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VOL. 36, NO. 51

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Friday, December 25, 1992

FALL RIVER, MA'sS.

FALL RIVER DIOCESAN NEWSPAPER FOR SOUTHEAST MASSACHUSETTS CAPE COD & THE ISLANDS

Southeastern Massachusetts' Largest Weekly

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$11 Per Year

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Brothe~s

and SistJrs in the New-loorn Savior: Tocfay in Him a new light has dllrwned upon the world. .. r our eternal Word has taken updn Hi1.nselj our human weakness. (Pre/a<e of Christmas Ill) These words of our Christmas liturgical celebration remind us to set our eyes on the Li.ght of Christ, the lumen de lumine, who raises us from the darkness of sin and death.

As believers i~ this great mystery of the IncJllrnation, we are all too well awa~e of the darkness which surrounds us. lin our world today, it seems as th~ugh the darkness is threatening to overwhelm us.' The darkness of war and starvation in Somalia; the darkness of ethnic, racial and reli,ious violence from Serbia to India, from Los Angeles to South Africa; the darkness of the: destruction of millions of innocent unborn children; the darkness of immorality, selfishness and the silly v2lnities paraded about as if they had real value.

Yet, as surely as weI recol:nize the blackness, we look up td the s,ky as did the simple shepherds to behold the light, the star which will guide us to the place wher~ He i~i born again: Son of God, Son of Mary. As we celebrate,' the <:hristmas Feast, we gaze intently upon that helpless Child, come ~gain to save us from our sins. We watch Him as He struggles with His first sound, Hi.s first tentative outstretched hand, and in our Faith, we see the darkness dispelled. For we believe that this Christ Child who seems so weak is the God-man whose voice will one day call qut: "Come to me, all you who are weary and find life burdensome, and I will refresh you" (Mt. 11:28) and whose ble5~sed hand will be outstretched and pierced through on the Cross to save us all from sin and death. "The Light shines on in d;llrkness, a darkness that did not overcome it." (In.l:S) This fundamental ~ffirmation of our Faith - that the darltness will never overcome the Light of Christ - forms the basis of our joy during t'is Holy Season. As we I gather around the Light we notite tha't the darkness is filled with reflections of Christ's light. Men afid women of goodwill everywhere unite to send aid and comfort to the starvin* in Somalia; voices are heard decrying violence of all kinds as sincere efforts are mad~ to r.~store peace to a troubled world;' on every side, examples of the chaste love of marrie~ life reflect the love of the Holy Family; and the Church, "at the same time holy and always in need of bein! purified" (Lumen Gentium 1:8), recognizes her weakness, reaches out in reconciliation ~nd' "jincessantly pursues the path of penance and renewal." (ibid.) This is the reason for our rejoicing: the Word has taken upon Himself our human weakness I and called us to share in His wonderful Light! May the Light who is Christ fill you all with joy during this Holy Season. .

Devote41y , yours In

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-T/¥44, @'~/ ~ Bishop of Fall Rivler I

Bishop 0 'Malley will celebrate the Mass ojChristmas to be telecast at 11 a. m. Christmas Day on WLNE ChannelSix. He willcelebrate aPontificalMass . at 8 p.rn. Christmas Eve at St. Mary's Cathedral and a midnight .~a$s a/Santo Christo Church, .Pall River. !

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THE ANCHOR -

Diocese of Fall River -

Fri., Dec. 25, 1992

SOAR head going to Rome WASHINGTON (CNS) - By the time the preliminary numbers are in for the 1992 Retirement Fund for Religious Collection, also known as SOAR (Save Our Aged Religious), the nun who directed the collection will have been gone from her job for nearly three months.

Sister Mary Oliver Hudon was elected to the general council of her order, the School Sisters of Notre Dame. The five-year term,

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which begins in late January, must be served in Rome.

Sister Hudon was to leave her post in late December as director of the Tri-Conference Retirement Office, which oversees the annual coIlection.

"When I think that we've collected $100 million, it sounds like a lot of money," Sister Hudon told Catholic News Service. "I never would have been able to predict in my wildest imagination that we would have coIlected so much."

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ST. MARY'S CATHEDRAL (Downtown Fall River)

The Solemnity of Christmas VIGIL MASSES (Dec. 24) 4 P.M. (Organ & Carols) 8 P.M. PONTIFICAL MASS The Most Reverend Sean O'Malley, O.F.M. Cap. will be Principal Celebrant.

Music by the Cathedral Choir beginning at 7:30 P.M. MIDNIGHT MASS (Organ & Carols)

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CHRISTMAS DAY (Dec. 25) 8:00 AM. 10:30 AM. Music by the Cathedral Choir beginning at lOAM. NO 5:00 P.M. Mass.

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NEW YEAR!

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For Iofonnation or Reservations, call 675-7185

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WHITE'S

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The first Christmas crib After his trip to the Holy Land and his visit to Bethlehem, Saint Francis of Assisi had a special devotion to the feast of Christmas.

He often said of this day: "If I knew the Emperor, I would ask him that all be ordered on this day to throw out corn to the birds, especiaIly to our sisters the larks, and I would ask that everyone who has a beast in the stable give it a speciaIly good meal for love of the Child Jesus born in a manger. And this day the rich should feast all the poor."

In the year 1223 Francis himself celebrated Christmas in a way which the world had never seen before. In Greccio he had a friend and weIl-wisher who had given him and his Brothers a woodsgrown cliff above the city. Francis now had this man caIled to Colombo and said to him: "I want to celebrate the holy Christmas night along with thee, and now listen how 1 have thought it out for myself. In the woods by the cloister thou wilt find a cave, and there thou mayest arrange a manger fiIled with hay. There must also be an ox and an ass, just as in Bethlehem. 1 want for once to celebrate seriously the coming of the Son of God upon earth and to see with my own eyes how poor and miserable He wished to be for our sakes."

His friend attended to all Francis' wishes [Francis himself carved the Bambino), and at midnight of Christmas Eve the Brothers came together to celebrate the festival of Christmas. All carried lighted torches, and stood around the manger with their candles, so that it was as light as day under the dark vaulting of the rocks.

Mass was said with the manger as altar, so that the Divine Child under the forms of bread and wine should Himself come to the place, as bodily and discernibly as He had been in the stable of Bethlehem.

For a moment it seemed to Francis' friend that he saw a real Child lying in the manger, but

looking as if it were dead or asleep.

Then Brother Francis stepped forward and took it lovingly in his arms, and the Child smiled at the Poverello, and with its little hands stroked his bearded chin and his coarse grey habit.

Yet this vision did not astonish Francis' friend. For Jesus had been dead or asleep in hearts these many years, until Brother Francis had by his voice, his example restored the Divine Child to life in the world.

As the Gospel was sung, Francis stepped forward in his deacon's vestments. "Deeply sighing, overcome by the fullness of his devotion, filled with a wonderful joy, the holy one of God stood by the manger. ... And his voice, his strong voice, and glad voice, clear voice and ringing voice invited all to ~eek the highest good."

Brother Francis preached on the Child Jesus. "With words that dripped with sweetness, he spoke ofthe poor King who is born in the night, and who is the Lord Jesus iI,l the City of David. And every time he would name the name of Jesus, the fire of his love overcame him, and he called Him instead the Child from Bethlehem.

"And the word Bethlehem he said with a sound as if of a lamb that bleats, and when he had named the name of Jesus, he let his tongue glide over his lips as if to taste the sweetness his name had left there as it passed over them. The holy watch night only ended late, and everyone went with joy to his home."

- Adapted from Jorgensen's St. Francis of Assisi

Dec. 27 1956. Rev. Thomas.l. Stapleton.

Pastor. Corpus Christi. Sandwich 1970. Rev. Msgr. Armand Levasseur. Pastor Emeritus. St. Anne.

New Bedford Dec. 28 1955. Rev. Charles R. Smith.

Pastor. Immaculate Conception.

Fall River 1987. Rev. Edward J.·Sharpe.

Pastor. St. Patrick: Somerset. M A 1987. Rev. Clement Paquet. OP. Assistant. St. Anne's. Fall River Dec. 30 1991. Rev. Thomas C. Mayhew.

Pastor. Our Lady of Mt. Carmel.

Seekonk Jan. I '1955. Rev. Jose Valeiro. Pastor.

St. Elizabeth. Fall River 1956. Rev. Antonio M. Fortuna.

Pastor. Immaculate Conception.

New Bedford 1968. Rev. Francis R. Connerton. SS.STD.. St. .Iohn·s Seminary. Plymouth. Michigan 1975. Rev. Leo T. Sullivan. Pastor. Holy Name. New Bedford Jan.4 1961. Rev. Eugene I.. Dion.

Pastor. Blessed Sacrament. Fall River Jan. 6 1906. Rev. James F. Roach.

Founder. Immaculate Conception.

Taunton Jan. 7 1970. Rev. Alfred R. Forni.

Pastor. St. Francis of Assisi. New Bedford 1989. Rev. Gustave Gosselin.

M.S .. LaSalette Shrine. Attleboro Jan.S 1885. Rev. John Kelly. Founder.

St. Patrick. Fall River 1940. Rev. Alfred .I. Carrier.

Founder. St. Jacques. Taunton 1944. Rev. Arthur C. Lenaghan.

Chaplain. United States Army

Keep Christ in Christmas Christmas Gift "Christmas is the gift from heaven/ Of God's Son given for free;/ If Christmas isn't found in your heart/ You won't find it under a tree."-Chariotte Carpenter

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NOTICE Most of our usual columns will not appear this week, due to our Christmas features. All will return in our next issue which, in keeping with our 50-week publishing schedule, will be dated Jan. 8, 1993.

CHRISTMAS COOKIES were the gift of St. Vincent's Home children to Bishop O'Malley during his tour of the Fall River facility last week. As the bishop visited their classrooms, students read their essays on "My Visit with Santa" and,"What I Want for Christmas." The latter topic had many students expressing a wish to help Somali children. (Hickey photo)

THE ANCHOR - Diocese,of Fall River -

Something beautiful for God

Circumstance Creators "We are not creatures of cir-

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By Pat McGowan with photos by Marcie Hickey The diocese of Fall River received an early Christmas gift on December 19, when four of Mother Teresa's Missionaries of Charity arrived in New Bedford to serve area needy.

They were welcomed by Bishop Sean O'Malley and pastor Father John P. Driscoll at an afternoon Mass at St. Lawrence Church, built in 1821 and the first parish established in what is now the Fall River diocese.

In his homily, Bishop O'Malley noted that the Gospel reading for the day referred to the aged priest Zachariah, who for years had asked God for a son but when told by the angel Gabriel that his prayer had been granted, could not believe the news.

"I was like Zachariah," said the bishop. "When Mother Teresa agreed to our request and said she was sending us sisters, I couldn't believe it."

He said that he first heard the famed nun speak in the 1960s when he was teaching at Washington's Catholic University. "Back then no one had heard of her," he said, "and hardly anyone turned up for her talk."

Mother Teresa, he said, was introd uced by Eileen Egan of Catholic Relief Services, who said that her first meeting with the tiny nun came when she saw a wheelbarrow bearing a dying man apparently being self-propelled along a Calcutta street. As she neared it, she said, she realized that the motive force was Mother Teresa, too small to be seen behind the barrow.

"She was taking tIle man to where he would be surrounded by love," Miss Egan told her few hearers.

"Then Mother Teresa spoke beautifully," continued the bishop.

He said that shortly after that inauspicious occasion Malcolm Muggeridge's book about her, "Something Beautiful for God," was published, and almost overnight Mother Teresa of Calcutta was known worldwide.

"The title of the Muggeridge book about sums up Mother Teresa's work," declared the bishop who said the nun frequently asks people to "do something beautiful for God." Mentioning the Spanish custom of the posada, a reena'ctment of the journey of Mary and Joseph looking for a shelter where the Infant Jesus could be born, the bishop said that its message and that of Mother Teresa is that "when we open our hearts to those in need, we're really receiving Christ into our lives."

"Mother Teresa's work in the church is to help us to learn the lesson of love," he concluded.

Led by Sister Mary Dolores, U.S. superior of the Missionaries of Charity, many sisters in addition to the four who will remain in New Bedford were present at last Saturday's Mass. Also on hand were several blue-robed Little Brothers of St. Francis from Boston. Their work combines a contemplative life with evangelical street ministry.

Following the Mass, the bishop and the Missionaries of Charity proceeded to the former Kempton Street convent of the Guadalu-

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pana Sisters, who now reside' at the former rectory for St. Hedwig's parish.

At Kempton Street, the bishop placed, the Blessed Sacrament in the convent chapel.

Heading the New Bedford Missionaries of Charity will be Sister

A TWO AND A HALF HOUR videotape of Bishop O'Malley's installation Mass last Aug. 11 at St. Mary's Cathedral will be telecast on Mother Angelica's Eternal Word Television Network (EWTN) at 10 p.m. Dec. 26 and again at 4 p.m. Dec. 27. EWTN programs are carried by many cable television companies serving the Fall River diocese.

Mary Concepta. SerJing with her will be Sisters Maria' Nita, Mary Dominica and Mary Lucia. In the weeks to come the I sisters will decide where they are plost needed in the New Bedford: community and will then decide bn a permanent convent.

I And something beatitiful for God will be flourishing in bur midst.

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Fall River

cumstance; we are creators of circumstances." - Disraeli

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Wishing you joy and happiness all season through.

We value"your friendship.

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MEMBER FDIC

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IN THE CHAPEL of their newly-established fonvent in New Bedford, Missionaries of Charity (from left)1 Sister M. Concepta, M. Dolores, Maria Nita, M. Dominica and M. Lucia with Bishop O'Malley·and Msgr. John J. Oliveira; (center) sisters and Bishop O'Malley sing during a brie~ceremony in which the bishop blessed the chapel and convent;;, (bottom) Missionaries of Charity at Mass in St. Lawrence qhurch.

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MERRY CHRISTMAS ~

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Fri., Dec. 25, 1992

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Merry ChristIllas Everyone Warmest wishes to·'y·ou··and. your family from everyone """ in the Bradlees family. ,I'

May you enjoy th~s holiday season. And may the blessings of good health and . prosperity be yours throughout the coming New Year.

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THE ANCHOR -

Diocese of Fall River -

Fri., Dec. 25,1992

themoorin~

the living word

Some Christmas Thoughts For many, Christmas this year will be simply a long weekend break, a time to party and have a blast. Others will see it as a time for great sales and for acquiring a lot of the extras that make life comfortable. In a country where over 100 million people have no religious affiliation whatsoever, the holy day is really nothing more than an opportunity for a shopping spree and a Sant~ Claus bash.

Unfortunately, this mind-set has found its way into the Christian community. As public displays of religious Christmas symbols are banished to a legal limbo, so too are many erstwhile followers of Christ abandoning their traditions and customs.

Fewer people attend Mass on Christmas Day-and vigil Masses are piggybacked so people can get them over with as quickly and conveniently as possible. Midnight services, if indeed they are held, are in most of our urban centers conducted in the presence of armed guards. Even the so-called better parishes in affluent suburbs are uneasy about celebrating a late liturgy on Christmas Eve. All in all, apart from its commercial and partying aspects, observance of the birth of Jesus no longer has priority in American homes and hearts.

Even on the cultural level, this rejection is devastating. It is driving us to a state far worse than that of the so-called Christmas blues. What should be a time for personal peace and reflection becomes a whirlwind of conflicts and encounters.

Unattainable goals of personal satisfaction are set, guaranteeing failure. People try to buy love and acceptance with extravagant gifts, often purchased without regard to financial realities; and when sought-for approval fails to materialize, they become worthless in their own eyes.

Such people do not understand that no one is loved and approved universally. The more effort one makes to reach such an unattainable goal, the more anxious and self-destructive he or she is likely to become. Parents who try to buy their children's love, spouses who attempt to bribe one another and people who hope to purchase friendship - all live in constant fear of rejection and failure. Often their compulsive needs result in the feeling that they have lost control of their lives.

Their happiness has become completely controlled by external circumstances.

The commercial approach to Christmas really makes fools of all of us who run to church for a brief interlude to grab a glimpse of Bethlehem.

As we immerse ourselves in our Christmas celebrations, let us be aware that we must take some time for our souls. A gift means nothing if it does not come from a loving heart and a sincere spirit. To achieve such a heart and spirit, we must take time to meditate on the reason for our . lives.

This cannot be done in the frenzy of a shopping mall or a department store. We need a quiet place where we can allow the God who loves us to speak to us. Christmas is not just another birthday party. It's a celebration and renewal of life, hope and love. Rebirth is an ongoing process, not a one-time shot in the dark.

If this Christmas is to bring meaning to our lives, we must slow down and appreciate the gift of life itself. Then will our holiday become not only happy but a true holy day.

The Editor

OFFICIAL NEWSPAPER OF THE DIOCESE OF FALL RIVER Published weekly by The Catholic Press of the Diocese of Fall River P.O. BOX 7 887 Highland Avenue Fall River, MA 02722 Fall River, MA 02720 Telephone 508-675-7151 FAX (508) 675-7048 Send address changes to P.O. Box 7 or call telephone number above

PUBLISHER Most Rev. Sean P. O'Malley, OFM Cap., PhD.

EDITOR

GENERAL MANAGER

Rev. John F. Moore

Rosemary Dussault ~5

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LEARY PRESS - FALL RIVER

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MADONNA 1992: SOMALI MOTHER AND CHILD

"There was no room for them in the inn." Luke 2:7

Tidings of great joy

By Father Kevin J. Harrington The first official comment on the meaning of Christmas mentions joy, that most pursued, most elusive of experiences.

In Luke's gospel for Christmas midnight Mass, the angel declares, "You have nothing to fear! I come to proclaim good news to you tidings of great joy to be shared by the whole people." Early in Advent we heard the Angel Gabriel proclaim to Mary, "Rejoice, 0 highly favored daughter! The Lord is with you." Indeed, all the trappings of Christmas conspire to help us rejoice as we recall that holiest of all nights when Christ was born and the angels joyously sang, "Glory to God in high heaven, peace on earth to those on whom his favor rests."

Months earlier there had been a foreshadowing, or better, a forebrightening of this meaning. When the expectant Mary visited the expectant mother of John the Baptist, the latter"jumped for joy" in his mother's womb. This is why John the Baptist is the only saint, with the exception of the Blessed Mother, whose feast day does not fall on the day he entered into eternal life but the day of his birth.

Yuletide joy must not be mistaken for pleasure; nor need it be annulled by pain or tragedy. Just as the brightness of Christmas can shatter the darkness of the winter solstice, so can a community of believers emerge from their homes

on a cold winter night and fill their church to worship. By virtue of our shared baptism and beliefs, the strangers in the next pew have a lot more in common with us than we could imagine. We may not be able to cuddle the Christ Child in Bethlehem, but we can encounter him present during our Christmas liturgy in the Sacred Scriptures, in our prayers, in our joyful carols, and in a unique fashion when he touches our flesh in the Holy Eucharist. . Christmas carols have faithfully echoed the joy of this season. The musical genius Handel tumbed down the scale deliriously backwards as he proclaimed: "Joy to the world, the Lord is come!" No less of genius than the deaf Beethoven, while searching for a climactic ending to his Ninth Symphony, chose to orchestrate the words of Friedrich von Schiller's "Ode to Joy." This mystical marriage of words and-music has certainly passed the test of time. The German refrain at the heart of this song is: "Aile Menschen werden Bruder wo dein sanfter Flugel weilt," roughly translated: "All men become brothers where your gentle wing reposes." The angel of Christmas imparts this same blessing with proclamation oftidings of great joy to be shared by the whole people.

Yes, men become brothers where the gentle wings of joy repose. But isn't the reality more powerful the

other way around? Do not the wings of joy beat most ecstatically where men become brothers by becoming brotherly?

Ten years ago, almost to the day, a great rabbi died. His name was Abraham Hesche!. He summed up the entire history of Israel in one succinct phrase: "The inner history of Israel is a history of waiting for God, of waiting for His arrival." With our Jewish brethren we too await God's coming. In the midst of Christmas joy we still sense God's absence. He is indeed a hidden God. Hidden in the life of Christ are many twists and turns that can abscure the eternal designs of God's will. The world may still be in waiting for the universal promise of peace, joy and love to be fulfilled, but with the eyes of Christian faith the Christmas story and the life of Christ makes eminent snese. The grim setting of the Christmas story is like a dark night that makes the stars shine even brighter. One of the story's most winning aspects is that the joy of Christmas can overcome the troubles of our everyday world. Perhaps that is why the story is filled with such villains as mean-spirited innkeepers and a jealous and murderous king. Such particulars are important reminders to us that God is faithful to his promises and that whatever burdens we may bear, we have more reasons to be joyful than sad!

Merry Christmas, dear reader!

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Christmas: part of the â&#x20AC;˘ Journey Christmas at midnight Isaiah 9:1-6 Titus 2:11-14 Luke 2:1-14 If we take everything literally in Matthew and Luke's Infancy Narratives, we'll probably miss the theology they tried to convey.

All four evangelists use history.

But they're theologians, not historians. They're much more interested in the implications of God's salvation history for their communities than in the exact details of that history. Tonight's Lucan account of Caesar Augustus' census and Joseph and Mary's famous journey from Nazareth to Bethlehem is a classic example.

No historian has ever been able to track down such a census. As Father Raymond Brown states in "The Birth of the Messiah," "this information is dubious on every score, despite the elaborate attempts by scholars to defend Lucan accuracy."

On top of this, Matthew's Infancy Narrative implies that Joseph and Mary never traveled to Bethlehem.

They didn't have to. They already lived in Bethlehem! Jesus was born in their own home.

If we're shocked that Luke mentions a census which never took place and describes a trip which never happened, we've probably never read his Gospel and his Acts of the Apostle. His theology constantly revolved around journeys. Over half the Gospel depicts Jesus on a pilgrimage to Jerusalem, and most of Acts is molded around Paul's three missionary ventures.

By the 80s, when Luke writes, some Christians were beginning to become theologically and emotionally entrenched. Jesus' immediate Parousia (and the excitement it

DAilY READI NGS Dec. 28: 1 In 1:5-2:2; Ps 124:2-5,7-8; Mt 2:13-18 Dec. 29: 1 In 2:3-11; Ps 96:1-3,5-6; lk 2:22-35 Dec. 30: 1 In 2:12-17; Ps 96:7-10; lk 2:36-40 Dec. 31: 1 In 2:18-21; Ps 96:1-2.11-13; In 1:1-18 Jan. 1: Nm 6:22-27; Ps 67:2-3,5-6,8; Gal. 4:4-7; lk 2:16-21 Jan. 2: 1 In 2:22-28; Ps 98:2-4; In 1:19-28 Jan. 3: Is 60:1-6; Ps 72:12.7-8,10-13; Eph 3:2-3,5-6; Mt 2:1-12 Jan. 4: 1 In 3:22-4:6; Ps 2:7-8,10-11; Mt 4:12-17,2325 Jan. 5: 1 In 4:7-10; Ps 72:1-4,7-8; Mk 6:34-44 Jan. 6: 1 In 4:11-18; Ps 72: 1-2,10,12-13; Mk 6:45-52 Jan. 7: 1 In 4:19-5:4; Ps 72: 1-2,14-15,17; lk 4:14-22 Jan. 8: 1 In 5:5-13; Ps 147:12-15,19-20; lk 5:12-16 Jan. 9: 1 In 5:14-21; Ps 149:1-6,9; In 3:22-30 Jan . .10: Is 42:1-4,6-7; Ps 29:1-4,9-10; Acts 10:34-38; Mt 3:13-17

By FATHER ROGER KARBAN engendered) was now a thing of the past. Faith was quickly developing into the somber, boring exercise with which most of us are very familiar.

The third evangelist tries to counteract this tendency by teaching that those who follow Jesus properly are constantly on the road. Never settled in, they're always discovering new horizons as they travel along.

He ingeniously uses the characters and events in his work to convey this very important message.

In today's well-known reading, for instance, Joseph and Mary bring God into the world at the half-way point of a very long journey and the shepherds find "the savior... the Messiah and Lord" by leaving their flocks behind and trekking down to the manager.

Luke's perfect Christian is called to experience life through a car windshield. instead of through a split level picture window.

The author of Titus has the same basic theology. He also presumes the Lord's disciples will always be people on the edge of their seats. Notice the "anticipation words" he uses in 'this pericope: "await...appearing... eager..."

All imply that we're on the road, constantly reaching out toward the goal, but never completely attaining it.

This spirit of expectation did not begin with Christianity. Centuries before, the classic Jewish prophets spoke of future events and persons who would fulfill all the hopes and dreams of reform- . minded Israelites. Tonight's Isaiah passage contains just one small example.

As Christians, we've often assumed that "the child born to us... the son given us..." is Jesus.

Yet Scripture scholars continue to remind us that Isaiah wasn't looking 700 years down the road; he

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St. Anne's Hospital achieves fiscal turnaround I

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After struggling fihancially for years, St. Anne's Hbspital completed its fiscal year! on Sept. 30 with a $273,445 ~r~ting surplus.

The .Fall River hosp~tal had not been in the black since 1987-88.

"We have turned iaround the financial status of St.,Anne's IHospital by making tough deci~.ions and through the cooperation and hard work of everyope in th'e St. Anne's family," said hospital president James M. Dawson. "St. Anne's is now positibned to continue these results into the future and to chart a steady course for growth."

I Though the 1991-?2 surplus is modest, it is more than $56,000 higher than. was anticipated earlier. Dawson said ~estoring the hospital to fiscal health has made it possible to resume its employee salary program, strengthening staff in key areas such ~s oncology, radiation, and cardiology, and to continue capital equipment a,:quisitions needed to enfure delivery of the highest quality health care to the Fall River commll.nity..

Sister Joanna Fernandes, O.P., chairman of St. Ande's board of directors and provincial of the Dominican Sisters of the Pr,esentation who have operated the hospital since 1906, said!the return to

Christmas 1992

Peace and Joy from Fr. Costa, the Sisters, Staff and Children of St. Vincent's

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was speaking about lsomeone in THE ANCHOR - Diocese of Fall River - Fri., Dec. 25, 1992 his own day. The best guess is that this heroic figure is H,ezekiah, son move forward," Dawson said. The of the evil king Ahaz~ The oracle a healthy financial status helps is directed to those who refuse to ensure that St. Anne's will con- improved picture is making possible the acquisition of such items as abandon the journey, who resist tinue to carry out its Catholic ¡the temptation to puB over to the . mission. a new linear accelerator for its oncology programs, two SPECT side and curl up in !the security "We believe strongly that St. nuclear medicine cameras for carblanket of the status quo. The Anne's has a vital mission -- to diac and oncology patients, new "abundant joy and grfiat rejoicing" provide quality heath care services operating room and intensive care will only come to th~se who stay to all who need them in our comequipment and new technology the course. ~ munity," Sister Joanna said. "It is for the cardiology department and If we regard tonight's feast as encouraging for everyone to know other patient care areas. the definitive fulfillm~nt of all the that we will continue to fulfill that hopes and dreams Jr the God- mission." followers who came before Jesus, The hospital's improved outlook I11111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111I1111111111I111111 we've both completelY misunder- reflects stabilized finances, imstood the mind of Luke, who nar- proved debt service coverage, imTHE ANCHOR (USPS-545-020). Second Class Postage Paid at Fall River, Mass. rates the event, and iignored the proved cash position, a new presiPublished weekly except the week of July 4 insights of the biblical authors dent, a budgeted surplus for 1993, and the week after Christmas at 887 Highwho preceded him. Jesus' birth is and the hospital's affiliation with land Avenue, Fall River. Mass. 02720 by just one (important) Stage along a Caritas Christi, a Catholic health the Catholic Press of the Diocese of Fall care system. very !ong, winding ro~d.

River. Subscription price by mail, postpaid "The bottom line is that the $11.00 per year. Postmasters send address Only those willing t,o start down changes to The Anchor, P.O. Box 7, Fall an unending road of ~aith - leav- hospital's financial condition has River, MA 02722. ing all security behind - will ever stabilized and we are poised to understand why Luke,was so taken by this particular theological image.

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6 THE ANCHOR -

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Diocese of Fall River -

Fri., Dec. 25, 1992

Nations'interdependence stressed by Nobel winner ,CHICAGO (CNS) - More equal distribution of wealth can prevent environmental destruction, according to Nobel Peace Prize winner Oscar Arias Sanchez.

The burdens of massive foreign debt and unfair trading situations keep Third World nations from growing economically and inhibit efforts to save the environment, said Arias, former president of Costa Rica and 1987 N obellaureat~.

Arias spoke recently at DePaul University, where he received the Catholic school's highest honor, the St. Vincent de Paul Award.

His Nobel Prize was awarded for his success in persuading leaders of EI Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras and Nicaragua to sign a peace plan in 1987.

He said his own country suffers from rapid deforestation and industrial pollution despite Costa Rica's more stable political and military status since 1948.

"If this happens in Costa Rica, a country that has not had the burden of supporting an army since 1948, with superior human development levels, which plans and allocates more funds to protect the environment than any other Central

American country," he said. "I cannot imagine how countries with large military expenditures will ever be able to develop sustainably."

Deforestation helps impoverished farmers survive for the short run, he admitted, but he also said that more developed nations "hypocritically demand" that poor Third World nations implement "unrealistic environmental restrictions which were never practiced during their [own) development."

"Today the inhabitants of such cities as Tokyo, Amsterdam and Chicago should know that their future and the future of their descendants will be profoundly affected by deforestation in the Amazon," Arias said. "Similarly, Chilean fishermen have begun to realize that industrial waste from Asia and North America is dangerously contaminating waters that are not as inexhaustible as their grandfathers may have believed."

Arias called for rich countries to remove trade restrictions and to forgive debts of Third World nations as a way of improving their ability to grow.

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A suggestion for man of th'e year

By Antoinette Bosco At this time of year I always find myself thinking of the inspiring people I met in the past year, and usually there are several.

The greatest person 1 had the privilege of encountering in 1992 was Bill Genovese, a Vietnam veteran who lost both legs in that war.

Genovese told me about a day 10 years ago when he was plagued by a recurring emptiness, a sense that his life was futile. He found himself asking God to send him a sign that life had any worth. "I wondered: Should 1 ask for a meteor?"

What happened then was like a sign from the heavens. "Within 10 seconds, the whole sky lights up from a meteor," he recalled. "It was so bright, it was like a flare. ' I could see the leaves on the trees," he said, adding that he thanked the Lord.

Actually, he discovered in reading the papers the next day that what he saw was an unusual meteorite that hit a house as it landed on the earth.

The meteorite is now at the Peabody Museum at Yale University. But questions plagued him.

"Did I cause this to happen?"

Genovese asked. "Or did 1 simply tune in to something about to happen in the universe? Or was it merely coincidental?"

And once more he had to accept he would get no miraculous answers to his longtime questions.

It's not hard to understand why Genovese still struggles with basic questions about life's healing. He was forced into that arena when he was 16 and had to come to terms with the murder of his sister, Kitty.

Anyone who was around in the mid-'60s remembers the tragic story of the 28-year-old Catherine Genovese of Kew Gardens, Queens.

She was stalked by a killer in the early morning hours of Friday, March 13, 1964.

For more than a half-hour she was stabbed and sexually assaulted until her screams stopped and she was dead.

Her story is remembered to this day because while, Kitty Genovese was being so brutally attacked, 38 neighbors heard her cries for help but turned away. They did not want to get involved. , Genovese still remembers. After his sister's death, he foun~ hiQlself struggling against angl;r. :'1 was

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brought up to believe that when He is happily married and has your turn comes, you stand up," three beautiful children. He has Genovese said. always worked. His struggle has So he went to Vietnam at 19, put him on a spiritual path, and his and he lost his legs. Life had dealt Catholic faith helps him cope with him a second terrible blow. life. He has physical pain and it is intense.

"If you lose your legs, you have to ask what was it all about," he But remarkably, his anger never said. He,linked the war to his sisdescends into bitterness. "Life ter's murder. comes with no guarantees," says " "TTie -most' astonishing thing this man who, for all the blows he about a death like Kitty's is that a has endured, spreads love by his feIlow human being is doing this to very presence. you, and in war we do it to fellow Main Component human beings, too."

"A man consists ofthe faith that Genovese did not let the loss of his limbs design his life. He decided is in him. Whatever his faith is, he "not to sit on the sidelines of life. 1 is." - Bhagavad-Gita (Hindu , sacred text) wanted to play, too," he said.

God of joy, Earth is full of hurt and sadness, but you have given us a reason to sing about joy. The poor and less fortunate are the majority when we count all the world's people, but you have given us a reason to sing about hope. Our world, feels old and tired, but you have taught us to sing about new birth. Teach us to rejoice in you always. Again we say it: Teach us to rejoice!

Jesus is coming to our world again, to teach us to sing about joy! Amen.

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" ~.tl .f1.. , Christmas Tree Blessing

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Instead ofthe shrub shall c:ome ' For a home blessinl of a Christmu tree,'the motber, father ,up the fir tree and instead of the or otber adult reads the following nettle shall c:ome up the myrtle explanation. For parish, school tree: and the Lord shall be named or otber Iroups, tbe designated for an everlasting sign that shalJ leader reads. Tbe tree remains not be taken away. unlit until the end of the service.

A reading from the .Book of In the Book of Genesis. we are Ezechiel: Thus' saith the Lord told of the tree of the knowledge God: I myself will take of the of good and eVil, whose fruit our marrow of the high cedar and will , first parents were forbidden to $et it: I will crop off a tender twig eat. When Adam and Eve dis- from the top of the brilnc:hes theobeyed God's command. they were reof, and I will plant it on a cast, from the Garden of Eden mountain high and eminent. and they and their, desc:endants On the high mountains of Israel will I plant it and it Shall shoot knew sickness and death.

For long years mankind suf- forth into branches and shall bear , fered until Christ c:ame as redee- fruit and it shall become a great mer to die on the tree of Calvary. c:edar; and all birds shall dwell Thus the tree holds a spec:ial under it and every fowl shall place in the story of salvation and make its nest under the shadow is fittingly one ofthe most imp.or- of the branches thereof. : And all the trees ofthe c:ountry ta'ntsymbols of the Christmas season. ' shall know that i the Lord have As our own tree once stood in, brought down the high tree and the dark forest, cold and un- exalted the low tree and have adorned, so wasthe world before dried up the green tree and have the coming of Christ. But now, caused the dry tree 'to tJourish. I brightly decorated, it reminds us the Lord have spoken 8pd have' of the tree of Calvary, which done it. ;"" brougllt us'redemption.¡ , ,A rea,dingfro'm the Book ofthe Let ufnow'read God's word.

"Apo'ctilypse.: )'0 him that overcometh T will give to eat of the '" The children in a family or tree of tlfe; which is in the 'paradesignated personsinlother groups dise of my God. :.:And'he showed may read one or more of the fol- ,'('me a rivet ofwater'oflife,~clear as , lowing scripture selections: crystal, proceeding from' the '. ' thr~ne'of God and'of the-Lamb.

A reading from the Book .of In the midst of the street theGene,sis: And the Lord God had , ' reof and on both sides ofthe river planted a pa.rad,ise of ple~~ure was the tree of life bearing twelve from the beginning: wherein he fruits. yielding its, fruits every month and the leaves of the tree placed man whom he had formed.

And the Lord God brought werefor the healin'g of the nations. ' forth of the ground all manner of trees. fair to behold and pleasant At the end of the readings the to eat of: the tree of life also in the " leader says: Let us pray: Bless, we, midst of paradise: and the tree of beseech thee, 0 God~ our Christknowledge of good and evil. mas tree, decorated in honor of the birth of thy Son. May the A reading from the Book of ,lightandbeautyofthistreebereflected Psalms: The fields and all things in our lives that we may share that are in them shall be joyful. ' throughout eternity in the glory Then shall all the trees of the' of the true Tree of Life. We ask woods rejoice before the face of this through Christ our Lord, the Lord because he 'comet,h: who redeemed the sin of Adam to judge the earth. that came through a tree by his 'death on the tree of Calvary.

A reading/rom the Book ofIsaiah.: Amen.

The tree should now be lightYou shall go out with joy and be led forth with peace: the moun- ed. All ~ay join in singing one or tains and the hills shall sing praise more Christmas carols and, if before you and all the trees of the desired, refreshments may be sen,ed. country shall clap their hands.

THE ANCHOR -

Diocese of Fall River -

Fri., Dec. 25, 1992

7

Nativity scene headed for Bosnia Letters are welcome but the editor reserves the right to condense or edit, if deemed necessary. All letters must be typed, signed and include a home or business address (only the city name is used in print). Letters do not necessarily renect the editorial views of the Anchor.

VATICAN CITY (CNS) - Pope John Paul II blessed a traveling Nativity scene headed for BosniaHerzegovina and said he hoped it would brighten Christmas for the tens of thousands of war victims

there. The Nativity scene, mounted on a semi-trailer truck, was put together by Franciscan religious orders in Europe. The group hoped to make it to the devastated Bosnian capital of Sarajevo.

Faithful Dwelling Dear Editor: In view of the recent negative publicity our Church has received from our local newspaper, I've written this poem to show a positive attitude. I'm sure, like myself, many parishioners of all nationalities feel the same way I do.

Standing stately on the corner of Linden Street and Pine You'll find a house built by immigrants, a dedicated shrine Put together lo\'ingly with mortar. brick and stone This House of God will always be our cherished cornerstone.

In this dwelling that has proudly stood for one hundred-twenty years You can glimpse the stained glass windows; the pews of many tiers; The altar is made of marble, a golden cross hangs overhead At Christmas time, there's a manger where the Christ Child lies abed.

You'll hear the choir singing while the organ softly plays And stories from the Bible told of far gone yesterdays.

At Mass on Sunday mornings, you'll find the young amidst the old Our pastor has inspired many to come back into the fold.

So please stop in and visit if you happen to venture past You can light a candle, say a prayer, or stay to hear the Mass.

Anne Norton Blair Sacred Heart parish Fall River

Christmas Babe When I think of Christmas Babe , asleep on stable's hay I bow my head in gratitude and softly, sweetly pray, That every little child will know His warmth and saving grace, And glow with Christmas love with smiles on every face.

The Little Child of Bethlehem came so we could grow in love, The greatest gift to all mankind from Heavenly Father above.

With cattle 'round His head and only rags for clothes, He showed us worlds beyond where we shall all repose.

No clashing cymbals heralding the arrival of God's Son, But rather rustling straw, announcing victories won.

The triumph of His birth over all the world's damp cold, Most surely is the Hope which the Christmas tale unfolds.

I see that Babe again in every child's bright face, Reflecting Heaven's beauty without a single trace Of malice or of hatred, just warmth and glowing charms, Reaching out with love from soft embracing arms.

So now as I reflect upon this vision sweet, I know that I shall see Him in every child I meet.

Jean Quigley Rehoboth

il eNS photo

Christmas minus kids?

What a thought! I I

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By Bernard Casserly Take a moment from the holiday rat race to put your feet up, close your eyes and imagine what it takes to make your Christmas perfect.

"Putting Christ back in Christmas" is essential, of course, but what other other elements are needed to make the season bright for you?

Are you dreaming of a white Christmas? Most of us are, apparently, because Irving Berlin's classic is the most popular Christmas song. Consider, however, that much of the world rarely sees any snow, and our Lord was born in a land of sand and palm trees. ' Is Santa Claus going to playa starring role? If children people your dream, jolly old St. Nick had better show, or the little ones may lose faith.

Does a Midnight Mass figure in your dream Christmas? That may be the only place you'll find one today, except on TV from St. Peter's in Rome. Such glories seem mostly to have faded in the liturgy ,reforms since Vatican II. What kind of background music is playing? Department store or elevator tunes like "Jingle Bells," "Winter Wonderland" and "Rudolph, the Red Nosed Raindeer," designed to whip you into a frenzy of spending?

I hope they also include"Adeste Fideles," "Silent Night,"" Away in a Manger," "0 Little Town of Bethlehem," or my personal favorite, "Gesu Bambino."

I hope there's a glorious tree in your Christmas dream: a fir, Scotch pine, balsam or a Colorado blue spruce.

I trust you won't be dreaming of an artificial tree, perfectly shaped, covered with fire-retardant snow, scented from a spray can and glittering on a music box turntable.

How far we have come from the fragrant evergreens of childhood lit by real candles and decorated with strings of popcorn and cranberries!

Surely there's a big family dinner gathering in your ideal Christmas.

I can see it now: the happy bustle in the kitchen, the groaning table in the dining room, the old folks talking of Christmases past, the kids at play before the glowing hearth.

Each of us has his br her own list of what it takes to make this loveliest of holidays perfect. I've listed some I find essential; I'm sure you have many of your o~n. I've saved for the last, however, the one ele- . ment that brings it ~1I together.

That factor is children, and they are disappearing ff{~m the Christmas scene - as well as from U.S. families and househ<;>lds the rest of the year. Latest figures on households put today's total at 2.62.

How'd you like .6'2 of a child at your house for Christmas? If that doesn't worry you, 'consider this: it's supposed to g~t worse. The Census Bureau predicts the aver'age will drop to 2.~ by tht: year 2000. .

Its data claim hbuseholds are still shrinking becaJse couples are having fewer childr~n, one-parent families are increa~ing and 22.7 million Americans live alonl~.

Things could tutn around, of course, if fertility increased and divided families begar moving back together. But unless Americans change their attitudb toward abortion and birth control, the situation is unlikely to change.

Another serious depression could get families to move :back together.

Lacking that, it app'ears that large households are a thing of th路e past, except for this tirrle of year, of course, when parent~, childrl~n and grandchildren cOrne together to make a perfect Christmas. !

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THE ANCHOR -

Diocese of Fall River -

Fri., Dec. 25, 1992

BISHOP O'MALLEY greets parishioners of St. Thomas More Church, Somerset, after celebrating Mass there Dec. 20; below, bishop and St. Thomas More pastor Msgr. Henry T. Munroe.

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By Dale O'Leary As I watched the bishops voting on the pastoral letter on women and read press reports of their recent conference. I realized that many Americans, accustomed to democratic assemblies, probably erroneously assumed that the bishops were voting on whether women should be priests.

The Church has never been and is not now a democratic assembly.

A meeting of bishops can be better compared to a conference of scientists trying to approve a science textbook. They would not be voting on whether the laws of nature should continue in force, but on how best to. explain immutable laws to contemporary students.

The bishops were not voting on whether women should be ordained. In 1976, the Vatican declared that after reviewing Scripture and the practice and teachings of the Church, it was clear that the Church, "in fidelity to the example of the Lord, does not consider herself authorized to admit women to priestly ordination." The bishops' vote was on how to explain this to a secularized, post-Christian America.

The real question behind the controversy is: Who authorizes the Church to teach? The debate is between two groups. One believes that the faith is revealed by God, meaning that God is the author.

The other believes that religion evolves through human experience; men made it up.

Personally, if I thought that religion was something people had made up, I wouldn't bother. I have no desire to live by an illusion -

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God makes us equal but different

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CHRIST THE KING PARISH MASHPEE, MA

A Time of Faith A Time of Peace A Time of Joy Rev. Ronald A. Tosti Rev. Stephen A. Fernandes Deacon Robert D. Lemay

EQlJ:\t BUT DIFFERENT: Mcn and womcn arc cqual. as in this Dublin voting booth, but called to diffcrent vocations. says Dalc O'Lcary. (eNS I Reutcrs photo) no matter how empowering that illusion might be.

Those who believe in evolved religion are certainly free to make up whatever religions they wish, and in these religions to ordain women if they so choose. .

Those who believe in a real, living, speaking, revealing, saving God have no such freedom. They are coerced by their faith to obey.

I recognize that those who believe in evolved religion are deeply offended by the assertion that God has revealed Himself clearly. They often say in. essence, "Where do you people get off saying you know what God has said?" Or, as a woman lobbying the bishops for ordination disdainfully put it, "Who are the bishops to say they have the mind of Christ?"

Of course, that is exactly who the bishops are: people whose God-given vocation and charism· are to have the mind of Christ.

This is a hard thing to believe.

Almost as hard as believing that God became man, or that the bread on the altar becomes the body of Christ. But following Christ has from the beginning meant believing hard things.

One of the reasons that some women feel injustice in the Church's teaching is precisely because they believe that Church teaching is made up by the teachers and not revealed to them. They think that if women could be ordained, the teaching would change, as though God could be manipulated and lobbied, or doctrine were a matter of votes.

God, who really has spoken, is greater than popes and bishops

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and therefore able to protect the truth from human weakness. God cannot be unjust. God loves men and women equally. As part of the goodness of creation, He made them different - this is obvious even to a child - and called them to different vocations. In God's plan, men and women can be different without being one whit less equal.

God doesn't have a problem with women; this generation has a problem with God.

God doesn't force his gift of self VATICAN CITY (CNS) Christmas marks God's gift of himself to humanity, but it is not a gift forced on anyone, Pope John Paul II told university students.

"It can be said that the coming of God stops at the threshold of human wi~I," he said at his annual pre-Christmas Mass for university students, professors and administrators.

The Advent period "is given to us so that we become more and more aware of the presence of him who is always coming, who stands at the door and knocks," the pope said.

The world is "the evangelical vineyard" of God, the pope added.

"Human beings must know it and cultivate it in a creative way, never destroying it. It is humanity's inheritance, its natural enviroment."

In another way, he said, God's vineyard lies. within "each one of us in our humanity and our unique and unrepeatable personality."

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THE ANCHOR -

Diocese of Fall River -

Fri., Dec. 25,1992

9

Marriage prep program expands Preparing engaged couples for their vocation to the sacrament of matrimony is the largest and most effort-intensive ministry directed by the Office of Family Ministry.

During 1992, 1,462 couples attended one of66 programs offered throughout the five deanery areas (four of those sessions were in Portuguese). To accomplish this, 16 priests and 113 couples spent 840 hours of program time and countless preparation hours attending training workshops and writing presentations. None of these people (priests or laity) receive any kind of material reward for their generosity.

There have been some notable changes in the Diocesan Marriage Preparation program during 1992.

A series of "Presentation Shareshops" were offered to assist team members in preparing their talks.

All team members, whether veteran or novice were requested to attend. Those who have not been able to make the previous dates have another opportunity on January31, 1993, from 1:00-5:30,at the Family Life Center (pre-registration is requested).

The program has been blessed by the addition of 29 new team couples since January 1992.

- Winter路 1992 Family Forum

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Santa-collecting priest plays the part ~

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SCORES OF SANTAS: Oblate Father Anthony Larry displays a IOO-year-old Santa from his collection, a portion of which is stored in this crowded bookshelf.

NEW BLOOMFIELD, Pa. (CNS) - Santa Claus has already come to the town of New Bloomfield. In fact 850 Santas are in town, all in the rectory of St. Bernard parish.

For more than 10 years, the pastor, Oblate Father Anthony Larry, has not only collected Santa figures but has posed as one.

He's played the jolly old fellow for the Lutheran congregation and"

~Isol I

the fire company, ridinfl the truck and booming a hearty "Ho, Hlo, Ho" for annual Christ~as parties.

Father Larry's collectipn includes Santas of all shapes and sizes. He originally bought two pf them at an after-Christmas sale and after that, well, his stocki~g runneth over. People just kept giving him more throughout the years.

His collection rangds from a figurine that stands a ql./arter-inch

tall to a six-foot high welcome sign with Santa at the top.

One Santa, given to him by an elderly lady, must be at least 100 years old, he estimates. Among his favorites is a Santa from the community's Episcopal priest and his wife.

Tn his Santa suit, Father Larry visits most of the parish's families a few days before Christmas, distributing candy to the children.

Then on Dec. 27, his people attend an open house at the rectory.

"They just knock on "the door and come in and browse and enjoy the collection," he told The Catholic Witness, newspaper of the diocese of Harrisburg.

Although his guests like to look at the Santas that come from as far away as Denmark and Sweden, their preference by far is for the live one from right there in New Bloomfield.

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HAPPY HOLIDAYS TO ALL From the staff of

LEARY PRESS Mrs. J. R. McGinn Rebecca Banville Marion Frizado 'Veronica Galvao Carl Gagnon .Henry Klek

Martna McGinn Dolores Motta John Motta Paula Potts Crystal Smith Jeannine Moore

Ron Evans

Dashing through the snow In a one-horse open sleig~, 0'er the fields we go Laughing all the way...

Here's wishing all our valued friends and customers the best holiday season ever!

Have a Very,Very Meny Christmas!

Fall River - Main Office: 4 So. Main Street, 678-7641, 335 Starrord Road, 570 Robeson Street, 81 Troy Street, 4548 North Main Street; Somerset Plaza (Rte. 6), 554 Wilbur Avenue, Swansea

Member FDIC/DIFM

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Bis~op ,Stang stud~nts,help

Habitat open doors to homeownership

out of kindness, with their own "Habitat has exploded at Stang," busy schedules, is very impressive." said Rodrigues. "It started out very small and just took off." He Many students volunteered duradded that many students earned ing the summer, some even taking their service project hours, then time from paying jobs, the teacher "surpassed the requirement because noted. they like it so much."

He admits to some surprise at A group of 25 to 40 Stang stuthe magnitude of the students' dents has been joining other Habiresponse. "The number that has tat volunteers rotating between consistently gone amazes me," he three or four work sites in Provisaid. ''I'm not sure why they want "'no room." dence. It's a full day's work: the to do it. I think for the most part Since last March, a contingent students leave the school parking it's to assume responsibility, to of students from the North Dartlot at 8 a.m. one or two Saturdays make a change, to make a differmouth high school has been worka month and finish work about 4 ence." ing with Habitat for Humanity, an p.m. Rodrigues chaperones them Miss Silvia got involved. she international, interdenominational along with parent volunteers or said, because "I feel there shouldn't organization that seeks to elimiother faculty members. be a poor class" in a country as nate poverty housing worldwide.

Upon arrival at the work site, wealthy as ours.

It works by gathering a corps of volunteers are assigned a task Rodrigues noted that visiting volunteers to build or renovate explained to them by the foremen, work sites in "a poor neighborhouses for families who otherwise professionals who donate their time hood, predominantly African-Amercould not afford to own homes. to Habitat. ican and Hispanic," can result in The future homeowners work alongThere is a different job to be "culture shock" for some teenagers. side volunteers in construction of done each time, from doors to "The gutted houses, the poverty the home, then pay no-profit, noroofs to la wns, said Rodrigues.

- for the majority it is a different interest mortgages to cover the "There was one house that had experience - an eye-opening expercost of land and materials and been in a drug war and was burned," ience." support construction of more Habjunior Ken Sutcliffe described. "We One student's initial reaction, itat houses.

Rodrigues added, was "Thank God Founded in 1976 by Millard and were cleaning it out, putting up new walls and flooring."

I don't live here!"

Linda Fuller of Americus, GA, Other times the group removed "The neighborhood is rough," Habitat has more than 400 indesaid junior John Pedro. "It's sad to pendent affiliates in the United a tree stump impeding progress on see the houses and people there.

States, Canada and South Africa a sidewalk and dug the foundation But it's nice to see that people care and also sponsors projects in 26 of a house. using picks because Habitat has no excavating equip· enough to rebuild." developing countries.

The students expect to continue At Stang, the Habitat group ment.

Such scenarios may sound daunttheir involvement with Habitat for was spurred into being after reliyears to come because "it's defigious studies teacher Doug Rod- ing to potential volunteers, said nitely a worthy cause and a good rigues heard about it on a PBS junior Andrea Perkins. "I didn't know what to expect. I was kind of opportunity to get involved," said carpentry show and thought it amazed when I saw what we'd be Miss Silvia, who served as a conwould provide an opportunity for doing." tact person for summer work days juniors and seniors to fulfill the 15 But "it's amazing how you can and when the school year resumed hours of volunteer service required do the work," said her classmate . wrote an article on Habitat for the of them at school.

Stang newsletter.

Rodrigues contacted a friend, Charlene Silvia. "You think you "It's fun, you learn a lot of difDean Lauzon, who is involved can't, but you can."

The students have braved rain. ferent things and you get to know with the Providence, RI/ Seekonk people from all around," she added. chapter of Habitat, soon to be mud and cold to continue helping Rodrigues feels Habitat is a good joined by a Fall River affiliate, the future homeowners, people like way for students to exercise their scheduled for incorporation in Lucy, a single mother of two whose house is expected to be completed faith, and working with people of January. different backgrounds is "building After Rodrigues and two stu- toward the end of the school year.

"It's a great experience working a sense of community among them. dents made their first trip' to a They feel a part of something and Providence work site with Lau- side by side with tht families, and are learning to bring out their own zon, word about Habitat began to you can see the results," said Miss talents and realize their own potenspread at the school, with about 75 Perkins.

"They work well, work hard and tiaL" students signing a membership list. are willing to try new things," He hopes to see volunteers comRodrigues said in admiration of ing from the other diocesan high the students. "For teens to do this schools as well as public schools in the near future. He noted that 31 students signed up after a workMontie Plumbing shop on Habitat at the diocesan 102 Shawomet Avenue youth convention last month.

Heating Co. Somerset, Mass.

The student involvement "says Over 35 Years something positive about youth in Tel. 674-4881 of Satisfied Service general," added Rodrigues. "I think Reg. Master Plumber 7023 3VI room Apartment sometimes we discredit kids. But JOSEPH RAPOSA, JR. 4Vz room Apartment they're not as indifferent as society 432 JEFFERSON STREET Includes heat. hot water, stove remight say. They do care. These frillrator and maintenance service.

Fall River 675·7496 kids stand out."

If there's one thing that keeps the students coming back, Miss Silvia summed up, it's "a sense Pha m IE.ISnIED ,"AIMACISn that you're doing something great." '" ft . racy "ESCIIPYlONS It is a sense among volunteers and recipients alike that Habitat is Invalid Equipment For Rent or Sale opening doors to a better world Sur"ul c.rm.nls - lord· !P'" Mle~ines - Jollst a world where there is room for all.

By Marcie Hickey

The First Christmas: Mary and Joseph, newly arrived in Bethlehem, seek lodging but are told there is no room at the inn.

Christmas 1992: Bishop Stang High School students continue the challenge to shelter the poor, the homeless, the stranger in a land that still too often protests there is

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For more information contact Doug Rodrigues through the Bishop Stang High School Development Office. 993-8959. Also, Habitat for Humanity's Fall River affiliate meets monthly in St. Vincent's Home cafeteria. 2425 Highland A ve. Jan. 4, the speaker will be Jay Todd. a New Jersey native who has become an international partner for a three-year project in· Africa. A meeting and potluck supper will be held 7 p.m. Jan. 18.

For information contact Clare Altmann. 674-4387.

STUPENT HABIT AT VOLUNTEERS with teacher Doug Rodrigues (far right) in warmer days (top). Below. on the job: group puts up a fence; John Pedro and another Habitat volunteer; (from left) Brian McCarthy. Tyler Thompson and Chris White.

.

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PC plan p1romotes peace with neighbors PROVIDENCE, lU. (CNS) Dominican-run Providence College has unveiled a to-point program aimed at improving the school's 'relationship with its residential neighbors.

I, The program, to ~be phased in over two years, is being touted as the first of its kind iI'! the country.

Neighbors of the college have often complained about the loud parties and public drinking of offcampus students.

I Under the new program, called the "Good Neighbor Plan," the school pledges to intrease student housing on campus knd enable an additional 450 more students to live on campus, whic~ would mean housing 75 percent of an undergraduate enrollment of 3,800. To accommodate students the school plans to add floor,S to existing dorms and construct new units.

It also plans to, upgrade offcampus housing an~ off-campus security, with a police officer assigned to patrol the bollege neighJOYFUL MYSTERY: SI. Mary's SchooL New Bedford. borhood.

I The plan also calls for formastudents. from left. Aaron Santos. David Stevens and Jessica tion of block councils, made up of Desrosiers enact the Fourth Joyful Mystery. the Presentation. students, neighbors and landlords. during a living rosary.

The councils, formed on a streetby-street basis, will qIeet regularly.

The school is currently establishing a Dominicaniservice eorps, asking students to spend about 20 TOTTORI, Japan (CNS) This year Protestant c,hurches hours of work per xear in volunChristmas in Tottori is a time for sponsored an animated film based teer service. Students will also be making the Christmas message on the true story of Hiro, a Chrisencouraged to parti~ipate in alcocome to life across religious bountian teacher who took care of her hol peer education. , daries. elderly mother, Yasue, until she "We know from the outset it is Christians and Buddhists join herself fell ill and her pupils and nothing more than a modest start," nurses from the nearby training each year during the season to said Edward Caron, the school's school came to her aid. raise money for poor and handivice president in chatge ofimprovcapped children, reports UCA ing community relations.

The people ofTottori had a speNews, an Asian church news cial interest in the film, because the During a press tonference to agency. bedridden mother depicted was a release the plan, Ckron sa:id the Catholic, Anglican and Proteacher in a Protestant nursery idea of block cou?cils had not testant congregations sponsor a school in Tottori many years ago. been tried at other, campuses. If popular Christian film and carolThe story was written by her daughthey are successfUl,: he said they singing. ter Seki-Hiro and first published could become a model for other Churches take turns preparing by the Asahi Shimbun newspaper. urban colleges around the co untry. the event. In 1991, Catholics presStephen DeNuccip, president of There are only 230 baptized ented a film about St. Francis of the Elmhurst Neigh~orhood assoCatholics on the register of the Assisi and another year one on the ciation, criticized the plan because Catholic parish in Tottori, a city of work of Mother Teresa of Calcutta. it did not fully remoVe Providence 140.000. There is. however, a strong Tickets are sold by members of College students frolm off-ca mpus spirit of cooperation and ecumenvarious Christian churches with willing help from the Buddhist lay ism among city churches, as dem- apartments. onstrated by the Christmas project. organization Rissho Koseikai. ,

Caron said the 75 percent figure of students to be housed on campus was a minimum target. He added that the neighbors had a vested interest in maintaining some student presence off-campus to avoid having vacant apartments.

During the press conference, Providence Mayor Vincent Cianci praised the college for studying neighbors' concerns by holding community meetings over the last 18 months.

Cianci called the college a "pretty

good neighbor," and challenged DeNuccio and other community leaders to line up strongly behind the plan. "The community has to give the college a chance," he said.

To the criticism that the school has been too lenient with abusive students in the past, Father Cunningham responded that since a full-time disciplinary officer was hired, cases have been handled quickly. Punishments range from suspension to probation to community service or special classes.

Tottori, Japan, is ecumenical city

I

The Mr. Subliminal card "Hello, (flash kitten card) my

By Dan Morris name is Dan M orris and I am here You are probably aware of recent (flash photo of pretty roses) to research that claims your initial visit you about (flash kitten card impression of someone or someagain) my son's recent misuse of thing is likely to be strongly colored language (peek over rose photo by subliminal factors - such as and make eye contact)." what you have just seen.

The researchers say if you have . Or, "Good evening officer (flash just seen, say, a pair of kittens, you ,kitten card). Yes, I have my'drivare more apt to like what you see er's'license and a photograph of or hear next than if you had just , my cute, cuddly kittens right here viewed a bucket of snakes. ' in my wallet:. See?" Makes'sense to me. 1 have few Or, "Mr. Bloodwrench(play kitrecollections of fond impressions ten ca'rd), so you have a few quesafter surveying a bucket of snakes. tions (flash scene of mountains) If researchers are correct, and about my (flash kittens again) home not just trying to pawn off a litter office expenses?" or two of kittens, it would make sense to carry around a cutesy picOn the other hand, we could ture of kittens which you can flash discourage our teens from develat appropriate times. oping poor eating habits (like killing the orange sherbet before their I n especially important situafather gets any) by placing posters tions, it would be good to stash a of buckets of snakes in appropcouple of kittens in your pocket. riate places.

Asking for a raise might be one example. "Hi, Boss. Have you (Flash snake poster.) "Hungry, seen these cute little kitties? How son? There's some (repeat snakes) about more money?" microwave chemical Pop Tarts in the cupboard or (flash kittens) leftApplications for a cute-kitten over tossed salad in the fridge. Oh, flashcard could be endless - IRS and have you read the latest on the audits, state patrol pull overs, negative health effects of eating poker-night entrances, visits to the (show snakes) your dad's sherbet?" vice principal.

Our Door Is Always Open.To You Meny Christmas and thanks to all!

We look forward to serving you in the coming year.

~~~

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Slain nuns buried in Illinois

THE ANCHOR-Diocese of Fall River-Fri., Dec. 25,1992'

Annulments bring insights for marriage prep groups BROOKLYN, N.Y. (CNS) Experience with marriage annulment cases has brought new insights for strengthening pre-Cana and other marriage preparation programs, according to officials of the Brooklyn diocese.

Msgr. William A. Varvaro, head of the diocesan tribunal, said in an interview that annulment cases show that marriage preparation must deal not only with objective ~~quirements but include subjectIve factors such as a couple's level of personal maturity and manner of relating to each other.

In the past, he said, priests tended to talk to couples only about the church's theology of marriage and give them other objective information.

But he said priests and married couples assisting with marriage preparation need to focus more on getting engaged couples to look at themselves and the attitudes they are bringing to marriage.

Father Thomas F. Leach, director of family ministry for the Brooklyn diocese, said he makes use of what the tribunal has learned and also has gotten Msgr. Varvaro regularly involved in marriage preparation programs.

"We come from different perspectives, but we both have become aware of how couples tend to repeat family patterns," Father Leach said. "So in pre-Cana conferences, we talk with the same awareness that these couples will likely do what their parents did."

In the 1970s, when the number of U.S. annulments jumped from a few hundred to many thousands per year, the diocese of Brooklyn became known as a leader in making use of new procedures called the American norms.

Msgr. Varvaro said the diocese conducted interviews with applicants in the presence of a psychiatrist. "That was never done before," he said.

Today, all U.S. dioceses have similarly expanded their annulment procedures, though most have psychiatrists reviewing reports rather than participating directly, Msgr.

Varvaro said.

Use of the American norms focused attention on subjective factors such as personal immaturity, lack of understanding about the requirements of marriage and defects of intention.

Immaturity, lack of stable family background or similar weaknesses do not in themselves make a marriage invalid, Msgr. Varvaro said. But he said they may make it impossible for people to fulfill what the church requires for a valid marriage.

In some cases, a priest can see that a couple lack the maturity to enter into a valid marriage and should ask them to delay, Father Leach said.

He had himself 'done that on occasion, he said, but he also recognizes that people have a right to marriage unless some impediment can be shown, and he, tends to "give them the benefit of the doubt."

Officials at the tribunal often hear couples saying, "We didn't really know each other when we got married," Msgr. Varvaro said.

So when he participates in a preCana conference, he asks the couple to discuss a wide range of topics - not just such special questions as contraception and abortion but general patterns of religious practice and broader issues such as attitudes about handling money.

Night of Silence Noite de Silencio December 27, 1992 7:00 P.M. An Evening of English And Portuguese Choral Music

Featuring: Our Lady of Mount Carmel Festival Choruses Under The Direction Of Mr. David J. Langevin

Our Lady of Mount Carmel Church Rivet Street. New Bedford

eNS photo

Ma.rian mosaics featured on Vatican Yule stamps VATICAN CITY (CNS) - The connection between Mary and Christmas is highlighted in gold, wood and stone at Rome's Basilica of St. Mary Major.

The golden connection, a set of 13th-century mosaics in the church's apse, will be seen around the world this Christmas and next.

Four mosaic scenes: the Annunciation, the Nativity, the adoration of the magi and the presentation provide art for the Vatican's 1992 Christmas stamps.

And because the Vatican issues new Christmas stamps only every other year, they'll be adorning mail next year as well.

St. Mary Major has been the centerpiece of Roman Catholic Marian devotion for some 1,600 years, said Welsh Msgr. D.J. David Lewis, administrator of the basilica and the driving force behind the multimillion-dollar effort to restore and preserve it.

Putting a little Scrooge into the Christmas discussion, Msgr. Lewis said North Americans haven't been , paying their fair share ofthe costs: n:Iore money for the project has come from Japan and Korea than from the United States.

Reaching into a desk drawer, he pulled out a plastic shopping bag heavy with U.S. coins left by tourists - the vast majority of which are not quarters and all of which are impossible to deposit or exchange in Italy.

From basilica collection boxes, he said, he has gathered abo'ut $500, mostly in pennies, dimes and nickels.

One thing the Americas are credited with, however, is the gold-leaf Renaissance ceiling; it is said that the gold came from the first shipments to reach Europe from the New World almost 500 years ago.

Unlike the fifth-century mosaics of Old Testament scenes surrounding the church's nave, the mosaics depicted on the Vatican stamps do not need restoration, only cleaning and protection from the damaging effects of air pollution.

The Advent and Christmas scenes are the work of Franciscan Brother Jacob Torriti and were completed in 1295.

"He attempted to convey in visual form our devotion to Mary for her role in salvation history," Msgr.

RUMA, ILL. (CNS) - During the burial service for three of five nuns killed in Liberia in October, the sisters were called women who put God's words into practice.

"Our five beloved sisters have answered the call in a way that many of us cannot answer, but in a way that dramatically shows God's concern," said Archbishop Michael Kpakala Francis of Monrovia, liberia.

Archbishop Francis was the main celebrant at a Dec. 13 private Mass offered prior to burial of the three Adorers of the Blood of Christ: Sisters Shirley Kolmer, Agnes Mueller and Kathleen McGuire.

The sisters, who were killed Oct. 23 by rebels in Liberia, were buried near a cross in an area formerly reserved for priests. Their bodies were recovered more than five weeks after their deaths by members of the West African Peacekeeping Force, representatives of a U.S. mission team and Catholic clergy.

Gravesites for Sisters Joel Kolmer, cousin of Sister Shirley Kolmer, and Barbara Ann Muttra were blessed during the ceremony.

Their bodies have not been recovered, although a search continues. The two women, also Adorers of the Blood of Christ, were reportedly killed Oct. 20 while taking a convent security guard to visit a sick relative.

During his homily, Archbishop Francis described the five nuns who worked in Liberia as "an example of commitment, dedication to the service of God." He said the sisters could have returned to the United States, "but they' wanted in a special way to serve the Lord in the poorest of the poor. They served .the Lord in a country that is torn by war, hatred," he said. "In a country [where] the blood of our people has spilled on the ground."

He thanked the sisters' families and their community for "giving us such exemplary religious who took a step forward and never regretted the decision they made."

Archbishop Francis brought with him some of the nuns' personal belongings recovered from their convent, including photos, personal correspondence and a rosary.

During a news conference after the burial service, former U.S. ambassador to Liberia, Peter De Vos said he was the official American envoy, but the nuns "were the real envoys. They represented America more than I did."

Sister Mildred Gross, the order's provincial, also addressed the news conference, saying the Ruma community would become "stronger advocates for peace" in West Africa.

She said that three of four Liberian aspirants who had been living with the nuns are now known to be safe. She also said there was speculation, from indirect sources in West Africa, that the bodies of Sisters Kolmer and Mueller were mutilated after they were killed, but there was no evidence that the women were tortured before they died.

Sister Gross said the other bodies may still be recovered but as time goes on, "that possibility becomes more remote."

Lewis said. "She is the prototype of what all Christians should be."

"For 1,600 years this basilica has stood as a monumental sign of the importance, of the Blessed Mother in the life of the church and as a sign of hope to all who enter its doors that Mary, with maternal care for all souls, is ready to help and inspire them to be closer to the Lord."

As for the wooden connection between Mary and Christmas at the basilica, Msgr. Lewis said it is the reas,on St. Mary Major"is the only church in the world that does not put up a crib" at Christmas.

"Why should we when we have the original?" Msgr. Lewis said. , For at least 1,200 years, he said, three slats of wood have been revered as part of the baby Jesus' crib from Bethlehem. , They are preserved in a glass, cradle-shaped reliquary in a little chapel under the basilica's main altar.

Each Christmas Eve, they are carried in a procession around the altar and then displayed in front of the altar all Christmas Day. Christmas Day also marks the beginning of the short period of annual public access to the stone connection - the oldest set of nativity scene statues in Rome.

Arnolfo di Cambio carved the figures in the late 1200s, not long after legend has St. Francis of Assisi coming up with the idea of assembling a cast of characters to recreate the scene of Jesus' humble birth.

The 13th-century nativity scene shows Mary holding Jesus on her lap, Joseph standing to one side with an ox and ass looking on and the three wise men bearing gifts approaching from the other side.

The little scene - about 3 feet high - is tucked into a niche below a basilica side chapel. A line of tourists and pilgrims makes its way past the figures ftom Christmas Day to the feast of the Epiphany, Jan. 6.

Until he can afford some type of '",nbreakable glass protection, Msgr.

Lewis said he cannot allow greater access to the nativity scene.

Dozens of names and declaraRecycled Morality tions of love are scrawled on the walls surrounding the statues. One "The so-called new morality is of the magi has an indelible has an too often the old immorality conink smudge on .his left shoulder. doned." - Lord Shawcross

THE ANCHOR-Diocese of Fall River-Fri., Dec. 25,1992

Joy is in the giving

By Dr. James and Mary Kenny Dear Dr. Kenny: Don't you think that Christmas is getting too commerical? I'm getting eight catalogues a day, all trying to get my money, to get me to buy gifts. I think something is wrong when people try to make a profit out of love and charity.

How can we get the Christmas spirit back? (New Jersey) Christmas is a feast of love. The spirit of Christmas is the spirit of generosity, the joy felt in giving, You don't sound very joyous.

One reason for your unhappiness is the pressure you feel to buy, the hard sell, even the attempt to make you feel guilty if you do not buy this or that gift. Noone likes to feel forced or bombarded, and certainly not by the greed of others.

Obviously you need to ignore the pressure. One way might be to make out your Christmas gift lists before you even open the catalogue or go to the store. Don't shop for ideas. Have your gift ideas before you start looking, so that the catalogues 'become a delightful resource rather than a high-pressure salesperson.

The gift of gifts. the original Christmas present, was from God to us. In a comfortable eternity filled with himself, he gave us his time, 33 years to teach us to love our neighbor.

From a safe eternity, he gave us his inviolability, becoming vulnerable to pain and uncertainty so that he might fully understand our finiteness.

His gift to us was opened on the first Christmas Day, when Mary

gave birth amid animals in a barn.

"I gave you myself," was the message.

The best Christmas gifts are given in this model. Look into the heart and soul of the people you love. What do they need? What do they want?

Give of your time and money.

Time is a forgotten gift. Some people, even parents, give expensive gifts because they feel guilty at not spending enough oftheir valuable time with their children.

These parents need to rethink what it means to give of themselves.

Others of us become like Scrooge. hoarding our money because we feel unsafe without it, too attached to the things it can provide for us.

Christmas is a time and a reminder to give generously to those we love and to those in dire need. We must give what they need, not merely what we can afford.

We need to give. regardless of the commerciality that surrounds us, ignoring any pressure to spend money on glitter.

The joy comes from seeing the happy look in the eyes of the other, from knowing that you have understood their needs and desires, and have in some way met them.

That's why loving is fun, why we like ourselves so much in the act of giving to and loving another. Our self is expanded. The "I" becomes "we." The good of the other is enjoyed as truly our own.

Reader questions on family living and child care to be answered in print are invited by The Kennys; 219 W. Harrison; Rensselaer, Ind. 47978.

Early Church took over pagan holiday

By Father John Dietzen

Q. Your column once explained why we celebrate the birth of our Lord on Dec. 25. It took the place, you said, of the pagan Roman feast honoring the birth of the Unconquered Sun at the beginning of spring.

It seems to me a strange thing that such a feast as Christmas should be a substitution for honoring a pagan god. Why would the church do that? (Missouri) It might appear strange to us. but it would not be to the Christians of the time.

First. when the birth of Christ began to be celebrated with a specific feast about 300 years after our Lord's death and resurrection. it was no way near the major celebration it is now.

Second, the church in those times often had a much different attitude toward things pagan than we might assume.

I n the year 60 I. for example.

Pope Gregory the Great. in his instructions to St. Augustine and other missionaries to England. told them that under no circumstances should temples to idols be destroyed. They should be sprinkled with holy water. and altars should be set up in them.

Seeing their temples are not destroyed. he said, the people may be more readv to return to them "to know and adore the true God." Since they have a custom of sacrificing oxen to demons. he added. "let some other solemnity like the dedication of the church or a martyr's feast be substituted on the same day."

Thev can decorate the churches as they did before, he instructed. even kill and use the animals as food. not in sacrifice but as a way of giving thanks to the Giver of all gifts. (Letter of Gregory to Abbot Mellitus and Augustine)

HOLIDAY WARNING • If you drink, don't drive.

• If you drive, don't drink.

13

St. Stephen Priory Spiritual Life Center 20 Glen Street, Box 370 Dover, MA. 02030 Tel: 508-785-0124 January

.

I-3

Quiet Prayer Weekend

January 15 - 17

Rediscovering the Feminine Soul (By Edwina Gately)

January 22 - 24

Guided Prayer Weekend

January 29 - 31

A Spiritual Recovery Retreat For Men In AA Program

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D ETAIL from "Winter Sunday in Olden Timds," an 1875 lithograph by Fl Gleason.

(CNS / Library of Congress photo)

End to child Ipoverty asked of nation WASHINGTON (ICNS) -- The head of the Children's Defense Fund, just returned I from President-elect Clinton's economic summit, called on Clintori and th(: new Congress to end the "moral and human travesty" that leaves one in five children poor i~ the world's richest nation. [ Marian Wright Edelman released her organization's report on "The State of America's Children 1992" on Dec. 17.

I "As communism collapsing all around the world, the American dream is collapsing all awund America for million$ of families, youths 'and childre~ in all races and classes," it added.

Ms. Edelman olutlined the Children's Defense' Fund's two main goals for 1993 T full immunization of all U.S. children and participation by everY eligible child in Head Start presch?ol education programs. She brought the same message to the Littl¢ Rock gathering.

I "We can either pa~ now to prepare our children to be healthy, well-educated and dnployable or pay a great deal more later to cover the costs of their ailments and diseases, unemployment and homeless ness," she said at the economic summit. "We heed to make a down payment on the nation's economic future by investing in our children and families today."

"Every American ,needs to ask why there are more poor children in rich America than;there are citizens in famine-stricken Somalia," she said.

I "I think we need t9 go to Mars a whole lot less urgeptly than we need to take care o~ the nee:ds of our children."

~

WeWishYou AMerry Christmas!

May the love of home and family be a special gift to treasure throughout the season.

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THE ANCHOR-Diocese of Fall River-Fri., Dec. 25,1992

By Charlie Martin

KEEP THE FAITH

Did you know God isa hedonist at heart? A what, you ask? A hedonist, according to the author C.S. Lewis.

A hed'onist is someone who believes that pleasure or happiness is the sole good in life.

I don't ,know about you, but "hedonist" is not a word I usually associate with God. And that's what caught my attention and the attention of others in my book discussion group.

You may have heard of C.S. Lewis in connection with his children's books like "The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe," or his science fiction writing, "The Chronicles of Narnia."

But he also wrote a novel in t'he form of an exchange of letters between a senior devil, Screwtape, and the less-experienced tempter, Wormwood.

The correspondence tracks the attempts of Wormwood to capture the soul of the assigned "patient" for the devil. Screwtape offers advice in the matters of tempting humans to sin.

Screwtape, in the course of trying to capture tha~ human's soul, bemoans the hard lot of devils. He complains that God makesno secret of it: At God's right hand are "pleasures for evermore," Screwtape says. God "has filled his world , full of pleasures.

"There are things for humans to do all day long without his minding in the h,ast ~ sleeping, washing, eating, drinking, making love, playing, praying, working," Screwtape says. ",Everything has to be twisted before it's any use to us."

I must admit, we were all surprised. But then I thought of the wonderful feeling of sinking into bed after a long day and the delight of waking refreshed; the silky feeling of hot water on tire'd muscles; the smells and tastes of Christmas di~ner; a hot cup of te.a. , . .

I also thought of the special love between a husband and wife; the fun of ice skating, playing ball or the trumpet; the solace of prayer; the satisfaction of a finished book report.

Before long, I was busy making another list ~ a list of other things God doesn't mind in the least and that are defi'nitelV pleasures.

For example, there is petting a cat, listening to a friend, rolling down a hill in snow or grass, walking the dog, drawing a picture, building a birdhouse, learning a new language, reading a book, writing a poem.

And then there is running, dancing, climbing, jumping and just plain walking. And don't forget laughing, hugging and listening to birds.

Soon my list reminded me of the blessings list I used to make when I lay a wake at night, unable to sleep.

I would literally count my blessings: my health, the "B" on the geometry quiz that I thought I failed, my warm bed, the argument I settled with my best friend, the Latin assignment I finished and knowing that my parents loved , each other.

I thought about what that old devil Screwtape said about how all the things God gives us have to be twisted to become sin. And I realized that God's gifts of pleasures' and happiness in our everyday lives are really the simplest bless'ings of all.

As a new year arrives, and as , you stop for a moment ~o assess the past year and to gaze into t,he next, you too may find it helpful to make a list of blessings and plea. sutes. I 'bet yo'u'll discover more' blessings and 路ple,asurb. I bet you'll discover more blessing's in your . life than you su's'pected. , ' Like me~ I hope you discover how m"uch'God loves us every day and how many wonderful' oppdr~ tunities we are giyen for happiness.

Mother mother tell your children That their time has just begun I have suffered for my anger There are wars that can't be won Father, father please believe me I am laying down my guns I am broken like an arrow Forgive me Forgive your wayward son Everybody needs somebody to love (mother, mother) Everybody needs somebody to hate (please believe me) Everybody's bitching 'cause they can't get enough And it's hard to hold on ' When there'S no one to lean on Faith: You know you're gonna live thru the rain Lord you got to keep the faith Faith: Don't let" your love turn to hate Right now we got to Keep the faith Lord we got to keep the faith Tell me baby when I hurt you Do you keep it all inside Do you tell me all's forgiven And just hide behind your pride Everybody needs somebody to love (mother, father) Everybody needs somebody to hate (please don't leave me) Everybody's bleeding 'cause the times are tough Well it's hard to be strong When there's no one to dream on Walking in the footsteps Of society's lies I don't like what I see no more Sometimes I wish that I was blind Sometimes I wait forever To stand out in the rain So no onto sees me cryin' Trying to wash away the pain' Mother, f~ther There's things I've done I can't erase Every niglht we fall from grace It's hard with the world in your face Trying to hold on, trying to hold on Faith: You know you're gonna live through the rain 'Lord you got to keep the faith Faith: Don't let your love turn to hate Right now we got to keep the faith Faith: Now it's not too late Try to ho:ld on, trying to hold on , Keep the Jaith .

Written by J. Bon Jovi, R~ Sambora and D. Child. Sung by Bon Jovi (c) .1,992 bJ' Poly Gram International ~ublishing Inc.,'Bon Jovi Puhlishing, Aggressive Music (ASCAP), ~MI April " Music Inc., and Desmobile Miisicco. .. In'c. ' ,

ARE YOllJ thinking about making somt: New Year':; resolutions? If so. Bon Jovi's hit "Keep the Faith" offers some ideas. Before making your.new commitments..consider these lines from the song's lyrics., I. "I have suffered for my anger. There are wars that can't

be won." Most of us want more peace in our lives and in our world. Yet peace must first dwell , in our own hearts. Thisdepends on how well we can live in harmonv with'friends and family.

A~ y,ou, begin the new year.. ' ask yourself: Am I emotionally at war with anyone'! If this is

true, now is the time to call a cease-fire and try again to talk about these conflicts.

Peace does not mean avoiding hurts or problems. but facing conflict in honest, constructive ways.

If you and the other person remain too defensive to talk about the hurt between you. mutually agree on a third person who can help mediate your differences.

2. '" am laying down my guns." This line fits with the suggestions expressed above.

Most of us do not attack ot hers with real weapons. but all too often we use words to injure others.

Take a look at your verbal behavior. especially when you are angry or stressed. Do you use words in unfair, abusive or hurtful ways? Or perhaps you use words as knives to cut people down behind their backs.

Now is the time to change such behaviors. Resolve to respond to each person according to his or her dignity as God's son or daughter.

"Don't let your love turn to hate." We do not start out with this intention. but sometimes those we love most are the ones most mistreated by u's.

Consequently. all of us need forgiveness. Resolve in the new year to be generous with forgiveness. both giving and receiving this healing energy.

4. "Tell me baby. when I hurt you." Relationships need honest'y and openness. Yet sometimes we are afraid that others won't understand our feelings if we speak about the actions that cause us pain.

As this year, begins. think about the n~lat'ionships thai really matter to you. Make a new commitment to care enough about these people to tell the truth. even when doing so feels risky or difficult.

Also, resolve to speak in ways that do not blame or shame, but simply communicate how you feel.

5. Finally. and above all. "keep the faith." Keep trusting yourself. God and life itself.

Resolve that each day you will notice some quality in yourself. or some aspe~t of your life that brings meaning or joy to you, and thank yourself and our God. ' 1993 is given us as a.gift.

Demonstrate your appreciation by making new'commitments to fill your year with growth and'iove.

Your comments are always welcomed by Charlie Martin, RR '3, Box 182, Rockport, IN 47635.

A STUDENT COUNCIL members from St. Joseph's School, Fairhaven, made these nativity scene figures for display at the ,school. From left: Erin Flanagan, Matt Jarvis, Thomas OS,uch, Meghan, Rebeiro. '

~.~

STUFF'ED STUFF: Father Matthew Kawiak speaks to children at a stuffed animal Mass in St. John Evangelist Church, Rochester, NY. Each child donated a stuffed toy for donation to the needy. (eNS photo)

,teerin pOint, ,

PUBLICITY CHAIR""EN are asked to submit news Items for 'Ihls column to The Anchor, P.O. Box 7, Fall River, 02722. Name of city or town she,uld be Included, 8S well as full dates of allae tlvItles. Please send news of 'future rafher than past events. ' Due to limited space and !also because notices of strictly parish affllirs normslly appear In a parish's own bulletin, we are forced to limit Items to events of genolral Interest. Also, we do not normally cllrry notices of fund raising actlvltl.s, which ~~ay be advertised at our regular rates, obtlllnable from The Anchor business olllce, telephone (508) 675-7151.

I On Steering Points Items'l FR Indlcs,tes Fall River; NB Indicates New Bedford.

ST. ANNE, FR

St. Anne novena service 3 p.m.

Dec. 27. Christmas midnight Mass will be preceded by concert by St. Anne Chorale beginning 11:30 p.m.

ST. STANISLAUS, FR

Christmas evening prayer service and carols by candlelight 5:30 p.m.

Dec. 25.

Jan. 6, St. Mary's Cathedral School hall, FR. Information: Sister Michaelinda Plante, RSM, 997-7732.

9. Under Siege, 0 (R) 10. The last of the

Support group meeting 7 p.m.

Jan. 8, St. Mary's pariSh center N. Attleboro; Father William Babbitt will celebrate Mass, f4110wed by games and refreshments.'

ST. ANTHONY of the QESERT,

CHRIST THE KING, MASHPEE

I

Renewal of marriage vows for Feast of Holy Family at all Masses Dec. 26 and 27; blessing of engaged couples II :30 a.m. Mass Dec. 27.

ST.STEPHEN,ATTLEBORO Adult video series resumes 7:30 p.m. Jan. 4 with "Acts-of Love" by

ST. PATRICK, WAREfiAM

SEPARATED/DIVORCED, NO Support group meeting 7 to 9 p.m.

Dec. 28, Family Life Center, N.

Father John Powell, S.J.

Dartmouth; open discussion.

A wish for the New Year

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~t.

LIVE HUMMELS: Costumed children participate in a

Hummel figurine look-alike contest at the Hummel Museum in New Braunfels, TX. Below. museum director Cathy Talcott explains to a visitor "Silent Night with a Black Child," one of Sister Maria lnnocentia Hummers pastel drawings. (CNS photos)

Hummel museum opens in U.8.

NEW BRAUNFELS,' Texas (CNS) - The biggest collection of Sister Maria Innocentia Hummel's artwork is now on display in a newly opened museum in New Braunfels. northwest of San Antonio.

The collection consists of more than 300 charcoal and pastel drawings by the German Franciscan nun whose work is probably best known in the porcelain figurines called Hummels.

At the museum visitors can learn about the life of Sister Hummel. who became interested in art at a young age and received formal training at the Academy of Applied Arts in Munich.

Even though she was asked, to join the teaching staff at the academy. the young woman chose to become a Franciscan sister.

While in the convent. Sister H ummel was encouraged to continue her art and she soon became well known for her portraits of children. The drawings were reproduced on postcards and calendars and eventually on figurines made by the Goebel porcelain factory. The H ummel figures became collector's items from the start,'· with the artist reserving the right to approve the Clay models for quality control. . .

Sister Hummel died in 1946 at the age of 37 from tuber·culosis.

Much of her artwork has a story behind it, including the drawing "Silent Night in Africa," which shows African children with Caucasian features.

"Sister Hummel had always been wanting to go to Africa." said

Cathy Talcott, the museum's executive director, "but since her health was beginning to fail, Mother Superior would not let her." And though she would never see the children. she at least wanted to draw them.

"Silent Night with Child" is the only drawing in the exhibit with a matching figurine, priced at $25,000. Eventually the museum wants to find the available figurines for all the drawings.

Sister Hummel relied on a familiar environment for her artwork. For example, her drawings of the Madonna are said to bear a strong resemblance to her mother.

One of her child models, Sieglinde Schoen Smith, lives in New Braunfels and' played a part in bringing the museum to the Texas town.

When she was a young girl in Germany. her father took her to Sister Hummel's convent to pick up a drawing he had commissioned of his daughter, called "Child with Blue Bells." The young girl dragged her toy behind her as she admired a ricHly decorated Christmas tree.

"Hold it right there." Sister Hummel is said to have'told the child. while she fetched her drawing pad. The sketch became "Sieglinde?s First Tree," which is now on display in a centralplace in the. museum.

Mrs. Smith was contacted by a family in Zug. Switzerland, who owned one of tne largest Hummel ,collections and wanted a.place to exhibit the work in the United States.

By Father Eugene Hemrick I

Frequently an 'experience is so meaningful we need to share it with others. Allow me t~ share one such experience as m~ holiday wish for you.

I Sometime' back, aft(lr running several grueling marath?ns, I felt a need to change something in order to get through a marat~on's painfullast mile known as "rhe wall," In a conversation wiith a colleague in the field of psychology, I said I would like to learn about hypnosis. When he suggested I experience it, the thought strUt;k me that maybe it coulQ help my marathons. The next day I found myself sitting in his offi~e.

"Relax, fix your eyes 'on a spot and any time you feelliJce closing them do so," he coached me.

"Take deep breaths aJd think of each muscle in your body becoming limp." i As I did, one by one t~e muscks relaxed. , "You have trained fong and hard," he whispered, "y,ou are i,n great shape, you are a prove:n athlete."

1 As he continued I began to argue within myself. . i "This is nonsense. I've,got more things wrong with me th~n right," and I listed negative afte~ negativ,~.

After a few minutes he turned to the actual running of a marathon.

"Image the wall as ~ piece of tissue that you are preezing through. Imagine the exhilaration of crossing the finish !Iinel" he recommended.

1111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111 11111111111111111111

In 1993, the museum Iwill open tbe second floor, where replicas of the nun's: school room, bedroom and studio are p"fanned.j Some of Sister Hummel's person'al effecls have been shipped from <Jermany, including a painting froh, alarm clock and her rosary.

I .

When the museum olpened in the fall, local children dressed in co'stumes based on fav,onte Hum, mer figurines as part of Ii look-alike contest. The contest,has lon,g been part Of the area's week long " Octoberfest.

I 1

I

A-III (PG)

Mohicans, A-III (R)

Healing service and Sunday Mass with Father William T. Babbitt 2:30 p.m. 'Jan. 3.

Exposition of Blessed ISacrament noon t06 p.m. Jan. 3 with holy hour 5 to 6 p.m., St. Sharbel1hapel, 300 North Eastern Ave. I Parish youth collecte~ $500 for the Holy Childhood Association Somalian emergency ap~eal.

Recent box office hits

o (R) 7. Passenger 57, A-III (R) 8. A River Runs Through It,

ST. MARY, N. ATTLEBORO

15

1. Home Alone 2: lost in New York, A-II (PG) 2. The Bodyguard, A-III (R) 3. Aladdin, A-I (G) 4. The Distinguished Gentleman, A-III (R) 5. Malcolm X, A-III (PG.13) 6. Bram Stoker's Dracula,

SEPARATED/DIVORCED CATHOLICS, FR Support group meeting 7 p.m.

WIDOWED SUPPOR~, ATTLEBORO I

FR

The Anchor Friday, December 25, 1992

After dwelling on this for some time and other uplifting suggl:Stions, the session concluded.

"Well, what did you think?" he asked.

"I am disappointed," I replied.

"I thought hypnosis put you under, yet I found myself arguing with you in my mind."

As we continued, it came apparent that hypnosis was not aimed at putting me to sleep but at relaxing me so that I could fully open myself to any negative forces controlling me and once having faced them, concentrate on the positive.

I learned that negative experiences pile up in' us which create clandestine fears that block us from thinking positively. Like plaque, they layer themselves secretively within. us..

The trick is to identify them so that we can confront them and then concentrate on healthy, regenerative thoughts. The relaxation in hypnotism frees the mind to better recognize the unconscious, forces governing us.

Life; 'like many grueling marathons, can pile up negatives in the subconscious. ' An example is the parent gov~ erned by a hidden sense that he didn't'raise his children well enough; a recovered alcoholic who once hit bottom and is controlled by a sense of worthlessness; a divorcee who subconsciously feels soley at fault for the broken marriage; or the once unfaithful spouse who believes he is unforgivabk.

The list of negatives is endless.

If not surfaced, the negative can cast us into a perpetual sense of remorse and worthlessness.

Each year the holiday season is meant to be a time to look up, a time not only to sing "Joy to the World," but to truly feel it.

So my wish now, as we look to a new year, is that you will have the kind of "reiaxing, hypnotic retreat experience" in which hidden negative that sadden you or that make you feel inadequate and remorseful will pe seeQ for what- they are and gotten out into the open where you can deal with them. .

I

Lost cwtesy of Vallety

@

1992 CNS Gtaphcs

Videu§---..

Recent top rentals 1. Sister Act, A-Ill (PG) 2. Patriot Games, A-IV (R) 3. Lethal Weapon 3, 0 (R) 4. Allen 3, A-Ill (R) 5. Basic Instinct, 0 (R) 6. Far and Away, A-Ill (PG-13) 7. My Cousin Vinny, A-III (R) 8. Encino Man, A-II (PG) 9. The Cutting Edge, A-III (PG) 10. Thunderheart, A-Ill (R)

List cOUItesy 01 Vallely

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~et the spirit of that first Holy , Night fill hearts with Hove, adoration. let its wonder shine throughout the season.

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