FALL RIVER, MASS.
VOL. 48, NO.3· Friday, January 23, 2004
Southeastern Massachusetts' Largest Weekly • $14 Per Year
Catholic Schools Week showcases a quality, values-added education • The January 25-31 celebrations also include loads of fun.
elementary schools, there is something planned in every school, Milo reported. He called it "an exciting time because this is when the elementary schools hold
By DEACON JAMES N. DUNBAR FALL RIVER - Students and teachers in the Fall River diocese's 29 Catholic schools are readying for a super week of activities to salute the high standards of excellence and the quality of education that emphasizes intellectual, moral, physical and social values they represent. An annual joint project of the National Catholic Educational Association and the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops, Catholic Schools Week celebrates education that goes beyond preparation for a secular life, preparing students in Catholic elementary and high schools for a Christian life, George A. Milot, superintendent of Catholic Schools in the diocese, said. All four of the diocese's Catholic high schools, the two middle schools and the 23 elementary schools - with a total enroUment of approximately 8,700 students - have planned special events. Those include Masses, science projects, dances, spelling bees, dress down and crazy hat days, lunches, pizza parties, pancake breakfasts, a macaroni and cheese lunch, music interludes, all kinds ofdisplays, plays, mock trials, art fairs and readings. While the activities are mainly in the
offer by visiting the various schools and enrolling their children in them. Also during this week, many Catholic schools traditionally host an "open house"
Cecilia Felix reports the events begin Sunday with a 10 a.m., Mass at St. Lawrence Church hosted by students in grade one. A special, early registration of new students as well as a Book Fair will follow from 11 to a.m., to 1 p.m., with free coffee and donuts. Other events at Holy Name-Holy Fam~ ~ .. ily include: - Registration of students through, ~" ~ out the week Tuesday through Friday; CT ' - Monday, when Guardian An~ gel Teams will read their favorite stoi ~ ries. They young students are invited to wear their PJs and bring in their favorite stuffed animals ... and if they arrive early they can have pancakes and C:===:..=::-~--::-:=-==-· ::---~-- __===-=~ talents to the juice; visitors are welcome throughout the Milot also local parish- day and refreshments will be served; Tuesday marks Ethnic Diversity centered noted that St. school facili- Day when students wear international dress Pius X School, and show flags and maps, as each classties. which will open in South As part of the fes- room presents a different nation; Yarmouth in September, Wednesday offers 2004 Class tivities, National Ap"will add to the already" record number of stupreciation Day for Color Games and "Singing State Trooper" dents in Catholic Catholic Schools will Dan Clarke will entertain with song; Thursday brings safety presentabe held on January schools within the diocese." 28, the Wednesday tions by Harpo from the Bristol County during Schools District Attorneys' Office; dramatic viThe 2004 obWeek, to salute the gnettes from the Reader Theater; and servance, ~ith a more than 600 grades seven and eight attending Mass celtheme of teachers and 100 ebrated by Bishop George W. Coleman; " Cat hoi i c Friday invites an exciting Day at Schools: A Faith-Filled Future," also builds staffers in the diocese, who are among the Beach when students can dress in their awareness of, and involvement in, Catho- 163,004 Catholic teachers nationwide. At Holy Name-Holy Family School, 91 favorite Hawaiian shirt with jeans and lic schools. It encourages parents to take Thm to page 13 - Schools full advantage of the benefits those schools Summer Street, New Bedford, Principal
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Mass. bishops release one million pro-marriage mailers By MEGHAN DoRNEY
BISHOP GEORGE W. Coleman speaks at the January 16 press conference in Brighton. (Boston Pilot photo by Gregory Tracy)
BRIGHTON -In a push to rally Catholics across the Commonwealth, the four Massachusetts bishops convened last week to announce a campaign to mail nearly one million leaflets to Massachusetts Catholics championing traditional marriage. The bishops hope their effort will encourage citizens to voice their support for marriage before a scheduled marriage amendment vote February 11. The mailer, titled ''Marriage in Massachusetts: Crisis and Challenge," explains the Church's position on marriage and instructs citizens on how they can help defend it At the press conference, held at St John's Seminary, each bishop read a portion of a prepared statement in defense of marriage. The Supreme Judicial Court's November 18 decision to legalize sariJ.e-sex marriage dictates law and usurps the role of the Legislature, said Bishop Thomas L. Dupre, of the Diocese of Springfield. He reported that the federal government and 37 states have passed laws aflinning marriage. . The SJC's decision "does not represent the majority view of people in the country or state:' Bishop Dupre said. "Just because the SJC made this decision doesn't mean it's right." Catholic legislators have a "moralobligation" to vote in favor ofthe amendment, he said. However, non-Catholic representatives should also
uphold marriage because it is ''fundamental to all of society:' he continued. Archbishop Sean P. O'Malley, OFM Cap., ofBoston, described the endeavor as a "critical stage in the educational efforts" of the Church on the issue of same-sex marriage. The Church's and the bishops' stance on marriage, he stated, does not represent a prejudicial or strictly religious view, but one that is directed towards strengthening the institutions that form the basis of society marriage and the family. The archbishop added that "all studies" reveal that the best environment for children is with a mother and father who are in a committed relationship. Marriage has become more "adult-eentered" rather than "childcentered:' Worcester Bishop Daniel P. Reilly said, quoting the results of a recent study by Rutgers University. The bishops said that not enough people are contacting their legislators to express their support for marriage. Bishop Dupre said their inaction may be caused by the ''fear of being falsely labeled as bigots or intolerant." He cited the media for fostering the impression that being against same-sex marriage is an act of discrimination. ''We do not see this as an act of bigotry," added Archbishop O'Malley. ''We see it as an act of love for families." ''This historic endeavor reflects the seriousness with which Thm to page 12 - Bishops