12.17.93

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t eanc 0 VOL. 37, NO.

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FALL RIVER, MASS.

Friday, December 17,.1993

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FALL RIVER DIOCESAN NEWSPAPER

FOR SOUTHEAST MASSACHUSETTS CAPE COD & THE ISLANDS Southeastern Massachusetts' Largest Weekly

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$11 Per Year

DIOCESE OF FAll RIVER 47 Underwood Street / P.O. Box 2577 Fall River, Massachusetts 02722·2577 508·675·1311

December 15, 1993

SANTA'S HELPERS: Many needy children in the Greater Fall River area will have Christmas toys this year, thanks to the New England Vikings Motorcycle Club, which recently held its fifth annual Toy Run under direction of Raymond Caron (left). Riding with Caron and more than 250 motorcyclists was Leopold Thibault, vice president ofthe Fall River District St. Vincent de Paul Society.

The drive netted over 400 toys and funds to purchase additior..al gifts, which will be given next week to families served by Catholic Social Services and the Vincentians.

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Dear Friends in Christ, This past week marked the end of the Massachusetts criminal case against James Porter. As he prepares to serve the sentence of the court, I offer the fami.ly of this troubled man my prayers for God's comfort in the .days ahead.

For our own Diocese and for myself as its Bishop, this is the end of a difficult time that has marked us all as a Church and has brought deeply disturbing matters to our attention. It has not been an easy year for all of us who love the Church and who care about the Church's ministry.

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JRegio][)al Catholic school pllanneld for West Harwich Bishop Sean P. O'Malley has announced plans to open a regional elementary school to s~rve childrer. in the Harwich area. The facility will be housed in what is now the parish cl~nter of Holy Trinity parish, West Harwich, but was formerly its school until lack of teaching sisters forcd its closing i.n 1971.

It is expected that the school will be able to accept kindergarten, first and second grade pupils in September, 1994.

Rev. Richard W. Beaulieu, director of the Diocesan Department of Education said that for some time, young :families on the Cape have been asking for Catho-

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lie schools and that in the fall of 1992 Bishop O'Malley asked him and Very Rev. George W. Coleman, dean of the Cape Cod deanery, to meet with area priests to discuss the matter.

The priests agreed that there was interest among parishioners but were concerned about the cost of constructing new facilities. It was decided to examine existing facilities which could accommodate school programs.

While the study continues, Rev. Gerald T. Shovelton, pastor of Holy Trinity, announced the opening of the West Harwich school.

Details on enrollment and tuition costs will be announced following the holidays.

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Stew:ardship committee plans deanery visits

The first meeting of the Diocesan Stewardship Committee was held Dec. 3 at St. Maris Cathedral rectory, Fall Rivtr. Father Ma':cel H. Bouchard, pastor of Sacred Heart Parish, North Attleboro, was chair and Bi!.hop Sean P. O'Malley presided.

Father Bouchard presented a definition of stewardship by James Kelley, director of deuelopment for the diocese of Charlotte, NC: "Stewardship is based on the spir-

itual principles of the Old Testament and the teachings of Jesus and where it has been practiced, lives have been changed. Stewardship is a way of life, a way of thanking God for all his blessings by returning a portion of the time, talent and treasure given to us.

Stewardship engenders a spirituality that deepens our relationship with the Lord. Stewardship inTurn to Page 13

Office of TIlE BISHOP

For me, the events surrounding the accusations against James Porter and the Diocese have determined much of my agenda since my installation as Bishop in August of 1992. Since my arrival in the Diocese, I have tried to deal openly, compassionately, and justly with the victims of Mr. Porter. I have welcomed their conversation with me, and have sought to address their pastoral needs whenever possible.

From this experience, I have learned much about the profound effects of childhood sexual abuse, and have sought to create policies and procedures in the Diocese to avoid further tragedies ofthis kind. The faithful and generous service of the persons on the sexual abuse review board has been an invaluable help in addressing this matter.

Always acting with humility, acknowledging that the disease of pedophilia and its consequences have only recently been understood in the field of psychology, I have tried to help the victims in their recovery wherever possible. The Diocese has paid for counseling care for anyone who sought it, and has made the services of Catholic Social Services available to anyone who wished them.

The complexity of all of this has always been set in the context of the legal requirements oflawsuits brought by the attorneys for the victims who sought financial compensation from the Diocese. The task became particularly difficult when Continental Insurance, the carrier for the Diocese, abruptly refused coverage in August of 1992 after first agreeing to it.

To be fair to the victims, but to be a faithful trustee of the Diocese as well, became a difficult task for me as its Bishop. 1111 all of the settlements, I hoped to measure those responsibilities justly and honestly. The request for confidentiality regarding the settlements on the part of all, and agreed to by the plaintiffs, was an attempt to honor my commitment to the well-being of the Diocese.

In addition to the constraints imposed by the lawsuits, the media has had its impact as well. This past week has seen a heightening of that pressure though public disclosures and anonymous accusations.

I have struggled to address the media as openly and as fairly as possible but have been limited by insurance issues, by legal agreements and by the sensitivity of my pastoral role. It has saddened me to see the Church taken to task unfairly and unjustly, and I regret any way that this has hurt those involved in these cases. The Church has paid money to victims for very real grievances and not for their silence. To imply Turn to Page Three

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THE ANCHOR ~ Diocese of Fall River ---.:... Fri., Dec. 17, 1993

Confession seen making comeback

~nglish-Ianguage

catechism still under review

VATICAN CITY (CNS) - A year after the "Catechism of the Catholic Church" was published in French, Italian and Spanish, the long-awaited English translation is still under review at the Vatican.

V.S. bishops who met recently with Vatican officials said it was their impression that the volume would be out in early 1994.

"The best prediction is that it will be ready in January, then take about two months to be printed and bound," said Bishop Frank J. Rodimer of Paterson, N.J., after talks at the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith in November.

Throughout the year, V .S. bishops making "ad limina" visits to the Vatican have stressed their eagerness to receive the English version of the catechism. It was initially believed it would take only a few months.

The pope is said to be well aware of disappointment over the delay.

V n_der direction of Cardinal Bernard F. Law of Boston, an English translation was completed in early 1993, reviewed by other Englishspeaking bishops and forwarded to the Vatican doctrinal congregation. But approval has been withheld pending study of problems reportedly related to inclusive language, international variations in English usage, Scripture passages and references to canon law.

At a general assembly of V.S. bishops last June, dismay was expressed over missed pastoral opportunities caused by the absence of the English catechism.

Many V.S. dioceses had planned workshops and programs around the volume, which is seen as a major educational resource for the future. Some 250,000 advance orders for it have been placed in the V nited States.

In September, when V .S. bishops again raised the issue at the Vatican, they were told that the English translation is complicated because the language is spoken differently in England, North America and Africa, said Santa Fe Archbishop Michael J. Sheehan.

Inclusive language is also a problem, Archbishop Sheehan said, because "there is not unanimity on that in English-speaking countries and the Vatican has to find some consensus."

Bishop John C. Reiss of Trenton, N.J., said the pope has been informed of concerns over the nonappearance of the English catechism. In a recent meeting, the pope "shrugged his shoulders as if to say it's coming," Bishop Reiss said.

The pope built his "ad limina" talks around the content of the catechism and emphasized its importance in nearly all of his speeches to the bishops.

"Everyone is aware it is an embarrassment to have it still not out," Bishop Reiss said.

In addition to the original French, the catechism has already been published in Italian, Spanish, Portuguese, German, Catalan, Slovenian, Maltese and, in part, in Romanian.

Cardinal Law has said he does not know what specific points are causing the delay in Vatican approval; but he said the importance of the English translation could not be overestimated. The English version "is going to be a very, very influential text. That's why they have to be very careful," he said.

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AMONG CAPE AND ISLAND supporters ofthe annual Bishop's Charity Ball are, from left, Mr. and Mrs. Michael Sullivan of Osterville; Rev. Thomas L. Rita, pastor of Our Lady of the Assumption parish, Osterville; and Mr. and Mrs. Frank Miller of Sandwich. (Curran photo)

Ball decorating scheduled for January 13 Decorating for the 39th annual hospitality committee will be three Bishop's Charity Ball will begin at presentees from 25 years ago: Mrs. I p.m. Jan. 13 at Venus de Milo Richard Girard, Fall River; Mrs. restaurant, Swansea. The ball is Susan Filipe, New Bedford; Mrs. scheduled from 8 p.m. to midnight Alva Cowan, Taunton. Also on Jan. 14. the committee are Mrs. John SpellPresentees and their escorts will man, Attleboro; Mrs. Mary W. rehearse at 6:30 p.m. Jan. 13 at the Mikita, Cape Cod; Mrs. Sandra restaurant under direction of Miss Carvalho, New Bedford; and' Mrs. Claire O'Toole of Fall River, chair Theodore Wojcik Sr., Taunton. of the ball presentee committee.

Leonard Nicolan of the Fall Fall Riverites Joseph F. Gro- - River area is among ushers. mada and Mrs. Manuel T. NoBall tickets are available from gueira are ball cochairs; and An- committee members or from ball tone Pacheco, also of Fall River, is headquarters, 344 Highland Ave., master of ceremonies.

Fall River, telephone 676-8943 or Serving for the first time on the 676-3200.

OBITUARY Joseph Hebert

he is survived by another son, Raymond L. Hebert of South Attleboro; a sister, Celia Carbonneau of Taunton; and two grandchildren.

Social health poor

Father Gerard A. Hebert, parochial vicar at St. Patrick TARRYTOWN, N. Y. (CNS) ~ Church, Falmouth, was principal The nation's social health, as meacelebrant last Monday at the Mass sured by the Fordham Index of of Christian Burial at St. Theresa Social H'ealth, is at its lowest point Church, South Attleboro, for his since the Jesuit-run university father, Joseph L. Hebert, 83, of started measuring it 22 years ago.

Attleboro. who died Dec. 9. Many A companion Index of Social Conpriests of the diocese were confidence, new this year, underscored celebrants. that Americans are "pessimistic Hebert, a native of Central Falls. about the future" that social health RI, lived in South Attleboro most declines can be turned around. of his life. He was the husband of The indexes said all-time lows were the. late Cora A, (Champagne) reached in 1991, the last year for Hebert and the son of the late which full statistics were available, Phelesa and Edna (Gingras) Hefor three of 16 categories meabert. sured: child abuse, average weekly He was a cook at Foxboro State earnings, and out-of-pocket health Hospital for 20 years before he costs for those over 65. retired in 1973. Earlier he had been a cook at Sturdy Memorial HospiDreams Come True tal in Attleboro. He was a World War II veteran who was an engi"I thank God that I live in a neer in the Pacific theater and he country where dreams can come also served in the Korean War. true, where failures sometimes is Hebert was a member of the - the first step to success, and where American Legion and the VFW success is only another form of and was active in St. Theresa par- failure if we forget what our prioriish. In addition to Father Hebert, ties should be,"-Harry Lloyd.

STATEMENT OF BISHOP SEAN O'MALLEY, OFM CAP. The recent cartoon in The Anchor which refers to recovered memory of abuse victims was inappropriate and insensitive. I am embarrassed that such a statement would appear in a Catholic journal.

My one desire has been for healing and reconciliation.

I express my apologies and regrets to all who have been offended by this situation.

CHARLOTTE, N.C. (CNS)Confession shows signs of making a comeback in the 1990s, a period of self-eval uation after a decade of materialism.

"People have concluded they can only hide their shame so long and try to convince their conscience that sin is OK." says Father Carl Kaltreider, pastor of the Basilica ofSt. Lawrence in Asheville, N.C.. in the diocese of Charlotte.

On any given Saturday, 25 to 30 people are lined up for confession at St. Lawrence. During Advent, confessions are heard eve'ry day except Monday. Father Kaltreider attributes the interest at the basilica to the "grace that flows from perpetual adoration" of the Blessed Sacrament.

In the Fall River diocese, Father John R. Foister, pastor of St. Anne's parish, Fall River, where confessions are heard for an hour each morning and two hours each afternoon, said he had not noted a rise in their number.

"But that may be because we've had to cut the hours for confessions because of fewer priests," he said.

"People sense bankruptcy in a secular way of living," says Father Ken Whittington, director of worship for the Charlotte diocese and pastor of St. Charles Borromeo Church in Morganton.

"I think there is a shift. I think the country is going to hell in a hand basket," he said. "But that's a creative moment. As long as we are happy, we don't look for something new. In this decay, the invitation is there to seek and find the kingdom of God." For Catholics, the invitation is in the sacraments - baptism, confirmation, Eucharist, reconciliation, anointing, marriage and ordination. While all are reaffirming, the one that elicits fear is reconciliation.

"It's the scariest sacrament we have." Father Whittington said.

"It's not scary because we are afraid to tell a priest what we have done wrong. It's scary accepting God's forgiveness."

Forgiveness demands that people change their actions and relationships to reflect God's image, Father Whittington said. People resist change, especially the conversion called for by God. "What they are looking for just like every dysfunctional person - is a little dose offorgiveness to make them feel better," he said.

"But that is not what God offers.

God offers total forgiveness."

Ben Wenning, a permanent deacon at St. Gabriel Church in Charlotte, says confession was "a black-and-white guilt trip" when he was growing up in the 1940s and 1950s.

But as a young adult. he went through a "period of enlightenment." All sin was no longer black and white; some had shades of gray. "Instead of going [to confession] with a shopping list mentally.

I would go with a sincere desire to change my life."

111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111 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.

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THE ANCHOR -

Diocese of Fall River -

Bishop's pastoral letter Continued from Page One

otherwise is to insult the victims as well as the Church. We have tried, often at the request of thl~ vict ims, to carry out our negotiations discreetly. Public disclosure about settlements (]Inly tends to stir up animosity against the victims and to fuel false claims against other pril~sts.

I appeal to the media to help us in this process of reconciliation and not rub salt in old wounds. I am pell'sonally quite prepared as a Christian to turn the other cheek, but as Bishop I feel obligated to defend the honor of the Catholic Community.

In the social justice ministry, the Church serves the disenfranchised whether they' be from abroad or witlJin our own neighborhoods. We enjoy the prophetic mission ofthe religious communities who dwell here, but who serve in all parts of the Third World. In the daily work of all who work with the pOOl' throughout the Diocese, the Church of Jesus is alive among us.

And in oUlr parishes, the people with their priests, religious and parish workers seek ways to reach out and care for the community around them and for the community of the wider world. It is in the parish that families worship, find support for the challenge of family life in our times, and so many priests serve so faithfully and generously year in and year out.

As we move towards the Christmas season and its message of hope and rebirth, let us rejoice in all the ways we serve as a Church in our community. In these final days of Advent, let us renew in ourselves the love that the Child Jesus brought into the world, and ask forl:iveness for all the ways we have failed to bring that love to one another.

With

pra~,erful

r~M,$'~/~ Bishop of Fall River

Offic~e

and China cannot stop the train," Cardinal Wu told a group of German theologians, Sinologists and journalists in Hong Kong after they ended a three-week tour of China. "] have confidence in the Chinese government," the cardinal said.

HONG KONG (CNS) - Despite many challenges his diocese faces as 1997 nears, Hong Kong Cardinal John Baptist Wu ChengChung remains optimistic about the church's future in Hong Kong and mainland China. "The church is moving well all over the world,

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£.l--

.. ~ CHRISTMAS SCHEDULE Christmas Vigil Masses

Friday at 4:00 and 6:30 p.m.

Midnight Mass preceded by a concert . by St. Anne Chorale beginning at 11 :30 p.m.

Christmas Day

\

l~asses

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at 8:00,10:00,12 noon and 6:30 p~.m .•:~ . .

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The Parish Staff, residents ofSt..fohn Vianney House and the Dominican Fathers join in wishing you and yours a very Merry Christmas and a Happy and Prosperous New Year!

best wishes, I am Devotedly yours in Christ,

to aid school choice lobbying

WASHINGTON (CNS) -- The U.S. bishops have set up an office to mobilize parent:; to lobby for school choice called the Office for Catholic School Parent Associations.

The office, to be laLnched in 199~, by the U.S. Catholic Conference's Department of Education, will be headed by Kenreth John Dupre, currently executive director of the Catholic Conference of Kentucky.

The announcement Vias made Dec. 13 by Bishop Rober: J. Banks of Green Bay, Wis" chll.irman of the USCC Education Cc'mmittee.

Bishop Banks said he hoped Dupre would help parents to recognize "their responsibility for their children's education," and to realize they have "a na':ural and constitutional right to choose an edU(:ation that accords with their values and religiom, beliefs."

"Parents in turn,," he said in a statement, "can use help in reminding ':heir local, state ane. national legislators that the government has a duty to enable parenti to exercise this right of ,;hoosing their children's system of education."

T:le new office will mobilize parents at state and national levels to work on legislative issues and will encourage dio,ceses and state Catholic conference'sto f,)rm Catholic school parent ass ociations where they do not (:xist and stre::lgthen those already in existence.

The office will also establish a National Coalition of Catholic School Parent Associations to facilitate legislative networking at all levels of government.

Dupre plans to develop and disseminate materials that can be used to educate and help organize parents and identify resource people nationwide. He will also develop a Parent Advisory Board to offer input into efforts of the new office.

Dupre has worked on public policy issues over the past 20 years.

In 1983 he was named founding executive director of the Catholic Conference of Kentucky. ]n 1991, he spearheaded founding of the

Kentucky League for Educational Alternatives, a grassroots organization of parents and supporters of Catholic education.

In welcoming Dupre to the Education Department, Msgr. Robert Lynch, general secretary of the USCC, said in a statement that Catholic schools have made "great contributions" to U.S. society, so "it is important that every effort be made to keep them as a viable option for families at every economic level."

"The future of the country rests on revamping U.S. education so that parents have choices," he said.

"No one school system can serve an entire nation."

Saint Anne Parish and Shrine South Main and Middle Streets Fall River, Massachusetts

Start a family tradition with Fontanini nativity figures

Sister McAuliffe to head R.I. academy Sister Elizabeth A. McAuliffe, RS M, associate professor and chairwoman ofthe Department of Secondary Education at Salve Regina University in Newport, R], has been appointed the first president of St. Mary Academy-Bay View, East Providence, RI. The academy's board of directors made the announcement after a two-year search. McAuliffe will begin the new job Aug. 1.

A Rhode Island native, Sister McAuliffe previously taught chemistry and biology at Bishop Feehan High School in Attleboro.

She served as principal from

1975 to 1980 at Bishop Gerrard High School in Fall River.

She is a member of the American Educational Research Association, the Association of Teacher Educational, the New England Association of Teachers of Mathematics, the Association for Supervision and Curriculum and Development, the National Catholic Educators Association, the National Council of Teachers of Mathematics and Mercy Higher Education.

St. Mary Academy-Bay View is an all-girls Catholic school providing elementary and secondary education.

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Can't stop train

These timc~s have not been easy ones for the Church in Fall River. It is my profound and prayerful hope as we move into the Christmas Season that we put all of these matters behind us, that we recommit ourselves to the generous and gracious ministry of the Chuf(:h that so many of you offer every day in the Diocese.

This Diocese i~. blessed by a wonderful sense of service and commitment. Through the Catholk ho~'.pital, the social services, diocesan nursing homes, and Catholic schools, hundreds of persons serve the medical, educational and spiritual needs of thousands olf others. These relationships of care and trust are living, vibrant testimony to the life of the Gospel at work in the world.

Fri., Dec. 17, 1993

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4 THE ANCHOR -

Diocese of Fall River -

Fri., Dec. 17, 1993

the mooril19..-., Criminal Violence and Public Fear People are scared to death. As murder rules the cities and violence the suburbs, the basic routines of life are shattered.

The most recent evidence of this was the slaughter of passengers on a Long Island commuter train.

Horrendous as that was, it was but one more episode in the escalating war now being fought in every area of this country.

Right now the people of America are losing this war. Despite the efforts of Brady bill supporters, we have not really come to grips with the gun question. The fact that the commuter train slayer carried out his carnage with an automatic pistol shows how much we need a gun bill with teeth, one that will remove weapons of destruction from the hands of criminals.

It is incredible that we are allowing chaos to rule our society simply because we refuse to enact reasonable controls of the right to bear arms. One can be sure that our founding fathers never envisioned modern weaponry nor its power to wreak havoc. We are a long way from our frontier days, yet too many of us still cling to the mind-set that everything can be settled by the bullet. Daily, innocent lives pay for this attitude.

The condition of our society also contributes to the pervasive sense of hopelessness. Our schools have become armed camps where students are screened for weapons and police patrol corridors and playgrounds while curriculums emphasize sexual behaviors, parenting and personality development rather than such "boring" subjects as mathematics, history and science.

There are some who tell us that crime is really on the wane; but it must not be forgotten that very often the transfer of numbers from one column to another can be deceptive. The public has a right to be outraged when professional agencies use adjusted facts to support their continued funding.

In the real world, meanwhile, people are becoming more and more terrified as crime becomes more'outrageous and destructive and statistical myths fail to curb random violence. In short, we realize all too well that there is no place where one can be guaranteed safety, no matter where one lives.

Fear accompanies not only those walking city streets at night but those riding in trains, buses and planes, shopping in suburban malls or simply taking a walk in their own neighborhood.

Simply put, it is impossible to overstate America's crime problem and solutions will never be forthcoming from the political mentality that reacts rather than acts. Politicians are on the one hand running madly around reassuring their constituents that they are aware of the problem and on the other frozen into inaction in Washington.

Longer waiting periods before one can attain to gun ownership and a tax on bullets may slow down but will not _halt crime. Strong legislation and judicial action are imperatives but more important t'han this is the need for every American to be aware of the enormity of the problem and make himself or herself a part of the solution both by deed and at the ballot box.

Criminals will continue to order the direction of our society until we are willing to say no more guns, no more bullets, no more needless death.

The Editor

the

OFFICIAL NEWSPAPER OF THE DIOCESE OF FALL RIVER Published weekly by The Catholic Press of the Diocese of Fall River 887 Highland Avenue P.O. BOX 7 Fall River, MA 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

EDITOR Rev. John F. Moore

GENERAL MANAGER Rosemary Dussault ~ Leary Press-Fall RIver

eNS I Reuters photo

A PARTIALLY CLEANED FRESCO IN THE VATICAN'S SISTINE CHAPEL INDICATES THE DIFFERENCE ONGOING RESTORATION WORK IS MAKING

"You were heretofore darkness but now light in the Lord." Eph. 5:8

Religious anticipate challenging future ROME (CNS) - As 500 members of religious orders from around the world met last month in Rome to discuss their changing role in the church, they outlined a future full of new social and spiritual challenges.

For North Americans, it will include confronting the growing influence of cultural violence. For Asians, it means returning to a life of evangelical poverty. For Latin Americ8;ns, it will demand special attention to youth, the largest and most troubled segment of the population.

The religious met to discuss the state of religious life in the world, in preparation for a 1994 Synod of Bishops in 1994 on the topic. The meeting was sponsored by the Union of Superiors General, an umbrella organization that represents 245 male religious orders.

Whatever their specific concerns, the participants agreed that male and female religious orders, shaken by a long decline in membership, need to take a hard look at their identity within the church and their role in society.

In a report to t,he conference, two U.S. religious said that as religious orders scale down in size and institutional activity, they need to focus their energies to be effectual and to keep their members from becoming dispirited.

The report, by Vincentian Father David Nygren and Josephite Sister Miriam Ukeritis, said the number of U.S. religious sisters and brothers had declined by 43 percent over the last 30 years, while religious priests number 18 percent fewer. More than half of U.S. religious are over age 60, suggesting that unless serious changes are made, a period of "exponential decline" may lie ahead.

Despite this, however, many U.S. orders are still attracting new members. The keys to success seem to be: fidelity to their founding

purpose; strong leadership within the order; and responsiveness to emerging needs, such as new forms of poverty, new populations of immigrants and new suffering among AIDS patients, the report said.

In a report on the religious mission in the industrialized nations, Dominican Father Timothy Radcliffe said religious orders should offer a vision of reality that clearly opposes the "competitive consumerist jungle" and the increasing violence of Western culture.

Violence has been identified by groups of U.S. Dominicans as their major challenge, he said. It is not just the violence of wars but "the daily violence of our cities, the ordinary routine violence that women and children especially suffer, the racist violence against immigrants, the verbal violence of daily life," he said. It adds up to a kind of cultural "Jurassic Park," he said.

Father Radcliffe said religious should distance themselves from the dominant consumerist culture, but this is more easily said than done.

"We talk much about the 'option for the poor,' but we tend to live a far more middle-class form oflife," he said.

Chinese Jesuit Father Paul Tan Chee Ing said Asian and Pacific religious also face the challenge of living simply in a region that has the fastest rate of economic growth in the world. He said he constantly

hears religious complain that their lifestyles are being upgraded, making it difficult to give witness to evangelical poverty.

Another area in which most Asian religious are falling short, the priest said, is that of interreligious dialogue - of crucial importance in a region where the church is usually a small minority. Little time is devoted to dialogue, he said, especially where religious have been pressed into other forms of pastoral service to parishes and dioceses.

In Africa, said Missionhurst Father Leonard Kasanda Lumenbu, religious life "still exhales too much of its Western odor." It must become more Arican and at the same time refocus on a specific consecrated role, apart from the ever-present demands of evangelization, he said. He suggested that historically, religious in Africa have been considered a reserve force or an ecclesial class of"cheap labor" for evangelization.

In Latin America, said Father Juan Vecchi, religious should devote special attention to young people because they are so numerous, so vulnerable to economic and social risks, and so important for the church's future.

In general, he said, religious should emphasize their prophetic role in Latin American society, proclaiming the possibility of a better future and fighting against passive acceptance of unjust situations.

THE ANCHOR regrets the publication of an inappropriate syndicated cartoon in the December 10, 1993, issue referring to recovered memory of abuse victims. The editor apologizes to anyone whom it offended.

The publication of the cartoon was not previewed, approved or sponsored by Bishop O'Malley and does not in any way reflect his attitude in this matter.

ark's enthronement in the temple.

Thus, at least for the time being, Yahweh's "otherness" is preserved.

Certainly we sense echoes of the dispute over the temple in our other two readings. But in these passages, the issue is reversed. Instead of limiting God's presence, people are trying to expand it.

Today we presume Gentiles as well as Jews can mirror Jesus' dying and rising. Yet we know that many in the early church thought that those who wanted to follow

l'rothiing c:!n limit s=llvation 2 Sam. 7:1-5, 8-11, 16 Romans Hi:25-27 Luke 1:26-38 We often take famous institutions so much for grant('d that we lose sight of the debate which went on before they ca me into existence. What appears 1:: lack and whit.e today was once conceived of only in shades of gray.

This is especially true of the Jerusalem temple. That building has become such an important part of our religious herita.~e th,-t we can't ima.~ine a time when it didn't exist or at least wasn't in the planning stage. Yet long before its rituals and mystique began ,.ttracting countless pilgrims and w:>rshipers, many Jews argued against its construction. Today'~, first reading gives us a little glimpse at the "discussion" which went on Jefore the tern:Jle was actually built.

The members of a reli!,ion which banned pictures and statues of its God naturally had problems when it came time to build a house to contain God's presence. Because Ya~weh was so "other," ~hey interpreted any attempt to dep:ct the Lord as an attempt to limit him( her. No matter how weI. the: artist painted or sculpted, no one could ever portray the "real Yahweh"; they would always leave ou': some of the Lord's essential traits. In the same way, how cO'lld a:lY human

By FATHER ROGER KARBAN structure encompass God's presence? The creator is always greater than any creation.

Besides, God's ark, the centerpiece of the proposed temple, was originally a mobile shrine which the Israelites could move to wherever it was most needed. If those who now wanted to permanently ensconce this special symbol of Yahweh's presence in the holy of holies were to have their way, they would be severely limiting the Lord's ability "to be everywhere."

David knew all this was going on and realizing the possible divisiveness of the issue, he seems to have put temple building on a back burner.

Years later, one of his theologians would give this now wellknown explanation for his (in)action. As Nathan the prophet proclaimed in today's first reading, Yahweh was more concerned with building a house for David than with David building a house for Yahweh. The Lord's presence will be found more significantly in the continual presence of David's family on the Jewish throne than in the

Daily Readings Dec. 20: Is 7:10-14; Ps 24:1-6; Lk 1:26-38 Dec. 21: Sg 2:8-14 or Zep 3:14-18; Ps 33:2-3,11-12,2021; Lk 1:39-45 Dec. 22: 1 Sm 1:24-28; 1 Sm 2:1,4-8; Lk 1:46-56 Dec. 23: Mal 3: 1-4,23-24; Ps 25:4-5,8-10,14; Lk 1:57-66 Dec. 24: 2 Sm 7: 1-5,8b11,16; Ps 89:2-5,27,29; Lk 1:67-79. Christmas Vigil: Is 62:1-5; Ps 89:4-5,16-17,27, 29; Acts 13:16-17,22-25; Mt 1:1-25 Dec. 25: Midnight: Is 9:16; Ps 96: 1-3,11-13; Ti 2:1114; Lk 2:1-14. Dawn: Is 62:11-12; Ps 97:1,6,11-12; Ti 3:4-7; Lk 2: 15-20. Day: Is 52:7-10; Ps 98:1-6; Heb 1:16; In 1:1-18 Dec. 26: Sir 3:2-6,12-14; Ps 128:1-5; Col 3:12-21; Lk 2:22-40

THE ANCHOR -

Diocese of Fall River -

the Lord had first to become Jews.

Paul often struggled with this issue and with these people. But as time went on, more and more Christians began to believe as he did: Gentiles could be saved as Gentiles. They didn't have to convert to Judaism to experience Jesus.

Shortly before his martyrdom he wrote thl:se famous lines to the Christian community in Rome, telling them that God has made his son ..... known to all the Gentiles that they may believe and obey. ..." Neither religion or race can limit God's salvation.

Luke, writing 25 years after Paul, treats this "liberation" from a different angle. He's just finished describing Zechariah's annunciation; an event happening in the proper place (the temple) and time (the offering of the evening incense offering) and to the proper person (a Priest). Now, expanding. the divine playing field, he has the same angel appear in a private home, in the insignificant town of Nazareth, to a woman named Mary.

Fr:., Dec. 17, 1993

5

The virgin is "deeply troubled" when Gabriel proclaims, "Rejoice, o highly favored daughter! The Lord is with you. Blessed are you among women." She's probably wondering, "What's he doing here, and why is he saying these things to me?" Luke not only proclaims that Jesus has become one with us, he also tells us his entry took place in a very unexpected way.

The perfect follower ofthe Lord must repeat Mary's words daily: "I am the servant of the Lord. Let it be done to me as you say." No matter how long or how intently we "discuss," Scripture reminds us that God always sides with those who wish to expand, not contract, his( her presence.

Russian Poor 28 percent of the Russian population lived below the poverty level in February 1993. Russians spend an average of 60 percent of their income on food. (Radio Free Europe( Radio Liberty, U. S. Department of Agriculture)

Come and join in

W;bt (!Catbtbral (!Carol ~tng Congregational singing ofall th.e oldfavorite Christmas carols

Sunday, December 26,1993 at 3 o'clock St. Mary's Cathedral, Fall River

..

6

The Anchor Friday, Dec. 17, 1993

By FATHER JOHN J. DIETZEN

Q. Could you please explain briefly how D.C. (time before Christ) and A.D. (time after Christ) is measured? There seems to be a lot of confusion about dates in the Dible and in other things we read from ancient history. (Texas) A. It's no wonder you're confused.

Keeping track of times and dates in history is a lot more complicated than most people realize.

By Dr. JAMES & MARY KENNY Dear Dr. Kenny: Do you think Santa Claus is a good idea? I'm dismayed that Santa is used to sell everything, from candy canes to cars.

W ouldn't it be better to get back to the image of the Christ child giving us gifts? Isn't there some

How do we know it's 1993 A.D.?

Rome (using initials V.c., "urbis condita") about 753 B.C. Other Christians counted the years from the supposed date of the birth of Abraham; some from the schedule of taxation under Emperor Diocletian in the third century.

Our current method of dating events from before or after the birth of Christ came as a byproduct of attempting to settle the bitter controversy between the Eastern and Western ch urches over the date of Easter.

As for the Old Testament, most time keeping was based on a particular ruler or king. ("in thc II th vear of the reign of King Dari LIS"). ~H major events such as the Babylonia~ exile in the sixth century B.C. The religious calendar used by Jews today, supposedly based on the time from the creation of the" world, originated only about 1,000 years ago.

The "date" of creation was computed by adding up all references to years and ages in the Hebrew Bible, especially the book of Genesis.

Early Christians employed a variety of methods. Some used local Greek calendars, some the most common Roman method of dating events from the founding of

A Roman monk, Dionysius the Little, began the practice in the sixth century. Many historical sources available to us were unknown in his time; this resulted in his setting the year I of the Chris-

tian era six to eight years later than it should have been.

Thus the birth of Christ took place, according to our calendar, about B.c.

It took centuries for the new way of numbering years to be accepted even in the Christian world. The fact that it took hold at all is greatly due to the renowned early historian St. Bede who utilized this method of dating in his writing of history.

Q. Is it true that a child cannot be baptized in the Catholic Church if the mother and father were not married in the church?

(New York) A. It depends. During the baptism ceremony for a baby the parents, or at least the Catholic parent in an interfaith marriage, formally

profess that they understand and believe in what is being done. They promise they will assist the child in fulfilling his or her responsibilities as a Catholic Christian through the coming years.

This normally means, at a minimum, that at least one of the parents is living a full sacramental Catholic life.

Are parents who are married out of the church able to make such a promise? Perhaps. Among other requirements, the couple must be looking into every avenue for validating or regularizing their marriage in the Catholic Church, so they themselves can live a full Catholic life in receiving the sacraments.

Ultimately the decision rests with th~ parents and their parish priest.

Is Santa just a commercial racket? good, but rarely do we hear that he has ever held back from a child who was bad.

As he gives to us, we learn to imitate him and give to each other.

I am offended, as you are, by commercialism. Buy, buy, buy!

And our children are deluged with images of attractive expensive foods and clothes and toys, and encouraged to respond with letters to Santa beginning with "gimmes" ("Gimme this" and "Gimme that").

Don't blame Santa for the commercialism. It's not his fault. He is certainly not greedy. Just the opposite!

way to put Christ back into Christmas? (lIIinois) I see nothing wrong with Santa Claus as an image of loving and giving. Santa is a symbol of the Christian message of love.

Originally, a fourth century bishop from Asia Minor named Nicholas ga ve of his goods and self to care for the poor. St. Nicholas evolved into Santa Claus, a symbol of generosity and unselfishness.

Santa works all year at the North Pole, a distant and unknown place, to make presents that will meet our heart's desire. Like an indulgent parent, he gives to us if we are

Instead of blaming Santa, try to find out what is "behind" the stated wishes of your children. Talk with your children about their wishes.

Help them identify items that they "really" want beneath the glitter.

Everyone wants to feel good and have fun. You might start there.

If they want to feel good, you can listen to them about what makes them feel that way. It takes more than things to make one happy. What makes your child happy?

If they want to have fun, what

do they like to play and do? Expensive toys are not the only way and usually not the best way to have fun.

And talk with your children about giving. It is truly better to give than to receive. And more fun. If you don't believe that, look at the face of your child while you are unwrapping his or her gift to you.

I see Santa as one of Christ's helpers, a model of giving and love. Yes, we need to put Christ into Christmas, the spirit of unselfish giving. Santa can be a part of that.

Spotted at the shopping mall: Jesus By DAN MORRIS

I read an essay once about making an effort to find Jesus at the mall during the Christmas season.

Encouraged by her pastor, the author had managed to pull it off - discovering the Christ child in a number of different places and faces, from the clerk whom the writer saw take money olit of her own purse to help a 10-year-old

\

buy his mot'her's present to the" parish choir volunteering evenings to sing.

I mentioned this to my wife yesterday while we were sharing a dinner of soft pretzel and tepid coffee at the mall's "food court."

The name could hardly be more appropriate.

On our left four teen girls were in the midst of a substantive game of table-top McNuggets, alternating roles as players and cheerleaders.

Not far (enough) a way, a toddler was serving lob shots of something red and shimmery to his frazzled mother. The score was about 40-

love when I asked spouse, "Remember that story about finding Christ in the mall at Christmas? [ think I might just sit a while on those benches over there and see if I can pick him out."

So, we did. We sat, she with her feet atop a box bearing a digital bath scale, I with my arms draped over a Day-Glo orange soccer ball.

And we watched for Jesus.

Sure enough, there he was. I kid you not! The first time he was Santa. It took a while to figure out, but we later had verified that the man playing Santa at the photo kiosk was "reinvesting" his wages to purchase family Santa photos

for families he surmised might not otherwise be able to afford them.

Periodically he would send an elf to a food court table he had kept an eye on. M ore often than not, there was little or no food on it, but there would be an exhausted parent or two accompanied by youngsters. God bless Santa.

We spied the sacred in the sparkling eyes and nodding head of a 4-year-old being coached by her mother "not to tell daddy what mommy hid in the closet."

We sa w the Lord's message alive and well in the young woman laughing and conversing with a grou p of visually challenged

grade schoolers as she escorted them.

We saw Jesus, as promised, in many places and many faces.

"Hang on to this for me," my wife ordered, slipping the scale box under my feet. She walked to the table with the toddler, who by now had his mother at the point of game, set and match.

"Would you like my husband and me to watch your son for a while so we can rest and maybe you can shop or look around a bitT' she asked.

By the way, the red shimmery stuff was cherry jello, and it did come out in the wash.

The starry miracle of Christmas By ANTOINETTE BOSCO

Again and again in recent weeks I've heard the refrain ''I'll be glad when the holidays are over" or ''I'll never make it to Christmas," and similar dirges.

I've never felt that way. I have always loved this time of year.

Christmas is the best.

I have often written about the wonderful event of a starry night long ago when a baby was born, and I also love to read what others have gleaned from this event.

One of the best books on the subject is "Starlight, Beholding the Christmas Miracle All Year Long," by Father John Shea (Crossroad, &17.95).

Father Shea sets out to prove, using myths and stories as well as his own insights, that the only real-

ity in this world is "incarnation" -that is, Christmas.

Everything else is illusion and can only become real if Christmas - the reality of God's permeating this earth - is seriously remembered day after day.

Wow! Most of us thought Christmas was about bright decorations, festive music, buying gifts, celebrating friendships, sharing love and honoring the Christ child whose birthday stimulates all these good reactions once a year.

Father Shea says Christmas is much more than that. It's about God fusing with every living thing on this earth. That's "incarnation."

Christmas ends "any understanding of God as self-enclosed, protective and aloof," writes Father Shea.

Especially brilliant is this priest's way of using the imagery of starlight to help us understand how Christmas brought light to the dark side of the human condition, changing us into people of hope.

The Christmas starlight is, in truth, light shining in the darkness.

"Night is an essential part of starlight," he writes. "Light shining in the darkness is a realistic assessment of our earthbound capacities."

I don't think it was an afterthought on the part of the Lord to have a star mark the place of the Incarnation. It was a clear message that sufficient light would be provided to us to find our way out of the darkness - translated, the powers of evil.

It would be hard for me to remember how often I have called Christmas a miracle. But what else could it be? The Incarnation means that God permeates the human condition and the world, remaining with us - "a transcendent presence that provokes us into hope."

Christ with us gives us enough starlight to sustain that hope which keeps us shining and overcoming the darkness that doesn't go away - hunger, war, meanness, murder,

greed, impurity, ruthlessness and such.

The message of Father Shea's book is that Christmas is "a miracle available to us all year long."

Christmas is every moment of our lives, for the Incarnation didn't happen once and go away. When God penetrated the earth that night

in Bethlehem, his presence here became permanent.

Father Shea's book is beautifully written. Its message helps you think in new ways about how Christmas isn't just an event to be celebrated, but a light to alter our lives permanently. It's a message we mustn't forget.

Heifers help fight world hunger

A CROATIAN MOTHER mourns her slain son at a cemetery in Sarajt:vo, Bosnia-Herzegovina. (eNS/ Reuters photo)

Pope asks day of prayer, fasting for Bosnians VATICAN CITY (CNS) Pope John Paul II, distressed at the continuing suffering of families in Bosnia-Herzegovina, has invited all believers to j Jin :n a day of prayer and fasting for the wartorn population there.

The day will be ob!erved Jan. 2J, during the annual Week of Prayer for Christian Unity, and should highlight universal spiritual concern for civiliar.s ca.ught in the Bosnian fighting, tl'e pope said Dec. 12. .

In announcing the initiative, the pope reminded his listeners that "so many families hav~ been torn apart" by battles in the former Yugoslavia. The conf.ict "is still raging and, unfortunately, a just and equitable- solutio, does not seem near," he said.

The pope implored Bosnian leaders to "silenee th ~ sound of weapons at last" and asked international authorities to keep trying to mediate a settlem~nt. Meanwhile, he said, believers around th~ world should pray for peace.

The pope said he would celebrate Mass in Rome Jan. 23, a Sunday, and a!,ked the whole church to follow his e '(ample. He asked that this time of community prayer be preceded by a day of fa:;ting.

"I extend this invitation to all ot ',er believers and to dl p~ople of good will," he said.

The fighting in Bosn a- Herzegovina has involved thre,: main population groups: the mostly Orthodcx Serbs, Muslim Slavs and the mostly Catholic Croatians.

In a Dec. 12 interview with Vatican Radio, ArehbishoF Vinko

Puljic of Sarajevo, Bosnia-Herzegovina, said some 30,000 Catholics in the Bosnian capital were preparing for Christmas despite continuing cold and hunger.

Throughout central Bosnia, however, traditional 'outdoor Christmas celebrations have been canceled, because Serbian forces have stepped up attacks wherever people gather, he said.

At great personal risk, priests continue to celebrate Mass in unheated churches and provide religious assistance, the archbishop said. Meanwhile, it remains difficult to obtain basic necessities, and government agencies are dispensing only a trickle of humanitarian aid to Catholics, he said.

Despite their hardships, most Catholics are looking toward Christmas with great hope and are convinced that peace will come soon, he said.

CRS aids Burundi BALTIMORE(CNS) -Catholic Relief Services is targeting nearly $600,000 in relief for victims of ethnic warfare in' the East African nation of Burundi. The aid includes funds for medicine, cooking, hygiene goods, clothing and other supplies. CRS said it is also working with private and government agencies to provide food and other assistance to Burundians displaced from their homes by fighting. Some 300,000 people are said to have been forced from their home areas to other parts of the country, while some 800,000 have fled to neighboring states.

DCBUQUE, Iowa (CNS) - A religious order in Dubuque is helping combat world hunger by financially supporting the gift of animals to poor families all over the world.

Each family continues the selfhelp cycle by giving' one of the animal's offspring to another family in need, concurrently buildi~ community.

Pasha Martin, regional director of the Heifer Project, came to Dubuque to thank the Sisters of Charity of the Blessed Virgin Mary for supporting the project.

"One goat gives a family enough milk to prevent illness," Ms. Martin said. "Increased family income can mean school for the children, health care and better housing: The family learns how to care for its animal and is taught farming methods that improve the soil for crops, renew the environment and prevent erosion."

The Heifer Project works with families in 37 countries. Its newest efforts are in Poland, Romania, Slovakia and Ukraine, A spokeswoman for the project's national office in Little Rock, Ark., said that most animals are purchased in the country to which they are being donated.

Recognizing women's central role in food production and nutrition throughout the world, the Heifer Project sometimes gives the animals to women, usually making it the first time they have ever owned property.

Dec. 19 1988, Permanent Deacon Eugene L. Orosz Dec. 20 1953. Rev. Manuel S. Travassos, Pastor, Espirito Santo, Fall River Dec. 21 1968, Rev. Henri J. Charest, Pastor, St. Mathieu, Fall River 1989, Rev. Laurence C. dos Reis; Pastor Emeritus, St. Anthony of Padua, Fall River Dec. 22 1991, Rev. Armand P. Paradis, S.J., Psychologist, San Francisco, California Dec. 23 1901, Rev. Owen J. Kiernan, Pastor, Immaculate Conception, Fall River 1947, Rev. Charles P. Trainor, SS., St. Edward Seminary, Seattle, Washington 1970, Rev. Msgr. John A. Silvia, Pastor Emeritus, St. John Baptist, New Bedford 1986, Rev. William E. Collard, Cochaplain, Catholic Memorial Home. Fall River Dec. 24 1886, Rev. James K. Beaven, Pastor, Sacred Heart, Taunton 1914, Rev. Timothy J. Duff, Assistant, St. Joseph, Woods Hole

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Aid for Haiti VATICAN CITY (CNS) - The Vatican's aid coordinating agency and two international Catholic relief and development groups have established an emergency aid program for Haiti. The Pontifical Council "Cor Unum," which coordinates Vatican relief efforts, said the new Haiti program would place special emphasis on meeting needs of children.

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Diocese of Fall River -

always give them a quarter. I've always been like that. I hate to see people in need.

"Something like this just reinforces everything you learned growing up in church. The main thing is valuing human life. That's why there are so many people killing each other. They don't value human life, much less help somebody," he said.

Fri., Dec. 17,1993

Gridiron star aids homeless NEW ORLEANS (CNS) ...:Since New Orleans Saints defensive end Wayne Martin signed a four-year, $10.1 million contract during the off-season, he has put some of that money to good use.

Martin. now one of the National FO.otball I.eaguc's highest-paid lincmcn. has announced he will donatc $100.000 O\"Cf thc ncxt four years to the Society ofSt. Vinccnt

LOOKING FOR GOD?

DOMINICAN SISTERS OF HAWTHORNE 95 years ofgiving free, haw-on nursing care to incurable cancer patients.

OIlT Sisttn comt from all walks oflift¡ Prior nursing txptrimtt not rtquired.

CONTACT: Sr.Marit Edward Rosary Hill Home -600 Linda Ave. Hawthorne, New York 10532 (914) 769-4794

dc Paul to opcn a tran~itional housc for homcless womcn and thcir children.

"I always wanted to be in the position to help people," Martin said. "I wanted to give something back to the community. If we always just take, take, take, that's not good because the Lord has blessed you with everything that you have."

The home, located in New Orleans' inner city, will be able to accommodate up to four' families when it opens in 1994. Matching federal funds will help subsidize the program, which will offer housing and life-skills training for six months to a year.

An increasing number ofw9men and children in New Orleans have been seeking emergency services.

"It's something we've been wanting to do for a very long time," Richard Gloger, St. Vincent de Paul president, told the Clarion Herald, New Orleans' archdiocesn newspaper.

"We're seeing more and more women and children in the [food) line. The need is growing faster than we can handle it."

Martin, a Baptist, grew up in Cherry Valley, Ark., a rural community of 659. His father was a construction worker and times were tough.

"Our Christmasses weren't that big, but we had a roof over our heads and food and water," Martin said.

"I remember having a dollar and seeing the people with the Salvation Army ringing the bell. I'd

ADVENT WREATH PRAYER FOURTH WEEK OF ADVENT BISHOP CON NOLLY High School principal Father John P. Murray, SJ, right, presents the Fall River school's ten-year NEASe certificate of accreditation to Bishop Sean O'Malley and Father Richard W. Beaulieu, director of the Diocesan Department of Education.

Connolly earns accreditation STIR UP thy power and come, we pray thee, o Lord, and with great might succor us; that our deliverance, which our sins impede, may be hastened by the help of thy grace and the forgiveness of thy mercy, who livest and reignest with God the Father in the unity of the Holy Spirit, God, world without end.

Amen.

.

.

The Commission on Independent Schools, having completed its evaluation, has voted to grant Bishop Connolly High School, Fall River, continued IO-year accreditation by the New England Association of Schools and Colleges.

The school has a 72-acre campus, three fully equipped seience laboratories, a computer center, art studio, photographic darkroom, chapel, an extensive library, and a large theater-style auditorium.

Its athletic facilities include a full-sized gymnasium with seating for 1,000 fans, locker, weight and trainer's rooms, a baseball and softball field, a soccer field and stadium, an all-weather six-lane

running track and six tennis courts.

Yearly over 90% of Connolly graduates continue their education at the college level.

In presenting the certificate of accreditation and the visiting committee's report to Bishop Sean O'Malley, OFM Cap, Father John Murray, S.J., principal, said, "We are extremely pleased with the commission's report and the commendations made by the visiting committee. It's a healthy process to have an independent group come in, evaluate you and tell you that you're doing good things. We are also grateful for the recommendations that were contained in the report. You should always be looking for ways to improve."

Schedule of Christmas Masses

Touched by the birth of the Prince of Peace, may the greetings of love and affection whie:h we share bring healing and peace into the New Year.

May the Lord be with us all in 1994!

CHRISTMAS EVE: Friday, December 24 4:00 and 7:00 p.m. and 12:00 midnight CHRISTMAS DAY: Saturday, December 25 8:00, 9:30 and 11:00 a.m.. • No afternoon Ma~es FEAST OF THE HOLY FAMILY: Sunday, December 26: 8:00, 9:30 and 11:00 a.m.. and 5:00 p.m..

Schedule of New Year's Masses NEW YEAR'S EVE: December 31, 4:00 p.m.

The Solemnity of Mary, Mother of God NEW YEAR'S DAY: Saturday, January 1 8:00, 9:30 and 11:00 a.m..

FEAST OF THE EPIPHANY: Saturday Vigil, January I, 4:00 p.m.

Sunday, January 2: 8:00, 9:30 and 11:00 a.m. and 5:00 p.m.

Saint John the Evangelist Parish in the village ofPocasset REVEREND ROBERT C. DONOVAN, Pastor REVEREND FRANCIS B. CONNORS, Mass Assistant DEACON JAMES MARZELLI, Jr., Penn-anent Deacon AND THE STAFF OF ST. JOHN'S

...

Feeding hungry Haitians could be special Yule gift DEERFIELD BEACH, Fla. (CNS) - Food for the Poor in Florida suggests people help the hungry in Haiti by spol1sorir.g a day's operations at a feeding center in name of a loved one this Christmas.

The aid agency sa id a gift of $250 would feed about 1,500 men, women and children.

Food for the Poor will a:knowledge <:ontributions with a certificate li;ting a feeding date of the sponsor's choosing, a phot,) of the feeding program and a ktter of thanks. The acknowledgement package is ~,uggested as a Chrisl rna:; or birthday gift.

Food for the Poor is one of the few charity programs still operating in Haiti under the Uniled :\Iations embargo.

The effects of poverty in the Caribbean nation have worsened since a 1991 coup that ousted the country's president, Father JeanBertrand Aristide. An international trade embargo to pressure the military government to let Father Aristide return was reinstated thisfall after negotiations broke down.

Further information on the Food for the Poor program is a"ailable from Judy Turner, tel. 1-800-2827667 oJ' by writing to Food for the Poor, Community Relatiom Dept., 550 SW 12th Ave., Deerfield Beach, Fla. 33442.

lLow Birthweights More than 30 percent of South Asian babies are born with low birthweights - the highest rf'gional figure in the world. South Asia is also home to more than half of the world's underweight chi Idrer. below age 5. (United Nations)

THE ANCHOR -

Diocese of Fall River -

Fri., Dec. 17,1993

9

FBI director promotes service

DINNER FOR SISTERS: Father Francis L. Mahoney greets area sisters at their annual dinner in Holy Name School auditorium, Fall River.

Nursing homes list holiday events The following holiday activities Villa Fatima Nursery School chilare planned at diocesan nursing dren. homes: Dec. 18, 2:30 p.m.: Caroling by Cadet Scouts.

Catholic Memorial Home Dec. 20, 10 a.m.: Bennett MidFall River Dec. 19, I to 3 p.m.: Resident dle School children perform and Family Holiday Celebration Christmas pageant for residents.

Dec. 23, 2 p.m.: Residents with visit from Santa, entertainment and refreshments, distribu- Christmas Party with Santa and tion of gifts from St. John the Bap- refreshments.

Dec. 29, 2 p.m.: Party for all tist Church, Westport, giving tree.

Dec. 20, I p.m.: Wilbur School residents born in December with entertainment by the musical duo Christmas Concert, auditorium.

Dec. 21, 6:30p.m.: Pacific Union The Grandmamas.

Dec. 31, 2:30 p.m.: New Year's Congregational carolers.

Dec. 22, 10:30 a.m. and I p.m.: Eve Party.

Our Lady's Haven Carmelite Sisters and Santa preFairhaven . sent gifts to all residents.

Dec.31, 6 to 8 p.m.: New Year's Dec. 23, I :30 p.m.: Resident and Eve Party with refreshments and . Family Christmas Party with entertainment by three-piece brass Santa, gifts, refreshments and enband. tertainment by Dave Valerio.

Dec. 31,1:30 p.m.: New Year's Marian Manor Eve Party with entertainment by Taunton Dec. 17, 9:45 a.m.: Caroling by Ray Smith.

S(~][lE,DULE OF

MASSES FOR CHRISTMAS

DECEMBER 24 • 5:30 P.M. (ENGLISH) MIDNIGHT MASS: (PORTUGUESE & ENGLISH) DECEMBER 25 • 9:00 A.M. (PORTUGUESE) 10:30 A.M. (ENGLISH) 12:00 NOON (pORTUGUESE) 5:30 P.M. ( PORTUGUESE & ENGLISH)

THE PARISH FAMILY OF SANTO CHRISTO, FALL RIVE:R, SERVING THE PEOPLE OF GOD FOR OVER 100 YEARS, WISHES EVERYONE A lJLESSED CHRISTMAS.

BOAS· FESTAS

...._=-'!!!I

WESTNEWYORK,N.J.(CNS) - Writing skills, a college degree and the desire to serve others are important for a career like his, FBI director Louis J. Freeh told youngsters at his alma mater.

Freeh answered questions for students at St. Joseph of the Palisades grammar school and discussed with teenagers at the adjoining high school.how his education fostered a sense of duty.

Having a goal and working toward it by studying is a starting point, but "more important than all the homework is growing into something you want to do," he said.

With the holidays ahead, he urged them to think not so much of things they want but "things we need to do to make our lives better."

Answering questions, Freeh explained how he made decisions as a prosecutor.

He told the older students at the adjoining St. Joseph's High School that while his time in the classrooms they now occupy seemed

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very short, the lessons he learned - "duty to God, duty to country, duty to family" - remain strong influences.

During his high school years, Freeh was a member ofthe Young Christian Students, which focused on social issues. During the summer of 1966, before his senior year, he joined the club for a trip to Appalachia.

As the head of the nation's most prominent law enforcement agency, Freeh told St. Joseph's students that he identifies with the centurion who sought help from Jesus for his ailing servant.

Public servants "should be doing something for the people they serve," he added.

Happy Holidays toAll1 from the staffof LEARY PRESS Mrs. J.R. McGinn Rebecca Banville Russ Evans Marion FrizadQ Veronica Galvao Carl Gagnon Judy Kearns Henry K1elc Martha McGinn Jeannine Moore Dolores Motta John Motta Rochelle Pettenati Paula Potts Crystal Smith on Evans

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THE ANCHOR-Diocese of Fall River-Fri., Dec. 17, 1993

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Christmas Tree Blessing For a home blessing of a Christmas tree, the mother, father or other adult r,ads the following explanation. For parish, school or other groups, the designated leader reads. The tree remains unlit until the end of tbe service.

In the Book of Genesis, we are told of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil, whose fruit our first parents were forbidden to eat. When Adam and Eve disobeyed God's command, they were cast from the Garden of Eden and they and their descendants knew sickness and death.

For long years mankind suffered until Christ came as redeemer to die on the tree of Calvary.

Thus the tree holds a special place in the story of salvation and is fittingly one of the most important symbols of the Christmas season.

As our own tree once stood in . the dark forest, cold and unadorned, so was the world before the coming of Christ. But now, brightly decorated,it reminds us of the tree of Calvary, which brought us redemption.

Let us now read God's word.

The children in a family or designated persons in other groups may read one or more of the following scripture selections: A reading from the Book of Genesis: And the Lord God had planted a paradise of pleasure from the beginning: wherein he placed man whom he had formed.

And the Lord God brought forth of the ground all manner of trees. fair to behold and pleasant to eat of: the tree of life also in the midst of paradise: and the tree of knowledge of good and evil.

A reading from the Book of Psalms: The fields and all things that are in them shall be joyful.

Then shall all the trees of the woods rejoice before the face of the Lord because he cometh: to judge the earth.

A reading/rom the Book ofIsaiah.: You shall go out with joy and be led forth with peace: the mountains and the hills shall sing praise before you and all the trees of the country shall clap their hands.

Instead of the shrub shall come' up the fir tree and instead of the nettle shall come up the myrtle tree: and the Lord shall be named for an everlasting sign that shall not be taken away.

A reading from the Book of Ezechiel: Thus saith the Lord God: I myself will take of the marrow ofthe high cedar and will set it: I will crop off a tender twig from the top of the branches thereof, and I will plant it on a mountain high and eminent.

On the high mountains of Israel will I plant it and it shall shoot forth into branches and shall bear fruit and it shall become a great cedar; and all birds shall dwell under it and every fowl shall make its nest under the shadow of the branches thereof.

And all the trees of the country shall know that I the Lord have brought down the high tree and exalted the low tree and have dried up the green tree and have caused the dry tree to flourish. I the Lord have spoken and have' done it.

A readingfrom the Book ofthe Apoca~vpse.' To him that overcometh I will give to eat of the tree of life, which is in the paradise of my God .... And he showed me a river of water of life, clear as crystal, proceeding from the throne of God and of the Lamb.

In the midst of the street thereof and on both sides of the river was the tree of life bearing twelve fruits, yielding its fruits' every month and the leaves of the tree were for the healing of the nations.

At the end of the readings the leader says: Let us pray: Bless, we beseech thee, 0 God, our Christmas tree, decorated in honor of the birth of thy Son. May the lightand beauty ofthis tree be reflected in our lives that we may share throughout eternity in the glory of the true Tree of Life. We ask this through Christ our Lord, who redeemed the sin of Adam that came through a tree by his death on the tree of Calvary.

Amen.

The tree should now be light路 ed. All may join in singing one or more Christmas carols and, if desired, refreshments may be served.

Christmas traditions for families

By Dr. James and Mary Kenny Families celebrate Christmas in many different ways. Here are some Christmas traditions sent to us by readers and taken from our book "Making the Family Matter." Christmas is the time and season for giving. By sharing the following traditions, families are giving to each other.

I. Each person makes one ornament every year. Then as children leave home, they can take their ornaments with them.

2. It's an Irish tradition to put a candle in the window on Christmas Eve to welcome any strangers.

This relates to the story of Mary and Joseph. We invite new and old friends over on Christmas Eve. 3. We wrap a doll to stand for the baby Jesus and put it under our tree.

4. Christmas Eve Italian style: Every year Ray's father makes 13 different kinds of fish for Christmas Eve dinner. The house is open to family and friends.

5. We have two gift-giving sessions at Christmas. On Christmas Eve we give all the presents within the immediate family. That way children's presents to each other

get their proper attention. Then on Christmas Day we pass out the presents from aunts, uncles, grandparents and Santa.

6. We save the notes to Santa to give to our child when he is older.

7. We downplay Santa byemphasizing Jesus' birthday. Santa is linked to St. Nicholas to increase the religious significance. St. Nicholas only brings stocking gifts, one of which is something holy or religious. Other gifts are exchanged among family members.

8. We have found that children really relate to the story of the "Little Drummer Boy." Our boys have drums, and they pretend to be the little drummer boy, offering gifts of love and kindness to baby Jesus. They practice the song all through Advent, and they perform on Christmas Day. 9. Our annual Christmas letter records family events' of the year.

10. After the children open their stockings, they get baby Jesus, who was waiting in a special place all through Advent, and put him in the Nativity scene.

II. Our first married Christmas was in an old tollhouse. We decorated an old-fashioned Christmas

tree with gingerbread men, popcorn, cranberries, etc. This is part of our tradition, and we decorate our tree in their manner every year and tell the story of our first Christmas.

12. We have a little boy born on Christmas Day. We emphasize how special this is, retelling the story of his birthday and what a special day that was. We set aside a special time later in the day for his cake and celebration.

13. Before our Christmas meal we break a wafer and pass it around the table to each one as a wish for happiness and good luck.

14. We bake a Twelfth Day cake. We put three coins in the cake. Those who find the coins get to wear crowns representing the Three Kings.

15. We celebrate the 12 days of Christmas. We spread out activities, gift giving and continue caroling.

16. On Ephiphany everyone dresses up, and we have a parade and house blessing. The chidlren carry "Welcome Jesus" signs. There is lots of singing and a small gift exchange.

Christmas is a time of hope

By Father Eugene Hemrick Why are we celebrating yet another Christmas? There was only one historical birth of Christ. Why put ourselves through the same ritual year after year?

And. since so many use Christmas as an excuse to celebrate everything but the feast itself, wouldn't it be better to skip it?

To answer those questions another question needs to be asked: "How did the feast of Christmas get its start?"

Jesuit Father David Stanely observes that we find Christmas in the fourth century after the Christians had suffered innumerable persecutions.

Then. under the Emperor Constantine, the church for the first time since Christ's death became the recipient of imperial favor.

But certain Christians became concerned that the church might become too much at home in the world; they retreated into the desert in Egypt where they began monasticism. It was during the lifetime of the monk St. Anthony of Egypt that the feast of Christmas became firmly established.

It was St. Anthony's conc.::rn that Christians not become so immersed in the world as to forget the warning of Christ to watch for his coming.

Father Stanley says, "The feast of Christmas is not simply a commemoration of the historical event of Jesus' birth. It is principally a celebration of the myst~ry of his future coming in power and glory.

It summons the people of God to vigilance and hope."

If there is anyone virtue we need to keep strong it is hope. A recent study conducted at Fordham University in New York on the social health of the United States found among other things that teen suicides and alcohol-related highway deaths have increased dramatically.

There also are many peo'ple who view this life as a darkness they want to escape. They have lost the ability to look forward to having a happy event touch them.

It goes unsaid that it would be easy at times in our lives to join their ranks.

Father Stanley offers a beautiful thought for combating despair - the thought of picturing the moment God conceived us in his mind and we were created. What must this instant have been like?

Why me and not someone else?

Why was I thought of?

From meditating on this one beautiful thought we come to the realization that someone really

loves me. We cannot but jump for joy'at this realization because we have the opportunity to one day be reunited with this love for all eternity.

Christmas is a time to refurbish the thought of our creation and to wonder what it will be like to meet God. It is time to be thankful we are able to look forward to goodness and to be a people of hope.

Christmas teaches children about giving WASHINGTON (CNS) - At Christmastime "little kids really get wrapped up in what they need and want, and they tell Santa Claus," but they should be asked what they "think other people need," said a priest-counselor from the Catholic University of America.

Father Douglas Morrison, associate dean of the university'S School of Religious Studies and a licensed clinical social worker, said "a way to go to Santa Claus" is to go to ,him "for other people ... we go to Jesus for other people."

"We give Jesus a present," he told Catholic News Service in a Christmas interview, by showing We "really care about people."

Christmas celebrates the birth of person who cared, he said, a person who reached out to the poor, sick and outcast, and let them know they counted.

T oday's children learn about those in need - the homeless, the hungry, families with problems from television. They are impressionable and they receive "very vivid, emotional impressions," the priest said.

Children "know something about war, homelessness, starvation," he said. "World problems get too big and withdrawn from them, but they are no less affected by them."

Christmas is a time "to be very sensitive to the needs of others and to care about the needs of others."

By asking a child the right questions, he said, the child can learn the "good news, that [Christ] reached out to the world .... He

dared to reach out to the world, to walk into it, to become part of it.

He showed a way to touch and hea!."

Father Morrison said miracles were "the most marvelous part of Christ's life" and resulted from his loving.

"If you dare to love, if you dare to care, to reach out and touch people who hurt," he said, "love will cure them" "The whole Christmas message," he added, is that "Jesus became part of our world. God, all powerful, became one with us here: the crib, the straw, Mary, Joseph, shepherds. He really wanted to be part of us."

Children can be told of "the scene at Bethlehem, the fact that God really became one of us, he became a child, a child just like themselves, who grew up seeing a lot of things wrong and wanted to do something about them."

Father Morrison said the "present we can bring Jesus is to really love people who have needs the way Jesus does."

Parents can see what can be done, as a family, for other people, whether that be food or clothing or whatever, he said, and thus "give Jesus a present."

Misplaced Priorities The world spends $2 million a minute - $1 trillion a year - on militarization while I billion people live on less than $1 a day.

(BFWI)

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Media training for vocation directors offeredbyFADICA ''The re~11 liglat lovblc1J giVE'S Hght to .weryrme .'DB oomiDg into the world."

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Fourt;h Week of Advent: Behold His Star NASA and stargazers everywhere are hoping for a clearer view of the stus now that Endeavour's astronauts have overhauled the defecthe optics of the nearsighted Hubble Space Telescope, giving it a new lease on its efforts to unravel the mysteries of the heavens and bridge the gap between planet Earth and the universe beyond.

The final days of Advent focus on the identity of the coming Child - a child whose birth is accompanied by action in the skies. Angels make announcements, multitudes of the heavenly host voice praise to God, a star rises and comes to rest where the newborn king may be found. The heavens are fiUed with wondrous signs, messages from above symbolizing the u:lion of heaven and earth in the Christ Child.

The brilliant sta:: which leads the travelers from afar portends a momentou; event: just as starlight traverses the vastness of space 1:0 shine onto the ground, God has touched the earth.

"God came to meet us in Christ... ," Pope John Paul II writes in Daily Meditations. "Christmas brings the announcement that God has decided to overcome distances, to cross the ineffable lbysses of his transcendence, to approach us; to the extent ,)f making our life his, to the extent of becoming ouI' brother."

The Incarnation-Christ's emptying of his divinity and "taking on the form of a slave"-breaks down the barriers between heaven and earth, between God and humanity, for Christ is the Emmanuel, "God is with us," the Word made flesh to dwell amO:l.g us.

This enfleshment is foreshadowed in Sunday's reading from 2 Samuel: '''Go tell my servant David, thus says the Lord: Should you build me a house to dwell in?'"

David is promis€ d, "Your house and kingdom shall endure forever ... your throne shall stand firm." In the Annunciation passage from Luke. the angel confirms origins of the child of Mary: "The Lord God will give him the throne of David his father" and he "will be called Son of God." The Son become~ the new manifestation of God's covenant with the house of David.

Yet this is not the Messiah the Israelites had envisioned; for they expected a conquering hero, a great king who would crush their enemies and reign in earthly splendor.

But the st~,r leads not to a royal palace but to a lowly dwelling where the creator of the universe lies as a helpless infant in his moth€r's arms. The Savior's glory is revealed in the marvels that fiI. the skies; his humanity in the straw of the manger below.

This God, l:his tiny baby, comes to bring a new vision to a nearsighted world.

He conquers not mortal enemies but sin and death; his power lies not in brut'~ strength but in forgiveness; he commands not by instilling fear but by inspiring love.

His star shines for all-simple shepherds on the hillside or learned strangers from a foreign land-and presages a far greater Light., one that shines not for the eyes but for the heart. As he unite~ heaven and earth, this Savior transcends the divisions betwt:en all people with the message that echoes from the skies: "Peace on earth." Strangers who meet at the manger are strangers no more.

We hear little of what happened to the magi or shepherds after their eno:oumer with the Christ Child, except that the shepherds er.:l.erge glorifying God and giving astonishing reports. In the days and years to come did they often remember that day and the marvels they had seen, wondering what it all meant? Did the memories of that place oflove, light and peace sustain them throughout their lives'?

We too follow His star, seeking the place of Christ's dwelling. Like Mary we must treasure in our hearts what we find there as we adjust our vision to more clearly see the Light which guides us. Then can we say, "The Word became flesh and made his ::lwelling among us, and we have seen his glory."

Oohn 1:14)

-Marcie Hickey

WASHINGTON (CNS) A $750.000 grant from a member of FADICA will fund training for diocesan vocations directors in how to use the media in promoting the priesthood and religious life.

A three-year colloquium has offered summer training programs at St. Paul Seminary School of Divinity for vocation directors, with financing provided by five members of FADICA, the acronym of Foundations and Donors Interested in Catholic Activities.

The new grant, made by the Conrad N. Hilton Foundation of Los Angeles, will focus on showing vocation directors how to use video, brochures and other promotional material in their work.

Directors attending the colloquium had asked for help in those areas.

"Traditionally this ministry has been carried out without the resources and personnel it demands," said Francis J. Butler, FADICA president. But particularly as church leaders recognize the need to reach young people who have an interest in deepening their commitment to Christ and the church, "we all need to do our part in helping the church reach this generation with opportunities to serve."

The five-year media project will emphasize how to reach vocations candidates from various cultural backgrounds; strategies to communicate with college-age and older students; and special methods of working with college-age and older students; and special methods of worki.ng with par!sh leadership and ,J vocatIOns committees. .

Further informati·on on the Hil.ton Foundation grant is available from Sister Katarina Schuth at 51.

Paul Seminary, 2260 Summit Ave., St. Paul, MN 55105, tel. 612-9625066.

SISTER ROSELLA Cassidy, RSM, will celebrate her IOOth birthday tomorrow with Mass and a luncheon at Mt. St. Rita Health Center, Cumberland, Rl. She was the first member of the Providence community of the Sisters of Mercy to serve in the Central American country of Belize. In the United States she taught at schools in Providence and Pawtucket.

Among her guests will be Mr. and Mrs. John Manship, both noted artists. Manship is a painter and his wife Margaret, Sister Rosella's niece, is a sculptor.

THE ANCHOR-Diocese of Fall River-Fri., Dec. 17, 1993

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The following article begins a four-part series tracing the history ofthe diocese of Fall River. It was originally presented as a talk by Father Barry W. Wall at the opening session of the recent Emmaus spiritual renewal program for priests. As .Father Wall explained, his object was "to look back before setting out on the Emmaus journey to see who we are and from where we have come as a local church and body of priests."

Tip O'Neill. the former Speaker of the House, has said repeatedly over the years all politics is local.

Norris H. Tripp SHEET METAL J. TESER, Prop.

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As we come together as members of the presbyterium of a particular local church, I think we can say in a sense all ecclesi~ogy is local. It would be good also to recall the definition of a local church given to us in the II Vatican Council Decree on the Bishops' Pastoral Office, Christus Dominus.

A diocese is that portion ofGod's people which is entrusted to a bishop to be shepherded by him with the cooperation of the presbyterium. Adhering thus to its pastor and gathered together by him in the Holy Spirit through the gospel and the Eucharist, this portion constitutes a particular church in which the one Holy Catholic and Apostolic Church of Christ is truly present and operative.

Our local church, the Diocese of Fall River, came into being on March 12, 1904 by decree of Pope Pius X. The announcement came as no great surprise. As early as the 1880s, newspaper stories began to appear predicting establishment of a diocese in southeastern Massa-

chusetts and sometimes the territory mentioned included even Norfolk and Plymouth counties.

tolic Delegate requesting a division of his see. In September the delegate instructed John Williams, the venerable Archbishop of Boston, to prepare a list of candidates for the see of Fall River. The Archbishop convoked two meetings.

On October 6 he met in Providence with the diocesan consultors and the permanent rector of St. Lawrence in New Bedford and a week later the bishops of the province assembled in Boston.

On February.22, 1904, the papers reported that the Propaganda Congregation that day had voted to request the Pope to divide the Diocese of Providence and name William Stang, pastor of St. Edward's parish in Providence, first Bishop of Fall River.

The appointment of Father Stang met with universal approval and perhaps with some relief. His German origin happily placed him BISHOP WILLIAM STANG beyond the French and Irish rivalries that became explosive at times The facts are that in June 1903, but apart from this neutrality he Matthew Harkins, the Bishop of was especially well qualified.

Providence, wrote to the AposHe had broad pastoral experience, administrative ability and solid academic credentials. He had served in a number of parish assignments and as chancellor and rector of the Providence Cathedral. For a few years, with the Bishop's reluctant permission, he taught at Louvain and was Vice Rector of the American College Your opportunity to help one very poor child is much there. too important to miss. And.Christian Foundation for ChilHe wrote a textbook on pasdren and Aging is the only Catholic child sponsorship toral theology, another relating program working in the twenty desperately poor countries the Church's social teaching to the we seNe. local textile industry and a popular apologetic work, "Spiritual For as little as $10 monthly, you can help a poor child Pepper and Salt for Catholics and at a Catholic mission site receive nourishing food, medical Non-Catholics." He was well care, the chance to go to school and hope for a brighter known throughout the diocese future. You can literally change a life. through his ministering to German families and his preaching as Through CFCA you can sponsor a child with the head of the diocesan mission band. amount you can alford. Ordinarily it takes $20 per month Bishop Stang was consecrated to provide one of our children with the life changing beneon May I, 1904, in Providence and fits of sponsorship. But if this is not possible for you, we received' a tumultuous welcome in invite you to do what you can. CFCA will see to it from Fall River a week later. One phoother donations and the tireless efforts of our missionaries tograph shows the crowds that that your child receives the same benefits as other could not get into St. Mary's for sponsored children. his first pontifical Mass, and another shows the reviewing stand And you can be assured your donations are being mag- erected in front of the old St. nified and are having their greatest impact because our Mary's rectory. Newspaper acprograms are directed by dedicated Catholic missionaries counts tell of a parade of 7,000 with a long standing commitment to the people they seNe. marchers and report that over 20,000 people came to Fall River Plus, you are your child's only sponsor. To help build from Providence, Newport, Taunyour relationship, you will receive a picture of your child ton and New Bedford for the cele(updated yearly), information about your child's family and bration. country, letters from your child and the CFCA quarterly The new Bishop took up resinewsletter. dence temporarily at the old St. Vincent's Home on North Main Please take this opportunity to make a difference in the Street and from there on May 5, 1904, wrote a letter to Father life of one poor child. Become a sponsor today!

James Coyle in Taunton that reveals something of the human side of life during that historic week.

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"My Dear Father Coyle, "\ got here last evening and found your kind letter on my desk.

Now, as \ have said my first Mass in my own diocese, I write to you these first lines assuring you again of my sincere gratitude for all your kindness to me, a poor sinner who ought to be pastor of Cottage City instead of sitting on an episcopal throne ... Now if it be agreeable to you \ would like to shake hands over that sermon of last Sunday of which \ want a complete copy for daily meditation. How would it be if \ stole to Taunton on Saturday to dine with you? Jf it suits you, send me a line quam primum; do not telephone. In case I dine with you, do not invite or tell anybody;

as I do not want to be seen outside of Fall River."

Bishop Stang's very promising ministry of only two years and nine months was cut short by his tragic death on February 2: 1907, from complications and infection after surgery at the Mayo Clinic.

His body arrived in Fall River in a blinding snowstorm.

Bishop Connolly, a boy of 12 at the time, always remembered the long lines of people filing into the Cathedral to pay their respects and he often mentioned with some regret that he just missed being confirmed by Bishop Stang.

This is getting ahead of our story. Obviously Catholic life flourished before March 12, 1904.

Early in the 19th century fledgling industries began to spring up and they attracted many laborers who were Catholic.

In nearby Portsmouth, Rhode Island, there were coal mines.

Many of the Irish who came there eventually moved to Fall River where some were employed in mill construction. The first known Catholic family in Fall River was that of Patrick Kennedy, his wife Helen and their five children. The first Mass celebrated in Fall River was offered on their kitchen table in 1828.

In Sandwich, Irish workers were drawn to the glass works of DemingJarvis in sufficient numbers for a church to be built in 1830 under the leadership of Father William Tyler, later first Bishop of Hartford.

When the Taunton Print Works opened, an enterprising Catholic community grew up there and by 1832 the first St. Mary's Church had been constructed.

In New Bedford, it was the Whaling Industry and the prosperity it brought after the War of 1812 that provided jobs on the waterfront and in the homes of the wealthy. A certain Thomas Fallon is listed as the gardener at the mansion of Charles W. Morgan.

New Bedford's Catholics were visited in March 1821 by Father Philip Lariscy, a I;,ather boisterous but energetic Augustinian who was assisting Bishop John Cheverus in Boston. During this time he celebrated 10 baptisms which he obviously recorded after he returned to Boston because they are conspicuously out of chronological order in the baptismal register of the Holy Cross Cathedral.

Next week: The 19th-century Portuguese and French-Canadian presence in the Fall River diocese.

She's the top NEW YORK (CNS) - Mother Teresa is the most ad mired woman in the world, according to a poll of 10,000 readers of Good Housekeeping magazine. Mother Teresa traded places with Barbara Bush, top finisher in last year's poll.

Pope John Paul II was fifth among most admired men. The Rev. Billy Graham repeated his top finish of 1992. He was trailed by President Clinton and former presidents George Bush and Jimmy Carter.

The pope had finished fourth last year. Mother Teresa has been on the top 10 list for women \7 times since the poll started in \968. Mr. Gr~ham ha~ been ill the. top \0 men's. poll eyery year since its inception in \980.

--._---------------------PUBLICITY CHAIRMEN are asked to su ::>mit news items for this column to The Anchor, P.O. Box 7, Fall River, 02722. Name of c:ty or town shou Id be inclUded, as well as full dates of all activitios. Please send news of future rather than past events; and send items to Steering Points, NOT to individual staff members.

Due to limited Bpace and also because notices of strictly parish affairs normally appear in a parish's own bulletin, we a.re forced to limit items to events of general interest. Also, we do not normally carry notices of fundraising activities, which may be advertised at our regular rates, obtainable from The Anchor business office, telephone (508) 675-7151.

On Steerin9 Points items, FR indicates Fall River; -, .....J NB indicates NeVI Bedford, ST. JOSEPH, WOODS HOLE Giving tree project wi I benefit Carriage House in North Falmouth.

Reconciliation 3 to 4:30 p.m. tomorrow. Christmas party following 10 a.m. Mass Sunday.

ST. MARY, NORTON Monthly food colle,;tion '.his weekend. Breast cancer support group meeting 7:30 p.m. Dec. 29, parish c.enter meeting room. .

CATHEDRAL, FR AI!. are welcome to participate in "The Cathedral Carol Sing" at 3 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 26. Carols familiar to all will be sung.

ST.I·ATRICK, FR W:.-apped giving tree gifts may be placed near the creche beginning Dec. 24 for distribution Jan. 2, the Epiphany.

D. of I., ATTLEBOHO D2.ughters of Isabella Circle 65 open meeting 7 p.m. Jan. I', K. of C. Hall, Hodges St. Friends and family invited.

ST. MARY, N. ATTLEBORO Children of the Light Prayer Group last meeting for 1993 Dec. 9.

No healing service in January; next one will be 2:30 p.m. Feb. 6.

ST. FRANCIS XAVIER, HYANNIS Communal penance service followed by individual confessions 7 p.m. Dec. 21.

ST. MARY, FAIRHAVEN Bereavement support meeting 6 to 8 p.m. Dec. 21, rectory meeting room.

ST. LAWRENCE, NB Holy Family-Holy Name School Christmas celebration with music and tableau 3 p.m. Sunday; admission is a canned good for the needy.

SACRED HEART, N.ATTLEBORO Sacrament of penance 3 to 3:45 and 5 to 5:30 p.m. tomorrow; 7:30 to 8 p.m. Dec. 20 and 7 to 7:30 p.m.

Dec. 21.

PAX CHRISTI, CAPE COD Monthly meeting 7:30 p.m. Dec. 20, O. L. Victory rectory chapel, Centerville; topic: "To Strive for Peace Within Myself."

K. of c., FALMOUTH Family Christmas party 6:30 p.m.

Dec. 21, Knights of Columbus Hall, Falmouth.

ST. PATRICK, WAREHAM First gr(lde CCD Christmas pageant 9:45 a.m. tomorrow, parish hall. Preschool/ kindergarten pageant following 10 a.m. Mass Sunday, hall.

ST. JOSEPH, TAUNTON Calix group for persons recovering from addiction will meet 6:30 p.m. Sunday for liturgy in church followed by social in church hall.

ST. ANNE, FR Holy hour for life following 6:30 Mass tonight. Christmas pageant 2 p.m. Sunday, upper church.

PRO-LIFE APOSTOLATE, ATTLEBORO Mass for new and expectant mothers and families 11:30a.m. Dec. 26, St. Mary's Church, N. Attleboro. Reception will follow in parish center. Please contact John Choberka, 695-5556, if planning to attend.

CORPUS CHRISTI, SANDWICH Winter coats in good condition for distribution to the needy are being collected by parish youth group .. Donations may be brought to pansh center. Children's choir Ch~istmas concert 7 p.m. Sunday, pansh center. Corpus Christi Community Connection "Caroling in the Village" 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. tomorrow, church.

SACRED HEART, FR Penance service 7 p. m. Dec. 21.

Dedication of organ and grand concert 2 p.m. Jan: 2.

O.L. VICTORY, CENTERVILLE Eucharistic adoration, 7 to II p.m. Dec. 28, feast of the Holy Innocents.

SEPARATED/DIVORCED,NB Support group meeting 7 to 9 p.m.

Dec. 27. Family Life Center, N. Dartmouth; open discussion.

,------,----------------..;..-----Stewardship Committee

Continued frorr.: Pag~ One volves intentional, planned and proportionate giving of ,)ur time, talent and treasure."

Fa.ther Lucio Phillipino, pastor of I mmaculate Conception parish, N ort h Easton, described the spiritual and financial impact of the

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F10pe to beatify F'ather Danlien next l\llay

ROME (CNS) -- Pope John Pau·. II plans a May 13-15 trip to Belgium to beatify Father Damien de Veuster, the 19th-century priest who worked and died among Hawaiian victims of Hansen's disease, also known as Ie posy.

The missionary was bClm in Belgium. His beatification Mass is scheduled for May 15 at Osseghem Park in the capital of Brussels, according to an itinerary issued by the bishops of Belgium.

Other papal events w: II include visits to Father Damien's birthplace in Tremelo and to his grave in Leuven. Also scheduled is a luncheon meeting with the Belgian bishops.

Father Damien was a member of the Congregation of the Sacred Hearts of Jesus and Muy, which serves in the Fall River dioc;ese at four parishes, at Sacn:d Hearts Retreat House in Waret am and in the Chaplaincy of Bristol County jails and Hou~es of Correction.

His life often has been cited as an example of miss:.onary commitmer..t.

sacrificial giving program he has recently launched in his parish, following a program devised by Msgr. Joseph Champlin and Mr. and Mrs. Francis Scholtz and published by the Liturgical Press.

Discussion topics included approaches to stewardship as a way of life, and possible means of circulating information to the clergy and lay parish leaders. It was emphasized that stewardship is not merely a fundraising device or method of recruiting volunteers, but a way of life based on generosity as a response the goodness and generosity of God.

Committee members will attend diocesan deanery meetings. They began last Tuesday with the Fall River deanery meeting.

Presentations for these gatherings have been planned by Father Robert Oliveira of the Diocesan Department of Education; Father John Sullivan, chaplain at Sturdy Memorial Hospital, Attleboro; James Riley of St. Mary's parish, Mansfield; and Father Bouchard.

After all deaneries have been visited a report will be presented to the Priests' Council meeting scheduled for Feb. II.

THE ANCHOR-Diocese of Fall River~Fri., Dec. 17, 1993

13

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Quiet Prayer Weekend (Private retreat) Enneagram I Basic Workshop with Virginia Sampson, SUSC Stress Management Workshop Retreat on Thomas Merton with James Thuline, S.T.L.

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Letting Go: A Weekend on Co-Dependency

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s a young woman in Indonesia, Sister Juliana Boleng felt drawn to a Religious Community known for its special care of the poor, t~e sick, the orphans. As a Sister of the Imitation ofChrist, she wishes especially to help children "who have not experienced very much love in their lives."

Last year, with generous help through the Propagation of the Faith, 513 young Sisternovices in Indonesia were aided as they prepared for a lifetime ofbringing Christ's love to children and their families. With your Christmas gift through the Propagation of the Faith, you will help many to experience the greatest of all loves, the love of Christ.

Reverend Monsij(nor'John J. Oliveira, V.E. 410 Hij(hland Avenue, • Post Office Box 2577, • Fall Rh'er, MA 02722 ..Attention: Column.'!

herself homeless, helps wrap a Christmas gift for another homeless family. (CNS photo)

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14

THE ANCHOR-Diocese of Fall River-Fri., Dec. 17, 1993

By Charlie Martin

NIGHT OF ALL NIGHTS

I,.

. By Christopher. Carstens For as long as I seem able to' remember, .we've had the. same meal at Ch.ristmas. True to our .

Italian roots, on Christmas we eat macarODi. B,ut it isn't just any old spaghetti out of a box. On Christmas we eat路 handmadecavatelIi.' Uncle Eddie makes thiin>with tqe kids. They work together' for hours Christ: mas. Eve, eventualIy covering t\yo entitetableSWlth .little quarter~ moons ofdough.

Uncle Eddie learned to make the cavatelIi from Aunt DolIy. Aunt DolIy learned the recipe from her mother, Grandma Castoria, who in turn had learned it from Great Grandma Sviglia, who was taught the secrets of cavatelIi in' Naples sometime before her family came over on the boat to America.

It's an old family recipe, but the custom of cavatelIi at Christmas didn't come to our house from any line of family tradition. The reason we eat "handmades" on Christmas is that when they were little our kids thought it would be a good idea. We did it once, and the next year they wanted them again; the tradition was begun.

Now we couldn't imagine celebrating Christmas without homemade pasta.

People hardly ever remember Christmas presents. What they remember is Christmas food.

When I was a child, the best part of Christmas was baking. Six weeks before Christmas, my mother would spend an entire weekend day baking fruitcakes. We alI got involved in cracking nuts and cutting up sticky dried fruit.

Our eldest brother AI was the only one strong enough to stir the thick heavy dough in the bowl. I never liked fruitcake much, and I stilI want only about one slice every three years or so. But I loved

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baking together with my mom and brothers.

Food and families and,holidays seem to go together. They used to say that "the family that prays' together stays together," but I think the family that cooks together at Christmas has a pretty good chance of making it through the new year with some sort of harmony..

If you'd like to start a family tradition of your own, here's the recipe. .

Pick something you realIy enjoy eating, something you can make ahead of time would be easiest. If you want to prepare a part of the actual Christmas dinner, be sure to get an OK from'. the. "main cook" in advance. The kitchen can get pretty crowded a'nd even a bit tense just before a big holiday meal. ': A good choice might be something like a nutbread or muffins for Christmas breakfast, or a cake for dessert. Baking is the easiest kind of cooking for beginners, and you can be prepared in advance.

You don't have to do anything fancy with a cookbook. They put great stuff in boxed mixes. . =.

Try to get at least one other member of your family involved, because cooking together is an important part' of the fun.

So far, so good. Now do it again next year. People wilI start to remember.

By the third year, "David's Christmas muffins" or "Angela's green jelIo salad with the marshmelIows" wilI be a regular part of your holiday, something people look forward to like stockings and Christmas lights on the front porch.

Traditions are what make holidays wonderful. Remember, anybody can start one. It just takes a little thought, a warm stove and love.

Your comments are welcomed

by Dr. Christopher Carstens, c/o Catholic News Service, 3211 Fourth St. N.E., Washington, D.C. 20017.

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Light from a star far away Keeps watch on the night That the Son of God is born Softly the angels sing their praise To a king as the shepherds Gather 'round Night of all nights of nights Star of all stars of stars . All for the.king of kings Gifts for the new Christ child Are set at his feet By the wise menJrom the East The light from the star Looks down from afar To the face of the infant child And in his ,eyes There shines a glow That lets all men know He is the king of kings Words and 'music by Stephen Jones. (c) 1978 by Harold Flammer Inc. ARE YOU open to surprises?

Our God is a God of surprises.

Christmas teaches us that. Think for a moment about the stories of Jesus' birth.

Who would have thought that an infant born 2',000 years ago would change history forever?

Who explained the light from a star to lead desert wanderers to this newborn child? How many of the shepherds were on the

路Iookout for angels as they watched their sheep on the first Christmas?

Yes. mystery and surprise surrounded the first Christmas.

To focus on how these surprising events affect us today I have chosen Stephen Jones' carol, "Night of All Nights." .

As we listen to its words, we can ask: How might God surprise us this year as we

celebrate this "night of alI nights?"

After this child grows into a man we wilI hear other stories in the Gospel about the powerful surprises awaiting those who open their hearts to God. - Who would have thought that a man born blind could see? Did a man lying by'a pool for 38 years expect to get up and walk? Did Lazarus' friends think they would see him alive again?

Both these Gospel figures and the characters from the Christmas stories encourage us to meet God in moments of trust.

Like the magi, at times we set out on 'a journey toward a dream. Can we trust that God will provide signs to direct us there?

Like Mary and Jos~ph, can we trust that God will lead us to what we need when we feel bewildered and lost?

Perhaps the surprise wilI take the form of something totalIy unexpected. For example, we make a new friend who turns out to be an important alIy for reaching a dream.

Or sometimes the surprise is quiet and gentle, like a smalI shift in our feelings that helps to heal a sadness withiri us.

Yes, dreams come true. Indeed, our hearts can be healed.

Truly, Emmanuel, God-withus, is as real as the birth of a child -20 centuries ago.

The night wind whispers truth.

A star shines down a message.

Angelic beings speak about miracles.

Are you open to surprises?

Your comments are welcomed

by Charlie Martin, RR 3 Box 182, Rockport, IN 47635.

St. Joseph's School Seventh and eighth grade students at 5t. Joseph's School, Fairhaven. began Advent with a day of reflection led by principal Sister Muriel Ann Lebeau, SS.Cc., and Fathers Jack Oliveira, Brian Harrington, Bob' Charlton, SS.CC., and Patrick Killilea, SS.Cc. The "Journey Into Advent" consisted of five prayer experiences: In the "Waiting Room" students reflected on the lives of Old Testament figures and assembled a Jesse Tree.

In the "Witnessing Room" they discussed the prophets' role in preparing their people for the Messiah.

In the "Giving Room" students reflected on the giving of oneself through one's time and talents, and they' viewed a presentation on Father Damien of M olokai. Bread was baked and shared, symbolizing oneness.

Next the students received the sacrament of reconciliation, followed by a candlelight dinner.

The program ended in the "Receiving Room," where students reflected on God's presence within them. Committing themselves to be" Advent People," they received a "Wait Watchers" booklet of Advent activities and reflections, a pair of sandals, representing their Advent journey, and a stole. signifying their commitment.

Bishop Connolly Laurie Leal and Benjamin Chase have been named Teenagers of the Month for November at Bishop Connolly High School, Fall River.

Miss Leal is editor of the yearbook, school newspaper and school literary magazine. She is a member of the National Honor Society, choir, drama society and softball team and is a volunteer at Catholic Memorial and Crestwood nursing homes. . Chase, a Tiverton, R I, resident, is a member of the National Honor Society, soccer and ski teams and the ski club.

Teenagers of the month are named by Fall River Elks Lodge 118 based on achievement, citizenship, scholarship and leadership.

For the first quarter marking period at Bishop Connolly, 90 students received highest honors, 58 earned high honors, and 53 earned honors.

ADVENT ADVENTURE: St. Joseph's School, Fairhaven, seventh- and eight-graders display a Jesse Tree constructed as part of their "Journey Into Advent" day of reflection.

THE ANCHOR--Diocese of Fall River--Fri., Dec. 17, 1993

15

Taunton Catholic Middle School Coyle-Cassidy The Coyle and Cassidy High School marching band was 1 triple winner in the Dec. 4 Taun':on Christmas Parade.

The band won first place in the march ing competiti ::>n, !,econd prize fJr music arrangement and third place for overdl performance.

The winter sports season is well underway. The boys" basketball team, under first-year coac 1 Mike Correia, opened its sea:;on 0:1. Tuesday w;,th the John and Michael Butler Memorial Tournamf nt held at Cc. Westport, Archbishop Williams and Diman Voke were the other three tourney partie ipants.

CC athletic director William Tranter returns as girls' basketball coach this season. In 1987, Tranter coachf:d the Lady Warriors toa 22-3 record and the Division III state championship. This year's captains are Laurie Poyant of New Bedford and Michele C~lsey of Taunton.

Joe Quinn begins his 22nd Beason as hockey coach. The Warrior icemen, captained by Mike Mountain of Carver, face-off against Don Hosco today.

Traey Murray coaches the girls' track team this winter. Und.say Danc:f of East Ta unte nand There~;a Arpin of Middleboro are team captains.

Chris Myron is coach and Sean Flaherty of Raynham and Rich Riccio and Todd Castro of Taunton an: captains for boys' track.

Bilshop F E~ehan Wh ile no whales were spotted on their recent "whale watch" outing, members of the Bish)p Feehan environmental group MOVE (Maintaining Our Vital Envi~on­ ment) did observe a shark and saw histor,cal sites in Ply:nouth.

The group from the Attleboro high school, with faculty moderator Christopher Ser'vant, viewed the Mayflower II, Plymouth Rock, Plymouth Beach and National Bird Sanct uary as they venture j out of Plymouth Harbor.

Fog, mist and rough SelS hampered the tracking of whales, but the gr:>up did encounter a IS-foot basking shark. Surface plankton feeders, basking sharks are the second-largest known sha·ks.

MOVE, in its second y~ar, has initiated a recycling project at the school and raised awarf ness of environmental issues.

Seven Feehan music ~tudents have been accepted into the Southeast District Music Festival to be held ;.n January at Bridgewater State College. Accepted as vocalists and receiving all,-state recommendations were Angela Volpicelli, Caril)'n Flynn, Tom Conlon and Jeff Gomes. Elizabeth H~lrtmann was a.lso accepted ~.s a ·{ocalist.

Accepted as instruffil~ntalists were Leigh 0 'Mara (oboe), \\ ho also received all-state recomme ndation, and Kenneth Dziok :percJssion).

Chemistry teacher Fredda Brandley attended the annual conference of the New England Association of Chemistry Teachers, discussir.!J "The Chemistry of Art Conservation," at Williams College, Williamstown.

Mrs. Brandley brought the conferenee topic into the cll! ssroom, having students view a ,ide) on

LANGGUTH SCHOLARS: Receiving certificates for academic achievement from principal Father John P. Murray were Bishop Connolly High School freshmen (front row, from left) Laura Raymond, Megan Burns, Jenny Lynn, Katherine Hancock, Matthew Cordeiro, Matthew Gillespie; (back row, from left) Peter Macy, Jessica Chaloupka, Carla DiCorpo, Tara Agrawal, Meghan Ryan, Anne Short, Katherine Lamontagne, and also (not pictured) Michelle Freeley. The students scored high on the Connolly placement exam and earned honor roll status during their first marking period in high school. The Langguth Award is named for one of Connolly's founding Jesuits.

Pope issues theme for 1995 world youth gatheri'ng.

VATICAN CITY (CNS) Young people are called on to share the abundant life that is Christ's gift to his followers, POP'C John Paul II said in a message for the 1994 and 1995 celebrations of World Youth Day. The theme for the celebrations will be: "As the Father has sent me, so I send you."

World Youth Day will be celebrated locally on Palm Sunday both years. It will be celebrated internationally with the pope in Manila, Philippines, in January 1995.

The pope's message urges young people to continue the journey they began at earlier youth days.

The 1993 World Youth Day celebration in Denver, he said, was a time of "experiencing and tasting the gift of life in abundance."

At the Denver celebration last August, young people focused on Jesus' words: "I have come that they may have life and have it abundantly."

"While we keep the marvelous and unforgettable sight of that great meeting in the Rocky Mountains before our eyes and in our hearts, our pilgrimage continues and makes its way this time to Manila, in the vast Asian continent, crossroads of the 10th World Youth Day," he said.

The pope said the person calling young people to prepare for the Manila celebration is "Jesus Christ, center of our lives, root of our faith, reason for our hope and source of our love."

"Called by him, young people from every corner of the world will examine their commitment to the 'new evangelization' in the tracks of the mission entrusted to the Apostles and in which all Christians are called to participate by reason of their baptism and their 111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111

art restoration and art forgery and discussing the chemistry involved in the processes. Students produced reports on the subject and visited the Museum of Fi ne Arts in Boston, where they met with research scientist Richard Newman.

belonging to the church community."

The pope said the missionary commitment of the church arises from the truth of Christ's res'-;1rrection. , Like the Apostles, members of the church are strengthened in their mission by Christ's resurrection, which showed "his message was not a lie, [and] his promises were 'not written on sand."

"He, living and blazing with glory, is the proof of the omnipotent love of God, which radically changes the course of history and of our individual existences," the pope said.

But for the Apostles and for Christians today an encounter with the risen Lord cannot be just a moment of individual joy, he said.

"Strengthened by faith in the risen Christ, we all are asked to throw open the doors of our lives without fear or uncertainty, to accept the Word which is the way, the truth and the life and to shout it courageously to the whole world," he said.

Pope John Paul said young people experience first hand "the apprehensions of the current historical season, dense with hopes and uncertainties, in which one can easily lose the way that leads to an encounter with Christ."

"To the men and women of our century, to all of you, dear young people who hunger and thirst for truth, the church presents itself as a traveling companion," he said.

"Faithful custodian and interpreter of the patrimony of faith given it by Christ, the church wants to dialogue with the new generations," he said.

Young people are called to show their peers and the whole world, through word and action, the truth that reconciliation and peace begin in the human heart, the pope said.

"To you, young people, is entrusted in a particular way the task of becoming communicators of hope and peacemakers in a world always more in need of credible witnesses and coherent announcers."

The TCMS drama club will present the Christmas program "What Would You Give Baby Jesus?" 7 p.m. tonight to benefit Birthright of Taunton. Throughout Advent, students have been collecting baby items for donation to the organization as well as gift certificates to purchase baby formula, milk and food.

Fifth-graders have constructed a gingerbread village, on display in the school foyer until Christmas break.

Grade 6 students visited the International Festival at Bayside Expo Center in Boston and plan to research birthplaces of their ancestors for social studies class, The class will also publish a book of seasonal stories, poems, and recipes. In an Advent celebration, they discussed the symbolism of the Advent wreath.

Seventh-graders are creating models of their bedrooms at home.

Eighth-graders visit Marian Manor each Wednesday.. Other

class projects include essays on abortion, models of the solar system and reports on selected issues of the 20th century.

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Story. A-I (0) 10. Man's ~est Friend. 0 (R)

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CHRISTMAS SCHEDULE 1993

OUR LADY OF MOUNT CARMEL CHURCH New Bedford, Massachusetts CHRISTMAS NOVENA: begins Friday, Dec. ~ 7 - daily with homily and special prayers at all Masses: 7:00 (Eng.), 7:45- a.m. (Port.) 12:10 p.m. (Port.) 5:30 p.m. (Eng.)

* * * * * SACRAMENT OF PENANCE:

--

Confessions in preparation for Christmas: Daily. Monday through Friday, Dec. 13 to 17 at-8:30 a.m. and 6:00 p.m.

Saturday, Dec. 18 - 4 to 5 p.m. and at 7 p.m.

PENANCE SERVICES: Tuesday - Dec. 21, at 7 p.m. - St. John's Church Wednesday - Dec. 22, at 7 p.m. - Immaculate Conception Church Thursday - Dec. 23, at 7 p.m. - Mount Carmel Church

There will be no Confessions on Friday, Dec. 24th.

* * * * * CHRISTMAS MASSES: Christmas Eve - Vigil Mass in English at 5:30 p.m.

Midnight Mass -. Bilingual Ceremony.

Christmas Day - In English: 8:15; 11:00; 5:30 p.m.

In Portuguese; 9:30 a.m. & 12: 15 p.m.

_ No 7 a.m. Mass on Christmas morning.

To all our Parishioners we wish

A BLESSED AND- HOIJY CHRISTMAS Msgr. Luiz G. Mendonca, Rev. Antonino C. Tavares, Rev. Daniel O. Reis, Rev. John A. Raposo, Rev. Andre H. Faria, Deacon Paul J. Macedo