The Anchor Diocese of Fall River
F riday , October 29, 2010
Pregnant women in crisis met with love
B y Christine M. Williams A nchor C orrespondent
FALL RIVER — Crisis pregnancy centers serve on the front lines battling the culture of death with love. The staff at these centers encounter women at a pivotal moment in their lives and listen to their fears and concerns. “We meet women and couples where they are, with the love of Christ,” said Daryl Breda, director of A Woman’s Concern in Fall River. This year, the theme for Respect Life Month is “The Measure of Love is to Love Without Measure.” Loving the
women who walk through the office door is an integral part of the center’s ministry. “It’s all about loving on them,” Breda told The Anchor. “It’s loving them and listening to them, hearing them out and supporting them in their difficulties in whatever way we can. I think our services are best described as pro-woman, life-affirming.” A Woman’s Concern has six locations, two of which — Fall River and Hyannis — are in the Diocese of Fall River. The ministry as a whole has seen 75 babies born in 2010. Breda, Turn to page 12 rich tradition — During this past July’s annual three-day gathering, the Sisters of St. Dorothy’s 100-year anniversary was marked by a private celebration with members coming from Texas and New York for a special Mass at Mount Saint Joseph’s in Taunton. Here a group of Sisters gather together on the stairs of the Villa Fatima Convent for a group photo.
Sisters of St. Dorothy celebrate 100 years in the United States By Rebecca Aubut Anchor Staff
PORTABLE PILGRIM QUEEN— This triptych shrine known as the Pilgrim Queen of the Family has inspired dozens of families in the Attleboro area to host monthly recitations of the rosary on a rotating basis for nearly four years. The growing devotion to the rosary is helping to inspire families to pray together in their homes.
Pilgrim Queen of the Family inspires family prayer through the rosary By Kenneth J. Souza Anchor Staff
ATTLEBORO — For nearly four years, a group of devoted families in the Attleboro area has been living Servant of God Father Patrick Peyton’s famous adage “the family that prays together, stays together,” by coming together each month to pray the rosary before a traveling shrine known as the Pilgrim Queen of the Family. “It’s really a great opportunity to bring the family together,” said
Shawn Seybert of St. John the Evangelist Parish in Attleboro. “We all seem so crazy-busy that during this time we make it a priority to sit down and pray together because she’s there. It’s not overwhelming, but yet it has a way of permeating your family life.” “I think it has strengthened us as a family,” agreed fellow St. John the Evangelist parishioner Jim Castro. “It’s nice to have that anchor during the month to set aside Turn to page 20
Mass. bishops statement on electing civic leaders, and their opposition to Question 2 on Tuesday’s election ballot — page 14
FALL RIVER — In 1809, St. Paula Frassinetti was born in Genoa, Italy. Paula heard the divine call and at the tender age of 19, found herself working alongside her brother, Father Giuseppe, at his parish in Quinto, Italy. Every Sunday Paula and a group of six young women would take long walks together, with Paula taking the lead and speaking about God. On Aug. 12, 1834, in the sanctuary of San Martino in Albaro, the seven young women dedicated their lives to God. Living in poverty in Quinto, the women opened a school for poor children. A priest, learning of Paula’s apostolic
zeal, asked her to assume the responsibility for the pious work named after St. Dorothy, and the Sisters of St. Dorothy was born. Active all over the world, 100 years ago the Sisters of St. Dorothy took root in the United States, a cause for celebration among the small number of Sisters who have pledged a lifetime to serving God, along with continuing the educational mission of their predecessor. In fact, it was another young girl, this time during the 1950s while living on Staten Island, N. Y., who was inspired by the Sisters during her years as an elementary student. “I had the Sisters of St. Dorothy in grammar Turn to page 13
Five to receive St. Thomas More Award at annual Red Mass on November 7
By John E. Kearns Jr. Office of Communications
FALL RIVER — Bishop George W. Coleman will be principal celebrant of the annual Red Mass in the Fall River Diocese at 3 p.m. November 7 at St. Mary’s Cathedral in Fall River. A long-standing tradition in the Church, the Red Mass is sponsored each year by the diocese to invoke God’s guidance and strength on those who work to provide justice in the legal
system. Judges, attorneys and court personnel are invited to attend. Homilist for the Red Mass will be Holy Cross Father Mark T. Cregan, president of Stonehill College in North Easton and a practicing attorney. In keeping with a tradition in this diocese, the Red Mass will conclude with the presentation of the St. Thomas More Award to members of the area legal community to recognize dedicated service.
Selected for the honor this year are, as distinguished jurists, retired Judge Antone S. Aguiar Jr. of Swansea and retired Judge John H. O’Neil of Fall River, both former First Justices of the Fall River District Court; as distinguished attorney, Bruce Gilmore of Barnstable; as distinguished court employee, Gladys Fermino of New Bedford, recently retired Operations Supervisor of the New Bedford District Court; Turn to page 18