The Anchor

Diocese of Fall River

The Anchor

F riday , January 14, 2011

Most teen-agers live in broken homes, study says

By Christine M. Williams Anchor Correspondent

FALL RIVER — America’s family culture “has become a culture of rejection,” according to a report put out by the Family Research Council last month.

The FRC’s first “Index of Belonging and Rejection,” states that only 45 percent of teen-agers in the United States

have spent their childhood living with their married, biological parents. The parents of a majority of American teen-agers (55 percent) have rejected each other, the report says.

“Increased rates of divorce and childbearing outside of marriage have turned growing up in a stable, two-parent family into an exception, rather than Turn to page 14

life is good — Bishop Feehan High School in Attleboro, as well as several other Catholic high schools in the Fall River Diocese, will again have a large representation of young people at the annual March For Life in Washington, D.C. on January 24. Pictured is a Feehan group shot at a prior walk in the nation’s capital.

Students heed the rally cry for the sanctity of life

Father Conrad Salach, OFM Conv.

Father Thomas Washburn, OFM

By Kenneth J. Souza Anchor Staff

lar approaches to taking on their new ministries, their respective backgrounds are quite different.

Ordained in 1971, Father Salach will bring nearly 30 years of previous administrative experience to the New Bedford parish.

From 1984 to 1997 he served as joint pastor of St. Anne’s Parish in Davidsville, Penn. and Holy Cross Parish in Jerome, Penn. within the Altoona Johnstown Diocese. From 1997 to 2004, he was pastor at Holy Trinity Parish in Lawrence, one of the 64 parishes closed by the Archdiocese of Boston. After serving as chaplain for three years at his motherhouse in Hartford, Conn., Father Salach was named pastor to Turn to page 18

Pastors assigned to Buzzards Bay, New Bedford parishes BUZZARDS BAY — Two Franciscan priests are starting off the new year with new pastor assignments in the Fall River Diocese.

Franciscan Father Conrad Salach, OFM Conv., has been named pastor of Our Lady of Perpetual Help Parish in New Bedford, taking over for the retiring Father Roman Chwaliszewski, OFM Conv.

Franciscan Father Thomas Washburn, OFM, has been named pastor of St. Margaret’s Parish in Buzzards Bay, taking over for the retiring Father Francis De Sales Paolo, OFM. While both priests have simi-

By Rebecca Aubut Anchor Staff

ATTLEBORO — When Carla Tirrell embarks on her sixth year of participating in the March for Life in Washington D.C., the director of campus ministry at Bishop Feehan High School in Attleboro may already know what to expect during the event but acknowledges the experience never gets old.

“It is really exhilarating, that’s the only way to describe it,” said Tirrell. “You’re thrust into an environment that happens very rarely in your life, when you’re surrounded by thousands of people who are all passionate about the same thing. But the greatness that happens when that many people

come together who love God, and love a cause of his; you can feel the Spirit. I think for the whole three days, that’s how it unfolds; that God speaks to the students and speaks to us in our prayer.”

Initially held on Jan. 22, 1974 on the first anniversary of the Supreme Court’s Roe v. Wade and Doe v. Bolton decisions that legalized abortions, the first March for Life made its mark on the west steps of the Capitol with an estimated 20,000 participants. Now in its 38th year, the march has grown to hosting more than 200,000 Pro-Life advocates partaking in adoration, a night Mass and a walk that will see students from all five of the Catholic high schools of the Fall River Turn to page 15

Cape nurse appointed to Vatican health care council

By Dave Jolivet, Editor

WEST YARMOUTH — Marylee Meehan’s nursing career began on Cape Cod in 1963 and ultimately lead to her being named president of the International Catholic Committee of Nurses and Medico-Social Assistants, popularly known by its French acronym CICIAMS, in 2007.

She has traveled extensively and has spoken with and before scores of world-renowned individuals in national and international medical-social organizations.

In fact, over the last 10 months, Meehan has made eight international or national excursions, promoting Christian principles in the nursing field. With such a

jam-packed calendar of events, it would take something monumental to take her by surprise. Yet that’s exactly what happened in early January when she learned

Marylee Meehan

that Pope Benedict XVI appointed her to the Vatican’s Pontifical Council for Health Pastoral Care.

She received a phone call at her West Yarmouth home from Bishop George W. Coleman. “I wondered why the bishop would be calling me,” Meehan told The Anchor.

“But when he said he called to congratulate me, I didn’t know what he was talking about. I asked him ‘For what?’ Bishop Coleman was amused by my not knowing and he explained that I had been named to the council. I was shocked.”

The council was established by Pope John Paul II in 1985 with his Apostolic Letter, “Dolentium Hominum.”

Turn to page 18

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News From the Vatican

January 14, 2011

Pope baptizes 21 infants, says faith formation is crucial task B y John Thavis C atholic News Service

VATICAN CITY — Pope Benedict XVI baptized 21 infants and told their parents and godparents that educating them in the faith will not be easy in today’s society.

The liturgy January 9 in the Sistine Chapel, enlivened by the cries of the newly baptized and their siblings, marked the feast of the Baptism of the Lord — an event depicted in one of the splendid Renaissance frescoes that adorn the walls of the chapel.

In his homily, the pope said the Church encourages the baptism of newborns as the “beginning of a path of holiness and conformity to Christ.” He compared it to the planting of a seed that will one day turn into a magnificent tree.

Naturally, he added, at a later age each of the baptized will need to give their free and conscious assent to the faith. That presupposes that, as children, they will receive formation in Scripture and in Church teachings, he said.

This educational path is

something the Church, the parents and the godparents need to work together to provide, he said.

“Cooperation between the Christian community and the family is more necessary than ever in the current social context, in which the institution of the family is threatened on many sides, and must face many problems in its mission of educating in the faith,” he said.

He said rapid social changes and the weakening of cultural stability make Religious Education a real challenge today.

For that reason, he said, the parish should make every effort to aid families in this task of transmitting the faith to younger generations.

The infants baptized by the pope, 13 boys and eight girls, are children of Vatican employees.

Speaking at his noon blessing the same day, the pope underlined the importance of baptism in the lives of all Christians, as well as the “great responsibility” assumed by parents and godparents in the sacrament.

Sydney, Australia (CNA) — As the country faces intense legislative debate this upcoming year over same-sex “marriage” and euthanasia, Cardinal George Pell of Sydney blasted politicians who claim a Catholic identity, yet consistently defy Church teachings on major issues.

In a January 4 interview with the Sunday Herald Sun, Cardinal Pell gave a sharp rebuke to Australian members of parliament who “fly under the Christian or Captain Catholic flag” but “blithely disregard Christian perspectives” in their actions.

“If a person says, ‘Look, I’m not a Christian, I’ve a different set of perspectives,’ I disagree but I understand,” he said. “If a person says to me, ‘Look, I’m nominally a Christian but it sits lightly with me,’ I understand that.”

“But it’s incongruous for somebody to be a Captain Catholic one minute, saying they’re as good a Catholic as the pope, then regularly voting against the established Chris-

tian traditions.”

Cardinal Pell called out politicians who endorse secular stances on issues while insisting that they’re Catholics, saying, “if you’re espousing something that’s not a Christian position, don’t claim Christian backing for that.”

The Catholic Church “doesn’t teach the primacy of conscience,” he said, explaining that a person’s conscience doesn’t trump Church teaching. “You know if somebody said apartheid was all right, nobody would say, ‘Yes you can say that because of the primacy of conscience.’”

“To the extent that on a significant number of issues you depart from Christian teachings you know it’s incongruous to be billing yourself as a champion of Christian rights,” he said.

“I’m not telling people how to vote,” he underscored during the interview. “I’m telling people how I think they should vote. I’m an Australian citizen and I have as much right to do that as any other citizen.”

Cardinal Pell corrects politicians who claim to be Catholic but vote differently

pope shows intensive care — Pope Benedict XVI talks with medical staff during his visit to Rome’s Gemelli Hospital recently. The pope brought stuffed animals, music boxes, books and candy for the children, many of whom were receiving care for the birth defect spina bifida. (CNS photo /L’Osservatore Romano via Reuters)

Savior of world is found among poor, not in halls of power, pope says

VATICAN CITY (CNS) — Christ, the king of the world, is not found on thrones of power or in the hallways of learning; he is found defenseless among the poor and humble, Pope Benedict XVI said.

“At times, power — including that of knowledge — blocks the path to encountering that child,” the Son of God, the savior of the world, he said.

“God does not manifest himself in the power of this world, but in the humility of his love, that love that asks us, in our freedom, to welcome it so that we may be transformed,” he said.

The pope made his remarks at a Mass in St. Peter’s Basilica on the feast of the Epiphany, January 6.

In his homily, the pope highlighted the journey of the Wise Men or Magi who were in search of something more — for “the true light that would be able to indicate the path to follow in life.”

Following the star, the Magi met King Herod in Jerusalem. Herod, a man of power, considered Jesus, the promised king of the Jews, to be a rival and wanted to kill him.

Even today, God can seem like “a particularly dangerous rival who would want to deprive people of their personal space, of their autonomy and their power,” the pope said.

“We have to ask ourselves, is there perhaps a little bit of Herod in us as well? Perhaps we, too, sometimes see God as a kind of rival” who needs to be removed so we could have unlimited power to do whatever we want, the pope said.

However, letting God into one’s life “does not take anything away and does not threaten anything; rather he is the only one capable of offering us the possibility of living to the full and feeling real joy,” he said.

In Jerusalem, a city of power

and learning, the Magi met with scribes and theologians for guidance, he said. But the Jerusalembased scholars did not embark on the journey to seek out the Christ child, preferring instead to stay put and continue to study, examine and discuss the Scriptures.

“Again we can ask ourselves, is there not also in us the temptation to see the sacred Scriptures — this extremely rich and vital treasure for the faith of the Church — more like something for specialists to study and discuss rather than like the book that indicates the path to take in life?” the pope asked.

In the end, the star brought the Magi to the small town of Bethlehem and “led them among the poor, the humble in order to find the king of the world,” said the pope.

The Magi, like many people today, had expected to find the savior of the world “in places of power and culture,” he said.

Many would imagine that if God was coming to save the world, he would have displayed his might by “giving the world a more just economic system in which everyone could have everything he or she wanted,” the pope said.

Yet that kind of power would have been “a kind of violation of

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humankind because it would have deprived people of the fundamental elements” of being human, he said, such as their free will and capacity to love.

God wants people to exercise their freedom and love, and so he comes as a child and displays not earthly power, but “the apparent helplessness of his love.”

After the Mass, Pope Benedict gave his noonday Angelus address from his studio window to thousands of people gathered in St. Peter’s Square. The Epiphany, a national holiday in Italy, is largely dedicated to children, and the square was full of young people.

The pope said everyone is called to be like the star of Bethlehem and lead others to Jesus with his light.

On the eve of the Epiphany, the pope visited children in Rome’s Gemelli hospital “to be a little like the Magi,” he told them.

The pope brought stuffed animals, music boxes, books and candy for the children, many of whom were receiving care for the birth defect spina bifida.

The pope greeted and blessed the children, and they gave him small statues of the three kings and drawings they had made for the occasion.

OFFICIAL NEWSPAPER OF THE DIOCESE OF FALL RIVER Vol. 55, No. 02

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3 The International Church Egyptian Catholic leader says Muslims expressed sympathy after bombing January 14, 2011

By Doreen Abi Raad Catholic News Service

BEIRUT — An Egyptian Catholic leader said he had received many messages of support from Muslims after a January 1 Orthodox church bombing that killed about two dozen people.

Other Mideast Catholic leaders also sent messages of support to their fellow Christians. The head of Catholic Relief Services in Egypt said he was afraid the bombing indicated a renewal of sectarian violence.

“We have to pray. We have to pray for peace,” Coptic Catholic Bishop Youhannes Zakaria of Luxor, Egypt, told Catholic News Service in a telephone interview.

He said he has received many visits from Muslims — ordinary individuals and officials, including the governor — expressing their sympathy and solidarity after the attack on the Coptic Orthodox church in Alexandria, Egypt.

“They (Muslims) don’t accept this violence. They are very upset about this,” he said.

Bishop Zakaria celebrated Christmas Mass, as the Coptic Orthodox do, January 7, and the governor also speak about the importance of friendship and dialogue among religions and people. In some Middle East countries, Catholics and Orthodox agreed to celebrate major

religious holidays on the same calls for anxiety and vigilance pope said. There should be acdates to avoid confusion for the that Christians might be a tar- tion on the ground,” Bishop Rai faithful. get for terrorist acts which move said in a statement.

In Cairo, Jason Belanger, from one area to another.”

Bishop Zakaria said he country representative for the The patriarch called for Arab thought the bombing was carried U.S. bishops’ Catholic Relief and international action against out by “someone from outside of Services, said police had put up terrorism.

Egypt.” barricades to prevent cars from “The targeting of Christians “Like (the attacks) in Iraq, as parking next to major Christian is a clear plan to empty the Ori- well as Pakistan, India, Nigeria, churches and had cordoned off ent of its basic components,” he and all over the world, it is a poareas around them to control said. litical war, and not a religious pedestrian traffic in preparation At the Vatican January 1, war,” he said. “The victims are for Orthodox Christmas celebra- World Peace Day, Pope Benedict always ordinary people.” tions.

Archbishop Michael e said he has received many visits Fitzgerald, apostolic “This is a terrible way to start 2011,” from Muslims — ordinary indi- nuncio to Egypt, told Belanger said. “It’s viduals and officials, including the gov- CNS he hoped the scary.”

Coptic Orthodox could Belanger said the ernor — expressing their sympathy and celebrate Christmas in attack was the largest solidarity after the attack on the Coptic peace. attack against Cop- Orthodox church in Alexandria, Egypt.

He said he has extic Christians in the pressed his condolencpast 10 years, and he es to Orthodox Pope was concerned this could signal XVI called the bombing a “de- Shenouda III, noting that it is a an increase of attacks not only spicable gesture of death” and time to be close to the Christians against Christians in Egypt but part of a “strategy of violence of Egypt and all those affected. against Christians in the entire that targets Christians.” He said Belanger said Coptic ChrisMiddle East. the bombing had repercussions tians feel that they are being disOthers also saw the attacks on the entire Egyptian popula- criminated against and the govas part of a plot against Mideast tion and offered prayers for the ernment is not providing them Christians, but one commentator victims and their families. with enough security. said religious rhetoric and meMaronite Bishop Bechara Rai “But when the issue is one of dia reports might have led to the of Jbeil, Lebanon, called for an a suicide bomber, I don’t know bombings.

Islamic summit to stop attacks how much protection can re“It is a clear criminal and targeting Christians in Egypt ally be provided more than doing terrorist act targeting innocent and Iraq. He also called on the what they are doing by putting up Christians,” Melkite Catholic Arab League to meet to protect barricades and controlling pedesPatriarch Gregoire III Laham of the safety of Christians and Mus- trian traffic in front of churches,” Damascus, Syria, said in a state- lims. he said. In a commentary in Arab ment during a pastoral visit to “We cannot be content with West Report, a digest of media Egypt. “It is a phenomenon that verbal condemnations, as the reports from Egypt, Chief Editor

H

Repairs after rockslides partially close grotto at Lourdes shrine

By Jonathan Luxmoore Catholic News Service

OXFORD, England — The Shrine of Our Lady of Lourdes, one of Europe’s best-known pilgrimage sites, has been partially closed for repairs amid reports that falling rocks in its fabled grotto could signal a major landslide.

Work to secure the massive rock face above the grotto started January 3 and was expected to continue through February, said the Diocese of Tarbes and Lourdes.

Despite the work, the grotto would remain “open and welcoming” during construction, the diocese said.

Bishop Jacques Perrier of Tarbes and Lourdes detailed some of the work to be completed during a December news conference. He said the celebration of Mass would be canceled but that the daily rosary service at 3 p.m. would continue until repairs are completed.

“The rope inspection revealed that the rock on the northwest side has been affected during bad weather by very high humidity, which has led to the development of vegetation,” Bishop Perrier explained.

“These conditions have contributed to erosions in the rock, principally horizontal, which have caused water to stagnate in the stone and split it when frozen. Year by year, the rock is shifting,” he said.

The project will find workers affixing lose chunks of rock, some weighing up to 15 tons, to the existing rock face. Safety nets also will be installed to catch any rocks that may fall in the future.

Lourdes, near the Pyrenees mountains in southern France, attracts about six million visitors annually and has been a place of pilgrimage since 1858, when St. Bernardette Soubirous experienced the first of 18 visions of Mary.

Cornelis Hulsman called recent media reports “poisoned.”

In the past several months, media debates included an interview with Coptic Orthodox Bishop Bishoy, secretary of the church’s Holy Synod, in which he suggested that Muslims are merely guests in Egypt. However, Hulsman said, the remarks were taken out of context.

“This was followed by some media claiming that Copts are stockpiling weapons in churches,” Hulsman said, a charge Christians denied.

He added that media also made public a September 23 text of a lecture Bishop Bishoy gave at a clergy conference. In the text, the bishop speculated on whether some verses of the Quran “could have been inserted in response to Muslim-Christian polemics in the early days of Islam.”

“This resulted in weeks of tense discussions around the secretary of the Holy Synod, who is widely regarded as the secondmost-powerful man in the Coptic Orthodox Church, after Pope Shenouda III,” Hulsman said.

In November, about 10 houses belonging to Coptic Christians as well as several Christian-owned businesses in Upper Egypt were burned and ransacked. Last January, seven Christians were killed in a Christmas Eve bombing attack on a Coptic Orthodox church.

January 14, 2011 The Church in the U.S. Phoenix hospital’s break with bishop a troubling sign, health care experts say

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PHOENIX (CNA) — An Arizona hospital’s decision to reject the moral authority of the Bishop of Phoenix raises troubling questions about the future of Catholic health care, according to two experts in the field.

Bishop Thomas J. Olmsted revoked the Catholic status of St. Joseph’s Hospital and Medical Center in December 21. The move came after several months of discussion and negotiation over an abortion that took place there in 2009.

The hospital and its parent company, Catholic Health Care West, continue to maintain that the abortion was medically necessary. Bishop Olmsted had insisted that the hospital acknowledge that Catholic teaching never permits direct abortion as form of medical treatment, but the hospital refused.

“The bishop tried to bring them back,” explained John Brehany, executive director of the Catholic Medical Association. He commended Bishop Olmsted for seeking to apply “a clear standard” of “what counts as Catholic identity, Catholic ethics, and Catholic medicine.”

But, he explained, Catholic hospitals — like Catholic schools and universities — often face pressure to make compromises in areas where the broader public may not understand or accept the Church’s moral authority.

Bishop Olmsted’s investigation found that St. Joseph’s Hospital and its parent company Catholic Healthcare West were involved in a pattern of behavior that violated Catholic ethical directives for health care. These activities included creating and managing an Arizona government program that offers birth control, sterilization procedures, and abortion. Brehany believes that these kinds of involvements reflect a larger crisis of identity and purpose in Catholic health care. Many providers, he said, have “grown apart” from the main body of the Church, and lost a sense of what their religious identity once meant.

He compared the situation between the bishop and St. Joseph’s

to a child who decides to break off contact with his parents. “Both the hospital and the Catholic Healthcare West system effectively said, ‘We don’t want you in our life.’”

But in describing the larger implications of the hospital’s break from Church authority, Brehany employed a more striking metaphor.

“Jesus said, ‘I am the vine, and you are the branches,’” he noted.

This worldview had historically been the basis for an “organic structure” connecting institutions like schools and hospitals with parishes, local bishops, and the universal Church.

However, Brehany noted that in recent years, some of these “branches” have lost their connection with the “vine” from which they had grown. “That has tremendous implications,” he said, “because their Catholic faith and identity ought to be ultimate.”

This identity, he suggested, cannot simply function as a general source of inspiration for caregivers, since it also demands a complete commitment to the Church’s teachings and authority.

While the St. Joseph’s abortion case drew national attention, it was not the only recent instance of a Catholic hospital parting ways with Church authority. In February 2010, Bishop Robert F. Vasa revoked the Catholic status of St. Charles Medical Center in the Diocese of Baker, Ore., because of its insistence on performing sterilizations — up to 250 of them per year, he discovered.

Bishop Vasa publicly warned at the time that some Catholic hospitals, while claiming to abide by Catholic ethical guidelines, “are not being as transparent with their bishops as they should be.”

He also cautioned at the time that “if a bishop trustingly accepts that Catholic hospitals in his jurisdiction are following the (ethical) directives in accord with his proper interpretation of those directives, he may be surprised to learn this may not be the case.”

During the fall of 2008, Bishop Alvaro Corrada of the Diocese of Tyler, Tex. acknowledged that two

hospitals in his diocese had performed “a large number” of sterilizations, despite their claim to be “in compliance with the Ethical and Religious Directives for Catholic Health Services.”

Bishop Corrada admonished both hospitals for their “serious misinterpretation” of those directives, and reached agreements with the hospitals to ensure their compliance in the future. However, the bishop also admitted his own “failure to provide adequate oversight of the Catholic Hospitals” in the Diocese of Tyler.

Leonard J. Nelson, a legal scholar and author of the book “Diagnosis Critical: The Urgent Threats Confronting Catholic Healthcare,” said Church-affiliated hospitals in some parts of the U.S. had become accustomed to minimal oversight, and often interpreted Catholic health care guidelines very differently from their local bishops.

Professor Nelson asserted that cases of sterilization at Catholic hospitals, or even abortions deemed “medically necessary,” are not necessarily rare.

“A lot of times, when I suspect this has happened, the bishops don’t know about it. If hospitals are inclined to do those kinds of ‘therapeutic’ abortions, they’re probably not going to tell the bishop.”

Nelson’s allegations, if correct, could explain the reaction to the Phoenix case by the Catholic Health Association — a trade group that made headlines last year by strongly lobbying for a health care overhaul opposed by the U.S. bishops.

Sister Carol Keehan, president and CEO of the trade group, issued a strong defense of the Phoenix hospital’s decision to perform the abortion, and said the facility and its parent company were “valued members of the Catholic Health Association.”

Sister Keehan’s response “really stakes out some new territory,” Nelson observed.

Brehany, too, was struck by the tenor of Sister Keehan’s statement.

It could indicate, he suggested, that the health association might be trying to position itself as a rival authority or “competing magiste-

rium” to the U.S. bishops on issues of health care ethics.

Nelson and Brehany noted that the bishops may not have many practical options for calling the Catholic Health Association or its individual members to accountability. They could most likely continue to use the “Catholic” label, no matter what Church authorities might determine, they said.

Following Bishop Olmsted’s allegations against Catholic Healthcare West, Archbishop George H. Niederauer of San Francisco — where the company has its headquarters — announced on December 23 that he was seeking to “initiate a dialogue” with the company accused of cooperating with the government to provide birth control, sterilization, and abortion.

Bishop Olmsted noted on December 21 that Catholic Healthcare West and St. Joseph’s Hospital “have made more than a hundred million dollars every year from this partnership with the government.”

St. Joseph Hospital’s parent company is the eighth-largest healthcare company in the U.S.

NEW YORK (CNS) — In response to recent statistics revealing that 41 percent of pregnancies in New York City in 2009 ended in abortion, New York Archbishop Timothy M. Dolan reiterated the pledge of his predecessors to help any pregnant woman in need.

“Through Catholic Charities, adoption services, lobbying on behalf of pregnant women, mothers and infants, support of life-giving alternatives, health care and education of youth for healthy, responsible, virtuous sexual behavior, we’ve done our best to keep that promise and these haunting statistics only prod us to keep at it,” he said during a recent interfaith news conference in New York.

The statistics were released in late December by the New York City Department of Health and Mental Hygiene in its annual summary of vital statistics. According to the figures, the 87,000 abortions performed in New York City in 2009 continues a pattern of decline from previous years, but the overall rate of abortions is much higher than the national average of 23 percent.

Speakers at the news conference called the percentage of abortions tragic and urged renewed efforts to promote chastity and support mothers and their children, born and unborn.

“Not only are we not addressing this human tragedy, we are not even talking about it,” said Sean Fieler, president and chairman of the Chiaroscuro Foundation, a private organization based in New York which supports Pro-Life ac-

tivities.

Fieler said New Yorkers are still framing the abortion discussion in terms of the procedure’s legality instead of focusing on reducing the number of abortions.

“From an action perspective, this is something almost everyone can agree on. No one but the most radical extremist will defend this ratio,” he added.

He said the Chiaroscuro Foundation, which began in 2009, will spend $1 million this year to help reduce the number of abortions in New York. He also told Catholic News Service that the foundation would fund abstinence education and crisis pregnancy programs through the New York Archdiocese, the Sisters of Life, World Youth Alliance and Expectant Mother Care.

Archbishop Dolan said the archdiocese plans to launch an intensive chastity education program in Catholic high schools next year.

“We’re going to have a SWAT team of experts go into our Catholic high schools and give the seniors a high-powered two-week formation in healthy chastity,” he told CNS. “The curriculum will address biological, emotional and moral aspects and include preparation for marriage.

Bishop Nicholas DiMarzio of Brooklyn said the diversity of the world’s most multicultural city is being dampened by the abortion rate, which is highest in the black and Hispanic communities. He said sex education programs in public schools are devoid of moral content and may even increase the

incidence of abortion.

“We need to pledge ourselves to help people understand the consequences of abortion and do whatever we can to give women reasons not to abort and to help the children in this great city of ours,” he said.

David Zweibel, an Orthodox rabbi and executive vice president of Agudath Israel of America, an organization that promotes Orthodox Jewish activities, said, “Despite our different perspectives, we can all agree that there is something terribly wrong when abortion becomes just another method of birth control.”

He said the best approach to reduce abortions is to change the culture that “glorifies promiscuity and mocks responsibility” or at the very least, to shield young people from the “harmful influences of that culture.”

Sister Lucy Marie, a Sister of Life and Respect Life coordinator for the Archdiocese of New York, said the city’s abortion statistics were sadly familiar. “I wish it was startling to me, but it’s not. Many of the women who come to us have had repeat abortions,” she said.

She said the tragedy is that many pregnant women are in fear and don’t know where to go for help. “We have failed to reach out and let them know the resources that are available,” she added.

Sister Lucy welcomed Archbishop Dolan’s pledge, saying the Sisters have served 10,000 women since 1991 and have 10,000 volunteers “just waiting” to help women with jobs, housing, health care and financial and legal assistance.

Archbishop Dolan reaffirms pledge to help any pregnant woman in need

The Church in the U.S. Archbishop: Haitians feel abandoned by world amid continuing disasters January 14, 2011

By Dennis Sadowski Catholic News Service

WASHINGTON — Frustration and aggravation are simmering across Haiti a year after a terrifying earthquake ripped apart the country’s most densely populated region and as a persistent cholera epidemic endangers the health of virtually everyone in the impoverished nation.

Life in a tattered tent in a crowded makeshift camp with no alternative on the horizon, threats to personal safety and the need to scramble for food and clean water are fueling the growing anger, said Archbishop Louis Kebreau of Cap-Haitien, president of the Haitian bishops’ conference.

“The people of Haiti are tired of misery,” Archbishop Kebreau said in a recent interview with Catholic News Service during a visit to the Washington headquarters of the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops. “They are tired of living in their tents.

The people are saying they are not happy.

They’re frustrated and angry. That provokes violence.”

More than one million people continue to live in hundreds of settlements that sprouted after the 35-second magnitude 7 earthquake. At least 230,000 people were killed.

He expressed concern that the surge of hopefulness felt by Haitians at the world’s compassionate response immediately after the January 12 quake has given way to a feeling of abandonment. People don’t think their pleas are being heard any longer, he said.

Citing the widespread cholera epidemic that has claimed 3,650 lives since midOctober, Archbishop Kebreau called upon Haitian authorities to openly discuss the source of the disease and acknowledge the concerns of Haitians.

Although tests showed the cholera strain originated in south Asia and was traced to the Artibonite River in central Haiti, authorities have declined to link the outbreak to the alleged dumping of human waste from an outpost of U.N. peacekeepers from Nepal located on the waterway.

“The problem is that the government knows it comes from Nepal,” he said.

“But the government doesn’t have the guts to say it openly. You have the United Nations troops from Nepal so people are reacting to that because the government hasn’t acted.

“Truth and openness,” he added, “would resolve a lot of trouble.”

The archbishop’s unease about the potential for violence stems in part from Haiti’s 207-year history, which has been scarred by strong-armed rule and violent efforts to overthrow that rule. Only recently has the country experienced relative calm and peaceful government transitions.

However, violence flared again in early December. Hundreds of protesters blocked streets and set fires in the capital of Portau-Prince, Cap-Haitien and other communities to express their dissatisfaction with the results of the November 28 presidential election amid charges of fraud.

The country’s Provisional Electoral Council determined that Jude Celestin, a

protege of outgoing President Rene Preval, had narrowly finished second among 18 candidates, ahead of popular carnival singer Michel “Sweet Micky” Martelly.

Preval, who has maintained a low profile throughout his two terms as president, has been widely criticized for not taking a leading role in earthquake recovery efforts.

Haiti’s new president will be chosen in a runoff between Celestin and former first lady Mirlande Manigat, who topped all candidates in first-round balloting. Originally scheduled for January 16, the runoff has been postponed to allow more time to prepare ballots and polling stations.

While declining to comment on the candidates, Archbishop Kebreau said he feared the election, whenever it occurs, could spark renewed violence if charges of fraud resurface.

Still, there’s more than the election contributing to the restive atmosphere, according to Archbishop Kebreau. In addition to Haitian government officials, the United Nations and even aid agencies often are skewered by Haitians who believe international parties have failed to deliver on promises to rebuild the country, he said.

“Just imagine all the millions that supposedly are arriving (in Haiti),” he said.

“Where are they going?”

Archbishop Kebreau urged government, U.N. and aid representatives to begin talking with average Haitians to discover their needs. He also offered the Haitian Catholic Church as a bridge between the parties.

“The problem we have is the Church is marginalized,” he said. “They (government officials and aid workers) don’t make contact with us. The Church is present and filled with the people and we could give them information. We can help them, but they don’t ask us.

“One gets the impression that they are more interested in making money than taking care of people,” he said.

Archbishop Kebreau, who has rallied the Church to meet pastoral needs despite the country’s enormous poverty, is buoyed by the prospect of rebuilding parish infrastructure in the earthquake zone under a newly formed commission. Known in English as the Program for the Reconstruction of the Church in Haiti, or PROCHE, which means “close by” in French, the commission will review and approve parish projects to ensure that building plans meet modern construction codes.

PROCHE primarily will administer an estimated $33 million contributed by American Catholics designated for reconstruction. About 70 parishes were destroyed in the quake.

Crafted in a venture between the USCCB and Catholic Relief Services, PROCHE could serve as a model for all of Haiti, he said.

“It’s a unique opportunity for the Church to use this experience to give the world a different perspective (of Haiti),” the archbishop said.

“We must learn from one another,” he added. “We need to learn from everyone without distinction of race or color.”

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not much has changed — A woman pushes a wheelbarrow of trash she collected at a camp in Petionville at the edge of Port-au-Prince, Haiti. The country continues to reel from a series of disasters since the January 2010 earthquake including a cholera epidemic that has claimed 3,650 lives. (CNS photo/Paul Jeffrey)

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The Anchor

When Catholic hospitals lose their identity and way, Part II

Last week, in the editorial “When Catholic hospitals lose their identity and way,” we focused on Phoenix Bishop Thomas Olmsted’s stripping St. Joseph’s Hospital of its Catholic status for its refusal to admit that it had done anything wrong and to change its ways after it became known that it had authorized and carried out a direct abortion in November 2009 and was guilty of several other clear violations of the U.S. Bishops’ Ethical and Medical Directives. With courage, Bishop Olmsted acknowledged the obvious, that he was no longer able to verify that St. Joseph’s could provide health care consistent with Catholic moral teaching.

We concentrated last week on the fundamental importance that Catholic institutions be Catholic not just in name but in practice so that the faithful can trust that what they’re receiving is authentically in line with Catholic faith and morals. We also examined why Bishop Olmsted’s insistence on the evil of the abortion carried out by the hospital on the child of a woman whose life was endangered by pulmonary hypertension was the only justly Catholic conclusion. But there are some other relevant aspects of the case that merit reflection, insofar as they point to worrisome trends about which the bishops and faithful Catholics need to be concerned.

The first is the response of the CEO and president of the Catholic Health Association, Sister Carol Keehan, to the hospital’s actions and Bishop Olmsted’s episcopal reaction. After Bishop Olmsted’s decree, Sister Keehan released an email statement praising St. Joseph’s and stating that the hospital made the right call in carrying out the abortion. The hospital, she asserted, “carefully evaluated the patient’s situation and correctly applied the ‘Ethical and Religious Directives for Catholic Health Care Services’ to it, saving the only life that was possible to save.” In other words, she suggested, not only was Bishop Olmsted dead wrong in his conclusion that St. Joseph’s had violated the ERDs, but also the U.S. Bishops’ Conference’s Committee on Doctrine, which on June 23 published a doctrinal note underlining that the Phoenix procedure was a direct abortion that was “intrinsically wrong” and “never permissible because a good end cannot justify an evil means.” Her intellectually unsustainable position was that she — not Bishop Olmsted and not even the Bishops’ Doctrine Committee — was a better interpreter of the ERDs than the bishops who themselves wrote them. She also failed to mention that the saving of the mother’s life occurred through the direct killing of her child’s.

Sister Keehan’s actions in the Phoenix case show a similar pattern to her interventions during the national health care debate last year. Sister Keehan did not say what is legitimately inferred from her emailed statement, that she, in contrast to clear Church teaching, supports a direct abortion in the case of a pregnant woman whose life is at stake. Instead, she pretended as if she agreed with the bishops’ directives, but only quibbled with their application to the facts of the Phoenix woman and child. During the health care debate, when the bishops came out in opposition to the final version of the bill because it had several surreptitious mechanisms for public funding of abortions. Sister Keehan’s response was that the bishops were again wrong, not on the principled conclusion that the evil of funding abortions would outweigh the good of vastly extending health care benefits, but on the “facts,” insisting that the bill did not fund abortions despite multiple reputable studies and articles demonstrating how the mammoth bill did. In both cases, she sophistically pretended that the bishops were not wrong on matters of faith and morals but only in their basic ability to read and interpret. In his final speech as president of the U.S. Bishops’ Conference in November, Cardinal Francis George of Chicago called out this attempt to pretend that “only the bishops are too dense to understand complicated pieces of legislation,” retracing the clear evidence of both legislative text and intent and describing how, after passage, a federal agency tried to start funding abortions through three of the mechanisms in the bill.

With regard to the abortion at St. Joseph’s Hospital and to the health care debate, some might say that it shouldn’t be surprising that the head of a trade union representing Catholic Healthcare West and many of the Catholic hospital chains across the country would seek to defend the institutions that fund her organization. But for a Catholic, especially for a religious, such defense shouldn’t be at the expense of the truth and fidelity. Sister Keehan’s behavior during the health care debates constituted a true scandal and confused many as to whether Catholic legislators and constituents in good conscience could support a bill that funded abortions. Her behavior in the Phoenix situation, rather than calling St. Joseph’s administrators to reconsider their decisions, more likely will lead to their continued defiance of the ERDs and direct other Catholic hospitals down the same immoral course.

Jesus spoke in the Gospels about false prophets, wolves in sheep’s clothing, who arise and lead many astray. While her vesture is different, Sister Keehan, by her actions, is distinguishing herself as one of the most notable of their contemporary number.

The second issue was also raised by Cardinal George in his November discourse: Who speaks authentically for the Church? He noted, “We bishops have no illusions about our speaking for everyone who considers himself or herself Catholic,” but emphasized, “we speak for the apostolic faith, and those who hold it gather round.” The commentary of others, he said, is “opinion, often wellconsidered and important opinion that deserves a careful and respectful hearing, but still opinion.” In the Phoenix case, the same issue was in play. In a July letter to Bishop Olmsted, Catholic Healthcare West’s CEO Lloyd Dean included a copy of a theological opinion by Dr. M. Therese Lysaught of Marquette University and stated, “As you know, many knowledgeable moral theologians have reviewed this case [of the direct abortion] and reached a range of conclusions. … One must at least acknowledge that this is a very complex matter on which the best minds disagree.”

Bishop Olmsted acknowledged the differences of opinion but in a November response said that faithful Catholics cannot stop there. “It would appear that your intention is to resolve our disagreement by asserting that there is no single ‘correct’ answer to the question…. In effect, you would have me believe that we will merely have to disagree, … that you are not doing anything wrong, but that your interpretation of the ERDs simply differs with my own. According to Catholic teaching, though, there cannot be a ‘tie’ so to speak in this debate. Rather it is my duty as the chief shepherd in the diocese to interpret whether the actions at St. Joseph’s and other hospitals meet the criteria of fulfilling the parameters of the moral law as seen in the ERDs. … You have not acknowledged my authority to settle this question but have only provided opinions of ethicists who agree with your opinion and disagree with mine. As the diocesan bishop, it is my duty and obligation to authoritatively teach and interpret the moral law for Catholics in the Diocese of Phoenix. Because of this, the moral analyses of theologians are important elements that should assist and inform a bishop in the exercise of his teaching authority. However, it is ultimately the authority of the bishop as teacher and pastor that is determinative.”

One of the most salient characteristics that distinguish Catholics from Protestant Christians and others is our belief in the authority of the pope and bishops to teach definitively on faith and morals.

That legitimate authority — confided by Christ himself when he said, “He who hears you hears me and he who rejects you rejects me” (Lk 10:16) — simply needs to be recognized and accepted by those Catholics and Catholic institutions who seek to remain faithful. Today, as Anne Hendershott pointed out in a December 31 article, we’re facing the reality of Catholic hospitals that “shop for theologians to support practices that conflict with Church teachings” much like guilty defendants shop for smart lawyers and soft judges. Theologians, however, do not constitute a “parallel magisterium” with equal authority to the bishops. Degrees, even theological brilliance, are not equivalent to the grace of apostolic succession and the ecclesial authority that flows from it. Because of intellectual and practical confusion in the Church, those who have authentic doctrinal and pastoral authority, like Cardinal George and Bishop Olmsted, are needing to rise to the occasion to exercise that authority for the good of the Church and, in the Phoenix case, for the good of children whose lives are immorally taken.

January 14, 2011

‘Lord, I do believe, help my unbelief’

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n his letter to Philippians, St. believe but his incapability to do so.

Paul teaches us, “Whatever is The cardinal reaches into a fountain, true, whatever is honorable, whatever pulls out a stone and says, “Look at this is just, whatever is pure, whatever is stone. It has been lying in the water for lovely, whatever is gracious, if there is a very long time. But the water has not any excellence, and if there is anything penetrated it.” Then he bangs it on the worthy of praise, let us think about these edge of the fountain, breaks open the things” (4:8). stone, and says, “Look perfectly dry.

St. Gregory of Nyssa in his work on The same thing has happened to men in the Beatitudes explains that “the goal of Europe for centuries. They have been a virtuous love is to become like God.” surrounded by Christianity for genThese two references speak to the erations, but Christ has not penetrated fact that the focus of our lives of faith them. Christ does not live within them.” should be to conform our lives to the The cardinal was explaining that the gift Gospel by striving to live a virtuous life. of faith must penetrate into the depths of By embracing a life of virtue we begin our heart and change our lives. to embody the Gospel.

I have met and continue to meet so In last week’s article I spoke about many people in my life: good people, how St. Joseph is a great model of virintelligent and gifted people, but people tue for each of us. Beginning with this without faith. Some even tell me, “Faweek’s column I begin a series on the ther, I’d like to have faith, I just can’t.” topic of “virtue.”

And then they inevitably list the things The “Catechism” describes virtue in the Church that they take issue with: as “a habitual and firm disposition to devotion to Mary and the saints, the do the good. It allows the person not pope and papal infallibility, celibate only to perform good acts, but to give clergy, or one of the Church’s moral the best of teachings on himself. The human sexuvirtuous ality.

Putting Into person tends As good the Deep toward the and smart good with all and talented

By Father one’s sensory as they are, Jay Mello and spiritual they are like powers; he the rock that pursues the has been good and chooses it in concrete actions” sitting in the fountain. They never (CCC 1803). have allowed faith to penetrate their Being a virtuous person is something hearts. They are unable to make an act I think most of us strive to become. So of faith, to transcend their reason, to perhaps it would be beneficial for us to look beyond themselves and say, “God examine a number of different virtues, wants to give me a gift that I don’t beginning with the virtue of faith. deserve.” It just doesn’t make sense “Faith is the theological virtue by for them. In some sense I can’t relate, which we believe in God and believe all because I can’t imagine living without that he has said and revealed to us, and faith — trusting the God who created that the Church proposes for our belief, me, who knows infinitely more than because God is truth itself” (CCC 1814). I do, who loves me. I cannot imagine Our faith is not a contract with God. not having that.

It’s not something that we have created But for most us who have accepted or over which we have negotiated terms the gift of faith, we continue to pray of agreement. Faith is the virtue by each day for an increase of faith, and for which we acknowledge who God is and this to happen we have to allow the faith what he has done. The 11th chapter of that we do have to transform us. If we the letter to the Hebrews explains that, think we can have faith and at the same “Faith is the realization of what is hoped time remain the person we are, we’re for and evidence of things not seen …. fooling ourselves. Faith changes our By faith we understand that the universe life — and continually changes it for the was ordered by the Word of God, so that better. what is visible came into being through The virtue of faith transforms our the invisible.” lives and helps us to respond to the The virtue of faith is primarily a invitation of our Lord to be his disgift from God, and just like any gift ciples. But this great gift of faith cannot we receive, it demands some type of a be kept to ourselves. The Lord sends response to the One who gives the gift. us out to witness to the faith that we Our response to God for the gift of faith have received. We begin by sharing our is to allow that faith to transform every- faith with our family and friends, but it thing in our lives. Faith is the virtue by should not stop there. If faith has truly which we are able to believe and trust transformed our hearts and minds, othin him. ers will be able to see this virtue of faith Allow me here to reference a movie alive in our lives. that illustrates the idea that the virtue of St. Joseph embraced the virtue of faith is meant to transform our lives. faith in his complete trust in God’s plan.

In the classic trilogy “The GodfaEven when it seemed too hard or even ther,” there’s a scene in the third film unreasonable, Joseph responded in faith. where the godfather, Michael Corleone Let this be our response as well. goes to confession to a cardinal. He Father Mello is a parochial vicar at explains his lack of faith, his desire to St. Patrick’s Parish in Falmouth.

January 14, 2011

Q: Is it permitted to place a picture of Martin Luther King Jr. in the church proper during the time when the U.S. celebrates the holiday in his honor? Many times the picture is decorated and may even have one or more candles lit around it. This seems to violate Canon 1187, which states that only those saints and blessed which the Church has approved are to be venerated. This seems to be more common here in the U.S. I have even encountered this during exposition of the Blessed Sacrament when his picture was placed in the sanctuary near the altar with lit candles. — L.S., O’Fallon, Mo. A: As you note, Canon 1187 is clear that “it is permitted to reverence through public veneration only those servants of God whom the authority of the Church has recorded in the list of the saints or the blessed.”

The reasons for this can be deduced from the canon that precedes it.

Canon 1186 states: “To foster the sanctification of the people of God, the Church commends to the special and filial reverence of the Christian faithful the Blessed Mary ever Virgin, Mother of

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The Anchor

Picture of Martin Luther King Jr. in church?

God, whom Christ established as He or she has had to have lived the mother of all people, and pro- the theological virtues of faith, motes the true and authentic ven- hope and charity as well as the eration of the other saints whose cardinal virtues of prudence, jusexample instructs the Christian tice, fortitude and temperance to faithful and whose intercession a heroic degree. sustains them.”

If heroic virtues cannot be Therefore the reason for pub- proved, then the cause does not lic veneration of Mary and the proceed, and only after these saints is twofold: example and intercession.

When the Church reverences a person through public worship, she thereby makes a statement that she holds not

By Father only that the person is Edward McNamara an example to others, but also that that person is certainly in heaven and the faithful may pray so that the have been declared do Church saint or blessed intercedes before authorities commence the examiGod on their behalf. nation of any supposed miracles.

In order to be assured that The miracle is used as a proof the said person can be thus rev- that the person can effectively erenced, the Church carries out intercede before God and obtain a stringent process that usually special graces. This is usually the lasts several years. final step before beatification.

Except in the case of marIn order to proceed to canonizatyrdom, which usually requires tion or sainthood, proof of another proof that the person’s death was miracle is required of all those deprimarily related to his or her clared blessed, including martyrs.

Christian faith, it is first necesThese conditions are so strinsary to determine that the person gent that jumping the gun by in question can be presented as publicly reverencing a person in an example in all aspects of life. anticipation of official approval

Liturgical Q&A

can stop a beatification process in its tracks.

While many may be convinced that a particular nonCatholic is enjoying the beatific vision, the Church as such takes no official stand regarding his or her heavenly state. Nor does it initiate a canonization process for those who adhered to other creeds — not even in the case of those commonly esteemed to be martyrs of the faith as, for example, the Anglican companions of Uganda’s St. Charles Lwanga certainly were.

Thus no liturgical veneration may be attributed to non-Catholics and so their images should not be located in churches in any way that would cause confusion by implying that Catholics are solemnly affirming their blessed state or, what is more important, praying for their intercession.

This does not mean that exemplary figures of non-Catholics may not be admired by Catholics, or that their good deeds may not be extolled and recommended for imitation.

Given the details you describe as to how the image of Dr. King

is decorated, it would appear that a real danger of confusion does exist. A more theologically appropriate means of honoring his memory should be found on a par with that offered to other similar historical figures graced by public holidays such as Lincoln and Washington.

There may be some rare occasions when a deceased person’s image may be temporarily placed in a church.

Although it does not appear to be a widespread custom, on some occasions, especially if the cause of death was especially tragic, photos of a deceased person are placed near a casket or in some visible area if no mortal remains are present.

In such a case the reason is not veneration or reverence but a means of asking others to join in prayers for the soul of the deceased.

Father Edward McNamara is a Legionary of Christ and professor of Liturgy at Regina Apostolorum University in Rome. His column appears weekly at zenit.org. To submit questions, email liturgy@zenit. org. Please put the word “Liturgy” in the subject field. The text should include your initials, your city and state.

Clear ethical thinking and the ‘tyranny of relativism’

once asked a young physician whether he had received any training in medical ethics during medical school. I wondered whether he had been taught how to handle some of the complex moral questions that can arise when practicing medicine. It turned out that he had taken only one ethics class during his four years of medical school, and it was a rather loose-knit affair. For the first part of each class, he told me, students were presented with medical cases that raised ethical questions. For the second part, they were asked to discuss and share their feelings about what the ethical thing to do in each case might be. This course was largely an airing of different opinions, with students never receiving any definitive ethical guidance or principles.

His experience reminded me how ready we are today to discuss ethical problems, but how quickly we shy away from talking about ethical truths. We raise ethical questions but avoid ethical answers. We encourage the discussion of options and opinions, but leave students in the lurch to “make up their own minds” about what might or might not be ethical.

This relativism corrodes clear ethical thinking. Making up our

own morality as we go along Not only do such ethical has a certain appeal, of course, (or unethical) decisions affect because it allows us to circumothers profoundly (black men navigate some of the hard ethiand women; unborn boys and cal answers that might require girls) but they also affect us us to change our own behavior inwardly, making us into those or outlook. As one bioethicist who oppress, or those who kill. put it a few years ago: “People want to know what it would be wise and right to do; but they don’t want to grasp a truth so lucidly that they might

By Father Tad feel actually required Pacholczyk to walk in its light.”

This “tyranny of relativism” influences many contemporary ethical In other words, human choices debates. Those who advocate for have consequences that affect abortion, for example, will often the world. But they also cause declare: “If you think abortion effects in the depths of the is wrong, then don’t have one.” human soul, in the inner sancThe message behind the soundtuary of our own person. One bite is that abortion can be fine early saint said that we parent for me even if it is a problem for ourselves through our actions. you; it can be right for me and When we freely decide to do an wrong for you; and we can all action, we “create” ourselves, just get along. This type of ethiand show the direction in which cal schizophrenia is obviously our heart is willing to go. In this inadequate, however. Imagine world of good and evil, nothing someone saying, “If you think is more important for the good slavery is wrong, then don’t own of all than the excellence of the a slave.” Real human goods are actions that manifest the ethical at stake when we make moral core of our lives. judgments and ethical decisions That core cannot be rooted in — in slavery, a human life is the shifting and uncertain sands oppressed; in abortion, a human of moral relativism; we require life is ended. the immovable guideposts of

Making Sense Out of Bioethics

moral absolutes. No one lives without absolutes of some kind to guide his decision making.

Even those who promote relativism and “freedom of choice” regarding abortion will often react with great moral indignation if someone suggests there should be freedom of choice when it comes to torturing puppies or damaging the environment.

Their favorite “causes” end up being exempted from the claim that all morality is relative. Indeed, they really are not relativists at all, but absolutists: they will insist it is absolutely right to protect animals from cruelty, it is absolutely right to protect the environment, etc. Their absolutism can end up being as firm and unbending as the absolutism

of those they disagree with, such as those who defend the rights of the unborn or the rights of the elderly and infirm.

At the end of the day, we all inwardly recognize the importance of moral absolutes: some kinds of human choices really are wrong, and ethics cannot simply mean what I want it to mean. Each of us must resist the temptation to yield to the tyranny of relativism, a tyranny that encourages us to pursue moral judgments that are convenient, instead of moral judgments that are true.

Father Pacholczyk earned his doctorate in neuroscience from Yale and did post-doctoral work at Harvard. He is a priest of the Diocese of Fall River, and serves as the director of Education at The National Catholic Bioethics Center in Philadelphia. See www. ncbcenter.org

Specializing in: Brand Name/ Foreign Auto Parts 1420 Fall River Avenue (Route 6) Seekonk, MA 02771

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oday’s Gospel describes how it was that St. John the Baptist came to recognize that Jesus of Nazareth was indeed the Christ, the Son of God. As John was baptizing on the banks of the Jordan River, the Holy Spirit was made visible, coming down in the form of a dove and remaining upon the Lord. This was the sign that John the Baptist had been told to look for. He found it in the person of Jesus Christ.

John the Baptist saw Jesus coming toward him and said, “Behold, the Lamb of God, who takes away the sins of the world. He is the one of whom I said, ‘A man is coming after me who ranks ahead of me because he existed before me.’

I did not know him, but the reason why I came baptizing with water was that he might be made known to Israel” (Jn 1:29-31).

January 14, 2011

The Anchor

‘Behold the Lamb of God’

As I was preparing for of the Mass. God’s word is this homily, I came across an proclaimed and his Son, the article that connected Sunday’s Lamb of God is offered. liturgy with the apparition The apparition at Knock of the Blessed Virgin Mary helps us to recall that Jesus is at Knock, Ireland. It was in the Lamb of God who, as John County Mayo on the west says in our Gospel this Sunday, coast of the “Emerald Isle” on Thursday, Aug. 21, 1879, that 15 Homily of the Week people experienced Second Sunday an incredible appariin Ordinary Time tion. At the center of the gable of the local

By Father William church they saw a R. Rodrigues cross and an altar with a young lamb on it.

John the Evangelist has come to take away the sin and St. Joseph were at Our of the world.

Lady’s side. Our Lord chose to John the Baptist’s mission, appear there that day as a lamb in fact, his very vocation, on the altar. was to prepare the way of the John the Evangelist was Lord and point all towards the with a Book of the Gospels in Lamb of God. He spoke of his hand. What was witnessed repentance, turning away from that day by those 15 was a repour sinful or selfish ways and resentation of what transpires letting the Lord be our guide each day at the holy Sacrifice

and compass as we make our journey through life. Through the eyes of faith in Jesus Christ, we can understand the words of the prophet Isaiah in Sunday’s first reading: “I will make you a light to the nations, that my salvation may reach to the ends of the earth” (Is 49:6). Our world and each one of us is in need of that light to the nations. God’s grace is what heals our brokenness, helps us to overcome the sin that burdens us, and helps us to grow in his love.

As people of faith our call is to recognize and then to point others to the Lamb of God, as John the Baptist did. The most perfect place to encounter the Lamb of God, of course, is wherever the holy Sacrifice of the Mass takes place. At Mass,

the priest shows our eucharistic Lord to the congregation saying the familiar words: “This is the Lamb of God who takes away the sins of the world, happy are we who are called to his supper.” Then he and the congregation respond: “Lord, I am not worthy to receive you but only say the word and I shall be healed.”

May our prayer this week be that refrain of this Sunday’s responsorial psalm: “Here am I, Lord; I come to do your will.” By God’s grace may we come to recognize Jesus as John the Baptist did those many centuries ago. Perhaps not with the appearance of the Holy Spirit seen as a dove, but in the ordinariness of everyday life.

Father Rodrigues is a parochial vicar at Our Lady of Mt. Carmel and St. John the Baptist parishes in New Bedford.

Upcoming Daily Readings: Sat. Jan 15, Heb 4:12-16; Ps 19:8-10,15; Mk 2:13-17. Sun. Jan. 16, Second Sunday in Ordinary Time, Is 49:3,5-6; Ps 40:2,4,7-10; 1 Cor 1:1-3; Jn 1:29-34. Mon. Jan 17, Heb 5:1-10; Ps 110:1-4; Mk 2:18-22. Tues. Jan. 18, Heb 6:10-20; Ps 111:1-2,4-5,9,10c; Mk 2:23-28. Wed. Jan. 19, Heb 7:1-3,15-17; Ps 110:1-4; Mk 3:1-6. Thur. Jan. 20, Heb 7:25-8:6; Ps 40:7-10,17; Mk 3:7-12. Fri. Jan. 21, Heb 8:6-13; Ps 85:8,10-14; Mk 3:13-19.

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ebruary 6 is the centenary of the birth of Ronald Wilson Reagan, one of the most intriguing public figures of our time.

Clark Clifford, the ultimate Washington “insider,” dismissed him as an “amiable dunce.” Yet Reagan’s posthumously published diaries and speech notes show a man of considerable insight and intelligence, who was shrewd enough to understand that the contempt of the elites was a political asset in securing the loyalty of the electorate and in getting what he wanted out of Congress and the federal bureaucracy.

He was feared by arms controllers and the foreign policy establishment as a man likely to blunder into a nuclear Armageddon. Yet recent studies by Martin and Annelise Anderson demonstrate that, unlike the liberal poobahs of deter-

The Reagan centenary

And, as I try to show in “The rence, Reagan never learned End and the Beginning: Pope to live with the bomb and bent John Paul II — The Victory of every effort to rid the world of Freedom, the Last Years, the nuclear weapons, through disarmament and the development Legacy,” these two unexpected giants of the late 20th century of effective strategic defense.

His anti-communism was derided as primitive, unsophisticated, and a danger to world peace. Yet the historical record shows that his “simplistic” prescription for ending

By George Weigel the Cold war — “We win; they lose” — turned out to be the had strikingly parallel biograkey to the victory of imperfect phies, despite the obvious difdemocracies over a pluperfect ferences in their backgrounds tyranny. and interests.

Few great public figures of They were both orphaned late modernity have been so misunderstood in their lifetime young: the future pope, literally; the future president, virtuor revered at their death — ally, given the alcoholism of with the exception of another his father. man who was never supposed They were both men of the to become the titanic figure theater, whose extensive acting he became, Pope John Paul II.

The Catholic Difference

experience gave them crucial skills and a conviction: that the word of truth, spoken clearly and forcefully enough, could cut through the static of evil’s lies, rally hearts and souls, and create possibilities where only obstacles were apparent.

Their understanding of, and loathing for, communism came to both of them early: Reagan, through his battles with Hollywood communists for control of the Screen Actors Guild; John Paul II, through his experience of the brutalitarian period of Polish communism after World War II. Both knew that the crucial battle with communism was in the realm of the human spirit, for communism proposed a false, yet seductive, view of the human future that could best be matched by a nobler vision of human freedom.

They were both dismissed as “conservatives” by pundits for whom “conservative” was a polite placeholder for “reactionary.” Yet the truth of the matter was that both were radicals: Reagan, in his convictions about ridding the world of nuclear weapons; John Paul, in the depth of his Christian discipleship.

There was no “holy alliance” between them, as some overly imaginative reporters have alleged. But there was

deep mutual respect. Shortly before Christmas 2001, John Paul II asked me, “How is President Reagan?” As it happened, I had just run into former attorney general Edwin Meese, who had told me a story that I shared with the pope.

Meese had gone to the christening of the U.S.S. Ronald Reagan earlier that year, and had brought the former president (whose illness prevented him from attending) the typical ship’s baseball cap, emblazoned “U.S.S. Ronald Reagan CV-76,” that had been given out on the occasion. Reagan, a gentleman to the end, responded, “Thank you, Ed. That’s very kind. But why would anyone name a ship after me?”

Twelve years after leaving office, the most consequential president since Franklin Roosevelt had no memory of having led his country, and the free world, for eight years.

John Paul II, who could not imagine the unreflected-upon life, was saddened by my tale, and asked that I get word of his solidarity in prayer to Mrs. Reagan. It’s a comfort to imagine these two happy warriors now, in different circumstances, beyond the reach of either misunderstanding or sorrow.

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

What’s new?

Monday 10 January 2011 — president doesn’t sleep alone. on the shores of the Taunton He is entombed with his wife River — the first day of Ordiof 37 years, Julia (Dent) nary Time Grant. The correct answer hen is New Year’s to the question is: “President Day?” sounds like a question Groucho Marx might ask on the game Reflections of a show “You Bet Your Life,” along with his Parish Priest all-time classic, “Who

By Father Tim is buried in Grant’s Goldrick tomb?” The answer to the latter seems obvious. Actually, President Ulysses S. Grant wasn’t and Mrs. Grant are entombed buried at all (as in interred there.” The presidential in the earth). His body was mausoleum, by the way, is in entombed above ground in a Manhattan, not in Washington, crypt. Furthermore, the former D.C.

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January 14, 2011

Likewise, dear readers, the answer as to when the year officially begins is not as straightforward as one might think. The response depends on where you are and when. One would be tempted to answer “New Year’s Day is January 1st,” and so it is in the United States at this point in time, but only if one is referring to the civic calendar. The fiscal year in the United States, however, begins on July 1.

Our Church year begins on the First Sunday of Advent. That happened on Nov. 28, 2010. If you are a Chinese-American,

Concerning white paint and wonderful people

not before moving out of the aint is amazing. With house. She apparently couldn’t the help of five galfathom showing a house with lons of semi-gloss white paint — gasp — eight people living and our two oldest sons, my in it. husband and I completely Although getting our house refreshed every white surface ready to be put on the market of our property in just five was essentially about matedays. With the help of five rial appearances, it made me more gallons of flat white paint think of the verse in Scripture and several friends, we also that says, “The Lord does not repainted and gave new life to look at the things man looks every interior wall on first floor at. Man looks at the outward of our home. appearance, but the Lord looks After all the re-painting was at the heart” (1 Sam 16:7). It done, I went on to marvel just made me think of this verse how amazing cleaning products are as my children and a few more friends helped me scrub every window sill, appliance, closet, and floor in the house. My husband and sons, meanwhile,

By Heidi Bratton learned the beauty of thrift shops and transfer stations while getbecause during all this activting rid of eight van loads of ity, although my hands were clothing, household items, and justifiably flustered with paintassorted debris. ing and cleaning, my heart was Following all this labor, savoring an atypical sense of nothing about the actual tranquility. mechanics of our home had Somehow my heart knew changed, but its appearance that the selling of our house was so uncluttered and sparwas not about the outward klingly beautiful that it sold in appearance of the building we just five days last November. have called home, the time It was truly a miraculous and of year, nor the state of the often exhausting journey from national economy. The heart the first stroke of white paint of the matter was whether on the picket fence in October we trusted as St. Paul wrote to the final stroke of black in Philippians 4:19 that God ink on the closing contacts in would supply all that we would January. need in the process of selling Anyone who has recently our house. been trying to sell real estate Well, my husband and I knows the improbable odds of did our best to trust in God’s selling a house in this economy provision, and now, even at this time of year. In fact, one though there will be no obvireal estate agent told us not to ous change of appearance in even bother putting our house my Homegrown Faith monthly on the market until after the column — surprise — I will holiday season and certainly

Homegrown Faith

now be writing from Ann Arbor, Mich., where my husband has accepted a great position as the Deputy Director of the National Oceanographic and Atmospheric Agency. Thankfully, Father Landry has asked me to continue writing this column after the move, something I very much look forward to.

It is bittersweet to move after being blessed with 13 years of living in the Diocese of Fall River. We have made so many good friends and precious memories. One of the best things about moving, however, is the opportunity to actually say goodbye and tell people how much they’ve meant to me instead of letting friendships sort of fade away as our schedules and interests change over time. Although it may have appeared to be so, it really wasn’t the white paint, the cleaning products, nor the purging of possessions that made the sale of our house possible. It was the wonderful people who jumped in and helped us to do what we felt God was asking of us, and it was God himself, who is ever faithful to supply all our needs.

Is there something God is asking of you in 2011? Something that, perhaps, you are actively avoiding because it appears to be impossible? My prayer is that you will have the faith to do what God is asking; that you would have the faith to say with St. Paul, “My God shall supply all my need.”

Heidi is an author, photographer, and full-time mother.

She and her husband have six children. She can be reached at homegrownfaith@gmail.com.

the Year of the Rabbit begins on Feb. 3, 2011. It’s complicated.

The earliest recorded evidence of New Year’s Eve celebrations dates to about 2000 B.C. in Mesopotamia. It was celebrated in mid-March, at the time of the spring equinox.

That would have been March 20, 2010, by our calendar. I bet you missed the party.

The ancient Egyptians, Phoenicians, and Persians began their New Year with the fall equinox. That would have been Sept. 23, 2010, by our calendar. I bet you dropped the ball on that one, too. Take heart, the ancient Greeks celebrated New Year’s Day at the time of the winter solstice — that would have been Dec. 22, 2010. Close, but no cigar.

March has proven to be a popular month to begin the year. The earliest Romans, among others, preferred this option. They began their calendar not with the month of January but rather with the month of March. This was due to the simple fact that January and February didn’t exist until about 700 B.C. New Year’s Day was celebrated on March 1.

Who, then, designated January 1 as New Year’s Day? That would be none other than Julius Caesar. In 46 B.C., he ditched the wildly erratic old calendar based on the phases of the moon, and adopted a calendar based on the sun.

The calendar was named after him — the Julian Calendar. I suppose if people consider you a god, you can do pretty much whatever you please. Some die-hard traditionalists continued to celebrate New Year’s on March 1 no matter what the emperor decreed. What was he going to do about it, anyway?

He wasn’t even invited to the party.

Things went along OK until the New Year’s parties got progressively out of hand.

Our Catholic Church was not amused with all this pagan

revelry on January 1. At the Council of Tours in 567 A.D., we went back to the earliest designation of mid-March.

The Council abolished January 1 as New Year’s Day. The New Year would once again begin on March 25, the feast of the Annunciation of the Lord. This was, after all, the day the human life of Jesus began. It happened to fall in the somber season of Lent. So, there, you pagan party animals. We Catholic Christians would be unavailable to attend your New Year’s Eve parties for a thousand years or so.

Then, in 1582, the astronomers at the Vatican brought a major problem to the attention of Pope Gregory the Great.

Seems that over the centuries, the Julian Calendar had accrued 10 days. The pope simply adjusted the Julian Calendar by lopping off 10 days. Henceforth, it would be known as the Gregorian Calendar. While he was at it, Pope Gregory also snuck New Year’s Day back to January 1.

Some European monarchs were upset the pope dared to change their calendar. They refused to go along with the Catholic world. They not only kept their 10 days, but also continued to celebrate New Year’s Day on March 25.

The British Empire begrudgingly joined the rest of the world in 1752. England finally accepted the Gregorian Calendar and with it January 1 as New Year’s Day. The American colonies, then, did not recognize January 1 as New Year’s Day until mid18th century.

The Advent/Christmas cycle ended yesterday. Today is the first day in Ordinary Time. Is any day ordinary?

This (or any other) can be the first day of the rest of your life. It’s your call. Go for it.

Just be sure to throw a party.

I’ll bring the champagne.

Father Goldrick is pastor of St. Nicholas of Myra Parish in North Dighton.

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January 14, 2011

Pontifical North American College celebrating 150 years, and biggest class in a generation

Vatican City, (CNA/ EWTN News) — After 150 years in Rome, some things at the Pontifical North American College are being changed but traditions and the root of its mission in the formation of future priests continue on.

Pope Pius IX is considered the college’s “first founder,” having approved its creation in 1859. In 1953, Pope Pius XII then dedicated the “new” college at its beautiful location on one of the storied hills of Rome.

The institution, locally known as “the NAC,” now houses 240 seminarians and new priests from all over the United States as well as several from Australia and Canada. It is currently at maximum capacity, enjoying its highest seminarian enrollment in 40 years.

Those staying at the college go to different Roman pontifical universities for study, but much of their formation takes place at the magnificent campus.

From its perch on the city’s Janiculum Hill, it has some of the best views possible of the “Eternal City.” A rare view down upon St. Peter’s Basilica is visible on one side, the

sprawl of the rest of ancient Rome dominates on another.

A newly-surfaced sports field, basketball courts and carefully tended gardens encircle the spacious block that serves the spiritual, physical and material needs of the diverse group of students and staff.

Priests on sabbatical join the seminarians at the NAC. They reside in a former Carmelite convent on the campus.

The NAC library, which already housed the largest collection of English-language books in Rome, has been expanded by increasing the amount of study space. Other improvements in recent years include renovations to the lounge and classroom areas, and the replacement of more than 1,000 windows.

Amidst all the improvements, the core of the NAC’s mission is unchanging, current rector Msgr. James Checchio told CNA. “Even with all these renovations and changes, the heart of our program continues to be forming our hearts to be more like the good shepherd’s through our fine liturgical prayer and steady private prayer, intellectual study, apostolic and pastoral formation,

as well as through community life, which is a great formation tool in itself.”

Days begin at 6:15 a.m. with morning prayer and Mass in the packed Immaculate Conception Chapel and continue on with classes around the city, pastoral, apostolic and house duties, study and formation through the day.

Ryan Connors, 27, a thirdyear seminarian from the Providence, R.I. diocese, said that three years at the NAC students make a symbolic journey. They begin with a Mass celebrated in the crypt beneath St. Peter’s during their orientation. And they return three years later to the same basilica to “lay down our lives in the service to the Church.”

“It is here that we are ordained deacons, and pledge lifelong consecrated celibacy, obedience to our local bishops, and commit to a life of prayer for the sake of God’s people,” he said.

“Ultimately, the North American College is what the Church asks of any seminary — a continuation of the apostolic community, of men gathered around the Lord to learn from him how to love, and then to share that love with his

people.”

The college has been doing so for a little more than 150 years now. A year ago this week, alumni, family and friends arrived on campus to celebrate the milestone over several days.

Connors recalled it as an opportunity for students for the priesthood to remember those who came before them and thank God for their service.

Pope Benedict XVI even took part in the celebration.

In a private audience with students and alumni, he thanked God for “the many ways in which the college has remained faithful to its founding vision by training generations of worthy preachers of the Gospel and ministers of the sacraments, devoted to the successor of Peter and committed to the building up of the Church in the United States of America.”

He applauded the NAC’s history of offering seminarians an “exceptional experience of the universality of the Church, the breadth of her intellectual and spiritual tradition, and the urgency of her mandate to bring Christ’s saving truth to the men and women of every time and place.”

These are traditions that the college holds to as dearly as it does to its other time-honored customs: the hard-earned success of its soccer team, the annual Thanksgiving weekend festivities, and group trips over breaks that include those to assist foreign missions.

A strong sense of fraternity is evident in every aspect of campus life, but it is perhaps Thanksgiving weekend cel-

ebrations like last year’s that show the NAC’s best colors.

In a country that does not traditionally celebrate the holiday, the college gathered 400 people together for Mass and a meal this year. Traditional events include the yearly “Spaghetti Bowl,” pitting “old men” against “new men” in a friendly game of American football preceded by a rendition of the national anthem.

Divided into the same squads, the new and old men create and put on shows for the gathering.

Students also group together in their respective corridors to share breakfast over the weekend, for which Msgr.

Checcio has a special interest.

“I like to make the rounds and sample them all,” said the rector.

Fraternity is revered by the NAC’s residents. Connors paraphrased the pope’s words from the Year For Priests — “no one becomes a priest on one’s own.”

“We are not called one man and then another man as much as we are gathered together as an apostolic bond, like Christ’s first Apostles,” Connors said.

The December 8 anniversary of the college’s founding gives them the opportunity to remember its role and blessing throughout its great history. It is a chance to give thanks for the clergy, family, friends and benefactors who have made the institution and its programs possible.

As Connors put it: “To study in Rome is a unique blessing, so close to the saints and martyrs of the Church, to the bones of Peter the fisherman and to the successor of Peter, the Holy Father.”

He has learned what it is to lay down his life for the Gospel, he said. “Through consecrated study of the saving truths of the Gospel, through fraternity and lifelong bonds of priestly friendship and most of all through deep, serious, daily prayer I have come more and more to be ready to lay down my life in service to the Gospel.”

The proximity to St. Peter and his successor, added Msgr.

Checchio, makes for “a very unique formation experience” for seminarians and priests preparing to serve the people of God. “It is a wonderful place to learn about Christ and his Church, and to prepare to lay down our lives in service of him.”

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January 14, 2011

Digging deep for a 2010 highlight

ith the Patriots in a bye preferring the nickname “Animal,” week and desperately in the 2010 Olympic Games in trying to avoid the constant barrage Vancouver. of Rex Ryan rhetoric emanating The charismatic red-head won from the Meadowlands, I took the the Gold Medal in the snowboardtime to reflect on the past year with ing halfpipe event with hair-raising the intention of picking out my (any color) twists, flips, and turns. version of the best of 2010.

Weymouth, England’s Paul the Like every one of the 2,009 Octopus captured my imagination years before that, and the B.C. years before that, last year had its ups and downs.

Having been in the newspaper business for the last 20 years, I tend to shy away from watching news

By Dave Jolivet on television during my down time, so I prefer to reflect on the more “mindless” forms of entertainment ... like by correctly predicting eight World sports or watching “Cash Cab” or Cup soccer matches, including the “Wheel of Fortune.” final. Sadly, the oversized calamari One of the 2010 highlights had passed away in October at the ripe to have occurred barely one month old age of two-and-a-half. into the then new year when the Buried in the low-light vault is New Orleans Saints tripped up the collapse of the Boston Bruins the vaunted Indianapolis Colts in the Stanley Cup conference and super Peyton to win their first semifinals against the Philadelphia Super Bowl and raise the morale Flyers, blowing a three games to and spirits of the Big Easy, still none lead, and a three goal lead in reeling from the effects of Hurrigame seven. cane Katrina.

Also pushed to the back of my Another 2010 notable was the cerebral burner was the injuryperformance of Shaun White, ladened seasons of the Red Sox known as the “Flying Tomato,” but and Celtics, and the devastating

My View From the Stands

loss by the Pats in first round of the NFL playoffs.

But ironically, my 2010 highlight came from the news desks of every major news outlet in the world.

The rescue of the 33 trapped miners in Chile in October captured not just my imagination, but that of the whole world.

For nearly one full day on October 13, many of us watched with bleary eyes, through the night and the next day as one-by-one the miners and the four rescue workers sent down to retrieve them emerged from their tomb more than 2,000 feet below the surface. They made the 15-minute trek in a space barely 28 inches wide, after spending 69 days not knowing their ultimate fate.

Not many could step away from their TV sets as the “real world” drama unfolded. No Super Bowl or World Series grasped my attention as did the October rescue.

Only when the final rescue worker emerged from the “Phoenix” capsule could I “resume regular programming.”

Sometimes you don’t have to dig very deep for a great story.

Sometimes you do.

Catholic Communications Campaign is this weekend

FALL RIVER — The Catholic Communication Campaign (CCC) will be taken up this weekend at parish Masses throughout the Fall River Diocese.

This annual national campaign is unique in that it is designed as a shared collection, meaning half the proceeds stay in the local diocese and the other half is forwarded to the CCC office of the U.S. Bishops’ Conference to support national endeavors.

The portion remaining in the Fall River Diocese is used to fund the weekly Television Mass, which airs at 11 a.m. each Sunday on WLNE-TV, Channel 6.

Since 1963, the diocese has sponsored the Television Mass as a service to those unable to attend a parish Mass because of infirmity or advanced age.

“We have been very fortunate in that we have been able to provide a Mass on television for 40 years plus now,” said Msgr. Stephen J. Avila, who is director of the Television Mass Apostolate and pastor of St. Mary’s Parish in Mansfield.

“Today cable TV carries several Masses from different places around the country. Yet there is value in offering a Mass from our diocese, often times celebrated by a familiar face, as a way to bring the local Church to the people,” he continued.

He explained that while caring over the

past year for a family member who was in the hospital and in a nursing facility, he learned how many people rely on the TV Mass.

“It has become a way that we as a diocesan community reach out to and serve our elderly and infirmed members, and assure them of our continued concern,” he said.

Broadcast of the Television Mass costs the Fall River Diocese between $55,000 and $60,000 each year for the production and half-hour airtime.

In addition to proceeds from this weekend’s CCC collection, the Television Mass is also supported by the Catholic Charities Appeal.

On the national level, the CCC funds support the development and production of a wide range of media projects produced by the U.S. Bishops’ Conference and grantee organizations and made available through the Internet, radio, TV and print media.

Msgr. Avila expressed on behalf of Bishop George W. Coleman his gratitude to those who support the TV Mass through the CCC collection. He said that donations may also be sent directly to the Diocesan TV Mass at P.O. Box 7, Fall River, Mass. 02722.

To advertise in The Anchor, contact Wayne Powers at 508-675-7151 or Email waynepowers@anchornews.org

Fathers Kevin A. Cook and Karl C. Bissinger The Fall River Diocesan Vocation Office

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The Anchor

January 14, 2011

As Tuscon mourns, victims’ faith is recalled

OVERCOMING OBSTACLES — Colin Firth stars in a scene from the movie “The King’s Speech.” For a brief review of this film, see CNS Movie Capsules below. (CNS photo/The Weinstein Company)

CNS Movie Capsules NEW YORK (CNS) — The following are capsule reviews of movies recently reviewed by Catholic News Service.

“The King’s Speech” (Weinstein) Stirring historical drama, set between the world wars, about the unlikely but fruitful relationship between the Duke of York (Colin Firth) — second in line to the British crown — and the eccentric speech therapist (Geoffrey Rush) under whose care he reluctantly places himself at the instigation of his loyal wife (Helena Bonham Carter) to overcome the stammer that hobbles his public speaking. This task becomes all the more urgent as the death of the duke’s father (Michael Gambon) and the abdication of his brother (Guy Pearce) propel the unwilling heir toward the throne. Weaving together the story of one of the modern era’s most successful royal marriages and the lesser-known tale of the friendship by which an unflappable commoner helped to heal the emotionally crippling childhood wounds underlying his princely client’s impediment, director Tom Hooper creates a luminous tapestry reinforced by finely spun performances and marred only by the loose threads of some offensive language.

Two brief but intense outbursts of vulgarity, a couple of uses of profanity, a few crass terms and a mildly irreverent joke. The Catholic News Service classification is A-III — adults. The Motion Picture Association of America rating is R — restricted. Under 17 requires accompanying parent or adult guardian.

“Season of the Witch” (Relativity) Baleful and boring medieval adventure in which two warriors (Nicolas Cage and Ron Perlman), disenchanted with the Church-sponsored slaughter of the Crusades, go AWOL but find the plague ravaging the territories through which they pass on their way home. Identified as deserters, they face incarceration unless they agree to escort a young prisoner (Claire Foy) to a distant abbey so she can stand trial as a witch whose black magic has given rise to the fatal pest. Conflating history and dredging up hoary cliches about the period, director Dominic Sena presents a relentlessly negative picture of its Catholicism as a superstitious, oppressive force against which his main characters nobly rebel. Pervasive anti-Catholic bias, occult themes, brief partial nudity, much — mostly bloodless — violence, some gruesome images, at least one use of the S-word and a few crass terms. The Catholic News Service classification is O — morally offensive. The Motion Picture Association of America rating is PG-13 — parents strongly cautioned. Some material may be inappropriate for children under 13.

TUCSON, Ariz. (CNS) — With flags nationwide flying at half-staff and people pausing for a moment of silence January 10, the victims of the January 8 mass shooting in Tucson were being remembered for their warmth and goodness, some for their sense of public service, and several for their involvement in their churches.

The attack during a Saturday morning meet-your-congressionalrepresentative event at a Safeway shopping center left six people dead and another 14 wounded, including Rep. Gabrielle Giffords, 40, who hosted the event. The alleged shooter, Jared Lee Loughner, 22, was stopped by bystanders and is being held on initial federal charges related to the deaths of two U.S. government employees — a federal judge and a congressional aide — and the attempted murder of Giffords and two of her staff members.

Amid the outpouring of grief and shock in Arizona, the personal stories of the victims were putting their faces into focus for the world.

U.S. District Court Judge John M. Roll, 63, and Christina Taylor Green, nine, who were killed, were both active in their Catholic parishes. Roll, the chief judge of the Tucson federal court, had stopped by the shopping center in northwest Tucson to see Giffords on his way home from morning Mass at St. Thomas the Apostle Church.

Bill Badger, one of several people who tackled the shooter to stop his rampage, despite his own gunshot wound, also is active in the parish he shared with the judge, according to Fred Allison, spokesman for the Tucson Diocese.

Young Christina Green came to meet Giffords with a neighbor because she was so interested in civics, having just been elected to the student council at Mesa Verde Elementary School. The third-grader also was part of a children’s choir at St. Odilia’s, the Catholic church a few blocks from the shooting scene where a healing and remembrance Mass took place January 11.

The young athlete was part of a sports-focused family. Her grandfather is former major league pitcher and manager Dallas Green, and her father, John Green, is a scout for the Los Angeles Dodgers. The only girl on her Little League team, Christina was born on Sept. 11, 2001, and was featured in a book called “Faces of Hope,” about 50 babies born on that day of terrorist attacks on the United States.

Roll, a fourth-degree member of the Knights of Columbus, was remembered as “a person of great faith and great integrity” who was a devoted member of two Tucson Catholic parishes, according to Bishop Gerald F. Kicanas. Bishop Kicanas returned to Tucson hastily from the Middle East, where he was to attend the annual Coordination of Episcopal Conferences for the Church in the Holy Land, rep-

resenting the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops.

The bishop was to preside over a Mass for the Healing of Our Community, Remembrance of Those Who Have Died, and for the Consolation of All Victims and Their Families at St. Odilia’s, where Christina Green made her first Communion last spring. “‘Let the children come to me,’ Jesus said (Mt 19:14). Christina is with him,” wrote Bishop Kicanas to parishes.

Roll for many years began his day by serving at Mass as a lector at SS. Peter and Paul Parish or St. Thomas the Apostle Church, the bishop said. “He lived his faith as a servant of our nation for the cause of justice.”

Allison said he regularly saw Roll at the daily noon Mass at St. Augustine Cathedral, a few blocks from the federal courthouse downtown.

“He was absolutely dedicated and devoted in terms of daily Mass attendance and dedicated to the ministry as a lector,” Allison said.

“His faith was a wellspring of who he was as a judge and in his marriage.

The bishop put words to the emotions felt by people in Tucson and around the world who watched events unfold at the suburban shopping center.

“It is incomprehensible that such a horrible tragedy could happen in the community that we love so much,” he wrote in his letter. “I am shocked and devastated as I see the horrible pictures on the news and hear the reports of those who have been killed and injured.”

In a message, Bishop Kicanas sent to Allison as he left Jerusalem to return to Tucson, he said watching the television coverage from afar was overwhelming. “I could

not sleep. I just wanted to return home as soon as possible.”

He noted that “as I would expect, the community has risen to the occasion,” with bystanders stepping up to help at the scene, medical personnel working feverishly, and public servants “trying to find answers to a horrific act of violence perpetrated against innocent people, everyone praying and offering support and condolences.”

He said that before he left the Middle East, he concelebrated a Mass with 10 other bishops in a small Catholic church in Jericho, where only about 50 Catholic families are in the village, “but they all expressed to me their condolences for what happened in Tucson and promised their prayers as did each of the bishops from Canada, Albania, France, Germany, England and the Holy Land. Their comfort and heartfelt prayers meant a lot.”

Bishop Kicanas went on to say that “in the Holy Land, violence is feared and expected. Violence, too often, tears apart both the Israeli and the Palestinian people. Each community knows well the result of senseless violence. Their families have mourned the loss of loved ones and cared for those injured.

He added that the people in Jericho, hearing about the Tucson events, asked him how to prevent such acts of violence.

“I wish I knew the answer,” he wrote. “But as the world continues to seek an answer to that question we can, each in our own way, strive to respect others, speak with civility, try to understand one another and to find healthy ways to resolve our conflicts.

“But right now it is important as a community to pull together and to reach out in care and concern to all who have been affected by this tragedy,” he added.

Diocese of Fall River TV Mass on WLNE Channel 6 Sunday, January 16 at 11:00 a.m.

Celebrant is Father Jay Mello, a parochial vicar at St. Patrick’s Parish in Falmouth

January 14, 2011

The Anchor

Program sends missionary families to nontraditional places

DENVER (CNS) — Marco and Monica Tesei consider themselves a normal couple: married for 18 years; three children, ages 16, 14 and 11; living in a peaceful family neighborhood in Denver. The unusual thing about them is that the family left their home in Rome five years ago to serve as missionaries in the Archdiocese of Denver.

They’re part of the Neocatechumenal Way, a parish-based faith formation program that has sent hundreds of missionary families around the world over the past 30 years to be a Christian presence by living a life of service, simplicity and poverty.

Monica Tesei describes it as a fulfilling way of life. “When you experience missionary work, you become closer to the Lord,” she said “It’s a way to meet him strongly.”

In 1988, Pope John Paul II started a tradition of blessing such families and their mission to evangelize when he celebrated Mass with 100 families of the Neocatechumenal Way in Porto San Giorgio, Italy, and sent them across the globe.

Precedents for this evangelical mission can be found in the early Church: The New Testament tells of the family of Aquila and Priscilla, who collaborated with St. Paul in his evangelization efforts. During the ministry of the Benedictines in the Middle Ages, monks were accompanied by groups of Christian families; and in North America, Franciscan Father Junipero Serra’s California missionaries included Christian families who helped the priests.

Rose Mary McLeod, who, with husband Don, is responsible for the Neocatechumenal Way in Colorado, said about 300 missionary families were sent worldwide last year, another 250-300 are expected this year.

“Mission families are going ‘like crazy,’” she said. “There are a lot of requests (from bishops).”

The Denver Archdiocese has four missionary families: two from Italy and two from Spain. The Teseis are assigned to Denver’s Redemptoris Mater Archdiocesan Missionary Seminary; and the others to St. James Parish in Denver, St. John the Baptist in Johnstown and St. Theresa in Frederick. Three Colorado families recently left to serve in Alaska, Taiwan and Australia.

Missionary families are sent to

“announce the Gospel,” they say. How that is accomplished varies. In addition to volunteer positions in parishes, seminaries and Catholic schools, the families assist with marriage preparation, catechesis, Religious Education and even labor such as janitorial work when necessary.

“They do whatever is needed; they’re there to serve,” McLeod said.

Marco Tesei, an accountant in Italy, and his wife, a former flight attendant, volunteer at the seminary, where he helps the administration.

“I’m happy to give my help to the seminary because it’s where priests are formed to do this mission,” Monica Tesei said.

The Teseis, parishioners of St. Thomas More in Centennial, also conduct marriage preparation in English and Spanish at various parishes, assist at the seminary’s vocational center and present catechesis at parishes.

Marco Tesei said the family’s transition to missionary life happened fast.

They first felt a call to the work in 2004.

In May 2005, the couple attended a retreat in Porto San Giorgio and the following January the family received a missionary crucifix and an apostolic blessing for their journey from Pope Benedict XVI. A month later, they said goodbye to family and friends, leaving what they called a “very beautiful life in Rome.”

“We left good jobs, our families, good schools — it was difficult, but that’s part of it,” Monica Tesei said. “We saw that the Lord is faithful. The Bible says ‘you will find a hundredfold if you leave something good for the Lord’ and that was true for us.”

“We had a beautiful welcome here,” she added. “People are very generous.”

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Study: Most teen-agers live in broken homes continued from page one

the rule, for young Americans,” the report states.

In 2008, only 5.8 million teen-agers aged 15-17 were living with their married birth parents. Another seven million lived with a single parent, parent and stepparent, cohabitating parents or neither parent (either because they had been adopted, were in foster care or a group home or lived on their own).

Massachusetts is one of only 10 states where a majority of teen-agers have grown up in intact families. With 54 percent of its young people living with both parents, the Commonwealth ranked seventh out of the 50 states. Middlesex County is second in the nation to New York’s Nassau County with 63

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percent of adolescents living with their married birth parents.

“Large counties with the highest proportion of teen-agers living in intact families are predominantly suburban counties with relatively well-educated and affluent populations and have relatively low proportions of families from nonAsian minority backgrounds,” the report says.

New England states fared well with New Hampshire ranking second and every state but Rhode Island in the top half.

The northeast was the only region where most young people lived with both parents.

“The south — mistakenly thought of as the most traditionbound region of the country —

has the least family-friendly environment for children. In the majority of southern states, less than 40 percent of teenagers live with both married parents. In some states, such as Mississippi (32 percent) and Louisiana (34 percent), only one-third of children enter adulthood from an intact family,” the report said.

The FRC report uses data from the Census Bureau’s American Community Survey in 2008.

That was the first year the survey gathered complete data about family relationships — parent’s marital history and detailed parent-child relationships. The FRC plans to release a new report each year and will be able to go into greater detail as the amount of data increases over time.

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January 14, 2011 The index found that parents’ age, education, employment and race related to family stability. More educated parents were more likely to be employed, have children at later ages and have higher socioeconomic status.

The index found a dramatic variation across racial and ethnic groups. While the majority of Asian-American (62 percent) and white teen-agers (54 percent) lived with both parents, a minority of multiracial (41 percent), Hispanic (40 percent), American Indian and Alaskan Native (24 percent) and African-American (17 percent) teen-agers had the same experience.

“These numbers cry out for reform, not just for those at the bottom of the index but even for those at the top. The Rejection Ratio among Asian-Americans, the highest ranking ethnic

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group, is now higher than what was the percent of out-of-wedlock births in the Black Family back in 1965,” the report says.

The FRC index cites a 1965 report issued by Daniel Patrick Moynihan who believed that without access to jobs and the means to support a family, black men would become alienated from their families as well as their roles as husbands and fathers. He predicated that this would cause a great increase in divorce, abandonment and outof-wedlock births, which would result in high rates of poverty, low educational outcomes and increased rates of abuse.

“Unfortunately, Moynihan was largely ignored, and two generations later, the consequences of out-of-wedlock births for Black Americans are deeper and more widespread than ever. This tragedy will continue, for the problems compound with each generation,” the report states.

Patricia Doherty, executive director of Catholic Citizenship, told The Anchor that the information contained in the index proved the late Pope John Paul II to be a prophet once again. In his 1981 apostolic exhortation Familiaris Consortio: On the Christian Family in the Modern World, he wrote, “As the family goes, so goes the nation and so goes the whole world in which we live.”

“In 1994, he said that the family was under attack. It is clear that we are losing the war with numbers such as these,” Doherty added.

Claire McManus, director of Faith Formation for the Fall River Diocese, told The Anchor that through Religious Education the Church encounters many children whose parents are not together.

“This is something parishes have been dealing with for a long time,” she said.

The Index’s solution to the problem is to reform the relationship between men and women.

Those reforms would need to be led by churches, one of the “prime shapers of relationships.”

“Rejection on the scale we now have is a problem new to America and to the world, and new strategies and new forms of leadership are needed to respond to this challenge. Without this change — the restoration of the husband-wife relationship — all other attempts at reform are essentially built on social sand and will collapse over time, for want of a foundation,” the Index said. “American men and women need to learn anew how to belong to each other, so that they can not only beget but also raise the next generation together.”

January 14, 2011

Students heed the cry for the sanctity of life continued from page one

Diocese participating, including Bishop Feehan student Julia into a solid thought, said Tirrell, this year’s ticket-only event at Murphy during last year’s event. that God’s love comes through the Verizon Center where three “God wants us to respect every and brings the point home. schools were able to acquire living thing. We need to stand up “You can’t impose that on tickets. for those who cannot stand up someone,” she said. “You have “It has really grown and de- for themselves. God has a plan to let them live it.” veloped” over the last several for everyone; by aborting babies, For Tarantelli, her moment years said Amanda Tarantelli, we are interrupting God’s plans.” came during last year’s bus ride co-campus ministry direchome.

“God wants us to respect every “Two of my students tor at Bishop Stang High School in North Dart- living thing. We need to stand up leaned over, and we were mouth. for those who cannot stand up for just finishing a movie, and All of the Catholic high they turned to me and said, schools encourage their themselves. God has a plan for ev- ‘We would really like to students to write journals of eryone; by aborting babies, we are pray the rosary right now. their experiences while at interrupting God’s plans.”

Would you mind if we the event, something Tirrell lead it?’” recalled Taransaid helps students apprecitelli. “And I was like, ‘Do ate and understand the message “I am now 100 percent Pro- I mind? No, that would be wonon a more literal basis.

Life and I completely disagree derful.’ To see them take on the “The most important piece with abortion,” wrote fellow responsibility to pray the rosary that I feel a child should make Bishop Feehan student Katie for the end of abortion, and to clear in their mind is that the Barrera. “I hope one day abor- be the ones to lead it and to put spirit of God is present from the tion will end and be against the themselves out there, was just moment of conception,” said law. Today we have many, many an inspiring moment.”

Tirrell. “That it’s not anything unborn angels watching over us From booking hotels and vague in their mind, but that to help us get it right.” buses to creating name tags for God is there and it’s a blackIt’s when the students begin all involved, Tarantelli gives a and-white issue. With that being to put the message together and lot of credit to the overwhelmsaid, also show love for yourself by not harming yourself in that way. The mother is so psychologically, spiritually and emotionally traumatized who has had an abortion.”

This year Tirrell is taking that journaling to a different level by pairing up students to read 10 selected passages from Scripture.

“For the whole trip, every few hours they are going to stop and read a passage,” explained Tirrell. “Then they will rewrite it in their own words what it meant to them, and then reflect on what they are viewing in front of them.”

Often when students share what they wrote, said Tarantelli, the chaperones are taken aback at the depth of feeling by the student.

“More than once,” said Tarantelli, “they come out with things that are like, wow. And you’re like, ‘I didn’t even get that deep into it.’”

“Every life is a gift from God, and every person is a person no matter how small,” wrote

Marian Medal awards presentation on video

FALL RIVER — The 2010 Marian Medals Awards Ceremony is now available on DVD from the Diocesan Office of Communications. The DVD cost is $24.95. To obtain one, please forward a check in that amount payable to the Diocesan Office of Communications, Diocese of Fall River, PO Box 7, Fall River, Mass.

02722. Shipping is included in the video cost.

15

The Anchor ing logistics of organizing the trip to the Pro-Life Apostolate of the Diocese of Fall River.

And with almost 100 students and chaperones attending just from Bishop Stang, Tarantelli knows the Pro-Life message won’t stay in Washington D.C. “There are tens of thousands of people all praying for the same thing,” she said. “Yes,

we’re called to stand up for what we believe in and ask our government to change its policies but we do that not only with the March in D.C., we start it with prayer. I think that for the students, what we’re doing is rooted in prayer and in Christ.

Then from there, let’s see what we can do and what changes we can make.”

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16

Youth Pages

watching over their brothers and sisters — In 2004, St. Mary’s School in Taunton became privileged supporters of the My Brother’s Keeper community. The students and families select stars from the Giving Tree located in the foyer of the school and purchase whatever gift is described on the star. “The generosity of our children and families knows no limits. The gifts literally pour out from underneath the tree. Our children truly are the ‘hands of God’” said Jim Orcutt, co-founder of My Brother’s Keeper. Pictured is a box truck full of presents donated by St. Mary’s students and families ready to grant a child’s Christmas dream.

January 14, 2011

it’s better to give — Grade-three students from St. Pius X School in South Yarmouth, Gillian Arden and Lily Morrice, place gifts on the Giving Tree to benefit Katelynn’s Closet.

In last week’s Anchor, the Faith Formation and Youth Ministry students delivering poinsettias were incorrectly identified as being from St. John the Evangelist Parish in Attleboro. It was in fact in Pocasset.

mercy shall be theirs — Mercy Sisters Bernadetta Ryan, Rosemary Laliberte, and Elaine Marchand, employees at St. Vincent’s Home in Fall River, are pleased with their order’s recent funding of the home.

St. Vincent’s Home receives funding from Sisters of Mercy

telling it like it is — Recently Jason Evert, nationally-acclaimed Catholic speaker to teens on chastity, spoke to the student body at Bishop Feehan High School in Attleboro.

Evert pulled no punches as he called the students to be holy. He talked about chastity and purity and how it can work through difficult, daily situations in a culture that promotes worldly values, influences, and priorities as opposed to a lifestyle of faith, fortitude, and virtue.

His down-to-earth manner and comedic temperament enabled him to relate to students.

Director of campus ministry, Carla Tirrell commented, “Students approached me and said, ‘Today was a day that changed our lives forever.’” One Feehan parent commented, “Wow! My son and daughter came home the other night and spoke nonstop about the experience. They thoroughly enjoyed Jason’s stories, but more importantly they came away with some terrific perspective on love, marriage, chastity and commitment. From our family’s viewpoint, it was a resounding success.” Shown are Evert flanked by campus ministry members Lindsey Chou (left), Delaney McHugo, and Tirrell.

FALL RIVER — The Northeast Mercy Ministry Fund Council of the Sisters of Mercy of the Americas has awarded St. Vincent’s Life Skills Program a grant in the amount of $15,000. The Life Skills program provides youth who transition to independent living and young adulthood with opportunities to learn the necessary skills to live independently, complete their education or GED, and engage in specific school-to-work experiences. Youth participate in an assessment of interests to better identify training in specific job-related skills.

They receive job and career development coaching and learn valuable employment skills at work-based learning sites on St. Vincent’s Fall River campus and throughout the community. Youth are encouraged to establish meaningful, sustained connections with supportive adults and community groups in order to have a more successful transition to independent living. The grant award received from the Northeast Mercy Ministry Fund Council of the Sisters of Mercy will be used to provide the youth with vocational stipends for work completed at work-based learning sites within the community.

Youth Pages

January 14, 2011

I

was a bit flabbergasted recently while listening to and watching several TV shows. My wife was watching Oprah and I overheard a discussion about virginity. On the show several young woman of age 30 or so were bemoaning the fact that they were still virgins. They wanted help to “rectify” the situation.

Earlier this season, I was watching “Grey’s Anatomy,” and in this particular episode, everyone was making fun of a young 30-ish-year-old doctor because she was still a virgin.

What the heck is going on?

Not so long ago, someone who was sexually active would never have announced that fact.

There may have even been some shame in doing so. Recall the shame experienced by Adam and Eve when they first sinned. Today, a shamelessness seems to be shouted from the highest mountaintop, “The Oprah Show” as it were and the person who has abstained from sexual activity is ridiculed.

Something is just not right.

Young people have always been bombarded with sexual messages but it seems to be getting out of hand. Maybe I’m

What the heck is going on?

just an old guy who wishes being ‘spoken.’” things could be the way they Sexual union has a wellwere, but I think even young recognized meaning; it means people have to be somewhat “I find you attractive”; “I care put-off by the constant messag- for you”; “ I will try to work es they are receiving, especially for your happiness”; “I wish to in this regard. have a deep bond with you.”

Why are we allowing such Some who engage in sexual messages to reach you? What intercourse do not mean these are we doing as parents to get our own message across to you? If you do not hear it from us, you may get the wrong message. So here is the message — as straightBy Frank Lucca forward as I can give it to you.

Is there anyone out there who does not know the things with their actions; they Church’s position? Simply stat- wish simply to use another for ed: sexual union is to only take their own sexual pleasure. They place within marriage, which is have lied with their bodies the complete union of husband in the same way as someone and wife, spiritually, menlies who says “I love you” to tally and physically into one another simply for the purposes flesh. Pope John Paul II said of obtaining some favor from in his general audiences on the him or her.

“Theology of the Body,” that OK, so you say, “That’s just “Bodily actions have meanings some religious mumbo jumbo. much as words do and that unWhy should anyone else care less we intend those meanings what I do with my body? It is with our actions we should not mine after all and I have free perform them any more than we will.” Well, I’m glad you got should speak words we don’t the “free will” concept down mean. In both cases, lies are from your Religious Educa-

Be Not Afraid

Catholic Extension funds training for military seminarians, lay leaders

CHICAGO (CNS) — The Catholic Church Extension Society has awarded $125,000 to help the U.S. Archdiocese for the Military Services identify and promote vocations to the priesthood among active-duty Catholics in the U.S. armed forces.

The funds will support the archdiocese’s co-sponsored seminarian program, through which men in the military who are exploring a vocation to the priesthood are co-sponsored in their seminary training by the military archdiocese and their civilian home diocese.

Upon ordination, the priest provides three years of pastoral service to his civilian diocese before returning to serve on active duty in the armed forces as a military chaplain.

The co-sponsorship program, begun in 2008, has quadrupled the number of participating seminarians from seven to 28 in just two years.

“These brave military members have already demonstrated attributes of honor, self-discipline, obedience and valor, which are fundamental for the priesthood,” said Father John McLaughlin, vocations director for the military archdiocese.

“Catholic Extension’s funds will make it possible for us to continue promoting priestly vocations from within this incredible group of dedicated men,” he added.

Catholic Extension awards more than 1,000 grants each year to poor and

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isolated communities across the United States and its territories.

Also announced recently by the Chicago-based organization was the next grant from the Sister Marguerite Bartz Fund, created in April 2010 to honor Sister Marguerite, who was murdered in November 2009 in her home on the Navajo reservation.

The $20,000 grant went to the Dominican Faithweavers program, led by two Dominican Sisters in the Diocese of Owensboro, Ky., to help develop leaders among Catholics in dozens of communities across western Kentucky by providing onsite services to the most understaffed parishes.

Led by Dominican Sisters Georgia Acker and Geraldine Hoye, the program fills a gap in professional support by traveling to local parishes to provide classes for Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults, spiritual retreats and evenings of reflection and the training of liturgical ministers, catechists for children and youth, and lay ministers.

Father Jack Wall, president of Catholic Extension, said the effective training of lay leaders is crucial to the future of the U.S. Catholic Church.

“As we witness so often with women religious in this country, Sister Georgia and Sister Geraldine have seen a pressing need in their diocese and taken it upon themselves to creatively and energetically fill this need,” Father Wall added.

tion class, but please let me share another thought that may bring this all home for you in a way that perhaps we didn’t get across in those same classes or at home.

My good friend, Paul, gave an interesting example in a talk during one of my classes last semester. If you go into a grocery store and want to choose a good apple, you can pick it up and you can look at it. You would be pretty upset if the person in front of me starting taking bites out of apples and putting them back in order to see if they taste good.

Having sex before marriage is like taking a bite out of the apple before committing to buying it. Often it means leaving it for the next person. When you have sex with someone before marriage, it is quite likely you are having sex with someone else’s future wife or husband. Think about it.

I surely don’t think that what you’ve read here may answer all of your questions or concerns about premarital sex or move you toward waiting for marriage. I haven’t even

skimmed the surface of the discussion. There is so much more to know and think about.

We haven’t touched on disease transmittal or statistics on premarital sex, cohabitation, and divorce. My only hope is that you will take the time to think about this. Don’t just take my word for it: Talk to your parents or someone who understands the Church’s teachings on this.

Someone who can give you the complete picture. Someone who can tell you what God wants for you and expects from you.

Only then will you have all of the information to make the right decision, the decision God is calling you to make. Give it some thought now before you need to make that decision. Before hormones are raging and there is no turning back.

This is too important a choice to leave to the advice of a movie or book or magazine or Oprah.

Frank Lucca is a youth minister at St. Dominic’s Parish in Swansea. He is chair and director of the YES! Retreat and director of the Christian Leadership Institute (CLI). He is a husband and a father of two daughters.

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The Anchor

Cape nurse appointed to Vatican council continued from page one

The tasks of the council are to, according to the letter, “stimulate and promote the work of formation, study and action carried out by the diverse Catholic International Organizations in the health care field as well as other groups and associations which work in this sector, or on different levels and in different ways.”

“When the bishop called, I hadn’t yet received any information on the council so I looked it up on the Internet,” said Meehan.

“The tasks are many. Other duties of the committee include: numerous meetings; relations with the bishops’ conferences and healthcare bodies; pastoral visits or visits involving representation of the dicastery (international sphere); the organization of an annual international conference on a topical subject connected with questions and issues related to the healthcare world; and the organization of various conferences and seminars in large measure on subjects connected with pastoral care and health.”

Meehan said the position, which is a renewable five-year commitment, “won’t add that much of a burden. I’ve always found the time and room for the nursing profession at this level. It’s definitely God’s will and he’s always been at my side, pushing me forward, and he’ll get me through this.”

A “humbled” Meehan is pleased to be named to the Council because, “nurses don’t get much publicity or accolades as representatives of the sanctity of life.

It’s good to get the word out about nurses.”

Meehan had no idea the appointment was in the works. “I had met several times recently with Archbishop Zigmunt Zimowski, the president of the Pontifcal Council for Health Care Ministry, and he gave me no indication,” she

said. “But since I had the surprise phone call from Bishop Coleman, I received a nice congratulatory letter from Archbishop Zimowski.”

As she awaits more information from the Apostolic Nuncio, Meehan reflected, “This is such a privilege to be doing God’s work on this level. It’s a humbling situation to be in.

“People do not attain things like this without the presence of a wonderful family. I came from a wonderful family, I have a wonderful family today, and I have a wonderful extended family with my fellow nurses and those with whom I work.”

Throughout her nearly 50 years in the nursing field, Meehan has had an impressive array of experience. After receiving her degree as a registered nurse, she served 20 years at Cape Cod Hospital and 10 as an instructor at Fisher College’s Hyannis campus.

She has served on numerous committees and has attended scores of symposiums and conferences dealing with the many problems facing Catholic nurses and the Church in the world.

She became a member of CICIAMS, which began in 1933.

The mission of the organization is to unite Catholic nurses in promoting their technical skills in accordance with Christian principles; cooperate in the development of nursing and other medico-social issues; and be witnesses of Christian values in international agencies. CICIAMS requires Catholic nurses to bee seen in promoting a Christian, moral approach to care.

Meehan told The Anchor that after a whirlwind 2010, she stepped back this Advent and Christmas seasons to “catch her breath.” It was a wise choice, because a busy 2011 is on the horizon for Marylee Meehan.

January 14, 2011

New pastors named for Buzzards Bay, New Bedford parishes

continued from page one Holy Family Parish in Amesbury in 2008 until being reassigned to Our Lady of Perpetual Help last month.

Having been in charge of a variety of parishes before, Father Salach said he plans to take things slow at first so that he and his new parishioners can get acquainted.

“My past experiences as pastor have shown me that the most important thing, first of all, is to get to know the people and for the people to get to know the pastor,” Father Salach said. “I believe very much in collaboration and I think it’s essential to the health of the parish. I look forward to working together with them.”

Although this is his first pastorate, Father Washburn is somewhat familiar with St. Margaret’s Parish, having grown up in New Bedford.

“This is my first time as pastor and I’m thrilled that it’s in my home diocese,” Father Washburn said. “It really feels like a homecoming and it’s great to be able to serve and minister back to the diocese that gave me so much. I grew up here, I was catechized here, and I received all my sacraments here, so it’s good to be back and close to home.”

The proud product of a Catholic education, Father Washburn graduated from St. Francis Xavier School in Acushnet, where he was first introduced to religious life through the Sacred Hearts Fathers and Dominican Sisters.

Other influences include his aunt, Maureen Mitchell, who is a Sister of Mercy, and his uncle, Tim Mitchell, who serves as a secular Franciscan.

“I think really that’s what led me to religious life,” he said. “I had all these great examples to follow, so it was just very natural

for me to go into religious life.”

Calling his vocation something that was “fast and furious,” Father Washburn originally worked as a journalist and investigative reporter with The Chronicle in Dartmouth, The Standard-Times in New Bedford, and the The Taunton Daily Gazette. It was while working at the latter newspaper that he sensed a calling that led him to join the Franciscans in 1991.

“On a particular Saturday night I just felt this tremendous desire to go to church, which I did the next day,” Father Washburn said. “That’s when this growing feeling began that God was calling me to something else: to serve him with all of my life. I was 21 at the time.”

Father Washburn credits diocesan priests like Father Edward Correia, who was then pastor of St. James Parish in New Bedford, and Father Mark Hession, pastor of St. Mary’s Parish in New Bedford at the time, with helping him discern his vocation.

“Father Correia was so supportive of my vocation,” he said.

“He’s been a model priest for me. To be half the priest he is would be a success. And Father Hession was my first spiritual director and was very important in discerning my vocation.”

Ordained a priest in 2000, Father Washburn previously served for eight years as associate pastor and coordinator of youth ministry at a parish in Derry, N.H., and has been the vocations director for his province for the past two years.

But he’s excited by the challenge of taking on his first pastorate in his home diocese and shares Father Salach’s philosophy.

“Something I have heard from many wise and learned pastors is: ‘Don’t change anything but your

This week in 50 years ago — Seven parishes in the diocese received the decree of canonical establishment of Confraternity of Christian Doctrine: St. Anthony, Mattapoisett; St. Joseph, Taunton; Our Lady of Mount Carmel, New Bedford; Holy Trinity, West Harwich; St. Joseph, Fairhaven; St. James, New Bedford and St. Patrick, Wareham.

25 years ago — The Greater New Bedford chapter of Massachusetts Citizens for Life sponsored a March for Life at Old New Bedford High School at County and William streets, followed by a rally at the old high school auditorium.

socks for the first year,’” he said.

“So my plan is to follow that advice well. My initial goal is just to get to know the community and for the community to know me. The parish itself is very active and there are a lot of great volunteers, so for now it’s just a matter of us getting to know one another.”

In an effort to offset the ongoing shortage of priests in the diocese, both parishes have greatly benefited from the assistance of the Franciscan orders.

“A number of years ago, Our Lady of Perpetual Help Parish was given over to the care of the Franciscan Friars of the St. Anthony of Padua Province here in the United States,” Father Salach explained. “Our minister provincial, Very Reverend James McCurry, OFM Conv., proposes a friar to Bishop George W. Coleman and he makes the determination to assign or not to assign the friar to the ministry in question.”

Perhaps in keeping with St. Francis’ love of animals, it’s not surprising that both priests will also be bringing along their own four-legged “assistant pastors” with them to their new assignments. Father Salach’s companion is a black miniature poodle named Abby, while Father Washburn’s faithful counterpart is a black Labrador named Bubba.

Both are expected to be familiar fixtures at their new rectories.

And, of course, Father Salach is looking forward to enjoying some delicious pierogies and golumpkis at his new parish’s annual Polish festival.

Meanwhile, Father Washburn is relishing his return to the Fall River Diocese.

“I’m not sure how long I’ll be here, but my mother keeps telling me I’m not going anywhere,” he said.

Diocesan history

10 years ago — Kevin A. Cook and David C. Frederici were ordained transitional deacons by Bishop Sean P. O’Malley, OFM Cap., in ceremonies at Holy Trinity Parish in Fall River. Fathers Cook and Frederici would be ordained as priests the following June.

One year ago — Father Hugo Cardenas, IVE, pastor of St. Kilian’s Parish in New Bedford, filed an incident report with the New Bedford Police Department after discovering graffiti spray-painted on the church building and two broken windows in the adjacent rectory.

The Anchor

January 14, 2011

Holy Cross Father James Boyle, C.S.C.

NEW BEDFORD — Father James F. Boyle, C.S.C., 79, died peacefully at Sacred Heart Home, New Bedford on December 29 following a battle with cancer.

He was born on Dec. 31, 1930 in Wilkes-Barre, Penn., the son of James and Anna (Bonner) Boyle. He entered the Eastern Province of the Congregation of Holy Cross in 1948 at Stonehill College in North Easton, where he completed a B.A. in philosophy. He made his Novitiate in North Dartmouth and professed first vows on Aug. 16, 1951.

He studied theology from 1953 to 1957 at Holy Cross College at the Catholic University of America in Washington, D.C. He professed final vows on Aug. 16, 1954 and was ordained to the priesthood on June 6, 1957.

Father Boyle taught at Notre

Dame High School in Bridgeport, Conn. from 1957 to 1960 and was awarded an M.A. in French from Fordham University in 1961. From 1961 to 1969 he served at King’s College in Wilkes-Barre, Penn. as a faculty member in the French Department, moderator of athletics and religious superior. Father Boyle served Father James F. as a chaplain Boyle, C.S.C. in the United States Air Force for 23 years, retiring in 1992 with the rank of colonel.

He served at bases in Europe, Asia and the United States.

Upon retiring from the Air Force, Father Boyle was named

pastor of St. John the Evangelist Parish in Wilkes-Barre, Penn.

From 1994 to 2007 he served as pastor of St. Casmir’s Parish in the Lynwood section of WilkesBarre and was named pastor emeritus upon his retirement. He resided at the Holy Cross Community Residence in North Dartmouth until his recent illness.

Father Boyle is survived by his sister, Ann Moffitt of Somerdale, N.J. and many nephews and nieces. He was predeceased by his sibling Arline (Boyle) O’Neill and Peg (Boyle) Sheppard.

A Mass of Christian Burial was celebrated at the Chapel of Mary on January 4 with burial following at Holy Cross Cemetery on the Stonehill College campus. A memorial Mass for Father Boyle will be celebrated in Wilkes-Barre at a later date.

Assonet parish to hold Pro-Life Mass and Day of Prayer January 22

ASSONET — In prayerful remembrance of the U.S. Supreme Court’s decision to legalize abortion, the Pro- Life Committee of St. Bernard’s Parish in Assonet will hold a Day of Prayer January 22, which is the 38th anniversary of the court’s ruling.

The day will begin with a 9 a.m. Mass for Peace and Justice. Exposition of the Blessed Sacrament will conclude the Mass and will continue all day until 3:30 p.m. when the rosary

In Your Prayers Please pray for these priests during the coming weeks Jan. 15 Rev. Thomas F. Kennedy, Retired Pastor, St. Joseph, Woods Hole, 1948 Rev. Vincent Marchildon, O.P., Director, St. Anne Shrine, Fall River, 1972 Rev. Msgr. John E. Boyd, Retired Pastor, St. Patrick, Wareham, 1977 Rev. Harold A. Whelan Jr., SS.CC., Ph. D., 1997 Jan. 17 Rev. John F. Laughlin, Retired Pastor, Holy Ghost, Attleboro, 1967 Rev. Daniel J. McCarthy, SS.CC., Former Provincial Superior, Retired Pastor, Holy Redeemer, Chatham, 2002 Jan. 19 Rev. Thomas E. O’Dea, Assistant, St. Lawrence, New Bedford, 1999 Jan. 20 Rev. Roland J. Masse, Assistant, Notre Dame de Lourdes, Fall River, 1952 January 21 Rev. Msgr. Henri A. Hamel, USAF, Retired Chaplain, Retired Pastor, St. Joseph, New Bedford, 1983 Deacon John Cwiekowski, 2001

and Benediction of the Blessed Sacrament will be held. This is an opportunity for Catholics who cannot make the trip to Washington, D.C. to come together on a local basis to take

time to pray for the precious gift of life.

St. Bernard’s Parish is located at 30 South Main Street in Assonet. For information or directions call 508-644-5585.

Around the Diocese 1/20

A Healing Mass will be held at St. Anne’s Church, 818 Middle Street, Fall River on January 20 at 6:30 p.m. preceded by the rosary at 6 p.m. and followed by Benediction and healing prayers after Mass.

1/23

The St. Mary’s Education Fund sixth annual winter brunch will be held January 23 at the Coonamessett Inn, 311 Gifford Street, Falmouth, beginning at noon. Proceeds will benefit the St. Mary’s Education Fund which provides need-based scholarships to children in need of financial assistance to attend one of the schools in the Diocese of Fall River. For more information call Jane Robin at 508-759-3566.

1/27

The Divorced and Separated Support Group will meet January 27 for a video presentation of “When Tempers Flare” at 7 p.m. in the parish center of St. Julie Billiart Parish, 494 Slocum Road, North Dartmouth. The presentation will be a guide on understanding and managing anger. For more information call 508-678-2828 or 508-9930589.

2/11

The Sacred Hearts Retreat Center in Wareham and Office of Faith Formation will sponsor a “Retreat for Men and the Boy Within” February 11-13, guided by Father Stan Kolasa, SS.CC., and Deacon Bruce Bonneau. Retreatants will arrive on February 11 at 6 p.m. and will depart on February 13 at 1 p.m. For more information email retreats@ sscc.org or call 508-295-0100.

2/26

Courage, a group for people dealing with same-sex attraction while trying to live chastely, will next meet on February 26 at 7 p.m. The group is faithful to the Catholic Church’s teaching on human sexuality. The meeting lasts about an hour and all are welcome. For location and more information call Father Richard Wilson at 508-992-9408.

4/3

The Holy Union Sisters invite all former students, faculty, colleagues and family members to join them to celebrate their 125th anniversary on April 3, beginning with a 10 a.m. Mass at St. Michael’s Parish, 189 Essex Street, Fall River, to be followed by a brunch at noon at Venus de Milo Restaurant, Swansea. For more information call Sister Eleanor MaNally at 508-674-1992, ext. 11 or visit www.holyunionsisters.org.

19 Eucharistic Adoration in the Diocese Acushnet — Eucharistic adoration takes place at St. Francis Xavier Parish on Mondays, Tuesdays, and Wednesdays 9:30 a.m. to 6:30 p.m.; Fridays 9:30 a.m. to 6 p.m.; and Saturdays 8 a.m. to 2:45 p.m. Mondays, Tuesdays, and Wednesdays end with Evening Prayer and Benediction at 6:30 p.m.; Saturdays end with Benediction at 2:45 p.m.

ATTLEBORO — St. Joseph Church holds eucharistic adoration in the Adoration Chapel located at the (south) side entrance at 208 South Main Street, Sunday through Thursday from 6 a.m. to midnight, with overnight adoration on Friday and Saturday only.

Brewster — Eucharistic adoration takes place in the La Salette Chapel in the lower level of Our Lady of the Cape Church, 468 Stony Brook Road, on First Fridays following the 11 a.m.

Mass until 7:45 a.m. on the First Saturday, concluding with Benediction and Mass.

Buzzards Bay — Eucharistic adoration takes place at St. Margaret Church, 141 Main Street, every first Friday after the 8 a.m. Mass and ending the following day before the 8 a.m.

Mass.

East Freetown — Eucharistic Adoration takes place at St. John Neumann Church every Monday (excluding legal holidays) 8 a.m. to 9 p.m. in the Our Lady, Mother of All Nations Chapel. (The base of the bell tower).

East Sandwich — Eucharistic Adoration takes place at the Corpus Christi Parish Adoration Chapel, 324 Quaker Meeting House Road, Monday through Saturday, 9:30 a.m. to 9 p.m. and Sunday, 12 p.m. to 9 p.m. Also, 24-hour eucharistic adoration takes place on the First Friday of every month with Benediction at 9 a.m. on Saturday morning.

EAST TAUNTON — Eucharistic adoration takes place First Fridays at Holy Family Church, 370 Middleboro Avenue, following the 8:30 a.m. Mass until Benediction at 8 p.m.

FAIRHAVEN — St. Mary’s Church, Main St., has eucharistic adoration every Wednesday from 8:30 a.m. to noon in the Chapel of Reconciliation, with Benediction at noon.

Also, there is a First Friday Mass each month at 7 p.m., followed by a Holy Hour with eucharistic adoration. Refreshments follow.

FALL RIVER — St. Anthony of the Desert Church, 300 North Eastern Avenue, has eucharistic adoration Mondays and Tuesdays from 9 a.m. to 7 p.m.

FALL RIVER — Holy Name Church, 709 Hanover Street, has eucharistic adoration Monday through Friday from 7:30 a.m. to 9 p.m. in the Our Lady of Grace Chapel.

FALL RIVER — Good Shepherd Parish has eucharistic adoration every Friday following the 8 a.m. Mass until 6 p.m. in the Daily Mass Chapel. There is a bilingual Holy Hour in English and Portuguese from 5-6 p.m. Park behind the church and enter the back door of the connector between the church and the rectory.

Falmouth — St. Patrick’s Church has eucharistic adoration each First Friday, following the 9 a.m. Mass until Benediction at 4:30 p.m. The rosary is recited Monday through Friday from 8:30 a.m. to 9 a.m.

HYANNIS — A Holy Hour with eucharistic adoration will take place each First Friday at St. Francis Xavier Church, 21 Cross Street, beginning at 4 p.m.

MASHPEE — Christ the King Parish, Route 151 and Job’s Fishing Road has 8:30 a.m. Mass every First Friday with special intentions for Respect Life, followed by 24 hours of eucharistic adoration in the Chapel, concluding with Benediction Saturday morning followed immediately by an 8:30 Mass.

NEW BEDFORD — Eucharistic adoration takes place 7 to 9 p.m. Wednesdays at Our Lady of Guadalupe Church, 233 County Street, with night prayer and Benediction at 8:45 p.m., and confessions offered during the evening.

NEW BEDFORD — There is a daily holy hour from 5:15-6:15 p.m. Monday through Thursday at St. Anthony of Padua Church, 1359 Acushnet Avenue. It includes adoration of the Blessed Sacrament, Liturgy of the Hours, recitation of the rosary, and the opportunity for confession.

SEEKONK ­— Our Lady of Mt. Carmel Parish has eucharistic adoration seven days a week, 24 hours a day in the chapel at 984 Taunton Avenue. For information call 508-336-5549.

NORTH DIGHTON — Eucharistic adoration takes place every First Friday at St. Nicholas of Myra Church, 499 Spring Street following the 8 a.m. Mass, ending with Benediction at 6 p.m.

The rosary is recited Monday through Friday from 7:30 to 8 a.m.

OSTERVILLE — Eucharistic adoration takes place at Our Lady of the Assumption Church, 76 Wianno Avenue on First Fridays from 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m.; and every Friday from noon to 5 p.m., with Benediction at 5 p.m.

Taunton — Eucharistic adoration takes place every Tuesday at St. Anthony Church, 126 School Street, following the 8 a.m. Mass with prayers including the Chaplet of Divine Mercy for vocations, concluding at 6 p.m. with Chaplet of St. Anthony and Benediction. Recitation of the rosary for peace is prayed Monday through Saturday at 7:30 a.m. prior to the 8 a.m. Mass.

WAREHAM — Adoration with opportunities for private and formal prayer is offered on the First Friday of each month from 8:30 a.m. until 8 p.m. at St. Patrick’s Church, High Street.

The Prayer Schedule is as follows: 7:30 a.m. the rosary; 8 a.m. Mass; 8:30 a.m. exposition and Morning Prayer; 12 p.m. the Angelus; 3 p.m. Divine Mercy Chaplet; 5:30 p.m. Evening Prayer; 7 p.m. sacrament of confession; 8 p.m. Benediction.

WEST HARWICH — Our Lady of Life Perpetual Adoration Chapel at Holy Trinity Parish, 246 Main Street (Rte. 28), holds perpetual eucharistic adoration. We are a regional chapel serving all of the surrounding parishes. All from other parishes are invited to sign up to cover open hours. For open hours, or to sign up call 508-430-4716.

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

20

The Anchor

January 14, 2011

Bishop Tobin criticizes frenetic ‘gay marriage’ push in R.I.

Providence, R.I. (CNA) — Bishop Thomas J. Tobin of Providence is warning that the “frenetic rush” to recognize “gay marriage” in Rhode Island is morally wrong and that Gov. Lincoln Chafee and other state leaders are pushing the legislation without adequate debate.

On January 6, State Rep. Arthur Handy, a Democrat from Cranston, introduced his annual bill to recognize same-sex “marriage” in the state. Twenty-nine lawmakers co-signed the bill, including the openly homosexual House Speaker Gordon D. Fox. Sen. Rhoda Perry, a Democrat from Providence, introduced similar legislation in the state Senate.

The legislation has strong support in the House but has

poorer chances in the Senate, the Providence Journal reports.

Senate President M. Teresa Paiva Weed opposes the proposal.

The bill has been introduced eight times in recent years but has never been put to a vote even in the Senate Judiciary Committee.

Gov. Chafee, a former Republican who is now unaffiliated, supports same-sex “marriage.”

The proposal to redefine marriage is “an enormous decision with profound consequences,” Bishop Tobin said on January 7.

He added that it was “particularly disturbing” that Gov. Chafee contradicted his stated desire for unity by adopting “a very divisive agenda item as one of his first priorities.”

“His proposal violates the

sincere conscience of many of our citizens and inflames passions on both sides of the issue,” Bishop Tobin said.

The bishop reaffirmed Catholics’ respect for individuals with a homosexual orientation as “children of God and our brothers and sisters.”

However, he said Rhode Islanders must have the opportunity to vote on an issue “so basic to the social fabric of our community and the well-being of our families, especially our children.”

Rather than recognize “gay marriage,” he suggested, state leaders should work on job creation and economic improvement.

“The frenetic rush to legalize the marriage of homosexuals will accomplish none of the above,” he remarked.