04.29.22

Eighty-first annual Catholic Appeal begins May 1

Diocese of Fall River, Mass. † Friday, April 29, 2022

‘Journeying Together in Faith and Love’ FALL RIVER — The 81st Annual Catholic Appeal of the Diocese of Fall River officially kicks off on Sunday, May 1 and runs through June 30. Since it first launched in 1942, the annual Appeal has delivered critical resources to uphold the vitally important agencies and ministries of the diocese. The 81st Annual Catholic Appeal ­— “Journeying Together in Faith and Love” — takes

place as clergy and faithful journey as a diocese and a worldwide Church through a multi-year synodal process announced by Pope Francis. The year’s theme considers how we members of the Church are walking down a common road with all their brothers and sisters by bringing the tenets of the Synod together with the good works made possible through the collective sup8 Turn to page three

Members of the St. Vincent de Paul Society prepared food donations to be picked up at St. Nicholas of Myra Parish in North Dighton for Easter. From front to back: Fay Perry, Kathy Costa, Ruth Andrade, Sharon Clark, Stan Koss and Ed Kremzier.

U.S. bishops announce Eucharistic Revival; diocese to inaugurate event in June

By Dave Jolivet Editor

davejolivet@anchornews.org

FALL RIVER — With the increasingly disturbing trend of fewer Catholics believing in the true presence of Jesus Christ in the Eucharist, the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops has initiated a three-year grassroots Eucharistic revival to assist Catholics to rediscover the true source of the Catholic faith — the true presence of Christ in the Holy Eucharist and the need for a deeper devotion to and love and appreciation for this gift of all gifts from the Almighty Father.

Bishop Edgar M. da Cunha, S.D.V., has embraced the movement and will inaugurate the Diocese of Fall River’s involvement and commitment to it with a special event on the week-

end of the Feast of Corpus Christi (the Body of Christ) with a Mass followed by a Eucharistic procession and Adoration on June 18 beginning at 4 p.m. at Bishop Connolly High School in Fall River.

In an invitation on the Fall River Diocese website

charist is essential to discipleship, and therefore to evangelization. Therefore, we must make a priority the evangelization of Christ’s Eucharistic Presence, which we encounter at Mass and then live out as Church in society by being ‘commissioned’ to go out at the end of Mass.

“To this end I invite all people to take part in this Eucharistic Renewal for our Church.”

The website tells readers that the U.S. bishops “believe that God wants to see a movement of Catholics across the United States, healed, converted, formed, and unified by an encounter with Jesus in the Eucharist — and sent out in mission ‘for the life of the world.’”

David Carvalho, diocesan Secretary for the New Evangelization told The

(fallriverdiocese.org), the bishop writes: “By first receiving the Eucharist — the true presence of Christ in real and substantial matter — we are transformed into the Body of Christ, the Church. Without it, we cannot be the individuals, the Catholics, nor the Church God calls us to be.

“In a phrase, the EuApril 29, 2022 † 8 Turn to page 11

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Faces of young heroes house was St. Elizabeth, with 1,490 people reached.

What did this mean for the students? It was not only a chance to give back but to also help raise awareness of the needs in a comSOUTH YARMOUTH — We munity and what resources exist to are all very familiar with heroes help individuals. The only reward and what they represent — freethe students received was a chance dom, a break from tyranny, or to earn a “dress down” day for the just there to save the day. Most house with the most “likes and modern day heroes have super shares.” strength, can soar through the air, For the students of St. Elizaor have some other supernatural beth House, it was an opportunity power that helps them right the to explore the effects of homewrongs of society. lessness, how they can make a Students, ranging from grade five to eight, from St. Pius X School Recently Susan Mazzarella, difference, and the importance of in South Yarmouth recently held an item drive for shelters on Cape CEO of Catholic Social Services, understanding the need to recogand I had the opportunity to meet Cod. They are shown with school staff and Susan Mazzarella, CEO nize the person as a person, rather of Catholic Social Services. with real life heroes who are movthat the label society gives them, tion that was put on hold during abeth, St. Teresa and St. Veronica. ing mountains. Not the type of ”homeless.” the pandemic. This partnership During the charitable partnership, heroes you would expect — they When the children who parinvolves raising awareness and each house is paired with an orga- ticipated in gathering items for St. were not front-line workers, officers, medical professionals or even collecting items and donations for nization. St. Anthony House, along Joseph’s were asked how it made with the third-graders, worked to the chosen organizations. Once in the military; they were a group them feel, the answers varied. of middle school students ranging the four organizations are selected, collect items for Cape Kids Meals. They ranged from the profound — they are asked to send a repreSt. Elizabeth House, with the help it was “rewarding to help people from fifth through eighth grade. of the kindergarten students, sentative who relates the mission, Twenty students from St. Pius X hope for a better life,” to it was history, and how service the entity collected items for Catholic Social “fun and made me feel good,” School in South Yarmouth, along Services (St. Joseph’s House). St. with 37 students from the kinder- provides for the community. The “made me happy, happy,” and Teresa House, assisted by the secgarten class, made a major impact main focus is to help the students simply “rewarding.” Kristen Chun, ond- and fourth-graders, gathered one of the parents present, put it in their community and one of our understand what the program does, who it serves, and how the items for Katelynn’s Closet. And sites. this way: “To be someone who can students can help. last but not least, Veronica House, make a difference — it is so great Ann Dailey, principal at St. At St. Pius X, the middle together with the Pre-K and first Pius X, explained that each year for the child.” grade, collected items for The school students are divided into the students partner with local As Mazzarella spoke to the Family Pantry of Cape Cod. four houses: St. Anthony, St. Eliznonprofit organizations, a tradistudents, she told them how Students were given a list, impressed she was with their gift, which they could share with their creativity, and generosity, letting families, of what was most needthem know that she was looking ed by the organization and those at the “faces of heroes.” The are the they served — beginning a drive faces, she continued, that instilled to collect the items. In addition hope into the lives of so many who to running the drive, the students often feel like outcasts — facing competed for “likes” and “shares” loneliness and isolation. The stuon social media. Using Instagram dents then shared their thoughts and Facebook, the students proon how their kindness and commoted their nonprofit, shared passion made the recipients feel. information about what it does for Those who helped deliver the the community, and urged family items said that they saw the joy on and friends to “like” and share the faces of not only the staff and their page with others. Soon the volunteers, but the “guests” who groups began to rack up the “likes” would benefit the most from their selfless act.

Some of the items collected during a recent drive by students at St. and “shares,” and all four houses garnered a total of 4,242 people The students shared that they Pius X School in South Yarmouth for four shelters run by Catholic reached or “likes. ” The winning 8 Turn to page eight Social Services on Cape Cod.

By Rose Mary Saraiva Volunteer Coordinator & Bereavement Service, Catholic Social Services of Fall River, Inc.

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81st annual Catholic Appeal kicks off May 1 continued from page one

port for the Appeal.

Annual gifts and pledges to the Catholic Appeal support all the agencies, programs, and ministries of the diocese, providing food and shelter, educating children and adults, and meeting the physical, emotional, and spiritual needs of tens of thousands of individuals and families. The diocese spans from Mansfield, Easton and the Attleboros, through the Taunton, Fall River and New Bedford areas, and extends all the way to Cape Cod and the Islands.

In a message to the faithful of the Diocese of Fall River, Bishop Edgar M. da Cunha, S.D.V. stated: “This year’s theme, ‘Journeying Together in Faith and Love,’ inspires us to bring to life the words found in the Gospel of Matthew: ‘You have heard that it was said, ‘Love your neighbor and hate your enemy.’ But I tell you, love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you’ (Mt 5:43-44). This may be one of the most difficult things Christ asks of us, but it is also the most important for us as Catholics: to love every person solely because they are children of God, not because of anything they do, have, or profess.

“Through the Synod, Pope Francis is inviting us to take the lead in listening, learning, and loving while building Christ’s kingdom here in the Diocese of Fall River. Just like Jesus, we need to be aware of those around us, to extend an invitation, and be a welcoming community. We are a people meant to walk together with one another and show love to all

humanity. Support of the Catholic Appeal is one way to fulfill this promise.”

The Catholic Appeal supports the work of Catholic Social Services (CSS), which serves nearly 40,000 individuals throughout the Diocese of Fall River each year. CSS offers assistance with basic and emergency needs and provides housing to women, men, children, and families who have been displaced due to numerous social and economic situations.

CSS also provides much-needed sustenance to those suffering from food insecurity in the diocese. In 2021, gifts to the Appeal helped the Solanus Casey Food Pantry in New Bedford serve more than 15,000 households (more than 38,000 individuals), a more than 80 percent increase from pre-pandemic levels. Last year, the food pantry distributed approximately 234 tons of food — almost 9,000 pounds of food per week.

The Catholic Appeal also funds the work of hospital chaplains and care for residents of Diocesan Health Facilities, the weekly Television Mass, support for our retired priests and seminarians, programs for youth and families, the Pro-Life apostolate, scholarship aid and tuition abatement for our Catholic schools, and much more.

The 2021 Catholic Appeal raised $4.6 million through the generosity of 18,000 donors to sustain these important programs and ministries. This year’s Catholic Appeal goal is $4.8 million to ensure the diocese can continue its mission of bringing the

corporal and spiritual works of mercy to life.

Continuing as an added incentive this year, 50 cents of every dollar raised over a parish’s fundraising goal will be returned to the parish for its use. Last year, 24 parishes — approximately one-third of the total number of parishes in the diocese — qualified for and received an incentive reward.

Additional information on this year’s Catholic Appeal is available on its website: www. catholicfoundationsema. org/catholic-appeal-2022, including a video message featuring Bishop da Cunha and a summary of how the funds raised through the 2021 Catholic Appeal were distributed across the various ministries and programs it supports.

During a time of extraordinary challenges, when so many are experiencing great need, support of the annual Catholic Appeal makes a tremen-

dous difference throughout the diocese. Contributions to the Appeal may be made either through a onetime donation or through monthly, quarterly, or semi-annual pledges.

Donations may be mailed to the Catholic Ap-

peal office, 450 Highland Avenue, Fall River, Mass., 02720; made online at www.GiveFRDiocese.org, or dropped off at any parish in the diocese. Contact the Catholic Appeal office at 508-675-1311 with any questions.

Please visit The Anchor website at www.anchornews.org April 29, 2022 †

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Dehumanizing one another

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female sharpshooter nicknamed “Lady Death” has recently become a Ukrainian folk hero for defiantly attacking Russian soldiers undercover. The young markswoman fought for several years in eastern Ukraine against Kremlin-backed separatists, before shifting to the front line of hostilities as Russia initiated its full-scale invasion of Ukraine. Her real name has not been made public and photos hide her identity by blurring her face or showing her with a mask.

Long range sniper attacks are her area of expertise.

As she assassinates enemy combatants, she militantly proclaims, “We must take them all out. These people are not human beings.

Even the fascists were not as vile as these orcs. We must defeat them.”

Her battle cry, though clearly motivated by the atrocities unfolding in Ukraine, should also prompt some circumspection and soul searching.

Whenever we move in the direction of believing that

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others are “not human beings” and dehumanize them in our thoughts and words, we risk diminishing our own humanity in the exchange. Even in the face of great depravity, we cannot fall prey to thinking that those who commit horrific evils or even war crimes are somehow no longer really human beings.

I was reminded of this recently as I viewed online videos of armed drones firing on Russian tanks traveling along Ukrainian highways.

As they took successive missile hits, Russian soldiers could be seen launching themselves out of the hatch and escaping from the tank before it went up in a fireball. Sometimes they would barely get out alive, only to collapse and die by the side of the road.

If the mother of a Russian tank driver were to watch a video of her son trying to escape this way under fire, she would be justly indignant, offended and even more saddened if anyone dared to declare he was “not a human being.” In the posted remarks section following these videos, in fact, many commented on the hideousness of a world in which 18-year-old

† April 29, 2022

boys have to perish in this manner.

By demonizing others, we no longer acknowledge the transcendent realities common to all human beings: our shared desire for truth, goodness, beauty, and love. Whenever

we ignore or negate the important commonalities that unite us in our humanity and instead choose to dehumanize others, the consequences will be dire.

Historically, the use of language that dehumanizes others has been a key tactic in marshaling support for atrocities.

Such language has always been central, for example, to acts of genocide.

During the latter part of the 20th century, the Tutsis were often denigrated as cockroaches and snakes in Rwanda, culminating in approximately 800,000 men, women and children being murdered during a 12-week period in 1994. In Nazi Germany, Jews and other enemies of the Third Reich, including persons with disabilities, were contemptuously viewed not as humans, but as vermin

and rats, in order to justify their systematic extermination.

Future President Abraham Lincoln strongly objected to treating any person, whether slave or free, as “less-than-human” during his 1858 public debate with Stephen A. Douglas.

Lincoln rebuffed the idea that African Americans fell outside the “all men are created equal” clause, declaring such a concept to be marked by “an evil tendency, if not an evil design.” He repudiated every attempt to “dehumanize the negro [and] prepare the public mind to make property, and nothing but property of the negro in all the States of the Union.”

Still in our nation today, the process of dehumanization continues to derail our thinking and diminish our collective conscience, especially when it comes to those humans who are very young and still in the womb, as well as the elderly and the infirm, the mentally-fragile, and those in vulnerable medical situations, such as newborn children with genetic defects. By dehumanizing these individuals in a “progressive” society, we can subject them to a range of unjust actions, from abortion to infanti-

cide to euthanasia. Preborn children, for example, have undergone this dehumanization for decades, being denigrated as “tissue,” “pregnancy,” or “clumps of cells,” to paper over the brutal reality of abortion.

The website of Planned Parenthood, to cite one instance, defines a suction abortion as a procedure where a “suction device” is used to “take the pregnancy tissue out of your uterus.”

We need to fight against dehumanization both by recognizing and opposing its occurrence in our midst, and by recognizing it within ourselves.

The temptation to dehumanize people who are themselves dehumanizing others can also be very strong.

In the end, our shared humanity, from the weakest to the strongest, from youngest to oldest, constitutes an ineradicable bond of unity that should prompt us to spurn our own dehumanizing impulses. Renewing hope for conflict-laden humanity begins precisely in the acknowledgment of each other’s humanity, strengthening those fraternal bonds on which peace is grounded.

Anchor columnist Father Pacholczyk earned his doctorate in neuroscience from Yale and did post-doctoral work at Harvard. He is a priest of the Diocese of Fall River, and serves as the director of Education at The National Catholic Bioethics Center in Philadelphia. See www. ncbcenter.org and www. fathertad.com.

Father Stu Long, icon and ambassador of Divine Mercy

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hanks to Mark Wahlberg’s new movie Father Stu, the world outside of Helena, Mon., is being introduced to an extraordinary story of an ordinary man to whom God, contrary to worldly and ecclesial logic, gave the vocation to the priesthood and through whom God was able to meet, strengthen and sanctify many over his six-plus years of priestly labor. And through the interest Father Stu is generating as a result of Wahlberg’s perseverance, personal investment, financial risk and faith, God is able to reach and inspire millions more.

It’s a very positive sign that a movie like Father Stu would be made. In recent decades, the types of priests Hollywood has been interested in depicting have stereotypically been those who are corrupt and hypocritical, who are trying to “reform” the Church to align with the “times,” or who at best are more morally frail than faithful under trial.

In Father Stuart Long, we have a convert whose life was a commentary on Jesus’ words “repent and believe,” who resolutely promoted the Church’s teachings on abortion, sexual morality, and euthanasia, and who despite being ordained a priest with a crippling rare disease, continued to fight the good fight, finish the race in a wheelchair, and keep the faith by zealously passing it on long past the time when self-pity and simple human weakness might have stopped most others (2 Tim 4:7).

I would encourage those who do not yet know his story to consult his detailed 2014 obituary, a superb biographical sketch

by Michelle LaRosa for The Pillar, a powerful video

interview with him before he died, or the new movie (which takes liberty with various details).

In brief, however, after growing up in Helena, winning a Golden Gloves amateur boxing title, graduating with degrees in English literature and writing, moving to Hollywood in search of movie stardom, and working as a bartender, bouncer and security guard, this fun-loving, strong, self-confident, kind but worldly 30-year-old had his life upended in a life-threatening motorcycle accident. When he recovered, he was convinced that his life had been saved for a reason. He started to search for that reason.

A desire to wed his livein girlfriend, Cindy, who would only marry in the Catholic Church, led him to enroll in classes to become a Catholic. As he was being baptized at the Easter Vigil in 1994, he felt God calling him to become a priest. To test that call, he taught at a Catholic school for a few years, then gave away all he had and joined the Franciscan Friars of the Renewal in New York, discerned a call to diocesan priesthood, was accepted as a seminarian for the Diocese of Helena and was sent to Mount Angel Seminary in Portland, Ore. Around the time he was ordained a transitional deacon in December 2006 and made his lifetime promises of celibacy, prayer and obedience, he started to experience various physical difficulties, which were eventually diagnosed as inclusion body myositis. Because of Church law that requires candidates to ordination to be physically and psychologically healthy

to fulfill their priestly duties (canon 1051), the seminary recommended that he not be advanced to priestly ordination. He made a pilgrimage to Lourdes in search of a physical miracle, but the grace he received was spiritual: a peaceful conviction that God was with him, and a desire to suffer with Christ whatever Christ willed.

Upon returning, he also received another gift:

Church history is littered by the stories of future saints who were rejected by dioceses and religious orders because the aspirants were born of unmarried parents, were not of the right race or social class, were deemed too dumb, too poor, too frail, too old, were not virgins, or various other reasons. Saints John Vianney, Faustina, Frances Cabrini, Benedict Joseph Labre, Louise de Marillac, Margaret of Castello, Rose of Viterbo are among a long litany of those rejected because those testing vocations on behalf of the Church were thinking “not as God thinks but as human beings do” Bishop George Thomas of (Mt 16:23). It was not part Helena told him that he of their discernment to ask had decided to overrule the whether God might be callseminary’s recommendaing someone who was sick, tion, convinced in prayer older than 35, bad at Latin, that the Lord wanted Stu or a widow. to be an icon of Christ, the Thankfully, both BishSuffering Servant, and show op Thomas and Father Stu the redemptive power of listened to the God who Christian suffering. At the chooses what is weak in the end of his Dec. 14, 2007 or- world to shame the strong dination, during which he (1 Cor 1:26-29) and obeyed needed crutches, Father Stu his voice. And God was matter-of-factly preached, able to do so much with the “I stand before you as a bro- five loaves and two fish of ken man. Barring a miracle, health Father Stu still had.

I’m going to die from this The second lesson is disease, but I carry it for the about divine mercy. Facross of Christ, and we can ther Stu’s unlikely calling all carry our crosses.” manifests the power of I would like to focus God’s mercy — an element on a few lessons from his in Father Stu’s story that uplifting life.

Wahlberg’s movie powerThe first is vocation. fully depicts. In his initial When Stu got the someinterview for the seminary, what shocking sense that Father Stu mentions God’s God was calling him to be calling Saints Paul, Augusa priest, he pursued it, and tine and Francis of Assisi to persevered in faithfully prove that sometimes God’s following that call no matmost effective ambassadors ter what serious obstacles of mercy are those whose arose. Likewise, we must being and history exude praise Bishop Thomas for it. He preaches three times not taking the easy or cow- in the movie, in prison, as ardly way out, but to pray a seminarian, and at his about Stu’s situation and ordination, and each time follow the Lord’s guidance. describes God’s mercy.

And after he enters the nursing home, we see how his principal ministry was anointing the sick and hearing the Confessions of his fellow residents, staff and people from all over greater Helena, who, at 8:30 each morning, would start to form a line stretching even outside the front door. They found in Father Stu someone whom they knew could understand their moral failings as well as someone who could give encouragement, advice and surgical penances to overcome them in cooperation with God’s grace.

The third lesson is about redemptive suffering, the summons to make up what is lacking in our flesh of Christ’s sufferings for the sake of the Church (Col 1:24). Father Stu heroically embraced the Cross Christ had given him and his life became increasingly an image of Christ the Suffering Servant. When he had lost control over his hands, he would have his dad or a friend come with him to dip his finger in the Oil of the Sick and trace it over the person’s forehead and hands as he said the prayers of the Anointing. Likewise trained servers would vest him, place the bread and chalice into his the words of consecration at Mass, and lift Christ’s body and blood for him to consume. Several of those present for these Sacraments have said it was like watching a crucified man celebrate them. Father Stu had indeed been crucified with Christ and the life he was now living was by faith in the Son of God who loved him and gave his life to redeem him (Gal 2:1920).

There’s much more to say about the priest and about the movie. But I’d urge you to take advan8 Turn to page 14

April 29, 2022 †

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Editorial

Is foul language necessary to share the faith credibly?

One of the unfortunate controversies about Mark Wahlberg’s new movie “Father Stu,” especially in Catholic circles, concerns the movie’s heavy use of foul language.

One reviewer counted 51 excretory expletives, 43 sexual profanities, as well many verbal condemnations, some invoking God’s name. For a movie that runs just under two hours, that’s an average of about one obscenity a minute.

The amount of swearing in the movie has detracted from its potential impact by distracting many from what should be the headlines: the inspiring story of Father Stuart Long and the laudable, persevering work of Wahlberg to make a movie about him. It has also dissuaded some of the most dependable supporters of faith-based films from attending, as well as made them reluctant to take their parents, their kids or their friends.

There were two reasons given for the cussing carpet bombing.

The first is that, prior to his conversion, Stu Long often used vulgarities. Hence no one would have expected him in the movie to sound like Ward Cleaver, Fred Rogers or Richie Cunningham. To make the point that he was a man of unclean lips, however, how many swears does it take?

Wahlberg in an interview stated that in the editing process he had cut out an additional “74 F-bombs.” That implies a realization that the extra expletives were unnecessary to convince the viewer that Stu had an unredeemed tongue. But why did the filmmakers think they still needed 100 obscenities — 100 — to make that rather unsubtle point?

The second reason for the effusion of profanity was to make the movie “real,” in order to try to reach those who, like the young future Father Stu, would be turned off by a saccharine faith-based film. Profanity, in other words, with the R-rating it garnered, was not just tolerated but treated as a feature.

As Wahlberg stated in an interview, “We all know whom Jesus came to save. … These are the people we’re trying to talk to, especially young people. … You go to the gas station, you go anywhere, you hear this language all the time.”

We can applaud the evangelical motivation, to reach those who on the peripheries and try to interest them, so that the powerful story of Stu’s eventual conversion might impact them. We can also acknowledge that if the movie regularly substituted “fudge,” “shucks,” “darn” and “doggonit” for the offensive expressions, there would be plenty who would deem such a sanitized lexicon a foreign language and find those who use it about as interesting as staid professors of ancient Egyptian philology.

But it’s important to question the premise of Wahlberg’s argument: that in order to be “real” and connect with people today in circumstances similar to the pre-converted Stu, we need to employ foul language — and employ it a lot.

To be a fisher of men today, do we really need to cuss like a sailor?

The real Father Stu Long clearly didn’t think so. He was a priest who connected with young and old, male and female, sick and healthy and almost every group except those who didn’t appreciate blunt, manly talking about God, life, love, sin, mercy and almost any other subject.

As his good friend and ordination classmate Father Bart Tolleson said in an interview, “The ironic thing is that Stu worked really hard to clean up his own language and he challenged other [people], especially guys, to clean up their language. He had many

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unusual penances he would give them to help them in their use of language.”

Another friend, Marguerite Zink, said in a Facebook post, that Father Stu “actually had a ‘swear jar’ in his nursing home room for his visitors to contribute to when they swore, as he did not swear after his conversion.”

He did not swear after his conversion. It is regrettable that that aspect of the converted — and still super relatable — Father Stu was not shown in the movie.

Father Tolleson and Mrs. Zink both appealed to potential viewers not to allow the bombardment of bad language turn them away from seeing the movie.

Similarly, leaders in the Diocese of Helena, who had serious reservations about the number of obscenities when they saw the initial script, stated, “Viewers should be warned that the film contains objectionable language, violence and adult content. It’s our hope, however, that the redemptive story of Father Stu’s conversion will invite viewers to faith and strengthen believers. … Father Stu, raw and unfiltered, combative and grace-filled, witnesses to the truth that no one is ever beyond the reach of redemption.”

That’s clearly an endorsement of Father Stu the priest and seems to be one of “Father Stu” the movie. But it’s certainly not an affirmation of the movie’s use of “objectionable language” or of the questionable evangelical strategy behind doing so.

The alternative to faith-based films that flatten human life to morality plays fit for small children is not to saturate movies with profanity, which is a cheap and shallow caricature of “reality.”

To be real, there are far more effective ways than the use of vulgarities that, whether intended or not, blaspheme God, anathematize others, verbally profane human love and sexuality, or orally disgorge references to excretory orifices and output — otherwise, popes, priests, religious sisters, missionaries, catechists, parents, presidents and schoolteachers would all have to start modeling their speech on the glossary of R-rated rappers.

To be real, rather, starts with character development, and allowing that character to shine on the big screen: someone who listens, understands, cares, shares others’ joys and burdens, speaks truthfully and respectfully, is humble, has a sense of humor and exudes a rich and attractive humanity. This is what we clearly have in the real Father Stu Long, who became more relatable, real, and attractive after his conversion, not less.

To think that to draw people in we have to use filth for their ears is as mistaken as thinking we need to use porn for the eyes. It’s a superficial and condescending understanding of the unchurched. It emulates the mentality we sometimes see in silly clergy who think that to be relevant with the young they need to quote Justin Bieber and Dua Lipa.

Such an approach doesn’t take seriously the intrinsic attraction of Christ shining through His authentic faithful and shows a defective understanding of the power of the Gospel and how God has made people for it.

The way to draw people toward Christ is not by using the desensitizing language of the gutters. As Jesus, Paul, Francis Xavier, Francis Xavier Cabrini and all of the great evangelizers have shown, it’s by reminding them of their dignity and summoning them, if even by small steps and simple, clean words, to aspire to a standard of greatness.

That’s a lesson Father Stu Long learned and lived — and one that this otherwise fine movie about him, to its detriment, unfortunately didn’t grasp or depict.

Daily Readings † May 7 — May 20

Sat. May 7, Acts 9:31-42; Ps 116:12-17; Jn 6:60-69. Sun. May 8, Fourth Sunday of Easter, Acts 13:14,43-52; Ps 100:1-2,3,5; Rv 7:9,14b-17; Jn 10:27-30. Mon. May 9, Acts 11:1-18; Pss 42:2-3; 43:3-4; Jn 10:1-10. Tue. May 10, Acts 11:19-26; Ps 87:1b-7; Jn 10:22-30. Wed. May 11, Acts 12:24—13:5a; Ps 67:2-3,5-6,8; Jn 12:44-50. Thu. May 12, Acts 13:13-25; Ps 89:2-3,21-22,25,27; Jn 13:16-20. Fri. May 13, Acts 13:26-33; Ps 2:611b; Jn 14:1-6.

Sat. May 14, Acts 1:15-17,20-26; Ps 113:1-8; Jn 15:9-17. Sun. May 15, Fifth Sunday of Easter, Acts 14:21-27; Ps 145:8-13; Rv 21:1-5a; Jn 13:3133a,34-35. Mon. May 16, Acts 14:5-18; Ps 115:1-4,15-16; Jn 14:21-26.

Tue. May 17, Acts 14:19-28; Ps 145:10-13b,21; Jn 14:27-31a. Wed. May 18, Acts 15:1-6; Ps 122:1-5; Jn 15:1-8. Thu. May 19, Acts 15:7-21; Ps 96:1-3,10; Jn 15:9-11. Fri. May 20, Acts 15:22-31; Ps 57:8-10,12; Jn 15:12-17.

National Charismatic conference to be held in Providence, R.I. in July

By Dave Jolivet Editor

davejolivet@anchornews.org

PROVIDENCE, R.I., — The Dunkin Donuts Center at 1 Lasalle Square in downtown Providence will be the hub of the Charismatic movement in the U.S. from July 29 to July 31.

The 55th Anniversary Celebration celebration of the Charis USA Conference is expected to draw thousands of worshipers to the three-day event which will be filled with inspirational speakers, Mass, Adoration, prayer and worship, all invoking the powers and blessings of the Holy Spirit.

According to the website, Charis.

International, “Prayer

Conference.

Main speakers scheduled to appear are: Bishop Andrew Cozzens; Bishop

Peter Smith; Andres Arango; Rev. Guillermo Campuzano, CM; Père Dimitri Démesmin; Msgr. Joseph

Malagreca; Andrés Arango; Robert Canton; Alicia Hartle; Marcos Garcia; and Dr. Elaine Agyemang Tontoh,

PhD. According to the website, helping to organize the 8 Turn to page 13

Groups, Covenant Communities, Renewal Centers, Ministries, Clergy, Religious and individuals from across the nation and from different language groups will come together to pray in unity and be sent out with hearts on fire to fulfill the Charis commission for each person who has received Baptism in the Holy Spirit to: bring Baptism in the Holy Spirit to the whole Church, build unity in the body of Christ, and serve the poor.”

The Catholic Charismatic Renewal movement has now reached more than 160 million people worldwide. The July conference will be the first-ever in person Charis USA National April 29, 2022 †

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Faces of young heroes continued from page two

could sense that they no longer felt alone, and that someone did “care” about them, that “they were loved by more than just their families,” and that somehow, it helped them “feel accepted and hopeful.” As one student put it, “Some people think they are just people on the street, but

dignity and respect.

Mazzarella then asked the students what their family’s reactions were to what they were doing.

Some parents learned about nonprofits that they did not know existed in their communities. Others learned how great the need was, a great example

Students from St. Pius X School in South Yarmouth announced what charity they were working for in a picture used for social media they are people who just want and need to be loved.”

For those at the shelter, it was the knowledge that they were “seen” and recognized as a sister or brother in Christ, deserving of love and compassion and to be treated with

8

of children educating their parents and helping them see the world through their eyes. Many were thrilled that their child was able to be the difference in the world, and that they set out to do just that. And of course, for many of

† April 29, 2022

the parents — this was a moment to feel proud of their child, because as one family put it, “It is the right thing to do.”

The students from St. Elizabeth House have a motto “Belief in Action,” a motto, that the students penned when the house was established years ago.

The current day students live by that motto, as is evident in the charitable work they do, living up to standards set by their patron saint — St. Elizabeth of Portugal, who focused on helping the less fortunate, the hungry, and the ailing.

But the generosity did not end with the actions of the students. The parents got involved as well, promising to match whatever funds the students raised. The students of St. Elizabeth House hosted a “dress down” day to raise funds, in addition to the items collected, which netted them $465 to benefit St. Joseph’s. The parents group, The Friends of St. Pius X School, had already agreed to match what was raised, but opted to not only double the amount, but decided to increase the donation to $1,000. In keeping with the theme of

service, the parents, along with some of the students, delivered both a check and the items collected. In the words of Anne Frank, “How wonderful it is that nobody need wait a single moment before starting to improve the world,” — and these students did just that.

The most significant message in everything that

was accomplished by all the students at St. Pius X, is best described by the words of Mother Teresa, “We can do no great things, only small things with great love.”

The students, the staff, and the parents all proved that from the humblest of beginnings, great things can be accomplished.

Young members of the Chan Family and students at St. Pius X School in South Yarmouth deliver collected items to a Cape Cod shelter.

Weldon passes torch after 25 years as Saint Vincent’s CEO, 50 years assisting children and families in need

By Dave Jolivet Editor

davejolivet@anchornews.org

FALL RIVER — For a half century, Jack Weldon has made a career in the field of child welfare and behavioral health. But it’s been more than a career, it’s been a mission and a labor of love for children and families who, for one reason or another, are in dire straits and great need — physically, psychologically and socially.

In April of 1997, Weldon was appointed Chief Executive Officer of the then St. Vincent’s Home, now Saint Vincent’s Services, whose campus is in Fall River. At the end of this past March, Weldon chose

to retire from his position.

In a letter to his fellow employees upon his departure, Weldon expressed thanks, appreciation, pride and hope for the place that has made a great, positive impact on thousands of children and their families through the years. “Over the nearly 25 years of my tenure, we have experienced much growth and change, challenges and opportunities as a service provider, and Saint Vincent’s is a much different place today than when I first walked through the door in April 1997,” Weldon said.

“I have had the privilege to work with an amazingly talented and committed staff team, all of whom have

dedicated themselves to providing creative programming to meet the

Saint Vincent’s Services CEO, Jack Weldon, speaks at an event at the Fall River campus in 2017. (Jolivet file photo) ever-changing needs of the children, youth and families who look to us for support

in meeting life’s challenges.

As a team, we have been successful in implementing numerous new programs and services in response to those needs and have developed a continuum of services which are relevant, accessible, and effective.

“We have built a very positive reputation for providing quality, responsive services within the broader provider community. “As a team, we are fortunate to be in the position to experience transformation in the lives of the children, youth and families who allow us the privilege to be a part of their life’s journey. We have many staff who have made a long-term investment in the Mission of Saint

Vincent’s, which provides consistency and continuity in our service delivery.”

As Weldon leaves and Kristen Dutra picks up the torch, Saint Vincent’s is a well-respected and critical provider “within the systems of care and the network of other community-based providers with which we have been providing for many years.”

Saint Vincent’s has, for a long time, been a partner with many outside child welfare agencies and departments, and has been a leader in the community with regards to these important services.

Ten years ago, under Weldon’s watch, Saint 8 Turn to page 14

April 29, 2022 †

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A

The light beyond: Responding to the Face of God

second-grader wailed in tears. What hurt more than the skinned knee was his friends laughing at him as well. Cardinal Van Thuan expressed it well when he said, “You suffer most when you suffer at the hands of those who should understand and sympathize with you, indeed those who have the obligation to defend you.”

I felt his pain. Who among us has not been laughed at during a vulnerable moment? God blessed me with a keen intellect and a kind heart. I enjoy walking in Providence serving God by sharing those talents with whomever crosses my path. Yet, I also know the pain and humiliation of sharing my

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† April 29, 2022

gifts only to receive lies and hate in response. Although you probably have never seen me cry, such irrational behavior from others does deeply hurt.

Cardinal Van Thuan said, “God uses trials and sufferings to teach us to better understand and be more compassionate with the suffering of others.”

I considered the situation. No chance to plant that seed for together all of us creating a world of kindness or for discussing respect

and trust being a two-way street.

He wasn’t even my student. What to do? The cardinal reminds us that God’s call to step up and make a difference can begin with what we may perceive as a small action.

Cardinal Van Thuan asks, “What about the charity of a smile, the charity of a handshake, the charity of compassion, the charity of a visit, or the charity of a prayer?”

My intent was to simply provide a special moment to the young child’s day. Cardinal Van Thuan reminds us that the “Holy Spirit will guide your plans.” I invited him up to the grade six-eight classroom after school to look at a few microscope slides. I set up five microscopes. Each with an age appropriate slide focused on the interesting part of the image.

After school, the child called eagerly to the many friends he had invited! A fellow educator whispered better a few kids than one.

But, alone, could I handle 11 kids?

I smiled and said, “God can.” The cardinal again reminds us that when we teach children to answer where God is, part of the answer must be “God is living in me.” Arbitrarily leaving any of them behind would dilute the message that each of us is a special child of God created and unconditionally loved for who we are.

I thought, “Thank You Lord, for having me already set up five microscopes.” Those children lived what Cardinal Van Thuan describes as “Setting fire to the world with the flame God placed within your heart.” Each child would call to the others, “Hey come look at this. This is so cool.” Between changing slides, ensuring safety, and learning to give a one-second answer for what they were viewing. I watched them explore together.

Cardinal Van Thuan shares, “The heart of a little child knows no hatred or indignation.” Were some

of these kids the thoughtless ones from the morning? If so, it seemed that my bringing them all (leaving judgment to God) had sown a seed of kindness in more fertile soil.

The cardinal says, “The more you study and increase your knowledge, the more you realize there is yet to learn.”

A woman’s voice inquired what this was. My eyes shifted from the teacher’s perspective to the eyes of a parent walking into the chaos of scattered microscope slides and kids screaming about insect wings.

Her son ran to her saying, “Mommy we got to use the microscopes.

I saw ….” She smiled. As Cardinal Van Thuan explains, “Wherever love exists, God is there.”

Are you familiar with Cardinal Van Thuan? He was unjustly imprisoned for 13 years. All of the quotes in this column originated as individual messages each smuggled from his prison cell. The 1,001 messages now are together as “The Road of Hope a Gospel From Prison.”

The hard road is holding on through pain. “When people have betrayed and falsely accused you, what hurts most is the irrational malice that pours out from those from whom you least expect it.”

Hope is the view from God’s side of the tapestry. “The wheat of your good works will continue despite obstacles.” In essence, the Road of Hope is an active faith lived by a child-like heart unconditionally ready to accept and share God’s love and mercy.

Cardinal Van Thuan says, “The circumstances in which you find yourself may force you to be inactive. Nevertheless, continue to act in a manner appropriate to the circumstances and spread love wherever you go. One day, when you look over the places you have been, you will be surprised to discover the seeds of love you sowed have grown 10 or one hundredfold in those whom Divine Providence allowed you to meet on the Road of Hope.”

Dr. Helen J. Flavin, Ph.D., is a Catholic scientist, educator and writer.

Diocese to launch Eucharistic Revival movement June 18

to, Eucharistic Congresses and processions. The bishcontinued from page one ops are calling for inauguthat the Eucharist is a symin that revitalization effort, Anchor, “Right now, there ration of or an increase in with all the gifts and creativ- the availability of time for is a diocesan team planning bol rather than the Body, ity God has given us.” the revival, including clergy Blood, Soul and Divinity of Eucharistic Adoration.

Jesus,” Father Landry told Studying Pew Study and lay leaders. We’ve also The hope is that families The Anchor. “Many Cathtrends and the understandreached out to leaders of and friends will gather in olics have not returned to able fall-off in church atten- small groups to share, learn different apostolates and Mass after the pandemic dance during the pandemic, and pray with and for each ministries in the diocese. restrictions.

Many were not the U.S. bishops were moved other; and that, “filled with Anyone interested in how to action for such a revival, they can participate or who coming prior to the panthe flame of charity from demic. This obviously has magnified by the fact that want to help can email me the reception of Jesus in the a massive impact on the many have still not returned Eucharist, missionary disci(dcarvalho@dioc-fr.org). to the pews. This has accel“During the onset of the health of our parishes, parples will go to the margins, pandemic, we learned what ish schools and catechetical recognizing the programs, ithout the Eucharist, we can’t live mystery of Jesus’ it was like to be without and so the Eucharist. It’s fitting as Church; we’ll fall apart, and presence in the much more. that now the bishops in the poor.”

The Church we’ve seen that happen over the years. By United States are asking us The threeto refocus on the Eucharist, lives off of calling all of us as Catholics to refocus on the year revival is the Eucha- Eucharist, this revival is an opportunity to especially at a time when scheduled to rist and if relearn how to live as Church after the past our world continues to conclude with suffer division and violence. most in the the first NationChurch are few years; to be a renewed Body of Christ.” — al Eucharistic The Eucharist both heals and renews us. If we want to not living David Carvalho, diocesan Secretary for the Congress in the see our world, our churches, Eucharistic New Evangelization.

United States in lives, then and our families healed nearly 50 years. much of Christ’s mystical erated the bishops pro-acand renewed, turn to the The event, to be held July body is voluntarily cutting tive response to the crisis Eucharist.

17-21, 2024 is hoped to facing today’s Church.

“Without the Eucharist, itself off from the Lord draw thousands of Cathohimself and the strength He The revival is themed, we can’t live as Church; lics from across the country seeks to give us.

“My Flesh for the life of we’ll fall apart, and we’ve to “journey on pilgrimage “But the bishops are the world/Mi carne para la seen that happen over the to Indianapolis [Ind.] to seeking to do something vida del mundo,” taken from personally encounter Jesus years. By calling all of us very bold in response to the John’s Bread of Life Gospel. as Catholics to refocus on in the Eucharist and be sent In the revival website, the Eucharist, this revival is crisis and to revivify Euback out into their parishes charistic knowledge, love, eucharisticrevival.org, the an opportunity to relearn and communities.” amazement and living. The bishops explain that “The how to live as Church after The revival timeline is ultimate goal is to form the Eucharistic Revival is not a the past few years; to be a broken down into four subwhole Church — priests, step-by-step plan or a series categories: renewed Body of Christ.” religious, lay people — to of meetings; it is a grassFrom April 3-6, in — June 19, 2022 — recognize the extraordinary roots call and a challenge Chicago, Bishop Andrew Feast of Corpus Christi, gift we’ve been given and for every Catholic across Cozzens, who is in charge Launch of the Eucharistic to equip every part of the the United States to rekindle Revival; of the Eucharistic Revival Church infectiously to pass the fire of love and devotion for the USCCB, hosted a — June 19,2022 to June for the Eucharistic Heart of part-retreat, part-workshop on that wisdom, passion, 11, 2023, Diocesan Year of awe and way of life.”

Jesus.” for the priests who will Eucharistic Revival, which Speaking about the The plan is to extend serve as national Euchawill include: efforts in the Diocese of Fall to every Catholic diocese, ristic Preachers to catalyze • Collaborating with River, Father Landry said, parish, school, apostolate, the revival. Father Roger renewal movements and “The future of the Church ministry and family an Landry, interim editor of apostolates to promote the invitation to be part of the The Anchor, was nominated in our diocese will depend Eucharist diocesan-wide; renewal be reawakening a

by Bishop da Cunha to serve upon the strength of our • Offering free catechetEucharistic life. Jesus in the real, living relationship with ical resources from the as a Eucharistic Preacher.

Eucharist is the source and Christ in the Eucharist.

“The U.S. bishops are USCCB, both online and summit, the root and center The revival will officially print; well aware of the crisis in kick-off on the Feast of CorEucharistic faith that we are of Catholic life. Everything • Social media campaign else flows downhill.

That’s pus Christi, June 19, 2022. witnessing in our parishes focusing on Eucharistic why Bishop da Cunha is For the following three and among Catholic family saints, such as Blessed Carlo wisely making it such a pri- years, dioceses will host members and friends. The Acutis; surveys show that nearly 70 ority and why it’s so import- various Eucharistic events, • Formation events for including, but not limited percent of Catholics believe ant for all of us to join him priests, as well as parish

“W

leaders; • Diocesan evenings of Adoration and Reconciliation in Catholic schools and parishes; and Corpus Christi celebrations.

— June 11, 2023 to June 17, 2024, Parish Year of Eucharistic Revival, that includes: • Continued collaboration with renewal movements and apostolates to animate parish Eucharistic activities; • Training for small group leaders in every parish; • Catechetical resources, video and print, for small group formation sessions for all ages and stages of faith; • Teaching Masses, adoration initiatives, sacramental Confession, and Corpus Christi celebrations in parishes; • A Diocesan Eucharistic Congress among all ages to conclude the Parish Revival phase.

— July 17-21, 2024, National Eucharistic Congress, Indianapolis, Ind. — July 17, 2024 to Pentecost 2025, Year of Going Out on Mission that includes: • Four-day, three-night event with activities for all ages during the day and large events in the evening; • Engaging national youth and young adult apostolates to participate; • A possible national coast-to-coast Eucharistic procession (pending USCCB planning).

For further information and updates, regularly visit the diocesan website at www.fallriverdiocese. org/national-eucharisticrevival/ and the national site at eucharisticrevival.org.

To RSVP to the event, visit https://www. fallriverdiocese.org/ national-eucharisticrevival/

April 29, 2022 †

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T

T he C hurch and Y outh & Y oung A dults The Resurrection is everything

he bodily resurrection of Jesus Christ is everything.

Without the supernatural act of the Resurrection, Christianity simply makes no sense. All of our rituals, doctrines and traditions have no reference point if not understood within the context of the Resurrection. Death and sin have been overcome by this supernatural act of God, and nothing will ever be the same. It becomes clear that God’s love and mercy and desire for all to participate in His divine life is the destiny for which we were made. As St. Paul testified in 1 Corinthians 15:17, “and if Christ has not been raised, your faith is vain.”

In our overly rationalistic world, believing in the supernatural reality of things is discouraged. The antidote to this way of thinking is our Christian witness, which orients our hearts, our minds and our senses to a reality to the supernatural order.

Far from being empty rit-

uals, the Sacraments are meant precisely to open us to the supernatural world for which we were made. Every time we have the occasion to witness a child being baptized, a man and woman being married, a young man being ordained, a priest consecrate the Eucharist, or loved one receiving the anointing at the end of life, through an assent of faith, our minds and hearts to this supernatural reality of heaven’s opening, and God’s divine life being shared.

This “resurrection-inspired” understanding of life should guide our relationships as well. We should certainly guard against spiritualizing the Resurrection of Jesus so as not to rob it of its meaning. For every difference we might have with our neighbor, every division we experience, every grudge we may hold, or any slight we

find unable to forgive, we should aspire to see the other person through the supernatural power of the Resurrection. If God can raise His Son from the dead, surely He

can provide me the grace to forgive the relatively trivial trespasses I have experienced! If we see ourselves, our family, our neighbors and even our enemies through the lens of the Resurrection, we should see the divine destiny promised us, and the utter pettiness and futility of our disputes.

Notice what did not happen when Jesus was raised from the dead.

Jesus does seek vengeance and seek to smite his enemies who had just recently so cruelly and

unjustifiably killed him.

Would that not be our instinct if faced with such an abominable crime against a loved one? And yet, everything Jesus does and says upon His Resurrection points to a different supernatural reality of love and mercy and forgiveness. Jesus demonstrates compassion and support for his Apostles in the Upper Room, at the seashore and on the road to Emmaus. Rather than demonstrating how to be powerful, strategic or manipulative, He teaches them how to feed, care for and tend to the flock that He knew they would gather. The resurrected Lord does not serve as a model of retribution, but rather as one of forgiveness as He sends His disciples out into the world to make disciples of all nations. He serves as a model of friendship by providing the sustenance required for the journey

ahead through the Eucharist, and His Holy Spirit.

I had a pastor once who said that the divisions in the church really are not those among liberals and conservatives, but rather between those who believe in the supernatural and those who do not. If we focus on the supernatural reality of the Resurrection and the Sacraments, especially the Eucharist, the divisions that continue to roil our Church will fade into perspective. With greater unity, we will better serve our supernatural mission to bring Christ’s salvation to the world and restore the natural order to its original purpose.

Anchor columnist Peter Shaughnessy is president/principal of Bishop Stang High School in North Dartmouth. He resides in Fairhaven with his wife, Anabela Vasconcelos Shaughnessy (Class of ’94), and their four children: Luke (Class of ’24), Emilia (Class of ’25), Dominic (Class of ’27) and Clare (Class of ’30).

To advertise in The Anchor, contact Wayne Powers at 508-675-7151 or at waynepowers@ anchornews.org 12

† April 29, 2022

Bishop Stang High School introduces new president NORTH DARTMOUTH — Since opening its doors in 1959 as the first coeducational Catholic secondary school in the Fall River Diocese, Bishop Stang High School has stayed true to teaching strong moral and principled values to young men and women in pursuit of their dreams and ambitions. In accordance

with this tradition, the Diocese of Fall River Catholic Schools Office is pleased to announce that James P. Benson, Ed.S., has been selected as Bishop Stang’s third president since 1994.

Benson currently is the Acting Head of School for DeLaSalle High School in Minneapolis, Minn., where he has instilled the Gospel

Diocese of Fall River TV Mass on the Portuguese Channel Sunday, May 1 at 7 p.m.

Broadcast from St. Francis Xavier Church in East Providence

Diocese of Fall River TV Mass on the Portuguese Channel Sunday, May 8 at 7 p.m.

Broadcast from Santo Christo Church in Fall River

Diocese of Fall River TV Mass on WLNE Channel 6 Sunday, May 1 at 11:00 a.m.

Celebrant is Father Bernard Baris, M.S., Director, La Salette Retreat and Conference Center, Attleboro

Sunday, May 8 at 11:00 a.m.

Celebrant is Father John M. Schrader, V.F., Parochial Administrator, St. John Neumann Parish, East Freetown

values, love of learning, and the respect for all persons as the foundation of the school’s culture over the course of his 17-year career in various leadership roles at DeLaSalle.

“Jim possesses a wealth of experience leading a large, Catholic high school in the Twin Cities,” said diocesan Superintendent Daniel S. Roy. “His skills and interests align with the needs of Bishop Stang, which is poised to take the next step as a premier Catholic high school. Understanding the challenges and opportunities facing Catholic education, Jim will bring keen insights, high energy, and deep commitment to the role.”

William Butler, Bishop Stang teacher, alumnus, and member of the search committee, commented, “We were blessed to have many extremely qualified candidates express interest in the position. Jim Benson has followed a career path dedicated to Catholic education.

His extensive experience as a teacher and administrator in Catholic schools has given him the chance to serve as a leader in all areas of running a school.”

“I am humbled and blessed to be given this extraordinary opportunity to lead such a wonderful institution,” expressed Benson. “My roots are in the northeast and my wife and I believe that it is God’s will that brought me to Bishop Stang. There are so many exciting opportunities for this school, especially with the recent renovations of the Hugh Carney Stadium and STEM labs. Continuous improvement aligned with community partnerships will ensure an even

brighter future for Bishop Stang!”

Benson will move to southeastern Massachu-

James P. Benson, Ed.S. setts with his wife, Pam, and four children, triplets, Jack, Megan, and Matt (’20)

and son, James (’22). He received his undergraduate degree in Athletic Administration from SUNY College, New Paltz, a master’s degree in Secondary Education and Teaching in English from St. John’s University in New York, and an education specialist degree in Secondary School Administration/Principalship from St. Thomas University in St. Paul, Minn. A New York City native with family in New England, he is excited to enter into the next chapter of his career at Bishop Stang, where he can focus his energy on the role of president and enable Bishop Stang to take further strides into its future.

Charismatic conference in Providence continued from page seven

event, along with Charis USA are members of Pentecost USA (formerly NSC). They will support “1) the administration and 2) the launch and support of teams with appointed Renewal Leaders from each of the language groups led by the Renewal Leaders.”

The conference will include tracks in English, Haitian, Hispanic, Filipino, and a track for young adults.

The theme of the weekend celebration is, “There is one body, and one Spirit, even as you are called in one hope of your calling; One Lord, one faith, one Baptism, One God and Father of all, who is above all, and through all, and in you all.”

The Spirit-filled event will open at 7 p.m. on July 29, with a keynote address at 8 p.m. Mass will be celebrated at 8:45 p.m. and the day one session will conclude at 10:15 p.m.

Day two, on Saturday,

opens at 8:30 a.m. with tracks in the aforementioned groups until noon.

After a lunch break, the tracks will gather again from 2 to 5 p.m., with Mass celebrated for each track.

Dinner follows and the evening schedule includes the Main Conference at 7 p.m., which includes praise and worship, speakers and a healing service. A Holy Hour and procession will take place from 9:15 to 10:15 p.m.

The final day, Sunday, opens with praise and worship at 8:30 a.m. A discussion panel is scheduled for 9:15 a.m. followed by the celebration of Mass at 11 a.m. The conference will conclude at 1 p.m.

For more information or to register for the conference, visit www.charis.

International and click on 55th Anniversary Catholic Charismatic Renewal Celebration, or visit the Charis USA site at web.cvent.com.

April 29, 2022 †

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TITUSVILLE, Fla. — The leadership of Priests for Life today is mourning the passing of Vicki Thorn, the founder of Project Rachel, a ministry for healing after abortion.

Father Frank Pavone, National Director, said, “All of us at Priests for Life are saddened by the sudden passing of Vicki Thorn. For many years, it was my privilege to collaborate with her in developing and announcing the urgent call to healing after abortion, training the clergy and the wider pro-life community in the dynamics of healing, taking part together in the Vatican’s Pontifical Academy for Life,

Priests for Life mourns the death of Project Rachel founder and broadcasting.

“She participated in the retreat program we host for leaders in the pro-life and healing movements, and was always ready to share the fruits of her own research and experience.

“We are grateful for the service she rendered to the Church and we commend her now to the mercy of the Lord to which she so diligently witnessed.”

Executive Director Janet Morana express her gratitude “for a life well lived.”

She credited Ms. Thorn for being “one of the pioneers who brought awareness of the need for healing after abortion.

“I was privileged to speak at conferences with her, both in Rome and in the States. I valued her friendship. She will be missed.

“May the angels lead you into paradise …”

Dr. Theresa Burke, founder of Rachel’s Vineyard, said: “We extend our deepest condolences to the family and loved ones of Vicki Thorn during this time of grief and mourning.

“She was a passionate person who made incredible efforts to bring awareness and sensitivity regarding the need for ministries into the Catholic Church

Jack Weldon retires after 25 years as Saint Vincents’ Services CEO continued from page nine

Vincent’s established an out-patient clinic offering in-home and community-based services, schoolbased services and “the implementation of behavioral health services across all our programs, which are informed by evidence-based practices.”

There are many advances still being made with partnerships with other

agencies, including the Fall River Diocese’s Catholic Social Services and upgrades to the campus, and programs being offered to young people and their families.

“I am grateful for all of the blessings I have received throughout my career doing work that I love. It has not always been easy, but it has always been rewarding

and fulfilling,” Weldon said to the Saint Vincent’s staff.

“I value the relationships I have made over the years within Saint Vincent’s, within the Diocese of Fall River, within the wider provider community network, and within the various Systems of Care.

“Thank you for your loyal support, friendship and collaboration through all of the joys and challenges during my tenure.”

Father Landry: Father Stu, an ambassador for Divine Mercy continued from page five

tage of the various means available to get to know this affable, lionhearted man and spiritual father better.

Through him God has powerful lessons for our time about divine mercy, redemptive suffering, the life of faith, sacred calling, the gift of the priesthood and so many other blessings our age and Church need.

Father Roger Landry is interim executive editor of The Anchor.

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– and beyond – for healing after abortion.

“I remember my excitement attending the Healing Visions conferences, which she organized – bringing together researchers and clinicians who were observing and treating the grief women and men suffered after abortion. The connections I made there have lasted a lifetime with colleagues in ministry.

“Vicki offered so much love and service to others, and her life was a witness to the sanctity of human life and bringing others into reconciliation and mercy.

“ ‘Well done, good and faithful servant. You have been faithful over a little; I will set you over much.

Enter into the joy of your master.” (Matt. 25:21) On Saturday, April 30, which Providentially marks the conclusion of Abortion Recovery Awareness Month, Father Pavone will offer his broadcast Mass on EndAbortion.TV for the repose of Vicki’s soul.

Priests for Life is the world’s largest Catholic prolife organization dedicated exclusively to ending abortion. For more information, visit www.EndAbortion.US.

In Your Prayers Please pray for these priests and deacons during the coming weeks: May 7 Rev. Raymond P. Levell, S.J., Professor, Spring Hill College, Mobile, Ala., 1958 Rev. Alphonsus M. Sutton, F.I., 2011 May 9 Rev. J.E. Theodule Giguere, Pastor, St. Anne, New Bedford, 1940 Rev. John P. Clarke, Pastor, St. Mary, Hebronville, 1941 Rev. Lawrence Craig, SS.CC., 2007 Permanent Deacon Marcel G. Morency, 2016 May 12 Rev. John F. deValles, DSC, U.S. Army Chaplain, 1920 Rev. Herve Jalbert, Retired Pastor, Blessed Sacrament, Fall River, 1986 May 13 Rev. Msgr. Osias Boucher, USA Ret., Pastor, Blessed Sacrament, Fall River, 1955 May 14 Rev. Robert E. McDonnell, C.S.C., 2006 May 15 Rev. Eugene Robitaille, SS.CC., 1988 May 16 Rev. William McDonald, SS., St. Patrick, Falmouth, 1941 Rev. Msgr. J. Joseph Sullivan, P.R., Pastor, Sacred Heart, 1960 Rev. Arthur dos Reis, Retired Pastor, Santo Christo, Fall River, 1981 May 17 Most Rev. James E. Cassidy, D.D., Third Bishop of Fall River, 1934-51, 1951 Rev. Albert Evans, SS.CC., 2003 May 19 Rev. Ambrose Lamarre, O.P., 1940 Rev. Thomas Trainor, Pastor, St. Louis, Fall River, 1941 Rev. Arthur C. Levesque, Pastor, Our Lady of Fatima, New Bedford, 1988 Rev. Thaddeus T. Swertz, C.S.C., 2006 Rev. Richard Czerwien, SS.CC., 2007 May 20 Rev. Antonio L. daSilva, Pastor, Our Lady of Health, Fall River, 1952

I

This lovely lady gave me this old guitar

have always loved the phrase, “Music is the lifeblood of existence.” Since I remember remembering, music has always touched my soul in a way nothing else can.

It can evoke happiness, sadness, melancholy, hope, and peace. It can express feelings I cannot put into words.

My musical tastes are eclectic. While 60s and 70s rock is my go-to, I dig the Blues, Jazz, Soul, Motown, Folk, Classical, Big Band and everything in between. I just cannot get into Rap, but I like the passion in it. As with most things in life, not all music from any genre is good, nor is it all bad. That’s for the soul to discern.

In 1974 the late great John Denver wrote a song, “This Old Guitar,” which became an anthem for me.

One line in particular stands out: “This old guitar gave me my lovely lady.”

Actually in my case it can be more accurately said, my lovely lady gave me this old guitar. I had always longed to play the axe, but my parents wouldn’t let me take lessons, saying I would give up on that like I had other ventures when I was a pup. They were right, and they unwittingly kept that fire burning inside me.

One of the first things Denise learned about me when and after we first met on New Year’s Eve 1976, was my passion for music, and my desire to play.

We were married in 1978 and shortly after, she gifted me with one of the most treasured items I own — a blonde, 1976 Gibson Epiphone FT-150BL, crafted in Japan. She told me as long as I worked at learning to play the guitar, it could stay.

A friend and axe-player himself gave me a couple of books with chord examples and simply said, “Learn these and you’ll be all set.”

For weeks and eventually months I practiced until my fingers literally bled. I learned the chords (not all, there are thousands) and became more and more adept and

went from playing “Michael Row tion. the Boat Ashore,” to my first rock I even added another axe to song, Crosby, Stills and Nash’s “Our my collection: a beat up old used House.” electric Fender Stratocaster and it I kept practicing and getting was love at first play. The nicks and better and eventually joined a folk scratches only added character to group and that axe. sang at a We youth Mass would crank at Immacuup the amps late Concepand play tion Church (always at a in Fall River. respectable I played hour so not in Notre to disturb Dame’s group as well, as well as at the musically challenged in the Cursillo and Emmaus retreats in neighborhood). Igor would nestle the diocese. into our recliner next to me and fall My dreams of being a rock star asleep to some great rock ’n roll. remained just that, a dream. But I My kind of dog! was playing guitar. I purchased a My dream of rock stardom 12-string Yamaha that only encame true in a sense when Dan hanced the sound at Mass. and I played with the band at my As time passed, with work and daughter Lauren’s and her husband a growing family, the two guitars Steve’s wedding. We played Clapfound themselves in cases that liter- ton’s “Wonderful Tonight,” and Steally wouldn’t be opened for a few vie Ray Vaughan’s “Pride and Joy.” I years! Bad on me! had made it. I made the small time!

When Emilie met her beau, he Unfortunately, Dan’s work was a axeman. I schedule and mean, he could mine caught up play lead like to us and back Clapton, Stevie to the cases went Ray, and Robert the trio of instruCray. No exaggerments. The calation. louses faded and Well he I guess I was back coaxed me into in my rut, letting opening those others provide cases and jamthe music to my ming with him soul through CDs, several times each albums (yes I still month. With have a turntable), his lead and my and MP3s. rhythm we didn’t Then the pansound half bad (I demic hit. Home was the bad half). became the place Eventually the to be and the tips of my fingers place to stay. One morphed from day I glanced at painful and sore the blonde’s case into four nice and it beckoned hard callouses, to me to open it exactly what is up. I did.

This old guitar. My 1976 Blonde needed to play I started to Gibson Epiphone FT-150BL. without hesitaplay — every (Jolivet photo)

night before I went to bed, with Denise as my audience and groupie. Sadly, Iggy wasn’t here any longer to join us.

Since I was a teen, I had dabbled with the Blues Harp, and could belt out a couple of songs, but never while playing guitar. I broke out my case of harps and played an intro and then played the song on the axe. Well, that wasn’t good enough for Denise.

She hopped on Amazon, the oasis during the pandemic, and bought a harmonica holder so I could play both at the same time.

I’m one who can’t walk and chew gum at the same time, so it was a struggle to get both instruments to sound like actual music.

But since music is the lifeblood of my existence, I stuck to it. Voila — actual music!

As I mentioned, I now play mostly every night (except for those times when The Anchor tuckers me out during the day) and I have a mix of songs.

I always end the day with one in particular, Tom Petty’s “You Don’t Know How It Feels.” I know some of you will point out the drug references in the song, but that’s not why I play it. I do suffer from anxieties and sometimes I feel people really don’t know how it feels to be me, one of the lines in the song.

It’s just a validation that others feel the same and it’s OK. I’ll never be the rock star I had often hoped, but God knows that I most likely couldn’t have handled that lifestyle anyway.

I’m very content listening to and playing the sounds that reach my soul and comfort it.

Let me close by quoting the legendary Dobie Gray’s beautiful 1973 ballad “Drift Away.”

“And when my mind is free you know melody can move me.

“And when I’m feeling blue the guitar’s coming through to soothe me.

“Thanks for the joy that you’ve given me.” davejolivet@anchornews.org

April 29, 2022 †

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The new and fully updated Diocesan Directory 2022 is NOW AVAILABLE! Only $30 per copy, including shipping

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A faithful group of Portuguese parishioners, the Romeiros, once again embarked on a Lenten pilgrimage, traveling to several sites and churches throughout the area, continuing a Sacred tradition that can be traced back to their Azorean heritage. Here the pilgrims visit Good Shepherd Church in Fall River. (Photo by Deacon Alan Thadeu)

On April 8 St. Nicholas of Myra hosted the Romeiros who traveled from La Salette Shrine in Attleboro to North Dighton. The group of men prayed and sang outside the church asking for permission to enter. They entered and proceeded to pray, giving thanks to the parishioners of St. Nicholas of Myra for having them there and for all those in need, along with other intentions. A meal of cod fish, fish and chips, shrimp Mozambique pizza, bean salad, Portuguese sweet bread, biscuits, cheese and rolls, coffee and water, prepared by Peri Peri in Somerset, and the Portugalia Marketplace in Fall River, that had been donated by two generous parishioners awaited them. Among the group was Father Andre who blessed and distributed Rosaries and Miraculous medals to the parishioners who had welcomed them.

Zip: _________________ Telephone: _______________________

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† April 29, 2022