Anchor 08.20.10

Diocese of Fall River

The Anchor

F riday , August 20, 2010

The locations have changed but the missions remain the same

By Dave Jolivet, Editor NORTH DARTMOUTH — There are some who don’t like change, some who accept it, and others who embrace it. Several ministries in the Diocese of Fall River have experienced major changes in their routines, and all have seemed to fall into the “embrace it” category.

Because Bishop Stang High School in North Dartmouth is ever-growing, there was a need for the staff, faculty and student body to spread their wings.

And the most logical place for such expansion was the building attached to the school at 500 Slocum Road.

That meant several diocesan ministries located there would be relocated, including the Permanent Diaconate Office, the Office for Religious, the Pro-Life Apostolate, and the Family Ministry Office.

Mercy Sister Catherine Donovan, diocesan representative for religious, aptly summed up the moves for each ministry.

“St. Teresa of Avila once said, ‘It’s not the space I occupy, it’s how I occupy the space,’” she

told The Anchor.

Sister Donovan’s Office for Religious has settled in nicely at the Bishop’s Office at 47 Underwood Street in Fall River. “The move has gone very well,” she added. “Everyone here has been so gracious and welcoming. We are still performing the same ministry, just in a different setting. And the fact that the space is bigger and more spacious is a plus.”

Sister Donovan mentioned where her home office is located is not that crucial. “I’m on the road often, being present for religious throughout the diocese.

But our new space is very nice.”

Another of the affected offices was the Permanent Diaconate, which relocated to St. Mary’s Parish in New Bedford, the home Msgr. John J. Oliveira, director of that office. “On Slocum Road we were a bit cramped, having to utilize classrooms and the cafeteria there,” he said. “But here we have the parish center, the annex and the school. It will be easier to have the candidates here for meetings and prayer services.

Turn to page 10

AN EVENING OF PRAYER — St. Julie Billiart Church in North Dartmouth was the site of a Holy Hour of Prayer for Vocations on August 12. From left, front row: Seminarians Jason Brilhante, St. Michael’s Parish, Fall River; Chris Peschel, Annunciation of the Lord, Taunton; Riley J. Williams, Our Lady of the Assumption, Osterville; and Jack Schrader, Corpus Christi, Sandwich. Back: Father Karl Bissinger; Eric Queenan, Our Lady Queen of Martyrs, Seekonk; Bishop George W. Coleman; and John A. Pietruszka, SS. Peter and Paul, Fall River. (Photo by Russell Pinto)

California marriage amendment ruling called ‘bizarre, outlandish’

By Christine M. Williams Anchor Correspondent WOBURN, Mass. — A justice in California ruled that there is not a “rational basis” for traditional marriage on August 4.

U.S. District Court Judge Vaughn R. Walker made his decision in a trial over the constitutionality of Proposition 8, a ballot initiative to define marriage as the union between one man and one woman in California. The state offered marriage licenses to same-sex couples

for nearly five months in 2008 before citizens voted to annul the state court’s decision.

Sister Mary Ann Walsh, director of media relations for the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops, wrote in an August 7 post on the Washington Post blog “In Faith” that the judge’s argument is the one that is irrational. In his ruling, Judge Walker treated marriage between one man and one woman, the bedrock of society, like a “kookie idea.”

But Judge Walker went far-

ther, claiming that beliefs that uphold marriage actually harm homosexuals.

“Religious beliefs that gay and lesbian relationships are sinful or inferior to heterosexual relationships harm gays and lesbians,” he wrote. The judge also said the “Catholic Church views homosexuality as sinful.”

Sister Mary Ann repudiated that claim. The Church has always pronounced that homosexual acts, not homosexual Turn to page 18

Bishop Feehan mourns tragic loss of beloved student-athlete

Senior Larsan Korvili remembered as a friendly and ‘kind soul’ Change is good — The former site of several diocesan ministries, 500 Slocum Road in North Dartmouth, will become home to several enhancements at Bishop Stang High School. The ministries have relocated to sites in Fall River and New Bedford. (Photo

by Kenneth J. Souza)

By Kenneth J. Souza Anchor Staff ATTLEBORO — On the eve of his wake and funeral, students and faculty members at Bishop Feehan High School are still trying to cope with the sudden and tragic loss of one of their own — 17-year-old senior Larsan Korvili, who drowned last week while swimming during a school-sponsored retreat at the Craigville Retreat Center in Barnstable.

The promising and admired student-athlete who equally

excelled in sports and academics was also lauded as a driven leader in the Feehan community and someone whose faith was as important to him as his scholastic achievements.

In fact, he Larsan Korvili was participating in the school’s annual campus ministry board’s student leadership

retreat with 55 fellow students when he tragically lost his life; and in one of the final postings on his Twitter account, he noted: “I do all things through Christ who strengthens me.”

“In 22 years of Catholic education, Larsan was one of the most personable and faithfilled young men I’ve ever come across,” said Bill Runey, principal at Bishop Feehan High School. “He was very highly respected by his classmates and by the entire staff here at FeeTurn to page 16

News From the Vatican

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August 20, 2010

Pontiff lauds Taizé founder’s ‘ecumenism of holiness’ Message marks anniversary of foundation, murder

TAIZÉ, France, (Zenit. org) — As the ecumenical Taizé community marked the 70th anniversary of foundation and the fifth anniversary of the founder’s death, Benedict XVI pointed to the founder’s “ecumenism of holiness” as an inspiration in “our march toward unity.”

The Taizé community marked on Monday the fifth anniversary of the death of Brother Roger Schutz, who was killed Aug. 16, 2005, by a mentally disturbed woman.

The founder was 90 at the time of his death.

The community is also remembering the 70th anniversary of foundation, marked on August 20, the day Brother Roger arrived in Taizé, France.

A papal message from the pope’s secretary of state, Cardinal Tarcisio Bertone, assured the Holy Father’s “spiritual closeness and union in prayer with the community and all those involved in commemorating the memory of Brother Roger.”

“A tireless witness to the Gospel of peace and reconciliation, Brother Roger was a pioneer in the difficult paths toward unity among the disciples of Christ,” the message affirmed. “Seventy years ago, he began a community that continues to see thousands of young adults, searching for meaning in their lives, come to it from around the world, welcoming them in prayer and allowing them to experience a personal

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relationship with God.” The pope’s message proposed that from heaven, Brother Roger “still speaks to us.”

“May his witness to an ecumenism of holiness inspire us in our march toward unity, and may your community continue to live and to radiate his charism, especially toward the younger generations,” the message encouraged.

The community itself marked the anniversaries on Saturday with a simple pilgrimage that passed by the cemetery where the founder is buried.

Brother Roger’s successor, Brother Alois, read a prayer, which was the only text spoken at the event.

“Brother Roger sought earnestly to live in your trust and to express your infinite kindness for every human being, whether a believer or a nonbeliever — you, the living God, who do not condemn, who exclude no one from your love,” Brother Alois said.

“In this trust, you enabled him to find the source of joy and peace: peace of heart that made him a creator of peace among humans.

“Poor and vulnerable as he was himself, as he put it, he chose to love with all his strength.”

Some 5,000 people participated in marking the anniversaries, and during the event, an Italian member of the community received the white habit characteristic of the Taizé brothers.

OFFICIAL NEWSPAPER OF THE DIOCESE OF FALL RIVER Vol. 54, No. 31

Member: Catholic Press Association, Catholic News Service

Published weekly except for two weeks in the summer and the week after Christmas by the Catholic Press of the Diocese of Fall River, 887 Highland Avenue, Fall River, MA 02720, Telephone 508-675-7151 — FAX 508-675-7048, email: theanchor@anchornews.org.

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a unique wedding reception — A newly-married couple from Mexico dance in the town square outside the papal villa in Castel Gandolfo, Italy, recently. The pilgrims were on hand for Pope Benedict XVI’s general audience. (CNS photo/Paul Haring)

Vatican conference for Catholic press to examine how to cover controversy Vatican City (CNA/ EWTN News) — The Pontifical Council for Social Communications (PCCS) has organized a conference to examine the role of the Catholic press in today’s world.

Among the themes to be addressed is the Catholic media response to controversy within the Church.

Over the weekend, the Vatican’s L’Osservatore Romano newspaper announced the October 4-7 conference, which will focus on the comparison between traditional and new Catholic media.

According to the article and a program available on the PCCS website, each of the first three days of the conference will address a different aspect of the Catholic media presence

around the globe.

The first day’s panel and separate group discussions will focus on the challenges and opportunities offered to Catholic press in today’s world. Then on October 5, after a morning of looking at how Catholic media contribute to the public forum, culture and the life of the Church, conference participants will examine how to cover controversy in the Church.

A panel composed of a blogger, a Church spokesperson, a theologian, a sociologist and a secular journalist will take a look at the theme “Ecclesial Communion and Controversies. Freedom of Expression and the Truth of the Church.” The names of the panel contributors have not yet

been announced.

After the panel weighs in, press participants will divide into groups by languages to examine the central questions of whether or not Catholic press should avoid certain topics, how it should “speak of controversial issues and discuss the idea of giving a voice to dissent.”

A morning panel on the third day will look at economics, journalistic challenges, interactivity, language and the “digital divide,” and seeking to be “effectively present” in the digital world.

Later in the day, participants will examine successful Catholic media ventures and look at how they can collaborate and seek support.

Heaven is found within God’s love, pope says CASTEL GANDOLFO, Italy (CNS) — Heaven is not a location in the cosmos, but a place within God where those who believe in him will enjoy his love forever, Pope Benedict XVI said.

Celebrating an early morning Mass August 15, the feast of the Assumption of Mary, the pope said that when the Catholic Church affirms that Mary was taken, body and soul, into heaven, it is not referring “to some place in the universe, a star or something like that.”

“With the term ‘heaven,’ we want to affirm that God — the God who made himself close to us — does not abandon us even in and beyond death, but he has a place for us and gives us eternity; we want to affirm that within God there is a place for us,” the pope said.

Pope Benedict celebrated the Mass in the parish Church of St.

Thomas, just across the main square from the papal villa in Castel Gandolfo. A few hours after the Mass, he led the recitation of the Angelus prayer with visitors gathered in the courtyard of the villa.

At the Mass and at the Angelus, the pope said that in November the Church will celebrate the 60th anniversary of Pope Pius XII’s solemn proclamation of the dogma of Mary’s assumption.

“We believe that Mary, like Christ her son, already has defeated death and triumphs now in heavenly glory with the totality of her being, ‘soul and body,’” he said at the Mass.

In addition, he said, the Church affirms that the heavenly glory Mary already enjoys is promised to all believers as well.

“To understand this reality a bit, we can look at our own lives. All of us have had the experience of someone dying, but

continuing to live in a way in the memory and heart of those who knew and loved him or her,” the pope said.

With God, who created and loves each person, someone who dies is not just a fond memory, but continues to exist fully, he said.

“Our serenity, hope and peace is based precisely on this: In God, in his thoughts and his love, we will survive, not just as a ‘shadow’ of ourselves; but in him and in his creative love, we are protected and led into eternity with our whole lives and our whole beings,” the pope said.

God’s love is what defeats the power of death and brings eternal life “and it is this love that we call ‘heaven,’” he said.

“Nothing that is precious and dear to us will fall to ruin, but rather it will find its fullness in God,” he said.

August 20, 2010

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The International Church Archbishop asks Australians to pray legislators safeguard marriage

By Anthony Barich Catholic News Service

grim task — Rescuers search for survivors after a mudslide in China’s Zhouqu County, in Gansu province August 9. Catholics across China paid tribute recently to more than 1,200 people who died in the mudslide. (CNS photo/Aly Song, Reuters)

Chinese Catholics use feast of Assumption to pray for recent mudslide victims LANZHOU, China (CNS) — Catholics across China prayed during the feast of the Assumption for those who died in a mudslide the previous week.

The August 8 mudslide in Zhouqu County, in Gansu province, claimed more than 1,200 lives; nearly 500 people remained missing in mid-August. The Asian church news agency UCA News said the country observed a day of mourning, with national flags flying at half staff and public entertainment suspended August 15.

Churches canceled festivities such as fireworks, concerts and children’s song and dance performances normally featured during celebrations for the feast of the Assumption.

About 1,000 Catholics in Lanzhou Diocese observed a threeminute silence before the inaugural Mass at St. Francis Xavier Church

in Jiayuguan.

Father John Baptist Yang Zongxue also spoke to churchgoers about conservation; many experts believe the mudslide was caused by deforestation and overdevelopment.

He called on the gathering to protect God’s creation and refrain from “damaging ecological harmony.”

The ecological theme was also picked up in neighboring Ningxia Diocese where Father Francis Gao Tianting told his parishioners that “all these happenings are a warning to us. We should do our very best to care for nature by saving energy and living a low-carbon life.”

In Sichuan’s Nanchong Diocese, Father Joseph Chen Gong’ao led the congregation at Sacred Heart of Jesus Cathedral in silent prayers for the mudslide victims, while traditional funeral music played.

Bishop urges peace talks in southern Philippines with Islamic rebels MANILA, Philippines (CNS) — A southern Philippines bishop has urged the government to immediately resume peace talks with the Moro Islamic Liberation Front amid reports the rebel group is gearing up for war.

“It is urgent that both sides sit down and start negotiations,” Auxiliary Bishop Jose Colin Bagaforo of Cotabato in Mindanao province told Radio Veritas 846 during a recent interview.

Bishop Bagaforo spoke a day after the Philippine Daily Inquirer reported a threat by Ebrahim Murad, chairman of the Islamic rebels, to launch a war if peace talks with the government did not resume, reported the Asian church news agency UCA News.

“The threat is uncalled for,” Bishop Bagaforo said. He warned that the statement attributed to Murad could trigger Christians in potential conflict areas in the South to arm themselves.

The 15,000-strong rebel front, which has been fighting since the

1970s for Islamic rule in claimed territories, has engaged in on-andoff peace negotiations since 1997.

President Benigno Aquino III has appointed a new chief negotiator with the Islamic front who said talks will resume after Ramadan, the Muslim month of fasting, ends September 9.

Newspaper reports this week, however, quoted Murad as saying his group had “amassed an arsenal with help from military gunrunners.”

However, Mohagher Iqbal, the Islamic front’s chief negotiator, dismissed the reports, saying it was “ill-timed” for Ramadan.

“It creates an impression that the MILF is bloodthirsty even during Ramadan,” Iqbal said, calling the newspaper not to “exaggerate what otherwise are straight facts from a particular event.”

Presidential spokesman Edwin Lacierda said the government is receiving only “positive information from (the MILF) that they are also eager to pursue the peace process.”

PERTH, Australia — The vice president of the Australian Catholic Bishops’ Conference asked Catholics to pray that those who will make up the new federal Parliament after the August 21 election will safeguard traditional marriage and not give in to pressure to redefine it.

Archbishop Barry J. Hickey of Perth said that while his request and celebration of a special Mass were not political acts, it was important that the Church speak out on key matters such as the status of marriage in Australia.

He celebrated Mass in Perth’s St. Mary’s Cathedral August 12, the eve of National Marriage Day, which has been celebrated each year to mark the successful passage of the federal Marriage Amendment Act 2004, which defined marriage as “a union between one man and one woman to the exclusion of all others, voluntarily entered into for life.”

His emphasis that his comments and the Mass were not political acts came after he was criticized for meddling in politics by radio callers and in letters to the editor in The West Australian newspaper, which on July 29 said he “questioned the

impact” of Prime Minister Julia Gillard’s atheism.

National Marriage Day was organized by the Christian family and marriage lobby, the Australian Family Association, the Catholic men’s organization the Knights of the Southern Cross and a number of other organizations supportive of the social importance of marriage.

Similar gatherings across the country were held the same week to underscore the importance of marriage to individuals and to society; the main event was a National Marriage Day breakfast in Canberra August 13.

Archbishop Hickey said the Perth Mass had “to do with raising our voice so that Parliament preserves marriage in its traditional sense.” He said there are now more forces and groups than ever seeking to actively change the definition of marriage to include almost any relationship.

Some are attempting to change things so much that they welcome the breakdown of marriage as an institution and argue that this frees people to engage in almost any kind of relationship as a substitute for traditional marriage, a relationship between a man and a woman based on fidelity to each other

and open to the possibility of life, he said.

Marriage, he added, not only provides for the needs of families and individuals; it is “a civilizing vocation that reminds our society of God and of his love.”

Archbishop Hickey also issued a pastoral letter, “Pearl of Great Price,” to coincide with National Marriage Day. The letter reiterates the importance of marriage not only for spouses and society, but especially for children.

In the letter and at the Mass, the archbishop spoke of the personal and social costs of broken marriages.

Part of the cost of a broken marriage is damage to the children, who so often get caught in the hostility between spouses, a hostility that usually continues long after the actual separation, he said.

At the Mass, he spoke of children placed in foster care as a result of marital and family breakdown. He said he knew of cases where children were placed with up to 15 different families in succession.

“They emerge from the experience often with deep psychological problems, depressed and often violent. They haven’t had the love they need to have,” he said.

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August 20, 2010 The Church in the U.S. Catholic agencies collect more than $303 million for Haiti quake relief

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By Dennis Sadowski Catholic News Service WASHINGTON — Catholic agencies around the world have collected more than $303 million for Haitian earthquake relief with additional funds continuing to arrive daily.

The amount — totaling $303,362,571 as of August 10 — reflects money from special collections sponsored by the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops, Catholic Relief Services, the worldwide network of Caritas Internationalis agencies and a smattering of other Catho-

lic-connected agencies sponsor- U.S. Catholics.

CRS has collected an addiing ministries in Haiti.

A total of $82,269,255 was tional $65,204,026 on its own, The total is likely to be sig- donated during special collec- making the U.S. Catholic comnificantly greater because the tions in dioceses in the weeks munity the largest contributor in figures provided by the world to earthquake he destruction of Port-au- relief efforts.

Caritas Internationalis, the Vatican-based umPrince and the repercussions Non-Catholic U.S. brella organization for to the whole of Haiti will be felt for de- nonprofit agencies colCatholic humanitarian lected an additional and development agen- cades — not days, weeks or months,” Fa- $1.1 billion for Haiti, cies, exclude money ther Baris wrote. “These people need to The Chronicle of Phiraised by organizations be fed. Many need medical care.” lanthropy reported July and religious orders and 9. congregations outside The USCCB credited of the Caritas network. after the quake, according to fig- Catholics for their generosity Of the amount, nearly half ures compiled from the USCCB for responding to the needs of — $147,473,281 — came from and CRS. Haitians after the January 12 disaster even as they may have been confronted by the worldwide recession.

“American Catholics are not just fair, I think they’re more than fair,” said Oblate Father Andrew Small, director of the Collection for the Church in Latin America for the U.S. bishops. “When you see someone suffering, you try and help them. When you see someone desperate, you do everything you can to help them.

Given the unique nature of the devastation, we saw a unique outpouring of compassion and concrete generosity.”

Outside of the U.S. effort, donations to the network of Caritas Internationalis agencies around the world totaled $151,247,000, the agency reported to Catholic News Service.

Major funding was collected by the Church in Netherlands ($42.2 million), Spain ($19.8 million), Germany ($15.8 million), United Kingdom ($13.2 million), Canada ($12 million) and Austria and France ($10.5 million each).

In the United States, The Chronicle of Philanthropy reported that two Catholic-related agencies collected more than $4.6 million for recovery efforts.

The Catholic Medical Mission Board collected $2,466,498, while Fonkoze USA, a bank for poor Haitians started by a Haitian priest, collected $2,175,792, the publication reported in July.

Those amounts are included in the total funding figure.

As for how the funds are being spent, only information about the U.S. funding is available.

Father Small said the bishops’ administrative committee decided in March to allocate 60 percent of the special collection to CRS for humanitarian needs and use the remaining 40 percent for ecclesial needs, such as the rebuilding of churches and parish schools and restarting ministries.

That means, of the $82.2 million collected, $49.3 million will go to CRS while $32.9 mil-

“T

lion will be used for rebuilding the Haitian Church.

“The bishops recognized that in their initial appeal they were aware that the Church is really the only group that’s going to look after Church needs,” Father Small explained. “So it was important that that be made clear at the outset of the initial appeal.

“So the question was, ‘Who needs what?’ I think (the bishops) realized that no matter how much of an assessment was done on the needs, not even the money we collected would really adequately address what is needed. They decided what seems like a fair division so that the entire Church ... can start planning what needs to be done.

To wait for a so-called comprehensive assessment to be done, we’d still be here in 10 years,” he said.

Members of the U.S. bishops’ Haiti Advisory Group and a team of U.S.-based engineers have met with Haitian Church officials and Archbishop Bernardito Auza, papal nuncio to Haiti, to begin planning how to prioritize spending. The effort is emphasizing appropriate construction methods so that new structures can withstand earthquakes as well as strong hurricanes.

Seventy parishes in the Archdiocese of Port-au-Prince and the Diocese of Jacmel were destroyed or seriously damaged by the quake, while an additional 30 chapels and mission stations must be rebuilt, according to Archbishop Auza.

In the weekly bulletin for Our Lady of Cape Parish in Osterville, La Salette Father Bernard Baris, pastor, reminds parishioners that the need in Haiti is still great. The parish has been helping in Haiti for more than 20 years, “adopting” St. Claire’s Parish in Dessalines, Haiti.

“The destruction of Port-auPrince and the repercussions to the whole of Haiti will be felt for decades — not days, weeks or months,” Father Baris wrote in his latest bulletin. He continued by saying he’s received several emails from religious in Dessalines. “Refugees are streaming into Dessalines because the town was damaged. They are seeking food, water and medical care. The rectory and the guest house (built by Our Lady of the Cape) are full. The four parish schools are open to receive more. These people need to be fed. Many need medical care.”

Donations to the Haitian sister parish can be sent to Our Lady of the Cape Parish, P.O. Box 1799, Brewster, MA. 02631. Make checks payable to Our Lady of the Cape — Haiti.

August 20, 2010

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The Church in the U.S. U.S. bishops recognize three as ‘people of life’

memories of mother — Sister Paulissa Puisis, 94, who entered the Sisters of St. Casimir when foundress Mother Maria Kaupas was alive, shows Nancy Kaupas North an artifact belonging to Mother Maria alongside her crypt at the motherhouse in Chicago. (CNS photo/Karen Callaway, Catholic New World)

Sisters of St. Casimir pray for sainthood cause of foundress

CHICAGO (CNS) — Mother Maria Kaupas might no longer walk the halls of the Sisters of St. Casimir motherhouse in the Marquette Park section of Chicago, but her spirit is there.

It’s in the chapel where she prayed, the bedroom where she slept and even the grounds where she took recreation. Mostly, it’s in her mission to serve people who need help, a mission carried on by the Sisters who have succeeded her.

Mother Maria, who established the Sisters of St. Casimir in 1907 to serve Lithuanian immigrants in the United States, was declared venerable July 1 by Pope Benedict XVI in recognition of her heroic virtues. Her Sisters — including more than a score who remember her personally — are continuing to pray for her beatification, and, ultimately, her canonization.

“The Sisters held her in highest regard,” said Sister Margaret Petcavage, the vice postulator for Mother Maria’s sainthood cause. “She was a holy person. And it wasn’t just the Sisters. When she died, one of the papers — I think it was the Chicago American — had a headline that ‘Chicago mourns its second Cabrini.’”

Mother Frances Xavier Cabrini, one of the founders of the Missionary Sisters of the Sacred Heart of Jesus, was canonized in 1946, six years after Mother Maria died.

Sister M. Paulissa Puisis, 94, entered the convent in 1929, and recalls Mother Maria from her time as an aspirant, postulant and novice.

She remembers the way the Sisters and the novices would jockey for a place near Mother Maria when they went outside for recreation, the way Mother Maria took an interest in everyone, the way no one was afraid of her.

“When I was an aspirant, I’d see her on the stairs, and I’d say, ‘Mother, I’m 16 years old. When can I become a postulant?’” Sister Paulissa said. “She was always patient. She would just say, ‘The time will come soon.’ She understood people, and she had a way of communicating with you.”

Sister Delphine Grigas, also 94, said, “There was always a serenity about her that made you sense that she was walking with God. She met with us and guided us and inspired us.”

Prayers for her beatification began in 1943. After the Second Vatican Council, when religious congregations were urged to look to the charisms of their founders, the Sisters started to look more closely at her life.

They went into her closet, in the bedroom that was left as it was, belongings neatly boxed and labeled.

There was her habit, and her cross, and her prayer books. And there was a notebook such as a first-grader might use, said Sister Regina Dubickas, the assistant general superior for the Sisters of St. Casimir — with wide lines and Charles Lindbergh on the front — that contained Mother Maria’s handwritten account of “How the Congregation Was Founded.”

As the Sisters began working on the cause more systematically, Sister Margaret asked for any letters from Mother Maria that people might have. More than 800 were turned over.

“You don’t keep a letter unless it means something to you, or the person who sent it means something to you,” Sister Regina told the Catholic New World, newspaper of the Chicago Archdiocese.

Sister Margaret said she was struck by the funny greeting cards that were included.

“She was human, and she had a funny bone,” she said. “The cards she sent weren’t all saccharin and religious.”

But she was a deeply religious person, said Sister M. Immacula Wendt, the superior general. Sisters reported seeing her praying in the chapel late at night, and that prayer life sustained her.

It sustained her through an eight-year battle with cancer that started in her breast and metastasized to her bones.

When she died, with the Sisters praying around her, the pain was “etched on her face. She was ashen,” Sister Delphine said. “But she was serene.”

Some 60 years later, when her body was exhumed for her sainthood cause, one of the pathologists pointed out a hole about the size of a quarter in her skull. The bone had been eaten away by cancer, Sister Margaret said.

“The pain must have been unbearable,” she said.

To learn more about Mother Maria, visit www.ssc2601.com.

HOUSTON (CNS) — The U.S. bishops’ Secretariat for Pro-Life Activities recognized three individuals who have continuously answered the call to respect life.

The honors came August 9 during the secretariat’s annual national conference for respect life ministers, this year held in downtown Houston.

The USCCB honored Msgr. Philip Reilly, founder of the Helpers of God’s Precious Infants, a worldwide ministry that leads street vigils and counsels women heading to abortion clinics; Patricia Bainbridge, a longtime Pro-Life advocate and adviser who currently chairs Human Life International; and William May, a celebrated scholar, publisher and writer and senior fellow at the Culture of Life Foundation.

Before the recognition dinner, Cardinal Daniel N. DiNardo of Galveston-Houston celebrated Mass for the 150 Pro-Life ministers and supporters at the Co-Cathedral of the Sacred Heart. The cardinal is the current chairman of the USCCB Committee for ProLife Activities.

The People of Life award is given to those who have demonstrated a lifetime commitment to the Pro-Life movement, promoted respect for dignity of the human person and advocated for an end to the culture of death.

Msgr. Reilly accepted his award for “all of the people outside abortion centers praying, counseling and doing God’s work. They are saving lives and changing this culture.”

Citing the words and example of Blessed Teresa of Calcutta, Msgr. Reilly said the efforts of those working in the respect life movement can only be understood through the eyes of faith.

“Your job is not to save babies — your job is to save souls,” he said. “Our job is not our job, it is Jesus Christ working through us, redeeming the world.”

Msgr. Reilly noted that tragically, no record is kept of the existence of the unborn.

“When you stand outside those abortion clinics lovingly, you give recognition to their existence,” he said. “(People) can then see the face of love, the face of Jesus Christ. If they can experience the hope that is in Jesus Christ to a world that is in darkness, suddenly that place of midnight becomes a new day.”

May, professor emeritus of moral theology at the Pontifical Institute for Studies on Marriage and the Family at The Catholic University of America in Washington, has written more than 220 journal articles, has authored, co-authored or edited 24 books and is at work on three more.

Bainbridge recently retired from her 10year post as director of the respect life office and natural family planning coordinator for the Diocese of Rockford, Ill., where she was also the “Lifelines” columnist for the diocesan newspaper.

Since the People of Life awards began three years ago, 11 people have received the honor.

6

The Anchor Driving the Pro-Life message home

During the summer months, as there has been much higher volume on local roads as people head to cookouts, travel to Cape Cod, drive to the many local beaches, go to summer camps, sporting events, outdoor feasts and concerts, and joy ride on major city thoroughfares, many drivers have been noticing a surprising and welcomed sight on the fronts and backs of several of the cars they pass: a new Massachusetts license plate with the image of a woman embracing a little baby against the backdrop of a warm heart and with the message “Choose Life.”

In June, these “Choose Life” plates became the 18th specialty plate approved by the Massachusetts Department of Transportation. They are the result of a seven-year effort led by Merry and Ken Nordeen of Wakefield, who recruited 1,725 car owners to pre-order the plates and secured a $100,000 bond from a donor to enable the Commonwealth to manufacture an initial run of 5,000, which are now available at registries across the state and on-line. The Nordeens saw Choose Life plates for the first time in Florida, where over the past decade these plates have generated not merely extra income for the Sunshine State, but also raised $5 million for pregnancy help centers. Like the Nordeens, citizens in other states have sought to follow Florida’s lead, and now 22 states have Choose Life plates.

Massachusetts drivers have long looked to specialty plates to give both free publicity and financial support to worthy causes. There are plates that support the charitable foundations of all four major sports teams. The Massachusetts Environmental Trust has three speciality plates —featuring images of right whales, brook trout and the Blackstone Valley — all emphasizing the message “Preserve the Trust.” Many cars east of the Bourne and Sagamore Bridges feature the popular Cape Cod and Islands plate with Eastham’s Nauset lighthouse, the sale of which benefits local economic development. Other plates seek to promote and help foundations that battle cancer, support the basketball Hall of Fame in Springfield, fund the U.S. Olympic Committee, build a firefighters memorial on Beacon Hill, underwrite the Massachusetts 9/11 Fund, underwrite the costs for spaying and neutering animals, and support the United Way’s programs for children.

It takes $40 to switch to using specialty plates for a two-year period (which is in addition to the $50 biennial registration fee all cars need to pay). For the first two years, $12 goes to the Commonwealth for the purchase of the new plates, and $28 goes to the non-profit entity supported by them. Every two years afterward, all $40 goes to the entity.

So those obtaining Choose Life plates would be doing two things to help out the Pro-Life cause. First, they would be contributing $14 a year for the first two years and $20 over subsequent years to pregnancy help centers across the Commonwealth like Birthright and A Woman’s Concern. Second, they would be providing thousands of dollars worth of positive Pro-Life advertising wherever they drive.

There are now companies that pay drivers $5 a month to affix a particular bumper sticker to their car, $80 a month to put a sign in a car window and $250-$800 a month to have a car wrapped completely with vinyl advertisements like buses in several regional bus systems. Advertising gurus have obviously recognized what political campaigns have long known: that there is enormous value in the publicity one can give to a product or cause by affixing a message to a vehicle. A car driving to work or to school can easily be seen by hundreds, if not thousands, of other drivers each day, depending upon the commute.

The message that the Choose Life plates advertise is one that many in our culture need to see and hear — and is one that could end up saving a life. It is not impossible to imagine that a woman on her way to have an abortion might see the Choose Life plates driving behind a car on the highway or stopping behind one at a stop light. It might be the gentle message that helps her to remember that she actually does have a choice, no matter how pressured she may feel toward taking the life of her child. The fact that many believe that the image on the Choose Life plates is evocative of Mary holding the baby Jesus may add to the impact the image and message may have.

As Pam Cross of Boston’s WCVB TV (Channel 5) said at the end of her report the day the Choose Life plates became available, “Each plate is a mini-ad, a reinforcement of the choose-life message.”

Obtaining the plates is simple and straightforward. Those interested need simply to go to any local registry with their license and registration and pay the $40 to switch. If their old registration is expiring, they would also have to pay the regular $50 biennial fee. It is also possible to order the plates on-line with a credit card, by going to http:// www.mass.gov/rmv/express/chooselife.htm.

If you have never had a specialty plate, now would be a good time for your first. If you already have another specialty plate, now might be the time to switch from supporting a worthy cause to helping an even worthier one.

What a beautiful witness it would be if Choose Life plates became as ubiquitous throughout the expanse of the Diocese of Fall River as the Cape and Islands plates are in the Diocese’s eastern half, or if they became as popular on the cars in Catholic church parking lots as Red Sox specialty plates are in the garages around Fenway Park.

August 20, 2010

Dies Domini — Keeping the Lord’s Day holy

“T

his is the day which the Lord has led us to this point. What is most important, however, is that we reclaim the sanctity made: let us rejoice and be glad and importance of Sunday as a day of rest in it” (Ps 118:24). In my new assignment and a day of worship. Pope John Paul II at St. Patrick’s Parish in Falmouth, we are explained that “even if in the earliest times blessed to have many summer visitors. it was not judged necessary to be prescripThe number of people who flock to Cape tive, the Church has not ceased to confirm Cod during the summer months makes it this obligation of conscience, which rises necessary for so many of the parishes to from the inner need felt so strongly by the add extra Masses to accommodate those Christians of the first centuries. It was only on vacation. At St. Patrick’s we have the later, faced with the half-heartedness or Chapel of St. Thomas that is open from negligence of some, that the Church had Memorial Day to Columbus Day, allowto make explicit the duty to attend Sunday ing us to have an additional four weekend Mass” (Dies Domini, 47).

Masses. I personally think it is a great After describing many challenging witness of faith that so many people see the situations around the world, Pope John necessity of attending Sunday Mass, even Paul II also highlighted the fact that there when on vacation. are “many who wish to live in accord with We shouldn’t, however, get into the frame of mind of thinking that this is some- the demands of their faith that are being faced with surroundings that are sometimes thing extraordinary. Our attendance and indifferent and unresponsive to the Gospel participation at Sunday Mass is something that is central and essential for all Catholics. message.” He goes on to say, “If believers are not to be overwhelmed, they must be “The Catechism of the Catholic Church” able to count on the support of the Chrisexplains that “the Sunday Eucharist is the tian community. This is why they must be foundation and confirmation of all Christian practice; for this reason, the faithful are convinced that it is crucially important for the life of faith that they should come toobliged to participate in the Eucharist on gether with others on Sundays to celebrate days of obligation” which includes every the Passover of the Lord in the sacrament Sunday of the year (“Catechism,” 2181). of the New Covenant” (Dies Domini, 48).

It is no huge revelation, however, that It is simply in recent years so sad when so the number of many Chrispeople keepPutting Into tians have ing the Lord’s forgotten about Day holy is in a the Deep or neglected steady decline. the importance Many people

By Father of Sunday may fondly Jay Mello worship. This remember the is the most days when Sunbasic part of day was a day our Christian identity and yet it has become for God and family, when stores were not one of the easiest things to dismiss. But we open, when there were no youth sporting cannot just shake our heads and agree that events interfering with morning Mass as a this is disappointing. Our Lord calls each family. It is clear that for many in our culture and in our Church Sunday has become of us to “put into the deep” by inviting others back to a regular practice of the faith, just another day of the week. especially in the communal observance of In response to this ever-increasing preSunday Mass. dicament, our late Holy Father, Pope John “Today more than ever, the Church is Paul II wrote the Apostolic Letter, Dies unwilling to settle for minimalism and meDomini, on the importance of keeping the diocrity at the level of faith. She wants to Lord’s Day holy. It is clear that the pope was keenly aware that the crisis of Sunday help Christians to do what is most correct observance reflects the crisis of faith within and pleasing to the Lord” (Dies Domini, 52). Many have gone astray, especially in the Catholic Church and of Christianity in their worthy reception of the sacraments general. The “strikingly low” attendance and their lack of attendance and participato the Sunday liturgy reflects in the pope’s tion at Sunday Mass. Some even think view the fact that “motivation of faith is that it is no big deal consciously to skip weak” and “seems to be diminishing” (Dies Domini, 5). John Paul II reminded us Mass on Sundays or on holy days, even when the Church is clear that those who of the ever-present sacredness of Sunday “deliberately fail in this obligation commit by tracing through sacred Scripture the a grave sin” (“Catechism,” 2181). We significance and the relevance of Sunday cannot stand by and allow others to persist worship. From the natural creation of in their sin. The Lord calls each of us to the world at the beginning of time to the be his witnesses (Acts 1:8). The Lord calls re-creation of the supernatural order at the each of us to witness to our friends and moment of the resurrection, the Lord’s Day is meant to be observed and kept holy. members of our families the importance of Sunday and this is fundamentally exempliThe natural question to ask is why have fied by our keeping the Lord’s Day holy we lost a sense reverence for the Lord’s and sacred. command to keep this day sacred, as we I will address different components of find in the third Commandment (Exodus the Mass in the following weeks with the 20:8-11). Where did we go wrong? When did we lose the sense of fulfilling our Chris- intention of helping each of us to come to a greater appreciation for the Mass and a tian obligation? Why is Sunday no longer deeper devotion to our Lord in the Blessed important?

Sacrament.

We can spend a lot of time trying to anFather Mello is a parochial vicar at St. swer those particular questions and trying Patrick’s Parish in Falmouth. to find the moment or series of events that

August 20, 2010

J

7

The Anchor

Blessed John Henry Newman: ‘Great and perfect peace’

ohn Henry Newman believed every person who’s ever lived “has a depth within him unfathomable, an infinite abyss of existence; and the scene in which he bears part for the moment is but like a gleam of sunshine upon its surface.” Yet that no one had more depth, or shone more brightly, than the saints.

In “The Idea of a Christian Society,” poet, playwright and critic T.S. Eliot said Newman was seen as exemplifying “a rebirth of Christian saintliness” in modern times. Such was not always our image of Newman.

According to the official blog of the Chesterton Society, “As late as the 1950s, many Catholics thought of Newman as a great theologian but not as a holy man.” Newman’s cult began in Canada three decades before being officially accepted.

Archbishop Vincent Nichols of Westminster has pointed out that “Newman had a deep commitment to the sick and poor of Birmingham.” Newman risked his life to tend to the poor in time of plague. Yet Newman scoffed at claims of his holiness. “Saints,” he retorted, “do not write Tales.” (Newman wrote two novels and a narrative poem.)

Should we take saints seriously when they deny their own sanctity? Saint Padre Pio claimed that he would be canonized when Satan was enthroned in St. Peter’s, and that’s clearly one prophecy the stigmatist got wrong. Something more likely to convince us Newman wasn’t a saint was his hypersensitivity.

Like J.R.R Tolkien, who incidentally was raised by a priest of the Birmingham Oratory Newman founded, he was wounded by criticism. It’s a truism that those who “dish it out can’t take it.” Many comics hate being

teased. Those angriest in criman replied that they’d see each tique are angrier when critiqued, other in heaven. because they’re angry to start Yet with time can come with. It may not have helped that wisdom. Newman once said, for many in Newman’s day — “A fight is the very token of and ours — masculinity could a Christian.” Newman’s fight be partially confused with hostility. We have Jack Bauer and Batman; The Enduring Newman grew up with Importance of Achilles and Aeneas.

Yet men’s unconscious Cardinal Newman identification with such Dr. Peter J. Mango role models can undermine Christ’s example.

Christopher Dawson asserted that Newman paraphrased for charity and humility made a warrior of classical literature him more Christ-like over time. who said, “Let them know that Visiting an older Newman, poet I am back again … though I Francis Turner Palgrave wrote of long refrained from war,” by how “the look of almost anxious writing of himself: “You shall searching had passed into the know the difference now that I look of perfect peace. His mind am back again.” Another writer has claimed to find a litany of violent verbs in Newman’s writings. Though not triumphalist with Protestants, Newman apparently defined himself, for much of his life, as a controversialist.

Criticized by fellow convert Orestes Brownson, Newman called him “a half converted Yankee.” When someone wrote informing him that, were his Catholic convictions sincere he would’ve converted earlier, John Henry scrawled in the letter’s margin, “That I could be contemplating questions of Truth & Falsehood never entered his imagination!” Languishing under Vatican suspicions of heresy, Newman wrote privately, “It is not good for a pope to live 20 years. … He becomes a god, … does not know the facts, and does cruel things without meaning it.” Receiving a plea to see his fellow Oratorian Father Frederick Faber, who’d been critical of Newman, yet was now on his death bed, New-

was not only bright as ever, but with the cheerfulness and humor of youth.” Newman welcomed Turner with “great and perfect humility.” Like St. Frances Cabrini, Newman’s irascibility mellowed in late old age.

Wilfrid Ward wrote, “It is wonderful the extent to which … ministers, of various religious bodies, Methodists, Presbyterians, etc. with no sort of leaning towards the [Catholic] Church have sought his guidance and advice and sympathy. …

His correspondence of this sort … was enormous.” Even his old sparring-partner Prime Minister Gladstone came to Newman.

The number of “spiritual children” Newman counseled was

huge. On being made cardinal, an allocution was read honoring him in the name of the “devoted English, Scotch, Irish and American children, at present residing in Rome.” The allocution added, “All English-speaking Catholics … have long looked up to you as their spiritual father, and as their guide in the paths of holiness.”

If Newman’s life teaches us anything, it’s this: we may be a work in progress — but we’re all obliged to become saints.

Dr. Mango, who wrote his doctoral dissertation on Cardinal Newman, teaches philosophy at the Thornwood Center for Higher Studies as well as at the Archdiocese of New York’s St. John Neumann Pre-Theology Program and Institute for Religious Studies.

This is the last in a 10-part series.

8

I

n today’s Gospel, Jesus is asked the question, “Lord, will only a few people be saved?” Jesus’ answer begins with an instruction.

He says “Strive to enter by the narrow gate.” We may ask, “What on earth does that mean?” We need to listen very carefully.

Jesus said, “Follow me,” to his disciples of old and to his disciples through the ages.

“Follow me,” Jesus is saying to us now. “Follow me through the narrow gate. Do what I have done. Live as I have lived. I came to do the will of my Father. I came not to be served but to serve.”

Follow me through that narrow gate. Whatever is happening to you, bad as it may seem, however disconnected you may be feeling, even if the whole world seems to be closing in on you, believe in your heart that nothing happens to you outside the scope of God’s concern. Listen to Jesus’ personal invitation to follow him through that narrow gate and experience the joy of being able to say with a personal conviction, “The Father loves me; right now, he loves me.

Even though I am now feeling

August 20, 2010

The Anchor

‘Follow me through the narrow gate to new life’ overwhelmed by unwelcome our own death as well as in events, I know and believe the death of Jesus. We are all that the Father loves me and is going to die, every one of us. with me through it all.”

We are moving toward death Jesus said that in order to with each passing moment. save our life we have to lose The people we love are going it. In order to enter into the to die. One of the most unforfullness of life — “Christ-life” tunate things about modern — we need to attend a whole series of funerals of our lesser selves.

Homily of the Week In order to enter into the “New Life” we Twenty-first Sunday need to die the “little in Ordinary Time deaths.”

By Deacon The truth of the Robert Lorenzo Christian Gospel can be stated in the form of a paradox: we live by dying. “I die daily,” said the civilization is the unwillingApostle Paul. And, in Jesus’ ness to face this honestly and own words, “... unless a grain openly. We say, “Let’s change of wheat falls to the ground the subject; it’s too morbid.” and dies, it remains just a We don’t want to talk about grain of wheat; but if it dies, it it. We try to hide it. We try to bears much fruit” (Jn. 12:24). repress it. But no matter how One of the reasons we much we try, it continues on gather each week for celebraa subconscious level with the tion is to remember the resurpower to tear us apart. rection event: to look back Consider, at this very moon this incredible thing that ment, each of us is dying, happened to Jesus of Nazareth partially. But the God who and to realize that it is a concreated us, is creating a resurtinuing experience in the life rected body for us. We will of the Christian community; move into the next life in the to realize that God’s resurrecresurrected body, and death tion power is experienced in will be transformed into new

life, and despair into joy. This is what resurrection means in terms of our own death.

But that’s only part of the story. God’s resurrection power works not only in and through our final death but also through our daily deaths.

Every day there is a process of death and resurrection going on. We are all going through all kinds of daily deaths and, in them, the resurrection power of God is always working to give us new life: greater freedom, greater joy, and deeper hope.

Husbands and wives know that marriages go through periods of death; that certain things in marriage are outgrown and left behind and are no longer useful; that a new kind of relationship comes into being within the marriage, a new understanding between the marriage partners. But the process often is painful. Moving from death to resurrection can be very hard for the people involved.

But whether the process calls for the resurrection of a good relationship or the dissolution

of a destructive one, God’s resurrection power is always present in that situation, and the healing comes when we allow ourselves to experience this presence.

Jesus was asked about how many would be saved. The issue, however, is not how many but who will be saved.

The saved are those who don’t merely accompany Jesus, but who freely choose to follow him “to Jerusalem” and all that this journey involves. The door of salvation will be open only to all those who have chosen to pass through the “narrow gate” of self-surrender.

As we celebrate our sacred Liturgy this Sunday, let us be mindful of God’s resurrection power within us and listen carefully to Jesus’ words: “Strive to enter by the narrow gate. And do not be afraid, you’ll not lose your way. I’ll be with you, leading the way.

Follow me.”

Deacon Lorenzo is assigned to St. Joseph’s Parish in Fairhaven. He also serves a chaplain at St. Luke’s Hospital in New Bedford. He and his wife Mary are parents of six children and have 12 grandchildren.

Upcoming Daily Readings: Sat. Aug. 21, Ez 43:1-7b; Ps 85:9ab,10-14; Mt 23:1-12. Sun. Aug. 22, Twenty-first Sunday in Ordinary Time, Is 66:8-21; Ps 117:1-2; Heb 12:5-7,11-13; Lk 13:22-30. Mon. Aug. 23, 2 Thes 1:1-5,11-12; Ps 96:1-5; Mt 23:13-22. Tues. Aug. 24, Rv 21:9b-14; Ps 145:10-13,17-18; Jn 1:45-51. Wed. Aug. 25, 2 Thes 3:6-10,16-18; Ps 128:1-2,4-5; Mt 23:27-32. Thur. Aug. 26, 1 Cor 1:1-9; Ps 145:2-7; Mt 24:42-51. Fri. Aug. 27, 1 Cor 1:17-25; Ps 33:1-2,4-5,10-11; Mt 25:1-13.

O

n June 30, 1980, the U.S. Supreme Court issued its decision in Harris v.

McRae and upheld the constitutionality of the Hyde Amendment, which had prohibited federal funding for Medicaid abortions since 1976. Three decades later, Harris v. McRae remains the Pro-Life movement’s most important legal victory since Roe v. Wade created a “right to abortion” in 1973.

That victory is now jeopardized

by Obamacare, and by the insouciance of some Catholics about the extension of the Hyde Amendment to future federal health-care legislation.

On this 30th anniversary, therefore, it’s important to remember just what was achieved in Harris v. McRae. First, writing for the Court majority, Justice Potter Stewart made clear that, whatever putative “right to abortion” may be found within the interstices of the Constitution, such a “right” does not imply that the federal government can compel American taxpayers to pay for the deaths of innocents. As Justice Stewart put it, “Regard-

An anniversary of consequence less of whether the freedom of citizens. a woman to choose to terminate Third, the Court rejected the her pregnancy for health reasons plaintiff’s claims that the Hyde lies at the core or the periphery Amendment’s prohibition on of the due process liberty recog- federal funding of abortion innized in [Roe v. Wade], it simply volved an imposition of Catholic does not follow that a woman’s doctrine in violation of the First freedom of choice carries with it a constitutional entitlement to the financial resources to avail herself of the full range of protected choices.” In plain language: any putaBy George Weigel tive “right to abortion” does not carry with it the power to make me pay for abortions.

Amendment’s ban on religious Second, the majority in the “establishment.” In plain lanCourt’s 5-4 decision accepted guage: the abortion debate is not the Solicitor General’s argu“sectarian,” but engages fundament that the Hyde Amendmental issues of justice in which ment is, as my friend Edward everyone has a stake.

Grant has written, “rationally The heroes of this victory related to the interest we all should also be remembered must have in preserving nascent at its 30th anniversary: Conhuman life and encouraging gressman Henry J. Hyde; childbirth.” In other words: Professor Victor Rosenblum of pregnancy is not a disease, the Northwestern University, Denchoice to terminate a pregnancy nis Horan, Patrick Trueman, is fraught with public implicaThomas Marzen, and other tions, and the state has an inter- members of the legal team at est in supporting the begetting the Americans United for Life and safe delivery of its future Legal Defense Fund; James

The Catholic Difference

Buckley and Jesse Helms, who, with Congressman Hyde, entered the case as interveningdefendants. Some of the young lawyers who worked with the defense team in Harris v.

McRae have continued to make names for themselves as national Pro-Life leaders: Carl Anderson, now Supreme Knight of the Knights of Columbus; Robert Destro, now of the Catholic University of America’s law school; and Paige Comstock Cunningham, a longtime board member of Americans United for Life. All honor to them.

Their achievement, however, is not secure. The Hyde Amendment, although deemed constitutional, still had to be re-enacted in every Congress, every year following Harris v. McRae — a fact of legislative history that raises the most serious questions about the Obama administration’s claim that the Hyde Amendment is such “settled law” that it need not be replicated in the various legislative iterations of Obama-

care. The administration’s “deal” with certain Democratic congressmen to include a Hyde Amendment-type ban on abortion funding through a presidential executive order is the thinnest of barriers — some would say, a non-existent barrier — against claims that abortion is a “necessary” form of health care that requires taxpayer funding. That some Catholic members of Congress and some Catholic health-care advocates have fallen for this sleight-of-hand reflects either grave misunderstanding of the law or bad faith.

The Hyde Amendment is a continual bone in the throat of abortion advocates, who once followed Henry Hyde to Mass in their efforts to “prove” that his amendment was the product of Catholic hocus-pocus. They won’t down tools in this fight.

Neither should the defenders of Harris v. McRae. George Weigel is a member of the board of directors of Americans United for Life. He is Distinguished Senior Fellow of the Ethics and Public Policy Center in Washington, D.C.

August 20, 2010

9

The Anchor

Happy camper Saturday 14 August 2010 floors. I don’t remember much — Three Mile River — parish else. Every morning we were Knights of Columbus “matança given our daily schedule — do porco” (pig roast) where we were supposed to be n my long career as a child, and when. I didn’t know how to I spent only one week at read a schedule. I just wandered camp. Since my parents could never have afforded to send me to sleep-away camp, I Reflections of a suspect that my “campParish Priest ership” was sponsored by my aunt. My aunt was

By Father Tim the camp nurse. I believe Goldrick the camp was somewhere in the wilds of Wareham, but back then it could around from one activity to have just as well been Timbuktu. another, choosing whatever apThere were lots of pine trees pealed to me. I had the attention and a pond. There was a woodspan of a hummingbird. Some framed mess hall. We slept in say I still do. bunk beds in big canvas tents At the end of the week, there (recycled from World War II.) I was an assembly of campers remember the tents had wooden in the mess hall. It was Awards

I

The Ship’s Log

Night. I received the coveted award for “good citizenship.”

The head counselor said: “You were such a model camper, Timmy, that the adult leaders hardly even noticed you present at your assigned activities.” Well, I wasn’t. It was a bright orange felt badge. I have it still, although moths have eaten holes here and there.

When the camp week was over, my parents arrived to pick me up.

“Were you homesick?” they asked. “No,” I responded.

“Surely you were a bit homesick?” they insisted. Not at all.

I just went where I wanted to go and did what I wanted to do. It was fun. They refused to believe me, but I was telling the truth. Having accomplished

Of hula hoops, sock hops and marriage

C

ing the question of what to ontrary to what most do about marriage, the very Americans think, the worst response could be to marriages that their famisay that elements intrinsic lies have contracted since to the institution itself don’t the founding of this country matter. were recently dismissed as Included in all compremere “cultural artifacts.” This hensive definitions of the audaciously ignores the fact word “culture” is the word that no matter where our im“growth” — for such is the migrant ancestors came from inherent meaning. Whether in over the centuries — Europe, biology or anthropology, one Africa, Asia, South America must look at the surroundor more obscure dominions — they brought with them the ing elements to discern if healthy growth is possible or same fundamental institution a stunted version will ensue. through which they nourished In the worst of scenarios, subsequent generations.

The lived expression varied depending on the ethnic group, the personalities involved and the economic and social terrain in which they

By Genevieve Kineke planted these new families, but no matter where they chose to the surrounding environment exchange their vows — be it will prove fatal. A “culture of in a religious or secular setdeath” is an oxymoron but it ting — men and women have is often used to make a cerpledged fidelity for the sake tain point — that a particular of their own happiness, for milieu is hostile to healthy the good of their children and growth, or toxic to those who to create a stable foundation try to live there. for the wider society.

“Artifact” is an interesting Strong marriages matter, word as well, inferring an and the fact that at present unnatural human construct so many marriages end in diof historical interest, or in vorce is a tragedy on all three medical terms, “a product of those levels. The couple of artificial character due to suffers deeply, the children an extraneous (as human) are traumatized and the sociagency.” For a federal judge ety feels the ripple effect of to dismiss the universal broken homes. Sociologists institution of marriage as an have tracked the data, teachunnatural quirk of history is ers have witnessed the fallout a bold move, undercutting in the schools and a swell of roughly 5,000 years of eviangst overtakes many who dence to the contrary. are thereby reticent to start Despite that overwhelming marriages of their own — but grassroots sentiment — that for all the chaos surround-

The Feminine Genius

sexual complementarity is essential to marriage — Judge Vaughn Walker has ruled to the contrary, stating: “Today, gender is not relevant to the state in determining spouses’ obligations to each other and to their dependents ….

Gender no longer forms an essential part of marriage; marriage under law is a union of equals.”

So we have two issues — that of turning a cultural institution on its head for the sake of an embittered minority, and a judiciary that undermines the expressed will of the people in case after case.

Strong marriages — made of committed mothers and fathers — are essential to the future of this country.

Semantic games, dismissal of fundamental truths and wanton disregard for the abiding respect that the wider public gives to this long-standing institution does not bode well for the republic. Moreover, degrading the traditional sanctuary — in which our very future is nurtured — to the level of a passing fad is a twist of the knife. Divorce has sown its destruction and requires our full attention, but this effort to swat away the whole institution as a cultural curiosity demands that citizens take a serious look at who they choose as public servants in the coming years.

Mrs. Kineke is the author of “The Authentic Catholic Woman” (Servant Books).

She can be found online at www.feminine-genius.com.

yet another childhood rite of passage, I went home proudly wearing my orange felt badge.

My parents never again sent me back to camp for fear, I guess, that I might never want to come home.

As a young seminarian, I spent eight years at summer camp. This time I wasn’t a camper but a counselor. It was St. Vincent de Paul Camp in Westport, a Church facility for children from less affluent families. All the counselors were students for the priesthood. In those days, many priests would visit the seminarians there. This was the first time I had ever encountered priests as real human beings. Whoever thought you could be friends with a priest? Not me. I thought they looked scary.

Younger priests dropped in all the time. There were Fathers Jack Andrews and Terry Keenan; George Almeida, Paul Canuel, Tom Lopes, Dick Chretien, Ralph Tetrault, and Phil Davignon; Tom Morrissey, Eddie Correia, Dick Gendreau, and John Gomes.

Young seminarians included Marc Bergeron, Tom McMorrow, Jack Oliveira and Arnie Medeiros. More seasoned camp priests included “Pete” Levesque, Donald Belanger, and Henri Hamel. Then there was that skinny kid who worked in the kitchen. I think his name was Jay Maddock.

There’s something new under the sun. Parishes throughout the diocese have begun to hold “Vacation Bible Camps.” We got the idea from the Protestants.

We use it because it works. I’ve heard of summer Bible camps at Holy Family Church in East Taunton, St. Anne Church in Raynham, and St. John the Evangelist Church in Pocasset.

I’m sure there are many more.

Actually, we had one here at St. Nicholas. It was titled “Baobab Tree Blast.” It was a hoot. The kids enjoyed themselves and learned Christian values in the process.

As the summer passes and the yellow school buses come out of hibernation, Faith Formation programs begin all over the diocese. It’s back to “C.C.D.” With all due apologies to Father Joe Powers, who organized the Confraternity of Christian Doctrine, some say “C.C.D.” no longer works.

When I was in charge of Faith Formation in a large parish on the Cape, the kids whispered that C.C.D. stood for “Cape Cod Dump.” I pretended not to hear.

Kids had such a great experience at summer Bible camp in our parishes this year, what if “C.C.D.” took a page from the camper’s manual? What if instead of requiring an hour a week sitting in a classroom, we provided monthly age-appropriates four-hour sessions? What if we modified the pedagogy to resemble a camp approach, at least for the younger students? What if the kids got up and moved from one themed-group to another. The rotation system turns on our fidgety kids in a camp setting. Why wouldn’t it turn on our kids to Faith Formation? Is there any publishing company out there that has created such a Faith Formation system? If so, I am unaware of it.

As a child, I could never sit still for an hour. I still can’t sit still for an hour.

It’s just a thought from one happy camper to another.

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

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The Anchor

The locations have changed but the missions remain the same continued from page one

“The move was a lot of work, but it will be a benefit for our ministry.”

The Pro-Life Office is now located at the Chancery location. “It’s so nice to have a beautiful chapel so close by here,” Jean Arsenault, assistant director of the ministry told The Anchor. “Once a week Father Barry Wall comes in to celebrate Mass with us. I think that working for the Church, it’s important to be in a prayerful environment at work. It helps.”

Echoing what Sister Donovan said, Arsenault said the people there have been most helpful and welcoming.

While at the Slocum Road site, the Pro-Life Office enlisted the help of student volunteers, but it appears the move won’t affect that at all. As The Anchor was interviewing Arsenault at the new location, there were two student volunteers there helping to stuff envelopes.

“The ministry will proceed as it always has,” added

August 20, 2010 Arsenault. “This is for the best. God always puts us where he wants us to be.”

The diocesan Family Ministry Office experienced one of the biggest changes. With the retirement of long-time directors Scottie and Jerry Foley in May, the Family Ministry Office and the Marriage Ministry Office combined with the Faith Formation Office under the direction of Claire McManus located in the Education Office at 423 Highland Avenue in Fall River.

Administrative Assistant Michelle Ducharme told The Anchor that even with the change of location and structure, “There will be no change in the quality of the services we provide. The people who work here have been so pleasant and welcoming. It’s been very hectic relocating, but there are no concerns about maintaining our important ministries. Our volunteers — the marriage preparation teams and the leaders of our Divorced and Separated Support Group — remain vital to our success and that won’t change.”

Obviously Bishop Stang High School will feel the greatest effects from the moves.

School president, Theresa E. Dougall told The Anchor, “We’re all very excited about the plans for the vacated space.”

The school is currently in a capital campaign that will finance a major overhaul of the 500 Slocum Road site. “We are going to demolish all the interior and rebuild everything anew,” said Dougall. “Demolition is set to begin this fall, with renovations to begin shortly thereafter,” she added. “There is no set timetable for completion of the project, since that is dependent on the progress of the demolition and renovations.”

Each of the four stories has been mapped out and planned. The fourth floor is slated to become the school’s Visual Arts Center. “There will be a gallery to show student art,” said Dougall. “And we’ve planned a photo classroom, dark room and art room.”

Scheduled for the third floor are additional classrooms. “We’re going to relocate classrooms from the third floor of the school to the new site to free up space for a new Science Center that will include more lab classroom space for our science department,” the president said.

The second floor will become a Learning Commons, housing a library and media center. “The library will become nearly twice the size of what we have now,” said Dougall.

Administrative offices and the Guidance Department will find a home in the first floor of the newly-renovated site.

“We are looking forward to the completion of this project and to enhancing the school environment,” said Dougall.

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August 20, 2010

Colorado artist created image of Mother Teresa used for postage stamp COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo.

(CNS) — The commemorative stamp of Blessed Mother Teresa of Calcutta being issued by the U.S. Postal Service bears a Colorado Springs postmark, so to speak.

The stamp was designed by acclaimed artist Thomas Blackshear II, who along with his wife, Ami, has made his home in the area for more than 16 years.

The 44-cent stamp featuring the foundress of the Missionaries of Charity will go on sale after it is dedicated September 5 at the Basilica of the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception in Washington. An afternoon Mass is planned at the shrine that day, which is Mother Teresa’s feast day.

The centennial of her birth is Au-

gust 26.

“Her humility and compassion, as well as her respect for the innate worth and dignity of humankind, inspired people of all ages and backgrounds to work on behalf of the world’s poorest populations,” the Postal Service said in announcing the stamp last December. It also noted that Mother Teresa was named an honorary U.S. citizen in 1996.

During his long and varied career, Blackshear has designed roughly 30 stamps for the Postal Service, painting everyone from civil rights activist Rosa Parks to boxer Joe Louis.

“The thing about a stamp is that, because it’s going to be reduced so much, you have to design it in

Mass for Mother Teresa is August 26 NEW BEDFORD — To commemorate Blessed Mother Teresa’s 100th birthday on August 26, a Mass will take place at 9 a.m. at St. Lawrence Martyr Church with Bishop George W. Coleman celebrating. Sisters from the Missionaries of Charity, the order founded by Mother Teresa, currently working in the diocese will also be in attendance.

Following the Mass, there will be a screening of the film “Mother

Teresa: The Legacy” in the auditorium of Holy Family-Holy Name School along with an informal party with cake. All are welcome.

A Mass to commemorate Blessed Mother Teresa’s feast day — September 5, the day of her death — will also be held on September 4 at 10 a.m. at St. Lawrence Martyr Church.

Because the feast day falls on a Sunday this year, the observance will take place a day earlier.

such a way that it’s instantly recognizable. It has to have that graphic quality,” Blackshear said.

Using photographs of the late nun, Blackshear painted three dif-

ferent portraits of Mother Teresa and submitted them to the Postal Service’s art committee.

Although the stamp was just one of many projects Blackshear has done for the Postal Service, some aspects of Mother Teresa’s life distinctly resonate with the artist — in particular the idea that God has a specific mission for each person.

A member of New Life Church in northern Colorado Springs, Blackshear said that his Christian art is not only a career, but a calling from God. “It’s more than art — it’s a ministry,” he told The Colorado Catholic Herald, newspaper of the Colorado Springs Diocese. “There have been many times that I’ve heard that a painting that I’ve done has influenced or affected people in ways that are not the norm.”

Growing up in Atlanta, Blackshear showed artistic talent at an early age. He won a scholarship to the Art Institute of Chicago, later transferring to the nearby Academy of Art. Upon graduation from art school, he went to work for the greeting card company Hallmark, launching a successful career in commercial artwork.

His focus eventually turned more toward sculpture and fine art.

He designed a popular line of African-American sculptures called “Ebony Visions,” with which he is still involved. Much of his artwork has been reproduced by Lenox Co. for plates and other collectibles.

It was when he started painting Christian themes that Blackshear said he found his true mission, however.

Turn to page 19

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August 20, 2010

Actress Patricia Neal dies; she overcame strokes, family adversity EDGARTOWN (CNS) — Actress Patricia Neal, who won an Oscar for best actress for her starring role as a housekeeper opposite Paul Newman in the 1963 film “Hud,” died August 8 of lung cancer. She was 84.

Neal, who became a Catholic some years ago, died at her home in Edgartown on Martha’s Vineyard surrounded by family, according to The Associated Press.

A private funeral service was held August 11, and a memorial service is planned for the fall.

AP quoted her family as saying in a statement: “She faced her final illness as she had all of the many trials she endured: with indomitable grace, good humor and a great deal of her self-described stubbornness.”

Neal starred in 68 films and television productions. Besides “Hud,” other movies in which she starred included “Breakfast at Tiffany’s” (1961) with Audrey Hepburn and George Peppard, and the science-fiction classic “The Day the Earth Stood Still” (1951) with Michael Rennie.

The adversities in Neal’s life became the stuff of Hollywood lore and made her a symbol of courage. In the 1960s, she endured the death of her seven-yearold daughter, Olivia, from measles and an accident that left her infant son, Theo, with a brain injury.

She suffered a series of strokes in 1965 that affected her speech and her ability to move; one stroke left her in a coma for a month. Her 30-year marriage to British writer Roald Dahl, with whom she had five children, ended in divorce in 1983 after Dahl’s affair with one of Neal’s friends.

Neal battled to recover from her strokes. In 1968, she returned to the big screen in “The Subject Was Roses,” for which she earned an Oscar nomination for best actress.

But she often said one of the biggest tragedies for her was the abortion she had as a young actress in Hollywood in 1950 after she became pregnant by actor Gary Cooper, who was married. He was her co-star in “The Fountainhead” (1949).

“She was public about this regret and public in encouraging others to avoid this tragedy,” said Holy Cross Father Wilfred Raymond, national director of Family Theater Productions in Hollywood. He called her “a person of great integrity.”

“The courage she exhibited in fighting back from three strokes is the same courage she showed in overcoming the great tragedy of her life,” the priest said in an August 11 statement. “I stand in

admiration of her talent as an actress but in awe of her courage as a fighter. God bless you, Patricia Neal, good servant.”

In recent years, Neal had been active in Pro-Life causes.

In 2003, she and actress Celeste Holm were honorary co-chairwomen of the National Right to Life Committee’s Proudly ProLife Dinner in New York.

Neal was unable to attend the dinner, and Msgr. Jim Lisante, master of ceremonies, read a letter from the actress saying she was proud to be associated with it.

The priest, from the Diocese of Rockville Centre, N.Y., shared with the dinner attendees Neal’s appearance some years ago on the TV show “Personally Speaking.” He said he told her: “Pat, in so many ways you are a female Job,” referring to all she had dealt with in her life.

He asked what, if anything, she would change.

“Father, none of the things you just mentioned,” she told him.

“If there is one thing I wish I had the courage to do over in my life, I wish I had the courage to have that baby,” she said.

“Alone in the night for over 40 years, I have cried for my child,” Neal said.

Born in Kentucky, Neal grew up in Knoxville, Tenn. She studied drama at Northwestern University in Chicago and got her start in acting on Broadway, where she won a Tony. She went to Hollywood in the 1940s.

She was among the actors and actresses who had roles in Holy Cross Father Patrick Peyton’s Family Theater radio programs that aired weekly on the Mutual Broadcasting System from 1947 to 1969. It was one of the longest running weekly radio shows in history; the programs have been remastered and are still available to radio stations.

In 1949, Neal hosted the radio program “My Terminal Moraine,” a humorous story of a young man who woos his neighbor’s daughter. In 1950, she hosted “The Triumphant Exile” about the life of Robert Louis Stevenson.

She also was a narrator in “The Face: Jesus in Art,” a 2001 documentary series that traced the dramatically different ways Jesus has been represented in art throughout 17 centuries. It aired on public television and received major funding from the U.S. bishops’ Catholic Communication Campaign.

Besides her son, Neal is survived by three daughters, Tessa, Ophelia and Lucy; a sister and a brother and 10 grandchildren.

not so wise guys — Mark Wahlberg and Will Ferrell star in a scene from the movie “The Other Guys.” For a brief review of this film, see CNS Movie Capsules below. (CNS photo/Sony)

CNS Movie Capsules NEW YORK (CNS) — The following are capsule reviews of movies recently reviewed by Catholic News Service.

“Eat Pray Love” (Columbia) Off-kilter values underlie this fact-based narrative of a travel writer’s (Julia Roberts) selfinitiated divorce (from Billy Crudup), brief affair with a much younger actor (James Franco) and yearlong quest for enlightenment and self-understanding via Italian cuisine, Hindu spirituality (under the guidance of Richard Jenkins) and romance with a Brazilian expatriate (Javier Bardem) living in Bali. Director and co-writer Ryan Murphy’s overlong, ultimately exhausting screen version of Elizabeth Gilbert’s best-selling 2006 memoir displays an ambivalent attitude toward marriage, ignores Christianity as a source of insight and revolves around an interminably navel-gazing central figure. That figure, along the path of her pampered pilgrimage, confuses psychobabble for wisdom. Complex religious themes, acceptability of divorce, nonmarital and premarital situations, rear nudity, some sexual humor, an obscene gesture, a few uses of profanity, at least one rough and a halfdozen crude terms. The Catholic News Service classification is L — limited adult audience, films whose problematic content many adults would find troubling. The Motion Picture Association of America rating is PG-13 — parents strongly cautioned. Some material may be inappropriate for children under 13.

“The Expendables” (Lionsgate/Millennium) Brutally violent action vehicle, directed and co-written by Sylvester Stallone, in which a veritable Who’s Who of Hollywood tough guys and professional sports stars form a ragtag brotherhood of mercenaries who travel the world freeing hostages and toppling dictators. On the advice of the group’s soulful guru (Mickey Rourke), its leader (Stallone) and the gang’s knife specialist (Jason Statham) head to a fictional South American nation where a rogue CIA agent (Eric Roberts) is running a corrupt regime. Though the pair barely escape after this initial mission, the chief, smitten with a resistance agent (Giselle Itie), vows to return with his whole crew (rounded out

by Jet Li, mixed martial artist Randy Couture and ex-NFL star Terry Crews) to overthrow the terrorists and restore freedom. Relentless bloody and graphic violence, including shootings, knifings, explosions, decapitations, torture, and implied rape, some rough language.

The Catholic News Service classification is O — morally offensive.

The Motion Picture Association of

America rating is R — restricted.

Under 17 requires accompanying parent or adult guardian.

“The Other Guys” (Columbia) This occasionally amusing but excessively vulgar action comedy follows the odd-couple antics of an eccentric, paperwork-loving police accountant (Will Ferrell) and his frustrated perforce partner (Mark Wahlberg) — a former street cop unwillingly deskbound after making a high-profile mistake — as they investigate the financial shenanigans of a Britishborn banker (Steve Coogan). Director and co-writer Adam McKay’s parody of genre conventions handcuffs its talented cast with relentlessly foul-mouthed dialogue and tiresome bedroom jokes.

Considerable, though bloodless, action violence; much sexual humor; a couple of uses of profanity; and pervasive crude and crass language. The Catholic News Service classification is O — morally offensive. The Motion Picture Association of America rating is PG13 — parents strongly cautioned.

Some material may be inappropriate for children under 13.

Diocese of Fall River TV Mass on WLNE Channel 6 Sunday, August 22 at 11:00 a.m.

Celebrant is Father Gregory A. Mathias, pastor of St. Julie Billiart Parish in North Dartmouth

The Anchor

August 20, 2010

13

California opponents of same-sex marriage gear up for new fight B y M ark P attison C atholic N ews S ervice

tape the trial for all to see. We protested and the Ninth (Circuit) upheld the judge, and we went to Justice Kennedy and he reversed it,” Hogan said.

The legal errors in Walker’s August 4 ruling, the protectmarriage.com brief said, are “palpable and destined for reversal.”

The stay, it added, is needed “to avoid the confusion and irreparable injury that would surely flow from the creation of a class of purported same-

around — ‘now you can do it, now you can’t’ — a visible example of what happened in WASHINGTON — Opposummer of ’08,” when samenents of the early August court sex marriage in California was decision that deemed 2008’s legal until the vote on PropoProposition 8 in California sition 8. banning same-sex marriage to “The basis of marriage has be unconstitutional were prenever been love, it’s been soparing to defend the ban all ciety’s permission for a couthe way to the Supreme Court ple to have children,” said after the judge who handed Raymond Dennehy, a philosodown the earlier decision said phy professor at the Jesuit-run same-sex marriages could reUniversity of San Francisco. sume August 18.

“Once contraception Chief U.S. Diswas accepted, you trict Judge Vaughn think a lot of this has to do had a formal separaWalker, who issued the August 4 decision with the fact that there’s no- tion of sex from prostriking down the where where people of this genera- creation and stripped away the claims that same-sex marriage ban, ruled August 12 tion can go to be instructed in sexual homosexuality was that same-sex mar- morality,” he said, faulting Catho- immoral.”

Dennehy told CNS riages in California lic schools and priests for failing to in a recent telephone could resume unless teach and preach effectively on the interview from San a higher court were issue.

Francisco that the to issue a stay. same-sex marriage One group of issue is “the culmisame-sex marriage opponents, protectmarriage. sex marriages entered in re- nation of the contraceptive com — which spearheaded liance on the district court’s mentality.”

“I think a lot of this has to the 2008 ballot campaign to decision but in direct contraoverturn same-sex marriage vention of a lawful provision do with the fact that there’s — filed a motion the same of the California constitution nowhere where people of day asking the 9th U.S. Cir- and the manifest will of the this generation can go to be instructed in sexual moralcuit Court of Appeals to issue people of that state.”

“We feel it would be harm- ity,” he said, faulting Catholic the stay.

Carol Hogan, communica- ful to the same-sex persons in- schools and priests for failing tions director for the Califor- volved,” Hogan told Catholic to teach and preach effectively nia Catholic Conference, pub- News Service in an August 13 on the issue.

“We have to have places lic policy arm of the state’s telephone interview from Sacwhere people get a moral bishops, said protectmarriage. ramento, Calif.

“The Ninth (Circuit) will and spiritual compass about com was prepared to ask Supreme Court Justice Anthony give a stay if they are con- sexuality,” Dennehy said. In Kennedy for a stay if other ap- vinced that there is a likeli- a past era, he added, “people hood that the judge’s decision just couldn’t walk away from peals fail.

“You will recall back in will be overturned,” she add- marriage — it was hard to January that Judge Walker ed. “Usually what courts are get a divorce — and that’s all said he was going to video- loath to do is to jerk people changed now.”

“I

Princeton University to host ‘vigorous’ abortion debate PRINCETON, N.J. (Zenit.org) — A conference at Princeton University will draw together people from opposite sides of the abortion issue to engage in “vigorous debate” and explore ways of bridging the divide.

Jennifer Miller, executive director of Bioethics International, who is co-chairing the conference, noted that most of the people who have already registered stand on the pro-choice side.

“We need to have a greater Pro-Life attendance for a fruitful conference and dialogue,” she stated.

The October 15-16 event is titled: “Open Hearts, Open Minds, and Fair Minded Words: A Con-

ference on Life and Choice in the Abortion Debate.”

The idea for the conference sprang from an address given by U.S. President Barack Obama at the University of Notre Dame last year, in which he urged people on both sides of the abortion issue to work together and to engage in debate with open hearts and minds.

The conference aims to provide a place where “people who disagree discuss their beliefs humbly, are open to change, speak respectfully, and actually listen and learn from those who have a different view.”

The co-chairs of the event include: Peter Singer, Frances

Kissling and Charles Camosy.

Speakers include: Helen Alvaré, John Finnis, Bill Hurlbut, Chris Kaczor and Christian Brugger.

The conference aims to explore opportunities to bridge the “abortion divide” and the issue of the moral status of the fetus.

Participants are encouraged to discuss several issues with their opponents, including whether abortion exacerbates discrimination against persons, if a fetus might feel pain and what we should do about it, how far the right of conscientious refusal should extend, and whether abortion should be a matter for the courts or the legislatures.

“knock and it shall be opened” — Bishop William P. Callahan knocks on the doors of St. Joseph the Workman Cathedral in La Crosse, Wis., recently, to symbolically ask Catholics in the diocese to accept him as their new leader. Bishop Callahan became the 10th bishop of the diocese. (CNS photo/Des Sikowski-Nelson, The Catholic Times)

The Catholic Response

14

Pope will not accept resignation of Dublin auxiliary bishops B y Michael K elly C atholic News Service DUBLIN — Pope Benedict XVI has decided not to accept the resignation of two Dublin auxiliary bishops who resigned in the wake of the Murphy Report investigation into clerical child abuse in the archdiocese.

Auxiliary Bishops Raymond Field and Eamonn Walsh resigned December 24 after coming under intense pressure because they served as bishops during the period investigated by the Murphy Commission.

In a letter to priests of the Dublin Archdiocese August 11, Archbishop Diarmuid Martin confirmed the development.

“Following the presentation of their resignations to Pope Benedict, it has been decided that Bishop Eamonn Walsh and Bishop Raymond Field will remain as auxiliary bishops,” he said.

Archbishop Martin said the two men are “to be assigned revised responsibilities within the diocese.”

Both bishops initially resisted calls for their resignation. However, both sent resignation letters to Rome after Archbishop Martin apparently failed to give them his total support.

When asked in Decem-

ber 2009 whether he had confidence in his auxiliaries, Archbishop Martin said he had confidence “in their ministry,” but did not go further. Within 24 hours, both auxiliaries announced they had sent their letters of resignation to Rome.

Bishops Field and Walsh were among four Irish bishops who offered their resignation after a judicial report found that there had been a culture of cover-up of child sexual abuse in Dublin over several decades.

Earlier, Pope Benedict accepted the resignations of Bishops Donal Murray of Limerick and James Moriarty of Kildare and Leighlin.

Bishop Murray’s failure to properly investigate an allegation of sexual abuse was described in the judicial report as inexcusable.

Bishop Moriarty said he resigned because he had failed to challenge the prevailing culture within the Church.

Andrew Madden, who was abused as an altar boy in Dublin, said he was “disappointed” by the pope’s decision not to accept the auxiliary bishops’ resignations.

“The Catholic Church, right from the Vatican down, has refused to fully acknowledge this problem,” Madden said.

This week in 50 years ago — Parishioners of Our Lady of Lourdes Parish in Taunton learned the Diocese of Fall River planned to construct a new school for Portuguese immigrants living in the southern part of that city. The estimate was that the school would open in 1964 when religious would be available to serve on the faculty.

25 years ago — Nearly 100 youth and leaders from the Diocese of Fall River attended the 10th annual Catholic Conference for Young People and Youth Ministry in Steubenville, Ohio. Mother Mary Angelica, foundress of EWTN, was one of the guest speakers.

August 20, 2010

Vatican welcomes U.S. plaintiffs’ decision to end abuse lawsuit

By Carol Glatz Catholic News Service

Court left standing a lower court ruling that will allow an Oregon man to try to hold the Vatican financially responsible for his sexual abuse by a priest, if he can persuade the court that the priest was an employee of the Holy See. By declining to take Holy See v. John Doe, the court left intact the 9th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals ruling that said because of the way Oregon law defines employment, the Vatican is not protected under the Foreign Sovereign Immunities Act from po-

plaintiffs’ lawyers six years ago misled the American public,” he VATICAN CITY — While said. underlining its condemnation of “That the case against the Holy “the horror” of the sexual abuse See always lacked merit does not of minors by clergy, the Vatican mean that the plaintiffs themselves welcomed as “good news” the did not suffer as a result of sexual imminent end of a lawsuit against abuse,” said Lena. “But bringing the Holy See in a U.S. court. this case only distracted from the The Vatican spokesman, Jeimportant goal of protecting chilsuit Father Federico Lombardi, dren from harm.” told journalists August 10 that Father Lombardi said despite “the Holy See is satisfied to hear the good news of the case’s althe news” that a lawsuit in a U.S. most certain dismissal, the Vaticourt against the Vatican was becan in no way was “minimizing ing dropped by the the horror and the condemplaintiffs. evertheless, it is positive that a nation of sexual abuse and Three men in Lousix-year-long case alleging the compassion for the victims’ isville, Ky., filed a moHoly See was involved in charges of cov- suffering.” tion August 9 request“Justice toward victims ing a federal judge drop ering-up abuse — (charges) which also and the protection of mitheir case. had a strong negative impact on public nors must be goals that reThe men, who were opinion — has in the end been shown to main a priority,” he said. abused by priests in the it is posibe grounded on a baseless accusation,” tive“Nevertheless, Archdiocese of Louisthat a six-year-long ville, filed a suit against he said. case alleging the Holy See the Vatican in 2004 was involved in charges of claiming it was liable for actions tential liability for the actions of covering-up abuse — (charges) by bishops in failing to prevent a priest who Doe, the unidentified which also had a strong negasexual abuse by priests. They plaintiff, said sexually abused him tive impact on public opinion — argued that the bishops who su- in the 1960s. has in the end been shown to be pervised the abusive priests were The case will now go back to grounded on a baseless accusaemployees of the Holy See. U.S. District Court, where Doe’s tion,” he said.

However, the men’s attorney, attorneys will attempt to prove In the dismissal motion, McWilliam F. McMurry, told media that the late Andrew Ronan, a Murry wrote that an earlier court outlets that because an earlier former Servite priest who was ruling recognizing Vatican immucourt ruling recognized the Vati- laicized in 1966, was a Vatican nity meant the plaintiffs then had can’s sovereign immunity, he was employee at the time the events to proceed on the argument that going to drop the lawsuit. A judge took place.

U.S. bishops were officials or emmust now rule whether the case Jeffrey Lena, the U.S.-based ployees of the Holy See. can be dismissed, but lawyers for attorney for the Holy See, said However, “the grant of jurisboth sides told The Associated in a statement August 10 that the diction was so narrow that it’s Press it had virtually ended.

Kentucky case does not change meaningless,” he said.

The Foreign Sovereign Im- the legal situation in Oregon.

Also, the claim of one of the munities Act protects governThe Oregon and Kentucky cas- plaintiffs was voided because ments from being hauled into es are similar “insofar as the sole he was involved in a settlement U.S. courts. The law previously remaining jurisdictional issue in against the Louisville Archdiohas been found to apply to efforts both cases is whether the Holy cese in 2003 and, therefore, could to sue the Holy See, exempting it See is an “employer” under the not seek a claim from the Vatifrom tort claims. tort exception to the foreign sov- can.

In June, the U.S. Supreme ereign immunities act,” Lena said.

The motion said that in the “But in the Kentucky case, the other two plaintiffs’ cases, “the question was whether the bishop bishops in question are deceased was an employee. In the Oregon and further discovery regarding case, the question is whether the the bishops’ actions is believed to priest himself is an employee of be impossible.” the Holy See.” Lena said the case illustrates 10 years ago — Eighty-four members of In the Kentucky case, said “the difference between allegathe Diocese of Fall River joined Bishop Sean Lena, “the plaintiffs’ attorneys tions and evidence. Six years O’Malley in St. Peter’s Square for opening knew full well that the Vatican ago, the plaintiffs’ lawyers conceremonies of the great Jubilee Year’s World was not involved because they cocted a series of allegations.

Youth Day 2000. An estimated two million had been able to examine all the But they never had the evidence faithful attended the event. documents from the diocese years to back those allegations up. And ago. Those documents show no that is the real reason plaintiffs One year ago — At a dinner held in OsVatican involvement, no exercise now wish to dismiss their own terville, Archbishop for the Military Services of control and no evidence of em- case.”

USA Timothy P. Broglio called attention to the ployment of bishops by the Holy A lawsuit still on the books in need for military chaplains. The fund-raising See.” Wisconsin states that top Vatican “This development confirms officials knew about allegations of event, sponsored by the Knights of Malta, the that, contrary to what the plain- sexual abuse by Father Lawrence Equestrian Order of the Holy Sepulchre, and tiffs’ lawyers repeatedly told the Murphy at St. John’s School for others, raised $12,000 for the archdiocese. media, there has never been a the Deaf near Milwaukee. But in Holy See policy requiring con- an earlier statement, Lena said cealment of child sexual abuse,” the Vatican “knew nothing of he said. his crimes until decades after the “The theory crafted by the abuse occurred.”

Diocesan history

“N

August 20, 2010

thinking outside the box — A casket is carried down the steps of the federal courthouse in New Orleans recently after a press conference to announce a lawsuit filed by monks to challenge a Louisiana law that allows only funeral home operators to sell caskets to the public. Pictured are Benedictine Father Charles Benoit, top left, and Benedictine Abbot Justin Brown, top right, Deacon Mark Coudrain, bottom left, and attorney Evans Schmidt. (CNS photo/Frank J Methe, Clarion Herald)

Benedictines sue in federal court for right to sell caskets they make

By Peter Finney Jr. Catholic News Service NEW ORLEANS — Standing behind a simple, cypress casket handcrafted by the monks of St. Joseph Abbey, Benedictine Abbot Justin Brown asked a federal court in New Orleans August 12 to bury a Louisiana law allowing only licensed funeral homes to sell caskets to the public.

At stake, Abbot Brown said, is the monks’ ability to engage in free enterprise through the sale of the caskets, which range in price from $1,500 to $2,000, but which are considerably less expensive than many of the caskets sold to bereaved families by funeral home operators.

The simplicity of the caskets reflects the sacred Christian theology that at the end of life, the body is returned to the earth but the soul lives on, Abbot Brown said.

The Benedictines of St. Joseph Abbey in St. Benedict, La., have made the caskets for decades to bury their brother monks, but public interest in the caskets began in the early 1990s and has grown over the years.

In 2007 the Benedictines launched St. Joseph Woodworks, headed by master woodworker Deacon Mark Coudrain, to begin making caskets to sell to the public.

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The Anchor

“We are men not only of prayer, but we also are men who have been known to be entrepreneurs, making an honest living by the labor of our own hands,” Abbot Brown said. “We are here today because we feel that our right to economic freedom is being denied us.

“All we want to do is to be able to construct, craft and build simple wooden coffins to sell to our friends, associates and the general public,” he continued. “We are not a wealthy monastery, and we were hoping that the income we could generate from the sale of these coffins would help us meet the educational and the health care needs of our monks.

“We would like to see the day when we can freely operate St. Joseph Woodworks without any unreasonable government restrictions,” he said.

The monks are being represented in their federal court fight by the Arlington, Va.-based Institute for Justice, a nonprofit public interest law firm. At a news conference on the steps of the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Louisiana, the institute passed out media kits with the catch phrase “Free the Monks and Free Enterprise.”

“What you see in front of you is a casket that the monks have made,” said Jeff Rowes, a senior

attorney with the institute. “A casket is just a box. It has four sides, a top and some upholstery. But for the sin of selling this casket to the public, the state of Louisiana can put you in jail for up to 180 days.”

Rowes said the Louisiana State Board of Embalmers and Funeral Directors, which represents licensed funeral homes in the state, also has issued subpoenas to Abbot Brown and Deacon Coudrain “and are now threatening them with fines of up to $2,500 for every casket they sell.”

Rowes said there was “no legitimate rationale” for the Louisiana law restricting the sale of caskets to licensed funeral home operators.

“You don’t even need a casket to be buried in Louisiana or any other state,” Rowes said. “You can be buried directly in the ground.

You can be buried in a bed sheet.

This is just a box. The only reason the law exists, and the only reason they’re enforcing it, is to protect

the profits of a private industry group.”

A few months after a story about the new casket-making venture was published in 2007 by the Clarion Herald, the official newspaper of the Archdiocese of New Orleans, the state board issued a “cease and desist” order to the abbey’s woodworking team.

Over the last two years, the abbey has attempted to get the state law changed, but bills that would have accomplished that never made it out of committee in either the House of Representatives or the Senate.

Attempts at a compromise with the funeral home directors failed, Deacon Coudrain said.

“One offer we got was that they would buy it from us for half

of what we were selling it for, then they would add $1,000 to it and sell it to the public,” Deacon Coudrain said.

The 6th and 9th U.S. Circuit Courts of Appeal have struck down laws restricting casket sales, similar to Louisiana’s, while the 10th Circuit has upheld an Oklahoma law that protected funeral homes.

The monks are hoping for a quick hearing and a stay of a proceeding against the abbey by the Louisiana funeral directors’ board.

Abbot Brown said at least three other monasteries in the U.S. — St. Meinrad Archabbey in St. Meinrad, Ind.; New Melleray Abbey in Peosta, Iowa; and Mount Michael Abbey in Elkhorn, Neb. — have casket-making operations and sell their coffins to the public.

Educators help carry out new school initiative ST. LOUIS (CNS) — Archbishop Robert J. Carlson of St. Louis said Catholic schools are his first priority in an archdiocese with a long, strong tradition of Catholic education.

Few dioceses have as many Catholic schools: By population, St. Louis is the 38th largest diocese in the country, but the seventh largest in Catholic school enrollment.

To help that tradition continue and grow, Archbishop Carlson established a new Mission Advancement Initiative for Catholic education.

The multiyear initiative, which is being planned with the help of a team of educators and fund-raising professionals, will focus on helping parishes and schools implement the archbishop’s vision for Catholic schools. “I believe in Catholic

education,” Archbishop Carlson told the members of the initiative earlier this summer. “I also believe as archbishop of St. Louis I have a God-given responsibility to do everything I can to help our schools be ‘Alive in Christ,’” which was the theme of this year’s leadership conference for educators.

He said the schools need to be “vibrant centers of faith and learning committed to excellence and to holiness.” They must be “available, and affordable, for every Catholic family that desires a Catholic school education for their children,” he said, and wherever possible, the archdiocese must offer “this ministry to other (non-Catholic) families who share our values and who want a Catholic school education for their children.”

Youth Pages

16

Catholic student leader opens U.N.’s International Year of Youth NEW YORK (CNS) — A student at Jesuit-run Fordham University who is a leader in an international movement of Catholic students urged the world to consider how much young people can contribute to shaping a more peaceful world during opening ceremonies for the International Year of Youth at United Nations headquarters.

Maya Saoud, a member of the Pax Romana, a worldwide organization of students working to bridge divides, told global representatives August 12 that the participation of young people in the political process “is the essence of fairness, of equality.”

“If young people are not treated like viable players in the field of politics, then a grave injustice is being committed,” she said.

Focusing on the year’s theme, “Dialogue and Mutual Understanding,” Saoud cited the work of Pax Romana in training young people to understand that dialogue and overcoming conflict is the only path to peace and greater understanding among people.

She called upon world leaders to recognize how important such training can be in the effort to achieve a less violent and more just world.

“We are asking you for your help, for your understanding and

for your willingness to make available all that is necessary to ensure that young people are empowered,” Saoud said. “We are asking you to please understand the valuable natural resource that is the youth.

“Unlike other resources, we do not spark wars and conflicts.

We do not create contempt between the haves and have-nots.

We do not increase economic inequality, suffering and devastation. We are the resource that does the very opposite. Utilize the youth for the sake of our collective future. Allow us to create a global environment where dialogue and mutual understanding are preferred over the destructiveness and terror of conflict,” she said.

The International Year of Youth concludes in August 2011. It marks the 25th anniversary of the first U.N.-designated year dedicated to improving the lives of young people between the ages of 15 and 24. In 1995, U.N. member nations adopted the World Program of Action for Youth, which provides a policy framework and practical guidelines to improve the situation of young people by increasing their access to opportunities for meaningful participation in society.

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

August 20, 2010

Bishop Feehan High School stunned by death of beloved student continued from page one

han. It’s just a devastating loss for all of us.”

Social Studies teacher Steve Newman not only taught Korvili, but was also responsible for getting him to attend the Catholic high school nearly four years ago.

“I had recruited him to come to Bishop Feehan as a minority student,” Newman said. “He didn’t know too much about the school at the time. But once he got here, he just thrived as a student, as an athlete and as a person. He was just a great kid and it’s such a tragedy that this happened — it’s hard to believe.”

Bishop Feehan track team coach Bob L’Homme, who worked with Korvili since his freshman year, described him as a “dedicated” and “hard-working student.”

“Larsan was always positive, always curious about how to do things better, and always encouraging,” L’Homme said. “He just did all the right things. He would often stay after practice and offer to help me.”

For Father Thomas E. Costa Jr., former chaplain at Bishop Feehan High School, Korvili was more than just a great student — he was a good friend, too.

“We talked at least once a week in my office,” Father Costa said. “He was one of my favorite students, really. We talked about life. We talked about religion.

He’d always have questions about why the Catholic Church did certain things. We would pray together. He was just one in a million.”

Father Costa recalled how Korvili would always be ready and willing to help either his fellow students or one of his teachers.

“I remember at the beginning of the school year, Larsan came up to me and asked if he could be a lector during school Masses,” Father Costa said. “Not too many kids just jump on in and want to do that. He was interested in doing it and he had such confidence in Christ. During every school Mass he wanted to be a reader and always asked how he could get involved.”

He also noted how Korvili never took anything for granted and was always very appreciative for everything he received.

“He was just a kind soul,” he said. “He loved his faith and he stood up for what he believed in.

He was clearly a cut above everyone else.”

Father Costa remembered when he first informed Korvili that he would be leaving his post as chaplain at the high school to take on a new assignment, and

how his friend bristled at the thought.

“He asked me why I was going to work at Cape Cod Hospital,” Father Costa said. “He said: ‘This just isn’t right. You’re our chaplain.’ And I told him: ‘You know, Larsan, I’m your chaplain wherever we go. You can always call and we can always talk.’ I remember he asked me when we would meet again, and I told him in God’s time we would meet again.”

But Father Costa never imagined how soon they’d meet again, or that his new assignment would allow him to be there when his friend needed him most.

“I was at Cape Cod Hospital when I got the call as he was rushed to the emergency room,” Father Costa said. “That was the saddest moment of my priesthood, but it was also such an honor to be at the bedside of a friend. All his life Larsan prayed for other people, and to have the honor of being there to pray for him when he needed it most was special.”

Father Costa said the irony wasn’t lost on many of his former Feehan students who had rushed to the hospital to support Korvili’s family.

“Some of my former students even mentioned to me how upset Larsan was that I was leaving and here I was at the other end of the spectrum when he died,” Father Costa said. “I was with his family that night and with some of the students all afternoon. We had a little prayer service there in the ER and we shared a lot of memories about Larsan. He had a lot of dreams, but he was always there for other people.

He was bigger than life and he left a lasting impression on this world with his faith. Many lives will be changed because of him.”

Those close to Korvili are still perplexed by the inexplicable death of the seemingly healthy and athletic young man. According to those attending the retreat, Korvili went for a swim in the waters off Craigville Beach around 1 p.m. on August 10. After reportedly experiencing “distress,” within a half hour Korvili was pulled from the water by lifeguards who tried to revive him before rushing him to Cape Cod Hospital, where he was pronounced dead.

Barnstable Police say the exact cause of death remains under investigation.

It was an all-too-abrupt end to what everyone considered a promising and fruitful life and a

potential career with the Coast Guard.

“He had just completed a week-long program with the U.S. Coast Guard Academy,” L’Homme said. “He was interested in going to the military academy and he was looking into some of those options.”

“He talked to me right before school got out in June about applying for some of the military academies and he was working hard to get into one,” Newman added. “It was his goal: he wanted to go to a military academy and eventually serve in the Coast Guard.”

In learning about Korvili’s untimely passing, Bishop George W. Coleman issued the following statement: “My heart goes out to Larsan’s family and to the Bishop Feehan High School community. I am told that Larsan was a top student, a gifted athlete and well-liked by his peers. The leadership qualities he demonstrated led to his being invited to participate in this retreat. I want to assure his family and the school community that I will continue to pray for Larsan, his family and the entire community.”

An estimated 1,000 students, staff and faculty members at Bishop Feehan High School gathered for a prayer service for Korvili last week at the school along with a candlelight vigil on the football field where the teenager frequently played.

“I was with one of the sprinters on the track team last night and he was saying it just won’t be the same without Larsan, because he was just such a positive influence on so many people,” L’Homme said.

“When he first came here, we thought we were going to be something special for him — to give him a chance to get ahead,” Newman said. “But he turned it around and we learned so much from him.”

“My prayers go out to everyone at Bishop Feehan High School,” Father Costa added. “I care so much about all the people there and I’m impressed with the way they’ve handled this so far. The students have been very supportive of each other and I’m glad to see some of the things we taught them have made an impact.”

Korvili will be waked tonight from 6 to 10 p.m. at the South Attleboro Assembly of God, 1052 Newport Avenue, and his funeral service will be held at 10 a.m. tomorrow morning at the same location, with burial following at North Purchase Cemetery.

I

learned a valuable lesson this week. A very close relative passed away. We were in L.A. for a wedding when we received the call.

This person wasn’t the most pleasant person to be around. She could be cantankerous, cutting and sometimes downright mean to her closest loved ones. She had been confined to a nursing home for the last five years. They were a very difficult five years for my wife, visiting her every evening. My wife offered comfort, love and honor and in return received continuous abuse and an outpouring of anger on a regular basis.

This behavior wasn’t a result of the stroke our relative had suffered or even her being confined to a nursing home.

This was her normal behavior exhibited over many years of life. Finally in the last year, with an adjustment of medication and the onset of some dementia, my wife’s prayer for peace and calm and perhaps some happiness for this person was answered. The last year was not so bad and the visits became more enjoyable.

We arrived home that evening and the next day started to make the arrangements.

It was difficult to decide to have a wake as it was our feeling that there most likely wouldn’t be that many who would want to pay their respects as she had alienated

17

Youth Pages

August 20, 2010

I can see more clearly now

so many over her lifetime. guess she always knew that no The decision was made to go matter what she did, we would ahead anyway and final plans be there for her. for the wake and Mass were This woman was a pioneer set. of sorts. She bought cars in Then came the gifts. No, the 50s when that just didn’t not in the packaged/gifthappen. That was a man’s wrapped sense but in the God-giving sense. As people flowed into the wake the line grew. So many people had so many stories that the line backed up.

By Frank Lucca Childhood friends and family members approached us with stories that could melt a heart job. She bought houses. She of ice. We heard from person fought the government for after person of some of the assistance when her husband simple things that she had became totally disabled due done for others. Things like to the war. She drove to New picking up a friend to take York City to visit family. She them to Bingo, or sitting with loaned money (begrudgingly a friend who was very ill and at first) to her son-in-law and offering comfort. We heard daughter so that they could from cousins who shared start a business that ultimately times when she came to their became very successful. She aid and defense. They told of had to do things that just times she piled all of them weren’t the norm for women into her car and took them to of the time and as a result, the beach or to New York City. became hardened and angry Many of the nursing home over the years because of what staff told us how much she she perceived to be her overall loved her family and spoke negative situation in life. She so proudly of them. What we just couldn’t see the positives thought would be a somber and the love that surrounded maudlin affair, turned into her for whatever reason. Try one of joy and happiness. Was as they may, her family memthis the same person we had bers could not get her to a known? Perhaps there is some happy place in life. Yet, there truth in the phrase, “You hurt were apparently glimmers the ones you love the most.” I there for others.

Be Not Afraid

So here’s my “take-away” on this. We never know about another person’s heart. We look from the outside and can never judge another because we just can never know.

Reading James Martin, SJ’s book, “The Jesuit Guide to (Almost) Everything,” I highlighted a particular paragraph weeks before this all happened, but it just never clicked in my head at that time. Now the words seem clearer. He wrote, “One pitfall is an inability to understand people … and a temptation to judge them …. This certainty prevents (us) from being compassionate, sympathetic, or even tolerant of others.”

However, he also writes, “No part of life cannot be transformed by God’s love. Even the aspects of our lives that we consider worthless, or sinful, can be made worthwhile and holy. As the proverb has it, God writes straight with crooked lines.”

At her funeral Mass, the priest spoke about the importance of finding just one good quality of a person and to bring that quality to life in one’s own life. There were a number of good qualities that I could emulate, but I just didn’t see them over the years as I let my own ideas of what should and shouldn’t be cloud

my thoughts and emotions. It had been a tough 33 years on our family but a positive one for so many others.

Think about those in your life who don’t fit into your way of thinking acting or believing. Father Martin calls them the “Frozen chosen” — those who consciously or unconsciously exclude others from their cozy believing world. If we take a serious look at ourselves, sadly I’m sure we can see this in ourselves. He writes, “This is the crabbed, joyless and ungenerous religiosity that Jesus spoke against: spiritual blindness.” Wham … bamm.

God opened my eyes last week. I see more clearly now.

I was apparently ready and open to hear that message and I heard it.

It took me a while but I finally heard it. I never thought I’d say that my mother-in-law could have had this positive effect on me … but as a result of her life and her passing, I am better for having known her. God bless you mom T. Rest in peace.

Frank Lucca is a youth minister at St. Dominic’s Parish in Swansea. He is chair and director of the YES! Retreat and director of the Christian Leadership Institute (CLI). He is a husband and a father of two daughters. He still has so much more to learn.

Catholic teens see online bullying as much more than just a prank ORLANDO, Fla. (CNS) — Erin Persinger is a good student at Bishop Verot High School in Fort Myers who enjoys volunteering in her community, hanging out with friends and participating in sports.

She has also had her share of fights on the social networking site Facebook, defending friends against people who were bullying them online.

“Cyberbullying is real,” she said. “There are people who don’t care what they say ... because they are hiding behind a computer screen.”

Persinger, who is about to begin her junior year, sat down recently with the Florida Catholic newspaper and several other teens who volunteer for the Catholic HEART Workcamp in Orlando to talk about the realities of bullying and cyberbullying, and how it has affected their own lives.

According to the National Crime Prevention Council, cyberbullying is similar to other types of bullying, except it takes

place online and through text messages sent to cell phones. In some cases, attacks on Facebook or MySpace have escalated to real-world violence.

In Florida, Rachel Wade, a 20-year-old from Clearwater, was convicted of second-degree murder July 23 in the 2009 stabbing death of Sarah Ludemann, an 18-year-old rival for a boyfriend. The two women had begun attacking each other through online posts.

Persinger said she is constantly amazed at what people will text or type on instant messages or on MySpace or Facebook boards that she knows she wouldn’t hear come out of that person’s mouth.

“And the messages are there for so many people to see,” she said. “So you can’t ignore it, you can’t stop it, and sometimes you can’t delete it. It won’t just go away.”

Rachael Chesnover, a sophomore from Fort Myers High School, said it is intimidating that with a single click of a mouse, a

lewd comment or vicious rumor can be spread to an entire community of people.

“Communicating with one another is different now,” she said.

“I can control what I say and what I post, but I can’t control everyone else.”

Margie Aguilar, director of technological instruction for the Diocese of Orlando, believes cyberbullying is a very real and very important topic that needs to be in the forefront of both educators’ and parents’ minds.

While parents say that their children might not have had permission to create social network or email accounts, it is easy for children to go behind parents’ backs to create the accounts themselves because accounts can be accessed anywhere, including libraries, friends’ houses, or anywhere with a wireless Internet connection and access to a laptop.

“Social networking is a reality of today’s culture,” Aguilar said.

“Parents need to know what their children are doing online and

who they are friends with online.

And they need to let the children know that they want to know where they are going online and they are going to check where they are going online.”

In her own home, Aguilar, the mother of three children, created email accounts for her two oldest children (a teen and a preteen) and created a Facebook account for her oldest, with security settings for all three accounts.

While parents might be intimidated by creating an account, she said, it is important to do that for the children, instead of letting them do it for themselves. There are help menus to assist parents, and Aguilar encourages parents to research online before creating an account.

“My kids know that I check their stuff and if I see something inappropriate, I will disable the account,” she said.

Aguilar said it is not all doom and gloom when talking about social networking sites. In fact, she said, they can be great tools for teens as long as appropriate

permissions and security measures are put in place and parents are monitoring what is happening online.

While some people might say social networking sites, Twitter, text messages and instant messaging are damaging children’s and teens’ abilities to interact face to face, Aguilar disagrees.

In schools, she has noticed that social networking might connect students who would have never known one another otherwise.

“There are eighth-graders saying hello and talking to fifthgraders at school because they are friends with one another on Facebook. Normally, these kids might not even say hello to each other in the hallway,” Aguilar said.

“Children are expanding their opportunities of friendship to a more global society. It is amazing to see children and teens relating to children and teens in other countries,” she added. “Of course we can always find bad things, but we need to look at the positive and not the negative.”

18

The Anchor

It’s a pain to be a fan lately

T

his was the last straw.

I was watching the Red Sox the other night, wriggled out of my recliner to get a snack and tore my ACL, LCL, PLC, and MLC. The Sox immediately put me on the 60-day disabled list.

Actually, the only true part of that statement was that I wriggled out of the recliner to grab a snack, but the way things are going in New England sports, it

My View From the Stands

By Dave Jolivet wouldn’t be unheard of.

I’m not exactly sure when this whole injury bug thing started, but I think it was when Tom Brady went down with a major knee injury in the first game of the 2008 season. It’s been all downhill from there.

There isn’t a Boston sports team that hasn’t been decimated by this nasty pest. And it only seems to bite the top-notch players.

In the past couple of seasons, the Green have lost the services of Kevin Garnett, Glen Davis, Brian Scalabrine, Tony Allen, Rajon Rondo, and Ray Allen to one degree or another. Then there was the most crippling of all — the injury that lost us the 2010 NBA

Revised and updated ...

title — Kendrick Perkins going down for game seven.

The bug waited until the playoffs to substantially nibble at the Bruins. The Bs lost three of their top 10 scorers for the playoffs; Marc Savard, Marco Sturm, and David Krejci, and one of their toughest defensemen, Mark Stuart.

After Brady’s devastating injury, the Patriots have seen Wes Welker knocked out of the playoffs last season, and before the 2010 season even begins Ty Warren and Tori Holt are out for the year.

And the Red Sox? It would be easier to compile a list of those who aren’t injured. Why, I heard that one of the peanut vendors in the Fenway bleachers tore his rotator cuff hurling snacks to hungry patrons, and the Sox are considering utilizing a large air canon to fire off the delectables for the rest of the season.

We’re in a bit of a championship drought right now (who ever would have thunk that in the 80s and 90s?), not having won a title since the 2008 Celtics. In fact, it’s been downright painful to be a Boston sports fan.

Let’s keep our fingers crossed (without breaking them) that our fall and winter teams exterminate the injury bug, and send it far away — like maybe 200 or so miles south on Route 95 — to New York.

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August 20, 2010

California marriage amendment ruling called ‘bizarre, outlandish’ continued from page one

inclinations, are sinful. “The Catholic Church sees homosexuality as a condition, an inclination in a person, something not intrinsically sinful. The Church calls for pastoral support, not condemnation, for people with this inclination,” she said.

She added that the Church opposes unjust discrimination and violence against people of any stripe.

Kris Mineau, president of the Massachusetts Family Institute, called the ruling “bizarre” and “outlandish.”

“Our initial reaction was extreme disappointment,” he told The Anchor. “We maintain that marriage belongs to the people.

It doesn’t belong to legislators or to judges.”

To family advocates, the decision was no surprise. Judge Walker is homosexual and gave many indications during the trial as to how he would rule. “He ran almost a kangaroo court right from the onset. He has been extremely biased throughout proceedings,” Mineau said.

Mineau compared the decision to that of Federal District Court Judge Joseph Tauro, in Boston, who struck down DOMA on July 8, ruling that it discriminates against gays and lesbians and infringes on the right of states to define marriage.

In Massachusetts, same-sex marriage was legalized by court order in 2004. Efforts to restore traditional marriage through the Legislature failed, and a citizen’s petition was struck down by the Legislature in 2007.

In all these cases, the rationale for redefining marriage is that the people are “too bigoted or too ignorant to be allowed to vote.” The legislators and justices say, “We will redefine

marriage for you. You do not have the right to define marriage,” Mineau said.

“It’s the usurpation of the people’s democratic right to vote taken away by elitists,” he added.

Judge Walker’s decision is being appealed and will likely be argued all the way to the Supreme Court.

In an email to supporters, Brian Brown of the National Organization of Marriage said, “Gay marriage would change the meaning of marriage for everyone, and the people who disagreed with gay marriage would be treated like bigots, homophobes and quasi-racists if we did not win this fight.”

Jennifer Roback Morse, president of the Ruth Institute, a NOM project, said Judge Walker has a “serious misunderstanding of what the institution of marriage is all about.”

“The essential public purpose of marriage as a social institution is to attach mothers and fathers to one another and their children in the interest of children. Children have a legitimate interest in having a relationship with both of their parents,” she said.

By contrast, Judge Walker said in his decision, “The state’s primary purpose in regulating marriage is to create stable households.”

To back up that statement, he quoted Harvard historian Nancy Cott who testified during the trial that marriage is “a couple’s choice to live with each other, to remain committed to one another, and to form a household based on their own feelings about one another, and their agreement to join in an economic partnership and support one another in terms of the

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material needs of life.”

Morse said that definition is “not satisfactory” because it does not exclude two friends who live in the same residence.

The definition concerns only the feelings of adults and does not mention children or even permanence.

“It could be two college roommates sharing resources for a semester,” she said. “What he’s really doing is stripping marriage of its essential public purpose and replacing it with nothing but private purposes.”

The court decision comes in the middle of the 22-stop bus tour run by NOM. The tour, meant to organize the group’s base, started in Centreville, Va. on July 4. Its first week saw three stops in New England — Maine, New Hampshire and Rhode Island.

In Rhode Island, counter protesters disrupted the speeches and shouted threats at those gathered.

“They stormed the podium, drowned out the speakers and ended up threatening small children,” NOM’s Maggie Gallagher told The Anchor. “The leaders of these protests refused to repudiate these tactics, which to me is the most disturbing part.”

Gallagher said she believes the acceptance of this type of intimidation comes out of labeling traditional marriage supporters as “bigots.” That delegitimatizes and dehumanizes them, making them easy targets for harassment.

Later, in Madison, Wis., the bus tour’s counter protesters booed Bishop Robert Morlino while he prayed the Our Father.

Gallagher said that people are grateful for the bus tour because it is an opportunity to “make sure a voice for marriage is heard.”

“I spoke in Indianapolis, and the protesters there were moderately rowdy, and after I spoke, a man came up and just hugged me,” she said. “They feel that the cause of good is being silenced, and they’re grateful to us for standing for marriage.”

Overall the tour has been “extremely successful.” Many people have virtually participated by following the tour on NOM’s website. Both in person and online, it has contributed to NOM’s efforts to organize two million activists across country for marriage, she said.

Gallagher added, “We have to reverse the process by which people are feeling isolated and intimidated about standing up for what they know is right.”

New Mother Teresa stamp set to be issued

Eucharistic Adoration in the Diocese

continued from page 11

“Back in the late 1980s, God had someone approach me about doing Christian art. That’s when everything kind of changed. I did this painting for DaySpring greeting cards called ‘Forgiven.’ That’s probably the most well-known painting that I’ve done,” Blackshear said.

The painting depicts Christ with his arms around a modern-day man who holds a hammer in one hand and a spike in the other, illustrating that even though one’s sins nail Jesus to the cross, his mercy is always there, Blackshear said.

Other Christian-themed paintings by Blackshear include “Coat of Many Colors, Lord of All,” a picture of Christ in a robe made up of flags and fabrics from around the world; “Watchers in the Night,” which depicts a guardian angel standing over a sleeping boy; and “Night in Day,” a painting of a black figure wrapped in a brilliant white cloak.

Blackshear said that “Night in Day” came directly from a vision given to him by God. Over the past several years, Blackshear said he had struggled to come up with new ideas for paintings. Last summer, however, he was inspired to go on a 40-day fast at the urging of a friend.

Once the fast ended, he got a wealth of fresh ideas, sparking a new line of Christian-themed paintings he tentatively calls “Wings” because angels are featured promi-

In Your Prayers Please pray for these priests during the coming weeks Aug. 23 Rev. Thomas F. Clinton, Pastor, St. Peter, Sandwich, 1895 Msgr. Anthony M. Gomes, PA, Retired Pastor, Our Lady of the Angels, Fall River, 1992 Aug. 24 Rev. Peter J.B. Bedard, Founder, Notre Dame de Lourdes, Fall River, 1884 Very Rev. James F. Gilchrist, CPM, VG, Vicar General of the Congregation of the Fathers of Mercy, 1962 Rev. Msgr. James E. Gleason, Retired Pastor, St. Patrick, Falmouth, 1987 Aug. 25 Rev. Joseph F. Hanna, C.S.C., Founder, Holy Cross, South Easton, 1974 Rev. Thomas E. Lawton, C.S.C., 2002 Aug. 27 Rt. Rev. Francisco C. Bettencourt, Pastor, Santo Christo, Fall River, 1960 Rev. Msgr. Hugh A. Gallagher, P.A., Retired Pastor, St. James, New Bedford, 1978 Rev. James E. Tobin, C.S.C., Missionary and Teacher, 2008 Aug. 29 Rev. Joseph DeVillandre, D.D., Founder, Sacred Heart, North Attleboro, 1921 Msgr. William H. Harrington, Retired Pastor, Holy Name, Fall River, 1975

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The Anchor

August 20, 2010

nently. Blackshear said he hopes to have five new paintings done by the end of the year.

When the Postal Service announced it would be issuing a stamp of Mother Teresa, some groups protested on the grounds a government agency should not be honoring a religious figure, but Blackshear dis-

missed the criticism.

“Look at what the woman did.

There is nobody in the 20th century that comes close to the kind of life that woman led, and all the people that she helped. So why in the world would they make a big stink about something like that? It’s ridiculous,” he said.

Around the Diocese 8/20

St. Lawrence Martyr Parish, New Bedford, is hosting a Polish International Festival on Sunday beginning at 11 a.m. The event will include music, food and fun and all are welcome.

8/26

An open meeting of the Divorced and Separated Support Group will be held August 26 at 7 p.m. at St. Julie Billiart Parish, Slocum Road, North Dartmouth. For more information call 508-678-2828 or 508-993-0589.

8/30

The Diocesan Health Facilities Third Annual Golf Classic will be held August 30 at LeBaron Hills Country Club in Lakeville. The day begins at 10:30 a.m., rain or shine, with registration. Shotgun start is noon with a “Florida Style Scramble” format. To register call 508-679-8154 or visit www.dhfo.org.

9/4

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

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

Brewster — Eucharistic adoration takes place in the La Salette Chapel in the lower level of Our Lady of the Cape Church, 468 Stony Brook Road, on First Fridays following the 11 a.m. Mass until 7:45 a.m. on the First Saturday of the month, concluding with Benediction and Mass.

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

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

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

FAIRHAVEN — St. Mary’s Church, Main St., has eucharistic adoration every Wednesday from 8:30 a.m. to noon in the Chapel of Reconciliation, with Benediction at noon. Also, there is a First Friday Mass each month at 7 p.m., followed by a Holy Hour with eucharistic adoration. Refreshments follow.

FALL RIVER — St. Anthony of the Desert Church, 300 North Eastern Avenue, has eucharistic adoration Mondays and Tuesdays from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m., and on the first Sunday of the month from noon to 4 p.m.

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

COURAGE, a welcoming support group for Catholics wounded by same-sex attraction who gather to seek God’s wisdom, mercy and love, will next meet on September 4 at 7 p.m. For location information call Father Richard Wilson at 508-992-9408.

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

9/9

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

The Lazarus Ministry of Our Lady of the Cape Parish in Brewster is offering a six-week bereavement support program called “Come Walk With Me” on Thursdays that begins September 9 and runs through October 14 from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. The program meets at the parish center and is designed for people who have experienced the loss of a loved one within the past year. Pre-registration is required. Contact Happy Whitman at 508-385-3252 or Eileen Birch at 508-394-0616 for additional information.

9/16

The diocesan Divorced and Separated Support Group will begin with a video on “Surviving Divorce” by John Bradshaw on September 16 at 7 p.m. at St. Julie Billiart Parish, 494 Slocum Road, North Dartmouth. The video shows the pitfalls to avoid on the road to recovery while giving the tools needed to survive divorce. A discussion will follow and all are welcome.

9/19

The Legion of Mary will have a Day of Recollection on September 19 from 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. at Cathedral Camp Retreat Center, East Freetown. The day is open to members and non-members and will include a talk by Father Joseph Medio, formerly of New Bedford now serving the Archdiocese of Boston. For reservations call 508-995-2354.

9/21

Adoption by Choice, an adoption and pregnancy counseling program of Catholic Social Services of the Diocese of Fall River, will hold an information session for those interested in domestic newborn or international adoptions on September 21 from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. at Catholic Social Services, 1600 Bay Street, Fall River.

Please call 508-674-4681 or visit www.cssdioc.org to register or for more information.

MASHPEE — Christ the King Parish, Route 151 and Job’s Fishing Road has 8:30 a.m.

Mass every First Friday with special intentions for Respect Life, followed by 24 hours of eucharistic adoration in the Chapel, concluding with Benediction Saturday morning followed immediately by an 8:30 Mass.

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

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

SEEKONK ­— Our Lady of Mt. Carmel Parish has eucharistic adoration seven days a week, 24 hours a day in the chapel at 984 Taunton Avenue. For information call 508336-5549.

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

OSTERVILLE — Eucharistic adoration takes place at Our Lady of the Assumption Church, 76 Wianno Avenue on First Fridays following the 8 a.m. Mass until Benediction at 5 p.m. The Divine Mercy Chaplet is prayed at 4:45 p.m.; on the third Friday of the month from 1 p.m. to Benediction at 5 p.m.; and for the Year For Priests, the second Thursday of the month from 1 p.m. to Benediction at 5 p.m.

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

WAREHAM — Adoration with opportunities for private and formal prayer is offered on the First Friday of each month from 8:30 a.m. until 8 p.m. at St. Patrick’s Church, High Street. The Prayer Schedule is as follows: 7:30 a.m. the rosary; 8 a.m. Mass; 8:30 a.m. exposition and Morning Prayer; 12 p.m. the Angelus; 3 p.m. Divine Mercy Chaplet; 5:30 p.m. Evening Prayer; 7 p.m. sacrament of confession; 8 p.m. Benediction.

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

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

20 nearly 200 years of combined service — The annual Day of Recollection for Religious is September 11 at St. Julie Billiart Parish Hall from 9:30 a.m. to 2 p.m. Sister Dorothy Schwarz, SSD, will speak on “Too Busy Not To Pray.” Bishop George W. Coleman will preside at liturgy and will honor religious who are celebrating jubilees of 75, 70, 60, 50, and 25 years. At right are Contemplatives of the Good Shepherd Sisters who reside in Harwich. From left: Sisters Elizabeth Correia (50 years); seated, Kathryn Marie Demiceli (75 years), and Virginia Agnes Turinese (70 years).

The Anchor

August 20, 2010