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Diocese of Fall River, Mass.

F riday , December 18, 2015

‘This is the Lord’s Own gate: Let us enter through it and obtain mercy.’

Bishop Edgar M. da Cunha, S.D.V.

Doors of Mercy opened at St. Mary’s Cathedral before Marian Medals ceremony Story on page three

Bishop Edgar M. da Cunha, S.D.V. walks through the Door of Mercy at St. Mary’s Cathedral in Fall River at a ceremony on December 13. (Photo by Christine M. Williams)

Mother of special needs child giving HOPe to those who need it most

By Becky Aubut Anchor Staff beckyaubut@anchornews.org

EASTON — When life handed Paula Kavolius lemons, she not only made lemonade, she planted an entire grove of lemon trees for everyone to enjoy.

Growing up in Westwood, Kavolius graduated from Boston College, met her husband shortly thereafter, and settled down to have three children in four years. It wasn’t until a year after her youngest, Timothy, was born that she began to sense that he was different. It was a challenging and a slow process because it took his first year of life for her to realize that something was wrong, as Timothy wasn’t hitting his milestones.

“He was my third one and I was quite busy,” recalled Kavolius, “but I think I was in denial that anything was wrong with him. At first he was a very quiet baby, barely cried at all, but when he turned one, he started screaming. He had such a neurological impairment, he would scream eight hours a day for years. He was so impaired, he just couldn’t communicate in any way.”

As Timothy’s condition became more clear, Kavolius said she felt like Michaela Odone, the mother featured in the movie “Lorenzo’s Oil,” where she felt that if she found the right treatment for Timothy, she would cure him; “I was a stubborn, Irish girl who could fix anything if I worked hard Turn to page 14

It’s all sunshine and smiles during a trip to the beach for the clients and staff of House of Possibilities in Easton. Founder and president Paula Kavolius started HOPe after seeing families of special needs children struggling to get a break. Kavolius created HOPe to provide special needs children with a safe and loving environment.

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December 18, 2015

Diocesan priest attends World Scout Jamboree in Japan

By Kenneth J. Souza Anchor Staff kensouza@anchornews.org WESTPORT — Father Stephen B. Salvador, pastor of St. George Parish in Westport and chaplain for the National Catholic Committee on Scouting, had the privilege of attending the 23rd World Scout Jamboree this past summer in Yamaguchi, Japan.

Held every four years in different locations, the latest jamboree took place July 28 through August 8 and drew an estimated 34,000 Scouts from 162 sending countries.

“What was amazing during this Scouting experience was to see Scouts from all over the world interact with one another,” Father Salvador recently told The Anchor. “You had a troop from America next to a troop from Portugal, then another from Mexico. You had all these troops camped out, side-by-side — American, Italian, Portuguese, French, Islamic, troops from Saudi Arabia and Kuwait — all working together and getting along. I met a young Saudi Scout who wanted to take a picture with me, the Catholic chaplain.”

In keeping with this year’s theme of “A Spirit of Unity,” the jamboree helped to foster a spirit of cooperation among youth of diverse backgrounds and cultures, while raising participants’ awareness of global issues such as peace, the environment, development, human rights and health.

“In talking to people about the World Jamboree, I think they’re most surprised to hear about the Scouts from Islamic countries, or places like Russia,” Father Salvador said.

Despite escalating tensions between certain countries, Father Salvador said everyone at the jamboree formed a unique bond that defied national boundaries.

The sole exception this year was Israel’s decision to not send Scout representatives to Japan.

“It was stated by their new prime minister that they were afraid of terrorism and acts of violence towards them,” Father Salvador said. “A lot of people said it was a shame that they did not see the Israeli flag fly-

ing at the world jamboree — at the entrance you have the flags flying representing every country present. I thought it was very sad, because everyone was there working together. There was no fighting.”

Father Salvador said the notion of a worldwide Scouting community sometimes seems foreign to people, especially those in the United States, because they view Scouting as a uniquely American experience.

They so often hear about the “Boy Scouts of America” that they don’t realize Scouting was actually founded in Great Britain by Lord Baden-Powell, a lieutenantgeneral in the British Army.

A Scouting delegation from the host country of Yamaguchi, Japan welcomed Father Stephen B. Salvador, pastor of St. George Parish in Westport and chaplain for the National Catholic Committee on Scouting, to the 23rd World Scout Jamboree this past summer. The jamboree, which is held every four years in different locations, took place July 28 through August 8 and drew an estimated 34,000 scouts from 162 sending countries. (Photo courtesy of Father Stephen B. Salvador)

“Lord Baden-Powell went to a Benedictine monastery to spend time in prayer and reflection to set up a program for youth and he established Scouting for boys and girls,” he said. “Scouting is God-centered, but it’s not a religious program. It’s a program that brings us to an understanding of God.” Virtually every religion was represented at the World Scout Jamboree, with the top two faith denominations being Islamic and Catholic. In addition to Roman Catholics, the U.S. also had a large contingency of Mormons present.

“The Catholic Church has always been very supportive of the Scouting program, and it’s a great program if they use it properly,” Father Salvador said. “It’s sad to say that some parishes don’t use it properly. The troop or the pack really belongs to the parish — it’s not just a matter of them using the hall. And the pastor is the one who picks the Scout leader.”

Although there isn’t a troop at St. George’s Parish, Father Salvador said there are active troops at the neighboring parishes of St. John the Baptist and Our Lady of Grace.

“The Scouting program is a program that is already there and I think more parishes should be using it,” he added. “I’ve always said that if you get the kids involved, then you’ll get the parents involved too.

“At my parish I have 35 altar servers and the whole family gets involved. I see husbands, wives and kids and sometimes they even bring the grandparents along — it’s exciting to get them all involved. Even in Faith Formation, I try to get more families involved. If you get families involved, you’ll have a strong program.”

With many parishes finding it difficult to start up and maintain youth groups and programs, Father Salvador suggested established Scout troops can help fill the void.

“The religious emblem program in the Boy Scouts is sometimes better than some of the Faith Formation programs out there,” Father Salvador said. “There is so much that is linked to the faith. The National

Share the Good News and tidings of great joy!

Dear Brothers and Sisters, As we draw nearer to celebrating the Birth of Our Savior, we can’t help but contemplate how the Christ Child grew in favor in God’s eyes and accepted His mission of spreading the Good News to all of creation. After His mission on earth was accomplished and He went back to the Father, Jesus entrusted to all faithful the duty of continuing the task of evangelization.

Pope Francis said, “It is important to remember that the Church is present in the world of communications, in all its forms, most of all to lead people to an encounter with the Lord Jesus.” Our own Anchor newspaper has played an important role in

that “encounter” for nearly 60 years in the Diocese of Fall River.

Nowhere else will you find a combination of coverage of our Holy Father and his teachings; Church doctrine; stories about faithful across our own diocese who take the mission of evangelization very seriously; the chronicling of our youth as they begin to assume responsibility for the future of our Church; and columnists, ordained and lay persons, who share their unique perspectives on living out the Catholic faith in day-to-day situations.

I ask that you help The Anchor to remain vibrant in its crucial mission of spreading the Good News that began with the Birth of the Christ and continues today.

In this and subsequent Anchor editions, you will find a coupon asking for diocesan faithful to renew subscriptions or subscribe anew, and to donate to help the publication continue to share news that can only be found in a Catholic newspa-

per. In Luke 2:10 the angel told the shepherds, “You have nothing to fear! I come to proclaim Good News to you — tidings of great joy.”

This Advent and Christmas season, please consider assisting The Anchor in continuing to proclaim the

Turn to page 19

Good News and tidings of great joy.

Sincerely yours in the Lord, Most Reverend Edgar M. da Cunha, S.D.V. Bishop of Fall River

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December 18, 2015

Doors of Mercy open around diocese

Year of Mercy opens as 81 receive Marian Medal Award (List on page 15)

By Christine M. Williams Anchor Correspondent cmwilliams@ intheserviceoftruth.com FALL RIVER — The Year of Mercy began with the opening of a door. First at St. Peter’s Basilica in Rome on December 8 and then in local ceremonies held in dioceses throughout the world, including Fall River, on December 13.

Bishop Edgar M. da Cunha, S.D.V., stood outside the main doorway of St. Mary’s Cathedral in Fall River and prayed, “Open the gates of justice, we shall enter and give thanks to the Lord” (Ps 118:19). The doors were opened. The bishop said, “This is the Lord’s Own gate: Let us enter through it and obtain mercy.” Then, he walked through, holding high the Book of the Gospels and leading a procession of dozens of priests and lay people who were this year’s recipients of the Marian Medals.

In a reflection later, Bishop da Cunha said the door is not just a wooden slab but rich in symbolism.

It represents Jesus Christ Himself and those who enter discovered His “infinite mercy, goodness, love and compassion.” The experience changes all who participate.

“When we pass from one place to another, we leave something behind,” he said, adding that in this case, believers leave behind sin, their lack of love for each other and their lack of trust in God. The theme “Merciful Like the Father” was chosen for the Holy Year, which will continue through Nov. 20, 2016, the Solemnity of Our Lord Jesus Christ, King of the Universe and living Face of the Father’s mercy. The bishop said the threshold must be crossed with courage and urged all to take the risk of following the Lord.

He asked them to examine the ways they can reflect the love, mercy and forgiveness of God. He encouraged them to trust God, be willing to change and to practice the Spiritual and corporal works of mercy. God’s response will not disappoint. “He will give you the peace you are looking for, and the strength to live as He would have you live.”

In addition to the cathedral door, Bishop da Cunha has authorized Doors of Mercy at five other locations and a special mercy event to be held at St. Augustine Church on Martha’s Vineyard on January 1. The other doors of mercy are at St. Mary’s Parish in Taunton, the National Shrine of Our Lady of La Salette in Attleboro, Our Lady of Mount Carmel Parish in New Bedford, Corpus Christi Parish in East Sandwich and Holy Trinity Parish in West Harwich.

An indulgence can be received by anyone who travels to one of the Doors of Mercy with a deep desire for true conversion. Pope Francis said the pilgrimage should be linked to the Sacrament of Reconciliation, celebration of the Holy Eucharist and a reflection on mercy.

“It will be necessary to accompany these celebrations with the profession of faith and with prayer for me and for the intentions that I bear in my heart for the good of the Church and the entire world,” Pope Francis wrote.

Pope Francis said that the indulgence can also be obtained by those for whom traveling to a Holy Door would be impossible. Those groups of people include the sick, the elderly, the incarcerated and the deceased.

“Do not forget that God forgives all, and God forgives always,” he said.

The Door of Mercy celebration in Fall River served as the opportunity to recognize the annual recipients of the Marian Medal honors.

Bishop da Cunha blessed the medals and handed them individually to all 81 recipients. The bishop said he is grateful to all of the recipients who show God’s mercy in their parishes every day. He thanked them for their generous service, and the congregation applauded them.

One of the recipients, Marjorie Pavao of Our Lady of Grace Parish in Westport, told The Anchor afterward that she was surprised she had been selected. Her first thought was, “I think they have the wrong person.” She had the opportunity to speak with the other recipients

when they gathered in the side chapel before the celebration and said that many others said they too were surprised.

“God’s always there for you in whatever you do. You might not think that it’s important, but it is important,” she said.

The event also included psalms from Evening Prayer and adoration of the Blessed Sacrament. Bishop da Cunha knelt in front of the

monstrance, and the entire congregation joined him as the choir filled the cathedral with song. People of all ages, including very young children and older folks, packed the cathedral to capacity. At the final blessing, the deacon said to all, “Be merciful just as your Heavenly Father is merciful, and go in peace.”

One member of the choir, Sonja Morin, 13, said she believes the Year of Mercy

will be a chance for people to come back to God and will remind everyone that their sins can be forgiven, no matter how big those sins are.

“It opens up for people of all faiths to come to understand what Catholicism really means, not just as a religion but as a community of faith,” she said.

A list of the 2015 Marian Medal Award recipients is on page 15.

Bishop Edgar M. da Cunha, S.D.V. hands a Marian Medal to Gilhermina Couto from Our Lady of Assumption Parish in Osterville, one of 81 recipients of the honor this year. (Photo by Christine M. Williams)

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December 18, 2015

As Jesus’ birth nears, sadness is ‘not allowed,’ pope says

Vatican City (CNA/ EWTN News) — On Gaudete Sunday Pope Francis opened the Holy Door of Rome’s basilica of St. John

Lateran, telling attendees that the joy of Jesus’ birth overcomes the sadness caused by hatred and violence.

As Christmas approaches,

“we cannot let ourselves be taken in by fatigue; sadness in any form is not allowed, even though we have reason to be with the many concerns and the many forms of violence which hurt humanity,” the pope said.

Instead, the coming of the Lord “must fill our hearts with joy,” he said, noting that God is always Someone Who protects His people.

In the contest of a history filled with great abuse and violence, especially by those in power, “God knows that He will reign over His people, He would never leave them at the mercy of the arrogance of its leaders, and will free them from all anxiety,” the pope said.

“Today we are asked not to let our hands grow weak because of doubt, impatience or suffering,” but to place our trust in the Lord.

Pope Francis celebrated Mass for the third Sunday of Advent at the basilica of St. John Lateran. The day is often referred to by its Latin name, Gaudete Sunday, which indicates that it is a day of “rejoicing” as the birth of the Savior draws near.

Before celebrating the Mass Francis opened the basilica’s Holy Door for the Jubilee of Mercy. He prayed for a brief moment on the threshold, and was followed through by concelebrants of the Mass, religious men and women and lay faithful.

One of the novelties of Francis’ Holy Year of Mercy is that for the first time Holy Doors have been designated in particular dioceses.

Cathedrals around the world joined the pope in opening their own Holy Door’s on the same day, Gaudete Sunday.

Following the pope’s Mass, Cardinal James Harvey celebrated Mass and opened the Holy Door at the basilica of St. Paul’s Outside the Walls.

Pilgrims who pass through the door — which is only opened during jubilee years — can receive a plenary indulgence under the usual conditions.

The opening of the door is meant to symbolically illustrate the idea that the Church’s faithful are offered an “extraordinary path” toward Salvation during the time of jubilee.

Pope Francis officially inaugurated the Jubilee of Mercy, and Extraordinary Holy Year, on the December 8 Solemnity of the Immaculate Conception by the opening of the Holy Door in St. Peter’s Basilica. It will close Nov. 20, 2016, on the Solemnity of Christ the King.

In his homily, Pope Francis pointed to the prophet Zephaniah’s declaration in the first reading that “the Lord is near.”

Because of this, “we should rejoice always, and with our affability give witness of the closeness and care that God has for each person.”

The “simple sign” of opening the Holy Door is itself an invitation to joy, he said, because “it begins a time of the great forgiveness. It is the Jubilee of Mercy.”

The jubilee is a time to rediscover the presence of God in the world as well as His Fatherly tenderness, Francis said, explaining in off-the-cuff remarks that God “doesn’t like

rigidity. He’s a Father, He’s tender.”

Pope Francis then pointed to the day’s Gospel from Luke, in which the people asked John the Baptist what they must do to prepare for the coming of the Savior.

“The Baptist’s response was immediate,” he said, noting how John’s invitation to act justly and to look after those in need also extends to each of us today.

While John’s demands were a reflection of what the law already prescribed, “we, however, are prompted toward a more radical commitment,” Francis said.

In looking at the Holy Door they will cross, each person is asked to become an instrument of mercy, “knowing that we will be judged on this,” he said.

A person who is baptized “knows he has a greater commitment,” he observed, adding that faith in Christ “leads to a journey that lasts for a lifetime: to be merciful, like the Father.”

“The joy of crossing the Gate of Mercy is accompanied by a commitment to welcome and give witness to a love that goes beyond justice, a love that knows no boundaries. It is from this infinite love that we are responsible, in spite of our contradictions.”

Pope Francis closed his homily by praying that everyone who passes through the Holy Door, the “Gate of Mercy,” would understand and welcome “the infinite love of our Heavenly Father, Who transforms and renews life.”

Pilgrims wait to pass through the Holy Door of the Basilica of St. Paul Outside the Walls in Rome December 13. U.S. Cardinal James M. Harvey, archpriest of the basilica, opened the Holy Door December 13 as part of the Jubilee Year of Mercy. (CNS photo/Fabio Frustaci)

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December 18, 2015

People watch a light show on the facade and dome of St. Peter’s Basilica at the Vatican recently. The show was sponsored by a coalition of production companies and charitable foundations with the intent to raise awareness about climate change. (CNS photo/Paul Haring)

Why a Jubilee of Mercy? Because the Church needs it, Pope Francis says

Vatican City (CNA/ EWTN News) — The day after opening the Holy Year of Mercy, Pope Francis dedicated his general audience remarks to answering the question of why he called for a jubilee on the subject, saying the primary reason is simply because it’s needed.

“Why a Jubilee of Mercy?

What does this mean?” the pope asked pilgrims present in St. Peter’s Square for a recent weekly general audience.

The answer, he said, is because “the Church needs this extraordinary moment. I’m not (just) saying ‘it’s good,’ no! I’m saying: the Church needs it.”

The jubilee was officially inaugurated by the pope when he opened the Holy Door in St. Peter’s Basilica. Pilgrims who pass through the door — which is only opened during jubilee years, ordinarily every 25 years or when a pope calls for an extraordinary jubilee — can receive a plenary indulgence under the usual conditions.

The Vatican website specifies that those conditions are going to Confession within one week before or after making the pilgrimage, receiving Communion on that day, “and prayers for the Supreme Pontiff ’s intentions, in a spirit of total detachment from any inclination to sin.”

Francis presided over the rite of the Holy Door’s opening before passing through himself. He was followed by Pope Emeritus Benedict XVI, who attended the rite in one of his rare public appearances.

The opening of the door is meant to symbolically illustrate the idea that the Church’s faithful are offered an “extraordinary

path” toward Salvation during the time of jubilee.

In his remarks at the general audience, Francis noted that in an age of great change, the Church is called to make God’s presence and closeness known.

The jubilee, he said, “is an ideal time for all of us, because in contemplating Divine Mercy, which overcomes every human limit and sheds light on the darkness of sin, we can become more convincing and effective witnesses.”

Through the Holy Year, the Church is turning our gaze to the heart of the Gospel, Jesus Christ Who is “mercy made Flesh,” the pope said. To celebrate a jubilee dedicated to mercy, he added, means putting “the specific aspects of the Christian faith” back at the center of our personal and communitarian life.

“This Holy Year is offered to us in order to experience in our lives the sweet and gentle touch of the forgiveness of God, His presence beside us and His closeness above all in moments of greatest need,” he said.

Pope Francis then noted that mercy is in fact what “pleases God most,” and is what is most needed by the world today, when there is “little forgiveness” in society, institutions, work and even the family.

He stressed the importance of recognizing that forgiving His children is what most pleases God, but without falling into the temptation “of thinking that there is something else more important or more of a priority.”

Nothing, he said, “is more important that choosing that which pleases God most: His mercy!”

The pope then observed

that this need for mercy also includes the reform of the Church and her structures and institutions.

“Mercy is truly able to contribute to the building of a more human world,” he said, questioning whether the mere contemplation of God’s mercy is enough in front of the many needs of today’s world.

While there is certainly a lot to do, Francis cautioned that the biggest enemy of mercy is “self-love,” which in the world is manifested in the exclusive pursuit of one’s own interests, in the search of hedonistic pleasures and honors, as well as the greedy desire to accumulate wealth.

However, in the life of Christians, this self-love it is often disguised “in hypocrisy and worldliness,” he said, adding that “all these things are contrary to mercy.”

“The movements of self-love, which make mercy foreign in the world, are so numerous that often we fail to recognize them as limitations and as sin. This is why it’s necessary to recognize that we are sinners, to reinforce in us the certainty of Divine Mercy,” he said.

In forgetting God’s mercy, we become blind to seeing sin for what it really is, the pope said, explaining that this is why this Jubilee of Mercy is so important.

Pope Francis closed his audience by praying that Mary, the Mother of God and also our mother, would intercede for us “so that in this Holy Year we can experience the mercy of God and manifest it to others.”

To subscribe to The Anchor, or give it as a gift, contact Mary Chase at 508-675-7151 or Email marychase@anchornews.org

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December 18, 2015

Anchor Editorial

Immigration and religious liberty

Thursday, December 10, Archbishop Allen H. Vigneron of Detroit wrote to the priests of his diocese “in light of a public proposal put forth recently to restrict the immigration of Muslims into the United States based on their religion.” Anyone following the news knows what this is about.

The archbishop said, “I thought it would be helpful to remind everyone of the Catholic teaching regarding Islam. Fifty years ago, the Fathers of the Second Vatican Council taught that the Catholic Church treats with respect those who practice the religion of Islam.”

The 1964 Dogmatic Constitution on the Church, Lumen Gentium 16, states, “But the plan of Salvation also includes those who acknowledge the Creator, in the first place among whom are the Muslims: these profess to hold the faith of Abraham, and together with us they adore the One, merciful God, mankind’s judge on the last day.”

The 1965 Declaration on the Relation of the Church to Non-Christian Religions, Nostra Aetate 3, added, “The Church has also a high regard for the Muslims.

They worship God, Who is One, living and subsistent, merciful and Almighty, the Creator of Heaven and earth (paraphrasing a letter from St. Gregory VII to the king of Mauretania), Who has spoken to men. They strive to submit themselves without reserve to the hidden decrees of God, just as Abraham submitted himself to God’s plan, to whose faith Muslims eagerly link their own. Although not acknowledging Him as God, they venerate Jesus as a prophet, His Virgin Mother they also honor, and even at times devoutly invoke. Further, they await the day of judgment and the reward of God following the resurrection of the dead. For this reason they highly esteem an upright life and worship God, especially by way of prayer, alms-deeds and fasting.”

Nostra Aetate then discussed our difficult interfaith history: “Over the centuries many quarrels and dissensions have arisen between Christians and Muslims. The Sacred council now pleads with all to forget the past, and urges that a sincere effort be made to achieve mutual understanding; for the benefit of all men, let them together preserve and promote peace, liberty, social justice and moral values.”

Next the Vatican II document can be seen as a forerunner of what Archbishop Vigneron wrote. Nostra Aetate firmly declared, “Therefore, the Church reproves, as foreign to the mind of Christ, any discrimination against people or any harassment of them on the basis of their race, color, condition in life or religion. Accordingly, following the footsteps of the holy Apostles Peter and Paul, the Sacred

council earnestly begs the Christian faithful to ‘conduct themselves well among the Gentiles’ (1P 2:12) and if possible, as far as depends on them, to be at peace with all men (cf. Rm 12:18), and in that way to be true sons of the Father Who is in Heaven” (cf. Mt 5:45).

Looking at the history of his region, the archbishop wrote, “And for these past 50 years, Catholics and Muslims in southeastern Michigan have enjoyed warm relations marked by a spirit of mutual respect and esteem.”

He then noted that “while the Catholic Church refrains from weighing in for or against individual candidates for a particular political office, the Church does and should speak to the morality of this important and far-reaching issue of religious liberty.” This is true when other candidates make statements against our positions on human life and the family. We do not attack them but their policies.

Next the archbishop linked the debate about Muslims in this country to the Catholic Church’s efforts to preserve religious liberty. “Especially as our political discourse addresses the very real concerns about the security of our country, our families, and our values, we need to remember that religious rights are a cornerstone of these values. Restricting or sacrificing these religious rights and liberties out of fear — instead of defending them and protecting them in the name of mutual respect and justice — is a rationalization which fractures the very foundation of morality on which we stand. This also threatens the foundation of religious liberty that makes it possible for us to freely practice our faith. These are not only Catholic sentiments on these issues; these, I believe, are the sentiments of all Americans.”

One is mindful that attacks on one set of rights often have the aftereffect (intended or not) of harming other rights, too. Archbishop Vigneron sees that, while also just speaking up for the basic decency of respecting his fellow Michigan residents. His words should echo through the rest of our country. As even some advocates for this harsh proposal admit, most Muslims do not want to harm Americans. Critics of it point out that if the U.S. were to have such a policy, it could push more people into the embrace of ISIS. Would that be making America great again? ****** Also, a gentle reminder that a subscription to The Anchor might make a great last-minute Christmas gift or an end-of-the-year tax-deductible donation to The Anchor might help you come April 15. Please clip the coupon on page two and send it back to us with your check. Thanks!

Pope Francis’ Angelus message of December 13

In today’s Gospel, there is a question posed three times: “What should we do?” (Lk 3:10,12,14). Three categories of people raise it to John the Baptist: first, the crowd in general; second, the publicans, or tax collectors; and, third, some soldiers. Each of these groups questions the prophet on what must be done to implement the conversion that he is preaching. John’s reply to the question of the crowd is sharing essential goods. He told the first group, the crowd, to share basic necessities, and therefore says: “Whoever has two cloaks, should share with the person who has none, and whoever has food

should do likewise” (v. 11 ). Then, he says to the second group, the tax collectors, stop collecting more than is prescribed. What does this mean? No “kickbacks,” John the Baptist is clear. And to the third group, the soldiers, he says do not exhort anyone for anything, and be content with your pay (v. 14).

There are the three answers to the three questions of these groups.

Three answers to an identical path of conversion, which is manifested in concrete commitments to justice and solidarity and the road that Jesus shows in all His preaching: the active path of love for neighbor.

From these warnings of John OFFICIAL NEWSPAPER OF THE DIOCESE OF FALL RIVER

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the Baptist, we understand what were the general trends of those who at that time held the power, in various forms. Things have not changed much. However, no group of people is excluded from the path of conversion for Salvation, not even the tax collectors, considered sinners by definition: not even they are excluded from Salvation. God does not exclude anyone from the chance to save themselves. He is — as it were — anxious to show mercy, to use it all, and welcome everyone into the tender embrace of reconciliation and forgiveness.

This question — “What should we do?” — we feel to be even ours.

Today’s Liturgy tells us, in the words of John, that is necessary to repent, we must change direction and take the path of justice, solidarity, sobriety: these are the essential values of ​​ a life fully human and genuinely Christian. Repent!

It sums up the message of John the Baptist. And the Liturgy of this Third Sunday of Advent helps us to rediscover a special dimension of conversion: joy. Whoever converts and approaches the Lord, feels joy. The prophet Zephaniah tells us today: “Rejoice, daughter of Zion,” [with the heart] turned toward Jerusalem (Zeph 3:14); and the Apostle Paul exhorted Christians in Philippi: “Rejoice always in the Lord” (Phil 4:4).

Today, it takes courage to speak of joy, which, above all, requires faith! The world is beset by many problems, the future weighed down by uncertainties and fears.

Yet, the Christian is a joyful person, and his joy is not something superficial and ephemeral, but deep and stable, because it is a gift from God that fills life. Our joy comes from knowing that “the Lord is near” (Phil 4:5), is close with His tenderness, His mercy, His forgiveness and His love.

May the Virgin Mary help us to strengthen our faith, because we welcome the God of joy, the God of mercy, Who always wants to live in the midst of His children. And our mother teaches us to share tears with those who weep, but also to be able to share a smile.

The climate conference has just ended in Paris with the adoption of an agreement, being called historic by many. Its implementation will require a concerted commitment and generous dedication by all. Hoping that it gives special attention to the most vulnerable populations, we urge the international community to continue the path taken promptly, in a sign of solidarity that will become more and more active.

Next Tuesday, December 15, the Ministerial Conference of the World Trade will begin in

Nairobi. I turn to the countries that will participate, so that the decisions that will be taken will account for the needs of the poor and the most vulnerable, as well as the legitimate aspirations of the least developed countries and the common good of the entire human family.

In all the cathedrals of the world, the Holy Doors are opened, so that the Jubilee of Mercy can be fully lived in the particular churches. I hope that this time offers many strong incentives to become instruments of God’s tenderness. As an expression of the works of mercy, “Doors of Mercy” are being opened in places of discomfort and alienation. In this regard, I greet the inmates of prisons around the world, especially those of the Padua prison, who today are Spiritually united with us, at this time, to pray, and I thank them for the gift.

I greet all of you pilgrims, and I also greet the members of the Focolare Movement together with friends from some Islamic communities. Go on! Go forward with courage in your path of dialogue and fraternity, because we are all children of God! To all, I send cordial wishes for a good Sunday and a good lunch.

Do not forget, please, to pray for me. See you soon!

December 18, 2015

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n the night Pope Francis was elected I was doing television interviews in Rome until nearly midnight. I returned to the hotel, filed a story, and then — since a papal election is more stimulating than 20 espressos! — decided to track down some of Cardinal Bergoglio’s writings and speed-read them through the night.

I found, purchased and downloaded a copy of “El Jesuita,” the enlightening 2010 book-length interview that eventually was translated into English as “Pope Francis: His Life in his Own Words.” It was engrossing. At three in the morning I came across a passage that was so profound that I just had to stop reading. It beautifully presented Who God is, who man is, how loved he is. It summed up Cardinal Bergoglio’s essential approach to the faith. And I believe it’s essential to understanding from Pope Francis’ perspective the importance of this extraordinary Jubilee of Mercy.

An authentically Christian discipleship, Cardinal Bergoglio said to interviewers Francesca Ambrogetti and Sergio Rubin, begins with the recognition that we’re sinners in need of Salvation and the concomitant experience that that Savior looks on us with merciful love.

“For me, feeling oneself a sinner is one of the most beautiful things that can happen to a person, if it leads to its ultimate consequences” the future Pope Francis said, in sharp con-

Anchor Columnist The grace only great sinners have trast to the affirmative pop He jumped into the toxic psychologies of our age. sea of sin in which we were There’s a reason why at drowning, taking on our the Easter Vigil, he assert- nature in order to be able ed, we make St. Augustine’s to push us to safety, and insight our own and sing in died in the process. Somethe Exultet, “O Felix culpa,” times we are so focused rejoicing in the “happy sin” on the happy ending of that brought us to experience the love of the Redeemer.

Putting Into “When a person the Deep becomes conscious that he is a sinner and is saved by JeBy Father Roger J. Landry sus,” Cardinal Bergoglio affirmed, “he confesses this truth to himself and discovers Christ’s Resurrection that the pearl of great price, the we can fail to appreciate treasure buried in the field. the heroism and love of He discovers the greatest Good Friday. If a stranger thing in life: that there is or family member gave his Someone Who loves him life to save ours, we would profoundly, Who gave His never be able to forget life for him.” it and the rest of our life But he laments that would be filled with revermany Catholics have sadly ential gratitude. That’s the not had this fundamental way we should approach Christian experience.

Christ and what He did.

“There are people who Unfortunately, the fubelieve themselves to be ture pope said, “There are good, who in some way people to whom you tell have accepted the catthis metaphor who don’t echism and the Christian see it, who don’t want to faith, but who do not have see it, who don’t want to the experience of having know what happened to been saved,” he said. that boy, who always have He then gave a powerful escape hatches from the metaphor of what the true situation of drowning and experience of God’s mercy who therefore lack the exis like. perience of who they are.”

“It’s one thing when Then he unforgettably people tell us a story about concluded: “I believe that someone risking his life to only we great sinners have save a boy drowning in the that grace.” river. It’s something else To know who we are, when I’m the one drowning to know Who God is, to and someone gives his life know the great love He has to save me!” for us, we need to grasp That’s what Christ did that we’re great sinners for us to save us from the who have been saved by eternal watery grave of the God. deluge of sin. From Heaven This is the key to under-

stand Pope Francis’ selfidentity.

When he was asked in his first papal interview, “Who is Jorgé Mario Bergoglio?” he replied, “I am a sinner. This is the most accurate definition. It is not a figure of speech, a literary genre. I am a sinner. The best summary, the one that comes from the inside and I feel most true is this: I am a sinner whom the Lord has looked upon” with love.

That’s what his papal motto, Miserando atque Eligendo, indicates, referring to how he received his priestly calling in the very act of being looked upon with merciful love by God in the confessional as a 16-year-old.

That’s how he responded when they formally asked him in the Sistine Chapel if he accepted his election as pontiff. Spontaneously in Latin, he said, “I am a sinner, but I trust in the infinite mercy and patience of our Lord Jesus Christ, and in a Spirit of penance, I accept.”

This Jubilee of Mercy is a much-needed opportunity for us to rediscover with Pope Francis who we really are: not just sinners but great sinners — but even more greatly loved by God

7 and saved.

Even though each of us confesses at the beginning of Mass, “I have greatly sinned, through my most grievous fault,” many of us don’t really mean it. We consider our sins “peccadillos,” relative trifles. We’re basically “good people,” not serial killers, we convince ourselves, and so we think we have little need to come to receive God’s mercy in the Sacrament of Penance.

We have “escape hatches” from seeing ourselves submerged in sin and desperate for God’s rescue. And therefore we lack the true Christian understanding of God, ourselves, and the joy of Redemption at the root of the Christian life.

Pope Francis has called this jubilee to help all of us experience the jubilation of the Easter Vigil, of the “happy sins” that have brought us so wondrous a Redeemer, reminding us that it is only “great sinners” who have such a grace and joy.

Anchor columnist Father Landry can be contacted at fatherlandry@ catholicpreaching.com.

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t’s crazy. I saw my first Christmas TV commercial in early October. On the radio, I’ve been hearing Christmas music since Thanksgiving. Some of the Christmas shows on TV try to capture the message of the season. Some are just plain dumb — at least from a Catholic perspective. I remember one where a dead woman was training for angel wings by helping a family. At the end she sang Handel’s “Hallelujah” while flapping her new wings.

Now, I’ve made light of a story that probably some have found heartwarming. But the problem with stories like this is that they rob their characters of their humanity.

The stories of Advent aren’t like that. The characters in them never lose their humanity. They’re like us: wondering, anticipating, fearful, hoping.

The great prophet John, who leaped in his mother’s womb in the presence of Jesus was

December 18, 2015

Called to be saints

home and heads toward Judah human, like us. John preached with haste, to help her elderly a somber God. But when the cousin who needed her joy, her Messiah came, He preached youth, her faith. a forgiving and loving God. Let me share a story by Even John wasn’t perfect in Katherine Paterson. The charhis vision of God. He was huacters she creates are human, man, just like us. like us. This story will give us In this week’s Advent Gospel we also see Divine and human images.

Homily of the Week There’s Zechariah, Elizabeth’s husband, Fourth Sunday who says nothing. of Advent That’s because he was

By Deacon struck dumb when he Paul Levesque found it hard to accept the angel’s message that his elderly, barren wife would soon conceive. better insight into who the Then there’s Elizabeth. real Mary was, and what she Barren for so many years, you can teach us. would have thought the word The story is about Rachel “hope” was no longer in her Thompson. When she was vocabulary. Despite this, new five, she played the part of an life dances within her and she angel in her church’s Nativity boldly proclaims that Mary is play. Unfortunately, Rachel blessed and the mother of her was allergic to the angel’s Lord. costume so she couldn’t Finally, Mary. A young, stop scratching through pregnant girl of 15 who leaves the rehearsal and play. Mrs.

MacLaughlin, who ran the play, even yelled at her in front of everybody: “Rachel, angels don’t scratch all the time.” When Rachel was older, she was sure that she’d get the part of Mary. But Mrs. MacLaughlin still didn’t trust her and picked Carrie Wilson. Rachel felt sick when she thought of Carrie with her blond curls all the way down her back and her fake smile. Carrie looked more like a store dummy than the real Mary. Rachel was the understudy. She would prepare for all parts in case any of the actors became sick.

But nobody became sick.

So Rachel sat in the front row and the play unfolded. Suddenly, a miracle occurred. Baby Jesus began to cry. Began to scream! Carrie panicked. She looked at Joseph. “Do something!” she whispered. Joseph’s face went bright red but he

didn’t move a muscle.

Rachel dashed to the stage, poking around until she found the pacifier. She jammed it into the baby’s mouth. The church was silent except for the baby’s noisy sucking.

“Who do you think you are?” Carrie Wilson hissed, loud enough to be heard in the back row. “Behold!”

Rachel said. There was no doubt that the people in the last pew could hear her.

“I am the handmaid of the Lord.”

This story echoes this week’s Gospel. Mary’s extraordinary mission in life was lived by ordinary action for others. We’re not called to be God or angels. We’re called to be saints. We do this by being fully human, by believing the angel’s message to Mary: “Nothing is impossible with God.” Deacon Levesque currently ministers at St. Bernard’s Parish in Assonet.

Upcoming Daily Readings: Sat. Dec. 19, Jgs 13:2-7,24-25a; Lk 1:5-25. Sun. Dec. 20, Fourth Sunday of Advent, 12: Mi 5:1-4a; Ps 80:2-3,15-16,1819; Heb 10:5-10; Lk 1:39-45. Mon. Dec. 21, Sg 2:8-14 or Zep 3:14-18a; Lk 1:39-45. Tues. Dec. 22, 1 Sm 1:24-28; Lk 1:46-56. Wed. Dec. 23, Mal 3:1-4,2324; Lk 1:57-66. Thurs. Dec. 24, 2 Sm 7:1-5,8b-12,14a,16; Lk 1:67-79. (in the evening) VIGIL OF CHRISTMAS, Is 62:1-5; 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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ometimes people will point out: “We euthanize our pets when they suffer, and they are clearly creatures of God, so why can’t we euthanize a sick and suffering person who wants it? It seems like we treat our dogs and cats better than we treat our suffering family members.”

The way we treat animals, however, should not be the measure of how we treat fellow human beings. We keep animals as pets, but we don’t do the same with humans. We use animals to make clothing and food, but we don’t do the same with humans.

For all our similarities to the rest of the animal kingdom, we are aware of a fundamental difference in kind between ourselves and our furry friends. We are not meant to die just as animals do, or be euthanized as they are.

The death of a human is a more complex event that has other important realities associated with it.

In euthanizing a cat or dog, an assessment about the nature of the creature is rolled up into our decision to proceed. Our pets seem to process the world around them mostly in terms of pleasure and pain, oscillating

A higher standard than for cats and dogs our suffering, which is unavoidbetween these two poles as they ably part of the fabric of our huinstinctively gravitate towards man existence. None of us lives pleasurable experiences, and engage in “mechanisms of avoid- out our life without encounterance” when they come up against ing some suffering, even if it may pain or discomfort. Animals lack be purely internal, like the agony that uniquely human power to reason about, Making Sense resign themselves to, and allow good to be Out of drawn out of pain.

Bioethics Animals can’t do much else in the face of their

By Father Tad suffering apart from Pacholczyk trying to skirt around it, escape the situation, that comes from loneliness, or passively endure it. Because isolation, depression, or rejection. of our strong sense of empathy, humans find it more emotionally Every person must, in one way or another, confront suffering along acceptable to “put the animal to sleep,” rather than watch it suffer the trajectory of life, and human maturity is partially measured by a long and agonizing death. how we deal with suffering.

But it would be false empaThose who live with serious thy, and a false compassion, to disabilities, through their deterpromote the killing or suicide mined and beauty-filled lives and of suffering family members. example, remind us every day As human beings, we have real moral duties, and better options, of the good that can be drawn from suffering. The way they deal in the face of our own pain and with their struggles manifests tribulations. On an instinctual the depths of what it is to be aulevel, we tend to recoil and do thentically human. It is precisely our best to avoid suffering, just disability, with its disfigurement, like animals. But we are able to impairment, vulnerability and respond in a way that animals cannot, and even willingly accept dependence, that challenges us to

grasp the outlines of our human journey in a less superficial way, and to value human life and protect human dignity in sickness as well as in health. Victoria Kennedy spoke to this same point when describing Senator Kennedy’s final months: “When my husband was first diagnosed with cancer, he was told that he had only two to four months to live. But that prognosis was wrong.

Teddy lived 15 more productive months. Because that first dire prediction of life expectancy was wrong, I have 15 months of cherished memories. When the end finally did come — natural death with dignity — my husband was home, attended by his doctor, surrounded by family and our priest.”

As human beings, we reach beyond the limits that suffering imposes by a conscious decision to accept and grow through it, like the athlete or the Navy SEAL who pushes through the limits of his exhaustion during training. We enter into an awareness of something greater

behind the veil of our suffering when we come to accept it as an integral component of our human condition. We also give positive example, strength and encouragement to the younger generation as they witness our response to, and acceptance of, our own suffering. Our trials and tribulations also teach us about our reliance on God and the illusions of self-reliance.

On the other hand, if our fear of suffering drives us to constant circumlocution and relentless avoidance, even to the point of short-circuiting life itself through euthanasia or physician-assisted suicide, we can miss those mysterious but privileged moments that invite us to become more resplendently human, with all the messiness, awkwardness and agonies that are invariably part of that process.

Anchor columnist Father Pacholczyk earned his doctorate in neuroscience from Yale and did post-doctoral work at Harvard.

He is a priest of the Diocese of Fall River, and serves as the director of Education at The National Catholic Bioethics Center in Philadelphia. See www. ncbcenter.org.

December 18, 2015

Thursday — 17 December 2015 — Homeport: Falmouth Harbor — Pope Francis’ birthday (1936) ou know me, dear readers. I find words fascinating. We wordsmiths owe a debt of gratitude to that prolific producer of slang, the American cartoonist Thomas Dorgan (d.

1929). He’s credited with such immortal words and phrases as “dumbbell,” “for crying out loud,” “cat’s pajamas,” “busy as a one-armed paperhanger,” and “Yes, we have no bananas.”

Where would modern linguistics be without him?

Tad Dorgan also bestowed upon our civilization that famous phrase “the cat’s meow,” the title of today’s column.

The phrase became popular, I remember, in the Roaring ’20s.

Back then, we used the word “cat” and “flapper” interchangeably. Weren’t those flappers something else? Remember the day that cool cat, dressed in her yellow silk pajamas, strolled down Fifth Avenue in New York City? She thought she was the cat’s pajamas, didn’t she?

Those were the days.

Synonyms for “the cat’s pajamas,” if I recall correctly, were “the bee’s knees,” “the bomb,” and, of course, “the cat’s meow.”

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his year I will need a number of secular Christmas cards. You may smile at the oxymoron, but you know what I mean. I want a card that allows me to wish the recipient a Merry Christmas. Such a card would allow me to share my Spiritual celebration of the coming of Christ. Yet, at the same time, the card would not appear overwhelmingly religious to a non-believer. I searched the internet quite some time without finding a suitable card.

I took a short break to glance through some religious Christmas cards. My eyes fell on a card depicting a snowy evergreen branch. The inscription quoted Meister Eckhart: “We are all meant to be mothers of God for God is always needing to be born.” The inside read: “May the celebration of God’s Birth inspire us to seek new ways of bringing God’s love to the world. Merry Christmas.”

I smiled as I remembered this one high school student.

Totally out of the blue, she had walked into science class one day exclaiming that she wished she could be Mary. That day,

Anchor Columnists The cat’s meow These all meant the same thing of elderly.

Your new feline friend may — something amazing and very look like a real cat, but it brings desirable. none of the responsibilities of At any rate, according to keeping a live pet. No need to multiple news sources, this worry about pet food, veterinary Christmas there’s a new twist bills, kitty litter, or squeaky toys. to the old phrase “cat’s meow.”

It’s called “VibraPurr” technolThe cat’s meow is now comogy. No, really. Just remember puterized. In fact, so is the cat. to change the batteries in your Yes, dear readers, for only $99 (plus tax), you too can own your very own furcovered robot. It looks The Ship’s Log like a cat; it acts like a Reflections of a cat; it purrs like a cat — Parish Priest but it’s not a cat. Will wonders never cease?

By Father Tim The robotic cat is the Goldrick latest brain-child of the technicians over there at the Hasbro Toy Company in pretend cat — perhaps when Pawtucket, R.I. This is the same you replace the batteries in your smoke detectors. company that gave us Cabbage I once stopped at a restauPatch Kids, Mr. Potato Head, G.I. Joe, Easy-Bake Ovens, and rant which, to create a homey atmosphere, had a blazing Transformers. fireplace in the dining room We’ve come a long way and a house cat curled up in since the pet rock fad of 1975. the lobby. On my second visit, Sony had a robotic dog (now I noticed that there was also obsolete) back in 1999. Hasbro one of those plush toys, covered introduced its line of FurReal with rabbit’s fur, displayed on Friends in 2002. There have, the hearth next to my table. therefore, been robotic pets for some time. The problem is they “That thing sure looks a lot like old Fluffy,” I said to the waitwere all intended for children. ress. “Where is Fluffy, anyway?”

The target market for the “Oh, that’s Fluffy,” the waitress Companion Pet Cat isn’t chilresponded. “She died of old age dren. It’s the growing number

and we had her stuffed.” I lost my appetite.

Now, there’s no need to go through all the expense and trouble of taxidermy when you have your very own Companion Pet Cat. It comes already stuffed. You even have a choice of three faux furs — tabby, grey, and white.

But wait. There’s more.

Companion Pet Cat is interactive. That’s right.

Your new fake cat will respond to your every touch. It has imbedded sensors. It will meow and purr and roll upside down. It’s the perfect pet for your carefree lifestyle — and so convenient. Companion Cat is available in toy stores everywhere. Not found on TV. Who knows? Maybe techno-pets will become all the rage among my aging Baby Boomer generation. If so, the pet industry in the United States will not be pleased. PetSmart is worth more than $8 billion; Petco, $4.5 billion. And that’s not the half of it.

Although many senior living facilities worldwide recognize the mental and emotional health benefits of pets for the elderly, some places (I hear)

What do You see in me? she didn’t like my answer. I had gently suggested that job had already been taken. She had to find the special place God had in mind specifically for her.

I thought this young woman would enjoy the card.

Then, I started analyzing whether that young woman or any of us had what it takes to serve as a mother of God. My mind went to the Canticle of Mary where Mary said: “My soul proclaims the greatness of the Lord; my Spirit rejoices in God my Savior” (Lk 1:46-47).

Mary had been specially blessed by God even before her conception. In addition, her words reveal a woman of remarkable depth of faith and courage.

I remembered Elijah sleeping under that tree (1 Kgs 19: 1-8).

He had done his best with the task God had assigned. Others wished him dead. Elijah had had enough of it all. My conclusion was that we were all more like Elijah than Mary. Figuratively speaking, some days that angel might have to kick us

pretty hard to wake us up for the next task.

Like Elijah we begin projects with such high hopes. However, we can forget that God’s plans are accomplished in His time frame and to His full vision.

Sometimes when things get rough we doubt. We get caught

up in wondering Lord, why did You pick me for this? What do You see in me? With the latter question we have the correct idea, but the incorrect focus.

Jesus’ Words were to love our neighbor as our self. Thus, our real focal point should be on what God sees in other people in our world. The truth of this is realized each time something that reminds us to live this way touches our heart deeply.

Do you remember the song “Christmas Shoes”? The man

is in the checkout line behind a ragged little boy who is counting change. The man moves past frustration to listen to the little boy. The child wants the shoes for his mom who is sick and dying. The man gives the boy the needed money. As the child runs away, the man says, “I knew I’d caught a glimpse of Heaven’s love as he thanked me and ran out. I knew that God had sent me that little boy to remind me what Christmas is all about.”

As the man in the song found, the simple key to bringing forth God’s love to the world is listening to others. Mary McDonald describes listening and responding in love to what we hear as the gift of love. Christmas encourages us to find new ways to share that gift of love.

In her poem “Christ Has No Body” St. Theresa of Avila said, “Christ has no Body but yours, no hands, no feet on earth but yours, yours are the eyes with which He looks compassion on this world.” With this understanding of each of us as

9 still do not allow them. As I approach the age of retirement, I have to consider these things.

I could never feel at home in a place where absolutely no pets were allowed under any circumstances. I’ve lived with animals all my life.

Maybe Companion Pet Cat is the solution, but, somehow, I think not. I’m not especially fond of cats to begin with.

Then again, maybe Hasbro will expand the line to include other pet companions — like mechanical greyhounds, for example. I’ve already seen robotic greyhounds on a far-out TV commercial for vodka, but I suspect these were computer animations.

Still, the possibility is worth considering. Can I imagine myself sitting in a rocking chair on the terrace of a retirement home with a greyhound robot lying beside me?

Are you kidding me? Call me old-fashioned, but I’m just not cut out for this new-fangled technology.

I hope Santa doesn’t bring me a Companion Pet Cat for Christmas. I’d rather get a lump of coal.

Anchor columnist Father Goldrick is pastor of St. Patrick’s Parish in Falmouth.

part of God’s Body it is easier to imagine anyone serving to give birth to God, just as the boy in the song did, by enabling our neighbor to find God’s love within his/her heart.

God’s love is infinite. So is the world’s need for that love.

St. Theresa of Avila said, “This is what we are about. We plant the seeds that one day will grow.

We water seeds already planted knowing that they hold future promises. We lay foundations that will need further development. We provide yeast that produces effects far beyond our capabilities.”

I finally found my secular Christmas card. It had the Helen Steiner Rice poem “A Christmas Message.” The inscription reads, “Christmas comes softly, silently, sweetly, wrapping its loveliness about the world. And, once again the most beautiful message on earth is repeated — peace on earth, good will toward men.”

Anchor columnist Helen Flavin is a Catholic scientist, educator and writer and a member of St. Bernadette’s Parish in Fall River. biochemwz@hotmail.com.

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ope Francis has invested tireless effort into making the world aware of the impacts of climate change. He has also acted as a herald for the historic climate change summit, called Conference of Parties 21, which has just taken place in Paris.

Despite recent events in Paris, 151 world leaders, including President Obama, met for the opening remarks beginning on November 30. Since that time representatives of nearly 200 nations have been working on an agreement to reduce greenhouse gas emissions. They reached an agreement on December 12 to work to reduce greenhouse gas emissions to levels that will attempt to halt the rise in global temperatures to 20 C. Some argue that we shouldn’t be spending our time on climate change when so many other issues seem to be more important. Let me put this in perspective. In the U.S. Department of Defense 2010 Quadrennial Defense Review Report they stated that, “climate change, energy security, and economic stability are inextricably linked.

Climate related changes are already being observed in every region of the world. Climate

December 18, 2015

A call to action on climate change change could have significant impacts on human and natural geopolitical impacts around the systems. Warming of the climate world, contributing to poverty, system is unequivocal, and since environmental degradation and the 1950s many of the observed the further weakening of fragile changes are unprecedented over governments. Climatic change decades to millennia. The atmowill contribute to food and sphere and ocean have warmed, water scarcity, will increase the the amounts of snow and ice spread of disease and may spur or exacerbate mass migration.” Although not the only cause, climate change has been linked to the conflict in Syria due to the destabilization

By Professor brought about by a severe Robert Rak drought. It has increased unemployment, exacerbated famine and water scarcity, have diminished and sea level has and forced 1.5 million farmers to risen.” The current level of greenmove into urban areas intensifyhouse gases (the gases in the ing the unrest. atmosphere that act like a blanket The Intergovernmental Panel to hold in the heat radiated from on Climate Change, a group the earth) are at unprecedented of thousands of scientists from levels in at least the last 800,000 around the world who review years. Half of the carbon dioxide existing climatic data, issued a emissions between 1750 and report in 2014 called the Climate 2011 have occurred in the last 40 Change 2014 Synthesis Report. years.

In that report they stated that, The impacts of climate “Human influence on the climate change are many. The increase in system is clear and recent anthro- global temperature has led to an pogenic (human caused) emisincrease in the frequency, intensions of greenhouse gases are the sity and length of heat waves, highest in history. Recent climate heat stress, and heat-related changes have had widespread deaths. Droughts are reducing

Our Common Home

water availability for people and increasing crop failures. There are increases in wildfires. In other areas, there are increases in heavy rain events and flooding. Rapid melting of the ice caps and glaciers is occurring in most regions.

This melting, together with the increase in the heat absorbed by the oceans, is causing the oceans to expand and sea level to rise, resulting in more coastal flooding and erosion.

Some island nations, such as the Marshall Islands, are already disappearing. Warmer temperatures are leading to changes in migrations of organisms, and declines in fisheries. Diseases are being spread into areas of the world where they haven’t been able to survive in the past.

Carbon dioxide in the atmosphere is being absorbed by the oceans causing ocean acidification, making it difficult for some organisms to live. The warmer temperatures are also reducing the amount of oxygen available for organisms living in water environments. Some projections estimate that the changing environments will produce millions of environmental refugees.

Locally, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency already reports a 1.10C (20F) rise in temperature in the Northeast since 1895, with projections of a 2.50 – 5.60F (4.50 – 10.00 F) rise by the 2080s. We are experiencing heavier rainfall events. There are projected increases in frequency, intensity, and length of heat waves. Changes in precipitation timetables could result in more droughts in the summer months leading to reduced crop yield and stress on farm animals. Growing seasons have already changed.

Warmer and wetter environments are increasing the habitat for ticks and mosquitoes fostering the spread of Lyme disease and West Nile Virus. Sea level has already risen by one foot since 1900 with projections of 1-4 feet by 2100, resulting in more coastal flooding and erosion during storm surges. Warming of our coastal waters (Faster than 99 percent of the world’s oceans) has resulted in a decline of cod stocks and lobster stocks. Winter resorts are projected to be facing troubling times as it will be more difficult to maintain snow at resorts.

Pope Francis is most concerned with these impacts because it is the poor who are the most vulnerable. While the rich can more readily adapt to the effects of climate change, the poor cannot. They are thus exposed to the severe weather events and their consequences of food shortages, water scarcity and heat waves and floods.

China, the United States, and Europe emit 50 percent of the greenhouse gases. The top 10 emitters produce 72 percent of the greenhouse gases. The lower 100 countries emit only three percent of the total greenhouse gases yet they are impacted the most. This is what the pope wants us all to address. Some of our leaders say it is too expensive and it will cost jobs. This is misleading. They are just pushing the burden to future generations and at a tremendously greater cost if we delay action now.

Remember Jesus told us, “What you do for the least of My people, that you do unto Me.” By working to combat climate change, we are working to help the poor and vulnerable here and around the world. In my next article, I will show how we can each do our part.

Professor Rak is a Fall River native and a parishioner of St. Mary’s Parish in Fall River. He is a professor of Environmental Technology and coordinator of the Environmental Science and Technology Program at Bristol Community College in Fall River. rrak@verizon.net.

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December 18, 2015

Bishop’s TV Christmas Mass

Bishop Edgar M. da Cunha, S.D.V., will be the principal celebrant of the Christmas Mass to be televised on ABC Channel 6 (WLNE-TV) at noon on Christmas Day. The hour-long Mass will be a delayed broadcast of the Christmas Vigil Mass celebrated at 4 p.m. at St. Mary’s Cathedral in Fall River.

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o you remember when people used to complain about the numbers of “once a year” Catholics who took over the church every Christmas? Unfortunately, it’s a little easier to find a seat in church at the Christmas Masses these days. If there are families in the pew beside you that you haven’t seen in church throughout the year, chances are they will come from the pool of parents between the age of 25 and 45 that sociologists call the millennial generation.

Millennial parents are as elusive as Moby Dick.

The Catholic Church has been targeting this audience with all kinds of programs and media, but the effort does not seem to be effective. Holy Cross Family Ministries, whose mission is to serve the Spiritual wellbeing of families, wanted to find out why this effort to flood the airwaves with Catholic content is missing its mark. They asked the Center for Applied Research

December 18, 2015

Engaging the millennial generation in the Apostolate to survey this group of young adult Catholic parents to find some answers.

Twenty-two percent of these Catholic parents are actively involved in our parishes. They go to Mass weekly or more often, prepare their children for the Sacraments and keep them enrolled in our Religious Education programs. If the parents go to Mass less frequently but still attend monthly or more, they are also most likely to send their children to the parish for Sacramental preparation and Religious Education. That is actually encouraging, since the two groups represent more than 50 percent of those polled. The other 50 percent rarely go to Mass, except for the occasional funeral or wedding, and sometimes at Christmas and Easter.

While the Church tends to dwell on the hard numbers of

Mass attendance and Religious Education enrollment, there may be more insight to be found in the inner life of these parents, not their public worship practice. The CARA study revealed that Catholic parents believe in the core

teachings of the Creed, regardless of their attendance at Mass. More than 80 percent believe that there is a Heaven, that there is one God and a Holy Trinity. They believe all that is taught about Jesus and the Incarnation. This is good to hear because it means that at some point in their 25 to 45 years someone taught them their faith.

Even more revealing was their prayer life. When asked how often they prayed

outside of going to Mass, only nine percent said never.

Fifty-six percent reported that they pray more than once a week or daily. When they pray they are more likely to do so alone. Millennial parents are not in the habit of praying with their families. Some said that praying alone makes them feel like they can be more open and honest with God; they enjoy the intimacy of a conversation with God. They are more likely to pray during times of crisis or when they feel anxious or depressed. They are not as likely to pray when they feel blessed. They mostly pray to God the Father (74 percent) or Jesus Christ (59 percent.)

Mary, the Holy Trinity, guardian angels, deceased family members or a specific saint also get a nod from this group.

The object of their prayer is less telling than the subject. More than 80 percent pray for the well-being of

their families most of the time. Catholic parents rarely pray for themselves. If they do not pray it is usually because they feel too busy or too disconnected from the Church. Very few reported that they don’t believe in the power of prayer, but some said they just don’t know how to pray. The deeper the survey probed, the more it revealed that many parents of this age group simply talk to God. Some even meditate or participate in some religious devotion, perhaps a practice handed down to them within their extended family.

Despite all of the recent efforts to engage this age group through clever media campaigns, these young parents report that they do not look for Spirituality on a website or app. They are more likely to use the Bible when they pray or some Catholic prayer book. They prefer to go to the parish bulletin to get any information. A few of them will take part in a small prayer group or Bible study, but they are more likely to seek an individualized Spiritual experience.

The lesson we can learn from this study is that the people taking up our space in the pews this Christmas are much like you and me. They have times when they struggle with their faith or have found it difficult to carve out prayer time, but they share our common beliefs.

They might not come to the church to gather with us regularly, but on this one day of the year when they share our pews, maybe we can say, “Merry Christmas, I’ll pray for you if you’ll pray for me.”

Anchor columnist Claire McManus is the director of the Diocesan Office of Faith Formation.

To advertise in The Anchor, contact Wayne Powers at 508-675-7151 or Email waynepowers@ anchornews.org

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December 18, 2015

N

o, this is not another cloying compilation of children’s letters to Santa.

Rather I would like to share excerpts from three letters I’ve recently come across that reflect the best of the human Spirit at this precious time of year.

The first, as befits the season and the reason, is from Pope Francis’ letter in September that announced the forthcoming Vatican Year of Mercy which actually commenced on the feast of the Immaculate Conception, December 8.

In his own words, Pope Francis shares his wishes for a renewed sense of what mercy can do for the human heart and the human condition. He writes: “I have asked the Church in this Jubilee Year to rediscover the richness encompassed by the Spiritual and corporal works of mercy. The experience of mercy, indeed, becomes visible in the witness of concrete signs as Jesus Himself taught us. Each time that one of the faithful personally performs one or more of these actions, he or she shall surely obtain the Jubilee Indulgence.

Hence the commitment to live by mercy so as to obtain the grace of complete and exhaustive forgiveness by the power of the love of the Father Who excludes no one.

The Jubilee indulgence is thus full, the fruit of the very event which is to be celebrated and experienced with faith, hope and charity.”

The second and third wishes come from individuals who have never met, don’t practice the same faith, are culturally and Spiritually diverse but share an understanding that mercy and respect for each other’s dignity are at the root of any authentic expression of Divinity. The first letter is a soldier’s Facebook post written in response to the latest spate of hatred and thuggery masquerading as Islamic fundamentalism. The second letter is from a Muslim woman responding to the soldier.

Dear Muslims, I am an American, a Christian, and a U.S. Army soldier. I’m white, I grew up in the South, and I love Jesus, as well as the life of freedom and prosperity that my country has enabled me

Three wishes for Christmas to have. I have fought in of the fear and distrust our Iraq and lost several really enemies are willfully creatgood friends there. ing. This growing divide I don’t hate you. I don’t between our cultures makes fear you. I don’t want you to recruiting more disaffected leave this country. I want to Muslim youth even easier know you, your heart, your for them. struggles, and your joys.

To anyone reading I want our children to be this letter — Christians, friends and play in the back Muslims, Jews, atheist, or yard together. whatever. We simply canWe share a common enemy in the radical Islamist.

They want to drive us apart and to fear each other. They

By James A. want your children Campbell to grow up hating my children. They want you to believe our way of life is evil not let them win. We can’t and that we must be punallow them to make us ished for it. They produce hate each other. Fear and a barrage of Internet prohate are their most effecpaganda aimed at isolating tive weapons and we must your children from those neutralize them in order to not like them in an attempt break the cycle. If you truly to recruit them to do evil on want peace, I challenge you their behalf. Every terrorto befriend someone “on ist attack against innocent the other side.” Let’s have a people in this world is an joint church/mosque cookattack against peace and out in a park where our kids normalcy. It’s designed to can chase each other around stir a violent response from and argue over who gets those attacked and create to be Elsa, Anna, Kristoff, more hatred between “us and Prince Hans. We need and them.” to learn about each other’s Sadly, it’s working. It is lives and differences. I beproducing the full range of lieve we will find that there human fear responses toaren’t as many differences ward Arab-looking peoas one might think. We all ple — from a subtle sense want to make a living, raise of suspicion and unease our families in a safe place, communicated with sideand live in peace. ways glances at each other Unfortunately, there are on the street, to full-scale some wolves out there that Islamophobia and racism. I will not stop killing sheep want to believe that we, as until they are put down.

Christians, could follow the Please do not blame us for example of Christ and show using our staff to protect love to you as well as your the flock. Please know that people suffering through when it comes to terrorism, this refugee crisis in Syria I consider all peace-loving by opening our homes and people part of the flock, recommunities to you. We gardless of race, religion, or are failing at this because nationality. That includes

It’s What We Do

you, of course. War is hell but as Edmund Burke said, “The only thing necessary for the triumph of evil is for good men to do nothing.”

A greeting from a Muslim woman: In this season where peace, love and joy should be in the air, the air that I breathe is redolent with negativity, doubt and fear.

I am tired of all this negativity, so hopefully this post will bring in some positive vibes to you. I just needed to put this out. I am just a mom and am not interested in political debates, so if you don’t like this message, please feel free to move on or delete the post. I will not be pulled into a debate or an argument.

I look like a stereotypical Muslim woman. Olive skin, head scarf, the works. If I were not a Muslim, I may be afraid of me! But in the 15 years I have been here, I have yet to be subjected to any discrimination. And by God, am I thankful for that!

Good people are everywhere. I know because I live with them every day. Neighbors who extend friendship without any hesitation. Inlaws and extended families who opened their hearts to me and strangers who have now become dear friends.

I have met and befriended 9/11 survivors without knowing they were victims until I hear them speak at the memorial events. These people (all of you!) are the testament of the good people around us.

So, to my former and current neighbors, friends and families — near or far away;

THANK YOU. Thank you for extending your friendship, kindness and love. I sincerely hope this continues. I hope I have, and will continue, to extend the same generosity to you.

Thank you for seeing me as me. Thank you for not brushing me with the same tainted brush as those barbaric terrorists. I sincerely hope and pray that if I were in your shoes, I will also be as generous in thought and as kind in action.

May this season turn once again to the season of peace, joy and love. May your Christmas be filled with joy and laughter. May the light of your Hanukkah be filled with hope and love and may your Kwanzaa be filled with harmony.

Have a wonderful and safe holiday. God bless ever yone!

The pope, a soldier and Muslim woman; imparting wisdom and mercy borne of love of neighbor. May these sentiments overwhelm the simplistic bombast that passes today for civil discourse.

Merry Christmas to all and a very enthusiastic welcome to the Year of Mercy.

Anchor columnist James Campbell is director of the diocesan Development Off ice/Catholic Charities Appeal/Foundation to Advance Catholic Education.

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December 18, 2015

Mother of special needs child gives HOPe to those in most need continued from page one

enough. I took him to every major hospital in Boston, every major specialist you could imagine; I did afterschool, during the week services from cross-crawl therapy to craniosacral therapy — I’m going to look like a nut, but that’s what I did — speech and OT, and behavioral techniques. You name it, I did it.”

More than six years after Timothy was born, and after spending countless hours looking for the right treatment, Kavolius’ oldest son asked her why she kept doing these things, putting it bluntly to her — “Timmy is not going to talk.” Kavolius immediately countered that the therapy may kick in if given enough time, and her son stated again, “He’s not going to talk, mom.”

“And that’s when I realized I can’t keep schlepping these kids around to all these places their whole life, at some point you have to stop,” said Kavolius. “It was a series of ‘aha’ moments like that, that brought me to a place of acceptance.

Oftentimes those moments were marked with incredible sadness; you would feel like you were in the bottom of the barrel and then have to climb out.”

It was around this time she received a phone call from a woman who said she heard that Kavolius could use a break.

Kavolius politely declined but the woman continued to call: “She kept trying to get me to take a night off, but I was proud Irish. It’s a great gift but on the other hand, I was so darn stubborn I wouldn’t even take help.”

Kavolius soon discovered the woman was the mother of a friend, doing relief work out of Milton, and that’s when Kavolius opened up and had a real conversation with her. She discovered the woman volun-

teered for Volunteer Information Agency, which provided one-time emergency financial support to families of special needs children.

“She asked if I would help out, and so by starting to help her I started to realize there were people worse than me,” said Kavolius, who ultimately became a board member. She became more involved and “I got the bug. There are so many people who are silent screamers, drowning, and nobody is helping them. They don’t want to ask for help because this population won’t ask for help.

It’s their child, they love their children more than words can say, and they feel as if they’re betraying their child by saying they need help. It’s like such a stigma.”

One thing she noted was the recurring theme of parents needing a break, that there needed to be a place where the special needs children could be dropped off to give the family some time. She knew they needed a place to go to drop off their child, no discrimination of any kind, regardless of the disability. It was something Kavolius could relate to, and one day she was watching TV and she saw a story that moved her.

“I was watching TV and on the news was this couple — and these are the turningpoint stories that make me cry,’” said Kavolius, choking up at the memory. “This elderly couple had taken their child in a wheelchair to the emergency room and left him. And on the news they were being brought up on charges. I knew from sitting in my chair that that couple loved their child and they took him to the safest place they knew because they couldn’t do it anymore. They didn’t harm their child, did nothing but love and care for him their whole life, and they

were going to be brought up on charges. I was bawling my eyes out [thinking], you’ve got to be kidding me.”

That news story was a pivotal moment and motivated Kavolius to explore options: “My goal was to renovate an old, two-story house and have an emergency relief place.”

In 2003 she founded House of Possibilities (www.

HouseofPossibilities.org), and did annual fund-raisers for six years. She launched a HOPe pilot program at the Mass Hospital School in Canton just to test the waters, and “to make sure what I thought would happen would, and people drove two-and-a-half hours to come to our program,” she said. “That validated that this is what God wanted.”

As she continued to raise money, she approached the Yawkey Foundation, who recommended she find a piece of land. Kavolius’ brother said she should look at a college campus and after viewing a few possible locations, she ended up at Stonehill College in Easton.

“God has had a hand in all of this. For the most part, the land around Stonehill College is owned by the Holy Cross Fathers. The parcel we have now was owned by Stonehill, and it was the exact size of land that we were looking for,” said Kavolius, adding the land was unusable by the college for any dorm or building due to its location and size. “It was clear this was what God wanted us to do, and that’s how we ended up here.”

HOPe broke ground in 2008, opening its doors the following year in August. The original idea of a two-story home bloomed into a threestory, 11,000-square-foot facility that offers in-house overnight respite, daycare programs

and a plethora of activities. No child is turned away except those in fragile health who need constant doctor’s monitoring, or children who may harm themselves or others.

“It’s like a big, giant home,” said Kavolius. “It’s a miracle.”

During the first year, HOPe had 109 repeat clients. Six years in, and they now have more than 300, adding up to almost 60,000 hours of service.

“It’s sustainable relief,” said Kavolius. “Some people have huge numbers, but ours is a smaller population. Our goal is one-by-one we’re changing lives.”

Stonehill has also benefitted from HOPe through collaborations that include internships, work-study, and the best buddy program. A great example of the partnership is seeing HOPe cheerleaders cheer alongside Stonehill cheerleaders.

“At every game, there are a handful of House of Possibilities cheerleaders right in with the Stonehill cheerleaders.

It’s fantastic,” said Kavolius.

“Stonehill is, without a doubt, one of our greatest gifts. The students win because they get experiential learning here, but then our clients benefit because they are around typical peers and that’s what they want more than anything.”

The feedback has been phenomenal. Kavolius recently got a note from a woman who said because she had found HOPe, she will fear less for the future of her son. Another woman shared that if it wasn’t for HOPe, she wouldn’t have made it.

“Many of these families don’t have time to say thankyou, so for them to do it is remarkable. Many families say that HOPe has improved their lives in significant ways, and have said their total family is better. It’s changing lives,” said Kavolius.

God seemed to have a hand in the entire project, said Kavolius, even down to the name HOPe: “The name came to me when I was taking a shower, crying my eyes out while thinking my son wouldn’t do anything. And while that happened, I said to myself, stop. That from this day forward, you won’t think about what he won’t do, but will do. That’s where the name came from,” said Kavolius, who added the small “e” to make it different from other HOPE houses. “I think God knew we were going to end up in Easton because now [the acronym] is House of Possibilities Easton. “ Her oldest has graduated from Boston College and works in finance, while her middle child is a student at Stonehill College. Timothy is residentially placed at the Cardinal Cushing School in Hanover.

“My son is not diagnosed,” said Kavolius. “They don’t know what he has and I think God did that perfectly so that I would help all kids like him, and not be biased in any way towards one disability. He does walk. He’s non-verbal; the only word he has is ‘mama,’ and he understands quite a bit through a device (iPad) or gestures.”

HOPe heavily relies on donations, and 50 percent of those who use their services make $25,000 a year or less, so Kavolius never stops looking for ways to keep HOPe alive for her clients. Every day brings a new challenge, but Kavolius says she wouldn’t have it any other way.

“Everything is really good.

It couldn’t be better. I find joy when people understand the magnitude of the challenge and realize this is important work,” she said. “I walk in and say, ‘Lord, show me who I need to lift today,’ and wait for Him to show me who needs it the most.”

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December 18, 2015

2015 Marian Medal Award Recipients Attleboro Deanery Armand Joseph Brunelle III St. Mark’s Parish Attleboro Falls Patricia Coyne St. Mary’s Parish Mansfield Robert Deschene St. Mary’s Parish North Attleboro Carolyn A. Edgar Sacred Heart Parish North Attleboro Virginia Fortier Our Lady Queen of Martyrs Parish Seekonk John Gregorek Our Lady of Mount Carmel Parish Seekonk Anna M. McReynolds St. Mary’s Parish Norton Mark Priest St. Theresa of the Child Jesus Parish South Attleboro Teresa Sandoval St. Vincent de Paul Parish Attleboro Paul William Scanlan St. John the Evangelist Parish Attleboro Cape Cod Deanery Walter James Burke Good Shepherd Parish Vineyard Haven Lawrence P. Camerlengo St. Pius X Parish South Yarmouth Gilhermina A. Couto Our Lady of the Assumption Parish Osterville Mary Crowley St. Margaret’s Parish Buzzards Bay Frances Curran Holy Trinity Parish West Harwich William Desmarais St. John the Evangelist Parish Pocasset Beth Ann Dunn Our Lady of the Cape Parish Brewster Maurice Gonsalves St. Peter the Apostle Parish Provincetown Jane Hopewood St. Patrick’s Parish Falmouth Linda Hurley Holy Redeemer Parish Chatham John E. McCormack Corpus Christi Parish East Sandwich Andrea Medeiros St. Anthony’s Parish East Falmouth Jose Nunes St. Francis Xavier Parish Hyannis Donald Ouellette St. Joan of Arc Parish Orleans Laurie Paterson St. Mary/Our Lady of the Isle Parish Nantucket Carole Scollins St. Elizabeth Seton Parish North Falmouth Gail F. Slattery Christ the King Parish Mashpee Joseph Snape Our Lady of Lourdes Parish Wellfleet Margaret Wroe Our Lady of Victory Parish Centerville Fall River Deanery John “Victor” Alves St. Bernadette Parish Fall River Colleen M. Archambault St. Thomas More Parish Somerset Frank O. Bragantin Jr. St. Dominic’s Parish Swansea Mary Jane Branco St. Anthony of Padua Parish Fall River Gert Cadima Holy Trinity Parish Fall River Mary Camara St. Mary’s Cathedral Fall River Christina Delibero St. John the Baptist Parish Westport Joao Dias Santo Christo Parish Fall River Helen Ferry St. George’s Parish Westport John Gagliardi Good Shepherd Parish Fall River Thomas R. Gagnon St. Francis of Assisi Parish Swansea Irene Gouveia Espirito Santo Parish Fall River Craig Alan Jesiolowski St. Anne’s Parish Fall River Jean Louis Paquette St. Louis de France Parish Swansea Marjorie Pavao Our Lady of Grace Parish Westport James Rogers St. Joseph Parish Fall River Marion C. Saurette St. Patrick’s Parish Somerset Cesar Sousa St. Michael’s Parish Fall River Judite Tavares St. John of God Parish Somerset Jacqueline Claire Thran Holy Name Parish Fall River Jane Wilcox St. Bernard’s Parish Assonet Jean Willis St. Stanislaus Parish Fall River New Bedford Deanery Edwin Aldarondo St. Anthony of Padua Parish New Bedford Maria L. Bernardo St. Joseph-St. Therese Parish New Bedford Gary Butterworth St. Patrick’s Parish Wareham Dorothy Cabral St. Mary’s Parish Fairhaven Phyllis Corchado Our Lady of the Assumption Parish New Bedford John F. DeBarros Holy Name of the Sacred Heart of Jesus Parish New Bedford David Fredette St. Francis Xavier Parish Acushnet Jose Guerreiro Our Lady of Guadalupe Parish New Bedford William Julevich St. Mary’s Parish South Dartmouth Theresa Leblanc St. Julie Billiart Parish North Dartmouth Margaret Lenihan St. Mary’s Parish New Bedford Catherine Martens St. Anthony’s Parish Mattapoisett Joseph Napoli St. Rita Parish Marion Maria Lourdes Pires Our Lady of Mount Carmel Parish New Bedford Eugenio Pontes Immaculate Conception Parish New Bedford Sharon Rapoza Our Lady of Fatima Parish New Bedford Christine Regula Our Lady of Perpetual Help Parish New Bedford Louis Robillard St. Lawrence Parish New Bedford Mary Lou Tavares St. John Neumann Parish East Freetown Edith A. Ventura St. Francis Assisi Parish New Bedford Taunton Deanery Brian Andrade St. Ann’s Parish Raynham Marianne Brennan St. Andrew the Apostle Parish Taunton Jean M. Connon St. Jude the Apostle Parish Taunton Michael Cordeiro St. Nicholas of Myra Parish North Dighton Maria Regina Medina St. Anthony’s Parish Taunton Anthony Nunes Annunciation of the Lord Parish Taunton Jean Owings Holy Family Parish East Taunton Anne Tarallo Holy Cross Parish South Easton Nelson Torres St. Mary’s Parish Taunton Christopher Vaughan Immaculate Conception Parish North Easton

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

Celebrant is Father Richard E. Degagne, pastor of Immaculate Conception Parish in Easton

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Youth Pages

Pictured with Espirito Santo School (Fall River) parents Mrs. Madeira and Mrs. Oliveira and some students are representatives of Community Connection, which donated three Thanksgiving turkey dinners (with all the trimmings) to help three school families.

The kindergarten students at Holy Family-Holy Name School in New Bedford were all smiles on the feast of St. Nicholas. As tradition has it, shoes are put outside the door and St. Nicholas fills them with treats if the child has made good decisions to be kind, helpful, and respectful to others. Squeals of laughter and surprise greeted these kindergartners when they found their shoes filled with goodies.

The faculty and staff of St. James-St. John School in New Bedford were proud to announce the Students of Trimester One for the 2015-2016 school year.

December 18, 2015

The St. Mary’s School (Mansfield) Class of 2016 continued to grow in its faith by participating in a recent retreat at the Sacred Hearts Retreat Center in Wareham.

Students and faculty at St. John the Evangelist School in Attleboro, along with Father Richard D. Wilson, pastor of St. John the Evangelist Church, opened the school’s chapel doors to signify the launch of Pope Francis’ Holy Year of Mercy. Pictured are Father Wilson and students praying in front of the school’s chapel.

First-graders at St. Mary’s School in Taunton worked on an “unplugged” computer coding lesson entitled “Building a Foundation.” Students were challenged with the task of creating a strong foundation using provided materials. Their structures were made to be able to complete the task of holding the weight of a book. The class discussed the idea of being persistent even when things get complicated. For more information on this coding lesson visit Code.org: https://www.youtube.com/ watch?v=eZqKqI8AvnA.

December 18, 2015

T

his morning there was a great deal of excitement with the release of the movie trailer of “Batman v. Superman: Dawn of Justice.”

If one takes a look at some of the big blockbusters in the theaters and successful TV shows like “Marvel’s Agents of SHIELD,” it seems that these shows about superheroes are the most popular.

There is no doubt that recently there have been a lot of films featuring superheroes. It seems like there are more of these types of films each year. What gives with all of these movies and TV shows featuring superheroes?

Of course, superheroes have always been popular. Perhaps because we know that we are all in need of help. Now more than ever, with the state of our country and of the world, we need more help than ever

Youth Pages It’s a bird … It’s a plane … It’s ... YOU! before.

Next week we celebrate Christmas during a time when our country’s economy is just about recovering. It looks like we are still a country at war in Iraq and other areas. We hear about parents who beat or kill their chilBy Deacon dren. We Frank Lucca read about shootings and murders all around the country.

Schools rehearse intruder scenarios.

It’s a mess out there.

Awhile ago, I read an article by a rabbi and a minister who participated in a discussion on finding hope during times of uncertainty. They spoke of many who are concerned

Be Not Afraid

about what is going on today and afraid of the future.

What struck me the most was a comment by the rabbi. He mentioned that he tells his congregation that no matter the difficulties, tragedies, disappointments and challenges that they face, there is only one real failure and that is the failure of faith: faith in oneself and faith in God. It seems to me that right now we need a real superhero. Not Superman or Batman. No, it is only faith in our Lord Jesus that can turn things around for us. We may yearn for the superheroes, but only Jesus is the real thing.

Even though, on that Christmas Day so many years ago, Jesus gave up His Almighty power to take on human weakness to become one of us, this tiny little Child would still change the course of mankind forever.

Last week I attended a study day and the monsignor who was the presenter made a statement that really struck me. I’m not sure if it was his own words or he was quoting Pope Francis. He stated, “God’s response to evil in the world today is you!”

Today, we know that we are called to be Christ to others, and with

17 His help, we too can help change the course of what is going on in the world today. No matter what our circumstances, we are still truly blessed in this country. As a people we have so much more than most of the world’s people. We, therefore, need to be there for one another. We need to not only be good, but to do good for those less fortunate than ourselves. Each one of us is called to be a “superhero” for each other. Isn’t that the true meaning of Christmas?

The rabbi closed with this thought, “No matter how difficult things are, God gives you the strength to make it through and the ability to turn this all around and create something good in this life.”

I recall a saying that I heard many years ago. “Pray as though everything depends on God, but act as though everything depends on you.” Perhaps that is no more true than it is today.

So which superheroes do we turn to, to start to fix our world? It’s you!

Anchor columnist Frank Lucca is a permanent deacon in the Diocese of Fall River, a youth minister at St. Dominic’s Parish in Swansea, and a campus minister at UMass Dartmouth. He is married to his wife of 37 years, Kristine, and the father of two daughters and their husbands, and a twenty-onemonth-old grandson. Comments, ideas or suggestions? Please email him at DeaconFrankLucca@ comcast.net

Bishop Connolly High School (Fall River) students, from left, Logan Reardon, Clement Ojo and Michelle Lanctot, sort winter clothing donated by families, faculty and staff during the school’s annual Holiday Coat Drive. Coordinated by the BCHS Spanish, Portuguese and French Language Honor Societies, the drive provides new and gentlyused coats, sweatshirts, hats, gloves and boots to St. Anne’s Food Pantry and area families in need during the months of November and December.

Father Christopher M. Peschel, associate director of Vocations and Seminarians for the Diocese of Fall River, recently gave a vocations program presentation to the middle-school students at St. Michael School in Fall River.

Bishop Stang High School in North Dartmouth recently held its annual Freshman Retreat, a day-long event that helps freshmen grow in faith and open up to the wider Stang community. The retreat is run by about 80 upperclassmen and about 35 faculty.

The day is based around the theme of family: the family at home, the family at Stang, and the family in Christ. It’s a day filled with talks, activities and prayer that tends to be one of the highlights of the students’ high school experience.

18

Around the Diocese The 18th annual Cathedral Carol Sing will be held December 27 at 2:30 p.m. at St. Mary’s Cathedral, on the corner of Spring and Second streets in Fall River. Familiar carols for all to sing will be on the program, with choral selections performed by the Holy Cross Chapel Choir, directed by Monica Ventura; the Cathedral Hispanic Choir, directed by Waldemar Rivera; and the Cathedral Choir, directed by Madeleine Grace. All are welcome and a free-will offering to benefit the Cathedral Organ Fund will be accepted.

The Cape Cod Bus for Life is once again sponsoring a trip to Washington, D.C. for the National Pro-Life March on Jan. 22, 2016. Bus transportation leaves January 21 and returns January 23. Cost is $350 per adult or $260 per student. Included in the cost of the trip is a two-night stay at the Hampton Inn in D.C. For more information, call Kevin Ward at 508-291-0949 or email fkw194722@yahoo.com.

There will be a Pilgrimage to Assisi and Rome on April 13-23, 2016 which Father Kevin Cook will be helping lead. It is open to anyone, but space is limited. Trip will include two days in the beautiful and prayerful Assisi (where St. Francis and St. Claire are buried). After that they will travel to Orvieto (where one of the Eucharistic miracles occurred), and the rest of the days will be spent in Rome, including stops at the Vatican Museum, the Sistine Chapel, St. Peter’s Basilica and other sites, and hopefully a papal audience with Pope Francis and a tour of where St. Peter’s remains are buried. The cost is $2,450 per person double occupancy; $2,750 per person single occupancy; and the airfare from Boston to Rome round trip is $1,168.

The $500 deposit is due by October 13. If you are interested, please contact Stoppini Group Travel at stoppinigrouptravel@charter.net, or contact Father Cook at Holy Family Parish at 508-824-5707.

Bishop Connolly High School in Fall River is searching for missing alumni as the school plans for its 50th anniversary to take place during the 2015-2016 school year. If you or someone you know is an alumnus of Bishop Connolly High School and is not receiving communications from the school, please send your contact information by email to Anthony Ciampanelli in the Alumni Office by phone at 508-676-1071 extension 333; at aciampanelli@bishopconnolly.com; via the school’s website at www.bishopconnolly.com; or mail the school at 373 Elsbree Street, Fall River, Mass. 02720. Please provide the graduate’s name (including maiden name if appropriate), complete mailing address, telephone number, email address, and the year of graduation.

The Diocesan Marriage Preparation Program is looking for married couples who would like to enrich their Marriage while helping engaged couples prepare for their lifetime together. There is also a Re-Marriage Prep Program for couples entering their second Marriages. If you are interested in sharing the joys and challenges of married life, please contact your pastor or the Diocesan Office of Faith Formation at 508-678-2828 or email cmcmanus@dfrcs.org.

December 18, 2015

Mass. court denies review of parish protesters’ case

BOSTON (CNS) — The Massachusetts Supreme Judicial Court, the state’s highest court, has denied a request for further appellate review of a case brought by a group fighting the closure of its Catholic parish church in the Boston Archdiocese.

The Friends of St. Frances X. Cabrini Inc. of Scituate confirmed the denial in a recent statement and said that “at this juncture (they) are taking this decision under advisement with their attorney and reviewing as a community potential options and next steps.” St. Frances X. Cabrini Parish was closed — suppressed in canon law terms — under the archdiocese’s broad restructuring plan.

It was one of 70 churches that closed beginning in 2004 in a downsizing plan carried out under Cardinal Sean P. O’Malley. Archdiocesan officials cited declining attendance, aging priests and rising maintenance costs as reasons for closing dozens of parishes.

Since October 2004, St. Frances X. Cabrini parishioners have kept an around-the-clock presence in the church in the hope that various appeals based on canon law would be successful.

In Your Prayers

Please pray for these priests during the coming weeks Dec. 19 Permanent Deacon Eugene L. Orosz, 1988 Permanent Deacon Maurice LaValle, 2007 Dec. 20 Rev. Manuel S. Travassos, Pastor, Espirito Santo, Fall River, 1953 Rev. John A. Janson, OFM, Missionary in Brazil, 1996 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

Eucharistic Adoration in the Diocese Acushnet — Eucharistic Adoration takes place at St. Francis Xavier Parish on Monday from 9:30 a.m. to 8:30 p.m.; Tuesday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 8:30 p.m.; and Saturday from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. Evening prayer and Benediction is held Monday through Wednesday at 6:30 p.m.

ASSONET — Beginning September 14, St. Bernard’s Parish will have Eucharistic Adoration every Monday from 9:30 a.m. to 6:30 p.m. The Blessed Sacrament will be exposed on the altar at the conclusion of 9 a.m. Mass and the church will be open all day, concluding with evening prayer and Benediction at 6:30 p.m.

ATTLEBORO — Eucharistic Adoration takes place in the Adoration Chapel at St. Vincent de Paul Parish, 71 Linden Street, from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. daily.

ATTLEBORO — The National Shrine of Our Lady of La Salette holds Eucharistic Adoration in the Shrine Church every Saturday from 1 to 4 p.m. through November 17.

ATTLEBORO — There is a weekly time of Eucharistic Adoration Wednesdays from 7-9 p.m. at St. John the Evangelist Church on North Main Street.

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 beginning at noon until 7:45 a.m. First Saturday, concluding with Benediction and concluding with Mass at 8 a.m. buzzards Bay — Eucharistic Adoration takes place at St. Margaret Church, 141 Main Street, Monday through Saturday, from 6:30 to 8 a.m.; and every first Friday from noon to 8 a.m. on Saturday.

East Freetown — Eucharistic Adoration takes place at St. John Neumann Church every Monday (excluding legal holidays) 8 a.m. to 9 p.m. in the Our Lady, Mother of All Nations Chapel. (The base of the bell tower).

EAST TAUNTON — Eucharistic Adoration takes place in the chapel at Holy Family Parish Center, 438 Middleboro Avenue, Monday through Friday, 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. On First Fridays, Eucharistic Adoration takes place at Holy Family Church, 370 Middleboro Avenue, from 8:30 a.m. until 7:45 p.m.

FAIRHAVEN — St. Mary’s Church, Main St., has Eucharistic Adoration every Wednesday from 8:30 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. in the Chapel of Reconciliation, with Benediction at 11:30 a.m. Also, there is a First Friday Mass each month at 7 p.m., followed by a Holy Hour with Eucharistic Adoration. Refreshments follow.

Fall River — Espirito Santo Parish, 311 Alden Street, Fall River. Eucharistic Adoration on Mondays following the 8 a.m. Mass until Rosary and Benediction at 6:30 p.m.

FALL RIVER — St. Bernadette’s Church, 529 Eastern Ave., has continuous Eucharistic Adoration from 8 a.m. on Thursday until 8 a.m. on Saturday.

FALL RIVER — St. Anthony of the Desert Church, 300 North Eastern Avenue, has Eucharistic Adoration Mondays and Tuesdays from 9 a.m. to 7 p.m.

FALL RIVER — Holy Name Church, 709 Hanover Street, has Eucharistic Adoration Monday through Friday from 7:30 a.m. to 9 p.m. in the Our Lady of Grace Chapel.

FALL RIVER — Good Shepherd Parish has Eucharistic Adoration every Friday following the 8 a.m. Mass and concluding with 3 p.m. Benediction in the Daily Mass Chapel.

A bilingual holy hour takes place from 2 to 3 p.m. Park behind the church and enter the back door of the connector between the church and the rectory.

Falmouth — St. Patrick’s Church has Eucharistic Adoration each First Friday following the 7 a.m. Mass, with Benediction at 4:30 p.m.

HYANNIS — St. Francis Xavier Parish in Hyannis, 347 South Street, Hyannis, has Eucharistic Adoration from noon to 3 p.m., daily Monday through Friday.

MANSFIELD — St. Mary’s Parish, 330 Pratt Street, has Eucharistic Adoration every First Friday from 7:30 a.m. to 6 p.m., with Benediction at 5:45 p.m.

MASHPEE — Christ the King Parish, Route 151 and Job’s Fishing Road has 8:30 a.m.

Mass every First Friday with special intentions for Respect Life, followed by 24 hours of Eucharistic Adoration in the Chapel, concluding with Benediction Saturday morning followed immediately by an 8:30 Mass.

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. Please use the side entrance.

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.

NEW BEDFORD — St. Lawrence Martyr Parish, 565 County Street, holds Eucharistic Adoration in the side chapel Fridays from 7:30-11:45 a.m. ending with a simple Benediction NORTH DARTMOUTH — Eucharistic Adoration takes place at St. Julie Billiart Church, 494 Slocum Road, every Tuesday from 5:30 to 6:30 p.m., ending with Benediction. The Sacrament of Reconciliation is available at this time.

NORTH DIGHTON — Eucharistic Adoration takes place every Wednesday following 8:00 a.m. Mass and concludes with Benediction at 5 p.m. Eucharistic Adoration also 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 from 7:30 to 8 a.m.

NORTH EASTON — A Holy Hour for Families including Eucharistic Adoration is held every Friday from 3-4 p.m. at The Father Peyton Center, 518 Washington Street.

ORLEANS — St. Joan of Arc Parish, 61 Canal Road, has Eucharistic Adoration every First Friday starting after the 8 a.m. Mass and ending with Benediction at 11:45 a.m. The Sacrament of the Sick is also available immediately after the 8 a.m. Mass.

OSTERVILLE — Eucharistic Adoration takes place at Our Lady of the Assumption Church, 76 Wianno Avenue on First Fridays from 8:30 a.m. to noon.

SEEKONK ­— Our Lady of Mt. Carmel Parish has perpetual Eucharistic Adoration seven days a week, 24 hours a day in the chapel at 984 Taunton Avenue. For information call 508-336-5549.

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.

Taunton — Adoration of the Most Blessed Sacrament takes place every First Friday at Annunciation of the Lord, 31 First Street. Exposition begins following the 8 a.m.

Mass. The Blessed Sacrament will be exposed, and Adoration will continue throughout the day. Confessions are heard from 5:15 to 6:15 p.m. Rosary and Benediction begin at 6:30 p.m.

WAREHAM — Eucharistic Adoration at St. Patrick’s Church begins each Wednesday evening at 6 p.m. and ends on Friday night at midnight. Adoration is held in our Adoration Chapel in the lower Parish Hall. ~ PERPETUAL EUCHARISTIC ADORATION ~ East Sandwich — The Corpus Christi Parish Perpetual Eucharistic Adoration Chapel is open 24 hours a day, seven days a week at 324 Quaker Meeting House Road, East Sandwich. Use the Chapel entrance on the side of the church.

NEW BEDFORD — Our Lady’s Chapel, 600 Pleasant Street, offers Eucharistic Adoration seven days a week, 24 hours a day. For information call 508-996-8274.

SEEKONK ­— Our Lady of Mount Carmel Parish has perpetual Eucharistic Adoration seven days a week, 24 hours a day in the chapel at 984 Taunton Avenue. For information call 508-336-5549.

WEST HARWICH — Our Lady of Life Perpetual Adoration Chapel at Holy Trinity Parish, 246 Main Street (Rte. 28), holds perpetual Eucharistic Adoration. We are a regional chapel serving all of the surrounding parishes. All are invited to sign up to cover open hours. For open hours, or to sign up call 508-430-4716.

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December 18, 2015

Diocesan priest attends Scouting jamboree in Japan continued from page two

Catholic Committee on Scouting even has a vocations committee. They sponsor religious activities and it’s all based on religious emblems.”

“The greatest thing about Scouting is it helps to build character and it strengthens one’s faith, because the seed is planted,” he added. “I’ve seen kids who were in Scouting and got all their religious emblems and awards and then they drift away from the Church.

But years later, they come back. I’ve had people at St. George’s Parish who have come up to me and tell me they remember when I led the Scouting retreats at Cathedral Camp as diocesan chaplain.

That’s exciting to hear.”

Father Salvador said a lot of the principles of Scouting also coincide with what Pope Francis is asking us to do now, especially in his latest encyclical Laudato Sí’ — to appreciate nature, to see God’s gift to us in Creation, and to respect, love and care for one another.

“Scouting teaches the importance of being reverent — to appreciate God, to appreciate nature, to appreciate Creation. That’s what Scouting is all about,” he said. “But it’s also about having a good time. I forget to mention that, because if Scouting is not fun, it’s going to fail. And when I say ‘fun,’ I mean fun and exciting. You have to keep the kids interested and involved.”

Father Salvador’s own interest in Scouting began at an early age when he first joined Boy Scout Troop 17 as a teen-ager at St. John the Baptist Parish in New Bedford.

Shortly after being ordained in 1974, Bishop Daniel A. Cronin asked him to minister to Scouts in the diocese.

“I got involved with the Cub Scouts, then I became the chaplain for the

district,” Father Salvador said. “Eventually, when Father Martin Buote retired, I became the diocesan chaplain.”

Nine years ago, Father Salvador was honored to be named chaplain for the NCCS. “In April I’ll complete my nine years, which consists of three years as associate, three years as national, and three years as immediate past — and the duty of the immediate past (chaplain) is to do all the international work and represent the NCCS internationally,” he said.

While he has been asked to consider serving as world chaplain, Father Salvador had to respectfully decline, since “it would involve a lot more traveling and spending time at the main office in Rome.”

“The world chaplain is the ecclesiastical representative of the Holy See, so you’d represent the Catholic Church in the Scouting world,” Father Salvador said. “I’m close to retirement age and I want to retire from administration, even though I’m not going to retire from the priesthood. But I’m sure I’ll still be involved with Scouting on the national level.”

Approaching his 43rd anniversary of ordination, Father Salvador said his entire priesthood has remained somehow affiliated with Scouting on the local and national level.

“At the bishops’ conference meetings I always see Archbishop Cronin and he puts his arm around me and likes to tell all his other bishop friends that ‘he’s here because of me. I made him a Scout chaplain,’” Father Salvador said. “He’s never forgotten that.”

And while he’ll be completing his nine-year commitment to the NCCS in April, Father Salvador said he’s already

In order to get around the “mountainous island terrain” in Yamaguchi, Japan, Father Stephen B. Salvador, pastor of St. George Parish in Westport and chaplain for the National Catholic Committee on Scouting, had to travel on this bike during the 23rd World Scout Jamboree this past summer. The jamboree, which is held every four years in different locations, took place July 28 through August 8 and drew an estimated 34,000 scouts from 162 sending countries. (Photo courtesy of Father Stephen B. Salvador)

looking forward to the National Scout Jamboree in July 2017 and maybe even attending the next World Scout Jamboree in 2019, both of which will be held at the Summit Bechtel National Family Scout Reserve in West Virginia.

“Scouting has given me opportuni-

ties I never expected,” Father Salvador said. “I’ve been to Argentina, I’ve been to Brazil. I’ve had a lot of wonderful experiences. I’ve been to places and met people that I never thought I would. I never thought I’d be doing this as part of my priesthood.”

20

G

ood friend Deacon Paul Levesque in his homily of the week on page eight of this edition mentions a movie in which a dead woman in “angel training” had to “earn her wings,” by helping out a human family.

In the great Christmas classic, “It’s a Wonderful Life,” good old Clarence, who looks very human to all, has to “earn his angel wings,” by assisting George Bailey (the late, great Jimmy Stewart ... add a drawn out “ummm, ummm,” here as only Jimmy could do it).

There are countless refer-

December 18, 2015

I’ll just wing it

Stewart drawl), I can’t even ences to angels, especially at imagine what Gabriel had to this time of year, and mostly do to “earn” the right to tell all of them are depicted with wings.

This piqued my curiosity. Where does it say that angels have wings, and if they do, why do they need them?

There is no quesBy Dave Jolivet tion that angels are referenced in the Good Book. In fact, the story of Sal- our Blessed Mother that she was the mother of the Christ vation begins with the procChild! lamation by the angel Gabriel The “Catholic Encyclopethat Mary will become the dia” says of angels that they mother of the Son of God. are “purely Spiritual or bodiGolly (said in a Jimmy

My View From the Stands

less persons. They carry out missions at God’s command.

They at times can assume bodily form. The Church teaches that every human being possesses a guardian angel.”

I believe that, but I have never heard the flapping of wings nearby, and I can honestly say that I put my guardian angel (its name is Joseph) through quite a workout each day.

Despite no Gospel reference to angels being winged crea-

tures, I do like man’s interpretation of winged beings.

I’d hate to have to attack my two crèches at home, the plethora of angels on my tree, and the Christian artwork I possess, and remove the feathered appendages. God only knows what they’d look like after that.

No, I’m going to go with tradition on this one and envision God’s messengers as being winged, and that every time I hear a bell, an angel earns those special limbs.

Yep, I’ll just wing it. davejolivet@anchornews.org.