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Celebrating Catholic Schools Week

Diocese of Fall River, Mass.

Friday, January 22, 2016

Diocesan students’ test results top national average — page 2 Pro-Life Apostolate continues fight against ‘Great Tragedy’ — page 3 Updated website chronicles life of beloved Rosary Priest — page 4 Students from Bishop Connolly High School in Fall River

The Anchor - January 22, 2016

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Diocesan school students achieve higher than national average in SAT, Iowa Assessments testing

By Dave Jolivet Editor davejolivet@anchornews.org

FALL RIVER — It’s no mystery that our nation’s young people are bombarded with distractions, a relaxing of moral standards, and a culture that stresses the individual rather than the community.

With so many bumps in the road on the journey to a meaningful, faith-filled life, it makes it all the more remarkable that Catholic school students across the country, and specifically in the Diocese of Fall River, are successfully swimming against the tide, overcoming the obstacles and becoming valuable members of the Church, family and community at large.

It’s also no secret that

the Universal Church is experiencing reduced Mass attendance and reception of the Sacraments.

“A recent book entitled ‘Lost Classroom, Lost Community’ (Margaret Brining & Nicole Garnett, University of Chicago Press, 2014), describes how Catholic schools are important not only to the students and families they serve, but to the entire surrounding community,” the superintendent of schools for the Diocese of Fall River Dr. Michael S. Griffin told The Anchor. “The authors note that Catholic schools add dimensions of order, stability, and safety to the neighborhoods and civic communities in which they are located. Other recent studies have also demonstrated the vital role Catho-

lic schools play in building life-long connections to the Church, confirming that

Fall River diocesan schools strive to teach young people the faith and to challenge them academically, never straying from their Faith Formation, as evidenced by this young student at St. Mary’s School in Mansfield during a recent Christmas pageant.

those who attended Catholic schools are far more likely, as young adults, to attend Mass and receive the Sacraments.”

One can’t help but think about how much Catholic schools have kept the faith fire burning in younger generation Catholics.

Griffin also said that in the Diocese of Fall River, “The academic achievement to which our schools aspire each day is demonstrated in many ways, including high school SAT scores 149 points above the national average (1639 in the Fall River Diocese as compared to 1490 nationally and 1552 in Massachusetts). Similarly, the average score of our elementary school students on the Iowa Assessments was the 66th percentile well

above national averages.

Academic expectations are also reflected in a college attendance rate approaching 99 percent of diocesan high school graduates.”

Griffin further told The Anchor that the state of the diocesan schools at the halfway point of the current academic year is “very good.”

In keeping with the ever-changing technological world, diocesan students are right there on the cutting edge of utilizing the Internet’s powerful and almost limitless information sources.

“Each of our schools, in one way or another, is taking advantage of the good things and tools the web has to offer,” he said. “While we strive to keep our students up-to-date with the latest technologies, we also realize that we must teach them and warn them of the dangers social media can present.

“Students are limited to what they can access on the web at school, but it doesn’t end there. We also teach them of the potential Internet dangers when they are not in the school environment, and we also inform the parents as well.

“We mustn’t ever forget that a large part of the Catholic school mission is to develop our students morally — ensuring that they can handle themselves socially by being respectful and adhering to the teachings of Jesus.”

Technology may be an important aspect of school life in Fall River diocesan schools, but it is far from the only focus.

Griffin said the fundamentals are the core of what teaching is all about. “We Turn to page 12

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The Anchor - January 22, 2016

Pro-Life Apostolate continues to work to avert ‘Great Tragedy’

By Becky Aubut Anchor Staff beckyaubut@anchornews.org

“No” on Question 2 became the rallying cry.

“At the diocesan level, we FALL RIVER — “Even worked to educate people the weakest and most who would actually be at vulnerable, the sick, the old, the polling places the night the unborn and the poor, are of the vote,” said Desromasterpieces of God’s Cresiers. “We wanted people to ation, made in His Own im- understand because wording age, destined to live forever, can be confusing on ballot and deserving of the utmost questions.” reverence and respect,” said Education was key, she Pope Francis. added, and an advertising Using those words as a campaign took hold of the soundboard, Marian Destelevision airwaves, helping rosiers, the director of the to get the message out to a Pro-Life Apostolate of the wider audience.

Diocese of Fall River began “One of the elements of her presentation entitled, the campaign that turned “Suicide, Assisted or Oththings around was the way erwise, is always a Great physician-assisted suicide is Tragedy,” at last fall’s Faith handled. It’s through a preFormation Ministry Conscription of more than 100 vention, sponsored by the pills that the individual has diocese’s Office of Faith to take, and they’re encourFormation. aged to take it with alcohol,” “Claire McManus [direc- she said, which is still the tor of the Faith Formation same method being preOffice] had asked me to do scribed for physician-assisted a piece on suicide, and of suicide today. course in Massachusetts, the Desrosiers continues to legislature had a hearing in educate Catholics and helps the fall, and the bill could clarify Church teachings come out for a vote within regarding end-of-life issues. the legislation for physician- When she presents in a assisted suicide in MassaCatholic setting, she begins chusetts,” said Desrosiers. by stating that God “formed It was only a few years ago us in the womb before He that voters in Massachusetts knew us, and Jesus tells us had their own say on the in John 14, that our hearts subject when the Massachu- shouldn’t be troubled besetts “Death with Dignity” cause He goes to prepare a Initiative, also known as place for us. So for Catholics Question 2, was put on the in general, we need an unNov. 6, 2012 general election derstanding of the Spiritual ballot as an indirectly initinature of our dignity and ated state statute, where it Sacredness of God as our was defeated.

Creator, and Jesus as Savior Desrosiers’ office was part in life.” of the yearlong battle to stop Those diagnosed with a the referendum from winterminal illness are suscepning: “When we began, the tible to depression, and feelpolling showed the majority ing as if they are a burden were in favor of physicianon others. Family and loved assisted suicide, so we had ones are just part of a supour work cut out for us,” she port group that individuals, recalled. especially caretakers, can lean Working in conjuncon. By echoing Pope Francis’ tion with Cardinal Sean P. words, the Church could be O’Malley, OFM Cap., vote a field hospital “and that in

the parishes,” said Desrosiers, “we need to be ready to step out and offer our help, sacrifice and commitment to those in need; in this case, at the end of life, and be a support system. We can’t just be about teaching; we need to be about mercy and compassion.”

Years ago, when the husband of an elderly couple was sent home to die, Desrosiers went next door — “which was hard because it seemed like a private moment,” she said — but when the wife answered the door,

Desrosiers asked, “Is there anything I can do to help? I know this must be difficult for you being here all day and night.”

The woman asked if Desrosiers could stay with her husband so that she could go out to shop, and when the woman returned home a few hours later, Desrosiers said, “When she came back, you would think I gave her gold. It was amazing to see.

Sometimes we don’t have to look for the big things, but simple acts of kindness — bringing a hot meal,

spending some time just talking, visiting and allowing personal time; just letting them know there’s a parish praying.”

There are many parishes who already do these things, said Desrosiers, but it’s up to every parishioner to do his or her part.

“This is where we, as a parish, can help,” she said.

“Volunteering in simple ways to alleviate the pressure, the depression and despair.

We have become a culture of waste, which is another term Turn to page nine

The Anchor - January 22, 2016

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Bishop Emeritus Coleman to host annual FACE Winter Brunch to assist area students

A screenshot from one of the pages of the newly-designed website chronicling Servant of God Father Patrick Peyton’s life. The site about the Rosary Priest is found at www.fatherpeyton.org.

Updated website keeps faithful informed on life, sainthood cause of Rosary Priest

By Dave Jolivet Editor davejolivet@anchornews.org

EASTON — He was a man destined for greatness — but not in the way the secular world thinks of greatness. Patrick Peyton was born to a poor family in County Mayo, Ireland on Jan. 9, 1909.

The greatness for which he was destined was not for his glory and fame, but to spread the Word of God and to bring prayer and peace to families and the world through the Blessed Mother’s powerful Rosary.

The poor young lad from County Mayo desired to become a priest, but was discouraged by a couple of rejections from seminaries. He then decided to emigrate to the United States to pursue a dream of “becoming a millionaire.”

Acquiring the permission from his devout Catholic father John Peyton to come to American was not for easy for Patrick. His father made him and his traveling companion, his own brother Tom, adhere to a promise: “Go down on your knees and make me a promise here before the picture of the Sacred Heart,” said his father.

“From now on there will be nobody but yourself to advise you and to decide for you. But your first responsibility will always be to save your soul, and so I want you to promise to be faithful to Our Lord in America.”

Following unsuccessful attempts at employment in his new land, Patrick landed a job as a sexton in a cathedral in Scranton, Penn. It was there, “with the silence, peace, and joy of talking to Our Lord and Our Blessed Mother, Patrick experiences a sense of being at home and a place of happiness. Patrick’s dream of becoming a mis4

The Anchor - January 22, 2016

sionary priest is awakened in a new land.”

Patrick Peyton did indeed become a priest and went on to found Holy Cross Family Ministries, befriend Hollywood stars who would help him spread God’s Word, and would hold Rosary Rallies around the world before millions of people whose lives were changed by the Rosary Priest.

Many people across the Diocese of Fall River, where Father Peyton is buried, are well-aware the cause for his sainthood was opened by then-Fall River Bishop Sean P. O’Malley, OFM Cap., on June 1, 2001 .

Because this is such an important occasion, not only for the diocese, but for Catholics across the world, Holy Cross Family Ministries, headquartered in Easton has developed an enhanced and comprehensive website devoted to the Rosary Priest who is well-known for his inspirational adages: “The family that prays together stays together,” and “A world at prayer is a world at peace.”

A original Father Peyton website at www.fatherpeyton.org was developed in 2010, but it was decided the site should be enhanced and updated to keep countless faithful aware of the sainthood cause progress, and to have access to a comprehensive chronicle of the beloved priest’s life — from his simple childhood to the present.

“Father Peyton lived a life of holiness that is inspirational to all of us,” said Holy Cross Father Willy Raymond, president of HCFM. “We hope families are inspired by his example and see that even from the most humble beginnings, any of us can accomplish great things for God’s glory.

“The updated site is a testament to his faithfulness in serving Mary while demonstrating many of his important contributions in film, radio, teleTurn to page 20

FALMOUTH — All are invited to attend the Foundation to Advance Catholic Education Winter Brunch hosted by Bishop Emeritus George W. Coleman on January 24 at the Coonamessett Inn in Falmouth at 11:30 a.m.

Co-chairpersons Dawna Gauvin and Robyn Hardy have worked along with the FACE winter committee to provide a great day for family and friends. Please make your reservations to enjoy a delicious buffet brunch, children’s entertainment, and many fabulous raffle prizes including four Walt Disney World tickets and silent auction items, while supporting a worthy cause.

Proceeds benefit FACE which provides need-based scholarships to children in need of financial assistance to attend one of the schools of the Diocese of Fall River. Through your generosity, hundreds of children will continue to receive scholarship aid.

Call Jane Robin at the Foundation Cape Cod Office 508-759-3566 for reservations or to make a donation. Brunch Tickets: Adults $25; youth $14 (under 13); kids under seven complimentary.

The 2015-16 Diocesan Directory

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For four decades, Servant has been part of the fabric of ‘Feehan family’

By Kenneth J. Souza Anchor Staff kensouza@anchornews.org

ATTLEBORO — For nearly a half-century, Christopher E. Servant has been associated with Bishop Feehan High School, starting as a member of the second graduating class in 1966, joining the faculty in 1972, taking over as principal in 2001, and ultimately becoming the school’s first-ever president in 2006.

For Servant, Bishop Feehan is more than just a Catholic high school, it’s been a way of life.

“People sometimes look askance when I refer to the alliterative ‘Feehan family,’ but that’s exactly what it is,” Servant recently told The Anchor. “It’s a Catholic school family that will celebrate when you succeed and lift you up when you’re down.”

That era will come to an end on June 30 when Servant will formally retire and step down as president.

“We’re in a better situation now, so that’s what brought me to the decision that I will be stepping down in June,” he said.

Now in his 11th year as president, Servant admitted he had originally only intended to “work at it for 10 years,” but he wanted to see some projects through to fruition.

“The 10-year plan has come and gone — I turned 66 this past May — so you may wonder why I’m still here,” he joked. “We’ve been working on converting this building from the former (Sisters of Mercy) convent into a classroom, library and technology center. What I thought would take about three years ended up taking closer to five. I could probably stay on for another 20 years with project after project, but I do think we’re at a point where the major renewal for the school has been done and it’s just a combination of preventative maintenance and planning now.”

While he affectionately refers to the school as family, Servant also has his own family to consider.

“I have four children and they’ve all been married in the past few years and they, among them, have five children under the age of four right now, with more coming,” Servant said. “So I do think I can play a bigger role in their lives.

I know my grandparents played a huge role in my life growing up. So that’s part of it. My wife, by coincidence — also a Feehan grad from 1968 — is retiring at the end of this month, so that had something to do with it, too.”

Although he is looking forward to slowing down a bit and spending more time with his family, Servant admitted it won’t be easy to just walk away from Bishop Feehan.

“Just the fact that I’ve spent 44 years here as an employee — and four years as a student — it would be very difficult to say I could ever make

a clean break from Feehan, because Feehan is in my blood,” he said. “I would envision that I would have some continued role here, whether it be a full role or something in an adjunct capacity. I don’t see myself moving to Florida and no one ever hearing from me again. But I would also say I don’t see myself giving the keynote address to parents on the first day of school, either.”

Servant’s deep-rooted affection for Bishop Feehan dates back to those early years as a student at the fledgling Catholic high school.

His father had died when he was just two years old, leaving his mother to raise him, his brother and sister. She worked as a waitress to send all three to Catholic schools, including Bishop Feehan.

Turn to page 18

The Anchor - January 22, 2016

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The Anchor - January 22, 2016

Away with the manger Thursday 21 January 2016 — Homeport: Falmouth Harbor — feast of St. Agnes very year people complain that the holiday season begins too early. In 2015, even the pope unveiled the Vatican Christmas decorations on December 8 — earlier than usual.

How is it that nobody notices the Christmas season ends too early as well?

You know me, dear readers.

I’m a traditionalist. Tradition dictates that the Christmas season is still being celebrated.

Liturgically, the Christmas season ends with the Solemnity of the Baptism of the Lord but when does the Christmas season end traditionally?

Let me answer with another question, as is the way of the Irish. When does the pope take down his Nativity scene and Christmas tree?

That would be February 2.

His Holiness makes one last visit to pray before the Vatican’s crèche on February 1.

It’s very affirming to me personally, dear readers, to know that the pope is as traditional as I am — at least when it comes to taking down the Christmas decorations.

One must put Christmas to bed just before Candlemas (as we traditionalists still call it). Candlemas is the final flicker of the Christmas season. On that day we get rid of the old candles and bless the new ones for the Liturgical year ahead.

Following ancient etiquette, I set up a Christmas tree and manger in the rectory parlor during the Third Week of Advent. As pastor, the task falls to me by default.

This year, the rectory Christmas tree was a fragrant balsam fir. I asked for the least “shaped” tree on the lot.

It was perfectly scraggly — just what I wanted — and inexpensive.

First one must string the lights. Forget those ubiq-

E

metal stand every day for uitous tiny white lights, weeks. The greyhounds considered the epitome of good taste back in the 1970s. thought I had lost something (maybe my mind). Still, the Enough is enough. I want color. I succumbed to modern tree is beginning to dry out. technology by using newfan- I’m going to have to take gled multicolored LED lights down the tree before Februon the tree.

In the old days, you couldn’t connect more The Ship’s Log than three stings of Reflections of a lights or you would Parish Priest blow the fuses. The safety instructions

By Father Tim that came with the Goldrick LED lights warned not to exceed 90 sets.

These LED lights are very ary 2. Unfortunately, this year tradition will be trumped by bright, and they’re shaped practicality. not so much like the lights I wonder where I should on my parents’ tree. They are begin. I answer myself that thinner, like the ones on my it really doesn’t matter. Just grandparents’ tree. The more traditional, the better, I always begin. OK then. Let’s do it.

First, I packed away the say.

Then I hung various orna- striped glass ornaments. ments that have accrued over Those have been on my family tree since the 1950s. the years, each accompanied Oh, look. There’s the red by its own memory. Father cardboard egg festooned with Wallace added three ornatattered tinsel. That comes ments of his own. After 94 from my mother’s first tree as Christmases, he has many an infant. My grandparents, memories. being very poor, recycled it I’ve been crawling around from Easter one year. There adding fresh water to the

had also been a cardboard angel from that tree, the kind Victorians called “scrap.”

Unfortunately, that was lost decades ago.

Then there’s the intricate gold-plated sailing ship my father gave me. I have no idea where he got it. Nor do I have an idea why he gave it to me.

There’s the Japanese geisha ornament given me by a friend some years ago.

There are quite a few German glass ornaments that need to be taken down with great care. My mother and I found them in Fairhaven, on Huttleston Avenue, at a going-out-of-business sale.

There it is — the little toy plane that was on my uncle’s last Christmas tree. He died back in the 1940s. He was only 15 years of age.

There are those handmade beaded ornaments given me years ago by two elderly sisters, both parishioners at the time. The sisters are long gone.

Here’s the gilded aspen leaf

my sister sent me one year from her home in the Rocky Mountains.

There are a few very delicate glass ornaments from the 1930s — some shaped like pine cones. I found them at a flea market in South Yarmouth.

Ahhh, the glass Santa ornaments. These images, commissioned by the U.S. Postal Service, first appeared on postage stamps. I bought them at Building #19.

Next, I pack away the little acolyte ornament. That was first hung on the family tree the year I signed up as an altar server at midnight Mass.

OK. I’ve had it. I quit.

Too many memories are being stirred up. I need to process them. “Preserve your memories, they’re all that’s left of you,” sang Simon and Garfunkel.

I think I’ll take a nice hot cup of tea and sit by the fire to ponder. My tree will stay up until February 1 after all.

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

The Anchor - January 22, 2016

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Anchor Editorial

Instructing the uninformed

As we continue to look at the Works of Mercy, this week we consider “instructing the uninformed,” the more polite way of saying “instructing the ignorant” (the latter version is found in older lists of the Spiritual Works of Mercy).

Pope Francis posed a question during daily Mass on March 18, 2014.

“What is the sign that we are on the right path?” He then answered: “Scripture tells us: defend the oppressed; take care of your neighbor, the sick, the poor, the needy, the ignorant. When one journeys a little and draws near to the Lord, the light of the Father enables one to see these things and to go out to help one’s brothers and sisters. This is the sign that we are with Jesus: taking care of the brethren, the poorest and the sick, as the Lord teaches us in the Gospel.”

So, we are not instructing the uninformed or the ignorant (which just means that someone is not aware of something — it does not mean that they are stupid) as if we were better than them. We have been given the blessing of having already learned about Christ (by encountering Him), and so Christ wants us to share that blessing with other people.

Pope Leo XIII, the father of Catholic social doctrine, wrote to the bishops in 1878 the encyclical Inscrutabili Dei Consilio, in which he told them, “It is your duty, venerable brothers, to strive that the seed of Heavenly doctrine be sown broadcast [this was before TV and radio] in the field of God, and that the teachings of the Catholic faith may be implanted early in the souls of the faithful, may strike deep root in them, and be kept free from the ruinous blight of error. The more the enemies of religion exert themselves to offer the uninformed, especially the young, such instruction as darkens the mind and corrupts morals, the more actively should we endeavor that not only a suitable and solid method of education may flourish but above all that this education be wholly in harmony with the Catholic faith in its literature and system of training, and chiefly in philosophy.”

Following that papal command, the Catholic school system was developed in what would become the Diocese of Fall River and it continues to sow God’s seeds in the hearts of our children, so that they might bear good fruit for the Lord’s harvest.

On March 28, 2014, the Holy Father said to a group of bishops, “Education also demands considerable effort from you, and I know all the good that Catholic schools do for the young and for their families through its evangelizing action.” As the pope said, our Catholic schools do not influence only the children who are in the classrooms, but they have a ripple effect upon the entire family, as the school helps the parents in their rights and duties (according to Divine Law) as the first teachers of their chilOFFICIAL NEWSPAPER OF THE DIOCESE OF FALL RIVER www.anchornews.org

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The Anchor - January 22, 2016

dren. The environment of the Catholic school helps the family to grow in a Christian milieu, in which Christ’s teachings are not seen as some imposition, but as a blessing.

Speaking to another group of bishops on Dec. 2, 2013, the pope said, “By giving youth a sound education, Catholic schools will continue to nourish their human and Spiritual formation, in a spirit of dialogue and fraternity with those who do not share their faith. It is important, then, that young Christians receive a high quality catechesis that supports their faith and leads them to an encounter with Christ. A good formation and a spirit of openness! This is how the Good News continues to be spread.” Here the Holy Father is noting how Catholic education can have a ripple effect with non-Catholics, those who attend our schools and other people in the community who are moved by the good example of our Catholic school students and staff.

Our Catholic schools depend upon the support of the entire community.

Since we are called upon by God to carry out the Works of Mercy, especially in this special Jubilee Year of Mercy, we need to be mindful of how we can help support these schools. Donations are needed directly to the individual schools, as well as to FACE, the Foundation to Advance Catholic Education. FACE continues the work of the St. Mary’s Education Fund, which has provided for decades need-based scholarships to thousands of children in our diocese. FACE also supports the schools directly in their needs. To donate to FACE, you can go online to http://face-dfr.org/ or you can mail your donation to FACE/Diocese of Fall River, P.O. Box 1470, Fall River, Mass.

02722.

The Church is called upon by God to be a mother. Pope Francis explained this concept in a Sept. 10, 2014 general audience and he said that “a particular aspect of this educational work of our Mother Church, is how she teaches us Works of Mercy.” You can often see in the pages of The Anchor how the Catholic schools of our diocese do that.

“Dear brothers and sisters, this is how the Church is mother, by teaching her children Works of Mercy. She learned this manner from Jesus, she learned that this is what’s essential for Salvation. To change the world for the better it is necessary to do good to those who are not able to return the favor, as the Father has done with us, by giving us Jesus. How much have we paid for our redemption? Nothing, totally free! Doing good without expecting anything in return. This is what the Father did with us and we must do the same. Do good and carry on!” Thus the pope ordered us in that audience.

May God help us to learn this lesson and carry it out by helping to instruct the uninformed through our Catholic schools.

Daily Readings Jan. 23 - Feb. 5

Upcoming Daily Readings: Sat. Jan. 23, 2 Sm 1:1-4,11-12,19,23-27; Mk 3:20-21.

Sun. Jan. 24, Third Sunday in Ordinary Time, Neh 8: 2-4a,5-6,8-10; Ps 19:8-10,15; 1 Cor 12:12-30; Lk 1:1-4; 4:14-21. Mon. Jan. 25, Acts 22:3-16 or Acts 9:1-22; Ps 117:1bc,2; Mk 16:15-18. Tues. Jan. 26, 2 Tm 1:1-8 or Ti 1:1-5; Ps 96:1-2a,2b-3,78a,10; Mk 3:31-35. Wed. Jan. 27, 2 Sm 7:4-17; Ps 89:4-5,27-28,29-30; Mk 4:1-20.

Thurs. Jan. 28, 2 Sm 7:18-19,24-29; Ps 132:1-2,3-5,11,12,13-14; Mk 4:21-25. Fri. Jan. 29, 2 Sm 11:1-4a,5-10a,13-17; Ps 51:3-4,5-6a,6bcd-7,10-11; Mk 4:26-34.

Sat. Jan. 30, 2 Sm 12:1-7a,10-17; Ps 51:12-13,14-15,16-17; Mk 4:35-41. Sun. Jan. 31, Fourth Sunday in Ordinary Time, Jer 1:4-5,17-19; Ps 71:1-2,3-4,5-6,15-17; 1 Cor 12:31 – 13:13; Lk 4:21-30. Mon. Feb. 1, 2 Sm 15:13-14,30; 16:5-13; Ps 3:2-3,45,6-7; Mk 5:1-20. Tues. Feb. 2, Feast of the Presentation of the Lord, Mal 3:1-4; Ps 24:7,8,9,10; Heb 2:14-18; Lk 2:22-40. Wed. Feb. 3, 2 Sm 24:2,9-17; Ps 32:1-2,5,6,7; Mk 6:1-6. Thurs. Feb. 4, 1 Kgs 2:1-4,10-12; 1 Chr 29:10,11ab,11d-12a,12bcd; Mk 6:7-13. Fri. Feb. 5, Sir 47:2-11; Ps 18:31,47 and 50,51; Mk 6:14-29.

Pro-Life Apostolate continues work to avert ‘Great Tragedy’ continued from page three

that Pope Francis has used.

It’s a mentality that only the useful are valuable. All life has value, not just because it’s useful.

“I think the mentality is culturally driven; we spoke about it when abortion was legalized, that we would become a desensitized, throwaway culture. I think we’ve seen that spread, and I think it increases the anxiety of the elderly today. That’s why when we do the diocesan Pro-Life Boot Camp with the young people, we visit the nursing homes and have the youth interact with the elderly at the homes. It’s a few hours of watching a miracle happen; it’s wonderful.”

How much medication is too much, or when to stop nutrition and hydration are the most often asked questions for those dealing with end-oflife issues for a loved one. For those dealing with an ethical crisis, there is the National

Catholic Bioethics Center (www.ncbcenter.org) with a 24-hour ethicist is ready to help deal with any ethical question: 215-877-2660.

“One of these things that’s really opened my eyes is understanding that faith, hope and joy illuminate every aspect of our human existence,” said Desrosiers, “and we need the grace of God for the conversion of our heart to encounter Christ at a very deep and intimate level in order to be able to allow Him to accomplish these

things through us. We have to be willing to allow His grace to flow into us so our own conversion takes place and gives us the strength. I discovered a long time ago, you can’t do it on your own.

When you’re frustrated or exhausted, at those moments you can just say, ‘Jesus, I trust in You; allow me to be less and You to be more.’”

And though the physician-assisted suicide bill can’t come back to the voters of Massachusetts until 2018, Desrosiers’ message to the

legislators is “the people of Massachusetts have already spoken and said no,” she said. “You hope they will fol-

low the lead that the voters gave them in 2012 to vote down physician-assisted suicide.”

The Anchor - January 22, 2016

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Receiving and extending Jesus’ five-fold mercy

here are many ways to live out the Year of Mercy, but I think perhaps the most fruitful is to ponder and imitate Jesus’ Own merciful example. The theme of this Year of Mercy is “Merciful like the Father,” and no one has shown us how to emulate the Father’s mercy better than the “Image of the invisible God” Himself, the One Who identified Himself to St. Faustina Kowalska as “Mercy Incarnate.”

All of Jesus’ life is a manifestation of God’s loving mercy, but when we look at the demonstrations of that merciful love in the Gospel, we see that they fall into five

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this Year of Mercy. general categories. In Greek, The first was to teach. St. the evangelists introduce them Mark tells us, “When He saw all by the same verb, splanchthe vast crowd, His heart was nizomai, which in English is moved with pity or them, for normally translated as Jesus’ they were like sheep without “heart was moved with pity,” but since splanchna means “viscera” or “guts,” a more literal Putting Into translation would be the Deep that Jesus was “sick to His stomach” with compassion for the

By Father people in need.

Roger J. Landry Jesus did five different things in response a shepherd; and He began to these intense cramps of compassion, things that the to teach them many things” Church continues to do and (Mk 6:34). We need the truth! every Christian is called to do “Teach us Your way, O Lord,” with particular focus during we pray in the Psalms, “so that I may walk in Your truth” (Ps 86). Jesus — Who had come to “proclaim the Gospel to the poor,” to “witness to the truth” and identified Himself as the Truth — came mercifully to cure us of our Spiritual cluelessness through His preaching and teaching. The Church has always carried out the Spiritual Work of Mercy of “instructing the ignorant,” through the magisterium, schools, universities, and catechetical programs.

This ministry of the truth is not adequately appreciated in a relativistic age, but Jesus wants us to receive the mercy of His authoritative teaching and learn it well enough so that we can mercifully pass in on.

The second thing was to heal. The evangelists tell us often that Jesus’ heart was moved with pity for the multitudes and He “cured their sick” one-by-one (Mk 14:14; Mk 9:27; Mt 20:34; Mk 1:41; Lk 7:13). He healed lepers, cripples, the blind, the deaf, hemorrhaging women, the possessed, even raising the dead. In the parable of the Good Samaritan, the term splanchnizomai is used to describe why the Samaritan drew near the dying man. The Church continues this Work of Mercy, caring for the sick, founding hospitals, clinics and nursing homes, ministering to the infirm with parishes

The Anchor - January 22, 2016

and so many other ways. In this Year of Mercy, we’re all called to a similar compassion, recognizing that in every ill man or woman, Jesus is saying, “I was sick and you cared for Me.” The third was to feed. “My heart is moved with pity for the crowd,” Jesus said at the miracle of the multiplication of the loaves and fish (Mt 15:32; Mk 8:2). God always responds to our prayer, “Give us this day our daily bread” and Jesus wanted us to continue that ministry of feeding, commanding us to invite beggars, the blind, and the crippled to our dinner parties (Lk 14:13) and to see Him in the hungry.

The Church continues that mission of mercy in soup kitchens, pantries, St. Vincent de Paul conference work, Catholic Charities, Catholic Relief Services and more.

During this Year of Mercy, Jesus is hoping that we will be sick to our stomachs that so many go to bed without their stomachs fed.

Fourth, Jesus forgave. In Jesus’ famous parable, the verb splanchnizomai is used to describe how the father, “filled with compassion,” forgave his prodigal son. Filled with that compassion, Jesus forgave the paralyzed man, the sinful woman who with tears washed His feet, Zacchaeus, the Samaritan Woman, the woman caught in adultery, St. Peter, the Good Thief and many others. The Lamb of God, Who had come to take away the sins of the world, was denigrated as a “friend of tax collectors and sinners,” and proved His love dying for them, begging the Father’s pardon from the cross. The Church continues this work of God’s mercy, reconciling sinners through the Sacrament of Penance and Reconciliation, and helping people to learn how to forgive those who have wronged them. This work of

forgiveness, receiving it from God and giving it toward others, is the most important of all the Works of Mercy.

The last act of mercy is not as conspicuous as the others.

When Jesus’ heart was moved with pity for the crowds because they were “mangled and abandoned like sheep without a shepherd,” He told His disciples, “The harvest is abundant but the laborers are few, so pray the Master of the Harvest to send out laborers for His harvest” (Mt 9:36) — and then Jesus immediately called from among those praying disciples 12 whom He would send out as Apostles. Praying for vocations to continue Jesus’ saving mission, and then responding to Jesus when He calls us, is a very important Work of Mercy.

God wants, and the suffering world needs, “laborers” of mercy, hard-workers who, sick to their stomach over the needs of others, will carry out together with Jesus His continued work of teaching, healing, feeding, forgiving, praying and calling.

During this Holy Year, Jesus is calling us to see that we’re the response to centuries of prayer.

This Jubilee Year is a time when Jesus wants us, with Him, to observe how many are lost and instruct them how to follow Him Who is the Way; to see how many are suffering physically, psychologically and Spiritually and become nurses of the Divine Physician; to notice the multitudes starving physically or Spiritually and give them the nourishment He provides; to spot the multitudes carrying the wounds of unexpiated guilt or severed relationships and bring them to receive and extend God’s mercy; and in all of this, to become laborers of mercy and, praying insistently for others to join us in becoming the compassionate “upset stomach” of the Mystical Body of Christ.

Anchor columnist Father Landry can be contacted at fatherlandry@ catholicpreaching.com.

The Anchor - January 22, 2016

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Diocesan school students fare better than national average continued from page two

strive for academic excellence for our young people,” he said. “The students still read the great works of literature, and we encourage them to think on their own, to analyze things theologically, philosophically and

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logically.”

He also said that art and music play an important part in the curriculum of diocesan school students.

“We have a great relationship with the Children’s Museum in Fall River,

The Anchor - January 22, 2016

where our students display their works of art each year, he explained. “Musically, we have some of our students performing Broadway plays and musicals, and later on learning Gregorian chants.

It’s a great diversity and a

well-rounded exposure to the arts and music they’ll find later on in life — the traditional and the contemporary.”

Griffin told The Anchor that diocesan teachers are receiving training in the organization and development of current teaching

methodologies.

As the diocesan students continue grow academically and Spiritually, the Diocese of Fall River’s Task Force on Schools, initiated by Bishop Edgar M. da Cunha, S.D.V., is full steam ahead in obtaining information, data and researching how and where our diocesan schools can improve and strengthen.

“The Task Force has been extremely enthusiastic and dedicated in its responsibilities,” added Griffin. “We’re all looking forward to the future and taking steps, if necessary, to strengthen and improve how we do things.”

“Catholic Schools Week celebrates the accomplishments of our young people, but also their call toward continued growth in faith and academic excellence,” said Griffin. “In the challenging economic environment in which we live, it is a tribute to the value of Catholic schools that more than 6,500 young people attend the 22 Catholic elementary and secondary schools of the Diocese of Fall River.

The support of generous alumni and benefactors of our individual schools, and the Foundation to Advance Catholic Education Fund which provides scholarships in all our schools, help make the difference in enabling students from varied socioeconomic backgrounds to attend our schools.

“Catholic Schools Week provides a special time to celebrate the excellence, values and faith commitment of our Catholic schools as they prepare young people for service and leadership. It is a time to value the dedication of our teachers, the sacrifices of our parents, the generosity of our benefactors and the commitment of our diocese to continue the work of Catholic schools for the benefit of our children, our Church and the entire community.”

The Anchor - January 22, 2016

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The Anchor - January 22, 2016

Youth Pages

Coyle and Cassidy High School (Taunton) seniors presented pajamas, slippers, and children’s books the school community collected to Ann Sullivan from the Taunton Housing Authority for distribution to area families.

During the recent Christmas season, Holy Family-Holy Name School in New Bedford continued its annual tradition of having each classroom adopt a charity. Representatives from the selected charity visited their “adopted” class and explained what their charity entailed and what was on their “wish list.” A prayer service was recently held and all the items were blessed. Eleven grateful charities went back to their facilities laden with bags and bags of gifts donated by the generous faculty, staff, students, and families of the school. The message of “Jesus is the Reason for the Season” was truly shown.

Attached is a photo of My Brother’s Keeper adopted by grade seven.

Bishop Stang High School’s National Honor Society held a Blood Drive in conjunction with the American Red Cross. To prepare for the drive, State Trooper Chris Dumont, Bishop Stang Class of 1995 and Trooper of the Year for 2014 for his heroic efforts in saving another officer following the Boston Marathon bombing, visited the students to discuss the importance of giving blood. The North Dartmouth school community collected 37 whole blood units and two units of double red.

St. Mary’s School in Mansfield participated in the Kids Need to Read Challenge. Students received gold, silver, bronze and participation certificates for placing in various categories based on numbers of hours read. Students were challenged to read 1,500 minutes per week, above and beyond school reading assignments. In a world of tweets, texts and videos, it’s great to see that reading is still a hobby enjoyed by so many teens.

The Anchor - January 22, 2016

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Youth Pages

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his Holy Year of Mercy is all about being mercy! St. Matthew’s Gospel, Chapter 25: 31-46, reminds us how we can become mercy for others. Jesus tells us that God is found in every person. Therefore, how we treat and love our neighbor is how we treat and love God! We do this through the Works of Mercy.

I like to think of mercy as love in action. Doesn’t that sound like charity? It most certainly is! The Works of Mercy are acts of love. Let’s take a look at each Work of Mercy and see how we can live them in our everyday lives. You are going to be surprised that many of them, if not all of them, you already do on a daily basis.

In this article I will focus on the Corporal Works of Mercy and how we can help with the physical needs of others. I will conclude with the Spiritual Works of Mercy in my next column.

Feeding the hungry: This isn’t just

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The Anchor - January 22, 2016

You did this for me

about hunger pains where some food all know people, friends and family alike, that long for satisfaction, and, satisfies us. It’s also about the hunger sadly, many turn to vices such as sex, to know God. Don’t let the opportunity pass you by to share your story of drugs and alcohol to satisfy their thirst the God Who loves you and how you for acceptance and love. Often we are afraid to speak to them about these are witness to His love. Throughout bad habits so our diocese as not to hurt many of you their feelings, volunteer at or worse, soup kitchens. lose their Adults and friendship. It children go is a greater to bed on a

By Ozzie Pacheco injustice, full stomach and a sin, to because of remain silent. your mercy.

Help them to heal their wounds. If we But, also, their hearts are full because of the love you gave and the hope you remain complacent the loss could be renewed in them that someone out in far greater than just hurting someone’s the world still cares. “For I was hungry feelings. Remember, our faults are not only the things we do, but also the and you gave Me food” (Mt 25:35).

Giving drink to the thirsty: Water things we fail to do. “I was thirsty and you gave Me drink” (Mt 25:35). quenches our physical thirst. God’s Clothing the naked: Everyone Word so satisfies our Spiritual thirst is deserving of dignity. It’s so much that we will never be thirsty again. We more than giving the shirt off your back or the shoes on your feet. It’s about restoring faith in humanity by giving every person the God-given dignity they were born with. It takes little effort and, sometimes, little sacrifice on our part, to go through our closets once a year and donate the clothes we rarely wear or have worn at all. This is a great act of mercy. But, let’s take it a step further; let’s clothe the naked with dignity and respect.

Offer your shirt, and a warm embrace.

Offer your shoes, and walk with them.

“I was naked and you clothed Me” (Mt 25:36).

Sheltering the homeless: It is a wonderful feeling knowing that every night we have a bed to sleep in and a home to keep us safe and warm. I have yet to understand how and why society allows so many of our brothers and sisters to remain without shelter. We need to be more hospitable. We need to be more aware of this often-neglected issue.

We, God’s family, must be home for our own and for the lonely, disabled, elderly and outcasts. We call one another brothers and sisters in Christ.

What does that really mean to you?

“I was a stranger and you welcomed Me” (Mt 25:35).

Be Not Afraid

Visiting the sick: No one likes to be lonely. We all need company to pick us up and put a smile on our face. Visiting someone who is sick at home or in the hospital or the elderly in nursing homes is a great way to live this Work of Mercy. But let’s turn that visit into something more: run errands for those who are unable to do it themselves; read a book, play a game, pray with them. You’re unable to visit them personally? Pick up the phone and let them hear your caring voice.

These are all ways to help heal the sick in both mind and body. “I was ill and you cared for Me” (Mt 25:36).

Visiting the imprisoned: Those in prison suffer from the loss of freedom.

They are paying for their crime; they are doing their Penance. But, do we ignore them? (Remember the brother and sister thing?) Their time in prison is a time for rehabilitation. We can help them with that. Your visit, your letter, your care package, etc., are all acts and gifts of love they may not have received before. Show them that you, the community and the world, still care. And don’t forget their families — pray for them and visit them too. “I was in prison and you visited Me” (Mt. 25:36).

Burying the dead: We show respect for the bodies of the dead, since during life, they were temples of the Holy Spirit and received the Body and Blood of Christ in Holy Communion. Going to wakes and funerals, treating cemeteries with respect, keeping gave sites clean and beautiful are all acts of living this work of mercy.

“Taking the Body, Joseph wrapped it [in] clean linen and laid it in his new tomb that he had hewn in the rock” (Mt 27:59-60).

Blessed Mother Teresa often referred to Matthew’s Gospel as the “Gospel of One Hand” by putting out her fingers and counting off the words: “You did this for me.” To be mercy is to love! To love is to see God in everyone! “Amen, I say to you, whatever you did for one of these least brothers of Mine, you did for Me” (Mt 25:40). God bless!

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

Youth Pages

Fifth-grade students at St. Francis Xavier School in Acushnet utilize the school’s 30 new Chromebooks which are used in daily classroom instruction. Here they are to- Third-grade students at St. John the Evangelist School in Attleboro made more than tally engaged in online reading activities.

100 greeting cards for Attleboro police officers. In conjunction with Pope Francis’ Year of Mercy, this project is one demonstration of how the school comforts others as a Spiritual work of mercy. As quoted by Pope Francis, the students believe that “whoever sees you sees God.”

​Students from St. Michael School in Fall River pray the Rosary.

The enthusiastic fifth-graders of Holy Name School in Fall River have been studying about Native Americans. Each student has selected a Native American Tribe to research. They then presented their projects to their school community.

Each year St. Mary-Sacred Heart School in North Attleboro has an Advent project and this year the giving project was to collect items for families in need to help make their Christmas a bit easier. The school collected for Rep. Betty Poirier’s Adopt Pre-kindergarten students at Our Lady of Lourdes School in Taunton had fun maka Family Christmas Project. Each week the students who wanted to participate were ing marshmallow igloos with a little help with Brendan, their classroom helper from asked to bring different items. Here, eighth-grade students help to organize the do- Coyle and Cassidy High School. nated products.

The Anchor - January 22, 2016

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Four decades as part of fabric of ‘Feehan family’ continued from page five

“My brother paid $200 a year to go to Feehan and financial aid was a reduction of $50 a year, so I paid $150 and my sister paid $100,” Servant said. “People seem amazed that for $450 my mother sent three kids to Feehan — but she only made $2,500 so that was 19 percent of her total salary. Do you think parents today could afford to spend 19 percent of their salary on tuition?”

Servant found a readymade support system at Bishop Feehan in the coaches and teachers. The faculty — largely staffed by the Sisters of Mercy — made a lasting impression on him.

“Our lives are shaped by the people who affect us — I believe we are all where we are today because of the kindness of someone in our lives,” he said. “I believe that strongly. I am where I am because of where I came from, and because of the kindness

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of people. And so I’ve always tried to give back. I want all the kids who attend Feehan to have the same experience that I had.”

While tuition at Bishop Feehan High School has gone up considerably since 1966, Servant still believes that people are willing to pay for “a mission with substance.”

“The Catholic mission is a mission with substance: we are asking you to be all that you can be socially, intellectually, Spiritually — and we’re going to assist you with that,” he said. “I know it sounds like a simplistic notion, but the world is crying out for people with values, and I like to think that a Bishop Feehan graduate — or any Catholic high school graduate for that matter — is going to be in demand. They are going to stand out because they value the mission, if you will, of service to people.”

Acknowledging that it’s

The Anchor - January 22, 2016

very difficult for parents to make the sacrifice to send their children to Catholic schools today, Servant said it’s reassuring to see the number of students applying for admission every year.

“We’ve been blessed with

a very strong enrollment because I think people value the fact that we stand for something here — and I think Catholic schools across the nation do,” he said. “Our enrollment now is 1,070 and we’ve been blessed that we usually

have two to three students apply for every seat. Right now for our incoming freshman class, we have 442 firm applicants and we’ll end up taking about 270 of those kids. We have more applicants than seats — I think that’s a vote of confidence in the school and it’s a vote of confidence in Catholic education.”

And with ever-growing competition from tuitionfree public schools, Servant said Catholic schools really need to offer something that is compelling to potential parents and students.

“I like to think it’s the culture, it’s the academic excellence, and in our case we’ve been blessed by physical plant renewal,” he said. “Facilities also draw people in: you can’t underestimate curb appeal.”

To that end, Servant said he’s proud of the improvements at Bishop Feehan he’s helped make over the last 15 years.

“There’s a tendency to say my greatest achievement is either something tangible or financial,” he said. “For example, the ability to raise

something like $15 to $20 million could be considered my legacy.”

Upon further reflection, Servant said he’d prefer to be remembered for his loyalty to the school that shaped him, and for his knack to connect with people.

“I’d like to think that my longevity and loyalty to the cause is something I feel very proud of,” he said. “I’d like to think that I am merely a gatekeeper — one of many along the way — and that I have given my all when given the opportunity to teach. I’d like to think I was a pretty good coach, a pretty decent principal and a decent president.

But time will tell those things.

“I’d like people to remember that Chris Servant was ‘all in’ for the period of time that he was here and you always knew through his passion and his enthusiasm that you were getting his best.”

As he prepares to retire in June, Servant said the one thing he’ll miss most is witnessing his students’ success first-hand.

“I’m going to miss the joy of seeing the kids grow and progress and come back as college students, as parents of young kids, and come back and sit on boards with me,” he said.

“I have former students who are now on alumni boards with me and I get a sense that I may have played a small role in who they are today and that gives you a feeling of great satisfaction. I’m just glad I’ve had an opportunity to play a role in it.”

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lay motionless. The pain began to fade. I thanked Our Lord that I could still wiggle my toes. It had seemed such a good idea to assist the shy ninth-grader. I had coaxed him into the bouncy air mattress machine with me. We were a few feet apart, bouncing gently, when it happened. A rambunctious child bounced at me and hit me perpendicularly in the upper leg region. In an instant, I was flat out on my back. There was an eerie silence as the air mattress became still. I lay there, eyes closed, wondering if this meant I was getting too old to be the teacher I wished to be. My reflections were cut short by a child’s piercing scream, “God please save me.

I’ve killed a teacher.” As I sat up, that same child’s whispered, “Thank you God” was amazing.

We all have those moments when life events figuratively knock us to the ground. It could be facing a critical or terminal illness, death of a family member or friend, rending of that relationship one had hoped would last for eternity, loss of employment, or loss of independence. That moment of recognition of the loss of something or everything one thought defined one’s existence is a very lonely moment for the soul. There is that instant call to God. However, not everyone is handed the immediate reprieve that child received.

The example I wish to use to reflect upon our call to arise and try again is based upon the transplant story that appeared in SELF magazine December 2015. Kayla was on dialysis. She needed a new kidney. Was a transplant in God’s plan? In a similar manner, each of us, when down on that cold ground, must patiently await then cooperate with God. We can take solace in Jesus’ words: “Do not let

Where do we go from here? your hearts be troubled” ( Jn That will not only embolden 14:1). us to fight when we need to A young woman named do so, but will ensure us that Jennifer, who did not even we are fighting to help bring know Kayla, decided to donate a kidney.

Jennifer had respond- Wrestling with God Holding on for ed to Jesus’ whisper, “Arise and go” ( Jn His blessing 14:31). Jennifer was a “Doer of the Word

By Dr. Helen J. Flavin and not just a hearer” ( Jas 1:22). She lived the truth St. Augustine found. God’s plan to fruition. From It is only by living for others the letter of James, “Blessed is (not just private worship) that the man who remains steadone truly lives with Christ. fast under trial, for when he Next, there was the agoniz- has stood the test he will reing wait to see if the tissues were a match. In the poem “Hope,” Emily Dickinson personifies hope as a bird.

She says: “‘Hope’ is the thing with feathers / that perches in the soul / and sings the tune without the words / and never stops — at all.” Words of the intellect are not required for the soul to communicate what is truly needed. The soul is always open to God’s answer, even an unexpected one. In the silence of one’s heart, one can hear the soul’s song to God and His answer.

The song never ends because hope is eternal. Many times someone or something new enters our lives as part of God’s answer. We must trust that this new person or thing will address our need. The soul leads the heart in this. It is said that you can listen to your mind, but you have to follow your heart.

The last hurdle for the transplant was the psychological evaluation. Jennifer’s answer regarding her reason for donating was deemed insufficient. The psychologist bluntly told her that her wish to be kind and donate to a stranger in need was not normal. Jennifer responded, “Well then I don’t want to be your version of normal.”

Through prayer we need to ensure we remain in touch with God’s Will for our lives.

ceive the crown of life, which God has promised to those who love Him” ( Jas 1:12).

Kayla now awakens each day ready to face what comes her way. This walking in the providence of God reminds me of Jesus in the Temple. This is the Child Jesus discovering and living the plan God had envisioned.

Alice Swam says, “Courage is the fragile blossom that opens in the snow.” Depending upon the severity of the hit we have taken as well as

whether God’s helpers have arrived, it may take everything we have just to stand again to take that first, tiny step.

However, we might be God’s special assistant for another person whose suffering is even greater than ours, so we must arise. Choosing to continue to live for ourselves and to also live for others is one aspect of the responsibility we each have of walking one another home to be with God for all eternity.

Anchor columnist Helen Flavin can be contacted at biochemwz@hotmail.com.

The Anchor - January 22, 2016

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Updated website chronicles life of Rosary Priest continued from page four

vision, and outdoor media.”

Father David S. Marcham, vice postulator for Father Peyton’s sainthood cause told The Anchor, “The original website was the idea of former HCFM president Holy Cross Father John Phalen and myself to share Father Peyton’s inspirational life story with those who use the Internet.”

Together with Father Phalen and an assembled team they designed the site and provided the content.

Father Marcham said the reason the decision was made to update the site was because of a significant increase in the use of mobile devices — smart phones and tablets. “We wanted to have a website that would work for the way that people are now more commonly accessing the web.”

The site, maintained and updated by Father Marcham, Julie Cygawnowski, a website team comprised of members of HCFM in

Easton and Family Rosary (a branch of HCFM) in Hollywood, and a website development company. “The ideas come from the team members who are from a wide range of experience and demographics,” Father Marcham told The Anchor.

The sophisticated website is filled with remarkable and inspirational photographs of Father Peyton in all stages of his life.

The site is laid out chronologically: Chapter one: The Early Years — Life in Ireland.

Chapter two: Coming to America — Immigrant to priest.

Chapter three: Hollywood & Media — Father Peyton reaches to the stars.

Chapter four: Rosary Rallies — The humble apostle of the Rosary.

Chapter five: His Final Days — A holy and faithfilled life.

Chapter six: Cause for Sainthood — Inspiration for

Diocese of Fall River TV Mass on WLNE Channel 6 Sunday, January 24, 11:00 a.m.

Celebrant is Father Paul E. Canuel, retired priest of the Diocese of Fall River, living at the Cardinal Medeiros Residence in Fall River

Sunday, January 31, 11:00 a.m.

Celebrant is Father Andrew Johnson, pastor of Good Shepherd and St. Stanislaus parishes in Fall River

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The Anchor - January 22, 2016

pleted by the Archdiocese of Baltimore in 2010.”

If the Congregation for families worldwide.

Chapter seven: Continue the Causes of Saints finds that Father Peyton led a life His Mission — Supporting the well-being of the family. of heroic virtue and sanctity of life, it can recommend to Each chapter is a factthe Holy Father that Father filled source of information Peyton should be declared about the Rosary Priest’s “Venerable.” life, including a plethora of There have been two memorable photographs with family; brother priests; purported medical miracles Hollywood notables such as attributed to Father PeyJack Benny, Lucille Ball and ton’s intercession. Should he be declared Venerable, Loretta Young; and some the Congregation can then of the millions of faithful select one of the events for Catholics he touched on investigation. his 83-year journey on this The revised website also earth. includes prayers for Father Also included are facts Peyton’s sainthood; prayer about the sainthood cause requests; and stories of process. prayers answered through Currently Father Peyton the Rosary Priest’s intercesis a Servant of God, meansion. ing he was deemed by the Also included is informaCongregation for the Causes tion about joining or starting of Saints at the Vatican as a Father Peyton Guild, a having had heroic virtues worldwide group of people and lived a life of holiness.

According to the website, who meet throughout the year to pray the Rosary “Servant of God Patrick together, learn about Servant Peyton’s Cause reached a of God Patrick Peyton, his new milestone in April of ongoing mission, and his 2015 with the completion Cause for Beatification. and presentation of the PoThere is currently an sitio — a 1,300-page report active guild in the Diocese that studied his life and ministry for heroic virtue and of Fall River in Taunton: Ann Marie Melanson,193 sanctity of life (holiness).

Tremont Street, Unit 148, “The Positio is the synTaunton, Mass. 02780, 508thesis of the Diocesan 631-0533, quigley1982@ Inquiry (6,000-page report yahoo.com. that included interviews “I am excited about the with people from Father mobile capacity with high Peyton’s life: childhood to death, study of his academic quality multimedia that engages the visitors to the life, ministry, writings, and website,” Father Marcham homilies, etc.) which was told The Anchor. “My hope conducted in 35 dioceses is that visitors to the Father around the world and comPeyton website will find

hope for themselves and their families through seeing how God works through our families and Rosary prayer.

“I would ask people to share this website with their families, friends, parish priests, deacons, and religious educators. We would also like to receive feedback regarding the website experience and ideas that they may have.

“Also, we are ‘screening’ the website in the rotunda at The Father Peyton Center at Holy Cross Family Ministries, 518 Washington Street, North Easton, through February 7. Anyone can stop by, surf through the site and complete a survey to provide input to our future updates.

Everyone completing the survey will receive a small gift and a coupon for products in our bookstore.

“We used new technologies to enhance the site experience for visitors.

Different types of media — photos, video and audio — were included to tell his story. I hope visitors find it to be inspiring and visually interesting. We think Father Peyton would be pleased with the new site because of the way he embraced new media to reach families with his message of praying the Rosary together.

“In the spirit of its founder, Servant of God Patrick Peyton, Holy Cross Family Ministries promotes and supports the Spiritual wellbeing of the family. Through prayer programs and media, they reach out to families to fulfill the founder’s vision that ‘The family that prays together stays together.’”

The site is at www. fatherpeyton.org. A link to the site can be found at The Anchor website at www. anchornews.org and the Diocese of Fall River website at www.fallriverdiocese.org.

For more information, visit www.hcfm.org or call 800-299-7729.

In Your Prayers Please pray for these priests during the coming weeks Jan. 23 Deacon John Cwiekowski, 2001 Jan. 24 Rev. Aaron L. Roche, O.P., Immaculate Conception Mission, North Easton, 1870 Rev. Louis A. Casgrain, Pastor, St. Mathieu, Fall River, 1920 Rev. Edward H. Finnegan, S.J., Boston College Faculty, 1951 Rev. Thomas F. McMorrow, Assistant, Our Lady of Victory, Centerville, 1977 Rev. Cornelius J. O’Neill, Retired Pastor, Sacred Heart, Taunton, 1999 Jan. 25 Rev. Jack Hickey, O.P., Dismas House, Nashville, Tenn., 1987 Jan. 27 Rev. John T. O’Grady, Assistant, Immaculate Conception, Fall River, 1919 Rev. Joseph M. Silvia, Pastor, St. Michael, Fall River, 1955 Rev. Thomas E. Lockary, C.S.C., Stonehill College, North Easton, 1988 Jan. 28 Rev. Joseph M. Griffin, Pastor, St. Mary, Nantucket, 1947 Rt. Rev. Msgr. John J. Shay, V.F., Pastor, St. John the Evangelist, Attleboro, 1961 Jan. 29 Rev. Christiano J. Borges, Retired Pastor, St. John the Baptist, New Bedford, 1944 Rev. Albert J. Masse, Pastor, St. Joseph, Attleboro, 1950 Jan. 30 Rev. Raymond F.X. Cahill, S.J., Assistant, St. Francis Xavier, Hyannis, 1983 Rev. Sebastian Slesinski, O.F.M. Conv., 2006 Rev. Raul M. Lagoa, Pastor, St. John of God, Somerset, 2012 Jan. 31 Rev. Charles J. Burns, Pastor, St. Mary, North Attleboro, 1901 Rev. William F. Sullivan, Pastor, St. Patrick, Somerset, 1930 Rev. Manuel C. Terra, 1930 Rev. William J. Shovelton, Retired, Former Pastor, St. William’s, Fall River, 2015 Feb. 1 Rev. Msgr. Michael J. O’Reilly, Pastor, Immaculate Conception, Taunton, 1948 Rev. Msgr. Patrick H. Hurley, V.F. Pastor, St. Joseph, Taunton, 1968 Rev. Anatole F. Desmarais, Pastor, St. Jacques, Taunton, 1975 Rev. Msgr. Gerard J. Chabot, Pastor, St. Theresa of the Child Jesus, South Attleboro, 1983 Rev. William F. O’Connell, Pastor, Holy Name, New Bedford, 1995 Rev. Arthur T. DeMello, Retired Pastor, St. Elizabeth, Fall River, 2004 Rev. Albert J. Ryan, Retired, Catholic Memorial Home, U.S. Air Force Chaplain, 2015 Feb. 2 Most Rev. William Stang, D.D., First Bishop of Fall River: 1904-07, 1907 Rev. Patrick F. McKenna, Pastor, Immaculate Conception, Taunton, 1913 Rev. John L. McNamara, Pastor, Immaculate Conception, Fall River, 1941 Rev. P. Roland Decosse, Pastor, St. Hyacinth, New Bedford, 1947 Rev. Daniel F. Moriarty, Assistant, St. Brendan, Riverside, R.I., 1991 Feb. 3 Rev. Antonio O. Ponte, Pastor, Our Lady of Angels, Fall River, 1952 Feb. 4 Rev. Msgr. Hugh J. Smyth, P.R., Pastor, St. Lawrence, New Bedford. First Vicar General, Fall River, 1904-07. Administrator of Diocese, February-July 1907, 1921 Rev. Raymond Graham, SMM, 2004

Charles E. Hoye III, brother of Msgr. Daniel F. Hoye

MATTAPOISETT — Charles Edward Hoye III, DMD, of Taunton and Mattapoisett, passed away peacefully January 9 at home surrounded by his family. He was the brother of Msgr. Daniel F. Hoye, a priest of the Diocese of Fall River.

Hoye was born in Taunton, the eldest of nine children. He attended St. Mary’s Grammar School prior to graduating from Msgr.

James Coyle High School in 1959, during which time he met the love of his life, Carolyn, and also tore up the basketball court. He went on to graduate from the College of the Holy Cross in 1963 and later received his doctorate of Medical Dentistry from Tufts Dental School in 1967.

After graduation he served two years as a captain in the USAF in Florida. Upon completion of his military service, he opened his dental practice in Taunton in 1969.

In his 42 years of practice he was a member of the ADA, MDS, SEDS and was voted “Best of the Best Dentist” in Taunton numerous times. He loved his staff, patients and his profession. He enjoyed golfing at CCNB, traveling, running, exercising at the YMCA, reading the latest technology and most of all spending time with his family. He will be remembered for his humor, quick wit, stellar meatloaf, loud laugh and vast knowledge of trivia.

Above all he treasured the relationship he shared with his best friend, the love of his life — his wife Carolyn.

He was the son of the late Dr. Charles E. Hoye Jr. and Virginia (Cleary) Hoye of Taunton. He is survived by his dear wife of 50 years, Carolyn Jean (Driscoll) Hoye; daughters Kristin Frizzi and husband Dr. James Frizzi of Evans, Ga.; Kathleen Hoye, DMD and husband Kurt Federow of Needham; Lauren Kavanagh and husband Simon of Mattapoisett; Meghan Morrison and husband Jesse of Taunton; son Daniel C. Hoye and wife Rosemarie of Taunton.

Hoye is also survived by 16 grandchildren: Nick, Charlie, Paul, Caroline, Roderick, Jenna, Kiley, Erin, Finbar, Wyatt, Keira, Krista, Owen, Holly, Harris and

Lily. He is also survived by siblings: William J. Hoye DDS; Thomas C. Hoye Sr.; Msgr. Daniel F. Hoye; David M. Hoye DMD; Stephen R. Hoye DDS; Sara-Ann (Hoye) Mullan MD; and James P. Hoye MD. He was also the brother of the late Robert P. Hoye DDS. A Funeral Mass was celebrated for him on January 14 at St. Mary’s Church in Taunton.

Interment followed at St. Francis Cemetery in Taunton.

Arrangements were handled by Crapo-Hathaway Family Funeral Home in Taunton.

Donations in Hoye’s memory may be made to St. Mary’s Church, St. Mary’s Square, Taunton, Mass. 02780.

The Anchor - January 22, 2016

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Around the Diocese All are invited to prayer and Eucharistic Adoration in St. Jude’s Chapel of Christ the King Parish in Mashpee on January 22, immediately following the 8:30 a.m. Mass. The Divine Mercy Chaplet will open the hours of adoration. Benediction will be at noon.

The Foundation to Advance Catholic Education Winter Brunch hosted by Most Reverend George W. Coleman, Bishop Emeritus of Fall River, will be held on January 24 at the Coonamessett Inn in Falmouth beginning at 11:30 a.m. Co-chairpersons Dawna Gauvin and Robyn Hardy have worked along with the FACE winter committee to provide a great day for family and friends. The event will include a delicious buffet brunch, children’s entertainment, many fabulous raffle prizes including four Walt Disney World tickets and silent auction items. Proceeds benefit FACE, which provides need-based scholarships to children in need of financial assistance to attend one of the schools of the Diocese of Fall River. Through this generosity, hundreds of children will continue to receive scholarship aid. For reservations or to make a donation, call Jane Robin at 508-759-3566.

The Fall River Area Men’s First Friday Club will meet on February 5 at St. Joseph Church on North Main Street in Fall River. Mass begins at 6 p.m. and will be celebrated by Father Jay Mello, parochial administrator of St. Joseph Parish. Following the Mass, the group will gather in the church hall next door for a hot meal prepared by White’s of Westport. Following the meal the guest speaker will be Sister Marie Lapointe. The Mass is open to the public. Any gentleman wishing to join for the meal (cost $11) and listen to the guest speaker should reserve a seat through a club member, or by calling Daryl Gonyon at 508-672-4822.

The amazing story behind the 100-year history Our Lady of Hope Chapel in West Barnstable is now available in a special publication. This book tells the story of the builders, artisans, and local tradesmen who made it all possible. Featuring color photographs in a separate section, the rich symbolism, architectural elements, and works of art in the National Historic Landmark are explained. “Our Lady of Hope Chapel: The Convergence of Hope: A Story of the Hundred Year History” is the result of the Centennial Committee’s yearlong research. Printed locally, this small format book makes a wonderful keepsake or gift. Copies are available for $20 each and can be ordered by calling the Our Lady of Victory parish office at 508-775-5744, or by mail to: Our Lady of Victory Parish, 230 South Main Street, Centerville, Mass. 02632. For more information see the parish website at: www.olv.org.

Bishop Connolly High School in Fall River is searching for missing alumni as the school plans for its 50th anniversary to take place during the 2015-2016 school year. If you or someone you know is an alumnus of Bishop Connolly High School and is not receiving communications from the school, please send your contact information by email to Anthony Ciampanelli in the Alumni Office by phone at 508-676-1071 extension 333; at aciampanelli@bishopconnolly.com; via the school’s website at www.bishopconnolly.com; or mail the school at 373 Elsbree Street, Fall River, Mass. 02720. Please provide the graduate’s name (including maiden name if appropriate), complete mailing address, telephone number, email address, and the year of graduation.

The Diocesan Marriage Preparation Program is looking for married couples who would like to enrich their Marriage while helping engaged couples prepare for their lifetime together. There is also a Re-Marriage Prep Program for couples entering their second Marriages. If you are interested in sharing the joys and challenges of married life, please contact your pastor or the Diocesan Office of Faith Formation at 508-678-2828 or email cmcmanus@dfrcs.org.

To submit an event for consideration in The Anchor’s “Around the Diocese” listing, use the following form or email attachments to kensouza@anchornews.org

Visit the newly-designed Diocese of Fall River website at fallriverdiocese.org The site includes links to parishes, diocesan offices and national sites.

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The Anchor - January 22, 2016

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

Evening prayer and Benediction is held Monday through Wednesday at 6:30 p.m.

ASSONET — Beginning September 14, St. Bernard’s Parish will have Eucharistic Adoration every Monday from 9:30 a.m. to 6:30 p.m. The Blessed Sacrament will be exposed on the altar at the conclusion of 9 a.m. Mass and the church will be open all day, concluding with evening prayer and Benediction at 6:30 p.m.

ATTLEBORO — Eucharistic Adoration takes place in the Adoration Chapel at St. Vincent de Paul Parish, 71 Linden Street, from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. daily.

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

ATTLEBORO — There is a weekly time of Eucharistic Adoration Wednesdays from 7-9 p.m. at St. John the Evangelist Church on North Main Street.

Brewster — Eucharistic Adoration takes place in the La Salette Chapel in the lower level of Our Lady of the Cape Church, 468 Stony Brook Road, on First Fridays beginning at noon until 7:45 a.m. First Saturday, concluding with Benediction and concluding with Mass at 8 a.m. buzzards Bay — Eucharistic Adoration takes place at St. Margaret Church, 141 Main Street, Monday through Saturday, from 6:30 to 8 a.m.; and every first Friday from noon to 8 a.m. on Saturday.

East Freetown — Eucharistic Adoration takes place at St. John Neumann Church every Monday (excluding legal holidays) 8 a.m. to 9 p.m. in the Our Lady, Mother of All Nations Chapel. (The base of the bell tower).

EAST TAUNTON — Eucharistic Adoration takes place in the chapel at Holy Family Parish Center, 438 Middleboro Avenue, Monday through Friday, 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. On First Fridays, Eucharistic Adoration takes place at Holy Family Church, 370 Middleboro Avenue, from 8:30 a.m. until 7:45 p.m.

FAIRHAVEN — S t . M a r y ’s C h u r c h , M a i n S t . , h a s E u c h a r i s t i c A d o r a t i o n e v e r y Wednesday from 8:30 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. in the Chapel of Reconciliation, with Benediction at 11:30 a.m.

Also, there is a First Friday Mass each month at 7 p.m., followed by a Holy Hour with Eucharistic Adoration. Refreshments follow.

Fall River — Espirito Santo Parish, 311 Alden Street, Fall River. Eucharistic Adoration on Mondays following the 8 a.m. Mass until Rosary and Benediction at 6:30 p.m.

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

FALL RIVER — St. Anthony of the Desert Church, 300 North Eastern Avenue, has Eucharistic Adoration Mondays and Tuesdays from 9 a.m. to 7 p.m.

FALL RIVER — Holy Name Church, 709 Hanover Street, has Eucharistic Adoration Monday through Friday from 7:30 a.m. to 9 p.m. in the Our Lady of Grace Chapel.

FALL RIVER — Good Shepherd Parish has Eucharistic Adoration every Friday following the 8 a.m. Mass and concluding with 3 p.m. Benediction in the Daily Mass Chapel. A bilingual holy hour takes place from 2 to 3 p.m. Park behind the church and enter the back door of the connector between the church and the rectory.

Falmouth — St. Patrick’s Church has Eucharistic Adoration each First Friday following the 7 a.m.

Mass, with Benediction at 4:30 p.m.

HYANNIS — St. Francis Xavier Parish in Hyannis, 347 South Street, Hyannis, has Eucharistic Adoration from noon to 3 p.m., daily Monday through Friday.

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

MASHPEE — Christ the King Parish, Route 151 and Job’s Fishing Road has 8:30 a.m. Mass every First Friday with special intentions for Respect Life, followed by 24 hours of Eucharistic Adoration in the Chapel, concluding with Benediction Saturday morning followed immediately by an 8:30 Mass.

NEW BEDFORD — Eucharistic Adoration takes place 7 to 9 p.m. Wednesdays at Our Lady of Guadalupe Church, 233 County Street, with night prayer and Benediction at 8:45 p.m., and Confessions offered during the evening. Please use the side entrance.

NEW BEDFORD — There is a daily holy hour from 5:15-6:15 p.m. Monday through Thursday at St. Anthony of Padua Church, 1359 Acushnet Avenue. It includes Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament, Liturgy of the Hours, recitation of the Rosary, and the opportunity for Confession.

NEW BEDFORD — St. Lawrence Martyr Parish, 565 County Street, holds Eucharistic Adoration in the side chapel Fridays from 7:30-11:45 a.m. ending with a simple Benediction NORTH DARTMOUTH — Eucharistic Adoration takes place at St. Julie Billiart Church, 494 Slocum Road, every Tuesday from 5:30 to 6:30 p.m., ending with Benediction. The Sacrament of Reconciliation is available at this time.

NORTH DIGHTON — Eucharistic Adoration takes place every Wednesday following 8:00 a.m. Mass and concludes with Benediction at 5 p.m. Eucharistic Adoration also takes place every First Friday at St. Nicholas of Myra Church, 499 Spring Street following the 8 a.m. Mass, ending with Benediction at 6 p.m.

The Rosary is recited Monday through Friday from 7:30 to 8 a.m.

NORTH EASTON — A Holy Hour for Families including Eucharistic Adoration is held every Friday from 3-4 p.m. at The Father Peyton Center, 518 Washington Street.

ORLEANS — St. Joan of Arc Parish, 61 Canal Road, has Eucharistic Adoration every First Friday starting after the 8 a.m. Mass and ending with Benediction at 11:45 a.m. The Sacrament of the Sick is also available immediately after the 8 a.m. Mass.

OSTERVILLE — Eucharistic Adoration takes place at Our Lady of the Assumption Church, 76 Wianno Avenue on First Fridays from 8:30 a.m. to noon.

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

Taunton — Eucharistic Adoration takes place every Tuesday at St. Anthony Church, 126 School Street, following the 8 a.m. Mass with prayers including the Chaplet of Divine Mercy for vocations, concluding at 6 p.m. with Chaplet of St. Anthony and Benediction. Recitation of the Rosary for peace is prayed Monday through Saturday at 7:30 a.m. prior to the 8 a.m. Mass.

Taunton — Adoration of the Most Blessed Sacrament takes place every First Friday at Annunciation of the Lord, 31 First Street. Exposition begins following the 8 a.m. Mass. The Blessed Sacrament will be exposed, and Adoration will continue throughout the day. Confessions are heard from 5:15 to 6:15 p.m.

Rosary and Benediction begin at 6:30 p.m.

WAREHAM — Eucharistic Adoration at St. Patrick’s Church takes place 9 a.m. Thursday through 7 p.m.

Friday. Adoration is held in our Adoration Chapel in the lower Parish Hall. ~ PERPETUAL EUCHARISTIC ADORATION ~ East Sandwich — The Corpus Christi Parish Perpetual Eucharistic Adoration Chapel is open 24 hours a day, seven days a week at 324 Quaker Meeting House Road, East Sandwich. Use the Chapel entrance on the side of the church.

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

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

WEST HARWICH — Our Lady of Life Perpetual Adoration Chapel at Holy Trinity Parish, 246 Main Street (Rte. 28), holds perpetual Eucharistic Adoration. We are a regional chapel serving all of the surrounding parishes. All are invited to sign up to cover open hours. For open hours, or to sign up call 508-430-4716.

Council No. 14236 members, front from left: John Gonsalves, Mike McMormack, Ray Ferreira, Fernando DaSilva, Joe Machado, Chris Pereira, Marty Flinn, Joe Medeiros, and Pat Curran. Back: Mike Gula, Ed Viverios, Paul Couto, Donald King, Joe Twomey, Tom Daener, Dan Durning, Sean Jackman, Bill Boles, Mike Medeiros, and Stan Oliver. Member Brock Cordeiro was not in photo.

Dartmouth Knights council repeat winner of top national award

DARTMOUTH — Knights of Columbus Council No. 14236 in Dartmouth has received the distinction of Star Council again this year. They were awarded the Double Star Council award, an international award and the organization’s most prestigious one.

The organization’s headquarters, located in New Haven, Conn., made the announcement. The award recognizes overall excellence in the areas of membership recruitment (reaching 200 percent of quota, thereby making it a “Double Star”) and retention, promotion of the fraternal insurance program, and sponsorship of charity service programs.

A very small percentage of all councils achieve this award. The award was presented to the council

by Massachusetts State Council secretary Paul O’Sullivan during a ceremony.

O’Sullivan said, “I am honored to be here once again to present this award as a testament

to the high level of service your council has achieved. It is truly amazing to win this again.”

In announcing the award, Carl A. Anderson, chief executive officer of the organization, said, “Please accept my sincere congratulations upon attaining this prestigious award once again.

Your dedication to the order is seen in the high standard of excellence you have achieved.”

“Receiving the Star Council award again this year is truly special, proclaimed Chris Pereira, head of the local council. “We understand how rare this is and are extremely grateful. As I’ve said before, this achievement belongs to our members who tirelessly serve others. We are immensely proud of this wonderful accomplishment.”

This past fraternal year, the Father Hogan council contributed to various charitable causes and assisted many families and individuals in its parishes and throughout the community. The council was established in 2007 and serves the parishes of St. Julie Billiart in North Dartmouth and St. Mary’s in South Dartmouth and the community as a whole. It has 90 members and continues to grow.

A special event to celebrate is scheduled for the spring.

The Anchor - January 22, 2016 23

Catholic Schools Week 2016 January 31 — February 6

To advertise in The Anchor, contact Wayne Powers at 508-675-7151 or Email waynepowers@ anchornews.org

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The Anchor - January 22, 2016