12.18.18

Diocese of Fall River, Mass.

Friday, December 28, 2018

Following the celebration of the recent St. Vincent’s Home Memorial Mass, the chapel on the home’s grounds glowed with the lights from the Memorial Tree. Each light represents a loved one in whose name a donation was made to the home. Each name was added to the Memorial Book and will be remembered and prayed for during Masses celebrated in the St. Vincent’s Home Chapel in Fall River.

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Bishop celebrates Mass with REC program inmates, staff and volunteers

To that end, Bishop Edgar M. da Cunha, S.D.V., recently visited the Bristol County House of Correction DARTMOUTH — One of the on Monday, December 17 to celoft-forgotten Corporal Works of ebrate Mass with the inmates, staff Mercy is to visit the imprisoned. and volunteers from the Residents While there always seem to be Encountering Christ program. ample opportunities during the “May we all walk in the light of Christmas season to feed the hungry, Christ,” the bishop told those gathshelter the homeless or give alms ered inside the jail during the Litto the poor, it’s rare that we find a urgy. The service was recorded and chance to remember the incarcerated was replayed on the jail’s television as we rush around to prepare for the system on Christmas. holiday routine.

The REC program is comprised According the United States Con- of a group of faith-based volunteers ference of Catholic Bishops’ website, who visit the inmates for religious “People in prison are still people, discussion, prayer and sharing the made in the image and likeness of Word of God through song every God. No matter what someone has week. done, they deserve the opportunity to The REC program celebrated its hear the Word of God and find the 20th anniversary earlier this year, and truth of the message of Christ.”

Bishop da Cunha also celebrated

By Kenneth J. Souza Anchor Staff kensouza@anchornews.org

Bishop Edgar M. da Cunha, S.D.V., left, recently celebrated Mass with inmates, staff and volunteers of the Residents Encounter Christ program at the Bristol County House of Correction in Dartmouth. Also present were, from left, Bristol County Sheriff Thomas M. Hodgson and Father Rowland Omuegbu, S.D.V., prison chaplain for the Fall River Diocese.

Mass with the volunteers and inmates to mark the occasion.

“I can’t believe it’s been 20 years already,” said longtime volunteer Jeanette Ferri, who was one of the original members of the ministry.

“It’s been wonderful. We’ve received many blessings.”

The ministry started on Cape Cod, where some volunteers and people of faith were helping inmates at the Barnstable County jail. After getting up and running, they joined forces with people in the SouthCoast area, including Albert and Elizabeth Rivet, who still are part of the ministry today.

At the same time, Bristol County Sheriff Thomas M. Hodgson was hearing great things from Barnstable about the program.

“I knew we needed to have it,” Sheriff Hodgson said. “I heard it was working wonders in Barnstable.

I think one of the most important things we can do is have a solid Spiritual foundation for the inmates, and this program, these volunteers, are their Spiritual rock.”

The group meets with up to 20 inmates at the Women’s Center every Monday night, and up to 37 male inmates inside the chapel in 2

The Anchor - December 28, 2018

the House of Correction on Tuesday.

Three times a year, they hold weekend retreats with the inmates.

And every Monday and Tuesday means every Monday and Tuesday.

Meetings are held rain or shine, blizzard or no blizzard, holiday or no holiday.

The weekly two-hour sessions feature group prayer, Scripture readings from the Sunday before, and time for inmates and volunteers to share anything that’s on their minds.

Most of the inmates who fill the halls and cells are either sentenced or awaiting trial on a range of charges, from drugs to assault and everything in between.

“I’ve been here for 18 months and I haven’t missed one week,” inmate Elizabeth Quino said. “I look forward to Monday nights.”

As much as the inmates look forward to the REC program, Ferri said the members of the ministry volunteer group are the lucky ones.

“They thank us for coming every week,” she said. “We tell them not to, and that if we didn’t love coming, we wouldn’t be here.

“They share from the heart, and what they say is absolutely sincere.

Turn to page 16

Texas hospital chapel keeps Fall River priest’s legacy alive

By Dave Jolivet Anchor Editor davejolivet@anchornews.org

and a parishioner of St. Anthony of the Desert Parish in Fall River, told The Anchor, EDINBURG, Texas — It “I have a friend in McAlwas a journey that began on len who noticed a plaque Pitman Street in Fall River mounted in the chapel at in 1933, traveled to CatheDoctors Hospital at Renaisdral Camp in East Freetown, sance in Edinburg, Texas. It two New Bedford parishes, was celebrating the life of a and ended in Edinburg, priest from Fall River, Father Texas in 2017. It was also a Pacheco. journey that could well be “I felt it was important to forgotten as time passes, but share the story with people for a plaque in a hospital up here. It’s a good story of chapel keeping the memory a good man, who went to a and legacy of a Fall River place that could well have priest alive for many years to come.

That priest was Msgr.

Agostinho S. Pacheco, affectionately known as Father Gus, a Fall River native, ordained as a priest for the Diocese of Fall River on Jan. 30, 1960 by Bishop James L. Connolly.

Nine years later, thenBishop Humberto Medeiros, another Fall River Diocese native, requested Father Gus’ assistance in the Diocese of Brownsville, Texas, along with several Msgr. Agostinho S. Pacheco other Massachusetts priests, including diocesan native been described as another Father Joseph P. Delaney, country.” later to become the secondNasiff continued, “Back in ever bishop of the Diocese 1969 the area was very, very of Fort Worth, Texas. rural with many people of The Oct. 30, 1969 ediMexican descent, and Father tion of The Anchor said Pacheco fit right in and the Father Pacheco “has been people there loved him. I’m granted permission to work so proud of that priest from on a temporary basis in the Fall River.”

Diocese of Brownsville.”

Following his ordination Father Gus didn’t return to at St. Mary’s Cathedral in the Fall River Diocese, in1960, Father Gus served stead leaving a lasting, loving at Immaculate Conception impression on the diocese on Parish in New Bedford for the border of the U.S. and seven years, later going to St. Mexico.

John the Baptist Parish in The good works of Msgr. the same city.

Pacheco may have faded In 1969 then-Bishop into memory, especially in Medeiros of Brownsville rehis native Fall River, but for quested Father Gus’ services an area businessman who in extreme southern Texas. received an email from a Bishop Medeiros, who friend living in McAllen, would later become Cardinal Texas, within the Browsville Medeiros, had worked as Diocese. Steve Nasiff, owner chancellor of the Fall River of Nasiff Fruit Company Diocese, so he was aware

of the skills and holiness of Father Pacheco.

Father Pacheco was a classmate of Father Delaney, retired Father Martin L. Buote, and the late Msgr. John F. Moore and Msgr. John J. Steakem. “I remember Bishop Medeiros asking Father Pacheco to go to Texas,” Father Buote told The Anchor. “I had two classmates go there to help, Father Pacheco and Father Delaney.”

Father Pacheco’s first assignment in Texas was in the Rio Grande Valley at St. Anthony Parish in Halingen.

He moved a few more times before founding Holy Spirit Parish in McAllen, where he stayed for several years as the fledgling parish grew.

Father Pacheco was eventually transferred to Our Lady of Sorrows Parish in McAllen where he ministered for the last 14 years of active service, and seven in retirement.

While at Our Lady of Sorrows, Father Pacheco led a large congregation and the city’s only Catholic elementary school with more than 500 students. Added to that, Father Pacheco oversaw the building of new 1,100-seat church building and office complex.

Father Pacheco was elevated to the status of monsignor by Pope Benedict XVI in 2005.

When Father Pacheco retired in 2007 he began chaplain duties at Doctors Hospital in Renaissance in Edinburg. During those seven final years of his life, the young boy from Pitman Street in Fall River added to his legacy by touching the hearts and souls of many people, often at the lowest times in their lives.

During Father Pacheco’s funeral in 2017, at the church he helped build, pas-

A plaque remembering Fall River native Msgr. Agostinho S. Pacheco (Father Gus) is mounted on a wall in the chapel which bears his name, at Doctors Hospital at Renaissance in Edinburg, Texas.

Turn to page 16

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Hispanic faithful reenact Christmas tradition of Las Posadas Puerto Rico, Cuba, Dominican Republic, Colombia, Venezuela, Guatemala, and the United States.”

Although they didn’t celebrate it this Christmas, the parishioners at Our Lady of Guadalupe at St. James Church in New Bedford have hosted a similar Novena-like version of Las Posadas in recent years.

“The groups would gather

Divine Word.”

In past years, Deacon Frank Lucca has also performed Las FALL RIVER — One of Posadas with the youth council at the more beautiful and lasting St. Dominic’s Parish in Swansea.

Christmas traditions among “My understanding is the Hispanic Catholics is the celtradition in Europe is it’s done ebration of “Las Posadas.” outdoors and they literally go Similar to the idea of a Living from house to house,” Deacon Nativity, these staged reenactLucca said. “We brought it inments recall the pilgrimage of side to our parish center. But it’s the Holy Family from Nazareth not a presentation where you sit to Bethlehem, and how hard it and watch something. There are was for them to find a place to Scripture readings as the troop rest despite Mary’s advanced moves from door to door, seekpregnancy. ing shelter with Mary and JoWith songs, those accompanyseph. It continues to grow, so as ing “the Holy Pilgrims” — typithey pass by people in the audically youth portraying Joseph ence, they join in so by the time and the pregnant Mary riding on it’s done you have this massive a donkey — represent the act of line of people moving from door knocking on the door of a house to door to door.” requesting posada, or lodging, Deacon Lucca explained that saying “En el nombre del cielo, os as the readings recount the story pido posada.” of that holy night, children from Those inside keep turning the parish Faith Formation prothem down. They go back and gram and members of the Youth forth several stanzas until the Council would act out the drama house hosting the posada finally as it unfolded. opens the doors, welcoming in “As the program continued, the pilgrims and accompanying you would hear lessons from the crowd.

Bible followed by songs that The community then prays the bring the point closer to home,” Members of the youth council at St. Dominic’s Parish in Swansea portray he said.

Rosary together and, after, the Mary and Joseph during one of their past traditional Las Posadas reenhost showers visitors with typiThe origins of Las Posadas in actments. (Anchor file photo) cal foods and hot drinks such as the United States can be traced chocolate, atole o champurreado. back to the Franciscan priests Children — sometimes adults as reach the outdoor chapel where at different homes and sing a and monks who first set up well — normally walk out with beautiful song, one outside and Church missions in the Ameriour life-sized manger is and an “aguinaldo,” a bag usually one inside,” said pastor Father can southwest. all the kids who are dressed as containing oranges, peanuts and “The Franciscans were teachshepherds and everything else go Craig Pregana. “We usually had candy. In the United States, this kids who were dressed up as ers of the faith and they sought inside and stand by the statues Mexican tradition has extended Mary and Joseph outside, and out ways to teach simple, humble of their counterparts,” he said. to many other Latin-American they would ask for posada — a people the mysteries of the “There are all these little kids communities, perhaps due to Catholic faith,” Deacon Lucca dressed as sheep — it’s just a lot place to stay. And people would identification with the migration of fun.” respond in song with ‘Yes, please said. “Their posadas celebrated experience of the Holy Family. come in.’” the mystery of Salvation found At St. Vincent de Paul ParThe tradition has been kept Some of the translated stanin the Old Testament’s propheish in Attleboro, the celebraalive each year at the National cies of the Messiah and how tion of Las Posadas this year was zas from the traditional Spanish Shrine of Our Lady of La more akin to a nine-day Novena, posada song include the beautiful Jesus is the fulfillment of those Salette in Attleboro, where the lyrics: “In the name of Heaven I prophecies. It recalled Joseph which was prayed nightly at 7 reenactment was again perand Mary’s search for a shelter p.m. from December 16 through ask you for shelter, for my beformed on Sunday, December 23. December 23, according to loved wife can go no farther. We where Mary would give birth to “It begins at the church and are worn out, all the way from her Son, Jesus. parochial vicar Father German they have drummers, they have Nazareth. I am a carpenter named “Everyone should remember Correa Agudelo. guitarists and singers,” said FaJoseph. We request lodging, dear Mary and Joseph’s search for “We celebrate posadas every ther Ted Brown, M.S., director innkeeper, for only one night for shelter on the night Jesus was day at St. Vincent de Paul,” of La Salette Shrine. “And they Father German told The Anchor. the Queen of Heaven. My wife is born and also remember those pretty much pick out their own “We celebrate with all nationali- Mary. She is the Queen of Heav- who today are homeless and route here at the shrine. It’s a en, and she will be mother to the seeking shelter.” ties — Honduras, El Salvador,

By Kenneth J. Souza Anchor Staff kensouza@anchornews.org

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The Anchor - December 28, 2018

call-and-response type of thing, where one group sings something to the effect of, ‘We’re Mary and Joseph on our way to Bethlehem,’ and the other group will sing: ‘No, there’s no room for you here!’ Then they move on to another building.”

Father Ted said the traveling procession culminates at the shrine’s outdoor Nativity scene.

“This will continue until they

Pope Francis tells Curia: ‘Spare no effort’ in bringing abusers to justice

Vatican City, (CNA) — Pope Francis strongly condemned clerical sex abuse in his annual Christmas speech to the Roman Curia recently, promising that the Church leadership will never again cover-up abuse or treat such cases lightly.

“Let it be clear that before these abominations the Church will spare no effort to do all that is necessary to bring to justice whosoever has committed such crimes.

The Church will never seek to hush up or not take seriously any case,” Pope Francis said in Vatican’s City’s Apostolic Palace.

“It is undeniable that some in the past, out of irresponsibility, disbelief, lack of training, inexperience, or Spiritual and human short-sightedness, treated many cases without the seriousness and promptness that was due. That must never happen again. This is the choice and the decision of the whole Church,” he continued.

The 40-minute address to the cardinals and members of the Roman Curia largely focused on the “scourges of abuse and infidelity.”

The pope delivered a decisive message to those “consecrated men, ‘the Lord’s anointed,’” who today “abuse the vulnerable, taking advantage of their position and their power of persuasion.”

With his hands visibly shaking as he read from his prepared text, the pope addressed abusive clergy directly, telling them to prepare to face justice.

“To those who abuse minors I would say this: convert and hand yourself over to human justice, and prepare for Divine justice,” Pope Francis said.

“Remember the words of Christ: ‘Whoever causes one of these little ones who be-

lieve in Me to sin, it would be better for him to have a great millstone fastened around his neck and to be drowned in the depth of the sea. Woe to the world because of scandals! For it is necessary that scandals come, but woe to the man by whom the scandal comes!’” he added.

The pope chose to focus his Christmas address on the struggles the Church faced in the past “turbulent” year. “This year, in our turbulent world, the barque of the Church has experienced, and continues to experience, moments of difficulty, and has been buffeted by strong winds and tempests,” he said.

Pope Francis outlined what he perceived to be the different reactions from Catholics around the world in response to the sex abuse crisis.

“Many have found themselves asking the Master, Who seems to be sleeping: ‘Teacher, do You not care that we are perishing?’ Others, disheartened by news reports, have begun to lose trust and to abandon her. Still others, out of fear, personal interest or other aims, have sought to attack her and aggravate her wounds. Whereas others do not conceal their glee at seeing her hard hit,” he said.

“Many, many others, however, continue to cling to her, in the certainty that ‘the gates of hell shall not prevail against her,’” he added.

The pope also thanked the journalists who shed light on the cases of sex abuse within the Church, “who were honest and objective and sought to unmask these predators and to make their victims’ voices heard.”

“Even if it were to involve a single case of abuse (something itself monstrous), the Church asks that people not be silent but bring it objectively to light, since the greater scandal in this matter

is that of cloaking the truth,” Pope Francis added.

He urged, “Please, let us help Holy Mother Church in her difficult task of recognizing real from false cases, accusations from slander, grievances from insinuations, gossip from defamation.”

In a possible indication of the scope of the Vatican’s February meeting to address the abuse of minors and other vulnerable adults, the pope said that the Church must confront the root causes of sexual abuse, within itself and in the wider society.

“The Church will not be limited to healing her own wounds, but will seek to deal squarely with this evil that causes the slow death of so many persons, on the moral, psychological and human levels.”

“An effort will be made to make past mistakes opportunities for eliminating this scourge, not only from the body of the Church but also from that of society. For if this grave tragedy has involved some consecrated ministers, we can ask how deeply rooted it may be in our societies and in our families,” he commented.

At the February meeting, the heads of all of the international bishops’ conferences “will question, with the help of experts, how best to protect children, to avoid these tragedies, to bring healing and restoration to the victims, and to improve the training imparted in seminaries,” the pope said.

Pope Francis said he wanted to “stress the importance of a growing awareness that should lead to a duty of vigilance and protection on the part of those entrusted with governance in the structures of ecclesial and consecrated life.”

“The strength of any institution does not depend on

its being composed of men and women who are perfect (something impossible!), but on its willingness to be constantly purified, on its capacity to acknowledge humbly its errors and correct them; and on its ability to get up after falling down,” he said.

The pope used the Biblical story of King David to analyze the sins of “abuses of power and conscience and sexual abuse.”

“Today too, there are many Davids who, without batting an eye, enter into the web of corruption and betray God, His Commandments, their own vocation, the Church, the people of God and the trust of little ones and their families. Often behind their boundless amiability, impeccable activity and angelic faces, they shamelessly conceal a vicious wolf ready to devour innocent souls,” he said.

“Let us all remember that only David’s encounter with the prophet Nathan made him understand the seriousness of his sin. Today we need new Nathans to help so many Davids rouse themselves from a hypocritical and perverse life,” he added.

Amid the scandals, the pope saw as “a genuine cause for joy” Catholics who faithfully live lives of charity in their vocations, including “the great number of the faithful who each year receive Bap-

tism and thus renew the youth of the Church as a fruitful mother, and the many of her children who come home and re-embrace the Christian faith and life. All those families and parents who take their faith seriously and daily pass it on to their children by the joy of their love.”

“Another genuine cause for joy is the great number of consecrated men and women, bishops and priests, who daily live their calling in fidelity, silence, holiness and selfdenial,” Pope Francis said.

“I think especially of the many parish priests who daily offer good example to the people of God, priests close to families, who know everyone’s name and live lives of simplicity, faith, zeal, holiness and charity. They are overlooked by the mass media, but were it not for them, darkness would reign,” he added.

In his remarks, the pope connected the coming of Christ at Christmas to the final judgement, when Christ will return in glory.

“Each year, Christmas gives us the certainty that Turn to page 13

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Anchor Editorial

The month of John

As noted before in this space, October is the month of the Saints Theresa (of Lisieux and of Avila) and November that of the Saints Martin (de Porres and of Tours). With everything else going on in December, we might overlook that this is the month of the Saints John ( Juan Diego, of the Cross, of Kanty, and the Evangelist).

St. Juan Diego (for saints who were canonized a long time ago, we use the English translation of their names; Zebedee [later to be abandoned in his fishing boat in the Sea of Galilee] and his wife [later to try to get a good place in the Kingdom for her sons] did not give their son the English name “John”) we celebrate on December 9, the first day of Our Lady of Guadalupe’s apparitions to him. He and the Blessed Mother have a very tender dialogue over the brief time period in which she visits him on the pathways outside of Mexico City.

St. John Paul II, in his canonization homily for Juan Diego, noted, “Juan Diego discovered the profound truth of the new humanity, in which all are called to be children of God. Thus he facilitated the fruitful meeting of two worlds and became the catalyst for the new Mexican identity, closely united to Our Lady of Guadalupe, whose mestizo face expresses her Spiritual motherhood which embraces all Mexicans. This is why the witness of his life must continue to be the inspiration for the building up of the Mexican nation, encouraging brotherhood among all its children and ever helping to reconcile Mexico with its origins, values and traditions.”

What the Polish saint observed about this Mexican saint can also be applied to us in the United States. We are called to recognize each other as children of God, to have the variety of worlds which have met in this land integrate with each other in a way which truly embraces the dignity of each person in God’s eyes.

St. Juan Diego thought that someone more important should be Mary’s spokesperson. “I beg you to entrust your message to someone more illustrious who might convey it in order that they may believe it, for I am only an insignificant man.” However, Mary knew that her message of love had to be borne by someone who strove to imitate her own humility.

On December 14 we remembered St. John of the Cross (whose real name was “Juan,” since he was a native of Spain). He was born 11 years after Our Lady appeared to Juan Diego in Mexico and he died on Dec. 14, 1591. His was not an easy life, but he lived it united to Christ on His cross, Who gave him strength.

Pope Benedict XVI gave a general audience talk on this saint on Feb. 16, 2011. He discussed the saint’s great literary works and how they can be applied to our lives today. “In ‘The Spiritual Canticle’ St. John presents the process of the soul’s purification and that is the gradual, joyful possession of God, until the soul succeeds in feeling that it loves God with the same love with which it is loved by Him. ‘The Living Flame of Love’ continues in this perspective, describing in greater detail the state of the transforming union with God.” Pope Benedict said that John of the Cross used the image of fire a lot in his writings. “Just as the stronger the fire burns and consumes wood, the brighter it grows until it blazes into a flame, so the Holy Spirit, Who purifies and ‘cleanses’ OFFICIAL NEWSPAPER OF THE DIOCESE OF FALL RIVER www.anchornews.org

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The Anchor - December 28, 2018

the soul during the dark night, with time illuminates and warms it as though it were a flame. The life of the soul is a continuous celebration of the Holy Spirit which gives us a glimpse of the glory of union with God in eternity.”

Another great work of John of the Cross is “The Ascent of Mount Carmel,” which details the “purification” we need to do, “as a journey the human being undertakes, collaborating with Divine action, to free the soul from every attachment or affection contrary to God’s will. Purification which, if it is to attain the union of love with God must be total, begins by purifying the life of the senses and continues with the life obtained through the three theological virtues: faith, hope and charity, which purify the intention, the memory and the will.”

John of the Cross’ most famous work is “The Dark Night” which “describes the ‘passive’ aspect, that is, God’s intervention in this process of the soul’s ‘purification.’ In fact human endeavor on its own is unable to reach the profound roots of the person’s bad inclinations and habits: all it can do is to check them but cannot entirely uproot them. This requires the special action of God which radically purifies the Spirit and prepares it for the union of love with Him. St. John describes this purification as ‘passive,’ precisely because, although it is accepted by the soul, it is brought about by the mysterious action of the Holy Spirit Who, like a burning flame, consumes every impurity. In this state the soul is subjected to every kind of trial, as if it were in a dark night,” Pope Benedict explained.

St. John of Kanty is often overlooked, since his feast day occurs on December 23, so it is an optional memorial. He died on Dec. 24, 1473 in his native Poland (so, John wasn’t his “real” name either). Pope Clement XIII described him as someone “deserv[ing] a high place among the great saints and scholars who practice what they preach and defend the true faith. He fought to raise the standard of holiness among the faithful, and his preaching was reinforced by his humility, his chastity, his sympathy, his bodily penance, and the other qualities of a dedicated priest. He never put himself above anyone else, and treated himself as not mattering, even though he was acknowledged by everyone as their master. Every day after his round of duties, he would go straight from the lecture room to church, where he would spend long hours in contemplation and prayer before the hidden Prince of the Eucharist. The God in his heart and the God on his lips were one and the same God.” What a great example for us at Christmastime, when the “reason for the season” can be so easily forgotten.

We close this month with St. John the Evangelist (December 27), who bequeathed us a Gospel, three letters and the Book of Revelation. He got to actually listen to Jesus’ heartbeat during the Last Supper and was the only Apostle “man enough” (although, in age, he was just an adolescent) to accompany Christ and Mary to Calvary. In exchange for this courage, Christ gave him Mary to be his mother (and our mother, too). Unlike his biological mother, who was looking to see how her son could become “important,” Mary helped John to see that true importance comes from loving God and neighbor above all other things.

May these saints who shared the name John help us to follow Christ and find our true joy in Him.

Daily Readings Dec. 29 – Jan. 11 Upcoming Daily Readings: Sat. Dec. 29, 1 Jn 2:3-11; Ps 96:1-3,5b-6; Lk 2:2235. Sun. Dec. 30, The Holy Family of Jesus, Mary and Joseph, Sir 3:2-6,12-14; Ps 128:1-5; Col 3:12-21 or 3:12-17; Lk 2:41-52. Mon. Dec. 31, 1 Jn 2:18-21; Ps 96:1-2, 11-13; Jn 1:1-18. Tues. Jan. 1, Solemnity of Mary, the Holy Mother, Nm 6:22-27; Ps 67:2-3,5-6,8; Gal 4:4-7; Lk 2:16-21. Wed. Jan. 2, 1 Jn 2:22-28; Ps 98:1-4; Jn 1:19-28. Thurs. Jan. 3, 1 Jn 2:29—3:6; Ps 98:1,3cd-6; Jn 1:29-34.

Fri. Jan. 4, 1 Jn 3:7-10; Ps 98:1,7-9; Jn 1:35-42.

Sat. Jan. 5, 1 Jn 3:11-21; Ps 100:1b-5; Jn 1:43-51. Sun. Jan. 6, Epiphany of the Lord, Is 60:1-6; Ps 72:1-2,7-8,10-13; Eph 3:2-3a,5-6; Mt 2:1-12. Mon. Jan. 7, 1 Jn 3:22—4:6; Ps 2:7b-8,10-12a; Mt 4:12-17,23-25. Tues. Jan. 8, 1 Jn 4:7-10; Ps 72:1-4,7-8; Mk 6:34-44. Wed. Jan. 9, 1 Jn 4:11-18; Ps 72:1-2,10,12-13; Mk 6:45-52. Thurs. Jan. 10, 1 Jn 4:19—5:4; Ps 72:1-2,14,15bc,17; Lk 4:14-22a. Fri. Jan. 11, 1 Jn 5:5-13; Ps 147:12-15,19-20; Lk 5:12-16.

O

A difficult, but particularly important, Te Deum

n December 31 every year, the pope leads the Church in a solemn prayer of Thanksgiving to God for the civil year coming to a close. It takes place in St. Peter’s at the end of First Vespers for the Solemnity of Mary, Mother of God. It’s an opportunity to thank God for all the gifts of the year coming to a close, to ask for mercy for the ways we have not responded to His “grace upon grace,” and to ask for help so that the new year about to begin may be a true “year of the Lord.”

The Te Deum is a fitting prayer by which to do this.

It calls on all of Creation to praise, thank and worship God: the whole Church, Heaven and earth, the angels, cherubim, seraphim, Apostles, prophets, martyrs, all laud the Father of infinite Majesty, the True and only Son, and the Holy Paraclete. We thank God the Father for Christ’s Incarnation and for His death and Resurrection that opened the Kingdom of Heaven to all believers. We thank Him for sitting Christ at His right hand in glory to be our judge.

We ask that He Who has redeemed us by His precious Blood may number us with the saints in eternal glory.

And then, with some verses from the Psalms, we implore the Lord to have mercy on us, save His people and bless His inheritance, because we have placed our trust in Him. The Church has been singing it for 1,700 years on all solemnities and every Sunday outside of Lent at the end of the Office of Readings, at the canonization of saints, the election of popes, the ordination of bishops, and religious professions. Lutherans, Anglicans and Methodists continue to sing it as well on various solemn occasions, a testimony to its venerable history that extends far before the Reformation. Some of the greatest composers have set it to music — Mozart, Handel, Byrd, Tallis, Purcell, Elgar, Hadyn, Berlioz, Verdi,

Bruckner — and there are decades or, in some respects, several Gregorian chant tunes centuries, because of the revto make the prayer melodious elation of so much corruption and beautiful. It’s been loosely in various parts of the Church translated into English by the in various forms of sexual hymns “Holy God, We Praise abuse of minors and sinfulness Thy Name,” “God, We Praise on the part of the Church’s You,” and others. ministers.

Its most solemn setting, Pope Francis aptly summahowever, is at the end of each rized the year in his address to year, when the Church gives the Roman Curia on Decema plenary indulgence to the ber 21 when he said, “This Christian faithful who take year, in our turbulent world, part in reciting or singing it in the barque of the Church has a church or oratory. experienced, and continues to The Spirituality behind the experience, moments of difTe Deum is like that of the ficulty, and has been buffeted dialogue that occurs in the heart of every Mass when the priest Putting Into says, “Let us give the Deep thanks to the Lord our God,” everyone responds, “It is right and

By Father just,” and the priest Roger J. Landry replies with great theological depth, “It is truly right and just, our by strong winds and tempests. duty and our Salvation, always Many have found themselves and everywhere to give You asking the Master, Who thanks, Lord, Holy Father, al- seems to be sleeping: ‘Teacher, mighty and ever-living God.” do You not care that we are The Church knows that it’s perishing?’ (Mk 4:38). Others, right, it’s just, it’s fitting, it’s disheartened by news reports, appropriate, for us to give God have begun to lose trust and thanks, “always and everyto abandon her. Still others, where.” It’s right, just, fitting out of fear, personal interest and appropriate for us to do so or other aims, have sought to on sunny days and rainy days, attack her and aggravate her on days we feel like a million wounds. Whereas others do bucks and days we’re in the not conceal their glee at seeing hospital, on days when we’re her hard hit.” celebrating weddings and He went on to describe days we’re attending funerals how this year has brought of family and friends, on days us to face anew the revoltwhen we get promotions and ing reality that there are bonuses at work and days we “consecrated men, ‘the Lord’s get pink slips, on days when anointed,’ who abuse the vulwe win and on days that we nerable, taking advantage of suffer brutal defeats. It’s right their position and their power and just to thank God always of persuasion. They perform and everywhere. It’s our duty abominable acts yet continue to thank God because He has to exercise their ministry as if given us everything and pernothing had happened; [who] mitted to happen to us, what have no fear of God or His the world considers adverse or judgment, but only of being propitious, because we believe found out and unmasked; who with St. Paul that “everything rend the ecclesial body, creatworks out for the good for ing scandals and discrediting those who love God” (Rom the Church’s saving mission 8:28). and the sacrifices of so many The Te Deum is particularly of their confrères; who, withneeded this year, which has out batting an eye, enter into been one of the most chalthe web of corruption and lenging for the Church in betray God, His Command-

ments, their own vocation, the Church, the people of God and the trust of little ones and their families; [who] often behind their boundless amiability, impeccable activity and angelic faces, shamelessly conceal a vicious wolf ready to devour innocent souls; [who] disfigure the countenance of the Church and undermine her credibility.”

And yet the Church, led

by Pope Francis, despite all of this evil, will end 2018 with a Te Deum. We will do so first because we recognize that these abominations are not the whole story. Even if many members of the Church were manifestly unfaithful to God, God was ever faithful to us.

God-with-us is still very much with us and His presence made 2018 objectively a year of the Lord.

Where sin abounded, grace has superabounded (Rom 5:20), and we witnessed many entering the Church, many ordinations, many religious professions, many Baptisms, holy Marriages, acts of extraordinary charity, martyrdoms and so much more.

Even, however, in the case of the horrors of infidelity that have surfaced, the Church is one year and several steps closer to eradicating that evil.

The worst thing is not that these crimes, sins and sacrileges have come to light but that they occurred in the first place, in darkness, many of them years ago. The fact that they are now known allows for reparation and, we pray, healing for the victims and for the whole Church.

As Pope Benedict said in his Te Deum reflections in 2012, “The Te Deum we are raising to the Lord this evening, at the end of a solar year, is a hymn of thanksgiving that ends with a profession of trust — ‘in You, Lord, we put our trust; we shall not be put to shame.’ However the year went, whether it was easy or difficult, barren or fruit-

ful, let us give thanks to God. Indeed the Te Deum contains deep wisdom, that wisdom that makes us say that in spite of all, good exists in the world and that this good is bound to win thanks be to God, the God of Jesus Christ, Who was born, died and rose again.

At times of course it is hard to understand this profound reality, because evil is noisier than goodness whereas acts of love and service, the daily effort sustained with fidelity and patience are often left in the dark, they pass unnoticed.”

But he added that the Te Deum, pondering the previous year, is meant to start us “afresh on a journey of conversion that makes us wiser and better people, more capable of generating solidarity and communion and of overcoming evil with good,” reminding us, “Christians are people of hope, even and above all when they face the darkness that often exists in the world and has nothing to do with God’s plan but is the result of the erroneous choices of human beings, for Christians know that the power of faith can move mountains (cf. Mt 17:20): The Lord can illuminate even the thickest darkness.”

The one who shows us best how to let the Lord’s light illuminate, heal and transform is the Mother of God. The Church prays the Te Deum in the context of Vespers on the solemnity of her maternity and then begins the next year with hope, counting on her prayers for all her children, following her example of keeping our gaze on the infant Jesus, the blessed Fruit of her womb, the new Sun of Justice rising on the horizon of humanity after a long and dark night, and saying with her, in the words of that ancient hymn, “In te, Domine, speravi: non confundar in aeternum”: “In You, Lord, is our hope: and we shall never hope in vain.”

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

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Gene-edited babies and the runaway train of IVF

n November 2018, a Chinese scientist named He Jankui (known to his associates as “JK”) claimed that he had successfully produced the world’s first gene-edited human babies using “gene surgery.” The twin girls, he said, were born somewhere in China with a modified gene that makes them immune to infection from HIV, the virus that causes AIDS. A special DNA splicing technique called CRISPR/ Cas 9 was used when they were embryos to make the edits. In a series of short videos posted on YouTube, JK offers an explanation of, and justification for, what he did.

He reminds his viewers that when scientists first began doing in-vitro fertilization in 1978, a number of ethical concerns were raised, but those mostly subsided over time: “The media hyped panic about Louise Brown’s birth as the first IVF baby. But for 40

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years, regulations and mor- to make use of the powers als have developed together of science to achieve good with IVF, ensuring only ends? Or should his gene therapeutic applications editing work be condemned to help more than eight and JK branded as a rogue million children come into scientist violating signifithis world. Gene surgery is cant moral boundaries? another IVF advancement.”

The answer to these In another video, he puts questions will, in fact, it this way: “Look back to the 1970s Making Sense with Louise Brown.

Out of The same fears and Bioethics criticisms then are repeated now. Yet,

By Father Tad IVF unquestionably Pacholczyk has benefited families. There will be no question about the morality be linked to whether we of gene surgery in 20 to 30 understand IVF to be ethiyears.” cal or not — JK is right to JK’s strong conclusion draw the parallel. If we conleads us to ask whether the clude that IVF is something general sense of revulsion good and ethically acceptthat has arisen towards his able, we end up granting gene-editing work is merely the principle that it is OK alarmist and shortsighted. to engage in very harmAre people failing to grasp ful and damaging actions the importance and propri- as long as we have a good ety of what he is doing? Is end or purpose in mind. he a pioneer ushering in a Although IVF involves a new age of enlightenment litany of grave harms, like where mankind will be able the engendering of human

The Anchor - December 28, 2018

beings in laboratories and the freezing or destruction of embryos, if our intention is to help others fulfill their desire to have a baby, it must be OK. By this same logic, gene editing of our children will also be considered acceptable as long as our intentions are good and we’re trying to help others, even if we’re actually causing serious harms along the way.

Adding up the grave harms from IVF gives us a long list: IVF turns procreation into “production.” It dehumanizes embryonic children, treating them as objects to be frozen, manipulated, abandoned or destroyed. Since the practice began in 1978, millions of embryos have become warehoused in liquid nitrogen, abandoned in frozen “orphanages.” Millions more have been outright discarded as biomedical waste. Instead of “loving our children into being” through the one-flesh union of husband and wife, IVF mass produces children in clinics, assembly-line style, under the impetus of market capitalism. Children born by IVF, moreover, experience roughly double the rate of birth defects of regularly conceived children.

Over the years, these kinds of concerns have been mostly glossed over or ignored — we’ve grown accustomed to frozen orphanages, and to the high toll involved in the process of assuring that a few of our embryonic children survive and successfully implant. We downplay the risk of birth defects. Our insensitivity and desires have trumped a clear sense of ethics.

As we face the daunting question of editing human

embryos, we run up against the same temptation. Editing our embryonic children to be free of a particular disease requires numerous embryos to be simultaneously created (or thawed out), treated as “products” and subjected to genetic “treatments,” with many of them perishing during the experiment, in order that a few of them might survive and develop without the disease. Editing our embryonic children may also involve risks to them that we will only understand later when they grow up.

Is it ever proper to experiment on our own offspring?

Moreover, gene editing in embryos introduces changes that will be passed into the human gene pool, establishing permanent and irrevocable changes to our own humanity. How does one adequately evaluate the risks of such changes?

The fact remains that we’ve been willing to tolerate an abundance of human carnage up to this point with IVF, and one of the great tragedies of our age has been our tone deafness to the evils of IVF. JK argues that we are similarly poised to accept the production of gene-edited babies as yet another variation on the theme.

Will his brazen instrumentalization of human beings call forth gasps of disbelief, serious reflection and action, or only a few more passing yawns?

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

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

Tuesday 25 December 2018 — Christmas Day on Cape Cod. hoy, dear readers, and a blessed Christmas to you and yours.

At last, the weeks of waiting are over. It’s Christmastime. Deck the halls with boughs of holly, fa-lala-la-la-la-la-la-la. Celebrate the season!

I’ll let you in on a secret, if you promise to keep it to yourself. Here at St. Patrick Church, we put up our Christmas tree for the First Sunday of Advent. Before you swoon from the shock of such a flagrant Liturgical violation, let me explain.

It may look to all the world like an ordinary Christmas tree, but look closer. It’s not. Notice it’s decorated in a patriotic theme. Patriotism is appropriate year-round, is it not?

And it’s technically not in the church; it’s in the church lobby.

I’m forever grateful to the Angelic Doctor of Theology, St. Thomas Aquinas, for giving the world the tool of “a mental reservation” (mentalis restrictio). Briefly, you tell the truth and nothing but the truth, but not necessarily the whole truth. They say mental reservations are very popular these days among Washington politicians.

No, we didn’t have a Christmas tree in the church during Advent.

No. No. Certainly not. But we do have what we call our “shoebox tree” in the lobby throughout the Advent/Christmas Season.

You’ve never heard of a shoebox tree? Allow me to enlighten you.

We started with a book. “The Giving Tree” is a children’s picture book by Shel Silverstein, first published in 1964. The book has recently become politically incorrect (what hasn’t?). It’s the story of a relationship between the main characters (a boy and an apple tree). Is it a positive message (i.e., the tree gives the boy selfless love) or is it negative (i.e., the boy is using the tree in a toxic, one-sided relationship)? It could be taken either way, similar to the tune “Baby, It’s Cold Outside” (also politically incorrect). As young people these

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Christmas in a shoebox

and chewing gum, pens and paper, the organization online. I teledays are fond of saying, “Whattoothpaste, coffee, instant oatphoned its national headquarters ever.” meal, Ramen noodles, cookies and and asked some questions.

It seems Be that as it may, churches across crackers, shampoo, sunscreen, foot the United States adopted the “giv- legitimate. So, I suggest the parpowder, socks, Tylenol, batteries, ish ‘giving tree’ this year be held in ing tree” as an expression of unQ-tips, food in pop-top cans, insect conjunction conditional with Opera- spray, and playing cards. giving. Some The Ship’s Log All items are left unwrapped but tion Shoeunknown Reflections of a do need to be placed in gallon size box.”

Sunday Parish Priest “Interest- Ziploc bags for shipment. Sounds school easy. ing, Jane,” I teacher set

By Father Tim “Well,” said I, “I don’t know. responded up a “giving Goldrick with careful- We’ve never done it that way, but tree” to teach ly calculated we could give it a try, I suppose.” In her class the my mind, I was shouting “yippee.” moderation. “Tell me a little more virtue of charity as the season of The way to get rid of one tired about this.” gift-giving approached. The tree tradition is to start a new one. The Jane went on to explain. Operawas decorated with tags identifyproject proved to be a great suction Shoebox provides year-round ing gifts for children in need. You cess. practical support for our troops at took the tag; you returned with the And that, dear readers, is how we home and worldwide. Its mission stipulated gift. The idea swept the celebrate “Christmas in a shoebox” is to meet some ordinary needs of nation. here in Falmouth Village. military men and women, includWe’ve had a “giving tree” here Merry Christmas to all and to all ing those of homeless veterans. since the 1970s as part of the old a good night.

One way this is done is by shipCCD (Confraternity of Christian Anchor columnist Father Tim ping “care packages” with notes Doctrine). Some years, we’ve even Goldrick is pastor of St. Patrick Parof encouragement. The packages had two separate “giving trees” as ish in Falmouth. might include such items as candy a result of disagreement between parish groups as to whom should be the beneficiaries. Parishioners were forced to take sides. It was obvious to me that the era of the “giving tree” had come and gone. I said nothing, however. What pastor wants to be accused of standing opposed to giving gifts to needy children at Christmas?

One day, parishioner Jane Hopewood approached me in the Sacristy. “Father,” she said, “I’ve been thinking. Seems to me this ‘giving tree’ thing has gone stale.”

“It has?” said I. “I haven’t noticed” (This was definitely not a mental reservation).

Jane recalled how our parish community reaches out to our military, fire personnel, police officers, and first responders; how we pray for these women and men at every weekend Mass; how we’ve hosted massive funerals for police officers who died in the line of duty; how we’ve welcomed town firefighters to Sunday Mass on International Firefighters Day. Then, Jane revealed her idea.

“Father,” she said, “I was talking to a friend who happened to mention a nationwide program called ‘Operation Shoebox.’ I researched Jane Hopewood — Operation shoebox — St. Patrick Church, Falmouth The Anchor - December 28, 2018

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The Brazilian men’s Rosary prayer group from St. Mary’s Cathedral in Fall River visited La Salette Shrine in Attleboro on December 12. They prayed the Rosary together in the Blessed Sacrament Chapel and then saw the Christmas lights outside.

Father Thomas Washburn, O.F.M. was recently installed by Bishop Edgar M. da Cunha, S.D.V., as rector of St. Mary of the Assumption Cathedral in Fall River during a recent Mass there.

Families and children from Our Lady of the Assumption Church in New Bedford took part in an adult Faith Formation session on the season of Advent presented to parents, followed by the making of family Advent wreaths. Children chose sayings to be placed on the table cloth for their “home altar.”

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The Anchor - December 28, 2018

The Anchor - December 28, 2018

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Holy families

t is always so much fun to see the many families on display during the Christmas Masses. If you have been around a long time you see the return of grown-up children and their little off-spring.

We all come together to pray and sing those familiar carols of the season, and on the surface all seems merry and bright.

But families are never perfect, for beneath the surface of the well-turned-out display at church there is the real-life stuff that makes families such a bundle of imperfect joy. That’s what makes the feast of the Holy Family the perfect Liturgical celebration to close out the Christmas season.

The Gospel story features an impudent exchange between child and parents as Mary and Joseph search frantically for their lost Son and find Him among the Temple scholars. It’s great to see that the Holy Family was not immune to moments

of stress and annoyance are timid about taking on just like every other famthis daunting responsibilily. ity. We can’t evangelize by Families have been intelling people the reasons cubators of the faith since why they must have faith, the dawn of time, but in nor can we move them to recent decades there has embrace Christ by giving been a noticeable erosion them answers to questions of this fertile soil. The they aren’t asking. latest avant-garde apA few years ago when proach to Faith Formation the Church was preparincludes families in the process with the hope that the Church can efThe Great fectively evangeCommission lize and catechize them while they

By Claire McManus are still hovering around their children. This is asking too much and too little ing for the Synod on the of parish Faith FormaFamily we asked parish tion. It is too much to leadership to tell us what expect that a few series of they thought families Faith Formation sessions needed. The responses will move these adults to revealed that many conversion. It is asking too families are experienclittle because conversion ing stress from a variety is a matter of the heart, of causes: financial wornot the head. The only ries; job insecurity; adway for parents to have a diction; caring for elderly meaningful conversion is parents or grandchildren; if we truly embrace our single-parent households; role as missionaries of the divorce and custody issues.

Good News, but many While families are in the

midst of these life crises they are not necessarily pondering the existence of God; they’re wondering how they are going to get through their day. The “Catechism of the Catholic Church” teaches that “the proofs of God’s existence can predispose one to faith and help one to see that faith is not opposed to reason.”

This is the cornerstone of apologetics, which is a strategy for persuading others of the reasonableness of one’s faith. But when life hands you unreasonable situations it’s hard to formulate the questions for which apologetics have the pre-formulated answers. God arrives in the messiness of life, not in the sterility of the philosopher’s ivory tower.

It has been more than five years since Pope Francis’ seminal document on evangelization: Evangelii Gaudium. Pope Francis reminded all of us that it is our primary responsibility to proclaim the kerygma, or more simply, that “Jesus Christ loves you; He gave His life to save you’; and now He is living at your side every day to enlighten, strengthen and free you.” It sounds so simple, yet we continue to flood the parents with apologetics, giving them information about God or the Church without sharing the deeply personal reason why we ourselves are believers.

In her book, “Developing Disciples of Christ,” Julianne Stanz explains the importance of personalizing that all-important teaching that we are saved

by Christ’s life, death and Resurrection. We have been taught that God created the world, but when we place ourselves into the Creation story it has a more profound impact.

A loving God created me so that God can be in relationship with me. We have learned about the consequences of Original Sin, but it is so much more authentic when we admit that my sinful actions have caused a break in my relationship with God. When we accept Jesus into our lives, it is so much easier to share that Jesus restored my relationship with God through His life, death and Resurrection. Jesus invites me to trust Him, turn away from sin (conversion) and follow Him. Jesus sent the Holy Spirit into me to bring me new life in His Church and to send me on mission to bring others to this new life.

We all have families within reach that are desperate to be free from the stress that drains the hope from their lives. How willing are we to share our reason for hope, to tell a struggling parent that my life may not be perfect, but I have Jesus by my side as I stumble through life?

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

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The Anchor - December 28, 2018

Marian Medal Awards ceremony now available on video

The Nov. 18, 2018 Marian Medal Awards Ceremony is available on DVD from the Diocesan Office of Communications. The DVD cost is $25. To obtain one, please send a check in that amount payable to the Fall River Diocese to this address: Office of Communications, Diocese of Fall River, P.O. Box 2577, Fall River, Mass., 02722.

Shipping is included in the cost.

Diocese of Fall River TV Mass on WLNE Channel 6 December 30 at 11:00 a.m.

Celebrant is Father Rodney E. Thibault, pastor of St. Mary’s Parish in South Dartmouth.

January 6 at 11:00 a.m.

Celebrant is Father Ron P. Floyd, chaplain at St. John Paul II High School in Hyannis.

Augusta (Camara) Andrade, mother of the late Father David M. Andrade

FALL RIVER — Augusta (Camara) Andrade, 94, a resident of Somerset since 2000, passed away in the Charlton Memorial Hospital, on Thursday, December 13. She was the widow of Manuel D. Andrade.

Born in Medeira, Portugal, Augusta lived in Taunton for much of her life where she and her husband owned and operated Manny’s Lounge. She later worked as a CNA at Wedgemere HealthCare, in Taunton. She is also remembered for her ongoing commitment to the South Coast Cardiac Rehab Center, in Fall River, where she enjoyed meeting with her many friends there.

She is survived by a brother, Antonio Camara of California; and a sister, Gabriella Hoffman of Taunton; also nieces and nephews.

She was also mother of the late Father David M. Andrade; and sister of the late Joseph Camara, the late

Pope says spare no effort bringing abusers to justice continued from page five

God’s light will continue to shine, despite our human misery. It gives us the certainty that the Church will emerge from these tribulations all the more beautiful, purified and radiant,” he said.

“All the sins and failings and evil committed by some children of the Church will never be able to mar the beauty of her face,” he continued. “Indeed, they are even a sure proof that her strength does not depend on us but ultimately on Christ Jesus, the Saviour of the world and the light of the universe, Who loves her and gave His life for her.”

Manual Camara and the late Maria Texeira.

A Mass of Christian Burial was celebrated on December 20, at Holy Trinity Church in Fall River.

Burial followed in St. Joseph’s Cemetery, Taunton.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Holy Trinity Church 951 Stafford Road, Fall River, Mass., 02721

In Your Prayers Please pray for these priests during the coming weeks Dec. 29 Rev. Msgr. J. Armand Levasseur, Retired Pastor, St. Anne, New Bedford, 1969 Rev. Rafeal Flammia, SS.CC., Retired Pastor of Our Lady of the Assumption, New Bedford, 1993 Rev. Robert J. Kruse, C.S.C., Former Academic Dean and Vice President, Stonehill College; Counselor to the President, Stonehill College, Easton, 2015 Dec. 30 Rev. Thomas C. Mayhew, Pastor, Our Lady of Mt. Carmel, Seekonk, 1991 Rev. Robert C. Donovan, Retired Pastor, St. John the Evangelist, Pocasset, 2016 Jan. 1 Rev. Jose Valeiro, Pastor, St. Elizabeth, Fall River, 1955 Rev. Antonio M. Fortuna, Pastor, Immaculate Conception, New Bedford, 1956 Rev. Francis R. Connerton, SS. STD., St. John’s Seminary, Plymouth, Michigan, 1968 Rev. Leo T. Sullivan, Pastor, Holy Name, New Bedford, 1975 Jan. 4 Rev. Eugene L. Dion, Pastor, Blessed Sacrament, Fall River, 1961 Rev. Joseph L. Powers, Founder, St. Elizabeth Ann Seton Parish, No. Falmouth, 1999 Rev. Francis B. Connors, Retired Pastor, Our Lady of Victory, Centerville, 2003 Jan. 5 Rev. William McClenahan, SS.CC. Former Pastor, Holy Redeemer, Chatham, 1994 Jan. 6 Rev. James F. Roach, Founder, Immaculate Conception, Taunton, 1906 Rev. Rene G. Gauthier, Pastor, St. Jean Baptiste, Fall River, 1997 Permanent Deacon Antonio DaCruz, 2009 Jan. 7 Rev. Alfred R. Forni, Pastor, St. Francis of Assisi, New Bedford, 1970 Rev. Gustave Gosselin, M.S., LaSalette Shrine, Attleboro, 1989 Rev. Raymond A. Robida, 2003 Rev. Jude Morgan, SS.CC., Former Pastor, Our Lady of Lourdes, Wellfleet, 2003 Jan. 8 Rev. John Kelly, Founder, St. Patrick, Fall River, 1885 Rev. Alfred J. Carrier, Founder, St. Jacques, Taunton, 1940 Rev. Arthur C. Lenaghan, USA Chaplain, Killed in Action, 1944 Rev. Evaristo Tavares, Retired, Our Lady of the Angels, Fall River, 2000 Rev. Louis Joseph, U.S. Air Force, 2000 Jan. 9 Rev. William F. Morris, Pastor, Corpus Christi, Sandwich, 1982 Jan. 10 Rev. Jourdain Charron, O.P., Dominican Priory, Fall River, 1919 Rev. George H. Flanagan, Pastor, Immaculate Conception, Fall River, 1938 Rev. Msgr. Emmanuel Sousa de Mello, Retired Pastor, Our Lady of Lourdes, Taunton, 1977

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For and About Our Church Youth

St. Joseph School in Fairhaven recently announced fifth-grader Faye Sullivan as the winner of this year’s Christmas Card contest. Her artwork was chosen to be the cover of the school’s Christmas card out of many entries. Sullivan received a $10 gift card to Amazon.com.

Feliciano P. Freitas from the Fall River Lodge of Elks brought each third-grade student at Holy Name School in Fall River a dictionary.

Here some of the students look up dictionary entries.

At St. John the Evangelist School in Attleboro the Buddy Program teaches the kids to respect and care for each other. This program provides interactive activities between grades kindergarten and seven; and eighthand first-graders. Recently, the kindergarten and seventh-grade buddies got together and made place mats and enjoyed a Thanksgiving feast of fruits, cookies, apple cider and pumpkin bread. The kindergartners also dressed as turkeys. Shown here clockwise, Alexandra Llamas, Brianna Burke, Maeve Cronin, Sophia Franco, Megan Keane, Matilde Weydt and Katie Lancaster.

The Anchor is always pleased to run news and photos about our diocesan youth. If schools, parish Religious Education programs or homeschoolers have newsworthy stories and photos they would like to share with our readers, send them to: schools@ anchornews.org 14

The Anchor - December 28, 2018

St. James-St. John School in New Bedford celebrated the feast day of Our Lady of Guadalupe with a Mass and a skit of the story of St. Juan Diego and Our Lady.

For and About Our Church Youth

In December, Bishop Connolly’s National Honor Society and National Junior Honor Society sponsored a Christmas card writing project to benefit the residents of Catholic Memorial Home in Fall River. Students wrote 380 cards in English, Portuguese and Spanish during their theology and language classes to send the residents their Christmas greetings and prayers during the holiday season.

The kindergarten students at Holy Family-Holy Name School in New Bedford were so excited to have a visit from St. Nicholas. As part of their social studies curriculum, they learned that children in Holland put out their shoes on his feast day and receive goodies. The children copied this tradition and had the great fun to receive goodies, too.

Boy Scouts from Troop 22 at Holy Family Parish in East Taunton recently helped the parish’s St. Vincent de Paul Society in distributing food and gifts for Christmas for people in need. The Vincentians led family members around tables of groceries, while bags of gifts (purchased by parishioners, following the instructions on Giving Tree ornaments) were presented to families who had signed up beforehand. The Scouts carried the boxes of groceries and Hefty bags full of gifts out to the vehicles of the recipients and helped the Vincentians to deliver food to some homes.

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Plaque in Texas hospital keeps Fall River priest’s legacy alive continued from page three

tor Msgr. Gustavo Barrera said, “We are grateful to Msgr. Pacheco who left his home, his family, his friends to start a new life among folks he had never met.”

Father Pacheco had asked Msgr. Barrera to assist him at his first assignment in Harlingen. “Usually folks tell a visiting priest all the dirt — there was none that I heard,” said Msgr. Barrera during the funeral. “They even mentioned that his Spanish was improving. And I thought to myself, I think that their Portuguese was improving.”

Msgr. Barrera continued, “The list of his accomplishments is extensive. When he retired in 2007 he had every right to put up his feet and enjoy rest and relaxation but he chose to work as a hospital chaplain, a responsibility that he fulfilled almost until his death.

“Msgr. Pacheco leaves big shoes to fill. He has finished the race, fought the good fight and is enjoying the promise to the good and faithful servant.”

On the plaque in the hospital chapel bearing his name, Bishop Daniel E. Flores of Brownsville is quoted, “He was from Fall River, Massachusetts, com-

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of his life.”

Perhaps the most accurate measure of the man was painted by those whom he touched.

When Msgr. Pacheco died in 2017, the Facebook page of Our Lady of Sorrows School in McAllen was flooded with nearly 300 messages — some of which read: “RIP Father Gus, you were a big part of my childhood in the Church.”

“He will be greatly missed at Doctors Hospital. Thank you for your kind words, thank you for helping the needy, thank you for your blessings. I’m truly grateful to work alongside this very wise man.”

“Rest now monsignor.

You always taught us to live A young Father Agostinho S. Pacheco while still in the a good life and be ready.

Vaya con Dios!”

Fall River Diocese.

“Father Gus, thank you from the bottom of my aching heart.”

“When I was newly“One of the best priests arrived at the diocese, never been here before, you quickly who knows how to make people hold onto faith as I learn who the legends are. did. Rest in peace Father.

Monsignor was a legend, And glory to God in Heavtowering in a certain way.”

The plaque also reads, “As en.”

Msgr. Agostinho S. Paa chaplain priest he served checo, the lad from Pitman all patients, regardless of Street in Fall River and the their religious preference. student at Espirito Santo Msgr. Pacheco was a true School, will be long-rememserver of God until the end ing all this way. It might as well have been another country in some ways, but he came with a great priestly love in his heart. He served in this diocese for 48 years.

He persevered in his faith, in the love that God has for us and that is our hope, so let’s take his example to heart.

The Anchor - December 28, 2018

bered in the Rio Grande Valley area in Texas for a long time.

But in his native Fall River, sometimes being so far removed can cause people to forget.

In Msgr. Gus’ case, that won’t happen — thanks to a simple plaque in a Texas hospital chapel, and the

wherewithal of a friend to text the image to where the simple man of God had his start.

A Mass of Christian Burial was also celebrated for Msgr. Pacheco at Espirito Santo Church in Fall River, and he is buried at St. Patrick Cemetery there.

Bishop celebrates Mass with REC people continued from page two

I don’t know any acquaintance or friend who shares as deeply as they do. It’s touching.”

Each session starts with a hug line in which the inmates get hugs from all the volunteers before settling down for prayer.

“They truly, sincerely love us,” Quino said.

Inmate Karina Carrion agreed and said she feels God is with her because of the REC program.

“They’re like family. They love us; you can see it and feel it,” she said. “I’ve stayed away, but I’m going to go to church when I get out.”

“It’s almost like therapy for all of us,” Ferri said.

“Some of them don’t get visitors, so we’re like their visitors and they are so thankful.”

Over the years, the group has consisted of several priests, deacons and volunteers who continue to donate their time at the House of Correction.

Last year, Bishop da Cunha appointed Father Rowland Omuegbu, S.D.V., as the a full-time prison chaplain serving the Fall River Diocese. Since arriving here, Father Rowland has been dividing his time between the Barnstable Correctional Facility in Buzzards Bay and the Bristol County Jail and House of Correction in North Dartmouth, while also filling in as part-time chaplain at Cape Cod Hospital.

“I will tell you that the

Church shows mercy by having prison ministry, because if we see them as people who deserve no mercy, then no minister should go to them,” Father Rowland told The Anchor. “And for individuals, in their heart, I pray that they will also find the mercy to forgive them.”

The current roster of dedicated REC volunteers includes Margaret Alves, Claire Amiot, Elena Aubertine, Gina Audate, Rita Audette, Paul Berthelette, Paul Berube, William Besse, Gerard Bouchard, Paulette Bouchard, Mary Ann Breault, David Depina, Martin Doyle, Gary Fealy, Rebecca Fealy, Jeanette Ferri, Maria Ferreria, Charlene Furtado, Joan Galford, Francis Gibbons, Kathleen Gibbons, Ronald Larose, Marie Lawrence, Mary Lopez, Antonio Machado, Tamara Machado, Joseph Martino, Jacqueline McCarthy, Doug Medeiros, Gertrude Mello, Vivien Ojadi, Karen Ready, Maria Resendes, Jean Revil, Albert and Elizabeth Rivet, Inez Roy, Kathleen Roy, Robert Roy, Kathleen Ruginis, Paula Sine, Michael Sites, Charles Sullivan, Ruth Sullivan, Marianna Sylvester, Cheryl Thibeault, Ellen Vermette and Mary Williams.

“They enjoy it so much,” Bishop da Cunha said of the REC program. “It’s such a wonderful ministry. I want to thank them all so very much.

They are showing (the inmates) that God loves them and God is with them.”

Our readers respond Sharing the American Dream Let’s change the conversation about immigration. It’s hard not to hear the negative narrative today about the would-be immigrants who wait at our southern borders.

As people of faith, how do we respond to these negative messages? As members of Pax Christi at the National Shrine of Our Lady of La Salette, we have been wrestling with this issue.

It is important to recognize the contributions and achievements of immigrants and realize the importance of welcoming talented and hardworking individuals from around the globe.

Most immigrants have had to struggle through hardships to create opportunities for themselves. They are hardworking people of good character who value family life. Unfortunately, unauthorized immigrants tend to live in the shadows, while a few notorious immigrants make the news and infect public opinion. It is important to keep in perspective that violence and social problems are caused by a small minority.

Immigrants also come with talents and skills. They are founders of high-tech companies, inventors and small business owners. A study by Sari and William Kerr in the Harvard Business Review notes that immigrants account for about one-quarter of entrepreneurs and inventors, even though they represent only about 15 percent of the U.S. workforce. (1) Immigrants have also excelled in sports, the arts and other fields as well.

Foreign-born journalists, entrepreneurs, entertainers, teachers and public safety personnel are part of the fabric of our society. We have favorite restaurants featuring ethnic foods of every description.

Newcomers contribute to the economy by producing goods and by being consumers. They have the potential to grow the economy.

They are often willing to take jobs that others would not want. According to the National Center for Farmworker Health, 85 percent of the fruits and vegetables we enjoy are handpicked by farmworkers, many of whom are immigrants. (2) Undocumented immigrants pay at least seven billion dollars in Social Security taxes. They also contribute an estimated $11.64 billion in state and local taxes.

(3) Many people think that unauthorized immigrants get welfare and public health insurance benefits. This is not true. Federal law requires that even legal immigrants must wait five years for these benefits. (4) As Catholic Christians, we believe in the God-given dignity of each person. We are called to welcome the stranger and have compassion on those in need. How shall we treat those who come to the U.S seeking a safe place to raise their families, a living wage and the opportunity for

a better life? Are these not the hopes and dreams all of us share? The current group of Central American asylum seekers are fleeing violence, rape, gangs and drug cartels on top of crushing poverty.

They are risking everything in hope of entry to the U.S., even their very lives.

Internationally, the developing countries have taken in most of the world’s refugees, despite limited resources. U.S. policies have severely limited acceptance of refugee populations, while we can afford to accommodate them.

In our Christian Scriptures, even the Holy Family had to flee to Egypt to protect the life of the child Jesus. Like most refugees, they did not have many options.

Pope Francis has urged us to especially remember the plight of migrant children: “Among migrants, children constitute the most vulnerable group, because as they face the life ahead of them, they are invisible and voiceless: their precarious situation deprives them of documentation, hiding them from the world’s eyes; the absence of adults to accompany them prevents their voices from be-

ing raised and heard.” (5) We are called to welcome, protect, promote and integrate newcomers. We need to keep families together and support them as they enter and adjust to a radically new life.

We have much to gain from opening our doors to immigrants. When we are talking with others about this issue, we should interject positive comments and not perpetuate the negative narrative. It is time to put aside fear and selfishness, and to share the American dream.

Jane M. Griffin Elaine L’Etoile Linda Johnston Sheila M. Matthews Elizabeth Monteiro Members of Pax Christi National Shrine of Our Lady of La Salette References: 1. Sari Pekkala Kerr and

William R. Kerr, “Immigrants Play a DisproportionateRole in American Entrepreneurship,” Harvard Business Review, Oct. 3, 2016, https://hbr. org/2016/10/immigrants-play-a -disproportionate-role-inamerican-entrepreneurship.

2. National Center for Farmworker Health, “DemographicsFact Sheet,” January 2016, http://www.ncfh. org/uploads/3/8/6/8/38685499/ naws_ncfh_factsheet_ demographics_final_revised_.pdf.

3. Lisa Christensen Gee, Matthew Gardner, and Meg Wiehe, “Undocumented Immigrants, State and Local Tax Contributions, Institute on Taxation and Economic Policy,” https://itep.org/wp-content/ uploads/immigration2016.pdf.

4. Public Law 104-193 “Personal Responsibility and Work Opportunity Reconciliation Act of 1996,” Aug. 22, 1996, https://www.congress.gov/104/ plaws/publ193/PLAW104publ193.pdf.

5. Pope Francis, 2017 World Day of Migrants and Refugees Message, Sept. 8, 2016.

Anchor renewal and price changes

FALL RIVER — The Anchor has announced a few changes of which current subscribers should be made aware.

At the renewal date for each subscriber, the annual cost for The Anchor will become $25. The Anchor is also offering its readers the option to renew for two years at $45 for 52 issues, a savings of $5.

The date in which the subscription will expire will be listed in each edition above the name and address of the subscriber on page 24.

Subscribers are encouraged to renew their sub-

scription by that date by sending a check or money order for $25 made payable to The Anchor, 887 Highland Avenue, Fall River, Mass.

02720. Subscribers may also renew via PayPal by visiting The Anchor website at anchornews.org and pressing the “Subscribe” button and following the on-screen directions.

We cannot accept credit card payments by phone.

If a payment isn’t received within 30 days of the expiration date, The Anchor will send out one reminder notice.

The Anchor - December 28, 2018

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Around the Diocese The 45th annual March for Life in Washington, D.C. will take place on Friday, Jan. 18, 2019. The Cape Cod Bus for Life offers transportation, (motor coaches) and housing (Hampton Inn). The bus leaves the Cape on Thursday, January 17, returning on Saturday, January 19. Cost is $320 for adults, $250 for youth. For more details, contact Kevin Ward at 508-291-0494 or email kevin@ccbfl.org.

St. John the Evangelist School in Attleboro welcomes interested students and parents to come and see what makes the school special at its Annual Open House on Sunday January 27, from 2 to 4 p.m. Located at 13 Hodges Street in Attleboro, the school is fully accredited by the New England Association of Schools and Colleges and includes Pre-K through grade eight with a full-day kindergarten and an After School Program. Interested students are welcome to come and shadow for a day. For more information, visit www.sje-school.com, call 508-222-5062 or email mholden@sje-school.com. Applications are available on the website.

A Divine Mercy Cenacle group meets every Monday from 9:30 to 10:30 a.m. at St. Patrick’s Church, 306 South Street in Somerset. Meetings are held in the parish center, except for holidays. Meetings include formation on the Divine Mercy message from the “Diary of St. Faustina,” readings from the Bible and “Cathechism of the Catholic Church,” and praying the Divine Mercy Chaplet. All are welcome. For more information call 508-646-1019 or 508-672-1523.

St. Anthony of Padua Church on Bedford Street in Fall River will host a recitation of the Holy Rosary and Litany with the Divine Mercy Chaplet every Monday evening at 6:15 p.m. All are welcome. For more information, call the rectory at 508-673-2402.

Holy Rosary Fraternity Gatherings are held in the hall of St. Jude the Apostle Church, 249 Whittenton Street in Taunton on the second Sunday of the month at 1:30 p.m. All are welcome. For more information, call 508-695-5430.

The Diocesan Marriage Preparation Program needs more team couples — newly-married and veterans (age is not a consideration) who would like to enrich their Marriage while helping engaged couples prepare for their lifetime together. The Diocesan Marriage Preparation program meets in three locations: Mansfield, Dartmouth and Harwich on Cape Cod. In each location there is a team of volunteers that facilitate three to five sessions per year. If you are interested in serving in this ministry, please contact Claire McManus at cmcmanus@dfrcs.org or call her at 508-678-2828, extension 19.

To submit an event for consideration in The Anchor’s “Around the Diocese” listing, send the information by email to kensouza@anchornews.org

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The Anchor - December 28, 2018

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

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

ATTLEBORO — Eucharistic Adoration takes place at St. John the Evangelist Church, North Main Street, Mondays and Wednesdays from 5-6:30 p.m.

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

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

Brewster — Eucharistic Adoration takes place at Our Lady of the Cape Church, 468 Stony Brook Road, on First Fridays from 11:30 a.m. to 7 p.m. buzzards Bay — Eucharistic Adoration takes place at St. Margaret Church, 141 Main Street, every First Friday following the 8 a.m. Mass, ending at 5 p.m.

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

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

FAIRHAVEN — St. Mary’s Church, Main St., has Eucharistic Adoration every Wednesday from 8:30-11:30 a.m. in the Chapel of Reconciliation, with Benediction at 11:30 a.m.

FALL RIVER — St. Anthony of Padua Church, on the corner of Bedford and Sixteenth streets, has Eucharistic Adoration accompanied by music and prayer every first Wednesday of the month from 6-7 p.m.

FALL RIVER — St. Anthony of the Desert Church, 300 North Eastern Avenue, has Eucharistic Adoration Mondays and Tuesdays from 9 a.m. to 7 p.m., and Thursdays following the 8 a.m. Mass until Friday at 8 a.m.

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

FALL RIVER — Good Shepherd Parish has Eucharistic Adoration every Friday following the 8 a.m. Mass and concluding with 3 p.m. Benediction in the Daily Mass Chapel. A bilingual holy hour takes place from 2 to 3 p.m. Park behind the church and enter the back door of the connector between the church and the rectory.

FALL RIVER — St. Joseph’s Church has a Holy Hour every Tuesday from 6-7 p.m., with Benediction at 6:45 p.m.

FALL RIVER — St. Michael’s Church has Eucharistic Adoration every Wednesday from 9 a.m. to 5:30 p.m., with Benediction at 5:30 p.m.

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

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

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

MASHPEE — Christ the King Parish, Route 151 and Job’s Fishing Road has 8:30 a.m. Each First Friday Mass ends with exposition of the Blessed Sacrament and Adoration continues until Benediction at 5 p.m.

NEW BEDFORD — Eucharistic Adoration is held every Thursday, with Confessions, from 7:30 to 8:30 p.m. at Our Lady of Guadalupe at St. James Church. Please use the side entrance.

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

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

NORTH DIGHTON — Eucharistic Adoration takes place every Wednesday following 8:00 a.m. Mass and concludes with Benediction at 5 p.m. Eucharistic Adoration also takes place every First Friday at St. Nicholas of Myra Church, 499 Spring Street following the 8 a.m. Mass, ending with Benediction at 6 p.m. The Rosary is recited Monday through Friday from 7:30 to 8 a.m.

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

NORTH EASTON — Eucharistic Adoration takes place at Immaculate Conception Church Chapel on the first Wednesday of the month beginning after the 8:30 a.m. Mass, until 6:40 p.m. Those wishing to make a monthly commitment can sign up on the parish website at www.icceaston.org or call the parish office at 508-238-3232.

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

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

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

Taunton — Adoration of the Most Blessed Sacrament takes place every First Friday at Annunciation of the Lord, 31 First Street. Exposition begins following the 8 a.m. Mass. The Blessed Sacrament will be exposed, and Adoration will continue throughout the day. Confessions are heard from 4:15 to 4:45 p.m. Rosary and Benediction begin at 5 p.m.

Taunton — St. Jude the Apostle Parish in Taunton will host Eucharistic Adoration on Mondays following the 9 a.m.

Mass and the St. Jude Novena, until 11:30, ending with Benediction. It will take place at Holy Rosary Chapel during the summer months.

WAREHAM — Eucharistic Adoration at St. Patrick’s Church takes place 9 a.m. Thursday through 7 p.m. Friday. Adoration is held in our Adoration Chapel in the lower Parish Hall. ~ PERPETUAL EUCHARISTIC ADORATION ~

East Sandwich — The Corpus Christi Parish Perpetual Eucharistic Adoration Chapel is open 24 hours a day, seven days a week at 324 Quaker Meeting House Road, East Sandwich. Use the Chapel entrance on the side of the church.

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

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

WEST HARWICH — Our Lady of Life Perpetual Adoration Chapel at Holy Trinity Parish, 246 Main Street (Rte. 28), holds perpetual Eucharistic Adoration. We are a regional chapel serving all of the surrounding parishes.

All are invited to sign up to cover open hours. For open hours, or to sign up call 508-430-4716.

Visit the Diocese of Fall River website at fallriverdiocese.org The site includes links to parishes, diocesan offices and national sites.

I

I’m getting to the point(settia)

’m going on record at should take care of plants, the end of 2018 deit’s just that I can’t. Instead claring: Do not give me a of a green thumb, mine is poinsettia as a gift! the thumb of death — parThere are several reasons ticularly for the beautiful why I majored in English poinsettia. in college, not the least of Years back I received one at which are: I’m terrible at a Cursillo Mass near Christmathematics, which eliminated me from a plethora of wonderMy View ful careers; science is From not my thing — The the Stands Table of Elements was all Greek to me;

By Dave Jolivet remembering dates of events is like remembering my children’s birthmastime. Figuring it was a days, so history was out; and Christmas plant, I put it in the list goes on. the car during the Mass — it I did feel I could put was below freezing. RIP. sentences together to make This year a wonderful some kind of sense, alperson gave me another and though there are some read- I was proud to display it in ers who would vehemently my office. I watered my new disagree. friend every day. Yes, every Even now, some of you day. One is not supposed may be saying why did he lead the column with a poinsettia disclaimer? I’m getting to that dear readers (stealing a line from dear friend Father Tim Goldrick).

I am a plant person. I love nature, and I love to see nature indoors. Green leafy plants with colorful flowers and fruits are a delight to me.

Just because I love them, doesn’t mean I should take care of them. Perhaps I should rephrase that: I Please pray for me!

water a poinsettia every day. It must dry completely before the next watering.

Add to that, the pot did not drain. When poinsettias are over-watered the luckier leaves curl, the less-luckier simply off. I noticed both.

I asked Emilie to take my plant home during the Christmas break. When I picked up my buddy the bottom plastic around the pot was bulging with water.

Not good.

I placed my poor plant in an empty coffee container on top of a coffee mug inside (see photo). I poked a hole in the bottom of the plant and water went everywhere. As I write this water is still draining from the pot.

If I could perform CPR on a plant I would on this one.

I’m going to bring it home today (it figures it’s monsoon-like out there now) and dry the puppy out.

Denise will probably take over and save it. As Emilie so often tells me, “This is why you can’t have nice things.”

Please pray for my plant, and for me while you’re at it. Oh, and have a happy, healthy 2019. Peace my friends.

See, I finally got to the point(settia). davejolivet@anchornews.org.

To advertise in The Anchor, contact Wayne Powers at 508-675-7151 or Email waynepowers@ anchornews.org The Anchor - December 28, 2018

19

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The Anchor - December 28, 2018