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t eanc 0 VOL. 42, NO.6. Friday, February 6, 1998
FALL RIVER, MASS.
FALL RIVER DIOCESAN NEWSPAPER FOR SOUTHEAST MASSACHUSETTS CAPE COD & THE ISLANDS Southeastern Massachusetts' Largest Weekly
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$14 Per Year
The Catholic press: Leading the way computer and a modem and set up your own web site. Put together some newsletters and distribute them by fax or mail or in a shopping center. A lot of people are providing content (information) but few are providing context. Decades ago, the challenges of owning By CHRISTOPHI:R GUNTY and operating a television station or printing PRESIDENT, CATHOLIC PRESS ASSOCIATION press usually assured that great attention was paid to detail and accuracy. Now, in the inDorothy Gale had no problem following stantaneous world of satellite transmission the yellow brick road . . . and the Internet, accuas it led out of" racy often takes aback Munchkinland. But February is Catholic Press seat. when she arrived at an Month and this serves as a For more than a reminder for readers of The century, the Catholic intersection, she became confused. A Anchor that Subscription press in North straw-headed scareWeekend is Feb. 7 and 8. To America has provided stay abreast of all the issues information and incrow was no help. Indecisive, he finally that affect the Church and its sight. Standing on that tradition, members of recommended, "Some people do go both people and what's going on the Catholic Press Asways." in the diocese, read The An- sociation bring their These days, the choreach week.To subscribe expertise to this new choices you face in the or renew your sUbscription, information age in the media are even more call (508) 675-7151, Mondays hope of merging a confusing than that inthrough Fridays, 9 a.m.- 5 commitmentto inform tersection in Oz. A educate with cur.. p.m., or write, The Anchor, and hId h un d re d te IeV1SIon rent tec no ogy an channels to choose P.O. Box 7, Fall River MA media structures. from, video stores on 02722. While still reliant on every corner, magaprinted publications zine sections in grocery stores filled with magazines, books, newsletters and newspachoices, and the Internet providing gigabytes pers - as their primary format, Catholic pubof information at a keystroke. Some of the lications are embracing new technology, usmedia available are quality - well-made and ing computers to function more efficiently, worthwhile, uplifting and inspirational. But as well as to branch out into cyberspace pubthe vast majority may lead you astray. lishing, helping to bring the Church to a new Anyone can be a publisher today. Buy a Turn to page ii-Press
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PrOViding information and insight from a framework of faith has been the goal of Catholic newspapers for more than a century.
Nellie Gray marches to the pro-life drum •
March for Life chairman says work continues year round By MIKE GORDON ANCHOR STAFF
WASHINGTON, D.C.-Just how much work and planning go into organizing the annual March for Life in Washington, D.C.? Just ask Nellie Gray, founder and president of the March for Life Fund, whose tireless efforts have helped to complete successfully 25 marches on our nation's capital and you'll find that work does not end with the March in January and pick up 10 months later but is a year-round project. "It involves a great deal of planning, making contracts with hotels, that we just completed for next year, getting permits from the police in six jurisdictions, setting dates and right now we're also trying to wrap up this year's march," said Gray. "It's an around the clock project." The staff helping to organize the March is not very large, said Gray, but all are volunteers who donate their time to the cause. Gray has been involved in the March since its start in 1974 when three Long Island, New York
Knights of Columbus asked her if they could meet at her house to plan a gathering in Washington on the anniversary ofthe Roe vs. Wade decision that legalized abortion. "It started from there and I've been doing it ever since," said Gray. Two of thQse Knights of Columbus, Bill Devlin and John Mawn, are still actively involved in the March each year. The third, Jack Short, is deceased. When asked what keeps her going, the 73year-old Gray said "It's all the people I've met over the years who are involved and come forward to help save babies." Difficul. ties include tne fact that the issue she fights is a very depressing one. "It's a sad and heinous thing for America, and we've still a long way to go," declared Gray. She said the urgency of the issue and the large amount of work that has to get done motivate her. "We love God and our neighbor, but people don't always act that way. Americans need to stand· up and as an American I cannot understan'd other Americans letting this (abortion) happen," said Gray. She added that the March for Life is a small step in the fight to stop abortion and Tum to page ii-Gray
THE FACE OF NEWS-As the largest weekly newspaper in the Southeastern Massachusetts area, The Anchor since April 1957 has offered a Catholic population of approximately 400,000 in five counties news of the Church and events throughout the Fall River Diocese including activities in 112 parishes, schools and high schools. Here are some photographs recording events we reported in recent months.
Religious ed leaders told to welcome media By ANDREA BARAN CATHOLIC NEWS SERVICE
ERIE, Pa. - In an era when even kids' pets are electronic, a priest who produces videos for St. Anthony Messenger Press asked religious educators to welcome media into their classrooms. "We're raising people in a different way," said Franciscan Father Greg Friedman. "In religious education, we need to realize we're teaching people in a different (electronic) way. It means not being afraid of electronic media and culture." The priest, who is director of video projects for Cincinnati's St. Anthony Messenger Press and Franciscan Communications, spoke to religious education leaders of the Erie Diocese Jan. 22. In an interview with the Lake Shore Visitor, the diocesan newspaper, Father Friedman
said he enjoys meeting catechists who use videos in class. "These are the people who are dealing with my program at the very end," he said. "My purpose was to orient them how better to use religious media." Father Friedman has worked in communications as a writer, editor and producer. He has a master's degree from the Newhouse School of Communications at Syracuse University and a certificate in pastoral communications from the University of Dayton. "It's an exciting time for communicators," he said. "Communications in service of the church are so cruciaL" Although the electronic age brings expanded opportunities, he urged viewers of religious education videos or network television shows to use their discretion while viewing programs. Turn to page 1I-Leaders