t e VOL. 45, NO.4·
~riday, January
FALL RIVER, MASS.
26, 2001
Southeastern Massachusetts' Largest Weekly • $14 Per Year
World Day for Consecrated Life is tribute to religious The history of the Fali River diocese vividly tells of the important contribution of those members of the consecrated life whose founders were inspired to respond to a specific situation in the Church. Members of many religious orders FALL RIVER - Like dioceses worldwide, the Fall emigrated to America and came to serve in Southeastern River diocese will highlight members of religious orders Massachusetts following the great waves of immigrants and institutes of consecrated life on Feb. 4 as from Europe and Canada in the 18th century. part of the World Day for Consecrated Life. ',( In his message for the first World Day for Conse.'.. .:':~)/! crated Life, the pope offered the reminder that the Bishop Sean P. O'Malley, OFM Cap., himself a religious and recently elected to ,, '71. \)~:_ day offers the opportunity to thank God for the chair the Consecrated Life Committee of the /" j/,.,/ j:' l~?;;,. gift of co?secrated l~fe, ,to promote knowledge U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops, will be /(/S,;(,r~ ;,;;;V,\. of the hfe and to 10Vlte consecrated people principal celebrant of the Mass on Feb. 4 at 3 :;:r;~~', ~Z~ ~'\ ~o celebrate what the Lord has accomplished p.m., in Holy Name Church, Fall River. if (J".' rl:"""'" '" _...\\ ~\,\ 10 them. . ~, i He added that it also offers them more The initial date for the observance called for \'.'1 . by Pope John Paul II two years ago, was Feb, 2, of an awareness of their continuing mission the feast of the Presentation ofthe Child Jesus in itc in the Church and the world. ;. !.' Sister Heffernan said that during the Mass the Temple. "But because that date often falls within the 1/ Bishop O'Malley will invite all religious men week, individual dioceses can opt to have a / and women present to stand and renew their more widespread celebration on the weekend kl/ vows. and so our observance is on a Sunday," Mercy "It will be a very solemn moment as they reSister Elaine Heffernan, episcopal representative to consecrate themselves to God through their congregations in service to the Church and the people of God," religious and coordinator of the liturgy, explained. Sister Heffernan was quick to say that "All people Sister Heffernan commented. in the diocese are invited to assist at this liturgy and to Within the Fall River diocese, which stretches from relive their fond recollections of religious brothers, sisters North Easton in the northernmost border of the diocese and priests who served them throughout the years." Turn to page 13 - Religious ~
Feb. 4 Mass in Holy Name Church also recalls all who have served.
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Students gear up for Catholic Schools Week
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~ Diocesan schools scheduling dozens of special events and liturgies.
By JAMES N. DUNBAR FALL RIVER - With a most fitting theme of "Celebrating A World of Difference," Catholic schools across the Fall River diocese are in high gear planning for the Jan. 28 through Feb. 2 observance of Catholic Schools Week. "It offers us a chance to showcase our schools and curriculum, our administrators, principals, teachers and volunteers ... and the students themselves, all who make up the Catholic School System we are very proud of," said James A. McNamee, superintendent of Catholic schools. McNamee said that next week's school calendars "are filled with a variety of events and they are done so well and everyone enjoys them. Some schools have planned open house activities to encourage the parents and the public to see what is offered." "And since it is a time for registration of new students, it affords the opportunity for those students and their parents to see first-hand what life in our classrooms is really like," he added. The overall message of the theme is seen as continuing the celebration of the Jubilee Year and underscores faith in the impact that Catholic Education. will have in a new century. At SS. Peter and Paul School at 240 Dover Street in Fall River, Principal Kathleen Burt said "we've added to the theme and this year decided to use our Turn to page 13 - Schools
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A CROWD that includes many Catholics gathers for the March for Life in Washington. (CNS photo)
March For Life gives resounding cheers to new adDlinistration WASHINGTON (CNS) - Optimism ran high at the kickoff rally for the annual March for Life on Monday, where dozens of speakers praised the two-day-old Bush administration and spoke of upcoming changes to abortion policy. And toward the end of the two-hour rally held this year on the mud-covered grounds of the Washington Monument, participants cheered an announcement from the White House saying the Bush administration planned to reinstate the
And Baltimore Cardinal William H. Mexico City policy, which had denied U.S. foreign aid to programs overseas Keeler, one of 29 prelates on the stand at the rally, said the restored policy that promote abortion. President Clinton had reversed the would be a "tremendous step forward" policy in 1993 two days after he beTurn to page 13 - March came president. The announcement that President Bush would restore the previous policy was immediately praised by Rep, Chris Smith, R-N.J., who said the Bush administration was going to "sever the relationship with those who promote abortions."