Anchor 06.04.10

The Anchor Diocese of Fall River

F riday , June 4, 2010

Kagan nomination spurs fears among family and life advocates B C M. W y

hristine

illiams

A nchor C orrespondent

BOSTON — The nomination of Elena Kagan to the nation’s highest bench continued the “radical” pro-abortion, anti-family legacy of Barack Obama’s presidency, local ProLife and family leaders said.

The Senate Judiciary Committee is scheduled to start confirmation hearings on June 28. Senate Republicans have said they do not plan to filibuster, and Kagan will likely be confirmed before the Supreme Court’s October session.

Pro-Life leaders in Massachusetts told The Anchor that Kagan is a “terrible” and unqualified candidate for the Supreme Court, adding that she would likely further the “tremendous harm” to the Pro-Life movement already inflicted by Obama.

“I think Kagan will be hostile to any Pro-Life laws that come before the Supreme Court,” said Philip D. Moran, president of the Pro-Life Legal Defense Fund. “She is a radical in the mold of the current president.”

Moran cited a memo Kagan sent to former President Bill Clinton in 1997 that advised him of political maneuvers that would prevent Congress from overriding his veto of the partial-birth abortion ban.

“If you’re in favor of partial-

birth abortion, you’re going to be in favor of any and all forms of killing the unborn,” he said, calling the procedure, where babies are partially delivered before they are killed, “infanticide.”

Faced with the hefty responsibility of choosing a Supreme Court judge for the second time, Obama named Kagan to replace retiring Justice John Paul Stevens.

Kagan holds degrees from Princeton and Oxford, and graduated magna cum laude from Harvard Law School where she served as dean from 2003-2009. She has been the solicitor general since then.

Previously, she served as clerk for Supreme Court justice Thurgood Marshall and worked in the White House from 19951999.

Moran said he suspects Obama intentionally chose someone who had never sat on a bench because there would be no paper trail to illustrate how she might rule on the nation’s highest court.

“She has no courtroom experience,” he said. “She has no trial experience, and she has never sat as a judge.

“I think he thought that because she doesn’t have a record, she could slide through very quickly,” he said.

Patricia Doherty, execuTurn to page 18

LORD OF HOSTS — Msgr. Gerard P. O’Connor, pastor of St. Francis Xavier Parish in Acushnet, gives Benediction of the Blessed Sacrament during a recent day of eucharistic adoration. In what is becoming a growing trend around the diocese, eucharistic adoration hours are being held in many parishes up to several times a week. (Photo by Kenneth J. Souza)

An hour in Christ’s presence: Eucharistic adoration increases throughout the diocese

By Kenneth J. Souza Anchor Staff FALL RIVER — Jesus told his disciples in the garden of Gethsemane: “So, couldn’t you stay awake with me for one hour? Stay awake and pray that you will not fall into temptation” (Matt. 26:40-41).

As Catholics everywhere prepare to celebrate the feast of Corpus Christi on Sunday, faithful throughout the Fall River Diocese are answering Christ’s call to spend one hour with him in prayerful medita-

tion by participating in ongoing eucharistic adoration devotions offered in parishes on a regular basis.

“I’ve been going for more than 10 years now and it’s changed my life,” said Linda Nason, division leader for eucharistic adoration at Our Lady of Mount Carmel Parish in Seekonk. “I wish more families would take advantage of it — even if it’s just for one hour a week. I try to get there everyday.”

Eucharistic adoration is a

solemn and intimate opportunity to spend one-on-one time with Christ who is powerfully present — Body, Blood, soul, and divinity — in the exposed Blessed Sacrament.

Some parishes offer eucharistic adoration for set hours during one or two days a week, while others — like the Our Lady of Life Perpetual Adoration Chapel at Holy Trinity Parish in West Harwich — remain open 24/7 for adoration.

Located on the property of Turn to page 15

Children on Martha’s Vineyard relish hands-on lessons in faith

By Dave Jolivet, Editor

MARTHA’S VINEYARD — The mind of a child is always ready to absorb new information and data.

Yet it takes the proper stimuli to stand out and be retained amongst the waves of distractions washing up on that little sponge.

With that notion in mind, Father Michael Nagle, pastor of Good Shepherd Parish on Martha’s Vineyard, stepped outside the box in his pursuit of catechizing the youngsters in his island parish Religious Education program. Father Nagle recently completed a four-year course with the Aquinas Institute seeing is believing — Using the Catechesis of the Good Shep- of Theology in St. Louis, Mo., earning a master of herd program for teaching its young people about the faith, Good arts in Pastoral Studies in the Catechesis of the Good Shepherd Parish on Martha’s Vineyard utilizes scriptural readings Shepherd.

The Catechesis of the Good Shepherd is a Monpaired with visuals to enchance the learning environment.

tessori-based religious formation program for children from ages three to 12.

The program was initiated by Sofia Cavaletti and Gianna Gobbi, students of Maria Montessori’s methods of educating children based on the theory of continually adapting a child’s environment in order that he or she may “fulfill their greatest potential, physically, mentally, emotionally, and spiritually.”

The program is rooted in Scripture, the Mass and the Church, and the children are schooled in a room called an atrium, adorned with items that help bring the Scriptures to life. The children not only hear stories from the Bible, but they see them acted out with various materials designed specifically for each Scripture lesson.

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News From the Vatican

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June 4, 2010

As Year For Priests draws to a close, pope says priests must be shepherds VATICAN CITY (CNS) — As the Year For Priests draws to a close, Pope Benedict XVI said a priest’s foremost role is to be a shepherd to his flock, and he asked the faithful to support their priests in their task of bringing people closer to God. At his regular weekly audience in St. Peter’s Square May 26, the pope said priests should follow Jesus, who he called the “supreme shepherd of souls,” in their mission to “take care of the people of God, be teachers of the faith, animating and sustaining the community of Christians.”

The pope quoted St. Augustine in pointing out that “it is a labor of love to graze the flocks of the Lord,” and that love should act as the “supreme guide in conduct for the ministers of God.” By following this guide, the pope said, a priest should show “unconditional love, be full of joy and open to all; be attentive to those around him, gentle to children, to the weak and to the simple; and show the infinite mercy of God with encouraging words of hope.”

Because of the world wars and the rise of dictatorial leaders in Europe in the last century, the pope said, many people today still have a deep mistrust of authority of all types. The Church, he said, is called to offer an authority based on service, “not in its own right but in the name of Jesus, who in the name of the Father received all authority in heaven and on earth.”

Each priest in turn receives that responsibility, the pope said. “The

spiritual authority conferred in holy orders should be matched by the priest’s interior fidelity to his pastoral mission and his personal readiness to follow obediently the lead of Christ,” he said.

In living for the benefit of his flock, the priest-shepherd must dedicate himself totally, “often going against the current, and remembering that he who is big must act like the smallest, and he who governs must act like the servant.”

The pope said that leading others does not mean domination but is rather illustrated in the humble act of Jesus Christ’s washing of the feet of the apostles and in the wood of the cross.

The pope asked the faithful to “support your priests in their ministry of leading men and women to God, bearing witness to the truth of the Gospel and its message for hope.” Pope Benedict also asked for prayers “for my own ministry of governance in the Church.”

The pope called the special year for priests last June to encourage “spiritual perfection” in clergy. The current scandal regarding priestly sexual abuse had not yet exploded in all its force, involving several European countries and the United States.

Pope Benedict did not specifically mention the issue, although he has made several declarations in recent months abhorring sexual abuse of minors and asking forgiveness from victims on some occasions.

The pope will mark the closing of the Year For Priests with a Mass at the Vatican June 11.

Pope urges countries to join efforts in helping migrants, refugees VATICAN CITY (CNS) — With no sign that globalization and migration will slow down, the future of most societies clearly depends on effectively welcoming and integrating migrants and refugees, Pope Benedict XVI said.

“The future of our societies rests on the encounter between peoples (and) on dialogue between cultures with respect for identities and legitimate differences,” the pope said May 28 during a meeting with participants in the plenary assembly of the Pontifical Council for Migrants and Travelers.

The assembly focused on the shared responsibilities nations and international organizations have toward travelers, migrants and refugees.

Pope Benedict praised the efforts of organizations and international bodies to build a world marked by peace, fraternity and cooperation while simultaneously striving “to resolve the crucial questions of security and development to the benefit of all.”

But some parts of the world have been avoiding “the assumption of responsibilities that should be shared” when it comes to migration policies and assisting refugees, he said.

“The desire of many people to knock down walls that divide and to establish broad-based agreements promoting integration has still not been fulfilled,” he said.

Some of the ways states and organizations can promote social stability and harmony, he said, are by creating policies or plans that help welcome and integrate foreigners, give them “opportunities to obtain legal status, promoting the fair rights to family reunification, asylum and refugee status, compensating for necessary restrictive measures and opposing the appalling trafficking of human beings.”

The pope said migration policies that recognize the key importance of the family and its stability are an essential part of respecting the rights of migrants and promoting their integration in a new country.

special reception — Pope Benedict XVI gives Communion to a choir boy during a recent Mass in St. Peter’s Basilica at the Vatican. (CNS photo/Paul Haring)

Politics needs ‘true revolution of love’ based on truth, pope says VATICAN CITY (CNS) — The world of politics and governance requires “a true revolution of love” in which citizens are inspired by the Christian values of solidarity and truth to work for the common good, Pope Benedict XVI said.

For Christians to be effective in the world of politics, which is “a complex art” of balancing ideals and individual interests, they must transform their “intelligence of faith into an intelligence of reality,” which is key for making sound judgments and bringing about true social transformation, he said.

The pope made his comments in an audience May 21 at a meeting of the Pontifical Council for the Laity. The council’s plenary assembly May 20-22 focused on the theme, “Witnesses to Christ in the Political Community.”

Pope Benedict told his audience that the current culture of “confused relativism and utilitarian and hedonistic individualism weakens a democracy and promotes the domination of the most powerful.”

“Authentically Christian politicians are needed” — laypeople who are true witnesses to Christ and the Gospel in the civil and political spheres, he said.

Politics needs to be renewed by “authentic political wisdom,” which is open to real dialogue and collaboration with all sectors of society and is not limited by an ideological viewpoint or utopian assumptions, he said.

The Church’s role is not to promote any particular political party or system nor tell people how to run a country, he said. However, the Church is called to preach the faith, teach social doctrine and give moral guidance on matters regarding public life, fundamental human rights and the salvation of souls, he said.

Assisted by the Church, laymen and women must demonstrate through their personal, social and political lives how Christian faith and values can effectively address current issues, he said.

The lay faithful need to actively participate in political life in a way that is consistent with Church teaching, the pope said.

By using arguments founded on reason and inspired by great ideals, Catholic citizens can seek broad consensus with everyone who cares deeply about defending human life and liberty, safeguarding the truth and the well-being of the family, promoting solidarity with those in need and seeking the common good, he added.

Cardinal Stanislaw Rylko, president of the Pontifical Council for the Laity, told Vatican Radio May 20 that the Church needs to give laymen and women proper formation so they live in a way that is consistent with church teaching and courageously give witness to Christ in the public realm.

He also said attitudes of apathy and skepticism toward the world of politics need to be overcome so citizens will reengage with their com-

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munities and promote the common good.

In his address to the plenary assembly, Italian Archbishop Rino Fisichella said the key to transforming politics was for parties and individual politicians to build broad political platforms that are based on a clear moral and ethical vision of humanity.

Laws impact the way people understand what is right and wrong, he said in his address, which was published in part by the Vatican newspaper, L’Osservatore Romano, May 21.

“If a lawmaker trivializes life with laws that make abortion easier to procure or that lead to a human sexuality that is without any rules,” and if laws focus only on preventative measures, he said, then the lawmaker will not have brought about real moral progress within society.

Instead, politicians need to create a political vision that challenges the current culture to be inspired by basic human values, and helps people develop a moral and ethical conscience from which they can be guided in their everyday life, said the archbishop, who is president of the Pontifical Academy for Life.

OFFICIAL NEWSPAPER OF THE DIOCESE OF FALL RIVER Vol. 54, No. 22

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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PUBLISHER - Most Reverend George W. Coleman EXECUTIVE EDITOR Father Roger J. Landry fatherrogerlandry@anchornews.org EDITOR David B. Jolivet davejolivet@anchornews.org NEWS EDITOR Deacon James N. Dunbar jimdunbar@anchornews.org OFFICE MANAGER Mary Chase m arychase@anchornews.org ADVERTISING Wayne R. Powers waynepowers@anchornews.org REPORTER Kenneth J. Souza kensouza@anchornews.org Send Letters to the Editor to: fatherrogerlandry@anchornews.org PoStmaSters send address changes to The Anchor, P.O. Box 7, Fall River, MA 02722.

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June 4, 2010

3

The International Church

As Korean tensions escalate, Catholic leaders call for prayers

a fine line — A Zimbabwean woman drinks water from a tap in the capital, Harare, recently.

The 2009 Synod of Bishops for Africa “successfully walked the tightrope” between pastoral and political considerations, said a Vatican official. (CNS photo/Philimon Bulawayo, Reuters)

Cardinal O’Malley among nine to conduct visitation of Irish Church

By Cindy Wooden Catholic News Service VATICAN CITY — Pope Benedict XVI has named nine Church leaders to begin an apostolic visitation of the Catholic Church in Ireland aimed at helping the Church address the sexual abuse scandal, improve assistance to victims and perfect preventative measures.

The Vatican announced May 31 that the visitation would begin in the fall and that no deadline has been set for its conclusion.

“Through this visitation, the Holy See intends to offer assistance to the bishops, clergy, religious and lay faithful as they seek to respond adequately to the situation caused by the tragic cases of abuse perpetrated by priests and religious upon minors,” the Vatican said.

“It is also intended to contribute to the desired spiritual and moral renewed that is already being vigorously pursued by the Church in Ireland,” it added.

In his March letter to Catholics in Ireland, Pope Benedict had announced plans for a visitation, saying it was “intended to assist the local Church on her path of renewal.”

Jesuit Father Federico Lombardi, Vatican spokesman, said the apostolic visitors are not taking over the responsibilities of the bishops, seminary rectors or religious superiors in Ireland; the Vatican is not “substituting the authorities in place, but adding a presence that, by coming in from the outside, could be in

a better position to objectively gather information and make useful evaluations.”

The visitation will begin with Ireland’s four archdioceses: British Cardinal Cormac Murphy-O’Connor, retired archbishop of Westminster, will conduct the visitation of the Archdiocese of Armagh, Northern Ireland; Cardinal Sean P. O’Malley of Boston will visit the Archdiocese of Dublin; Archbishop Thomas Collins of Toronto will conduct the visitation of the Archdiocese of Cashel; Archbishop Terrence Prendergast of Ottawa, Ontario, will visit the Archdiocese of Tuam.

Pope Benedict also named Archbishop Timothy M. Dolan of New York, former rector of the U.S. seminary in Rome, to lead the visitation of the Irish seminaries, including the Pontifical Irish College in Rome, the Vatican said.

Archbishop Dolan was at St. Patrick’s College, Maynooth, an Irish seminary, May 27 to give a lecture for the Year For Priests.

“I stand before you no guru or expert, no acclaimed theologian or renowned mystic; I am hardly some ‘know-it-all Yankee’ here to lecture you on how you got into or how to get out of the current crisis you are in, ’cause I don’t know,” he said.

Archbishop Dolan said he believes the Church is being called back to the basics of prayer and humility.

“We’re not priests for what we can get, but for what we can give, and anyone who’s in

it for power, authority, privilege or entitlement should not be. That’s clericalism and it is a vice, a sin,” he said.

In a statement released by his office May 31, Archbishop Dolan said, “My love for the faith of Ireland, and my own background in priestly formation, make me grateful for this assignment, and I look forward to close cooperation with my brother bishops, priests, religious and the faithful of Ireland.”

Pope Benedict also named two priests and two religious women to lead the visitation of Irish religious orders The bishops visiting dioceses will report their findings to the Congregation for Bishops.

Archbishop Dolan will report to the Congregation for Catholic Education, which oversees seminaries. The religious will report to the Congregation for Institutes of Consecrated Life and Societies of Apostolic Life.

Archbishop Diarmuid Martin of Dublin called the visitation “an important element in the broad process being set in place by Pope Benedict to assist the Catholic Church in Ireland in its renewal.”

He also said because of Cardinal O’Malley’s experience taking over the Archdiocese of Boston in 2003 after its sex abuse crisis, he can help Catholics in Dublin address “the truth of a dark moment in its history” as it “undertakes a period of conversion, purification and renewal.”

SEOUL, South Korea (CNS) — Catholic leaders have called for prayers as tensions in the Korean peninsula escalate, reported the Asian church news agency UCA News.

South Korea’s president raised the stakes in the standoff by slashing trade to communist North Korea in retaliation for a torpedo attack by the North that killed 46 South Korean sailors.

North Korea accused the South of a smear campaign and said May 25 that it would sever all ties with the South.

“With Christian faith, we view this as another ordeal on the way toward national reconciliation and we must keep hope. We need to pray for peace and reconciliation,” said Fabiano Choi Hong-jun, chairman of the Catholic Lay Apostolate Council of Korea.

He said the tensions have thrown cold water on efforts for national reconciliation.

The sinking of the South Korean warship Cheonan March 26 in the Yellow Sea was the country’s worst military loss since the 1950-53 Korean War. An international team of investigators determined a torpedo from a North

Korean submarine sank the ship.

Father Raphael Seo Jongyeob described South Korean President Lee Myung-bak’s decision to enact economic reprisals against the North as “regretful,” observing that the bishops’ Committee for the Reconciliation of the Korean People had planned much aid to North Korea, but had to cancel it. He welcomed the president’s decision to exclude North Korean children from the aid embargo.

South Korea has been the North’s second-largest trading partner, after China.

Father Seo said North and South Korea “must continue to talk about peace and reconciliation” and that is why “prayers are needed earnestly.”

Rev. Msgr. John J. Oliveira, V.E. 106 Illinois St., New Bedford, MA 02745

Anchor 06/04/10

The Church in the U.S.

4

June 4, 2010

Coadjutor asks for prayers, pledges ‘life, love’ to Los Angeles Church

violation of conscience — Catholic nurse Cathy DeCarlo is suing New York’s Mount Sinai Hospital and some members of its medical staff, charging that her conscience rights were violated when she was compelled to help with a late-term abortion last year. (CNS photo/Bruce Ellefson, courtesy Alliance Defense Fund)

Catholic nurse alleges abortion violated her conscience rights WASHINGTON (CNS) — A Catholic nurse is suing New York’s Mount Sinai Hospital and some members of its medical staff, charging that her conscience rights were violated when she was compelled to help with a late-term abortion last year.

A lawsuit filed April 29 on behalf of Catherina Cenzon-DeCarlo alleges that the nurse’s conscience rights under state law were violated by her forced participation in a late-term, non-emergency abortion in May 2009, despite the fact that Cenzon-DeCarlo had notified the hospital of her religious objections to abortion before she was hired in 2004.

Another lawsuit charging a violation of Cenzon-DeCarlo’s conscience rights under federal law was filed last year.

Although focused on one nurse and one abortion, the suits have wider implications for implementation of the new health reform law — which the U.S. Catholic bishops

contend does not adequately protect conscience rights.

It also could affect a pending decision by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services on whether to rescind conscience protection regulations put in place during the final days of the administration of President George W. Bush. President Barack Obama has indicated he supports rescinding the regulations, and HHS has asked for comments but has not formally taken action.

Cenzon-DeCarlo is being represented in the case by attorneys for the Alliance Defense Fund, an Arizona-based Christian legal alliance dedicated to defending religious liberty, sanctity of life, marriage and the family.

“Pro-Life nurses shouldn’t be forced to assist in abortions against their beliefs,” said Matt Bowman, the defense fund’s legal counsel. “It is illegal, unethical and a violation of Cathy’s rights of conscience as a devout Catholic to require her to

participate in terminating the life of a 22-week preborn child. It was not only wrong, it was needless.”

Cenzon-DeCarlo, whose uncle is a Catholic bishop in her native Philippines, said her participation in the abortion was required by several of her superiors on the medical staff despite the fact that the case had not been deemed an emergency under hospital procedures and that there were other nurses available to assist who did not object to abortions.

The nurse “has suffered emotional and psychological trauma from being forced to assist in the abortion” and has been subject to financial losses because she is no longer scheduled for as many oncall assignments that supplement her income as she was before the abortion, the lawsuits allege.

In a letter last year, attorneys representing Mount Sinai Hospital urged U.S. District Chief Judge Raymond J. Dearie of Brooklyn, N.Y., to dismiss the lawsuit because the Church amendment — named for Sen. Frank Church and prohibiting entities receiving federal funds from discriminating against health care personnel who refuse to participate in sterilization or abortion procedures because of their religious beliefs or moral convictions — “does not grant individual litigants a private right of action.”

In a brief responding to that claim, attorneys for the Alliance Defense Fund said a federal court in 2008 “not only recognized an individual right, but allowed the plaintiff (in that case an abortion supporter) to seek punitive damages.”

“Mount Sinai’s actions are a quintessential example of discriminating in employment and privileges on condition that Mrs. DeCarlo violate her objection to abortion,” the brief said.

LOS ANGELES (CNS) — In a prayerful, moving and colorful ceremony sprinkled with gentle humor and emotion — reflecting the man himself — Archbishop Jose H. Gomez was officially received May 26 as coadjutor archbishop of Los Angeles.

With representatives from all 288 parishes of the nation’s most populous archdiocese and members of his family present among the 3,800 people assembled in the Cathedral of Our Lady of the Angels, the former archbishop of San Antonio smiled often, choked back tears on occasion and expressed deep appreciation for his warm welcome during the Mass of reception.

“My sisters and brothers, I have so much to learn about this extraordinary family that God has gathered here in the Archdiocese of Los Angeles,” the 58-year-old native of Mexico told the assembly near the end of Mass. “I have only just begun, and I’m going to need your prayers and assistance, your counsel and guidance, and most of all your patience.

“I ask your prayers for me. I pledge you my life and my love. I promise to always be your servant, and a servant of the word of God, ‘la palabra de Dios,’ the Gospel that we all believe in,” he said.

Archbishop Gomez will automatically succeed Cardinal Roger M. Mahony, archbishop of Los Angeles since 1985, when he retires.

Under canon law, the cardinal must turn in his resignation to the pope when he turns 75 next February 27.

Cardinal Mahony was the principal celebrant at the Mass, joined by more than 400 priests of the archdiocese and about 60 bishops.

Among the prelates were: Cardinals William J. Levada, prefect of the Congregation of the Doctrine of the Faith and a Los Angeles native; Justin Rigali of Philadelphia, also a Los Angeles native; Daniel N. DiNardo of Galveston-Houston; Theodore E. McCarrick, retired archbishop of Washington; Adam J. Maida, retired archbishop of Detroit; and Juan Cipriani Thorne of Lima, Peru.

Also represented at the two-hour Mass were students and officials from Catholic schools, institutions and archdiocesan ministries, many dressed in the traditional attire of their respective cultures.

The diversity of the archdiocese was reflected in the musical selections, choir and musicians directed

by John Flaherty. The altar was draped in multicultural tapestries, the Scripture readings were delivered in Vietnamese, Spanish and English, and petitions were offered in a half dozen different languages.

“In the community of cultures here in Los Angeles,” Archbishop Gomez said, “we can see what it means to say that our Church is Catholic. In this beautiful diversity, we can see something of what God desires for the whole world. We see how God gathers all men and women into one family, from every country, race and language, stretch-

ing to the ends of the earth and into heaven above.”

During the Mass, the rite involving the reception of the new archbishop was relatively brief.

Pope Benedict XVI’s letter to Archbishop Gomez about his appointment was read and accepted

by Cardinal Mahony, who then asked the congregation if they were willing support the archbishop. “We are,” the assembly replied.

“Be assured of our prayers and support as you continue the work of the Gospel,” the cardinal told him.

The assembly responded with loud applause, as Archbishop Gomez was embraced by the cardinal, and each of Los Angeles’ seven auxiliary bishops present.

Later, during his homily, Cardinal Mahony drew on Archbishop Gomez’s episcopal motto and fervor for evangelization as he urged people to “proclaim Christ in fresh, inviting, and bold ways.”

“These days so many live without hope, yearning for the assurance of God’s boundless love and mercy,” he said. “So let us confidently approach the throne of grace to receive mercy and to find grace for timely help. These are the words of Archbishop Gomez’s episcopal motto. They urge us to never tire of offering the assurance of God’s boundless love and mercy in and through our risen Savior.”

In his remarks, Archbishop Gomez said he was eager to learn and listen to others in his new role.

He also spoke directly to the priests in attendance.

“You are on the front lines of this great drama of salvation,” he said.

“In your ministries, you are the presence of Christ. Bring God to people, and people to God. You show them the compassion of the Father who seeks to carry them home, no matter how far away they might have strayed.

“My priesthood is the joy of my life, and I am humbled, to be able to minister alongside you. I’m eager to get to know each of you, and the people you serve,” he said.

The combination of a whirlwind of events in San Antonio at the close of his five years there and his arrival in his new home left Archbishop Gomez feeling a bit overwhelmed.

At one point he smiled and said, “I cannot believe I am here, my friends — this is awesome.”

The assembly applauded, and then chuckled when he added, glancing at his many family members seated in the front rows, “What is also beautiful is that my family, they are all behaving.”

A minute later, he paused again, this time to collect his emotions as he spoke of his parents, now deceased.

With his sisters and other family members dabbing at moist eyes with tissues, he called upon Our Lady of Guadalupe, “our dear mother, to always pray for us. To her, and to her loving heart, I entrust all of us and my ministry to you. Thank you all for your kind welcome.”

5

The Anchor

June 4, 2010

Ethicist cautions on at-home DNA tests, says doctor should be involved

By Nancy Frazier O’Brien Catholic News Service

not welcome — Hermelinda and Manuel Gutierrez talk to a reporter during a recent interview in their home in Mesa, Ariz. Manuel Gutierrez said his family would be leaving Arizona despite being legal residents. A new law signed by Gov. Jan Brewer aimed at curbing illegal immigration makes legal immigrants feel unwelcome, he said. (CNS photo/J.D. Long-Garcia, Catholic Sun)

Fear of tough Arizona law leads some to leave; others face arrests

By J.D. Long-Garcia Catholic News Service

would cause “exceptional and extremely unusual hardship” for a relative who’s a U.S. citizen.

MESA, Ariz. — Thirty-five “Families need to know what years after he first began tryto do if someone is in detention,” ing to make a life in the United Salvatierra said. “You need to States, Manuel Gutierrez, a legal act quickly.

Timing is crucial.” resident from Mexico, is taking But they shouldn’t wait until his family out of Arizona. then, she said, urging people to Although Gutierrez first came find immigration lawyers now to to the United States illegally see if they’re eligible to in 1975 and was soon t’s also a time for families to remembecome legal residents, deported, he returned Salvatierra said. ber their faith, according to Gutierseveral times, pursuing It’s also a time for legal residency that fi- rez. He and his family are part of a charfamilies to remember nally became permanent ismatic prayer group at St. Anne Parish their faith, according to in 2007. He now runs a in Gilbert, which has been a source of Gutierrez.

He and his successful business and family are part of a charhope.

“I’ve always had a lot of faith that all but his eldest child ismatic prayer group at are U.S. citizens.

God would protect us, that he wouldn’t St. Anne Parish in GilBut after Gov. Jan let our family be separated.” bert, which has been a Brewer signed a tough source of hope. immigration bill that “I’ve always had a lot of faith would make being in the state tion attorney, is urging families that God would protect us, that illegally a crime, Gutierrez is with undocumented members to he wouldn’t let our family be worried enough about repercus- have plans in case someone is separated,” Gutierrez said, addsions, especially for his eldest arrested or deported. ing that some undocumented son, that he has found a job in “If they’re pulled over and a another state. policeman asks if they’re here members of the prayer group are The measure requires law illegally, they don’t need to an- sad and morale is low.

Father Charlie Goraieb, pasenforcement to make a “reason- swer the question,” she said. Saltor of Queen of Peace Parish, able attempt” to determine legal vatierra said that puts the burden celebrated a Mass of consolastatus during any lawful “stop, of proof on the police. tion and hope three days after detention or arrest” and to arrest Families with undocumented the bill was signed. “There those who can’t prove their im- members should hire an immiwas no room.

It was like Ash migration status. gration lawyer, she said. Just Wednesday,” he said. In his The stepped-up enforcement because someone is arrested, homily, he spoke of the value requirement and the criminal- she said, it doesn’t preclude a the Catholic Church recognized ization of illegal status has Guti- process known as “cancellation in the presence of immigrants errez feeling spooked. of removal.”

“I feel helpless,” he said An undocumented immigrant in Arizona — documented or about the law, scheduled to take must meet four criteria to qual- not.

“They feel very wounded by effect in late July. “Our brothers ify for cancellation: He must this, and many people are planare our brothers. If they hurt, I have been living in the country ning on leaving,” Father Goraieb hurt.” for more than 10 years; have a said, adding that most are waitMany people are feeling qualifying relative who’s a legal ing to see if the law is actually panicked, according to Imelda resident; be of good moral charimplemented.

Flores, Hispanic ministry direc- acter; and prove that deportation

I

tor at Most Holy Trinity Parish in Mesa.

“We’ve received many calls from people who are undocumented, but whose adolescent children are citizens,” she said.

“They’re worried about what their children will do if they’re deported.”

Delia Salvatierra, an immigra-

WASHINGTON — Catholics should use caution in deciding whether to have genetic testing and should do so only with a doctor’s counsel, a Catholic ethicist said.

Stephen Napier, an ethicist at the National Catholic Bioethics Center in Philadelphia, was commenting May 24 on recent controversies surrounding the use of at-home DNA tests, which are being marketed as predictive of a patient’s likelihood of contracting a variety of diseases as well as his or her predisposition toward everything from alcoholism and artistic ability to obesity and optimism.

“There’s nothing inherently wrong with” wanting to know about one’s genetic makeup, Napier told Catholic News Service, “but it needs to be done within the context of medical expertise.”

National drugstore chains Walgreens and CVS Caremark recently announced that they had reversed decisions to sell an overthe-counter DNA test kit produced by the San Diego-based Pathway Genomics Corp. after the Food and Drug Administration said the kits might require FDA approval as a “medical device.”

“The Genetic Health Report appears to meet the definition of a device,” said James Woods, deputy director for patient safety and product quality in the FDA’s Office of In Vitro Diagnostic Device Evaluation and Safety, in a May 10 letter to Pathway. “If you do not believe that you are required to obtain FDA clearance or approval for the Genetic Health Report, please provide us with the basis for that determination.”

The House Committee on Energy and Commerce and its Subcommittee on Oversight and Investigations also announced in mid-May that it would open an investigation into “personal genetic tests sold to consumers over the Internet.” The House panels asked Pathway and two other companies to submit information by June 4 about the tests, patient risks and compliance with the Federal Food, Drug and Cosmetic Act and FDA regulations.

In a statement on its website,

Pathway Genomics called personalized genetic testing “a relatively new science that has developed rapidly over the last several years under limited FDA oversight.”

“During that same time there has been a robust conversation between scientists and experts from the genetics industry, the FDA and Congress about whether updated regulations are needed, and the appropriate role that government should have in oversight of this new science,” it added. “We look forward to working collaboratively with (Congress and the FDA) as any new regulations or guidelines are considered for developing public health policy.”

The genetic test kits offered on the Pathway website cost $249 for a “genetic ancestry” analysis or $399 for a “total health” analysis, including information on susceptibility to more than 70 health conditions, pre-pregnancy planning and likely drug responses. The kit that was to be sold at Walgreens and CVS reportedly was to cost $30, with analysis by Pathway of the saliva sample submitted ranging in cost from $79 to $249.

Napier of the National Catholic Bioethics Center said he had “two worries” about how the genetic test kits could be used.

If a patient “adopted a false view of genetic determinism” —the theory that human behavior is determined by genes rather than by culture, environment and individual choice — and was found to carry the gene associated with alcoholism, for example, he or she might be affected “in a deleterious way,” the ethicist said.

In addition, if a couple were to use genetic testing for pre-pregnancy planning, they might use any propensity for genetic problems “as an excuse not to realize the procreative end of marriage,” he said.

6

The Anchor Repairing the wounds

On behalf of the U.S. Bishops Conference, three leading prelates — Cardinal Daniel DiNardo of Houston, Bishop William Murphy of Rockville Center and Bishop John Wester of Salt Lake City — published a joint statement on May 21 charting the path forward after the passage of the “Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act” by Congress this spring. They reiterated what the Church’s priorities in health care reform have always been and challenged Catholics and members of Congress, while retaining what is good in the new law, to come together to remedy what is bad, particularly with respect to “defense of human life, rights of conscience and fairness to immigrants.” Now that the bill has been passed, they said, the “formidable” challenge is “in some ways simpler.” The bills’ defects “can be judged soberly in their own right” without having to tackle the question of whether “the problems are serious enough to oppose the legislation” as a whole. “We only need agreement that the problems are real and deserved to be addressed.” Otherwise, they said, it would “only leave these genuine problems as ammunition for those who prefer total repeal of the law,” an armory that is only expanding as the November congressional elections approach.

Two groups of Catholics that in justice and reparation should immediately jump on board this initiative of the bishops are the members of the Catholic Health Association (CHA), a forprofit trade association of Catholic health care facilities, and Network, a lobbying group that claims to represent 59,000 U.S. women religious. Both groups played pivotal roles in confusing the teaching of the Church that the bishops were communicating and either scandalously persuaded key legislators to support the legislation despite its problems or gave such legislators “Catholic cover” to oppose the clear moral positions of the bishops.

After the bishops had come out in opposition to the Senate bill, the CHA, led by its president Sister Carol Keehan, came out in support of it, passing on mendacious talking points from abortion supporters that the bill did nothing to change the status quo on abortion despite the fact that the bishops’ analysis had amply demonstrated how such claims were false. Such an action, the bishops noted, “gave credence to analyses by those who were likewise dedicated to minimizing important concerns so as to pass the legislation … [and] made a judgment that the moral problems in the new law — for example, the fact that the federal government, for the first time in decades, will now force Americans to pay for other people’s elective abortions — simply are not serious enough to oppose a particular health care reform bill.” The CHA claimed that their support of the bill represented “merely a difference of analysis or strategy” with the bishops. The bishops, however, said that was simply more spin. “For whatever good will was intended, it represented a fundamental disagreement, not just with our staff as some maintain, but with the bishops themselves.” Its harm exceeds that that can be done through the bad bill. They said it also has “resulted in confusion and a wound to Catholic unity.” They had to reply to that wound and confusion by reiterating — to the leaders of the Catholic Health Association, to women religious and to everyone — that “making such moral judgments and providing guidance to Catholics on whether an action by government is moral or immoral, is first of all the task of the bishops, not of any other group or individual.”

In the past two months, several bishops have also addressed the scandal and the harm done by the counter-witness of the CHA and other such groups. On March 29, Bishop Thomas Tobin of Providence, R.I., withdrew St. Joseph Health Services of Rhode Island from the CHA. In a letter to Sister Keehan, he said, “Your enthusiastic support of the legislation, in contradiction to the position of the bishops of the United States, provided an excuse for members of Congress [to vote for the bill], misled the public and caused serious scandal for many members of the Church.” He added that any “association with CHA is now embarrassing.”

Bishop Leonard Blair of Toledo, Ohio, added to the criticism, focusing in a March 30 statement first on how the CHA had not stood with the bishops in fierce opposition to the destruction of innocent human life. “Imagine if the political price for the passage of health care reform were the reintroduction of racial segregation in southern schools. This would rightly lead to moral indignation and block passage of the bill. However, the murder of 50 million unborn children in our country is seen as a legitimate ‘choice’ and is tossed about like a football in the political field.” He continued by pointing to the wounds to Church unity caused by the CHA and Network: “As if the political and cultural challenges were not grave enough, we also see illustrated in the Church the words of our Lord: ‘A house divided cannot stand.’ The Catholic Health Association and Network … simply dismissed as false and unfounded the grave concerns not only of the bishops but also of Pro-Life members of Congress regarding abortion in the proposed legislation. … At the very moment that Pro-Life legislators, subjected to great pressure and even vilification, were working valiantly to change the health care bill so that it would uphold the status quo of federal protections against abortion, these ‘Catholic’ groups were pulling the rug out from under them, as everyone immediately recognized.” And to call both groups to the truth, he reminded them that “the head of Planned Parenthood, the largest abortion provider in the country, has called what the Sisters did a ‘brave and important move’ worthy of the organization’s ‘gratitude and support.’” The largest abortion supporter would not be thanking these organizations unless their action was advancing the agenda of Planned Parenthood, rather than the cause of the Church.

Bishop Gerald Gettelfinger of Evansville, Ill., on March 29, called the statements of the CHA and Network “divisive” and added that they “either beclouded ‘skitterish’ Pro-Life politicians or gave them a cloud to hide under,” as he said Congressman Brad Ellsworth, who represents Evansville, did. In a published report, Congressman Ellsworth cited the published positions of Network and CHA as grounds for his eventual vote in support of the bill.

Bishop Samuel Aquila of Fargo, N.D., said in a March 30 statement, that it was “truly tragic” that some groups — CHA, Catholics United and small small groups of religious orders — had come out in support of defective health care reform. Bishop Aquila said that, lamentably, Congressman Earl Pomeroy of North Dakota likewise had cited the encouragement of “Catholic nuns” in his eventual support for the legislation. “These so called ‘Catholic’ groups,” Bishop Aquila stated, “acted in direct contradiction to the bishops as guardians of the authentic teaching of Jesus Christ and his Church on the sacredness of human life as so clearly expressed in the definitive teaching of the Church. … The actions of these groups have betrayed the common good, undermined the teaching authority of the Church and have disregarded the courageous witness by the bishops and the many millions of faithful Catholics to the gift and dignity of human life. We now face the reality of severe damage to the common good by the expansion of abortion throughout our land because of the counter-witness of these groups. By undermining the legitimate authority of the bishops, these groups, together with some of our Catholic legislators and laity, have weakened the bonds of communion within the Church and diluted her witness to justice for all, from the moment of conception until natural death.” He added, “Rather than being a leaven … in society for the good, by ignoring the primacy of the truths of our Catholic faith, they pave the way for secularism and a culture of death.”

It’s time for these groups to repair the damage they’ve done. The best way to begin is to act on the bishops’ call to focus on needed revisions to the Health Care Reform and work, rather than in opposition to the bishops, alongside of them and following their lead.

June 4, 2010

Miracles in Ars “God is always almighty,” the Curé of Ars she should give you her own!” She was cured once told his sister. “He can at all times work at the end of the prayer. To a woman paramiracles and he would work them now as in lyzed on her left side, he instructed, “Go and the days of old were it not that faith is want- talk about all this to St. Philomena and tell ing.” her, ‘Restore my arm to me or give me your St. John Vianney had a deep and total faith own!’” She was healed instantaneously. in God and hence it’s unsurprising that God After many such miracles, however, peoregularly began to work miracles in Ars dur- ple started to ascribe them — it seems coring the time of the patron saint of priests like rectly — not just to St. Philomena but to the Jesus worked them in Capernaum, Chorazin, faithful priest who was invoking her alongBethsaida, and elsewhere during his public side them. That was too much for the Curé of ministry.

Ars to handle. He told friends he had to strike Jesus often tried to prevent those who re- a deal with his saintly friend: he would send ceived miracles from speaking about them, them to her altar to begin a novena but that lest everyone begin to look at him more as she would ask God to grant the miracle on the healer of physical maladies, multiplier of ninth day, after they had returned home from bread and fish, and fixer of irremediable Ars. Father Vianney told his parochial vicar, problems than as savior. Likewise, when God “I have asked the saint to cure souls here to began to answer in abundance St. John Vian- her heart’s content, but to heal bodies elseney’s prayers for physical cures, he sought to where. This time she has heard me: several downplay their significance, lest Ars become sick people have come here to begin their known as a free clinic for the body rather than novena; they finished it at home, where they primarily a priceless hospital for souls. were cured, unseen, unknown!”

The greatest miracles of all that occurred Try as he did to pass the credit for the workin Ars, the Curé of Ars insisted, were the mir- ing of miracles to St. Philomena, there were acles of conversion. The conversion of some- several that he worked that could not be so one from a state of mortal sin to grace, he said, delegated. A famous and funny example hapis “a greater miracle than what the Lord did to pened when a woman brought a child with a raise Lazarus!” Having witnessed so many huge tumor under his eye. The priest suggested such miracles as she take the child a confessor, it’s to St. Philomsomewhat preena’s altar. She dictable that he said she would, trusted totally in but asked first the Lord’s abilfor his blessing. ity to work the As he raised his “lesser” miracles arm, the mother

By Father of the body. took his hand Roger J. Landry In the invesand touched it to tigations for St. the tumor, which John Vianney’s immediately cause for canonization, 30 documented physi- disappeared. “A fine trick was played on me cal cures were presented, but these were just today,” he told friends later. “I felt so ashamed a small sample of all that he had done in his that had I seen a hole anywhere I should have lifetime and after his death. tried to hide in it.” Several cures also happened As with Jesus’ miracles in the Gospel, immediately in the confessional, especially of those worked through St. John Vianney were those who were mute and otherwise would not of all types: young and old, the deaf, blind, have been able to confess. mute, partially or totally paralyzed, those afSince miracles always require faith, and flicted with tuberculosis or visible tumors, morals flow from faith, Father Vianney deand maladies affecting almost every part of manded this living faith from those who came the body. He also worked prodigies like the with such requests. To a young epileptic from multiplication of the loaves and fish, once Marseilles who was not living chastely, he obtaining from God the stupendous miracle said, “That is not the way to behave for one of filling the entire orphanage attic with corn who desires to be cured.” To a young girl with in order to feed the starving young girls en- a paralyzed, shortened leg, he told her that her trusted to him. leg would be cured to the extent that she beNormally St. John Vianney tried to deflect came truly respectful of her mother. Over the the agency for the miracles the Lord worked course of the next three months, she worked for him. His greatest thaumaturgical co-con- on it and her leg inexplicably began to grow spirator was St. Philomena. When Vianney and acquire complete neuromuscular control. was just 16, the grave of this young female Often the saint tried to help people to see martyr was discovered in the catacombs of St. that a physical cure might not be spiritually Priscilla in Rome and her remains brought to good for them. As we’ve discussed in a preMugano, a suburb of Naples. Since she had vious column, St. John Vianney viewed the died for the faith about the age of 15, the pious cross as a caress not a curse and believed that future priest developed a natural devotion to “the greatest cross is to have no cross!” He this heroic young contemporary, about whom therefore said to a sick man, “O my friend, I little was known beyond her name. When Fa- do not know whether to pray for your cure or ther Vianney received a relic of hers after his not. One should not take the cross from shoulordination, he resolved to spread devotion to ders that are so well able to bear it!” These are her. During the renovations of the church in words for us to ponder.

Ars, he built an altar to her and installed her As we near the conclusion of the Year For relics within. It was from that altar that her Priests and this series, it would be wise for fame grew by leaps and bounds. us not only to look at St. John Vianney as a To those who came to the Curé of Ars ask- model disciple and pastor, but also as a most ing for cures, he replied, “I do not work mira- powerful intercessor, even for otherwise cles. I am but a poor ignorant man who once hopeless physical cures. The same Lord who upon a time tended sheep. Address yourselves worked miracles in Palestine 2,000 years to St. Philomena. I have never asked anything ago and in France 150 years ago through the through her without being answered.” He af- Curé of Ars’ intercession is still all-powerful fectionately called her his “dear little saint,” and does still work them in response to faith. “consul,” “representative,” “intermediary,” As a reminder of that truth, St. John Vianney and “agent with God.” It was clear that they would undoubtedly want me to point every had a very deep, personal, supernatural friend- reader to the confessional, where the omship. He sent a girl who hadn’t been able to nipotent Lord works his greatest of miracles speak in two years to go pray at St. Philom- every day. ena’s altar with these words: “Tell her that if Father Landry is pastor of St. Anthony she is not willing to restore your voice to you, of Padua Parish in New Bedford.

Putting Into the Deep

June 4, 2010

I

was born in a small village on the island of Flores, in the Archipelago of the Azores. I was the last of nine children that God gave to my parents, Francisco and Maria A. Cardoso. My father was a farmer and with my mother provided for our family and gave us love, a sincere faith in God and reverence for the Church.

One of my older brothers had become a priest and I always wanted to follow him. My family, however, could not afford to pay for my seminary tuition. But God provides. My priest-brother happened to know Father Leal Furtado, who was a pastor in the Diocese of Fall River.

Father Furtado asked Bishop James L. Connolly if he would accept me as a seminarian for the Diocese of Fall River. Bishop Connolly agreed and sponsored me at the Seminary of Angra do Heroismo, on the island of Terceira.

At the end of my seminary studies, Bishop Manuel Carvalho of Angra ordained me a priest on June 15, 1958. Three months later I arrived in Fall River, where I have happily served as a priest ever since.

“O

n Feb. 2, 1960, I (Peter Kreeft) was received into the Catholic Church at Yale University. I did not feel like a convert but like a revert. A convert subtracts something in order to add something. He moves from point A to point B, forsakes A to attain B. But I forsook nothing in my Protestant, biblical, evangelical background; I completed it.

Above all, I found in the Catholic Church the same Jesus but more of him.”

So far, the Catholic Thinkers we’ve discussed here have been from a not-too-distant past; it has almost been a sort of wistful nostalgia for the fecund writers and thinkers of an age now past. There is a distinct joy in writing about today’s figure, Dr. Peter Kreeft, because he is alive and well, working on the faculty at Massachusetts’ own Boston College, speaking all over the country, and remaining prolific enough to stand against any one of the thinkers we’ve met.

Sometimes I imagine Kreeft as the little boy in the old medieval fable made popular by Hans Christian Anderson. Kreeft’s deft prose points to the writing of other more “scholarly” writers and gleefully proclaims, “The Emperor Has Nothing On!” For you see, some thinkers make us think they are clever by their writing and insight. Others, however, introduce us to our own cleverness.

7

The Anchor

My priestly journey

My desire to follow the Lord studies were challenging and at as a priest was not a conversion times difficult. We had to learn or sudden decision. It took me a Latin, French, English and, of long time to recognize my vocacourse, Portuguese. Some of our tion and to follow it. The exbooks in theology were written ample and prayers of my family, in Latin, which made the studies as well as my prayers to God and more arduous, but, thanks be to to our Blessed Mother, helped God, I was always able to pass to show me the way to grow in all my exams. faithfulness to my priestly callAfter my priestly ordination, ing.

I came to the Diocese of Fall How I became a priest may be different from the story of the average Year For Priests young man who was Vocational Reflection born and raised in America. I entered the seminary in Angra right after

By Father my elementary school Luis A. Cardoso education. I completed my high school and college studies in the seminary River, and Bishop Connolly asbefore I began my study of phisigned me to St. John the Baptist losophy and theology. In all, my in New Bedford. I celebrated the seminary preparation extended Mass in Latin and Portuguese over a 12-year period. During and spent much of my initial these years, I was given sufficient time conversing with the many time to nurture and grow in my immigrants who, like me, had vocation to the priesthood. come and who were still coming Many of my classmates, befrom the Azores. But I also had cause they decided they did not to learn English quickly, not only have a vocation or because they because it was the language of could not complete the academic this country but because many requirements, left the seminary people of my parish, especially before ordination. Seminary the younger parishioners, could

only speak English. I was also named chaplain at St. Luke’s Hospital, where the necessity of speaking English became more acute.

Although my first years as a priest were in a different country, serving people with a different language and culture, I always found that the people accepted me and loved me and gave me courage to fulfill my duties as a priest. Through their encouragement, I became more fluent in English and became more confident in speaking the language of my new home in America.

After nine years at St. John the Baptist, Bishop Connolly transferred me to Immaculate Conception in New Bedford. While there was sorrow in leaving my first parish, it was an opportunity for me to meet new people and make new friends. During many years of priestly ministry, I have always accepted my bishop’s decision to transfer me to other parishes.

Most of my time was spent in Fall River, where I served at Our Lady of Health, Espirito Santo and St. Michael’s parishes as

Dr. Peter Kreeft: The wholeness of things

While it is a common mistake to writer and thinker who takes up believe that convoluted writing is the task of defending the faith wise and insightful, not despite through the systematic use of reaits impenetrability but because of son. Kreeft has deliberately choit, in reality, such writing can be a sen this path in a scholarly world block to knowledge rather than a which increasingly demands that bridge to it. In contrast, Kreeft, for me, has always been a way in. His classical writing style is both rich and startlingly clear. Most importantly, it is accessible. It is rich

By Jennifer Pierce because of the strands of knowledge he is able to weave together and startling precisely because of its its writers write scholarly tomes clarity. It was through Kreeft that written for each other and not for I was able to introduce myself to the rest of the world. It’s a means complex theological ideas, to an- of professional advancement for gelology and demonology, and some, but Kreeft finds it decidedly particularly to St. Thomas Aqui- unpalatable. In an interview with nas, without feeling intimidated. Ignatius Insight, Kreeft is quoted His clear thought may mislead as saying: “I am not an ‘accomone into thinking it is reduced or plished academic,’ i.e., a scholar. overly-simplified. That would be I write popular books because I a grand mistake, for he reduces enjoy reading them, whereas I do nothing nor does he “over” sim- not enjoy reading most scholarly plify; he is merely blessed with a books. They seem addressed to singular ability to make complex promotion committees instead of real people.” ideas intelligible.

He approaches writing from Kreeft, too, is a Catholic apologist. That is not one who “apolo- the standpoint of questions and angizes” for his Catholicism; on the swers. It’s a classical device known contrary, there is nothing apolo- as Socratic method or dialectic. getic, in the typical sense, about It suits the mind that is seeking it. Rather, it is an ancient tradition theological truth: for don’t doubts of argument that literally means often present themselves as ques“speaking in defense.” The Chris- tions? He will, for example, start tian apologist is a professional chapters and sections of books

Great Catholic Thinkers

with common questions and points of resistance such as “Are other religions true?” or “Is God a ‘He’?” or, never fearing to go anywhere the mind may go, “Is There Sex in Heaven?”

Though he is an apologist who, by definition, bases his arguments on reason, there is something of the mystic in Kreeft, who has an acute awareness of the wholeness of things. In a handbook on Christian Apologetics he co-wrote with Father Ronald Tacelli, it says: “Contemporary science reveals to us that our world-system is not merely an aggregate of many separate, unrelated laws but rather a tightly inter-locking whole, where relationship to the

well. As priests, we are called not to serve ourselves but to serve the people of God. Over all these years in different parishes, I have always found it a wonderful privilege to celebrate Mass, administer the sacraments, especially to the sick, and to serve.

As a priest, it has been my privilege to minister to people in many different ways, beginning with helping children become Christians in baptism all the way through life until helping them finish up their earthly pilgrimage and get ready for the biggest journey of all. It has been a wonderful life and a great privilege to be and serve as a priest. I have received many blessings from God. I am now enjoying my retirement. I pray and hope that other young men will hear and accept the Lord’s call to be a priest in this diocese. May all of us, priests and laity, join together and pray for more vocations to the priesthood, because the Church needs more dedicated priests to continue the work of the Lord in this diocese.

Father Cardoso resides at the Cardinal Medeiros Residence in Fall River.

whole structures and determines the parts. The parts can no longer be understood apart from the whole; its influence permeates them all.”

It is a vision of the world that comes from our faith and bears the hallmark of St. Thomas Aquinas: but that vision also seems to have permeated Kreeft’s personal experience in a profound way. It is this wholeness of things that inspired him to realize that the Catholic faith is not separate from the world but a part of it. It is what inspires him to describe his reversion not as a division but as a completion.

Jennifer Pierce is a parishioner of Corpus Christi in East Sandwich, where she lives with her husband Jim and two daughters.

8

A

sk most any child who has ever read a “Stories of the Bible” book and they can probably fill in the details. With just a few words, “five loaves and two fish,” the story unfolds before our eyes like a scene from a favorite movie. The projector is rolling, or in other words, someone hit the play button on the DVD player.

We don’t have to stretch the imagination to see what is happening. Jesus is walking through another large crowd, preaching about the Kingdom of God, healing those who needed to be cured, casting eyes of forgiveness on sinners reaching out to touch his robe.

“Dismiss the crowds, Lord,” the Apostles advise. “Let them go to local farms and villages to stay the night and get something to eat.” Then, five words. Five words that bring the story to a screeching halt, “Give them some food yourselves.” Can you hear the next words uttered in response to his directive — “You want us to do what?”

Jesus did not repeat his com-

June 4, 2010

The Anchor

Giving others something to eat

mand; they knew better. Being readily accepted when served overwhelmed by a task that with sandwiches and coffee. seems greater than our ability to Feeling overwhelmed with a accomplish it leaves a person, task this size is understandable. and in this case, the Apostles, Being humbled for the service truly humbled. of God was our first measure of Eight years ago, on May 18, reality.

2002, 17 of us lay prostrate in the Sanctuary of Homily of the Week St. Anthony of Padua Church in New Bedford Feast of during our ordinaCorpus Christi tion to the Permanent Diaconate. Humbled

By Deacon is an appropriate way David R. Boucher to describe how it feels lying face down while a choir with angelic voices sings Is this not the same task Jethe Litany of Saints above you. sus calls all of us baptized into During the ceremony, Carthe faith to do every day? God dinal O’Malley, then Bishop gives us more than we realize; of Fall River, instructed us to he feeds us, nurtures us, cares go forth and feed the hungry for us and loves us unconditionamong us as Christ fed the ally. He blesses us so abundantmultitudes. The food we were ly and gives us so much and, in to share would be the Word of relation, he asks so little.

God enlivened by being open What Jesus asks is that we and “present” to the people we follow his example by giving serve, in effect, being Christ by the “finest wheat” of ourselves bringing Christ to them. With to the best of our abilities. We his humor, he advised us that are commanded to love our God’s Word is oftentimes more neighbor, and we do this when

we serve the less fortunate from the overabundance God has graciously given us. We are missioned to keep walking through the crowds, serving our hungry sisters and brothers with bread while God keeps refilling the basket with the Bread of Eternal Life.

St. Paul assured the Church in Corinth that the celebration of the Eucharist is no mere human practice, but is the command and will of Jesus as the memorial of his death (1Cor11).

Perhaps because the story of the multiplication of the loaves is also told in the Gospels of Matthew and Mark, the feast of the Body of Christ focus is exclusively on Christ’s presence under the form of Bread.

The second Vatican Council combined this feast with the separate feast of the Blood of Christ into a single celebration, calling it the most holy Body and Blood of Christ.

Every year, on the second Sunday after Pentecost, we

celebrate Jesus’ command to “give them something to eat.”

The sacrament of the Body and Blood of Christ has been revered from the earliest days of the Church, and became a universal feast on the Church calendar in 1264.

This solemnity celebrates God’s graciousness toward us. We are given the grace to recognize the gift of overabundance he freely gives us. We are instructed to share the “bread and fish” in the form of God’s blessings with those around us, in essence, to “give them some food” ourselves.

What a magnificent joy it is for us to be offered the chance to “feed others” during the distribution of his precious Body and Blood at Mass under the form of bread and wine.

This joy is overwhelming, but in the quiet time after Mass, the experience truly leaves us humbled.

Deacon Boucher is a parishioner and is assigned to Corpus Christi Parish in East Sandwich.

Upcoming Daily Readings: Sat. June 5, 2 Tm 4:1-8; Ps 71:8-9,14-15b,16-17,22; Mk 12:38-44. Sun. June 6, The Most Holy Body and Blood of Christ, Gn 14:1820; Ps 110:1-4; 1 Cor 11:23-26; Lk 9:11b-17. Mon. June 7, 1 Kgs 17:1-6; Ps 121:1b-8; Mt 5:1-12. Tues. June 8, 1 Kgs 17:7-16; Ps 4:2-5, 7b-8; Mt 5:13-16. Wed. June 9, 1 Kgs 18:20-39; Ps 16:1-2ab,4-5ab,8,11; Mt 5:17-19. Thur. June 10, 1 Kgs 18:41-46; Ps 65:10-13; Mt 5:20-26. Fri. June 11, The Most Sacred Heart of Jesus, Ez 34:11-16; Ps 23:1-6; Rom 5:5b-11; Lk 15:3-7.

I

n November 2007, George Misulia, a Catholic layman who lives in Mount Airy, Md., was lying in bed, recovering from fractured vertebrae suffered during a bad accident and wondering what he might do to support Catholics defending America in the armed services.

There are 1.5 million Catholics in the armed forces of the United States today; their 300 chaplains are stretched very thin across a vast number of deployment areas and overseas bases.

Some soldiers, sailors, airmen, and Marines go for months on end without seeing a chaplain or being able to participate fully in the sacramental life of the

Operation Let the Fire Fall

Church — often at moments be able to do something to enof great spiritual vulnerabilhance the worship of Catholics ity when their lives are on the in the military by some judiline. Units that don’t have their cious deployment of modern chaplain are often served by technology: “It occurred to me lay leaders trained in what are that an iPod, loaded with quality called “Catholic Lay Services in liturgical music, combined with the Absence of a Priest.”

Bible studies and other forms of paraliturgical worship are also used when a chaplain is unavailable.

George Misulia

By George Weigel couldn’t do much about the chaplain shortage — one result of the overall a Bose portable SoundDock, priest-shortage in the United could enrich Masses on ships, States, but a particularly sad in the field, even in combat one. Still, he thought, he might zones. By adding a website with downloadable music, lyrics and other inspirational material, we could provide a quality resource to support our heroic Catholic military personnel around the world, even in the most remote places.”

And so, with the help of a few friends, Operation Let the Fire Fall was born. The first “FireBox” unit was sent to Thule Air Force Base in Greenland in September 2008. Catholics at Thule see a priest perhaps twice a year. But with the FireBox equipment supplementing the “Catholic Lay Service,” the Catholics at Thule began gather-

The Catholic Difference

ing weekly for prayer. Since that modest beginning at the top of the world, Operation Let the Fire Fall has deployed FireBox units and supporting materials around the world, to Turkey, Iraq, Afghanistan, Egypt and other sites. Chaplains in all branches of the service have eagerly embraced Operation Let the Fire Fall, as have Archbishop Timothy Broglio of the Archdiocese of the Military Services and his predecessor, Archbishop Edwin O’Brien, now archbishop of Baltimore.

According to Misulia, the music chosen for the FireBox units is aimed at “supporting singing at Masses and a variety of Catholic lay prayer services in the absence of a priest.” The aim is not entertainment or diversion, but “prayerful participation,” and the music chosen includes traditional hymns (happily ungelded by that great hymn-wrecker, “Alt.”) and newer compositions that are, as Misulia put it to me, “scripturally based, theologically sound, and ‘God-centered’ rather than ‘we-centered’… [including] Communion hymns [that] focus on the Real Presence.” (One of the vicars general of the Archdiocese for

the Military Services, who had best remain anonymous, made it clear that there were limits to his sense of musical ecumenism: “If I hear ‘Gather Us In’ one more time I’m going to jump out a window.” May his tribe increase.

Operation Let the Fire Fall cannot substitute for an increase in the chaplain corps, and doesn’t pretend to do so. Its aims are modest, but nonetheless important for their modesty: given the circumstances we’ve got, which dictate that Catholics in the armed services are often deprived of a normal sacramental life, sometimes for months on end, it ought to be possible to enhance the opportunities for regular worship that can be created, by overstretched chaplains and dedicated lay leaders. And if Operation Let the Fire Fall does that, it may help bring out of the service a rich harvest of priestly vocations, which could then reinforce the chaplain corps.

Want to know more? Go to Operation Let the Fire Fall’s website, www.oltff.com. It’s a project worth learning about, following and supporting.

George Weigel is Distinguished Senior Fellow of the Ethics and Public Policy Center in Washington, D.C.

June 4, 2010

Squirrel stew

Monday 31 May 2010 — at place of Memorial Day, based on home in Old Dighton Village — a documented observance on 5 Memorial Day May 1866. I suspect the claim is oin me, dear readers, for tenuous. a timely reflection on the With the place of origin origin, development and meaning of Memorial Day. In a strange case of cultural amnesia, it seems the background of our Reflections of a Memorial Day has largely Parish Priest been forgotten. Allow me to clarify.

By Father Tim More than two dozen Goldrick communities claim to have originated Memorial Day. Among these are Boalsburg contested, let’s turn to the date. and Philadelphia, Penn.; Jackson In 1968, United States Law No. and Columbus, Miss.; Hopkinton, 90-363 established Memorial Day Iowa; and Arlington Heights, as the last Monday in May (31 Richmond, and Petersburg, Va. May this year.) That would appear A joint resolution of Congress to settle the matter. It doesn’t. declared Waterloo, N.Y., the birth- Among others, the Veterans of

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The Ship’s Log

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The Anchor Foreign Wars and the Sons of Union Veterans of the Civil War (my great-aunt Phyllis was the national president of the women’s auxiliary) still lobby for a return to the traditional date of May 30.

Even May 30 was never universal. Not all states are on the same page. In the rural South, for example, people want to honor those who gave their lives for the Confederacy, but not necessarily on the same day as those who died for the Union. Some states observe a “Confederate Memorial Day” on April 26, May 10, June 9, etc. Confused yet?

Memorial Day and Confederate Memorial Day are occasion for family reunions, tent meetings,

They’re going to do it anyway

model Waris Durie, who immihere is an interesting grated to England as a teengame that kids play with ager, explains: “The prevailing each other that begins, “Would wisdom in Somalia is that there you rather …?” The choice is are bad things between a girl’s inevitably between two horrible legs, a woman is considered options, like dying by freezing dirty, oversexed and unmaror roasting, or being covered riageable unless those parts with bee stings versus walking — the clitoris, the labia minora, through lava. The creativity is and most of the labia majora — astounding, as one wonders are removed. Then the wound how they think of such ordeals. is stitched shut, leaving only a Adults occasionally play the small opening and a scar where same game, though with less the genitals had been — a pracimaginative options. Since their tice called infibulation.” She teen-agers are faced with many was mutilated at the age of five kinds of life-impacting options, in a typical fashion — outdoors parents have been known to allow sexual activity in their own homes versus risking germs elsewhere, or hosting sleepovers after drinking parties rather than allowing the kids to drive under the influBy Genevieve Kineke ence.

Larger institutions are also participants in the brush, without anesthesia in such games, offering free while being held down by her needles to addicts to minimize mother. the escalation of various disBetween four and five million eases and distributing condoms girls suffer this every year — not to kids to cut back on unwanted only throughout Africa, Asia pregnancies. The various risks and the Middle East, but also are balanced, the price of in Europe and America which each outcome is weighed, and host countless immigrants. strategies are chosen to contain Afterwards, they will only know cost and kill fewer people. (Of course, the unborn don’t count). suffering during intimacy and be subject to the related health Thus, some were less problems until death. The shocked when the American procedure has been outlawed in Academy of Pediatrics attemptSweden, Norway, Australia, and ed to mitigate its condemnation the United Kingdom, as well as of female genital mutilation the U.S. in 1996.

(FGM) practiced by certain While the pediatric commuethnic groups in this country. nity stated in 1998, “The AAP Indeed, the AAP moved to acopposes all forms of FGM, commodate the firm belief held counsels its members not to by some that young girls had to perform such ritual procedures, be physically altered in order to and encourages the developcontrol their sexuality. ment of community educaFirst, the details about this tional programs for immigrant abominable practice. Super-

The Feminine Genius

populations,” they changed their mind in 2010, recently noting that since families were determined to take their daughters back to their country of origin to undergo the procedure, doctors could offer a “ritual nick” in the girls’ genital area to honor the cultural norm.

A firestorm of outrage ensued, as many women’s organizations noted that the AAP’s language has been softened to liken the mutilation of girls to the standard practice of circumcision in boys (which it is not) or a mere rite of passage. Clearly, the infibulation that takes place is meant to disable a perfectly normal function based on the fundamental premise that women’s very sexuality is the root cause of sexual sin. So vehement was the protest that the AAP backed down within weeks, and retracted their proposed change in policy.

Still, we see that many are increasingly uncomfortable with defending the moral high ground, and prefer to settle for limiting the consequences of very bad choices. Whenever those laws that are intended to advance the dignity of women (and thereby reject misogyny) are watered down, the legitimate rights of all women are understood to be negotiable.

Furthermore, immigrants recognize that circumventing existing laws is entirely acceptable when deemed necessary.

As usual in the game of “Would you rather …?” both options offered are very bad.

Mrs. Kineke is the author of “The Authentic Catholic Woman” (Servant Books) and associate editor of woman. catholicexchange.com.

political speeches, and picnics (more elegantly called dining-onthe-ground in the South.) It begins the season of outdoor activities.

It was first called Memorial Day in 1882. The name came into widespread use as recently as the end of World War II, but certainly not everywhere in the country.

Memorial Day wasn’t decreed the official name until 1967. It took another Act of Congress.

Some say that Memorial Day was formerly called “Decoration Day” in particular places.

Decoration Day, they say, honored soldiers who died in the Civil War. Really? Decoration Day could be observed in mid to late summer. It referred to the custom of decorating and tidying the graves of all deceased family members, not just the Civil War dead. Confused yet?

I read in a 1972 issue of “Western Folklore” that in East Texas in the 1930s, Decoration Day could be scheduled for any weekday in July. Nothing memorable happens in East Texas on May 30 (or May 31, for that matter — or maybe never.)

The church service began at about 11 a.m. The names of all in the community who had died the previous year were read aloud in church. The local undertaker provided paper fans for the ladies.

Texas in July is hot.

Following the service and hymn-sing, the traditional meal of savory squirrel stew was served.

Yummy. I am not making this up.

Here’s the recipe.

Ingredients: · 1 squirrel · flour · salt and pepper · 2 1/2 tablespoons butter · 7 cups boiling water · 1 teaspoon thyme · 1 cup of corn · 3 potatoes, cubed · 1/4 teaspoon cayenne · 3 medium onions, sliced · 2 cups canned tomatoes with juice Directions: · Roll squirrel in flour, salt, and

pepper · Brown in butter · Add squirrel and all other ingredients, (with the exception of the tomatoes), to the boiling water, cover, and simmer for 1/2 to 2 hours · Add the tomatoes and continue to simmer another hour Serves two or three (if you can find anyone foolish enough to eat it).

Stewed squirrel is a big reason I never learned to cook. Pass me one of them-there fans, madam; I’m feeling a bit faint.

Our Canadian neighbors honor all citizens whose lives were directly impacted by war (living or deceased, military or civilian) on Remembrance Day. It falls on November 11 (formerly Armistice Day, now Veteran’s Day in the United States.) Confused yet?

November 11 coincides with the signing on the 11th day of the 11th month at the 11th hour the armistice ending World War I. November 11 is also the feast of St. Martin of Tours, patron of soldiers. Armistice/Veteran’s Day and Canadian Remembrance Day are certainly not Memorial Day. On our modern Memorial Day, Veterans of Foreign Wars sell poppies. Parades are held.

Cemeteries are visited. All family graves are honored. (Red geraniums are favored.) American flags are placed on the graves of veterans.

I have a prayer ritual. On Memorial Day (and Veteran’s Day) the alley of the Bourne National Cemetery is lined with large American flags flying half-mast.

It’s a spectacular sight, especially if there’s a breeze. I drive up and down several times while listening to patriotic tunes.

Confused or not, we have an obligation on Memorial Day to honor those who died in the service of our country.

Lest we forget.

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

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Shroud exposition closes with more than two million pilgrims VATICAN CITY (CNS) — With the Shroud of Turin now carefully put away, Church officials said that more than two million pilgrims had come to venerate the linen cloth in the six weeks it was on display.

During the April 10 to May 23 exposition, officials said 2,113,128 people from around the world passed through the Turin cathedral to catch a glimpse or pray before the cloth revered by many Christians as the shroud that covered the body of the crucified Christ.

In a news conference marking the closing of the exposition, Cardinal Severino Poletto of Turin said that he was pleased with the record number of people who came to see the cloth.

“I had the clear perception that the Lord was speaking to the hearts of the pilgrims who came before the shroud seeking answers,” he said.

The shroud “gives us the chance to offer faith in a time of confusion and spiritual fog, reconciling in the word of God,” the cardinal said.

Cardinal Poletto also said in an interview with Vatican Radio that at the exposition pilgrims are given the chance to “contemplate the suffering of Christ, of which the shroud is a mirror, both wonderful and precisely what the Gospel tells

us.”

Pope Benedict XVI went to Turin May 2 to venerate the shroud and celebrate a public Mass. He called the shroud an “extraordinary icon” that had been “written with blood: the blood of a man flagellated, crowned with thorns, crucified and wounded on his right side,” exactly as the Gospels say Jesus was.

The pope said that the shroud was a symbol of the resurrection of Christ, and that “in it we see reflections of our suffering in the suffering of Christ.”

The Vatican has never said that the shroud, a 14-foot-long linen cloth marked by a shadowy image of a man, is actually the burial cloth of Jesus Christ, although many Christians believe it is.

The shroud has been the object of several multidisciplinary scientific analyses, but its exact nature and age remain mysteries. Carbon-14 dating performed on a tiny piece of cloth in 1998 showed that the cloth probably came from medieval times, but some scientists have called that evaluation into question.

The shroud, kept in a special case filled with inert gas to prevent alterations, usually is out of public view in the left transept of the Turin cathedral.

June 4, 2010

Joseph Begnoche, point man for those in need

By Deacon James N. Dunbar

Almeira, inspired me a great deal. So did the FAIRHAVEN — Some people are a per- late Father Louis Boivin, who was a cousin. fect fit for their ministry, whether it is one There were always clergy or nuns coming and handed to them or one they’ve chosen for going in our house.” themselves.

Later his Catholic education would con“I’ve always been able to blend in with the tinue at St. Anne’s School and Sacred Heart people I’m with, and so it is easy for me to School in New Bedford. deal with those who come looking for help After graduation from New Bedford High — whether they’re hungry and need food, or School he joined his father and brothers in the without a place to say or can’t pay the rent,” family’s electric business in the Greater New said Joseph Begnoche, longtime president of Bedford area. the St. Vincent de Paul Society at St. Joseph’s “But in that trade we often had to travel to Parish. where we were needIt’s not so much that ed. We did jobs on the Begnoche might be Cape, in Springfield the perfect chameleon and even in Maine.

— although the years Later on I lived in Bosserving in the army, ton for five years, yet working with Hospice, all the time I stayed and generously proclose to the Church.” viding his talents as Like many others his a licensed electrician age, he landed in the point that out — but U.S. Army as World more because he cares War II developed, and for those around him ended up in the torrid and is always looking South Pacific. out to help them.

Begnoche recalls “It takes time and action against the JapI’ve plenty of that,” anese in the steaming, said Begnoche, ininfested jungle helldustrious and wellholes of Guadalcanal, traveled for most of New Guinea and the his life, much of it folPhilippines. “I never lowing the construcsaw so many Japanese,” tion trades. he recalled. “They were Anchor person of the week — Joseph “But at 91, I don’t Begnoche. (Photo by Kenneth J. Souza) everywhere.” have the stamina I What he did and once had,” he reportwhat he saw made an ed. “I lack energy and so I have to admit I’m impact on him, he acknowledged, and after his limited now in what I can do.” return to the trades following military service “I attend the 8 a.m. daily Mass and go to he became involved part time with the St. VinCommunion at St. Joseph’s, in what used to cent de Paul Society, and also began working be just a five-minute walk away, but now I in Hospice care affiliated with St. Luke’s Hosdrive there. I lead the rosary. After Mass I pital and the County Nurses of Fairhaven. take care of all the things in the parish that “Hospice was quite an experience,” he notneed to be done — especially related to St. ed.

Vincent de Paul activities.”

“One of my responsibilities was to stay He said that in years gone by, when some with cancer patients while members of their electrical tasks were needed at the parish, “I family had to be away for one reason or anwould gather a group of us and go in and get other. I enjoyed that caring ministry, and at it done,” he said proudly. the same time I learned a lot about people According to Sacred Hearts Father Thomas too.”

McElroy, pastor at St. Joseph’s, Begnoche’s Because of those and other life experiences involvement in the parish’s outreach since Begnoche says his bringing Communion to 1972 has been outstanding. the elderly and sick takes on a whole new level “He’s a wonderful man, faith-filled, a daily of care, as does his enjoyable daily interplay communicant, and he transports produce to with his friends in his housing unit. the food pantry and to people who need it and “We also blend well and get on good togethis ready with a check for those who need that er. We play card games. I used to play golf, kind of assistance,” reported Father McElroy. but you need good eyes to play that game. So “He has been an extraordinary minister of that is all behind me,” he said, musingly. holy Communion visiting the homebound, “I thank God he has given me so much, as and when he sees something that needs to be well as the Church to serve, and I’m happy done, it gets done,” the pastor added. doing that for as long as I can,” he said.

It all began at the former St. Jacques Parish As if a second thought, Joe Begnoche addin Taunton, where Begnoche was baptized, ed, “and I feel very privileged and humble to raised, and attended its parish school. think you’d consider me as somebody to write “I’ve always been close to the Church about.” growing up,” he said. “I had the good forTo nominate a Person of the Week, send tune to have had many good people around an email message to: me. My aunt, Sacred Hearts Sister Jean Marie FatherRogerLandry@anchornews.org

June 4, 2010

The Anchor

Mental health needs of earthquake survivors pose risks to Haiti’s recovery WASHINGTON (CNS) — Survivors of Haiti’s January 12 earthquake face growing mental health challenges that pose serious risks to the country’s recovery, said a priestpsychologist working in makeshift tent camps around Haiti’s capital, Port-au-Prince.

“Vulnerable people before January 12 have become more fragile, and their conditions have worsened,” said Father Eddy Eustache, a Haitian priest who directs mental health and psychosocial services for Partners in Health in Haiti. In a May 26 email message to Catholic News Service, he responded to questions about his work.

People are experiencing depression, sleep disorders, anxiety, alcohol and substance abuse, and post-traumatic stress disorder, he said.

Currently, an expanded team of 31 psychologists and social workers working for the Boston-based Partners in Health serves about 80,000 people in four large camps scattered around Port-au-Prince. A team of locally hired assistants scours the camps daily for people in need of mental health services and informs people about symptoms of mental illness.

“Comparing to the hugeness of the needs, the team is small,” Father Eustache said. “But we are not the only (organization) providing psychosocial services.”

The agency also continues its regular counseling programs in the country’s Artibonite and Center departments, north of the capital, where thousands of displaced people have relocated since the earthquake. Local townspeople and rural dwellers face growing difficulties from the influx of newcomers and are turning to the agency for assistance, he said.

Father Eustache and his team have found that being unable to bury a loved one killed in the earthquake is one of the primary triggers of depression and stress.

Thousands of Haitians who died during the 45-second temblor were buried in mass graves in cemeteries and fields outside of the city. Many were buried without family members or friends knowing their whereabouts.

“The mourning and grieving process at that point was blocked with the flow of emotions,” Father Eustache explained.

To help people cope, Father Eustache created a memorial ceremony

for people “where emotional expression is allowed and Christian hope, faith are enhanced to alleviate the burden of sorrow.”

“Many people tend to misunderstand the two concepts — spiritual and religious.

(Some are) trying to scare survivors” to think they are “being punished by God through the earthquake. In my interventions I’m always having in mind: catholic, meaning universal, i.e. for all,” he wrote.

More than four months after the earthquake, the ceremonies continue in the camps, he said.

The priest cited the needs of sick children and people who lost limbs in the disaster as those who pose particular challenges to his staff. Many children — Partners in Health does not track numbers — have been orphaned or abandoned to fend for themselves in the aftermath of the quake.

UNICEF works with Partners in Health to find safe shelter for abandoned and homeless children in a foster family or an orphanage.

Father Eustache said that, since the earthquake, he has noticed that Haitian Health Ministry officials have changed their views on the importance of mental health services. Recent discussions between Minister of Health Alex Larsen and Father Eustache have focused on structuring publicly funded mental health programs to continue the services offered since the disaster.

At the same time, Father Eustache expressed concern about the future, writing that if conditions remain largely unchanged for people in the camps, their tolerance of their situation might begin to wane.

Information about earthquake aid efforts from Partners in Health can be found online at www.standwithhaiti.org.

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June 4, 2010

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

Celebrant is Father Christopher Santangelo, SS.CC., pastor of Our Lady of the Assumption Parish in New Bedford

Our Lady’s Monthly Message From Medjugorje May 25, 2010 Medjugorje, Bosnia-Herzegovina “Dear children! God gave you the grace to live and to defend all the good that is in you and around you, and to inspire others to be better and holier; but Satan, too, does not sleep and through modernism diverts you and leads you to his way. Therefore, little children, in the love for my Immaculate Heart, love God above everything and live His commandments. In this way, your life will have meaning and peace will rule on earth.

“Thank you for having responded to my call.”

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ogre and out — Scene from animated movie “Shrek Forever After.” For a brief review of this film, see CNS Movie Capsules below. (CNS photo/DreamWorks)

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

“Prince of Persia: The Sands of Time” (Disney) Plodding adaptation of the eponymous videogame series pits a heroic orphan (Jake Gyllenhaal) against his adopted royal uncle (Ben Kingsley) as he helps a princess (Gemma Arterton) safeguard a time-altering dagger that has the potential to destroy humankind. Hyperactive camerawork and frenetic special effects squash any authentically human elements that director Mike Newell might have brought to the loud, flashy proceedings, while the script’s presentation of

religion involves an uneasy mix of pagan mythology and vague monotheism. Frequent, moderately intense violence, a number of frightening images, some sexual innuendo. The Catholic News Service classification is A-II — adults and adolescents.

The Motion Picture Association of America rating is The Motion Picture Association of America rating is PG-13 — parents strongly cautioned. Some material may be inappropriate for children under 13.

“Just Wright” (Fox Searchlight) This appealing, seamless blend of the best elements of both romantic comedy and inspirational sports films charts the triangular love story of a hardworking physical therapist (Queen Latifah), a professional basketball star (rapper Common) and the attractive but shallow material girl (Paula Patton) who is both her “godsister” and his fiancee. Director Sanaa Hamri and screenwriter Michael Elliot use the lightest of touches to create a warm, likable environment and convey a message about relationships founded on enduring values. Probably acceptable for more mature teens. A single use of rough language, an implied premarital encounter. The Catholic News Service classification is A-II — adults and adolescents.

The Motion Picture Association of America rating is PG — parental guidance suggested. Some material may not be suitable for children.

“MacGruber” (Rogue) Juvenile, tasteless action spoof in which a cocky but disastrously incompetent special agent (Will Forte) is called out of retirement by his former commander (Powers Boothe) to foil a plot by an evil arms dealer (Val Kilmer) to nuke Washington, gaining the aid of an Army lieutenant (Ryan

Phillippe) and an undercover operative-turned-pop-singer (Kristen Wiig) along the way. Director and co-writer Jorma Taccone’s expansion of a recurring “Saturday Night Live” skit is consistently vulgar and intermittently gruesome. Much gory violence, graphic premarital sexual activity, upper female and rear nudity, frequent sexual and scatological humor, more than a dozen uses of profanity, pervasive rough and crude 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.

“Shrek Forever After” (Paramount) Heartwarming, decidedly less raucous animated riff on fairy tales brings the blockbuster franchise full circle as the titular ogre (voiced by Mike Myers) experiences a midlife crisis and is tricked by an evil wizard (voice of Walt Dohrn) into living a different version of his past, during which he must win his wife’s affections (voiced by Cameron Diaz) all over again and learn to appreciate his current good fortune. Director Mike Mitchell and colleagues downplay the previous installments’ cheeky idiom of pop-culture parody and affirm the values of love and fidelity in a manner that should gladden parents, who can err on the side of being inclusive when judging whether to bring the kids.

A few mild action sequences, occasional toilet-related humor.

The Catholic News Service classification is A-II — adults and adolescents. The Motion Picture Association of America rating is The Motion Picture Association of America rating is PG — parental guidance suggested. Some material may not be suitable for children.

Papal trip to Cyprus will put spotlight on the Middle East

By Cindy Wooden Catholic News Service VATICAN CITY — Just 13 months after he visited the Holy Land, Pope Benedict XVI will give Christians in the Middle East his full attention again as he visits Cyprus June 4-6.

Christians on the small island in the eastern Mediterranean Sea share a biblical heritage with Middle Eastern Christians and face some of the same challenges in finding ways to live in peace and security in a land shared with people from other ethnic and religious groups.

Since 1974, Cyprus, which is about half the size of Connecticut, has been divided. U.N. pe acekeepers patrol a buffer zone between the area controlled by the government of Cyprus and about one-third of the island, which is controlled by Turkish Cypriots.

Negotiations to end the island’s division are continuing — President Demetris Christofias and the recently elected Turkish Cypriot leader Dervis Eroglu met for the first time May 26 — but relations are peaceful enough that tourists and residents cross the buffer zone with relative ease.

A key sticking point in the negotiations is how to convincingly guarantee the full rights of the Turkish Cypriot minority, a predominantly Muslim community, on an island whose population is

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June 4, 2010

predominantly Orthodox Christian.

The question of minority rights, particularly when a large segment of the minority has a different religious tradition, is a concern in many parts of the Middle East. The region’s Catholics also are challenged to improve relations with their Orthodox neighbors and to promote dialogue with fellow citizens who are Muslims.

During the pope’s visit to Cyprus, he will meet with Catholic patriarchs and bishops from throughout the region and give them the working document for the special Synod of Bishops for the Middle East at the Vatican in October.

The theme of the synod is: “Communion and Witness: ‘The Community of Believers Was of One Heart and Mind.’”

Pope Benedict and his hosts will have an opportunity not just to preach unity and cooperation, but also to demonstrate it.

The first event after the official government welcoming cer-

This week in 50 years ago — Bishop James L. Connolly announced that Father Leo T. Sullivan, assistant at Holy Name Parish in New Bedford, would become the administrator of the new St. Ann’s Parish in Raynham. Officially established as a parish on June 7, temporary facilities were provided pending construction of a church building.

25 years ago — Father George W. Coleman, diocesan director of Education for eight-and-a half years, and supervisor of parish Religious Education programs, was honored for his service at a reception at Bishop Connolly High School in Fall River. Father Coleman had recently been named pastor of Corpus Christi Parish in East Sandwich. He would become Bishop of Fall River in 2003.

emony is an ecumenical prayer service at an archaeological park believed to be the spot where the apostles Paul and Barnabas preached in Cyprus, as recounted in the Acts of the Apostles.

The pope also is scheduled to hold a private meeting and luncheon with Orthodox Archbishop Chrysostomos II, head of the Orthodox Church of Cyprus and a strong supporter of Catholic-Orthodox dialogue. The archbishop made an official visit to the Vatican in 2007.

The government of Cyprus estimates the entire island has a population of about 854,000 people; around 76 percent belong to the Greek Cypriot c o m m u n i t y, which is predominantly Orthodox; about 10 percent are Turkish Cypriots, a predominantly Muslim community; and almost 13 percent are foreigners.

The Vatican estimates there are approximately 25,000 Catholics in Cyprus. Most belong to the Maronite Church; the Latin-rite Catholic community is composed of a tiny group of Cypriot Catholics and several thousand foreign workers, particularly from the Philippines and Sri Lanka.

The synod’s outline said the main goals for the October assembly were “to confirm and strengthen Christians in their identity through the word of God and the sacraments, and to deep-

Diocesan history 10 years ago — The “In Support of Life” initiative, a key end-of-life issue aimed at responding to the needs of the dying and the threat of physician-assisted suicide, was being established in parishes throughout the diocese reported Mercy Sister Elaine Heffernan, assistant diocesan coordinator of the program. It was a collaborative effort with the Massachusetts Catholic Council.

One year ago — A “Year for Priests” was proclaimed by Pope Benedict XVI. It was to open on June 19, the feast of the Sacred Heart of Jesus and World Day of Prayer for the Sanctification of Priests. It was to coincide with the 150th anniversary of the death of St. Jean-Baptiste-Marie Vianney, whom the pope called “a true example of a pastor at the service of Christ’s flock.”

en ecclesial communion among the particular churches.”

Another key concern for the Church, expected to be discussed at the synod, is that Christians are emigrating from many areas of the Middle East, including the Holy Land, seeking greater opportunities for their families and more freedom in countries

without all the political tensions found in the Middle East.

Looking at the situation in Cyprus, Pope Benedict’s hosts from both the government and the Christian community are likely to repeat their request that he speak out in defense of Christian churches and monuments in areas controlled by the Turkish Cypriots.

Polish Fest

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“Summertime”

Our Lady of Perpetual Help Church

235 North Front Street, New Bedford, MA

2 DAYS - SAT. & SUN. JUNE 19 & 20 ... CONTINUOUS LIVE ENTERTAINMENT ...

SATURDAY JUNE 19 . 11:00 AM - 8:00 PM 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. & 4 p.m. to 8 p.m.

“Lenny Gomulka & Chicago Push” First time in the Greater New Bedford and South Coast area

SUNDAY JUNE 20 . *Fest* Noon - 5:00 PM

11 a.m. - POLKA MASS in the O.L.P.H. Church People of all Faiths are invited to join us.

Noon to 5 p.m. - The “EDDIE FORMAN” Orchestra from Hadley Falls, MA

Our Famous “POLISH KITCHEN” “Pierogi” Booths & Games “Golambki” Fun for the Entire Family BRING YOUR OWN CHAIRS FREE PARKING

The Catholic Response

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June 4, 2010

Canon law guiding Church’s response to clergy sexual abuse

By Dennis Sadowski Catholic News Service WASHINGTON — With roots in the Council of Jerusalem of the first century, canon law is a cumbersome but necessary set of regulations that help Church officials govern the Catholic Church on issues as diverse as clergy sexual abuse and the role of baptized people within Church structure.

In most circumstances, canon law gets little notice even though it influences the faith life of average Catholics more than they might realize. Many of the everyday decisions of priests and bishops and efforts by dioceses to carry out their mission through diverse ministries are guided by the omnipresent Code of Canon Law. Officially, the 1,752 canons guide the actions of bishops, explained Father Kevin McKenna, pastor of Sacred Heart Cathedral in Rochester, N.Y., and a canon

law expert. Under the long-established structure of the Church, it is the bishops who oversee Church operations at the local level and are responsible for all decisions in their diocese.

“Canon law outlines how a bishop is to act and assures their rights and responsibilities,” Father McKenna told journalists gathered May 25 for a daylong seminar at the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops headquarters and co-sponsored by the Canon Law Society of America. “They have a certain measure of autonomy, but it’s relative autonomy, limited by the pope for the unity of the Church.”

Father McKenna and three other canon law experts outlined the development of canon law over 19 centuries until its formalization by the Church in 1917.

The experts also discussed how canon law guides the Church’s response to cases of clergy sexual abuse.

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Father McKenna said canon law is the oldest continually functioning legal system in Western Europe.

The code was revised by the Vatican in 1983 in response to a suggestion that came from Pope John XXIII as he convened the Second Vatican Council.

The time it took for the revisions to be made demonstrates the pace at which the Church functions, each canonist acknowledged.

The canon law structure also can prove to be a bit unwieldy to work under for those outside the hierarchy of the Church, said Father John P. Beal, professor of canon law at The Catholic University of America.

When a serious violation of canon law occurs — such as sexual abuse — the Church handles cases much the same way as a criminal case proceeds in a civil court. Evidence is gathered by the promoter of justice — usually

a priest but not always — whose role is similar to that of a prosecuting attorney. The promoter of justice presents information gathered at a hearing before a diocesan tribunal, or court, of three priest judges.

It may take several hearings over several months for all of the evidence to be presented.

Once the tribunal decides a case, both parties have the right to appeal to the Vatican’s Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith.

Because a case can take months to resolve, silence is imposed on witnesses, Father McKenna explained.

Msgr. Lawrence A. DiNardo, episcopal vicar for canonical services in the Diocese of Pittsburgh, said the imposition of silence, often called pontifical secrecy, is necessary to protect the rights and privacy of both the accuser and the accused. The practice of secrecy was not established because the Church wanted to hide

its shortcomings, he said.

When formal charges are filed against a cleric, they must be proved with moral certitude, a standard that Msgr. DiNardo described as more stringent than the reasonable doubt standard of civil courts.

He explained that the Church can impose one of three penalties on someone who violates canon law. They are called medicinal penalties because they are intended to heal the harm caused by the offense while leading the offender to a return of good standing within the church.

The penalties, all serious, include excommunication, interdict and suspension. Excommunication and interdict can be imposed on anyone while suspension is reserved for clerics.

A cleric also can be dismissed from the clerical state, in Church terms. That decision is left to the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith, he said.

Justice attorney backs Vatican’s immunity from abuse lawsuit WASHINGTON — In one of two cases that seek to draw the Holy See into U.S. courts over liability for sexual abuse by priests, the Obama administration’s solicitor general said lower courts were wrong to conclude that an abuser was acting within “the scope of his employment” and also that as his “employer,” the Vatican could be sued.

In a brief to the Supreme Court, Neal Kumar Katyal, who is acting solicitor general, said the 9th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals erred in finding that the Holy See could be held vicariously liable for sexual abuse committed by a priest because he arguably could be considered an employee of the Vatican.

The Obama administration was asked by the Supreme Court to weigh in on whether the court should accept the case of Holy See v. John Doe, in which an Oregon man seeks to hold the Vatican financially responsible for his sexual abuse by a priest in the 1960s. A decision about whether the court will hear the case could come before the court adjourns in late June or once it resumes work in the fall.

A second case involving a similar effort to sue the Holy See is progressing through a U.S. District Court in Kentucky, where motions filed by the Vatican’s U.S. attorney May 17 argue that the court lacks jurisdiction in the matter.

In the Kentucky case, James O’Bryan, Donald Poppe and Michael Turner want to hold the Vatican liable for actions by bishops in failing to prevent sexual abuse by priests. They argue that the bishops who supervised the abusive priests were employees of the Holy See. Writing about the Oregon case, Katyal’s brief dissected the 9th Circuit and lower court rulings. The 9th Circuit held that the unidentified plaintiff, Doe, had “sufficiently alleged” that the late Father Andrew Ronan, “was an employee of the Holy See acting within the ‘scope of his employment’ under Oregon law,” and that his actions “can be attributed to the Holy See for jurisdictional purposes.”

The one-time Servite priest admitted sexually abusing minors in Ireland and Chicago before he was laicized in 1966. He died in 1992.

The legal arguments revolve around the Foreign Sovereign Im-

munities Act, which protects governments from being hauled into U.S. courts. The law previously has been found to apply to efforts to sue the Holy See, exempting it from facing tort claims.

But in the Oregon case, lower courts found that the state law’s broader definition of what constitutes “scope of employment” could apply in allowing a liability claim against the Holy See to proceed.

The 9th Circuit in its March 2009 ruling agreed with the District Court that because of the way Oregon law defines employment, the priest’s actions fit within an exception to the Foreign Sovereign Immunities Act, so the Holy See is not immune from being sued in this case.

The solicitor general’s brief picked apart the 9th Circuit’s ruling, listing multiple “errors” in how the court concluded that the Holy See was not immune from a legal claim; in how it found that Ronan was arguably acting within the scope of his employment when he allegedly committed sexual abuse; and in how the court used Oregon’s employment law to find an exception to the federal Foreign Sovereign Immunities Act. The brief noted that the request to the Supreme Court to take the case lacks a usual criteria for consideration — conflicting judgments of different lower courts. But while the case does not merit review under that standard, the brief said, the high court might wish to take the case, vacate the lower court’s judgment and send it back for further consideration.

June 4, 2010

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Eucharistic adoration increases across the diocese continued from page one

Holy Trinity Parish, the chapel is open to all.

“We probably have about 140 adorers who fill in during the week,” said Julie Bradley, who coordinates eucharistic adoration in West Harwich with her husband Joel. “In any given week, we have between 15 and 20 hours that are open and need to be filled. We have a core group of people who will fill in the bulk of the hours, and then there’s three or four of us who might have to fill in extra hours ourselves.”

While Bradley said the overnight hours were once the hardest to fill, she’s now finding more slots during the day are being left vacant.

“I just think it’s harder to get younger people to fill in because most work during the day,” she said.

Similar job commitments forced St. Joseph’s Parish in Attleboro to stop offering around-the-clock perpetual adoration in their small, churchbased chapel.

“Three years ago we had to cut back the overnight hours from midnight to 6 a.m.,” said eucharistic adoration coordinator Liesse Lynch.

As a result, the chapel is now only open from 6 a.m. to midnight, Sunday through Thursday, with overnight hours reserved from midnight to 6 a.m. on Friday and Saturday.

“Participation has been pretty steady for the most part,” Lynch said. “We have 80 percent of our hours covered with regular adorers. We probably have about 120 on the list.

There are a lot of people who come in who aren’t signed up to cover specific hours, too.”

While some might say that prayer can be done anywhere at anytime, or that Christ is present to us through the celebration of daily or weekly Masses, adorers say that there’s a personal connection that eucharistic adoration uniquely provides.

“I was looking for guidance from God about my family life and my pastor back then suggested I go to the chapel and pray,” Bradley said. “After I started going, I felt a calling to be there for an hour each week.

I signed up for an hour in the middle of the night. At this point, my husband Joel was not a Catholic. Over the course of the next couple of years, he actually became a convert and he’s since taken over that latenight hour for me. I do a couple of other hours during the week.

I have a part-time job, so I’m also available to fill any open

hours during the week.”

Bradley explained how that one quiet hour every week provides a rare and well-deserved opportunity for people to simply escape the hustle and bustle of their busy lives and think about their relationship to God. “When I’m finally able to get someone of my generation in there, the first thing they comment on is how peaceful and solemn it is,” she said. “They are amazed and there’s no way they would give up their hour now. Once you’re there, you’re committed. If you can stick it out and do the same hour every week, it becomes part of your routine. In many ways it’s the most important hour in my week and I know many other people feel that way, too.”

“People react differently,” said Nason. “Sometimes I see people crying in there. I think there’s a healing component to the experience. I think it can open people to the sacrament of reconciliation, too. I don’t know because we don’t interview the people who attend, but you can imagine everyone who goes there experiences something different.”

For Lynch, the chance to participate in eucharistic adoration on a daily basis has greatly helped to enrich her faith.

“It’s changed my life,” she said. “I’m blessed because we live right around the corner from the church, so I’m there everyday and I don’t know how I would survive without it, really.”

Although it’s sometimes difficult to get people to commit to specific eucharistic adoration hours — especially those overnight slots — everyone agreed the devotion is important and has gained momentum across the diocese.

“We need to have it on a regular basis because we can’t forget God,” Nason said. “He should be number one and everything else follows. It would be nice to see it offered in every parish. I really think we need it to bring peace to our families and to thank Jesus for what God has given us in our lifetime.”

“Everyone’s life is so busy that they’re all afraid to commit to that one hour a week,” Bradley agreed. “But once we get people involved, they are so grateful to be there. It’s such a place of peace, love and trust.”

Lynch noted that neighboring parishes have expressed interest in holding their own eucharistic adoration hours.

“We have a men’s group

from St. John the Evangelist Parish in Attleboro that has taken an hour in our chapel and they’ve really started to develop an awareness and appreciation for eucharistic adoration,” she said.

Although attendance varies from only a couple of adorers at a time to groups of 15

or more, depending on the location, all those who participate in eucharistic adoration at least once a week agree it is an important and fulfilling experience.

“You just have to experience it for yourself, that’s all I can say,” Nason said. “But you have to be open to it, just like St. John Vianney said: ‘When we go before the Blessed Sacrament, let us open our heart;

our good God will open his.

We shall go to him and he will come to us — the one to ask, the other to receive. It will be like a breath from one to the other.’”

“Sitting in that chapel, you just know you’re in the presence of God,” Bradley agreed.

A complete listing of eucharistic adoration hours throughout the diocese can be found on page 19 of this issue.

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Youth Pages

16

dalmatiAn nation — The annual Cabaret at St. John the Evangelist School in Attleboro was held recently. Musical acts, comedy routines, dancing and skits were performed by students, faculty and other members of St. John’s School community. Shown are students performing in an act from the popular children’s movie “101 Dalmatians.” Front, from left: Seamus Sutula, Amanda Rego, Lauren Bessette, Savannah Blanchard, Julia Listro, and Emma Blazejewski. Middle: Katelyn Pencarski and Erin D’Angelo. Back: Olivia Baker, Katherine Quinn, Isaiah O’Sullivan, Alec Eaton, and Emily Billard. At center is Madison Tager.

mother’s day — Pre-K through grade eight students at St. Pius X School, South Yarmouth, recently celebrated Our Blessed Mother in prayer and song during the Crowning of Mary.

mary’s month — Students at St. Francis Xavier Preparatory School in Hyannis recently held its annual May Crowning.

Correction The photo in last week’s Anchor of students from Holy Name School in Fall River, were actually from Holy Trinity School in Fall River. The Anchor regrets the error.

with great care — In recognition of her contributions to students with special needs, St. Vincent’s Home staff member Rachele Foley received the 2010 Albert E. Trieschman Memorial Award for Exceptional Direct Service to Children from the Massachusetts Association of 766 Approved Private Schools. Foley began her career at St. Vincent’s as a childcare worker 15 years ago. Since that time she has progressed through many positions. From left: MAAPS Executive Director James Major, Foley, and MAAPS Board President David Drake.

June 4, 2010

queen for a day — Students in grades six through eight at St. Mary’s School in New Bedford recently completed an assignment for Social Studies called “The Living Wax Museum.” Students were required to research a person from history presenting their reports dressed in character. Here a student portrays Queen Nefertiti.

easy as pi — The seventh-grade pre-algebra class at St. Mary-Sacred Heart School, North Attleboro, recently held a special celebration in honor of Pi, the all important 3.14. Here, Julia Morris and Emily O’Heir twirl their hula-hoops and then measured the distance that it traveled using the correct formula involving Pi.

W

here has all the time gone?

Parents, teachers and Faith Formation teams are asking themselves that very question. It is the time of year when that question leaves the lips of so many adults. It is the time our young people begin spreading their wings as they leave the adolescent years behind them and soar into the new era ahead of them. As graduations take place all over the diocese in the coming weeks, our high school seniors-soon-to-be-graduates are preparing to enter their young adult years.

Congratulations, graduates!

As parents, role models and Faith Formation leaders, it is our prayer that these bright, young men and women (for they are no longer kids) enter their young adult years not only with their academic knowledge and life experiences but also firm in their faith.

“Will they make the right choices?”

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Youth Pages

June 4, 2010

From age to age

munities. These young men “Will they attend Mass and women began nurturing every week?”

“Will they connect to their the seeds of faith planted by their parents, pastors, DREs college’s campus ministry and youth ministers and will program?” be the ones to lead the young “Will they this?”

Church into this new age.

“Will they that?”

“Where has all the time gone?”

“Have I prepared them enough?”

“Have we prepared them enough?”

While excitement

By Crystal Medeiros and anticipation flows through the veins of our young adults, fear, hope and angst flow through the veins Other young adults, in the quest to find out exactly who of parents and leaders.

As our young people enter they are, will try to cast off those seeds but what they the world for the first time may not realize is that all as young adults, we — the young-at-heart adults in their it takes is for one tiny little seed to take root. After all, lives — have to trust in the it only takes one seed to find seeds that we have planted. its way to fertile soil and Some of those seeds have then grow and flourish. It already taken root. Two just may take a little longer weeks ago we witnessed 54 of our teen-agers receive the than others.

These young adults emannual Pope St. Pius X Youth bark on a new journey that Award for dedicated service will take them from their age to their parishes and com-

Be Not Afraid

of adolescence to the age of young adulthood. Although they see their journey as an independent one, they will need the support of their families and leaders. But this new age is not only for our young adults, because the youngat-heart adults move into a new age all our own. Our role is a much more supportive one. It is the role we take as we watch our young adults from the sidelines as they fumble and stumble their way through adulthood.

Often this is a difficult role for both young adults and young-at-heart adults to navigate. But as both groups of adults chart their new courses as they move from age to age, their compass remains the same.

It is the compass that points directly to Christ.

Will our young people always make the right choices?

Will they all lead a perfect

life? Of course not. We all stumble. We all make mistakes. It is a part of life. It is what makes us human. But it is our humanity that Christ embraces. It is our humanity that he died for. His love for us is greater than any human love we could possibly understand. He loves us with a divine love and because of that, he is there waiting for us and our young people, with open arms — the seeds simply have to take root so that we and they become willing to be embraced by him.

Will the seeds we have planted in our young adults grow and flourish in their young adulthood? Only God truly knows the answer to that. But we can guide them from this age to the next.

Just give them the compass that points due Christ.

Crystal is assistant director for Youth & Young Adult Ministry for the diocese. She can be contacted at cmedeiros@dfrcec.com.

Bishop Connolly language students acknowledged for highest achievements FALL RIVER — The World Language Department at Bishop Connolly High School recently held its annual induction ceremony.

Susan Silvia, chairman of the Language Department, announced the following inductees: Madelaine Duarte, Mary Catherine Maher and Japheth Omonira were inducted into the Société Honoraire de Français.

Brianna Aguiar, Ashley Alves, Chelsea Dagen, Julianne Earle, Amy Marques, Matthew Messier and Amanda Tavares were inducted into the Sociedade

reaching for the stars — Last year’s participants in the highly successful John Paul II High School Summer Leadership Academy in Hyannis.

Second annual Summer Leadership Academy at JPII High School applications now being accepted HYANNIS — Pope John Paul II High School will conduct the second annual Summer Leadership Academy for students who have completed seventh or eighth grade.

This is an exceptional summer program designed to enhance students’ leadership, math and science skills, and prepare them for success in high school and beyond. The three-week program runs from Monday through

Thursday, 8 a.m. to 12 p.m., starting on June 28 and ending on July 15.

Participants will develop leadership skills based on Steven and Sean Covey’s “Seven Habits of Highly Successful Teens.” They will enhance skills and create strategies for success in high school math. Finally, students will explore scientific applications using mathematical theory.

Students who attended the

Summer Leadership Academy last year were enthusiastic about their experience.

Pope John Paul II High School’s math and science faculty, administration, and College of the Holy Cross summer interns will provide instruction and mentor the participants.

Applications and further information are available online at www. pjp2hs.org, at the high school, or by calling 508-862-6336.

Honoraria Portuguesa.

Erica DeMello, Emily Dyer, Kristyn Furtado, Blaine Honohan, Peter Le, Sarah Moniz, Robyn Perry and Bethany Taylor became members of the Sociedad Honoraria Hispanica.

For the past two years, these students have maintained an A- average in their language and a minimum of a 3.0 GPA overall.

The honored students and their families were also addressed by the Principal Michael Scanlan. A reception followed the ceremony.

The Anchor is always pleased to run news and photos about our diocesan youth.

If schools or parish Religious Education programs have newsworthy stories and photos they would like to share with our readers, send them to: schools@anchornews.org

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The Anchor

June 4, 2010

Kagan nomination spurs fears among family and life advocates

Hands-on approach to connect with God

continued from page one

continued from page one

tive director of Catholic Citizenship, told The Anchor in a written statement that Kagan’s views are not consistent with Catholic Pro-Life values.

“While we have much to learn about Elena Kagan, we can make reasonable inference — through past writings and the legal philosophy of those with whom she’s been associated — that she would not support limiting abortions,” she said.

In a May 19 email, Massachusetts Citizens for Life said, “Kagan has shown she will use the Court to advance her agenda rather than to apply the Constitution.”

Kagan has been endorsed by many pro-abortion groups, including Planned Parenthood, the National Organization for Women, National Abortion Rights Action League and EMILY’s List.

After the Leadership Conference of Civil and Human Rights endorsed Kagan, the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops ceased its alliance with the group, stating that the coalition had “moved beyond” traditional civil rights advocacy.

In a May 19 statement, Bishop William Murphy said the coalition now advocates “positions which do not reflect the principles and policies of the bishops’ conference.” Murphy, bishop of the Diocese of Rockville Centre in New York, serves as chairman of the USCCB Committee on Domestic Justice and Peace.

Groups that support samesex marriage have also endorsed Kagan. Arline Isaacson, co-chairman of the Massachusetts Gay & Lesbian Political Caucus, told local news media that she sees Kagan as an advocate for homosexuals.

“Her reputation of being a consensus builder could be invaluable to us. We need, after all, justices who can talk to the ‘Scalias’ of the world and try to show them the humanity of gay people, show them why we deserve marriage equality,” she said, referring to Justice Antonin Scalia, a Catholic known for his conservatism.

In an email to supporters on May 10, National Organization for Marriage president Brian Brown said that given the opportunity, Kagan would overturn California’s traditional marriage law and the federal Defense of Marriage Act (DOMA). Challenges to both laws are making their way through the court system.

“A vote for Elena Kagan will be a vote for imposing gay marriage on all 50 states,” he wrote.

Brown said that as solicitor general, Kagan sabotaged DOMA by amending a brief to omit the main legal rational for traditional marriage, procreation. Further, the brief said the government has no legitimate interest in “creating a legal structure that promotes the raising of children by both of their biological parents.”

The brief went on to say,

“With respect to the merits, this administration does not support DOMA as a matter of policy, believes that it is discriminatory and supports its repeal.”

Brown wrote, “Her apparent ‘defense’ of DOMA was designed to — and in fact will — undermine the law in federal courts, paving the way for a federal constitutional right to same-sex marriage.”

Kagan also opposes the military’s “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell” policy. Kris Mineau, president of the Massachusetts Family Institute, told supporters in a May 25 email, “This is a dangerous view not only because Kagan shows her preference to the gay agenda, but because she believes that she knows better than the American military’s leadership how to lead the military. This is an important signal of how she’ll behave on the Court.”

On the alumni “Spotlight” section of Harvard Law School’s website, current law school dean Martha Minow called Kagan “a leader of tremendous vision.” Minow added that Kagan was an “astonishingly effective” law school dean who put students first, renovated the curriculum and expanded the faculty.

Kagan was the first woman to be dean of Harvard Law School. She is also the first female solicitor general, and if her nomination to the Supreme Court is confirmed, for the first time there will be three women serving on the bench at the same time.

At her nomination on May 10, Kagan said, “The Court is an extraordinary institution in the work it does and in the work it can do for the American people, by advancing the tenets of our Constitution, by upholding the rule of law and by enabling all Americans, regardless of their background or their beliefs, to get a fair hearing and an equal chance at justice.”

President of the Cape Cod Family Life Alliance Patricia Stebbins, told The Anchor that her misgivings about the nomination stem from Kagan’s partiality to anti-family, anti-life values.

Stebbins, who also serves as chairman of the Corpus Christi Respect Life Committee, said, “My very grave concerns are that when she is so vigorously pro-gay marriage and proabortion, she will not be able to temper her views when she’s making decisions concerning these issues.”

“I first encountered the Catechesis of the Good Shepherd while on a trip to Arizona,” Father Nagle told The Anchor. “I really liked what I saw, and when I returned, I researched how to have my religious educators trained in the program.”

That was nearly a dozen years ago.

“Five years ago, I learned that the Aquinas Institute was offering the first master’s program in this method,” he continued. “I learned much of the studies could be done online, and thought it was a great idea to enroll. There was so much more about the program that I wanted and needed to know.”

Following four years of “intensive study,” Father Nagle traveled last month to the Gateway to the West, for graduation ceremonies.

He was trained and certified in all three levels of the program: ages three-five; six-eight; and nine-12.

He also received academic training in theology and Scripture. “I came away with a better understanding of everything I learned,” he said.

“The heart of the Good Shepherd program is to help children experience God through Scripture and prayers,” said Father Nagle.

“They learn to pay attention to God in their lives. It’s important to start when they’re young. At age three the children can start to build a connection and a relationship with God. Then that relationship and connection can continue as they grow older and mature.”

In his studies, Father Nagle learned how to present the lessons to the various age groups, how to prepare lesson plans based on the liturgical seasons, and what materials should be incorporated into each lesson.

“There is no textbook,” he said.

“It’s all based on Scripture, such as the parables, the life of Christ, the sacraments, and the Mass. What the children see at Mass is reinforced at their catechesis. And in the nine to 12 group, the lessons are from the Old Testament. It’s quite challenging, but quite rewarding.”

Father Nagle cited an example of a lesson for the three- to fiveyear-olds. “Take the story of Jesus as the Good Shepherd,” he said.

“The children hear the scriptural account, then in diorama form, they see the shepherd and his sheep. The witness how the sheep follow the shepherd, and by visualizing the scene, they can more easily associate Jesus as the Good Shepherd, and themselves as his sheep. How we must follow our shepherd.”

In instances when learning about baptism, a baptismal font will be in the atrium. When learning about the Mass, a small altar and the materials used in the liturgy are there to see and touch.

“The children hear, then can use their hands and touch the materials as they see the stories unfold. After

they learn the lesson, they’re encouraged to act it out on their own.

It’s amazing how much they enjoy the lessons.”

The classes on the Island last an hour-and-a-half each Sunday during the school year.

“It’s exciting to walk into a classroom and see the students engrossed in the lesson,” said Father Nagle. “They’re quiet and at work.

It’s an amazing transformation as they focus on God in their lives.

The parents are very happy with the program. They tell me that they can see the value of the lessons their children are receiving.”

Father Nagle admitted that it takes a great deal of work and preparation to get the Catechesis of the Good Shepherd program off the ground, but it is well worth the investment in the future of the young faithful.

“There is a lot of training involved for the catechists, and each atrium has to be equipped with the proper materials,” he said. “But once that is complete, it’s there to use over and over again. I would recommend this program to anyone. I find that the conventional Religious Education classes are strictly informational. There is no connection, no experiences for the children to encounter. Not so with the Good Shepherd program.”

The classes on the Vineyard have approximately 10-15 students.

“Martha Rheaume, our director of Catechesis, is a certified trainer, and she’s been training our teachers,” he said. “Father Tom Lopes, now retired and assisting at Good Shepherd Parish has been helping us out with the program, and Father John Gomes came over to witness how we do things, and he was very impressed.”

Since its humble beginnings in 1954, the Catechesis of the Good Shepherd program has grown rapidly and spread to 35 countries. In 1984, the National Association of the Catechesis of the Good Shepherd was founded in the U.S. and continually supports and certifies individuals in the program.

According to its website, the National Association will “assist the involvement of adults and children in a common religious experience in which the religious values of childhood predominate. Our mission is to support catechists, parents and others in the Church and beyond, as they grow in their understanding of the religious potential of children.”

The minds of children at Good Shepherd Parish on the Island of Martha’s Vineyard are absorbing the great love God has for them, and are having a great time in the process. “By learning this way, I’m confident these young people will carry their connection with God into their adult lives,” said Father Nagle.

Pope calls for greater ethics, solidarity in world economy VATICAN CITY — Pope Benedict XVI called for the universal recognition of a set of values aimed at promoting the common good of humanity in social and economic development projects.

The pope also called on politicians and legislators to develop ethically based oversight in finance to prevent the “irresponsible speculation,” which he said was the root of the current economic crisis.

Pope Benedict made his remarks May 22 to members of the Centesimus Annus Pro Pontifice Foundation, which seeks to implement the Catholic social teaching presented in Pope John Paul II’s 1991 encyclical, “Centesimus Annus.”

The pope told participants that “the common good is the end that gives meaning to progress and development,” otherwise “consumerism, waste, poverty and imbalances prevail.”

The difficulty many people are suffering in today’s economic climate “is due to a lack of trust and adequate inspiration for creative and dynamic solidarity aimed at the common good,” he said.

The pope said ethical values to govern the financial markets should be spelled out in an orderly way and respected and promoted by national and international institutions.

“In view of the development of a whole family of peoples,” he said, “the establishment of a real classification of values is fundamental.”

Only with proper ordering of priorities for the common good is it possible to know what type of development should be promoted, he said.

The priorities must include solidarity and assistance, and should encourage interdependence between the state, society and the market, the pope said. Moral and spiritual values top the list, he said.

Wealthier countries have a responsibility to assist countries with

In Your Prayers

Please pray for these priests during the coming weeks June 8 Rev. John S. Czerwonka, Assistant, St. Stanislaus, Fall River, 1961 June 9 Rev. Timothy J. Calnen, Pastor, St. Joseph, Woods Hole, 1945 Rev. Joseph S. Larue, Pastor, Sacred Heart, North Attleboro, 1966 June 10 Rev. William H. Curley, Pastor, SS. Peter & Paul, Fall River, 1915 Rev. George A. Meade, Chaplain, St. Mary’s Home, New Bedford, 1949 June 11 Rev. Msgr. Augusto L. Furtado, Retired Pastor, St. John of God, Somerset, 1973 Rev. Richard J. Wolf, S.J., Bishop Connolly High School, Fall River, 1986 June 12 Rev. Thomas H. Taylor, Pastor, Immaculate Conception, Taunton, 1966 June 13 Rev. Edward F. Donahue, S.J., Boston College High School, Dorchester, 1974 Rev. Henry F. Bourgeois, C.S.C., 2004

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June 4, 2010

weaker institutions and socioeconomic situations not only with material aid, but also with support for their efforts to reach the democratic objectives of rule of law, equitable public security and respect for human rights, he said.

In a world marked by diversity between peoples and religions, a well-integrated development policy can move forward only with the

contribution of everyone, he said.

Religions are important players because they can teach “brotherhood and peace and how to give space to transcendence in societies marked by secularization,” the pope said. The exclusion of religion from civil society and religious fundamentalism are detrimental to a fruitful meeting of peoples and to progress, Pope Benedict said.

Around the Diocese 6/4

St. Patrick’s Parish, 82 High Street, Wareham, will host 40 hours devotion to the Blessed Sacrament in honor of the feast of Corpus Christi beginning today at 8 a.m. and continuing until midnight Sunday. For more information call 508-295-2411.

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Our Lady’s Haven, 71 Center Street, Fairhaven, will host a Plant Sale tomorrow from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. featuring a variety of annual and perennial plants, vegetables, house plants, seeds and bulbs.

Sacred Heart Parish, corner of Seabury and Pine streets, Fall River, is holding a “Giant Indoor Yard Sale” tomorrow from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. to benefit the church.

A Day with Mary will be held tomorrow at Our Lady of Grace Parish, 569 Sanford Road, Westport, beginning at 7:50 a.m. The event will include a Mass of Our Lady with Father Horace Travassos, pastor, celebrated at 10 a.m. For information call 508-674-6271.

6/5

St. John the Baptist Parish, corner of County and Wing streets, New Bedford, is hosting a Ministry Fair and Registration Drive tomorrow from 3 to 6 p.m. and on Sunday from 8:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Come learn about the ministries available at the first Portuguese Catholic parish in North America. For more information call 508-992-7727.

6/5

The South Coast Community Chorale will be performing for the first time at St. Jude the Apostle Parish, 249 Whittenton Street, Taunton Sunday at 2 p.m.

The concert will be conducted by Frank Wilhelm and will feature Mozart’s “Missa Brevis in F,” choral highlights from “Jersey Boys” and “The Beatles in Revue.” Tickets will be available at the door.

6/5

The feast of Corpus Christi will be celebrated at Our Lady’s Chapel, New Bedford, with a procession of the Blessed Sacrament starting at 2 p.m. on Sunday.

During the procession participants will be singing hymns and reciting the rosary in English and Portuguese. For more information call 508-994-5035.

6/5

The feast of the Holy Spirit will take place Sunday beginning with a procession at 9:30 a.m. from 154 Leawood Lane, Attleboro, to Holy Ghost Church, 71 Linden Street, Attleboro, where Mass will be celebrated at 11 a.m. Traditional free sopas will be served in the church hall following Mass. For more information call 508226-1115.

6/8

The next meeting of the Catholic Cancer Support Group will be June 8 at Our Lady of Victory Parish, Centerville, beginning with a Mass and anointing of the sick at 7 p.m. in the church. Meeting and social hour will follow Mass in the parish center. For more information call 508-771-1106.

6/10 6/11 6/19

A Healing Mass will be celebrated June 10 at 6:30 p.m. at St. Anne’s Church, Fall River. Rosary will be recited at 6 p.m. with Benediction and healing prayers following Mass.

St. Stanislaus Parish, 36 Rockland Street, Fall River, will host its Polish Festival June 11 from 5 to 9 p.m., June 12 from 5 to 9 p.m., and June 13 from 12 to 5 p.m. For more information visit www.SaintStansFestival.com.

The Attleboro Women’s Center is sponsoring the third annual Attleboro Walk for Life June 19 at 10 a.m. beginning at Capron Park. The proceeds will benefit the new pregnancy resource center in Attleboro. Registration forms to sign up pledge sponsors are available at area churches.

Eucharistic Adoration in the Diocese 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 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 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.

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.

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.

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 508-336-5549.

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 — Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament takes place every First Friday at Annunciation of the Lord Church, 31 First Street, immediately following the 8 a.m.

Mass and continues throughout the day. Confessions are heard from 5:15 to 6:15 p.m., concluding with recitation of the rosary and Benediction at 6:30 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 — Beginning in May, 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. 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

The Anchor

June 4, 2010

the birth of a parish — Faithful from the former St. Stephen’s Parish in Attleboro and St. Mary’s Parish in Seekonk gathered May 22 for the inaugural Mass of Our Lady Queen of Martyrs Parish at the former St. Mary’s Church. At right, parishioners of the newly-formed parish gathered for a post-Mass get together.

(Photos by L’Etoile Photography)

It was bigger than the games

I

t’s considered by many as from powerhouse University of the “fastest growing sport in Virginia. Unfortunately, not for America.” Lacrosse is played by pleasant reasons. men and women, boys and girls, Just prior to the playoff seain many colleges, universities and son, a 22-year-old member of the high schools across the country. women’s team was brutally killed There is a professional lacrosse in her dorm room. The killer was league with teams in the U.S. and a member of the school’s men’s Canada, including the Boston team. There’s question about Blazers. whether it was accidental or not, Lacrosse is a home-grown sport, but there’s no question who the believed to have originated with the killer was.

Native Americans in the 15th cenIt was a study in human nature tury. It was created for recreational watching the victim’s mother and purposes, and also, purportedly to settle tribal disputes, and to toughen up young players.

I haven’t

By Dave Jolivet much exposure to the sport, but I have followed the recent NCAA men’s and sister continuing to support the women’s championships. women’s team in person, and ofI’m still learning the rules, regu- fering vocal support for the men’s lations, and nuances of the sport. team.

Hopefully it won’t take as long as It was heart-warming and heartit did to catch on to field hockey, wrenching to hear the suspect’s when I used to cover high school mother offer heartfelt condolences matches for the local Fall River to the victim’s mother. newspaper sports section. Field It was very emotional to see the hockey is a great sport, but unforstudent body keep Yeardley Love’s tunately, it’s a game that should memory alive. And it was remarkbe played on a well-manicured able to watch the two teams giving grass field, or artificial turf. But not their hearts and souls on the field, many local schools can provide in memory of their fallen comrade. that type of venue, so the game is Both teams fell short of their constantly interrupted by the ref’s championship goal, but they were whistle when the ball travels too far from losers. high — not a difficult feat when the Just as the Native American playing field is riddled with clumps founders of the sport had many and divots. purposes for the game, the Virginia But back to lacrosse. It’s a fast, Cavaliers lacrosse teams played for hard-nosed game, very entertaining the competition, for the memory to witness. of a dear friend, and to overcome In this year’s college champion- the numbing effects of senseless ships, there was particular interest violence that claims the lives of far in the men’s and women’s team too many of our young people.

My View From the Stands