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VOL. 49, NO.3· Friday, January 21, 2005

FALL RIVER, MASS.

Southeastern Massachusetts' Largest Weekly • $14 Per Year

Diocese set to observe World Day for Consecrated Life on February 6 ~

HARRINGTON FAMILY members gather on Sept. 8, 1964 for Sister Sheila's entrance day to the Mercy Sisters. From left, Sister Sheila, a postulant; Sister Patricia, already professed; Sister Kathleen, a novice; their mother Evelyn; and Father Brian J. Harrington, at the time a young seminarian.

(Photo courtesy 9f Father Harrington)

For one Catholic family, September 8 is always celebrated as Vocations Day ~

It's the day when three religious Sisters and their priest brother answered the call.

NORTH DARTMOUTH Father Brian J. Harrington, pastor of St. Julie Billiart Parish here, doesn't need a pocket calendar to remember when he left home to pursue studies en route to the priesthood. He was 17 and it was September 8, the feast of the birth of the Virgin Mary.

And he has no trouble recalling when his sisters Patricia, Kathleen and Sheila entered the convent of the Sisters of Mercy in the religious life. Each left when they were 17 years old, and it was on a September 8 too.

"This year when we gathered on Our Lady's birthday as we have done traditionally for nearly 50 years, we noted it marked a collective 175 years of service spent in our respective vocations," Turn to page 13 - Family

This year's theme is 'Your Light Must Shine~ '

FALL RIVER - Bishop George W. Coleman will be the celebrant and homilist at a Mass in St. Mary's Cathedral February 6 at 3 p.m., to celebrate 2005 World Day for Consecrated Life.

"There are 31 orders of women religious and 14 congregations of men who are serving in the Fall River diocese in a variety of I ministries including health care, schools, parish work, pastoral care, social service, retreats, I as secretaries and within the Hispanic and Brazilian communities," Mercy Sister Elaine Heffernan, the bishop's \) representative to religious, said.

"Every diocese throughout the world is urged to plan celebrations to educate people about the significance of vowed life," Sister Heffernan added.

"Many religious orders came to the United States following the great waves of immigrants from Western Europe in the 18 th century," she said. "They helped those people adjust to the difficult life in their new country and to practice the faith. Today, the same religious orders seek out the present-day needs of their people and strive with the same zeal to be of assistance in meeting those needs while continuing to preserve the faith."

In 1997, Pope John Paul II called for consecrated life to be promoted throughout the uni-

versal Church. He declared February 2, the feast of the Presentation of the Lord, to be observed as World Day for Consecrated Life.

In the United States, when February 2 is not on a Sunday, the memorial is celebrated on the Sunday following the Presentation.

The Scriptures for February 6 encourage us to let our lights shine so that our good works may draw others to do the same. God calls women and men today to let their lights shine through the profession of vows and a life dedicated to prayer and service.

The celebration recognizes and expresses gratitude for those who have consecrated their lives to God. World Day for Consecrated Life is the occasion to promote this life choice as one of the ways to live out our baptismal commitment.

The call to consecrated life is lived out in different ways. Religious Sisters, nuns, Brothers, religious priests and monks consecrate their lives through the profession of the evangelical vows and live as part of a community.

Single lay people may choose to be consecrated virgins and make private vows to the local bishop as they live out their vocation in various walks of life. Secular institutes are another form of living the consecrated life as single people. Those who choose to let their lights shine through consecrated life strengthen the Church.

Diocesan pilgrims set for annual March for Life in Washington ~

Hundreds of Spirit-filled young people will be among diocese's delegation for 11 th year.

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DEACON JAMES

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DUNBAR

FALL RIVER - Seven motor coaches of enthusiastic Pro-Lifers from the Fall River diocese will head to the 32 nd annual March for Life in Washington, D.C., on January 23, to help show the world - and remind America's lawmakers - that respect for all human life is very much alive in their hearts.

"We go to Washington hoping for the conversion of hearts, that's our focus; and we will win only when we have everyone understanding the sacredness of all human life, including the unborn," Marian Des-

rosiers, acting director of the Pro~Life Apostolate in the Fall River diocese, told The Anchor.

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Joining with thousands of other Catholics and non-Catholics of a similar mindset for the rally on the National Mall, followed by a march to the Capitol and the Supreme Court, the solidarity does more than just react to the 32nd anniversary of the court's dreadful 1973 decisions in the Roe v. Wade and Doe v. Bolton cases that legalized abortion in America.

The Pro-Lifers presence in the nation's capital heightens a renewed awareness dramatically demonstrated by voters in the presiden.tial elections last November that moral values and marriage are again AMERICAN YOUTH will once again descend upon the nation's capital playing a pivotal role in people's lives and they want their national leaders to sit up to defend life. Seven buses from the Fall River diocese are scheduled to trek to Washington for the January 24 March. (eNS file photo) Turn to page 13 - March

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Friday, January 21, 2005

Hospital receives grant to support health insurance advocacy/outreach

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IRENE CAMPOS was recently recognized for 50 years as a catechist at Santo Christo Parish, Fall River. Sharing in the celebration were pastor Father Gastao Oliveira, left, and parochial vicar Brian Albino. (Eric Rodrigues photo)

Sister Mary William CSJ ST. PAUL, Minn. ~ Congregation of St. Joseph of Carondelet Sister Mary William, 99, a native of Fall River, Mass., and sister of the late Archbishop William O. Brady of the Archdiocese of St. Paul and Minneapolis, died January 10 at Bethany Convent here.

The daughter of the late John and Gladys (Davol) Brady, she received her early education in Fall River schools.

After graduating from the College of St. Catherine in St. Paul, Sister Mary William taught at St. Joseph's Academy in St. Paul. She was president of the College of St. Catherine from 1955 to 1961 and had also taught in its English De-

partment. After retiring from active teaching, she served as the college's archivist. She retired to Bethany Convent in 1993.

She is survived by,a niece and many grandnieces and nephews, and Sisters ofher religious congregation. Besides her parents and her archbishop brother, she was pre" ceded by another brother, Louis C. Brady, and three nieces.

Her funeral Mass was cel-' ebrated January 14 in the Provincial House Chapel in St. Paul. Intennent was in Resurrection Cemetery there. , The O'Halloran & Murphy Company, St. Paul, was in charge of arrangements.

Philip 0'Connor .

FALL RIVER Saint Anne's Hospital is one of only four organizations in Southeastern Massachusetts to receive a grant from the Blue, Cross Blue Shield of Massa'chusetts Foundation. Saint Anne's $15,000 grant will support the hospital's free Health , Insurance Advocacy and Outreach Program.

"Health care reform has moved to the' top of the Massachusetts legislative agenda," said foundation president Andrew Dreyfus. "While the public debate continues, these grants affirm the foundation's commitment to expanding health coverage for low-income and uninsured residents in Massachusetts."

"Congratulations on your re'cent Connecting Consumers with Care or Innovation Fund for the Uninsured grant award," , said foundation project coordinator Jessica Seabury. "The BCBSMA Foundation was very' pleased with your proposal to enhance access to health care . for low-income and uninsured Massachusetts residents. We 'look forward to working with you in 2005 to coordinate care for uninsured patients and en- . sure that low-income consumers are enrolled in state-funded health insurance programs."

An expansion of the hospital's patient financial counseling service, Saint Anne's Hospital's Health Insurance Advocacy and Outreach Program connects new subscribers with health insurance opportunities previously

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NAPLES, Fla. Philip O'Connor, 50, brother of Father Gerard O'Connor, a priest of the Fall River diocese, died January 8.

Born in Hull, England, he was a resident ofNaples since 1980, when he purchased Brookside Marina.

Besides his priest brother, he leaves two daughters, Jennifer and Loren; and two other brothers, John and Nicholas O'Connor.

His funeral Mass was celebrated January 18 in St. Anne's Church, Naples, Fla.

Daily Readings Jan 24

Montie Plumbing & Heating Co.

Jan 26

Over 35 Years of Satisfied Services Reg. Master Plumber 7023 JOSEPH RAPOSA, JR.

Jan 27

432 JEFFERSON STREET FALL RIVER 508-675-7496

Jan 28

grams. The committee believes that increased outreach into the community by the hospital is an important component to reaching many of the uninsured or underinsured."

To date, the program has assistedfnore than 2,500 indi- , viduals and families in obtaining or improving their health. insurance coverage.

Since its inception in 2001, the BCBSMA Foundation (www.bcbsmafoundation.org) has awarded 381 grants, totaling $11 million, to 169 organi..' zations and developed numerous policy initiatives to expand access to health care for uninsured and low-income individuals and families in Massachusetts.

Located in Fall River, Saint Anne's'Hospital is a 160-bed, acute-care community hospital with comprehensive inpatient and outpatient services that serves southeastern Massachusetts and Rhode' Island. Saint Anne's offers specialized services in oncology, pediatrics, diabetes, cardiac care, rehabilitation, behavioral medicine and pain management. Saint Anne's ' Hospital is a member of Caritas Christi Health Care, the second largest not-for-profit health system in New England.

For more information about Saint Anne's Hospital's Health Insurance Advocacy and Outreach Program,. call 508-674-5600, ext. 2377, or visit the Website at www.saintanneshospital.org.

In Your Prayers Please pray for'the following priests during the coming weeks

Heb 9: 15,24-28; Ps 98:1-6; Mk 3:22-30 Acts 22:3-16 or Acts 9:1-22; Ps .117:1-2; Mk 16:15-18 2 Tm 1:1-8 or Ti 1:1-5; Ps 96:13,7-8,10; Mk 4:120 Heb 10:19-25; Ps 24:1-4ab,5-6; Mk 4:21-25 Heb 10:32-39; Ps

Jan 25

underused because changing regulations have made them too complex, obscure or confusing. The program provides information and hands-on assistance to area residents and families who do not have health insuran'ce or whose insurance is inadequate, particularly non-English-speaking individuals and families, and the elderly who are at risk because certain Medicare managed care providers in Bristol County and Rhode Island have discontinued their coverage.

Saint Anne's community benefits committee developed the program with input from Dr. Philip T. Silvia Jr., a member of the hospital's board of trustees and a Bridgewater State College professor, and representatives from area health and human services agencies, law enforcement, businesses and schools, local senior citizens and the hospital's Fernandes Center for Children & Families and clinical social work, interpreter,.parish nursing and AIDS services.

"Despite strong state and national economies, there are growing numbers of adults and children without health insurance," Silvia said when the program began in 2000. "While there have been ongoing efforts at Saint Anne's Hospital and other area agencies to increase enrollment, it is evident that there are still far too many in our area who are unaware of their eligibility for existing pro-

Jan. 24 1951, Rev. Edward H. Finnegan, SJ., Boston College Faculty 1977, Rev. Thomas E McMorrow, Assistant, Our Lady of Victory, Centerville .

1999, Rev. Cornelius J. O'Neill, Pastor, Sacred Heart, Taunton

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1987, Rev. Jack Hickey, o.\~NaShVille, Tenn. ~Jan.2'7

.1919, Rev. John_T:-O'GradY:As~istant, Immaculate Conception, ~ \ \ Fall River 1955, Rev. Joseph M. Silvia, Pastor, St. Michael, Fall River Eas~~~8, Rev. Thomas E. Lockary, G,'~S\" Stonehill Colleg.e, North

37:3~6,23-24,39­

40; Mk 4:26-34 Jan 29 Heb 11 :1-2;8-19; (Ps) Lk 1:69-75; Mk 4:35-41 Jan 30 Zep 2:3;3: 12-13; Ps146:6-10; 1 Cor 1:26-31; Mt .' 5:1-12a

Jan. 28 \ \ 1947, Rev. Joseph M. Griffin, Pastor, St. Mary, Nantucket 1961, Rt. Rev. Msgr. John J. Shay, Pasto}, St. John the Evangelist, \.)

Attleboro

Jan. 29 I " 111II11111 " 1111 " II " 1111I1

1944, Rev. Christiano 1. Borges, Pastor, St. John the Baptist, New Bedford 1950, Rev. Albert 1. Masse, Pastor, St. Joseph, Attleboro

THE ANCHOR (USPS-545-020) Periodical Postage Paid at Fall River, Mass. Published weekly except for two weeks in July and the , week after Chrisnnas at 887 Highland Avenue, Fall River, Mass. 02720 by the Catholic Press of the Diocese of Fall River. Subscription price by mail, postpaid $14.00 per year.

POSTMASTERS send address changes to The Anchor, P.O. Box 7, Fall River, MA 02722.

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Jan. 30 1983, Rev. Raymond EX. Cahill, SJ., Assistant, St. Francis Xavier, Hyannis

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Friday, January 21, 2005

Brewster parish organist m~rks 30th year of service BREWSTER - At midnight Mass on December 24, Edward Swiniarski celebrated his 30 th year as organist and pastoral musician at Our Lady of the Cape Parish.

Swiniarski is the former dean of the Cape Cod Chapter

of the American Guild of Organists.

He began his music ministry in Boston and Washington, D.C. before moving to Cape Cod. In Washington, he attended the Georgetown Center for Liturgical Studies.

St. Anne's Prayer "Good St..Anne, Mother of Mary, and Grandmother of Jesus, Intercede for me and my petitions. Amen."

BOSTON COLLEGE INSTITUTE OF RELIGIOUS EDUCATION AND PASTORAL MINISTRY

THE BOS-TON College Club of Cape Cod held a Priest Appreciation Dinner, at the Coonamessett Inn in Falmouth to recognize priests for their lengthy and dedicated service to Christ and the Cape community. Above, Bishop George W. Coleman, front r~w, third from right, and some of the 35 diocesan priests who attended, gathered for a photo. Below, Bishop Coleman is greeted by dinner chairpersons, from left: Dick and Mary Farley, and Maureen and Dick Charlton. In recognition of the occasion, the priests were presented with - . . pewter bookmarks engraved with the Boston College Seal. .

FELLOWSHIPS IN TOTAL COMMUNITY CATECHESIS SPONSORED

BY BOSTON COLLEGE AND THE HENRY WCE FOUNDATION

The Boston College Institute for Religious Education and Pastoral Ministry (IREPM) has been a national leader in Total Community Catechesis, a new comprehensive approach to faith forma,ion that engages the traditional structures of society - family, congregation and community - in the holistic and communal practice of Catholic faith.

Beginning September 2005, the IREPM will offer a Master of Education (MEd) in Religious Education with a new ~oncentration in Total Community Catechesis. Significant fellowships will be offered to students with excellent academic standing who demonstrate leadership potential in religious education and parish catechesis.

FELLOWSHIP INFORMATION: • Fellowships cover up to 100% tuition for the 41-credit degree and provide a living expense stipend for each of the two years that.the student is enrolled full-time ' • Awarded to students with excellent academic standing who demonstrate leadership potential in religious education 'and parish catechesis • Study with renowned religious educators Thomas Groome, Jane Regan and other IREPM faculty in a learning environment of community and collegiality APPLICATION DETAI LS: • April 15, 2005 application deadline to begin program in September 2005 • Limited fellowships available • Contact Chris Kowalcky at 800-487-1167 for application materials FOR MORE I N FOR MATION VI SIT:

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Medjugorje visionary, witness to speak at North Falmout~ parish NORTH FALMOUTH - A Medjugorje evening of prayer will be held in St: Elizabeth Seton Church,on February 4.

Ivan Dragicevic ofMedjugorje, .one of several visionaries reporting daily apparitions with our Blessed Mother, and Arthur Boyle a Hingham father of 13 children, who reports he-was miraculously . healed of cancer, will speak. of the messages ofMedjugOlje. . The rosary will be recited beginning at 6 p:m., followe_d by Mass at 7 p.m. and the witness speakers at 8 p.m.

Since 1981, in the village of Medjugorje in Bosnia, Herzegovina, a-group of vision- aries have claimed that the Blessed Virgin Mary has been _appearing and-giving messages to the world through them.

Since the alleged apparitions began, millions of people of all faiths from across the world have visited Medjugorje seeking spiritual enlightenment'and healing.

- Dragicevic and Boyle were recently guests on Good Morning America last month as part af'its series on miracles.

Saint Anne's

Hospi~al

Clinical Pastoral Education Program is now offering an extended unit of

Clinical Pastoral Education February 7 - June 20, 2005 Mondays 8:30 a.m: - 4:00 p.m.

Clinical Pastoral Education (CPE) is'a learning process, within a supevised clinical setting, that helps theological students, ordained clergy, and religious and lay ministers develop greater competence in t~eir ~piritua~ roles. CPE is a means o~ supporting people in their ministry and of extending quality spiritual care and education Into an Integrated health-care setting.

For more information, contact: Ann Marie Lauzon at 508·674-5600, ext. 2060 Saint Anne's Hospital CPE program is accredited by the Association for Clinical Pastoral Education, Inc. and Vnitel! States Conference of Catholic Bishops Commission on Certification and Accreditation.

Saint Anne's Hospital carilas christi health care

795 Middle Street, Fall River, MA 02721 www.saintanneshos ital.o

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Friday, January 21, 2005

the living word

A difficult balancing act As the nation enters into Pre~ident Bush's second' term, America is in a different place than it was four years ago. , First and foremost, we are caught up in an impossible war. You · cannot manufacture a paper peace that will bring all the tribes to· gether as one happy family. History's lessons have not been learned.

The human toll cannot be measured; the drainage of resources is ever increasing; the national debt is becoming app'alling: SOnle, thing will have to give if we are to be ~t peace with ourselves, never mind the world family. . .The nation must take time to repair the fractures that have developed as a result offoreign policy. We have few friends in Europe. This should not be easily dismissed. Somehow mutual trust must be restored. The Western Alliance once more must become a healing priority..

We have a global society where new. forces are emerging which will indeed be of concern to America. India and China cannot be dismissed as a second-stringteafn. All things being eql,lal, it is seen that within another generation they will have a dominant iole to play on the world stage. They l1av~ the P9tential to affect much of American life. ., .

The war in Iraq has made us tum our heads away from our neighbors here in the Americas. Not too much attention has been paid to Central and South America. We must always consider them our · neighbors 'and not nodding acquaintances. .

And poor Africa. AIDS, genocide and rev9lution are devastating the continent. We know we cannot do everything for eyeryone. · However, we cannot tum our backs on· suffering and injustice.

The list of international difficulties and problems is ever growing. The same can be said for many domestic issues. American public education is in many cities and states at a crossroads. Too manY'are being left behind. Somehow we have forgottenthM-pouring money into problems does not provide needed solutions: SenatQrs, representatives and governors must pass remedial legislation that will effectively tum around the alarining trends that-permeate schools. Some of these f~ctors are of course beyond the schools themselves. The social difficulties of divorce and separation are . forcing schools to become parental in,stitutions. The war on drugs . has not yet removed drugs from the classroom. There are so many · negative elements affecting education. It sometimes is difficult to be positive. . . .

We also need to be aware' that a healthy America is -a good America. Too many citizens simply have no health insurance. The return of the charity wards.is inevitable. We know we c'annot have dollars for both bullets and butter so we should make a choice to .get rid of the bullets and bring the possibility of decent health care to ·all the people of t~is nation. We simply have to 'stop prici!1g Americans out of the care they need when ill.

This narrative might seem somewhat gloomy; yet the facts speak for themselves. As a nation we have a lot on our plate. There are many who have exaggerated possibilities and unreil1istic hopes.

However, our democratic system has proven that when times get tough, the tough get going. We may not be able to have the frills of life expectations, but we canhave the ideals to restore that which is basic and fundamental to our wayoflife. We cannot solve all die world's problems. Nor should we be a cause of problems for the world. To help the world family; we must have our Qwn house in order. Balancing the imperatives of the domestic ,and the foreign' will be a great challenge in the next four years.

.

.The Executive Editor

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OFFICIAL NEWSPAPER OF THE DIOCESE OF FALL RIVER Published weekly by the Catholic Press of the Diocese of Fall River 887 Highland Avenue P.O. BOX 7 Fall River, MA 02720 Fall River, MA 02722-0007 FAX 508-675-7048 Telephone 508-675-7151 E-mail: TheAnchor@Anchornews.org Send address changes to P.O. Box, call or use E-mail address

EXECUTIVE EDITOR Rev. Msgr. John F. Moore EDITOR

Oavtd B.• dollvet

NEWS EDITOR

James N. Dunbar

OFFICE MANAGER

Mart Ch.ase

THE MASS CHOIR OF ST~ FRANCIS XAVIER CHURCH IN BALTIMORE SINGS FOR MORE THAN

1,000 CATHOLIcS GATl-IEilliD'AT ST. PATRICK'S CATfIEDRAL ~N HARRISBURG, PA., JANUARY 16. THE SPECIAL LIT-URGY CELEBRATED AFRICAN-AMERICAN FAITH AND CULTURE IN OBSERVANCE'OF THE'BIRTHDAY OF CIVIL RIGHTS LEADER THE REv. MARTIN LUTHER KlNG JR., WHO WAS BORN ON JAN. 15, 1929. HARRISBURG BISHOP KEVIN C. RHOADES CELEBRATED THE MASS AND~AS THE HOMILIST. (eNS PHOTO BY CHRIS HEISEY,' C1THOLIC WITNESS)

"HATRED STIRS UP .

STRI~E,

BUT LOVE' COVERS.ALL TRANSGRESSIONS" (PROVERBS 10:12).

The children in the road Thirteen years ago I went to road, we go and yimk him out of jail fOf the first time, to interthe road instead of turnin'g our view a Pro-Life hero for a backs, going home and writing magazine I had helped to found to change traJfic patterns." in college.

I used Bill's analogy about Bill Cotter had been sen.: .saving children in danger during tenced to two-and-a-half years a conversation with a woman in in prison for the "crime" of ,October. I had preached on the sittingiq the doorway of a· moral responsibilities of Brookline abortion clinic to try Catholics with regard to proto shut down business for aday. abortion politicians and the Pro-abortion propaganda and election and soon after Mass she mainstream media often portray . called to complain about my Pro-Lifers - especially those who would do \ ----------whatBill did - as foaming-at-the-mouth fanatics who at any moment might hijack an airplane. Quite to the

By Father Roger contrary, Bill was a softJ. L~ndry spoken, humble, compassionate straight shooter who was as logical in his response to "politicizing the pulpit.", abortion as he was while I asked the woman politely if designing computer software for she shared the Church's teacha livirig. . . ing on abortion. She replied that He described what he did-as a she wa,s personally opposed to "rea~onable or even, in a way, abortion, but considered herself feeble response to mass murder: pro-choice, because she didn't It's a direct proteGtion of lives think it was right to tell other that are in imminent danger of women they couldn't choose to violence and death. The reasonhave one. When I tried gently to able response to killing in our address that issue, she intermidstis to stop the killing. It's rupted me and said, ,"With all not simply to object to it"or to the sexual abuse by priests, I' write to politicians to address .can't believe that you would theunderIying conditions, even talk about abortion in the although those things n~ed· to be pulpit!" done, too. If a child is in the , Priests, in general, are getting

Putting Into the 'Deep

used to people using the clergy sex-abuse crisis as an argument against any Church teaching they don't like. But I thought , that, since she brought the topic up, it might be an effective way to illustrate the flaw in' her position on abortion.

I told her it was precisely because ofthe sex abuse scandals that the Church couldn't be silent on abortion. . That got her attention. Then I respectfully asked her a few questions: "Do you agree that the evil'in the sex-abuse crisis was twq-fold: first, the sin and crime of the abuse itself; and, second, the sin of omission by all those . who knew it was going on and didn't do all they . could to stop it?" ''That's exactly right, Father.:' "Do you think the abuse would still have been wrong if tht; victim's parents knew about it and allowed it?"

"Of course!"

"And do you thirik that it still would have been wrong if the 'perpetrators, rather than abusing the kids, would have killed them instead?"

"Obviously ~ of course it would."

"Then, honestly, ma'am, I can't see how you can think the Tum to page six - Children, '

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Friday, January 21, 2005

the a~hob

They were just horsing around I feel like I've been given a I guess I've watched other cities second chance! We all have! revel in their championship glow In this space last week, I . for far too many seasons to lan1ented the fact that New believe, even after two Super Bowl England Patriots fans were about wins and a World Series triumph, it to be force-fed a dose of football reality by Peyton Manning and the highriding Indianapolis Colts.

I felt as if we had taken our world champs for granted, and I still feel that way, but much like

By Dave Jolivet Ebenezer Scrooge, we've been given new life to appreciate and enjoy professional football in ~anuary can happento us. (and February?).

Believing that were winners I told readers that not even and having confidence in our Albert Einstein could devise a plan teams is not something that's to stop the steeds from Indy coming easy for me, but after last because so many of the ponies in week's performance by the our barn were lame.

Patriots, I think I'm on the road to After years of watching Bill recovery. .Be1ichick perfom1 his pigskin What the Patriots pulled off last magic, you'd think I'd have week was nothing short of historic. . learned to have FAITH. Belichick and Company made Maybe it's because I've grown the mighty Colts look like Darby accustomed tolosing and disaphorses on a carousel, running in pointment being a life-long Patriots circles, bobbing up and down for and Red Sox f,m. our entertainment.

My View

From the Stands.

Critics were silenced and fans were amazed.

Next up - the nasty Pittsburgh Steelers ~ the team that destroyed us on Halloween night.

Can the Patriots stroll into Heinz Field in the Steel City and come away with a conference championship for the second time in three years?

With Coach Belichick at the helm, ~ommon sense says yes!

But,just in case, I'm picking the Steelers to win, considering my recent track record...

Belichick may be a genius, but maybe the Patriots' success lies in my prognosticating abilities. For all Pats fans, I can't take that chance.

Dave Jolivet, editor of The Anchor, is afonner sporn editor/

writer, and regulorly gives one fan's perspective on the unUjue world ofsporn.

Comments are welcome at dave;olivet@anchornews.org.

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.East Freetown parish is site of Holy Hourfor Vocations/ Respect ofHuman life EAST FREETOWN - The New Bedford Serra Club and the Respect Life Committee of St. John Neumann Parish are teaming up to sponsor a Holy Hour for Vocations/Respect.of Human Life event to be held at the church at 157 Middleboro Road, on January 24 from 7-8 p.m.

The evening will be led. by

John Polce, nationally recognized composer, singer, and speaker. .

Benediction of the Blessed Sacrament will conclude the evening. .

All are invited to attend this special event.

For more information call the parish office at 508-763-2240.'

MAINTENANCE MECHANIC· Earn $16.65/hr. after gO-day training period!

Experience working in a large manufacturing environment. 2nd and 3rd shift hours. available.

Full benefit package, inclUding health, dental, vacation, and .$1.00 shift differential. Must have some experience with using mechanical or electrical skills, Welding a plus.

Apply in person Mon-Sat 8-4:30 Gold Medal Bakery 21 Penn St., Fall River, MA

The Franciscans Immaculate Conception Province (OFM) Vocation Director: Br. Charles Gingerich, ofm Email: Charles848@aol.com Web Site: WWW.FRANCISCANVOC.ORG

1-800-521-5442 (days) 1-888-521-5442 (evenings) 978-863-0042 978-863-0041 (evenings only) FAX: 978-863-0172 USA· 459 River Road.

Andover, MA 01810·4213

CANADA 2210 Lawrence Ave. East

Toronto ONT. MI P 2P9

MORE THAN 300 parishioners of St. Peter the Apostle Parish, Provincetown, took part in an inaugural Christmas Breakfast, to thank' them for their faithful support and generosity.

Children from the Religious Education classes entertained with songs and stories. Members of the St. Vincent de Paul Society and Knights of Columbus cooked th.e breakfast. Below, members of the parish's Walter Welch Council, Knights of Columbus present a check for' $21,300 to be used for painting the interior of the church. Presenting the check to pastor Father Henry J. Dahl are, from left: Jim Meads, treasurer; Joe Maroon, Grand Knight; and Robert Russell, president of the St. peter's Club.

.Already broke yourNew lear's Resolution? . Start a Real One...Learn ''The Martial Way" .Friday, January 28th at McGovern's Restaurant 310 Shove S1., Fall River, Ma. 6-9 p.m.

You are invited to a seminar that will improve the quality ofyour life. Sensei Tim Gillett presents "The Martial Way, " a program designed to teach the Theories and Methods of the Martial Arts to be used in )!our everyday life. You will establish short-term goals with long-term results!

LEARN: Visual Meditation, Stretching, Relaxation, Utilization of Internal Power

NOTE: A special ceremony will be held for each person beginning the new journey using The Martial Way.

Reserve your spot now, call 508-678-0646.

Seminar fee is $25.

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Friday, January 21, 2005 '-

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brought back from World Youth

bed, watching her as she packS toD;1y in Francewhen she was 15.

' I've eXhorted and pleaded, and Elizabeth has made some progress.

But what are we going to do with all this stuff, this drawer full ofTshirts from rri~gful events, this "Bye Bye Birdie" poster signed, by the entire high school cast?

When they fIrst leave, it seems like they haven't gone at all and will~ bursting through the front, door for an after-school snack any minute. Only a permanently clean room convinces you they're gone.

Through the fIrst years of college, you let them keep their room much as they left it. They're usually there for-the summer

leave. From the CDpHiyer,Bob , S h e saved for a year for that Dylan sings th~t ballad of lost love, chance' to s~ the pope and Paris. ' "Girl Fromthe North,Country," as ' On the shelves, there she is in a Fatima Church, 4256 Acushnet Av. FALL RivER '"'7"" Ari information picture, a baby-toothed, threesession will be held Sunday from enue.' It will b,e led by Father Jay Elizabeth tiles to decide what to ' 1:30-3:30 p.m. for anyone iriterested Finelli and includes.Benediction of , take back with her to Philadelphia . year-old smile in the iriidst of her firSt, preschool class, there again and what to leave behind. in adopting a domestic newborn or a the Blessed Sacrament. in a gaggle ofseven-year-old , Like millions of parents, I am ' child born in a foreign country. Resoccer players, her dad the coach, ,NORTH DARTMOUTH - . watching a young adult, either,a freshments will be available. For more information call Catholic Social Ser- Father Jay,Maddock will' address , college student or areceilt , vices at 508-674-4681. ' 'the topi2 "Annulments,inthe Catbo- 'graduate, prepare to leave licChurch," at the January 31 meet- ' home mthe Jantiary days , HYANNIS":- St.'Francis Xavier' , ing of the Diocesan Divorced-Sep-~- , , after the holidays. ' Parish in Hyannis will have'a Pro- , rated Support Group: Ifmeets from~.E1iZabethhas too map,y , Lift: holy hour tomorrow' from 12- 7-9 p.m. at the Family Life Center, coats. I spy a nice red one , 500 Slocum Road. FOr,more infor-" flung across a trunk; 1 p.m.,AIlarewelcome; , , mation call Bob Menard at 508- 'facing rejection: "See for

By Effie Caldarola MISCELLANEOUS A. '973-2997. ' methll-tshe'swearing'a, weekend retreat for men, sponsored coat SC) warm,", sings, bytheFalmouthKllightsofColum-, , NORTH DARTMOUTH...;,.. Dylan Eight ' . , , , ' , anyway. bus,' WI'11 b e h' eId at the C a1vary R e- 'The' mu'','s',l'c,'al group Session , ..., Once I read an interview with' younger and with more haiT, But every year the room treat Center, Shrewsbury, February, will perforIn at the 3-N-1 'Coffee- , the Re~.'Billy Graham in which standing beside her. beComes a little less the center of 11-13. For more inforInation call house Saturday from 7-10 p.m. at' Mel Gonsalves at 508:548-5774. , ,the St. Mary's Parish Center. " thefamous evangelist was asked , Th~re's her frrst Comhwnion their orbit, a little more just a place whathad surprised him most about" ' picture, her high school joumalism they visit. ', NEW BEDFORD - The CourNORTH EASTON _ Inobser: life. "How fast it went," replied the . awards, the wooden shoes ,her Children stock their rooms ' 0 f th e,Yi'ear 0 f the E uc h"anst, " , octogenan·an. godfather, how dead, brought her with emotional mementos as if age Group will meet January 3,Oat vance 7 p.m. in the rectory of Holy Name ' a series of interactive presentations ' For me, nothing underscores ,from Holland. There neJl,t to a building their private fortr~sses of the Sacred Heart of Jesus Parish. about the Euchanst will be 9ffered life's rapid passage the way', ,'. dried flower froni a prom is the against the world, defIning , Courage' is a suppo~t group for onThursdaysfrom 7-8:30 p.m. be- Christmas vacation does, that brief crown she wore when she'was a themselves within their own four Catholic men and women who'are :ginning February 3 at Holy Cross, ' ititerl~de of maiic mid lights 'and " princess atsome high school event. walls. Then one day you realize ,'And there's florentine,artwork ' th'at the fort has been a~andoned, confronting same se~ attraction is- Family Ministries, 518 Washington" warmth iIi the midst of dreary , sues and who are striving to lead ' Street. Brother 'Joe Esparaza, 'CSC winter. And nothing interisifiesthat ' froina college, year in Italy. , and you, the'ga~ekeeper, have , chaste lives. For more information ,will, lead .it. For rriore information,' feeling like having a child who ' The room child leaves behirid been left alone. call Father Richard Wilson at 508-call 508-238-4095. ,"' drops in for the holidays and then is ail odd combination of nostalgia As Elizabeth shoves her last 992-9408. !drops bac~ out again. " ' a n d promise. When they leave, it suitcase into the haIlway, I tum off , . , ORLEANS":'" Aholy ,houno I s1:an the room. It i~ tiny; butit can,be nice to have the extra bed, the light We're heading to the NEW BEDFORD ~A study of pray for the sanctity of life will be encompasses the history of one but sometimes the room takes on airport. But fIrst I take a last look at _ ,the feel of a shrine, a shrine I'd like the room. It's still full of stuff. But- , the book of Genesis, presented by held following the 10 a.m. Mass young life. to cle;m out, though I don't really_ oddly enough, it feels utterly . Deacon David Pepin, will be held Sunday at St. Joan of Arc Church: , Draped across the wall above' Thursday evenings from, 7~8:30 The parish's Respect Life Commit-the mirror is the scarf El4<ibeth ' knowhow., " e.rnpty. p.m. at St. Mary's Parish. Meetings tee will sponsor it ' ,

the JFor ourrtey

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,~~~~~~~%~~~~~~~~~~~t;~if., WAREHA~~AsPart,ofitS TeenS'and the new'adult catechis'm help attendees unearth 'and c;ontem- centennial celebration, t4e Congreplate themes like the nature of God , andJthe coming of Christ, and his, Kingdom. For more information - call the Office of Adult Education at 508~678-2828.

gatiOn of the Sacred Hearts, is hosting a three-day retreat~at th~ Sacred Heiu:ts Retreat Center F:ebruary 11-,:, 13. The free-of-charge retreat will be led by Father David Reid and will connect the mysteries of. the ros.ary with their corresponding

As you'1,mow; the Roadkill the Right Answer" multiple-choice Theological Roundtable long has, , offering to'provide some backadvocated more focus on cat: , ground on the new adult catechesis of the adult Catholic echism. (Note: It is highly doubtful, population of the United States---:" 'you:will fInd these in the footnotes along with parts of Canada, .' of the new adult catechism.) Select . . ' NEW BEDFORD...;.. A Divine notably the border areas. ' the'correct defInition for: ' , Mercy Healing Night will be held Scripturalreadings;Formoreinfo~- " As part 01 that effort we have 1.."Recognitio::: ,January 28 at 7 p.m. at Our Lady of . mation call 508-9~3-24?5. ' ' issued Immberofout RTR multiple choice "C Is ,the Right Answer" Continued/rom page four ,catechetical quiZzes, , However, those cateehetical _' Church should be silent about She 'was silent for what ,effortli mightn6longer ~ abortion or how you can, in seemed like minutes. Then she I,lecessary, since the U.s. '" good cohscience, say that you're told me she would get back to ,bishops reeentlyvoted

By Dan Morris , pro-choiCe but personally me. I still hope she does., overWhelmingly in favor of opposed to abortion." , .

I repeat that conversation ' an official catechism ....-----------II~ She didn't say anything; so I here not to relativize .the horror' targeted for adults. 'fInished the point. ~'If abortion is of the sexual abuse of minors, It appe!1fSRTR also probably a) slang word meaning, ' , the killing of an innocent human but to put the horror, of abortionwiU curtail another major cat- , ", ':Quite superlative, thank you." beilig, then to do nothing to try' , ' - and the inaction of so many ,echetical project, despite the time " b) An Italian pastry. ' to stop that killing would be ju~t in resporise to it - in its proper ,and energy already invested in "An c) The official Vatican confIras bad as thinking that sex abuse perspective. Just as we should' Adult Knoek-KnockJoke Commation required to make the U.S. - is wrong and failing to protect, , have zero tolerance with " pendiumfor Catholics and Others ~hing document official. kids from the abusers." respon,se to sexual abus~, so we' Wtlling to Pay $19.95 for It." " 2. "Theotokos": ' "Are you saying' that pregnant 'should haye zero toleranc;e with It. is awondetful time for an a) Sumame for the seven-foot respect to the ultimate child, official adult catechism, although mothers are analogous to Seattle Sonic basketball player this does beg the que~tion, "Does abusers?" , abuse. Christ eJl,pects no less of who shoots almost 40 percent from , "No. The abortion doctors are us with regardto both. that mean we have to keep it away three-point range. ' Tomorrow marks the 32nd fromteen~agers?" analogous to abusers: But just as b) Study of the spirituality of ' sex abuse would still be wrong anniversary of Roe v.' Wade" , Wliile the bishops have not yet Mexican food. even if parents allowed it, so the -which put "unwante~r' children formally addressed this issue,we c): Qieek word used by the - killing of a child is wrong even in the road. : ' ,- , caI1 probably assume it is bestto Council ofEphesus in 431 A.D. to if the'parents allow it or choose May it aiso mark a heroic plan to make teens think of it as , ,state,that Mary, was truly the ' . new beginning for all of us in off-limits for them. This helps set, it. And no law lega~izing sex Mother of God, that she carried abuse or abortion could ever ' , striving to protect-and save up the dynamic by whicl;l they will him inherwomb.ln}p6rtant point make either right:": ' them; " , be sneaking the adult catechism, in conversations with Eastern-rite -I finished by using,Bill " Father La,!-dry is a p'aroc_hial into their bedrooms and'reading it churches.' , Cotter's analogy about children , -vicar ai St. Francis Xavier' " under the covers with a flashlight. , 3. "Creed":, " in the road. " Parish, Hyannis. , Anyway, here is an RTR "C Is a)A post-grunge roc!< band with

any

The offbeat world of Uncle Dan

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a style not unlike Stone Temple Pilots and Screaming Trees. b) The sound a computer , mouse makes when stepped uPon. c) The body of beliefs or principal articles of faith h(:ld by adherents of a given religion _ expressed in summary form. (The adult catechism has four main sections, starting with the creed'and then treating sacraments, moral life and prayer.)

4. "Angelus": a) A fIne powder left floating in the air after an angel sneezes. b) A term used, in geometry to describe violent collisions o(parallelograms and trapezoids. , c) On~ of the many (OK, it's 27) prayers taught and discussed in ,the fInal section of the new U.S. adult catechism. .

I know what Y0l;l are thinking.

Loss of the Knock-Knock ComPendium could be a major blow to many.'So, here's one just for the sake of it: ' "Knock, knock." _ ''Who's there?"

"Luke." , "Luke who?"

"Luke slJfPrised when you fInd your teen-ager reading the adult catechism with a flashlight under the sheets."

Commlmls are wekome. Email Uncle Dan at cnsuncleOl@yahoo.ciJm,

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Merton scholars upset by Dlonk's absence in upcODling catechisDl

By CAROL ZIMMERMANN CATHOLIC NEWS SERVICE WASHINGTON - A new catechism for adults, currently awaiting Vatican approval, has some scholars up in arms not over the actual text, but over what is missing.

Early editions of the upcoming "U.S. Catholic Catechism for Adults," which went through four years of writing and fine-tuning, led off with a section on Trappist Father Thomas Merton. But the Kentucky monk, who became well known for his best-selling autobiography, ''The Seven Storey Mountain," about his conversion to Catholicism, is not in the final draft of the catechism. Instead, the 456-page book begins with a description of the life of St. Elizabeth Ann Seton.

The replacement did not go unnoticed by Merton scholars who started a petition drive to get him back.

The catechism, which will be the first of its kind in the United States aimed specifically at adults, contains brief biographies ofsaints and other well-known people of faith, and is meant to be a complement to

the universal "Catechism of the for January 31, when the monk, who Catholic Church" issued in 1992 by died in 1968, would have turned 90.

Pope John Paul II. Erlinda Paguio, president of the Msgr. Daniel Kutys, deputy sec- International Thomas Merton Sociretary for catechesis in the U.S. ety and other Merton scholars are Conference of Catholic Bishops' concerned that the Trappist monk education department, said that dur- was rejected from the final draft not ing early consultations on the text just because of his gender, but in some suggested that it contained too part because of critics who quesmany stories about men and not tioned his explorations into Eastern enough examples of women. Thus religions at the end of his life.

Elizabeth Ann Seton was chosen to A December 2002 article in replace the Thomas Merton entry, Catholic World Report described he said, not only for her gender, but some of the adult catechism's inibecause she, like Merton, was a tial biography selections as "unforconvert to Catholicism. tunate models," particularly the late Thirty of the catechism's 36 Cardinal Joseph L. Bernardin of chapters are introduced by the story Chicago and late labor leader Cesar of a saint or a person of faith; the Chavez, who both remain in the firest are illustrated by Scriptural pas- nal draft. sages.

The article also questioned the A petition to Pittsburgh Bishop inclusion ofFather Merton, describDonald W. Wuerl, chainnan of the ing him as a "lapsed monk" who five-bishop editorial oversight board "later left his monastery, and at the of the catechism, is posted on the end ofhis life, was actually off wanInternational Thomas Merton Soci- dering in the East, seeking consulety Website at www.merton.om.As tations, apparently ofnon-Christian, of early January, the petition had .Eastern spirituality." more than 500 signers.

Msgr. Bill Shannon, a Merton The petitions have been sent to biographer and retired professor Bishop Wuerl in two separate mail- from Nazareth College in Rochesings and a third mailing is planned ter, N.Y., said the notion of Father

Is there music we shouldn't listen to?

Q. Your column has been a real help to my family for years. Now I have a question. I really enjoy listening to pop, rock and rap music. I enjoy the beats, but not the lyrics, especially in rap music. I know they promote some types of activities that go against our Catholic faith and religion.

This is the kind of music that a majority of teens listen to, but some of what I hear bothers me. I would appreciate your opinion on what I should listen to or not. Is there a Catholic answer to this? I want to live out my faith as well as I can.

(Illinois) A. Yes, 'I believe there is a Catholic answer, but it doesn't lie in some list of "forbidden" songs or lyrics. No one, not you, not even the Catholic Church, could make up such a list even if they wanted to.

That isn't the way we should approach moral questions like yours, which as you say are certainly serious. The music often flaunts, sometimes even promotes, attitudes and activities that can easily destroy our own lives and the lives of others.

You ask whether you should listen or not. I think you're the one who must answer that, with good common sense and some prayer. Do you feel the music or

lyrics are degrading? Do you find them pulling your mind and feelings into territory that you are morally and emotionally uncomfortable with as a good person? Do they draw you into ideas·and feelings that are harmful to the mental and emotional maturity you want for yourself and for others you care

Questions and Answers

By Father John J. Dietzen

about?

These are not academic or theoretical questions. They're very practical because they go to the core of what kind of a man or woman you want to be. I believe the fact that you wrote to me shows you're already asking them. Keep doing that, and be honest in how you answer yourself.

Q. Several months ago our sister died, leaving a large sum of money for Masses. We want to comply with her wishes, but how do we distribute these Masses and be assured they will be offered? (Ohio) A. Offerings for Mass intentions may be given to any priest, who is then obliged to

apply the Masses for those specific intentions. Parishes, monasteries and other Catholic institutions may also accept such offerings, committing themselves to having the Mass intentions fulfilled by priests connected with that institution.

In your case, with the large number of Masses desired, you may wish to distribute them among several parishes or individual priests. In fact, you may find it necessary to do that since no priest may accept more Mass offerings than he can fulfill or arrange to be fulfilled by others within a year.

Once a priest or Catholic institution has accepted the Mass offerings you give them, you need not worry about your requests being satisfied. Church law seriously obliges priests to satisfy all Mass obligations they have accepted and to do so in a timely fashion, certainly, as I said, within a year.

Afree brochure answering questions Catholics ask about receiving the holy Eucharist is available by sending a stamped, self-addressed envelope to Father John Dietzen, Box 325, Peoria, lL 61651.

Questions may be sent to Father Dietzen at the same address, or E-mail: jjdietzen@aol.com.

Merton turning to Buddhism or other Eastern religions was simply false. On the contrary, he said, Father Merton made the point of saying that anyone who wanted to be involved in religious dialogue had to be rooted in their own faith traditioris.

The Merton scholars agreed that if the Kentucky monk were alive today he would most likely laugh about the whole situation.

"He encountered a lot ofcontradictions in his life," Paguio said. ''This is probably just one of those contradictions."

Pope calls for end to U.S. embargo against Cuba VATICAN CITY (CNS)- Pope John Paul IT called for an end to the U.S. economic embargo against Cuba so that adequate conditions for the Caribbean island's development could be met.

The pope made his comments in an address to Cuba's new ambassadorto the Holy See, Raul Roa Kouri, as the diplomat presented the pope with his letters of credential}Q early January. ''The Holy See strongly desires that obstacles that hinder free communication and exchange between the Cuban nation and part of the international community be overcome as soon as possible," the pope said.

Ending the blockade would reinforce, "through respectful and open dialogue with everyone, the conditions necessary for real development," said the pope.

The United States has maintained a trade and travel embargo against Cuba since 1961 in an effort to topple the communist govemment led by President Fidel Castro.

In his address, the pope praised Cuba's progress in providing health care and education to its citizens, adding that the "Holy See considers assuring these conditions of human existence (to be) some of the pillars upon which peace is built."

Peace, "which is not just the absence ofwar," also involves the promotion of the full human person, fostering the "health and harmonic growth of the body and spirit" for all people, he said.

The pope, who visited Cuba in 1998, commended the country's strong sense of solidarity to people suffering from war, poverty or natu-

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raj disasters. He emphasized the need for greater religious liberty in Cuba, especially in easing the process required for foreign priests and religious to enter the country.

So that the Church in Cuba can continue to promote the common good of the people there, "it is desirable that, in an atmosphere of genuine religious freedom, (the Church) be able to maintain and expand its already existing links of solidarity with other sister churches," the pope said.

He asked that "priests and men and women religious who support the work ofthe Church in Cuba" and who are "in communion and harmony with the Apostolic See" be made available to help the Cuban Church.

The pope also urged allowing the Church to express its views in the public sphere as well as opening up dialogue with all Cubans.

"In every pluralistic society the Church presents her guidelines and proposals" that can differ from the viewpoints of others. These differences "do not have to create any type ofsocial contlict," but rather they can "foster more constructive and broader dialogue," he said.

The Church can contribute greatly toward the p·romotion of the family, the dignity ofthe human person, and building "a culture ofpeace, life and hope," he said.

Cuba has been accused ofhuman rights violations, including the jailing of political dissidents.

In his recent address, the pope called for "dialogue with all groups that make up the Cuban people."

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friday, January 21, 2005

New Jersey nun uses legal talents to serve the poor

By MAURA RossI CATliOUC NEWS SERVICE

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meant giving them shelter in their home.

POMPTON PLAINS, N.J. No wonder, then, that Sister The suggestion that "justice really is McSorley became a missionary to for all" is emblazoned on the bro- .Chile and a teacher in Harlem in chure of Cornelian Community New York. She speaks Spanish flu': Counselors Inc. ently and holds advanced degrees in The law firm was founded in theology and education.

Pompton Plains nearly 10 years ago In 1991, she graduated from Seby Sister Rosemary McSorley, a ton Hall University Law School, and member of the Society of the Holy in 1992 passed the New Jersey bar Child Jesus, to be a legal and advo- exam. cacy "voice" for some of the estiIn 1995, she began a new chapmated 250,000 New Jersey residents ter in her outreach ministry to the who every year need an attorney for poor, when she opened a small ofa noncriminal matter and cannot af- fice in the rectory of Our Lady of ford one.

Good Counsel Parish in Pompton Of that number, according to Plains, where she has been pastoral Philadelphia native Sister McSorley, minister since 1987. a nun for more than 50 years, only With her religious communitY's about 50,000 support, she qualify for legal started Cornelian aid services availCounselors, namable to those at the ing the firm in poverty level. honor of Mother "Who will speak Cornelia Confor the rest?" she nolly, an Episcosaid. pal EnglishThat's where woman who beshe and her Corcame a Catholic nelian staff come and founded the in with an affordSociety of the able "sliding Holy Child Jesus scale" of fees, or in England in the pro bono legal ser19th century. vices, for some In 1998 she 100 low-income was joined as a , .pariilerby another, individuals or families every \ 'religious ~ order . year since 1995. . lawyer; Sister It was in recog.

Margaret Welch, a nition of that deSISTER ROSEMARY Sister of Charity cade of commit- McSorley,·· a member of the of St. Elizabeth ment that last fall Society of the Holy Child who is a 198 L Sister McSorley Jesus, is a legal advocate for graduate of . received the Mor- some of the estimated quar- Rutgers UniverrisCountyBarAs- ter-million New·Jersey. resi- sity Law School sociation Pro dents who each year need an .. and a'~ember of Bono/Commu- attorney for a noncri!l1inal the New Jersey Service matter and cannot afford one. and ~ew York nity Award. Those at- (CNS photo b.y Richard bars.Slst~rWelch tending the . stayed WIth Corawards event in Sokerka, The Beacon) nelian until 2003, Morristown gave when she became her a standing ovation. a counselor of her order and its secSister McSorley had been sirni- retary. , larly honored when she'received a As it haS from the start, a large Paterson diocesan Catholic Charities part ofCornelian.'s practice involves family-law - domestic abuse, diCaritas award for service in 1999.

The Morris County bar award vorce and postdivorce matters such "recognized and appreciated" her as child custody, visitation rights and "selfless dedication and commitment financial arrangements, as well as the to helping those in need: the poor, problems ofsenior citizens, said Sisthe disadvantaged, the underprivi- ter McSorley. leged, the disenfranchised in our There is, also an 'emphasis on owncommunity." counselingclients and helping them Sister McSorley is the youngest solve their problems before bringof a Philadelphia lawyer's family of ing in the law. . . ,.

14 children. Three of her sisters also.

The· idea is not to . turn people became nuns. FoUr brothers became ,against each other, she said, but "to priests, and one of them became a work to bridge gaps and bUild greater bishop, now serving in the Philip-' understanding while resolving the pines. issues that broughtthem to us in the Her father, she said, passed along first place." to his children the idea that "poverty Increasingly, too; ·people with means death. Those who die from it immigration problems find or are die frOm lack of food, shelter and referred to Cornelian counselors. medical care. That comes from him, Counselors meet with clients not me," shetold The Beacon, news~ privately, accompany them to paper of the Diocese of Paterson, meetings at various ,agencies, N.J. '. ' m a k e phone calls, write letters She recalled that her father's con- and, when necessary, represent cern for the poor and alienated 9ften them in court.

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MERCY SISTER Marie Henderson touches up the wax molding of a statue of Catherine McAuley, foundress of the Sisters of Mercy, before it is sent to a Kalamazoo, Mich., foundry to be' cast in bronze. (CNS photo by Robert Delaney, Michigan Catholic)

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Mercy sister and sculptor ·focuses on foundress· . ,

"By ROBERT DELANEY.

' CATH'OLic NEWS SERVICE"'"

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allowed'McAuleylo start Henderson,said. , _ A bronze casting of '-Sister the'instituti'on thatwotild later .'

DETROIT Sisters of becOlpe' th~ ~j§te~s of Mercy.' 'Henderson's 1983 sculpture was.

Sister Henderson said she has : made in 1987. Since, then Sister Mercy-s'pon'sored institutions across the Unifed States and been inspired by McAuley's mes- Henderson has 'made 70 more Canada have turned to a De!:roit sage that people deserve "dignity bronze images of McAuley':""" member of their'congregation for and respect, regardless of their three-quarters standing statues,: 'sculptures of their foundress, economic status, and of care· for busts, table sculptures.and relief the poor, in particular women and sculptures. She has also done a Catherine McAuley. version of McAuley wearing a' : It all started 21 years ago ::-"'" children.",' One problem that presented it- habit. and two years befo're Marie In addition, she has done Henderson entered the local self was the very basic one of what . Mercy community. As. an art McAuley looked like. Photogra-, etched crystal sculptures and w~­ teacher at Mercy High School in phy was just getting started when tercolors of the foundress. the Detroit ,suburb of Besides McAuley, she Farmington Hills; she was . - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - has sculpted Frances Warde, asked'to do.a sculpture of "I really felt like I knew her pretty the first Mercy sister to ' McAuley for a lobby area ' well. We have a lot of the (letters come to the United States, and she has done other sub- , at the all-girls scho<;>l.

In ", learning about and other writings) of Catherine jects as well. A bronze relief McAilley in order to do the McAuley, and when you read about 'of St. Thomas More hangs sculpture, Henderson devel- her you know sh,e was both a fun- outside the St. Thomas More Chapel in the Michigan oped a great admiration- loving person a,nd Vety spiritual," .

Catholic Conference buildand liking ---: for the ing in Lansing.

Irishwoman who was And for St. Joseph moved by. compassion to gather. . other women together to serve the she died in 1841, and there are no Mercy Hospital-Macotnb.in ... 0" poor in early 19th-century Dublin. known paintings or sketches from Clinton Township, she has done a large sculptural piece that in- , "I really. felt l*e' I. knew her life. ' pretty welt We have a lot of the . "All we have isa description cludes Warde, St.Elizabeth Ann (letters and other writings) of of her, but that description is mar- Seton, Blessed Teresa, of " ,Catherine McAuley, and when velously detailed - right down to Calcutta, Nelson Mandela and you read about her you know she her, square fingertips," Sister Angiican Archbishop Desmond Tutu. was poth a fun-loving 'person and Henderson said.

And she is open to receiving :-, very spiritual," Sister Henderson, Using that description, she de55, told The Michigan Catholic, picted McAuley as she might have commissions to do other saints or newspaper of the Detroit Archdio- looked in 1828, three years before worthy historical figures. "Being cese., ' she formally founded the Sisters a member of the Sisters of Mercy, She said McAuley was greatly of Mercy. has made a real difference in the . influenced by the Quaker tradi- , "She really didn't want to be- development of her artistic career, ' . tion, having worked as caregiver come it sister, but she did it so the she said: "The support I've re- . for a Quaker woman during her, work would. continue. She went ceived'from other women with a decline and fincH illness. In fact, to the Presentation Sisters to serve similar, view about how the world she said, .it was the money that her novitiate, and founded the Sis- could be, and should be, has been woman's widowed husband left ters of Mercy in 1831," Sister wonderful."

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Friday, January 21, 2005

Jesuit's AIDS research combines his love for medicine, Church

By JULIE BOURBON CATHOLIC NEWS SERVICE

DEACON GEORGE Reich baptizes Christopher Jack Guarnieri in the presence of parents Patricia and Thomas Guarnieri at St. John Nepomucene Church in Bohemia, N.Y., in May last year. Pope John Paul /I offered a special prayer earlier this month for all children baptized the previous year. (CNS photo by Greg Shemitz, The Long Island Catholic)

Religious have r~sponsibility to live GQspel, congress speaker asserts .,' By KRISTINE CRANE CATHOLIC NEWS SERVICE

ROME - In today's complex' world, men and women religious have a responsibility to live according to the Gospel, said participants in an international conference of members . of religious orders.

"It's not an abstract living of the Gospel. It's about reading the times as Jesus would, with compassion and the promotion of life for all," said U.S. Immaculate Heart of Mary Sister Anne Munley.

Sister Munley, director of programs and social mission for the International Union of Superiors General, told Catholic News Service, "The world is .crying out for the passion of Christ."

"In a globalized, fast-paced world, our calling is to remember that we are rooted in contemplation and prayer and not . get caught up in the business world," she said.

Sister Munley was one of about 850 men and women religious from 130 countries and 500 religious communities who attended the recent, first International Congress on Consecrated Life in Rome. The congress was organized by the union and its male counterpart, . the Union of Superiors General.

Congress participants drafted a three-part document that addressed the difficulties

of consecrated life, emphasized the examples' of Christ and the good Samaritan, and outlined seven virtues needed for consecrated life: intensity, hospitality, nonviolence, freedom of spirit, creativity, tolerance and simplicity.

The unions represent about one million men and women religious throughout the world.

Although the number of religious continues to decline, Spanish Marianist Father Jose Maria Arnaiz, congress president and secretary of the Union of Superiors General, said the focus was on "quality of witness and commitment to evangelization" instead of numbers.

Greater collaboration among the congregations and within the Church - is an important goal, he said.

"We want a stronger dialogue with all of the components of the Church: the bishops, the Holy See, the associations and movements, because we have common objectives," Father Arnaiz said.

The role of men and women religious is also changing, with an emphasis on "expressing a charism" rather than on work accomplished, Father Arnaiz told CNS. Terrorism poses a particular challenge to living the Gospel, speakers said.

British Dominican Father Timothy Radcliffe, a keynote speaker, told the congress that

the Sept. II, 200 I, terrorist attacks on the United States are "a symbol of how distant is our global village from the kingdom in which all of humanity will be at home."

Sister Munley told CNS that September II reinforced the role of men and women religious in working toward peace.

"Religious people have extended themselves as bridges to try to make a type of reality where radical hospitality helps create a home for all of God's family," she said.

In a written message to the congress, Pope John Paul II reminded men and women religious of this mission.

"Throughout the centuries, love for others - especially the most defenseless, the young and children, and those who have lost the sense of life and feel rejected by everyone - has inspired consecrated men and women to give of themselves without reserve," the pope said.

"Consecrated life must make itself caretaker of a patrimony of life and 'beauty capable of satisfying every thirst ... and fulfilling every desire of joy . and love, of liberty and peace," the pope said.

This idea of the boundless embrace of humanity reflected the congress' theme, "Passion for Christ, Passion for Humanity," Father Arnaiz said. "Religious life ought to be "at the service of humanity."

WASHINGTON - For Jesuit Father Mike Vjecha, overseeing one of the largest AIDS studies ever conducted combines the best of his two worlds - being a priest and a doctor.

He is executive coordinator of the Strategies for Management of Anti-Retroviral Therapy Study, or SMART Study, which will track 6,000 infected patients over an eight- to nine-year period.

Funded by the National Institutes of Health, the study is being conducted through the Community Programs for Clinical Research on AIDS. CPCRA, as.it is known, is a community-based clinical trials network whose main goal is to obtain evidence to inform health care providers and people living with mv about the most appropriate use of available therapies.

"It's the largest randomized study in HIV treatment to date, the longest and most expensive HIV trial that NIH has ever funded," Father Vjecha told the National Jesuit News magazine in an interview in his office at the VA Medical Center in Washington.

The study compares two strategies for treating people with my.

Current treatment consists of suppressing the virus through a continuous supply of drugs. Another strategy is called "drug conservation," or giving drugs only intermittently. With this method, enough medication is given to prevent opportunistic infections but it is stopped when immune cell counts are at a high enough level.

How did a Jesuit who speaks French, Spanish and German and is familiar with eight other languages ranging from Swahili to Pidgin end up at a VA hospital conducting an AIDS study?

In 1976, after graduating from the College of the Holy Cross in Worcester, Mass., with a degree in philosophy, Mike Vjecha applied to medical school and to the Society of Jesus.

Both applications were accepted. He deferred admission to Case Western Reserve

University's School of Medicine in Cleveland to enter the novitiate.

For the next three years, among other things, he volunteered with the Missionaries of Charity in Calcutta, India; taught high school algebra, biology, philosophy and theology; and interned as a hospital chaplain.

After getting his master of divinity degree in theology at the Jesuit School of Theology at Berkeley in California, he completed his residency in internal medicine and a fellowship in infectious diseases.

While at Berkeley, he spent summers working in medicine.

His work took him to Makerere University in Kampala, Uganda, where he organized a study on tuberculosis treatment in HIV patients.

After five years in Uganda, he went to Goma, Zaire, now the Democratic Republic of Congo, as the American Refugee Committee's country director and medical coordinator.

In Goma, Father Vjecha worked at a camp for Rwandan refugees who had survived the 1994 genocide in their country. In 1996 most of the refugees trudged home in a massive repatriation, but 1,200 malnourished children were left behind, abandoned by their families.

Before returning to the United States, the priest spent time in Kenya, Burundi, Guinea and Iran.

After a stint in pastoral ministry, he worked on Africa and AIDS issues as a consultant to the Office of Social and International Ministries at the Jesuit Conference in Washington.

As executive coordinator of the NIH study, Father Vjecha works with study leaders in the United States, Australia, London and Copenhagen, Denmark. The study will be conducted at 350 treatment sites in 30 countries, with more than 150 of them in the United States.

"Even though it's in the secular world, its scientific aims are wholly consonant with the faith and justice aims of the Society (of Jesus)," he added.

World Day for Consecrated life FebrlAory 6,J005

Pray for Vocations

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Friday, January 21, 2005

"eNS video reviews NEW YORK (CNS)- Thefollowing are capsule reviews of this week's DVD and video releases from the Office for Film & Broadcasting of the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops. Movies on video have a USCCB Office for Film & Broadcasting classification and Motion Picture Association of America rating. These classifications do not take into account the extra content of DVD releases, which has not been reviewed. ''Basic'' (2003) Unsatisfying military thriller in which an ex-Army Ranger (John Travolta) and a prickly Army captain (Connie Nielsen) must try to unravel the truth behind the Panama jungle deaths of a hated Special Forces sergeant (Samuel L Jackson) and four trainees under him, while two survivors spin an elabor~te series of stories" about what happened.

Director John McTiernan's macho action flick takes a "Rashomon"-like approach to the narrative, but the dozen characters, murky visuals and constant plot twists eventually become tedious. Recurring violence, much rough language and intermittent profanity. The USCCB Office for Film & Broadcasting classification is A-N - adults, with reservations.

The Motion Picture Association of America rating is R - restricted.

(Columbia/TriStar) "Coming To Say Goodbye: Stories of AIDS in Africa" (2002)

A heartrending overview of the AIDS pandemic on the African continent which contains fully threequarters of the world's AIDS cases.

Interviews with dedicated priests, AIDS educators, social workers and nurse practitioners offer first-hand testimony on a tr;lgedy for whose victims there seems to be little hope, except for the comfort offered by those who minister to them. Focusing on two cities - Nairobi, Kenya, and Dar es Salaam, Tanzania- the film chronicles mothers and fathers, sick and helpless, too weak to work or take care of their children, most with death looming as a virtual certainty, and not even medicine to relieve th~ir pain, sickly orphaned children, and rampant poverty most poignantly illustrated by stories of children who'go to bed hungry. This is tough viewing to be sure. Time and again, the importance of AIDS education, the need for the drug companies to make their lifesaving" medicine affordable, and the world at large to help Africa rebuild its economy are stressed. John Ankele and Anne Macksoud's film is supplemented with a "Give Me , Hope" music video, a study guide, Internet links, and a list of organizations for more information on AIDS and Africa. This AFRUSAIDS/Maryknoll Productions documentary is mustcsee viewing for anyone who wants to understand the terrible devastation there, and anyone indifferent to the crisis until now will find the film a real eyeopener. (www.m3l)'knolln1all.o~ or 800-227-8523) ''Eternal Sunshine of the

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"Spotless Mind" (2004) Cleverly conceived and executed love story about an introverted loner (Jim Carrey) who has all his memories of his former girlfriend (Kate Winslet) erased from his brain after learning that she had recently undergone the same procedure, only to discover midway through the operation that he still loves her and ends up fighting to retain precious recollections of their relationship. Despite an intentionally convoluted s<;:ript, director Michel Gondry crafts an ingenious and emotionally resonant film -" buttressed by a subdued, againsttype performance by Carrey about regret and the value ofmemories in defining our personality. ImMI"CHAEL KEATON stars plied sexual encounters, fleeting Universal) rear nudity, some drug content and " recurring rough and crude sexual language, as well as profanity. The USCCB Office for Film & BroadNEW YORK (CNS) - In the casting classification is A-III schlocky supernatural thriller adults. The Motion Picture Associa"White Noise" (Universal), tion of America rating is R - reMichael Keaton does Haley Joel stricted. (Universal) Osment one better: He hears, as ''The Medallion" (2003) Pointless martial-arts comedy well as sees, "dead people," or at about a Hong Kong cop (Jackie least those soon to be dead.

Similarly, anyone watching this Chan) who is endowed with superparanormal potboiler will be able human powers by a sacred amulet to see and hear an actor whose cain order to protect its young guardian from a madman bent on using reer is soon to be dead, that is, if the talisman's powers for his own he keeps choosing films like this evil designs. Failing to satisfy view- one.

Keaton plays Jonathan Rivers, ers' adrenal glands or funny bones, this kung-fu clunker, directed by an architect who has it all: a beauGordon Chan, hangs a series of in- tiful (second) wife, Linda creasingly tedious chopsocky fight (Chandra West), a baby on the way sequences on a threadbare narra- and a successful business. But all tive, which, despite Jackie Chan's that changes when Linda goes gravity-defying feats, offers few missing and is found dead several thrills. With action violence and days later. Jonathan is unable to some crass humor and double cope with the pain of his 'loss.

Soon thereafter, he is apentendres. The USCCB Office for Film & Broadcasting classification proached by a mysterious, but is A-IT - adults ~d adolescents. The sympathetic, stranger (Ian Motion Picture Association of McNeice) who claims to be receivAmerica rating is PG-13 - parents ing messages from Linda's spirit. are strongly cautioned. Some ma- Jonathan is skeptical at first, but terial may be inappropriate for chil- after a doubt-dispelling demonstradren under 13. (Columbia/TriStar) tion, is quickly converted.

He becomes obsessed with con''Troy'' (2004) Epic-scale rendering of the Tro- tacting Linda through "electronic jan War, loosely based on Homer's voice phenomenon," a process ''The Iliad," which chronicles the which purports to use household siege and eventual sack of Troy by an invading Greek army, beginning with Paris (Orlando Bloom) spiriting away Helen (Diana Kruger) from her husband, King Menelaus of Sparta (Brendan Gleeson), and culminating in the Greeks using the infamous wooden horse to seal the fate of the doomed city. While crowded with clashing armies, director Wolfgang Petersen's demythologized retelling of the ancient tale is, at its core, an It~' ~'I()'Viile intimate story of two soldiers, the ItaIIV~Ulllle~ near-invincible Achilles (Brad Pitt) and his valiant Trojan counterpart, NEW YORK (CNS) - The folHector (Eric Bana),'which, though lowing are capsule reviews of movset amid a sweeping sword-and-san- ies recently reviewed by the Office dal spectacle, remains grounded in for Film & Broadcasting of the U.S. human drama. Much intense battle- Conference of Catholic Bishops. field violence and several implied "The Assassination of Richard sexual encounters with partial nudity.

Nixon" (THINKFilm) The USCCB Office for Film & Fictionalized fact-based drama Broadcasting classification is A-ill set in 1974 about a sad-sack sales- adults. The Motion Picture As- man (Sean Penn), pushed over the sociation of America rating is R edge by personal and professional restricted. (Warner Bros.) failure, who decides to make his

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in a scene from the movie "White Noise." (eNS photo from

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'White Noise'

devices like TVs and VCRs to static blasts to cover up the corny communicate with the dearly de- dialogue.

The unwieldy script makes alparted. The messages received are cryptic and generally quite concise mostno sense at all. "White Noise" (calling rates from the great be- also includes a peripheral serialyond must, understandably, be ex- killer subplot which only adds to the narrative confusion. And orbitant).

However, Jonathan's ill-advised though his gory handiwork is attempts at surfing the "necronet" shown for the most part in fleeting result in unforeseen consequences flashes, some viewers may find the and uninvited guests from "the images of his tortured victims disother side," including a trio of per- turbing.

The movie keeps the door open nicious poltergeists.

Unfortunately it is the actors on to a sequel - now that's scary "this side" who don't exhibit much by closing on a scene where a life. Most of Keaton's performance garbled and ghostly voice chaninvolves little more than close-ups neled through a car radio sounds of him arching his eyebrow in be- like its saying "I'm sorry," a sentiwilderment - a feeling viewers ment which, given the 101 minutes which preceded it, ought to be diwill undoubtedly share.

The basic concept of the film rected to the audience.

The movie contains some raises some interesting eschatological questions about the frightening episodes and grisly afterlife, but most of "White crime images, an attempted suiNoise" is just that. cide, an instance of rough lanThe story is as insubstantial as guage and a few crass expresits spectral spooks. Director sions. The USCCB Office for Geoffrey Sax tries to distract view- Film & Broadcasting classificaers with hokey horror sequences tion is A-III - adults. The Mothat are more silly than scary and tion Picture Association of migraine-inducing sound effects of America rating is PG-13 - parstatic interference from snowy TV ents are strongly cautioned. Some screens (thus, the title). It is a . material may be inappropriate for shame that Sax didn't time the children under 13. presence felt by attempting to do in New Orleans about a wayward what the title say~ by hijacking an teen-ager- (Scarlett Johansson) who airplane and crashing it into the moves into the house left her by her White House. Though many view- late, estranged mother, only to find ers may feel its tone and subject it occupied by two of her mother's matter are too bleak, the film, writ- friends: a former literature professor ten and directed by Niels Mueller turned drunkard (John Travolta) and anchored by a bravura perfor- haunted by past sins, and his young mance by Penn, paints a chilling protege (Gabriel Macht), both of portrait of despair, and through its whom reform their broken lives to exploration of the dark side of the help her reclaim her future. As diAmerican dream tries to offer a rected by first-timer Shainee Gabel, deeper understanding of what the uneven film is weighed down by would drive a "normal" person to too much Southern schmaltz, but has such extreme acts. A scene of some good performances and imgraphic violence, sporadic rough parts an ultimately redemptive mesand crude language and profanity. sage about family and forgiveness.

The USCCB Office for Film & Alcohol abuse and recurring rough Broadcasting classification is A-ill and sexually crude language and -adults. The Motion Picture As- humor, as well as some profanity. sociation of America rating is R- The USCCB Office for Film & restricted.

Broadcasting classification is A-ill "A Love Song for Bobby Long" - adults. The Motion Picture As(Lions Gate) sociation of America rating is R Lazily paced triangular drama set restricted.

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By JERRY FILTEAU WASHINGTON - The Center for Applied Research in the Apostolate said Mass attendance by selfidentifying U.S. Catholics "remained fairly unchanged" between 2000 and 2004 despite the clergy sexual abuse crisis that intervened.

In a report released January 10" the Georgetown University-based independent Catholic research agency said there is a long-term decline in Mass attendance by Catholics, but that trend "is best explained by generational change and not any large segment of the Catholic population changing their patterns of Mass attendance."

CARA said it has conducted 10 national polls between September 2000 and September 2004 in which people who identified themselves as Catholic were asked a variety of questions, including, "Aside from weddings and funerals, about how often do you attend Mass?"

In September 2000, 33 percent of the'respondents said they attend Mass "at least once a week." In September 2004, 31 percent gave that response. In the intervening polls, five produced -responses in the 32-34 percent range and three produced responses of 35 percent or higher.

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Research center reports Mass attendance steady in recent years CATHOLIC NEWS SERVICE

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39 percent saying they attended at least weekly in February 2002 and 35 percent in May of that year came as the clergy sexual abuse scandal in the Church was making almost daily headlines in the . nation's newspaperS. When the responses of those who attend Mass less than weekly are factored in, the average proportion of Catholics attending Mass on any given weekend rises from the average 31-34 percent range of weekly participants to about 40 percent, CARA said.

The number of Catholics CARA polled in each survey , ranged from a low of 498 in May 2002 to a high of 2,083 in February 2002, but most of the polls reached about 1,000 Catholics, giving a statistical margin of error of about three percent.

CARA researcher Mark M.' Gray said, "There is not evidence that the Mass attendance of younger or older Catholics changed after allegations ofclergy sexual abuse entered the news.

However, stark generational differences in Mass attendance are evident." , In the September 2004 poll, .CARA found that among Catholics born before 1943 - labeled "pre-Vatican II" because they came of age before the Second Vatican Council in the early 1960s ~ 52

percent said they attended Mass at least weekly and 21 percent said they did so once or a few times each month.

Among the "Vatican II" generation - born between 1943 and 1960 and coming of age in the years of the council and its immediate aftermath - self-reported weekly Mass attendance dropped to 38 percent,'with another'28 percent saying they attended once or a few times each month.

CARA has broken the adult postconciliar generations into two groups, those who were ages 3143 at the time of the September 2004 poll and those who were 1830 at that time. Among those ages 31-43, only 22 percent said they attended Mass atleast weekly, and 39 percent said they attended once or a few times a month. Figures were slightly lower - 21 percent' weekly and 35 percent monthly or more - among those 18-30 years of age. , "Pre-Vatican II generation Catholics grew up in an era where deliberately failing to attend Sunday Mass or other day of obliga-. tio.n, without good reason, was quite clearly communicated as a mortal sin," Gray said. "For the Vatican II and post-Vatican II gen~ erations this has not been emphasized to the same degree."

Citing Gallup polls over many

years, CARA said Mass attendance in a given week apparently peaked at 74 percent.in 1957-58, gradually declining to about 41 percent in 1997, then spiking briefly to a new peak of 52 percent in 2000 before falling back to 40 'percent in 2003.

Gallup routinely asks people whether they attended church or

synagogue within the past seven days - a phrasing that would give a higher number than CARA's question about attendance at least weekly, since positive responses to the Gallup question would include a portipn of those who attend one or more times a month and a smaller portion ofthose who attend iess often. '

Parish 'spantry goes 'takeout,' delivering food to area po~r

PATERSON, N.J. (CNS) - No The pantry is named after room or not enough staffat your par- M~anna Thompson, the Paterson ish for an eat-in soup kitchen? diocese's communications director.

To feed'the poor in its neighborOne day she was speaking with hood, Our Lady of Lourdes Parish Father Sella and Sandra Giannetti, in Paterson solved space and per- Our Lady of Lourdes' social justice sonnellimitations by going "take- director. The pastor aired some of out" - opening a food pantry that his concerns about the prospect of delivers much-needed groceries operating an eat-in soup kitchen. He right to clients' doorsteps. noted a lack of spac:e for tables, the On a chilly December morning, need for crowd control and the difthe parish dedicated its new pantry ficulty in getting volunteers to serve - called Marianna's Cupboard ~ food and clean up. Thompson gave which will provide food hassle-free Father Sella the suggestion that put to the hungry poor it serves. the food pantry project into motion: Clients fill out a simple applica- "Do takeout!" , tion, after which pantry staff mem"I responded, 'Brilliant!'" said . bers visit their homes to determine Father Selia, who was quick to whether they can help the families praise Thompson for her suggeswith other needs. Then, twice tion. monthly, the parish's Knights of Dedicated to helping the area's Columbus will deliver the food to mostly Hispanic immigrantand poor 'the clients' homes.

African-American population, Our "A food delivery service allows Lady of Lourdes has finished the first these parish families the privacy ,phase ofits community outreach pr0they deserve and also benefits those gram with the completion ofthe panwho are disabled, elderly or have . try. In February, parish leaders hope young children," said Father to start a second phase: a takeout Donald Sella, Our Lady ofLOurdes' soup kitchen, nestled in a back room pastor, of the new pantry. "We need of the pantry. to treat the needy with reverence In Our Lady of Lourdes'Parish, and dignity."

51 percent of the faith community The pantry's shelves are stocked is made up of "working poor" with. bread, cereal, rice, pasta, tea underemployed people who are and other items. A new refrigerator "getting by" by working several WASHINGTON (CNS) - A week. The rest, 19 percent, said of the respondents expressed con- holds perishable items such as milk. jobs without benefits. Often, they survey of Catholics who regularly they attended Mass "almost once cern that the cost of settling clergy The new facility, in a refurbished cannot find permanent jobs, Father attend church shows a growing a week." child sex abuse cases would harm building, replaces the pantry the Sella said. . ''Poverty is hitting home here in concern about'the Church's finanThe surveY'was made public the Church's ability to conduct its p~sh ran in the church basement. cial ability 路to fulfill its mission last week. Its margin oferror is plus mission. This was up 10 percent In his many years of serving the Paterson," said Giannetti, a member because of the costs related to the or minus 3.8 percent. from a similar FADICA survey poor and immigrants, Father Sella of the parish for 58 years. ''We can't clergy sex abuse crisis. noted that most pantries were not change the whole world, but we can The survey also reported that 14 conducted in 2002.

Greater financ,ial accountability, . run well. change our little comer of the world The crisis has also increased the percent of those questioned had "It bothered me that people stand here in Paterson," she added. desire by Catholics in the pew for decreased their parish contribu- in general, by Church officials was The dream of the pantry began greater Church accountability on tions and 19 percent had decreased favored by 70 percent of the re- on line often in a very public place financial issues, according to the their donations to national Church spondents, up five percent from a to receive food. How humiliating!" last fall, when Our Lady of Lour路 survey conducted by telephone collections because ofthe crisis. At similar survey in 2002. A higher . he told The Beacon~ Paterson's di- des began renovating the building during the first half of December the. same time, eight percent had number, 76 percent, said that each ocesan newspaper. "It bothered me that now houses the pantry.

The project was made possible increased their giving at the parish diocese should give a full account- .that the elderly and the infirm were 2004.

"Clearly, nearly three years af: level and five percent had upped ing of the costs related to the sex路 unable to come because of illness entirely by ~onations ofmoney and or lack of strength to carry grocer- materials from individuals and busiter the clergy abuse scandal broke, their donations at' the national abuse crisis..

Sixty-one percent of those sur- ies. Food was often thrown away, nesSes, said Father Sella, who noted one of the lingering elements is that level, it said. parishioners are still not content These findings of decreasing veyed favored yearly independent sold, stolen or otherwise failed to . that the renovation cost slightly more than $3,000. with the financial stewardship of donations by some and increased audits ofChurch finances at all lev- reach the people most needy." the Church," said Charles E. Zech, giving by others tend to offset each . els. That number was down from economics professor at Catholic- other regarding dollar figures, the 66 percent reported in 2002.

PRACTICE THE DEVOTION OF THE FIRST SATURDAYS, . Francis Butler, FADI~A presirun Villanova University near Zech said in his analysis.

AS REQUESTED BY OUR LADY OF FATIMA They are "consistent with some dent, said the continued upswing Philadelphia and an. expert in national tallies that reported a de- in calls for greater accountability Church-giving patterns.

On December 10, 1925, Our Lady appeared to Sister Lucia Zech helped draft the question- crease in the number of givers at by regular churchgoers is impor(seer of Fatima) and spoke these words: "Announce in my naire and wrote the analysis ac- . each level while dollar giving hastant becaul'ie they are the backname that 1promise to assist at the hour ofdeath with the graces remained fairly constant," he said. bone of the Church's financial companying the survey. necessary for the salvation oftheir souls, all those who on the first However; when asked what support.

The survey was sponsored by Saturday of five consecutive months shall: , Foundations and Donors Interested single issue had the "greatest imEfforts need to be made to 1. Go to confession; 2. Receive Holy Communion; 3. Recite the Rosary (5 decades); and 4. Keep me company for 15 minutes while in Catholic Activities in Washing- pact on your decision to support broaden parish donor involvement meditating on the 15 mysteries ofthe Rosary, with the intention of ton. Known as FADICA, it is a the Church financially," eight per- in Church financial life, said Butmaking reparation to me. " consortium of private路 organiza- cent of the respondents listed the ler in an introduction to the survey In a spirit of reparation, the above conditions are each to be tions providing funds to Catholic sex abuse scandal. The most fre- findings. preceded by the words: "In reparation for the offenses "Creating a culture of trust and organizations and programs. quent answer, given by 41 percent, committed against the Immaculate Heart of Mary." was "recognition that the Church transparency will not occur withZogby International conducted the Confessions may be made during 8 days before or after the survey of 803 self-identified needs my contribution." 1\venty out deliberate attention to the way first Saturday, and Holy Communion may be received at Catholics, of whom 81 percent said percent listed the economy. in which the Church engages its either the morning or evening Mass on the first Saturday.

The survey said that 65 percent donors," he said. they attended Mass at least once a

Survey: Catholics worried that sex abuse costs curtail Church work

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Friday, January 21, 2005

Bishop Skylstad, in, Holy' 'Land, calls Palestinian election 'h'istoric' "

By JUDITH SUDILOVSKY

and. what is important is to con-, tinue working toward peace," JERUSALEM - Bishop Wil-' said Msgr.Fay. ' liam S. Skylstad of Spokane, · Though Palestinians were out , Wash., president of the U.S. Con- voting, there was a "degree of ference of Catholic Bishops, wariness" about whether the called the Palestinian election election would have any effect on January 9 a "historic day" for the the future, he said. ,.

Palestinians. .

Bishop Skylstad said early Former Palestinian Prime morning voting in East Jerusalem.

Minister Mahmoud' Abbas was appeared minimal, but 'Iater in declared president of the Pales- · Bethlehem the turnout appeared tinian Authority. , to increase.

Abbas won 62.3 percent o.f the Balloting in East Jerusalem vote; pis main challenger, inde- took plac~ at post offices. Israel pendent candidate Mustafa called the votes "absentee baf-' Barghouti, won about 20 percent. lots" to avoid any appearance of The remaining five candidates. Palestinian sovereignty over 'scoredin low single digits, The Jerusalem. .

Associated Press reported.

Carr said the day was "full of FISHERMEN STRUGGLE to pull a boat out of mud at Point Kodiyaaharal in Ir:ldia's Tamil "The electIons might mark a expectation and skepticism as to Nadu state recently. The Vatican has called for a special meeting of the Apostleship of the new day for people who are look- the road forward." ing to\\iard the future with hope," Bishop Skylstad agreed and Sea in an effort to respond to the needs' Of thousands of fishermen left destitute by the said Bishop Skylstad, who was said, "We picked up a mix of. December..26 tsunamis. (CNSphoto from Reuters) . in Jerusalem at the invitation of (emotions) all the way hom skepthe bishops in the Holy Land for ticism t6 hopefulness.'? He added an annual meeting on the prob- that people in the Holy Land need lems faced by the region's Chris- "peace and freedom." . tians..

The U.S. delegation was "We wish them the best. We ,joined by Archbishop Brendan need to continue to address (the O'Brien ofSt. John's, New-:,

By CAROL GLATz the equipment they need tomake a some fishing families that have issues) with prayer and hope as foundland, president of the CaCATHOUC NEWS SERVICE living, the archbishop said. managed to work since the tsunawe look to the future in s.olidar- nadian bishops' conference, and "We would like to do something mis cannot sell the fish they catch, ity with people here," Bishop Msgr. Mario Paquette, general VATICAN CITY ~Inaneffort secretary. to respond to the needs of thousands concrete for them and ,answer their reported UCA News, an Asian Skylstad said. . church news agency based in ThaiAlso attending the conference ,- The delegation met wi th Latin of fish,ermen left destitute by the requestS," he said.

On February 2, the Apostleship l:j.nd. Many people are refusing to Were Msgr. William P. Fay, gen- Patriarch Michel Sabbah of December'26 tsunamis, the Holy eral secretary of the bishops' con- Jerusalem and with Archbishop See called for a special 'meeting of ofthe Sea's special fishing commit- eat fish and other seafood from tsuference, and John Carr, secretary Pietro Sambi, Vatican nuncio to the Apostleship of the Sea in late tee will meet in Rome to further the nam~-hit areas for fear that the fish goals set in1ffe January meeting, h~ave been contaminated by the hu.of the.U .S. bishops' Department Israel and the Palestinian territo- January. '·'We want to give not just what man corpses dragged out to sea. of Social Development and · ries. Delegation members' were National' and regional World Peace. scheduled to meet with Israeli Apostleship of the ,Sea represeilta- they had, but to create something In India's Kerala state, where The group observed voting at and Palestinian officialS as well .. tives from six of the 12 countries new," and 'somehow improve their seafood has been a large part of two polling sites in East Jerusa" as tour Bethlehem University and affected by the t,sun~s planned to' quality of life, the archbishop said. people's diet, many are turning lem'and two in Bethlehem''-'West . several Catholic schools and in- attend the meetmg ill Rome. As of Though some fishermen have their backs on seafood. Some resBank, where they also celebrated stitutions in B~thlehem. They' January 12, a date for the meeting been left traumatized by the tsuna- taurants have removed fish items mis and perhaps fearful of the sea, from their men\l. the lack of deMass at a Melkite Catholic ·also planned to travel to Naz:j.- had not been set. , church and met with local parish~ reth to visit the Catholic commuTogether witli members of the Archbishop Marchetto said there mand for fish also has driven prices nity there.

Pontifical Council for Migrants and are those who immediately want to down. ioners.

"The hope would be that the In the Catholic fishing settlement The Church officials also were Travelers, the apostlesh!p represen" get back to work. . determine what concrete, .' "What is astonishing to me is the of Valiyathura, wholesaler Palestinian people would see this, scheduled to meet with represen- tatives as an opportunity to clarify for tatives of Catholic agencies in the help they can' offer,affected fishing hope that rises once again in people Mohammed Haneefa said before .'. communities in India, Indonesia, Sri even after a disaster of this size, that . the tsunami city markets sold about .themselves what is impoitarit, Holy Land. ' Lanka, Thailand, Malaysia and people survive, recuperate,. start 20 tons of fish a day. Now s'ales Bangladesh, ' , again and want to wi.n the eternal amount to less than a ton per day.

'Millions ofpeople have been left battle 'against the bad things that "This has never happened behomeless by the deadly tidal waves, happen in life," he said. , fore. A fear psychosis is gripping with people belonging to fishing However, in southern India, the people," he said. communities'along the coastliries of the Indian Ocean being the hardest · hit. . .The Apostleship of the ~ea, ' which operates under the Pontifi- . cal Council for Migrants and Travelers, is an international network-of .chaplains and volunteers who serve "the pastoral and'social needs of seafarers and'their families.

Fishermen "already represent the poorest sector of the apostleship," said Archbishop Agostino Marchetto,secretary of the Pontifical Council for Migrants · and Travelers.

Often "they are not treated very . , well'~ and "operate outside of ordi- . nary labor laws" and protections, he PALESTINIAN CANDIDATE Mahmoud Abbas holds his · told Catholic News Service.

AN INDiAN tsunami survivor walks past fishing' boats at a ballot before voting in the West Bank city of Ramallah. Abbas fishing hamlet in Nagapattinam, India: Many fishermen in Many in the fishing cOmllunity has promised to revive a peace process with Israel ~fter years who managed to survivethe tsuna- !ndia h~lVe lost their livelihood as their boats were damaged of bloodshed. (CNS photo from Reuters) mis lost their homes, vessels and all or destroyed by the tsunamis. (CNS photo from Reuters) CATHOLIC NEWS SERVICE

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and take notice.

"At a time when changes are expected through the nomination to membership on the Supreme Court, our Pro-Life prayers and thoughts. extend to a renewed possibility that legalized abortion might be rescinded," Desrosiers stated.

"We know that Norma' McCovey, the original plaintiff in the Roe v~ Wade case has converted, become staunchly ProLife, and in the past few years has made known she wants her case reopened and overturned," Desrosiers stated. "It's the same for Sandra Cano, the plaintiff in the sister case of Doe v. Bolton, who also wants her case reopened and the decision overturned.".

"There has been an absolutely tremendous support for the ProLife Apostolate in the diocese, this year," she said. "The demand has increased for educational programs - such as chastity, a variety of Pro-Life issues arid for Project Rachel's post abortion counseling services - and we cannot meet the requests we receive from the parishes and have turned down requests because we do not have the personnel."

The interest in forwarding ProLife "is also shown QY the 400 people this year - a record number - led by Bishop George W. Coleman, who will be heading to Washington," Desrosiers noted.

Several diocesan priests will also be making the trek.

Jean Arsenault, office manager for the Apostolate, is the project

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director for the Washington March.

"There are approximately 330 representing the diocese's youth element heading for Washington and they will be coming from our four Catholic High Schools: Bishop Connolly in Fall River, Bishop Feehan in Attleboro, Coyle and Cassidy in Taunton, Bishop Stang in North Dartmouth, . as well as a contingent from Holy Family Parish in Taunton," Desrosiers reported.

"It is a real pilgrimage and includes sacrifice and prayer from these teen-agers and young people who do a lot of walking in the cold and don't get much sleep. But they are very supportive, and they never complain."

The adult contingent is comprised of parishioners from across the diocese.

Desrosiers said that all the buses will leave from points in the diocese on Sunday morning, January 23 and head to Washington.

"We will all gather at the Basilica of the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception and join thousands for an 8 0' clock Mass Sunday night celebrated by Cardinal Theodore E. McCarrick, archbishop of Washington," she reported.

"The. inspired congregation is always way beyond the capacity of the basilica and television sets . are placed in various areas to broadcast the Mass," she said.

"Over the years the numbers have increased greatly.

"Our diocesan group has probably hit the capacity for the hous-

Continued from page one

Father Harrington said in a recent interview with The Anchor.

How did September 8 become so prominent for their family?

"The Sisters always mark their anniversary by the day they entered the religious life, and the September 8 feast day is the day the Sisters of Mercy. always had as their entrance day," Father Harrington explained.

"And it was fortunate that . when I was to enter the seminary, itwas on that day as well."

On the feast day in 1957, Patricia M. Harrington left to enter the convent, and a year later, Father Harrington recalls he entered St. Thomas Minor Seminary in Bloomfield, Conn.

Kathleen A. Harringtonjoined the Mercy Sisters in 1962 and two years later - also on September 8 - Sheila M. Harrington became a novice in the Mercy Sisters' convent. .

Currently, Sister Patricia is in the mathematics department at Bishop Feehan High School in Attleboro. "She has been there for 34 years and is very much involved with young people," Father Harrington reported.

Sister Kathleen'is the director of the John Boyd Child Day Care Centers in Fall River.

Sister Sheila is at St. Mary's

Academy, Bay View in Riverside, R.I., and teaches Spanish. She had served for several years in the .missions in Honduras.

And the pastor was quick to note that there is another Harrington sibling, Kevin G. Harrington, a captain in the Fall River Fire Department.· "Married, he is one who has given the family its grandchildren."

"Both of our parents lived to see the four of us enter the religious life" Father Brian recalled. · "Our father, Patrick J. Harrington, died in 1987 and our mother, Evelyn A. (Towers) Harrington, died in 1998."

Asked whether the religious vocations came from within shared family life, Father Harrington said, "Yes, it would have. · It was indeed the beautiful faith given and sha~ed with us from their persoI:!!lel witness .~. and from our grandparents as well."

But he also pointed to the inspiration "from the Sisters of Mercy who touched our lives so · in such a wonderful way, so much so that I wanted to become a reli,gious Brother. But God had other plans for me. " Father Harrington was ordained a priest for the Fall River diocese byBishop James L. Connolly on May 29, 1967. After

ing we can arrange for in Washington," Desrosiers noted. '''We are especially gratefUl for those who host our young people during their stay." , She said the adult track or group will be st1ying at the Hyatt Regency·in Washington. The youth track will stay in genderseparated housing at two locations: the young women at Pope Paul VI High School in Fairfax, Va., while the young men will be accommodated at St. John's Parish in McClean, Va. On Monday, January 24, following breakfast, there will be a rally and youth Mass at the MCI Center between Seventh and Sixth streets. The rally begins at 9 a.m., and will feature Catholic Recording Artist Steve Angrisano, with Father Stan Fortlma and the "Who Do You Say I Am Band."

The Mass, at 10 a.m., will find Bishop Coleman and diocesan priests among the concelebrants.

Afterwards the crowd will proceed to the rally at the National Mall, and at noon the march up Constitution Avenue begins; finishing at approximately 4:30 p.m.

The youth group will immediately return to their buses at Union Station and begin the approximately eight-hour ride home, arriving back in the diocese about 3 p:m., depending on weather conditions.

The adult group will remain in Washington until Tuesday morning, and following an 8 a.m., Mass in the basilica, return home to the diocese.

SISTER HELEN Prejean, a death penalty opponent and author of the best seller "Dead Man Walking," chats with a reporter after delivering a lecture on the evils of the death penalty at Our Lady of the Miraculous Medal Church in Wyandanch, N .Y. Sister Prejean, a member of the Sisters of St. Joseph of Medaille, recently completed her second book, "The Death of Innocents: An Eyewitness Account of Wrongful Executions," recently released. (CNS photo by Gregory A. Shemitz, Long Island Catholic)

Death penalty foe sees hope in fewer death-row cases

By CAROL SOWA CATHOLIC NEWS SERVICE

SAN ANTONIO - Sister Helen Prejean, well-known for her opposition to capital punishment, told a San Antonio audience she sees signs of hope because there are fewer death-row cases today than ever before.

But she noted that "Texas is standing out more and more in its stark contrast to the number of executions it continues to do," she said, "even as the rest of the country is starting to put it away, the' machinery of death."

Just hours before the Sister of serving as parochial vicar at par- . St. Joseph of Medaille addressed ishes in Taunton, Attleboro, a crowd at Travis Park United Norton, and New Bedford, he was Methodist Church, Texas Gov. named pastor of St. Francis of Rick Perry handed down a lastAssisi in New Bedford in 1984; minute stay of execution for pastor of St. Patrick's in Somer- Frances Newton to allow 120 days set in 1988; and since 1993 has for the retesting of evidence in her been pastor at St. Julie's. case.

No doubt the Harrington famThe Louisiana nun is author of ily was faith-filled. "My father's the award-winning book "Dead parents were from Ireland and my Man Walking," which was made mother's parents were from En- into a movie starring Susan gland. Faith was all they had. We Sarandon and Sean Penn. Her secgrew up in Presidential Heights, ond book, "The Death of Innoa housing project in New cents: An Eyewitness Account of Bedford's North End. We at- Wrongful Executions," has just tended Holy Name Parish and we been released.

In her talk in early December, went to Holy Name Grammar School and also Holy Family High she wondered "what has happened School." with religion and, especially, While all played a part in help- Christianity" when followers of ing discern vocations, "I think it Jesus uphold the death penalty. was the Mercy Sisters who played When Jesus was executed by the the greatest role," Father Har- state, she said, he did riot exhort his followers to seek vengeance, but rington said.

The siblings took time from counseled them "never to let hatred parish and school responsibilities overcome love, never to return hurt to gather at Sister Kathleen's resi- . for hurt, pain for pain."

Noting it took 400 years for the dence in New Bedford for Christsymbol of Jesus' execution, the mas.

"It was so good to be together, cross, to be embraced by Christians and we realize how blessed our as a symbol of redemption and lives have been," Father Har- he~ng, she related the story of the rington related. "And because of little cross she wears around her that we understand how good, how neck.

"There were two brothers, important it is for us to encourage Patrick and Eddie Sonnier," she othe~s to religious vocations."

said, "who were found guilty, convicted and sentenced to death for killing two teen-age kids." The murders were "a terrible, unspeakable horror," she said.

Eddie Sonnier later admitted that while both had brutalized the victims he had been the one who actually murdered them. To no avail, he pleaded to the governor to spare his brother's life.

"Eddie got life and Pat got death," said Sister Prejean, who gave spiritual guidance to Patrick Sonnier and walke9 with him to the death chamber.

"I accompanied Pat, and I also have been accompanying Eddie, that night and ever since," she said.

Earning only pennies an hour for his prison work and selling plasma to earn more, Eddie Sonnier paid a fellow inmate to make the cross Sister Prejean wears. It is inset with its green plastic "stones."

The cross has become "a symbol of the journey that we have to take as Christians on this mission," she said.

"One arm of the cross is the victim; the other arm of the cross is the perpetrator," she explained. Sister Ptejean ministers to both. She is a founder ofSurvive, a victims' advocacy group in NewOrleans, and she counsels death-row inmates.

To those who say that they are not political, like she once did, Sister Prejean pointed out that "if we're doing nothing to change our society, it means we are accepting the status quo- and that is a very political position to take."

She concluded, "We call for a new day. We're here tonight because we are hoping to build the new society. And it's formed according to values."

She urged her listeners to write their legislators and to sign petitions on tables in the church lobby calling for a moratorium on capital punishment.

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the~路

Friday, January 21, 2005

THE CONFIRMATION class from St. Kilian Church, New Bedford, enjoyed a recent retreat led by Deay(;>n Bruc~ Bonneau ,at Cathedral Camp, E,ast Freetown. They are instructed

by Joan Barcellos. ,'. " , .. . '"

'PRE-K, STUDENTS Emily Carreiro and Aaron Catarina . from Espirito Santo School, Fall River, portray the Holy Fam". ily at a recentschool gelebration.

STUDENT COUINCIL officers fo'r the 2004-2005' school year at Bishop Stang High School, No.rth Dartmouth, from left: Alex D()nnely, secretary; Michael Celone, treasurer; Emily Babbitt, vice president; and Carlos Fari~s, president.

PARENT VOLUNTEER Lisa Hart helps students from St. Mary's School, Mansfield, make .fleece scarves for a recent service' project. T~e event teamed fourth- and second~graders to measure, cut and create scarves. More than 50'scarves were donated to area shelters.

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OFFICERS SERVING their class since tastfall at Bishop Stang " . , . , ' ' SIXTH- AND SEVENTH-GRADE students from St. Joseph-St. Therese School, New High School,. from left: Lauren Wicket, vice president; Dominic DeMello; president; Alex Martin, treasurer; Allie Reilly,'.secretary. , Bedford, r,ecreate a "still~life" Nativity during their'~nnual Holiday Songfest. .. ~

Friday, January 21, 2005

Surviving students anxious about schools opening with classmates dead, missing CUDDALORE, India (CNS) - Murugan is anxious about the reopening of his school after the extended closure that began as Christmas vacation. He said he does not want to sit in class without his friends.

The 13-year-old boy was playing cricket with friends on the beach of Southkoppa, their village in Tamil Nadu, when a tsunami struck the southern Indian state's shores December. 26.

The village has counted 22 children among its dead - more than half were Murugan's classmates, reported UCA News, an Asian church news agency based in Thailand. Many others are missing, since many children, like Murugan, were playing India's most popular sport on the beach when the waves hit.

Murugan sat expressionless near a heap of clothes on the ground. He showed no interest in picking out any new clothes. Similarly, when vehicles carrying relief materials whizzed past, he did not run after them like the other children. All he mumbled was that he was scared of going to school.

Not only children but teachers are anxious about the reopening of school in the coastal districts of Cuddalore and Nagapattinam, two of the most devastated areas in the state.

"How can we call out their names and note absences in the attendance register?" asked Sister A SRI LANKAN girl arrives at Sudarma College recently Lourdu Mary, headmistress of for the first classes since the Indian Ocean tsunamis hit the Nagapattinam's Little Flower kincoastal city of Galle, Sri Lanka. A new term at the school dergarten school. Wiping away started with 400 children absent; some of them were killed tears, she said her school alone and some displaced by the December 26 tsunamis. (CNS must have lost more than 200 children. According to official estiphoto from Reuters)

mates from the Nagapattinam district office, the tsunamis killed 879 boys and 866 girls in the district.

International agencies e~timate that children accounted for nearly one-third of the more than 150,000 people killed in nations around the Indian Ocean. In some places, almost an entire young generation has been wiped out.

However, members of Sister Lourdu Mary's congregation, the Franciscan Sisters of Our Lady of Bon Secours, and other people in the coastal stretch have not stopped searching for missing children.

"Every day I search for my children in camps, I pray for the missing ones. Yes, I am scared of that day of school reopening," Sister Lourdu Mary said.

The schools in the state were to reopen January 2, but no schools in the devastated coastal belt could open because they have been serving as emergency reliefcamps. The government moved the reopening day to January 10, then January 17, although some private schools reopened January 10.

Even after schools do reopen, teachers and students will need time to cope with the "missing gaps" in the classes, Father M.A. Melchias told UCA News. The priest, who heads a team of relief workers in Nagapattinam, said Catholic dioceses in the area are making "elaborate arrangements" to deal with the psychological needs of the children and the teachers. ' More than anything else, children require counseling, which will be the immediate focus, Fa-

ther Melchias said.

Three Church-run schools serve the Nagapattinam parish area along the tsunami-ravaged coast. Many of the 800 children enrolled at St. Anthony's, a middle school, remain missing.

V. Arokiam, a Caritas India official supervising relief works in the area ofthe Thanjavur Diocese, which covers the area, told UCA News his Church social-welfare organization has made provisions for the continuing education of children in affected areas.

Some of the boys escaped the waves.

One of them, Karlhik, 16, is bruised all over his body from being knocked about in the water, but he is eager to go to school.

"I'm afraid of the sea now, I will never make fishing a profession," said the boy, who lost his sister and father in tidal waves. He told UCA News that he "wants to study and become an officer."

As Suresh, 12, in Cuddalore deals with his family'S tragedy, the reopening of school poses a practical problem.

"How can I go back to school?

I don't have any books, uniforms or school bags," he said.

When told the government would provide all those things free, he asked, "Can they give back my sister and my friends whom I don't see now?" Then he turned away and walked to a pile of debris, all that remains of his home.

The state government said it plans to have every orphaned child adopted, besides providing them with free education. It also has formed a fund to give financial aid to the orphans when they tum 18.

After the tsunamis: How we felt, what we did Bv KAREN DIETLEIN CATHOLIC NEWS SERVICE Statistics aren't usually violent. They're supposed to be clean and cold; used in the service of rational, scientific pursuits.

However, statistics figure differently when we're dealing with the calculus of disaster, when every addition and multiplication contributes to a feeling of horror.

One September morning three years ago I felt a visceral grief and helplessness when the Twin Towers were attacked, killing thousands. Now, I'm feeling the same thing, only my eyes are turned toward South Asia and the victims of the tsunamis. This time the death toll is almost incomprehensibly high.

I heard a doctor talking on the radio about the devastation in the

hardest-hit areas such as Indonesia and Sri Lanka. In places, whole families and entire villages were wiped off the map by a set of tidal waves that arrived at a top speed of 500 miles per hour.

These aren't cold statistics, they're violent statistics! I felt strange and sad, wanting to do something but wondering how much I actually could do from a world away.

Crushing waves eviscerated whole buildings and dumped fishing boats miles inland from their seacoast harbors, eliminating both home and livelihood for millions of people.

Pictures can show the horrors better than words ever can. One Internet news gallery informed American readers that "viewer discretion is advised." What was behind that sober black-and-

white statement? Mass graves, rows of plastic-wrapped bodies and funeral pyres.

I think that we all wondered how to process the statistics and images - wondered how we

Coming of

Age should feel and what we should do. Our world is at once shrunken and frighteningly huge: - We were able to see footage of the disaster just hours after the event occurred.

- Yet, many of those affected, at the time of this writing, were still cut off from aid.

The woman weeping on the

evening news spoke a different language but looked like my down-the-street neighbor.

I think teens understand this paradox particularly well.

Everywhere I've seen, teens are working to try to understand what's happened in South Asia in more ways than simply numerically. For example, a girl wrote in her Web log about efforts to help a local man she knows who may have lost family, and a boy in front of me at Mass yesterday morning rustled in his pockets for a while and donated his allowance to contribute to the special collection for tsunami victims.

I think they felt the same thing: an inner need to see that something is done to tum statistics into faces, to contribute to stopping the rise of the casualty list in what little way

they could.

In a world where teens often are portrayed by the media as greedy, selfish consumers, it's an opportunity to stand up for and invest in what they truly can be: caring, loving people concerned with their neighbors, no matter where they live.

Maybe that's one way we can work through this calculus of disaster and counter - through concern, kindness and understanding - the horrible feelings we get when facing bare, cold statistics. We can grieve for people we don't know, and we don't have to remain completely helpless.

It won't change the content of the photographs, but it can help to create ties between countries and communities so that those photographs never will have to be taken again.

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Pope asks adults to support young people's prayers about vocations VATICAN CITY (CNS) Many of the young people Pope John Paul II met and encouraged to follow God's call in the early days of his pontificate are priests,. nuns and parents today, he said.

After having prayed about their own vocations 20 or 25 years ago, he said, it is time for them to support a new generation in discovering God's plan for their lives.

In his message for the 2005 World Day of Prayer for Vocations, the pope said that throughout his 26-year pontificate he has met young people filled with happiness and enthusiasm; "but also thoughtful, because they were conscious of a desire to give full meaning to their lives."

"Young people need Christ, but they also know that Christ chose to be in need of them," he said in the message released January 8 at the Vatican.

The theme for the 2005 day of prayer, to be observed April 17 in most countries, is "Called to Put Out Into the Deep."

The theme is taken from Jesus' words to St. Peter and the disciples, encouraging them to set out again and cast their nets after a night of unsuccessful fishing.

"The command of Christ is particularly relevant in our time, when there is a widespread mentality which, in the facoe of difficulties, favors personal noncommitment," Pope John Paul said.

But through prayer and the intimacy with Christ that prayer brings, he said, comes awareness

that "he is also present in moments of apparent failure, when tireless effort seems useless, as happened to the Apostles themselves."

"It is especially in these moments that one needs to open one's heart to the abundance of grace and to allow the word of the Redeemer to act with all its power," the pope said.

Pope John Paul promised young people that he constantly supports them with his prayers as they try to discern whether God is calling them to married life, the priesthood or religious life.

The pope prayed that God would "give zealous and holy priests to every part of his flock."

'He also offered prayers for priests, religious and catechists who have been entrusted with the task of helping young people STUDENTS FROM St. Anne School, Fall River, display food items they collected. From progress on the path to holiness. left: Brenda'n Meahan, Ryan Santos, Kyle Moniz, Amanda Cook, Courtney Perreira, Alysha "When adult Christians show Mello, Chelsea Souza, Corry Chace, Ethan Pettenati, and Shantel DaSilva. themselves capable of revealing the face of Christ through their . own words and example, young people are more ready to welcome his demanding message, stamped as it is with the mystery of the cross;" he said.

FALL RIVER - Children from at: Catholic Social Services, 1600 Mark's Church, 125 Mason Street.

Pope John Paul ended his mesfive Catholic schools here have Bay Street; Church of the Ascen- Approximately 500-600 meals are sage with a prayer that Jesus would "waken in the hearts of taken it upon themselves to help sion, 147 Purchase Street; and St. served at the three sites each week. ~""-; young people the desire to be wit- make a difference for those in need nesses in the world of today to the by helping collect canned goods for the Greater Fall River Commu. power of your love."

"Fill them with your spirit of nity Soup Kitchen.

It's a project students have been fortitude and prudence, so that they may be able to discover the involved in for several years. They full truth about themselves arid collect donations throughout the school year according to President their own vocation," he prayed.

Veronica Urban. "It's nice to have their help and it teaches children the importance of helping people," key source for local, national said Urban.

Schools participating in the food .and international Catholic news collection are: St. Anne's School, February is Holy Name School, St. Michael's School, Notre Dame School and Catholic Press Month SS. Peter and Paul School.

THE ST. MICHAEL'S School, Fall River, Student Council There are three soup kitchens helps box up food. From left are: Shana Hilario, Luis Cruz, in the Fall River area. The first SUBSCRIBE TO Ryan Cabral, Caitlin Ponte, Joel Normandin and Colin Lundy. opened in 1982. They are located

Catholic students help community soup kitchens

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This Message Sponsored by the Following Business Concern in the Diocese of Fall River GILBERT C. OLIVEIRA INSURANCE AGENCY

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THE CHOIR from St. Mary's Church, Mansfield, sings during a recent winter concert.

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