11.11.94

t eanc 0 VOL. 38, NO. 44

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Friday, November II, 1994

FALL RIVER, MASS.

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Pope and Mafia continue battling during papal visit to Sicily

FATHER COLEMAN

FATHER NORTON

FATHER HESSION

addicts, found the dead lamb on SYRACUSE, Sicily (CNS) Pope John Paul II and the Mafia his doorstep.

"The Mafia exists," Father Saccontinued their battle during a Nov. 4-6 papal visit to Sicily, the chetti, who lives in Termini Imerese, near the Sicilian captial of Palermo, criminal organization's home turf.

While the pope urged an end to said in newspaper interviews. The "timid mediocrity" in the battle dead lamb is "a warning coming at against crime, a lamb with its a special time, the visit of the pope throat slit was found on a prison . in Sicily."

"I'm worried but I don't intend chaplain's doorstep with a sign saying: "The same will happen to to leave," said the priest, whose car was burned in an arson attack in you."

The event emphasized the strong September.

The pope almost anticipated the determination and courage needed to reduce the Mafia's tentacle-like threat. In a message to juvenile prisoners written six months eargrip on Sicilian society.

The pope advocated such deter- lier when he was originally scheduled to visit, he praised prison mination and courage.

"Rise up and dress yourself in chaplains and their difficult work light and justice," he said in his of bringing "religious guidelines" first speech, setting the tone for his to prisoners.

He asked chaplains to stand anti-crime crusade. "There can be firm in their work. no room for cowardice or inertia," he told thousands of people in The pope handed the message to Catania Nov. 4, the first of two a group of young prisoners Nov. 5. cities on the papal tour.

His trip six months earlier was Pope John Paul criticized the postponed after he broke his right Mafia by name several times and thigh. praised Father Giuseppe Puglisi, Prior to the pope's trip, church an anti-Mafia priest killed last leaders had urged him to continue year. the anti-Mafia crusade he launched Before the pope had carried his during a 1993 visit to Sicily, which crusade to Syracuse, the other city also sparked Mafia reaction. Two on his schedule, the Mafia reacted. important Rome churches were The morning after the pope arrived bombed and Father Puglisi killed in Sicily, Father Gino Sacchetti, a after that visit. Police blamed the prison chapla.in who was organiz- Mafia for the incidents.

The fear of anti-Mafia church ing a rehabilitation center for drug

leaders was that a softer papal stand this year could deflate crime fighting programs, giving the popular impression that the Mafia had succeeded in intimidating the church.

Sicilian society is still permeated with "the always open, painful and bloody plague of the Mafia, with its underhanded arrogance, with its tentacles and its recurring murders," said Archbishop Luigi Bommarito of Catania in an open letter to the pope less than three weeks before the start of the visit.

Fighting the Mafia means more than combating crime, he said. It means changing the "daily mentality" and "widespread Mafia culture" in society, he added.

The archbishop was referring to the Mafia's deep roots in society and the codes of honor, patronage and silence that it imposes.

Archbishop Giuseppe Costanzo of Syracuse asked the pope to "help us in the true fight against the Mafia which is won by regenerating souls, announcing the Gospel and mobilizing consciences."

A main aim of church leaders is to reach children, especially in poor areas which are fertile grounds for Mafia recruitment, and teach them alternatives to a criminal life.

"Find the strength to be good Turn to Page 13

FATHER TOSTI

11 diocesans tobe inducted into Holy Sepulchre Order Four priests and seven laymen and women of the diocese will be inducted as Knights or Ladies of the Equestrian Order of the Holy Sepulchre of Jerusalem in the context of ceremonies to take place Friday and Saturday, Nov. 18 and 19, on Cape Cod. Priests to be enrolled are Very Rev. George W. Coleman, vicar general and moderator of the Diocesan Curia; Father Mark R. Hession, parochial vicar at St. Mary's parish, New Bedford; Father William W. Norton, pastor of St. Joseph's parish, Woods Hole; and Father Ronald A. Tosti, pastor of Christ the King parish, Mashpee.

Laypersons are Mr. and Mrs. Joseph Feitelberg of St. John the Baptist parish, Westport; Mrs. Marian Hogue of Falmouth, a

member of St. Joseph's parish, Woods Hole; Mrs. and Mrs. Lawrence Sullivan, also ofSt. Joseph's; and Mr.and Mrs. John Urbanand Mr. and Mrs. Anthony Franchi of Christ the King parish, Mashpee.

Admission to the order recognizes meritorious service to the Church. It was founded in 1099 by Godfrey of Bouillon and its name derives from the Basilica of the Holy Sepulchre, where members were knighted during its early years.

In later times national divisions were established in various countries, and were further subdivided into Lieutenancies. The diocesan members will belong to the Northeastern Lieutenancy of the United States.

Bishop Sean O'Malley, who will Turn to Page 13 ,

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STUDENTS FROM the four diocesan high schools participate in "River of Dreams" vocations program at St. Ann's parish center, Raynham. Story on page 10.

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Is God calling yOU? See pages 5 to 12. j

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MAKING ARRANGEMENTS for the annual Bishop's Ball are rear, from left Miss Claire O'Toole, presentee chairman; Rev. Daniel L. Freitas, Ball director; Mrs. Manuel T. Nogueira, Ball cochairman; front, Sister Gertrude Gaudette, OP, and Mrs. Aubrey M. Armstrong, decorations cochairman; V. Vincent Gerardi, ushers coordinator; Mrs. Michael J. McMahon, hospitality chairman. (Gaudette photo)

Ball director names chairs for annual charity event Chairpersons of the 40th annual Bishop's Charity Ball have been named by Rev. Daniel L. Freitas, Ball diocesan director.

Saint Anne~s Hospital gratefully acknowledges contributions that we have received to the Remembrance Fund during October 1994. Through the remembrance and honor of these lives, Saint Anne's can continue its "Caring with Excellence."

ST. ANNE'S HOSPITAL REMEMBRANCE FUND Aime Autote Kevin Bolger Robert Chase Wilson Curtis Antonio & Angelina DePaola Mary Dionizio John Drislan Walter J. Eaton Theodore Fillion Ralph Fletcher Mariana Franco Frank Furguiele Frank A. Garand, Sr Philip Goltz Lydia Guimond Willie Holmes Virginia Iodice Mathew Landoch Richard Laviomiere Julia McMann Ernest Mousseau Grace Parenteau Raymond E. Parise Jeffrey Pavao Deborah Pestana Raymond A. Poisson Robert Rioux Sophia Rioux James H. Roberts William Rogers Dr. James Sabra Joseph C. Saulino June Senechal Mary Skaggs Gail Squillace Barbara Sullivan Helene Sullivan Nancy (Roberts) Tavares Alexander Vezina Lillian Wahl Julian & Effie Witengier Pasquale Varanese

They are Mrs. Manuel T. Nogueira of St.. John of God parish, Somerset, president of the Diocesan Council of Catholic Women, and Matthew Martin ofSt.. Mary's parish. South Dartmouth, New Bedford district president of the St. Vincent de Paul Society. The two organizations are traditional Ball cosponsors. The event will take place from 8 p.m. to midnight Friday, Jan. 13, at Venus de Milo restaurant, Swansea.

Ball proceeds will benefit the new HIV I AIDS Ministry established by Bishop Sean P. O'Malley

as well as exceptional and underprivileged children of Southeastern Massachusetts and many other charitable apostolates and ministries of the diocese.

Ball committee members and members of St.. Vincent de Paul conferences and affiliates of the Diocesan Council of Catholic Women are urged to submit names of persons and organizations for listing in the Charity Ball booklet annually distributed the evening of the event. Listings are in five categories, each of which entitles donors to Ball tickets.

Further information is available from Bishop's Charity Ball Headquarters, 344 Highland Ave., PO Box 1470, Fall River 02722, telephone 676-8943 or 676-3200.

Obituaries Sr. Marie a'Kempis Sister Marie a'Kempis, 93, the former Florence Enwright, died Oct.. 18. A former superior general of the Dominican Sisters of St..

Catherine of Siena of Kenosha Wisc., she served for over 68 year~ in hospitals of her community in Wisconsin, Oregon and California.

A native of Fall River, she was the daughter of the late Thomas H. Enwright and Catherine (Daley) Enwright.. She prepared for her nursing career in Boston and at St..

Luke's Hospital, New Bedford.

Her late sister, Miss Margaret Enwright, headed the Fall River Public Library for many years.

Father Sullivan The Mass of Christian Burial was offered Nov. 4 at St. Joseph's Church, Fairhaven, for Rev. John F. Sullivan, SS.Ce., 72, who died Nov. I atSt.. Luke's Hospital, New Bedford.

Father Sullivan, a native of Providence, RI, was the son of the late

John F. and Marie(Walker) Sullivan. He was ordained June 7, 1949 in Washington, DC, and thereafter was parochial vicar at St..

Joseph's Church, Fairhaven, Holy Trinity, West Harwich, and Our Lady of Lourdes, Wellfleet..

In 1971 he was named pastor of St.. Joseph Church, Nassau, Bahamas. returning to Holy Trinity, West HarwiCh, as pastor in 1977.

Father Sullivan remained at the Ca pe Cod parish until 1984, when he became chaplain at Sacred Heart Home, New Bedford. He retired to the Sacred Hearts provincial house in Fairhaven in 1986.

Father Sullivan is survived by two sisters, Ellen Marie Lutz of Providence and Rita M. Short of Smithfield, RI.

Carpenter without Tools "The man who has knowledge but no fear of sin is like a carpenter without tools."-Abot de Rabbi Nathan

Cathedral Mass to mark World AIDS Day We are grateful to those who thoughtfully named Saint Anne's Hospital's Remembrance Fund.

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The ~iocesan ?ffie~ of AI DS Ministry has announced that Bishop Scan 0 Malley will olfer a Mass of Healing and Remembrance at noon Dec. I. World AIDS Day. in SI. Mary's Cathedral. Fall Ri\er. All an: IIwlted to allend.

Collins honored by Catholic League The Catholic League for Religious and Civil Rights presented its John W. McCormack Public Service Award to former Boston Mayor John F: Collins at the organization's annual award banquet, held Nov. 2 in Braintree.

Presenting the award. former Massachusetts Governor Edward J. King praised Collins' support for the pro-life position, while chapter president Daniel T. Flatley paid tribute to the honoree's "integrity as a public official" and his "loyalty as a Catholic in public life."

Among honored guests were Boston Cardinal Bernard Law, Cardinal Cahal Daly, Primate of All Ireland, Boston Auxiliary Bishops LawrenceJ. Rileyand Daniel Hart and Catholic League President Dr. William A. Donohue.

Cardinal Law, acknowledging Collins' role in building the Catholic League Boston chapter. said he was "always reassured by the presence of the League" when church controversies arose. while Cardinal Daly thanked the audience for the concern and support of American Catholics for Ireland and for the peace process in the nation.

Collins, an attorney, was born in Roxbury. First elected to public office in 1946. he served in the State House of Representatives and in the State Senate from 1947 to 1955. Subsequently he was a Boston city councilor and register of probate for Suffolk County. In 1959 he was elected to the first of two terms as mayor of Boston, serving from 1960 to 1968.

After retiring from elective politics. he was a consulting professor at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology and for nearly 20 years has been a panelist on W CV B-TV's program. "Five-onFive," where he is known as a forceful advocate of traditional moral values.

He has served on the national board of the Catholic League and as League vice-president. N ow a Falmouth resident. he is currently a member of the advisory board of the League's Massachusetts chapter.

BC announces Joseph Chair Boston College has established an endowed professorship in the university's theology department through an anonymous gift. The chair, to be known as the Joseph Chair in Catholic Theology, will memorialize the donor's son.

T?e Joseph Chair will initially entaIl a one-year appointment every other year, said Rev. J. Robert Barth, SJ, dean of the university's College of Arts and Sciences. A search for the inaugural chairholder will be conducted during the 199495 ~cademic year. "The Joseph Chair represents an opportunity to contribute to the body of work in Catholic theology, an area in which Boston College has traditionally been strong," Father Barth said.

The new chair will illustrate the role of effective research in one or another discipline of Catholic theology. The first three chairholders will be from the field of patristics, the study of the Fathers of the Church. While the chair is primarily in support of research its holder may teach one graduate seminar and deliver university-wide public lectures during the academic year.

CNS photo

ARCHBISHOP-DESIGNATE JOHN lFAVALORA

Miami ~llfchbisbop, Utah bishop narned WASHINGTON(CNS)-- BishopJohnC. FavaloraofSt. Petersburg, Fla., has been named archbishop of Miami by Pope John Paul II. He succeeds Archbishop Edward A. McCarthy, 76, whose re:signation was accl~pted by the pope.

Bishops are required to wbmit their resignations upon reaching their 75th birthday.

The pope also appointed Msgr.

George H. Niederauer, 58, codirector of the Cardinal Ti mothy Manning House of Prayer for Priests in Lm Angeles, as bishop of the diocese of Salt Lake: City, which consists of the entire state of Utah.

He succeeds Bishop William K. Weigand, wh'J was transferred in November 1993 to the dioc:ese of Sacramento, Calif.

The appointments were announced Nov. 3 by Archbishop Agostino Cacciavillan, apostolic pro-nuncio to the United States.

Bishop Favalora, 58, has been bishop ofSt. Petersburg since 1989.

For three years before that, he had been bishop (of Alexandria, La. 80m in NI~w Orleans Dec. 5, 1935, Bishop Favalora was ordained in Rome in 1961 for the archdiocese (of New Orleans and held numerous pastoral and administrative posts in the archdi Jcese.

He served three years as head of the Alexandria diocese befor~ being appointed to S1. Petersburg in 1989.

The archbishop-designate was one of four prelates to meet in 1990 with members of CORPUS, an organization of married priests who seek to return to active ministry. He is also a member of the U.S. bishops' Ad Hoc Committee on Sexual Abuse.

Born and raised in Los Angeles, Bishop-designate Niederauer was ordained to the priesthood in 1962.

He was on the: faculty of S1. John's Seminary College from 19â‚Ź 5 until 1992, first as teacher, then spiritual director, and finally as rector.

Widely known for his experience and knowledge as a spiritual director, Bisho'p-designate Nied.erauer has given many priests' retreats across the country and has :;poken at various conventions on priestly formation.

He will be: ordained Jan. 25, 1995, by Los Angeles Cardinal Roger M. Mahony, a seminary classmate, as:oisted by fellow classmates Archbi.shop William J. Levada of Portland, Ore., and Bishop Tod D. Bro~n of Boise, Idaho.

THE ANCHOR - Diocese of Fall River- Fri., Nov. II, 1994 Birthright of Falmouth Homeport Complex Gifford St. Falmouth, MA 02540 Birthright of Attleboro 48 Bank Street Attleboro, MA 02703 Birthright of Taunton 78 Broadway Taunton, MA 02780

Birthright of Martha's Vineyard 53 Tashmoo Avenue Tisbury, MA 02568 Birthright of New Bedford 398 County Street New Bedford, MA 02740 There is also a tollfree Birthline hotline: 1·800-550·4900.

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AT BIRTHRI:GHT birthday party, Janet Batbelle, Greater Fall River Birthright volunteer and regional consultant for Massachusetts Birthrights, speaks on the organization's history. At her left, Msgr. John J. Oliveira, New Bedford Episcopal Vicar; and Rev. Stephen A Fernandes; at right Bishop Sean O'Malley and Mrs. and Mr. Richard O'Connor. (Hickey photo)

Birthright: A Friend for Life celebrates

By Pat McGowan Birthright of Greater Fall River marked 20 years ofbeing"A Friend for Life" at an Oct. 29 Mass and dinner at SS. Peter and Paul Church, Fall River, where Father Stephen Fernandes, director of the Diocesan Pro-Life Apostolate, is pastor.

In those 20 years, Birthright, which offers pregnant women alternatives to abortion, has aided some 7,500 women. Services have included pregnancy tests, shelter throughout pregnancy and sometimes beyond and provision of baby clothes and equipment, all given at no charge and with love and a nonjudgmental attitude..

I n doing this, the Fa.1l River Birthright has over the years spent thousands of dollars on rent for its Somerset office and on telephone bills for its round-the-clock comforting message to women who may call with problems.

Volunteers are on duty to answer the phone and meet personally with inquirers eight hours a week at the office at 1100 County St. in Somerset. At other times, someone calling the Birthright number-(508)675-1561-is given, in addition to general information, another number to call if emergency aid is needed.

How has it all been done? With

"the support and dedication of hundreds of volunteers and friends, without whom Birthright would not be celebrating its 20th birthday," declared the Birthright Fall Newsletter.

Many of those volunteers and friends were at SS. Peter and Paul Church for the birthday party, which began with Mass celebrated.

by Bishop Seim O'Malley and continued at the dinner in the parish hall.

At the dinner the bishop confided that he was the uncle of a baby "born to an unwed Mexican girl who had him adopted. So, at a week old, he became my nephew," said the bishop.

"The mission of Catholics," he said, is to bear witness to the fact that life is important. We're not here to judge or condemn-we're here to speak the truth that sets us free."

Applauding the work of Birthright, the bishop promised it his support and also thltnked Father Fernandes for the work accomplished by the diocesan pro-life office.

Janet Barbelle, a volunteer for Greater Fall River Birthright and also regional consultant for all Massachusetts Birthrights, gave a brief outline of the organization's history, noting that it was founded in 1968 in Canada by the late

Daily Readings

Nov. 12 1924. Rev . .lames H. Looby.

Pastor, Sacred Heart. Taunlon 1925. Rev. Bernard Boylan.

Pastor. St. .Ioseph. Fall River Nov. 13 1924. Rev. Loui~ .I. Deady.

Founder. St. Louis. Fall River 1992. Rev. William H. O'Reilly.

Retired Pastor. Immaculate Conception. Taunton Nov. 14 1940. Founder. St. Mary. South Dartmouth.

1977. Rev. William A. Gahin.

Retired Pastor. Sacred Heart. Taunton Nov. 15 1939. Rev. Thomas F. LaRoche.

Assistant, Sacred Heart. Taunton 1943. Re\·. Daniel E. Doran.

Pastor, Immaculate Conception.

Nort h Easton Nov. 17 19XO. Rev. Henry R. Canuel.

Former Pastor. Sacred Heart. New Bedford

Nov. 14: Rv 1:1-4;2:1-5; Ps 1:1-4,6; Lk 18:35-43 Nov. 15: Rv 3:1-6,14-22; Ps 15:2-5; Lk 19:1-10 Nov. 16: Rv 4:1-11; Ps 150:1-6; Lk 19:11~28 Nov. 17: Rv 5:1-10; Ps 149:1-6,9; Lk 19:41-44 Nov. 18: Rv 10:8-11; Ps 119:14,24,72,103,111,131; Lk 19:45-48 Nov. 19: Rv 11:4-12; Ps 144:1-2,9-10; Lk 20:27-40 Nov. 20: Dn 7:13-14; Ps 93:1,2-5; Rv 1:5-8; In 18:3337 111111111111111111111111111111I11111111111111111111111111111111111111111 THE ANCHOR (USPS-S45-020). Second Class Postage Paid at Fall River, Mass.

Published weekly except the week of July 4 and the week after Christmas at 887 Highland Avenue. Fall River, Mass. 02720 by the Catholic Press of the Diocese of Fall River. Subscription price by mail, postpaid $11.00 per year. Postmasters send address changes to The Anchor, P.O. Box 7, Fall River, MA 02722.

Louise Summerhill, whose daughters are continuing her work.

The first U.S. Birthright was organized in Atlanta in 1969. It came to the Fall River diocese in August, 1972, when Susan Anderson of Our Lady of Victory parish, Centerville, attended a Birthright convention in Atlantic City and brought the organization to Cape Cod, with the encouragement of then pastor Father Francis B. Connors.

Today there are Birthrights in Attleboro, Falmouth, Martha's Vineyard, Hyannis, New Bedford and Taunton as well as in Greater Fall River. All are in chronic need of volunteers and donations, both financial and of such items as baby and maternity clothes and baby furniture.

All offer free pregnancy tests and have information on low-cost medical care, shelter homes and housing, financial and legal aid, professional counseling, adoption procedures and, in the case of young mothers-to-be, continuation of education during pregnancy.

Sometimes special help comes along as well. The Fall Newsletter oCt he Greater Fall River Birthright had two such encouraging happenings to report. The Hathaway Charitable Trust of Somerset made a generous grant to the organization and the Human Life Foundation of New York City, headed by James and Faith McFadden, offered Birthright a challenge grant of $2,000, meaning that another $2000 had to be raised locally to match it.

With the aid of many Fall River area supporters this was achieved.

In the Fall River diocese, Birthright has offices at the following locations: Birthright of Greater Fall River 1100 County Street Somerset, MA 02726 Birthright of Cape Cod 10 East Main Street Hyannis, MA 02601

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Diocese of Fall River --Fri:-;- Nov. 11. 1994'

the moorins.-,

the living wor

Changing the Times One of the great imperatives facing the Church today is evangelization of Cathonics. With the advent of the new catechism, the implementation of RCIA programs and the development of ministerial training courses; the tools are in place t9 build towards a new Pentecost. That is what we need for our times..

The former communist bloc may be in disarray; however, secularism is creating havoc in the West. Under the guise of capitalism, people throughout the so-called first world countries have sold themselves, their families and their lifestyles for the commercial. On any given weekend there are many more people shopping in a mall than worshiping in church. In our striving to keep church and state separate we have ripped them apart. For example, many so-called Catholic elected officials subscribe to a token faith at best.

It is a shame to see people deny their moral and ethical heritage as they seek political acceptance, but election outcomes seem to indicate that this is an acceptable practice. So many people directing the future of this country have in fact abandoned their religious heritage. Lack of faith has become a malaise that is choking t.he life out of the land and its people.

Catholics have fared poorly in this conflict of "isms."

Church for close to 50 percent of them means baptism, maybe first communion and confirmation, the first marriage and burial or cremation, whichever is cheaper. In between there is very little, as empty pews and churches testify.

We are even losing the art of compromise. In our varied and sometimes outlandish attempts to be contemporary we throw out doctrine, morality and responsibility. Twenty years of chasing butterflies rather than living our faith have paid off disastrously.

There yet remains a remnant of "Yahweh's people." They. serve devotedly, honestly and selflessly and try to live a faithoriented life. They are our Eucharistic ministers, lectors, CtD teachers, choir members and many others who witness to what they believe rather than to what is politically correct.

It is this group that must undertake the ministry of seeking out the lost sheep, of bringing Catholics to a greater faith awareness and of making the Gospel alive in the marketplace.

Our church is by its very nature missionary: the mission of Jesus is the mission of the baptized. The mission remains the same; the challenge is ever new. But we can no longer view the mission with 19-century eyes. The unchurched and nonbelievers are not in foreign lands but too often at our own kitchen tables.

Missionary activity not only extends the saving faith of the Church; it also perfects Catholic unity. To implement this work, new tools are needed. The Church is offering them.

What is now needed is people to put them to work for the benefit of themselves, their loved ones and the Kingdom.

Specific training programs should be developed to encourage and to call people to leadership on all levels of parish and diocesan life, to nurture t.he spiritual lives of those called and to provide a firm and realistic foundation of Church teachings.

It is going to take some time to reverse current trends. Yet today's difficulties are not insurmountable. We need a good dose of determination mixed with equal parts of encouragement to begin seeing that secularism is not all it's cracked up to be and that we have a better plan for a more fulfilled life. Let's begin to teach our own that life goes beyond the selfish, the subjective and the static.

The Editor

the

OFFICIAL NEWSPAPER OF THE DIOCESE OF FALL RIVER Published weekly by The Catholic Press of the Diocese of Fall River 887 Highland Avenue P.O. BOX 7 Fall River, MA 02720 Fall River. MA 02722-0007 Telephone 508-675-7151 FAX (508) 675-7048 Send address changes to P.O. Box 7 or call telephone number above

EDITOR

GENERAL MANAGER

Rev. John F.Moore

Rosemary Dussault ~ Leary Press-Fall RI\ler

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"I have chosen you out of the world." John 15:1.9 .

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Where have all the vocations gone?

By Father Kevin J. Harrington Where have all the vocations gone? Has God stopped calling or have we stopped listening? Three hundred and fifty-eight years ago Harvard University was a Protestant seminary. Today it is one of the most prestigious universities in the world.

In conjunction with its 350th birthday incoming freshman were asked what their goals were. Not surprisingly, the first three were money, power and reputation.

These priorities reflect not only the mind-set of Ivy Leaguers but of college students in general. A survey of290,000 freshmen reports that, for three out of four, the top reason for going to college is that a degree is a steppingstone to financial success. .

Make no mistake, there is nothing intrinsically evil about money, power or fame; however, to seek to amass money to pack one's own pocket, or to pile up power principally to lord it over the less powerful, or to glory in adulation in order to massage one's ego are quick paths to damnation.

The sed uctions of money, power and fame are as old as the temptations of Jesus in the desert and we must never stop asking the crucial Christian question: Why? Why money? Why power? Why fame?

As an example, Mother Teresa has all three but she uses them to shape her acre of God's world in the image of Christ, seeking to make life more human for those dehumanized by poverty, hunger, homelessness and sickness. Thus these three seductions, instead of becoming the pitchfork with which Satan can impale her, become the tools she uses to till her acre.

Why is it that at 17 or 18 our brightest students seem almost obsessed with success, popUlarity and power. Young people reflect the values of our society; they do not create. them out of nothingness.

To build our identities around such fragile realities as success,

power and popularity is to be condemned to an extremely vulnerable existence.

Those who define themselves by what they do often find unemployment or retirement devastating. Those who define themselves by what they have soon learn that material things cannot totally isolate them from the pain caused by poor health, loneliness or their fear that their riches will not last as long as they live. Those who define themselves by what other people think of them would be surprised to know how rarely people do think of them.

Death is indeed the almighty equalizer. When we are dead, we can't do anything anymore, we have nothing anymore and people

praye~BOX Prayer for Vocations Creator God, life is your gift to me, Through Baptism, you invite me to share the gift of my life in service to others. Be with me as I choose each day to show Your presence in our world.

Give me the courage and generosity to respond to Your love, to Your call. I pray especially for those who serve you as priests, brothers, sisters, deacons and lay ministers. Keep them close to you. Open the minds and hearts of many other men and women that they may accept Your challenge to build the Kingdom.

don't talk about us anymore unless we are truly outstanding figures.

This should :oot come as a depressing revelation but as an ex hilarating liberation. Our identity is not dependent on shallow things over which we have little control.

OUT true identity is thaI: we are God's children, the beloved sons and daughters of our heavenly Father. When we forget that amazingly simple fact, we begin to lose our sense of vocation, of being called by name.

The reason it is hard to remember that we are God's beloved daughters and somi is because the world is very busy seeking our money, our time and our energy and profiting from our insecurities, anxieties and fears. Only through prayer can we stay in touch with that inner freed om that constantly reminds us that the voice: at the Jordan was not only for Jesus' benefit but for ours: "You are my beloved, on you my favor rests."

Ultimately the Christian vocation is to say "yes" to God's love.

Unfortunate:ly, we can't say "yes" until we learn to say "no" to selling ourselves to I:he world.

We are called to be more than what the world gives us. The voice from the. heavens announcing our true identity is a whisper that often goes either unheard or unheeded.

It is God's nature as well as love's nature to beg for our attention and not demand it.

In answer to the opening question: has God stopped ca:Jing or have we stopped listenin.g? My humble conviction is that if we listened we would know that God never stops calling us!

This column by Father Harrington marks his 15th year of contributing to thl~ Anchor. Ad multos annos! Editor

-----Interdependence

"Thou canst not stir a flower without troubling of a star."Francis Thompson

Last priests in America? Not likely, says Father Tosti

By Father Ronald A. Tosti Founding Pastor, Christ the King Parish, Mashpee

Condensed from ,il three-part article which appellTed in the May/June, July/August, andSeptember/October 1994 issues ofThe Crown, the parish journal.

I've been reading a book entitled "Last Priests in America," which is a compilation of brief a utobiographies of a number of priests or former priests around the country.

I've found it fascinating. Some of the writers are very happy even though they do not like the direction of the institutional church; some are disgruntled; some are at the point of despair; some are delightful! They talk about why they became priests and what they like or do not like about their present or past situation and they all have some ideas about the future of the church in gem:ral and the priesthood in particular.

The book made me do some thinking about why I became a priest and what if I had been asked to write stich an autobiography.

Many people have: asked me ove'r the years, "why did you become a priest?" It's not an easy question. I remember one of my mother's friends asking, "When did you get the cam" like it was over the AT&T win:s: "This is God ... 1 'want you." It doesn't happen like that. I was a fairly ordinary kid growing up.

My mother and fatber, children of Italian immigrants, were of the work ethic that knew the meaning of sacrifice and giving. My father was originally a barber, but at the height of the depression, when haircuts were a quarter and everybody decided it was cheaper to buy a pair of scissors, he gave up the shop and went to work at the First National grocery store. After the war, he bought his own grocery store with his brother.

My mother was taken out of school on the day of her fourteenth birthday and brought to the hat factory. She carried the resentment of not being allowed an education until her dying day. A very intelligent woman, she lived out her desire for an education through the education that she and Dad insisted be mine.

I attended public schools in Taunton, enjoying the activities and even the teachers. In Taunton, they were mostly Catholic. Can you imagine a public school teacher reminding the class that there was a Holy Day tomorrow and you should all go to Massand won't be marked tardy if you do?

We went to church with regularity and Mom taught me my prayers. One of my earliest recollections of Dad was that his left hand was always in his coat pocket when things were q uil:t. I finally figured it out when I put his co~t on by mistake. His rosary was 10 his left pocket.

M om and I went to the Monday night Miraculous Medal Novena ... it was a great form of prayer and also a time away from homework and a chance to see the other kids.

When I was in confirmation class, the diocese had a rule that you had to be 13 and nine months to be eligible for confirmation which took place every three years.

With my birthday in November, I missed confirmation by three months and had to go to CCD for

three more years! Believe me, I was a very unhappy camper and even wrote a lelter'to the bishop.

The bishop sent a letter to the pastor who "laid me out in lavender": the letter was on blUe stationery and written in red ink. It was kept in the parish files and when I was ordained, the parish priest publicly reminded me of it...J ust a little embarrassing!

Getting Into the Picture Those extra years in ceo are really what led me to the priesthood along with a few other factors. Growing upat St. Joseph's in Taunton was fun. We had all kinds of things going, from penny sales to giant May processions. Father Joseph Powers (now at St. Elizabeth Seton in North Falmouth) was the curate. I'll never forget his CCD class. I hated it and had no trouble showing it! BtH he was nice to me nonetheless and asked me to be the organist for the boy's choir.

That's really how I got into the picture of priesthood.

One of the things I left out was the piano. When I was in second grade, Miss Dunn announced that her neighbor had an upright piano to give away. Up went my hand and Mom and Dad agreed.

It was the beginning of a very important part of my life. I took piano lessons for 10 years, the last

four at B.U. College of Music. I play to this day and enjoy it more than ever.

Back to the subject at hand. It was being in the boys' choir and Father Powers that interested me in the priesthood. I liked what I saw. He was a good, happy priest and his life had definite meaning.

Meanwhile I was working hard at school and with music. I had a little three-piece band and played for weddings, showers and dances.

I worked in my father's store early in the morning and after school and for a while played the piano for a dance studio and for dinner music at a local restaurant. I dated regularly throughout high school.

I never missed the dances and the parties but, boy, were things different then from today. We never heard of drugs and we didn't dare drink, let alone "go all the way."

During all of this, the idea of the priesthood was ever in my mind.

In fact, I just couldn't get rid of it even though I tried. I had applied to B. U. College of Music, Harvard School of Music and the New England Conservatory of Music and was accepted at all three but never would send in the acceptance form.

I went to see Father Powers.

I said, "I think I'd like to be a priest." He said, "What kind?"

I didn't know that there were different kinds. All I knew was

parish priest and that's what I was interested in. He gave me some clear encouragement and a couple of books. I hadn't told anyone at this point a nd I covered both books with school book jackets.

One night, I was reading irr bed and my mother walked past my door. I hid the book under the covers and typically, she caught me. She asked me what I was reading and I showed her the book entitled. "Why I Want to Be a Priest." Well she sat down in the chair next to my bed and said.

"You?" She was incredulous and started to laugh!

My secret was out of the bag.

My mother and father were at first unbelieving that this only child of theirs wanted to be a priest. They really thought that I would pursue a music career and they had already made considerable sacrifices in that direction. But they encouraged me and were more than pleased once the idea got solidified, even though they had little encouragement from some of their friends. The rest of the family displayed very much a wait-and-see attitude. My paternal grandmother was very concerned that I was the first son of the first son and somehow the name wouldn't be carried on. I assured her that my cousin, the first son of the second son, was already off to a good start and

would carryon the job nicely. She gave in.

"The Turtle Church" I graduated from high school and, having been accepted by the Fall River diocese, I went off to Boston College to take a six week summer course in Latin. Well, that takes me back to the Church we used to know. Latin ... when I think of t he energy that went into the subject, 'and for what? You have to take a look at the church as it was then, the '50s.

I like to call it "The Turtle Church." The turtle has the happy facility to pull its head and feet and tail into the security of its shell in the face of impending danger. In spite of the consequences of an obvious oversimplification, I think the Church did exactly that from the time of the Reformation until the Second Vatican Council.

Against the onslaught of the reformers, the Church took the position theologically and in practice of maintaining itself both from within and without. The missionary activity of the Church progressed and so did the care of souls on a universal level.

But remember, the safe turtle doesn't move and neither did the Church. The theology that I studied was exactly the same as that of my predecessors going back several hundred years. The language of the Church was the universal Latin, and the liturgy took the form of a rigid and stable expression of the clerical establishment with the laity looking on, as it were.

The seminary training that I received was in that framework. I spent two years in Hartford at St. Thomas Seminary and then went off to Baltimore to St. Mary's Seminary and University. Two years there finished the philosophy program and a bachelor's degree, and then four years of theology completed the process. I didn't think that it would ever end even though I truly enjoyed most of it.

The seminary of that day was quite different from today. We were indeed confined. You left home in September and came home at Christmas and Easter. The daily program varied little. We got up at the same time every morning and reported for morning prayer and meditation and Mass. Breakfast was followed by a break and then classes until lunch. The afternoon had a break for recreation, followed by more classes, evening prayer, supper, break, study time and lights out. One afternoon a week we went "out" to visit hospitals or teach CCD in a local parish or other pastoral endeavors. Summers were spent at a boys' camp here in the diocese. The best part was to get to know the men from our own diocese who were studying at other seminaries. A real bonding took place, and priestly friendships that would last a lifetime were established.

The seminary had a lot of plusses.

I made some wonderful and enduring friendships and i really think we received a better than average education. There was also a lot of speculation going on as to the future of the Church. Seminarians were, and, I hope, are, great projectors of the future. Change was afoot in the '50s and '60s and many of us were hoping for it to happen.

In 1960 I had the good fortune Turn to Page Six

Last priests in America? Not likely, says Fath'er llosti Continued from Page Five of going to Europe for the first time. We went to the Monastery of Montserrat in northern Spain. The Benedictine monks there were allowed to "experiment" and had Masses in Spanish! People came in droves. I wrote in my diary: "I hope I live long enough to celebrate Mass in English ... will it ever come?"

Little did I know that what would follow would at the same time be wonderful and painful.

Liturgy was not the only experience that was going to undergo a tremendous transformation after the Second Vatican Council but it was the most obviously significant in the lives of the people I was going to serve. I was trained in the new, never forgetting the old, and trying to keep a balance.

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Eight years into my priesthood.

He Chooses Whom He Wishes Bishop Connolly asked me to go I was ordained May II, 1962, to Fordham University in New along with three of my classmates York to obtain a degree in reliand a LaSalette Missionary, by gious education. The theology that Bishop James L. Connolly at St. I was exposed to was post-Vatican Mary's Cathedral in Fall River. It II and gave me a far broader was, and in its memory still is, the insight than I would otherwise most wonderful moment of my have had. I came back as' the life. diocesan director of religious eduGod works in mysterious ways. cation and really enjoyed having He chooses who'm He wishes, and the opportunity to bring "new" in spite of ourselves uses us to ideas to the diocesan religious edserve the church. I am under no ucation program. delusions of worthiness in this Parish Ministry Is Where It's At regard.

But then Bishop Connolly retired The priesthood is a mystery beand Bishop Cronin arrived. He cause that's how God works. reorganized the whole education I n our so-called modern world there are far too many who think . program of the diocese and I went bac\< to fulltime parish work at SS. they are in control and forget the Peter and Paul, Fall River. The mysterious workings ofthe Divine. bishop also asked me to organize I think that is a mistake. I have had observances for the 75th anniverthe privilege of sharing in His sary of the diocese. priesthood for more than three decades and can only say that in Shortly after I was appointed . spite of me, He keeps working pastor of St. Francis of Assisi parthrough me and countless numbers ish in New Bedford and Bishop of my brother priests.

Cronin asked me to take over Perhaps a little aside is in order Family Ministry and bring it up to here. Many Catholics get confused date forthe diocese. I really enjoyed when it comes to the different var- that and had the opp"ortunity to ieties of priests they encounter. I found the Family Life Center in am a diocesan priest and not a North Dartmouth. religious. What that means, simply, But parish ministry is where it's is that I am a priest ordained by really at, as far as I'm concerned, the bishop of Fall River and at- and I was fortunate to have 'been tached to the Fall River diocese. asked to return to the Cape and We have made a promise of obe- found Christ the King parish. To dience to our bishop and his suc- me the founding of a parish comcessors, and have made a promise munity is the accomplishment, if of celibacy, that is, never to marry. there is one. To have had the priviReligious priests, those who belong lege of bringing together what we to various congregations or orders, now know as Christ the King partake vows of poverty, chastity, and ish, and hopefully to have made a obedience. difference in the lives of so many I have and, please God, will who are journeying to the Lord in serve the church in the Fall River this community of faith are facets diocese .. We receive a 'salary and of my life as a priest that have have lots of "perks" like living at given me great satisfaction and the rectory, but we have to pay our yes, joy. own bills, own and operate our I must admit that I love every bit own cars etc. We live as private of pastoral ministry, and really individuals and pay income taxes, love being a priest. I've had the etc" just like everyone else. opportunity ofa lot ofadministraI remember well my first priestly tive work for the Church but I assignment, to Our Lady of the really have enjoyed far more the ministry of the liturgy and the Assumption Church in Osterville.

My very first day included a general parish work that has been "tour" of the parish, which then my privilege over these 32 years.

Last Priests? No Way! included Osterville, Marstons The priest today has a lot of Mills, Santuit, Cotuit and Mashpee. The pastor drove me down challenges, of that there should be Great Neck Road South and said no doubt. We are very much a part as we drove by this vast empty of the world in which we live and land, "This is where you will do hopefully can minister more effecmost of your work." He was un- tively because of that fact. There knowingly prophetic, but less than is, in my opinion, no other vocaprophetic as we drove by a newly tion or job which can so directly placed rock at Bright Coves of and so effectively touch the lives of New Seabury. There he said: "Pay people. An old adage says that we no attention, it's just another care for each person "from the development that's going nowhere."

Beingabrand new priest in 1962 was quite different than it is today.

My very first Sunday in the parish, I .went- out to the front of the church and greeted the people before and after Masses. As we were having lunch, the pastor said: "What's with' the glad-handing?"

He then informed me that we didn't do that since we were not running for office.

I had a tough week because I felt" it was really important to meet the people. I had been taught that this was a grea't opportunity for ministry and didn't think that I wanted to give it up. The following Sunday morning I went to the front of the church and did it again. There was silence in the rectory at lunch and beyond. The following Sunday, out I went again and this time I was not alone. The pastor was standing next to me and he did the FATHER TOSTI same for the rest of his priesthood.

womb to the tomb." That's true in every way, whether it's preparing a couple to have their child baptized or the wonderful works of the RCIA in which adults are prepared to come into the Church, working with children as they prepare for first communion, or hearing confes-sions. preparing couples for marriage, counseling pt~ople at all levels of 'both sorrow 2,nd joy, helping people prepare for new life after death, consoling the bf:reaved, helping people through the annulment process, and on and on it goes.

Not a day goes by without someone's life being affe,;ted by the ministry of the priest. There are many who reject our ministry and yes, many who simply hold it up to ridicule. There are many in today's world who see no 'value to celibacy and who .even f.:>olishly think that a married c1e:rgy will cure all of th,~ ills of the prit~sthood and the Church. I do not think that we are the last priests in America or any place else for that matter. Sure, there's a decline in vocations bo::ing answered; but I don't think that there's a d,~cline in God calling young men to change.

The Church will, in my opinion, ultimately change too. It always has and will continue to cldapt to the times while remaining true to the Gospel.

I love the Church. With all its human failings, I still beli~ve that Jesus knew what he was doing when He chose a dozen men who had as many"imperfections as virtues. For two thousand years the Church has more than s.urvived in spite of the people in charge.

I have no problem with the Church deciding to ordain married men and see tha.t coming SO'Jner or later. The marvelous intervention . of Pope Paul VI began the practice of ordaining Married Ministers of the Angelican and Lutheran Churches who convert to 'Catholicism. The practice in the Eastern Churches of 'Jrdaining married men is very long in history and. a good precedent.

The restoration of the :permanent diaconate has been a great gift to the modern Church and I sincerely hopf: that it's df:veloped . even further.

The ordination of women is another story. It has no foundation in history and Pope. John Paul II has been eminently clear on the mat!:er. So be it for now.

Who am I to predict, but if it happens, I for one, wO'Jld welcome it. The:re are a lot ofl.'ractical problems that would a::ise and they wouldn't be too easy to solve, but then, we've adjusted. to just about everything else throughout history, why not this?

As I corne to an end of this story, I must admit that one of the things that keeps me going is the constant affirmation that the good people of Christ the King parish give to their pastor. Perfection is something that we are striving for together. I haven't attained it yet and neither have the thousands of my brother priests and bishops throughout our country, but "Last Priests in America?".... I don't think so!

-,----HOlnor's Ideals

"He has honor if he holds him~el.f t.o an ideal of conducl: though It IS ITIconvenient, unprof:table or dangerous to do so."--Walter Lippmann

· ,

150 years after Our Lady's apparition at LaSalette, her message is still alive. ~~. 4I.' ..... ~ ..

..

• A,n I concerned about her people that are lost?

• Can I be in touch with the pain ofher people's tears?

• Do I want to try to transform her sorrow into tears ofjoy?

If these questions move your spirit, then contact the Missionaries of Our Lady of LaSalette in their timely ministry of reconciliation!

Our outreach includes Shrines • Parishes • Preaching Home & Foreign Missions Prayer Centers Retreat Work Youth Ministry

Contact Father Pat

LaSalette Vocation Office P.o. Box 2965 • Attleboro, MA 02703 Telephone: (508) 222-9154

Vibrant parishes, role models attract vocations, archbishop

Si11yS

attracted Archbishop Thomas J. Murphy of Seattle to priesthood,.

"When you meet people of conviction who live out what they believe, they have a profound influence on you," Archbishop Murphy told The Progress, archtbroughout the world •.• diocesan newspaper.

The archbishop said that in Women dedicated to Chicago - where he grew up and attended Mt. Mel's School in the the liberation of the late 1930s and early '40s -' the priests, teachers and other parienslaved~ shioners took a real interest in the young people.

For further information contact: It was an atmosphere that fostered religious vocations, he said.

Vocation Director One priest, in particular, inspirep 90 Brenton Road the future archbishop.

Newport, RI 02840 The priest, who died only a few (401) 846-4757 years after ordination, "was a really happy person in what he was doing.

He really believed in who he was and what he did. That's the message that came across loud to me," • Archbishop Murphy said.

Vibrant parishes, positive role models, an understanding of the ' "theology of the priesthood" and other priest's role as presider at the Eucharist must be nurtured if the church is to meet the challenge of fewer priests and increasing numSEATTLE ARCHBISHOP Thomas J. Murphy trie~i out bers of Catholics, he said. equipment in the computer lab of St. Therese School. (eNS The number of priests in the archdiocese of Seattle, which has a photo) Catholic population of more than The growth of ministries for lay priesthood, is a "paradox," the 309,000, is expected to drop from people also has contributed to the archbishop said.

175 to about 105 by the year 2000. decline in vocations to the priestAt the same time, the number of Mandatory celibacy and the hood and religious life, ArchbiCatholics and the number of parexclusion of women from the priestshop Murphy said. Additionally, hood also keep some people from Ie consider life ishes are expected to increase. ' it has caused some people to lose The priest shortage is a crisis, he seeking ordination or membership ormation" sight of the important differl~nces said. But "crisis" can be defined as in a religious order, he said. ~~/¢<' " a "positive turning point." between ordained and non-or"We often hear the negative side dained ministers.

Catholics must be educated about of celibacy by some," he said. "I When people, don't see the disthe scope of the shortage and its think we really have to work on implications, then they must under- articulating how celibacy can be a tinction, a major attraction of the ordained ministry is lost -, the stand their r'ole in fostering voca- life-giving, energizing experience. tions, he said.

"It's also part of what some fact that only a priest can celebrate the Eucharist, the heart of the faith people call the risk ofdiscipleship: Many young people find the of Roman Cath.olics, he said. that when you walk with the Lord, world today to be filled with Although the numbers of priest, at times difficult challenges are uncertainties, to be a place where a religious and ca,ndidates for those asked of you." lifetime commitment, such as the vocations has gone down, An:hbiThe archdiocese conducts interviews and screens priesthood can- shop Murphy Haid young pe'ople didates to determine whether they still can be, challenged by "the see celibacy as an "enriching" com- values of the Gospel and the values mitment or as "something I gotta of our Christian tradition."

The motivation for candidates do," he said. is the same as il: was when he was Excluding women from the ordained in 1958: "service to the priesthood has contributed to the vocations decline, he said. But "it's people, service to the chur<:h, a way of gaining one's own salvapart of the present law of the church and 'from all indications, tion, of using one's talents and abilities for the kingdom of God," it's not going to be c::hanged." he said.

SEATTLE (NC) - While many things in the church and society have changed over the last 45

years, attracting people to religious life still requires the vibrant parish life and happy religious which first

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HOLY CROSS

AN ADVENTURE

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Mercy Sisters form vocations teanrt -

WITH OTHERS...

IN SERVICE.

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Drawn together by God the women who join Holy Cross live community and are dedicated to a life of faith and service. Each woman brings with her gifts and limitations.

In small community groups we strive to support each other in our faith-journey and in our ministry.

FOR INFORMATION CONTACT: SALLY STEARNS, esc 68 MAMMOTH ROAD • LONDONDERRY, NH 03053

The Sisters of Mercy of the Americas in New England have undertaken a collaborative approach to vocation ministry by appointing one sister from each of five regional communities to form the Mercy New England Vocation Team (NEVT).

The team works cooperatively by sharing resources and reflections and offering retreat days and ministry experiences to women exploring religious life. It is committed to extending invitations to women discerning a call to religious life and to accompanying each woman on this journey.

The team members are: Sister Aliceann Walsh of the Providence regional community, who has been in vocation/ incorporation ministry in Rhode Island and southeastern Massachusetts.

Sister Beth Fischer of Connecticut regional community, who has directed a ministry to homeless people with AIDS and a history of substance abuse.

Sister Melinda Hill of the New Hampshire regional commu~l1ity, most recently a high school principal.

Sister Helen O'Brien of the Vermont regional community, who has been a religious education director and worked in parish mini,try.

Sister Mary Catherine Wal1;h of the Portland regional community, who has worked as a parish pastoral associate in Maine.

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SISTER ALlC:EANN WALSH

Beatification of

MARIE POUSSEPIN social apostle ofcharity God of tenderness and mercy, you gave to Marie Poussepin the grace of an ardent and active charity. She saw what was good in your eyes, and did it.

Enable us, by her prayers and example, to become witnesses of the Word, and to serve Christ in each one of our brothers and sisters, until the day we share with them the joy of the Kingdom. In the name of Christ who lives and reigns with You, in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God forever. Amen.

November 20, 1994 will be agreat day for the Dominican Sisters ofthe Presentation andfor the universal church. On that day at St. Peter's Basilica in Rome, Pope john Paul II will beatify Marie Poussepin, declaring her among the ranks of the Blessed. On October 14, 1653 the bells ofSt. Peter's in Dourdan (Isle ofFrance) announced her baptism and she was given the name Marie. Three centuries later, her name is known in the Americas, in the heart ofAfrica, in India, in four continents, itlt 33 countries ofthe world.

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~~_ ___, ,_:;~-",~ se;;o~~r::: =t:P:'~::'~:~~:~~t:a'::t~:f:::;:/;:-~ ~~Jlt I~~~~'" ,,~~i'<rti ~parish and to the Third Order of Saint Dominic she went to Sainville in Beauce, France, in order to found a A~-_~.

1~unity oftheThird Order ofSt. Dominic to instructyoung girls and to careforthe sick poor ofthecountry':t

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Word. She wanted to spread the knowledge and love ofJesus Christ and the Blessed Virgin in the mystery ofher Presentation in the Temple. At the end ofa long life Marie Poussepin rested in the peace ofGod onJanuary 24, 1744. Others after her, to this day, heirs ofher spirit, ofher charism, have responded to the calls ofthe time, and to the urgency ofevange- . .lization. They try to preserve, like at the beginning, the priority for the poor and needy in all their diverse apostolic missions.

Today the Congregation numbers over 3,500 Sisters and itsprinciple continues to be the announcing ofthe Gospel. The manner of charitable service has changed to meet local needs, but the service ofcharity is always real, ' ~ whether in France or in the U.S.A. Following the example oftheir Foundress, the Dominican Sisters ofthl? Presentation will continue to journey in the way ofthe Gospel. an Intercultural community of Faith, Love and Ministry founded in 1696 by Marie Poussepin, • we continue Jesus' mission of "love one another" • we choose a preferential option for poor within our ministries • we share a simple community lifestyle, rooted in prayer

For more information contact: The Vocation Office 3012 Elm Street • Dighton, MA 02715 • Tel. (508) 669·5023

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Who are they?

Write to: Formation Director Carmelite Monastery 61 Mt. Pleasant Avenue Roxbury, MA 01119 (617) 441-1411

franascanfriars

Write us today: Fr. Gerry Name

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66 School Street • Granby, MA 01033 Age _ _ Phone #

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Discalced Carmelite Nuns of Boston

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Little Sisters of the· Poor

with action as we engage in such ministries as caring for rectories, bishops' houses and homes for retired priests. Our members may also serve as secretaries and sacristans. Like our patron, St. Joan of Arc, we are dedicated to the Church. We invite inquiries from interested women.

St. Joan of Arc Novitiate 529 Eastern Avenue Fall River, MA 02723 (508) 675..8592

nected or even fleeting, and to connect and define them.

One cautic n is that we no': remain at the analyLcallevel too long. We can formulate such long lists of pros and cons that we get. lost in them and r..ever face oU.rselves.

Once we have considered a number of things: it is time to go before God, to put analysis aside and let God who is i::l our heart talk to us.

Finally, Step 4: "Confirm your decision. After you have made the decision, spend time in prayer for an extended period to see if the decision still seems right. If it is, there should be a continuation of inner peace and satisfaction."

This step reminds me of one of the most gratifying experil:nces I have had in my priesthood - witnesing a conversion of heart, seeing a person truly accept himself or herself and let go of the phantoms which have caused division and pain. Watching a person let go and heave a sigh of relief or shed a tear ofjoy is one beautiful encounter with peace in action!

The four steps proposed in the Notre Dame School Sisters' brochure offer sage advice for anyone who knows how easy it is to become confused abo'Jt life. How often we find ourselvt:s unable to grasp where we stand in our lives!

Then peact: becomes elusive.

Restlessness gnaws at us and we feel we are accomplishing nothing.

Yet, as Deuteronomy reminds us, the direction we seek c:an be found in our hearts. We mw:t take the necessary steps to identify it and then to carry it out.

Ballimore, MO 21228

in a life that unites contemplation

For further information, contact:

~Qcation wit)~in

Almost anyone would find the

By Father Eugene Hemrick four steps helpful it seems to me.

"It is something very near to For everyone has a vocation. And you, already in your mouths and even those who already have chosen in your hearts; you have only to their vocation would find it strengcarry it out." thened by taking these steps. '~It" in the quotation from DeuStep I suggests that we be in teronomy refers to a vocation. I found the quotation on the cover touch with ourselves. "Know your likes and dislikes, your fears and of a brochure from the School Sisters of Notre Dame that proposed \ dreams, your hopes and interests, your abilities and limitations." four steps for identifying or disIn this there is a reminder of cerning one's vocations. gestalt therapy, which begins by asking: At this moment what do I feel about myself? Empasized in Seroing tile elderly of 30 countries the question is "this moment" the very moment for getting in contact with oneself.

Too often, when we attempt this we slip into the past or future. We go back in time and remember the way things were or we project into the future and imagine the way we want things to be. We don't truly focus on where we are at the present moment.

Step 2 states, "Be in touch with God. Develop a life of prayer, not just in times of crisis, but regularly. No relationship develops between persons unless they listen to each other. You must learn to listen to God." What is suggested is that we become one with God through the prayer of silent meditation. Silence, spiritual writer Isaac of Nineveh Following in the footsteps of Blessed tells us, is "like the sunlight which Jeanne Jugan, the Little Sisters of the Poor will illuminate you in God and will strive to live their consecration in the spirit of the Beatitudes. By caring for the deliver you from the phantoms of aged poor and becoming ·one family" ignorance: Silence will unite you with them, they experience the joy of a with God himself." total gift of self to Christ and to his Church.

Step 3 encourages us to write For more information, and for the address out all the pros and cons we have of the community nearest you, write: considered in discerning a vocation. This exercise forces us to take Little Sisters of the Poor thoughts that may appear discon601 Maiden Choice Lane

We serve Christ through His priests

Through personal work and prayer we sustain the priestly ministry

'

Where churc,h is persecute~d, vocations abou:nd NEWORLEANS(CNS)- U.S. vocations will increase - as they have in Africa and Mexico when the Catholic Church is perceived to be under serious attack or there is a deep search for spiritual values, delegates to a Serra regional convention in New Orleans were told.

"Where there is human suffering, where the church is being persecuted, where people are looking deeply and ,seriously for the real meaning ofIife, vocations abound," said Msgr. Gregory Aymond, president-rector of Notre Dame Seminary in New Orleans.

"Where there is oppression and where the courageous acts of the church come to the forefront, there are vocations" to the priesthood and religious life, he told about 200 Serrans at the September gathering.

The decrease in vocations has made it even more important to identify what he called "quality candidates."

He noted that Pope John Paul II, in his 1990 apostolic exhortation "Pastores Dabo Vobis," wrote, "God promised the church not any sort of shepherds, but shepherds after his own heart."

In reviewing seminary candidates, Msgr. Aymond said the pope asked seminary directors to identify severa:! human qualities that future pr::ests should have before entering religious life.

"He says the candidate must be a healthy human being," Msgr.

Aymond said. "If these qualities are there, then the formation process has a chance to work. Formation does not mean reform or remake. Our jub is to help men recognize their gifts."

Brothers of Christian Instruction The Brother of Christian Instruction is a man who dares to, follow Jesus' call to brother in the Church of the :Wth century.

To brother he joins a community that seeks God alone b~ faithfully living a vowed commitment.

The Brother is bold enough to bring the message of Jesus to today's people. He responds to the needs of the !Church as he shares in a common vision of catechesis and ev,angelization.

While Catholic education is his primary mission. he demonstrates a special care for the poor and the marginalized.

Notre Dame Center, Box 159 Alfred, ME 04002 207-324-6612

WE WORK FOR JUSTICE WE WORK FOR PEACE WEARE THE SISTERS OF ST. JOSEPH A COMMUNITY OF WOMEN RELIGIOUS

If you would like to know more about us, contact: Vocation Education Office, Sisters of St. Joseph Mont Marie, Holyoke, MA 01040 413-536-0853

THE PERMANENT DIACONATE VOCA nON OUTREACH: Participants in "River of Dreams" take a lunch break; program presenters, standing, from left, Brother Ronald Beauchemin, MS; Sister Aliceann Walsh, RSM; Father James Ferry; Father Maurice Gauvin; Sister Noel Blute, RSM; Sister Mary Scanlon, RJM; kneeling, Brother Robert Hazard, FSC; Sister Christina Geiger, RSM; Father Craig Pregana celebrates Mass. .

Vocation Council addresses youth, single adults with recent programs About 20 students from each of the four diocesan high schools took part in a Nov. 3. program, "River of Dream!;," sponsored by the Diocesan Vocation Council at St. Ann's parish c,enter, Raynham.

The program, previously conducted in other East Coast dioceses, came to the Fall River diocese for the first time under direction of Brother Robert Hazard, FSC;'SisterNoel Blute, RSM;and Father Craig Pregana, assistant to diocesan vocations director Msgr.

John J. Smith.

"River of Dreams," which takes its title from a Billy Joel song, is designed to educate and encourage young Catholics to respond to their baptismal call to holiness and service and to become more aware of the priesthood and religious life as options for living out that call.

The youths are challenged to spread the good news of Jesus Christ in their lives now and in whatever life vocation they later choose. The day provides students the opportunity to listen, dialogue and pray while sharing their faith with other young people.

The students, invited to participate based on qualities of leadership, spirituality and desire to serve, were accompanied by members of their high school campus ministry offices.

Participants could attend three of four workshops:

"Sparkling Waters," facilitated , sponsors other vocation awareness

by Fathers James Ferry and Craig activities, including the OASIS Pregana, which focused on the call program, which helps single Cathoreceived in baptism; lics discover various ways to serve "The Stream Within," conducted the church.

by Father Ronald Beauchemin, OASIS consists of a video proMS, and Sister Mary Scanlon, gram and speaker presentations RJM, discussing how God's spirit discussing local church endeavors moves and flows within us life a by laity, priests and religious to stream, always the same, yet always serve the needy. Dialogue, quesnew; tions and comments follow.

"The River Overflows," faciliOASIS has thus far been prestated by Sisters Aliceann' Walsh ' ented in the Taunton/ Attleboro and Christina Geiger, RSM, dis- and Fall River deaneries, with cussing how God's overflowing speakers including Mary-Lou Mangrace enables us to bring hope and .' cini of Catholic Social Services, Fall River; Father Maurice Gauservice to others; and "Crossing thl; River of Dreams," vin, parochial vicar at Santo directed by Sister Carole Mello, Christo parish, Fall River; JacqueOP¡ Father Maurice Gauvin; Broth- line Racine of the Diocesan Office er Raymond Davey, FSC; Michael for AIDS Ministry; and Father Cote; Thomas Souza and Jessica John Sullivan and Sister Perpetua McDermott, focusing on vocations Lester, RSM, Catholic chaplains to the priesthood and religious at Sturdy Memorial Hospital, life.

Attleboro.

A fifth workshop, "Sharing the Catch," attended by all, was designed to prepare participants to bring the program experience bac.k to their schools through their campus ministry offices.

Oasis The Diocesan Vocation Council is comprised of diocesan priests and religious sisters, brothers and priests who minister in the Fall River diocese. The council also

In 1995 OASIS will be presented in the New Bedford and Cape Cod deaneries.

OASIS committee members are Sister Carole Mello, OP; Sister Aliceann Walsh, RSM; Brother Robert Hazard, FSC; Father Andre Patenaude, MS; and Father Craig Pregana.

For more information on diocesan vocation programs, contact Father Pregana at 222-1206.

DIOCESE OF FALL RIVER A CALL TO SERVICE REV. JOHN F. MOORE Director Of The Permanent Diaconate Program 500 SLOCUM ROAD â&#x20AC;˘ NORTH DARTMOUTH, MA 02747

TEL. 993-9935

"Animated by the Gospel and Catherine McAuley's passion for the poor, we strive to be won1en of integrity in our personal and c0111nnlnallives and, to serve God's people with cornpassion, hospitality, and reverence."

(Mission Statement Sisters of Mercy. Regional Community of Providence)

For further information contact: Sister Aliceann Walsh, Sisters of Mercy, Highland View Road, Cumberland, RI 02864

401-333-6333

;V-Z

Sisters of Mercy of the Americas Hermanas de la Misericordia de las Americas

The· Priesthood • •

• • • Have YOU thought about it?

"Let yourself be SUlnmonea •

by the love

~' chrisl~

recognize his voice which ri~rs in the temyle of your heart. . Have no fear of the fatt that the resyonse he requirts . is radical, because jesus, who first loved you, irs re~v to give what he asks of you. if. he asks mudi it is because· he .knows that you can give much. n

-- poye ]OhfJl paul

Do you... ' · .. have questions about your future? · . . feel· a desire to follow Christ more closely? · .. want to discover something more of who you are?

It may be the Lord is calling you to Priesthood.

Is it time to come and see?

We will' be glad to help you by providing: reading material - an opportunity to talk - a list of events offered by the Vocations Office or help in any other way, to discern the Lord's caB. For more information, call or write: Diocese of Fall River

+'

Office of Vocations

Rev. Msgr. John J. Smith Director 5 Barbara Street S. Yarmouth, MA 02664 508-398-2248

Rev. Craig A. Pregana ,

Assistant Director 155 North Main Street Attleboro, MA 02703 508-222-1206

II

THE ANCHOR-Diocese of Fall River -Fri.. Nov. II, 1994

13

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SSe PETER & PAUL'S \lOl\1EN'S CLUB BE\TO.\ & DOVER STS.. FALL RIVER AT PRESS CONFERENCE announcing an addition to be built to Coyle-Cassidy High Sc?ool, Taunton, .are, from l~ft, Taunton Mayor Robert Nunes; Frank Tosti, building campal~n general chaIrperson; Bishop Sean O'Malley; Thomas Porter, building campaign vice chair; and Coyle-Cassidy headmaster Michael J. Donly. .

GIGANTIC CHANCE-A-KAMA "Iv....,:,,,.:, Vms for a Dollar!"

SATURDAY, NOV. 19 '1-7 P.M. SUNDAY NOV. 20 • 9 A.M. - 3 P.M. .5errJing

CYO basketball. season underway Another season of Fall River Area CYO Basketball got underway yesterday with four games in the Junior Girls Division. Today the Junior Girls will play from 9-2, followed by the Annual CYO Jamboree at 3: 15 p.m. This yearly "kickoff' features exhibition games in the Junior Boys Divisions as well as games, refreshments and danCing to music of Spectrum Sound D.J.'s. On Saturday, another full day of games in the Junior Girls Divisions will be featured and on Sunday regular season play begins for the Junior Boys and Prep Divisions. Senior Division action gets underway on Monday.

Close to 1000 young people between the ages of 10 and 22, representing some 21 parishes in Fall River area, are registered to participate in this year's program.

Holy Sepulchre Continued from Page One open next week's ceremonies with a Mass for deceased members of the order at 7 p.m. Nov. 18 at St. Francis Xavier Church, Hyannis, is himself a Knight of the Holy Sepulchre, inducted into the Southeastern Lieutenancy in September, 1987, and now a member of the Northeastern Lieutenancy.

Members of the Equestrian Order help maintain a Christian presence in the Holy Land through prayer and financial support of its churches, convents, seminaries, schools and orphanages. They aid in fostering general interest in the Holy Places and strive to exemplify Catholic ethical principles in their daily life. A member who makes a pilgrimage to the Holy Land is eligible for the order's highest decoration, the Pilgrim Shell, which is awarded by the Latin Patriarch of Jerusalem.

The new members will be inducted by Boston Cardinal Bernard Law, Grand Prior of the Northern Lieutenancy of the order, at a 4 p.m. Mass Nov. 19 at Christ the King parish, Mashpee.

The CYO, located on Anawan Street in Fall River, is open seven days a week. During the winter months it is open as a center for young people to gather on Saturday nights. A good portion of the program is funded by the annual Catholic Charities Appeal.

Father Jay Maddock is the director of the Fall River Art;a CYO, assisted by long-time associate director Albert "Val" Vaillancourt. Assistant directors this year are Rick Lepage, Adam Burns and Pat Burke. Father Maddock expressed his appreciation to the

Pope vs. Mafia Continued from Page One and contribute to bettering the world," the pope told children in Syracuse Nov. 6 in his last speech before leaving Sicily. "Let Jesus put in your hands his peaceful weapons, not the knives and pistols you see on television and, unfortunately, sometimes in real life."

During the papal visit, church leaders said that reaching youths also means overcoming social problems, especially high unemployment, which gives law-abiding young people little hope of a decent life.

The unemployment rate in the Catania-Syracuse area is about 30 percent, while the national average is about 12 percent. About 70 percent of the Catania-Syracuse unemployed are people 18-26 years old.

But the pope and church leaders also stressed positive values in Sicilian society. Prior to the papal visit, the Catania archdiocese had collected letters from youths and compiled them into a book for the pope.

"Our Catania is not just a negative reality, Mafia criminality. It is also volunteer work, charity and the zealous dedication of so many people above all in the most tormented and difficult neighborhoods," wrote Emanuela Grosso, a third-year high school student.

parishes, coaches, and parents for their work in allowing the CYO program to continue helping a large number of young people.

For further information on CYO activities, call 672-9644.

Resurrection "Our Lord has written the promise of resurrection, not in books alone but in every leaf of springtime."-Martin Luther

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Youth "Come Home to Christ" at annual convention-

DRAMATIC MOMENTS at the Dio~esan' Youth Convention: "The RagMan," Chad D'Adamo, returns to his followers, Erica Furze and Matt Morgan; Qeacon Paul Fournier reads the Gospel, dramatized by youth; St.

By Marcie Hickey God's presence is not merely a The young church of the Fall physical state but an inner posture River diocese gathered-about 800 of prayerfulness and receptivestrong-on Oct. 30, lear~iIl:g that ness.

God's love for them is expansive Brown, who is a parish youth beyond imagining, beyond the walls minister in Lowell and an assistant of their parish church, beyond the instructor"in Harvard University's confines of Bishop Connolly High,' education'department, coordinates School in Fall River, site of tne urban y,outh inintstry fo"rtbe:Bos-', sev'enth annual Diocesan Youth ton archdiocese. .

Convention, , , Twenty other !\peakt:rs offered Speaking on the theme "Come workshops'attheconvenlion,which Home to Christ," keynoter A.J, also included Mass, a youth forum, I'n, .dramatic presentations, a .pizza " that b~;ng ".

Brow' n sugge,s'tb'd' judging contest,aI;ld a dance.

.

.

NOVEMBER-FEST', Sr. JOSEPH • NEW. BEDFORD CHURCH,~LL. ACUSHf.lrt AVE. . .;

~

;,

SATURDAY, Nov. 19

9 A.M. - 7:30 P.M..

Entertainment 12 Noon - 4:00 PM; Pony Rides • Santa Claus 1:"3 PM.

Build )OOr (M1ll home nM with a Construction Loan from Citizens-Union Savings Bank. taU Ri\lf'r - Maio.. Orrirf': .. So. Main ~l..-t. 61H-7MI-.:J35 Stafford Ilead. ~10 Rob«'tlon Stn"f'l.

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Mary's, Fairhaven, youth group members (from left) Mike Skidmore, Patty Medeiros, Charlie Murphy and Pani Pialt perform "The Inner Circle," a play about AIDS. Also a performer was Justina Viveiros. (Hickey photos)

Brown acknowledged that cultivating inner space for God, akin to the biblical images of "a resting place, a cool stream, peace, quietness," is d1fficult when there is so much "input" competing for young people's attention in a fast-paced world." '. "We've gOf the:NFL, the NHL, NESN, CBS, ABC, NBC, MTV, theoDisney Channel, Snoop Doggy Dogg" on·constant feed around the clock: "24-7-365," he said. .Such'inp'ut advocating constant activit};~ "to, do a,od to do and to do," 'is out" of balance with the messag'e of Chris'tta',' nity and can even "tune it out," Brown cautioned.: ~~These inp.uts do not tell you to take time in prayer, con, template the goodness of God." The '~e.!ementso{nyp,e" in a c'onsumer-orjented society are , geared 'far mass appeal, making the idea of"a God that's close and personal" somewhat exotic and "almost unreal," said Brown.

It may seem easier,'Btown added, "to shut God out of our lives, live according to what the world says is successful. We have that option not to be at home with Christ, and the world may applaud us for that," But our God, he said, is the God of Francis Thompson's poem "The Hound of Heaven"; in other words, "He's on our case."

Just as if you kept getting invitations toa party and turning them down, only to find the invitations continued coming anyway, said Brown, "God pursues us and invites us and what he has for us is all good."

He described what God has in store as "being in love"-not romance, he said, but "being inside of that love, being in Christ, being in God." When it seems that there is so much to do "to be about this business of Christianity... pouring out our gifts," said, Brown, God gives us the capacity to "take [his] calm with us even as we are acting and doing."

Athletes call it "The Zone": a sellsation that as they are playing-scoring that goal, hitting that homerun, makingthattouchdowneverything is "moving in slow motion," Brown related.

Even when you're busy, the speaker told the youths, "recognize that there is an aspect of you that just watches you ...Step outside of the action" and into "The Zone." "Then you're closer to being able to connect with God in prayer."

Before you can accomplish the "work" of Christianity, you must "be all that you can be," Brown

said, putting a new spin on the recruitment pitch: "each and every person here is God's child. There is nothing more for us to be! There is nothing more for us to do than to manifest that." With this realization, that God loves you just as you are, "then you can get into the transformation of our li"es and our world," Brown concluded.

Two-Way Covenant Father Bill Baker, Mass homilist, and Father Tom Frechette, yout h f orum mo d erator, I'k' 1 eWlse touched on the theme that the d ' h' youths on t need t6 be anyt 109 "more" than what they are to "be in God's love."

Father Baker, parochial vicar at St. Mary's in Seekonk, said the greatest commandment, to love God and neighbor, involves twoway covenants: "God's love for me and my love for God; me loving neighbor and neighbor loving me," "10 both IS A neglected f actor love of self, he said~ "It's easy to love God; God is good," said Father Baker. And it's easy to love others, too, most of the time. But neither covenant can be accomplished without love of self.

Like most youths, the priest recalled, in his own teen years he felt he wasn't athletic enough, smart enough, good looking enough... "anything enough!"

To overcome that feeling, "we need to involve God in a two-way covenant to love us," said Father Baker, "God knows we're not perfect. God loves us anyway and hangs in there with us even when we stray."

The priests said the students need to cultivate their relationship with God with times of prayer and reflection.

Father Frechette, parochial vicar at Holy Trinity parish, West Harwich, took questions and comments from convention participants during a forum later in the day. He offered some advice about prayer, suggesting that the students speak to God as they would to a friend.

"I spend a lot of time talking to God about what you might think are silly things," Father Frechette told the teenagers. "It's about spending time together. Share what's going on in your life." If it's important to you, he said, it's important to God. Father Baker likened the call to prayer to church bells or a referee's whistle-sounds that make people pause and pay attention.

"We're bombarded by issues all the time"-family, friends, worries about school and the future.

"If you try to deal with those issues

and leave God out of the equation, you end up with a lot of issues and emptiness at the center. It makes the most sense when we start with God ... Let Jesus be at ihe center of all we do."

Many issues with which teens have to deal were topics of afternoon workshops. During the forurn, participants gave high ratings to workshops OIi eating disorders, stress, and "God and MTV,"which looked at the meaning beyond the music.

Also mentioned as affecting was Jay Hoyle's presentation on the life and death from AIDS of his 14-year-old son Mark. "It was a touching story," said one teen who attended.

One ofthe most heavily attended workshops was "Coping with Parents." Nancy Towers of Charlton Memorial Hospital in Fall River, mother' of three and frequent speaker on how parents can cope with their children's adolescence, turned the tables to address the issue from the other side.

She assured her audience that though their parents seem to be from another planet, there really is a reason behind their behavior and their rules: they love their children and want what's best for them.

Mrs. Towers presented a diagram detailing the inner workings of a parent's brain. Its features included: "The worry gremlin"-it tells parents all of the bad things that can possibly happen to kids-and a "panic button" which is activated when things go awry, causing possible overreaction.

The "sense of authority guard"-it was never challenged by toddlers or preteens, but is now seemingly under constant onslaught by teens and maintains a tense alertness.

"Damaged brain cells"-these are caused by many years of parenting, Mrs. Towers asserted, and when combined with work orfamily stress can result in seemingly senseless behavior.

"Thefragile ego"-it hurts when parents feel rejected by their kids.

Keeping it all together, though, is the "good intentions" lobe, which harbors the desire to be a good parent.

"Love may not be expressed but it's always there," said Mrs. Towers. "Your parents want to help you, make your life easier, give their children better things than they had."

To get out ofthe vicious cycle of Turn to Page 15

Y011th "Come Home to Christ" Continued from Page 14 conflict and argument without resolution, Mrs. Towers suggested the youths initiate communication with their parents by keeping away from "hot topics" at first and sticking to neutral ones; for example "prehistoric life."

"Your parents had a life before you," Mrs. Towers revealed, and learning about it might help teens get to know their parents better.

Then, "once you get dialogue' going," said Mrs. Towers, "you can learn the skills to talk about your differences"-which arise, according to the students, on such subjects as friends, dating, curfews, privacy, and music, TV and clothing choices.

Parents' overprotective ness often results from a lack of communication, because they don't know where you stand on these matters, Mrs. Towers said. Because they don't want anything bad to happen, "it's easier to just say no."

But if parents hear teens communicating on the issues that cause conflict and they meet their children's friends, "they will start to trust you more," Mrs. Towers concluded.

For Youth Mililisters Workshops for adults by Dr. Ernest Colla mati, religious studies professor at Regis College, Weston, and Lori Mikulis of St. John the Evangelist parish, Attleboro, addressed what teens need from the church and from their youth ministers.

The presenters said the single most important thing youth ministers have to offer teens is to live the faith themselves. That will make the grea test and most lasting impression on youths, they said.

"Kids need peopl,~ who care, people who walk tbe talk and make it real," said Ms. Mikulis.

Dr. Colla mati recalled the simple prayers he encouraged from his then-toddler son, asking the boy at the end of the day to express what he was thankful for and what he was sorry for. One night after finishing his prayers, the two-anda-half-year-old unexpectedly turned to Dr. Colla mati and asked, "and Daddy, what are you sorry for?"

Children, from a very young age, want to know "that we're not just preaching it, we're living it," said Dr. Colla mati. "They need to see us struggle... see us get down on our knees."

He added that today's church must expand its sphere of influence to "touch many aspects of kids' lives. Programs that have social and recreational opportunities-even opening up a parish center for basketball--do as much to make the faith attractive to youths as teaching catechism.

"They need to feel that church is attractive, that they've found another home there, that it always has an open door for them," said Dr. Colla mati.

Both presenters suggested that youth ministers' Success lies in understanding their own past, their personal faith history.

"Why are you stiKI Catholic?" they asked the youth ministers.

The majority of ad ults' responses pointed to a significant person or persons who influencl:d their lives: "An eighth grade nun who was terrific, and my mother."

"My grandmother said to me, 'The gift I had I have given to you;

Hickey phOlO

A.J. BROWN

I would like to see you do the same.' " Today's youth ministers may have undergone a period of questioning or distancing from the church, said Dr. Collamati, but such an experien(~e is not unusual for young people at a time when they are "questioning everything."

Yet only 13 to 17 percent leave the church permanently. Most come back, said Dr. Colla matitypically when they marry, have children or experience tragedy.

"You are the next link" in "the story of Catholicism," Dr. Collamati told the youth ministers.

"If we made it, there's good hope" for the next generation,

THE ANCHOR-Diocese of Fall River~--Fri" Nov. II, 1994

15

~~~ Madonna Ma1Wr'~~~

5tnnua{

Christmas 'Bazaar :FriaaY'j ~vem6er 18 9am-3pm

Saturaay, ~vem6er 19 9am-l pm • Children's Activities • Crafts • Raffles

• Jewelry

• Baked Goods • Luncheon Daily • White Elephant

85'JW Wasliington Street •

'JW. 9..ttfeDoro, M.9t • (508) 699-2740

Turn to Page 16

Making Friends ,

Participating in Athletics and Extra Curricular Activities

Attaining Acade~ic Success

Studying With Teachers Who Care

Being the Best We Can Be

COYLE AND CASSIDY HIGH SCHOOL Recognized as an ''Exemplary School" by the United States Department ofEducation •• 1991 Accredited by the New England Association of Schools and Colleges National Catholic Education Association Member Institution

Adams and Hamilton Streets. Taunton, Massachusetts 02780-2483 • Tel. (508) 823-6164 • Fax: (508) 823-2530

16 -T-H E.AN<;:.HOR -:Diocese·o~~al!:~iv~!_~f.ti;;J~_Qy ...U,_t9.9:4: ' •

.

-.:--«

... _ -..

PUBLICITY CHAIRMEN are asked to submit news Items for this column to The Anchor, P.O. BOJ.: 7, Fall River, 02722. Name of city or town should be Included, as well as lull dates 01011 activities. Please send news of futuro rather than past events.

Due to limited space and also because notices of strictly parish affairs normally· appear In a parish's own bulletin, we are lorced to limit Items to events of general Interest. Also, we do not normally carry notices of fundraising activities, wMch may be advertised at our regular rates, obtainable from The Anchor business office, telephone (508) 675-7151.

On Steering Points Items, FR Indicates Fall River; NB Indicates New Bedford.

CATHOLIC NURSES, CAPE AND THE ISLANDS Meeting 7 p.m. Nov. 16, St. Anthony's Chllrch hall, Falmouth; Marian Desrosiers of Diocesalll ProLife Apostolate will speak. Information: 362-8264.

O.L. ASSUMPTION, OSTERVILLE Contributions to holiday food drive may be deposited in container at front entrance of church.

ST. JULIE BILLIART, N. DARTMOUTH Vincentians will collect holiday food donations this weekend and next; baskets will be distributed Nov. 20.

CATHOLIC SOCIAL SERVICES, CAPE Sister Elizabeth Engel, OP, will present a workshop for parents of . pre-teens and adolescents on "Surviving the Adolescent Years" 7 to 9 p.m. Nov. 14, O.L. Victory parish center, Centerville. The program will lay groundwork for follow-up parent support group meetings which could meet in churches, schools or neigh borhoods.

HEA1LING SERVICE Sunday, Nov. 13 - 2:00 PM La Salette Prayer Group Healing Ministry

BIBLE STUDY CLASS Wednesday, Nov. 16 10:00 AM & 7:00 PM

EUCHARISTIC ADORATION Wednesday, Nov. 16 after the 6:30 PM Novena Mass to Our Lady of La Salette

• •• A T][ME TO HEAL ••• Saturday, Nov. 19 - 10:00-4:00 A D~y of Insight and Healing for Adults Raised in Dysfunctional Families Ja~kie Sitte, RN, CARN, NCAC II Pre-Registration. Call for details.

O.L. CAPE, BREWSTER' , Vincentians will be assembling Thanksgiving baskets Nov. 13. Family brunch will follow lO a.m. Mass Nov. 13; Carola Domar will speak about her experiences as a Jewish girl growing up in Nazi Germany.

Information: 385-2169.

ST. JAMES, NB Vincentians will be collecting holiday food donations this weekend and next.

ST. ANNE, FR Pro-Life Committee will sponsor Mass for expectant families 6:30 p.m. Nov. 22. Call 674-5651 or Marie Galego, 675-7062, by Nov. 22 to have seats reserved.

Continued from Page 1.5 who Will "take their ring and add it to a chain that's already there."

LOWER CAPE ULTREYA Monthly meeting 7:30 tonight O. L. Cape parish center, Brewster.

ST. FRANCIS XAVIER, HYANNIS Holy Name Society monthly corporate Mass and communion 9 a.m.

Sunday followed by meeting in parish center. Joseph J. Reilly, executive director of Massachusetts Citizens for Life, will speak.

SERRA CLUB, NB Mass for deceased members 7 p.m. Nov. 14, SI. Julie Billiart Church. N. Dartmouth. Fellowship will follow hosted by Father Brian Harringt'on, pastor and Serra Club chaplain.

SEPARATED/DIVORCED CATHOLICS, CAPE Support group meeting 7 p.m.

Nov. 20, SI. Pius X parish center, S. Yarmouth. Msgr. Daniel Hoye will speak on "Where We Stand in the Church." Newcomers welcomed at 6:30 p.m. Information: 362-9873 or 385-2693.

SHRINE EVENTS: Psychotherapist Jacqueline Sitte of Stoughton will present the workshop" A Time to Heal," for adults raised in dysfunctional families, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Nov. 19 in the monastery. Preregistration requested

by Nov. 14.

Final healing services for 1994 will be 2 p.m. Nov. 13 and Nov. 20. Each will include opportunity to be prayed over or anointed individually.

Ecumenical service for Vietnam veterans and their families and friends 6 p.m. Nov. 19, led by Father Philip Salois, MS, and a pastoral team comprised of Vietnam veterans.

Information: 222-5410.

D. of I., NB Hyacinth Circle 71 Daughters of Isabella meeting and memorial service for deceased members 7 p.m.

Nov. 15, Holy Name Church, NB. O.L. GRACE, WESTPORT Mass for expectant families (including grandparents) lOa.m. Dec. 4.

PAX CHRISTI OF CAPE COD Pax Christi Massachusetts retreat tomorrow at SI. Stephen's Priory, Dover, given by Father Mike DeTemple, OP; information: 771-6737. Next III and 19 in the Hemingway Theameeting will be 7:30 p.m. Dec. 19 at tre. The production, by John Guare and directed by Bruce Shapiro, deals O. L. Victory parish. with a woman facing the death of her DOMINICAN ACADEMY son.

Seventh annual Festival of Joy 5 ST. PATRICK, WAREHAM to 9 p.m. tonight and 9 a.m. to 9 p.m.

Scripture study on Acts 3-5 7 to tomorrow.

8: 15 tonight. Vincentians are collectDIABETES ASSOCIATION of ing holiday foods for the needy.

GREATER FR Names of families in need of »ssistDr. Theresa Bento will speak in ance should be submitted' by Nov. Portuguese on "Managing Your 15; call 295-5404, 295-0733, 295Diabetes" 2:30 p.m. Nov. 20, St. 0663 or 295-6411.

Anthony of Padua Church, FR. ST. JOSEPH, TAUNTON Nurses and dietitians will be availaScouts will begin annual "Scoutble to answer questions following ing for Food" program tomorrow by the presentation and refreshments delivering bags to local homes. They will be served. Information: 672-5671. will return Nov. 19 to collect bags SALVE REGINA UNIVERSITY, filled with canned goods and nonpeNEWPORT, RI rishable foods.

Biblical Spirituality Program con- ST. JOHN OF GOD, SOMERSET tinues 7:30 p.m. Thursday Nov. 17Joint meeting of St. John of God Dec. 15, McAuley Hall, led by Salve Women's Guild and St. Louis de Regina religion instructor Jayne M. France, Swansea, Ladies ofSt. Anne Hennessey. Nov. 17 program will Sodality 7:30 p.m. Nov. 16, St. John's focus on Old Testament; December parish center. F~ther Stephen A. sessions will have Advent themes.

Fernandes will present a magic show, "Adventures in the Magic of the DCCW Taunton District Council of Catho- Mind." lic Women open meeting 7:30 p.m. ST. WILLIAM, FR Nov. 16, Our Lady of Lourdes The parish Respect Life CommitSchool. Dorothy Levesque will speak tee invites all to a holy hour of on "The Media and Families: Friends prayer for a greater respect for human or FoesT' life 7 to 8 p.m. Nov. 14. Exposition Cape and Islands District meeting of Blessed Sacrament, rosary, scrip2 p.m. Nov. 13, St. Joan of Arc ture readings, quiet time and, BeneChurch, Orleans. diction will be included.

CURSILLO STONEHILL COLLEGE, Leaders' School 7:30 p.m. Nov. N. EASTON 16, Bishop Connolly H.S., FR. All The Nakamichi Concert Series welcome. Dartmouth, New Bedford will present The Charles Street AM E and coastal communities ultreyas Church Gospel Choir of Boston 8 meet 7 p.m. Nov. 15, St. Joseph's p.m. Nov. 15, Chapel of Mary.

Church, NB, for liturgy celebrated Congresswoman Patricia Schroe- by Father John Raposo. Witness by der (D-CO) will speak on "Women Connie Levasseur; Nairn Benavente and Politics" 7:30 p.m. Nov. 16, is in charge of palanca. Westport Martin Institute. Information: 230- and St. Helena's regional ultreya 1120. meet 7 p.m. Nov. 18, St. John the Theatre Company will present"land- Baptist parish, Westport; Dora Pascape of the Body" 8 p.m. Nov. 17. checo is witness speaker.

The Inner Circle The convention featun~d two dramatic presentations. The first, which opened the convention, was called "Rag Man," a '90s perspective of Jesus' healing touch in which Chad [)' Adamo was a Christ of the streets who reached out to the homeles:;, hungry, wounded and intoxicated, taking their afflictions upon himself and leaving them whole. Observers considered the Rag Man's practices irrational; then they thought he had died in a garbage heap from all the suffering he had incurred. But three days later he unexpectedly returned in glory.

Later, a play called "The Inner Circle," presented by diocesan youth evangelization director Father Charles Jodoin and the youth group of SI. Mary's parish, Fairhaven, explored the n:lationships offour teenagers afte r one of them learns he has AIDS. , Eric and Jill Djl coordi nated a new feature of the annual (:onvention: a "Pizza Wars" contest in which a youth panel judgl~d contributions from a dozen local pizza restaurants.

The Halloween-themed dance that ended the convention was organized by Bud Miller, coordinator of youth services and a convention plan::ter along with Father David Costa, director of youth services, and a youth committee, including masters of ceremonies Dan Hayden of Bishop Stang High School and Barika Barhoza of Our Lady of the Assumption parish, New Bedford.

The yout\;, forum with Father Frechette enabled participants to . sum up their impressions of the day. One teen said she lik~d A.J. Brown's message that "God is always around you, even if you choose to do evil before you choose God." Another participant said the day left him with the belief that "if you think and feel God is wil:h you, then he is."

Coyle-Cassidy TAUNTON-The Coyle and Cassidy Leadership Assembly, moderated by faculty members Kate Brennan and Donald Pelll~tier, is planning Spirit Week and Homecoming Events, which begin Nov. 16 and conclude with Homecoming Activities on Thanksgiving.

Thedram.a club will present "Our Town" 7 p.m. Nov. 12 and 13. Starring are Anne 0 'Brien, Ken Cerreto, Meghan HOYI~, Mike Fournier, Eriin Morley and John Foley, with a 29-member supporting cast. Bridget Brennan i.s stage manager and. Jen deAbre:lu and Cara PersechLno are assistant managers.

Carol Caulfield and Chris Myron are faculty moderators of the: drama club.

Bishop Stang NORTH DARTMOUTH-An open house for prospective students and their parents will be held 7 p.m. Nov. 17. Included 'will be tours and exhibits and the ,opportunity to meet with faculty, stu~ dents, administrators and coaches.

Information: Al Catelli, director of admissions, 996-5602.