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FROM THE VATICAN ,

DECEMBER

21, 2007

Giving in to lust hurts other' people, says papal preacher

By CAROL GLATZ CATHOLIC NEWS SERVICE

that reason is made subordinate to instinct instead of the other way VATICAN CITY - Giving in around, he said, If instinct rules, then "it beto lust hurts the individual and other people, the preacher of the comes an enemy, not an ally, of papal household told Pope love," and it can lead to savage Benedict XVI and top Vatican of- crimes, Father Cantalamessa said.

He said young people today ficials.

Offering an Advent meditation need convincing reasons "not to December 7, Capuchin Father be afraid of their body and of Raniero Cantalamessa said often love," but to be afraid of spoiling those who justify their life of im- their bodies and the true meaning purity say "it is not hurting other of love by being slaves to' their people, it does not infringe on the passions.

Once upon a time, social morights and freedoms of others unres were too one-sided and placed less it entails carnal violence."

But such reasoning is wrong, so much emphasis on avoiding he said, because . carnal sin that carnal sin not - - - - - - - - - - - - they created, in only violates But, the papal preacher some inGod's fundamen- said, liThe belief one can stances, "real tal laws govern- mix offering authentic ser- and true neuroing his creatures, vice to others and the ses," he said.

Just being but it threatens Church with a messy pereveryone. sonal life" that is straining able "to say Fat h e r to fulfill personal desires ''is no" ignored more construcCantalamessa an illusion." used an example _ tive Christian duties such as from a Jewish holy book to illustrate how everi helping others, he said.

Now the pendulum has swung one individual's personal sin aftoo far the other way, he said, notfects the entire community. . Quoting the Talmud, he said: ing that some people think as long "A number of people are sitting as they perform good works for in a small boat. One man begins others their p~rsonal sins do not to drill it hole under his seat. The matter.

But, the papal preacher said, other passengers ask him, 'What are you doing?' He retorts, 'What "The belief one can mix offering does it matter to you? I'm drill- authentic service to others and the ing the hole under my own seat.' Church with a messy personal But they reply, 'Yes, but the wa- life" that is straining to fuifill perter will come in and drown us all.' sonal desires "is an illusion."

What ends up happening, he "This is what is happening in our society," the papal preacher said, is the person will exploit othsaid. Even the Church under- ers "like he exploits his own body stands the kind of damage an and the opposite sex."

"He who does not know how to individual's personal mistakes can inflict on the entire community, he say 'no' to himself does not know how to say 'yes' to his neighbors,'" added.

The evil of lust lies in the fact the papal preacher said.

Cover photo: Stained glass at Sacred Heart Church in Fall River. (Anchorfile photo) .

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A group of students from Poland sing during a recent weekly general audience in Paul VI hall at the Vatican. (eNS photo/Dario Pignatelli, Reuters)

IN FINE VOICE -

Pope criticizes those who hurt children

By CAROL GLATZ CATHOUC News SERVICE VATICAN CITY - Lamenting the climate of consumerism and materialism in today's world, Pope Benedict XVI criticized ''unscrupulous adults': \\(ho victimize children t:hfou'gh ~xual :d,use and ~stitution.

Even the most sacred thing~, "like the human body, temple of the God of love :ind life," have been turned into objects of consumption, he said before praying the noonday Angelus December 8, the feast ofthe Immaculate Conception.

"Adolescents, young people, even young children are easy victims of the corruption of love, deceived by unscrupulous adults who, by lying to them and themselves, lure them down the dead-end roads of consumerism," he said, without specifically mentioning abuse or prostitution to pilgrims gathered in St. Peter's Square.

"How sad when young people are robbed of the amazement, the enchantment ofthe most beautiful feelings" and the value of respecting the human body, he said.

Most young people growing up in a consumerist society are bombarded with "messages that offer false models of happiness," the pope said.

He said these young people "risk losing hope because they often seem orphans of true love which fills life with meaning and joy."

The pope said Mary is a shining star of hope that can lead those lost in the darkness to Jesus, the "true light, the sun."

He said Mary, who was conceived free of original sin, reminds people of "God's lofty and beautiful project for everyone: to become holy and immaculate in love in the image of . our creator."

Later that afternoon, Pope , Benedict continued the feast day celebrations by making an afternoon visit to a Marian monument in the 'center of Rome.

The pope blessed a large basket of roses set at the foot of a column topped by a statue of Mary: The statue commemorates Pope Pius 1X's proclamation in 1854 that Mary, by special divine favor, was without . sin from the moment she was conceived.

He told the rain-soaked crowd of 10,000 people to be inspired by Mary's "fearless faith, unshakable hope, and humble and boundless love" as she followed in the footsteps , of her son Jesus.

Mary invites every Christian to avoid evil and respect God's will, to not lose heart ''when suffering and death knock on our doors," to look toward the future with hope, and to love one another as brothers and sisters, ''united in the task of building a more just, supportive and peaceful world," he said.

Mary, the mother of God, is also the mother of all humanity, he said.

Because she is a symbol 'of the triumph of good over evil, Mary can

act as a beacon ofhope for all people, he said.

Pope Benedict said Mary points the way to God, who is the only an,· swer to the world's ills. ,WithoutGod, "or worse, against him, we can never' find 'the path that leads to love, we can never overcome the power of hate and violence, we can never build a stable peace," he said.

On the second Sunday ofAdvent, during his'Angelus, the pope warned against losing the true meaning of Christmas to "a materialist mentality."

The world today is experiencing desertlike conditions where people's lives and inner beings "are thirsting for the life-giving water that is Christ."

He said St. John the Baptist's call for conversion still is urgently needed today.

How a person lives life today determines his or her eternal fate, he said, warning that God will judge according to a person's "concrete behavior" here on earth.

"We will be judged on the basis ofour similarity" to Jesus who is ''the standard God gave humanity to live by," he said.

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I Published weekly except for two weeks in the summer and the week after I Christmas by the Catholic Press of the Diocese of Fall River, 887 Highland Avenue Fall River, MA 02720, Telephone 508-675-7151 - FAX 508-675-7048, email~ theanchor@anchomews.org. Subscription price by mail, pos1paId $14.00 per year. i Send address changes to P.O. Box 7, Fall River, MA, call or use email address I PUBLISHER· Most Reverend George W. Coleman EXECUTIVE EDITOR Father Roger J. Landry f8theITogerlanclry@enchomews.org EDITOR David B. Jollvet davejollvet@anchornews.org NEWS EDITOR Deacon James N. Dunbar jimdunber@enchornewa.org REPORTER Matt McDonald mattmcdonald@enchornews.org REPORTER Brien Kennedy brlankennedyf"n~a.org OFFICE MANAGER Mary Chase marychaseOanchomewa.org Send Lettm to the Editor to: falhcm>gerIaJxky@anchomews.org POSThfASTERS seo:lllddlal changes to The AncIn', P.O. Box 7, Fall River, MA 02722. mE ANCHOR (USPS-S45.mo) Pmodica1 Postage Paid at Fall River. Mass.

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DECEMBER

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21, 2007

Bright outlook prevails in merger of parishes By

DEACON JAMES

N. 'DUNBAR

Father James McLellari, at,the time THE DIGHTONS, - The 6- pastor of S1. Joseph's and now renal sentence in a May 23, 2005 let- tired; by Father Barnwell; as well ter to Bishop George W. Coleman as Elzbeita Andruk, Laura Posca, from parishioners at S1. Peter's Ralph CharlwOod, Jill Gurney, and Parish in Dighton and St. Joseph's Olive Carvalho ofStJoseph's; and Parish in North Dighton asking for Joseph W. Corcoran Jr., Hilda a merger, reflected their overrid- Rezendes, Albert Enos, Martina ing faith in what will be for most Grover and Paul Cyi, all from S1. ,of them a sacrifice of their many Peter's. personal and parish legacies.

The letter did not address the, The 'letter ended with ''As rep- history of S1. Peters, which began resentatives of both parishes we 82 years ago in 1925, or of~1. , hope Your Excellency will review Joseph's, with 94 years under its our recommendations in depth and belt, having been formed in 1913. make a decision that will help all But it alluded to the rich memoour parishioners to unite, forming ries assOCiated with each, saying, o~e strong house of God." "both p!lfishes would like to stay "Yes, it will b'ecome that," said as we Father Gerald P. Barnwell, pastor But it also stated candidly, "We ofS1. Pe~r's, the smaller ofthe two also recognize that the status quo is parishes involved., impossible given the circumstances "Reportedly, the merger won't at present of a shortage of priests"; occur until January 2009, and and ..... duringo~monthlysessions ,about that time I plan to take a sab- we wOIked diligently, with the guidbatical, and retire:' reported Fathe~ ance of the Holy, Spirit, to come to Barnwell, 68, who luis been at S1. a better understanding ofthe anticiPeter's since 2002. , pated changes and needs of both ."1 think one priest can handle .parishes." , theSetwo parishes after the merger.

In another most realistic show There's really no choice except to ofsolidarity, those involved recommerge. It has to be,done because " mended' using St. Joseph's "as the there is a shortage of priests in our logical choice to be the home diocese:' he added. , church because of its seating caIt is the second merger for Fa- pacity" and other advantages. It ther'Barnwell. He was involved was also requested that in the inwhen ,Blessed Sacrament, St. terim of the two years suggested Patrick's and Holy Angels in Fall to allow for a smooth and efficient River were merged in 1995, and transition involving merging the Good Shepherd Paris~ was parishes' organizatioris and proformed. . ~, that St,Peter's be used as a Father Timoth'y J, Goldrick, mission church. currently pastor at St. Joseph's, said Jill Gurney, a parishioner of St. he prefers calling the 'unique situ- Joseph's and its planning co~t- ' , ation of the two parishes "a 'con. tee, said the two-year timeframe solidation rather thful a merger. As "proved to be ~,wise one, iJi geta matter,offact we've changed the ting everyone acclimated. It' was .name of the planning group to the easierfQr us atSt. J~seph's, I think, ' 'Parish Founding Committee rather' bec~use we will be at home; and I than Parish Merger Committee." , think it is much harder for those at Calling the decision by those in" St. Pete~'s who will be gi~g up both parishes "very sensible," he much more.'! said the positive spin in addressHowever, Gurney added,"It has ing the founding of a new parish is ,progressed amicably."

JosephW. Corcoran Jr., a parishdemonstrated in the necrology, of 'pastors. ioner at St. Peter's since 1960 and "We don't call them terminat~ ~olved in the planning, told or those who me,rge, but'rat,her ,Anchor, ''We're pretty well resigned , 'founders.''' , " to becoming a new parish. But be" Father' Richard Furlong, a re~ , cause we are a tightly lqrit and actired pri~st of the Oioce.se of Buf- ' tive parish we're disappointed. falo, N.Y., Uvingin the Fall River However, we can see thehandwritDiocese and "helping out" in'sev- ,ing on the wall- that S1.Joseph's eral parishes including those in the church building can accommodate Dightons, told The Anchor, "It's us,butSt.Peter'swouldnotbeable definitely a good thing, actuallY'l\ to accommodate them." grand plan ... and it is what the pa-, Corcoran said with reports that' rishioners themselves understand Father Barnwell. will retire in Janu-( ,·r. . . will be so good for them as a faith, ary 2009" "it seems we have the community ~nd actually asked 'needed time in the eight to 10 , for,",he added brightly. , months of planning meetiDgs that The 2005 letter from the Pasto- will start,in January, to get things ral Planning Committee of the straightened out and make way for Taunton Deanery encompassing our new parish as well as a new the two parishes was signed by pastor.'~

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$ New parish to be formed in the' Dightons announced by bishop

The Anchor

DEACON JAMES

N.

DUNBAR

cese embarked on a phase of pas- 'basis over the next nine to 10 FALL RIVER - A letter from toral planning that brought to- months. The task force, comBishop George W. Coleman an-gether representatives .from posed of lay people and their pasnouncing a new parish to be neighboring parishes to discuss tors, will help discern and deterformed by the merger of St., these challenges, and to make mine how best to make this tran~ Pete(s in Dighton and St. recommendations to me regard- sition.

Joseph's in North Dighton was ing how best to put pur human' , While you undertake this proread at December 15-16 weekend and material resources, at the ser- cess, I ask for your patience and Masses in the parishes; ,vice of God's kingdorii; 'understanding. Once the task 'In essence, the letter reports Representatives from the par- force begins meeting, you will be that Bishop Coleman has ac- ishes of St. Joseph, N<!lrth Digh-' provided with a summary of the cepted the' recommendation' of ton and St. Peter, Dighton recom- meetings and names of its memclergy and representatives of the mended that they be joined to- bers. In this way, everyone will two parishes for the merger as gether as o~e new parish with one be kept properly informed as to one parish with a new name, and pastor. I am writing to inform you what, when and how different that the new community of faith that I am accepting their recom- events in the process will occur.. will use St. Joseph's Church in mendations, and I am asking Fa-" , During this Advent as we pre- ' North Dighton as its house of ,thers (Timothy J.) Goldrick and pare for the coming of our Savworship.

(Gerald P.) Barnwell begin the ior, let us also prepare for the He asks that the two parishes 'process of bringing their commu- founding of this new parish. form a task force to meet . niti'es together to 'cre~te a new Please be assured of my prayermonthly in the coming nine to 10, parish with a new name. Due to ful support: Let us all continue months to iron out how best to its much largeNize, th~ new par- to pray for one another - the make the transition. ish will utilize the current St.' faithful, pastors and religious Bishop Coleman also asks Joseph's Church as its worship that together we may be faithful them in the diocese to utilize the space. At this point, no decision s~ewards of the resources we Advent season as a time of prayer has been made re'garding the St. have to help build God's kingto prepare for the new parish's Peter Parish property;: however, dom and to help further our misfounding, which is part of the on- after research and consultation sion to teach all nations the Good going pastoral planning process that decision will be forthcom- News.'~ in the diocese. ing.

The letter reads: I know that for many of you "Dear Brothers and Sisters in this move is difficult; and that Christ: you will experience many differSales And Service In 2004, I called upon the ent emotions. While together we faithful of our diocese to build a mourn the loss of individual parFall River's, Largest stronger Church that would meet' ish identities, my prayer is that Display of TVs the many changes occurring 10- we concentrate on the ~stablish­ cally, including demographic ment of a new and vibrant parish ZENITH • SONY s'bifts, a declining I)umber of community. lri order to facilitate 1196 BEDFORD ST.' priests, and in certain areas a de- this process, I ask that tach parFALL RIVER clining number in Mass atten- ish be represented on a Task 508-673-9721 dance by the faithful., The' Dio- Force that will meet on ~ monthly ,

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The Anchor

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DECEMBER

21, 2007

Grieving parent hopes 'people of faith' speak out against abortion

By GAIL BESSE

was not prosecuted.

A complaint over Laura's death filed with HYANNIS - The mother whose daugh- the Massachusetts Board of Registration in tel' and grandchild died during a legal abor- Medicine against Osathanondh is under retion here says Christians must "take the 'A view, Eileen said.

Board spokesman RusselI Aims said word' out of the closet."

Laura Hope Smith, 22, of Sandwich, and records show one earlier closed complaint her l3-week-old unborn baby died during an against him. In 2002 the abortionist was given abortion performed by Dr. Rapin Osathanondh a letter of warning to fulIy document future at his Women Health Center office. informed consent discussions with patients.

Her parents, Eileen and Tom Smith, are Although the death certificate sti11lists the still waiting for one more medical report be- cause of Laura's death as "pending," her story fore autopsy results are released. is being told.

Then Cape and Islands District Attorney Operation Rescue ofWichita, Kansas, first Michael O'Keefe will decide whether to pro- reported it online September 27. The Anchor ceed with a criminal investigation. further publicized it October 12, then aNaIn November, O'Keefe said Laura's death tional Catholic Register article appeared was anesthesia-related and considered "un- .online October 16 and a Worcester Catholic attended." He and the state medical exam- Free Press article came out October 19. The iner sought the second r----------~---....., Cape Cod Times reported it October 21. opinion from an outside anesthesiologist.

Since,then, Eileen has Eileen Smith said in been interviewed by Fox 25 News and Associated a December 13 interview that her loss has Press, and contacted by made her realize that two Pro-Life ftlmmakpeople of faith need to '.ers. She spoke on break their silence on "Across the Nation," a abortion.

Catholic Sirius Radio She still doesn't unshow, and on "Life Matderstand what led her tel's," a cable television daughter, a devout show produced by MasChristian, to make that sachusetts Citizens for fatal decision, but she Life. trusts God will bring LAURA HOPE SMITH "I know that God is good out of it. going to bring good out "I naively believed that abortion was not of my daughter's death. What a horrible thing a choice for a Christian girl," she wrote ear- - for my daughter to be associated with lier in a personal account on abortion." Eileen wrote in her account. "But, BreakingChristianNews.com. "A pastor even if God's going to use it for good and for his apologized to me, and to the Lord, for not glory, then so be it. We're going very public speaking about this from his pulpit. We both with a very shameful, private thing because I had false assumptions. believe God wants to use it to save lives. '''This is a problem in the Church - and "I believe the truth will come out, and the one that needs to be spoken about from the light of God will shine on this. Laura's death pulpits. We need to put it out in the open and has had tremendous impact around the coundiscuss it. And maybe, possibly hopefully, try, and even into Canada," she said. we'lI even become active against it," she said.

When Eileen first met with Osathanondh Eileen has pieced together some facts about in September, she asked him to consider flOt that day, September 13, when an employee doing any more abortions. "When I left there from Osathanondh's office made a dispassion- I was praying, and said to God, 'Can you stop ate 911 call to the Hyannis Fire Department. this man from doing abortions? Is this what The employee identified as Kim on the you have in mind, that he might even stop recorded call said, "Uh, well, this girl aspi- doing them?'" she wrote. rated. She's not breathing."

"I was thinking too small. I thought if one EMTs arrived quickly but found Laura girl changed her mind, I could find some dead.' They brought her to Cape Cod Hospi- comfort. I then realized that the Lord had tal, where a doctor broke the news by phone much bigger plans," she said. "Please keep to the parents at their home in New Jersey.: our family in your prayers, and please tell ,They rushed back to Cape Cod, where they someone Laura's story," had raised Laura. Eileen has been staying _ Proposed informed consent legislationhere with relatives since then. the Woman's Right to Know Bill- has IanThe legal problems also delayed the guished in the Massachusetts Legislature for family's being able to bury their daughter. ,years. The bill would ensure that e.very Her body was finally interred December 11 woman considering an 'abortion be giveiHull at Sandwich Town Cemetery. Eileen said the information and time to reflect on its risks case had "progressed to the point where I felt and alternatives. ''This double tragedy highlights the urgent it safe to lay Laura to rest."

Osathanondh, who is apparently still prac- need to protect other young women," said ticing at his 68 Camp Street office, has de- Patricia Stebbins of Sandwich, president of clined to comment. the Cape Cod Family Dife Alliance.

-, According to a 2001 Boston Herald reIronically, the office where Laura and her port, he left Brigham and Women's Hospital baby died is 150 feet from A Women's Conin Boston following complaints that during cern, a crisis pregnancy c~nter that would a staff meeting he had threatened to "execute" have welcomed them. "If only Laura had five nurses. The Thai-educated gynecologist walked next-doo~ instead," Stebbins said.

ANCHOR CORRESPONDENT

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DECEMBER

~ The Anchor ~

21, 2007

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C9loring, comic books aim to protect young students from sexual abuse

By NANCY FRAZIER O'BRIEN CATHOLIC NEWS SERVICE WASHINGTON -A new comic book produced by the Archdiocese of New York aims to help middle school and high school students protect themselves from sexual predators and have the courage to report improper advances..

Called "Archangel," the 28-page comic book tells the story of a young man - once a victim of sexual abuse himself - who learns at his new school that the father of one student is abusing some other young women at the school.

In "conversations" with a statue of St. Michael the Archangel at the school, the young man debates whether to report the abuse to school authorities and recalls his parents telling. him, "Remember, son, when love is real, it never has conditions.

Someone who truly loves you will never say, 'You will if you love me' or 'This is our fun little secret.'"

Ed Mechmann, director of the New York archdiocesan Safe Environment Program, said the idea for the comic book and a coloring book for elementary school students that was published last year came from Charles Barnett ill, a professional comic book artist.

Barnett was participating in a Virtus "Protecting God's Children"

class because of his volunteer work at the Church of St. Catherine LaBoure in Lake Katrine, N.Y. "It was one of those inspirational. moments," Mechmann told Catholic News Service in a telephone interview from his New York office.

"He said, 'I can do something for you.'"

The comic book and the 22-page coloring book, called路 "Being Friends, Being Safe, Being Catholic," are offered as resources to teachers in archdiocesan schools and Re-

ligious Education classes and have been well-received, Mecbmann said.

I ''They love it," he sai? of the coloring book, which has peen in use since the 2006-07 schoql year. "It's clear and simple and has a cute little angel:" And it talks about safe envi-

TEACHING TOOLS - This 28-page comic boo~ called "Archangel" and a coloring book called "Being Friends, Being Safe, Being Catholic" were produced by the Archdiocese of New York. (CNS photo/ courtesy of Archdiocese of New York)

ronment issues in a way that is "not alarming or oppressive or disturbing," he added.

"The teachers know it is something that the kids will tilke home and show to their parents," Mechmann said.

The coloring book also includes a word search listing "some of the people that God sends into your life to help you," including parents, social workers, nurses, coaches, teachers, priests and nuns.

Some criticized the archdiocese for including priests in the list, but ''I was offended by that," Mechmann said. "It is grossly unfair to stigmatize priests;' he said. ''The vast'majority of priests are good and holy men."

Although the coloring book tells children that "there are lots of adults who love them and who they can trust," it also warns them that they "have to be aware and protect themselves in a variety of social contexts," Mechmann said. But it does not make priests "targets of particular suspicion," he added.

The comic book, aimed at those in sixth grade through high school, was introduced this fall, said Mechmann, an attorney who has worked for the Archdiocese of New York for more than a dozen years and headed the safe environment office since 2005.

On behalf of Fr. Marcel H. Bouchard, PastoL Fr. Rodney E. Thibault Parochial Vicar, arid the entire Pastoral Staff of CORPUS CHRISTI PARISH, East Sandwich, we wish to extend to you and your families our prayerful best wishes for a Blessed Christmas and a joy filled New Year in 12008. .

MASS SCHEDULE

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Corpus Christi Church, East Sandwich 4:00pm Christmas Vigil December 24th 5:30pm Christmas Vigil th 12:0qam Midnight Mass December 25 IO:30am Christmas Morning !,

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St. Theresa Mission Chapel, Sagamore December 24Ul 4:00pm Christmas Vigil th December 25 8:00am Christmas Morning I,

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Star of wonder, star of hope One of the principal goals of the Advent season is to prepare us to embrace the Lord when and as he comes. It is not enough for us merely to await the Messiah's arrival; we must accept him on his terms upon his arrival.

That was a huge challenge for the Jews two millennia ago. The Jewish people were, for the most part, in a perpetual state of expectation for the long-awaited anointed one. Little did they expect, however, that he would be born the way he was: of an itinerant homeless woman in an animal stable rather than of famous descendents of David in a royal palace.. Little did they expect him to act the way he did when he grew up: rather than wiping out the political oppressors of the Jewish people, he would suffer and be executed at their hands. Throughout his public ministry, he constantly defied expectations: many asked whether the Messiah or even "anything good could come from Nazareth;" his fellow Nazarenes also joined the chorus, reminding themselves and others that Jesus was merely "a carpenter" (In 1:45-46; Mk 6:3).

When the disciples of John the Baptist impatiently queried whether Jesus was the Messiah or whether they should wait for someone else, Jesus listed some of the many qualifications that the prophet Isaiah had foretold would characterize the one who is to come: he had made the blind see, the lame walk, the deafhear, and the poor receive the good news路. He had even cleansed lepers and raised the dead. Then he said some of the most heartbreaking words in sacred Scripture: "Blessed is the one who takes no offense at me" (Is 11:5-7; Mt 11:1-6).

The truth is that almost everyone would take scandal at the Messiah Jesus really was. Jesus did not meet their false expectations of who the Messiah should be and how he should act. If they were not scandalized by the conditions of his birth or upbringing, they were scandalized, rather than converted, by his deeds and words. They took offense at his befriending sinners. They resented that he would cure people on the Sabbath: They were piqued that he would call God his Father. They felt affronted at the reality of the Eucharist, and many of his disciples, in addition to the crowds, would abandon him over it (Mt 9:11; 12:10; Jn 6:66; 8:16).

- But the greatest scandal of all would be his suffering and death. When Jesus first announced to the 12 that he would suffer greatly from the elders, the chief priests and the scribes and be killed, Peter, who had just declared him to be the Messiah and Son of Living God, rebuked him, saying that he would never allow such a thing to happen to him. Jesus, in turn, rebuked Peter, called him Satan for trying to tempt him away from his mission, and said, "You are not thinking as God does, but as man" (Mt 16:16-23).

To accept Jesus as the Messiah, we must think as God does, and not according to our own categories. In God's plans, it had long been foretold through the prophet Isaiah that the Messiah would suffer, but most Jews, including theApostles, had dismissed those prophecies ofthe suffering servantjust like they repeatedly did Jesus' o~ (Is 53). For that reason, when Jesus fulfilled those prophecies rather than their false expectations, they took offense rather than took heart.

In the deepest and most beautiful section of his recent Advent-oriented encyclical on hope, Spe Salvi, Pope Benedict said that Christ, by the mystery ofhis incarnation and birth, desired to show us the link between suffering and salvation not just in his life but in ours. Suffering is part of human life and stems, the Holy Father states, because of our human limitations and because ofthe evil caused by our sins and the sins ofothers stretching all the way back to the beginning. Because we are not able to eliminate our finitude or eradicate sin, we cannot banish suffering. "Only a God- who personally enters history by making himselfman and suffenng within history" can accomplish this. This is why God became man, the pope declares: "God...:.- Truth and Love in person - desired to suffer for us and with us.... Man is worth so much to God that he himself became man in order to suffer with man in an utterly real way - in flesh and blood."

Rather than eliminating suffering altogether, Jesus redeemed it so that we might draw even greater good from it. He converted it from merely an ontological evil into a necessary moral good. This is we are called to pick up our cross each day and follow him, to be crucified with him so that we might live with him (Mt 16:24; Gal 2:18-20). "It is not by sidestepping or fleeing from suffering," the pope says, "that we are healed, but rather by our capacity for accepting it, maturing through it and finding meaning [in it] through union with Christ, who suffered with infinite love. . .. Suffering - without ceasing to be suffering - becomes, despite everything, a hymn of praise."

Like Christ, we are called to enter into the lives of others and suffer for and with them. The more we learn from Christ how to bear our own crosses with faith and hope, the more we will be capable of helping others to bear theirs. 'The true measure of humanity," Benedict emphasizes three times, "is essentially determined in relationship to suffering and to the sufferer." The suffering of others will either conform us to Christ as loving, compassionate, Good Samaritans, willing to take some of the weight of others' pain on our shoulders, or confirm us as egocentric, inhuman and selfish comfort-seekers.

It will reveal us as disciples of the real Messiah, the suffering servant, or of a countelfeit who cannot save.

As we prepare to celebrate Christmas, Pope Benedict is reminding us that we must do more than go to meet and adore Jesus in the manger and at Mass; we must also go with him to continue his messianic mission.

Just as he took on a body so that he might suffer for and with us, so we, as his Mystical Body, are called with him to suffer for and with others. The mystery of Christmas is that God-is-with-us, not statically, but suffering, not in plaster of Paris but in persons in pain and need. He is our "star of hope." Let us go in search of him.

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the living word A Snow Covered statue of Jesus is seen at dusk on the grounds of Sacred Heart Cathedral in Rochester, N.Y.,

the week before Christmas.

(CNS photo/Mike Crupi, Catholic Couriel) "For just as from heavens the rain and the snow come down, and do not return there 'til they have watered the earth, making It fertile and fruitfUl, giving seed to him who sows and bread to him who eats, so shall my word be that goes forth from my mouth" (Is 55:10-11).

The just man who named the Savior The most extensive Advent prepa- nursing him, loving him, treasuring Second, he was "righteous" preration of all was done, not by John all of these miraculous events in her cisely because he was docile and obethe Baptist, not by Mary, not even by contemplative heart. dient to God. We see this when he St. Joseph, on the other hand, gen- was prepared quietly to divorce Mary Isaiah, Jeremiah, Micah, Zephal'iah and the other famous Advent Proi'h- erally gets scant attention. Without a upon discovering that she was pregets. It was done by God himself. doubt this relative obscurity pleases nant by some other agency than his When the fullness of time had him very much, since he more than own. Without question he loved Mary come, God would not send the Arch- anyone would want our focus on deeply and this action would have angel Gabriel to find any young vir路 Jesus lind Mary, just as his always crushed him, but he loved God and gin, but rather he would go to a spe- was. But it would be good for us to his law even more than he loved cific village in a precise nation to greet spend some time meditating on the Mary.

We see his obedience even more a particular girl espoused to a given third person of the "earthly trinity" man. God had intervened preve- that constituted the Holy Family, be- clearly in his response to the angel of niently'in that girl's life many years cause he, more than anyone, will God interventions in his dreams. before, preserving her free from -all teach us how best to relate to Jesus When God sent his angel in a dream to tell him not to be afraid to stain oforiginal sin from the receive Mary into his home firstmomentofherconcep- _ - - - - - - - - - - because the child was contion in her mother's womb. ceived by the Holy Spirit, JoHe did this, as the Fathers seph awoke and "did as the ofthe Church used to teach, angel of the Lord had comso that she would be free manded him." After Jesus' from all bondage to sin and birth, when the angel aptherefore capable to assent peared to him again and infully to the plans God would structed him to "rise, take the later announce, and so that child and his mother, and flee nothing sinful would ever .............- - - - - - - - to Egypt, and stay there untouch Jesus in her womb.

But God had also prepared her people and Mary in Bethlehem and beyond. til I tell you," he rose, awakened them, Why was Joseph chosen to be the and began their journey that night. A for centuries for the coming of the Messiah. Through the covenants, the foster father of the Son of God? One few years later, when the angel apsaving miracles, the law and pro- reason was clearly because he was a peared to him in Egypt and told him phetic utterances, this young girl descendent of King David and there- to return with them to Israel, he did.

It would have been easy for Joseph, would grow up with a heart as pre- fore any foster child would, according to the law, be a son of David, too. even in a pre-Freudian age, to pared, pure, fertile as her womb.

Likewise, the man to whom she But there would have been many eli- deconstruct these dreams according to was espoused was not some divine gible descendents of Israel's greatest the standard of his conscious desires. afterthought or "player-to-be-named- king alive at the time. Doubtless some Each dream was asking him to do later" in a package deal for his young of them would have been scholars of something totally life-changing: to alwife. As Matthew's and Luke's ge- the law and capable of training Jesus ter completely his notion of what his nealogies show us, he was the according to his humanity to be a marriage would entail, so as to be the penultimate piece in a divine cascade rabbi rather than a carpenter. Some chaste guardian of the Vrrgin and the stretching all the way back to King others would likely have had much foster father of the Son of God and David, to Abraham and even to more clout and been able to avoid . savior of the world; to leave his job Adam. It was through him that Jesus, being treated as nobodies by the inn- and his relatives completely behind under Jewish law and mentality, keepers when Jesus was about to be and journey through the desert to an born. Others would likely have been unknown land; to return once life was would be a descendent of David.

Sacred Scripture does not tell us wealthy and much more capable than settled. But in each of these circumhow this chosen man and favored Joseph of providing for Mary and stances, Joseph acted immediately.

Joseph, a man of action and no re- . woman met, but in the designs of his Jesus, so that at Jesus' presentation, providence, God brought Mary and for example, they would have been corded words, was humble enough Joseph together. Very soon afterward, able to offer a lamb instead of two to sacrifice whatever his own plans might have been to fulfill God's plans, the long Advent would be over. pigeons.

But it's obvious that to God the embracing his vocation to help Jesus It is customary as we celebrate Christmas to spend most of our time qualities that Joseph lacked were in- and Mary accomplish theirs.

As we prepare for Christmas, we centered on the baby Jesus, the eter- significant compar垄 to those he had. nal Son of God, lying in the manger, First, Joseph was a good man. St. ask his prayers so that we might cenadored by angels and animals, wise Matthew writes that he was a "just" ter our lives on Jesus, be obedient to men and shepherds and this hand- or "righteous" man, someone who God's plans, and help him to fulfill his _picked man and woman. Many of us was moral. He may not have been mission of the salvation of the world.

Father Landry is pastor of St. Will also naturally turn to his mother, flashy on the outside but he shone on Anthony's Parish in New Bedford. holding him in swaddling clothes, the inside.

DECEMBER

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Christ, the way-word-Son never mind one who assqrned a God ... all things were made' Of all the, ancient sages, it human body, although he did verge through him ... And the Logos seems none came closer than Laobecame flesh and dwelt among us" tzu to knowing all that can be on this understanding in attributing known about God without the help (In 1:1-14). So the Christian to Tao personal characteristics, such as benevolence. Nonetheless, tradition!, starting with the prologue of divine revelation. Hisiunderstanding of Tao ("the W~y") could to John's Gospel, equates the Taoism and Christianity have vastly ______L _ well describe what the different underlying visions ancient Greek philosoof reality. Whereas the God >;») / ,,-.-... phers called the Logos of Genesis speaks the ("word" or "reason"), universe into existence by a that is, the underlying personal act of the will .... / (through the agency of the cause and ordering Son, so Christians beli,eve), pattern of all being ~13~ father/~ ':the Intelligence behind , Tao creates impersonally, ThoniasM. Koclk dividing itself into the many intelligent design.

The apostle John, visible things by way of uncreated Word of God with Christ; begetting: ''Tao begets One; one who was familiar with Greek philosophy by the time he wrote his hence, it is only natural that begets two; two begets three; three Christian missionaries would try to gospel, declares that what the begets all things" ("Tao-te Ching," philosophers had long sought 42). Perhaps this passage expresses explain the Incamation to Chinese the Logos -.,.. became flesh in Jesus an inkling of the Trinity; but in the minds by describing JesuS as the ofNazareth: "In the beginning was end Taoism's god remains but a eternal Tao made flesh. the Logos (Word), and the Logos Yet, as we saw, Lao-tzu did not force that neither creates beings in was with God, and the Logos was its own image nor freely calls them think of Tao as a personal being ;

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The FUllnilss of the Truth -~

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.Mary Christmas to all It is said that if you want to know a person's priorities look mto their checkbook and appointment calendar. If you want to know what is important in the life of our Church, look at her liturgical calendar and the names of her parishes. Of the 94 parishes in the Diocese of Fall River, 28 are named after Mary.

We have been immersed in the season of Advent for four weeks and already we have celebrated two Marian feasts: the Immaculate Conception on December 8, and Our Lady of Guadalupe on December 12. Having focused on the second coming of Christ in the first two weeks of Advent, and the incarnation of Christ in the second two weeks, we will concentrate on Mary's role in our salvation history on the fourth Sunday. At a time when we are so focused on the hopeful anticipation of the coming of Christ, why do our thoughts turn'to Mary? If we look closely at what we teach and believe about Mary we can see how intimately intertwined she is with our understanding of Jesus and his Church.

Three of the Evangelists paint a vivid picture of Mary as mother of Jesus, however John the Evangelist does not confine Mary's motherhoOd to the human nature of her Son. He presentect a broader view of Mary who embraces the whole of her Son's nature, both divine and human. The Mary who pronounces her fiat becomes the mother of her Son's mission when she gently guides him into his first miracle at the wedding at Cana. All of you mothers of sons and sons of mothers might question how gentle that guiding may have been.

him of love, compassion and hospitality. The significance of this apparition cannot be'overstated.

The preferential option for the poor is the foundation of Christ's mission.

Mary's Magnificat was the opening salvo of Christ's mission.

"My soul proclaims the greatness of the Lord, my spirit rejoices in God my savior. For he has looked upon his handmaid's lowliness; behold, from now on will all ages call me blessed." Placing the words on Mary's lips, Luke shed light on the historical " meaning of the Incarnation, and the prophetic meaning - of the Church. The lowliness of Mary is the canvas on which God paints the' There are more than 2,300 youth in . masterpiece of salvation brought about by Mary'sjiat. the Religious Education program, , Nestled in the depth of New and there are two very dedicated Bedford's south end is the parish of women who have the difficult task Our Lady of Guadalupe at St. of keeping it going. Ellen Westlund James. The product of three and Sister Ann William Publicover, combined parishes, the name was MSBT have given well more than most intentional. This is a parish for 30 years to their ministry. How many of the poor and dispossessed, fitting that tills parish, dedicated to Mary, should have two women who not unlike those to whom Mary appeared iIi Mexico in 1531. The exemplify her fiat. , parishioners of Our Lady of Mary is a lightening rod for religious th'ought and imagination. , Guadalupe and the surrounding community distinguished themShe helped the Fathers of the selves last February when they Church define the humanity and responded with love and compasdivinity of Christ, emerging from sion to the dispossessed left behind the debates as the Theoto!ws, the by the immigration raid.

"God-bearer:' Mary captured the As we conclude this season of imagination of the prophets of Islam, and gave·herself to the native Advent, let us ask for the grace to respond without judgment to the cultures of ~outh America in order needs of the poor so that we can to prepare their hearts for the become children of the Incarnation. coming of her Son. When God asks to enter our lives, Our Lady of Guadalupe let us seek Mary's help' so that we appeared to St. Juan Diego in the can "let it be done unto us."

16th century in a p()()r area on the Claire McManus is director of periphery of Mexico City. She the Diocesan Office ofFaith presented herself to Juan Diego as Formation. the Mother of God, and spoke to Mary does not just dwell in the past, nor does she sit idly on her throne in heaven, but she is part of the here and now in our world.

Mary'sfiat has been imitated by many people throughout the centuries, and not least of all by the faithful women who have embraced the mission of Christ in our own diocese. St. Mary's in Mansfield is one of our large and active parishes.

71 to itself.

Now let's tum to the question, How does one live by Tao? Obedience to Tao strongly resembles obedience to what the Western philosophical1tradition calls the naturaIlaw - so much so that the great Christian apologist C.S. Lewis used ''the Tao" as a shorthand term for natural law. Put simply, "natural law" refers to the moral order in the warp and woof of creation: those permanent moral truths built into the nature of man and knowable by reason. For example, it is against the natural law and not only biblical law to engage in homosexual acts or intentionally to destroy innocent human life. Identifying natural law with Tao presents an ~vangelical opportunity for Christians. Telling a modern-day pagan that he has disobeyed God's word is likely to have little effect; but t~lling him that he has, in Taoist terms, gone "against the grain of the universe" might pack more rhet9rical punch, especially if the inevitability of cosmic splinters is spelled out.

Even apart from natural law, there is much to be said for the Taoist who lives "natfually" so as to be one with Tao. Itiiis the wise, after all, who accommodate themselves to reality. They attempt their harvests in season. They tear along the perforated line. Whether they get their wisdorri from books, or from their grandmother, or simply from observil1g life, the wise eventually learn" and then live by such truths as theSe: The more you talk, the less people listen; if your word is no good, people will 0

not trust you; envy of fat cats does not make them slimmer, and will somehow rot your bones; if you scratch certain itches, they just itch more.

And as for scriptural wisdom, Christian phrases such as "Blessed are the meek," "He who wishes to save his life must lose it," and "When I am weak, then I am strong" have nearly identical counterparts in the Tao-te Ching.

These are further evidence of Spirit-sown "seeds of the Word" preparing pagan cultures for full maturity in Christ.

Consider too Lao-tzu's preference for yin, the·"feminine" aspect of nature. 1\vo examples of yin are water, which always seeks its lowest level, from which it gives life, and infancy, which epitomizes lowliness. Christ was born of a woman and showed typically feminine tenderness on many occasions, including his motherly lament over Jerusalem (Mt 23:37); he is the "living water" flowing through the depths of the soul and "welling up to eternal life" (In 4:14); and, though he was God, he humbled himself by taking on flesh, literally becoming a baby and later suffering a humiliating execution (phil 2:6-8).

In the light of faith, the teachings of Confucius and Laotzu concerning Heaven, the Way, and Goodness (Tien, Tao, len) point to the divine Trinity of Father, Son, and Spirit of Love: the God revealed in Christ.

Father Kocik is parochial vicar at Santo Christo Parish in Fall River.

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God's promise fulfilled I like to look at the season of Advent as a four-act play that culminates with the birth of our savior, Jesus Christ, on Christmas Day. Each weekend there is a main character that comes to the front of stage and leads us, through the power of our imagination, to what is about to take place at the cave on the hillside in the little town of Bethlehem.

On the first Sunday of Advent, the great prophet Isaiah tells us how the world will be changed when the Messiah comes and that "all nations shall stream toward the Lord's House.

They shall beat their swords into plowshares nor shall they train for war again. Come let us walk in the light of the Lord." We are all invited to walk in the light of the Lord. The Christmas lights in our homes and communities remind us that Christ is the "Light of the World" and that there is now a tiny light in the darkness that had existed since the sin of Adam and Eve. This light will continue to brighten

through the Advent season illuminating our way as we journey to Bethlehem The second Sunday of Advent brings John the Baptist to the forefront of the stage.

John was called "the voice of路 one crying out in the desert, 'Prepare the way of the Lord, make straights his paths.''' All of us are called to he John the Baptist in our daily lives. By our.. personal example and dealings with others, we are called to be the mirror reflecting to others that Jesus has come, His birth has changed the world, and nothing . will ever be the same again. As we continue this Advent journey to Bethlehem, John the Baptist tells us straighten out our own personal paths and highways. To remove the boulders and barriers that might be in our way. The sacrament of reconciliation will smooth out the potholes and remove the barriers that keep us from being with the Christ Child

on Christmas.

Along with John the Baptist, the prophet Isaiah returns to the front of the stage for the Third Sunday of Advent. Isaiah tells us "Here is your God, with divine recompense he comes to save

you. Then will the eyes of the blind be opened." We have only to look into the eyes of a small child on Christmas morning to truly understand the wonders of God. May your eyes and mine be open to what God did for us and continues to do for us. God the Father, because of his love for each and every one of us, sent Jesus to be one of us, our older brother, who would always be a part of our lives. He would never abandon us or ever forget

us. He is always with us, today, tomorrow, and every day.

This weekend, the fourth Sunday of Advent, St. M;J.tthew in his Gospel begins with the momentous words "This is how the birth of Jesus Christ came about," and the figure of St. Joseph becomes the example for our meditation. Matthew tells us that Joseph awoke, he did as the angel of the Lord had commanded him and took his wife into his home. Each one of us is called to be like St. Joseph. To do what God asks of us without question and to open our homes to the Holy Family of Jesus, Mary, and Joseph. Joseph protected Mary and her Son. Joseph provided for the Christ Child, Joseph was always there when needed and he never questioned or protested. He was truly the foster father of God's Son. For four weeks we have been making our personal journey to Bethlehem. This coming

Monday night we will gather in front of the cave behind the hotel in Bethlehem waiting for the new born King. There will be many people there. Adam and Eve will be right up front to see fulfilled God's promise to one day send the Messiah, the Redeemer, who will make up for their sin and turn on the lights of the world. Abraham and Sarah, Moses, Isaiah, the other prophets, all will be rejoicing at the birth of Jesus. Everyone of us is invited to enter that cave where Mary, Jesus' mother and our mother, will atlow us to pick up her Son and hold him. We will be invited to bring the Child home to our own homes and make him a part of our lives not for a day or a week or a year but forever.

May the blessings of the new born Christ Child be with you always.

Msgr. Perry is vicar general and moderator ofthe Curia for the Diocese ofFall River and pastor ofSt. Patrick's Parish in Falmouth.

Upcoming Daily Readings: Sat. Dec. 22,1 Sm: 1:24-28 1; Sm 2:1.4-7,8abcd; Lk 1:46-56. Sun. Dec. 23,Fourth Sunday of Advent, Is 7:10-14; Ps 24:1-6; Rom 1:1-7; Mt U824. MoD. Dec. 24, Vigil of Christmas, Is 62:1-5; Ps 89:4-5,16-17,27,29; Acts 13:16-1'7,22-25; Mt 1:1-25. The. Dec. 25, The Nativity of the Lord, Is 9:1-6; Ps 96:1-3,11-13; Ti 3:4-7; Lk 2:15-20. Wed. Dec. 26,Acts 6:8-10 7:54-59; Ps 31:3cd-4,6,8ab,16bc-17; Mt 10:17-22. Thu. Dec. 27,1 Jn 1:1-4; Ps 97:1-2,5-6,11-12; Jn 20:1a,2-8. Fri. Dec. 28,1 Jn 1:5-2:2; Ps 124:2-5,7c-8; Mt 2:13-18.

The God with an infant face As my too-cute-to-be-true grandson, Master William Joseph Susil, careened around the house over Thanksgiving, exercising his rapidly expanding vocabulary and wrecking havoc on unsecured . objects in his path, I couldn't help but imagine possible futures for him: The guy who breaks Alex Rodriguez's MLB record for career home runs? Author of the Great American Novel? Victor over Chelsea Clinton in the 2048 presidential campaign? The first American pope? (No, one shouldn't wish that job on anyone.) Inventor of morally-

sound genetic therapies? (With two M.D. parents, one of whom does big-time medical research and both of whom are gung-ho Pro-Lifers, that sounds reasonable enough....)

Reveries aside, William's presence in the family these past 20 months has been a happy reminder that nothing so sweetly pulls us out of ourselves as a baby. Infants and toddlers are human magnets drawing the rusty metal of self-absorption out of the The Franciscans Immaculate Conception Province (OFM)

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members of the species who fancy themselves grown up while leading us into the bright, sometimes frightening, but never cynical world of childhood. Which

prompted a路 further thought: this special capacity of babies to drain the rest of us of egocentricity and cynicism helps explain why God decided to enter the world as a newborn.

Because we certainly would have done it differently, wouldn't we? If any of us were God, I doubt we'd have chosen to be born in less-than-optimal obstetrical circumstances in a ramshackle village on the far edge of the civilized world. Indeed, were any of us God, would we have chosen to go through the normal human drill of growing up, with its seemingly endless frustrations and alarums? Why not just arrive on the scene full-grown, at the height of our divinelhuman powers?

That, however, is not how Emmanuel, whom Pope Benedict

XVI calls the "God who has a human face," chose to make his entrance onto the stage. By . coming into the world and its history as a newborn, Emmanuel, from the beginning, begins to draw the lives he touches out of themselves and into self-路 giving love. Mary, Joseph, shepherds, Magi, the rest of the familiar cast of characters: they don't know the Chalcedonian confession of "two natures in one divine person," but they do know that this is a baby, beautiful as all babies are. And whatever the hymns of the angelic choir add by way .of identifying this baby as someone special, the characters we place around our creches are already being drawn out of themselves and into self-giving love by ... well, by a baby.

In an interview on Gemian television before his return home in the autumn of 2006, Pope Benedict suggested that "it's become more difficult to believe because the world in which we find ourselves is completely made up of ourselves." That's a crowded place, that world in which there is only us - which, primarily, means, "only me." A world made up of me, myself, and

I - and those few others I occasionally deign to let into my "space" - is a closed and claustrophobic world. And one of the goods that's' shut out of such a world is love.

In that same interview, the Holy Father noted that "Christianity, Catholicism, isn't a collection of prohibitions: it's a positive option."

It's an option for love, for that radical self-giving and receptivity in which both giver and receiver are mysteriously enhanced. It's an option for losing oneself in order to find the truth about each of us: that our human and spiritual fulfillment comes through making ourselves into the gifts for others that our lives are to us.

Christianity isn't about our search for God. Like its parent, Judaism, Christianity is about God's search. for us, and路 our learning to take the same path through history that God does.

The God with a human face began the climactic portion of his salvific journey through history as a baby, calling others out of themselves as only babies can do.

Every year, the creche calls us to ponder the Law of the Gift written on the human heart by the God who is Love.

George Weigel is a senior fellow ofthe Ethics and Public .

Polky Center in Washington, D.C.

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DECEMBER 21,

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Tne Ancnor

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Unto us a church is born

16 D(!cember 2007 - at response to the recommendation home on Three Mile River, The made to him by the representaDighto~sI - Third Sunday of tives of St. Peter Church and St. Advent i Joseph Church in the process of I loole in the Order of Wor. pastoral planning, he had come ship: "Gaudete Sunday.

Light t~e pink candle on the Advent wreath. Wear pink vehments." I wouldnrt wear pink Reflections of a

The Ship's Log

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Barnwell and me this weekend is to announce to our respective assemblies that "the rabbit has died." We are expecting.

The late Father Alvin Illig, at Bishop Connolly High School in Fall River, once said that a parish can exist for 100 years but if it doesn't

giv~ ~ir~\to another

~-S~Eitb路

The only guy I know who looks good in pink is Hulk! Hogan. The Hulk dn wear anything he wants. iI assure you, dear readersj I've never been misI taken for Hulk Hogan and I never Jill be.

On !friday past, Doug RodrigUes, consultant to the Dioces~n Office of Pastoral Planni~g, came by. Doug carried a lettedrom Bishop George W. I Colem~n. The letter said that in

Goldrick .~

to a decision. A new parish would be born in the Dightons.

The due date, the bishop wrote, will fall within nine months. He intends to have a stronger, more vibrant Church community in this rapidly-growing Town of Dighton. There will be one Church community serving The Dightons and beyond.

The task of Father Jerry

~:;~~l;~\tt~~~tion. I have pondered Father Illig's words more than two decades.

Soon St. Peter Church and St. Joseph Church will together bring into existence a brand-new parish. Mission accomplished. I will never use the word "merger." It's a parish founding. The faithful laity of St. Peter Church and St. Joseph Church will not be known as the "Churches With an Urge to Merge." They will not become

The gift of Jesus It was a still night, still and when we speak the truth softly, Jesus, who with quiet discernment calm like no other, and the desert live the truth genuinely; when we will answer the call to the priestnight was clear. A peace had come choose to give to a tired people, hood, religious life, or special over the earth. Only the soft breath in a tired world. ministries?

Who are the priests and the reof a baby was to be heard. The soft It was a quiet, still night, still ligious, who continue to labor in even breath of a newborn child. . like no other, the peace'of ChristBreathing new life into a tired mas had come over the earth. And a tired world, who hope that their world. only the soft breath of a baby work is not in vain, who hope that This baby would grow and the could be heard. more will realize what they have soft breath which was his Spirit, What kind of tired world is this realized, and who are those who would continue to be .r-~~--..... appreciate their sacrifice? heard, in the soft voice And who are the married couples, those who of a child. are raising their children, In a temple, in the voice of a young boy, who in the holiness oftheir speaking softly the truth, sacrament have realized as the elders listened in that the ways ofthe world I awe. are not serving them, who And the soft breath of ' have turned away from exthis baby continued to ..........--............._ ......._ _............lioO; cessive television and be heard. In the voice of a young man,! who walked among the people. The soft, yet powerful voicd of a young man who spoke in patables of wonder, with messageS of truth, of a commitment of loye, bringing hope to all who listened.

I When he died, he "called out with: a loud voice, 'Father into yourlhands I commit my spirit.'

When he had said this, he breathed his l<!st" (Luke 23:46).

Apd after his Resurrection, whet) he appeared to his disciples he said, '''Peace be with you. As I the ~ather has sent me, I am sending 'you.' And with that he breathed on them and said, 'Receiv~ the Holy Spirit'" (John 20: 21-22).

And the soft breath of this baby continues to be heard, as the Holy Spir,t moves over the face of the earth, and within the hearts and minds of those who are listening; I

that can no longer hear the soft breath of Jesus, can no longer feel his Spirit, can no longer hear his voice? A tired world where many people have embraced darkness and confusion and who cannot see the light of Christmas.

And who are they that can continue to see the light? Who are they who stand strong in a tired world, who can continue to feel his Spirit and hear his voice?

Who are the young people, who even at a young age, can see what is false in the world, who are aware of what is true and who have chosen to embrace a faith in Jesus Christ? Who are these young people who stand out among their peers, who are not swayed by the ways of the world, who show the light of Christ?

And who are they who have taken their faith one step further, who feel that God is calling them to give their life in the service of

video games, unnecessary material things, or alcohol and drug addiction and who have embraced prayer and service to our Lord?

And who are the retired people who realize now more than ever, that Jesus is really all that matters, who joyfully give their day to daily Mass and prayer and service to those in need?

Christmas comes once a year, but it is lived out everyday. Who are these people who embrace the gift of Jesus, who continue to feel his Spirit and to hear his voice?

Something tells me it may be you. Yes, I believe it is. For the hope of Christmas lies in those' who realize the gift of Jesus.

And a very Joyous Christmas to all.

Greta and her husband George, with their children, are members of Christ the King Parish in Mashpee.

9 the "Church of the Holy Terminator." They are Parish Founders, and so they will enter history.

Isn't it odd, dear readers?

Everyone is in favor of progress, but nobody likes change. How can you have progress and not change? Change always involves some dying and rising. This is the message of the cross of Jesus. As the saying goes: "No pain, no gain." The Catholic people of the Dightons need to expect some pain and so do I. Who has ever given birth naturally and not experienced pain?

We are only human. We become attached to things over the years. But things do not last forever - never have and never will. Things come and things go.

The Church remains until the kingdom comes. There are but three things that last - faith, hope, and love. The greatest of these is love.

The buildings and sacred objects of both parishes hold many memories. These are memories of baptisms, confirmations, weddings, and funerals. They will be preserved and honored as much as possible, but the Church is not the buildings. We all know that the Church is the people assembled inside those buildings. Here is the church and here is the steeple. Open the doors and see all the people.

The bishop has requested a joint task force of six parishioners from both parishes to plan this transition. Today I put in the church a sign-up sheet for anyone who might be interested.

We will meet and discuss what

the commitment will entail.

People are asking, "What will this new Church community be named?" I don't know yet. I'm calling it "St. Question Mark" for the time being. The people of both parishes will suggest a name to the bishop. Naming rituals are important.

People are also asking, "Who will be the pastor of this new Church community?" I don't know yet. The bishop will decide. I strongly suspect that the first pastor of "Saint Question Mark" will look uncannily like me. I hope so.

In the birthing of a new Church community, two parishes will die - St. Peter and St. Joseph. They have fulfilled their mission in life, but still this is very sad. We need to grieve the passing and we will. We will bury the dead, grieve their passing, and then get on with life. We always do.

So, how to begin to bring the people of two parishes together?

Let's have a party! "Gaudete!"

Let us rejoice! On the very weekend of the announcement, I invite staff and lay leadership of both parishes to come and view my exhibit of Christmas creches from around the world. Let's get together - and what better time than at Christmas?

Our future is here and our future is now. Rejoice in the Lord always. Again, I say rejoice! And may the Holy Spirit be within us.

And so passes another week in the Dightons - but what a week it was.

Father Goldrick is pastor of St. Joseph's Parish i~ North Dighton.

Father Thomas Kocik's 2005 Anchor series

"Loving and Living the Mass"

has just been published by Zaccheus Press

Excellent for Christmas Gifts To order, visit www.ZaccheusPress.com or call 1-970-416-6672

4;

10

The Anchor ~

DECEMBER

21, 2007

MOVING FORWARD - Construction is moving along nicely on the new St. Peter the Apostle Church in Provincetown. Opening of the new building is scheduled for late spring. (Photos by Dave Doolittle) .

ANCHORPERSONS OF THE WEEK Joann Flanagan and Val Brum stand before the Bethlehem village they create each year at the Cardinal Medeiros Residence in Fall River. (Photos by Dave Jolivet)

The Little Town of Bethlehem comes .to life every year at priests' residence

By DAVE JOLIVET,

EDITOR

is a ministry in itself - giving back to those who have FALL RIVER - Ifone steps away from the secular- given so much. The taskS are behind the scenes and dayized version ofChristmas, back into the true meaning of to-day, but far from trivial. The pair ensures each resithe season, there's no more recognizable image than that dent is happy and comfortable. ofthe Holy Family in the manger. Countries around the The labor oflove ofthe presepio is a bit more notice- > world center their celebrations on the blessed Nativity. able than their other tasks - as it should be.

In Portugal the tradition of including a Nativity scene in Brum and Hanagan initiated the tradition at the resithehomeiscalledpresepio,andaglowingexamplecan dence dUring the very first Advent season there. 'We be seen at the entrance of the Cardinal Medeiros Resi- started with Jesus, Mary and Joseph," said BI1J¥l. "and dence for retired priests on Elsbree Street in Fall River. it's grown every year since." Hanagan noted that all of The already warm and cozy home on the campus of the figurines since day one have been Fontanini figures. ' Bishop Connolly High """.,." . . . . ;~" _ •. .

"Eachyearresidentsdonate .SChOOliSfurtherenhanced::."?:', qf~;"'~::~'--;;~Zj;..:::"r funds to buy new figures."

Broadway Mass revived for theater community NEW YORK (CNS) - A late- shrunk to 60 people four years ago, night, post-theater Mass - a Man-' but now has swelled to 800, thanks hattan tradition that had gone dark in part to a residential construction for many years - has been re- boom in the neighborhood.

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village, through which St. t-.. _ .'. during the past decade. Toater district. tb though any Catholic is welcome to The Mass aims to draw perform- attend. It also was kno~n as the Joseph and the virgin bride, ,;-;( ;_"~'>~~_9'~J;';'/?':"~-;:;;;":~- :.,f~s:·,:£ ..__ day,inadditiontotheHoly Mary, travel until reaching Family, thereare shepherds, ers and other theater workers whose "printers' Mass," because so many wise men, livestock, chickens, townsfolk inhabiting viljob schedules - .which include press operators from The New York the place of the dear Savior's birth.

The roughly IQ-foot-by-four-foot scene is the handi- lages, mountainsides, a lakeside a desert, and of course nightly performances and Sunday Times would attend after the press woIkofthis week's Living Stones, ValBrumandJoann the manger. matinees - make it difficult for run for the Sunday paper was well Hanagan, employees ofthe residence since the opening 'We begin shortly before Thanksgiving and by the them to go to Sunday Mass. under way. St. Malachy's Church in September 1996. Brum, a parishioner ofSanto Christo time Thanksgiving rolls around, it's done," said Hanagan.

Dubbed the "Broadway revival" is also frequently referred to as "the Parish in Fall River, handles housekeeping, laundry, and While some ofthe materials used in creating the landby St. Malachy's pastor, Father Ri- actors' chapel." chard Baker, the first Mass was cel- - The Mass. actually. used to start occasional cooking duties. Hanagan, a parishioner of scape include paper'macht:: and styrofoam, the archi_ • St. Joseph's Parish in Fairhaven, is a cook. In a recent tects like to utilize natural products. 'We go outside and ebrated December 1. The Mass is later, at12.:10 a.in: on Sundays in interview with The Anchor, the pair agreed that they love collect moss for some ofthe effects," said Hanagan. '~.d scheduled for every Saturday at' 11 the 1930s, when there was no opworking for the retired priests, viewing their duties as we use sand for the ground andjust before Christmas, p.m. and will fulfill. Massgoers' tion for meeting one's Sunday obreturning a favor to the men who have dedicated their we plant wheat .so ~~t on Christmas day, real wheat:' .' 'Siinda~ obligation. , " . : ligation frol)1 4 ·p.m: onward on lives to serving God and his people. 'The priests who shoots appear:',said BnimO''My moiliertold me that the . : ·In a recent telephone in.terview Saturdays. The .option 'was 'lnstihave retired and cometo live here have paid their dues wheat was a'present for'the BabyJesus." . .... .wi~,CatholicNews Se~ice, Father .tuted in 1967.. : . 'in a sense, and now they can relax," said Hanagan. "It's In all, it takes .the pai! ~ui 10 h6urs to brjrigthe., ,~,'; :Bakersaid he was asked 'by the.~,: " _ When 'n'ightciub's began :to take .such a homey atmosphere." Brum added, ~The priests scene to life. _" stag~hands well before' th'e .s~rike, : pem1 !U1ent hold'in NewYork City'S are so down to earth, I enjoy working here."

Another U1;rique feature abOut the Elsbree Street vii,' .~egan to bring back the Mass. Be- 'cultural landsc;:ape,' r~quiring perThere is no question the duties Brum and Flanagan lage is that Joseph and the 'expectant Mary travel across" fore the settlement, "I was wonder- formers to work even, longer Saturhave performed for more than a decade at the residence the scene onthefr way to the manger. ''Ev~ry few days ' ingifanyone was going to be here," day night hours, St. Malachy's we move Mliry and Joseph to anew location," saidBrum. he told CNS. added a 4 a.m. Sunday.Mass to tr e "We also change the display every year," said ,Attendance was small at the first schedule., ~t offered that Mass, for two Masses - 30-35 people ~ but years.

Hanagan. ''That way there's a new look to it."

Supervisor of the Cardinal Medeiros Residence, f Father Baker said he plans to stick.

The book "The' Story of. St. Jeff Ouimet,_ said the presepio is "A definite sign with it. He said paris~,staffhad yet. Malachy's -:-The Actors' Chapel: . Christmas is coming. It reminds everyone of Christ to get to the theaters to post notices A Church on Broadway'~ said that being bomand helps us focus on the joy of that ocabout the Mass .on their "call those who attended the 4 a:m. Mass casion. It's"an added cheer at this time of year." boards," the bulletin boards at ~ach included George M. Cohan, 8penFather John·P. Driscoll is a resident and told The theater where vital informarion for 'c~r Tracy, Perry Como, Irene Anchor, "The ~~eneen.h;mces au' already wonderful" \ casts and crews is placed. Nearby' . Dunne, Hildegarde; ·Florence place. It's a'remin,der of what we live for iIi our. hotels have told their guests about: _Henderson; Danny Thomas, Bob _ ....--..;.-...1 priestly lives -7. the cQJl}ing of Christ and redemp:,,', the new Mass. . ..., -':-. Hope and Ricard,o· Montalban . .~ NO ROOM AT THE INN ~ Mary arid Joseph tion for all mankirid.Everyone needs' to be reminded: " The Satl!r~y-nightMass is ·Part.. Among those who 'were' altar,serv-, • cross a small bridge on their way to the manger. of that." of Father Baker'S st.rategy to build ers were Fred Allen, Don Ameche, \" up, the parISh', which he said had (:yril Ri~chlP"d and.Pat O'Brien. r

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BQston Cardinal urges' Catholics to 'come home' inI bicentennial year .

By DONIS TRACY,:

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CATHOLIC NEWS SERVICE

I

BQSTON -Boston Cardinal Sean P.O'Malley opened the bicentennial year of the Archdiocese of Boston by urging disillusioned Catholics to "come home" to the faith.!

"Noah's ark may have sprung a leak, but it is not sinking, and ~hrist is the captain. To our brothers and si~ters . in the lif~ rafts, I say, 'We love you, we want you to return to the practice of the faith, to the faith of our ancestors, theifaith of the saints, the faith of the apostles,''' Cardinali O'Malley said December 2.

The Boston Archdiocese has been working in recent I years to rebuild trust among Catholics in the wake of the sex abuse crisis and parish and school closings.

The qardinal made the invitation during his homily for the ~rst Sunday of Advent at the Cathedral of the .

Holy Cr9ss. The Mass opened a celebration that will follow the liturgical year and will end with the solemnity of. ' ~.

Christ ilie King, November 23.'

In his~ homily, the cardinal recounted the difficult beginning~ of the archdiocese in an area of the country where artti-Catholic sentiment was widespread and often '.

I backed QY the force of law.

The Boston Archdiocese, along with the archdioceses of Louihille, Ky., New York and Philadelphia, was erected from the Baltimore Archdiocese in 1808.

"Sonietimes we rhapsodize about the past, glamorize history and remember only what is pleasant. As a Catholic comfuunity in New England, we should know that our begirnings as a local Church were fraught with hardship and hostility and with enormous sacrifices," he said.

"Prie~ts were not allowed into this colony. If a priest were to be found, he was to be banished. If he returned, he woul~ be executed," he continued.

I WhenI the archdiocese was founded 200 years ago, "the entire Catholic population of the diocese would not I have filled this church. There were about 1,000 Catholics and I~wo priests," he added. ''Those handful of Catholies of two centuries ago, have grown to over five million Catholics in New England today."

I The ~ardinal urged the congregation not to get so caught op in their daily routines "as to miss the moment I that theiLord offers to us. To literally miss the boat, as those people did in Noah's day."

I He also reminded his listeners that Christianity is "not a selfish search for salvation. It's not 'Jesus and me and fuzzies,''' he said. Instead, he described the the warb I Christian life as serving others and spreading the GosI pel.

I "We might feel more comfortable in our own lifeboat," he adde(}, "but Jesus wants us on Noah's ark and it is 'all hands ~n deck.''' , The ;cardinal asked those assembled to "recommit" themselves to the mission entrusted to the Church, saying they should ,Witness to Christ's Gospel, pass on the faith an~ build a civilization of love.

"NoJ it will not be easy, but it will be good. The fIrst I .

200 yelp"s of the Church here in Boston have not been they have been good," he said. easy, blit I The pardinal also talked about the popular Christmas tradition of putting a candle in a window, saying it originally h~d two meanings. He said the candle symbolized a sign of welcome for the Holy Family looking for a place, at the ibn, and it also had once been "an invitation, during the :times of persecution; to a priest to come aildcelebrate ~ clandestine Christmas Mass for the family."

"To~ay, as we begin our bicentennial celebration,. I ' am her~ to say that in Boston the candle is iii the win-' dow," he said. "wd want to invite and make welcome our brothers and sisters, especially the alienated, especially the poor and th~ newcomers. My brothers and sisters, as we jour~ . ney together in Christ, let us put a candle in the,window, a candletbat says 'welcqme, welcome, welcome,''' he said: I

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'CHRISTMAS GREETINGS FROM THE ST. PIUS

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PARISH COMMUNITY Saint Pius Tenth Parish 5 Barbara S~et South Yannouth, lWA 02664

OF SOUTH YARMOUTH

Our Christmas Masses will be celebrated on: Monday, December 24 at 4PM, 6PM, and Midnight Tuesday, December 25 at SAM, 10:30AM, and Noon

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

...

From the faithful at 81. John the Evangelist Parish .

In

'Po~asset, Massachusetts II

-,

Father Robert Donovan, Pastor

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12

DECEMBER

21, 2007

Family Rosary announces start of 2008 'Try Prayer! It Works!' contest National competition encourages children to express faith through art, poetry and prose EASTON - Entries are now being accepted for the 2008 "Try Prayer! It Works!" contest. Open to students in kindergarten through 12th grade, the 13th annual national competition sponsored by Family Rosary encourages children to express their faith through art, poetry and prose.

Each year, the "Try Prayer! It Works!" contest attracts more than 3,000 entries from more than 50,000 participants from across the country. Children and teens from Catholic schools, parishes and other Catholic organizations use their talent to convey their beliefs. Up to three winners are chosen per grade: first-place winners are awarded $100, while the sponsoring organization' earns $200. Runners-up win a set of Family Theater Productions movies.

This year's theme - "Following in the Footsteps of the Saints" - focuses attention on those people who have been recognized for their faith, virtue and courage, often in the face of extreme challenges. The "Try Prayer! It Works!" contest asks entrants to use creativity to depict their thoughts and feelings on what it takes to be a saint.

"The saints are very important to the Church," said Father John Phalen, CSC, president of Holy Cross Family Ministries, parent ministry of Family Rosary. "They set an example for us to follow along the path of righteousness to Jesus and Mary. This year, we are asking students to depict the saints they admire most. Why are they important? How do they honor them in their daily lives?

What lessons can we learn from these holy people?"

The "Try Prayer! It Works!" contest is open to children in grades K-12 enrolled in a Catholic school, religious education program, parish or other organization. For more information or

to download an application, go to www.hcfm.org/tryprayer. Questions? Call Holy Cross Family Ministries at 800-299-PRAY (7729).

In addition to the "Try Prayer!

It Works!" contest in the United States, separate competitions are conducted in Mexico, East Africa, West Africa, Bangladesh, Brazil, Peru, Ireland, Chile, Haiti and the Philippines. Entries are judged on content, ability to capture and interpret the theme, artistic and technical proficiency, and adherence to rules.

Family Rosary was founded in 1942 by the late "Rosary Priest," Servant of God Father Patrick Peyton, CSC. The "Try Prayer!

It Works!" contest derives its name from an experience in the life of Father Peyton. While a seminarian, he was stricken with severe tuberculosis. At one point, a frustrated physician said, "Try prayer! We have done all we can for you." Father Peyton prayed his rosary to the Blessed Mother and he made a miraculous recovery.

This experience - coupled with his spiritually rich family life as a youth in Ireland, where his family prayed the rosary each night - inspired Father Peyton to devote his life to Mary, Mother of God, and to the spiritual wellbeing of the family. His famous slogan, "The Family That Prays Together Stays Together," still resonates today.

In the spirit of its founder, Servant of God Father Patrick Peyton, CSC, Holy Cross Family Ministries serves Jesus Christ and his Church by promoting and supporting the spiritual well-be~ ing of the family. Faithful to Mary,:-the Mother of God, the Family Rosary in the U.S.A., a member ministry, encourages family prayer, especially the rosary. For more information, call 800-299-PRAY (7729) or visit www.hcfm.org.

Diocese of Fall River TV Mass on WLNE Channel 6 Sunday, December 23 at 11:00 a.m.

Fourth Sunday of Advent Scheduled celebrant is Father George E. Harrison, pastor of Holy Name Parish in Fall River

AWESTRUCK - Morris Chestnut stars in a scene from the movie ''The Perfect Holiday." For a brief review of this film, see CNS Movie Capsules below. (CNS photolYari Film Group)

IC~' ~'l()viife

tCallViUIII,ei NEW YORK (CNS) - The following are capsule reviews of movies recently reviewed by the Office for Film & Broadcasting of the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops.

"I Am Legend" (Warner Bros.)

Grim but effective thriller has a brave scientist (Will Smith) as the last surviving person in New York battling ferocious animal and human mutants as he struggles to find a cure for the virus that has eliminated most of the world's population. Director Francis Lawrence's remake of Richard Matheson's 1954 novel has some eerie scenes of a decimated New York, and the computer-generated images of mutants attacking are scary enough when they come, but though Smith is a compelling presence and there are some路 pointed and admirable spiritual elements, the basic setup ultimately grows tire- . some and more depressing than exciting. Intense if isolated violent sequences, including the killing of the creatures, and scantily clad mutants. Might be acceptable for older teens. The USCCB Officefor Film & Broadcasting classification is A-III - adults. The Motion Picture Association of America rating is PG-13 - parents strongly cautioned. Some, material may be inappropriate for children, under 13.

"Juno" (Fox Searchlight) Smart, funny and ultimately moving comedy-drama with a strong Pro-Life message about an unwed teen (an outstanding Ellen Page) who decides not to have an abortion, and promises the coming baby to a childless couple (Jason Bateman and Jennifer Garner) who long to adopt. The narrative has just the right moral wrap-up; performances are tops, including J.K. Simmons and Allison Janney as the girl's supportive parents and Michael Cera as the shy classmate responsible for her condition. Jason Reitman's direction strikes just the right piquant tone, though Diablo Cody's script contains a high expletive level for its appealing but sassy heroine.

Crude language and at least one instance of the f-word, some crass expressions, an irreverent remark, a nongraphic premarital teen encounter with brief partial nudity, out-of-wedlock pregnancy, sexual talk and divorce. Possibly appropriate for older teens. The USCCB Office for Film & Broadcasting classification is A-III - adults.

The Motion Picture Association ofAmerica rating is PG-13 - parents strongly cautioned. Some material may be inappropriate for children under 13. ~'The Kite Runner" (Paramount Vantage) Superb adaptation of Khaled Hosseini's best-seller about an Afghan writer (Khalid Abdalla) now living in the U.S. who recalls how as a boy (played by Zekiria Ebrahimi) in his native homeland, .he failed to help and subsequently betrayed his best friend (Ahmad Khan Mahmoodzada), and now finds he has a chance to atone for that misdeed. Under Marc Forster's sensitive direction, the beautifully acted film provides a

fascinating portrait of pre- and post-Taliban Afghanistan; its fine human values, strong affirmation of friendship and family, and redemptive ending should move even the most stone-hearted. In Dari and English. Partially subtitled. A single profanity and use of the f-word, a brief rape scene with no nudity involving a small boy and a bully, two discreetly worded sexual references, illegitimacy theme, a violent beating and a woman's stoning. Acceptable for older teens. The USCCB Office for Film & Broadcasting classification is A-III - adults. The Motion Picture Association of America rating is PG-13 - parents strongly cautioned. Some material may be inappropriate for children under 13.

"The Perfect Holiday" (Yari) Amiable romantic comedy, narrated by "Mrs. Christmas" (Queen Latifah), in which a divorced mother of three (Gabrielle Union) must cope with the machinations of her egotistical rap star ex-husband (Charles Q. Murphy) and the resistance of her 10-year-old son (Malik Hammond) as she gradually falls, with the help of her daughter (Khail Bryant), for a songwriter and shopping-mall Santa (Morris Chestnut) who's posing as an office supply salesman. Most of the humorous complications of director Lance Rivera's film work well enough, though the end product falls well short of its titular adjective. Implied premarital sex, divorce, some crass expressions and one mild profanity. The USCCB Office for Film & Broadcasting classification is A-II - adults and adolescents.

The Motion Picture Association of America rating is PG - parental guidance suggested. Some material may not be suitable for children.

DECEMBER

,

21, 2007

Creche to place Holy Family in Joseph's. carp~ntry workshop VATICAN CITY (CNS) - Sheltered under a tree and concealed by burlap and scaffolding, the Nativity scene in St. Peter's Square - still under construction - was planned to put theHoly Family in Joseph's carpentry workshop.

The Vatican office in charge of the creche's construction took its inspiration from Matthew's Gospel account of the birth of Jesus: "When Joseph awoke, he did as the angel of the Lord had commanded him and took his wife into his home. IJe had no relations with her until she bore a son and he namt'iu him Jesus."· The.central scene was designed to be Joseph's dwelling and his, carpentry workshop with angels hovering above from a small balcony, according to a December 13 written statement by the office for technical services for Vatican City. ' The :scene was to be flanked by another carpentry shop and an inn.

Joseph liv~ and worked in Nazareth while "Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judea" as Matthew's account also confirms.

Pier Carlo Cuscianna, director of technical services for Vatican City, told Catholic News Service December 14 he was a~are of the "polemic" circulating in the press over the Vatic~ depicting Jesus' birth in Joseph's home.

He did not say whether the scene was to be in Nazareth or Bethlebem, but said, "I am certain Matthew reflected well on the meaning" of home in the Gospel verse on which the Vatican office based its design.

The Vatican's 2006 scene placed the Holy Family under a tent nestled in rock.

This year, in addition to Mary, Joseph, the baby Jesus and the three kings, the creche in St. Peter's Square will also feature a baker and musicians.

'I.:en new larger-than-life figures on display this year are the h~diwork of sculptors from Tesero, an Italian town of 2,700 people high in the Alps near Trent. Seven of these fig-. ures ,,:ill be on loan and three - the baker, a woman and a child 1- will be donated to the Vatican.

The Vatican Nativity scene officially is unveiled December 24; and remains in the square until the February 2 feast of the Presentation of the Lord. .

Pope says Christmas tree, creche help create spiritual atmosphere VATICAN CITY (CNS) - Displaying the Christmas tree and a Nativity scene can help create a loving, warm, spiritual atmosphere in a world bent solely on making material gains, Pope Benedict XVI said.

C~stians "must preserve" the spiritual heritage of the decorated tree and Christmas creche, he told representatives of Italy's Val Badia region who donated the 86-foot spruce tree adorning St. Peter's Square.

The pope met with civil and religious leaders from this Dolomite region in a special audience December 14 at the VaticflD· .

"Christmas is a Christian holiday and its symbols ... make important references to the great mystery of the incarnation and the birth of Jesus," the pope said. . . ~e evergreen is an important symbol of the birth of Christ "because its evergreen boughs recall everlasting life," he said.

Together,with the Nativity scene, the decorated tree creates "an atmosphere replete with religious feeling and domes~c intimacy," he said.

"We have to preserve (these traditions) even in today's society where at times the consumerist race and the search for only material goods seem to prevail," the pope added.

Irt thanking the dignitaries for their gifts, the pope noted the tlrree-ton, 140-year-old tree was "cut without damaging the life , of the forest."

The tree, trimmed with yellow and white lights and 2,000 gol~ and silver ornaments, w~ lit in a special December 14 cere;nony.

In addition to donating the towering tree for the square, the <lelegation from Val Badia also gave 50 smaller Christmas trees to decorate various rooms and offices throughout Vat~can City.

The Anchor ~

'His face looked:: radiant' She told my mother, "I saw your dad down at church My grandfather suffered a heart attack returning on Christmas Eve. I didn't put the story all together home from confession on Christmas Eve. Walking the until I read of Mr. Connor's death later in the paper. three city blocks from Boston's Holy Name Church Then -well, I had to call and tell you about what back to our house, Grampy collapsed on the snowy happened." sidewalk.

She ahd her friend had been waiting to go to confesNeighbors found him just a few yards from our door sion. The church was dim and quiet. One by one, the and carried him in. penitents lining two full pews outside of each confesI was 12, and I was devastated. "No, God, no. Don't take him," I prayed. sional il1;thed closer to the curtained box.

But my grandfather was gone already. The neighbors The ~oman noticed an elderly man leave the confesapproach the marble altar rail. placed him on our sofa next to the brightly lit Christmas 'sional and I . , . He knelt in prayer before tree. On the wall nearby was , the creche. Around it, the the guardian angel picture shepherds and Magi waited that Grampy had bought for my mother on the day she expectantly. Grampy raised his eyes slightly, gazing at the was born.

This can't be happening, I statues-of Mary and Joseph raged. Where was that and the stil~-empty crib. guardian angel now?

The woman. said, ''The church was dark, but I saw a Harry J. Connor had warm, golden light encircle received the sacrament of confession almost weekly his I • both the manger and your whole life. His family did the same. As a child, I dad. I aSked my friend if she saw it too, and she did.

I .

"We kept staring until he turned to go," she told my thought the whole world did.

Now how could God let him die on a cold sidewalk mother: "And oh, when he turned - there was such a beautif61 expression on his face, full of peace and joy. all alone the night before Christmas?

Despite his 84 years, I thought my grandfather would . His face looked radiant.'" be with us·forever. He was a widower, a gentleman who .Grarnpy had died minutes later. always wore a tie to dinner, and a gentle man who lived The"caller's story helped me to realize that God had· not let this good and faithful servant die alone. his faith quietly and well.

In the 10 years he'd lived with us, I couldn't recall No, God had been there to hear his last whispered confession and to absolve him within the hour of his' him ever raising his voice to any of us. If my sister or I were annoying, he'd just shake his head with a charideath. " table chuckle. He was our first and only babysitter.

From the tabernacle, God had seen Grampy gazing That night, Grampy's presents were all wrapped with lQve at the creche;and I knew then that God had under the tree. His pipe and newspaper were still where looked back on him with love. he had left them.

I re~lized that my grandfather's guardian angel had He had gone so far from us s,o unexpectedly. cradled his head on the snowy sidewalk that Christmas Eve as l he made the next step on his journey.

That was a bittersweet Christmas. I was sad and His'life and his death had echoed St. Paul's words: "I confused, thinking only of our family's loss, not of Grampy's gain. have fought a good fight, I have finished my course, I have kept the faith" (2 Tim. 4:7).

But within days, I started to appreciate God's perfect I could only imagine the joy Grampy must have felt timing. I understood that I had underestimated the Lord's generosity toward my grandfather. that Christmas morning as Our Lord welcomed him A week after Christmas, the phone rang. It was a home., woman we'd seen around our West Roxbury neighborGail Besse is an Anchor correspondent. You can reach ,her at gailbesse@comcast.net. hood but didn't know too well. j

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DECEMBER

21,2007

Patiently waiting in joyful hope

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Our Advent journey, this period of four weeks that prepares us for the coming of Christ, both in time and at the end of time, has been one of patient expectation. On our journey to date we have described the need to wait patiently in four different ways.

First, we learned of the need to patiently wait on ourselves. Using the acronym SWEET, we found that it was absolutely necessary to understand and appreciate ourselves before we could properly and rightly patiently wait for our Lord. We saw the need to acknowledge our strengths and to utilize them properly for the betterment ' of God's kingdom. Weaknesses also had to be acknowledged, not as "problems" from which we run, but rather as possibilities for future growth. As'St. Paul said so clearly, "Whenever I am weak, then I am strong" (2Cor 12:lOc). We were challenged to' review and analyze our expectations, concentrating on what can be done, not . what cannot. We need to answer the question, "Is our glass half full or half empty?" We need to set high but not unreasonable expectations, both for ourselves and others. At the same time, however, we must be patient with those we meet on the road oflife as well as ourselves. Lastly, we must test ourselves and take the often perilous inward journey of self-evaluation, acknowledging both the good and the not so good that exists inside each one of us. Only then can we make the proper decisions as to what we need in order to patiently wait on the inside.

Once we come to a 'satisfactory sense of our self and can live patiently within our person, then we must be patient with the world. The challenge of society for Christians has never been gre~ter. Secularism pervades our wotldand ,the commercialization of religion has become rampant. Thus, we must keep our focus, staying 'on the more difficult path, but the only one that leads to life.

We must avoid ,apathy and indifferentism, both in ourselves and others. The tendency to avoid involvement, both in issues and with people, and the belief that no particular way of thinking is correct are strong temptations today. We must keep involved and we must always realize that there is a good and proper reason to be a Roman Catholic. We should never thiDk of apologizing for who we are and what we believe. In our relationships with others we must acknowledge and promote the belief that-we truly are our brother's keeper. We must take action when it is necessary to correct problems, but also to demonstrate tolerance for differences that exist between all p~ople. Possessing the wisdom to know the difference is critical.

Gaining a better understanding of ourselves and the world allows us to properly enter in a formal way the Advent theme of waiting for Christ who comes at the end of time. We must ask ourselves the question, "What would we do if we knew

for certain that Jesus would return on a particular date?" As strange as it might sound, the hope would be that we would do nothing differently; we would continue to do what we have always done, without fear of the future. Admittedly, this would be difficult for most, if not all of us. Thus, since we probably are not in the position we seek, it is necessary to change and grow. We do so by conducting our lives as we were commissioned to do through the sacraments of initiation, namely to witness to the power and presence of God in our lives. We should live in a way that anticipates the coming of the Lord. We must use our time, talent, and treasure to build God's kingdom in an active way. Passivity will not promote the construction of God's kingdom.

Our preparation for the coming of the Lord at the end of time will finally allow us to properly and patiently wait for Jesus' coming in history. The story of Johnny

anxiety, as we wait in joyful hope for the coming of our savior Jesus Christ." What does it mean to wait in joyful hope? It is an excellent question and one we can explore.

Even in our ultra fast-paced contemporary society we are often required to wait.

At the grocery store we must wait in line as a cashier services not only ourselves, but most likely a few people in front of us. It is a very fortunate person who arrives for a medical or dental appointment who is not forced to wait.

When we go to the bank, the registry of motor vehicles, even a department store, we generally must wait. Even when we are driving, we wait. How often have we found ourselves behind a driver who we perceive is moving too slowly? My father always told me, and I learned from our own experience, the military expression which says, "Hurry up and wait!" We rush from one event or place to a second or third, but often in the interim we wait.

Murphy and his red wagon demonstrated People today are not very good at that we must prepare ourselves to be a! gift waiting. We become frustrated, even an'gry when we must wait, almost for anything. to Jesus. But what the Lord desires and expects from us is to be the best person we Patience is not something we do generally can be. It is the only thing that he wants on well, especially when we are "forced" to his birthday. We accomplish this goal wait in lines or for other people. Our through preparation. We must listen to John contemporary world, which tells us "get it the Baptist and concentrate on the Advent done now," is uncomfortable with the message, which challenges us to move concept of waiting. Yet waiting is a reality. from darkness to light and to seek the Maybe God is telling us through these humility of Mary as expressed in her great necessary, or occasionally inevitable, fiat. The' challenge to avoid the commer,periods of Waiting that we need to slow cialization of the season must be met down and be present to the moment. through an advancement of our spiritual What are we waiting for? Some people lives, especially prayer in seeking forgivewait for the birth of a child or grandchild; ness and reconciliation. some wait for the result of a medical test.

As the great festival of Christmas Some of us are waiting for a loved one to approaches, we are now asked '10 wait in return home, from college or military joyful hope. In the Mass, after the proclaservice. Some people are waiting for an mation of the Our Father, we hear these apology from another person. There are words from the priest: "In your mercy keep people, as well, who are waiting for a us free from sin and protect.us from all miracle to happen, in their lives or the lives

of people they love.

What does it mean to wait in joyful hope? Joy does not mean we are happy.

Rather, joy signifies that we are confident that God loves us. We can have joy in the midst of sorrow, for joy is the ability to see God's presence in those around us. Thus, even in the midst of darkness it is possible to find joy. Clearly we must choose to be joyful; it is not something that comes without our free choice. The more we choose to live in joy, the more we can reflect this important emotion to others.

Hope, the second part of the expression, is to know that the same God who came among us can be trusted and will never let us down. Children come to th~ir parents with the idea that they will be given only what is good for them, even with their periodic temper tantrums. Hope in God is the belief that God will give us only what is good for us, even with our intermittent temper tantrums. We must recall Jesus' promise in the Scriptures: "Is there anyone among you who, if your child asks for a fish, you will give a snake instead of a fish?

Or if the child asks for an egg, will give a scorpion? If you then, who are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will the heavenly Father give the Holy Spirit to those who ask him!"

(Luke 11:11-13).

Living in hope means we are not so much concerned about how our wishes may be fulfilled, but rather centering our thoughts on the one who gives. The receiver is not important; the one who gives is ultimately important. Henri Nouwen in his book "With Open Hands" relates a prayer from one of his students that summarizes true hope: "Hope means to keep living amid desperation and to keep humming in the darkness.

Hope is knowing that there is love; it is trust in tomorrow. It is falling asleep and waking again when the sun rises. In , the midst of a gale at sea it is to discover land. In the eyes of another it is to see that you are understood. As long as there still is hope there will also be prayer.

And you will be held In God's hands."

Advent is a time when we await Emmanuel, that is, "God with us." We await God in time and at the end of time. In ' many ways our life is one long Advent.

Advent means reflecting on the birth of Jesus, accepting this free'arid undeserved gift, and then giving birth to the same love in our lives. Living in joyful hope means living in the present moment. We live not , with naive optimism, but with confidence that God is always with us.

Hopefully, this Advent has been a time when we have lived in the moment, in patient expectation of ourselves, the world and Jesus.

Father Gribble ;s a noted author and is associate professor ofreligious studies at Stonehill College in North Easton.

This is the final installment ofa fivepart series.

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DECEMBER

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21, 2007

~ The Anchor

news briefs

Cardinal Mahony urges candidates to focus on immigration LOS ANGELES (CNS) - In letters to all the presidential candidates sent December 12, Los Angeles Cardinal Roger M. Mahony urged them to "show leadership on the issue of immigration" and to work to find a "humane and comprehensive solution to our broken immigration system." The cardinal expressed disappointment at the tone of the immigration debate and urged the candidates to replace verbal attacks on immigrants with a focus on policy solutions. "I am deeply disturbed that, to date, the discussion on immigration has failed to significantly focus upon policy solutions to illegal immigration," he wrote. "Rather, the debate has been characterized by verbal assaults on undocumented immigrants, assaults which have had the effect of alienating immigrants to our country - not only the undocumented but also legal immigrants and newly naturalized citizens," he said.

Cardinal Mahony also reminded the candidates they have a responsibility to outline a vision for the future of the country that includes leadership on immigration reform.

Pope: Teaching youths skills, moral values key to fighting violence VATICAN CITY (CNS) - Teaching young people the skills they need to support their future families and the moral values to inspire them to work for the common good is essential in the fight against violence and despair, Pope Benedict XVI told seven new ambassadors to the Vatican. The pope also spoke about halting the spread of HIVI AIDS, eradicating sex traffickers' "unspeakable human exploitation" and conquering the global drug trade. The pope spoke separately December 13 to ambassadors from Thailand, Singapore, Seychelles, Namibia, Gambia, Suriname and Kuwait as he accepted their credentials. In a group talk the same day, he asked that each country make education a priority. Giving young people the power to read and marketable skills is an important way to break the cycle ofpoverty and ''fight against the despair that may lie in yoUng people's hearts and be the source of numerous acts of violence," the pope said.

Vatican official: Communicators must be 6ke Our Lady of Guadalupe VATICAN CITY (CNS) - Like Our Lady of Guadalupe, Catholic comrtlUnicators must share the message of the Gospel in a way that reflects the culture of their audience and uses images and gestures to capture imaginations and hearts, said Archbishop Claudio Celli. In a December 12 statement marking the feast of Our Lady of Guadalupe, Archbishop Celli, president of the Pontifical Council for Social Communications, told Catholic communicators in Latin America that the success of their efforts depends on their love, humility and creativity. As the "model of perfectly inculturated evangelization," Our Lady of Guadalupe appeared to the Mexican Indian Juan Diego in 1531 looking like an indigenous woman, he said. "She adapted herself to the mentality of her audience, his culture, his rhythm," Archbishop Celli said. "Her message was not made up of words alone. It was gesture, form, image, language and idiom."

Christmas album a family affair for Catholic recording artist TAMPA, Aa. (CNS) - Catholic recording artist Tom Franzak has released his first Christmas album, and it's a family affair. "Littleway Christmas I" features his 13-year-old daughter, Lucy, on seven of its II original songs and includes solos by sons TJ, 15, and Daniel, nine, with backup vocals by his wife, Rene. "I wanted to write songs that really focus on the Christmas season," said Franzak. "The more society gets comfortable with calling it the 'holiday season' or 'sparkle season,' it saddens me. That distances the holiday from its origin. I wanted the album to be Christ-centered." From "That's What Christmas Means" and "Let It Be Done" to ''Emmanuel'' and "On Christmas Day," Franzak takes listeners on a musical journey that is both spiritually rich and fun. The CD is packaged as a "musical Christmas card," complete with original artwork and family photos. Sample clips from the CD may be heard online at: www.littlewaychristmas.com.

The CD also may be purchased at that Website.

Pope praises Kuwait for its efforts to promote democracy, dialogue VATICAN CITY (CNS) - Children must be educated in moral values, in their own religious and cultural heritage and in respect for the religious beliefs of others, Pope Benedict XVI said. Welcoming Suhail Khalil Shuhaiber as Kuwait's new ambassador to the Vatican December 13, the pope praised Kuwait for its efforts to promote democracy; human rights and dialogue within its borders and throughout the Middle East. After the country's 1990 invasion by Iraq and a seven-month occupation, Kuwait has continued "to play an important role in the delicate process of reconciliation which offers the only sure hope for a resolution of the many complex problems affecting the Middle East," the pope said. ''Interreligious and intercultural dialogue for the promotion of peace," especially betweea Christians and Muslims, is "essential for overcoming misunderstandings and forging solid relations marked by mutual respect and cooperation in the pursuit of the common good of the whole human family," the pope said.

The Anchor

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Archbishop offers condolences after Colorado church-related shootings DENVER (eNS) - Two church-related shootings in Colorado December 9 were "especially bitter," coming as they did during "this time of preparation for Christmas, the birthday of the Prince of Peace," said Archbishop Charles J. Chaput of Denver.

The violent acts, committed 12 hours apart at a missionary training center in the Denver suburb of Arvada and at an evangelical megachurch in Colorado Springs, "would be heart-rending in any season," Archbishop Chaput said in a statement.

"I pray that God will heal the suffering inflicted by these terrible events; and sustain the hope and faith of the people" at th~ center and the church, he added.

According to police, the two events were linked. They identified Matthew Murray, 23, as the gunman in the Colorado Springs attack, and believe he might have been involved in the Arvada shootings.

Shortly after midnight December 9, police s.aid, Murray first went to Arvada to the dormitory of Youth With a Mission, an interdenominational organization that trains young people to do mission work. After a conversation turned heated and Murray' was ordered to leave, he pulled out a handgun and killed two people and wounded two others.

About 12 hours later, he went

to New Life Church in Colorado Springs, about 70 miles south of Denver. Church officials, knowing of the earlier shootings, had beefed up security.

Murray, according to police, killed two teen-age sisters and wounded their father and two others in the church's parking lot and then entered ..the church, where he was fatally wounded by a security guard.

New Life Church, had 7,000 worshippers that day.

The large nondenominational church is now headed by the Rev. Brady Boyd, seriior pastor.

About the shooting tragedy, Archbishop Chaput added, "For those struggling personally with this sorrow, may God penetrate and redeem even this tragedy with the peace of Christmas and Christ's promise of eternal life."

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DECEMBER

21, 2007

Bishop Connolly students develop a global perspective

By RICK SNIZEK SPECIAL TO THE ANCHOR

SOLE FOOD - Students in grades K-3 in St. John the Evangelist School in Attleboro were treated to candy and gifts .Ieft for them by St. Nicholas. After reading the story of St. Nicholas, students left their shoes outside their door with hopes that he would find them and leave something for them.

ALL FUN AND GAMES - Bishop Feehan High School, Attleboro, held its yearly toy display contest. Students in each homeroom had 10 minutes to construct a creative display of the toys they'collected for the Annual Santa Shop. The Santa Shop is a yearly Christmas celebration/toy "shop" coordinated by Feehan's Campus Ministry department for 200 pre-registered local families in need. A proud freshman class poses with its Christmas toy pyramid.

IN THE NICK OF TIME - St. Stanislaus School, Fall River, recently received a visit from St. Nicholas. Here, St. Nicholas helps first-grader Sylienne Medeiros with her feast day project.

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FALL RIVER - Alison Purpera knew the experience would be an eye-opener for students in her social justice class at Bishop Connolly High School.

And she would soon see just how much of an impact viewing "Invisible Children: Rough Cut" would make when her class suggested screening the film for the entire student body. They wanted to use the learning experience as a fund-raiser to aide the plight of thousands of African youths that have been displaced in a brutal, two-decades-old civil war in Uganda.

"Most of them had no idea that such a horrible war with such serious crimes to humanity was being fought in Uganda," Purpera said.

A religion teacher and member of the Providence Alliance of Catholic Teachers, Purpera arranged to screen the film for the student body recently following a Mass celebrated by Bishop George W. Coleman.

The 2003 documentary is the product of three c~llege-age American filmmakers: Jason Russell, Laren Poole and Bobby Bailey, who traveled from Southern California to East Africa in search of a story. When they crossed the bor. der from Kenya and found themselves stranded in Northern Uganda, they found their story.

When a rebellion against the Ugandan government, which was perceived to be uncaring for the needs of its citizens, particularly in the north, began to falter in the 1980s, a faction of the rebels formed the Lord's Resistance Army to continue the fight in the face of dwindling support. Short on soldiers to wage their war against the

government, the LRA began abducting children from schools, homes and villages. According to Invisible Children Inc.. children were considered the best soldiers because they are easily brainwashed, big enough to carry a gun and in such abundance as to have a renewable source of fighters. Soon children would comprise 90 percent of the LRA troops.

"One of the str~ngest things to do with art is to use it to raise awareness," Purpera said.

And in raising awareness among the members of the Connolly community, the effort also raised funds to help rebuild schools devastated in the longstanding conflict. The students raised about $500, which they donated to the Invisible Kids organization's Schools For Schools program.

"Our money is going to help build the schools up, and help children to get out of the war zone and have a good life," she added.

Principal Michael Scanlan was pleased at how motivated the students became when they learned of the project.

"You could hear a pin drop; they were really moved by the movie," Scanlan said.

"We're delighted that our students took the initiative on this project."

Senior Patricia Arruda, one of the organizers of the event, said she and her classmates felt a responsibility to do their part to help after they saw the film.

"Collectively, we decided to start doing something to help," Arruda said.

There was one scene shot in a hospital that the students found particularly compelling.

"There were hundreds and hun-

dreds ofthese kids in the hospital that you could see as the camera zoomed out; it was so sad," Arruda said.

Senior Joshua Botvin also found himself affected by what he saw on the screen.

"There was a scene where the people were all packed together sleeping in a bus station," he said.

"It made me realize how bad things really are there," added senior Megan Moniz.

For Senior Emily Paquette, the fact that the filmmakers are young people like herself and trying to make a difference really impressed her.

"It was really relatable because the guys doing this were so young," she said.

"Invisible Kids: Rough Cut," has been shown at hundreds of venues across the country, including. schools, and on national television programs such as the Oprah Winfrey Show, and has been the subject of many major network news stories since it was released in 2003.

In Spring 2006, seven recreational vehicles set off on a mission across the U.S. to bring the film to more than 700 venues including high schools, colleges and places of worship. This year, 13 teams are on the road across North America collaborating with bands and corporations to enlist even more support for such programs as Schools for Schools, as well as a bracelet campaign to help displaced Ugandan workers.

While the film has done much to raise awareness of the crisis in Uganda, daily life for those in Northern Uganda particularly continues to be difficult despite the passage of 20 years since the conflict began.

SEEING THE UNSEEN - Teacher Alison Purpera and several students in her social justice class at Bishop Connolly High School in Fall River, organized the "Invisible Kids" event to give the student body a perspective what their peers living in Northern Uganda face. With Purpera, at left, are Christine Lambertson, Patricia Arruda, Emily Paquette, Meghan Moniz, Alex Nunes and Joshua Botvin.

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DECEMBER

21) 2007

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YOUTH PAGES

What do'"I bring to the manger? . By CHARLIE MARTIN WE THREE KINGS

TIME WELL SPENT - The Youth Group from Annunciation of the Lord Parish in Taunton met recently to make ornaments and set up the Parish Giving Tree. Items collected will be donated to St. Vincent de Paul Society. The Group also spent time writing Christmas greetings to recovering soldiers at Walter Reed Medical Center.

THERE IS ROOM AT THE INN - The Student Council of St. Mary's School, Mansfield, hosted an Out of Uniform day to benefit the Friends of the Pine Street Inn ministry at St. Mary's Church. Parishiot:lers provide meals to residents of the Inn on a quarterly basis. The students raised more than $400 for the project. St. Mary's School Parent Association donated $1 per student to assist.

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CATHOLIC NEWS SERVICE II

the One born in Bethlehem.

"We Three Kings" s~lebrates We three kings ofOrient are the Magi's famous quest and was Bearing gifts we traverse afar written in the 19th century by John Field and fountain, moor and mountain ' Hopkins. Because it is bne of the Following yonder star most famous ChristmaS carols, , artists have recorded perhaps Refrain: hundreds of renditions lof its weIlo star ofwonder, star of light Star with royal beauty bright known message.

I chose the version Py teen stars Westward leading, Aly and AJ that appears on their . still proceeding 2006 album "Acoustic IHearts of Guide us to thy perfect light Winter." These sisters have Born a king on Bethlehem's plain previously expressed their respect Gold I bring to crown him again for spirituality.

King forever, ceasing never Today's disciple1i of Jesus can Over all ofus to reign (Repeat refrain.) hear this carol and ask:I What do I bring to the manger thj.s ChristFrankincense to offer have I ?

I ' mas.

Incense owns a deity nigh Of course we are not riding Prayer and praising, around on camels hoping to voice:f raising glimpse some astronomical Worshipping God on high phenomenon in order ,to present (Repeat refrain.) our gifts. Neither do q;l0st of us Myrrh is mine, its bitter perfume Breathes a life ofgathering gloom , possess bags of gold or rare spices given to honor Jesus' hirth.

Sorrowing, sighing, Instead, we look into our hearts. bleeding, dying • We look to see what we can give to Sealed in the stone cold tomb others that can honor his life, his (Repeat refrain.) teaching and his own gift of love.

Glorious now behold him arise Sure, like in the st9ry of the King and God and sacrifice Magi, there is always reason to Alleluia, Alleluia give of our treasure. Christians are Sounds through the often moved to look ihto their earth and skies bank accounts and find ways to Written by John Hopkins 1857 make monetary donations to those As sung by'Aly and AJ organizations that help others.

Copyright 2006 by Hollywood This Christmas, d\?es such Records The Christmas story of the ' Magi is so familiar to us, but stilI we may question what moved these wanderers who "traverse afar" to set out on their journey.

Yet, one message from the story is clear: They longed to bring gifts to

generosity exist in your heart?

Perhaps your desire is to give inner gifts. The storyls gold, frankincense and myrrh can be seen as symbolic of qther qualities that define your life. I For , example, maybe you have I

been blessed with athletic ability and possess a passion for playing sports. Could you not give of this passion to younger children by heiping to coach sports?

I mention sports only as one example of the many ways to help others. What is your special talent and interest? Many communities have Catholic youth programs that could use your help.

The story of the Magi makes it clear that their journey was not easy. They faced both the dang~rs of the desert and the evil plots of others. Yet they trusted God's guidance represented in the star.

They made a strong commitment to do what they felt God was leading them to do.

Could not the strength of a new commitment also be the gift that you bring to Jesus this year?

If so, you could make the commitment that no day of the new year will pass without spending five minutes in prayer.

Or maybe this commitment could be mOre in terms of service, a discipleship that Jesus modeled and preached.

Ask yourself this Christmas if a commitment to improve your own or others' lives exists in your heart.

"We Three Kings" reminds us that our giving need not be only found wrapped under the Christmas tree. Look into your heart for other resources.

Your comments are always welcome. Please write to me at: chmartin@swindiana.netorat 7125W 200S, Rockport, IN

47635.

Where was Jesus born?

At every waking moment we (very cheerfuIly, I might add) and witnesS life around us. We see it, said 'Thank you. Merry Christmas hear it, feel it, taste it and smell it. All to you." That smile remained on my that life has to offer us makes us face all the way home. It was who we are and who we become. comforting to experience that Jesus Yet, how often do we pass life by ,is still a part of this blessed season; and sh1Jll what it lIUly has to give us? that he is born in the hearts of those In your preparation for this Christyou may least expect. mas, is life passing you by so Jesus gives meaning to quickly that you've forgotten the real life. That meaning is called reason why you're preparing in the love. It is this love that first place? Is your preparation in waits to be born in you, in , tune with the holiness of the event to all of us. Have you come? Instead of dancing with life discovered it? Let's ask some well-known people around you, do you find yourself dancing alone? Take life back, with where and when Jesus was born for them (I am all its joy. Be a part of it. Open your this from a monthly translating heart and allow Jesus to be born in You. That's how you begin to live, Portuguese periodical called "CruZJIda"): again.

Recently, I went to get my car's We ask Mary of Magdala where oil changed. Nothing unusual and when Jesus was born, and she replies, "Jesus was born in Magdala happened - same place, same It was a certain time, when his voice, ' mec~c, and same length of time for the oil change. As I paid my bill so tUII.·of purity and holiness, ,and the receipt was handed to me I awakened in me a feeling of a new was also given awarm and heartfelt life that I could never have imag''Good Christmas!" from the young ined." man who tended to my car. I smiled We ask Francis ofAssisi to share

"Jesus was bom on tOe way to with us his experience of the birth of Dainascus, when, beset by intense Jesus, and he says, "It was that day light that left me blind,! could still in the town square where I gave up see a noble and seren~ figure that my purse and my clothes 1p follow said: 'Saul, Saul, why do you him unconditionally because I persecute me?' and ~ my blindness finally understood that Christ is the I began to see a new world when I source of all love." _____ asked him, 'Lord, what do you want me to do?'"

We ask 'fP,omas, where and when wilS Jesus born, and he says, "Jesus was born on 'that 'memorable day when he askhi me to touch his wounds and I was given evidence that death had no power over the Son of G¢.

Only then did I understand the ' , We ask the Apostle Peter where " meaning of his wor$, 'I ani the and when was Jesus born, and he way, the truth and the life.'" replies, "Jesus was born in the We ask J6hn the Baptist where courtyard of Caiaphas' palace in that and when he experienced the birth evening when the rooster sang and of Jesus. In repl)', helsays, "Jesus . then I realized that I had denied my was born at ,the m0lV-ent he reached ,Lord three tinles. It was at that the Jordan River andI asked me to moment that my conscience \\las , baptize him. And before I could awakened to the true life. ' fully gra&p his tenderness and We ask Paul ofTarsus where and majesty I heard a voice from heaven when he experienced the birth of saying, 'This is my beloved Son, Jesus. Paul says,

with whom I am well pleased.' It was at that moment that I understood that the time had come for his greatness and my meekness, all for the glory of God." And finally, we ask Mary of Nazareth where and when Jesus was bom. Mary replies, "Jesus was born in Bethlehem, under the stars that were lights guiding the shepherds and theirisheep to the cradle of straw. It was then that I held in my arms for the first time the promise of ' a new day, the Son of God come irito the world to teach us all the law love."

And for you, where was Jesus born? Think about it. Have you yet to bring that love to birth in your life? If not, then urgently look for that place and time.

When it happens, then you will finally understand Christmas and you wilt'have found the Light of the Worid.

Good Christmas and God bless.

Ozzie Pacheco is Faith Formation director at Santo Christo Parish, Fall River.

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This Christm.as, I ask you to join me in praying for God's blessings upon those who are most in need of the light and hope Christ brought to the' world, especially those for whom life has been dark'ened by tragedY'or sorrow.

In particular, I ask you to join me in praying for all the milit~ry service men and women who are away from home and their fami-

lies this Christmas, asking the Lord of Life to bless them and protect them from harm.

Wishing you and your families God's choicest blessings this Christnias, I am Sincerely yoUrs in the Lord,

+1rl)~ Bishop of Fall River "

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"A Christmas story

By MATT McDONALD

ladder and entered ,the burning VALUABLE LESSONS - Holy Cross parishioners in E~ston gather for a new faith education program home. repeatedly to rescue aimed at bringing families together and strengthening the parish community. (Photo by Matt McDonald) During one of the recent people inside.

"He, saved three people's Generations of Living Faith sessions at Holy Cross Parish, Fa- lives," Jenkins said, tears in his ther Walter Jenkins noted that eyes and, in a moment, in the early Christians didn't celebrate eyes of many in the audience. '. the birth of Jesus; but that the "And he surrendered his own

By MATT McDONALD younger children, including arts downstairs from the malo church. ,Church came to realize that it saving a fourth. He really' ANCHOR STAff and crafts with a Christian theme, "I think it's useful. It's interacwas important to mark,the mo- couldn't help it. He saw life, EASTON It's a Sunday and as well as intellectual engagement tive.

I think it's more interestfug bement when God entered the and he rushed to it."

Holy Cross Church is nearly full with adults and adolescents about cause you're not just listening, .world, to join the people he creJenkins said a man at the and a priest is talking, but it's not what the Church believes. you're doing things. It's much more , ated; ultimately to suffer and . scene made the same sort' of Mass.

Children are getting religious Holy Cr~ss currently has apattractive," Bourne said. "It's a re, .- die for them; and rise from the ' comments to a TV reporter that instruction, but they're not grouped proximately 1,500 participants," fresher for the parents, because dead. had once been made about his together and they're not in a class"who come to one of five sessions some of these things we've forgot-" "So it presents a theology of fr,iend, along the lines of a good room. the parish offers each month, said ten." . a God who always wanted to be man who was willing to give his Instead, the parish is engaging Anne Tarallo, the paris~'s, director, ' The craft isn't'just ab~~t enterwith us, and found a way to save life ""for a bunch of reckless in a method of faith education most of Religious Education. tainment for the kids; it's designed us," Jenkins said. kids."

American Catholics would find unDecember's version centered on to have participants ,bring home a , He told an 'affecting story "Thank God there was man ,!?Cognizable.

Christmas, incl~ding the Christmas ,more 'permanent reminder of the . "" about a childhood friend who ,named Jesus who was willing , fit short, this is not your father's season, which marks not only the experience. , had been dismissed by many to do the s~e," Jenkins said.

In November, for instance, the Confraternity ofchristian Doctrine. birth of Jesus ,but also feast days as... adults for bis carefree risk-tak~ Earlier; Jenkins had ex~\ The program, called Generasociated with St. S~ephim, the Holy partiCipants made an Advent wreath ' , iog, including tree cl~mbing, plained that the conception and tions of Living Faith, aims at bring- Innocents, ,the Holy Family, Mary in anticipation of the liturgical sea, which Jenkins equated witb a' birth of Jesus show how God ing to,gether children and adults in as ,Mother of God, Epiphany, and son that prep~es the way for Christjoy of life. The boy eventually was willing to sacrifice himself a single setting to learn about Ca- the baptism of Jesus. ' mas. became a firefighter, arid one' . to offer, hppe of salvation to ' , tholicism. ' , , ~ The program included facets' Kristin Blixt, 38, a commercial' , d!ly he went to a burning bQusepeople wbo, on their !own, ,," Holy Cross P!1rish in Easton is 'aimed at ,each level of the congreloan processbr who lives'in South " ", that had been, set on fire didn't deserve it. ..: " the first in the Diocese of Fall River gation.

Young children held homeEaston; said the wreath has been a .' 'through the carelessness of ' "To seeiif~ and to rush to it to try the program, which began in' made signs, showing the, name of conversation~starter at her home, as , adolescents.

- that, my friends, is the,story 2000.

It's sponsQred by the Center each feast day, while Tarallo asked visitors have asked questions about The firefighter rushed up, of salvation," he said. for 'Ministry ~ Development in questions of the audience about it that forced her to recall what she , Naugatuck, Conn., which has each of them. hadleaniedaboutit. "So you've got helped more than I,500 parishes i n . 'Father Jenkins, a paroc,hial vicar ,to pay' attention," she ~d. ' the United Stat~s and Canada at the parish and member of the Her son Colby, 14, an eighthimplement it, according to an offi- Congregation of Holy,Cross, spoke grader, lightly mocked the program, , , cial. , for about a haJt:-hour on Christmas, but seemed to be enjoying making The pastor of Holy Cross, Fath~r including the, origins of the feast the' Christmas ornament. He coin- '" DUbli~j Bra~ey Beaupre, pressed for it this' 'dayand its ~ignific'ance in salvation. pared it favorably to the CCD he-' , year. ', ' ,The group divided, with one was used to. \ " going to do staying in the main church to, hear "This is much better,"because I "What we hope it's ~uly 'is to bring families' back together a presentation on the' two Gospel don't fall asleep all the time. Last' and bring us closer together as a ,'versions of the birth of Jesus and year all I did was fall asleep and community," said Beaupre, a mem- the other going downstairs to make, cause trouble in the middle of, :," .,' . i路 ~. \ " , ber of the Congregation of Holy a Christmas ornament. Then the two class," he said. ' Scott Racine, 42, an electrical Cross, ~hich runs the parish. "Our groups switched. Finally, everytheQry is that if you teach the 'par- ' body gathered together for dinner. engineer who lives in Brockton, atWe~tern.iRoya~. ents with the kids there, then they're I, Participants interViewed reacted tended with his wife Debbie and ail on路the same page." , ' ' positively to the new approach, their daughters He~ther, 17, and Asa practical matter, it means even though som,~ acknowledged leanelle, 13.

Anthony Nachef~ 'PhD (Theology) , rmr1II that instead of sending a child fo~ initial skepticism a~out it. ""I think it's good. I think it',s dif508~340-9370' L.IWl!I 'one weekly class for 45 minutes or Sandra BoUrne, 43, owner and 'ferent. It's good to involve family, so, the whole family is required to operator of a,hair salon in South, as well," Racine said. email: an@cath()licteac~ings.org come for one two-aild-a-half-hour Easton, came with her 14-year-old ' He cOl1trast~d the new program web: www;TourOfltaly.us' session per month. daughter Jennifer. She spoke as she with CCD, which centers only on Tum to page 19"':"" Easton It includes features aimed 'at worked on a Christmas ornament ANCHOR STAFF

Easto~

parish uses new program to bring families, together; strength~n community

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21, 2007

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NEWBURGH, N.Y. Dominican! Sister of Hope Cecile MarquisJ 95, also known as Soeur Marie dJ St. Esprit, died December 3 in the infirmary of the Dominican ,Sisters of Hope here.

Born j in Salem, Mass., the daughteJi of the late Joseph and Marie 4umina (Symphorose) Marquis! she entered the Dominican Sist6rs of Fall River on November i, 1931, and made her final prof~ssion on July 2, 1937.

Siste~ Cecile enjoyed many I

Easton !

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_. __Jp. X-our Pr~yer~ .._ Plijase pray for these priests during the coming weeks [

Dec. 24

Rev. James K. Beaven, Pastor, Sacred Heart, Taunton, 1886 Rev. ntnothy J. Duff, Assistant, St. I Joseph. Woods Hole, 1914

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years of service in education until retiring in 1973. Locally, she taught at Dominican Academy in Fall River, St. Rose '" ') School in \ Acushnet, and St. Anne's il School in Fall SISTER OF HOPE River.

She also CECILE MARQUIS taught at St. Peter's School in Plattsburgh, N.Y. She was also a talented and

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kind monitor to beginning teachers.

Sister Marquis moved from Fall River to Residential Care in Newburgh in 2002.

She is survived by nieces and cousins, and her Dominican Sisters of Hope.

Her funeral Mass was celebrated December 5 in Sacred Heart Church in Newburgh.

The Brooks Funeral Home in Newburgh was in charge of arrangements.

Continued from page 18

children.l "Dropping them off and driving away, ydu don't know what takes I place. Yqu ask them later, and they don't knpw," Racine said.

Debbie Racine said she appreI ciates thl'f togetherness that the program fosters. "It's spending time family. Instead of being with alone with separate TVs, the family is together," she said.

CCD is the traditional method of religiou~ instruction familiar to most American Catholics, in which children:from early grades to 10th grade attend weekly classes at their local paiish. Or they receive similar instJuction at their Catholic I school, if they attend one. .

HolyiCross Parish is}~ll usi~g that traditional method for younger I childrenl preparing for first confession and first Communion as well as ninth+ and 10th-graders preparing for iconfirmation: where the classes are more narrowly tailored.

I But as a more general method of Religious Education, critics of CCD n6te that these days many I Catholic adults know little about

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Catholicism, which means there is a built-in disconnect between what their children may be hearing in class and how their family lives at home.

"We feel really two generations, and coming up on three now, other than Jesus is love - whatever that means - really don't know what their Catholic faith is," said Deacon George Zarella, who made the Advent presentation at Holy Cross Parish in November.

By bringing members of the parish of all ages together, organizers of the new method hope that parents and children will reinforce each other in what they learn about the faith. It also reinforces the idea that Religious Education isn't just a phase in Catholic'Jlife.

"It's based on lifelong faith for: mation, as opposed to a beginning and an end," Tarallo said. ''Faith formation is a lifelong journey."

Leif Kehrwald, who coordinates the Center for Living Ministry's team that trains parishes in the program (which the center calls simply "Generations of Faith"), said many pastors and Religious Education directors have embraced the new method as a way to make Religious Education family-oriented.

"There's been such a groundswell of parishes realizing

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that the longstanding method of doing Religious Education focused on children in a more or less isolated, graded situation doesn't work well," Kehrwald said in an interview.

He acknowledged that the new method often encounters resistance by those who support CCD. Parishes falter in the new approach if the pastor, the Religious Education director, and the core team that implements the program aren't committed to it, he said.

"Every parish doing this has to overcome some resistance!"

Kehrwald said. "You've got to be convicted of division to. push it through." , Aside £ibm the basics of Catholic doctrind,'the program also aims to bring Catholics together as a community. That's why each twoand-a-half-hour monthly session includes a meal.

Where once programs like Catholic Youth Organization brought children to the parish for sports and plays, now church for many is only a place to go for Sunday Mass, if that. ''The Catholicism piece of their lives is not central anymore. And we're trying to make the parish more of a community, and help people regain their Catholic identity," Tarallo said.

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Dec. 28

Rev. Charles R. Smith, Pastor, Immadulate Conception, Fall River, 1955 I Rev. Edward J. Sharpe, Pastor, St. Paufick, Somerset; Rev. Clement Paquet, O.P., Assistant, St. Anne, Fali River, 1987

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Dec. 30

Rev. Thomas C. Mayhew, Pastor.

I Our Lady of Mt. Carmel, Seekonk. 1991

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IBible...._.__ Study!Advent Prayer _. ..L __

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NORTH DARTMOUTH - St. Julie Billiart Parish hosts a Bible study twice a week, organized by the parish's Adult Faith Formation office.

The lectionary-based Bible study takes place 10 a.m. Tuesdays in the parish conference room at 494 Slocum Road, with a repeat session at 7 p.m. Wednesdays. r··

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IEucharistic Adoration

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MANSFIELD - St. Mary's Parish at 330 Pratt Street has exposition of the Blessed Sacrament at noon on First Fridays of the month, concluding with 6 p.m. Benediction.

NEW BEDFORD - Eucharistic adoration takes place 7 to 9 p.m.

Wednesdays at Our Lady of Guadalupe at St. James Church, 233 County Street, with night prayer and Benediction at 8:45 p.m. and confessions offered during the evening.

WAREHAM - S1. Patrick's Church at 82 High Street has eucharistic adoration on first Fridays of the month following the 8 a.m. Mass until 6 p.m., when evening prayer including the Liturgy of the Hours is offered.

WEST HARWICH - Our Lady of Perpetual Adoration Chapel at Holy Trinity Parish, 246 Main Street, holds eucharistic adoration 24 hours a day, seven days a week. Please call 508-432-4716 to sign up for an hour.

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NORTH DARTMOUTH - Bibles in Portuguese and white plastic rosaries are being sought by the Bristol County Sheriff's Office to help inmates at the county house of correction build a closer relationship to God. Donations can be sent to James Rioux, Volunteer Coordinator, Bristol County Sheriff's Office, 400 Faunce Corner Road, North Dartmouth, MA 02747.

I~Uaneous ATTLEBORO - The National Shrine of Our Lady of La Salette will host the following groups for Christmas concerts: The Children's Choir from Holy Trinity Pa~,ish from Central Falls, R.I., on December 28; S1.

Joseph's Saturday Polish School Concert from Central Falls, R.1. on December 30 at 8 p.m.

EAST TAUNTON - Holy Family Parish at 370 Middleboro Avenue hosts an hour of prayer for families Wednesdays from 1 to 2 p.m.

~rtGrou~ NORTH DARTMOUTH - The Diocesan Divorced and Separated Support Group will meet ,in the Family Life Center at 500 Slocum Road on December 26 from 7 to 8:30 p.m. to present a video on Anger Management for discussion.

NORTH DARTMOUTH - Project Rachel, a ministry of healing and reconciliation for post-abortion women and men is available. If you are hurting from an abortion experience and want help call 508~997­ 3300.

SERVICE.. .By caringfamily and service:family professionals TRUST. ..In the people yOll know CHOICE... Custom-deSigned. personalized tributes AFFORDABILlTY... Dignijied services within a budget For over 135 years, families have turned to the Waring-Sullivan service family of compassionate professionals to guide them through life's most challenging times.

D~.27

Rev. Thomas 1. Stapleton, Pastor, CorPus Christi, East Sandwich, 1956 Rev. MSgr. Armand Levasseur, Retired Pastor, St. Anne, New Bedford,1970 Rev. Mbuel Andrade, Former Pastor 'Our Lady of Health, Fall Rivbr, 1995 I

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21, 2007

r---------------------, Christmas Masses to be broadcast

FALL RIVER - Bishop George W. Coleman will be the principal celebrant and homilist of a Christmas Mass to be aired on ABC Channel 6 (WLNE-TV) on Christmas Eve at 11 :35 p.m. and then again on Christmas morning at 9.

The hour-long Mass will be a delayed broadcast of the Christmas Vigil Mass celebrated at 4:00 p.m. on Christmas Eve at St. Mary's Cathedral in Fall River.

Concelebrating the Mass with Bishop Coleman will be Father L Paul Bernier, who is rector of the

cathedral, and Fathers German Correa Agudelo and Paulo Barbosa, both of whom are in residence there.

The Portuguese Channel will air the Christmas Mass in Portuguese at 4 p.m. Christmas afternoon. That broadcast will be an airing of the Christmas Midnight Mass celebrated at St. John the Baptist Church in New Bedford by pastor Father Maurice O. Gauvin.

The Portuguese Channel is carried on most cable television systerns in the area.

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Sweater vests aHren't so bad Occasionally in conversation, I blurt out a sentence or two I later wish I hadn't. That happens when I don't thin], u.. ;'or' I speak. It happens much less when writing, although there are some who think I write this column without thinking. But after careful thought, I'll refrain from getting into that now. See? My latest gaffe happened a few weeks back at our family Thanksgiving feast. Everyone was

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engaged in lively conversation when the topic somehow switched to fashion.

Playing the part of a fashion guru, (note the color tie in my column picture), I swiftly launched into an explanation of why the sweater vest is such afashionjaux pas. Oooops. I was inimediately informed that one of my dinner guests, who shall remain anony- . mous, is the proud owner of such a garment Right, Steve?

That's when I slipped into my best Ralph Cramden imitation: "Hahrnanah, hahmanah, hahrnanah," but what I most wanted was to slip into the underground world of Ed Norton.

What could I do? What was done could not be undone.

I received little support from my children, most of whom, with shoulders shaking violently, turned away to avoid eye contact with dear old dad.

Steve was very gracious, although I think he enjoyed a bit too much watching me wiggle like a worm on a fishing hook.

The festivities continued, occasionally disrupted t:>y a burst

ART AND ARCHITECTURE - A collection of paintings by Benedictine Father Julian Stead from Portsmouth Abbey enhances a gallery room at the Greater Fall River Art Association on Belmont Street. The exhibit continues through the end of this month. (Photos by Brian Kennedy)

of laughter from someone rehashing the sweater vest incident in his or her mind.

Since that most awkward moment, I've seen scores of sweater vests in store displays while Christmas shopping. I've notice many more people wearing them. "They're not so bad," I thought to myself. "I just never game them a chance."

The clincher was a few nights back when Denise, Emilie and I were watching "A Muppet Family Christmas." There, in full color, high . definition, were :v. twoofmy favorite film stars, Gonzo and Kermit the Frog, adorned in none other than stylish sweater vests. Spontaneous laughter erupted in the living room.

Ummmm, another slice of humble I'ie.

AsI mentioned earlier, I sometimes'speak without thinking, but the beauty of it all is that I usually learn from my mistake: Today's lesson: sweater vests are路 not so bad. That, and just because I don't like something, it doesn't mean others don't.

That means somewhere out there folks appreciate fruit cakes, wool pants, turnips, rap music, American Idol, and square dancing. I don't, but someone does and I respect that.

Christmas Day is just around the comer, and the same cast of characters should be sitting around my dinner table. I hope I've learned from the Thanksgiving debacle, and things run smoothly. I just pray no one bought me a sweater vest. I don't think I'm quite ready for that yet.

I wish all my readers a blessed Christmas and the opportunity to experience the peace only the Baby Jesus can bring.

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Portsmouth Abbey priest-artist shares gallery at local exhibition

By BRIAN KENNEDY

It is partly therapy, partly prayer, and a way to express

ANCHOR STAFF

my feelings," said Father Stead.

Father Stead has also written poetry, some of which he gave to participants at the opening of his gallery show in November.

It points up that we don't fully understand how creativity expresses our nature, he commented.

"Art has reminded me that we are created in God's image and likeness, and when we do something creative, whether it is sculpture or what one calls art, it shows our nature," he noted.

Most of the pieces in the Fall River art show date from when Father Stead was ministering as a chaplain for the Benedictine Abbey of St. Walburga at Virginia Dale in Colorado. Of particular note are three watercolors featuring a cat.

"One of the barn cats befriended me," Father Stead recalled. "One afternoon I was tired and fell asleep ... and when I woke up this cat was curled up on my chest," he said. "Even after all this time I miss her," he added.

Father Stead came to know about the Greater Fall River Art Association from a former student.

Among his charges in a yesteryear Latin I c1a~s was Robert Leonard, who, he recalled resided in Fall River and was an artisan and carpenter by trade and who made signs for a living.

Several years ago they met by chance and Leonard told Father Stead about the Association and invited him to join. "So I did," he said.

The Greater Fall River Art Association was founded in 1956 and held its first national show in 1957. The first annual exhi~it was at the Charles V. Carroll School on Hood Street, and featured 150 pieces and drew more than 500 visitors. Three years later, the fourth annual exhibit attracted more than 1,000 people.

The Association also co-sponsored what is now the Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts in Washington, D.C. Today it continues its mission to provide access to the visual arts and artists for children and adults of all ages through class offerings and trips to art museums in New York and Boston.

Currently it sponsors watercolor and acrylic-painting classes and is seeking an instructor in oil paintings.

Father Stead's watercolors and Jose Soares' oil paintings will remain on display for the remainder of December.

SERENITY - "Resurrection (Arapaho)," by FaThe Association can be reached at 508-673-7212, ther Julian Stead is one of several of his works and its Website is www.fallriverart.org. on display in Fall River.

FALL RIVER - A treasure trove awaits at the Greater Fall River Art Association on Belmont Street, where two artists are showing inspired paintings Sunday afternoons from 2 to 4.

Visitors this month will view selections from the works of Jose Soares and Benedictine Father Julian Stead.

Father Stead, Who teaches Latin and Greek at Portsmouth Abbey, talked about hi~ paintings - mostly watercolors - and what inspired them, in a telephone interview with The Anchor.

"I occasionally take photos (of scenes and subjects), but I usually paint directly from the object," Father-Stead explaiRed. His interest in art began about the age of 13, but was put on the back burner when he went to Rome to study for a theology degree. Eventually he returned to the U.S. and began teaching at Portsmouth Abbey.

"I was sort of a spare wheel on faculty for religion," he noted, ~'then I got back into art."

Father Stead explained that he had been diagnosed .with depression and it was suggested he find something therapeut~c . . ' ."1 found I had talent for路 things artistic. Art is a kind me; itputs of pr~yerfor . . . me in context with the creator.

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