11.28.03

VOL. 47, NO.45 • Friday, November 28, 2003

FALL RIVER, MASS.

Southeastern Massachusetts' Largest Weekly • $14 Per Year

Diocese of Fall River 1904-2004

Centennial Celebration Calendars heading to parishioners' hOlDes

By DEACON JAMES N. DUNBAR FALL RIVER - It's timely, it's jammed with interesting pictures, it's all about the milestones since the Fall River diocese was established in 1904, and it's not only about yesterday, but today and tomorrow as well. What is it?

It's the hot-off-the-press Centennial Celebration Calendar that will "month by month, through picture' and word. ',' offer a glimpse of what we are as a vibrant diocesan community of faith," Bishop George W. Coleman said in a message on the colorful calendar's front cover.

One of the many features leading to the diocese'sobservance in March 2004 of the founding of the diocese 100 years ago, the attractive calendar is the endeavor of a subcommittee of the Centennial Celebrations Committee that has developed a holy icon as well as a series of meaningful events and liturgies.

The calendars will be heading - via parishes - to homes across the diocese beginning this weekend through the generous delivery efforts of the St. Vincent de ,Paul Society.

~n place; from such things as teaching and guidmg, welcoming the newcomer, joining together to serve. We wanted to show what's going on daily across the diocese."

The committee tried to capture all those things using pictures and at the same time to be sure there was a balance to the services and the areas of the diocese' where the programs were happening. ."I'm pleased with the calendar," said Kearns, who chaired the Calendar Subcommittee that included Msgr. Hoye, Father Craig Pregana, Father Edward J. Healey, Father Barry Wall, Mercy Sister Elaine Heffernan, Holy Tri'nity School Principal Kathleen Barboza, and Julie Cayer from Diocesan Health Facilities.

Msgr. Hoye praised Kearns "for the fine ' job he did overseeing the project. And the subcommittee members were all of invaluable assistance.

The effect was a very' nice-looking

~alendar."

He added: "In light of all the bad publicity we've had, it is it nice reminder of all the wonderful work that people do, day in and day out, 365 days a year."

Kearns said that over the past several months, the committee worked hard to select the best pictures portraying the current ministries for each month and also to choose the historic milestones timely for those months.

"We also tried to reference each of the 101 parishes in the diocese at least once ... as to the date it was established or when its church was dedicated," Kearns noted. "We considered meaningful events of the past 100 years and even referenced before that, thiJ.lgs that even preceded the establishment of the diocese such as the first Catholic Mass in Taunton."

For some of the pictures the committee hired photographers, and others were borrowed. At other times "I raided The Anchor files, and we got help from some of the local newspapers," he

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John E. interview Kearns Jr.,last assistant In an week, director of the Diocesan Office of Communications, said the calendar "certainly shows that the centennial's theme of 'The Spirit Gives Life" is truly appropriate.

The general committee, headed by Msgr.

Daniel F. Hoye, decided to offer parishioners in the coming year a visible reminder that this is an important year.

"We decided on a calendar," Kearns said. "Everyone needs a calendar, and this one serves a functional purpose. What we had in mind was to show not just a history of the diocese but more to emphasize what goes on in the present."

Because the events of the centennial begin in November, that is when the calendar begins, "The calendar covers 13 months - from November 30 to December 2004. We came up with 13 broad services and ministries the diocese is involved in," Kearns explained. "It is not focused on anyone particular office but programs already

Tum to page five -

Calendars

KAY POIRIER, a parishioner of St. Ann's Parish, Raynham, accepts the John Cardinal O'Connor Pro-Life Award from Bishop George W. Coleman, left, and Father Stephen A. Fernandes, director of the diocesan Pro-Life Apostolate.

(Photo by Maddy Lavoie)

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Kay Poirier honored with diocese's .Pro-Life Award TAUNTON - When Kay Poirier of Taunton was recently given the Fall River diocese's . Cardinal John O'Connor ProLife Award for her dedication to the Pro-Life cause, Father Stephen A. Fernandes called her "the Queen of the one-liners." . Only one, one-liner "was all she needed and it was: 'It is the right of every pregnant woman to give birth and the right of every child to be born,'" Father Fernandes, director of the ProLife Apostolate, said.

When Poirier, a member of St. Ann's Parish in Raynham, founded Birthright Taunton 30 years ago, "She was putting her faith into practice ... into gutsy, life-saving, hardworking hands-on practice," Father Fernandes noted.

"She started a movement which spoke the truth and acted

the truth quietly, with dignity, and in vivid compliance with the Gospel," he added.

Citing Poirier for not only originating and creating Birthright of Taunton, but also for sustaining it, Father Fernandes noted that severa) Birthrights are closing.

"They are not closing for lack of clients: already this year Kay has received 500 cases," he said. "They are closing because there simply are not enough Kay Poiriers. In honoring Kay, we honor all those who collaborate with her at Birthrights everywhere," he asserted.

Bishop George W. Coleman presented the second annual Cardinal O'Connor memorial award to Poirier at the November 20 Pro-Life Banquet at the Whaler Restaurant in New Bedford.

Bishops' statement on same-sex marriage forthcoming this weekend BOSTON - According to the Massachusetts Catholic Conference, the public policy voice for the Catholic Church in the Commonwealth, a statement from the four Catholic bishops in the state regarding same-sex

marriage is scheduled to be read at Masses this weekend.

As The Anchorwent to press, the actual document had not yet been released. The full text will be published in next week's edition,

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Friday~

REGISTERED NURSE Diane Santos of the Catholic Memorial Home, Fall' River" was recently'appointed as director of staff development. The resident of Tiverton, R.I., holds a degree from Salve Regina University and worked for more than 16 years at Saint Anne's Hospital. Previously she was a nursing instructor at Bristol Community College and a nurse coordinator, at several Rhode Is, land Hospitals.

®bttuurtra Sister Sophie Reizovic CGS For most of her Ii fe she worked in the Altar Bread Department and also took care of the gardens on the convent property. She took great care of God's creations with love and tenderness.

Due to illness, Sister Sophie was missioned to Cranberry Pointe two years ago.

She is survived by a brother, Frank Reizovic of New York; nieces and nephews; and mem)Jers of her religious community.

Her Mass of Christian burial was celebrated November 19 at Good Shepherd Center in Marlboro.

Arrangements were by the Fitzgerald & Collins Funeral Home, Lincoln Street, Marlboro.

HARWICH - Contemplative Sister of the Good Shepherd Sophie Reizovic, 91, died November 16 at the Cranberry Pointe Nursing and Rehabilitation Center after a long illness.

She had served her community for 72 years.

Born in Elmont, N.Y., the daughter of the late Joseph and the late Helen (Lyko) Reizovic, Sister Sophie attended St. Joseph's High School in Flushing, N.Y. In 1931, she entered the Contemplative community in Peekskill, N.Y., where the Sisters spend hours in. prayer and activities suited to the contc:mplative life. She professed vows of chastity, poverty, obedience and to w.ork forthe sal. vation of all persons, on July 22, 1934.

November 28, 2003

Sister Aline S1. Denis OP NEWBURGH, N.Y. - Do- was principal. She also taught minican Sister of Hope Aline in New York and New Haven.

St. Denis, 86, who had served She also was supervisor for in the Fall River diocese, died. the Departmen,t of Human Ser-· vices Administration in WashNovember 17.

Soi'n Mary Jea'nne St. Denis ington; was education coordi" in Plattsburgh, N.Y., she was nator for the Rehabilitation the daughter of the late John Services Administration; and Henry St. Denis and Nathalia volunteered her services to the (Demers) St. Denis. She en-' St. Joseph Neighborhood Centered the Dominican Sisters in ter, Pax Christi, and the District Fall River, Mass., on Aug. 30. of Columbia.

1936: professed vows on March . She had received many Out·7, 1938; and took her fi nal standing Performance Ratings; vows on March 7, 1941. ' was a delegate to the InternaShe' earned a bachelor's de- tional Rehabilitation Sympogree from St. Michael's Col- sium in Russia; and was named lege in Vermont, a certificate in to the National Distinguished theology from Providence Col- Service Registry. lege, and a master's degree.in She is survived by two sisguidance and counseling from ters, Emma Mary Rowell of The Catholic University in ' Ridgewood, N.J., and Leah Washington, D.C. She also par- Nolan of Naples, Fla. She was 'ticipaied in training ~orkshops' also the sister of the late focused on rehabilitation man- Nathalia St. Denis. . agement.

Her funeral Mass was cel, Sister Aline's teaching min- ebrated November 20 in the istry included elementary chapel of the Dominican Sisters grades in St. Anne's School in of Hope in Newburgh., Burial' Fall River; as principal of S.t. was in the Dominican Sisters of Francis Xavier SchoDI in Hope Cemetery there. " ,Acushnet; and at Dominican The Perrott-Bernadelli Academy in Fall River where Home for Funerals, Inc., she taught high school and Newburgh,'N.Y., was in charge , guidance and where she later of arrangements. ,

THE KNIGHTS of Columbus, Cross of Christ Council No. 12283 from St. Bernard's Church, Assonet, instalied their officers for this year recently. Pictured are: Front row: Warden Barret Castro, Deputy Grand Knight Tony Branco, ~rand Knight Andy DiGiammo, Financial Secretary Jeff Demar,co; middle: ' Advocate Scott Blevins, . .

Chancellor Brian Correia, Treasurer Paul Levesque, Recorder Peter Martin; rear: Chaplain FatherTim Goldrick, Please pray for ,the following District Deputy Neil Lambert, and Trustee George DuBois. priests during the coming weeks

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In, Your,. Prayers

Daily Readings Dec 1 Dec 2 Dec 3 Dec 4

Dec 5

PRACTICE THE DEVOTION OF THE FIRST SATURDAYS,

Dec 6

AS REQUESTED,BY OUR LADY OF FATIMA

On December 10, 1925, Our Lady appeared to Sister Lucia , (seer of Fatima) and spoke these words: "Announce in my name that I promise to assist at the hour ofdeath with the graces necessary for' the salvation oftheir souls, all those who on the first , Saturday of five consecutive mOl,ths shall: 1. Go to confession; 2. Receive Holy. Communion; '3. ReCite the Rosary (5 decades); and 4. Keep !ne company for '15 minutes while l1/editating on the 15 mysteries of the Rosary, with the intention of .making reparatio'n to me."

Dec 7

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Is 2:1-5; Ps 122:1-9; Mt 8:511 ,Is 11 :1 7 10; Ps 72:7-8,12-13,17; Lk 10:21-24 'Is ~5:6-10a; Ps 23:1-6; Mt 15:2937 Is 26:1-6; Ps 118:1,8-9,1921,25-27a; Mt 7:21,24-27 Is 29:17-24; Ps' 27:1,4,13-14; Mt 9:27-31 Is 30:19-21,2126; Ps 147:f..6; Mt 9:351O:1,5a,6-8 Bar5:1 -9; Ps 126:1-6; Phil1 :4.6,8-11; Lk 3:1-6

Dec. 2 1917, Rev. Arthur Savoie, fastor, Sl. Hyacinth, New Bedford 1958, Rev. Dennis W. Harri!1gton, Assistant, Sl. Mary, Taunton .. \

'. Dec. 3 , 1926, Rev. John W:.M~Cart.hy:P.R., Pastor, Sacred ,Heartl Fall River.

Dec: 4 .1945, Rev: Charles Ouelleue, Assis'tilnt, St. Jacques, Taunton 1994, Rev. Edward C. Duffy, Pastor,'St. Francis Xavier, Hyannis Dec.S 1986, Rev. Eugene 1. Boutin, Manchesth Diocese , 1990, Rev. Coleman Conley, SS.Cc., Ch~plain, Sacred He~rt Home, New Bedford Dec. 6 1959, Rey. Joseph L. Cabral, Pastor, Our Lady of the Angels, Fall, River I96(i, Rt. Rev. Msgr. John H. Hackett, Chancellor of Fall River diocese, June-December 1966 ,.

1971, Rev. Joseph K. 'Welsh, Retired Pastor, Our Lady of Victo'ry, Centerville " ' , 1985, Rev. John T. Higgins, Pastor Emeritus, Sl. Mary, Mansfield , '. . . . .

11111111111111111 J 11111.111111-11 THE ANCHOR (USPS-545.mO) Periodical Postage Paid at Fall River, MaSs. Published . ,weekly except for the first tWo weeks .in July am the week after Christmas at 887 Highland Aveme, Fall River, Mass, D2720by the Catholic " Press of the DiOCese of Fall River. Su~criPtion , price by. mail, postpaid $14,00' 'per year. , POSTMASTE~ serxl address changes to The Anchor, P,O. Box 7, Fall River, MA, (f2722: .

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

'Confessions may be made during 8 days before OJ after the', , first SaturdaY"and Holy CommlJnion may.be received at eit~er the morning o~ evening Mass on the first Saturday.'

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, Dec. 1 1958, Rev. Phillipe Ross, Chaplain, Sacred Heart Home, New Bedford 1964, Rev. Edward J. Gorman, Pastor Emeritus, St. Patrick, Somerset

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Dec. 7 1976, Rev. Thomas F. Daly, Retired Pastor, St. James, New Bedford , 1977, Rev. Ambrose Bowen; Retired Pastor; St. Joseph, Taunt<,Jn 2000, Rev. James W. Clark, O(lr Lady's Haven~ Fairhaven"

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Friday, November 28, 2003

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Diocesan Marian Medals presented to parishioners By

MIKE GORDON ANCHOR STAFF

BISHOP GEORGE W. Coleman presents Marian Medals to John N. DeCosta of St. Anthony's Parish, Mattapoisett, and Maria Luiza Medeiros of Our Lady of Mount Carmel Parish, New Bedford. (Anchol1Gordon photo)

FALL RIVER - Bishop George W. Coleman awarded Marian Medals to more than 100 people for outstanding service to the Church and the diocese during a 3 p.m. prayer service Sunday at St. Mary's Cathedral.

"It's a great joy to present the Marian Medals," said Bishop Coleman. "It's truly outstanding what you have accomplished and in the words of St. Paul, you have built up the Body of Christ and I thank you for your dedicated work and your faith-filled lives.

I thank you for your generous sacri fice and love of the Church."

Many of the recipients said they were surprised upon hearing that they would be receiving the award and all were glad to be at the cathedral for the service.

"I'm very happy to receive the Marian Medal," said Antone B. Rezendes of St. Anne's Parish, Fall River. "It gives me a good feeling to be helping out the Church."

Mary Drovin of Sacred Heart Parish in Oak Bluffs has worked helping her parish' for many years and said "It's an honor to be recognized. I'm ver~ proud of it.'~

Centennial icons blessed; sent to parishes for display

Recipient Kathleen Talbot of Medal with the inscription "0 St. John Neumann Parish, East Mary conceived without sin, Freetown, said "my feet still pray for us who have recourse haven't touched the ground yet." to thee." Beneath the image is Talbot is involved in a host of ac- the date 1830, the year of the tivities at the parish and said.she apparition of Mary to St. was so surprised she had to read Catherine Laboure. The diocthe letter several times before it esan coat of arms is pictured sank in. on the reverse.

The afternoon prayer service The following recipients were featured music by the diocesan not included in the list that ran in choir and Bishop Coleman pre- last week's Anchor: Richard L: sided at Benediction of the Curley, Our Lady of the AssumpBlessed Sacrament. tion Pari sh, Ostervi lie; The award, first given by Emilien L. Dupont, St. Anthony Bishop James L. Connolly in .of Padua Parish, New Bedford; 1968, has a raised image'of and John N. DeCosta, St. AnOur Lady of the Miraculous thony Parish, Mattapoisett.

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MIKE GORDON ANCHOR STAFF

FALL RIVER - Religious icons depicting the Blessed Virgin Mary and the apostles at Pentecost were blessed by Bishop George W. Coleman last Sunday at St. Mary's Cathedral, and will be displayed in parishes this weekend to open events of the 2004 centennial of the Fall River diocese.

"It's a beautiful work of art depicting Pentecost and reminds us that Jesus fulfilled his promise," said the bishop. "It's a great joy to bless these icons that will be enthroned in all our parishes."

The icon is connected with the centennial theme "The Spirit Gives Life," and was designed by Benedictine Sister Marie-Paul.

The blessing and distribution of· the icons came at the end of the annual Marian Medal ceremonies and the Cathedral was filled to capacity for the event.

"Christ continues to bless us with the gift of the Holy Spirit," said the bishop, "and Lord we ask your blessing upon these icons that they may be a reminder to all of the total abando~ment of Mary and the di~­ ciples to your word. May they spark the light of renewal in our parishes."

Holy Cross Family Ministries Upcoming Events Open to the public - Free

- FACTWHO.IS MARY? Thursday Evenings December 4,2003 - February 19,2004 7:00 - 8':30 p.m.

Presenter: Brother Joseph Esparza, CSC

Feast of Our Lady of Guadalupe Friday, December 12, 2003 Adoration: 9:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m.

Rosary: 9:00 a.m. with traditional Mexican melodies Mass: Noon .

Family Retreat -

Musical Festival

Sunday, December 28, 2003 2:00 p.m. - 5:00 p.m.

Holy Cross Family Ministries Father Patrick Peyton Center 518 Washington Street N. Easton, MA 02356 Phone: (800) 299-PRAY (7729) Website: www.hcfm.org

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Family Rosary· Family Theater Productions Father Peyton Family Institute - Family Rosary Intematlnal

FATHER RICHARD D. Wilson distributes icons to priests following the Marian Medal ceremonies last Sunday. Front row from left: Fathers Philip N. Hamel and Richard L. Chretien; rear: Father John J. Oliviera. (Anchol1Gordon photo)

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HOLYCROSS

I:AMIlY MINI,lR.lfS

the ancholS>

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Friday, November 28, 2003

the living word

Safeguarding marriage The recent decision of the Massachusetts Supreme Judicial Court con. ~. cerning the introduction o.f same sex-maniage' as the law of the Commonwealth is more than disturbing, To correct the civil rights of one palticular 'group of people; it imperils the rIghts of the vast majority of citizens, What the court really did was to throw out the proverbial baby with the bath water, Daniel Avila, assistant director for policy and research for the Massachusetts Catholic Conference, made some very wise reflections with wide-range'implications. Responding to the ruling in the Goodridge v. Dep3.ltment of Public Health case, he first and foremost openly stated that "The ruling will have a far reaching impact on'the lives of individuals and the policies of religious institutions in Massachusetts' who disagree with the opiriion expressed by the court's on.e vote majority." .

He also noted some fallout from the ruling that seemingly escaped man'y press reports, stating that the majority of the court goes on' to say that "The Constitution cannot control such prejudices, but neither can it tolerate them; the law cannot directly or indirectly give them effect."

Those very words, Avila says, signal the court's desire to change not only the maniage license policy, but also to change every other law that can be viewed as, in some way or fashion, giving effect to the traditional understanding of marriage. For instance, our state's "Antidiscrimination laws will now have to be applied to individual and institutional behavior that reflects that understanding, So this ruling goes far beyond any issue or perfolming religious ceremonies."

For example, "Religious institutions such as hospitals, schools and charities will have to change employment policies to recognize same-sex couples with marriage licenses as spouses. The Catholic Church, as announced by the Vatican earlier this year, cannot do this. So our ability to abide by our beliefs in our institutional policies will be directly threat- .

AN ETERNAL FLAME DEDICATED TO VICTIMS OF ABORTION BURNS ON THE CAMPUS OF WALSH ened."

In a secular social order, faitli belief is not a priority. It isa mere perCOLLEGE IN CANTON, OHIO. THE MEMORIAL WAS DONATE'D BY THE KNIGHTS OF COLUMsonal choice. Amid the conflicting legalism that orders our society, it is 'BUS. (PHOTO COURTESY OF SUE BELANGER) easy to tum one's back on the very definition of maniage which has been held by people for centuries. Sacred Scripture begins with creation of man and woman in the image and likeness of God, and concludes with "BEHOLD,' CHILDREN ARE A GIFT OF THE LORD, the "wedding feast of the Lamb:~ as found in the Book of Revelation. THE FRUIT OF THE WOMB IS A REWARD" (PSALM 127:3).

Scripture speaks throughout of maniage and its "mystery," its institu.:.~ .' tion and the meaning God has given it, its origin and its ends, its various realizations throughout the history of salvation and its renewal.iri the New Covenant of Christ and the Church.

The "Catechism of the Catholic Church" pertinently reflects that marliage is not a purely human institution, despite the many variations it may have undergone through the centUries in different cultures, social struc- . tures and spiritual attitudes. Although the dignity of the institution is not transparent everywhere with the same clarity, some sense of the greatness of the IT)atrimonial union exists in all cultures. It is our belief that

By FATHER EUGENE HEMRICK the future will take care of itself. future. Stay in the moment, and since God created man and woman, their mutual love becomes the image CATHOLIC NEWS SERVICE use it to' abandon yourself to of the absolute and unfailing love with which, God loves us.

Live tl1e moment! All that Holy Scripture affirms· that man and woman were created for one.

Christmas is a time to God, letting him take over and matters is the moment and another: "Therefore,'a man leaves his father and mother and cleaves to celebrate'Chrlst's peace on guide you through it." discerning God's will in it." his wife. and they become one flesh. So they are no longer two but one earth. But every day we receive The sacrament of the moKnowing that this is difficult.. flesh:' , reports of young men and ment. also concerns the joyful be Caussade writes': "It is Ignoring the Judeo-Christian tradition of maniage;the justices could women getting killed in war. times we experience, saying to frightening to commit our lives point to no other justification for their ruling than their own beliefs. As Terrorist threats are met everyus: "Stop, absorb these good to God in this way. We worry, Avila indicated in his statement, "The court is forcing ·the legislature to where we tum. The economy moments; seek God's will in 'If I concentrate on submitting change all the laws that address maniage." He states that this. is a trav- and the job market have been your happiness. Real living' is to God each minute, I may miss esty. Constitutional rulings of this magnitude historically followed pub- -shaky. ' living the moment with God at the other important things,' and lic consensus emerging in the form· of constitutional amendments: The To add'to our unrest, horrenyour side and knowing it is his we show a lack of trust in his court acted without any public consensus to back its belief that we who dous forest fires and droughts moment for you that you' are guidance.... But if we, in faith, . ' oppose its opinion are bigots. plague us. News reports advise experiencing." commit to this simple task of If we truly believe that the vocation of maniage flows from 'the very Christmas is supposed to be a abandoning ourselves and nature of man and woman as they came from the hand of God, then we us day by day of one medical condition after another that we time for the joy that accompaspending each moment in his must responcl and act to safeguard that belief. might contract through the' nies the realization that God is presence, we can be sure he will The Executive Editor foods we eat or don't eat. present among us in a special guide us into proper action, With so much to worry way. Unfortunately, we become whatever it might be." about; how will we find the joy so preoccupied with th'e munHow do we follow this and peace of Christmas this dane that we don't feel God's thinker's advice during the year? presence. When we live the Christmas season?

"Cheer" in Greek refers to sacrament of the moment, every When we hear disturbing the "head" and,in particular the moment becomes an opportunews, instead of worrying about ". OFFICIAt:NEWSP'/,PER OF THE DIOCESE OF FALL RIVER "face." What comes to mind is a its harm to us we should tum to nity to see God's will working .Published'weeidy by the Catholic Press of the Diocese of Fall River happy face reflec~ing a joyful in our lives.

God and say: "Lord this is your '887i-tighl~nd Avenu~' ..'

P.O.. SOX 7 state of mind.

But how do we When we enter into the world.

Your purpose will be Fall River, MA 02722·0007 Fall Rivei', MA 02726 . get ourselves into this state of present moment, God enters served somehow through the 1l3leptione 508~675-7151 '. FAX 508·675·7048 mind? I suggest looking to the events I am experiencing. Please into us. Happiness is discovered , .....: E-mail: TheAnC:hor@Anchornews.org . spiritual writer Jean Pierie De through this wondrous experihelp me to discern'your will in Send'address changes .' :,. ' . . to·P.e:>. . Box, call or - use E-mail address Caussadeand his emphasis on ence of intimacy. this moment:" ,.'

EXECUTIVE EDITOR .the sacrament of the moment.

My wish-for you this.ChristWhen fear grips us, De Rev. MSgr. John F. Moore De Caussade would tell us: mas is that you cherish the Caussade would tell us: "It is '. ;'. NEWS EDITOR OFFICE MANAGER EDITOR':' "Don't worry about yesterday or time to stop time. Don't go back moment and discover that it is David B. Jolivet Jam~s N. Dunbar Barbara M. Rels tomorrow. The past is over, and God's moment for you. to the past or worry'about the ..... -.'-.

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Images ,frozen in time The big boys returned to their roots in Edmonton, Alberta, Canada last weekend.

The hometown Oilers took on the Montreal Canadiens in the first-ever National Hockey League game 'played outdoors. The game-time temperature was 0 degrees Fahrenheit (or for you Canadian friends, that's -32 degrees Celsius).

Aside from the playing surface looking like the size of a postage stamp in the center of a football arena, things went smoothly - except of course for the ice surface which was bumpy and chippy because of the cold. Imagine - the ice, in its natural clement, wasn't as good as the artificial stuff found indoors. Progress.

The images were priceless.

The Canadiens' goalie wearing a stocking hat (or a tuque for all we Canucks) over his helmet; a few of the P)exiglas panes shattering when hit by a puck launched from a stick prior to the game; and the plumes of smoke emanating from breathless players.

Except for the heated benches; the high-priced salaries; the expensive playing equipment; and the 70,OOO-plus fans; the Currier & Ives' scene brought me back to the winters of my youth.

As an adolescent and a teen, ice hockey was a staple of our Fall River winters. Granted we didn't spend every waking hour on ice like our neighbors to the north did, but most of us at least had true ice hockey surnames. While not as fanatical as Canadian kids, we spent many, many Saturdays gliding, flopping and slashing across the South Watuppa Pond in the southeast corner of

the city, or on Stafford, Sawdy and the Rod & Gun club ponds in neighboring Tiverton, R.I. Back then, the ponds were safely frozen for a good part

My View

From the Stands

Calendars commented. "I think we arrived at the blend we wanted." , Kearns said he was grateful to Father Barry Wall, diocesan archivist, for his key work to getting those milestones together. . "It was tough work," Kearns said candidly, "because for the picture part showing today's services as well as for the milestones sections, there was much more material than we c'ould possible use. But we tried to . strike a balance. What we hoped to show was a quick glimpse of the vibrancy of the diocese of the present and our rich, faithfi lied past."

The committee worked with Litos Advertising and Design to format the calendar.

"We were very careful in presenting all the wonderful pic-

By Dave Jolivet of January and February. Very early on Saturday mornings, we would congregate around the chosen pond for the day and in the frosty air we'd slip on two, three or four pairs of socks, depending upon how much room there was in our hockey skates. Regardless of the number of socks, the inevitable frozen toes would emerge, forcing us to periodically hike a break to thaw them out. Once the toes became hot and itchy, it was time to head back to the ice.

At one end of the cove was a "net" consisting of a boot and a shoe, and the other net was a boot and a bowling ballsized rock protruding from the ice. There were no helmets or shin pads, and we all took very good care of our wooden sticks because to us they cost a fortune in those days. Breaking one beyond repair was worse than breaking up with your girlfriend.

Pucks, although pretty much a dime a dozen, were a valued commodity as well because one mis-aimed pass or shot could easily slide a good half-mile onto the ice covering the "open waters," whe~e no one wanted to travel.

Last Saturday there were some complaints about the

51

"

bumpy ice in Edmonton, but surely the players couldn't have forgotten about the surfaces of pond hockey.

Leaves and sticks caught in the icy web were always an obstacle to be wary of. You couldn't assess a tripping penalty to the rink. And there were the ever-dreaded seemingly endless ice cracks. A player could be skating and deeking to his left when his right skate suddenly became trapped in a, fissure going to his right. I still shudder at the possible results.

Nothing can compare with the sound of a wooden stick slapping a hard rubber disc echoing in a quiet, deserted cove. Nor the crunch of skates stopping and turning on a once-smooth surface. In a matter of hours the once slick, mirror-like nook morphed into an abstract mosaic. Periodi-· cally we'd have to shovel the snow from our arena without benefit of a zamboni.

All-too-soon the sun fell into the southwestern horizon.

On cloudless nights, w,e'd toss the sticks and pucks into the snow on shore and skate by moonlight. Only fatigue could stop us and when it was time to hit the mainland, at least one of us would skate into a hole in the ice near a rock bordering the pond. I can still feel the thrill of ice-cold water

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making it's way past the top of my skate heading toward already frozen. toes. Sweet!

Outdoor NHL games will . not become commonplace, but it was a treat that it happened this once. I've always enjoyed watching the game on TV, but last Saturday I was reminded

how much better it was to lace 'em up myself.

Dave Jolivet, editor of The

Anchor, is a former sports editor/writer, and regularly gives one fan's perspective Oil the unique world of sports.

Commellts are welcome at davejolivet@allchomews.org.

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Continued from page one

tures and milestones th~t we also had a calendar grid that was functional and that people had room to write down things to remember each day," Kearns explained.

The idea, "is to get this calendar hanging in people's homes for the year," he said.

"We had 80,000 calendars printe(j and while we can't get one to every parishioner, we hope to get one to every household/' he added.

Members of the St. Vincent de Paul Society in various areas· of the diocese that stretches from Easton south to Fall River and then out to New Bedford, Cape Cod and the Islands, will be assisting in the distribution of calendars to parishes, and to· them "we are very grateful," Kearns stated.

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'- What's with this weather?

On a foggy, dark 'night during nied his last "little" child trick-orsnow machines. treating on Halloween, we remiWhat to make of this river in this year's Halloween season, my limbo? . nisced about the years we'd trudged teen-age son-and daughter set out These stories might be mere together through the neighborhood with me to see a localproduclion of anecdotes of one aberrant winter if "Frankenstein." following ourJittle witches Iilld scientists were not telling Us that pirates.

This cozy family scene actuaily "Last year," he.rec~led, "we said they portend a trend. The Arctic and was born of necessity: My 15-yearsub-Arctic are warming. it was the first time we could old son chose to attend the theater remember trick-or-treating without The Alaska Climate Research with mom on a Saturday night only Center says many media reports of snow and \ce covering the streets. because it was the last chance to get Now, here we are again."

Alaskan warming are exaggerated extra credit doled out in literature but that average temperaclass for attending the play.

"Frankenstein" was ture increases ranged from one to nearly four degrees written in 1818 by Mary Shelley, not to inspire around Alaska during the past 30 years. Still, that's a partygoers in later generations with cool masks, but ose.

The fragile Arctic . as allegory for science gone mad. The monster's 'ecosystem tell's us tales of By' Effie Caldarola . creator, Dr. Victor Frankenthings to come in its bird stein, was playing God, migration dates and its trying to defeat "the melting tundra. . Is it a natural cycle, a gradual blasphemy of death," What he got Despite werewolf-like howls of for his audaciousness was nothing protest from children, trick-orevolution? Or is.it the greenhouse short of death itself. . treating in Anchorage nearly always effect? To some extent the jury's has meant snow pants, gloves and . Although the story sends shivers out. But our excessive use of fossil up the spine, I pointed out to my boots. fuels looks increasingly suspicious. children that the Gothic masterpiece This same neighbor owns a We live in ever bigger houses, intended to send a deeper warning construction fIrm that works in the with burgeo'ning heating and airabout tinkering with nature's laws.

Alaskan bush. This'year'his crew conditioning bills. We drive larger, A few days later, f sat in my was freighting materials.north in . heavier vehicles. We throwaway usual morning prayer spot and, October through the Bering Sea. The plastics and trash as if there is no surveyed the weather out my living surface water, they reported, was tomorrow. We live in 'a seemingly room window. Fog hung low over, much warmer than normal, and ,disposable world. the city ofAnchorage, as it had for whales played happily in the waves Can we see the connection? Do several days. November was being as if it were mid-August., we care? . ushered in, not with 'its usual blanket Another crew reported that the Near the conclusion of . of snow, but with intermittent rain usually frozen Kuskokwim River ."Frankenstein," the monster calls . and mist. near Bethel was losing its ice yet to his creator from a scene of You hear it more and more; and again. During the summer,'boats.on frigid ice: "Frankenstein! Frannot just here in the north: What's the Kuskokwim provide transportakenstein!" with this weather? tion for the roadless communities What are we creating, I wonder, A few nights before, greeting my around Bethel. In the winter, the that calls to us from the foggy cold , neighbor at the door as he accompahard-frozen riv;lr is a highway for country. these days?

Publicrty Chairmen are Mary's Cathedral, F~il River. asked to submit news items for Contact your local parish for more this column to The Anchor, . information. , .

P.O. Box 7, Fall River,' 02722.

Name of city or town should NORTH EASTON- Who is be included, as. well as full Mary? Centering on the Gospels, dates of all attivities. DEAD- Church doctrine, personal piety, LINE IS NOON ON FRI- M;a'rian theolog'y and'a host of ap~ DAYS. paritions, Brother Jos'eph Events published must be of Esparza, CSC will offer a series interest and open to our general of teachings and reflections on readership. We do not carry no- "Mary, the Mother of God," betices of fund-raising activities, ginning Dt<cembe~ 4 at Holy which may be advertised at our Cross Family Ministries, 518 regular rates, obtainable from Washington Street. The course our business office at 508-675- will examine the entire range of 7151. roles Mary plays in Catholic teaching and tradition. For more BREWSTER - La Salette information call 508-238-4095.

Father William Kaliyadan will celebrate a Mass which includes ORLEANS - A Separateda healing service December 3 at Di~orced Catholics Support 7 p.m., at Our Lady of the Cape Group will meet Sunday at 7 p.m., Church, 468 Stony Brook Road. at the St. Joan of Arc Parish CenFor more information call 508- .' ter. Guest speaker Constance 385-3252.

Rosenberger will address the topic "Simplifying the Holidays."

FREETOWN - Mother of For more inform'ation call Father the Sorrowful Heart Rosary Richard Roy at 508-255-0110.

Crafters are actively making and sending handmade cord rosariys SOUTH EASTON ...,.- Singer to missions throughout the wortd musician John Poke will perform and are available for demonstra- a concert December 7 at 7 p.m., at tions. Individuals or groups inter- Holy Cross Church, 225 Purchase ested in learning how to make Street. Refreshmehts will follow iii rosaries should call Carol Spoor the parish center. For more inforat 508-644-2645. mation call 508-238-2235.

For the Journey

an

.Did the prime minister receive Communion in, Rome?

HYANNIS - The Hispanic STOUGHTON - Father Jocommunities of the Diocese of seph P. McDermott will celebrate.

Fall River are organizing their . Mass which includes a healing annual celebration in honor of service Sunday at 2 p.m:, at ImOur Lady of Guadalupe, which maculate Conception Church, Q. I am writing in response to will be held this year at St. Fr\lncis 122 Canton Street. For more in- \ your recent column about nonXavier Church, South Street, on formation call 781-762-2029.

Catholics receiving Communion .

December 6. The celebration will in the Catholic Church. You said begin with a Mass celebrated by TAUNTON - Members ofthe . the Holy Father gave Communi0I! the Bishop George W. Coleman, Taunton District Council of the St. to British Prime Minister Tony at 5:30 p.m., followed by a "fi- Vincent de Paul Sodety will attend Blair, and indicated that event as esta" in the hall of St. Francis Mass December.1 at 7 p.m., at Im- one pOssible indication of a change' X;lvier Preparatory School. . maculate. Conception Church, for in conditions for Protestants the intention of the canonization of receivir.g Catholic MISCELLANEOUS - The Blessed Frederic Ozanam and in .Communion. Three of our Seniors in Motion Program helps memory of deceased members. Its " p~rishion~rs wer:e , seniors and physically handi- regular monthlY meeting will. fol- distu~ed and asked me capped individuals by providing low in the parish hall. about It. .

'Blair's wife is Catholic, motorized and manual wheel. chairs and scoote~s. For more inWESTPORT - The Per- he is not. Did the pope give CommUnion to Mr. formation call 1-800-594-1225. petual Adoration Chapel at Holy Trinity Church, Route 28, invites Blair at a papal Mass earlier this year? There MISCELLANEOUS people to sign up and spend an Bishop George W. Coleman will hour or two in prayer. This re- were rumors to that effect, but they were never celebrate a Mass for couples ob- gional chapel of the mid-Cape confirmed·and were publicly th th . serving 25 and 50 wedding an- area depends on the support .of rejected by some who were there. niversaries during 2003. It will be people. For more information call I give below some information held December 7 at 3 p.m., at St. 508-432-4000. from John ADen of.the National . CotholU:-Reponer, in an article of March 28, 2003. "I don't like to Portugue~e write about rumors;' he said, ''unless I'm in a position to settle FALL RIVER -.: In Decem- December will be "How Did them.• ~. I don't krlow what reaDy ber, the Portuguese TV pro- Jesus Reveal the Mystery of the happened...• Several readers have gram, "Boa Nova daVida," Holy Trinity?" '. contacted me, however, wanting to ("Good News For Life") sponThe schedule is as follows: know about the incident." sored by the diocesan Commu'- Cable Channel 20, the Portuguese The story first broke in the nications Department, will Channel ~ first and .third Church Times, an Anglican present the fifth part of the se- We.dnesdays of the month at 9:30 publication, Allen reported, which ries, "Os Cristiios Perguntam" p.m. attributed the information to a ("Christians Ask").

Check local listings for the Roman liturgist. Tbisliturgist was not at the Mass, denied having The focus of the program in channel near you.

privileged information and later denied having said that Mr. Blair received Communion.

Both the Vatican and 10 DowDing Street are treating the . matter as a strictly'private affair.

A Vatican spokesman told Allen it would be ''incorrect'' for the Holy See to confirm or deny' an incident

Questions

December lineup on

and

Answers

By Father John J. Dietzen pertaining to the prime miniSter's private life. .Aside from the Blair family, the .Mass was attended by a few seminarians. One said Mr. Blair went in the Communion line with hiS arms crossed, as if wanting to receive a bl~, but a priest (not the pope), perhaps unaware of the meaning of the gesture, gave him CommU¢on anyway.

Other seminarians say they saw no such thing. Another journalist described someone who was ''fully briefed" about the Mass and who is adamant that Blair did not receive Communion.

"I [ADen] don't know what

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'happened, and short of a personal statement from Blair, I doubt the uncertainty can be resolved."

Thus far Mr. ADen. The implication that the Holy Father gave Holy Communion when there's no proof that he did can scandalize the faithful. I'm hoping you will clarify this in the immedi~ ateJliture. (Massachusetts) .A. The alleged ministration of the Eucharist by the pope to a Protestant head of state was widely discussed and analyzed last spring, with several usually reliable sources implying the rumors were true.

I'm grateful to the pastor who passed along the above information. Obviously, there is no present basis for using that event as a credible element in evaluating the lawfulness of Communion to people who are not Catholic.

While papal and other documents, two of which I referred to in my previous column, may perhaps signal some further, future modifications in requirements for interfaith Communion, the conditions listed in the 1993 Vatican ecumenical directory still apply. Any official changes would not find their way into Catholic policy so obliquely, but would be promulgated much more specifically and directly.

I the ~ A quiz with 'C'asthe right answer

7

Friday, November 28, 2003

Members of my own chapter of Roadkill Theological Roundtable have called me to task for a recent column on the subject of "the filioque."

I can understand their sensitivity. Marlene thought "filioque" was a special stitch used in "tatting." This became a large aside because few of us knew what "tatting" is either. We urged her to admit she was making it up.

We accused the poor woman of "tatting" on us, of "tat dancing" with words, with rat-a-tat-tatting. She convinced us of her sincerity, however, by stuffing a donut hole into her husband Bud's ear.

For his part, Bud had been reasonably certain "Filioque" was the horse that set a track record at a Kentucky Derby in the 1980s.

You can understand, then, their and others' hurt when they had to read in a column that "filioque" translates roughly "from the Son"

- words that were slipped into the Nicene Creed about 1,000 years ago. Until then, we Catholics (and everyone else) said the Holy Spirit proceeded from the

The offbeat world of Uncle Dan

By Dan Morris Father but did not mention the Son. When we added the "from the Son" part, it really ticked off the Eastern churches.

They, in tum, stomped off. An anathema-slinging contest ensued. In some parts of the world it continues. Who says Christian history can't be fun?

At any rate, my RTR colleagues urged that we issue a brief RTR "C Is the Right Answer" multiple-choice

catechetical quiz to provide more background. Here are some of the early questions: 1. What is "ekporeuomenon"? a) A Yu-Gi-Oh character who can "morph" into a dinosaur-looking creature if you are nine and understand these things. b) A medical tenn for severe congestion. c) A Greek word meaning "originates" that competes with the Latin word "procedif' (proceeds) in the differing translations of the creed.

The Greek-language creed (Council of Constantinople, 381) said the Holy Spirit originates from the Father ("ek tou patros ekporeuomenon"). In Latin, the phrase was translated "ex patre procedif' - "proceeds from the Father."

2. What is an anathema? a) The technical tenn for "maiden aunt with a mustache." b) A baseball pitch similar to a

St. John's Gagliardi sets record as winningest college football coach COLLEGEVILLE, Minn. America's winningest college football coach seemed to be hoping for a surprise in the late-afternoon shadows at Clemens Stadium in Collegeville.

As Benedictine Brother Dietrich Reinhart, president of St. John's University, finished reading a presidential citation, John Gagliardi was scanning the hills around the scenic stadium. Was Gagliardi, as a reporter asked at a post-game news conference, hoping for a new car in honor of his 409th career win?

"I was thinking, 'Gee, he's building up to that.' I kept looking over the horizon to see what was coming in over the hill," Gagliardi said, smiling.

He said that Mark Dienhart, an executive vice president of the University of St. Thomas, asked him earlier this season, "What did (St. John's) give you for 400 (wins)? They give you a Lexus?"

"I don't think the monks know what a Lexus is," Gagliardi said, joking. "I wouldn't mind getting a bicycle. They took a vow of poverty, and they think I did, too."

Gagliardi and most of a throng of 13,000 people were in a good mood after the Johnnies beat Bethel College 29-26. The victory gave the Johnnies the Minnesota Intercollegiate Athletic Conference title and Gagliardi his 409th career victory, breaking a tie with former Grambling State University coach

COACH JOHN Gagliardi gets a kiss from his daughter, Nancy Little, after a recordbreaking 409th win by the St. John's University football team. (eNS photo by Dianne Towalski, St. Cloud Visitof)

Eddie Robinson.

Most recently, Gagliardi got his 410th win in a 50-0 shutout over Crown College in St. Bonifacius.

The Johnnies, one of the four top-seeded teams in the nation, made it to the NCAA Division III playoffs.

"We have never once talked about the record" to the team, Gagliardi saId in a post-game news conference.

"Unless it's from you reporters, I've never heard '409' come out of the guy, even if you're talking about cleaning supplies," said St. John's wide receiver Blake Elliott, who scored two touchdowns against Bethef. For Elliott, the moment was special.

"I wanted to be a part of the team that got John this record. You have so much assimilation with teams that went to the Stagg Bowl (the NCAA Division III championship game) or teams that won national championships," Elliott said. "People come back and they say, 'I'm part of this championship team.' We want the same thing for 409, and hopefully the national championship, as well."

Additional seating - three bleacher sections totaling 2,000 seats - still could not accommodate the huge crowd that included many former players and alumni.

"We are happy for John," said Mike Grant, head coach at Eden Prairie High School and a former St. John's tight end (1975-78) and assistant coach.

"Everybody is excited - every player that played for John feels like they are a small part of it. This is a special place with a special person, and that's why they're here."

But Elliott said there's a private side to Gagliardi that people don't often see - Gagliardi playing guitar with his kids, and racing his son, Jim, in the backyard when Jim was a youth. "He's got all that stuff under the water that he doesn't allow a lot of people to know about, so he's got a lot of dimensions to him," Elliott said.

And now, there's one more - America's winningest coach.

Gagliardi was recently welcomed to the White House by President Bush as part of a special event to honor men and women collegiate champions in spring sports, including baseball, golf, lacrosse, softball and tennis. Afterward, U.S. Rep. Mark Kennedy, R-Minn., held a reception for the Collegeville coach.

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"splitter," but it breaks away from left-handed hitters. c) Solemn condemnations used by the Church to declare something contradicts true doctrine. The North American Orthodox-Catholic Consultation in October suggested Orthodox and the Catholic Church folk refrain from calling one another heretics - hurling anathemas depending on how they stand on "the filioque" controversy.

3. What is "Dominus lesus"? a) A phrase yelled when one pushes over the first domino of a long domino chain that can snake as far as from the front room into the kitchen and down the hall to the laundry room. b) An international spelling

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error that people are too embarrassed to point QUt. c) A major Church document issued in 2000 in which the Nicene Creed is used without the "filioque," indicating a potential openness by Rome to consider a return to the creed as it was used in the fourth century - without "from the Son." From my understanding, some Orthodox theologians are still pretty hot about the Catholic (Latin) Church having added the words in the first place. I do not know at this time if any of them have used donut holes to emphasize their convictions.

Comments are welcome. Email Uncle Dan at cnsuncleOl @yahoo.com.

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December 7, 2003, 2:00 PM路 Our Lady of Victory Church, Centerville A Mass for bereaved parents who have experienced the loss of a child in pregnancy, infancy, sudden death, illness, accident, murder or suicide will be celebrated.

Please bring the whole family to share the 'memory. It will be your spiritual Christmas gift to your child and yourselves. "[ am the light of the world; whoever follows me shall not walk in darkness, but shall have the light of life." John 8: 12 There will be refreshments served in the Parish Center immediately following the service. For more information call Estelle Stanley 508-775-4319.

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Fall River diocese marks its centennial

The following are the next in a series ofhistorical sketches ofthe parishes comprising the Diocese ofFan River, founded in 1904. The series will run in chronological order from oldest to newest parish, according to diocesan archives, concluding in March, 2004, the centennial anniversary of the diocese. Please note that ALL parish histories will run in the order they were founded· includingparishes that have been suppressed ormerged.lQstories ofmergedparishes will run according to thethne-Iine.

St. Mary's Parish, Norton NORTON In, the : ministrator of St. Mary's ther James P. Dalzell.

In the 1980s, the parish 1860s, Catholic families : mission. began to settle in the By 1924 a church and center was expanded by Barrowsville sectipil of rectory were established on pastor, Father John V. Norto~.;TheY walked to St. their current sites and the Magnani, to serve the growMary'~:in Taunton to attend cornerstone was laid. Fa- ing religious education Ma~s and later attended ther F~x was succeeded'by needs.

Masses:'in the Qld Mill in;,,,'Msgr."'George Cairi who Father John P. Steakem became the, next pastor and Barrowsville, the debj~g'e: ,s'erveduntilI925. ' Arnold Mill and the Conaty The fiist"Mass was eel., he was followed by Father House., :, , , ' ,eb,rated'ln;the church in Arnold Medeiros.

A Catholic mission was February "1'9'25 ''by its first ,In 1998, Father Robert , established there in 1~65,by 'pa~to;r; Father John L. A. Oliveira was named Father Thomas H~ Shahan" McNamara'.: ' ,,' pastotofSt.:Mary's and he Subsequent pastors were, is the ~urrent pastor. pastor of St. Mary'sChurch in Taunton. , Father James Downey, 'Fa-" 'Michael E.,Murray is the Patrick Cosgrove db::', ther Christ6pher Bioderick'~' permanent. '~deacon and nated land and a modest and Father James Conlon. Midge Melendy is the costructure was built at the By 1961 under the lead- ordinator of religious educorner of Barrows Street ership of pastor, Msgr. cation.

The rectory is at 133 and Taunton AveQue, and it William D. Thompson, the \\las to serve Hie congrega-' parish center was con- South Worcester Street, P.O. tion' for 60 years. ' structed. ' Box 430, Norton" MA InJqly 1994 I:'ather MarFather Thomas F. Daley 02766-0430. It can be tin J. Fox, 'who' was pastor was the next pastor and in reached by telephone at 508of St. Paul's Church in the 1971 he was replaced by,' 285:4462; by FAX at 508Oakland "S,ection of Father Donald Couza, who" 285-5589; and by E-mail at Taunton,,was appointed ad- ,'i~'1973 was replaced by Fa- Stmarysnorton@aol.com.

St. 'Peter's Parish, Dighton" DIGHTON-In 1901, Fa- came Father William Dolan The Monfort Fathers came ther James Smith of Sacred in 1941 and Father John'F. to St. Peter's in September 1967 and staffed the parish Heart Church in Taunton built Laughlin in 1949. a mission church on Main Sunday School was estab'- until June 1997, when Father Street in Dighton to serve ap- lished in 1947 under the su- Bernard Vanasse followed proximately 50 families in the pervision of the Sisters of'the Father Francis Allen SMM. Father Thomas Frechette town. Priorto that, the com- Sacred Hearts who were munity offaith was served by ,transported from Fall River became pastor in 2001 and he Portuguese-speaking priests ' bym~mbers of the parish. was replaced by Father from St. Michael's in' Fall ' $ucceedip,g pastors in- ,Ge~ald '~. Barnwell, the curRiver and Our Lady of eluded: :,Father Francis: rent paStor, in 2002. The diLourdes andSt. AnthonY's in " McC<lrtl1y, Fath~tBema:rdH." rector" ofreligious education' ; , Taunton. ' 'Unsworth, 'Father James' is Pat Adams. ' In 1925, the territorial par- McDerInott, Father Johl} J:: ' :The rectory is at ,2039" " ish of'St; Peter's was estab~ :Galvin and Father Alfred 1. County Street, P.O. Box 53, . Dighton,MA 02715. It can be lished WIth Father GeorgeH. Gendreau.," FaPter JamesE. O'Reilly, 'reached by, telephone and Flanagan as the first pastor.

FAX at 508-669';6463.' ' His successor in 1928, Father \\las the pastor in 1961.

Thomas P. Doherty, built St. ' Peter's Rectory on~ounty ·~~~~~~~F'i¥~.=====:=====:::=:=1 Street.

Several, pastors administrated the parish for short pe':' '~~~~\~~:'}~'}\~~~~~:'~'l:'il~:~\\:' S~ ;\'i~'(;>:'., , ': \~ ,~\\~~;\~\\;, ", '" ," riods of time. ¥on.a.ay, December 8, is the Father Francis J. Maloney 'i'feftt""()i!itl1~)Immaculate, Concepsucceeded Father Doherty in 1930, followed quickly by ~il"tiQRI~pfJhe, . ,IUessed VIrgin Mary.

Father Joseph Sullivan' and I~ is a,holyday on which CathoMsgr. Felix S. Childs. ' lics'iare\!~bligeato attend Mass.

In 1938, Father John H. McCann and Father John E. Connors led the parish. Then

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Friday, November 28, 2003

St. Mary's Parish, Fairhaven FAIRHAVEN - A group of Sacred Hearts Fathers from Belgium arrived in the United States in May 1905 and purchased the Theodore Thomas and George W. Clark estates in this community, the current site of St. Joseph's Church.. They proceeded to build schools, a convent for Sacred Hearts Sisters, and Sacred Heart Church.

In 1924, Sacred Hearts Father Stanislaus Bernard built a basement church on North Main Street north of Coggeshall Street to serve the non""French speaking Catholics of North Fairhaven.

Sacred Hearts Father Charles De Baetselier celebrated the first Mass in the church on March 1, 1925 and served as administrator until the parish was established in 1933, became its first pastor, and would serve for 22 years. Societies for men and women were formed.

More Sacred Hearts Fathers would follow to lead the parish.

In 1947 Father Egbert Steenbeck became pastor and remained until 1958. Father Edmund G. Francis succeeded him, and during his pastorate a new rectory and parish hall were erected. Sisters of the Love of God from Spain arrived in 1959 to open a kindergarten and pre-primary school. A convent was built to house them. ":': Father Francis died in 1963. Under the supervision of' administrator Father Aloysius Dillon and the next pastor, Father Raphael Flammia, a new $350,000 church was. built and dedicated Jun~ 1966.

The old basement church was demolished.

Father Joachim Shults became pastor in 1968. He was followed in 1972 by Father Matthew Sullivan.

In 1974 the parish paid off the mort.gage on the church.

Father James Nickel became pastor in August, 1983. He was followed by Father Benedict Folger,

Father R()bert Charlton, and the current pastor Father Patrick Killilea, all Sacred Hearts Fathers. Sister Eleanor Cyr, SS.CC., is the director of religious education. Carol

Fauteux is the youth minister. The rectory is at 41 Harding Road, Fairhaven, MA 02719-4500. It can be reached by telephone at 508-9927300; and by FAX at 508-992-0685. i

ST. MARy'S CHURCH.

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Children's gifts should have faith-and-values cOlDponent NORWICH, Conn. - Parents and others seeking to give children toys and games that promote Christian values this Christmas will find several that foster interaction among family members. _. . . _ "As we look at new productS; it's-. going to be the products that make an emotional connection between parents and children that stand out," said Mary Manz Simon, a corporate marketing consultant for the Christian Booksellers Association.

Citing the Columbia spaceshuttle disaster, the war in Iraq, the SARS outbreak and a depressed economy, Simon, who tracks trends in the Christian segment of the U.S. toy and game industry, said farnilies are opting to spend more time with each other in the safety of their homes. And this year's toys and games reflect that trend. ''As families have cocooned, the

biggest hit in the CBA (Christian Booksellers Association) market is a little guy who came out of a cocoon: Hermie, the green caterpillar," she told the Four County Catholic, newspaper of ili.e NOlW~ch qioc~e. . , Hermie, the ntst chafa<;ter .iri' a new family ofcharacters by Tommy Nelson - the children's division of Christian publisher Thomas Nelson - is featured i~ everything from videos aimed at ages two to eight, to a picture book, a board book and a DVD. "Hermie's message focuses on the importance of faith in God, especially having faith that God has a divine plan for each ofus;' said Jennifer Martin, a spokeswoman for Tommy Nelson.

Rob Anderson, presidentofCactus Game Design, a company that produces specifically Catholic games, confirmed the trend ofgrow-

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"HERMIE," a green caterpillar, is a star among Christian Booksellers Association's toys and gifts for Christmas. (CNS photo from Thomas Nelson)

ing interest in games that promote more family time. Anderson said sales of these games; once known as parlor games, are up.

"I think we're seeing a shift going a!1 the way back to 9-11 where parents want to spend more time with their children," said Anderson. ''A lot.of times, the way parents get . together with their children is by doing that around a game;' he said, noting an increase in board game sales throughout the industry.

At his own company, Anderson said, sales ofChristian board games are up' 24 percent compared to last year.

It has always taken some searching to find specifically Catholic toys and games that are fun, educational and faith-reinforcing because relativeiy few are produced.

One of them is '''Victory at Hebron;' acomputergame basedon the Old Testam~nt and manufacturedby caCtus Game Design. As a member of the Israelite anny on a mission to find missing spies in .

Hebron,' the player must solve puzzles aridnavigate_ thIough a 3-D town-to complete'the quest AndersOn notes that this year his . company aIso' published' a supplemental card pack for Redemption, a trading-card game he describes as a biblical alternative to YUgioh. apopular card game. SpecificallyCatholicthemed products that Simon recommended are.'!I Believe: The Nicene Creed" fromEerdmans, illustrated by Pauline Baynes -who also illustrated 'The Chronicles of Narniaand 'The Huron Carol;' also published by Eerdmans. It's a 32-page hardcover Canadian Christmas carol written by St John de Brebeuf, a Jesuit missionary to the Hurons.

For an interactive and Christian reading experience, Simon suggested "Amazing Bible Stories" for the Zonderkidz electronic learning

aid. The book enables children to read, listen and sing along with Old Testament stories when they place the book on an electronic keyboard platform called a Leap Pad player (sold separately). Children can also use a stylus to mark answers to questions as they read.

Perhaps afurther indication ofthe return to home, family and faith is an increase in the sales of Bibles, testaments, hymnals and prayer books. Simon noted that sales of these products are up 33.5 percent as of last May, according to the Association of American Publishers.

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Friday, November 28, 2003

I

eNS video reviews NEW YORK (CNS) - The following are video capsule reviews from the Office for Film & Broadcasting of the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops.

Theatrical movies on video have an Office for Film & Broadcasting classification and Motion Picture Association of America rating.

"North to Alaska" (1960)

Robust adventure story set in 1900 Nome where a trio of gold prospectors (John Wayne, Stewart Granger and Fabian) make a big strike, then have to defend it against a slick claimjumper (Ernie Kovacs) while dealing with a Frenchwoman (Capucine) who has only mar"Adam Sandler's Eight riage on her mind .. Director Crazy Nights" (2002) Henry Hathaway alternates the Cartoon comedy, with songs, full-blooded action sequences in which a 33~year-old Jewish with ongoing romantic misunwastrel (voiced by Adam derstandings between the prinCiSandler) redeems himself during pals. Stylized violence anqHanukkah by coaching basket- sexual innuendo. The USCCB ball, befriending a fatherless boy Office for Fihn & Broadcasting and helping an elderly man win classification is A-III - adults. a prize. As directed by Seth Not rated by the Motion Picture Kearsley, the film's positive val- ' Association OfAmerica. (Columues flood the final scenes but bia TriStar) only after a considerable ,quan"Pumping Iron" (1977) tity of gross behavior and rudeUnassuming documentary ness that is designed to delight about the world of bodybuildan irreverent, impressionable ers, singling out for major conyoung audience. Recurring vul~ sideration Austrian-born garity that takes many forms, a Arnold Schwarzenegger, sixlot of it involving bodily func- time winner of-the "Mr. Olymtions and offensive images, and pia" title. Directed by George brief alcohol abuse. The USCCB Butler and Robert Fiore, the Office for Film & Broadcasting film has some human touches classification is A-III - adults. that are entertaining and someThe Motion Picture Association times moving but its adulation of America rating is PG-13 of Schwarzenegger's limited parents are strongly cautioned. view of life and his blunt advoSome material may be inappro- cacy of hedonism makes this priate for children under 13. (Co- questionable .' material for lumbia TriStar) younger viewers. The USCCB "Giant" (1956) Office for Film & Broadcasting Sentimental but stylish adap- classification is A-III - adults. tation of Edna, Ferber's sprawl- The Motion Picture Association ing family saga of life and love of America rating is PG - pain Texas oil country from the turn ~ental guidance suggested. (HBO) of the century to the early 1950s, "The'Return of the Secaucus with Dennis Hopper as the cleanSeven" (1980) cut, intense son of Texas patriNothing much happens except archs Elizabeth Taylor and Rock a weekend of talking during a reHudson, while James Dean gives union of seven friends who, as his most moving performance as college students on a I960s prothe inarticulate,cowhand who test march, once spent a night tostrikes it rich. Directed by gether in jail in Secaucus, N.J. George Stevens, the film's plot Written and directed by John is less important than its themes Sayles on a shoestring budget, of changing times, the generation the movie won't satisfy everygap, racial prejudice, the waste one, but the dialogue is bright and of war and marital incompatibil- some of the insights are clever. ity. Over three hours long, chil- The frankness of the language, dren may find it a taxing experi- especially about sex, would rule ence. The USCCB Office for out 'younger viewers. The Film & Broadcasting classifica- USCCB Office for Film & tion is A-I - general patronage.. Broadcasting classification is AThe Motion Picture Association III - adults. The Motion Picture of America rating is G - gen- Association of America rating is eral audiences.

R - restricted. (MGM)

"Is Paris Burning?" (1966)

"Tokyo Story" (1972)

Jean-Paul Belmondo, Charles Boyer and Leslie Caron head an international cast in this epic tribute to the French people who fought so valiantly to save Paris from the senseless destruction ordered by Hitler. In concentrating on the sweep of events rather than the character of the individuals involved. director Rene Clement has made a work that is convincing as history but fails on the level of human drama. Wartime violence. The USCCB Office for Film & Broadcasting classification is A-I - general patronage.

Not rated by the Motion Picture Association of America.

Elderly couple on their first visit to the Tokyo homes of their children meet only disguised rejection except, ironically, for the kindness of their dead son's wife.

When the mother dies shortly upon returning to their country village, it is only the widowed daughter-in-law who shows any real feeling of loss. Director Yasujiro Ozu's eloquent treatment of old age makes it a uniquely moving hymn to life.

The USCCB Office for Film & Broadcasting classification is AI - general patronage. Not rated by the Motion Picture Association of America. (Criterion)

DAKpTA FANNING, Mike Myers and Spenser Breslin star in a scene from "Dr. Seuss' The ~a~ in the Haf from Universal Studios and OreamWorks. (eNS photo from Universal ' StudiOS: and OreamWorks) ,

eNs movie review: 'The Cat in the. Hat' .'NEW YORK (CNS) - A brother and sister learn that nothing cures boredom quite like a six-foot feline with a red-andwhite striped stovepipe hat and a penchant for mischief in .the whimsic~1 but off-target family comedy ~·Dr. S~l,Jss' The Cat in the Hat" (Universal).

In 1957, Theodore Geisel aka Dr. Seuss - strung together 220 rhyming words and created an instant children's classic.

Forty-six:years later, the same, regrettably; cannot be said of director 80 Welch, whose bloated adaptation is such a visually assaulting jumble that not even the cat's three-handled, moss-covered family credenza can clean up the on-screen mess.

The basic story has remained intact. Two kids, Conrad and Sally (Spenser Breslin and Dakota Fanning), are left home alone on a rainy afternoon while their mom, Joan (Kelly Preston), is at work. The children are given strict orders to behave themselves and keep 'the house tidy.

An added story line about a party Joan is hosting later that evening for her neat-freak boss, Mr. Humberfloob (Sean Hayes), ups the ante for making sure·that the rooms stay shipshape. Welch also felt compelled to include a narcoleptic baby sitter, Mrs. Kwan (AmY Hill), whose presence in the film, apart from some lame sight gags, serves no purpose. Perhaps in a moment of politically correct insanity, Welch feared that parents might take offense to leaving two young children unattended.

Soon after their mother's departure, the eponymous cat (played in full body fur by Mike Myers) appears with a chapeau full of fun. Within minutes the cat hangs a snoozing Mrs. Kwan in the coat closet and cajoles the

children into breaking all of their mother's ordinances. Against the better judgment of the family's goldfish (also voiced by Sean Hayes), the children follow the eat's lead in turning the house upside-down.

The situation gets out of control when theicat opens a magic crate containing Thing 1 and Thing 2 (Danielle Chuchran and Brittany Oakes), a pair of androgynous gremlins with a knack for wreaking a whirlwind of havoc. In a concocte9 plot twist, the box also serves as a gateway to an alternative dimension.

When the crate's special padlock is lost, it begins to transform the house into a surreal Seuss-scape.

Attempting to give the film a more updated feel, Welch has made Joan a single parent and saddled her with a freeloading boyfriend (Alec .Baldwin), who feigns nurturing concern for the kids in order to ingratiate himself with her.

Those disappointed by Ron Howard's big-screen version of "Dr. Seuss's How the Grinch Stole Christmas" shouldn't expect much better results this time.

Both films make the mistake of trying to stretch a few dozen verses into a feature-length film.

And while Howard's movie was unnecessarily content-heavy delving too deeply into the psychological origins of the Grinch's grinchiness - Welch's film remains' totally content-free, padding its threadbare narrative with protracted special-effects sequences which prove tedious rather than hilarious.

Welch seems to totally forget why people love Dr. Seuss in the first place - his magical wordplay. He even commits the gravest Seussian sacrilege by having the cat admit he is no good with rhymes .. And though the film's

ingenious production design faithfully captures the bubblegum color palette and off-kilter look of Seuss' world, once Geisel's text is jettisoned, what is left is a guy in a cat suit doing a lame standup routine - all of which is about . as funny as coughing up hairballs.

As with Jim Carey's scenechewing romp through Whoville, Mike Myers hogs the spotlight, bombarding viewers' with his hyper-frenetic antics and rapidfire zingers - many retreads . from his previous performances.

For some reason Myers plays the part with a Noo Yawk nasal tone - sounding more like the "Katz in the Hat." For fans of Dr. Seuss' work, the film's high point comes early - as in before the film - during a pre-credit sequence in which the movie studio logos are cleverly animated in the style of the books and Chuck Jones' classic cartoon specials. Despite such a promising start, it's all downhill from there.

Anyone interested in introducing their children to this wonderful tale would be advised to rent the far superior 1971 half-hour TV version - none of this film's forgettable tunes ca~ touch the inspired genius of "Calculatus Eliminatus." Better yet, read them the book. In fact, a verse found on Page Two reads like a Seussian review of this movie: "So all we could do was to sit, sit, sit, sit. . "And we did not like it, not one little bit."

Due to cartoon violence. minimal mildly crude language and innuendo, the USCCB Office for Film & Broadcasting classification is A-II - adults and adolescents. The Motion Picture Association of America rating is PG - parental guidance suggested.

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Friday, November 28, 2003

u.s. 'House chaplain tries to elDulate late Chicago cardlnal

By MICHELLE MARTIN CATHOLIC NEWS SERVICE'

move outward to offer its' riches ture, always overcompensating." to the world around it, rather than But it was also Ca'rdinal CHICAGO - When Father hunkering down and staying on Bernardin's.

Daniel P, Coughlin ministers to the defensive, Father Coughlin "To this day, I meet Protestant members of the U.S. House of said. pastors and ra~bis who were Representatives, he often finds It is also the only kind of Ca- asked to serve on committees for himself calling on the lessons he tholicism, that will work in a pub- the Catholic bishops' conference learned from the late Cardinal Jo~ lic position such as Father by CanJinal Bernardin on matters seph L. Bernardin of Chicago Coughlin's ministry on Capitol of mutual'interest," Father a mentor, a colleague and a friend. Hill.

Coughlin said. "He was always .

Father Coughlin, a Chicago "I am a Catholic priest who ready to step out of the box and priest who in 2000 became the works in a more secular setting initiate new relationships and new first Catholic chaplain of the than I ever have before," Father ideas. He understood that people House, said the country and its . Coughlin said. "There are those always want to be heard. For him, leaders need the kind of pastoral there who believe there can be a it was a fine art." care that Cardinal Bernardin ex- separation between Church and But Father Coughlin believes emplified. state, between religion and life, that's also necessary in the enviThe priest delivered the sixth between faith and works. I have ronment in which he works, annual Bernardin Memorial Lec- inherited a Protestant chaplaincy, where his role is to provide pasture recently at Catholic Theo- but there's SQ much more that toral care to all the members, logical Union. The cardinal died Catholicism can offer the world." whatever their religious backNov. 14, 1996. ' A young colleague pointed out ground, as well their families and Cardinal Bernardin was an that many people greet Father other Capitol Hill workers, from "adroit bureaucrat," a skilled lis- Coughlin as he walks the halls of police to teen-age pages. tener, an incisive questioner, a the Capitol, and after about a year "Teen-agers'always take time," born facilitator, Father Coughlin there, many of them had acknowl- he said. "But my focus for prayer told about 50 people who gath- edged his faith subtly. Where they and care is the members. No matered for a short memorial service once called him "Chaplain," they ter what the press says about before his talk. them, no matter what you think began calling him "Father."

Those skills served Cardinal "And I thought a,bout the about them, my job is to care for' Bernardin wt<1I in practicing post- people I knew best, and realized them."

Second Vatican Council Catholi- there were more Jews and fundaAs to how he does it, he said, cism, which looked to engage the mentalist Protestants than Catho- he draws on many of his experimodern world and to shape it, to . lics," he said. "That's just my na- .ences from Chicago, from serv-

11 ing as pastor of St. Francis Xavier Parish in LaGrange to working as the founding director of the Office for Divine Worship anq as vicar for priests,the last position he held in the archdiocese before going to Washington.

"Politicians like to talk almost as much as priests," he said, joking. "And I listen to them. I listen for love, for loyalty and for pain," Then he tries to take another cue from Cardinal Bernardin listening to what they say and using it to plant seeds later, to remind them of what they planned to do, to help them make decisions and move forward.

Still, he doesn '.t always feel qualified for the job.

"Even with my experience, I still wasn't ready to be chaplain," he said. "But neitber was the Church ready, nor was the government ready until this generous time frame, some time after the Second Vatican Council," When he steps from the doorway of the House chamber - his. usual post, to be visible and avail-

I

able to the members - to the floor to give an invocation, he tries to hold up Scripture values on which those present can agree, he said.

"At this moment in time, American policies ricochet around the world, but they don't see us as leaders," he said. "They see us as slaves of our own passions and compulsions. We never seem to be content in our idealized democracy. Our family life is in disarray. In our freedom, we never say, 'That's enough,''' But that's perhaps what Cardinal Bernardin is best known for, not only in his living of life, but in his leaving it.

Father Coughlin said he has one regret about the timing of Cardinal Bernardin's death: that he was never able to participate in a conclave, an environment where his natural tendency to look for common ground would lend him great influence.

"Can you imagine how he could have impacted the world?"

Father Coughlin asked.

Italian prelate shares spirituality of Padre Pia in New York visit

By PETER SHEEHAN CATHOLIC NEWS SERVICE WEST HEMPSTEAD, N.Y. - As he works to spread the legacy of St. Padre Pio, Italian Archbishop. Domenico D' Ambrpsio said one of his sources of strength and guidance is Padre Pio himself. .

Archbishop D' Ambrosio, installed in Mayas archbishop of Manfredonia, Vieste and San Giovanni Rotondo, Italy, was named by the pope to oversee the sanctuary of San Giovanni Rotondo and its related institutions, The pilgrimage complex was founded by the famed Capuchin Franciscan mystic who was canonized last year.

The archbishop spoke about the saint, who bore the marks of the stigmata from 1918 until his death in 1968, during a visit to St. Thomas the Apostle Church in West Hempstead, in the Rockville Centre diocese.

He told members of local Padre Pio prayer groups that he relies on the wisdom of the friar and has confidence in the saint's intercession, but noted that for him this was not always the case.

When he was a newly ordained priest in 1965, he said, he did not really know much about Padre Pio. But his outlook changed when he was assigned to San Giovanni· Rotondo, where Padre Pio lived, and began studying the spiritual writings of the man whose personal spirituality, reput~tion as a

spiritual director and reported miraculous gifts have captured the world's attention, He developed a devotion to Padre Pio. After a paralysis in one of his legs confined him to his bed for a few months, he said, Padre Pio appeared to him in a dream.

"God will do something beautiful for you," the saint told him in

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saint does not come from another world, but comes from this world and brings this world into a greater awareness of something beyond this world," he said. the dream.

After the priest woke up, the paralysis was gone and his physician told him that everything was fine.

Through these experiences, Archbishop D'Ambrosio said, he soon became a proponent of the writings and the example set by Padre Pio. He continues to promote Padre Pio's works and now seeks support for a hospital' th~ saint founded in San Giovanni Rotondo.

"The sanctity of Padre Pio is truly a gift for the wfiole Church and also I think for the whole world," the archbishop said. "Each year, five to six million pilgrims come to San Giovanni Rotondo,'~ He said the pilgrims are drawn by the stories of Padre Pio's gifts

of the stigmata, miraculous healings and mystic visions, but they are also inspired by how Padre Pio's life convey~ the message of the Gospel.

"A saint does not come from another world, but comes from this world and brings this world into a greater awareness of something beyond this world," he said.

Archbishop D' Ambrosio described his mission as papal delegate for Padre Pio's legacy, which he said he hopes to accomplish by working with Padre Pio prayer groups internationaIly. The archbishop 'noted that the hospital Padre Pio founded in Italy faces financial difficulties as the Italian government has made cutbacks in its reimbursement for services.

"We have to say thank you to the people of the U.S.A." for the many generous .donations to the hospital, Archbishop D' Ambrosio said..

He told the group of New York Catholics that there are 3,000 Padre Pio prayer groups worldwide, including about 2,500 in Italy and hundreds in the United States.

He said these groups that are praying in the spirit of Padre Pio can make an impact. '·'Every member of these prayer groups can be a missionary to help poor people, to help sick people," Archbishop D' Ambrosio said.

"These groups can not only pray but be a healing presence,in the world," " . .1

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FATHER DANIEL P. Coughlin stands outside the U.S. Capitol in a photo taken last year. The priest said recently that when ministering to lawmakers he often calls on the lessons of the late Cardinal Joseph L. Bernardin of Chicago.

(CNS file photo by Martin Lueder.s)

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Friday, November 28, 2003

Chinese bishop- missing since 1997 spotted in hospital

-,

,HONG KONG (CNS) - An 'mainland China.

Bishop Su, now 71, is a promiunderground Chinese bishop who has not been heard from or seen , nent leader of the und.erground since his arrest in 1997 has report- Catholic community in China and edly undergone medical treatment probably the only underground bishop who has met a U.S. conin a hospital.

In a recent statement, the U.S.- gressman, it said. The bishop 'met based Cardinal Kung Foundation privately with U.S. Rep. Christo~ said it received information that on pher H. Smith; R-N.J.; in January , or around November IS', Bishop 1'994 during Smith's official visit Su Zhimin of Baoding was taken, to China. Immediately after Smith's to the officers' ward of Baoding departure from China, Bishop Su Central Hospital for an eye opera- was arrested and detained for nine tion and for heart problems, re- days, the statement said. ported UCA News, an Asian 'Bishop Su has been arrested at church news agency based in Thai- least five times and has spent about land, ' 27 years in prison, the foundati9n According to the report, the , said. bishop was heavily guarded by' According to the statement, the about 20 plainclothes officers, in- bishop was once beaten so secluding Jia Ruiqi, who holds a high verely in prison that he suffered rank in the Boading public secu- extensive hearing loss. He escaped rity bureau. The bishop's name,was police detention in April 1996 and not entered in the hospital's records. remained in hiding until October Bishop Pan Deshi of Baoding 1997.

Bishop Su's auxiliary; Bishop and a priest in Baoding city, both of whom are affiliated with the An Shuxin, was arrested in May , government-recognized church, 1996 and his whereabouts remain told UCA News that they had not unknown, UCA News reported.' heard any news about Bishop Suo .

In 1957, Chinese Catholics split They' also said they had no idea over the setting up of the governabout his present situation. ment-approved Chinese Catholic Since Bishop Su's Octobe'r Patriotic Association, which re1997 arrest~ inquiries about his jects papal authority and elects whereabouts to the Chinese gov- bishops without Vatican ,approval. ernment from various governmen-' An underground church in China, , tal and nongovernmental organi- estimated to number in the milzations have never been answered lions, professes loyalty to the pope. . satisfactorily, said the statement More than two-thirds of the govfrom the Cardinal Kung Founda- ernment-approved bishops are said , tion, which supports the under- to have secretly reconciled with ground Catholic community in the Vatican.

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A PAKISTANI child eats a meal provided by the Edhi Charitable Foundation shelter in Karachi, Pakistan, on Universal Children's Day. On Nov. 20, 1959, the Unit!3d Nations instituted Universal Children's Day to call attention to the welfare of children worldwide. According to UNICEF, 150 million children in developing countries are malnourished. (CNS photo from Re'uters) ~

MEN ASSIST a victim in front of the HSBC bank in Istanbul November 20. Two explosions, one at the bank and the other at the British Consulate, shook the capital city of Turkey killing more than 26 people and injuring hundreds. Following the attacks, the Vatican condemned the "barbaric logic" of terrorism, calling it a "crime against humanity." (eNS.photo . ' from Reute.rst

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Parish reflects problems French Church, b~t priest sees hope MONTIGNAC, France (CNS) -In a quiet cor- was no longer a "force for social unity" and that ner of this southwestern French town, lapped by the "original and intelligent solutions" were needed to Vezere River, a middle-aged priest sits at his desk buttress Church-state coexistence. beneath the white Gothic tower of St. Pierre Church.

That's just what's been under discussion since Outside the shuttered rectory on Rue Lafayette, July, 2002, when the newly elected government of the market traders hawk wine and cheese on the Prime Minister Jean-Pierre Raffarin opened formal cobblestones, while elderly locals chat over tea at contacts with the Church for the first time in a cent~e nearby Cafe-Tabac. tury as part of a pledge to "renew social dialogue."

After a decade as pastor of Montignac, a town of Since then, a commission has been convened to 3,000 in France's picturesque Dordogne region, rethink the traditional concept of "laicite," the 'Father Andre Peryga said he's being kept busy. His ' country's strict secular principle that's governed parish includes 22 churches, and he tries to celebrate French public life since the 1905 separation law.

Mass reg~larly in all of them, assisted by two other Baptized Catholics comprise two-thirds of priests from neighboring Thenon and Rouffignac. France's 59 million residents, a drop from 86 perBesides ministering' to _parishioners, Father cent in 1984, according to a 2001 survey by the Peryga has to welcome tourists and cooperate with Catholic La Croix daily. On average, fewer than a Socialist-Iedlcouncil that ownS the churches. one in 10 Catholics attend church nationally, while "The comforts of modern society h~ve made at least 40 percent of the population denies any faith, people wonder why they should go to church," the ac<;ording to the survey. v With seven times as many priests dying as are priest told Catholic News Service.

"But in places like this, people come because they being ordained each year, the country's Catholic need the faith - no one 'forces them. Even those clergy has dropped since 1945 by two-thirds to who are far from the faith are friendly; and rye rarely 15,000. had problems," he said.

"In the end, it's people who'll decide the Church's Montignac is typical of French Catholic pari~hes, future," said Father Peryga, adding that where there which are struggling to preserve their position in a' are children "there will always be hope." country once dubbed the Church's "eldest daugh"Despite everything, I think France is still a ter." , C a t h o l i c country which appreciates the work of the When the country's bishops met for their.autumn Church' and its priests. You can't erase the customs session at Lourdes recently, they were reminded by and convictions of generations in just a few years," a leading sociologist, Rene .Remond, that religion' he said. ..

Pope: Renewing parish lire is key to Chun:;h's health in Italy VATICAN CITY (CNS) - Pope John Paul II told Italian bishops ttlat renewing parish life was important if the country is to resist attacks on the faI1lily and the erosion of traditional religious 'values.

The pope ,said rapid social and cultural ch~nges "tend to dista,nce from the faith and the Church even a people like the Italians, whose Christian, roots are so'solid and deep."

He made the comments in a written message to the bishops, who were meeting in the Italian pilgrimage town ofAssisi recently to discuss the state of parishe~ in Italy.

The pope said the extensi ve network of parishes

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and their pastoral and social service to Italians represent a great richness, but that this vitality is being challenged by cultural trends .

He said it was important for Italian parishes to maintain a "family" atmosphere of warmth and路 welcome. In doing so, the parish can continue to defend and promote the institution of the family, which is "continually threatened today," he said.

The pope said he supported the bishops' efforts to bring harmony to all areas of Italian life. He said he also路 shared their continual efforts to protect human life and the institution of marriage, as well as concern for the development of the weakest and poorest sectors of thepopulati6n.

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Friday, November 28, 2003

Head of British Catholic aid agency discusses AIDS with Bush, Blair

By PAULINUS BARNES CATHOLIC NEWS SERVICE

HIV was not just a health issue.

HIV/AIDS holistically."

"The fact is that HIV/AIDS is "It is a development issue.

Poverty, lack of education and not just a health issue, it is a povMANCHESTER, England The new director of the British inequality between the sexes and erty and justice issue, and that was bishops' overseas aid agency met the burden of foreign debt are recognized by those present in the with U.S. President George W. some of the factors that both con- meeting," Bain said.

Bush, British Prime Minister tribute to and are exacerbated by At the meeting Bush reiterated Tony Blair and African officials the vicious downward spiral of his pledge to spend $15 billion on , HIV care and prevention work to discuss the HIV I AIDS pan- HlVI AIDS," he said. over five years. AfrIcan demic.

Chris Bain,' who earlier leaders warned, however, this year took over as directhat the funds promised are At the meeting Bush reiterated his tor of the Catholic Agency not enough to address the for Overseas Development, pledge to spend $15 billion on HIV AIDS pandemic effectively. known as CAF.OD, told care and prevention work over five , Bain said he came out of Catholic News Service that years. African leaders warned, how- the meeting "mostly hopethe recent meeting in Lon- ever, that the funds promised are not ful" and thought Blair and don was useful and produc- enough to address the AIDS pan- Bush were genuinely com~ mitted to eradicate AIDS. tive and that Bush and Blair "A measure of this will were prepared to listen C!emic effectively. be both 'countries ,turning carefully to the views extheir words into action," he pressed.

The president was accompaBain called on the international said.

Bain wrote in the online edinied by U.S. National Security community to ensure that the GloAdviser Condoleezza Rice and bal Fund to Fight AIDS, Tuber- tion of the British Broadcasting Secretary of State Colin Powell. culosis and Malaria "is fully Corp., that the testimony at the Also present at the meeting funded to maximize support and meeting from a Kenyan woman wt:re ministers from five African treatment for those already in- with AIDS served as a reminder as to why the meeting was called. countries severely affected by , fected."

Bain said the creation ofthe Brit- The woman, Asunta Wagura, said AIDS: Kenya, Ethiopia, Nigeria, ish-U.S. task force on AIDS would that input from those living with Uganda and Zambia. the disease was necessary in the The meeting took place in be an importaJ)t step forward.

"But its work must address the fight against AIDS. Blair's London residence, No. 10 "While the most powerful Downing St. The meeting saw the root causes of poverty, and it must announcement of a new joint Brit- tackle questions of \mproving in- man in the world can make ish-U.S. task force looking into ternational aid and debt cancella- people sit up and listen, we must all ensure that the anonymous, the prevention and treatment of tion," he said.

He said Blair and Bush seemed powerless millions are given a HIV/AIDS. Bain told CNS that he" urged' "willing to listen to their African voice.to inform our decisions," Bush and Blair to recognize that counterparts and treat the issue of Bain wrote.

Abuse case against Worcester auxiliary bishop dismissed WORCESTER (CNS) - A civil lawsuit against Worcester Auxiliary Bishop George E. Rueger has been dismissed without prejudice by Superior Court Judge Tina S. Page.

Sime J. Braio, 52, of Shrewsbury, filed the suit in July 2002, alleging that Bishop Rueger sexually molested him when he was an altar boy at Our Lady, of Lourdes Parish in Worcester and later while he was at the Lyman School for Boys in Westboro.

Bishop Rueger has always denied the charges.

The suit also alleged that the Worcester diocese knowingly concealed information about the alleged assaults, but in September a superior court judge dismissed the lawsuit filed against the diocese, saying the diocese could not be held liable since there was no evidence that it knew of the alleged assault before 200 I. During a September hearing on the case, the judge dismissed Braio's lawyer, following Braio's decision to dismiss him. The judge postponed the case for 60 days to allow Braio to find new counsel, but he never found another lawyer to represent him. .

On November 19, Braio dropped his lawsuit against the bishop and asked the court to dismiss the suit without prejudice. He said he did this after speaking to Capt. Thomas G. Greene of the State Police Detective Bureau, .whom he claimed advised he drop the suit in light of an ongoing investigation into the allegations against Bishop Rueger.

But Greene told .The Catholic Free. Press, Worcester's diocesan newspaper, that he only told Braio "to. tell the judge that the state police were conducting an investigation into his allegations as reported."

The police investigation, which is still open, began in路 the spring of 2002 and has been unable to substantiate Braio's allegations against Bishop Rueger, according to Worcester District Attorney John Conte.

Following the dismissal of the lawsuit, Bishop Rueger released a statement saying he was grateful to Worcester Bishop Daniel P. Reilly for his enduring support.

"I am grateful to my brother priests, my sisters in religious life anQ all our wonderful lay people> whose prayers and kind words have sustained me," the bishop said.

Bishop Reilly likewise released a statement, saying he was "grateful for the prayers offered for Bishop Rueger during this difficult time."

He noted that during a press conference last year, he spoke of Bishop Rueger's long and distinguished career as a priest and bishop and called it "very sad that false allegations" were raised against "this noble servant of the Church." . Bishop Reilly said that for 16' months Bishop Rueger has carried the burden of the "terrible allegations in a profoundly Christian and noble manner, and he has never neglected his important responsibilities in the service of the diocese and its people."

He also made it cleanhat the ordeal with Bishop Rueger would not diminish the ongoing diocesan program to reach out to those who h~lVe been abused and are seeking healing.

Because the cases were dismissed without prejudice, Braio could bring them up again in the future, according to diocesan lawyer James G. Reardon Jr. of Reardon & Reardon, a Worcester law firm. But this is rarely done, he added.

BISHOP-DESIGNATE Felipe de Jesus Estevez poses for a photo with Miami Archbishop John C. Favalora November 21 at the Miami archdiocesan headquarters. The Cuban-born priest, director of spiritual formation at St. Vincent de Paul Regional Seminary in Boynton Beach, Fla., was named an auxiliary bishop of Miami by Pope John Paull!. (CNS photo

by Ana ROdriguez-Soto, Florida Catholic)

Cuban-born Florida' priest is auxiliary bishop of Miami" Gregorian ,University in Rome.

WASHINGTON (CNS) Pope John Paul II has named Cu- He is fluent in English, Spanish, ban-born Msgr. Felipe de Jesus French and Italian.

Miami Archbishop John C. Estevez, spiritual director at St. Vincent de Paul Regional Semi- Favalora said he looked forward nary in Boynton Beach, Fla., to to the "assistance and wise coun~ be an auxiliary bishop of Miami. sel" that Bishop-designate The appointment was an- Estevez would bring to the archnounced in Washington by Arch- ' diocese.

At the press conference anbishop Gabriel Montalvo, apostolic nuncio to the United States. nouncing his appointment, the At a press conference in Mi- . bishop-designate thanked all the ami, Bishop-designate Estevez bishops with whom he, has . said he was humbled by the ap- worked, including the late Archpointment and also ,called it an bishop.Coleman F. Carroll of Miami, who initially appointed "undeserved honor."

"I understand the ministry of him to St. Vincent de Paul Semibishops as a call to participate nary, he said, "in spite of my more deeply in the love of Christ youth."

He thanked Archbishop for his Church. It is a kind of love that involves a very real partici- Favalora "above all," for appointpation in the mystery of the ing him as spiritual director at the seminary and for his "active opencross," he added.

The 57-year-old bishop-desig- ness that I become his auxiliary nate has spent the past 28 years bishop."

The bishop-designate said he of his ministry in the Miami Archdiocese. Born in Cuba on Feb. 5, hoped to be a "promoter of unity , 1946, he was ordained in 1970 . in the midst of diversity," and to and carried out his priestly min- have a "heart open for all the istry in Honduras until 1975. He families, cultures and languages was incardinated into the Miami of our flock."

He also said he would do his Archdiocese in February 1979.

His appointment brings the collnt best to "draw the Church to live of active U.S. Hispanic bishops from the Eucharist."

Currently, the Miami Archdioto 25.

Two years ago, he was ap- cese, which serves 1.2 million pointed spiritual director of St. Catholics in 110 parishes, does not Vincent de Paul Regional Semi-, have any auxiliary bishops. Two nary, which is where he first previous auxiliaries, Bishops , started working in the archdiocese Gilberto Fernandez and Agustin A. Roman, both Cuban-born, are as a faculty member in 1975.

Prior to his most recent assign- now retired. Bishop Fernandez rement, Bishop-designate Estevez tired in 2002 and Bishop Roman was pastor of St. Agatha Church ,retired in June. Bishop Thomas G. in Miami for 14 years and was Wenski, a Florida native, who had rector of the regional seminary, been a Miami auxiliary bishop which serves the seve~ Catholic since 1997, was named coadjutor of Orlando this summer. dioceses in Florida.

Bishop-designate Estevez's He completed his philosophical and theological studies in episcopal ordination will take Montreal and received a doctor- place January 7 at the Cathedral ate in sacred theology from of St. Mary in Miami.

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Friday, November 28, 2003

FIRST-GRADERS in Margaret McCormick's class at Our Lady of Mount Carmel School, New Bedforej, gather for prayer.

Each afternoon students pray a decade of the rosary in h.onor of 路Our Blessed Mother.' Below, seventh-grader Chantalle . Chaves sits with her "two helpers Marissa Vargas and Leah Rego. The three worked together to carve pumpkins as part of a school project on weights and measures.

THESE STUDENTS from' St. Mary's School; Mansfield,. dressed as路their favorite saints during. a, recent Mass at St. Mary's Church. Ifwas part of a project researching saints arid each stucjent made a costume to represent.her or his chosen saint. Mass was celebrated by Father Darius Kalinowski and . 'a reception followed for parents and parishioners in. the parish center.

STUDENTS FROM St. Joseph School, Fairhaven, recently participated in a fashion show to benefit the scho.ol. The evening began with aspaghetti supper and thEm students, parents and grandparents showed off the latest fashions provided byJ.C. Penny. From left路are seventh-graders Hillary Isaksen, Samantha Melanson and Abigail Bolduc. . .

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THESE GIRLS from Holy, Family-Holy Name School, New Bedford, recently teamed up for a project. Seventh-graders acting as "guardian angels" make visits to the second-grade classroom for activities througl:lout the school year. Here they were workingt6gether on a story..

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Friday, November 28, 2003

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Why does forgiveness rr:-atter?

By CHARLIE

LOW Everybody's talking But they don't say a thing They look at me with sad eyes But I don't want the sympathy It's cool you didn't want me Sometimes you can't go back But why'd you have to go and make a mess like that?

Well I just have to say Before I go Refrain: Have you ever been low?

Have you ever had a friend that let you down so?

When the truth came out Were you the last to know?

Were you left out in the cold?

What you did was low.

No I don't need your number There's nothing left to say Except I never thought it'd hurt this much to be safe My friends are outside waiting I've gotta go.

(Repeat refrain.)

'1 walk out of this darkness With no sense of regret And I go without precautions We both know that you can't say that Just to show For all the time I loved you so.

(Repeat refrain twice.) . Sung by Kelly Clarkson Album: "Thankful" Copyright (c) 2003 by RCA

TEEN-AGERS RAISE their hands in song during the opening'ceremony of the 2003 National Catholic Youth Conference "River of Life" celebration in Houston, sponsored by the National Federation for Catholic Youth Ministry. Bishop Joseph A. Fiorenza of Galveston-Houston welcomed some 23,000 young people to Reliant Stadium for the event. (CNS photo by Jonah Dycus, Texas Catholic Herald)

Catholic youths share faith/at national conference in Houston HOUSTON (CNS) - A shared faith, a sense of communion, and plenty of song and prayer flowed through the 23,000 young people attending the 2003 National Catholic Youth Conference, held at the Houston sports complex of Reliant Park recel1tly.

High-school-age teens from all over the nation gathered at the "River of Life" celebration sponsored by the National Federation for Catholic Youth Ministry and hosted by the Diocese of Galveston-Houston.

MARTIN • CATHOLIC NEWS SERVICE

Forgiveness is complex. Forgiving is one option for the girl in Kelly Clarkson's latest release "Low." The song is the followup to her previous hit "Miss Independent." Both are off of Clarkson's debut disc "Thankful."

The song does not say what type of relationship - a friendship? a dating relationship? was betrayed, but there is no

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doubt the betrayal was painful.

The girl asks, "Have you ever had a friend that let you down so?"

We don't know what the other person actually did, but the girl says, "What you did was low."

She. knows how she feels about future contact with this person: · "No, I don't need your number; there's nothing left to say." She is ready to "walk out of this darkness with no sense of regret."

Establishing this c1car boundary about further contact is a nec· essary step in healing her pain.

However, if she wants to leave the hurt in the past; she also needs to How do you forgive a frien'd forgive the person.

What does that mean? who has hurt you?

During the opening ceremony in Reliant Stadium, Bishop Joseph A. Fiorenza of Galveston~Houston welcomed the thousands of young guests.

He and Auxiliary Bishops Vincent M. Rizzotto and Jose S. Vasquez made their stadium entrance by horse-drawn carriage.

"You have come from different parts of this wonderful country to gather here toge.ther as a body ofChrist, to express the great faith you have in Jesus and the love that you want to bring -to the world," Bishop Fiorenza said.

Forgiveness is not as simple as saying "I forgive you." First, she must do exactly what she already has begun, that is, face her anger and hurt. You cannot let go of something that you deny exists or that you pretend is "not so bad."

At some point a person like the girl in the song will know that she has honored her emotions but no longer wants to focus on them. She is ready to move on to the promise that her life continues to offcr.

When she reaches this point, she is more ready to forgive. Forgiveness is not only a process but also a decision. Sometimes it is easier to make this decision when you see that there are reasons, but not excuses, forthe other's behavior. The hurt is still real, but you can sce causes behind the action that caused the hurt. Taking this view means looking at another with the spiritual allitudeof compassion.

When we forgive wc choose to let go of what has occurred even . though we still remembcr the situation. Such a decision mayor may not affect the other person, but it always brings emotional freedom to the one who forgives.

What I write here about forgiveness is condensed to fit into this column. Much more could be said. Almost all of us need God's help to arrive at true forgiveness.

When we forgive, we begin to possess a new lightness of spirit.

We are free once more to live in the present moment where the wonder of life and the healing of God always exist.

Your comments are always welcome. Please write to me at: chmartin@swindiana.net or at 7125W 2008, Rockport, IN 47635.

The new girl in freshman year

By KAREN DIETLEIN CATHOLIC NEWS SERVICE' I remember it like yesterday: The lot of us in our absurd mortarboar9s and flimsy gowns, lined up outside the splendid old vaudeville theater where we finally would receive our high school qiplomas and make the transition from giggly teen-agers into serious, studious adults. We were brimming with dreams.

Recently, I found myself 'Iooking t.hrough pictures taken that·humid June evening, thinking about friends whose stories I know well. One is finishing up a master's .degree in linguistics, one is close by and working as a massage therapist, 'another moved to San Francisco to take a lucrillive job in computers.

But then I see Carla's face-

. about as high as the temperature off the radar. curly black hair, round plastic There ar~ options for tcens in mid-January. . glasses, lonely, perfect smile like Carla, and sometimes it When we all blabbed about and draw a blank. Nobody's takes a caring friend to point our colIege plans in senior heard from her in years. them out. Not having enough year, she mildly shrugged and I think everyone knows money for college isn't necessomebody like her. sarily a barrier to going: High She was the new girl in school guidance counselors can freshman year. She spent a help teens find the million miserable month tJeing ignored different loans, scholarships and by her classmates and teased by · two-year options that can help the boys about her weight them get a leg up on life. And' before we sat next to her on the there are people they can talk to bleachers in gym class and about overcoming what they introduced ourselves. · feel in the face of those incredWe never found'out that ibly cruel teens who may teas~ said that her family didn't have much about her. She was them about their. weight, . the moncy to send her anysecretive about hcr home life, . " where. interests or,appearancc. Most but we knew her parents were 'teachers 'are more than willing , We knew she was hurting, divorced. She was very smart but never en~husiastic cnough to but we didn't know the extent of to sit down ·lifter school and help them feel better about doing it untii we were in different give school a' real go, and thus cities, at col1egc. By then, it was schoolwork. earned sub-par grades. 'No And, most of all, tcens ;lave ' too late: Carla slipped through . mailer what we did to cheer her theirfriends'- people who can everyone's fingers and dropped up, her self-c'steem remained

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provide love and support to make sure that these teens are connected with adults who can help them, whether these adults are teachers, cOI:Jnselors, family members.

Fight for your friends! Life . can be hard for teen-agers these days. But w((can get by, as the Beatles said, with a littlc help from our friends.

High school is more than just a rest stop on the road to "real life.'.' High sc~ool is real .Iife.

It'~ real for every teen who walks thtough the homeroom . door every morning, real for the :boyson the football field, the, , girls iri the science lab, the kids throwing pudding in the cafeteria ~ and the,lo'nely, silent,· sullen girl on the bleachers, who . may just be cryingou~ for a real friend. . ,

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Friday, November 28, 2003 '

ADVENT REFLECTION: The Annunciation Editor's note: The Anchoris pleased.toannounce that Congregation of Holy Cross Father Thomas Feeley will offer Adventrenections this blessed season.

-------------.. ,Born' and raised in New Bedford, Father Feeley made his religious profession in the Congregation ofHoly Cross in 1945.

He taughtphjlosophyat Stonehill CoHege for,more'than 3S years ,andcUrrentlyis the ri¢e postula': tor ofthe Cause for Canonization : ofServant of God Father Patrick . .·o!'eyton, CS~..

tioned the ang~l. "How can this come about since I am a virgin?" But Mary's question, unlike Zechariah's, springs from belief, from a desire to know how she can cooperate wi~ God. She is told that the Holy Spirit will overshadow her and her Son would be called "Son of the Most High." Mary did not ask for a sign but is given one. She ,is told that'her cousin Elizabeth, who is elderly and thought to be barren, is already six months pregnant." For nothing is impossible to God."

cry has echoed down through the centuries. For all generations of believers have called Mary blessed.

Christ told us: "If anyone loves me he will keep my word and my Father will love him and we will come and make our home with him" (In 14:23). If we meditate during Advent on the story of the Annunciation, as Luke's Gospel has tQld it, we' will open our minds to God's message and our hearts to his love, as Mary did. . ' , ' , We will let God make his home in us and then we will . Zechariah's disbelief left him i;olated, deaf ~nd celebrate Christ's birthday, and every day, with joy in dumb, unable to enter into communion with others. our hearts.

Mary had .Qperie~ herself to God. in faith, and bearing , Holy Cross Family Mhiistries, 'which carries on the God wi~hin her,' went in haste to helpl)etcousin Eliza, '. beth, who was in the last tm'ee months p.fher pregnancy, works ofServant ofGOd Father Patrick Peyton, CSC, .

FATHER THOMAS ,During' Ad~eri~ wl?:prepare' and sang her Magmficat: ':' .:". :': " is headquartered in North Easton, and serves Jesus FEELEY, esc ourselves for the:'comiflg 'of t h e ' . ' ..... , Christ and His Church bypromoting and supporting Lord and th~ Church would have . Lrtk~:is telling u~ th~i wh~~'o~:·.hiiih is weak and the spiritual well-being of the family in lS countries us meditate on the life of Our Lady:tb:heip ·iJs:iil our were~se to p~tOJ.lT ~~~ iii. Go~,:-;we:.withdraw into worldwide. For more information calISOD-299-PRAY,' .' ",". :' ourselves lik~ Z;eShar;iali. ,We ~e.·then: f<.>rcedto rely on or log on to w~hcfm.org. preparation. " '., '..0' our own resources"and to confroilt the pTOi>lems of life or Mary, from the first mom~~t of hero~Oriception alone. Aware 'o(ciur limitations' and conscious of our to the very end of her life, was full of·grace. That is to past failur~s, w~ ·los~· our optimism and become cautious. For we :don't ",vant'to fail and we say, Mary always responded perfectly. to. God's inspirations. She never sinned. She always did what was right Jrnow, too;' that in~o\verilfint with others . and good. She practiced all the virtues.. $hewas kind ..'can lead !o bufden~oine:obl~gations. and gentle, generous, courageoiIs, compassionate, . Trusting'onlyiriourselves we learn :to friendly. She was a person with whom you wouldn't find excuses. We withdraw from others find fault, yet she never provoked feelings of jealousy and find ourselves alone, bored, and emor embarrassment in others because of her great humilbittered. ity and selfless love. She was the kind of person who evoked respect and admiration.

Sometimes ,our excuses for withdrawing are valid, but even when we can't We find all these virtues of Our Lady implicit in work with others we can still lend our Luke's account of the Annunciation. For, as Pope St. support by showing interest, offering adLeo tells us, "Mary conceived God in her heart before vice and encouragement. We can be enshe conceived him in her body." But there is one virtue thusiastic, a word which comes from a of hers that Luke emphasizes in his account of the An- Greek word meaning "to be under God's nunciation by drawing a sharp contrast between the re- .influence." When we believe, we can be sponses of Zechariah and Mary to the messages the truly enthusiastic because our hearts are angel brought them. open to God's grace. Our hearts are in the right place. . ' Zechariah is an old priest fulfilling his priestly duties in the Temple in Jerusalem; Mary is a young girl at When our ,faith is strong we trust God, draw her home in NaZaretlt, an insignificant town of Galilee. our strength from Him, and look for opportuniZechariah is frightened by the appearance of the angel; ties to do good. We go in haste, as Mary did, to Mary is troubled by his'greeting, "Hail, full of grace." be of service t9 those in need with unwavering trust in God's help, unflagging zeal in our ef.When told that hi~ wife would bear him a son, forts,and deep: abiding joy in our hearts.

Zechariah questions out of disbelief. "How can this be?

I'm an oldman and my wife is getting on in years." He St. us know that Mary is demanded a sign and is struck deaf and dumb in punour model in faith, for later in the gospel story ishment.

Mary visits Elizabeth. The elderly woman, aware that Mary is carrying the Lord within her, cries out When told she is to bear a son, Mary also quesin a loud voice, "Blessed is she who believed," and her '

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Colorado couple releases children's DVD teaching rosary prayers TIle Rosaty Projoct presents. . . .,

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Seven r~'yers in Seven Languages

DENVER (CNS) - Catholic parents beware: There's a new tool available to teach itV"ants and young children how to' pray, but you may find yourself singing the catchy "Holy Baby!" theme I song - nonstop.

Created by a Boulder couple with four boys ages one to nine, the "Holy Baby! Seven Prayers in Seven Languages" DVD teaches the seven'prayers of the rosary.in seven languages. The 30-minute program is hosted by Baby Scholastica - a threedimensional animated baby dressed as a nun - who starts the show with a playful cast of dancing letters.

The show proceeds to a performance of "Jesus Loves the Little Children" featuring live babies, toddlers and young children playing. Then it's on to making the sign of the cross and saying the Apostles Creed, Our Father and Hail Mary as well as "0 My Jesus" and "Hail, Holy Queen." Each is recited seven times, each time in a different language.

Parents have the option of playing the DVD in o'ne language only - English, Spanish, French, Latin, Vietnamese, German or Portuguese - if they :prefer.

Co-creators and directors Dede and Wayne Laugesen said the DVD is a response tp Pope John Paul II's call in 2002 for Catholics to instill the rosary and other prayers in children thus the company's name: The Rosary Project.

"We've sought to give families a 'positive, impassioned and

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creative' approach to the rosary, as the Holy Father called for," said joumalist-turned-full-time-mom Dede Laugesen.

The DVD combines simple, visual images - toys and bright· " lights and colors - with musical, repetitive, prayerful meditation.

"In a way, it's an electronic prayer mobile," Wl;lyne Laugesen told the DenverCatholic Register, newspaPer ofthe p~n.ver Archdiocese. He is the former editor of the Boulder Weekly and now is a frequent contributor to the National· Catholic Register.

Intended to be entertaining, educational and catechetical, "Holy Baby!" features major languages of the world to enhance language development as well as to empryasize the universality of Catholicism. .

"The Catholic Hour," which airs on a local station, plan~ to feature "Holy Baby!" on an u~oming show. The Eternal Word Television Network also will be airing it. , ''They are going to, do a. ~ondensed version and run it routinely," Wayne LaugeSeh said~ "We're hoping that will start this .. .. ' . . ..

Christmas season."

"Holy Baby!" is the first ina planned series of DVDs focused on Catholic themes for children from infancy to age five.

Future.themes will include the mysteries of the rosary, St. Francis of Assisi, the Eucharist and the communion of saints.

The "Holy Baby!" DVD can be ordered online at: www.TheRosaryProject.com. or by calling: (800) 511-1514.

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