Anchor 11.12.10

Diocese of Fall River

The Anchor

F riday , November 12, 2010

Boston sports personality goes to bat for Catholic education

By Dave Jolivet, Editor

BOSTON — Raised in a traditional Irish Catholic family in Groton, Mass., Dan Shaughnessy learned life values and helped form the person he is. Shaughnessy is a nationally-renowned and award-winning sports writer and columnist for the Boston Globe and regularly appears on several TV and radio sports shows. He will be speaking at the annual St. Mary’s Fund Fall Dinner at White’s Restaurant in Westport on December 1. He was originally slated to speak at the same event in 2007, but the death of his mother-in-law a few days prior prevented his appearance. Globe colleague Bob Ryan filled his spot.

Proceeds from the Fall Dinner benefit the St. Mary’s Education Fund, which provides need-based financial scholarships to students at Catholic elementary and middle

schools throughout the Fall River Diocese.

Shaughnessy told dinner organizers that he would like to make up for that absence. “I felt badly about missing the dinner,” he told The Anchor. He added that his upbringing instilled a sense of responsibility and appreciation for blessings received. “When I make a commitment for anything, I like to carry it out. Whether it is an appearance or an interview or even returning a phone call or an email. As a TV, radio, and newspaper personality I get enough paying speaking gigs, that when an opportunity to give back presents itself, I like to do it. It’s not that hard. I’m blessed to be able to do what I do, and it’s important to give back to those who need it. It’s too important not to. It’s our livelihood.” He added that for him it’s a necessary part Turn to page 18

Decline in funeral Masses is a growing trend in diocese

By Kenneth J. Souza Anchor Staff

FALL RIVER — Whether it’s a symptom of the current economic climate, a by-product of the decline in people going to church, or simply a lack of proper catechesis, pastors throughout the Fall River Diocese have reported fewer funeral Masses in their parishes and that families are opting more often for informal or “non-religious” burial services.

“There’s certainly been a decrease in funeral Masses,” said Father John J. Perry, pastor of St. Jude the Apostle Parish in Taunton and director of diocesan cemeteries. “The most hurtful examples are those to

whom the Church is a very valuable and important part of their life. Often, they are not the ones making the decisions and, sadly, I think this is becoming a symptom of our greater un-Churched society.”

Father Perry said he’s frequently been disappointed to learn that a good parishioner and faithful Catholic isn’t afforded a proper funeral Mass because the surviving family members have decided otherwise.

“You really have to make your own funeral arrangements, otherwise it’s left to those you’ve left behind,” Father Perry said. “That’s OK if you trust them to know what you want …

Turn to page 12

a story worth hearing — Dianna and Carl Couto of St. Francis Xavier Parish in Acushnet, hold Carl’s hearing aids on which he relied heavily prior to a trip to the Shrine of Our Lady of Lourdes in France. Since his return, Carl no longer needs the aids. He attributes the change to a miracle. (Photo by Rebecca Aubut)

Area faithful enjoy a miraculous pilgrimage through Europe

By Rebecca Aubut Anchor Staff

ATTLEBORO — In her 20 years of planning and organizing pilgrimages through the National Shrine of Our Lady of La Salette in Attleboro, Francis Gunning says the most recent 16-day pilgrimage through parts of Europe was the one for the record books — complete with miraculous events.

“It turned out to be a fantastic, the most incredible pilgrimage. It was one of the most spirit-filled pilgrimages ever,” said Gunning.

According to Father André “Pat” Patenaude, director of the shrine, it has been 10 years since

he had led a pilgrimage of this scale. The trip included visits to different countries along with visiting churches of distinction and revered areas of the Catholic faith.

“Every year I try to have a pilgrimage in Europe or the Holy Land, but not always to the same places,” said Father Pat, who was also appreciative of all the events that took place during the pilgrimage. “It’s not usual, but it doesn’t always happen. It just so happened this time here, for maybe a number of reasons.”

Early on in the journey, a trip was made to visit Sister Lucia’s Carmelite convent in Fatima,

Portugal. Sister Lucia was the last survivor among the three Portuguese children to whom the Virgin Mary appeared at Fatima.

For Carl and Dianna Couto, the trip marked the first time either had been to Europe, and they were awestruck.

“Hearing a different language and seeing the architecture and the way they live, it was something else,” said Carl. “We stopped at so many places and learned so much. Sixteen days sounds like a long time but there was so much more we could have seen.”

It was right after Fatima that a Turn to page 14

of Boston as well as parts of the dioceses of Worcester, Manchester, N.H., Providence, R.I. and Fall River. Service extends south to New Bedford and Buzzards Bay. The tip of the Cape also receives the signal. Simulcast is available on the website www. wqom.org.

The station aired first the inaugural Mass, held at the Cathedral of the Holy Cross in Boston and celebrated by Cardinal Sean P. O’Malley. During the homily he remarked, “This morning we celebrate the great joy of having

a Catholic radio station.”

“May it make God’s word known and lead people to understand their faith and rediscover the beauty of a life of faithful discipleship in the Catholic Church,” he said, urging Catholics to pray for the station’s “spiritual success.”

In a segment after the Mass he expressed his long-held desire to have Catholic radio in eastern Massachusetts.

“This is the realization of that dream,” he said. “It is so fitting Turn to page 18

All-day, all-night Catholic radio hits the local airwaves

By Christine M. Williams Anchor Correspondent

NATICK — An accessible way to transmit the faith, Catholic radio meets people at home or on the road. Nearly everyone has access to radio, and now the faithful in the greater Boston area have access to Catholic programming 24/7.

WQOM, Mary Queen of Martyrs, 1060 AM began broadcasting from Natick on November 1. The 50,000-watt station will reach a population of 5.5 million.

It covers the entire Archdiocese

News From the Vatican

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November 12, 2010

Pope says daily meditation can help Christians clean their consciences

VATICAN CITY (CNS) — Pope Benedict XVI said daily meditation on the life of Christ is a good way for people to grow spiritually and remove the “trash” from their consciences.

The pope, addressing pilgrims a recent weekly general audience, said a 13th-century French mystic, St. Marguerite d’Oingt, offered an example of such spiritual self-reflection to modern men and women.

The saint, whose writings taught readers how to meditate, saw Christ as a “mirror” that allows light into one’s soul, the pope said.

“In this way she was transformed, and her conscience was enlightened and cleansed — and this is something we also need.

The words, the life and the light of Christ can illuminate what is good and true, and what is evil,

too,” he said.

“There is trash not only in the various streets of the world, but also in our consciences, in our souls. And only the light of the Lord cleans us and purifies us, showing us the right way,” he added.

He said that while at first glance the life of a medieval mystic might seem irrelevant to people today, her spiritual journey holds many lessons. St. Marguerite viewed life as a path of perfection leading to complete configuration to Christ, above all in his saving sacrifice on the cross, he said.

The pope this fall began a series of audience talks on women and their contributions to Church life, especially focusing on the holiness of their lives and the richness of their teaching. So far, the eight women the pope has spoken about have all been saints and blesseds who lived in the Middle Ages.

Priestly conversion needed for credible Church reform, pope says

VATICAN CITY (CNS) — Personal conversion and purification, especially for priests, are critical steps in the process of true and credible reform of the Church, Pope Benedict XVI said.

The Church community today is experiencing “trials and suffering, and it shows the need for purification and reform,” he said.

The pope made his remarks in a written message on the occasion of the 400th anniversary of the canonization of St. Charles Borromeo.

Pope Benedict recalled how St. Charles, who was archbishop of Milan, was a major influence in the Church’s counter-reformation movement.

At the time, the Church community suffered from major divisions, “doctrinal confusions, faith and customs whose purity was clouded, and the bad example of various sacred ministers,” he said.

“St. Charles did not limit himself to deploring or condemning”

The Anchor www.anchornews.org

the problems or just hoping for others to change, he said. Rather, he began by reforming his own life, relinquishing all wealth and comfort and filling his life with prayer, penance and dedication to his flock, said the pope.

“He knew that a serious and credible reform had to begin with the pastors” if it was to have truly beneficial and lasting effects on the people of God, said Pope Benedict.

At every moment in history, the most fundamental and urgent task of the Church is for every member to convert and get closer to God, he said.

St. Charles Borromeo is an appropriate example of someone who, through personal and communal conversion, was able to “transform hearts” through the power of prayer and penance.

The pope urged all priests and deacons to turn their lives into “a courageous journey toward sainthood and to not fear the exhilaration of Christ’s trusting love.”

OFFICIAL NEWSPAPER OF THE DIOCESE OF FALL RIVER Vol. 54, No. 43

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 OFFICE MANAGER Mary Chase marychase@anchornews.org ADVERTISING Wayne R. Powers waynepowers@anchornews.org REPORTER Kenneth J. Souza k ensouza@anchornews.org REPORTER Rebecca Aubut beckyaubut@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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MAGNIFICENT VIEW — Pope Benedict XVI celebrates a Mass to consecrate the Basilica of the Sagrada Familia in Barcelona, Spain, November 7. In his homily, the pope spoke out against abortion and gay marriage, both recently legalized in Spain. (CNS photo/Jesus Diges, Reuters)

Pope Benedict consecrates the Basilica of the Sagrada Familia

BARCELONA, Spain (CNS) — Pope Benedict XVI warned countries of the danger of no longer being at the loving service of their citizens as he urged the faithful to bring Christ’s message of hope to all people.

During a two-day journey to a once-staunchly Catholic Spain, the pope sought to bolster and renew people’s faith in God and convince an increasingly secular society that the Church wants dialogue, not confrontation.

The pope’s November 6-7 visit, his 18th trip abroad, brought him first to one of Catholicism’s most popular and ancient pilgrimage sites, Santiago de Compostela, and then Barcelona, where he consecrated the Basilica of the Sagrada Familia.

During the November 7 Mass in which he blessed and anointed the altar of the church dedicated to the Holy Family of Nazareth, he said Christians must resist every attack on human life and promote the natural institution of the family.

Under the government of Prime Minister Jose Luis Rodriguez Zapatero, who came to power in 2004, Spain has relaxed its divorce laws, eased restrictions on abortion, legalized same-sex marriage and allowed gay couples to adopt.

In his homily, the pope praised the technical, social and cultural progress made over the years.

However, he said, a country must also advance morally.

He asked that courts, legislative bodies and society respect and defend the sacred and inviolable life of the child from the moment of conception.

“For this reason, the Church resists every form of denial of human life and gives its support to everything that would promote the natural order in the sphere of

the institution of the family” based on marriage between a man and a woman, he said.

More than 6,000 people filled the church, which the pope elevated to a minor basilica during the Mass. Another 50,000 people followed the event outside on 33 jumbo screens that dotted the surrounding streets and squares.

The church, begun in 1882 and expected to be finished by 2026, is the masterpiece of Catalan architect Antoni Gaudi, a Catholic whose beatification cause is under way.

The pope sprinkled the main altar with holy water and rubbed chrism oil into the immense, roughly hewn block of rosecolored stone. The basilica interior was bathed in golden light as Spanish bishops anointed some of the white treelike columns branching out to support the 200-foothigh vaulted ceilings.

The “certain dissonance” between the world of art and religion “hurts both art and faith,” he said.

Art and faith need to be brought back together again and be in dialogue, he said, because truth is expressed in beauty and in beauty one finds the truth.

He told reporters that in Spain the trend toward “anticlericalism and secularism” was especially marked in the 1930s, which created “a clash between society and faith that also exists today.”

He said faith and society must come together, too, and not be wedged apart.

While the papal trip was not an official state visit, the pope was greeted upon landing in heavy fog in Santiago de Compostela by Prince Felipe and Princess Letizia of Asturias, Spanish cardinals and bishops, and government authorities from the local, regional and

national level.

During an outdoor Mass celebrated in front of the 12th-century cathedral of Santiago de Compostela November 6, the pope said when societies and governments are no longer at the loving service of all people, then arrogance and exploitation risk snuffing out true human development and fulfillment.

Only by loving and serving others like Jesus did, even with the simplest of gestures, will humanity regain a sense of happiness and hope, he said.

For the past century, a growing belief has taken hold of Europe suggesting that God is an “antagonist and enemy” of human freedom, he said in his homily in Compostela’s Plaza del Obradoiro.

As a result, he said, human dignity is threatened because it has been stripped of its “essential values and riches” and “the weakest and poorest” in the world are marginalized and left to die.

Even Jesus knew that when the rulers of nations no longer serve the best interests of others, “there arise forms of arrogance and exploitation that leave no room for an authentic integral human promotion,” the pope said.

The pope came as a pilgrim to commemorate the holy year of St. James, which occurs every time the feast of St. James — July 25 — falls on a Sunday.

To go on pilgrimage is a chance to “step out of ourselves in order to encounter God” and experience conversion, he said in remarks earlier in the day inside the city’s cathedral.

The pope met in Barcelona with King Juan Carlos of Spain and Queen Sofia and held a brief private meeting with Prime Minister Zapatero at the Barcelona airport before taking off for Rome.

November 12, 2010

The International Church

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Church charities join fight against diseases from Pakistani floods

celebrating their little big man — Canadian Catholics gather for Mass celebrating St. André Bessette recently at Olympic Stadium in Montreal. The Holy Cross brother known as a healer was canonized October 17 by Pope Benedict XVI at the Vatican. (CNS photo/Shaun Best, Reuters)

Canadians celebrate their newest saint with prayer, cheers, symbols

By Laura Ieraci Catholic News Service

MONTREAL — Olympic Stadium, usually home to football games and trade shows, was converted into the largest place of worship in the country as Canadians celebrated their newest saint.

More than 48,000 people — including religious and political leaders — from across the country and the United States gathered in the stadium October 30 for a more than two-hour Mass packed with elements significant to the life and mission of St. Brother André, Alfred Bessette.

Brother André, the Holy Cross brother who founded St. Joseph’s Oratory in Montreal, was canonized by Pope Benedict XVI in Rome October 17, but Canadians delayed their local celebration.

During the extended entrance procession, the assembly prayed a litany of Canadian-based saints and blesseds. The litany closed with Canada’s newest saint: Brother André. At the mention of his name, the assembly applauded spontaneously and waved white scarves in the air. Young people and people with disabilities — two groups that were dear to the new saint and central to his mission — were seated closest to the altar.

The entrance procession — which included 58 Canadian bishops, more than 100 priests and nearly 200 young people — concluded with the presentation of a new reliquary containing fragments of Brother André’s heart.

The concelebrants venerated the relics before they were placed at the foot of the altar.

The offertory procession included one of Brother André’s little black suitcases, which he would take on his many trips; large votive candles, representing the many candles lit by pilgrims

at the oratory and other sanctuaries around the world; St. Joseph’s oil, which the new saint used to bring hope, comfort and healing to the sick and the infirm; flowers, representing the many artists who have brought beauty to the oratory; and crutches, representing all those who were healed at the oratory through the intercession of St. Joseph.

Montreal Cardinal JeanClaude Turcotte’s homily was greeted with applause and the waving of white scarves eight times.

“The Church never canonizes someone solely for what they were or lived before, but for what they have to say and to demonstrate to women and men today,”

the cardinal said. “First of all, Brother André tells us and demonstrates to us that a life is beautiful and fruitful when it is put to the service of others.

“This is not a small saint that has been canonized, but a great saint, a very great saint,” the cardinal said, referring to Brother André’s height of less than five feet. “This very great saint — Brother André — is homegrown.”

“Pray for us,” he petitioned Brother André on behalf of the assembly at the end of the homily.

“Pray that we may become women and men of compassion, attentive to the needs of others, women and men who love God with a great love because they know they are very loved by him.”

BANGALORE, India (CNS) — Church charities have joined the Pakistani government and other charity workers to fight growing health care problems that have gripped the victims of the worst flooding in Pakistan’s history.

“The water has receded, but the flood victims are now faced with serious health problems,” said Eric Dayal, national coordinator for disaster management of Caritas Pakistan, the local arm of the international Catholic charitable network.

“We are sending our medical teams to remote areas where other agencies have not reached,” Dayal told Catholic News Service from his office in Lahore November 3.

More than 20 million people were affected and more than 1,600 people died in floods that began in July with incessant rains in Pakistan’s mountainous north and inundated the length and breadth of the nation within a month.

Due to lack of clean drinking water and breading of mosquitoes in stagnant waters, diseases such as diarrhea, cholera, dengue and malaria have spread rapidly among the flood victims.

The World Health Organization confirmed 99 cases of cholera and 300,000 suspected cases of malaria among the displaced.

Pakistan’s health department reported that by October 28, nearly 2.3 million flood victims have been treated in 236 relief camps

for various diseases, while 176 people have died, including 64 from diarrhea linked to lack of clean drinking water.

Nearly 480 people have died of snake bites because the habitats of the snakes were disturbed by the flooding.

“The health impact of the flood is coming out now. Water-borne diseases are on the rise,” said Dr. Mariam Richard, a professor at the Fatima Jinnah Medical College in Lahore.

She also said flood victims are suffering from skin diseases and respiratory problems due to lack of access to clean water.

“Enough attention is not being paid to women and children who are suffering from acute malnutrition,” she added.

Jack Byrne, country representative of the U.S. bishops’ Catholic Relief Services, told CNS that after providing the initial emergency relief supplies, the agency began focusing on clean drinking water and hygiene awareness.

Camillian Father Aris Miranda, a member of the Camillian Task Force working in Pakistan, told Fides, the news agency of the Congregation for the Evangelization of Peoples, “The main risk of possible further outbreak of dengue fever is death on a massive scale and spread of diseases such as malnutrition, prevalent among children.”

4

The Church in the U.S. Taxation measures, legalizing marijuana rejected by voters

WASHINGTON (CNS) — In a year when tax and budget issues dominated the ballot questions before voters, Catholic leaders offered the guidance of Catholic social teaching but generally remained neutral on specific referendum topics.

In states where the Catholic bishops took a strong stand on a ballot measure, however, voters seemed to generally follow the bishops’ advice.

Fifty-four percent of California voters rejected a move to make the state the first in the nation to legalize marijuana for recreational use. Although the California Catholic Conference remained neutral on the nine propositions before voters there, Bishop Salvatore J. Cordileone of Oakland presented several arguments against the marijuana question in a recent commentary.

In Arizona and Colorado, the Catholic bishops had opposed a wide range of fiscal measures that they said could harm the state’s poorest citizens by cutting taxes or limiting the state’s ability to raise revenues. The proposals were rejected by solid margins. In Massachusetts, a low-income housing initiative opposed by the bishops failed, with 42 percent in favor and 58 percent opposed.

The only abortion-related question on the November 2 ballot was in Colorado, where voters again rejected a proposed amendment that would have defined a human being from the moment of fertilization as a person under state law. Both in 2008 and in 2010, only 23 percent of Colorado voters supported the measure.

In a letter to pastors, the state’s bishops said they believed the “personhood amendment” strategy would not “provide a realistic opportunity for reversing” Roe v. Wade, the 1973 U.S. Supreme Court decision legalizing abortion, and would “divert

valuable resources away from other more constructive efforts in defense of human life such as enacting a fetal homicide law or an ultrasound and informed consent law.”

The only other abortion-related question on the ballot in 2010 was a proposal in Alaska to require parental notification before a minor’s abortion. Voters approved it August 24 by a 56 percent to 44 percent margin.

Unlike earlier years when many states put proposals to ban or permit same-sex marriage before voters, only one ballot question — Iowa’s Measure 2 — touched on same-sex marriage this year.

It would have required that the state hold a constitutional convention, and the Iowa bishops said such a convention would “allow Catholics and others to work for a marriage amendment to the Iowa Constitution.”

In Michigan, the Catholic bishops took the opposite stance on whether to hold a constitutional convention, primarily for fiscal reasons.

“The near $50 million cost of the convention would only present additional hardships for a state budget that is already in dire straits,” the Michigan Catholic Conference said. “State programs that provide necessary aid to the most vulnerable and destitute among us have experienced painful budget cuts in recent years, and any additional funding cuts would only further harm the health and safety of the state’s poor population that has suffered greatly throughout this decade’s recession.”

The bishops also acknowledged that a constitutional convention could be used “to eliminate Michigan’s marriage protection amendment that defines marriage as between one man and one woman.” That amendment was approved by voters in 2004.

In Iowa and Michigan, twothirds of voters rejected the proposed convention.

The bishops of Washington state had offered guidance to voters on several budget-related initiatives but did not offer specific recommendations on how Catholics should vote. Measures requiring two-thirds approval in the legislature for tax increases and ending the sales tax on candy, bottled water and carbonated beverages were approved, but a proposal to establish a state income tax for individuals earning more than $200,000 a year was defeated.

“The factors which have given rise to the proposed modifications and reforms of the current tax structure cannot be ignored,” the bishops said. “Yet the challenges before us are about more than economics. There is also an important moral component to them, which now more than ever cannot be overlooked.”

In his commentary on the California marijuana proposal, Bishop Cordileone said that “the ingestion of brain-altering chemicals — legal or illegal — cannot be categorized as good stewardship of our earthly lives.”

Proposition 19 would have made the cultivation, possession and personal use of limited amounts of marijuana legal under state but not federal law and would have allowed local governments to collect taxes on it.

The cultivation and use of medical marijuana has been legal in California since 1996.

Bishop Cordileone said proponents of Proposition 19 made “a utilitarian appeal to the economics of the situation” by stating that “multiple billions of untaxed dollars of marijuana are sold illegally in our state while multiple millions of dollars are spent in enforcement of the marijuana prohibition.” But he called that reasoning “overly simplistic and off target.”

November 12, 2010

congressional meeting — A priest gives Communion to a nun during the opening Mass of the recent Mission Congress 2010 in Albuquerque, N.M. (CNS photo/Leslie M. Radigan, People of God)

Catholics’ faith, mission ‘all begins with Jesus Christ,’ says cardinal

ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. (CNS) — Catholics’ faith and their mission to evangelize “all begins with Jesus Christ,” Cardinal Oscar Rodriguez Maradiaga of Tegucigalpa, Honduras, told participants at Mission Congress 2010 in Albuquerque.

“All are called to be disciples and missionaries of Jesus Christ,” he said in a keynote to the more than 400 congress attendees.

“Being a Christian does not begin with an ethical decision or a great idea but with an encounter with a person,” the cardinal said.

“To be a missionary is not looking for more people to come inside our galleries. It is to nourish the faith of our flock.”

The congress had as its theme “God’s Mission, Many Faces: A Portrait of U.S. Catholics in Mission.

The participants — men and women dedicated the promotion of mission and global solidarity — came from the United States, Italy, Australia, Samoa, Marshal Islands, Zambia, the Philippines, Dominican Republic, and Asia.

In opening the congress, Father Michael Montoya, executive director of the Washington-based U.S. Catholic Mission Association, said: “Look around. The entire world is right here in Albuquerque, N.M.” Held every five years, the Mis-

sion Congress is designed to bring together Catholics and other Christians in the mission field to talk about the face of mission in today’s world.

The agenda included workshops with topics ranging from mission in the United States, global trends and mission in other traditions; ecumenical perspectives on mission; international missionaries serving in the United States; and other issues affecting mission today.

Archbishop Michael J. Sheehan of Santa Fe and his staff welcomed congress participants to the “Land of Enchantment,” as New Mexico is known, and to the Archdiocese of Santa Fe, which through its liturgies, music and prayer reflects the nation’s many ethnic and cultural heritages — Native American Indian, Hispanic, Anglo, AfricanAmerican and the new immigrant.

Bishop Gerald F. Kicanas of Tucson, Ariz., vice president of the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops, was the principal celebrant of the opening Mass.

During his homily, Bishop Kicanas referred to “The Calling of St. Matthew,” a painting by Italian artist Michelangelo Merisi da Caravaggio (1571-1610).

In the painting, Matthew the tax collector and his colleagues are gathered at a table. An image of Christ can be seen pointing at Matthew, who in turn points at himself, as if to ask, “Who, me?”

“Matthew, the tax collector, undeserving as he was, was chosen, picked by Christ to be his disciple,” the bishop said.

“Not unlike the early Apostles, we too, imperfect as we are, have been entrusted with the same mission to go forth to bring the message of Christ to proclaim it to anyone who will listen,” he continued.

“It is now it is our turn, our responsibility.”

He closed his homily with an appeal to the congress attendees to bring all into the household of God.

November 12, 2010

The Church in the U.S.

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Internal matters expected to dominate bishops’ public agenda this fall

By Nancy Frazier O’Brien Catholic News Service

WASHINGTON — When the U.S. bishops gather in Baltimore for their 2010 fall general assembly, there will be no blockbuster topics on their public agenda, unlike in past years when clergy sex abuse or the issue of Catholic politicians who support abortion took much of their attention.

Instead, the November 15-18 meeting of the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops will be devoted primarily to internal matters — the election of new conference leaders, discussion of how their own statements should be produced, budgetary and structural questions and information about how they can better integrate new media into diocesan structures.

For Cardinal Francis E. George of Chicago, the meeting will be his last one as president. He has held the post for the past three years.

If the conference follows past practice, Bishop Gerald F. Kicanas of Tucson, Ariz., will succeed Cardinal George as president. As USCCB vice president since November 2007, Bishop Kicanas will be among 10 candidates proposed for the posts of president and vice president. Once a president has been selected, a vice president will be chosen from the other nine candidates.

Even more integral to the day-today operations of the USCCB will be the election of a new general secretary to succeed Msgr. David Malloy in June 2011. The candidates are Msgr. Ronny Jenkins, a priest of the Diocese of Austin, Texas, who has been an associate general secretary at the USCCB since 2006, and Msgr. David Kagan, who is currently serving as vicar general for

the Diocese of Rockford, Ill. The bishops also will choose a new USCCB treasurer-elect and will vote for the chairmen-elect of six committees.

Among the topics scheduled to come before the bishops for debate and vote in their public sessions are a proposed agreement on mutual recognition of baptism by the Catholic and four Protestant churches, guidelines on stipends and benefits for retired bishops, and revised regulations on USCCB statements and publications.

The common agreement, which requires an up or down vote by the bishops and cannot be amended, was drawn up over the past six years by a team of scholars from the Catholic-Reformed dialogue group, made up of representatives of the USCCB, Christian Reformed Church in North America, Presbyterian Church (USA), Reformed Church in America and United Church of Christ.

Calling baptism “the sacramental gateway into the Christian life,” the agreement says baptism “is to be conferred only once, because those who are baptized are decisively incorporated into the body of Christ.”

For baptisms to be mutually recognized by the five churches, the baptismal rite must use water and the Trinitarian formula, “Father, Son and Holy Spirit,” the document says.

Also up for a vote will be a brief document giving guidelines for “the provision of sustenance” to retired bishops. Although it is designed to give “some degree of uniformity” to policies across the country, it notes that dioceses “should take upon themselves the responsibility to interpret and implement these guidelines, taking into account

a day of remembrance — Father Joseph Staudt leads the prayers for the faithful departed during a sunset remembrance service on the eve of All Souls’ Day at Sacred Heart Parish cemetery in Cutchogue, N.Y. (CNS photo/Gregory A. Shemitz, Long Island Catholic)

the local economy.”

Effective January 1, the guidelines set a minimum stipend of $1,900 a month for retired bishops and said he also should be provided with “appropriate” housing and board, health and welfare benefits, an office, a car and insurance and travel expenses to various episcopal meetings and events.

A third document before the bishops in November will codify the procedures for the review, approval and issuance of USCCB statements. The procedures have been in place informally since the conference was reorganized in 2007 and require that the bishops be consulted before any statement is drafted, except in extraordinary circumstances.

The bishops also will vote on whether to draft a policy statement on physician-assisted suicide; if they agree to do so, the actual document will come before them at a later meeting.

They also will be asked to approve the 2011 USCCB budget, the 2012 assessment on dioceses to support conference work, a timeline for evaluation of the conference reorganization and a one-year break between the present and the next planning cycle.

Among the topics of oral reports expected to be presented are the Church’s response following the earthquake in Haiti, the work of the Ad Hoc Committee on Defense of Marriage, ways to

integrate new media into diocesan communications structures, World Youth Day and the needs of the U.S. Archdiocese for Military Services.

Another topic of discussion likely will be the new report on review and renewal of the Catholic Campaign for Human Development, which calls for “stronger policies and clearer mechanisms” to guide how grants are awarded to poverty-fighting groups and strengthen oversight of how funds are spent.

Although its official dates are November 15-18, only 10 hours on November 15 and 16 are scheduled for public sessions. The bishops are expected to spend up to 10-and-a-half hours in executive session or prayer and reflection and an hour-and-a-half in regional meetings.

The bishops as a body had been invited to participate in a Mass at the Basilica of the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception in Washington November 18 for the inauguration of John H. Garvey as the new president of The Catholic University of America, but the inauguration was postponed to January 25 after Pope Benedict XVI announced a November 20 consistory at the Vatican to install new cardinals.

Those to be installed include Cardinal-designate Donald W. Wuerl of Washington, who as university chancellor was to be the celebrant and homilist at Garvey’s inauguration.

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The Anchor

Having the courage to combat violence in the name of Islam

Halloween proved to be particularly ghastly for Syrian Catholics in Baghdad as they went to Church for the Sunday afternoon Mass. During the Eucharistic Celebration at Our Lady of Deliverance Cathedral, as these Christians were peacefully and prayerfully worshipping God, nine Muslim terrorists burst into the church, gunned down three priests in the sanctuary and with bullets and bombs attempted to massacre the entire congregation, leaving 58 dead and 75 wounded. After the mass execution, the “Islamic State of Iraq,” an Al-Qaeda affiliated slaughter-society, took responsibility for the action and declared in a press release that it was only the beginning. “Starting today all the churches and Christian organizations and their leaders are a legitimate target.”

That statement made plain what Christians in Iraq and in several other Muslim countries have been experiencing on the ground, that certain fanatical and homicidal Muslims consider them “legitimate targets” not only for discrimination but also for death simply on the basis of their Christian faith. During the recently concluded Synod on the Middle East held in the Vatican, Iraqi bishops spoke of what the Christians in the country have had to endure over the past few years: kidnappings, the bombings of churches, schools and parish centers, violence to Christian businesses and livelihoods, the brutal murders of an archbishop and several priests. The Halloween massacre by nine Muslim terrorists shouting “Allahu akbar,” [“God is great”] as they sought to exterminate an entire Christian congregation, is a sign that these terrorists are not bluffing when they say they consider “all the churches and Christian organizations” legitimate targets for liquidation.

Canadian columnist, Father Raymond de Souza, wrote in an article last week for Toronto’s The Catholic Register that it was time to stop ducking the question of genocidal violence by those acting subjectively in the name of Islam. “May we now speak of the Muslims who want to kill us?,” he candidly asked. After mentioning the necessary disclaimers — “Christians and Muslims have often lived together in peace,” “only a minority of Muslims are homicidal fanatics,” and “terrorism is a corruption of Islam” — he stressed that we have to “speak frankly of those Islamic jihadists who wish to kill Christians because they are not Muslims.” If the blood of Abel, the first innocent to be killed, cried out to heaven, he continued, “the blood of these latest Iraqi martyrs screams out to heaven and earth. Does the world want to listen?”

That the world has been turning a deaf ear to the cries of Iraqi Christians was emphasized

by Syrian Catholic Patriarch Ignace Joseph III Younan of Antioch in Lebanon. “Christians are slaughtered in Iraq, in their homes and churches, and the so-called ‘free’ world is watching in complete indifference, interested only in responding in a way that is politically correct and economically opportune, but in reality is hypocritical,” said the patriarch, who from 1995-2009 was the Bishop of Our Lady of Deliverance of Newark, N.J. “There are a few churches and Christian institutions left in Baghdad, not so great a number that it is not unreasonable for them to be protected, security-wise,” he continued, saying that the protection provided by the Iraqi government is “far less than what we have hoped for and requested.”

The Catholic bishops of the Holy Land said in a joint statement that it’s no longer a time for words, but for decisive action on the part of those who have the responsibility to provide order.

“Words of distress, condemnation and incrimination are no longer enough in the face of the horror that is taking place repeatedly in Iraq, especially with regard to Christians over the past years, and which reached a pinnacle of savage insanity with the massacre” on October 31 in Baghdad. “The time has come for those who are responsible to own up to their responsibility, to stand up to those who have lost any sense of humanity, curbing their insatiable thirst for blood and reckoning with and punishing anyone who plans or carries out such criminal acts.” They specifically called upon the Arab League, the Organization of the Islamic Conference, and the United Nations Security Council, “before it is too late,” to focus on “the danger of those who seek to exploit religions for the purpose of a clash of civilizations.”

Cardinal Francis George of Chicago, the president of the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops, called on the U.S. government to get involved, saying that the United States bears responsibility for working effectively with the Iraqi government to stem the violence. “Having invaded Iraq, the U.S. government has a moral obligation not to abandon those Iraqis who cannot defend themselves.” He called upon the United States “to take additional steps to help Iraq protect its citizens, especially the most vulnerable.”

For the United States to get involved in protecting Iraqi Christians from being slaughtered, there may need to be a culture shift among political leaders, citizens and the media. The present administration seems incapable even of suggesting that some terrorism is done subjectively in the name of Islam, whether it concerns the recent bloodbath of Baghdad Christians or the horrendous slaughter of nearly 3,000 innocents on Sept. 11, 2001. The media also needs to examine itself.

Media outlets have recently been obsessed with the threat of an obscure Florida pastor to burn the Muslim holy book or the possibility of anti-Muslim discrimination concerning a Muslim community center in lower Manhattan, but they have basically ignored not just routine anti-Christian discrimination in our country but also things far more serious than Koran-burning, such as when terrorists, purportedly following the Koran, brutally decimate an entire Catholic parish in Baghdad. It’s time for American citizens in general, and Christians in particular, to rise up and — while reaffirming that anti-religious bigotry and the desecration of holy books must always be opposed — reaffirm that the mass murder of innocent human beings is incalculably worse, and to demand that the government do what it can to assist the Iraqi government in eliminating it.

We also must squarely face the unpleasant reality that terrorism done in the name of Islam is not going to disappear on its own or be resolved by diplomacy. As Father de Souza wrote in a National Post column earlier this week, “The blood on the altar makes it clear. No amount of goodwill, no amount of dialogue, no amount of circumlocutory evasions, no amount of supine prostrations — nothing will dissuade the jihadists. … The jihadists respect neither man nor God, not even their own. They have killed their fellow Muslims and bombed mosques. The Christians killed on Sunday were Iraqis, their fellow Arabs, their fellow citizens, their neighbors. They kill because they are seized with a murderous hatred. The least we can do is to summon a righteous anger in return.”

Not just a righteous anger but a resolve.

One of the great Christian paradoxes is that, on the one-hand, Jesus calls us to turn the other cheek, to love our enemies, to rejoice when we’re persecuted, and to recognize that if he was hated, tortured and even murdered, many of us will be as well. Some have falsely interpreted this as if the Christian needs to lie down and allow himself and others to be slaughtered. But these imperatives need to be balanced by the recognition that Jesus is the good shepherd who lays down his life for his sheep and likewise calls us to lay down our lives for each other, to protect others from ravenous wolves of the natural and supernatural orders. The right to self-defense, even to using lethal force when other means are incapable of stopping aggressors, becomes a moral duty for those whose offices entail the protection of others.

Many have been failing in their responsibility to protect the innocent Christians in Iraq and elsewhere from violence carried out subjectively in the name of Islam. No devout Christian should ever be allowed to be a “legitimate target” for being murdered. It’s time for the widespread dereliction of duty in their regard to stop.

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November 12, 2010

The Mass is ended … go in peace!

n the last couple of months I have commonly used by many Catholics. Pope used this column to provide reflecPaul VI stated simply, and yet straighttions upon the different parts of the Holy forwardly that evangelizing is in fact the Sacrifice of the Mass. My intention was grace and vocation proper to the Catholic for us to think about the Mass — our Church, her deepest identity; she exists in preparation for it, its prayers, its gestures, order to evangelize (Evangelii Nuntiandi, its movements, it periods of silence — all 14). with the hope of being able to get more Avery Cardinal Dulles, the great from our Sunday worship and ultimately American theologian explained, “We can to give greater glory to Almighty God. not be mistaken — the mission of the In this last article of the series on the Church is to proclaim that which it has holy Mass, I would like to reflect upon the heard, believed and been commissioned very last words that we hear at each Mass, to proclaim (Models of the Church, p.

“The Mass is ended, go in peace.”

81). The Church exists for no other reason As an initial thought we look to the than to testify and give witness to Jesus words of our Holy Father, Pope BeneChrist and his Gospel. The Church exists dict XVI. He explained in his Apostolic to evangelize.

Exhortation, Sacramentum Caritatis, that In every generation Jesus has called these words, “Ite Missa Est” [The Mass on his disciples to transform society. He is ended, go in peace] help us to grasp wants his followers to be the light of the the relationship between the Mass just world (Mt 5:14) and to communicate to celebrated and the mission of Christians in those around them the truth about God the world. and about the human person (Gaudium et The dismissal, Pope Benedict explains, Spes, 22). He wants them to be the salt of has come to imply a “mission.” These the earth (Mt 5:13) and preserve people few words succinctly express the mission- from corruption. He reminds his followary nature of ers that they the Church. are meant to Putting Into The people be like leaven of God might in the midst the Deep be helped to of dough (Mt understand 13:33) in

By Father more clearly which their Jay Mello this essential presence dimension of is meant to the Church’s lift up all of life, taking the dismissal as a startingsociety. point” (SC, 51).

There is a reason why we are sent at the Pope Benedict raises a great point. end of Mass. It is not just because our celWhat do we think of when we are told ebration of the holy Mass has come to its to “go in peace?” Do we simply think conclusion, but it is because we have been that Mass is over and that it is time to go strengthened by the Word of God and by home? If that were the case, the dismissal the Eucharist in order to be sent. The Eumight be, “Mass is over, have a nice charist gives us the courage to go forward day.” Pope Benedict’s point highlights as Christ’s first followers did and to testify the fact that just as Christ sent out his first to the truth, which isn’t always easy. disciples, he also sends us out. Our Lord The next time we hear the words, “Go sends each of us out into the world to be in peace,” let us be reminded that we are his witnesses, to testify to the truth of the each called to bring what we have seen, Gospel. heard and experienced to our family and When the priest or deacon proclaims friends, to our coworkers and neighbors. that the Mass has ended and that we are Let us remember that Christ is sending us to go, it means that we are to go in faith, to share the Gospel with others. to every part of society and witness to Allow me to end this series on the holy the Gospel in what we do and in what we Mass with a reflection from our beloved say. We are sent forth to evangelize the late Holy Father, Pope John Paul II. This secular world. teaching comes from his last encyclical On the night of his arrest, Jesus prayed letter, appropriately written on the Holy to his Father: As you sent me into the Eucharist. John Paul wrote: world, I have sent them into the world (Jn “By giving the Eucharist the promi17:18). Three days later, on the evening of nence it deserves, and by being careful his resurrection from the dead, he said to not to diminish any of its dimensions or his disciples, as the Father has sent me, I demands, we show that we are truly conam sending you (Jn 20:21). These words scious of the greatness of this gift. We are from John’s Gospel represent the simplest urged to do so by an uninterrupted tradiform of the Great Commission, yet they tion, which from the first centuries on has are the most profound and most challengfound the Christian community ever vigiing. lant in guarding this ‘treasure.’ Inspired by To many Catholics, especially those love, the Church is anxious to hand on to in the United States, “evangelization” is a future generations of Christians, without very Protestant-sounding term. For some, loss, her faith and teaching with regard to it evokes images of television evangelists the mystery of the Eucharist. There can and door-to-door efforts to invite people to be no danger of excess in our care for this make a personal decision for Jesus Christ. mystery, for ‘in this sacrament is recapituBefore Pope Paul VI’s 1975 document lated the whole mystery of our salvation.’” on evangelization, Evangelii Nuntiandi, Father Mello is a parochial vicar at evangelization was not necessarily a word St. Patrick’s Parish in Falmouth.

November 12, 2010

Q: I was recently speaking with some of my brother priests about the celebration of a private Mass when there is no server and no congregation, just the priest.

There seemed to be no uniformity on how it is to be done, and the only thing we could find in the General Instruction of the Roman Missal (GIRM) is a few lines found in No. 254. It says, “Mass should not be celebrated without a minister or at least one of the faithful, except for a just and reasonable cause. In this case, the greetings, the introductory or explanatory remarks, and the blessing at the end of the Mass are omitted.” I know this question really is of no interest to most people, but I think many priests (at least the ones I have talked to) would like some guidance on this topic. — D.C., Sioux Falls, South Dakota A: Our correspondent also laid out a scheme of what he believed should be omitted in this case.

I will use the scheme although modifying some details.

Although this might appear to be a rather obscure point, nothing in liturgy is so obscure that liturgists cannot find points to disagree on — and this is no exception.

Therefore some of what I say is just my personal opinion based on what I believe to be an adequate interpretation of the law.

The most difficult aspect to interpret regards what is encompassed under the Latin term “Monitionis.” The English transla-

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n modern times, dying is more and more often portrayed as a cold, clinical reality to be kept at arm’s length, relegated to the closed doors of a hospital, almost hermetically sealed from the rest of our lives. When it comes to the event itself, we diligently work to avoid confronting it, addressing it, or acknowledging it. Because of this cultural backdrop, patients receiving a diagnosis of a terminal illness can be tempted to indulge in unrealistic expectations about what lies ahead, clinging to unreasonable treatment options and hoping for highly improbable outcomes.

The patient-survival curve for various terminal diseases often shows patients clustered around a median survival time of perhaps several months or a year or two, with survivability extending out along a more slender tail into the future for an ever smaller number of people. Yet rather often, that long tail seems to become the focus, even the obsession, of so many patients and doctors. As Dr. Atul Gawande put it recently in a thought-provoking essay in The New Yorker: “There is almost always a long tail of possibility, however thin.

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When a priest celebrates Mass alone

the beginning the penitential rite. tion of this term as “introductory or explanatory remarks” may give The rest of the penitential rite is as normal. rise to a very broad interpretation.

— He recites the invitation to Before entering into detail, I the orations (“Let us pray”), for wish to mention that some priests believe that this form of Mass with these are not just invitations directed to the people but invitations no faithful present is now forbidin which he himself is included. den. This is not the case. Indeed, The same criterion is obeyed for present canon law, by requiring a just cause for celebrating alone, and no longer a grave cause as did the 1917 code, has actually made it easier to celebrate such a Mass even though it should always be seen as an exception

By Father and to be avoided whenEdward McNamara ever possible.

All the same, many priests have on some occasion been faced with the introduction to the Our Father, the choice of celebrating alone, or which is not omitted. not celebrating. Both canon law — He includes the introducand the law of grace recommend tion to the readings and Gospel celebrating Mass as the better (“A reading …”) but does omit thing to do.

The basic model to be followed the greeting of the people at the Gospel (“the Lord be with you”). would be the rite of Mass with He includes the conclusion to the only one minister present, omitreadings and Gospel (“The Word/ ting whatever would be directed Gospel of the Lord”). These are toward this minister as well as also for his benefit and not just the gestures of turning toward the greetings to the people. minister for these greetings.

— At the presentation of gifts Therefore when a priest celhe recites the prayers offering ebrates alone he does the followthe bread and wine but omits the ing: response “Blessed be God ….”

— After kissing the altar he He also omits the “Pray Brethren” recites the entrance antiphon and along with the response “May the makes the sign of the cross.

Lord accept ….”

— He omits the greeting at the — Unlike the other instances beginning of Mass (“The Lord be of “The Lord be with you,” I with you”) and the invitation at

Liturgical Q&A

believe that the one which forms part of the initial protocol of the preface dialogue should always be said. The norms are clear that the Eucharistic Prayer must always be said integrally and that it retains its plural form even when the priest is alone. As this dialogue is inseparable from the Eucharistic Prayer it should always be recited.

— Although the Eucharistic Prayer must be said in its entirety, the memorial acclamation does not form part of the prayer. Therefore both introduction and acclamation are omitted. This rubric is explicitly stated in some orders for concelebration when only priests are present at the Mass.

— The giving of the peace (“The Peace of the Lord ...”) is omitted.

— The moment of showing the host is easily confused. In fact we have two prayers that are placed one beside the other.

Here, the norm of No. 268 of the GIRM is followed: “If, however, the minister does not receive Communion, [or there is no minister] the priest, after genuflecting, takes the host and, facing the altar, says quietly the ‘Domine, non sum dignus’ (Lord, I am not worthy) and the ‘Corpus Christi custodiat’ (May the Body of Christ bring) and then receives the Body of Christ. Then he takes the chalice and says quietly, ‘Sanguis Christi

Facing terminal illnesses realistically

What’s wrong with looking for it? don’t want a general who fights Nothing, it seems to me, unless it to the point of total annihilation. means we have failed to prepare You don’t want Custer. You want for the outcome that’s vastly more Robert E. Lee, someone who probable. The trouble is that we’ve knew how to fight for territory built our medical system and when he could and how to surculture around the long tail. We’ve render when he couldn’t, someone created a multi-trillion-dollar who understood that the damage is edifice for dispensing the medical equivalent of lottery tickets — and have only the rudiments of a system to prepare patients for the near-certainty that those tickets will not win.”

By Father Tad One is reminded of the Pacholczyk words of the old platitude: “No one gets out of this life alive.” Because clinicians tend to view death in greatest if all you do is fight to the terms of failure, and because our bitter end.” medical system generally valTrying every option in the face ues doing something over doing of terminal illness, pursuing all nothing, even when it may be medical possibilities no matter futile to do so, rational, measured how unlikely to succeed, and decision-making at the end of life raging against death can easily can become difficult, as Gawande become the default position in a emphasizes: culture that hesitates to acknowl“The simple view is that edge or discuss death openly. Yet medicine exists to fight death and approaching our own mortality disease, and that is, of course, its with a greater dose of realism most basic task. Death is the enhelps us make better decisions emy. But the enemy has superior about when to roll back the mediforces. Eventually, it wins. And, cal interventions and focus our in a war that you cannot win, you energies on preparing for death.

Making Sense Out of Bioethics

Hospice and palliative care can be important and helpful adjuncts in this process. When done well, these approaches allow us to focus on improving the remaining time for those with a terminal illness.

Pain management, comfort care, acknowledgement of the coming death, family support and an opportunity for spiritual reconciliation are essential elements in these approaches. Far from abandoning the needs of patients, hospice and palliative care seek to properly acknowledge that in some cases, efforts at curing should be scaled back while efforts at caring for the patient should be scaled up.

Terminally ill patients who choose to discuss end of life treatments with their families and doctors more often opt for palliative care or hospice care, leading to more appropriate medical care near death, and better overall outcomes and satisfaction. They also tend to spend less money and do not die significantly earlier. Rather they often die more peacefully than those receiving aggressive interventions, which tend to be associated with a poorer standard

custodiat’ (May the Blood of Christ bring), and then consumes the Blood of Christ.”

— After holy Communion the priest recites the Communion antiphon before purifying the sacred vessels.

— After a period of silent thanksgiving the priest says “Let us pray,” and recites the prayer after Communion.

— Both the final blessing and the dismissal are omitted. Mass ends with the “Through Christ our Lord. Amen,” of the closing prayer, followed by kissing the altar and either a bow toward the altar or a genuflection toward the tabernacle, as the case may be, before withdrawing.

These gestures are considered as sufficient forms of conclusion.

There is no need to add other gestures not foreseen in the ritual such as making the sign of the cross.

Of course, this in no way excludes the recommendation that, immediately after Mass, the priest dedicates some moments to personal thanksgiving for the grace and privilege of having celebrated the Holy Sacrifice.

Father Edward McNamara is a Legionary of Christ and professor of Liturgy at Regina Apostolorum University in Rome. His column appears weekly at zenit.org. To submit questions, email liturgy@zenit. org. Please put the word “Liturgy” in the subject field. The text should include your initials, your city and state.

of life and a worse bereavement adjustment.

Our instincts so often tell us that facing death means facing fears about loss of control and dignity, increasing dependence on others, intractable pain, dying too soon (or not soon enough), increasing costs, being alone and fear of the unknown. Because we die only once, we have little or no experience to draw upon when these matters come upon us in the first person. Yet when doctors and nurses are willing to have the hard discussions and say what they have seen, when families become willing to acknowledge death and mortality, and when spiritual preparations are allowed to hold priority of place, patients can better and more peacefully prepare for what lies ahead when they receive the summons of approaching death in the form of a terminal illness.

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

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oday, as we approach the end of the Church year, she very appropriately reminds us of the final or end times, when Christ will come again in glory to judge the living and the dead. She appropriately reminds us at this particular time, because it is at the end of the present year and the beginning of the new. Just as all things — except God — have a beginning and an end, so too the world had a beginning, and it also will have an end. Christ reminds us of this very real fact in today’s Gospel.

For many, the end times are a dire expectation of doom, and are seen as a time of retribution and punishment.

For us Christians, however, it should be a looking forward to that day with joy, waiting for, and earnestly desiring the coming of the Lord and savior, when we will receive total and everlasting joy and peace.

As we near the end of the Church year, we are called to reflect upon the end times, not as something to dread, but rather, as a reminder that

November 12, 2010

The Anchor

Hang in there

we who are faithful to God’s not running a 100-yard dash, Word, will receive our eternal but are running a marathon. reward in the end. It is a mesThis was the problem Malasage of hope, and a reminder chi was addressing in today’s that we are living out the Gosfirst reading. His people had pel for a purpose, which will undergone a period of trial, not be in vain. when everything seemed to go There are times in all our lives when it appears that evil is Homily of the Week winning out over good; Thirty-third Sunday when it appears that in Ordinary Time we are losing the battle — “swimming against

By Deacon the tide,” if you will.

Lawrence A. St. Onge There are times in our life when we may have against them. They were bebeen exasperated as we looked ginning to lose faith in the face around. Those are the times we of adversity, and were commight say to ourselves: “Here plaining that God had abanI am trying to live out my faith doned them. In response, they in Christ the best I can, and all began to abandon God. But I seem to be doing is struggling Malachi exhorts them to hang to get by, while others who in there. He uses the imagery have no reverence for God or of the sun to explain to them his Word are enjoying good what will happen to the good times.” These are the dangerous and the bad in the end; those times. They are times when we who remained faithful to God, are tempted by the evil one to and those who did not. cut the corners; to look to the We know that the sun has present only, and not toward the the power to burn things up, future. We have to constantly but we know it also has healremind ourselves that we are

ing powers. Malachi uses the imagery of the bad — the unfaithful to God — being eventually burned up like those in a blazing oven, while those who fear the Lord, those who revere him and remain faithful to him, will bathe in the gentle warmth of the sun’s healing rays.

We must remember, as Jesus points out in today’s Gospel, that history is a constant struggle between the forces of good and evil.

We have no right to expect that everything is going to always get better and better, or that Christ’s cause will progress without hindrance.

We are presently living in an age and culture wherein Christians are being mocked and made fun of for living their faith; for living out what the media today refers to as “outdated morality”; and for standing up and fighting for traditional family values and responsibility over the forces that glorify self-gratification. If we are to overcome this anti-Gos-

pel lifestyle, then it is important for us to note that what most attracts others to the truth and power of the Gospel is when they see Christians loving their enemies, being joyful in their suffering, patient in adversity, pardoning injuries, and showing comfort and compassion to the hopeless and the helpless.

Jesus tells us that we do not need to fear our adversaries, for God will give us sufficient grace, strength, and wisdom to face any trial and to answer any challenge to our faith.

The message to us is to hang in there. If Jesus had to bear his cross, how can we, his followers, expect anything different? But we are again reminded that God will eventually bring good out of evil, that right will triumph in the end, and it is our task in the present, as the followers of the Lord Jesus, to show patience and endurance, and by doing so, “we will gain our lives.”

Deacon St. Onge is assigned to Our Lady of Guadalupe Parish at St. James Church, New Bedford.

Upcoming Daily Readings: Sat. Nov. 13, Jn 5-8; Ps 112:1-6; Lk 18:1-8. Sun. Nov. 14, Thirty-third Sunday in Ordinary Time, Mal 3:19-20a Ps 98:5-9; 2 Thes 3:7-12; Lk 21:5-19.

Mon. Nov. 15, Rv 1:1-4;2:1-5; Ps 1:1-4,6; Lk 18:35-43. Tues. Nov. 16, Rv 3:1-6,14-22; Ps 15:2-4b,5; Lk 19:1-10. Wed. Nov. 17, Rv 4:1-11 Ps 150:1b-6; Lk 19:11-28. Thur. Nov. 18, Rv 5:1-10; Ps 149:1b-6a,9b: lk 19:41-44. Fri. Nov. 19, Rv 10:8-11; Ps 119:14,24,72,103,111,131; Lk 19:45-48.

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n a recent visit to San Antonio to help support an exciting new project, John Paul II Catholic High School, I had the opportunity to re-visit the Alamo, one of my favorite American historical sites, and San Fernando Cathedral, a masterpiece of Hispanic Catholic architecture and decoration. The shrine of Texas liberty and the cathedral church of the archdiocese of San Antonio are a few blocks from each other; their proximity prompts a reflection on the paradoxes of Catholic history in the New World, and the contemporary challenges facing Catholicism on both sides of the Rio Grande.

Thoughts at the Alamo

Abraham Lincoln (who vigorously The war for Texas indepenopposed Polk’s policy) and young dence in 1835-36 and the annexasoldiers like Ulysses S. Grant (who tion of the Republic of Texas by distinguished himself in combat the United States in 1845 were preludes to the Mexican-American in Mexico but declared the war an War of 1846-48 — and the latter, I think most historians now agree, was a war of conquest. Yes, various corrupt Mexican governments hadn’t done much to develop the upper

By George Weigel one-third of the country.

But the circumstances under which President unjust one in his memoirs) knew James Knox Polk contrived to that the American cause was not wring a declaration of war out without blemish, to put it mildly. of Congress were murky at best, It was also, from one point and both young statesmen like of view, a war by what was a sometimes-militantly Protestant country against what had long been a deeply Catholic country.

And then there was the aftermath: the argument over how to digest America’s new southwestern territories widened the breach between North and South, such that, in his history of the Civil War, “Battle Cry of Freedom,” James McPherson argues persuasively that the Mexican-American War’s results made the great bloodletting of 1861-1865 virtually inevitable.

Yet the men who died at the Alamo (including Protestants and Lodge members like William Barret Travis, Davy Crockett, and

The Catholic Difference

Jim Bowie) fought and died next to Catholic Tejanos — and in so doing, made it possible for the Catholic Church in San Antonio, embodied by the magnificence of San Fernando Cathedral, to live a life of faith and service today that is as least as well-developed as any in Mexico. Some of those who fought the Texas war of independence and the MexicanAmerican War may have thought that they were displacing a decadent Catholic culture and making space for an energetic, freedom-loving Protestantism; it seems inconceivable that any of the victors of 1836 and 1848 imagined they were securing the conditions for vibrant Catholicism in the American southwest.

But over time, that is precisely what they accomplished.

In another turn of the historical wheel, the favor is now being returned, so to speak. A man born in Mexico will become archbishop of Los Angeles next February.

Another native Mexican has been appointed archbishop of San Antonio. Catholicism throughout the United States is being reinvigorated by its Hispanic members.

Meanwhile, the Church in Mexico (and throughout Latin America) continues to struggle with poverty,

political corruption, and the challenge of an evangelical Protestantism that seems, in some respects, better equipped to inculcate the human virtues that make better material conditions of life possible.

Catholicism has been a powerful cultural force in Mexico for almost five centuries. Today, despite a vicious 20th-century persecution by secularists and Marxists that gave the Church new martyrs like St. Cristobal Magallanes and Blessed Miguel Pro, Mexico remains a profoundly Catholic nation. Yet Mexico in 2010 is also perilously close to becoming a failed state, its northern provinces rendered almost ungovernable by a catastrophic failure of public authority in the face of drug cartels and their wars against each other and the government.

Can an increasingly Hispanic Church in the United States challenge its brethren south of the Rio Grande to stop blaming their problems on “El Norte” and to become the protagonists of their own history — and aid in that transformation? The answer to that question is the next act in the drama symbolized by the Alamo and San Fernando Cathedral.

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

Kemosabe

Friday 5 November 2010 — day in The Dightons.

Duxbury Harbor, Cape Cod Bay James Jewell, an early direc— last day of Priest Retreat tor of the radio series, said the emember, dear readers, the Lone Ranger, that mysterious masked man who rode Reflections of a a white horse named Parish Priest Silver? Remember his faithful companion

By Father Tim Tonto? Tonto always Goldrick referred to the Lone Ranger as “Kemosabe.”

What does the word mean? Is it name comes from a boy’s camp a term of respect? Does it mean in Michigan. The translation something like “faithful friend?” was said to mean “trusty scout.”

After all these years, today I Fran Striker, the writer of the have finally gotten around to Lone Ranger scripts, said the researching the meaning of the actual expression was Ta-i ke-mo word “kemosabe.”It was a slow sah-bee, which, he said, meant

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The Anchor

November 12, 2010

The Ship’s Log

“Greetings, trusty scout.” In the pilot of the Clayton Moore TV series, “Enter the Lone Ranger,” Tonto explicitly states that “Kemosabe” means “trusty scout.” Others say that is comes from the Spanish qui no sabe, roughly translated as “he who knows absolutely nothing.” The most popular opinion on the Internet, however, is that kemosabe, shall we delicately say, refers to that part of the horse’s anatomy at the extreme opposite end from the nose. This naughty theory would fit well with the fact that the word tonto is Spanish for “You stupid fool.”

Mary and the Muslims — part I

with historical confusion, he esteemed Archand are followed by details bishop Fulton J. that reveal troubling theoSheen wrote about the logical divisions.

Muslims’ great reverence for As Christians, we begin the Blessed Mother, whom with the genealogies of Mary they believe to be the virgin and Joseph found in the New mother of Jesus Christ.

Testament. More importantHe noted that Muslims in ly, though, is the summary, Africa, India and elsewhere which follows one sequence have paid tribute to the of ancestors: “Thus the total Pilgrim statue of Our Lady number of generations from of Fatima, and have even Abraham to David is 14 genallowed processions and erations; from David to the prayer services in her honor.

He suggested that her appearance in the region of Portugal previously occupied by Muslims served as “a pledge and a sign of hope to the Muslim people,

By Genevieve Kineke and as an assurance that they, who show her so much respect, will one day accept Babylonian exile, 14 generaher divine Son, too.” tions; from the Babylonian While he assures us that exile to the Messiah, 14 Our Lady of Fatima is an generations” (Mt 1:17). excellent starting point for We know that thousands deepening the conversation of years separated Mary with Muslims, Mary has from both Abraham and not been idle since 1917. In Moses. We also know that fact, the most widely-viewed this latter pivotal figure apparition in Church history was born in Egypt after the was in Zeitoun, Egypt, where Jews — brought there by she was seen by millions famine generations earlier between 1968 and 1970, and — had been pressed into calmed an explosive period bondage by their anxious of inter-religious violence in hosts. Unfortunately, this that country. She is indeed chronology has been lost in the Queen of Peace and our the Quranic account of Mary, advocate in these difficult who would have also been times. known by her Jewish name, But while Christians and Miriam. Because of this, she Muslims honor the mother has become mingled with the of Jesus Christ, it is essenother prominent Miriam in tial that Christians recogholy Scriptures, and she is nize key differences in how repeatedly referred to as the we each understand her sister of Moses. Placing her place in salvation history. squarely in a family of epic In this column and those fame is meant as an honor, that follow, I would like to but ultimately it undermines consider these contrasting her real obscurity that is views of Mary, which begin

The Feminine Genius

such a captivating element of her unique call.

This confusion over dates is entirely understandable.

Many such stories commonly plied their way haphazardly across the desert by means of pious pilgrims and evangelists, not to mention the trading caravans who were relied on to distribute gossip, news and rumors along with their goods and services. Thus, accounts of the Holy Family’s flight into Egypt and their subsequent return would have conveniently overlapped with Moses’ own wellknown exodus from Egypt, adding to the misunderstanding.

Unfortunately it is virtually impossible to bring this historical mistake to the attention of pious Muslims, because they believe the Quran to be without error. Furthermore, believing it to be handed down from Allah to Muhammad personally, they embraced it as a corrective to the Jewish and Christian Scriptures which, they believe, had become corrupted over the centuries.

Certainly, shared affection for Our Lady is an excellent starting point for further discussion, but we must defend what we know to be true so that the critical theological distinctions that flow from each detail find the most accurate expression.

Mrs. Kineke is the author of “The Authentic Catholic Woman” (Servant Books) and editor of the Feminine Genius channel at catholicexchange.com.

It appears there was much more going on in the program than I realized at the time.

I’m just back from the annual diocesan priests’ retreat. There were two-dozen of us in attendance. We are definitely aging.

More than half of the attendees were priests who have retired from pastoral office. Several of us limped along (including yours truly with a bum ankle).

Canes were the accessory of the day. The “young ones” were few and far between (I counted only one). It’s a sign of the times.

The retreat was held once again at Miramar, the Divine Word Religious Order’s facility in Duxbury.

Our retreat director was Archbishop Emeritus Alfred Hughes of New Orleans, who is himself almost 78 years old. He was as sharp as the proverbial tack. A priest of the Archdiocese of Boston, he served as theology professor at St. John’s Seminary, Brighton, rector of that seminary, and spiritual director to scores of seminarians and priests. He was ordained to the episcopacy by the late Humberto Cardinal Medeiros, formerly a priest of the Diocese of Fall River, and served as Auxiliary Bishop of Boston before being named Bishop of Baton Rouge and then on to New Orleans. Archbishop Hughes was in office during Hurricane Katrina. He lost one active-duty priest during the hurricane, and two other infirm priests who could not be rescued in the aftermath. The archbishop’s journey of faith has not been an easy one.

All of his retreat conferences were exceptional. The one that spoke to me most was given by the archbishop on Thursday afternoon. He quoted my old friend St. Bernard, Abbot of Clairvaux, who pointed out that “priests are bound together in a brotherhood which needs to be spontaneous and cheerfully demonstrated in mutual care.”

In short, we have a special coresponsibility for the welfare and happiness of our brother priests.

In the Gospel of Luke, observed the archbishop, Jesus

first called the Twelve to be his companions as he dealt with the pressures of healing, driving out demons, ministering to crowds, dueling with Pharisees, and not having even enough time to eat.

Only after the call to companionship did Jesus share his ministry by delegating pastoral responsibilities. The Apostles were then sent out with companions, two-by-two. Even among the Twelve companions, there was envy, tension, misunderstanding, competition, and a desire for professional advancement. Even the Lord had to teach the Twelve the difference between power over others and power shared with others.

There is a similar tension in the priesthood today. There is divisiveness over the meaning of the Second Vatican Council.

There are varying opinions over the meaning of Church and even the deposit of faith.

There is the unhealed wound of the sexual abuse scandal. There is polarization: the red and the blue, the conservative and the liberal, the young and the old.

The Church’s credibility, as is the fraternity of priests, is being challenged.

Among us priests, I sometimes see hurt, fear, envy, criticism, and competition. There can be lowered self-esteem, and resultant overwork and hyperactivity to make up for the difference. Overactive priests can, says the archbishop, become extremely sensitive to both affirmation and rejection. I can relate to that.

According to Archbishop Hughes, we do not need any “Lone Ranger priests.” They travel far and wide to validate themselves by how many weddings and funerals they can perform in a week; how many committee meetings they can attend in a single day. They are Kemosabe.

What did this spiritual retreat say to me, dear readers? Well, let’s just say you can call me Kemosabe.

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

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The Anchor

By Rebecca Aubut Anchor Staff

FAIRHAVEN — For Lillian Desrosiers, the Church is home.

Born and raised in the south end of New Bedford, Desrosiers’ neighbor across the street was St. Anne’s Parish, where her parents were actively involved.

“It’s funny because I never think of myself as being active in the Church. I found myself always there,” said Desrosiers.

Along with running his business, her father did handiwork around the church and would sometimes act as chauffeur for the pastor of the parish. In turn, Desrosiers would spend her days at the rectory while her mother took care of her younger siblings.

“I would spend the day with the housekeeper,” said Desrosiers, who still recalls one of the first things she learned to cook while helping the housekeeper. The “Bishop’s Dessert” was made of angel food cake from scratch, Desrosiers said, and would be cut into one-inch layers with a string while adding additional layers of fresh strawberries and whipped cream.

“We’d build it up to look almost like an ice cream cake,” she said.

“It was light and airy. It was fun.”

Her youth was spent attending Catholic schools while Saturdays would find Desrosiers helping the religious of her parish, the Sisters of the Holy Cross, clean the sacristy and set out the vestments for Sunday Mass.

“Back then, there were two or three priests and there were elaborate vestments,” said Desrosiers.

“There was a walk-in safe, and that was always exciting to go into the walk-in safe and prepare the hosts

Called to the Church she calls home

to get ready for the Mass. We al- “She would be wheeled down and the decision was made to make the ways felt like it was a privilege, not say the rosary with them. She never summer cottage a permanent yeareverybody had a chance to do it. We thought about herself.” round home. Additions were built, never thought that dusting or cleanHer mother gave until the end, with Desrosiers’ father putting up ing or other things were like jobs. It said Desrosiers, by allowing doc- paneling while her brother and his was helping out at the church.” tors to try different cancer treat- friends laid down the floors. Even Desrosiers’ world changed dra- ments and volunteering herself her mother, as sick as she was, inmatically in 1960, when her mother for their research, until she passed sisted at helping design the décor was diagnosed with cancer. The away in January 1973. Doctors inside the home, said Desrosiers, family’s saving grace that year was credited her mother with helping to often asking the nurse to wheel her the acquisition of a small cottage increase their understanding of the down to look at magazines. in Lakeville. Her father After graduating from knocked down walls to Bishop Stang High School in create a more open room North Dartmouth, Desrosiers that already had a fireattended Bristol Community place, said Desrosiers, and College and began a campus she would spend the next ministry program. She was 10 years summering there hired to work at the library with family and friends. after graduation, and contin“The cottage was famued her work in the campus ily time,” said Desrosiers. ministry.

“My father was always When her father passed overprotective and I think away in 1985, Desrosiers was the cottage was his idea to left alone to try and maintain be our place to go every the family home in Lakeville. weekend. He never cared Her siblings had long moved how many friends we out, including her older sister brought over.”

Anita who had joined the SisStill, the lingering ters of the Holy Cross. shadow of her illness kept With so much history its grip on her mother. within its walls, Desrosiers Desrosiers says her mothwas reluctant to give up the er would spend the bulk of home until she and her famevery year in the hospital, ily realized it was becoming and in the early stages of too much for one person. The her mother’s diagnosis decision was made to sell the of non-Hodgkin’s lym- Anchor person of the week — Lillian home in 1997, and Desrosiers phoma, her mother was Desrosiers. (Photo by Rebecca Aubut) reached out to a cousin in real given a short time to live. estate to help her find a new Desrosiers credits one thing that disease, said Desrosiers, but even place to live. sustained her mother after hearing they recognized what had sustained Deciding on Fairhaven, a weekthe doctor’s bleak prognosis her mother for so long. end-long search for a home culmi“It was my mom’s extreme “When she passed away, they nated with a look at a condo that faith,” said Desrosiers, adding that said that it was her faith that kept was to be officially listed on the her mother would often be found her alive because there was noth- market that Monday. in other patients’ rooms reaching ing in her body to sustain her,” said “We opened the front door and out to comfort them, even as she Desrosiers. all I could see was the fireplace on was suffering her own discomfort.

Before her mother passed away, the right side of the living room,

November 12, 2010 and right straight through was the kitchen that had a big window over the sink that faced the woods,” said Desrosiers, who realized in that one glance the condo captured her favorite memories of the home in Lakeville. “I turned around and said, I’ll take it. I have come home.”

Her next step was to find a place to worship. When the family had relocated to Lakeville, they had joined the SS. Martha and Mary Parish, where Desrosiers had been a lector. Wanting to worship in the same town she lived in, Desrosiers took a chance on the Catholic Church found on Main Street.

“I remember coming to St. Mary’s and sitting in the back of the church. Everybody seemed so friendly but I thought, ‘I’m a single person with no children — would I fit in?’ It was stewardship weekend, and I can remember hearing the priest talk about all the ways someone could get involved in the Church,” said Desrosiers. “I thought, I could do that; and I can do that, and that. Before the Mass was over, I thought, this is going to be OK. I knew at that instant moment, my life had changed for a good reason.”

“When people ask how I felt about coming to Fairhaven, I say, I think I cried coming down Route 140 because I was leaving a whole family history,” said Desrosiers, “and laughed all the way up 195 because I knew I had found the place that was meant for me.”

Almost immediately she volunteered to be a lector and within a few years she was elected to the pastoral parish council. Through the Parish Life branch of the council she began to be the driving force behind the parish breakfasts and picnics. Partially retired from BCC, Desrosiers now makes time for ministering to the elderly, including helping those living at The Atria in Fairhaven and bringing holy Communion to those unable to make it to Mass on Sunday.

As she moved over to focus on liturgy and worship, she found herself teaching children’s Religious Education classes and creating a comprehensive altar server-training course.

“You do it and it’s exciting to see those kids now volunteering in the classroom. It has made my faith stronger and to see the younger children who were put in my care, that now want to be like ‘Sister’ Lillian,” said Desrosiers, of the moniker she has quietly earned through her work in the Church. “It’s a gift. I truly believe the Holy Spirit guides me to come up with ideas that are beautiful, simple and prayerful.

What better thing to ask?”

To submit a Person of the Week nominee, send an email with information to fatherrogerlandry@anchornews. org.

November 12, 2010

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The Anchor

November 12, 2010

Decline in funeral Masses is a growing trend in diocese continued from page one

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but that’s the problem.”

“It seems to be a trend over the past five years,” agreed Father Richard L. Chretien, pastor of Notre Dame and Our Lady of the Immaculate Conception parishes in Fall River. “From my experience, the family decides (a funeral Mass) might be nice, but they don’t go to church so they decide to have something at the funeral home. By the time the funeral arrangements are made, the priest is left out of the equation.”

Father Perry said in discussing this trend with fellow pastors and his brother priests in recent deanery meetings, they were unable to determine the exact cause for this change, but there are a couple of possible contributing factors.

“I think finances have played a role in the decline,” he said.

“With a Mass there’s normally an offering for the church and there’s an offering for the organist and/or singer. I’m sure the funeral homes need to charge additional fees to transport everyone to the church and have additional funeral directors on hand to guide everyone around.

In a time when the economy is very tight, I think some people are looking at ways to cut corners.”

“It’s hard to get a price from the funeral home as to what exactly the cost is to bring the body into the church,” said Father James J. Doherty, pastor of St. Mary’s Parish in Taunton.

“The reason it’s difficult to get a set cost is everything is permile and there isn’t a flat rate.

I’m sure it does cost more, but if you ask a funeral director how much more it costs, they can’t give you a straight answer.”

Father Perry also said that surviving relatives making the funeral arrangements are often not faithful church-goers themselves.

“When you couple that with the fact that we’re unfortunately becoming more and more an unChurched society, I think that’s why fewer funeral Masses are being held,” he said. “If Church isn’t an important thing for them to begin with, they decide to omit it.”

“In individual cases, it’s usually because the children weren’t church-goers, so they feel kind of hypocritical if they, all of a sudden, start coming to church just because their parent has died,” said Father Doherty.

“I think that’s why many prefer to have services at the funeral home.”

Referencing a recent article in the October 22 edition of Commonweal magazine, Father

Doherty said it’s now estimated that one-third of all people who were baptized into the Catholic faith no longer consider themselves Catholics.

“I think that’s part of the fundamental change you’re seeing, too,” he said. “Traditionally, older people have stayed faithful to their religious practices whereas the younger generation has let it go.”

Father Perry also thinks the Church needs to educate Catholics better about their faith and the importance of the funeral rite so they’ll fully understand the importance of having a Mass of Christian Burial.

“As Catholics we see value to the funeral Mass and there’s a value to our prayers for the deceased,” he said. “We believe our prayers assist souls on their way to heaven — especially the Mass, which is our highest form of prayer. I don’t think our catechesis has come through on this point — many of us have become Catholic in name only and we really don’t understand our faith.”

To that end, some pastors have also struggled with accommodating requests during funeral services that are outside the scope of the Catholic rite.

In his recent “The Ship’s Log: Reflections of a Parish Priest” column in The Anchor, Father Tim Goldrick, pastor of St. Nicholas Myra Parish in North Dighton, addressed the growing practice of allowing family members to deliver lengthy eulogies during the funeral Mass.

“I notice on my funeral planning sheet there is no question concerning whom I have chosen to deliver the eulogy,” he wrote.

“This is due to the simple fact that there is no eulogy at a Mass of Christian Burial. We gather at Mass not to praise the deceased, but rather to praise God for the gift of a life lived in faith. For those decreasing numbers of families who do arrange funeral Masses for their loved-ones, many expect something that is outside our Catholic tradition.

‘The Catholic Order of Christian Funerals’ makes only one passing reference to a eulogy, and that is to forbid it.”

While Father Goldrick acknowledged the Catholic liturgy does allow for “a member or friend of the family to speak in remembrance of the deceased,” it should not take the form of a lengthy eulogy.

“Sometimes the saintly qualities of the deceased are so numerous you begin to wonder if they have the wrong person in the casket,” Father Goldrick

wrote. “A funeral is not an elevation to sainthood. Perhaps the best place for a eulogy is at the wake.”

“It’s an awkward thing, because the funeral rite allows opportunities where people share some personal reflections,” Father Perry said. “But every now and then someone will go off on a tangent.”

“Most of the time I’ll allow family members to offer some reflections during Mass,” Father Chretien added. “The only thing that I ask is they write it out beforehand. I don’t ask to see it, but it’s important they write something out — otherwise they tend to get up there and ramble for 20 minutes. I try to limit them to five or seven minutes.”

Father Doherty said the funeral Mass also precludes another popular fad.

“The other thing that happens occasionally — and this is by no means a trend — is people will opt to have what they call a video funeral,” he said. “They have a prayer service and then show a video review of the person’s life. They can’t really do that in church, but that’s what they want. And they’re willing to forgo the Eucharist for that.”

For those concerned about having their wishes carried out, Father Perry strongly recommends that they plan ahead by making their funeral arrangements beforehand and make it clear that a funeral Mass is desired.

“It’s probably one of the greatest and kindest things you can do, because it also takes a terrible burden off your family to make those difficult choices,” Father Perry said. “We often don’t think about how hard it is for the family to go through that — to have to decide whether there’s a funeral Mass or what kind of casket to get. This way the decisions belong to the deceased.”

“Some people do make preburial plans, but sometimes the surviving family members don’t even pay attention to them,” Father Chretien cautioned. “It’s often children or grandchildren who are making the funeral arrangements.”

On a more practical level, Father Doherty said there are also limitations to having larger services inside the cramped confines of a funeral home.

“From what I’ve heard from funeral directors in Taunton, they do urge people to have the funeral Mass in the Church,” he said. “We have very small funeral homes here and they’re not conducive to large crowds.”

November 12, 2010

T

wo world-class scientists have recently surprised the world with the publication of their new book “The Grand Design.” Stephen Hawking, the Lucasian Professor of Mathematics at the University of Cambridge England for 30 years, and Leonard Mlodinow, a physicist at Caltech, have collaborated to promulgate a novel theory on the origin of the universe.

They postulate that quantum theory predicts the “multiverse,” the idea that ours is just one of many universes that appeared simultaneously out of nothing, each with their own and different laws of nature. This means, they conclude, that the beginning of our universe was governed by the laws of science and does not need to have been set in motion by some god or being, however named or described.

The headline of an advance excerpt from their book published in the Wall Street Journal prior to its September release was, “Why God Did Not Create the Universe.” Its subtitle was even more provocative: “There is a sound scientific explanation for the making of our world — no gods required.”

Interestingly, the word “atheist” does not appear in the book’s index, nor does it appear in the book’s glossary of terms. It is quite clear, however, that the book’s focus is to eliminate any necessity for the consideration or belief in a supreme being of any kind.

The principal object of faith and worship in monotheistic religion is derided as a myth and outdated concept totally incompatible with recent scientific knowledge.

A study conducted in 1998 and published in Nature concluded that more than 90 percent of the world’s top scientists disbelieve or doubt the existence of God and these atheist presumptions seem to influence how they process scientific information.

It is wise to note in this discourse that what these scientists are suggesting — the so-called “M-Theory”— is exactly that, only a theory, or, to be more scientifically precise, an hypothesis. It is not a proven physical law supported by observation and measurement. It is speculation based upon what they believe to be known and therefore subject to further scientific investigation and review. To his credit, Hawking admits that his “multiverse M-Theory” is an “abstract consideration,” and it

13

The Anchor

Hawking’s Godless universe

has yet to be proven. “universes” out there, that have In their new book, “Intellior will come into existence gent Design,” authors William “spontaneously.”

A. Dembski and Jonathan Witt This mind-bending theory describe the context of Hawkgoes over the top when Hawking’s and Mlodinow’s specula- ing theorists state that sotions. “We live in an age where called classical physics, or any the secular institutions of the theory of physics in which the West insist that science can universe is assumed to have only consider material causes. a single, well-defined hisThey have closed the book of tory, is now placed upon the nature by insisting that researchers in virtually every field must only offer theories fully consistent with atheism. They rarely put the matter this baldly. It usually

By James T. Grady goes by the benign, official-sounding term methodological naturalism or methodological materialism.” trash heap of the false laws of The “no-god” school of physics, such as that the sun scientists explains its hypothcirculates around the earth. eses of “multi-universes” and Not only has the study of “spontaneous creation” through physics, as we presently know a series of complicated mathit, become a thing of the past, ematical equations made posthey assert, but the study of sible by super-computers. They philosophy is “dead.” Phiclaim, first, that if you add up losophy, they maintain, has not the total energy of our “flat kept up with modern developuniverse” the result is precisely ments in science, particularly zero, and that, second, the only the observational science of way our universe could have astronomy, the theories of a total energy of zero is if it relativity, advanced mathemathad arisen “spontaneously.” So ics and the quantum physthey speculate: if our universe ics theory called alternative arose spontaneously on its own, histories, which states that the without a first cause, there are, universe does not have a single or at least could be, many more history or existence, but rather

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every possible version of the universe exist simultaneously in what is called a quantum superposition. In fact, the Hawking group proudly proclaims that henceforth “scientists have become the bearers of the torch of discovery in our quest for knowledge.”

The book review editor of The Economist wily responded to the bold claim that M-Theory renders philosophy dead by noting, “Professor Hawking and Mr. Mlodinow regard a philosophical problem as something you knock off over a quick cup of tea after you have run out of Sudoku puzzles.”

The purpose here is not to question Hawking’s and the others’ science as such, but rather to challenge their cosmological hypothesis that they allege is based upon their scientific findings. Reduced to its simplest term, the claim is that our universe, and possibly others, were created or established through a process they have described as “spontaneous creation.” In short, the universe was created by nobody and from nothing.

This of course challenges all our present knowledge of the physical laws of matter and constants. For example, in

order for spontaneous combustion to function, there must be a substance of some kind, or an oxidant and an external chemical reaction to an accelerator.

In biology, a similar concept is abiogenisis, which is the origin of living thing from a lifeless object. In each case there is a “something” before there is a new or different object. That “something” is a necessary condition for the origination of any change of matter from one form to another.

The response or rebuttal from the Hawking school is that as long as you can imagine it, it can happen. Thus, because you can at least imagine a spontaneous creation, then it could and probably did happen. The last sentence of “The Grand Design” presumptuously concludes by saying, “If the [M-]theory is confirmed by observation, it will be the successful conclusion of a search going back more than 3,000 years. We will have found the grand design.”

Next week, we will discuss what others have said about Hawking’s claims.

James T. Grady is a retired lawyer and a former visiting scholar at Harvard Law School. He and his wife Sheila live in Marion and are parishioners at St. Anthony Parish in Mattapoisett. This is the first of a two-part series.

14

The Anchor

A miraculous pilgrimage through Europe continued from page one

member of the group, Germaine Genest, noticed that the numbness in her legs had vanished.

The 86-year-old had been suffering from a back operation that had left a 17-inch scar running up her back.

“I went to bed and I said to my sister: ‘You know, I don’t have that feeling anymore,’” said Genest. “It happened right after we went through Fatima. All through the trip I didn’t have that feeling anymore. I could keep up with them.”

“She was very excited about it,” said Gunning. “The day she told me about it, she was bouncing off the wall.”

The trip continued and on the eighth day the group traveled to Lourdes, France and its famous grotto where St. Bernadette Soubirous saw the Marian apparition.

“It’s big, with lots of people.

We had a lot of candlelight processions at night, which was different. They have these spigots where the water is collected from the ground, and people are just flocking there,” said Carl.

“Everybody went there with high hopes. You could tell that they were just praying something would happen to them. I’ve never seen so many people in such need; thousands of people just hoping.”

It was a full day event for the group. Genest immersed herself in the bath area while the Coutos made their way down to the spigots that lined the wall of the grotto. Some people were taking their shoes off and just letting the water run over them, said Dian-

na, while others drank it.

Carl walked up and decided to dab the sides of his head with the water.

“I didn’t even put it inside the ear,” said Carl, who was afraid of damaging the hearing aids he got two years ago. “Then I walked away.”

And so did Genest, who was embracing her newfound healing with vigor. A few days later the group made its way to La Salette, located high up in the hills of France.

“It was time to settle down, and the bed wasn’t the most comfortable bed,” said Carl of his stay at the converted monastery. “We were separated in two beds, no TV or telephones.

I couldn’t sleep right away so I grabbed my rosary. I prayed the rosary and fell asleep.”

It was still dark out when Carl was awoken by his wife’s voice calling to him from the bathroom. The first thing that Carl noticed was the tone of her voice was different.

“How come I can hear her so good? It was like she was right next to me,” said Carl, who had taken his hearing aids out before going to bed. “I didn’t really pay much attention at that point, I just figured it’s just because it’s quiet in the room. So we get up to go to breakfast, but I didn’t put my hearing aids in because I was going to wait until I got back after breakfast. Sometimes with hearing aids, if there’s a lot of people, the sounds can be very confusing.”

During breakfast, Carl was overwhelmed by distinct sounds

that he hadn’t heard properly in more than a decade.

“I’m hearing people talking two tables away from me, and they’re clear. I’m hearing different sounds, like dishes clinking and slamming of doors, like I never heard before, and louder too,” said Carl, who didn’t tell his wife what was happening because he thought once he got ready for the day, it would all go away.

During the course of the day, the group attended Church services and walked around the area.

Among those in the group were Madeleine Mouawad and her fiancé Michael Saliga. Dating for five years and engaged for more than a year, Saliga had been trying to formalize their union but the widowed Mouawad wanted reassurance.

“We were discussing marriage, and she got frustrated and said, ‘I want a sign that it’s right for us to get married. I want it to be a ring.’ She stated it outright,” said Saliga. “My first reaction was, you got to be kidding me. The chances of her finding some type of a ring must be a billion to one. So the whole time we were up there, every time I saw a ring or something circular — like a donut or something in the architecture somewhere — I was joking and giving her a hard time.”

The visit to La Salette lasted three days, and it was during the last night at the Shrine that the couple received their answer.

“It was the night after we did one of the candlelight vigils.

There was a large group of us walking to get onto the elevators to go upstairs. All of a sudden, I saw her bend down and grab something and it was a ring,” said Saliga. “And it wasn’t just a ring, it was a rosary ring, a

November 12, 2010 ring that had a cross made out of wood. I was stunned when she found it.”

It was during a walk around La Salette that the story of Carl’s miraculous healing came tumbling out.

“We were doing this one particular walk in the afternoon on this fabulous path. The scenery and the valleys are awesome.

At this particular spot you could look down and there were sheep, and they are no bigger than my fingernail, that’s how far down they were,” said Carl. “And I’m hearing bells. I’m looking down and I’m like, it can’t be.”

Carl could no longer keep it to himself. Turning to his wife, he said, “I think I’m getting my hearing back.”

“I didn’t think much of it at the time,” said Dianna. “I thought, maybe it’s because we’re up in the mountains. We were due to go to dinner at a restaurant that was at the bottom of the mountains, and he thought that when we went down, it would change.”

As the day progressed, Carl’s ears began to pop as if under pressure, though they had yet to change elevation from the mountain.

“Each time I swallowed,” said Carl, as he attempted to relieve the sensation, “the quality of sound improved. This went on for a while. It sounded great.

We’re not even going down, just walking around these paths at 6,000 feet.”

During the group’s nightly dinners, Father Pat would often stand up and ask for those gathered to share their experiences for the day. Mouawad stood up and told the group the entire story.

“It was funny,” said Saliga.

“She said, ‘We were walking towards the elevator and I saw this ring, and I dove on it.’”

Carl also shared his experience with the rest of the group.

Upon their return home, the cou-

This week in 50 years ago — John F. Kennedy, a summer resident of the Fall River Diocese, is the first Catholic elected to be President of the United States. He will officially be sworn into office on January 20 the following year.

25 years ago — Two members of the Fall River Diocesan Council of Catholic Women were elected to the National Council of Catholic Women convention held at the Sheraton Twin Towers Hotel, Orlando, Fla. Mrs. James A. O’Brien Jr. and Mrs. Michael J. McMahon, both parishioners at St. Mary’s Cathedral in Fall River, were given the honor.

ple shared the good news with their two daughters and Carl was able to hear his grandchildren’s voices clearly for the first time.

“You’re there and they’re talking to you and you’re like, I wish I knew what they were saying,” said Carl. “[And you think] maybe because they’re small and they’re not pronouncing their words properly. And then I come back and I can understand every word they’re saying.”

“It wasn’t that I didn’t believe in the miracle waters,” added Carl. “I just never thought it would happen to me. I just went in there and did what they did. I feel Our Lady wants me to spread the news, that she’s using me as a messenger. Maybe I was blessed that way, to pass it on whether it is accepted or not.

I’m sending a message to make everyone think.”

Carl’s hearing aids are now gathering dust, right along with Genest’s cane that she says she rarely uses.

“I can walk,” said Genest. “I can go up the stairs, and I don’t have a walker or a cane. I want to thank the Blessed Mother for everything I’ve received. It was a beautiful trip, very tiresome, but worth it.”

Father Pat saw Genest at a recent Mass at La Salette and said she seemed to be doing well.

“It is wonderful to see that,” said Father Pat. Gunning joked that the bar had been reset for upcoming pilgrimages.

“I have to say, of all the pilgrimages I have led that this has to be one of the most unusual, most spirit-filled,” said Gunning.

“People got along, as a matter of fact they said that we were like one happy family. People helped other people; no one left a person alone. If they saw somebody in need, they helped. I think it will be remembered for many, many years to come.”

Diocesan history 10 years ago — Members of the newlyformed Holy Trinity Parish in Fall River — a merging of the former St. Elizabeth’s, St. Jean Baptiste and St. William’s parishes — joined together for a Mass of Thanksgiving celebrated by Bishop Sean P. O’Malley, OFM, Cap. One year ago — The headstone of U.S. Army chaplain Father Arthur C. Lenaghan in St. Patrick’s Cemetery in Fall River was cleaned and restored thanks to Paul Haley, director of Planned Giving for the U.S. Navy Memorial Foundation in Washington, D.C. Father Lenaghan, 37, was killed in action in Italy in 1944 during World War II.

November 12, 2010

15

The Anchor

Vatican confirms request of five Anglican bishops to join Church

after the meeting.”

The statement was signed by Auxiliary Bishop Alan Hopes of VATICAN CITY — Five AnWestminster, the highest-ranking glican bishops have decided to join former Anglican priest in England the Catholic Church and step down and Wales.

He joined the Catholic from their current positions with Church in 1994 after the Church of the Church of England, a Vatican England agreed to ordain women spokesman said. as priests.

Jesuit Father Federico LomA statement from Anglican bardi, director of the Vatican press Archbishop Rowan Williams of office, confirmed in a recent stateCanterbury said he would initiate ment by the Catholic Bishops’ the process for filling the vacant Conference of England and Wales sees. welcoming the five bishops.

In a joint statement released NoFather Lombardi said that a vember 8 the five bishops, who re“constitution” that would govern signed their posts effective Decemthe entry of former bishops of the ber 31, said that despite ecumenical Anglican Communion was being efforts, they had been “dismayed, studied. over the last 30 years, to see AnOne year ago, Pope Benedict glicans and Catholics move further XVI established a special structure apart on some of the issues of the for Anglicans who want to be in day.”

They said they were particufull communion with the Roman Catholic Church while preserving larly “distressed by developments aspects of their Anglican spiritual in faith and order in Anglicanism and liturgical heritage. The move which we believe to be incompatwas seen as a bridge to those un- ible with the historic vocation of happy with recent Anglican deci- Anglicanism and the tradition of sions on the ordination of women the church for nearly 2,000 years.”

The five said that “Anglicanoand the acceptance of homosexualrum coetibus” was “both a generity in some areas. ous response to various approaches Father Lombardi said, “Regardto the Holy See for help and a bold, ing the declaration of five bishops until now belonging to the Anglican Communion who have decided to join the Catholic Church and who therefore are obliged by conscience to resign from their current pastoral duties in the Church of England, we can confirm that the constitution of a first ordinariate is under study, according to the norms established by the Apostolic Constitution ‘Anglicanorum coetibus,’ and that any further decisions regarding this will be communicated at the proper moment.”

Under the arrangement Anglicans can be received into the Catholic Church as a group while retaining their distinctive patrimony and liturgical practices, including married priests.

Father Lombardi was referring to a statement issued November 8 by the Episcopal Commission of the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of England and Wales that said, “We welcome the decision of Bishops Andrew Burnham, Keith Newton, John Broadhurst, Edwin Barnes and David Silk to enter into full communion with the Catholic Church through the Ordinariate for England and Wales, which will be established under the provisions of the apostolic constitution ‘Anglicanorum coetibus.’”

“At our plenary session next week, the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of England and Wales will be exploring the establishment of the ordinariate and the warm welcome we will be extending to those who seek to be part of it. Further information will be made known

By Sarah Delaney Catholic News Service

new ecumenical instrument in the search for the unity of Christians, the unity for which Christ himself prayed before his passion and death.”

“It is a unity, we believe, which is possible only in eucharistic communion with the successor of St. Peter,” they said.

“As bishops, we have evenhandedly cared for those who have shared our understanding and those who have taken a different view,” they added. “We have now reached the point, however, where we must formally declare our position and invite others who share it to join us on our journey.

“We shall be ceasing, therefore, from public episcopal ministry forthwith, resigning from our pastoral responsibilities in the Church of England” and joining an ordinariate once one is created, they said.

The bishops said they were “very grateful for all that the Church of England has meant for us and given to us all these years, and we hope to maintain close and warm relationships, praying and working together for the coming of God’s Kingdom.”

Diocese of Fall River TV Mass on WLNE Channel 6 Sunday, November 14 at 11:00 a.m.

Celebrant is Father Rodney E. Thibault, chaplain at St. Luke’s Hospital in New Bedford, and in residence at St. John Neumann Parish in East Freetown.

Revised and updated ...

Order Ear Comple ly!!!

Sellou te t La Year!!! st

2010-2011 Diocese of Fall River Catholic Directory ... Now shipping!!

Published by The Anchor Publishing Company P.O. Box 7, Fall River, Massachusetts 02722 Please ship _____ directories x $18 each, including shipping and handling. Total Enclosed $_____ NAME ____________________________________________ ADDRESS _________________________________________ CITY _____________________ STATE _______ ZIP _____ Please make checks payable to “Anchor Publishing” For more information, email theanchor@anchonews.org, call 508-675-7151, or order online at www.anchornews.org

16

Youth Pages

November 12, 2010

using her head — Fifth-graders at Holy Name School in Fall River, enjoyed pumpkin math activities. They weighed pumpkins, measured pumpkins, and compared their own heads to the circumference of the pumpkins, and counted out seeds in piles of 10s to see how many seeds each group had. They then calculated the median, range and mean of the five pumpkins. The best part was eating the baked seeds.

direct line to heaven — As students of St. Mary’s School, Mansfield, observed Respect Life month, they offered special intentions to those who need it most. In honor of the Blessed Mother, students have been participating in sharing the rosary with their classmates. In preparation for All Saints Day, students continued to research the lives of saints and the tremendous influence they have had on our lives. Here, Tyler Smith, Class of 2011, led the student body in daily prayer.

fleet of foot — The St. Mary-Sacred Heart Cross-Country team finished its season in the Northern Division of the R.I. Catholic Athletic League in third place for the boys and fifth for the girls.

The North Attleboro team, comprised of students from grades five-eight, competed in weekly crosscountry meets against other Catholic middle schools and parishes. The course was lengthened this year to 1.9 miles and Brendan Patch set the record for the SMSH boys’ with a time of 12:38 while Lauren Magill led the girls with a time of 13:12. At the recent championship meet, fifth-grader Lauren Magill placed 10th out of 294 girls.

the great iambs — Students at St. John the Evangelist School in Attleboro completed a project on poems in their Language Arts class. The students teacher, Sister Mary Dumond submitted their works to the “Anthology of Poems” where it was later published. Front from left: Michael Wasserman, Kellen Jolly, Theresa Castro, Peter Luongo, Natalia Wrobleski and Rachelle Hitchcock. Missing from photo is Shannon Mulligan.

fond memories — Coyle and Cassidy High School’s Spanish I classes recently observed the Day of the Dead. Each student designed an ofrenda or memorial altar to honor the memory of a loved one. The miniature ofrendas were displayed in the school’s gym where students explained them to classmates and then they were placed in school chapel for viewing. As part of the preparation for this project, students at the Taunton school were able to see a connection between the Day of Dead and the Feasts of All Saints and All Souls.

Youth Pages

November 12, 2010

S

One in 10

everal weeks ago, my the 10 lepers. The striking part of pastor, Father Joe, told this story, as we will hear, is that this short story. A man who had Jesus cleansed all 10 of the lepers passed away was getting a tour but only one came back to give of heaven with St. Peter. They him thanks. One out of 10. In approached a room that was fact the one that came back was bustling with activity. There were a Samaritan, an outsider. Jesus angels and babies everywhere. said in reply, “Ten were cleansed, When asked, St. Peter told the were they not? Where are the man that is the room where other nine? Has none but this babies receive their souls.

Moving on they came to another room where angels were working.

When asked, St. Peter indicated that this was the room when prayers and

By Frank Lucca requests were received. It was extremely busy with millions of angels moving to and fro. Moving on they foreigner returned to give thanks came to another room, likewise to God?” Then he said to him, filled with millions of angels “Stand up and go; your faith has hard at work. When asked, St. saved you.”

Peter indicated that this was the Just as in the angel story that room where blessings were sent I shared with you at the beginto those who needed them or ning of this article, we ask for requested them. Finally comthings from God and we receive ing to the next room, the man so many blessings from him. saw a huge room with only one However, is it just as in the leper angel at work. When asked, St. story, that there is a room needPeter told the man that this is the ing only one angel to handle all room where thanks to God were of the thanks we give to God? received.

I wonder how we might have With the feast of Thanksgivacted had we been given what ing approaching, perhaps, we the 10 lepers received that day? might take a moment to think Would we have come back to about this story and what it give thanks for what we just means to us. So often we turn received or would we have just to God when we are in need of gone back to out normal lives? something. Do we, however, Sometimes we respond to thank God for all that we do something done for us with a receive each and every day? rote “thank you.“ That’s not what In the Gospel for ThanksgivI’m talking about. This always ing Day, we will hear once again reminds me of the little child, the passage that we heard back whose parents say, “Now say in October — of Jesus cleansing thank you.” While a good lesson,

Be Not Afraid

the little child most likely repeats the parents’ words without really meaning it. What I’m talking about is a deep gratitude. A true appreciation for what God or others have done for us.

We receive so much from God and from others. Do we appreciate all that is done for us or do we just take it all for granted?

Just like the 10 lepers, we may let the many blessing we receive be hidden by the negatives in our lives, and surely leprosy is a negative. We may have some difficulties in our own lives, like illness, or unemployment or perhaps even difficulties with others. We can surely find things in our lives to be grateful for, or can we only do so if we see others that are less fortunate than ourselves?

As this Thanksgiving Day approaches, let’s first and foremost give sincere thanks to God for our faith in him and for all he has given to us. Let’s also give thanks to our parents, and teachers, and religious, and others who make our lives better and easier who, we perhaps, forget to thank.

I pray that we may all be more the like the leper who was not only cleansed, but, because of his faith, because of his giving thanks, was made whole again.

Frank is a youth minister at St. Dominic’s Parish in Swansea. He is chairman and director of the YES! Retreat and director of the Christian Leadership Institute (CLI). He is a husband and a father of two daughters.

the next chapter in their lives — The pre-school children at St. Mary’s School, Taunton, learned first-hand that you are never too young to enjoy a good book. Librarian Kate from the Taunton Public Library read two awesome Halloween stories to the children and then gave them a tour of the children’s library. The children left with library card applications in hand that will allow them to start to explore the wonderful world of reading.

17

School Sisters of Notre Dame score $262,900 home run with card auction BALTIMORE (CNS) — Sister Virginia Muller grew up rooting for the Dodgers at Ebbets Field in Brooklyn, N.Y. Ministering in Baltimore, she has more recently adopted the Orioles as her hometown heroes. But ask who her favorite player is and the whitehaired School Sister of Notre Dame turns to a Pittsburgh Pirate from another generation.

“Honus Wagner!” Sister Virginia exclaimed with a laugh.

Sister Virginia made the comments during a November 5 news conference at her religious congregation’s motherhouse in Baltimore, announcing that a rare 100-year-old Honus Wagner baseball card bequeathed to the School Sisters of Notre Dame brought them $262,900 in an online auction that closed November 4.

The card, graded authentic though in poor condition, was left to the sisters’ Atlan-

tic-Midwest province by the brother of one of the congregation’s members. The sister died in 1999 and her brother died earlier this year. He left everything he had to the congregation, including the card, which surpassed initial estimates of its auction price by $162,900.

Sister Virginia, former treasurer of the Atlantic-Midwest province, was the personal representative of the donor’s estate.

The card was part of a series called T206 produced by the American Tobacco Company. It was discovered in a safe deposit box with a note that said: “Although damaged, this card will be exponentially valuable in the 21st century.”

Sister Virginia said that when she opened the safe deposit box, she had no idea who Honus Wagner was. “I did take myself to the Internet and to the library to quickly find out some things about Honus,” she said.

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

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

18

The Anchor

November 12, 2010

Columnist goes to bat for St. Mary’s Fund continued from page one

of life to say “yes” to charity and Church requests “within reason.”

“When Dan was not able to come, he was very instrumental in finding a replacement for the dinner,” said Mike Donly, diocesan director of Development. “He also told me, ‘I owe you.’ When I approached him to do it this year, he jumped right on board, and within minutes told me he had it marked on his calendar. He was so accommodating.”

Donly also mentioned that Shaughnessy had met Bishop George W. Coleman at an earlier event and told the bishop to “just ask” if he needed anything. “In my conversations with Dan, I sense how important the education of our young people is.”

In addition to his media-related activities, Shaughnessy has authored 11 books, including the popular “Curse of the Bambino,” and “Fenway Park — A Biography in Words and Pictures.” Prior to his columnist duties, he covered the Boston Red Sox and Celtics for the Globe.

As a lad he was an altar boy at Sacred Heart Parish in Groton. “I was one of the last groups to have to know the Mass in Latin,” he said.

“We went to Mass as a family every Sunday, and we dressed up too. We weren’t slouches.” Shaughnessy’s parents raised him and his four siblings in the Catholic way. “My parents were always very active in the parish, and we all received the sacraments through confirmation. My three children have done the same.”

Shaughnessy told The Anchor he realizes the importance of a Catholic education. “I attended the College of Holy Cross in Worcester, and I have great remembrances of the Jesuit Fathers there, and the great impression they made on me.

Catholic priests are some of the greatest men I have ever met.” He mentioned in particularly Father Gerard D. Barry, pastor of St. Bernard Church of Corpus Christi-St. Bernard Parish in Newton prior to his retirement in 2001. “Father Barry was such a great man and an inspiration,” added Shaughnessy.

“He passed away last month, and for his funeral, he filled St. Bernard’s one last time.”

Shaughnessy’s son Sam also attended a Catholic college, graduating from Boston College.

“Young people today face many challenges,” said Shaughnessy. “A Catholic education is a tremendous option. Up here we have Boston College High School and I’m always impressed with the students there. Catholic schools produce fine students and individuals. Speaking before the St. Mary’s Fund crowd will be wonderful. Catholic education is a big part of you and it will be comforting to be in that environment.”

Last year, Boston Red Sox CEO Larry Lucchino had the speaking honors at the Fall Dinner. “Larry was very impressed with the St. Mary’s Fund and the good works they do,” Donly told The Anchor.

“He truly enjoyed his time at the dinner, and even after the event, he continued to support the fund in various ways, all behind the scenes.”

“That doesn’t surprise me in the least,” said Shaughnessy when told of Lucchino’s involvement with the Fall River Diocese. “Larry is one of the most way underrated and undervalued people I know, and one of the smartest men I know. When he says ‘Whatever I can do,’ he means it.”

Shaughnessy shared a story of Lucchino’s concern for others. “I came into contact with a young boy, about 13 years old, who had been through several bouts of cancer,” he recalled. “During the 2004 Red Sox season his condition worsened, and he was dying.

When the Sox won the World Series that year, the boy’s only wish was to ride on one of the floats in the victory parade. The Sox won on a Thursday and the parade was scheduled for Saturday. On Friday I got on the phone with Larry, and despite all the craziness going on around him, he arranged to have the boy ride in the parade. He died a short time later.”

The Fall Dinner will begin with a 5:30 p.m. reception and will feature an extensive multi-course meal. The evening’s program includes a video snapshot of Catholic schools, student entertainment and then Shaughnessy’s presentation.

To support the Fall Dinner or obtain information on the St. Mary’s Education Fund, contact Donly at the diocesan Development Office at 508-675-1311.

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

24/7 Catholic radio station hits the local airwaves continued from page one

that it begins on the Feast of All Saints, so that we can turn to all of our brothers and sisters in heaven and ask for their intercessions for the blessing on this endeavor — that it will truly be a successful means of evangelization, helping people to discover the presence of God in their lives and to instill in them a desire to be faithful disciples of the Lord.”

The cardinal added that the radio station is an important facet of the New Evangelization in Boston.

“It’s been a gap in what we try to do as a Church from a media standpoint,” Scot Landry, head of the recently-created secretariat of New Media, said during the same broadcast.

The Station of the Cross Catholic Radio Network, an EWTN affiliate, purchased 1060 AM. They have been on the air 10 years at WLOF 101.7 FM in Buffalo, New York and seven years at WHIC 1460 AM in Rochester.

Two new stations — one in Elmira and the other in Syracuse — are scheduled to begin broadcasting in the next six months.

Each station is dedicated to the Blessed Mother.

There are currently 50 Catholic radio stations in the country, but that number is expected to multiply five or six times in the next five years.

Much of the network’s content is produced by EWTN. National programs include “Life on the Rock” and “The World Over.” Others feature speakers like Father John Corapi, Archbishop Fulton J. Sheen and Father Benedict Groeschel.

In the show “Calling All Catholics,” priests answer listener questions, and the network hopes to set up a local version of the show in Massachusetts.

Other local content will likely include CatholicTV’s daily Mass and rosary, interviews with Cardinal O’Malley and promotion of local Catholic events.

President and co-founder of the network Jim Wright told The Anchor that radio reaches many people and brings them into the life of the Church.

A study done in San Francisco found that because of Catholic radio many people have come back to the sacraments. Similar results have been found across the nation over the nearly 20 years EWTN has broadcast over the radio. Supporters of the new station say it could be a springboard for people who would never think of stepping inside a church.

“It really truly increases people’s awareness of the Holy Spirit, of faith, and it’s documented that it brings people back to the parishes, which is what we’re all about,” he said.

Wright, who owns a dental lab, started the network at the urging of Mother Angelica, who founded EWTN. He began with no radio experience and said that his lack of knowledge has kept him focused on God’s will instead of his own.

“You are completely relying on God to work the miracles of Catholic radio,” he said.

Catholic radio content is not new to Massachusetts. Stations like WBZ 1030 AM and WMTN 1300 AM feature Catho-

lic shows. A Spanish language program La Voz Católica airs on WMRC 1490 AM. Eternal Life Radio (ELR), another affiliate of EWTN, began offering Father Corapi’s program to the area on WROL 950 AM more than three years ago. The station later added local content.

ELR president Mary Ann Harold told The Anchor that the last day broadcasting on WROL was October 31, and the station is now in the process of setting up in a different location in order to cooperate with WQOM in bringing Catholic radio to the entire Commonwealth.

“They really need to succeed,” she said of WQOM. “We thought we would be buying a station, but I think the Lord chose this.”

“Our goal was to have fulltime Catholic radio here in Boston, and it is coming. We are grateful to the Lord for hearing that prayer,” she added.

Over the last few years, ELR has received thank you letters from people who found or refound the faith. Harold said the ministry has bore much fruit with just an hour of programming on weekdays.

Scot Landry told The Anchor that he prays the Holy Spirit will work through 24/7 Catholic radio to lead the faithful closer to God and bring them into his Church.

“I hope that they experience Catholic radio as a warm invitation to know about our faith — whether they’re Catholic or not — and to always know that God welcomes everybody into the fullness of his plan for salvation,” he said.

The Anchor

November 12, 2010

Sister Ann Miriam Gallagher, MSBT

PHILADELPHIA — Sister Ann Miriam Gallagher of the Missionary Servants of the Most Blessed Trinity died October 25 at the age of 62.

She was born Nov. 8, 1947 in Bryn Mawr, Penn., to the late Patrick J. Gallagher and Margaret (McKee) Gallagher. Sister Gallagher was the oldest of the six children.

She entered the Missionary Servants of the Most Blessed Trinity on Aug. 5, 1965. Sister made her first Profession on Aug. 15, 1967 and her perpetual profession on March 25, 1973.

Sister’s missionary life took her to Swissvale, Penn.; McKees Rocks, Penn.; Beloit, Wisc.; Philadelphia; the Diocese of Pensacola-Tallahassee, Fla.; Wareham, Mass.; and New Hartford, Conn.

In 2007, she was granted permission for a family leave to care for her parents. In 2008 she moved to the mother house due to her medical circumstances.

Religious Education and youth ministry were her passions. She also enjoyed parish ministry. All of these experiences served her well in her ministry at Trinita in New Hartford, Conn.

In 1975, Sister Gallagher was invited and assigned to formation ministry and in 1976 she was appointed to the role of assistant director of novices.

The following year she was appointed to the role of director of novices.

Sister Gallagher’s prepara-

In Your Prayers Please pray for these priests during the coming weeks Nov. 15 Rev. Thomas F. LaRoche, Assistant, Sacred Heart, Taunton, 1939 Rev. Daniel E. Doran, Pastor, Immaculate Conception, North Easton, 1943

Nov. 16 Rev. John Brady, Former Pastor, Sandwich, New Bedford, Wareham, 1856 Nov. 17 Rev. Henry R. Canuel, Former Pastor, Sacred Heart, New Bedford, 1980 Nov. 18 Rev. William Beston, C.S.C., 2004 Nov. 19 Rev. Msgr. Lester L. Hull, Retired Pastor, St. Mary-Our Lady of the Isle, Nantucket, 1982 Rev. Philodore H. Lemay, M.S., La Salette Provincial House, Attleboro, 1990 Nov. 21 Rev. Stephen J. Downey, Retired Pastor, Holy Ghost, Attleboro, 1975 Rev. James F. Kenney, Retired Pastor, Corpus Christi, Sandwich, 1994

tion for her ministry included receiving a bachelor’s degree in Psychology from Holy Family College in Philadelphia in 1974 and a master’s degree in Religious Studies with a concentration in Theology from Villanova Sister Ann Miriam Gallagher, MSBT University in 1981. In 1994 she received a certificate in Spirituality from St. Joseph

College in Hartford.

In all of her ministries she was a planner; an organizer; a teacher; a youth minister; a retreat minister, including the Emmaus and ECHO programs in the Diocese of Fall River; a public relations person; and an ardent supporter of volunteers.

Sister Gallagher was survived by family members and members of her religious community.

A Mass of Christian Burial was celebrated at the Motherhouse Chapel and burial was at Holy Sepulchre Cemetery in Philadelphia.

Around the Diocese 11/13

The Women’s Guild of Corpus Christi Parish, East Sandwich will hold its annual Christmas Fair tomorrow from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the parish center, 324 Quaker Meetinghouse Road, East Sandwich.

It will feature home-made crafts, gift baskets, white elephants items and attic treasures along with a delicious homemade luncheon and baked goods table.

11/13

A Day of Music and Reflection with Gregory Norbet sharing his gift of prayer and meditative song will be held at the La Salette Retreat Center, 947 Park Street, Attleboro tomorrow from 9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. For reservations or more information call 508-222-8530.

11/13

A Pax Christi MA Assembly will take place tomorrow at the College of the Holy Cross, 1 College Street, Worcester, from 8:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. “Using Our Voices: Prophetic Witness in a Dark Time” will feature keynote speaker Kathy Kelly of “Voices for Creative Nonviolence.” For registration forms, visit www.paxchristima.org/lasalette.

11/14

St. Mary’s Parish, 1 Power Street, Norton, will host its annual Christmas Bazaar Sunday from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. This year’s event will feature individual crafters, cookie booth, bake table, basket table, 50/50 raffle, Chinese auction, kids’ Christmas shopping room, and more. Breakfast and lunch will also be served. For more information call 508-285-3959.

11/14

Adoption by Choice, an adoption and pregnancy counseling program of Catholic Social Services of the Diocese of Fall River, will hold an informational session Sunday from 1 to 3 p.m. at its central offices, 1600 Bay Street, Fall River. Call 508-674-4681 or visit www.cssdioc.org to register or for more information.

11/16

The Martin Institute at Stonehill College in North Easton will host a lecture by Retired Lt. Col. James Zumwalt on November 16 at 7 p.m. He was an infantry officer who served in the Vietnam War, in the 1989 intervention into Panama, and Desert Storm. He will be speaking about his new book, “Bare Feet, Iron Will: Stories From the Other Side of Vietnam’s Battlefields.” For information visit www.stonehill.edu/mi_events.xml.

11/18 11/20

A Healing Mass will be held at St. Anne’s Church, South Main Street, Fall River on November 18 at 6:30 p.m. preceded by the rosary at 6 p.m. and followed by Benediction and healing prayers after Mass.

Our Lady’s Haven, 71 Center Street, Fairhaven, will host a Holiday Craft Fair on November 20 from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. in the lobby and dining room. Crafters will offer a wide-range of handmade items and Our Lady’s Haven will be serving delicious foods to enjoy while browsing for the holidays.

For more information call 508-999-4561.

19 Eucharistic Adoration in the Diocese Acushnet — Eucharistic adoration takes place at St. Francis Xavier Parish on Mondays, Tuesdays, 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, Tuesdays, and Wednesdays end with Evening Prayer and Benediction at 6:30 p.m.; Saturdays end with Benediction at 2:45 p.m.

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

Brewster — Eucharistic adoration takes place in the La Salette Chapel in the lower level of Our Lady of the Cape Church, 468 Stony Brook Road, on First Fridays following the 11 a.m.

Mass until 7:45 a.m. on the First Saturday, concluding with Benediction and Mass.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Falmouth — St. Patrick’s Church has eucharistic adoration each First Friday, following the 9 a.m. Mass until Benediction at 4:30 p.m. The rosary is recited Monday through Friday from 8:30 a.m. to 9 a.m.

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 from 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m.; and every Friday from noon to 5 p.m., with Benediction at 5 p.m.

11/20

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.

11/21

WAREHAM — Adoration with opportunities for private and formal prayer is offered on the First Friday of each month from 8:30 a.m. until 8 p.m. at St. Patrick’s Church, High Street.

The Prayer Schedule is as follows: 7:30 a.m. the rosary; 8 a.m. Mass; 8:30 a.m. exposition and Morning Prayer; 12 p.m. the Angelus; 3 p.m. Divine Mercy Chaplet; 5:30 p.m. Evening Prayer; 7 p.m. sacrament of confession; 8 p.m. Benediction.

The annual Holiday Craft Fair at St. Margaret Regional School, Main Street, Buzzards Bay, will be held November 20 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. featuring jewelry, blankets, scarves, ornaments, doll clothes, stocking stuffers, candles, handbags, beauty products, wreaths, and more. The children’s choir sings at 3 p.m. and there will be a raffle drawing at 3:30 p.m.

The Knights of Columbus will be hosting a Blood Drive on November 21 from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. in the parking lot of Notre Dame Church, 529 Eastern Avenue, Fall River. Light refreshments will be available in the church hall. For more information call 508-674-1146.

11/25

The National Shrine of Our Lady of La Salette in Attleboro will open its 2011 Christmas Festival of Lights on Thanksgiving evening, November 25 with daily illuminations following the 4 p.m. Mass until 9 p.m. through January 2. This year’s theme is “Believe in the Gift!” For more information call 508-222-5410 or visit www.lasalette-shrine.org.

11/28

An Advent festival and fair, designed for adults and children of all ages to keep “Christ in Christmas,” will be held at St. Francis Xavier Parish, 21 Cross Street, Hyannis on November 28 from noon to 3 p.m. in the hall of the prep school. For more information call 508-775-1628.

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

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

20

The Anchor

November 12, 2010

It’s not the size of the dog ...

D

espite the countless Americans who abhor the fact that thousands of immigrants flow into this country every year, all of us, with the exception of Native Americans, are of immigrant ancestry.

And despite what we frequently see on the news, our Native American brothers and sisters have been treated the most cruelly, but that’s fodder for another column.

Most of us are proud of our ancestry, and many are willing to spend time and money to trace our roots back to the “old country.”

Sometimes we don’t always like what we find, but family is family.

By Dave Jolivet I’m proud of my Canuck roots. As a lad, I loved watching hice ockey (Canuckism), seeing all those French-Canadian names on the back of the jerseys. I always hoped to find a Jolivet among them, but never did. Even when I visited the Ockey All of Fame (Canuckism) in Toronto I tried to find a Jolivet. Alas, no such luck. It’s probably because we Jolivets are notoriously height-challenged, and therefore were closer to the size of a puck than a player.

Even Denise’s maiden name, Belanger, has appeared on NHL and Major League Baseball rosters through the years.

Anyway, I digress. But after 40 years of finding pride in big, bruising Canucks, I now have a petit-grand héros (little big hero), with the recent canonization of St. André Bessette. Barely five-foot

tall, this little man was a giant in the eyes of the thousands who received and still receive healings through his intercession, of which the little man always credited his beloved St. Joseph.

Because of him, the world has the magnificent St. Joseph Oratory on Mount Royal, north of the magnificent city of Montreal. The site is a holy, awesome, and inspirational place, and the view of the city and its surroundings is spectacular — like sitting on top of the world. I’ve twice visited the Oratory, and would go back again in a heartbeat. Not bad for a little big man. And if that were not enough, St. André actually walked the city streets of Fall River — with his little black bag in tow — sometime in the Flint section where my grandparents, father, uncle and aunts were raised. To me that’s pretty cool.

It’s kind of refreshing to have a hero who’s not a millionaire sports stud. Instead, he’s just a little Canuck ... like me.

There’s one more person I would love to see reach sainthood — Blessed Kateri Tekakwitha. With a bit Native American blood in Denise’s and my lineage, we are partial towards this saintly young woman.

We also have visited the Kateri Shrine and the Shrine of the Martyrs in upstate New York, where Blessed Kateri lived and prayed. She’ll always be a hero to me as well ­— whether she receives the title of saint or not.

It’s in my blood to root for the little people — especially those with similar roots.

My View From the Stands

MCFL to remember Dr. Jefferson

BOSTON — Massachusetts Citizens for life invites everyone to attend a “Celebrate the Life of Mildred Fay Jefferson, M.D.,” event on November 26 from 2 to 4 p.m. at Harvard Memorial Church, One Harvard Yard in Cambridge.

Jefferson, a leader in the Pro-Life movement for many years died October 15 at her home in Cambridge at the age of 84. She was the first African-American woman to graduate from Harvard Medical School.

Gerald D’Avolio, executive director of the Massachusetts Catholic Conference said Jefferson, “demonstrated the movement’s breadth and depth. She was a pioneer in breaking barriers in the medical field and she was a dedicated physician who defendDr. Mildred ed the dignity of the human ay Jefferson F person with intelligence and verve.”

“I became a physician in order to help save lives,” Jefferson once said. “I am at once a physician, a citizen, and a woman, and I am not willing to stand aside and allow the concept of expendable human lives to turn this great land of ours into just another exclusive reservation where only the perfect, the privileged, and the planned have the right to live.”

A reception at DiGiovanni Hall at St. Paul Parish, 29 Mt. Auburn Street, Cambridge, will follow the service. For information call 617242-4199.