12.18.09

Diocese of Fall River

The Anchor

F riday , December 18, 2009

The Christ Child beckons: ‘You can go home again’

By Dave Jolivet, Editor

FALL RIVER — Perhaps it’s the warm aura radiating from crèches in churches across the globe at this time of year. Even the most hardened of hearts can be touched by the image of the Baby Jesus, the Blessed Mother and St. Joseph in the tender moments following the birth of the savior.

Contrary to what the media machine feeds folks, Christmas is a time for coming home again to family and friends. That includes coming home to the Church for some who have been away for many years, for many reasons.

“We try to encourage parishioners to invite a family member or friend to come with them to Christmas Mass,” Father Jay T. Maddock, pastor of Holy Family Parish in East Taunton, told The Anchor. “We try to help them in with any specific questions or problems they have had with regards to being away from Church.

“At Christmas, we always welcome our visitors and encourage parishioners who don’t join us regularly for Mass to know they are welcome and wanted. It obviously

Fourth Sunday of Advent

must be done on a personal level and that’s why people who live their faith by regular participation at Mass can have the most influence on family and friends who have been away from the Church.”

Father Marcel H. Bouchard, pastor of Corpus Christi Parish in East Sandwich, said in his 37 years as a priest he has seen a number of people come back to the Church during this blessed time of year. “Some do come back and stay,” he said. “I’ve seen people who have returned because of an Advent homily that touched them, and led them back to the flock.”

Father Bouchard told The Anchor that his parish is utilizing the Internet this year to encourage people to “Come back to Corpus Christi Parish, come back home for Christmas. We are asking parishioners via email to bring a family member or friend who has been away from the Church to Christmas Mass. It’s one of the nicest Christmas presents you can give.”

Father Thomas E. Costa Jr., a parochial vicar at Our Lady of Mt. Carmel Parish in Seekonk, has Turn to page 13

December 20

THE GIFT OF GIVING — The Coyle and Cassidy community recently gathered at St. Mary’s Church to celebrate the Christmas season of giving with the students and faculty of St. Mary’s Primary School, all in Taunton. The event was presented in preparation for the annual National Honor Society and Leadership Assembly’s Toy Gift Shoppe. Here members of Coyle’s National Honor Society sort gifts donated by staff, students, parents, alumni and local merchants.

Christmas’ Midnight Mass continues a strong tradition

By Deacon James N. Dunbar

NORTH EASTON — The fact that some unfamiliar faces and some long-unseen parishioners are often among those in attendance “shows how deep and long-standing the tradition is of attending the Christmas Mass at midnight,” said Father James W. Fahey, pastor of Immaculate Conception Parish here.

“Of course I’m not reporting about Immaculate Conception Parish, because I’ve only been here six months. But in other parishes I’ve

attended or served in, the midnight Mass on Christmas has always been a special time for Catholics,” he added.

He recalled that once upon a time if the family took a child to Midnight Mass, “it meant they thought you were mature enough to handle it — that is, to stay awake,” he said, laughing.

“That was in the days before we had vigil Masses, and the Midnight Mass was considered the big Mass on Christmas and every family felt it was the way they should start

Christmas,” he said.

Although he’s heard over the years of some reports of misbehavior by party-goers who then attended Midnight Masses, “I’ve never witnessed it.”

He fondly remembers that one of the first Masses at which he served when he was seminarian was Christmas Mass at midnight. And when he was assigned to St. Theresa of the Child Jesus in Attleboro, “then-Bishop O’Malley wanted me to be there for the midnight Mass Turn to page 15

Shrine’s Christmas lights can become beacons guiding people back to the faith Kenneth J. Souza Anchor Staff

ATTLEBORO — Lapsed Catholics or those who have drifted away from their faith for various reasons are often inspired to come back to the Church during the festive seasons of Advent and Christmas.

Perhaps it’s the promise of new beginnings — the coming of the Messiah and the commencement of new years, both liturgical and calendar — that inspire people to return to the fold.

While the big draw at La Salette Shrine in Attleboro this time of year is the brilliant display of lights, shrine director Father Andre A. “Pat” Patenaude thinks these tiny beacons might also, in some small way, be guiding people back to the faith.

“It’s sometimes hard to tell if people are coming back to the faith,” Father Pat said. “We can judge perhaps through the number of confessions we are hearing during Advent at the shrine. Since Thanksgiving we’ve heard close to 1,000 confessions. That’s a pretty good number.”

Father Pat said he’s also noticed a larger amount of young families coming to the shrine this year as a group and often coming to confession together as well.

“Once they know the sacrament of reconciliation is available to them everyday — from 2 to 8 p.m. — many people avail themselves of it,” he said.

Of the thousands who annually flock to La Salette between Thanksgiving and New Years, Father Pat said many aren’t Catholic or even Christian, so it’s difficult to determine who has come for spiritual or religious reasons.

“I’ve had a couple of people tell me that they’ve been away from the Church for a while, or they’ve drifted away from the faith,” Father Pat said. “For a lot of people, they’ve been away for a year, or maybe two. But I had one person that had been away for 30 years. I can’t help but believe they’ve somehow been inspired by the Holy Spirit to come here or through the prayers of family members to bring them back.”

Turn to page 12

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December 18, 2009 News From the Vatican Vatican cardinal promotes prayer during Year for Priests B y Father Matthew Gamber C atholic News Service

A VATICAN FIRST — Vietnam’s President Nguyen Minh Triet and Pope Benedict XVI exchange gifts during their meeting in the pope’s private library at the Vatican December 11. (CNS photo/Alessia Giuliani, Catholic Press Photo)

VATICAN CITY — Without a daily diet of personal prayer, Catholic priests risk falling spiritually ill and endangering the well-being of the communities they serve, a top Vatican official said.

“Truly, without the vital food of prayer the priest becomes sick, the disciple does not find the strength to follow the master, and thus dies of hunger.

As a consequence his flock is scattered, and dies in its own turn,” said Brazilian Cardinal Claudio Hummes, head of the Congregation for Clergy.

His comments came in the latest in a series of periodic letters published by his congregation to mark the Vaticansponsored Year for Priests, which began in June 2009 and concludes in June 2010.

Cardinal Hummes encouraged priests to see themselves as shepherds who must always be strong to protect their flock.

He began by quoting fourth-century theologian St. John Chrysostom, who wrote, “The devil attacks the shepherd.

In fact, if by killing the sheep the flock is reduced, by instead eliminating the

shepherd he will destroy the entire flock.”

Cardinal Hummes offered for priests the model of Moses, who was “found with his arms raised to heaven in prayer so that the people will not perish.”

When a priest truly prays, the cardinal said, his daily ministry will be filled with joy and happiness and he will not risk dying of spiritual hunger.

“The Spirit will rekindle the fire in his heart. He will rekindle the passion and enchantment of the Lord, who is ever present,” he said.

Cardinal Hummes also encouraged Catholics to pray for their priests who he said “need to be strengthened by the prayer of the Church and of every Christian.” He noted that the Congregation for the Clergy sponsors a holy hour for priests at the Basilica of St. Mary Major in Rome on the first Thursday of every month.

At the December holy hour, the basilica was filled with hundreds of seminarians and priests as well as an equal number of religious and laypeople. The Family of Mary, one of the Church’s new movements based in Austria, sang and led the prayers and mysteries of the rosary.

The International Church

December 18, 2009

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Vatican says pope outraged by sex abuse in Ireland

velop effective and secure strategies to prevent any recurrence.”

Father Lombardi declined to VATICAN CITY — Pope discuss the possible resignation Benedict XVI shares “the outrage, of any Irish bishop. He said the betrayal and shame” felt by Irish Vatican has a specific process for Catholics over cases of clerical handling bishops’ resignations sexual abuse and the way abuse and that it was not part of the Declaims were handled by Church cember 11 meeting. leaders, and he plans to write a Irish news agencies had been special pastoral letter to the Cathreporting that Bishop Donal Murolics of Ireland, the Vatican said. ray of Limerick, a former auxilThe letter “will clearly indicate iary bishop of Dublin and the only the initiatives that are to be taken still-active bishop listed in the in response to the situation,” said Murphy Report, had traveled to a statement issued by the Vatican Rome earlier in the week to meet December 11. The statement was with Vatican officials. released after the pope he Holy Father shares the The press reports said and top Vatican officials Bishop Murray was exspent 90 minutes meeting outrage, betrayal and shame pected to resign in the with Cardinal Sean Brady felt by so many of the faithful in Irewake of the report’s critiof Armagh, Northern Ireland, and he is united with them in cism of his “inexcusable” land, president of the Irish bishops’ conference, and prayer at this difficult time in the life handling of an investigation of a pedophile priest.

Archbishop Diarmuid of the Church,” it said.

Father Lombardi said Martin of Dublin. the top five officials of Jesuit Father Federico the Vatican Secretariat of State Lombardi, the Vatican spokes- by so many of the faithful in Ireparticipated in the meeting: Carman, said Pope Benedict approved land, and he is united with them in dinal Tarcisio Bertone, secretary the statement, which “obviously prayer at this difficult time in the of state; Archbishop Dominique reflects his style and tone” in dis- life of the Church,” it said.

The Vatican “takes very seri- Mamberti, secretary for relations cussing revelations about clerical ously the central issues” raised with states; Archbishop Fernando sex abuse.

The spokesman said he was by the so-called Murphy Report, Filoni, who is in charge of the not sure when the letter would including the report’s “questions general affairs section; Msgr. Etbe ready, but he expected it fairly concerning the governance of lo- tore Balestrero, undersecretary soon since the pope wanted to re- cal church leaders with ultimate for relations with states; and U.S. spond to the sense of outrage and responsibility for the pastoral care Msgr. Peter B. Wells, assessor for general affairs. hurt that Irish Catholics currently of children,” the statement said.

The Vatican nuncio to Ireland, Father Lombardi said Pope are experiencing.

Archbishop Giuseppe Leanza, Pope Benedict, the statement Benedict “does not want this swept was part of the meeting as were said, “was deeply disturbed and under the carpet,” but wants the the heads of four Vatican congredistressed” by the contents of a church to deal with the problem gations: Cardinal William J. Lereport by an independent Com- and, in the letter he will write, will vada, prefect of the Congregation mission of Investigation, headed indicate ways that could be done. for the Doctrine of the Faith; CarThe Jesuit said the pope’s letby Judge Yvonne Murphy, which dinal Giovanni Battista Re, prelooked at the handling of some ter would not be “just a letter of fect of the Congregation for Bish325 abuse claims in the Archdio- consolation or regret,” but would ops; Cardinal Claudio Hummes, cese of Dublin in the years 1975- try to help the Church in Ireland move forward while ensuring prefect of the Congregation for 2004.

The report concluded that dur- that such a betrayal of its mission Clergy; and Cardinal Franc Rode, prefect of the Congregation for ing those years, rather than be- would never occur again.

The statement said Pope Bene- Institutes of Consecrated Life and ing concerned about the victims, Catholic leaders were more in- dict “assures all concerned that Societies of Apostolic Life. terested in “the maintenance of the Church will continue to follow secrecy, the avoidance of scandal, this grave matter with the closest the protection of the reputation of attention in order to understand the church and the preservation of better how these shameful events came to pass and how best to deits assets.”

Cindy Wooden Catholic News Service

Describing acts of clerical sexual abuse as “heinous crimes,” the statement said Pope Benedict asked Catholics to join him in praying for the victims.

The pope wanted “once more to express his profound regret at the actions of some members of the clergy who have betrayed their solemn promises to God, as well as the trust placed in them by the victims and their families, and by society at large,” the statement said.

“The Holy Father shares the outrage, betrayal and shame felt

“T

The Anchor

OFFICIAL NEWSPAPER OF THE DIOCESE OF FALL RIVER Vol. 53, No. 48

PUBLISHER - Most Reverend George W. Coleman EXECUTIVE EDITOR Father Roger J. Landry fatherrogerlandry@anchornews.org EDITOR David B. Jolivet davejolivet@anchornews.org NEWS EDITOR Deacon James N. Dunbar jimdunbar@anchornews.org OFFICE MANAGER Mary Chase m arychase@anchornews.org ADVERTISING Wayne R. Powers waynepowers@anchornews.org REPORTER Kenneth J. Souza k ensouza@anchornews.org Send Letters to the Editor to: fatherrogerlandry@anchornews.org

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SUN. DEC. 20 - Mark your calendar to celebrate FR. BILL’S MASS at 1:30PM 50TH ANNIVERSARY of his Ordination with My Father’s House staff and friends. What a special way to start your Christmas week. Mass followed by refreshments. Further details will be available on the website in the future.

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IRELAND PILGRIMAGE with Spiritual Director Fr. Bill McCarthy, MSA & team including RIA Music Ministry. Visit: Dublin’s cathedrals, Armagh, Derry, Galway, Knock, Fr. Peyton’s Home, Bunratty Castle, Donegal, Sligo, Ballina & much more. For info, visit our website or call Joe Fallan at CIE Tours (800) 223-6508. Registration deadline: Feb. 1

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MOTHERLY TRADITION — An image of the Virgin of Caacupe is carried past thousands of pilgrims into the cathedral in Caacupe, Paraguay. Thousands of Catholics from all over Paraguay and bordering countries visited the cathedral December 7-9 to honor Mary and pray for her intercession. (CNS photo/Jorge Adorno, Reuters)

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* EVERY 1ST SUNDAY Catholic 12-STEP Healing Program with Fr. Bill (after the 1:30 Mass) & his team. Each Meeting will include teaching, 3:00-4:30 PM sharing & prayers for Healing; open to everyone (not just AA).

WEEKLY HOLY SPIRIT BREAKFAST with Mass * EVERY THURSDAY at 11:30 and continuing the study of St. Paul with the 10:00 AM - 2 PM encyclicals of Pope Benedict XVI includes lunch. * EVERY 1ST MONTHLY DISCIPLESHIP/PATRICIAN THURSDAY Meeting - MEN & WOMEN. Why not join us this 7:00-9:00 PM month?

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Call us to have your family reunion here. Lodging & meals available.

The Church in the U.S.

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December 18, 2009

Catholic influence seen in House health bill, but what about Senate?

WASHINGTON (CNS) — Although the ultimate fate of health reform legislation in the U.S. Congress remained up in the air as the end of 2009 neared, one thing is certain: With their unequivocal call to keep the legislation abortion-neutral, the U.S. bishops had a strong influence on the debate.

The role of the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops in the debate over health care reform drew criticism and praise, depending primarily on where the commentators stood of the abortion issue.

Rep. Bart Stupak, D-Mich., a Catholic who was the main sponsor of an amendment keeping the status quo on abortion funding in House health reform legislation, said the calls and letters to members of Congress from Catholic leaders and Pro-Life organizations were very helpful in persuading 64 Democrats to support his amendment.

But Rep. Patrick Kennedy, a Catholic Democrat from Rhode Island who supports keeping abortion legal, sharply criticized the bishops for their stance, saying they were fanning “the flames of dissent and discord” by insisting that health reform not expand abortion funding beyond the current, extremely limited circumstances.

“I can’t understand for the life of me how the Catholic Church could be against the biggest social justice issue of our time, where the very dignity of the human person is being respected by the fact that we’re caring and giving health care” to the millions of people who are currently uninsured, Kennedy said in an interview with Cybercast News Service.

Bishop Thomas J. Tobin of Providence, R.I., called Kennedy’s comments “irresponsible and ignorant of the facts” and although the two planned a meeting, it had not happened.

There was widespread agreement with the often-repeated calls by the USCCB, Catholic Health Association, Catholic Charities USA and other Catholic groups for action this year to help the nation’s estimated 46.3 million uninsured.

In messages to the House, Senate and White House in May, the bishops called health care “a basic human right and a requirement to protect the life and dignity of every person.”

“All people need and should have access to comprehensive, quality health care that they can afford, and this should not depend on their stage of life, where or whether they or their parents work, how much they earn, or where they live or where they come from,” said a letter signed by Bishop William F. Murphy of Rockville Centre, N.Y., chair-

man of the USCCB Committee on Domestic Justice and Human Development.

From May to December, the myriad health reform proposals narrowed down to the Affordable Health Care for America Act, which passed in the House of Representatives November 7 by a vote of 220-215, and the Senate’s Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act, which was expected to come up for a vote before the end of the year.

Throughout the year, Catholic leaders repeatedly insisted that the bills must exclude abortion funding and urged changes in the bills’ provisions on immigrants and affordability for low-income Americans.

“Failure to exclude abortion funding will turn allies into adversaries and require us and others to oppose this bill because it abandons both principle and precedent,” said Cardinal Francis E. George of Chicago, USCCB president, after the Senate voted December 8 to table an abortion-funding amendment similar to the one passed in the House a month earlier.

Although the economic downturn made finding affordable health care even more difficult for many Americans, there were signs of hope for the nation’s children.

A study released December 8 by the Kaiser Commission on Medicaid and the Uninsured found that “most states in 2009 continued to expand and simplify their Medicaid and CHIP (Children’s Health Insurance Program) programs ... even as they faced the bleakest economic picture in years and severe budget pressures.”

Twenty-six states improved their coverage of children, their parents and/or pregnant women by expanding eligibility, simplifying enrollment procedures or eliminating premiums, the study found.

Diane Rowland, executive director of the Kaiser commission, warned however that even with signs of an economic recovery, “fiscal shortfalls are likely to cause states to consider significant cuts to Medicaid and CHIP,” especially when economic stimulus funds to certain state programs end after 2010.

But a reformed health care system, the picture in 2011 could be quite different.

Writing in early December in Catholic Health World, Sister Carol Keehan, a Daughter of Charity who is CHA president and CEO, said “the really hard part” of the reform process had arrived.

“This is a historic opportunity for our country, both for those with and those without insurance,” she said. “We must stay in the effort. It will take energy, commitment and good will on the part of everyone involved.

Let us redouble our efforts and prayers for good health care reform now.”

DEPOSIT DEADLINE JANUARY 15, 2010! For further information, please call Eliesa at CARMEL TOURS 978-977-3062 ~ Email: carmeltour@aol.com

Execution wrong no matter the method, says Ohio Catholic official

COLUMBUS, Ohio (CNS) — When Ohio inmate Kenneth Biros was executed December 8 with a one-drug lethal injection — the first person in the U.S. to be executed in this manner — the Ohio Catholic Conference did not specifically address the execution but instead reiterated the church’s opposition to all means of capital punishment.

“The death penalty is wrong no matter what you use” to carry it out, Carolyn Jurkowitz, executive director of the Ohio Catholic Conference, told Catholic News Service.

The U.S. Supreme Court rejected Biros’ final appeals the day of his execution. The 51-year-old inmate was executed by one lethal injection, instead of the three-drug cocktail used in all other states, because Ohio adopted this execution method after a failed attempt to execute Romell Broom in mid-September.

Prison authorities spent more than two hours trying to find a usable vein in Broom, 53, convicted of the 1984 abduction, rape and murder of a 14-year-old girl.

Death penalty opponents have argued that while they object to capital punishment taking place at all, at least the single drug is more humane than the three-drug cocktail, which involves a short-acting barbiturate that makes the inmate unconscious, followed by a paralytic and then a chemical to stop the heart.

Ohio Gov. Ted Strickland stopped Broom’s botched execution and issued a one-week reprieve that has been extended.

A federal judge was to begin hearing arguments December 9 concerning the state’s constitutional grounds to carry out a second execution attempt on Broom. His attorneys have called what happened to him “inhuman and barbarous.”

Biros was convicted of sexually as-

saulting and killing Tami Engstrom, 22, in Ohio in 1991.

He was the fourth person to be executed in Ohio this year and the 33rd in the state to die since Ohio resumed capital punishment in 1999. With each execution that takes place in the state, the Ohio Catholic Conference, through one of its bishops, submits a letter to the governor asking for clemency. The Catholic conference is the public policy arm of the state’s bishops.

Archbishop Daniel E. Pilarczyk of Cincinnati sent a letter to the Ohio governor November 18 asking him to “stop this lethal form of punishment,” referring to the one-drug method.

“Ohio has spent the past several months figuring out how to kill another person more efficiently,” he wrote, noting that the state “will lead the country in experimenting with the new one-drug method of lethal injection.”

“What a shameful legacy for our state: pursuing the slippery slope of ‘humane’ death,” he added.

Archbishop Pilarczyk noted that the state’s bishops have consistently advocated for an end to the death penalty, saying they believe this form of punishment is unnecessary and systemically flawed.

He expressed his condolences and pledged his prayers to the family and friends of Engstrom and victims of “all violent and senseless crimes” as well as prayers for Biros and his family and friends.

News reports of Biros’ execution said the inmate received Communion prior to his execution and described himself as being “paroled to my Father in heaven.”

“I’m sorry from the bottom of my heart,” he said after thanking his family and friends for their support.

PRAYERS OF REMEMBRANCE — Archbishop Timothy M. Dolan of New York prays near the tomb of Archbishop Fulton J. Sheen in the crypt of St. Patrick’s Cathedral in New York after celebrating a memorial Mass for the archbishop December 9. The Mass marked the 30th anniversary of the death of Archbishop Sheen, the famed television and radio evangelizer. (CNS photo/Gregory A. Shemitz)

Archbishop Dolan says Archbishop Sheen knew Jesus was ‘way to heaven’

NEW YORK (CNS) — The purpose of Archbishop Fulton J. Sheen’s philosophy and theology, radio and TV programs, books, articles, retreats and conferences was “to help us discover the purpose of life — eternal union with God,” said Archbishop Timothy M. Dolan of New York.

“His pivotal insight, central to revelation, was that Jesus Christ was the way to heaven, the truth about how to get there, the life we hope to share for all eternity,” he said a homily December 9 at St. Patrick’s Cathedral.

The archbishop was the principal celebrant of a Mass at the cathedral to commemorate the 30th anniversary of the death of Archbishop Sheen.

Masses were celebrated in all 50 states and in 35 countries — including Pakistan, Fiji and the Czech Republic — to mark the anniversary and to promote the late archbishop’s cause for canonization, formally opened by the Vatican in 2003.

In New York, Archbishop Dolan was joined by cardinals, bishops and priests from around the U.S. and abroad, including Bishop Daniel R. Jenky of Peoria, Ill., Archbishop Sheen’s home diocese; Msgr. Stanley Deptula, executive director of the Archbishop Fulton John Sheen Foundation, based in Peoria; and Msgr. John E. Kozar, national director of the pontifical missionary societies in the United States.

The body of the late archbishop, who was an auxiliary bishop of New York from 1951-65, is interred in the crypt of St. Patrick’s Cathedral. The crypt was open to the public immediately before and after the Mass.

In his homily Archbishop Dolan said it was a blessing to

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The Anchor

December 18, 2009

have in the congregation “so many of his family, friends, admirers and those we may call ‘clients,’ who look to him still with love and gratitude, eager for the wisdom he so effectively imparted, always in the name of Christ Jesus, whom St. Paul reminds us today, is the very “wisdom of God.” The packed cathedral included members of the Sheen family.

Archbishop Sheen “wanted to get to heaven ... wanted to bring all of us with him ... wanted to be a saint ... wanted us to be saints, too,” Archbishop Dolan said.

“With his voice Fulton J. Sheen gave us the story of Jesus, the ‘greatest story ever told,’ the way the stained-glass windows of the medieval cathedrals, or the brush strokes of a Raphael, a Fra Angelico, a Giotto once did,” he said.

“For him, this Jesus was alive, still active, still powerful, still teaching, still healing, still leading us to heaven, because, you see, the incarnation was still going on: The word was still taking flesh; God was still becoming man,” Archbishop Dolan said.

In Rochester, where then-

Bishop Sheen was head of the diocese from 1966 to 1969, Father John Mulligan, celebrated a midday Mass in his memory at Sacred Heart Cathedral.

Father Mulligan, a senior pastor for the cathedral community and one of diocese’s two vicars general, was a young priest during the bishop’s tenure.

“He was a very dynamic individual who was full of ideas and enthusiasm,” the priest said. “I think it was contagious.”

Upon his retirement as bishop of Rochester in 1969, the late prelate received the title of archbishop.

“I’ve always felt that he brought with him a real commitment to live out the Second Vatican Council,” Father Mulligan said after the Mass in an interview with the Catholic Courier, Rochester’s diocesan newspaper.

Several items in the cathedral pay homage to Archbishop Sheen. One is the baldacchino, or canopy, now located over the cathedral’s tabernacle. In his day, it was over the cathedra, or bishop’s chair.

Other items are the pulpit he used, which is still in use today, and his crest, which is displayed along with the crests of all of Rochester’s bishops.

It’s important to remember “that his spirit lives on and that he continues to inspire us,” said Father Mulligan.

Born in El Paso, Ill., in the Diocese of Peoria, John Fulton Sheen was ordained a priest of

that diocese in 1919.

He eventually left his central Illinois roots and became known nationwide as the host of pioneering radio and television programs, including “The Catholic Hour” and “Life Is Worth Living.” The latter was a television series that aired from 1951 to 1957 and attracted an estimated 30 million weekly viewers.

In addition to serving as a New York auxiliary and Rochester’s bishop, Archbishop Sheen also taught philosophy at The Catholic University of America in Washington, 1926-50, and was national director of the Society for the Propagation of the Faith, 1950-66.

In February 2008 the Peoria Diocese marked the end of five years of preliminary research into Archbishop Sheen’s life and virtues.

Msgr. Deptula told the Catholic Courier that the collected information has been sent to the Vatican’s Congregation for Saints’ Causes. This information is being summarized, work that could be completed within six to eight months, he said.

The summaries would then be used by theologians, cardinals and bishops to determine whether Archbishop Sheen’s cause for sainthood should advance.

More information about Archbishop Sheen’s sainthood cause is available on the Sheen foundation’s website, www.archbishopsheencause.org/foundation.html.

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The Anchor A noble Nobel address

Even though President Barack Obama admitted that his accomplishments up until now have been “slight” and that he couldn’t argue with those who would have found others “far more deserving” of the Nobel Peace Prize than he was, his acceptance speech in Oslo on December 9 was certainly deserving of accolades.

With the world watching and listening, he sketched out that the path of peace is not something that can be achieved solely by aspiration and dialogue, international debating bodies and appeals to a common humanity. Because of the presence of evil in the world — a point that President Obama stressed repeatedly and particularized with references to Hitler and the Third Reich, Al-Qaeda and the Taliban, Mao and the Cultural Revolution, and the former communists in Poland and the Soviet Union — more is required of leaders to defend their people and, occasionally, to prevent the trampling of others.

If the same speech had been given by Presidents George W. Bush, Ronald Reagan, John Kennedy or Harry Truman — and, in many respects, it could have been — it probably would not have been so noteworthy. That, however, it was coming from President Obama in acceptance of the Nobel Peace Prize given to him fundamentally because of hope and hype for a much more pacifistic form of American engagement in the world than had existed prior to his inauguration, made his words stand out all the more.

There are five reasons Catholic Americans should appreciate his discourse.

First, it confronted squarely the “hard truth” of the problem of evil in the world. “Make no mistake: Evil does exist in the world. A non-violent movement could not have halted Hitler’s armies.

Negotiations cannot convince al Qaeda’s leaders to lay down their arms. To say that force may sometimes be necessary is not a call to cynicism: it is a recognition of history; the imperfections of man and the limits of reason.” This led to a conclusion based on realism: “We will not eradicate violent conflict in our lifetimes.” President Obama said we have to “face the world as it is.” Evil must exist in our lexicon.

Second, because of evil in the world, he said that peacemaking cannot be equated with nonviolence. “There will be times when nations — acting individually or in concert — will find the use of force not only necessary but morally justified.” He then made his own the traditional teaching of the “just war,” which traces its roots to St. Augustine and St. Thomas Aquinas and greatly advanced in the Catholic theological schools from the Renaissance to the present today. This involves both conditions morally to enter into war as well as conditions governing the moral exercise within a war. While he notes with many contemporary specialists in just war theory that we need to “think in new ways about the notions of just war and the imperatives of a just peace” in order to handle asymmetrical challenges from non-governmental malefactors like terrorists, just war principles are just as relevant today as ever.

Third, echoing Pope John Paul II’s emphasis during the Balkans conflict, the President declared that just war theory must embrace humanitarian interventions. “More and more, we all confront difficult questions about how to prevent the slaughter of civilians by their own government, or to stop a civil war whose violence and suffering can engulf an entire region. I believe that force can be justified on humanitarian grounds, as it was in the Balkans, or in other places that have been scarred by war. Inaction tears at our conscience and can lead to more costly intervention later. That’s why all responsible nations must embrace the role that militaries with a clear mandate can play to keep the peace.”

Fourth, in contrast to his rhetoric in Cairo, France and other foreign trips that understated, undervalued and undermined the moral achievements of America, and seemed to agree with rather than challenge anti-Americanism, he was very clear in Oslo that the world would be far worse off today were it not for the “fortitude and foresight” of past American generations. “The United States of America has helped underwrite global security for more than six decades with the blood of our citizens and the strength of our arms.” He presented the commitment of those generations as a model for the world today: meeting today’s challenges, he said, “will require the same vision, hard work and persistence of those men and women who acted so boldly decades ago.” American soldiers, he said, are not “makers of war” but “wagers of peace.”

Fifth, he expanded in three ways the scope of the “architecture of peace” — “the Marshall Plan, the United Nations, mechanisms governing waging of war, treaties to protect human rights, prevent genocide, and restrict the most dangerous weapons” — that we need to establish in order to avoid the contexts that can lead to war. These proposals are a challenge to world leaders today. He said that first we need sanctions “that exact a real price,” but that are never isolated from outreach and discussion. Next he insisted that there cannot be peace without recognition of the “inherent rights and dignity of every individual,” including the “right to speak freely or worship as they please, choose their own leaders or assemble without fear.” Lastly, he said that there is a crucial economic component to peace. “True peace is not just freedom from fear but freedom from want.” There is a need for international help for just economic development of poorer countries to prevent the envy that can lead to war.

Not everything in his speech was good. He continued to show signs of an unmistakable messianic complex. “I do not bring with me today a definitive solution to the problems of war,” he said.

That he thought he needed to clarify that he was not going to be able to solve a problem that has plagued the human race since the beginning is a window into his own exaggerated set of expectations.

He also demonstrated yet again a simplistic, and mistaken, view of religious motivation. In the context of comments on jihadism, he said, “no holy war can ever be a just war. … For if you truly believe that you are carrying out divine will, then there is no need for restraint — no need to spare the pregnant mother, or the medic or the Red Cross.” While he was right to criticize the jihadists’ “warped view of religion,” his extrapolation to all wars with religious motivation was itself warped.

Every just war should be a holy war, because the pursuit of justice is the pursuit of holiness. When it truly is a holy war, then there will be an abundance of moral restraints, as we see in the just war tradition and in the integrity of multitudes of soldiers.

This also points out to his disturbing failure to appreciate the motivation of American involvement in past world conflicts. He cynically reduced it to “enlightened self-interest” in solicitation of a “better future for our children and grandchildren.” That was clearly part of the motivation for some, but the main motivation for the majority, especially when we look toward the great conflicts like World War II, was not “self-interest” but the heroic willingness to sacrifice their own lives for the sake of those who cannot defend themselves against evil.

Finally, despite the realism of most of his speech, he ended with a simplistic idealism, saying that the “North Star” of the “continued expansion of our moral imagination,” our “moral compass,” the “best about humanity” is our “fundamental faith in human progress.” As Pope Benedict has often said, truly human progress cannot be equated with scientific and technological advances, but rather with moral progress; for that reason, we should not have “faith” in human progress, because such moral progress is not a given — as we can easily see with terrorist attacks against the innocent or medical attacks against the unborn and the elderly. It’s precisely because we don’t have faith in human progress as a given that we need to commit ourselves to work hard to ensure progress through authentically moral training. It’s also why we still need just wars.

December 18, 2009

A saint’s joyful wit

Because of his work in the confessional, come so far for that.” “But Father,” she continued, preaching on conversion, heroic life of fasting and “I have not yet been able to see you!” “You haven’t little sleep, battles against the devil, and crusades missed much,” he retorted. “Father, only a word!” against indecent dancing and the taverns, many the woman persisted. “My little one,” he rejoined, presume that St. John Vianney would have been “you have already spoken 20!” a rather dour saint. That, however, would be far Another lady — I think a pattern’s being estabfrom the truth. Those who knew him testified that lished! — grabbed him and said, “Father, I have he was always affable, cheerful and smiling, a ray been here three days and I have not yet been able to of sunshine that never ceased to brighten other’s speak to you.” The saint replied, humorously and spirits. prophetically, “In heaven, my child, we shall talk Since we just celebrated Gaudete Sunday, the in heaven!” Some things, he kindly allowed to be Sunday of joy, I thought it would be a good time inferred, are worth waiting for. to focus on the joyful sense of humor of the patron He also used humor to respond to questions saint of priests. that flowed from people’s curiosity while masSt. John Vianney was by no means a comedi- querading as faith. One woman ask, “Father, is an, but he learned how to appreciate a good laugh my husband in purgatory?” The Curé retorted, “I growing up in a happy home. When he would haven’t been there, daughter!” A young woman be out doing work on the farm with siblings and approached him, saying, “I wish you would tell me friends, he sought to make that time enjoyable and what my vocation is.” “Your vocation, my child learned a peasant’s sense of comic irony. During …” he replied, with a master storyteller’s delivery, his time as a priest, he discovered that jocularity “is …,” he gave a lengthy pause, “to go to …,” he was often a very useful way to package some mes- waited and then emphasized, “heaven.” sages that, if stated directly, might wound others’ Much of his best humor was of the humbly selfsensibilities. deprecating kind. When asked once to describe To a corpulent woman who asked him what himself at a gathering of clergy, many of whom she must do to get to heaven, for example, he were seeking positions of importance, he said, “I retorted with a am like the zeros smile, “Keep three that have value Lents!” only when they To a rotund are next to other man who asked numbers.” for his prayers During this and said, “I will Year for Priests, try to hang onto one thing that

By Father your cassock priests and all the when God comes faithful can learn Roger J. Landry to bring you to from St. John heaven,” the Curé Vianney is the of Ars found a similar opportunity: “Whatever you importance of humor. The “recovery of spiritual do, my friend, please don’t do that! The entrance sanity will have humor as one of its signs,” says to heaven is narrow and so the two of us would get Father George Rutler, a Vianney biographer, priest stuck at the gate!” of the Archdiocese of New York, and simply one of In both cases, the recipients learned that the the most brilliant and funny priests in the country. best way to prepare for the eternal wedding ban- In his recent book “The Crisis of Saints,” Father quet was not by banqueting each day here on Rutler describes what humor is, why it has a cruearth. cial role in the Church’s mission of sanctification, Certain women had been pestering him for why St. John Vianney had a good sense of humor, months to be invited to the rectory for dinner. It and why the Church today needs humor more than was easy for him, and for all the other residents in ever. the village, to size up the purpose behind their re“Humor is among other things the perception quest: they desired the status of becoming special of imbalance as imbalanced and the appreciation of friends of the pastor. He routinely made excuses incongruity as incongruous,” Father Rutler writes. based on his schedule, but they never got the hint. “Self-absorbed observers are not observers at all, When he couldn’t take it any longer, he thought and so they tend to humorlessness; they lack a platthat the only way to stop their badgering him was form in reality from which to measure the lack of to accede to their request and give them a meal at measure around them.” St. John Vianney was not his table they would never forget. If they wanted to self-absorbed in the least and had such a platform. share his life so as to be able to talk about it with “In the present life of culture, and certainly in others, he’d give them plenty to talk about. this moment of the Church, extremists on the left When the three village busybodies arrived, he and on the right have a common inability to laugh sat them at his very simple table. He told them that at themselves,” Father Rutler continues. “Healthy for this august occasion, he had gone out shop- jokes are to them like a strange sound frequency to ping — and had bought several pieces of black- a dog: they turn their heads, they look distressed, ened bread from the beggars from whom he was but they do not laugh. The years after Vatican accustomed routinely to exchange food for meals. II, which were supposed to bring fresh air to the For victuals, he played the part of sommelier serv- Church, did not bring fresh laughter. We do not ing them the best vintage of God’s abundant water. expect humor in encyclicals; but incidental works For conversation, he brought out large folios of the of apologetics are unwell when humor is totally Lives of the Saints and had the women read aloud absent. Something is very wrong when the only the hagiographies of some of the most abstemious humor in diocesan newspapers is unintentional.” and penitential men and women in the history of (This points to why one of my first decisions upon the Church. being named Anchor executive editor was to ask It was certainly a soirée to remember! Unsur- Father Tim Goldrick to write a weekly column.) prisingly, none of the women asked to be invited “What is worst about the manners of our to his table again. times,” Father Rutler says, “is the awkwardness The Curé of Ars used was accustomed to use of attempts at humor that laugh at things balanced humor in order to arrest loquacious ladies in mid- and congruous. As this takes its course, laughter sentence. To one woman who used to drive him will not be the only lost gift: there will be no gift and everyone else crazy by repeating the same of tears in the confessionals and no gift of singing long-winded stories no matter the context, he at the altars. And all because we took seriously the asked, “My daughter, what is the month of the most incongruous notion that we had finally balyear when you speak the least?” She stopped her anced the world.” story to think about the answer before responding The results, Father Rutler warns, can be deadly: that she had no idea. St. John Vianney didn’t miss “From such an implausible view of life, the only a beat: “It must be the month of February, because thing that makes people laugh is cruelty: cruelty to it has three fewer days than the others!” She took the beautiful, cruelty to the truthful, cruelty to the the hint without taking offense. good.”

Another woman wanted to make an appointSt. John Vianney had a plausible, truly Chrisment with him outside of the confessional to talk tian view of life and through his humor demonabout her spiritual life. After others said it was im- strated that the Gospel was actually “good news of possible because of his schedule, she called out to great joy for all the people.” him, “Father, I have traveled 500 miles to see you!”

Father Landry is pastor of St. Anthony of The saint replied, “It wasn’t worth the trouble to Padua Parish in New Bedford.

Putting Into the Deep

December 18, 2009

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he first words that come to mind as I reflect back on my call to the priesthood are “subtle” and “ordinary.”

Maybe when people think of a man’s being “called” by God to become a priest, they conceive of some sort of spectacular event, such as when Moses beheld the burning bush or when St. Peter walked on water. While this may be true for some men, it was not so for me.

The “call” was very much woven into the fabric of my ordinary life. The family in which I grew up and was formed was a family of active faith: we were regular attendees at Sunday Mass, as well as holy days and during Lent and Holy Week.

I can distinctly recall the role of the latter in serving as a conveyance for God’s call.

My mother would insist on our attendance at most or all of the Triduum celebrations that constitute Holy Week. My sister and I would, of course, vigorously protest the “above and beyond” nature of this church attendance: from our point of view, at that stage in life, it was sacrifice enough to endure the boredom of Sunday Mass. Nevertheless, we accompanied our parents to these liturgies and, despite my protests, I can remember distinctly a “call” in and through

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n early November we learned that my mother needed heart surgery, so I travelled home to be with her and my family. When she left the hospital, I decided to return to Honduras to be in the parish for the general elections that were to occur on November 29. I arrived on the Friday prior to the general elections and saw the airport in Tegucigalpa filled with many dignitaries from other countries who had come as “observers” to the elections. Their role was to assure that the general elections took place according to the Honduran Constitution. In addition, there were many police and military surrounding the airport and concentrated in certain areas around the city. During the two-hour trip from the capital to our town of Guaimaca, we were stopped a couple of times by military roadblocks. The Honduran soldiers reviewed our personal documentation and then searched the car for guns. (Here the police can stop a car at any time to review the documentation of the car and the driver, as well as search the car.)

On Saturday, the day before the elections, there was talk that a general curfew was going to be put in place, but it didn’t come

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Under Jesus’ watchful gaze

liked the “call” to be clearer: I the liturgy. Looking back on it, would say that it had more the I would say that it was as if my consciousness of God’s call was character of a “vague nagbeing stimulated by the elements ging.” When specific thoughts of becoming a priest entered of the liturgy — something that my mind, I tried to shake them I had considered “boring” at and get on with an “ordinary” that point in time. The dramatic life, but they persisted and grew gesture of the foot washing on throughout my teen-age years.

Thursday, the veneration of the Those years were awkward and cross, the many candles shinuncomfortable for me. I dising in the darkness of Saturday night, and the mystical chanting tanced myself, as much as posof the Easter Proclamation — it was all very Year For Priests evocative for me. Moreover, within the space Vocational Reflection we used as a church back in those days — a rudimentary parish cenBy Father ter with metal folding Gregory A. Mathias chairs — there was an image of Jesus hangsible, from high school culture, ing near the sanctuary that, like restricting myself to a small the Mona Lisa, felt like it was group of buddies with whom I staring at me no matter where played soccer, worked on bikes, I sat at any given liturgy. Like and hung out. Because it was a the other elements of the liturgy small group, there was ample I’ve mentioned, this image too time for me to be alone with my served to stimulate my conthoughts, and I often grabbed sciousness of a call from God. the dog and hit a trail in the Going to Mass was somewoods just to get away from the thing I did as a pure duty back then, and not something I would perplexing aspects of my life.

As it turns out, these mohave done of my own accord. ments became very reflective The experiences of Holy Week times for me and provided are a very specific instance to me with the space and silence which I can point in what was an otherwise diffuse experience. necessary to hear God’s voice.

It was not an audible voice, but Quite honestly, I would have

one that seemed to be mediated through the natural beauty of the woods and, simultaneously, within my mind and body. I never heard it say, clearly, “Be a priest.” Rather, it was a more subtle call to be attentive to the reality of God in my life and in the world. I began to contemplate life and the meaning of my life in the world. These thoughts included a strong sense of the transitory nature of life, the mystery of the world and all that fills it, and the mystery of my own unique place in the world. Of course, today I articulate this in much more sophisticated language than that to which I had access when I was 16 or 17 years old, but what I am expressing is basically how the call uniquely came to me.

When high school came to an end, I made the most vigorous effort to dismiss any sense of a call to the priesthood, real or perceived, because I had concluded that it would just simply be too much trouble to pursue, and I would certainly be seen as a freak by family and friends. Hence, I signed up for four years at a quasi-military college in pursuit of a career that I thought was for “real men.”

It is not that I did not respect

Making a difference in different ways

where he has been detained for a to pass. Instead, there was a ban few months for fear of being aron any type of large gathering. rested. His intention was to direct We had to seek special permisthat the people should not vote sion to gather for the celebration of Mass on Saturday and Sunday. Also, the government issued a ban on the selling and consuming of alcohol from Saturday until Sunday night after

By Father the elections.

Craig A. Pregana With everything prepared for the elections we offered a “Mass for as a sign of resistance to the “de Peace” on Saturday night and facto” government. Naturally, included a special procession there was fear among the people with the Honduran flag at Sunthat the “resistance supporters” day morning’s Mass. Everyone were going to threaten voters as came to church to offer prayers they neared the voting stations.

— prayers for peace, prayers for On Sunday morning as vota solution, and prayers for their ing began, we watched from the beloved Honduras. People had church across to the high school the hope that the elections would at the corner of the park which bring a resolution to a problem was the central voting station. A that had begun long before the few men gathered were standing coup d’état on June 28. The in the park watching as a few president they had elected to people began entering the votdefend the Constitution had being station.

Though there was trayed their trust and had sought tension, there were no threats or to make himself a dictator. The violence.

People slowly began elections now gave them, as a nation, the chance to decide who to go to the polls to cast their vote for a new future. It was would be their next president. reported that more than 60 perIn order to create more cent of the population cast their discord, the deposed president vote, which was far more than Zelaya had given a “no vote” orthe mere 50 percent that voted der from the Brazilian Embassy,

Our Mission

in the election of former President Zelaya. Although some are disenchanted and feel that the election won’t change the political situation, many feel that their vote will make a difference.

The presence of the diocesan mission makes a difference in a different way. We continue to serve the poor in Guaimaca regardless of their political affiliation or social status. Our hope is that the groups that have visited the mission will return to Guaimaca in the new year and help us

the priests who were examples to me during my life; quite the contrary, I believe I admired and appreciated them, if and when I thought of them. On some level, however, I had convinced myself that they were of a different order of human being, to which I did not belong.

Upon entering college, I was sure that I would put to rest the whole idea, and get on with something “serious.” The pressures of college work and military discipline, however, led me to take refuge in the campus Newman Club. Over time, my rapport with the chaplain grew and I was finally able to talk with someone about the stirrings I had been experiencing. In a sense, this chaplain gave me “permission” to open the door to the call without fear. He reassured me that such openness did not mean that I would be sacrificing my freedom to choose the path of my life ahead. After all, it was suggested, shouldn’t I want for my life what God wants of me?

The rest is history. It’s been 18 years, and I do, indeed, feel like I responded to the right call.

Father Mathias was ordained in 1991 and is pastor of St. Julie Billiart Parish in North Dartmouth and director of the Family Life Office of the diocese.

in our common mission to the most poor and needy.

During this season of Advent the readings offer hope to those who live in darkness and despair.

Those words are made tangible by the generosity of our brothers and sisters from the diocese who support the work of the mission.

As we make ready our preparations for Christmas, may we remember the blessings we have received and in turn bless the lives of others.

Father Pregana is pastor of the diocesan mission in Guaimaca, Honduras. www.FallRiverMissions.com

PARK AVE. CEMENT BLOCK

30 BUDLONG ROAD, CRANSTON, R.I. (401) 942-4800

Wishes everyone a very

Blessed

Christmas and a very Happy New Year

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y two-year-old grandson strounced (a fabricated word to describe his walk, which is part stroll and part bounce) into my bedroom, where I was seated at my desk, penning what I thought to be the first words of this homily.

“What you writin’, pip?” he asked.

“A homily, Ryan,” I replied.

Rather than attempt to explain, I asked him, “What should pépère write about?”

“Edaville’s opened, pépère,” he said and then clambered up on my bed and began to bounce, inviting a playful reprimand and gleeful chase, which I happily obliged.

You’ve likely surmised from Ryan’s answer that he’s a train enthusiast. My daughter Annie describes him as “obsessed” with trains. He carries around two or three “Thomas & Friends” train engines, freight cars or other associated characters almost constantly. He eats with them lined up and facing him and he falls asleep with them in his grasp. He asks to watch the “Thomas & Friends” TV episodes and the Thomas movies, and at his pleading, we read over and over and over again the “Thomas & Friends”

‘Edaville’s opened, pépère’

books. wherever we go. The lesson of His parents brought him to joy for Christmas was taught us Edaville in late summer, and I

by John the Baptist even from could just imagine the mesmerhis mother’s womb when he ized ecstasy he must have had “leaped for joy” when Mary’s on his face the whole time. greeting reached his mother When Edaville closed a few Elizabeth’s ears (Luke 1:44). weeks later to prepare for the The unborn child’s reupcoming Christmas season, sponse of joy to the sound of he’d look up at me somberly on Mary’s greeting ought to be occasion and say, “Edaville’s our response to the Gospel not opened, pépère,” with the same tone of voice as though the Homily of the Week gates of paradise had Fourth Sunday been closed. of Advent When it reopened

By Deacon at Thanksgiving, he David Pepin went again, and since then, with joy again in his heart, he often effervesces, “Edaville’s opened, Mary brings to the world at pépère!” All is now right again Christmas, the good news that with the world, for the gates of she carries within her, the good his paradise have been renews that eats and sleeps with opened. her, the good news that is so The message of Christmuch a part of Mary — that is mas isn’t that Edaville’s been so enfleshed in her — that it reopened, of course, but it is can be heard and felt even in that heaven has been reopened. the sound of her voice by the And we should respond to that infant John as Mary greets his message with great joy in the mother, as the wind that moves heart, with the joy of children. through the trees carries the We should live fully that joy smell and feel of the seasons of as children live what makes the year. We are to be like Mary them joyful. We should eat and — that we live and breathe the sleep it and carry it with us Gospel, that we carry it within

us so powerfully that others respond to it leaping for joy.

Good news can only be properly received with joy.

Those who believe in the Gospel must be joyful, for the good news is that heaven is opened, that God — the Almighty, the all holy, the all loving — has come among his people. Imagine. Such news can never tire the hearer. Such news can only be met with great joy.

And the good news is even more remarkable because God has come among his people as one of them, accepting fully their fallen humanity from birth to death so that he might raise it to his divinity.

Through the fulfillment of the Incarnation, which is Christmas, in the Paschal Mystery of his passion, death, and Resurrection of Easter, Jesus Christ — the Son of God, who is God with his Father and the Spirit — offers man to share in the very life of the everlasting God, in the everlasting joy that is his.

We have been redeemed, and the gates of heaven are opened for all those who believe in Christ and keep his command-

ments. Heaven is opened, and we have already a foretaste of its glory in the joys of this life and in the experience of God in the sacraments Christ has left us, through which God dwells even now with us.

Through the reception of the Eucharist, particularly, we experience the good news of Christmas, for like Mary, we carry Jesus — Body and Blood and divinity — within us.

Through the reception of the Eucharist, Christ’s Body and Blood and divinity mix with our body and blood and humanity, and we become bone of his bones and flesh of his flesh. We become true children of the Father in heaven by being united with his Son, who is true God and true man.

Through the reception of the Eucharist, we become most like Mary, for the Gospel has come to life within us. May we receive the Good News, the Christ Child himself, always with great joy.

Deacon Pepin and his wife Joan have three children and four grandchildren. He is assigned to St. Francis Xavier Parish in Acushnet and is a chaplain at Saint Anne’s Hospital in Fall River.

Upcoming Daily Readings: Sat. Dec. 19, Jgs 13:2-7,24-25a; Ps 71:3-6,16-17; Lk 1:5-25. Sun. Dec. 20, Fourth Sunday of Advent, Mi 5:1-4a; Ps 80:2-3,15-16,18-19; Heb 10:5-10; Lk 1:39-45. Mon. Dec. 21, Sg 2:8-14 or Zep 2:14-18a; Ps 33:2-3,11-12,20-21; Lk 1:39-45. Tues. Dec. 22, 1 Sm 1:24-28; (Ps) 1 Sm 2:1,4-8; Lk 1:46-56. Wed. Dec. 23, Mal 3:1-4,23-24; Ps 25:4-5,8-10,14; Lk 1:57-66. Thur. Dec. 24, (in the morning) 2 Sm 7:1-5,8b-12,14a,16; Ps 89:2-5,27,29; (in the evening) VIGIL OF CHRISTMAS, Is 62:15; Ps 89:4-5,16-17,27,29; Acts 13:16-17,22-25; Mt 1:1-25 or 1:18-25. Fri. Dec. 25, THE NATIVITY OF THE LORD (CHRISTMAS), at midnight, Is 9:1-6; Ps 96:1-3,11-13; Ti 2:11-14; Lk 2:1-14; At dawn, Is 62:11-12; Ps 97:1,6,11-12; Ti 3:4-7; Lk 2:15-20; During the day, Is 52:7-10; Ps 98:1-6; Heb 1:1-6; Jn 1:1-18 or 1:1-5,9-14.

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The many moral questions in health-care reform

he Catholic Church in the United States has done a public service during the recent health-care debate by keeping a crucial proposition in play: no reform should reverse the 32-year-old national consensus that keeps the federal government out of the business of funding abortions. Defending that proposition will not get any easier in the weeks ahead, but it must be done.

The defense of the inalienable right-to-life is not the only moral principle involved in the health-care debate, however.

There are several other such principles and social justice concerns at stake. Here are some of the most important: — the principle of solidarity teaches us to cherish a sense of responsibility across generations. How is that principle honored in a reform of health care that dramatically reduces the funding of Medicare for senior citizens, as bills in Congress now do?; — the principle of crossgenerational solidarity also raises grave questions about

will rightly turn to their repthe real costs of the plans that resentatives and insist that the have emerged from the House government make that insurand the Senate — real costs, ance affordable. Thus the sea as distinguished from the numbers being pulled out of hats on Capitol Hill. One experienced Catholic public-policy analyst estimates that the bill brought before the Senate will increase

By George Weigel total federal spending by about $4.9 trillion (that’s $4.9 million million) over the next 20 years. change: the U.S. government There is no way to pay for this, will become responsible for containing all health-care costs, even with spending reductions which will inevitably involve and tax increases. Does sadboth rationing and a decline in dling our grandchildren with the quality of care. an Everest of debt satisfy the Moreover, does anyone demands of cross-generational seriously propose that a fedsolidarity?; eral government incapable of — the principle of subsidproducing and distributing flu iarity teaches us to be wary of vaccine efficiently is capable concentrating too much power of managing a national healthin the national government. care system well? Subsidiarity Yet the House bill that (barely) teaches us to be deeply skeptipassed in November puts the federal government squarely on cal about affirmative answers to that question. Common sense the hook for controlling health suggests that any government, care costs because it requires given such power, will never Americans to buy governmentgive it up. If we make a mess of approved insurance. Voters

The Catholic Difference

this now, we’re stuck; ask the British and the Canadians; — the principle of the common good teaches us to avoid public policy that destroys jobs; that moral imperative becomes even more urgent under current circumstances.

The taxes that proposed health-care reforms will impose on all but the smallest employers who don’t offer health insurance, and the tax surcharge that will be laid on higher income persons who own small businesses, are both likely to discourage hiring and force layoffs. That’s bad public policy at any level of unemployment. It’s unconscionable when the unemployment rate hovers around 10 percent; — the politicization of medical decisions — which will inevitably follow the kind of healthcare reform now being proposed — will put new pressures on the right-to-life principle, as well as on the principles of the common good, subsidiarity and solidarity.

Decisions that should be made by patients and doctors will be made by regulators as governmental intrusion trumps moral and medical judgment. How this builds a free and virtuous society, as Catholic social doctrine bids us do, is not clear.

For all its virtues, today’s American medical system does not afford access to needed care for some, so it fails the tests set

by Catholic social doctrine. We can meet those tests and fix the system’s gravest problems by working incrementally, testing results as we go: changing the liability laws that distort insurance costs, reforming the insurance industry to mandate portability and coverage of preexisting conditions, lifting the ban on interstate competition in health insurance, and covering the uninsured by tax credits and small business reforms. That would be health-care reform that satisfies Catholic principles across-the-board.

George Weigel is Distinguished Senior Fellow of the Ethics and Public Policy Center in Washington, D.C.

The Lord provides

Tuesday 8 December 2009 parish life.

— Dighton — Solemnity of the It’s taken me decades to Immaculate Conception realize that this isn’t just a pihe number of active ous saying. As a much younger parishioners is declinpriest, I fretted about how I ing. Some parishes are closing or merging, others are struggling to Reflections of a make ends meet. The number of ordained Parish Priest priests is plummeting

By Father Tim while their median age Goldrick is rising. It nevertheless remains our mission to go out and invite people to come to the Lord. What’s a was going to accomplish the poor old pastor like me to do? tasks at hand. If my plans were Don’t worry. Be hopeful. “The truly God’s will, they always Lord provides.” That, dear somehow got done. Now I say readers, is the message not to my parishioners, “We can only of Advent but also of all do this, with the help of God.”

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The Ship’s Log

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The Anchor

December 18, 2009

And so we do.

There’s much pastoral work to be done in this little portion of the Lord’s vineyard called the Town of Dighton. We live in a post-Christian age.

How does the parish of St. Nicholas reach out to the unchurched, to the poor, to young families, and to the community at large?

How do we grow a Church? How do we proclaim the Gospel in this time and place? The question is repeatedly considered in our weekly ministry staff meetings.

Then God gave me an early Christmas gift. I received a

Heavenly investments

all, material possessions don’t alfway through Moniprovide happiness. Uncondica’s first dance lesson, tional love does. her mom remembered it wasn’t And people are generous. just ballet. Afterwards, Lori The Murphys often hear: “We assured her daughter she would have these extra clothes....” Lori have tap shoes soon. had just bought the one coat that “Yup,” rejoined the fourwould be needed for the winter year-old perkily. “Up to the atwhen someone she met at daily tic.” The obvious place to think Mass offered her five practically of given that her family attic new coats. Lori looked at them is lined with 100-plus pairs of all types of footwear: sneakers, hiking boots, flip flops, cleats, skates, Lavishly you name it. It’s one Generous of the many ways the Murphys keep down Love the cost of raising so many kids.

By Joan Kingsland Two years ago the mounting stream of bills, and Lori’s age wistfully: they were beautiful and of 41, had made the Murphys in excellent condition. Then her wonder if they should stop at magnanimous heart kicked in. eight. They were convinced by “To be frank with you, we this piece of advice to be open don’t need any coats for this to a ninth: “Bills are temporary, winter. I’d be happy to take souls are eternal.” them since we could use them And now, not just Bob in the future, but perhaps there’s and Lori are happy they have some other big family to whom 10-month-old Kevin. His older you would prefer to offer them.” siblings can’t get enough of So far, Lori hasn’t heard back. him.

The Murphy children also “It’s about choices,” explains Lori, when asked to explain how help out. The biggest kids split the wood, which is used for they make it financially. “It’s a heating half the house during lot of work, but a great life.” the winter. Anyone old enough Bob holds down two jobs, to carry helps to stack the wood they rarely eat out at restaurants, they have old cars, textbooks are and bring it indoors for burning.

The eldest four share a job recycled if possible, and there cleaning horse stalls. They do aren’t a lot of new clothes, espeuse some of that money to go cially for the youngest children. out and buy nice things. But Sure, it would be pleasant to they’re also saving money for have new things, but Lori obtheir future studies. Brian, the serves: “Material things get old, second eldest son, is paying but children have eternal value.” his tuition this year to attend a Together she and her husband private high school. enjoy their kids immensely.

Lori thinks nourishing food is Their family knows how to have important for her children. They a lot of fun: hiking, playing eat chicken, roasts, lots of fresh football and games together. vegetables. Brownie mixes also There’s a lot of laughter and find their way into the shopping good cheer in their home. After

cart. They save money by buying in bulk and rarely throwing away left over food.

Regarding medical costs, Bob’s employer provides an H.S.A. which requires the Murphys to pay the first $6,000.

Whatever they don’t spend rolls over into the next year. The year a baby comes along the premium gets hit, but last year they had $2,000 left over.

Lori observes: “When it’s your money at stake, you’re much more conscious about how you spend it.”

The Murphys are a happy, social bunch to be around. Even the preteens and teen-agers can carry on an agreeable conversation with adults. And whining is kept to a minimum.

When asked for an explanation, 11-year-old Michael shrugs his shoulders: “What’s the point of whining?”

They rely heavily on God’s grace to keep steady along their pathway of love and generosity. Their mainstay is frequent confession, daily prayers, and Mass as often as possible during the week.

Unbeknownst to the other, Bob and Lori separately had the same phrase of Mother Teresa engraved on each other’s wedding ring: “loving trust, total surrender and joy.” That is the spirit of the Missionaries of Charity. They’re teaching their kids to live the same way.

It seems that they’re onto a good thing.

Joan Kingsland, a consecrated woman of Regnum Christi, teaches theology at Mater Ecclesiae College in Greenville, R.I. She received a doctorate from the John Paul II Institute for Marriage and Family in Rome.

visit from Sister Vimala Vadakumpadan, a native of India.

Sister Vimala is the Provincial of the Dominican Sisters of the Presentation, headquartered in Dighton. Sister Vimala explained to me that a novice was going to be taking her first vows as a religious Sister.

Sister Vimala had met with her Provincial Council to prayerfully discern the ministerial assignment of the new Sister. It was the will of the Holy Spirit, and theirs too, that the new nun be assigned to pastoral ministry, but where?

Sister Vimala asked me if there was a need for another pastoral minister in this parish. “Without a doubt,” said I. “We need to concentrate on evangelization, on adult formation, on outreach to families and individuals. “Perfect,” responded Sister Vimala. “This is the charism of the Dominicans. Our Sister Mauricia will be assigned here.”

As a young woman, Sister Mauricia Acebo Burke did her undergraduate studies in the field of marketing at the University of Manila, Philippines.

Her minor was in management.

Before discerning a vocation to the religious life, fate was leading her in a different direction. Moving to sunny California in 1984, she went to work in the field of technology.

California is all about technology. She was employed as a specialized expert computer technician by the California Highway Patrol and then by the California Department of Justice. She did computergenerated accident and crime scenes. This sounds like the stuff of a TV series on criminal justice. Maybe it could be entitled “Techno Cop.” God is full of surprises. In the middle of all this, Mauricia heard the call to religious life.

She applied as a novice to a contemplative religious Order, but the Order’s rules precluded her from acceptance due to her mature age. For them, novices are supposed to be in their 20s.

Sister Mauricia is what some call a “late vocation.”

This dissuaded neither Mauricia nor God. On the contrary the call to religious life grew stronger. Mauricia had a dear friend who was a Dominican Sister of the Presentation.

Mauricia applied and was accepted. Her novitiate included religious formation and pastoral work in the Diocese of Brownsville, Texas.

On the feast of the Immaculate Conception this year, Sister Mauricia took her first vows as a religious Sister. I was present at the Mass. It was a simple liturgy, but lovely.

The sanctuary looked festive, adorned with dozens of pink roses. Sister Mauricia was radiant in the knowledge that her life’s calling had been realized.

Following Mass, all adjourned to the refectory for supper. The meal was deliciously ethnic, having been prepared

by Sister’s friends from the Philippines, but there was a certain air of anxiety among the Sisters and guests. Where in the world would their friend Sister Mauricia be stationed? Only the Provincial Council, Sister Mauricia, and I knew the answer to that question.

Sister Vimala, with a gleam in her eye, soon announced that Sister Mauricia would not be going anywhere. She was assigned to pastoral work in St. Nicholas Parish, Dighton. A great cheer arose.

Is there a place on this parish staff for a contemplative Sister with background in marketing and computer technology? You bet there is.

In the Church, we don’t call it marketing; we call it evangelization. And what is a tool of evangelization that perfectly suits our modern world? It’s computer technology.

As to the pastoral usefulness of Sister Mauricia’s background in criminal justice, I’m not sure, but you never know.

Father Goldrick is pastor of St. Nicholas of Myra Parish in North Dighton.

10 B y M ichael P are A nchor C orrespondent

NEW BEDFORD — Albert Hall’s home provides a warm and comforting respite from the cold, driving rain on a Sunday evening in December. Hall tells a visitor that he spent the better part of the afternoon putting up his Christmas tree. This is the home that he built. A contractor poured the foundation and put up the sides and roof, but then Hall went to work.

There is a sense of satisfaction in his voice as he remembers all those years ago.

It was a labor of love. Albert and Theresa would raise six children in the house he built with his own hands. It is quieter now, of course.

Theresa died in 1987 after a lengthy illness.

“She was wonderful,” said Hall. “She put up with me.”

The Anchor

Serving the Lord is a part of his routine

In a wood-paneled den after he had such a difficult Like so many young men scattered among the Christ- time learning French. back then, Hall would see his mas decorations and education interrupted beautiful crèche are by a call to serve his family photographs. country. The war was They are dominated on and Hall enlisted at by those of his great17. grandchildren, of whom “We were so young,” there are 11. he said.

Hall is blessed, he He served in the U.S. said, that so many of his Navy, first going to children and grandchilEurope and then to the dren have stayed local.

Pacific Theater aboard And so after all these the U.S.S. Arkansas, a years, some things rebattleship. He would be main the same. Holithere at Normandy. days are special. They “Boy, we prayed always have been. And then,” he said. so is Hall’s commitThe Catholic school ment to his faith. lessons never left him.

Hall is a New BedAfter returning home ford native who went from the war, Hall to St. Anthony’s School would ultimately join until sixth grade. He the New Bedford Fire laughs recalling that his Department, where parents pulled him out he would serve for 32 ANCHOR PERSON OF THE WEEK — Albert of the Catholic school Hall. years. It was a tough job. But he came out of a tough generation and he wasn’t immune to hard work. And after all, it provided for his family. That was important.

The Halls were loyal parishioners at St. Therese Parish and were quite active there. Among other things, Hall helped with Boy Scouts.

“I knew I was about to retire from the fire department and at that same time they needed a troop leader,” he said.

Scouting became a big part of Hall’s life. His sons were active in scouting and he found that it served as a unique opportunity to influence young people.

“I always tried to instill our faith in the Scouts,” he said.

As the years went on, Hall became even more active in the affairs of the parish. It was his way of giving back to God. In 1999, St. Therese would merge with St. Joseph Parish, becoming what is now St. Joseph-St. Therese Parish on Duncan Street. Such mergers are never easy. But Hall was a positive voice in supporting the new parish. And soon, he was active there, as well.

These days, Hall continues as an active volunteer at the parish. He is an altar server at daily Mass.

He had started serving Mass at the original St. Therese, another of the many memories that bring a smile

to Hall’s face.

“I always wanted to do it when I was a kid, but I didn’t have the chance … well, I had the chance,” he said. “But I couldn’t learn that Latin.

Back in those days the altar servers had to learn Latin.”

When he was asked to serve at St. Therese, he initially said no. Later he decided to give it a chance.

“I guess God really wanted me to help because they kept asking me,” he said. “I get the satisfaction of knowing I am doing something for the Church.

We have always been told that God is the head and we are the body. I just assume what I am doing is God’s work.”

That’s how Hall sees his faith. It is a responsibility to do God’s work. But it is also more than that, too. He gets so much out of the time that he gives, which is why he embraces serving as a extraordinary minister of holy Communion, bringing the Eucharist to those who are home-bound.

“To me, it always seemed like I was doing a great thing for the person,” he said. “Every one of them really appreciates my coming. I know I would feel bad if I was at a point where I couldn’t get to Mass and couldn’t receive holy Communion.”

Father Philip Hamel, pastor at St. Joseph-St. Therese certainly appreciates all that Hall does for the parish.

“He’s a good man,” said Father. Hamel. “He is very involved.”

Back in his living room, Hall doesn’t really understand the fuss. He appreciates the attention, but….

“There are so many people in the parish who do so much,” he said.

Bidding his visitor a good night, Hall pauses to show a striking photograph of the U.S.S. Arkansas that hangs on his wall. He is asked about his plans for Monday morning.

“I’ll go to 8 a.m. Mass and then out for coffee,” he said.

He likes his routine. And this one, which has held for the better part of the past two decades, is not a bad way to start the day.

To nominate a person, send an email message to FatherRogerLandry@AnchorNews.org.

December 18, 2009

The Anchor

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The Anchor

Christmas lights can lead people back to the faith continued from page one

Sadly, the recent economic downturn and other social issues have also been a factor in bringing people to the shrine of late.

“Whether it be the loss of jobs, or if their family is having a difficult time making ends meet — they come here to pick up the

pieces,” Father Pat said. “Sometimes the content is anger, concern or worry — they are not sins, but they express these things in con-

December 18, 2009 fession.

“They find a place like this where they can find a little bit of consolation, compassion, understanding and hope.”

Although all priests are able to comfort people through the sac-

raments, Father Pat is also in the unique position of being able to inspire people through his music, which he shares during frequent concert performances at the shrine.

“There’s no doubt there are times when I certainly feel they are very intent on listening to the message in my music — if you let the Holy Spirit work a little bit, there’s something happening to them, too,” he said. “In the past people have told me that it was my music that got them through a difficult time or that brought them back to their faith. A couple of people have mentioned that I was able to convey the true meaning of Christmas in my concerts, too, especially with all the commercialism at this time of year.”

Though attendance numbers at the shrine this year remain brisk, Father Pat did express disappointment that he’s seen a notable decrease in the number of people attending daily Mass this year. When asked if he thought this was a sign that more people are decidedly spiritual — meaning they practice their faith on their own terms — as opposed to being religious, he tended to agree.

“It’s not that people don’t necessarily have faith, but as far as the traditional way of expressing it, it’s different,” Father Pat said. “Normally we’ve had a good number of people at each Mass — at least 50 or 60 people — but now I’m seeing maybe 25. In the evening during Advent, we say the Mass is for your intentions, but it doesn’t draw them.”

Whether they attend Mass or not, Father Pat remains confident that the shrine still offers a spiritual and faith-based message to counter the otherwise commercialized, secular Christmas celebrations this time of year.

“I think when they come to La Salette, they know they’re coming to seek a spiritual message,” Father Pat said. “We are trying to emphasize that with this year’s theme — ‘Jesus is God’s YES!’ — which gives us an opportunity to move even beyond Christ’s birth.

It’s about saying yes to God, yes to humanity, yes to creation.”

Whether it includes partaking in the sacraments or just simple prayerful reflection on the Christmas message through the lights and displays, Father Pat is nevertheless pleased that people are coming to the shrine — whatever the draw.

“There are a lot of reminders here that it’s just not about Christmas trees and packages under the tree; there is something deeper here and it’s the basis of our faith,” Father Pat said. “Even if they don’t come to Mass, we hope they see the message in the displays and hope that message — the true meaning of Christmas — touches their hearts in some way.”

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The Anchor

December 18, 2009

The Christ Child beckons — ‘You can go home again’ continued from page one

been a priest for five years, but has already seen the powerful effects this season can have.

“I’ve witnessed people who have been away from the Church for a long time, come back during the Advent and Christmas season to the sacrament of reconciliation, and adoration of the Blessed Sacrament,” he told The Anchor. “Family and friends bring them along, and in the quiet presence of God, they let the Holy Spirit talk to their hearts. Some are moved enough to come back again.”

At Holy Name Parish in Fall River, pastor Father George E. Harrison said evangelization is a yearround process, but during Christmas and Advent, he’s seen some wayward Catholics “be touched by God’s grace.”

He said at a recent four-day Advent Retreat at his parish, the presenter, Father Patrick Martin, encouraged first-night attendees to invite someone who has been away from the Church to join them the next evening.

“I was so pleased to see the church was full for the rest of the retreat, not just the following night,” Father Harrison said. “I noticed some people who regularly come to Mass sitting with their spouses at the retreat. It was so positive.

“The lines for confession were very long during the retreat. People heard the message and were touched.”

Father Harrison said that in his Christmas homilies, he doesn’t specifically direct them toward those who come to Mass only on Christmas, “but I do try to have a message that might make them want to come back. I pray over my homily

and hope that God will touch their hearts. It’s only by God’s grace that they will be touched and come back to the Church.”

It’s not only at Christmas that transformations take place, Father Harrison added. “We try to evangelize at our Religious Education program, at our school, at funerals and baptisms,” he said. “So many young families are coming to church now, especially because of our baptism preparation program.”

Another great evangelization tool is the adoration chapel. “The Blessed Sacrament provides powerful graces. People come in and pray for family members away from the Church. The pews are filling up at Mass,” he added.

There are many reasons why people have strayed from the Church, and many more reasons why they answer God’s invitation to come home again. It seems the power of the birth of the Christ Child has a great deal to do with it.

For more than 2,000 years the babe laying in the manger has tugged at countless heartstrings, bringing back prodigal Catholics.

Father Kevin Cook, assistant director for Vocations and Seminarians, and a chaplain at Coyle and Cassidy High School and Morton Hospital in Taunton, said “Advent and Lenten seasons are a time when people do reflect more on their faith, and if they start to bring it to prayer, Our Lord, many times, starts to move their hearts back to him.

“As a priest, it is a great joy to hear their confession, especially after chatting with the person about certain aspects of their faith in which they had allowed a road block to occur, and to visibly see the joy

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and relief on their faces about being back in a state for which they have deep down been yearning for some time — a state of grace.”

He added, “I find that most of the people who do return to the practice of their faith is not due to something I have done, but more something that a family member or friend has done. The power and influence of friendship is extraordinary. The personal invitation from such a person is very effective, such as inviting someone to attend Mass or reconciliation, or even just an invitation to pray with them can start the wheels rolling.” And that includes the many spiritual Advent events leading up to the joyful holy day of Christmas.

Father Cook also mentioned that there are times when he includes in a homily, the importance of living one’s faith, such as at Christmas and Easter Mass, Ash Wednesday, funerals, baptisms and first Communions. Those are occasions when wayward Catholics are most likely in attendance.

Father Maddock summed it up well by saying, “Once they come back, we stand prepared to assist them in any way possible.”

You can go home again, and when Catholics return, they’ll find open arms and joyful hearts — Christmas year round.

Directory notice Please note that the 2009-2010 Diocesan Catholic Directory has sold out and there will not be a second printing. Those who have submitted payment in the hopes of a second printing will be reimbursed shortly.

Diocese of Fall River TV Mass on WLNE Channel 6 Sunday, December 20 at 11:00 a.m.

Celebrant is Father Kevin J. Harrington, pastor of St. Francis of Assisi Parish in New Bedford

14

The Anchor

December 18, 2009

Report links pornography to breakdown of family

By Christine Williams Anchor Correspondent

BOSTON — The explosion of online pornography, readily available to anyone with an Internet connection, has undermined the family and social stability, a new report found.

The 28-page document, “The Effects of Pornography on Individuals, Marriage, Family and Community,” is meant to evaluate the current impact of pornography by gathering information from many peer-reviewed studies by social scientists, clinical psychologists, biologists and neurologists. The report was released by the Family Research Council and the Massachusetts Family Institute.

Kris Mineau, president of MFI, said the compilation of recent data is “long overdue” and the purpose of the report is to “draw attention to the gravity of the situation.”

The report said that pornography is a major threat to marriage, family, children and individual happiness. Pornography distorts how individuals view sex, causing them to perceive sexual activity as harmless recreation. It causes married men to feel less emotionally attached to their wives; wives in turn feel betrayed.

“Pornography use is a pathway to infidelity and divorce,” the report said. “Pornography eliminates the warmth of affectionate family life, which is the natural social nutrient for a growing child.”

When pornography is in the

home, there is a greater risk that children will be exposed to it, the report added.

Other research found that of those addicted to sex, which typically involves viewing pornography, 40 percent will lose their spouse, 58 percent will suffer severe financial losses and about 30 percent will lose their job.

A study in 2000 entitled “Effects of Cybersex Addiction on the Family: Results of a Survey” found that more than 20 percent of respondents were separated or divorced and more were thinking about leaving. The study surveyed 91 women and three men who had experienced “serious adverse consequences of their partner’s cybersex involvement.”

Respondents who had children cited several adverse consequences to their spouse’s behavior, the most frequent of which was loss of time with parents in 37 percent of their answers. The second self-reported consequence in 30 percent of cases was that children witnessed arguing and stress inside the home.

In 2006, Bishop Paul Loverde of Arlington, Va. issued a pastoral letter about pornography. The mainstreaming of pornography as entertainment is a “spiritual battle,” he said.

“This plague stalks the souls of men, women and children, ravages the bonds of marriage and victimizes the most innocent among us. It obscures and destroys peo-

St. Margaret’s Church Buzzards Bay, Massachusetts Rev. Francis de Sales Paolo, O.F.M., Pastor Rev. Giles Barreda, O.F.M., Parochial Vicar

A Joyful Christmas Season and A Blessed New Year To All

ple’s ability to see one another as unique and beautiful expressions of God’s creation, instead darkening their vision, causing them to view others as objects to be used and manipulated,” he wrote.

Leaders of two other dioceses — Bishop Robert Finn from Kansas City and Archbishop Charles J. Chaput, O.F.M. Cap. of Denver — have also written pastoral letters that outline the dangers of pornography. Several other dioceses have published information on the topic in their diocesan newspapers or their websites. Catholic apostolates, including True Knights and The Serenellians, have formed to meet the needs of those struggling with this addiction; both have websites.

It is the availability of porn online that has caused the addiction to become so pervasive. According to Enough Is Enough, a secular website created to make the Internet safer for children and families, in 2006 there were 4.2 million pornographic websites and 68 million daily pornographic search engine requests, which makes it the most searched for topic on the Internet.

Sixty percent of all website visits are sexual in nature.

The cultural censure of disordered sexuality, such as viewing pornography, has faded and with it the benefits of healthy sexuality for society, the report said.

“Traditionally, government has kept a tight lid on sexual traffic and businesses, but in matters of pornography that has waned almost completely, except where child pornography is concerned.

Given the massive, deleterious individual, marital, family, and

social effects of pornography, it is time for citizens, communities, and government to reconsider their laissez-faire approach,” the report said.

President Barack Obama’s administration has so far refused to regulate the distribution of pornography, Mineau said.

The Justice Department and Federal Communications Commission need to work to minimize the documented negative impact of pornography. The data are a call to action for the government, the general public and also to anyone serving in ministry. Ministers need to reach out to the many people at Sunday services who struggle with pornography addiction, Mineau said.

“It’s a wake up call for pastors,” he said.

Pastor of Community Care at non-denominational Grace Chapel in Lexington, Jim Ennis told The Anchor he was hired nearly two years ago to reach out to people struggling with all types of addiction. A support group, open to all, meets weekly and those dealing with pornography addiction have the chance to get together in a small group.

People who are addicted to pornography feel isolated; they lead a hidden life. In order to recover, they need to show their true selves to others and know they will still be accepted. They also need accountability, he said.

Ennis said he has found that pornography addiction is “pervasive” and difficult to combat.

“This is an area where you see a lot of relapses,” he said. “People

who try to do it on their own with their own willpower will fail 100 percent of the time.”

Many of the men in Grace Chapel’s support group have struggled with pornography addiction since their youth, he said.

Mineau said that parents need to be on alert to ensure that their children are not exposed to pornography on the Internet or their cell phones. Recently, many youth have been involved in “sexting,” a term for sending out pornographic images taken with cell phone cameras. Mineau recommends Internet filters and cell phones without cameras for teen-agers.

The report said that one of the biggest tasks adolescents have is “to come to grips with their burgeoning sexuality.” In the past when teen-agers tested the limits of sexual expression, their behavior triggered social sanctions, but those sanctions “operate in fewer and fewer quarters” today.

“The digital revolution is being used by younger and younger children to dismantle the barriers that channel sexuality into family life,” the report said. “Pornography viewing among teenagers disorients them during that developmental phase when they have to learn how to handle their sexuality and when they are most vulnerable to uncertainty about their sexual beliefs and moral values.”

The report also stressed that many youth initially come across pornography on the Internet by accident. The report cited a study that found 70 percent of young people aged 15-17 were unintentionally exposed to online pornography. Another study found that 44 percent of youth do not disclose the accidental encounter of pornography to anyone else.

Yet another survey found that unintended exposure caused youths to be 2.5 times more likely to intentionally seek pornography in the future.

Continued exposure can lead to addiction like continued exposure to drugs. The report found that brain scans showed similar activity when pornography addicts viewed pornography and cocaine addicts viewed images of people taking cocaine.

Mineau said that in order to combat the sexualization of youth, parents should foster a healthy environment at home where issues regarding human sexuality can be discussed openly. These “continual conversations” should take advantage of teachable moments and communicate the “wonders of human sexuality from God’s perspective.”

The report said, “Strong families remain the best defense against the negative effects of pornography, especially when aided by regular religious worship with all the benefits it brings.”

December 18, 2009

Midnight Mass continues a strong tradition continued from page one

so that the people would get to see me and know me as we happily celebrated together at a significant time,” he noted.

Sacred Hearts Father Thomas McElroy said they when he reinstituted the Midnight Mass at St. Joseph’s Parish in Fairhaven last year, “it was because it has been requested, not as you might think just by an older group of faithful parishioners who had grown up with it, but by a younger group of families as well. And we had a full church at that Mass.”

He said they indicated to him as the pastor that they wanted to celebrate “the very beginning of Christmas, and with the wonderful liturgy by our priests, and the fine music by the choir, it went beautifully. Some of the music involved a sing-a-long.”

Father McElroy said he found those attending “paying special attention to the Scriptural readings” and the great story of Christ’s birth by following along in the missalette.

The goal of finding any congregation attentive for 100 percent of the time “is normally hard to find anytime.”

Msgr. Gerard P. O’Connor, pastor of St. Francis Xavier Parish in Acushnet, said “I’d be sorry to see the Midnight Mass at Christmas tradition give way to vigil Masses, because so many people, especially children, love them. The young people look forward to coming out in the cold night, to stay up late when they usually aren’t allowed, and to come to a concert of holy music and the Mass at such a late hour.”

He said his altar servers “fight to see who will be selected to serve at the Midnight Mass, and I have plenty of volunteers.”

Although vigil Masses are slated on Christmas Eve at 4 and 6:30 p.m., to accommodate those families who come with infants and toddlers, and whose Christmas Day will be very busy ones, “we also have Christmas Day Masses at 8 and 10:30 a.m., for those who regularly attend at those time on Sundays,” Msgr. O’Connor noted.

“As happens with the children, I will take a nap on Christmas Eve so I too can stay awake for the Midnight Mass … and to make it through five Masses on the holy day,” he said.

Asked if the people were attentive to the Scriptural readings even as the season’s gleeful spirit surrounded them, Msgr. O’Connor said, “Yes, they are. Above all, they are here to celebrate Jesus’ birth, and they do that.”

One of the largest multi-lingual celebrations at Midnight Mass in the diocese is planned at St. Joseph’s Church in Attleboro, where parishioners and the parish community from Holy Ghost Church will join for the special liturgy.

“I can’t speak from experience

15

The Anchor because I’m new here, but I expect it will be well received because both communities will be taking part, and I expect there will be a large turnout,” said Father John M. Murray, who serves both faith assemblies.

“We’ll have music from the combined Portuguese, English and Spanish choirs, and the readings will be in Portuguese and Spanish, and the Gospel will be in English … and so will be my homily,” said a laughing Father Murray.

He said the traditional Midnight Mass would also include other cultural traditions, including the Portuguese tradition of venerating a likeness of the Infant Jesus following Mass.

Father Daniel W. Lacroix, pastor of St. Francis Xavier Parish in Hyannis, expressed strong hopes that the Midnight Mass would be a continuing tradition.

“When I was assigned to parishes in Wareham, Mansfield and Acushnet, we had wonderful Midnight Masses — some with three priests — and the tradition was strong and we had good turnouts.

But in Chatham, everybody was in bed by 8 p.m.,” he commented.

The trend of going to an early evening vigil Mass at Christmas so that people can stay up late and sleep in on Christmas morning is gaining popularity, he said.

“So much so that there are more attending the vigil Masses than on Christmas Day,” Father Lacroix reported.

“Here in Hyannis, the attendance is multi-layered. We find the older parishioners coming following their long-standing tradition in how they were brought up, and yet we find many younger families who also have the college-aged children with them, because they are home for the winter break.”

There are also many “new” faces among the congregation, “And that’s good,” said Father Lacroix. “The holy readings at Christmas are inspiring.

Perhaps by hearing them and with the help of God’s grace some may be moved to amend their lives for the better.”

At St. John the Evangelist Parish in Attleboro, pastor Father Richard M. Roy recalls “how surprised I was when I first

came here to see how strong a tradition the Mass at midnight was. Every year we have had a very good attendance, especially when you consider we have other vigil Masses - on Christmas Eve at 4 p.m., which usually brings an overflow crowd - and at 6 p.m.”

A concert that includes carols performed by the choir at 11:15 p.m., before the Mass at midnight “is another favorite event for parishioners as they celebrate the holy day, and for many they wouldn’t miss it,” Father Roy added.

By contrast, he said, the Mass on Christmas Day at 10 a.m., has few in attendance.

At St. Anthony’s in Taunton, pastor Father Henry S. Arruda will be so busy directing the choir and himself giving an organ recital of holy music and leading the special liturgy, that Franciscan Father William Linhares, a native son of the parish, will celebrate the Midnight Mass.

“And while Father Linhares will also give the homily, I will later offer a message in Portuguese,” Father Arruda said. “I’ll be celebrating the other vigil Masses.”

“We have planned a very festive liturgy that includes the deacon and various ministries in procession carrying in the statue of the Infant Jesus and placing it in the crèche; the illumination of lights and the ringing of bells at the Gloria … all with wonderful music all aimed at leading people’s minds and hearts to the celebration of Christ’s birth,” he added.

The old country tradition of venerating the statue of the baby Jesus will also be held following Mass.

Father Richard L. Chretien, pastor of Notre Dame de Lourdes Parish in Fall River, said he enjoys seeing “many old faces of former parishioners” who attend the Mass at midnight.

“I get to greet many people who grew up in this parish and have since moved away or after marriage have relocated, but, who following the tradition they grew up here, come back each Christmas to celebrated the holy day with us,” he added.

At Annunciation of the Lord Parish in Taunton, pastor Father Timothy P. Driscoll, and Father Kevin A. Cook, who is in residence, will concelebrate the Mass at midnight.

“I expect between 350 and 400 people to attend the Mass, and while the tradition is still strong, it is not as strong as it was 10 years ago,” Father Driscoll said.

“I see the vigil Mass at 4 p.m., at which the children present a pageant beforehand, and which their families attend, to be growing in popularity, and I expect that approximately 750 will be at that Mass,” he added.

He said there are many and various reasons — including the late hour — for many families and individual to choose a vigil Mass.

“And while we do see some people we don’t ordinarily see at Mass regularly, attending the Mass at midnight, it is absolutely wonderful to see them there and to welcome them,” Father Driscoll stated.

Asked why so many people are drawn to a Mass celebrated at midnight, Father Marc H. Bergeron, pastor of St. Anne’s Parish in Fall River, said “Because it is so different from other Masses and that it marks one of the greatest and happiest holy days in the Church’s calendar. It has a special romance, one might say.”

He said the appeal is “because people who want to celebrate the birth of Christ are attracted to the wonderful music — and our choir at St. Anne’s led by Normand Gingras has a fine program in store — and the lights, the prayers, the readings also reflect the tone, the spirit of the

holy day to raise everyone’s spirits to Christ, which people want.”

“Oh yes, I will be seeing many people I don’t know or haven’t seen in a while, but that’s good too, as they all arrive in a very old tradition that currently finds not just the older parishioners, but many young ones as well.”

For Father Mark R. Hession, things have changed for the better as regards Midnight Mass in his 10 years since becoming pastor at Our Lady of Victory Parish in Centerville.

“When I first came here it was a loud and feisty crowd, who, after a long social evening — too long — trooped in for what they hoped would be a quick Mass. But after some catechizing and with the help of a great team effort by parishioners, the people who pack our church for the Midnight Mass are here to experience the mystery of the Word made flesh, the birth of Christ,” he explained.

He said the delightful concert of holy music by the choir at 11:15 p.m., along with the nuanced lighting including candles, and the grand decorations “nicely temper the congregation, and brings them to the point of wanting to celebrate the Mass with great expectancy as the hour arrives.”

There are so many collegians attending with families, who look forward to meeting again with their friends and going out after Mass for coffee. They also tend “to hush up those who might be too exuberant.

And I find the congregation is very attentive to the readings as well as my homily, according to the feedback after Mass,” Father Hession added.

“We always have a packed church for the Mass, and I’m very pleased with the new spirit and excitement of this old Church tradition.”

T he National Shrine of Our Lady of La Salette in Attleboro wishes all a Mer r y Christmas and Happy Blessed New Year as we celebrate “Jesus is God’s YES.” We invite you to visit the La Salette Festival of Lights until Januar y 3, 2010.

Please visit our Website at http://www.lasalette-shrine.or g.

Open site map and then Christmas link.

16

ADVENT ADVENTURE — St. Mary-Sacred Heart School students Annie Mendillo with sisters Elizabeth and Kay LaBelle display their completed Advent Wreath. In observance of this holy time, the North Attleboro school hosted its annual Advent wreath-making workshop for the school community and the parishioners of Sacred Heart and St. Mary’s churches.

Youth Pages

December 18, 2009

GIVING AND RECEIVING — The youth group at Annunciation of the Lord Parish in Taunton recently gathered to decorate the parish giving tree and enjoy hot chocolate, pizza and fellowship. Here, pastor Father Timothy P. Driscoll blesses the tree.

HOLIDAY SPIRIT — The sixth-grade students of St. Mary’s School in New Bedford enjoyed their recent monthly visit to Sacred Heart Nursing Home. Each month the class, along with teachers Jeanne Mendes and Kathleen LaPerriere, visit to pray the rosary, sing songs, make crafts or just have a friendly chat. Here Jewlaya Sturtevant plays BINGO with a resident.

’TIS THE SEASON — In preparation for the Advent season, Father James Ferry, pastor of Espirito Santo Parish in Fall River, recently blessed the classroom Advent Candles and Jesse Tree at Espirito Santo School.

WORLD AIDS DAY REMEMBRANCE — Members of the Coyle and Cassidy High School Character Education Committee coordinated a day of remembrance on December 1 in recognition of World AIDS Day. Red ribbons, the international symbol of support for those living with HIV and AIDS were distributed to students and staff. Committee members also conducted morning prayer and posted statistics related to individuals afflicted with HIV and AIDS. A voluntary donation was collected and sent to the Diocesan AIDS Ministry Office. From left, are members of the committee: Joshua Cutting, Victoria Legan, Page Andrews, Tanya Seamans, and Andrew Rondelli.

CHECK FOR BOOKS — Banif Açores, Inc. in Fall River recently donated $1,800 to Holy Trinity School in that city to purchase 30 Portuguese textbooks and workbooks for use in their new Portuguese Class. From left: Catia Pereira, Portuguese teacher; Minda Albergaria, manager of Banif Acores, Inc.; Emma Hipolito, firstgrade teacher; Mrs. John, teacher’s aide; Principal Brenda Gagnon; and the firstgrade class.

Youth Pages

December 18, 2009

S

everal weeks ago my best friend went home to the Father. He passed from our midst not quickly, but suddenly. His passing, of course, has caused me, and I’m sure others to ponder what has happened and to try to make some sense of it all.

It was this time last year that I received an email from him. He and his family had moved from our neighborhood nine years ago and while we connected via email several times over the nine years, life, activities and circumstances got in the way of getting together.

I’m not sure he would call me his best friend but I always joked with him that, as I had no friends, that he had to be my best friend.

His email indicated that he was sick and after a number of tests and missteps by some doctors it was determined to be a very rare and deadly cancer. I was in shock. How could it be?

Impossible.

He was on a chemo regimen and there was hope that it was working. Our families soon got together to catch up and over the year that we had, I was able to spend some time with him reconnecting our lives. On our walks, we’d talk about everything; family, heaven, God, the old days. He’d talk about his kids and his hopes for them. He wasn’t afraid of dying NORTH EASTON — As Christmas approaches, the spirit of giving and helping others is on the minds of students, faculty and staff at Stonehill College. Here is a sampling of events and initiatives that capture the spirit of this special season at the school.

On December 1, the college got the Advent and Christmas season underway when the Stonehill College Brass Ensemble joined the Chapel Choir for an evening of Lessons and Carols in the Chapel of Mary. Campus Minister Mary Anne Cappelleri presided and preached.

“The Chapel Choir and members of the Stonehill Orchestra, along with student lectors and servers provided a rich fare of seasonal readings and music, marrying word and song that lifted hearts and minds to God in this season of joy and anticipation,” said Campus Minister Denise Gannon of New Bedford.

After Lessons and Carols, the audience went outside to the main quadrangle to participate in the annual, and very popular, lighting and blessing of the Christmas tree.

Throughout the day, Stonehill students participated in many activities such as creating their own photo ornaments and frosting holiday-themed cupcakes in the Dining Commons as well.

17

Christmas — Time for a little R & R

but only worried about his family. much this man and his family He made me promise that now were loved. What a true testament that our families had reconnected, to living a good Christian life. we would always be a part of their When I spoke to his other lives. I made that promise. I played “best friends,” all had similar the cheerleader and told him that stories. He was a great man who he’d be able to beat it. I tried to lived a life of sacrifice and being keep his spirits up and he tried to there for others. It was so obvious keep mine up as well. that he had 100 best friends but He was in constant pain for made me feel like I was the only much of the year (and longer) but one. Someone said that day, that he never let it get in the way of our time together.

Even when he was in excruciating pain, he would take the time to ask about my girls, or about how a meeting went, or how my

By Frank Lucca classes were going. On one of his last days, when he was so sick and vomiting, he would apologize to me for the measure of how great a permy having to be subjected to it. son is, was if the funeral director Throughout the chemo and cried at your wake. The funeral surgery, he kept fighting. He just director cried. wouldn’t give up. Things were I still don’t understand the looking up and suddenly things how and why of it all but what I started to go terribly wrong. do know is that as a result of our Within days my best friend was reconnection and recommitment gone. He leaves behind his angel to our friendship, we were able of a wife who took care of him to spend some wonderful times for months, and three beautiful, together. Time we wouldn’t have wonderful, talented children and had if we hadn’t reconnected. his mom. The outpouring of supLife is fleeting and it can be port for the family was comfortshort. None of us knows the day ing to all. The throngs of people nor the hour. And that’s my point who attended the wake and the today. The R & R I’m talking funeral Mass showed just how about is not rest and relaxation,

which is surely needed, especially at this hectic time of year, but Reconnect and Recommit.

As a result of all that has happened, I’ve been thinking about those connections that have been severed or broken in my own life; a pastor from a number of years ago that we’ve lost contact with, even though he was so important in the faith life of our family, first cousins that I haven’t spoken to in decades, a result of our parents not speaking. I could probably go on and on. This day I will find the time and strength and I will commit to try and heal those severed ties.

As a result of my best friend’s passing, I’m making a commitment to reestablish those connections and recommitting to develop and maintain those relationships that are so important in our lives.

I am so grateful for the time I had with my best friend. I thank God that I had the opportunity to walk with him on part of his journey home. He has taught me many lessons but the greatest is the importance of friends and family. And isn’t that what Christmas is all about?

Yes, take some time this Christmas for some rest and

relaxation. Let’s not let the hustle and bustle of the holidays get in the way of what it is truly all about. But let’s also take the time to connect (or reconnect) with family and friends. To connect (or reconnect) with our God who loved us so much that he sent his only begotten Son into the world.

I challenge you also to take some time to think about your relationships. Are there any ties in your family that need healing?

Any severed connections that need to be reconnected? Anyone you need to recommit to?

Our lives and relationships may be likened to a string of Christmas lights (at least in my mind at this moment). All interconnected. All dependent on one another and on the source of all power (life), our God. Remember, if one goes out, they all go out.

Let’s keep the true spirit of Christmas bright this year. Think about it … wouldn’t that be the greatest Christmas present for all?

Frank Lucca is a youth minister at St. Dominic’s Parish in Swansea. He is chair and director of the YES! Retreat and director of the Christian Leadership Institute (CLI). He is a husband and a father of two daughters. He can be reached at stdominicyouthministry@ comcast.net.

goal this year is to secure 100 gifts for the tree and the program will work with Taunton State Hospital and Father Bill’s and Mainspring’s One Family Scholar Program.

“We will be purchasing gifts for 30 children and 17 parents in addition to sponsoring 20 individuals through Taunton State Hospital’s program for those who are in an inpatient setting,” noted Cappelleri.

The gifts were distributed to the agencies this week.

“The Giving Tree affords the campus community the opportunity to give life to the corporal works of mercy during the Advent season. At this time of the year, we prepare for the coming of Jesus at Christmas and work to embody the value of service to others,” added Cappelleri.

“It is great to be a part of the Stonehill community during the Christmas season for the traditional Christmas activities such as tree lightings, carols, and giving back to those who need it most through toy and food drives,” said Senior Kathleen Atkins .

On Friday, the annual Alumni Gift Wrap Party was held. Sponsored by the Young Alumni Committee of Stonehill’s Alumni Council, the gift wrap party brought together alumni to wrap donated toys that are distributed to local children through My Brother’s

Keeper, an Easton-based volunteer Christian ministry which assists people in need in southeastern Massachusetts.

“The gift wrap is a great chance for me to give back while enjoying the beauty of Stonehill’s campus around Christmas and catching up with fellow alumni,” said Bobby Conceison, a 2007 graduate of the College.

On Sunday, December 6, the Stonehill College Chamber Orchestra and Concert Band performed together in a special afternoon concert of holiday favorites, classical and jazz selections, and marches. More than 50 student instrumentalists performed at this concert, which was held in Alumni Hall.

One of the highlights on the calendar is the annual Century Club Christmas party, which attracts alumni, friends, neighbors, and parents of students to the Roche Dining Commons on campus for a gala evening of entertainment and fellowship. Once again this year, the Century Club raffle raised funds for student scholarships at the College.

Across campus, various groups and departments have been organizing special drives for toys, canned goods, and clothing, including a toy and coat drive being organized

by Senior Tracy Sharbaugh.

“I am running this drive through the Children and Youth Department of Brockton Hospital because I have been interning there this semester as a child life specialist,” said Sharbaugh.

“I believe it is vitally important to help out others in need especially during the holiday season because there is a significant amount of pressure on families to provide not only the basic necessities, but now extravagant gifts. Our current economic crisis has caused immense adversities for numerous families in Brockton, and it’s important for us who have more to help our neighbors, and build a strong sense of community,” added Sharbaugh.

In an effort to raise awareness and support for people struggling with hunger in Massachusetts, Junior Nicole Santarsiero is directed a 24-hour famine fund-raiser where students limited their food intake and collected donations. All funds went to Project Bread, Massachusetts’ leading anti-hunger organization.

“The famine is a way to get people thinking from a new perspective. By humbling ourselves in our food intake, we are able to have a greater compassion for those who undergo the pains of hunger far too often,” said Santarsiero.

Be Not Afraid

Advent is a busy time for Stonehill students “I was not able to attend this year’s Lessons and Carols, as I was volunteering at that time.

However, I have gone in years past, and it is one of my favorite events of the year. This time of the semester is certainly busy, and it provides an opportunity to reflect on what is truly important in life, and to celebrate the Christmas season with the Stonehill community,” said Into the Streets Coordinator Erin Casey, a senior from North Attleboro. Into the Streets is Stonehill’s largest student-run organization and offers 40 different social service agencies with which more than 600 students partner for ongoing and episodic volunteer opportunities.

“I love partaking in community service all year long, but I especially love helping during the holiday season. I find this time of year to be especially joyous, and I hope that I can help to make this season special for others as well. I wish I had the time and resources to donate to every agency, but I try to do all that I can, and I like knowing that I can make a difference, even if it is only a small contribution,” added Casey.

As in years past, Campus Ministry will have its Giving Tree program, which collects gifts from students, faculty and staff and directs them to local families in need. The

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The Anchor

Around the Diocese 12/20

A Christmas concert of choral, solo and organ music will be performed at Our Lady of the Cape Church, 468 Stony Brook Road, Brewster, Sunday at 4 p.m. The concert is free and open to the public. For more information, call 508-896-2950.

12/20

A free Christmas concert will be held at St. Joseph’s Parish, 74 Spring Street in Fairhaven, Sunday at 3 p.m. with the 30-member parish choir, under the direction of John M. Jannis. Performances will include popular and religious Christmas songs and Mozart’s “Ave Verum.” All are invited. Refreshments will be served.

12/20

“The Birth of Jesus — In Song and Tableau” will take place Sunday at 3 p.m. at St. Lawrence Martyr Parish, 110 Summer Street, New Bedford. All are invited and a donation of canned goods for the needy will be taken at the door.

12/20

An afternoon of flute music with flutist and parishioner Nicholas Fitton accompanied by pianist Deborah Emery will take place Sunday at 2 p.m. at Christ the King Parish, The Commons, Mashpee. The recital will feature works by Burton, Elliot, Hindemith, Muczynski and Nielsen. Admission is free but canned food donations for the St. Vincent de Paul Food Pantry will be accepted.

12/22

The students and faculty of St. Mary-Sacred Heart School, 57 Richards Avenue, North Attleboro, will celebrate the true meaning of Christmas during their annual Christmas pageant and concert on December 22 beginning at 7 p.m. and on December 23 beginning at 1:30 p.m. The students will dramatize the Christmas story in their production of “That Night in Bethlehem” and a 65-voice chorus will offer musical selections. Admission is free.

December 18, 2009

Our readers respond

Dissent by politicians I thoroughly agree with, and applaud your position on “conscience-education” is a futile pastoral approach to catechize dissenting politicians. I read of your editorial in The Anchor issue of September 11.

I wonder what our Catholic legislators would answer if they were asked what should be done if an officer or enlisted member of any branch of the military would dissent in a like manner against their commander-in-chief?

Peter Hahn Hampshire, Ill.

enthusiastically shares his involvement in teaching courses in the Permanent Diaconate program.

It made my heart feel good when he stated that he enjoys not only teaching in the program but enjoys working with the deacons that have been assigned to him through the years.

Imagine if all the presbyterate in the diocese embraced and appreciated the deacons and the work they do, as does Father Lacroix, the sky would be the limit.

Deacon Robert A. Faria St. John of God Parish Somerset

A vote for the permanent diaconate How uplifting it was to read Father Daniel W. Lacroix’s article “Year for Priests Vocational Reflection” in the November 13 edition of The Anchor, in which he so

A big difference The statement given as the reason for not scheduling Communion Services during the Diocesan Priests’ Convocation (The Anchor, Nov 27) — “so that people will not equate [the service] with the

Eucharistic Adoration in the Diocese

12/26

ACUSHNET — Eucharistic adoration takes place at St. Francis Xavier Parish on Mondays and Wednesdays 9:30 a.m. to 6:30 p.m.; Fridays 9:30 a.m. to 6 p.m.; and Saturdays 8 a.m. to 2:45 p.m. Mondays and Wednesdays end with Evening Prayer and Benediction at 6:30 p.m.; Saturdays end with Benediction at 2:45 p.m.

12/27

BREWSTER — Eucharistic adoration takes place in the La Salette Chapel in the lower level of Our Lady of the Cape Church, 468 Stony Brook Road, on First Fridays following the 11 a.m. Mass until 7:45 a.m. on the First Saturday of the month, concluding with Benediction and Mass.

Courage, a welcoming support group for Catholics wounded by same-sex attraction who gather to seek God’s wisdom, mercy and love, will next meet on December 26 at 7 p.m. For location information, call Father Richard Wilson at 508-992-9408.

On December 27 at 3 p.m., the Cathedral Adult and Youth Choirs will present the 14th Annual Christmas Carol Sing at Holy Rosary Church, 120 Beattie Street in Fall River. The choirs will offer a few selections but most of the onehour program is intended as a sing-along for all present. There is no admission charge and all are welcome to bring family and friends.

1/8 2/7

A Worldwide Marriage Encounter weekend is scheduled for New England on January 8-10. For information or to make reservations, call 1-800-710-WWME or visit www.wwmema.org.

A concert featuring Father “Pat” Patenaude from La Salette Shrine will be held at St. Julie Billiart Parish, 494 Slocum Road, North Dartmouth on February 7 at 2 p.m. For tickets, call 508-996-5267 or 508-999-7290.

BUZZARDS BAY — Eucharistic adoration takes place at St. Margaret Church, 141 Main Street, every first Friday after the 8 a.m. Mass and ending the following day before the 8 a.m. Mass.

EAST TAUNTON — Eucharistic adoration takes place First Fridays at Holy Family Church, 370 Middleboro Avenue, following the 8:30 a.m. Mass until Benediction at 8 p.m.

FAIRHAVEN — St. Mary’s Church, Main St., has a First Friday Mass each month at 7 p.m., followed by a Holy Hour with eucharistic adoration. Refreshments follow.

FALL RIVER — St. Anthony of the Desert Church, 300 North Eastern Avenue, has eucharistic adoration Mondays and Tuesdays from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m., and on the first Sunday of the month from noon to 4 p.m.

HYANNIS — A Holy Hour with eucharistic adoration will take place each First Friday at St. Francis Xavier Church beginning at 4 p.m.

NEW BEDFORD — Eucharistic adoration takes place 7 to 9 p.m. Wednesdays at Our Lady of Guadalupe Church, 233 County Street, with night prayer and Benediction at 8:45 p.m., and confessions offered during the evening.

NEW BEDFORD — There is a daily holy hour from 5:15-6:15 p.m. Monday through Thursday at St. Anthony of Padua Church, 1359 Acushnet Avenue. It includes adoration of the Blessed Sacrament, Liturgy of the Hours, recitation of the rosary, and the opportunity for confession.

SEEKONK ­— Our Lady of Mt. Carmel Parish has eucharistic adoration seven days a week, 24 hours a day in the chapel at 984 Taunton Avenue. For information call 508336-5549.

NORTH DIGHTON — Eucharistic adoration takes place every First Friday at St. Nicholas of Myra Church, 499 Spring Street following the 8 a.m. Mass, ending with Benediction at 6 p.m. The rosary is recited Monday through Friday at the church from 7:30 to 8 a.m.

OSTERVILLE — Eucharistic adoration takes place at Our Lady of the Assumption Church, 76 Wianno Avenue on First Fridays following the 8 a.m. Mass until Benediction at 5 p.m. The Divine Mercy Chaplet is prayed at 4:45 p.m.; on the third Friday of the month from 1 p.m. to Benediction at 5 p.m.; and for the Year For Priests, the second Thursday of the month from 1 p.m. to Benediction at 5 p.m.

TAUNTON — Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament takes place every First Friday at Annunciation of the Lord Church, 31 First Street, immediately following the 8 a.m.

Mass and continues throughout the day. Confessions are heard from 5:15 to 6:15 p.m., concluding with recitation of the rosary and Benediction at 6:30 p.m.

TAUNTON — Eucharistic adoration takes place every Tuesday at St. Anthony Church, 126 School Street, following the 8 a.m. Mass with prayers including the Chaplet of Divine Mercy for vocations, concluding at 6 p.m. with Chaplet of St. Anthony and Benediction. Recitation of the rosary for peace is prayed Monday through Saturday at 7:30 a.m. prior to the 8 a.m. Mass.

WEST HARWICH — Our Lady of Life Perpetual Adoration Chapel at Holy Trinity Parish, 246 Main Street, holds perpetual eucharistic adoration. For open hours, or to sign up call 508-430-4716.

WOODS HOLE — Eucharistic adoration takes place at St. Joseph’s Church, 33 Millfield Street, year-round on weekdays 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m., and Saturday 9 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. No adoration on Sundays, Wednesdays, and holidays. For information call 508-274-5435.

celebration of the Eucharist” — is puzzling.

Wasn’t one of the reasons for assigning deacons to parishes that they might lead prayer services and distribute Communion in the absence of a priest? In fact, this has been past practice in this diocese.

Might there be a connection between low estimates of the understanding of the laity and the present shortage of priests?

Finally, the “what would Jesus do?” axiom provokes serious speculation. Would he likely punish the faithful by deprivation of the real presence?

Joan M. Maloney.

Chatham Father Landry replies: The reason why the diocese ensured that Masses would be held in every deanery during the days when all diocesan priests would be away is precisely so that desirous daily Communicants would not be deprived of Mass. In terms of WWJD, Jesus said, “Do this in memory of me,” by which he meant the Mass. There’s an infinite distance between a “Communion Service” and a Mass. Even though in both there is the proclamation of the Word and the possible reception of holy Communion, only in the Mass do we enter fully in time into the eternal sacrifice of Christ from the upper room and the Cross. The hope was that daily communicants in a geographical area would come together in one or a few places to pray for their priests during the convocation.

Courage in print Thank you very much for your December 11 editorial, which is the most courageous editorial that I have ever read.

Paul J. Canniff, DMD Centerville

In Your Prayers Please pray for these priests during the coming weeks Dec. 21 Rev. Henri J. Charest, Pastor, St. Mathieu, Fall River, 1968 Rev. Manuel M. Resendes, Retired Pastor, Our Lady of Lourdes, Taunton, 1985 Rev. Laureano C. dos Reis, Retired Pastor, St. Anthony of Padua, Fall River, 1989 Dec. 22 Rev. Adriano Moniz, Retired Pastor, Our Lady of Angels, Fall River, 1964 Rev. Armand P. Paradis, S.J., Psychologist, San Francisco, Calif., 1991 Dec. 23 Rev. Owen J. Kiernan, Pastor, Immaculate Conception, Fall River, 1901 Rev. Charles P. Trainor, SS, St. Edward Seminary, Seattle, Wash., 1947 Rev. Msgr. John A. Silvia, Retired Pastor, St. John the Baptist, New Bedford, 1970 Rev. William E. Collard, Retired Pastor, St. Theresa, New Bedford, 1986 Dec. 24 Rev. James K. Beaven, Pastor, Sacred Heart, Taunton, 1886 Rev. Timothy J. Duff, Assistant, St. Joseph, Woods Hole, 1914 Dec. 25 Rev. James B. Mannis, C.S.C., Prison and Hospital Chaplain, 2008 Dec. 27 Rev. Thomas J. Stapleton, Pastor, Corpus Christi, Sandwich, 1956 Rev. Msgr. Armand Levasseur, Retired Pastor, St. Anne, New Bedford, 1970 Rev. Manuel Andrade, Former Pastor, Our Lady of Health, Fall River, 1995

December 18, 2009

I

19

The Anchor

This intense rivalry lasts but 60 minutes a year

t’s the game that as a lad, I eagerly awaited every year. Even before Boston professional sports dug its talons into me, I was hooked on the annual ArmyNavy college football extravaganza.

I really can’t say for sure what captured my young imagination at first glance. Perhaps it was all those students in military uniforms in the stands. Perhaps it was the passion the players showed on the field. I’m not quite sure, but I knew this game was different than any event I’d seen.

Last Saturday was the 110th meeting of the Army and Naval academies on the gridiron, and while I’ve watched

By Dave Jolivet more than 40 of those, it’s still a yearly pigskin highlight.

I now know why I’ve been enamored with this contest through the years.

What makes the Army-Navy game so unique is its integrity.

For 60 football minutes, these two teams genuinely don’t like each other — on the field and in the stands. There’s nothing new there, but all the while, the combat-

ants genuinely respect each other. They have to — before and after those 60 football minutes, they are brothers and sisters in arms. As was mentioned so often during last Saturday’s telecast, these young men and women may one day be side by side on the battle field. These are the young men and women who will risk all to allow you and me to maintain the freedoms we so often take for granted.

It’s refreshing to watch these teams go head-to-head without the constant taunting and showboating often found in most collegiate and professional sporting events.

This is good, clean football where a personal foul for a late hit or a cheap shot is very rare.

In today’s sports jargon, respect translates into a player’s financial worth. In the Army-Navy game, there is no translation. Respect is respect.

Every year I root for Navy, and that’s because my dad served in the U.S. Navy during World War II. But it would be just as easy and fulfilling rooting for the Black Knights of Army. Both schools have my respect.

I find it very poignant that each and every player on that field will be assigned to a specific job for the next four or five years after graduation. There’s no going pro yet, they still have a commitment to our country and each other.

Football is a game. These young men know it.

Maybe that’s why the Army-Navy game has such great integrity.

There are a few things I would like to do in my lifetime — and high on that list is to attend an Army-Navy game in person. Just watching it on TV can make the hairs on my neck stand at attention — the game itself, the crowd, even the commercials with our soldiers in harm’s way across the globe cheering on their branch. I can’t even imagine what it must be like to be there.

Given the choice to attend a Super Bowl, a World Series, or the Army-Navy game, I would choose the latter in a heart beat.

Navy defeated Army this year 17-3, but there were no losers. In the 110-year history of this game, only five wins separate the two. Brothers in arms.

Army failed to make it to a bowl game this year, but you can bet I’ll be rooting for Navy on New Year’s Eve day when they take on Missouri in the Texas Bowl in Houston. Then I’ll be rooting for the seniors from both academies to be safe and successful in the lives they have chosen.

I can’t help it.

They have my respect.

My View From the Stands

“May the Madonna and her Blessed Child Jesus watch over you at Christmas and throughout the New Year!”

From the faithful at St. John the Evangelist Parish in Pocasset, Massachusetts Father Robert Donovan, Pastor

Baby attacked in womb survives By the Associated Press

MARYLAND — A 29-year-old homeless woman has given birth to a baby girl after she was befriended by a Maryland woman who held her captive for several days, and whom, police report, tried to cut the baby from her womb According to Officer Michelle Reedy, spokesperson for the Prince George’s County Police, “The would-be baby killer bound the victim’s hands and tried to cut the victim’s abdomen to try to get the baby out. They believe she wanted the victim’s baby.”

The story drew comments from Catholic League President Bill Donohue.

“The word ‘baby’ is constantly invoked. Not fetus.

Not clump of cells. Baby. That’s what we emphasized,” said Donohue.

“Now consider this: also yesterday (December 9), the U.S. Senate decided that the American people — the majority of whom are opposed to the federal financing of abortion — must pay for the work of doctors who routinely cut babies from their mother’s wombs. To put it differently, the taxpayers will now pay for the prison sentence of the unauthorized abortionist and are slated to pay the salaries of authorized abortionists,” said Donohue.

He added, “Something to think about while we celebrate the birth of baby Jesus.”

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The Anchor

Christmas Schedule

Confessions Thursday, December 24: 11:00 a.m. - Noon Christmas Masses Vigils - Thursday, December 24: 4:00 & 6:30 p.m.

With Musical Prelude at 6:00 p.m.

Friday, Christmas Day: 7:00, 8:30, 10:30 a.m., and Noon New Year’s Day Masses Vigils - Thursday, December 31: 5:30 p.m.

Friday, New Year’s Day: 8:00 a.m., 12:00 p.m., and 5:30 p.m.

Our Lady of the Assumption Church 76 Wianno Avenue - P.O. Box E — Osterville, Massachusetts 02655 http://www.assumptioncapecod.org

December 18, 2009