t eanc 0 VOL. 43, NO.3· Friday, January 15, 1999
FALL RIVER, MASS.
FALL ~IVER DIOCESAN NEWSPAPER FOR SOUTHEAST MASSACHUSETIS CAPE COD & THE ISLANDS Southeastern Massachusetts' Largest Weekly • $14 Per Year
Diocese to join in Week of Prayer for Christian Unity ~
This year's theme for the annual ecumenical event is "God will dwell with them ... they will be God's peoples" (Rev. 21:1-7).
'dwell with them; they will be God's peoples" . from the last book of the Bible, the Revelation to John (Rev. 21:1-7). This year, the leaders focused on the approaching millennium and raised a series of questions for "meditative discernment" by congregations together. They said, "In these By JAMES N. DUNBAR closing days of the 20th century, as we are in FALL RIVER - Christians in the Fall prayer with God and conversation with each River Diocese and around the world are in- other, we need to ask how we are responding vited to join in prayer in to God's reconciling observance of the Week presence? What differof Prayer for Christian ence does it make in the Unity, January 18 way we treat other Christhrough 25. tians? How can churches As part of that, 27 area embrace the unity that is religious leaders, includat the heart of God's mising Cardinal Bernard sion?" Law of Boston, Bishop "Ecumenical colSean P. O'Malley of this laboration is a regular diocese, Bishop Daniel feature of diocesan life," Reilly of Worcester and said Father Marc H. Bishop Thomas L. Dupre Bergeron, ecumenical of Springfield, have isofficer for the Diocese of sued an ecumenical letFall River. "There are ter. many ecumenical It urges participation food pantries and social in the observance, an anservice projects. For exFather Bergeron nual occasion when ample, in the cities of churches join in prayer Fall River and New Bedand reflection about the divisions among ford, there is a collaboration called United Christians and the need for reconciliation. Interfaith Action, Congregations in both citThe theme of the 1999 week, chosen by ies work together for the betterment of the an international group of Protestant, Roman Southcoast Region of Massachusetts." Catholic and Orthodox leaders is "God will Father Bergeron said churches regularly
share non-Eucharistic worship especially during Christian Unity week and each deanery in the diocese has priests involved. This year's local events include: - an Ecumenical Prayer Service for Unity, Jan. 21, 7 p.m., at Pilgrim United Church of Christ, 635 Purchase St., New Bedford. Father Bergeron, representing Bishop O'Malley, will give the invocation. The Rev. Edward R. Dufresne, executive minister of the Inter-Church Council of Greater New Bedford, and other clergy will participate; - an Ecumenical Celebration of the Word, Jan. 23, at Holy Name Church, 121 Mt. Pleasant St., New Bedford. It will be a day of prayer and planning for the future of women's ministries in the region of the Dio~ cese of Fall River. There will be a worship service, lunch, discussion and coffee hour. Reservations can be made by calling 9921132 by Saturday; - an Ecumenical Study Day, Jan. 23, at St. Peter Church in Buzzards Bay. The focus will be on practical ecumenism on the parish level. Father Bergeron will be a member of the panel. In addition, Father Richard M. Roy, pastor of St. Joan of Arc Parish, Orleans, will coordinate a program offering an exchange of visits to Sunday worship in churches of various denominations on Cape Cod. As part of the week's observance, the board of directors of the Massachusetts Council of Churches has invited the Diocese of Fall River to designate six persons to be partici-
pants/observers at the 1999 Annual Meeting of the Massachusetts Council of Churches to be held January 19 at Andover Newton Theological School, Newton Center. Tum to page 13 - Unity
LOGO FOR WEEK OF PRAYER FOR CHRISTIAN UNITY
Arlene McNamee named South Coast Woman of the Year By MIKE GORDON ANCHOR STAFF
PROUD MOMENT: Four men were ordained transitional deacons by Bishop Sean P. O'Malley at St. Mary's Cathedral last weekend. They are, from left: Rev. Mr. Timothy Paul Driscoll; Rev. Mr. Joseph Paul Medio, FPO; Rev. Mr. Isaac Mary Alphonsus Relyea, FFI; and Rev. Mr. Dariusz Kalinowski. Turn to page'two for ordination story. (Anchor/Gordon photo)
FALL RNER -Arlene A. McNamee, executive director of Catholic Social Services for the Diocese of Fall River and volunteer chairman of the board of South Coast Hospitals Group, is a woman who has made a significant impact here in the diocese through , her hard work and dedication. It hasn't gone unnoticed. McNamee, who goes the extra mile for many needy people through her job at CSS, was recently named South Coast Woman of the Year by The New Bedford Standard- Times for her efforts, specifically those involving welfare reform. When she spoke with The Anchor during a recent phone interview she said she was surprised at . being so honored. The
busy executive's interview came via cellular phone. She was en route'to help someonethis time, her husband, Jim, superintendent of schools for the Fall River Diocese, who's on crutches because of a pulled muscle. "I was very flattered to hear that they chose me for the award," said McNamee, hired four years ago as executive director of CSS. Although she didn't receive a plaque or have a special ceremony for the award, it seemed fine by her. Although not one to bask in the limelight, McNamee certainly enjoys helping others as evident with her job. "I'm proud of our efforts at CSS to reach out to the immigrant population. It's a major comment to our staff and I think overall we're having a great impact with basic needs, financial
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