12.03.93

t eanc 0 VOL. 37, NO. 47

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Friday, December 3,1993

FALL RIVER, MASS.

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

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$11 Per Year

Annual collection set for retired religious The annual collection for the Retirement Fund for Religious will be taken up in diocesan churches the weekend of Dec. 11 and 12.

The following Catholic Ne'NS Service column by Antoinettl~ Bosco tells the story of a special nun.

Most of us have similar recollections of a "Sister Theophane" or a "Brother John." Let us remember them as we contribute t(, easing the retirement years of the over 70,000 U.S. men and women religious now over age 60.

What makes a person remembered? Why do so many of us who attended Catholic school remember with affection that spe,;ial nun who taught us more thanjust how to read and write?

I was on my lunch hour in a small coffee shop recently when that question came up. It began when the man who has lo~g been our electrician came in.

He told me that he recently went to New York to attend a party for a nun who·had taught him when he was a boy. The aged nun was now celebrating 50 years as a teacher.

He recalled that he was somewhat surprised when a former schoolmate called to invite him to the nun's celebration.

The electrician was soon on a train going to New York City.

"And .1 was asking myself," he mused, 'what am I doing here?

Why am I going?'" It had been so many years since he had seen this nun.

But my friend said that when he got to the hotel for the celebration, and he once again was greeted by this nun he had known so well as a schoolboy, he understood why he had taken the trip.

"I realized that she was very special," he told me. "It wasn't because of the subjects she taught.

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-lIIIlIIlIII FIRST PHASE:Bishop Sean O'Malley blesses the new school wing at St. Stanislaus parish, Fall River, on Monday, a week after classes began in the new addition. The school dedication marked completion of the first phase of a construction project remodeling the parish complex after fire destroyed St. Stanislaus Church in 1991. St. Stanislaus conducted classes in the former St. Patrick's School in Fall River during 1992-93 and for the beginning of this school year. (Hickey photo, more photos p. II)

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101 to receive Marian Medal

Bishop Sean P. O'Malley, OFM Cap., will award the Marian Medal to 10 I members of the Fall River diocese nominated by their pastors as outstanding parishioners in the context of a prayer service at 3 p.m. Sunday at St. Mary's Cathedral. The awardees' names follow.

Where a city is not named, it is the same as the deanery designation.

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With limited retirement savings, Catholic sisters, brothers, and order priests are facing the future with meager resources. Please take this opportunity to thank therr. for their lifetime of dedication and devotion.

Give generousl,lJ to the Retirement Fundfor Religious collection in your parish.

Donations may also be sent to: Relimment Fund for Religious. P.O. Box 73140. Battimore. MD 21273.

Fall River Deanery Francisco Abreau, Our Lady of the Angels; Mrs. Annie Billington, Holy Rosary; James Carey, Sacred Hea·rt; Mrs. Olivette Caron, SI. William; Thomas I.. Carroll, SI. Louis; Mrs. Maria Conceil;iio Chaves, St. Michael.

Mrs. Hazel Rodrigues Chellel. SI. John of God, Somerset; Mrs. Gilda Coelho. St. Anthony; Joseph Correia.

Santo Christo; William Diskin. St. Stanislaus; .James F. Duffy. Holy Name; Mrs. Lucille Duquette. Notre Dame.

Augustino Gagliardi, Jr.. Blessed Sacrament; Mrs. Sarah Gagnon. SI. Patrick; Miss Germaine Gauthier. St. Anne; Mrs. Mary Gauvin. St. Elizabeth; Antonio Gouveia. Espirito Santo; Mrs. Margaret T. Hague. St. Bernard.

Assonet.

Mrs. Geraldine M. Hodkinson. St. Michael, Swansea; Raymond A. Jussaume. St. Louis de France. Swansea; Francis Lussier, St. Thomas More.

Somerset; Mrs. Ann Menard. Our Lady of Fatima, Swansea; Mrs. RoseMarie Oliveira, St. Patrick, Somerset; Mrs. Rita Paquette, Our Lady of Grace, Westport.

Mrs. Anna Perry, Holy Cross; John Ready, St. Mary's Cathedral; Andre Simoes. Our Lady of Health; Mrs. Eleanor Trudelle, SS. Peter and Paul.

Donald Vezina. St. Jean Baptiste.

Attleboro Deanery Mrs. Rosa Ester Beltran. St. Joseph

(Spanish Apostolatel; Robert J. Chabot. Sacred Heart, North Attleboro; Mrs. Lucille Charette. St. Mary, Norton; Mrs. Angie Catherine Costa. St. Mary, Seekonk; Leo Daneau. St. Stephen; Rene A. Dubuc. St. Joseph.

Mrs. Marie E. Flinkfelt. St. Theresa.

South Attleboro; Edward George Lambert. Jr.. St. Mary. North Attleboro; William John Lawrence, Sr.. St. Mary, Mansfield; Francis L. Martin.

St. Mark. Attleboro Falls; Mrs. Mary Perry. Holy Ghost; Mrs. Mary M. Pestana, Our Lady of Mount Carmel.

Seekonk; Robert E. Stoops, SI. John the Evangelist.

Cape Cod Deanery Mrs. Eunice L. Dahlborg. St. Eliza-' beth Seton. North Falmouth; Daniel DePalma. St. Peter the Apostle, Provincetown; Mrs. Claire D. Desmarais, St. John the Evangelist. Pocasset; Miss Loretta G. Doucette, SI. Anthony.

East Falmouth; Mrs. Mary E. Farley, Our Lady of Victory, Centerville; Mrs. Albina- Yvonne L. Grant. Holy Redeemer, Chatham.

Antone Lopes. Our Lady of Lourdes.

Wellfleet; Mrs. Ruth Doris Mason, St. Margaret. Buzzards Bay; Jesse Miller, St. Patrick. Falmouth; Robert O'Brien.

Our Lady of the Cape. Brewster; Mrs. Maybelle O'Connor. Holy Trinity.

West Harwich; Mrs. Dorothy Peluso.

Corpus Christi, Sandwich.

Mrs. Carolyn Rooney. St. Joseph, Woods Hole; Mrs. Rita Ryan. SI. .loan of Arc. Orleans; Clifford Ryder.

St. Mary's/ Our Lady of the Isle, Nantucket; Mrs. Lena Spells. SI. Francis Xavier. Hyannis; Joseph L. Trzcinski, St. Pius the Tenth, South Yarmouth; John Urban. Christ the King. Mashpee.

New Bedford Deanery August Anthony Baptiste, St. Patrick, Wareham; John Barylski. St. Hedwig; Mrs. Claudette Bisson, St. George. Westport; Miss Genevieve

Boc. Our Lady of Perpetual Help; David Tabor Caron, St. Mary; Norman R. Cayer, St. Anne.

Mrs. Patricia M. Condon, SI. John the Baptist, Westport; Miss Lorraine T. Cote, Our Lady of Fatima; Mrs. Margarida Ferreira. St. John the Baptist; PaulO. Ferro. St. Mary. South Dartmouth; Manuel C. Freitas. SI. Anthony, Mattapoisett; Mrs. Frances Golda, SI. Casimir.

Emile J. Hebert. St. Joseph; Mrs. Katherine C. Jackson, St. Rita. Marion; Mrs. Joan Rita LaBrie. SI. John Neumann. East Freetown; Joseph Leitao. SI. Mary, Fairhaven; Roland Lemieux. SI. Theresa; Mrs. Maria Marcial. Nuestra Senora de Guadalupe.

Mrs. Irene Medeiros. Holy Name; Mrs. Louise Medeiros. St. Anthony; Miss Mary R. Mendonca, Our Lady of Mount Carmel; Miss Pearl Mary O'Leary. St. Francis Xavier. Acushnet; Mrs. Eva Oliveira, St. Julie Billiart.

North Dartmouth; Mrs. Louise Parkinson. St. Francis of Assisi.

Querino Tavares Pereira. Our Lady of the Assumption; Mrs. Florence C. Rogers. SI. Lawrence; Eugene H. Sasseville, Sacred Heart; Mrs. Rita Quintin Souza. Immaculate Conception.

Taunton Deanery Thomas G. Boyle. Immaculate Conception, North Easton; Mrs. Eleanor Cooke. Sacred Heart; Virgil A. Grignon, J r., St. Ann, Raynham; Mrs. Katherine Kiernan, Holy Rosary; Arthur W. LaPointe. St. Joseph; Ignatius McCann, Holy Cross. South Easton.

Ernest Medeiros, St. Mary; Mrs. Maria Medeiros, SI. Anthony; Mrs. Marilyn R. Perry. Our Lady of Lourdes; Maurice G. Riendeau. Sr..

SI. Jacques; Mrs. Irene L. Tosti. St. Paul; Richard T. Vincent, Holy Family, East Taunton; Mrs. Lillian White.

Immaculate Conception.

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THE ANCHOR -

Diocese of Fall River -

Fri., Dec. 3, 1993

RCIA candidates asked to resolve marriage issues ROCHESTER, N.Y. (CNS)A new Rochester diocesan policy says divorced persons who want to join the Catholic Church through the Rite of Christian Initiation of Ad ults must first resolve questions of their previous marriage and their freedom to marry as Catholics.

The policy says RCIA applicants should seek to have broken marriages annulled early in the preparation process.

People who enter the church through the RCIA ordinarily receive the sacraments of initiation at Easter, but if an annulment of a previous marriage is not obtained in time, the policy calls for the person's initiatiop into the church to be postponed until the question is resolved.

Father William Laird, diocesan judicial vicar, said the new policy is designed to resolve serious pastoral and practical issues that have emerged with the growing popularity of the Rite of Christian Initiation of Ad ults.

On the pastoral level, he said, people may be subjected to unnecessary hurt and anger later if they enter the church without realizing that they may not be free to marry again or that they will have to go through a church court process before they can marry.

The church recognizes marriages between non-Catholics and starts with a presumption that such a marriage is a valid union unless there is proof it is not.

Father Laird said that the growing number of people entering the church through the RCIA has pushed the diocese into developing a formal policy.

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During the'1992-93 RCIA formation period, the Rochester tribunal handled 40 cases of candidates with broken previous marriages.

Some cases were submitted to the tribunal as late as January with an expectation that they would be resolved by Easter.

Father Laird said that in most such cases it is possible to find sufficient grounds to consider the previous marriage null, but it ordinarily takes about nine months for the tribunal to complete a case.

In an effort to complete RCIArelated cases before Easter this year, cases of other people had to be put on hold, he said, and the new policy should help avoid that kind of seasonal logjam.

He said the tribunal's aim will be to give petitioners a decision by Ash Wednesday so that during Lent, an intense final period of preparation for entry into the church, they will know whether they will be able to receive the sacraments of initiation at Easter.

Father James B. Dunning, president ofthe North American Forum on the Catechumenate in Arlington, Va., said the Rochester policy basically conforms with a decision several years ago by the U.S. bishops' Committee on the Liturgy that marriage issues should be resolved before the Rite of Election on the first Sunday of Lent, when a catechumen formally affirms his or her intent to enter the church and begins the final phases of preparation.

He estimated that as many as "one-third to one-half of the people joining the church [as adults] have some kind of marriage issues" that may have to be resolved judicially or pastorally before they can be received into the'church.

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FALL RIVER AREA members of the 39th annual Bishop's Charity Ball committee, from left front, Antone Pacheco; Mrs. Eugene E. Gagnon, hospitality; Mrs. Manuel Nogueira, Diocesan Council of Catholic Women president and Ball cochair; Mrs. Joseph Belanger, Fall River District Council of Catholic Women president; rear, Joseph F. Gromada, Society of St. Vincent de Paul diocesan president and Ball cochair; Rev. John F. Andrews, pastor, St. Bernard Church, Assonet, and assistant Fall River area Ball director.

Bishop's Ball presentee committee named Thirty-seven young ladies representing 37 diocesan parishes will be presented to Bishop Sean O'Malley at the 39th annual Bishop's Charity Ball, to be held from 8 p.m. to midnight Jan. 14 at Venus de Milo restaurant, Swansea. They represent one-third of parishes in

LaSalette. Christmas display open The 41 st Annual Christmas Festival of Lights at LaSalette Shrine, Attleboro, themed "Behold the Child," is open nightly through Jan. 2, 5 to 9 p.m. Sunday through Thursday and 5 to 10 p.m. Friday and Saturday.

The largest religious thematic display of outdoor Christmas lights in the country, it features over 150,000 lights, more than 10,000 added this year.

Each day after the opening prayer at 5 p.m., a guest places the Christ Child in the manger. Bishop Sean O'Malley will participate in the Dec. 6 ceremony. This year's display includes a new collection of creches from all over the world.

Christmas concerts with Father Andre Patenaude are featured daily at 3 and 7:30 p.m., with guest artists scheduled for 7:30 p.m. Dec. 10 and 3 and 7:30 p.m. Dec. II. Masses are celebrated daily at 12:20, 4 and 6:30 p.m. in the Shrine chapel.

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the diocese under a plan that sees each parish nominating a presentee once every three years.

FATHER EDMOND J. LEVESQUE, pastor of St. Anthony of Padua parish, New Bedford, was among eight "top fraternalists" in New England recognized for volunteerism by Union St. Jean Baptiste, a division of Catholic Family Life Insurance.

In the autumn 1993 issue of the quarterly publication "L'Union," the Union describes Father Levesque, who is chaplain of Council Saint Antoine-de-Padoue No.3 in New Bedford, as "the cornerstone of the council's fundraising activities. As a workaholic for good causes he singlehandedly cooks hundreds of chickens and other delicacies for council events. He promotes council projects from the pulpit and attends nearly every meeting... He is a remarkable man of God and of the people."

Ordained in 1955, Father Levesque has been a USJB member for 37 years. Before his current pastorate, he was pastor at St. Theresa's, South Attleboro, and Our Lady of Grace, Westport, and 'was parochial vicar at St. George's, Westport.

He has also directed St. Vincent de Paul Camp in Westport and served as a notary and judge on the diocesan marriage tribunal.

The ceremony, a ball highlight, will see the young women, with their fathers or other escorts, participating in a grand march, climaxing with their presentation to the bishop.

Ball proceeds benefit summer camps for exceptional and underprivileged children and other charitable apostolates and ministries of the diocese, including a new ministry for those suffering from HIV/ AIDS. Rev. Daniel L. Freitas, diocesan director of the ball, has named Miss Claire O'Toole of Fall River as presentee committee chairperson. She will be assisted by Mrs. Joseph Belanger, Fall River; Mrs. Harry Loew, Attleboro; Miss Dorothy Curry, New Bedford; Mrs. James H. Quirk, South Yarmouth; and Miss Adrienne Lemieux, Taunton.

March for Life attendance planned Arrangemen·ts are being made by the Diocesan Pro-l.ife Apostolate for a diocesan pilgrimage to the 1994 Prayer Vigil and March for Life .Jan. 21 in Washington.

DC. Pilgrims will travel by motorcoach. departing the diocese on Thursday . .Jan. 20. and returning 10 a.m. Saturday. Jan. 22. Lodging will be at the Hyatt Regency Washington on Capitol Hill. Participants will have the opportunity to attend the Mass and prayer vigil for life Thursday evening and the morning Mass. rally and March for l.ife on Friday.

Children under age 10 cannot be accommodated: older children not yet in high school must be accompanied by a parent. High school students under age 18 who are not traveling with a parent are required to submit medical emergency forms and permission slips to the Prol.ife Apostolate.

Reservations for the pilgrimage are required by Dee. 15. For more information contact the Pro-l.ife Apostolate at 997-2290.

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

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

RELIGIOUS EDUCATION Month activities during N 0vember in the diocese included services at St. John the Evangelist Church. Pocasset, (top) and S1. Mary's Church. Fairhaven.

At S1. John's. Father Bob Donovan, assisted by Deacon Jim Marzelli, anoints catechists during a commissioning service. 16 teachers were recognized for their years of service, which ranged from 5 to 40.

At St. Mary's, Father Benedict Folger welcomes Michael Johnson during a service at which second grade first communion students were presented to the pastor. Father Folger blessed each child and told them how special they are in God's eyes.

Activities at St. Mary's also included a food drive and spiritual adoption of unborn children and their mothers by seventh-graders.

It's a best-seller - and you read it here WASHINGTON (CNS)-"Veritatis Splendor," Pope John Paul II's new encyclical on moral theology. has become a best-~eller in U.S. Catholic circles.

Origins, the weekly Catholic News Service documentary service, which was the first to publish the encyclical text in the Unitec. States, reported sales in excess of 42,000 within the first three weeks of publication. By Nov. 24 sales were . . close to 50,000.

In the first two weeks the telephone rang almost constantly just from people calling in bulk orders, said Origins editor David Gibson.

"This is the first time that we've hired two temps (temporary employees) just to fulfill orders."

"The initial surge of orders is higher than I remember for any other encyclical," said Gibson, who as Origins editor for more :han 22 years has published all nine previous encyclicals by Pop,~ John Paul.

Anchor readers did not have to hurry to a bookstore. The Oct. 29 Anchor carried the complete text of Veritatis Splendor. It wa~, among four diocesan newspapers with a combined circulation of nearly 280,000 reported by Catholic News Service to have published the encyclical. The other papers were Catholic New York of the New York archdiocese; The Tlilblet of Brooklyn, N.Y.; and the Providence Visitor of Providence, R.I. The U.S. Catholic Conference Office of Publishing and Promotion Services published the encyclical in book form Oct. 25 and as of Nov. 24 had sales of nearl} 8,300.

The Daughters of St. Paul, a religious order that runs a Catholic publishing company by the same name in Boston and 22 Catholic book stores around the c1)untry, was the other U.S. publisher distributing the encyclical ill book form. It first published the encyclical Oct. 18.

Sister Christine Salvatore, the Daughters' marketing coordinator for special projects such as the encyclical printing, said f\ ov. 24 that sales of their edition of the document have reached I )0,000, which accounts for fO:lr printings.

A fifth printing of 25,000 will be scheduled soon.

"The flow has slowed but they are still coming in," she told Catholic News Service, adding that sales ofthe pope's "Redemptoris Mater" ("Mother of the Redeemer") in 1987 came close but orders came in over a longer period.

"The unique thing about this is we're talking just about a month"

to reach that volume of sales, Sister Salvatore said. "The interesting thing, too, is the variety of people (buying the document), from bishops ordering for a diocese to lay people who write back and say they are reading it slowly but think it is beautiful. And we have people who bought one copy coming back to get five more to pass out."

THE ANCHOR -

Father Schaluck said in an interview that his order's concern for justice, peace and the environment was related to the "new evangelization" that has become a central theme of its work.

"Our work in these areas is part of being an evangelizing order, not just activism," he said. "Evangelism means bringing Christ to the world in relevant ways."

Father John Quigley, a Canadian who belongs to the Cincinnati province and is director of the International Council for Justice, Peace and the Integrity of Creation, said that he and the other Franciscans considered the United Nations an important listening post and also thought Franciscans could contribute to the United Nations from their experience in such areas as peacemaking, promotion of human rights, refugee service and literacy work, and as chaplains to U.N. personnel.

Father Quigley said the Franciscans had found their presence warmly welcomed at the United Nations. The attitude he said, was, "What took you so long to get here? We really need your values."

He said, however, that the Franciscans felt their welcome was largely because of the record of earlier generations of Franciscans and of St. Francis himself, and they wanted to increase the contribution of their own generation.

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Fri., Dec. 3,1993

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

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Franciscans seek UN ties NEW YORK (CNS) -An effort to develop a closer Franciscan involvement with the United Nations dominated the agenda at a New York meeting of the Order of Friars Minor, the largest of several orders in the Franciscan tradition.

Members of the order's International Council for Justice, Peace and the Integrity of Creation met recently across from the U. N. They represented each of the 15 conferences under which are grouped the order's 105 provinces.

In New York, Father Hermann Schaluck, Franciscan minister general, told the council the order was facing "a crisis in terms of our direction and commitment," and called for new attempts to "give a public international witness."

Closer ties with the United Nations, he suggested, could help the order move "from exclusively local' concerns to a commitment to the global community."

Father Schaluck said by attendingthe U.N.'s 1992 Rio conference on the environment he became more aware of the potential for a Franciscan contribution and the existing "huge deficits" in Franciscan action on such issues.

Franciscans from several orders have already formed an agency, headed by Third Order Brother Kevin Smith, to coordinate their relationships with the United Nations. In 1989 it joined the ranks of nongovernmental organizations, or NGOs, recognized by the UN Department of Public Information.

Franciscans hope that in the future it will get consultative status with the Economic and Social Council, the UN body that oversees activity r~lated to issues of special FrancIscan concern.

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THE ANCHOR -

Diocese of Fall River -

Fri .. Dec. 3,1993

themoorin~

the living word'

Let's Give NAFTA a Chance Now that some of the North American Free Trade Agreement dust has settled, one can reflect upon it free from the circus-like atmosphere of congressional voting procedures.

There is little doubt that the NAFTA wrangling brought out the best and worst of our political system. The shameful battles of lobbyists on both sides of the debate amounted to nothing more than the buying and selling of votes.

Some, of course, defend such maneuvers as "the American way," but reduction ofthe political process to a mere matter of "boodle and bribes" disenfranchises the electorate and disgraces the elected as senators and representatives become mere tools of the powerful and the affluent. If this is capitalism, it should meet the same fate as communism. There must be a better way!

It should, of course, be obvious that trade unions were big losers in the confrontation. They are becoming the Humpty Dumpties of our society. Shattered, exhausted and enfeebled, it seems nothing will be able to put them together again as more and more unionists are losing their jobs.

Of course, a scapegoat must be found and currently it's NA FTA. It is really sad to see the union movement in such a condition. No one denies that unions are good and that they are needed, but not as they are today.

Another who did not fare well in the NAFT.A wars was Ross Perot. If his debate with Vice President Gore was any indication, he was a loser as he allowed shrill and strident verbiage to replace reason and logic. One never wins by polemics!

On the other side of the coin, it should be obvious that Americans cannot be isolationists. The John Wayne frame of reference has no validity in today's world. Actually, it was our initiatives and inventions that awakened the world to the need for interdependence; and with the example of the European Common Market before us, it was inevitable that a similar program would be implemented in North America.

NA FTA is the first attempt in our part of the world to achieve a just social and economic order. For too long, as history bears witness, the robber barons of capitalism have wreaked havoc in Central and South America. As usual, the rich got richer and the peasants poorer. This may be the way of business, but it is not the way of justice.

No one denies that it will be difficult to implement the NAFTA concept; but it should be given a chance. We in the United States must realize that we are no longer an island that can exist independently of the rest of the world, and certainly not of our neighbors to the north and south.

We Catholics need only look to the documents ot the Second Vatican Council to learn that it is our obligation to work towards eradication of the immense economic inequalities now existing among nl!tions. God intended Earth and all its goods to benefit every human being. All of us should share responsibility for equitable distribution of those goods.

Despite its inherent risks, NAFTA is a sound step forward towards this goal. It deserves a chance.

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

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

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E"DITOR Rev. John F. Moore

GENERAL MANAGER Rosemary Dussault ~. Leary Press-Fall River

eNS/ Reuters photo

SCHOOLGIRLS IN WEST BELFAST JOIN THOUSANDS OF CHILDREN IN NORTHERN IRELAND IN A ONE-MINUTE SILENT PRAYER FOR PEACE

"Let peace and truth be in my days." 4 Kg. 20:19

Bishops want to hear from families

By H. Richard McCord Jr. Catholic News Service This article is an invitation. I'd like to invite you to write a letter to me today at address below telling what kind of support your family needs from the church.

After you read this article, I hope you'll agree that it offers you an excellent opportunity to tell the church what's going on in your family.

Where and how do you need help and support?

-- What can you offer from your hard-earned experiences that might enlighten or enrich another family?

If there's one point on which both experts and ordinary folks agree. it's that no family today can make it entirely on its own.

Whether or not there was once a "golden age" in which families led happier and more self-sufficient lives I don't know. But what seems obvious nowadays is that every family, no matter how well adjusted, could use some help. Just as important, every family, no matter how beset with problems, has something to offer another family.

Giving and receiving support is so critical for family well-being that the United Nations has designated 1994 the International Year of the Family.

During the year many people will offer descriptions and prescriptions about family life. The U.S. Catholic bishops are contributing to the discussion in a special way.

Through its Committee on Marriage and Family, the National Conference of Catholic Bishops has writte"n a pastoral message explaining how the Christian family is rightly called "church of the home."

This ancient teaching, restored

by Vatican Council II, means families don't just "belong" to the church. Rather, living as a Christian family is a unique way of "being" the church in the world.

An important implication ofthis belief is that your family's story is a necessary part of the total story

of the church. In her wonderful book, "Sacred Dwelling," theologian Wendy Wright points out that the "experience of the sacred in ... marriage, sexual intimacy, procreation, parenting ... [and) the struggles of providing, sheltering, feeding ... must be part of the knowledge ofthe gathered church."

But how will this graced experience become part of our spiritual treasury unless people like you share it with bishops and pastoral leaders, with other parents. spouses. grandparents?

The bishops' message invites families to share with the church what's going on in your family.

Why? Because sharing this graced experience is a way to build up the one body of Christ.

ADVENT WREATH PRAYER SECOND WEEK OF ADVENT

STIR UP our hearts, 0 Lord, to prepare the ways of thine only-begotten Son; that through his coming we may attain to serve thee with purified minds, who liveth and reigneth with thee in the unity of the Holy Spirit, God, world without end. Amen.

[t wasn't until a friend. whose child suffered with clinical depression. talked to a few fellowparishioners that he discovered how common this problem is. A burden of fear and secrecy was lifted from his shoulders and he found himself ready to help other parents in similar situations.

The [994 I'nternational Year of the Family can be an excellent opportunity, the bishops think, for connecting families, for stimu[ating discussion and action, for sparking hope.

So in their pastoral message thcy address spouses. parents, children and all other family members on some important concerns.

-What can the church offer to those who struggle to keep their marriage or family together?

- What practices enrich the lives of families and the community?

- What impact has the basic equality of men and women had on marital roles and on family relationships in general?

- Where can parents find support for teaching Christian values?

- How can families sort out the many demands on their time?

None of these issues will be resolved completely within a year. of course. but neither will they be resolved unless we enter into dialogue with the church about them - starting now.

That is why I am asking you to write to me. I want to know what you believe it takes to live a Christian family life today. What support do you expect from pastoral leaders, like your bishops or priests? What support would best come from fellow believers?

As a staff member of the bishops' Committee on Marriage and Family. [ will see that the committee hears what you say.

The strength of families is the strength of the church. Let's begin a conversation about building it up and supporting it!

Please address your letter to: Family Support, c/o Faith Alive!, CNS,3211 Fourth St. N.E., Washington, D.C. 20017路1100.

Salvation is here and now Isaiah 40: 1-5,9-J 1 2 Peter 3:8-14 Mark 1:1-8 It's almost impossible to find a more consoling biblical passage than today's Deutero-Isaiah pericope. It contains the introductory lines of perhaps the 16 most significant chapters in the Hebrew Scriptures. Proclaimed by an unknown prophet during tte Babylonian Exile, Yahweh's message revolves around a continual pledge of salvation and rescue.

(Scholars call the :Hophet "Deutero" or "Second" Isaiah because his prophecies are the second of three series of cracles in the Book of Isaiah.)

Our first two verses announce the theme of the prophet':; preaching to the Jews in Exile: "Comfort, give comfort to my peo pie, says your God. Speak tenderly to Jerusalem, and proclaim to her that her service is at an end, hcr guilt is expiated." The last two ver ses paint an unrivaled picture of tte Lord's love: "Like a shepherd he feeds his flock; in his arms he gal hers the lambs, carrying them in hi, bosom, and leading the ewes witt care."

We would logically think any prophet who proclaimec such a message would be one of the most welcomed and listened to persons in history. But that wasn't the case.

As far as we can tell, his people killed him!

The early Christian community found many para"lleis between Deutero-Isaiah and 'Jesu,. those pertaining to their suffe:'ing and death are very evident. But when we go beyond the extenals and probe both personalities, we find the two also share the sa'ne basic insights-insights which most people not only ignore, but scome even regard as irreligious.

One parallel revolves around the way they view salvation.

It's very acceptable to expect our deliverance in the future. The author of 2 Peter seems to be working from this prem:se when he describes the heavens being destroyed in flames and the ~lements melting away in a blaze. H(: believes that if we go through life anticipating"new heavens and a new earth," we'll be very careful to do everything God commands.

But reformers like Jesus and

Daily Readings' Dec. 6: Is 35: 1-10; Ps 85:9-14; lk 5: 17-26 Dec. 7: Is40:1-11; Ps 96:13,10-13; Mt 18:12-14 Dec. 8: Gn 3:9-15,20; Ps 98:1-4; Eph 1:3-6,11-12; lk 1:26-38 Dec. 9: Is 41:13-:~0; Ps 145:1,9-13; Mt 11:11-15 Dec. 10: Is 48:17-19; Ps 1:1-4,6; Mt 11:16-19 Dec. 11: Sir 48:1-4-,9-11; Ps 80:2-3,15-16,18-19; Mt 17:10-13 Dec. 12: Is 61:1-2,10-11; lk 1:46-50,53-54; 1 Thes 5:16-24; In 1:6-8,19-i~8

By FATHER ROGER KARBAN Deutero-lsaiah choose to work in the present. Instead of zeroing in on an ideal day in the hereafter or a special event in the past, they show us the importance of situations and people right here and now. They believe in a salvation so near that it alters everything we touch. Since there's no interval between being saved and not being saved, the present moment is already a part of our eternal salvation or our eternal condemnation.

Deutero-Isaiah, for instance, uses Exodus images throughout his ministry. But instead of teaching facts about some 700 year-old event and asking his people to believe in them, he's much more concerned with announcing that their Exodus is kicking off right now. That's why " ... Every valley shall be filled in, every mountain and hill shall be r;nade low ..." Someone had better get the road in shape. The Exile's over! They're on their way out of Babylon!

But before that concept can even sink in, he suddenly turns and makes the future present in the same way as he made the past present. "Here is your God!" he sh,outs. "Here comes with power the Lord 'God, who niles by his strong ,inn; here 'is his reward with him, his recompense before him."

The deliverance they'd looked forward to for 50 years is already underway.

Mark, using some of DeuteroIsaiah's imagery (but with significantly different punctuation), portrays John the Baptizer as someone proclaiming salvation through Jesus. Writing 40 years after the Lord's death and resurrection, the evangelist presumes that the things John mention are already here.

The "more powerful" one has come, making it possible for everyone in Mark's community to experience baptism "in the Holy Spirit."

This habit of proclaiming salvation in the present seems to be why both Jesus and Deutero-Isaiah died as young men. No matter h,ow consoling the message, most of us don't like people pointing out the importance of the here and now. It implies that we have all sorts of obligations-and makes some of us very nervous.

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The Anchor Friday, Dec. 3, 1993

6 Bf FATHER JOaN J.

;

mkTZEN

\ 'Q. I was confused for years abOut the meaning ofthe Immaculate; Conception of the Blessed , Virgin Mary.

One reason for this confusion is the :Gospel that is read on that feast.

The meaning of the feast of the Immaculate Conception As I understand it, the Immaculate Conception celebrates our Blessed Mother's freedom from sin at the time of her conception in the womb of her mother, St. Anne.

The Gospel every Dec. 8, however, talks about the conception of Jesus in the womb of Mary at the Annunciation.

Isn't there some way to change this? (New Jersey) A. You are right, of course, about the meaning of the feast, and perhaps about the confusion resulting from the Gospel on that day.

I doubt that there is any practical way to correct the situation, however. First, nothing in the Gospels goes back to the time of the beginning of Mary's life in the womb of her mother.

Our Lady enters the Gospel story because of her relationship to Jesus. We would expect, therefore, that the Gospel on this feast would somehow reflect that relationship and how early Christian believers viewed Jesus' mother.

This should make more clear why we hear Luke's story of the Annunciation on Dec. 8. Every word and phrase of that passage

reflects themes that praise Our Lord, and Mary's sharing, as participant and recipient, in his saving work.

Just one of many examples: Gabriel's words to Mary, "the power of the Most High will over~ shadow you" (Luke I:35), echo the overshadowing "glory ofthe Lord" which stood over the Ark of the Covenant in the Exodus, and later in the temple of Jerusalem.

For the Jews, this hovering cloud marked the presence of God. (See, for instance, Exodus 40:35.)

For Luke's readers, this new overshadowing revealed a newark, in whom the Lord God himself was present.

It would be difficult to find a more fitting Go'spel passage for the celebration Of life's beginning for the one who was to become the Ark of the New Covenant.

A free brochure answering questions Catholics ask about Mary is available by sending a stamped self-addressed envelope to Father Dietzen, Holy Trinity Church, 704 N. Main St., Bloomington III. 61701. Questions for this column should be sent to the same address.

Understanding mental afflictions and disabilities !

By! . , ,

A~tOINETTE BoSCO I

I happened to catch a recent TV movi'e about a Chicago policeman who faced daunting odds in trying to catch a rapist! killer. "Jack Reed: Badge of Honor" was based on a true story. It was a good movie, but when it was over I found that the one scene that really affected me had little to do with the s~ory足 line.

It was a segment in which a mentally ill youth was accused ofa terrible crime, and he sat there

By FATHER EUGENE HEMRICK "Dancing With Professors: The Trouble With Academic Prose," a recent New York Times book review by Patricia Nelson Limerick, contains a sage parable worth contemplating.

It explores why many brilliant scholars write in incomprehensible language. But it holds a lesson for all this Advent.

Ms Limerick tells a parable about buzzards. In a scene in the movie "Hud," Paul Newman discovers one of his cattle has been killed.

Distressed, he looks up at buz-

By Dr. JAMES & MARY KENNY Dear Mary: I am too ashamed to talk about this to anyone except my husband. It concerns our daughter, 27 years old, who is married for seven years with three children ages 6, 3 and 8 months.

Our daughter married after high school, divorced, then married her present husband and had her children.

She was supposed to pay their bills but did not, and they were so deeply in debt that she could have been sent to jail. We thought we were helping by sending money,

pathetically crying that he didn't do it.

One of the officers was practically ready to hang him for the crime, based not on any real evidence but simply on the fact that the young man wasn't "norma!."

One of the movie's main characters, a Jesuit-trained Catholic blasted his colleague for being prejudiced.

As the arresting officer saw it, the young man was insane - thus capable of committing such a terrible crime.

I have encountered this same prejudice over and over in the decades I have interviewed and written on retardation and mental illness.

People who work with the mentally ill tell me they constantly

have to grapple with this. Bad enough the mentally ill must suffer personal deficiencies, they must also deal with misunderstanding of disorders such as schizophrenia.

Those who suffer with someone so afflicted, as I have. gain an empathy that forever shatters any prejudice about mental illness. You learn how varied these situations are and how often the victims are mired in lonely pain.

If ever a void existed it is the lack of education about mental illness and its many manifestations.

The public still associates madness with mental illness. We picture a raving lunatic who goes around disheveled, wrapped in a bathrobe, making crazy noises and possibly plagued with criminal tendencies.

When we read about the depths So many families must deal of depression suffered by geniuses, with a member who suffers from such as the composer Robert Schu- this mental illness that has been mann. writer Franz Kafka and called "cancer of the mind." So artist Vincent van Gogh, we come often they find themselves hopeto believe that there is some lessly confused about how to link between creativity and mad- deal with someone who seems to be in an entirely different uniness.

One of the best books on this verse. subject is "Madness and ModernThe last thing they need is to ism, Insanity in the Light of Mod- have to suffer the further pain of ern Art, Literature and Thought." seeing the world ridicule a family member. Mental illness is precisely

by Louis A. Sass.

Maintaining that schizophrenia that: an illness, not a moral is "the most severe and the most lapse. enigmatic of mental disorders," Maybe this holiday season each Sass presents the voices of patients of us could in a personal manner themselves to give witness to what wish a Merry Christmas to local he has observed ~ that "schizoph- groups who aid retarded persons renics can, in fact, be persons of or the mentally afflicted, expressconsiderable intelligence and men- ing our love, as Christ did, for tal complexity." those who are different.

Soaring aloft: An Advent meditation zards perched 'in a dead branch and fires his pistol, scattering them into the sky.

Filming this simple scene was a disaster. It began with the buzzards looking too scruffy. More photogenic ones had to be imported.

Next came the problem of keeping them perched on a branch until the right moment.

The buzzards' feet were to be wired and then released at the exact moment of the shot. However, though their feet were tied, they retained enough mobility to pitch forward and to fall upside down. Buzzards have poor circulation, so every time this happened they passed out. A buzzard psychologist was enlisted, who finally got them to sit upright.

Finally, the scene was set and Newman fired his pistol, but noth-

ing happened,. The buzzards just sat there as if to say: "Forget it! We tried that before and it didn't work."

Ms. Limerick applies the parable to some students who go to a university to get their "feet" tied down to knowledge. For whatever reason, awkward moments cause them to experience the intellectual equivalent of pitching upside down; the world begins to seem hostile, so much so that once untangling complicated thought, they hide behind it for fear of being challenged and thrown upside down once again.

This parable applies to everyone.

The complexity of life often turns the, best of us upside down. It can cause us to hide from the "hostility" - the potential fpr conflict -that lurks behind the circumstances of our lives.

Parents raising teenagers face

the struggle of protecting them from drug d~pendency, gangs, illicit sex or just the natural turmoil of teen years. Unfortunately many parents get turned upside down, complicating the whole situation by being overgenerous in material things and not generous enough in sharing more personal time with their children or finding the support they need in offering children necessary guidance.

Then there is the rocky economy. Some, whose jobs are in jeopardy, see the world as vicious and conflicted; they become paralyzed and simply won't let go and fly on to new fields. .

Big cities experiencing. violence respond by proliferating laws. This allows some to hide behind lawand-order measures rather than taking steps to address the root causes of crime.

Our topsy-turvy world is frightening and: can easily cause us to run from life.

So I have a proposal this Advent for meditation. Think about how life seems at times to ' pitch us upside down - to throw us off balance so that we lose sight of our priorities and our authentic potentia!.

Next, reflect on the possibilities for stretching your wings by striving to clarify problems rather than run from them. What problem or conflict can you address directly and creatively, never allowing yourself to lose heart or hope, never allowing yourself to sa'y"I've tried to address this before and failed"?

Conversion - change - in this life often begins slowly as we face our lives head on, refusing to remain perched on a dead limb.

Parents can't support daughter's destructive lifestyle but I do not think the money was applied to bills.

She goes out three or four nights a week. Twice she has left home without the children for a week at a time. Other times she did not come home all night. Her husband does not know where she was.

My daughter lies to me. Her mother-in-law knows the situation and has also been lied to.

We have suggested counselors and financial planners. She said she doesn't need counseling.

Her husband is trying to hold the family together. He says he is taking care of the money now. But I know how our daughter is when she wants her way. She is very convincing. I feel he will put up with anything for her to stay with him. She says she wants a divorce.

We no longer send "money, but the hurt and worry are still with us.

What can we do? Could she have a medical or mental problem?

-Illinois I do not know why your daughter acts as she does, but whatever the reason, you need to "take a position now. If you wait to find out Why before taking action, you may wait forever. Apparently your daughter does need outside help, but to be effective she must coop- , erate. At this point she denies that she needs help.

You have stopped being an enabler, providing money and support to help your daughter live her destructive lifestyle. Your concern for the family needs to focus on the strengths and resources they have, and that means supporting your son-in-law.

Apparently, your son-in-law is taking responsibility for the children. His parents also show concern and support. Let him know that you too support him. Find specific ways you can help him. If you still fear that money from you will go to your daughter, do not give money.

Perhaps you can help with the children. Can you bring the children to your house for fequent visits? Can you go to his house to help with the household and the children? Can you develop a closer relationship with his parents so that both sets of grandparents can work together?

Show by your words and actions that you support your son-in-law.

Indicate that you do not intend to help your daughter live her destructive lifestyle and that you hope

he too resists helping her. Such behavior is ultimately kind, because it forces her away from the hurtful way she is living now.

Write your daughter. Call her.

Talk to her. But do not help her with money. Your son-in-law has a difficult job. The best resource he can have is two sets of concerned grand parents.

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

19th Place The United States ranks 19th among the 20 leading donor countries in level of GNP devoted to overseas assistance. (Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development)

The Anchor Friday, Dec. 3. 1993

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Making rosaries Dear Editor: During 1992 volunteer rosary makers sent a record 7,900,000 new rosaries to people in (lver 100 countries. The previous record was 6,000,000 sent in 1991.

In addition, the rosaI'} movement is trying to put a ros.uy into the hands of every little i:lnocent instead of "the thing" being distributed in schools throu~h godless sex education. It is inspiring to note the increasing intere~;t in the rosary in families, high schools and the military. More Catholic chaplains at U.S. military :raining bases are reporting daily requests for rosaries by young rren and women recruits.

This has implications beyond the military. Somewhere in their background before they entered military service, these young recruits must have learnd something about the rosary in their family. school or parish. As we build a rosary tradition i 1 [those places), let us help these young men and women build <. rosary tradition in the military to counter the attempts by some to build a Sodom and Gomorrah there.

If any of your readers would like information on making rosaries with volunteer rosary mak~rs from ages 9-90 either as groups or as individuals. they may send a selfaddressed stamped envelo)e to the address below.

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Letters suggested Dear Editor: After reading the article in the Nov. 19. 1993. issue of The Anchor.

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NURSES MEET: At their recent annual seminar, the Fall River Diocesan Council of Catholic Nurses presented two scholarships and installed officers.

At left, guild director Joan Morin presents scholarships to Philip Hubert, a physical therapy student at Northeastern University and employee of Charlton Memorial Hospital, Fall River, and to Lisa Fernands, a student at New England Baptist Hospital School of Nursing who plans specialization in pediatric nursing. Officers, installed by moderator Father Edmund Fitzgerald, are, from left, Mrs. Morin; Alice Leblanc, secretary; Betty Novacek, treasurer; Sister Theresa Bergeron, SCQ, vice president; and Sister Rachel Lafrance, SCQ, president.

Eighty-five nurses and health care workers attended the seminar at St. John the Baptist Church, Westport. Fathers James O'Donohoe and Mark Hession spoke on "Humanizing Death in a Technological Society." which concerned Molly Kelly's work in advising youth of the virtues of chastity. I wonder why the ~everal dioceses of Massachusetts do not issue pastoral letters on the evils of pornography. obscenity. and filth. while endorsing Mrs. Kelly's advice to the young.

With "dirty" films taking over in our moving picture houses. and filthy and suggestive TV programs coming into our living rooms dail~' and corrupting our youth. despite the efforts of concerned parents. a pastoral letter from the head of each diocese is sorely needed!

I congratulate Molly Kelly for her great work in proving to our young that chastity is a lot healthier than so-called "safe sex."

Thomas A. Walsh. Secretary Morality in Media of Mass.

Teeth found Dec. 4 1945, Rev. Charles Ouellette, Assistant, St. James, Taunton

Dec. 5 1986, Rev. Eugene J. Boutin, Manchester Diocese 1990, Rev. Coleman Conley, SS.CC., Chaplain, Sacrd Heart Home, New Bedford

Dec. 6 1959, Rev. Joseph L. Cabral, Pastor, Our Lady of Angels, Fall River 1966, Rt. Rev. Msgr. .fohn H. Hackett, Chancellor of Fall River Diocese June-December 1966 1971, Rev. Joseph K. Welsh, Retired Pastor, Our Lady of Victory, Centerville 1985, Rev. John T. :~iggins, Pastor Emeritus, St. Mary, Mansfield

Dec. 7 1976, Rev. Thomas F. Daly, Retired Pastor, St. James, New Bedford 1977, Rev. Ambrose Bowen, Retired Pastor, St. Joseph, Taunton

Dec. 8 1940, Rev. John F. BrJderick, Pastor, St. Mary, Souh Dartmouth

Dec. 9 1983, Rev. Rene Pat enaude, a.p., Retired Associate Pastor, St. Anne, Fall River; Director of Youth Activities

7

Dear Editor: On Nov. 12, after feeding the sea gulls down on Gooseberry Island in Westport my friend and I were walking back to the car when I noticed a strange item in the sand.

When I touched it with my foot it turned over and what I had found was a full set of upper dentures!

I can imagine that many people would be put off by such a find but I scooped them up with a shell. placed them in a napkin and gave them to a friend whose son is a member of the Westport police department in the hope that whoever lost them will hear of their being found and be able to reclaim his or her property should he or she so desire.

I believe that a full set of " uppers" would be worth quite a bit of money. and to a person on a fixed income knowing they were found might prove to be quite a relief. I think that I should say that unhappily they were dama'ged - one of the front teeth was snapped off in their sojourn at the beach, but hopefully they can be fixed and then be of use again after sterilizing.

I do hope that someone knows the owner of these teeth as I know thev are valuable and would like thein to be returned to the rightful owner.

Joyce Micciantuono West Bridgewater

Memorial tribute Dear Editor: My daughter Tess. 15. wrote this poem in the style of the Canterbury Tales in memory of our recently deceased pastor, Msgr.

Armando Annunziato.

We wanted to share it.

Jon A. Howey Mansfield

The Priest Traveling in our midst was a humble priest.

Among all of our luggage, he had the least.

He considered all of us his brothers. and the bags of others he would happily offer to carry after reading his breviary.

His car, I think. was awfully old.

Sometimes it wouldn't start; it only rolled.

It was blue, for he had a great dedication to Mary; he always asked her invocation.

Both adults and children would eagerly flock around him when he began to talk about the Christ and His parables or all His wondrous miracles.

Not even one day would he let pass Without celebrating the Holy Mass.

What a man filled with love!

This is the stuff saints are made of.

After awakening one cold night.

I had quite a terrible fright, for our beloved priest had cried out in pain, Offering it up for the members of our train.

Then he crossed over the bridge, and so ended his earthly pilgrimage.

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A Tale of Two Cities WASHINGTON (CNS) - Here is the text of the address given by Archbishop William H. Keeler of Baltimore, head of the National Conference of Catholic Bishops, at the opening of the bishops' fall assembly Nov. 15 in Washington.

MY BROTHER BISHOPS, observers and guests, and those who are with us by television, Charles Dickens saw good and evil at work in his own day and so came to write"A Tale ofTwo Cities." Like Dickens, I wish to tell a tale of two cities, a tale of cities, like our land itself, marked by contrast.

A recent issue of The Washington Post tells the striking story of the shadowed side of the contrast, a story oflost hope: "Jessica Bradford is II years old," the story explained. "Jessica knows five people who have been killed. It could happen to her, she says.... She has known since she was in fifth grade what she wanted to wear at her funeral. 'I think my prom dress is going to be the prettiest dress of all,' Jessica said. 'When I die, I want to be dressy for my family.'

"In the last five years, 224 children younger than 18 have been killed in the District either as targets of shootings or as bystanders.

The carnage has been taken in by children who live close to the gunfire, such as Jessica, and by some children removed from it. As they've mastered Nintendo ... and long division, some children have sized up their surroundings and concluded that death is close at hand. So, like Jessica, they have begun planning their funerals."

The story of Jessica is a story of lost hope - children who believe they've come into the world only to die violently and die young.

Another City In sharp contrast to that, through the grace of God, our nation and the world witnessed another story in another city this year - a story of hope renewed. It took place in Denver, with 186,000 young people from around the world gathered for a spiritual pilgrimage called World Youth Day. They gathered with the Gospel's words for their theme: "I came that they may have life and have it more abundantly."

Denver - a city which this year was singled out as experiencing the same kind of open, running wounds from violence as Washington, Baltimore, and so many other cities, large and small alike. But for a few days last summer it became a city transformed. There was a sudden and dramatic reduction in violent crime; there were no murders - not a single one. It was a city filled with young people who greeted everyone cordially and left a trail of good will behind them.

Those young people simply and most enthusiastically celebrated God and God's love for them.

They listened and they spoke, they prayed and sang and walked always peacefully. They spent days in serious sessions of catechetics, with Mass and other prayer. They also gave expression to their faith in service projects. Many helped build homes for the poor and distributed food to the hungry. All assisted one another in their pilgrims' way. From more than 100 countries they showed that people of different races, colors, cultures, languages could come together and effectively communicate their faith.

The world watched and the world

was amazed at the powerful image of those young people so hungry for a clarity offaith and a desire to understand the basic values which give greater meaning to their lives.

The youth recognized the answer to their quest for faith and values symbolized and personified in one very special pilgrim who came from a great distance: poet, philosopher, priest, veteran of Nazi and communist oppression, witness to nearly two millennia of faith, their shepherd, the successor of the Apostle Peter, Pope John Paul II. A few weeks ago Cardinal Pironio quoted to the officers of the conference words of the Holy Father, "I used to say 'lux ex oriente' - light comes from the East, but now, after Denver, I can say also, 'lux ex occidente' -light comes from the West!" At our meeting Cardinal Pironio expressed again the appreciation of the Pontifical Council for the Laity.

For him, Denver was unique, unique because so many young people took part in the catechesis, four times as many as ever before.

Unique because so many bishops, especially from the United States, accompanied their young people and met with them at Denver. And unique because there was so clearly evident a sense of universal church.

To Cardinal Pironio al1d later to the Holy Father we could explain how much World Youth Day meant to us bishops in the United States - with them we cannot forget it. We could speak of the enthusiasm of the young people coming back to their parishes and schools, communities and dioceses to tell of their own rich personal experience at Denver.

An enthusiasm spilling over to touch deeply people of other churches, other faiths, so much so that the marvelous ecumenical and interfaith dimensions have scarcely been told. We could tell of the commitment we bishops are making for the future - a new bonding between bishop and youth, strengthening the indispensable role of youth in the life of diocesan churches. .

In Denver young people listened to the Holy Father's invitation to reflect, and they responded again and again with applause and with cheers as he asked them to accept responsibility for building a culture of life to overcome the culture of death. One evening 200,000 participated. The next day half a million and more were there as adults joined those who spent the night at Cherry Creek State Park - ordinary people of faith whose pilgrimage included prayer and selfdenial and thus underscored the difference between the reality of lived faith and the skewed witness of a materialistic society.

Millions more were able to participate in World Youth Day through the media. The good news is that World Youth Day received the quantity of coverage it deserved. That should be acknowledged. We are especially grateful to EWTN, VISN and the local Denver television stations for tireless efforts.

mains neglectful of religious news and more and more newspapers are becoming equally neglectful.

ARCHBISHOP KEELER "Catholic Story" But what kind of job did the national media do? It is an important question, because it addresses an issue that confronts us every day. Do the media understand the role of religion in people's lives? Most reports on World Youth Day itself were fair, even glowing. Ho~ever, when the media turned from the events of those days to give an assessment of the Catholic Church in general, they confirmed what many have long suspected: that in much of the media there is a preprogrammed "Catholic Story." In this story the church in the United States is in disarray, rife with dissent. I asked that our conference staff review a large sample of the media coverage. That review has confirmed a tendency on the part of the medi~ to tell this story of their own making. Regularly, reports of the enthusiasm and love of the youth for the Holy Father would have as wraparounds the pre'dictable caveats that many Catholics do not agree with him.

The media's"American Catholic Story" is a caricature wherein complex issues are crudely stated crudely and quickly stated. During my own days in Denver I was invited by the "Today" program to explain the Catholic Church's position on abortion, birth control, celibacy and the male priesthood - I was to be given 30 seconds.

The glib answers they seek to important questions leave no room for detail and nuance, no room for the whole universe of concerns on which the Holy Father challenges all humanity.

One most objectionable media technique is the tendency to interview people with the extreme views at either end of the spectrum and then suggest the interview has covered the whole spectrum. What that technique does, in fact, i~ exclude from the conversation the broad mass of the Catholic popula路 tion.

In many ways the media continue to show that they have not grasped the vital role of the church in people's lives. We, the bishops of the church in this land, face a major challenge in addressing this situation and we dare not ignore it.

Television, with an unrivaled ability to bring millions of people to events taking place far away, re-

On any given weekend 30-40 percent of our nation's population attend religious services. 30-40 percent. That means churches and temples attracted more people this past weekend than all major league baseball attracted all last season.

But while every newspaper and television station has a team of sports reporters and editors, it is rare to find even one full-time religion reporter in a newsroom rarer still to find a religion reporter who truly understands the religion about which reports are written. Whatever the media, they need religion reporters who know their field, who understand the specifically religious路 issues.

There is also a need for journalists to respect their own profession. What they do must concern us bishops not only because the image of the church is involved but also because the medias' mission is not unlike our own. We too are messengers of news - the good news of the truth that makes us free. The news media are called to something similar. Their reach has become so great and their power so all-present that they have a greater responsibility than ever to report accurately and truthfully so that an informed public can order its affairs in true freedom. Such self-respect includes the realization that division and conflict are not the only news worth reporting.

In the case of Denver, the "American Catholic Story" was most concisely formulated in the question asked by Ted Koppel on "Nightline" on the day the pope arrived, "The Catholic Church: coming together or coming apart?"

People did not go to Denver to disagree; people are not filling our suburban churches Sunday after Sunday to protest. As I said in the course of the welcome ceremony at Mile High Stadium, our pilgrimage was a time of celebration because the Catholic Church is in fact alive and growing in the United States.

The Real Story The real "American Catholic Story" is that the church in this land grew last year alone by a million members. The real "American Catholic Story" is that our schools continue to increase in enrollment - despite difficult economic times, many have waiting lists because people value a Catholic education.

The real "American Catholic Story" records an increase in those beginning theological studies for the diocesan priesthood every year for the past three years. The real story notes that our Catholic press brings a fresh perspective on the news to more than 25 million subscribers, that our Catholic hospitals serve more than 50 million patients yearly. From the real "American Catholic Story" we know that our Catholic Charities do more than any other private group in the country to care for the hungry, the homeless, and those in greatest need all part of our concern to promote

and honor human life and dignity at every stage.

The real "American Catholic Story" does not ignore the difficulties and challenges we face but recognizes also the remarkable graces and blessings we share every day. We need to help the media understand that the real "American Catholic Story" is the story of millions of people who love the church, who are not polarized over issues. People who convincingly live their faith by working and sacrificing. People, motivated by faith, who make real, positive and lasting contributions to our society.

These people, our people, were well represented in Denver by the best possible media relations team.

I would like to salute the young people who came to Denver. What they came to cheer and went home to celebrate was the message Pope John Paul gave to them -to work for "a culture of life when all around us are the signs of a culture of death." A culture in which, as the Holy Father pointed out, there is "injustice, discrimination, exploitation," as well as violence.

In the name of progress and freedom, false models of progress are adopted in the culture of death.

"Quality of life" and "individual rights" are pursued by neglecting and even eli~inating the weakest, the most defertseless~ and the innocent among us - the unborn, the elderly, the disabled. In the culture of death sophisticated technology becomes an end in itself; in the culture of death our natural environment is abused; in the culture of death there is no right or wrong, no objective truth. In the culture of death life itself becomes "just one more commodity to be organized, commercialized and manipulated according to convenience."

Amid this encircling gloom the Holy Father pointed to the light of Christ: "Have no fear. The outcome of the battle for life is already decided," he told the young people, "even though the struggle goes on against great odds and with much suffering."

"The Church needs your energies, your enthusiasm, your youthful ideals, in order to make the Gospel of life penetrate the fabric of society, transforming people's hearts in order to create a civilization of true justice and love."

A tale of two cities: Washington, like so many of our urban centers, a city seeking freedom from violence and from fear; Denver, for a brief time a city of peace . and hope, a passing sign of the true goal of pilgrims, the city of goodness and light which is forever.

Some, perhaps the media included, rivet their eyes on the earthly city and do not catch this vision.

But for those who follow Jesus, it is the goal, and the way to it is clear - fidelity to the Gospel.

On a dusty plain outside Denver, Pope John Paul affirmed this faith when he spoke the words which now echo around the United States - indeed around the world: "Do not be ashamed of the Gospel. Be proud of the Gospe!!"

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BISHOP LOVERDE

It is hard in this day and age to imagine a world in total darkness.

Driving "from Massachusetts to North Carolina last summer...,.... a long trip through the night - I found not a slumbering world but one of persevering activity; a night world of streetlights, headlights, 24-hour convenience stores.

Such oases of br:ghtness as humans invent are only partially successful in warding off the darkness: No number of lightbulbs can change the fact that it is night. But rather than succumb to the dark and do nothing, we find new ways to see the world and makt: our way.

The Advent sea:;on is a spiritual night, a time of reevaluating our internal terrain and heightening our senses, straining for the light of Christ. Each year we make our way anew; the journey :liffers as there are new assortments of hopes, dreams, fean and needs to be illuminated.

As at the dawn of day, the light we seek reveals, welcomes, liberates us from the constraints of the night.

The light is the comfort Isaiah speaks of, dispelling the fears and "uncertainties of the dark. It transforms the landscape, gives meaning and definition to the world around us.

The light makes all things new.

Tradition says the early Christians began celebrating Christmas on Dec. 25 to override the pagan winter solstice feast of the Unconquered Sun, the turning point when the days begin to grow longer ami the sun is "reborn." Christmas marks the birth of the'true."UnconqueredSun;" the light that "shines on in the darkness, a darkness that did not overcome it." Uohn 1:5) The Scriptures of early Advent, with their cataclysmic images of shaking heavens and earth set ablaze, are a wake-up call that something momentous is about to happen: the emergence of "new heavens and a new earth." The path of the long-awaited Savior will be illumined with justice, peace and truth; "the glory of the Lord shall be revealed."

But before the Lght can transform the world, it must transform our hearts. John the Baptist summed it up in a simple but compelling message: Reform, change your heart, for you are at the da wn of a new era. Awaiting the fullness of that light, today's Christians may feel like ..he "voice crying out in the desert" as much of society prepares to celebrate Christmas without acknowledging the guest of honor.

The Advent darkness is a time to refocus, to prepare on our inner landscape a "highway for our God." We are attentive to signs of God's nearness, for he will not come to slumberers but to t~ ose who have thrown open their shutters in expectation and kept their lamps burning in invitation.

As the daylight hours increasingly vanish into the winter night, those awaitirg Christ defy the encroaching darkness.

Our Advent candl,~s herald the light yet to come - the perfect Light which dispels all darkness to reveal "new heavens and a new eard' ."

This Week * Look for ways to illuminate your path to Christ by reading Scripture, attending Mass more frequently, spending more time in prayer or fellowship. * The custom of putting candles in the window during the Advent and Christmas seasons originated in Ireland, where they were a sign of hospitality: symbolically to tlle Holy Family in search of lodging as well as to friends invited to share in the seasons' celebration. Welcome some new or old friends to your home to share your holiday spirit. * Family membt:rs might discuss an incident or object that reminds therr. of the Lord's coming. The objects can then be set in a designated place until Christmas.

Bring Christ to others by appealing to their senses: Help someone see the effects of His presence or hear the Word of ChI ist; bring food to the hungry or homebound; touch someone in need of comfort. * Special days tt) celebrate this week: Dec. 6, the feast of St. Nicholas, and Dec. 8, the feast of the Immaculate Conception and a holy day of obligation.

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Hartford auxiliary / named bishop of Ogdensburg, NY WASHINGTON (CNS) - Pope John Paul II has accepted the resignation of Bishop Stanislaus J. Brzana of Ogdensburg, N.Y., and appointed Auxiliary Bishop Paul S. Loverde of Hartford, Conn., to succeed him.

Bishop Brzana reached age 75, the customary retirement age for bishops, on July I, 1992. A native of Buffalo, N.Y., he was ordained a priest for the Buffalo Diocese in 1941. He was appointed auxiliary bishop of Buffalo in 1964, and then bishop of Ogdensburg in 1968, serving 25 years.

Bishop Loverde, 53, was born in Framingham, Mass. He was ordained to the priesthood for the diocese of Norwich, Conn., in 1965, and afterward obtained his licentiate in canon law from The Catholic University of America, Washington.

He served in a number of Norwich chancery posts, as well as canon law instructor at Holy [Apostles Seminary, Cromwell, Conn., until his appointment as auxiliary bishop of Hartford Feb. 9,1988).

Bishop Loverde is a member of the National Conference of Catholic Bishops' Vocation Committee, Committee on the Selection of Bishops, and Committee on Boundaries of Dioceses and Provinces.

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ND, GU among best WASHINGTON (CNS) - The University of Notre Dame joined Georgetown University on U.S. News & World Report's latest list of the best universities in the country.

Notre Dame, run by the Congregation of the Holy Cross in South Bend, Ind., tied for 25th on the magazine's 1993 list of the top .25 national universities. Georgetown, a Jesuit-run university in Washington, DC, was 17th.

Harvard University in Cambridge headed the list.

The magazine also named the best national liberal arts colleges, best colleges and universities by region, best regional liberal arts colleges and best specialized institutions.

Rankings were based on such factors as student selectivity, faculty resources, financial resources, graduation rate and alumni satisfaction.

The College of the Holy Cross in Worcester, at 25th, was the only Catholic school listed among the top 25 national liberal arts colleges.

More than half of the top 15 regional universities in the North were Catholic institutions. Included

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10TH E ANCHOR-Diocese of Fall River-Fri., Dec. 3, 1993

Rules for living with teens

By Dan Morris Here are some little rules for living with teenagers: Wrap leftovers you want eaten in tinfoil and hide them in the meat drawer; remember that being a parent and being a friend are really important things, but not the same thing.

Laugh with them; be quicker to say, "Let's talk about this" as opposed to "no." Be courageous about saying "no." Say something uplifting and encouraging and kind every day.

Surprise them with a full tank of gas from time to time. Talk to them about God and prayer and - especially - your own faith questions and convictions.

Don't badmouth their friends; know who their friends are, know where they are.

Make them send thank-you cards.

Seek their opinions. Take them to the dentist. Ask God, not them, why they can be so different from one another.

Pray for humility when they point out your hypocrisies. Require that they do chores. Say "please" and "thank you" a lot.

Make them go to family reunions. Ask them to explain the moral and socially redeeming aspects of MTV. Feel OK about cutting the cable TV line with pruning shears.

Practice an answer to the question, "Why were you eavesdropping on my phone call?" Behave yourself at sporting events.

Teach them their silverware.

Show them how menus and tipping work. Share with others when you don't feel like it so they'll know it can and should be done.

Write them a letter from the heart.

Take color photos of their rooms for future blackmail. Confess you too prefer chocolate milk and cold pepperoni pizza for breakfast over oatmeal. Prove it. Play fair, except for cribbage.

Talk about something - every day. Make them buy their own wrenches and sockets. Tickle them.

Don't embarrass them in front of their friends. Remind yourself they will make moral mistakes despite you.

Don't live your life through them; avoid taking undue credit for their successes.

Pray often for grace, wisdom, patience, for you and them.

It's just you and I: Prepa~ing for the empty nest They say married life is ajourney that begins when you marry one another and continues as you have children. At times you may think the children will travel with you forever; but in the back of your mind you know the day will come when they take their own fork in the road and the two of you continue on alone.

When the children are gone and it is just you and your mate, remember, that's the way you started! The "empty nest" should not be the scene of re-introductions but the beginning of a new part of your journey together. To prepare, get to know each other even better now, work on your marriage and when necessary fight for it. It will help when the transition time comes.

Bill and Mary Anne Boylan of Worldwide Marriage Encounter present the following tips for parents: -No matter how long you've been married, think of your time together as an ongoing journey.

There will always be new paths to explore. You never stop growing, and can discover new insights about each other no matter what your age.

-Decide now how to make your marriage the center of your life. Don't wait until the children are packing their things to decide how your marriage will evolve.

Your marriage should not take a backseat in your life. The entire family benefits tremendously when .....t

your love for each other is at its best.

-Accept the fact that you don't have all the answers. In order to maintain a sense of wholeness in the family, listen to each other.

Communication is key. It involves speaking and listening in equal portions.

-Affirm each other as individuals and parents. Your children must know the two of you are partners and that your relationship with each other comes first.

-Find ways to keep your marriage at very best. Cars get tuneups; employers sponsor enrichment workshops. Search for experiences that will similarly strengthen your marriage.

-Keep in mind that when the children have taken wing, an empty nest can be a great place to come home to if the two of you have worked to make it that way.

One way to keep your marriage growing is a Marriage Encounter weekend. For 25 years Worldwide Marriage Encounter has held weekend retreats to help couples refocus their marriage and learn new ways of communicating.

The 44-hour program is led by three married couples and a priest or pastoral couple. There is no group sharing; the concepts presented during the weekend are explored by each couple privately.

For information about weekends in your area call Doug and Michelle Houde at (508) 672-0408.

Children need honest talk about death PEORIA. III. (CNS) - Children of all ages need honest talk abou~ death, and for parents the keys for that conversation are education. inclusion and faith. according to four women who have counseled grieving families.

Children often feel shut out when death strikes close to home. said Vera Duncanson. a chaplain at Covenant Hospital in Urbana. III.. and facilitator of a new program called "Our Time." designed to support grieving children and teenagers.

Before the first eight-week session was held last spring. the Covenant pastoral care department would often receive calls regarding talking to children about death.

"We'd have to say. 'No, we don't have anything for children,''' said Ms. Duncanson. But. she added. "there's such a huge necd" for study of and response to the topic.

Ideally. children shOUld learn about death - and how their faith relates to it ~ before it strikes close to home. said Sister Mary Himens. a member of the Servants of the Holy Heart of Mary and a pastoral psychologist in private practice in Champaign-Urbana.

"Begin early on," she suggested.

"Develop the idca that death is a part of the life process."

Everyday opport unities abound to do that. including the deaths of pets or other creatures. she said.

Even family prayers. such as the Hail Mary. mention death and call for explanation. ''I'm not saying to t.urn into a morbid thing. said Sister Himens.

who practiced at Georgetown University in Washington before coming to Illinois in 1990. Bring up the subject, she said, "in a normal, faith-filled sense."

"Knowing something about the child will help you find the right language," she said.

For parents. listening can be as important as trying to find the right words when a death impacts your child's life, said Billie Rocke. a registered nurse at St. Francis Medical Center in Peoria. Ms. Rocke offers grief support. especially for families who have experienced stillbirth or infant loss.

"Don't pretend you know it all," she said. "It's important for a child to know that the struggle happens for adults. too."

It is also important. Ms. Rocke said, for children to be included in discussion and rituals which acknowledge the earthly finality of death. For many parents. that translates into the practical question of whether to bring the child to the funeral home. funeral Mass or hurial.

She suggested giving the child a thorough explanation of what he or she will see and experience at the event. "Then ask. 'Would you like to be a part of what w'e're doing as a family?' Gather the family in around you and everyone is included."

But. she warned. children "shouldn't be forced. They should be asked."

Even if the child choosesnot to go to the funeral. it is a good idea

to include him or her in other activities acknowledging the death, such as visiting the cemetery. according to author Carol Staudacher of Santa Cruz. Calif.. who has written two books on grief.

"So many children are excluded entirely" from the deaths of even close family members. said Ms. Staudacher.'''They know something terrible has happened. but only later do they figure it out." The long-term consequences of not being able to exhibit grief can be devastating. she said.

Boys. especially. arc often left out of the grieving process. "So often boys aren't given support," said Ms. Staudacher. "They are told to 'be a little man,' to 'take care of your mother,' or the like.

Think about what that says to them. Their feelings aren't recognized. and they just get an additional responsibility."

Parents of teenagers should understand that their teens may be mo're comfortable talking about a death with their peers than with them. And sometimes. especially when the parent is grieving too. someone outside the immediate family might be the child's best counselor. regardless of age.

"It's always helpful to ask someone the child trusts to be extra-available for the next year," said Ms. Rocke.

"Think how little we understand about the dynamics of grief and loss. and then add a child's immaturity," she added. "It can cause a great insecurity in the child."

Shopping for a nursing

By Monica and Bill Dodds In a perfect world an aging parent would never need a nursing home. In a near-perfect world, the adult child and aging parent would explore nursing home options and make decisions before the' need arises. But often the child has to tackle these tasks alone as the parent is being discharged from the hospital.

Here are suggestions for making that choice less difficult: I. Don't be shy when asking about costs. You need to find out what the monthly fee includes, what will cost extra and what the additional cost will be.

Ask what's covered by Medicare, Medicaid and private pay.

2. Ask how a patient's care plan is w~itten. Is it personalized or does a general plan apply to almost everyone? Find out who monitors the care plan.

3. Ask if one doctor is assigned to the nursing home, if there are several doctors or if a patient continues to use his or her own physician.

4. Walk through the facility.

Look around inside and out. Is it clean and well-cared for? Are the halls stacked with equipment due to insufficient storage space?

Look at the patients. Do they appear well cared for?

Look at the rehabilitation unit.

Most nursing homes have a room for physical and occupational therapy. Is the equipment falling apart?

Is it used at all?

Check out the activity calendar or bulletin board. What's planned?

Is it busy work at a preschool level or are there projects and programs that would really appeal to senior citizens and contribute to their mental and physical health?

Walk around the activity room while it's being used. Are the people enjoying themselves? How many are taking part? Talk to the residents.

A good plan is to walk through, talk to the admissions director and then walk through again about an hour later. You should be able to tell there has been ,some activity, that not all the patients are still in the same place. No patient should be in a hallway "waiting for lunch" for an hour.

5. Many places will be happy to let you have a meal at the home.

Ask for whatever the residents are being served. Is it nutritious? Does it look and taste appetizing?

6. Ask about security. Not just for protecting the patien.ts from someone wandering in, but from stealing by fellow patients. Find out who is responsible for monitoring this, to whom one reports a problem and what the procedure is.

hpm~

7. Ask how room assignments are made. Obviously rooms will be all-male or all-female, but are matches done according to compatibility or just the next person through the door? What if pr<:>blems arise?

8. Is there a continuum of service? If your parent's health gets better or worse, will he or she need to move?

9. Who helps with the transition when Mom or Dad first moves in, when depression is typical?

10. Get a copy of the nursing home's "bilI of rights."

II. Don't sign a contract during that first visit. Take notes as you visit homes so you can remember what you saw and where you saw it.

12. Once your parent is in a nursing home, get to know the staff and make sure they know you. The more contact you have, the better care your parent will receive.

MADONNA MANOR in North Attlebo'ro is one of the five Catholic nursing homes in the Fall River diocese.

.THE ANCHOR-Diocese of Fall River-Fri., Dec. 3,1993

11

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Our Lady's Monthly Message From Medjugorje

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ENTRANCE PROCESSION and student chorus at midday prayer service deQicating St. Stanislaus School. A:nong guests were Felician Sisters who formerly taught at the school and Father Richard W. Beaulieu, director, and Sister Michaelinda Plante, RSM, associate superintendent, of the Dioc~san Department of Education. An open house with tours of the new facility led by studen':s and faculty will be held 2 to 5 p.m. Sunday. (Hickey photos)

Retired religious Continued from Pag(: One It was because of all she had taught us between the lines things like the importance of being considerate. We got the message not by her telling us but by showing us."

Later he talked to other former students of the nun who came from all over the United States to attend the celebration. fhey told him they had learned so much from her because she h ld been a true living example of how we should relate to one a·lother never a phony.

I got to thinking when I was back at my desk if there were some nuns from my school days that I would travel a distance to honor, and the answer was yes.

One in particular vias Sister Theophane, who taught me the strange combination of American history and French. A Sister of St. Joseph of Carondolet, ~,he taught at the school I attended hack in the 1940s in Albany, N.Y. Sister Theophane taught me mostly by what she com nunicated between the lines. She ta ught me it

wasn't enough to love the poor.

We had to help them out of their poverty by policy, not talk; the death penalty was wrong because it meant we betrayed life, God's gift to all. And almost worst of all was war, the embodiment of hate.

Sister Theophane taught me that each one of us could make a difference. What she gave me, really, was the gift of hope, the confidence that with each day I could do something good to advance the message of the Gospel.

I thought of a line from Exodus (17:9) that carries optimism spurred

by hope: "Tomorrow I will stand at the top of the mountain with the rod of God in my ~and." What an image of the power we have to do God's work! That's the meaning of hope. That's what Sister Theophane taught me.

I thought of my friend again and what he said about the nun he h·ad just honored by his presence. I thanked God for people like her and Sister Theophane, now home with the Lord, who shared not just their knowledge but their goodness.

Novmber 25, 1993 Medjugorje, Bosnia-Herzegovina Dear Children, "I invite you now in this time, like never before, to prepare for the coming of Jesus. Let little Jesus reign in your hearts and only then, when Jesus is your friend, will you be happy. It will not be difficult for you either to pray or otTer sacrifices or to witness Jesus greatness in your life, because He will give you strength and joy in this time. I am close to you by my intercession and prayer and I love and bless all of you. Thank you for qaving responded to my call."

OUR LADY QUEEN OF PEACE PRAYER GROUP ST. DOMINIC CHURCH • SWANSEA, MA EVERY WEDNESDAY • 7 P.M.

Quebecois heads bishop OTT AW A (CNS) - Bishop Jean-Guy Hamelin of RouynNorands, Quebec, has been elected president of the Canadian Conference of Catholic Bishops.

He succeeds Archbishop Marcel Gervais of Ottawa.

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announcements ofholiday festivities in the Christmas issues ofThe Anchor, to be published Friday, December 17 and December 24

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

i2 / 24 / 93 ISSUE - TUES., DEC. 14

...

Deacon has many pastoralfunctions For the next few weeks, the Church and World page will be devoted to a series of talks on the permanent diaconate recently given

by Pope John Paul II at his weekly general audience. His second talk follows.

The Second Vatican Council determined the place deacons have in the Church's ministerial hierarchy in accordance with the most ancient tradition: "At a lower level of the hierarchy are to be found deacons, who receive the imposition of hands" not unto the priesthood, but unto the ministry." For strengthened by sacramental grace they are dedicated to the People of God, in conjunction with the bishop and his body of priests, in the service of the liturgy, of the Gospel and of works of charity" (Lumen gentium. n. 29). The formula "not unto the priesthood. but unto the ministry" is taken from a text of Hippolytus' Traditio apostolica. but the Council sets it against a broader horizon. In this ancient text; the "ministry" is specified as a "service to the Bishop;" the Council stresses the service to the People of God. Actually, this basic meaning of the deacon's service was asserted at the beginning by St. Ignatius of Antioch, who called deacons the "ministers of God's Church". recommending that for this reason they should be pleasing to everyone (cf. Ad Tral.. 2. 3).

Down the centuries. in addition to being the bishop's helper, the deacon was also considered to be at the 'service of the Christian community.

In order to be allowed to carry out their functions. deacons receive the ministries of lector and acolyte before ordination. The conferral of these two ministries shows the essential twofold orientation of the deacon's functions, as Paul VI explains in his. Apostolic Letter Ad pascendum (1972): "It is especially fitting that the ministries of lector and acolyte should be entrusted to those who. as candidates for the order of diaconate or priesthood. desire to devote themselves to God and to the Church in a special way. For the Church, which 'does not cease to take the bread of life from the table of the Word of God and the Body of Christ and offer it to the faithful' considers it to be very opportune that both by study and by gradual exercise of the ministry of the Word and of the Altar candidates for sacred orders should through intimate contact understand and reflect upon the double aspect of the priestly office" (Enchiridion Vaticanum.IV, 1781). Thisorientation is valid not only for the role of priests. but also for that of deacons.

First Ministries It should be kept in mind that before Vatican II the lectorate and acolytate were considered minor orders. In a letter to a bishop in 252, Pope Cornelius listed the seven ranks in the Church of Rome (cf.

Eusebius. Hist. Eccl., VI, 43: PG 20,622): priests, deacons, subdeacons, acolytes', exorcists. lectors and porters. In the tradition of the Latin Church three were considered major orders: priesthood, diaconate andsubdiaconate; four were minor orders: those of the acolyte. exorcist. lector and porter. T his arrangement of the eccle-

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IN 1992 MEMBERS of the third class of permanent deacons of the Fall River diocese marked their fifth anniversary of ordination at a Mass at St. Ann's Church, Raynham, with Father John F. Moore, diaconate program director, center, as celebrant and homilist. siastical structure was due to the needs of Christian communities over the centuries and was determined bv the Church's authoritv.

When' the permanent diaconate was reestablished this structure was changed an~1. as to the sacramental framework, was restored to the three orders of divine institution: the diaconate. presbyterate and episcopate. In fact. in his Apostolic Letter on ministries in the Latin Church (1972). Pope Paul VI suppressed "tonsure," which marked the entrance into the clerical state, and the subdiaconate, whose functions were given to lectors and acolytes. He kept the lectorate and the acolytate; however, they were no longer considered orders, but ministries conferred by "installation" rat her than by "ordination." These ministries must be received by candidates to the diaconate and presbyterate, but are also open to laymen in the Church who want to assume only the responsibilities corresponding to them: the lectorate, as the office

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of reading the Word of God in the liturgical assembly. except for the Gospel. and carrying out certain roles (such as leading the singing and instructing the faithful); and the acolytate, instituted to help the deacon and to minister to the priest (cf. M ihisteria quaedam. V, VI: Enchiridion Vaticanum, IV, 1762-1763).

The Second Vatican Council lists the deacon's liturgical and

pastoral functions: "to administer baptism solemnly. to reserve and distribute the Eucharist, to assist at and bless marriages in the name of the Church, to read Sacred Scripture to the faithful. to administer sacramentals, and to preside

at funeral services and burials" (Lumen gentium. n. 29).

Deacons Aid Laity Pope Paul VI. in Sacrum diaconat us ordinem (n. 22, 10: Enchiridion Vaticanum.11. 1392), laid down in addition that the deacon, "in the mime ofth~ parish priest orbishop, could legitimately lead dispersed Christian communities." This is a missionary function to be carried out in territories, surroundings, social contexts and groups where a priest is lacking or not easily available. Especially in those places where no priest is available to celebrate the Eucharist. the deacon gathers and leads the community in a celebration of the Word with the distribution of the Sacred Species duly reserved. This is a supply function which the deacon fulfills by ecclesial mandate when it is the case of providing for the shortage of priests. But this substitution. which can never be complete. reminds communities lacking priests of the urgent need to pray for priestly vocations and

.

DEACONS and their wives attend 1991 diaconal assembly in Hyannis. (Kearns photo)

to do their utmost to encourage them as something good both for the Church and for themselves.

The deacon too should foster this prayer.

Again. according to the Council the functions assigned to the deacon can in no way diminish the role of lay people called and wi 1.ling to cooperate in the apostolate with the hierarchy. On the contrary, the deacon's tasks include that of "promoting and sustaining the apostolic activities of the laity."

To the extent that he is present and more involved than the priest in secular environments and structures. he should feel encouraged to foster closeness between the ordained ministry and lay activities, in common service to the kingdom of God.' The deacon has a charitable function as well, which also entails an appropriate service in the administration of property and in the Church's charitable works. In this area. the f~nction of deacons is: "on behalf of the hierarchy. to exercise the duties of charity and administration in addition to social work" (Paul VI. Sacrum diaconatus ordinem. n. 22,9: Enchiridion Vaticanum, II, 1392).

In this regard, the Council makes a recommendation to deacons that stems from the oldest tradition of Christian communities: "Dedicated to works of charity and functions of administration, deacons should recall the admonition of St. Polycarp: 'Let them be merciful. and zealous. and let them walk according to the truth of the Lord. who became the servant of all"'( Lumen gentium. n. 29; cf. Ad Phil., 5.2, ed. ~unk, I, p. 30Q)., . _ .

Again according to the Council. the diaconate seems of particular value in the young Churches. This is why the Decree Ad gentes establishes: "Wherever it appears opportune to episcopal conferences, the diaconate should be restored as a permanent state of life, in accordance with the norms of the Constitution 'On the Church.' It would help those men who carry out the ministry of a deacon preaching the Word of God as catechists, governing scattered Christian communities in the name of the bishop or parish priest. or exercising charity in the performance of social or charitable works - if they were to be strengthened by the laying on of hands which has come down from the Apostles.

They would be more closely bound to the altar and their ministry would be made more fruitful through the sacramental grace of the diaconate" (Ad gentes. n. 16).

It is known that wherever missionary activity has led to the creation of new Christian communities, catechists often play an essential role. In many places it is they who lead the community. instruct it. and encourage it to pray. The order of the diaconate can confirm them in the mission they are exercising. through a more official consecration and a mandate that is more expressly granted by the authority of the Church by the conferral of a sacrament. In this sacrament. in addition to a sharing in the grace of Christ the Redeemer poured out in the Church through the Holy Spirit, the source of every apostolate, an indelible character is received which in a special way configures the Christian to Christ. "who made himself a 'deacon,' that is, the servant of all" (CCC. n. 1570).

THE ANCHOR-Diocese of Fall River-Fri., Dec. 3. 1993

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PART OF fne large audience at the Thanksgiving program honoring grandparents held . last Sunday at S1. Jo~,eph's parish, North Dighton.

A clifferent kind of Thanksgiving

By Ann Forstie Thanksgiving is a ti:ne when people gather to give thanks for freedom, shelter and food. But on Sunday, Nov. 21 at St. Joseph's pari!ih, North Dighton, a new item was added to the list -- grandparents.

When Religious Educaton Director Sister Judith Costa ~.ddressed a parish gathering, she related how grandparents in her Portuguese villa ge had a positive inf uence on neig~borhood children teaching them Bible stories, lives of the . saints and prayers.

She added that during the ReligioUi Education Mcnth of November there could not be a :'etter group of people to (:ommemorate, since for her, as for mar.y others, grandparents were the ones who introduced her to God. The program included poems explaining what grandpareGts are like, posters and collage:; made by

the upper grades symbolizing the seph's parish for 12 of the 15 years racial diversity and universality of of my life, I can say that my church the Catholic Church. Among pos- is a great place to be. We have had ters was one proclaiming "Stop several different pastors in the last truth decay." Others displayed were few years, each bringing us his "Keys to a happy future," featur- very special gifts. Father Richard ing such "keys" as Help the Sick, Gendreau is our present pastor.

Don't do Drugs, Pray and Go to Sister Judith generates much Church; and one showing several enthusiasm and plans many activipairs of eyes and glasses with the caption "We're looking for you at ties with religious education students throughout the liturgical Mass." year.

Kindergarteners and first grad- . ers wearing colorful crowns sang In her closing remarks at the "We are children of the Kingdom" program, she thanked everyone since the celebration took place on for participating and quoted St. the feast of Christ the King. Grades John of the Cross, who said "At two and three performed a dance the end of life we will be judged on based on Matthew 6:34, "Cast love." Saying "doing good is lucrayour burdens on Jesus, for He tive business," she suggested to her cares for you." Some children learners that they might want to go brought their grandparents to the to their "memory museums" and stage and told the audience why locate the people who have touched they were special to them. and influenced their lives, then As a 1993 Confirmation recip- contact them by phone or a greetient and having lived at St. Jo- ing card.

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still a big problem worldwide

WASHINGTON (CNS)-- Despite advances made in the past deca.de to alleviate hun.~er, more people are hungry in the. United States and throughout the world, according to a new report by the Bread For the World In,titute.

"Worldwide. 1.3 billion people are too poor to afford enough food to keep them full:; productive," said the Re.... David Beckmar. n, a Lutheran minister who is the institute's president.

"Government policies are partly to blame for the growth of hunger in the United States during the 1980s," Mr. Beckmann said. "A 'thousand points of light''' of private volunteer effort "eould not make up for what these economic poli :ies took a way," a reference to tax and social spending cut~,.

The report, "H unger 1994: Transforning the Politil;s of Hunger," was released at a Washington press conference and simultaneously in 28 ether U.S. citie~.

In Washington, the institute was joined by representatives from five otherant~hungergroupL Benedictine Si~,ter Christine

Vladimiroff, president and CEO of Second Harvest, a nationwide network of food banks, said the ban:cs, envisioned as ~. stopgap mea.sure to meet emergency hunger needs, are instead "celebrating 10th anniversaries, 15th anni versaries," she said.

Jesuit Father Fred Kanmer, pres-

ident of Catholic Charities USA, repeated figures he has used for the past year that referrals to Catholic Charities nationwide from 1981 to 1991 had quadrupled from 3 million to 12 million.

Father Kammer told Catholic News Service that the 1992 numbers are likely to show a jump to 14 million. The rise, he said, is attributable to emergency food and shelter needs.

In making "triage decisions," some Catholic Charities organizations are dropping traditional services in order to take on more emergency needs, the priest said.

The Bread for the World report outlined a seven-point plan to reduce hunger: - Individuals and agencies trying harder to influence government policies.

- Religious communities making the link between socialconcern and a relationship with God to motivate "effective political action."

- Strengthening low-income people's organizations, especially in their ability to influence government policy.

- Organizations which help lowincome people getting "people of color" into decision-making capacities.

- The media moving away from "stories of pity and charity" toward stories on the causes of hunger.

- The expansion and streng-

thening of anti-hunger advocacy groups.

- More effective coordination among anti-hunger people and groups.

"As such networks develop. they might begin to ask why hunger persists in spite of their extraordinary efforts," said the report, noting that 150,000 private U.S. groups distribute $3 billion-$4 billion worth of food each year domestically. At the same time, U.S. citizens donate $2 billion to overseas anti-hunger groups.

Overseas food aid is necessary at times because of the effects U.S. foreign aid decisions can have on a country, the report pointed out.

For example, in Somalia, the United States gave $1 billion over the 1980s, most of it for arms. But when MohammedSiad Barre'sgovemment fell, "Somalia collapsed into political chaos and, as a result, mass hunger." said the report.

The anti-hunger movement's effectiveness has been hampered by a lack of public relations, Mr. Beckmann told CNS. "The 50 largest food agencies employ [only) 85 public relations people," he said, with only nine of them dealing directly with the media.

That means that at Bread for the World, he added, "we may have one-fifth of all the people who are pushing stories" about hunger.

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THE ANCHOR-Diocese of Fall River-Fri., Dec. 3,1'993

By Charlie Martin

DREAMLOVER

By Christopher Carstens It's no laughing matter.

"Beavis and Butthead," a grimy little cartoon show on MTV, has become the center of a great national uproar over the dismal values portrayed on American television. Unlike many commentators on this topic, I have actually watched a few episodes. So I know whereof I speak when I say"Beavis and Butthead" is a stupid, disgusting TV show. It's really boring. Nothing happens. The entire program consists of two ugly cartoon guys who stand around making dumb jokes about sex, MTV videos or other kids. Then they snicker. They do stupid things, and then they snicker some more.

It's silly and gross when two 12year-olds talk like that in the alley.

It's appalling when preadolescent humor surfaces on television.

Is "Beavis and Butthead" the most dangerous thing on American television? Hardly. Will it incite violence and warp the values of an entire generation of young Americans? I doubt it.

Every 12- and 13-year-old boy in the world makes those jokes.

Mad magazine has been running junior high humor since the early '60s. It makes for pretty offensive television, but teenage boys laugh at B&B because they recognize the nasty little jokes, not because they're original.

There is far dirtier humor on television. For really disgusting jokes, watch any of the standup comedy shows. Jokes about sex, body parts, race and religion are the norm.

There isn't much violence on B&B, at least not as compared to that most violent of TV shows, the Roadrunner cartoons. Moving out of the cartoons, you don't even

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I recently heard a radio interview with "Mr. Rogers." He said that by the age of 18, the average American has witnessed 200,000 acts of violence on television! Most of them are probably not on "Beavis and Butthead."

If we were to hold a contest for the most degrading shows on television, the most harmful stuff regularly pumped into the American household, my vote would go to the talk shows. The most dangerous programs in America are Oprah, Donahue, Jane Whitney and their kin.

Our local paper runs a daily listing of the topics for upcoming talk shows. Today's listings, word for word, include these lofty topics: 'single mothers with live-in lovers, women who have sex with teenage boys, women who date daughters' old flames, sex scandal, adultery, school violence and exceptionally appalling, priests and sex." Most of this stuff is on inthe afternoon, primetime for afterschool vie'Ying.

Real people come on those shows, telling their sorry stories.

The stuff people should carry to confession now is prime material for airing on Oprah.

The point is not that "Beavis and Butthead" is worth defending.

It is stupid and gross and offensive.

The real point is that the vast majority of everything else on television is also stupid and gross and offensive.

Almost any hour spent watching television is an hour you could spend doing something better. Read a book. Call a friend on the phone.

Play Monopoly with your kid brother.

Turn off your television and tune in real life.

Comments are welcomed by Dr. C,hristopher Carstens, c/o Catholic News Service, 3211 Fourth St. N.E., Washington, D.C. 20017路 1l00.

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I need a lover to give me The kind of love That will last always I need somebody uplifting To take me away.

I want a lover who knows me Who understands how I feel inside Someone to comfort and hold me Through the long lonely nights Till the dawn, Why don't you take me away.

Dreamlover come rescue me Take me up take me down Take me anywhere you want to baby now I need you so desperately Won't you please 'come around 'Cause I wanna share forever with you baby.

I don't want another pretender To disillusion me one more time Whispering words of forever Playing with my mind.

I, need someone to hold on to The ,kind of love that won't flyaway I just want someone to belong to.

Every day Of my life Always So come and take me away.

Written by Mariah Carey, Dave Hall. Sung by Mariah Carey (c) 1993 Sony Songs Inc./Rye Songs (B~I)/Stonejam Publishing Corp./Ness Nitty and Capone, Inc. (ASCAP) LOOKING FOR a dream romance should be. No person exists who can meet as many lover to be your companion?

If so, the fantasy in Mariah expectations as Ms. Carey's Carey's new smash will grab "Dreamlover." your attention. You can add The song promotes the idea that others are responsible for "Dreamlover" to Ms. Carey's making us happy. If the girl in growing list of chart-toppers. the song can just meet her perThe cassingle is off her recent CD "Music Box." feet guy, then he can turn her life into everything she ever The song is fine for a fantasy.

Just don't take it too seriously wanted. or think that it describes what a Believing that others are sup-

posed to make us happy is a sure path to disillusionment.

No one is in this world to do this for yuu. Finding happiness is each person's responsibility.

True, most of us seek close relationships. The possibility of mutual sharing, respect and companionship certainly adds to our happiness.

But we are likely to be disappointed if we want a romance to answer all our needs for satisfaction in life.

It is far more helpful to focus on how your own efforts can make you happy. Each of us has power over our actions and decisions. We need to know ourselves well enough to understand what choices genuinely add to the meaning and joy in our lives. , When we accept this responsibility, we can enter relationships on a less needy basis. We still seek 'ways to blend our life with someone else, but we realize that this partnership will not meet all our needs.

We grow appreciative of the goodness that flows out of the romance, but we also experience a fullness in our lives outside the relationship.

This perspective allows room in our relationship for imperfection. When expectations are not met, or mistakes are made, we use these situations as opportunities to learn more about ourselves or about the other person. We address real hurt when this occurs, but we resist making it a catastrophe.

Fantasy is a healthy part of life. Enjoy this gift of your mind. Yet, when it comes to romance, know that God invites us to live in the real world. Ask God to guide you in steps that bring genuine and lasting love into your life.

Your comments are welcomed by Charlie Martin, RR 3, Box 182, Rockport, IN 47635.

Teen not shy about speaking against abortion AUSTIN, Texas(CNS)- When it comes to advocating the rights of unborn children, 15-year-old Catriona Wilkie gives her all.

Miss Wilkie, who became involved with pro-life issues when she was 12, is respect life coordinator at St. Thomas More Parish in Austin, a member of the Respect Life Speakers Bureau and co-founder of the Greater Austin Teens for Life organization.

She said she got involved after she signed a right-to-life petition one day after Mass. "Within a few weeks," she said, "I was receiving information on abortion, and the more I learned, the more upset I got."

Her crusade took off when she volunteered at Greater Austin Right-to-Life. On her first assignment, she spent an afternoon putting pro-life pamphlets on car windshields in the rain. Less than a year later, she addressed the state affairs committee on a bill that would allow minors to terminate a pregnancy without parental consent.

As the only young person who testified, Miss Wilkie told the legislators, "I am 13 years old, and I am the one this [bill) is going to affect. You need parental consent to ta~e aspirin at school or to go to

"We can do the same things a tanning salon, but you can have adults do. Teenagers have more an abortion without even discussenergy and are often more con- ing it with them?"

She plans to continue her advovincing than adults," she told the Catholic Spirit, Austin's diocesan cacy for the unborn, hoping to prove that teenagers do care about paper.

Last January, Miss Wilkie ad- the issue and do understand it. dressed a crowd of 5,000 on the . really think that I had a good messteps of the Texas state capitol at sage to give. I knew what God wanted me to say." the Texas Rally for Life.

"I wasn't scared," she said. "I As a member of the Respect Life Speakers Bureau, she gives presentations on "Fetal Development/The Miracle of Life" to middle-school youths.

This past year she was asked to become the respect life coordinator of St. Thomas More. Using leftover donations from a postcard campaign to fight the Freedom of Choice Act, her first task was to help a young girl keep her child in day care.

"Until now, no one has taken the position on with such full force," explained former St. Thomas More coordinator Susan Stavinoha. "She's so professional."

Ms. Stavinoha described the teen as "soft-spoken at times, but when given the opportunity to speak or write, she gives it her all."

The 15-year-old balances her ministry with school work and eNS photo makes time for debate club, the golf team and orchestra.

CATRIONA WILKE

•

THE ANCHOR-Diocese of Fall River-Fri., Dec. 3,1993

In our

Salve Regina

,schools,' Coyle-Cassidy Coyle and Cassidy HiEh School, Taunton, will hold its anrual placement exam tomorrow Eighthgrad ers taking the test should arrive at the school ne later than 7:45 a.m. with two No.2 pc ncils and the $10 fee. Refreshmerts will be serv~d.

Applications for admission to the Class of 1998 a nd other informaLon will be distribuled at the end of the exam, arot nd II :30 a.m.

For more informatio:l call the school at 823-6164.

* * * '"

The music department will present its annual Christmas concert 7 p.m. Dec. 15. The dorus and concert band will perform seasonal pieces under direction of Michael Dias, a former Coyle-C2 ssic.y student and recent graduc.te of the Boslon Conservatory.

Tle 13-member junior varsity chee:rleading squad placed third in the Massachusetts Chc:erleading Association of Arnericl's recent competition at Marlboro High School.

Judgment was based on ability, daricing, difficulty of performance and crowd appeal.

The senior class took top "onors in Spirit Week competition, with the :;ophomores a dose ;econd.

The real winnen, though, were the school's food pantry, which real,zed more than $600, and the Nat.onal Honor Society, which collected more than 175 toys for Christmas distribution to the needy.

Juniors Josh Diion and Kevin Avilla of Taunton and Rob Kinney of Middleboro have been narr,ed tri-captains of the football team for 1994.

Mt. CarmE~1 School Our Lady of Mt. Carmel parish, New Bedford, was well-rf'presented at the Nov. 6 diocesan M ulticultural Mass celebrated by Bishop O'Malley at Bishop Connolly High School, Fall River.

Robert Horta and 'Connie Pereira of Mt. Carmel's music ministry (oordinated musicf01 the event, themed "Many Pilgrims: One Family of God." David Langevin, music ministry director, led the parish's adult and junior choirs, which wl:re joined by the Our Lady of the Immaculate Conception C::rurch Choir of New Bedford. Shirley GIJerreiro, a sop:l0more at Bishop S:ang High School, North Dartmoun., and Mt. Carmel School graduate, was piano accompanist.

A liturgical dance- was "erformed at the offertory by Mt. Carmel seventh-graders Lil~a So Jsa, Kerry Jor:~e, Jenny Claudino, Karen Brhida, Amy Oliveira and Marina Figueiredo and eigh',h-grader Cathy Alcaidinho. Joining them wer,: Lindsey Gautl"eau and Aimee Chevalier, eighth-graders at Holy Family-Holy Name School, New Bedford.

Represel}tative; of grades I through 6 forming the offertory procession were: Amanda Santos, ChI istopher Gou veia, Melinda Costa, Miguel S,enra, Michael Pavao and Karen Gouveia.

Youth "AprIl hath put a spir t 01 youth in everything."-William Shakespeare

J PRIZEWINNERS in the St. Mary-Sacred Heart School, North Attleboro, Kit Sale included (clockwise, from left) James Warren, Meghan Lampron, Shauna Crounse, Chris Lampron, Kathleen Crounse, Shannon Crounse and Daniel Warren. The Lamprons won a game package and the Crounses and Warrens won a limousine ride to lunch with principal Alberta Goss. Sharon Tardiff chaired the fund raiser.

Bishop Connolly High School Most people would be skating Geriatric Center, Fall River Nurson thin ice if they skipped a week ing Home, Rose Hawthorne Laof school. But that wasn't the case throp Home,John Boyd Day Care for Sarah Houde, a sophomore at Center, Salvation Army, Trinity Bishop Connolly High School, Fall Soup Kitchen, Beginnings Day and River, who spent a week preparing After School Care, Notre Dame for and competing in the New Eng- and St. Michael's schools, and St. land Figure Skating ChampionVincent's Home. ship. She finished ninth among 15 National Honor Society memcompetitors in the event, one of bers have also been active in comthe stops on the way to the munity assistance, conducting a Olympics. food drive for the Fall River ComA Portsmouth, RI, resident, munity Food Pantry and making a Miss Houde began skating seven donation to the Rocking Horse years ago at public rinks with her Pub for its efforts to feed the mother, Eileen, then started prineedy. vate lessons. Now, as a member of the Skating Club of Southern New The Connolly Alcohol and Drug England, she spends her time with Awareness Team (CAAT) plans three coaches - one for jumps four visits this year to each of the and spins, one for figures, and one nine Catholic elementary schools for choreography. She' must pracin the city for presentations on tice daily to prepare for the rigors avoiding drugs and alcohol and of world class competition, and building self-esteem. sprains. pulled muscles and bruises are a fact of life for her.

In addition to all the physical work, Miss Houde had to select music for both her championship routines.

"I bought a lot of CDs and Father Jay Maddock, Fall River picked parts of music. Then you Area CYO Baseball League direchave to cut out parts and reartor, announced that Ken Dupre of range it to fit the routines," she Notre Dame parish is the recipient said. of the Umpires' Sportsmanship Her mother helped splice the Award, the only individual award music together. When all the editgiven annually by the league. The ing was done, Miss Houde had winner is chosen by league umpires Spanish music for her long profrom the nominees of team managgram and piano music for her ers: short.

Dupre, a Somerset High School Her next step was making a cosgraduate, is an honor student at tume for each program. the New England School of tech"Costumes are rather expensive. nology. He has played baseball in That's why I'm lucky my mom , the Cranberry League and then for made my costume for my short the St. Bernard's, Assonet, CYO program. She makes most of my team before joining Notre Dame costumes," she said. this year. He led the team in ba,tThe New England Figure Skatting with a .400 average and was ing Championship was the biggest the league-leading pitcher with a competition in which Miss Houde 5-1 record in eight appearances. has as yet participated. Her next He struck out 80, walked 35 and stop is the Bay State Games. posted a 1.08 ERA. In the future she wants to teach Notre Dame coach Eric Benefigure skating, and, of course, vides called Dupre "not only an make it to the Olympics! outstanding ballplayer but he is an excellent team player who is very * * * * Service is an important compocoachable, friendly, helpful and nent of the high school experience supportive to his teammates." for students at Bishop Connolly.

Dupre will receive a trophy and The school's community service his name will be inscribed on a program, now in its twenty-second plaque honoring recipients of the year, provides numerous action sportsmanship a ward on display opportunities. at the eyO Hall, Anawan Street, Among Fall River sites served Fall River. Dupre is the third

by Connolly students this fall are winner from Notre Dame since the Catholic Memorial Home, Clifton award was instituted in 1982.

Dupre earns CYO baseball a ward

The music department at Salve Regina University, Newport, RI, plans two concerts this month: the Band Seasonal concert 3 p.m. Sunday in Ochre Court and a student recital 7:30 p.m. Dec. 14 in Cecilia Hall.

The band concert will include holiday selections by the U niversity Community Band,jazz combo and chamber orchestra. The recital will showcase vocal and instrumental talents of about 20 students as they perform both classical and contemporary music pieces.

For information contact the music department at (401) 8476650 ext. 2945.

The university's annual Advent Candlelighting Mass will be 6:30 p.m. Dec. 12 in Ochre Court. A reception with caroling and refreshments will follow. Donations for a Christmas toy drive will be accepted at the Mass or anytime at the Campus Ministry Office. For information call campus ministry at (401) 847-6650 ext. 2326.

The university has cond ucted several recent efforts to feed the hungry. The music department contributed proceeds of its eighth annual Hunger Concert to four area agencies, and students collected 22,000 food items during their annual Feed-a-Friend food drive last month. The donations

15

will be used for holiday food baskets.

The university has named a dormitory built in 1987 in honor of Donald and Jean Bryson Reefe.

Mrs. Reefe, a 1969 Salve Regina graduate, and her husband named the university beneficiary of a charitable remainder trust which will eventually add $2 million to the university's endowment.

Stang High School Bishop Stang High School.

North Dartmouth. will conduct its placement exam 8 to 11:30 a.m. tomorrow. Preregistration is not requested: a $10 testing fee must be paid at the time of the exam.

School applications will be distributed.

A makeup test will be offered at 8 a.m. Dec. II. For information call admissions director I rene Silva at 993-8963.

* * * *

The Stang football team will face the Wellesley Red-Raiders in a Division 2B Super Bowl game at 2 p.m. tomorrow at Dartmouth High School's Memorial Stadium.

A "Tailgate Party" for which participants may bring their own picnics will precede the game at noon in the Stang parking lot.

A postgame celebration will be held in the Stang gymnasium.

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THE ANCHOR-Diocese of Fall River-Fri., Dec. 3, 1993

SECULAR FRANCISCANS, W. HARWICH St. Francis of Peace Fraternity Mass 2 p.m. Dec. 12, Holy Trinity Church, W. Harwich, celebrated by Father Cornelius Kelly, OFM, spiritual assistant, who will speak on "St. Francis and Christmas." Children will present a Christmas tableau to reading of "Why the Chimes Rang." Business meeting and refreshments follow. Rosary recited I :30 p.m. for end to abortion. Inquirers welcome. Information: Dorothy Williams, 394-4094.

CATHOLIC WOMAN'S CLUB, NB Christmas meeting with entertainment by New Bedford High School jazz and chamber orchestra 7:30 p.m. Dec. 8, Wamsutta Club, NB.

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LEGION OF MARY The annual reunion of active and auxiliary members of the Legion of Mary will take place at 2 p.m. Sunday, at 5t. Joseph's Church, Fairhaven. Rosary and Benediction will be followed by a social gathering and entertainment.

HOSPICE OUTREACH, INC, FR 10th annual remembrance service for deceased Hospice patients 7 p.m.

Dec. 9, Notre Dame Church, FR. Social and refreshments will follow.

Those planning to attend are asked to contact Hospice Outreach at 673-1589.

ST. STANISLAUS, FR All-day exposition of Blessed Sacrament Dec. 5.

O.L. CAPE, BREWSTER Follow-up reflection session on Nov. 12-14 workshop on Exploring Christian Nonviolence will be held 3 to 5 p.m. Sunday, parish center.

SACRED HEART, NB Giving tree gifts should be brought to church by Dec. 15; they will be distributed to Birthright, Rose Hawthorne Lathrop Home, and a soup kitchen and homeless shelter.

ST. MARY, N. ATTLEBORO Widowed support meeting 7 tonight, parish center. Healing service and Sunday Mass with Father William T. Babbitt 2:30 p.m. Sunday.

Donations of food, toys, clothes, etc. are being accepted for Guild "adopt-a-family" Christmas project; information: Betty Poirier, 695-3296.

ST. JOSEPH, TAUNTON Advent video series presentations 6 p.m. Mondays followed by rosary and Benediction and 10 a.m. Tuesdays through Dec. 21. Concert of Sacred Music of Advent and Christmas performed by parish choir and Concordia Brass Quintet 4 p. m. Sunday. Gifts for parish giving tree project should be placed under tree by Dec. 13.

ST. ANNE'S HOSPITAL, FR A Sunday Senior Program addressing health care issues will be held on second Sundays beginning Dec. 12 at noon in the hospital's education classroom. Topic will be "Healthy Holiday Dining." Reservations: 674-5600 ext. 2635.

COME AND SEE Monthly gathering of Catholic singles group will begin with 5:30 p.m. Mass Dec. II at St. Patrick's Church, FR, followed by caroling at Rose Hawthorne Lathrop Home and dinner at a local restaurant. Unwrapped gifts for "Our Sister's Place," a shelter for battered women and their children, will be collected.

Information: Office of Education, 678-2828.

ST. JACQUES, TAUNTON Greater NB Choral Society will present a winter concert 7:30 p.m. tomorrow in the church. Featured work will be John Rutter's "When Icicles Hang." The 68-member chorus is directed by Gerald P. Dyck.

Philip Lima will be soloist and Judith Conrad will accompany on piano, assisted by flautist Wendy Hawes.

Information: 763-2519.

HOLY CROSS, FR Saints and Singers Chorus will perform "The Heart of Christmas" 4 p.m. Sunday.

ST. ANNE, FR Luncheon for senior citizens noon Dec. 6; reservations: 678-2152.

ST. MARY, SEEKONK Prayer group meeting 7:30 p.m.

Dec. 9, parish center; all welcome.

MASS FOR HEARING IMPARIED Mass interpreted for hearing impaired 4 p.m. Saturdays, St. Ann's Church, Raynham.

ST. ANTHONY, TAUNTON Portuguese Charismatic prayer group evening of prayer and devotion and consecration to Immaculate Heart of Mary 8 p.m. tomorrow following 7 p.m. Mass in Portuguese. Healing service with Maria Rocha 8 p.m. Dec. II. All welcome.

SACRED HEART, N. ATTLEBORO Gifts for parish giving tree should be placed under tree by Dec. 19 and will be distributed by Vincentians.

Information: Fran Weldon, 6951540.

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ST. MARY, MANSFIELD Friends of the Pine St." Inn will prepare a meal 6:30 to 8:30 p.m.

Dec. 10 to be served the next day at the shelter. Volunteers needed to shop, prepare food and donate baked goods. Information: Helen Silva, 339-2068; Ellen Westlund, 339-8881.

ST. JOSEPH, NB A night of prayer for life, part of the fourth annual national obser" vance, 9 p.m. Dec. 8 to I a.m. Dec. 9.

VINCENTIANS, TAUNTON Taunton District Mass for deceased members and intention of beatification of Vincentian founder Frederic Ozanam 7:30 p.m. Dec. 6, Our Lady of Lourdes Church, Taunton, followed by meeting in church hall.

ST. ANTHONY, E. FALMOUTH Saints and Singers Chorus will perform "The Heart of Christmas" 8 tonight.

ST. THOMAS MORE, SOMERSET Giving tree sponsored by youth ministry will be set up this weekend; donations will benefit Birthright.

O.L. VICTORY, CENTERVILLE D.L. Victory and O.L. Hope, in conjunction with West Parish Congregational Church, will sponsor a Christmas celebration 5 p.m. Sunday at the congregational church.

The program will include performance by a girls' a cappella choir, tree lighting on the Village Green and social hour with refreshments. Price of admission is one canned good for Cape Cod Council of Churches Food Pantry. Information: 362-5139.

WORLDWIDE PEACE PRA YER Prayer groups, parishes, convents and monasteries throughout the world are asked to join in a worldwide peace prayer from 3 to 6 p.m.

Dec. 8 for the countries of the former Yugoslavia.

HOLY TRINITY, W. HARWICH Meeting of Cape prayer groups 7:30 p.m. Dec. 9.

SEPARATED/DIVORCED, NB Mass for feast of Immaculate Conception 7 p.m. Dec. 8, Bishop Stang High School Chapel, N. Dartmouth.

Christmas party with Chinese auction will follow; small gifts are needed for the auction. Annual holiday dinner 7 p.m. Jan. 8, Seaport Inn; reservations required by Dec. 18.

Information: Rev. Matthew Sullivan. SS.Ce., 3 Adams St., Fairhaven 02719.

ST. STEPHEN, ATTLEBORO Giving tree project will benefit Rose Hawthorne Lathrop Homeand New Hope. Unwrapped gifts should be brought to church by Dec. 12.

SS. PETER AND PAUL, FR Gifts for giving tree should be . brought to the church by the II a.m.

Mass Dec. 19.

ST. FRANCIS XA VIER, HYANNIS Advent adult Bible study 7 p.m.

Tuesdays, parish center. Mass for feast of St. Francis Xavier 7 tonight.

Parish youth will sponsor a giving tr~e, wi~h gifts to be distributed by Vmcentlans. A Pilgrim Virgin statue is available for families to host for a week of family prayer. Information: 398-9450.

New Catholic media awards given LOS ANGELES (CNS) - The movie "Benny & Joon," the TV series "Picket Fences" and the made-for-TV movie "Heidi" were honored by the group Catholics in Media for "affirming the highest ethical standards of the JudeoChristian tradition."

The awards were given at the recent 43rd annual communion breakfast for Catholics in the entertainment industry.

Catholics in Media plans to give one award each year for the best movie, TV show and children's entertainment, as well as an individual achievement award.

"Benny & Joon" was chosen for the way in "which it speaks to the value of all people, even the. 'imperfect,' and portrays the universal need for love. It explores the fine lines between sacrificial love and stupidity, between caretaking and the caging of spirits."

"Heidi" won for its portrayal of "the power of genuine love to redeem and enlarge the lives and spirits of those who encounter its fullness."

CBS' "Picket Fences" was honored "for its depth of characters, their capacity to overcome their human foibles and their courage to grow. It is a mature look at the complexity of human beings and the human condition."

"Picket Fences" has been criticized by some. including the U.S. Catholic Conference Office for Pro-Life Activities, for the treatment of euthanasia, fetal tissue transplants and sexuality in some episodes. Two stations refused to air the program for a time in its first season.

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ST. WILLIAM'S parish, Fall River, welcomed Bishop Sean O'Malley for his first pastoral visit on Thanksgiving eve.

At his right is Father Jay Maddock, pastor. Others are altar boys and lectors at the Mass of Thanksgiving, at which food baskets for the needy were among offertory gifts. A reception followed Mass, at which religious education students shared their thoughts on the significance of Thanksgiving. (Studio D photo)