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