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VOL. 47, NO.3· Friday, January 24, 2003
2003 World Day for Consecrated Life to be celebrated February 1-2 By DEACON JAMES N.
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Parishioners from across the diocese are FALL RIVER - When Catholics through- invited to attend. out the Fall River diocese gather the weekend This year the annual celebration most fitof February 1-2 to observe the 2003 World tingly coincides with the feast of the PresenDay for Consecrated Life, they probably will tation of the Lord and the Gospel reading rehave some special people in mind. calls how Joseph and Mary brought Jesus to "The theme for the weekend, 'For I Have the temple to be consecrated. Seen the Face of God' was chosen to empha"In today's feast, therefore, we celebrate the size God's impact on so mystery of consecration: consecration of Christ, conmany people by those cho"The theme for the week- secration of Mary, consesen to pursue a vocation to the consecrated life and fol- end, 'For I Have Seen the cration of all who follow low the evangelical counsels Face of God' was chosen Jesus for love of the kingPope John Paul II , of poverty, chastity and obeto emphasize God's impact dom," who instituted World Day dience," said Mercy Sister Elaine Heffernan, episcopal on so many people by for Consecrated Life in representative to religious those chosen to pursue a 1999, noted in a homily and coordinator of liturgy for vocation to the conse- marking the day. In a letter to the North the observance. crated life and follow the ''The day will be a good evangelical counse~ of American Congress on Vocations, the Holy Father time for all of us to remember those religious men and poverty, chastity and obe- wrote: "With all my heart, I women who played such an dience, n said Mercy Sister hope that the climate of enthusiasm and faith that one important part in our lives, Elaine Heffernan. observes in many ecclesial whether they be teachers, or communities reinforces the advisors, or whose ministry brought us closer to Christ ... and to heighten desire of those who are inclined to give themtheir visibility in the Church and in the world," selves entirely to Christ to spread his kingdom." Sister Heffernan said. Funding to promote the event in the United On February 2, the Fall River diocese will officially celebrate the day with a Mass at 3 States has been provided by the Our Sunday p.m. in St Mary's Cathedral. Msgr. George Visitor Foundation, which gave the U.S. bishW. Coleman, administrator of the diocese, will ops' Committee on Consecrated Life a grant of $40,000 to develop print materials, and be the principal celebrant. Religious from various congregations will Serra International, which gave the committee a grant of $4,500 to, develop a Webpage. gather at the Mass to renew their vows. In the United States the celebration is over"It will be a solemn moment as they reconsecrate themselves to God in service of seen by the Commission on Religious Life and the Church and the people of God," Sister Ministry, which includes leaders from the Heffernan commented. Tum to page 13 - Consecrated
Catholic press needed when Church scarred by crisis, assert bishops Catholic press "reminded Catholics that the bad news ofclerical abuse was in no way the full story of the Catholic Church in the United States." Both messages were released by the Ronkonkoma-based By CATHOUC NEWS SERVICE Catholic Press Association. The theme of the 2003 observance is "The Catholic press: RONKONKOMA, N.Y. - The Catholic press is needed , more than ever today when the Church is scarred by the bad The place to turn for the rest of the story. Spread the word." ''The terrible tragedies which have lacerated the Church, news of clergy sexual abuse scandals, said two bishops inas they left innocent victims psychovolved in Church communications. logically scarred and thousands of inIn separate messages for Catholic Press Month, observed next month, The theme of the 2003 obser- nocent priests as the victims of undeserved suspicion, have affected the they praised the Catholic press for also vance is "The Catholic press: The morale and even the religious pracreporting the good news about the place to turn for the rest of the story. tice and even allegiance of many Church. Catholics," said Archbishop Foley. "While pointing out the sins and Spread the word. n The Catholic press has balanced crimes of a few, you have also supthis "depressing moment" with posiported and pointed out the generous service of many," said Coadjutor Bishop Joseph A. Galante tive news about World Youth Day in Toronto, the naming of of Dallas, chairman of the U.S. bishops' Communications new saints, Church social and educational services, and the dedication of an "impressive new cathedral" in Los AngeCommittee. Archbishop John P. Foley, the U.S.-born president of the les, the archbishop said. Tum to page 13 - Press Pontifical Council for Social Communications, said the
• February is observed as Catholic Press Month.
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PEACE-LOVING Americans of all races and religions remembered Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Monday. January 15 would have been his 73rd birthday.
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