Anchor 05.14.10

Diocese of Fall River

The Anchor

F riday , May 14, 2010

Bishop Coleman to confer St. Pius X Award on 53 dedicated, service-oriented youth

By Dave Jolivet, Editor FALL RIVER — St. Mary’s Cathedral will be the site of a prayer service where 53 faithful diocesan youth will be recognized for their dedicated service to their parish communities and the Church. On May 18 at 7 p.m., Bishop George W. Coleman will present each with the St. Pius X Youth Award, the ninth time the award has been distributed. A list of the winners and their parishes appears on page 15.

Named after Pope St. Pius X, the founder of the Diocese of Fall River in 1904, the award symbolizes his great devotion to youth. The medal bears an image of Pius X and his motto, “Restore all things in Christ.”

The tradition of presenting the award began with then-Bishop Sean O’Malley in 2002. What can loosely be compared as a youth version of the Marian Medal, the award was established to recognize the commitment and selflessness of diocesan teens towards Christ, his Church, and the local parish community.

Recipients are nominated by their pastors. They must be confirmed, at least a sophomore in high school, and no older than 19 years old.

Allison Boudreau is the recipient from Francis of Assisi Parish in Swansea. Pastor, Father Michael A. Ciryak told The Anchor, “The best Turn to page 15

Pro-Life Leader Hadley Arkes becomes Catholic

By Christine M. Williams Anchor Correspondent fit for a saint — First Communion students at St. Francis of Assisi Parish in New Bedford recently scattered bread crumbs and planted azaleas with pastor, Father Kevin Harrington, around a statue of their patron saint. Food collected by the students served as altar decorations during their first Communion Mass. Pictured are Catherine Whelan and Gabriel Jacobsen.

Cape Cod sisters are national prayer contest winners

By Kenneth J. Souza Anchor Staff NORTH FALMOUTH — Siblings Olivia Marie Nino Bratton and Lucy Elizabeth Bratton each won first-place honors for their respective grade levels in the 2010 Family Rosary “Try Prayer! It Works!” contest sponsored by Holy Cross Family Ministries based in Easton.

The 15th annual national competition — which encourages students to express their faith through art, poetry and prose — attracted nearly 4,000 finalist entries from across the country and the pair were among just 13 first-place winners in

this year’s contest.

The Bratton girls are also two of only three winners from the Fall River Diocese ever to Twin the competition since its inception.

Amanda Drapeau, a sixth-grader from SS. Peter and Paul School in Fall River, previously took firstplace honors for her essay on the theme “Receiving Jesus in Holy Communion Changes Us” in 2006.

Basing their award-winning artwork on this year’s theme of “The Family That Prays Together Stays Together” — borrowed from the famous catchphrase coined by Turn to page 13

WASHINGTON, D.C. — The Catholic Church’s voice for the littlest among us got even stronger last month.

Hadley Arkes, professor of Jurisprudence and American Institutions at Amherst College, and one of the foremost ProLife legal scholars in the country, received the sacraments of baptism, confirmation and first Communion at the chapel of the Catholic Information Center in Washington, D.C. on April 24.

Born and raised a Jew, Arkes said he views his newly-embraced Catholic faith as a fulfill-

ment of his Jewish faith. Rather than a departure, he sees it as accepting Christ as Messiah.

More than a decade ago, Arkes realized that there was something special about the Catholic Church as a “truth-telling institution.” When the Church stood against the currents of opinion in the world, he was inclined to believe the Church was right, he told The Anchor.

Before he embraced the Church’s faith, he had embraced the Church’s respect for human reason. In an article about his conversion for The Catholic Thing, an online periodical, he described his appreciation for the

Church’s tradition of defending and promoting the natural law, with regard to the Pro-Life issue and in general. “The natural law we know through that reason that is natural for human beings. The Church’s moral position here did not depend on faith or belief. One didn’t have to be Catholic to understand it. And that was precisely the teaching of the Church.”

He told The Anchor, “I found myself explaining the Catholic position to Catholics.”

Robert George, the McCormick professor of jurisprudence at Princeton University, wrote about his friend Arkes’ converTurn to page 18

Disabled deacon’s LifeLines reflect God’s omnipresence

By Deacon James N. Dunbar

FALL RIVER — A permanent deacon whose 30-year career designing such famous Hasbro toys as Barney, Darth Tater and Mr. Potato Head ended with partial disability following brain surgery is the creator of the inspiring LifeLines “comictorials” appearing in The Anchor.

“LifeLines is a good word for these,” said Deacon Gregory R. Horton, who ministers in the Diocese of Providence, R.I. “It began as a working title, lines referring to the linear nature of cartoons and life being our priority,” he said in a recent interview.

“While I am partially disabled, I assist at Mass at St. James Parish in Manville, and am blessed with a

Deacon Gregory R. Horton

very patient pastor, Father Richard P. Desaulniers, who lets me preach monthly. But there’s not much else I can do in terms of diaconal functions at liturgies,” the 63-year-old deacon explained.

“So I see LifeLines supplementing that diaconal ministry that began at ordination on Oct. 15, 1994, and I am constantly on the lookout for God’s revelation in advertising in the media, in TV, in things contemporary, and sure enough …

God is there.”

Defining his unique drawings and relevant messages, Deacon Horton said comictorials “are a seTurn to page 18

News From the Vatican

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May 14, 2010

Pope condemns bombings targeting Iraqi Christians VATICAN CITY — Pope Benedict XVI condemned fresh violence against Christians in Iraq and called on the nation to work toward peace.

In a telegram written on behalf of the pope, the Vatican’s secretary of state, Cardinal Tarcisio Bertone, said the pontiff was “deeply saddened by the news of the tragic loss of life and injuries” caused by two bomb attacks near the northern Iraqi city of Mosul.

Three buses carrying students from the village of Qaraqosh to a university in Mosul were struck by a roadside explosion followed by a car bombing May 2.

At least four people died and more than 170 were injured; some of the victims included bystanders.

The papal telegram, which was sent to Syrian Catholic Archbishop Georges Casmoussa of Mosul, called on “all men and women of good will to hold fast to the ways of peace and to repudiate all acts of violence which have caused so much suffering.”

Redemptorist Father Bashar Wardu of Irbil said “It was a brutal, unprecedented attack. We are shocked since the victims were not soldiers or militants, but just students who were carrying books, pens and their dreams of growing up and serving their own nation.”

“Christians are still being targeted,” he told Fides, the Vatican’s missionary news agency.

The buses were escorted by

Iraqi soldiers, and the bombings occurred between two checkpoints staffed by U.S., Iraqi and Iraqi Kurdish soldiers.

The minority Christian community “feels unprotected and left at the mercy of extremists,” said Father Wardu, adding that the government needed to do more to guarantee the safety and security of its citizens.

Archbishop Casmoussa told Fides that Christians were ready to call for the United Nations to intervene and help protect them.

“If the civil and military authorities do not protect us, we will have to ask for help from the international headquarters” of the United Nations, he said.

He said Iraqi Christians undergo some sort of attack every week, if not every day.

“Fear reigns among the Christian communities,” he said, adding that the injustice against Christians has been met with “general indifference” by civil and government authorities.

Chaldean Auxiliary Bishop Shlemon Warduni of Baghdad told SIR, the Italian bishops’ news agency, that Iraqi Christians feel at a loss as to how to protect themselves from further attacks. Having a military escort in front and behind the bus convoy was not enough to prevent the tragedy, he said.

He said the bombings killed four people and injured 171, including 17 seriously.

Finance reform hampered by politics, says former U.S. ambassador VATICAN CITY (CNS) — Regulation of the financial industry is hampered by the political pressure the financial institutions put on governments and politicians, said a Harvard law professor and former U.S. ambassador to the Vatican.

“The regulatory process is captured by the political interests of the people who are supposed to be regulated,” said Mary Ann Glendon, president of Pontifical Academy of Social Sciences.

“There are all kinds of pressure on the shaping of regulations, so there’s the problem of the political will to reform,” she said during a Vatican news conference May 5.

Glendon spoke at the end of the academy’s four-day plenary session, which focused on the theme, “Crisis in a Global Economy: Replanning the Journey.”

The academy invited economists, lawyers, theologians and social scientists to look at the causes of the current economic crisis, its impact on individuals and nations, the relationship between ethics and economics, and ideas for promoting economic recovery and preventing a similar financial meltdown in the future.

In a summary of the proceedings, Glendon said some speakers noted how much of the world economy shifted from being based on the real production of goods “to an economy dominated by speculative activities driven by greed.”

Pope John Paul II’s 1991 social encyclical, “Centesimus Annus” (“The Hundredth Year”), warned people that “the creative energies of the market have to be tamed and disciplined within a moral and juridical framework,” she said during the news conference.

Unfortunately, she said, no one has come up with a way to “construct a juridical framework that permits the enormous wealthcreating possibilities of the market to operate and yet corrects for the enormous destructive capability of the market.”

“The world of regulation is really very complex, and we economists and lawyers have to admit that we don’t understand very well what works and what doesn’t work,” she said.

Finance regulation “is a real art and science that no one has mastered,” not even the world’s brightest economists, she added.

something special — Pope Benedict XVI prays in front of the Shroud of Turin in the Cathedral of St. John the Baptist in Turin, Italy, earlier this month. The pope paid a daylong visit to Turin, celebrating an outdoor Mass, venerating the shroud, meeting with young people and visiting the sick. (CNS photo/L’Osservatore Romano)

Pope, at audience, appeals for complete nuclear disarmament

By Cindy Wooden Catholic News Service VATICAN CITY — Pope Benedict XVI asked world leaders to work calmly and seriously to control the spread of nuclear weapons “in the prospect of their complete elimination from the planet.”

At the end of his weekly general audience May 5, the pope made his appeal to participants at the U.N. Review Conference of Parties to the Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons, being held in New York May 3-28.

Designed to promote nuclear disarmament, non-proliferation and an equitable development of peaceful nuclear energy, the treaty can succeed only if nations respect the commitments they made in signing it, the pope said.

“Peace, in fact, rests on trust and on respect for the obligations assumed and not only on a balance of forces,” he said.

“In that spirit, I encourage the initiatives aimed at progressive disarmament and the creation of zones free from nuclear arms in the prospect of their complete elimination from the planet,” the pope said.

In his main audience talk, Pope Benedict spoke about the ministry of priests as those called to promote holiness in their own lives and in the lives of the people they meet.

Through the ordained priesthood, Christ gave the Church the gift of ministers, “who despite human poverty, participate in his own priesthood,” the pope said.

“Every priest knows that he is an necessary instrument of the sav-

ing action of Christ, but always an instrument. That awareness must make him humble and generous in administering the sacraments,” he said.

Pope Benedict told the estimated 15,000 people gathered in St. Peter’s Square for the audience that in recognizing it is Christ who acts in the sacraments and aware that all human beings are fallible, the Church teaches that the validity of the sacraments does not depend on the holiness of the priest celebrating them.

“But that does not remove the necessary — or rather indispensable — requirement of striving for moral perfection, which must reign in every authentically priestly heart,” the pope said.

He asked priests to frequent the sacrament of confession in order to experience reconciliation with God and to spend more time in the confessional so their faithful “can find mercy, council and support, feel loved and understood by

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God and experience the comfort of God’s mercy.”

Greeting pilgrims from Sweden, where a Congress on the Family was scheduled for late May, the pope said marriage was “an instrument of salvation, not only for married people but for the whole of society.”

“Those of us fortunate to be born into a stable family discover the first and most fundamental school for virtuous living and the qualities of good citizenship,” said the pope.

“Human beings, made in the image and likeness of God, are made for love — indeed at the core of our being, we long to love and be loved in return,” he said.

Only God’s love can fully satisfy the human desire for love, he said, but through the love of a husband and wife, the love of parents for children and the love of siblings for each other, “we are offered a foretaste of the boundless love that awaits us in the life to come.”

OFFICIAL NEWSPAPER OF THE DIOCESE OF FALL RIVER Vol. 54, No. 19

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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May 14, 2010

3

The International Church

In West Bank, camps introduce youths to concept of nonviolence

By Judith Sudilovsky Catholic News Service BEIT SAHOUR, West Bank — Bara’a Srur, 19, leaned over the edge of a 16-and-a-half foot wall with rappelling gear tied around his hips. His right hand held the rope tightly in place behind his back and he peered cautiously over his shoulder, down to where a counselor was holding the other end of the rope.

Though his heart was pounding quickly, Srur smiled with great bravado to his friends watching from underneath the shade of a nearby tree.

“Give me some encouragement,” he yelled out to them, and they began cheering him on and clapping their hands. Then Srur took the plunge, leaning back completely and descending the wall. His friends erupted in chants when his feet hit the ground.

“At first I was afraid,” admitted the young East Jerusalem college student, once back on terra firma.

“But now I am OK. I feel like I did a big thing. I felt like a commando.

If I can do this, I can do many other things.”

Srur and 60 other young Palestinians spent a week at one of seven adventure camps at a resort on the edge of the desert in Beit Sahour.

The camps, sponsored by the U.S. bishops’ Catholic Relief Services, offered sports and physical activities but also taught the concept of nonviolence through lectures and presentations.

For most of the young women — about one-third of the participants in each camp — it was the first time they had slept away from home; for some it was the first time they had spoken to a male outside of their family.

The camps are aimed at instilling young Palestinians with leadership qualities and nonviolence skills. For a majority of the participants it was the first time they had been urged to consider nonviolent responses as a viable option to the stress in their daily lives.

CRS project manager Ghaida Rahil, who accompanied the youth in all of the camps, said the rappelling exercise was intended to show the campers how to break through their fears and confront difficult and complex situations.

“We want them to see their own capacity of doing something dangerous, something scary, and to translate that into doing other things to help their society, even though it may seem difficult or scary,” she said.

The participants also worked on trusting their teammates when they had to walk blindfolded at night along a path with obstacles.

Working with local partners, including Middle East Nonviolence and Democracy, CRS invited about

60 university-age youths to each of the seven camp sessions, organized with participants from East Jerusalem and various cities in the Palestinian territories. The initiative was one component of the 30-month Youth Voices for Community Action program, initiated last year by the U.S. government.

During the camps, CRS staffers are able to identify young people — Muslims and Christians —

different option instead of going only to the options of guns and violence,” Ansara said. “We identify a small number of youth leaders so we can train them to be the voice of nonviolence in society and at the same time become involved in the community. These youth can affect other youths.”

Everyone has experienced violence in their lives — political violence because of the separation

Though the aim of the program is completely focused on working within the Palestinian society to rid it of violence, it goes to reason that once the youth acquire these skills, they will be able to transfer them to other aspects of their lives, including how they deal with the Israeli occupation, he said.

“If they can solve the internal problems nonviolently, they definitely can do it with the enemy,”

preaching peace — Christian Scout leader Tarek Jahshan, 29, of Beit Jala, West Bank, talks to Palestinian participants at a CRS-sponsored camp near Beit Sahour recently. The camp is aimed at instilling young Palestinians with leadership qualities and nonviolence skills. (CNS photo/Debbie Hill)

with leadership potential. Up to 15 participants from each session will be invited to continue for more specialized training.

CRS program manager Khalil Ansara said staffers hope the young people will become ambassadors of change in their own communities first, then tackle the larger task of Palestinian-Israeli relations.

The camp also helped the youth begin to overcome ingrained prejudices, such as those between city residents and villagers, as well as learning how to deal with the differing social mores in their society, said Rahil.

“We are trying to give youth a

wall and checkpoints or a violent situation at home, said Mohammed Badrieh, 19, a mathematics student from Bir Zeit University who attended a camp.

“People scream and shout; they kick things when they are angry.

It is very hard when the (separation) wall separates families, when there are checkpoints every day,” said Badrieh. He said it takes him two hours each way to get to the university because of checkpoints. “All this makes people very stressed and depressed. When they go home they explode, maybe with their brother or sister, or with their mother.”

Pope accepts resignation of German bishop accused of sexual abuse AUGSBURG, Germany (CNS) — Pope Benedict XVI has accepted the resignation of the Augsburg Bishop Walter Mixa, who has admitted hitting children but has denied sexually abusing them.

In addition, Bishop Mixa will no longer be responsible for German military personnel, the Vatican announced May 8.

Just before the Vatican’s announcement, the Augsburg Diocese confirmed media reports that it had informed the state prosecutor about accusations relating to sexual abuse

by Bishop Mixa during his time as bishop of Eichstatt, 1996-2005. According to those reports, the incidents involved

a boy.

Bishop Mixa’s lawyer denied the accusations and said that the bishop was cooperating with the prosecutor.

On April 21, Bishop Mixa submitted his resignation following accusations that he had hit children during his time as priest in charge of a children’s home near Augsburg. He originally denied the charges, then admitted that he may have “boxed the ears” of children.

A special investigator has been appointed by the children’s home to look into the accusations, as well as into evidence that then-Father Mixa had used money from the children’s home for private purposes.

said Ansara. “It can affect how they deal with the Israelis. We don’t want bodies; we want people to realize that nonviolence is part of opposing the occupation.”

Mustafa Halabi, 21, an English

major at Al-Quds University in East Jerusalem, spoke encouragingly of the possibility of passing on some information he had learned to other youths and of making a change in the local mind-set.

Badrieh, however, said cultural issues such as pride could make the acceptance of nonviolent resolutions to disputes problematic.

“I don’t think they will accept it, because of culture and habits. But we will have to try these things,” he said. The first step, he said, would be to create an awareness of the possibility of nonviolence.

“That is why I came to this camp, to learn and get ideas. I will do my best and, when something happens to me, I will remember what I learned at this camp and apply it to my life. As we are learning we must teach. I didn’t come here without a reason or just to have fun and meet friends. I came here with a purpose.”

The problem, he said, is that leaders have been doing a lot of talking but not taking action.

“It is time to start doing,” he said.

His friend Marwa Abu Najmeh, 20, a medical secretary student from East Jerusalem, smiled and said the hope of the future was with young children.

“When the little ones see us doing good things, they will do good things, too. Step by step we will get good results. We have to take the first steps,” she said.

My Father’s House P.O. Box 22, 39 North Moodus Rd. Moodus, CT 06469 . 860-873-1581 Website: www.myfathershouse.com Email: jz1mfh@gmail.com

May 22-23, 2010 Sat. & Sun.

MARTY ROTELLA: “HEALING THROUGH THE HEART OF MARY” RETREAT. Come join Marty, Fr. Bill & Team, for a time of hearing Mary’s messages to the world, special intergenerational healing, the rosary, and more.

MAY 31 - JUNE 8, 2010 $2,699 (dbl occ)

IRELAND PILGRIMAGE with Spiritual Director Fr. Bill McCarthy, MSA & team including RIA Music Ministry. Visit: Dublin’s cathedrals, Armagh, Derry, Galway, Knock, Fr. Peyton’s Home, Bunratty Castle, Donegal, Sligo, Ballina & much more. For info, visit our website or call Joe Fallan at CIE Tours (800) 223-6508.

* EVERY THURSDAY 10:00 am - 2:00 pm

WEEKLY HOLY SPIRIT BREAKFAST: Join us to give praise and glory to the Holy Spirit with Mass @ 11:30 am, lunch and study of Our Lady’s Messages to Anne, the Lay Apostle with George & Madeline Rosenbaum.

* EVERY 1ST SUNDAY Catholic 12-STEP Healing Program with (after the 1:30 Mass) Fr. Bill & his team. Each Meeting will include 3:00-4:30 PM teaching, sharing & prayers for Healing; open to everyone (not just AA).

* EVERY 3rd FRIDAY 12-Step Bible Study with Gary Agnew & 6:30 pm MFH team, call 860-873-1906 for details. * EVERY 2nd ST. MONICA’S PRAYER GROUP to pray

THURSDAY for our children, family, and loved ones before 7:30-8:30 pm the Blessed Sacrament.

* EVERY 1st MONTHLY DISCIPLESHIP/PATRICIAN THURSDAY Meeting - MEN & WOMEN. Why not join us 7:00-9:00 pm this month?

Check out our website at www.myfathershouse.com for upcoming Parish Missions

4

The Church in the U.S.

May 14, 2010

Hawaii civil unions bill, opposed by Church, awaits governor’s action HONOLULU (CNS) — Hawaii Gov. Linda Lingle has until July 6 to sign or veto a bill that would permit same-sex couples to receive all the rights and benefits of marriage in Hawaii under the designation “civil union.”

The Diocese of Honolulu had joined Hawaii evangelical Protestant churches and others in a vigorous fight against the passage of the bill.

But the bill’s last-minute approval by the Hawaii state House of Representatives on April 29, the last day of this year’s legislative session, caught its opponents off guard. The bill had been considered dead after the House tabled it by unanimous voice vote January 29.

The state Senate had approved the civil unions bill, HB 444, in January.

Lingle, a Republican, has not yet indicated what she will do.

She is required to send the Legislature a list of bills she might veto by June 22; any bills not on that list would automatically become law.

HB 444 would allow homosexual couples to gain a status identical, except in name, to marriage in Hawaii. It would not affect any federal rights or benefits. The law would also allow a heterosexual couple to have a civil union.

Opponents of the bill argued that, because it gives a civil union the same rights and privileges of a marriage, it legally paves the way for same-sex marriage in Hawaii. Opinion polls have consistently shown Hawaii residents to be against same-sex marriage.

The Hawaii Catholic Conference, public policy arm of the Diocese of Honolulu, and Hawaii Family Forum, an organization representing many Hawaii evangelical Protestant churches, worked together in coordinating letter, phone and email campaigns against the bill.

They also organized what they claim was the largest rally ever to gather at the state Capitol, a demonstration of about 15,000 people. Those efforts resulted in the initial tabling of the legisla-

tion in January.

They are now urging their congregations to press the governor for a veto. The House — which passed the measure by a 31-20 vote — would need 34 votes to override a veto.

In an April 26 letter to state senators and representatives, Bishop Larry Silva of Honolulu prematurely thanked them for not passing HB 444.

He said the so-called “right” to same-sex marriage is “a manufactured claim that should not be allowed to take hold of our society.”

“Other manufactured ‘civil rights’ will soon follow and lead to a serious dissolution of the common good that binds us all together in a civic community,” he said.

The bishop also warned that the bill would lead to the erosion of religious freedom and “would ultimately cast those who hold long-cherished cultural beliefs as people whose ideas are simply anachronistic and dangerous.”

Bishop Silva did not issue a statement after the House vote approving the bill.

HB 444 is the latest development in a same-sex marriage battle that started in 1993 when the Hawaii Supreme Court ruled that the state Constitution did not prohibit same-sex marriage.

That decision prompted Hawaii voters in 1998 to pass, with 70 percent in favor, a constitutional amendment that gave state lawmakers the power to define marriage as being between one man and one woman, which the state Legislature subsequently did.

At the same time, as a compromise measure favored by the Catholic diocese, the Legislature also passed a “reciprocal beneficiaries” law that gave some of the rights of married couples to any two people who are in a special relationship but cannot get married. This included same-sex partners, but also blood relations or close friends.

Civil union advocates had argued that the reciprocal beneficiaries law was inadequate.

catastrophe survivors — Archbishop Joseph Mitsuaki Takami of Nagasaki, Japan, prays near a statue of St. Agnes and the remains of a statue of Mary at the United Nations in New York recently. The statues, which survived the nuclear bombing of Nagasaki, Japan, during World War II, are on display in New York during the U.N. Review Conference of Parties to the Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons. (CNS photo/Junko Ito, The Catholic Weekly of Japan)

Cardinal Rigali calls creating sacred spaces ‘exalted mission’

By Richard Szczepanowski Catholic News Service

ed by the Partnership for Catholic Sacred Architecture, a collaboration between the schools of architecture at Catholic University and the University of Notre Dame.

Cardinal Rigali spoke April 30 to about 100 architects and others on the importance and role of sacred architecture in the life of

Cardinal Rigali also reminded the symposium participants that WASHINGTON — Praistheir “learning, dedication and ing “the esteemed heritage and skill serve to direct us to the eterpromising future” of Church arnal and living God.” chitecture, Philadelphia Cardinal The symposium, which was Justin Rigali said architects who sponsored by a variety of groups, create sacred spaces have “a voincluding the Clarence Walton cation and a mission” and perFund for Catholic Architecform “important work that serves ture and the Institute for Policy to express our response Research and Cathood never neglects time and lic Studies, explored to God.” space,” the cardinal said. “He the design of Catholic Artists and architects who work on Church allows and encourages mortal finite be- churches as it relates to projects “open them- ings to call his name. He summons us to the Church’s tradition selves to the light of saand how it is expressed cred tradition,” and “pre- sacred space.” in modern times. pare a dwelling place Participants in the that becomes a fitting sanctuary,” the Church. symposium included architects, the cardinal said.

Calling the Catholic faith “a theologians, teachers, artists, liSuch work, when created “in mystery both timely and time- turgical consultants, clergy and the light of faith,” becomes “an less,” Cardinal Rigali said ar- others. exalted mission,” he said. chitects of sacred space help the Quoting the “Catechism of Cardinal Rigali was the key- faithful gather for “prayerful re- the Catholic Church,” Cardinal note speaker at a two-day sym- flection in God’s presence.”

Rigali said all sacred art and arposium, “A Living Presence: “God never neglects time and chitecture is “true and beautiful” Extending and Transforming the space,” the cardinal said. “He al- when it reflects “the transcendent Tradition of Catholic Sacred Ar- lows and encourages mortal fi- mystery of God.” chitecture,” held April 30-May nite beings to call his name. He Noting the long tradition of 1 at The Catholic University of summons us to sacred space.” sacred architecture, Cardinal America in Washington.

He encouraged architects and Rigali said that “the Church has The symposium was present- artists who work in the name of always been a friend of the fine the Church to allow their talents arts and has sought their noble to be formed by a “unique rela- help.” tionship with God.” The Christian faith has long “God is the divine architect. inspired artistic creations, he His first act — after creating said, and the construction of man — was to develop a suitable cathedrals provide “an upward place for man to dwell,” Cardinal surge and an invitation to prayer.”

Rigali said. “The call of God al- Such sacred spaces, he said, enways reflects his loving design.” able the faithful “to be directed Time and place, he said, form to the fundamental, grace-filled “a holy alliance to offer the action of God.” people of God a fitting worship The “great works” of cathespace.” drals and churches, he said, “are “When God created man, he a luminous sign of God — a placed him in a sacred location,” manifestation, an epiphany of he added.

God.”

“G

May 14, 2010

The Church in the U.S.

5

Vatican confirms new version of missal; no implementation date yet

By Catholic News Service

working to avert disaster — Workers remove oil booms recently from the beach along the coast of the South Pass, south of Venice, La., as oil leaking from the Deepwater Horizon wellhead continues to spread in the Gulf of Mexico. (CNS photo/Carlos Barria, Reuters)

Immigrant Church must lead reform of immigration Cardinal Mahony says NEW YORK (CNS) — Catholic leaders and universities should “come out of the shadows” and take a significant role in educating those who are ambivalent or undecided about the issue of comprehensive immigration reform, according to Cardinal Roger M. Mahony of Los Angeles.

“We are an immigrant Church ourselves since the founding days of the republic,” the cardinal said in a May 3 presentation at Jesuit-run Fordham University in New York.

“The immigrant experience is our own,” he added. “We should be front and center in leading the charge for immigration reform not only because it is a matter of justice, but also because it is part of our identity as a Church.”

Cardinal Mahony said Christ himself “was an itinerant preacher with no place to lay his head” and “a refugee who fled the terror of Herod.”

“When we welcome the newcomer, we welcome him,” he said.

“We need to do more to ensure that we do not become a nation that treats those who look foreign as suspect and to be investigated, even arrested, merely on the basis of their appearance.”

Cardinal Mahony, a member of the U.S. bishops’ Committee on Migration, said immigration reform had been “drifting off the legislative agenda into the fog of uncertainty and inaction” until April 23, when the governor of Arizona signed a sweeping immigration bill aimed at identifying, prosecuting and deporting illegal immigrants.

Cardinal Mahony characterized the law as “the country’s most retrogressive, mean-spirited, useless anti-immigration legislation.” He said Gov. Jan Brewer’s signing of the law “has helped to reinvigorate the comprehensive immigration

reform movement and made clear the consequences of failure to fix the nation’s broken immigration system.”

He said the Arizona law uses “vague and vexing language” to describe under what circumstances a person may be challenged to prove legal status. The law allows the police to stop people if there is “reasonable suspicion” that they are in the country illegally, but Cardinal Mahony said, “No one in any major Arizona office is willing to publish one-page criteria to define reasonable suspicion.”

The lack of clarity about the enforcement of the law has spread “fear and fright” throughout the immigrant community and brought a “renewed sense of energy and urgency” to the issue, he said.

Cardinal Mahony said the extreme polarization of the immigration debate is “toxic to our system.” He urged bipartisan support for federal immigration legislation that could be signed by President Barack Obama “sooner rather than later.”

“A central feature of reform should be to bring the 12 million undocumented immigrants out of the shadows and offer them a secure path to legal status,” he said.

“In return, these immigrants would learn English, pay a fine and work for several years before earning the right to receive permanent legal status.”

Cardinal Mahony said he was not advocating amnesty, but “a path forward, which will require enormous sacrifices on the part of the immigrants every step of the way.”

“No one is asking for open borders and unchecked immigration,” he said.

He said reform should also include provisions to allow more migrant workers to enter the Unit-

ed States legally and improve the family-based reunification system.

He said mixed families, those with documented and undocumented members, “are not leaving. Let’s get them out of the shadows.”

Further, he said if Social Security cards were harder to forge, it would be easier for employers to verify whether potential employers were eligible to work.

He said the United States needs foreign laborers and people want to come to this country to make a better life for themselves, but current policies send a mixed message. He quipped that two signs appear side by side on the U.S. border — one warning “No Trespassing” and the other advertising “Help Wanted.”

WASHINGTON — The U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops announced April 30 that the Vatican has given its “recognitio,” or confirmation, of the new English translation of the Roman Missal, but said the exact date for its implementation in U.S. parishes remains to be determined.

The approval came in a letter dated March 25 from Cardinal Antonio Canizares Llovera, prefect for the Vatican Congregation for Divine Worship and the Sacraments, although the missal is still undergoing final editing by Vatican officials, the USCCB announcement said.

The Vatican also approved a series of adaptations and proper texts for use in the United States.

Cardinal Francis E. George of Chicago, USCCB president, received the decrees personally while he was in Rome for meetings of the Vox Clara Committee, an international group of bishops who advise the divine worship congregation about English liturgical translations.

Bishop Arthur J. Serratelli of Paterson, N.J., chairman of the USCCB Committee on Divine Worship, expressed gratitude for the approval.

“I am happy that after years of study and review, the congregation for divine worship has concluded its work and provided us with a text that will enable the ongoing renewal of the celebration of the sacred liturgy in our parishes,” he said.

In the coming weeks, Bishop

Serratelli’s committee will give Cardinal George its recommendation on when to implement the new translation in U.S. parishes.

The cardinal will then announce the date to the bishops, along with an implementation timeline and process.

A parish implementation guide has been in development at the USCCB and will be distributed to parishes throughout the country when the timeline has been set. In addition, priests and diocesan worship officials have been participating in a series of workshops to help prepare for the changes.

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6

The Anchor A jubilee of false gold

On Sunday our nation celebrated Mother’s Day. It’s highly fitting that we stop, at least one day a year, to express our gratitude to and for our mothers, because so often so many children can take their mothers for granted the rest of the year. It’s also a day to contemplate the inestimable good of motherhood, which is always less appreciated than individual mothers.

Ironically and sadly, however, this year’s celebration of Mother’s Day took place on the 50th anniversary of what is the very antithesis of motherhood, the birth control pill, which was approved by the Food and Drug Administration for sale on May 9, 1960. Despite attempts by certain feminist groups to rejoice over the first half-century of the pill, this jubilee is one of false gold, for women and for all of society.

Back in 1960, it was noted that Enovid, the name under which this oral contraceptive was then marketed, was the first medicine ever invented that was to be prescribed regularly to people who are not otherwise ill. But that was only partially true, because the pill precisely treats pregnancy as a sickness and therefore motherhood as an evil to be medically prevented. At its deepest level, the pill facilitated a revolution in the self-understanding of many women, as they severed the maternal meaning of their existence (and not just their bodies) from their femininity, and did so in particular in the very act by which that maternal meaning is most powerfully and naturally expressed. This is a false feminism, really an anti-feminism, one that is exposed in all its misogyny when placed in the context of Mother’s Day. The cause of women is not advanced by seeking to eliminate the maternal meaning of a woman’s existence, but by rejoicing in it, promoting it as a true good, and working to transform society to see motherhood — and the children by whom motherhood is relationally constituted— as a blessing, not a curse.

The pill harmfully alters not only a woman’s self-understanding, but also the meaning of sexual relations, and does so in a way that does further damage to the woman. The deepest meaning of sexual relations is that it is a mutual exchange of total self-gifts expressed in body language. A man and a woman, totally committed to each other not just ephemerally but for the rest of their lives, become one flesh in a loving union that far exceeds physical contact, but is open to a permanent one-flesh union in a child, who is a tangible fruit of the love they have for each other and a means by which that love grows.

The pill, like all contraceptives, by seeking to prevent this permanent one-flesh union, also hinders the ability of sexual relations to “make” or produce any real love at all. Contraceptive sex essentially makes mutual pleasure — which has always been a divinely-intended fruit of love-making — the fundamental purpose of sexual relations, instead of love and life. When that occurs, spouses (and non-spouses) basically begin to use each other, and each other’s bodies, for pleasure. This behavior will eventually corrode whatever genuine love may be present, for using another as a means to one’s own gratification is the opposite of love, which involves willingly sacrificing oneself and one’s pleasure for the other’s true good.

In changing the meaning of sexual relations, the pill has hurt women and facilitated their becoming ever more “sex objects” to be used — used not just by sweet-talking lustful trophy hunters or by boyfriends desiring pseudo-one-flesh union before committing to the one-flesh union of marriage, but also by their husbands. Hedonistic sex hurts both women and men, married and unmarried, but it disproportionately makes women suffer, since men are more prone to treating others as objects. The pill makes it easier for the man to succumb to this temptation to hedonistic sex. Unlike the condom — which is a tangible reminder to a man of his putting a barrier not only between him and the woman, but also between sex and the maternal meaning of her femininity and the paternal meaning of his own masculinity — the pill and all its derivatives, because of their hidden mechanism in the woman’s body, can seduce him into thinking that there’s nothing fundamentally awry, unnatural or wrong in what he’s doing. It facilitates his becoming a luster rather than a true lover, a taker or consumer of the woman rather than a self-giver.

Every honest woman must recognize that this is not good for women.

When the pill was released in 1960, there was initial confusion in Catholic circles as to whether its use was moral. Unlike physical prophylactics (condoms or animal-skin sheaths), oral or vaginal spermicides, or even withdrawal — all of which had been condemned by the Church from the first centuries — many wondered whether the mechanism of the pill (preventing ovulation and extending the woman’s “infertile” period indefinitely) would give it a different moral quality. It took almost eight years for the Church to examine and debate the morality of the pill, but in 1968, Pope Paul VI, in his encyclical Humanae Vitae, taught definitively that the use of the pill as a contraceptive by married couples is sinful in every case, because, like all contraceptives, it, too, separates the unitive and procreative dimensions of the marital act.

In that encyclical Paul VI prophesied that if the use of the pill became widespread — in 1968, it was still restricted to married couples, and its use was not all that extensive — it would have disastrous consequences. He specified four, which are very important for us to look at retrospectively, especially as they affect women.

The first was that it would facilitate conjugal infidelity, because now husbands and wives could cheat with a much lesser fear of the consequence of conceiving a child out of wedlock. The statistics since then have shown that adultery has skyrocketed and that husbands cheat at a far worse rate than wives.

This has clearly taken a severe toll on women as individuals, spouses and mothers, and destroyed many families as well.

The second prediction was that there would be a general lowering of sexual morality as a result of the pill. How can anyone dispute that this has occurred? Unlike the condom, which always has a notable failure rate not to non-use rate in the heat of passion, the pill made possible sex without fear of conceiving children, even among young post-pubescent kids. The pill changed the culture far more than the condom and has served the interest, fundamentally, of boys desirous of sex but not interested in responsibility for a woman and children. Women have been disproportionately hurt again.

Third, Paul VI foresaw a loss of respect for women. “It is also to be feared,” he wrote, “that the man, growing used to the employment of anti-conceptive practices, may finally lose respect for the woman and, no longer caring for her physical and psychological equilibrium, may come to the point of considering her as a mere instrument of selfish enjoyment, and no longer as his respected and beloved companion.” So many marriages suffer precisely because the husband treats his wife as such an instrument; this has only grown with the possibility of his having sex solely for pleasure without openness to love and life.

Finally, the pope anticipated that the pill would be a dangerous weapon in the hands of those in authority. In this, he has been proven right again. Beyond the forced sterilization policies of some nations and other countries’ mandating that female Olympians be on the pill if they wish to compete, many business authorities also have an implicit policy in favor of the pill. Some of the pill’s greatest defenders say that it has enabled women to achieve far greater advances in education and in their professions than they ever would have had prior to the pill, when a pregnancy might have interrupted their upward trajectory. Greater educational and work opportunities for women are indisputably good, but these goods have come with too hefty a cost. Rather than transforming educational and professional establishments to be more welcoming of the intrinsical maternal reality of women, the widespread use of the pill has basically set up a situation in which women who want to get ahead are basically compelled to use the pill and sacrifice motherhood. And at the level of their spiritual life, such “victories” are also clearly and obviously pyrrhic: Jesus once said that it’s not worth it to gain the whole world and lose one’s soul in the process (Mt 16:26); some pill-using women have tragically been sacrificing their souls for a degree or a this-worldly promotion.

Women clearly deserve better. The last 50 years have shown that the pill is not a panacea, but a poison. In a culture, however, more addicted to sex than junkies are enslaved to narcotics, and where the sex addicts and pushers dominate much of television, the Internet, public school health curricula and university student life offices, will we — women and men both — have the courage and insight to admit that we have a problem, stop taking the pills and get help for the underlying addiction? Will our culture recover a true respect for women and for motherhood — all 365 days of the year — and without which it cannot thrive or long survive?

May 14, 2010

The great hope

One of the most memorable events in St. John seems something of an impediment.”

Vianney’s life occurred the first day he was on He said that rather than living according to the job as pastor. He was near the completion of the “great hope” of eternal life with God, we prethe 20-mile journey from Écully to Ars walking occupy ourselves with “lesser hopes” that canalongside a cart transporting all his possessions, not ultimately satisfy. “Young people can have which consisted of a few clothes and the books the hope of a great and fully satisfying love; the and bed left to him by Father Balley. As he, his hope of a certain position in their profession, or former housekeeper, and the cart driver were of some success that will prove decisive for the approaching the village Father Vianney would rest of their lives. When these hopes are fulfilled, one day put on every map, a heavy mist covered however, it becomes clear that they were not, in the landscape such that they no longer could reality, the whole. … Our contemporary age has see where they were going. They stopped, lost. developed the hope of creating a perfect world Eventually, Father Vianney heard some young that, thanks to scientific knowledge and to scienshepherds playing in the distance as their sheep tifically based politics, seemed to be achievable. grazed. He approached and asked them the way … This seemed at last to be the great and realistic to Ars. One of the boys, eight-year-old Antoine hope that man needs, … capable of galvanizGivre, pointed out the direction he needed to go. ing — for a time — all man’s energies. … In the The grateful priest replied, “My young friend, course of time, however, it has become clear that you have shown me the way to Ars. I will show this hope is constantly receding.” you the way to heaven!”

Pope Benedict said that these lesser hopes are Forty-seven years later, Antoine Givre testi- not all bad, but even the best of them are insuffied during Father Vianney’s cause for canoniza- ficient. “We need the greater and lesser hopes tion that, even though he did not make much of that keep us going day by day. But these are not the priest’s memorable line as a boy, Father Vian- enough without the great hope, which must surney had in fact spent 41 years in Ars making good pass everything else. This great hope can only be on that promise.

God, who encompasses the whole of reality and Father Vianney understood his whole priestly who can bestow upon us what we, by ourselves, life and work as showing others the path to heav- cannot attain.” en — and not just indicating it to them, but helpWith his words and contagious yearning them get on that “narrow, hard way that leads ing for heaven, Father Vianney tried to to life” (Mt 7:14) make eternal and guiding them life attractive. to the eternal finHe sought to ish line. help his people Yesterday, develop this we celebrated “great hope” and the Solemnity of acquire a deep the Ascension of burning desire to

By Father the Lord Jesus, live in an eternal when he who had communion of Roger J. Landry come down from love with God. heaven in order He preached to make heaven possible for us, returned home about how the joy of heaven will surpass all our triumphantly to prepare a place for us. The As- longings: “If one interior consolation in this world cension is an occasion when all of us are called makes us taste so much sweetness, if it rends our to meditate upon heaven, reignite our desires for crosses so light, if it makes us forget them, if it it, and reorient ourselves definitely toward it. St. even makes martyrs find pleasure in the midst of John Vianney spent his priesthood assisting his the cruelest torments, what will heaven be like?” people to “seek the things that are above, where He described how eye has not seen, ear has Christ is seated at the right hand of God” (Col not heard, and mind has not even imagined the 3:1). He can help us, too, like he helped Antoine joy of heaven (1 Cor 2:9). “We can never form a Givre and so many others, to find our way home true idea of heaven until we shall be there,” but he no matter how thick the fog of life or how lost we tried to help them, both negatively and positively, are along the way. to grasp some formulation. First, negatively: In With the exception of Jesus in the Eucharist, heaven all the evils that can make man’s life on the Curé of Ars preached more about heaven earth burdensome will be absent; there will be than about any other subject. Even when eternal “no more death … no more sickness, no more life was not his explicit topic, he would often sadness, no more pains, no more grief!” Second, conclude his sermons, catecheses, confessions, positively: There will be total happiness because school visits, home visitations, correspondence the “love of God will fill and inundate everyand even brief, random encounters with strangers thing…. Our heart will be lost, drowned in the in the village by stating, “I finish by wishing you happiness of loving God.” all the good that heaven contains, which is God It seems as this positive image of heaven had himself!” a deep influence on Pope Benedict, who himself The reason why references to heaven inun- in Spe Salvi said that eternal life is “like plunging dated almost all his interactions was because into the ocean of infinite love, a moment in which heaven overwhelmingly inundated his thoughts. time — the before and after — no longer exists.”

“The Christian’s treasure is not on earth but in The thought of heaven would often send Faheaven,” he said, “and so our thoughts ought to ther Vianney into near ecstasy in the pulpit. He be directed to where our treasure is.” His mind would begin to contemplate that in heaven we was ceaselessly directed to that treasure that rust will see God face to face and then he would get cannot corrode or moths destroy, and he sought caught up, for up to 15 minutes at a time, in joywith all his being to help others recognize that ously and repetitively exclaiming, as too good they were heirs of that same treasure, one easily to be true, “We will see him! We will see him! worth selling all they had and were to obtain (Mt O my brothers! Have you ever thought about it?

6:20; 13:44-46).

We will see God! We will see him who is totally He considered that his greatest pastoral chal- good! We will see him as he is, face to face! We lenge was to help people lift up their hearts from shall see him no longer through the darkness of material goods, lesser loves and fleeting preoccu- faith, but in the light of day, in all his majesty! We pations to hunger for heaven and for the things will see him! We will see him!” that matter most and last forever. This is the peMost happy of all, he added, is that we will rennial challenge for pastors. see the good God forever, without any risk ever Pope Benedict, in his 2007 encyclical on of losing him, without any danger that that happiChristian hope, Spe Salvi, vividly described ness will ever be taken away. how earthly attachments constitute one of the Helping his people develop this burning biggest obstacles to Christian faith and life to- yearning for heaven was the first part in his plan day: “The question arises: do we really want to show them the way there. The second stage … to live eternally? Perhaps many people was to guide them along that path by inspiring reject the faith today simply because they do them to seek it concretely, day-by-day, in a holy not find the prospect of eternal life attractive. life. That we’ll take up next week.

What they desire is not eternal life at all, but Father Landry is pastor of St. Anthony of this present life, for which faith in eternal life Padua Parish in New Bedford.

Putting Into the Deep

May 14, 2010

I

often tell people that one of my fears is public speaking. They often think that I am joking, but it is true. I get anxious and uncomfortable. I would rather be in the back of the room than in front of everyone. This is true for any setting: Mass, retreats, giving invocations or Benedictions, etc. Yet somehow I manage to get through these times without passing out or worse. The reason, I suspect, explains how I became a priest: Basically, I’ve learned to get out of God’s way.

When I get anxious, I am focused on myself, what I’m going to say or do. Usually when I give up the concern, I trust in God and he is then able to use me to deliver his message in his way.

It was soon after I was ordained that my pastor at the time, Father Mark Hession, gave me valuable advice. I was getting stressed over an upcoming meeting with someone who had

W

hile it may cost an arm and a leg to live in the state of New York these days, it may soon cost a liver or kidney to die there.

Residents of the state have been debating a legislative measure, put forward by a state lawmaker that would automatically enroll all residents as organ donors. The law would rely on what is termed “presumed consent” and allow for the harvesting of a deceased resident’s body parts unless that resident had specifically opted out of “donating” in this way when signing up for a driver’s license.

This approach to organ procurement raises significant ethical concerns. Would we allow a bank (or even a worthy charity) the right to automatically raid customers’ bank accounts upon their death unless they “opted out” of the program? As one commentator described the situation, “It really does smack of something quite dark when a system’s default mode exploits the fact that dead men not only tell no tales, they refuse no proposals.”

A recent editorial in the Buffalo News carried the analysis further: “A corpse may not have many rights, but one of them ought to be that the handling of it is not based on an invasive presumption. Informed consent should remain the standard. What is needed is to increase the number of donors through leadership and persuasion, not state-facilitat-

7

The Anchor

Getting out of God’s way

experienced a tragedy. “I’m not thought were irrelevant. sure what I am going to do.” His Gradually, I came to underresponse was: “She is a child of stand faith and religion was God. You are a priest of God. about an experience of the love Deal with it.” The message was and presence of Christ. He esessentially: “Who cares what tablished the Church as the famyou think you should do? Stay ily of faith to help strengthen out of God’s way.”

When I was in high school and college, Year For Priests there were aspects of the Vocational Reflection priesthood that appealed to me. There were also some aspects, mainly

By Father misconceptions, that David C. Frederici frightened me. I wasn’t crazy about the whole celibacy thing. I had always assumed I would have and nourish us so that we may a career and family. My plan see him in our daily lives, parwas to teach history. I wanted ticularly in those with whom we to do something in life that was interact each day. The Church’s important, that was relevant to teachings are meant to keep us society and peoples’ lives. While focused on him and to help us to I had many positive experiences live the Gospel daily. The rituals of Church, I was put off by and practices help draw us into some of the practices, arguments the mystery of God. and energies that seemed archaic There have been times that and focused on things that I the humanity of the Church

has gotten in the way of the divine mission entrusted to her.

There have been times when some practices and rituals (not the teachings they are meant to draw us into) have become archaic and irrelevant. The Spirit, however, is with the Church and guiding her, and, despite being painful to live through, the Spirit works to get us back on track.

It was the example of other priests that helped me realize the importance and relevance of the Church and it was their example that began to stir something within me.

I saw how the ministry of the priest included those activities I was seeking in life: teaching, doing something that was important, that was relevant to society and people’s lives. These are found in priestly ministry, and much more. I teach, although at times in a setting different from an academic

classroom. I am present to people in some of the most important moments of their lives: marriage, birth of a child, first Communions, confirmations, graduations, times of illness, times of transitions, times of tragedy, times of great joy, etc.

My favorite aspect of being a priest? Without a doubt, it is preaching, although I have not lost the fear of public speaking. I love the hours of prep, of study and prayer. I love writing and then rewriting and then rewriting again. I love being able to preach the Word at Mass, retreats, missions, etc. I love it even more when the message that a person comes away with is not what I had thought I delivered. It reminds me that I am just an instrument of God; at those moments, I have successfully stayed out of his way.

Father Frederici, ordained in 2001, is chaplain at Cape Cod Hospital and diocesan director of Scouting.

Procuring organs ‘Over my dead body?’ ed confiscation.” reasons have to do with inertia, State-facilitated salvaging with not having thought about of organs in the absence of it, but some of them just have explicit consent undercuts the to do with trust and mistrust of essential character of organ the system.” donations as a gift. As Pope Even among those who are Benedict XVI noted in 2008: fortunate enough to receive “Informed consent is a prea scarce organ, there could condition of freedom so that be an awkward hesitancy the transplant can be characterized as being a gift and not interpreted as a coercive or abusive act.”

In fact, informed

By Father Tad consent is so fundaPacholczyk mental that the “Catechism of the Catholic Church” points out: “Organ transplants are not introduced by such a legal morally acceptable if the domaneuver. One organ recipinor or those who legitimately ent named Alison posted this speak for him have not given comment about the presumed their informed consent.” consent law on an internet So what might be the andiscussion site: ticipated effects of mandated “As an organ recipient I presumed consent? Perhaps would not have signed up for the very opposite of what the United Network for Organ advocates were hoping for — Sharing list if a law such as it might, paradoxically, cause this were in place. I could people to step back from not live with a transplant not donating. As one commentaknowing if the person was tor, half in jest, declared: “So indeed dead when the organ now, if you’re ‘dead enough,’ was taken or if their religious they’ll just pull the plug and beliefs were against organ walk off with your entrails donation and they just had not under the guise of presumed filled out an opt-out card…. consent which makes me think Frankly for me personally, very strongly against being an the burden of knowing that organ donor.” someone had to die (accident, Professor James F. Childress suicide, … homicide, some commented on the importance family’s tragedy) for me to live of trust issues at the center of a is hard enough and the only very sensitive decision like or- thing that helps is knowing gan donation: “If you ask why they gave willingly….” people do not currently sign By forcing the issue of donor cards, some of those presumed consent, rather than

Making Sense Out of Bioethics

patiently seeking to convince potential donors to “opt-in” of their own free will — which is the way organ donation occurs in most American jurisdictions — lawmakers and organ procurement agencies may experience significant setbacks as people respond to a perceived assault on their freedom.

Lawmakers and the medical establishment should rather educate potential donors as to the importance of organ donation and seek to win their trust throughout the procurement process. Building up such trust through the process of informed consent all the way to the procurement of the organs themselves will go a long way towards increasing organ availability for future transplant patients. Novel approaches such as mounting

a public relations campaign from Hollywood might also increase the number of willing donors. The effect of having a noted celebrity on TV urging people to check the organ donor box on their driver’s license renewal form could be significant. Building up an authentic culture of life — and encouraging organ donation in ethically acceptable ways — needs to be a real priority for medicine and society, as organ transplantation offers significant and enduring health benefits to the sick who oftentimes have no other hope.

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

8

O

May 14, 2010

The Anchor

Losing and finding ourselves in the sea of God’s love

nce there was a little doll made of salt. The little salt doll had an urge to see the world and set off. Then, one day, she came to the edge of the sea.

“What are you?” she cried.

“Touch me and you will find out,” the sea answered.

So the little salt doll stuck her toe in, and experienced a truly wonderful sensation. But when she withdrew her foot, the toe had disappeared.

“What have you done to me?” she cried.

“You have given something of yourself in order to understand,” the sea replied.

The little salt doll decided that if she really wanted to know the sea, she would have to give more of herself. So next she stuck in her whole foot, and everything up to her ankle disappeared. Surprisingly, inexplicably, she felt good about it. So she continued go-

ing further and further into the baptism; when he chose his sea, losing more and more of 12 Apostles after spending the herself, all the while undernight in prayer; at the Transstanding the sea more deeply. figuration when he changed in As a wave broke over the last appearance; on the occasion bit of her, the salt doll cried out, “Now I know what the sea is.

Homily of the Week It is I.” Like the little salt Seventh Sunday doll who disappears of Easter to become part of the

By Deacon sea, the challenge of Eugene H. Sasseville the Gospel is for us to lose ourselves in the love of God. A number of times in the when he had just finished prayGospels we’re given a glimpse ing and his disciples asked him of Jesus at prayer. In Mark’s “Lord, teach us to pray”; after Gospel we are told that Jesus the Last Supper when he went rose very early before dawn to the Mount of Olives; and on and went off to a desolate place the cross when he prayed “Fawhere he prayed. In Matthew’s ther, forgive them, they know Gospel Jesus “went up on the not what they do.” mountain by himself to pray.”

Yet the glimpses we get In Luke’s Gospel Jesus prayed of Jesus at prayer tell us at special times during his little about how Jesus actually ministry: for example at his prayed, the words he used, or

the specific petitions he made.

It’s only in today’s Gospel from St. John do we get to eavesdrop on an extended prayer of Jesus.

Here on the eve of his arrest, trial, torture, crucifixion and death, it would have been perfectly understandable and acceptable if Jesus had prayed for himself, for the strength and patience to endure the agony that awaited him, that his Father would bring good out of all that was to take place.

Wonderfully surprising is the fact that Jesus prays not for himself but for his immediate followers, and best of all, for you and me, for all of us who are counted among those who’ll believe in him. And what does he pray for? That we may be healthy, wealthy and wise? No. He prays, “that they may all be one, as you, Father, are in me

and I in you, that they also may be in us,” and, “that they may be one, as we are one, I in them and you in me.”

If there is to be oneness and unity there must first be love.

This is God’s own immense and intense love for each of us, the love which matches the awesome love that God has for his very own beloved Son Jesus. So Jesus concludes his powerful prayer when he asks his Father, “that the love with which you loved me may be in them and I in them.”

Only in giving ourselves totally and unconditionally to the love of God are we able to realize that love that Jesus prayed for, then like that little doll of salt can we say, “Now I know what love is. It is I.” Deacon Sasseville, was ordained with the Class of 1997 and is presently assigned to Holy Name of the Sacred Heart of Jesus Parish in New Bedford.

Upcoming Daily Readings: Sat. May 15, Acts 18:23-28; Ps 47:2-3,8-10; Jn 16:23b-28. Sun. May 16, Seventh Sunday of Easter, Acts 7:55-60; Ps 97:1-2,6-7,9; Rv 22:12-14,16-17,20; Jn 17:20-26. Mon. May 17, Acts 19:1-8; Ps 68:2-3b,4-5acd,6-7b; Jn 16:29-33. Tues. May 18, Acts 20:17-27; Ps 68:10-11,20-21; Jn 17:1-11a.

Wed. May 19, Acts 20:28-38; Ps 68:29-30,33-36b; Jn 17:11b-19. Thur. May 20, Acts 22:30;23:6-11; Ps 16:1-2a,5,7-11; Jn 17:20-26. Fri. May 21, Acts 25:13b-21; Ps 103:1-2,11-12,19-20b; Jn 21:15-19.

T

he contempt in which the Catholic Church and its convictions are held by the ruling classes of 21st century Europe is hardly a secret. For reasons of political expedience, however, European governments feel compelled to put the best face on such Catholic mega-events as papal visits.

Yet every once in a while the mask of tolerance slips and the contempt can be seen for what it is.

The mask slipped at the British Foreign and Commonwealth Office in late April.

The pope is scheduled to visit the United Kingdom in September; the centerpiece of his pilgrimage is the beatification of John Henry Newman— for Benedict XVI, a paradig-

When the mask of tolerance slips

matic figure in the Church’s the memo suggested, would intellectual engagement with see the Pope, while in Great modernity. The FCO had orBritain, reverse the Church’s ganized a “Papal Visit Team” “policy” on “women bishops” composed of civil servants and the ordination of women to develop strategies for the to the ministerial priesthood, papal pilgrimage, but things drop Catholic opposition to got a tad out of hand when a the adoption of children by memo drafted by an FCO official, describing a “brainstorming” session meant to elicit ideas about the “ideal visit” of Benedict XVI to Britain, leaked

By George Weigel and was published in London’s Sunday Telegraph. The memo provided an instructive view gay couples, bless a gay marinto the cast of mind of a thorriage, open an abortion clinic, oughly secularized, politically- launch a new line of “Benedict correct, Oxbridge-educated condoms,” and “do forward civil service elite. rolls with children to promote The ideal Benedictine visit, healthy living.”

I am not making this up. You can’t make this stuff up. But what does it mean?

Seven or eight years ago, when the about-to-be-enlarged European Union was embroiled in debate as to whether a new constitutional treaty’s preamble could acknowledge Christianity as one source of contemporary Europe’s commitments to human rights, democracy, and the rule of law, the Orthodox Jewish legal scholar Joseph H.H. Weiler coined the term “Christophobia” to describe the irrational contempt with which much of European high culture For more information or directions, call May Leite at 508-822-2219 regards Christianity; Weiler

The Catholic Difference

also flagged eight sources of this derangement: — guilt over a Holocaust falsely attributed to Christian anti-Jewish prejudice rather than to the racism of Nazi antiSemitism; — the “1968” mind-set, which rejected all forms of traditional authority; — a strange backlash to the Revolution of 1989, in which Christian conviction helped topple the hyper-secularism of European communism; — the Christian Democratic hegemony exercised in many continental European countries in the decades immediately after World War II; — the cultural habit of dividing everything into “left” and “right,” with “left” being good, “right” being bad, and Christianity firmly identified with the “right”; — resentments against John Paul II, who didn’t fit the secularist stereotypes; — the distorted teaching of history in European elementary and secondary schools, according to which the 18th century secular Enlightenment is the sole root of 21st century democracy; — the confusions and angers of the “children of 1968,” whose own children were

evincing interest in a Christianity their parents had rejected root-and-branch.

As I got around Britain in the 1980s and 1990s, these toxins seemed to have done less permanent damage to British culture than they had to continental European culture.

And, yes, one shouldn’t read too much into a memo by a callow bureaucrat that caused at least some of his superiors considerable embarrassment (as well it might). But the sheer contempt for Catholic faith and practice evidenced in the memo — which, the FCO official evidently assumed, wouldn’t have caused trouble if it had remained in-house — makes me think I might have gotten that earlier judgment wrong. Great Britain today may be a different form of post-Christian society than France, the Netherlands, Belgium, Germany, or Spain.

But that it is living a postChristian phase of its history is not much in doubt.

Nor is there much doubt that the FCO official who drafted that memo would have been sacked overnight if the object of his contempt had been Islam. Thus does disdain for Christian roots help prepare the ground for appeasement and eventual surrender.

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

May 14, 2010

Klitzy cookie jars

Monday 3 May 2010 — at than take a long catnap. home in Old Dighton Village — There was no napping for feast of SS. Philip and James ’m at the rectory sitting quietly Reflections of a alone, kicking off my Parish Priest shoes, and reflecting on the day now past. The

By Father Tim greyhounds are snoozing Goldrick on the carpet, pretending they’re exhausted from a hard day. They don’t fool me. I me. Having celebrated morning know they’ve done nothing more Mass on the feast of SS. Philip

I

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The Ship’s Log

and James, I’d no idea how much actual feasting would be involved in a liturgical feast day.

After spending some time in the office opening the morning mail and coordinating with staff, I walked over to the church to begin preparation for this evening’s celebration of the sacrament of confirmation.

As a younger priest, I would

Journey’s end — An afterword

Let’s follow this line of his marks the end of our thought with respect to Judaism series. At the introduction and Islam. Both profess faith in a on May 4, 2007, I said that my personal God who seeks to estabpurpose went beyond describing lish a relationship with man. For the beliefs and practices of other Jews and Muslims, God’s perfect religions and other Christian Unity excludes the possibility of traditions. Any number of books eternal relations within the Godand websites can serve that purhead — just as God’s transcenpose. I wanted especially to help dence or “otherness” precludes readers come to appreciate Cahis living a human existence. tholicism as the fullness of truth.

Since God cannot conceivably It wouldn’t do simply to indicate where, in the Catholic view, other be a trinity (or, for that matter, a “binity”), his fatherhood is simply religious traditions “go wrong.”

It was necessary also to identify what is true and good in those traditions, The Fullness and then point to their of the Truth fulfillment in the Catholic Church.

By Father Thus in Hinduism, Thomas M. Kocik for instance, we discovered the “you are That” (tat tvam asi) of the Upanishads — roughly speaking, a metaphor, a way of speaking about God’s relationships to the the identity of the Self with God. human family, or more narrowly, To recall, this Self is not the self to the children of Abraham. For of everyday consciousness, or Christians, however, God’s fatherwhat we mean by “I” (that is an hood is more than metaphorical: illusion), but the innermost Self, it is a feature of God’s interior life Atman, which is Brahman, the — as is sonship, and likewise the Universal Soul, the only reality. union of the two. The Father and In addition to what has already Son eternally loving each other in been said about this Hindu docthe Holy Spirit is what it means trine in relation to biblical faith, a to be God. Only the doctrine of further observation can be made. the Trinity as held by orthodox The identification of indiChristianity reveals the full dimenvidual soul with the ultimate sions of the truth that God is love principle of things seems, on the (1 Jn 4:8). face of it, like self-divinization.

As for the unorthodox ChrisYet it can also work in the tianities, they are but so many reverse, as a preamble to faith in examples of the problem Chesthe living God. For the only true terton described when he wrote: self is the one that is received “The idea of birth through a Holy from God in every moment. Nor Spirit, of the death of a divine can the gift be recognized as gift being, of the forgiveness of sins, without some degree of faith in or the fulfillment of prophecies, a Giver. The truth of the Atmanare ideas which, any one can see, Brahman concept, as I see it, lies need but a touch to turn them in the refusal to construct a false into something blasphemous or self — such that, for example, ferocious.” Whatever the differI seem to myself to exist at the ences among the sects, they all center of the universe, capable of have one thing in common: a defining for myself what is real strong attachment to one theme and true — and in the associated or one portion of the Christian refusal to invent a Giver who has revelation, which they have never not (yet) revealed himself. The learned to balance and combine danger, however, lies in a premawith the rest. ture ruling out of the possibility Even as we believe that that a Giver still reveal himself Christianity is the fullest revela— which is what some forms of tion of God, and that Catholicism Eastern religion have done.

is its profoundest expression, we must say this with humility. We don’t know and live out that fullness ourselves. As St. Paul said, each of us grasps only fragmentary aspects of the Truth we hope to encounter fully in eternity (cf. 1 Cor 13:12). What we will be in eternity begins on this side of death. The Buddhist who is moved to compassion by the teaching of the Buddha; the Muslim who strives to live an upright life through prayer, almsgiving, and fasting; the Jew who lives by faith in the God of Abraham, Isaac, Jacob, and Jesus — each is demonstrating obedience to an impulse of grace. I am not suggesting that all religions mediate salvation to a greater or lesser extent.

Grace comes always by means of Christ in the Spirit; since Easter and Pentecost, this involves the mediation of Christ’s body, the Church, in ways often known to God alone. That noted, it is possible to discern the touches of God’s Spirit in other religions without ignoring what is false and unholy in them.

God wills that all people embrace the fullness of Christ in the Catholic Church where alone that fullness is found. It is a betrayal of Christ to neglect or oppose the preaching of the Gospel to non-Christians on the ground that they already know God (at least implicitly) according to their own lights. It is likewise a betrayal to cease calling our separated Christian brethren to Catholic unity on the ground that their communities possess, in varying degrees, authentic “ecclesial” elements of sanctification and truth.

Much will be required of those to whom much has been entrusted, our Lord said (Lk 12:48). Given the riches we Catholics have (above all, the Eucharist), and despite how unmoved by the gift we often are, it may be that, in the fullness of God’s mercy, even we can be saved.

Father Kocik is a parochial vicar at Santo Christo Parish in Fall River.

drive myself into a tizzy trying to assure everything was in proper order. Now I do it automatically. Make sure there are sufficient chairs for priests and sanctuary ministers. Put out traffic cones to reserve a space for the presiding prelate. See that the flower arrangements do not create a trip hazard in the sanctuary. Hide last Sunday’s bulletin so that people don’t pick them up out of habit and then leave them behind in the pews (for me to pick up) once they find out it’s old news. Turn the prayer book to the right page. Set out the sacred vessels. Prepare sufficient altar breads for a crowd. Choose the best red vestment. Turn on the air-conditioning. Oh, wait.

We don’t have air-conditioning.

Open the windows. Prepare a plate of sliced bread. Buy a lemon. (Bread and lemon are used to cut the sacred chrism from the hands of the presider. The altar servers always get a kick out of the messy ritual washing.) Mission accomplished, I’m out to lunch, so to speak.

I’m running late, but off to the Taunton Deanery’s monthly meeting of priests. Today’s agenda is not very exciting — the standardization of stole fees.

The last deanery meeting of the season is always held at Holy Rosary Church in Taunton and always well-attended. This is due to the fabulous luncheon provided by the host, Father David Stopyra. To ensure that the business meeting doesn’t run over-time, Father David slyly places printed menus on the conference table. Talk too long, brothers, and your mouth-watering meal will grow cold. Not surprisingly, the meeting ends on time. Father David rings a loud hand bell, just to make his point.

We priests are not used to such an elaborate lunch. We usually just grab a tuna fish sandwich, if that. Here at the “Warsaw Inn” are real tablecloths and cloth napkins (nothing paper.)

The place settings are china (nothing plastic.)

There must be 10 different hot appetizers, including: stuffed mushrooms, kielbasa in a sweet/ sour sauce, deviled eggs with optional anchovy sauce, chicken livers wrapped in bacon, water chestnuts wrapped in bacon, scallops wrapped in bacon, and

shrimp with horseradish sauce.

There are two entrees: roast beef and pan-seared scallops in a special sauce served with sides of steamed baby spinach and whipped potatoes in a pastry shell garnished with chives. Desert is a decadent triple-chocolate mousse cake.

I eat too many h’ors d’oeuvres, but skip dessert.

What a feast day this is turning out to be.

Now, it’s back to my rectory to set my own table for supper. I’m hosting six guests for a pre-confirmation meal. It’s only the second time I’ve eaten in the rectory dining room. I serve the meal before confirmation because we priests are getting older and 9 p.m. is just too late to eat dinner. We want to get home to bed. I suspect the days of the elaborate post-confirmation dinner are gone. Sometimes, even the ministers of confirmation are too busy or too tired for a late-night dinner. I invite not only the deanery priests, but also the parish ministry staff — including lay people and religious women.

I serve a one-dish Portuguese meal called carne alentejana — pork and potato cubes with clams. There is also Portuguese custard with drizzled caramel over chocolate cake (bolo de pudim) for dessert, and a platter of fresh fruit. We enjoy each other’s company, but cannot linger. We have miles to go and promises to keep before we sleep.

The celebration of the sacrament of confirmation goes well. There are 48 high school freshmen confirmed, all wellprepared and accompanied by a sponsor. The church is full.

I must be attentive to building occupancy codes. This year, for the first time, we had admission by ticket only. It was either that or schedule two confirmation ceremonies. Our church has become too small. People cooperated with the ticket system.

What a feast day this turned out to be. Remember, dear readers, those klitzy cookie jars from the 1940s shaped like calorically challenged monks? If I ate this way every day, that’s exactly what I would look like.

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

Specializing in: Brand Name/ Foreign Auto Parts 1420 Fall River Avenue (Route 6) Seekonk, MA 02771

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By Kenneth J. Souza, Anchor Staff EAST SANDWICH — Although she’s fresh from having a recent knee replacement surgery, it’s clear that Jean Sullivan is anxious to resume the many volunteer efforts at Corpus Christi Parish that have kept her busy for the past half-century.

“My friends and I all say the same thing: we’re keeping busy by helping others,” Sullivan said, gazing from her living room couch at the picture-perfect day beyond her outdoor deck.

While she’ll soon be back to making weekly house calls to fellow parishioners and helping her parish priest with various parochial tasks, Sullivan relishes this rare opportunity to marvel at the wonder of God’s simple gifts. She notes how life can get so busy at times that we all tend to lose sight of his handiwork.

“I scheduled my knee surgery for the spring so I could recover while things were blossoming,” she said. “I sit here and say my prayers or watch the Mass on TV and I notice the birds, the squirrels, the ocean — the little things in life that God gives us along our voyage. We live in such fast times that we don’t look at the beautiful trees, at the birds singing, or at the squirrel in a bird feeder upside-down with his tail hanging out.

“I think our culture is missing a lot of things because we’re

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May 14, 2010

Appreciating the little things God gives always in a hurry to get things ing and evaluating,” she said. took on the role of sacristan at done. People miss these ordinary, “I loved teaching challenged St. Theresa’s Chapel until it was everyday little things — sign- youngsters, because they were closed in November 2008. posts along the journey that God a lot less challenged than most “There was a wonderful lady gives us. In my opinion, God is people thought.” before me who was in charge saying: ‘Watch, look, listen and Despite having formally “re- of the chapel, I used to help her change.’” tired,” Sullivan wasn’t about to and when she got sick I took Having grown up in over,” Sullivan said. “But Medford, Sullivan’s inI told Father Marcel H. volvement with Corpus Bouchard after the chapel Christi Parish began in closed I didn’t want to do 1960 when her family it anymore. I also served started coming to Cape as lector there and I still Cod in the summers and fill in at Corpus Christi she started attending Mass when they need me.” at St. Theresa’s Chapel in Although she’s recently Sagamore — a mission of scaled back some of her the parish. parish activities, the vi“When my father rebrant 77-year-old still entired, we moved down here joys visiting homebound and I taught at the Ella F. and sick parishioners evHoxey School down the ery week and bringing street for two years,” Sulthem holy Communion livan said. “Then I was — in fact, she said it’s the transferred to another ministry she loves best. school and taught special “I generally go to peoneeds. I later worked as ple’s houses but I have a social worker and then gone to nursing homes as the school psycholoand I volunteered for two gist for three elementary years at the Rehabilitaschools — two here and tion Hospital of the Cape one at Otis Air Force Anchor person of the week — Jean Sul- and Islands in Sandwich,” Base.”

Sullivan said. “When you livan. (Photo by Kenneth J. Souza) Sullivan worked a total bring Jesus to someone of 38 years in public eduwho is confined or in bed, cation — the first five in Med- sit idle in her golden years. Re- their eyes light up and their face ford, and the next 33 in nearby tirement just gave her more time lights up and they know that JeBourne — before retiring 18 to devote to her Church. sus has not forgotten them. He’s years ago in 1992.

She soon became actively there and he’ll be there anytime “I’ve always been involved involved as a lector, then as an they need him.” with helping children and fami- extraordinary minister of holy Even though the closing of lies — with counseling, test- Communion, and eventually St. Theresa’s Chapel has forced her to travel back and forth to Corpus Christi early Sunday morning to pick up the Blessed Sacrament for her weekly visits, it’s something to which she looks forward.

“I make about four or five sick calls a week,” she said. “I generally make my visits on Sunday, because I figure that’s the Lord’s day.”

Sullivan’s faith has been an integral part of her life and she

knows God has a purpose for her.

As a 39-year cancer survivor, she trusts that he’s kept her around this long to do his will.

“Everyday I thank God for another day,” she said. “I had a type of cancer that only had a 10 percent survival rate. Today, it’s miraculous what they can do. Our choices in 1971 were limited. I opted to have radiation therapy and I know what a gift it is and what a struggle it is.

“For some reason, God spared me. I’m not sure why he kept me here — but someday he’ll tell me.”

Having been nominated to be an Anchor Person of the Week by her pastor, Father Bouchard, Sullivan said she was surprised and humbled at having been singled out.

“I don’t feel that I deserve this,” she said. “Of all the people in the parish who do so much, I don’t know why Father Bouchard chose me. It’s a cooperative effort — it’s not one person. We all work together as a team. But I hope I can inspire other people to do things and help out with their parish.”

Sullivan’s attention shifts from the picturesque water view beyond her deck to one of her cats that wants to come in. She has two cats and a dog — three more examples of God’s “little gifts” — to keep her company.

“I’m grateful for my faith, my family, my friends, my felines, and whatever frustrations God gives me,” Sullivan said, emphasizing the alliteration. “And then my canine.”

“But faith is what I rely on,” she added. “Friends are there a good part of the time as are family members, but they can’t be with you 24/7. But God is there 24/7, no matter what happens to you. All you have to say is ‘Jesus help me,’ and he’ll be there.”

To nominate a person, send an email to FatherRogerLandry@anchornews.org.

May 14, 2010

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FRSO to perform to raise funds for St. Anne’s Shrine

By Dave Jolivet, Editor

launched its grand campaign.

Less than one year later, the campaign FALL RIVER — For more than a century, countless Catholic faithful exceeded its goal and netted an incredhave descended to the lower level of ible $250,000. With the proceeds, the St. Anne’s Church in Fall River and committee went ahead with the muchentered the sacred space of St. Anne’s needed renovations. Walls and ceilings were painted, floors were repaired, pews Shrine.

For hundreds of personal reasons, peo- were refurbished, areas were re-tiled, ple have flocked to the shrine to seek the broken windows were replaced, and intercession of Jesus’ grandmother, good water-damaged walls were repaired and St. Anne. Some came for physical healing, sealed.

On April 15, others for the heal2007, Bishop ing of the soul or George W. Colemind. Many came man blessed and seeking a way out dedicated the of dire circumshrine with its stances, and others beautifully comcame on behalf of pleted facelift. a family memDespite reachber or friend. And ing its goal and there were those beyond three who just journeyed years ago, the St. to the shrine for a Anne’s Historical moment of peace Restoration Fund and quiet, an esCommittee has cape from the “rat not rested on its race” of everyday laurels. It takes life. capital to upkeep An image from the shrine and the shrine that rekeep it a beautimains ingrained in ful sanctuary for many of the visiprayer, euchators’ mind’s eye is ristic adoration, that of the scores Mass, and the of crutches left sacrament of recbehind — the results of purported jesus’ grandmother — This beautiful im- onciliation. After healings through age of St. Anne is one of many inspiring sites at 116 years, it still the intercession of St. Anne’s Shrine in Fall River. The shrine has remains a port in St. Anne and Our been repaired and renovated over the past few a storm for hunBlessed Mother. years, and continues to be a source of peace dreds of faithful.

Each year, the It was no won- and hope after more than a century. committee holds a der that after more fund-raising event than 100 years of wear and tear, the shrine was in desperate need of renovation and to raise the monies needed to maintain the shrine. repair.

This year’s event will take place Sunday In 2006 a group of concerned lay people, who held the shrine nearly and dearly at 3 p.m., when the Fall River Symphony to their hearts, established the St. Anne Orchestra will perform in the upper church Shrine Historical Restoration Fund Com- sponsored by St. Anne’s Credit Union.

Tickets for the event may be obtained at mittee. The committee’s goal was to raise an astounding $200,000 to, as they put it, St. Anne’s Credit Union on Oliver Street “Bring this landmark to immaculate con- in Fall River, or at the door the day of the performance. dition.”

For more information, contact Diana Many needs had to be addressed: the ceiling, walls, tiles and benches of the Victor at 774-488-4019 or dianavictor@ shrine. On May 16, 2006 the committee hotmail.com.

ninety-five years young — Sacred Heart Home in New Bedford recently celebrated resident Clara Bartlett’s 95th birthday with a celebration that included family, staff and residents who enjoyed celebrating her special day with a pizza party and birthday cake. From left: Dollie and John Bartlett (daughter-in-law and son), Bartlett, and Marlene and Donald Davis (daughter and son-in-law).

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

“Iron Man 2” (Paramount/Marvel) Stylish sci-fi follow-up charting the further adventures of a freewheeling weapons manufacturer (Robert Downey Jr.) — whose high-tech suit of armor transforms him at will into the titular hero —

The Anchor as he battles a gifted but warped Russian scientist (Mickey Rourke) and competes against a smarmy rival industrialist (Sam Rockwell) with the on-again, off-again help of his former military liaison (Don Cheadle) and the steady support of his frequently exasperated executive assistant (Gwyneth Paltrow).

In his second adaptation of a popular comic-book series that originated in 1963, director Jon Favreau crafts an almost entirely gore-free, though steadily clash-laden, cautionary tale about the two-edged potential of modern munitions.

Considerable, though virtually bloodless, action violence; some sexual humor and references; at least one instance of profanity; a bleeped use of the F-word; a

couple of crude expressions; and occasional crass language. The Catholic News Service classification is A-III — adults. The Motion Picture Association of America rating is PG-13 — parents strongly cautioned. Some material may be inappropriate for children under 13.

“A Nightmare on Elm Street” (Warner Bros.)

Crazed killer Freddy Krueger (now played by Jackie Earle Haley) and his fatal fingers return to prey on the dreams — and real lives — of a new generation of small-town teens (including Rooney Mara, Kyle Gallner, Katie Cassidy and Kellan Lutz). Veteran music video director Samuel Bayer’s unwelcome reboot of the 1980s slasher franchise — his feature debut — relies on the tried and trite recipe of sending interchangeable insomniacs to a gory doom. Intense bloody violence; gruesome imagery; a pedophilia theme; an implied nonmarital relationship; a couple uses of profanity; at least a dozen instances of the F-word; and some 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.

May 14, 2010

Appeal donations can literally save lives FALL RIVER — “The generosity of diocesan donors to the Catholic Charities Appeal has enabled us to save many innocent human lives. Programs of direct intervention to address the needs of the individuals have allowed many to find the courage to continue their pregnancies.”

Marian Desrosiers, director of the Pro-Life Apostolate, a ministry funded by the annual Catholic Charities Appeal, makes very clear the impact the generosity of donors to the Appeal have on the lives of expectant mothers and unborn children. “We are also offering compassionate counseling and assistance to those who have an abortion experience in their background. The Office of Pro-Life continues to receive hundreds of telephone calls for Project Rachel, from mothers, fathers, and family members who are experiencing post-abortion stress.”

“These are startling

Diocese of Fall River TV Mass on WLNE Channel 6 Sunday, May 16 at 11:00 a.m.

Celebrant is Father Robert A. Oliveira, pastor of Holy Name of the Sacred Heart of Jesus Parish in New Bedford

thoughts when you get right down to it,” stated Mike Donly in the Appeal Office.

“Imagine that those who donate are actually, not figuratively, saving the lives of innocent unborn children. What an amazing thing. So often we talk about how our donors are touching the lives of literally thousands of homeless, hungry, ill, and troubled people through the hands of those who work in our agencies ministering to them.

We hope they can come to some understanding of the wonderful thing they are doing when they donate. But to actually know you are saving lives right here in our own neighborhoods by assisting expectant mothers and fathers who are struggling with the dilemma of whether or not to bring a new life into the world is mind boggling.

If people need to know if their donated money is well spent, or others need a reason to consider giving, this has to be one of the most convincing and compelling examples possible.”

Desrosiers relates the story of one of the students from the diocese who traveled to Washington for the March for Life, a young girl named Julia. After experiencing the march, all of the Pro-Life supporters that were with her (tens of thousands), and listening to the stories and speakers in Washington, her comments were so encouraging: “Every life is a gift from God and every person is a person no matter how small. God wants us to respect every living thing. We need to stand up for those who cannot stand up for themselves. God has a plan for everyone, by aborting babies we are interrupting God’s plans.”

The work of the Office of Pro-Life includes helping to create a generation of compassionate and involved men and women who realize God’s plan for all of us, and do what they can to bring it to fulfillment.

Donations to the Appeal can be sent to the Catholic Charities Appeal Office, P.O Box 1470, Fall River, Mass. 02722; dropped off at any parish in the diocese; or made on the Appeal website: www.frdioc-catholiccharities.org

Cape Cod sisters are national prayer contest winners continued from page one

Family Rosary founder, Servant of God Father Patrick Peyton, CSC — Olivia and Lucy crafted stunning depictions of how their own family have lived out their faith through prayer.

Eighth-grader Lucy’s pencil drawing depicts a small child’s hands clutching a set of rosary beads within the hands of its mother. Inside each bead is an image symbolic of a different prayer intention.

“Each bead represents something different that my family prays for,” Lucy said. “The first three represent faith, hope and love; then one for world peace; one is an unborn baby for the protection of unborn children; another is a rose to represent the intercession of the Virgin Mary; books symbolizing the holy Scripture; a tree representing our family tree; stars representing our country; there’s a dove representing the Holy Spirit; and then the Eucharist representing the Body of Christ.”

While the style of the pencildrawn artwork is reminiscent of the famous sketches created by Leonardo da Vinci, the 14-year-old artist doesn’t cite him as an influence, although she’s familiar with his work.

“I’ve seen his drawings, but I think I was mostly influenced by my sister and my mom,” she said.

“I think I’ve been inspired by them and have developed my own style. I really like drawing in pencil.”

A student at Mother of Divine Grace in North Falmouth where she’s home-schooled by her mother Heidi Bratton — a featured columnist with The Anchor — Lucy said she coincidentally first learned about the competition from an article in The Anchor.

“My mom asked us if we wanted to draw something to submit,” she said. “I knew I was going to do something with the rosary because

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May 14, 2010

it’s my favorite prayer. After I first drew a rough draft of the beads I liked how it came out, so I decided to use it as my entry.”

The inspiration for older sister Olivia’s drawing arose from her brothers’ legacy of passing down the family’s prayerful tradition.

She explained how her 18-yearold brother Peter, who’s now away at college, would patiently sit with 12-year-old Benjamin when he was younger and teach him to pray the

Lucy Elizabeth and Olivia Marie Nino Bratton

rosary.

“Even though he was crazybusy with school, he’d always take the time to say those prayers with Benjamin,” Olivia said. “After he left for college, Benjamin would start praying with our two-yearold brother Jesse. Some of the first words that Jesse said were those prayer intentions. Benjamin would ask him what he wanted to pray for, and Jesse would say ‘mama’ and ‘dada’ and it was so beautiful to see Jesse learning how to pray. When I heard about the competition and the theme, I knew that’s exactly what I wanted to draw.”

Olivia’s award-winning entry is a depiction of Benjamin’s mentoring Jesse in prayer. It’s a striking and intimate portrait that wasn’t all that easy to capture.

This week in 50 years ago — Spring brought growth across the diocese as $7 million in construction began. It included building Bishop Feehan High School in Attleboro; Cardinal O’Hara Dormitory at Stonehill College in Easton; needed expansion of St. Margaret’s Church in Buzzards Bay and St. Pius X Church in South Yarmouth; additions to Mt. St. Mary’s and Sacred Hearts academies in Fall River; and a new rectory for St. Mary’s Parish in Fairhaven.

25 years ago — Approximately 350 Boy Scouts, Webelos and adult Scouters attended the 15th annual Scout retreat at St. Vincent de Paul Camp in Westport, and led by several troop chaplains, participated in outdoor religious services and attended Mass, with the retreat theme, “Discipleship: What it means to be a Follower of Christ.”

“It was difficult because Jesse was always squirming around,” she said. “I had to use different photographs to base my drawing on.”

Having previously been homeschooled like her siblings, 16-yearold Olivia is now a sophomore at Bishop Stang High School in North Dartmouth, and said she could immediately identify with the contest theme.

“I’ve definitely seen the power of prayer in my own life,” she said. “Every night we say and sing prayers together as a family. It’s just a couple of minutes to bring everyone together and later it will open up to conversation about our day.

We know when we come together to pray, we are together with God.” Although she enjoys drawing and is thankful for her God-given talent, she doesn’t have any aspirations of turning her artistic hobby into a career at this point. But she’s pleased her work will help promote the efforts of Holy Cross Family Ministries.

“One of my favorite Biblical passages is 1 Peter 4:10, and it says: ‘Each one should use whatever gift he has received to serve others, faithfully administering God’s grace in its various forms,’” Olivia said. “So where God has given me this ability to draw, this is a gift I definitely want to keep using for God.” Both girls expressed surprise and excitement at having won the contest, and Lucy added she felt honored to be able to “help spread Father Peyton’s message.”

“I’m very proud of them,” said mother and teacher Heidi, who noted how the family theme was present on several levels. “Not only was Olivia inspired by her brothers to draw them teaching each other to pray, but the invisible thing you can’t see is our 20-year-old daughter, Nicole, was the one who taught her two

Diocesan history 10 years ago — Holy Cross Father Mark T. Cregan, a Stonehill College alumnus and trustee and the pastor of a large inner-city parish in New York City, was chosen the ninth president of the 52-year-old college. He succeeded Holy Cross Father Bartley MacPhaidin, who had served since 1978.

One year ago — When Benedictine Sister Paula Hagen visited the diocese, she found the Ministry of Mothers Sharing, the peer ministry for women of all ages she helped establish 25 years ago, was flourishing across the diocese in many parishes, including St. Pius X in South Yarmouth, Christ the King in Mashpee, St. John the Evangelist in Attleboro, and St. Anthony’s in Mattapoisett.

younger sisters how to draw.”

Describing how she’s always kept a fully-supplied art desk at home for her kids to use whenever they felt inspired, Heidi said it’s helped them to love and appreciate all art forms.

“It’s always available to them and I have it over some tiles so if they make a mess it just doesn’t matter,” she said. “I’ve tried to fos-

ter a love of beauty in everything they do. As a teacher and a parent, fostering that love and giving them the tools has helped them. But obviously they’re naturally talented — I had nothing to do with that, it’s all them.”

As first-place winners, each girl will receive a $100 individual cash prize along with a $200 prize for their school.

sister act — Above is Olivia Marie Nino Bratton’s first-place winning drawing in the 10th-grade category in Family Rosary’s annual “Try Prayer!, It Works!” contest. Below is Lucy Elizabeth Bratton’s first-place entry in the eighth-grade category. The sisters from North Falmouth are only the second and third winners from the Diocese of Fall River in the annual national contest. In 2006, Amanda Drapeau from Fall River placed first in the sixth-grade category with an essay.

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The Anchor

May 14, 2010

Our readers respond

Delving into the sexual abuse scandal The recent Anchor editorials go a long way toward a truthful framing of the so-called “pedophile” crisis, which was first revealed as gripping the Archdiocese of Boston and now seemingly has a worldwide presence. The Boston Globe Spotlight Team series in 2002 was a commendable example of investigative reporting and deserving of acclaim.

As an example of balanced journalism, however, it was politically slanted and unfortunately lacked intellectual honesty. While the reporters were disciplined and the instances of abuses by the likes of John Geoghan led to many others, the latter were overwhelmingly homosexual predators: Paul Shanley, Joseph Birmingham and a rapidly expanding number of other priests had preyed upon post-pubescent males, not young children. Professor Mary Ann Glendon of Harvard clarified within Catholic circles that this was ephebophilia, not pedophilia. The Boston Globe, however, realized, as your April 30 editorial stated about the media, that this “might endanger popular culture’s and their politically-correct esteem for same-sex attractions and activity.” Thus, they continued the use of “pedophilia” with no reference to the John Jay College of Criminal Justice’s independent study that it was approximately 80 percent male on male, with 80 percent of those being adolescents. Newly revealed worldwide instances of abuse, as well as those being resurrected in the attempts to tarnish Pope Benedict’s leadership of the Roman Catholic Church, are basically of the same mould.

Yes, there are other instances, and they are equally tragic. We have witnessed them, as well.

Weighing the problem as to the nature of what is

involved, however, is essential to understanding it as we work to restore the organizational purity of Christ’s Church.

R. T. Neary Medfield

Pope Benedict and abuse in the Church In response to your April 16 editorial, certainly the abuse scandal has rocked the Church with Richter Scale dimensions.

The one thing which we are battling against is the current philosophy of redundant victimization which finds justification in constantly revisiting injury upon those perceived to be responsible.

With the current attacks on Pope Benedict XVI, we have to recall the recent challenges to the reputation of Pope Pius XII. The press has been quick to attack him as silent on the issues surrounding World War II. However, a fast online Google-search of the Vatican Archives reveals more than 1,500 publicly released documents from Pius XII condemning Nazi and Fascist genocide and imperialistic practices. Somehow, few in the press could find this out, or at least didn’t want to for whatever reason. So far, the press hasn’t gotten into higher rate of breaches of faith among other denominations, but currently, the Catholic Church is the target, as we had turned a naïve eye to things of the flesh.

When many of us were confirmed, the last thing the bishop did was give us a small blow to the cheek to remind us to have the strength to die for our faith. The more difficult task ahead of us in this country is to have strength to live for our faith. Perhaps, for a start, we might see an even greater return of the wayward, and the secular press couldn’t stand up to that. As whatever powers that be out there have declared war on the Church, the best way for us to return such violence is with the peace of Christ and his strength in the faith he himself gives us.

If we truly are people of the Resurrection, then to rise in Christ we have to stop wringing our hands continuing to wait for the next shoe to fall until we run out of shoes. If we rise in Christ, the next shoe will be of little consequence to the power of God in us.

Deacon Bill Gallerizzo St. Pius X Catholic Church South Yarmouth Pinpointing causes for sexual abuse You spend your entire April 30 editorial trying to convince Catholics that homosexual, not pedophile, priests caused the sexual abuse crisis. Do you think that it matters to the 11- or 12-yearold altar boy, who was raped or molested, whether a pedophile or a homosexual priest raped him?

Don’t you know that sex with someone under 16 is statutory rape? Celibacy needs to be optional, no matter the cause of the sexual abuses of young children.

You are now resorting to smoke and mirrors in order to avoid one conclusion: the reason that the sexual abuse crisis grew to an out-of-control cancer is the lack of accountability of the bishops.

No more excuses.

Ed Scahill Mashpee Executive editor responds: Sexual abuse by clergy, in every form, is evil, sinful and sacrilegious and does incalculable harm to those who suffer it. If we wish to be accountable to those who have suffered it and protect others from similar violence in the future, however, we must admit the facts. If 80 percent of the murders in a city were taking place in one small section of the city, confronting the problem of urban murders and protecting people’s lives would require adequate and disproportionate attention to why so many murders are happening in that section.

Trying to address the problem of urban violence “in general,” out of fear of offending good people in that section of the city, would simply be negligent. It would be even more negligent if the media, residents and city leaders pretended that all the murders were happening in another section of the city. Similarly, if four out of five cases of clerical sexual abuse of minors involves the same-sex molestation of teenage boys, that is where we need to be spending a disproportionate share of our resources, rather than treating clerical sexual abuse in general or pretending as if all the abuse is genuine pedophilia. That was what the April 30 editorial argued.

May 14, 2010

Bishop to present St. Pius X Youth Awards continued from page one

words to describe Allison are joyful and energetic. We have a number of awesome kids in our parish, and Allison is a great leader and a great role model for them. She is a young woman of faith and wants to pull other young people into what the Church has to offer.”

Boudreau is an altar server, an extraordinary minister of holy Communion, a lector, works in the parish Religious Education program and is involved with the youth group that’s been in existence for approximately one year. “Other people catch her enthusiasm,” said Father Ciryak. “I look up to her.”

“I was shocked and overjoyed when I heard that I was

going to receive the award,” Boudreau told The Anchor. “Of all the great kids in this parish, I was chosen. I love my parish and it’s nice to know I’m making a difference. My parents always made coming to church and being involved something I liked. And Father Mike is great, he makes you want to stay involved.”

Father Jay T. Maddock, pastor of Holy Family Parish in East Taunton nominated Molly P. Cardoza. “She is an outstanding young woman,” he said. “In her being nominated, she represents not only herself and the outstanding service she offers to our parish as a young person, but also many other young

people who do so much for our parish.

“Molly has been a faithful altar server since she was old enough to start, in third grade.

She has volunteered for several years to teach our younger children in our Faith Formation Program. She has done all this while at the same time having an outstanding high school career, academically and in extracurricular activities. We are proud to have her receive this award.”

Cardoza told The Anchor, “I come from a parish where a lot of young people are involved and I feel like I am accepting this award for the many students who volunteer their time and talents at Holy Family.

Receiving this youth service award is one of the highlights

2010 St. Pius X Youth Award winners Christopher Amaral Steve AndrewAngelos Kayla Arruda David Anthony Barbosa Stephanie C. Beeks Catherine Sullivan Berube Steven Booth Allison Jill Boudreau Damien Joseph Cabral Rachel Anne Campoli Molly P. Cardoza Michael H. Casey Johnathan Charboneau Renee A. Charron Joshua Shawn Chaves Melissa Cieto Tanya Marie Creamer Andrew DaSilva James Desrochers Jacob E. Dionne Nicholas Robert Ducharme Katelyn Dupont Lauren Anelia Dykas Paige Farias Alex John Farias Cory Furtado Timothy William Gill Michael Green Matthew Peter Guresh Darius Haghighat Matthew R. Hartnett Emily C. Houston Eric Anthony Ippoliti Michael Krupa Matthew Laird Elizabeth Anne Laprade Danyelle Elizabeth Ledbetter Alisha Lemieux Cara Maher Kevin Joseph Martins Robert McShane David Medeiros Nicholas A. Mello Matthew G. Messier Loryn Moynihan Marjorie Z. Palmeri Carina Paz Rafael E. Santos Barbara E. Silva Justin Scott Torres Alexander J. Tutino Victoria Rose Verrier Morissa Vital

15

The Anchor

Our Lady of Fatima Parish St. Anthony Parish Holy Trinity Parish St. Anthony of Padua Parish Our Lady of Victory Parish St. Mark Parish St. Julie Billiart Parish St. Francis of Assisi Parish SS. Peter & Paul Parish O.L. of the Immaculate Conception Parish Holy Family Parish St. Francis Xavier Parish St. Joseph Parish St. Stephen Parish St. Bernard Parish St. Mary Parish Our Lady of Mt. Carmel Parish St. Joan of Arc Parish Sacred Heart Parish St. Louis de France Parish Sacred Heart Parish St. Theresa of the Child Jesus Parish Our Lady of the Holy Rosary Parish St. John the Baptist Parish St. John of God Parish St. Dominic Parish St. John the Evangelist Parish Holy Trinity Parish St. Elizabeth Seton Parish St. Anthony of Padua Parish Corpus Christi Parish St. Mary Parish St. Mary Parish St. Ann Parish Christ the King Parish St. John the Evangelist Parish Our Lady of the Assumption Parish St. Lawrence Martyr Parish Holy Cross Parish Our Lady of the Cape Parish St. Mary Parish Santo Christo Parish St. Joseph Parish Holy Name Parish St. John Neumann Parish St. Pius X Parish St. Michael Parish O.L. of Guadalupe at St. James Parish Immaculate Conception Parish St. Nicholas Myra Parish Annunciation of the Lord Parish St. Patrick Parish St. Mary Parish

New Bedford Taunton Fall River Fall River Centerville Attleboro Falls North Dartmouth Swansea Fall River New Bedford East Taunton Hyannis Fall River Attleboro Assonet New Bedford Seekonk Orleans Fall River Swansea North Attleboro Attleboro Taunton Westport Somerset Swansea Attleboro West Harwich North Falmouth New Bedford East Sandwich North Attleboro Norton Raynham Mashpee Pocasset New Bedford New Bedford South Easton Brewster Mansfield Fall River Fairhaven Fall River East Freetown South Yarmouth Fall River New Bedford North Easton North Dighton Taunton Wareham South Dartmouth

of my senior year in school. I hope to continue my service to the Church during my college years. I’d like to say thank you to Holy Family Parish and the Fall River Diocese for honoring me with this award.”

Crystal-Lynn Medeiros, assistant director of the diocesan Youth and Young Adult Ministry said of the winners, “These young people are servants and leaders in the parish and several have assisted at various diocesan events.

“These ordinary young people are extraordinary witnesses to their faith.”

Of the award itself, Medeiros said, “This is a remark-

able recognition that our young people should be continuously encouraged for their service to the faith. It allows them the opportunity to see that their voices are heard.

“Our young people are the Church of today, not the Church of tomorrow. These young men and women are aware of their baptismal vocation and responsibility for bringing the Good News to their communities.”

Joining the 53 recipients at the awards ceremony will be their pastors, family and friends. Music will be provided

by Phil Pereira and the St. Michael’s Music Ministry from Fall River.

16

Youth Pages

under sunny skies — Students in Grades One and Four from St. James-St. John School in New Bedford were recently visited by Tony Petrarca, chief meteorologist from WPRI-12 News, to learn about weather.

just say no — Six Bishop Feehan High School students recently participated in the Substance Abuse Roundtable sponsored by the Community Partnerships, Inc.; United Way; Governor’s Alliance Against Drugs; Department of Public Health; and the Greater Taunton Health and Human Service Coalition.

The students from the Attleboro school were Liam Firth, Larson Korvili, Avril Troope, Caitlin Murphy, Jack LaBelle, and Tiffany Luongo, shown here with Principal Bill Runey.

Mercy Luncheon — The seventh-grade Religious Education class at Holy Redeemer Parish in Chatham recently held a fund-raising luncheon for the children of Haiti. They held the luncheon in the church hall, created posters to advertise, developed a $1,000 goal poster, and wrote to members of the parish community for donations of food and drink. They created a flyer to go home with all the other students and sold tickets after Masses.

The final tally was $1,588.

May 14, 2010

peace flag — St. Vincent’s Home children, youth, and staff celebrated Children’s Memorial Flag Day with a flagraising ceremony in Fall River. Launched in 1998 as a nation-wide initiative, Children’s Memorial Flag Day promotes peace and calls for the immediate stop to violence against children and youth in America.

patch work — Scouts from Pack 35 Bridgewater, Pack 11 Raynham, and Troop 43 Raynham, worked to earn all five patches available in the Rosary Series put out by the National Catholic Committee on Scouting. The scouts were presented their patches at a Living Rosary service that was part of St. Ann’s 50th anniversary celebration year in Raynham. From left: Peter Fielding, Cameron Gil, Jason Vickery, Adam Gingras, Paul Burke, and Nathanial Toste.

Rear: Ana Burke and pastor Father Michael McManus.

room for expansion — St. John the Evangelist School in Attleboro kicked off a capital campaign for a building expansion project initiated last year. The new wing will house music, science and resource classrooms as well as a welcome/reception area, a covered area for children being transported back and forth to school and a nurses’ station. From left: Shawn Buckless, president of FCI New England; Planning Committee members: Darlene Blazejewski, Lori Margetta, Gina Simoneau, Principal Sister MaryJane Holden, Mayor Kevin Dumas and Father Richard Roy, pastor of St. John the Evangelist Parish.

I

usually get up around 7 a.m. when my wife leaves for school. I check my email and then I head down to the kitchen for some coffee and toast. That is followed by morning prayer and readings while sitting in my favorite armchair. I then watch the “Today Show” for a little while to see what is going on in the world. The workday begins around 8:30. Since I work out of a home office, around 11:15 I’ll go to the basement for a workout on the treadmill or elliptical machine (I know, it doesn’t look it, does it?). Lunch is around noon and then I’m back to work until later in the evening. Some TV or a movie. Night prayer and then off to bed to begin all over again.

That’s my daily routine.

Routines. Routines are patterns of behavior that we repeat often. We all have them. We’re all creatures of habit. Some routines are positive and some types of routines drain us and rob us of a good life. Sometimes our routines can get disrupted and it can throw us for a loop. Other times, a life situation or a change can cause us to abandon our routine or perhaps begin a new one.

I’ve been thinking a lot about routines, since I heard a sermon last month while in Florida about making room for God in our lives. This worries me and I want to be sure to keep him in mind

Routines

as new routines develop in the between you and God? Where months ahead. After all, this is are you coming from, and where the time of year that the weather is your life in Christ growing? changes, daylight is extended We can answer such questions and the end of the school year satisfactorily only if we take looms ahead of some. We may time to reflect. While preparing find our daily routines changing for a course I took last semesa bit as summer and vacations ter (another routine), I came approach. across a prayer routine by St. For some of you, getting out of school will open up a good portion of your day.

The routine of school will be replaced by other routines. And for many of you, you’ll be preparing to move on to high

By Frank Lucca school or on to college where you’ll have to develop an entirely new set of routines.

Ignatius of Loyola, called the I mention this because I’ve examination of consciousness noticed that in my life, I can (which is slightly different than sometime replace good routines the examination of conscience). with less worthwhile routines Sometimes we just don’t know and then wonder what haphow to pray and as a result we pened. What about you? Will revert to the rote prayers of our you replace school with sleeping youth and that becomes our roulater or with a new job or with tine. Because we aren’t actively volunteering? Will you pick up a engaged in conversation with bad habit as a result of having so God, we may soon just say the much time on your hands or use words without much thought. I the time to improve your life. know that’s what happened to Will you hang out with others me. I have found this examinawho may build you up or bring tion of consciousness format a you down? Will you make more good daily “just before bedtime” room for God in your life or will alternative for me. It keeps me you place him on the shelf until engaged and thoughtful. It’s a you need him? routine but it isn’t rote. It changSo, how do things stand es daily depending on what I’ve

Be Not Afraid

Catholic high school grads more likely go to college, says report

By Catholic News Service WASHINGTON — In brochures and online materials, Catholic high schools often boast of the high percentage of their students who graduate and attend college — often in the 90100 percent range. According to a new study, this is not just happening at some Catholic high schools but is part of a nationwide trend.

The report by the National Catholic Educational Association shows that students who attend Catholic high schools are more likely to graduate and attend college than students attending other schools.

Catholic secondary schools report a graduation rate of 99.1 percent, higher than rates reported by other religious schools (97.9 percent), nonsectarian schools (95.7 percent) and public schools (73.2 percent).

Students graduating from Catholic high schools are also more likely to attend four-year colleges (84.7 percent) than students graduating from other religious (63.7 percent) and nonsectarian (56.2 percent) schools.

17

Youth Pages

May 14, 2010

Catholic school graduates are twice as likely to attend four-year colleges as graduates of public schools (44.1 percent).

The figures are from the Annual Statistical Report on Schools, Enrollment and Staffing, United States Catholic Elementary and Secondary Schools 2009-2010, recently released by the NCEA. Data for this analysis came from several publications of the U.S. Department of Education’s National Center for Education Statistics, as well as information collected by the NCEA. “This report illustrates the ongoing excellence of Catholic schools,” said Marie A. Powell, executive director of the Secretariat of Catholic Education of the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops.

“Catholic high schools have a remarkable record of graduating their students and preparing them well for post-secondary education,” she said. “Their effectiveness in educating students, even from disadvantaged backgrounds, has been cited consistently in research published over the last 25 years. The Catholic community can be very proud of

their support for such schools.”

The recently published book, “The Death and Life of the Great American School System” by Diane Ravitch, also credits Catholic schools for their successful graduation and college attendance rates.

An April 30 article about her book in The New York Times said Ravitch’s views about public schools are influenced by her “long study of and admiration for Roman Catholic education, especially in serving low-income black and Hispanic students.”

In Ravitch’s view, Catholic schools serve as a model because they “never gave over to the obsession with standardized tests” and “never conceded their curriculum to progressive trends like whole language, constructivist math and relativistic history.”

“As a result,” she added, “black and Hispanic students in Catholic schools did not necessarily score higher than those in public schools on standardized tests like the SAT, but they were far more likely to take rigorous classes, graduate on time and attend college.”

done and what God wants me to learn. I find it worthwhile, easy to follow and powerful. It doesn’t take a lot of time either.

There are five simple steps to the examination of consciousness, which should take approximately 15 minutes to complete. This prayer can be made anywhere — on the beach, in a car, at home, in the library. I present it here for your consideration.

This short prayer exercise, adapted from Joseph Tetlow’s “Choosing Christ in the World,” seeks to increase our sensitivity to God working in our lives and to provide us with the enlightenment necessary to co-operate with and respond to God’s presence.

Step 1: Giving thanks — I take time to thank God for the good things that came into my day. I review the many details of the day in no particular order.

For instance, I thank God for sunshine, for getting an article written on time, for feeling good, for my family, for having the ability and energy to complete my class work. In this process, I may well come across some action that I did or some emotion or desire that I entertained for which I cannot thank God, since it was offensive or sinful.

Step 2: Asking for light — I then ask the Holy Spirit to show me what God wants me to see and how I am growing more fully alive in God as a result of all that he has given me.

Step 3: Finding God in all things — Then I look over the events of the day. I ask the Holy Spirit to show me where God has been present in my life, either in me personally or in others, and in what God has been asking of me. I try to look over my moods, feelings, and urges to see what stands out even slightly. I look for such things as joy, pain, turmoil, increase (or decrease) of love, anger, harmony, anxiety, freedom, presence of God, isola-

tion. In what general direction do I think that God is drawing me?

How have I been responding to these experiences or situations that draw me toward the Lord and which invite me to be more like Jesus?

Step 4: Responding to God in dialogue — Now it’s time to chat with God. I try to determine if there is any one area that I’m being nudged to focus my attention on, to pray more seriously over, to take action on?

This is where my energy needs to be exerted instead of on the many other things I may think are important. I discuss this with Jesus, expressing what needs to be expressed: praise, sorrow, gratitude, desire for change, intercession, etc.

Step 5: Asking for help and guidance for tomorrow — Here I ask God to give me what I need for tomorrow. I place my trust in God and not in myself. He never lets me down.

Since I began utilizing this prayer routine I feel that it has helped me see God working in my life and it helps me recognize and receive God’s care and assistance. St. Ignatius told his Jesuit brothers that the examination of consciousness is the one prayer they should not eliminate; it is the one prayer they absolutely must engage in every single day.

The examination of consciousness is a simple prayer, a prayer for busy people who are continually seeking to do the Lord’s will like me. In any case, in whatever way you choose to engage and dialogue with God, be sure to make room in your routine for him each and every day.

Frank Lucca is a youth minister at St. Dominic’s Parish in Swansea. He is chair and director of the YES! Retreat and director of the Christian Leadership Institute (CLI). He is a husband and a father of two daughters. He wishes his classmates a wonderful summer break from studies and looks forward to the new routines in the fall.

18

The Anchor

May 14, 2010

Deacon’s LifeLines reflects God’s omnipresence

Pro-Life leader Arkes becomes Catholic

continued from page one

continued from page one

quence of drawings telling a story in a newspaper, presenting the opinion of the publisher, editor, or editorials, and reflective of the Gospel message, the Good News of Jesus Christ.”

Father Roger J. Landry, executive editor of The Anchor, said, “From the first time Deacon Horton emailed me last September, I’ve been impressed with how creative, witty and contemporary he is in the proclamation of the Gospel. He introduced me to a new term — comictorial — and I’m so happy to have him associated with our mission at The Anchor.”

He added, “He lives and works by the classic Latin aphorism about evangelization: ‘Non nova sed nove,’ ‘not new teachings but teaching presented in a new way.’”

Deacon Horton’s artistry typically presents the Gospel in a visual, humorous way, with a strong, memorable message.

“I don’t generally approve of ‘bumper sticker’ theology, but there is something to be said for making the Gospel relevant, insightful, visual and memorable — without being pithy or trivial,” he stated.

He said the genesis of comictorials is the omnipresence of God. “Many people are often too busy, too pre-occupied to recognize the presence of God among us. I think LifeLines recognizes, highlights and celebrates his omnipresence. And for that reason, the use of parody is frequently effec-

The Anchor provides a weekly wealth of Catholic information.

What better gift to give in 2010?

tive,” he asserted.

One sample of his creations depicts the international warning symbol to stop (the red circle with the warning bar) and the words: “Abortion is not health care.”

Another, heralding “Theological Olympics” notes, “The Eucharist is a life-changing Event.”

Still another showing Rhode Island’s state flag with the stars surrounding the traditional anchor of hope, states: “Hope is a theological virtue.”

Taking a cue from the national Cash for Clunkers initiative, Deacon Horton in another didactic drawing keys on human frailty aptly noting: “Jesus is Grace for Clunkers.”

At Hasbro, the toy engineer was working on “Idaho Jones and Taters of the Lost Ark,” and “Spider Spud” when he was diagnosed with a brain tumor and underwent surgery in December 2007.

“They removed a golf ball-sized benign tumor and I was in a coma for three of the five months I was hospitalized,” he recalled.

“Later, I had a lot of time to think and I was resolved to turn my disability into some new ability. I wear an eye patch over my left eye and I use a walker to get around — and into the van — when I need to get someplace.”

Deacon Horton said he is “blessed to have a wonderful wife.

Elaine and I have been married for 40 years. She has been my help-

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mate through all of this. Because of her and of the many prayers I’ve received, I have been able to turn my disability into a new ability.”

One of the first incentives he remembers helped sparked his recovery was an advertisement by Dunkin’ Donuts, which asserted, “Dunk can do it.”

“I immediately thought of the scriptural reading that ‘nothing is impossible with God.’ So the parody of the Dunkin’ Donuts campaign is that ‘God can do it.’ That led me to thinking about the omnipresence of God and his revelation … often seen in the media.”

He said it was as if God were saying, “‘Hey Greg, I’m talking to you.’ In prayer, I’ve come to the realization that I’ve been blessed with a lifeline. Now, what am I going to do with it? In gratitude to God for all his gifts, this graphic designer/artist returns the glory and the favor to him, who is the source of our lifelines. I proclaim his marvelous deeds … to all the nations.”

While Deacon Horton composes his LifeLines comictorials at home, there might be a new venue.

“We have three grown sons and utilized a mortgage on our home to help finance their education.

While Elaine is a travel agent who escorts bus tours, I am still unemployed, and frankly we’re barely surviving on a fixed income,” he said candidly.

“However, we inherited a condo in the Diocese of Palm Beach, Fla., and while I never thought much of being a snowbird, it might be better financially to live there at this time.”

Before the interview concluded, a well-wisher complimented Deacon Horton for his remarkable progress. He responded, “I’ll pass that on to the Holy Spirit. He is truly the one responsible.”

sion on Mirror of Justice, a blog dedicated to the development of Catholic legal theory. He noted that, although the Catholic Church’s moral witness on the sanctity of human life, marriage and sex has made the Church a “sign of contradiction” to many of the most powerful in contemporary Western culture, that same witness drew Arkes to the faith.

Despite the failings of many of its members and leaders, especially in the wake of the sexual abuse crisis, Arkes recognized that the Church is indeed “a truth-telling institution,” he said.

“In teachings that many find to be impediments, Hadley found decisive evidence that the Church is, indeed, what she claims to be,” George wrote.

Friends have said that Arkes has remarked that it is not a surprise that a faith that believes God himself comes under the appearance of unleavened bread is sensitive to the dignity of human life in even its tiniest form.

Joe Reilly, a former executive director of the Massachusetts Catholic Conference, told The Anchor that Arkes is a “deep thinker” and one of the most brilliant men he has come across in his work to defend life. He says he has long helped the whole Pro-Life movement think more deeply about the legal and philosophical principles at play.

Former students of Arkes have thanked him for leading them to the truth found in natural law and, well before Arkes became a Catholic, for helping them to become better Catholics.

One former student, Ned Desmond, who grew up on Cape Cod and graduated from Amherst in 1980, said that Arkes’ course on political obligations was “very clever” and “really steadied my hand and my mind as far as what

I believed and what I thought was right,” he told The Anchor.

Arkes taught that abortion can never be justified, and Desmond said he was struck by the “deep saneness” of natural law theory.

He later made the connection between the theory and Catholic teaching, which brought him closer to the faith.

“He helped so many Catholic students get their bearing at Amherst,” said Desmond, who now lives in Maryland where he is the president of Go Sportn, Inc, and a former executive at Time magazine.

Many leading Pro-Lifers give

Hadley Arkes

Arkes credit for some of the biggest recent achievements of the Pro-Life movement. Arkes helped write the Born-Alive Infants Protection Act of 2002 and calls the legislation proof that “you don’t have to wait for the court to do everything.” He regularly contributes to journals and has written several books. He is currently working on a new book while on leave from Amherst, where he has taught since 1966.

Although he accepted the teachings of the Church, Arkes waited to convert. Concerns about how family members would take the news held him from taking the leap right away. He did not want to hurt his family nor seem to disrespect the Jewish faith.

He found that many Catholics respected Jewish tradition. They, like him, believed Abraham made a covenant with God. He saw the connection between the manna in the desert and the Eucharist.

“You can read the Old Testament without the New, but you can’t really read the New Testament without the Old. Everything is predicated on the Old,” he told The Anchor.

Last year in October, after the Red Mass for members of the legal profession in Washington, Arkes and his wife Judy were approached by Father Arne Panula, the director at the Catholic Information Center where Arkes would be baptized. Father Panula provocatively asked him what Continued on page 19

Arkes — Continued from page 18

was preventing the most famous non-Catholic at the Red Mass from coming into the Church.

Arkes responded in the tradition of “The Wizard of Oz’s” Cowardly Lion, “c-c-c-courage.” In a homily one month later at a Mass at which Arkes was present, Father Panula said what the first

ECHO to mark 40th anniversary CENTERVILLE — A Mass celebrating 40 years of the ECHO retreat program on Cape Cod will be held on May 20 at 7 p.m at Our Lady of Victory Church. The principle celebrant will be Father Tim Goldrick, assisted by Fathers David Deston, Peter Fournier and Tom Washburn, OFM. There have been 233 ECHO weekend retreats held during this period with more than 10,000 participants on the weekends. Now as adults many of these teens continue to serve the many parishes on the Cape as Youth Ministers, Parish Pastoral Council members, Faith Formation teachers, and as lectors and extraordinary ministers of holy Communion.

The celebration has been planned by the ECHO Youth Board and music will be provided by the ECHO Music Ministry.

Following the Mass, members of the current Youth Board will be introduced and presented certificates for all their efforts this past year. Youth Board Members for 2011 will be introduced to the community.

Tim Acton and Ellen Driscoll will be acknowledged for their many years leading the ECHO weekends and Tom McManamon and Kathy Harmon will be introduced as the new rector and rectora.

All are welcome and refreshments will be served.

In Your Prayers

Please pray for these priests during the coming weeks May 17 Most Rev. James E. Cassidy, D.D., Third Bishop of Fall River, 1934-51, 1951 Rev. Albert Evans, SS.CC., 2003 May 19 Rev. Ambrose Lamarre, O.P., 1940 Rev. Thomas Trainor, Pastor, St. Louis, Fall River, 1941 Rev. Arthur C. Levesque, Pastor, Our Lady of Fatima, New Bedford, 1988 May 20 Rev. Antonio L. daSilva, Pastor, Our Lady of Health, Fall River, 1952 May 23 Rev. William F. Donahue, Assistant, St. Francis Xavier, Hyannis, 1944 Rev. Alfred J. Guenette, A.A., 1995

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The Anchor

May 14, 2010 reading and the Gospel of the Mass showed was the need for “c-c-c courage.” For Arkes, that illustration and inside joke “was the hook that finally worked.”

In a letter to friends after the baptism, Arkes wrote to thank them for their continued support.

“Judy and I are still dealing with the after-glow. It lingers, magically, and we aren’t inclined to snuff it out right away and get on with other things,” he said.

“We can’t thank you all enough.”

Arkes and his wife, Judy, met in high school and have been married 48 years. Judy is Jewish, and Arkes said he could not have joined the

Church without her support.

In a second Mirror of Justice blog entry, David Forte of Cleveland State University School of Law and a consultor to the Pontifical Council for the Family, said that Arkes was like Jesus in ministering to those who reason.

Arkes, he said, “has never entered a debate to debate, much less to ‘win.’ Rather, he prepares for contests by seeking to understand, and he enters the lists seeking to persuade.”

“For all of his adult life, Hadley Arkes has followed in the steps of the Master. He now walks along side of him,” he added.

Around the Diocese 5/15

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

5/16

Dorothy Levesque, past president of the National Association of Divorced and Separated Catholics, will present “Good Catholics Do Get Divorced” Sunday at 12:30 p.m. at Christ the King Parish, Mashpee. Divorced and separated Catholics are welcomed to attend. This presentation will replace the usual monthly meeting of the Lower Cape Cod Support Group for Separated/Divorced Catholics. For more information email janegreene1@comcast.net.

5/17

A Holy Hour to pray for our priests will be held May 17 at St. Joseph Parish, 208 South Main Street, Attleboro, beginning at 7 p.m. with an opening prayer, rosary and confession talk by Father Kevin A. Cook, followed at 8 p.m. by Benediction.

5/17

St. Mary’s Primary School, 106 Washington Street, Taunton, will sponsor a Golf Tournament May 17 at the LeBaron Hills Country Club, 183 Rhode Island Road, Lakeville with registration beginning at noon and a shotgun start at 1 p.m. To register individual players or a foursome call 508-822-9480 or visit www.stmarystaunton.com.

5/18

The Daughters of Isabella Catholic Organization will meet on May 18 in the hall of Holy Name of the Sacred Heart of Jesus Parish, 121 Mount Pleasant Street, New Bedford beginning at 7 p.m. The group will also be celebrating its yearly Communion brunch May 23 following Mass. All Catholic women 18 and over are welcome to join. For more information call 508-567-3288.

5/19

Come praise God and pray for the gifts of the Holy Spirit at a diocesan Pentecost Celebration to be held May 19 at St. Patrick’s Parish, 82 High Street, Wareham. Prayer and praise begins at 6:30 p.m. with Mass celebrated by Father Edward A. Murphy at 7 p.m. Benediction and healing prayers will follow. For more information call 508-822-2219.

5/20

A Healing Mass will be held at St. Anne’s Church, 818 Middle Street, Fall River, on May 20 at 6:30 p.m. Rosary will precede the Mass at 6 p.m. and Benediction and healing prayers will immediately follow.

5/21

A retreat weekend for parish workers and Religious Educators will be held at La Salette Retreat Center, 947 Park Street, Attleboro, from May 21-23. The retreat will be facilitated by Karen Laroche, M.A., and Claire Lamoureux, Ph.D. For information or to register call 508-222-8530.

5/31

A Memorial Day Mass will be celebrated May 31 at 8 a.m. at St. Mary’s Parish Cemetery, Franklin Street, Mansfield. In case of inclement weather, Mass will be celebrated at 8 a.m. in the church.

All community members are welcome and lawn chairs are recommended.

6/3

Holy Cross Family Ministries, 518 Washington Street, North Easton, will commemorate the 18th anniversary of the death of its founder, Servant of God Father Patrick Peyton, CSC, and the 68th anniversary of Family Rosary on June 3. The event will include rosary at 4 p.m. at the Rosary Walk and Mass at 5 p.m. at St. Joseph Chapel with a light reception to follow. For more information call 508-238-4095.

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 perpetual eucharistic adoration in the Adoration Chapel located at the (south) side entrance at 208 South Main Street. For open hours, or to sign up, call Liesse at 401-864-8539.

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.

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.

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The Anchor

No ifs, ands, Orr buts — he’s the best

May 14, 2010

ay 10, 1970 was a warm, sunny Sunday afthe boards, sent a pass to Derek Sanderson behind the tion and the start of sudden-death overtime. I fidgeted. I ternoon ... Mother’s Day that year. I’m sure I St. Louis Blues’ net and headed to the goal. Sandersquirmed. I sweated. I imagined the game-winning goal wished my mom a happy Mother’s Day before I settled son slid a perfect pass on Orr’s stick, and while being and what it would feel like when it happened. in to watch Game Four of the Stanley Cup finals — at tripped, Parry Sound’s finest fired the puck into the net, Luckily mom and dad weren’t home, or they would least I hope I did. She never mentioned that I didn’t ... if flew through the air, and slid on his knees to the boards not, happy Mother’s Day mom. where he was mobbed by a hoard of happy bears.

I was 13-years-old at the time, and the Bruins were And that young teen? He sat there weeping like an the talk of all New England. By that age I was already overtired bambino. It was the first time a sporting event hooked on the four Boston teams — Celtics, Sox, Bs ever evoked those emotions from me. The next time and Boston Patriots. The Celtics were always world something like that happened was on my 26th wedding champs, so that was pretty much taken for granted each anniversary, Oct. 27, 2004 — the night the Red Sox

By Dave Jolivet year. But the Pats, Bs and Sox were perennial door mats. won the World Series. I told my wife they were tears of All that changed in the ’69-’70 National Hockey League joy of having been married for more than a quarter of a season. century, but she saw right through that one.

The woeful black and gold inhabitants of the Last week, the Bruins memorialized “The Goal” old Boston Gaaaaahden had, in one year, morwith a beautiful bronze statue of Orr’s heroics. I phed into Bobby Orr and the Big Bad Bruins ... just had to be there for the unveiling. As members with the emphasis on Orr. of the ’69-’70 Bruins filed in to Bobby Orr Place, The young man from Parry Sound, Ontario, I was brought back to that sunny Mother’s Day 40 Canada, had taken Beantown by storm. The kid years earlier. could do everything — skate, pass, shoot, play When the statue was unveiled, (after much efdefense, and engage in an occasional scuffle. And fort, seeing that the covering got caught on Orr’s did I say skate? The phenom from the 30,000 Isstick, skates, gloves and head) I was awed. It was lands of Georgian Bay could skate circles around similar to seeing the Magic Castle at Disneyworld the best the NHL had to offer, and make it look for the first time. easy.

In his speech, Orr was as eloquent and selfless As a defenseman, Orr performed fetes with as he’s always been. It was about the ’70 Bruins, his bladed feet that left observers in awe. He was not himself. Boston and other cities have seen their as great an offensive threat as he was a defensive share of sports legends, but none can top Orr’s stalwart. humility and selflessness. That’s what makes him I may be biased, but folks can have their even more a legend — not just as an athlete, but as Wayne Gretzkys, Mario Lemieuxs and Sydney a human being. with the greatest of ease — He flew through the air on May Crosbys. Orr, hands down, or feet down, is the Perfect examples of Orr’s nature came during the greatest player ever to lace up a pair of skates in 10, 1970, winning the Boston Bruins’ first Stanley Cup in 29 years. Bru- introduction of his teammates before the unveilins’ great Bobby Orr, at podium, was memorialized with a statue of “The the National Hockey League. But I digress. ing. Orr realized his friend Gary Doak was left out Goal,” last week in Boston on the 40th anniversary of the event. (Photo Back to 5/10/70. The Bruins held a threeand Orr made a point of letting the emcee know so

by Dave Jolivet) games-to-none advantage in the Cup finals. They Doak could get his recognition. And, one of Orr’s were one win away from their first NHL title in 29 years. teammates, Ace Bailey was killed in one of the jets that have thought I had gone mad (more so than usual).

The game was back and forth in the steamy Gaaaaahhit the Twin Towers on 9/11, and Orr made a point to Overtime started. With sweaty palms and a racing den. By the time 60 minutes had elapsed, the score was thank his widow, Katherine, for attending the ceremoheart, I settled into my chair. It should be noted that level at 3-3. This was taking its toll on a young teen, who nies. And lastly, Orr introduced the apple of his eye, his overtime games can last hours. The game doesn’t end wanted the Stanley Cup title so bad, he could taste it. six-month-old granddaughter Alexis. until someone scores. Luckily for that anxious lad, it There was a 15-minute break between the end of regulaIt was enough to bring a tear to one’s eye .... again. took only 40 seconds before Orr trapped the puck on

My View From the Stands