provides a series partial rear nudity, suicide_with as- ofinterviews with people searching sociated gore, murder with.out retri- for a spiritual meaning to their own bution. The USCCB Office for Film lives.- Produced by veteran film&BrOOdcast:ingclassificationisL- maker Helen Whitney, the film is limited adult audience, films whose well-eonstrueted, though some ofthe problematic content many adults commentators are quite critical ofthe would find troubling. The ~otion late pope. On b~lance, however, fue Picture Association ofAmerica rat~ program presents a portrait of a ing is R - restricted. (WamerBros.) strong and appealing religious leader. , "FromJesus to Christ: . ,The open-minded viewer will come The First Christians" (1998) away with a good deal ofrespect for A documentary that originally this man and his example of faith.. aired on PBS' "Frontline" seri~s (paramount), looks back 2,000 years to the his' "Mad Hot Ballroom" (2005) Generaily appealing documentorical world ofJesus and his perse'cuted followers. Drawing on the in- tary about ethnically diverse New put of 12 New Testament scholars, York City elementary school stuthe film tries to avoid the oversim- dents competing in citywide Ameriplificationsand slippery generaliza- can Ballroom Theater's "Dancing tions that have generated controversy Classrooms" prograin, focusing on in exploring the historical context of the iLt~nse rehearsals leading up to the Gospels, with the scholars con- the f41als, which bring success and, fining themselves to the archeologi- . inevitably for some, disappointment. cal evidence and textual analysis. Marilyn Agrelo and Amy Sewell's Though some Christian viewers wiu cinema-verite film would benefit find this approach confusing, others from a glossier style, but the kids' may gain new insights. The first half precocious off-the-cuffremarks and provides a rich introduction to the growing adeptness at the rumba, Jewish world into which Jesus was tango, merengue, fox trot and swing born. The second halfexamines how are impressive an4 alternate between the Gospel,accounts came to be writ- endearingly humorous and poignant, ten, the struggle between differing transcending the sometimes physiChristian sects and the emergence' cal drabness of the urban public of Rome as the center of the early school setting. Overall positive Church. Produced by Marilyn themes of good sportsmanship and Mellowes and directed by William the power of the arts to improve Cran, the film presents a secular ac- one's life, though with some suggescount ofthe rise ofChristianity with- tive movements and mature thematic - out directly taking up the question elements. The DVD has no extras, of Christ's divinity. ,The documen- but picture quality is fine. The tary may antagonize those who take ' USCCB Office for Film {ÂŁ Broada strictly literal view of the Gospel' casting classification is A-IT -adults accounts and will surely irritate most and adolescents. The Motion Picture ,?isIDrians!Jy using the clunky B.C.E: ' ~sociation ofAmerica rating is PG (before the common elll) to replace - parental guidance suggested. the commonly used and historically (paramOl.IDt) 0

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Movies Online

" Can't remember how a recent film was c1assi, ,', :,'~ed bythe U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops? ,vyant to know whether to let the kids go see it? You :,can lo,ok fi1r'!'l reviews up on the Catholic News Service Website. .. ' Visit www.catholicr:lews.com and click on "Movies," under the "News Item" menu.

DA~OTA FANNING stars in a scene froiidl1W nibvie "preamer: Inspired by a True Story."

For a btiefreview of this film, see CNS Movie Capsules below. (CNS photo from DreamWorks) new version pretty much follows, ter a tentative fling with a nerdy, theoriginal'ssoggyB-movielead, awkward font artist (Jason . but, despite slicker effects and a Schwartzman), meets a wealthy l?igger budget, it is mist-ifyingly older man (Steve Martin) and comless suspenseful this time around.' mences a no-strings-attached affair Strong violence arid gore, includ- that proves only fitfully satisfying ingflarningbodies, and an impal- for her., Director Anand Tucker's ing with shards of glass, a sexual adaptation, of Martin's novella Mt)~e encounter,horroreffects,andmini- though striving for old-fashioned mal crude language. The USCCB Hollywood gloss and a bittersweet CCll)slIles Office for Film & Broadcasting tone about people's search for conNEWYORK(CNS)-Thefol- classification is A-III - adults.. nection - feels patently unreal, lowing are capsule reviews ofmov- The Motion Picture Association of and the characters (although huies recently reviewed by the Office' America ratipg is PG-13 - par- man in their imperfections) display for Film & Broadcasting ofthe U.S. 'ents are strongly cautioned. Some 'less-than~commendablebehavior, material may be inappropriate for though the ending would seem to ,Conference of Catholic Bishops.

"Dreamer: Inspired by a True children under 13. be morally sound. Smattering of Story" (DreamWorks) "North Country" crude language, brief profanity, Warm and winning family film (Warner Bros.) partial and rear nudity, sexual situ- ~ set in rural Kentucky about a Compelling drama set in noith- ations and, banter, a permissive dispirited racehorse trainer (Kurt em Minnesota about a struggling view ofpremarital sex and condom ' Russell), his young daughter (Da- single mother of two (Cha:rlize use. The USCCB Office for Film kota Fanning) and estranged father Theron), who takes a job at a local & Broadcasting classification is L (Kris Kristofferson), who nurse an mine, and encounters hostility and - limited adult audience films injured Seabiscuit-like thorough- abuse from the predominantly whose problematic content many bred back to form and in the pro- male ranks. With the help ofa syrn- adults would fuld troubling. The cess mend their own broke~ rela- pathetic lawyer (Woody Motion PictUre Association of tionships. Written and directed by . Harrelson), she eventually stands America rating is R - restricted.

"Stay" (20th Century Fox) John Gatins, the movie is a hand- up for herself and her female ,cosome and unapologetically senti- workers (including Frances Cinematically dazzling mood mental old-fashioned crowd- McDormand) by filing a landmark piece about a psychiatrist (Ewan pleaser, with tender performances sexual harassment lawsuit against McGregor) helping a guilt-racked,

by Fanning and Russell and heart- the mining company. Buttressed by suicidal youth (Ryan Gosling) who felt themes of family, the healing an emotionally forceful perfor~ blames himself fOf his role in the power of love and the importance, mance by Theron, director N iki car accident that killed his parents, of holding on to one's dreams. A Caro's film avoids melodra~a while the therapist copes with his few mildly rude expressions and a while touching on issues of gen~ own mental turmoil and that ofhis racetrack accident that may disturb der discrimination,justice, family, girlfriend (Naomi Watts) with lasensitive young children. The community and human dignity. tent emotional problems of her USCCB Office for Film & Broad- Scenes of workplace harassment own. The, performances are fine, casting classification is A-l- gen- including lewd comments and hu- and director Marc Forster maineral patronage. The Motion Picture. mor plus obscene graffiti, groping tains a taut, 'creepy, fever-dream Association of America rating is and assorted other malicious rnis- atmosphere thrQughout, though the PG - parental guidance sug- chief involving scatological and suspense level drops somewhat gested. sex gags, implied spousal abuse, a when the filni reveals itselfas more "The Fog" (Columbia) suggested rape, and recurring stylish explOl-ation of truth and reSchlocky remake 0 f John rough and crude language and pro~ ality than,traditional mystery. A car Carpenter's 1980 horror film about' fanity. The USCCB Office for Film crash" scattered, rough and crude' a cursed island community offOr- & Broadcasting classification is L language 'arid profanity, a suicide egon enveloped by a sinister - limited adult audience, films theme, brief. sexual innuendo inshroud of fog that brings with it whose problematic content many chidiIigs~me'gyrating in a strip theghostlycrewofanill-fatedship adults would find troubling. The club, liorror effects involving returning to exact revenge on the Motion Picture Association of b'lood "and' a dog attack. The locals (including Tom Welling, America rating is R - restricted. USCCB 'Office for Film & BroadMaggie Grace.and Selma ~!air) for "Sho~girl" (Touchstone) castiDg claSsification is A-III murderous cnmes commItted 'by Langmdly paced story oflonely adults~ The Motion Picture Assothe town's founding fathers. Di- and lovelorn Saks salesclerk (an ciation of America rating is R rected by Rupert Wainwright, the appealing Claire D.~es) who, af- restricted. ,

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The 40th anniversary of

Vatican II Pope Benedict, influenced by Vatican now shapes its implementation

By JOHN THAVIS CATHOUC NEWS SERVICE VATICAN CITY Pope Benedict XVI, a man deeply influenced by the deliberations ofthe Second Vatican Council, now stands in a position to shape the way the Church . implements its teachings.

Years ago, he wamed that the Church had experienced a "progressive process of decadence" in the name of a presumed "spirit of the council." He was particularly critical of liturgical reforms launched

by Vatican II. Yet, in his first sermon as pope in April, he said there should be no doubt that the council and its authoritative rereading of the Gospel would remain the "compass" for his papacy.

'- "As the years have passed, the conciliar documents have lost none of their timeliness; indeed, their teachings are proving particularly relevant to the new situation of the Church and the current globalized society," he said.

In many ways, Pope Benedict embodies the full spectrum of the Vatican II experience in the Church: - as a theological adviser to German Cardinal Joseph Frings of Cologne, then-Father Joseph Ratzinger attended all four sessions of the 1962-65 council, enthusiastically embracing its early work and its bold approach to renewal; - he began to have misgivings in later sessions and worried that the council ,:ould leave the impression that the Church worked like a parliament and that "the faith could be changed"; - after the council's conclusion, he cautioned against wrong turns in implementation and eventually helped foUIid a theological joumal to counterbalance what he called the "ecclesial politics" approach to theology; - as the Vatican's top doctrinal official for nearly 24 years, he worked to curb'abuses and clarify the counCil's teaching in areas that included theological experimentation, liturgical texts, biblical scholarship, lay ministries, the role of bishops' conferences, and interreligious and ecumenical dialogue.

U.S. author and scholar George Weigel said that as a young theological expert Father Ratzinger understood a crucial truth. about Vatican n: that "aggiornamento," or Church updating, must be based on "ressourcement," a return to the sources ofChristian wisdom and a deepening of the Church's understanding of itself: "Ratzinger ... understood that the two have to go together - that' updating' without 'deepening' ~s

,I,

the Church into simply another vol- sition, in which the priest celebrated untary organization dedicated to Mass facing East and with his back good works," Weigel said. to the congregation. But he said it Weigel, who addresses the sub- was probably too late to reverse the ject of Pope Benedict and Vatican change without leaving Catholics n in his new book, "God's Choice: more confused than ever.

Pope Benedict XVI and the Future Likewise, he said a general reof the Catholic Church," said the turn to celebration of the Mass in new pope has already had a huge Latin was impossible today, and impact on the council's implemen- perhaps not desirable. tation under the pontificate ofPope Because oihis past statements, . John Paul n. many Catholics expect Pope BeneToday, Weigel said, "the great- dict to make sweeping changes in . est test of Pope Benedict as an papal liturgies, cutting back on the 'implementer' ofVatican n will be multicultural elements that featured his success in finding bishops who so prominently under Pope John embody'the council's vision of the Paul. So far, that has not happened. bishop-as-apostle."

At World Youth Day in Germany, Italian Church historian Alberto for example, the papal Mass was Mellom said Pope Benedict brought enlivened by African drums, a sitar great theological depth to Vatican and South American panpipes, and n and remains a "son of the coun- an evening prayer service featured cil" in many ways. ajuggler.

But with his election as pontiff, Even more than liturgical details, Mellom said, the implementation of Pope Benedict has always been inVatican II has become for Pope terested in the theological and Benedict a question ofgovernance ecclesial thinking behind the liturgy. and not just of intellectual or theo- When the council began its dralogical argumentation. matic debate on the sources ofrev"What he did and thought at the elation in 1962, the young Father council was important. But what Ratzinger became a key player. counts much more now is what he The discussion on revelation had will do,. as pope, especially in the to do with how Scripture and tradicritical areas of collegiality and tion relate to each other, and how ecumenism," he said. they both relate to the magisterium, In the years before his election, the Church's teaching authority. It Cardinal Ratzinger's comments was a debate for specialists, but with about the legacy ofVatican n drew deep repercussions on the way the keen attention, especially when he Church understands itself. spoke about the liturgy. In 1997, he In the view ofFather Ratzinger, said the drastic manner in which there was a dangerous trend in bibPope Paul VI reformed the Mass lical interpretation that saw Scriphad caused "enormous hann" to the ture as the entire deposit ofthe faith Church. It was not that changes - an approach that Church tradiwere not needed, Cardinal Ratz- tion. The biblical interpreters often inger said; in fact, he said, in many disagreed, he said, and that made respects the new Roman Missal was the faith more vulnerable to changan improvement. ing hypotheses and opinions.

The problem in his view was that As the council deliberated the the old Missal was suppressed. In- question, FatherRatzingerprepared stead ofcontinuity, he said, the old a historical paper to show, as he later liturgy was demolished and the new wrote, that "revelation ... is greater Mass constructed from its pieces. even than the words of Scripture," "I am convinced that the crisis and that the Church ap.d tradition in the Church that we are experi- are both intrinsically involved in encing today is to a large extent due revelation. to the disintegration ofthe liturgy," Many of those arguments ultimately prevailed at the council. he said.

Cardinal Ratzinger called for a Pope Benedict later called the modi"new liturgical movement that will fied Dogmatic Constitq.tion on Dicall to life the real heritage of the vine Revelation one ofthe outstandSecond Vatican Council." In 1999 ing texts of the council- and one he wrote a book on the topic, say- that has yet to be fully understood ing modem liturgy needs to give by the Church.

In a more general sense, what greater space to silence, traditional Christian gestures, appropriate mu- troubled the future pope in the af- , sic and other elements that promote termath of the council was the ima reverential attitude. pression that everything in the Cardinal Ratzinger had already Church was open to revision and stirred debate in the 1990s when he that the secular world's political said he agreed with theological ar- approach could be transferred to guments for returning the altar to Church decision-making. its pre-Second Vatican Council poHe warned against the rise of :.-

anti-Roman resentment and the idea of an ecclesial "sovereignty of the people" or "Church from below" in which the people determine the defmition of "Church." He also worried that the new confidence Vatican n had instilled in theologians was making theologians feel as if they were no longer subordinate to bishops.

These concerns were reflected in several documents issued during Cardinal Ratzinger's tenure at the Congregation for the Doctrine 'of the Faith. Most notably, in 1984 the congregation cautioned against the use of Marxist concepts in libera-' tion theology; in 1990 it called on theologians who disagree with Church teaching not to use the mass media to publish their views orpressure for change; and'in 1992 it said theologians must not overemphasize the autonomy oflocal churches and reduce ecclesial communion to a sociological reality.

Vatican n opened the door to ecumenical and interreligious dialogue, and Cardinal Ratzinger's doctrinal congregation had important qualifications to make in both areas. In 2000, the doctrinal congregation issued "Dominus Jesus" on salvation through Christ alone, and a second document on "sister churches." Both drew criticism from some ofthe Church's dialogue partners.

By stating that Jesus Christ and the Church are necessary for salvation, "Dominus Jesus" impressed some readers as an exclusionary text - despite Vatican assurances that it was simply an expression of Catholic faith. The document on "sister churches" said the term should only be used to describe churches that have preserved a valid episcopate and Eucharist, like the Orthodox churches; it was strongly criticized by Anglican and Protestant leaders.

Both documents relied heavily on the teachings of Vatican II to bolster their arguments. "Dominus Jesus" more than 50 times cited the council's texts, including their assertion of the "unique mediation" of Christ in salvation. In unveiling the document, Cardinal Ratzinger said the idea that the Church must never insist on the truth ofits message was "radically different" from what Vatican n intended.

In his 1987 book, "Church, Ecumenism and Politics," Cardinal Ratzinger said that to understand the council's teaching' on dialogue one must understand its "core teaching" on the Church as communion.

He urged a closer look at the lan-

guage ofVatican II texts to counter the idea that a group can simply "come together, read the New Testament, and say: 'We are now the Church.'"

He also argued that the council developed collegiality among bishops as a theological reality, but that . it had been misunderstood as a form ofpower-sharing.

In particular, he questioned the teaching authority ofbishops' conferences, declaring in 1985 that they had ''no theological basis." In 1998, a papal document that Cardinal Ratzinger helped prepare underlined the limits of the authority of bishops' conferences, saying that doctrinal questions can never be decided by a majority vote.

The mushrooming number and variety of lay tasks and ministries in the Church also' came under the careful scrutiny of Cardinal Ratzinger. The doctrinal congregation helped guide the preparation of a document in 1997. that, drawing heavily on Vatican n texts, praised lay involvement in the Church but wamed against confusing the roles oflaity and ordained ministers. On many occasions, Cardinal Ratzinger insisted that the primary lay task envisioned by Vatican II was to evangelize and sanctify the world.

In the hundreds of times he has spoken or written about the Second Vatican Council, Pope Benedict has always supported the authority of its teachings. But he has said these same teachings require careful study, an eye for nuance and, above all, a proper understanding of the Church and its mission.

On the whole, the pope has seen the council's breakthrough in terms of the Church influencing the world, not the world influencing the Church.

That vision was clearly reflected in the doctrinal congregation's 2003 document on Catholics and politics, which said Catholic voters and lawmakers must bring their faith to bear on political questions. The text drew heavily from the Second Vatican Council's Pastoral Constitution on the Church in the Modem World.

More than Vatican .n's internal Church reforms, Pope Benedict has emphasized the council's wider goal: to bring the faith out of the private sphere and renew it as the driving force of history.

To understand Vatican II correctly, he said, one must begin with the first sentence of the Dogmatic Constitution on the Church: "Christ is the light ofall nations." The point, he said, is that the Church begins by talking about Christ, not about itself.

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Friday, October 28, 2005

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Boston deacon scure could be . miraclefor Cardinal Newman ,

LONDON (CNS) - Catholic officials said the cure of a Boston' pennanent deacon could be the miracle that paves the way for the beatification ofa 19th-century English cardinal. .

The unnamed deacon from Boston is said to have made a complete recovery from a crippling spinal condition after praying to Cardinal John Henry Newman, the Anglican vicar.who shocked Victorian England with his conversion to the Catholic faith.

The cardinal's cause was opened in 1958 in Binningham; England, where he spent much of his life, and he was declared venerable in 1991. Claims of the miracle were announced October 17 at Rome's English College.

Father Paul Chavasse, the postulator of Cardinal Newman's cause, said that a couple of years ago officials received a report of the cure of the Boston deacon.

"I am not at liberty to give the name of this man, who had been suffering from severe spinal problems and who has now recovered as a result of the intercession of the Venerable John Henry Cardinal NeWman," Father Chavasse said. "This man has now returned to full health and mobility. I have spoken with him and the doctors who treated hitD, and they have no explanation for his cure.

"In fact, one even said to me: 'If you want an explanation, ask God, '" the priest said.

Father Chavasse added that a tribunal in the Archdiocese ofBoston had opened June 25 to investigate. the alleged miracle; he said it would finish its work in early February.

Father Chavasse asked for prayers that the miracle would be approved by the tribunal and recognized by authorities in Rome. . In Boston, members of the tribunal could not be reached for comment. ' Cardinal Newman, the oldest of six children, was born Feb. 21, 1801, in London.

In 1824 he was ordained an Anglican priest. He later founded the Oxford Movement, which gave rise to today's Anglo-Catholic wing of the Church of England.

At age 44, after a series of clashes with Anglican bishops, he joined the Roman Catholic Church.

Some Catholics regardedhim with distrust, and his attempts to open an Oratory at Oxford University and a university in Dublin, Ireland, were sabotaged by his Catholic enemies.

However, his talent as a philosopher and a theologian attracted atnamed tention,and Pope Leo him a cardinal in 1879. When Cardinal Newman died in 1890 at the age of89, virtually the whole Christian world moumed him.

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Former -secretary says he expects late pope~~ beatification in June

By JONATHAN

LUXMOORE

CATHOLIC NEWS SERVICE

WARSAW, Poland - Pope John Paul II's fonner secretary has said he expects the late pontiff to be beatified in June, when Pope Benedict XVI is expected to make his first visit to Poland.

"I hope it can happen as early as next year - a lot of people yearn for him to be proclaimed a saint straight off," said Archbishop Stanislaw Dziwisz of Krakow, who began serving as Pope John Paul's secretary in 1966, when the late pontiff was archbishop of Krakow.

"No one doubts his sanctity, not only here in Krakow or in Poland. The whole world saw and knew him and has already canonized him in practice. The current beatification process serves to gain moral certainty," Archbishop Dziwisz said in an interview before John Paul II Day, celebrated October 16 as a public holiday in th~ late pope's homeland.

In an interview with Italy's Avvenire daily, Archbishop 'Dziwisz said he personally.knew

Red Mass

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POLISH MSGR. Slawomir Oder is pictured in his office in Rome recently. He is the postulator in the sainthood cause of Pope John Paul II, who died April 2. (eNS photo byAlessia Giuliani, Catholic Press Photo) .I, ....... .>,J Iv ..

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attorney for the Southern Massachusetts District; assistant city solicitor and solicitor for the City of New Bedford; and as legal advisor to the New Bedford Police Department.

He is 'married to Patricia A. Fernandes, and they have four children and five gJ:andchildren.

Judge Fernandes is a member of St. Julie Billiart Parish in North Dartmouth.

Attorney Redgate attended Georgetown University, received a bachelor's degree in philosophy cum laude from the UMassAmherst and graduated from the University of Connecticut Law School in 1979. Prior to that he

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of "many miraculous healings" .the Polish Parliament in July, inthrough Pope John Paul's interces- cluded a Mass for the late pope sion and believed the pontiff's be- and a collection by 100,000 volatification awaited "only official unteers to help a oishops' conferconfinnation" by his successor. ence fund for poor students.

Meanwhile, the chainnan of a The Krakow Archdiocese untribunal set up to cross-examine veiled plans for a new John Paul II Polish beatification witnesses told Park at the fonner Solvay stone facthe Catholic infonnation agency, torywherethen-KarolWojtylawas KAI that he expected the work to a laborer during World War II. The be limited to "a few months only." park will include a hospice, mu. "I think the work should be seum and docUJI?entation center.

Meanwhile, city councilors in done very quickly, so we' don't waste time - the priority should Warsaw announced plans for a be to hear people who can really monument, featuring eleven 50say a lot," said Bishop Tadeusz foot sandstone columns, on the Pieronek, whose tribunal begins site of the pope's 1979 Mass in work in Krakow November 4 and the capital's Pilsudski Square. will cQver the years up to the late Several statues were dedicated pontiff's 1978 election. to the pope, and John Paul II Day "We're talking about a life was marked nationwide by conwhich was very harmonious and certs, exhibitions and theatrical consciously devoted, from its first perfonnances, as well as procesyears, to God. It's an exceptional sions and prayer vigils. case, especially since Benedict In an exclusive prerecorded XVI has dispensed with the five- Polish TV interview, Pope Beneyear period from the death of a ... dict paid tribute to his predecescandidate to the start of(the) pro- ,sor, whose beatification process cess. This has already speeded it was inaugurated by Rome May up by at least five years.".

13, and confmned that he hoped John Paul II Day, declared by to visit Poland in June.

Continuedfrom page one

had served with the U.S. Anny in South Vietnam.

He was admitted to the practice of law in Massachusetts in 1979; served as assistant district attorney for the Cape and Islands; was a regular columnist for the Cape Cod Times; and has published articles in Catholic journals.

He is a member of Our Lady of Victory Parish in Centerville and has taught CCD classes at several grade levels. For the past year. he has been cantor at Our Lady of Assumption Parish in Osterville. . _ He is married' to Laurie Redgate, and they have three sons.

Register of Probate Hanna has been a Bristol County Court employee for 25 years. He began working as an executive assistant to the Registry of Probate for the county in 1981 and for the past 12 years has been the first assistant registrar at the Bristol County Probate and Family Court.

He is an alumnus of Providence College where he graduated with honors in 1973.

He is married to Cynthia Hanna, a long time practitioner ofthe martial arts who has earned black belts in Judo and Tae.Kwon Do. They are the parents of a son, Brendon.

The honoree is a member of St. Patrick's Parish in Somerset.

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Friday, Octal)' ,

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RETREATS

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EUCHARISTICADORATION FALL RIVER - First Saturday devotion will be held November5 at St Mary's Cathedral. Mass will be celebrated at 9 a,m. Exposition and adoration ofthe Blessed Sacrament will follow until Benediction at noon.

WEST HARWICH - A holy hour will be held Sunday at 1:30 p.m. at Holy Trinity Church. Rosary will be followed by Benediction of the Blessed Sacrament It is sponsored by the Pro-Life prayer groups of Holy Trinity and Holy Redeemer parishes.

HEALING MASSES BREWSTER - La Salette Father Richard Lavoie will lead a healing service November 2 at 7 p.m. at Our Lady of the Cape Church, 468 Stony Brook Road. For mOre information call 508-385-3252.

MIDDLETOWN, R.1. - La Salette Father Andre Patenaude will lead a healing service November 14 at 7 p.m. at St Lucy Church, 909 West Main Road. For more information call 401-849-9764.

STOUGHTON - Father Joseph P. McDermott will lead a healing service Sunday at 2 p.m. at Immaculate Conception Church, 122 Canton Street For more information call 781-762-2029.

related to the Eucharist each night He will speak at all the Masses November 5 and 6. For more information call 508-679-6732.

FALL RlVER-AGrief Educa.:. tion Program for anyone suffering the loss ofa loved one will be held November5from 5-6:30 p.m. in the oonference room ofGood Shepherd Church, 1598 South Main Street For more information call 508-6720971.

NORTH DARTMOUTH Bishop Stang High School is hosting an open house for prospective . students and their parents November 3 at 7 p.m. It will indude tours and information about the school.

The school's placement exam is scheduled for December 3at8 a.m.

For more information call 508-9965602.

NORTH FALMOUTH - The Cape Cod Deanery Prayer Group will host a Life in the Spirit Seminar November 5 at St Elizabeth Seton Church. It will begiri with a Communion service at 9 a.m.

WESTBORO- "Signs of Hope, Emblems of Victory,n the New England conferencefor the separated, divorced and widowed will be held November 5 at St. Luke's School.

For more information call the diocesan Office of Family Ministry at 50&999-6420.

LECTURESI PRESENTATIONS

MISCEllANEOUS

FALL RIVER - Father James Walling, CPM, will lead a mission at Holy Name Parish November 710 beginning at 7 p.m. Each mission will begin with a holy hour and Father Walling will address topics

NEW BEDFORD-Holy Family-Holy Name School, 91 Summer Street, will hold its annual Holiday Fair November 5 frorn 10a.m. to4 p.m. Refreshments will be available and Santa Claus will be on hand from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m.

S~pport

Synod

Continuedfrom page one

EAST FREETOWN - The Advent Contemplative Retreat will be given by Father Robert J. Powell November 12from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. atthe Cathedral Camp Retreat Center. Registration is required by November 7. For more information call 50&761-0746.

dered the propositions published; normally they are considered confidential. He said he WOJ,lld use the bishops' recom~endations in preparing his own document sometime in the future.

The synod also published a final message, which asked SOCIAL EVENTS .Catholics to allow the Eucharist FALL RlVER-The Dominican to transform their lives and 'the Academy Alumnae Association is 路life of the world. It also exhosting its annual Communion pressed pastoral concern and Brunch November 6. Mass will be sadness for the situation of celebrated at 10 a.m. at St. Anne Catholics who have divorced Church and the brunch will follow at and remarried civilly without an McGovem's Family Restaurant, annulment, but offered no relax310 Shove Street. For more infor- ation in Church rules that promation call Geraldine Saucier at hibit them from receiving Com50&674-8387. munion. o The status of divorced and reSANDWICH - The Catholic married Catholics was one of rock bal1d Crosspollen will perform several sensitive pastoral issues November 5 at 7 p.m. at the parish raised by bishops on the synod center of Corpus Christi Church, floor, leading .some to expect the 324 Quaker Meeting House Road.

Attendees are asked to bring a synod to call for revision of canned good and a donation of$5. Church policies. But in the end All the net proceeds will benefit vic- the assembly recommended no tims of Hurricane Katrina. For more significant changes.

Instead, the synod: information call 508-888-0209.

- praised the value of priestly celibacy and called for SUPPORTGROUPS a greater push in vocations' as the ORLEANS - The Separated- answer to the priest shortage. It Divorced Catholics Support Group said ordaining married men in will meet Sunday at 7 p.m. in the . the Latin Church was "a road not parish, center of St. Joan of Arc' to follow"; Church, 61 Canal Road. The topic - reaffirmed that shared for the evening is "Letting Go." For Communion with non-Catholic more information call Father Rich- Christians "is generally not posard Royat508-255-D170. sible" and said an "ecumenical concelebration" of the Eucharist .NORTH DARTMOUTH -A Di- would be even more objectionvorced-5eparated Support Group able. . will meet October 31 from 7-9 p.m.

"We cannot change the rules," at the Family Life Center, 500 French Archbishop Roland Slocum Road. It will feature the Minnerath of Dijon, said. video "Assuming Responsibility," by Overall, the synod offered a Andy Morgan. Refreshments will be strong endorsement of the liturserved. For more information call gical reforms of the Second Vati50&67~2997.

Continuedfrom page one

was used to begin. Imagine is a priest present in situations of Keep them, and 0 remember what it is like to be a priest right death and dying? How does a Lord now? Imagine what challenges priest heal in the sacrament ofrecThey have no one but Thee, there will be for priests in the fu- onciliation? How does a priest Yet they have only human hearts With human frailty. ture? There was discussion on the heal in counseling?

Then the discussion turned to Keep them as spotless as the following meditation: To live in the midst ofthe world the subject of where future vocaHost Without desiring its pleasures; tions to the priesthood would be That daily they caress.

To be a member ofeach family, found. ''They will come from the Their every thought, word, and yet belonging to none; Church," the young people agreed' deed, To share all sufferings; "And who is the Church?" they Deign, dearest Lord, to bless. were asked. The response was re. .

Amen.

To penetrate all secrets; .

To heal all wounds; flexive. ''We are the Church. Oh, After the prayer, the young To go from men to God and offir wait. That means that future voca- people wanted to do more. They tions must come from among us!" decided to send a prayerful note of Him their prayers; A second prayerful CQrnpOnent, . support to the priests gathered in To return from God to men to bring pardon and hope; composed by Boston's Richard assembly. This was no ordinary Cardinal Cushing, went as fol- note. It was 20 feet long. Picking To have a heart offire for up on the Assembly theme - "Do lows: charity Keep them; I pray Thee, dearest You Love Me?" - the young And a heart ofbronze for Lord, people'placed each ofthe names of chastity; Keep them, for they are Thine the 113 participating priests in a To teach and to pardon, to Thy priests whose lives burn out heart-shape - and then wrote a console; before meaningful note to each one of And to bless always.

Thy consecrated shrine. them. Most of the messages were My God, what a life!

And it is yours, 0 Priest ofJesus Keep them, and comfort them in profound, but some had a good-naChrist! .. hours ofloneliness and pain, tured playful twist Bishop When all their lift ofsacrifice Coleman's note read: "Nottoworry, Accord What is a priest's family? How For souls seems but in vain.

Bishop. God is still in charge!"

can Council, saying they had greatly benefited the Church.

Abuses have occurred in the past, but have substantially diminished today, it said.

Despite recent' speculation over wider latitude for celebrating the pre-Vatican II Tridentine Mass, the synod's final documents did not even mention that possibility.

The synod encouraged promotion of eucharistic adoration, but stressed that the practice should be seen in relation to Mass. They also emphasized that while the Eucharist is the center of Christian life not everyone has an automatic right to receive it at all times.

The question of Communion and Catholic politicians received some attention at the synod. But it indicated pastoral flexibility saying bishops should "exercise the virtues of firmness and prudence" and take into account local circumstances.

The synod's other recommendations included: - greater emphasis on the missionary aspect of the Eucharist; - study and possible change in the order of the sacraments of baptism, confirmation and the Eucharist; - possible relocation in the liturgy of the sign of peace exchange; - reminding the faithful of the importance of genuflection or other gestures of adoration before the consecrated host; - better awareness of the Eucharist's connection with social justice issues, including ecological concerns.

Religions

Continuedfrom page three

charity in each local Church," said Bishop Coleman.

He went on to say, "We depend on all of you. We look to you for prayer and to build up the local Church of Fall River.

God bless you all."

Holy Union Sister Bernadette Sullivan was glad to'l;lttend the event and said, "This i~ a wonderful opportu-

nity for the leaders ofreligious in the diocese to get together and pray and dialogue with one another."

For Dominican Sister of the Presentation Martha it was her first time attending the event.

"It's good to meet other congregations and find other religious who are trying to build a better Church."

PRACTICE THE DEVOTION OF THE FIRST SATURDAYS, AS REQUESTED BY OUR

lADy OF FATIMA

On December 10,1925, Our Lady appeared to Sister Lucia (seer of Fatima) and spoke these words: '~nnounce in my name that I promise to assist at the hour ofdeath with the graces necessary for the salvation oftheir souls, all those who on the first Saturday of five consecutive months shall: 1. Go to confession; 2. Receive Holy Communion; 3. Recite the Rosary (5 decades); and 4. Keep me companyfor 15 minutes while meditating on the 15 mysteries ofthe Rosary, with the intention of making reparation to me."

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

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

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Coyle and Cassidy High School rides out flood scare; reopens

By DEACON JAMES N.

DUNBAR

TAUNTON - Students and faculty at Coyle and Cassidy High Schooi are back in class this week, their fears of flooding from the weakened Whittenton Dam put to rest.

"Things are getting back to normal," said Dr. Mary Patricia Tranter, principal of the Catholic high school, in a happy message Monday morning. "We es- . caped without any damage whatsoever."

That was in sharp contrast to the feelings she expressed October 20 when the school, a mile downstream from the weakened and leaking 1846-era mill dam, was in a wait-and-see mode.

If the dam had given way, it .was predicted it could launch an eight-foot fall of water in to the Mill River that abuts Coyle and Cassidy'~ parking lot and school.

"Ifthe forecast heavy weeKend rains and impact of Hurricane Wilma should take their toll on the already critically weakened dam,

there is not much we can do but pray and hope the river doesn't rise over its banks and bring floodwaters," Tranter had stated. :The school was closed on October 18, "because we put the safety ofour people first," Tranter said.

As a precaution, gas service to the school was turned off and band instruments and computer equipment moved up from the lower floors.

But prior to the weekend, worried Taunton and Massachusetts officials ordered massive pumps to be brought in. They successfully moved thousands of gallons of water from above the impacted dam; a new stone and concrete dam was erected downstream from the old one; and the deteriorated wood and cement dam removed.

While the 800 students and 60member faculty at Coyle and Cassidy have been away from classes for only four days, "It impacted the students and our cur-

riculum," the principal said. "I'm going to have to look at when we end our first qu~er. I'm going to have to push that back a bit."

While the students are away from formal classes, Tranter noted "Fortunately we have a virtual learning environment called MoodIe. Students were able to regularly check the Website and get updates from teachers in terms of assignments. The students are then aware of their assignments but might not have their books at home. We will try to accommodate all those things when we return to school."

Pastors at two parishes in the vicinity of downtown Taunton, said their higher locations lessened their concerns even if the downtown had become flooded.

Father Thomas E. Morrissey, pastor of St. Jacques Parish on Whittenton Street, and Father William H. Kelley, CSC, pastor of St. Mary's in St. Mary's Square, said they didn't expect to be affected if the dam ruptured.

FORMER ST. JOSEPH-ST. THERESE Sch<;>ol principal, Felipe M. Felipe, retumed to the New Bedford school recently to help dig iJp a time capsule buried in 1985. Many alumni joined current teachers and students for the event. Felipe is now principal of St. Anne's School in Fall River.

BISHOP STANG High School's Student Council officers have been working hard.this year to plan activities and events for their peers. From left: Jimmy Cheung, president; Stephanie Paquette, secretary; Nicholas' Celone, treasurer and Jack Carroll, vice president. They meet weekly with Student Council representatives at the North Dartmouth school.

FIRST-GRADERS from Our Lady of Mount Carmel School, New Bedford prepare to pray a decade of the rosary. They do so each afternoon to honor the Blessed Mother. At left, the school's new Principal ·Magdalen Chianese, greets students in the hall before school. From left: Justin Salema, Deborah Vieira, Nicholas DeFrias, Justin Mariano and Rui Aguiar.

Friday, October 28, 2005

Wake up your life

By CHARLIE MARTIN -

DENIS~ MANALOTO, 19, leads the choir during a special Mass for young Catholics at Zuma Beach in Malibu, Calif., this summer. "Younger Catholics may not be as intellectually aware of the council, but they are continually experiencing its effects," observed one Church historian of the Vatican II period. (CNS file photo by Tim Rue)

Coyle and Cassidy announces Hall of Fame inductees TAUNTON - Coyle and Cassidy High School has named its Warrior Hall of Fame inductees for 2005. They are: Donald J. Williams, 1953; Jack McCann, 1953; Frederic Bartek, 1958; John Witkowski, 1970; Bryan Sullivan,

1984; and Richard Lennon, 1994.

The 11 th annual' inductions will be held November 18 at the Columbia Cultural Center here. For more information call William Tranter at 508-8236164, ext. 4.

WAKEUP There are people talking They talk about me They know my name They think they know everything But they don't know anything About me Give me a dance floor Give mea DJ Play me a record Forget what they say 'Cause I need to go Need to get away tonight I put my makeup on a Saturday night I try to make it happen Try to make it all right I know I make mistakes' I'm living life day to day It's never really easy, but it's OK Refrain: Wake up wake up On a Saturday night Could be New York Maybe Hollywood and Vine London, Paris, maybe Tokyo There's something going on anywhere I go Tonight. Tonight. Yeah, tonight The city is restless , It's all around me People in motion Sick of all the same routines And they need to go They need to get away Tonight People all around you Everywhere that you go People all aroun,d you They don't really know you Everybody watching like it's some kind of show Everybody watching like it's some kind of show Everybody watching They don't really know you now . (They don't really know you) (They don't really know you) And forever Repeat refrain Sung by Hillary Duff Album: Most Wanted Copyright (c) 2005 by Hollywood Records

CATHOLIC NEWS SERVICE

How about waking up your life in a new way?

I thought about this question as I listened to Hilary Duff's latest release "Wake Up." The song is off Duff's recent disc ''Most Wanted."

This CD contains new recordings along with four up-tempo remixes ofDuff's established hits.

Reading through the lyrics of ''Wake Up," I wondered ifDuff

was commenting on her own celebrity-status life. Any oftoday's teen pop divas might liay that their fans ''talk about me. They think they know everything, but they don't know anything about me." 'She sings: "I try to make it happen. Try to make it all right. I know I make mistakes. I'm living life day to day. It's never really easy, but it's OK." These difficulties are offset by the glamour ofa traveling life. She is never sure where she will "wake .up." She says, "Could be New York, maybe Hollywood and Vme, ,London, Paris, maybe Tokyo." .

Perhaps a star's burden would appeal to you, and you would be very willing to trade your problems for these!

However, it is not helpful to focus your aspirations on a fantasy of someone else's life. Far more important is to ''wake up" to your own life. No one can live this life but you. How do you want to create it?

Waking up your inner vision

will activate change, innovation and personal adventure for you. To begin, pause your normal activities, and ask yourselfwhat's stirring within you.

Sometimes the answers to that question do not arrive clearly or immediately. You need to wait.

You need to listen. Choose the quiet that your soul needs so that it can hear more ofwhat God is saying to you, more ofwhat God wants for you.

As new interests and fascinations begin to emerge, don't censor them. Back away from thoughts that say, ''I'll never be able to do that!" Instead, play with your ideas. D~ to imagine how your life might look ifyou allowed the initial sparks ofa good idea for your future to grow into a brand new experience. Ask yourselfwhat small, beginning steps could be taken now to start exploring this . Qew direction. Generate as many responses to that question as 'possible.

Write those responses - ideas - down. Then take each one and think about how to make it very specific;identifying what exactly you will do, who else might be involved and what a practical timeline might look like.

Now you are waking up! It will require faith and courage to act on what is best for you.

Your life can be more than "all the same routines." Sure, yqu must consider your responsibilities and commitments to others as you wake . up to a new plan for your life. You can do all this while also planning for creative, life-affirming change.

Look into your soul and see what's waking up. New satisfaction, meaning and joy await you.

o'

Your comments are always welcome. Please write to me at: chmartin@5windiana.netorat 7125W20OS, Rockport, IN 47635.

Young people m'ust help build culture oflife in world, says priest WASHINGTON (CNS) - The president ofThe Catholic University ofAmerica .urged Catholic youths to be involved in building a culture of life in the world even if some of the people they may look up to have compromised their values.

Vincentian Father David O'Connell made the comments in his homily during a recent Mass he celebrated for young people and their families.

The Mass was part of a life rally for youths and young adults at Catholic University during the 13th annual international week of prayer and fasting in Washington.

Sixty-five percent of the world's population is younger than 25, the priest said.

Some of the people these youths look up to "have compromised the most important things in life," he said, such as respect for human life and the importance of family.

"Is it any wonder that many young 129 talks the pope gave from 1979 to 1984 focusing on the meaning of the human people have lost their way?" he asked.

Father O'Connell praised the youths in body, sexuality and marriage in light ofbibattendance for giving up their Saturday to Heal revelation. The collection of talks seeks to answer two fundamental quescome and be filled with the word of God. "You are waiting for God to speak to tions: What does it mean to be human, and you as we together build a culture oflife," how can human beings find true happiness? aefore the fall, man and woman were he said. "If 65 percent of the world would listen to God, what a change it would be." naked without shame, West said.

"They understood the theology of their The daylong rally, which drew more than 150 people, included talks on subjects bodies," he said. "The call to love as God such as Mary, the Eucharist, bioethics and loves is stamped right into our very bodchastity. Participants also gathered to re- ies."

And after the fall, they lost the ability to cite the rosary and the Divine Mercy chaplet, and confession and eucharistic adora- see one another as an opportunity to give and insteao saw an opportunity to take. tion were available.

"They became selfish," he said. "The Author and lecturer Christopher West discussed Pope John Paul II's "theology of sexual desire became inverted and selfserving." the body."

"We must allow our lust to be crucified," The theology was outlined in a series of

West said. "The meaning of sexual love is to share in the very love ofGod." That love is self-sacrificing and giving, he said. ' One rally attendee, Douglas Streeks, an 11th-grader from Rockville, Md., told the Arlington Catholic Herald, newspaper ofthe Diocese of Arlington, Va., that chastity and being Pro-Life are not popular ideas at his school. He said he was excited to spend a day with other youths who share his beliefs.

The prayer and fasting event, which actually lasts nine days, is an annual observance sponsored by a coalition of lay Catholic and other Christian organizations to urge people around the globe to pray and fast to promote a "culture of life." People in more than 60 countries have participated in the past, including Australia, Great Britain, the Philippines, Singapore, France, Ireland and others.

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Friday, October 28, 2005

Area interfaith communities to remember Kristallnacht >.

NEWBEDFORD-OnNov.9, plans to make this an annual obser1938 the Nazis unleashed a wave of vance in the years ahead, ideally alpogroms against Gennany's Jews. In ternating among hosting congregathe space ofa few hours, thousands tions in Greater New Bedford and of synagogues and Jewish busi- Greater Fall River. nessesand homes were damaged or Public and parochial school studestroyed. Ninety-two Jews were dents from New Bedford and Fall killed~ and 30,000 Je.ws were .River have been invited to submit rounded up to be sent to concentra- educational and inspirational exhibtion camps. TItis event came to be . itsfromtheirCommumty Interfaith called Kristi7l1nacht (''Night ofBro- Prayer Service in observance of ken Glass''), and it marked the shift Kristallnacht studies of the times from mass arrests andterrpito mass' mid the Holocaust to be displayed murder.Krisiallnacht broke open the .at the receptionfollowing the serpoisons ofgenocide'aild World Waf .vice. . .

II. ' . '. . this occasion also marks the Dio"" Thep!1blic'is invited to join rep- cese of Fall River's'celehration of resentatives ofthe interfaith COIl1!DU- . 40th anniversary of"NostraAetate," nities ofFall River andNew Bedford ..the groundbreaking declaration pro- • at a Community Inteifa'itl1 Prayer' clirimed by Pope Paul VI on the re~ Service Sunday,November 6at 2, . lation ofthe Roman Catholic Church p.m. at Aha.vath Achim Syriagogu.e, to non-Christian religions.

385 Courtty Street, New Bedford, in' .

The diocese has joined in sponobservance of Kristallna'c~t. . sorship oftl1e, Kristallnacht:servi'ce, Rose Juda, a native of Vienna. together with collaboration by the who resided inAustriil at the time of Interchurch Council ofGreaterNew Kristallnacht, will giv.e testimony of .Bedford and the Cen.ter fo~ Jewish herexperiences living"underGennan Culture at UMass-Dartmouth. '. occupation. She escaped 'and ''We are 'especially grateful to reached family living'iIiFall River .Rabbi Barly' Hartman·and the conin 1939. Believing in the urgency of· gregation ofAhavach Achim Synateaching our young o.fthe Nazi h<;>r-' gogue for hosting our first annual rors so thattl1ey shall not be repeated, Kristallnacht observance," said Juda has spoken in public and paro- . Patricia Pasternak, president of the chial schools throughout the region Interfaith Couri.cilof Greater Fall as Holocaust programs have been River. ''Their'gracious hospitality . inspires our commitmentto continue developed in the high schools.

The prayer service was inspired this mission ofcollaboration with our by the Millennial Jubilee observance Gre!Uer New Bedford neighbors in of the Diocese of Fall River under the interfaith commjll1ity." the leadership of former Bishop For more information contact Sean P. O'Malley, and the Interfaith Patricia Pasternak at 508-673~ Council of Greater Fall River has 1284; or Wil Herrup, executive . collaborated with the Jewish Fed- director of the Jewish Federation eration of Greater New Bedford to of Greater New Bedford, Inc., at organize the event. The Council 508-997-7471 0

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BROTHER OF Christian Instruction Roger (Andre) Millette, center, recently marked his 80th birthday with a Mass at Notre Dame Church, Fall River. From left: his brother Jacque Millette, his sister Suzanne Fredette, Brother Roger, his sister Myrto Barra, and his brother Roger Millette. A celebration dinner fol~ lowed at VVhite's of Westport, attended by scores of family, friends, associates and former students. Brother Roger has been involved at Bishop Connolly High School, Fall River, since its inception in 1967. Before that he taught and was principal at Msgr. Prevost High School. Bishop Connolly High $chool . " has begun an endowment in his name, and has collected nearly - $10,000 to date. (AnchortJolivet photo)

THE EMOTIONS and experiences of women who t:lave had an abortion are behind this billboard that appeared along Greenbelt Road in Greenbelt, Md. (CNS file photo by Nancy Wiechec)

ProJect Rachel helps men and women suffer,ing from an abortion experience

By MIKE GOROO'N

name comes from th~ book of Jeremiah in the Old Testament. In FALL RIVER ~ Diocesan it, RacheI:moums for the lost chilpriests recently attended a training dren of her nation. , .

"It was a informative workshop session on Project Rachel, which deals with those suffering the after~ 'and all the guest speakers had someeffects of abortion. .. thing to offer," said Father John A. Project Rachel is an instrument Raposo of Holy Ghost Parish, ofhope in the diocese," said Father Attleboro.: John Sullivan ofSt. Lawrence Par''I have a better understanding of ish, New Bedford. As a fIrs.t-time where someone seeking help in participant he found the presenta- Project Rachel is coming from. The tions to be helpful. "It makes men focus on reconciliation has a great and women aware ofthereconcili- deal of meaning and it's a wonderation and that they are not lost com- ful opportunity ofthose affected by pletely. They can receive God's abortion to receive God's forgivehealing graces and we try to help ness and know they have a place in them heal their hearts." ' God's family." .

This was the second Project Desrosiers said that her office Rachel training held in the diocese fIelds an average oftwo calls a week and there are more than 60 priests regarding Project Rachel, but said '. who have participated. It was held with more publicity those numbers at the Family Life Center in North can go up. Her goal is to make men and women more aware ofthe help Dartmouth. ' .'

T!ie central focus of Project available through parish bulletins, Rachel, is the sacrament of recon- brochures and posters which are ciliation. It is an opportunity for available at the Pro-Life office. men and women to be reconciled ''It's so inlportant to keep the inwith themselves, their unborn chil- formation readily available because dren, the Church and God. Accord- it can take several years for a person ing to the diocesan director of the to make that first contactwith Project Pro-Life Apostolate Marian Rachel," said Desrosiers.

Desrosiers, it's in that sacrament of "Something will trigger a person reconciliation that men and women to shake off the denial of the aborencounter God's mercy. tion. It usually occurs fIve to seven ", ''Women who call are looking years after the abortion. Those who for a spiritual connection back to contact us, say they've always carGod and they are seeking out a ried the burden of what happened priest. They need to hear that they and that it was wrong. They need are forgiven," said Desrosiers. to know that Project Rachel is there "Every woman I've talked to has for them. Many people believe it's said she felt that she had no other the unforgivable sin, but we know choice than abortion. They often ' that's not true." feel trapped and tell me that they CallerS are encouraged to seek knew it was wrong. It's sad to see spiritual help and practical advice the pain and suffering they've gone to aid them through the grieving through. They have grief, shame process. Referrals are made for adand guilt and Project Rachel offers ditional counseling when necessary. them the compassionate love of In the "Gospel ofLife" by Pope Christ. The Church condemns ahor- John Paul II, he sends a message of tion, but not the individuals," said hope to women who have had aborDesrosiers. tions telling them to not give up Project Rachel was founded by hope and they can fmd healing.

Victoria Thorn in 1984 in Milwau-· .They have to trust in the mercy of kee, Wis., and today in the United· God the Father and Desrosiers said States there are more than 140 dio-it'soneofthemostpowerful things ceses that offer the program. The she's read.

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"You can see the effect immediately on those who read it," said Desrosiers. "These men and women who have agonized what happened to the child .can ask forgiveness ofthe Lord. The Holy Fatherinvites them to become defenders of life and that brings tremendous healing. Project Rachel is a wonderful instrument to present the Pro-Life message."

Guest speaker Dr. Ryan Welter described what actually happens in a typical abortion procedure.

Dr. E. Joanne Angelo, who served at the Pontifical Academy for Life spoke on ''Post Abortion Grief," while Father Richard Wilson spoke about the issues of Canon Law related to abortion. Jesuit Father Paul McNellis of Boston College aired "Abortion and the SacmmentofReconciliation: Some Practical Suggestions for Confessors."

"It was a wonderful day and we had a tremendous amount of information available," said Desrosiers. ''We hope to expand Project Rachel in the diocese so it's more readily available to those who need it."

Father Ethan McCarthy of Immaculate Conception Parish, North Easton, said the program was helpful and said it provided "a tremendous amount ofinformation priests can use."

Father McCarthy said that the number one thing at the he~ of Project Rachel is ''healing and forgiveness.

"People are moved to come forward for a number ofreasons. They have tumed away from God, but want to come home. We are there to bring them home and show them the compassion and mercy ofGod." Father Sullivan said ''I hope the program will grow and help more people who are suffering and people can encourage others to utilize Project Rachel."

Project Rachel is available for men and women 24 hours a day by calling 508-997-3300. All calls and information are confidential