Former 'student produces cassette of Mercy music
Vuliant spirit
By Sister Carol.Jussaume, RSM
Mercy," now known to be Sister How did finding an old Our Mary Alexis Donnelly. Lady of Mercy hymnal in a used Meggison researched Sister Donnelly, visiting the Mercy combookstore lead to production of a cassette entitled "Mercy's Music munity's archives and talking to Heritage?" several sisters about her. During a visit with Sister M. The answer lies in a man's love for music, inspired at the old St. Stephen Finnerty and Sister CosMary's School (later St. James tello at Mount St. Rita Convent in and now St. James-St. John Cumberland, RI, Meggison was introduced to Sister M. Nathaniel School) in New Bedford. Gallogly. Peter Meggison, a native of St. Learning of his interests, Sister James parish who now resides in Holbrook, credits Mercy Sisters Gallogly steered him to Sister M. M. Teresita Kingsbury and M. Ignatia Giblin and then to Sister Miriam Theresa Daily, who had Amadeus Costello, who taught at WILLIAM K. ~eilly, head St. Mary's, for his interest in the studied under Sister Donnelly. of the Environmental ProtecMeggison and Sister Daily conhistory of American Catholic mucurred that the music Meggison sic. tion Agency, who teceived his The story of the cassette, the had found should be preserved. high school education at BMC sale of which will benefit the Sister Daily suggested they apDurfee High School, Fall retirement fund of the Providence proach J on Carew, director of the River, has asked thF l) .S. bishprovince of the Sisters of Mercy, Dorian Concert Choir in Provibegins with Meggison's boyhood., dence, about recording some of ops to, write a pastoral letter "Even though it was Sister Sister Donnelly's hymns. on the environment, addressTeresita who was in charge of the Meggison funded the project ing such issues as abd rain, air music program," he recalled, "it and will donate proceeds from pollution and waste disposal. was my sixth-grade teacher, Sister cassette sales to the Mercy retireI (CNS photo) Mary Amadeus, who instilled in ment fund as a tribute to the sisters who have educated three generame a love for music.... In Sister '1 tions of his family. Amadeus' class, we sang every Last June 27, after a year of morning and every afternoon not only hymns, but all kinds of rehearsal, the music was recorded I at Holy Name School in Provinice songs. We always looked forContinued from Fage One ward to singing, and all the other dence. is misunderstood an~ challenged "Mercy's Music Heritage" conteachers and our parents and because it often is presented intains 18 songs for which Sister 'adequately. priests marveled at the large reperI Donnelly wrote music, including toire of hymns and songs we learned Also commenting 'on the papal "a Dearest Mother of Mercy," speech was Father 4ivio Mt:lina. under Sister Amadeus' direction." Through the years the memory "Jesus, My Lord, My God, My an official at the Vatican Congre-" of all this music remained alive for All," "Evening Hymn to Our Lady" gation for the Doctrine of the Meggison. When he found the old and "Lead, Kindly Light." Faith. Speaking during an interMercy hymnal, he recognized many Also on the cassette are "Hail view with Vatican Radio. he said of the hymns, among them one of Thou Ever Blessed Morn," "The that the idea that there are "moral his favorites: "Again We Greet Day Is Done" and "Dear Little limits" to the use of natiural methods Our Mother," by Sister Mary One." of family planning is nothing new. Alexis Donnelly. A picture of Mercy foundress "It seems to me th~t one cannot He offered to make copies of Mother Catherine McAuley adorns say that this is a novelty at all. as it some of the music for friends in the cassette jacket. is in perfect continuity with all the various church choirs. Said Meggison, "I think it's tradition of the church," said' the "They loved this music. They important to note that the hymns, priest. I ' wanted more and asked me where' all accompanied by a majestic Church teaching requires marI had found it and did I have anymusical setting, are in themselves ried couples to have "a fundamenthing else they could sing," he said,. ' prayers. They still have a meaning tal openness to life as' a basic conMeggison obliged by giving them' to those brought up with them dition of their resppnsibi,lity to more music from the Mercy hymnbut also, to anyone else who would love:' Father Melinalsaid, adding al. ' care to listen, they are simple, that willingness to have "a nu merAlong the way, he developed an prayerful, and direct. Perhaps this ous family. generously opell to intense thirst for knowle<Lge about idea is best expressed in the words life," is recommen[jed by the the musical history of the Catholic of Sister Donnelly herself in the church. I Church. A Jesuit friend put him in preface to the 1927 Our Lady of • But "for serious reasons bdore touch with Father Bill Leonard, Mercy Hymnal: God ... spouses can responsibly limit SJ, at Boston College, a ,liturgist In presenting Volume 11 births" and still respect the moral who began liturgical reform moveof Our Lady of Mercy Hymorder, he said. ' , ments in the 1940s. Father Leonal, our fervent prayer is While church te'aching sincl: the nard gav'e Meggison duplicate that it may draw the hearts Second Vatican Countil has tended copies of some old hymnals. Megof our children to know the to emphasize, more Ithan in the gison began visiting churches in tenderness of Our Blessed past, that interpersonal love is a search of more hymnals and soon Mother's love, that love purpose of marriage, ;Father Melaccumulated what he terms a which all must possess who ina said, the church has not changed "major collection." , would enter into the Sacred I n all, he visited nearly 75 its mind about procreation also Heart of Mary's Divine Son, churches in the Fall River and being an aim of marriage. I Jesus Our Lord. Providence dioceses hunting for Further information on the musical treasures. cassette may be obtainedfrom the He was not disappointed. Sisters of Mercy Provincialate, Among his finds were composiMANILA, PhilipP,ines (CNS) R.D. 3, Cumberland, R102864, tions dating from the late 1800s, - Cardinal Jaime Sin of Manila tel. (401) 333-6333. and attributed to "-A Sister of said billions of dollars recovered from the family and associates of former Philippine Pr¢sident Ferdinand Marcos shoulp go to aid the poor as a gesture of repentance. He spoke at a Mass attended 'by President Corazon It\quino and her two main political critics, Vice President Salvador Laurel and opposition Sen. Juan Pobce Emile.
Vatican
Give it to poor
SISTER DOROTHY SCHWARZ, SSD, left, and Brother Raymund Davey, FSC, were among major religious superiors to meet with Bishop Daniel A. Cronin and Sister Noel Blute, RSM, episcopal representative for religious, on Dec. 19 to discuss collaboration in the diocese. (Hickey photo)
11
THE ANCHOR-Diocese of Fall River-Fri., Jan. 4;1991
Interpretatipn "We should knowl what our convictions are, and stand for them. Upon one's own philo~ophy, conscious or unconscious,ldepends on one's ultimate interpretation of the facts."--CG. Jung!
Continued trom Page One about establishing an endowed memorial fund. "We were interested in a fund that would help others and benefit the less fortunate. We also wanted something that would keep Joseph's spirit alive," said Atty. Saulino. "The hospital went to great effort to explain the options available and offered us this program that addressed exactly what we were looking for." The Joseph C Saulino Endowed Memorial Fund "will serve as a lasting and fittil1g tribute to an individual who celebrated life every day," noted Sharon Danosky, St. Anne's director of development and public relations. "It will also recognize the Saulino fainily - which has in many ways become a part of the St. Anne's family - for their friendship, support and generosity." -Gifts to the fund may be sent to the hospital. Income from accrued interest will be allocated annually by St. Anne's after consultation with the Saulino family. An acknowledgment plaque has been placed outside Joseph's former room with the inscription: "In loving memory of Joseph C Saul-
ino by his family and friends. Each day is a gift from God:' Officiating at the blessing of the plaque and room dedication were Father Vincent F. Diaferio, pastor of Holy Rosary parish, and Rev. Msgr. Daniel F. Shalloo, retired pastor of Holy Name Church. In addition to his brother John, Joseph Saulino is survived by his, parents, Alphonse F. Saulino J r. and Helen D. (Stewart) Saulino~ tWQ other brothers, Alphonse F. Saulino III and Michael S. Saulino, two nephews and a niece.
Gibbons Award WASHINGTON (eNS) - Eunice Kennedy Shriver, founder of Special Olympics International and executive vice president of the Joseph P. Kennedy Jr. Foundation, has received the James Cardinal Gibbons Award from Catholic University. The honor recognizes her work for the mentally retarded. Past recipients have included Mrs. Shriver's brother, the late President John F. Kennedy, and her husband, R. Sargent Shriver,a former Peace Corps director.
DENMARK'S Pharmacy
. @) ·
REGISJ~~~~Rf~T~~:CISTS
Invalid Equipment For Rent or Sale Surgical Garments -
~
i
• Hollister -
Crutches -
Bird· IPPB Machines
Jobst
Elastic Stockings
Surgical & Orthopedic Appliances
".11' ( •• ,u,
Trusses - Oxygen - ' Oxygen Masks, Tents & Regulators· Approved For Medicare
•
>;. '~~l i-""'H()~":::'t
24 HOUR OXYGEN SERVICE
24 HOUR EMERGENCY PRESCRIPTION SERVICE
BIO':!
t.,=J
~ O~~:l til (1
~f~
673 Main St., Dennisport -
550 McArthur Blvd., Rte. 28, Pocasset JO Main St., Orleans -
~
398·2219
~(o ....oo"
563·2203
255·0132
509 Itempton St., N~w Bedford - 993-G492 (PARAMOUNT PHARMACY)