11.05.99

FALL RIVER DIOCESAN NEWSPAPER FOR SOUTHEAST MASSACHUSErtS CAPE COD & THE ISLANDS VOL. 43, NO. 43 • Friday, November S, 1999

FALL RIVER, MASS.

Southeastern Massachusetts' Largest Weekly • $14 Per Year

Catholic, Lutheran clergy mark pact ~

Prayer service on Cape celebrates historic agreement sighed in Germany that advances Christian unity.

tion on the Doctrine of Justification," signed by representatives of the Roman Catholic Church and the Lutheran World Federation on Sunday in Augsburg, Germany. That signing ended the dispute over justification particularly over the role of a person's response to God's offer of salvation - which was a key factor in the division of Western

Christianity at the time of the Protestant Reformation in the mid-1500s.

It was an agreement that Pope John Paul II hailed this week as "a milestone along the not easy road of the re-establishment of full unity among Christians."

In essence, the Lutheran communion traditionally held that justification comes

through faith alone. Catholics have maintained that justification comes through faith as well as good works.

The joint declaration says that Catholics and Lutherans agree that justification and salvation are totally free gifts of God and

By JAMES N. DUNBAR cannot be earned by performing good works, EAST SANDWICH - An ecumenical but rather are reflected in good works. midday prayer service in CorBishop O'Malley presided at pus Christi Church on Monday the service, excerpted from the marked the local celebration official daily prayer of the Liturgy of the Hours, and was also ending a long, sometimes difficult journey by Lutherans and the homilist. The Rev. Diane C. Kessler, executive director of the Catholics worldwide "to an Massachusetts Council of agreement that justification comes through faith and good Churches, and Father Marc H. works.

Bergeron, ecumenical officer for the Fall River Diocese, were The joy expressed Monday on Cape Cod by Catholic and readers.

On the dais with Bishop Lutheran clergy attending the O'Malley were the Rev. Ronald noon service and the luncheon T. Englund, dean of the New that followed, pointed up tha~ England Synod of the Evangelithe joint declaration signed cal Lutheran Churches in Sunday in Germany is a giant America, and Father Marcel H. step toward Christian unity.

Representatives of both Roman Bouchard, pastor of Corpus Catholic and Lutheran comChristi Parish.

Bishop O'Malley warmly munions meeting on the Cape greeted the assembly saying that acknowledged that it was a solid he was from the west "where the start in a long dialogue on a vaCatholics drive the Chevys and riety of ancillary theological isthe Lutherans drive the Fords." sues that need to be resolved.

He said he was pleased that so The meeting, hosted by NOON PRAYERS - In Corpus Christ Church, East Sandwich, Bishop Sean P. O'Malley, OFM many Lutheran clergy came to Bishop Sean P. O'Malley, OFM Cap., follows an historic agree- Cap., is flanked by pastor Father Marcel H. Bouchard and the Rev. Ronald T. Englund, dean of the join the celebration of "a very ment called "The Joint Declara- New England Synod of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America.

Tum to page 13 - Pact

St. Mary'S Education Fund raises more than $500,000

By MIKE GORDON ANcHOR STAFF

been able to graduate from Holy Family-Holy Name School this year."

"I'm very proud of them," said their mother Mary Freire, as she waited for the evening to begin. She was thankful for the St. Mary's Education Fund Tum to page 13 - Dinner

WESTPORT - The fifth annual St. Mary's Education Fund Fall Dinner brought 400 people together at White's of Westport in support of Catholic Education and at the end of the evening a check for more than $500,000 was presented to Bishop Sean P. O'Malley OFM Cap., to help provide need-based scholarships to attend Catholic schools.

One of those the fund has helped is Sarah Freire, an eighth-grader from Holy Family-Holy Name School, New Bedford.

She and her brother Danny, a sixth-grader at the school, were busy before the dinner readying programs and said the opportunity to attend a Catholic school has been great and they've learned a lot.

"We've learned how much God loves you, about commitment, responsibility and how to care for the poor," said Sarah.

"It's a lot like a family and we get a really nice education."

Sarah later addressed those gathered MEMBERS OF the St. Mary's Education Fund's and thanked them for their support of the fund. A CCD helper and a member of the Board of Directors Suzanne W. Downing, Timothy J. I"school's hand bell choir she said "With- Cotter and Father Michael K. McManus present Bishop out your kind support I might not have O'Malley a checkfor$547,621. (AnchodGordon photo)

HAPPY GROUP - Leaving no stone unturned, managers of Caritas Christi Health Care System wasted no time in getting St. Anne's School yard into tiptop condition.

Caritas Christi's top echelon quits desks to do yard work

By JAMES N. DUNBAR FALL RIVER - Dozens ofVIPs from Caritas Christi Health Care System's 16 facilities across New England left their offices very early on Thursday, Oct. 28, to don work clothes and spend the day in a major rebuilding and refurbishing of the playground at Saint Anne's School on Forest Street.

At day's end the recreation area's muddy mulch has been removed and a clean bed of pea stone laid, its fence and equipment had been repainted, and a fantastic, modern, wood playground climbing gym had been erected.

And as an added feature, the work crews removed old furniture and Tum to page 13 - Caritas

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THEANCHOR- DioceseofFall River- Fri., November 5, 1999

®bituary

Sisters of Mercy's annual benefit dinner is Sunday

Father Manuel Tavares Faria

FALL RIVER - Father Manuel Tavares Faria, ing to the United States in January, 1975.

85, a retired priest who resided at the Catholic MeFrom 1975 to 1985 he was a parochial vicar at morial Home, 2446 Highland AvSt. Michael's Parish here and from 1985 to 1989 was the parochial One of those recently coming enue, and who served at St. SWANSEA - A retired nun vicar at St. Anthony's Church in and a dedicated employee will to the Health Centre is Merqy Sis- Michael Parish here, died Mbnday Taunton. He retired in 1989 and . receive awards at the annual Ben- ter Frederica Levell, a member of' at the home. lived at St. Michael's rectory unBorn in Beira Grande, St. efit Dinner hosted by the Mount the Sisters of Mercy for almost 70 til he became a resident of the years and who Michael, Azores, he was a son of St. Rita Catholic Memorial Home in 1998. spent a life- the late Manuel Tavares Faria and Health CenFather Faria leaves two nieces time in the the late Alexandrina (do Rego tre in and three nephews. He was the Cumberland, service of the Silva) Faria.

After attending Angra Seminary brother of the late Jose Tavares R.I. on SunDiocese of in Terceira, Azores, he was orFaria and the late Maria Conceicao day at noon Fall River.

Faria. in the Venus After retir- dained a priest on June 12, 1938 His funeral Mass was celde Milo ing, she had by Bishop Guilhermo Augusto da ebrated Thursday in St. Michael Restaurant, formerly lived Cunha Guimaraes in the Cathedral at Our Lady of of Santissimo Salvador, Angra do Church by Bishop Sean P. Swansea.

O'Malley, OFM Cap. Burial was Mer c y ·Mercy Con- Heroismo, Terceira. He served in vent in Attle- parishes in the Azores before comin St. Patrick's Cemetery.

Sister Marie FATHER MANUEL T. FARIA Pie r r e boro, situated Donnelly, on the recently regrounds of tired as a Bishop FeeHealth Cenhan High tre staff School. member, and Born in Fall Edward River, Sister' BvJOHNTHAVIS irregular unions. woui'd· blur the distinction beMcDonagh, Levell is the CATHOUC NEWS SERVICE , "I once again ask civil authori- tween family groupings based on controller daughter of ROME - Pope J,ohn Paul II, ties to insure that the fami'ly marriage and those of unmarried, for the Sisthe late ,eacting to a recent Italian re- founded on marriage be promoted cohabiting couples. ters of 'Patrick and Latium officials have deSISTER FREDERICA LEVELL, RSM the late Mary . gionallaw that provides child sup- and protected, without being Mercy for more .than (Shea) Levell. port to unmarried couples, de- confused with other very differ- fended the program, saying it was 25 years, will receive the Mount During her many years as an edu- fended the traditional family and ent forms of union," the pope said not designed to promote irreguSt. Rita Community Service cator, she taught at St. Joseph said it must· not be equated with during a recent visit to a parish lar unions but to meet a real need. on the outskirts of Rome.

Many of the region's poorer chilAward.

School and St. Patrick School in The pope was reacting to a law dren have parents who are unwed, The dinner honors all those Fall River;. and at Holy Name Correction by the Latium region in passed they said. who had been benefactors to the School, St. Kilian School and Holy, . In a photo caption in the Oct. October.

The law offers financial During his visit to the church Sisters of Mercy, thereby help- Family School in New Bedford.

29 edition, Holy Cross Father "assistance to family groups," inof San Benedetto Giuseppe Labre, ing that religious community re- Prior to retiring she was the princiBartley MacPhaidin, well known cluding couples with children the pope spoke at length to the alize its goals. pal at St. John School in Attleboro. as president of Stonehill College who are registered civilly, with- children of the parish, joking at since 1978, was erroneously out specifying whether the par- one point: "I don't know why identified as being president of PRINTING MAILING SERVICES ents need be married or unmarried. young people follow me s.o willHoly Cross.College. The ATlchor The law'drew a sharp critique ingly." regrets the error. .from the region's, bishops, and the He said he was sure Holy Year pope said he agreed with the bish- 2000 would go well and encourops' arguments. Several times in aged the young'people to join him Daily Readings recent years the pope has warned at World Youth Day celebrations 234 SECOND STREET· FALL RIVER, MA against legislation in Italy that in Rome next August.

Nov' 8 Wis1:1-7;Ps 139:1-10; Lk TELEPHONE FAX 17:1-6 " (508) '679-5262 (508) 67~-1545 Nov 9 Ez 47:1-2,89,12; Ps 84:36,8,11 ; 1 Cor Please pray for the following 3:9c-11 ,16-17; In 2:13-22 priests during the coming week Nov10 Wis 6:1-11; Ps 82:3-4,6-7; NECROLOGY Lk 17:11-19 Nov 11 Wis 7:22-8:1; November 8 Ps 119:891984, Rev. Pacifique L. Emond, OFM., Retreat Master, Writer, 91,130,135, '\ Montreal, Canada TAIZE EVENING OF PRAYER 175; Lk 17:20-

Pope defends family after aid granted to unmarried couples

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Bishop talks to media about parish mergers in Fall River

By MIKE GORDON ANCHOR STAFF

FALL RNER - Bishop Sean P. O'Malley, OFM Cap., held a press conference on Oct. 28 to address the media and answer questions concerning the proposed parish mergers recently announced in the diocese.

Three parishes in the South End of the city, Blessed Sacrament, Our Lady of the Angels and St. Patrick's will merge to form a new faith community likely at St. Patrick's Church. In the Maplewood section of Fall River, St. Elizabeth, St. Jean Baptiste and St. William would come together as a new commu-

BISHOP SEAN P. O'Malley, OFM Cap:, and Rev. Msgr. Ronald A. Tosti. diocesan director of Pastoral Planning, met with the local news media last week in Fall River. (AnchodGorclon photo)

nity of faith presumably at St. Jean Baptiste Parish.

After reading a prepared statement Bishop O'Malley said that when such a situation occurs the decision is never an easy one. "Iask that people carryon with patience and serenity," he said. "We want them to see the big picture."

Before the final announcement is made on the merging parish communities, the bishop said he hopes people discuss the proposals and he would listen to all concerns adding that he wants parishes to "come up with recommendations for their neighborhood."

The bishop told reporters that the decision for the merger was "firm."

He added that vital considerations in choosing St. Patrick and St. Jean Baptiste were their size and the fact that each has a school.

"We have 70 churches within a half-hour radius of each other and in many cases heat and insurance are a big financial drain," Bishop O'Malley explained. He commented that the diocese must consider what is the best use of its resources and form a new parish that will be vital. "We are all part of the same Church and must look after one another's needs."

The bishop also said that there are 40 fewer priests in the diocese than there were seven years ago and although there are enough to serve people's needs there are not enough to maintain all the present structures.

He told the media that when he was a bishop in the Virgin Islands a storm blew down the buildings. He said it was a terrible thing, but added that "we were on our feet. The buildings were secondary."

THEANCHOR- Diocese ofFall River- Fri., November 5, 1999

3 Knights offer help to handicapped

ATTLEBORO George Goudreau recently announced that the Knights of Columbus from St. John's Council #404 collected nearly $5,000 and gave more than 80 hours of personal service in its "Campaign for People with Mental Retardation and Physically Handicapped Children." Goudreau was chairman of the project and Grand Knight Leo Dumas said the totals "represent a remarkable outpouring

of generosity, not only in funds but also in personal commitment on the part of the Knights."

Special thanks were offered by the Knights to the citizens of Attleboro, RoJack's Grocery Store, Big Value Outlet, Morin's Restaurant, the La Salette Shrineand St Joseph's Church.

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HONORING MARY - A new statue of Our Lady of Grace in Holy Name Church, Fall River, a replica of the Medjugorje statue made in Italy, was recently blessed by Bishop Sean P. O'Malley, right. Assisting were, left, pastor Father Francis L. Mahoney and Father Edward A. Murphy, parochial vicar. Beginning Nov. 5 at 7 p.m., and on Mondays through Wednesdays at 7 p.m., in the church, services centering on the consecration to Jesus t~,rou.g.h Mary using the St. Louis de Montfort booklet will be held. The themes are: Nov. 5 -16, SPirit of the .World"; Nov. 17-23, "Knowledge of Self"; Nov. 24-30, "Knowledge of Our Lad(; pee. 1-7, "Knowledge of Christ." Formal consecrations will be held at the Dec. 7, 7 p.m. Vigil Mass of the Feast of the Immaculate Conception.

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TIffiANCHOR-DioceseofFall River-Fri., November5, 1999 '

themoorin~

the living word

Save American medicine One of the great scandals of our American way of life is our neglect of the poor and needy when it comes' to proper health care and services. Politicians on the campaign trail are beating drums to draw our attention to their solutions to the problems. All they are doing is creating a noisy climate of disdain. As election year 2000 begins to drone along with political rhetoric, Congress is failing to address proper'health care for all Americans. In this country, health care is available only to those who can afford it. This is wrong and voters should not accept the status quo. .

There is a predominanrview in the United States that is destroying all of the care and concern we should have for human life. We are losing souls as we try to find ways to kill the baby and the terminally ill in order to save tax money for new weapons of selfdestruction. There is little moral regard for the sick, elderly and dying. We are resorting to managed care. The question at stake is who is controlling the management. The world of medical capitalism has seen to that. Our refusal and inability to care for our citizens in time of medical need is not only appalling, but insidious. Medical needs are not determined by medical personnel but by big business.

Thousands are dying daily because some remote business has rationed medical services to save mohey. In a land of plenty this is an absolute disgrace.

This carelessness and callousness is to be seen especially jn the plight of our teaching medical centers. History has shown, especially in our own geographical area, that academic medical centers play an indisputable role in American health care. The record demonstrates that these institutions have been on the cutting edge of progressive medical care. From the training of physicians to the development of new skills and the care of the urban poor, teaching hospitals have brought American medicine to the forefront of the very best of care and services. This contribution has not been without cost and expense. Now our government and the insurance industry want to pull in the reins. As a result of this tunnel vision, many of our very best medical schools and hospitals are in grave' financial crises. The Capitol Hill crowd is exacerbating the situation every time members fail to support a government medical system that would provide equal care for all citizens regardless of economic status. While they endorse their annual "porle barrel" gifts to constituents to the tune of billions of dollars, they refuse to address the health needs and concerns of the nation. While their monetary tax benefits are diverted to the undeserving wealthy, the deserving poor are treated with neglect and even disdain. Cutbacks in the field of medicine are determined by monetary consideration, not human need. The funds overspent by the Department of Defense, could, by themselves, ensure better health care for the American public.

Our medical schools nationwide, from Boston to California, are shining examples of what can be achieved in the advancement of medical care and invention. The records show that they deliver the most expensive care to people who are the least able to pay. Because of our national policy, they are now becoming an endangered species. It has become a contest of big business versus good medicine. Sorry to say, the latter is losing the pallgame.

As we are deafened by the babbling of politicians who offer us everything and deliver nothing, it is essential that we make equal medical rights an indispensable issue in the campaign. We should not be lulled by political promises. Rather, we should demand that every politician puts our money where his or her mouth is and support a health care program, tax-based, that cares for all, rich and poor, on an equal level of care and concern.

(AnchodGordon photo)

CHll.DREN IN THE YOUNG POLISH DANCE TROUPE OF ST. STANISLAUS, FALL RIVER, PERFORM AT TillS YEAR'S ST. MARY'S EDUCATION FUND DINNER. THE EVENT RAISES MONEY FOR SCHOLARSHIPS SO THAT STUDENTS WHO MIGHT Nor BE ABLE TO OTHERWISE ATTEND CATHOLIC SCHOOLS MAY DO SO.

''LET THEM PRAISE IDS

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PSALMS 149:3

Why priests sometimes balk at performing weddings

By FAlliER EUGENE HEMRICK CAlliOUC NEWS SERVICE

During a gathering with my priest classmates, we shared reflections on our years in ministry. One classmate told how he had left the priesthood and then happily returned, and another talked about his duties as a new pastor.

Then there was the classmate who blurted out passionately, "I hate perThe Editor forming weddings!" You could tell he really didn't like them 'because these were the first words out of his mouth. The fact is that many priests feel the same way he does. Let's take a look at a few reasons why.

The night before their wedding, a couple and their wedding party OFFICIAL NEWSPAPER OF THE,DIOCESE OF FALL RIVER often enough do not arrive on time Published weekly by The Catholic Press of the Diocese of Fall River for the rehearsal. When they do arrive, they may be rowdy, joking 887 Highland Avenue P,O, BOX 7 around and talking loudly.

Fall River. MA 02722-0007 Fall River. MA 02720' And then there are the little oddiTelephone 508-675-7151 ties like a flower girl who is too shy FAX (508) 675-7048 to walk down the aisle and needs Send address changes to P,O: 8011 7 or call telephone number above coaxing or the little boy who carries '. the pillow for the rings and runs EDITOR GENERAL MANAGER NEWS EDITOR down the aisle, thinking the cerRev. Msgr. John F. Moore Rosemary Dussault James N. Dunbar emony is fun time. ~ LEA." MESS - FALL RIVEA Meanwhile, in the choir loft, the Hf*1 â&#x20AC;˘ '@MI

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cantor or musicians are practicing disregard the sacramental nature of their music, adding to the bedlam, or. what they are doing. there is a person charged with the It is not uncommon that they are wedding's details who is trying to take living together before marriage, that charge. And ofcourse, there is always . they rarely participate in Sunday confusion about how people should Mass. If they have a Mass on their line up for the procession and the speed wedding day, often they are unable at which they should process. to recite the common prayers and Priests normally handle these an- have no idea when to stand and noyances well either by demanding kneel.

What bothers priests most and, I ordeTor just overlooking them. One thing that especially aggravates them might add, hurts them is seeing is when the bride's parents try to take young people making the most imcommand or demand that their portant decision of their life with daughter's wedding resemble hers. little reference to God. It is difficult A priest once told me that what enough for couples who practice particularly bothered him were wed- their faith to stay together and to dings modeled on frivolous soap- respond effectively to the pressures opera ceremonies in which the pre- ofour times! .

Fortunately, most weddings siding m~!1ister is pictured as a daffy clergyman, those attending the wed- aren't like this, and one of a priest's ding are portrayed as dimwits, and greatest joys is sharing the joy of the bride and groom are in total dis- couples about to be married. These array. "Our young people have no weddings are a reminder of the wedreal sacred model of marriage to ' ding banquet we hope to enjoy in emulate," he said sadly. heaven.

As nerve-wracking as wedding ,When, however, weddings aren't rehearsals and weddings themselves like ~is, they remind us of the chaos can be, this, is not what most causes that existed before life in which God priests to dislike officiating at them. had to create something out of noth.

Rather, it is the way some couples ing.

Bishops to discuss lay ecclesial ministry at upcoming meeting

By CATliOUC NEWS SERVICE Capping a four-year study project on lay ecclesial ministry, the U.S. bishops will have an extended discussion of the topic at th~ir mid-November national meeting in Washington.

They will discuss such issues as: - the theology of lay ecclesial ministry; - the vocation to lay ministry; - formation for lay ministry and development of programs and standards for certifying those entering the field; - the relationship between lay ecclesial ministers and bIshops and other ordained ministers; - the multicultural dimensions of developing and fostering lay ministry;

- appropriate terminology that reflects accurately the roles of various lay ministers.

The bishops will be asked to direct their discussions toward establishing priorities for what they will do at the national level in coming years, as lay ministry becomes an increasingly important part of Church life.

Lay involvement in ecclesial ministry has mushroomed since the Second Vatican Council. The number of paid lay ministers in U.S. Catholic parishes has grown from less than 20,000 in 1990 to more than 30,000 today and outnumber priests in U.S. parish staffmg. In addition, there are more than 3,500Catholic lay ecclesial ministers in nonparish pastoral set-

u.s. bishops to vote on adult

tings, such as campus ministry and prison, hospital and airpOrt chaplaincies.

The bishops' discussions will focus on a 98-page report, "Lay Ecclesial Ministry: The State of the Questions," by the Subcommittee on Lay Ministry of the bishops' Committee on the Laity.

The report notes that "lay ecclesial minister" is a generic term, "nota specific job title." It says the term "lay minister" identifies a broad category of people who "minister in response to their baptism within the Church or the world."

The addition of the term 'ecclesial" signals ministerial responsibility that involves ecclesialleader-

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THEANCHOR-Diocese ofFall River-Fri., NovemberS, 1999 ship and some form of ''formal and public role ... conferred by competent ecclesiastical authority:' it says.

The report does not provide a strict definition oflay ecclesial ministry but rather sets out a series of characteristics which should "be present to some degree" in all lay ecclesial ministers.

It says the term can apply to volunteers as well as those in paid staff positions, but adds that the person should be committed to the duties of the ministry "in a stable manner" and

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have "responsibility and the necessary authority for institutional leadership in a particular area of ministry."

The subcommittee has .asked the bishops to express their views on several proposals, including how to establish a permanent place in the committee and staff structures of the bishops' conference for ''the continuing development of lay ecclesial ministry:'

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LOOKING FOR A VIABLE ALTERNATIVE FOR HIGH SCHOOL?

faith formation document· ~

Keeping Catholics in tune with Scripture and the changing world is seen as crucial.

By CAROL ZiMMERMANN CATliOUC NEWS SERVICE

WASHINGTON - The U.S. Catholic bishops are to vote on a pastoral plan for adult faith formation during their annual fall meeting in Washington Nov. 15-18.

The 133-page document titled "Our Hearts Were Burning Within Us" stresses the importance of ongoing formation to help adult Catholics make their faith stronger and more mature.

Last November when the document was presented to the bishops for their comments, some bishops said the document needed a stronger focus on spirituality, prayer and Scripture, instead ofthe strong emphasis on parish-focused activities.

"Our Hearts Were Burning Within Us," developed by the U.S. bishops' Committee on Education, takes its title from the Gospel account in Luke where Jesus walks unrecognized with his disciples listening to their concerns and answering their questions as they head to Emmaus on Easter morning.

When the disciples realized that Jesus had been speaking to them, they asked each other, "Were not our hearts burning while he spoke to us on the way?"

Although the document ac-

knowledges that the emphasis on adult faith formation is not new, it stresses the crucial need to reinvest in this ministry at the diocesan and parish levels.

It acknowledges that such formation is increasingly more crucial as the role of Catholic laity expands and adults must "continue to learn to keep up in the changing world."

Within contemporary society, the document says, there is a prevailing spiritual hunger and "widespread ignorance, indifference or opposition to the dignity of persons and cultures and to the full range of the Church's moral and social teaching."

It suggests that no "single approach" can meet everyone's needs, and that instead, parish leaders must provide a variety of activities and resources.

The document advises parishes to designate an adult faith formation leader and a core team of parishioners to assume responsibility for this ministry.

In every adult faith formation effort, the document says, the "Catechism of the Catholic Church" must be the "foundational point of reference."

It stresses that full development of Christian faith requires a study of Scriptures, Church doctrines and teachings and moral ethics, as well as participation in liturgy, prayer, the communal aspect of parish or family life and an involvement in the Church's outreach work.

Assisi basilica to reopen with special Mass on Nov. 28 VATICAN CITY (CNS) - The upper portion of the Basilica of St. Francis in Assisi, Italy, closed to the public since a 1997 double earthquake. will be reopened Nov. 28 with a special Mass.

Pope John Paul II named Cardinal Angelo Sodano, the Vatican secretary ofstate, to preside in his name at the Mass, which will include the consecration of a new papal altar.

The Vatican announced Cardinal Sodano's appointment Oct. 23.

The tomb of St. Francis ofAssisi is located in the lower portion of the

basilica bearing his name. Although the lower basilica also was damaged by the September 1997 quakes, it was closed only briefly to the public.

In the upper basilica, frescoes crashed to the ground, sections of the vault fell and the 750-year-old walls were weakened.

Rebuilding the vault, reinforcing the roof and walls and strengthening the bell tower were part ofa $30million reconstruction project. Restoration of the frescoes will not be completed in time. for the opening.

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1HEANCHOR~DioceseofFallRiver~Fri.,November5, 1999

Catholic bishops speak out on marriage prep, cohabitation Some marriage preparation programs use Editor's Note: The recent focus by the and moral ... and also social consequences.... the Gospel values of love, understanding and National Catholic Bishops' Committee on The pastors and the ecclesial community acceptance, they also need to be challenged the premarital inventory FOCCUS (FacilitatMarriage and Family on the growing prac- should take care to become acquainted with by the Gospel message of commitment and ing Open Couple Communication, Undertice of unmarried couples living together such situations and their actual causes, case faithfulness. "Faithful to Each Other Forever" standing and Study). FOCCUS now includes and the ancillary issue of marriage prepa- by case. They should make tactful and respect- points out that in the past pastoral ministers discussion questions for cohabiting couples, ration, points up the undermining ofsociety ful contact with the couples concemed, and often ov~rlooked the cohabitation, not press- and the FOCCUS manual includes additional itself and the lack of commitment in many enlighten them patiently, correct them chari- ing the couple too hard for fear of alienating material on facilitating discussion with this Christian marriages. In order for clergy, .tably and show them the witness of Christian them from the Church. Because of the awk- group.

2. What Are Specific Objectives in Doing pastoral ministers and the laity to have ad- family life in such a way as to smooth the path wardness of dealing with the situation, some chose to ignore the entire issue.

Increasingly, Marriage Preparation With Cohabiting for them to regularize their situation" equate information on the issues, The An. however, pastoral ministers have abandoned Couples? chor, in upcoming editions, will offer the text (Familiaris Consortio, 81).

The general goal of marriage preparation In the discussion below we attempt to take this approach in favor of addressing the coof the report as published in the CNS docuwith all couples is the same: to create a clear the Holy Father's advice and apply it to con- habitation gently but directly. mentary service, "Origins."

The Church has consistently taught that awareness of the essential characteristics of The following is the fourth installment of crete questions that arise during marriage preparation with cohabiting couples. Our goal human love "demands a total and definitive Christian marriage: unity, fidelity, indissoluthe series: bility, fruitfulness; the priority of the sacPART 2: ramental grace that unites the couple to Pastoral Issues With Cohabiting the love of Christ; and the willingness to Couples in Marriage Preparation carry out the mission proper to families Preparation for marriage begins long in the educational, social and ecclesial before the couple approaches the priest areas (Pontifical Council for the Family, or pastoral minister. In his apostolic ex"Preparation for the Sacrament of Marhortation on the family (Familiaris riage," 45).

Consortio, 81), Pope John Paul IT strongly For cohabiti.ng couples, a specific urges that young people be educated goal may be added: to encourage the about chastity, fidelity and the meaning couple to reflect on their situation and of marriage as a sacrament. Religious eduwhy they decided to cohabit, and to procation, parish-based catechetical provide insights into possible consequences, grams and chastity curricula in elemenfactors that may present special chaltary 路schools are all part of this effort. The lenges to them or put the~ at risk for Catholic Chastity Curriculum Directory later marital disruption. (See, for ex(NCCBIUSCC, fall 1999), a directory of ample, marriage preparation policies in available materials that follow Catholic the Dioceses of Rockford, 1992, Sioux teaching, can be a helpful resource.

Falls, 1988, and Peoria, 1997, among othThe high school years, in particular, ers). can be a prime time for dealing with these To accomplish this second goal, the issues when dating, and the desire to date, pastoral minister invites the couple to reare foremost in the minds of adolescents. flect on their experience of living toDuring this time they can be given the gether and its implications for sacramenspiritual foundation that helps them to tal marriage. The following questions (or make informed, faith-filled and life-givappropriate variations), drawn from a ing choices throughout their lives. With newly developed section in FOCCUS, this foundation it can be hoped that can be discussed: couples will choose not to cohabit be1. Why did you originally choose to fore marriage.

The NCCB's committee informational report offers no recommenda- live together? How does the commitment Nonetheless, we know that many you wish to make now differ from the couples do live together before they marry. tions for action but rather reflects on the state of the issue. commitment you made when you deMany pastoral ministers identify cohabicided to cohabit? tation as the most difficult issue they deal 2. How does your family and community with in marriage preparation. They are faced is to work through the challenges ~ "smooth gift of persons to one another" that can only with the dilemma of addressing a situation the path" ~ so that cohabiting couples will be made in marriage ("Catechism ofthe Catho- feel about your living together? How do these lic Church," No. 2391). Since cohabitation feelings affect you? that is contrary to our moral principles while be able to celebrate a sacramental marriage.

3. What are your reasons for wanting to 1. How to Begin Working With Cohabit- violates the Church's teaching about sexual attempting to validate and sanctify the relationship of the couple through the sacrament ing Couples Who Approach the Church for love and marriage, Church ministers must marry at this time~ Is there any reluctance to speak and teach about it. Doing so, as one marry? Is pressure from family or around chilof marriage (Archdiocese ofMiami, "Marriage Marriage Preparation "Faithful to Each Other Forever" notes that diocese points out, "is an act of love for the dren a major reason for marriage now?

Preparation Guidelines," 1997; Diocese of 4. What have you learned from your expePhoenix, Marriage Preparation Policy Hand- two extremes are to be avoided: (I) immedi- couple in the process of spiritual growth" book, 1998).(4) ately confronting the couple and condemn- ("Pastoral Care of Sexually Active/Cohabit- rience of living together? How do you expect We offer the following pastoral suggestions ing their behavior, and (2) ignoring the co- ing Couples Before Marriage," Diocese of your relationship to grow and change in the to priests, deacons and pastoral ministers who habitation aspect of their relationship. In the P(:oria, 1997). .future? Does either of you expect marriage to How can pastoral ministers know if a be free from times of discontent? How well do prepare couples for marriage. They are in- decade following the document's publication, tended to provide general guidance only, since pastoral experience and diocesan policies couple is cohabiting? This can be a delicate you deal with conflict? Have you agreed on each couple's pastoral needs and circum- have borne out the wisdom of this approach. situation. Very few diocesan policies offer sug- any changes in the way you will handle money stances are unique. In developing these sug- The majority of policies and practices follow gestions for surfacing this issue during mar- after you are married? gestions we join with many dioceses in turn- a middle way between the two extremes, one riage preparation. Given the potentially harm5. Why do you want to marry in the Cathoing to Familiaris Consortio for inspiration. that integrates general correction with under- ful effects of cohabitation on marital stabil- lic. Church at this time? Do you understand ity, however, pastoral ministers are beginning the concerns the <;:hurch has had about your "In Familiaris Consortio the Holy Father of- standing' and compassion. fers sound guidance," says the Miami The U.S. bishops' plan for young-aciult to recognize a responsibility to raise the is- cohabiting situation? ministry, "Sons and Daughters of the Light," sue.

Archdiocese'~ marriage-preparation policy, 6. What does marriage as a sacrament mean Certain tipoffs (e.g. giving the same ad- to you? referring to the challenge posed by cohabit- points out that during marriage preparation ing couples. the Church connects with more young dress and/or telephone number) can alert the 7. What do you think will be the largest In Section 81 of Familiaris Consortio Pope adults than at any other time outside Sun- pastoral D).inister that the couple may be co- barriers to a life-long marriage for you? How John Paul II points out that de facto free day Mass. "For some this may be their first habiting. Some couples are quite open about do you think you will be especially chalunions, i.e. those unions without any pub- step back into church life" ("Sons and their living arrangements. A pastoral minister lenged by the vow of faithfulness? licly recognized institutional bond, are an Daughters of the Light," p. 30). Marriage who is sensitive but straightforward can enAfter these discussions the pastoral minisincreasing concern. He recognizes that vari- preparation is an opportunity for evangeli- courage a similarly candid attitude on the part ter may ask the couple how the information ous factors can lead a couple into a free union. zation and catechesis. The Gary Diocese of the couple. Some pastoral ministers dis- gained from the preparation process has raised These include difficult economic, cultural or points out that "this is a 'teachable moment,' cuss cohabitation in general terms, noting the their understanding of Church teaching and religious situations, extreme ignorance or and the parish priest must be cautious lest issues it raises and the potentially harmful ef- cohabitation, and what response they will poverty, and a certain psychological immatu- he alienate the couple from the Church com- fects on the marriage. make in light of this knowledge. At this point However it surfaces, cohabitation should the pastoral minister may ascertain the rity that makes couples afraid to enter into a munity. This. calls for pastoral support in permanent union. . the couple's plans for the future rather than be discussed early in the marriage prepara- couple's readiness and ability to enter into a The pope continues: "Each of these ele- chastising them for the past" ("Guidelines tion process. If it is not possible or advisable sacramental marriage. ments presents the Church with arduous pas- for Marriage as a Sacrament," Diocese of to discuss it immediately, it should be flagged To be continued with: 3. What Distincas an issue to be addressed at a subsequent tions Are Made Among Cohabiting toral problems by reason of the serious conse- Gary, I ~96). . quences deriving from them, both religious While couples need to be welcomed with face-to-face meeting.

Couples?

Understanding the resurrection of the body Q. Belief in the resurrection of the body is central to Christianfaith.

I know it refers to a "spiritual body," but could you explain this beliefin light ofwhat the pope said recently?

is simply make explicit what has been implicit all the time. Does anyone really believe, for example, that heaven and helI are places in our ordinary sense of that term? Are they somewhere out in material creation

According to him, heaven and r-----------~ hell are states of being, not physi-

Questions

cal places, gener-

ally downplaying thetelTOl'SofheJL

and

A.,nswers

"The Catechism of the Catholic

By Father Church," how: J~hnJ. Dietzen ever, which the 1 -....- - - - - - - - pope introduces as "a sure norm for teaching the on an unknown planet? In a galaxy faith," takes the traditional ap- on the other side of a distant black . proach that says heaven· is a hole? ''place'' (No. 326) and that the teachThe same must be said for purgaing ofthe Church affirms the exist- tory. It "is not a place:' he explained, enceofheD (No. 1035). Howcan these but a "condition" of purification for two viewpoints be reconciled? (Mis- the saved whereby Christ ''frees them souri) . from their imperfections7' A. Judging from the volume of The Gospel stories of his appear<

mail I've received on the subject, our Holy Father's remarks struck a sensitive nerve in a lot of people. In fact, we find here another of those occasions when he challenges us - in encyclicals, other writings and weekly audiences - to take a fresh and thoughtful look at what we say we believe.

When we hear key words of our faith, we often pay more attention to familiar and popular images than to the doctrines themselves.

"Heaven," "purgatory" and "helI" are all strongly evocative words for Christians. A little reflection should warn us to be cautious about the pictures and notions that pop into our heads.

What Pope John P.lul II has done

ances and actions after the resurrection, for example, make clear that the risen Jesus (and therefore we ourselves in our risen bodies) exists in a frame ofspace and time which is outside our normal experience.

He obviously did not dash in and out with the speed 'of light He simply was not there, visible and touchable, and then he was there. .Interestingly, the Catechism references you give hint that we need to walk carefulIy here. When it says heaven is a "place:' it puts the word in quotation marks, indicating that, in this context, it does not have its usual meaning. Similarly, in the words of the Catechism, the condition ofself-exclusion from communion with God is what we call "hell."

As for the graphic biblical descriptions of heaven and hell, John Paul II repeats the best long-standing Scripture scholarship when he says the symbolic and metaphorical language we find in the New Testament only attempts to put into human words the reality ofeternal '~oyful communion with God," or "the complete frustration and emptiness of a life without God." Far from downplaying the terrors of damnation, he contends that "the situation in which one finds himself after freely and definitively withdrawing from God, the source of life and joy," is one that can only be approached figuratively, with images like "inextinguishable fire" and ''the burning oven."

Are any human beings (Judas?

Hitler? Stalin?) actually in this condition ofeternal separation?As he has in the past, the pope reminds us that this "remains a possibility, but is not something we can know."

We would do well, it seems to me, to dwell more on the conclusion Pope John Paul draws from seeing heaven and hell not as places of merriment forever or eternal· fire, but having or not having "a living personal relationship with the Trinity."

We should pay more attention, he suggested, to significant spiritual moments in this life: the pain brought about by sin, the satisfaction we experience in doing good. The happiness and distress of this life are clues to the next.

The suffering caused by sin, he states, is often said to "make life hell," whereas when we enjoy properly ''the good things that the Lord showers upon us every day ofour earthly lives, we have begun to experience the joy and peace which will be completely

THEANCHOR-Diocese ofFall River-Fri., NovemberS, 1999 ours in the next life." Obviously, the pope hopes we will all profitably reflect on that truth.

These remarks were given by our Holy Father at his Wednesday general audiences on July 21 and 28, and Aug. 4,1999.

A free brochure answering questions Catholics ask about re-

spiritual woman, an accomplished artist and the wife of the incredible pianist Byron Janis.

Maria Cooper Janis said the book came about because she had been working on documentaries about her

The Bottom'; Line <

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,""lo

By Antoinette Bos father for major cable stations. She looked back at home movies, personal papers and fanlily photos. ''My mother, who's not welI now, had kept albums, witlt everything labeled," Janis said in a recent interview with me. The tape was dried, but the pictures were fme.

"I thought maybe I could put these unpublished photos together to give people a feeling for what this era and our family were like - a real fanlily unit, a threesome - extraordinarily wonderful and harmonious in spite of the celebrity, the fans, the privilege."

Janis doesn't go into the dark period in her fanlily's life when her father had along affair with the actress Patricia

Neal. "My mother never conveyed any bitterness to me. Yes, I was angry at the moment. But I was able to talk to God about what I was feeling. I felt a spiritual support, so balanced by my mother's support. Maybe my father needed to fmd out what he realIy wanted in life. My parents learned they loved and respected each other.

They chose each other in the end. I try to point this out in my book."

Janis, raised in her mother's Catholic faith, recalls how her father started going to Mass with them, becoming intrigued by the sermons of Father Harold Ford, nicknamed ''Father Tough Stuff" by the actor. Ultimately he converted, becommg a quietly devout Catholic.

The book is important to his daughter. She says she thinks ''people should know it's possible to have all the hoop-de-do of fame, fortune and . celebrity, and still create a wholesome, positive family life, keeping a hold on one's personal ethics. My father never got caught up in the whole stardom, ego trip. He had very little patience for that."

I found Janis' book fascinating because it is truly a family love story.

ceiving the holy Eucharist is available by sending a stamped, self-addressed envelope to Father John Dietzen, Box 325, Peoria, 61651.

Questions for this column may be sent to Father Dietzen at the same address, or e-mail jjdietzen@aoI.com.

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Remembering Gary Cooper Everybody knows his name: Gary Cooper, the famous Hollywood star we sometimes thought of as Lou Gehrig or S~rgeant York. Yet because he preferred his family and the outdoors to the limelight, few fans ever knew much about what kind ofa man he really was.

A new book, "Gary Cooper Off Camera, A Daughter Remembers" (Abrams), gives another picture ofthis American icon. Written by his only child, Maria Cooper Janis, we get to see the legendary actor in family photos, letters to his wife Rocky and personal father-daughter stories.

It is an authentic mosaic of a father, remembered by a daughter as gentle, giving and loving, a spiritual man who embraced the Catholic faith of his wife and daughter in his later years, dying at peace in 1961 at age 60. Actor Tom Hanks, writing an introduction, poetically recalls Cooper as an "artist of great mystery."

I had the privilege of meeting Maria Cooper Janis about 15 years ago at the Benedictine Abbey of Regina Laudis in Bethlehem, Conn.

She was visiting MotherDolores Hart, a beautiful woman we both call friend.

Janis knew her much longer than I, for their friendship went back to the late '50s when Hart was a gorgeous young Hollywood star.

I soon got to know Janis as a deeply

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lHEANCHOR-DioceseofFallRiver-Fri.,November5,1999

Pizza-chainfounder honored by Catholic-run treatment center

By MARK ZIMMERMANN

St. Luke Institute, he said, is such a place. "I can't tell you how many WASHINGTON - Thomas of our residents have told me that Monaghan, founder of Domino's the St. Luke Institute saved their life, Pizza and former owner of the De- or, 'The institute saved my vocatroit Tigers baseball team, told a tion....

Since its founding, the program Washington audience he is now devoting his life to helping people get haS served over 4,000 priests and to heaven. religious, helping 85 percent return "Everything I try to do in my re- to active ministry. Last year, the maining life is to help people get to institute's clients came from 40 dioheaven. I want to get there myself," ceses, 48 religious communities and said Monaghan, who sold his com- from 18 countries.

Father Rossetti noted that the pany last December to devote his. group's' honoree, Monaghan, had life to charitable work.

He was in Washington recently founded Legatus, a group for Cathoto receive the first St. Luke Award, lic chief executive officers, and given by St. Luke Institute, a treat- Monaghan's Ave Maria Foundation men.t center based in the Washing- will sponsor a new Catholic law ton Archdiocese for priests and reli- school of the 'same name, opening . gious. in fall 2000 in Ann Arbor, Mich. The Founded in 1981 as a psychiat- businessman's charitable work inric hospital for the treatment of al- cludes funding evangelization efcohol and substance abuse, the forts in Central America and pro-life Catholic institution in Silver Spring, causes in the United States.

Md., now serves priests and religious ''Through his support of numerwith a wide range of psychological ous Catholic activities, he is feedand spiritual problems, including ing the minds and souls of thoudep~ession. sands of his brothers and sisters," the "St. Luke's Institute continues priest said. the healing ministry of Jesus," said In an interview after receiving the Washington Cardinal Jame~ A. award, Monaghan told the CathoHickey during the award ceremony. lic Standard, newspaper oftheWash- .

"It is God's work, it is healing work, ington Archdiocese, the institute did 'it is work so necessary for the "great work for the most important Church." people in the Church. Nothing Father Stephen Rossetti, the could be more important." institute's president, said, "Priests He !liso spoke of the critical roles and religious spend their lives help- priests and women religious have ing other people. But when they are played in his own life.."1 got my in need, there ought to be a place for faith from a nun in the orphanage," them to go, somewhere where they he said, adding that when he moved can find the caring, compassion, out of the orphanage at age 12, a healing and the presence of Jesus in priest "took me under his wing, and their lives." kept me out of trouble."

CATHOUC NEWS SERVICE

. MOTHER FRANCES Xavier Cabrini is the first American to be named a saint. Born in Italy, she became a naturalized American citizen in 1909. Her feast day is Nov. 13. (CNS file photo)

JOHN GAGLIARDI takes a break from reviewing game tapes at St. John's University in Collegeville, Minn. The head football coach has racked up 333 wins in 47 years at the school.

(CNS photo by Dianne Towalski, St. Cloud Visitor)

Winning football coach always calls mom after a game ~

No slouch at 72, Coach Gagliardi finds his 97year-mother busy with prayer at the other end.

By MIKE KILLEEN CATHOUC NEWS SERVICE

COLLEGEVILLE, Minn. - The winningest active head coach today in college football has a post-game ritual ~ he always calls hi~ 97-year-old mother, Antoinetta, in Trinidad, Colo., to give her the score.

Most of those post-came calls have been pleasantfor John Gagliardi, coach ofthe Johnnies at St. John's University in Collegeville. . "He has to call her because she's saying the rosary," said Peggy Gagliardi, John's wife. "Shegoes all day with that, so he calls to give the score to her."

Gagliardi's teams have won 357 games in his 51-year collegiate coaching career, including 333 wins in 47 years at St. John's. Only Grambling University coach Eddie Robinson, who finished his career with 408 victories, is ahead ofhim.

At an age when many people have retired or are slowing down, Gagliardi is still going strong.

"He doesn't seem like a 72~year­ old man:' said St. John's quarterback Tom Linnemann. "More than anything else, I think John loves football. Ifthere's two things John loves, it's football and his wife:' .

You can add a third: his family.

Gagliardi grew up in Trinidad, a town in south-central Colorado near the New Mexico border. His parents worked hard. John's father was a blacksmith; his mother raised nine children (one brother died as an infant).

When Gagliardi 'was 16, his life changed forever-':"'although he didn't know it at the time. In the fall of 1943, most able-bodied males were being inducted into the armed forces to fight World War II. The football coach at Trinidad Catholic HighSchool was one ofthem, and Gagliardi, a senior on the team, decided to fill the void so foot-

ball wouldn't be canceled.

"We just did the best we could. It was a means to get the season through:' he recalled. His team won the championship, but Gagliardi never gave another thought to coaching.

The following season, Trinidad was still looking for a head coach. School officials approached Gagliardi, who was working about a block away at a body shop. He made arrangements to leave work early to head for practice in his work clothes.

He spent four seasons at Trinidad, posting a 22-11 record. Gagliardi then moved to St. Mary's High School in Colorado Springs, where he was 10-6 in two seasons.

In'I949, he graduated from Colorado College and moved to Carroll College in Helena, Mont., where he started his pursuitofRobinson's coaching mark.

Already, Gagliardi's famous list of coaching no's was in effect - no use ofblocking sleds or dummies, no tackling during short practice sessions, no

whistles. His players were to address him as John. Those beliefs are still in effect today.

Says his first volunteer assistant coach at Carroll College, retired Archbishop Raymond G. Hunthausen of Seattle: "Maybe his whole approach is unorthodox, but it works - it really works:'. .

Gagliardi also respects and enjoys working with his players.

The coach feels he has been blessed in life' with his Catholic education and having good people in his life, includiVg his mother, wife and children. His Catholic faith also shapes Gagliardi.

The Johnnies have a Mass before each game, which he attends.

Gagliardi was asked ifhe was areligious person. .

'1 don't know what that means. I wouldn't want to say if I was," he said.

'1justtry to do the best I can. I don'tgo to church here every day, but I fulfill my obligations."

And,.he makes sure he ca1ls his mom after each game.

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9

lHEANCHOR-OioceseofFall River-Fri., November5, 1999

Prayers, Donations Urgently Needed

Indian Mission Director Pleads for Help Special to The Anchor THOREAU, NM "Lord, when did I see you hungry and feed you?"

"When you did it for one of the least of my people, you did it forme." Matt 25:40 As Catholics around the globe prepare to celebrate the holy seasons of Advent and Christmas, the director, priest, sisters, lay missionaries and staff of a New Mexico Mission school areconcerned about urgently-needed help. They work daily to make quality Catholic education a reality for American Indian children in their care.

These children "do without" as a way oflife ... will you help them?

For many ofour students, the school at SI. Bonaventure Mission is their "last hope."

Trusting in God, everyone at the Mission prays for help to pay our Jllonth to month bills.

St. Bonaventure Mission started a school more than a decade ago when the founder realized the .

Indian children in the Mission's .McKinley County has the CCO classes didn't have even the highest alcoholism rate in the most basic reading and writing United States. skills. Today over 300 children, Thirty dedicated lay missionaries most of them Native American, teach and carry out the other work of join in prayer to keep their school the Mission. This "other work" from closing. Mission staffbelieve includes maintaining the buses and education is the key to breaking vans which travel the remote mesas to the cycle of poverty. bring the children to school; preparing The Indian boys and girls two nourishing meals daily for the attending SI. Bonaventure {ndian children; and bringing both food and Mission and School live with the water to aging Navajos Iiving in poverty following realities: in remote areas of the barren .55% of the Navajo Reservation. population cannot read or New lay missionaries often ask, write; "Can this be America?"

The shining eyes of these Navajo "angels, n part of last year's • McKinley County (where the They've experienced failure in preschool pageant, reflect the hope of all at St. Bonaventure - to Mission is located) has the other schools or inability to get to keep the school open ... to give 300 children the skills they will highest poverty rate (43%) school from great distances. need to break the cycle of poverty and to live a Spirit-filled life. in the state; Will you help?

• The suicide rate among Gifts made to SI. Bonaventure •••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••• Navajo teenagers is ten times Indian Mission and School are tax- • Dear Anchor Readers, • higher than for their age deductible. The school also qualifies group in the U.S. population : I'm turning to you for help. My concern is for the : for "Matchin i • children and elders served by St. Bonaventure Indian • at large.

• •••

•

•

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Mission. Without caring friends like you we can't exist.

Please help make quality education a reality for needy Navajo children.

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•••••••

Also, with early cold weather this year, families need warm clothing, blankets, heating fuel and repairs to their homes. Your generosity and love will bring love and hope into struggling lives.

In this special season of gratitude and giving, I want to be sure each child receives at least one gift at Christmas, and that elders in need will have good food for a holiday meal.

I can't meet these needs without your help. Please become part of this life-giving work! I don't want to have to say "no" to even one child or one elder who needs help. Will you join in our love for these First Americans who live in such difficult circumstances?

In Christ's Love,

~~~

Bob O'Connell, Director St. Bonaventure Indian Mission & School

Clip and Mail Today

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Please pray for my special intentions.'---

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Please check here ifyou would like to receive a beautiful rosary hand-strung with reconstituted turquoise nuggets and silver-plated beads as a token of appreciation for your gift of$100 or more.

Please check here ifyou would like to receive a sterling silver cross, set with turquoise, made by our local Indian artisans, as a token of appreciation for your gift of $35 or more. It is a unique piece ofjewelry you will wear-or give-with pride.

Please check here ifyou would like to receive a video showing the work you make possible, along with the missionaries serving at St. Bonaventure Indian Mission and School, as a token ofappreciation for your gift of$15 or more.

Please check here ifyou would like a year 2000 St. Bonaventure Mission calendar with envelopes for monthly giving.

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: P.S. Please be generous. Give hope to these Navajo children! :

Here's my sacrificial gift of love of $

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Help from Anchor Readers St. Bonaventure Indian Mission and School Eastern Navajo Reservation, P.O. Box 610, Thoreau, NM 87323·0610

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10

TIffiANCHOR-DioceseofFallRiver-Fri.,November5,1999

Homily landed priest a job consulting. on 'Mary' TY_ film

By MARK PAmsoN

because it's much easier to show."

Roughly the first 36 minutes of the two-.hour movie show the young Mary through the flight into Egypt with Joseph and the infant Jesus. The next 30 minutes or so deal with Mary's life until the time Jesus begins his public ministry.

And that waS' after three rewrites of the script - one' wholesale rewrite, and the other two "pretty significant," according to Father Heet.

"But my sense is that's pretty typical for something like this."

The priest said he would review scripts and proposed changes to see . if they were theologically and historicaIly' accurate. He said that much of the dialogue in the script has to be imagined as words Mary would utter, since precious little is recorded in the Gospels as coming from her mouth.

"Bobby would called me every couple of weeks with some questions," Father Heet said.

He went to Budapest, Hungary, where much of "Mary, Mother of Jesus" was filmed, to see it being made, but "all I saw were the walls of the Marriott Hotel in Budapest," he joked.

And all that Father Heet had seen of the movie up until a few weeks before its air date was a "very, very, very rough cut" of the film, he said.

"You can see where the Crucifixion was shot against a blue screen s6 they could matte in a background later."

"Mary, Mother, of Jesus" was Father Heel's first TV experience, but it wouldn't pain him if it weren't his last. "It was fascinating. It was a great learning process because you see how much work is involved."

CATHOLIC NEWS SERVICE

WASHINGTON Father Donald Heet, an Oblate of St. Francis de Sales, is not a Mariologist, but a homiletics professor at The Catholic University of America in Washington.

So how did he wind up being the theological consultant for the upcoming NBC made-for- TV movie '.'Mary, Mothe.r of Jesus"?

It was his stock in trade - a homily - that landed him the job.

He was helping out at Our Lady of Mercy Church in Potomac, Md., a Washington suburb, where Eunice Kennedy Shriver and her family attend church. Eunice and her son Bobby are executive producers of the movie.

"I gave a homily - it's wasn't even about Mary, it was about the Prodigal Son," Father Heet said in a telephone interview with Catholic News Service. "I think (Eunice) was impressed with the way I tell a stOry." That was more than two years ago. The fruit of the Shrivers' and Father Heet's efforts will be visible on screen when "Mary, Mother of Jesus" airs on NBC Sunday, Nov. 14,9-11 p.m. EST. "I had to do a lot of research," Father Heet told CNS. He didn't uncover any long-hidden truths about Mary, but the research put into clearer focus for him "the way we relate to Mary - the Mary of Scripture and the Mary offaith."

I "What I learned the most was , how the second Mary, the Mary of faith, developed," he said. 'But for the needs of TV, he added, "we stuck with the Mary of Scripture

TV capsules

By HENRY HERX AND GERRI PARE

EST (Cinemax) "The Cruise."

(1998). Quirky black-and-white NEW YORK - Here are cap- documentary in which eccentric sule reviews of theatrical movies New York double-decker bus-tour on network television the week guide Timothy "Speed" Levitch of Nov. 14: is seen on the job, describing the Sunday, Nov. 14, 7-9 p.m. EST Big Apple in florid terms, and af(ABC)"Space'Jam" (l996).Mad- ter hours, roaming the streets cap mix of li",e action and anima- while ranting about his personal tion as basketball star' Michael gripes and insecurities: Director Jo~danjoinsJ!ugsBunny,Tweety Bennett Miller maintains a lively Bird~d~!he:1~t.of ~e .Lqohey pace, foHQwing'the loquacio~s ' TUne18ai1g'in~a'basl<eiballmatch O<idbaIl aro\JI1~; but~e qlm) sOle ~1iinst 'anim~tea'aIiens' benron 'fotus on Leviich'sself-absorbed Y Verbiage ultimately"giows'tire; LQQneyTun~rs ba?k'to . their)ome. Frequent sexual references pl~etf0rever.,Asdirectedby"J9ii '.atld.'an instance of profanitj and pYtka, the human and cartoonel- rough language. The U.S. Catho-' ements blend well for a light~ lic Conference classification of he'arted wacky tale of hoop the theatrical version was A-ill dreams come true. Some comic adults. The Motion Picture Assoviolence. The U.S. Catholic Con- ciation ofAmerica rating was PGference classification of the the- 13 - parents are strongly cauatrical version was A-II - adults tioned that some material may be and adolesCents. The Motion Pic- inappropriate for children under 13. ture Association of America ratHerx is director and Pare is on ing was PG -parental guidance me staff of the U.S. Catholic Consuggested.. ,..", '.'. ".••..•....•' . ••.' '.. ' ference Office for FUm and BroadCATHOUC NEWS SERVICE

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MERYL STREEP stars in a scene from the dramatic film "Music of the Heart." (eNS photo

from Miramax)

Streep in fine tune in 'Music From the Heart" NEWYORK (CNS)- Following sexually, but the next morning one profanity and recurring rough lanare recent capsule moyie reviews is- (Tara Reid) accuses another (Jerry guage. The U.S. Catholic Conference sUe9 by the U.S. Catholic Conference O'Connell) ofrape. Director Michael classification is A-ill - adults. The Cristofer's self-obsessed characters Motion Picture Association of Office for Film and Broadcasting. talk to the camera with their preten- America rating is R - restricted. ''Music ofthe Heart" (Miramax) Inspiring true story of an aban- tious views on sex when the camera . ''Princess Mononoke" (Miramax) Japanese cartoon feature spins a doned wife and mother (Meryl isn't recording ugly scenes involvStreep) who turns her life around by ing body fluids or rough sex. Several mythic tale ofancient woodland spirmoving to Harlem and instilling self- casual sex encounters, a brutal beat- its warring with human intruders esteem in underpr~vileged school- , ing, much substance abuse and con- while a young warrior (voice of Billy children by teaching them the disci- stant profanity and rough language. Crudup) tries to make peace between plined art of playing the violin. An- The U.S. Catholic Conference clas- them with the help of the title princhored by Streep's finely tuned per- sification is 0 - morally offensive. cess (voice ofClaire Danes), who was formance, directorWes Craven's bio- The Motion Picture Association of raised by wolves serving the god of the forest. Writer-director Hayao graphical movie realistically cap- America rating is R - restricted. tures a devaStated woman's personal ''Man ofthe Century" Miyazaki has created a beautifully (Fine Line) growth and the value of the arts in animated tale of ancient Japan which Amusing comedy in which a re- mingles a mythic past with its feudal the educational curriculum. An implied affair and an instance of rude porter (Gibson Frazier) dresses and cultUre, though even those who enlanguage. The U.S. Catholic Confer- acts ifit were the 19208, not the nasty joy its mythic imagination may find ence classification is A-ill - adults. '90s, in courting his sweetheart (Su- the proceedings growing tiresomely The Motion Picture Association of san Egan) and seeking out exclusive overlong. Animated violence with America rating is PG - parental guid- scoops. Briskly paced and shot in gory visuals and some vulgar lancrisp black-anc:f-white, directorAdam guage. The U.S. Catholic Conference ance suggested.

Abraham's fish-out-of-water tale may classification is A-II - adults and "Body Shots" (New Line) Repelling tale of eight single be slim on story but the earnestly adolescents. The Motion Picture Astwentysomethings (including naive main character is consistently sociation ofAmerica rating is PG-13 Amanda Peet and Sean Patrick likable, unlike some' of his foul- - parents are strongly cautioned that Flanery) who, after arranging to meet mouthed contemporaries. Brief vio- some material may be inappropriate at a Los Angeles dance club, pair off lence, mild sexual innuendo, some for children under 13.

Nov. bestsellers include 'Imitation of Christ' lishing) The Catholic Book Publishers Philip J. Newell (PauIist) Children and Young People Association has announced its list Paperback I. "Children's Daily Prayer of bestsellers for the month of No1. "Workbook for Lectors & vember.

Gospel Readers" (RNAB transla- 1999-2000." Elizabeth M. Jeep (Littion - Year 2000). Susan E. Myers urgy Training Publications) Hardcover 2. "God's Paintbrush." Sandy 1. "She Said Yes." Misty Bernall (Liturgy Training Publications) (Plough Publishing) 2. "At Home With the Word Eisenberg Sasso (Jewish Lights Pub2. "Recovering Life." Darryl & 2000." Martin F. Connell (Liturgy lishing) Charisse Strawberry. (Plough Pub.:. Training) 3. "My First MissaI." Maria lishing) 3. '''The Catechism ofthe Catho- ' Luisa Benigni (Pauline) 3. "Life of the Beloved." Henri lic Church." (Doubleday) 4. ''New Catholic Picture Bible."

J.M. Nouwen (Crossroad) 4. "Sourcebook for Sundays & (Catholic Book Publishing) 4. "Witness to Hope." George Seasons, Year 2000." Peter J. 5. "Picture Book of Saints." , Lawrence Lovasik (Catholic Book Weigel (HarperCoIlins) ScagneIli (Liturgy Training) 5. "Imitation of Christ." Tho- , 5. "Retum ofthe Prodigal Son." Publishing) mas a Kempis (Catholic Book Pub- Henri J.M. Nouwen (Doubleday) 6. "In God's Name." Sandy lishing) 6. ''In the Name of Jesus." Henri , Eisenberg Sasso (Jewish Lights) 7. ''My Rosary." Daughters ofSt. 6. "Lives of the Saints" Vol. 1. J.M. Nouwen (Crossroad) Hugo Hoever (Catholic Book Pub7. "Handbook for Today's Paul (Pauline) lishing) Catholic." John O'Connor (Liguori) 8. "God Knows." Kevin 8. "Wounded Healer." Henri Shortsleeve (Pauline) 7. "Maurice and Therese."

9. ''Precious Moments CathoPatrick Ahern (Doubleday) J.M. Nouwen (Doubleday) 9. "Together for Life wiU,.Nup- lic Bible." Girl's edition (Regina 8. "Here and Now." Henri J.M. Nouwen (Crossroad) tial Mass." Joseph M. Champlin Press) , 9. "Wounded Prophet." Michael (Ave Maria) 10. "Precious Moments My Ford (Doubleday) 10. "Catholic Book of Prayers." First Book of Prayers." Catholic 10. "Celtic Prayers from Iona."

M. Fitzgerald (Catholic Book Pub- edition (Regina Press)

Iteering pOintl ACUSHNET - The Hyacinth Circle of the Daughters of Isabella will have installations of its new officers for 1999-2000 on Sunday at 1 p.m. at the Century House.

be held on Nov. 23 at 2:30 p.m. at St. John Neumann Church. It is sponsored

by Hearts and Hands. For more information or to include your loved one in the service call 758-1300. .

ASSONET - The Persons with Disabilities Group ofSt Bernard's Parish is sponsoring an anointing of the sick service on Sunday at 2 p.m. Refreshments will follow. All welcome.

For more information call 644-5585.

If you would like a ride to this service call 644-5851 or 644-2645.

FALL RIVER - The Office of AIDS Ministry Caregiver Support Group will meet on Nov. 10 at 11 :30 a.m. in Clemence Hall, 243 Forest Street. Christopher Tanguay will be guest speaker and lunch will be provided. Registration is required. For more information call 674-5600 ext.

2295.

ATTLEBORO - The La Salette Center for Christian Living is presenting an evening of reflection entitled ''An Evening with Dante," on Nov. 10 from 6:30 -9:30 p.m It will be·led by Father Donald Paradis. For more information call 222-8530.

A weekend retreat entitled "Modem Day Mystic," is being sponsored by the Center Nov. 12-14. For more information call 222-8530. All welcome.

EAST FREETOWN - A memorial service for parents and family members who have lost a child will

FALL RIVER - The Dominican Academy Alumnae Association is sponsoring its annual Communion Brunch on Sunday in the Dominican Academy chapel, 37 Park Street. Father Craig Pregana will celebrate Mass at 11 am and the brunch will follow. All former elementary and high school students are welcome. For reservations call Geraldine Nunes Saucier at 674-8387.

FALL RIVER-AnAdoptiveFamily Celebration will be held on Nov. 13 from 11 am to 2 p.m at the main gallery building of Heritage State Park.

All families are welcome and encouraged to bring friends who want to learn more about adoption. Refreshments will be available and the day will also include song and face painting. For more infonnation call the Adoption and Foster Care Development Unit at 800432-6240 or 894-3830.

HYANNIS - A support group for parents, families and friends of gays and lesbians will meet on Nov. 8 from 7-8:30 p.m. at the Catholic Social Services Building. The group offers support in a safe and confidential setting.

For more information call 771-6771.

Newcomers are welcome.

NEW BEDFORD - Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament will be held on Sunday from noon to 4:30 p.m in the chapel of St. James Church, 233 County Street. Rosary and Benediction will follow. All welcome.

NEW BEDFORD - The New Bedford Catholic Women's Club will meet on Nov. 10 at 7 p.m at the Century House, 107 South Main Street, Acushnet. Assistant District Attorney Bernard Herman will give a talk entitled "How to Find Happiness and Keep It." For more information call 992-0107.

NORTH DARTMOUTH Bishop Stang High School will hold its reunion weekend Nov. 26-28. Tours

Priest helps comfort families of passengers on doomed flight ~ Responding to crash

News Service in a telephone inter-

disasters is not new for view Monday that he got a call at his residence about 7:15 a.m. the the airport chaplain.

By TRACY EARLY CATHOUC NEWS SERVICE

NEW YORK - Many relatives of Egyptians lost on EgyptAir flight 990 on Sunday were Muslims and had Muslim counselors, but they also welcomed the presence of a Catholic chaplain.

"When they see the collar, they are very receptive and grateful for the prayers," said Father James T. Devine, chaplain at Kennedy International Airport in New York.

Some of the Egyptian families involved were Christian, and some were Eastern-rite Catholic. "I told them that I would remember them at Mass, and they were very grateful for that," he said.

Father Devine told Catholic

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day of the crash, a few hours after the plane took off at I: 19 a.m. from Kennedy with Cairo as its destination.

The plane, a Boeing 767, carried 199 passengers, a crew of 15 and three off-duty crew members.

It was reported to have crashed in the Atlantic Ocean south of Nantucket Island at 1:52.

"I went over to the airport right away, and went to a press conference the authorities held to give reporters a briefing on the event," Father Devine said.

"They said the families would be notified to go to the Ramada hotel, so I went over there and the families were arriving. I began counseling and trying to be of comfort." He went again the next day, and planned to continue his visits.

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FROM NANTUCKET, 11-year-old Rob Courson tosses flowers into the Atlantic Ocean in memory of the 217 victims of the EgyptAir flight 990 crash. (CNS photo from Reuters)

Father Devine said one of the first people he talked with was a woman whose father and stepmother were on the plane, going to Egypt for a tour up the Nile. The couple had come from Los Angeles, where the flight originated, and had a two-hour layover that enabled the woman and her husband living in the New York area to have dinner with them.

Father Devine said he also spent . time with four young Catholic men who were Italians working for Alitalia. They provided the passenger check-in service for the EgyptAir flight and served food to passengers during a delay before takeoff, he said.

"They knew some of the crew members, and were upset and distraught," he said. "They requested that we have a Mass, and we will do that this Friday - for all those affected by the crash but remembering especially the crew members and those close to them."

Father Devine, a former president of the ecumenical International Association of Civil Aviation Chaplains, said that many association members in foreign and U.S. airports called to tell him they would be offering prayers for victims of the crash. However, he said the association did not have a member at the Cairo airport.

A call to assist in an emergency situation is not new for Father Devine. Shortly after he was appointed as airport chaplain in 1988, a Pan Am 747 crashed in Lockerbie, Scotll,md, and Father Devine was called to counsel family members at Kennedy "waiting for the plane that never came."

In 1996, he responded with counseling and said special Masses after the crash of TWA flight 800. It went down off the southern coast of Long Island shortly after it took off from Kennedy.

lHEANCHOR- DioceseofFall River- Fri., November 5, 1999 of the school will be available and on Nov. 27 from 2-4 p.m. grads are invited to the gymnasium to relive their basketball glory days. It will also include dinner at Whites of Westport and Mass at 10:30 am. on Nov. 28.

For more information call Mary Jane Roy at 996-5602 ext. 433.

OSTERVILLE - The Ladies Guild of Our Lady of the Assumption Parish will sponsor a Day of Recollection on Nov. 11 from 10 am. to 2 p.m. in the church. Speakers will be

11

Maureen and Michael Higgins and those attending are asked to bring a bag lunch. Dessert and coffee will be provided. For more information call 428-6582.

WEST HARWICH - The St. Francis of Peace Secular Franciscan Fraternity will hold its Monthly Mass and meeting on Nov. 14 at Holy Trinity Church beginning at 1:30 p.m Inquirers are welcome. For more information call Margaret Raymond at 362-5238.

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12

THEANCHOR--Diocese ofFall River-Fri., NovemberS, 1999

Armenian Orthodox elect new patriarch; prime minister slain ETCHMIADZIN,Armenia (CNS) their institutional stability" and to - Bishops, priests and lay members continue to work for the "spiritual of the Armenian Orthodox Church .and material well-being of the popuelected a 48-year-old archbishop to lation."

The new catholicos was origibe the new supreme patriarch of their nally scheduled to be enthroned Oct. church.

Archbishop Karekin Nersissian, 31 in Etchmiadzin and formally take the patriarch'~ vicar for the Diocese over as leader ofthe six million-memof Ararat, which surrounds the Holy berchurch.

The Vatican press office said that See ofEtchmiadzin, was elected Oct. 27 on the second ballot cast by del- if the enthronement is not postponed egates to the Armenian Apostolic because of the prime minister's assassination, a Vatican delegation Church assembly.

The archbishop, who will be would attend the ceremony.

Pope John Paul had planned to known as Catholicos Karekin II after his enthronement, was making his travel to Armenia in July as the guest acceptance speech in Etehmiadzin of the previous, ailing patriarch, when news arrived that gunmen had Catholicos Karekin I. When it beopened flre in Armenia's parliament came clear that the catholicos did not 12 miles away in Yerevan, killing the have long to live, the pope moved country's prime minister and several the trip up to June, but then tlie pope got sick and had to cancel the trip. other people.

During a 路1996 Vatican meeting, The catholicos-elect suspended his talk and dismissed the members Catholicos Karekin and Pope John of the assembly, which included 50 Paul signed a joint-declaration officially ending more than 1,500 years delegates from the United States.

Pope John Paul II, in an Oct. 28 of doctrinal disagreement over message of condolence to Armenian Christ's identity.

The Armenian Apostolic Church President Robert Kocharian, said he shared the sorrow of the Armenian is one of six independent Oriental people whose identity and institu- Orthodox churches that were divided tions had been "wounded" in the at- from the rest of Christianity when they rejected the flfth-century Countack.

The pope prayed that Armenians cil ofChalcedon's description ofhow would remain united "to preserve Christ was both human and divine.

Conse~ration

to the Divine Will

Oh adorable and Divine Will, behold me here before the immensity of Your Light, that Your eternal goodness may open to me the doors and make me enter into It to form my life all in You, Divine Will. Therefore, oh adorable Will, prostrate before Your Light, I, the least of all creatures, put myself into the little group of the sons and daughters ofYour Supreme FIAT. Prostrate in my nothingness, I invoke Your Light and 'beg that it clothe me and eclipse all that does not pertain to You, Divine Will. It will be my Life, the center of my intelligence, the enrapturer of my heart and of my whole being. I do not want the human will to have life in this heart any longer. I will cast it away from me and thus form the new Eden of Peace, of happiness and of love. With It I shall be always happy. I shall have a singular strength and a holiness that sanctifies all things and conducts them to God. Here prostrate, I invoke the help of the Most Holy Trinity that They permit me to live in the cloister of the Divine Will and thus return in me the first order of creation, just as the creature was created.

Heavenly Mother, Sovereign and Queen of the Divine Fiat, take my hand and introduce me into the Light of the Divine Will. You will be my guide, my most tender Mother, and will teach me to live in and to maintain myself in the order and the bounds of the Divine Will. Heavenly Mother, I consecrate my whole being to Your Immaculate Heart. You will teach me the doctrine of the Divine Will and I will listen most attentively to Your lessons. You will cover me with Your mantle so that the infernal serpent dare not penetrate into this sacred Eden to entice me and make me fall into the maze of the human will.

- Heart of my greatest Good, Jesus, You will give me Ydur . flames that they may bum me, consume me, and feed me to form in me the Life of the Divine Will. .

Saint Joseph, you will be my protector, the guardian of my heart, and will keep the keys of my will in your hands. You will keep my heart jealously and shall never give it to me again, that I may be sure of never leaving the Will of God. My guardian Angel, guard me; defend me; help me in everything so that my Eden may flourish and be the instru~ent that draws all men into the Kingdom of the Divine Will. Amen. ( In Honor of Luisa Piccarreta 1865-1947 Child of the Divine Will)

POPE JOHN Paul II presides at the closing celebration of an interreligious gathering last week at the Vatican. Representatives of the world's religions joined in talks and events at the four-day meeting. The Dalai Lama is seated second from right and Cardinal Roger Etchegaray, presidentof the Vatican's jubilee committee, is seated fourth from right. (CNS photo from Reuters)

In letter to elderly, pope says death brings union with God

By CINOVWOODEN

He asked young people to respect and learn from their elders, and he VATICAN CITY - Old age and called on communities and governdeath naturally are frightening, 79- ments to increase programs which year-old Pope John Paul II said, but enable the elderly to live at home as Christians must face the end of this long as possible. Homes for the eldlife with the certainty they will be with erly, he said, must give priority to the dignity and respect of residents rather God in the nex~.

"Despite the limitations brought than to profit or efficiency. on by age, I continue to enjoy life," At the end of the letter, the pope the pope wrote in a letter to his peers prayed, ''When the moment of our throughout the world. deflnitive 'passage' comes, grant that ''At the same time," he said, '1 find we may face it with serenity, without great peace in thinking of the time regret for what we shall leave behind." when the Lord will call me: from life The pope said he prays more now: ''At the hour of my death, call me and to life!': Pope John Paul's ''Letter to the Eld- bid me come to you." erly," was released at the Vatican last The prayer is not one ofsadness or week and was written to mark the melancholy, he said.

U.N.'s 1999Year ofthe Older Person.

'This is the prayer of Christian The pope, writing as "an older per- hope, which in no way detracts from son myself' and using many experi- the joy of the present. If life is a pilences from his own life, encouraged grimage toward our heavenly home, older people to see "every season of then old age is the most natural time our lives as a gift" and to use their to look toward the threshold of eterexperience and free time tp help oth- nity," the pope said. ers ---' through volunteer work, counBut he also recognized that it is seling or increased prayer as their not easy for even'the most devout bephysical condition al10~s. . lievers to resign themselves to passHe recognized the blessing he ing from earthly life to eternal life. enjoys of being able to serve God "However rationally compreand the Church "to the very end," hensible death may be from a biowhile many older people feel they logical standpoint, it is not possible are useless. to experience it as something 'natuCATHOUC NEWS SERVICE

ral,''' he said.

Human beings were made fOl: eternallife and union with God, the pope said. Death entered the world through sin, but Christ's death and resurrection restored the possibility ofeternal life.

Death, the pope said, "forces men and women to ask themselves fundamental questions about the meaning of life itself."

The older one grows, the more often the reality of death must be confronted, he said.

'1f nothing else, we are reminded of it by the very fact that the ranks of our family members, friends and acquaintances grow ever thinner," he added.

Old age also has its advantages, the pope wrote. ''As St. Jerome observes, with the quieting of the passions, it 'increases wisdom and brings more mature counsels,''' he said: Family members, communities and the Church all need the memories, the wisdom, the witness and the prayers of older people, he wrote. ''At every stage of life, the Lord can ask each of us to contribute what talents we have," the pope said. '''The service of the Gospel has nothing to do with age."

Gypsies may recei~e ordinariate BARDEJOV, Slovakia (CNS) - Slovakia's Catholic Church hopes to set up the world's first ordinariate for Gypsies, amid tensions over worsening Gypsy poverty and public hostility in the small Central European state.

Meanwhile, several Church leaders have urged greater government efforts and warned that Gypsy exclusion could become a major social problem. ''Although most Gypsies are Catholics, they repre- . sent a marginal element in the Church, as in the rest of society," said Father Josef Hrtus, chancellor of Banska Bystrica Diocese. ...

In aCatholic News Service interview, Father Hrtus said the Gypsy ordinaru:lte, or nonterritorial diocese, had been --proposed by Bishop RudolfBaiaz of Banska Bystrica, the Slovak bishops' conference president, and would supplement the work already done by a Church commission headed by Auxiliary Bishop Bernard Bober of Kosice. . Although put officially at 250,000 out of a population of 5.3 million, Gypsy leaders say Slovakia's Gypsy minority is closer to 600,000 and comprises a fifth of

inhabitants in the country's eastern districts. .The only Gypsy nun working full time with Gypsies, Basi1ian Sister Atanazja Holubova, said catechesis work by the Catholic Church had affected social habits, with more Gypsies having Church marriages and fewer living together without marriage.

The nun, whose order has provided five out of six Gypsy sisters in Slovakia, said an annual Gypsy pilgrimage to the Marian shrine of Gaboltovo was now in its . seventh year.

She added that the age for first Communion for Gypsy children had now also been reduced, and said a special church was being built at Jarovnice, where 40 Gypsy children drowned in a July 1998 flood.

"Gypsies are children of nature - they rarely think of the future, and this makes the Church's work very difficult," the priest told CNS. "But we know we have a great responsibility to raise the Gypsies up and help them fend for themselves in the face of social resentments," Father Hrtus said.

Dinner

THEANCHOR- Diocese ofFaII River- Fri., November 5, 1999 Continued from page one

and is glad that her children have been able to attend a Catholic S<fhool.

'They've been in public schools too, and there's nothing like a Catholic school," she asserted.

Since 1995, the fund has helped more than 1,700 students, providing need-based scholarships, and Director of Development Michael J. Donly was enthused about the evening, but said everyone must continue to work hard for the young people. ''We've been able to bring to people's attention to what a great job the schools are doing and tonight is a great chance to show that there is still a need," he said. ''We must continue to address the needs of kids who want to attend our Catholic schools."

Timothy 1. Cotter of the Fall River Five Cents Savings Bank, served as the 1999 dinner chairman and master ofceremonies for the evening. He was thankful to the bishop for the opportunity to help so many children and said "it's been a great success."

Superintendent of Diocesan Schools James A. McNamee agreed.

'This is a wonderful evening for the diocese in support ofCatholic education and our young people. We're so

Pact

School. She currently works at the Catholic Education Center and lives in South Dartmouth with her husband Tom and son BrianJoseph. She holds a master's degree from Boston College.

Polselli, a Fall River native, has been a first grade teacher at Espirito

EIGHTH-GRADER Sarah Freire of Holy Family-Holy Name School, New Bedford, her brother Danny and Dominican Sister Joanne Bonville share a program at the Education Fund dinner. (AnchodGordon photo)

Continued from page one

important event in the life of the Christian Church."

He recounted how friars from his order served alongside Lutheran missionaries among the primitive inhabitants of Papua, New Guinea.

REV. DIANE

happy this has been a growing process."

Director ofEducation Benedictine Father William T. Garland, and McNamee presented awards to three persons: guest speaker EJ. Dionne, Jr., as an Outstanding Alumnus of Diocesan Catholic Schools; Carol McGill, A Loyal Friend of Catholic Education; and Debra Polselli, Dedicated Catholic School Teacher orAdministrator.Eachhashadauniqueand lasting impact on diocesan schools, the speakers said.

Dionne, the keynote speaker, grew up in Fall River and attended St. Mathieu's Grammar School. He earned a bachelor's degree from Harvard College and a doctorate at Oxford University. He worked for the New York Tunes and has been a syndicated columnist with the Washington Post. He currently serves as a senior fellow of the Brookings Institute in Washington, D.C. and has written severa! books. He and his wife Mary have three children.

McGill has taught ceo for more than 18 years and worked as a teacher for both the Dartmouth School Department and Bishop Connolly High

C. KESSLER

When, after the initial grasping of the Gospel message, the natives told "how hurt and disappointed they were to discover how Christians were divided" into different sects. "We take this unity for granted, and yet these very primitive people, when they grasp what the Gospel is all about, are scandalized, disappointed and hurt. As we approach this new miIlennium I hope there are people who thirst and desire for this unity that Our Lord prayed for at the Last Supper."

Saying that during the many years of being divided, all parties knew that salvation was the issue, Bishop O'Malley asked "that our communities pray for unity, so that we might announce that Gospel in a better way."

In a subsequent interview, the Rev. Kessler, a member of the United Church of Christ, as well as director of the Massachusetts Council of Churches, said that, "When you think that the theses (by Martin Luther) were hammered on that church door in Germany in 1517, it has taken many years to reach this historic point -and yet we stiIl

have a long way to go. The condemnations that we hurled at one another on the doctrine of justification in the 16th century, now, according to the agreement, no longer apply." .

She acknowledged that issues such as the papacy, ordination and .sacraments were other issues to be resolved.

"So the'new agreement, a significant development, is only a piece of the work; but this is a hopeful sign and we move with small steps," said Rev. Kessler. "It takes a long time to heal these entrenched divisions. But I'm excited because it has a ripple effect through the whole ecumenical movement - through all the other Christian churches."

The Rev. Englund, a 30-year missionary overseas and now retired, commented that ''As a Lutheran pas-' tor who has always feIt very close to the Catholic Church - thinking we are evangelical Catholics - I feel it is an absolutely wonderful event here today and yesterday. I hope this lays to rest some of the stereotypes we've had about each other. We still have lots of differences, but it is a beginning. I hope it will be an opportunity to study, learn and pray together, and to cooperate in mission as best as we can."

Other Lutheran pastors attending included the Rev. Jonathan C. Ahnquist of the First Lutheran Church, West Barnstable; The Rev. ErnestA. Bergeson of Harwich; the Rev. Dennis G. Albrecht of Christ Lutheran Church in Falmouth; the.

Rev. John H. Nieman of Trinity Lutheran Church, Fairhaven; the Rev. Jane Shields, St. Peter's Lutheran Church, Harwich; the Rev. Dr. Charles V. Bergstrom of West Yarmouth; the Rev. Ernest E. Ryden of Osterville; the Rev. Donald Helfrich ofOrleans; and the Rev. Stanley Knull of Cotuit.

Other Fall River diocesan priests attending included: Rev. Msgr.

George W. Coleman, vicar general for the diocese; Rev. Msgr. Henry T. Munroe, pastor, Our Lady ofVictory Church, Centerville; Father Robert C. Donovan, pastor, St. John the Evangelist Church Pocasset; Father Henry Dahl, parochial vicar at Corpus Christi; Father Mark R. Hession, parochial vicar, St. Patrick's Parish, Falmouth; Rev. Msgr. John F. Moore, pastor, St. Elizabeth Ann Seton Parish, North Falmouth; Father Richard M. Roy, pastor, St. Joan of Arc Parish, Orleans; and Father Richard D. Wilson, parochial vicar at Our Lady of Victory Church, Centerville.

GERMAN LUTHERAN Bishop Christian Krause (left), president of the Lutheran World Federation, and Catholic Cardinal Edward Cassidy, president of the Pontifical Council for Promoting Christian Unity, sign 'The Joint Declaration on the Doctrine of Justification" in Augsburg, Germany, last week. (CNS photo from KNA)

Santo School for 18 years and serves as a eucharistic minister at St. Anthony ofPadua Parish. She also serves as its director of music ministry. In addition to bringing her musical gifts to students she has also shared them with the Pastoral Care Department of Charlton Memorial Hospital. Polselli is also a trustee ofthe Fall River Community Soup Kitchen and organized the Human Development Program at her school.

FatherGarland was grateful for the honorees' efforts and said that the continuing task to give children the opportunity to attend a Catholic values-based school is an important one. ''Children find a strong community offaith in Catholic schools and it's a collaborative effort between parents and parishes, teachers and students."

Dionne said he was honored and thanked the teachers in Catholic education who "devote their lives to kids and build a sense of community."

Dionne commented that one value ofCatholic education is that it brings people together to do good things for others and he said that people have a responsibility to reach out to those that are less fortunate. ''With God's help and your generosity we will continue to do that."

Entertainment included a musical presentation by the St. Stanislaus Young People's Polish Dance Troupe

Caritas

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and musical accompaniment by pianist Robert Sirois ofBishop Connolly High School and flutist Alexis Bogusky of Bishop Stang High School. A video showcased Catholic education as providing great education to students and the spiritual nourishment and growth students fmd there set them apart from other schoois.

Close to 9,000 attend Catholic schools in the diocese.

Espirito Santo principal Patricia Benoit said that the evening is an important one because ''we want Catholic education to be available to everyone. There are a lot of families who want to send their kids to a Catholic school and this evening gives people an appreciation ofwhat's going on and why it's important."

Bishop O'Malley said he was very pleased with the evening and proclaimed that he is "proud ofour Catholic schools and our young people." He said that he can't mention Catholic education without mentioning the teaching Sisters and he thanked them, the lay people and alI those involved with the schools. "I thank you for alI you do for Catholic education:' For more infonnation about the 8t. Mary's Education Fund contact Michael J. Donly, diocesan director ofdevelopment at PO Box 1470, Fall River, MA, 02722路1470 or by telephone 675-1311.

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Continued from page one

equipment from the basement of gible benefit for the community that the school - enough to fill two will last a long while. This year, the massive dumpsters. project is to clean up and renew this "This is 'Mission Day' some- play area adjacent to one of our hospitals." thing the execuAs he talked, tive leadership the executives at Caritas hauled out the Christi does anwet mulch, nually at a difloaded it into the ferent site," said rented Dr. Michael dumpsters and Collins, its raked 20 tons of president and the pea stones, CEO. "Everywhile two-man one of the 61 teams with rollpeople you see ers spread a coat here today is one of silver paint on of our top the chain-link people, CEOs fence. and chief finan"There is cial officers, for $7,000 we f:arinstance." marked for this Among the renewal today," workers wieldsaid Collins. "Of ing shovels, course the work rakes and paintitself also comes brushes was free," he said Saint Anne with a smile."

Hospital's CEO, Metzler said Michael W. "It was a priviMetzler. Saint lege to help St. Anne Hospital, Anne's School which offers A' NEW FOCUS - John and leave a symcenters of excelFitzgerald of East Bridgewater, bol of our work. lence in oncology, pediatrics, chief financial officer at St. It's also a sign to behavioral Elizabeth's Hospital in Boston, the community medicine and showed another side of his tal- of the common purpose of the pain manage- ents - with a wheelbarrow.

Church, as parment, is a memish, school and hospital come tober of Caritas Christi Heath Care System, the sec- gether to fulfill our calling to do ond largest health system in east- God's work. I believe we made a lasting impression on children, teachern Massachusetts.

The idea of the work projects ers, parents, Saint Anne's Hospital began five years ago, Collins ex- employees and neighbors."

On the job at 8 a.m., the officials plained. "Mission Day serves as a critical reminder to our senior man- cleaned up for a Mass at 3 p.m., that agers that Caritas Christi is a was celebrated for them in St. Anne's healthcare ministry first, and a busi- Church across the street. Later, some ness, second. It is a great opportu- of them attended the annual St. nity for critical team building, Mary's Education Fund's fall fundwhich in turn, makes our hospitals raising dinner at White's of Weststronger, while providing a tan- port.

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lHEANCHOR- Diocese ofFall River- Fri., November 5, 1999

HF-HNplans lecture on tobacco NEW BEDFORD - Robert S. Mehrman, Vice President of Public Affairs for the Boston Cured Cancer Club of the American Cancer Society will speak to students at Holy Family- Holy Name School on Nov. 19 from noon to 2 p.m. about

the dangers of tobacco.

He will explain how tobacco use changed his life and why he fights against the tobacco industry to protect the health of young people. Parents are welcome to attend.

HALLOWEEN HELP - "Make a Difference Day" volunteers from Coyle and Cassidy High School, Taunton, sponsored the sixth annual Halloween Party for Children in conjunction with the school's monthly food pantry. More than 60 sophomore volunteers entertained area children with crafts, games and treats. Among those participating were, from left, Alicia de Sousa, Andrea Caetano and Nichole Dykas;

ROBERT MASSOUD, a graduate of Holy Family - Holy Name School, New Bedford, returned to his alma mater to provide musical entertainment as his former teacher Joanne Bonville celebrated her golden jubilee. Massoud played the piano and fellow grads Erin Larkin and Leslie Metro played violin.

STUDENTS FROM Taunton Catholic Middle School were recently recognized for being models of respectful behavior and given certificates of achievement. During the month of September students learned about the meaning of respect and put it into action in their daily lives. It is part of a year-long project called "Virtuous Reality."

CYO set to kick off annual Basketball Jamboree FALL RNER - Albert "Val" Vaillancourt, associate director of the Fall River Area CYO, recently announced that its annual CYO Basketball Jamboree will be held on Nov. 12 beginning at 4. p.m. at the recently dedicated Sullivan::McCarrick Catholic Youth Center, 403 Anawan Street.

Exhibition games featuring three divisions of the Junior Boys League will highlight the jamboree and DJ. Music will provide entertainment from 5-9 p.m.

There will also be food and games.

Action in the Girls Division will begin on Nov. 10 and Nov..12. Prep and Senior Division路games will begin the week of Nov. 14.

More than 900 young people between the ages of 10-21 will take part in this year's program and they represent 20 area parishes. Vaillancourt will be assisted

by John c:abral, Pat Burke, Matt Bednarz, John Medeiros and Jay Oliver. For more information about the CYO call 672-9644. The Sullivan-McCarrick CYO building is open for youth seven days a week.

MARY ANN Miskel, principal of Bishop Stang High School, North Dartmouth, congratulates seniors Diane Silva and Jared Duclos who were named Commended Students in this year's National Merit Scholarship Program. They placed in the top five percent of more than one million students.

Musician Tony Melendez on a mission to bring people hope

By PATRICK JOYCE CATHOUC NEWS SERVICE

MODESTO, Calif. - When a young fan approached singer-guitarist Tony Melendez during an interview, Melendez kept answering questions while signing an autograph - with a pen between hi~ toes.

"I can sign and visit at the same time," said the 37-year-old performer born without arms, who nevertheless has carved out a successful career singing, playing guitar and praising God. "There are no hurt feelings with the arms not being there," he told The Catholic Lantern, newspaper of the Diocese of Stockton.

"I live life. I want to be part of the communal prayer of the Church part of the community, loving and praying and sharing with everyone else." ''When I was young I didn't want to go to church but as time went on, my mother and father took us,"

he said. ''They always had that example, of being at church. And that was the best thing they could have done." .Now, part of his mission is providing that example to young people who don't go to church. '~ose are the ones I want to get to," he said. "Those are the ones I want to reach the most.

"Hopefully, it goes beyond entertainment," he continued. "It touches the heart, it touches the soul. It introduces you to God to where maybe they'll go to Mass, maybe they'll bring their parents to Mass."

Years earlier, Melendez had wanted to become a priest, but was rejected because he could not celebrate the Eucharist without a thumb and index finger.

"It hurt," he told The Associated Press in an interview. "But I found out real quickly that through my music I could get into ministering.

I could minister in the streets, in

the prisons, in the hospitals, in the schools."

He said the Church needs to get youths back to church and one way to do it might be the Life Teen parish program, a national teen program active in more than 500 parishes that uses music, skits and youth-oriented homilies.

Melendez was born in Nicaragua with no arms and a club foot, the result of his mother taking the drug thalidomide to treat morning sickness.

When he was a year old, his family moved to the United States and he had corrective surgery on his foot. At 16, he taught himself to play guitar with his feet, and later added singing and composing to his repertoire.

But his life changed forever in 1987 when he performed "Never Be the Same" for Pope John Paul II in Los Angeles. The pope jumped up out of his chair and went over to the singer to embrace him and kiss

a-ur Rock and Role Learning from mistakes

By CHARLIE MARTIN· CATHOLIC NEWS SERVICE

If I Could Turn Back the Hands of Time How did I ever let you slip away Never knowing I'd be singing This song someday And now I'm sinking, Sinking to rise no more Ever since you closed the door Chorus: If I could turn, Turn back the hands of time Then my dar1in'you'd still be mine Funny, funny how time goes by And blessings are missed In the wink of an eye Why oh why oh why should one Have to go on suffering When every day I plead Please come back to me?

Chorus Bridge And you had enough love For the both of us But I, I, I did you wrong

I admit I did But now I'm·facl.ng The rest of my life alone Chorus I'd never hurt you (If I could turn back) Never do you wrong (If I could turn back) And never leave your side (If I could turn back) If I could turn back the hands There'll be nothing I wouldn't do for you (If I could turn back) Forever honest and true to you (If I could turn back) If you accept me back In your heart, I'll love you If I could turn back the hands (If I could turn back) That would be my will (If I could turn back)

SUPPOSE YOU'VE made a mistake, perhaps even a big one. You then find yourself thinking, "Gosh, if I could just have that moment over again, I would Ii ve it so very differently'" If you can relate to that, then you will identify with the character in R. Kelly's latest hit, "If I Could Turn Back lhe Hands of Time."

He sees that "you had enough love for the both of us, but I, I, I did you wrong, I admit I did." He realizes, "If I could turn. turn back the hands of time, then, my darlin' you'd still be mine," Now he knows that "blessings are missed in the wink of an eye." He believes that if he can reverse time "there'll be nothing I wouldn't do for you." He'd be "forever honest and true."

His ongoing pain is. apparently, that he is not going to get this opportunity.

Most of us have made mistakes. Some mistakes do not allow second chances. No matter how much love he feels, his former girlfriend is no longer interested.

Clearly, the guy is grieving his loss. Perhaps, in looking back, he feels that the love in their relationship was a gift, However, he appears to have accepted responsibility for what he did. To get past his mistake, the

Darlln' I'm begging you To take me by the hands If I could turn back the hands I'm going down yes I am (If I could turn back) Down on my bended knee yeah (If I could turn back) And I'm going to be right there Until you return to me If I could turn back the hands (If I could turn back) If I could Just turn back That little clock on the wall (If I could turn back) Then I'd come to realize How much I love you, love you, Love you, love you, love you If I could turn back the hands Written and sung by R. Kelly Copyright (c) 1998 by Zomba Recording Corp.

next step is to fully accept that no one can "turn back the hands of time."

All he can do now is to see how much learning he can gather from this painful experience. The commitment to act differently in the future will help him find new happiness.

Yet, for now, with the pain of this loss before him, he needs to deal with his feelings. Facing this pain alone will only make the hurt more difficult and probably longer lasting. I would encourage him to reach out to friends he deeply trusts.

There is no way to live on this planet and not make mistakes. We are here to learn, heal and grow.

No mistake takes away our true identity: being made in the image of God. However, as this song clearly shows, most of our mistakes bear consequences.

Part of the healing comes when we accept the consequences of our actions. Then we must forgive ourselves.

At one time or another, most of us have wished that we could "turn back the hands of time," We can't, but we can count on our God to help us deal with, and learn from, this reality.

Your comments are always welcome. Please address: Charlie Martin, 7125 W 200S, Rockport, Ind. 47635.

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THEANCHOR- Diocese ofFall River- Fri., November 5, 1999 him on the cheek. "I never thought I'd ever be able to see him," Melendez said.

Melendez said the pope told him: "Tony, Tony, you are a coura.geous young man, a very, very courageous young man. And my wish for you is to bring hope to all of the people."

Melendez lives in Texas and

tours with his older brother, Jose, as his sound man and manager. Often his wife, Lynn, and their two children, Marisa, five, and Andres, two, join him on tour.

Earlier this year, he also began doing his own two-hour morning show five days a week at the Remington Theatre in Branson, Mo. It is called "A Gift of Hope."

MUSICIAN TONY Melendez, left, shown in this file photo with Sen. Rick Santorum, R-Pa., wants to help young people come back to the Church. (CNS photo)

Music for the emotions

By CHRISTOPHER CARSTENS CATHOUC NEWS SERVICE

Teen-agers rarely listen to classical music. That's why classical stations don't carry ads for hot new teenfashion outlets.

There are a number of reasons for this. While the average pop song lasts around three minutes, many classical pieces run half an hour or longer.

Most teens aren't used to sitting still that long and just listening.

Years of MTV and all-hits radio have put us in a constant hurry for the next new thing. Staying focused on a long piece of music is an acquired skill. It's hardly surprising that a novice, sitting down with Beethoven's 40-minute-Iong Violin Concerto in C, may well wander off looking for a sandwich before it's over.

Second, classical music doesn't have that beat. Most pop music rides on a hard, rock-solid bass line. Rock, hip hop or alternative, it's always there, thumping away in the background.

If you're used to being propelled by that beat, settling into the softer, qJ.ore complex rhythms of classical music requires an adjustment. The music slowly unfolds, it doesn't push you along.

Finally, most teens have limited exposure to classical music, and getting started can be daunting. Forty years ago there were music education programs in all the schools, and - believe it or not - one of the most popular shows on television was Leonard Bernstein's series of classical music concerts for young people.

Classical music isn't about ideas, it's about emotions. The composer creates music that creates thoughts and feelings in the listener. Those fortunate enough to know and love the music of Chopin, Schubert and Beethoven love it for the beauty of the music, but even more for the profound emotions it evokes.

It is good to start with a piece on the advice of somebody with some experience. This may be a teacher, a music librarian or even the clerk at a music store with a large classical department.

As you listen, pay close attention to the emotions that rise to the surface. If the composer is successful, you will have some of the same feelings the composer experienced 100 or more years ago.

If you're interested in a little experiment - and in opening a door into a world of music you may have been missing - I have a piece to suggest.

Mozart is one of the most widely

~~ . . _'~:?11 Coming of

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known classical composers, and recordings of his music are available everywhere. Among his best loved pieces is the Clarinet Concerto in A Major. Your local library will almost certainly have it in their CD collection, so you probably don't even need to buy it.

The second movement, or part, of the piece is the Adagio, which is just under eight minutes long, For starters, I'd skip right to that.

As I listened to it this evening, I experienced a yearning ache, as iffor something dear and beautiful, now somehow far away. But those are my reactions; the interesting ones will be yours, If you have any curiosity at all about this immense realm of wonderful music, hunt down this short piece of Mozart, and give it an attentive listen. See what emotions it uncorks. You may find yourself amazed and moved.

By the way - a single hint - the Concerto was the last major work of Mozart's life. As he wrote it, he knew that he was dying. See if you can hear that in the music, Your comments are welcome.

Please address: Dr. Christopher Carstens, do Catholic News Service, 3211 Fourth St. N.E., Washington, D.C. 20017.

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lHEANCHOR-DioceseofFall River-Fri., November5, 1999

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loveandfaith.

9/8PM SUNDA~ NOVEMBER 14TH

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