11.30.07

Holiday shopping can have a Pro-Life punch

By GAIL BESSE ANCHOR CORRESPONDENT

BOSTON - This Advent, even busy shoppers can ~ffortlessly raise money to make more room at the inn for pregnant women who need help as they carry the gift of life.

With affinity and cause marketing programs, consumers have new ways to support ever-needy ProLife causes while shopping for presents, food, and even wine.

At no extra cost to themselves, shoppers can make regular purchases with businesses that donate a portion of the items' price back to a participating charity.

For example, five percent of.

Amazon.com purchases can go to a non-profit like Massachusetts Citizens for Life, which promotes education and legislation. All that's needed is to enter the Amazon site through a portal on masscitizensforlife.org, the MCFL Website.

Similarly, shoppers can avoid

businesses known to be big corporate supporters of today's King Herod - Planned Parenthood, which has killed about 4 million unborn children in the U.S. alone.

"As Christians, we can't spend our money on purchases that even. tually end up taking life when Jesu~ Christ has given us eternal life," noted Pro-Life activist James Hartline of San Diego. "We believers need to honor Jesus through the way we spen9 our money during the Christmas season."

Hartline has led a two-year nationwide boycott of poinsettia plants because 70-80 percent of all American poinsettias are grown from cuttings produced at the Ecke Ranch in California. Ecke family members are major Planned Parenthood donors.

In a report published on the American Life League Website, Hartline asks Christians to spread the word as their families and Turn to page 18 - Pro-Life

Diocesan Communications director responds to Fall River editorial rapping Church - Page seven

o HOLY NIGHT -

Visitors from all over New England and beyond travel to the National Shrine of Our Lady of La Salette to witness the Festival of Lights every year. This year's theme is "Love is Born."

Pictured are the lights surrounding the Rosary Walk and pond. (Photo by Matt McDonald)

Pilgrims trek from far and wide to see the Way, the Truth - and the lights By

MArT McDONALD ANCHOR STAFF

ATTLEBORO - Thirty-five minutes before showtime last Saturday, 11 buses were parked in the overflow lot at the National Shrine of Our Lady of La Salette in anticipation ofthe Christmas lights display there.

The pilgrims weren't disappointed,. as about 5 p.m. much of the expansive property lit up like, well, a Christmas tree.

That is, a Christmas tree with about 400,000 lights. ''It's just plain beautiful, that's all.

I just can't pick out one thing. Your eyes are all over the place. They do an arnazing job," said Sal Demetrio, of

Chelsea, who was visiting with his wife Aorence, their daughter, and their daughter's husband.

This is the 54th annual Christmas lights display at the La Salette Shrine at 947 Park Street in Attleboro. It runs 5 to 9 p.m. from Thanksgiving night through January 1.

This year's theme is "Love is Born.'.' ' . The transfonnation of the shrine property on Route 118 in Attleboro as twilight recedes is startling, as members of the Frias Family learned Saturday.

It had been years since Todd Frias, his wife Katie, and Todd's parents Bill and Ann had been to the Christmas

lights display. They decided to go last weekend, along with Todd and Katie's daughter, Maggie, a year and five months old.

They were a little nervous upon approaching the dark shrine shortly before 5. '~s we were pulling in all ofa sudden they turned the lights on. It was very cool," said Katie Frias, who along with Todd and Maggie lives in Somerset. "It was like, 'Hit the lights, we're here.'" '~d they did," said her motherin-law, Ann Frias, who along with Bill lives in Swansea.

Todd Frias of Somerset said the Turn to page 20 - Lights

Cape parish to host Night of Prayer for Life On December 8 at midnigqt it will join thousands of Americans in prayers for the unborn

By DEACON JAMES

N.

DUNBAR

OSTERVILLE - A dozen or more people will spend one of four hours in prayer and eucharistic adoration in Our Lady of the Assumption Church in the early night hours on December 8, the feast of the Immaculate Conception.

And as midnight strikes, the designated "Hour of Unity" wiIllink thousands of American Catholics in all four time zones across the nation in an appeal to the Mother of God to restore the sanctity of life in the lives of people everywhere.

"There's much significance here," explained Larry K. Burke of Marstons Mills, a parishioner of Our Lady of the Assumption Parish and one of the planners for the prayer sessions that begins at 9 p.m.

i "It was on the feast of the Immaculate Conception that used to be celebrated on December 9, that Our Lady of Guadalupe, patroness of the Americas and the unborn, first appeared" to natiJe Aztec convert, and now St. Juan Diego, at Tepeyac in 1531. "The National Night of Prayer for Life bridges the two feasts of Our Lady on which we traditionally pray that respect for life will be restored," Burke told The Anchor.

The feast of Our Lady of Guadalupe is celebrated December 12 in the universal Church.

Burke said that the prayer night is the result of a grass roots movement spearheaded by Anne Murphy on Long Island, N.Y., in 1982.

Turn to page 19 - Prayer

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NOVEMBER

30,2007

Pope praises, Vatican beatifies Italian whose writings were long condemned

By CAROL GLATZ

service of Christians."

He said Blessed Rosmini's VATICAN CITY - Pope message that reason and faith Benedict XVI praised the life and should be intertwined has "burnexample of a 19th.-century Ital- ing relevance" for today's world ian philosopher and religious-or- where there is "a steady eclipse der foundet whose writings had of God and his providence." been condemned by the Church The cardinal told 30 Giorni, until six years ago. an Italian magazine, he was Blessed Antonio Rosmini was "truly happy" to see this "great, a great priest and an "illustrious bright, prophetic thinker" finally man of culture~' who generously elevated to "the glory of the aldedicated his life to harmonizing tars." . the relationship between reason In an interview published in and faith, the pope said just a few the magazine's September issue, hours before Cardinal Jose Cardinal SaraivaMartins said beSaraiva Martins led the recent be- cause the 1887 condemnation atification cerwas issued postemony in the hum 0 u sly MEETING OF THE MINDS - Pope Benedict XVI meets with cardinals and bishops prior to a consistory northern Italian "Rosmini was . at the Vatican in this March 23, 2006, file photo. The pope is presiding over his second consistory, city of Novara. not able to de- inducting 23 new cardinals into the Church's most exclusive body. (CNS photo/L'Osservatore RoIn remarks fend himself" mano via Reuters) made shortly affrom propositer his midday tions that were Angelus prayer in fact in St. Peter's "pulled out of Square, the pope their context asked that and therefore

By CINDY WOODEN B I e sse d ,interpreted arbiMass both belong to the Church and veloped and changed over the centuCATHOLIC NEWS SERVICE ries "we must recognize that the litare a sign of continuity.

Rosmini's extrarily."

"Regarding the Tridentine Mass, urgy has a particular 'conservative' VATICAN CITY -A lackofreample help the However, a Church, "especycle of investi- spect for the norms for celebrating the over the years there was a growing characteristic" because it is a part of cially Italian gations, con- Mass after the Second Vatican Coun- request, which little by littl~ became the Church's heritage that must be preserved. . cil contributed to Pope Benedict more organized,!' he said. ecclesial com- THE MIGHTY PEN _ Blessed demnations .and ''This is a central aspect: We are "On the other side, fidelity to the XVI's decision to irant wider permis~unities, grow Antonio Rosmini is portrayed at commendat~ons sion for the celebration of the . norms for the celebration of the sac- called to be faithful to something that In the aw~reness a writing desk in this image re- ,from the VatIcan Tridentine Mass, a Vatican official raments continued to fall," he said. does not belong to us, but is given to _ that the lIght of leased by the Diocese of Novara, also occurred said. ''The more this fidelity (and) a sense us," he said. human reason Italy. (CNS photo/courtesy Dio- during Blessed L'Osservatore also asked Arch"There is a certain tendency to of the beauty and awe in the liturgy and grace, when cese of Novara) Rosmini's life. interpret the post-conciliar liturgical diminished, the more requests for the bishop Ranjith about liturgical muthey walk toTwp of his sic and art, saying they were other Tridentine Mass increased." reform using 'creativity' as the rule," gether, become a source of bless- books - "The Five Wounds of "So, in fact, who really requested aspects in "the debate about the litsaid Archbishop Albert Malcolm _ ing for the human person and for the Church" and "The ConstituRanjith Patabendige Don, secretary the Tridentine Mass? It was not just urgy." society." tion According to Social Justice" Gregorian chant has a special of the Congregation for Divine Wor- these groups, but also those who had Blessed Rqsmini, who lived - were placed on the Index of ship and the Sacraments. little respect for the norms of a wor- place in the liturgy, he said, and it 1797-1855, founded the Institute Forbidden Books in 1849.

An interview with the archbishop thy celebration according to the should be used "to give praise to the of Charity - also known as the But six years later a top-level was published in the November 19- 'Novus Ordo,'" or new order, he said, Lord."

Rosminian Fathers - and the Vatican review of all of his pub- 20 edition of L'Osservatore I,?omano, referring to the post-Vatican II liturgy.

Other forms of music also are apCongregation of the Rosminian lished works led to a judgment the Vatican newspaper, after he had "For years the liturgy suffered too propriate,_ he said, if one is sure that Sisters of Providence. .

by Pope Pius ,IX that they were given a speech and:an interview in many abuses and many bishops ig- ''they are edifying for the faith, that The road to his beatification free from heterodoxy. which he criticized bishops and nored them" despite the efforts of they spiritually nourish those who had been impeded by an 1887 While he was alive, Blessed priests who were putting restrictions Pope John Paul II, Archbishop participate in the liturgy and truly dispose the hearts of the faithful to lisVatican condemnation of 40 pro- Rosmini's attempts to find a way on celebrations of the Tridentine Ranjith said.

"So the problem was not requests ten to God's voice." posals selected from works writ- to bridge the gap between Catho- Mass even after Pope Benedict auAs for the visual arts, Archbishop ten by the Italian priest. lic philosophy and secular phi- thorized wider use of the rite in July. for the Tridentine Mass as much as In his decree, the pope said the an unlimited abuse ofthe nobility and Ranjith said the Church must find But in 2001, the Vatican Con- losophy was seen as a dangerous w~ys to enter into a deeper dialogue gregation for the Doctrine of the concession to those who thought Tridentine Mass celebrated accord- dignity ofthe eucharistic celebration," with artists to encourage religious art, ing to the 1962 Roman Missal should he said.

Faith, headed then by Cardinal reason alone could lead people to but also to ensure that pieces of art in be made available in every parish Archbishop Ranjith said that alJoseph Ratzinger who is now truth and ultimate happiness. places of worship help people pray. where groups though the Church's liturgy has deof the faithful desire it.

Pope Benedict, declared that the His popularity with the papal r--"- -----_ ..._--He also said the Mass from the Ropositions condemned 114 years court was not enhanced by his beOFFICIAL NEWSPAPER OF THE ago did not accurately reflect lief that the unification of Italy man Missal in use since 1970 remains DIOCESE OF FALL RIVER Vol. 51, No. 46 Blessed Rosmini's thinking or was inevitable and the Vatican the ordinary form of the Mass, while celebration of the Tridentine Mass is Member: Catholic Press Ass<X:iauon, Catholic News Service beliefs. should loosen its temporal grip on PUblished weekly except for two weeks in the summer and the week after the extraordinary form.

Historians said the proposi- the Papal States, supporting the Christmas by the Catholic Press of the Diocese of Fall River, 887 Highland Avenue, .

L'Osservatore introduced the inFall River, MA 02720, Telephone 508-675·7151 - FAX 508·675·7048, email: tions were pulled out of the con- formation of a confederation of terview by saying, ''The debate over theanchor@anchomews.org.·Subscription price by mail, pos1paId $14.00 per year. text in which they were written. Italian states in order to safeguard Send address changes to P.O. Box 7, Fall River, MA, call or use email address liturgy is as open and lively as ever."

In his homily during the No- the independence of the papacy.

PUBLISHER· Most Reverend George W. Coleman The paper asked Archbishop Ranjith vember 18 beatification Mass, Blessed Rosmini is seen by if he thought it made sense that the EXECUTIVE EDITOR Fa1her Roger J. Landry fatherrogerlandry@anchomews.org EDITOR David B. Jollvet davelolivet@anchornews.org Cardinal Saraiva Martins said el- many as having helped inspire pope's July document on the NEWS EDITOR Deacon James N. Dunbar Jimdunbar@anchornews.org evating the Italian philosopher to some of the reforms made dur- Tridentine Mass "reignited the conREPORTER Matt McDonald mattmcdonald@anchornews.org REPORTER Brian Kennedy briankennedy@anchomews.org blessed "will certainly help re- ing the Second Vatican Council, frontation between the so-called traOFACE MANAGER Mary Chase marychase@anchornews.org store the friendship between rea- especially, Cardinal Saraiva Mar- ditionalists and so-called innovators."

Send Letters to the Editor to: fathem>gerlandry@anchomews.org son and faith, between religion, tins said, in the area of religious "Absolutely not," the archbishop POSTMAS1ERS send address changes to The Anchor, P.O. Box 7, Fall River, MA 02722. ethical behavior and the public freedom and human dignity.

TIlE ANCHOR (USPS-S45-mG) Periodical Postage Paid at Fall River, Mass. 'replied, because the two rites for the CATHOLIC NEWS SERVICE

Vatican official: Abuse of norms contributed to Tridentine decision

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The Anchor

NOVEMBER

30,2007

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THE INTERNATIONAL CHURCH ,

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Argentine president-elect expected to mend relationship with Church BUENOS AIRES, Argentina to request a meeting with Fernandez (CNS) - In a conciliatory gesture to congratulate her on her election towai-ct the Church, Argentine Presi- victory, a strong sign of a potential dent-elect Cristina Fernandez re- rapprochement.

Relations between the Church and ceived the Vatican secretary of state alongside her husband, former Presi- the government reached a crisis point dent Nestor Kirchner, in Buenos in 2005 when the head ofArgentina's military diocese wrote a letter to Aires.

Cardinal Tarcisio Bertone met Health Minister Gines Gonzalez conwith the presidential couple Novem- taining a quotation from the Gospel ber 14 at the end of his t:rlp to Argen- of Mark, Chapter.9, Verse 42: "And tina to preside over the Qrst beatifi- if anyone causes one of these little cation of an Argentine Mapuche In- ones who believe (in me) to sin, it dian, Ceferino Namundura, in the , would be better for him if a great millPatagonian community of Chimpay. stone were put around his neck and After the meeting; Cardinal he were thrown into the sea."

Gonzalez had spoken out in favor . Bertone said he hoped Fernandez, who was elected October 28 with 45 of abortion in cases of rape. Abortion percent of the votes, would be'able is illegal in Argentina except if the to ''take the country out qfpurgatory pregnancy was the result of the rape DISTURBING SCENE - Police, most of them females, stand in front of the cathedral in Mexico City and elevate it to paradise." of a mentally disabled women or if in this file photo from April. Services at the cathedral were suspended by the Mexico City Archdiocese Fernandez, who will be sworn in the woman's life is at risk. after leftist protesters disrupted a November 19 Mass. (CNS photo/Reuters) Bishop Antonio Baseotto's comDecember 10for a four-year term, has signaled she will attempt to mend ments at the time were received angovernment-Church relations, which grily by Kirchner, who recalled the deteriorated dramatically during her image of bodies thrown from planes into the sea during the 1970s' mili- , husband's administratiOl1.

A few days before being elected. tary dictatorship. He asked the VatiBy lOAN GRILLO Obrador's Democratic Revolution Norberto Rivera Carrera of support- Feinandez spoke out against abortion. can to replace Bishop Baseotto as CATHOUC NEWS SERVICE Party, condemned the incident but ing President Felipe Calderon during At the meeting with Cardinal head of the military diocese.

The Vatican refused, but MEXICO CITY - Church offi- called for an investigation into why the 2006 election campaign. Mexico's Bertone, she also invited Pope . ciaIs closed and locked Mexico City's the church bells were sounding for 1917 Constitution bans clergy from, BenedictXVI to visit in 2008 to mark Kirchner's government downgraded Metropolitan Cathedral and sus-, such a long time. the 30th anniversary ofthe resolution his civilian rank. any intervention in politics.

"We deny responsibility for these Bishop Baseotto resigned with he pended all services afterabout 150 Cardinal Rivera's vocal opposition of a territorial dispute between Chile leftist protesters stormed into to Mexico City laws permitting andArgentina over the B~gle Chan-, reached the Church's retirement age a Sunday Mass shouting sloabortion and gay civil unions nel on the most southern tip of the ' of75 this year. His replacement is one "The protesters came in threaten- also angers leftists. gans and kicking over pews. continent. The Vatican!' is credited of the pending issues Fernandez will Father Hugo Valdemar, ing and assaulting. Many of the faithCardinal Rivera was in with averting armed conflict between face after she is sworn in next month. spokesman for the Mexico ful were injured: old people, crying Rome November 19 but has the neighboring nations" by mediatOnly the pope can choose his sucCity Archdiocese, said No- children," Father Avila said. "We voiced full support for the sus- ing a resolution.' cessor, but as president Fernanqez vember 19 that the cathedral cannot go on like this. " Cardinal Jorge Bergoglio of must approve the choice under pension of Masses, Father will not resume Masses until Buenos Aires, president oftheArgen- agreement signed by the Vatican and路 Valdemar said. federal and city police ~an In 1926, the Catholic tine bishops' conference! is expected Argentina in 1957. guarantee security. It is the first time acts," Acosta said on Mexico's W Ra- Church suspended Masses across the cathedral has suspended services dio.

Mexico after assailants carried out since Mexico's Cristero uprisings in Lopez Obrador, who says he wants bombings and killings in churches the 1920s, he said. to lift millions ofMexicans out ofpov- and President Plutarco Elias Calles "We have to take this action before erty, has always described his move- introduced tough anti-clericallaws.

Sacred Heart Home, a 217-bed long term care and rehabilitative there is bloodshed," Father Valdemar ment as nonviolent and says he supSome 90,000 people were killed facilit~, sponsored!lby the Dic;x:ese of Fall River, is seeking a told Catholic News Service. "We need ports demonstrations and civil resis- in the ensuing Cristero warbefore the .

Director of Pastoral Care. police to launch a public campaign tance. government and Church reached an IF YOU HAVE: showing we are being protected:' He accused Mexico City Cardinal accord in 1929.

A Bachelor's d~gree with a background in theology' .Leftist leader Andres Manuel Certification by the NACC completed or in progress Lopez Obrador, who lost the 2006 Participation in or completion of an accredited pastoral presidential race by a razor-thin mar.. educ~tion program and ecclesiastical endorsemen~ gin, was leading a protest in the plaza Strong organiz*tional, team building and communication adjoining the cathedral. Lopez skills Obrador claims the election was - Experience in health care preferred rigged and calls himself Mexico's "leII gitimate president."

RESPONSIBILITIES INCLUDE: November 25, 2007 The ringing of the church bells Developing and implementing programs that provide spiritual t f" during one ofthe rally's speeches anMedjugorje, Bosnia-Herzegovina 'I J :' support, growth arid development for residents, family and \ gered the demonstrators. staff.

I A breakaway group stormed past "Dear children! Today, when you celebrate Christ, the King a line of police and 'charged up the We offer: " of all that is created, I desire for Him to be the King of your cathedral aisle. They finally left after and benefits package in addition to Competitive compensation lives. Only through giving, little children, can you comprehend the bells stopped ringing and other a positive, energetic work environment. the gift of Jesus' sacrifice on the Cross for each of you. Little protesters ~alled for moderation. children, give time to God that He may transform you and fill Father Ruben Avila Blancas, who If interested, please send your resume by mail, fax or e-mail to: you with His grace, so that you may be a grace for others. For , was in the church, described it as an ' you, little children, I am a gift of grace and love, which comes act of terrorism.

Administrator from God for this peaceless world. ' ''The protesters came in threatenSacred Heart Home ''Thank you for having responded to my call." ing and assaulting. Many ofthe faith359 Summer Street ful were injured: old people, crying Spiritual Life Center of Marian Community New Bedford, MA 02745 , 154 Summer Street ' children," FatherAvila said. ''We can, Fax 508-996-5189 not go on like this."

Medway, MA 02053路 Tel. 508-533-5377 E-mail jgolitz@dhfo.org EOE Paid advenisement GuadalupeAcosta, head ofLopez

Mexico cathedral suspends Masses after protesters knock over pews

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an

Director of Pastoral Care

Our Lady's Monthly Message From Medjugorje

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NOVEMBER

30, 2007

IN SERVICE TO THE SERVICE - Archbishop Timothy P. Broglio, a Cleveland native who is apostolic nuncio to the Dominican Republic and oelegate to Puerto Rico, center, talks to a woman at the headquarters of the U.S. Archdiocese for the Military Services after a recent press conference where he was introduced as the new head of the archdiocese. At right is Auxiliary Bishop Richard B. Higgins of the military archdiocese. The appointment of Archbishop Broglio was announced in Washington by Archbishop Pietro Sambi, apostolic nuncio to the United States. (CNS photo/Bob Roller)

Political document debate continues: Cardinal O'Malley raps Democrats

By NANCY FRAZIER O'BRIEN CATHOLIC NEWS SERVICE

REACHING HEAVENWARD - St. Patrick's Cathedral is seen from Rockefeller Plaza in New York November 20. Pope Benedict XVI will visit New York in April to address the United Nations, celebrate Mass at the cathedral and stop at the site where the twin towers of the World Trade Center stood before the 2001 terrorist attacks destroyed them. (CNS photo/Chip East, Reuters)

PILGRIMAGE TO

"GUADALUPE, MEXICO" Spiritual Director: Fr. Joseph P. McDermott, Pastor Immaculate Conception Church .

122 Canton Street, Stoughton, MA 02072

PROPOSED ITINERARY: Date: February 15-21, 2008 (7 days, .6 nights) Amount: $1,739.00 per person, Double Occupancy ($320.00 - Single Supplement) INCLUSIVE FEATURES: - Round trip air on Continental Airlines - Round trip transfers to hotel - Guadalupe Shrine - Baggage handling - Pyramids & Museum - City of Puebla - 6 Nights accommodations @ Hotel Melia (5 Star) - Our Lady of Octolan Shrine - Hotel tax & the service charges - St. Juan Diego's Home - 6 Breakfasts, 4 Lunches, 6 Dinners - Floating Gardens - All sight-seeing per itinerary by - San Miguel de Milagro private bus with the service - City Tour of Mexico; Cathedral of English Speaking Guide - Folklore Shows (2) - Daily Mass attendance if possible - Mariachi Dinner Show

For further information you may contact Margaret Oliverio 781-762-2029 or 781路344路2073

WASHINGTON - Judging from some of the early reaction to the U.S. bishops' "Forming Consciences for Faithful Citizenship," debate about the more than 1O,OOO-word document on political responsibility overwhelmingly approved by the bishops November 14 is far from over. ' Cardinal Sean P. O'Malley of Boston drew national attention when he told The Boston Globe daily newspaper after the vote that the Democratic Party "has been extremely insensitive to the Church's position, on the Gospel of life in particular, and on other moral issues."

He said the document, considered by the bishops every four years since 1976, was clearer than earlier versions about the importance issues such as abortion and euthanasia have over other politi. cal issues with lesser moral weight.

But others say the document is not strong enough in condemning Catholic politicians who take positions contrary to the Church on abortion, embryonic stem-cell research and other life issues.

Judie Brown, president of the American Life League, told LifeSiteNews.com that the bishops "failed to say anything about pro-abortion politicians who are Catholic and the obligation that they as bishops have to deny holy Communion (to those politicians) and I am terribly distraught about that."

"Such documents are going to have no significance whatsoever because they're not supported with any daily, weekly effort on the part of the bishops as a united body to teach and to demand that their priests teach the fundamental teachings of the Church," she added.

Bishop Nicholas DiMarzio of Brooklyn, N.Y., who headed the committee of committee chairmen that dr.afted the document, said at a press conference that the Communion issue had been dealt with in earlier bishops' documents and did not need to be in "Faithful Citizenship" because it was directed at Catholic voters, not Catholic

politicians.

The document makes clear, however, that "the intentional taking of innocent human life," such as in abortion and euthanasia, "must always be rejected and opposed and must never be supported or condoned."

It criticizes "a moral equivalence that makes no ethical distinctions between different kinds of issues involving human life and dignity" and says, "The direct and intentional destruction of innocent human life from the moment of conception until natural death is'always wrong and is not just one issue among many."

Cardinal O'Malley said that in previous documents "there was always the fear that we were considering sort of a smorgasbord of issues, but without any prioritizing, or giving the impression that all issues are of equal value."

He said the support given by Catholic voters in. Massachusetts to Democratic candidates who want to keep abortion legal "borders on scandal, as far as I'm concerned."

"My plea with Democratic leaders is always that they make space for Pro-Life politicians, and I have many Pro-~ife Democrats come to me and say that they not making space for them," the cardinal added. "I think .that that is a very serious problem, particularly in a state like Massachusetts, where it is so heavily Democratic."

Father Frank Pavone, national director of Priests for Life, expressed strong support for the document in a statement and called on "priests to preach on its contents, on candidates to study its lessons, and on voters to heed its guidance."

He noted that "Faithful Citizenship" calls on Catholics to work to challenge political parties if their policies "fail to correspond to the demands of justice and the common good." . "In particular, we .at Priests for Life call upon the Democratic Party to abandon its pro-abortion stance, recognizing that such a stance imperils and dilutes any progress that can be made on other issues," Father Pavone added.

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NOVEMBER

30) 2007

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Knights' donation of 2,000 wheelchairs to military veterans totals $1 million

• • YU ROCK GIRL - Junying yt.i of the Genome Center of Wisconsin poses in a lab at the University of Wisconsin-Madison November 19. Yu is the lead author of a paper describing a novel method of reprogramming adult stem cells to create cells that are indistinguishable from embryonic stem cells. The research was performed by a team in the laboratory of stem-cell pioneerJames Thomson. (CNS photo/Bryce Ric.hter, courtesy University of Wisconsin-Madison)

Ethical, scientific breakthroughs seen in new stem-cell studies WASHINGTON (CNS) human body. search being reported today."

Scientists and ethicists alike "The induced cells do all the "The president believes medihailed as a breakthrough two things embryonic stem cells do," cal problems can be solved withstudies showing that human skin Thomson, who isolated the first out compromising either the high cells can be reprogrammed to embryonic stem cells in 1998, aims of science or the sanctity of work as effectively as embryonic said in a university news release. human life," said press secretary stem cells, thus negating the need "It's going to completely change Dana Perino. "We will continue to destroy embryos in the to encourage scientists to name of science. expand the frontiers of Separate studies from stem-cell research and con"Such strategies should con- tinue to advance the underteams led by Shiny a Yamanaka of Kyoto Uni- tinue to be pursued and strongly standing of human biology versity in Japan and promoted, as they should help to in an ethically responsible Junying Yu and James steer the entire field of stem-cell way."

Thomson of the University research in a more explicitly ethiIan Wilmut, the Scottish of Wisconsin-Madison cal direction by circumventing the scientist who created Dolly were published online No- moral quagmire associated' with . the cloned sheep in 1996, vember 20 by the journals destroying human embryos," it told the London Telegraph Cell and Science, respecthat he had decided in light added. tively. of the new findings to aban~ "The methods outlined don his efforts to clone huin these papers fully 'conform to the field." . man eri'tbryos and would instead what we have hoped to see for Unlike the ethicists, however, concentrate on research involvsome time," said a statement Thomson called on scientists to ing the new reprogramming techfrom the National Catholic Bio- continue research involving the niques. ethics Center in Philadelphia. destruction of human embryos.

The National Catholic Bioet"Such strate,gies should con- More study is needed to ensure hics Center said Wilmut's change tinue to be pursued and strongly that the newly made cells "do not of heart "flowed largely from promoted, as they should help to differ from embryonic stem cells practical considerations" but that steer the entire field of stem-cell in a clinically significant or un- the scientist also had acknowlresearch in a more explicitly ethi- expected way, so it is hardly time edged that the new approach was cal direction by circumventing to discontinue embryonic stem- "easier to accept socially." the moral quagmire associated cell research," he said.

"Persistence in seeking crewith destroying human emThe White House also praised ative scientific breakthroughs bryos," it added. the breakthrough November 20, and actively pursuing alternative By adding four genes to the saying that President George W. approaches can help resolve seskin cells, the scientists were Bush's June 2007 executive or- rious ethical problems and allow able to create stem cells that ge- der expanding stem-cell research us to maintain the ethical integnetically lIlatch the donor and using "ethically responsible tech~ rity of science while achieving have the ability to become any niques" was "intended to accel- important scientific and medical of the 220 types of cells in the erate precisely the kind of re- ends," the statement said.

WASHINGTON (CNS) - In ceremonies November 9-10 in Washington, Chicago, I.,os Angeles and Bonham, Texas, which is near Dallas, the Knights of Columbus distributed 2,000 wheelchairs to military veterans. , "As our nation pauses to honor these men and women on Veterans Day, we are honored to be able to reach out to help veterans in need," Supreme Knight Carl A. Anderson said. Veterans Day was November 11.

"This wheelchair distribution continues our long-standing tradition of service to our service men and women, both those!: who are on active duty and those Who ~e retired," he said in a statement in Washington.

The Knights of Columbus partnered with the Wheelchair I' Foundation to distribute the wheelchairs. Five hundred Jere distributed in each of four cities in ceremoniesthat drew hundreds of people.

A press release from the Knights said the Chicago ceremony began with Boy Scouts wheeling veterans into the auditorium of the Edward Hines Jr. Veterans Affairs Hospital in new "Ferrari red" wheelchairs, escorted by an honor guard of 76 fourth-degree Knights.

The auditorium wl;is filled to standing-room-only capacity with an audience that included veterans, Knights and foundation representatives as well as local members of the National Guard, Boy Scouts, VA hospital officials and family members.

Deputy Supreme Knjght Dennis Savoie, speaking onll behalf of Anderson, cited Pope Benedict

XVI's recent encyclical, "Deus Caritas Est" ("God Is Love"), saying that "government cannot do everything, and there will always be a need for individual voluntary contributions that spring from 'loving personal concern.'"

Supreme Secretary Don Kehoe represented the Knights at the Texas event, and Supreme Master Joseph P. Schultz led the event in Los Angeles.

The Knights of Columbus has long suppOI1ed American troops and veterans. Beginning in 1916 and continuing throughout World War I - the Knights sponsored "Army Huts," a program of entertainment centers that ultimately became the model for the United Service Organizations, or USO, earning high praise from Gen. John J. Pershing. The Knights .also helped provide additional chaplains for the troops.

After World War I, the Knights ran a series of night schools for returning veterans to help them reenter the job market.

In the months leading up to American entry into World War II, the Knights were the first national organization to conduct blood drives, an activity the organization continued throughout the war. The Knights also served as one of the organizations of the USO during the war.

More recently, the Knights have continued to support the military, among other things, by printing more than 400,000 prayer books for troops and supporting the work of the U.S. Archdiocese for the Military Services, base~ in Washington.

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~ The Anchor ~

6 Catholic conscience and identity This Sunday we celebrated that Christ is king of the universe, a truth that Christians now recognize and everyone will acknowledge one day. This reality, however, has more than eschatological significance. For Christians to honor Christ as king means to allow him to reign in their lives, to be Lord oftheir time, their families, their possessions, and their choices.

For Christ to rule in a person's moral life, the believer obviously must first be able to discern what the Lord is asking in a given moment. The way one perceives the Good Shepherd's voice in particular situations is through a properly-formed conscience.

Earlier this month, the bishops of the United States took up the subject of a well-functioning conscience in their 41-page document, ''Fonning Consciences for Faithful Citizenship: A Call to Political Responsibility." We print their summary of the document on page 13 of this edition.

"We bishops do not intend to tell Catholics for whom or against whom to vote;' they state at the outset. "Our purpose is to help Catholics form their consciences in accordance with God's truth. We recognize that the responsibility to make choices in politiGallife rests with each individual in light of a properly formed conscience."

The bishops begin by teaching clearly what ~nscience is not and what it is. ''Conscience is not something that allows us tojustify doing whatever we want, nor is it a mere 'feeling' about what we should or should not do. Rather, conscience is the voice of God resounding in the human heart, revealing the truth to us and calling us to do what is good while shunning what is evil. Conscience always requires serious attempts to make sound moral judgments based on the truths of our faith:' Those moral judgments involve a few elements. The bishops say that the first is a "desire to embrace goodness and truth" through the study what God has taught us through sacred Scripture and his Church. This allows us to know with clarity the moral principles that affect our decisions and the relative weight each one should be given. The second step is a thorough examination of the "facts and background information" for a particular choice we need to make, so that, with the help of the virtue of prudence, we may apply the moral principles effectively and correctly. The third is "prayerful reflection," in which we seek to discern God's will in the circumstances, make the moral choice and act on it The bishops mention several principles that must guide a properly formed conscience with respect to political responsibility. The first is that the allegiance ofthe Catholic voter to Christ and to the Church he founded must trump loyalty to a particular party or political persuasion. '~ Catholics," they write, "we should be guided more by our moral convictions than by our attachment to a political party or interest group. When necessary, our participation should help transform the party to which we belong; we should not letthe party transform us in such a way that we neglect or deny fundamental mow truths:' The second principle they enunciate is just as fundamental: "A good end does notjustify an immoral means" and "not all possible courses of action are morally acceptable:' We must seek good ends through good means. Some means, they reiterate, are always wrong. ''There are some things we must never do, as individuals or as a society, because they are always incompatible with love of God and neighbor. These are called 'intrinsically evil' actions. They must always be rejected and oppo~ and must never be supported or condoned. A prime example is the intentional taking of innocent human life, as in abortion and euthanasia:' .

They then turn to a third principle about which there is unnecessarily confusion among Catholic voters today. ''The direct and intentional destruction of innocent human life from the moment of conception until natural death;' they declare, "is always wrong and is notjust one issue among many. It must always be opposed" To say this, however, is not to say that "other serious threats to human life and dignity" can be dismissed or ignored. There is a two-fold application of this double principle: ''A Catholic cannot vote for a candidate who takes a position in favor of an intrinsic evil, such as abortion or racism, if the voter's intent is to support that position. In such cases a Catholic would be guilty offormal cooperation in grave evil. At the same time, a voter should not use a candidate's opposition to an intrinsic evil tojustify indifference or inattentiveness to other important moral issues involving human life and dignity:' This leads, finally, to a fourth principle critical for a well-formed Catholic conscience. ''There may be times when a 9ltholic who rejects a candidate's unacceptable position may ~de to vote for that candidate for other morally grave reasons. Voting in this way would be permissible only for truly grave moral reasons:' The bishops do not specify what these grave moral reasons would be. In the case of a pro-abortion candidate, Archbishop Chaput ofDenver says that these reasons would have to be sufficient to justify one's action before an aborted child or Christ in the next life. We could also think of another image. They would have to be sufficiently grave to persuade an African-American or a Jew to vote for the same candidate in the same election ifhe were, respectively, also firmly racist or anti-Semitic. Catholics need to be at least as much against abortion in their practical political decisions as African-Americans are against racism and Jews against anti-Semitism.

This does not mean, the bishops add, that Catholics are "single-issue voters;' but "a candidate's position on a single issue that involves an intrinsic evil, such as support for legal abortion or the promotion ofracism, may legitimately lead a voter to disqualify a candidate from receiving support."

Voting is an important moral action. It is far more than a choice between apples and oranges; on occasion, it can be a choice between Christ and Barabbas and, as the bishops state, "may affect the individual's salvation."

By the principles they describe in this document, the bishops have helped formed the consciences ofthe faithful so that, as they exercise their rights in our democratic republic, they will do so consistent with their responsibilities within the context of the divinely-instituted spiritual monarchy established by Christ . the King.

NOVEMBER

30, 2007

the living word

'

Late autumn colors frame the statue of S1. Benedict on the grounds of S1. Gertrude's Monastery in Ridgely, Md. Warmer weather has delayed the change in leaves for many areas in the Northeast this fall. (eNS photo/Don Blake, The Dialog) "We have all withered like leaves and our gUilt carries us away like the wind" (Isa 64: 5b).

The great introducer strangers, might con"stitute the .br.ing future popes, nuns, priests, The season of Advent that .beginning of an enormous new begins this weekend focuses on the or canonized saints to him. He development in the history of the great encounter each of us is called may take them from among the kingdom of God. members of Ouf family, or friends~ to have with the Lord. The Lord is This Advent is a time for us to or co-workers or fellow students. coming - that's what Advent . redouble our efforts to bring not Our task is to make the introducliterally means - and we are just ourselves but others into it know we tion, by letting others called to go out to meet him. We closer relationship with the Lord have found the Messiah, and are also called to help others to who is coming. The new beginning inviting them to come to meet him. meet him. More than any other that Advent signifies starts with AndrC?w's matchm~ng would Biblical figure, St. Andrew the these encounters. was the one who continue.

He Apostle, whom the universal One final point. Andrew introduced the young boy with five Church celebrates today, demonbrought people to the Lord not just barley loaves and two fish to Jesus. strates for us how this is done. by his actions, but by his words as There was no way for Andrew to We路first encounter Andrew at well.

We don't have any the Jordan River aside St. extant letters from him or John the Baptist, the great homilies, but we do have Advent prophet. Through an ancient account of his his riverside preaching, martyrdom, in which we John was helping his can see the way he died fellow Jews make straight and extrapolate from there the paths to receive the to how he would have Lord. lived.

The path to Andrew's His passio states that he heart and head were was crucified on a decussate or Xknow what Jesus would do with straight enough that when John, shaped cross in northern Greece. those meager offerings, but from one day, looked up and said, The way people normally perish in them Jesus would work one of his "Behold the Lamb of God!" crucifixion is not because of the Andrew immediately left John and greatest miracles. He just brought literally excruciating pain, but by the boy to Jesus and let Jesus do went to see where Jesus lived. He asphyxiation. When one is the rest. There's another great spent the day with Jesus, recogcrucified on a T-shaped cross like lesson here: whenever we put at nized him to be the Messiah, and Jesus, in order to breathe the . the Lord's disposal our talents, or believed in him. victim must push up on his legs to encourage someone we know to His next move not only reveals do the same, the Lord is capable of open up his lungs to inhale. When his character, but shows what one is crucified on an X-shaped working great wonders. We may should be the reaction of anyone cross, however, one's quadriceps .not have much, but in Jesus' hands, who meets Jesus. He ran to his are immobilized and the process of everything can be miracuiously brother, told him that he had found breathing is even more arduous. multiplied. the Messiah, and hurried back to Since we speak during exhalation, Andrew is at it again right introduce him to Jesus. As soon as saying anything wMe dying on a Jesus met his brother, he said, "You before Jesus' passion. Some are Simon, Son of Jonah. You are to Greeks came to Philip and Andrew cross is an act of tremendous heroism. St. Andrew's passio tells be called Peter" (In I:42). Little did and said, "We wish to see Jesus," us, nevertheless, for the last 38 and the two of them brought them Andrew know, of course, what hours of his life, when he could to Jesus. The LOrd's response was Jesus' plans would be for his barely get enough oxygen to stay not just to greet them, but to brother. His sibling, a simple . alive, Andrew preached the Good fisherman like him, was to be made exclaim, ''The hour has come for the Son of Man to be glorified" (In News of Jesus Christ from the' the rock on whom the Lord would cross to the throngs that had 20:23). Their introduction was the build his Church (Mt 16:18). assembled to see him die. Until his trigger for which Jesus was Likewise we never know what last breath, he was seeking to mysteriously waiting, to inauguthe Lord might do with those we introduce them to the Lord. lflte the culmination of his earthly introduce or bring closer to him.

Father Landry is pastor ofSt. life. Likewise with us, our bringing God' may need us to be the Anthony's Parish in New Bedford. someone to the Lord, even some instrument, or the fishing hook, to

NOVEMBER

:t The Anchor

30, 2007

$

71

I II

Diocesan media director answers Herald News rap FALL RIVER - A Catholicbashing op-ed blurb in the Fall River Herald News that opined that the Catholic Church "harbors child rapists" and therefore lacks the credibility "to order" faithful parishioners to mull religious values before making bal-' lot choices in next year's presidential election, has been answered.

John E. Kearns Jr., director of Communications for the Roman Catholic Diocese of Fall River, has responded to the allegations the Herald in its November 19 edition also alleges, lays "a guilt trip" on Catholics.

Kearns' November 21 letter to the Herald reads: Dear Editor: I write in response to your November 19 Our View "Thumbs

Down" blurb in which The Herald News states that the Catholic Church "harbors child rapists."

That very serious accusation is an untrue, unwarranted cheap shot.

How disappointing that this cQmmunity's local paper would publish that as its editorial position.

Mistakes were made in the past by some bishops in their handling of incidents of abuse of children by a small minority ofpriests. Over the past several years bishops have met with victims, expressed regret, assisted victims in the healing process, and set as their priority the creation of a safe environment for children.

The U.S. bishops' Charter for· the Protection of Children and Young People appr-oved in Dallas in June 2002 instituted policies and

procedures to respond to allega. tions of abuse and to prevent incidents of abuse of any kind. Briefly, these include mandatory reporting of suspected cases of child abuse to civil authorities; placement of alleged perpetrator on leave while an investigation is done and pernianent removal if an allegation is found credible; abuse prevention education for clergy, employees, and volunteers as well as for students in Catholic schools and parish religious education; background checks of all clergy, Church employees and volunteers before access to children is allowed; and creation of a primarily lay-member Review Board to assist dioceses in abuse related issues. These steps meet if not surpass the response of other professions to this heinous crime.

Pong Ys. PlayStation Come children, gather 'round The Anchor and I'll tell you a story that you'll find difficult to believe.

This is a casual story-telling session, so feel free to wear your Red Sox 2004 or 2007 World Series championship T-shirts, or your Super Bowl XXXVI, XXXVIII, or XXXIX apparel.

Once upon a time, when video games were called "Pong," music was played on things called

albums, and color television· consisted of various shades of black, gray and white, the Boston Red Sox and the Boston Patriots weren't very good.

There were no championship hats to wear, no sweatshirts proclaiming them as No.1, and no Super Bowl or World Series Christmas ornaments to hang on the tree.

That didn't mean the two teams didn't have a loyal fan base. They did, it was just a depressed, dejected and disappointed lot.

We would watch fans from far away places like Miami, Pittsburgh, Dallas and Green Bay celebrate as kings of the gridiron.

Our eyes welled with tears as folks in Cincinnati, Baltimore and Detroit basked in World Series glories.

Our worries, dear children, weren't about wiiming a World Series, or having an undefeated

season. No, no, far from it. With the Red Sox, our concern was to stay out of the American League cellar, since baseball had no divisions at that time, and to, of course, beat the New York Yankees. Some things never change. .

As far as the Boston Patriots go, we simply wanted to win a game or two or three. Concerns about going undefeated? We were more concerned about going . winless.

But, we loved our teams none the less.

Frankly, we felt none of the pressures of today's fans, having to make the playoffs and win it all each season.

Nope, we knew what was corning each year, and we loved wallowing in our own self pity.

Woe is us.

Today, not only do the Pats have to win, they have to win by a lot. Today, not only do the Sox have to make the playoffs, they have to win it all, else the season is considered a failure.

Sometimes, I miss the bad old days of the Red Sox and the Patriots. I miss watching them play because I liked watching them play - win or lose~ Don't get me wrong though, little ones. I enjoy being part of the fandom the rest of the country watches with teary eyes. It's just that there's so much pressure now.

When we played "Pong" as kids, it was just a simple black and white game of ping pong: hitting a square ball with square paddles in a straight line. There were no hidden clues, no evil

ogres, no weapons of mass destruction.

There's much to be said for simplicity.

Well kiddies, I have to wrap this up now. The Patriots are getting ready to play the Ravens, and it's a must win for us.

Otherwise we won't go undefeated and the season will be a failure - even if we win the Super Bowl. Pong anyone?

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An independent auditing firm . the faithful citizenship statement reviews dioceses to ens~re compli- recently approved by the U.S. bish• 'I ance With the Charte~ and pub- ops knows that it urges - not "orlishes its findings along with areas ders"- Catholics to be involved in where improvement could be the political process (the definition made. The Fall River Diocese has of a good citizen) and to use the been found in full compliance in values of their faith when evaluateach of the three auditS that have ing candidates and issues. That is been done. not, as your editorial glibly asserts, The Fall River Diocese was "laying a guilt trip on parishioners ahead of the curve in implement- and branding candidates anti-reliing abuse response andprt:vention gious." measures, and since 1994 its Office Bishops are by definition teachfor Child Protection within dioc- ers and they have a responsibility esan Catholic Social Services has to teach about moral values. Elecprocessed thousands of CORI or tions are about choices and choice criminal background checks and involves mora. judgment. Bishops conducted hundreds of abuse pre- do not tell Catholics for whom to vention training sessions. This was vote or how to vote. As they state eight years before the Dallas Char- in their faithful citizenship statement, "We recognize that the reter.

Now all of this is done -accord- sponsibility to make choices in poing to your editorial jab - by a liticallife rests with each individual church that "harbors child rapists"? in light of a well-formed conAnd one more thing: your science...."

"Thumbs Down" snippet begins by It might be too much to ask that rebuking the Catholic Church for the entire statement be read before "ordering parishioners to follow an editorial is formulated. religious teaching when casting John E. Kearns Jr. their votes in next year's presidenDirector of Communications tial election." Anyone who has read Diocese of Fall River

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NOVEMBER

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Come, Lord Jesus!

What strong words we hear in the readings this Sunday. The vision of Isaiah on the peace the Messiah will bring: "They shall beat their swords into plowshares and their swords into pruning hooks." Then'the very words of St. Paul that forced the crisis and later the {:onversion in the life of St. Augustine: "Let us throw off the works of darkness and put on the armor of light!" Finally Jesus telling us of the sudden and irrevocable call of the elect.

How to make sense of it all?

Advent is a strange season, filled with paradox. It's "officially" penitential- note the violet vestments and the lack of the Gloria on the Sundays - but we can't help but be joyful. It's supposed to . be all about preparing for Christmas, but at least for this first week, Our Lord is still talkiog about the Big Surprise:

the return of the Son of Man at the end of time - which may be tomorrow or in a million years. The winter days grow shorter and colder and the ground freezes, but we're singing Rorate caeli desuper, about the spring rains which will bring forth a flower from the root of Jesse.

The word Advent means a coming to or a coming towards. But does it refer to the coming of Jesus as a babe in Bethlehem or to his second coming? The answer, of course, is both.

They're mutually necessary because they illuminate each other. The first coming in weakness will be fulfilled by the second coming in majesty.

But that's not enough; there's a third coming as well, which involves every believer:'the

Advent of Jesus io our hearts.

This ancient and beautiful doctrine was taught by the monastic writers and especially St. Bernard of Clairvaux. He held that there are really three Advents - three comings of

the Lord. He came in time, in Bethlehem. He will come at the end of time in majesty as king. , And thirdly, he comes to us, moment by moment, in our own hearts. The first is history, which we commemorate each year with joyful thanks on Christmas Day. The last lies hidden in the unknown future.

But the middle coming is to each one of us personally. It lies between the other two like a road 00 which we travel from the first coming to the last. In the frrst, Christ was our redemption. In the last, he will be our judgment and then, by his mercy, our eternal life. In the middle coming, he is our rest and consolation on our way.

How do we know this is true, that there is indeed a middle coming, constant and personal, as real as the other two? Because the Lord himself said, "If anyone loves me, he will keep my word, 'aDd my father will love him, and we will come to him." He's telling us that he comes to us every day through the faith and love which make us his own.

The moment of eucharistic

sacrifice is a coming unlike any other. It may seem impersonal since it is sacramental and formal; it must be so, since it is an ecclesial and communal act.

But it is intimately connected to our own personal encounter with the Lord who comes. St. Bernard wrote, "Feed on goodness, and your soul will delight in its richness. Remember to eat your bread or your heart will wither away. Fill your soul with richness and strength." The richness and strength he refers to can only come from the bread of the Eucharist which is no longer bread but life itself.

It's a simple fact: if we love and nourish the coming of the Lord in our lives, he will love and nourish us when he comes.

Amen! Come, Lord Jesus!

Father Johnson is a parochial vicar at Our Lady of Assumption Parish in Osterville.

Upcoming Daily Readings: Sat. Dec. 01, 007:15-27; Do 3:82-87; Lk21:34-36. Sun. Dec. 02, First SuodayofAdvent, 1 Is 2:1-5; Ps 122:1-9; Rom 13:11-14; Mt 24:37-44. Mon. Dec. 03, Is 4:2-6; Ps:122:1-9; Mt 8:5-11. The. Dec. 04, Is 11:1-10; Ps 72:1-2,7-8,12-13,17; Lk 10:21-24. Wed. Dec. 05, Is 25:6-10a; Ps 23:1-6; Mt 15:29-37. Thu. Dec. 06, Is 26: 16; Ps 118: 1,8-9,19-21,25-27a; Mt 7:21,24-27. Fri. Dec. 07, Is 29:17-24; Ps 27:1,4,13-14; Mt 9:27-31.

Blessed Franz, at last Several years ago, I asked my friend, Cardinal Christoph Schoenborn of Vienna, what he thought about the delays in the beatification process for Franz Jaegerstaetter, the Austrian peasant beheaded for refusing to serve under arms in Hitler's Wehrmacht. Cardinal Schoenborn is a theologian of no small accomplishment; he's also a man of deep piety, which his answer to my query reflected: "I'm already praying to him." A little relieved, I confessed that I, too, had jumped the canonical gun and had been praying to a man whom, like

the cardinal, I regarded as a: martyr - indeed, as one of the singular figures of 20th-century Catholicism.

So it was a great satisfaction this past October 26 when the official Church caught up with us, so to speak, and Franz Jaegerstaetter was beatified in Linz, Austria.

Very few people would have imagined the young Franz as a saint. He .was a hellion, and it was only after his marri~ge to Franziska Schwaninger and a

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honeymoon pilgrimage to Rome that this largely uneducated peasant-worker was transformed by grace into a serious Catholic. A very serious

Catholic. Jaegerstaetter was a daily communicant in an era when that was far more unusual than today; he became a Third Order Franciscan; he read closely in the Scriptures and the lives of the saints; he fasted, did acts of penance, gave generously to the poor, and served as volunteer sacristan of his local parish.

When Hitler's Anschluss led to Austria's incorporation into the Third Reich, Jaegerstaetter, alone in his village, protested.

Too many Austrian Catholics welcomed the new order with enthusiasm, voting in large numbers for incorporation into Nazi Germany; Jaegerstaetter (according to that distinguished amateur historian, William Do...ino Jr.) wrote that "what took place in the spring of 1938 was not much different from what happened tbat Holy Thursday 1,900 years ago when

the crowd was given a free choice between the innocent Savior and the criminal Barabbas."

Franz Jaegerstaetter's own trial came soon enough. Called to military service in 1943, he refused induction, not on pacifist g'rounds (he wasn't a pacifist), but on the basis of what we would now call selective conscientious objection: Hitler's war was an unjust war being waged by a' fatally wicked regime; therefore, conscience would not permit serving as a soldier in the Wehrmacht. Jaegerstatter's pastor and bishop tried to talk him out of his objections; his responsibilities to his wife and family weighed heavily on him; his offer to serve as a military paramedic was refused by the Nazi regime.

In a prison cell in Berlin, Jaegerstaetter suffered intensely at the thought that he might be acting irresponsibly toward his family. But as he ,wrote his wife on the day of his execution, "It was not possible for me to spare you the pain'that you must now suffer on my account.

How hard it must have been for our dear Savior when, through his sufferings and death, He had to prepare such a great sorrow for his Mother - and

they bore all this out of love for us sinners. I thank our dear Jesus, too, that I am privileged to suffer and even die for Him. May God accept my life in atonement not only for my sins but for the sins of others as well."

Franz Jaegerstaetter was executed by guillotine on Aug. 9, 1943 - one year to the day after Edith Stein, now St. Teresa Benedicta of the Cross, died in the gas chambers of Auschwitz/Birkenau. The brilliant Carmelite philosopher' and the simple Austrian peasant shared an unshakable faith that, as Blessed Franz put it, "Neither prison nor chains nor sentence of death can separate [us] from the love of God...[for] the power of God cannot be overcome." Given the life-and-death choice between what Dietrich Bonhoeffer (the Lutheran martyr executed by the Nazis in 1945) called ' "cheap grace" and "costly grace," Edith Stein and Franz Jaegerstaetter embraced the costly grace of the cross - and now share the glory of the Resurrection.

May their intercession at the throne of grace be a powerful aid in the new evangelization of the German-speaking world.

George Weigel is a senior fellow of the Ethics and Public Policy Center in Washington, D.C.

I

NOVEMBER

4; The Anchor 4;

30, 2007

Shocking info on Pilgrims uncovered in The Dightons Thursday 22 November 2007 landed in Provincetown. There, - Three Mile River, the Dightons the 102 passengers had serious - Thanksgiving Day misgivings. One disappointed The turkey is already history. woman was overcome with depression. Her drowned body Here I sit in my library by the was found floating in the harbor fire. After a lovely social visit with Father Dick Chretien, I begin thumbing through books.

In moments, shocking Reflections of a facts about the Pilgrims emerge. " :{4£,",:,:Ji;Jik~, ~Pa[{sh" ..

They did not refer to t--~-·-"B¥iEi~· themselves as "Pilgrims."

Goldrick.,~"""_ """,",",',".

They called themselves ''The Saints." If you next morning. She must have weren't a member of the Com"accidentally" fallen overboard, pany of Saints at Plymouth, you were a "Stranger." This meant that they surmised. Right.

A child was also born on the the Pilgrims considered everyone Mayflower anchored there in else to be, well, strange.

Provincetown Harbor. His parents Nor did the Pilgrims first land named him Peregrine White in Plymouth. The Mayflower

The Ship's Log

was rampant and food scarce. The only building they managed to (Latin: peregrinus). The name construct before winter set in was means "wanderer." a storehouse. It soon burned to the A scouting party went searchground and with it their supplies. ing for food. In Truro, they Come the spring, the survivors uncovered a cache of corn. They set about their highest priority considered this a gift from God in building an armed fortress to divine approval. They protect themselves from attacks called the place Corn by the "savages." Of course, it Hill. Scooping up the never occurred to them that the corn; they returned to indigenous peoples had shown the Mayflower. Unfortu- them nothing but tolerance. nately, the stored corn Surely even the patience of the was the winter food Wampanoags was tested when supply of the native they saw the fort and cannons. peoples. The Great Sachem Massasoit did his Wampanoags, I suspect, best to be hospitable to the were not amused by these bellige~ent new-comers. pillaging Pilgrims.

When the Speedwell - the The Pilgrims abandoned second boat - arrived, food was Provincetown due to the unsuitstill in short supply. Governor ability of the site, dropping William Bradford was embaranchor in Plymouth. Life aboard rassed to serve his Speedwell guests ship was very difficult. Disease "the food of savages." The Pilgrims called the native people "savages."

According to some moral theologians of the time, "savages" did not have souls. Neither did they have on a garden gate. human rights.

So lists, callings, and gates The Pilgrims served their I lay before Him in one imposguests these ugly insect-like ing pile. creatures found crawling allover My Lord glanced at the heap the rocks.

We call them lobsters.

And shook His head The guests were so disgusted with with a little smile. having to eat lobster that they "You think that this is funny, forthwith held a meeting to God? determine if they should turn Oh, that'sjustfine. Fine! around and head home. Some did.

Why don't you try I am not making this up. coming down Then there was Squanto. He And carrying this ,went out of his way to ingratiate impossible himself to the Pilgrims. He realized burden ofmine?" on which side his bread was And then He said, "My buttered. Squanto was a shrewd precious child, opportunist. Squanto was also a That is exactly what I've terrorist. He threatened his tribe done. , with germ warfare. Squanto told I sent down for you them the Pilgrims had a secret My one and only Son. weapon - a box filled with deadly Have you completely forgotten? disease. Squanto said he knew Leave Santa to his list. where the box was hidden, and if Come, kneel down in the stable, his tribe did not show him obediand worship. ence and respect, he would unlock Let your finger be wrapped in the box and release a plague upon His little fist. their heads. Squanto will never be

Welcome Advent!

This Sunday we begin a new liturgical year with the first Sunday of Advent. Advent is my absolute favorite of all Church seasons because of its warm association with comfort foods like gingerbread men and Chex Mix, with special feast days like the feast of St. Nicholas Day on December 6 and St. Lucy's Day on December 13, and with much-loved family traditions like cutting down a Christmas tree, lighting the Advent Wreath, and Christmas Eve Mass.

A few years ago my daughter, Nicole, wrote me the following poem as a Christmas gift - isn't it amazing how perceptive our children can be.

Every Christmas since, reading this poem has helped me to keep my focus on Jesus - the reason for the season - and on the

simple pleasure of time spent with family and friends.

The Christmas List

By Nicole Bratton My list ofthings to do Wrapped around me to the floor.

1 cried, "My God, my God! Could you have piled

on me anymore?!"

This thing and that thing, That I felt you called me to.

That thing and this thing, That people told me I should do.

Nothing now seems simple.

Nothing now seems straight.

Everything is twisted Like ivy growing

noted for his integrity.

Neither did the Pilgrims have any use for Catholics. "Papists," they called us. The governor boasted that the Plantation was quite safe from Catholic priests (meaning Jesuits). In fact, being a Catholic missionary in the area was a capital offense. So much for religious tolerance.

Old Chief Massasoit finally died. Tribes from all around sent delegations to offer condolences at the funeral of the great leader.

Peeking out from the gun slots in their fortress, the Pilgrims concluded the tribes were planning to attack them. Are we a little paranoid?

Something had to be done.

They invited the Number One Son of Massasoit, Sachem Wamsutta, heir apparent, to dinner. The English called him "Alexander."

He accepted. Wamsutta should have suspected something when the Pilgrims kept insisting he have second helpings. During the meal, Wamsutta became violently ill and had to be carried home, writhing in pain. He died that night. Was it something he ate?

Number Two Son, Sachem ' Metacom (called "Philip" by the English), had had enough. "King Philip's War" began. The fighting was fierce. Several satellite villages of the Plantation were destroyed. Many on both sides died. The Pilgrims nearly lost their foothold in New England. In the end, Metacom was assassinated by' a traitor from his own tribe. Gee, I wonder who put the turn-coat up to it. Metacom's family was sold into slavery, never to be seen'or heard of again.

The colonists won the war and so got to write the history books.

But the truth is there, if you read between the lines. "You will know the truth and the truth will make you odd," said Flannery O'Connor.

Father Goldrick is pastor ofSt. Joseph's Parish in North Dighton.

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Christ the King Parish, Mashpee, decorated for Christmas in 2005 by Susan Preston. Photograph by Heidi Bratton.

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Jesuit who works with gang members named one ofmost caring Americans WASHINGTON (CNS) - A priest known to former gang members in East Los Angeles as "GDog" was among five adults and six young people honored by the Washington-based Caring Institute as the most caring people in America for 2007.

Jesuit Father Gregory Boyle, who founded Homeboy Industries in 1988 to provide "hope, not jail" for former gang members who want to turn their lives around, received one of the 2007 National Caring Awards at a recent ceremony in Washington.

As chairman of the institute's board of trustees, former U.S. Sen. Robert 1. Dole of Kansas, who was a Republican presidential candidate in 1996, described the 2007 winners as "wonderful role models and the very personification of caring."

Father Boyle's programs help an estimated 1,000 young people from nearly 600 different gangs each month. Beginning with a jobs program and a bakery, Homeboy Industries now includes a cafe as well as businesses that offer silk-screening and home maintenance services and sell merchandise with the Homeboy logo.

Other adult recipients of the 2007 Caring Awards were: Constantin Asavoaie, director of Prison Fellowship Romania, who spent 10 years in prison because of his Christian faith; Dominic Avellani, founder of the East Boston Adult Education Center, which has assisted more than 40,000 immigrants, refugees and high school dropouts; and Rose Espinoza of La Habm, Calif., who started a tutoring program for lowincome children that now serves 200

children at four branches.

Youth winners of the Caring Awards were: -Jourdan Urbach, a 15-year-old violin virtuoso from Roslyn Heights, N. Y., who has raised more than $1.3 million for pediatric units and medical charities; - Mollie and Jackie Singer, 18year-old twins from Las Vegas who started Diabetic Angels to educate children about diabetes and teach them how to watch out for their diabetic friends; - Davin Singleton, 18, of Pasadena, Md., who created a workshop called "Dreamers: How to Become Your Dream" to empower dyslexics like himself and other children; - Lauren Beeder of Newbury Park, Calif., a 16-year-old volunteer at Children's Hospital of Los Angeles who founded kidsCANCERvive to raise funds for research and provide online support to children with cancer and their families; - Emily Wemhoff, 18, of Creston, Neb., founder of Project SAFE, or Save a Friend Everyday, whose fire safety efforts have saved countless lives in Nebraska.

The Caring Institute was founded in 1985 by Val J. Halamandaris after he met with Mother Teresa of Calcutta. She suggested he confront the poverty of the spirit in the developed world by identifying extraordinarily gifted people and holding them up as role models.

Each of the Caring Award winners is inducted into the Hall ofFame for Caring Americans, located in what was the first Washington home of human rights advocate Frederick Douglass.

Placement Exams:

December 1st, 8:00 am December 8th>8:00 am

(Pre-registration RecOIiimended)

Spend the Day! Join the many others that have discovered Bishop Connolly!

See what is in YOUR future! [all now to make your appointment!

For more information. please contact Anne Cabral at (508) 676-1071 Ext. 333

The Anchor ,

NOVJEMBlER

30, 2007

Fall River pharmacist sees the person behind the addict

By MATT McDONALD ANCHOR STAFF

FALL RIVER - Tom Pasternak knows a lot of drug users.

As a pharmacist he deals with drugs all the time. As the owner of a rooming house, he rents to people who have a drug problem. And through his weekly call-in radio show, he makes frequent contact with people hooked on addictive substances.

He also knows what people think about them.

"Very few people seem to want to deal with substance abusers. They're the lowest echelon of society," Pasternak said in an interview in his office at Walsh Pharmacy in Fall River last week. ''They need to be treated with respect."

He has argued publicly that Suboxone, a hard-toget drug that blocks the pleasure in the bmin that comes from using heroin, Oxycontin, and Percoset, should be more widely available for drug addicts to take at home. That stance has led

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share ofthe business in 1970. He became the sole owner in 1978.

As a pharmacist he tries to be more than simply a pill provider to his customers. He said that while it's useful to see what researchers are saying about medications, he prefers to listen to his customers' experiences.

"I like to get engaged with people. That's one of my trademarks as a pharmacist, talking to people," Pasternak said. "You need to discuss things with people.

I like doing that."

He and his wife Patricia have a 38-year-old son in Fall River, a 34-year-old daughter in Rhode Island, and a new grandson.

Patricia, a former Catholic school principal, serves as director of Religious Education at Holy Trinity Parish in Fall River.

Tom has a hand in many activities.

He currently serves as chairman of a citywide coalition that tries to prevent drug abuse among young people, known as Building

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Some had an abortion and some didn't. Pasternak In 2000, Pope John Paul II created a new feast day on says the psychological damage caused by abortion isn't the Sunday after Easter, called Divine Mercy Sunday, studied enough, but that he has seen it first-hand among which follows the directions St. Faustina said she re- women he stays in touch with. ceived from Jesus.

Widespread abortion is one measure of the social The devotion centers on a chaplet of pmyers asking changes since Pasternak's youth during the 1950s. Anfor forgiveness of sins while calling to mind the pas- other is church attendance. St. Patrick's had 10 Masses sion and death of Jesus; and on an image of Jesus with on Sunday mornings between 6 a.m. and noon when blue and pale rays emanating from his heart, repre- he was a kid. senting the blood and water that flowed from his side "We're losing ground in too many places. The only after he died on Calvary. answer - the only answer - is faith. We have to have Participants are supposed to ask for forgiveness for an uprising of faith. We have to get more people into themselves, to trust in Jesus's mercy, and to try to ob- church in this country," Pasternak said. ''And that's why tain Jesus's mercy for others. we have to spread Divine Mercy."

Pasternak said he and his wife immediately took to Giving money to good causes isn't enough, he said. the devotion.

He notes, for instance, that "stewardship" is often used "I don't know anyone who hasn't done anything as a code word for giving moneyto a parish, such as a wrong. We have to have mercy toward others. Divine tithe.

Mercy is just a wonderful avenue for us to express our ''That's not what stewardship is," Pasternak said. concerns for people," Pasternak said.

"Stewardship is how you lead your life. If we were all "It's changed me. It changes how you look at cer- good stewards in our faith, we would be good stewtain situations, how you're able to help more," he said. ards allover."

Pasternak, 61, was born in St. Patrick's Parish in True stewardship, he says, also means tending to Fall River and grew up there, raised by his mother, a other people's needs. seamstress.

"When we have forgiveness, that's when we can He went to the parish school through eighth grade, have mercy," Pasternak said. "I just think that we all then to Durfee High School, then to the Massachusetts need to take better care of our brothers and sisters. In College ofPharmacy, which he gmduated from in 1968. the Bible Jesus says 'Whatever you do for the least of He started working part-time at Walsh Pharmacy my brothers and sisters, you do unto me.' I think that's on Rock Street in Fall River in 1969, buying his first where we all need to be."

I

NOVEMBER

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30, 2007

The Anchor

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11 ing red hats at the same ceremony.

"I know Cardinal Foley only by reputation and that is extremely positive," he said.

Several of Cardinal Foley's classmates from the Columbia University School of Journalism also were on hand, but the star among his peers was Henry Gibson, the comedian. and actor currently appearing on the

television series "Boston Legal."

Gibson said he and the cardinal have been "solid friends" since 1949 when they were classmates at St. Joseph's Preparatory School in Philadelphia. They and three other classmates referred to themselves as the "Rat Pack" and were involved in the debate team, drama club and other activities.

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TRY THIS ONE ON - Pope Benedict XVI places the red biretta on U.S. Cardinal John P. Foley in St. Peter's Basilica at the Vatican November 24. The pope bestowed the title cardinal on 23 churchmen, including two from the U.S., during the ceremony. (CNS photo/Paul Haring)

RED BANNER DAY - New U.S. Cardinal Daniel N. DiNardo is greeted by other cardinals after receiving the red biretta from Pope Benedict XVI in St. Peter's Basilica at the Vatican. (CNS photo/ Tony Gentile, Reuters)

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For Americans, becoming c~rdinal was 'on the edge' of happiest day

By CINDY WOODEN CATHOLIC NEWS SERVICE

VATICAN CITY - Kneeling before Pope Benedict XVI and becoming a cardinal was "on the edge" of being the happiest day in the lives of the two new U.S. cardinals.

Cardinal Daniel N. DiNardo of Galveston-Houston used the "on the edge" phrase November 24, but said he had to be honest: "The happiest day of my life is the day as a bishop I ordained my first priest. No day will probably ever equal that."

Cardinal John P. Foley, grand master of the Knights of the Holy Sepulcher, also used the "on the edge" phrase, but said, "the happiest day was my ordination as a priest.

That's it. I keep saying that I have never had an unhappy day as a priest and I mean it."

The two new U.S. cardinals spoke to reporters i~mediately after the consistory and immediately before attending a reception in their honor at the Pontifical North American College, the U.S. seminary in Rome.

The mood was light-hearted; Cardinal DiNardo explained that he had hoped to be "very composed" when kneeling before the pope, but his new red zucchetto or skullcap kept slipping off. Cardinal Foley used the opportunity to thank the Catholic Press Association for the gift of his new red robes and asked, "Do I look all right, by the way?"

Cardinal Foley also said that he had the permission of Cardinal Tarcisio Bertone, Vatican secretary of state, to continue doing the Englishlanguage TV commentary for the pope's Christmas Mass at midnight.

"So, God willing, at Christmas you will hear the ghost of Christmas· past," he told reporters.

Pope Benedict met with the new cardinals, their family members and the pilgrims who came to Rome for the celebrations.

The pope asked the pilgrims to continue offering the new cardinals "friendship, esteem and prayers, helping them continue faithfully to serve the church and to offer an increasingly generous witness of love."

"As the new cardinals accept the burden of this office, I am confident that they will be supported by your constant prayers and your cooperation in their efforts to build up the body of Christ in unity, holiness and peace," the pope said.

At the North American College reception, U.S. seminarians served as ushers, bartenders and entertainers while thousands of U.S. pilgrims stood in line to congratulate the new cardinals.

Roberto and Mira Martinez ofSt. Mary's Parish in Texas City were part of the official Galveston-Houston pilgrimage.

When the trip was being organized, "I e-mailed my husband at work and said, 'Don't think I'm crazy, but we need to go to Rome,''' she said. "We are watching history and it's exciting to be a part of it.

Someday our archbishop could be pope."

The receptions continued in the evening with the traditional "courtesy visits" to the new cardinals, stationed in various rooms of the Apostolic Palace, Vatican audience hall,

governor's palace and the headquar. ters of the office responsible for the upkeep of St. Peter's Basilica.

Making the rounds in the Apostolic Palace, Cardinal Francis E. George of Chicago, president of the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops, said the two new U.S. members of the College of Cardinals were important and deserving.

"Cardinal Foley has been a faithful servant of the Holy See for many years," he said. "And Cardinal DiNardo represents an important area of growth of the Church in our country."

Cardinal George said it was "very moving" to watch the new cardinals receive their red hats from the pope and "it reminded me of what the moment was supposed to be." He said he used the word "supposed" because the moment when he received his own red hat from Pope John Paul IT in 1998 was so overwhelming that "I went through it on automatic pilot."

The Knights of the Holy Sepulcher, a chivalric and philanthropic order with special ties to the Holy Land, hosted another reception for Cardinal Foley November 25 in its Rome headquarters.

Among the guests were Latin-rite Patriarch Michel Sabbah of Jerusalem, who said he was pleased Pope Benedict has chosen Cardinal Foley to lead the knights and their efforts to assist Catholics in the Holy Land.

Charles J. Curry, a knight from San Antonio, said: "We are absolutely thrilled. Coming from Texas, we got doubly blessed" with both Cardinals Foley and DiNardo receiv-

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DVD/video reviews NEW YORK (CNS) - The following are capsule reviews of new and recent DVD and video releases from the Office for Film & Broadcasting of the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops.

"Amazing Grace" (2007) Compelling historical biography about William Wilberforce (a dynamic loan Gruffudd), the great 18th-century British abolitionist, who with the help of the young British Prime Minister William Pitt (Benedict Cumberbatch), and other like-minded friends in Parliament and elsewhere (Rufus Sewell, Michael Gambon, Albert Finney and Youssou N'Dour),' managed - after tireless and courageous struggle .:- to pass an anti-slave trade bill in Parliament.

With its solid performances, accessible script and 'handsome production design, director Michael Apted's film recalls some' of the best historical dramas from Hollywood's golden age, and is all the more admirable for its unabashed portrait of a passionate man of God. Tbe DVD includes commentary by Apted and Gruffudd, a making-of documentary with much historical detail, a tour of the National Underground Railroad Freedom Center in Cincinnati, a music video of the title song with Chris Tomlin, and various interactive study guides.

The USCCB Office for Film & Broadcasting classification is AIl - adults and adolescents.

(Twentieth Century Fox Home Entertainment)

"Ocean's Thirteen" (Widescreen Edition) (2007)

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After a convoluted European sojo\lrn in "Ocean's Twelve," the third film in the stylish caper franchise returns to its entertaining if morally questionable Las Vegas roots as Danny Ocean (George Clooney) and company - motivated by loyalty to their cohort Reuben (Elliott Gould) - target an egotistical hotel mogul (AI Pacino). The buildup is more exciting than the payoff, but direc路tor Steven Soderbergh makes it

easy to watch all the moving parts in this elaborate and improbable job. Some glorification of crime, crude language ,and profanity, sexual innuendo, and one extended if nongraphic scene of sensuality. Extra features on the DVD include three additional scenes, a 22-minute documentary on Las Vegas and a tour of the casino with producer Jerry Weintraub.

The USCCB Office for Film & Broadcasting classification is AIII - adults. (Warner Home Video) "Shre~

the Third" (2007)

The saga of the lovable ogre continues in the same high quality vein of the first two films, as Shrek (voiced by Mike Myers)aided by a potential heir to Far Far Away's throne (Justin Timberlake) - must rescue his wife, Fiona (Cameron Diaz), and the kingdom's other residents who have been captured by the evil Prince Charming (Rupert Everett) and an assortment offairy-tale villains. Writer and co-director (with Raman Hui) Chris Miller's latest installment has a somewhat darker edge, though still plenty of laughs with Shrek's sidekicks, Donkey (Eddie Murphy) and Puss in Boots (Antonio Banderas), in fine form, while the script's careful emphasis on good values such as believing in yourself, sacrificing for others, eschewing violence and trusting in mankind's innate goodness override the occasional crude and mildly suggestive gags. Implied ogre nudity, some mildly offcolor humor and innuendo, and the death of the king. The DVD includes a behind-the-scenes featurette, another on the technical aspects, descriptions of three deleted sequences, and a plethora of fun, silly features that kids will enjoy, like "Shrek's Guide to Parenthood," a Donkey Dance music video and various interactive features. The USCCB Office for Film & Broadcasting classification is A-II - adults and adolescents.

(DreamWorks Home Entertainment)

EWTN Will broadcast Advent Tridentine Mass

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IRONDALE, Ala. (CNS) - The Eternal Word Television Network will air a solemn high Mass in the Tridentine rite at 8 a.m. EST December 15, live from the Shrine of the Most Blessed Sacrament in Hanceville.

The liturgy, which will be celebrated by clergy of the Priestly Fraternity of St. Peter, is known as the "rorate Mass" because it begins with the Latin words "Rorate caeli desuper et nubes pluant iustum" ("Drop down dew, ye heavens, from above and let the clouds rain down upon the just one").

Celebrated by candlelight and traditionally held before dawn, the votive Mass offered during Advent to honor Mary is esteemed particularly by German-speaking Catholics.

Father John Berg, superior general of the Priestly Fraternity of St. Peter, will travel from the community's headquarters in Switzerland and will be the celebrant and homilist. Priests and seminarians from Our Lady of Guadalupe Seminary in Denton, Neb., also will travel to Alabama to assist.

The Mass is open to the public.

FEELING DRAINED - Amy Adams stars in a scene from the movie "Enchanted." For a brief review of this film, see CNS Movie Capsules below. (CNS photo/Disriey)

(Ben Whishaw), plugged-in electric singer (Cate Blanchett), actor-husband (Heath Ledger), born-again Christian (Bale), and loner and "outlaw" (Richard Gere). Since cowriter and director Todd Haynes eschews conventional biography, the film requires some knowledge of Dylan's history for full apprecia(I]!l~' ~'I()viile tion, but ultimately, despite a fine earful of Dylan songs and some inICaIIV~Ulllle~ teresting performances (especially NEW YORK (CNS) - The fol- from Blanchett), this emerges as an lowing are capsule reviews of mov- arty, cinematic curiosity. Rough ies recently reviewed by the Office language and profanity, crass exfor Film & Broadcasting ofthe U.S. pressions, brief partial male and upper-female nudity, a nongraphic Conference of Catholic Bishops. sexual encounter and drug use. The Enchanted" (Disney) Delightful musical romance fol- USCCB Office for Film & Broadlows a maiden (the sparkling Amy casting classification is L - limAdams) from the world of animated ited adult audience, films whose fairy tales into contemporary, live- problematic content many adults action Manhattan where she falls in would find troubling. The Motion love with a lawyer (Patrick Picture Association ofAmerica ratDempsey), despite the entreaties of ing is R - restricted. Under 17 reher princely suitor (James Marsden) . quires accompanying parent or and the meddling of an evil queen adult guardian.

"The Mist" (MGMlDimension) (Susan Sarandon). With affection Technically skillful but relentand wit, director Kevin Lima and lessly pessimistic horror tale in his team gently spoof the cartoon which an unnatural fog, alive with fairy-tale genre on which Disney murderous mutant animals, debuilt its reputation, never losing scends on a small Maine town, leavsight of its traditional values and perennial charms. A few scary im- ing a representative sampling of the ages, some sexual innuendo and a brief instance of scatological humor. The USCCB Office for Film & Broadcasting classification is AI - general patronage. The Motion Picture Association ofAmerica rating is PG - parental guidance suggested. Some material may not be suitable for children.

locals trapped in a grocery store, where a courageous but sensible movie-poster artist (Thomas Jane), accompanied by his son (Nathan Gamble) and aided by the store's plucky manager (Toby Jones), must battle the malevolent critters while also trying to arbitrate between opposing groups led by a religious fanatic (Marcia Gay Harden) and a relentlessly skeptical lawyer (Andre Braugher). Writer-director-producer Frank Darabont's adaptation of Stephen King's novella has the makings of a diverting, old-fashioned monster movie, but - in addition to being excessively bloody - it instead becomes talky and meandering as it attempts to analyze social dynamics, religion and the polarities of human nature.

Bloody violence and mutilation, euthanasia, pervasive rough and crude language, much crass language and profanity. The USCCB Office for Film & Broadcasting classification is L - limited adult audience, films whose problematic content many adults would find troubling. The Motion Picture Association of America rating is R restricted. Under 17 requires accompanying parent or adult guardian.

Diocese of Fall River TV Mass on WLNE Channel 6 Sunday, December 2 at 11:00 a.m.

First Sunday of Advent

"I'm Not There" (Weinstein) Artsy, impressionistic portrait of singer-songwriter Bob Dylan with several top actors playing different aspects of his multifaceted character over the decades: Woody Guthrie acolyte (Marcus Carl Franklin), folksinger (Christian Bale), Arthur Rimbaud admirer

Scheduled celebrant is Holy Cross Father John Phalen, president of Holy Cross Family Ministries in North Easton

'V

$ Th~ Anchor , The Challenge of Forming Consciences for Faithful Citizenship

NOVEMBER

30,2007

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A WeU-Fonned Conscience The Church equips her members to address political questions by helping them develop well-formed consciences. "Conscience is a judgment of reason whereby the human person recognizes the moral quality of a concrete act. ... [Every person] is obliged to follow faithmand urgent moral choices. We are a nation at fully what he [or she] knows to bejust and right" war, with all ofits human costs; a country often (Catechism ofthe Catholic Church, No. 1778). divided t'f race and ethnicitY; a nation of irn- We Catholics have a lifelong obligation to form migrants struggling with immigration. We are our consciences in accord with human reason, an affluent society where too many live in pov- enlightened by the teaching ofChrist as it comes erty; part of a global community confronting to us through the Church. terrorism and facing urgent threats to our enviThe VIrtue of Prudence The Church also encourages Catholics to ronment; a culture built on families, where some now question the value of marriage and family develop the virtue of prudence, which enables . life. We pride ourselves oli supporting human us "to discern our true good in every circumrights, ·but we fail even to protect the funda- stance and to choose the right means ofachievmental right to life, especially for unborn chil- ing it" (Catechism of the Catholic Church, No. 1806). Prudence shapes and informs our abildren.

WebishopsseektohelpCatholicsforrntheir ity to deliberate over available alternatives, to consciences in accordance with the truth, so determine what is most fitting to a specific con_ they can make sound moral choices in address- text, and to act. Prudence must be accompaing these challenges. We do not tell Catholics nied by courage which calls us to act. As Cathohow to vote. The responsibility to make politi- lics seek to advance the common good, we must . cal choices rests with each person and his or carefully discern which public policies are morher properly formed conscience. ally sound. A good end does not justify an irnWhy does the Church teach about issues moral means. At times Catholics may choose affecting public policy? different ways to respond to social problems; The Church's obligation to participate in but we cannot differ on our obligation to proshaping the moral character of society is a re- tect human life and dignity and help build quirement of our faith, a part of the mission through moral means a more just and peaceful given to us by Jesus Christ. Faith helps us see world. more clearly the truth about humaIi life and digDoing Good and Avoiding Evil nity that we also understand through human There are some things we must never do, as reason. As peopie of both faith and reason, individuals or as a society, because they are a1Catholics are called to bring truth to political ways incompatible with love ofGod and neigh'life and to practice Christ's commandment to bor. These intrinsically evil acts must always "love one another" (In 13:34). According to be rejected and never supported. A preeminent Pope Benedict XVI, "charity,must animate the .example is the intentional taking of human life entire lives ofthe lay faithful and therefore also through abortion. It is always morally wrong their political activity, lived as 'social charity'" to destroy innocent human beings. A legal sys(Deus Carit~ Est, No. 29). tern that allows the right to life to be violated . The United States Constitution protects the on the grounds of choice is fundamentally right of mdividual believers and religious bod- flawed. Similarly, direct threats to the dignitY ies to participate and speak out without gov- of human life such as euthanasia, human clonemment interference, favoritism, or discrirni- ing, and destructive research on human embryos nation. Civil law should recognize and protect are also intrinsically evil and must be opposed. the Church's right and responsibility to partici- Other assaults on human life and dignity, such pate in society without abandoning our central as genocide, torture, racism, and the targeting moral convictions. Our nation's tradition ofplu- of noncombatants in acts of terror or war, can ralism is enhanced, not threatened, when reli- never be justified. Disrespect for any human gious groups and people offaith bring their con- life diminishes respect for all human life.

As Catholics we are not single-issue voters. victions into public life. The C!ltholic community brings to the political dialogue a consis- A candidate's position on a single issue is not tent moral framework and broad experience sufficient to guarantee a voter's support. Yet a serving those in need. candidate's position on a single issue that inWho in the Church shouldparticipate in volves an intrinsic evil such as support forle-

Thefollowing is a bulletin insertprepared by the U.S. Conference ofCatholic Bishops as a summary of their 41-page document on the political responsibilities ofCatholics, approved at the November 12-15 meeting in Baltimore, Md.: Our nation faces political challenges that de-

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political life?

In the Catholic Tradition, responsible citi" zenship is a virtue and participation in politi-

I moral costs ofwar, and unjust immigration Policies are some of the serious moral issueS that challenge our consciences and require us t¢ act.

Making Moral Choices II Difficult political decisions require the;: exercise of a well~formed conscience aide~,by prudence. This exercise of conscience begins with always opposing policies that violat~ human life or weaken its protection. ''Thosdwho formulate law therefore have an obligati6n in II conscience to work toward correcting morally defective laws, lest they be guilty of coo~rating in evil and in sinning against the common II good" (Catholics in Political Life, 2004). 'Yhen morally flawed laws already exist, prudential judgmentis needed to determine how to do khat I is possible to restore justice~ven if p~ally or gradually-withoutever abandoning a rl.oral commitment to full protection for all hdman life from conception to natural deathll(see Evangelium Vitae, No. 73).

I Prudential judgment is also needed t() determine the best way to promote the c0nVn0n good in areas such as housing, health care~ and immigration. When Church leaders makejudg" ments about how to apply Catholic teachifig to specific policies, this may not carry the ~ame binding authority as universal moral principles but cannot be dismissed as one political ?pini()n among others. These moral applicafions should inform the consciences and gui4 the actions of Catholics.

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What does the Church say about Catholif social teaching in the public square?

Ii Seven Key Themes I A consistent ethic of life should gui4e all Catholic engagement in Politicallife.IIThis Catholic ethic neither treats all issues as tnorally equivalent nor reduces Catholic tea4hing to one or two issues. It anchors the Ca~olic commitment to defend human life and other human rights, from conception until ndtural death, in the fundamental obligation to re~pect the dignity of every human being as a child of God. . i Catholic voters should use Catholic t~aching to examine candidates' positions on issues and should consider candidates' integrity! philosophy, and performance. It is irnportat1t for all citizenS "to see beyond party politics, tq analyze campaign rhetoric critically, and to cqoose their political leaders according to principl~, not party affiliation or mere self-interest" (Living the Gospel of Life, No. 33). The follo~ing themes of Catholic social teaching provide a I' moral framework for decisions in public life. 2 2 The Right to Life and the Dignity of the Human Person "

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gal abortion or the promotion of racism, may legitimately lead a voter to disqualify a candidate from receiving support. I Opposition to in-

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trinsically evil acts also prompts us to recog- tack from abortion, euthanasia, human clofring, nizeourpositive duty to contribute to the com- anddestructionofhumanembryosforresebh. mon good and act in solidarity with those in . These intrinsic evils must always be oppbsed. . need. Both opposing evil and doing good are This teaching also compels us as Cathol\cs to essential. As Pope John Paul II said, ''the fact oppose genocide, torture, unjust war, the that only the negative commandments oblige use of the death penalty as well as to pfu.sue .

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share our comprehenSIve comrmtment to human life and dignity. Catholic lay women ahd men need to act on the Church's moral prin-

always and under all crrcumstances does nof mean that in the moral life prohibitions are more important than the obligation to do good indi-

cIples ~d become more mvolved: runmng for office, working within political parties, and communicating concerns to elected officials. , . " Even those who cannot vote should raIse therr voices on matters that affect their lives and the common good.

cated by the pOSItIve commandment (Ventatzs and Participation I Splendor, No. 52). The basic right tcilife irnThe family, based on marriage betwcben a .plies and is linked to other human rights to the man and a woman is the fundamental ubit of . . , . ' ." goods that every. person needs to hve and SOCIety. This sanctuary for the creatIon and nurthrive-including food, shelter, health care, turing of children must not be redefined, uneducation and meaningful work. The use of derrnined or neglected. Supporting fmrtilies

How does the Church help Catholics to address political and social questions? .

the death penalty, hunger, lack ofhealth care or housing, human trafficking, the human and

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Ca~echlsm of the <;:athollc Church (2nd ed.)

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(Washmgton, DC: UnIted States Conference of

Human life is sacred. Direct attacks dn in- Catholic Bishops [USCCBl), 2000. nocent human beings are never morally a4ept- _.

Pope Benedict XVI, Deus Caritas Est (God Is able. Within our society life is under dirett at- Love) (Washington, DC:_ USC~B, 2.006). ,

cal life is a moral obligation. As Catholics, we should be guided more by our moral convictions than by our attachment to a political party or interest group. In today's environment, Catholics may f~l politically disenfranchised, sensing that no party and few candidates fully

nomics and politics, in law and public policyaffects the well-being of individuals and of society. Every person and association has a right and a duty to participate in shaping society to promote the well-being of individuals and the common good.

Rights aDd Responsibilities Every human being has a right to life, the fundamental right that makes all other rights possible. Each ofus has a right to religious freedom, which enables us to live and act in accord with our God-given dignity, as well-as a right to access to those things required for human decency-food and shelter, education and employment, health care and housing. Corresponding to these rights are duties and responsibilities-to one another, to our families, and to the larger society.

Option for the Poor and Vulnerable Whilethecommongoodembracesall,those who are in greatest need deserve preferential concern. A moral test for society is how we treat the weakest among us-the unborn, those dealing with disabilities or terminal illness, the poor and marginalized.

Work and the Rights of Workers The economy must serve people, not the other way around. Economic justice calls for . decent work at fair, living wages, opportunities for legal status for immigrant workers, and the opportunity for all people to work together for the common good through their work, ownership, enterprise, investment, participation in unions, and other forms of economic activity.

Solidarity We are one human family, \\!hatever our national, racial, ethnic,economic, and ideological differences. Our Catholic commitment to solidarity requires that we pursuejustice, eliminate racism, end human trafficking, protect human rights, seek peace, and avoid the use of force except as a necessary last resort.

Canng' for God's Creation Care for the earth is a duty of our Catholic faith. We all are called to be careful stewards of God's creation and to ensure a safe and hospitable environment for vulnerable human beings now and in the future.

Conclusion In light of Catholic teaching, as bishops we vigorously repeat our call for a renewed politics that focuses on moral principles, the defense of life, the needs ofthe weak, and the pursuit ofthe conimon good. This kind of political, participation reflects the social teaching of our Church and the best traditions of our nation." .

Reference.s

peace and help overcome poverty, raclSIll,' and other conditions that demean human life'i' Call to Family: Community :..

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:~

should be a priority for economic and social policies. How our S9Ciety is organized-~ ecoI

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Pope John Paul II, Evangellum Vitae (The Gospel of Life) (Washington, DC: USCCB, 1995); Ve~itatis Splendor (The Splendor.of Truth) .

(Washmgton, DC: l!SC: CB , 1.9.93 ). .

USCCB, Catholics 10 Political Life (Washmgton, DC: USCCB, 2004); Living the Gospel of Life (Washington, DC: USCCB, 1998).

Copyr~ght.© 2007, Un~ted States Conference of Catholic BiShops, Washmgton, D.C To read the full statement of the bishops, please visit faithfulcitizenship.org . 1. For mo.re on the .moral challe~ge of v?~lng, see Forming Consciences for Faithful Cltizenship, nos. 34-39. Visit faithfulcitizenship.org 2. These themes are drawn from a ri£h tradition more .(ully described in the Compend~um ofthe S?cUd Doctrine ofthe Churchfrom the Pontifical Councilfor Justice andPeace (Washington, DC: UniJed States Conference ofCatholic Bishops, 2005). For more informalion ~n these .seven themes, s~e faithfulcitize~hip.org.

For mformation on how we bIShops ofthe United States have applied Catholic social teaching to polky issues, see faithfulcitizenship.org•.

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NOVEMBER

30, 2007

Being patient,with the world

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The Advent journey to live in patient expectation begins, as we stated last week, with our need to be patient with ourselves.

We must evaluate our talents, weaknesses, expectations, and experiences and then put them to the,test. This process takes some significant self-examination - a trip that, if done well, ~s always perilous, for it reveals both the good and the less than good inside us. Once this journey IS made, however, and a proper self-evaluation completed, we can move forward in our journey of preparation for the coming of Christ, in time at Christmas and at the end of human time.

Once we are "right" with ourselves, then we need to see our Christian lives within the context of the world in which we live. We do not live in a vacuum; we live and work in society. Society has its own challenges, which are becoming increasingly severe each <.Jay and which we cannot avoid; we must do what is necessary to meet them head-on and negotiate any possible barriers or hurdles so as to live our common Christian vocation to holiness fully and completely.

God created the world for us; we are its master. Yet we must prepare ourselves for the multiple tests that the world will generally send our way.

The challenge posed by society beginswith secularism. Too often, if we are ~ot vigilant, the world will dominate us and we will lose focus on what is most important.

Our need to concentrate on our lives of faith and not,to be absorbed by the world is illustrated in a story. One day a businessman was being interviewed by a reporter. The reporter asked, "What do you do, sir, for a living?" The response came immediately, "I am a Christian." "No, you do not understand what I mean," continued the reporter. "What do you do day-to-day; what is your daily rout4te?" Without skipping a beat, the businessman repeated, "I told you I am a Christian," But the reporter persisted and asked for a third time, "Sir, I want to know what you do for your Occupation; how do you occupy your time day-to-day?" In a rather exasperated tone of voice, the businessman answered for the third time, "I told you I am a Christian I00 percent of the time. It so happens, in order to pay the bills, I own a furniture store." While secularism _often surrounds us, the challenge of the Christian life is to keep our focus on what' we do, namely to practice our Christianity 24-hours a day, seven days a week.

We must never lQse our way. The tendency for us is to take the easy road, the one most traveled; the path without problems, hurdles, or detours. But Jesus very clearly tells us: "Enter through the , narrow gate; for the gate is wide and the road is easy that leads to destruction, and there are many who take it. For the gate is mirrow and the way is hard that le;lds to ' life, and there are few who find it" (Mt 7: 13-14). It is not easy to take the road less traveled; we want to be on the main path with. others. The road for Christians will never be without obstacle or pain, but then why should we expect anything less than the path Christ trod in his life? If we truly seek to be his disciples, we should follow him unreservedly. As Jesus says many times in the Scriptures in varied

ways, there is much dying on our way to us; nobody is neutral on our behavior or the Father. words. We either draw people closer to us Apathy and indifferentism are also or push them further away by what they significant challenges of society. We live observe in our words and actions. If they in a world in which we often hear, "I don't , know we are Christians, their separation want to get involved; it is not my concern from us will also be their separation from or responsibility." The apathetic attitude God. We cannot, therefore, let others can be depicted in a humorous story. Fred down.

Everybody; We must also Thomas fight against Somebody, indifferentism.

Peter Anybody, People often' and Joe Nobody say, "If I follow were neighbors, Jesus, if! live a but not the type good life, who that most would cares what want to know. religion I They were odd follow?" Today people, troublemany people some, and difficult to understand. The way, reject organized religion. Robert they lived their lives was a shame. These Wuthnow, a sociologist of religion at men all went to the same church, but most Princeton University, speaks of the shift in would not have wanted them as parishioAmerican culture and religion from a time ners. Everybody went fishing on Sundays of "indwelling," found before Vatican IT, or stayed home and spoke with his to a period of "seeking" in our contemporary society. We must stand against this friends. Anybody wanted to worship, but he was afraid that Somebody would speak , tide and make a statement for what we believe. Certainly, as Vatican IT's "Declawith him. Thus, guess who went to church-that's right, Nobody. Actually, ration on Religious Liberty" states, we Nobody was the only decent one ofthe must respect the consciences of all people, lot. Nobody did the parish census; but we must clearly maintain the primacy Nobody joined the Parish Council. One of Catholicism. Again, as Vatican IT day there was a call in the bulletin for clearly states, the fullness of truth lies in people to apply for a position as a teacher the Catholic faith. in the Religious Education Program.

The challenge of the world is also Everybody thought Anybody would apply;: found in our need to wait patiently for Anybody thought Somebody would apply. people. All of us have expectations of So, guess who applied? You are right, , others, but what should our expectations Nobody! be? As I suggested in speaking of selfWe must guard against apathy in our expectations last week, I believe we lives. When society does not seem to should seek high expectations, but at the appreciate what we do or who we are, ' same time be realistic, If our expectations there is a tendency to become apathetic. are:1ow then others will not meet their We cannot allow society to drag us down. potential. We have the task and challenge Remember: we are the Church, the people to raise people up to allow them to fulfill of God, Our friends and neighbors look to 'their potential. If we expect a'minimum,

then others will remain at the low standard we have set; they will never move higher because there is no incentive for them to advance. We can challenge people, with courtesy, grace and respect, to move up to the potential God has given them.

Thro,ugh our baptism and confirmation we have made a public commitment to live Christian lives. Thus, we must test others and by our challenge help them to realize their commitment to build and promote the Kingdom of God in our world.

Our need to walk the road with our fellow Christian travelers requires significant effort on our part. As the Book of Genesis indicates, "We are our brother's keeper." We must be responsible to each other and for each other. When we notice that people have done things well, we should tell them. When we notice problems, we, should tell them, too. We should do what is right because it is the right thing to do and ask no recompense for our efforts. As Jesus says in the Scriptures, ' "We are worthless slaves; we have done only what we ought to have done!" (Luke 17:10). Acting to resolve a problem, whether it be associated with an individual or a situation, may require tough love, but doing what is right is always the proper move. We do not serve our brothers and sisters well when we passively ignore what is going on around us. We are a team, with Jesus Christ as both captain and coach. We must never lose sight of this reality.

Working with others also demands understanding. We all have problems, quirks; and foibles that annoy others; no one is perfect. Jesus was understanding of others, including his chosen leader of the Apostles, Peter, who denied the Lord three times at his greatest hour of need.

Being patient with the world requires us to engage society, to live in the world but not of the world. Secularism is pervasive and we must recognize it for what it is. We should not fear, but rather stand against its onslaught. We must guard , against the apathy and indifferentism that plague our society. When people say they do not want to get involved, we must answer with a contrary view, having the courage to stand against the tide, no matter its size or strength. We must have legitimate expectations of people, not setting the lowest common denominator, but realistic goals. We must be patient with others and with ourselves. God,after all, is patient with us; should we not act similarly?

Patience with the world is the second step of our Advent journey of patient expectation. Once we have come to grips with our self - understanding, acknowledging our strengths and weaknesses and our need for self reflection - then we must engage the world, n~ver being fearful or cowed, but always strong and convicted in what we say and do. Such is the challenge of the world; let us prepare ourselves to face the world as our Advent journey continues.

Father Gribble is a noted author and is associate professor ofreligious studies WE ARE OUR BROTHER'S KEEPER - A family at Denver's Samaritan House at Stonehill College in North Easton.

This is the second installinent ofa fivehomeless shelter gives thanks before Thanksgiving dinner. New national studies part series. show that millions of U.S. families still struggle to feed their children. (eNS file)

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NOVEMBER

30,2007

• The Anchor news briefs Elevation of Chaldean patriarch highlights plight ofIraqi Christians VATICAN CITY - When Pope Benedict XVI placed a red hat on Cardinal Emmanuel-Karim Delly of Baghdad during the November 24 consistory in St. Peter's Basilica, he was honoring not just the patriarch of the Chaldean Church, but was elevating the plight of Iraqi Christians to the world's attention. The pope "told me 'I hope this gesture will be a sign ofreconciliation not only among thepeople, but especially among Sunnis, Shiites and Christians, because Iraq is a country dear to me,'" the patriarch told reporters during a press conference after a meeting of cardinals and cardinals-designate with the pope. During the consistory, Pope Benedict said in his homily that elevating the Chaldean leader was a way of "concretely expressing my spiritual closeness and my affection" for Iraq's Christian mi~ norities. "They are experiencing in their own flesh the dramatic consequences of an enduring conflict and now live in a fragile and delicate political situation," the pope said.

Pope says world must do more to keep every person free from hunger VATICAN CITY (CNS) - Pope Benedict XVI, citing persistent food insecurity around the world, said humanity must do more to guarantee the "basic right of every person to be free from hunger." The pope said it was "one of the most troubling paradoxes of our time" that poverty continues to spread even while many countries experience unprecedented prosperity. The pope made the remarks to participants in a recent, annual conference on global nutrition sponsored by the Rome-based U.N. Food and Agriculture Organization. The conference reviewed data showing overall progress in combating world hunger and even more optimistic projections. According to an FAO report, the number of well-nourished people could reach 93 percent by the year 2050. But the FAO report noted that some areas have lagged behind.

Pope to sign, release encyclical on hope today VATICAN CITY (CNS) - Pope Benedict XVI will today sign his second encyclical, a meditation on Christian hope, and the docu~ ment will be immediately released, the Vatican announced. The encyclical, titled "Spe Salvi" ("Saved by Hope"), will be presented at a Vatican press conference by Cardinal Georges Cottier, the retired theologian of the papal household, and Cardinal Albert Vanboye, a retired professor at the Pontifical Biblical Institute. Sources have said the encyclical, about 65 pages long, explores the theme of sal~ vation and the hope offered by Christianity in light of modem philosophy and contemporary culture. The title comes from St. Paul's letter to the Romans, in which he said: ''For in hope we have been saved."

Cardinals say meeting with pope shows his emphasis on Christian unity VATICAN CITY (CNS) - The importance Pope BenedictXVI places on the search for Christian unity was evi~ent in his decision to focus on ecumenism during a November 23 meeting with members of the College of Cardinals, said a U.S. cardinal. Cardinal William H. Keeler, the retired archbishop of Baltimore who has been involved in ecumenical and interfaith activities for years, said the fact that the pope chose ecumenism as the theme for the meeting shows ''that this is a very vital thing for the church worldwide." Cardinal Keeler, who was one of 33 cardinals to speak during the meeting, told Catholic News Service the discussion demonstrated that there are different experiences and levels ofecumenical dialogue. "Different ecumenical forms have evolved in different parts of the world, and the progress in each region is different," he said. "For the pope, ecumenism is not a subject for discussion, but a mandate," German Cardinal Walter Kasper, president of the Pontifical Council for Promoting Christian Unity and the main speaker chosen by the pope to address the meeting, told journalists afterward. The meeting brought together 120 cardinals and the 23 men Pope Benedict inducted into the College of Cardi-

nals.

Church officials kick off new season of Cleritus Cup in Rome ROME (CNS) - Vatican and other Church officials kicked off the second season of the enormously popular Oericus Cup soccer series in which 16 teams of seminarians and priests studying in Rome vie for the championship title. Organizers said they hoped the series' example of ethical sportsmanship and fair play would help infect the wider world of sports, especially in Italy, where a police officer's fatal shooting of a soccer fan November 11 sparked riots across the country. Bishop Josef Clemens, secretary of the Pontifical Council for the Laity, said the Gospels teach that "one must triumph over evil with good." He said the Clericus Cup was a perf~t example of the kind of good that could help guide sport away from "a difficult pe-' riod." The bishop and others spol.e during a press conference held at the Italian Olympic Committee headquarters in Rome a few hours before the whistle blew to start the series' first match between Mater Ecclesiae and Rome's major seminary.

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Catholic officials s~y Middle East

peace possible, but ;U.S. must lead

By GEORGE P. MATYSEK JR. CATHOLIC NEWS SERVICE

BALTIMORE - As key leaders from Israel, the Palestinian territories, Saudi Arabia, Syria and other nations gathered in Annapolis for a November 26-28 Middle East peace conference and related meetings, local Catholic leaders s~d they were hopeful the meetings would trigger further discussions formaIdng a lasting peace in the Holy'Land.

Peace is attainable, they said, but it will take assertive leadership from the United States to make it a reality.

"I'm guardedly optimistic in the sense that I'm always happy when there's soine kind of negotiation going on in the Middle East," said BaltimoreAuxiliary Bishop Denis 1.

Madden, urban vicar for the archdiocese.

Bishop Madden previously served as associate secretary general of the Catholic Near East Welfare Association and director of the PontificalMission for Palestine office in Jerusalem.

He s.aid the lack ofstrong leadership from the United States in recent

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years has been a contributing reason II, the peace process has s~ed. He was hopeful the U.S.-led Anpapolis conference would change that.

II The conference and related meetings included participahts from 50 II organizations and countries, including Israel, the PalestiniJo territories and several Arab states!1 "I think it's very imp~rtant for the U.S. to show seriousnJss about all of this," Bishop Mad4en 'told the Catholic Review, newspaper of the Baltimore Archdiocesel ''There's a need for an outside pa.r& to provide leadership, as long as it's going to I be even-handed.":: Bishop Madden saidithere is general consensus about what steps are' needed to achieve peace. Israelis would like greater contful of the terrorists who pose a thre~t to security, he said, while Palestiniks are looking for a cessation of I~raeli settlement-building, the returb ofland and freer travel. ''The Israelis and Palbstinians can and do live ~ peace," ~e said. ''We have extremist groups Iithat always topple the equilibriUn1 and when there's an episode everyllimg comes I:

to a screeching halt."

Christine Thcker, an official with Baltimore-based Catholic Relief Services and' a parishioner of St. ' Louis in Clarksville, participated in the recent pilgrimage while also conducting CRS business in the Holy Land. CRS is the U.S. bishops' overseas relief and development agency.

She agreed that there are many on both sides who know how to attain peace but that the political proces~ needs to be jump-started.

Thckersaid it is important,for American citizens to lobby their U.S. senators to pass a measure that encourages President George W. Bush to pursue a "robust diplomatic effort" iIi the Holy Land and to make a two-state solution "a top priority.", Pope Benedict XVI said he hoped the Annapolis conference, held at the U.S. Naval Academy, would help Palestinians and Israelis reach a ')ust and definitive solution."

He said the Palestinian-Israeli conflict "for 60 years has been bloodying the Holy Land," causing "so many tears and so much suffering among the two peoples."

,Pope says elderly sick people h!ave right to love, comfort VATICAN cITY (eNS) - The , In addition to pain r~lief, he said, when looking at physical ailments, elderly who are sick require and have a right to love, understanding and comfort from Church workers and from their family members, Pope Benedict XVI said. ''Human life is a gift from God, and we are all called to safeguard it always," the pope said November 17 during 'a meeting with participants in a Vatican conference on the pastoral care ofthe elderly who are sick.

The Pontifical Council for Health Care Ministry sponsored the No-, vember 15-17 conference for chaplains, health care providers and theologians, with topics ranging from new medical treatments to pastoral care for aged priests.

Pope Benedict told conference participants;"If it is true that life in each ofits phases is worthy of maximum respect, in some ways it is even more true when life is marked by old " age and illness.

The challenge to pastoral workers and to family members of finding ways to care for and assist the elderly is increasing as the percentage of elderly people in many societies grows, he said.. ''The modem mentality of efficiency frequently tends to marginalize these suffering brothers and sisters of ours, as if they are just a burden and a problem for society,". he said, But anyone who believes in the dignity. of the human person knows· that they must be respected and supported as they face the difficulties of the last stage of their lives, the Rope said.

the dying have a right to "understanding comfort and tonstant encourage~ent and acc0rPpaniment."

Pope Benedict sa~d pastoral workers and family m~,mbers must help the elderly "prep¥e serenely for death which we Christians know is a tran:ition to the embrace of the h~venly Father,.who is ofmercy and tenderness." , il The pope asked participants to remember the teaching kd example of "my venerated predJcessor John Paul IT, who, especiall~ during his illness, offered an exemplary witness of faith and courage."

Pope Benedict said *e wanted to reaffirm a request Pop~ John Paul made to scientists and doctors, asking them to discover ~~ys "to prevent and cure the illnes~s related to aging without ever ~ving in to the temptation to resort to 'practices to shorten a sick and elderly life, prac-' tices that would be fonhs of euthanasia."

Ii Father Anthony M6bks, former " superior general of theliCamillians, told the conference pa{ticular care must be given to sick and aged priests and religious. II "illness and ~dvancVtg years always involve some forin of loss: a I' loss of space, of mobility, of control over who comes and gbes into our ,I confined space, over time, over what is done to my body," lle said, and the problem can be ~o're acute for priests and religious us~ to privacy, independence and a self1identity tied to their ministry.

Prevention is essential not only

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he said, but ~so when lo~king at a loss of meanmg and loneliness. . "I know.80-year-olds wh? are a JOY ~o b~ WIth ,and wh~ contmue .to share theIr undoubted W1sd~m, while I hav~ known other~ who ~ed at 5?, but ~d not ·get buned untl1 well ill 'their 80s," he said.

"It .is not easy ~o go ~om bein~ ~ active, prod~ctIve pnest or religlOuS to findmg that you have reached your '~e.ll by' date," he said.

Elderly religIOUS need love and ,care, not prea~hing, ~e. said. They ne~d co~pamons wl1hng t? take ~eIr f:elmgs and fears senously.

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YOUTH PAGES

16

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NOVEMBER

30, 2007

c-c girls soccer: A class act NANTUCKET - At a recent away game, the Coyle and Cassidy High School Girls Soccer captains presented the Nantucket captains with a card and bouquet of flowers in memory of a teammate that had recently passed away.

The officiating referee, Matthew Runge, submitted this act of kindness for recognition by the MIAA for good sportsmanship.

He said "In my short time officiating three high school sports, I have never seen any gesture that comes close to this. It was very classy."

Principal Paul Cartier remarked by saying "This speaks volumes about the character and spirit ofthe member's of our girls soccer team and about their future as moral leaders in our society."

THEY CAN BANK ON IT - The fourth-grade class at Notre Dame de Lourdes School, Fall River, recently went on a field trip to The Bank Of Fall River w!lich has a banking program to give students the opportunity to open a savings account, make deposits, and understand yarious banking procedures. Above, teacher Pam Alexander and fourth-grader Kimberly Huyler stUdy a deposit slip.

WARMING UP FOR TURKEY DAY - John Davis and Francesca Barbi are served "Tom Turkey" by Mrs. Timper at a recent Thanksgiving dinner at St. Pius X School in South Yarmouth.

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AT A LACROSSE ROADS - Bishop Feehan High School Sophomore Lauren Tavares proudly displays the lacrosse ball she designed to commemorate the Attleboro school's first lacrosse season. Principal Bill Runey chose Tavares' design from all those submitted by the team. .~

THE VOTES ARE IN - Bishop Connolly High School in Fall River recently elected class officers. They were: top photo, Sophomore, Junior, and Senior student officers, front, from left: Shantel daSilva, Katie Tighe, and Lauren Felix. Middle: Mackenzie Rogers, Jenna Perry, Evan Catudal, KherriLynn Rego, and Matt Varao.

Back: Katarina Mauricio, Kelsey Sullivan, Selic Borden, David Carvalho, and路 Zach Boutin. At right, Freshman student officers from left: Ryan Frost, Ariel Moniz, Nathan Habib, and Nina Blythe.

SEASON'S GREETINGS - Leslie Vicente and Principal Cristina Raposo from St. James-St. John School, New Bedford, enjoy a special meal during the Thanksgiving season.

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NOVEMBER

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30, 2007

YOUTH PAGES

17 I

.Showing the world who we are

Homeless Youths

in Christ

I

By CHARLIE MARTIN -

Figures on homeless and runaway yOLing people are difficult to come by because of mobility and overlapping populations. Below are some figures gleaned from a Congressional Research Service report.

. 52,000to

1 million 5% 57%

homeless youths in the U.S. of 12- to 17-year-olds have experienced homelessness. of runaways are white youths.

17% are black, 15% are Hispanic •of runaway or thrown-away youths return home. most cited reason for being homeless/runaway

family confl ict 0200706

Vigils across country put human face on plight. of homeless youths UNITED NATIONS - Cov- of Perpetual Help Church in Washenant House in New York kicked off ington.

The kickoff vigil was sponsored , its 17th annual candlelight vigil for homeless youths with a lunchtime by the U.N. Staff Recn;ation Counflashlight vigil at U.N. headquarters. cil, whose president, Ramu Sister Tricia C;:ruise, a Sister of Damodaran, compared the United Charity who is president of Cov- Nations to Covenant House. "We are enant House, said the recent vigil a house where at least two major was an "urgent worldwide call for covenants, one assuring economic greater advocacy on behalf of ... the and social rightS and the other asestimated 40 million street children suring civil rights, come together."

In Washington, a biting cold in Latin America and 1.3 million young people who will experience evening helped participants in the homelessness this year in the United November 15 candlelight vigil experience in a small way what it feels States and Canada."

Calling the vigil "a powerful act like to live on the streets. The sharof faith:' she added, "It is an act of ing of stories helped people see the defiance against evil, against pimps faces and hear the voices of young and against complacency. Every people who had been homeless.

According to the National Allitime we light a candle today, or raise , a flashlight, we send a message to ance to End Homelessness, about homeless youth that says,'Your life 1,400 youths in Washington were homeless for at least one night in matters.'"

Evening candlelight vigils were 2006. Nationwide, the group estiheld in 150 locations across the . mates that one million young United States, induding Times people experienced homelessness Square in New York and Our Lady Illst year.

PICTURES OF YOU This is the clock up on the wall This is the story of us all This is the first sound of a new child before he starts to crawl This is the war that's never won This is the soldier and his gun This is the mother waiting by the phone praying for her son Pictures ofyou Pictures ofme Remind us all of what we used to be There is a drug that cures it all Blocke4 by the gov.emment wall We are the scientists inside the lab jus', waiting for the call This ea~hquake weather has got : me shaking Inside I'm high up and dry Pictures ofyou Pictures ofme Hung up on your wallfor the world to see \ Pictures ofyou \ Pictures ofme \ Remind us all of wit . we used to be Confess to me All that lies between Js All that lies between you ahd me We are boxers in the ri~g We are the bells that nevet sing There is a title we can't »!'fiin no matter how hard we must ing Pictures ofyou Pictures ofme ,.

Hung up on your wall/or the world to see Pictures ofyou Pictures ofme Remind us all of what we could have been Pictures ofyou Pictures ofme Hung up on your wall for the

CATHOLIC NEWS SERVICE

We must continue to tell our world to see elected leaders that approaches based Pictures' ofme in violence are not acceptable. As dis, Pictures "ofyou of the Prince of Peace, whose ciples Remind us all of what soo!! celebrate, we can birth we will could have been present the picture of a community What could have been of Jesus that will not support war.

We could have been Moreover, we also must picture Sung by The Last Goodnight ourselves among' those who do not Copyright 2007 bY Virgin of poverty accept the numbing grind Records U.S. on people's lives.

What could we be? What pictures Just recently the United States Conmost reflect who vJ,e are? Who are ference ofCatholic Bishops sponsored the "we" in these questions? its annual Campaign for Human DeIt's all of us who call ourselves velopment collection (see today's disciples of ~esus. www.usccb.orglcchd).

By supporting These questions surfaced when I read the lyrics to The Last this effort we show that we stand toGoodnight's new rel~ase "Pictures of gether with all who face hunger, a lack You." As far as I Ialow, this is the of healthcare and unemployment.

We also present a picture of ourgroup's first trip up 'the charts. The selves as a community ofJesus when band features an alternative rock we: sound and is from Enfield, Conn.

-Question how the U.S. governCurrently the group is on tour proment can spend hundreds of billions " moting their debut,ldisc, "Poison of dollars on war while millions of I Kiss."

"Pictures ofYou" presents various its citizens go without the basic esI scenes. Some must ~ particular to sentials of life.

-Love the earth. We know' that th~ song's character. Others are familiar to all of us, especially those God sanctified our planet when he created it. We want to pass on its ho" wars in the reflecting the curre'!t liness and treasures to those who Middle East.

What struck me ab<:>ut this song is ~ome after us and address those is~ the reference to ~'pictures" that "re- sues that threaten it, issues such as mind us all ofwhat could have been." global warming.

We are powerful, committed and How important it is to consider what "pictures" ofourselves we want filled with the Holy Spirit. We know to present to the world as today's fol- what Jesus taught us and we believe it. These are our "pictures ofyou, piclowers of Jesus?

I , Surely today's disciples need to tures of me."

May God inspire and guide us as present pictures of themselves as committed peacemakers. We can be we actively care for all his family on inspired by rememberfug the picture this planet.

Comments ore always wekome. of Pope John Paul II repeating to world leaders just before the U.S. in- Please write to Charlie Martin oJ: vasion of Iraq the worm; ofPope John chmartin@swindiana.net or at 7125W 200S, Rockport, IN 47635.

XXIII: 'War never again!"

II

Hope in waiting' Happy New Year.

No, this is not the New Year's edition of The Anchor, nor have I· submitted my article one month early. But this weekenq does in fact mark the start of our liturgical year.

Unlike the traditional New Year's celebration that occurs when the clock strikes midnight on January 1, our Catholic New Year begins one month earlier. As Catholics, we mark the start of a brand new year with the Advent, season. Unlike the one day January 1 celebration, our new year begins with four weeks of preparation and anticipation.

The term "advent" has become synonymous with waiting. Some may think that this waiting simply refers to: waitingfor a parking spot at the mall; waiting in long lines at the stores; waiting to attend those Christmas parties; waiting for the st~of Christmas break;, waiting to open those presents. Waiting has become Such a negative concept espe-

cially in a culture that has drivethru everything including wedding chapels, seriously, look it lip. We want what we want when we want it.

But there are so many more positives'to waiting. Waiting for that very first snow fall; waiting for the crocuses to break through the last snows of winter; waiting for those fresh Christmas cookies mom baked to come out of the oven; waiting for the birth of a child - one child in particular during this season.

Yes, Advent is a time of waiting. It is a time for us, young and old, to reflect on our lives and determine if we are in fact prepared. As Cath()lics, are we prepared to enter this season of anticipation and take a good, hard look at who we were this past year? Are we prepared for the coming of our Lord, Jesus?,

Although Advent leads right into Christmas when we celebrate the Birth of Christ, we are also preparing for the time when Christ comes again. We proclaini this at Mass during the Memorial Acclamation: "Christ has died. '

Christ is risen. Christ will come again."

As we partake in the hustle and bustle of the holiday shopping sales, fill our cars with presents,' , goodies, and other ~ whatchamacallits - while of course running up our credit cards and emptying our checking accounts -let's pause a moment to reflect on the true meaning of

the season. It's not ab6ut who has the biggest HDTV, th~ smallest iPod, or the hottest Nintendo Wti Game. It's about recoQunitting ourselves to our faith and to Jesus. It's about preparing ourselves to become me people in " which he can proud.

The Advent and ehristmas seaspns " are not just about waiting, but they are also about hope.

Hope that thIngs, no matter what those things are, will get better; hope that maybe this':, year you'll be able to let go of that grudge you've kept for reasons you no longer remember; hope that wars will becQme a . thing,of the past. Hope accompanied by faith and love c~ only spread joy not just for tlle season but for every day of every year.

There's a scene from'''It's a Wonderful Life" when George begins to understand what life would be like without him in it. "

':1

I

Clarence, the angel who has come to show him, says "Strange, isn't it? Each man's life touches so many other lives. When he isn't around he leaves an awful hole, doesn't he?"

Whose life have you touched ' this past year? How do you see yourself touching the lives of others in the year and years to come? Who can you bring the faith, hope, and lQve of this season to? How will you prepare for the coming of our Lord?

New years are a chance for us to start fresh. We cannot erase the past, but we can and should learn frOql it. Tomorrow comes with no mistakes in it. Let's make the most of it we possibly can.

But let's save singing Auld Lang Syne for January 1.

Crystalis the assistantdirectorfor Youth & Young AdulJ Ministry for the diocese and youth ministry coordinator for SL Lawrence.Martyr Parish in New Bedford. You can contact her oJ cmedeiros@dfrcec.com.

I 18

,

Pro-Life

Continued from page one

churches are poised to buy millions of these traditional flowers.

"Stop purchasing poinsettias until the Eckes stop supporting the killing of unborn babies. It's that simple," he said. Ecke Ranch products also include the Flower Fields and Oglevee brands sold to growers nationwide.

A list of major corporate Planned Parenthood supporters is available from Life Decisions International in Front Royal, VA. LDI's boycott list includes companies-from eBay to Whole Foods Market, Bank of America, Mariott Hotels, Chevron, Texaco and Outback Steakhouse, among others.

On the other hand, the Affinity 4 (formerly Lifeline) company has pannered with MCFL for services that people use all the time: long distance phone, high-speed dial-up Internet, DirectTV satellite television and Visa credit cards. The ProLife group nets up to 10 percent from Affinity 4 services.

"You're going to be shopping and using services anyway, so you might as well have a good cause benefit," said Robert O'Brien, MCFL stewardship director.

The organization's Website offers a smorgasbord of easy new technology-based fund-raising ventures.

One program that Web surfers can try is GoodSearch - a search engine that donates 50 percent of its revenue to any participating charity a user designates. Every search brings MCFL about one cent, and GoodSearch's revenue comes completely from advertisers.

Once on the site goodsearch.com, shoppers can enter GOQdShop, an online shopping mall of major retailers like Kohl's, Pet Smart, Macy's and Old Navy.

Making a purchase' through GoodShop will net MCFL an average three percent of the total purchase.

And wine .drinkers can toast,a glass to life while helping ethical ste~-cell research thanks to BOGO Wines. BOGO s.tands for "Buy One, Give One," and it's the brainchild of Bill Schneeberger, a devout Catholic wine distributor.

He and partner Stefano Sgarzi, an Italian winemaker, sell their

wines in a twin pack (buy one give.one) that describes the quality of the wines, recommended food pairings and information on the benefits qf adult stem-cell research.

Schneeberger not only raises awareness of the issue through his product; but he also donates 10 percent of his profits to this cause.

According to its Website www.bogowines.com. the company uses a trademarked Two Hearts marketing logo "to represent a culture of life in honor of the Sacred Heart of Jesus and the Immaculate Heart of Mary."

The battle over human life, Schneeberger said, is not just political and cultural; it's spiritual warfare.

--"Experience from the lasttlITee years has proven to us that the most important work in our efforts to build a culture of life is prayer and consecration to the Sacred and Eucharistic Heart of Jesus through the intercession of The Sorrowful and Immaculate Heart of Mary.

"Other brands and products help save the whales, save the trees, save th,e polar bears, save the Snowy Owls," Schneeberger said, but by supporting adult stem-cell research, BOGO "saves the people, born and unborn."

Getting messages like this into the media is one goal ofEternal Life Radio, a Medford-based group trying to bring Catholic radio full-time to Massachusetts. Shaw's and Star Market;ill give the group one percent of purchases from sales receipts people tum in to Eternal Life.

The show currently broadcasts Father John Corapi weekdays from noon t9 1 p.m. on 950 AM WROL. It works with EWTN Global Catholic Radio' Network and hopes to someday purchase its own station, according to organizer Mary Ann Harold.

Original Shaw's and Star Market sales receipts should be mailed to Eternal Life Radio, 43 Riverside Ave., No. 508, Medford, MA 02155.

"Through our broadcasts, we've been able to reach people with the truth of Jesus Christ and his Church, but more help is needed to fight the stranglehold of death," Harold said.

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The Anchor ~

NOVEMBER

30, 2007

Our readers resPQnd weakness. With the article is a picture of Bishop Kudos to Father Tad ,Wenski greeting Palestinian children; but lacking is a for his instructions Father Tad Pacholczyk's column, "Getting it right picture of him with Israelis.

From what the article reveals, I don't think Bishop 'The Morning After'" (11109/07), provides an abundance of information on the controversy over whether Wenski and his group are honest brokers. This factthe so-called "Plan B" emergency contraception pill finding group as portrayed in the story is no friend of (also known as the "morning-after" pill) should be Israel. I suggest that The Anchor, which is an exceladministered to women who present themselves at lent paper, be more careful in printing these types of hospital emergency rooms reporting they have been stories. raped. He explains that, from the Catholic Church's Father Art WinikotT perspective, it may not be immoral to provide a conMilwaukee traceptive in such cases, because a woman who has been sexually assaulted is entitled to protect herself Columnist criticized from the attacker's sperm. On the other hand, if the I am writing to express how disappointed I am woman is ovulating by the time she reaches the hos- that you continue to feature the reactionary musings pital, the pill might function to prevent the implanta- of Mr. George Weigel. As a devout Catholic, I find tion of any newly conceived embryo, which from the it deeply troubling that the official publication of moral standpoint would be considered an early abor- my diocese gives a forum to this man. His columns tion. Father Tad concludes that Catholic hospitals must are' predictable; a little war justification here, a conduct tests on the women in order to exclude, with name dropping there,' plus a soup~on of obscure reasonable certainty, the possibility that a'human may' "Sfilish economist. His neocon lectures are not inbe "hidden within" before administering what could structive. They are didactic and divisive - evidence be a death-dealing drug. his most recent screed in which. he decrees that the Father Tad rightly complains about laws which re- paramount concern of liberalism is the "promotion quire Catholic hospitals to provide "morning-after" of lifestyle libertinism." pills when sexual assault has been alleged. As a pracDavid O'Connor tical matter, however, in Massachusetts the law should Hyannis not make much difference one way or another. This Where are the brother priests? is because the same pills which the law requires be given in hospitals, now are freely available from pharAs I began reading Deacon Dunbar's article in the macies. No prescription is required to purchase this November 16 edition of The Anchor about Father powerful drug, and the only requirement is evidence Arthur C. Lenaghan, who was killed in Italy while that the buyer - male or female - is at least 18 yearsserviiig as a chaplain in WWII, I was saddened from of age. Ironically, in this state you need a doctor's pre- the very first sentence, which referred to only leaves scription to buy conventional birth control, and proof decorating the grave, "without surviving kin to visit that you are 21 years old to get a beer, but a do-it- or bring flowers." yourself baby killer pill can be obtained by anyone Are nO,t all the priests of the Fall River Diocese, or who has reached her .I 8th birthday, or who has a friend for that matter of the Roman Catholic ChUrch wherthat old who will buy it for her. ever,they may be, brothers of this priest? Do they not The current controversy goes back to 2005 when refer to each other as "br~ther priests"? Couldn't each the Massachusetts Legislature passed a bill titled "An priest in the diocese visit that grave at least once a Act Providing Timely Access to Emergency Con- year, perhaps signing up on a visitation list through traception" which required easy access to "morning the chancery so there would be at least one visitor after" pills. Gov. Mitt Romney vetged the bill, but per week, br,inging a flower and saying a prayer for in September 2005 the Massachusetts Senate (37- their brother who lost his life 'in' service of his coun0) and the House (139-16) overrode this veto. Two try? You could add the deacons to that list, also. years ago the Legislature, although about 70 perCouldn't the diocese apply to the Veteran's Adcent Catholic, strongly disagreed with the Church's ministration for the marker identifying the grave as position against the distribution of contraceptive/ that of a veteran? Since he \\las "the only priest from abortifacient drugs. Unfortunately, nothing has the Fall River Diocese to be killed in action during changed since then. Nevertheless, with the help of' WWII," shouldn't this rate a marker? Now it's done experts like Father Tad, we should try to keep in- automatically at death, but evidently it wasn't the case formed on the technical and moral issues involved. when his body was returned to Fall River in the 40s.

In that way we can be equipped to explain to our May he rest in peace.

C. T. de Sousa legislators, members of the medical profession and Taunton pharmacists the moral grounds for opposing the indiscriminate distribution of "morning-after" pills, In response: While the numbers of those rememwhether in a hospital setting or over the counter ~t bering WWII's heroes are rapidly dwindling, I think your local pharmacy.

Charles O. Coudert few of them were ever aware that Father Lenaghan Sherborn was buried in St. Patrick's Cemetery nearly 60 years ago in 1948, four years after he had been killed in Italy. I've been in contact with city and federal No honest brokers on bishops' Veteran's agencies to determine how a VA marker may international committee Thank you for The Anchor. I enjoy reading it ,;ery be obtained. Msgr. Thomas J. Harrington, a retired much, but I am troubled by a September 14 edition pri~st of our diocese, and I, have personally taken up .article reporting on the five-day visit to the Holy Land the cause. Deacon Jim Dunbar by'BishopThomas G. Wenski of Orlando, Fla., chairLetters ate welcome but the editor reserves the man of the U.S. bishops' International Policy Committee. The visit was hosted by Catholic Relief Ser- right to condense or editfor clarity if deemed necesvices. If the article is an accurate account of Bishop sary. Letters should be typed, no longer than 100 Wenski's views, then it looks like he is one-sided in words and should include name, address, and telefavor of the Palestinians over the Israelis. One could phone number. Letters do not necessarily reflect the only wonder why Bishop Wenski did not mention the editorial views ofThe Anchor. Letters should be sent daily aggressive unprovoked attacks on Israel by the to: The Anchor, Letters to the· Editor, P.O. Box 7, Palestinians, and, yet accuse Israel of not negotiating Fall River, MA 02722-0007, or emailed to in good fliith and of taking advantage of Palestinian fatherrogerlandry@an,chornews.org.

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NOVEMBER

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30, 2007

Around the Diocese ~ ":16"

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[Bible Study/Advent Prayer EASTON - Holy Cross Church at 226 Purchase Street in Easton holds Bible study sessions at 7 p.m. Tuesdays and 9:30 a.m. Fridays at the parish center. This year's session, which runs through May, focuses on St. Paul's letters to the Philippians, Colossians, and Ephesians. For more information call Fran Long at 508-238-2255.

NORTH DARTMOUTH - St. Julie Billiart Church hosts a Bible study twice a week, organized by the parish's Adult Faith Formation office.

The lectionary-based Bible study takes place 10 a.m. Tuesdays in the parish conference room at 494 Slocum Road, with a repeat session at 7 p.m. Weanesdays.

SWANSEA - St. Louis de France Parish, 56 Buffington Street, will host weekly Advent Centering Prayer gatherings. The group will meet in the Family Room of the church at 6:15 p.m. every Tuesday through December 18. Prayer begins promptly at 6:30 p.m. For more information, contact Charles R. Demers at forums8799@mypacks.net or 508-617-0848.

LE~~~ari~tic ~~r~~on_

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EASTON - Eucharistic adoration in celebration of the feast of the Immaculate Conception of the Blessed Virgin Mary will take place in the chapel of the Father Peyton Center, 518 Washington Street, on December 7 beginning with a rosary at 9 a.m and Mass at noon. For more information call Holy Cross Family Ministries at 508-238-4095.

EAST TAUNTON - Holy Family Parish at 370 Middleboro Avenue in East Taunton offers eucharistic adoration the first Friday of every month from after the 8:30 a.m. Mass until Benediction at 8 p.m.

NEW BEDFORD - Eucharistic adoration takes place 7 to 9 p.m.

Wednesdays at Our Lady of Guadalupe at St. James Church, 233 County Street, with night prayer and Benediction at 8:45 p.m. and confessions offered during the evening.

TAUNTON - Eucharistic adoration takes place at Annunciation of the Lord Church, 31 First Street, December 7 following the 8 a.m. Mass and will continue throughout the day. Confessions will be heard from 5:15 to 6:15 p.m. Rosary and Benediction take place at 6:30 p.m.

~~~S~~----~ BREWSTER....:.. Our Lady of the Cape Church at 468 Stony Brook Road will host a Mass with healing service by LaSalette Father Richard Lavoie the first Wednesday of every month.

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NORTH DARTMOUTH - Bibles in Portuguese and white plastic rosaries are being sought by the Bristol County Sheriff's Office to help inmates at the Bristol County House of Correction build a closer relationship to God. Donations can be sent to James Rioux, volunteer coordinator, Bristol County Sheriff's Office, 400 Faunce Comer Road, North Dartmouth, MA 02747.

~isc~llaneous

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ATTLEBORO - Extreme East will h~ve a night of music, prayer, and adoration at Bishop Feehan High School, 70 Holcott Drive December 7.

Sean Forrest will speak about "Moral Relativism - Jesus the One and Only." Tickets can be purchased at the door or by going online at Proud2BCatholic.com and steubenvilleeast.org ATTLEBORO - St. John the Evangelist Church at 133 North Main Street will hold a Holiday Concert December 9 at 3 p.m. St. John's Adult Choir and Youth Choir will perform. Please bring a canned good forthe St. Vincent de Paul Food Pantry as admission.

CENTERVILLE - A special prayer service on the eve of World AIDS Day will take place tonight at Our Lady of Victory Church from 7 to'8 p.m. The theme is "Take the Lead," and prayers will be offered for leaders at all levels to combat the disease. All are invited.

CHATHAM - A Tridentine Mass in Latin is celebrated 1 p.m. every Sunday at Our Lady of Grace Chapel on Route 137 in Chatham.

FAIRHAVEN - The diocesan Legion of Mary will hold an annual reunion Sunday at 2 p.m. at St. Joseph's Church, at Spring and Adams streets. Hosted by the Queen of Peace Praesidium, the eventincludes recitation of the rosary at the church followed by a social in the hall. All members, family and friends are invited.

FALL RIVER - The Fall River Area Men's First Friday Club will meet December 7 at 6 p.m. at Good Shepherd Parish, 1598 South Main Street. There will be a meal following a 6 p.m. Mass celebrated by Father Marek Tuptynski,who will later speak about Pope John Paull!. All men are invited. For information, call Norman Valiquette, 508-672-8174.

NEW BEDFORD - John Polce will host a night of music and spirituality tomorrow at St. Kilian Parish, 306 Ashl~y Boulevard, at 7 p.m.

The Anchor

,Prayer.

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Continued from page one

"It was an attempt to establish perpetual adoration for the life of the unborn in a parish, but it failed because it is so difficult to recruit adorers for the early morning hours," said Burke.

"Instead the Annual Night of Prayer for Life was instituted and is now in its 18th successful year nationally and held for the past 12 years at Our Lady of the As'sumption Church located at 76 Wianno Avenue in Osterville," he said.

In the Church there on December 8, beginning at 9 p.m., four, one-hour prayer periods will begin.

"Four things take'place at each of the four hours," Burke explained. "With the Blessed Sacrament exposed, every hour will include saying the rosary - and we'll used a different one of the five mysteries each hour - and say a prayer to 'St. Michael the Archangel for prot~ction of all life; and also engage in private meditation."

In spirit, the host parishioners, whose numbers in the past have increased by attendance of;

, In Your Prayers

Catholics from other Cape parishes, especially Our Lady of Victory in Centerville, will join with Catholics in churches from the East Coast to the West Coast. and be in solidarity when Benediction ends the hours at 1 a.m. . "The final hour at midnight is called the 'Hour of Unity,'" said Burke. "We invite all those interested to take part. And if you are unable to come to our church, you can still join with us in prayer in your own home or wherever you are."

He said Father Philip A.

: ARE YOU MOVING? The Post Office charges The Anchor 70 cents for notification of a subscriber's change of address. Please help us reduce these expenses by notifying us immediately when you plan to move.

I I I I I I I I I

Please Print Your New Address Below NAME: STREET ADDRESS: CITY, STATE, ZIP: NEW PARISH: , MOVING DATE: Please attach your Anchor address label below so we". can update your 'record immediately.

Dec. 3 Rev. John W. McCarthy, P.R., Pastor, Sacred Heart, F~ll River, 1926

Please cut and adhere address label in this space

Dec. 4 Rev. Patrick Byrne, Pastor, St. Mary, New Bedford, 1844 Rev. Charles Ouellette, Assistant, St. Jacques, Taunton, 1945 Rev. Edward C. Duffy, Pastor, St. Francis Xavier, Hyannis, 1994

Dec. 6 Rev. Joseph L. Cabral, Pastor, Our Lady of the Angels, Fall River, 1959 Rt. Rev. Msgr. John H. Hackett, JCD, Chancellor, June-December 1966, 1966 Rev. Joseph K. Welsh, Retired Pastor, Our Lady of Victory, Centerville, 1971 Rev. John T. Higgins, Retired Pastor, St. Mary, Mansfield, 1985 Dec. 7 Rev. Thomas F. Daley, Retired Pastor, St. James, New Bedford, 1976 Rev. Ambrose Bowen, Retired Pastor, St. Joseph, Taunton, 1977 Rev. James W. Clark, Retired Pastor, St. Joan ofAre, Orleans, 2000 Dec.S Rev. John F. Broderick, Pastor, St. Mary, South Dartmouth, 1940 Dec. 9 Rev. Rene Patenaude, O.P., Retired Associate Pastor, St. Anne, Fall River, 1983

For more information contact Larry K. Burke at email Lburke4845Aaol.com; or by phone at 508-420-5713.

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Please pray for these priests during the coming weeks

Dec.S Rev. Eugene J. Boutin, Manchester Diocese, 1986 Rev. Coleman Conley, SS.CC., Chaplain, Sacred Heart Home, New Bedford, 1990

Davignon, the pastor, has been "very supportive in endorsing our group and the prayer night."

The effort is being promulgated by a national Website NationaINightofPrayerforLife.org.

It aims to link parishes, religious groups, convents, monasteries, Right to Life groups, the Knights of Columbus and parish/fraternal organizations and invite them to participate,

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Lights

Continued from page one

display somehow looked bigger when he was little. ''B ut it still does look just as beautiful as I remember from when I was a kid;' he said.

Visitors can climb stairs on two small hills covered in lights, including one that commemorates the appearance ofMary in 1846 to two children in the French Alps, which inspired the founding of the Missionaries of Our Lady of La Salette, the religious congregation that runs the shrine.

The other hill has stairs flanked by rows of lighted angels with trumpets, leading to "Holy Stairs," a replica of the 28 stairs that tradition says Jesus' had to climb during his passion. Some visitors Saturday climbed the stairs in Attleboro on their knees, saying a prayer on each step, as a nearby sign invited them to do, on the way to the summit, where there is a large crucifixion scene.

Standing about halfway up the hill as a nearby photographer grappled with a tripod, Jean McDermott of northern Vermont noted that most displays at Christmastime these days are secular, more celebrating the season than the reason.

"The lights here are a symbol of our faith, and it's tastefully done;' said McDermott, who grew up in Middleborough and was visiting the shrine with her mother, her sister, and her four daughters. "This is nice that it's combining the two, and showing that the two can be in harmony."

While Advent hasn't yet officially

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begun, the shrine is in full Advent ' mode, which includes an expanded schedule of confessions, 2 to 8 p.m.: ; every day. The usual 6:30 p.m. daily Mass has been moved an hour earlier, " to 5:30.

The lights display is so large and ", so spread out that it's easy to miss parts of it, including what may be the most spectacular, the Rosary Pond on the south side of the shrine church, which ' is ringed by colorful lights and which' ", has a peninsula thatjuts out into it that ' is also lit. " Various trees around the pond are, .:: dedicated to people who have died. ',' "And the family co~es back and deco- .': . rates the tree, in memory of the per-' son;' said Brother Bob Russell, direc~ tor of the shrine.

BUS STOP - On any given night from Thanksgiving to New Year's, one can find scores of buses About 3,000 people visited the bringing pilgrims to witness the Festival of Lights at La Salette Shrine in Attleboro. (Photo by Matt McDonald) shrine's lights display on Thanksgivhelps the process. ing, the first night, said Brother Bob. Conn., earlier that afternoon, and were Patricia said.

On Fridays, Saturdays, and SunThe electric bill runs about $26,000 Tens of thousands more are expected suitably impressed with what they days, Brother Bob narrates an approxi- over the 39 days of the display. The before New Year's Day, when it ends. found after dark.

"I think it's absolutely fantastic. mately I8-minute tour of the grounds shrine doesn't charge for either admisThe lights and mass of humanity have an appreciable effect on the tem- This is our first time here. We're by trolley, a must for those who have sion or parking, but shrine officials do perature. A frigid walk around the amazed. It's'unbelievable;' Christo- trouble walking and a good idea even encourage donations from visitors. for those who don't, as it provides a Brother Bob, asked why the Rosary Pond around 4 p.m. Saturday, pher Mierez said.

He said he and his wife plan to visit view and facts that can't be gotten oth- shrine hosts the display year after for instance, was almost comfortable year, said: about three hours later, as the ther- every year from now on. ''And bring erwIse. The trolley travels about 1.4 miles, "I think to bring in the spirit of mometer was apparently nudged up- our children with us;' Petra said.

The bright and colorful Nativity as Brother Bob describes the scenes Christmas, especially for the children. ward by the heat radiating frOm bulbs scene was a highlight. and the prodigious manhours oflabor Because there's so much commercialand people.

"A Nativity makes you feel like to install the lights, beginning August ization of Christmas, and they can Elsewhere on the property, this you're there, at that time;' Petra said. 1. Nearly 6,000 teen-agers perform come here and experience that Jesus year's display features a new Nativity "It reminds me of the birth of service projects at the shrine during is alive. 'Love is Born' is what they scene, which drew Christopher my son, too," her sister-in-law the summer, he said, which greatly experience here."

Mieref, his wife Petra, and his sister Patricia last Saturday night.

They had made a bus trip with the Knights of Columbus from Hartford,

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DEDICATED FAITHFUL - Bishop George W. Coleman, top photo, is surrounded by this year's Marian Medal recipients following a ceremony at St. Mary's Cathedral November 18. At left, Joyce McGrath of St. Mary/Our Lady of the Isle Parish in Nantucket receives her award, and at right, the bishop presents the medal to Berta Rodrigues of Santo Christo Parish, Fall River. (Photos by Eric Rodrigues)