01.25.13

The Anchor Diocese of Fall River

F riday , January 25, 2013

Diocese prepares to celebrate Catholic Schools Week

By Kenneth J. Souza Anchor Staff

FALL RIVER — For Dr. Michael S. Griffin, the superintendent of schools for the Fall River Diocese, the annual observance of Catholic Schools Week is “a special opportunity to join together in celebrating and proclaiming the values of Catholic education, as well as the contributions of Catholic schools to our Church and nation.”

More than just a celebration, Griffin sees it as an important opportunity for the diocesan schools to host “spiritual, academic, social and artistic events throughout the week (that) are planned to showcase and celebrate the focus of our schools on educating the ‘whole person’ — in body, mind and spirit.”

The theme of this year’s Catholic Schools Week, which begins Sunday and runs through

February 2, is “Catholic Schools Raise the Standards.” This theme highlights the launch of a new initiative, the National Standards and Benchmarks for Effective Catholic Elementary and Secondary Schools, to ensure consistent high standards at Catholic schools across the country.

This year’s logo (to the right of this article) illustrates a chart of steady growth culminating in the highest achievement of them all — a cross representing the faith that underscores all Catholic education. The logo provides a visual expression of the essence of Catholic education to enhance the week’s celebration.

“One of the fundamental reasons for the success of our Catholic schools is their commitment to high standards of excellence, calling young people to become all God has creTurn to page 10

Tips on working with children with special needs

By Becky Aubut Anchor Staff

EMBRACING TECHNOLOGY — Students at Bishop Stang High School in North Dartmouth are taking advantage of advancements such as laptop computers and iPads to better prepare for future college and career opportunities. (Photo by Karen Quintin)

Diocesan schools stay ahead of the curve with technology

By Kenneth J. Souza Anchor Staff

NORTH DARTMOUTH — It wasn’t too long ago that the most common thing a student lugged around from classroom to classroom was a hefty, well-worn book bag bulging with textbooks and notepads.

Today, those colorful sacks made of canvas have been replaced with the even-morecolorful “skins” and cases containing Apple iPads, electronic tablets and laptop computers.

In an effort to stay ahead of the curve of this fast-moving technological revolution, schools throughout the Fall River Diocese have implemented an array of programs and initiatives to ensure these important digital

tools are literally at the fingertips of all Catholic students.

“Our mission is to prepare our young people for a changing and increasingly technological world,” said Dr. Michael S. Griffin, school superintendent for the Fall River Diocese. “The incorporation of new technologies into our classrooms provides our students new opportunities for academic exploration, research, and communication that prepare them for success in the 21st century.”

“Technology opens up new ways of communicating both inside the classroom and as a virtual classroom alongside the studentteacher interaction,” agreed Christopher W. Turn to page 10

BOSTON — As Catholic Schools Week launches its annual observance on January 27, this year’s theme of “Catholic Schools Raise the Standards” ensures the promotion of high academic values and Catholic identity, a standard made even more important when dealing with children with disabilities.

No one understands that more than Erin McLoughlin, who earned her bachelor’s degree in severe special needs in elementary education and child in society, and a master’s degree in severe special needs education from Boston College.

“I have wanted to work with, and be a teacher for, children with disabilities from the time I was very young,” recalled McLoughlin. “It’s always been part of what I wanted to do.”

She worked for six years as a special education teacher in urban public schools, working with children who had a wide range of disabilities, from Down’s syndrome to autism to children with multiple disabilities or significant cognitive delays.

As an inclusion teacher — some of her favorite work that she’s done, she said — McLoughlin helped children with disabilities work alongside children without disabilities.

McLoughlin went on to earn an educational specialist degree in applied behavior analysis from Simmons College, leading her to becoming a board certified behavior analyst.

“Behavior analysis is a scientific field that studies behavior as a science; so we study human behavior, saying that behavior occurs for specific reasons because of

what is going on in the environment,” explained McLoughlin. “Is there a trigger in the environment that makes the behavior more likely to happen? Does something happen after the behavior that means the behavior is going to happen over and over again?

“For example, my baby looks at me and smiles and I smile back at her. As I smile back at her, she’s going to smile more and more because I am giving her something that she wants.

“With that study of behavior, it opened up a whole new way of me being a teacher and gave me a lot more background in science and research to support different teaching methods. The more I learned about behavior analysis and the more I applied it, the more I say this really works and this is the way we need to be responding to children because it takes out the judgment from the kid who doesn’t want to learn — [we look at] what’s making them less likely to engage in the lesson right now?”

Having worked in a classroom setting, and then delving deep into the science behind behavior analysis, has given McLoughlin unique insight into how children think and why certain behaviors, from learning problems to disruptive issues, can be resolved if teachers look beyond the surface of the child and find the deeper reason for the issue.

“That’s part of my motivation because any chance I have to talk to teachers, I want to give them information on how to study behavior and analyze behavior because I think it’s one of the most effective ways to be a teacher,” she said.

Turn to page five

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January 25, 2013 News From the Vatican Pope’s Twitter success praised as evangelization breakthrough

Vatican City (CNA/ EWTN News) — Pope Benedict’s mass of 2.5 million followers in eight languages during his first month on Twitter has one Vatican priest calling the pontiff’s online presence “a new frontier” of evangelization.

Father Paolo Padrini, a collaborator of the Pontifical Council for Social Communications, said it is good that the pope has so many followers, but it even more important that the pope “seeks to co-exist and share on Twitter.”

“Being present in social media is evangelizing, if just for the fact that he is present with his words,” he told CNA January 11.

“It’s a great joy to see the pope’s words being disseminated, a joy that is held by all believers.”

Twitter is a social media service that allows users to send out 140-character messages, called “tweets,” to other users who follow their accounts. Followers and others may then share these tweets with their own followers with a “re-tweet.”

The pope’s first tweet on his personal account went out on December 12, the feast of Our Lady of Guadalupe. More than 64,000 people retweeted his introductory message on his English-language account “Pontifex,” while more than 33,000 did so for his Spanishlanguage account “Pontifex_es.”

As of January 11, he has sent

out only 21 tweets. He has shared ter include Christian speaker and Claire Diaz Ortiz, manager of his favorite memory of Christ- author Joyce Meyer with more Social Innovation at Twitter, said mas, asked for prayers for an end than 1.6 million followers; Texas the company is “thrilled” any to the Syria conflict and exhorted televangelist Pastor Joel Osteen time a leader joins their network others to look to Jesus Christ. with more than 1.2 million fol- to connect with his or her follow“Following Christ’s example, lowers; the California-based ers. we have to learn to give “For the pope, the deourselves completely,” cision will be a way for the pope said on Twithim to better connect his ter January 9. “Anything flock of 1.2 billion. That else is not enough.” many of those interacAnyone on Twitter tions can now take place may interact with any on Twitter is an inspiring other user. Those who fact for believers everyhave replied to the pope where,” she told CNA. range from the devout, She said that the comthe appreciative and the pany has seen a wide inquisitive to the fliprange of spiritual leaders pant, irreverent and even form large followings on obscene.

Twitter.

The pope’s followers “Many religious are numerous indeed. leaders have embraced His English-language Twitter to minister to account has more than their community, listen 1.4 million subscribers, to their concerns and his Spanish-language share meaningful conaccount has 575,000 and tent,” she said. his Italian-language ac- All a-twitter — Pope Benedict XVI posts Diaz said the pope’s his first tweet on his Twitter account @Pontifex Twitter debut showed an count has 265,000.

His tweets also go out last month in Paul VI hall at the Vatican. (CNS “incredible emphasis” photo/L’Osservatore Romano via Reuters) in French, German, Polon internationalization. ish, Portuguese and Ara“Launching in eight bic. His Arabic-language account evangelical Pastor Rick War- languages was an unprecedented is the least popular but still has a ren with 840,000 followers; and use of the platform by any large respectable 18,000 followers. non-denominational Texas Pastor leader,” she said. “Although the By comparison, President T.D. Jakes with 790,000 follow- dynamic brought with it many Barack Obama has acquired 25 ers. challenges that the Vatican million followers in almost five The pope’s Twitter following worked hard to address, ultiyears. The Dalai Lama has about quickly surpassed Cardinal Tim- mately the current eight accounts six million followers on Twitter. othy Dolan of New York, who (with more to come) are wonderU.S. religious figures on Twit- has 72,000 followers. ful examples of how one leader

can connect in many different languages with Twitter followers throughout the world.”

Father Padrini, who has developed and implemented pontifical council communications initiatives like the website pope2you. net and the iPhone app iBreviary, said that he thinks the pope’s success on Twitter is “major.”

“It has really warmed my heart. It’s a beautiful thing. But I didn’t have any doubt in my mind that it would be successful,” he said.

Judging from what he has read and heard in informal conversations, he thinks the Pontifical Council for Social Communications must be “very happy” that Pope Benedict’s communications are “more widespread than ever thanks to social media.”

The priest was optimistic about Twitter as a medium, even though little can be said in a single tweet.

“One-hundred-and-forty characters are few but the number of years of Jesus on earth were also few,” he said. “The important thing is to be present and to do so with quality.”

Father Padrini added that the pope has helped inspire others on the Internet.

“I feel that because of the pope’s presence online, all of the work of all of us who work in evangelization online is also valued.”

The International Church

January 25, 2013

Bishop in Mali says people in hiding, afraid to enter churches

OXFORD, England (CNS) — A Catholic bishop in war-torn Mali whose diocese lies in the path of Islamic insurgents said “people are hiding in their homes, unable to venture out.”

Bishop Augustin Traore of Segou, Mali, told Catholic News Service: “Although our churches are still intact, people are becoming afraid to enter them. Our entire Catholic culture will clearly be in danger if this conflict drags on.

“Until the havoc caused by the French bombing ends and the hostilities cease, no one will be in a position to know what has happened,” he said after noting that the country’s churches could face destruction if conflict continues.

Bishop Traore spoke to Catholic News Service January 16 as French combat troops prepared to engage government rebels at Diabaly, 90 miles north of Segou.

Meanwhile, Helen Blakesley, regional information officer for Catholic Relief Services, said more than 200,000 Malians had migrated to the south since a March 2012 military coup, while a similar number had fled to Niger, Burkina Faso, Morocco and Algeria.

Blakesley said a tradesman from the rebel-held town of Tombouctou, or Timbuktu, a world heritage site, was renting rooms with 40 members of his extended family in Mali’s capital, Bamako, helped by CRS cash donations. She said the man told her more family members were arriving weekly.

She added that the tradesman, Ibrahima Diallo, had been robbed by armed rebels during the five-day truck drive to the capital, which he had made with his blind sister and five small children.

Blakesley said two women, Fanta Poudiougou and Mariam Dembele, had described fleeing their hometown of Gao, 200 miles southeast of Tombouctou, without their husbands to avoid the threatened rape of their young daughters.

She added that both women were “praying negotiations will work,” fearing military intervention could place civilians in the crossfire.

Bishop Traore said relations

The Anchor www.anchornews.org

between Christians and Mali’s Muslim majority remained “good at local level” and had not been damaged by the Islamist insurgency, adding that people of all faiths were “vigorously committed” to maintaining the country’s secular character.

“People are deeply anxious and longing for this turbulence to end,” Bishop Traore said.

“The needs are great everywhere, and they include securing places of worship,” he said.

Ethnic Tuareg rebels seeking to establish a separate state overran most of northern Mali during 2012, operating alongside the Islamist group Ansar Eddine, which is believed linked to al-Qaida.

Sean Gallagher, CRS country representative in Mali, said the U.S. bishops’ international development agency was providing help to people fleeing from rebel-occupied parts of Mopti Diocese.

The Catholic Church has six dioceses and makes up less than two percent of Mali’s predominantly Muslim population of 15.8 million.

In a July statement, the country’s Catholic bishops’ conference and the Association of Protestant Churches deplored the robbing of Christian families and occupation of churches in Tombouctou, Gao and other northern towns.

In a New Year’s message, Archbishop Jean Zerbo of Bamako said all of Mali seemed “possessed by demons of division,” which had brought a wave of “robberies, rapes, persecutions, mutilations, profanations of places of worship and sacred tombs, and death sentences.”

He urged local Christians to avoid “discouragement, despair and indifference,” and remember “nothing is impossible with God,” adding that people should find signs of hope in “the joy of children” playing at refugee camps in Bamako and the welcoming of new-born babies.

He noted that the international community was helping, but said “the ball is in the court of Mali’s own people, and it would be dangerous to defer indefinitely the responsibilities belonging to us.”

OFFICIAL NEWSPAPER OF THE DIOCESE OF FALL RIVER Vol. 57, No. 3

Member: Catholic Press Association, Catholic News Service

Published weekly except for two weeks in the summer and the week after Christmas by the Catholic Press of the Diocese of Fall River, 887 Highland Avenue, Fall River, MA 02720, Telephone 508-675-7151 — FAX 508-675-7048, email: theanchor@anchornews.org.

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The Church in the U.S.

January 25, 2013

Flu epidemic prompts some churches to stop offering Communion chalice

WASHINGTON (CNS) — This year amid the raging flu epidemic in the United States, several dioceses have issued recommendations for receiving Communion, offering the sign of peace and even attending Mass.

According to a report by the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the flu season started earlier than usual this year.

As of January 16, 47 states were reporting widespread influenza activity, up from 41 states the previous week. The report also stated that the flu was beginning to subside in some areas, especially in the Southeast, where it first appeared.

The U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops posted on its Facebook page and blog the recommendations it offered in 2009 regarding the flu and Church practices.

The recommendations stressed that the diocesan bishop should always be consulted regarding any changes or restriction of options in the celebration of the Liturgy.

It also noted that in localities where outbreak of influenza was high, “bishops have introduced several Liturgical adaptations in regard to such practices as the distribution of Holy Communion and the exchange of the sign of peace in order to limit the spread of contagion.”

The recommendations urged the use of common sense and basic hygiene stressing that priests, deacons, and extraordinary ministers of H0oly Communion should “always wash their hands before Mass” and that “the faithful should be instructed not to receive from the cup if they feel ill.”

In mid-January, several Catholic dioceses posted guidelines on their websites about liturgical practices during flu season.

Guidelines posted online by the Washington Archdiocese stressed that “no one is ever under an obligation to shake hands during the sign of peace” and that a statement, bow or other gesture is appropriate.

It also noted that “no one is ever under an obligation to receive from

the chalice” and that “anyone who is ill, or suspects he or she is ill, should refrain from receiving from the chalice out of good will and consider receiving the Host in the hand rather than by the mouth.”

The archdiocesan guideline also urged Catholics who are unwell to “consider remaining at home” and if possible, watching the televised Mass.

Priests in the Boston and New York archdioceses received letters in mid-January reminding them they could suspend distributing the Precious Blood and suggesting they ask parishioners to bow instead of shaking hands to wish one another the sign of peace to curb the spread of flu germs.

Some bishops went a step beyond recommendations and stressed that during the flu season, Communion would only be offered in form of consecrated bread and parishioners should not shake hands at the sign of peace.

Bishop Peter A. Libasci of Manchester, N.H., said the extreme flu season made it necessary to follow such precautions.

“As always, your pastoral judgment is critical to ensure that these temporary changes are seen as being in the best interest of the faithful, as well as ensuring that no one with special circumstances is excluded from the table,” he wrote.

“Once the flu season is over, we will quickly reinstitute our traditional means of sharing the sign of peace and norm of distributing Communion from the cup for those parishes that elect to do so at each Sunday celebration of the Eucharist,” he added Bishop Michael D. Pfeifer of San Angelo, Texas, also made the same recommendation. In a recent letter to diocesan priests, he requested that they “suspend the use of the Communion cup at all Masses” until further notice. He also recommended that parishioners not offer the sign of peace with a handshake, but simply offer the exchange verbally or with a bow.

a voice for the voiceless — Mercy Sister Anne Fleming leads a prayer for victims of human trafficking on Human Trafficking Awareness Day in Detroit recently. According to an annual report on human trafficking released by the U.S. State Department in June last year, 27 million men, women and children are exploited through human trafficking. (CNS photo/Jim West)

‘Religious Freedom Day’ prompts renewed opposition to mandate

Washington D.C. (CNA) — President Barack Obama’s designation of a national Religious Freedom Day is leading to calls for his administration to show greater respect for the conscience rights of Americans.

“If it is not to be an empty promise,” said Kyle Duncan, general counsel for the Becket Fund for Religious Liberty, “religious freedom must also include acting on one’s deepest religious beliefs when one is feeding the poor, caring for the sick, educating the young, or running a business.”

Duncan welcomed the president’s proclamation but expressed regret over its failure to acknowledge the threats to religious freedom posed by the controversial contraception mandate.

Customarily proclaimed and celebrated every year on January 16, Religious Freedom Day marks the anniversary of the 1786 enactment of the Virginia Statute of Religious Freedom, penned by Thomas Jefferson.

In his official 2013 proclamation, Obama recognized “our right to exercise our beliefs free from prejudice or persecution.”

“Foremost among the rights Americans hold sacred is the free-

dom to worship as we choose,” the proclamation said. “Because of the protections guaranteed by our Constitution, each of us has the right to practice our faith openly and as we choose.”

Recognizing the contributions of people of faith to the building of America, the president acknowledged that religious liberty is not merely an American principle enshrined in the Bill of Rights, but “a universal human right” that constitutes “an essential part of human dignity” and a necessary ingredient for lasting peace.

He called on Americans to use January 16 to learn about religious liberty and how it can be protected for future generations.

Tim Schultz, state legislative policy director for the American Religious Freedom Program at the Ethics and Public Policy Center, told CNA that the annual proclamation indicates that Americans “overwhelmingly” support religious freedom.

He noted that the Religious Freedom Day is proclaimed every year by presidents of either political party, showing that religious liberty is not a partisan concern but a basic American principle.

Religion is “at the core” of peo-

ple’s identity, Schultz explained, and Americans of all faiths and no faith at all recognize the importance of a robust freedom of religion.

He called on the administration to ensure that its actions matched its language promoting freedom of religion for all Americans.

Other religious freedom advocates voiced concern over the Obama Administration’s failure to support the free exercise of religion.

In a statement responding to the proclamation, Duncan criticized the president’s use of the phrase “freedom of worship.”

“Religious freedom certainly includes worship, but it extends beyond the four walls of a church,” he said, pointing to the contraception mandate, which requires employers to provide insurance coverage of contraception, sterilization and some drugs that can induce early abortions.

The Obama Administration has denied an exemption to religious owners of for-profit companies, arguing that their exercise of religion does not extend to business decisions.

The mandate, Duncan warned, ignores the breadth of religious liberty “and is therefore out of step with our traditions and our laws, which promise religious freedom for all.”

Ashley McGuire, senior fellow for the Catholic Association, called the president’s proclamation “tremendously hypocritical.”

She pointed to the more than 100 plaintiffs who have filed religious freedom lawsuits over the contraception mandate.

“By replacing ‘freedom of religion’ with ‘freedom of worship’ yet again,” McGuire told CNA, “the president makes plain as day his effort to confine religion entirely to the private sphere.”

“This is very bad for Americans of every religion,” she cautioned.

Tips on working with children with special needs continued from page one

McLoughlin has been working as a behavior consultant for the past three years and has been giving workshops to teachers, including her presentation at this past year’s Faith Formation Ministry Convention, by finetuning her experiences and her academic studies to give instructors the tools in dealing with children with special needs.

The overall message she tries to get across during her workshops with teachers and Religious Educators is “a split from thinking these are kids just causing problems, making the job more difficult, and not knowing what to do with these kids,” said McLoughlin, “and switching from that to saying, ‘There’s something in the environment or something going on in this situation that is making these behaviors happen.’”

If a child is clearly distracted, not wanting to learn or being disruptive to his or her fellow classmates, McLoughlin asks instructors to think about what possible triggers may be present in the environment that are making these types of behaviors more likely to happen; or is there something that happens after the behavior that reinforces the behavior?

“What it is that the child gets out of this behavior that will make them do it over and over again? How are we paying the behavior?” she said. “If it’s a kid who asks to go to the bathroom when a lesson is going to start and we pay them by letting them go, they get out of the lesson and they’re going to make sure they’re going to ask to go to the bathroom again, because they get out of the lesson and it works really well for them.”

While teachers in schools

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The Anchor

January 25, 2013

may see the child on a daily basis, Faith Formation teachers — often volunteers without a teacher’s education or experience — have the exceptional challenge of getting to know a student from only a once or twice a week interaction. Say a child constantly looks for attention and bothers everyone, said McLoughlin, even a negative response is attention for that student.

The focus should be on “how can we give them the attention for the good things they’re doing? That becomes a technique, even if it’s a volunteer who only sees these kids one day a week; they know this student needs a lot of attention,” explained McLoughlin.

The instructor may stand closer to the student during class and look at what he or she is doing, and every couple of minutes compliment the child on things, such as following the reading or working on a project. The idea is to give them bits of attention instead of waiting for a full-on disruption, and only give attention for positive behavior.

“In behavioral analysis, we say that the function of the behavior determines how we respond to the behavior,” said McLoughlin. “I think for chil-

dren who don’t present with a physical disability or with a diagnosis that makes it easier to understand the challenges they face, I think that the misconception can be — to put it generically — they’re just a tough kid, doesn’t want to learn or just disrupts the class. That’s not what’s going on.

“Even if there’s no diagnosis and it’s just a kid causing a lot of problems in the classroom, there’s still a reason why they’re doing that. Maybe they’re bored by the material and it’s more interesting to act up? It could be that it’s really hard work for them, and even though we may think it should be easy for them, the behavior shows otherwise.”

Including parents in the discussion, when done in a respectful manner, is also a boon to getting the child to cooperate.

Don’t tell the parents that their child is being bad in class, but in a more gentle delivery talk about how their child seems to be having a hard time and ask, “Is this something that happens in school or home?”

“If parents are approached in that way, I’m sure they’ll be willing to collaborate,” said McLoughlin.

While most of her techniques are geared towards elementary-

age children due to her own experiences, McLoughlin said behavioral techniques do not have boundaries.

“Behavior analysis absolutely has no age limit and applies to all age groups across the board, from adults all the way down to babies,” she said. “One of the most important things any teacher of any age group needs to do is figure out what is going to motivate these kids? What is it that they really, really want?”

Middle school and high school students are extremely socially motivated and hate to be excluded in any group interaction; McLoughlin suggests that instructors use that to his or her advantage.

“It could be something like, ‘If you all get your work done and I don’t have to give more than three warnings during class, then you can have 10 minutes at the end of class to talk amongst yourselves.’ If the kids are motivated to talk and interact, then that’s what you can give to them,” she said.

Every teacher has a child that is a challenge, whether in an academic or religious setting. Often frustration sets in too quickly; recognizing that God made children different but loves each and every one of them may not solve the issue, but it can give teachers a moment of pause. Regardless if it’s a developmental issue, a

learning disorder, or just the disruption of a child whose home life may be in disarray, teachers must be willing to take a step back and find the trigger for the behavior instead of just taking a step back and walking away.

“The majority of children out there are happy to get their work done and to sit and listen quietly because they know the teacher will be happy with them,” said McLoughlin. “But for the kids who don’t do that, we don’t get to say, ‘Well, they just should.’

We have to see what else we can do.

“Applied behavior analysis is not gimmicks or just a set of techniques, it’s a science and a way of looking at behavior. I have had a lot of teachers who have gone through my workshops and come to me and say, ‘I watched what they were doing, tried this and it worked.’ It gives teachers this whole other set of tools and ways of looking at what is going on and frees them from feeling like it’s their fault, or from not knowing what to do, or [thinking] this kid is never going to learn. It really gives a different perspective on how to look at what’s happening.”

Resources McLoughlin recommends:www.bc.edu/schools/ stm/edevnts/CampusEvents/ Resources/Autism.html and www.loyolapress.com/specialneeds.htm.

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The Anchor ‘All of us are created equal’

President Barack Obama, this past Monday, told the assembled multitude in his inauguration speech, “We, the people, declare today that the most evident of truths — that all of us are created equal — is the star that guides us still; just as it guided our forebears through Seneca Falls, and Selma, and Stonewall; just as it guided all those men and women, sung and unsung, who left footprints along this great Mall, to hear a preacher say that we cannot walk alone; to hear a King proclaim that our individual freedom is inextricably bound to the freedom of every soul on Earth.”

In that paragraph he made reference to the 1848 Seneca Falls Convention, which was the first women’s rights convention held in the United States, to the 1965 marches in Selma, Alabama for equal rights for African Americans, and to the 1969 riots after a police raid on the Stonewall Inn, a gay bar in New York City.

The president continued, “It is now our generation’s task to carry on what those pioneers began. For our journey is not complete until our wives, our mothers, and daughters can earn a living equal to their efforts. Our journey is not complete until our gay brothers and sisters are treated like anyone else under the law — for if we are truly created equal, then surely the love we commit to one another must be equal as well.”

The Catholic News Agency, from which The Anchor receives much of its national and international coverage, interpreted the president as saying that “‘gay marriage’ is necessary for national progress” and reported, “Barack Obama stressed the need to modernize American values through changes such as a redefinition of Marriage.”

For someone who supposedly only “converted” to supporting “gay marriage” less than a year ago (although many liberal commentators at the time agreed with the sentiments of David Plotz of Slate.com that the president always supported this, but lied about it to get elected in 2008, but then publically embraced it in 2012 when it appeared that his base of young supporters might not do the heavy lifting for him if he failed to come out for “gay marriage”), the president certainly seems to believe that this is a bedrock issue of the American republic.

As Father Landry warned in a column to the right of the editorial a few months ago, politicians who oppose “gay marriage” are not pilloried, because it is better for the movement to treat them with kindness in the hope of eventually winning them over (especially if part of the positive treatment includes reminding the politicians of the growing support of the liberal position amongst America’s youth, who have been formed by the entertainment industry and the school systems to affirm same-sex relationships as being the equivalent of heterosexual marriage), while religions which support traditional Marriage (Catholicism, Evangelical Protestantism, Orthodox Judaism, Islam, Mormonism [although this last one backed down somewhat after being severely attacked for its support of Proposition 8 in California in 2008]) are strongly criticized, since the leaders of the gay rights movement know that there is no way of convincing the leaders of these religions to change their positions. Given that, the idea of the attacks is to try to break away the members of these religions from their leaders and to marginalize in the public discourse the long-held belief that Marriage is between a man and a woman.

Meanwhile, in France, LifeSiteNews.com reports that a group of people with same-sex attraction, who are not celibate, have nonetheless come out against changing the laws of that country to allow “gay marriage.” Their primary arguments are regarding the good of children. “The rights of children trump the right to children,” was the catchphrase of protesters like Jean-Marc, the mayor of a small town. These folks have started a website entitled homovox.com and speak on YouTube against changing the definition of Marriage.

There is no denying the anguish that people with same-sex attractions have had — wondering about their feelings, fearing the reactions of family and friends, worrying about bullying or being bashed. Servant of God Terence Cardinal Cooke (the title before his name means that he is being investigated for sainthood), the late archbishop of New York, realized that the Catholic Church needed to do more than just enunciate its teachings on homosexuality. It needed to reach out in love. At Cooke’s request, and with a recommendation from Father Benedict Groeschel, CFR, Father John Harvey, OSFS, began the Courage ministry to people with same-sex attractions.

On Courage’s website, couragerc.net, one can read the testimonies of people who have had their lives transformed by encountering Christ through this special ministry. They neither feel as if they were the “biggest sinners in the world,” as sometimes people of faith have made them feel, nor as if they were “just a piece of meat” to be the plaything of someone else. They have found true friendships, which are rooted in their prayerful relationship with Christ. In one member testimonial, he describes how he and his live-in non-Catholic boyfriend gave up sex and the boyfriend became a Catholic, thanks to their prayer and the support of other people in the Courage movement.

Although well-meaning (one would hope), the president’s and his allies’ program for civil rights does not reflect what is truly needed for people with samesex attractions nor for our society at large. Let us pray, through the intercession of St. Agnes, whose feast we celebrated on inauguration, asking that God help our leaders and our country better understand human sexuality. As has been stated before, people with same-sex attraction are not the people who initially separated marriage and sex from their original definitions. It was heterosexuals, looking for pleasure without sacrifice or commitment, who brought into the world the ideas of marriage without children, sex without marriage, pregnancy without childbirth (abortion), and pregnancy without making love (in vitro fertilization). The gay movement is only reaping what the majority heterosexual population developed.

As such, the intercession of St. Agnes, virgin and martyr, is much needed for our country and for our world, so that more and more hearts and souls are not sacrificed on an altar of desires which cannot be quenched (until they are redirected towards God).

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January 25, 2013

The attack on the Seal of Confession

ther than those of Czech origin, few willing to build a few posh basilicas in order to Catholics know the moving story of St. get priests to reveal the dirt that politicians and John Nepomuc. other public figures have confessed. The sacred He was a virtuous and brilliant young priest inviolability of the seal — that priests cannot who, in addition to serving as vicar general of betray a penitent by word or any other manner the Archdiocese of Prague toward the end of for any reason whatsoever — is something that the 14th century, was appointed a chaplain to allows everyone to be able to come for spiritual the court of Bohemian King Wenceslaus IV. help and mercy, and the more we receive that (He’s quite different from the famous “Good help and mercy the more we appreciate the King Wenceslaus,” who was martyred in 935). importance of the seal.

Among those who came to Father John for Second, at a strictly practical level, if abusspiritual direction and Confession was Queen ers knew that priests would be legally obliged Sophia, who struggled with her husband’s to pass on their crimes to police at the risk of unfounded and all-consuming jealousy. fines or imprisonment, do you think they would Knowing that she was going to Confession even go near a confessional? By effectively to the young priest, Wenceslaus invited him barring from coming to Confession a child to his palace and tried to bribe him to reveal sexual abuser who recognizes that what he’s to him the contents of the queen’s Confession, doing is wrong and needs God’s forgiveness, but St. John replied that the Seal of the Sacrawe would be robbing confessors of the chance ment of Confession prevented his disclosing to try to persuade abusers to get help and to anything. The king then tried torture. He had do justice for those they’ve hurt by turning Father John thrown in prison where he was themselves in — as every good confessor does racked and had his sides burned with torches, when a murderer, rapist, abuser or other violent but the only thing that he said during his sufcriminal approaches. It’s ludicrous to think fering were the names of Jesus and Mary. After confessors would just give them three Our one more failed attempt to alter the priest’s Fathers as a penance and send them on their resolve, Wencway with a loleslaus had him lipop, as some of paraded through these politicians the city with a attacking the seal block of wood want to pretend. in his mouth, Third, a mockery of priests wouldn’t the Sacramenbreak the Seal

By Father tal seal, to the of Confession Roger J. Landry Charles Bridge, anyway. This is where his hands one of the most and feet were beautiful realities bound and he was thrown into the Moldau of the priesthood that few Catholics appreciate River where he drowned. Since, he has been enough. By his ordination, a priest has made considered a martyr to the Seal of Confession the commitment never to reveal what you or and a patron saint of confessors. anyone else says to him in the Sacrament of I bring his story up because some secularists Penance, even to save his own life, even if all in our society are trying to make more martyrs you confessed were a few venial sins. He can’t to the seal. break the seal even when someone is calumEarly last month, the leader of Australia, niously attacking his good name. He can’t Julia Gillard, threw her weight behind a probreak the seal to defend himself against a false posal to eliminate any civil protections to the accusation, even when the one framing him Seal of the Confessional in order to try to force had confessed, as was powerfully portrayed priests to divulge the contents of what they hear in Hitchcock’s “I Confess.” He can’t break in Confession in the case of the sexual abuse the seal to save the life of another or to avert a of minors. Australian Senator Nick Xenophon public disaster. He can’t break the seal even to called the government’s recognition of the stop the brutal torture of his mother before his inviolability of the seal a “medieval law that eyes. That’s how important the seal is and how needs to change.” Even Catholic politicians are committed a priest is to protecting it. And that’s joining the chorus, like Parliamentarian and how important the Sacrament of Confession opposition leader Tony Abbott, who said that is if it requires that level of commitment and civil law has to take precedence over Church potential sacrifice from those who administer it. law and that everyone, including priests, must We live in an iconoclastic, consumerist obey the law. age where, like all public figures, priests are If an abuser comes to Confession, they criticized on just about everything. A lot of argue, the priest must be mandated to break the this criticism is, of course, valid. But I wonder seal and report the abuser to the civil authorisometimes whether those doing the criticism of ties. The prevention of child abuse must trump a priest’s idiosyncrasies, or accent, or particuany and all other concerns, they say. lar pastoral decisions reflect enough on the Such a push is not unique to Australia. fact that every priest — including those they There was a strong legislative effort to do so in don’t like, or even those in most need of God’s Ireland two years ago, which failed. There were mercy themselves — has made a commitment legislative attempts to do so in Maryland, New to be imprisoned, tortured or even killed in Hampshire and Connecticut during the last order to protect what you tell him in Confesdecade. As an aggressive form of secularism in- sion. Every priest has made the commitment to tolerant of religious freedom and of the sanctity allow his reputation to be destroyed to protect of conscience continues to strengthen and aseven what an eight-year-old tells him in her sert itself through governmental structures, we first Confession. Priests have made a commitshould expect such attacks against the Seal of ment to die for you, in order to make it possible Confession — and against the priests who keep for you to approach without fear the Lamb of the seal — to grow, not lessen.

God and receive His mercy.

In response to this push for eliminating the The stopping of the abominable horror of sacramental seal, we should understand a few the sexual abuse of minors or any other crime things. doesn’t require another abuse against faithful First, we can safely say that calls for priests and the Sacrament of Confession, which eliminating the Seal of Confession are coming are part of the solution, not the problem. from those who don’t appreciate the purpose When civil leaders are channeling tyranniof the Seal of Confession, very likely because cal King Wenceslaus and threatening to throw they don’t receive it. If someone considers the priests in prison or off modern bridges, it’s Sacrament of Penance itself “medieval,” then time for Catholics and all those who respect it’s somewhat logical that he would think that the legitimate rights of religious freedom the sacramental seal is medieval as well. If to recognize what’s going on and step up in such public servants were regular recipients defense, rather than join the politically correct of the Sacrament, on the other hand, I don’t mob. think they’d be pushing for priests to be able Father Landry is pastor of St. Bernadette to reveal the contents of Confession; TMZ Parish in Fall River. His email address is and the National Enquirer would probably be fatherlandry@catholicpreaching.com.

Putting Into the Deep

January 25, 2013

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Our first task as a society — Keeping our children safe

ast Tuesday, January 22, was the 40th anniversary of the United States Supreme Court’s infamous 1973 decision in Roe v. Wade. This case single-handedly invalidated the abortion laws of virtually all the states. It made abortion, which is the killing of unborn babies, a constitutional right. The Court called it “terminating a pregnancy.” From crime to right overnight.

Millions who would have become future voters and taxpayers, roughly half of them female, died or were terminated as a consequence. Playgrounds and schools sometimes became ghost towns. Governmental pyramid schemes like social security and Medicare bordered on bankruptcy for lack of new investors.

Jan. 22, 1973 was also the date on which Lyndon B. Johnson, our great civil rights president, died. He had pushed through the landmark Civil Rights Act of 1964 and the Voting Rights of 1965, and thus did much to remedy the baleful consequences of slavery and segregation that had blighted our country’s history. He had been inspired, of course, by the

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The Anchor

e celebrated a week of Prayer for Vocations. The dates of Jan. 13-19, 2013 were set aside this year for the annual week-long celebration of the Catholic Church in the United States dedicated to promote vocations to the priesthood, diaconate and consecrated life. This was to be accomplished through prayer and education.

Soon we end the celebration of the Week of Prayer for Christian Unity (January 18-25), a week set aside to discern what unites us as Christians and how we can work together for the common good of all. We are reminded that the walls which separate us do not lead to Heaven.

We have just completed the remembrance of the devastating decision, Roe v. Wade, which made abortion legal in the United States. This decision, made 40 years ago, has promoted the culture of death in our society. Each year the anniversary is marked by prayer and the annual March for Life held in our nation’s capital.

In these 40 years we have seen the continuing devaluation of life. This has permeated our society to such an extent that in Massachusetts we narrowly defeated a physician-assisted suicide law.

What is our calling in all

Rev. Martin Luther King Jr., not persons entitled to sue in whose birthday we just comfederal court, and that slavery memorated. Their goal was to was constitutionally protected), make real the promise of “equal worse than Plessy v. Ferguson justice under law” inscribed (which had validated segregaover the entrance to the Sution as “separate but equal”), preme Court and guaranteed worse even than Roe itself. by the Fourteenth Amendment Actually, Roe had made a to the U.S. Constitution. Roe move that was familiar from the involved a new denial of the slavery precedent: in deciding principle of human equality.

For almost 20 years after Roe, presidents were elected on platforms to overturn this abortion of a precBy Dwight Duncan edent, new Supreme Court justices were appointed by those presidents, and there was hope that this slaughter of that the human fetus was not a the innocents could be ended. person within the meaning of Instead, in the 1992 case of the Constitution, unborn babies Planned Parenthood v. Casey, did not possess rights but were the Supreme Court, led by a Re- in effect property that were the publican-appointed threesome object of other people’s rights, of Justices Kennedy, Souter and just like slaves had been.

O’Connor, reaffirmed what it As Professor Paulsen wrote, called the “central holding” of “The crux of Casey’s analysis, Roe v. Wade. Professor Michael as a matter of legal doctrine, Stokes Paulsen rightly calls this was that Roe should be adhered “the worst constitutional decito ‘whether or not mistaken, sion of all time,” worse than with whatever degree of perDred Scott (which had ruled sonal reluctance any of us may that African-Americans were have, even on the assumption

Judge For Yourself

that the central holding of Roe was in error,’ because of the perceived damage it would do to ‘the people’s acceptance’ of ‘the Court’s legitimacy’ and thus its ‘power’ to ‘speak before all others’ for the Constitution and ‘declare what it demands’” (http://www.thepublicdiscourse. com/2012/06/5772/).

In other words, in spite of the mounting body count, the court should stick to its guns and dig in deeper on the right to abortion because its institutional prestige and power were at stake. And so we, the born survivors of the abortion right, can at most nibble away at the edges of the right to an abortion with provisions like informed consent laws and 24-hour waiting periods, without, however, putting an “undue burden” or “substantial obstacle” on a woman actually obtaining an abortion.

It is remarkable that the Roe anniversary occurred just two days after the second inauguration of President Barack Obama, unquestionably our most pro-abortion president

January is a busy month in the Church

of this? will need to occur to make this It would be interesting to possible. conduct a survey to ask any Often when we speak of vocanumber of parishioners how tion, we tend to narrow it down often they pray for vocations to to specific callings. Unfortunatethe priesthood. I would guess ly, many do not appreciate that that the numbers of people who they have a vocation. A vocation pray regularly for vocations to is a call. Wikipedia defines it the priesthood are very few. Yet, as: “An occupation to which a I will wager that these same people might decry the fewer numbers of men being ordained to the priesthood. They could even blame that for the shutting of

By Msgr. parishes.

John J. Oliveira While there may be a shortage of priests in our area, we are much luckier than so many other person is specially drawn or for regions of our country. Granted it which he or she is suited, trained, is more difficult for a priest to do or qualified. Although the term all that is demanded of him, we vocation is now often used in must admit that there is no lack non-religious contexts, the meanof priestly ministry in our area. ings of the term originated in Perhaps the numbers of Masses Christianity.” have been curtailed, but we can It would seem to me everyone still attend Mass easily in any has a vocation. People are called area of our diocese. to be married, single, widowed, The shortage of priests will etc. Aside from this calling in eventually lead to the hiring of life, our talents, inclinations, etc., lay people to do those jobs that direct us individually to what I are particular to them and free consider a vocation also: the way up the priest to do those things in which we live our lives. more appropriate to his vocation.

Some are called to be teachSince this will be an expensive ers, physicians, scientists, nurses, proposition, reconfiguring and police, firemen, electricians, cooperation of parishes together plumbers, etc. It is by this calling

Living the Faith

that they exercise their talents, care for themselves and others as well as work for the betterment of society.

Many have the good fortune and blessing to be given the vocation, the call to be parents; a challenging, difficult and important vocation in any era.

Similarly, let us consider that all of us are given a call to follow the Lord. If we listen, we will hear His call.

For a Christian, the vocation is to follow Christ. This call is given to each of us at Baptism and its continual expression is found in the reception of the Sacraments and the living out of this call in our interaction with the Lord and with others.

This call is not limited to the clergy and religious. It is a task given to each of us. In his encyclical, Redemptoris Missio (No. 92), the late blessed Pope John Paul II stated: “Today, as never before, the Church has the opportunity of bringing the Gospel, by witness and word, to all people and nations. I see the dawning of a new missionary age, which will become a radiant day bearing an abundant harvest, if all Christians respond with generosity to the call and challenge of our times.”

ever. He is the one, after all, who is mandating in his Affordable Healthcare Act that private individuals and organizations, including those who are religiously and conscientiously opposed to abortion, pay for abortion-causing morningafter pills. As an Illinois state senator, he had voted against the Born-Alive Infants Protection Act, which would have protected the lives of children that survive abortions. As a U.S. Senator, he voted against the federal ban on partial-birth abortions, a law which even the U.S. Supreme Court upheld under Casey.

About abortion law, Obama stated as early as 1998, “Abortions should be legally available in accordance with Roe v.

Wade.” In unveiling his guncontrol proposals in the wake of the tragic Newtown, Conn. massacre of innocent first-graders, Obama said, “This is our first task as a society, keeping our children safe. This is how we will be judged.” You be the judge.

Dwight Duncan is a professor at UMass School of Law Dartmouth. He holds degrees in civil and canon law.

This day has not yet come but, more and more, it is necessary to become a missionary. We think automatically a missionary is one who brings the Good News of the Gospel to foreign shores, but that is not the only definition. To be a missionary is to share the belief that you have with others. This can consist in instruction or proselytization, but it is, more importantly, reaching out in caring for our brothers and sisters and helping them. In this manner they will see the depth of our love based on our conviction, in faith, that they are our brothers and sisters. Then the world will experience that “radiant day” the Holy Father spoke about.

In this busy month of January let us pray that we can live out our vocations with God’s help. Let us pray that our call to be a Christian can help us recognize each other as brothers and sisters and help one another. Let us pray that we can work with other Christians for the betterment of others. Let us pray that we can respect life in all its stages from conception to natural death.

God bless you.

Msgr. Oliveira is pastor of St. Mary’s Parish in New Bedford and director of the diocesan Propagation of the Faith Office.

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n Ecclesiastes 3, we’re told by the author, “There is an appointed time for everything.

And there is a time for every event under Heaven.” Such as, “A time to give birth and a time to die; a time to plant and a time to uproot what is planted ... A time to weep and a time to laugh; a time to mourn and a time to dance.”

It’s a beautiful passage, and it made an impactful rock song by The Byrds as well, “Turn, Turn, Turn.”

It’s so very true, in all aspects of life. And I do believe I witnessed the “time” change last

The Anchor

Turn, turn, turn

Sunday evening in chilly FoxMontana, Fran Tarkenton, Bart boro (or Foxborough depending Starr, Johnny Unitas, Y.A. Tittle on with whom you speak). and the like. Their time came, Sometimes the time change is instantaneous, and other times it’s subtle over a period of time.

As far as the National Football League goes, it’s been a subtle change

By Dave Jolivet ... a changing of the guards if you will.

For 10 years or so, we’ve witnessed warriors like and their time went.

Tom Brady and Peyton Manning Brady’s and Manning’s times light up stadium skies with laser- have come, and now they’re beam passes. And before that, it going. was guys like Phil Simms, Joe They are being replaced with

My View From the Stands

January 25, 2013 quarterbacks like Colin Kaepernick, Joe Flacco, RGIII, and Andrew Luck.

It was fun while it lasted. I’m not saying Tom and Peyton are done, just their dominance. There are some new sheriffs in town.

Frankly, the Patriots and the Denver Broncos don’t belong in the Super Bowl. They were outplayed, and out-coached.

That leads to the next turn, turn, turn phase. There seems to me to be a new breed of coaching in the NFL that is not-so-subtly

replacing the Bill Belichick “genius” approach.

I believe Bill’s time has come and now it’s going. He, like his legendary predecessors Vince Lombardi, George Halas, Chuck Noll, Don Shula, Bill Walsh and the iconic Curly Lambeau, will fade into NFL history. He’s being replaced by young guns like the Harbaugh brothers, John and Jim; Sean Peyton, and Chuck Pagano.

There was a time when offense ruled the league ... then defense. It was an ebb and flow, like the never-ending tides.

Brady and Manning ruled the airwaves with their aerial assaults, replacing (but not eliminating) the need for the running game that was the forte of guys like Barry Sanders, Eric Dickerson, Emmitt Smith, and the legendary Jim Brown.

The guard is changing to quarterbacks who can light up the skies, yet sprint like cheetahs (not to be confused with “cheaters” like the Patriots were accused of being at the dawn of this millennium).

It was truly fun to watch Peyton and Tom in their prime.

Just like it was fun to watch the heroes of my youth in their prime.

This changing of the guard is good for the NFL. It’s just not good for fans in New England and Denver right now.

The National Football League, like nature, has always been about the survival of the fittest.

If New England wants to keep up, it has to keep up. This may sound redundant or confusing, but it’s quite simple. The manner in which the Patriots won three Super Bowls doesn’t cut it anymore. That became evident in the two subsequent Super Bowl appearances in which they lost.

As much of a Patriots fan that I am, and always will be, I do enjoy watching the Kaepernicks, Lucks and RGIIIs of the world ply their trades. When Tom does decide to hang up the spikes and pose for a bust in the Football Hall of Fame, I hope the Pats can hook up with an exciting young QB, and coach ultimately, who can keep us fit enough to survive.

I was disappointed with last Sunday’s AFC championship game, but I can’t say I was all that surprised. The Patriots didn’t deserve a free trip to New Orleans.

There is a time for every event under Heaven, and one of those events is next week’s Super Bowl. There’s a time to laugh, and a time to dance. This year, those gifts are reserved for folks in Baltimore and San Francisco, whereas it used to be New England. Turn, turn, turn.

January 25, 2013

I

n most human organizations, the people who tend to get the bulk of attention are the ones at the top. Very often we hear little about the importance of the lives of the little people. Politicians, business tycoons and even film stars receive a lot of coverage in the media; but the men and women in the street hardly seem to count, unless they do something out of the ordinary.

Sometimes the same attitude can easily creep into the life of the Church. We could imagine that the pope and the bishops are the only ones who make up the Church; or that the most important per-

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The Anchor

Seeking unity in Christ

son in a parish is the parish say to the foot: ‘I do not need priest. We could also imagine you!’” that they solely are responPaul was not just theorizsible for bringing the people together.

In the second Homily of the Week reading, Paul uses an inspiring allegory to Third Sunday compare the Church in Ordinary Time to that of a living body. The hand, the

By Father foot, the eye; they are Thomas E. Costa Jr. all different and yet the body is not complete without any of them. In fact, they have to be ing about this as some sort different, and Paul explains. of an abstract dream for “If the parts were the same, the Church. He was deeply how could it be a body? As it concerned about the diviis, the parts are many but the sions in the community. He body is one. The head cannot was writing to the community

(the parish) at Corinth where some high-ranking families were trying to impose their control.

Paul says: “In every Christian community no one can be left out.”

Slaves and servants are as important as bosses.

Women have their place of importance, and so have the young. Every single person matters in the eyes of God. Not everyone finds reading Scripture easy. Even Jesus was criticized by people in His hometown, but if we read

Scripture in a spirit of eagerness to know the God Whose story speaks to our lives, it makes sense. Perhaps this is why Luke addresses his Gospel to one “Theophilus,” which means “lover of God.” Loving God means to love all His people, to work with all His people, and not oppressing the poor and those without power.

Each person has a role to play in the body of Christ. A lover of God seeks to serve with humility and does not seek to gain power and control. As lovers of God, let us all seek unity in the name of Christ.

Father Costa is pastor of Annunciation of the Lord Parish in Taunton.

Upcoming Daily Readings: Sat. Jan. 26, 2 Tm 1:1-8 or Ti 1:1-5, Ps 96:1-3,7-8a,10; Mk 3:20-21. Sun. Jan. 27, Third Sunday in Ordinary Time, Neh 8:2-4a,5-6,8-10; Ps 19:8-10,15; 1 Cor 12:12-30 or 12:12-14,27; Lk 1:1-4;4:14-21. Mon. Jan. 28, Heb 9:15,24-28; Ps 98:1-6; Mk 3:22-30. Tues. Jan. 29, Heb 10:1-10; Ps 40:2,4,7-8,10-11; Mk 3:31-35. Wed. Jan. 30, Heb 10:11-18; Ps 110:1-4; Mk 4:1-20. Thurs. Jan. 31, Heb 10:19-25; Ps 24:1-4b,5-6; Mk 4:21-25. Fri. Feb. 1, Heb 10:32-39; Ps 37:3-6,2324,39-40; Mk 4:26-34.

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orty years ago, on Jan. 22, 1973, the U.S. Supreme Court handed down Roe v. Wade, one of the two worst decisions in its history. The court’s first mega-error, the 1857 decision in Dred Scott v. Sandford, declared an entire class of human beings beyond the protection of the laws; Roe v. Wade declared another class of human beings, the unborn, beyond legal protection. Dred Scott helped precipitate the Civil War; Roe v. Wade led to a vast expansion of the Pro-Life movement, the largest movement of social reform in American since the civil rights movement and the natural successor to that effort to repair the lingering damage done by Dred Scott.

The battle to build an America in which every child is protected in

Pro-Life rising, 40 years after Roe v. Wade

law and welcomed in life continStates have decisively rejected ues. Forty years after Roe, the Pro- the Supreme Court’s 1992 diktat Life movement can cite at least 10 in Casey v. Planned Parenthood, reasons why it may, in time, carry wherein the court instructed the the day. people to end the abortion debate.

(1) Abortion has never been With leadership from, among accepted as part of mainstream medical practice. Abortion is regarded as tawdry and abortionists are stigmatized by much of the medical establishment.

(2) The science of human reproduction and

By George Weigel gestation has confirmed the Pro-Life position and rendered the “science” of Roe risible. many others, the Catholic bishops (3) The sonogram, which perof the United States, the people mits us to see the results of human decided that they would not be conception, has been a cultural silenced, and the Pro-Life movegame-changer. ment has grown ever since.

(4) The people of the United (5) The pro-“choice” world has always been rigid; it now displays an increasing desperation. ProLife organizations have worked incrementally to regulate abortion clinics and protect women from butchers like Philadelphia abor-

The Catholic Difference

tionist Kermit Gosnell; to mandate informed consent in abortion-decisions and parental-consent in the case of minors seeking abortions; and to legislate waiting periods so that women in crisis pregnancies can consider their situation with as much calm as circumstances allow.

The pro-“choice” world has resisted every one of these efforts to create situations of informed choice; it also resisted both a ban on the abortion of lateterm fetuses partially born and legal requirements to try and save the lives of children who survive late-term abortions.

Indeed, in certain political circles, abortion seems to be regarded as a kind of secular sacrament. This brutality has not gone unnoticed.

Neither has the hysteria with which Planned Parenthood attacked the Susan G. Komen for the Cure Foundation.

(6) The Pro-Life movement is getting younger while the pro-

“choice” opposition is graying.

What really alarms the pro-Roe forces in American politics about the annual March for Life in Washington, D.C., is not just the impressive numbers: it’s that the marchers get younger every year.

And that youthful vitality is not limited to one cold January day in the nation’s capital; there are new Pro-Life organizations among younger physicians and attorneys.

All of which suggests that the Pro-Life movement is American civil society at its robust and selfrevitalizing best.

(7) Pro-Lifers have had increasing success at the state legislative level in recent years and can anticipate more success in this phase of the battle in the immediate future.

(8) The sheer implausibility of the legal argument in Roe v. Wade has become clearer over time. Few serious legal scholars defend the legal reasoning in Roe, and even honest liberal scholars agree with one of Roe’s dissenters, Justice Byron White, who labeled the decision an exercise in “raw judicial power.”

(9) The humane service rendered to hundreds of thousands of women in thousands of crisis pregnancy centers across the country has demonstrated, time and again, that the Pro-Life movement is the party of compassion in this debate.

(10) A 2012 Gallup Poll found that more than 50 percent of the American people self-define as “Pro-Life.”

So there is reason for a measure of satisfaction, if not exultation, on Roe’s 40th anniversary.

George Weigel is Distinguished Senior Fellow of the Ethics and Public Policy Center in Washington, D.C.

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The Anchor

Diocese prepares for Catholic Schools Week continued from page one

ated them to be,” Griffin said of this year’s theme. “Within the context of a changing world, Catholic schools in the Fall River Diocese are committed to continued growth in our curriculum, further incorporation of technology in instruction, and preparation of our young people to apply the moral teachings of our Catholic faith to the challenges that lie ahead.”

A week of events will kick off in the diocese with the St. Mary’s Education Fund Winter Brunch, to be held at the Coonamessett Inn in Falmouth on Sunday beginning at 11:30 a.m. This is one of three major benefits held each year to raise money for Catholic school scholarships in the diocese, the other being dinners held in the summer and fall.

Sunday’s event will offer an extensive, delicious brunch buffet, children’s entertainment and a funfilled raffle to benefit the St. Mary’s Education Fund. The fund provides need-based scholarships to students attending Catholic elementary and middle schools in the Fall River Diocese. Seating is limited and reservations must be made prior to the event. For tickets or more information, contact Jane Robin at 508-7593566.

As part of the diocesan observance of Catholic Schools Week, Bishop George W. Coleman will

celebrate Mass with all the Catholic schools within the Cape Cod deanery on January 28 at 10 a.m. at St. Francis Xavier Church in Hyannis.

Students, faculty members and friends of St. Francis Xavier Preparatory School and Pope John Paul II High School in Hyannis; St. Margaret Regional School in Buzzards Bay; St. Pius X School in South Yarmouth; and Holy Trinity PreSchool in West Harwich are invited and expected to join Bishop Coleman for the Liturgy.

Bishop Coleman annually celebrates a Catholic Schools Week Mass in one of the diocese’s five deaneries and this year it was Cape Cod’s turn for the honor.

On January 30 Bishop Coleman will also preside over the blessing and dedication of the new Academic Resource Center at Bishop Stang High School in North Dartmouth beginning at 11:30 a.m.

The newly-renovated adjacent 22,880-square-foot structure was originally built with the school in 1959 as a convent for the Sisters of Notre Dame de Namur, who staffed the diocesan high school until they left in 1976. The building was then converted into office space and a retreat center that more recently housed the Family Ministry Office for the Fall River Diocese.

The new Academic Resource

Center will now be home to a series of guidance offices, an executive conference room, the advancement office, the admissions office and the president’s office on the first floor; a “learning commons” area including a librarian’s office, a student workroom with a permanent LCD wall display, a small computer alcove, and a large open space with worktables and bookshelves on the second floor; two new classrooms on the third floor; and, when completed, an art classroom and studio, replete with a new kiln, a digital photography studio, and an art gallery to display student work on the fourth floor.

Most schools in the diocese will commence Catholic Schools Week with a Mass celebration — either on Sunday or during the school week — and also have a variety of special events planned throughout the week. Some highlights include: • Students in grades four, five and six at St. Joseph’s School in Fairhaven will attend an “Anti-Bully Laser Show” at All Saints Catholic School in New Bedford on January 28; on January 29 students in grades one, two and three will host a “Dynoman” Science Presentation at their own school, while kindergarten and preschoolers will be treated to a Toe Jam Puppet Band Show at Our Lady of Mount Carmel Church

in New Bedford that same day; • Students in grades three through eight at Holy Name School in Fall River will take a field trip to go bowling at Holiday Lanes in Somerset on January 29, and there will be a Spelling Bee for students in grades five through eight on February 1; • Students at Holy Trinity School in Fall River will experience an “Out of This World” Day, a schoolwide assembly from Mad Science, on January 30; and then will travel to Bristol Community College in Fall River on February 1 to see a production of “The Wizard of Oz”; • A “Mad Scientist” will visit the students at St. Michael’s School in Fall River on January 28 for a program titled “Marvels in Motion,” and the students there will also travel to Holiday Lanes in Somerset on January 31 for a bowling field trip; • Students at Holy Family-Holy Name School in New Bedford will explore potential career options during Career Day on January 31; and a Catholic Schools Week Mass, hosted by grade seven, will be celebrated at Holy Name Church in New Bedford on February 2 at 4 p.m., followed by a school jamboree in the parish center; • Grade seven and eight students at St. James-St. John School in New Bedford will travel to Bishop Stang High School in North Dartmouth on January 31 for the “Catholic School Challenge” and all students will at-

dents will effectively utilize their iPads. The cost of the iPad will be offset by gradually decreasing the number of expensive textbooks with low-cost digital textbooks and other free electronic resources.”

“The integration of technology provides a tremendous opportunity to enhance student learning,” Shaughnessy said. “An iPad, for instance, allows students and teachers to access incredible resources to support the curriculum. Students today interface with information in a unique manner and utilizing the best technology provides an opportunity to engage young people in the way that they learn best.”

It’s not only Stang students who will benefit from the technological advancements, either — the school is also in the process of moving to an electronic “parent portal” via the Internet to provide the “most effective parent-teacher and parentschool communications,” Shaughnessy said.

With the dawn of 2013, portable computer technology remains the most prevalent tool for exchanging ideas and information, and Shaughnessy said it’s a critical component of a graduate’s success.

“As a Catholic, college preparatory high school, it is our mission to prepare our students with the skills required to be successful in college and the 21st-century workforce,”

he said. “Colleges and workplaces currently increasingly utilize digital resources and digital methods of communication. By embracing and integrating technology today, we best prepare our students for success in an increasingly global world.”

While those working in print mediums such as book publishing, magazines and — sadly enough — newspapers continue to see declines in readership as more people gravitate towards digital and online content providers, Shaughnessy doesn’t see an end to the need for textbooks in the immediate future.

“Today, colleges and workplaces are ‘both/and’ worlds of digital and print materials; with trend lines clearly heading in the digital direction,” he said. “In order to best prepare our students for success in college and the workforce, Bishop Stang will reflect this ‘both/and’ reality of print and digital resources.

The iPads will allow our students to increasingly utilize digital textbooks and curriculum resources while retaining print materials and traditional textbooks. As the world becomes exclusively digital, our teachers and students will be in an ideal position to make the transition.”

Keavy described Pope John Paul II High School as a “BYOD” school, meaning students are asked to “Bring Your Own Device.”

“Most devices this year are laptop computers which bring excellent resources into the classroom everyday and enable student to work in their way,” he said.

Like Stang, Pope John Paul II High School has also upgraded its technological resources to help communicate with parents.

“Edline, which provides online access to grades and school announcements, has been in place at Pope John Paul II High School since our inception,” Keavy said.

“This provides a tremendous advantage to parents in monitoring and encouraging their sons’ and daughters’ academic progress. With Edline, there are no grading ‘surprises’ and therefore parents and teachers are able to communicate at a deeper level of insight about how that particular student might learn.”

Even though iPads and laptops are a common sight around campus these days, Keavy doesn’t foresee textbooks and notepads becoming extinct anytime soon.

“The best learning takes place in the exchange between students and teachers ‘live and in person’ and, as such, whiteboards and certain traditional tools will always be relevant,” he said. “Our job is to maximize the multiple modes of communication and presentation for the benefit of our students.”

Coyle and Cassidy High School

Diocesan schools stay ahead of curve with technology continued from page one

Keavy, principal of Pope John Paul II High School in Hyannis. “Used properly, laptops, tablets and other devices invite greater communication from students to teachers and among students in a way consistent with the work world of today. Additionally, laptops always on hand allow for easy access to tremendous authentic web-based resources that far outstrip traditional textbooks.”

“Technological advances have given students the ability to have instant access to an abundant amount of information, foster communication, collaboration and creativity, provide higher student engagement, and have allowed students to access curriculum in ways not possible before,” added Robert Gay, principal of Coyle and Cassidy High School in Taunton.

To that end, Bishop Stang High School in North Dartmouth recently announced a 1:1 iPad initiative for its incoming freshman class of 2017. Freshmen will be required to bring an Apple iPad tablet to school each day.

According to Bishop Stang President Peter Shaughnessy, “Our decision was based on extensive research, surveys and discussions among students, parents, teachers and administrators. Our freshmen teachers will receive comprehensive and ongoing professional development to ensure that their stu-

January 25, 2013 tend a teacher and staff appreciation luncheon on February 1 at 11:30 a.m.; • Students at St. Mary’s School in Taunton will be treated to a Magic Show on January 30 at 1:30 p.m. in the auditorium; and will enjoy an Ice Cream Social on January 31 at 12:15 p.m.; • Students at Our Lady of Lourdes School in Taunton will also enjoy a presentation titled “New England Reptiles and Birds of Prey” on January 30 at 1:30 p.m.; • Taunton Catholic Middle School students will participate in a Community and World Peace Prayer Service on January 31 at 8 a.m., and they’ll enjoy a “MiniField Day” on February 1 with pizza, ice cream and homeroom games that afternoon; • Bishop Coleman will celebrate Mass with students at Coyle and Cassidy High School in Taunton on the morning of January 31.

Catholic Schools Week is a project of the National Catholic Educational Association, the world’s largest private professional education association, and the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops, the national public policy organization of U.S. bishops.

This one-week observance is an annual celebration of the important role that Catholic elementary and secondary schools across the country play in providing a values-added education for America’s young people.

in Taunton has been working toward a 1:1 initiative for a number of years, according to Gay. “All of our faculty have received a laptop computer and an iPad,” he said. “We have also purchased an iPad cart with 30 iPads for teachers to share and use with their students.

All of our students will be required to have an iPad as a learning tool beginning with the 2013-2014 school year. Students will use the iPad to take notes, do research, manage time and due dates, access course content, study, and use many of the free educational iPad apps.”

Contrary to his fellow school administrators, Gay thinks the future isn’t looking too bright for textbook suppliers given the predominance of these new digital gadgets.

“I believe that textbooks in the 21st century will go the way of the horse and buggy in the early 20th century,” he said. “The chalk/white boards will continue to be used by teachers. However, students today are ‘wired’ differently than my generation.

“Personally, I still prefer reading a book in my hands. But the students are so familiar with technology, iPads will become their textbooks in the very near future.

Textbook companies are already in the process of retooling, and as a result, are offering e-books for teachers and students to use.”

January 25, 2013

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January 25, 2013

January 25, 2013

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January 25, 2013

CNS Movie Capsules “Gangster Squad” (Warner Bros.)

Stylish but excessively violent cops-and-robbers tale set in 1940s Los Angeles and based on real events. To thwart an increasingly powerful mobster (Sean Penn) intent on making the City of Angels his own, the metropolis’ police chief (Nick Nolte) commissions an idealistic officer (Josh Brolin) to form the team of the title — made up, most prominently, of Ryan Gosling, Anthony Mackie and Giovanni Ribisi — which will operate outside the law to break the thug’s power.

The main characters in director Ruben Fleischer’s drama — which also stars Emma Stone as the hood’s goodhearted moll — occasionally express second thoughts about their methods. But screenwriter Will Beall’s script, adapted from Paul Lieberman’s eponymous book, presents their illegal actions as the only practical solution open to them.

Moviegoers will require maturity and prudence to work through the tangled ethics of the situation — and a strong stomach to endure the wild gunplay and interludes of brutality.

Vigilantism theme, scenes of gruesome, bloody violence, a premarital situation, brief partial nudity, nu-

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January 25, 2013 merous uses of profanity, much rough and crude language. The Catholic News Service classification is L — limited adult audience, films whose problematic content many adults would find troubling.

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

Under 17 requires accompanying parent or adult guardian.

“Promised Land” (Focus) Reasonably entertaining message movie about the environmental dangers of drilling for natural gas using a method called hydraulic fracturing — fracking for short.

Matt Damon and Frances McDormand play a duo of energy company executives out to convince downon-their-luck farmers in a rural Midwestern town to sell their land to the corporation, glibly promising them instant wealth. When they encounter opposition from a retired science

Diocese of Fall River TV Mass on WLNE Channel 6 Sunday, January 27, 11:00 a.m.

Celebrant is Father Jay T. Maddock, Pastor of Holy Name Parish in Fall River

professor (Hal Holbrook) and from a personable environmentalist (John Krasinski), who launches a fervent campaign to thwart them, Damon’s character begins to have second thoughts. His change of heart is also driven by his attraction to a local teacher (Rosemarie DeWitt) whose regard he comes to value. A gifted cast and smooth direction by Gus Van Sant help to disguise the simplistic perspective and unmistakable anti-business bias underlying Damon and Krasinski’s script. And moviegoers committed to scriptural values will, of course, appreciate the prioritizing of stewardship over greed, but the proper balance between the two may appear quite different when viewed from a failing Iowa homestead rather than a Malibu beach house. About a dozen uses of profanity, much rough and crude language. The Catholic News Ser-

vice classification is A-III — adults.

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

Under 17 requires accompanying parent or adult guardian.

“Zero Dark Thirty” (Columbia) Challenging account, based on real events, of the decade-long hunt for terrorist leader Osama bin Laden. The action centers on a relentlessly determined CIA officer (Jessica Chastain) who uses intelligence hints, some obtained by a colleague (Jason Clarke) using torture, to track America’s public enemy number one to his fortified compound in Abbottabad, Pakistan. There, as enacted in the film’s climax, Navy SEALs killed him in May 2011.

While director Kathryn Bigelow and screenwriter Mark Boal have crafted a compelling drama, their movie’s moral stance is ambiguous. The harsh reality of so-called

“enhanced interrogation” is graphically portrayed, yet the results of subjecting prisoners to it are shown to be effective. Viewers will need a strong grounding in their faith to discern the proper balance between the imperative of upholding human dignity and the equally grave obligation to save innocent human lives. They will also need to guard against the temptation to revel in the death of an evildoer. Considerable violence, including scenes of torture and degradation, brief rear nudity, at least one use of profanity, frequent rough and crude language. The CNS classification is L — limited adult audience, films whose problematic content many adults would find troubling. The Motion Picture Association of America rating is R — restricted. Under 17 requires accompanying parent or adult guardian.

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January 25, 2013

Nationally aired Mass to mark CSW

WASHINGTON, D.C. — The Catholic University of America and Dominican House of Studies, in association with the National Catholic Education Association, will celebrate National Catholic Schools Week at the annual University Mass in honor of St. Thomas Aquinas, which will be broadcast live on EWTN. The Mass on Tuesday, January 29, at 12:10 p.m. will be held in the Basilica of the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception, Crypt Church.

The annual University Mass traditionally has been celebrated by a Dominican priest. This year’s celebrant and homilist will be Prior Provincial Very Rev. Brian Martin Mulcahy, O.P. Catholic University invited the NCEA to join in this year’s Mass.

Students from Archbishop Carroll High School and St. Anthony Catholic School, both near the CUA campus, will participate.

“Two years ago we began the practice of inviting the National Catholic Educational Association, which comprises Catholic elementary and high schools throughout the country, to tune into our Mass of the Holy Spirit that is broadcast nationwide by EWTN,” said Catholic University President John Garvey. “We thought it was a wonderful way for all of us to open the new academic year.

“While our 6,841 Catholic schools all across the country will be marking Catholic Schools Week with many local school and diocesan events, this national Liturgy will serve as a powerful reminder of the ties that bind us together as Christ-centered places of learning,” said Karen Ristau, NCEA president. “In this digital age, it is exciting to think that our Catholic school students from across the country can be brought together to celebrate the Mass of St. Thomas Aquinas.”

The Anchor is always pleased to run news and photos about our diocesan youth.

If schools or parish Religious Education programs, have newsworthy stories and photos they would like to share with our readers, send them to:

schools@anchornews.org

The Anchor

January 25, 2013

Vatican to enlist Christian all-stars to help scandal-ridden sports

He said the council hoped VATICAN CITY (CNS) — In person, “it has reduced people its participant line-up would inan effort to flex its moral muscle to merchandise,” he said.

U.S. cyclist Lance Arm- clude two high-profile Christian in the professional sports arena, the Vatican has invited top-tier strong’s admission to doping U.S. sports stars: NFL quarterChristian athletes Tim Tebow was just the tip of the iceberg, back Tim Tebow of the New and Jeremy Lin to help bring he said, since high-stakes com- York Jets, and NBA basketball ethical values back to a scandal- mercial interests pressure al- player Jeremy Lin of the Houston Rockets. ridden world of sports.

The goal of the conThe Pontifical e want to work with the big ference is two-fold, Council for Culture is sports bodies to give new Msgr. Sanchez de Toca planning to host an invalue to sports” and the upcoming con- said. ternational conference First: “to help put on re-instilling values ference — titled “We Believe in Sports” in sports this spring, — will be one way to get that initiative healthy values back into sport and counterinviting representatives started, the monsignor said. act the current market from top world governlogic, because if the ing bodies like FIFA current state of affairs (the International Federation of Association Football), most every professional cyclist continues, all is lost.”

Second: to help the Church the International Cycling Union into the illegal practice. The and the Italian National Olym- world of cycling and soccer is see sport as an important re“a world that is rotten,” he said. source for future priests, Cathopic Committee.

“We want to work with the lic schools, parishes and catMsgr. Melchor Sanchez de Toca Alameda, head of the big sports bodies to give new echists.

The former-modern pencouncil’s “Culture and Sport” value to sports” and the upcomsection, told Catholic News Ser- ing conference — titled “We tathlete-turned-priest said the vice that pro sports “have be- Believe in Sports” — will be council also wants to hold a come a commodity that is sub- one way to get that initiative “Race of Faith” — a 100-meter jog, shuffle or sprint up the Via ordinate to the free market and, started, the monsignor said.

The council will also have della Conciliazione toward St. therefore, to profit.”

Instead of sports being an ac- Catholic and Christian athletes Peter’s Square during the gathtivity that builds important val- in attendance, to give witness ering.

“We want to see lots of cardiues, respects human dignity and to how the worlds of faith and helps shape the whole human sports can easily come together. nals in tracksuits, too,” he said.

“W

Marian Medals cable TV air times

FALL RIVER — A video of the November Marian Medals Ceremony at St. Mary’s Cathedral in Fall River is airing on several cable television public access channels in the Fall River Diocese.

As of press time, the schedule: — Fall River, cable channel 95, January 25 and February 1 at 9 a.m.

— North Attleboro, cable channel 15, January 25 at 1 a.m., 6:30 a.m. and 7:30 p.m.; January 26 at 3 a.m., 9 a.m. and 3 p.m.; January 27 at 1:30 p.m. and 11 p.m.; January 28 at 2 a.m., 2:30 p.m. and 8 p.m.; January 30 at 4 a.m., 10 a.m. and 4 p.m.

— Somerset, cable channel 9, January 27 at 11 a.m.; January 31 at 8 p.m.

— New Bedford, cable channel 95, January 29, and February 5 and 12 at 4 p.m.

The 2012 Marian Medal Ceremony DVD is also available for purchase. To obtain a video, please forward a check in the amount of $24.95 payable to the Diocesan Office of Communications to Office of Communications, Diocese of Fall River, P.O. Box 7, Fall River, Mass. 02722. Shipping is included in the video cost.

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January 25, 2013

The Anchor

CATHOLIC SCHOOLS WEEK JANUARY 27 - FEBRUARY 2, 2013

CATHOLIC SCHOOLS Faith. Academics. Service.

Our Lady of Lourdes School

“a small school with a big heart” 52 First Street, Taunton, Massachusetts 02780 Accredited by the New England Association of Schools and Colleges REGISTRATION FOR SEPTEMBER, 2013/2014 SCHOOL YEAR PRE-KINDERGARTEN — GRADE 5 Saturday, January 26th • 11 AM - 2 PM — OPEN HOUSE Ongoing registration beginning Monday, January 28th, 2013 1:00 - 4:00 PM Birth and Baptismal Certificates Required Call (508) 822-3746 for additional information Website: ololtaunton.com Email address: olol@tmlp.com

Keep up on what’s happening in our Catholic schools and other diocesan news Visit The Anchor online at http://www.anchornews.org

I

did not watch the Oprah interview, nor do I wish to. The last couple of weeks, and even the last few months, there have been a lot of news stories written about Lance Armstrong and doping. I didn’t read any of the stories, just the headlines that came across Twitter or that I saw on news sites. It’s not that I’m in denial or holding out hope that it is all a mistake. It is just that recently in my prayer life I have been reminded a truth that society seems to have forgotten: human beings are flawed. We sin; we make mistakes. If this was not the case, we would not teach our children at a young age to say “I’m sorry,” or learn that the key to a fruitful and close friendship is the ability to seek forgiveness and to forgive the other.

Now, some would be quick to point at what I just stated and claim that I have a very pessimistic and unhealthy view of the world. Others may think, no, just realistic. In reality it

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January 25, 2013

Being Christ-like in our responses

is a view of hope and joy born known to others, to be His from faith and love of God. hands and eyes and voice in Faith tells me that God is the world. perfection. It also tells me That means when others that God desires me to be with fall (as I have and will at Him forever. For that to occur, times), I need to be Christ-like I need to unite myself to Him, not the other way around. My ultimate trust needs to be in God, not the world. I am also conscious that, as I am

By Father an imperfect being, David C. Frederici I am going to need lots of help and a lot of patience, which are promised to me by God. in my response. That doesn’t At Baptism, I was adopted by mean I do not hold somebody God. He promised to be there responsible for their actions. for me, to love me constantly, It does not mean that I will to help me as I grow and violate their human dignity seek to be the person He has by vilifying them, or treatcreated me to be. I will make ing them without respect. It mistakes along the way, but means helping them through He will still love me and still prayer or some other way, or offer His graces to help me to challenging them. do better. At the same time, I That’s what I’m supposed promise to live according to to do as a Christian. When we my relationship with Him, to were Baptized, after the water seek Him in the day to day, to was poured make His love and presence over us, we

Be Not Afraid

Franciscans’ prayer request texts met with enthusiasm

New York (CNA/EWTN News) — U.S.-based Franciscan friars have enjoyed a widespread response to a service allowing Catholics to send in prayer requests via text message.

“It’s an amazing thing,” Father David Convertino, OFM told CNA recently. “It’s very touching to read the prayers.”

In the week that it has been online, Father Convertino estimated that his Brothers had received more than 5,000 requests for prayer by text messaging.

Father Convertino is development director for the Holy Name Province of the Order of Friars Minor, or Observant Franciscans, which includes more than 325 friars up and down the eastern seaboard.

He recalled that the idea came to him while in a meeting at the provincial offices.

“Essentially, I was at a staff meeting one day noticing people were texting during our meeting, and realized how people are texting constantly.”

The priest put two and two together, and realized that the flood of prayer requests received by his Franciscan Brothers could be submitted through text messages. His idea was warmly received, and quickly initiated.

“We had first thought about it maybe three weeks ago, and then last week we thought, ‘Let’s go with it now, let’s move,’ so we did.”

The provincial office’s technology guru set up the system, and the friars began receiving prayer requests January 8.

“They’re prayed for everyday at Morning Prayer and Evening Prayer, and then also remembered at Mass,” said Father Convertino.

Currently the prayers are included at intentions at the provincial house, but they

will soon be sent to the Holy Name Province’s three retirement houses, as well.

Those wishing to have the friars pray for their intentions text “prayer” to 30644, and they receive back a welcome message. Then the individual sends their prayer intention, which is logged in an email account.

The requests are then printed out, “so the guys, if they want to do private prayer for the intentions, can actually read all the intentions,” noted Father Convertino.

“They’re very, very touching, I have to say.”

“We find there’s a lot of alienation from the Church that people are asking prayers for,” he said. Many ask prayers for their estranged children or friends, and many ask prayers for those suffering illness as well.

The friars are also flexible in their initiative. After receiving emails from people internationally who cannot send a text message to the number provided, the province decided to add an email feature for sending prayer requests. Now those who live outside the U.S. or who do not use text messaging can send their prayer intentions to the friars by email.

The friars are even being joined in their prayers by people around the world. Father Convertino recounted that a South African woman had emailed him offering to “be a part of our prayer for these people ... so she’s part of what we’re doing too.”

The generous response reminds Father Convertino of St. Francis and the days of the Order’s founding.

“It started not as an order, but a movement, the Franciscan movement. It was really a lay movement that Francis was part of. So you still have that now — people are joining us from all walks of life in this prayer movement.”

were anointed with chrism, clothed in a white garment and our parents or godparents were handed a lighted candle (experience has shown it is not wise to give an infant a lighted candle). We were given instruction as each moment: “As Christ was anointed Priest, Prophet and King, so may you live always as a member of His Body … you have become a new creation, and have clothed yourself in Christ … (You) have been enlightened by Christ.

(You) are to walk always as a child of the light.”

What should be shocking is not when someone fails in some way. Instead, it is when a Christian fails and seeks justification, or condemns another for their failure.

It is not out of despair that we acknowledge our failures and sins. It is out of love for

God and ourselves, for we understand that these actions do not define us, God does. This gives us hope and courage to persevere in the Christian life. To suggest that we should avoid dealing with our sins, of acknowledging weakness or out of love (this is key) challenging others to a higher standard (God’s), means to settle for mediocrity or imperfection. Why would we want to do that? That may be the biggest problem facing America today.

Fact: God loves you. Fact: you are imperfect and will sin. Fact: despite that, God still loves you and wants to be a part of your life, including giving you the graces and gifts to reach your full potential as one made in His image and likeness. Fact: the same applies to everyone else.

Father Frederici is Chaplain at UMass Dartmouth in North Dartmouth.

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January 25, 2013

Fellowship aims to bring Christ to all with help of college students

MELBOURNE, Fla. (CNS) — For Andrew Davis, what he saw at the Seek 2013 Convention at Walt Disney World “doesn’t compare or match anything I’ve ever seen before.”

“Seeing what’s said being practiced has touched me the most,” he said about the annual gathering sponsored by the Fellowship of Catholic University Students.

The conference came at a perfect time for Davis, a student at Germanna Community College in Fredericksburg, Va., who is in the initiation process to enter the Catholic Church.

He was one of more than 6,000 young adults who gathered recently at Disney’s Swan and Dolphin Resort in Lake Buena Vista.

“The Church wants to invite every person — every man, woman and child to experience a personal encounter with Jesus Christ,” said Curtis Martin, the fellowship’s founder and member of the Pontifical Council for Promoting New Evangelization. “Many have not personally encountered Je-

sus Christ. We need to reach the entire world and the way to do it is to reach American university students.

“They’re going to become leaders and we need people who know Christ to be the ones exercising that authority in our culture,” he told Catholic News Service.

The Fellowship of Catholic University Students originated at Benedictine College in Atchison, Kan., in 1998. Its fellowship’s missionaries are present on 74 college campuses and there is a new online Digital Campus to connect with students not on FOCUS campuses.

The missionaries befriend students and help them develop a personal relationship with Christ, then send them forth to evangelize others. There are now more than 5,000 fellowship alumni; the program has fostered nearly 400 vocations.

“I love Christ,” said Robert Frank, a 2010 graduate of the University of Notre Dame and a fellowship missionary.

“This is a way to come together as young Catholics, part of His Church to put Christ at the center of life and witness

others doing so as well.”

Thousands of young adults attended a Mass celebrated

by Archbishop Samuel J. Aquila of Denver.

“Your true dignity, your true identity is as a beloved child of God,” the archbishop said in his homily. “Just as when Jesus was baptized and heard the words ‘This is My beloved Son ... ,’ when you were baptized, the same was bestowed upon you. You can either receive that love or reject it, but even if we reject it, it is still there.

“In this Year of Faith we are called upon to deepen our faith in Our Lord,” he continued. “I encourage you to speak heart to heart with Jesus and pray for the grace to receive your true identity as beloved daughter and son and receive the love of the Father as Jesus received the Father’s love.”

The conference days and evenings were jam-packed with opportunities for participants to seek and find who they are and where they’re going. There were keynotes and impact sessions with presentations by priests, religious, theologians, laymen and laywomen, and young adult professionals.

“There were so many amazing speakers throughout the five days and practical tips — read this book, spend this amount of time per day praying or studying our faith, do this and it will help you,” said Celia Kniepmann, a sophomore majoring in chemical engineering at the University of Florida in Gainesville. As a freshman, she joined a Bible study sponsored by the fellowship and is now in discipleship training.

“I learned what it is to be a woman, how to build strong relationships — solid talks that went deeper,” she added.

Fellowship family liaison Lisa Cotter, a young wife and mother of two preschool-age children, led the session, “As a Woman ... As You Were Made to Be.” She highlighted the lives of several women who became saints, including Mary, and also talked about a young Italian mother, Chiara Corbella, who died June 13, 2012, at age 28 from an aggressive cancer. She learned she had cancer while she was pregnant but refused to have it treated until after the birth of her child in May 2011.

“God made you, me and Chiara with the same strength and the same ability to love,” Cotter said.

“He made us with the same feminine genius, created us to live life with beauty and strength. Our world needs you, your feminine genius, the authentic you. When you are who God created you to be, you make the world more human. Be saints, ladies!

It’s worth it!”

“Truth and Tolerance: Engaging the Culture of Moral Relativism” was the topic of another session, led by Edward Sri, professor of theology and Scripture at the Augustine Institute, Greenwood Village, Colo., co-founder of the fellowship and a husband and father of five.

“The Catholic world view looks outward to others with a commitment to God and giving myself to others,” Sri explained. “Relativism sees life as all about me, my life, what I want. Relativism is used to cover up or rationalize our egoism, selfishness, sin. Catholic tolerance is rooted in the dignity of the human person. True Catholic love wants what’s best for others.”

Prayer and the Sacraments were available on a regular basis, with daily Mass, Reconciliation, an adoration chapel and Benediction.

“I’m excited to see everyone praising God — especially in the adoration chapel. It’s packed,” said Emmanuel Carreno-Garcia, an AmeriCorps volunteer working in Jupiter, Fla., who is discerning a vocation. “At home, I’m the only young person who visits the chapel.”

The convention center hallways teemed with displays and representatives of religious orders, schools and organizations. The evenings featured top-notch entertainment.

January 25, 2013

Focus on faith It doesn’t matter whether you come from the ideological left or right, within the Catholic Church there is space for all those who respect truth and seek a just and well-ordered social order. Now this doesn’t mean, as some have suggested that you may ignore the truth: it will always be true that you may not choose to directly cause or promote the death of innocent human beings, i.e. murder, this is immoral from the womb to the tomb.

Thus the Church rightly spoke out against assisted suicide this past fall here in Massachusetts as it does when, perhaps too infrequently, it speaks for the unborn. These are issues that should unite Catholics no matter their political leanings.

However, as regards many issues, including issues of human life, that are not matters of intrinsic good or evil, Catholics have a duty to dialogue with each other rationally and respectfully to seek the best solution. Ultimately, with informed consciences, Catholics must make prudent decision for themselves about these issues. Priests, and bishops, and even cardinals have every right in our society to speak out about their personal opinions. To do so, however, using their position in the Church, when their opinion, is in fact just that, opinion, without any disclaimer is in my opinion a form of spiritual violence. As Pope Benedict XV noted almost a hundred years ago: “no one should consider himself entitled to affix on those who merely do not agree with his ideas the stigma of disloyalty to faith or to discipline.”

The teaching authority of the Church is given to mankind to help us know revealed Truth, Truth which gives life. To preach your opinion from the same seats of authority that you preach God’s Divine Revelation, without making any distinction, is to suggest that Catholics of good will whose thought processes differ from yours are unfaithful Catholics, when in fact they share the same faith, just apply it differently! This was clearly articulated by the prefect of the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith in a 2004 letter to the bishops of the U.S.: “Not all moral issues have the same moral weight as abortion and euthanasia. For example, if a Catholic were to be at odds with the

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Our readers respond

Holy Father on the application of capital punishment or on the decision to wage war, he would not for that reason be considered unworthy to present himself to receive Holy Communion.”

Over the past few years I have seen time and again my brother priests suggest that particular political policies are deserving of support from Catholics. Perhaps they are, however, these issues are not clearcut issues of right and wrong, they are issues of prudence about which Catholics of good will can disagree.

It is not unreasonable to note that priests have a much different experience of life than lay people and so in matters of prudence it is possible that a cleric’s opinion might be less prudent than a lay person’s.

These issues of prudence are the legitimate competence of a wellformed laity, so why is it that these issues, which are often “politically correct,” seem so often to get so much more attention from priests and bishops than the politicallyincorrect issues of fundamental morality, which are the legitimate competence of the Church? How is it that while so many Catholics hold erroneous views about fundamental moral issues that jeopardize their immortal souls our pastors have time for issues that do not!

Whether it be socialized health care or more recently the issue of gun control, the Church does not teach that you are somehow unfaithful to the faith if you are on either side of these debates. It is uncharitable for priests and bishops to suggest that a policy position is the position of the Church, even if many clerics or members of the hierarchy happen to agree with an opinion. As Pope Benedict noted in Ad Beatissimi Apostolorum, to suggest that your opinion is the Church’s is a form of violence which lacks charity. During the Spanish Civil War St. Josemaria Escriva lived in community with those who were sympathetic to the republican cause, which was desecrating churches and murdering priests, as well as those who were sympathetic to the nationalist cause, which though “pro-Church” was guilty of its own atrocities. He did this, condemning these intrinsic evils, but not condemning people as “un-Christian” for their legitimate political differences of opinions. This saintly example in which all are welcomed to the community

in charity, united in the Truth and respected in their legitimate differences, clearly follows the example of Christ, and my brother priests would do well to consider if they are living up to this example. As a priest who has very strong opinions about the organization of society, I always try to be careful not to counterfeit my opinions for the Church’s, and so I encourage my brothers to focus on teaching the faith, when Catholics believe everything the Church proposes for belief then and only then will it be prudent to have respectful, honest discussions about these other issues — and still, when Catholics disagree, about non-essentials, sometimes, in charity, we need to simply agree to disagree, and that’s OK! Father Ronnie P. Floyd St. Patrick’s Parish, Wareham

Executive Editor responds: Thank you for your fraternal correction, for myself and for other priests. If you were moved to write due to my editorial after the killings in the elementary school in Newtown, Conn., I did note in it, in the midst of quoting from the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops and from Pope Benedict XVI, “these are not mandatory teachings of the Catholic Church (nor are they the ‘non-negotiable’ issues of life and Marriage upon which we should be casting our ballots).” Of course, as you point out, the salvation of our souls is even more important than our voting correctly (although we will have to answer to God for how we have voted). Personally, I am not certain what should be done legislatively in this country about the issue to gun violence. Since this was the one of the biggest news stories of the week, a story in which the Catholic Church had become involved due to the ministry of the priests in Newtown, I did think that the editorial should comment on it and I went to the websites of the USCCB and the Holy See so as to find something more authoritative than something off of “the top of my head.” I do agree that we priests can be tempted to be “politically correct.” A lay friend told me of attending a Mass in another state after Newtown. The priest in his homily said something to the effect that he had never said anything challenging in 40 years as a

priest, but now he had to risk everything and speak his mind. He then gave a homily directly attacking the National Riffle Association by name. My lay friend would like to write to the priest, saying how sad it must be that he had never given a challenging homily in 40 years and now it was just a partisan attack on the NRA, instead of a homily defending life or Marriage or some other element of our faith which has been under attack. I agree with my lay friend, as I imagine you would. However, if we were to wait for the day (which will probably be on the last day of the world) “when Catholics believe everything the Church proposes for belief,” before having any discussions about other issues, then the Church would never be able to have any input on a vast range of issues. As you correctly state, lay people are much more knowledgeable than clerics about many things (Msgr. Oliveira made reference to this on page seven today) and the Church does not demand conformity on nondefined issues. However, if we had no dialogue within the Church on these issues, there would be no preparation for the time when the Church might need to teach something authoritatively (the dialogue might both help the Magisterium prepare a teaching which could be more readily received and help the faithful to ultimately understand that a seemingly “new” teaching was really something rooted in the Deposit of Faith). However, I agree with you that we need to focus on the defined teachings of the Catholic Church in our preaching (from the pulpit I did not say what I said in the editorial. Instead, I spoke of where is God in tragedies — He is present directly in our prayer; He is present in good people; etc.). In private (or even public) conversations, we can share with lay people what we personally think about a given issue (if it is not one of the “non-negotiables”), while stressing that they are free to disagree with us and remain good Catholics.

Discretion is needed Much deserved appreciation and praise to the St. Vincent de Paul Society, the Knights of Columbus and all the other organizations involved in collecting 350 coats for needy

young students in the Taunton/Fall River area. What a wonderful and successful project!

We did, however, view the related front page picture in the The Anchor (January 11) with mixed emotions. There were four smiling faces and two little boys (who appear to be preschool) who seem to be truly confused by having their pictures taken while wearing their “donated coats.” What was the purpose in photographing these children? We hope it was a mistake or perhaps an oversight. Mercifully, their names were withheld but their neighbors, classmates and extended families, having seen their pictures, now know that these two little boys and their families are “needy.” How very sad!

Poor people may not have wealth but they do have pride.

No castigation is intended for the project organizers but, please, next time photograph the coats but not the recipients.

God bless you for all your charitable good works and best wishes for continued success in helping those less fortunate.

Helen and Lew Ferretti Onset Executive Editor responds: Thank you for your insight. We at the paper should have thought what you did and have requested another photo. As you said, no harm was intended by the photo, but we would not want those children ridiculed for their poverty.

We thank the Lord for moving the hearts of people to help others in need.

Let us pray for one another I want to wish everyone a Happy New Year, with good health and lots of happiness. God loves you all so much. God wants us all to love one another.

Let us all pray for the 20 children who were killed in Connecticut. It is a very sad time for the families of those precious children.

May God bless you all, especially all who read The Anchor. Be assured of my prayers.

Olive Veiga South Dartmouth Executive Editor responds: Thank you for your prayers and encouraging words!

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Area Knights collect used cell phones to help troops

SOUTH ATTLEBORO — The South Attleboro Knights of Columbus Council #5876 and non-profit Cell Phones for Soldiers Inc. are asking area residents to help troops call home by donating gently-used cellular phones. With ongoing deployments to combat areas and elsewhere, as many as 369,000 troops are serving in the U.S. military overseas. By donating gently-used cellular phones to Cell Phones for Soldiers, area residents can provide troops with that precious connection to loved ones back home.

Residents can donate their phones to the cause at the following locations, including: — Knights of Columbus, Council Hall, 304 Highland Ave., South Attleboro (window mailbox drop box).

— St. Theresa’s Church, 18 Bal-

tic Street, Attleboro (inside parish).

“We are proud to support this important effort to provide assistance to our troops and their families,” said Dean Patterson, program director from the South Attleboro Knights. “It couldn’t be any easier for area residents to participate by donating their unused cell phones and provide families with a much-needed connection to their loved ones overseas” Funds raised from the recycling of cellular phones are used to purchase pre-paid international calling cards. On average, Cell Phones for Soldiers distributes 12,000 calling cards each week to bases around the world, care package programs, deployment ceremonies and VA hospitals.

Donated phones are sent to Michigan-based ReCellular for recycling. For every donated

Around the Diocese 1/28

St. Louis de France Parish, 56 Buffington Street, Swansea, will host weekly Scripture Study on The Passion and Resurrection Narratives of Jesus. The group will meet on the second floor in the parish school at 7 p.m. every Monday through March 25 (except for March 18) using the Little Rock guides for study and discussion. To register or get more information, contact Nancy Toolin at sldfo@comcast.net or 508-674-1103.

1/31

An open meeting of the Support Group for Divorced and Separated Catholics will be held January 31 beginning at 7 p.m. in the parish center of St. Julie Billiart Church, 494 Slocum Road in North Dartmouth. This session is a free discussion of personal difficulties regarding separation and divorce and is open to all. The meeting will end between 8:30 and 9 p.m.

For information call 508-678-2828, 508-993-0589 or 508-673-2997.

2/1

The Fall River Area Men’s First Friday Club will meet February 1 at the Chapel of St. Mary’s Cathedral, 327 Second St, Fall River, continuing its 65th year of activity. Following the 6 p.m. Mass celebrated by Father Karl Bissinger, secretary to Bishop George W. Coleman, there will be a hot meal in the school hall across the street. The guest speaker is Jim Gibney, former Fall River Superintendent of Schools. Attendance at the meal is open to any gentleman interested in this gathering. Guests or their member sponsors must notify Norman Valiquette at 508-672-8174 for guest seat reservations or with any questions.

2/2

A Day With Mary will be held February 2 at Annunciation of the Lord Parish in Taunton from 7:50 a.m. to 3 p.m. It will include a video presentation, procession and crowning of the Blessed Mother with Mass, adoration of the Blessed Sacrament and an opportunity for Reconciliation.

There is a bookstore available during breaks. Please bring a bag lunch. For more information call 508-996-8274.

2/16

A speaker, multi-media presentation and discussion featuring Sister Linda Bessom, SND, Faith Into Action Together Coordinator for the Massachusetts Coalition for the Homeless, will take place February 16 at St. Vincent de Paul Parish at Holy Ghost Church, 71 Linden Street in Attleboro. The program begins with a 4 p.m. Mass, followed by a pot luck dinner at 5 p.m. and the presentation set to start at 5:30 p.m. Sister Bessom serves on the Massachusetts Catholic Conference Social Policy Committee. The MCC is the voice of the Massachusetts Roman Catholic Bishops on Beacon Hill.

Her goal is to create awareness about the ways people can advocate for vulnerable residents in our community, including unaccompanied youth, who are experiencing homelessness and poverty. Sister Bessom will provide a faith-based charity and justice response to the problems of poverty and homelessness in Attleboro, and the larger community.

3/10

A Family Rosary Retreat will be held March 10 from 1:30 to 5 p.m. This family event centers on the theme “Lord I Believe — Help My Unbelief” and will consist of an afternoon of activities including inspiring keynotes, family activities, Eucharistic Adoration, Rosary prayer and a screening of a new video release on the Luminous Mysteries of the Rosary. Help is needed to conduct the program. Whatever your talents, it would be appreciated for whatever time you could offer. The event will be held at Bishop Stang High School, 500 Slocum Road, North Dartmouth. For more information call 508-238-4095 or 800-299-7729 or visit www.familyrosary.org/retreat.

phone valued at just $5, Cell Phones for Soldiers is able to provide two-and-a-half hours of free talk time to deployed troops.

Cell Phones for Soldiers, Inc. is a non-profit organization dedicated to providing deployed and returning troops cost-free methods to communicate with family while serving in the United States military. Based in Norwell, CPFS was founded in 2004 by Robbie and Brittany Bergquist, then 12 and 13 years old. From the recycling of used mobile phones and cash donations, the organization has raised more than $7 million, collected more than 8.3 million cell phones and provided troops overseas with more than 114 million minutes of free talk time. For more information visit www.cellphonesforsoldiers. com. Find us on Facebook at http://www.facebook.com/ JoinCellPhonesforSoldiers.

In Your Prayers Please pray for these priests during the coming weeks 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, OFM Conv., 2006 Rev. Raul M. Laoa, 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

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

January 25, 2013

Eucharistic Adoration in the Diocese

Acushnet — Eucharistic Adoration takes place at St. Francis Xavier Parish on Monday and Tuesday from 9:30 a.m. to 6:30 p.m.; Wednesday from 9:30 a.m. to 9 p.m.; Thursday from 7 a.m. to 5:30 p.m.; Friday from 9:30 a.m. to 9 p.m.; and Saturday from 9:30 a.m. to 2:45 p.m. Evening prayer and Benediction is held Monday through Wednesday at 6:30 p.m.

ATTLEBORO — Eucharistic Adoration takes place in the St. Joseph Adoration Chapel at Holy Ghost Church, 71 Linden Street, from 7 a.m. to 9 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.

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, every first Friday after the 8 a.m. Mass and ending the following day before the 8 a.m. Mass.

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 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.

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 — St. Mary’s Church, Main St., has Eucharistic Adoration every Wednesday from 8:30 a.m. to noon in the Chapel of Reconciliation, with Benediction at noon. 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 Eucharistic Adoration on Fridays from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. in the chapel.

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 until 6 p.m. in the Daily Mass Chapel. There is a bilingual Holy Hour in English and Portuguese from 5-6 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 9 a.m. Mass until Benediction at 4:30 p.m. The Rosary is recited Monday through Friday from 8:30 a.m. to 9 a.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 every Friday from 7:30 a.m. to 1 p.m.

NORTH DARTMOUTH — Eucharistic Adoration takes place at St. Julie Billiart Church, 494 Slocum Road, every Tuesday from 7 to 8 p.m., ending with Benediction. The Sacrament of Reconciliation is available at this time.

NORTH DIGHTON — Eucharistic Adoration 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.

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 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. Expostition 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 — Every First Friday, Eucharistic Adoration takes place from 8:30 a.m. through Benediction at 5:30 p.m. Morning prayer is prayed at 9; the Angelus at noon; the Divine Mercy Chaplet at 3 p.m.; and Evening Prayer at 5 p.m.

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 from other parishes are invited to sign up to cover open hours. For open hours, or to sign up call 508-430-4716.

WOODS HOLE — Eucharistic Adoration takes place at St. Joseph’s Church, 33 Millfield Street, year-round on weekdays 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m., and Saturday 9 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. No Adoration on Sundays, Wednesdays, and holidays. For information call 508-274-5435.

January 25, 2013

Pope urges prayers for peace during Christian Unity Week

Vatican City (CNA/EWTN News) — Pope Benedict XVI asked for more prayers of world peace as part of the Christian Unity week celebrated this week.

“For the prayer of Christian unity I would like to add again that one for peace, because, in the ongoing diverse conflicts, an end to the massacres of unarmed civilians, an end to all violence, and that courage to dialogue and to negotiate is found,” he recently told thousands of pilgrims from his Apostolic Palace window at St. Peter’s Square.

The Church is now celebrating its annual week of prayer for Christian unity, which began January 18 and will end today.

The pope detailed the importance of unity during his Sunday Angelus at the Vatican.

“One of the most serious sins that disfigures the face of the Church is against its visible unity, especially the historical divisions the have separated Christians that haven’t yet been overcome,” said Pope Benedict.

“It’s a moment always welcome to believers and communities, which awakens in all the desire and spirit of commitment to full communion,” he added.

The pontiff also recalled last month’s vigil, which he celebrated with thousands of young Europeans and with the Taizé ecumenical community, and called it “very significant” and “a moment of grace in which we experienced the beauty in the form of one Christ.”

“I encourage everyone to pray together so that we achieve this year’s theme, which is, ‘What does the Lord require of us?’” the pope said.

The theme was proposed by Christian communities in India, which he asked “to walk with determination towards the visible unity of all Christians to overcome, as brothers in Christ, any kind of unjust discrimination.”

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January 25, 2013

The Anchor

Bishops find progress in relationship with Catholic colleges

Washington D.C., (CNA/ EWTN News) — A report by the U.S. bishops finds a positive relationship between Catholic universities in America and the Church, while encouraging continued cooperation and growth.

“Bishops reported that they believe our institutions of Catholic

higher education have made definite progress in advancing Catholic identity,” the document stated.

“The relationship between bishops and presidents on the local level can be characterized as positive and engaged, demonstrating progress on courtesy and cooperation in the last 10 years,” it

explained.

Released January 10, the report marks the 10-year anniversary of the application of “Ex Corde Ecclesiae,” an apostolic constitution written by Pope John Paul II in 1990 to offer reflections and norms for the identity and mission of Catholic colleges.

“It is in the context of the impartial search for truth,” the pope says in the document, “that the relationship between faith and reason is brought to light and meaning. The renewal requested of Catholic universities will make them better able to respond to the task of bringing the message of Christ to man, to society, to the various cultures.”

The Holy Father continues in the document to describe the aims of the Catholic university in pastoral ministry, evangelization, and catechesis. He also outlines the responsibilities of the bishops and dioceses in supporting the mission of Catholic universities.

The U.S. bishops approved the application of “Ex Corde Ecclesiae” in 1999, and it went into effect in 2001, with directives to perform reviews of its success every five years.

In November 2011, the bishops met in regional meetings to discuss the state of Catholic higher education in their area.

According to the report, written

by Bishop Joseph P. McFadden of Harrisburg, who chairs the bishops’ Committee on Catholic Education, “the prevailing tone was positive and the news was good.”

“Clarity about Catholic identity among college and university leadership has fostered substantive dialogues and cultivated greater mission-driven practices across the university,” he wrote.

The report also offered suggestions for improvement. It said that the Committee on Catholic Education will form a working group of bishops and college presidents to further study avenues for cooperation between the Church and Catholic universities around the nation.

Areas to be addressed in the future include hiring for mission; forming faculty, staff and trustees in Catholic identity; continuing cooperative dialogue between bishops and presidents to promote the Church’s mission; and curricular and pastoral means to offer accurate theological and catechetical knowledge.

In exploring these subjects, the working group will “continue the dialogue about strategic subjects on a national level,” the report said.

“As they consider topics, they will gather information regarding best practices, offer suggestions for conversation at the local level, and as needed, develop resources,” it explained.