08.29.14

Special Bishop George W. Coleman Edition

Diocese of Fall River, Mass.

Friday, August 29, 2014

Retired Archbishop Daniel A. Cronin, Bishop George W. Coleman and Cardinal Sean P. O’Malley process into St. Mary’s Cathedral in Fall River for a Mass celebrating Bishop Coleman’s 50 years as a priest, and in thanksgiving for his 11 years as bishop of the Diocese of Fall River. (Photo by Dave Jolivet)

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Diocese says ‘thank you, farewell,’ to bishop at packed cathedral Mass

By Dave Jolivet Anchor Editor

FALL RIVER — The weather outside St. Mary’s Cathedral was spectacular on Tuesday afternoon, and the emotions inside were as warm, if not warmer, as hundreds of clergy, diocesan employees, politicians and invited guests filled the diocesan mother church to its capacity to congratulate Bishop George W. Coleman on 50 years as a priest and to say thank you and farewell as he embarks on a new chapter in his life — that of retirement.

Bishop Coleman, currently the diocesan apostolic administrator, will become officially retired on September 24 when Bishop Edgar M. da Cunha of the Archdiocese of Newark, N.J., will be installed as the eighth Bishop of Fall River at the very same cathedral. Bishop Coleman has served the diocese as bishop for the past 11 years.

Joining Bishop Coleman at the Mass were former Fall River bishops, retired Archbishop Daniel A. Cronin and Cardinal Sean P. O’Malley from the Archdiocese of Boston, who at the conclusion of the Mass told Bishop Coleman that he would soon have the privilege of joining the exclusive club of former Bishops of Fall River.

In his heartfelt homily, Bishop Coleman expressed what an honor and a privilege it was to have served his brother priests, deacons, religious and countless lay people as shepherd of the diocese for the

past 11 years. “I will continue to pray for you and I ask that you pray for me as well,” he said.

He made a point of extending a warm welcome to the many invited guests of other faiths who were in attendance.

Bishop Coleman spoke of his grandfather who emigrated to this country in the 1800s and maintained his Catholic faith while gaining a great respect for America.

He relayed the story of how his father was born on George Washington’s birthday and his grandad asked the parish priest to Christen young George as George Washington Coleman. The pastor changed it to George William, prompting Bishop Coleman to say, “Otherwise you would be saying goodbye to Bishop George Washington today.”

He often mentioned youth in his homily. He said when he first became bishop he received many letters from children wishing him well. One third-grader, he said, wrote, “I hope you have fun.”

“Well,” the bishop continued, “it has been fun, only surpassed by the ever-deepening joy of being Christ’s instrument” in the diocese.

He also mentioned letters he’s received from young people preparing to receive their Confirmation. “Those letters were a great source of encouragement for me,” he said.

He added that the Church needs faithful young people and the greatest starting point for that

Dozens of priests file into St. Mary’s Cathedral for the Mass of Thanksgiving for Bishop George W. Coleman this week. (Photo by Dave Jolivet)

faith is the family. “It’s home and parents that are important for today’s youth,” he said.

Bishop Coleman told several other anecdotes displaying the great faith of the people of the Fall River Diocese, including visiting a veteran of World War II who told him that he knew Christ was with him on the battlefield, with him through the priest chaplain who celebrated Mass in the field with the hood of a jeep as the altar, and throughout his life.

He spoke of a woman whom he visited at a nursing home on

Christmas Eve who called for the anointing of the sick. The woman, whose birthday was the following day on Christmas, told Bishop Coleman, “I’m going to have the greatest birthday ever tomorrow.”

Bishop Coleman called the nursing home the following day and was told she had passed away that morning. “She really did have the best birthday ever,” he said.

At the conclusion of his homily the congregation broke into lengthy applause for the man who led them as shepherd for the last 11 years.

After the Liturgy, the throngs of supporters boarded buses and cars for a reception in Bishop Coleman’s honor at White’s of Westport.

A video of the Thanksgiving Mass, including Bishop Coleman’s homily, can be seen on the Diocese of Fall River website at fallriverdiocese.org.

Diocesan website to carry video of Bishop Coleman’s Mass of Thanksgiving A video of the August 26 Mass of Thanksgiving honoring Bishop George W. Coleman is available for viewing at any time on the Fall River Diocesan website. Please visit www. fallriverdiocese.org. The Mass video is also being distributed to cable TV outlets in the diocese for airing on local public service channels.

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Diocesan faithful gather to thank, honor bishop at reception

By Kenneth J. Souza Anchor Staff

WESTPORT — Bishop George W. Coleman’s smile was broader than usual as he strolled into the entrance of White’s of Westport for a reception in his honor celebrating the 50th anniversary of his ordination to the priesthood and his 11th and final year as bishop of the Fall River Diocese.

The reception was held immediately after a glorious Mass of Thanksgiving that was celebrated inside a capacity-filled St. Mary’s Cathedral earlier that afternoon.

As always, Bishop Coleman obliged the humble Anchor photographer for the umpteenth time, but when asked if he would miss being photographed, he dryly quipped: “Not at all.”

That broad smile — which hinted at not only a deep and Spiritual love for Christ and His Church, but also a sense of accomplishment in serving as the shepherd of the diocese for more than a decade — remained firmly affixed to the soon-to-be-former Bishop of Fall River as he took the time to stop and chat with the many priests, deacons, religious and lay people who gathered to greet him.

Relaxed and calm, Bishop Coleman stopped and joked with Msgr. John Perry, his former longtime vicar general, then he shared a laugh with Msgr. Edmund Fitzgerald, director of the Diocesan Health Facilities Office, before approaching a chair that had been set out at the end of a makeshift reception line.

In a telling gesture, Bishop Coleman never did take a seat in the chair, opting instead to remain standing so he could greet

his guests and brother priests face-to-face.

One of the first to heartily shake his hand was John Birch, a parishioner of St. John the Evangelist Parish in Attleboro, who also attended Msgr. Coyle High School in Taunton at the same time as Bishop Coleman.

“Bishop Coleman was a year behind me (in high school) but I’ll always remember him as being calm, cool and collected — and I remember that because I was just the opposite,” Birch told The Anchor. “And to me, he’s always been the same to this day.

I’ll miss his calmness and his Spirituality.”

Birch’s wife, Ann, agreed.

“He’s always been so calm, quiet, prayerful and so patient with everybody,” she said. “I’ll miss him.”

As buses pulled into the parking lot at White’s shuttling people from the earlier Mass at the cathedral, more people got in line to offer their personal thanks and appreciation to their longtime shepherd.

“It was really great to see such a good turnout and it was just a lovely Mass,” said Lou Yokell, a parishioner of St. Joseph’s Parish in Fall River. “(Bishop Coleman) has done a very good job, he’s a very Spiritual man and he’s been here during a difficult time (for the Church), but he’s handled it well and I wish him the best.”

Brenda Gagnon, principal of Holy Trinity School in Fall River, said she always considered Bishop Coleman “a kind soul” and “it was a beautiful Mass and I thought it was a nice reflection for Bishop Coleman.”

Irene M. Frechette, president of the St. Vincent de Paul So-

ciety in Attleboro and a parishioner at Our Lady Queen of Martyrs in Seekonk, thought it was wonderful that so many fellow priests and bishops came to honor Bishop Coleman on this

special day.

“Bishop Coleman looks like he’s going to embrace retirement and I thought he gave a wonderful parting sermon during the Mass,” Frechette said.

John Birch, a parishioner of St. John the Evangelist Parish in Attleboro, greets Bishop Coleman during a reception in his honor at White’s of Westport. The two men attended Msgr. Coyle High School in Taunton at the same time. (Photo by Kenneth J. Souza)

Diocese of Fall River

OFFICIAL

His Excellency, the Most Reverend George W. Coleman, Apostolic Administrator of the Diocese of Fall River, has made the following appointment:

Rev. Jay Mello, Parochial Administrator of Our Lady of Fatima Parish in New Bedford.

Effective: September 10, 2014

Retired archbishop Daniel A. Cronin, former Bishop of Fall River, and Father John Ozug, rector of St. Mary’s Cathedral in Fall River, chat before a reception honoring Bishop George W. Coleman’s 50 years as a priest and 11 years as Bishop of Fall River, at White’s of Westport. (Photo by Kenneth J. Souza)

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By Linda Andrade Rodrigues Anchor Correspondent

Good shepherd leads us in right paths

FALL RIVER — I may never be granted an audience with a pope, but I have experienced the next best thing.

As a staff writer for a secular daily newspaper, I had the rare privilege of interviewing Bishop George W. Coleman twice.

Shortly after his election as diocesan administrator by fellow priests, he was named seventh Bishop of the Diocese of Fall River

by Pope John Paul II. A few days before his ordination on July 22, 2003, I reported to his residence on Highland Avenue.

Waiting patiently to meet the native son who would lead 350,000 parishioners during one of the most volatile periods in American Catholic Church history, I noted that he would take on the daunting challenge of serving the diocese that produced two cardinals in the past 35 years.

“Never in my wildest imagination did I ever think this would happen,” he said of his elevation from parish priest to bishop. “I don’t know why the Holy Father

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chose me, but I am grateful to serve the Church in this wonderful diocese.”

In Spiritual preparation for his ordination, the bishop-elect had attended the Mass of Saints Peter and Paul celebrated by Pope John Paul II in Rome.

“I prayed to St. Peter that through his intercession I might be a good shepherd,” he said.

Born on Feb. 1, 1939 in Fall River, he grew up in Somerset and attended public schools and St. Patrick’s Church.

“As a family, we were close to the parish,” he said. “I remember that I had great admiration for our pastors.”

He graduated from Msgr. James Coyle High School in Taunton and was accepted at Holy Cross College in Worcester, where he spent two years working toward a bachelor’s degree.

But then his calling came.

“It’s still a mystery to me,” he said.

He applied to St. John’s Seminary in Brighton.

“During the spring and early summer I hadn’t heard anything

from the diocese, and I thought that I would be returning to Holy Cross,” he said.

But in late summer the letter finally arrived.

“I was attracted to becoming a parish priest,” he said. “My family was very supportive.”

He also attended Pontifical North American College in Rome, earning a graduate degree in Sacred Theology from the Gregorian University. He was ordained a priest by Bishop Francis F. Reh, rector of the North American College, in St. Peter’s Basilica on Dec. 16, 1964.

Through the years his parish assignments included St. Kilian’s Church in New Bedford, St. Louis Church in Fall River, Our Lady of Victory Church in Centerville, St. Patrick Church in Fall River and Corpus Christi Church in Sandwich. He also served as Diocesan Director of Education, dean of the Cape Cod and Islands Deanery, and vicar general and moderator of the curia.

Now, two years after the clergy abuse scandal ignited, he was taking the helm of the diocese.

“I pray that no new instances will arise, but should they arise, I will handle them as Bishop Sean did in accord with diocesan policies,” the bishop-elect said. “He dealt very definitively with allegations, and I will do the same. We must provide a safe environment for all children.”

Four years later I sat at a conference table with Bishop Coleman in his Fall River office, having been granted one of the few interviews he sanctioned during his tenure.

“I don’t know if I can describe my leadership style,” he said. “I don’t want to be the person who accomplishes something. It’s the Church that accomplishes something good.”

It was a few months after the Michael Bianco immigration raid in New Bedford, where something very good indeed was accomplished by the Church, according to the bishop.

“The response was truly that of the Church at all levels,” he said. “The diocese responded, the priests of the diocese were present and the people of the diocese have contributed very Continued on page seven

Good Shepherd leads us in right paths continued from page six

generously to the needs of the migrants who were affected. So overall, the way we responded was the way I believe we should respond to what has been called a humanitarian crisis.”

He called the raid the clearest example of a flawed immigration law.

“The human person has a God-given dignity that every country and every government ought to respect,” he said.

He shared the story of his grandfather who emigrated from Ireland during the famine.

“No one would hire an Irish Catholic,” he said.

Consequently, his grandfather headed west and worked in a Nevada silver mine for a few years. With his earnings he returned to Massachusetts, bought land and became a farmer.

“I hope that the welcome we can provide to migrants and immigrants might be a warmer welcome than he received,” he said.

One of his most controversial decisions occurred early in his tenure in July 2004 when he merged four New Bedford parishes: Nuestra Senora de Guadalupe, St. Anne, St. Hedwig and St. James.

“We need to insure a stronger Church for future generations, just as former generations insured that for us,” he said.

He put into place a diocesan review board to examine any clergy abuse allegations that surfaced. In October 2004, he removed a pastor amid child pornography allegations. The priest was ultimately tried and convicted of the crime.

“Locally, we have recovered,” he said. “We are attempting to regain credibility.

We hope that this will never happen again in the Church.”

He also expressed his concern about the number of Catholics on the registers who seldom participate in Mass, especially those who may disagree with the some of the Church’s teachings.

“They are always welcome,” he said. “Over the years people have always been seeking truth, and I certainly encourage people to do that. My hope is that people who are seeking God and who are seeking truth will find it in the Catholic Church.”

Pope phones family of slain U.S. journalist

NEW YORK (CNS) — Pope Francis phoned the bereaved family of James Foley, a U.S. journalist killed by Islamic State militants in Syria. In a recent interview on NBC’s “Today” show, John and Diane Foley briefly described the previous day’s discussion with the pope, in which they spoke of shared grief at the death of loved ones.

“Pope Francis was so dear because he is grieving himself, having just lost three members of his family and (with) his nephew critically ill,’’ Diane Foley said on the program. “Here in the midst of his tremendous grief, he took the time to call.

Our whole family was there, one of our beloved priest friends was there, my brother-in-law spoke in Spanish to him. He was just so kind.” The wife and two young children of the pope’s nephew, 35-year-old Emanuel Horacio Bergoglio, were killed in a car crash August 19 in Argentina. Bergoglio was critically injured. John Foley said on the “Today” show that “we felt very comforted and supported” that the pope offered his personal prayer.

Father Paul Gousse, pastor of the family’s parish, Holy Rosary Church in Rochester, N.H., told Catholic News Service in a phone call that the Foleys told him they were especially struck by the pope’s outreach to them at a time when he is grieving himself. He said the pope spoke with several members of the family in a call that lasted more than 20 minutes.

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Ad multos annos, Bishop Coleman

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t. Joseph-St. Therese Church has a sign posted on its front lawn announcing various events or Liturgical seasons throughout the year. Located on the well-traveled Acushnet Avenue in New Bedford, many cars routinely pass by it. Recently, the sign was changed to read: “Thank You Bishop Coleman.” This week, we as a diocese and as individuals come together to express our gratitude to Bishop Coleman for his service as he celebrates 11 years as a bishop and 50 years as a priest.

Gratitude is not commonly expressed today. It is good therefore that we pause to give thanks to Bishop Coleman and, in a sense, we say farewell as his successor will be installed in a few weeks.

There is an adage that states, “Man proposes, but God disposes.” I believe as most of us look back on our lives we can see that the hand of God directed our lives in ways that perhaps we would not have anticipated or requested.

What did Bishop Coleman anticipate these 50 years would be the day he prostrated himself during his ordination ceremony as a priest?

He said yes to his bishop’s invitation to study in Rome. He came to love Italy and is known to enjoy vacationing there.

He said yes to the varying parish assignments that were given him. In those years, a new assignment was not discussed with a priest. Rather, the priest simply received a form — fill in the blank — signed by the bishop telling him where and when he was to report to his new assignment.

The Second Vatican Council has allowed the priest and a personnel board to assist in discerning the best assignment for a priest.

Once I met Bishop Flanagan, the Bishop of Worcester, and I asked him what was the greatest change he experienced since the council. He replied that before the council he could transfer a priest for the cost of a stamp.

With the right bishop, that could be the best policy since a bishop presumably knew the priests and knew the needs of the diocese.

The young priest, George Coleman, was asked by Bishop Cronin to assume the du-

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ties of director of Education. He would coordinate the work of the Catholic schools, Religious Education, and clergy formation — a task he accepted willingly and assiduously attended to.

As director of Education, Bishop Coleman brought his technology skills to the fore.

As I recall, it was the first diocesan office to enter the computer age. One Saturday he introduced me to a new computer that, believe it or not, used cards to make form letters. Much has changed in the intervening years and Bishop Coleman has kept up with technological developments.

Bishop Coleman was asked to be a pastor of Corpus Christi on Cape Cod. Once there, Bishop Cronin purchased land that would

Living the Faith

By Msgr.

John J. Oliveira become the site of the new Corpus Christi Church and parish complex in Sandwich.

Again, Bishop Coleman said yes and later, as Bishop of Fall River, he would have the privilege of consecrating the new church to the glory of God. As pastor, he was called by Bishop O’Malley to serve as his vicar general and moderator of the curia. Again he said his yes to the will of God as expressed through his bishop.

With the experience he gained, the Board of Consultors elected him to serve as diocesan administrator when Bishop O’Malley was asked to serve as Bishop of Palm Beach.

I am sure Msgr. Coleman thought he would soon be relieved of his responsibilities and be able to return to a parish on the Cape where he could retire at 70 and walk the shores of the beach in quiet contemplation and peace. He must have awaited the call from the nuncio to inform him who the next bishop of Fall River would be.

He indeed got the call from the nuncio, and he was told that the Holy Father had selected him to be the seventh Bishop of Fall River. Again he said yes. Man proposes, but God disposes.

In Marriage, single life, priesthood and religious life, many “yeses” are needed to persevere. Some are easier to accept than others, but acceptance of God’s will, not our own is required. Jesus said yes to the will of His Heavenly Father. Mary said her “fiat,” or her yes to the will of God as conveyed by the angel sent from God. Each time we pray the Our Father we say “Your will be done.”

Now Bishop Coleman says yes to the acceptance of his retirement by Pope Francis and begins the chapter of the book of his life entitled “retirement.” Perhaps now he can relax and walk along the beaches of Cape Cod in peace, in union with God and continue to respond “yes” to all God asks. Likewise may we continue to say our yes.

I have been told that the former rector of the North American College in Rome, Archbishop Martin O’Connor, had a tradition. At the ordination of a new priest, he would kneel and reverently kiss the hands of the new priest, look into his eyes and say “50 years and everlasting life.” Imagine the blessing of 50 years of priesthood, religious life, or Marriage! What a grace and blessing from the Lord.

Celebrating 50 years of priestly ministry, let us pray that Bishop Coleman has many years in retirement filled with much good health and happiness. Then when the last “yes” is asked of him, may he have everlasting life.

There is a Latin adage used at anniversaries of priestly ordination — ad multos annos. It conveys in a few short words the desire, the wish and the prayer that the jubilarian will have many more years filled with much joy, good health, and happiness — for many years. Ad multos annos, Bishop Coleman.

Anchor columnist Msgr. Oliveira is pastor of St. Mary’s Parish in New Bedford and director of the diocesan Propagation of the Faith and Permanent Diaconate offices.

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Anchor Editorial

Congratulations, Bishop Coleman!

We at The Anchor congratulate our publisher, Bishop George W. Coleman, upon his retirement this fall. He will not truly enter into that new stage of his life until September 24, when his successor takes possession of the diocese, but we here at the paper wished to honor him this week in conjunction with the special Mass that he celebrated this past Tuesday at the Cathedral of St. Mary of the Assumption, marking his 50 years as a priest and 11 years as bishop (those 11 are included in the 50, since “you are a priest forever” [Ps 104:4 and Heb 5:6 and 7:17] and the episcopacy is considered “the fullness of the priesthood” [Lumen Gentium 41, but the Church also taught this earlier]).

Although Bishop Coleman will be retired from administrative duties, his priestly and episcopal service to the Church will continue. Now he will be able to enjoy the ministry that Christ had given him, as a priest and as a successor of the Apostles, without having to deal with all of the minutiae that comes with having an ecclesiastical office. As we have heard from many retired priests of our diocese, this is a time in one’s life when one can feel even more so a priest, since one no longer has to act as a CEO. One of Bishop Coleman’s concerns over these past 11 years has been the persecution of Christians throughout the world. He has repeatedly asked that we pray for them, offer up our sacrifices for them, and urge our government leaders to do what they can to alleviate their sufferings.

When talking with the bishop about them, one can see his personal sadness and union in prayer with them. This will not stop come September 24. One of the ways in which we can honor the bishop is to join with him in carrying out his request that we truly see these people in such anguish as our brothers and sisters (Christ has told us that they are this) and do what we can to help them, Spiritually and materially.

As Linda Rodrigues tells us in her remembrance article in this edition, Bishop Coleman has also always been a man who called for justice, be it in terms of dealing with the horror of the sexual abuse of minors, be it in terms of how we treat undocumented immigrants, be it in terms of how we deal with questions of life and death. These have not been the easiest of years to be a bishop, having to deal with the aftermath of September 11 in the secular world and the aftermath of the abuse crisis in the ecclesial world, having to deal with a fragile economy for most of the time he was bishop and having to see how that fragility made the problems in the cities of our diocese become even more acute. To all of these situations Bishop Coleman has brought his prayerfulness and his deep love for God

and neighbor.

Last year in Sharing, the publication of the diocesan Catholic Charities Appeal, Bishop Coleman remarked on the election of Pope Francis to the Chair of St. Peter. He said, “He begins his mission as one known for his love of the poor, simplicity of life, and gentle good humor. He is a man of deep prayer.” Although our bishop was speaking about his new “boss,” these words could also be applied to himself (although, in humility, Bishop Coleman would not do such a thing). Many a person has spoken about the recollections the bishop has shared about his years as a priest, often throwing in funny anecdotes about his collaborators in the priesthood (always funny but never demeaning; his humor is more like Bob Newhart’s than Joan Rivers’).

Bishop Coleman took for his motto Domini sumus, which is the Latin for “We are the Lord’s,” a quote from St. Paul’s letter to the Romans (14:8). The bishop picked this motto because of how it falls into a longer quote from St. Paul: “For if we live, we live for the Lord, and if we die, we die for the Lord; so then, whether we live or die, we are the Lord’s” (14:7-8).

Back in 2003, when Bishop Coleman was ordained to the episcopacy, Msgr. John Moore wrote an editorial in which he explained the bishop’s motto and its implication for him and for all of us. “A Biblical commentary on this passage implies a restraining principle: Christian liberty is never license, but discharge of our responsibility to the Lord. In the whole of our experience, including death itself, we are related to the Lord. Not all people realize this, but the true believer does. That we are the Lord’s determines our life. God has accepted each of us, can we do less? If we live to honor the Lord, this will be reflected in our actions and words, especially in the way we treat one another. This indeed is Bishop Coleman’s mindset as he begins his leadership of the diocese.”

Bishop Coleman has strove to live out those words and to impress them upon us — that we need to live to honor the Lord, not ourselves.

When we do this, we find true peace, because we are being what we are called to be — the Lord’s — His beloved children. Whatever we do as a member of the Church, it is not to be for our own aggrandizement or just to get our own way — if that were so, then we would be living for ourselves, but not for God. As Bishop Coleman enters into retirement, may God help him and all of us to always be “the Lord’s,” treasuring the great gift that this is.

WME retreats remind couples that Marriage is a Sacrament

By Becky Aubut Anchor Staff

WESTFORD — Designed as a positive and personal experience for married couples, there are three upcoming Worldwide Marriage Encounter weekends being held in the coming months. With an emphasis on communication, each weekend retreat offers couples a chance to reestablish a relationship with each other and with God. In 2001, Richard and Linda Hufnagel were looking for a way to strengthen their Marriage, and Richard said he went online to see what was out there. When he began to read about WME, he realized that it would be a perfect fit. “I didn’t like the idea of counseling,” he said, “and I thought a weekend away for the two of us might be just the ticket.”

Currently married for 37 years, in 2001 the couple were beginning to see their four children grow and one-by-one move out of the house.

“Mom had that little bit of empty-nest syndrome,” said Linda, “a little worry that my job as a mom was disappearing. Then I was looking

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at Richard and saying, ‘Where’s the connection at this point?’ He was working or I was working with the kids, and now the kids were going.”

During their 2001 WME experience, the Hufnagels felt an instant connection with not just those presenting during the weekend, but a deeper connection with their Catholic faith.

“All of the presentations, in one way or another, really struck home with us,” said Linda.

“There’s one on listening, one on communication — so many aspects that we needed help in, in what we were going through. Everybody in their Marriage, as time goes on, you turn the page and you’re in a different chapter. They had so many good things we could apply, and then did apply.”

She added, “It was very faith-filled for us, which was very comforting. We knew that we would be taken care of.”

“Part of the draw was that it was faith-based and a Catholic retreat,” said Richard, who, along with his wife, is a member of St. Catherine of Alexandria Parish in Westford. “I came away from the weekend with a reminder that Mar-

riage is a Sacrament, and that God is part of our relationship. Being reminded of that was good, and a reminder to move forward and to keep working on our relationship.”

By 2009, the couple was ready for another WME experience — “a tune-up,” said Linda — and at this stage in their life, all four children had moved out and the couple was now grandparents. Even though they were at a different chapter in their lives, the Hufnagels admit that reconnecting with the WME faith-filled community once again enhanced their Marriage.

“We wanted to go back again,” said Linda.

“Pretty much everything was the same. You get to meet different people, which is wonderful, and you come from different perspectives.

Again, we were in a different place and different time, so we heard or saw things we didn’t see at the first one that we could apply to our Marriage.

“It was getting back to the foundation, the community itself; when it comes to the Marriage Encounter community, it is wonderful. It’s Turn to page 23

Diocese of Fall River

OFFICIAL

His Excellency, the Most Reverend George W. Coleman, Apostolic Administrator of the Diocese of Fall River, has made the following appointment: Rev. Freddie Babiczuk, Chaplain, Bishop Connolly High School in Fall River, while remaining Pastor of Saint John of God Parish in Somerset.

Effective: August 25, 2014

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Pope’s 2015 World Peace Day message will focus on human trafficking

VATICAN CITY (CNS) — Human trafficking destroys the lives of millions of children, women and men each year, making it a real threat to peace, the Vatican said as it announced Pope Francis’ 2015 World Peace Day message would focus on the phenomenon. “Slaves no more, but brothers and sisters” will be the theme for the Jan. 1, 2015, commemoration and for the message Pope Francis will write for the occasion, according to the Pontifical Council for Justice and Peace.

Pope Francis has called human trafficking “a crime against humanity” and “an open wound on the body of contemporary society, a scourge upon the Body of Christ.” In describing why Pope Francis chose trafficking as the theme for World Peace Day 2015, a statement from the Pontifical Council for Justice and Peace said, “Many people think that slavery is a thing of the past,” but “this social plague remains all too real in today’s world” with child labor, forced prostitution, trafficking for organs and a variety of forms of forced labor.

Trafficking, which generates huge amounts of income for organized crime, threatens peace because it is based on a lack of recognition of the fundamental human dignity of its victims, the Vatican statement said.

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As the world turns Friday 29 August 2014 — Homeport: Falmouth Harbor — Passion of John the Baptist ou know me, dear readers, I’m a firm believer in tradition. Consequently, I prefer to use the traditional Julian calendar rather than this new-fangled Gregorian calendar. The Gregorian calendar wasn’t introduced until 1582. Great Britain delayed adopting it until 1712. We “Julians” who refused to change were mocked as “April Fools.” Turkey was the last country to join this passing craze, signing on as late as 1927. As always, I maintain a cautious “wait and see” attitude. I’m waiting until they work the bugs out. We don’t want to rush into these things.

Today in the Universal Church calendar is the obligatory memorial of the Passion of John the Baptizer. Why, pray tell, do we commemorate his death today? It is due to the words of John himself, “I must decrease so that He may increase.” The time of daylight is running out as rapidly as did the life of poor John.

The world turns. But the hours of daylight will begin to increase again at about the time of the Solemnity of the Nativity of the Lord (Christmas). Once the Light of the World is born in Bethlehem, the world becomes an ever-brighter place.

The Julian calendar is based on the turning of the natural year in the northern hemisphere.

Who cares what season it is in the southern hemisphere? Has anything good ever come from the southern hemisphere, with the possible exceptions of Pope Francis and Bishop Edgar da Cunha? Here, dear readers, my pretentious persona is using satire.

This being the case, I keep my mind and heart attuned to the world of nature (in the northern hemisphere, of course). I take careful note of what is going on around me as the world turns and the seasons change.

Here on Cape Cod, we pretend that we are still in high summer. This is not the case. We are in denial. It’s a fallacy wholeheartedly encouraged by local merchants in order to prolong the Cape’s summer tourist season. Those who use the Julian calendar, on the other hand, know full well that autumn began on Lammas Day, August 1. Julians are not standing around waiting for the astrological autumnal equinox at precisely 10:29 p.m. EDT on Monday 22 September.

It has become a tradition here in Falmouth that, towards the end of August, our parish holds a “Farewell to Summer” dinner under a tent pitched on the church lawn. The church’s great hall is too small to accommodate the crowd. We want to say goodbye to “snowbirds” who will be heading south for the winter. We also want to honor parishioners who may be retiring from one parish position or another. A handful object to the name, “But it’s still summer until Thanksgiving,” they protest. These are obviously radical “Gregorians,” not Julians.

A town tradition, the Falmouth Road Race, was pushed back a week this year to encourage larger crowds a little later in the season. Some 11,000 registered runners were expected. They ran from Woods Hole, along the shore route,

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finally finishing up at Falmouth Heights — not far from our St. Thomas the Apostle Chapel.

The winner made it in about half an hour. So, if I ever need to run over to St. Joseph Chapel, Woods Hole, I know it would take me 30 minutes. Right.

With all the increased security these days, it was necessary to close the roads very early on

The Ship’s Log Reflections of a Parish Priest

By Father Tim Goldrick Sunday morning. This meant that we could provide one Mass on Saturday night at the chapel, but none on Sunday. We just had to squeeze into the pews at the main church.

We held our “Blessing of Runners” at the Saturday Vigil Mass. You would be surprised at the number of people, young and old, who came forward to be blessed before the race. It’s great fun and it brings the faith to where the people are — “where the rubber meets the road,”

you might say. Fortunately, the official Book of Blessings contains a “Blessing for Athletic Events.”

After the race, the streets and byways were gridlocked with cars and runners. I didn’t attend the race myself, but, following the race, I did take the two greyhounds, Transit and Justin, out on the rectory lawn to watch the hordes of exhausted runners limping home. The greyhounds, being retired animal athletes, know from personal experience what competitive running is all about. These old dogs could once run at 40 miles per hour. Well, now the (running) shoe is on the other foot. These old greyhounds watched amusedly as the tired humans dragged themselves along. It was payback time.

Yes, the world has definitely turned. The days are still comfortably warm. The nights are cool enough to require a blanket. The stars sparkle crisply. In the mornings, the sun is taking its time in rising. For my early morning walk with the greyhounds, a light jacket is now required.

We Julians notice. Did I mention, dear readers, that there are only 118 days until Christmas?

Anchor columnist Father Goldrick is pastor of St. Patrick’s Parish in Falmouth.

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Whom shall I send?

e often wonder if today’s young people get it! Do they understand their faith? Are they willing to live it? Can we trust them to be the Church of today?

The past few weekends I have been fully immersed in retreats, the youth convention and middle school rallies. I have seen and witnessed firsthand the active power of the Holy Spirit working with and within the young people I have had the honor of ministering to. So often many of us are ready to give up on the young people in our lives, our neighborhoods, our communities, and our churches. We are constantly bombarded with news of their various misdeeds and failures, but yet there are so many more actively living their lives in faith-filled ways. Our youth are seeking, are hungry and thirsty for so much more in their lives, they long to be a major

By Rose Mary part of our Church, to belong and to share their Saraiva love of God with anyone willing to listen.

Do we create environments that allow them to express their beliefs, their convictions, their ready acceptance that God is truly the center of their lives? Or are we too wrapped up in the traditions and rituals that seem to exclude those who want to live a faith that is fully alive in them and their worlds? Are we afraid to allow creativity into our faith lives? Are we afraid to venture out of the norm, to see Church beyond its walls? Or to open up the Word of God and make it relevant to our lives today, or to see ourselves in Scripture and understand that those Words have as much meaning for us today, as they did so many years ago?

The past few weeks we have seen how Jesus did just that, how He

ventured beyond the rules and constraints of His time to minister to those in need. We have seen Him curing a man blinded from birth, speaking to a Samaritan woman in the middle of the day, and simply reaching out to those who would normally be ignored or forsaken by others. He dared to bring Church to others; He dared to look beyond the walls built by human hands, tearing them down piece by piece, getting to the very heart of what it means to be Church. He was willing to think outside the box, to go where others feared to tread, to lead us to Salvation, to all that is promised through the Father; to a life filled with love, hope and faith.

Yet so often we are ready to blame the world around us, fearful to look into our own hearts, afraid that if anyone gets a glimpse of our faith life, they may not understand, or worse yet, reject us. It is always a wonderful experience for me to be surrounded by rooms filled with faith-filled people, regardless of their ages. It is refreshing and reassuring that God is still very much a part of so many out there, who would not want it any other way, who are not afraid to share their faith and love with others.

These past weeks have reminded me that like the woman at the well, I too thirst, I too want to belong, I too want the Lord in my life, and like that woman, I am willing to leave my jug (my fears) at the well, and go out and share the Good News. Being around the youth of my parish and our diocese has filled me to overflowing, has given me a newfound hope and conviction, reminding me that God is working through each and every one of us, every single day of our lives. What we do with the stirrings within is of course, totally up to us. What I witnessed these past weekends have been poignant reminders that I, like every one of you, have so much to offer to one another. That our faith journeys serve not only to deepen our own faith, but to bear witness to others that God is working in each and every one of us. Reminders that we are all reflections of Christ; His hands and feet, His legs and arms, His eyes and ears, and His voice; we are the Body of Christ. How we live our lives, how we treat others, and what we are willing to sacrifice for the sake of another, allows others to see Christ, to encounter Christ, to know how much He loves them, and that He truly walks beside them each and every day. It is not our words, but our actions that speak of God’s love. Our struggles, our joys, our very own stories help others come to fully understand how God is working in our lives, how He too, can work in theirs.

The 2013 CLI graduates worked diligently at this year’s youth convention and for the closing prayer they chose the Stations of the Cross. A traditional prayer, but what they did with it made it relevant to the struggles we all face today. Reminding us all that God is the very essence of our being, and that He is as much our Father today, as He was so many years ago to all those who bore the faith to others. May we continue to bear witness to God’s love, regardless of our age or experience.

Anchor columnist Rose Mary Saraiva can be contacted at rsaraiva@ dfrcs.com.

In the Palm of His Hands

OFFICIAL NEWSPAPER OF THE DIOCESE OF FALL RIVER www.anchornews.org

Vol. 58, No. 32

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.

Subscription price by mail, postpaid $20.00 per year, for U.S. addresses.

Send address changes to P.O. Box 7, Fall River, MA, call or use email address PUBLISHER - Most Reverend George W. Coleman

EXECUTIVE EDITOR Father Richard D. Wilson fatherwilson@anchornews.org EDITOR David B. Jolivet davejolivet@anchornews.org OFFICE MANAGER Mary Chase m arychase@anchornews.org ADVERTISING Wayne R. Powers waynepowers@anchornews.org REPORTER Kenneth J. Souza kensouza@anchornews.org REPORTER Rebecca Aubut beckyaubut@anchornews.org DESIGN INTERN Emilie M. Jolivet Send Letters to the Editor to: fatherwilson@anchornews.org PoStmaSters send address changes to The Anchor, P.O. Box 7, Fall River, MA 02722.

THE ANCHOR (USPS-545-020) Periodical Postage Paid at Fall River, Mass.

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Bishop George W. Coleman

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50 Years as a Priest

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Parishes, new media and the New Evangelization

ince the beginning of his pontificate, Pope Francis has been stressing that the most urgent reform in the Church is a missionary metamorphosis capable of reaching those in the “existential peripheries.”

“I dream of a missionary impulse capable of transforming everything,” he wrote in his programmatic apostolic exhortation “The Joy of the Gospel,” “so that the Church’s customs, ways of doing things, times and schedules, language and structures, can be suitably channeled for the evangelization of today’s world rather than her self-preservation.”

One of the important parts of that missionary transformation is getting the Church at all levels to take advantage of the new social communications media to share the Gospel.

This is a technological conversion that the popes have been modeling from the top, in the revamping of Vatican websites, the launching of papal Twitter accounts, the development of state-of-the-art applications for mobile devices, and a recently-established committee of 11 experts to re-examine the Vatican’s entire communications infrastructure to ensure that it is excelling where it should.

But this missionary technological transformation is also something that Pope Francis has been seeking to catalyze with his words as well.

In his message for World Communications Day in January, Pope Francis noted that the “networks of human communication have made unprecedented advances. The In-

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ternet, in particular, offers immense possibilities for encounter and solidarity. This is something truly good, a gift from God.” By means of the Internet and social media, he stressed, “the Christian message can reach to the ends of the earth,” and in a special way reach out to those who might be distant from God and the Church and incapable of being reached by traditional means.

He summoned Catholics to become electronic good Samaritans with the charity and courage to cross the “digital highway,” which he said is “teeming with people who are often hurting, looking for Salvation or hope,” and help them by “bringing warmth and stirring hearts.”

He finished by praying that Catholics will “boldly become citizens of the digital world” and calling on parishes in particular to respond to the “great and thrilling challenge” of using new communications technology to evangelize those who spend much of their time in this cyberspatial areopagus.

“Keeping the doors of our churches open,” he wrote, “also means keeping them open in the digital environment so that people, whatever their situation in life, can enter, and so that the Gospel can go out to reach everyone.”

This papal digital “great commission,” however, is easier to talk about than implement.

The priests and faithful in many parishes are not yet adequately trained to respond to this papal challenge. Some are still living in the age of the fax machine. Others are populated by “immigrants” to the digital continent, who don’t yet adequately understand the language, culture and environment to be capable of doing much more than survive.

This is where a great new book, “Transforming Parish Communications,” just published by Our Sunday Visitor, fills a really obvious need.

Its forward is written by Cardinal Sean O’Malley, who says that this 196-page work shows “why it is critical for parishes, as hubs of the New Evangelization, to embrace new media,” which will help priests and parish leaders “overcome any hesitancy about embracing these new methods” and facilitate “all parishes to have a program for engaging those on the digital continent and leading them to be transformed by the grace of the Sacraments and the love of the Christian community within the Church.”

The book is written by Scot Landry, my twin brother, and synthesizes his years of experience as the Secretary for Catholic Media in

the Archdiocese of Boston as well as his time setting up and running training sessions in the use of media technology for the archdiocese and other Catholic organizations.

I readily admit to having an incorrigible bias in favor of my monozygotic better half, with whom for 32 weeks I shared my mother’s womb and with whom I have in common all my DNA. But even if I had a Jacob-and-Esau complex and was totally biased against him, I would have to admit as a pastor that he’s just written a really good, timely and most helpful work.

Scot begins by describing how the new media technologies are among the most effective means to scatter the seeds of the Gospel today in order to reach inactive, infrequent and ex-Catholics where many of them are and to share with them and others, through photos and videos, invitations and many forms of personal witness, the beauty of living the Catholic faith.

He then considers the various reasons why many parishes and Catholics have been culturally hesitant to take up these means and provides compelling responses on how to overcome those fears and obstacles.

Then he gets practical on how to transform parishes and parish cultures to become “animating hubs” that train, inspire and help the faithful to become “agents of the New Evangelization” through social media.

He gets into the nitty-gritty of best practices with regard to launching such initiatives, revamping websites and establishing blogs, using email, Twitter, Facebook and other new means effectively, synthesizing the award-winning work from parishes across the country.

One of his goals is to form and inspire parishioners to tithe, or dedicate 10 percent, of their social media postings implicitly or explicitly to sharing the faith.

With more than a billion Catholics and 200,000 parishes, he said, “The Church can be, and should be, the world’s largest social network.”

This book, in response to Pope Francis’ summons, is one contribution to help it become so. I’d encourage you to get it, read it and share it.

Anchor columnist Father Landry is pastor of St. Bernadette’s Parish in Fall River. fatherlandry@ catholicpreaching.com.

“The parish of Saint Mary’s in South Dartmouth congratulates you on your years of service to the Church of Fall River.”

St. Mary’s Parish South Dartmouth Father Rodney Thibault, Pastor

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urge you, brothers and sisters, by the mercies of God, to offer your bodies as a living sacrifice.” When we read these words in this week’s second reading, from the Letter of St. Paul to the Romans, it should strike a chord in us. The word sacrifice is woven throughout our faith. Our worship is the Sacrifice of the Mass. We are reminded time and again that the life of the Christian involves loving sacrifice.

And even a young child knows that, especially during Lent, we are called to make small sacrifices in order to control our own desires and reorient our lives towards God. Yet at the same time, this lesson is one that we must learn time and time again throughout our lives. In our Gospel today, St. Peter, hearing our Lord tell of His coming Passion, takes Him aside to convince Him to follow a different course of action with His life and ministry. Our Lord rebukes him: “Get behind Me, Satan!” The way of convenience and self-centeredness is not the way of

Trust in the power of His grace the Lord, nor can it be that of His of being. disciples: “Whoever wishes to come Think of any significant relationafter Me must deny himself, take up ship you might have. Does it call his cross, and follow Me.” you to give of yourself to another?

Why this difficult calling? Yet if Does it call you to think of the we reflect on the choice the Lord is other calling us before to make, yourself, Homily of the Week we will to be Twenty-second find that willing to Sunday in the initial sacrifice Ordinary Time impresfor them?

By Father sions hide Yet how Riley Williams a deeper much do truth. we gain When He through presents us with the call to follow these relationships, whether they be Him on the path of sacrifice and spouses, parents, children, relatives, service, our Lord is really showor friends? How much richer are ing us the way to truly become our lives because of the sacrifices we ourselves. I cannot limit my life to make for them, as we find that we myself alone; none of us is called to get back so much more in return? live simply for oneself. Rather, in Now, having reflected on that a paradoxical manner, it is only by fact, think of this: how can we think stepping outside of our own lives, that any sacrifice offered in our our own existence, to be involved relationship with Christ will not with that of others, that we become be even more richly rewarded? This the full person that we are capable week we hear our Lord say to His

disciples, and by extension ourselves, that “whoever wishes to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for My sake will find it.” Our life will never be truly “found” until we look for it in the way of life to which Christ calls us.

Will these sacrifices involved in this be easy? The simple answer is no.

Reflecting on his own vocation as a prophet, Jeremiah says that “I say to myself, I will not mention Him, I will speak in His name no more. But then His message becomes like fire burning in my heart.” There will always be that part of us that wants to hold back, to avoid the risk of stepping out for another, even for God. Yet, trusting in the power of His grace, we must commit ourselves to deepening each day our Lord’s invitation to take up our crosses, whatever they may be, and follow Him. Father Williams is parochial vicar at St. John the Evangelist and St. Vincent de Paul parishes and assistant chaplain at Sturdy Hospital in Attleboro.

Upcoming Daily Readings: Sat. Aug. 30, 1 Cor 1:26-31; Ps 33:12-13,18-21; Mt 25:14-30. Sun. Aug. 31, Twenty-second Sunday in Ordinary Time, Jer 20:7-9; Ps 63:2-6,8-9; Rom 12:1-2; Mt 16:21-27. Mon. Sept. 1, 1 Cor 2:1-5; Ps 119:97-102; Lk 4:16-30. Tues. Sept. 2, 1 Cor 2:10b-16; Ps 145:8-14; Lk 4:31-37. Wed. Sept. 3, 1 Cor 3:1-9; Ps 33:12-15,20-21; Lk 4:38-44. Thurs. Sept. 4, 1 Cor 3:18-23; Ps 24:1bc-2,3-4ab,5-6; Lk 5:1-11.

Fri. Sept. 5, 1 Cor 4:1-5; Ps 37:3-6,27-28,39-40; Lk 5:33-39.

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t was the summer of 2005 and many young people from across our diocese were preparing to travel to Cologne, Germany for the 20th World Youth Day with Pope Benedict XVI. Our preparations included the logistics for our trip and, just as important, prayer and getting to know each other so we could more fully experience the theme of World Youth Day, “We have come to worship Him,” (Mt 2:2). One of the exciting moments during these preparations was when we were informed that Bishop George Coleman would meet us on this faith journey.

We arrived in Germany, settled in and participated in the opening Mass and youth rally as the Holy Father arrived to greet the hundreds of thousands of youth gathered from all over the world. It was an experience of a lifetime for us witnessing this massive gathering of humanity. Strangers became friends in the exchange of greetings and in a simple gift from our respective dioceses. But, in all the differences in people and cultures that we encountered, we recognized the bonds that united us all: we are Catholic; we have come to worship Christ and we all belong to Him. One of the highlights of this

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We are the Lord’s

World Youth Day was a visit to the Shrine of the Three Kings in Cologne Cathedral. Our group arrived at the cathedral to see thousands of our brothers and sisters waiting to go inside. It was literally wall-to-wall people.

Some of our group got scattered. We held onto those we could as tightly as possible so as not to get too lost, always keeping an eye out for the others. We were so packed together that some of us even felt faint and were frightened at times.

However, as we made our way through this sea of humanity our shepherd comforted us in our midst.

Yes, Bishop Coleman accompanied us for what seemed like an eternity just to get inside the cathedral. He was quiet. Yet, his presence among us spoke to us saying, “Do not be afraid.

We will come together to pay Him homage for we belong to Him.” Finally, we made it in and experienced of one of Europe’s most beautiful ca-

thedrals. From the Sanctuary to the stained glass to the golden reliquary containing the remains of the Three Magi, it was all an awesome sight to behold.

After the tour of the cathedral Bishop Coleman gathered us all and invited us to dine with him at a local restaurant. Our young people got to know Bishop Coleman through conversation and laughter and simply enjoying each other’s company. Our being together brought the reality of Sacred Scripture into our very lives — the shepherd among his sheep. And why not? We are the Lord’s. We do belong to Him. The final day of our journey to Cologne brought us to the outdoor concluding Mass at Marienfeld near the village of Kerpen. By some estimates, about one million people, after camping outdoors all night, joined Pope Benedict XVI at this celebration of the Eucharist. Many

of us were so far away from the altar that we could not see the pope in the vast field, so we watched the Mass on more than 15 large television screens.

But, that didn’t matter. We were all together. Our Bishop Coleman was our eyes — he was with the Holy Father at the altar. We listened, we prayed, we sang and we received the Eucharist together. We came to worship Him! The Holy Father spoke the following words during his homily at the World Youth Day concluding Mass. I have no doubt that Bishop Coleman re-echoes these same words to all of us today: “Do not be deterred from taking part in Sunday Mass, and help others to discover it too. This is because the Eucharist releases the joy that we need so much, and we must learn to grasp it ever more deeply, we must learn to love it,” said Pope Benedict XVI. Thank you, Bishop Coleman, for all you have done for our diocese, especially the youth. May God bless you and grant you happiness, peace and good health.

Anchor columnist Ozzie Pacheco is Faith Formation director at Santo Christo Parish, Fall River.

The Castelo Group New Bedford

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In Your Prayers

Please pray for these deceased priests during the coming week Aug. 23 Rev. Thomas F. Clinton, Pastor, St. Peter, Sandwich, 1895 Msgr. Anthony M. Gomes, PA, Retired Pastor, Our Lady of the Angels, Fall River, 1992 Aug. 24 Rev. Peter J.B. Bedard, Founder, Notre Dame de Lourdes, Fall River, 1884 Very Rev. James F. Gilchrist, CPM VG., Vicar General of the Congregation of the Fathers of Mercy, 1962 Rev. Msgr. James E. Gleason, Retired Pastor, St. Patrick, Falmouth, 1987 Aug. 25 Rev. Joseph F. Hanna, C.S.C, Founder, Holy Cross, South Easton, 1974 Rev. Thomas E. Lawton, C.S.C., Holy Cross Retreat House, North Easton, 2002 Aug. 27 Rt. Rev. Francisco C. Bettencourt, Pastor, Santo Christo, Fall River, 1960 Rev. Msgr. Hugh A. Gallagher, P. A. Retired Pastor , St. James, New Bedford, 1978 Rev. James E. Tobin, Missionary and Teacher, C.S.C., 2008 Aug. 28 Rev. Thomas L. Campbell, Retired, Holy Cross Community, Stonehill College, Easton, C.S.C., 2012 Aug. 29 Rev. Joseph DeVillandre, D.D., Founder, Sacred Heart, North Attleboro, 1921 Msgr. William H. Harrington, Retired Pastor, Holy Name, Fall River, 1975

Around the Diocese St. Mark’s Parish, 105 Stanley Street in Attleboro Falls, will host its annual fair on September 6 from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.

The day will include a variety of activities, music and food.

DJ Nate Adams will provide lively music throughout the day and there will be all kinds of foods including hot dogs, hamburgers, doughboys, chowder and clam cakes, meatball grinders, pizza and more. There will also be arts and crafts, a “what-not” shop, and raffle with prizes including an Apple iPad Air Wi-Fi. St. Mark’s Fair is a traditional “end of summer” ritual.

A Healing Mass and Blessing with St. André’s Relic and Anointing with St. Joseph Oil will be held at St. Joseph Chapel at Holy Cross Family Ministries on September 14, the Solemnity of the Exaltation of the Holy Cross, with Rosary at 1:30 p.m. and Mass at 2 p.m. St. André’s relic will be available for blessings and veneration. Don’t miss this special opportunity to bring your family and friends for a blessing. St. André was known as the “Miracle Man of Montréal” for the healing of thousands of faithful at the St. Joseph Oratory in Montreal. More than two million people visit his shrine each year. For more information call Holy Cross Family Ministries at 508-238-4095 or visit www.FamilyRosary. org/Events. The event will take place at the Father Peyton Center, 500 Washington Street in Easton.

A Healing Mass will be celebrated on September 18 at St. Anthony of Padua Church, 1359 Acushnet Avenue in New Bedford. The Mass will begin at 6:30 p.m. and will include Benediction and healing prayers. At 5:15 p.m. there will be a holy hour, including the Rosary. For more information visit www.saintanthonynewbedford.com or call 508-993-1691.

On October 3 at 7 p.m. Bob Curley, whose 10-year-old son Jeffrey was murdered in Boston in 1997, will share his personal about-face journey from vengeance to forgiveness at Christ the King Parish in Mashpee.

All are welcome to hear Bob discuss “Beyond an Eye for an Eye” and refreshments will be served.

Our Lady of Lourdes Church, 2282 Route 6 in Wellfleet, will host its annual Holly Fair on October 11 from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. and on October 12 from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. The fair will feature beautiful theme baskets, a quilt raffle, books, teacup raffle, homemade items, toys, ornaments, baked goods, wreaths, a silent auction, white elephant sale, jewelry, cookie table, and much more. Free photos with Santa will be taken from 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. on October 11. Lunch will be served as well. For more information call 508-349-1853 or 508-255-6076.

St. Mary’s Parish, 106 Illinois Street in New Bedford, is hosting its annual Holiday Fair in November and is looking for crafters. The fair will be held November 8 from 9:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. and November 9 from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. For more information contact Linda at 508-995-4166.

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Eucharistic Adoration in the Diocese Acushnet — Eucharistic Adoration takes place at St. Francis Xavier Parish on Monday from 9:30 a.m. to 8:30 p.m.; Tuesday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 8:30 p.m.; and Saturday from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. Evening prayer and Benediction is held Monday through Wednesday at 6:30 p.m.

ATTLEBORO — Eucharistic Adoration takes place in the St. Joseph Adoration Chapel at Holy Ghost Church, 71 Linden Street, from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. daily.

ATTLEBORO — The National Shrine of Our Lady of La Salette holds Eucharistic Adoration in the Shrine Church every Saturday from 1 to 4 p.m. through November 17.

ATTLEBORO — There is a weekly Holy Hour of Eucharistic Adoration Thursdays from 5:30 to 6:30 pm at St. John the Evangelist Church on N. Main St. 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 beginning at noon until 7:45 a.m. First Saturday, concluding with Benediction and concluding with Mass at 8 a.m. 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 in the chapel at Holy Family Parish Center, 438 Middleboro Avenue, Monday through Friday, 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. On First Fridays, Eucharistic Adoration takes place at Holy Family Church, 370 Middleboro Avenue, from 8:30 a.m. until 7:45 p.m.

FAIRHAVEN — St. Mar y ’s Church, Main St., has Eucharistic Adoration ever y Wednesday from 8:30 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. in the Chapel of Reconciliation, with Benediction at 11:30 a.m. 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 — Espirito Santo Parish, 311 Alden Street, Fall River. Eucharistic Adoration on Mondays following the 8 a.m. Mass until Rosary and Benediction at 6:30 p.m.

FALL RIVER — St. Bernadette’s Church, 529 Eastern Ave., has continuous Eucharistic Adoration from 8 a.m. on Thursday until 8 a.m. on Saturday.

FALL RIVER — St. Anthony of the Desert Church, 300 North Eastern Avenue, has Eucharistic Adoration Mondays and Tuesdays from 9 a.m. to 7 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 and concluding with 3 p.m. Benediction in the Daily Mass Chapel. A bilingual holy hour takes place from 2 to 3 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.

MANSFIELD — St. Mary’s Parish, 330 Pratt Street, has Eucharistic Adoration every First Friday from 7:30 a.m. to 6 p.m., with Benediction at 5:45 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. Please use the side entrance.

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.

NEW BEDFORD — St. Lawrence Martyr Parish, 565 County Street, holds Eucharistic Adoration in the side chapel from 7:30-11:45 a.m. ending with a simple Benediction NORTH DARTMOUTH — Eucharistic Adoration takes place at St. Julie Billiart Church, 494 Slocum Road, every Tuesday from 7 to 8 p.m., ending with Benediction. The Sacrament of Reconciliation is available at this time.

NORTH DIGHTON — Eucharistic Adoration takes place every Wednesday following 8:00 a.m. Mass and concludes with Benediction at 5 p.m. Eucharistic Adoration also 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 noon.

SEEKONK ­— Our Lady of Mt. Carmel Parish has perpetual Eucharistic Adoration seven days a week, 24 hours a day in the chapel at 984 Taunton Avenue. For information call 508-336-5549.

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.

Taunton — Adoration of the Most Blessed Sacrament takes place every First Friday at Annunciation of the Lord, 31 First Street. Exposition begins following the 8 a.m. Mass.

The Blessed Sacrament will be exposed, and Adoration will continue throughout the day.

Confessions are heard from 5:15 to 6:15 p.m. Rosary and Benediction begin at 6:30 p.m.

WAREHAM — Eucharistic Adoration at St. Patrick’s Church begins each Wednesday evening at 6 p.m. and ends on Friday night at midnight. Adoration is held in our Adoration Chapel in the lower Parish Hall. ~ PERPETUAL EUCHARISTIC ADORATION ~ East Sandwich — The Corpus Christi Parish Perpetual Eucharistic Adoration Chapel is open 24 hours a day, seven days a week at 324 Quaker Meeting House Road, East Sandwich.

Use the Chapel entrance on the side of the church.

NEW BEDFORD — Our Lady’s Chapel, 600 Pleasant Street, offers Eucharistic Adoration seven days a week, 24 hours a day. For information call 508-996-8274.

SEEKONK ­— Our Lady of Mount Carmel Parish has perpetual Eucharistic Adoration seven days a week, 24 hours a day in the chapel at 984 Taunton Avenue. For information call 508-336-5549.

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 are invited to sign up to cover open hours. For open hours, or to sign up call 508-430-4716.

WME retreats remind Marriage is a Sacrament continued from page 10

really something that you don’t just go on a weekend and it ends there; there is so much community if you want to be involved. The married couples meet with each other and there’s not a lot of places you can go in today’s society that support Marriage. It has such a support base; it’s wonderful. It’s enriched

our lives.”

After the 2009 WME, the Hufnagels were asked to become part of the team, and are now the current leaders for the area; “We decided that at that time it was good for us and we wanted to take it a step further,” said Linda. “Every step you take, takes you a little deeper —

whether it’s an encounter with self and figuring out yourself, and how that enriches your relationship, whether it be with your husband, children or grandchildren. It comes back at you tenfold.”

The experience or “gift” of the weekend is something the couple enjoys giving back to other couples: “As time has gone on, we realize what a special gift it is and how we can help others,” said Richard.

“We see it on the weekends and in the couples, see their growth.

When we stay in touch with them afterwards, we continue to see that.

It’s pretty wonderful to be a part of that.”

The Hufnagels agree that couples should come with an open mind and they hear from couples who credit the WME weekend for transforming their lives and Marriage.

“They come with these preconceived notions and leave the weekend transformed with a totally different attitude,” said Linda.

“You know they see the possibility of what life can be, and it’s such a blessing for them that they’ve gone through this.”

Couples have walked out stating they don’t want to go home, said Richard, “and that’s not uncommon. We receive letters and emails after that fact that blow us away regarding what people received on the weekend. It’s hard to put it into words.”

For those thinking that attending a WME weekend means admitting something is wrong with his or her Marriage, or that it sends the signal to others that something is wrong, the Hufnagels say that train of thought couldn’t be further from the truth; “We never say that,” said Linda. “You’re coming in and we’re giving you tools. It is billed as ‘enrichment’ and that’s exactly what it is because everybody is in different places at different times of their Marriage. These tools that we give you can work for anyone.

It doesn’t mean your Marriage is in trouble or you have a bad Marriage. You take it to whatever level you want to be at; it has nothing to do with us.”

Richard offered this advice to anyone sitting on the fence: “Every Marriage has some kind of problem. If you love your spouse and want your Marriage to be better, then go on a weekend. Period. It will change your lives. What you get out of it is up to you. You don’t have anything to lose and everything to gain.”

Three WME weekend retreats are scheduled for 2014: September 19-21 at Betania II, 154 Summer Street, Medway, Mass; October 24-26 at St. Methodios Faith and Heritage Center, 329 Camp Merrimac Road, Contoocook, N.H.; and December 5-7 at the Miramar Retreat Center, 121 Parks Street, Duxbury, Mass. For more information on any retreat, go to the WME website: www.WWME.org.

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Diocese of Fall River TV Mass on WLNE Channel 6 Sunday, August 31, 11:00 a.m.

Celebrant is Father Richard E. Degagne, pastor of Immaculate Conception Parish in Easton

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‘Catholics Come Home’ series to debut on EWTN

ROSWELL, Ga. (CNS) — Catholics Come Home, an organization based in the Atlanta suburb of Roswell, will premiere a new TV series that features individuals who have joined the Catholic Church or returned to the Catholic faith after many years away.

The “Catholics Come Home” series, which was filmed in more than a dozen locations in the U.S. and Canada, will debut September 4 at 10 p.m. eastern time on the Eternal Word Television Network.

The series consists of 13 30-minute episodes, each featuring an interview with someone who recently returned to the Church as a result of a Catholics Come Home campaign and in response to “the call of the Holy Spirit,” said a news release on the series.

Catholics Come Home, whose founder and president is Tom Peterson, has worked with dozens of U.S. dioceses on TV ad campaigns, especially at Lent and Christmas, to invite inactive Catholics to get more involved in the Church, fallen-away Catholics to return to the Church and non-Catholics to join

the Church.

In the series, Peterson interviews a variety of guests, including former atheists, agnostics, Protestants and fallen-away Catholics.

Each of the half-hour episodes also will include segments on the Catholic Church’s New Evangelization, which encourages Catholics to renew their faith and be willing to share it.

Episodes will air every Thursday night at 10 p.m. eastern time, with additional airings on Sundays at 6 p.m. eastern time. More information on the show can be found at www.catholicscomehome.org. The EWTN website, www.ewtn.com, has scheduling information.

A Catholics Come Home release said more than a dozen archdioceses and dioceses are represented, with episodes filmed on location in Vancouver; Allen, Denton and Austin, Texas; Providence, R.I.; New Westminster, British Columbia; Philadelphia; Denver; Tulsa, Oklahoma; Atlantic Highlands, New Jersey; Farmington and Bonne Terre, Mo; and Sturgeon Bay, Wis.

“We are grateful for your episcopal ministry.”

Christ the King Parish Mashpee Msgr. Daniel F. Hoye, Pastor

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The staff at The Anchor would like to thank Bishop Coleman for 11 years of service to the diocese as bishop and 50 years as a priest.

Appointed bishop by a saint

I

first met Bishop George W. Coleman 18 years ago when I first started The Anchor.

He was a monsignor, diocesan vicar general, and moderator of the curia under then-Bishop Sean O’Malley.

He was a humble, reserved man. I heard nothing but good things about him from people who were his past parishioners or who worked with him in any capacity while he was a priest of the Fall River Diocese.

He was born in Somerset to the late George W. and Beatrice K. (Shea) Coleman. He grew up in St. Patrick’s Parish. His faith and his humility came from his parents. In an interview I had with then-Msgr. Coleman in May of 2003, he was very eager to point out it was his parents who molded him into the man he became.

“My parents were wonderful, faith-filled parents,” he said. “I have no doubt whatsoever that they handed down that faith to me. My earliest

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recollections are during World War II, at a time of rationing in this country. I know my parents made many sacrifices to ensure that my sister and I were well provided for.”

It was that selflessness that Bishop Coleman

My View From the Stands

By Dave Jolivet brought to the table when he was asked to become part of Bishop O’Malley’s administrative team and ultimately Bishop of Fall River.

Bishop Coleman was a priest who loved his parishioners and loved being a parish priest. So

there’s no doubt that accepting a more administrative position was indeed a sacrifice for him. But it was for the Church and God he did it.

Bishop Coleman is one of the relatively few priests appointed to bishop by someone who eventually became a saint — St. John Paul II. That was in 2003. When I asked the bishop-elect if he thought his parents would be proud of his being appointed a bishop, he said they would be pleased, honored and happy, “but their first consideration would be to ensure that I would be a good priest and good pastor. Also, for my father, it was the inner person that made the difference, not the rank.”

George Coleman never changed through the years. He remained and remains a humble, dedicated priest, whose primary concerns are God, His children, and His Church.

After attending Msgr. Coyle High School in Taunton and Holy Cross College in Worcester, he entered St. John’s Seminary in Brighton and then the North American College in Rome.

He was ordained a priest of the Fall River Diocese in St. Peter’s Basilica in Rome on Dec. 16, 1964.

He served at St. Kilian’s Parish in New Bedford; St. Louis Parish in Fall River; and Our Lady of Victory Parish in Centerville.

He was also appointed as director of the Diocesan Department of Education — a position he held for eight years.

He also served as pastor at St. Patrick’s Parish in Fall River and Corpus Christi Parish in East Sandwich. While there, he was dean of the Cape and Islands Deanery.

While preparing this special edition, I flipped through several old Anchor editions. I came across one of my favorite Father Coleman pictures; one of him on team on an ECHO retreat weekend. If you’ve ever been on ECHO you know it’s faithfilled ... and fun. Father Coleman was both. He’s shown enjoying an activity with the candidates — the humble priest who was once named a bishop — by a saint. Best wishes on your retirement Bishop Coleman, and congratulations and thank you for 50 years of service to God’s people as a priest.