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Diocese of Fall River, Mass.

Friday, November 17, 2017

Sacred Heart Home, New Bedford — 100 years of compassionate care.

(Story on page two.)

Photo by Dave Jolivet The Anchor - November 17, 2017 1

Sacred Heart Home, a hidden oasis in New Bedford, celebrates 100 years of meeting the Spiritual and medical needs of area elderly

By Dave Jolivet Anchor Editor davejolivet@anchornews.org

and less than one month later, opened the doors of “Le Petit Chateau,” as they NEW BEDFORD — called it, to its first boarders In 1917, Father Omer at a price of $5 per week Valois, pastor of Sacred for room and board.

Heart Parish in New BedFor nearly three years, ford, trekked north to Que- the Sisters maintained the bec City, Canada to request home until August of 1920 the assistance of a handful when their Superior in of Sisters of Charity of Quebec, Sister St. Thomas Quebec to run and mainAquinas, sent word to them tain a home in the Whalthat they were to return ing City with the purpose because their mission in of providing a safe shelter New Bedford was “not part for young working women. of the Constitution of the On October 5 of that Congregation.” Bishop year, five Sisters arrived in Feehan stepped in and New Bedford from Quebec worked with the superior to begin their mission at to keep the Sisters in New Maison du Sacre-Coeur (Sa- Bedford with the agreecred Heart Home), named ment that the home would by then-Fall River Bishop admit the aged and infirm.

Daniel F. Feehan.

Marie Bonneau became The five, Sisters St. the first-ever elderly resiAlice, St. Albert, St. Gerdent on Sept. 24, 1920 and maine, St. Florence and was cared for there until St. Venant, prepared the her passing on May 13, newly-acquired home and 1924. property on the corner of Eventually the home Summer and Austin streets, became filled and appli-

cants were turned away.

Following a very successful fund-raising campaign, the current Sacred Heart Home building at 359 Summer Street was blessed and opened for residents on Oct. 26, 1926.

The Dames Patronesses, established in 1925, monitored fund raising for the home and assisted with charitable acts there and remained active until they were disbanded in 1987.

Through the years, the needs and population grew and eventually three new additions were added to the Summer Street home: the first opened in August of 1949, the second in October of 1958, and the last in September of 1967.

Upgrades and renovations to the home occur when needed to ensure that the state-of-the art world of Spiritual and medicinal care is always available to the residents, which today numbers approximately 180.

By then, Le Petit Chateau

was long since razed, but the small-home charm of the expansive Sacred Heart Home remained.

Now, as its 100th year comes to an end, the Sisters are no longer a visible presence there, having moved back to Quebec, but their warmth, comfort, compassion and care for the sick and elderly remain a cornerstone of the Sacred Heart Home mission.

“I am so proud to be a part of Sacred Heart Home,” administrator Jennifer Davis told The Anchor.

“Like its beginnings 100 years ago, this place has a home-like environment, and not only am I proud to be a part of it, but so are our wonderful residents and employees. Those who make up the staff are family to the residents, and each other. And you don’t find that everywhere.”

Davis, administrator since July 2015, added, “Sacred Heart Home has always remained true to the mission of the Sisters

of Charity, of quality of care for all people and the respect for all life. We care for the whole person and steer away from some secular views of care for terminal or elderly patients.

“One of the qualities that sets us apart from other nursing facilities is the focus of the Spiritual component here, a different focus to daily life for our residents.”

On October 26 Msgr.

Edmund J. Fitzgerald, director of the Diocesan Health Facilities, of which Sacred Heart Home is a part, celebrated a mission Mass at the New Bedford site as part of its 100th anniversary celebrations.

He joined the residents and staff at a reception which followed.

To help mark the celebration, Sister Theresa Bergeron, S.C.Q., former director of Nursing Services at Sacred Heart Home, wrote from the mother house in Quebec, Turn to page 19

Msgr. Edmund J. Fitzgerald, director of the Diocesan Health Facilities Office, sits with ninety-eight-year-old Irene L’Ecuyer Harnois, a resident of Sacred Heart Home, at the reception following the Mission Mass at the New Bedford skilled nursing center on October 26, part of the facility’s 100th anniversary celebration.

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The Anchor - November 17, 2017

Bishop to initiate adults into Church November 18

By Kenneth J. Souza Anchor Staff kensouza@anchornews.org

FALL RIVER — Bishop Edgar M. da Cunha, S.D.V., will confer the Sacrament of Confirmation onto 41 candidates who recently completed the latest diocesan Adult Faith Formation program and another half dozen who were trained in their respective parishes, on Saturday, November 18 at St. Mary’s Cathedral in Fall River.

According to Deacon Bruce J. Bonneau, director of the Rite of Christian Initiation for Adults for the Fall River Diocese, interest in the RCIA program has been gaining momentum of late.

“Actually, it has increased gradually over time — usually in the fall we have around 35 candidates and this year it’s almost 50, so it’s gone up,” Bonneau recently told The Anchor. “That’s a pretty healthy number. Of course, we’re drawing from around the diocese.”

Every year, Deacon Bonneau oversees two Adult Confirmations — one in the spring and another in the fall — during which adults are confirmed and welcomed into the Catholic Church.

The spring Confirmation is typically held during the Easter season, sometime in May. The fall Confirmation generally takes place in October or November, just prior to the beginning of Advent and the start of another Liturgical calendar year.

“It’s not intentionally designed that way,” Bonneau said. “Most of the scheduling really revolves around what dates we can get, how holidays fall, and the bishop’s schedule. (This year) we settled on November 18. It will always be in late fall, but not so much because in anticipation of the Advent season.”

The Fall River Diocese used to celebrate just one Adult Confirmation in the spring, but Deacon Bonneau said it made more sense to offer two different opportunities during the year.

“I met with some of the priests from the deaneries and other people and I thought even out of my own personal ministerial experiences that if someone were to come to you, let’s say in June, and expressed the desire to be confirmed, you pretty much had to say they had to wait until next May,” he said. “So having two Adult Confirmations allowed us to have a better pastoral response to them and say, well we do have a program and the bishop does do an Adult Confirmation in the fall, so if things come together perhaps you could participate.”

Deacon Bonneau said the reasons for people wanting to join the Church vary from person to person, but typically it revolves around them wanting to serve as someone’s godparent or because they want to marry in the

Church and had never been confirmed.

“Then there are those who have just decided the time is right to get confirmed,” he said. “There’s always a mixture of people and reasons.”

While some RCIA candidates have had prior Church experience, others have had little to no training in the faith, he said.

“I would say, unfortunately, we have a situation where more and more of our candidates have had little experience with the Church,” Bonneau said. “They’re pretty disconnected. Many times it’s really not their fault — it’s the parents or the godparents before them who didn’t bring them up in the faith. So we’re starting to experience the reality of the fact that we’re not bringing many of our young people up in the faith.”

Applicants wishing to be confirmed through the RCIA program must attend six weekly two-hour training sessions and then participate in a one-day retreat experience. While the training can be done individually on the

parish level, the diocesan program provides an opportunity for candidates to enjoy the experience of learning together in a group dynamic.

“If you only have one person in your parish, it’s very hard,” Bonneau said. “You don’t have that interchange and it leaves the whole pastoral piece obviously to the parish and the pastor to develop. So I think we’ve complemented each other well.

I think I’ve done as much as I can to get them back into their parishes, which is the goal, frankly. You’re not initiated to become a godparent, you’re initiated to become part of the Catholic Church and part of the worshipping

community.”

Although the instruction is meant to teach candidates the tenets of Catholicism, Deacon Bonneau said it isn’t meant “to make them theologians.”

“It’s just to give them the fundamentals of the faith, or the basic building blocks of what we believe as Catholics.

And you really can’t do much Turn to page 23

Diocese of Fall River

OFFICIAL His Excellency, the Most Reverend Edgar M. da Cunha, S.D.V., Bishop of Fall River, has made the following appointments: College of Consultors Reverend Monsignor Stephen J. Avila, V.F. Reverend Paul E. Canuel Very Reverend Gregory A. Mathias, V.G. Reverend Arnold R. Medeiros Reverend John M. Murray Reverend John J. Oliveira Very Reverend Timothy P. Reis, V.F. Effective: November 2, 2017 The Anchor - November 17, 2017

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Faith Formation Convention — Bringing the love of Jesus to others

By Linda Andrade Rodrigues Special to The Anchor SEASKYANDSPIRIT. BLOGSPOT.COM

TAUNTON — Two hundred parish leaders from the four corners of the Diocese of Fall River gathered together to seek ways to reach out and regenerate the faith at the 2017 Faith Formation Ministry Convention, “Becoming a Church of Intentional Disciples,” on November 4 at the Holiday Inn. “I’m grateful to the diocese for putting on events like this — it’s important,” said Danielle Crain, a Religious Education and homeschool teacher, who represented St. John the Evangelist Parish in Attleboro along with husbandand-wife catechists, Susie and Sean Martin.

Pope Francis teaches that “being a disciple means being constantly ready to bring the love of Jesus to others, and this can happen unexpectedly and in any place: on the street, in a city square, during work, on a journey.”

All present were on a mission to take this message back to their parishes and out into the world.

The daylong event began with the celebration of the Eucharist in English, Spanish and Portuguese with Bishop Edgar M. da Cunha,

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S.D.V., as principal celebrant.

“My brothers and sisters, it is good to be here with all of you,” said the bishop.

“May God bless all your ministries in the service of God’s people.”

Led by the Stonehill College Choir, the assembly sang: “One we become, no longer strangers. / No longer

enough time with their families.”

Instead, he pointed out, they spend time with their virtual connections: smartphones and other devices, as well as on their Facebook and Twitter accounts.

“Have you Twittered today?” he asked, and the

people is a Church without a future,” said Father Tom Washburn, O.F.M., during his workshop “Engaging Millennials: Evangelization in the Age of Facebook, Twitter and Snapchat.”

The pastor of St. Margaret Parish in Buzzards Bay, Father Washburn is a member

Father Tom Washburn,O.F.M., left, pastor of St. Margaret Parish in Buzzards Bay, teaches the workshop “Engaging Millennials: Evangelization in the Age of Facebook, Twitter and Snapchat.” At right, Danielle Crain, a Religious Education and homeschool teacher, far left, and husband-and-wife catechists, Susie and Sean Martin, represented St. John the Evangelist Parish in Attleboro at the Faith Formation Ministry Conference. (Photos

by Linda Andrade Rodrigues)

empty or frail. / Filled with the Spirit, ev’ry hunger satisfied. / Christ is the center of our lives.”

During his homily, the bishop spoke about the plight of today’s youth.

“Young people are yearning for connection,” he said.

“Many of them don’t have

The Anchor - November 17, 2017

congregation erupted in laughter.

“Young people are so attached to their virtual connections that they disconnect from family and community,” he added. “This is very destructive and leads to isolation, and that’s where we come in with our love and care and compassion. Dear friends, this is the challenge of our time: For us to pass down the faith to the next generation.”

For the recessional song, the people sang: “We are the hands of Christ reaching out to those in need, / the Face of God for all to see. / Go make a difference in the world.”

General training sessions on the role of evangelization were offered in English and Spanish, as well as workshops in English and Portuguese.

“A Church without young

of the Franciscan Order and holds a master of Divinity and a master of theology from Weston Jesuit School of Theology and is currently a doctoral candidate at Creighton University exploring new ways of evangelizing the Church today.

Following Generation X, Millennials are those born between 1980 and 2000, ages 17 to 37; and they are the largest (80 million) and most educated generation in U. S. history.

According to Father Washburn, they are the first generation to grow up completely immersed in digital technology, which shaped their identities and created political, social and cultural attitudes.

On average, Millennials text 128 times a day and send out 4,000 texts a month.

“They are digital natives in a land of digital immigrants,” he said. “The digital immigrants are us.”

There was only one Millennial in the class.

He listed their attributes: they are civic-oriented with a strong sense of community and are conscious of health, social and environmental issues; they are global citizens who feel responsible to make the world better; they value authenticity and want people to be true to their values; they are compassionate and want to help others; they are progressive and want to change the system; they value diversity and are accepting of all kinds of people; and they are not religious and are less likely to practice religion than older generations.

The fastest growing religious group in the U.S. are the “Nones,” those unaffiliated with any organized religion. Thirty-six percent of the younger Millennials (ages 17 to 24) and 34 percent of the older Millennials (ages 25 to 37) are “Nones.”

Father Washburn outlined some of the reasons they are leaving the faith: They feel the Church is too judgmental, especially on sexual issues. They are skeptical of authority and value independent thought, at the expense of obedience. They are detached from social institutions. They marry later than prior generations, and many are not marrying at all.

But there is hope, he said.

At World Youth Day in 1995, Pope John Paul II said: “What is needed today is a Church which knows how to respond to the expectations of young people. Jesus wants to enter a dialogue with them and through His Body which is the Church to propose the possibility of a choice which will require Turn to page 15

Bishop to award Marian Medals to 82 diocesan faithful

FALL RIVER — Bishop Edgar M. da Cunha, S.D.V., will award the diocesan Marian Medal to 82 laypersons from parishes throughout the Fall River Diocese

on November 19 at 3 p.m. in the Cathedral of St. Mary of the Assumption, 327 Second Street in Fall River.

First presented in 1968, the

annual award recognizes members of diocesan parishes for their dedicated service to the Church.

Recipients are nominated for the award by their pastor.

2017 Marian Medal Award recipients

Attleboro Deanery

Ann Allen Jean Barrett John W. Blake George Boler Delores Duquette Robert Fife Frank Gibbons Beatrice Melanson Joanne M. Regali Jane Steeves

St. Mary’s Parish, North Attleboro St. Mary’s Parish, Mansfield Our Lady Queen of Martyrs Parish, Seekonk St. Theresa of the Child Jesus Parish, South Attleboro St. Vincent de Paul Parish, Attleboro St. John the Evangelist Parish, Attleboro Our Lady of Mount Carmel Parish, Seekonk St. Mark’s Parish, Attleboro Falls Sacred Heart Parish, North Attleboro St. Mary’s Parish, Norton

Cape Cod Deanery Jeanne Alves Ralph A. Babusci, Jr. Barbara Bowers Richard C. Ciotti Paul Corriveau Joseph Cusack Paul DeMeo Salvatore Ferraioli Marianne A. Greene Elizabeth B. Kelley Mary M. Kocot Dennis Lucier Ronald J. Mador Virginia Marchand Patricia McGoldrick Kevin Perry Robert Russell Judith Wodynski Richard Allen Wright

St. Anthony’s Parish, East Falmouth Our Lady of Victory Parish, Centerville Our Lady of the Cape Parish, Brewster Our Lady of Lourdes, Wellfleet St. John the Evangelist Parish, Pocasset Our Lady of the Assumption Parish, Osterville St. Patrick’s Parish, Falmouth Corpus Christi Parish, East Sandwich Good Shepherd Parish, Vineyard Haven Christ the King Parish, Mashpee Holy Trinity Parish, West Harwich St. Pius X Parish, South Yarmouth St. Joan of Arc Parish, Orleans St. Margaret’s Parish, Buzzards Bay St. Elizabeth Seton Parish , North Falmouth St. Francis Xavier Parish, Hyannis St. Peter Apostle Parish, Provincetown St. Mary/Our Lady of the Isle Parish, Nantucket Holy Redeemer Parish, Chatham

Fall River Deanery Judith Boucher George Cabral Armando V. Camara Roland Charron Caroline Cooper Lydia M. Costa Antonio Cruz Carlos de Medeiros Maria Ferreira Marguerite Lavoie Nancy Lenon-Robillard Judith Lussier

St. George’s Parish, Westport St. Anthony of Padua Parish, Fall River St. Mary’s Cathedral Parish, Fall River Our Lady of Grace Parish, Westport St. John Baptist Parish, Westport Espirito Santo Parish, Fall River Santo Christo Parish, Fall River Good Shepherd Parish, Fall River St. John of God Parish, Somerset Holy Name Parish, Fall River St. Louis de France Parish, Somerset Holy Trinity Parish, Fall River

Lawrence Machado Paulette Martinville Francis J. Mullins Robert Oliveira Richard Raiche Janice Rousseau Elizabeth Schneider Robert Soares Anne Varley Mary Wick

New Bedford Deanery Paul Baptista John Bastoni Teresina Bettencourt Jane Marie Brightman Mark J. Bruce Betty Lou Cabral Jean Carlozzi Luann M. Connolly Andrea Corrie Mary Ellis Maria dos Anjos Ferreira Kurt Gent Michael Gonet Grace Gwozdz Mark Hadley William B. Markey Marion Oliveira Carolann Renaux David St. Aubin Natalie Taber Carol Walsh

Taunton Deanery Marcia Adams Virginia Amaral Jeffrey Annunziato Donna Cunha Donald Emond Shirley Martin Jeffrey Mattson Frederick McCarthy Leo D. McEvoy Nancy Simmons

Made of sterling silver, the Marian Medal is embossed with a Miraculous Medal on one side and the Fall River Diocese coatof-arms on the other.

St. Dominic’s Parish, Swansea St. Bernard’s Parish, Assonet St. Francis of Assisi Parish, Swansea St. Joseph Parish , Fall River St. Bernadette Parish, Fall River St. Patrick’s Parish, Somerset St. Anne’s Parish, Fall River St. Thomas More Parish, Somerset St. Stanislaus Parish, Fall River St. Michael’s Parish, Fall River St. Lawrence Parish, New Bedford St. John Neumann Parish, East Freetown Immaculate Conception Parish, New Bedford St. Julie Billiart Parish, Dartmouth Holy Name of the Sacred Heart of Jesus Parish, New Bedford St. Francis Assisi Parish, New Bedford St. Patrick’s Parish, Wareham St. Anthony of Padua Parish, New Bedford St. Mary’s Parish, New Bedford St. Mary’s Parish, South Dartmouth Our Lady of Mount Carmel Parish, New Bedford St. Joseph-St. Therese Parish, New Bedford Our Lady of Perpetual Help Parish, New Bedford St. Mary’s Parish, Fairhaven St. Francis Xavier Parish, Acushnet Our Lady of Fatima Parish, New Bedford Our Lady of the Assumption Parish, New Bedford St. Joseph Parish, Fairhaven St. Rita Parish, Marion St. Anthony Parish, Mattapoisett Our Lady of Guadalupe Parish, New Bedford Holy Family Parish, East Taunton St. Anthony’s Parish, Taunton St. Andrew the Apostle Parish, Taunton Holy Cross Parish, South Easton St. Nicholas of Myra, North Dighton Annunciation of the Lord Parish, Taunton St. Mary’s Parish, Taunton St. Ann’s Parish, Raynham Immaculate Conception Parish, North Easton St. Jude the Apostle Parish, Taunton

Visit us online at www.anchornews.org The Anchor - November 17, 2017

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Anchor Editorial

Getting the word out

On Sunday, November 5 Lutheran Bishop James Hazelwood preached at an ecumenical prayer service at the Cathedral of St. Mary of the Assumption, presided over by our bishop, the Most Reverend Edgar M. da Cunha, S.D.V. The service was called in commemoration of the 500th anniversary of the beginning of the Protestant Reformation, after more than 50 years of Catholics and Protestants praying that we might “all be one,” as Jesus prayed to Our Heavenly Father at the Last Supper ( Jn 17:21).

Bishop Hazelwood’s jovial sermon discussed how technology made the rupture of the Reformation move at a much faster pace than if Martin Luther had lived in earlier centuries. In particular he noted the power of the printing press (which had been invented by Johannes Gutenberg in 1440) and the expanded usage of eyeglasses in the 16th century, both of which caused people to hunger for reading material, which Luther provided in abundance.

This edition of The Anchor discusses in many of its pages how today’s population also hungers for the Gospel — and how technology can help us bring the Gospel to people. The coverage on pages three and 15 of the Faith Formation Convention discusses how we can use the various social media to bring Jesus’ message to the younger generations.

On page 10 Claire McManus discusses how we also need to use the “low-tech” approach of chatting one-on-one with folks, to find out what their stories are, so that we can see how God has been with them all along, although they may not have recognized His presence.

Once we become aware of that presence, we are called to serve God in serving them.

On the next page Father Goldrick offers some suggestions as to how we, clergy or laity, can better show our appreciation for the efforts of others to support the Church. The goal of thanking them for their stewardship is not just to get them to give more, but to help them (and us) to grow in their roles as stewards, since Christ repeatedly describes His followers as servants of the Heavenly Father. On page eight we are reminded of one of the parables where Jesus calls us stewards and demands that we multiply what He has given us.

Father Landry on page seven described the life of an excellent servant, the soon-to-be (tomorrow) Blessed Solanus Casey, who took that one-on-one time with people to help them see what God was telling them to do, what God wanted them to change in their lives, and how much God loved them. Although “low-tech,” Blessed Solanus’ social network was vast, as people experienced God in their interactions with him.

Locally the Sacred Heart Home (see pages two and 19) is one of those places where the individual approach to sharing the Gospel has helped many souls to approach the Final Judgment, be they the residents, the workers, family members, volunteers, etc.

OFFICIAL NEWSPAPER OF THE DIOCESE OF FALL RIVER www.anchornews.org

Vol. 61, No. 20

Published bi-weekly by the Catholic Press of the Diocese of Fall River, 887 Highland Avenue, Fall River, MA 02720, Telephone 508-675-7151 — FAX 508-675-7048, email: theanchor@anchornews.org. Subscription price by mail, postpaid $20.00 per year, for U.S. addresses.

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PUBLISHER - Most Reverend Edgar M. da Cunha, S.D.V. EXECUTIVE EDITOR Father Richard D. Wilson fatherwilson@anchornews.org EDITOR David B. Jolivet davejolivet@anchornews.org ADVERTISING Wayne R. Powers waynepowers@anchornews.org REPORTER Kenneth J. Souza kensouza@anchornews.org Send Letters to the Editor to: fatherwilson@anchornews.org

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The Anchor - November 17, 2017

On pages 20 and 21 we recall good men who served God and their country. Two of them carried out the very important task of living out their vocations as husbands and fathers, transmitting their faith while living out the Sacrament of Matrimony. The other, Msgr. Henry T. Munroe, rejoiced in bringing people to Jesus through his work in parishes and in the diocesan tribunal. He was always happy when he saw a new soul living the faith in the Catholic Church.

Amanda Tarantelli on page 16 reminds us that an important way for us to “reach out and touch someone” (to quote the old telephone company ad) is to pray for them. This may or may not result in a blessing for the other person (depending upon their openness to the Lord), but at least it will cause our hearts to become more modeled on Christ’s heart in the way in which we interact with these other folks.

On pages 12 and 15 we read about lay adults and young people (scouts) working to spread Christ’s peace through the Bethlehem “Peace Light,” which can become a simple, but effective way of sharing the Gospel message of loving God and our neighbor. On page 14 we hear about educators from a variety of schools working together with generous people in the community to better serve our newest generation, while on the bottom of page eight we are reminded of the need to show our gratitude to an older generation of evangelizers by helping them with their expenses in retirement.

Father Killilea on page 13 discusses how God speaks to us through the beauty of nature, while also recalling an old movie song. There are so many ways in which we can spread the message of God — in response to God, Who took the initiative to begin the conversation.

What God said to Jeremiah is true for all of us Christians: “Before I formed you in the womb I knew you, before you were born I dedicated you, a prophet to the nations I appointed you” ( Jer 1:5). Through our Baptisms we have been made prophets in the Lord. We are called by God not to “tell the future” like a fortune teller, but to speak to the “signs of the times.”

The Second Vatican Council’s “Constitution on the Church in the Modern World” (known by its Latin title, Gaudium et Spes, from the first two words of the document) noted, “The Church has always had the duty of scrutinizing the signs of the times and of interpreting them in the light of the Gospel. Thus, in language intelligible to each generation, she can respond to the perennial questions which men ask about this present life and the life to come, and about the relationship of the one to the other. We must therefore recognize and understand the world in which we live, its explanations, its longings, and its often dramatic characteristics.” All of us, as members of the Church, are called to do this at home, at work, at school, wherever. May we correspond to the grace God is offering us to do this, so that His message spreads like wildfire.

Daily Readings Nov. 18 — Dec. 1

Upcoming Daily Readings: Sat. Nov. 18, Wis 18:14-16; 19:6-9; Ps 105:2-3,36-37,4243; Lk 18:1-8. Sun. Nov. 19, Seventeenth Sunday in Ordinary Time, Prv 31:10-13,1920,30-31; Ps 128:1-5; 1 Thes 5:1-6; Mt 25:14-30 or 25:14-15,19-21. Mon. Nov. 20, 1 Mc 1:10-15,41-43,54-57,62-63; Ps 119:53,61,134,150,155,158; Lk 18:35-43. Tues. Nov. 21, 2 Mc 6:18-31; Ps 3:2-8; Lk 19:1-10. Wed. Nov. 22, 2 Mc 7:1,20-31; Ps 17:1,5-6,8,15; Lk 19:11-28. Thurs. Nov. 23, 1 Mc 2:15-29; Ps 50:1-2,5-6,14-15; Lk 19:41-44. Thanksgiving: Proper Mass in Thanksgiving to God, Sir 50:22-24; Ps 138:1-5; 1 Cor 1:3-9; Lk 17:11-19. Fri. Nov. 24, 1 Mc 4:36-37,52-59; (Ps) 1 Chr 29:10-12; Lk 19:45-48.

Sat. Nov. 25, 1 Mc 6:1-13; Ps 9:2-4,6,16,19; Lk 20:27-40. Sun. Nov. 26, Christ the King, Ez 34:11-12,15-17; Ps 23:1-3,5-6; 1 Cor 15:20-26,28; Mt 25:31-46. Mon. Nov. 27, Dn 1:1-6,8-20; (Ps) Dn 3:52-56; Lk 21:1-4. Tues. Nov. 28, Dn 2:31-45; (Ps) Dn 3:57-61; Lk 21:5-11. Wed. Nov. 29, Dn 5:1-6,13-14,16-17,23-28; (Ps) Dn 3:62-67; Lk 21:12-19.

Thurs. Nov. 30, Rom 10:9-18; Ps 19:8-11; Mt 4:18-22. Fri. Dec. 1, Dn 7:2-14; (Ps) Dn 3:75-81; Lk 21:29-33.

F

ather Solanus Casey, who will be beatified this Saturday in Detroit, will quickly become, I believe, the most popular American ever raised to the altars.

Until now, no American saint or blessed has fully captured the hearts of Catholics in the United States. Most Catholics do not celebrate or know the feast days of their fellow Americans in the eternal hall of fame or make pilgrimages to their shrines.

But I think that is all about to change with Father Solanus (1870-1957).

The Archdiocese of Detroit, the Father Solanus Guild, and the Capuchin Province of St. Joseph had a good read of the devotion Americans already have for him in deciding to hold his beatification at Ford Field, home of the Detroit Lions football team, which can fit 65,000 people in the stands and several thousand on the field. When free tickets became available on October 9, it took only a few hours before they were all gone. I’m so happy that I was able to be among the 70,000 chosen few.

The miracle that led to his beatification — straight out of Biblical times — is a sign of what God seems to want to grant through Father Solanus’ intercession.

Paula Medina Zarate, a 57-year-old retired schoolteacher from Chepo, Panama, had come to Detroit in 2012 with Capuchins working in her country.

She had a rare and severe condition called ichthyosis, which makes skin hard and dry like fish scales and made her arms, legs and occasionally her head appear almost reptilian.

The scales, moreover, were painful, bled often, and led

The saintly character of Solanus Casey

to Paula’s constantly trying people to the Capuchin monasteries, listening to to cover herself so that their problems, answering people wouldn’t be scared their questions and needs, away.

Kneeling against Father praying for and with them.

Huge numbers of people Solanus’ tomb, she prayed would come to see him, for her family, former especially the poor and the students, and the people sick, and leave changed, of Chepo. Then she heard someone’s voice saying from within, “And what do you Putting Into need for yourself ?” She asked the Deep for mercy for her condition. She beBy Father gan to feel intense Roger J. Landry heat on her legs, arms and scalp. often with prayers for As she walked away, the miracles heard. Welcomscales on her skin being them, he helped them gan to fall to the ground. similarly to welcome with When she got to her faith in Divine providence room, they continued to whatever God sent. “O cascade bloodlessly to the what God must have ahead floor, leaving a rosy flesh of us,” he would say, “if in their wake, like that of we only leave all to His a newborn. She gathered planning.” He showed the the scales onto a piece of whole Church and every paper and showed them Catholic what true Christo the Capuchin priest who had accompanied her, tian hospitality is, does and effects. who rejoiced at the totalThe second is humility. ity and immediacy of the He came from a humble, miracle. When she was hard-working Irish farmeventually examined by ing family, and worked as dermatologists as part of a logger, electric street car the canonization process, operator, prison guard and they declared that there is no medical explanation for hospital orderly before entering the high school what occurred: ichthyosis seminary at the old age of is a genetic condition and her genes haven’t changed. 21. Classes were in German, with which he always The miracle of her not struggled. His poor grades having the painful, unled to his being asked to sightly scales is, therefore, withdraw as a diocesan a continuous one. seminarian, but his piety Saints, as we know, are not merely powerful inter- led his formators to sugcessors, but also examples, gest he apply to religious orders. He did and, moved and there’s so much we can all learn from the new by mystical suggestion by Our Lady, went to Detroit beatus. I’d like to mention three, conspicuous virtues. to become a Capuchin.

His grades never really The first is hospitality. improved, however, and For most of his religious his superiors determined life, in Yonkers, Manhattan, Harlem and Brooklyn, to ordain him at 33 a “simplex priest,” one who in Huntington, Ind., or, most famously, in Detroit, could celebrate Mass but, he was a porter, welcoming because of his supposed

lack of erudition, without faculties for hearing Confessions or preaching doctrinal sermons. He received what was given with gratitude. “In order to practice humility,” he would often say to others, “we must experience humiliations.”

While he never heard Confessions, he received the confidences of so many and pointed them toward God’s mercy.

Similarly, while he didn’t give doctrinal sermons characteristic of the age, he did preach short homilies on faith and trust in God to prisoners, to parishioners at a Maltese parish in Detroit where he used to help out on Sundays, at the 50th anniversary Mass of his parents, and at the first Mass of his friend, Father Paul Francis Wattson, founder of the Society of the Atonement. The Lord exalts the humble and on Saturday, this humble simple priest will be lifted up by the Church as an example for all.

The third is virtue in cheerful, grateful, total self-giving. He patiently and perseveringly spent hours receiving and serving the long lines of those who approached. As he got older and frailer, his fellow Capuchins tried to protect him, by sending him to monasteries far from the mobs, but people always found him and he always answered the call.

“I look on my whole life as giving,” he said, “and I want to give and give until there is nothing left of me.” When his suffering became intense, he confessed, “I am offering my suffering that we might all be one. Oh, if I could only live to see the conversion

of the whole world.” He knew that suffering was a particularly powerful type of bodily prayer: “When Jesus sends crosses and trials into our life,” he taught, “He is inviting us to help Him save the world.”

He sought to turn even his death into a prayer.

“Let us thank God ahead of time for whatever He foresees is pleasing to Him,” he said, including “when, where and how He may be pleased to dispose the events of our death.” Dying, for him, was a thing of love, not fear.

“Death can be beautiful, like a wedding, if we make it so,” he said with a smile.

As he lay dying, 53 years to the hour of his first Mass, his last words were a Eucharistic oblation, “I give my soul to Jesus Christ,” a fitting valedictory for someone who his whole life had been giving everything he had to the Bridegroom of every Christian soul.

He once wrote about the three things that characterize “saintly characters.” They were “eagerness for the glory of God, touchiness about the interests of Jesus, and anxiety for the Salvation of souls.” Such eagerness, attentiveness, and holy anxiety were what people always recognized in him.

And those are three things that from Heaven he is doubtless praying will characterize us, so that together with all the angels and saints, this holy porter will be able in Heaven to do what gave him so much joy on earth — and welcome us forever to the monastery of the Heavenly Jerusalem.

Anchor columnist Father Landry can be contacted at fatherlandry@ catholicpreaching.com.

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Come share the Master’s joy

od entrusts us with so much, He gives us each specific gifts and talents; in return, He asks that we go out and use them for the betterment of others. Like the three servants in this Sunday’s Gospel, we are each given something of value, and even though no instructions are given, our hearts know what needs to be done.

Yet, which of the three most embodies our beliefs or fears? We know God is a trusting and forgiving Father, wanting only what is best for us. However, He does not want us to simply hide away our gifts, or bury them in the ground, He wants us to use them. His desire is for us to multiply the numbers that come to Him, through our willingness to go beyond our expectations and those of others, bringing His forgiveness and compassion to those in most need of it.

We have been entrusted with His love and mercy, His willingness to accept us where we are, and to look beyond our human faults, to see the Divine child within. It

instrument, and even though is when we take this treasure I was told I was pretty good, and willingly go out and fear of rejection often kept “trade with them,” that we me from playing for others. begin to see the magnitude After a while I realized that of His love and compassion.

I truly enjoyed playing, and Our willingness to risk so much in the hopes of proving eventually learned to play as if ourselves worthy of His trust, no one was around or watching. gains us the recognition and the acknowledgement that we are “good and In the Palm faithful servants.”

Unfortunately, too of His Hands many of us sit back either in fear or apBy Rose Mary Saraiva prehension, afraid that if we risk too much, we may be hurt, or In time, I came to enjoy worse yet, forgotten. Yet it is playing for others, and sharonly when we put ourselves ing my gift and talent with out there, that we enter into them. It required trust, belief, friendships and rewarding and replacing fear with the relationships. Jesus is telling knowledge that I was bringHis followers and us, that in order to receive the rewards of ing joy to others.

It is no different from what Heaven, we must be willing is being asked of us. Yes, we to do the work, risk our own may experience fear and often uncomfortableness, and go expressing our faith and bebeyond our safety net. liefs can be met with derision Let’s be honest, it is often and rejection, but what of the so much easier to just bury reward? Oh, to turn our fear away our talents than risk into hope would open doors being ridiculed or chastised for our beliefs and principles. we could never imagine. Jesus tells us through the parAs a child I played a musical

able that those servants who multiplied the coins they were given were rewarded with “greater responsibilities” and invited to “come share their master’s joy.” It is no different than being recognized for a job well done and invited to be part of something bigger, for example being given a raise or a promotion, or being asked to lead a group or ministry.

All of us have innate potential to be so much more, and like the servants in the parable, God gives us small tasks to accomplish. With each accomplishment, we are given more and more responsibility. Yet our fear will sometimes prevent us from completing what is being asked of us. We are given so many opportunities to increase the Kingdom’s treasures, yet too often we miss the chance to make a difference.

For instance, we hold back forgiveness, instead of moving on; we question someone’s motive, rather than trust that we are doing God’s work. We

choose to see the negative aspects, rather than realizing that we all have bad days, and maybe we are the only ray of sunshine in someone else’s day. That a simple gesture of kindness, even when we are struggling, can lift us up and fill us with love and compassion.

So let us go out and multiply what has been entrusted to us, letting our faith guide us, and turning our fear into hope, not only for ourselves but for those we encounter.

Lest we be turned away and left in the “darkness where there will be wailing and grinding of teeth.” For Jesus reminds us that the more we give, the more we receive in return. When we share and give freely of ourselves, our gifts and our talents, we become like the two industrious servants, who “more will be given and we will grow rich.”

Anchor columnist Rose Mary Saraiva is Events Coordinator and Bereavement Ministry for the diocesan Office of Faith Formation. rsaraiva@dfrcs.com.

FALL RIVER — Catholics in the Diocese of Fall River will have the opportunity to “give to those who have given a lifetime,” as part of the collection for the Retirement Fund for Religious, to be held in parishes December 9-10. Coordinated by the National Religious Retirement Office in Washington, D.C., the annual appeal benefits 32,000 elderly Catholic Sisters, Brothers and religious order priests whose religious congregations lack adequate retirement funding.

Last year, the Diocese of Fall River contributed $157,637.07 to the collection. In 2017, the Con-

gregation of the Sacred Hearts received financial assistance made possible by the Retirement Fund for Religious. Women and men religious who serve or have served in the diocese but whose communities are based elsewhere may also benefit from the annual appeal.

The 2016 collection raised almost $30.7 million.

Roughly 94 cents of every dollar aids senior religious.

In June, the NRRO distributed $25 million to 390 religious communities across the country. Communities utilize these funds to bolster retirement savings and subsidize expenses, such as prescription medications

retirement. Traditionally, Catholic Sisters, Brothers and religious order priests — known collectively as religious — served for small stipends that did not include retirement benefits. Today, hundreds of religious communities lack sufficient retirement savings. Compounding the funding shortage are the rising costs of care and the decrease in income that has resulted from the declining number of religious able to serve in compensated ministry.

In addition to providing assistance for day-to-day needs, collection proceeds underwrite initiatives to help religious communities

address the factors underlying their retirement shortfalls. These efforts have facilitated solutions such as collaborative care facilities, strategic partnerships with health-care providers and numerous cost-saving measures.

“I visit many religious communities and see the good works that members young and old provide,” said Sister Still. “Generosity to the annual collection ensures our office can furnish support to help these communities care for older members while continuing their ministries and witness.”

Visit retiredreligious.org to learn more.

Collection helps aging Sisters, Brothers and priests in religious orders

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and nursing care. Throughout the year, additional funding is allocated to assist religious communities with the greatest needs and to promote ongoing education in retirement planning and eldercare delivery.

“We are humbled and profoundly grateful for the love and support of Catholics across the nation,” said Presentation Sister Stephanie Still, the NRRO’s executive director.

Despite this generosity, many religious communities still struggle to provide for aging members. Only 41 of the 539 communities submitting data to the NRRO in 2016 were adequately funded for

I

Destroying my freedom — in the name of freedom

n an August 2015 column in The Washington Post, George F. Will argued in favor of physician-assisted suicide, summing up his perspective this way: “There is nobility in affirming at the end the distinctive human dignity of autonomous choice.”

His conclusion, however, raises several important questions: Shouldn’t death-dealing actions directed against ourselves be seen as a deep repudiation of our autonomy, insofar as suicide eliminates our personal freedom once and for all? If our ability to freely make choices is among the highest of our human faculties, isn’t it a radical contradiction to mount an attack on that autonomy through suicidal acts? Isn’t there a certain absurdity to marshaling our freedom to obliterate our freedom?

Autonomy is often described as being able to do what we want, being “self-governing” and “self-directing.” Authentic freedom, though, doesn’t actually mean the ability to do whatever we want; it means the ability to do what we ought, in accord with who we are. To grow in freedom and autonomy means acting in such a way that we attend to, and respect the designs written into our nature. Otherwise, autonomy collapses into a caricature of its real meaning, or worse, into raw violence and forcefulness against ourselves or others.

We can consider a simple example: exercising autonomy with respect to our car doesn’t mean doing whatever we want with it, like pouring milk in the gas tank, and orange juice in the

oil reservoir. If we intenill, we would actually untionally sideswipe other dermine and surrender our vehicles as we drive along, personal autonomy. We and strike pedestrians on would no longer be able the sidewalk, these would to do what we might wish be acts of violence, not to do, as our body rebelled acts of “autonomy” or and constrained us to a “free choice.” Authentic stretcher on our way to freedom with an autothe emergency room or mobile implies using it in poison control center. an ordered way to get from A to B, Making Sense driving safely and Out of legally, and even doing the right Bioethics maintenance and

By Father Tad upkeep on it, mainPacholczyk taining respect for the way the vehicle was designed and intendLooking at a misguided ed to be used. choice of this kind reFreedom and autonomy minds us how our autonoregarding what we eat and my is never absolute. This drink, to consider another kind of choice would also example, doesn’t mean we raise doubts in the minds can consume anything at of those who cared about all. We can legitimately us regarding our mental choose between apples and moral sanity. To deem and oranges, but not self-inflicted sickness to between milk and drain be desirable would itself cleaner. If, in the name be a sickness, a kind of lie, of autonomy, we were to spoken in the name of a declare that we’re free perverted sense of being to do whatever we want free to do whatever I want, with our bodies, and we even to the point of selfingested drain cleaner on harm or self-annihilation. purpose to make ourselves The decision to in-

tentionally end our own life by an act of suicide (whether alone or with the assistance of others) pivots our uniquely human power to make sound choices into a seditious power directed against our own good. To self-inflict death in collusion with a physician would constitute a profoundly disordered decision, and a radically corrosive attack on our autonomy. Rather than something dignified, this abuse of freedom is ethically indefensible.

If sane people can recognize that drinking poison to get ourselves sick is wrong, how can we feign that ingesting drugs or using other means to kill ourselves is somehow right and noble? Abusing our own freedom or autonomy isn’t free or autonomous; instead, it enslaves and diminishes us. When medical professionals pivot in their role of healing and curing, and instead become accomplices in terminating the

sick and vulnerable, they, too, undermine their own autonomy and corrupt their own professional freedom to genuinely care and “first do no harm.”

True autonomy is not limitless or absolute, but is necessarily conditioned by the truth of who we are and the way we function. Properly exercised, our personal freedom manifests a genuine nobility, and a real dignity.

We should never will that our final “autonomous choice” be directed against that noble dignity.

Rather, we must flee the tyranny of false autonomy if our lives are to be authentically marked by human freedom in its full splendor.

Anchor columnist Father Pacholczyk earned his doctorate in neuroscience from Yale and did post-doctoral work at Harvard. He is a priest of the Diocese of Fall River, and serves as the director of Education at The National Catholic Bioethics Center in Philadelphia.

See www.ncbcenter.org.

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Harvesting where God does not sow

T

he ultimate challenge to evangelization in every parish is reaching beyond the walls of the building to the greater community beyond. Most parishes are so busy trying to engage the people already loosely connected that the concept of evangelizing the people they do not know is overwhelming.

The task becomes even more daunting when we look at people as demographic labels and not see them as our own. Whether they are “Nones” (no religious affiliation), fallen away Catholics, Millennials, Gen-Xers or Baby Boomers, they all belong to God, and are our responsibility. Jesus does not expect us to dazzle them with doctrine, or offer them a Liturgical experience that would

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rival Cirque du Soleil. We because their concept simply need to ask them of “Church” is to have a to share their story. homogenous community Just to concretize this that is centered on their vague concept of evange- culture, even if it means lization, here are two real importing their own perstories of parishes outsonal priest. They have side of our diocese that have conflicting approaches to evangelization.

The Great One parish is in Commission an inner-city location abutting a

By Claire McManus low-income housing project. The basement of the church no interest in interactis offered to three differ- ing with the surroundent 12-step communiing community, nor the ties. The parishioners people in the basement are from an ethnic Euof their church. There is ropean community that no mission of evangelihas dwindled in numbers zation operative in this through the years. parish.

They are not members Contrast this with of the local community, a thriving parish that but come from all over through the years has to attend Mass in their quadrupled in size, has a former native language. weekly collection in the Their numbers are few, 20 of thousands; is so but they fought closure committed to stewardship that its parishioners attend its Catholic school for free. How did they get there? Many years ago they met one-on-one with the people in the parish and asked them to share their stories. They found out that some had elderly parents living with them but had no one to look after them while they were at work.

The parish formed an elders day care program.

Others talked about how hard it is to take part in parish events and Mass because of their young children.

The parish created a baby-sitting service for Mass and events. They provide meals for the homebound; support for the bereaved; afterschool childcare for the latchkey

The Anchor - November 17, 2017

kids and many more services. Word spread that this parish is in touch with the needs of the people in the community.

Through the years the number of parish services grew as the size of the parish grew; all of which are served by and for the parishioners.

It all started by asking the question: “How can we help you?”

Finding people to save was never a problem for Jesus because He knew just where to find them.

He didn’t need a social media campaign to lure people in; He went to where they were mired in the mess of their lives and gave them the physical care they asked for, and the Spiritual comfort that they didn’t know they needed. Many of our parishes do an excellent job of caring for the obvious needs of the poor and sick, and when the need is beyond their capability, they rely on the services of our diocesan social and health services.

There are many more needs in the community that should be addressed by the parish.

Adults, young and old, are trapped in the grips of opioid addiction. A one-on-one conversation with parishioners may reveal that this affliction has touched their lives. Many people in our community are underemployed and are in need of job counseling. People may struggle to navigate the complexity of health insurance markets; others may not know how to begin the long and arduous

journey toward citizenship.

Even though these needs are met to varying degrees by agencies outside of the parish, aren’t these the stuff of life that is purview of evangelization? A parish does not need to provide all of these services, but must be in the business of connecting their people, inside the walls and in the greater community, with the material comfort they need. Parishes can then accompany their people in the mess of their lives and bring the Spiritual comfort they crave.

A parish is much more than a Sacrament factory, but needs to get into the muck and mire of the lives of the people.

This was what Jesus did, and this is the mandate given to us. The Gospel this Sunday about the demanding and unforgiving master has a lesson for parish evangelization.

The servant who receives the master’s wrath was so afraid to venture forth and invest his talents and thus receives the master’s wrath. The key to this parable lies in the unworthy servant’s understanding of his master.

“Master, I know that you are a demanding person, harvesting where you did not plant and gathering where you did not scatter.” The unworthy servant missed the point: God reaps the harvest from the mess that is sown by others. This is where we need to be, too.

Anchor columnist Claire McManus is the director of the Diocesan Off ice of Faith Formation.

12 November 2017 — Homeport — Stewardship Sunday ext week, our nation observes Thanksgiving Day. This civic holiday’s religious underpinnings have become nothing but a vague memory for many Americans. Some may even conclude that one day of feasting and football is sufficient to thank God for a year’s worth of blessings — just as long as somebody remembers to say grace.

Don’t get me wrong, dear readers. I love Thanksgiving Day. Each year I look forward to some local family inviting me over for Thanksgiving.

You’ll find this hard to believe, but I lack the skills to cook a turkey. I remain, however, most appreciative of a Thanksgiving turkey served with all the fixings. About once a month, year round, I even order a “Thanksgiving toasted sandwich” at the sub shop down the street.

Nevertheless, one day a year dedicated to offering thanksgiving to God is hardly sufficient.

Gratitude is an attitude.

Thanksgiving is a way of life. The Bible-based word for the concrete expression of our unending gratitude is “stewardship.” Like Thanksgiving Day, the true meaning of stewardship can get lost.

Here’s what stewardship is not.

Stewardship is not a program. It’s not some fund-raising gimmick. It’s not a deal cut with God. “If I promise good stewardship, God will give me (fill in the blank).”

All time belongs to the Lord. All good gifts come from God. Stewardship of time and talent isn’t about

N

Attitude of gratitude

the need for more parneed to give thanks. To ish volunteers (although give is to give thanks.

“Ministry Fairs” are helpSome succinctly say ful tools). “You must give stewardship means gratemore time to the parish fully sharing “time, talent school Bingo or you’ll have and treasure.” It involves to find another school for offering the Biblical your children.”

Oh, please!

As for financial The Ship’s Log stewardship, it’s Reflections of a not a “suggested” Parish Priest dollar amount or an “expected”

By Father Tim percentage of Goldrick income. “If everyone gives $3 more in the basket, the parish will be able to pay “first-fruits,” not the leftbills this month.” Or, “the overs.

Finance Council expects Not only are we called all parishioners to tithe to be grateful to God, but 10 percent of their inalso to one another. It’s come.” And what planet always appropriate for are these people from? a parish community to Don’t you hate it when a recognize and thank those thinly-veiled threat is used who routinely share their to raise funds? “If you time and talent with the don’t give more money, we faith community. Rewon’t be able to heat the member when the junior church.” Give me a break! curate would take all the People must do their own altar servers out to a ball prayerful discernment. The game? Remember when responsibility of parish the pastor would present leadership is to provide some token Christmas gift the information parishto those who helped out ioners need to make their around the parish? I do. long-range plan of chariThose small gestures were table giving. always appreciated.

Here’s what stewardship For ultimate recognition is. of stewardship of time and All stewardship origitalent, parishioners can be nates in Baptism and is nominated for the annual affirmed by Confirmadiocesan Marian Medal tion. It’s the call to parAward or the St. Pius ticipate in the task of X Youth Award. Why a building the Kingdom. pastor would forego these It’s based on the premise opportunities to recognize that everything we are parishioners is beyond me. and everything we have Many parishes these comes from God. Our days, if at all possible, response can only be to hold annual “appreciation offer grateful praise to banquets” to which are God and then to share invited catechists, lectors, our gifts with others. For Extraordinary Ministers of Catholics, participation in Holy Communion, ushers, Holy Mass is the ultimate greeters, wedding coordiprayer of gratitude. The nators, and all those who word “Eucharist” actuserve the faith community ally means “thanksgiving.” in so many and varied ways All of us have a Spiritual throughout the year.

Those who share their “treasure” with the Church should also be thanked.

This calls for a certain degree of discretion on the part of the parish staff. It must never appear that the Church is somehow giving special attention to the wealthier members of the community at the expense of financially-challenged parish families. Less affluent families are rightfully offended by this sort of schmoozing. I know because I grew up in a family that struggled to make ends meet.

Father Tom Washburn, pastor of St. Margaret Church, Buzzards Bay, has come up with a creative way to randomly say “thank you” to financial

contributors. He writes three notes a week to those who contributed in the collection basket the previous Sunday. He isn’t told how much they contributed, but simply that they did.

I’ll be trying something new this weekend — hosting a casual lunch at the rectory for those who gave exceptionally this year in the collection basket, in the parish Annual Collection, or in the diocesan Catholic Charities Appeal. It’s just another simple way to say “thank you.”

Unfortunately, roast turkey will not be served.

It’s too close to Thanksgiving Day. Anchor columnist Father Goldrick is pastor of St. Patrick’s Parish in Falmouth.

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Scouts bringing Bethlehem ‘Peace Light’ tradition to diocese

among all people regardless of race, ethnicity or religion. The tradition began in 1986 with a Boy Scout from ATTLEBORO — With ChristAustria who first extracted the light mas music already filling the airwaves from the eternal flame where Jesus and preparations for Thanksgiving was born. dinners well underway, it would seem Every year since, a child from the time is right to usher in the AdAustria is named that year’s Peace vent season.

Light Child and travels to Bethlehem Members of diocesan Boy Scout, to receive the flame from one of the Girl Scout and American Heritage grotto’s oil lamps, which have been Girls troops will be paving the way for burning continuously for more than the Prince of Peace as they welcome 1,000 years. The light is then flown the return of the Bethlehem Peace to Austria where it is distributed at a Light to the Fall River Diocese durService of Dedication to delegations ing a Mass at La Salette Shrine on of Scouts from across Europe who, November 26. in turn, take it back with a message The Peace Light is a continuously- of peace to their own countries. The burning flame, originating from the Peace Light is then shared with indiGrotto of the Nativity in Bethlehem, viduals, families, churches, hospitals, that is transferred via candle and nursing homes, prisons, and cultural lantern across the world. It is meant centers — with anybody who can apto promote peace, harmony and unity preciate the significance of this gift.

By Kenneth J. Souza Anchor Staff kensouza@anchornews.org

Boy Scout Grady Poirier carries the Bethlehem Peace Light during Mass at St. John Neumann Parish in East Freetown. The light, which originates at Jesus’ birthplace and is then transferred to locations worldwide, will be returning to the Fall River Diocese on November 26 with a 4 p.m. Mass celebration at La Salette Shrine in Attleboro. (Photo courtesy of Mike McCormack)

According to Mike McCormack, chairman of the Fall River Diocese Catholic Committee on Scouting, Boy Scouts first brought the Peace Light to the Fall River Diocese in 2015 and distributed it at some small ceremonies.

“The first time it was here was a couple of years ago,” McCormack told The Anchor. “We just kept it within the troop that I was in at the time at St. John Neumann Parish (in East Freetown). Last year we expanded it a little bit more. We probably had about 600 people that we distributed the light to. It was given out to other churches — St. Julie’s in North Dartmouth had it, and a couple of churches down the Cape, too. But this year I really want to try to expand it even more than that.”

While it began as a Boy Scout 12

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tradition, McCormack said it has evolved into a symbolic gesture for youth and is now a “Christian thing that goes beyond the Catholic Church.” That is why he sees the Bethlehem Peace Light as something that appeals to people of all faiths.

“In Boy Scouts, we promote ‘Duty to God,’ and the 12th law of Scouting is ‘A Scout is Reverent,’” he said.

“When we do our work with the adult leaders, we talk about creating interfaith concepts with the boys.

They may have someone sitting next to them who is not Catholic, and that’s probably today even more common.”

This year will see the flame transferred to a special candle in the outdoor manger scene at the Shrine of Our Lady of La Salette on Sunday, Turn to page 15

“S

Somewhere Over the Rainbow

when we experience showers, omewhere over the we are also blessed with brilrainbow way up high.

There’s a land that I heard of once liant rainbows. For us working in Kalaupapa it is a dream in a lullaby.” come true just to be residents Though I never met Judy Garland (she was a little ahead here and these rainbows symof my time), these words sung bolize that feeling of a dream by her as Dorothy in “The Wizard of Oz” kept coming Moon Over back to me each Molokai time I witnessed a

By Father rainbow during my Patrick Killilea, SS.CC. visit last month in the west of Ireland, the land of my birth. come true.

There the sun would give way “Someday I’ll wish upon a to showers and in turn showstar and wake up where the ers would give way to the sun clouds are behind me, where and in between a rainbow would appear in all its colorful troubles melt like lemon drops away above the chimney tops. splendor. These expressions of That’s where you’ll find me.” Pernature were well orchestrated haps we could say that these as only Mother Nature can lines echo the sentiments of orchestrate.

“Somewhere over the rainbow Judy’s life, the pressures of her young life and the troubles of skies are blue. And the dreams her adult life when death came that you dare to dream really do calling at the young age of 47 come true.” Here in Kalaupapa — just about my age. Perhaps the skies are mainly blue but,

they echo the sentiments of our own lives when we go from sun to showers and back to sun again and the rainbow is a promise of better times.

“Somewhere over the rainbow bluebirds fly. Birds fly over the rainbow. Why then, oh why can’t I?” There have been times when I’ve been asked where I was born and I’ve responded, “At the end of a rainbow.” This response has prompted a variety of reactions, not all complementary. Yet, just as the rainbow in the sky was a promise of better times for the Biblical Noah, so also it brings the promise that we will get our phone land lines back, Makani Kai will be cleared to land after the rain storm, and those pesky deer will stop leaving their trade marks on the church lawn. Aloha.

Anchor columnist Father Killilea is pastor of St. Francis Parish in Kalaupapa, Hawaii.

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The village comes together

By Sally Chapman Cameron

Where might you find a crowd of southeastern Massachusetts educators the last week before the school year begins, or on one of the last lovely October Saturdays?

If you said meeting together for professional development, you would be correct. And if you added that the professional development was totally funded by businesses and related foundations, you would get extra credit for recognizing the close tie between business and education in this region.

This one-of-a-kind joint venture demonstrates the commitment and support of the business community to promote educational attainment through the Bristol County Chamber.

The professional development sessions aimed to give PreK through high school educators in local school districts and the Diocese of Fall River the chance to meet with colleagues and learn about social issues that affect their classrooms. What is particularly noteworthy

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is the region-wide opportunity to meet with educators from around the region.

This is what can happen when business and community folks step up.

Attendees at the October day-long session expressed appreciation for this concrete evidence of backing. “It’s great to have this support,” said Kristen Ferreira, preschool teacher from Mark Hoyle Elementary in Swansea.

“It makes me feel like we matter, that children matter, to the business community.”

This effort was another outcome of the active Education Committee of the Bristol County Chamber of Commerce, chaired by president and CEO of BayCoast Bank, Nick Christ. Taking the view that educational attainment is the primary driver in the economic growth of this region, the committee has been working for several years to increase support and educational attainment in the region.

The committee helped forge the partnership with other groups that have a stake in education as a quality-of-life issue for southeastern Massachusetts. Those partners included BayCoast Bank, the Bristol County District Attorney’s Office, the Massachusetts Teachers Association, and the Carney Family Foundation, all who contributed to the week-long training in August and the day-long event in October.

A region-wide planning group of educators worked together to devise what was covered, centering on how to most effectively reach students, all

of whom face a changing world that creates a challenging social-emotional environment that affects learning. Workshops on trauma, systems to address students’ holistic needs, cyber safety, and avoiding and recognizing substance abuse are just some of the real-world problems teachers face in the classroom and can affect students’ success. Material focused on giving educators resources and information to account for these challenges and keep students moving ahead.

This taking-the-longview effort can have a significant impact on the economic climate of the region. One of the key factors companies consider when choosing to set up shop is the quality of the schools, the level of educational attainment, and the skills of the potential workforce, now and in the future. More immediately for businesses already located here and facing regional, national, and global competition, well-educated children grow up to be a pool of nimble employees, earn more, have stable jobs, be more productive, and help our region thrive.

More than 300 educators from public, charter, and Catholic schools gathered on their own time to strengthen student learning and enable their students to be successful. Partners in the community made it possible.

These pieces of the puzzle of economic development for our region deserve attention and support.

Sally Chapman Cameron is a member of the Education Committee for the Bristol County Chamber of Commerce.

Scouts bring ‘Peace Light’ to diocese continued from page 12

November 26 following a 4 p.m. Liturgy celebration.

Austrian Airlines will be transporting a special lamp containing the Peace Light from Bethlehem to New York City on November 25, where McCormack will pick it up at 2 p.m.

The Peace Light first came to New York in 2001, brought

by Canadian Scouts who presented it at Ground Zero.

“I’m actually going to pick it up (the day before) at JFK Airport in New York,” he said. “Then we’ll have 4

p.m. Mass the next night at La Salette Shrine and it will be at Mass and used to light the Advent candle. Then it will be taken in procession over to the (outdoor) manger scene, and it will remain there (burning) all the way through Christmas.”

Scouts will carry the flame to the outdoor crèche where it will remain throughout Christmas and Christmastide. Girls Scouts, Boy Scouts and American Heritage Girls in uniform have all been invited to attend the

Diocese of Fall River TV Mass on WLNE Channel 6 November 19, 11:00 a.m.

Celebrant is Father James J. Doherty, C.S.C., pastor of St. Mary’s Parish in Taunton.

November 26, 11:00 a.m.

Celebrant is Father Michael A. Ciryak, pastor of St. Francis of Assisi Parish in Swansea.

Mass and will form a walkway from the church to the crèche as the flame is carried.

All children are also encouraged to participate, McCormack said.

“I know Boy Scout Troop 333 will be involved, and I’m going to be talking to Troop 164 which is at St. Bernard’s Parish in Assonet,” McCormack said. “I’m a unit commissioner, so I have several troops that I work with, and I’ll talk to Troop 4 and Pack 14. The whole idea is to get as many troops and youth involved as possible. I’m working on getting the word out through email, through flyers, and I am reaching out to contacts throughout the Boy Scout and Girl Scout network.”

After a ceremony at the crèche, a designated Boy Scout will throw the switch to illuminate La Salette’s 500,000 lights that evening.

“The Festival of Lights at La Salette Shrine actually opens on the Friday night,” McCormack said. “We tried to schedule this for Saturday, but the timing was just too much with it arriving so late in the afternoon, and we didn’t want to disappoint people. I know that weekend is usually very busy at the shrine, and Father (Ted) Brown offered to have one of our Scouts throw the switch to light the lights.”

According to McCormack, the Peace Light provides a visible reminder of the mission we all share. As people of faith, our mission is to keep the hope of peace alive in the world, our communities, and our homes.

To that end, many churches share the Peace Light during religious services, use the flame to light the candles on their Advent wreaths, pass the flame from person to person during candlelight Christmas Eve services, present the flame to the community at parish tree-lighting events, and deliver the flame to shut-

ins and those experiencing loss, illness and hardships.

Some churches also maintain the Peace Light year-round, using the flame to ignite baptismal candles and votive lamps. Individuals and families have shared the Peace Light flame with neighbors, relatives and friends near and far, challenging each recipient to become a channel of peace through his/her words and actions.

“It will be available in a number of locations in the diocese through February 2,” McCormack said. “And if someone is interested in (hosting it), we’ll get the Boy Scouts to bring it or I’ll bring it myself. I’ve met people at McDonald’s and Burger Kings at the side of the road somewhere and we’ve transferred the light to them and they take it back to their parishes.”

Individuals and families in the diocese wishing to receive the flame may do so at St. Mary’s Church in New Bedford at the 8 a.m., 10:30 a.m. and 7 p.m. Masses on Sunday, December 3. Those wishing to obtain the flame should bring a candle that will be

lighted and then extinguished. The lighting “infuses” the Spirit of the Peace Light in the candle, which may then be relit at home.

This is a perfect way to light a family’s Advent candle and begin Advent. The Bethlehem Peace Light should especially remain in homes during all of Advent and Christmastide, which lasts from Christmas Eve until February 2.

McCormack said he is intent on making the Bethlehem Peace Light an annual tradition here in the Fall River Diocese.

“That’s exactly what I’m trying to start — a tradition that we can continue every year,” he said. “I’m hoping we’ll get a lot of people to call and we’ll get the Peace Light to them. We’ll do it every year and we’ll build on it from there.”

All are welcome to the 4 p.m. Mass at La Salette Shrine on Sunday, November 26.

Churches and organizations wishing to obtain the Bethlehem Peace Light to further distribute it may contact Michael McCormack directly at 508-998-1218.

Bringing the love of Jesus to others continued from page four

a commitment of their lives.

As Jesus with the disciples at Emmaus, so the Church must become today the traveling companion of young people.”

Embracing St. John Paul II’s message, Father Washburn said that evangelizing Millennials means we must find new ways that are less judgmental to express our faith; reach out with joy, mercy and love for the poor; engage in contemporary forms of communication; and accept the doors they want to enter through.

He cited the efforts at his former parish, St. Anthony’s in New York City, located in an ethnically Italian neighborhood near New York Univer-

sity. His parishioners adopted some new strategies, including an outreach ministry to the homeless where Millennials walk the streets and hand out bags of foodstuffs to those they meet along the way; and a pizza ministry that draws young people for food and fellowship.

In conclusion, Father Washburn suggested that our parishes engage Millennials digitally through Facebook, Twitter and Snapchat and socially by creating moments of encounter, as well as offer outreach opportunities for them to make a difference.

“There are many ways to enter, but we need to change our starting point,” he added.

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A

s I write this, I am in the midst of preparing for our biggest retreat of the year.

Our Freshman Retreat is one of the highlights of most Stang students’ high school careers. Our entire freshman class is at school for a Saturday and it is run by almost 70 seniors, 30 juniors and 25 faculty and staff. We begin preparing for this retreat in June of the previous school year.

Part of being a team member for the retreat is to give some sort of sacrifice in preparation for the retreat from the time we meet in June until the retreat in November. This year I decided to sacrifice all radio except for Christian music. As you can tell from my other columns, I am an avid sports fan and I listen to sports talk radio almost every day. Sacrificing this during playoff baseball season and the start of football season has been a great task. It has become a sacrifice however, that has brought me great peace.

I was listening to KLove the other day and they played one of those brief inspirational clips. The man said a minister once asked the congregation: “if God answered all your prayers with a yes, would anyone besides yourself benefit from it?” This really struck a chord with me and how sometimes my prayers can be very self-centered.

Do not get me wrong, it is not a bad idea to bring your own needs before God, but we too must pray for others as well.

I began thinking about the intentions I pray for and that made me think of the word intention.

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For and About Our Church Youth Prayer intention(ally) According to the alwaysneed to pray for others. In faithful dictionary.com, an the Book of James we read, intention, by definition, is “Pray for one another so an aim or a plan. When we that you may be healed. pray an intention, we are The effective prayer of a called to bring to prayer a righteous man can acplan or a goal that we are asking God to help. We are called to intentionally pray our intentions.

By Amanda I am a scattered Tarantelli pray-er. Most times I get lost in my own thoughts or in shiny objects and I complish much” (Jas 5:16). wonder in my prayer. A We are reminded that our few years ago, I began prayers, when intentional praying in color to keep and heartfelt, not only myself focused (if you do improve the life of those not know what praying in we pray for, but also help color is, definitely look it us as well. And it does not up! It is a great tool for the have to just be for those unfocused pray-er). Howwe are closest to. Jesus ever, if I am more intenasks of us to pray for all tional about my intentions, people including, “Pray for more focused on others, those who persecute you” then I bring my plan or (Mt 5:44). It can be so goal to God. healing for us to pray for And God tells us we those who have betrayed

Be Not Afraid

The Anchor is always pleased to run news and photos about our diocesan youth.

If schools, parish Religious Education programs or home-schoolers have newsworthy stories and photos they would like to share with our readers, send them to: schools@anchornews.org

The Anchor - November 17, 2017

or hurt us. When we view another person as someone who needs prayer, we can start to lessen the grip that anger has on us.

Christ shows us what it means to put others first in our prayers as well as making sure we come to God with our own needs.

In the Gospel of John, as Jesus is getting ready to face His trial, we read that He brings everything to prayer. He did not just pray for His situation, however. He prays for all of us as He is ready to face torture and death. We read in the Gospel, “I do not ask on behalf of these alone, but for those also who believe in Me through their word; that they may all be one; even as You, Father, are in Me and I in You, that they also may be in Us, so

that the world may believe that You sent Me” (Jn 17:20-21).

As we approach this Advent season, let us be more intentional about our prayers. Let our prayers be a source of strength for others as well as for ourselves. They remind the listeners on KLove often that we should never think of prayer as the least we can do for someone but rather as the most we can do for someone. I pray that you all have a very blessed Thanksgiving and that the season of Advent be one filled with peace, hope, joy and love!

Anchor columnist Amanda Tarantelli has been a campus minister at Bishop Stang High School in North Dartmouth since 2005. She is married, a diehard sports fan, and resides in Cranston, R.I. She can be reached at atarantelli@ bishopstang.org.

Father Jay Mello, pastor of St. Michael and St. Joseph parishes in Fall River recently helped celebrate All Saints Day with a young parishioner dressed up as St. Mother Teresa.

For and About Our Church Youth

Second- through fifth-graders at St. Joseph School in Fairhaven attended an assembly with the New Bedford Symphony Orchestra and its educational director, Terry Wolkowicz. Part of the 2018 Learning in Concert program, the students focused on the concept of balance in music and ecology.

As a Confucius Classroom, Coyle and Cassidy students studying Chinese have many interesting learning opportunities. Bryant University reconstructed a 1:1 scale replica of the sixth-century Mogao Cave, a UNESCO World Heritage site. It’s an oasis of East-West Cultural, Commercial, and Religious Exchanges along the Ancient Silk Road.

Students explored the exhibit through a guided tour, experiencing virtual reality headsets, entering the reconstruction, and watching films describing the history and significance of the cave paintings.

Students in grades one through five at St. Julie Billiart Parish recently started Faith Formation classes. The theme this year is: “Called to be Missionary Disciples.” This year the students are asked to focus on discipleship and to emulate the parish patroness, Julie Billiart.

Parish administrative assistant, Teri Gumkowski, dressed as the saint and spoke to all the students about the life of this woman of faith.

Students in grade three at Holy Name School in Fall River recently introduced themselves to one another by designing an “All About Me” poster.

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For and About Our Church Youth

Bishop Stang freshmen traveled to volunteer at Gifts to Give in Acushnet and spent the afternoon at the YMCA Sharing the Harvest Community Farm in Dartmouth. The Stang students and staff harvested more than 1,250 pounds of produce, equaling about 5,000 servings, which will feed people in need in the community.

First-grade students at St. Francis Xavier School in Acushnet regularly celebrate the joy of books and reading with their families and the school community. Father Riley Williams, parochial administrator, was a recent guest reader.

American Heritage Girls Troop MA3712 chartered by Our Lady of Mount Carmel in Seekonk delivered fleece blankets and books to Abundant Hope Pregnancy Resource Center in Attleboro during October for Respect Life Month. From left, back row: Amanda Abbott, Abigail O’Connor, Ireland Larkin, Siera Larkin, and Abi Eckerson.

Front: Ahnya O’Connor, Madison Burbank, and Nicole Giannakas.

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The Anchor - November 17, 2017

In honor of the 100th anniversary of the appearance of Our Lady of Fatima, a candlelight Rosary prayer service was recently held at Holy Family-Holy Name School in New Bedford. Prayers and intentions were offered for peace in the world. Pictured are sixth-grade students who processed in with candles to form the Rosary.

Eighth-graders from St. James-St. John School in New Bedford are working cooperatively on Chromebooks. They are creating an “All About Me” poster on scientists of their choice to share with the class and the school.

Third-graders at St. John the Evangelist School in Attleboro learned how to recognize signs of bullying and how to stop it. Susan Roche, facilitator from Boston vs. Bullies, visited the class to help promote healthy friendships. Boston vs. Bullies, a three-week program facilitated by The Boston Sports Museum, brings New England professional athletes into the schools via the presentation.

Sacred Heart Home marks 100 years continued from page two

“Today it is an honor and a pleasure for me as a Sister of Charity of Quebec to participate in the centennial celebration of Sacred Heart Home.

“The Sisters of Charity of Quebec congratulate the administration, the staff, the residents, the volunteers of the home for making time to praise the Lord in thanksgiving for the countless blessings during the past 100 years.

“Today we believe that with your love and dedication, the Sacred Heart Home will continue to be a safe haven for the elderly of the Greater New Bedford area for many years to come.”

In her correspondence, Sister Bergeron referenced Pope Francis’ October 2016 address to the Italian associations of elderly people.

“The elderly represent the roots and memory of a people,” he said.

“He [Pope Francis] reaffirmed the Church’s affection and esteem for the elderly,” wrote Sister Bergeron, “which are essential elements of the Christian community as well as of society which embodies ‘the roots and memory of a people.’ Pope Francis stressed the importance of ‘fostering intergenerational ties.’ The future of a people demands that young people and the elderly meet: young people are a vitality of a people on the way and the elderly reinforce this vitality by memory and wisdom.”

Sister Bergeron further referenced the pope’s message when he said, “Today I give thanks to the Lord for the many people and structures dedicated to the daily service of these elderly people, in order to foster appropriate human con-

texts where each one can live worthily this important stage in his life.”

“This text of Pope Francis expresses well the Spirit with which the Sisters of Charity of Quebec engaged themselves to serve the elderly at Sacred Heart Home in New Bedford from 1917 to 2007,” said Sister Bergeron.

Even though the Sisters’ physical presence at Sacred Heart Home is no longer there, the mission continues.

Always with the Spiritual element at the forefront, Sacred Heart Home offers short- and long-term nursing for adults of all ages, and that includes folks recovering from surgeries or illnesses.

Adding to the superb medical care, a social worker, pastoral care provider, and the daily celebration of Mass, provide the residents with the best of the best.

Rehab services include physical, occupational, speech/language, and respiratory therapies.

The home also provides a variety of pulmonary rehab services.

Pain management and palliative and Hospice care are also offered, all in the Spirit of quality of life at end-of-life occurrences.

Sacred Heart Home is one of the few nursing facilities in the area to offer full-time Alzheimer’s and dementia care. “Many nursing homes have chosen not to offer Alzheimer’s care because of the strict Massachusetts regulations,” Davis told The Anchor. “But we care for the whole person, regardless of the care needed. That’s the Spirit of the Sisters of Charity of Quebec and the Spirit of being Catholic.”

Ninety-eight-year-old

The beautiful, peaceful chapel at Sacred Heart Home in New Bedford is a haven within a haven, providing the residents there and their families, and the staff daily Mass and a place to worship, pray and find solace. (Photo by Dave Jolivet)

Irene L’Ecuyer Harnois is a resident of the home, but her connection to “Maison du Sacre-Coeur” extends back to when she was a four-year-old. “My first knowledge of Sacred Heart Home was with my mother Mary Louise (born in Quebec City) and her good friend,” she said. “We all took a trolley car up Sawyer Street to Mount Pleasant Street” and they walked the final block to the home.

Harnois said her mother and her friend “went to visit and help the Sisters at Sacred Heart with the mending and sewing for residents.”

Years later Harnois became a member of the Dames Patronesses.

She said that her sister, husband and many friends eventually became residents at the home, and now she is there as well.

“I am very happy here as a resident, they are excel-

lent to me,” she said. “I am in the autumn part of my life waiting for God to take me home.”

Bridget Sherrod, director of Consumer and Community Relations at the home, shared a testimonial from family members of a resident who spent his final months at Sacred Heart Home. “The family of the late Rudy Coles wishes to express our sincere gratitude and appreciation to the Sacred Heart Home and its wonderful staff for the dedicated care and support provided to Rudy during his final months.

“From his first day he was treated with respect, sensitivity and empathy by what was clearly a quality and well-trained and directed staff.

“From day of admission through Rudy’s ultimate passing, we felt that we were treated very particularly as ‘Rudy’s family,’

rather than impersonally or anonymously.”

It’s impossible for any entity to remain strong and vibrant for a century without providing a quality product and personnel.

From its humble beginnings in 1917 with a handful of boarders cared for by five dedicated Sisters of Charity of Quebec, to the expansive facility, home to nearly 200 residents and 300 employees, plus numerous devoted volunteers, the focus has never changed: the Spiritual, physical and emotional well-being of its residents and their families. And there’s no sign that will change any time in future.

For more information about Sacred Heart Home call 508-996.6751. For more information about Diocesan Health Facilities and the other homes within the Diocese of Fall River, visit dhfo.org.

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L

ast weekend we marked Veterans Day. With it still so close in the rearview mirror, I’d like to keep it as the theme for my column this edition, sprinkled with a little Thanksgiving flavor for good measure.

There were myriad remembrances of our remarkable women and men who served in the military over the years. Parades, ceremonies, remembrances and recognition were the orders of the day last Saturday — and rightly so.

Everything we have in this great nation is largely due to the service of those who have protected America in good times and bad, preserving our freedoms.

Ironically, even those who choose to disrespect the very country in which they live, have the right to protest because of our veterans.

With that in mind, I’d like to take knee — but not in protest and not during our National Anthem. I’d like to take a knee in prayer — a prayer of thanksgiving for my greatest hero and one of my best friends — my dad Larry.

We lost Larry mid-October at the age of 96. He was a resident of Catholic Memorial Home in Fall River for the last two years, the victim of Alzheimer’srelated dementia. In the end his mind and his body gave out on him. But while Catholic Memorial was his home, Larry left a lasting impression on a good number of good people.

Some of the staff there got to know him and love him.

They got a small sample of the man I’ve admired since I can remember remembering.

Larry’s real name was Loridas — a name as French Canadian as you 20

I’ll take a knee

can get, and a name he Harbor took place on Dec. wasn’t particularly fond 7, 1941. His life of not havof — thus the moniker of ing much of a childhood Larry. would soon extend into his Larry’s childhood wasn’t 20s. Instead of waiting to the stuff that dreams are be drafted into the service made of. He lost his mom he decided to enlist in the when he was six years old.

U.S. Navy. That was in He never finished elemen- April of 1942. tary school, instead holding Larry never talked about a number of employment his time in the Navy — at positions as a boy and least not to me. All we teen-ager. Larry worked heard was about his time on a turkey farm and apple spent as the ship’s cook — farm, delivering ice and a job he loved, despite it delivering newspapers. being in the hornet’s nest That was when he wasn’t delivering his dad’s lunch to My View him at the mills.

When most From boys his age were the Stands playing baseball,

By Dave Jolivet climbing trees and going swimming, Larry was usually hard at work. He did manage to of the South Pacific during find the time to escape wartime. into his paradise from time Soon Larry wasn’t Larry to time though — the anymore. He was “Cookie” North Watuppa Pond. The and “Frenchy.” But despite Watuppa was a stone’s the title changes, he was throw from his house, so still Larry, the young man when he could he would who thought more about make his way into the others than he did himself. woods there, retrieve his A trait that developed as a hidden bamboo fishing rod young lad. and enjoy his time at his It wasn’t until he deown private fishing hole. veloped dementia that he You see the North Watup- began to share the real war pa was, and still is, not for stories with me. At a time public use, it being the when he should have had source of the Greater Fall the rest of his life to dream River area’s drinking water about, he was aboard either supply. But Larry wasn’t a U.S. destroyer or a seathere to destroy, but enjoy. plane tender.

When he wasn’t fishing, he Larry told me stories of would be gathering bluespending time in the crow’s berries and strawberries nest, keeping watch on the from around his beloved horizon for enemy aircraft. pond.

He told me of times when He even had the game he made himself as small wardens timed. He knew as he could as his ship was where he shouldn’t be and peppered with bullets from at what time. That was the sky. He told me of lyLarry’s version of a gameing there as if dead, praying winning home run or 99he would not be hit. yard touchdown run.

Larry told me of a time Larry was 20 years old when a Kamikaze fighter when the bombing of Pearl dove at his ship, but was

The Anchor - November 17, 2017

deflected into the sea by one of the vessel’s guide wires. The sister destroyer next to his wasn’t so lucky.

Larry told me of the time his ship, the destroyer used to protect the bigger battleships, finally tracked down and destroyed an enemy submarine. Larry told me how his heart broke for the men onboard that submarine as it rose to the surface just before nosediving into to the Pacific never to be seen again. He told me how he was haunted by what those men, even though they were the “enemy,” experienced that fateful day. They were fellow human beings after all. They weren’t responsible for the war they were all fighting.

Larry told me about how he would tend to wounded shipmates, feeding them as if they were babies. In a sense they all were children, young men in a place where they didn’t want to be, doing things they didn’t want to do. But they were in places where they had to be, doing things they had to do — all to keep America free.

Larry also experienced seeing the war come to an end. He received his honorable discharge from the United States Navy two days before Christmas 1945. He hopped aboard a train in Tacoma, Wash., and made his way to Fall River to surprise his family, showing up at his home on Christmas Day. Aside from his shipmates and family and friends in Fall River, no one knew Larry. He wasn’t a famous admiral or politician. But he was a hero, as were every other woman and man who defended

this country during World War II and before, and after.

Larry went on to become a great husband and father — and friend and uncle and coworker and human being.

During his last years, Larry wold tell the stories to me over and over again.

I knew them by heart, but I would listen to him and look in the eyes as if hearing them for the first time.

Larry told the stories to anyone who would listen, and quite often it was someone from Catholic Memorial Home, and they did the same thing.

Larry’s last few years were difficult — for him and for me, but in retrospect, I am so grateful for finally getting to know my dad as I never had. I miss hearing the same stories. I miss him becoming ornery, asking why the heck he was in a nursing home. The only thing I really don’t miss is him asking why he was still around.

Larry didn’t go easily — that wasn’t what he was about. He was tough, a teddy bear, but tough. For five days it was felt that day would be his last. My brother and I kept vigil with Larry for those five days, gently urging him to let go. He finally did, passing peacefully into a life with no more pain, no more tears, no more worries.

Larry was a hero — a war hero, something not everyone can be. Larry was also a regular guy hero. I made my share of mistakes along the way and Larry always forgave, something not everyone can do.

So this Veterans Day and this Thanksgiving, I’ll take a knee — for Larry, and all those like him. davejolivet@ anchornews.org.

PROVIDENCE, R.I. — Msgr. Henry T. Munroe, P.A., 88, died November 10, at Rhode Island Hospital.

He was the son of the late Henry T. and the late Kathryn C. (Burns) Munroe.

A graduate of the former Msgr. James Coyle High School, Class of 1946, he graduated from Providence College and St. John’s Seminary in Brighton.

Ordained to the priesthood by Bishop James L. Connolly at St. Mary’s Cathedral, Fall River, on Nov. 30, 1953, he served in five parishes over the course of nearly 50 years before his retirement at the age of 72, in 2000.

SWANSEA — Arthur C. Pregana, 84, of Swansea, died peacefully on Friday, November 3.

He was the husband of Florence (Bartlett) for 59 years. Arthur was born in Fall River to David and Angelina Pregana.

He was an altar boy at Santo Christo Church where his father was the sexton. He enlisted in the Air Force and served as an MP during the Korean conflict.

When he returned home, he married Florence at St. Mathieu Church on May 10, 1958.

This was the defining moment in Arthur’s life.

The couple lived most of their lives on Bradford Avenue in Fall River where they raised their three children.

Arthur graduated from

His first assignment was as curate at Holy Name Parish in New Bedford, from 1953 to 1972; then as pastor at St. John the Evangelist Parish in Attleboro from 1972 to 1975; pastor of St. Pius X Parish in South Yarmouth from 1975 to 1989; pastor of St. Thomas More Parish in Somerset from 1989 to 1995; and pastor of Our Lady of Victory Parish from 1995 to 2000.

He was a longtime member of the Diocesan Tribunal and Judicial Vicar of the diocese from the late 1960s until 1989. He was the Episcopal Vicar

Msgr. Henry T. Munroe of the Cape and the Islands from 1975 to 1989, at which time he

was appointed as Vicar General of the Diocese of Fall River.

In 1992 he served as

Diocesan Administrator, following the transfer of Bishop Daniel A. Cronin to Hartford and before the arrival of Bishop Sean P. O’Malley, O.F.M., Cap., in August of 1992. Named an Honorary Prelate by Pope Paul VI, he was also named a Protonotary Apostolic by Pope John Paul II. He was a member of the 4th Degree Knights of Columbus, the Canon Law Society of America, and a former Trustee of the New Bedford Public Library.

Msgr. Munroe is survived by his cousin, Alice C. Costello of Fall River, several other

cousins, and his close friend, Robert Tapper of Mattapoisett.

The wake will be held at Holy Name Church, 709 Hanover Street in Fall River on Saturday, November 18, from 9 a.m. to 11 a.m., followed by the Mass of Christian Burial at 11 a.m. also at Holy Name Church.

Priests and deacons are asked to vest in the sacristy.

Contributions in his memory may be made to the Cardinal Medeiros Residence for Retired Priests, 375 Elsbree Street, Fall River, Mass., 02720, where Msgr. Munroe lived over the last several years.

Arthur C. Pregana, father of Father Craig A. Pregana

R.I. School of Design and worked at Bristol Knitting Mills as a sweater designer most of his life. He was very dedicated to the church, especially working with the St. Vincent de Paul Society at St. Louis Church. In his retirement, he loved volunteering at Saints Peter and Paul School to be

near his grandchildren.

In addition to his wife, Arthur is survived by his three children, Father Craig Pregana, Gail and her husband Jeffrey Souza, and David Pregana; two loving grandchildren Jameson and Gabrielle Souza; his brother, David and wife Dorothy Pregana; and several nieces

and nephews. He was predeceased by his sister Gilda.

A Funeral Mass was celebrated at St. Thomas More Church, Somerset on November 6.

Donations in Arthur’s name may be made to Bishop Connolly High School Scholarship Fund, 373 Elsbree Street, Fall River, Mass., 02720.

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Around the Diocese Corpus Christi Parish will present “A Country Christmas Bazaar” on November 18 from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. at 324 Quaker Meeting House Road in East Sandwich. The event will offer handmade crafts, home-baked treats and gift baskets. Enjoy a delicious lunch at the café and take a chance on the Noella Raffle; stop by to see your favorite vendors inside the parish center and classrooms. For more information call 508-888-0209 or email christmasbazaar@ corpuschristiparish.org.

St. Pius X Church in South Yarmouth will sponsor its Christmas Fair on November 18 from 8:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. Enjoy lunch at the Noel Cafe beginning at 11 a.m. Come and browse the tables with an assortment of jewelry, gifts, crafts, knitted items, decorations, baked goods, jams and jellies, boxed knives, silent auction and raffles! The fair, sponsored by the St. Pius X Women’s Society, will be held in the parish center on Station Avenue.

A Christmas Fair will be held at St. Elizabeth Seton Church in North Falmouth on November 18 from 8:30 a.m. to 2 p.m. featuring coffee and donuts, luncheon at 11:30 a.m., serving lobster rolls, clam chowder and more, and a country store featuring Christmas decorations, antiques and collectibles, jewelry, handmade items, baked goods, books and raffles with many prizes including a trip to Bermuda! For more information, call 508-564-4780.

St. Jude the Apostle Parish will be having its annual Penny Sale at the church hall, 249 Whittenton Street in Taunton, on November 18 at 6 p.m. — doors open at 5 p.m. In addition to three regular series, there will be specials, roll-ups, refreshments, a raffle on 15 turkey dinner baskets, and a money raffle with $1,000 as the first prize.

The Council of Catholic Women is sponsoring its 31st Annual Christmas Bazaar at Our Lady of Grace Parish, 569 Sanford Road in Westport, on Saturday and Sunday, November 25 and 26, from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. both days. The event will include a winner every time table, elf’s pot of gold, a u-pic-um table, children’s craft table, big money raffle, and more than 35 other craft tables. Santa Claus will arrive from 11 a.m. to noon, so bring your camera! Christmas music will be provided by Pat Cordeiro from noon to 2 p.m. with a children’s Christmas bazaar choir performing at 1 p.m. The kitchen will be open both days, and admission and parking are free!

The fourth annual Family Christmas Fair will be held at St. John the Evangelist Parish in Pocasset on November 25 from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Local crafters will be highlighted in the Vendor’s Village with beautiful hand-crafted and delightful gifts. Family, friends and neighbors are invited to enjoy face painting, cookie decorating as well as delicious treats from the bake table. Don’t forget the camera as Santa Claus will pay a visit! For more information visit www.stjohnspocasset. org or call 508-563-5887.

The Women’s Guild at St. John Neumann Parish, 157 Middleboro Road in East Freetown, invites all to its One Day Only Barn Sale in the parish barn on December 2 from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m., rain or shine. It will offer a large variety of items to choose from and the prices can’t be beat!

To submit an event for consideration in The Anchor’s “Around the Diocese” listing, send the information by email to kensouza@anchornews.org

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The Anchor - November 17, 2017

Eucharistic Adoration in the Diocese Acushnet — Eucharistic Adoration takes place at St. Francis Xavier Parish on Monday from 9:30 a.m. to 8:30 p.m.; Tuesday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 8:30 p.m.; and Saturday from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. Evening prayer and Benediction is held Monday through Wednesday at 6:30 p.m.

ASSONET — Beginning September 14, St. Bernard’s Parish will have Eucharistic Adoration every Monday from 9:30 a.m. to 6:30 p.m. The Blessed Sacrament will be exposed on the altar at the conclusion of 9 a.m. Mass and the church will be open all day, concluding with evening prayer and Benediction at 6:30 p.m.

ATTLEBORO — Eucharistic Adoration takes place in the Adoration Chapel at St. Vincent de Paul Parish, 71 Linden Street, from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. daily.

ATTLEBORO — The National Shrine of Our Lady of La Salette holds Eucharistic Adoration in the Shrine Church every Saturday from 1 to 4 p.m. through November 17.

ATTLEBORO — There is a weekly time of Eucharistic Adoration Wednesdays from 7-9 p.m. at St. John the Evangelist Church on North Main Street.

Brewster — Eucharistic Adoration takes place in the La Salette Chapel in the lower level of Our Lady of the Cape Church, 468 Stony Brook Road, on First Fridays beginning at noon until 7:45 a.m. First Saturday, concluding with Benediction and concluding with Mass at 8 a.m. buzzards Bay — Eucharistic Adoration takes place at St. Margaret Church, 141 Main Street, Monday through Saturday, from 6:30 to 8 a.m.; and every first Friday from noon to 8 a.m. on Saturday.

East Freetown — Eucharistic Adoration takes place at St. John Neumann Church every Monday (excluding legal holidays) 8 a.m. to 9 p.m. in the Our Lady, Mother of All Nations Chapel. (The base of the bell tower).

EAST TAUNTON — Eucharistic Adoration takes place in the chapel at Holy Family Parish Center, 438 Middleboro Avenue, Monday through Friday, 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. On First Fridays, Eucharistic Adoration takes place at Holy Family Church, 370 Middleboro Avenue, from 8:30 a.m. until 7:45 p.m.

FAIRHAVEN — St. Mary’s Church, Main St., has Eucharistic Adoration every Wednesday from 8:30-11:30 a.m. in the Chapel of Reconciliation, with Benediction at 11:30 a.m. Also, there is a First Friday Mass each month at 7 p.m., followed by a Holy Hour with Eucharistic Adoration. Refreshments follow.

FALL RIVER — St. Anthony of Padua Church, on the corner of Bedford and Sixteenth streets, has Eucharistic Adoration accompanied by music and prayer every first Wednesday of the month from 6-7 p.m.

FALL RIVER — St. Bernadette’s Church, 529 Eastern Ave., has continuous Eucharistic Adoration from 8 a.m. on Thursday until 8 a.m. on Saturday.

FALL RIVER — St. Anthony of the Desert Church, 300 North Eastern Avenue, has Eucharistic Adoration Mondays and Tuesdays from 9 a.m. to 7 p.m.

FALL RIVER — Holy Name Church, 709 Hanover Street, has Eucharistic Adoration Monday through Friday from 7:30 a.m. to 9 p.m. in the Our Lady of Grace Chapel.

FALL RIVER — Good Shepherd Parish has Eucharistic Adoration every Friday following the 8 a.m. Mass and concluding with 3 p.m. Benediction in the Daily Mass Chapel. A bilingual holy hour takes place from 2 to 3 p.m. Park behind the church and enter the back door of the connector between the church and the rectory.

FALL RIVER — St. Joseph’s Church has a Holy Hour every Tuesday from 6-7 p.m., with Benediction at 6:45 p.m.

FALL RIVER — St. Michael’s Church has Eucharistic Adoration every Wednesday from 9 a.m. to 5:30 p.m., with Benediction at 5:30 p.m.

Falmouth — St. Patrick’s Church has Eucharistic Adoration each First Friday following the 7 a.m. Mass, with Benediction at 4:30 p.m.

HYANNIS — St. Francis Xavier Parish in Hyannis, 347 South Street, Hyannis, has Eucharistic Adoration from noon to 3 p.m., daily Monday through Friday.

MANSFIELD — St. Mary’s Parish, 330 Pratt Street, has Eucharistic Adoration every First Friday from 7:30 a.m. to 6 p.m., with Benediction at 5:45 p.m.

MASHPEE — Christ the King Parish, Route 151 and Job’s Fishing Road has 8:30 a.m. Mass every First Friday with special intentions for Respect Life, followed by 24 hours of Eucharistic Adoration in the Chapel, concluding with Benediction Saturday morning followed immediately by an 8:30 Mass.

NEW BEDFORD — Eucharistic Adoration is held every Thursday, with Confessions, from 7:30 to 8:30 p.m. at Our Lady of Guadalupe at St. James Church. Please use the side entrance.

NEW BEDFORD — There is a daily holy hour from 5:15-6:15 p.m. Monday through Thursday at St. Anthony of Padua Church, 1359 Acushnet Avenue. It includes Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament, Liturgy of the Hours, recitation of the Rosary, and the opportunity for Confession.

NEW BEDFORD — St. Lawrence Martyr Parish, 565 County Street, holds Eucharistic Adoration in the side chapel Fridays from 7:30-11:45 a.m. ending with a simple Benediction NORTH DARTMOUTH — Eucharistic Adoration takes place at St. Julie Billiart Church, 494 Slocum Road, every Tuesday from 5:30 to 6:30 p.m., ending with Benediction. The Sacrament of Reconciliation is available at this time.

NORTH DIGHTON — Eucharistic Adoration takes place every Wednesday following 8:00 a.m. Mass and concludes with Benediction at 5 p.m. Eucharistic Adoration also takes place every First Friday at St. Nicholas of Myra Church, 499 Spring Street following the 8 a.m. Mass, ending with Benediction at 6 p.m. The Rosary is recited Monday through Friday from 7:30 to 8 a.m.

NORTH EASTON — A Holy Hour for Families including Eucharistic Adoration is held every Friday from 3-4 p.m. at The Father Peyton Center, 518 Washington Street.

NORTH EASTON — Eucharistic Adoration takes place at Immaculate Conception Church Chapel on the first Wednesday of the month beginning after the 8:30 a.m. Mass, until 6:40 p.m. Those wishing to make a monthly commitment can sign up on the parish website at www.icceaston.org or call the parish office at 508-238-3232.

ORLEANS — St. Joan of Arc Parish, 61 Canal Road, has Eucharistic Adoration every First Friday starting after the 8 a.m.

Mass and ending with Benediction at 11:45 a.m. The Sacrament of the Sick is also available immediately after the 8 a.m. Mass.

SEEKONK ­— Our Lady of Mt. Carmel Parish has perpetual Eucharistic Adoration seven days a week, 24 hours a day in the chapel at 984 Taunton Avenue. For information call 508-336-5549.

Taunton — Eucharistic Adoration takes place every Tuesday at St. Anthony Church, 126 School Street, following the 8 a.m. Mass with prayers including the Chaplet of Divine Mercy for vocations, concluding at 6 p.m. with Chaplet of St. Anthony and Benediction. Recitation of the Rosary for peace is prayed Monday through Saturday at 7:30 a.m. prior to the 8 a.m. Mass.

Taunton — Adoration of the Most Blessed Sacrament takes place every First Friday at Annunciation of the Lord, 31 First Street. Exposition begins following the 8 a.m. Mass. The Blessed Sacrament will be exposed, and Adoration will continue throughout the day. Confessions are heard from 4:15 to 4:45 p.m. Rosary and Benediction begin at 5 p.m.

WAREHAM — Eucharistic Adoration at St. Patrick’s Church takes place 9 a.m. Thursday through 7 p.m. Friday. Adoration is held in our Adoration Chapel in the lower Parish Hall. ~ PERPETUAL EUCHARISTIC ADORATION ~

East Sandwich — The Corpus Christi Parish Perpetual Eucharistic Adoration Chapel is open 24 hours a day, seven days a week at 324 Quaker Meeting House Road, East Sandwich. Use the Chapel entrance on the side of the church.

NEW BEDFORD — Our Lady’s Chapel, 600 Pleasant Street, offers Eucharistic Adoration seven days a week, 24 hours a day. For information call 508-996-8274.

SEEKONK ­— Our Lady of Mount Carmel Parish has perpetual Eucharistic Adoration seven days a week, 24 hours a day in the chapel at 984 Taunton Avenue. For information call 508-336-5549.

WEST HARWICH — Our Lady of Life Perpetual Adoration Chapel at Holy Trinity Parish, 246 Main Street (Rte. 28), holds perpetual Eucharistic Adoration. We are a regional chapel serving all of the surrounding parishes.

All are invited to sign up to cover open hours. For open hours, or to sign up call 508-430-4716.

Bishop to initiate adults into Church November 18 continued from page three

more than that in 12 hours.”

Using the “Catechism of the Catholic Church” as a guide, Bonneau said the training includes discussions about Revelation, the Creed, the Sacraments, and offers basic catechesis. It also provides opportunities for prayer and reflection, while addressing the Spiritual component of being Catholic and how to live out one’s faith.

“We also conclude — and we added this a couple of years ago — a retreat on a Saturday morning from 9 a.m. to two o’clock in the afternoon and I usually bring in another speaker to talk about Spirituality, to talk about the Sacrament itself, to talk about grace,” Bonneau said.

“For the most part, none of these people have ever had any kind of a retreat experience, so it gives them a dimension of the Church that they’re not familiar with it all. It’s not just about learning things — it’s about experiencing things of the heart and making commitments based on that.”

For Bonneau, the Faith Formation and reception of the Sacrament itself is “just a small piece of a much bigger picture.” He hopes the newlyinitiated members of the Church will continue to practice and live out their

faith every day.

“The experience of Church, the experience of Mass, the experience of the Sacrament are all in many ways more important than 12 hours of learning some things,” he said. That’s where you’re going to continue to be formed in your faith. And it makes no sense if you’re asking to be initiated into the Church but then you don’t participate in it. There’s a real disconnect there.”

Realizing that once candidates receive Confirmation and return to their respective parishes he has “no control over whether they go to Mass or not,” Bonneau said he relies on the grace of the Sacrament and hopes they will continue on in their faith.

“You don’t know where all of this is going to go, but you know it’s a real opportunity for evangelization,” he said. “We talk about evangelization all the time, but this might be one of the last places that we really do have a chance to evangelize them.”

Having taught the Adult Faith Formation classes since 2004, Deacon Bonneau admitted he loves passing on his faith to others and it’s been a very fruitful experience for him.

“These are the things we want to be doing: administering the Sacraments, encountering people who are reconnecting, and completing their initiation into the Church,” he said.

“I mean those are all positive things.

And for them, this is really very special. We give them a little history of the cathedral, explain the stained glass windows in the hour before (Mass). So even that is a learning experience. I show them the bishop’s seat — and all of it is new to them.

There’s music from the choir; I mean it is a different experience for all of us when you’re at the cathedral with the bishop.

“And, of course, Bishop da Cunha is a great homilist and I think he touches peoples’ hearts and he connects well with the people and for them I think it’s a real source of en-

couragement that he is so concerned about them and their faith life and where they’re going to take that into the world.”

The new adults will be welcomed into the Church during the 4 p.m.

Vigil Mass at St. Mary’s Cathedral on Saturday, November 18.

“We used to do a special Mass, but then we decided just to do it at the regular four o’clock Mass, that way you have music and you have the community right there participating,” he said. “And it’s supposed to be done in a community Mass, because you’re being initiated into the Catholic community.”

Those interested in the next RCIA and Adult Confirmation program can either contact Deacon Bruce Bonneau at bbonneau@dfrcs.org, or inform their pastor.

Your Prayers In YourInPrayers Please theseduring priests the during the weeks coming weeks Please pray forpray thesefor priests coming

Nov. 18 Rev. William Beston, C.S.C., Chaplain, Paul Dever School, 2004 Nov. 19 Rev. Msgr. Lester L. Hull, Retired Pastor, St. Mary Our Lady of the Isle, Nantucket, 1982 Rev. Philodore H. Lemay, M.S., La Salette Provincial House, Attleboro, 1990 Nov. 21 Rev. Stephen J. Downey, Retired Pastor, Holy Ghost, Attleboro, 1975 Rev. James F. Kenney, Retired Pastor, Corpus Christi, Sandwich, 1994 Nov. 23 Rev. James E. Smith, Retired Chaplain, Bethlehem Home, Taunton, 1962 Rev. Msgr. Christopher L. Broderick, Retired Founder, St. Pius X, South Yarmouth, 1984 Nov. 24 Msgr. Daniel F. Shalloo, Retired Pastor, Holy Name, Fall River, 1991 Nov. 25 Rev. Philias Jalbert, Pastor, Notre Dame de Lourdes, Fall River, 1946 Rev. Dennis Spykers, SS.CC., Retired Pastor, Our Lady of Lourdes, Wellfleet, 1971 Nov. 26 Rev. James R. Burns, P.R., Pastor, Sacred Heart, Fall River, 1945 Rev. Charles Porada, O.F.M. Conv., 2000 Nov. 27 Rt. Rev. Patrick E. McGee, Pastor, St. Mary, North Attleboro, 1948 Nov. 28 Rev. Adrien A. Gauthier, Pastor, St. Roch, Fall River, 1959 Nov. 29 Rev. Thomas H. Shahan, Former Pastor, St. Mary,Taunton, 1902 Rev. Francis A. McCarthy, Pastor, St. Patrick, Somerset, 1965 Nov. 30 Rev, William J McCoomb, Pastor, Immaculate Conception, North Easton, 1895 Dec. 1 Rev. Phillipe Ross, Chaplain, Sacred Heart Home, New Bedford, 1958 Rev. Edward J. Gorman, Retired Pastor, St. Patrick, Somerset, 1964

The Anchor - November 17, 2017

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Visit the Diocese of Fall River website at fallriverdiocese.org The site includes links to parishes, diocesan offices and national sites.

To advertise in The Anchor, contact Wayne Powers at 508-675-7151 or Email waynepowers@ anchornews.org

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The Anchor - November 17, 2017