11.26.93

t eanc 0 VOL. 37, NO. 46

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Friday, November 26,1993

FALL RIVER, MASS.

FALL RIVER DIOCESAN NEWSPAPER FOR SOUTHEAST MASSACHUSETTS CAPE COD & THE ISLANDS Southeastern Massachusetts' Largest Weekly

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SII Per Year

Bishop () 'Malley writes on World AIDS Day Dearly beloved in Christ: The sixth annual observance of World AIDS Day will take place Wednesday, December I. This special day provides the opportunity for us to pause and reflect on the critical nature of this health disaster, and to consider our responsibilities as members of the human family and of the Church.

Two years ago, the National Commission on AIDS issued a warning to our naticn to engage seriously in the issues and needs posed by AIDS, or face a relentless and expanding tragedy in the decades ahead.

In June of this year, the final report of this same commission stated that its earlier warnings had fallen far short of their intended effect: .....epidemic rumbers continue to expand, trends toward universality of involvement have intensified, and the twin epidemics of AIDS and drug abuse have now beenjoined by a third deadly fellow traveler - tuberculosis."

The reality of HIV / AIDS has created a profound social, moral and medical crisis in our global society. The World Health Organization estimates that 14 million men, women and children worldwide have been infected with HIV. In our own country, as of April 1993, a cumulative to:al of289,320 AIDS cases and 179,748 deaths from AIDS have been reported to the Centers for Disease Control.

In light of the rapid spread of this disease - a disease that is a potentially preventatle deadly infection - the social fabric of our society will surely change. AI DS knows no barriers, no boundaries of culture, ethnicity, economy, education or religion. It is a potential threat to every human being.

The Church is aware of the urgent need foreducation regarding AIDS, and for the r.eed to reach out to those whose lives are impacted by it.

On September I, 1990, Pope John Paul II declared: The drama of ,A,I DS threatens not just some nations or societies, but the w~ole of humanity. It knows no frontiers of geography, race, age, or social condition. This epidemic, unlike others, is accompanied by a unique cultural unease related to the impact of the symbolism it suggests: the lifegiving functions o' human sexuality, and the blood which epitomizes health and life itself, have become a roadway to death. Only a response which takes into account both medical aspects of the illness as well as the human, cultural, ethical and religiolls dimensions of life can offer complete solidarity to its victims and raise the hope that the epidemic can be controlled 2 nd turned back.

In the education of our families and our communities we must not ignore the moral dimension of this problem. As we strive to emulate the compassi:>n of Jesus, we likewise strive to encourage our children to iisten and to understand the Gospel message and the scriptural injunction to practice virtue and chastity, to be courageous in the face of the temptations of drug abuse and casual sexual relationships, to rely on the grace received through the sacraments, and on the protection of the Blessed Mother.

In these days when the value of life is challenged by the horror of abortion and the noti:>n that human life is dispensable, we must search our hearts and recall that it is through sharing in the Cross of Christ that human suffering takes on a redemptive meaning. We do not share in that Cross by turning a blind eye to the social ills of our human society - we embrace it only by attempting to know and understand them ~.nd by reaching out to those who suffer from them.

Devoted~v yours in Christ,

-r~IIk~/~ Bishop of Fall River

See I'elated story page 13

ARCHBISHOP DANIEL A, CRONIN of Hartford and Bishop Sean O'Malley pause amid the national bishops' meeting last week in Washington. (Kearns photo)

Bishop 0 'Malley urges radio breakthrough by church

Peace, liturgy, sex abuse, CTNA discussed at bishops' meeting WASHINGTON (CNS) - The U.S. bishops approved statements on the family, parish social ministry and world peace but deferred voting on a massive liturgical updating process during their Nov. 15-18 general meeting in Washington.

They thanked the nation's 10,000 permanent deacons for their service to the church and passed new rules which, if approved by the Vatican, would make it easier to dismiss priests who have sexually abused minors.

But sex abuse issues formed onlya small part of the agenda for the bishops' four-day meeting. In addition to approving the new rules on dismissing abusive priests, the bishops heard a progress report from Bishop John F. Kinney of Bismarck, N.D., chairman of a special panel looking into the church's response to allegations of sex abuse by priests.

Bishop Kinney said his committee will not provide "fast. easy answers." He said it met with five survivors of clergy sex abuse two days before the general meeting.

Launching one of their most massive liturgical updating projects in recent years, the bishops deferred a vote on the first part of a new Sacramentary - the prayers at

Mass - until next year. Against a backdrop of a campaign challenging the whole basis of English liturgy translations made since the Second Vatican Council, they decided that their Committee on Doctrine should have a say in the matter of new translations for Mass prayers.

Committee to study stewardship plan Bishop Sean P. O'Malley has announced formation of a diocesan stewardship committee to study formation of such committees within parishes. Members will hold their first meeting Friday, Dec. 3.

Chaired by Rev. Marcel H. Bouchard, the committee is comprised of Bishop O'Malley, Fathers Paul Canuel, Cornelius J. O'Neill, Gerald T. Shovelton, Michael K. McManus, Robert A. Oliveira and John M. Sullivan; Permanent Deacons Thomas Souza and Forrest Wallace; Ms. Rosa Lopes, Mr. and Mrs. Edward Romano, Atty.

Richard Pierce and James Riley.

Stewardship is described as based on the spiritual principles of the Old Testament and the teachings of Jesus. Those who have Turn to Page 13

The docur.1ent on families, approved by the bishops after a twoyear consultation process, urges married couples to reject "an unhealthy competitive spirit" in their relationship and as parents to put their children's needs first. It is designed as a Catholic contribution to the United Nations' 1994 International Year of the Family.

The bishops' new peace statement marks the 10th anniversary of their landmark peace pastoral, "The Challenge of Peace." It says that to work for real peace, the United States needs to avoid the temptation of isolationism and make substantive new commitments to international justice, Third World development, human rights and nonviolent conflict resolution.

In approving the statement on the permanent diaconate. several bishops rose to praise the work of deacons. The statement marks the 25th anniversary of the restoration of the permanent diaconate in the United States.

Also at the meeting Kansas City - St. Joseph, Mo., Bishop Raymond J. Boland announced that the bishops' telecommunications network has been given a $500,000 line of credit from the Catholic Communication Campaign in case Turn to Page 16

2 THE ANCHOR -

Diocese of Fall River -

Fri., Nov. 26,'1993

OBITUARY Less than Half International aid provided less than half of the minimum food requirements of the population of war-torn regions in the former Yugoslavia in late 1992. (FAO)

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BISHOP'S BALL committee chairmen are, front from left, Sister Gertrude Gaudette, OP, decoration cochair; Miss Claire O'Toole, presentees; Mrs. Michael J. McMahon, hospitality; rear, Rev. Daniel L. Freitas, diocesan Ball director; Mrs. Aubrey M. Armstrong, decoration committee; V. Vincent Gerardi, coordinator of ushers.

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Mrs. Armstrong will head Ball decoration committee Mrs. Aubrey Armstrong, St. Louis de France parish, Swansea, will head the decoration committee for the 38th annual Bishop's Charity Ball, assisted by Sister Gertrude Gaudette, OP, of the Dominican Sisters of St. Catherine of Siena of Fall River.

The ball will take place from 8 p.m. to midnight Friday, Jan. 14, at Venus de Milo restaurant, Swansea.

A ball souvenir booklet offers five categories, with organizations and individuals listed in each category entitled to ball tickets. The ball committee, together with event cosponsors, the Society of St. Vincent de Paul and the Diocesan Council of Catholic Women, asks that conferences and affiliates submit names for the booklet within the next two weeks to the new ball headquarters at 344 Highland Ave., Fall River 02720 or to PO Box 1470, Fall River 02722.

Bishop Sean O'Malley will be the ball's guest of honor. Its pro-

ceeds support charitable initiatives of the diocese, including the new HIV/AIDS ministry, summer camps for underprivileged children and a wide range of other apostolates.

Father Daniel L. Freitas, diocesan director of the ball, asks that pastors of the 37 parishes eligible to choose presentees for this year's event submit names of the young women selected for presentation to Bishop O'Malley to Miss Claire O'Toole, 3 Forest Street, Fall River 02721, as soon as possible.

Ball tickets are available from committee members, Vincentians or members of the Diocesan Council of Catholic Women.

The committee members will meet at I p.m. Jan. 13 at the Venus de Milo restaurant to arrange ball decorations. Presentees and their presenters are asked to be at the restaurant at 6:30 p.m. the same day for a rehearsal ofthe presentation ceremony.

Friars hope to stay in Bosnia despite killings VATICAN CITY (CNS) Franciscans hope to remain in wartorn Bosnia-Herzegovina despite the murder of two priests after Muslim troops broke into their friary, said Father Hermann Schaluck, Franciscan minister general. He said their role is to stay with the needy and keep open lines of communication with the Muslims.

"The fact that we lost these two brothers is due to our desire to keep alive any glimmer of dialogue, i'ncluding interreligious, and of tolerance in this absurd ethnic cleansing," he told Vatican Radio.

Those murdered were Fathers Nikola Milicevic, friary superior, and Leon Migic, friary vicar, who were killed Nov. 14 in Fojnica, a city 40 miles from the Bosnian capital of Sarajevo.

Father Schaluck said they were the first Franciscans killed in Bosnia-Herzegovina, where there are 500 Franciscans. He also said that five other priests and several nuns at the friary were taken hostage by Muslim troops and "are in serious danger."

Father Schaluck said that "our brothers continue to believe in dialogue and in nonviolence" despite the murders.

If the war continues, however, it is difficult to predict if it will be possible for the Franciscans to remain, he added, saying that much depends on the evolution of political events.

In a page one editorial Nov. 15, L'Osservatore Romano, the Vatican newspaper, said the Franciscan murders indicate that "there are no signs that we can forsee the end of the horrors of this war."

Central Bosnia has been the scene of fierce fighting between Croatian and Muslim troops. Most Croats profess Catholicism.

The killings of the Franciscans took place several days after a Nov. 10 meeting in Zagreb, Croatia, between Cardinal Franjo Kuharic of Zagreb and Mustafa Ceric, Bosnian Muslim leader.

Both men urged all sides to stop fighting, agree to an unconditional exchange of prisoners, allow passage of humanitarian aid and permit displaced people to return to their homes, said a press release issued by the cardinal's office.

The cardinal also sent a letter to U. N. Secretary-General Boutros Boutros-Ghali asking for swift U. N. measures to prevent the "genocide of Croats in central Bosnia."

R. Aime Lafrance, 73, of Hobe Sound, Fla., and Westport, the founder of White's of Westport, a restaurant frequently the scene of diocesan functions, died Nov. 17 in Florida. The Mass of Christian Burial was offered for him Nov. 22 at St. John the Baptist Church, Westport.

Long active in church circles, he was a Knight of St. Gregory, a papal honor awarded to persons distinguished both for their accomplishments and for their personal character and reputation. At various times he was lay chairman for the Catholic Charities Appeal, a director of St. Anne's Hospital and the Catholic Memorial Home, both in Fall River, a recipient of the diocesan Marian Medal and a member of Knights of Columbus, Council 86, as well as being active in many civic organizations. In 1986 he was named Franco-American of the Year by the FrancoAmerican Civic League of Fall River.

He and his wife Rita were generous contributors to Bishop Connolly High School, Fall River, where the gymnasium is dedicated to them; and through the Citizens Scholarship Foundation, the couple funded an annual R. Aime Lafrance Scholarship for employees of White's of Westport and their children.

In addition to his wife, he is survived by a son, Richard L. Lafrance of Westport; a sister, Blanche Lafrance of Fall River; three brothers, Norman and Roger Lafrance, both of Fall River; and Philip H. Lafrance of Rockledge, Fla., and Fall River; four grandchildren; and nieces and nephews.

Diocesan offices are relocated Several diocesan offices within the chancery complex on the block bounded by Highland Avenue. New Boston Road. Underwood Street and Lincoln Avenue in Fall River have been relocated within the complex.

410 Highland Avenue, formerly the Catholic Charities office. will house the offices of Bishop Sean P. O'Malley. Msgr. John J. Oliveira and the Propagation of the Faith.

The forme( chancery office at 47 Underwood St .. now to be known as the chancerv annex. will house the diocesan departments offinance and insurance and the Office for Divine Worship. The FAX number for the insurance department can also be used for the finance department.

344 Highland Avenue. the former office of the insurance department. will house the Catholic Charities office.

All telephone. FAX and post office box numbers will remain as they are now listed in the Diocesan Directory.

1111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111I1111111111111111 THE ANCHOR (USPS-545-020). Second Class Postage Paid at Fall River. Mass.

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

,Africa hospitable CAPE AG ULHAS, South Africa (C~S) - A smile and knowing how to say a few words in the language of every cot.ntry he visited got Canadian cyclist David Fenech down the length of Africa. "I didn't carry a gun and I had nothing stolen - my bike doesn't have a lock ,- and I was never attacked for money," said Fenech, 26, who

biked from Morocco to Cape Agulhas, the continent's southernmost point. Fenech, a Catholic, raised $3,000 for the British-based Save the Children Fund while on a cycling tour of Europe before heading for Africa to visit the charity's projects. He called the hospitality in Africa "incredible."

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AT ONE OF MANY celebrations of his golden jubilee in the priesthood, Very Rev. James F. Lyons concelebrates Mass at Immaculate Conception Church, Taunton, where he was parochial vicar from 1951 to 1966. Parishioners surprised him with a reception following the liturgy. Other priests, from left, Rev. Michael R. Nagle, Rev. Thomas E. O'Dea, Rev. Barry W. Wall. (Breen photo)

Father Lyons:

50 years a priest tomorrow

By Pat McGownn As one priest friend described it, "hundreds" of celebrat ons have preceded tomorrow's 50th anniversary of ordination of Very Rev. James F. Lyons, past)r of St. Patrick's parish, Wareham. Make that thousands, if you :ount the grateful ,memories of those whose lives he has touched in the past half century as he sen ed in six diocesan parishes and a!: chaplain to many organizations.

The Fall River native was born May I, 1919, the son of the late James F. and the late Mary A. (Foley) Lyons. After graduating from St. Joseph's grammar school, Fall River, and the then Msgr.

Coyle High School in Taunton, he attended Holy Cross College, Worcester, where he started thinking about the priesthood.

"Try the seminary," a Jesuit priest advised him. "If you don't like it, you can leave."

So it was off to SI. Mary's Seminary, Baltimore, which he actually did leave early. "1 did my deacon year in three months," he explained, because in the,se World War II days then-Bishop James E. Cassidy had been asked ~o release as many priests as poss .ble from diocesan duty in order to serve as military chaplains, thus the need for men to replace them in parish post~.

"So," said Father Lyons, "we were ordained in November, 1943, the second group to be ,)rdained

THE TRADITIONAL Advent wreath prayers will appear on page 4 of the A nchor each week of A dvent. A ny wreath may be used with four candles, which are lit successively each week before Christmas as the prayer for the week is recited.

Three candles may be purple to represent the darkness oflhe world before the coming of Christ and one, lit during the third week of Advent, may be rose colored to represent the hope for a Messiah to come. The green of the wreath also symbolizes hope, while its circular shape recalls the eternity of God, who has no beginning and no end.

Many families contin"e to use the wreath on Christmas Day, replacing the colored candles with four white ones.

for the Fall River diocese that year."

In a precursor of things to come, his first assignment was to St. Patrick's parish, Wareham, where he served from 1943 to 1951, returning as pastor in 1976.

In 1951 the young priest received a "temporary assignment" as parochial vicar at Immaculate Conception Church, Taunton. The temporary post lasted 16 years, time enough for present and past parishioners to amass many cherished memories of him, recalled last month when they invited him back to celebrate Mass for them and followed the liturgy with a surprise reception.

Immaculate Conception was followed by a year as administrator at St. Peter's Church, Dighton, and two years as pastor at Our Lady of Victory, Centerville. Then Father Lyons returned to Taunton as pastor of St. Mary's parish, where he remained until going back to St. Patrick's, Wareham.

Along the way, he was succesively Cape Cod, Taunton and New Bedford district moderator for the Diocesan Council of Catholic Women; in 1990 he was named diocesan DCCW moderator, while remaining with the New Bedford district. He is dean of the New Bedford deanery of the diocese.

That's not all. He's 'been spiritual director for Taunton district Vincentians; in 1960 he directed a campaign that raised $1 1/4 million for Bishop-Cassidy High School, now merged with Msgr.

Coyle as Coyle-Cassidy High School. From 1971 to 1989 he chaired the diocesan Commission for Divine Worship; and at various times he's been chaplain for the Queen's Daughters and the Serra Club in Taunton and the Knights of Columbus in Wareham.

The jubilarian enjoys golf, tennis and swimming and has a large library of classical music cassettes and CDs. He plans to retire next May; meanwhile he's serving his parish and fulfilling his other commitments with the dedication that has characterized his entire priesthood.

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4' THE ANCHOR -

Diocese of Fall River 路~路Fri., Nov. 26,

i993

the moorin&.-, Supporting Ol,lr Bishops It is obvious that the bishops of the Catholic Church in America, who gathered last week for their annual national meeting, are facing difficult times. There is hardly a secular newspaper that has not engaged in bishop bashing. With the many accusations of sexual abuse plaguing the clergy, bishops today are treated as fodder for tabloid headlines.

Our conference of bishops is doing a remarkable job of coming to grips with the heartbreak. The media refuses to give them any credit whatsoever, having a field day with the trialby-print mind-set. Articles, columns and editorials can be found on every subject of sacramental concerns or canonical procedure. Nothing is sacred or holy; all is controversial or archaic. That which is revered by believing Catholics is scorned and derided by the media. Before our conference of bishops can even take up important matters at hand, they end up in a defensive posture, having to debate the basic and fundamental truths of the church.

Archbishop William H. Keeler, in his presidential address at the bishops' meeting, described media coverage of the American Catholic Church as "a caricature wherein complex issues are crudely and quickly stated." During August's World Youth Day gathering in Denver, the archbishop was given 30 seconds on NBC's Today Show to explain the church's position on abortion, birth control, celibacy and themale priesthood.

Yet, this battle from outside the church is only part of the difficulties our bishops face today. Challenges come from inside as well, as too many try to dictate policy and practice to the bishops. So very often the ignorance of the liberal left is matched by the narrow-mindedness of the conservative right.

Some of the greatest burdens being placed on the backs of bishops are from those who purport to be holier than the church, a spiritual impossibility. It would be well if the selfrighteous and scornful would come to the realization that they are shredding the very fabric of the church, not for the sake of the kingdom but for their own little piece of turf. It is time for the American church to intelligently and spiritually accept the basic reality that all virtue stands in the middle. It's not left or right; liberal or conservative.

Those in the church family who wish to measure the invalidity of doctrine should know that they themselves have the oblig~tion of being honest and truthful to church teaching and that the church herself is the only interpreter of revelation.

Our church and our bishops need the support of all Catholics. In these very difficult times, it is imperative that we see our bishops as true successors of the apostles, given the vision to teach all peoples as pastors of all the baptized faithful. As the document on the Church given to us by Vatican II clearly states: "in the person of the bishop, the Lord Jesus Christ, supreme high priest, is present in the midst of the faithful." We can legitimately criticize the failure ofthe human; however, we must also affirm and support the spiritual.

Our bishops need the help of all who come to the Lord's banquet. Let's not lend credibility to those who come to the table like spoiled children, yelling and screaming to get what they want to satisfy a mere passing appetite. Let's pray for and encourage, as a family should, those who have been placed at the head of the table.

The Editor

the

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

EDITOR Rev. John F. Moore

GENERAL MANAGER Rosemary Dussault ~. Leary Press-Fall RIver

eNS pho.o

A DOCTOR TREATS A MAN WITH AIDS. WORLD AIDS DAY IS DECEMBER 1.

"Have pity on me, have pity on me, at least you, my friends." Job 19:21

A post-Thanksgiving meditation

By Father Kevin J. Harrington The fourth Thursday of November has always been an important holiday on our national calendar. As a nation we have many reasons to be grateful to Almighty God. No country in the world is blessed with as many natural resources as the United States; in fact, our country and Canada are the only two nations in the world that observe a special holiday for giving thanks.

But many of our public schools, in an effort to be politically correct, fail to emphasize the religious roots of this holiday. Some children are taught that the Pilgrims were grateful that the earth produced an abundant harvest and that this spirit of thanksgiving for sufficient food in a hostile New World was the origin of our holiday.

To gloss over the fact that the Pilgrims came to this shore seeking freedom to worship without repression or that they centered their lives around their belief in God is not only an egregious distortion of history but a disservice to our understanding of the importance of Thanksgiving Day. The pilgrims yearned more for freedom than for prosperity. In our language the word "thank" came from the word "think" and, not surprisingly, experience verifies that the thankful person is the thoughtful person. Experience also verifies that from the moment of conception we are all on the receiving end of countless gifts. Gratitude. then should be as natural as breathing; ingratitude should strike us as an outrageous attitude. This is the point of the ancient Greek proverb: "Gratitude is the least of the virtues; its lack is the worst of the vices!"

Thanksgiving centers on a meal.

Enjoying it especially when surrounded by loved ones, we can be

grateful for the delightful things that life brings us. We all need more than bodily food and Thanksgiving is a gentle reminder to all of us of how important our friends and families are to our happiness.

Fortified by good food and warm fellowship. we have a duty to express our gratitude to Almighty God through service of our neighbor. Although we live in a multicultural nation and have a variety of ways of worshiping God, those

ADVENT WREATH PRAYER First Week of Advent

STIR UP thy power, we beseech thee, 0 Lord, and come: that from the threatening dangers of our sins, by thy protection we may deserve to be rescued and be saved by thy deliverance, who livest and reignest with God the Father in the unity of the Holy Spirit, God, world without end.

Amen.

of the Ten Commandments that refer to our duties toward our neighbor are common to all major religions represented in our country.

Thanksgiving Day is a civic holiday. It will gain greater importance than ever if we can rediscover that our democracy is built upon two vital pillars: civic duties and inalienable rights. But a democracy cannot survive if we focus only upon the rights we are entitled to as citizens.

Our early settlers never looked upon food, as a right. Strange foods such as native corn and cranberries, were something they had to endure as they laboriously learned to harvest more familiar crops. Today the average American worker spends less than 10 percent of his or her salary on food and nonalcoholic beverages. But we suffer from a different hunger, one much more difficult to satisfy.

President Bill Clinton alluded to this when he spoke at the Temple Church of God in Christ in Memphis. from the pulpit where Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.. delivered his last sermon. The president spoke in chilling detail about the violence and the la wiess drug trade that ravage much of urban America.

Mr. Clinton said: "I do not believe we can repair the basic fabric of society until people who are willing to work have work.

Work organizes life. We cannot, I submit to you, repair the American community and restore the American family, until we provide the structure, the values, the discipline and the reward that work gives."

America will work when people center their lives less on the rights they perceive themselves as entitled to and more on civic virtues such as tolerance, charity and self-reliance.

It's vital to see Jesus in daily life Isaiah 63:16-17,19;64:2-7 I Cor. 1:3-9 Mark 13:33 ·37 In my long stint as a high school religion teacher. I'v ~ frequently planned liturgies with my students.

By FATHER ROGER Often when I've asl:ed them to come up with readings for a class KARBAN Eucharist. they sur"ace today's Paul, on the contrary. believes second reading from I Corinthithe Lord has already given us ans ... It's perfect!" they exclaim. everything we need for salvation."Paul must have been thinking We have all the gifts of the Spirit about our class when he wrote it." and instead of asking for more. we It really does have some terrific should simply be praying to use concepts... , continually thank my the ones we have correctly.

God for you," the Apostle writes, Mark. writing 10 years after "because of the favo ~ he has besPaul's martyrdom. seems to hold towed on you in Christ Jesus, in the same belief. For him. the most whom you have been richly endowsignificant sign of true discipleship ed with every gift 01" speech and is the ability to "stay awake." knowledge ... You lack no spiritual Today's pericope blends in well gift as you wait for t le revelation with the eschatological character of our Lord Jesus. He will strengof chapter 13. Here Mark helps us then you to the end .. " reflect on the "last things." But he At first glance it set:ms "perfect" isn't concerned just with the end of -- perfect to use Wit"l almost any the world. He skillfully mixes ideas group. in any set of circumstances. of Jesus' Parousia or Second ComYet, as I always remind my stuing with predictions of the destrucdents. if we take tim~ to read the tion of Jerusalem and the Lord's entire letter. we might not be in presence in our everyday lives. such a hurry to use this particular Though Jesus comes to us in all part of it.

One of the reasons Paul writes I . three situations, seeing him in our Corinthians is because some are everyday lives is the most important. If we fail to see him there. using their gifts of "speech and we'll probably also miss him in the knowledge" to tear the community other two. apart instead of building it up.

When Jesus warns. "Be conKnowing what comes next in the letter. you can almcst hear Paul stantly on the watch! Stay awake!

You do not know when the'appointdictating these wo~ds through clenched teeth. The Spirit's gifts ed time will come." he's alluding have become a source ::If sin, instead just as much to his presence in our midst today as he is to his future of a basis for blessing.

Paul's insights on 1 his point are arrival in the Parousia. some of the most :mportant in Paul could use the Lord's words: Scripture. He completely rejects "What I say to you. I say to all: Be the popular opinion which teaches on guard!" The Apostle's message that if we just use the proper is that we Christians live in a words. or the proper times, or the changed world. What others had proper saints. God rright listen to looked forward to for centuries. our prayers. bestow t he gifts of the we now have. Yet such vitality can Spirit on us. and we on finallv live quickly create a "good news! bad a full and proper Ch"istian life. news" situation. The same power This kind of theol,)gy seems to which has been given us for good be behind Third-Isaiah's request can just as easily be used for evil. that Yahweh ..... would rend the We can never defend our "pediheavens and come down. with the gree" by claiming we possess spemountains quaking before you. cial gifts. All who attempt to folwhile you wrought aViesome deeds low the Lord receive special gifts. we could not hope fOl, such as they But only those followers who daily had not heard of from of old." work at carrying out the Lord's Though the prophet certainly acdream of unity are awake enough knowledges that his people's sinto k now how to use them to build fulness is an obstacle in the path of up the community.

Yahweh's salvation. he's still looking for the Lord to C:o something more in the future to help them out of their problems.

Friends of St. Vincent's Home.

Fall River, a residential treatment center and special ed ucation facility for children with emotional disNov. 29: Is :~:1-5; Ps turbances and learning disabilities, 122:1-9; Mt 8:5-11 are sponsoring a Christmas MemorNov. 30: Rom 10:9-18; Ps ial Tree, which will stand in front 19:2-5; Mt 4:18-n of the home chapel at 2425 Highland Ave. It will be decorated with Dec. 1: Is 25:6-10; Ps white bows, each memorializing a 23:1-6; Mt 15:29-37 departed loved one.

Dec. 2: Is 2():1-6; Ps Those memorialized will be re118:1,8-9,19-21,:?5-27; Mt membered at a 4 p. m. Mass Saturday, Dec. 18, in the chapel, and at 7:21.24-27 Masses throughout the coming Dec. 3: Is 29:17-24; Ps year. The tree will be lighted fol27:1,4,13-14.; Mt 9:27-31 lowing the Dec. 18 Mass and will remain lit throughout the ChristDec. 4: Is 30: 19-21,23-26; mas season.

Ps 147:1-6; Mt9:35-10:1.6-8 Information on inclusion in this Dec. 5: Is 40:1-5,9-11; Ps undertaking is available from Sis85:9-14; 2 Pt 3:8-14; Mk ter Helen McPeak. 679-8511. ext.

312 or at Dan's Hairstvlist. 6741:1-8 8100. .

Memorial Tree

Daily Readings

PRESENTS ITS 15th ANNUAL CHRISTMAS CONCERT ENTITLED

"THE HEART OF CHRISTMAS" directed by Dee Powell PIYIllouth East Falmouth Middleboro Fall River Taunton Fairhaven Wareham Fall River FREE ADMISSION

Placement

Thu., Dec. 2 Fri., Dec. 3 Sat., Dec. 4 Sun., Dec. 5 Thu., Dec. 9 Fri., Dec. 10 Sat., Dec. 11 Sun, Dec. 12

8:00 pm 8:00 pm 8:00 pm 4:00 pm 8:00 pm 8:00 pm 8:00 pm 4:00 pm

St. Mary's Church St. Anthony's Church Central United Methodist Holy Cross Church Holy Rosary Church St. Mary's Church Church of the Good Shepherd St. Louis Church Afree-will offering will be taken.

Exam - Saturday, December 4th 8am 12 w

Take the first step on the road to your future!

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Make-up dateSaturday, December 11th, Bam - 12 noon.

6

The Anchor Friday, Nov. 26, 1993

By DAN MORRIS

My neighbor Bud limped into my garage yesterday afternoon and sat on the front bumper. "Don't let her see me," he groaned; jerking his head toward his house where his wife, Marlene, was unloading their car.

He laid back and flopped his arms wide in mock agony. "I'm getting too old to Christmas shop.

A fitness regimen for holiday shoppers I'm shopping out of catalogues from this day forward."

"If Bo Jackson cross-trained by shopping with her," he added, "I'd buy any shoe he endorsed."

Clearly the man had ignored the advice I gave him when the first Christmas displays when up, a couple of days after the Fourth of July.

"You didn't do your pre-season exercise regimen like I told you, did you?" I accused.

Bud had ignored the governing law of Christmas shopping: Survival of the fittest.

To that end I designed a series of exercises people can do with ordinary household items in the safety and privacy of their own homes

to prepare for the rigors of malls, parking and Santa lines.

We may begin with the latter featuring an exercise titled "Ho, ho, no, oh, mmph." This is a must for parents who have been seduced by our commercialized sentimentalized violence-saturated society into believing annual photographs with Santa must be a tradition.

Attach 5-pound sugar or flour bags to your elbows with giant diaper pins or fishing line, whichever is handy. Hang a gallon of milk from your neck with a bungee chord. Duct tape a bowling ball to your left thigh.

Begin "Ho, ho, no, oh, mmmph" by dropping the milk jug from chin level. Attempt to keep it

bouncing at the same time you swing your arms forward and back while slowly shuffling in a circle -first clockwise, then counterclockwise.

Once you can maintain this motion for two to two-and-a-half hours, you are nearly ready for the Santa line. However, keep in mind true fitness includes the psychological as well.

Enhance Santa line toughness by doing the exercise while watching "Barney and Friends."

For the next exercise, "Of Ice and Yen," you will need a tray of . ice cubes and a large bowl of water. Let the water chill an hour.

Place both hands in the water up to your wrists.

After 20 minutes, or until there is no feeling in your hands, yank them from the water and beat them against the refrigerator door for two minutes. Now thread a needle four times within 60 seconds.

This practice helps develop the adroitness to unlock your car door after hiking miles through icyslushy mall parking lots trying to find the thing in the first place. It can also help you to learn to enunciate "Ch-ch-ch-arge it" through chattering teeth.

I offered to go over these again with Bud along with "Christmas Card Cramp" and "Credit Card Crush." Bud waved me off.

"I'm going to check the mail for catalogues," he said.

Is friendship worth the effort?

By Dr. JAMES & MARY KENNY Dear Dr. Kenny: I want to be with people, yet as I grow older I find myself increasingly irritated by them. I value my privacy and I want time for myself. Then I get . lonely.

I certainly want to have friends, but some of my relationships seem to have too many conflicts.

Is friendship worth the trouble?

By FATHER JOHN J. DIETZEN Q. Can you enlighten us on the meaning of 1 Thessalonians 4:14, "Then we who are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air, and thus we shall always be with the Lord."

Does this refer to what some Christians call the rapture? What does the Catholic Church teach about this? (North Carolina)

Is something wrong with me?

-Iowa Yes, relationships are worth the trouble, and no, nothing is wrong with you. Most of us become less flexible and tolerant as we grow older. The problem has a physical basis in aging and is something you must deal with because you, along with the rest of us, need relationships.

To relate means to connect, to make contact, to be in touch, to work together. with, to become involved with. Americans are not comfortable with relating. To need someone else violates the American reverence for independence, "going it alone."

The pioneer and the cowboy tamed a continent alone. Astronauts are chosen for their ability to withstand the loneliness of space.

Almost all Americans demand personal privacy. Yet living human is not a solo act.

Experience tells us we need others. We need farmers to produce durable goods; medical care for our accidents and ailments.

And we need friends. Loneliness and alienation are hard to endure.

Notice the delight at train stations and airports when friends and family are reunited. Young people are happy to return to school in the fall, not necessarily to resume studies, but to be with friends.

Babies need creature comfort.

They need to be nurtured with physical touch, holding, hugging.

Without such care, babies literally die.

Astronuauts in training who undergo experiments in sensory deprivation and prisoners in solitary confinement become temporarily insane.

Physics tells us that the universe itself is a balance of attraction and repulsion. Every atom is at the same time attracting and pushing away every other atom.

In psychological terms this phenomenon is known as aggression and love. Both responses are consi-

dered passionate, and both imply a relationship with another.

Whether we like or hate someone, we are relating.

God made clear that we are to relate to one another. He separated humanity into male and female both incomplete without the other, and then gave them the mandate to get together.

We need one another, for the necessities of life, for nurture, for our self-esteem, to avoid loneliness and for love.

Questions on family living or child care to be answered in print are invited by The Kennys; 219 W. Harrison St. Suite 4; Rensselaer, Ind. 47978.

Was St. Paul describing the end of time?

A. The first letter to the Thessalonians was probably written by St. Paul in the year 50, about 20 years after the death and resurrection of our Lord.

This means that it is the earliest Christian document we possess, and that it was written during a period when Christians still believed the end of the world was very near, that it would come, in fact, before the death of some people alive at that time.

St. Paul clearly shared that expectation, as the passages such as the one you quote indicate.

Another factor that sheds light on these words is that they echo the same apocalyptic language

about the end of time that we find. for example, in the Gospels.

Bizarre and graphic images of trumpets. clouds, earthquakes and other natural disasters were common in the religious literature of those times.

They were never intended, or understood, to provide a pictorial description of the world's end.

They rather emphasized the cosmic changes that would be involved in the end of time and that the entire event would be at God's initiative, a continuation of his majestic lordship over all creation.

As the years went on, Christians gradually realized that the Lord had much bigger and longer-range plans for the world and the church.

Thus, we do not find this same sort of suspenseful language in the later writings of Paul and other Christians.

Q. What is meant by the following statement in our Sunday bulletin?" All Cursillistas: An instructional Ultreya is to be held, etc."

They ask our support and prayers.

For what? (Pennsylvania) A. After a while it seems that every group develops its own jargon. This goes for religion as well as law, medicine, mathematics and almost every other area of human endeavor.

A cursillista is one who has participated in a cursillo weekend.

"Cursillo" (pronounced kursee-yo)

means short course. Great numbers of Catholics and other Christians, including tens of thousands in the United States, have participated in this weekend, which deals with developing one's relationship with God and others in living daily Christian life.

An ultreya (Spanish for "forward") is a monthly gathering for cursillistas and others who might wish to join them to pray and help and support one another.

A free brochure on confession is available by sending a stamped self-addressed envelope to Father. .

John Dietzen, 704 N. Main St., Bloomington, III. 61701. Questions for this column should be sent to the same address.

Surgeon counts on healing power of love By ANTOINETTE BOSCO Recently I interviewed Dr. Bernie Siegel about his latest book, "How to Live Between Office Visits." His first book, "Love, Medicine and Miracles" was a longrunning best seller.

For 15 years Siegel has run ECaP (Exceptional Cancer Patients) in New Haven, Conn., a support group that helps patients and their loved ones confront their affliction in a loving, safe and therapeutic way that facilitates personal change and healing.

The first thing the surgeon-writer said to me when I met with him was, "Life is a labor pain."

That took me a bit by surprise.

But it all became clear when he

told me he had spent the morning consoling a fellow physician who is reeling from the news that he has incurable cancer.

"When Eve was told she'd have to labor in pain to give birth to her children, all mankind was included," Siegel said. Furthermore, humanity would "have to struggle to understand and learn what life is all about," he said, adding "We can make something of this pain."

"We are incomplete beings, but we have the potential to be Godlike ... in dealing with pain and forgiveness," he said. "That is the struggle, the labor pain. But it's all worthwhile if we can give birth to ourselves."

That's when the "psychological and spiritual healing process begins," and sometimes it is followed by a physical cure as well, Siegel said. He is known widely as a pioneer in exploring the link between mind and body in the healing process.

Siegel said his own personal struggles led him to love more, and taught him to share with others the lessons he has learned in self-healing.

If you don't know how to love yourself, he says, follow the advice of Ashley Montague. "Montague said, 'Act as if you love yourself for a week, and you'll know what it means."

"If I love myself," and Siegel, "this will show in how I deal with myself and my life.... Loving myself means I choose what I do with my time and what I do to enhance my life."

"Love gives meaning to your life, and seeing the meaning in your life is your way of loving the world," Siegel said.

Siegel advises that if you're still having trouble loving yourself, "get your baby pictures out. When you're being tough on yourself, look at that baby - and see how easy it is to love yourself."

It was good to hear Siegel affirm that he has many "spirit guides, beings others would call guardian angels. He tells of incidents where he felt a special protection, such as when he was 4 and nearly choked to death on screws from a toy, or last year when he fell off a high ladder.

Both times he was saved from certain death. Now he asks, "Who did that? Somebody else is in charge of my life."

There is much reflection on spir-

ituality, religion, the meaning of death and the journey to peace in Siegel's books. He writes: "We can see death as a form of healing....

And so I will embrace the next step, the next healing."

The last sentence of his book is worth a banner headline: "If you want to live forever, love someone."

Bernie Siegel is a walking treasure, a living validation of what we, as Christ's followers, have been taught since our baptism: God is love.

Environment gets church aid WASHINGTON(CNS)- Vice President AI Gore recently joined leaders of major Christian and Jewish organizations as they launched the National Religious Partnership for the Environment. Gore said the new partnership "will trigger the beginning of grassroots activities in tens of thousands of

congregations focused on the environment and environmental justice." Partners in the new campaign are the U.S. Catholic Conference, the National Council of Churches, the Consultation on Environment and Jewish Life and the Evangelical Environmental Network.

Statement deplored

tory, because with their prayers, they can help you to reach eternal happiness. " I hope Catholics will not stop praying for the souls in purgatory and from having Masses offered for them.

Genevieve E. Foley New Bedford

Dear Editor: Your readers should be made aware that the lateit encyclical from Pope John Paul II reminds all Catholics that we ~,hould live in the truth of Christ's Church.

Dear Editor: It is sad to see that the current I can't tell you how pleased we President of Planned Parenthood, all were with the vocation section an alleged Roman Catholic, re- , (Anchor, Nov. 12) and the woncently issued a public statement derful coverage of the Sisters of accusing the Pope and his "wouldMercy! Many thanks. be" shepherds of abandoning their Jean Cavanaugh flock, because they were "out of Communications Director touch" with mainstream Catholics.

Sisters of Mercy One asks, "Should the Roman Cumberland, RI Catholic Church stop criticizing abortion and contraceptives, the main products of Planned Parenthood, which are so opposed to v A TICAN CITY (CNS) Roman Catholic teaching?"

Pope John Paul II has urged govThe operatives of Planned Par- ernment leaders and Christian enthood should know that the groups around the world to do Roman Catholic Church will never more to protect the rights and be divided or destroyed by the promote the dignity of the poor. false doctrines and preachings of Marking the recent U.N.-declared Planned Parenthooc whose main International Day for the Eliminapractice is the killing of the defen- tion of Poverty, the pope said, "No seless unborn! one should forget the poorest nor Thomas A. Walsh, Secretary ever consent to their marginalizaMorality in Media tion.... In the face of every poor of Massachusetts person, the image of Christ shines forth." The world day, he said, was an occasion to remind leaders of nations and Christian charitable groups "not to overlook any effort."

Dear Editor: Father John J. Dietzen had a column in the Anchor (Sept. 17) which I found qUite upsetting.

With regard to purgatory, he said "It could, in fact, al. take place in Nov. 27 an 'instant' in that :'irst terrifying 1948, Rt. Rev. Patrick E. Mcvision of the unveild holiness and Gee, Pastor, St. Mary, North majesty and beauty of God. This Attleboro is, of course, nothing to be surNov. 28 prised at if we think about it. What 1959, Rev. Adrien A. Gauthier, does 'time' mean, if anything, on Pastor, St. Roch" Fall River the other side of death? We have Nov. 29 no idea, thus we have no basis for 1965, Rev. Francis A. McCarthy, speaking of Masses' to shorten our Pastor, St. Patrick, Somerset stay in purgatory.'"

Dec. 1 I wonder if Father Dietzen is 1958, Rev. Phillipe Ross, Chapaware of the following: "Besides declaring the fact of purgatory, the lain, Sacred Heart Home, New Second Council of Lyons also af- Bedford 1964, Rev. Edward J. Gorman, firmed that 'the faithful on earth can be of great help' to persons Pastor Emeritus, St. Patrick, Somundergoing purgatory by offering erset Dec. 2 for them the Sacrifi~e of the Mass, 1917, Rev. Arthur Savoie, Pasprayers, almsgiving and other relitor, St. Hyacinth, New Bedford gious deeds."

1958, Rev. Dennis W. HarringWh'en Our Blessl~d Mother apton, Assistant, St. Mary, Taunton peared to the children in Medjugorje in 1986, she !;aid: "You can Dec. 3 direct your prayer s not only to 1926, Rev. John W. McCarthy, those who are already in Heaven, P. R., Pastor, Sacred Heart, Fall but also to those wt,o are in purga- River

THE ANCHOR -

Diocese of Fall River -

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BISHOP SEAN O'MALLEY leads grace for those attending recent annual dinner benefiting Mt. St. Rita retirement center for Sisters of Mercy.

The theme ofthis year's

World AIDS Day is "Tune to Act': You can start by coming to our seminar.

December 1 is World AIDS Day. Please anyone diagnosed with breast cancer. Conjoin us at this month's Hope House Seminar tact Ann Mitchell at 674-5600, ext. 2270. to support people who /1/'f ~/J Voices: Women Speaking are living with HIV and AIDS and to tl.LUlC.' to Women . remember those w~o S A I N TAN N E 'S H 0 S PIT A L Dec. 7, 5:00 p.m. Held m have been lost to thiS the Nannery Conference tragic disease. Take a look at the schedule ' Room, Clemence Hall. Since women are the below to find out more about our World primary health care consumers in the United AIDS Day program or any others that you States, this program will help women learn might be interested in. how to influence the health care system. Sponsored by the AARP. Free and open to the "Common Thread" public. Contact the Education Department Hope HOl/Lle Semillard at 674-5600, ext. 2480.

Dec. 1, 4:30 p.m. Held in the Education Classroom. As part of the celebration of "Mechanism of Injuries" World AIDS Day, Hope House Seminars Dec. 8, 7:00 p.m. Held in the Nannery Conwill present the video "Common Thread". ference Room, Clemence Hall. This program A remembrance service will be held at 6:00 will teach you about the various kinds of motor p.m. Free and open to the public. Contact vehicle accidents and the injuries that can the Social Services Department at 674-5600, result from them. Presented by Daniel N.Pina, ext. 2270.

Massachusetts State Trooper and National Highway Safety Instructor. Free and open to "Is Johnny Sad?: Depression in Children the public. Contact the Education Department and Adolescents" at 674-5600, ext. 2480.

Pediatrir Rehabilitation Lecture Serie•.1 Dec. 2, 6:30 p.m. Held in the Nannery Sunday Seniors Luncheon Conference Room, Clemence Hall. Free Dec. 12, 12:00 noon. Held in the Education and open to the public. Contact Barbara Classroom. A buffet lunch will be served Chlaupek at 674-5600, ext. 425. until 12:45 p.m., and then Karen Corey, RD, will speak on holiday dining. There is a $4.00 charge, which includes lunch and the presentaProstate Support Group Dec. 6, 13, 20 & 27, 6:00-7:30 p.m. Held in tion. Pre-registration is required, and senior the Nannery Conference Room, Clemence discount cards will be available. Contact Lee Coluzzi at 674-5600, ext. 2630.

Hall. This group offers education and peer support for men with prostate cancer.

Free and open to the public. Contact Paul Taraborelli, MS\V, at 674-5600, ext. 2270 or Rosemarie Baylies. RN, at ext. 2334.

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Reflections - A Breast Cancer Support Group Dec. 7 & 21, 4:30-6:00 p.m. Held in Clemence Hall, Room #CHI28. Free and open to

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Our Religious Education Month series concludes with a reflection on the future direction of catechesis by Sister Eugenia Brady, SJC, associate director of religious education for the diocese; and highlights of religious education programs at S1. Ann's, Raynham, S1. Anne's, Fall River, and Holy Family, East Taunton.

Catechetical Renewal: The Time is Now

By Sister Eugenia Brady, SJC "Catechesis needs to be continually renewed by a certain broadening of its concept, by the revision of its methods, by the search for suitable language and by the utilization of new means of transmitting the message." (Catechesi Tradendae # 17) .

Pope John Paul II is this important document highlights the need for continuing renewal of the methods and means of communicating the Good News. In the years since that document was presented to the church. much attention has focused on the "school method" of catechesis. Is it or is it not the best way to impart the faith to children who do not attend Catholic schools and hence receive only about 25 hours of formal religious instruc-

tion a year? A survey of bishops and priests reveals that most regard the classroom model an ineffective, yet hesitate to change it.

The new Catechism of the Catholic Church challenges religious educators to "intentional religious education," or conscious development of knowledge. attitudes, behaviors and skills in students.

It has been said that the more things change, the one thing that will not change is the rapid rate at which things change.

Religious education, in order to enable development of strong, vibrant faith, also must change.

How can we look to the future with prophetic eyes and prepare for the complex world that faces the church in the 21 st century?

James J. DeBoy in the September/ October issue of The Catholic World, says an essential development will come in the form of continuing education with adults.

Religious educators must endeavor to empower people to guide and shape change in society. Modern technology and methods must not be neglected in communicating the Christian message.

Ifreligious education is to "move people to live justly, mercifully and peacefully as individuals. to act as the leaven of the gospel in the family, school, work, social and civic life and to work for appropriate social change" (NCO #170.9), then the time is now to clarify a vision for sharing the Good News with future generations.

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HOLY F AMIL V'S Sister Anita Marie Da Costa, MSBT; eighth grade summer religious education class.

Holy Family, East Taunton The religious education program at Holy Family parish, East Taunton, directed by Sister Anita Marie Da Costa, MSBT, has piloted an alternative model for confirmation students, holding classes in the summer. The weeklong summer program involves two hours of classes each morning covering such subjects as the Ten Commandments, the sacraments, the beatitudes, the Mass, prayers, saints

and the liturgical year. Instruction is supplemented by videos, handouts, and the "Quest" and "Connect" programs.

The summer session replaces the first 10 classes of the year, ordinarily held from September to November. The students then attend classes together during the second semester. 31 students participated in 1992 and 26 in 1993.

The parish's other religious education classes are held weekly, using 31 classrooms at a local public school. Some 70 catechists teach 450 students. All gather for a brief prayer and introductory session before class.

Community service projects and special celebrations of the liturgical seasons help make the faith come alive for Holy Family parish youth.

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Situated in the Raynham countryside, the parish of St. Ann has one of the most beautiful and functional religious education centers in the diocese of Fall River. Its rural setting provides space, while its proximity to the church enables coordination of liturgical celebrations with the catechetical program.

Seven hundred and twenty-five

children and youth are enrolled in the program. Father Philip Davignon, who sees religious education as a parish priority, meets weekly with each class. After students listen to the reading ofthe Sunday Gospel, he explains it and helps the children pray with the Scriptures. "This is one way the youngsters learn the importance of prayer in their lives," Father

Davignon says. "We try to make the experience as joyful as possible, and encourage them to pray often."

Classes are held weekly on Monday, Wednesday, Saturday and Sunday. A Sunday children's liturgy includes music, readings and homily geared to the young congregation, which participates by reading, presenting the gifts,

and writing the prayer:; of the faithful.

Confirmation groups meet each Sunday evening for a :Jresentation, followed by group workshops. Groups thenjoin f:>r review and wrap-up. A special effort is made to stress the role of :he sponsor and to build a relationship between sponsor and candidate.

Guest speakers and days of recollection also enrich the program.

"When I accepted the eoordinator of religious education position two years ago," says DOlna Martyniak, "one of my goals was to

have more children and parents involved in the religious education program and the parish community. The children need to live their faith while learning." Many activities have developed, including a 25-member youth choir which sings at the 5:30 p.m. Mass each week and plans a spring concert for the parish community. The homeless have been assisted by special events, and the confirmation class sold carnations on Valentine's Day and donated proceeds to Birthright.

Each Sunday the first commun-

ion class attends 9:30 a.m. Mass.

Parents have developed a special Missalette for them, while older students help with Sunday morning coffee and donuts and are aides in lower grade classes.

"Each year parents have become more involved in the program," said Miss Martyniak. "They are monitors during classes, help in the office and aid in planning special celebrations. It's been a wonderful experience for me to see the enthusiasm of the teachers, the willingness of parents and the spiritual growth of the children."

St. Anne's, Fall River Sue Chapdelaine, rr other of Adam and Matthew and director of religious education at St. Anne's parish, Fall River says, "My belief is central to my life."

Cooperation betwee1 the St. Anne's School and the parish religious education center ersures success of the catechetical program.

Mrs. Chapdelaine works with principal, Mrs. Irene Fortin, faculty and catechists to share materials and ideas, and bring children together through specia' Masses, class sessions and projects.

Three hundred and sixty-two children and youth participate in St. Anne's religious education program. Sessions are helc Monday, Tuesday, Thursday and Sunday.

Among Tuesday classl:s are sessions for special need:; students,

who are prepared for the sacraments and join the other classes in receiving them.

Mrs. Chapdelaineloves her work at St. Anne's. "When a child asks 'Can I come back next year?' this makes it worthwhile," she says.

St. Anne's School pupils and second grade students in the religious education program join in preparation for the Sacraments in a program that includes music and art and emphasizes how God loves everyone.

Parents' meetings throughout the year keep families involved in their children's formation. A miniretreat called Jesus Day is held in preparation for first communion.

First communicants also have a special part in Holy Week cere-

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Throughout the year special Masses bring the school communities together and Thanksgiving food baskets, an Advent Jesse Tree and Palm Sunday banners also involve students in building community.

As she planned this year for Religious Education Awareness Month, Mrs. Chapdelaine also kept in mind that 1994, the 125th anniversary of St. Anne's parish is fast approaching. She is planning projects which will bring grandparents into classrooms to share activities with their grandchildren.

Older grades will take part in an essay contest on the influence of grandparents in their lives. These and other proje.cts will be offered at a special liturgy.

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MRS. SUE CHAPDELAINE, left, prepares religious education program activities at St. Anne's parish, Fall River. Right, first communion candidates participate in Jesus Day mini-retreat. . ._

RELIGIOUS EDUCATION students at Notre Dame parish, Fall River, designed the prayer cards at left and right for a Nov. 14 family liturgy. Artwork at left was created by eighth-graders Melissa Barboza (top) and Jonathan Ferry.

The card at top right was designed by eighthgraders Wayne Copa, Eric McAndrew and Chris Deschene. Beth Bigelow, Matt Ouelette, Shane Vezina and Nicole Gendreau composed the explanation: "In this design we are thanking God for the gift of fife. Jesus is watching over the people, plants and nature of this earth."

The fourth design, created

by Stephanie Souza, was explained by her third grade classmates: "In our picture we have children speaking to Mary. They are asking for help in becoming more gentle, more loving, more kind. She 'Yill not fail us, we know."

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Letters Welcome Letters to the editor are welcomed. All letters should be brief and the editor reserves the right to condense any letters if deemed necessary. All letters must be signed and contain a home or business address.

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THE ANCHOR-Diocese of Fall River-Fri., Nov. 26, 1993

Autumn reminiscing •

••

"Fall color is in the plants. Yellow Mayapples dangle from dead stalks, red jack-in-the-pulpit seeds cluster, and purple grapes cling to the fence rows. Windy days spread milkweed parachutes over the fields.

"Three seasons have come and soon the fourth will arrive. We live but we seldom see, and it is all too soon forgotten. Memories are what the latter years in life are made of."

Few essayists capture the change of seasons as well as Henry David Thoreau, and in these lines reflecting his brief years on Walden Pond, we see a touch of the melancholy that besets us all as we see brave autumn fade.

Those of us who savor the perennial change of seasons find it easy to draw a parallel with our own existence. As the leaves of autumn fall and the harsh winds blow in our lives, we know our personal winters lie ahead.

Thoreau died of tuberculosis at 45, so he never experienced the memories of which "the latter years in life are made." We live much longer now than then, and the time spent chiefly in remembering has been postponed - but not eliminated.

As our life span continues to increase, those 85 and up have become the fastest growing segment in American society. Activities of that age group are limited, and memories begin to play a bigger role.

Trouble is that memories begin to fail for many of us around the same time. Unless we take steps to keep mentally fit, we will find our minds slipping.

Make no mistake about it. We can keep ourselves mentally fit as well as physically fit. But both activities take practice and exercise. And books and videos to show us the way are arriving on the "self help" shelves.

My current favorite is "Reminiscing Together" (CompCare Publishers, Minneapolis, MN 55441, 143 pp.). The authors are

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By

BERNARD CASSERLY 1 f,

Howard I. Thorsheim and Bruce B. Roberts.

Written for "mature adults" (a euphemism for us older folks), the volume follows the suggestions of an advisory group of elders to discover ways to improve short-and long-term memory, avoid memory overload, and use our senses to stimulate remembering.

Telling stories together is one of the authors' major tools. Listening to others and exchanging our own stories with them are powerful ways to break through loneliness, isolation and depression.

Some chapter headings reveal what the authors have discovered: "Seeing and Remembering," "Hearing and Remembering," "Aromas and Memory," "Touch and Memory" and "Pump Priming to Strengthen Memory."

Friends need one another, they say. "If we don't have a group that we meet with regularly, it's a good idea to start one." I can tell you from personal experience how important that idea is.

I belong to many religious and professional groups, but they pale alongside two special gatherings.

You ought to be with my three brothers and one sister at lunch once a month when we compare our recollections of growing up, World War II and the Great Depression!

The other is an irregular luncheon of grizzled newspaper veterans at which we deplore what is happening to the English language in the media.

"Reminiscing Together" is a good idea anytime, but especially at the end of autumn. Then loneliness all too often creeps in silently o'er the fallen leaves and through the bony birches down the halls of retirement homes.

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! ,'*DEDICAnON: Bishop O'Malley offers a blessing at Catholic Memorial Home's new Considine Unit. With him, from left, are Archbishop Oscar Rodriguez of Tegucigalpa, Honduras; Sister Peter Damien, assistant administrator; Sister Sean Connolly, administrator; Msgr.

John J. Oliveira; Msgr. Raymond T. Considine, and Father Edmund J. Fitzgerald, executive director of Diocesan Health Facilities.

Catholic Memorial Home dedicates unit for persons with Alzheimer's disease Catholic Memorial Home's Considine Unit, providing specialized care for persons with Alzheimer's disease. was formally dedicated Nov. 10 by Bishop.Sean O'Malley.

The unit is named in honor of Msgr. Raymond T. Considine. first director of the Memorial Home and later of the Diocesan Health Facilities office, which oversees the four diocesan nursing homes: Catholic Memorial; Madonna Manor. North Attleboro; Marian Manor, Taunton; and Our Lady's Haven. Fairhaven. Msgr. Considine, 91, resides in retirement at Catholic Memorial Home.

As part of a large nursing home that provides nursing and rehabilitative care to 300 men and women, the Considine Unit serves a population with a specific set of care needs. The unit itself is divided into two "neighborhoods:" one for more independent residents and the other for residents needing greater supervision and attention from the staff.

Caring for an individual with Alzheimer's disease differs from typical nursing care because the person suffers from cognitive losses that involve sense of time. place and memory.

The unit's philosophy is to

FATHER JAMES A. CALNAN, chaplain at Charlton Memorial Hospital, Fall River, celebrates the first Mass at the Sarah S. Brayton Nursing Care Center, part of the Charlton Health System, earlier this month and commissions eucharistic ministers for service at the home. Sisters Jackie Dubois, SSA, and Lucille Socciarelli, RS M, of the Charlton pastoral care department are ministers at the home, which opened in August and has 107 residents.

accentuate the resident's "functional best," said Lisa Cadime, the unit's nurse manager. "Our goal is to find and create successes for our residents, no matter how small they might be·" The unit's programming is tailored to support the skills and abilities that each resident retains.

Activities engage the senses or help maintain motor skills through dance and rhythmic movements.

Music, art projects and memories of past events are both therapeutic and stimulating. Simple games such as trivia and sentence completion help preserve cognitive skills.

The physical environment is also designed around resident's special needs. Fixtures and finishes were chosen to reduce glare which could add to a person's sense of confusion.

The unit has its own dining and activity rooms to minimize disruptions to the residents' day. It is secured by alarms to minimize the risk of a resident's wandering to another section of the home. but residents are free to walk throughout the unit its'elf.

Social services are provided both to the resident and to his or her family members. who may have difficulty understanding and accepting the disease's effect.

"Many spouses or children have been actively caring for a loved one at home, and they've seen how their spouse or parent has changed.

I spend time with the family, explaining both about the disease and about our 'functional best' philosophy," said John Rogers, LS W, the unit's social worker.

"We also encourage families to remain involved in their relative's care."

Rogers leads a monthly family group that provides both support and updates about Alzheimer's disease, and he plans to facilitate support sessions for unit staff as well.

All employees on the unitnurses, nurse aides and activity aides-have completed an intensive educational program developed by the Alzheimer's Disease Association of Eastern Massachusetts and taught by Mrs. Cadime and the Memorial Home's staff developer, Anne Marie Kelly, R.N. The unit is thus eligible for certification by the association, which '." .

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will include the Memorial Home in its list of recommended facilities.

The Considine Unit is currently full, but families interested in future placement are welcome to contact the home. In January, the home will initiate a daytime support group for anyone who is caring for a loved one with Alzheimer's disease at home. More information is available by calling 679-00 II. Msgr. Considine A New Bedford native, Msgr.

Considine was ordained June 8, 1928. As a young priest he traveled to Rome to work and study in the Office of the Propagation of the Faith. Upon his return, he was named secretary to the late Bishop James E. Cassidy.

Msgr. Considine recalls that it was Bishop Cassidy who sparked his interest in the elderly and particularly in homes for the aged. He became deeply committed to the bishop's plan to establish nursing homes that would exemplify the Catholic qualities of compassion and spirituality.

In 1937. Msgr. Considine organized the first diocesan fundraising drive for this purpose. which resulted in the construction of the Catholic Memorial Home. He became the home's first director and was later named director of the Diocesan Health Facilities.

Over the years, Msgr. Considine was also recognized as an authority on gerontology, and was the Massachusetts delegate to the first White House Conference on Aging in 1960.

Although instrumental in the creation, construction and day-today operation of the diocesan homes, Msgr. Considine did not find his responsibilities overwhelming. He has said that "it would have been difficult to do all at one time, but things came along step by step ... and it grows with you."

Diocesan Health Facilities now serves more than 660 men and women and employs 890 full and part-time employees.

Msgr. Considine served in numerous other diocesan positions during his career, including over 26 years as pastor of St. William's Church. Fall River. He retired from active ministry in 1977 .

Fall River natives get papal honor

Waiting for the Light ''The real light which gJves llght to weJ70De was oomfng 1nto the world." oTolm 1:9

First Week of Advent: Wait!

Fast food. Express mail. Automatic teller machine. Remote control. Instant coffee. Instant replay. Instant communication.

Waiting, it seems, is ascribed little value these days. The world says "deck the malls, break out the Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer tapes and fake snow, bring on Santa" and zap! Instant Christmas. Everyone's in a hurry to claim his or her share .n Christmas before it's dismantled and mothballed for arother year.

The season of Advent stands in stark contrast to this frenetic pace with its emphasis on expectation, anticipation, yearning, hoping. The world says Now! Advent says Wait!

Advent means 'coming" or "arrival," and therein lies its paradox. We awa:t an event which has occurred but is yet to occur; the arrival of the Savior who has come, who renews his life in us, and who is yet to come.

My grandfather has his own kind of Advent waiting game.

Early in the "shopping season" he rounds up the grandchildren for a trip to the mall. We each pick a gift for ourselves; he buys them, loads l:hem in the trunk of the car and brings them home-where he boxes them, meticulously wraps them and hides them away for Christmas Day. What, one rna'! wonder, is the point? We know what the gifts are. We've seen them. Why decorate t~em in fancy paper, store them away and make us wait?

We hear a similar complaint from the scriptural voices of Advent: How 10::l.g must we wait, a Lord? "Oh that you would rend the heavens and come down," says Isaiah; "Rouse your power and come and save us!" says the psalmist of Sunday's readings.

But we do not open our Christmas gifts in November; it is not yet the appobted time. The story of salvation itself is one of patience: The ·.Infolding of God's plan in God's own time.

For generatiors the chosen people awaited the fulfillment of God's promise; today we continue building the kingdom preached by the Messiah, yet still hidden until his final coming. .

This waiting is a process-not a time of putting on hold but of active preparation. The prophets of Israel did not say, "God is coming Go about your business." They called for conversion, ale·:tness, as did the early Christians who believed the Parousia, the second coming, was imminent. In Sunday's Gospd we hear Jesus himself charge, "Be constantly on the Witch! Stay awake!"

During Advent we are united with the people of God of all time in the longing for salvation. We wait with the Israelites in exile; with Z,~chariah and Elizabeth and with Mary and Joseph; with Jobn the Baptist. We wait, too, with Jesus, who spent the first 30 years of his life preparing for his "advent" on the public scene.

As the tinsel and bli~king lights and all the external trappings draw us to Christmas, we also focus on the internal: we must prepare a "berth" for the Savior in our hearts, furnished with humility, kindness, forgiveness, compassion, joy.

We look beyond the "instant" to the Infant, the Light, God's ultimate gift. Unlike my grandfatheris gifts, whose contents are known, He is a gift that, with proper preparation, can touch us in new and surprising ways, leading us to rediscover the eternal truth: The Lord has come to us.

On this first Sunday of Advent, we light a single candle to "stay awake" and glimpse the glory to come.

And we wait.

Ways to Wait As an Advent project, prepare a gift box of needed items for ~. shelter, soup kitchen or nursing home.

Find or m ike decorations that symbolize light. Put up a new decoration each day: The light grows!

The generations of waiting for a Savior can be commemorated with a Jesse tree, using as ornaments Old Testament symbols of event~ leading to Jesus' birth.

For each good deed, children can add a straw to the manger to prepare a bed for the Baby Jesus, or move the nativity fi~ures of Mary and Joseph closer to the empty stable.

Wait on God. Set aside some quiet time each day to invite him into your life. At the beginning of this new church year, ask his guidance in the year ahead.

* * * * *

-Marcie Hickey ~

.

Dr. Jeremiah Lowney Jr. and his wife Virginia. both Fall River natives. now living in Lebanon.

CT. were honored last month at a New York City banquet celebrating their induction into the Equestrian Order of the Holy Sepulchre of Jerusalem.

The couple has since 1987 provided dental and medical services for the poor of Jeremie, Haiti, in the process building a four-story medica I-dental clinic which also treats outpatients, offering outreach programs in the surrounding countryside and organizing and directing a Save-a-Family program which provides about $300 annually to each family assisted.

Dr. Lowney is a native of St. Mary's Cathedral parish, Fall River, and his wife. a registered nurse, is a native of 51. Stanislaus parish, also Fall River.

The Equestrian Order is a papal honor. Members aid the charitable, cultural and social works of the church in the Holy Land.

KATHLEEN MASSOUD ofSt. James parish, New Bedford, is the author of three just-published booklets of piano duets arranged for beginning students and their teachers. The first booklet, Hymns for My Teacher and Me, is dedicated to the author's mother-in-law, the late Helen Massoud of St. Anthony of the Desert parish, Fall River.

It includes well-known hymns and an original composition

by Mrs. Massoud, "Song of Glad ness."

The other two booklets, Folk Songs for My Teacher and Me, Vols, I and 2, are comprised oftraditional songs arranged by Mrs. Massoud.

All are published by the C. P. P.-Belwin Co. of Miami, Fla. Mrs. Massoud's husband, Steven, is music director at St. James parish. The couple recently presented a workshop on the duets at a music teachers' convention at Plymouth State College, Plymouth, NH. Mrs. Massoud also has three sheet music solos scheduled for publication by FJH Music Co., also located in Florida; and a book of intermediate piano solos and three additional sheet music solos, these to be issued by Alfred Publishing Co. of California.

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Deacons serve the kingdom of God For the next few weeks, the Church and World page will be devoted to a series of talks on the permanent diaconate given by Pope John Paul II at his weekly general audience, beginning on Oct. 5. The first talk follows.

In addition to presbyters there is another category of ministers in the Church with specific tasks and charisms, as the Council of Trent recalls when it discusses the sacrament of orders: "I n the Catholic Church there is a hierarchy established by divine ordinance, which includes bishops, presbyters and ministers" (OS 1776). The New Testament books already attest to the presence of ministers, "deacons," who gradually form a distinct category from the "presbyteri" and "episcopi." One need only recall that Paul addressed his greeting to the bishops and ministers of Philipi (cf. Phil I: I). The First Letter to Timothy lists the qualities that deacons should have, with the recommendation that they be tested before they are entrusted with their functions: they must be dignified and honest, faithful in marriage, and must manage their children and households well, "holding fast to the mystery of faith with a clear conscience" (cf..1 Tm 3:8-13).

Role in Early Church The Acts of the Apostles (6: 1-6) speak of seven "ministers" for service at table. Although the question of a sacramental ordination of deacons is not clear from the text, a long tradition has interpreted the episode as the first evidence of the institution of deacons. By the end of the first century or the beginning of the second, the deacon's place, at least in some Churches, is already well established as a rank in the ministerial hierarchy.

Important witness is given particularly by St. Ignatius of Antioch, according to whom the Christian community lives under the authority of a bishop, surrounded by presbyters and deacons: "There is only one Eucharist, one body of the Lord, one chalice, one altar, just as there is only one Bishop with the college of presbyters and deacons, fellow servants" (ad Philad., 4, I). In Ignatius' letters deacons are always mentioned as a lower rank in the ministerial hierarchy; a deacon is praised for "being subject to the bishop as to the grace of God, and to the presbyter as to the law of Jesus Christ" (Ad Magnes., 2). However, Ignatius underscores the greatness of the deacon's ministry, because he is "the minister of Jesus Christ who was in the Father's presence before all ages and was revealed at the end times" (Ad Magnes., 6, I).

As "ministers of the mysteries of Jesus Christ," deacons must "in every way be pleasing to all" (Ad TraIl., 2, 3). When Ignatius urges Christians to obey the bishop and the priests, he adds: "Respect the deacons as God's commandment" (Ad Smyrn. 8, I).

We find other witnesses in St. Polycarp of Smyrna (Ad Phil.. 5, 2), St. Justin (Apo\., 1,65,5; 67; 5), Tertullian (De Bapt., 17, I), St. Cyprian (Epist. 15 and 16), and later in St. Augustine (De cat. rud., I, C. I, I).

In the early centuries the deacon carried out liturgical functions. In the eucharistic celebration he read or chanted the Epistle and the

IN THIS 1992 photo, Bishop Sean O'Malley installs diaconal candidates as acolytes in ceremonies at St. Mary's Church, New Bedford. At right, Father John F. Moore, permanent diaconate program director. (Studio 0 photo) Gospel; he brought the offerings of the faithful to the celebrant; he distributed communion and brought it to those absent; he was responsible for the orderliness of the ceremonies and at the end dismissed the assembly. In addition, he prepared catechumens for baptism, instructed them and assisted the priest in administering this sacrament. In certain circumstances he himself baptized and preached. He also shared in the administration of ecclesiastical property; he had care of the poor, widows, orphans and helped prisoners.

In tradition there are witnesses to the djstinction between the deacon's functions and those of the priest. For example, St. Hippolytus states (second to third century) that the deacon is ordained "not to the priesthood, but for service to the Bishop, to do what he commands" (SCh, II, p. 39; cf. Constitutiones Aegypt., III, Ecclesiae Ant., 37-41: Mansi 3. 954). Actually, according to the Church's mind and practice, the diaconate belongs to the sacrament of orders, but is not part of the priesthood and does not entail functions proper to priests.

With the passage of time, as we know, the presbyterate in the West assumed almost exclusive impor-

ministry determined by the most ancient tradition (cf. Discorsi e radiomessaggi di Sua Santita Pio XII, vol. XIX, p. 458).

tance in relation to the diaconate, which in fact was reduced to being merely a step on the way to the priesthood. This is not the place to retrace the historical process and explain the reasons for these changes: it is rather a question of pointing out that, on the basis of ancient teaching, the awareness of the diaconate's importance for the Church became greater and greater in theological and pastoral circles, as did the appropriateness of reestablishing it as an Order and permanent state of life. Pope Pius X II also made reference to this in his address to the Second World Con-

Restored Diaconate The time was ripe at the Second Vatican Council, which considered the proposals of the preceding years and decided on its reestablishment (cf. Lumen gentium, n.29) It was Pope Paul VI who later implemented the decision, determining the complete canonical and liturgical discipline for this order (cf. Sacrum Diaconatus Ordinem: 18June 1967; Pontificalis Romani recognitio; 17 June 1968; Adpascendum: 15 August 1972).

There were two main reasons for the theologians' proposals and the conciliar and papal decisions.

First of all, it was considered fitting that certain charitable services, guaranteed in a stable way by laymen conscious of being called to the Church's Gospel mission, should be concretely expressed in a form recognized by virtue of an official consecration. It was also necessary to provide for the scarcity of priests, as well as to assist them with many responsibilities not directly connected to their pastoral ministry. Some saw the per-

gress of the Lay Apostolate (5 October 1957), when he stated that although the idea of reintroducing the diaconate as a function distinct from the priesthood was not yet ripe at the time, nevertheless it could become such and that in any case the diaconate was to be put in the context of the hierarchical

+

DESERTED STREETS around St. James Church in Medjugorje, Bosnia-Herzegovina, are an outcome of war in the former Yugoslav republic. The village has remained largely unscathed in the fighting, but gone are the thousands of pilgrims who before the outbreak of ethnic fighting flocked there daily. Instead the area now hosts 7,000 refugees displaced by the war. (CNS photo)

manent diaconate as a sort of bridge between pastors and the faithful.

Clearly, the Holy Spirit, who has the leading role in the Church's life, was mysteriously working through these reasons connected with historical circumstances and pastoral perspectives, bringing about a new realization of the complete picture of the hierarchy, traditionally composed of bishops, priests and deacons. Thus a new revitalization of Christian communities was fostered, making them more like those founded by the Apostles and flourishing in the early centuries, always under the impulse of the Paraclete, as the Acts of the Apostles attest.

A de,eply felt need in the decision to re-establish the permanent diaconate was and is that of a greater and more direct presence of Church ministers in the various spheres ofthe family, work, school, etc., in addition to existing pastoral structures. Among other things, this fact explains why the Council, while not totally rejecting the idea of celibacy for deacons, permitted this Order to be conferred on "mature married men."

It was a prudent, realistic approach, chosen for reasons that can be easily understood by anyone familiar with different people's ages and concrete situations according to the level of maturity reached.

For the same reason it was then decided, in applying the Council's provisions, that the diaconate would be conferred on married men under certain conditions: they would be at least 35 years of age and have their wife's consent, be of good character and reputation, and receive an adequate doctrinal and pastoral preparation given either by institutes or priests specially chosen for this purpose (cf.

Paul VI, Sacrum Diaconatus Ordinem, nn. 11-15: Enchirid ion Vaticanum, II, 1381-1385).

Formation Necessary It should be noted, however, that the Council maintained the ideal of a diaconate open to younger men who would devote themselves totally to the Lord, with the commitment of celibacy as well. It is a life of "evangelical perfection," which can be understood, chosen and loved by generous men who want to serve the kingdom of God in the world, without entering the priesthood to which they do not feel called, but nevertheless receiving a consecration that guarantees and institutionalizes their special service to the Church through the conferral of sacramental grace.

These men are not lacking today.

Certain provisions were given for them: for ordination to the diaconate they must be at least 25 years of age and receive formation for at least three years in a special institute, "where they are tested, trained to live a truly evangelical life and prepared to carry out effectively their own specific functions," (cL ibid., nn 5-9: Enchiridion Vaticanum, II, 1375-1379). These provisions show the importance the Church puts on the diaconate and her desire that this ordination occur after due consideration and on a sound basis. But they are also a sign of the ancient yet ever new ideal of dedicating oneself to the kingdom of God, which the Church takes from the Gospel and raises as a banner particularly before young people in our time too.

·

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River sets observance of World AIDS Day

World AIDS Day next Wednesday, as noted by Bistop Sean O'Malley in his letter to the faithful which appears on page one, is a time for reflection "on the critical nature of this health disa;ter" and for consideration of "ou' responsibilities as members oftt.e human family and of the ChurcL" The opportunity for su~h reflection and consideration will be offered to those in the Fall River area by "Time To Act Together," a community-wide observance of World AIDS Day with events to take place at Bristol Community College on Elsbree Stleet, Fall River, and SI. Anne's Hospital at South Main and Middk Streets, also in Fall River. The d :lY's schedule follows, with all events from II a.m. through 3 p.m. at Bristol Community College.

II :00 a.m.

12:30 p. m.

2:00 p.m.

Karaoke Safety Party, Commonweal' h College Center, uilding G, Sponsored by College Health Services and ?roject Aware World AI DS Day ceremonies, Arts Center, Building H: Video Premiere of AID~ education video, "The Road We Take," sponsored by Charlton Memorial Hospital Unveiling and first cancellation of AI DS Awareness Postal Stamp, sponsored by Fall River Postal Servic: and Project Aware Symposium on AIDS and Injection Drug Use, Arts Center, Building H

I to 3 p.m. Classroom dis:ussions on

HIV and AIDS, sponsored by Bristol Community College 4:30 p.m.

Showing of "Common Threads," Academy Award-nominated Documentary on the Names Project AID', Memorial

Quilt, St. Anne's Hospital Education Classrooms,Second Floor, sponsored

by Hope House of St. Anne's Hospital 6:00 p.m.

Service of Remembrance St. Anne's HospitalChapel, followed by reception in Hospital Cafeteria, sponsored by Hope House

Hope House A year after SI. Anne's Hospital chairperson Sister Joanna Fernandes, OP, announced on World AIDS Day 1992 that the hospital would open a residence for persons with Al DS. a major obstacle in establishing Hope House has been overcome.

The project obtained a building permit this month after delays caused by a city ordinance which prohibits group residences of five or more unrelated persons (exempting religious communities).

The matter was taken up with the state attorney general's office. which determined that applying the ordinance to Hope House or any similar group residence for handicapped persons would violate the 1988 Federal Fair Housing Amendments Act and also a state law which forbids zoning or bylaw restrictions on land or structures to be used for "educational purposes."

Hope House will have counseling and educational programs on AI DS awareness and coping with the disease.

With the permit, renovations and construction of a one-story addition to an existing house are expected to begin in January, said Hope House director Toby Shea.

The house, which will have bedrooms for 10 residents. offices, community areas and a kitchen, will provide "a safe, supportive environment for adults living with AI DS who are homeless or at risk

of becoming homeless." said Ms. Shea.

In seeking to extend its longstanding services to the poor and needy to include assistance to persons with HIV and AIDS, Ms. Shea said. SI. Anne's determined that the most pressing need was housing. evidenced by the numerous inquiries already received about Hope House.

"We have a waiting list." said Ms. Shea. "We've had calls from as far as Brockton and Boston from people who've heard about the house. There are people in homeless shelters and on the streets right now who need this."

Services will be available to both well and ill residents. Arrangements have been made with the Visiting Nurse Association and Hospice Outreach of Fall River to enable residents "to go through the terminal phase [of AI DS] with peace and comfort and dignity."

In addition to the director. the residence's staff will include a clinical coordinator. social worker and case manager, plus volunteers to assist with daily needs and 24-hour staffing. 40 volunteers have signed up since March, said Ms. Shea.

On sabbatical from teaching nursing at Bristol Community College in Fall River, the Hope House director holds master's degrees in counseling and nursing. She had just completed her thesis for the latter degree. on facilities that care for homeless persons with A IDS. when she learned of St. Anne's plans.

"I didn't want this degree to be only an academic exercise," she said. "To be able to get started immediately [with Hope House] is stupendous!"

In September. Hope House was one of nine agencies in the state, all planning similar residences, to receive a Department of Public Health grant providing $200,000 a year for five years to meet staffing costs. It also received a $15,000 Venture Grant from United Way. and other funds are pending.

Plans call for Hope House to be in operation by next September.

THE ANCHOR-Diocese of Fall River-Fri., Nov. 26, 1993

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It is called "a way of life, a way of thanking God for all his blessings by returning a portion of the time, talent and treasure given to us. It involves intentional, planned and proportionate giving of [that] time, talent and treasure."

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THEANCHOR~DioceseofFaIIRiver~Fri.,Nov.26, 1993 .~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

By ,Charlie Martin

HUMAN WHEELS

By Christopher Carstens Ifnobody knows what the problem is. how can anybody help?

Eventually, somebody has to know - besides you.

She came in with those dark flat eyes that are the sign of great stress. She sat in silence.

She stopped going to school more than a month ago, and she won't go back. Nobody knows why.

She was referred to me for psychological testing. The two therapists who saw her before were both confused. Neither had a good idea why this bright, charming girl, so normal in every way, would suddenly decide that attending school was more than anybody could reasonably ask her to do.

Teens are usually willing to talk if you give them a chance. I gave her that chance. I gave her several chances. Nothing.

What keeps a kid from going to school? I brought out my mental checklist.

She was eating fine, her sleep was undisturbed. She wasn't crying during the day, and was not bothered by feelings of hopelessness. Probably not a depression.

Was it a problem at the school?

She attended a school in an innercity neighborhood, but it is prob.ably the best middle school in town.

The therapist before me called the principal, and everything seemed in order. No obvious problems there. She quickly listed a

REAL ESTATE ApPRAISALS

number of good friends. No lack of social life.

I asked the obvious questions I ask every teen-age girl I see these. days. Have you' ever been molested or raped? Are you drinking or using drugs? Have you had any problems with the gangs on the way to or from school?

Nothing. In a cool, calm voice, she clearly denied that any of those things were part of her problem.

"So why don't you go to school?" I boldly asked. Her answer was a listless shrug of the shoulders, another sad glance out the window, more silence.

Maybe the work was too hard. I gave her an IQ test, and she measured above average. On the achievement tests I administered her scores were way above grade level.

I even gave her some personality tests. Her answers were brief, simple, unrevealing. There wasn't much to interpret.

I pulled out all my tools, and used every trick I know. None of it had worked. In the end, I thanked her for coming in, and told her' mom I'd have a report ready in a few days. .

The truth is I really don't know much more about her than I did when she walked into my office.

What's the point? Simple.

Nobody can read your mind, not even a psychologist with a stack of tests. If you want to keep all that stuff to yourself, ypu can.

If you don't tell anybody the problem, there's no way anybody can help. Not ·your friends. not your parents, not a'nybody.

That's a lonely way to go. No wonder she looks so tired.

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This land today Shall draw its last breath And take into its ancient depth This frail reminder Of its great dreaming self While I with human-hindered eyes Unequal to the sweeping curve of life Stand on this single point of time Human wheels spin round and round While the clock keeps the pace Human wheels spin round and round Help the light to my face That time today no triumph gains At this short success of age' This pale reflection Of its brave and blundered deed For I descend from this vault Now dreams beyond my earthBy fault Knowledge, sure, from the seed· This land, today, my tears shall taste And take into its dark embrace This love, who in my beating heart endures Assured, by every sun that burns The dust to which this flesh shall return It is the ancient, dreaming dust of God. Written by John Mellencamp, George Green. Sung by John Mellencamp (c) 1993 by Windswept Pacific Entertainment, , DIBI A Full Keel Music Co., (ASCAP) WB Music Corp./Katsback Music Admin, By WB Music Corp. (ASCAP) JOHN MELLEN CAMP'S "Human Wheels" is somber stuff. The cassingle is off his new CD by the same title. I am a big fan of Mellencamp, a fellow Hoosier. However, this single has to rank right there with those by R. E. M. for mysterious lyrics.

I take it that this song is about human history ~ where it's been and where it's going.

Mellencamp speaks of how the "human wheels" of life keep spinning "round and round."

The clock of history "keeps the pace."

Before this continual flow of history, our individual existences "stand on this single point oftime." Given the circumstances of life today, we live on land that is in the process of drawing "its last breath."

- Indeed, few of us would deny that we live in a time of immense problems. We point out numerous threats to the Earth. We read daily newspaper accounts of wars and the human suffering they cause. We wonder what will happen to the human family as we run out of nonrenewable resources.

Yet as Christians our perspective is based not in despair but in hope. We turn to our God for guidance and strength as we bring healing to each other and to the planet.

We do this by first accepting personal responsibility for what our individual lives can be. For example, if we want to live in peace we start right where we are. We build peace with our parents, sisters and brothers in our homes. We act with peace toward our friends in school.

We extend peace to the neighbors in our communities.

If we want to treasure Earth as a home for us and all future generations, we are careful to recycle all we can. We reuse whenever possible. We refuse to participate in the throw-away thinking found in society.

As Christians, we hold a vision of the Earth as sacred, a sign through which the Creator is present to us. Further, we see all its peoples as marked by dignity because they bear this Creator's image.

Thus we even treat people that we don't like with respect, recognizing that no one has to view reality exactly as we do.

Yes, the human wheels of history and time keep spinning.

Yet it is this day of life that is the gift. In it, we have the chance to give our love to others. We choose to promote the caring that can make a difference for both today and tomorrow. Given this opportunity, we live not in some somber depression but in a vibrant, thriving hope.

Your comments are welcome

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St. Stephen Priory Spiritual Life Center 20 Glen Street, Box 370 • Dover, MA 02030 reI: 5ffi.785-0124

December 3-5 December 8

Advent Weekend Day of Reflection for Feast of Immaculate Conception 9:30 am-2:30 pm.

Bring Bible and lunch.

December 10-12

Hermitage Weekend of Quiet Prayer

December 3 I-Jan. 1 New Year's Overnight January 14-16

Quiet Prayer Weekend (Private retreat)

January 28-30

Enneagram I Basic Workshop with Virginia Sampson, SUSC

LITTLE SAINTS: Celebrating All Saints Day at St. Mary-Sacred Heart School, North Attleboro, are, from left, St. Lucy (Sarah Smith), St. Elizabeth of Hungary (Penelope Smith), St. Stephen (Steven Archambault), St. Patrick (Nicholas Bellavance) and St. Bernadette (Kerry Follett). The students are first-graders in Colleen Barrett's class.

in our schools

BANDING TOGETHER: the Coyle-Cassidy High School Band, which performed halftime shows throughout the football season, is preparing a Christmas concert for Dec. 15.

Coyle-Cassidy High School The Coyle-Cassidy High School Food Pantry in Taunton has received a $1,500 Now hitiative Grant from Project Bread in Boston.

"We are grateful to you :'or your efforts to feed the hungr) during these very challenging economic times," said Shoshana P.ikciarz, Project Bread executive cirector, in presenting the funds.

The Food Pantry, which has been in operation for more than a year, distributes grocerie~ in the school foyer on the last Saturday of each month. 170 ba!;s were given out in October.

This month's distri bution is scheduled for tomorrow bqinning at 9 a.m. The December distribution will be held early, on Dec. 18, and will include the National Honor Society's "Christmas Gift Shop," giving toys to nee(:y families.

Sophomore Erin TrainOli of Assonet will represent the sc 1001 at next summer's Hugh O'Brian Leadership Seminar. An honor roll student, she is active in sports and the drama club.

1993 graduates Thomas R. Kelley of South Easton and Antonio P. Matos of Wareham earned the AP Scholar Award for their achievement on the college-level Advanced Placement Examinations last spring. About II percent of students taking the exam qualified for such recognition.

Coyle-Cassidy athletes named to Eastern Athletic Conference fall all-star teams were: volleyball Kim Parker; cross country - Sean Flaherty; soccer - James Braga, Karyn Bracken, Kelly Osburn; football - Dan Bourque, Rich Lennon, Jason Alger, Chris Pabst.

Seven Coyle-Cassidy students played for the Randolph South Selects hockey team which earned the 1993 Can-Am divisional championship at a tournament in Lake Placid, NY, which featured teams from Canada and the United States. Mike Mountain, Kyle Jacques, Joe Hunt, ~ich Hunnewell, Dave Shaffer, Jeff Ladino and Jon Goodreau were among the undefeated Selects.

Bishop Stang High School Bishop Sean O'Malley w:ll celebrate Mass for the Bishop Stang High School community 10:30 a.m.

Dec. 8 at St. Julie Billiart Church, adjacent to the school in North Dartmouth.

"Coffee with the Guidan~e Department," a meeting of parents and school counselors, will he held 7:30 to 8:30 a.m. Dec. 7 in the school library. The first such session, "Coffee with Administntors," was held in October and induded discussion of the school's future technological needs and plans, SAT scores, financial management ofthe school, multicultural Hwareness and new student adjustment.

The Fall Sports Banquet is set for 6 p.m. Dec. 2 in the ~;chool cafeteria. This winter, bo~'s' ice hockey and girls' swim teams will be added to Stang's athleti ~ program.

Junior Danielle Charest is spending Thanksgiving break at the National Field Hockey Festival at UCLA in Irvine, CA. She is a member of the Bay State C:>astal Field Hockey Team, compri,ed of Massachusetts high school players, which won a bronze medal in competition at MIT in July.

The Stang' chapter of Students Against Drunk Driving coordinated the school's observance in October of Red Ribbon Week, raising awareness of substance abuse. Students and faculty wore red ribbons with the message "Drug free my choice," and the school's weekly Mass was dedi-

cated to victims of drug and alcohol abuse.

The fall magazine drive netted a $21,000 profit for financial aid at the school. 370 students participated, with Kate Zukowski and Chris Dumont coming out on top with over $1,000 apiece in sales.

The Collectibles Club held its first show in September and tentatively plans a second for Dec. 12.

Bishop Stang participants in Habitat for Humanity held ajoint outing with students from Bishop Feehan High School, Attleboro, at a Providence work site in November.

The Fishing Club recently held its first "trout tournament" at Mary's' Pond in Rochester. Club moderator Gary Rego plans to introduce the Future Fishermen Foundation Program, which has as its theme "get hooked on fishing, not drugs."

Rego, chairperson of the art department, received a commendation from the New Bedford City Council for his role as chair of the Whaling City Jazz Festival in October. The festival raises scholarship funds for area youth pursuing music studies.

Band director Suzanne Christie is conducting an outreach program for students at St. Joseph's School, Fairhaven, and St. JamesSt. John School, New Bedford.

Fifth- through eighth-graders are learning to playa variety of instruments, including the trumpet, snare drum, flute, saxophone and clarinet.

Bishop Connolly A cast of 21 will perform the musical "Our Miss Brooks" at 8 p.m. Dec. 3 and 4 and 2 p.m. Dec. 5 in the Bishop Connolly High School auditorium, Fall River.

The Saturday performance will include a dinner, hosted by the Parents and Friends Club, beginning at 6:30 p.m.; reservations are required by today. For further information on the performances call the qevelopment office at 676-1476.

The placement exam for the 1994-95 school year will be held 8 a.m. to noon Dec. 4 with makeup date Dec. II. Preregistration is not required. For information call 676-1071.

The Connolly National Honor Society's foreign language Mentor Program for middle school students is underway. Begun as a pilot program last year which had eighth-graders from local Catholic schools coming to Connolly to study foreign languages with NHS members, it has expanded this year to include all nine Catholic elementary schools in the city.

KATHLEEN BARBOZA (center), principal of St. Jean Baptiste School, Fall River, speaks at a marketing session of the recent fall conference of the New England Association of Catholic Development Officers (NEADCO). At left and right are fellow marketing team members Dick Gill and Grace Regan. About 110 people attended the conference at Holy Cross College, Worcester, for discussion of "Together, We Advance," a report on development programs in Catholic schools in New England.

Among participants from the Fall River diocese were NEADCO board members Sister M ichaelinda Plante, RS M, associate superintendent of schools; Mrs. Barboza; and development directors Suzanne Burke of Bishop Stang High School, North Dartmouth, and Michael Tabak of Coyle-Cassidy High School, Taunton. Irene Fortin, principal of St. Anne's School, Fall River; Helen Miller, principal of Dominican Academy; Fall River; and Pat Ramsey, Dominican Academy development director, also participated.

THE ANCHOR-Diocese of Fall River-Fri., Nov. 26,1993

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'1·'.6·~THJ: ANCJ.ioR'-..:Oioceseof'Fiiii'kiver-F·rCNov·" 26.' t"99J·.. ·DCCW Diocesan Council of Catholic Women Mass for sick priests ofthe diocese 7 p.m. Nov. 29, St. Patrick's Church. Wareham.

D. of I., SOMERSET St. Patrick's Circle, Daughters of Isabella, have contributed to Trinity Missions, the Fall River Soup Kitchen and the Rose Hawthorne Home, Members will exchange gifts attheir ST. LOUIS de FRANCE, MCFL, CAPE COD December meeting.

SWANSEA Pro-life films sponsored by Mas"Relaxing with Angels" Advent sachusetts Citizens for Life of Cape :~~~~~~EETING, program 6 to 9 p.m. Nov. 28, reliCod will be shown at 4 p.m. each A regional prayer meeting with gious education center; all welcome.

Tuesday in December on Channel 3 The date for the program was incorMaria Rocha as guest speaker will of Cape Cod Cable Television, servbe held at 7 p.m. Nov. 29 at St. Ann's rectly announced in last week's ing Barnstable, Yarmouth, Dennis, Church hall, Raynham, under sponAnchor. Information: Paulette NorHarwich and Chatham. sorship of the Taunton/ Attleboro mandin, 676-0029. regional committee of the charismatic renewal. St. Ann's Living SEPARATED/DIVORCED, ST. THERESA,S. ATTLEBORO ATTLEBORO Word prayer group will host the Pilgrim icon of Holy Family will Support group meeting 7 to 9 p.m. meeting .and will celebrate its own be present at all Masses this weekSunday, St. Mary's rectory, 14 Park 10th anniversary Jan. 10 at 7 p.m. end and for a service after II a.m.

St., N. Attleboro; information: 695Mass Sunday. Information: 761All are welcome to both events.

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NOTICE ~iShing to place greetings, Mass schedules or announcements ofholiday festivities in the Christmas issues ofThe Anchor, to be published Friday, December 17 and December 24

CALL 675--7151 or FAX 675--7048 DEADLINE: 12 / 17 /93 ISSUE . TUES., DEC. 7

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Abortion was addressed in two different forums. The bishops approved a proposal to draft a special message on abortion and other pro-life issues to coincide with a papal encyclical on the subject expected next year; and viewed "The Right Choice," a professionally acted video dramatization showing teenagers options for handling an unexpected pregnancy.

A proposal endorsed by the bishops but issued as a committee document was a statement of solidarity with newcomers to combat what Archbishop Theodore E. McCarrick of Newark, N.J., said was an anti-immigration sentiment in many parts of the country. The statement decried the temptation to blame immigrants in times of recession and anxiety.

In other actions at the meeting, Msgr. Robert N. Lynch was reelected to a one-year term as NCCB general secretary and Archbishop Thomas J. Murphy of Seattle was chosen as treasurer of the NCCB and its public policy arm. the U.S. Catholic Conference. The bishops also approved extending for a fifth and final year the national collection to aid the church in Eastern and Central Europe and adopted a 1994 NCCB-USCC budget of$41.7 million.

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Several bishops lauded the new pastoral reflection on the social mission of the parish approved by the bishops. The reflection offers examples of 10 U.S. parishes actively engaged in social ministry.

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Continued from Page One it goes over budget for the 1993-94 fiscal year as it changes its focus.

CTNA is moving to broaden its subscriber base by offering its programming not only to dioceses but to parishes and all other Catholic institutions.

While dioceses have paid tens of thousands of d'ollars a year for CTN A in the past, the new fee for dioceses and parishes alike would be $750 a year.

Bishop Boland released portions of a highly critical study of CTN A by the Magellan Global Management Resources Group, as well as CTNA responses to the criticisms.

But with "restructuring and a whole new direction," coupled with the line of credit, Bishop Boland is optimistic about CTNA's future.

New CTN A president Peter Dirr told Catholic News Service in September he believes the goal of having 2,000 CTN A parish subscribers by the end of 1994. and 4,000 by the end of 1995, were "modest" estimates.

CTN A has hovered around the low 100s in terms of diocesan subscribers for the last several years.

But Bishop Sean P. O'Malley said, "I believe we have spent an inordinate amount of money" on CTN A. "Radio is an area where the church must make a breakthrough," he added, and he noted that "without Mother Angelica," whose Eternal World Television Network was broadcasting the bishops' meeting live, "the church's presence on television would be virtually nil."

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, O.t."VICTORY,'CENTERVILLE Drew Fayne Memorial Blood Drive 2 to 7 p.m."Nov. 29. parish center. Information:' Mary Archer, 775-6591.

HOSPICE OUTREACH. INC. FR . Ses~ions for the bereaved on ~op109 with the holidays will be held 10:30 a.m. to noon ·Nov. 30, facilitated by Rita Good, and 7 to 8:30 p.m. Dec. 2, facilitated by Sue Vincent; both at Clemence Hall, 243 Forest St., FR. To register call 6731589. The programs are free and open to all..

O.L. GRACE, WESTPORT Council of Catholic Women will meet 6 p.m. Dec. I, parish center, followed by caroling and refreshments at Hallmark Nursing Home, NB. Prayer service 6 p.m. Dec. 15 with pastor Father Richard L. Chretien. Christmas party will follow at NB Country Club; reservations may be made with Sarah Caesar 6752650 by Dec 6 ' ST. ANTHONY of the DESERT, FR Exposition of Blessed Sacrament noon to 6 p.m. with holy hour 5 to 6 p.m. Dec. 5, St. Sharbel Chapel, 300 North Eastern Ave.

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The Fellowship, a ministry of St. Anne's Shrine, Fall River, will hosta concert by the Allegro Glee Club at'2 p.m. Nov. 28 at St. Anne's School auditorium, 240 Forest St., across fr?m St. Anne's Ho~pital. The event will celebrate ChrIstmas. and the 18th anniversary of the Fellowship. as well as of the GIFT weekends from which it grew. The weekends began in 1975 with the planning of a confirmation retreat for students at St. Anne's. The event proved so successful that it was adapted for adults and for ecumen.ical participation. qver the years It has been expedb I 2000 I rIence y near y '. peop ~, many o.f ~hom have contmued th~lr asso~latlOn by mea~s of Fell~wshlp meetlOgs. Further mformatlOn on ~ot.h the. concert and the Fell.owshll? IS avaIlable from St. Anne s Shnne, 674-5651.

ST. MARY, NORTON Divorced/Separated Catholics meeting,? p.m. Su.nday, pa~ish centel' meet 109 room; mformatlOn: 2853647.

ST. MARY, FAIRHAVEN Bereavement support meeting 6 to 8 p.m. Nov. 30, rectory.

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PAPERWORK: Reference.documents fill the tables as Bishop O'Malley participates in a session of the annual bishops' meeting. (Kearns photo)