12.17.99

teanc 0 VOL. 43, NO. 49 .• Friday, December 17, 1999

FALL RIVER, MASS.

FALL RIVER DIOCESAN NEWSPAPER FOR SOUTHEAST MASSACHUSETTS CAPE COD & THE ISLANDS Southeastern Massachusetts' Largest Weekly • $14 Per Year

Recent tragedy doesn't darken La Salette's spirits ~ '7he fire could have affected

the ministry we do here, but it didn't." - Father Pat. . By MIKE GORDON ANcHOR STAFF

ATILEBORO - La Salette's grand, 47th annual, nightly Christmas Festival of Lights continues to attract thousands of people from across Massachusetts and Rhode Island.

La Salette Father Andre "Pat" Patenaude, director of the Shrine, took time recently from his busy, daily concert schedule to talk with The Anchor about what keeps visitors coming back and what the future holds.

The chat with the popular priest, whose music ministry is heralded across the region, came just five weeks after a tragic, Nov. 5 fire destroyed the Shrine's historic centuryold provincial house. killing a visiting priest.

- Despite that loss, the traditional lights display was readied and La Salette's diverse service ministry is still full-speed ahead. ''We're happy we're open and happy we're still capable to minister to people," said Fa-

THE PEACE and beauty of the first Christmas is evident at La Salette Shrine in Attleboro, despite the tragic fire that claimed the life of a visiting priest and destroyed the provincial house last month. (AnchodGordon photo)

ther Pat. ·"Everyone here has experienced a great loss, but we are moving forward and look to the future. Through tragedy one can still have hope," he declared.

Father Pat said it is that spirit which brings many families and pilgrims to the Shine's grounds year round, but especially so during the Christmas season. "A lot of people find hope here and for many it's a haven of prayer," he said. On any day during its Festival of Lights one can find thousands of visitors touring the outd09r lights display, looking at the indoor display of nativity sets or listening to a Christmas concert performed

by Father Pat himself. Last Sunday even the cold weather couldn't keep people away.

"I feel the lights are more beautiful than they've ever been," said Father Pat. Families who were visiting the Shrine last weekend agreed with his sentiment. Brenda Darcy of Dorchester was visiting the Shrine for the first time with her son, Declan, who was enthralled with the fountains near the Rosary Walk. "It's really wonderful," she declared.

Sharon Foley of Raynham was touring some of the large displays from the "I Am Tum to page 13 - Lights

The Anchor will not be printed on Dec. 31. It will return to your door Jan. 7, 2000. The Anchor office will be open for business December 20-22 and 27-29.

Holy Union Sisters assume new province, leadership look ahead

By JAMES N. DUNBAR

.

FALL RIVER - The Holy Union Sisters in the United States have chosen a threemember governance team to lead a united province into the new millennium, a time when their mission to "be at the heart of the world, reveali~g God's love," becomes more important than every before.

The triad includes Sister Mary Catherine Duerr, Sister Mary Lou Sullivan and Sister Theresa Horvath. . They will lead the new, entire U.S. Prov-

ince of the International Congregation of the Holy Union Sisters that includes approximately 185 religious sisters residing mostly on the East Coast. They are involved in a vast range of ministries including health care, Catholic Relief Services, teaching, administrative positions, chaplaincies and pastoral ministries including that to prisoners.

While finances and fewer members were part of the considerations, the principal reason for the merger·and new leadership was to allow the sisters a better and more effective manner of working together and living their religious mission in the United States, the trio said.

Because the province has three key areas, each member of the team will reside in one of them. Sister Horvath, who will oversee sisters in Fall River and Rhode Island, will reside in Fall River. Sister Sullivan, whose territory includes Brockton, Randolph, Groton, Lowell and Boston, will reside in Mattapan.

Sister Duerr, who will reside in Baltimore, Md., will oversee sisters in Florida, Kentucky, Tennessee, Tum to page 13 - Sisters

FAMILY MEMBERS explain the Manger scene to pre-schoolers in front of St. Mary's/Our Lady of the Isle Church in Nantucket recently. In his Christmas message to the Fall River Diocese, Bishop Sean P. O'Malley, OFM Cap., stresses the importance of family for the upcoming new millennium.

(AnchodJolivet photo)

Bishop O'Malley's Christmas Message Pages Eight and Nine

TIffiANCHOR- Diocese ofFall River-Fri., December 17, 1999

Hospital breaks ground for new ~g

By MIKE GORDON

nounced during the ceremony that a who attended the groundbreaking . second gift from the Friends of Saint were invited to sign their 'lames on a . Anne's Group was made bringing their card and those names will be permatotal contribution to $500,000. An nenlly inscribed on a display placed anonymous donor recently gave in the lobby ofthe hospital's new wing. $250,000. .

Five-year-old Seth Roberts of Bishop Sean P. O'Malley, OFM Swansea was invited to participate in Cap., blessed the site prior to the cer- the groundbreaking and was all smiles emonial groundbreaking and said that when he was told he could begin us- . with the dedication and commitment ing his shovel on the dirt. He stole the of all those involved in the project show with his enthusiasm and effort. "we see that the future at SaintAnne's Seth's mother Dadeen said they have is bright," He spoke about the many used the hospital's emergency services Saints throughout the history of the and is grateful for the care and serChurch who have cared for the sick vices her. son has received. and said that the commitment at St. Dr. Mike Collins, President and Anne's hospital is part of that 2000- CEO of Caritas Christi Health Care year-old tradition.

System, the second largest health care The Dominican Sisters of the Pre- system in eastern Massachusetts, said sentation have had a presence in the it's important for people to remember hospital for 93 years and Sister Joanna that SaintAnne's is a ministry first and Femandes, cochair ofits board oftrust- a business second and that sets them ees and the construction project, said .. apart. "We at Saint Anne's are differshe is happy about it. 'This new build- ent because we are committed to eling will enable us to give services to evating and embracing the dignity of the community more effectively and every patient we have the privilege to today is a tremendous one for the hos- care for and the values we aspire to are pital." the same values that Jesus had," Part of the ceremony consisted of Mayor Edward M. Lambert Jr., ofa "signature" event, whereby guests fered his heartfelt thanks to the hospior O. tal.'Theface ofSaintAnne's may have changed over the years, but it's commitrnent to the spirit ofcaring, attending to the sick and families has always been there and always will be," he said, adding that it was a great ~ay not only for the city of Fall River, but for the entire region.

ANcHOR STAFF

BISHOP SEAN O'Malley blesses the sIte of Saint Anne's new wing with the help of its Director of Pastoral Care, Father Robert Rochon. President Michael Metzler and Sister Joanna .

Fernandes look on. (AnchonGordon photos) PRINTING

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FALL RIVER - Nearly 200 people turned out to celebrate the groundbreaking of a $15 ~llion expansion and renovation· project at Saint Anne's Hospital on the Feast of the Immaculate Conception, Dec. 8.

The outdoor ceremony took place beneath a large tent on the site where a new, three-story 24,OOO-square foot wing will be built.

According to the Michael W. Metzler, president ofSaintAnne's, the project will· include expanded cancer care services, a new wing with the FIRSTFED Center for Breast Care at SaintAnne's Hospital, expanded emer-' gency and surgical capabilities, and enhanced intensive care services.

It will also include the renovation ofolder buildings, a new entranceway and lobby as well as a multi-level2QOcar parking garage. It is slated for completion in 18 months.

"We are excited to be breaking ground for this project," said Metzler, adding that through it the hospital is fulfilling its commitment to expanding its facilities and .serVices for its patients and continuing its mission to provide advanced treatment and compassionate care to people. "We will be able to provide better care in a comfortable and patient-friendly en" vironment. It's a special endeavor for us;' he added.

The $15 million master facility initiative will be fmanced in part by an $8 million borrowing through Caritas Christi Health Care System, the hospital's parent organization, and a $5 million capital campaign entitled "Healthcare Leadership for Our Community." .

To date they've raised $2.1 mlJlion.

Robert Stoico, President and CEO . of the First Federal Savings Bank of SETH ROBERTS ~ America and cochair for 'The Campaign for Saint Anne's Hospital," an- Swansea prepares to help out.

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December 20 1953, Rev. Manuel S. Travassos, Pastor, Espirito Santo, Fall River 1996, Rev. John A. Janson, OFM, Missionary in Brazil

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1968, Rev. Henri J. Charest, Pastor, St. Mathieu, Fall River 1985,· Rev. Manuel M~"esendes . .

1989, Rev. Laureano C. dbs Reis, Pastor Emeritus, St. Anthony of Padua, Fall River \ .

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D,ecembet23--1901, Rev..Owen J. Kitinan;rast6r:I~maculate Conception, Fall River 1947, Rev. Charles·P:TJainor, SSl St. Edward Seminary, Seattle, Wash.

1970, R~.~Msgr .. JoIln A.. Silvi\l, ,Pastor Emeritus, St. John the Baptist, New ~edf9rd--\ " .

1986;Rev. William E. Collard, Cochaplain, Catholic Memorial Home, Fall River , \ \, Decemb'eA24 1886, Rev. James K. Beaven, Pastor, \S~cred Heart, Taunton .

1914, Rev~ Timothy J. Duff; Assistant) $1. Joseph, Woods Hole .

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December December December December December December December

20 21 22 23 24 25 26 :

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Dawn Day

Dec 26

. 2 Sm 7:1-5,8b12,14a,16; Ps 89:2-5,27-29; Lk 1:67-79 Is 62:1-$; Ps 89:4-5,1617,27,29; Acts 13:16-17,22-25; Mt 1:1-25 or 1:18-25 Midnight Is 9:16; Ps 96:1-3,1113;Ti 2:11-14; Lk2:1-14 Is62:11-12;Ps 97:1,6,11-12;Ti 3:4,;7; Lk 2:15-20 Is 52:7-10; Ps 98:1-6; Heb 1:16;Jn1:1-18or 1:1-5,9-14 Sir 3:2-6,12~ 14; Ps 128:1-5; Col 3:12-21; Lk 2:2240 or 2:22,39-40

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PRIESTS CURRENl':tY SERVING .

Is 7:10-14; Ps 24:1-6; Lk 1:2638 Sg 2:8-14 or Zep 3: 14-1 8a; Ps 33:2-3,11-12,2021; Lk 1:39-45 1 Sm 1:24-28 (Ps) 1 Sm 2:1,4-. .7,8abcd; Lk 1:46-56 Mal 3:1-4,23-24; Ps 25:4bc-5ab,810,14; Lk 1:57~

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Very Rev. Ge¥~ T. Shovelton, VF Rev. William n Shovelton Rev. Sebastian "¥\Sles.inski, OFM CQnv. Rev. Msgr. lohn f~mlth Rev. lose. M. Sou~ \ .

Rev. ChnslopherStambula Rev. David Stopyr~,-bfM Conv.

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Averwe, Fall River, Mass. 02720 by the Catholic Press of the Diocese ofFall River. Sub;criplion price by mail, postpaid $14.00 per year.

POSfMASTERS scm atldress changes to The Anchor, P.O. Box 7, Fall River, MA 02722.

In new ritual, pope to push open Holy Door at St. Peter's VATICAN CITY (CNS) - Pope cause the doors are extremely heavy, John Paul IT will push open the Holy workmen inside the basilica will pull Door at St. Peter's Basilica on Christ- on them as the pope pushes. mas Eve, inaugurating the Holy Year . Another change for the Holy Year for the new millennium with a new 2000, the bishop said, is the end of ritual. having the basilica's confessors wipe The most noticeable difference the threshold and door posts with from holy years past will be the ab- cloths soaked in holy water. sence ofa hammer, said Bishop Piero Instead, Bishop Marini said, Marini, master of papal liturgical cer- Catholics from Asia and Oceania will emonies. mark the doorway The wall .' sealing the with perfume Holy Door and decorate shut was to be it with flowdismantled afers while trater abrief Dec. ditional Japa15 ceremony, nese music taking away plays. the symbolic The flowvalue of havers and pering the pope fume are strike the wall meant to with the hamhonor Christ mer three -the gate or times, Bishop doorway of Marini said salvation during a Dec. and to be a 14 press consign ofthejoy ference. which was "Elements part ofthe bibof the old lical jubilee ritual which years, the have become bishop said. obsolete will Like the be replaced Catholics by others fromAsia and which better Oceania, repPOPE JOHN PAUL II will unseal resentatives express the ~ibli7al a~d and open this door on Christmas Eve from every IIturgtcai Stg.. continent nificance of for the start of the Jubilee Holy Year. will have a the Holy (CNS file phoJo) . special role Door," he during the said. ceremony as a concrete sign that When Pope Alexander VI opened Christ's birth, death and resurrection the Holy Dooron Christmas 1499, "he are important for tht< whole world, used a mason's hammer, and the blows Bishop Marini said. were not completely symbolic; the Representing Africa, a group of pope tried to break through part ofthe Catholics from Onitsha, Nigeria, will wall," the bishop said. play traditional horns in a call to all For centuries, the opening cer- people to join the celebration, he said. emony included a long pause to allow Lay men and women from theAmerimasons to finish taking the wall down cas and Europe will form a procession before the pope crossed the threshold. to carry the Gospel to the basilica~s Pope John Paul will push on the main altar. huge, ornamental bronze doors with Bishop Marini said that as of Dec. both hands, Bishop Marini said. Be- 14, the Vatican had received requests

Ticket to Bishop's Ball is unique Christmas gift ~

Annual midwinter charity ball on January 14 is fun-filled social event.

FALL RIVER-If you're looking for a last-minute stocking stuffer for Christmas, you might consider giving a ticket to the Bishop's Charity Ball set for January 14 at Venus de Milo, Swansea, says Msgr. Thomas 1. Harrington, director of the fund-raiser.

"This year, we are planning an especially festive celebration of the wonderful unity and diversity of the Diocese of Fall River in the aftermath of the millennial celebration and this Year of Jubilee of the Church," the monsignor said.

Bishop Sean P. O'Malley, OFM Cap., will preside at the ball, accompanied by Lillian Plouffe,

for 55,000 tickets to watch the opening of the Holy Door and attend the Christmas Mass at midnight.

St Peter's Basilica, he said, can hold a maximum of 7,000 people.

The bishop said it is up to officials at the Prefecture of the Papal Household to decide who gets tickets, but he is working closely withVatican and Italian state television to ensure the event is prayerful and dignified for everyone watching, not just those inside the basilica.

THEANCHOR-DioceseofFall River-Fri., December 17, 1999

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·millennium eollectables

president of the Diocesan Council of Catholic Women, and Joseph Maloney, Sr., president of the New Bedford Council of the Society of St. Vincent de Paul.

The year 2000, which opens the 21st century, will celebrate the 45th rendition of the popular winter holiday season social. Proceeds from the ball will help provide the resources for the many charitable endeavors of the institutions, apostolates and ministries of the diocese. .

A contribution of $50 entitles two people to be admitted to the ball. Tickets may be ordered at any of the more than 100 parishes throughout the diocese, or by con· tacting the Diocesan Officer of Charities and Development at P.O. Box 1470, Fall River, MA 02722, or by calling (508) 675· 1311.

by Roman Celebrate the next 1,000 years of peace and joy with

The Millennium Collection from the Annunciation to Jesus' birth.

This collection be~utifully depict~ Mary as a young mother with .her newborn son,

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-4" THEANcHOR~biocese ofFall River=-Fri., ~mber 17, 1999 .

the living word

.the moorin~ Nazareth Nazareth has a very special place in Catholic tradition..It was at Nazareth that the angel Gabriel brought to Mary the message that she was to be the mother of the Savior. Mary and' Joseph left there to go t.o Bethlehem~ where Jesus was born.

Then the Holy Family returned to Nazareth after the flight into Egypt. There,Je~1.1s spent the years of hIS hidd~n life. He was known as the Nazarene. .Today it is a pilgrim'age site for the Christian world. The Basilica of the Annunciation is the soul place of all that Nazareth means to faith. believers. Is it no wonder then that the Catholic world is abs.olutely horrified at the actions the IsraeIi government in allowing a mosque to be built adjoining the basilica? Sponsored by a group of Islamic fundamentalists, the proposed building is designed to .be confrontational and dis. ruptive: The opposition to this plan has the support of many .

Jews and Muslims :as well as Cathblics.

The solution to the difficulty is to be found in the Israeli government. All that must be done is' to' withdraw the building permit for the lJlosque. The Israeli court has spoken in favor of this action. The parliament should now act to end this obvious harassment. To build the mosq'ue at this location would be a controversial source of tension and resistance especially since no one objects to its presence in any other section of Nazareth.

It must be remembered that the State of Israel is bound to safeguard all the shrines that are holy to millions of people.

The minority Christiall1 community has more than a difficult time in this regard. The pl?ces that mean so very much to Christians should rate a high priority with Israeli officials. This certainly is not the case in Nazareth. .

The United States bishops have requested our government to exercise its influence in this matter. It is important for all of us to also ask our elected representatives in Washington to support this action. Let's remember that we simply want the right to worship in peace, especially. in that· place which is- so dear to those who hold Mary as the mother of the Emmanuel.

of

A Christmas hope

.FIREFIGHTERS WHO CAME FROM AROUND THE WORLD,' MARCH TOWARD THE MEMORIAL SERVICE DEC. 9 IN WORCESTER,TO PAY TRIBUTE TO SIX FALLEN FIREFIGHTERS. THEY DIED IN A FIRE AT AN ABANDONED WAREHOUSEDEC.. 3. (CNS PHOTO BY ROBERT BALLANTINE, CATHOLIC FREE PRESS)

As we continue our personal journey to Bethlehem, we should not forget those six, brave Worcester firefighters who "GREATER LOVE HAS NO ONE THAN TIDS, THAT ONE LAY gave their lives for the safety of all. So often we simply take our firefighters and policemen for granted. It takes a tragedy DOWN HIS LIFE FOR HIS FRIENDS." JOHN 15:13 'like this to help us focus rightly on the important role they have in our social order.

The tearstained faces of the families were an awesome testimonial to the constant danger that is inherent in every response to a clanging alarm. When they slide down the pole to their

By FATHER EUGENE HEMRICK laddertrucks or pumpers, they 'have no idea if they will. return municated ·to you the spirit of ing out in Italian, "Uh fa," which CATHOUC NEWS SERVICE kindness, understanding, dignity, simply meant, "Life is too short, to their station. What they do for each of us at the risk of their _ .

This was a difficult year for me. patience or other beautiful virtues, and the more you let things eat lives is awesome.' The outpouring of grief is a public te.stimonY I lost three persons very dear to I pray that you will reflect them away. at you, the shorter it bethat is needed to help all focus justly. It would be wrong to let my heart: my mother, a priest ,nore brightly than ever in the year comes." . this event just Jade away in the glow of Christmas. We must friend and a colleague at The 2000. May the disposition they "Uh fa" signaled mom to sit keep their light before us and pray that the good Lord will hold Catholic University of America. imprinted on you not only come. down, have a glass of wine, and to each ofthem very tenderly in the palm of his hand. May Mary, Mom was Italian and epiio- alive with new vigor, but may it forgive and forget. And if th~s who nurtured the Infant Jesus, watch over and pray for their mized the best of her culture: joy; also prompt you to pa~s it on to didn't work, grandpa would add, "Remember they crucified Christ, wives, children and parents as they refocus and redirect their perpetual optimism and hope. My others. priest friend was enthusiasm par Letting life begin anew means do you think you are better than lives. . · ?" excellence, and my colleague at continuing to talk with people we h1m. the university had a beautiful, even though they are no . Letting life begin anew also The Editor lively mind that never stopped loved longer with us. When I find myself prompts us to put new meaning ina difficult situation, I often whis- into our life. As we mature, we go searching for deeper meaning.

They say that when someone per to mom or dad, "What would through new stages. To begin anew close to you dies, a part of you dies. you do in this situation?", and means seeing fresh opportunities' This is true. It is also true that as .then I envision how they would for living life mote fully as we long as we are alive, the death of a have done it. Letting life begin progress through it. loved one should not be the end anew means staying in touch with Whether we are in young adultfor us but the opportunity to beget the beautiful spirit loved ones left hood, in middle age or a senior citiOFFICIAL NEWSPAPER Of THE DIOCESE Of FALL RIV!£R life anew. zen, each stage in life has advanus, and keeping its flame bright.

Published weekly by The Catholic Press of the Diocese of Fall River If mom and my other friends Letting lif~. begin anew also tages. Identifying and enjoying were here, they would concur and prompts us to bury hatchets, to them gives new life and is the se.887 Highland Avenue P.O. BO)( 7 Fall Rive.'. MA 02720 Fall River, MA 02722-0007 unanimously cry out, "Let life be- stop grinding axes and to get over cret of people who grow old gracegin anew!" It is this spirit that I grudges and resentments. No one fully. l'elephone 508-675-7151 wish for you, my readers, as we in this world is exempt from the A verse in one of my favorite .

FAX (508) 675-7048 inove into the new millennium. pain of shattered love. In cases of hymns sums up my prayer for you Send address changes to P.O: BOl( 7 or call telephone number above Letting life begin anew .has this, it is easy to become disillu7 in this season: "0 God of light, the many meanings. First, it implores sioned, depressed and destructive. dawning day gives us new promEDITOR· GENERAL MANAGER . NEWS EDITOR us to keep alive. the inspirational How well I remember my grand- ise of your love. Each fresh beginRev. Msgr. John F. Moore Rosemary Dussault James N. Dunbar spirit we loved in those who have father - whenever my mother was ning is your gift. Like gentle dew died. Whether a loved one com- pained about an-injustice - sing- from heaven above."

Let life begin anew!.

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Archbishop ponders artists' ridiculing of Catholic faith .

THEANCHOR-DioceseofFatl River-Fri., December 17, 1999

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By CATHOUC News SeRVice

typed as "anti-intellectual, child- p~cially if it leads to offensive MILWAUKEE - Archbishop ish, bound to authoritarian struc- acts against others."

Rembert G. Weakland of Milwau- tures that inhibit progress; and so Archbishop Weakland said he kee said the virtues of charity l;lnd on," he said, adding that "there was sure of one thing: "there is no decency are the only laws that will seems to be no need to nuance way that such offensive works can be restrained legally." Laws could end the ridiculing of the Catholic these remarks." faith found in contemporary artisHe wondered whether there is a not cover all the possibilities, he tic expressions. fear that if Catholics gain more suggested.

"No law passed by any asAnd the issue does not really sembly will be able to curtail To those who would counsel hinge on legality anyway, he added. "It is a question of just such offenses," he said. "Only Catholics to get a sense'of hugood upbringing, of learning to the law of charity and decency learned by all when they are kids mor, the archbishop said, liwhen respect the values of others, of will make a difference." humor loses its edge and hurts not being offensive," he said.

"That is simply one of the first The archbishop's comments because it demeans, then it rules of learning how to live in appeared in a column titled any society.'"

"Respecting One Another" that turns into an offense against ran in a recent issue of the charity. That is the fine line beTo those who would counsel Catholic Herald, Milwaukee's tween spoof and ridicule."

Catholics to get a sense of hu, . . mor, the archbishop said, "when archdiocesan newspaper.

Archbishop Weakland de- • humor loses its edge and hurts scribed the current spate of such power they "will begin slowly to because it demeans, then it turns ridicule as an irritating phenom- restrict all the freedoms in our so- into an offense against charity. That enon. He said there are many ex- ciety." Such political fears have ex- is the fine line between spoof and amples and named three in particu- isted for a long time, he said, "and ridicule." lar: a Terrence McNally play on resurface every decade or so."

Archbishop Weakland cited rethe London stage, a controversial But he questioned why anti-Ca- cent critiques of two movies art exhibit at the Brooklyn Mu- tholicism is "so rampant 'now in "Life Is Beautiful" and "Dogma" seum and the current movie the artistic community.'"

- in The New Yorker magazine.

"Dogma."

Archbishop Weakland agreed He found it interesting, he said, "Where is all this anti-Catholi- that freedom of speech is important that the magazine reviewed "Life cism coming from?" he asked. in American society, but argued Is Beautiful" negatively, "pointing "What does it say to us? Can it be against free speech that abuses the out that the Holocaust is so sacred stopped legally?'" values held dear by a portion ofthat thatit cannot be the subject or even The archbishop said he often society. the occasion for humor."

"But they do not use the same hears "that the last prejudice one "Even Hitler appealed to freeis allowed in the academic com- dom of speech, as does every to- yardstick in their review of munity today is anti-Catholi- talitarian ruler," he said. "Freedom "Dogma," a film that ridicules cism." Catholics still are stereo- of speech must' have its limits, es- Catholic values, he said.

Away

In A Manger We join you' and your family in joyful celebration of the Nativity.

MS41NC. LANDSCAPE SERVICE (508) 673-9426 276 Meridian 51. • Fall River

CHRISTMAS MASS SCHEDULE Dec.24 •

3:30 p.m. Children's concert ,Masses: 4, 6 p.m. and midnight.

Dec.25 •

Masses: 10 and 11:30 a.m.

On the dawn of a new age.

From our Parish Family to your family

Christmas 8o~ and <!\lew Year's Weace SAINT ELIZABETH SETON PARISH • NORTH FALMOUTH REV. MSGR. JOHN F. MOORE, PAstOR • DEACON PAUL ROMA • DEACON WILLIAM A. MARTIN

6

TIffiANCHOR-DioceseofFallRiver-Fri.,December17,1999

A traumatic family decision What were our alternatives? We could not She sometimes went there for Mass in the ogy for his diocesan Catholic Charities, askMy seven siblings and I never thought our mother would become frail'or even old, afford indefinite home nursing care. ~ot one chapel or to'visit the "guests." When she was ing him about nursing homes. He said, "In for that matter. She was an energetic walker, . of us is free to leave our jobs and families to told the doctor's orders, mom said she wanted old age, everybody needs someplace to stay, .. to move there. Representatives from the home someone to love and something to do. Often especially in the morning when she visited mom in the hospital and told her she this is found in nursing homes." literally would jog to daily Mass.

Back then I wasn't convinced. Now I am. could move immediately.

She kept her house clC?an and was On her arrival, she was greeted by a young It happened when my mother路 told me she especially careful about her appearpriest she loves and some women from her had helped a woman who only spoke Italian ance. In fact, it's a standing family parish. It was a wonderful welcome for her. A get what she needed by translating for her; joke that mom would be completely week later, she celebrated her birthday with she had helped a man who couldn't negotidisoriented if her makeup land mirseven of her children in the activity room, ate a knife to cut his meat at mealtimes; and rors were taken away!

By Antoinette Bosco joined by her roommate, a beautiful younger best of all, after, months of not being physiYet, this summer, as mom apwoman incapacitated from a stroke. Mom , cally able to get to church, she now attends proached her 91st birthday, things路 changed. Sne did become frail, very ....- - - - - - - - - -.....~.i........;;:..._....I1-I seemed content and at peace.

Mass every week.

Like many people, I.had a prejudice On Thanksgiving, mom was the center of weak from arthritis, complaining about spasms in her legs and dizziness. She move in with her to take care of her. Three of against sending a parent to a nursing home. attention at our huge family gathering. At fell three times, becoming badly bruised and us, in fact, live in different states. We had to But now I can see how a good nursing care tne end of the evening she addressed us. She ending up twice in the hospital. After the last consider the doctor's recommendation - a facility is a blessing for those who are no was literally beaming as she told us, "It's longer able to care' for themselves or their wonderful to be with all of you and now, it's hospital admission, her doctor told us mom nursing home. . time to go home." Our prayers that day were needed 24-hour care. She would not release At this point, good fortune entered. A nurs- homes. her to go back to her home where she had' ing home with an excellent reputation is a I remember years ago interviewing a so- full of gratitude that our mom is being well lived alone since 1985 when dad died. four-minute walk from my mother's home. . cial worker who was in charge of gerontol- taken care of in her new and friendly home.

The Bottom Line

How silly are we?

'One of the most compelling things about the Catholic Church - and we, its members - over the ages has been the ability to show off our silliness in ways that would make other denominations blush.

I am convinced -it is this marvelous, public silliness that attracts a lot of converts. "Hey, this institution has got to be divine because look how long it has lasted - despite the fact there are s.o many.

Catholics in it," they say. "I wonder how much a membership costs, and if they'll take payments."

Take the wedding season. Please. Janu- ary and February are gn~at months for Catholic publications to run stories and special sections on marriage and weddings.

These are often the publications' largest issues of the year and weigh about four pounds. Right next to stories on how to simplify one's wedding are advertisements for limousines, French caterers, tuxedo shops and jewelers.

Adjacent to display ads for special

honeymoon packages to Maui, Cabo San Lucas and Rome are stories about how young couples' preparations for life together should include serious discussion of mutual sacrifice, stewardship and simplicity.路 .

It's great. We know how to do ambivalence right.

"Hey," a young woman preparing for iler wedding once said to me, "remember Jesus himself wanted to make that young couple at Cana really happy, and so he made them top-class wine to prove it."

"Oh yeah," I said, handing her my Visa card (again); "tQat's the passage in John that comes just before the part where it explains how important it is to have a wedding dress that costs about the same as an aircraft carrier." _ "That reminds me," her mother nodded, "did you find out how much it is to rent the parish hal1?" , . "Rent it?" I coughed. "We helped build it."

.

"You're not going to make us look like we are taking advantage of the parish, are you?" she shot back.

Actually, I hadn't planned on telling

The offbeat . world of Uncle Dan By ban Morris

anyone.

In all fairness, I do have to hand it to young couples who are standing up to stupid traditions and making' positive changes. .

Take bachelor parties. Please. How many young men have stood before a priest the day ~fter a bachelor party and wondered

why their eyes would not focus, only to discover it was largely because they were so hung over they were leaning into the priest's chest?

Well, Ijust read about a couple in California who - as a couple - threw a "splatchelor party."

Instead of "the boys" pulling the future groom from one questionable location to another while attempting to consume as much adult beverage as possible in the process, this couple invited their friends to join them in painting a home for a person without the resources to handle it herself.

That's pretty cool. And, again, no doubt part of the reason those converts stick around. And the divine Wine Maker has to be pleased. After all, he likes a good party.

Comments are welcome. Write Uncle Dan at 441 Church St., San Francisco, Calif. 94114; or e-rnall: cnsuncle@yahoo.com. .

Bargains are part of St. Vincent de Paul ministry

By MICHELLE MARTIN . CATHOUC NEWS SERVICE CHICAGO - To some Chicago shoppers, the St. Vincent de Paul Family ThrifrStore is a treasure hunt. To others, it is simply a trea.sure.

Leticia and Jimmy Llenares came to Chicago from the Philippines about a year ago.

They spent a recent afternoon combing through the racks looking for sweaters and other winter clothes to bring home for free, thanks to a voucher from St. Mary of Celie Parish in Berwyn, where they live.

Jimmy Lleriares works an overnight shift at Wal-Mart, but his take-home pay is only about $8 an hour, he 路said. After he and his wife Leticia pay the $750 a month rent on their two-bedroom apartment and buy food for themselves and their daughter, there's not enough left over for clothes.

St. Vincent's is wonderful, too, to Raquel Foreman, who spent some time sorting through the racks with two cousins before buying 24 records - yes, vinyl records - at six for $1.

"A lot of what they've got here is coming back," she said. "That skirt my cousin got, she could work it with a pail' of boots. And . nobody at school is going to rip y<:?ur clothes open to look at the labels." . .

St. Vincent de Paul stores have been providing ine.xpensive - or free - used clothing and household goods "to Chicago-area residents since the one on South Western Avenue opened in 1981.-

Now there are four stores, all of which accept donations as well as sell their goods.

They are associated with the St. Vincent de Paul Society, which has been serving poor people for more than 150 years.

Prices atSt. Vincent de Paul stores are rock_bottom, well below those of other thrift stores, I

especially those that aim to make a profit. . stores actually is given away to people with "What a lot of people don't understand is vouchers from parish-based St. Vincent de that we are 100 percent not-for-profit," said Paul societies. general manager Robert Kill. That means that Mos~ people shopping at St. Vincent de if they get a request from a school for 100 Paul thrift stores aren't in a hurry, and many coats, they generally will provide them free . stop to chat with one another or with the Al,Jout 30 percent of the merchandise sold in employees.

That's one of the reasons Dwight Kilpatrick .likes his job emptying donation bins, cleaning up and just doing what needs -to be done. "I like working with people," said Kilpatrick, who first came to St. Vincent de Paul on an Illinois program aimed at providing welfare recipients with job experience.

It wasn't until he was hired a month later that coworkers found out he was homeless, spending his nights at the Pacific Gardens Mission. They found him a place. in Catholic Charities' Sousa Transitional Housing program, a place where he remains in treatment for his alcohol addiction while he saves money for his 'own apartment. .

Despite the charitable nature of the stores, they must make enough money to operate, including paying for utilities and the 48 fulland part-time staff members, Kill said.

Paul Grant, a political scientist, spent some time at the St. Vincent de Paul store while his car was serviced down the street.

He found two records of speeches by John F. Kennedy, along with another record he thought his dad might like.

"It's like a treasure hunt," he said. "You never know what you're going to find."

Can a godparent be changed?

Q. Is there a way we can dumge the godmother of onr child? The

Nov. 13. 1984, to bishops of the United Stales and Canada; in 1985 issue of

person we chose several years ago

Roman Replies of the Canon Law S0ciety of America) Baptism records can be quite important for civil and religious purpoSes in laler years, which is why a parish priest or secrelaty, for example, cannot simply make such changes on his or her own initiative.

There may on occasion be a good

bas left the Catholic faith and is carrying on a lifestyle destructive for her and for the poople around hOI: She has bad nothing to do with our son ever ~nce and is certainly not the e:.ample we feel a godmother should be for him, now or later on.

Another relative bas shown much love and care for our children and would be an excellent baptism sponsor. She is willing to be named as god-

After all, only a few years ago you did see her as having those qualities you want in a sponsor. If she has changed so drastically, maybe she would be helped spiritually to hear what you are telling me abuut your . disappointed hopes in her, the hurt Sbe has been to you and your son, and what you plan to do. ff you can bring yourself to do this, even though you follow up on your present plan, who knows what God's grace might do for her?

The Union Hospital School ofNursing of Fall River, MA, is planning its l00th anniversary celebration onJune 7, 2000 at the Venus de Milo Restaurant in Swansea, MA. Since many ofthe graduates are no longer in the area, we are asking anyone who may know the names and addresses to contact: lora @508-679-7219,Lois@508-992-8880,x101, or write to Union Hospital Alumnae Assoc., c/o

Cindy,POBoxN126, Westport,MA 02790

.VIDEO CASSETTE--

explain what we ...."""......""

A. Unfortunately, your circum-

7

1999 MARIA" MEDAL CEREMO"Y 0" V"S

mother. We've heard that's p0ssible. Would you

need to do? (North Carolina)

1HEANCHOR-Diocese ofFall River- Fri., December 17, 1999

~ Jot thisJdnd n[offi.cial change of godparents. However, a loving,

stance is oot unique. Some situations concerned friend -or relative, such as are more poinfullhan others, but wilen the one you mention, can usually do a child's godparent has died or has . just as much for the child, now and in proven unwilling or unable to serve the future, without going through all "Ppropriately in that role, it's under- this formality.

You might "",n make it "official" standable that good Christian parents want someone else in that capacity for your family by aslring the adult you speak of to act as godparent for for their child.

Having a caring godparent is al- your child. When your_ son is old ways important. It is particularly so enough to understand, explain what should the parents die or become in- you have done.

Among other advantages, it could capacitated, which of course is one reason sponsors should be chosen care- herp him be aware of the imporrance of baptism and how you are concerned fully.

The process of changing· is not that this sacrament be lived out pr0psimple, however. The Congregation erly in his life.

Finally, is it possible that a note for the Sacraments, acknowledging such ciIClunsrances as yours, states that from you to your son's present godthe bishop of a diocese may officially mother would be an act of goodness designate a substitute sponsor, whose towanl her? And maybe move ber to name would be inscribed in the offi- reflect a lIttle 00 where she has cial parish baptism register. (Reply of turned?

FO~ YOO~

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THE CHRIST CHILD FILL OUR HEARTS WITH· HIS PEACE As WE CELEBRATE

HIs 2000TH BIRTHDAY Mass Schedule CHRISTMAS EVE - DEC. 24

CHRISTMAS DAY - DEC. 25

4 P.M.

PARISH PILGRIMAGE TO THE VIGIL MAss AT THE CATHEDRAL·

11;30 P.M.

CONCERT OF CAROLS

12 MIDNIGlIT

MAss (PORTUGUESE)

BOAS FESTfiSI

10 A.M.

MAss (ENGUSH) 12 NOON MAss (PORTUGUESE)

At the ~anger 2000 years later: New fa iIie~ for il new-millennium Christmas 1999, In the Year of the Lord.

Dearly belovoo in Christ,

esus' love and humility, and His obedience to the Will of the Father, are an example to us and the secret to building strong family life. We begin our life of discipleship in Baptism. There, God gives us newness of life and calls us to holiness. We must discern our individual vocation in an

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to have . e together. This is very difficult, in today's orJd because of work schedules, televisio and the many demands on people's time. N ertheless, if the health of the family is to be priority, the family must make time to be toge~er at the dinner table. The dinner table c be the altar in the home. More than ....11 ....

White H, use, what happens at the dinner table cart profoundly affect peoPles'fllives and the future of society. ere, a family can pray tog er, get to know one anlor, share their aspiratio fears, and experience a e of belonging. The ideal is .have a family meal each daytand where that is , impossib e, to have a meal together as often as possible.

thousand years ago, the Second Person of the Trinitv, Jesus Christ, Ut:Ci1IIl~ a memoer 6r me numan pmhn~~~d~'ho~s';'i~ds-dtrOUgh family to found a spiritual family, the Church. carpenter shop, the factory, or the fishing Love is the reason Christ came. In His love, He industry. F()r many, the call is to marry and comes to save us from sin. In love, He comes raise a family. The vocation of the disciple is to reveal the truth about God and about our to marry "in the Lord," to make a life-long salvation, the truth about us, who we are, why .. covenant with one~s spouse and with God. It is we are here, where we are going. Our need for a profoundly religious act and has far-reachJesus is greater than ever as this millennium ing repercussions in the life of the community; and this century draw to a close. yet, quite ironically, of all the Sacraments it is the one that receives the least amount of ebegin the new millennium as we preparation. Even where civil law is conbegin each Mass asking for forgive- cerned, it is easier to get a marriage license ness from God and one .another, than a driver's license. amilY also needs to share . setting ourselves on a new course walking in gether at the Lord's table, . the footsteps of Jesus. We acknowledge that n the new millennium, we must better . e Sunday Eucharist. It is there God has a plan, and we are part of thac plan. In prepare our young people for marriage; fact, the family is the centerpiece of God's we;;rience our spiritual family in the that Preparation needs to begin early on, parish,. d we. arc nourished by the Word of plan. The second half of.the20th century has ~fore "SlItlJrday night fever" sets in. Children God, and the Bread of Life, Holy Communion. taken its toll on families. A whole gen~on ' have a right to know that marriage is part of Parents n~ to,~ to their children .about the,;. '. " has grown up in a society where divorce and God's plan for humanity and is a pivotal Mass so tlhat they will have a clear understandcohabitation ate evermore cOInmon, in a . element in most peoples' happiness, both in ing of its' portance. We do not go to church society where violence has built its nest at the this life and the next. The incapacity to for. to be en rtained, but to worship God, and to heart of the family, plagued by domestic give. the desire for instant gratification, and violence. The family that God meant to be a be reco ted with our brothers and sisters in self-centeredness are deadly ingredients in a safe-haven of unconditional love is becoming . marriage. Training in virtues is a remote but Baptism. we do not go to SundaY Mass, we the venue for the worst crimes of betrayal: will with up in a spiritual anorexia. In a necessary pJ:eparation for marriage. If someabortion (where parents eliminate their own one does not have an appreciation for chastity culture bsessed with children), and euthanasia (where children. before marriage, is it likely they will have eliminate their own parents). tIl,e discipline/tO be faithful after Jnl\1'riage? If til person is steeped in individual-~~~~ gainst this background, we are called ism, it is difficult to make a commitment . to rebuild family. life in the new . ". to another person in marriage and to the ' . millennium. 0Ul: attempts begin at .... . children that resu)~ from that marriage.

Bethlelu;m ~\lere faith ~ gathered us to . witness the'Incarnation. With the eyes of our ' L ',~ve to,a believer means a ~i~, heart, we gaze at God's h!uJlility lind love . . ; SlOn, a surrender, self-sacrifice. ' which comes to us as. a child. Like Mary, we' . " Love requires great strength and great humility. Learning how, to love is ponder this mystery. God bas become6ne:pf us. He is part of a family. Flislongest sermon is the best preparation for marriage and ~=:.:JJ .thirty yearS of His hidden life at Nazareth. Our family. ,We learn loving by experienc-, .

SaViOr wants to teach US about the importance' ing God's love, and we teach love by of family life. With Mary and Joseph, J~s -,," loving. In chUl¢l"we talk ~ut "conlives a lifeM conimunity, of lOve, of prayer, of., version"; what it.~ is lllalllingto worle, and 9f play. It was a life that prepared • '~turn our b~.~ se~' and sin in .'.

Him for F:Iis Mission. , order to grow clOset tQ.GQd, _~ of.all love. Some people fear thaHovIDa, eca\ise J~us i&~th ~ W.C'do not '.

God above all olbers diminishes our retreat crom: the challenge of re\Juild- capacity to love cui family and friends. ing our fanlilies,,1'he Christml!S cards . Actually, quite the opposite is true. The we send aiu:l receive, the stalried glass win.. greater our love for God, the more it. ,.. dows in our churches, and the religious images' will enhance our love for others. in our homes and in our yards, ~ the family Certainly the life of Mother Teresa =:=~3 albums of the Family of Jesus, the Family of is a clear indication of this.

Faith. Christmas affords us 811 opportunity to behold once again these signs of our faith or the family to be a school . which invite us to build on the foundation of of love, it is necessary for Bethlehem and Nazareth. the members of the family

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"healthy life styles"and physicll1beauty and appearance" weare often oblivious to the spiritual health and 4tterior beauty of the life of grace. . '

UffiANQIOR- Diocese ofFallRim- Fri, December 17, 1999

Othing is more formative" of children than the example of parents and their . involvement in the:religious education of their children. Catholic parents are usually very good about sending their children ( ) ne~f ~ best ways to revitalize the . to CCD~Class, especially so that their children

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are ready to teach your children to be narcissistic, materialistic, and ''politically correct", but that will do little to prepare yoUr children to commit themselves to their faith, their' family, and to the ideals of the Gospel and the teachings of Christ's Church. Children spend .' f~!yJ§.t9J~~tIw.~tfSu cimJnW:Jbr.h.lii'1t.&''ilMIOreiAAign:-'l JIe'-"" classroOni, as compared to two hours or so for parents' example and interest paramount in CeD and Mass. important way to build up our the faith formation of their children. Parents human family, so the gathering of the household of the faithful around must s~ to .their children about God, the hat elements will win their minds Church, the Sacraments, and the Commandthe Table of the Lord is essential. and their hearts? It is impossible to ments.

Qrildren must see the faith lived in the Together at our Sunday Mass we isolate our children from all that . lives of the important people in their lives. The surrounds them. We cannot build huge bubbles .witness to the world that Jesus ~ ~ Christ is risen, and we recognize .selection of godparents and sponsors should and lock them safely inside. It is, however, reflect this concern to provide children with ... ~ Him, "in the breaking of the crucial to talk with your children about drugs, role models whose lives and values allow the Bread." The miracle of the Mass sex, alcohol, AIDS, and abortion. They need to child to see our faith as a way of life, a life of takes place to forge us into a know that there is another way to live, and that spiritual family, the Body of spiritual relationships thaC bind us to God, to.

God's way leads to love and happiness in this .

Christ, the Church. the saints, to our brothers and sisters in the world and the next.

Lord. he Eucharist finds its origins he manger scene also teaches sorlie.in the Infant in the manger at ne of the painstaking, yet beautiful, thing about what is truly important.

Bethlehem. It is because ' tasks of young parents is teaching The center is Christ. The center is a Christ is born with a human body of the Vrrgm their children to speak. I am always baby. The baby is surrounded by loving parMary that He can later give us that same body touched to see a young,mother (!)l' father paents and not much else. The greatest thing a under the form of bread and witre~ The very tiently repeating a sound, a word, a p~•. man can give his children is to love their tuune>Bet'11khem ftleans "house of Bread;' and .' Every parent accepts that responsibility lovmother. The greatest thing a mother can give the first crib was a manger, a box containing ingly because they realize how important her children is to love their father. The love of speech is. By the same token, the parents must Mary and Joseph is the only treasure the Christ feed for the flock. Now the tabernacle is the manger that contains the body and blood of be teachers of prayer. They must teach their Child has. Being born in poverty and simplicChrist, there to share our poverty and to children to speak to God. There are so ity is God's way of speaking to us about what B::lood~.~~~IIf"'"I""T"'" many opportunities: a simple morn- is truly important. Eisenhower used to say: feed us with His Body and,~ .. .-' fig prayer, night prayer, and grace "When I was yOtplg, we were very poor, but before meals. The family rosary has we didn't know it." He did not notice his been a beautiful Catholic prayer that family's poverty because there was so much combines our most common prayers love and joy in his,home.

(Hail Mary - Our Father) with meditations ~ the events of lif.e s you eXP.lain to your children that, and the history ohalvauon. I know "there was no room at the inn," teach that p;arents often$1rUggle to get,.. them: to have compassion for the . their chil~ to Mass, but until we: ' poor, the ,sick, 'the suff,~g. TeliChthem teach our children to pray, Mass WIll the need to share what we have received. not make senSe to d'iem. . .

When we do'that, we ~:giv4tg gifts to the , , , Christ Child Himself. It might ~so be an " ~nts,. wheh .Y?O take yoUr '. OpPortuiUtyto ten our c1lildren that SUCCesS is . ..' children to VlSlt the creche not meaSured in money but in goodnes.s an,d' . in your pariSh cfiUrcli take· .' l o v e . ' ., ' them also to dte tabefnacle to adore ."', 1:";,' the Messiab.:recc,ived the homwill the neW miJi~D11i~ brini? age of the magi and of an creation.

Milch'de Dds our1~ and ' Thlk to yourchiklrerl'8bout Jesus" On our ~ty to foan n¢wg~~ lovefortheln, HisdeSire'tO be close liOns of families firmlycomni.tted to' t~ to $. to feed us."

Jesus Christ. To do that, we JIII1St 10ve tltoem . very much, spend a lot of tUne with,lfieiD;'and 'f t Be1hIehem there was a teach them to love the Lord with their whole . violent reaction against . mind, heart, and soul; and to love other as Jesus. 1he light shone in Jesus loves us..

-,I the darkness' and die darkness grasped it not:' To escape the troops Devotedly yours in Chris~ . that Herod sent to destroy the Child, Mary and Joseph fled into Egypt.

Today, there are many influences in our culture that are hostile to all that we hold sacred. There are forces that

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The History Channel offers ''The·1\velve Apostles" .

NFWYORK (CNS)- The Gospel lay the spoken commentary on Gospel story is vividly retold in the documen- events, the Acts of the Apostles and tary special,' 'The Twelve Apostles;' other writings. premiering Monday, Dec. 20, 9-11 p.m.

Classics ofWestem religious art are EST on cable's History Chaimel. complemented by original line drawIn examining who the Apostles ings, which include not only contemwere and what they accomplished, thc porary images but examples of Gooprogram looks at the context of their pel-era artifacts. There is also footage times and their relationship with the filmed in the Holy Land.

Lord, who chose them to spread his But pictoria1ly, what proves espe-teachings to the world. cially evocative are excerpts from old Ifs a familiar story for Christians, - silent movies portraying Ihe life of though told afresh through theperspec- Christ. The fading, black-and-white tive of historians, theologians, Scrip- scenes provide a sense of antiquity, or lure specialistsand authors from across at least of a time and place very differdenominational lines, I'rotestaRt and ent.from our own.

Catholic, with a few Jewish scholars Nanared by actor Martin Sheen, the program makes good use oftheActs of chiming in as well.

The documentary avoids contro- Ihe Apostles in showing Ihe rapid versialmatters, such as1hesacraments, spread of Christianity 1hrough Ihe -by centering on What all hold in com- Mediterranean world in the decades mono The ecumenical approach is en- '" After Pentecost. tirely appropriate for the purposes of And ttadition is also the sourre for the program. . __ a segment detailing how, except for . Co-produced by Pau~ Produc- John,eachapOlillernetamartyr'sdea!h !Jons and We1leslGroSSlJl3ll Produe- by crucifixion, beheading or some - tions, this documentary account ofthe o!her form ofexecution.

With PaulistFaiher EllWood Kieser beginnings of Christianity is intended for the general public, Christian as well serving as executive producer, the documentary is a good inlrOduetion as non-Onistian.

What will hold the attention of all forthosewholatowlittleahoutChrisis the rich mixlIlre ofvisuals that over- tianity.

Eastern Television Sales And Service Fall River's Largest Display of TVs

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1'tte :Jko£tIi. Om for inatrrz6fe. canar ~s wfw CQ1lIIDt offonl w pay for nursinB care efsetqfletr. ltufivUfuali.Ulf am. an4 attmtiorr. in an. atmospr.- of peaa an4 'UJarmtn, wr.- (ove. UtUferstatulino an4 compassion prtrJai! 'lJeautijuI setti"9 o1JerCoofj"9 !Mt. !Jlup. 'Bay.

STUART LITTLE, voiced by Michael J. Fox, takes a moment to recover a~er ?eing rescued from an accidental dip in a washing machine. (CNS photo from Columbia Pictures) •

'Stuart Little' should be a adolescents big hit with . .

BvG,-PARE CA1HQUC NEWS 5aMce

NEW YORK-- A classic children's story comes to Ihe big screen with the emphasis on little "SIUartLiUle" (Columbia), an adopted white mouse.

E.B. White's 1945 tale ofa human family wi1h adure--inch talking mouse as their SOil is not very faithful to Ihe original story, but has its own set of channs, among \hem the LiUles' pretty townhouse plopped in the middle of Manhattan across from Central Park.

Mom and Dad Little (GeenaDavis and Hugh Laurie) promise to bring home a little bro1herforyoung George (Jonathan Lipnicki) from the orphanage, and they weren'tkidding. Despite the winsome children available, Ihe Littles fall for spunky Stuart (voice of Michael J. Fox) and treat him as a miniature1IUe member ofthe family, much to thedislress oftheirpet cat, Snowbell (voice of Nathan Lane).

Matters worsen wben Stuart gamely introduces himself to

Snowbell's feline friend as "a mouse with Ii pet cat!" Threatened by a ro-

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ture Stuart's adventurous spirit so should please youngsters as well as adu1ts°ifthey aren't expecting to see the original story. The movie also gives more definition to Ihe olher Littles lhan \he book did, with Davis and Lipnicki especially appealing.

But Stuart's computer-animated title character steals Ihe show in his natty outfits and realistic movements and expressions. The cast is rounded out by real cats trained to react appropriately, and they blend in seamlessly and are convincingly scary wben it's called for.

The menacing situations may be a little intense for very young children but it's a couple of unnecessary usagesof"darnn" and "bell" that moved Ihe movie industry rating from G to PO. Likewise, parents may want to reserve Ihe movie for older children for just that reason.

Due to scenes of menace and a few cusswords. the U.S. Catholic Conference c1assification isA-II-adults and adolescents. The Motion Picture Association ofAmerica rating is PO parental guidance suggested.

eNS book review "MIRACLES TODAY," by Henry Ube....... Charis SerY'lDt PuhHcations (AmI Arbor, Mich..

Fnmciscan Vocation 0IIice' Imm...... Con<eption Proviace (OFM)

dent wilh superior status, \he eats plot to have sn- belittled- and begone.

Initially, (JeOlge also dislikes hav· ing a rodent for a sibling, but is won over when Stuart bravely helps him win the g1'eIitCentral Park toy boat race..

DangeL lurks everywhere for such a little guy, but after nearly drowning . from being accidentally tossed in the washing machine, Ihe doctor pronounces Stuart to be "very clean:.'

HoweveL, he's also ahoutto be very eaten if the neighborhood alley cats get1heirclaws in him when be's lured into nigbtIilne Central Park.

As directed by Rob Minkoff (c0director of'"TheLion King"), the characters and visuals are adorable if not downright cutesy, a far cry from White's tone. The movie is a Hollywood version ofStuart, complete with a neatly tied-up happy ending, totally unlike White's conclusion in which SIUart continues his quest for his bird buddy, Margalo - who doesn't even appear as a character in the movie.

Becoming part ofa family regard· less of your appearance is the film's concern, and it does manage to cap-

1999). 1861'1'.

REVIEWED BY FlIl'HER

JAMES Giufoot.Ey CATHOLIC NEWS SERVICE It is not unoommon to hear of a medical doctor saying to a parent, ''Your child is cured. k's a miracle," When pusbed to the wall by a deviI's advocate, the doctor will usually stutter, ''My is not to be understood lilftally:' Butwhen Henry Libersat speaks of a ewe ~ a miracle, he wants to be understood literally. His book is an account of more than 25 such miracles.

This book is as good an inlrOduction to the valuablecbarismatic dimension of the conlempor3lY Church as one is apllo discoveL in \his life.

Many 0rrisIians give lip se<vice to Ihe power of prayer. But Ihe

_t

charismatics really mean it.

Whencharisrnatics ~ to pray

to all his followers in every century?

Will yoo?

Li\JersaI: has IlOl written aclassic in spirituality. And I do suspect he had no such intention.

However, be has given us a va1uable 1reaIise on the eflicacy of pray,," asOJrist uroe.stood \hat exercise. For \hatalone, all of us should be graa:fuI. Theauth<rwasedikrof1he Florida

for you, C<lnsider yourself in good hand<. You might even consider canceling your insurance wilh Allstale.

Even GOd must become intimjdated by their insistent and confident petitions. And, very possibly to get them olfhis aIreody overworked back, \he . Almigbty maybelOOllanxious 10 grant their requests as quicldy as possible.

0Itir0licnewspaper.Onpage47,helelJs Perhaps the cures be grants them his relIll= IbaI be has worked in the are genuine miracles. I will let the fieldofcmbJlicjoumalism for 17 yea'S. hassled ~ in the Vatican de- During that time, be and his wife, Peg, cide that. But one~g is ceIttin; The have raised seven children. best friend you can have, when you To accomplish that feat on the salbecome ill, is a charismatic. ThIk about ary paid by the Catholic jresS (and I · ..

1 medical IIISImUlCC • . speak from 40 years' experienoe) is in-Many of us forget Ihal Jesus in deed an authentic miracle. If you do Matthew 10:7-8 said, "Cure the sick. not believe me, check it out wilh Peg. Raise the dead. Heal the Iepers. Expel Down the road shouId you ask me demons." But Libersat and his col- to pray for you, I will do so wi1h all the leagues are not among \hose who've fervor and conviction ofa charismatic. forgOltm. Who will dare infallibly say fu-this, yoo will baveHeruy Libersat's Jesus was not giving marching orders message to \hank.

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Iteering pOint, ATfLEBORO - The La Salette Shrine will hold a Christmas Eve vigil with Midnight Mass on Dec. 24 from 9 p.m. to midnight It will include adoration of the Blessed Sacrament, music, reflection and Scripture readings.

It will also include the blessing of the Jubilee Year door and a candlelight procession. All welcome.

EAST TAUNTON - Holy Family Parish will hold its annual Christmas concert Sunday at 5 p.m. in the church, 379 Middleboro Avenue, featuring its adult and youth choirs and musical accompaniment. Phillip Spindola will direct and Douglas Medeiros will cantor. All welcome.

FAIRHAVEN -Studentsfrom St Joseph's School will present a minipageant entitled "GiftS ofChristmas," on Dec. 22 at 7 p.m. in St. Joseph's Church. All welcome.

FALL RIVER - St. Mary's Cathedral is holding its sixth annual Christmas Carol Sing-along on Dec. 26 at 3 p.m. featuring many familiar carols in English and Spanish and will include organ, trumpet and handbell accompaniment All welcome.

SOUTH YARMOUTH - The next meeting of the Pax Christi-Cape Cod Group will be on Dec. 20 from 7:30 to 9: 15 p.m. at St Pius X Parish.

Themed "Jubilee Justice: Making Tune for the God of Jubilee," it will offer a study of the biblical roots and contemporary call to jubilee. All those searching for peace are welcome. For more information call 771-6737.

THEANCHOR-DioceseofFallRiver-Fri., December 17, 1999

11

MACHNOWSKI - SCHICK

FUNERALHOME

SOUTH YARMOUTH - A Separated-Divorced Catholics Support Group will meet Saturday at 6:30 p.m. in the Parish Life Center of St. Pius X Church for its annual Advent/Christmas gathering.

It will include a Yankee Swap and attendees are invited to bring a dessert or appetizer. For more information call Father Richard M. Roy at 255-0170.

RICHARD MACHNOWSKI Registered Funeral Director & Embalmer (508) 995~5005 472 Ashley Blvd.

New Bedford, MA 02745

WAREHAM - An open house will be held at the Sacred Hearts Retreat Center, 226 Great Neck Road, Sunday from 4-6 p.m. It will include music, choral groups, hot chocolate and cookies. All welcome.

John XXIII expected to be declared venerable, beatified

By CAlliOUC NEWS SERVICE VATICAN CITY - Pope John Paul II is expected to declare Pope John XXIII venerable late this month and beatify him next September.

Famiglia Cristiana. Italy's top-selling weekly magazine, devoted the cover of its Dec. 12 issue to Pope John and said his beatification would take place Sept. 3.

Pope John Paul's calendar for the Holy Year 2000 includes a beatification ceremony Sept. 3 in St. Peter's Square, although the person or people to be beatified were not named.

Pope John headed the Catholic Church from 1958 to 1963 and convoked the Second Vatican Council.

Officials involved in sainthood and beatification processes told Catholic News Service ,the September beatification of Pope John was likely.

And, they said, it was almost certain Pope John Paul would for~ally recognize Pope John's heroic virtues during an upcoming meeting with the Congregation for Sainthood Causes. . . In an unusual move, the congregation's panel of physicians already has said the miracle submitted in Pope John's cause had no natural explanation. .

Review by a panel of theologians and official papal recognition of the miracle are still needed, but are considered almost certainties.

C"RISTMflS AT LA SfiLETTE

WITH FAT"ER PAT In conCERT Daily 3:00 p.m. & 7:30 p.m.

FROM nov. 15 TO JAn. 1 Fr.. admission - Fr.. parking Call 508-222-5410 for more Info.

Saint Anthony of Padua Church 48 Sixteenth Street FaU River, Massachusetts 02723-1119 TEL: (508) 673-2402. FAX: (508) 730-2519

Christmas Mass Schedule VIGIL MASS DECEMBER 24, 1999 6:00 P.M. BILINGUAL DECEMBER 25,1999 - MIDNIGHT MASS BILINGUAL 9:30 A.M. ENGLISH 11 :00 A.M. PORTUGUESE ..

W,SH,NG EVERYONE THE BLESSINGS AND JOYS OF CHRISTMAS AND A NEW YEAR FILLED WITH HAPPINESS.

BOAS FESTAS E, FELIZ ANO NOVO

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Mercy Sisters launch Internet vocations tool ByTRACY EARLY CATHOUC NEWS SERVICE

young women were entering the religious life.

The informational program .targets women 20 to 35, YONKERS, N.Y. - Sisters of Mercy in the three re- but designers said this age range is not mentioned in the gional communities of New York, New Jersey and Brook- publicity materials, and women outside the targeted audilyn have launched a new program to get information about ence are not excluded. the order, its way oflife and its ministries to young women SisterAnna Saltzman, a member ofthe New Jersey comwho might feel led to join it. munity and part of the team that developed the program, Assisted by a professional marketing finn, the nuns said personal contact with nuns will remain the most sighave developed a Web site, d e - ' niftcant aspect of recruiting, as it signed posters they will put in Sister Anna Saltzman, a memwas with those who are already places where young women gather ber of the New Jersey community members. ''We became aware of the Sisters of Mercy because we and publi,shed an. informational ! leaflet for inquirers. and part of the team that develmet a Sister of Mercy." /. . "Do you have a call waiting?" oped the program, said personal The Web site and other publicyoung women will be asked. contact with nuns will remain the ity materials are intended to facili"Looking for the good life ... or the most significant aspect of recruittate personal contact, not replace good in life?" another poster asks. ing, as it was with those who are it, Sister Saltzman said.

Some 160 members of the or- arready members. "We became But a new informational pro. der gathered in Yonkers recently aware of the Sisters of Mercy begram is needed because the decline to hear a presentation from a Man- in numbers of the order and their hattan communications firm, cause we met a Sister of Mercy." movement into more diversified about the new recruitment effort, ministries means that fewer young and to give their reactions. women have gotten to know them in schools, she said.

'The time is right," said SisterCarnille D'Arienw, presiThe three regional communities of Mercy Sisters have dent ofMercy's Brooklyn regional community and imme- a total of about 800 members and only six women in the diate past president of the Leadership Conference of preparatory stages leading to final vows, she said.

Women Religious. ' But she said the focus would not be on the numbers, In an interview after the presentation, she said for a time but on reaching those few women who would feel this many nuns were inactive in terms ofrecruiting because of .different kind of life might be theirs. uncertainties surrounding the life of religious cominuni- .

Sister Saltzman said the pattern of "hordes" of young ties. And some communities have decided they will not women coming into the religious orders in the previous IN THEIR new vocations campaign, Sisters of Mercy take attempt to continue, she said. generation was unusual in Church history, and not exa modern approach by asking, "Do you have a call waiting?"

She also ac~owledged that in the past she and many pected to be repeated.

The order has developed posters, a Web site and leaflets to 'other 路nuns became so absorbed in their own ministries "I don't think we will have large numbers," she said. promote religious life. to young women. (eNS photo) that. they did not pay attention to the fact. that so few "But we don't necessarily need to be large."

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Thought about ans~ering it?

Eu~harist

key to saintly lives, say ,'.. Vatican 'conference speakers

Cons.ecration to the Oivine Will Oh adorable and Divine Will, behold me here before the immensity ofYour Light/that Your eternal goodness may open to me the doors and make me enter into It to form my life all in You, Divine Will. Therefore, oh adorable Will, prostrate before Your Light, I, the leas~ of all creatures, put myself into the little group of the sons and daughters of Your Supreme FIAT. Prostrate in iny nothingnesS', I invoke Your Light and beg that it. clothe me and eclipse all th~t does not pertain -to You, Divine Will. It will be my Life, the center of my .intelligence, the enrapturer of my heart and of my whole being. I do not want the human will to have life in this heart any longer. I will cast it . away from me and thus form the new Eden of Peace, of happiness and of love. With It I shall be always happy.. I shall have a singular strength and a holiness that sanctifies all things and. conducts them to God. Here prostrate, I invoke the help of the Most Holy Trinity that They penrut me to live in the cloister of the Divine Will and -thus return in me Q1e first order of creation, just as the creature was created.

Heavenly Mother, Sovereign, and Queen of the Divin~ Fiat, take my hand and. introduce me into the Light .of the Qivine Will. You will be my guide; my most tender Mother, and will me to live in and to maintain myself in the order'and the . bounds of the Divine Will. Heavenly Mother, I consecrate my whole being to Your Immaculate Heart.. You will teach me the . doctrine of the Divine Will and I will listen most attentively to Your lessons. You will cover me with路 Your mantle so that the infernal serpent dare not penetrate into this sacred Eden to enticeme and make me fall into the maze of the human will.

Heart of my greatest Good, Jesus, You will give me Your flames that they may bum me, consume me, and feed me to form in me the Life of the Divine Will.

Saint Joseph, you will be my protector, the guardian of my heart, and will keep the keys of my will in your hands. You will keep my heart jealously and shall never give it to in~ again, that I may be sure of never l~ving the Will of God. My guardian Angel, guard me; defend me; help me in everything so that my Eden may flourish and be the instrument that draws all men into the Kingdom of the Divine Will. Amen.

reach

( In Honor of Luisa'Piccarreta 1865-1947 Child a/the Divine Will)

. VApCANe,ITY(CNS)-Hbly lationship with the Lord present un- tween the Eucharist and mysticism in men and women throughout the ages der the appearance of bread," Arch- saints such as John ofthe Cross, Teresa have .received Christ in the Eucharist bishop Saraiva said. ofAvila and Ignatius of Loyola. " and have allowed him to permeat~ For many saints, he said, the realFor Catholics, ''the Eucharist is the their lives, said speakers at a Vatican ity of Jesus present in the Eucharist summit ofthe experience ofmystery," conference. "led them to share his way of living he said. 'The Eucharist renews and 'The attachment to and love for and loving and, therefore, to truly be increases that communion with Christ Jesus Christ present in the Eucharist" like the bread that was broken in or- begun at baptism so that Christ lives is common to many of the men and der to be distributed to those in need." in us and we live in him." women proclaimed saints by the The archbishop pointed to Blessed For some saints the experience is Catholic Church, said Archbishop Katharine Drexel, U.S. founder of a one of mysticism, a strong and proJose Saraiva Martins. religious order serving Native Ameri- found.spiritual experience of a tanThe archbishop, prefect of the cans and blacks, as one of the holy gible presence of Christ, he said. .Congregation for S<!inthood Causes, men and women who experienced the .

But, Father Castellano said, it is presided over a recent, two-day sym- Eucharist as a call to serve. . . more common for saints - and for , posiurri on the role of the Eucharist in Blessed Drexel, he said, told mem- Catholics in general- to demonstrate the lives of the saints. bers of her order that after receiving faith in Christ present in the Eucharist The presentations included the Communion they should go out to by moving "from adomtion to service, development of eucharistic spiritual- meet Jesus again in the poor. . from contemplating the presence of -ity throughout the centuries an~ exCarmelite Father Jesus Castellano the Lord in the Eucharist to recognizamples of how the Eucharist nour- .Cervera, professor of theology in ing Christ in their brothers and sisished the holiness of some of the Rome, described the connection be- ters."

Church's greatest saints.

Archbishop Saraiva and other spe,~ers also highlighted how- the Eucharist, the center of the Catholic Church's sacramental and communal life, has influenced contemporary men and women, including Mother Teresa of Calcutta.

Saints are 'men and women who have allowed Jesus to live in them and to transform them, the archbishop said.

For many of the Church's saints, he said, "the Eucharist waS the fulcrum, the center oftheir lives as Christians, and the commandment to love God and love one's neighbor were interdependent and harmoniously fused."

While some saints' devotion to the Eucharist w~ seen in the hours they spent in contemplation and adoration, "attachment to the Eucharist is not limited to a personal and intimate re-

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lliEANCHOR- DioceseofFall River- Fri., December 17, 1999 Continued from page one

Maryland, New York and Pennsylvania.

While the members ofthe religious congregation celebrated its new structure and leadership team recently in liturgy at St. Anthony's Church in.

Taunton, the process ofcreating a new province following the merger ofprovinces in Groton and Fall River- both Massachusetts - took several years, the trio said during a recent interview at The Anchor.

"We're confident that as God has brought us through the process and we have really experienced the joy of coming together; that God continues on the journey with us," said ~ister Sullivan, a native of Fall River. "Our hearts and heads are in the right place. Yes, we think the merger will work."

Sister Duerr, whose territory is very large, says she looks forward to visiting and seeing the work that the 33 sisters under her care are involved in. "They are mostly sisters who are very active in ministry, they are not retired," she added.

Sister Horvath, whose responsibility includes those retired Sisters living at The Landmark in Fall River, also has leadership of active colleagues. "My area also includes Taunton and Raynham and many areas of

Lights

Rhode Island. We also have a retirement home in Attleboro and sisters working in ministries in that area too:' With Holy Union Sisters ministering at Madonna Manor and the Catholic Memorial Home, Sister Horvath has 90 sisters to care for.

There are approximately 60 or more sisters under Sister Sullivan's' jurisdiction, including retired sisters in homes in Lowell.

Sister Horvath pointed out that the mission statement and initiatives for the Holy Union Sisters of the United States noted that: "... as women of the Church and members of an international congregation (we) are called to be 'at the heart of the world, revealing God's love." . ''This statement situates us in our culture as sisters in the United States, because we also have sisters in Ar-

gentina, Haiti, Cameroon and Tanzania in Africa and all across Europe ~d in Rome:' Sister Horvath explained. .

She noted that the merger into one province brought a new unity to sisters who for 50 years - since the late 1940s - had been separated in two provinces.

"Our coming together wasn't something that happened quickly," said Sister Horvath. ''The seed had been planted for a long time. There have been many opportunities, especially since our 100th anniver.sary in 1986, during which we have been working together and collaborating even' more fully," said Sister Horvath. The time was right. For the sake of mission, our ministry, what we were as Holy Union sisters, we felt that it was a time for us to be consolidated as one province. There

was no reason for the two provinces to fulfill their missions separately."

The consolidation came about after a high-level committee of the sisters, facilitators and area project groups looked at the areas of governance, health, communications, stewardship, policies and invitations to holy union that included vowed members and associates.

Part of the Holy Union Sisters' mission statement says: "We are women of a country enriched by its cultural diversity yet marked by the extremes of affluence and deprivation, privilege and inequality.

Strengthened by our charism of union, we are challenged in our lives to promote justice based 011 Gospel values." It goes on to spel! out the virtues needed for our timcs: simplicity, solitude, obedience and charity.

JEFFREY E. SULLIVAN

LEMIEUX

FUNERAL HOME

MISSION TEAM at the united helm of the province of the Holy Union Sisters in the United States are Sister Mary Catherine Duerr, Sister Mary Lou Sullivan and Sister Theresa Horvath.

Rose E. Sullivan William 1. Sullivan Margaret M. Sullivan

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You are cordially invited to the sixth annual

CATHEDRAL CAROL SING

Continuedfrom page one

Christmas," exhibit with Ralph somewhat chaotic according to Fa- play to life.

Also featured this year is a new Larson of Brockton and both were ther Pat, but he also said that a lot of impressed with the display. "I love people have been helping out through life-sized Holy Family which depicts the ambiance. It really renews the prayer and donations. 'The commu- Mary and a young Jesus at a spinnity has been very supportive and we ning wheel while Joseph works life in you," said Larson.

The provincial house, which used know some good will turn out of this." nearby with a hammer.

The indoor display of 156 NativFather Pat was enthusiastic about to have Christmas candles iIIuminatingits many windows, now sits dark the future of the Shrine and the cur- ity sets from 79 countries is an aweon the hill. Father Pat said despite rent Christmas season. He said a lot some sight and begins with a large the fact that many people would like of work went into this year's display, animated Christmas village. The Nato see it restored, it is probably out of themed "I Am Christmas," and the tivity sets are made from many difthe question because of the cost. He panels that Sister Gertrude Gaudette ferent materials ,and come in all said that there is a need to rebuild of Fall River has illustrated from a shapes and sizes, but all show the something to house La Salette broth- book of the same name by Nancy miracle of the Christ child. Also new ers and offices, but "the ultimate de- White Carlstrom are "absolutely is "Santa Tells the Christmas Story:' cision is still in the hands of the pro- beautifuL" Her work is featured. at 5:30 p.m. on Saturdays and Sunaround the Rosary Walk and Father days. It gives children a chance to vincial administration."

Father Pat said he thought it was Pat said the theme "makes it clear that participate in a live Nativity scene..

The Shrine's display is the bigironic that the new church is being Jesus is the reason for the season."

Sister Gaudette works with Albert gest religious lights display in the built at the feet of the building destroyed by the fire. "It's a sign of Lapierre of North Attleboro in the region and has touched the lives of hope," he said adding that the Shrine creation and painting ofdisplays and . many pilgrims since it began in 1953. is concentrating on getting it com- both have been doing so for more Lights are illuminated at 5 p.m. daily than 20 years. Father Pat was grateful and will continue until Jan. 2. For pleted for next fall.

The Shrine had to relocate some for their dedication and the hard work more information or a Mass schedpeople because ofthe fire and it's been ofall those who bring the annual dis- ule call 222-5410.

Community singing of old favorite carols

Sunday, December 26,1999 at three o'clock St. Mary's Cathedral Spring Street, Fall River Everyone is welcome. No admission charge.

Donations gratefully accepted.

The Directors, Officers and Staff of Lafayette Federal Savings Bank appreciate your continued patronage, and extend to you and your family a joyous holiday season.

LAFAYETTE FEDERAL SA VINGS BANK THE STORY, "I Am Christmas;' by Nancy White Calstrom provides the backdrop to the Christmas celebration at La Salette Shrine this year. The illustrated panels, painted by Dominican Sister Gertrude Gaudette of Fall River, surround the Rosary Walk, and tell the story of Mary and Joseph's journey to Bethlehem and the Savior's birth. (AnchodGordon photo)

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lHEANCHORDiocese ofFall. River-Fri., December 17, 1999 ..'

Catholic Schools •

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JUNIORS SHOW (top photo) off their new class rings following the Junior Ring Mass Ceremony at Bishop Connolly High School, Fall River. From left are Carrie Novo, Kellie.Martins, Liam Duffy, Stephen Hug and Manny Lindo. (Bottom photo) The Thomas Keyes Memorial Scholarship Award was recently awarded to Kim Cordeiro, DerekViveiros and Rebecca Brooder. by former Athletic Director Mary Jane Keyes. The award remembers Tommy Keyes, Class of 1984, killed in an automo- . bile accident.

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STATE SENATOR Marc R. Pacheco recently met with students from Coyle and Cassidy High SchOOl, Taunton. Students toured the state house and had an opportunity to ask questions and see the senator's office. Students were accompanied by teac~er David Casavant, right, and Athletic Director William Tranter, left.. (Leonard photo)

PRINCIPAL·MARY Ann Miskel.congralulates seniors Rachel Aguiar .and Jeffrey Oliveira of Bishop Stang High School,. North Dartmouth, who were nominated for the National Honor Society Scholarship Program and are candidates for one of 250 national scholarships of $1,000.

FACULTY AND staff of Our Lady of Mount Carmel School, NewBedford, recently painted a nativity set that was donated to the parish for its holiday fair. From left are 'Sonia K1akus, Janice Brightman, Dolo~e~ V?sconcellos and Isabel Dean.

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BEN LAPLANTE, a 1999 graduate of Saint Francis Xavier School, Acushnet, recently received the Saint Jude Thadeus Scholarship. It was created in memory of Thadeus Myslivy, who perished in a 1990 fire at his home in Fall River. It was presented to Laplante by Myslivy's daughter Janet Michaud. Laplante is a freshman at Bishop Stang High School, North Dartmouth.

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The courage to try

By CHRSTOPHER CARSTENS CAlliOLIC NEWS SERVICE

1\vo stories on the front page of my newspaper didn't seem relatedbut I think they were.

The major headline read, "Mars probe vanishes near planet." The $165 million dollar spacecraft apparently , landed on the distant planet - and did nothing. The world's most nervous scientists and engineers electronically begged the balky probe to tum on the cell phone.

Way down the page was a far dif-' ferent headline, "Rower first American to solo across Atlantic." Tori Murden, a 36-year-old lawyer from Kentucky, successfully rowed her boat across the entire ocean. En route, she paddled right through the 20-foot waves of Hurricane Lenny.

As the Mars vehicle crumpled, Murden climbed ashore in triumph.

On the surface, it looks like one story about a winner, and another about a big bunchoflosers. But that's just on the surface.

There's a basic rule about human endeavor. If you try difficult things, you may fail. If you attempt great achievement, your chance of failure is also great.

Murden tried crossing the ocean before. The last time she got caught in a stronger hurricane, her boat turned over II times and if a merchant ship

hadn't plucked her out of the water, she would have drowned in the middle of the Atlantic. She survived, figured out What went wrong, and then

. -~:ll Coming of

flge FOR YOUTH â&#x20AC;˘ "BOUT YOUTH

tried again. This time, she succeeded.

If this Mars probe never 'sends a blip of data, I hope that the scientists and engineers of NASA also learn fr9m their mistakes and try again.

My friend, Joe Carroll, is a space scientist. Carroll makes unbelievably complex devices that travel into space on the shuttle. He is at the leading edge of his field.

Government-fl\nded teams in the United States, Italy, England and Russia are all working on similar devices.

Carroll's devices work more often than anybody else's. Scientists from allover the world come to study the work he does in his little shop. Even so, sometimes the gizmos Carroll builds work - and some~mes they don't.

That's the way it happens when you're way out in front.

Failure isn't the worst thing that

can happen. Far worse is sitting back and not trying beca~ you're afraid to fail. We waste our talents, our opportunities - and ultimately our lives because we're scared.

If you're working at afast-food restaurant, and there's an opening for assistant manager, why not apply? You might not get promoted, but maybe you will. If you don't try, you can't possibly succeed. , If there's a tougher math class that might help you get into college, consider enrolling. Maybe you'll have to drop back to the easier class, but you can't get the honors grade if you don't try the honors course.

Apply for at least one college that seems way too exclusive to accept you. Somebody gets into Williams, the University of Texas and Notre Dame. If you don't apply, it can't be you.

You may feel called to the priesthood or religious orders, but wonder about having what it takes. Try one of the retreats offered for those considering such decisions. You may find doors open which you hadn't even imagined. You won't know if 'you, ,don't go and find out.

If you would do great things, you'll risk failing. Fear stops us even before we begin the journey. The first step toward success begins with the courage to try.

Our Rock and Role A millennial challenge for the planet's teens

THEANCHOR- DioceseofFall River- Fri., December 17, 1999

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OUR LADY OF THE ASSUMPTiOn CHURCH "EW

47 So. SIXTH ST. BEDFOItD. Mfi. 02740

Boas Festas e Feliz Ano rtovo Merry Christmas & . Happy rtew year Calendar for Christmas Christmas Eve - 7 p.m.

Children's Mass Christmas Vigil at. Midnight Christmas Morning - 9 a.m.

English Christmas Morning - 10:30 a.m.

Portuguese/Crioulo

By CHARLIE MARTIN â&#x20AC;˘ CATHO~IC NEWS SERVICE

o holy night, the stars are

brightly shining It is the night of the dear savior's birth Long lay the world in sin and error pining Till he appeared, and the soul felt its worth A thrill of hope the weary world rejoices For yonder breaks a new and glorious morn Fall on your knees, o hear the angel voices o night divine, 0 night when , Christ was born

0, Holy Night o night divine o night o night divine

Before the lowly bend Behold your king Your king Before him bend Led by the light of faith serenely Fall on your knees, 0 hear the beaming With glowing hearts by his cradle angel voices we stand o night divine So, led by light of a star sweetly o night when Christ was born . gleaming o night divine Here came the wise men from 'Onight Orient land o night divine The king of kings lay this In lowly Written by Adolphe Adam manger (1803-1856) He knows our need, to our Sung by Jewel weakness no stranger Copyright (c) 1999 by Atlantic Behold your king Recording Corp.

"JOY: A HOLIDAY COLLECTION" presents traditional carols in Jewel's distinctive style, plus some surprises, including a reworked Christmas version of what I think is Jewel's best song, "Hands."

My seasonal favorite is "0 Holy Night." Indeed, what a night that first Christmas was !This Christmas tile word "millennium" is constantly before us. Two millennia have passed since that "holy night." That night "the weary world" felt "a thrill of hope." A "new and glorious morn" was breaking for the human family.

The jubilee year begins this Christmas Eve and will end with Epiphany, Jan. 6, 2001, the beginning ofthe new millennium. A new 1,000 years of history awaits the influence of Jesus' birth. Each day of history in not the same.

There are special occasions when the course of what the future will become is determined. This Christmas is one of those occasions.

Look at our world. Six billion ofus live on the planet.

Perhaps one billion of these Earth inhabitants are teens.

Teen hopes and experiences have much in common all over the world, but many ofour teens do not feel a "thrill of hope" this season.

Some live in Africa where HIV ravages many teens' lives. Some live in Kosovo or Baghdad; their neighborhoods are bombed and damaged. Some live in Sierra Leone or Indonesia orAfghanistan in fear of being jailed or physi-

cally harmed. Some live in the United States and daily confront the tyranny of gang rule.

This brings me to two convictions about why Christmas this year is so important. First, life on this planet may not survive for another millennium unless quickly, in our lifetime, change occurs. Second, you can make the difference! .

One of Jesus' primary messages goes something like this: "Hey people, the way you are living is not working.

Look at all tile pain in human life. Change the way you think. There is only one family on this'planet, and each person in your family bears the infinite value of being created by my Father. Follow new thinking with changed behavior. My message of peace and healing will be lost in the ashes of human suffering unless you decide to make these changes!"

This Christmas, make a renewed commitment to be a disciple of the Prince of Peace. Determine specific ways that this commitment will affect how you think and act, how you treat the people at home, friends at school and the billion other teens you share the planet with.

Is this Christmas, 1999, a holy night? The answer is up to you.

Your comments are always welcome. Please address: Charlie Martin, 7125 W 200,8, Rockport, Ind. 47635.

Wishing the peace andJoys of the Christmas Season to Everyone

Our La<ly of Victory Staff Centerville, MA Deacons: James M. Barrett and Joseph P. Stanley

Parochial Vicars: Rev. Marek Chmurski and Rev. Richard D. Wilson Rev. Msgr. Henry T. Munroe, Pastor

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OUR LADY OF MOUNT CARMEL.PARISH FAMILY 230 ,Bonney Street, N,ew Bedford, Massachu~etts '02744 Tel. # 508-993-4704 • FAX '508-,991-5536 Home 'Page www.ultranet.com-@olmckey&olmc.htin THE VER~ REvEREND HENRYS. ARRUDA, ~F., ,PASTOR ParbchialVicars: Rev. Michael'M. Camara, Re,,- Marek S. Tuptynski In Residence:Re\r. Msgr. Antonino'C. Tavares .. Deacons: ~. PauIJ.Macedo, Mr. AbilioA. ,Pires

l1ave a I3lessed Christmas and a Qrace-filled ~ew "ear! ' ,feliz ~atal e 4nv- ~()Vv ~eplec~C) de tvda a Qrac;a e bern!

I _CHRISTMIS '99 ·MISSES: a)

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December 24th (Vigil): 5:00 ,pm (English); 11:30 pm - Concert: Organ, Choir, Cantor, followed by Solemn MID-NIGHT MASS*MISS~ ,do GALO (Bilingual), Celebrated by 'Bishop SeanP. 'O'Malley, Bishop of Fall River.

Christmas Day: 8:30 am (Bilingual); 10:00 am (portuguese); 11:30 am (English); 5:00 pm (English).

II ' IEW'YE'IR'SMISSES: a)

b)

'.December 31st (Vigil): 5:00 pm (English) followed 'by Solemn "TE DEUM;' a 'hymn ,of Thanksgiving to God for all the graces"of 1999 and the Millennium, and for the blessings of the New. Year and the New Millennium!'

New Year's Day: 8:30 am (Bilingual); lQ:OOam (Portuguese); 11:30 am (English) and 5:00pm (English).

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