12.24.10

Diocese of Fall River

The Anchor

F riday , December 24, 2010

Bishop Coleman’s 2010 Christmas Message

Dear Friends in Christ,

“O

n entering the house, the Magi saw the child with Mary his mother. They prostrated themselves and did him homage. Then they opened their treasures and offered him gifts of gold, frankincense, and myrrh” (Mt 2:11).

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enerations of families at Christmas time come together and share the experience of the Crèche, or Nativity display, as the religious center of their household’s celebration of the holidays. These can remain fairly simple, depicting only the three central figures of the Holy Family: the Infant Jesus, St. Joseph, and the Blessed Virgin Mary. Or they may become quite elaborate, including representations of an expanded cast from the infancy narratives in the Gospels of Matthew and Luke and from sacred tradition.

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o matter what, we almost always see the figures of the three Magi, or wise men, who follow a star from their distant country to Bethlehem. They kneel and offer gifts to the Christ Child. As the Gospel of St. Matthew informs us, they are gold, frankincense, and myrrh. Each of these presents has come to hold a special significance for believers and reveals a different aspect of Jesus’ identity. They can also serve as reminders to us about the contemporary meaning of Christmas.

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he first of the wise men gives gold. Always a sign of prestige and wealth, gold symbolizes the reality that, although born into a poor human family, Christ is also a descendant of David and is, therefore, also a king. This gift may make us think of the money we will spend this year on Christmas gifts, food, and decorations. It might also help us to remember some of the families who are less fortunate, with whom we could share our blessings.

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he next one opens frankincense, which is an aromatic resin from the Middle East. As an ingredient for incense, it gives off a sweet-smelling smoke used in religious ceremonies and Christian liturgies. Because of this use, it points to Jesus’ identity as the Son of God. This might make us become aware of not only the obligation but also a deep desire within our heart to gather with others and worship God in Church to celebrate the Mystery of the Incarnation and to develop a friendship with Christ through prayer.

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inally, our Lord receives myrrh. This is also a kind of dried resin from the Middle East. In Biblical times, it was used to embalm the dead. So, it shows us that although Jesus is God, he is also mortal. It predicts his future death on the Cross; his death which would bring about our salvation. This gift can also remind us of the sadness that is often intermingled with the Christmas season. For example, we remember family members and friends who are no longer with us. We are also aware of many families who are most in need even at this time of year when the signs of material blessings surround us. And, we know that our country’s service men and women have to face the realities of battle and sacrifice in foreign lands during the time when we celebrate the birthday of the Prince of Peace.

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s we gather with our families this season, we must allow ourselves time to imitate the three wise men, by kneeling down before our infant Savior and presenting him our gifts and our prayers. Christmas is a time of joy; it is also a time of faith, of hope and of love. The manger, where the Son of God became man, is the perfect place to ask our Lord to share these graces with us in the concreteness of our lives.

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ith prayerful wishes that the Christ Child will bless your families and your homes this Christmas with his supernatural gifts, I remain Sincerely yours in the Lord,

Bishop of Fall River

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The Anchor

December 24, 2010

The light of Christmas shining through stained glass

By Kenneth J. Souza Anchor Staff

FALL RIVER — After being bombarded with visions of sugarplums, Santas and snowmen throughout the month of December, Catholics can often take for granted the not-toosubtle reminders of the true meaning of Christmas within their own parish church.

While crèches of all shapes and sizes help to set the scene for that long ago “O, Holy Night,” it’s the unique craft of stained glass that can best shed some light — quite literally — on Christ’s birth.

“From a compositional point of view, the Madonna and Christ child are at the center of the stained glass window,” said Father Fred Babiczuk, pastor of Good Shepherd Parish in Fall River, of a stunning window in his church. “Everything else in the window is pointing literally toward the Madonna and child in the center; and I think the theological message is obvious: that Jesus and Mary should be the center of our lives as they are in the center of the composition.”

“People don’t often pay attention to those details,” said Father Marek Chmurski, pastor of St. Lawrence Martyr Parish in New Bedford, which also boasts a beautiful window of the Nativity. “I couldn’t believe how much detail goes into a stained glass window; it’s

amazing. They have so much information in them about our faith and they express the beauty and richness of it.”

Noting that the stunning stained glass windows in his century-old church were manufactured and installed by a well-known German company that is still in existence, Father Chmurski said parishioners often take the artwork for granted.

“Our church is so beautiful, but we have parishioners who just come to Mass and I’m not sure if they’re aware of the beauty and significant history of our church,” he said. “I’m personally thrilled by it.”

Father Chmurski said the double-paneled Nativity window, in particular, offers a humble and reverent reminder of Christ’s birth with the Holy Family on one side flanked by three simple shepherds venerating the newborn Messiah on the other.

“We forget what Christmas is about,” Father Chmurski said. “Our job as people who proclaim the word of God is to remind others of those visible signs of our faith.”

Father Kevin A. Cook, pastor of Holy Family Parish in East Taunton, agreed that we often get too caught up in less important details like shopping lists and party planning to appreciate the beauty of Christ’s coming.

ALL IS BRIGHT — Barbara Cunha looks at her handiwork — a stained glass window she designed and created depicting the “Birth of the Messiah” for her home parish of St. John Neumann in East Freetown. (Photo by Kenneth J. Souza)

“I just find that for so many people Christmas has become a source of anxiety and we’ve turned it into such a huge deal that we’ve lost the sense of beauty and why the Church celebrates Advent and Christmas,” Father Cook said. “We can use art or Nativity scenes to prepare our own hearts to encounter Christ. When people lose that sense, Christmas can become this overwhelming monster, when it should be all about the joy and peace of Christ’s coming.”

Father Cook’s church contains an eye-catching window of the Holy Family high above the altar that depicts an important scene shortly after Christ’s birth.

“This window depicts the flight to Egypt, because you can see Joseph standing behind Mary on the move,” he said.

“The thing that’s striking to me about it is how Joseph is depicted. A lot of time he’s shown just in the background or working, but here he’s actively protecting and watching over the family. In this window you get a sense that both he and Mary are playing crucial roles in protecting Jesus.”

For Father Cook, such depictions of Jesus’ birth and humble beginnings help to remind us of the true reason for the season.

“With a crèche or Nativity scene, there’s a simplicity and humility there,” he said. “You can see in the figures a sense of adoration that helps remind us of the real mystery of the celebration. The art helps people to become more reflective in a world where we’re so much on the go.”

Although she admits that making stained glass windows is quickly becoming a “dying art,” Barbara Cunha takes great pride in the 10 windows she designed and created for her home parish of St. John Neumann in East Freetown back when they began planning to build a new church in the late 1980s.

“I had been doing stained glass in my own studio in Assonet after studying at the Rhode Island School of Design,” she said. “When I came to this parish they were already making plans for the new church and I spoke to Father George Harrison, who was pastor at the time, and offered my expertise to work with the building committee on buying stained glass windows. I had no designs on doing the job myself.”

A few months later, Cunha was given an opportunity to submit a proposal for the proj-

FAMILY BOND — A stained glass window inside Holy Family Church in East Taunton depicts the flight to Egypt of Joseph, Mary and Jesus. (Photo by Kenneth J. Souza)

ect and was soon working with Father Harrison to create a series of windows depicting the “history of salvation.”

Among them is a unique rendering of the Nativity that doesn’t include the typical “manger scene.”

“It’s called ‘The Birth of the Messiah’ and it shows a skyline view over the town of Bethlehem with the star burning brightly in the sky,” she said.

Cunha said the window is in keeping with the entire series in that it depicts a specific season (winter) and a specific event (Christ’s birth), but still remains somewhat subjective. Even though the window doesn’t explicitly show Jesus, Mary or Joseph, the meaning is clear.

“I actually found a book which had photos of what the sky would have looked like over Bethlehem at the time of

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Christ’s birth and I was trying to figure out exactly where the stars should go so it would be historically accurate,” Cunha said. “It isn’t quite exactly the way the sky was over Bethlehem, but it’s close enough.”

“Like many art forms, the beauty of stained glass depictions is in the eye of the beholder. We just need to be reminded of their presence.” to “The beauty of stained glass windows can introduce us into the beauty of the mysteries they depict. We just need to halt our busyness to ponder them.” “Sometimes we just need to say ‘enough is enough’ in our own personal lives,” Father Cook said. “As nice as the little family traditions we have for Christmas are, we’ve all gone a little overboard and I think we need to get back to the basics: to the real joy of Christ’s coming.”

OFFICIAL NEWSPAPER OF THE DIOCESE OF FALL RIVER Vol. 54, No. 49

Member: Catholic Press Association, Catholic News Service

Published weekly except for two weeks in the summer and the week after 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@anchornews.org.

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Send address changes to P.O. Box 7, Fall River, MA, call or use email address

PUBLISHER - Most Reverend George W. Coleman EXECUTIVE EDITOR Father Roger J. Landry fatherrogerlandry@anchornews.org EDITOR David B. Jolivet davejolivet@anchornews.org OFFICE MANAGER Mary Chase m arychase@anchornews.org ADVERTISING Wayne R. Powers waynepowers@anchornews.org REPORTER Kenneth J. Souza kensouza@anchornews.org REPORTER Rebecca Aubut beckyaubut@anchornews.org Send Letters to the Editor to: fatherrogerlandry@anchornews.org

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The Anchor

December 24, 2010

Midnight Mass tradition warms hearts at diocesan parishes

By Dave Jolivet, Editor

ATTLEBORO FALLS — When and where the tradition of celebrating Christmas Mass at midnight began is uncertain.

But what is certain is that faithful Catholics worldwide have embraced the practice as part of their yearly remembrance of the birth of the Christ Child.

“Since I made my first Communion, I have not missed a Midnight Mass,” Father Thomas A. Frechette, pastor of St. Mark’s Parish in Attleboro Falls recently told The Anchor. “Even after I became a priest, if the parish I was living at didn’t have one, I made arrangements to concelebrate Christmas Midnight Mass elsewhere. I’ve always felt it was such a wonderful experience to welcome the Christ Child at the darkest hour of night, as light begins to break through. Nothing else can quite capture that feeling like Midnight Mass.”

Father Frechette came to St. Mark’s in June 2008, and for 20 years the parish hadn’t offered a Midnight Mass. The new pastor resurrected the tradition in 2009 at St. Mark’s. “I feel it’s making a comeback,” he said. “Last year was the first one here in 20 years and we had a dedicated congregation who was awed by the gentleness of the Mass. They’re looking forward to it again this year.”

Sacred Hearts Father Thomas McElroy, pastor of St. Joseph’s Parish in Fairhaven, looks forward to the special Mass each year. “This is part of the tradition of the Catholic Church to remember the birth of Our Lord’s birthday at the very coming of the day,” he told The Anchor.

“It’s a tradition for the people of God to welcome the end of the Advent season and the beginning of Christmas.

“It’s a special time, the beginning of the plan of Our Lord of our salvation. It’s appropriate for people to begin the Christmas celebration before anything else begins that day; parties, dinners, etc.”

Father McElroy added that the church has no Christmas decorations until that Mass. “When the people come in for Midnight Mass, they think it’s spectacular,” he said. “They’re very excited and there’s great participation in the Mass.”

Father Henry S. Arruda, pastor of St. Anthony’s Parish in Taunton told The Anchor that he, too, was raised with the tradition of attending Christmas Midnight Mass. “It’s very dear to me to celebrate this Mass every year,” he said. “It seems in the 70s the practice started to wane as more and more people started attend-

ing the vigil Mass or the Christmas morning Masses. I felt badly to see this happening.”

Father Arruda sees the Mass making a comeback. “It’s been slow and attendance wasn’t the greatest for a while, but people are coming back,” he said. “The Portuguese community responds well to it, having been part of their tradition for so long. Before

many young adults attending these days, and that’s probably because their parents followed this wonderful Christmas tradition, and now they are carrying on that tradition. It’s a very special night.”

The Midnight Mass celebration also takes place at St. Pius X Parish in South Yarmouth. Pastor, Father George C. Bellenoit

pation at this Mass equals that of worshipers at our other Masses.

We offer this Mass as an opportunity to meet the needs of those who choose to keep the Midnight Mass tradition and to offer this option to younger people who choose to worship at this time.”

Father Bellenoit said Mass participants, including the five parish permanent deacons, have

long-standing tradition — A priest holds a figurine of the Baby Jesus during a Midnight Mass in St. Catherine’s Church, adjacent to the Church of the Nativity in Bethlehem, West Bank, in this file photo. (CNS photo from Reuters)

our Midnight Mass, we have a concert of Christmas hymns and music.

“At the beginning of the Mass we have a procession of lights, the choir, our parish ministers, altar-servers, the celebrant, and Deacon Jose Medina carries the Infant Jesus to the crèche. At the Gloria, we turn the lights down low, bless the crib and it’s a special moment when the children approach the Nativity scene, and when the congregation gently kisses the Baby Jesus.”

The Mass and processions are bilingual so all may enjoy the special, once-a-year event.

“This is a great Catholic tradition that has been carried on for generations,” said Father John A. Gomes, pastor of St. Mary’s Parish in South Dartmouth. “For years, many, many people have begun Christmas Day in this special way by attending Midnight Mass.”

As at Father Arruda’s parish, St. Mary’s Midnight Mass is preceded by a concert of traditional Christmas songs and hymns.

“The attendance is usually very good,” Father Gomes added, noting that the congregation is very touched “when we incense the manger scene, the first Christmas. We seem to have

told The Anchor, “Offering this Mass has been going on in this parish for many years. The attendance is very good, usually about 300 faithful, middle-aged and younger.”

Father Bellenoit mentioned that those who attend the Midnight Mass “are a respectful congregation who choose to celebrate Christmas in this rather traditional fashion. The partici-

been preparing for some time now, and it’s been announced in the Cape Cod Times, The Anchor, the parish bulletin, and as part of a parish mailing.

“The parish choir has been rehearsing at length for a concert prior to the Mass and sings at the Mass to support and augment congregational participation. It is a festive concelebrated Mass at a special time.”

Father Frechette said that the Midnight Mass at St. Mark’s is “a simple, softer celebration” befitting the early-morning atmosphere. “It’s such a simple joy to be there,” he added. “The music is soft. It’s our ‘Silent Night,’ so to speak. It differs from the celebratory noise of the vigil Mass and the pomp of the day Masses.

It’s a very peaceful celebration that the congregation truly enjoys.”

While the beautiful Midnight Mass tradition warms the hearts of thousands across the Diocese of Fall River, and millions across the globe, it is a labor of love for the priests who coordinate, arrange and participate in the celebration at such a late-night, or early-morning event.

Routines, if there are such things with diocesan priests, are shaken up.

“We still have to concentrate on the other Christmas Masses, the vigil and morning Masses, so staying up late can be a bit of a sacrifice — in fact we don’t have our usual 7 a.m. Mass,” laughed Father Arruda. “It’s a bit of a sacrifice, but truthfully, I don’t even think about it.”

While it may take an extra effort to stay up later than usual, Father Gomes said, “I’ve been to places that didn’t have the Midnight Mass, and people have questioned, ‘Why?’ It’s significant that we offer this option, so the sacrifice is minimal to meet the needs of the congregation.”

“With so few priests, it can be a bit of a sacrifice, but I look forward to celebrating this Mass each year,” added Father McElroy. “And for me, I have such a good prayerful preparation during Advent that this Mass is the culmination of that preparation — for myself and for the parishTurn to page 18

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December 24, 2010 News From the Vatican Vatican’s global importance evident in leaked cables

Denver (CNA/EWTN News) — Leaked State Department cables are giving insight into the Vatican’s influential role on the world stage and the United States’ efforts to cooperate with the Holy See in advancing common interests.

Some Vatican-related cables are being released through WikiLeaks’ media partners, which include the New York Times and the British newspaper The Guardian. The cables are also slowly being released through the websites of WikiLeaks,

although the main U.S. site has been shut down.

The cables offer State Department officials’ own analysis and recount conversations with Vatican officials and diplomats from other countries. Topics range from the Vatican’s internal affairs to its actions in international relations.

One April 22, 2009 cable reported on Vatican hopes that better U.S.Cuba relations would weaken the role of Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez. The Vatican’s motives included great concern regarding the “deterioration” of Church-state relations in Cuba.

Recounting a discussion with Msgr. Angelo Accattino, the Holy See official in charge of relations with Caribbean and Andean countries, the cable analyzed Chavez’s behavior at the Summit of the Americas. The Venezuelan president was “clearly rattled” by the possibility that the U.S. and Cuba could begin a dialogue that excluded him. This was reportedly a motive for his “bombastic approach” to President Barack Obama.

The cable stated that the Holy See “believes the U.S. and Cuba should pursue a dialogue both for its own sake” as well as to “reduce the influence of Chavez.”

A May 2006 cable analyzed the continuing Polish influence at the Vatican and discussed the Holy See’s hopes that Poland would capably defend life and family issues in the European Union. It also noted support for U.S. foreign policy among Polish clergy and seminarians at the Vatican. The cable further discussed the Vatican’s “wariness” towards the Radio Maryja outlet accused of xenophobia and anti-Semitism and the “dangers that right-wing nationalists posed to Poland’s future.”

One cable from August 2004 discussed U.S.-Vatican agreement on U.N. General Assembly initiatives, including a ban on human cloning and responses to human trafficking and anti-Semitism.

The cable reported some confusion over the Vatican’s support for a cloning ban and noted some misperceptions caused by communication problems may have proved “decisive” in a close U.N. vote on the issue.

A Feb. 20, 2009 memo further discussed communications problems which reduced the volume of the Vatican’s “moral megaphone.”

Vatican spokesman Father Federico Lombardi is anomalous in his use of a Blackberry and many officials do not have official email accounts. Father Lombardi is also “terribly overworked,” simultaneously managing the Vatican Press Office, Vatican Radio and the Vatican Television Center, it stated.

The memo also critically described Pope Benedict XVI’s Regensburg speech as “disastrous.”

The 2006 speech caused global controversy and violence when media reports focused on its quotation of a Byzantine emperor who said Islam was violent.

News coverage of the Vatican-

related cables has brought many old stories back to the headlines.

The Guardian’s publication of a June 2009 cable highlighted the Vatican’s role in helping to secure the release of British sailors detained

by Iran in April 2007. However, this was already reported in 2007 by Time Magazine, among others, who noted that the release of the sailors came just a day after Pope Benedict XVI had sent a private letter asking for their release.

“There was respect for the request of the pope,” Iran’s vice-ambassador to the Holy See Ahmad Fahima told Time in 2007. “The policy of the Holy See is important throughout the whole world.”

The New York Times said the Vatican-related cables “do not appear to contain any bombshells.”

Presently unreleased cables discuss Opus Dei’s reaction to the guilty plea of Robert P. Hanssen, an FBI agent who spied for Russia. Other documents discuss U.S.-Vatican relations regarding the clergy sex abuse scandal which broke during 2002.

A U.S. Vatican embassy cable from that year reported that Cardinal Angelo Sodano, then-secretary of state, spent most of his initial meeting with U.S. Ambassador James Nicholson to “register his displeasure with the several lawsuits filed in U.S. courts that have been served at the Vatican.”

The cardinal reportedly complained about “aggressive attorneys,” saying it was one thing to sue bishops but “another thing entirely to sue the Holy See.” According to the New York Times, the cardinal urged the ambassador to help defend the sovereignty of the Holy See. Again in the headlines is Pope Benedict’s previous opposition to Turkey’s bid to enter the European Union. One 2004 cable recounted the Holy See’s acting foreign minister Msgr. Pietro Parolin’s clarification that then-Cardinal Joseph Ratzinger’s criticisms of Turkish EU membership did not reflect the view of the Holy See at the time.

The cable discussed the integration of Muslims into European society and the problems of religious freedom in Turkey. D. Brent Hardt, the U.S. Embassy official who authored the cable, noted Cardinal Ratzinger was a “leading voice” behind the Vatican’s unsuccessful effort to secure a reference to Europe’s Christian roots in the EU constitution.

“He clearly understands that allowing a Muslim country into the EU would further weaken his case for Europe’s Christian foundations,” Hardt explained, noting that the Vatican’s official position towards Turkish integration is one of “cautious, skeptical openness.”

A December 2006 cable revisited the question under the papacy of Benedict XVI. It reported that neither the pope nor the Holy See have endorsed Turkey’s EU membership but the Holy See has been “consistently open” to the idea.

Msgr. Parolin said the Holy See

would see no obstacle to Turkey joining the EU provided religious freedom advances in the country. In his estimate, the situation couldn’t get much worse for Turkey’s Christian community short of open persecution.

The same cable also referred to Pope Benedict’s Regensburg speech. In the view of U.S. embassy official Christopher Sandrolini, this speech made clear that the pope was “not naïve about the challenges presented by Islam” but also gave “added heft to his favorable words on Turkey.” Sandrolini suggested the United States’ focus on Turkey’s EU entry as an opportunity to improve the lives of Christians would also resonate with the Vatican.

A February 2010 cable examined Vatican-Irish relations concerning the commissions investigating sex abuse. While saying Vatican and Irish officials’ first concern was for the victims, this reality was sometimes “obscured” by subsequent events triggered by the Vatican’s belief that the Irish government failed to respect and protect the sovereignty of the Holy See during the investigations.

The Vatican’s “relatively swift response” indicated that it learned from the U.S. sex abuse scandals, but the papal nuncio’s lack of action caused resentment among the Irish people.

The cables offer insight into the U.S. government’s understanding of the relationship between the Vatican and the U.S. Catholic bishops.

A June 26, 2009 “scene setter” for President Obama’s July 10 visit to the Holy See noted the Vatican’s appreciation of many of the president’s positions, but also its “profound concerns” about his approach to abortion and embryonic stem-cell research.

The document advised the president that the Vatican has made a “tactical decision” to allow the U.S. bishops to take the lead in voicing these concerns, and this difference in emphasis “should not be interpreted as a divergence of views.”

One pervasive theme of the State Department cables is the global importance of the Vatican.

The Vatican observer mission at the U.N. was “always active and influential behind the scenes,” a December 2009 memo reported. “As the spiritual leader of 1.3 billion Catholics worldwide and enjoying respect as well from non-Catholics, the pope wields an unparalleled moral megaphone,” the June 2009 scene-setter for Obama said.

One lengthy July 2001 memo described the Vatican as “the supranational power” which has presence and reach in “virtually every country in the world.” However, the same cable was aware that American and Vatican interests do not always align, as in the case of the U.S. effort to isolate Saddam Hussein.

“We should recognize that the Vatican will not support our efforts in Iraq, and investigate ways to limit Vatican interference with our objectives,” it said.

5 The Church in the U.S. Federal judge says insurance mandate in health reform unconstitutional

December 24, 2010

RICHMOND, Va. (CNS) — A federal judge in Virginia ruled December 13 that the health reform law’s requirement that all Americans obtain health insurance or face penalties is an unconstitutional expansion of government power.

The 42-page decision by U.S. District Judge Henry E. Hudson was announced at a time when three national polls showed that the country remained split in its opinions about health reform.

Hudson said the Commerce Clause of the U.S. Constitution, which allows Congress to regulate interstate commerce, does not permit it to require Americans to buy a particular product, such as health insurance.

“Neither the Supreme Court nor any federal circuit court of appeals has extended Commerce Clause powers to compel an individual to involuntarily enter the stream of commerce by purchasing a commodity in the private market,” he wrote.

Hudson did not issue an immediate injunction against the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act, however, because the individual mandate to buy health insurance does not take effect until 2014.

The ruling came in a lawsuit filed by Virginia Attorney General

Ken Cuccinelli following passage of a Virginia law making it illegal to require people in the state to carry health insurance.

Cuccinelli said that although he was “gratified” at the Hudson decision, he knew it would be appealed.

“This will ultimately be decided by the Supreme Court,” he said, “but today is a critical milestone in the protection of the Constitution.”

The Virginia case is one of more than two dozen legal challenges of the health reform law currently before federal courts. Twenty states have joined in a challenge to the individual mandate that is being considered by a Florida judge.

In a December 14 op-ed piece in The Washington Post, Attorney General Eric Holder and Department of Health and Human Services Secretary Kathleen Sebelius said the individual mandate was an essential part of the health reform law and expressed confidence that it would ultimately be upheld.

“As these lawsuits continue, Americans should be clear about what the opponents of reform are asking the courts to do,” they wrote. “Striking down the individual responsibility provision means slamming the door on millions of Americans who’ve been locked out of our health insurance markets,

and shifting more costs onto families who’ve acted responsibly.”

But three polls released December 13 found continued resistance among Americans to various aspects of the health reform law.

In its December health tracking poll, the Kaiser Family Foundation found that 42 percent of Americans said they had a generally favorable view of the law, while 41 percent had a generally unfavorable view of it. Those percentages had remained basically unchanged since the law’s enactment in March.

A Washington Post-ABC News poll found that 43 percent of Americans said they supported the health reform law, while 52 percent said they opposed it — the highest level of opposition since the question about health reform changes or proposed changes was first asked in August of 2009.

When opponents of health reform were asked what they considered “the best approach” to the law, 29 percent said the law should be repealed entirely, 30 percent said parts of it should be repealed and 38 percent said they supported an approach of “wait and see before deciding.”

A national Rasmussen Reports telephone survey found that 60 percent of Americans at least some-

what favor repeal of the health reform law, while 34 percent are opposed. Support for repeal has ranged from 50 percent to 63 percent in other Rasmussen polling since March.

The margin of error for the Kaiser and Rasmussen polls was plus or minus three percentage points, while the Post-ABC poll had a margin of error of plus or minus 3.5 percentage points.

sweet shrine — Pictured is a gingerbread replica of the Basilica of the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception on display in the lobby of the Four Seasons Hotel in the Georgetown area of Washington, D.C. (CNS photo/Four Seasons Hotel)

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The Anchor Learning from the shepherds

On page three of this edition, we print a story in which several local pastors describe the significance of Christmas Midnight Mass and relate how, in several of their parishes, it is either staying strong or making a comeback.

There is something beautifully symbolic about the tradition of Midnight Mass. It shows that Christians are so eager for Christmas to begin that they want to start celebrating on the first moment of Christmas Day. People who ordinarily never go out late at night and are often at that hour dressed in pajamas and sleeping soundly, adjust their sleep schedules to get up, put on their best clothes and head out alert to their parish churches.

The Christmas Midnight Mass is the antithesis of the growing tendency to try to make the practice of the faith convenient and easy. It’s a bulwark against the propensity to fit the celebration of Christmas and the worship of God into our crowded life; it is, rather, an annual reminder that we are called to make our lives revolve around the mysteries of faith and that those mysterious realities are worth changing sleep patterns and inconveniencing ourselves.

For this reason, it’s highly fitting that the Gospel at Midnight Mass focuses on the shepherds awake in the fields to whom the angels appeared with the message of good news of great joy. As Pope Benedict reminded us in his Christmas Midnight Mass homily last year, the example of the shepherds emphasizes — as perennial lessons for the Christian life — the virtues that are on display and cultivated in the celebration of Midnight Mass.

“The story of the shepherds is included in the Gospel for a reason,” Pope Benedict stressed. “They show us the right way to respond to the message” announced not only to them, but to us: the message that “a Savior, who is Christ the Lord” is born for us, that “God is with us.” This message, Pope Benedict underlined, “cannot leave us indifferent. If it is true, it changes everything.” Looking at those who attended the first midnight celebration of the birth of Christ, Pope Benedict queried, “What is it that these first witnesses of God’s incarnation have to tell us?”

The first lesson, he said, is that “they were on the watch. They could hear the message precisely because they were awake.” The first Sunday of Advent each year features a Gospel passage that reminds us that we need to awaken and remain alert for the Lord is coming like a thief in the night. The shepherds are models of what it means to be awake and alert for the Lord’s arrival. In order for us to hear the message they did and respond, we, too, must be awake, the Holy Father said. We, too, must become a “truly vigilant people.”

There’s a huge difference, Pope Benedict noted, between someone who is awake and someone who is dreaming. The dreamer “is in a world of his own. His ‘self’ is locked into this dream world that is his alone and does not connect him with others.” Those who are awake, on the other hand, leave their “own little private world” of individual and collective selfishness to enter into communion with God and others. Waking up means “to develop a receptivity for God, for the silent promptings with which he chooses to guide us, for the many indications of his presence.” The pontiff observed that today’s world forms our thinking and acting so as to “deaden our receptivity for God, to make us ‘tone deaf’ towards him.” The way to counteract this tendency is, he said, to “pray for ourselves and for others,” so that the capacity given to us by God to receive him and his message will be turned on again and remain locked into God’s frequency.

The second lesson the shepherds show us is how prompt they were to respond to the angels’ message. “They made haste” to go to Bethlehem, the Gospel passage relates.

“What had been announced to them was so important,” the pope underscored, “that they had to go immediately. What had been said to them was utterly out of the ordinary. It changed the world: the Savior is born; the long-awaited Son of David has come into the world in his own city. What could be more important?” Not only was that news not lost on them, but the fact that God had chosen to convey that news to them, who were insignificant in the eyes of society. They couldn’t wait to act. “No doubt they were partly driven by curiosity,” the pope noted, “but first and foremost it was their excitement at the wonderful news that had been conveyed to them, of all people, to the little ones, to the seemingly unimportant. They made haste — they went at once.”

Pope Benedict contrasted the shepherd’s “haste” in heading to Bethlehem — in treating the news as more important than everything else in their lives — with the way many of us are accustomed to respond to God. “In our daily life, it is not like that,” Pope Benedict said. “For most people, the things of God are not given priority, they do not impose themselves on us directly. And so the great majority of us tend to postpone them. First we do what seems urgent here and now. In the list of priorities God is often more or less at the end. We can always deal with that later, we tend to think. The Gospel tells us: God is the highest priority. If anything in our life deserves haste without delay, then, it is God’s work alone. …The shepherds teach us this priority. From them we should learn not to be crushed by all the pressing matters in our daily lives. From them we should learn the inner freedom to put other tasks in second place — however important they may be — so as to make our way towards God, to allow him into our lives and into our time.”

The annual tradition of Midnight Mass reinforces both of these lessons the shepherds teach. It is an outward sign that we are awake and alert for the coming of the Lord and so excited for his arrival that we are willing to sacrifice everything else to greet him with joy and love as soon as he arrives. It is a public and personal reminder that we prioritize Christ over sleep, convenience, presents, family members, and everything else. It short, it manifests that God is God in our lives, that he is our highest priority, and that we would rather postpone everything else in life than delay giving him the response of loving adoration he deserves. Even for those who may struggle to live with this type of Christian receptivity and response throughout the year, it is at least an annual occasion to put things back in their proper order and restore God and our relationship with him to their proper places.

The real meaning of Christmas, Pope Benedict accentuated, is that “God has set out towards us. Left to ourselves we could not reach him. The path is too much for our strength.

But God has come down. He comes towards us. He has traveled the longer part of the journey. Now he invites us: ‘Come and see how much I love you. Come and see that I am here.’”

That is an invitation worth staying up for, worth receiving, wholeheartedly, worth journeying whatever distances with haste to correspond, and worth placing before all other things. This message, indeed, “cannot leave us indifferent.” Because it is true, “it changes everything.”

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December 24, 2010

‘What Child is this?’

he celebration of the holy Mass ration, our wait for the celebration of on Christmas usually begins with Christ’s birth, but Advent is over. Advent the incensing of the Christmas crèche — is over because on Christmas Day, a the sacred image of the birth of Christ.

Savior was born, and we wait no longer.

The incensing of the Baby Jesus and the We no longer wait with expectation; we Holy Family surrounded by shepherds no longer wonder what our destiny will and animals serves to remind us of the be. Advent is over, because God is now sacredness of what the Nativity scene present among us. represents, the greatest Christmas gift The great gift of Christmas is the proever given — God’s gift of himself to found reality that God has come to dwell the whole world, the birth of Emmanuel, among us, that he has robed himself God with us. not with royal garments, but with our Four years ago, just before I was orhumanity. He came to be one of us. But dained a priest, I had the great privilege that great gift, the gift of God himself, of being able to spend two weeks in the was not recognized and in many cases is Holy Land. Although not on Christmas still not recognized even today. Perhaps Day itself, our group was able to visit a question for us to ask ourselves is this, Bethlehem and the very spot where the “Do we really understand Christmas?

Baby Jesus was born and where God Do we really understand what it means himself was first gazed upon by human that God himself came into the world as eyes. one like us?”

I vividly remember kneeling there Many of us have never or may never with amazement, with a clear awareexperience a radical form of poverty, ness that each Christmas after that, as I but I think what the true message of would kneel before and incense a parish Christmas reveals to us is our spiritual Nativity scene, I would be brought back poverty, our total dependence upon Alto that very mighty God. spot where this He responds actually hapto that total Putting Into pened, knowdependence the Deep ing that this by lavishis not a fairy ing upon us tale story, that the greatest

By Father it is not some spiritual gift: Jay Mello myth made up He sends his to quench our only Son to thirst for meaning, but that this actually redeem and sanctify us, to show us the happened and this was the spot where it way of truth and life. He gives us the gift happened. of himself to fulfill that total and utter Not being able to be in Bethlehem dependence upon him. that holy night, our group spent the night The question that we are faced with in Galilee where Christ so often taught on this solemn celebration of Christmas his many disciples. We spent the night then is this: Are we able to appreciate in a cave that archeologists say has been what it is that we have been given? Are there since the time of Christ. We spent we able to understand what the gift of the night surrounded by the light of only Christmas truly is? It is more than the a few small candles, singing carols, read- Baby Jesus in the manger. It is more ing the passages in sacred Scripture that than that sacred image of what we gaze recalled the Lord’s coming. upon in the Nativity scene. It is the On that night, as I was thinking of the greatest gift ever given! great mystery of the Lord’s Incarnation The figure of the innocent and and of his dwelling among us, I realized humble Christ child symbolizes that that Advent had come to an end. I mean God does not send his Son to judge but here not only the Advent season that we to offer his forgiveness and love, and celebrate each year, but the true advent, to invite us to participate in a relationthe waiting and expectation of the Jewship with him, to have him be a part of ish people for God to send a redeemer, to our lives, not only on Christmas and send the one promised by Moses and the Easter, but every day and for all of prophets, the descendant of King David. eternity.

The Jewish people were waiting with What is it about this child that is so eager expectation for this single event, tremendous and spectacular? Not even for the day when God would fulfill his his mother, blessed of all mothers as she plan by sending the Messiah that he was, could entirely comprehend what promised generations earlier. our heavenly Father was going to do in It is sort of weird thinking that the life of this child. Within just a few Christmas makes me think of something decades, this child, once wrapped in Jewish, but it does, and quite frankly for swaddling clothes and laid in a manger, a very good reason. The four-week pesurrounded by shepherds, worshiped by riod of preparation for Christmas that we angels and adored by kings, will stand at Catholics call Advent is meant to remind the center of the conflict between good us of Israel’s long wait for a Savior, it and evil. He will bear all the sins of the is meant to provide us an opportunity to world upon his shoulders as he carries relive Israel’s journey of faith in which the cross to the place where he will be generations awaited the coming of the crucified to show us the depths of his promised Savior, the Christ, the one who love. It is for this reason that he came would be sent by God to save them from into the world. their sins.

Father Mello is a parochial vicar at Today, Advent symbolizes our prepa- St. Patrick’s Parish in Falmouth.

December 24, 2010

Q: In view of what is said in the “Catechism of the Catholic Church” (Nos. 1261 and 1283) is it correct and advisable to offer Mass for the salvation of a baby who died without being baptized? — H.D., Melbourne, Australia A: The texts of the “Catechism” to which our correspondent refers to say the following: “1261: As regards children who have died without baptism, the Church can only entrust them to the mercy of God, as she does in her funeral rites for them. Indeed, the great mercy of God who desires that all men should be saved, and Jesus’ tenderness toward children which caused him to say: ‘Let the children come to me, do not hinder them,’ allow us to hope that there is a way of salvation for children who have died without baptism. All the more urgent is the Church’s call not to prevent little children coming to Christ through the gift of holy baptism.”

“1283: With respect to children who have died without baptism, the liturgy of the Church invites us to trust in God’s mercy and to pray for their salvation.”

The question of the fate of children who die before baptism is one of the mysteries that have long perplexed bishops, theologians and, of course, parents.

The problem has received

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Mass for unbaptized children who die

even greater urgency due to than for the dead. And this the millions of unborn children would be the principal factor killed by abortion. to be considered in deciding to Up until relatively recently permit obsequies, especially some theologians tried to solve when the parents clearly inthe problem by proposing that tended to baptize the child. such children went to limbo, a The Mass formulas do not state of perfect human happiness generally intercede for the but without the beatific vision. salvation of the child but rather This solution was never fully satisfactory, and is now practically abandoned, above all because it is difficult to conceive a genuine and full human happiness

By Father deprived of the divine Edward McNamara vision for which God created man.

With respect to the advisability of offering the implore that God may comfort Mass for the “salvation” of the grieving parents with the unbaptized infants, No. 1283 hope of his mercy, acceptance of invites us to pray for their his will and the consolation of salvation. knowing that he takes care of us.

Since the Mass is also an It is also recommended that intercessory prayer, then it catechesis imparted on such ocshould be possible, in general casions in no way confuse the terms, to offer the Mass for faithful regarding the doctrine such an intention even though of the necessity of baptism. we may not yet be theologiWith regard to how unbapcally sure of what the concept tized infants might be saved of salvation might be in this without baptism, we must say particular case. that we are before a great mysBecause of the mystery tery, insofar as it has not been involved, the celebration of revealed if salvation means the funeral rites for an unbaptized same thing for the unbaptized child usually requires the infant as for the baptized, or permission of the local bishop by what means God exercises who considers the pastoral his mercy in these cases. circumstances involved (see On a related issue, a WisCanon 1183.2 of the Code of consin reader wrote about her Canon Law). parish’s policy not to allow These rites are usually done infant baptisms during Lent. more for the sake of the living I am personally less than

Liturgical Q&A

enthusiastic about the norms forbidding infant baptisms during Lent that exist in several dioceses. To my mind they are not totally compatible with the spirit of canon law in No. 867 and No. 1250 of the “Catechism” which states: “The Church and the parents would deny a child the priceless grace of becoming a child of God were they not to confer baptism shortly after birth.”

It is true that infant deaths are rare in the developed world, but it does not appear to justify a long delay.

I do comprehend the pastoral reasons that often lie behind them, especially in areas where the baptism of a child has become more of a social than a religious event, sometimes rivaling weddings for displays of fashions and festivities and hence incompatible with the Lenten spirit.

All the same, I do believe that priests, and the pastoral norms in general, should accommodate parents who desire to have their children baptized as soon as possible after birth for genuinely religious reasons, especially if they agree to moderate any external celebrations during Lent.

Sometimes people question the importance of infant baptism in general, claiming that in the early Church it was not considered imperative.

Although, the space available

precludes a full treatment of this subject, I would say, in the first place, Christian baptism replaced circumcision as a more universal sign of belonging to God’s people, and this Jewish rite was performed eight days after birth.

There is also some, albeit inconclusive, evidence of the presence of infant baptism when we read in the Scriptures that certain persons were baptized together with “all their family” or “their entire household.” Such expressions, at the very least, would not exclude the presence of children.

There is much stronger evidence in the following generations. The bishop martyr St. Polycarp, who as a young man had been a disciple of St. John the Evangelist, affirmed that he had served the Lord for 86 years, which makes it highly probable that he was baptized in infancy.

There is also evidence for the practice in St. Justin (martyred in 165) and other secondcentury writers, such as Origen, who presents infant baptism as an apostolic tradition.

Father Edward McNamara is a Legionary of Christ and professor of Liturgy at Regina Apostolorum University in Rome. His column appears weekly at zenit.org. To submit questions, email liturgy@ zenit.org. Please put the word “Liturgy” in the subject field.

The text should include your initials, your city and state.

The birth of Jesus and the new evangelization

wenty-five years ago, while I was studying canon law in Rome, I first heard the expression “new evangelization.” Pope John Paul II was then calling for a re-evangelization of countries with a long-standing Christian heritage that had somehow grown old and tired in the faith. Obviously, the countries of Europe were intended, but the need was also acute in the United States. Perhaps not coincidentally, it was in 1985 that the pope initiated World Youth Day, an international gathering of youth to celebrate the Catholic faith. Re-evangelize the old, and evangelize the young, the pope seemed to be saying.

The old paganism, worship of money, power and sex, was back in force. But things are worse now than in the days of ancient Rome, because the new pagans are us, Christians often in name only; and so the liberating power of the Gospel is

treated as ho-hum, “been there, inn at Bethlehem, the question persists: Will there be room for done that.” Today’s Caesar or him in our hearts? As Dorothy Herod is a nominally Catholic Day wrote, “It is no use saying politician perhaps running for that we are born 2,000 years too president or ensconced in the speaker’s chair, who has long since made peace with the culture of death.

The new evangelization has to begin at home, through personal conversion.

By Dwight Duncan “Repent and believe the Gospel,” said Jesus. Traditionally, we late to give room to Christ …. think of mission territory as some exotic locale in the third Christ is always with us, always asking for room in our hearts.” world. But actually our workPope Benedict spoke of this place or neighborhood or own home or even our own heart is on December 16 in an Advent Vespers service with univermission territory for the new sity students in Rome. “To go evangelization. We stand in back to the grotto in Bethleneed of continual conversion, hem, to that humble and narand reconversion.

Christmas holds the answer to row place, is not just a mental journey: It is the way we are what ails us: The birth of Christ as a helpless infant should stir up called to travel, experiencing our love and affection. But just as today God’s closeness and his there was no room for him in the action that renews and sustains

Judge For Yourself

our existence.”

“That baby which we will encounter is the full manifestation of the mystery of the love of God who loves by giving his life, who loves in a disinterested way, who teaches us to love and only asks to be loved …. He wants to infuse courage into our lives, particularly in moments in which we feel tired and bored and we need to rediscover the serenity of the journey and to experience with joy our pilgrimage to eternity.”

Joy to the world, the Lord has come. Christmas is not just Santa and cards and presents and carols and fruitcake and eggnog, though all those things are wonderful provided they do not substitute for Christ. Christmas is Jesus coming to us in irresistible form, the promise of new and everlasting life, the secret of

perpetual youthfulness even for the elderly.

Speaking to university students, the pope said: “Profound educational activity and continual discernment are needed, which ought to involve the entire academic community, fostering that synthesis of intellectual formation, moral discipline and religious commitment which Blessed John Henry Newman had proposed in his ‘Idea of a University.’ In our times one notices the need for a new class of intellectuals capable of interpreting the social and cultural dynamics, offering solutions which are not abstract, but concrete and realistic.” Enough of typically academic abstract theorizing, the pope seems to be saying. Let’s put our faith into practice.

Dwight Duncan is a professor at UMass School of Law Dartmouth. He holds degrees in civil and canon law.

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n the Jewish Passover liturgy there is a song called “Dayenu.” Dayenu is a Hebrew word which means, “It would have been enough.” The song has 15 stanzas that speak of the gifts God has bestowed on his chosen people. Here are a sampling of some of the verses: “O God, if thy only act of kindness was to deliver us from the bondage of Egypt, Dayenu. It would have been enough.... If thy only act of mercy was to provide manna in the wilderness, Dayenu. It would have been enough.... If thy only act of graciousness was the gift of the Sabbath day, Dayenu. It would have been enough.... How grateful are we and how doubly blessed for all these acts of kindness and mercy and graciousness which the Lord our God has

December 24, 2010

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Our song of gratitude

bestowed upon us.” sion, entrusted his Son, Our Christmas readings Jesus, to the frail and feeble that proclaim the extravahands of humankind — gant love of God calls what greater risk and trust us to the same gratitude could there be than that? expressed in the “Dayenu” In light of this, we come hymn. Isaiah and Luke tell of the birth of a special Homily of the Week child, and had God simply given us that The Nativity much — a child of the Lord who was only a sign

By Deacon Maurice or symbol of the A. Ouellette divine promise — Dayenu. That would have been enough, to see that the name of the but there is more. The child promised baby Emmanuel, is not merely a sign or a meaning, God is with us, symbol of God, the child is is far more than an expresthe Son of God, Incarnate in sion. Jesus our Emmanuel is Jesus our Emmanuel. a flesh and blood reminder How much more miracuthat God is with us. It is lous and wonderful could not merely that God underthis sign be? God has given stands, but that God is truly us his own Son. God, in his with us, beside us, among infinite love and compas-

us, and in our midst, to ease our fears, to comfort, console, and to save.

As a redeemed people we realize that the gift of the Incarnation is not about a passive and sentimental Baby Jesus lying in a manger.

It is about an active, desiring God who has a passion for us. Active is the key word here.

The Incarnation and the paschal mystery, with the bloody business of the cross, and the resurrection are all events which took place in history — they are the act of salvation. But it does not end there, for the work of salvation continues.

Christ continues actively the work of salvation through the Spirit in us, his

Church.

The supreme act of trust God has shown us by sending his Son to take on our humanity becomes our assurance that God is not asking us to do anything that God is not willing to do: to take a risk. In our case, and like that of the Blessed Virgin Mary and St. Joseph, the risk is trusting God and keeping the faith, despite all invitations to do otherwise.

So, on this Christmas and every Christmas, in the face of disease and pain, strife and broken relationships, confusion and despair we can cling with all our being to Jesus our Emmanuel — the Incarnate promise that God is with us. Dayenu. It is enough.

Deacon Ouellette is married to Teresa and serves at St. Lawrence Martyr Parish in New Bedford.

Upcoming Daily Readings: Sat. Dec. 25, The Nativity of the Lord (Christmas), Midnight, Is 9:1-6; Ps 96:1-3,11-13; Ti 2:11-14; Lk 2:1-14. Dawn, Is 62:11-12; Ps 97:1,6,1112; Ti 3:4-7; Lk 2:15-20. Day, Is 52:7-10; Ps 98:1-6; Heb 1:1-6; Jn 1:1-18 or 1:1-5,9-14. Sun. Dec. 26, The Holy Family, Sir 3:2-7,12-14; Ps 128:1-5; Col 3:12-21 or 3:12-17; Mt 2:13-15,19-23. Mon. Dec. 27, 1 Jn 1:1-4; Jn 20:1a,2-8. Tues. Dec. 28, 1 Jn 1:5-2:2; Mt 2:13-18. Wed. Dec. 29, 1 Jn 2:3-11; Lk 2:22-35. Thur. Dec. 30, 1 Jn 2:12-17; Lk 2:36-40. Fri. Dec. 21, 1 Jn 2:18-21; Jn 1:1-18. Sat. Jan. 1, Solemnity of Mary, Mother of God, Nm 6:22-27; Ps 67:2-3,5,6,8; Gal 4:4-7; Lk 2:16-21. Sun. Jan 2, Solemnity of the Epiphany of the Lord, Is 60:1-6; Ps 72:1-2,7-8,10-13; Eph 3:2-3a,5-6; Mt 2:1-12. Mon., Jan. 3, 1 Jn 3:22-4:6; Mt 4:12-17,23-25. Tues. Jan 4, 1 Jn 4:7-10; Mk 6:34-44.

Wed. Jan. 5, 1 Jn 4:11-18; Mk 6:45-52. Thurs. Jan 6, 1 Jn 4:19-5:4; Mk 6:45-52. Fri. Jan. 7, 1 Jn 5:5-13; Lk 5:12-16.

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radition attributes the Christmas crèche or manger scene to St. Francis of Assisi, while the decorations that have become so much a part of the Christmas season in America — especially the tree and its trimmings — are generally regarded as having come into our culture via Prince Albert of Saxe-Coburg-Gotha, consort of Queen Victoria. Yet in reading a fine collection of brief selections from the Fathers of the Church for the Advent and Christmas seasons, published by

Christmas, Jews, and Christians

be living crèches every day the Libreria Editrice Vaticana, and everywhere we are called I found the following introduction to a passage from one of the to live as true Christians. May our legs, step-by-step, be like great Eastern Fathers, Gregory those of the animals that visited Nazianzen, in which the Italian author, Marco Pappalardo, chal- the grotto in Bethlehem so lenges us to “put on” Christmas by reference to even more ancient aspects of the biblical account of the Lord’s birth, which undergird so much of what we

By George Weigel think of as Christmas tradition: “May our bodies

The Catholic Difference

that all creation could praise its Creator. May our bellies be like Mary’s when she accepted Christ and allowed him to grow within her; we can continue accepting him in the Eucharist.

May our arms be like Joseph’s when they cradled, lifted, hugged and served Jesus; we can do the same daily by embracing our brothers and sisters, working, studying and serving.

“May our mouths and voices be like those of the angels, that we may always sing and give praise in a loud voice to the Word made flesh: “Glory to God in the highest” (Lk 2:14). May our ears and eyes be like those of the shepherds, who heard the angels’ song wherever they were and came to see the Child.

May our intellect be like that

of the Magi, who saw the star, had faith, and set off on their journey: an intellect that allows itself to be struck with wonder by a child who is the Son of God, by the God who becomes like us so that we may become like him.

“May our hearts be like the manger that held the Eternal One, who became so little in order to turn our poverty into true wealth and joy. Amen.”

Eastern Christian theology has long stressed “theosis,” or divinization, as the goal of the Christian life. It can be a somewhat startling theme for western Christian ears, formed as we are by Augustine’s sense of the distance that original sin created between humanity and God. Yet if, as theologians east and west have long insisted, Christianity is not about our search for God (as so much pop-spirituality these days insists), but about God coming into history in search of us and our learning to take the same path through history that God is taking, then “divinization” makes perfect sense: for how could we follow God through history unless we became more and more like God? That is why Christmas

inevitably takes the serious Christian back through the history of the people of Israel, for it was in their history — the call of Abraham and his sojourning; the call of Moses and the Exodus into true freedom; the call of the prophets for the people to re-commit themselves to the service of the one, true and jealous God, who will not have false gods before him — that humanity began to learn the habit of following God through history.

That divine sojourning in our world reached its unsurpassable height when the Son of God became the Son of Mary and was laid in a manger. Thus Christmas, the annual cultural festival that perhaps most starkly distinguishes Christians from our Jewish neighbors and friends, ought to be a religious solemnity that reminds Christians of their debt to the faith of Abraham and the history of the Chosen People.

Thus, at this Christmas season, let us pray for the wellbeing of all who call Abraham their father in faith, and the deepening of our common reflection on what it means to be a light unto the nations.

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

How to be a Grinch

How to be a Grinch hall was set up with two rows Saturday 24 December of seats flanking a center 2010 — at home in the Dight- aisle, resembling a train. ons — Christmas Eve he teens in our The Ship’s Log parish youth group enjoy sponsorReflections of a ing an annual ChristParish Priest mas party for children

By Father Tim up to grade five. The Goldrick youth tend to favor high-energy celebrations. I am decidedly passed the stage of boundless High school students, dressed energy. Long ago, the Ameri- as conductors, went around can Association of Retired collecting “train tickets” and Persons rightfully classified calling “all aboard.” The me as a “senior citizen.” story was read. Interactive Last year, the theme of activities took place in the the children’s party was the group rooms. The kids had a “Polar Express.” The church great time.

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December 24, 2010

At these children’s Christmas parties, as befits the dignity of my elder status, I tend to float around a bit, smile in a grandfatherly way, and sit down at every opportunity (preferably near the snack table). When it comes to Christmas, I just go with the flow.

I learned this from my father.

This year, the youth group chose “How the Grinch Stole Christmas” as a theme. They met several times to plan the event and, among other things, determined in short order what person of their acquaintance could best play

A powerful New Year’s resolution

duction to restoring the he apparition of Our Sabbath observance — an Lady in 1846 in La excellent book appropriate Salette, France is often for those living alone, in overlooked, although her families or in a community. message was quite urgent.

Ostermann begins with There she conversed with a delightful foray into Melanie Calvat and Maxiwhat constitutes the human mim Geraud, two young person. This premise is shepherd children, and in essential, for in addition to the course of her visit, she giving praise and honor to wept. The cause of her our loving God, the Sabtears was the “false light bath was meant to refresh that illumines the world,” us, indeed the day was the lack of faith, the scanmore for our benefit than dals in the Church and the his, since both reverence common practice of taking her Son’s name in vain — often as an oath or out of anger.

Furthermore, she noted that governments would soon join to “abolish and

By Genevieve Kineke make every religious principle disappear, to make way for maand rest are in our very best terialism, atheism, spiritism interest. and vices of all kinds.”

The author weaves More specifically, together powerful arguthough, was her enorments for setting this day mous grief over the loss aside, and reminds us of of respect for the Sabbath. the myriad ways that the “Six days I have given you prevailing culture has to labor, the seventh I had nudged us away from the kept for myself; and they very faith that keeps us will not give it to me. It is whole. More specifically, this which makes the arm though, she assures us that of my Son so heavy.” a rich Sabbath observance It is that grief of Our is not a “one size fits all” Lady that should occupy formula. Indeed, this is us now, and the arrival of a what makes the book work new year is a perfect time — for it respects the reader, to consider ways that we the concrete realities of the can begin to turn the tide of journey, and the process irreverence that engulfs us. by which one is gradually To that end, I cannot recpurified according to the ommend highly enough a demands of authentic love. small book, “Souls at Rest” While everyone is called (http://justoneyeoman.com) to observe the Sabbath in a

by Charlotte Ostermann, fitting way, mothers often which is a perfect intro-

The Feminine Genius

have a particular influence over calendars and the culture of the home. Although at times family life seems to have a pace of its own making, in reality we have the ability to slow things down and redirect the teeming energy in channels that will provide greater benefits to each member. This may take prayer, ingenuity and compromise, but the reader must at least study the options.

In the coming year — after the natural bustle of the holidays settles down — we should consider ways to deepen our own faith and to strengthen the family bond.

Focusing on what we should be doing with our Sundays is an excellent starting point. Our culture will not let up its pressure on its own, and therefore, we must take responsibility to restore the essential leaven that can guide the larger community back to God. Honoring the Sabbath more perfectly in the new year would be a lovely resolution that will transform more souls than you can imagine. Not only will this effort bring sanity to our harried and distracted families, but in doing so we can dry the tears of Our Lady — who only wants what is best for her sons and daughters.

Mrs. Kineke is the author of “The Authentic Catholic Woman,” and serves as an editor at catholicexhange.com.

the part of the Grinch. The actor was chosen by spontaneous acclamation. I had a couple of weeks to get together a Grinch costume.

Kids these days. Why, when I was their age, I was afraid of priests. “Just go with the flow,” I said to myself.

I found a Grinch mask online. I already had a Santa suit hanging in the closet. I had difficulty finding bony green hands. I tried to paint some Halloween alien hands green, but the paint never dried. I ordered some green body paint. It turned out to be more blue than green. I ended up wearing black gloves.

The Kelly green men’s tights were no problem to find.

Let me hasten to assure you, dear readers, that the sight of yours truly in leotards is not a pretty picture.

I eventually made myself into a rather convincing Grinch. For some reason, it wasn’t as difficult as I anticipated. I even found it easy being mean. Perhaps I had been typecast.

A few days before the party, I was vesting for Mass.

My altar servers that day were the Marcille bothers.

Peter Marcille is in sixth grade; Joe Marcille is in seventh grade. Peter sidled up to me, looked in both directions to make sure the coast was clear, and whispered, “Father, I’ve heard you’re the Grinch.

Is this true?” Not wanting to let the cat out of the bag (or the hat, as the case may be), I avoided the question.

Then young Peter confessed the reason for his inquiry, “Father, I’m going to be the Grinch’s dog, Max. My mother promised to buy me a dog costume. I have a pair of antlers and I’ve cut off one of them, just like Max. Here’s the plan. You and I will make a grand entrance while all the kids sing ‘You’re a Mean One, Mr. Grinch.’ You have

to pretend to be mean to me, and I will make fun of you behind your back, but just pretending, of course.” The kid was pumped. Brother Joe, with all the maturity that comes in seventh grade, just rolled his eyes. I thought to myself “Oh, dear, what have I gotten myself into?” When it comes to Christmas, I just go with the flow. I have a long history of going with the flow at Christmas.

One year, I decided to spray a natural Christmas tree with white flocking.

This was done with the back end of a vacuum cleaner. In the process, I also “flocked” all the tools on my father’s work bench. A glistening white hammer stands out like a sore thumb but at least he would be able to tell which tools were his. That was the day my father taught me that, when it comes to Christmas, just go with the flow.

The flocked white tree was so heavy it listed sharply to one side and toppled over on the living room floor. Not to worry. I just drove a spike into the wall and secured the tree with a thick rope.

Another year, while living in the former parish of Our Lady of the Immaculate Conception in Taunton, I decided to help the nuns prepare the convent for Christmas. I attempted to bring a fully-decorated aluminum tree through the back door. The door frame was too small. The silver tree branches lashed against the door frame and flung the ornaments down the convent corridor. Broken blue balls were everywhere.

It’s Christmas Eve. Don’t work yourself into a tizzy.

Laugh more; fret less. Learn a lesson from the Grinch.

Take time to savor the joy of the Incarnation.

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

lessons from the grinch — “The Ship’s Log” author is surrounded by young parishioners of St. Nicholas of Myra Parish in Taunton. Despite his intimidating countenance, the Grinch was not a “mean one,” spreading the joy of Christ’s birth with his young audience.

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The Anchor

December 24, 2010

O HOLY NIGHT — The Southeastern Massachusetts Festival Chorus recently performed its annual Christmas concert, “O Holy Night: a Celebration of Christmas” at St. Andrew the Apostle Parish in Taunton. St. Andrew’s Parish was founded in 2008 when the faith communities of St. Paul and St. Joseph of Taunton joined together. This Christmas will mark the 100th anniversary of the first Christmas Mass to be celebrated in the building itself.

By Rebecca Aubut Anchor Staff

Hark! The heralds are still singing

TAUNTON — Church choirs are the groups that add an ethereal ministry to the Christmas season as they raise their voices in song and help drive home God’s message to his faithful.

“I think the people listen to various readings during Sunday Mass, but I think that sometimes

when you have the tie-in with a song, it helps pull the readings together. Some of the verses are representative of the readings. I think it helps people to not only hear, but then to listen and participate in singing and to have a more active participation in the liturgy,” said Anna McReynolds, director of music at St. Mary’s Parish in Taunton.

As a member of the Archdiocese of Boston’s Black Catholic Choir, McReynolds invited her group to combine their voices with the choir members from her parish to bring parishioners “Nine Lessons and Carols,’’ a program that foretells the birth of Christ with hymns and songs that accompany readings from the Bible.

The program originated in England and aside from lengthening a few of the readings, McReynolds is staying true to the overall format of the service.

“The choir really likes it, they enjoy the songs and hope that we will be able to use the songs throughout the year. I know we will use some of those songs in the Christmas Eve Mass,” she said.

It was a serendipitous moment

that brought the Southeastern Massachusetts Festival Chorus to St. Andrew the Apostle Parish in Taunton for their performance of “O Holy Night: a Celebration of Christmas.”

“The way this whole thing came about was, every year they put on a Christmas show for various regions in southeastern Massachusetts and the president of its board happens to be a member of our parish,” said Deacon Alan Thadeu. “She approached our pastor about the possibility of them having a show in our church. We were very excited.

They have a very good reputation and the quality of singing is just superb.”

The sold-out show had 400 people gathering in the newlyrenovated church that was cele-

brating its first anniversary of the renovations of the former St. Joseph’s Church after the merger of St. Paul’s Parish and St. Joseph’s Parish. By pure coincidence, the parish is celebrating the 100th anniversary of the first Christmas Mass celebrated at the church on Christmas Day in 1910.

“It’s a struggle in ministry for everyone this time of year,” said Deacon Thadeu. “With the Christmas ads starting before Halloween, you have this big push and you will sometimes forget the season is about the birth of Christ; and not only the birth of Christ, but God coming into the our world as one of us. I think this music really, for anybody who was there, just focused their attention for a couple of hours on that. I think they left inspired; I know I did. It was a beautiful experience.”

John Jannis, music director at St. Joseph’s Parish in Fairhaven, is hoping to inspire the next generation of parishioners by sustaining the children’s choir, who will be performing during this year’s Christmas Eve Mass at the parish.

“We’ve had a difficult time in the past establishing a children’s choir but now that we’ve formed a Faith Formation department, the families are now coming back to the church more and more,” said Jannis. “It allows the kids to have some ownership because they are the future of the Church and the future of our music ministry. Eventually the kids are going to be singing in the adult choir with us, so it’s really just training and a prayerTurn to page 18

December 24, 2010

St. Francis Xavier Preparatory School 33 Cross Street Hyannis, Massachusetts 02601 (508) 771-7200 / Fax (508) 771-7233 Lord Teach Us

God Sends a Baby When God wants a miracle to happen on earth, He doesn’t send a legion of angels.

When God wants a miracle to happen on earth, He doesn’t send mighty claps of thunder and hurricane force winds.

When God wants a miracle to happen on earth, He doesn’t command a powerful army with tanks, missiles, and guns.

When God wants a miracle to happen on earth, He sends a tiny baby. And He waits, with patience.

A baby is born, so small, so gentle, so full of love. On his lips is a smile of joy and of peace. It is the smile of God. Just think about it: A baby on earth with us. A baby who will laugh and cry and play and care for us all very deeply. A baby so tender, so calm, so mild, so easy to approach. A baby who will perform a miracle.

This Advent season, as we await the birth of the baby Jesus, have no fear. Approach Him with joy, with love, with patience, with the trust and tenderness with which you’d approach an infant. Know that God is with us and for us. He is here, on earth, right where we live. A baby! A miracle!

Merry Christmas to all in our community!

St. Francis Xavier Preparatory School is currently accepting applications for grades five and six.

The Anchor

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Please note: The Anchor will not publish on Dec. 31.

It will return to your mailboxes on Jan. 7, 2011 To advertise in The Anchor, contact Wayne Powers at 508-675-7151 or Email waynepowers@anchornews.org

12

CNS Movie Capsules 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.

“The Chronicles of Narnia: The Voyage of the Dawn Treader” (Fox) Swashbuckling sequel, combining live action and animation, in which a brother and sister (Skandar Keynes and Georgie Henley) from World War II-era Britain are once again transported to the titular world, this time accompanied by their obnoxious, cynical cousin (Will Poulter).

Reunited with their friend, the king of Narnia (Ben Barnes), the siblings — and, more reluctantly, their traveling companion — join his quest to vanquish a menacing manifestation of evil. They do this by bringing together at the table of the noble lion Aslan (voice of Liam Neeson) seven magical

The Anchor swords empowered to protect the land from harm. Directed by Michael Apted, this screen version of the third in C.S. Lewis’ classic series of Christian-themed allegorical novels keeps faith front and center as the good kids battle temptations ranging from envy to cowardice. Meanwhile, their initially nasty relative — helped along by the wisdom of a plucky warrior mouse (voice of Simon Pegg) — moves toward conversion. An enjoyable, mostly kid-friendly voyage, though somewhat less impressive dramatically than thematically. Considerable peril and bloodless violence, a couple of mild bathroom jokes. The Catholic News Service classification is A-II — adults and adolescents. The Motion Picture Association of America rating is PG — parental guidance suggested.

“The Fighter” (Paramount) Director David O. Russell’s gritty, fact-based drama follows two half-brothers from Lowell, Mass., who long for success — and redemption — via the boxing ring. One (Christian Bale, who effectively steals the movie) is a washed-up fighter on a selfdestructive binge of drugs and loose women. At the urging of

their obsessive mother and manager (Melissa Leo), he trains his reluctant younger sibling (Mark Wahlberg) in the sweet science.

But, recognizing that the lad is being exploited, a barmaid with a heart of gold (Amy Adams) persuades him to chart his own destiny. Ultimately, “Rocky”like fame and fortune are within reach, but not without forgiveness and the love and support of the duo’s raucously dysfunctional family. Excessive boxing and other violence, including familial strife, nongraphic premarital sexual activity, explicit drug use, a handful of profanities, frequent rough and crude language. The Catholic News Service classification is L — limited adult audience, films whose problematic content many adults would find troubling. The Motion Picture Association of America rating is R — restricted. Under 17 requires accompanying parent or adult guardian.

“The Tourist” (Columbia) A flirtatious encounter with an elegant, mysterious fellow passenger (Angelina Jolie) on a train to Venice leads a vacationing American math teacher (Johnny Depp) to be mistaken for a fugitive embezzler known to have altered his appearance via plastic surgery. It makes the visitor the target of both a high-level British police investigation (led by Paul Bettany and Timothy Dalton) and the quest for revenge of the brutal gangster (Steven Berkoff) the thief betrayed. Director and co-writer Florian Henckel von Donnersmarck constructs an enjoyably old-fashioned romantic thriller, with the leads showing amorous restraint and La Serenissima providing the colorful backdrop for a pleasant, though hardly memorable, diversion. Brief graphic violence, an implied premarital situation, at least one use of the F-word, a few crude and crass terms, occasional sexual references. The Catholic News Service 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 Warrior’s Way” (Relativity) After refusing to kill the baby girl who is the lone survivor of a rival clan, the world’s greatest samurai swordsman (Jang Dong-gun) turns his back on his murderous past and seeks a new start on the American frontier, befriending the circus folk (most prominently Geoffrey Rush and Tony Cox) who inhabit the ramshackle town in which he settles, bonding with a local lass (Kate Bosworth) and raising the infant he spared as his own. But his peaceable ways are tested when

December 24, 2010 the demonic Army colonel (Danny Huston) who slaughtered his true love’s family when she was a girl — and nearly raped her — returns in a bid to wreak fresh mayhem. The West was never wilder than in Korean writerdirector Sngmoo Lee’s U.S. feature debut. But this larger-thanlife blend of martial arts, duels in the sun and operatic emotion winds up graphically celebrating the very violence its hero has ostensibly rejected and implicitly endorsing its heroine’s quest for revenge against her inhuman persecutor. Excessive bloody violence, the attempted rape of a minor, a vendetta theme, about a half-dozen uses of profanity, a few crude and crass terms. The Catholic News Service classification is O — morally offensive. The Motion Picture Association of America rating is R — restricted. Under 17 requires accompanying parent or adult guardian.

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 9:00. The hour-long Mass will be a delayed broadcast of the Christmas Vigil Mass celebrated at 4 p.m. on Christmas Eve at St. Mary’s Cathedral in Fall River.

The Portuguese Channel will air Christmas Mass in Portuguese at 5 p.m. Christmas afternoon.

That broadcast will be an airing of the Christmas Midnight Mass celebrated at St. Anthony Church in Taunton. The Portuguese Channel is carried on most cable television systems in the area.

Diocese of Fall River TV Mass on WLNE Channel 6 Sunday, December 26 at 11:00 a.m.

Celebrant is Kevin A. Cook, pastor of Holy Family Parish in East Taunton

Diocese of Fall River TV Mass on WLNE Channel 6 Sunday, January 2 at 11:00 a.m.

Celebrant is Father Michael Racine, pastor of St. Bernard’s Parish in Assonet

December 24, 2010

L

ast weekend, the Jolivet Clan headed southwest to the Big Apple to get the feel, firsthand, of a New York City Christmas experience.

As with most of our trips, I like to plan the whats, wheres, whens, and whys, well in advance. This trek was no different.

There were some must-do’s on my list of to-do’s — skating at Rockefeller Center while absorbing the sites of the humongous Christmas tree; gawking at the lights and enjoying the sounds of Times Square; making a romp through Macy’s Department Store with no intent on buying a thing; hitting the

My View From the Stands

By Dave Jolivet Hershey’s and M&M’s outlets, where the smells alone give one a sugar high, visiting the Hard Rock Cafe for lunch, and attending the Saturday 4 p.m. vigil Mass at St. Patrick’s Cathedral.

Each stop was carefully orchestrated weeks in advance through online research ... with one exception — St. Patrick’s doesn’t have a 4 p.m. vigil Mass on Saturdays. Really intent on that time frame, I researched other Catholic churches in Manhattan that had a 4 o’clock Mass. I settled on St. Francis of Assisi Church on West 31st Street, between Seventh and Sixth avenues.

Our Amtrak steel horse (I’ve always wanted to use that reference) arrived Friday morning at 11 a.m. After a quick Metro scoot to our hotel in Brooklyn, Denise, Emilie and I once again whooshed under the West River and climbed out from under ground at Rockefeller Center.

The wait wasn’t too bad for a Friday afternoon, and Emilie and I hit the ice surrounded by trees, ornaments, music, onlookers, and many people who seemed to be on skates for the first time ever.

My winter coat was white, so I wasn’t too concerned about falling because there’d be no tell-tale sign I did so, unlike those wearing dark outerwear — many of which covered in white rink residue.

Emilie and I remained on both blades through our skate, and we were off for more seasonal fun. On the way back to the hotel that day, we hit Friday rush-hour on the A train back to Brooklyn. I never imagined they could pack that many people

13

The Anchor

Miracle on 31st Street

into a long, rolling sardine can, but they did. I now know how a sardine feels in its metal habitat, only the sardines have it better being coated in oil, making it easier to get them out.

On Saturday, we joined the mass of humanity on the Manhattan streets. Throngs of people filled the city. Seeking a bit of refuge from the maddening crowd, we went to St. Francis’ about 45 minutes early.

Once in a while, the Good Lord sends a Christmas gift my way that warms my heart and refreshes my soul. The visit to St. Francis’ was this year’s version.

Immediately upon entering perhaps the most beautiful church I ever set foot in, I was at peace.

As the three of us sat there, more and more people joined us. Shortly before Mass, every seat was taken — totally crowded. But unlike the previous evening’s Metro ride, I didn’t mind all these people around me.

Being on the edge of Koreatown, there were many Korean people there, as well as AfricanAmericans, Hispanic Americans, and dozens of other nationalities. There were elderly, children and every age in between. I truly sensed what it meant to be Catholic — and I was proud to be a part of it all.

The music was angelic, and the congregation was prayerfully loud and responsive. The Franciscan priest who celebrated the Mass was holy, humorous and charming. The sign of peace was one of the most sincere I’ve ever experienced.

The line for holy Eucharist seemingly went on forever.

I didn’t want the Mass to end.

I can bet that most of those who attended that Mass came away with a renewed appreciation and sense of hope in this last week between the Fourth

Sunday of Advent and Christmas. I know I did. Following the liturgy, Emilie told us that was one of the most joyous Masses

she’s attended.

On our Christmas trip to New York, we accomplished everything we set out to do — except

This week in 50 years ago: Three young men were ordained to the priesthood at St. Mary’s Cathedral by Bishop James L. Connolly, D.D., in the first evening ordination ever to be held in the Fall River Diocese. They were Fathers James F. Greene, James F. Kelley, and Thomas E. Morrissey.

25 years ago: More than 100 volunteers met at the Lincoln Park Ballroom in North Dartmouth to decorate for the 31st annual Bishop’s Ball that helped raised funds for diocesan summer camps for underprivileged and exceptional children.

attend Mass at St. Pat’s. That’s where God stepped in, changed our plans, and gave us one of the best Christmas gifts ever.

Diocesan history 10 years ago: Bishop Sean P. O’Malley, OFM Cap, was the principal celebrant at Masses that greeted the New Year and closed the diocese’s Jubilee Year 2000 celebrations that marked the millennium.

One year ago: Third-grade students at Holy Name School, Fall River, completed their Las Posadas — A Service of Shelter for the Holy Family, a traditional Mexican Advent celebration meaning “the inns,” a remembrance of the difficult journey of Mary and Joseph. It included a procession to different houses pleading to be let in. First they were turned down, but eventually doors are opened and festivities moved inside.

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Notre Dame, Ind. –– At its general chapter meeting in Rome this past summer, the Congregation of Holy Cross approved the merger of its two existing U.S. provinces of priests and Brothers. The newly-adopted legislation authorizes the superior general to effect the merger in order to enhance the congregation’s ministries of “parish, mission, education.” At a joint meeting of the Eastern Province and Indiana Province Councils on December 4-5, it was agreed that the merger of the Eastern Province into the Indiana Province should be effected by the superior general on July 1, 2011 (feast of the Sacred Heart). The

The Anchor

December 24, 2010

Congregation of Holy Cross to merge two U.S. provinces of priests and Brothers

Indiana Province will proceed with the appropriate civil instruments to change its name to the United States Province of Priests and Brothers.

The ministries of the new province will include four colleges and universities: University of Notre Dame (Notre Dame, Ind., founded 1842), University of Portland (Portland, Ore., 1901), King’s College (Wilkes-Barre, Penn., 1946), and Stonehill College (Easton, Mass., 1948). These and all other ministries will be integrated, including 17 parishes from Vermont to Oregon; André House, a ministry to the homeless and poor in Phoenix; the Downtown

Chapel in Portland; Ave Maria Press in Notre Dame; and Holy Cross Family Ministries in North

Easton. HCFM was founded by Servant of God Patrick Peyton, C.S.C., and encompasses Fam-

ily Theater Productions, Family Rosary, and Father Peyton Family Institute. The United States Province will also be present in Mexico, Chile, Peru, Uganda, Kenya, and Tanzania.

The congregation’s United States Province will comprise over 410 priests and Brothers plus 80 seminarians currently in formation for a life of service in Holy Cross. The administrative offices of the province will be located in South Bend, Ind. Holy Cross presence in America began in 1841, when the French-founded order sent Father Edward Sorin, C.S.C., who later founded the University of Notre Dame.

Holy Cross founder Blessed Ba-

sil Moreau, C.S.C., was beatified in 2007, and the order celebrated the canonization of its first saint, St. André Bessette, C.S.C., on Oct. 17, 2010.

This reorganization has been under discussion by both provinces for some time, with a vision “to enhance the effectiveness of the Holy Cross mission in the United States,” stated Father David T. Tyson, C.S.C., provincial superior for the Indiana Province. Father Thomas P. Looney, C.S.C., provincial superior of the Eastern Province, stated, “In merging we celebrate and manifest God’s gift of our brotherhood in Christ for the service of God’s people.”

Pope praises Italian mystic nun who identified with Christ

VATICAN CITY (CNS) — Pope Benedict XVI praised a 17thcentury Italian nun whose total identification with Jesus Christ resulted in stigmata and other visible signs of mystic communion with God. St. Veronica Giuliani, born in the Italian region of Umbria in 1660, entered the cloistered convent of the Capuchin Poor Clares in Citta di Castello at the age of 16, where she stayed until the end of her life in 1727, the pope said during his weekly general audience in the Paul VI audience hall recently.

Much is known about St. Veronica, the pope said, because of the many letters, reflections and poems she wrote. But most of her thoughts come from her diary, where she recorded 34 years of monastic life in 22,000 handwritten pages, he said.

St. Veronica felt a profound identification with the crucified Christ, the pope said. In her diary, she wrote that she asked him to allow her to be crucified with him.

He quoted her description of a vision in which she saw “five splendid rays come from his wounds toward me. Four became nails, and one became a golden lance in flames that pierced my heart. The

nails pierced my hands and feet.”

She wrote that in this moment she felt “completely transformed in God,” the pope said.

He said that the wounds of the stigmata and the crown of thorns marked St. Veronica. Her closeness to God and Christ gave her a sense of purpose, he added.

“Our saint understood her mission as that of living between men and God, between sinners and Jesus Christ,” the pope said.

Her deep contemplation of Jesus’ suffering for the sake of humanity is an example for Christians today in their commitment to help others, the pope said.

The audience took an unusual turn when four circus performers performed three daring balancing acts before the pope. Pope Benedict watched intently as they gripped each other’s hands and ankles to stand, one atop the other.

They were part of a delegation that has come to the Vatican to participate in the International Congress for the Pastoral Care of Circus and Traveling Show People.

Next to them on stage was a life-sized Nativity scene and a large Christmas tree.

December 24, 2010

By Carol Glatz Catholic News Service

VATICAN CITY — Infringements on the freedom of religion threaten peace and security worldwide as well as stifle authentic human growth and development, Pope Benedict XVI said.

“Religious freedom is an authentic weapon of peace,” which fosters the human qualities and potentials that “can change the world and make it better,” the pope said in his message for World Peace Day, Jan. 1, 2011.

Pope Benedict’s message, which was delivered to world leaders by Vatican ambassadors, was released at the Vatican Deccember 16. The message was translated into Arabic as well as several European languages, including Russian.

The message, titled “Religious Freedom, the Path to Peace,” made special mention of the “theater of violence and strife” in Iraq and the deadly attack on a Syrian Catholic church in Baghdad October 31.

The pope said it is in the context of widespread violence, persecution, intolerance and discrimination against people of faith that he decided to dedicate the peace day message to the fundamental importance of religious freedom as the basis for the well-being and growth of individuals and whole societies.

“At present, Christians are the religious group which suffers most from persecution on account of its faith,” citing specifically the Christian communities in Asia, Africa, the Middle East, and “especially in the Holy Land,” said the pope.

During a presentation of the message to the press, Msgr. Anthony Frontiero, an official at the Pontifical Council for Justice and Peace, said that of all the people “who are discriminated against, hurt, killed or persecuted for religious reasons, 75 percent worldwide are Christian.” The statistic came from a spokesperson from The Pew Forum on Religion and Public Life during a conference hosted by the European Parliament in November.

“A conservative estimate of the number of Christians killed for their faith each year is somewhere around 150,000,” Msgr. Frontiero said quoting an article published December 4 by the online news site of the Toronto Star daily newspaper.

“Virtually every human rights group and Western government agency that monitors the plight of Christians worldwide arrives at more or less the same conclusion: Between 200 million and 230 million of them face daily threats of murder, beating, imprisonment and torture, and a further 350 to

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The Anchor

Lack of religious freedom harms security, pope says in peace message

400 million encounter discrimination in areas such as jobs and housing,” the monsignor quoted from the news article.

In his message, the pope said

important contributions toward the common good, he added.

Civil society must acknowledge and make room for the right of believers to have their voice

the unjust extremes of religious fundamentalism on one hand and a secularist, total exclusion of God on the other.

While laws and institutions

this is holy ground — A man poses for a photo inside the Church of Nativity in the West Bank town of Bethlehem. Tradition holds that the church is built over the spot where Jesus was born. (CNS photo/Ammar Awad, Reuters)

he said, the state has a duty to acknowledge and respect religion.

On the other extreme, in which societies may reject God and religious values from the public realm, he said those societies risk “falling under the sway of idols,” relative interests, and pseudo-values which in turn make societies vulnerable to political and ideological totalitarianism.

Cardinal Peter Turkson, president of the justice and peace council, told reporters that “religious freedom is not considered a human right just because the Universal Declaration (of Human Rights) affirms it.”

Religious freedom is not granted by a state but is derived from natural law and the dignity of the person who is made up of body and spirit, he said.

Pope Benedict urged world leaders to “act promptly to end every injustice” against Christians in Asia, Africa and the Middle East; he also assured all Christians facing violence and discrimination of his prayers and asked they renew their commitment to forgiveness and reconciliation.

The pope ended his message with a plea to Western countries to end their “hostility and prejudice against Christians” and he urged Europe to become reconciled with its Christian roots, which, he said, are indispensable for promoting justice, harmony and peace.

The pope noted that 2011 marks the 25th anniversary of the World Day of Prayer for Peace convened

by Pope John Paul II in Assisi in 1986.

the fact that Christians must live in heard in the public realm, he said. must support people’s religious fear because of their faith “is unac“To eclipse the public role of re- dimension, he said states must ceptable, since it represents an in- ligion is to create a society which never exploit religious freedom sult to God and to human dignity.” is unjust, inasmuch as it fails to in order to pursue “hidden inter“Furthermore, it is a threat to take account of the true nature of ests, such as the subversion of the security and peace, and an obsta- the human person; it is to stifle the established order, the hoarding of cle to the achievement of authentic growth of the authentic and lasting resources, or the grip on power of and integral human development,” peace of the whole human family,” a single group.” he said.

Pope Benedict said.

Because religion is not “a creThe pope also warned against The pope urged societies to ation of the state, it cannot be “more sophisticated forms of hos- strike a careful balance between manipulated by the state,” rather, tility to religion” which, in Western countries, is often expressed by a denial of its Christian roots and the rejection of religious symbols, “which reflect the identity and the culture of the majority of citizens.”

Such hostility is “inconsistent with a serene and balanced vision of pluralism and the secularity of institutions,” he said. Governmental and social instituPlease visit our Website at http://www.lasalette-shrine.org tions are called or on Facebook at to engage in respectful dia- http://www.facebook.com/?ref=home#!/profile.php?id=100000785561175 logue with reFor more information, please call (508) 222-5410 ligious groups, which can make

T he National Shrine of Our Lady of La Salette in Attleboro wishes all a Mer r y Christmas and Happy Blessed New Year as we celebrate “BELIEVE IN THE GIFT.” We invite you to visit the La Salette Festival of Lights until Januar y 2, 2011.

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Youth Pages

The greatest christmas ever — Major Mike Greene of Mansfield returned from a year-tour in Afghanistan last week. His son, Liam, enrolled in the second grade at St. Mary’s School in Mansfield, was at recess playing “Simon Says.” Simon instructed the students to close their eyes. When Simon said, “Open them,” Liam’s dad was standing in front of the crowd. Liam stood for a moment in disbelief before running up to his dad to give him a hug.

“Now that’s what Christmas is all about,” said one teacher who was able to bring her class in to see the teary reunion. When asked how he felt, Liam said, “I was shocked he was there.

I am so happy!”

bearers of peace — As part of a Peace and Integrity of Creation program at St. John the Evangelist School in Attleboro, eighth-grade students wrote stories with lessons on peace and recited them for the elementary grades. The younger students were presented Peace Bears by the eighth-graders and told their younger classmates to place the bears in the classroom to remind them to continue to work peacefully with each other. Front, from left: third-grade students Gavin Ward, Isabella Simoneau, and Kendahl Nye. Back row: eighth-graders Felicia Lepore, Emily Cataloni, Alex Wrobleski, Sean Gibney, and Owen Murray.

stars of bethlehem — Students from St. James-St. John School in New Bedford recently reenacted the Christmas story through song and acting.

easy as tbc — Taunton, Bristol-Plymouth Regional, and Coyle and Cassidy high Schools are working together to provide summer camp scholarships to the Taunton Boys and Girls Clubs. This mutual effort is known as “Together for a Better Community.” This picture is from the most recent meeting hosted at Coyle and Cassidy High School and includes students from the three schools.

December 24, 2010

A staple of Education — St. Vincent’s Home in Fall River recently received a $10,000 grant from Staples Foundation for Learning for the Life Skills Program. Founded in 2002, Staples Foundation for Learning has contributed to nearly 1,000 global, national and local charities that provide educational opportunities and job skills for all people, with a special emphasis on disadvantaged youth. From left: Staples district manager, Joe Baxter, and Staples regional vice president, Bill Madormo, presented the grant award to St. Vincent’s Executive Director Jack Weldon and Life Skills staffers Carlton Rodriguez and Rachele Foley.

The Anchor is always pleased to run news and photos about our diocesan youth.

If schools or parish Religious Education programs, have newsworthy stories and photos they would like to share with our readers, send them to: schools@anchornews.org

Youth Pages

December 24, 2010

A

God is with us!

nd the Word became industry said, “Let’s make TV flesh and lived among shows and movies that promote us … full of grace and truth (Jn profanity, violence, and illicit 1:14). From Christ, we learned sex. And let’s record music that how to love and forgive, to be more caring and compassionate. We accepted these gifts and brought them into our homes, our schools and our world. We were

By Ozzie Pacheco happy building this faith because it came from a union we made with encourages rape, drugs, murder, God. When our son David was very suicide, and satanic themes.”

And we said it’s just entertainyoung, we would sit together ment, it has no adverse effect, and watch “A Special Sesame and nobody takes it seriously Street Christmas” over and over again. David especially liked the anyway, so go right ahead.

Now we’re asking ourselves song, “Keep Christmas With You why our children have deformed All Through The Year.” Susan consciences; why they don’t and I taught David that the song know right from wrong; and why really meant to keep Christ with it doesn’t bother them to kill you everyday and in everything strangers, their classmates, and you say and do. David grew up doing just that, but he also began themselves. A youngster may ask God, “Dear God, why didn’t you to learn that the world was very much different than the “Sesame save the little girl killed in my classroom?” The reply could be: Street” world. Like so many “Dear concerned student, I am other young children, David not allowed in your school.” took his home-learned faith into Funny how simple it is for a world that no longer needed people to trash God and then God. wonder why the world is in a As Ann Graham said in an mess. Funny how we believe interview on CBS’s “The Early what the newspapers say, but Show” in September 2001, Daquestion what God says in the vid was entering a world that Bible. Funny how everyone was saying that you better not learn or read the Bible in school. wants to go to heaven, provided they do not have to believe, think, Despite the fact that the Bible say, or do anything the Bible teaches, “You shall not kill,” “You shall not steal,” and “Love says. Funny how you can send a thousand “jokes” through email your neighbor as yourself,” soand they spread like wildfire, but ciety agreed that we should not have religion in our schools. And when you start sending messages regarding the Lord, people so we stopped welcoming God think twice about sharing. Funny into our schools. how the lewd, crude, vulgar Then someone else said, and obscene pass freely through “Let’s allow our daughters to cyberspace, but the public discushave abortions if they want, and they won’t even have to tell their sion of God is suppressed in the parents.” Again, society said that school and workplace. Funny how someone can be so fired up was OK, too. A school board for Christ on Sunday, but be an member also said, “Since boys will be boys and they’re going to invisible Christian the rest of the week. Funny how someone can do it anyway, let’s give our sons claim to be a Christian and not all the condoms they want, so follow Christ. Funny how we can they can have all the ‘safe sex’ be more worried about what other that they desire, and we won’t have to tell their parents they got people think of us than what them at school.” We agreed once God thinks of us. Funny how we celebrate the Christmas season again. and often forget the “Guest of And then someone said, Honor.”

“Let’s print magazines with What has happened to us? pictures of nude women and call The Word became flesh to live it wholesome, down-to-earth among us to teach us to love appreciation for the beauty of and to show us the way. In so the female body.” And we said many ways we have abandoned OK. Then someone else took him and his teachings. Yet he that appreciation a step further has never left our side. He asks and published pictures of nude children and then stepped further that we include him in our gift sharing, our gatherings with still by making them available family and friends, our joys, our on the Internet. And we did merriment and all wonderful nothing because we say they’re times. Let’s not only ask for him entitled to their free speech. in times of trouble, sadness and And then the entertainment

Be Not Afraid

tragedy, or worse, blame him for these things.

Let’s welcome God back into our lives, into all of society. We have learned that life is a mess without him. I live with the hope that we will reunite ourselves with God. Yes, we can start by keeping “Christ” in Christmas. But, more importantly, we need to keep Christ in ourselves always. A holy and blessed Christmas!

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

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wyd approaching quickly — Young people carry the World Youth Day cross during a procession in Zamora, Spain, recently.

The cross is traveling throughout Spain in advance of the Aug. 1621, 2011, international Catholic youth gathering in Madrid. (CNS photo/Paul Haring)

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Midnight Mass continues to warm hearts continued from page three

ioners. It’s also important that we recognize that it’s not just celebrating the Infant Jesus’ birthday, but we’re also welcoming the adult Jesus Christ as well.”

Father Frechette likened the efforts of celebrating Midnight Mass to that of a parent. “It’s the same sacrifice a parent would

make for their children who need their love,” he said. “If a baby is crying in the middle of the night, you get up and care for him or her. It’s the same for a priest caring for his congregation. There’s a joy in the sacrifice, so much so that you don’t even notice it.”

The heralds are still singing continued from page 10

ful experience.”

For the second year, Jannis is adding musical performances to the hour leading up to the Mass.

Typically people arrive early to Mass because it’s so well attended, said Jannis, who will be drawing on students from the parish and St. Joseph’s School to fill the church with song instead of sitting in silence.

“The children are so innocent and pure, to hear a child sing a message that we should all hear, it just adds to the depth of the reality of the actual message. It’s

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This would make a perfect gift this season.

amazing, really, to hear a child sing the message of God. We think of children as not knowing very much and we don’t give them as much credit, but when they teach us lessons, it’s amazing,” said Jannis.

He added, “When you hear certain messages from children, sometimes it doesn’t necessarily ring true when we hear it from an adult. I think when a child brings a message of peace and joy, and when a child sings of the love of God, I think we can’t do anything but stop and listen.”

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December 24, 2010

The Anchor

December 24, 2010

La Salette Father Roger M. Leroux, served in Brewster

HARTFORD — Father Roger M. Leroux, M.S., 84, a member of the Missionaries of Our Lady of La Salette, Province of Mary, Mother of the Americas, died December 11 at St. Francis Hospital and Medical Center.

Father Leroux was born in Laconia, N.H. on February 15, 1926, son of the late Majoric and Philomene (Landry) Leroux. He attended La Salette Seminary

In Your Prayers Please pray for these priests during the coming weeks Dec. 26 Rev. James B. Mannis, C.S.C., Prison and Hospital Chaplain, 2008 Dec. 27 Rev. Thomas J. Stapleton, Pastor, Corpus Christi, Sandwich, 1956 Rev. Msgr. Armand Levasseur, Retired Pastor, St. Anne, New Bedford, 1970 Rev. Manuel Andrade, Former Pastor, Our Lady of Health, Fall River, 1995

High School in Enfield, N.H. and entered the La Salette Novitiate in East Brewster in 1946. He made First Profession of Vows on July 2, 1947 and Perpetual Profession on July 2, 1950.

After completing studies in La Salette seminaries in Enfield and in Attleboro, he was ordained to the priesthood on June 7, 1952 in Fall River, by Bishop James M. Connolly. After ordination Father Leroux served as professor and prefect at La Salette Seminary in Enfield. In 1961 he left for the Philippines where he served as pastor and school director for five years. Returning to the U.S. for studies, Father Leroux then continued his ministry in education, formation and administration for the La Salette Community.

Over the years he played a significant role in the establish-

Dec. 28 Rev. Charles R. Smith, Pastor, Immaculate Conception, Fall River, 1955 Rev. Edward J. Sharpe, Pastor, St. Patrick, Somerset, 1987 Rev. Clement Paquet, O.P., Assistant, St. Anne, Fall River, 1987 Dec. 29 Rev. Rafeal Flammia, SS.CC., Retired Pastor, Our Lady of the Assumption, New Bedford, 1993 Dec. 30 Rev. Thomas C. Mayhew, Pastor, Our Lady of Mt. Carmel, Seekonk, 1991 Jan. 1 Rev. Jose Valeiro, Pastor, St. Elizabeth, Fall River, 1955 Rev. Antonio M. Fortuna, Pastor, Immaculate Conception, New Bedford, 1956 Rev. Francis R. Connerton, SS. STD., St. John’s Seminary, Plymouth, Michigan, 1968 Rev. Leo T. Sullivan, Pastor, Holy Name, New Bedford, 1975 Jan. 4 Rev. Eugene L. Dion, Pastor, Blessed Sacrament, Fall River, 1961 Rev. Joseph L. Powers, Founder, St. Elizabeth Ann Seton Parish, No. Falmouth, 1999 Rev. Francis B. Connors, Retired Pastor, Our Lady of Victory, Centerville, 2003 Jan. 5 Rev. William McClenahan, SS.CC. Former Pastor, Holy Redeemer, Chatham, 1994 Jan. 6 Rev. James F. Roach, Founder, Immaculate Conception, Taunton, 1906 Rev. Rene G. Gauthier, Pastor, St. Jean Baptiste, Fall River, 1997 Rev. Augustine J. Peverada, C.S.C., Teacher and Missionary, 2008 Jan. 7 Rev. Alfred R. Forni, Pastor, St. Francis of Assisi, New Bedford, 1970 Rev. Gustave Gosselin, M.S., La Salette Shrine, Attleboro, 1989 Rev. Jude Morgan, SS.CC., Former Pastor, Our Lady of Lourdes, Wellfleet, 2003 Rev. Raymond A. Robida, 2003

La Salette Father Roger M. Leroux

ment of new La Salette ministries. He was involved in programs of formation, education, La Salette Associates, religious life, peace and justice, Marriage Encounter, and chaplaincy for the Daughters of Charity of the Sacred Heart of Jesus in Littleton, N.H. Father ministered at the La Salette Shrine in Enfield at various times over the years.

Parish ministry was also part of his life. He served as associate pastor of Holy Rosary Parish in Windsor, Ontario, Canada, and at Our Lady of the Cape Parish in Brewster. He also served on the administrative level of his Congregation as Provincial Councilor in the Philippines and in Attleboro. Ten years ago he was assigned to the La Salette Shrine in Attleboro, and in March of this year as his health continued to fail, he was named to residency at Hartford House.

In addition to his La Salette Community, Father Leroux is survived by his sisters, Lillian Gregoire of Laconia, N.H. and Doria Morel of Biddeford, Maine, as well as three nieces, Lillian, Lucille and Janet Leroux of Belmont, N.H. He was predeceased by a brother, Robert Leroux, and a sister, Rita Boutin.

A Mass of Christian Burial was celebrated December 15 at Hartford House, 85 New Park Avenue in Hartford. Burial took place at Mt. St. Benedict Cemetery in Bloomfield, Conn.

Around the Diocese 12/24

mas Eve Mass.

There will be no Midnight Mass on Christmas Eve this year at St. Anne’s Church and Shrine, Fall River. St. Anne’s Choir will be singing at the 6:30 p.m. Christ-

12/24

Father Andre “Pat” Patenaude will perform a Christmas concert before Midnight Mass at La Salette Shrine, 947 Park Street (Route 118), Attleboro on December 24. For more information call 508-222-5410 or visit www. lasalette-shrine.org.

12/30

The Divorced and Separated Support Group will present the video “When Tempers Flare” and a guide on “Understanding and Managing Anger” on December 30 in the parish center of St. Julie Billiart Parish, 494 Slocum Road, North Dartmouth. For more information call 508-678-2828 or 508-965-9296.

4/3

The Holy Union Sisters invite all former students, faculty members, colleagues and family members to join them to celebrate their 125th anniversary on April 3, beginning with a 10 a.m. Mass at Sacred Heart Parish, Seabury Street, Fall River, to be followed by a brunch at noon at Venus de Milo Restaurant, Swansea.

For more information call Sister Eleanor McNally at 508-674-1992, ext.

11 or visit www.holyunionsisters.org.

19 Eucharistic Adoration in the Diocese Acushnet — Eucharistic adoration takes place at St. Francis Xavier Parish on Mondays, Tuesdays, and Wednesdays 9:30 a.m. to 6:30 p.m.; Fridays 9:30 a.m. to 6 p.m.; and Saturdays 8 a.m. to 2:45 p.m. Mondays, Tuesdays, and Wednesdays end with Evening Prayer and Benediction at 6:30 p.m.; Saturdays end with Benediction at 2:45 p.m.

ATTLEBORO — St. Joseph Church holds eucharistic adoration in the Adoration Chapel located at the (south) side entrance at 208 South Main Street, Sunday through Thursday from 6 a.m. to midnight, with overnight adoration on Friday and Saturday only.

Brewster — Eucharistic adoration takes place in the La Salette Chapel in the lower level of Our Lady of the Cape Church, 468 Stony Brook Road, on First Fridays following the 11 a.m.

Mass until 7:45 a.m. on the First Saturday, concluding with Benediction and Mass.

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

Mass.

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

East Sandwich — Eucharistic Adoration takes place at the Corpus Christi Parish Adoration Chapel, 324 Quaker Meeting House Road, Monday through Saturday, 9:30 a.m. to 9 p.m. and Sunday, 12 p.m. to 9 p.m. Also, 24-hour eucharistic adoration takes place on the First Friday of every month with Benediction at 9 a.m. on Saturday morning.

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

FAIRHAVEN — St. Mary’s Church, Main St., has eucharistic adoration every Wednesday from 8:30 a.m. to noon in the Chapel of Reconciliation, with Benediction at noon.

Also, there is a First Friday Mass each month at 7 p.m., followed by a Holy Hour with eucharistic adoration. Refreshments follow.

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

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

FALL RIVER — Good Shepherd Parish has eucharistic adoration every Friday following the 8 a.m. Mass until 6 p.m. in the Daily Mass Chapel. There is a bilingual Holy Hour in English and Portuguese from 5-6 p.m. Park behind the church and enter the back door of the connector between the church and the rectory.

Falmouth — St. Patrick’s Church has eucharistic adoration each First Friday, following the 9 a.m. Mass until Benediction at 4:30 p.m. The rosary is recited Monday through Friday from 8:30 a.m. to 9 a.m.

HYANNIS — A Holy Hour with eucharistic adoration will take place each First Friday at St. Francis Xavier Church, 21 Cross Street, beginning at 4 p.m.

MASHPEE — Christ the King Parish, Route 151 and Job’s Fishing Road has 8:30 a.m. Mass every First Friday with special intentions for Respect Life, followed by 24 hours of eucharistic adoration in the Chapel, concluding with Benediction Saturday morning followed immediately by an 8:30 Mass.

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

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

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

NORTH DIGHTON — Eucharistic adoration takes place every First Friday at St. Nicholas of Myra Church, 499 Spring Street following the 8 a.m. Mass, ending with Benediction at 6 p.m.

The rosary is recited Monday through Friday from 7:30 to 8 a.m.

OSTERVILLE — Eucharistic adoration takes place at Our Lady of the Assumption Church, 76 Wianno Avenue on First Fridays from 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m.; and every Friday from noon to 5 p.m., with Benediction at 5 p.m.

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

WAREHAM — Adoration with opportunities for private and formal prayer is offered on the First Friday of each month from 8:30 a.m. until 8 p.m. at St. Patrick’s Church, High Street.

The Prayer Schedule is as follows: 7:30 a.m. the rosary; 8 a.m. Mass; 8:30 a.m. exposition and Morning Prayer; 12 p.m. the Angelus; 3 p.m. Divine Mercy Chaplet; 5:30 p.m. Evening Prayer; 7 p.m. sacrament of confession; 8 p.m. Benediction.

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

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

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December 24, 2010