01.29.93

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FALL RIVER DIOCESAN NEWsPAP.'i 'FOR 'SOUTHEAST MASSAC'HUSEns;t ; CAPE COD & EISLANDS n,?' '",go;;;!)""""',, ,,), ;,11'\

VOL. 37, NO.4.

Friday, January 29, 1993

F ALL RIVER, MASS.

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Catholic schools gear up to celebrate Good News in Education

PRA YER FOR LIFE: Bishop O'Malley offers a prayer at the rally preceding the annual March for Life. At far right is March organizer Nellie Gray. (eNS photo by Al Stephenson)

J annary 22, 1993 M archers mourn... with, CNS reports They came to Washington, as they have every Jan. 22 to regretfully mark the anniversary of the Supreme Court's 1973 Roe vs.

Wade decision 'legalizing abortion.

Young and old, from near and far, cutting across cultural and denominational lines, the thousands were united in their belief that the right to life is fundamental.

Bishop Sean O'Malley and diocesan pro-life director Father Stephen A. Fernandes, along with several busloads of diocesans, joined in the annual March for Life down Constitution Avenue to the Capitol and the Supreme Court.

Before the March, BishopO'Malley was among pro-life leaders on stage for a rally at the Ellipse near the White House. At the end of the gathering the bishop led the crowd in the following prayers in English and Spanish: Father of Goodness, Creator and Protector of all Life, listen to the voice of your children gathered here today, Christians and nonChristians, Jews and Gentiles, united in a cause which is for us a mission. Our cry mingles with the cry that rose from the blood of Abel, the cry of the male children the Pharoah cast into the Nile River. Our cry mingles with the bitter weeping of Rachel who refused to be consoled because her children are no more. 'Our cry gives voice to the silent scream of millions of our brothers and sisters who die an untimely death through abortion. I feel their presence here

today. No wall would be big enough to bear their unspoken names.

Send your Holy Spirit into the hearts or,our people and our leaders. Help them to understa~d tha~ all human Iifeis precious, thlit to deny the humanity of another is to diminish one's own humanity. Help them to understand that it is not a choice, it is a life that is at stake.

Help them to see that abortion is violence masquerading as compas' sion.

Bless the women who face a difficult pregnancy, fill them with strength, courage and trust in Your Providence. The wise Solomon knew that the real mother would rather give up her child than have it killed. Bless all those women who choose adoption rather than abortion. With courage and love they give their children to others who .Iong for children rather than let their children be given over to the sword. Bless those who with love and generosity receive someone else's child into their home.

Their love witnesses to a violent and sinful world that claims it has no place or room for a new child.

Help men and women who have practiced abortion to know that it is safe to come home, that our God is a forgiving God. It is never too late tO,have a change of heart and return to your open arms, 0 loving Father. Where sin abounds there does grace more abound.

Lord our God, help all of us to work together to make a better world where it will be easier to be Turn to Page II

Clinton insults

WASHINGTON, D.C. "Choose Catholic Schools - The Good News in Education" is the theme for Catholic Schools Week, Jan. 31 to Feb. 6, and for National Appreciation Day for Catholic Schools on Feb. 3. Many Catholic schools have designated February "Catholic Schools Month" with activities continuing throughout.

The celebrations are part of a year-round marketing campaign to showcase the 8,500 Catholic ,elementary and secondary schools "nationwide, including 29 in the Fall River diocese.

The National Catholic Educational Association (NCEA) and the United States Catholic Conference (USCC) are cosponsoring the campaign to provide Catholic educators with marketing tools ranging from billboards and posters to camera-ready ads and radio commercials.

Lourdes Sheehan, R.S.M., , USCC secretary for education, said the campaign serves to underscore that Catholic schools are vital to the future of the Catholic Church and to our country and must be champil?ned.

Throughout the week, Catholic educators and students will celebrate the schools and their role in the Church and community.

Catholic schools in the Fall River diocese have planned a host of activiti~s ranging from a parade to Masses, open houses and displays of students' work. Here is a schedule of events - if you can keep up!

St. Joseph's School Fairhaven St. Joseph's will hold a "Celebration Parade" through town streets beginning 9: 15 a.m. Feb. 3.

The Bishop Stang High School band will participate. Others wishing to join the parade may call 996-1983.

Jan. 31: Family Mass 9:30 a.m.; bake sale and raffle follow; coffee donuts and juice will be served.

Feb. 1: Sneaker Week begins.

Feb. 2: Feast of the Presentation Mass 8 a.m., church. Skating party 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. Carousel Skating Center.

Feb. 3: Parade.

Feb. 4: Invent America and Science Fair 6:30 to 8 p.m.

Feb. 5: First Friday Mass 8 a.m., church. Spelling Bee 9:15 a.m. Dismissal 11:30 a.m. Staff appreciation luncheon at noon.

Feb. 6: Alumni reunion: Mass 4 p.m., church, followed by buffet 5:30 p.m., school hall.

Holy Family-Holy Name School New Bedford Jan. 31: Catholic Schools Month Mass 10 a.m., St. Lawrence Church;junior choir will lead song.

Following from II a.m. to 3 p.m. at the school will be a children's fair, book fair and teddy bear clinic; registration for 1993-94 school year will be taken and will continue 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. weekdays throu~h Feb. 25.

Feb. 1: Jewelry/Button Day. Feb. 3: Grade 6 will host a I p.m. liturgy for National Appreciation Day for Catholic Schools; Father George Harrison will celebrate.

Feb. 5: "Celebrate the Arts."

Entertainment by Bishop Stang chorus 9:30 a.m. HFHN string and piano student recital 12:30 p.m. Principal's lunch: choice of hot dog or pizza, plus drink and cupcakes.

Feb. 6: "Celebrate Family." 4 p.m. Mass at Holy Name Church; junior choir will lead song. Spaghetti dinner and dance will follow at Holy Name center with D.J. Bruce Duarte.

Feb. 8: "Celebrate Team Spirit."

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WASHINGTON (CNS) Church leaders and pro-life spokesmen called it a "grievous insult" and a "slap in the face" when, as thousands participated in the annual March for Life in Washington, President Clinton marked the 20th anniversary of Roe vs.

Wade by overturning most federal policies limiting abortion.

At a press conference before the March, National Right to Life Committee President Wanda Franz said the orders show that Clinton "is the captive of pro-abortion pressure groups that oppose any limits whatsoever on abortion."

Reversing "policies that have saved countless unborn children 1 , . . - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - , over the past 12 years" was "a grievous insult to those millio'ns of pro-life Americans, whose views When asked to grade U.S. schools, most Americans give better marks to Catholic schools than to public ones. he recently claimed to respect," said Ms. Franz.

CATHOLIC SCHOOLS PUBLIC SCHOOLS Stating that "We must free science and medicine from the grasp of politics," the president later in the day signed executive orders reversing:

REPORT CARD ON SCHOOLS

- The regulations prohibiting abortion counseling in federally funded family planning clinics.

- The ban on fetal tissue research.

- Restrictions on access to abortion in U.S. military hospitals overseas.

- The "Mexico City policy," which denies U.S. foreign aid to Turn to Page II

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THE ANCHOR -

Diocese of Fall River -

Pope to see successes, struggles during upcoming Africa visit

Fri., Jan. 29, 1993

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Spe~~~~s list~d'for ~'CEA/PRE'parleys ...

George Gallup Jr. and Yolanda Excellence in Catechesis King will be among speakers at the The religious educators' meet1993 National Catholic Education- ing, sponsored by the National al Association convention and Association of Parish Coordinaexposition to be held April 12 to tors and Directors of Religious 15 in New Orleans with the theme Education, will have as its theme "Catholic Educators: Telling the "Excellence-in Catechesis: Telling Good News Story." the Good News Story."

Topics will include the new The event,.the largest such gathering of Catholic educators in the Catechism of the Catholic Church, world, is expected to draw 14,000 catechist formation and multicultural catechesis. Members of the delegates. For the first time this Taize community will be leaders of year, it will be overlapped and folprayer and worship. . lowed by an April 14 to 17 national Major speakers and their topics meeting for directors and coordiwill include Sister Maria de la nators of religious education, also Cruz Aymes, SH, "Catechesis in in New Orleans. .

Gallup, a researcher and poll- the Hispanic Community"; Father John Aurelio, "Biblical Spiritual-' taker on a broad range of topics, ity Today: Scripture, Spirituality will"share his findings on modernand Story"; Father Joseph Girday' saints with delegaies, defining "What Is Christ's Place iri zone, their·characteristics and indicating our Modern Church?" the ..circumstances in which they Maureen Kelly-Kapp, "Reclaim-. can be found. He is the author of ingCatechesis: Hopeforthe Futurethe. recent book, "The Sai'nts Ministry to Children and their AD'long Us." '.

'Families"; Father Berard Mar.:Ms. King, an actress,. prod ucer; • thaler, 'OFM Conv., "The Theo~ director, lecturer and eldest child logical and Pedagogical Vision' ot o(Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., the New Catechism: What Differarid Coretta Scott King, will speak ence Will it Make; St. Louis Auxilon the power of the arts to stimuiary Bishop Paul Zipfel, "Excellate and change the hearts and lence in Catechesis." minds of both the pri'vileged and underprivileged. . Other convention keynote speakers will include former U.S. Representative Corinne Claiborne Boggs WARSAW, Poland (CNS) and author Rev. John Shea.

Prominent European Jewish leadGeneral sessions and liturgies ers have welcomed the "imminent" will be complemented by depart- solution of a dispute over a Carmelite convent at a former Nazi mental meetings, a development symposium, a technology session concentration camp. Jean Kohn, and workshops geared to directors chairman of the European Jewish Congress, said he was pleased that of religious education, parents, the convent, an abandoned warepastors, principals and teachers. house, was expected to be moved A concurrent exposition will shortly from the former Nazi death have over 700 booths displaying camp of Auschwitz. Since 1984, new educational equipment, suppnuns have lived in the building. lies and services.

Dispute end nears

VATICAN CITY -(CNS) Pope John Paul II, visiting three African countries in February, will see recent success and ongoing struggle to establish democracy and respect for human rights on the continent.

The Feb. 3-10 trip to Benin, Uganda and Sudan will be the pope's 10th pastoral visit to Africa.

Sudan and Uganda are still ruled by military governments, although Ugandan elections have been scheduled for 1994. In 1991 Benin held its first multiparty presidential elections in 17 years.

I nterreligious dialogue and respect for religious differences also are expected to be key themes in the three countries, where relations among Christians, Muslims and followers of traditional African religions have not always been cordial.

The three countries also will give the pope an opportunity to stress different parts of his equation for Catholic citizenship: - Catholics have responsibilities to their nations.

- They have made and will continue to make major contributions to African society, especially' in the fields of health and education.

- Their right to practice, their faith must be respected.

Another special focus of the pope's pastoral activity will be the suffering of thousands of Africans with AIDS or the human immunodeficiency virus that causes it.

The Ugandan government has reported that more than 30,000 people have, the'-disease and an estimated I million more carry the virus.

"This situation, which is affecting everybody in the country, needs to be confronted in solidarity, with much love and care for the victims, with much generosity to the orphans and with much commitment to a renewed way of Christian moral living," the bishops said in a pastoral letter last fall.

The trio of religious freedom, democracy and human rights will take center stage on the final day of the trip, which the pope will spend in Sudan's capital, Khartoum.

Sudan is involved in a civil war where religion, race and self-determination are key issues. The military government draws its strength from the majority Arab Muslims of the North. The rebels are made up of black Christians and followers of traditional religions who live in the South.

The popeand Sudanese bishops have condemned the government for attempts to apply Islamic law to all the nation's people and for severely limiting the rights of Sudanese Christians.

The Vatican nuncio·to Sudan, responding to a government official's assertion that.Christians "are enjoying full religious freedom" in the country, wrote: "Such affirmations are not new, but they don't become true by' being repeated even a thousand times and more."

Father Joseph Bragotti, spokesman for the Rome-based Comboni missionaries, said some Sudanese Catholic ,leaders have expressed concern that the government will exploit the pope's visit, using it to give a false impression that Catholics there may freely and openly practice their faith.

"We don't have any evidence of that and we, hope it does not

happen," Vatican spokesman Joaquin Navarro-Valls said Jan. 22.

The pope explained his reasons for going to Khartoum during his annual January meeting with diplomats serving at the Vatican.

"It will give me the opportunity to take to all those who are suffering a message of reconciliation and hope, and above all it will be an opportunity for me to encourage the sons and daughters of the c~urch who, despite trials of every klOd, are bravely continuing their journey offaith, hope and charity."

Catholics in Benin and Uganda have known suffering and persecution. too, Navarro-Valls said.

Benin was ruled by a MarxistLeninist government starting in the 1970s. It nationalized Catholic schools, expelled foreign missionaries and jailed some priests. The government later eased the restrictions, adopted a constitution guaranteeing religious freedom and began seeking the church's cooperation in prov'iding social services.

In late 1989, the government gave in to opposition demands and dropped the one-party Marxist-Leninist system.

As with other African nations moving toward democracy, Benin chose a Catholic prelate to head its transition committee. Archbishop I~idore de Souza of Cotonous preSided over the 1990 national conference, which drew up a new constitution and prepared the way for legislative and presidential elections. , . (j ganda' is still reco~ering from more 'than '20 years of civilu'nresi, including the devastation and bloodbath of Idi Amin's reign of terror in the 1970s, his successor's mas-

sive human rights violations and civil war in the 1980s.

Between 1971 and 1986 an estimated 800,000 people were killed, according to information from the Ugandan bishops' conference.

The head of Uganda's ruling National Resistance Movement, President Yoweri Museveni, who came to power in 1986, has promised that presidential elections inaugurating full democracy will be held in 1994.

Father Bragotti, who worked in Uganda in 1967-72 and 1978-83, said Catholics inside the country and observers outside believe Museveni is sincerely committed to fostering reconciliation among Ugandans and to bringing democracy.

The pope's three-nation itinerary will take him to countries where different religions are the majority. During the eight-day trip he will hold special meetings with leaders from a variety of traditions.

In Benin some 70 percent of the population practices the traditional African religion, vodun, which when brought to the Americas and mixed with some elements of Catholicism became voodoo, santeria and candomble.

Catholics and Muslims each form about 15 percent of Benin's 4.7 million population. ' In Uganda, Christians are the majority, with Catholics accounting for about 40 percent and Anglicans about 35 percent of the population. About 12 percent of Uganda's 17 million people are Muslim.

Sudan is aba"ut io percent Muslim and about 7 percent Catholic.

Most of the rest of the nation's 26 million people practice traditional religions.

Worldwide Marriage Encounter has toll-free number

SAN DIEGO (CNS) - An 800 number begun last August to help married couples contact Marriage Encounter groups in their area has received a steady stream of calls since its start-up.

Teresa Villa, a public relations specialist working with Worldwide Marriage Encounter in San Diego, said the toll-free nationwide number got its biggest boost after a nationally syndicated columnist mentioned the number in his column, receiving nearly 1,000 calls in a week.

Ms. Villa estimated the total number of caIJs received at "sev-

eral thousand" and said that there had been little problem with callers receiving busy signals or not being contacted soon after their call.

The computerized system allows couples to call 800-795-LOVE at no charge and record their request for information about Marriage Encounter programs in their area.

Based on their telephone area code, messages are automatically routed to the nearest local information team for response.

Bill Boylan of Wallingford, Pa., said establishment ofthe new phone line was part of the movement's 25th anniversary observance.

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SU CASA: A refugee couple studies English lessons in a room at Su Casa, a Chicago shelter for Central American refuge~s seeking political asylum. The couple and their six~onth-old baby have been at the Catholic Worker-run house since November. (CNS photo)

Abuse. issue viewe.d in light of G9spel .

By Pat McGowan "The Fall River diocese has taken the brunt of the current national concern over the sexual abuse of children by priests, but it can show the world and the country what a good response [to the situatipn) is," said Father Stephen J. Rossetti.

He spoke at an evening session earlier this month cosponsored by the adult education program and Secular Franciscans of St. Louis parish, Fall River.

A licensed psychotherapist and the holder of a doctorate in ministry, the tall thin priest, 41, is from the diocese of Syracuse, NY, where he was ordained in 1984. Prior to studying for the priesthood, he graduated from the Air Force Academy and did skydiving. As a priest, he has traveled the nation speaking pn child sexual abuse and the Catholic Church and has edited and contributed to "Slayer of the Soul," a recent book on the subject.

At month's end, Father Rossetti will join the staff ofSt. Luke Institute, Suitland, Md., a nationally recognized facility offering professional counseling to persons in religious life experiencing sexual problems.

"We're talking about a tough subject," he admitted to his Fall River audience after beginning his presentation with prayer. He said surveys show that one out of every three to four women and one out of every six to eight men has been abused by age 18,62 percent by a parent; and that a survey of nearly 2000 adults in ministry in the U.S. Catholic Church revealed the same proportion.

"But you are not doomed if you've bee I!. wqlested,~' he emphasized. "Victims can pecome survivors."

He said that the present awareness of pedophilia in the church presents members with the opportunity to "seize the moment" to change things.

"There's a Gospel call in this issue," he said, "and we as a church community should have a preferential option for the needy" - in .this case, said the priest, those sexually molested as children.

"We have a long way to go on this," he maintained, noting that parishes "'should have people specializing in the area of child sexual abuse.

"The victims, the law courts and the mediaare prophetic voices calling for action," he declared, "and it's an opportunity for the church to correct something that's'needed correction for 2000 years."

Father' Rossetti said it was a good thing that 10 abuse victims had met with several bishops at last November's meeting of the U.S. hierarchy in Washington. Los Angeles Cardinal Roger M. Mahony, among those meeting with the victims, called the experience "one of the most meaningful I have ever had in my 17 years as a bishop."

A further contact will take place in February, when victims will meet with a bishops' subcommittee on child sex abuse.

The speaker said that sexual abuse of children must be understood as a mental disease in the perpetrator, who is often psychosexually underdeveloped but who feels a sense of power with regard to children while finding difficulty in relating to other adults." ..

A booklet, "Sexual Abuse: The Church Responds," that Father Rossetti distributed at the St.Louis

FATHER ROSSETTI parish meeting stated that the average child molester is a welled ucated, young, middle-class, married man. In therapy, said the priest, the effort is made to develop in the abuser an appropriate sense of his own power in normal relationships.

The Real Trauma "The real trauma of child sex abuse," Father Rossetti continued, "is its violation of trust. The world becomes an unsafe place for the child."

Consequences may include both immediate and long-delayed reactions. A common occurrence, say therapists, is a repression of abuse experiences for many years, only to have memories surface when the victim seeks counseling (or seemingly unrelated symptoms such as depression, .suicidal th.oughts-, psychosomatic ailments or substance abuse.

The priest led his listeners through a guided meditation designed to ~how how a relationship might change from one of trust to one of mistrust and he asked them to describe the feelings aroused by such situations. The exercise aided participants in identifying with victims of sexual abuse.

"If you are the first person to whom someone comes to say they're a victim, don't act horrified," stressed Father Rossetti. "He or she came to you for a reason." He counseled that a good response is ''I'm sorry - do you want to talk about it?"

'It is harder to effect change in pedophiles, those attracted to young children, than it is to those attracted to teenagers, he said, but the former can be taught to manage their feelings.

Urging calmness, quickness and thoroughness in dealing with such cases, the booklet calls for quick response to allegations, establishment of permanent diocesan review boards, provision of pastoral care to involved parishes, scheduling of parish educational programs and development of guidelines for ministers dealing with children."

"We are not lawyers," remind the recommendations. "We are ministers of a Gospel of healing. We should bring that sensitive and compassionate Gospel· touch to this situation."

Father Rossetti's talk was preceded the previous night by a presentation from Dr. Tullio Pitassi, a psychologist with the Fall River school department, who has for six years worked with sexual abuse perpetrators.

Among organizers for both programs was Mrs: Margaret ,LaFleur, pr.incipal of the Lincoln School in Fall River and religious education coordinator for St. Louis parish.

THE ANCHOR -

Diocese of Fall River -

Fri., Jan. 29, 1993

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Collection for Latin Church funds training projects WASHINGTON (CNS)- More than $4 million was given in 1992 to Catholic projects in Latin America through the Collection for the Church in Latin America.

Since the campaign began in 1966, $59.5 million has been distributed from the United States for church projects.

In all, 270 separate projects were funded last year. The projects are approved and the funds granted by the U.S. bishops' Committee for the Church in Latin America, chaired by Bishop Arthur N. Tafoya of Pueblo.

Grants are given to projects which start programs that can be completed ina 12-month period. About a third of the total cost of each. project is provided by the local church. ..

A nation-by-nation sampling of funding projects: - Argentina: $30,000 for 12 two-day updating courses for 70 members of 10 religious communities.

- Belize: $3,000 for courses to foster and develop lay leadership.

- Bolivia: $6,800 for courses to train leaders in the defense and promotion of human rights.

- Brazil: $10,000 to train a Catholic university's staff for pas~ toral work within the University of Pernambuco.

- 'Chile: $25,000 for national and regional courses to train lay leaders.

- Colombia: $10,000 to train \

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leaders in 43 urban and rural cen~ ters of one parish.

---.: Costa Rica: $21,700 for a nationwide program of youth formation and leadership.

- Dominican Republic: $2,500 to help print a catechism for Catholic high schools and parishes.

- Guyana: $40,000 for the diocesan newspaper in Georgetown.

- 'Haiti: $50,000 for pastoral programs offered through the Haitian bishops' conference.

-Nicaragua: $30,000 for an Old Testament translation into the language of the Miskito Indians. .- Paraguay: $1,200 to assist a permanent parish catechetical school: - Peru: $30,000 for the Christian formation of health workers.

- Uruguay: $5,000 to update a diocesan library to be used by lay persons, religious and priests. . - Venezuela: $50,000 to revive the nation's catechetical.

Not Honest "A man is not honest simply because he had no chance to steal."

- Hebrew proverb 111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111IIIIIIHIIIIIIIIII THE ANCHOR (USPS-545-020). Second Class Postage Paid at Fall River. Mass.• Published weekly except the week of July 4 and the week after Christmas at 887 Highland Avenue, Fall River. Mass. 02720 by; the Catholic Press 'of the Diocese of Fall River. Subscription price by mail. postpaid $11.00 per year. Postmasters send address changes to The Anchor. P.O. Box 7. Fall River. MA 02722,

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THE ANCHOR -

Diocese of Fall River -

Fri., Jan. 29,1993

themoorin~ Support Catholic Teachers Perhaps one of the most dedicated yet overlooked groups serving the Church is composed of the men and women who teach and direct our Catholic schools. If it were not for their efforts and sacrifices, we simply would not be able to keep the schools open.

Most of our teachers are working in our schools because they want to and because they have a sincere desire to fulfill the Gospel mandate: "Go and teach." The average parochial school teacher is not there solely for the monetary recompense.

The vast majority feel that theirs is a vocation, not a mere job.

They work not just from the first bell to dismissal time, but in most cases give of themselves long after class hours and do so without added benefits.

To be sure, there are those who seek a position in a Catholic school merely as a steppingstone, in their career until a job, comes along with a higher salary and increased benefits; but they are not in the majority. Most teachers in Catholic schools are first and foremost people of faith, seeking to form their students in the light of the Spirit.

Their work takes on awesome significance when we recall that the Church is mandated by the Lord to announce the mysteries of salvation to all people. She is thus obliged to develop and extend her ed ucational system, especially in today's tenuous social order. As the Fathers of Vatican II well stated, "Children and young people have the right to be stimulated to make sound moral judgments based on a well-formed conscience and to put them into practice with a sense of personal commitment."

Catholic teachers and principals are exemplars of this teaching, accepting the responsibility of developing in the school community a Gospel-based spirit of liberty and charity and realizing that it depends chiefly on them whether schools achieve"their lofty pUfp6ses.' As" VatIcan"~ I' further; declared: "The services Of such tea'chers'eonstittite an active'apostolate: one which is uniquely suited to our times and is indeed necessary."

As a nation, we are floundering with regard to our ethical commitments. All one need do to realize this is to recall the anti-life directives issued by our new president as almost the first act of his administration. Given such a climate, it is becoming more and more difficult for young people to make appropriate life choices leading to true' personal fulfillment.

Government is by way of invading the very fiber of our lives, attempting to constitute itself an arbiter of moral judgments.

In such a situation, it is most important that all Catholics 'affirm the right of the Church to establish and conduct schools. This right is of the utmost importance for preservation offreedom of conscience, for protection of parental rights and for the general welfare of the social order.

With all this in mind, we must continue t'o nurture and support Catholic schools, teachers and principals. This is not a mere option. When we affirm the men and women who teach 'and direct our schools, we are responding in our own way to the mandate "Go and teach."

The Editor

OFFICIAL NEWSPAPER OF THE DIOCESE OF FALL RIVER Published weekly by The Catholic Press of the Diocese of Fall River.

887 Highland Avenue P.O. BOX 7 Fall River, MA 02722 Fall River, MA 02720 Telephone 508-675-7151 FAX (508) 675-7048 Send address changes to P.O, Box 7 or call telephone number above

PUBLISHER Most Rev. Sean P, O'Malley, OFM Cap., PhD.

EDITOR Rev, John F, Moore

GENERAL MANAGER Rosemary Dussault LEARY PRESS - FALL RIVER

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CHRISTINE PROCTOR HELPS SHARON DILLON WITH AN ASSIGNMENT AT OUR ~ADY OF THE ASSUMPTION SCHOOL IN CHARLOTTE, N.C.

"And every day they ceased not...to teach and preac~ Christ Jesus." Acts 5:42

N.orplant:..poor solution to an old problem

By Rev. Kevin J. Harrl'ngton In 1968, Pope Paul VI promulgated HumanaeVitae(On Human Life), in which he reaffirmed the Church's unequivocal opposition to artificial contraception. Many Roman Catholic clergy and laity dissented and declared that the Church overstepped its bounds by bringing its teachings into the bedrooms of married couples.

But however unpopular or misunderstood this encyclical, Pope Paul VI was indeed prophetic when he predicted that governments would mandate use of artificial contraceptives to the detriment of the dignity of the human individual and that the separation of procreation from sexual intercourse would reap a grim harvest.

A quarter of a century ago, Catholics who argued in favor of artificial contraceptives were those who thought the pill would help married couples control the size of their families, reduce the need for abortion and help Third World countries stem the problem of overpopulation.

The pope's prophecy that the pill would encourage promiscuity and be a tool for governments to infringe upon the human rights of their citizens went largely ignored.

But with the advantage of hindsight, who could argue against the fact that artificial contraception has become more a problem than a panacea. It has not changed the disparity between rich and poor, nor has it led to a decrease in abortions.

The Church continues to be a voice crying out in the desert in its opposition to artificial birth control. Community leaders are sanctioning birth control programs in our middle schools and high schools, programs that should be

strongly opposed by an inform,ed Catholic electorate.

School-based health clinics are not only dispensing condoms at taxpayer expense but have used Norplant, the latest artificial means of contraception, devices surgically implanted in the upper arm that render a woman infertile for five years. Judges have ordered it implanted in' cases of women con-' victed of child abuse, while starting this month the city of Baltimore began .its use on a voluntary basis and a program in the District of Columbia will give it to 50 teenagers in the District's poorest neighborhoods.

Baltimore Archbishop William H. Keeler criticized use of the longterm contraceptive implant by teenage girls, exhorting: "I say we should give moral education a chance." Regrettably, he received

praye~BOX For the Suffering Praise and glory to you, ever-living God. You alone create life. You alone call us back to yourself. Your Son, the Lord Jesus, gave himself freely unto death, that in his suffering we might find strength in our weakness. Give us hope in the 'face of pain. Give us patience to seek and to do your will. Glorify your name in Christ the Risen Lord.

Amen.

little support from school and civic leaders.

Since Norplant was introduced two years ago, thousands of poor women have flocked to health c1in" ics, hospitals and private doctors around the country to get it, because it is covered by Medicaid in all 50 states and the District of Columbia. This creates a paradox: truly poor women can get it more easily than those neither poor enough for Medicaid nor with enough money to pay for implantation. The cost is substantial -. $365 for the devices and an additional $500 doctor's insertion fee.

Norplant's dependability made it all but inevitable that some legislatures or courts would try to compel women on welfare to use it. About 20 such measures were introduced in 13 state legislatures in 199i and 1992. None passed, although several came close.

This new form of birth control raises many troubling questions: Can 12 and l3-year-olds truly give "informed consent"? Can they understand that side effects of Norplant are numerous and that it offers no protection against AI DS? And have medical researchers proved that it is safe for young bodies barely into puberty?

Another important question remains unanswered: Where are the programs and incentives to help teenage boys. the partners of these girls? Until young men and young women alike understand the consequences of too early childbearing and the emotional. ed ucational and economic rewards of postponing parenthood, Norplant remains only the latest quick fix for a problem whose solution depends more on new attitudes than on new technology.

Christians should be remnant Zephaniah 2:3; 3:12-13 I Corinthians 1:26-31 Matthew 5:1-12 Christians should be different from others; different in the right way. Anyone can be eccentric, weird or strange, but we must stand out because we do what others think is illogical; 'things which make sense only because of our faith. Unless we learn and practice the fundamentals of that faith, we'll simply end up becoming religious eccentrics.

While biblical authors invite all people to convert to God, they almost always presume that only a small percentage of those who call themselves followers of God are actually doing what the Lord asks.

The concept of "the remnant," which we see in today's Zephani'ah oracle, entered Jewish prophecy very early. Here, as quickly as the prophet tells everyone to .....Seek the Lord ... ," he just as quickly acknowledges that very few will ever do so ...... 1 will leave as a remnant in your midst," Yahweh promises, "apeople humble and lowly, who shall take refuge in the name of the Lord: the remnant of Israel."

Though Zephaniah proclaims the Lord's word to all, he expects only a small group will really listen.

The thrust of this pericope is even more surprising because of the period in which the prophet works. He's active during'the reign of Josiah. the great reformer king..

But even with royal edicts and regulations to enfore his oracles.

Zephaniah realistically knows that reform comes from the heart, not from statutes. Without true conversion, "religious folk" instinctively (and quickly) develop ways to circumvent laws of reform.

Yet even within this.solid tradition of realism, our sacred authors still reach out to all and are honestly surprised when their words and teachings are circumvented by "the faithful." Paul displays such amazement at the very beginning of his first letter to the Corinthians.

Some in the community had forgotten (or chosen to overlook) how they had received the faith.

They began to play mind games with Paul's simple. basic truths; games which eventually helped them ignore the basic command to love one another. which gives

DAILY READINGS Feb. 1: Heb, 11:32-40; Ps 31:20-24; Mk 5:1-20 Feb. 2: Ma13: 1-4; Ps 24:710; Heb. 2:14-18; lk 2:22-40 Feb. 3: Heb.12:4-7,11-15; Ps 103:1-2,13-14,17-18; Mk 6:1-6 Feb. 4: Heb. 12:18-19,2124; Ps 48:2-4,9-11; Mk 6:7-13 Feb. 5: Heb. 13:1-8; Ps 27:1,3,5,8-9; Mk 6:14-29 Feb. 6: Heb 13:15-17,2021; Ps 23:1-6; Mk 6:30-34 Feb. 7: Is 58:7-10; Ps 112:4-9; 1 Cor 2: 1-5; Mt 5:13-16

The remnant has discovered that true faith consists in completely giving ourselves over to the Lord working in our lives. not in scoring high grades on religion exams.

Faith revolves around service to God and neighbor. not in theological speculation. Only the Lord can give us the insights and the help we need to attempt such illogical actions.

That's why we must remember where the beatitudes are situated in Matthew's Gospel: at the very beginning of the Sermon on the

By FATHER ROGER Mount. Over the next three SunKARBAN days we'll hear a small part of the moral demands which Jesus makes validity to all theological speculain that famous but mostly ignored tion. "N ot many of you are wise as discourse. By constructing his Gospeople account wisdom," Paul pel in this way. the evangelist insists, "not many are influential.- teaches that only those who try to .. God chose those whom the world turn their cheeks to injury or go considers absurd to shame the the unjust extra mile will discover wise; he singled out the weak of the the· blessings in situations which world to shame the strong... God it most peopie simply regard as is who has given you life in Christ curses.

Jesus." . True followers of the Lord really are different. TheY're happy when they're poor, sorrowing, hungry. thirsty, merciful. single-hearted. peacemakers. persecuted and insulted; as long as such incidents are Jan. 30 caused by, and seen through the 1983, Rev. Raymond F.X. Cahill, eyes of. faith. What almost eveS.J., Assistant, St. Francis Xavier, . ryone else avoids. these strange Hyannis people see as signs of God's presJan. 31 ence and love.

The beatitudes become even 1901, Rev. Charles J. Burns, Pastor, St. Mary, North Attleboro more significant when we recall Feb. I 'that Matthew writes almost 50 years after Jesus' death and resur1948, Rt. Rev. MsgL Michael J. O'Reilly, Pastor. Immaculate Conrection. This means he's not just projecting some idealistic vision. ception, Taunton 1968, Rt. Rev. Patrick Hurley, Rather, he's reporting on the experiences of at least two generaPastor, St. Joseph, Taunton 1975, Rev. Anatole F. Desmations of people who have already . P t St J T t tried to carry out these commands. ralS, as or, . ames, aun on 1 h d' ., h' 1983, Rev. MsgL Gerard J. Chanh?t er .whor s, Ikt I~~ t somflet ~ng h f h" w IC . nllg t wor ,It sa re ectlon .

S T b ot, P astor,. t.. ~., heresa .,., 0,/ , .. " ..., ....

• . . 0 " .. t e· '.' ,..... on ·some th'"' Ing-'-w h'Ie'h-. IS 0 I'eo( 1" Child Jesus, South Attleboro k' . wor ..mg..... : '." . .

Feb, 2 Twenty centuries'later, this kind 1907, Most Rev. William Stang, of faith remains something which D.O., First Bishop of Fall River: only a remnant is willing to prac1904-07 tice. The majority of religious 1913, Rev. Patrick F. McKenna, people continue to point out the Pastor, Immaculate Conception, illogic of such actions. Yet we still Taunton follow a God who never stops 1941, Rev. John L. McNamara, inviting all of us to find real Pastor, Immaculate Conception, happiness ..

Fall River .

1947, Rev. P: Roland Decosse, Pastor, St. Hyacinth, New Bedford AWIDE CHOICE OF SAVINGS 1991, Rev. Daniel F. Moriarty, Pastor, St. Brendan, Riverside, &INVESTMENT PLANS

R.t.

Feb. 3 1952. Rev. Antonio O. Ponte, 'Pastor, Our Lady of Angels. Fall River Feb. 4 1921, Rt. Rev. MsgL Hugh J. Smyth, P.R., Pastor, St. Lawrence, New Bedford; First Vicar General, Fall River, 1904-07; Administrator of Diocese February-J uly 1907

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THE ANCHOR -

Diocese of Fall River -

Fri., Jan. 29, 1993

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The Anchor Friday, Jan. 29, 1993

By

ANTOINETTE

BOSCO I doubt if there's a person in the world who hasn't occasionally looked into the night sky and wondered about the beauty of the show put on in the heavens when the stars come out.

Like most children, I grew up singing "Twinkle, Twinkle Little Star," and I never learned much

Expanding universe, expanding idea of God after that about these lights of the Mullaney asserted, is "highly ordered and structured, not universe.

Recently, I heard a talk by ashaphazardly arranged. And if it tronomer James Mullaney, who is ordered, it had to have a creahas logged more than 20,000 hours tOL" "Two amazing things happen as a stargazeL A staff astronomer at the U niwhen a star dies," Mullaney explained. with slides for illustraversity of Pittsburgh and a contributor to Carl Sagan's "Cosmos" tion. There is a cycle, he said. television series. Mullaney deswhere "from the ashes of the old, a cribes stargazing as "the ultimate new star is born .... And as far as trip" in cosmic adventures. we know, there is no end of the For him, study of the stars is a universe. For there are more galprofoundly spiritual activity, a axies in the universe than stars in "vehicle for therapeutic relaxthe galaxies."

Mullaney's slides showed incred~ ation, meditation. and spiritual contact with' the awesome creaible scenes of heavenly beauty in tive power manifested in all of glorious colors. He described the nature but pinnacled in the . scenes as "fiery pulsating variable stars." stars and explosive novae; glitterThe beauty of the universe, ing star clusters - the cosmic

JOHN J.

DIETZEN

Q. I've been trying to find out the significance of Groundhog Day. I know the church celebrates Feb. 2 as Candlemas Day, and the Purification of the Blessed Mother.

Wby was that day chosen, and is there any connection between the feast and Groundhog Day? (New York)

By Dr. JAMES &

MARY KENNY Dear Mary: Some family members, friends and even co-workers encouraged me to look into adoption even though I am single and have never been married.

I thought they were being too op,timistic. Imagine my surprise when I contacted Catholic Charities and the idea was acceptable. I am now awaiting information.

I will be 49 next month. If I were fortunate enough to get an infant today, the child would be about 12-15 when I retire.

By

DOLORES CURRAN

It was at breakfast with three priests and two sisters in an Irish retreat house that I heard that a Florida judge permitted 12-yearold Gregory Kingsley to divorce . his mother. Having read the boy's history, I was ready to cheer but thank God I didn't, because everyone else at the table was appalled ~t the judge's decision. , I

t

I asked the others why they disagreed so strongly and discovered that their reaction was based on

He urged those of us attending his lecture to consider beginning nightly sky vigils with the naked eye or with binoculars or telescope.

"As you commune with him nightly in the temple of the skies, your conception of God will expand

to include the whole of creation . rather thanjust this one small blue planet," Mullaney said.

It is inspiring to listen to a scientist who has come to believe so surely - and precisely because he is a scientist - in God, a man so full of wonder at the magnificence of the universe and so convinced none of this happened by accident.

I left Mullaney's talk, staring from the windows into the scenes of creation that he had opened to me. And I am still contemplating what he said, so that I can be on guard against what he described as our common human failing.

"Our concept of God is much too small," Mullaney said.

How the groundhog got into Candlemas Day

By

FATHER

jewel boxes and stellar beehives of the sky."

He described other scenes as "star nurseries" where new suns and planets are incubating. "This is but a sampling of the majesty that awaits you beneath the canopy of night," he said.

Mullaney is something of a missionary in promoting what he calls "the metaphysical benefits of stargazing," and he describes it as a form of prayeL .

A. There is some connection between the two. According to the law of Moses in the Old Testament, a mother was ritually unclean for a period of time after giving birth, 40 days for the birth of a boy. 80 days after the birth of a girl.

At the end of that time the mother came to a priest to be "purified." An offering of two turtle doves or two pigeons was made at that time (Lv. 12).

Any firstborn male-animal or human-was considered to belong to the Lord. Animals were sacrificed; human firstborn sons were redeemed by certain payments that changed over time (Ex. 34: 19-20).

,-.

Both of these events, the purification of Mary and the presentation of Jesus in the temple, are commemorated Feb. 2.

When these events began to be celebrated in Rome, perhaps in the fourth and fifth centuries, the date was set on Feb. 2. 40 days after Dec. 25. the day the Roman church celebrated the birth of our Lord.

Other churches in the East celebrated the birth of Jesus. and therefore the Purification. at other times.

Eventually candles became a major element in celebrating this feast; thus the tradition of blessing candles during the day's celebrations.

For some unknown reason, a folk legend developed during the Middle Ages that a sunny Candlemas day meant a cold spring.

Early settlers in the New World gave this tradition a typical American fanciful twist. If the woodchuck. or groundhog, peeps out of the hole and sees his shadow, he goes back to sleep through the .cold days ahead.

Q. Is it correct for a divorced woman to serve as a eucharistic minister? Should she perform a communion service? (British Columbia) A. Why would you think some Catholics should be excluded

simply because they have been through the sad experience of a broken marriage? .

There is no reason anyone should be unable to serve in such ministries simply because of a divorce.

You ask about women, but the same question, and answer, could be given about men. In fact, as I have explained here previously, there are a number of divorced men who are now ordained priests, following an annulment of their marriage.

Questions for this column may be sent to Father John Dietzen, Holy Trinity Church, 704 N. Main St., Bloomington, 111.61701.

,_ ~~~.p.~_on . i.s _,p~~s.i~.le. f~r ~ s_ngle woman r ,. '

" . . ,

Frankly, I don't see myself really retiring and have been entertaining the idea of teaching instead. I . have a degree in chemistry.

I wonder whether a child would have undue pressure in relating when the peer group would have much younger parents. - New Jersey As regular readers of our column know, we think adoption is an exciting and special way to become a parent.

You have many points in your fa VOL You seem to be an active, healthy person; you are well educated and seem to have the means to support a child.

You have relatives and friends, and you share with them and rely on them for advice and support.

Finally, you are positive about life and ready to start-an adventure.

You also have points which will

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work against you. Most obvious is the competitive condition of adoption today and the simple law of supply and demand.

There are few infants available for adoption today, and there are many persons seeking them. While the positive points above will be considered in evaluating you, you must realize you will be competing wi~h many two-parent families in their 20s and 30s.

You may have to wait a long time for an infant, and each year you grow older.

What alternatives do you have?

Choosing an older child might improve your chances. Older children are often less in demand than infants, and your age would be less a drawback if you were to adopt a child of 8 or 10.

Discuss your ideas with case

' .

' '

..,

workers. They should be able to tell what your chances are in various situations.

Try to get acquainted with children in the age range you might adopt. Perhaps you could become a Big Sister to a child, spending time with him/ her regularly.

Becominga foster-parent would involve you even more with a child and would help clarify your thinking about adoption. You can specify the age range and sex of the child you would fosteL The goal of foster parenting is usually to restore the child. to the family of origin. Nevertheless, it happens that when such a goal becomes impossible, the rights of the biological parents are terminated and the foster child is available for adoption.

Whatever you decide, you need

two things: experience with children and support from others..

Many single persons are successful parents, but no single parent has it easy. Noone can perform a job 24 hours a day, seven days a week and be successful.

That's why you need the support of others. You need people to talk to, people to take the child and give you time out. people to step in because you have the flu.

If you want to adopt, persevere.

Sometimes you must look long and hard and exercise patience.

There are children in need of a loving home. I hope one of them can be yours. .

Reader questions on family living or child care to be answered in print are invited by The Kennys; 219 W. Harrison St. Suite4; Rensselaer, Ind. 47978.

The Oliver Twist story updated two factors. The first was that the boy was taken from a Catholic home and permitted to be adopted

by Mormons.

The second was that he was lured into his new home by promises of Nintendo, clothing, and trips to Disneyland. Later, when I read the story in the Irish press, I realized why my friends felt the way they did. The case was sensationalized.

Absent was the tragic story of the boy and his brother being abandoned periodically and for long periods of time by their mother. Their father had abandoned them physically. emotionally. and financially years earlieL The boys were shuttled from foster home to foster home.

I don't for a minute question the

boy's attraction to a nice home and possessions. His testimony in court. however, indicated he was much more impoverished by absentee and neglectful parenting than byabsence of toys.

His is an Oliver Twist story updated. Along with dozens of witnesses, Gregory described his mother's lifestyle which included alcohol, drugs, abuse, prostitution, and neglect.

By the grace of God, he ran into a saviour at a home for abused and neglected boys. George Russ. who had been neglected by his own father, felt Gregory's pain, and offered him a home. The parents, with eight children of their own. offered "a place to be" and Gregory took it.

Yes, the family is Mormon. But the Catholicism in the boy's .life was a sham, a birth notation, that's all. Neither .his parents nor the rest of us stretched out our Catholic hands to Gregory w~en he needed a place to "e. If he can find a loving experience of God in a Mormon or any other family, we should rejoice.

We could write forever on the failure of our foster care system but Dickens did it best and things haven't changed that much. We weep more over Oliver Twist than the neady half million children in foster care today, some in 10 dif(Porent homes a yeaL Why. then, do we get so upset with a judge who permitted a modern-day orphan to find his own safe place? Because the impli-

cations scare us. If he can do it, so . can other children, children who have childish disagreements with their parents.

What we need to ask is not why the judge acted as he did, but why we didn;t a<;:t as a carin.g people. If we're going to assign our Sermon on. the Mount responsibilities to the state, why have we allowed foster care monies to be slashed the past 20 years so that social worker caseloads have become gargantuan and lots of Gregorys are left to languish on the Oliver Twist trash pile?

Already there are other Gregory-cases emerging and we can expect more unless we begin to take care of our foster children and give them a safe place to be.

The Good NeW's â&#x20AC;˘ III Eaucat ion "~I)IJ.iJ.r._!l1Jl.~

Catholic Educators:

Catholic Educators:

TeIling the Good News Story

TeIling the Good News Story

At a Catholic school, your child will get an education for both mind and soul.

On the one hand, Catholic schools do what schools should do: Educate. Year after year, Catholic school students score the highest in national tests for reading, math and science. They're also the most likely to graduate and go to college.

On the other hand, Catholic schools do something else: Build character. Catholic schools' . emphasis on faith, discipline and values benefits children of all backgrounds.

Schools of the Diocese of Fall River Elementary Schools ACUSHNET St. Francis Xavier, 223 Main St. 02743-1597. Tel. 995-4313. Mrs. Joanne N. Riley, Principal.

ATTLEBORO St. John the Evangelist, 13 Hodges St. 02703. Tel. 222-5062. Sr. Ann Therese Connolly, CDP, Principal.

FAIRHAVEN St. Joseph, Spring & Delano Sts. 02719. Tel. 9961983. Sr. Muriel Ann Lebeau, SS.Cc., Principal. . FALL RIVER Dominican Academy, 37 Park St. 02721. Tel. 6746100. Mrs. Helen Miller, Principal.

Espirito Santo, 143 Everett St. 02723. Tel. 672-2229.

Charles D. Moreira, Principal.

Holy Name, 850 Pearce St. 02720. Tel. 674-9131.

Dennis R. Poyant, Principal.

Notre Dame School, 34 St. Joseph St. 02723. Tel. 672-5461. Sr: Paulette M. Gregoire, RJM, Principal.

St. Anne School, 240 Forest St. 02721. Tel. 6782152. Mrs. Irene L. Fortin, Principal.

St. Jean Baptiste 'School, Lamphor St. 02721. Tel. 673-6772. Kathleen Barboza, Principal.

St. Michael School, 209 Essex St. 02720-2996. Tel. 678-0266. Sr. Bernadette Sullivan, SUSC, Principal.

SS. Peter.& Paul School, 240 Dover St. 02721. Tel. 672-7258. Miss Kathleen A. Burt, Principal.

St. Stanislaus School, 37 Rockland St., P.O. Box 217,02724. Tel. 674-6771. Mrs. Denita Tremblay, Principal.

St. Vincent's Residential/Special Education Treatment Center, 2425 Highland Ave. 02720. Tel. 6798511, FAX 672-2558. Thomas J. Petrouski, 'Special Education Administrator.

NEW BEDFORD Holy Family-Holy Name School, 91 Summer St. 02740. Tel. 993-3547. Cecilia M. Felix, Principal.

Our Lady of Mt. Carmel School, 103 Crapo St. 02744. Tel. 997-9612. Miss Ana M. Costa, Principal.

St. Anthony School, 190 Ashley Blvd. 02746. Tel. 994-5121. Mrs. Elizabeth Ann Lavigne, Principal.

St. James-St. John School, 180 Orchard St. 02740.

Tel. 996-0534. Miss Mary E. Mello, Principal.

St. Joseph School, 35 Kearsarge St. 02745-6117. Tel. 995-2264. Felipe M. Felipe, Principal.

St. Mary School, 115 Illinois St. 02745. Tel. 9953696. Angela L. Stankiewicz, Principal.

NORTH ATTLEBORO St. Mary-Sacred Heart Consolidated School, 57 Richards Ave. 02760. Tel. 695-3072. Mrs. Alberta M. Goss, Principal. .

TAUNTON Our Lady of Lourdes School, 52 First St. 02780. Tel. 822-3746. Sr. Mary Margretta Sol, RSM, Principal.

St. Mary's Primary School, 106 Washington St. 02780. Tel. 822-9480. Mrs. Martina B. Grover, Principal.

NOTICE OF NONDISCRIMINATORY POLICY AS TO STUDENTS Schools in the Diocese of Fell River admit students of any race, color, national and ethnic origin to all the rights, privileges, programs. and activities generally accorded or made available to students at the schools.

They do not discriminate on the basis of race. color, national and ethnic origin in administration of educational policies, admissions policies. loan programs. and athletic and other schooladministered programs.

Middle School TAUNTON Taunton Catholic Middle School, 61 Summer St. 02780. Tel. 822-0491. Ms. Kathleen Simpson, Principal.

High Schools ATTLEBORO _ Bishop Feehan High School, 70 Holcott Dr. 02703.

Tel. 226-6223, FAX 226-7696. Bro. Robert J. Wickman, FSC, Principal, Rev. David A. Costa, Chaplain.

FALL RIVER Bishop Connolly High School, 373 Elsbree St. 02720. Tel. 676-1071. Rev. John P. Murray, SJ, Principal, Rev. Donald A. MacMillan, SJ, Chaplain.

NORTH DARTMOUTH Bishop Stang High.School, 500 Slocum Rd. 02747.

Tel. 996-5602, FAX 994-6756. Theresa E. Dougall, Principal, Rev. Stephen J. Avila, Chaplain.

TAUNTON Coyle and Cassidy High School, Adams and Hamilton Sts. 02780. T.el. 823-6164; 823-6165. Michael J ..

Donly, Headmaster; Dr. Donna Boyle, Academic Principal.

NOTICE OF NONDISCRIMINATORY POLICY AS T.O STUDENTS AND EMPLOYEES SchOOls in the Diocese of Fall River. to the extent required by Title IX. do not discriminate against any applicanf!employee because of sex. They do not discriminate against any student because of sex in any educational program and activity.

Catholic secondary education in the Fall River diocese In Attleboro

In Fall River

Bishop Feehan High School, Attleboro, Catholic secondar}1 education in Fall River opened its doors in September, 1961, the has its roots in the last century. second diocesan high school to open under The Religious of Jesus and Mary were the then-Bishop James L. Connolly's master first community of religious women to recplan to make a Catholic education available ognize the need for Catholic secondary eduto any student in the diocese who desired it. cation in the area. These sisters established Built on 14 acres of land purchased at a Jesus-Mary' Academy for young women in generous discount from Dr. and Mrs. Stobbs 1877. of Attleboro, Bishop Feehan cost nearly $3 The demand for Catholic education grew million to construct. It stands as a tribute to faster than this initial group of sisters were Attleboro Catholics, who oversubscribed its able to handle. Therefore, in 1886, the Sisters initial fund drive by $140,000. It is also a Bishop Feehan High School ofthe Holy Union established Sacred Hearts Bishop Connolly High School tribute to the Stobbs family. Of Mrs. Stobbs Academy and they likewise devoted themBishop Connolly later wrote, "There was one selves to educating young women. ?f our r~ally great benefactors. May the knowledge of Feehan's great success add to her joy A ~h~rd sc~ool for young wo~en, Dominican Academy, was opened in 1895 by the m eternIty." ' Dommlcan Sisters of St. Catherme of Siena. of Mercy and the first principal was Sister Mary Urban Feehan was staffed by Sisters Nearly 40 years would pass before a secondary school for boys would be established. The Geddes, who accepted her assignment with enthusiasm, visiting other New England Brot~ers of Christian Instruction, in association with-Notre Dame parish, addressed this schools for ideas and advice, and developi.ng a school logo, emblem, official song and the growmg need when they opened Msgr. Prevost High School in 1934. motto, "Feehan First."

The next development occurred in 1946, immediately after World War II when the , An important part of school life was and is the athletic program, which began under Sisters of Mercy established another high school for girls named Mount St. Mary's difficulties as an initially small and totally freshman student body strove to break into not Academy. only area intermural sports, but to compete on the diocesan level. Athletics began with a From 1946 through the mid-1960s, the greater Fall River Catholic community was being basketball team and the freshmen did well, winning their first two games. Since that time, served by these five high schools. the Feehan Shamrocks have become a power to be reckoned with in a full complement of During that time, then-Bishop James L. Connolly began developing plans for regional sports activities. high schools to serve the various geographical areas of the diocese. In the Fall River area, An interesting aspect of school life in the 1963-1964 academic year was the addition to the regional high school was constructed on property located on Elsbree Street. Bishop the student body of six Cuban teenagers whose families had fled from the Fidel Castro Connolly High School was formally dedicated in 1966. While established as a diocesan regime. Under the auspices of Christian Family Movement members, the students found school, its administration and operation were given to the Society of Jesus (Jesuits) who homes with Attleboro area families and attended Feehan on scholarships granted by the have faithfully served the school to this day.

Fall River diocese. One young man among them graduated with highest honors and later Bishop Connolly High School was originally established to educate the young men in the returned to the school as a mathematics teacher. area, but the unexpected events of the next decade would bring about changes.

Over the years, the Feehan newspaper and yearbook, Feehan Flash and Feehan FlashIn 1970, a spectacular fire completely destroyed Prevost High School, located on the back, have merited highest honors in scholastic press competitions, while the school has west side of Eastern Avenue near Lafayette Park. Catholic schools natio,nwide, were also become known for its dramatic and musical productions, and its supportive group of experiencing many drastic changes at that time, and it became apparent that it was not parents. advisable to rebuild Prevost. The next step was tQ encourage the Jesuits to welcome the A unique feature of the Feehan campus is its Polynesian-styled five-roofed religious Brothers of Christian Instruction and their students to the Bishop Connolly site. education center. Once a school for special-needs children, it was donated to the high In the meantime, d.e~lining enroll~~nts in the four girls, high schools and the expansion school by Bishop Daniel A. Cronin in 1975 and has proved an ideal setting for religion of apostolates by religIOus commUnIties created the need to examine the future of these classes and programs. " schools. In 1970, after extensive studies and examination of resources the Dominican Material fot this ~rticle' was abridged .from "The Story of J)ishop' f.eehan High ;\~ademy·higlJ,~c.h,oP'l~).¢.s1!S~M.ar.Y Ac~dei:JIy.al1d,JM.p~n~S,t. ,Mary's Academy' I~unched'a' " , .., ' .',.\,School"

by Sister Mary Noel.BIute, RSM. . ,~I ':0" ",,' " .," .

• JOInt venture and established Bishop Gerrard High School for Girls, using the facilities of the former Mount St. Mary's. The Sisters of Holy_U nioll, meanwhile, maintained Sacred Hearts Academy until 1975.

The last major adjustment for Catholic secondary education in the city occurred in 1980. ' Catholic secondary education in Taunton had its beginnings in 1912 when Msgr. James Following another extensive study and analysis of conditions in the Fall River area, Bishop Coyle, then pastor of St., Mary's Church in Taunton, opened St. Mary's High School.

G~rrard High School closed its doors after a 10 year experiment, and Bishop Connolly ~sgr. Coyl~'s interest in educating youth i~ a Catholic setting resulted in growing interest High School became the first coeducational high school administered by the Society of m St. Mary s, and by 1930 many prospective students had to be turned away because of Jesus. . -'" overenrollment.

Since that time, more than 2,500 area high school students have benefited from the Following Msgr. Coyle's death in the early '30s, Bishop Cassidy announced that a dedication and commitment of Jesuits, the Brothers of Christian Instruction, Sisters of Catholic high school for boys would ·be construct~d on Summer Street in Taunton and Mercy and·the Holy Union, and a growing number of !lily instructors committed to the ,staffed bythe'Brothe~s pf,the Holy Crqss.Upon completi(;ri, the school was dedicated to teacliings of the 'Catholic Church and anxious to share these teaching~ as the minds and the memory of Msgr. C o y l e . : ' , he~.rts of y,oung .~enand ~o.men are formed ..

St. Mary's then becam.e a girls' high school, staffed by the Sisters or'the Holy Union., The need for a modern facility for girls emerged in the late '50s and early '60s. In 1963, a . modern school was constructed on the corner of Adams and Hamilton Streets. The school, <;atholic s~condary;edu~atio.n (ound1it home in'New'(8edford iiI' Holy ~a'mil; Hi~h" adm~nistered, by the Holy U ~ion Sisters, was dedicated to the memory of BistIopJames CaSSidy. ','to ,':' , • School, established in.l884 and sponsored by St. Lawrence,Church. The school was served The changing for.tunes of.tim,e and the unpredictables'ocial, spirituaJ'and economic by the Sisters M,ercy and filled a very' important 'role fqr the Catholics living·in New upheavals which deeply affected the Church and its, institutions in the'late '60s, however, ", .

Be.dford. necessitated drastic measure$ if Catholic education was to be preserved in Taunton. In The Sisters of the Sacred Hearts of Jesus and Mary committed themselves to Catholic 1971, Coyle and Cassidy High Schools merged in the Adams'and Hamilton Streets facility, secondary educ~t.ion when, in i911, the community opened Sacred Hearts Academy for thus reinstating the concept of co educational secondary educatio'n. . girls in Fairhaven.

For the first ten years under the capable leadership of Sr. Virginia O'Hare and then Rev. These two high schools served the G~eater New Bedford area until 1940, when the priests.

Richard Beaulieu', CCHS worked to develop its own image as a Catholic secondary school. and people of St. Anthony's pari,sh in New Bedford opened a high school to serve primarily From the time ofthe merger, CCHS has been striving towards this goal, drawing from the the children of French-Canadian immigrants, a large number of whom were living in the fine traditions of both Msgr. Coyle and Bishop Cassidy High Schools, but adapting them city's north end. " , ' to the present day. ' In the mid-!950s"then-BislJop James L: Connolly undertook construction of regio'hal In 1981, Michael Donly was named principal after spending 10 years at CCHS in various high schools to serve the various geographical areas of the diocese.. For the New Bedford capacities both in the classroom and in the administration ofthe school. Presently, he leads area, a large tract ofland on the North Dartmouth/ New Bedford line became available and a combined faculty of religious and lay educators. plans for Bishop Stang High School were soon developed.

In May of 1991, CCHS was named a reCipient of the Exemplary School Award by the Bishop Stang High School, under the aegis of the Sisters of Notre Dame de Namur, U.S. Department of Education. The school was one of only 38 other Catholic high schools opened its dO,ors in September 1959 and continues to serve the greater New Bedford area as across the country to receive this honor. well as students traveling from Fall River, Wareham and the Cape area.

Coyle and Cassidy High School looks to the 1990s with positive expectations. CCHS has The three New Bedford area high schools that preceded' Bishop Stang gradually faced striven to be an important member of the Greater Taunton community with service declining enrollments and rising costs. The Sisters of the Sacred Hearts were the first to being an integral component of this relationannounce the closing of their Academy in ship. For example, the community service Fairhaven (1969), followe'd by St. Anthony program which was started in the late '80s High School (1978) and Holy Family High continues to provide agencies throughout the School (1985).

Taunton area with volunteers from the senior Bishop Stang High School is working to ,'" class. complete its Capital Campaign and has preThe image Coyle and Cassidy has propared a FiveYear Plan projecting enrollment jected through its graduates has left an indeland development of programs and projects ible impression on the Greater Taunton into the years ahead. The legacy of the three community. The years of dedication by the earlier high schools now incorporated by members of the religious and lay faculty have Bishop Stang and the example given by the served as an example of the never-ending Sisters of Notre Dame de Namur continue to desire to offer an atmosphere most conducive serve the area well. to the educational, emotional, moral and At Bishop Stang High School, " ... the trasocial development of young men and women.

Coyle-Cassidy High School Bishop Stang High School dition continues..."

!n Taunton

In New Bedford

of

i

Elementary schools: developing well!

By Sister Michaelinda Plante, RSM Associate Superintendent of Diocesan Schools Development, long the bailiwick of colleges and high schools, has slowly moved down into the life of elementary schools. The past 10 years have seen elementary schools move toward a developmental approach to finances and long-range planning.

When I began my doctoral dissertation work on elementary finances, it became clear that the key people were pastor, principal, staff and alumni. Ten years ago, there were very few elementary schools with trained personnel ready to look at the field of development.

This is not true now. We would find few schools across the country that are not in some way involved in this area.

What is development as experienced in elementary schools?

Development is a broad-based approach to long-range planning over and above fundraising. It includes a mission statement that is a strong philosophical statement as to a school's goals; and public relations, financial planning, budget controls, case statements and a strong Catholic academic foundation. The diocese of Fall River, along with other dioceses across the country, has begun educating pastors, principals and the laity to this type of planning.

Pastors especially need to be aware of developmental approach since they have the ultimate responsibility for finances in their parishes and especially in their schools.

The U.S. bishops, in their 1990 statement regarding support for <;::atholic schools, stated that ,by.

1995 each diocese shouldh'av'e'iil place development programs not only to support schools, but parishes.

Here in the Fall River diocese we have tried to educate and support the schools as they move into this more complex way of looking at financial planning. We need ongoing education for pastors, principals and the generous laity who volunteer so readily in our schools.

Over the past eight 'years various opportunities have been made available to the pastors and principals to educate them in the development area., Principals have been encouraged to attend' the devel-' opment workshop ,run by father· John Flynn of the Omaha archdiocese, a pioneer in the .development field. Three elementary principals, along with the high school development directors and their principals, have taken advantage of this workshop. Father Richard Beaulieu, director. of the Diocesan Department of Education, and I also have attended.

Richard Burke of Burke Associates in Connecticut laid the development foundation eight years ago for our elementary schools when he presented an all-day workshop.

Father Flynn and Father Steve Frascadore also conducted workshops in various topics pertinent to development, and when the New England Association ofCatholic Development Officers began to include elementary materials, principals and volunteers were encouraged to attend their workshops.

These workshops have allowed elementary school personnel to meet high school people and learn of their successful programs and have encouraged the elementary schools to move in those areas.

Each year we see elementary

SISTER PLANTE schools attempting new programs.

Dominican Acade~y, Fall River, for instance, already has a fulltime development person.

NEACDO awards to diocesan schools have made the diocese proud of the work they have accomplished without having formal development directors and offices.

Both St. Joseph, Fairhaven, and St. Jean Baptiste in Fall River have been recognized for their development efforts.

The National Catholic Educational Association annual convention has a separate segment for development, attended by principals and pastors as often as possible.· Two years ago the Office of Education in~ited the ~CEA Development Director, Sister Kath- .

of these schools have also shared their knowledge and expertise with other schools who could not afford to attend the workshops at that time.

Last year, Father Beaulieu encouraged the high school directors of development to become more in volved with area elementary schools and to offer them help. This has resulted in good public relations and assistance with school newsletters, fundraising and especially alumni meetings. .

The following schools have had successful alumni gatherings and have begun to use alumni to further develop a school support system: St. Francis Xavier, Acushnet; St. Joseph, Fairhaven; Dominican Academy., St. Anne, St. Jean Baptiste, St. Michael, SS. Peter and Paul, Fall River; Holy FamilyHoly Name, St. James-St. John, St. Joseph, St. Mary, New Bedford; Our Lady of Lourdes, Taunton Catholic Middle School, Taunton.

Next year, St. Anthony, New Bedford, will hold its first alumni gathering to celebrate its centennial. Other schools are also making plans for such events.

THE ANCHOR -

Diocese of Fall River -

Fri., Jan. 29, 1993

CATHOLIC ACTOR Mark Curry stars With Mr. Cooper." (CNS photo)

In

9

"Hangin'

Sitcom star: Catholic school "saved me"

Where Do We Go From Here?

• We need continued support for Catholic schools from the bishHOLLYWOOD(CNS) - Mark The youngest of eight children, op, priests and parishioners Curry, star of the ABC comedy Curry talked about growing up in throughout the diocese.

"Hangin' with Mr. Cooper," said the ghetto. "Ahd a lot of my • We look ahead to the possibil- his Catholic schooling and church [ghetto) brothers and sisters didn't ityofadiocesandevelopmentoffice involvement in his youth "saved make it out. I was a fortunate one that could work with all schools, me from my environment" growto make it as far as going to college coordinating their efforts. ing up in an Oakland ghetto. and not being on drugs."

• Most of all, we need honest "I kind of grew up in the church," He said there is not enough time communication and sharing of Curry said. "I was an altar boy · to list all the factors that keep ideas, talents and dreams be- -people didn't know that .... And young people in the ghetto. But a ..' tween and among thescQools" I·was in the choir and all that stuff.. .. turning point for Curry? "My parleqtG9-I~ifls;~to~be;di~:J(:i~s~.:;r;We!v~,j=;;;'.'.~~helementaryarid secondar.Y,,: ~S-o' .. ; the church kind'of saved me . ents are stili together after ." 54 scliools were ~art of thiS yearlong . so that financial development 'really, Catholic school." .

-yea'rs,i'he 'said. ','I had Ii strong program that mcluded all ~spects can be seen as a vital cat~lyst Curry, whose comedy act led to · famiy base. My mom is strong. of development: St. FranCIS Xav~ for the support and contmu- the series said he was never the Pop is strong." anceofCatholicelementaryedu- class clo~n; "I went to Catholic ier, Acushnet; St. John the EvanHe said, "You have to have a lot gelist, Attleboro; St. Joseph, Faircation .in the whole Diocese of school all my life; so you didn't ofluck" to get out ofthe ghetto. "It haven; Holy Name, St. Anne, St. Fall River. . have class clowns," he quipped.

Jean Baptiste, .SS. Peter and ~aul Curry went to St. Bernard Grade starts with family support. Your mother and father pushing you in and St. ~tamslaus, Fall River; School in Oakland and St. Joseph the right frame of mind, and a lot Holy Family-Holy Name, St. JamesHigh School in suburban Alameda.

St. John, and St. Mary,.New.Bed-· At St. Bernard, "we had nuns, of luck. Because there were a lot of ford; Taunt?n Catholic Middle WASHINGTON (CNS) - Of the traditional nuns. Very' nice people who had nice families and 228public'and privateelemeritary they still didn't make ii. So I think Schoo l Dunn'g the program pas tors, p:incipals and a team ~f la;' schools designated as Blue Ribbon ladEies.". h' h h I C . 'd it's a,lot of family support, lot of Schools by the U.S. Department ven m Ig sc 00, urry sal . lu t s met fou fm f t ' luck. You know, God on your side of Education, 20 are Catholic. The h~ had "no h,?rr~rdstories'~t~. tell ·and you think you could do it." . ~~y ~e~~rons, and rthlene~x~~u~~ schools are to be honored at cer- a out nuns. a a ~oo Im~: plans of action to be. carried out His TV character, Mr. Cooper, . h th All rt" t' . h" .

I II 185 Nunsarereally, reallymce people. pa IClpa~ s saw emo~les t IS' spnng. n a i. : Curry said he is' a 'practicing is a substitute' teacher who has a eac mon. these workshops as productive and pu b.hc schools and 43.pr.IVa te C'· h I' ~, "h" IS' hous'ing arrangement with two many schools have seen formal' , 'schools were chosen out of 476 d a~ ;~ en can ~~, unwomen roommates in the style of th ays I m no on e roa . action plans' carried out by their . nominated in the 1991-92 school "Three's Company." Curry said he administration and teams. Many;' year. ' , "wanted to be a positive-image role model to kids, instead of being just, you know, just a funny person. And so I'll make sure that ..: the two women images are very positive also. .

The u.s. Department of Education and Dr. James s. Coleman, sociologist and author of many landmark studies on Ameri,can education, have unearthed some impressive statistics: School choice rebuffed • in'national and science achievement tests at both the elementary and secondary levels, Catholic school students by new education head outscored their public school counterparts.

Blue ribbon schools

?/?:----:,

Facts abo,ut Catholic. SchQo~s

~

in all subjects, Catholic school students show greater academic achievement gains between tenth and twelfth grades than do public school students; .

• Catholic school students from disadvantaged families show no corresponding academic deficiencies in math or verbal achievement, while similar students in public and other private schools show substantial academic • •

• •

• •

•

deficiencies; in Catholic schools, minority students from underprivileged backgrounds outperform their public school

counterparts; 3% of Catholic high school students drop out of school compared io 14% of public school students; Catholic school graduates of every ethnic background choose a pre-professional college curriculum twice as often as public school graduates; ,83% of Catholic high school graduates go on to college as compared to 52% of public high school graduates; The graduation rate for all Catholic students is 95% and for public schools 66%; Catholic school students surpassed public school students by an average of 4. 5% in math, 4.8% in science, and 12.5% in reading in the three grade levels of the National Assessment of Educational Progress test of the federal government; Catholic high-school sophomores are four times less likely to drop out than their public-school counterparts.

Once graduated, they are much more likely-by 40%- to go on to college.

WASHINGTON (CNS)- Ciltholic school officials are disappointed by the lack of support for school choice programs involving non-public schools from Richard Riley, President Bill Clinton's pick' for secretary of education.

An official of the National Catholic Educational Association said he was particularly concerned

by Riley's opposition to a pilot program under which parents could pay private school tuition with vouchers funded by tax dollars. ' "His wording shows that he doesn't understand what parental; choice is all about," said Robert Kealey, executive d.irector of the NCEA elementary schools department.

.

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Catholic school for your kids?

A Gratitude Speech to nuns and teachers of St. Anthony of Padua High School, New Bedford Susan Sarkes Dalton, a memb~ of the Class of 1972 at the former St. Anthony of Padua High School, delivered the following speech at a November class reunion.

Three years ago, on my 35th birthday, Peter, my rotten little brother, tried to rub it in on the occasion of my official entry into middle age.

"Hey, Sue," he said. "You want to feel really old?" .

"What do you mean?" 1 wondered.

So he asked his 12-year-old son, "Danny, what's a hippie?"

"1 don't know," my nephew shrugged.

Repressing the urge to slap the grin off my brother's face, 1 shook my head as 1said: "Peter, with a husband like you, any day now, your wife is going to decide to become a nun!"

At this point, it was my nephew's turn to ask a question, and it stunned me: "Aunt Sue, what's a nun?"

It was a shock to realize that 1 was a product of a dying tradition - Catholic school education and 1 remembered the tug 1 felt in my heart when 1 learned that St. Anthony High School had to close [in 1978). "What is a nun?"

Danny asked. His question stopped me cold. How do you explain a nun?

The best 1 could answer was: "Well, it's sort of like a lady priest, but she doesn't say Mass; she teaches kids in school."

And it was with sadness that 1 realized my nephew would never know the caring and compassion of a dedicated woman in a long, black dress that swished when she walked; whose head was covered with a long, black veil; and who carried at her side a set of rosary beads big enough for the jolly Green Giant.

"Sort of like a lady priest."

Such words were so inadequate to describe an intangible yet oh-sopowerful presence in my life; for nuns had been central figures in some of my earliest memories. All my teachers had touched my life in a crucial way. They heaped fertilizer on my imagination and planted seeds in my young, impressionable mind that would not reach fruition for years. Their patience was surpassed only by their faith that someday 1 would make something of myself, and they knew it was their job to prepare me.

Back then, nuns had' offered me the .gifts of structure and consistency that were very much appreciated by a confused, unhappy kid who was growing up in a home wracked by crisis and alcoholism.

To this day, 1can name the nun or teacher 1 had for everyone of my classes from grammar school on up. But a few definitely stand out in my mind: It is to Sister joan O'Donnell who taught Problems of Democracy and spurred my interest in current events, and to my history teacher, Al Catelli, that lowe special thanks. Mr. Catelli was my advisor for news stories and ideas.

His encouragement combined with Sister joan's influence to nurture my early interest in journalism as 1 covered St. Anthony High for the Standard- Times as a junior Achievement staff reporter. journalism was the profession that 1would pursue after graduat-

- ..

ing from coilege. And before a promotion to copy editor trapped me behind a desk in the newsroom, my beat had taken me into a living room to talk to the distraught parents of an 18-year-old boy who drowned in the Erie Canal, to cover antinuclear demonstrations at an Army base in Upstate New York, and to MCI-Framingham to interview inmates who were being helped by the prison ministry program.

Today 1 realize 1 would have been ill-prepared to face any of these assignments without the discipline, critical thinking, and creativity my teachers sought to foster in me.

But 1 especailly want to thank Sister Charlotte Burleigh who taught this fumble-fingered teenager to type back before anyone ever heard of learning disabilities and years before 1 found out 1 was dyslexic. Countless times 1remember sitting in a newsroom at 2 or 3 a. m., smoking up my terminal at 80 wpm, saying a silent prayer of thanks to the woman who taught me a skill that consistently allowed me to meet my nightly deadlines.

As far as this alumna is concerned, Sister Charlotte deserves to be deClared the living patron saint of the keyboard.

Later, 1would leave journalism for the business world and metamorphose into that intrepid and mysterious life form known as a consultant. My present career path has taken me to many high-tech companies and through the doors of five major corporations. At one, 1 found myself working/or a research scientist who had 17 patents to his name. But 1was soon to learn that this brilliant, left-brain mind was completely incapable of constructing a grammatically correct sentence. To make matters worse, English was not this man's first language. And after he hired me to untangle the wording of his technical reports, 1 thanked God many times that the nuns who taught me grammar also taught me how to parse and diagram sentences.

In fact, every morning, 1 am reminded that grammar is a dying art when 1 read the Boston Globe.

Aside from the teachers I've already mentioned, 1 also owe a word of thanks to Sister juliette Cluartre and Sister Olivette Turcotte, both of whom taught me to love the beauty of French, my first language. . Nine years ago, 1 crossed the Strait of Gibraltar after a visit to Spain. My knowledge of French came in handy when 1faced a medical. emergency in Tangiers and managed to talk the Moroccan nurse out of cutting off my Levis.

Fortunately, 1was able to communicate with the doctor, who spoke no English, receive the proper treatment, and resume the rest of my trip.

More recently, in one ofmy work assignments, 1 edited a trilingual voice-mail manual and repeatedly had to correct the grammar and syntax of a man with a PhD who was paid a hefty amount of money to do the French portion of the translation. Needless to say, myemployer was thrilled that 1caught so many mistakes, and my paycheck showed it.

But no testimonial to my nuns and teachers would be complete without acknowledging the efforts

By Mitch Finley

GRADUATION MEMORIES: Among 100 seniors graduating in Susan Sarkes Dalton's class at St. Anthony High School, New Bedford, were, from left, Debbie Durand, Suzanne'Gregoire, Marianne Lacoste and Louis Robitaille. (Anchor, June 8, 1972).

Ult was with sadness that I realized my nephew would never know the caring and compassion of a dedicated woman in a long, black dress that swished when she walked•••" Sister Yvette of the Angels of St. Anthony High School in old and new 1964 habit of the Holy Cross Sisters. (Anchor, Jan. 9, 1964) of Sister Pauline laBelle, who taught me Latin for two years. Too bad it wasn't four because without the help of that allegedly dead language, my vocabulary. would be much smaller, and 1wouldn't be as well prepared to tackle the Sunday New York Times crossword puzzle every week.

All my teachers were nothing short of miracle workers, when 1 think about it. 1 mean, 20 years ago, Sister Rita Duguay, the principal at St. Anthony's, was saddled with the ponderous task of riding herd over a small army of giddy, scatterbrained, fresh-faced teenagers who were full of hell and running on hormones. All things considered, it's amazing the nuns and teachers were ever able to get our attention. But they did their job, and they did it well. In the course of my higher education, I've earned credits from six colleges and universities, both public and private.

No matter where I'd go, invariably one of my professors would take me

aside after class and ask: "You're a product of parochial education, aren't you?"

So I'd like to thank my teachers for giving me such quality preparation for the many challenges 1 took on in life and helping me to build a firm basis for my professional career. For all you've done, all of you have my eternal gratitude. Thank yOlt.

Ms. Dalton graduated from St. Theresa of the Little Flower School in New Bedford and attended Our Lady of the Lake Summer Camp, Lakeville. After graduating from St. Anthony's, she earned a degree from St.John Fisher College in Rochester, NY. Formerly an editor at the Daily Transcript in Dedham and the Middlesex News in Framingham, she currently works as a consulting technical editor for several hightech companies in and around Boston, Metrowest, and Route 128.

On the fence about sending your children to Catholic schools? If you are, you've probably spent some time weighing their advantages and disadvantages.

What do Catholic schools offer?

Here are some reasons for sending kids to Catholic schools, despite the expense and any other obstacles.

I. Sending children to a Catholic school helps them learn in the best way possible that faith and the Catholic tradition have everything to do with everyday life.

2. In Catholic schools kids are just as likely, perhaps more so, to encounter a cross section of American society as in a public school.

Catholic schools reflect our society's pluralistic culture in ways that honor and celebrate various cultures, races and even religious perspectives.

Sure, Catholic schools are Catholic, but almost any Catholic school includes Protestant and even non-Christian kids. Parents who think Catholic schools constitute a hot-house atmosphere and isolate kids from reality don't know what they're talking about.

3. Sending kids to Catholic scho.ol tells them that you care about them in ways that they can feel. Catholic schools frequently require direct parental involvement, and if a particular school doesn't do this, it should. Kids do better in school when parents are involved.

4. Kids get an excellent education on every level in Catholic schools. Every study done in recent years shows that Catholic elementary and secondary schools are unequaled academically.

Catholic schoolteachers are dedicated, and teaching for them is a mission they accept at a real sacrifice, financially and in other ways.

5. If you want to spend your money on something that will last for your children - a quality Christian schooling - that makes yet another reason to send them to a Catholic school.

So many of the things we crave glitter, sparkle and attract for a while, then fade. A Catholic school experience will last a lifetime.

Are there reasons not to send your kids to a Catholic school?

Sure.

I. Don't send your kids to Catholic school if the school does not take the religious formation of children seriously enough to have it shape a child's day, day in and davout.

2. Don't send your kids to a Catholic school if its teachers and administrators have a philosophy of education that makes you uncomfortable. Don't send your kids to a school where children are abused, emotionally or physically.

A teacher who must hit a child in order to deal with a behavior problem is a bad teacher.

3. Don't send your kids to a Catholic school if it is not equipped to deal with your gifted or learningdisabled child. .

4. Don't send your kids to a Catholic school if your faith is by and large a Sundays-only concern.

Catholic schools cannot drill "morality" into a child who does not come from a home where faith is woven into the fabric of life.

On January 22, marchers mourn Dios es mas fuerte que el pecodo Continued from Page One del hombre. good, where love and generosity Fortalezcanos a todos'para que will be the inspiration for our acts; a world where life will be rever- juntos hagamos un mundo nuevo donde sea mas facil ser bueno y enced - especial1y when it is most donde se roconozca el valor de fragile. Help us to make a society cada nino, de cada enfermo, de where people care about one anothcada ancianito, y todos hermanos. er, where human beings are more hijos de un mismo Padre. A ti important than things and objects, a society of care and compassion, 'Padre todopoderoso todo honor y willing to make sacrifices to save toda gloria por los siglos de los children and to help the poor- siglos. A men.

Two Catholic congressmen also rather than a society that sacrifices stirred the rally crowd. California and destroys the poor. children Rep. Robert K. Dornan, a RepubHelp us to look beyond politi- lican, urged the U.S. Catholic cal1y correct language and seek the bishops - more than two dozen of truth that will free us from our whom waited on the stage behind moral blindness and help us to him - to say "tax exemptions be recognize the dignity of each and damned" and take a political stand every human life made in your in against candidates who support your image and likeness. And as legal abortion. Churches risk loswe reach out to the unborn child- ing their tax-exempt status if they ren, help us say to the people of the become involved in partisan politworld - there is no such thing as ical activities. an unwanted child. -In the Gospel Rep. Chris Smith, R-N.J., as you speak through Jesus who says:' well as Los Angeles Cardinal Roger "Whoever receives such a child in M. Mahony, chairman of the U.S. my name receives me." Help us bishops' Committee on Pro-Life make a new world where every Activities, echoed a Scripture quochild is welcomed by society and tation from Clinton's inaugural cherished as a precious gift. speech. They repeated the passage from Galatians that Clinton often cites, "Let us not be weary in welldoing, for in due season we shall Padre de bondad, tu eres nues- reap if we faint not." tro baluarte, ayudanos a persevSmith called it a supreme irony erar en esta lucha para defender a of Clinton's administration that los parvulos inocentes cuyas vidas while he talks about caring for the estan en peligro. Llenanos de coraje nation's children, he supports a para seguir pregonando el urgente "systematic war against unborn mensaje de tu Evangelio - No mat- children." aras, no mataras. Basta ya la masClinton risks being known as acre! Dios de misericordia, sana "the abortion president," Smith los corazones destrozados de innu- said. merables mujeres - burladas y en- , Among Catholic leaders attendgdftados que han, c;aido en est(l ,ing the rally and march was Archdesgracia. bishop Anthony S.路 Apuron of Dejales saber que tienen una Agana, Guam, who prayed for the familia y un Padre dispuestos a conversion of the president as well perdonarlas y acogerlas como el as that of the Congress and Senate.

Padre del H ijo Prodigo - con abra- A Guam law that would have zos y besos-porque el amor de blocked al1 but a few abortions

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was recently refused a hearing by by the U.S. Supre'me Court.

Cardinal John J. O'Connor of New York, former chairman ofthe bishops' pro-life committee, said the presence of so many people "makes it clear we will not be cheated, we will not be intimidated, we will not be content."

Also at the rally, March for Life

THE ANCHOR-Diocese of Fall River--'-Fri., Jan. 29, 1993

St. Joseph's School 35 Kearsage St. New Bedford, MA 02745 Tel. 995-2264 Felipe M. Felipe

Father Marc Bergeron

principal

pastor

ON AUG. 4, 1910, Father Jovite Chagnon was appointed pastor of a new parish in the then far North End of New Bedford. The parish was placed under the patronage of St. Joseph. On Aug. 8, Father Chagnon came by horse-drawn wagon to take possession of his new church, an abandoned clambake pavilion at the corner of Acushnet Ave. and Duncan St. By September 1913 this energetic' pastor had completed a church-school building (a first floor school with six classrooms and a second floor church seating 900). Thesch901 Qpened~ith 340,;students. , " Throughout Father Chagnon's 44 years as pas e tor of St. Joseph's, the school, under the direction of the Sisters of St. Joseph of LePuy, prospered. Through the years wings were added to the school. A beautiful new McGinnis and Walsh church was completed in 1940. At the dedication of the new church, Father Chagnon

ington to affirm the value and dignity of human life."

"None of the federal policies reversed today restricted a single abortion," said the cardinal. "These policies simply limited federal support for abortion activity, and showed respect forthe millions of pro-life taxpayers who do not wish to subsidize the destruction of innocent human life," he added.

Clinton also got a strong rebl;1ke from the Vatican newspaper, L'Osservatore Romano, which said his administration had started down "the pathway of death and vio~ Ience against innocent human beings. ' "This is not progress fo'r the United States nor for humanity which, once again, must suffer a humiliating defeat," the newspaper said in a Jan. 23 commentary. ' Gail Quinn, executive dire,ctor of the bishops' pro-life secretariat, said Clinton "undoubtedly hopes that pro-life Americans will quiet down and soon fade from the scene" now that he has signed his executive orders.

"But he's wrong," she said. "His actions, seen by many as both a slap in the face and a challenge, have had the opposite effect. They have, in a word, energized the prolife movement. We did not go away 20 year~ ago when people said the debate was over. We will not go away now."

movement after the 1992 elections.

"We didn't die on election day," said Miss Gray. "We were reinvigorated."

Miss Gray estimated the crowd at the rally at 250,000. The U.S. Park Service Police estimated the crowd at 75,000. Last year the Park Service estimated the crowd at 70,000.

organizer Nellie Gray was honored for her 20 years. of work on the annual event. Representatives of dozens of religious and professional groups opposed to abortion and winners of the March for Life annuaf writing contest also were introduced.

Miss Gray assailed the press for predicting the death of the pro-life

Clinton insults Continued from Page One programs overseas that promote abortion.

He also ordered a study of the French "abortion pill," RU-486, but did not immediately lift the ban on its importation for personal use.

Rep. Chris Smith, R-N.J., cochairman ofthe Congressional ProLife Caucus, also attended the committee's pre-march press conference and said in a message to Clinton that the pro-life movement "is more determined than ever."

"We will never quit, Mr. Clinton, we will nurture hope and faith that someday our day will come," Smith said. "Indeed, we will never cease in the struggle to secure basic human rights for babies and the end to the exploitation' of their mothers."

"Executive orders pr,omoting abortions for teenagers and using baby brains and body parts for transplantation undermine the carefully orchestrated illusion of Mr. Clinton and Mr. Gore as child advocates," the congressman continued. "You don't protect children by killing some of them, Mr. President."

In a separate statement, Cardinal Roger M~ Mahony of Los Angeles, chairman of the U.S. bishops' Committee for Pro-Life Activities, said Clinton's actions were "particularly lamentable ... on this day when thousands of Americans are gathered in Wash-

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Students of the Week Cathy Bento, left, and Donna Gonet will have lunch with principal Felipe M; Felipe.

TODAY'SLAY STAFF at St. JosephSchool continues to serve several hundred youngsters, from pre-kindergarten through the eighth grade. , The school now offers a full-day pre-kindergarten and kindergarten programJor three-, four-, and five-year-olds at a very affordable price. Extended care is provided daily beginning at 6:45 a.m. and ending at 5:30 p.m. Bus transportation is provided for most students living in New Bed.ford. There are also students from surrounding towns..

The all-lay faculty averages over 12 years of experience. All are dedicated professionals who have a genuine concern forthe individual growth of each child.

The students attend Mass on a regular basis and are given frequent opportunities to receive the sacrament of reconciliation. Religious education is a daily part of each child's curriculum.

A prayer'room in the school is a frequent site for prayer services. Community service is a graduationrequirement.

received the title" Monsignor." The second pastor, Msgr. Louis Prevost, completely renovated the school. Succeeding pastors have believed in the value of Catholic education and have continued to give generous support to the school.

St. Joseph's School Founded 1913 After graduating from our eighth grade, the majority of our students qualify for the highest academic levels at New Bedford High School.

Many continue at Bishop Stang or another Catholic high school or at The Greater New Bedford Regional Vocational High School.

Graduates have also been accepted at prestigious schools like Tabor Academy in Marion and Philips Academy in North Andover. St. Joseph's has successfully completed the dioce~an self-study and accreditation process. . Ampl~ opportunity exists for parent-faculty cooperation. Special events, are regularly scheduled to encourage this cooperation (for example, open house, art fair, science fair). Our school science fair winners often win awards in regional competition. All students receive computer instruction and have access to our computer lab.

Extra curricular activities include drama club, chorus, cheerleading and very successful boys' and girls' basketball teams. Many volunteers and a generous secretarial staff add to the uni,que family atmosphere at St. Joseph's.

A nourishing and affordable hot lunch program is popular with many students. Offerings include pizza, Kentucky Fried Chicken, and McDonald's hamburgers and fries. Milk is available for 10 cents a day. .

The tuition plan can be tailored to meet nearly everyone's budget. We offer financial incentives for volunteer participation and financial aid to families in need. The family plan makes it possible for many larger families to afford our school. . We welcome you to visit our school during regular school hours. You will see for yourself what a difference St. Joseph School can make in your child's life and in the life of your family.

Call the school for more information or to set up an appointment.

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THE ANCHOR-Diocese of Fall River-Fri., Jan. 29, 1993

Pope discusses hot spots of world

VATICAN CITY (CNS) - In a major speech about world crisis spots, Pope John Paul II told over 100 diplomats that when negotiations have failed and whole populations are threatened, the international community has a duty to step in and "disarm the aggressor."

He coupled his statement with an impassioned plea for the people of Bosnia- Herzegovina, urging the nations of the world to refuse to accept territorial conquest by force and the policy of"ethnic cleansing."

The lengthy papal address reviewed world events over the past year. While noting signs of progress, the pontiff said it must be said that war and poverty still hold the world in their grip.

In Bosnia, where for months Serbian forces have battled local.

Muslim and Croatian militias, war has shown its "ruthless brutality," the pope said. He apparently referred to alleged war crimes by Serbians, including reports of concentration camps and widespread raping of Bosnian Muslim women.

"How can we fail to think of those children forever marked by the sight of so much horror? Those families separated and thrown into the street, dispossessed and without resources? Those women disTRIDENTINE ORDINATION: Facing the altar accord- honored?" the pope said. ing to the rubrics of the traditional Tridentine Mass, Bishop He said that if, after exhaustive James C. Timlin of Scranton, Pa., prepared to ordain Karl A. attempts at negotiation, "populaPikus as a priest of the Priestly Fraternity of St. Peter. (eNS tions are succumbing to the attacks of an unjust aggressor, states no photo) longer have a 'right to indifference.' " "It seems clear that their duty is to disarm the aggressor, if all other means have proved ineffective'," he said.

The pope discussed a number of SCRANTON,Pa.(CNS).--Bish"',' c.ministr.y-.in.. ·19?6 'fOf,·or-t!ainin~ pth~r. trOI;l.b\t; woJs, includ,ing the Mi'dci'1e' 'East, w'here"h~ warned 01' James C. Timlin of Scranton priests without permission, In 1984. Pope John 'Paul ap- that "fresh violence and armed ordained Karl Alfred Pikus to the priesthood last month in a Latin- proved an indult allowing bishops interventions" couid compromise language ceremony that used the to permit the Tridentine Mass to the year-old peace process begun ' be celebrated in thei'r dioceses for in Madrid, Spain. pre-Vatican II Tridentine rite, The pope did not directly com. Father Pikus thus became the pastoral reasons. , ment on recent U.S.-led military second American to be ordained When Archbishop. Lefebvre's constrikes against Iraq. But referring for the Priestly Fraternity of St. tinued defiance ler~ to h,is excomto the 1991 Persian Gulf War and Peter and the first to be ordained munication in 1988. many of his in the United States. supporters would not follow him the continuing embargo against Iraq, the pope reminded the diploThe priestly fraternity was found- into schism and sought reconcilia· mats that "war has long-term contion with the church, In response: Pope John Paul sequences',' and "f-orces innocent ed with Pope John Paul II's bless~ ing in 1988 to train priests for tra- issued the apostolic letter "Eccle- civilians to endure heavy sufferditionalistfollowersofexcommuni- sia Dei" and established the Pon- ings." . However, Vatican Radio, in a cated Archbishop Marcel Lefebvre tifical Commission "Ecclesia Dei" who wish to be reconciled with the to facilitate that rec6nciliation. The Catholic Church. Archbishop'Le- commission recommended formafebvre died in 1991 without recon- tion of the Priestly Fraternity of ciling to the church.

St. Peter in October 1991. Its U.S. ROME (CNS) - The Vatican's top communications official has The 27-year-old Father Pik~s, a headquarters are in Sc'ranton. proposed 10 commandments for native of St. Cloud, Minn., was Priests belonging to the fraterbasic parish communication. ordained to the diaconate in 1991 nity celebrate Mass in Latin using To deepen the faith of its memat the fraternity's seminary i'n the rite approved at the 16thbers and share the faith with its Wigratzbad, Germany. century Council of Trent.

"These men are ordained accordneighbors, every Catholic parish Father Pikus has been working should have a communications 'n'S a to fo th t I ing to the previous rite of ordinal cr n n r e pas severa months with Father Daniel Oppen- tion." according to the June 1992 plan, said the official, Archbishop Canon Law Society Newsletter.

John P. Foley, president of the heimer, the only other U.S. member "The rite is done in Latin. The Pontifical CounciIJor Social Comof the priestly fraternity .. Father munications.

Oppenheimer, ordained in 1991 in priests celebrate the Eucharist in Latin and do not conce'lebrate if the rite Archbishop Foley, a former archVienna, Austria, was born in Glen of Paul VI is used. diocesan newspaper editor in PhiCove, N.Y., and was an Episcopal"But the members of the fraterladelphia, presented his "commandian until he joined the Catholic nity must declare their belief in the ments" at a recent seminar at the Church in 1977. validity of the rite of Paul VI," the Salesian University in Rome: FatherJ osef Bisig, superior gen- newsletter added. "For a priest of - Put up signs outside the eral of the fraternity, and Father the fraternity to work or function church giving Mass times, office Arnaud Devillers, regional super- within a diocese, he must follow hours, the names of the clergy and ior, assisted at the ordination of the same procedures as any other a notice of welcome to visitors.

Father Pikus. ' members of a religious institute or - Publish "attractive and inforThe controversy that led to the soCiety of apostolic life," such as mative" weekly bulletins. founding of the Priestly Fraternity the Maryknoll Fathers, the Paul- Have a monthly parish newsof St. Peter dates to the I960s, istsor the Sulpicians. letter featuring parish activities when Archbishop Lefebvre raised There are currently about 40 and personalities, notices welcomquestions about the Second Vati- priests in the Fraternity of St. ing new parishioners and congratcan Council's liturgical reforms. as Peter worldwide. In addition to ulating newly baptized members well as its teachings on ecumenism Fathers Oppenheimer and Pikus and / or their parents. and religious liberty. The archbi- in Scranton, members are working - Give the local community and diocesan newspapers regular 'shop was suspended from priestly in Rapid City, S.D.; and Dallas.

U.8. has its first Tridentine rite ordination in 30 'years

commentary two days later, said the latest escalation in Iraq demonstrated that the 1991 war had not solved the region's difficulties.

"The repetition in recent days of Iraqi provocations on one side and the harsh allied military response on the other is one of the gravest sources of worry on the world horizon," said the commentary by the radio's program director, Jesuit Father Federico Lombardi. • Only two years have passed since the "tragic and bloody" Gulf war, which "cannot be said to have resolved the problems of the area," the radio said. Today, it seems that "the same logic is leading dangerously close to the same results."

"The threat of missiles against cities, the appeals to hatred of one population against another, the trust in the infallibility of military technology and intelligent weapons, seem again to be the instruments of first resort," it said.

"But it is evident that force never definitively resolves any dispute between peoples," it said. The radio added that the pope and the church would continue to repeat this message "even if their appeals go unheeded."

church and bring a message of reconciliation to that war-torn African nation. He said he hoped Sudanese would be able to freely choose a constitutional formula that could end years of fighting between peoples in the North and South.

The pontiff cited ongoing civil strife in R wanda, Zaire and Togo, and encouraged national leaders to make the "courageo.us choices" of dialogue and political reform.

Particularly in Zaire, he said, intolerance and violence could drag the country into "an adventure with fatal consequences."

Along with warfare, a growing part of the world's population must confront hunger and poverty, the pope said.

It is time for world leaders to "go beyond good intentions" in devising ways to share resources, justly distribute profits, preserve the environment and resist the "excesses of consumption," he added.

The pope also warned of an increase in "moral destitution."

He cited "unrestrained permissiveness" in the mass media, reflecting a valueless society where family dignity and stability are damaged and young people grow up withAppeal for Africa out ideals.

In his speech to the diplomats, The pope concluded ,with posithe pope made a special appeal for tive remarks about places where Africa, saying war was "tearing conflict has been avoided or ended. apart" many of its populati9ns.

He said, for example, that he In Somalia, humanitarian aid wanted to encourage two new Eurohas revealed the "unbearable dis- pean countries - the Czech and tress of a country long plunged Slovak republics - which demoninto anarchy, to the point of com- strated that dissolving, a previous promising the very survival of its federation can be done peacefully inhabitants," he.said. and through dialogue.

He did not comment on current He praised successful negotiaU.S.-led relief-protection opera- tions to end a civil war in Mozamtions in Somalia, but he said "it bique and said he hoped a peace must be stated that the claims of agreement would holdup in stri'feclans or individuals will not lead to ' torn Angola.' peace" in the country, and he In Latin America, he said the EI called for increased "international Salvador peace agreement should solidarity." inspire other countries such as In Liberia, where five U.S. mis- Guatemala and he appealed for sionary nuns were slain last year, civil peace in Haiti, saying he the po'pe said that "unheard-of hoped its people can once again violence" by armed bands had not become "artisans of their own desspared the church or its personnel. tiny."

He u,rged all parties to return to The pope also expressed conthe te'rms' of a peace accord worked cern for the economic difficulties out in Cote d'Ivoire (Ivory Coast). and international isolation of CuThe pope spoke of his planned bans and said he hoped their desire stop in Sudan in February, saying for "a society renewed in justice his aim was to encourage the local and peace" would be realized .

Ten Comm,andments for parishes

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press releases on parish and school activities.

- Write letters welcoming everyone - Catholic or not - who moves into the parish boundaries and have newcomers visited by parishioners and/ or a priest.

- Invite neighborhood residents to an annual open house where clergy and parish leaders are "available to answer questions and to show their interest in the community."

- Occasionally distribute to every household within the parish boundaries a pamphlet outlining Catholic beliefs, prayers and practices. Archbishop Foley said writing such a pamphlet is "even more important and possible with pub-

lication of the new Catechism of the Catholic Church."

- Sponsor a parish library with religious books, videos and audiocassettes. .

- Promote subscriptions to Catholic magazines and newspapers.

- Provide information about television and radio programs of special inte(est and provide moral evaluations of those programs as well as' of current films.

Following the commandments, Archbishop Foley said, "would go a long way to breaking down that failure to communicate which can do such harm to our efforts to deepen the faith of Catholics and to reach out to share with others the good news of Jesus Christ.

NCCW liaison named WASHINGTON (CNS) - Seattle Archbishop Thomas J. Murphy has been named episcopalliaison between the National Conference of Catholic Bishops and National Council of Catholic Women.

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Marchers endure A bortion issue not settled Dear Editor: Twenty years ago the U.S. Supreme Court honestly believed that in Roe v. Wade and Doe v.

Bolton it had "settled" the abortion issued. Twenty years oflitigation and the Planned Parenthood v. Casey decision have attacked many of the basic premises, but Roe & Doe continues to stand and to kill 1,500,000 unborn children each year.

Hundreds ofthousands of Americans sadly noted this anniversary in state capitols across America and by marching in winter's cold in the streets of Washington Jan. 22. This plus the battlelines now being drawn over the so-called "Freedom of Choice Act" as a proabortion administration assumes office, afford fresh proof that this issue was not "settled" by the court when it declared open season on the unborn.

Little noted has been the fact that over 42,000 American citizens have been arrested for peaceful civil disobedience in protest of abortion. The startling vigor with which successive attorney generals of this state have gratuitously signed pro-abortion briefs, promoted the abortion agenda and eagerly invoked draconian sentences and fines suggest that protect-, ing the "right" to abortion in the old Bay State is in fact more important than the right to be safe in one's home or not have one's child killed in a drive-by drug shootout in the city. Indeed, the recent ill-starred attempt to deny two priest protesters their Roman collars and the right to be addressed as "Father" would have shocked Thomas Jefferson who held that "the care of human life and happiness and not its destruction is the first and only purpose of government."

Over these 20 years too, the "window in the womb" which is real time ultrasound and the progressive discoveries in microbiol- . ogy, genetics, and immunology afford fresh, compelling evidence ofthe uniqueness and humanity of the human unborn. Denial of that humanity is the perduring flaw in Roe & Doe that will ultimately relegate those decisions to the dustbins of history.

One person choosing abortion may be described by some as exercising"choice," but when 1,500,000 abortions occur across the land each year this is a social policy with profol,lnd implications for the future of the nation. How long will this nation end ure saying No to new human life on such a massive scale?

Joseph R. Stanton, M.D., F.A.C.P. Needham

H udner 0 neology Center praised Dear Editor: In my many visits to St. Anne's Shrine in Fall River, it had never occured to me that I might one day be a patient at St. Anne's Hudner Oncology Center. [Fall River).

It was with a great deal of

apprehension and nervous tension that 1 was admitted for radiation treatment for a sudden development of ca·ncer.

What 1discovered there,l should like to pass onto anyone who might be in need of their services.

Their 'medical technology for the body, coupled with compassion and kindness for the mind of a patient, is outstanding.

Their entire staff including doctors, radiologists, and secretaries is the finest of its kind. This opinion was shared by all of the patients with whom 1came in contact during my extended visits.

Being a Catholic, 1 cannot describe the consoling peace 1received when, on the radiation table, 1 faced a beautiful cross on the wall in front of me.

With all respect to other hospitals in Boston who offer similar services, 1 can affirm how convenient it was for me, as an elderly person, to travel such a short distance for my restoration to good health.

It is my wish that anyone who reads this letter will be made aware of what St. Anne's Hudner Oncology Center offers. Those of us who have been through its doors can best attest to the outstanding services which it renders - services which I feel certain will always be there for people in need of them.

Evelyn Geary Paquette South Dartmouth

Used Christmas cards requested Dear Editor, May I wish you a bright N'ew Year of health and happiness. This is to request you to send me the used Christmas cards, accumulated in your residence during last Christmas.

If available kindly send me statues and used magazines, rosaries also. In return you will be remembered in my daily prayers.

Please forward them to: Father Paul Cruz, Kadavoor Church, Mathilil P.O., Quilon - 691 60 I Kerala, India

Theologian recalled WASHINGTON (CNS) Jesuit Father John CourtneyMurray "reframed the traditional Catholic understanding of church and state," Commonweal editor Margaret O'Brien Steinfels said at a recent Murray symposium in Washington, DC. The U.S. theologian, who died in August 1967, was silenced by his superiors in Rome in the 1950s for his views on church-state relations.

He was vindicated in 1965 when the Second Vatican Council adopted the Declaration on Religious Liberty, which expressed his views as official church teaching.

Jesuit Father J. Leon Hooper, a symposium panelist, said that elements in Father Murray's thought can make significant contributions to current questions of church-state relations and the role of religion in public life.

WASHINGTON (CNS) - The woman walked gingerly through the muddy Ellipse, carrying in one hand a yellow sign proclaiming, "We must work even harder to save the children."

She was looking for her son, who was there with his seven children at the 20th annual March for Life protesting the Supreme Court's Roe vs. Wade decision in 1973, which permitted abortion virtually on demand.

But Barbara Syska would not be daunted by the mud and the crowd. After all, she said, she had been to all 20 marches and she certainly wasn't going to stop now.

In the early years of the march, Mrs. Syska said, she would drive from her home in Silver Spring, Md., a Washington suburb, to downtown Washington for the march. "We had only about 30.000 or40.000" marchers then, she said.

The 1993 march was estimated at 75,000 participants. And with the larger turnouts, she now commutes via the area's subways.

Mrs. Syska, who is in her 70s, said she first heard the news of Roe vs. Wade on television the night of Jan. 22, 1973. "It was less important. It was later" in the newscast, she recalled. "I didn't know what it was [about]. It was just [barely] mentioned," she said.

In her spare time, Mrs. Syska said, she reads medical literature on abortion. "The medical literature is almost 100 percent proabortion," she said. "But the more you read, the more pro-life you are." t1e.r pro-life zeal evidently rubbed off on her son, Leszek Syska..

"By the time he was 26, he was arrested 26 times" for abortion protest activities, she said. Syska no longer demonstrates, Mrs. Syska added, concentrating now on raising his 'family.

When asked if she thinks she will see abortion on demand overturned, Mrs. Syska lets the questioner in on a little secret.

"I was taken out of Poland when I was 17 into a prisoner of war camp by the Nazis," she said.

"I never thought Poland would be free again.

"But I was surprised. Maybe I will be surprised again, and we will have good pro-life laws."

And Mrs. Syska, undaunted, moved on further into the crowd to look for her son and grandchildren.

Some of the other participants at this year's March could also remember the day Roe vs. Wade was handed down. But for them, more important was what they!ve done since to shape their pro-life principles. .

Michael Hahn of Verbank, N.Y .. was in high school in 1973. ''I've always been raised Christian," he said, but the turning point for him' was when he and his wife were unable to have children. "When we found out for adoption there was a four-to five-year waiting list in New York state - and that's for any color child -- that's when my conversion to pro-life really struck home."

Robert McCan of LaGrange, N.Y., was in his native Ireland in 1973. Now armed with a green card, he was at his first march. "I came here because I want to stand up for what I believe," he said.

Charles Link of Blair, Ohio, was working in a steel mill 20 years

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THE ANCHOR-Diocese of Fall River-Fri., Jan. 29, 1993

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A MARCH for Life participant holds a sign targeting President Clinton on the day he rescinded federal restrictions on abortion. (CNS photo) o

ago. The Supreme Court decision "really disappointed me," he said.

"I thought they would really make a move. But they didn't have the guts, to put it bluntly. We don't need a: M ilq uetoast Congress, either," said Link, a Catholic.

Peter Kucer, of Norwich, Vt., and David Upham of Rawling, N.Y., students at Middlebury College in Vermont, were each just a year old in 1973.

Upham said he knew a woman who had an abortion. '·'1 didn't know about it until later," he said.

"It was still difficult for me.

"A lot of things'are understandable, but not justifiable," he continued. "Yo'u have to keep that distinction in mind."

Joyce Guthrie _of Purcellville, Va., said Roevs. Wade was decided the year before she got married.

"I started picketing at a local abortion clinic in Tampa;" Fla., where she lived at the time and worked in hospital nursing.

"I've seen a late-term abortion,;' Mrs. Guthrie said, "and I saw the baby alive, and they left it in a saline bucket to die. It just devastated me. I didn't do anthing about it because I thought that's the way they did things."

Two students at Allentown (Pa.) College said they have siblings who were born despite doctors' urgings that their mothe'rs get an abortion.

Freshman Therese Willson said, "They kept encouraging her to have an abortion" because the unborn child would be born mentally retarded. Her mother rejected the advice and bore the baby. who

. became the valedictorian of his high school class.

Laurie Welsh said that 12 years ago her mother had a miscarriage but still felt pregnant. Doctors at first told her it was a psychological reaction to the miscarriage, but tests revealed two children still in her womb.

Her mother resisted her doctor's advice to have an abortion. The two babies were born four months prematurely. One died in infancy, but the other, now 12, survived and is "a straight-A student," Ms. Walsh said, and "except for a couple of allergies and a little bit of asthma, she's in great shape."

Cathy Mitchell of Philadephia said she was 13 years' old at the time of Roe vs. Wade. In Washington for her second march, she said she made the trip because "people who believe in human and civil rights should all come together at least one day to show our president how horrid abortion is."

As always, signs showed'marchers' originality. Some of the most eye-catching slogins from the 1993 march were: "Keep your hands off their bodies"; "Choose life. Your mother did"; "Hey dude, pro-life rules"; and" Abortion: Hitler really loved it." One touted a reaI800-number: "Injured by abortion? Call 1-800U-CAN-SUE." Other signs took note that Bill Clinton was now president and had reworked some campaign themes and slogans. Among them, "At conception, stupid," "It's a human life, stupid," and "The womb: a place called hope."

By Charlie Marlin

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LIFE IS A HIGHWAY •

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Life is like a road That you travel on When there's one day here And the next day gone Sometimes you bend, Sometimes you stand Sometimes you turn your Back to the wind .

There's a world outside Every darkened door Where blues won't haunt you anymore Where the brave are free And lovers soar Come ride with me To the distant shore We won't hesitate to Break down the garden gate There's not much time left today Life is a highway I want to ride it All night long .

If you're going my way I want to drive it All night long Through all these cities And all these towns It's in my blood And it's all around I love you now Like I loved you then This is the road And these are the hands From Mozambique To those Memphis nights The Khyber Pass' To Vancouver's lights 'Knock me down get back up again You're in my blood I'm not a lonely man There's no load I can't hold Road so rough, this I kn~w 111 be there When the light comes in Tell 'em we're survivors There was a distance Between you and I A misunderstanding once but now We look it hi the eye

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IN BUSINESS: Bertha Medeiros of Medeiros Bakery in Fall River receives plaque from Sister Mary Dumond, CP, of .

St. Anne's School, Fall River, for participation in the school's "Project for Products, Processes and Technology in the Elementary School Curriculum." The school/ business partnership is intended to incr'ease students' understanding of familybaseo business and concepts of science and technology involved in management of the bakery.

Catholic schools Continued from Page One Uniforms not required; students may wear team logos and colors.

Report cards distributed. Easter candy drive kickoff.

Feb. 9: "Celebrate the Good News in Education." Grades 3 an~

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News." All students willgo bowling, then return to school for an after~ noon of fun activities.

Feb. 22 to 26: Students and parents will participate in a ?ook fair and a science fair.

Feb. 24: Ash Wednesday Mass'

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I 25: Book and science fairs. pations. open to public 7to 8 p.m.

Feb. 12: Teacher Appreciation St. Mary's School Day. Mini-breakfast 7 to 8: 15 a.m.

New Bedford Dismissal II :30 a.m.

Jan. 31: A special issue. of the Feb. 14 to 20: Winter vacation. school newspaper will be distrib" Feb. 22: "Celebrate. Our ·Uni- uted after all Masses. verse." Planetarium show -for Feb. I: Creation celebration 9 grades 5 to 8 8:30 a.m. to noon,' a.m. Students will dress up for the auditorium. day. .

Feb. 23: "Celebrate GrandFeb. 2: Report cards will be disfriends!" Dress up day with. a tributed and honor roll students dance for grandfriends 1'2:30 to 2 recognized. Reservations for the p.m. evening's suPp.erand family dance Feb. 24: Ash Wednesday liturgy should be made by Jan. 29.

10 a.m. . Feb. 3: Sports Day noon to 2 Feb. 25: "Celebrate Our Faith." p.m. Students will wear Catholic.

Jon Polce concert I p.m., St. Law- Schools Week T-shirts or sweatrence Church. Canned good dona- shirts or their gym uniforms. tions will be accepted.

Feb. 4: Open house 9 a.m. to Feb. 26: "Celebrate Writing."

2:30 p.m.; members of Eighth' Writing workshop with Charlie Grade Service Club will greet'visRobinson for 'grades 4 to 8 12:30 'itors and conduct tours of school. p.m.

Visitors may observe classroom Feb. 27: Pr~yer Day for gra<les3 sessions and view children's work. to 5 2 to 4 p.m.; Mass follows."

Feb. 5: Volunteers will be recWritten and Sung by Tom Cochrane (c) .1991, 1992 by St. Michael's School' ognized through prayer, thank you cards, etc. Students will dress in Falling Sky Music, and BMG Songs Inc. Fall.River .

"G' d N' .. S d blue'and white.

TOM COCHRANE'S upbeat with "oneda'y here and the next· 31 J . an. :. 0 0 . ews un ay . Feb. 7: pistingtiish,~d Graduate "Life Is a Highway" describes day gone.'·'· . litu~~ 1~.30 a.m., stu~ents and Award will be presented to No· matter' where the' road life as·a"road that you travel families Will be readers~ gift bearers "Monique Bourgeois'Stylos at 10 .6n.': Life keeps us 6n the move, brings' us, 'C~chrarie -su'ggests· and altar ~ervers.., .. a.m. Mass. Students will attend.. ~eb: 2: Open ~ouse for pare~ts, M~ss in unif~rm. Coffee and donuts .' pa~~hl0ne.rs;,,frl~_.~~~, ,p~.~lSp~~~lV~_~. will ,be served after.ward in parish' ,- " , , s~udents and· their families 9 to hall. .' Champion will be sent to regional dine Thevenet; foundress of Reli-' fI:30 a . m . . ' '. competition'iri April. . .' .giousofJesusa'nd Mary:A~assemSt. Stimis,Iau5 School. .... :-St Stan'sHall of Fame: show- bly will outline events' during the: .~ Feb. 3: Ail wiii wear buttons for ~ational Appreciation. Day f~r.. .Fall River. '., . case of student writing·tobe per-. month leliding up to canonization Catholic Schools., " .; . '. .:,' Jan. 31: CatholicSchools Month' formed in:ca~aj-et, seningfor par.;', . of Claudine' Thevenet':lmd beatifi-'. Feb...: "Welcome th~ Good opening Mass' 10:30 a.~. . "ents and,friends: . . .cation _~f Sister Dina Belanger, News." Bingo; with .grandpare[lts .' Registr!ltionofnewstudentsfor-ArtFairdisplay~g'workfrom RJM,;Mar~fi~O'and:21 in Rome.. and senior "citltens 12:30 p,m.; 1993-94 school year, iQcluding 'all of the art classe.s'.,: ..... ; Feb. 5: Second.anrlUlil C~tho!ic' refreshments will be served by students for a new preschool pro-, -Science F~ir for grades 7 and Schools Week spaghetti !!upper' s.iudents.'.· '. . ' . .:" . gram for' three--and foitr-year- 8; winnerswilllidvand: to regional sponsored by school parents. ': ..:. .:. Feb. 5: "Share the Good News." oIds, will take place II :30 a.m. to fair. :-. _. ':'" '.~.. . "" ".

Feb. ,8, to 12: Registratiol).of· Students will be served hot lunch '12,:30 p.m: lan; 31 and 8:30 to 10 new students, grades 1 throug\d', l:lnd treated tq dess~.rt byt~a.cbers: . a.m. Feb.. l to 5 at ~ockland.'

Noire Dame School for 1993-94 9 to II:30 a;m;.. ahd· Kindergarten through eighth grade Street.

Fall River 12:30 t02 p.m. daily. _ will participate'in a scavenger hunt. " Other Catholic Schools Month Seventh and eighth grade stuFeb. Ii: School science fair 6:30 ': Feb.. 8 to 12: Registration of' 'Activities: '.. , dents will'take part in a button t9 7:30.p.m.,parish center: .. ·.· . , ~. new students for .1993-949 to' II -Open' house. Family and' making contest throughout the Feb.' 26: .Students and: grand~' a.m. daily and 3:30 to 5:3Q p.m. friends may t~urtemporary site of month. The winning button will be parent·s. bingo I p.m., chU:~ch.hall.

F,eb. 8 an,d. 9.. -('\ppoi~trpents:·678St. Stan.isl.aus ScJlOol on. Slade reproduced and made available to . ;Holy Name School' .

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Street 8:30 to '9:45 a.m. Feb. 2. all students. . Fall River ". Feb. 11: "Witness the' Good -hivention Cbnventio.n. Stu-~ Jan. 31: Catholic Schools Month Feb. 2: Catholic Schools Month News." Teachers and staff will tle' dents will create a device intended' opening <;elebration at parish/ lionored. Parents will supervise to make a·household chore easier.. school liturgy 10 a.m. .' . . opening Mass II a.m, followed by playground during 8 a.m. prayer -Family dance/social. .

Feb. 1 to 5: Registration of kin- lunch with parents.

Feb, 3: Spirit Day with crazy service for faculty and tea,chers : : -Sports pay: an Olympic-style. dergartenstudents for 1993-949 to . will enjoy lunchtime without in- . event..

1l:30..a.m. and ,J2:~O to 2 p.m. hat and socks attire. . ' Feb. 4: Parent conferences 6 to 8 terruption. '. . . - :. ":':"'Spelling Bee in conjunction. daily. . '. . . ".' :. Feb. 12: "Experience the Good . With New Bedford Standard Times.'

Feb. 3: Feast of Blessed Clau-' 'p.m.

that ~.urgo!ll is to be survivors, enabling us to keep traveling down life's path.

I like the song's sense of confidence that we can learn from whatever happens in life.

In fact, I wo'uld take the song's message a step further. We can trust life' itself and see it as God's invitation that we find enjoyment and self-satisfaction.

For teens, as for the rest of us, 'this means keeping our perspective on long-range objectives and priorities. At times, we might become discouraged when immediate circumstances do not turn out the way we had hoped.

Yet, if we keep trusting and believing in life's path, new opportunities always show up, often pointing us in a better direction than our previous plans.

For example, one might be hurt when a dating partner suddenly decides that he or she would rather date someone else.

One's immediate response is likely to include feelings of loss and grief.

While it may take time to get beyond our grieving, eventually we are likely to discover others who are better matched' with our personality and interests.

Consequently, trusting life is a decision. We can maintain an open attitude, expecting new and good outcomes to come our way.

The very belief in such possibilities becomes a pathway along which God's gifts of healing and surprise opportunities reach us. However, if we give in to negative attitudes, we are more likely to stay stuck i'n 'unhappiness.

Perhaps the toughest part is waiting for new life changes to emerge. If we can keep believing in ourselves and see life as a highway to lasting happiness, then trust remains alive and lifts our spirits.

Indeed, life sometimes does seemmore like it bumpy detour than a smooth interstate toward the goal and dreams we seek.

Yet the choice to trust this highway makes a great difference in what we experience.

Your comments are by Charlie' Martin, RR 3, 'Box 182, Rockport, IN 47635.

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. Feb. 5: No·school.Paient conferences until 3 p.m.

Feb. 6 and 7: Registration for 1993-94 10 a.m. to noon.

Feb. 9 and 10: science fair.

Feb.·ll: ~poits Day. 'Feb.·12: Red and White Day in honor of Valentine'S Day. Feb. 15 to 21: Winter v~u:ation.

Fe'b. ,23: Grand parents and . frierlds appreciation day.

Feb. 24: Asn WedQesday Mass at noon. .

Feb. 26: I:amily dance and potluck supper' 5:30 to 9:30 p.m.

Feb. 28: Alumni reunion 2 p.m., school hall.

St. Jean Baptiste; School Fall River Throughout the month'children's artwork 'will be displayed .and retumabl!; bottles and cans and other supplies will be colJectedJor Rose Hawthorrll: Lathrop Home.in Fall River. . . .'

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Continued from Page 14 Feb. 1 to 5: Book fair during school hours; parents welcome during the day and for Parents' _ Night.

Feb. 5: Clash Day. Students wear clothes that clash. Junior High Jam dance 6:30 to 9:30 p.m.

Feb. 8: Meeting for new kindergarten parents 6 p.m.

Feb. 10: Science fair for grades 6,7,8. Awards night 6 to 7:30 p.m.

Feb. 11: Easter candy drive kickoff 1:30 p.m.

Feb. 12: First grade will deliver donations and visit patients at Rose Hawthorne Lathrop.

Feb. 13: Nifty Fifties Dance for parents and friends, church basement.

Feb. 23: "Pancake Tuesday." A pancake lunch will be part of a review of religious significance of Mardi Gras.

Feb. 24: Ash Wednesday Mass.

Feb. 25: Catholic Schools Month Mass 10 a.m.

Feb. 26: Grandparents Day. Grandparents will tour the school with grandchildren; tour times must reserved ahead of time.

St, Anne's School Fall River During the month St. Anne's will have a display about its history in Doric Hall at the State House in Boston.

Teachers will attend two threehour workshops on dealing with abused children.

A grant from the Adam Walsh Children's Fund and Digital Corporation covers teacher training and classroom materials in safety and health for a program titled Kids and Company Together for Safety.

Report cards will be issued during Catholic Schools Week.

Jan. 30: Registration of new students, preschool to grade 8, 9 a.m. to noon, school cafeteria.

Jan. 31: Superbowl Family Pancake Breakfast 8 a.m. to I p.m.

Sponsored by Home and School Association.

Feb. 1: Catholic Schools Week liturgy celebrated by Father John Foister. Readers will represent the various classes. The theme "Good News in Education" will be illustrated with pictures, displays and stories sponsored in part by a writing grant from the Providence Journal.

Feb. 6: Registration of new students for 1993-949 a.m. to noon, cafeteria.

Feb. 9 to 10: Parent-teacher conferences.

Feb. 27: Fami,ly spaghetti dinner and dance.

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SS. Peter and Paul School, Fall River . ' Feb. 1: Volunteer Appreciation Luncheon will be se'rve4 t050 parents, grandparen~s!l:n4friendswho donate time to the school.

Feb. 2: Aw~rds assembly. Amy DeNardo, state winner.in the 1,992 Invent Al11erfca comp.ethion,: will receive awards and gifts from;Bqb Maxwell! .managerof ~t<-Ma~t, which isa sponsor <?fInve~t Amer". ica. Science fair winners will receive ribbons. Distinguished Alumnus Award will be presented to Bill Connelly, '54; founder of Westport Animal Shelter and companion dog program. , Feb. 3': Open house for National Appreciatiob. Day for Catholic Schools. Applications for the school will be accepted all week.

Feb. 4: Principal Kathleen Burt will moderate Jeopardy game between middle grade students and community teams at I p.m, Partic-

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ipants will inciude Mayor John Mitchell and members of the public safety and Fall River education committees.

The evening program will be an Authors' Night at which students will read books written for the School Book Fair competition for a chance for national publication.

Local author Dave Mello willjudge which books should be sent to the competition and will also be available for autographs.

Feb. 5: Crazy hat contest with prizes to be awarded in various categories. An inservice program for staff in preparation for selfstudy process will be held in the afternoon.

Feb. 6 and 7: School parents will speak at Masses about the importance of Catholic education.

St. Mary-Sacred Heart School North Attleboro Jan. 31: Uniformed SMSH students will represent the school at designated Masses at Sacred Heart and St. Mary's parishes, North Attleboro, and St. Mark's parish, Attleboro Falls.

Feb. 1 to 4: Kindergarten and new student registration for 199394 10 a.m. to I p.m. daily. Information: 695-3072.

Feb. 1: Family/ Alumni Mass 7 p.m., Sacred Heart Church. Dessert and coffee will be served in church hall.

Feb. 2: Open house and classroom visits 10 to II :30 a.m. for a.m. kindergarten through grade 8; 12:45 p.m. to I:30 p.m. for p.m. kindergarten.

Feb. 3: Teacher Appreciation Day. Feb. 4: Grandparents Day. Grandparent luncheon noon to 12:45 p.m., church hall; open house and classroom visits II: 15 a. m. to noon for grades I through 8, 10:45 to 11:15 a.m. for a.m. kindergarten, 12:45 to 1:30 p.m. for p.m. kindergarten.

Feb. 5: Student Appreciation Day. Storyteller Steve Harvester will tell "Tales to' Tickle Your Funny Bone" I p.m. for kindergarten through grade 4 (a.m. Kindergarten may return), 2 p.m. for grades 5 to 8.

Feb. 2: Teachers will swap classes for 20-minute periods.

Feb. 4: Father Bill Baker of St. Mary's parish, Seekonk, will speak to students about "The Good News in Edj.1cation."

St. Joseph's School New Bedford Feb. 1: Spirit Day. There will be a rally, with all attending encouraged to wear school colors.

Feb. 2: Student Appreciation Day. Students may wear what they want to school. Ice cream sundaes will 'be served and bingo will be played in the afternoon.

Feb. 3: Unity Day. Students may wear jeans and T-shirts or sweatshirts. Grades I through 8 will skate at Hot Wheels.

Feb. 4: Outfits will be mix-andmatch. Activities will be field day and magician performance.

Feb. 5: Parents and Grandparents Day. Outfits will be dress-up.

Catholic Schools Week concluding liturgy 9 a.m.; entertainment and refreshments for parents and grandparents will follow. Students in grades 4,5,6 will be paired as buddies with preschool, kindergarten and grade I students.

St. Francis Xavier School Acushnet Feb. 1: Dress: T-shirt and hat day. Activities: stuffed animal parade by preschool through grade 5; surprises for teachers.

Feb. 2: Dress: crazy mix-andmatch. Thank you cards will be written to parents and friends of the school. Open house for families, friends, prospective students; grandparents will be honored guests.

Feb. 3: Dress: red, white and blue. .A salute to Catholic schools and their contribution to America will)nclude P.iCl1ic in the gym.

Feb. 4: Dress-up Day. Appreciation breakfast for school volunteers.

I.'eb. 5: Dress: sports attire and jeans. Pep rally.

, St. Mary's School Taunton Feb. 1: Catholic Schools Week opening prayer service 9 a.m.

Feb. 3: Open house 9:30 to II: 15 St. James-St. John School a.m. Teacher appreciation lunch New Bedford 1:15 p.m.

Paper balloons expressing the Feb. 4: "Fun Day" of activities hobbies or interests offaculty and including games, auction" face students will decorate the school painting 9 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. ' during Catholic Schools Week., Feb. 5: Awards ceremony for Students will decorate and fill grades, 3,4,5, 10 a.m.

10 Valentine's Share Baskets with Feb. 7: Father-daughter dance' cards, necessities and goodies and 6:30 to 8:3,0 p.m. , deliver them to families in the twc;> Feb. 11: Catholic Schools Week school parishes as a "Sharin'g the liturgy celebnited by Father JaY Good News" project.

Maddock 9:30 a.m.

Preschool through grade 3 StU7 Feb: 12: Lip-sync gala Ip.~. dents wiil have grandparents'visits , Fe~. 26: Guest. spea~er Father dl;lring the ~eek.', ' , ' , David Costa.

THE ANCHOR-Diocese of Fall River-Fri., Jan. 29,1993

Espirito Santo School Fall River Jan. 29: "Jobs of the Future.'"

Students will dress to indicate what they wish their future job to be, and they will be interviewed about that job and taped with a camcorder.

Feb. 3: No uniforms. Students will dress in sch'ool colors, red and white, and wear Catholic Schools Week buttons.

Feb. 4: Grades 6 to 8 science fair. Judging 2:30 to 5:30 p.m.; exhibits open 6 to 8 p.m.

Feb. 5: Grades 6 to 8 spelling bee 9 a.m.; winners will attend district competition. Open house for parents, grandparents and friends; they may attend spelling bee and tour the school. Coffee and pastry

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will be available. Dismissal 11:30 a.m.

Our Lady of Lourdes Taunton Jan. 26: Mass in honor of Our Lady of Lourdes 7 p.m.; each grade will participate.

Jan. 31 to Feb. 6: Registration of new students for 1993-94.

Feb. 3: Parent-teacher conferences.

Feb. 12: "Year of Discovery" performance for parents, grandparents and invited guests, evening. Each class will represent a different country in song, drama or dance.

Feb. 23 and 24: Parents will visit classrooms in session at designated times.'

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" ~onthly Messa~e .. ,

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From M,edjugorje January' 25th', 1993' "

Dear Children: Today I call you to ace,ept ari~ live m'y messages with s~dousness. These,days are the days when you need to decide for God, for. peace and for the .. good. May every'hatred and jealousy disappear from your life-and your thoughts; and may there only dwelilove'fo'r God and for your 'neighboUhus, only thus, shall you be able to discern the signs of this time. I am with Y,ou,,~nd I guide you into anew time which God .' gives you as grace, so that you may get to know Him more. Thank you for having responded to my call. ,

YOUTH MI~ISTERS GRADUATE:' Lisa -Kelly, associate director of the diocesan youth ministry office, and Charlie Murphy, right, youth minister at St. Mary's parish, Fairhaven, were among 10 graduates receiving certificates in youth ministry studies from Assumption College, Worcester, this month.

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OUR LADY QUEEN OF PEACE PRAYER GROUP ST. DOMINIC CHURCH. SWANSEA, MA EVERY WEDNESDAY. 7 P.M.

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THE ANCHOR-Diocese'6f FaIl'River':"':Fii:, Ja'n~ 29, 1993' ' ~l~~~~g SUPPORT,

Iteering pOintl PUBLICITY CHAIRMEN .... • sked to submit ne_ lIems for this column to The Anchor, P.O. Box 7, Fell River, 02722. Heme of city or town should be Included, es welles full detes of ellecUvItles. Pleeae send news of future rether then pest events.

Due to limited spece end also beceuse notices of strfctly perfsh affairs normally appeer In a perish's own bulletin, we are forced to limit Items to events of general Interest. Also, we do not normally cerry notices of fundrelslng activities, which may be edvertlsed at our regular rates, obtainable from The Anchor business office, telephone (508) 675-7151.

• On Steering Points Items, FR Indicates Fall River; NB Indicates New Bedford.

ST. JOSEPH, TAUNTON Mass and testimonial for Father William L. Boffa, leaving the parish for the pastorate of St. John Neumann Church, East Freetown4 p.m.

Feb. 21.

Montie Plumbing & Heating Co. 'Over 3S Years of Satisfied Service Reg. Master Plumber 7023 JOSEPH RAPOSA, JR. 432 JEFFERSON STREET Fall River 675-7496

MARRIAGE PREP PROGRAM TAUNTON AREA Sunday afternoon and evening, Feb. 7, session for engaged couples.

St. Joseph parish hall, Taunton.

COUPLE TO COUPLE LEAGUE New series of natural family planning classes starts 2 p.m. Feb. 7, St. Mar.y's parish center, Mansfield.

Information: Jon & Maureen Howey, 339-4730.

ST. VINCENT DE PAUL, TAUNTON District meeting and Mass 7:30 p.m. Feb. I, St. Joseph's parish Taunton.

KNIGHTS OF COLUMBUS, FALMOUTH Men's retreat, March 5 to 7. Nonmembers welcome. Information: Mel Gonsalves, 548-5774; Phil Fullin, 548-5555.

WIDOWED SUPPORT CAPE COD Meeting I :30 p.m. Sunday, parish library, Christ the King parish, Mashpee.

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Meetings 1:30 to 3:30 p.m. Jan. 31, Feb. 28, at education center of Christ the King parish, Mashpee, with January topic nutrition and February topic"Finances, Taxes and Other Luxuries." Information: Dorothyann Callahan, 428-7078.

MAKE A DIFFERENCE FOUNDATION, NB The Make a Difference Foundation will sponsor a Unity Day program 5:30 p.m. tomorrow at NB YMCA. Students ages 10 to 13 from area parishes and other religious denominations will hear presentations on different faiths and cultures and on overcoming stereotypes.

Among speakers will be Fr. Mark Hession of St. Mary's parish, NB. A question and answer session will be included. Afterwards students will be treated to pizza and soda and attend a Providence College basketball game.

LaSALETTE CHRISTIAN LIVING CENTER,ATTLEBORO "Keeping the Faith in Troubled Times,", a presentation on faith in the light of abuse issues: 7:30 to 9:30 p.m. Feb. 17, retreat center. Presenters: Sister Elaine Shaw, OP, and Baptist minister Rev. Patricia Liberty, both specialists in sexual ethics.

KNIGHTS OF COLUMBUS, PROVINCETOWN Walter Welsh Council 2476 holds dinner meeting each second Thursday and social dinner gathering most fourth Thursdays. All Knights of Columbus welcome, and new members are sought in the lower Cape area. The council is active in rejuvenation of the annual Blessing of the Fleet ceremony and welcomes assistance. Information: Alex Brown, FS, Walter Welsh Council, Provincetown 02657.

ST. ANNE'S HOSPITAL, FR Volunteers needed to work with oncology and emergency room .P~­ tients. Information: Sr. CeCIlia Downing, 674-5741.

O.L. ,CAPE, BREWSTER 'All welcome at Parenting as a Peacemaking Profession workshop 1 to 4 p.m. Feb. 7, parish center, led

by Suzanne Shanley, cofounder of . Agape, a lay community ministering in Gospel-based nonviolence.

O.L. PURGATORY, NB The feast of St. Maron, a holy day of obligation in the Maronite Chur~h, will be celebrated 7 p. m. Feb. 8, wIth Bishop Sean O'Malley presiding and giving the homily. All welcome at the service ,and following reception in Rev. George I. Saad Lebanese Center. Further information: 9968934. St. Maron was the 4th-century founder of the Maronites, the only Eastern rite of the Church to remain in unbroken communion with the Holy See.

·ST. FRANCIS' XAVIER, . 'CANCER SUPPORT GROUP, ACUSHNET FALL RIVER/NEW BEDFORD The parish is in need of a donated Significance. support group for organ. Anyone with leads may call family and friends of cancer patients, the rectory. meets each first and third Thursday at Hampton Inn, next to White's of ST. LOUIS DE FRANCE, Westport, Route 6, Westport. All SWANSEA welcome, no charge. Information: Used religious Christmas cards Hospice Outreach, 673-1589. are .sought by Sister Mary Owen for use in Puerto Rico. Donations may SS. PETER & PAUL. FR be given to one of the parish priests.

CYO members are available to assist parishioners with shoveling ST. PATRICK, SOMERSET snow. Information at rectory 8:30 All welcome to Rosary fOT Life, 7 a.m. - 2:30 p.m., Mon.-Fri. . p.m. Feb. 4 and every first Thursday thereafter, under sponsorship of ST. GEORGE, WESTPORT parish pro-life committee.

Parishioners are participating in a unique "Shingle to Shingle" program, ULTREYA, LOWER CAPE taking a shingle from a container in Meeting 7:30 p. m. Feb. 12, parish the church, praying for the family center, Our Lady of Cape parish, named on it and following weekly Brewster. All welcome. suggestions for outreach to its DAUGHTERS OF ISABELLA, members. This week's suggestion is ATTLEBORO to call, visit or write a note to the Alcazaba Circle 65 meeting 7 p. m. "shingle family," to a new neighbor Feb. 4. Kitsy Lancisi will speak on or to a needy family, saying that one programs of National Council of is from the parish and seeking to Catholic Women; a party will follow. build the community through new LaSALETTE SHRINE, contacts.

ATTLEBORO SEPARATED/DIVORCED, Healing service and anointing 2 ATTLEBORO p.m.

Sunday with Brother Armand Meeting Sunday 7 p.m., St. Mary's Binette, MS. All welcome. parish center N. Attleboro. InforST. ANTHONY OF DESERT, FR mation: 695-6161.

Exposition of Blessed Sacrament BIRTHRIGHT, FALMOUTH Volunteers needed for this organ- noon to 6 p.m. Feb. 7, with holy ization that aids women with prob- hour 5 to 6 p.m. lem pregnancies. Information: 457- NOTRE DAME, FR 0680.

Credit union annual meeting 2 p.m. Sunday, parish hall.

ST. MARY, N.ATTLEBORO ST. MARY,·NORTON Healing service and Mass with Boy Scout Troop 61 invites skiers Father William Babbitt, 2:30 p.m. to join them for a trip to Pat's Peak Feb. 7.

Sunday. Information: 285-9621.

IT'S TI ME TO ORDER THE 1993 DIOCESAN DIRECTORY The Fall River Diocesan Directory and Buyers: Guide contains complete diocesan information and atelephone directory of priests, directors of diocesan institutions, parish religious education coordinators and permanent deacons.

Also included are addre'sses of retired clergy and those serving outside the diocese, as well as a listing of priests by years of ordination and atable of movable feasts beyond the year 2000.

It may be ordered by mail, using the coupon below. .

THE DIRECTORY IS $5.00 (plus $2.00 postage and handling per copy): ANCHOR Publishing Co. P.O. Box 7, Fall River; MA 02722 Please send me

copy (ies) of the 1993 DIOCESAN DIRECTORY AND BUYERS' GUIDE

'_ _ Payment enclosed ($5:00 per copy plus ,$2 postage and handling per copy) NAME: ADDRESS: ----;;;;:-~7ni\n=-~~-~IC":l· :;-;---~--":Zrr;:I'p;-""-Street/PO Box Ity

.~ A U.S. SOLDIER pauses for reflection in an Army chapel at the airport in Kismayo, Somalia. (eNS photo)

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