02.07.97

VOL. 41, NO.6.

Friday, February 7, 1997

F ALL RIVER, MASS.

Southeastern Massachusetts' Largest Weekly

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Pope's 1997 Lenten Message VATICAN CITY (CNS) - Here is the Vatican's English text of Pope John Paul II's message for Lent 1997.

F ATHER RICHARD Gendreau (right), pastor of S1. Michael's parish in Swansea, stands with Deacon Thomas Prevost, ready to welcome any and all to join the celebration of the 75th anniversary of the parish. (Anchor/ Jolivet photo)

St. Michael's, Swansea, begins 75th anniversary celebration

By Dave Jolivet Anchor Staff Nestled quietly in the Ocean Grove area of Swansea is the parish of St. Michael. But don't lett he

tranquil surroundings fool you.

The parish, consisting of nearly 900 families, is an active, vibrant community of faith needing little prompting to get things done.

ST. MICHAEL'S Church, in the Ocean Grove area of Swansea, will be the site of many events during the 75th anniversary year. (Anchor/ Jolivet photo)

Among the many organizations there is a parish pastoral council with five unique subdivisions: liturgical, social, outreach, youth and education committees. There are also four separate youth groups: the Shepherds, for high school students; the Cross bearers, for junior high school students; the Little Angels, for grammar school children; and Precious Moments for pre-schoolers. This year, in addition to their normal responsibilities, parishioners are gearing up for the 75th anniversary of St. Michael's.

Father Richard Gendreau, pastor, speaks with pride of them.

"When I was in the hospital recently, the folks here did a wonderful job keeping things running smoothly. I am very fortunate to have them," he said.

The 75th anniversary Mass will take place on Oct. 26, celebrated

by Bishop Sean O'Malley, OFM, Cap. It will be followed by a dinner at the Venus de Milo Restaurant in Swansea. But before then many events are scheduled leading up to the Mass.

Festivities actually began on Epiphany Sunday at 4 p.m. Mass.

Approximately 100 CCD students and youth group members took part in the first liturgical and social event of the jubilee year. (See photo on Page 15) Many students were in costume, depicting the entire Nativity from angels and shepherds to Mary, Joseph and the Three Kings. Following the Mass was an international buffet for which members of the parish prepared meals from Europe, the Mediterranean, Asia and North Turn to Page Nine

Dear brothers and sisters.

I. The season of Lent recalls the 40 years spent by Israel in the desert while on its way to the promised land. During that time the people experienced what it meant to live in tents, without a fixed abode, totally lacking sccurity. How often they were temptcd to return to Egypt, where at least there was a supply of brcad even though it was the food of slaves. In thc insecurity of the desert, God himself provided water and food for his people, protccting them from every danger. Forthe Hebrews the experience of being totally dependent on God thus became the path to freedom from slavery and the idolatry of material things.

The Lenten season is meant to help believers, through a commitment to personal purification, to relive this same spiritual journey, by becoming more aware of poverty and of life's uncertainties and by rediscovering the providential presence of the Lord who invites

us to open our eyes to the needs of our brothers and sisters in need. In this way Lent also becomes a season of solidarity with individuals and peoples in so many parts of the world who find themselves in very difficult situations.

2. For Lent 1997, the first year of preparation for the great jubilee of the year 2000, I would like to pause and reflect on the tragic situation of the homeless. As a text for meditation I suggest the following words taken from Matthew's Gospel: "Come, 0 blessed of my Fathcr, for I was homeless and you took me in" (cf. 25:34-35). The home is the place of the family communion, where from the love of husband and wife children are born and learn how to live; in the home children learn those fundamental moral and spiritual values which will make thcm the citizens and Christians of tomorrow. In the home too, the elderly and the sick experience an atmosphere of closeness and affection and support, also in times of suffering and physical decline.

But how many people there are.

Turn to Page Nine

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OBITUARIES Sister Mary Eucharista Couple

Sister Mary Eucharista Coupe, M. M., the sister of two Attleboro nuns, died Feb. 2 in the Residential Care Unit at Maryknoll, NY. She was 91 yeats of age. sissippi floods its banks in the Born July 24, 1905, in Longridge, period drama, "William Faulkner's England, and baptized Mary Mon'Old Man,''' airing Sunday, Feb. 9, ica Coupe, she was one of ten 9-.11 p.m. EST on CBS. children of the late Alice Ann The "Hallmark Hall of Fame" Eastman and Herbert James presentation is basedon a Faulkner Coupe., The family moved to short story, with a screenplay by Cumberland, RI, where Mary Horton Foote.

Monica attended school.

It is 1927 and the bayous are She entered Maryknoll on Sepflooded by the "Old Man" - the tember 24, 1923, and received the Mississippi - and people need religious name, Sister Mary Eucharescuing. rista. She made her first profession The warden (Jerry Leggio) sends on April 30, 1926, at Maryknoll, a sly convict (Leo Burmester) and NY, and her final profession three a taciturn one named J.J. (Arliss yeaI;s later at Baguio, Philippines.

Howard) in a rowboat to get a In 1928, Sister Eucharista received woman stranded high up on a her teachers' certificate from Siscypress tree, ordering them to ters' College, Catholic University return when the mission is ac- . in Washington, D.C.,and later she complished. received a Bachelor of Education The first is only interested in degree from Marykoll Teachers' escaping and takes off; J.J. pro- College, NY, in 1948. She also ceeds until he finds Addie (Jeanne studied music at St. Scholastica's College in Manila and obtained an Tripplehorn) and is distur.bed to M.A. degree with a major in Engdiscover she is due to give birth any day.

A strong current washes them downstream. Hopelessly lost, they The Mass of Christian Burial drift and Addie, whose husband abandoned her, delivers a baby was offered Dec. 23, 1996, for Sister Beatrice Marie Laberge, OP, boy by the shore while J.J. hunts 86, a Dominican Sister of the food.

Presentation who died Dec. 20, Learning to trust one another, 1996. the pair come upon a friendly A Fall River native and the Cajun (Daro Latiolais) who speaks daughter of the late Adrien and no English but shares his shack on the late Modeste (Parent) Laberge, the bayou with them .. she entered the Dominican comW!len an unexpected chance at munity in 1929 in Tours, France, a fresh start in life presents itself, and remained in France until 1946, Addie declares her feelings for moving frequently from place to J.J" leaving him to decide what place during the' dangerous years course of action he must take in of World War II. their best interests.

Shot on location and hauntingly capturing the languid beauty of the bayous, the drama is stark and

By Maye Agama the dialogue is spare.

These are simple people: a LIMA, Peru (CNS) -Cardinal wronged woman with nowhere to Juan Landazuri Ricketts, former go and a failed thief with only his archbishop of Lima, was buried honor to hold onto - until he Jan. 19 in the cathedral of Lima saves her and starts caring for her next to the altar of St. Toribio de infant.

Mogrovejo.

The performances are models of The cardinal - who served 35 understatement and unsentimenyears, longer than any other archtality, withjust a flicker of changed bishop of Lima - died of cancer facial expressions to convey what Jan. 16 at age 83. a torrent of words is expected to Cardinal Augusto Vargas Alzado in the usual teleplay. mora of Lima presided at the fuAlthough the presence of a helpneral Mass, which was conceleless baby and a needy woman does brated by more than 50 bishops, revive the repressed humanity in including the papal nuncio, Archthe dour convict, some may find bishop Fortunato Baldelli, and his steely adherence to his goals more than 150 priests. downright unnerving.

Among those attending the Mass There's no faulting, however, were Peruvian President Alberto the highly atmospheric way in Fujimori, accompanied by memwhich the unusual tale unfolds, bers of his Cabinet; the president and how the Cajun-inspired music of the Peruvian congress, Victor track brings some welcome levity Joy Way; Mayor Alberto Andrade to the bittersweet story. of Lima; and the president of the A discreet post-childbirth scene Supreme Court, Raul Castillo. involving cutting the umbilical After the Mass, thousands of cord should not be too troublePeruvians from Lima and other some for older children.

With its themes of doing the cities around the country paid homage to Cardinal Landazuri as right thing and being compassionhis body passed by in procession ate, the drama stands nicely apart through Lima's central square. from routine TV movie fare.

Battalions from all Peruvian armed f~rces participated in the processIOn. Cardinal Landazuri's body was taken to the cathedral. He was buried in the chapel of St. Toribio de' Mogrovejo, since the cardinal was especially devoted to the saint, who was proclaimed patron saint of the Latin American bishops by Pope John Paul II in 1979.

Approximately ~O.people per minute had visited the cathedral to

lish from-St. John's University in Jamaica, NY, in 1959. In 1962, she spent the summer at Oxford, England, studying 17th Centu:iY literature and Art. For 36 years Sister Eucharista served in Asia, having lived in the Philippines and Hong Kong. She was evacuated from Chiml during World War II but later returned and ministered there' umil 1964 when she became dean of the Mary Rogers College, Ma:;yknoll, NY, until 1973. She spent the next 12 years as assistant coordinator of the senior c<,>mmunity at the Maryknoll Sisters Center. Retiring in 198~, she did parttime work until failing health required her' admission to the Residential Care Unit in 1994.

Sister Eucharista is survived by three sisters, Sister Magdale n Mary Coupe, RSN,and Sister Mary Olive Coupe, RSN, both of Attleboro, and Sister Ann Miriam Coupe, M.M. of Monrovia, Calif. . Funeral services were ~eldat the Maryknoll Sisters Center Feb. 5.

Sister Beatrice Laberge

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FEAST OF OUR LADY OF LOURDES BLESSING FOR HEALTH-

Saturday, Feb. 8 at 4:30 p.m. Mass Sunday, Feb. 9 at 12:10 p.m. Mass COFFEE HOUSE: IIELIJAHII Sat., Feb. 8 - 6:30 p.m. - Cafeteria HEALING SERVICE WITH MASS

Sunday, Feb. 9 at 2:00 p.m.

La Salette Prayer Group & Fr. Richard Delisle

GRIEF EDUCATION SERIES

Feb. 13, 27, Mar. 13 - 1:00 t~ 2:30 p.m.

Counseling Center Staff Pre-registration necessary - (508) 226-8220

LA SALETTE I DIVINE MERCY HOLY HOUR February Intention: For the Suffering Church Wednesdays at 7:15 p.m.

ASH WEDNESDAY - FEB. 12

Masses' with ashes at 12: 10, 4:00 & 6:30 p.m.

IICOME HOME, WE MISS YOU II

For those who feel separated from the Church Sundays (through Mar. 16) - 7:00p.m. --Theater Fr. Ernest Corriveau

On her return to Fall River, Sister Laberge worked in the laundry and linen rooms of St. Anne's Hospital until 1960 and tht:reafter supervised maintenance at St. Anne's School of Nursing until it closed in 1976.

She subsequently worked at Marian Manor in Taunton, also in its laundry and linen room:" retiring in 1990 to her community'S provincial house in Dighton.

She is survived by a sister, Beatrice Roe of Fresno, CA.

Cardinal was man of the poor' pay their respects to the Peruvian cardinal during a three-day vigil held in the Lima cathedral.

"Cardinal Juan was a gn:at pastor and a man especially devoted to the poor and to those who suffer," said Msgr. Sal.vador Pineiro, former vicar general of the Archdiocese of Lima and a close friend of the cardinal. He spoke Jan. 17 at a vigil.

Msgr. Pineiro, rector of the major seminary of St. Tor:.bio de Mogrovejo, said he remembered the Peruvian cardinal as "a man who gave his whole life to the service ofthe Gospel and who sympathized with all the problems of our nation."

"As cardinal, the Holy Father entrusted him with important tasks such as his participation in the evangelization synod in Rome and his active presence at the Latin American bishops' conference" held in Medellin in 1968, said Msgr. Pineiro.

Cardinal Landazuri aliio attended three other Latin i~meri­ can bishops' conferences and the Second Vatican Council. , The vicar general of Lirrla, retired Archbishop Fernando Vargas Ruiz de Somocurcio 01: Arequipa, said that "as Christia ns, we must accept God's plan. Let us pray for the eternal rest of a\ great pastor." .

Because'the funeral rites coincided with celebrations for the 462nd anniversary of the <:apital city of Lima, the celebrations were canceled, and the Peruvian g,)vernment declared Jan. 19 a national day of mourning. .

Students endeavor to help create scholarship funds James Gibney, Superintendent of Schools for the Fall River Public Schools and James McNamee, Superintendent of Schools for the Diocese of Fall River an: co-chairs for this year's Americ~m Dream Scholarship Program. This scholarship, administered by the American Dream Challenge, is designed to encourage students to see the value of education and enable them to emulate the values and principles of local honorees such as Bishop Sean O'Malley, Fall River Mayor Edward Lambert and other notable local personalities who value educatiolll.

Both Gibney and McNamee endorse the program because of its commitment to better the child and the community. "Keeping chil-

dren interested in learning and committed to excellence is the best tool we have to combat the problems of drug abuse and apathy in our society," commented McNamee, citing active youth programs that produce involved and empowered leaders of tomorrow.

"The American Dream Challenge brings all of these issues to the forefront at an early age and encourages students to strive for excellence," said Gibney, stressing the importance of early involvement in positive programs to reap long term benefit fo~ both the community and the individual stu- . dent.

The scholarships of$100.00 will be awarded to fourth grade winners

THE ANCHOR -

and $150.00 to sixth grade winners each year, giving each student the possibility of earning a $250 scholarship. The award, to be used for college education, is granted when the students graduate from high school.

Students of the nine parochial elementary schools in Fall River (Dominican Academy, Espirito Santo, Holy Name, Notre Dame, St. Anne j St. Micl)ael, Sts. Peter and Paul, St. Stanislaus and St. Jean Baptiste) have contributed to the establishment of a perpetual scholarship in honor of Bishop Sean O'Malley. They participated in such programs as skate parties and dress-down days to raise the funds necessary for the scholarship.

Catholic Lenten radio series t<) air on Attleboro station A Catholic Lenten radio series focusing on Contemporary Christian Morality will ail' on six consecutive Fridays during Lent on Attleboro station WARA, 1320 AM from 6:30 to 7:00 p.m. beginning Feb. 21.

Rev. Kevin Harrington, pastor

of St. Joseph parish, Attleboro and an Anchor columnist, will host the first five programs in the series and Bishop Sean O'Malley, OFM, Cap., will conclude it with a presentation on Good Friday, March 28th.

"Bishop O'Malley and I will dis-

OBITUARIES Diocese loses two dedicated servants At press time, the Anchor learned of the passing of two individuals who were very active in the diocese. Kenneth E. Leger died Feb. 1 in Fall River, and Joseph F. Gromada died Feb. 4, at his son's home in Florida.

Both men were Fall River residents.

Kenneth E. Leger On the cold and windy night of Feb. 2 hundreds stood in line outside the Jeffrey E. Sullivan Funeral Home in Fall River to pay their respects to Kenneth E. Leger, 71, of Sacred Heart parish, Fall River, who died unexpectedly on Feb. 1. His Mass of Christian Burial was offered Feb. 3 at Sacred Heart Church with Father Craig A. Pregana as principal celebrant and homilist.

Concelebrants were Msgr. George W. Coleman, diocesan vicar general; Father Michael K. McManus, diocesan chancellor; diocesan priests Fathers Barry Wall and Richard Andrade and Father Gerald Hussey of the Providence diocesc~.

A native of Fall River, Mr. Leger was the son of the late Edmund E. Leger and the late Almena (Battersby) Leger. He was active in Sacred Heart parish as a choir director, lector and cantor, and a collector for the Catholic Charities Appeal. He was a recipient of the diocesan Marian Medal and traditionally sang the national anthem for both the opening meeting of the annual Catholic Charities Appc:al and the annual Bishop's Ball.

He is survived by his wife, Margaret (Croft) Leger who has worked in the diocesan office of the Propagation of the Faith and in the diocesan archives; also by three daugh~ ters, Kathleen Moniz ofTiverton and Joan and Mary Louise Leger, both of Fall River; sons Kenneth P. and Matthew G. Leger, both ofFall River; two sisters, Edna Tucker of Seattle, WA, and Janice Lawton of Medfield, as well as by grandchildren, nieces and nephews.

Joseph F. Gromada Joseph F. Gromada, a long-time parishioner of St. Stanislaus parish, Fall River, was the former president of the Diocesan St. Vincent de Paul Society, a former member of the Diocesan Pastoral Council,was a board member of the Catholic Social Services, and he was very active with the annual Bishop's Ball.

He also was very involved in parish activities at St. Stanislaus.

He leaves a wife, Alice of Fall River, a son Edward M. qromada and a grandson, Matthew Gromada.

Calling hours at Boyko Funeral Home, 709 Broadway, Fall River, are Friday from 2 to 4, and 7 to 9 p.m.

A 10:00 a.m. funeral Mass will be celebrated Saturday, Feb. 8 at St. Stanislaus Church, Fall River.

GOD'S ANCHOR HO~DS

The 1 <)<)'1 ()if)£e§an ()ir-e£wlY i§ r-ealb1 If you have ordered a copy of the qiocesan directory and plan to pick it up, they are ready at THE ANCHOR office.

Office hours are: Monday through Friday, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.

887 tllghland Ave., Fall River

cuss the moral issues of our day and present candid answers to the real questions surrounding them," said Father Harrington, who is series coordinator.

He said that the parishes in the greater Attleboro area are joining together to sponsor the series to provide an easily-accessible opportunity for spiritual enrichment during the Lenten season. Last year a similar program was offered and generated favorable reaction, Father Harrington noted. "After experiencing inclement weather and scheduling conflicts when presenting adult education courses and seminars," he added, "radio offered a better way of reaching people."

Father Harrington is no stranger to the medium. In addition to his pastoral duties, he is producer and host of a weekly program of reflection and music for the Spanishspeaking of the Fall River diocese.

He is also a frequent guest on the cable television series "Fatima Today," which is carried by some cable systems in the diocese.

Diocese of Fall River -

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Fri., Feb. 7, 1997

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Saturday, March 1, 1997

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Begin your Millennium Preparation with this Retreat. Fr. Eugene Koch will present his·reflections in light of the Great Jubilee.

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Bishop Sean O'Malley will lead the Holy Hour with a reflection on this theme.

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Please make checks payable to Diocese of Fall River. Mail to Lisa M. Gulino • 423 Highland Avenue • Fall River, MA 02720.

NOW AVAILABLE the 1997 Diocesan Directory The Fall River Diocesan Directory and Buyers' Guide contains complete diocesan informdtion and a telephone directory of priests, directors of diocesan institutions, parish religious education coordinators and permanent deacons.

Also included are addresses of retired clergy and those serving outside the diocese, as well as a listing of priests by years of ordination.

ANCHOR Publishing Co., P.O. Box 7, Fall River, MA 02722 copy(ies) of the 1997 DIOCESAN DIRECTORY

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THE ANCHOR- Diocese of Fall River- Fr.i;,.FtJ:>,: . '.... ....... .

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Home Schooling The national debate over the status of public schools continues its tragic course. Every politician has made,proposals and offered solutions, but the mess remains. Efforts to reform our schools fail because their fundamental problems are ignored. People can work forever without success on such items as curriculum development because there is little or no hope of achieving a disciplined learning atmosphere. Police patrol corridors, dogs are brought to schools to sniff out drugs, students are searched for weapons: the litany of woes is endless.

As a result of all this, more and more people are turning from public schools to other educational alternatives. In many areas of the country private and parochial schools have long waiting lists for admissions. Indeed, many schools once on the brink of extinction are now flourishing. People do not want their children to be educated on a battleground. Granted, private education is expensive, but many people feel they have no choice.

Another educational option currently selected by many parents is that of home schooling. Once mainly the fad of religious fundamentalists, it is at an alltime high. It is estimated that over two million children in this country are home taught.

Surveys indicate that parents involve themselves in this process not only because they wish to avoid the crass antireligious stances adopted by many public schools bout also to ensure quality education for their children. Most parents who are teaching their children have seriously investigated home programs. They form support groups and make good use of the Internet. Computers and local libraries are mainstays of home ' education.

Critics of this sy~em raise such issues as lack of socialization, fragmented curriculums and denial of educational choice, but home schooling parents do not share these, concerns - and test scores of their children usually prove that a good teachingjob is being done. In addition, morals and ethics playa large role in home education. Children are led by the examples and beliefs of their parents, who are simply exercising their basic rights. For many, home schooling-is also a religious choice. .

The wonderful Vatican II Declaration on Christian Education upholds this right of choice. It clearly states that it is parents' who have the first and inalienable duty and right to educate their children and that they should enjoy true freedom in such choice. It goes on to note that public authority grants parents freedom to follow their conscience in their educational choices. Naturally the council fathers also endorsed support of and encouraged the development of truly Catholic schools on all educational levels.

If parents choose to home school and are willing to make all the necessary sacrifices to implement their choice, why should the National Education Association continuously take potshots at such' programs. Home schoolers must meet state standards, and often have their work evaluated by certified school personnel.

Despite obstacles, there is no doubt that home schooling is here to stay as an educational alternative. It simply cannot be ignored or swept under the carpet. If we are to uphold the rights of parents with regard to the education of their children, it seems only logical to affirm their role as th~ prime educators of those children.

The Editor

the

OFFICIAL NEWSPAPER OF THE DIOCESE OF FALL RIVER Published weekly by The Catholic Press of the Diocese of. Fall River P.O BOX 7 887 Highland Avenue Fall River, MA 02722-0007 Fall River, MA 02720 Telephone 508-675-7151 FAX (508) 675-7048 Send address changes to P.O, Box 7 or call telephone number above

EDITOR

GENERAL MANAGER

Rev. John F. Moore

Rosemary Dussault ~

LEARV PRESS - FALL RIVER

eNSI Kessler photo

. A WOMAN RECEIVES THE MARK OF ASHES DURING AN ASH WEDNESDAY : SERVICE. THE PENITENTIAL SEASON OF LENT BEGINS FOR LATIN-RITE CATHOLICS ON FEB. 12 THIS YEAR.

"It is a wholesome sacrifice to take heed to the commandments, and

to depart from all iniquity." Ecclus. 35:2

Writing history with a deadly quill

By Rev. Kevin J. Harrington

quoted to justify assisted suicide Knowledge of history is a great by the highest court in the northwway to acquire the wisdom needed estern United States. Perhaps . because of Scalia's known opposito address the vexatious problems that confront our contemporary tion to the Casey decision, the society. Today, human beings are assisted suicide, case from New defined as isolated, unencumbered York State was chosen for review individuals whose task is to define by our Supreme Court., The great St. Thomas Aquinas who they are and what they find fulfilling. It is only during this past built upon the highest philosophy century that such muddled ways of developed by our western civilization a concept of law that helped thinking have been tolerated.

The history of western civiliza- -advance the history ofthe world as tion has until now cherished the we know it. It is not a matter of concept of natural law with eternal recapturing the medieval vision law as its measure. Human laws but restoring the sense of the perhence have natural law as their son as encountered in the vision of measure. When Supreme Court our founders. These concepts were Justice Harry Blackmun penned operative in the Declaration of his majority 'opinion in Roe vs. Independence, the Bill of Rights Wade that the fetus was a "poten- and throughout our Constitution. tiality," nature becaine violated in . The greatest obstacle to profiting from the treasures of our cultural an unprecedented manner.

A further violation of natural traditions lies in the notion that law occurred when the infamous each of us is autonomous and that Casey decision made the absurd each person is a law unto himself claim that we all have a right to or herself.

Aquinas and the founders were define the universe and the nature of reality and what is good and on the same page when they envibad; That such nonsense could be sioned all human laws as an articupronounced by a high court indi- lation and application of natural cates how far we have come from law. Roe vs. Wade articulates the an adequate understanding of the right to privacy as even more sacrosanct than the rights oflife, liberty human person.

I can wholeheartedly agree with and the pursuit of happiness.

Justice Antonin Scalia who asserted The natural law was first viothat the language of the Casey lated when the primary purpose of decision is so incoherent that it sexual activity became recreation falls of its. own weight. Unfortu- instead of procreation in the minds nately, the Casey decision was and hearts of so many hedonists. ,~

.....

All human laws written since that violation emphasize privacy. I suppose the right to privacy can be traced to when Adam and Eve first covered their genitals after they ate fruit from the tre,e of the knowledge of good and I~vil.

It is hard to apply the philosophy and theology of St. Thomas 700 years later; however, there are certain truths that certainly do apply. Human beings arl~ peculiar in the manner in which they participate in the life of God. For Aquinas, reason and free will are gifts from God that oblige us to duties toward our Creator.

There are two majoI' rational principles that emerge :from this participation: good ought to be pursued and evil avoided:; and it is impossible for a thing to be and not to be at the same time and in the same respect.

These two principles may seem so obvio'us that they should not need to be articulated. However, the current logic advanced in our culture of death is so convoluted that ~othing should be presumed.

A recent example ofthis appeared in a quote from a Dr. Philip Nitschke of Australia who developed a laptop computer and a syringe to assist in legalized suicide.

This Kevorkian from Down Under was quoted in the Feb. 21~dition of the New York Times as saying: "You walk in that room and you know there will be one kss person when you walk out." '.'

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THE ANCHOR - Diocese 'of Fall River'- Fri.; Feb. 7, 1997

As the new year began, the U.S. Supreme Court heard arguments in an agonizing national debate: whether physician-assisted suicide should be approved as a medically and legally sanctioned choice for the terminally ill. The issue was intensely emotional for me because a woman who over the past 15 years had become my best friend was terminally ill.

Virginia died on Jan. 18, but I cherish what she taught me in the few weeks before she breathed her last. She taught. me how impending death reveals the sanctity of life.

We talked several times about Dr. Jack Kevorkian's actions. Virginia had strong opinions on what was wrong with physician-assisted suicide.

For her, suicide meant a person had gotten lost and forgotten how great life is.

She understood the importance of personal dignity. She trusted her doctors and family to ensure that she kept that dignity.

The pain she felt from her lung cancer and labored breathing did not send her into despair. She chose morphine rather than having tubes drain fluid from her lungs.

Yet she said, with her catching smile, she would not try to check out too soon, because life was worth holding on to until the very last minute.

We met 15 years ago this month, both working for the same newspaper. At first only co-workers, before long we were on the road to a real friendship. As friends we shared the tragic times, like death, the beautiful times, like weddings and birth, the hard times like job problems, and the devastating times, like getting the news about her cancer.

Just a week before she died, Virginia asked me, "Toni, do you remember the day I got the news that I had lung cancer and how we cried together?"

I surely did. It happened during a lunch. She said she needed a strong drink. I said it was OK. She was Irish. I said I'd join her, but with a glass of wine. I'm Italian. We could still smile.

Virginia showed me that you get to see the real person when that person is facing death.

IiJ,IIbe Bottom.

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By Antoinette Bosco I learned so much from my friend these past couple of years. Ours became a friendship on the mysterious level of spirit and soul.

She dealt with her illness magnificently. I never heard a complaint or a word of self-pity. She summoned up tremendous courage, always kept a sense of humor and showed such class as she proceeded in this journey, so full of unknowns.

Somehow she knew that this journey should not end one day sooner than the Lord wanted.

Two days before she died she asked me, "Do you think they'll open the door for me up there?"

I had learned so much from her that I could say, from my heart: "Virginia, without a doubt. It will be wide open for you." Father Tim O~Brien, who celebrated the funeral Mass, agreed.

Kevorkian should meet more magnificent people like Virginia, who refuse to let impending death trash the sanctity of life.

Arguments heard WASHINGTON (CNS) - As they heard arguments in cases that could result in a fundamental change in the American approach to dying, the justices of the Supreme Court Jan. 8 appeared worried that legalizing physician-assisted suicide might lead to acceptance of euthanasia for less critically ill people. Although attorneys arguing in favor of legalizing physician-assisted suicide insisted such a right should and could be limited only to those in the final stages of terminal illness, most of the justices questioned whether finding such a constitutional right would be necessary or wise. The questions arose as the

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VATICAN CITY (CNS) - A case of the flu forced Pope John Paul II to cancel his general audience on short notice Feb. 5, but he still made a brief appearance for the benefit of those who had assembled in St. Peter's Square.

In a statement released half an hour before the event, Vatican spokesman Joaquin Navarro-Valls said that the previous evening the' pope suffered from a sore throat, which might have been caused by "an influenza syndrome."

Several Vatican officials had recently been struck by a flu virus that was also affecting many residents of Rome, among them Pope John Paul's personal secretary, Msgr. Stanislaw Dziwisz.

The news release noted that papal audiences planned for Feb. 6 with the Spanish prime minister and the foreign minister of Australia were postponed to an unnamed date.

"The pope was advised to rest in bed several days," said the statement, which Navarro-Valls delivered by hand to journalists without additional comment.

Pope John Paul, however, was more direct.

"The flu has entered the house of the pope and has also reached

me," he read from his balcony in a clear and steady voice to about 2,000 people below who braved an intermittent drizzle and waved their banners and scarves.

"The doctor advised me against going out and, especially, asked me to forgo the customary Wednesday general audience," the pope said. "I must therefore limit myself to greeting you from the window of my study. I do this with great affection; I thank you for your presence and for your prayers, notwithstanding the rain."

The pontiffthen dedicated a few minutes to discussing that day's commemoration of the Italian martyr St. Agatha, who is credited with refusing to renounce a vow of chastity under pressure from a Roman official. Despite torture, various forms of humiliation and the amputation of her breasts, St. Agatha became legendary for remaining true to her vow and her dedication to God. Pointing out that the name Agatha means "good," the pope said, "I hope that everyone can be 'good,' that is, faithful witnesses to the love ofthe celestial father, who fills you with many gifts and who calls you t,o participate in his joy."

Pop'e Johri Paul said faith brings

Scholarship Foundation Application will be used and the recipients will be determined by the awards committee of the Fall River Scholarship Foundation.

Donations to the scholarship may be mailed to James Rogers, 46 North Main St., Fall River, 02720. Any individuals who would be interested in assisting this annual fund may also contact Rogers. a profound peace that cannot be disturbed, even in the midst of difficulty. He then greeted the pilgrims of various lands in five languages and said he sent his "cordial thoughts to those who are sick, assuring to all a special recollection in (his) prayers."

As the crowd dispersed, several people said they would have preferred to see the pope at a general audience as planned, but none of them said they were disappointed.

"I feel lucky we got to look at him at all," said Anna Cortez of Chicago, who was visiting Rome with three friends. Coincidence brought them to the Vatican at the moment Pope John Paul came to his window - they did not know about his weekly audiences.

"It was amazing," Cortez said.

Hoisting a video camera, she added, "And I got him on tape!"

A pilgrim group in folk costumes from the southern Polish city of Limanowa left St. Peter's Square smiling as well.

"We are very fortunate," explained Stanislaw Zajac, dressed in a royal blue embroidered suit and a black felt hat. "We thought we were going to sing for the pope today. But we got a surprise, and had a private audience with himyesterday."

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EI Salvador marks 5 years of peace SAN SALVADOR (CNS) Five years after the ~nd of EI Salvador's civil war between the government and leftist rebels, Archbishop Fernando Saenz Lacalle of San Salvador called on residents to seek reconciliation through forgiveness.

"It's not a question offorgetting what happened, rather re-examining it with new thoughts," Archbishop Saenz told worshipers at a Mass celebrated Jan 18 in the Basilica of the Virgin of Guadalupe in San Salvador.

President Armando Calderon Sol, government ministers and business leaders, as well as the papal nuncio, Archbishop Manuel Monteiro de Castro, were among those at the Mass. The former guerrillas, now a political party, held a separate religious service in another part of the city.

Eighty thousand people died, 9,000 more disappeared and tens of thousands of Salvadorans fled their homes during 12 years of fighting. Under the peace accords, the army was severely reduced in size and purged of senior army officers accused of human rights abuses.

A new civilian police force was established and constitutional reforms implemented. The former rebels laid down their arms and formed a political party.

In a letter from Pope John Paul II read by the nuncio during the Jan. 18 Mass, the pope gave thanks for the efforts of Salvadorans to consolidate the peace process.

Archbishop Saenz told reporters that the church felt satisfied . with what has been done during the past five years of peace, adding that the Salvadoran process should be an "example for other countries."

Daily Readings Feb. 10: Gn 1:1-19; Ps 104:1-2,5-6,10.12,24,35; Mk 6:53-56 Feb. 11: Gn 1:20-2:4a; Ps 8:4-9; Mk 7:1-13 Feb.12: JI 2: 12-18; Ps 51:3-6,12-14,17; 2 Cor 5:206:2; Mt 6:1-6,16-18 Feb. 13: Dt 30:15-20; Ps 1:1-4,6; lk 9:22-25 Feb. 14: Is 58:1~9a; Ps 51:3-6.18-19; Mt 9:14-15 Feb. 15:. Is 58:9b-14; Ps 86:1-6; lk 5:27-32 Feb. 16: Gn 9:8-15; Ps 25:4-9; 1 Pt 3:18-22; Mk 1:12-15

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Prayer ~/Box For Sinlessness Father, you prepared the Virgin Mary to be the worthy mother of your Son. You let her share beforehand in the salvation Christ would bring by his death, and kept her sinless from the first moment of her conception. Help us by her prayers to live in your presence without sin. Amen.

JEWISH RESIDENTS of Krakow's Podgorze ghetto are rounded up by SS guards in the motion picture "Schindler's List." The movie will be shown in its entirety Feb. 23 on NBC stations. (CNS / Universal City Studios photo)

God's hand at work

Saved Jew is ever-willing to share story

By Mark Pattison

Angeles luggage shop, who buttonholed any writers he could find to tell them of the dramatic story of Schindler's rescue efforts. Finally, in 1980 - 33 years after arriving in the United States and telling his story - author Thomas Keneally listened.

Keneally's book became the basis for the movie, which pulled in nearly $100 million at the box ,ofCice. NBC estimates, though, that

more people will see "Schindler's List" on TV in February than throughout its amazing theatrical run.

The Pages said they can count at least nine times they've seen the film, what with previews and premieres and private screenings. But they'll be in front of a TV set Feb. 23.

"Every time we see the movie we cry," Page said. "We see some-

WASHINGTON (CNS) - The hand of God is at work in the telling of the story of Oskar Schindler, German war profiteer and rescuer of 1,300 Jews from sure death at the hands of the Nazis, according to a husband and wife who were rescued by Schindler and told the tale to anyone who would listen. . "You can call this God, you can call this a spiritual power leading people to extraordinary things.

This is something which controls the lives of people," said Paul Page, born Leopold ("Poldek") Dear Dr. Kenny: My husband and I are concerned Pfefferberg in Poland.

"There are angels who come about mealtime. Our three children, ages 8 to 14, are over in the form ofOskar Schindler, often late or miss dinner eritirely.lfthey are present, who did what God was asking him they complain about what's for dinner and are ready to do - save humanity - and he to leave the table at the earliest opportunity to watch television or get on the phone. We could make them did," Page said.

His wife of 57 years, Ludmila, stay at the table, but then it's unpleasant for eveadded, "I absolutely believe in ·ryone. We welcome your ideas. - Ohio Mealtime, one of the final strongholds of family God and in destiny. God was watching over us. Why over us and togetherness, is besieged by school activities, televithe 1,300 other people that were sion, the telephone and the fast-food (in and out) saved? I don't know. But we were philosophy. I agree with you. I want to eat together saved in the person of'Oskar with my family. At the same time I am reluctant to Schindler," she said. "He was the force matters and make mealtime an unhappy ' one who was in the hand of God." business.

Here are three simple things you can do that may The Pages told their tale of life during and after the Nazi regime in help. First, reward presence at suppertime with a telephone interview with Catholic "thank-you" points. Every supper eaten with the News Service in advance of NBC's family gets a thank-you point, and every five points gets a token surprise, perhaps a special dessert. airing of "Schindler's List."

Second, involve your three children in meal planThe Steven Spielberg film, which ning.

Teach each one of them to prepare two full won seven Academy Awards, is scheduled to air 7:30-11 p.m. EST meals. Let them pick their favorite foods to learn to Sunday, Feb. 23, on NBC. While prepare.

Each child cooks once a week. If they have prethere will be two brief intermispared the meal, they will be less tolerant of the other sions in the film, commercials will only air before and after the movie. two missing or hurrying through supper.

Third, have a theme for each meal. Let everyone in It was Page, then owner of a Los the family brainstorm at developing the suppertime themes. Make meals fun. Here are some possibilities: -Alphabet dinners. For 26 nights, go through the ROME (CNS) - Dialogue and alphabet. Everything served must begin with the self-examination among Christians proper letter.

Tonight is A. We have a meal on appetizers and must be intensified if progress is to be made toward complete com- applesauce. On the B night, we have beans and brocmunion in the faith, Pope John coli and broasted chicken.

The E night is an elegant dinner, with a tablecloth Paul II said during the Week of Prayer for Christian Unity. The and crystal and the good silverware. The I night is / pontiff spoke at the Sunday bless- Italian. And so on. Kids will be very inventive.

-Ethnic dinners. Try Italian and Mexican and ing in St. Peter's Square Jan. 19, the second day of the annual com- Chinese and G~rman and Thai and American (hot memoration, which this year was dogs and hamburgers), etc. Get ethnic cookbooks conducted under a motto taken from the library. This is a good way to learn about from St. Paul's second letter to the other cultures.

-Color meals. Tonight everything must be red.

Corinthians: "We implore you on behalf of Christ, be reconciled to Tomorrow green. Then yellow.

God." Again. your kids may be more imaginative than

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thing that we m.issed befc.re," Mrs. Page added. "Everything we see is based on our own experience.

"One can never forget."

Although Page is 84 and Mrs. Page 77, they still work with their children in the family business.

"I'd like to retire but it's not so easy these days," Page said.

But "we never forget our roots.

Every few years we go to Poland," Mrs. Page said. "The best years of our lives were there" - before the Nazi invasion.

Their hopes for the success of the TV showing of "S(:hindler's List"? That 200 million pc:ople will watch it, that it will lead to Holocaust education in schools worldwide and that people will prevent similar moves to extermi nate peoples, specifically in the: Middle East, Ireland, Africa and South America.

"People follow false leaders and go blindly," Page said. "The good thing for America is that there are all nations and races. It is my hope it will never happen here.. " Mrs. Page interjected, "Thank God we have a Polish pope." Pope John Paul II, as seminarian Karol Wojtyla, also endured the Nazis' occupation of his hom<:land during World War II. "We were invited by PopeJohn Paul to the Vatican. We had a meeting with this man. He has no hatred, no bigotry. He is wonderful. He is the best pope in 2,000 years of Christianity," she said.

Page said that even with his own story about Schindler having been spun into a widely acclaimed book and movie, his educational efforts will continue.

"I never refuse anybody when they ask me to speak to them, or to their school," he said. "I feel this is what God wants me to d,)."

Putting the spice in your family me4als

Dialogue needed

you at being faithful to the theme. On occa:;ion, you may need to "cheat" with some food dye.

-Video suppers. Copy the popular sports bars with large screens showing the ballgame of the night.

Check the television listings and schedule your meal to coincide with a movie or sports event.

With Dr. James & Mary Kenny .You might even have a video meal once a week, letting the kids take turns selecting the movie.

Make mealtime more exciting by incorporating the competing attracti'on into the meal itself. Eating is one of the major pleasures of life. Don't force things or make it unpleasant.

Reader questions on family living and child care to be answered in print are invited. Address qlilestions: The Kennys, St. Joseph's College, 219 W. Harrison St., Rensselaer, Ind. 47978.

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When Catholics are allergic to the host Q. I have been a eucharistic minister in our parish and local hospital for 10 years and have never before run into the fQllo"'inl~ situation.

Last week a patienll informed me that she is allergic to the host and could not receive Communion.

Not knowing what els,e to do, I said a prayer with her and left.

How can one handle a situation like this, when the person wisheS very much to receive our Lord in the Eucharist? (New Yorl<) A. I am toltl your patient sounds like one of many who suffer fr6m a disease called celiac sprue. Their digestive systems are unable to absorb the.gluten in several cereal$, one of them wheat.

The disease usually begins to appear in early childhood, but continues pretty much through adulthood. An otherwise quite normal life is possible, however, if the individual avoids wheat, barley, rye and oats, basically all cereal grains except rice and corn.

The condition is relatively rare, but I have known, and today am1acquainted with, a good number who have it. They usually identify themselves in connection with receIving Communion, as this woman did with you. ' Two possible avenues lie open for receiving the Eucharist. SO\lle with the disease can receive at least a small part of the host without ill effects.

I'm sure yo,u know it is perfectly permissible to minister Communion this way. Probably you have encountered people with other physical problems who could not swallow or digest a whole host but could manage!a small piece.

At Mass, the individual can simply ask the priest or whoever is !hinistering the Eucharist to give only a small part of: the host. From my experience, this works satisfactorily with many celiac sprue victims.

Obviously they should consult their physician before taking even th'is tiny portion of wheat.

The other option is to receive Communion only under the form of wine. This manner of receiving is often the only one possible for patients who, for one reason or another, cannot swallow the host.

Since we believe that Christ's entire eucharistic presence is contained equally under the form of bread and wine, this alternative is in no way a lesser or imperfect way to receive.

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By Father John J. Dietzen

Fri., Feb. 7, 1997

7

OUR LADY'S RELIGIOUS STORE

Make The Way of The Cross At Home

Mon. - Sot. 70:00 - 5:30 P. M.

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Fr. Robert Lynch O.F.M. P.O. Box 23 Boston, MA 02112-0023

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The priest places some of the consecrated wine at Mass into a small vial or bottle, which is then taken and ministered to the patient.

If one having the illness attends a Mass at which Communion is distributed under both forms, he or she may pass up the bread and receive only from the cup.

More information about this disease and how it may relate to receiving Communion is available from the Celiac Disease Foundation, 13251 Ventura Blvd., Studio City, Calif. 91604-1838. Phone 818-990-2354.

A free brochure answering questions Catholics a~k about cremation and other funeral regulations and customs is available by sending a stamped, selfaddres~ed envelope to Father John Dietzen, Holy Trinity Church, 704 N. Main St., Bloomington, III. 6l701.

Questions for this column should be sent to Father Dietzen at the same address.

Sometimes "Dad" and "Boss" don't mix

•

Diocese of Fall River -

Franciscans

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One of the ~very many) things that never entered my mind when my wife and I were adding to the world population at a child-every-other-year clip was that one day onl~ of these offspring might be working with me.

I Notice: I avpid the verb "employ."

"To employ" denotes authority. Does one have authority over someone who tells you, "Mom wanted me to knock off early to go help her shop for shrubs."

"What if Y01J were working for a major corporation?" I grum~le. "You couldn't skip work and taxi your mom."

"Sure I could," he <:Iaimed. "They are called sick days."

He immedia,tely sensed I was about to go into my "What's Wrortg With America's Youth" soliloquy and held up hi's hand. "I can stay here if you want to go shopping i~stead," he smiles.

Now that's c;lirty pool. Insider trading blackmail.

In fairness, there are pros and cons to having one's child as one's ~·employee."

Pro: He cannot skip work and claim his aunt died unless she did.And I have called all his aunts and put them on notice they are to call me if they die.

Con: His mother will make it hard on you if you make him go to work if she thinks he might be coming down with thl: flu.

Pro: You krtow where he is during the day.

Con: You can't just rake the guy over the coals and let it go at that when he carelessly throws a 4x4 through your pick-up window. You have to deal with pouting over dinner and a wife who coos, "He didn't mean to."

Con: You have to share your lunch if he forgets his.

Pro: Vice versa.

Then there is on-the-job decision making.

"Wouldn't it pe faster if we rented a backhoe and parked the picks and shovels?" he asks. ' "Yes,"1 tell him, "and about $300 more expensive."

"I thought you said time is money," he says, lean~. ing on his shovel.

"Yup, and you are eating up both, Mr. Rocke-' feller. Dance with the shovel later. Dig with it now."

"You always said the most successful people work, with their heads," he counters.

"And your point would be?" I grunt, swinging my pick.

He stomps the shovel into the ground. "Did you ever consider how much easier it would be for me to ask for a raise if you weren't my father?"

"Actually, yes," I tell him, "but just think of all the bonding time we would miss."

He ignores me. "And if I made more money, I could move out and get a place of my own."

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"Does that mean you'd stop shopping for your work clothes in your dad's closet?" I ask.

Truth is, I know he'll finish slugging his way through college one of these days, move on and I will miss him.

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By Dan Morris Besides, how many "employees" take you out to lunch on Father's Day - and use your credit card?

Your comments are welcome always. Please send them to Uncle Dan, 25218 Meadow Way, Arlington, Wash. 98223.

February 8 1996, Rev. Raymond P. Monty, Maj., USAF, Notre Dame, Fall River February 9 , 1963, Rt. Rev. Msgr. John J. Kelly, Pastor, SS. Peter & Paul, Fall River 1985, Rev. Vincent R. Dolbec, A.A., Assumption College I February 10 1966 Rev. Edward L. O'Brien, St. Mary, Mansfield 1983: Rev. Lucien A. Madore, Retired Chaplain, Mt. St. Joseph School, Fall River, Director, Notre Dame Cemetery - Fall River February 11 1910, Rev. John O'Connell, Founder, St. John Evangelist, Attleboro 1961, Rev. John J. Sullivan, S.T.L., Pastor, Holy Rosary, Fall River . 1987, Rev. William J. McMahon, Retired Pastor, St. Joan of Arc, Orleans February 12 , 1961, Rev. Stanislaus B. Albert, SS.Cc., Sacred Hearts Monastery, Fairl1aven February 14 1932, Rev. Charles E. Clerk, Pastor, St. Roch, Fall River 1980, Rev. Msgr. Francis E. McKeon, Pastor Emeritus, Sacred Heart, Taunton ,'

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Parishioners vow recovery after destructive fire produce thick coats of ice on the charred beams of the church's collapsed roof. ' LOUISVILLE, Ky. (CNS) As daylight broke, parishioners Like a death in the family, a devaswere physically numb from being tating destruction by fire of St. outside for several hours in the Luke Church complex in Louisbone-chilling temperatures as they ville has caused parishioners to helplessly watched their church mourn. complex burn.

But they have not given up.

Fire investigators said there was In their grief parishioners have no sign that the fire was the work already begun thinking about reof arsonists. But they added that covery. The Jan. 17 fire destroyed they were not, yet ruling out the the complex that housed their possibility of arson. For the time church, parish offices, social facilibeing, investigators were focusing ties and school of religious educaon a faulty electrical space heater tion.

Their mood was perhaps best as the likely cause.

Within hours, offers of help expressed by their pastor, Father came from neighboring parishes.

Richard Berding, who said, "We "A lot of people are willing to help lost a lot. It was a tragedy. But it and we will accept the help gladly," was not devastation. To devastate us you would have to take away said Father Berding.

He said hymnals used at the our faith, and no one can do that."

BRANDON HERZOG practices his routine on the ice at Gardiner Lane S.kating R~nk !n Sunday Mass following the fire Father Berding gave those words Louisville, KY. Already a three-time state gold medal winner, the l4-year-old Will be skatmg m of encouragement to 300 parish- were donated by a publishing company which shipped them within the International Special Olympics winter games this month in Toronto. (eNS/ Horner photo) ioners at Sunday Mass two days after the fire. He told them their 24 hours of the order placed by the needs would not be overlooked in church. The original hymnals, along with liturgical items and spite of the tragedy.

"We're not stopping anything. furnishings, were lost in the fire. ,"He's excited," said Runae vision, and would bring along his

By Roy J. Horner The pastor said that a local roofWe're just changing locations," he Nichols, a surgical nurse at Nor- videotapes of skating to watch LOUISVILLE, Ky. (CNS) told them during the Mass, cele- ing company, which had installed' ton Hospital and a member of the after school. brated at a nearby hall operated by a new roof on the complex just two Out on the ice rink, 14-year-old Cathedral of the Assumption parHe eventually began private lesthe local Knights of Columbus weeks before the' fire, pledged to Brandon Herzog is a picture of ish. "He's been working really hard sons, and Sister Bevelacqua enput a roof on a new church build- grace, precision and determination. council. ever since he found out he maae couraged him to compete in the The path that he began at age 7 the team."

Parishioners also received solace ing at no charge for labor.

Special Olympics. when he was a student at the and encouragement from Arch"He really loved it," she said.

Although the interior furnishNichols said 'Brandon's initiabishop Thomas C. Kelly of Louis- ings of the church were reduced to former Ursuline-Pitt School has tion to ice skating occurred when "Soon, all we had to do was eat ville. "Thisjs a time of grief," he ashes, the parishioners have de- led him to the International Spe- his aunt in Owensboro took him to and drink ice skating. He would said before the start ofthe Mass, scribed the recovery of other arti- cial Olympics' world winter games an ice rink. Shortly after that, always bring his VCR tapes and Feb. 1-9 in Toronto. and he assured them that the arch- cles from the rubble as "miracles."

Nichols enrolled her son in the show them. His practices were a Brandon is the first athlete from Ursuline-Pitt school, where Sister joy to him, something that he diocese "is with you at a difficult Denny'Dillman, pa楼ish council moment." ., . president, said one such recovery ',Kentucky in- 12 years to earn a spot Bevelacqua took students ice skat- really loves. ' on the 133-member u.s. Special ing each week.

The archbishop asked parishion- was the church tabernacle, which "He's just a very spl;cial ~:uy and Olympics team. And he is the only ers to rally round Father Berding was damaged but remained intact.

Sister Bevelacqua, now the ad- worthy of being called to be the Kentuckian on this year's team. "to grieve together and comfort Another was a monstrance. He ministrator at St. Mary Center in only one from Kentucky to be a More than 2,000 athletes from one another," adding that they all said the parish has formed a comMiddletown, said Brandon learned part of the International Special should be grateful that no one was mittee to coordinate the cleanup 80 countries are competing in to figure skate with a passion. He Olympics," Sister Bevelacqua addkilled or injured in the fire. and to see if other items or furnish- Toronto in such events as Alpine also watched the sport on tele- ed. "I'm so very proud of him." skiing, cross-country skiing, figure It began around 2 a:m. on one of ings could be salvaged. skating, speed skating and floor the coldest nights recorded this Father Berding told the congrewinter in the Louisville area. News gation gathered for the Mass that hockey.

Since he began competitive figofthe blaze spread to parishioners very little was left standing followure skating six years ago, Brandon who rushed from bed in the dead ing the fire except the large cruhas won three gold medals in stateof night to go to the scene. cifix in front of the church build- level Special Olympics games. He They watched in disbelief as the ing. also has done well in basketball WASHINGTON (CNS) - Six chesis and social action efforts "As long as it stands, we stand," and other sports, and in 1992 U.S. dioceses have committed to that are currently in place." freezing temperatures and water from the fire hoses combined to he said. "We will always be there." competed in a national speed-skat- begin a' new evangelization proFor further information, coning event. gram called "Disciples in Mission," taet the Paulist National Catholic Not bad for a youth who was developed by the Paulist National Evangelization Association, 3031 diagnosed at age 6 as mildly men- 'Catholic Evangelization Associa- Fourth St. N.E., Washington, DC the costs of renovating it for con- , tally retarded and whose mother tion.

SAN JOSE, Calif. (CNS) 20017-1102 or call (202) 83:t-5022.

The Vatican has designated St. tinued parish use and modifying was told he might never learn to Representatives of the dioceses St. Patrick to meet the requireJoseph Cathedral in San Jose as ride a bike. of Covington and Lexington, Ky., a minor basilica, according to ments of a cathedral. That led to a When Brandon first took up Nashville, Tenn., Ogdensburg, an announcement by Bishop R. decision in 1985 that it would be skating at Ursuline-Pitt (now Pitt N.Y., Raleigh, N.C., and Worceseconomically and pastorally bet- Academy); his enthusiasm was no- ter, Mass., met in Washington in Pierre DuMaine.

The 1877 church in downtown ter to renovate St. Joseph and ticed by Louisville Ursuline Sister November to begin the process for SAN FRANCISCO (C:~S) San Jose, already a national his- make it the cathedral when the Regina Marie Bevelacqua, a vet- each diocese. Nine additional dio- After years of bitter conflict, some toric landmark, was extensively work was finished. eran Special Olympics coach who ceses were expected to begin in Chinese Catholics who favor the renovated in the late 1980s at a state-approved or "patriotic" ' was the principal of the school for 1997. cost of $17 million. special-needs students at the time.

"Disciples in Mission" integrates church have been taking steps The status of minor basilica, Brandon, who lives in LaGrange Sunday liturgies, small faith-shar- toward recoriciliation with those granted by the Vatican CongregaSEATTLE(CNS) - Archbishop and attends Oldham County Mid- ing groups, catechesis, family ac- who remain aligned with the church tion for Divine Worship and the Thomas J. Murphy's health has die School, parti~ipated with his tivities, planning and follow-up in Rome, according to an expert Sacraments, is gillen only to cer- improved and there are signs his teammates in'December in a five- activities路 to create a parishwide on the Chinese church. The two tain churches of particular histori- leukemia may be in remission. the day training camp at the U.S. experience of evangelization. It church factions have unofficially cal, artistic and pastoral signifi- Seattle Archdiocese said Jan. 2. Olympic training center in Lake features a comprehensive program begun to talk to one another and cance.

The 64-year-old archbishop has Placid, N.Y. He also held his own of formation during the Lenten in several cases are sharing buildThe cathedral is actually the been hospitalized at Providence at intense practices at the Gardiner season over a period of three years. ings and other resources, said Fafifth building that has served St. Seattle Medical Center since Dec. Lane Skating Rink in Louisville. '''Disciples in Mission' is not ther Jeroom Heyndrickx at a speJoseph parish, which dates back to I for acute myelogenous leukemia just another new program, some- cial conference on China sponsored 1803.

"I will do my best," Brandon thing that means only more meet- by the U.S. bishops. EVI~n this and reduced kidn'ey function. His When San Jose was made a dio- hematologist. Dr. David White, said of his chance to compete fora ings for people and parishes level of cooperation is "a couragecese in 1981, St. Joseph Church said a blood and bone marrow gold medal in figure skating in the stretched to their limit," said ous act" in the Chinese l:hurch, was ruled out as the cathedral biopsy taken Dec. 24 showed no International Special Olympics.

Paulist Father Kenneth G. Boyack, said the priest, founder of the Ferbecause of the major repairs and evidence of leukemic cells. He said dinand Verbiest Foundation at the Sister Bevelacqua and Mary Jo director of the association. renovation it needed, and St. this indicates that the archbishop Payne, another former Ursuline"Rather, 'Disciples in Mission' Catholic University of Lou-vain in Patrick Church was chosen. has responded positively to che- Pitt staff member, planned to be in builds on the good already hap- Belgium, an institute that focuses A subsequent study' compared motherapy and that remission the audience along with his par- pening in a diocese," he added. "It on research, human development the costs and benefits of renovat- while not assured - is within the ents, John' and Runae Nichols, 'works to insert a missionary con- and pastoral cooperation with ing St. Joseph as a cathedral with realm of possibility. when Brandon skated in Toronto.. ' .sciousness into the liturgies. cate- China.

By Joseph Duerr and Roy J. Horner

Determination helps skater beat odds:

Dioceses to begin Paulist evangelization programl

San Jose's cathedral made a basilica

Factions talk

Hopeful sign

s '."

TH'EANCHOR .:.-

Oiocese of Fall River' ':-'FrL, .Feb: 7,'i997'

9

Group picks Valentine's Day for TV turnoff, letters to FCC NEW YORK (CNS) - The interfaith media watchdog group Morality in Media has designated Valentine's Day - Friday, Feb. 14 - for its sixth annual National Turn Off TV Day. Rather than watch television that day, "spend quality time with someone very special," said a statement from Morality in Media president Robert Peters in New York.

He also suggested writing to the Federal Communications Commission on the new TV rating system, which Morality in Media considers flawed, and to encourage a change in FCC policy that would enforce the broadcast indecency law against TV stations.

THE INTERIOR of S1. Michael's church in Swansea, is looking clean and bright for its 75th anniversary celebrations this year. (Anchor/ Jolivet photo)

S1. Michael's, Swansea, begins celebration Continued from Page One America. Nearly 240 people enjoyed the day.

"Throughout the coming year, every sacrament will be highlighted in some way," said Father Gendreau.

All the parish groups will work closely with Father Gendreau and a 75th Anniversary Steering Committee made up of Deacon Thomas Prevost and Manuel Silveira as co-chairs and Donna Durette, Debra Kenworthy, Joseph Murphy, Ben Levesque, and Jeanne an<,l Joseph Goyette a.s members.

Some of the planned events are

a marriage enrichment program, a Valentine's dance, Lenten activities, a Chastity Night presentation, a strawberry festival, a parish picnic, an ice cream social and a retreat directed by Father Robert Kaszynski.

Also in the works is a parish history and events journal being put together by Linda Kenworthy and Joseph B. Levesque.

The church itself has undergone a facelift or two through the years.

Most recently, the interior was recarpeted and,the pews refinishe!J. An air conditioning system was installed as well as a new sound

system. Indirect lighting replaced attractive but ineffective chandeliers. In all, the interior of St. Michael's Church is a quaint, clean and cozy place to gather and worship. A memorial tree, prepared

by Sister Gertrude Gaudette, OP, will have a home in the church, with its proceeds used to cover renovation costs.

Father Gendreau and his parishioners have an exciting year ahead of them, and welcome all to join them in their celebration.

Periodically, special events will be listed in the Steering Points section ofthe Anchor, inviting friends to join church members.

Pope John Paul Irs Lenten Message Continued from Page One unfortunately, who have been uprooted from the atmosphere of human warmth and welcome typical of the home! I think of refugees, victims of wars and natural disasters, and those forced to migrate for economic :reasons. I also think of families evicted from their homes, those unable to find housing, and the many elderly people whose pensions do not enable them to find a decent and affordable place to live. At times these hardships lead to other tragedies such as alcoholism, violence, prostitution and drug addiction. Last June, while the World Conference on Human Settlements, Habitat II, was meeting in Istanbul, I called attention to these serious problems at the Sunday Angelus. I emphasized their great urgency and recalled once again that the right to housing belongs not only to the individual as such, but also to the family, made up of several individuals. The family, as the basic cell of society, has a full right to housing adequate to its . needs, so that it can develop a genuine domestic communion. The church recognizes this fundamental right and is aware of her obligation to work together with others in order to ensure that it is recognized in practice.

3. Many passages in the Bible highlight the duty to help the homeless.

In the Old Testament, the Torah teaches that strangers and the homeless in general, inasmuch as they are exposed to all sorts of dangers, deserve special concern from the

believer. Indeed, God' clearly and God. As Christians, we must direct repeatedly recommends hospital- our entire lives to him, for we ity and generosity toward the know that in this world we have no stranger(cf. Dt 24: 17-18, 10: 18-19; fixed abode: "Our commonwealth Nm 15:15, etc.), reminding Israel is in heaven" (Phlm 3:20). At the of how precarious its own exist- end of Lent, the celebration of the ence had once been. Later, Jesus Paschal mystery shows how the identified himself with the home- Lentenjourney of purification culless: "I was a stranger and you wel- minates in the free and loving gift corned me" (Mt 25-35), !lnd taught of selfto the Father. It is by taking that charity toward those in this this path that Christ's disciples situation will be rewarded in learn how to rise above themselves heaven. The Lord's apostles urged and their selfish interests in order the various communities which to encounter in love their brothers they had founded to show hospi- and sisters. tality to one another, as a sign of 4. The Gospel call to be close to communion.

Christ who is "homeless" is an It is from the love of God that invitation to all the baptized to Christians learn to help the needy examine their own lives and to and to share with them their own treat their brothers and sisters with material and spiritual goods. Such practical solidarity by sharing their concern not only provides those hardships. By openness and genexperiencing hardship with mate- erosity, as a community and as rial help but also represents an individuals, Christians can serve opportunity for the spiritual Christ present in the poor, and growth of the giver, who finds in it bear witness to the Father's love. an incentive to become detached In this journey Christ goes before from worldly goods. But there is a us. His presence is a source of higher motivation which Christ strength and encouragement: he indicated to us by his own example sets us free and makes us witnesses when he said: "The Son of Man of love. has nowhere to lay his head" (Mt Dear brothers and sisters! Let 8:20). By these words the Lord us fearlessly go up with Christ to wished to show his total openness Jerusalem (cf. Lk 18:31) and acto his heavenly Father, whose will cept his invitation to conversion, he was determined to carry out so that we may cling more ferwithout letting himself be hindered vently to God, the holy and merciby the possession ofworidly goods. ful one, especially during the For there is always a danger that Lenten season of grace. I pray that earthly realities will take the place this Lent will enable all to hear the of God in the human heart.

Lord's plea to open their hearts to Lent is thus a providential op- all those in need. Invoking Mary's portunity for fostering the spirit- heavenly protection in a special ual detachment from riches neces- way upon the homeless, I cordially sary. if we are .t9 op.ep oUrs,elves to ., impart ,my apostoJi~ blessing.

"The Supreme Court has also said there is a 'right of the nation ... to maintain a decent society,' and a decent society cannot be maintained simply by giving parents a 'V-chip' to fend off a flood tide of indecent TV programming engulfing the nation," Peters said.

Turn Off TV Day comes in the middle of the February "sweeps" period, which is used by networks, cable outlets and local stations to set advertising rates for the future.

Readers can send letters to the FCC by addressing them to The Hon. Reed Hundt, Chairman, Federal Communications Commission, 1919 M Street NW, Washington, DC 20554.

Vatican media condemn U.8. triple execution

By John Thavis VATICAN CITY (CNS) - The Vatican's radio and newspaper condemned a triple execution in Arkansas, saying capital punishment in the United States had become an "assembly line" of death.

Three death-row inmates received lethal injections Jan. 8 in Varner, Ark. Authorities said the executions were carried out together to minimize overtime expenses and prison employees' stress.

The Jan. 8 executions were performed at intervals in the same chamber; the l~st man put to,death waited an hour, strapped to the gurney, while the Supreme Court considered and rejected a lastminute appeal.

The triple execution was only the second in more than 20 years in

the United States. Two-and-a-half years ago three convicts were also executed in Arkansas.

The Vatican newspaper, L'Osservatore Romano, ran a story about the executions under the headline: "The Idolatry of Vendetta."

It said the continuation of capital punishment meant "relativizing the right to life. "It also said the executions went against recent calls

by Pope John Paul II. The pope, in his Jan. I World Peace Day message, said no nation can violate the inalienable dignity of someone who has done wrong and said the door to repentance should always be left open.

The church teaches that capital punishment is morally justifiable only under strict circumstances, and in recent years the pope has said those circumstances rarely exist today.

drd is especld concern and symp, d loved one. Over 150 ~rl; oy daily for all members of t~e guild; Li . . '.' ~O!C9su~ply of cards, please call, fax, or write us

~Qi':Iayl ypur donations are gratefully accepted and U~d to support our missions in Peru.

Holy Cross Fathers 800 Tucker Road No. Dartmouth, MA 02747-3599

TEL. 508-996-2413 FAX 508-992-4188

THE ANCHOR-Diocese of Fall River-Fri., Feb. 7, 1997

Marian Manor staff member honored

Bernadette Mackin, C.T.R.S., versity. She is certified as a thera- tion and Parks Society, and the director oftherapeutic activities at American Therapeutic Recreation peutic recreation specialist by the Marian Manor, Taunton, was Association, she also tea.ches theNational Council on Therapeutic named the Therapeutic Recreation Recreation Certification. A mem- rapeutic recreation at Johnson & Professional of the Year by the ber of the Massachusetts Recrea- Wales University.

Massachusetts Recreation and Park Association. She received the award at the association's annual conference in Sturbridge, MA. Rather than just a diversion to keep residents busy during the day, therapeutic activities widely gaining respect as another form of therapy to help nursing home residents and others improve communication skills, mobility and cognitive functioning.

"At Marian Manor, therapeutic activities are part of a rehabilitative team - including physical, speech and occupational therapies - that cooing with delight to the man looks at the whole person," said Ms. Mackin. "We help bring resiwho has been a foster grandparent dents back to their highest level of for three years.

Duran may feed his "foster grand- functioning possible before they were diagnosed with an illness. children" or supervise them at the "We use various forms of recreaplayground. "I like being with the tion for each resident. Programs children. I like the way they start 'to do something that they couldn't are created to suit individual needs, abilities and interests," she condo before," he said. tinued, adding that Marian Manor The children in the program come from a range of ethnic back- offers a variety of large and small group activities including exercise, grounds and situations. There are 36 children with multiple disabili- socials, entertainment, current ties, 41 formerly abused' and neg- events, bingo, movies, expressive lected children and eight teen-age art sessions, music therapy, senparents, according to Sister Kerna- sory stimulation, outings, special interest clubs and holiday parties. ghan.

The roster of children served - Residents also receive individual includes 46 youngsters with learn- visits with mail delivery, a shopping cart or a sensory cart, and ing disabilities, 30 who are emo:' BERNADETTE MACKIN, CTRS,director oftherapeutionally disturbed and 15 with hear- volunteers bring their pets to visit residents weekly. ing impairments. tic recreation at Marian Manor, Taunton, was recently named "I've always been an active perThe largest concentration offosTherapeutic Recreation Professional of the Year by t.he Master grandparents is at Glen Rog- son. I thought I wanted to be a ers, where there are II volunteers teacher but when looking for col- sachusetts Recreation and Park Association. Here she and resident Minnie Hemmingway enjoy looking at a book during leges 'I found therapeutic recreaon campus every morning.

"The kids see them as special tion. I also became interested in a music therapy session. people,"said principal Larry Alvar- psychology and thought maybe ado. "The program helps our teach- through recreational activities I ers meet the needs of the kids. And could help people," said Ms. it gives the kids who don't live near Mackin. She has worked with the that period they can make up their CALCUTT A, India (CNS) mentally retarded, and physically their grandparents the feeling of Mother Teresa's health has im- minds to choose a successor to disabled as well as the elderly. an extended family.

Mother Teresa," Archbishop Henry proved from what it was in late That feeling led one boy to write A Raynham resident, Ms. D'Souza of Calcutta told reporJanuary, said her doctor. about his relationship with Penny Mackin holds a bachelor's degree ters Feb. 2.

"I have been visiting her. She is Barthold of Chula Vista. He wrote: in recreation education from Cort, The archbishop announced in better now."

Dr. Ashish Kumar "Grandma is very nice to have. land State College, New York, and early January that, bc:cause of said Feb. 2. .

She helps us with our homework. a master's degree in therapeutic health problems, the 19'79 Nobel She helps us when we have a prob- recreation from Long Island UniMother Teresa, 86, had been peace laureate and founder of the lem. But she's old and she goes suffering respiratory problems and Missionaries of Charity had decided spinal pain, and in late January home at noon." to step down as the order's superBarthold may appear .old to a the spiritual director of tpe Misior general. second-grader,' but she looks far WASHINGTON (CNS) - As sionaries of Charity expressed In August and Sc:ptember, younger than her actual age of 81. the new year began, there were 13 doubt that she would live much Mother Teresa was hospitalized She attributes her youthful appear- active U.S. bishops who could longer. for three weeks for cardiac probance to 15 years of foster grand- retire for reasons of age in 1997.

The Missionaries of Cha'rity post- lems, rrialaria and a lung infection. parent service at Greg Rogers.

Seven - including two cardinals poned a scheduled Feb. 2 election She fell out of a (:hair and "It's invigorating, it's rewarding," _ have already turned 75, but as of a superior general of their order injured her head about a week - the new year opened Pope John she said. during their chapter until the end after her release and wall hospitalShe has worked with severely Paul II had not yet accepted their of February. Church sources said ized for 10 days. handicapped children and is cur- resignations. Six active U.S. bishthe nuns' reluctance to elect a new In November, Mother Teresa rently assigned to the second grade. ops will turn 75 within the next 12 leader while Mother Teresa is still underwent angioplasty J:O remove She helps several boys with writ- months. The most prominent of alive was seen as a major hurdle in blockages in two of her major ing, reading and school work. And the U.S. prelates who are already the run-up to the chapter, post- coronary arteries. she also has sweet rewards for her past their 75th birthday are Card i- . poned from October because of She was released from the hosnals John J. O'Connor of New foster grandchildren Mother Teresa's ill health. pital and returned to tht: Mission"She has good cookies for bring- York and James A. Hickey of aries of Charity motherhouse Dec. "They will hold discussions for ing homework every day," accord- Washington. Both turned 75 in about a month. Any time during 19. . ing to a 7-year-old named Ch~is.

1995, but the pope asked them to stay on past the usual retirement spea~: age.

COUNCILS ON AGING Bristol Elder Services, Inc. (BES) Staff will present a general overis holding a public hearing at 11 :00 view of BES services and will DIGHTON a.m. on Feb. 13. Elders will have make informational literature Blood pressure clinics are held an opportunity to "speak out" and available. In addition, HES staff on the second Tuesday of each express their concerns. They may will respond to question:; and conmonth. If you would like an then enjoy a complimentary lunch cerns during an informal question appointment for the Feb. 11 th provided by the BES Nutrition and answer session. clinic, call 823-0095.

Program.

To register and reserve a comCan you give two two~hour sesElders residing throughout plimentary lunch, call I:he Westsions to teach middle school aged Greater Fall River, Greater Taun- port COA at (508) 63ci-1026 by children some basics on knitting ton and Greater Attleboro are Feb. 10. Contact the BES Inforor sewing. They are making artiinvited to participate in this free mation and Referral Dc:partment cles for the AIDS awareness proand open forum. The Westport at (508) 675-2101 or 1-800-427gram which they will donate so Council on Aging (COA) will host 2101 with questions regarding that babies born with the disease the event at its senior drop-in cen- this public hearing or any elder maytl~e the'iri. ter, 75 Reed Road, Westport. issue.

Young and old benefit from foster grandparent program SAN DIEGO (CNS) - Children served by a foster grandparent program in the San Diego Diocese are grateful for classroom companions like Merna Shire of Chula Vista.

"She always helps me and she likes me,"6-year-old Adam Byford told the Southern Cross, diocesan newspaper. The first-grader attends Greg Rogers Center and School in Chula Vista.

Adults like "Grandma Merna" are also thankful for the program, administered by Catholic Charities for 23 of its 25 years.

"There are numerous rewards.

It has taught me how to communicate, to go in to say, 'I love you' and hug them," said Shire, who has been a foster grandmother at the school for 14 years. She is assigned to the first grade, but has worked with disabled children.

"We use the pool for a halfhour. I help them el;{ercise their muscles and teach them to swim. I learned patience, which I never did have," said this mother of six and grandmother of nine. She is a veteran of the program.

It is open to people ages 60 and older whose income falls below income guidelines set by the federal government. The grandparents serve 20 hours each week and receive a stipend of$2.45 per hour.

They also receive a daily meal when working, a transportation allowance, an annual physioal examination and limited insurance coverage.

Foster grand parents are assigned to facilities like schools, day-care centers and emergency shelters in San Diego and nearby communities.

"The program gives adults a purpose, a place to go when they get up. And the children and the community are receiving so much," said program director Sister Sus~nn Kernaghan, a member ofthe Community of the Holy Spirit.

The foster grandparents represent a variety'of cultures, as well as different faiths. There are 27 African-Americans, 26 Caucasians, 14 Hispanics and 12 of Asian/ Pacific Islander backgroulJd. Foster grandparents gave 82,40"0 hours of service last year.

That figure includes the service of Francisco Duran, a retire.d f,qrestry technician. He is "Grandpa Frank" to the special education class at Glen Rogers. The role allows him to live his faith.

"I don't believe you just go to church. It is better to do something every day, rather than something big every five years," said Duran, a Catholic. . .

In the classroom, Durini'communicated with one boy in a wheelchair by talking softly and stroking his hair. The boy responded by

Mother Teresa's health improved

13 at ret-Iring age

DES invites area elders to

out

New satellite ch~nnel to jocus farming and rural life

By Mark Pattison WASHINGTON (eNS) - Yet another television network? Yes, but it's not joining the: crowd trying to reach the young urbansuburban audience.

The new kid on the block, Channel Earth, is focusing on the farmer and the rural community.

Channel Earth, a satellite channel to debut March 10, sounds like a good concept to National Catholic Rural Life Conference communications director Sandra LeBlanc.

"I think it's a valuable contribution to rural life. It's the first channel to focus on a specific audience, that being rural Ameri(:a," she told Catholic News Service in a Jan. 31 telephone interview from confer-

ence headquarters in Des Moines, Iowa.

But Channel Earth isn't up and running yet, and LeBlanc said she "would be interested in their vision for rural America.

"A variety of different voices and approaches to rural life need to be heard," she added.

A Channel Earth survey indicated that 38 percent of the farmers whose incomes exceed $40,000 a year but don't have a satellite dish would be more likely,to get one if there were a channel with programming dedicated to their concerns.

Channel Eart.h is the brainchild of the National Rural Telecommunications Cooperative, which is funded by America's rural utili-

Knights present pope with gifts

By Lynne Well VATICAN CITY (CNS) - The Knights of Columbus accompanied their new year's wishes to Pope John Paul II with a $2 million donation.

The gift was offered at the Vatican by Supreme Knight Virgil Dechant and Bishop Thomas V. Daily of Brooklyn, supreme chaplain of the U.S.-based organization.

The pair also presented the pope with three medals - in gold, silver and bronze - cast to commemorate the pontiffs October 1995 visit to Brooklyn, sponsored by the diocese and the Knights.

"He seemed more impressed with the medals than with the money," Dechant said, chuckling, the evening after the audience. "But, of course, he was pleased also to have the donation for his personal charities and as a sign of our support."

The Knights of Columbus pay such a visit to the pope annually, bringing earnings from investments from their Vicarius Christi fund.

Proceeds from the fund also go, in part, to various seminaries in Rome. This year, the group gave a total of $179,000 to the North American, Mexican and Canadian colleges.

"We also assist the colleges with scholarships and other projects throughout the year," Dechant noted. "But the yearly gift shows

that we are with them in heart, spirit and soul, and that we are always praying for their mission."

Bishop Daily said that, during the IS-minute audience, the pope expressed interest in the Knights' activities to support vocations to the priesthood.

They also discussed arguments brought the previous day before the U.S. Supreme Court concerning assisted suicide and information on the progress of the case, which had been provided by the opponents of assisted suicide. Opponents are receiving support for their legal costs from the Knights of Columbus.

In addition to meeting with Pope John Paul, during their four-day stay Dechant and Bishop Daily met with several cardinals, among them Cardinal Angelo 'Sodano, Vatican secretary of state.

"We paid our respects to various dicasteries (departments) working with the Knights of Columbus," Dechant explained, adding that since he and his wife, Ann, are members of the Pontifical Council for the Family, they also stopped by there.

"These meetings never have to be long," Dechant said. "The important thing is to find out what is new that might affect the Knights of Columbus and to continue demonstrating our history of total loyalty to the Holy See."

on'

ties, The cooperative's mandate is to bring new communications technology to rural areas, much as a electricity and telephones were brought to rural areas 60 years ago.

The cooperative linked up with direct broadcast satellite service provider DirecTV at the latter's founding in 1994. Of the 2.3 million DirecTV satellites in use today, about one-fourth are in rural areas.

Cable franchises have been reluctant to string miles of cable to small towns to hook up a small number of homes.

At a Jan. 30 press conference unveiling Channel Earth, veteran farm journalist Orion Samuelson said Channel Earth would focus mainly on weather reports and market prices.

There also would be time set aside in the programming day for "health and safety, legal issues, bed and breakfasts in the country, favorite farm dogs and country church salutes."

The weekday schedule also includes two live half hours from Washington, a call-in show, farm and commodity organization news, and a generous dose of video foot-

THE ANCHOR-Diocese of Fan River-Fri., Feb. 7, 1997 age from U.S. land grant colleges and universities.

All Channel Earth programming wiII be original. Samuelson, the channel's chairman of the board, told CNS there may be an occasional infomercial, but it would likely be a Channel Earth-produced feature on a farm implement maker's new equipment and never a plug for exercise videos or anything outside the channel's rural focus.

Studios in downtown Chicago are being fitted with all-digital equipment for Channel Earth. Samuelson will continue with his weekly "u .S. Farm Report" program, which is syndicated to 180 stations and seen on WGN, available on many cable systems.

Channel Earth will be seen from 6 a.m. to 7:30 p.m. EST weekdays and 6 a.m. to noon Saturdays. The remaining hours are given back to DirecTV for pay-per-view programming.

Channel Earth's backers have invested $6 million so far for the start-up, including a World Wide Web site.

Samuelson, who has been in the broadcast business for four decades, called Channel Earth "the most exciting thing I've done in journalism."

Her estate directs that all royalties from the sale of "Forever, Erma" be distributed to those charities.

Her publisher, Andrews and McMeel, recently presented a $100,000 check to Esperanca in her memory.

Speaking from the publisher's headquarters in Kansas City, Mo., Kathleen Andrews, its vice president, said: "We had a close relationship with Erma. She was part of the Andrews-McMeel family.

I'm looking forward to being in Phoenix for the tribute to Erma."

"Forever, Erma" continues on The New York Times best-seller list, according to Andrews.

"It's a collection of the best of her 4,500 columns. Her observations about family, children and marriage were timeless," she said.

"This is a book that had to be done for readers down the road as well as those who enjoyed Erma while she was alive."

Twelve of Bombeck's previous books also found their way to the best-seller list over her 25 years as a journalist.

"I left the farm at age 21 because I didn't want to get up every day at five o'clock in the morning to milk cows," he said. "Now I'm getting up at quarter to three in the morning to do a program for people who get up at five o'clock in the morning to milk cows."

Tax plan studied ST. PAUL, Minn. (CNS) The St. Paul-Minneapolis Archdiocese has begun a series of meetings to study Minnesota Gov. Arne Carlson's proposal for giving tax credits to parents with children in private and public schools. Meetings were held through January in the archdiocese's three vicariates for pastors, school presidents and principals, parish business administrators, financial councils and school boards. Carlson's proposal, which he announced in December, calls for tax credits of $1,000 per child and $2,000 per family to households earning less than $39,000. Families could use those credits to pay for tuition at private schools or for tutoring, summer school or alternative learning. Income tax deductions for educational 'expenses also would be increased for all families, regardless of the income.

Will You Sponsor a Poor Child at a Catholic Mission Site?

I

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CFCA will see to it from other donations and the tireless efforts of our missionary partners that YOllr c1lild receives the same benefits as other sponsored c1lildren.

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And you can be assured your pledge has its greatest impact because our programs are directed by dedicated Catholic missionaries with a longstanding commitment to the people they serve.

Dombeck never found poverty funny

By Mary Breslin VILLA PARK, Ill. (CNS) Humorist Erma Bombeck, who died last April from acute kidney disease, knew there wa!; nothing funny about poverty and inadequate health care in the third world.

And then she found out about Esperanca, a nonprofit health organization that began as a floating hospital, dispensing medical care along the Amazon River in Brazil 25 years ago.

"Erma Bombeck ha!i been a friend and supporter of Esperanca for 20 years," said Charles Post, executive director of the U.S. headquarters for Esperanca in Phoenix, Ariz.

In a telephone interview with Catholic News Service from Phoenix, Post said that Bombeck was honored posthumously at Esperanca's annual banquet there Jan. 18.

Bombeck, who converted to Catholicism as a college student, assisted many charitable organizations in addition to Esperanca.

11

Little Corina lives in a small mountain town in Honduras. Her mother is blind and her father abandoned them.

Your concern can make a difference in the lives of children like Corina.

To help build your relationship, you receive a picture of your child (updated yearly), information about your child's family and country, letters from your child and the CFCA newsletter. But most important, you'll receive the satisfaction of helping a poor child.

Please don't miss this opportunity to make a difference. Become a sponsor for olle poor child today!

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12

in Havana; since then, he has been, 1 are well-prepared to train yoUng a beer (25 pesos) is t60 ex pensive," people if they have a vocation," he said. an active member of the parish.

Nevertheless, they are pleased the bishop said.

In'the same breath that he talked with the openings in the l:ountry, about studying to become a FranPita and his friends at St. Rita's ciscan, he spoke of his worries hope the economic changes taking particularly with the changes takabout leaving Cuba and his family. place in Cuba will lead to a bright- ing place between the chulrch and he were cured. Doctors had told state, and' Pope John Paul II's

By Lucien Chauvin "I love this country and every- er future for them. him the rash would go away in , planned visit for sometiml: in Janthing that I have received from it.

HAVANA, Cuba (CNS) time. uary 1998.

The country's gross domestic The only nightmare I have ever Standing under a massive palm Pita said the ChristmaH tree on "A few days later the rash was had is leaving Cuba and my fam- product grew by nearly 8 percent tree in downtown Havana to esthe altar at 81. Rita's in December doctor and he gone.

I went to the in 1996, representing the third ily. Here everyone cares for you. cape an early morning downpou,r, said it was because my body had You never feel alone," he said. straight year the economy has ex- was the perfect sign of what is Tucios Pita can barely stand stIli going on in Cuba. built up a resistance, everything panded. as he recounts the day he decided Pita is not the only Cuban con"It never snows in Cuba, but was very scientific. But I couldn't he wanted to go to church.

Low wages and poor jobs are that isn'~ stopping people from sidering religious life. Auxiliary stop thinking that there was someAt age 24, Pita is not your typithe biggest complaints of Pita and putting paper snowflakes on their thing else behind it. I went to Mass Bishop Carlos Baladron Valdes of cal Cuban. A former captain in the his friends. ' Havana said the country's two trees. Anything is possible here.

Cuban army and the son of two for the first time the following seminaries are filled to capacity.

"On New Year's Eve, who doesn't What we don't have we invent; and Sunday," he added. long-time revolutionaries, he .is want to go to a restaurant and what we don't have we dream "No one needs to leave the counPita went to church and said he preparing himself for what he said drink a beer? I can't do that though; about," he said. try to study to become a priest.

We left feeling different, but he was would be a dream come true soon back at his army base and joining the Franciscans. . into his same routine.

Pita said he began to thmk "I really couldn't talk about about God back in 1992 while still in the army. He was home visiting religion to anyone. People who the same in Brazil this year. An- other 'parts of Europe and to Asia,

By Lynne WeiI his mother in October of that year, belonged to a church were still tonia Wiliemsen, Aid to the Church Africa and Latin America. Now it and together they went to Ha- looked upon as being counterROME (CNS) Norbertine in Need secretary-general, said' has projects in 130 countries. vana's historic downtown district revolutionaries," he said.

Father Werenfried van Straaten But it is not just in trouble spots these locations will be used not While Pita was beginning to to observe commemorations of turned 84 Jan. 17, but his thoughts and developing countries that only for spending money, but also the SOOth anniversary of Chris- examine his newfound faith, the were on another milestone - the Father van Straaten sees his misfor raising it. topher Columbus's arrival in the ,government of President Fidel 50th anniversary. of the charity he sion.

"The churches in these countries , Castro and Cuba's churches were, created, Aid to the Church in Caribbean.

"We are convinced that the are accustomed to receiving ... but "We went to the cathedral to see beginning to improve relations.

Need. not to giving~" Willemsen noted, church in the West is also in need, In 1991, the government elimiwhat was happening," he said.

Founded to help displaced Ger- adding Aid to the Church in Need and therefore could use our help," "We walked across the plaza to nated its ban on church members mans after World War II, Aid to hopes to bring about "a change of he said. the old silk-cotton tree. The cus- joining the Communist Party, and the Church in Need now raises One area in which he would like mentality there." tom here is to run around the tree in 1992 the constitution was funds in wealthy countries to be This spirit is a legacy of the to concentr~te his group's future 20 times and make a wish. I did, changed to drop the clause stating spent in poorer ones to build group's earliest days, when Father efforts is promoting Christian that and I also made a wish to the that the country was atheist. By church communities, publish relig- van Straaten convinced people in unity. statue of the Virgin Mary. I fig1994, the government had ap- ious books, encourage vocations northern Belgium to offer aid to Meanwhile, he said, a media ured it couldn't hurt," he said. proved the establishment of sev- and evangelize.

German refugees as a gesture of campaign in Moscow ill helping He said he wished a skin rash eral church-related nongovernTo give its fundraising efforts reconciliation, even after years of spread the word about Aid to the mental organi~ations. from which he had suffered for new impetus and to publicize the Nazi occupation.

Church in Need and the Catholic That same year, Pita was bap- impending release of a biography some time would disappear and Although at first many were Church in the former U.S.S.R. He promised he would go to church if tized at St. Rita of Cassia Church of Father van Straaten, the group skeptical or pointed to the needy suggested that if people there were came to the Vatican's doorstep of their own country, Father van aware that his group wa.s helping and held a news conference assess- Straaten went from village to vil- rebuild th,eir country, they might ing the efforts of half a century. lage and returned to his abbey become more open to the teach, hI§"'~..%~ "Occasions such as this are bad each night with his hat full of ings of the Gospel. §"'o/'~ ~ 0/1/ fM d ~ for my humility, but good for our donations. One particularly suc"A nd so, close to the end of my • (;y,LJ ' ' ' , hi , , ,.1>- " work," the energetic oc~ogenarian cessful campaig';1 to, ship bacon to life, I have returned to the place 'j " • , Vb ~etzOUl/ ' . ":' , , said as he launched into a iitany of Germany earned,him the nickname where I started 50 years ago," Aid to the Church in Need's recent "The Bacon Priest."

Father van Straaten said, "conachievements and future aims.

Through the years, the organi- verting love into reconciliation Chief on the organization's list zation's operations expanded to with yesterday's enemy.'" , Oh adorable and Divine Will, behold me here before the of goals is the continued reconimmensity of Your Ught, that Your eternal goodness may open struction of religious life in the to me the doors and make me enter into It to form my life all in former Soviet Union. But because the area's Christians belong mostly You, Divine Will. Therefore, oh adorable Will, prostrate before to Orthodox churches, Father van Your Ught, I, the least of all creatures, put myself into the little Straaten said, it is often a delicate group of the sons and daughters of Your Supreme FIAT. Pros~ operation, trate in my nothingness, I invoke Your Ught and beg that It "The new evangelization of the clothe me and eclipse all that does not pertain to You, Divine former Soviet Union is, first and Will. It will be my Ufe, the center of my intelligence, the foremost, the task of the Orthodox enrapturer of my heart and of my whole being. I do not want Church," he said. "But after the collapse of the U.S.S. R., it is one the human will to have life in this heart any longer. I will cast it of our greatest responsibilities to away from me and thus form the new Eden of Peace, of happihelp this persecuted church to reness and of love. With It I shall be always happy. I shall have cover." singular strength and a holiness that sanctifies all things and Father van Straaten recalled conducts them to God. fondly the first time he offered a Here prostrate, I invoke the help of the Most Holy Trinity, donation to a Russian Orthodox Church leader - he would not say that They permit me to live in the cloister of the Divine Will which one - just after the dissoluand thus return in me the, first order of creation, just as the tion of the Soviet Union. creature was created.

After discussing the intentions Heavenly Mother, Sovereign and Queen of the Divine Rat, of Aid to the Church in Need, take my hand and introduce me into the Ught of the Divine Father, van Straaten asked his Will. You will be my guide, my most tender Mother, and will counterpart if he would accept the teach me to live in and to maintain myself in the order and the gift.

"I won't," came the reply, "but bounds of the Divine 'Will. Heavenly Mother, I consecrate my my children will." whole being to Your Immaculate Heart. You will teach me the Now hundreds of appeals from doctrine of the Divine Will and I will listen most attentively to the former communist bloc join Your lessons. You will cover me with Your mantle so that the the roughly 9,000 requests for help infernal serpent dare not penetrate into this sacred Eden to that the group gets annually. Its entice me and make me fall into the maze of the human will.

600,000 benefactors worldwide Heart of my greatest Good, Jesus, You will give me Your provide material support exceeding $70 million per year. flames that they may burn me, consume me, and feed me to About 10 percent of the funds form in me the Ufe of the Divine Will. cover the cost of maintaining Saint Joseph, you will be my protector, the guardian of my operations at 16 offices worldwide, heart, and will keep the keys of my will in your hands. You will along with the headquarters in keep my heart jealously and shall never give it to me again, Koenigstein.,Germany. that I may be sure of never leaving the Will of God. To improve coordin'ation of its activities in South America, Aid to My guardian Angel; guard me; defend me; help me in everyNORBERTINE FATHER Werenfried van Straaten the Church in Need opened a Chile- founded Aid to the Church in Need in 1947 to help displaced thing so that my Eden may flourish and be the instrument that an office in 1996 and plans to do draws all men into the Kingdom of the Divine Will. Amen.

'THE ANCHOR-Dioces~'6fFall River-Fri:;Feb'. '7,

'1997

Newfound faith gives hope

Aid to the Church celebrates 50

year~~

Wonw

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uud

ConS,ecration to the'Divine Will

a

an H~norof Luisa Piccarreta 1865-1947 Child of the Diuine Will)

GOD'S ANCHOR HOLDS

Germans following World War II. The charity is still active raising funds in wealthy countries to be spent in poorer ones for church needs. (CNS photo)

-

-------------------------------------------------------THE ANCHOR-Diocese of Fall River-Eri:~'Feb-. 1,'J')9'7

By Rob Cullivan

ROCHESTER, N.Y. (CNS)A young Rochester man, when faced with his girlfriend's unplanned pregnancy, said he decided after some reflection to shoulder the responsibilities of fatherhood.

"I know it's an embarrassing thing," he said of the out-ofwedlock conception, "but you're dealing with a human life, and, to me, that goes beyond what friends think and what the family thinks."

However, the woman decided to have an abortion.

The man, who asked to remain anonymous, told The Catholic Courier, newspaper of the Rochester Diocese, that he has no respect for the society that gave him no legal say in the woman's decision to go through with the abortion.

"It takes two to have a baby," he said. "I feel that the man should have some type of say."

According to those familiar with the issue of abortion and its effect on men, this man's anguish may be common. Fathers are the forgotten element in the debate, overlooked even by pro-life activists who see the issue as one primarily concerning women.

"In a certain sense, men don't have a right to talk about (abortion) because they're the bad guy who got her pregnant,'" said David Reardon, director of the Eliot Institute in Springfield, 111., in a phone interview.

Reardon, who has studied the effects ofabortion on women, men, siblings and society for 14 years, publishes The Post Abortion Review, a quarterly newsletter, and recently wrote the book "Making Abortion Rare: A Healing Strategy for a Divided Nation."

Men whose friends or wives have abortions often fear they will aggravate the pain of their mates by talking about what happened, said Reardon. "The fact that so many men are carrying grief around

in their hearts makes little difference to those who favor abortion," he added.

There are no exhaustive studies of the effects of abortion on men, just anecdotal evidence, he said.

Consequently, much that is said is considered spec!llative.

One book - "Men and Abortion: Lessons, Losses and Loves"

by Arthur B. Shostak, published in 1984 - studied the issue in a limited way.

Shostak, a sociology professor at Drexel University in Philadelphia, said he studied 1,000 men who accompanied wives or girlfriends to 32 abortion clinics in 18 states.

He found that 84 percent of them felt the decision to have an abortion was made jointly, while 3 to 4 percent felt it was imposed on them; 95 percent said it was the most difficult experience of their lives; and 90 percent said they would never be back because they would be more careful about using contraception.

A small percentage considered it immoral, said Shostak.

According to several observers, a man is touched by abortion in one of five ways: he didn't know the woman was pregnant and that she had an abortion; he pressured her to have the abortion; he opposed the abortion and is angry afterward at both the woman and her doctor; he abandoned the woman totally; or he told her he would support her regardless of her decision.

The Rev. Wayne F. Brauning, a Presbyterian minister in Pennsylvania, believes the majority fall into the final category.

As founder of Men's Abortion ReCoverY,also knownas MARC, he works with men suffering the effects of abortion. He said fear keeps men from opposing their mates' decisions to abort.

Many relationships end following an abortion, and even those

that survive are scarred forever, he said. "When you've got a dead baby between the two of you, you're always going to be blaming each other for what you did."

He also said men who fail to stand up for their unborn offspring reap a harvest of guilt, shame and anger.

For those who regret abortion, healing is available. Experts said both men and women need to confess, forgive one another and sometimes even hold services to commemorate their dead children.

"They have to grieve the death ofthis child who was never named, who was never allowed to be born " said Sister Julie LeVeque, a me~足 bel' of the Sisters of St. Joseph and pastoral counselor at their Spirituality Center in Rochester.

The nun, who also is a Project Rachel counselor in the diocese, said parishes should publicize the project's nationwide post-abortion work to promote healing and reconciliation. Project Rachel encourages participation in the sacrament of reconciliation.

Warren Williams, a Protestant layman from Boulder, Colo., is founder of Fathers and Brothers, a post-abortion ministry to men. He said people ministering to men whose wives or girlfriends have had an abortion need to move the public discussion of abortion toward the deeper significance of what has happened to these men.

"We have to talk about lost children, lost relationships, lost fatherhood," he said. "It wasn't an abortion that caused this - it was a choice not to become a parent."

When talking to such men, no one should trivialize or minimize their pain, said Williams.

"I have to live with this for the rest of my life now," said the anonymous young man in summing up his loss. "Do you realize, whether I have one child or 30 more, I always know that my first child was aborted?"

Canadian bishops want full membership OTTAWA (CNS) -- When the Canadian Council of Churches holds its annual meeting in Ottawa in June, the Catholic Church, for the first time, may be represented as a full-fledged mc:mber.

The Canadian Conference of Catholic Bishops announced Jan. 21 that after more than a decade as an associate member it has formally applied for full status in the council, which was formed in 1944.

The CCCB's ecumenical officer, Charity Sister Donna Geernaert, said the announcement, made during the Week of Prayer for Christian Unity, "signals the commit-

ment of the Roman Catholic Church to ecumenism."

Bede Hubbard, assistant general secretary of the CCCB's Englishspeaking sector, said the Catholic Church has not been a full-time member of the CCC partly because of its size.

"More than half of the Canadian Christian population is Roman Catholic," Hubbard said, "and we wanted to find a way of participating, while at the same time not overwhelming the other members of the council."

According to 1991 census figures, more than 12 million out of

almost 30 million Canadians are Catholic. The second-largest Christian church, the United Church of Canada, claims more than 3 million adherents - a number nearly equal to those Canadians who claim no religious affiliation.

Hubbard said that Catholic Church structure in Canada was another factor in delaying its fulltime membership status in the CCc. "The Anglicans, the United (Church of Canada), the Lutherans and the Presbyterians all have national church headquarters, while the Roman Catholic Church ... is really quite decentralized," he said. "Individual dioceses have a lot of authority to do things their own way."

The Canadian bishops' conference decided to apply for CCC membership in light of recent changes the council has made to its own organization, including a move to bilingualism.

"I n the Catholic Church, French is an official language," explained Hubbard, "whereas for the' Protestant churches, French is very much a language of the minority."

Each of the CCC members has been given six months to approve the CCCB's admission, but Hubbard said the bishops' conference does not expect anyone to challenge its request.

POPE JOHN Paul II greets a man and a child on a street outside a Rome soup kitchen in 1993. It is not unusual for the pope, who often hosts the world's most powerful personalities, to venture out and meet the people in Rome. (eNS/ Mari photo)

Regardless of your stature, meeting the pope is a thrill

By John Thavis

VATICAN CITY (CNS) - In the daily line-up of personalities who meet or greet Pope John Paul II, there are Big People and little people.

The Big People are the world's powerful: presidents and kings, ambassadors and financial experts, renowned scientists and various officials of the Catholic Church. Their handshake with the pope appears in newspapers the next day.

The little people are anonymous.

They have no pull, no power and no privileged access to the upper echelons of the Vatican hierarchy.

Yet without them, Pope John Paul's papacy wouldn't be the same.

As the 76-year-old pontiff has grown more frail and his audiences have gradually been cut back, one might think the little people would have a harder time getting close to the pope. So far, that hasn't been the case.

On Jan. 13, the pope hosted his premier "Big People" event at the Vatican: the annual address to diplomats accredited to the Holy See. For the 160 or so ambassadors who attend, it's a special moment. Not only do they hear one of the most important papal speeches of the year, but they each get a word with the pope afterward.

This year, as every year, most ambassadors wore tuxedos, and the pope donned a ceremonial red and gold stole. He shook the hand of each envoy, looked him or her in the eye a'nd listened to brief comments about global flash points and world peace.

The meeting made headlines the next day. The pope, after all, had delivered a "state of the world" summary, touching on the Middle East, China, Algeria, central Africa and other hot spots.

In contrast, two papal visits the evening before failed to register on the mass media radar. Not even a blip. But then, these were the little peop~. .

The pope first made his way to a spot a few blocks from the Vatican, where he met a group of street sweepers and garbage collectors.

Every year they erect a nativity scene, and the pope wants to see it.

It's become a tradition, and the workers' families join in, too.

This was not the "state of the world" pontiff; he was much more casual. He did n't give a speech, and nobody minded. Instead, he tried some humor, recounting a conversation with God. "I ask Jesus, 'Are you pleased?'

He tells me, 'Sure, with the street sweepers I'm really pleased,'" the pope said.

He continued: '''But Jesus, are you pleased with me?' 'Sure, as long as you visit the street sweepers." .

The street sweepers and their families loved it.

"You're wonderful!" one little girl shouted out.

On his way back to the Vatican, the pope next stopped in on a shelter forthe homeless run by Mother Teresa's Missionaries of Charity.

Here, he greeted the more than 80 men and women who receive a warm meal, a bed or a helping hand at the Vatican center. He shook the hand of each and looked him or her in the eye. He whispered a few words, in Italian or in Polish; many of the poor who come here are Polish immigrants who have not found a place in Italian society.

Again, no papal speech was needed - just a few words about how Jesus was born in a manger, and how this shelter was built to recall that fact. The pope led a few prayers for Mother Teresa, who was still recovering from heart problems, then went to his apartment a few hundred feet away.

The pope, whose gait and speech have been affected by a nervous system disorder, does not do as much mingling and hand-pressing as he used to. During long public ceremonies he often looks tired, and he rarely ad libs any more with large crowds.

He livens up considerably with small groups, though, and that delights those lucky enough to participate in a private audience.

Big or little, ambassadors or garbage collectors, they are heard afterward saying with equal pride: "I met the pope."

'.

II

Our Catholic Schools â&#x20AC;˘ Our Catholic Yout Coyle and CassidyH.S. Each Coyle stud,ent in the class Coyle and Cassidy High School, Taunton, in conjunction with St. is required to set up a lesson plan, Mary's School, Taunton, has imple- which may include quizzes, games mented a new program for foreign .or activit'ies to strengthen the stulang'uage students. World Lan- dents' language capabilitie:;. Fifth guage Practicum gives juniors ~nd grade teacher Sandra Parker said seniors with at least two years aca- that "the kids really respo:nd well demic experience in' Spanish, to the Coyle students. :rhey are French, or Portuguese the oppor- always askin'g if it's foreign lantunity to share their knowledge guage day.".

St. Mary's School principal Marwith the fourth and fifth graders at tina Grover feels th~ project is very St. Mary's School.

Barbara Roth, coordinator of beneficial. "The students he:re get a the class, feels that "it gives the taste oJ anot,her language. This is students a real pride in ownership. part of the recommendations by My students really enjoy teaching the Department of Education for the children." The 33 students en- elementary schools. We're: ahead . rolled go to St. Mary's twice dur- of the game."

The C-C students receive credits ing their seven day cycle, ,giving them the opportunity to put ,into in for~ign languages, and in required community service. practice what they are learning.

F ATH~R DAVID Costa (at altar) celebrates a Mass at Bishop Connolly High School, Fall River, with several other priests, culminating Catholic Schools Week. Former and p'r~sent faci.dty,.administration and staff of schools forming t'he r~ots of Bishop Connolly were invited , to the liturgy., (Anchor!Jolivet photo)' ,

"Roots," of Connolly Bishop Connolly High School, Fall River, concluded Catholic Schools Week with a Mass in its auditorium, attended by the entire student body and faculty. In addition, some very special guests were asked to join the celebratio,n. School principal,; Anthony Nunes and

.

rememb~red

school chaplain, Father David Costa invited the religious communities that have taught at schools' that forme<J the roots of what is now Bishop Connolly High School.

Representatives from the Religious of Jesus Marr, the Holy UniO!1 Sisters, the Dominican Sis-

St. Joseph, New Bedford St. Joseph School, New Bedford, celebrated the Super Bowl with a spirit day on Jan. 14. The students and staff came dressed in New England Patriots' apparel and team colors. Those who weren't Patriots fans had the option to sport any Super Bowl clothing they had. The atmosphere was electrifying.

This event led the students into

the exciting events of Catholic Schools Week, which began with a children's Mass and pancake breakfast.

Other events during the week included; hat and tie day, a trip to a local roller rink, and, an after' noon of bingo.

The week concluded as it had begun, with the celebration of Mass, followed by a social.

STUDENTS AND staff at S1. Joseph's School, New Bedford, gathered for a Super Bowl spirit day at the school recently. Pictured are (from left): JillianBrune; Michael Girouard; Yvette Costa, school secretary; and Paulette Dansereau, principal.

ters and the Sisters of Mercy joined the Brothers of Christian Instruction at the Mass, representing former and current faculty, administration and ,staff at Jesus Mary Academy, Sacred Hearts Academy, Dominican Academy, Mount St. Mary Academy, Msgr. Prevost High School, and Bishop Gerrard High School, all in Fall River.

Also attending the Mass were the eighthgrade classes of Notre Dame School and St. Stanislaus School, Fall River.

Bishop Connolly was founded as a college preparatory school for young men in 1966 and eventually merged with Msgr. Prevost High School, Fall River, after the latter JUNIORS AND seniors from Coyle and Cassidy High was destroyed by fire. In 1980, School, Taunton, meet regularly with fourth and fifth graders Connolly became coeducational; the successor to Bishop Gerrard from S1. Mary's School, Taunton, as part of a foreign language High School, Fall River. Bishop program.

Gerrard's rich history of Catholic education for young women had its traditions founded in Jesus Mary Academy, Sacred Hearts Academy, Dominican Academy and Mount St. Mary, reaching back to the early years of this century.

In his homily, Father Costa thanked the religious communities for their dedication and service to Catholic education and the young. men and women in the Fall River, area through the years. He shared with the students the impression these people made upon him when he was a young'rrian. an impression that eventually led to his becoming a priest.

Following'the Mass, .the special guests were invited to a luncheon in the school.

SISTER LOUISE D. Synan, OP, a graduate of Dominican Academy, Fall River, and presently a counselor at the school, was presented the Distinguished Graduate Award, sponsored by the National Catholic Educational Association.

The award was presented by D.A. principal, Sister Diane Dube, at a ceremony during Catholic Schools Week. Pictured with Sister Synan is Monica Gouveia, a seventh grade st'Lldent at the academy, winner of a "Naming the Decal" contest. "

,

OUfRoCK anti Role Friendship and the Simple Things

By Charlie Martin

I FINALLY FOUND SOM,EONE I finally found someone That knocks me off my feet I finally found the' one That malCes me feel complete It started over coffee We started out as friends It's funny how from simple things The best things begin This time It's different And It's all because of you It's better than It's ever been 'Cause we can talk It through My favorite line was "Can I call you sometime?"

It's all you had to say To take my breath away Refrain: This Is It Oh, I finally found someone Someone to share my life I finally found the one To be with every night 'Cause whatever I do It's lust got to be you I finally found someone Old I keep you waiting?

I didn't mind I apologize Baby, that's fine I would walt forever Just to know You were mine You know, I love your hair Are you sure It looks right?

I love what you wear Isn't It tC)O tight?

You're exceptional Can't walt for The rest of my life (Repeat refrain) And whatever I do It's got to be you My life has lust begun I finally found someone Written by B. Strelsand/M. Hamllsch/R.J. Lang/B. Adams.

Sung by Barbra Strelsand and Bryan Adams. , Copyright (c) 1996 by Emanuel Muslc/TSP Music Inc.!

Out of Pocket Productions and Badams Music Lid. Copyright (c) 1996 by Sony Music Entertainment BRYAN ADAMS is a wellclimbers on the charts. Their known name in rock/pop. But duet is "I Finally Found SomeBarbra Streisand? Not someone one." The cassingle is off fans expect. Howevf:r, together the soundtrack disc' of "The they have one of t:he hottest Mirror Has Two Faces," a ro-

mantic comedy starring Streisand.

I haven't seen the movie, so I don't know how the song presents its message. Yet, the lyrics offer some interesting ideas about relationships. ' I especially liked the line: "We started out as friends; it's funny how from simple things the best things begin." How true! Instead of seeking highenergy romance, look for someone to be friends with.

The best part of "boyfriend" or "girlfriend" is "friend."

Friends bring support, companionship and fun into each other's lives.

Friends' can share problems and doubts with each other.

Expectations are minimized.

Friends realize that they don't own each other. They simply help each other discover the best in themselves. ' Simple things mean a lot between friends. No expensive dates or presents. No setting of long-range agendas.

Instead, friends help each other with school and work.

They share favorite music.

Sometimes they just hang out together. Yes, simple things.

You can enjoy friendship with someone of the opposite sex without dating.

To do this, take romance out' of consideration as soon as possible. Tell the other that you want to enjoy time with him or her without the pressures of a romance.

True, some individuals only seek the sparks and high energy of romantic love. Perhaps they don't recognize that friendship is a powerful love on its own.

Friendship may not mean that you've "finally found the one to be with every night." But friendship is a way to enjoy your life now, as a teen.

Why not try it? Seek friends, not lovers!

Your comments are always welcome. Please address: Charlie Martin, RR 3, Box 182, Rockport, Ind. 47635.

A LARGE representation from the youth groups at St. Micha~l's parish, S~ansea, gathered on Epiphany Sunday to kick off the 75th anniversary celebratiOn of the pansh.

Coming of

Age FOR YOUTH

â&#x20AC;˘ ABOUT YOUTH

By Amy Welborn If anyone can tell you about volunteer work, high school senior Anmarie can.

She's done quite a bit in her time, working as a tutor, helping out at a crisis-pregnancy center.

Last summer she did a six-week stint in the Philippines.

The Philippines? Isn't that a few thousand miles away?

That's the one.

Anmarie, her sister and a friend did indeed give a month and a half of their time over the summer working at an agency that serves Amerasian children, most of whom have been abandoned by American fathers to live in poverty with their mothers in the Philippines.

"We worked in the office, mostly," Anmarie related. "We were able to teach the office staff how to use their word-processing program. It was something we had learned in class the year before, and because we taught them they didn't have to hire someone to do it."

The girls often went on visits with staff workers and spent time talking with the children served by the agency.

"The foundation was a meeting place, so we could talk to the kids who came by and try to give them some support and encouragement."

Life in the Philippines is, of course, much different from life in the United States, Anmarie is half Filipino and had spent time in the country before, but she still was struck by the dramatically lower standard ofliving she found there.

"So many people live in poverty," Anmarie commented, "and the government is too corrupt to help them. People live in shacks

and have to do anything they can to make money so they can live on their $200 a year."

"But," she added, "even though they're poor, the people are happy."

Anmarie and her companions learned a lot about the value of service through their work, as well.

"It made me see how you can do just a little bit and really can help.

Teaching the office workers how to use the computers better seems really little, but it saved them a lot of time and even a lot of money."

It's an amazing thing, when you think of it. Instead of spending their summer at the mall or lying out by the pool, Anmarie, Lianna and Esther took a big risk and a big trip across the ocean to help children in desperate need of help and support in a country that often discriminates against them because of their mixed-race heritage.

Young people can be extraordinarily generous and compassionate. Unfortunately, our culture too often fails to encourage that side of them. Society's members either prejudge them as selfish, spoiled brats or indulge them, seeking to "protect" them from the difficulties of life. Either way, we fail to tap into teens' natural enthusiasm and energy, qualities that, with very little effort, can be guided in fruitful directions.

But, as Anmarie's story shows, it doesn't have to be that way.

Whether you are helping someone learn to read, working with a group to paint or renovate a house or shopping for groceries with or for an aged person, you can put your gifts and talents to work in a way that makes someone else's life brighter and adds warmth to yours as well.

Pope's play set for 1997 release

By Lynne Weil VATICAN CITY (CNS) - A play that Pope John Paul II wrote while still a young priest is being filmed for theatrical release in time for his next visit to his native Poland.

Vatican Radio and other news services reported in mid-December that Polish director Krzysztof Zanussi is in charge of the PolishItalian co-production. It is based on "Our God's Brother," written in 1949 by then-Father Karol Wojtyla, who wrote poetry and several plays.

Scott Wilson, who comes from the United States, plays the lead role in the film.

The st'ory concerns the Polish monk Albert Adam Chmielowski, named a saint in 1989 by the same pope who chronicled his life.

Chmielowski was a successful painter when he took part in a revolt against Russian authorities in 1869. He lost a leg in the fight and went on to abandon his artistic career to found a shelter for the

homeless and to dedicate his efforts to the poor.

Now in production in London, the film is expected to have its premier before the Polish church hierarchy and other authorities in tandem with the papal visit to Poland next'June.

Day for religious VATICAN CITY (CNS) Pope John Paul II has established an annual "Day of Consecrated Life" to highlight the role played by religious men and women in the church. The pope said the day will be celebrated on the Feast of the Presentation of the Lord. Feb. 2.

Hc said the day is appropriate because it recalls the total giving of one's life, as well as the gift given by the parents of those with religious vocations. The pope announced the annual commemoration in a letter to bishops and members of religious orders around the world. The text was made publie Jan. 18.

! .. " .

';'.1·..·6·..... THE ANCHO R:..2..Dic)cese· Of' FaIrRi\;'erL"Fri.·;~ Feb:'7; 'i99i""'VOCATIONOVERNIGHT' """:'."" ·taSALETTE·SIIRINE~'.;.: ....• ':•....,•. HOSPIC~' VO[;1!~TEEIlS '. .

. Have you ever wondered whatthe . seminary was like? Have you ever considered studying for the priesthood? If so join a "Vocation Overnight" at St. lohn's Seminary in Brighton on Feb. 20-21. All young men in college or recent graduates are invited to join some of the Fall River seminarians to see what seminary life is like firsthand. For details, PRO·L1FE CONVENTION CALIX GROUP . Cardinal John O'Connor of New . call Father Craig A. Pregana, tel.

On Feb. 9, the members of the Calix· Group will hold their monthly York will be one of the special guests 675-1311 or e-mail: capregana@ meetillg.. Calix enlists Catholics who at the Diocesan Pro-Life Conven- Juno.com. are gratefully celebrating recovery tion to be held April 26 at Bishop MARRIAGE ENCOUNTER from alcoholism and other addic- Connolly High School, Fall River.

For more information on the next. tions and 'offers a supplement· to 'Don't miss this opportunity-to gain Tri~Valley Marriage Encounter other 12-steps programs. valuable information which will Weekend, Feb. 14-16 at LaSalette enable you to better defend the. right Center for Christian Living in AttleCATHEDRAL CAMP, to life of every individual. For in- boro, call Dick and Sue Smith, tel.

E. FREETOWN The Pastoral Care Department is formation, call Marian Desrosiers, (401) 765-1426. holding a retreat at Cathedral Camp tel. 997-2290.

MASS CITIZENS FOR LIFE through tomorrow.

AFTERNOON OF All are welcome to visit and use RECOLLECTION COURAGE the "Life Issues Resource Center," 6, SagaSt. Theresa's Chapel, Rte. The February meeting of Courage 298 Main St., Suite 3, Hyannis, 771will' be held on Feb. 8 at '7 p; m. at more, will hold an afternoon of 2255. It is a collection. of books, Holy Name. Rectory on Mt. Plea- recollection for women on Feb. 10. magazines, pamphlets, reference masant St. in New Bedford. Courage Confessions will be heard from 2:30 terials, encyclopedias and video and offers a support group for homo- to 3 p.m. and also at 5 p.m. by a .audio 'cassettes on abortion, infantisexual Catholics who are striving to priest of Opus Dei. All area women cide, euthanasia, and related moral are welcome. lead chaste lives. and ethical issues. The office hours are Tue, - Thu. from 11-4 and Sat. from II-I, or by appointment.

This Valentine's Day Give the Ultimate Gift . ..

ST. ANNE'S HOSPITAL, FR' a Gift Certificate for a Night at the St. Anne's Hospital offers a va. riety of support groups and educational series for those with diabetes and their families, survivors of BED & BREAKFAST'e MUSEUM cancer, those suffering with prostate 92 SECOND STREET • FALL RIVER, MAsSACHUSETfS or' breast cancer, and those newly CALL FOR INFORMATION & RESERVATIONS diagnosed. Call Linda Pestana, 3790778, or Mary Peterson, Cory Oli508-675-7333 veira, Sharon-Jones or Mark TheoWrite for Our Complete· List of Unique Lizzie Bordenltems at 674-5600 for particular dore for that Special Person on Your List! information.

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ATTLEBORO The group "Elijah" will make its first appearance at the Coffee House Feb. 8 at 6:30 p.m. Its music combines country and rock and roll with traditional hymns.

In observance of the Feast of Our Lady of Lourdes, the shrine will offer a Blessing for Health at the weekend Masses on Feb. 8-9. Father Manuel Pereira will be the celebrant and homilist for the 4:30 p.m. Mass on Saturday and the 12: 10 p.m.

Mass on Sunday.

Beginning Feb. 9 and continuing each Sunday through Mar. 16, LaSalette will offer a program for anyone feeling separated from the Church for any reason. Father Ernest Corriveau, MS, will host the informal gatherings at 7 p.m. in the Shrine Theater. No fee, no pressure.

There will be a Healing Service with Mass on Feb. 9 at 2 p.m. led by Father Richard Delisle, MS. The February intention for the LaSalette and Divine Mercy Holy Hour is "Forthe Suffering Church." ~ll are welco~e every 'Yednesday at 7.15 p. m. For l~for~atlOn, ~a1l2225410.. The shrIne IS handicapped acceSSible.

JO':'RNAL RETRE~T DAY .

Sister Mary FranCIS Fletcher Will lead a retreat Feb. 22 from}O a.m. to 4 p.m. Intended for all mterested :-vi~hout rega~d. for prior exp~rience I~ Jou.rnal wrItmg, the day Will proVide time and space for prayer and personal reflection in conjunction with experiences of journal writing.

For information, contact Sister Fletcher at (617) 585-7724.

AME~ICAN GUILD OF ORGANI~TS.

Internatl~lOally ~cclalmed concert and ~e.cordmg artl.st, c<;>mpos.er a~d televlSlon personahty Diane Blsh WIll make her Boston.concert debut with a diverse program of interest to all musical audiences Feb. 9 at 4 p.m. at Old South Church in Boston's Copley Square. For information, call Art Stewart (617) 641-1225.

IMMIGRATION CONFERENCE Catholic Social Services will hold a conference on the 1997 laws affecting immigration and benefits. Congressman Barney Frank and State Representative Joseph B. Mcintyre will be among the speakers Feb. 13 at Cathedral Camp in East Freetown. Information: Atty. Frank Holland, tel. 674-4681.

. . .

The spr~ng trammg pr~gram for new Hospice .of Commumty Nurse Volunteer~ will be held t:wo.days a ~eek startmg Mar. 4 ancl w~lI contmue for fi.ve week~. To:reglster or for ~ore mformatlon, call Joann Beauheu, tel. 999-3400.

OUR LADY OF ASSUMPTION, OSTERVILLE The Ladies' Guild will host the meeting for Region VDistrict Council of Catholic Women Fl:b. 23 at 2 p;m. Mary Schruckmayr, chairperson of Family Concerns, will be the guest speaker. Refreshments will be ·served. Call·Bea· Perry, tel:420-2789, for information.

ST. MARY, N. ATTLEBORO St. Mary's Church, 14 Park St., N. Attleboro, will be having Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament in the chapel at the rear of the church Feb. 7 and every First Friday immediately following the 7 a.m. Mass and ending priono the 9 a.m. Mass on Saturday. Information: Joan Provost, tel. 699-2430.

TEAMS OF OUR LADY The Portuguese Teams of Our Lady of New England will celebrate World Marriage Day atll a.m.

Mass, celebrated by Bishqp O'Malley, Feb. 9 at Our Lady of Health Church, Fall River. The ct:lebration will include renewal of marriage vows and the blessing' of the new area sector couple Joe anc! Mary Jo Ferreira. A potluck meal will follow. ·For information about Teams of Our.Lady call the Ferreiras at 6782348. ' ST. VINCENTDE~A':'UiOCIE'~Y The Taunton DistrIct CounCil's monthly meeting will be held Feb. 10 with Mass at 7:30 p.m. The meeting will follow at the Immaculate Conception parish center in No. Easton.

SACRED HEART NURSING HOME, N. ATTLEBORO On Feb. 14, the "We Care Day" committee will sponsor its annual scholarship fund drive. For information as to how you can help out, call Kathleen Hardy, 996-6751, ext.

21.

NATURAL FAMILY PLANNIN G Natural Family Planning by the Couple to Couple League will again offer a series offour montt:ly classes st~rting Sunday, March 2, 6 - 8 p.m.

To pre-register or for more·information please contact Jon and Maureen Howey, tel. 339-4730.

Philippine cardinal questions . new govern-ment ID syst~~m MANILA (eNS) - Cardinal Jaime Sin of Manila has called a Philippine government move to issue national identification cards "sinister and immoral" and warned of possible abuse of the computerized system.

"It would be immoral to implement a national 10 system without the informed and reflected consent of the citizenry," Cardinal Sin said ·in mid-January.

Philippine President Fidel Ra:mos announced an administrative order in early January authorizing the implementation of a national 10 system "on a voluntary basis," 'reported ·UCA News, an Asian church news agency based in Thai.land.

However, the order requires some 1.8 million members ·of the .Social Security System and the Government Service Insurance System to secure an 10 card that would reportedly bear the owner's name, signature, social security and insurance numbers, photograph and a description of the owner's physical features.

In addition, the card would carry a "population reference number" issued to the card holder by the National Statistics Office.

The administrative order,rec-

ommended by a Cabinet group on political and national secu:rity matters, was signed and approved Dec. 12 without public consultation.

If the 10 is "purely voluntary, and not compulsory, how can it be an effective measure of national security?" Cardinal Sin anked.

Those with system access could "pry into bank accounts ~lOd even some people's love affairs," the Philippine church leader lidded.

There are.too many questions about the ID system that remain "dangerously unanswere:d," the cardinal said.

In announcing the order, Ramos said the ID would facilitate access to basic services and coulol be useful to speed issuance of passports, .marriage licenses, business permits and driver's licenses' as wel.l as private transactions such as bank ·accounts and credit applications.

Humanrights groups, including the Philippine Alliance of Human .Rights Advocates, believe the system would be used to cOlltrol or keep tabs on the movement of people.

The Ramos government is "conditioning the people to aCI:ept repressive measures, ostensibly to stem the tide of criminality," alliance advocates said Jan. 13.