02.11.05

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anc VOL. 49, NO.6· Friday, February 11, 2005

FALL RIVER, MASS.

Southeastern Massachusetts' Largest Weekly • $14 Per Ye~r

Diocesan faithful contribute $765,330 for tsunami victims , !

By JOHN E

KEARNS JR., D,RECTOR OFFICE OF COMMUNICATIONS

FALL RIVER - Bishop George W. Coleman's call for a special collection last month to aid victims of the tsunami disaster brought forth an overwhelming response. Parishes from across the Fall River diocese collected a total of $765,330.81 for relief efforts, making it the largest collection ofits type in diocesan history.

The bishop announced the total

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this week and expressed his heartfelt gratitude to donors. ,....

"I am deeply graterufto all who contributed so generouslyto the special collections in our parishes to help those affected by the devastating tsunami in South and Southeast Asia Well aware from news accounts of the destruction and death left in its wake, Catholics throughout the Fall River diocese responded to their brothers and sisters in need with exTum to page seven - Tsunami

Catechumens to celebrate Rite of Election Sunday FALL RIVER - On Sunday, the first Sunday of Lent, many parishes across the Fall River diocese will be sending, men, women and children to St. Mary's Cathedral here to celebrate the ceremony known as Rite of Election.

Bishop George W. Coleman will be the presider.

The rite is intended to recognize God's choice to caB those who have been preparing in their local

parishes for baptism at Ea<;ter time, FATHER DAVID A. Costa, pastor of Sacred Heart Church, North Attleboro, and Bishop Father Henry J. Dahl, diocesan director of the Rite of Christian Ini- George W. Coleman, bless the throats of students from St. Mary-Sacred Heart School durtiatiofl<of Adults, explained. ing a Mass that was part of the North Attleboro school's Catholic Schools Week celebra"It signals the catechumens that tions. (AnchodGordon photo) they are to prepare themselves for· the Paschal Mystery," he added.

The entire process of preparation, better known by the acronym RCIA, involves the stages, rites and processes concerning adult Tum to page 13 - Catechumens

DIOCESE OF FALL RIVER STATION CHURCHES FEBRUARY

11-18, 2005

Eucharistic exposition will take place following the morning Mass until 1/2 hour prior to the evening Mass unless otherwise noted.

Fri., Feb. 11 St. Pius X, South Yarmouth - 9 a.m. and 7 p.m. Masses Sat., Feb. 12, St. Joseph, Fall River - 9 a.m. and 4:30 p.m. Masses Mon., Feb. 14 St. Stanislaus, Fall River - 7 a.m. and 7 p.m. Masses Tues., Feb. 15 St. John the Baptist, New Bedford - 8 s.m. and 7 p.m. Masses Wed., Feb. 16 Our Lady of Mt. Carmel, Seekonk - 9 a.m. and 7 p.m. Masses Thurs., Feb. 17 Espirito Santo, Fall River - 8 a.m. and 7 p.m. Masses Fri., Feb. 18 St. Theresa, Attleboro . - 7 a.m. and 7 p.m. Masses

Father Lachapelle looks forward to working in Fall River diocese

By DAVE JOLIVET, EDITOR

what a wonderful priest he was." truth, a deeper meaning to life."

NORTH EASTON - When Father Lachapelle was orAs a professor at a university then Fall River Bishop Sean dained a Holy Cross Father in in Montreal, Father Lachapelle O'Malley OFM Cap., opened the 1999 at the age of 41. He grew up sensed something urging him to sainthood cause for the beloved in Montreal, Quebec, Canada, and visit the nearby St. Joseph's Ora"Rosary Priest" Holy Cross Father developed a great interest in sci- tory on Mt. Royal. It was there he Patrick Peyton in June 2001, Holy was introduced to the CongregaCross Father Thomas M. Feeley tion of Holy Cross and desired to was appointed vice postulator. learn more. "People became more Father Feeley's love for Servant important to me. I wanted to be with them and help them find God of God Father Peyton and respect in a natural way. He is everywhere for his mission made his appointment a natural fit. in the magnificence and subtleties of life." .

Father Feeley approached his task as a labor of love for nearly Father Lachapelle's faith jourthree years, compiling testimonies ney took "many years," and led of Father Peyton's virtues. Sadly, him to the priesthood, where he became a pastoral minister at "the Father Feeley, a friend of The Anchor who had written Advent and ve,ry Oratory that led to my conversion." As a Holy Cross Father, Lenten reflections for the diocesan newspaper, died April 21, he has also served on the Joint 2004 at the age of 74. Surely the Commission for the ·Future of the FATHER MARIO LACHAPELLE . French-speaking· provinces of sainthood cause had lost a devoted friend of F;lthet Peyton.

Iioly Cross in Canada. He is the Several months later, on De- ence. In his brief biography on the second general assistant of the cember 15, Dr. Andrea Ambrosi, <::ongregation of Holy Cross Web~ Congregation of Holy Cross Capostulator of Father Peyton's site, Father Lachapelle says, "In nadian Province of Priests, and sainthood cause, appointed Holy my adolescence I believed that, . is the founder of the Holy Cross Cross Father Mario Lachapelle as with an increase in knowledge and Associate Program in Canada. the new vice postulator. In a re- . science, humanity could respond Currently, Father Lachapelle cent interview with The Anchor, to its own needs and own destiny." lives in Rome and is secretary Father Lachapelle said that after He told The Anchor that he general of the Congregation. He only a short while learning about constantly felt there was still more chairs the Inter-Societal CommitFather Peyton, "the more I learn to life. "Reasoning was not tee on Religious Life and is the about the man, the more I discover enough. I felt there was another Tum to page 13 - Forward

Friday, February 11, 2005

Father Grace to lead Lenten Mission in TauntoQ

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SOPRANO CAROL Meyer performs during a benefit concerfat the Church of the Blessed Sacrament in Valley Stream, ", N.Y., recently. The "Concert of Rebirth," featuring an ensemble of 16 opera stars, raised $5,000 for the tsunami relief efforts in Southeast Asia. (CNS photo by, Gregory A. Shemitz, Long Island G,atholic)

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TAUNTON - The Catholic churches of Greater Taunton are once again sponsoring a Lenten Mission, beginning February 20 and running through February 23. It will be held at St. Anthony's Church, 126 School Street, 'at 7 p.m. each night. The rosary will be recited at 6:30 p.m. each evening.

Father Richard M. Grace is the mission director. :Ordained in 1988 for th'e Diocese of Manchester, N.H., he waseducated at Benedictine College in Kansas and Mt. St. Mary's Seminary in Emmitsburg, Md., and earned a master's degree ,in Spiritual Theology at ,Duquesne University in Pitts-

Daily Readings

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Lv 19:1-2,11-18; Ps 19:8-10,15; Mt 25:31~46 Is55:10-11; Ps 34:4-7,16-19; Mt '6:7-15 Jon 3:1-10; Ps 51 :3-4, 12-13,18~ 19;'Lk 11 :29-32 EstC:12,14, 16,23-25; Ps 138:1-3,7c-8; Mt 7:7-12 .

Ez 18:21-28; Ps 130:1-8; Mt 5:2026 Dt 26:16-19; Ps 119:1-2,4-5,7-8; Mt5:43-48 Gn 12:1-4a; Ps 33:4-5,18-20,22; 2T,m t:8b-10; Mt 17:1-9

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THE ANCHOR (USPS-545-D20) Periodical , Postage Paid at Fall River, Mass, Published weekly except for two weeks in July and the week after Christmas at 887 Highland Avenue, Fall River, Mass, 02720 by the Catholic Press ofthe Diocese of Fall River, Subscription price by mail, postpaid $14,00 per year, POSTMASTERS send address changes to The Anchor, ,P,O, Box 7, Fall River, MA 02722,

Monday - "This is My Beburgh.

He has served parishes in loved Son!"; Tuesday - "I am' New Hampshire and conducts not worthy to untie His sandal retreats and parish missions , strap!"; and Wednesday - "He throughout New Erigland and must increase and I must decrease!" , beyond.

Father Grace was director of Sunday and Monday eve- '.

Spiritual Renewal Services and nings will iriclude exposition the Office of Worship for the of the Blessed Sacrament and Benediction. The sacrament of Manchester diocese.

The theme of this year's reconciliation will be celmission, "Behold the Lamb," is , ebrated on Tuesday night with based primarily on the Holy priests from the Taunton area Father's proclamation of 2005 available for individual conas the Year of the.Eucharist. In fession. Mass will be celaddition, the prophetic role of ebrated on Wednesday hight, John the Baptist will be used followed by refreshments in to assist in opening hearts to the parish hall.

All are invited and encourChrist and helping recognize Jesus in every day life. aged to attend this Lenten MisThe topics for each evening sionas a means of growing are as followed: Sunday - "0 closer to Christ during Lent Come, Let Us Adore Him!"; a time for spiritual rene;val. '

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Sister Yvette Dumas SSJ HOLYOKE - Sister of St. Jo- Roch and St. Matthew schools, all seph Yvette Dumas, 87, also in Fall River; St. Joseph and St. known as Sister Marie Alphonse, Therese in New Bedford, and St. who served her religious commu- Louis School in Swansea. nity for. 72 years, died February 1 She also served as principal of in Mont Marie Health Care Cen- St. Jean Baptiste School in Fall River.. ter.

Born in Fall River, the daugh- .

In 1986 she joined the Retire- . ter of the late Alphonse and the late ment Community in Fall River and Eveline (pelletier) Dumas, she en- in 1996 she became a resident of tered the Sisters of St. Joseph of Mont Marie Health Care Center.

FallRiver from Blessed Sacrament Besides her Sisters in commuParish. Her early education was at :nity, Sister Dumas is survived by Blessed Sacrament School and Sa- nieces and nephews of the Brault, cred College in Fall River. She be- Beland and Dumas families. came a member of the Sisters of Her funeral Mass was cel-, St. Joseph of Springfield when the ebrated February 3 in Mont Marie two communities merged in 1974. Chapel in Holyoke. Burial was in Sister Dumas taught at St. Mont Marie Cemetery.

Michael's School in Ocean Grove, Sampson Family Chapels was Swansea; Blessed Sacrament, St. in charge of arrangements.

In Your Prayers Please pray for the following' priests during the coming ,weeks' 1eb.14

Pursuit o' beellenee

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1910, Rev. Joseph G Lavalle, Pastor, St. Mathieu, Fall River X'\ 1957, Rev. James C. Conlon, Pastor, St. Mary, Norton

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1983, Rev. Alphonse J. LaChapell~, Assistant, Holy Ghost, Attleboro" ~~ 2001, Rev. Joaquim Fernandes da Sil~CM

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Feb. 20 1922, Rev. JameS H. Fogiuty, Pastor, St. Louis, Fall River 1986, Rev, Raymond M. Giguere, O,P., Assistant, St. Anne, Fall River

Boston is home to first annual Catholic Men's Conference on March 19 BOSTON - Plans are underway for the first annual Boston Catholic Men's Conference to be held March 19, from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. at McNeice Pavilion, 150 Morrissey Boulevard here.

A team of two priests and six laypersons; including Scot Landry, twin brother of Father Roger Landry, a parochial vicar at St. Francis Xavier Parish, Hyannis, and an Anchor columnist, has been preparing for the event for several months.

"More than 30 dioceses, including Worcester and Springfield in Massachusetts, have begun annual men's conferences in the last decade," said Scot Landry. "These conferences have been fruitful tools for evangelization, for fostering great men's fellowship, and for encouraging Catholic men to step up and become more involved in their parishes and in the public square.

We believe the time is right to bring a Men's Conference to Boston."

Archbishop Sean O'Malley, OFM Cap., is one of the guest speakers and has assigned one of his secretaries, Father Brian Bachand, as his liaison for the event.

In addition to Archbishop O'Malley, several other noted individuals are slated to speak: Tom Monaghan - founder of Legatus, Domino's Pizza, Ave Maria University, and a number of other Catholic organizations; Jim Caviezel - who starred as Jesus Christ in Mel Gibson's "The Passion of the Christ"; Jim Towey - deputy ·assistant to the president and director of the White House Office of Faith-Based & Community Initiatives; Father Larry Richards - a nationally-known men's speaker and one of the Church's best preachers on reconciliation; Father Philip Merdinger founder of the Brotherhood of Hope, a spiritual director at St. John's Seminary, and a former

chaplain to Legatus' Boston Chapter.

In addition to the five keynote speakers, the program will include other speakers; a music program including Brotherhood of Hope, and a Mass celebrated

by Archbishop O'Malley. Lunch will be provided.

Check-in begins at 7: 15 a.m. and the first keynote speaker begins at 8 a.m. Mass is at 3 p.m. and the day concludes at 4:30 p.m.

For more information, visit www.bostoncatholicmen.om·

POPE JOHN Paul II gives a short blessing from the window of his suite at Gemelli Hospital Sunday in Rome. It was th.e first public glimpse of the pope since he was hospitalized February 1. (CNS photo from L'Osservatore Romano)

BMC HealthNet Plan BISHOP GEORGEW. Coleman was the principal celebrant for a Mass celebrating World, Day for Consecrated Life last Sunday at St. Mary's Cathedral in Fall River. Greeting the bishop were, from left: Mercy Sister Elaine Heffernan, diocesan episcopal representative for religious; Guadalupan Missionaries of the Holy Spirit Sister Aida Sansor; Dominican Sister Carol Mello; the bishop; Holy Union Sister Maryellen Donohue; and Brother of Christian Instruction Daniel Caron.

More than 200 area religious took part in the Mass themed "Your Light Must Shine." (Photo by Eric Rodrigues)

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OFFICIAL His Excellency, the Most Reverend George W. Coleman, Bishop of Fall River, has accepted the nomination of the Reverend Gustavo Nieto, I.VE., Provincial Superior of the Institute of the Incarnate Word, and has made the following appointment: Rev. Humberto Viii, LV.E., Parochial Vicar, Saint Kilian Parish, New Bedford.

Effective February 1,2005

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Friday, February 11, 2005

the moorins.-.,

the living word

The nation and health care As the nation continues to plunge into monetary deficit, we hear more verbiage on the need to reform Social Security. Many believe that the system is not broken and can be repaired by government and not big business. However, all the current rhetoric has ignored one of the most pressing problems that millions ofAmericans face each year.

The failure to develop national health care regulations is driving people into fmancial bankruptcy. A recent study appearing on the Website of Health Affairs reflects the seriousness of the situation. Each year, hundreds of thousands of people file for bankruptcy because they cannot pay their medical bills. The situation is growing more critical each day, as medical costs simply are out of control. .

Those most affected are those who have lost their jobs and their insurance. As vast conglomerates restructure massive mergers, more people lose their jobs. It is estimated that more than 6,000 people.wi~ be unemploy~d m? a result of the Gillette takeover. With more Amencan firms doing business overseas, mor~ people have no place to turn to assure insurance. The global economy has little concern for the sick. Once workers' unions were a reliable source of medical coverage. However, the sad state of unionism has reduced the security that workers once enjoyed. States, cities and towns have a difficult time paying the year's insurance coverage of their employees. Local governments are in a desperate situation to meet health care costs.

In attempting to cut expenditures, many companies have cut insurance benefits. Developing gaps in coverage leave so many people and families vulnerable to bankruptcy. People who must fmd new jobs all too often also find reduced insurance coverage. Although they have insurance, many find that they have less coverage, especially in areas of prescription. drugs, dental plans, and rehabilitation. In such situations, people who are seriously ill find themselves in grave trouble.

In times when the dollar is so very weak and ht;alth costs are soaring' it is tragic that people are being asked to assume more health care expenses by their employers. It seems terribly unfair for an American company which pays a dollar a day for their employee in Asia, and is reaping huge profits, to ask their American employee to up the ante for health care out of his or her own pockets.

Soanng ~e~cal;c9~ts. ~.<Vsp:forc~g.m9re,and more:Amf(riC<j11!;> to ignore personal health insurance. In many cases people cannot afford memcal services. Free health care is reduced to a charity and not a right. Voluntary health clinics are a blessing. However, health care is . a matter of justice. It should not be reduced to a mere option.

Health care for all Americans should be a major issue of our times.

It is tragic that people who work so hard in their lifetime must sell all . they have, and instead go into bankruptcy to protect what little is left ~ because the government has failed to tackle our escalating medical crisis. Why must Americans die at home because they cannot meet the demands of medical and hospital care? Why do citizens have to pay ever-increasing insurance premiums to balance the books of insurance companies in order that their investors are certain of increased dividends? Government should represent the electorate and simply not cOUJorate America.

Yet, we cannot reduce our concern for the sick to a mere political debate. "Heal the sick." This charge, found in Matthew, has been given to the Church. She is to carry out this mandate, not only by taking care of the sick, but also by rea~hing out to.them ~ their needs as Christ, the physician of souls and bodies. The Christian cornmunity has received this charge to help those who are suffering with illness and all its ramifications. For this reason alone we must speak out and reach out to all who are carrying the heavy burdens of illness in this country.

It is with this mind-set that we should urge our elected officials to truly tend to this desperate need in our American life.

The Executive Editor

theanCho

OFFICIALNEWSPAPER OFTHE DIOCESEOF Published weekly by theCatholw Press' of the 'oibc 887 Highland Avenue P.O. BOX 7 Fall River,;MA Fall.River,.MA 02(20 Telephone 508-675·7151 FAX 508-675 E-mail: TheAnchor@Anchomews.or

Send address changes to P.O. Box, call or use 'E·

AN ELDERLY WOMAN HOLDS UP IMAGES OF MARY AS SHE' PRAYS IN FRONT OF ROME'S GEMELLI HOSPITAL, WHERE POPE JOHN PAUL

II IS

BEING

TREATED. THE POPE APPEARED AT HIS HOSPITAL WINDOW FOR A FEW MINUTES SUNDAY AND SPOKE A BRIEF BLESSING IN A FAINT VOICE. (eNS PHOTO FROM REUTERS)

"PRAYER OFFERED IN FA[TH WILL RESTORE THE ONE WHO [S S[CK" (JAMES 5:15).

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"Get up, let's go!"

Lent is a 40-day uphill and say "Come, follow me!" so pilgriml,lge with Jesus. Jesus he puts each of in his divine starts by taking us, on the first cross-hairs and beckons us to Sunday, to a desert mountain leave our customary posts and where he teaches us by exhabits and journey with him ample how to say no to the along the path he knows we devil's temptations. need to trod.

Next, we climb Mount Tabor That path is the way of the with him, where his Father cross. It is the way of the grain gives us the secret to life: "This of wheat. It is the way of true is my beloved Son, listen to discipleship. "Whoever wishes him!" to be my disciple," Jesus .

On the third Sunday, we declared, " must deny his very travel with Jesus to the top of Mount Gerazim, where he reveals himself as the "living water" and inspires us to thirst for him. .

We next ascend with \lBy Fatl1erRoger him to Jerusalem where he cures the man born J. Landry blind and speaks about his desire to cure our spiritual blindness. .

On the fifth Sunday, he takes self, take up his cross each day us over the Mount of Olives to and follow in my footsteps" (Lk Bethany, where he prophesies 9:24). . our resurrection by raising .

The Church each Lent gives Lazarus from the dead. us practical means by which to And on Palm Sunday, we work on these fundamentals of climb the hill of Calvary with discipleship. him and stand with horror and We see this, first, in the amazement at the foot of his practices of fasting, almsgiving salvific cross. and prayer. Fasting is one of the At the start of Lent, Jesus most effective means of selfsays to us, as he said to Peter, denial; in controlling our desire Jam~s and John in Gethsemane, for food, rather than being "Get up, let's go!" controlled by it, we grow in Just as he'll point to Matself-mastery, which helps us to thew at his customs post in deny ourselves in other areas. tomorrow morning's Gospel Almsgiving is a particularly

, :gpttiJlg Into :%ttheDeep

efficacious way of making our daily cross, like Jesus' an altar on which we sacrifice our lives and goods out of love for others. Prayer is the best way we keep our eyes on Christ so that we may both see the path he wants us to follow and receive his strength to complete that journey.

The Church, secondly, proposes the Stations of the Cross, which parishes across our diocese will be praying communally later today. This devotion makes visible and concrete where Jesus is leading us and reminds us of the reality that his cross is really our cross and ours his.

This year the Diocese of Fall River is giving us a third means by which to work on these fundamentals: the ancient practice of Lenten Station Churches. Since the time of Pope St. Gregory the Great (590-604), Catholics in Rome have had the custom of making a pilgrimage to specific ancient churches on particular days in Lent. There they pray.through the intercession of the Church's saintly patron for the grace to make a good Lent. They also petition for strength on the pilgrimage of life, so that they might follow Christ all the way Turn to page six - Let's Go

The new good old days Parents and grandparents, to be successful and be a team make sure your children and all at the same time. grandchildren are paying close Point out guys like Troy Brown who was willing to play attention. Aside from cementing offense and defense when called this region of the country as the sports capital of the U.S., the New England Patriots are rewriting the history of sports, not as much for their three championships in four years, but for HOW they are going about it.

By Dave Jolivet When many of us over the age of 40 think back on the sporting upon - without asking for world when we were mere additional compensation. puppies, we recall an era when Let them know about Tedy athletes were good guys and Bruschi and Mike Vrabel who games were fun. were willing to eschew the free Our poor kiddies and agent market and the big kill to grandkiddies see a different take a home team discount and world - a world of steroids and drug abuse, of greed and pride, of remain a Patriot.

Call to their attention the fact me, me, me. I'd bet if you ask a that this team doesn't prepare young sports fan. today to define for battle 'by talking trash. On the word respect, they'd respond the contrary. They mind their by saying it's the amount of own business, and that business' money a player makes. is to devote all their time and Well folks, point them in the effort to knowing their game direction of our New England Patriots. Show them it's possible plan and the other team's, inside

My View From the Stands

u.s. Dominicans attempt to restore the right to vote for 150,000 Iraqis GENEVA- Reliable sources on litical decisions that concern them.

He said, "For certain people in the ground in many Iraqi villages say they were deprived of their right to the area, this was a deliberate at- . vote in the recent election, accord- tempt to prevent these villages from ing to Philippe LeBlanc, OP, NGO voting in order to avoid the creation Representative at the United Nations of territories or areas with Chrisin Geneva. Nearly 150,000 Iraqis tians or Yezidis in the majority". were unable to cast their ballots.

"In the midst of the great instaEight largely Christian villages bility in Iraq, the minorities had arin the plains of Nineveh, near eas where they could live accordMosul, waited in vain for the ballot ing to their customs and in relative boxes to arrive. The villages in- peace. The fact that they were decluded Karakosh, Barttella, prived oftheir right to vote does not Karamles, Bahizan, Cheikhane, . augur well for the future of these Bashika, AI'Hamdanya and communities. ''The response of the Iraqi naBagdida,. These villages are essentially composed of Christians and tional authorities and of the interYezidis, a Kurdish religious sect, national community to this situation and they are located in a calmer is a litmus test for the world's comzone than the city ofMosul. Never- mitment to a democratic Iraq. Will theless, no electoral team showed these 150,000 Iraqis be given their . up on Sunday, January 30 nor on opportunity to vote? I hope so," said LeBlanc.

Monday, January 3 I. LeBlanc, who is in close contact with Iraqis, serves at the United Nations Human Rights Commission as the NGO Representative of the Dominican Order, a world wide Escorted & Independent network of men and women who European Vacations have members in Iraq and other Ireland· Britain' Italy • Gennany parts of the Middle East. LeBlanc • Weekly Escorted Coach Tours and U.S. Dominicans are in the pro• Chauffeur Drive cess of trying to regain the franchise • Self-Drive VacatIons featuring: Guest Homes, Manor Homes, for the Iraqis in this strategic region Hotels. ViDas & Castle Slays. of the country. "$60 per person discount with this ad LeBlanc's sources report that in Group Organizers Wanted Karakosh, people demonstrated in lhIvel for FREE: Arronge a group vacation the streets to protest what they conwith family and friends. Choose from our weekly coach tours. sidered to be a violation of their Itineraries can elso be w/lol8d to suit. right to vote. These villages are situFundraising for Church & Non-Profit groups. ated between the Arab-Sunni region For more information, conteet your of Mosul and the Kurdish autonopreferred Traval Agent. or call: mous region. The Christian, mostly .celtic Tours: 1-800-833-4373 Chaldean and Syriac villagers, the Visit our website: www.celtlctours.com Yezidis, and small groups of Kurds '$50 dIsoounl is appIicl1bIe on any Celtic TOOl. 7 nighlo and Arabs live there in harmony and or longer pnckllge. Not applicable on Group deport..... claim thenght to participate in po-

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Letter to the Editor

and out.

This Patriots team is a class act, and they just happen to be the best team in all of football - in this millennium.

Parents and grandparents, point that out to your kids. And while we're at it, let's savor these moments. They don't happen very often. Surely we can't win four out of five. Can we?

You'll be missed by many Donald.

Comments are welcome. at davej0.livet@anchornews.org.

Editor: After reading with sadness articles in last week's Anchor about the decline of priestly vocations, I asked myself, ''Why?'' and came up with more questions, not answers..

Should we use the same kind of invitation or something different? Should we emphasize choices in vocations for those of an older age than high school?

Should we not support the premise that we 'are all called by God to a vocation ... as a single or married person; priest or religious? We are also called to a profession ... plumber, teacher, social worker, nurse, parish worker,

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Friday, February 11, 2005

6~

%aten ~£ecttons CW'ttfl a"atfm' . A'ITLEBORO-The National coming of Christ and his kingdom.

Shrine ofOur Lady ofLa Salette an- For more information call 508-678nounces meditation on Stations of 2828. the Cross based on the "Folly of NORTH DARTMOUTH-A God" ~ill be led by La Salette Father Giles Ginest February 15,22 and _Divorced-Separated Support Group · will meet February 14 from 7-9 p.m.

March 1 at 7:15 p.m..

The Shrine will hold a prayer ser- at the Family Life Center, 500 vice for our military Sunday at 2 p.m. Slocum Road. Dr. Ray Loranger will It will include the recitation of the address the topic "Self-care and Balnames found in the church gather- ance during the Lifespan." For information call Bob Menard at 508ing area and patriotic music.

The Shrine's schedule for the . 673-2997.

Way of the Cross during Lent is as NORTH FALMOUTH-The follows: February 11, 18, 25 and St. Elizabeth Seton CancerSupport March 4,11 and 18, at 7 p.m.

Group will meet February 16 at 7 EAST FREETOWN - A re- p.m. in the church. For more infortreat entitled "Awakening to God's mation call 508-563-7770.

Presence: .The Contemplative DiTAUNTON - The St. Jacques mension of Christian Living," will be led by Father Robert Powell Sat- Choir is seeking singers to join for urday from 9 am. to 3 p.m. For more · its next season of singing. The only information call Father Powell at requirements are that participants at.tend rehearsals and match pitch with .

508-761-Q746. other members. For more informaEAST SANDWICH - Paula tion call Frank WIlhelm at 401-639.

Raposo will present ''Conversations 0742. onCatholic Spirituality,"February 17, WESTPORT - Deanery One 24 and March 3 from 10-11 :30 am. at Corpus Christi Parish. It will focus ofthe Fall River Diocesan Counon Catholic prayer forms and seeing cil of Catholic Women is sponsorthe divine in every moment For more ing Stations of the Cross with prayers in several languages Febinformation call 508-678-2828. ruary 24 at 6:30 p.m. at St. MASHPEE- The Third Order George's Church. Refreshments ofCarmelites will meet Febllla(y 20 will follow. For more information at 5:30 p.m. for the celebration of call 508-674-8417.

Mass at Christ the King Parish.

YARMOUTHPORT-Father Evening prayer and recitation ofthe Roger Landry will lead a Morning rosary will follow. of Recollection, themed "Lenten NEW BEDFORD-Astudy of Conversion and the Eucharist," Satthe Book of Genesis, presented by urday at Sacred Heart Chapel on Deacon David Pepin will be held Summer Street. It will begin with the .February 17, March 3 and 10 from celebration of Mass at 9 a.m. and 7-8:30 p.m. at St. Mary's Parish. It includes Adoration of the Blessed fill focus on many themes including Sacrament, and two conferences on the nature of man and God and the prayer and reconciliation.

Let's Go

Continued from page four

downhill!" through the cross to the eternal Easter.

The Station Churches help us to keep moving upward, Bishop George W. Coleman has instituted the practice in which is the true purpose of our diocese this year so that we every parish. The word parish might receive the same graces. comes from the Biblical word Since it is occurringwithip. the for pilgrimage (jJaroikia). Our Year of the Eucharist, it will parish churches are meant to be also be a way for us, as a like hostels on the pilgrimage diocese, to live an intensely toward heaven, way stations eucharistic Lent, focused on a "station churches" ---:. that give deeper communion with Christ us nourishment precisely so and with the other members of that we can continue on the his Mysti~al Body. journey.

The practice of the Station Our diocese has many Churches, moreover, makes beautiful such way stations, Lent an actual pilgrimage, which pro'{ide Christ as which reinforces the spiritual nourishment for the pilgrimage pilgrimage of the season. of Lent and of life. During Sometimes we can become these 40 days, may you disso comfortable and stable at our cover many of them and own parishes that we can stop rediscover in them Christ, who moving spiritually. This is a continues to say, "Get up, let's great danger, for as Archbishop go" and is the guide and goal of Fulton J. Sheen used to say, oui journey home.

"There are no plateau.s in the Father lAndry is a paro· spiritual life: if we're not · chial vicar at St. Francis moving uphill, we're sliding Xavier Parish in ·Hyannis.

&rrtomas ~ CJ\..odk

Lent is about'taking up our cross and dying with Christianity: "There is no fault which makes a man Christ so to rise with him to new life. We do this by more unpopular, and no fault which we are more unforegoing legitimate pleasures, examining our con- conscious of in ourselves. And the more we have it sciences, purifying our motives, turning from sin, and ourselves, the more we dislike it in others."

We know from Sacred Scripture that pride is the humbling ourselves in sacramental confession. The disorder introduced into human nature by Adam's bottleneck of all graces (Jas 4:6); ,that it is self-ruinfall from grace reveals itselfespecially through seven ous (Lk 14: 11); that God hates it (Prov 8: 13) and dominant vices known in our Catholic tradition as punishes it (Prov 16:5); and that it deprives one's good the capital sins. These are: pride, avarice, lust, an- works of merit in God's sight because it makes one ger, gluttony, envy, and sloth. We call them "capital" perform them with a wrong intention (cf. Mt 6: 1-2). .Humility, or poverty of spirit, is the opposite of sins (from the Latin caput, meaning "head") because they ar~ the sources or fountainheads of all the sins pride. Just as pride is the foundational sin, so humilpeople commit, whether sins of commission or sins ity is the foundational virtue and thus rank~ fIrst of omission. Aichbishop Fulton Sheen liked to call among the Beatitudes (Mt 5:3). The virtue of humility makes us indifferent to worldly power, prestige them the "seven pallbearers of the soul."

Each week during Lent, we will reflect on a dif- and riches, so that we might keep our focus on God ferent capital sin in the hope of helping us realize who alone is our supreme joy.

"Learn of me," Jesus tells us, "because I am meek not merely what sins we have committed and how many times, but also why. Spiritual growth is im- and humble of heart" (Mt 11:29). Imagine our dipossible unless we try to dig up the roots of our sins vine Savior in his passion, undergoing the cruelest with the help of God's illuminating and sanctifying torments, yet uttering no complaint and showing no resentment (cf. 1 Pt 2:23). Then pray: From the sin grace.

The first of the seven capital sins is pride, defmed . ofpride, deliver me, 0 Lord.

Father Kocik is chaplain at Charlton Memoas inordinate self-esteem or self-importance. Pride is the prolific source ofcountless sins, including pre- rial Hospital in Fall River and part-time assistant sumption, hypocrisy, disobedience to lawful"superi- at St. Thomas More Parish, Somerset.

He has two published books,Apostolic Succesors, hardheartedness to subordinates, acrimony, and boastfulness. Some ofthe ways in which sinful pride sion (Alba House, 1996) and The Refonn of the manifests itself are: exaggerating one's own talents, Refonn? A Liturgical Debate (Ignatius Press, attributing to oneselfqualities one lacks, magnifying 2003); and essays, homilies and letters have been other people's defects, putting other people down, published in various periodicals, including Homiingratitude, and failing to attribute one's gifts and tal- letic & Pastoral Revi£w, The CatlwlicAnswermaga· ents to God. C.S. Lewis wrote of pride in his Mere zine, First Things, and Adoremus Bulletin.

Lenten meditations on the. Sorrowful Mysteries The following meditations are taken with permission from the book "Minute Meditations on the Mysteries ofthe Rosary," by the late Holy Cross Father Thomas M. Feeley, who had writtenAdventand Lenten rej1ectionsforTheAnchor.

The Agony in the Garden Jesus took Peter; James and John with him into the Garden of Gethsemane and asked them to watch and pray with him. When Jesus came to them for comfort, he found them asleep and said, '~Could you not watch one hour with me?

Watch and pray that you are notput to the test" (Mt 26:40-41).

A short time late when the mob arrived to take Jesus prisoner, Peter took a sword and cut off the ear of Malchus, fled With the otherapostles and later denied three times he even knew Jesus. Would things have been different had he prayed to understand the mind of Jesus and to have the strength to stand by him?

How bitterly Peter must ~ave wept whenever he heard a cock crow! It reminded him' that he had failed his Lord and Master because he had failed to pray.

The ScoUrging at the Pillar Eager to plncate the crowdPilate ordered Jesus to be scourged (Mk 15:15). Scourging was the Roman prelude to crucifIxion. The prisoner was stripped, his hands tied to a pillar so his back and shoulders were exposed, and he was lashed 39 times with a leather whip loaded with iron balls and bits of sheep'bone. The prisoner would be left halfdead from

later rise again. If we would be his pain and loss of blood.

We do not like to look on suffer- disciples we must follow in the footing. We tend to avert our gaze and steps of our Lord and carry our isolate ourselves from it. Thus we crosses with patience, humility and do not see the suffering of the poor, abiding trust in our heavenly Fat!ler. the downtrodden, the exploited and If it was necessary for Christ, the the abused. In the scourging at the sinless, all-holy Son ofGod, to suf pillar Christ joined'the ranks of all fer in order to e!1ter into glory (Lk those who are unjustly and cruelly' 24:26), there must be no other way.

The Crucifixion abused. We cannot le~ ourselves ignore them in their misery, for what "When you have lifted up the Son we fail to do for them we fail to do of Man, then you will know that I for Christ. We must bear one am he" (In 8:28). In these 'words another's burdens to fulfill the law . Jesus referS to his death on the cross ofChrist (Ga 6:2). as the moment when his true nature . The Crowning with Thorns as the Son ofGod would be revealed.

The soldiers crowned Christ with Why on the cross? Because God thorns in mockery of his claim be- is love (I Jn 3:8), pure benevolence, fore Pilate, "Iamaking" (In 18:37). utterly selfless love, and on the cross They wanted to make a fool of him. Christ revealed that his love was the They were not concerned that his same as his heavenly Father's. He kingdom was not of this world (In died in loving obedience to his Fa18:36) because this world and its ther who willed that Jesus die out of momentary pleasures and empty perfectly selfless love for us: amusements were all they cared "Greater love than this no one has than to lay down his life for his about When we follow Christ, who told friends, "he said (In 15:13). We canus, "Seekfirst the kingdom ofGod not oven:ome our natural selfIshness and his righteousness" (Mt 6:33), and love in such a selfless manner we must expect to be mocked as he unless we are united to Christ in faith was. But when we are ridiculed we and love. But, when the Holy Spirit should also find comfort in what dwells in our hearts, the selflessness Christ told us, "In the worldyou will ofour love for one another will give find trouble, but be brave; I have evidence that we are truly disciples overcome the world" (In 16:33). of Christ and children of our heavThe Carrying of the Cross enly Father: Jesus carried his cross !hrough the "Minute Meditations on the narrow, crooked, crowded streets of Mysteries of the Rosfuy" can be Jerusalem, past those who jeered at obtainedfrom Holy Cross Family him and the women who wept fbr Ministries, 518 Washington Street, him, to Calvary, outs\de the city No. Easton 02356, 1·800-299·7729 where he was to die and three days oron the Website atwww.hcfm.org.

71

Friday, February 11, 2005

Clarification of response to laicization meaning Q. I was offended by the tone law." I took that, as it seems you this third way. Many are living of your recent response to did also, as referring especially to full, active and faithful Catholic "What does laicization mean?" the current scandals of sexual lives. It is a mistake to assume You said the laicization process abuse by priests. The response I otherwise. is "designed to protect the gave was in that context.

Q. In the Gospel of Matthew rights of everyone - any It is worth noting, however, (7:13-14), Jesus claims the road victims, the offenders and other that several possible circumto damnation is wide and clear, stances may explain a priest's Catholics or members of civil and many choose to travel it. society."

The gate leading to life This is a loaded is narrow, and few there statement that makes are who find it. Does this the popular assumption not indicate that most of that all laicized priests the human race will be are wicked abusers. You condemned to hell? didn't mention that a (Arizona)

By Father priest can be laicized A. First, other places in after walking away Matthew (e.g. 8:11) speak John J. Dietzen from the priesthood for of "many" being saved, a number of reasons which hints that in this which do not involve abuse. being dismissed from the clerical passage Jesus may not be giving As the daughter of a laicized state, or laicized. Some are statistics about the population of hell. priest who left the priesthood in punishments for Wrongdoing, but the tumultuous 19608, I can say others involve dismissal with the . The reference to "doors" in the you should have thought harder priest's own consent or at his passage you quote at the end of the before responding in such a cold request.

Sermon on the Mount in Matthew way. After 30 years away, he Canon law provides that is hortatory, to remind disciples· . returned to the Church, goes to dismissal from the clerical state who may·be lagging in their Mass abnost daily and prays for may occur through a declaration Christi~journey that this journey himself, family and friends, the that the ordination was invalid· requires <pscipline and'persever-· Church and other priests. You (similar to the declaration of nullity . ante.It is not in,fOIlt;lational,.'telling of a marriage); it may be imposed 'Us how many are to be saved.. should be added to his list.

(Missouri) as a penalty; or it may be granted· A helpful hint iscontaiiled in for "most grave causes" to priests Luke's passage parallel to this one A. Perhaps you didn't notice

Questions and Answers

that the questioner in that column specifically asked about a priest who is "laicized because of grievous offenses against Catholic

Tsunami traordinary compassion. I thank them for their sacrifice, and ask that they to continue to remember the victims of the tsunami in their prayers," Bishop Coleman said.

He also expressed his appreciation to pastors for their help in promoting and overseeing the special collection in their parishes.

Money raised in the tsunami relief collection will be forwarded to Catholic Relief Services, which has been providing emergency reliefand recovery assistance in affected countries since the tsunami struck on December 26.

Last week Catholic Relief Services announced it was committing $80 million over the next five to seven years to help survivors of the tsunami with long-term rehabilitation through a variety of programs to reestablish livelihoods, rebuild roads, bridges, public facilities and homes, and improve self-sufficiency.

On December 30, Bishop Coleman authorized the special collection for tsunami relief and asked that it be taken within a three-week period in January. . With a few parishes continuing to forward late collection returns to the Diocesan Chancery Office, it is likely that there will be some modest additions to the tsunami fund total.

St. Anthony Parish in East Falmouth led all other parishes in collection returns, bringing in a whopping $66,873.

Father William M. Costello, pastor, offered a challenge to pa-

disciplined on the path to life, which requires fresh determination and decision every day.

Afree brochure answering questions Catholics ask about annubnents is available by sending a stamped, self-ad- .

dressed envelope to Father John Dietzen, Box 3315, Peoria, IlL 61612.

Questions for this column should be sent to the same address, or E-mail jjdietzen@aoLcom.

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who request it (No. 290). . of Matthew, in which someone As you say about your father, it .asks, "Lord, will only a few is rash to judge Catholic priests people be saved?" (Lk 13:23) who left the ministry, especially in Jesus simply ignores the question and stresses the need to try to enter the narrow gate.

Continued from page one As in other similar circumstances, Jesus is never interested in rishioners. satisfying our nosiness by answer"I told parishioners that I was ing curiosity questions that have contributing a certain amount to the AUDIENCE WITH THE HOLY FATHER nothing to do with our holiness and tsunami reliefcollection," explained VISIT TO SAN GIOVANNI ROTONDO,' relationship with him and the Father Costello. "And then I asked Father. So it is with the passage THE HOME OF ST. PADRE PIO parishioners of means to meet the you quote. Jesus is not making a amount." declaration about hell, but exhortDETAILS AND RESERVATIONS: 5084777700 In the end, 42 parishioners ing his followers to stay awake and matched their pastor's donation and 12 surpassed it.

Yet the credit for such an overwhelming response to this collection must go to everyone in the parish, Father Costello emphasized. ''Children gave Christmas money Assisting the local Church in the formation of the laity for "the or money they had made from shoveling; young babysitters donated mission of the whole Christian people in the Church and in the theirearnings; parishioners with very -Lumen Gentium, 31 world." limited means managed to make a contribution. It was as much about The Master of Arts in Ministry Program promotes an integrated lay formation that the small contributions as it is the assists participants in living out their baptismal dignity and equipping them for large," he said. collaborative ministry in the Church. Our academic and field education program "Many people in this parish know what it's like to go without. They put with spiritual and human formation offers our students an opportunity to experience themselves in the place of those the world of graduate theological education in a supportive community. people who were so devastated by the tsunami."

We welcome students for credit or audit status. Consider pursuing a graduate degree Rounding out the list of the top or further stUdy for personal enrichment. All courses are conducted in late afternoon five parishes leading in collection or evening. For program information or course registration, call 617-779-4104. returns are, to date, Our Lady of Director, Rev. Robert W. Oliver Mount Carmel, Seekonk, with Associate Director, Mrs. Aldona Lingertat $44,029; St. Joan ofArc, Orleans, Office Manager, Ms. Maryellen Lenihan $34,088; St. Joseph, Woods Hole, $30,600; and Our Lady ofVictory, Master of Arts in Ministry Program for Laity Centerville, $28,015.

Along with parish returns, the St. Jolin's Seminary tsunami relief fund total also in127 Lake Street, Brighton, MA 02135 cludes a donation from a fundraiser held by Bishop Stang High There will be an open house on February 15 School and contributions from a handful of donors who sent and February 17, beginning at 7 1),111. each night. 'u 'money directly to the Chancery.

ROME, SORRENTO, CAPRI, .

POMPEI, AMALFI THE GARGANO PENINSULA FOGGIA, BARI

The Master of Arts in Ministry Program for Laity

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Friday, February 11,2005

Pair of seminarians mix faith and football

By JULIANNE NORNBERG ' CATHOLIC NEWS SERVICE

FATHER JOHN Cihak of Corvallis, Ore., visits his father, Mike, during a January leave from studies in Rome. In the past 20 years, his home parish, St. Mary in Corvallis, has produced at leas~ two dozen vocations. (CNS photo by Gerry Lewin; Catholic Sentlne~

. Some youths say talking about a vocation·helps them consider it ST. LOUIS (CNS) - Eric a priest or religious.

Olsen, Erik Lundgren and David For Olsen, Lundgren and Sailer, Sailer have many ~gs in com- their positive view of priesthood includes the subject ofpriestly celimon.

They are all studl?rits at Jesuit- , bacy. They all have dated. Sailer run St. Louis University, they all said he had "a pretty serious girlattend the Cathedral Basilica of St. friend," and when he broke up with Louis, where they fr:equently serve her so he could seriously consider at Mass, and they are all discerning a vocation it was "pretty rough." '''We realize this is something a possible vocation to the priesthood. ' ,very good that we are giving up," And they all belong to the Sailer said, "but we realize that we Edmund Campion Society, a uni- are being called to the priesthood versity group that gets together and that is also very good on its regularly to discuss Catholic faith own." and doctrine and the intellectual traAcross the country, in the Archdition of the Church. The group has diocese of Portland, Ore., at St. about 20 members, both men and Mary's Parish in the college town women. About halfof them are con- ofCorvallis, about two dozen young sidering a vocation. people who have worshipped there "Many of the guys who are part have answered the call to the priestof this group are pretty committed hood or religious life. Many ofthem to becoming teachers and bringing attended nearby Oregon State Uniit Catholic presence to the class- versity. room," Olsen told the St. Louis Re''We put something in the waview, newspaper of the St. Louis ter," said Father John Kerns, jokArchdiocese. "Some are called to ing. He was parochial vicar at the be teachers, some to be priests, and parish during the late 1980s. some to both. Some of the girls, in In those years, Father Kerns and their mind is religious life, and some the parish's longtime pastor, people are pretty certain their call- Portland's Auxiliary Bishop Kening is to marriage." neth D. Steiner, actually did have a Lundgren said one reason he good-natured competition over who wanted to go to a Catholic college could get more people into semiwas to be able to discuss his faith narY and religious life. and to explore a vocation he has ''There is a defInite connection thought about off and on since between eucharistic adoration and eighth grade. vocations in a parish," said 3D-yearSailer said that through the Cam- old Sister Maximilian Marie, the pion Society 'he gained friends to ,former Loretta Garretson. She is in talk to who shared his thoughts, formation as a member of the Dofears and uncertainties. Their meet- minican Sisters of Mary, Mother of ings also include eucharistic ado- the Eucharist in Ann Arbor, Mich. ration, where Sailer fIrst reconsidShe said after college she started ered a vocational call that had come praying before the Eucharist and to him while he was in grade school began meeting young women who but was forgotten by high school. were interested in religious life.

The three young men are part of Bishop Steiner credits prayer a larger group ofuniversity students and active families for the vocation . who worship regularly at the cathe- success of St. Mary's. When he . dral basilica in St. Louis. They have sensed a college student had an inmade a good impression on the rec- kling of a calling, the bishop retor, Msgr. Joseph Pins. cruited the person to serve in youth ''They show a very strong and ministry. When parishioners went 'active faith," he told the Review. to the seminary or began religious, Those in the group who are in- formation, he put their names in the terested in a vocation, he said, ''have church bulletin and solicited prayers hundreds of questions about being for them.

a heck of a guy to be in seminary and it take's a heck of a guy to be in football."

Deacon Mike Lightner, 32, also knows a thing or MADISON, Wis. - It takes focus and courage two about football. Currently serving at Milwaukee's to be a seminarian and to be' a football player.

Ben Kessler, recently named an All-American, St. Gregory the Great Parish, he is scheduled to be ordained a priest for the Milwaukee Archdiocese in is both. ' "It was a nice honor," said Kessler, a seminarian May. In fact, if he had not decided to enter the prieststudying to be a priest of the Diocese of Madison who attends St.john Viaimey College Seminary on hood, he might be playing pro football today.

The man who was scouted by the Cleveland the University of St. Thomas campus iIi St. Paul, Browns has "absolutely" Minn. no doubt he would have Kessler, ajuniorwith ' made it to the National a 4.0 grade point averFootball League. age, takes classes at the Deacon Lightner had University of St. Thoa full football scholarmas, where he is majorship to Eastern Michigan. ing in phiiosophy and University, an NCAA t>usiness management Div.ision I school in and is scheduled to Ypsilanti. There, he gradmiteiIl ·four years. earned a bachelor offine He is the m,st seminary arts degree and played stUdent to play football right tackle for a team at St. Thomas. that also included future A six-foot-two, 250New York Giants tackle pound defensive tackle, Barry Stokes and future Kessler earned secondDetroit Lions and Pittsteam All-Minnesota Inburgh Steelers quarter-' tercollegiate Athletic back Charlie Batch.

Conference honors after Cleveland Brown recording 10 sacks for scouts invited Deacon the university team, the Lightner to participate in Tomrnies. a pre-season training Last December, he camp following his sewas named to the 2004 nior year, but he deESPN The Magazine clined, primarily beCollege Division Footcause during two reliball Academic AIlgious pilgrimages he had America teams. He was become aware of a betamong 25 first-team ter offer that he needed honorees. The College time to think about.

Division squad is seAfter graduating lected from NCAA DiDEACON MIKE Lightner, who is to be or- from college he studied visions II and ill and the National Association of dained a priest for the Milwaukee Archdiocese philosophy for two years Intercollegiate Athlet- this May, displays the football jersey he wore in that diocese's semiics. He also is a repeat while playing tackle for the Eastern Michigan nary.

After his ordination first-team Academic University Eagles from 1991 to 1996. He probas a transitional deacon, All-District honoree. ably could have made it to the NFL, but he he went to St. Gregory, , Kessler, who wakes traded in his football pads for a Roman collar. where he works with the up each day at 5:30 a.m., begins his day (CNS photo by Sam Lucero, Catholic Herald) Lifeteen and young adult programs. with morning prayer He said he is satisfied with the life he has chosen and'Mass. Football practice, classes and studying and has no regrets about forsaking football. He also keep him going until 11 p.m.

It's a challenging cycle, but rewarding, Kessler noted that he had "some pretty serious girlfriends" said, adding that he "wouldn't have it any other way." in bygone days, but that he is "OK with celibacy. I Making the daily switch from studying philoso- love the Church and I love the discipline of celiphy to playing football offers an interesting but re- bacy."

He also said that Catholics at the parish level need warding mix, Kessler said. He works with two different types of people: the football players and the to do more to encourage vocations. "We have to teach kids that (priesthood) is a viable call." seminarians.

Even when the alternative could be playing pro"One thing I can say about both groups is that they are all courageous guys," said Kessler. "It takes fessional football.

9

Friday, February 11, 2005

Man still regrets abortion his girlfriend had 20 years ago

By PAUL STORER CATHOLIC NEWS SERVICE

found himself obsessed again with material objects and money, paying less and less attention to his Christian faith and values.

Talking about what led to his girlfriend's abortion at that time in his life, he said, "Our relationship wasn't healthy. It was based on sex." While the relationship was short-lived, Morales remained guilt-stricken over the abortion. "I still have a huge scar with me" from the experience, he said.

Since the abortion, Morales parlayed his passion for sports and zest for communication into a lucrative broadcasting career. He said, however, that the healing process following the abortio!l was a "gradual progression." Attending weekend and daily Masses and learning about Catholic views on life and forgiveness helped him through "post-abortion syndrome," he said. ''There is a price to be paid. It leaves a hole in your heart, (but) God heals all wounds." Morales is now engaged.

"Abortion affects men" too, Morales said. "Guys need to be made aware how serious this is," he added.

Using his experience as an example, Morales said he typically talks with men about the aftermath of abortions. Emotional and psychological healing is gradual, he said. First and foremost, "you have to ask God for forgiveness," he said, adding he advises men to first make genuine sacramental confessions. "God's mercy in endless," he added.

Morales said striving to eliminate abortion "is a spiritual war."

He urged Americans to get involved in the abortion fight by praying at abortion clinics, volunteering at crisis pregnancy centers or contributing resources to help pregnant women. He said the number of abortion clinics in the country is steadily decreasing.

"It's just a matter of time before it's over," he added.

BRADLEY, III. - Obsessed with his television news career, John Morales was a 26-year-old Chicago sports broadcaster who was totally focused on advancement and material success.

At the same time, he was involved in a romantic relationship that ultimately led to an unplanned pregnancy and abortion.

"It still touches me," said Morales, now 46 and a correspondent for Relevant Radio, a national Catholic radio network. "It's very painful. I'll never see (the baby) or know (his or her) name," he added.

He admitted his lifestyle back then contradicted a strict Catholic upbringing. "I was a wild man.

I was looking for love in all the wrong places," he said. His beJESUIT FATHER Richard C. Hermes pours holy water on the forehead of Jaykob Angel havior earned him a dismissal for during his baptism. His mother, Serena, decided to continue her pregnancy after seriously misconduct from Quincy College considering an abortion last April. She was three months pregnant and suffering fromdiabe- in Illinois.

"I lost my way. All I wanted to tes when she drove to a Metairie, La., abortion clinic on Holy Saturday. Father Hermes was do was have a good time," added praying with a group of students from New Orleans' Jesuit High School that day at the clinic.

Morales, a parishioner at Queen He counseled the mother. Jaykob was born November 23 and on January 16 the priest of All Saints Basilica in Chicago. baptized him in the high school's chapel. (CNS photo by Peter Finney Jr., Clarion Herald) After leaving the Catholic college, Morales began pursuing a business career in Chicago. Tackling a job in the insurance industry, Morales worked hard, trying

By PETER F,NNEY JR. Serena's story has an ending- clinic路 had counseled Serena that desperately to become "the best CATHOLIC NEWS SERVICE actually a beginning - that Ri- because she was taking insulin salesman" in the Midwest. But "I NEW ORLEANS - Serena chard says still gives her goose "the baby would be deformed. never had total peace," he said in was three months pregnant and in bumps. On November 23 Serena They said it would be safer for her a telephone interview with the Catholic Explorer, newspaper of turmoil. gave birth to her third son, eight- to abort."

Serena said she did not want the Diocese of Joliet.

The young Panamanian-born pound, seven-ounce Jaykob AnHis Catholic faith was not an an abortion and wrestled with mother of two was suffering from gel, healthy in every way. integral part of his life when Modiabetes, and personnel at the mixed emotions.

"The night beLast month, Pro-Life supportCauseway Medical Clinic in ers and the students at Jesuit High fore, I prayed to God - I was in rales encountered a wealthy insurMetairie, Louisiana's largest abor- School gathered at the student his hands," she said. "The next ance salesman who became his tion clinic, told her the disease chapel as Father Hermes baptized day when I went to the clinic I saw mentor. The mentor told him that a lot of people. When I was without faith "I'd never have could cause severe birth parking the car, to me I saw peace," he said. The advice left defects in her unborn child if she went ahead and had lights, like angels, coming Morales路in tears. Vowing to tum Serena said she did not want an the baby. toward me. This is when I his life around, he geared his attention toward using his commuThe ambivalence Serena abortion and wrestled with mixed found the answer."

Father Hermes arranged nication skills to inform and help felt after her first consulta- emotions. '7he night before, I prayed tion at the abortion clinic to God - I was in his hands," she for her to see Dr. Richard others.

He became a sports broadMarino, a parent of one of intensified overnight. As said. '7he next day when I went to Father Hermes' former stu- caster in Chicago in the midshe was driven to the facility for her scheduled abor- the clinic I saw a lot ofpeople. When dents, who oversaw 1980s, he said, and ultimately I was parking the car, to me I saw Serena's medical care tion on April 10, 2004 Holy Saturday - she saw lights, like angels, coming toward me. through her pregnancy.

Other "angels" arrived in a group of people walking This is when I found the answer." and praying on the sidewalk the form of parishioners at Our Lady of Divine Proviin front of the clinic. dence Church in Metairie, Serena - who asked that her last name not be used in the baby who had been saved who raised money and collected print - got out of the car just a from death. The Richards served baby items for Serena.

"In the end, what she needed few feet from the clinic entrance, as Jaykob's godparents.

"I am very, very excited, and was people to surround her with and then decided to make a Utum. She walked over to Pam Ri- so happy and joyful," Serena told support and love and the confichard, who along with her hus- the Clarion Herald, New Orleans dence she could get the medical band, John, coordinates the New archdiocesan newspaper, after the care she needed," Father Hermes Orleans Archdiocesan Sidewalk baptism. "I amjust happy that this said. "The people out in front of the clinic all of the time are the and Prayer Ministry, and to Jesuit is a special day."

"Jaykob is already richly real warriors. If that presence had Father Richard C. Hermes, who was keeping vigil with a group of blessed," Father Hermes told the not been maintained over the students from the Pro-Life Club gathering. "He is surrounded by years, this never would have hapat Jesuit High School in New Or- many people who have prayed for pened. It was a beautiful moment, leans. him. His pictures were sent out in and it came on Holy Saturday.

ANN MARIE Cosgrove of Minneapolis and Barbara Gough Father Hermes and Richard innumerable E-mails. Now we What a gift." of Boise, Idaho, walk toward the Supreme Court during the Serena said Jaykob's middle were soon joined by Josephite desire to see him grow up as a Father Joseph Campion, pastor of young man in the Lord. Today name, Angel, sums up her emo- annual March for Life January 24 in Washington. Both women St. David Parish in New Orleans, Jaykob becomes a temple of the tions. "To me he's a little angel said they had abortions in the 1980s and were demonstratthat came down from the sky," she ing for unborn children and their rights. (CNS photo from and they began to counsel Serena Holy Spirit."

Reuters) privately.

Richard said someone at the said.

Baby saved from abortion is baptized

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Friday, February 11,2005

'Miss Saigon' star to host program on Asian-American Catholics BELLEVILLE, m. (CNS) cent increase in their numbers over What is the lead actress from "Miss the past decade. The program proSaigon" doing on cable's Hallmark files the music, communities and Channel? This Philippines-born deep faith of many Catholic Asians actress will host "Harmony in and Pacific Islanders, with experiFaith," a special presentation of ences of their celebrations and their "World of Faith and Values," air- faith. ing noon-l p.m. EST on Sunday, _ Shot on location in San Francisco, Los Angeles, Chicago, Wash.February 13.

Lea Salonga, cast in the title role ington, St. Louis and Carthage, Mo., of''Miss Saigon" at age ]8, narrates "Harmony in Faith" profiles Chithe hourlong program about Asian nese, Vietnamese, Filipino, Korean, . and Pacific island Catholics, one of Kmhmu (Laotian), Samoan, the nation's fastest-growing immi- Tongan and Asian-Indian commugrant groups. nities.

The program, produced by ObInterviews with clergy and relilate Media and Communication gious d~ument their concern for, MAGGIE RILEY stars in ~ scene from the movie "Assisted Living." For a brief review of Corporation with a grant from the and knowledge of, the rich heritage U.S. 'bishops' Catholic Communi- Asian and Pacific island Catholics this film, see CNS Movie Capsules below. (CNS photo from Economic Projections) cation Campaign, introduces view- contribute to the faith life of the ersto the gifts that Asian and Pa- whole Church. an unlikely friendship he devel- about a single New York woman cific islandirnmigrants bring to the The program also touches on the ops with an elderly resident . (Debra Messing) who hires a proAmerican Catholic Church. different attitudes and needs among (Maggie Riley) suffering from the fessional "male escort" (Dermot . is based on the U.S. bishops' firstand second-generation memearly stages of Alzheimer's dis- Mulroney) to pose as her new It pastoral letter, "Asian and Pacifjc bers of this immigrant group. ease who mistakes him for her boyfriend - in a desperate atPrese~ce: Harmony in Faith," is"Everyone in the world has difabsent son. Incorporating footage tempt to save face and make her f~rent needs," Salonga said, "~~ of real residents .and staff at the ex-fiance jealous - when she sued in 2001. . ...

S3Ibnga, 31, was asked' to ~dst the Catholic Church has.welcomed £~i ~()~Ie . '. facilitY where it was shot into the travels to England to attend !ter fictional story, this modest film by sister's wedding,. Even putting the program because oLher ~own those who wish tojoin regardl~ss . of where they are or who they are . £ClvsLlles _ 'first-time director . Elliot aside its ethically dubious concei,t, Catholicfaith and heritage;; . ~.'MYfaithhaspU,nectm~.thlough·.or,where they come from. It's the Oreeneb~ilin manages despite its this low-wattage love story' is a'lot of rough spots in my ~eand one religion that uriifies all these· NEW YORK (CN~) - The . no-frills look to offer· amoving weighed down by .a watery and . ~;:.; my~areer," Salonga.told The Mes- . people all over the world; even·as.· .following.arecapsule·revie'Y~of meditation Qn loneliness and the . witlessscriptandperf~rman~e~as ;:;'senger,:Iielleville's diocesanne'-Ys~ different as they might be.'" . '~niovies. recently reviewed by the ';: huiDlm need for contact arid com- . bland as British cuisine. A sexual ": .~. paPer.. . '. . ,.', .

The bishops' pastoral-explains Officefor Film & Broadcasti~g of passion, Some recreational drug encounter, a shower scene involv, .' : 'H~r ~areer began in ,the philip- that those who know themselves the U.S. Conference of.·Catholic usage and briefcrude expressions. ing fleeting rear nudity, as well as ,', . pines, where at age seven she was truly Christian and truly Asian Bishops.

The USCCB' Office for Film & recurring crude sexual language cast in a production of 'The King "have brought to us a more pro"Assisted Living'~ Broadcasting classification is A- and humor. The USCCB Office .(Economic Projections) ill - adults. It is not rated by the for Film & Broadcasting classifiand f' in Manila. A gold record for found understanding of what it Poignant docudrama that fol- Motio~ Picture Association of cation is A-ill - adults. The Moher first album, "Small Voice," re- means to be truly Catholic." tion Picture Association of cofded at 13, brought her more at'They have taught the Church' lows a 27-year-old; pot-smoking America.

America rating is PG-13 - par"The Wedding Date" tention. She sang the voice ofPrin-' in the United States the meaning of sla~ker (Michael Bonsignore) ents are strongly cautioned. Some cess Jasmine in the Disney ani- harmony; the necessity of dialogue through his final day as a janitor (Universal). mated film, "Aladdin," which in with their cultures, with other reli- at a nursing home, during which Flat and flavorless romantic material may be inappropriate for 1993 won the Academy Award for gions and with the poor; a renewed he gains deeper maturity through comedy directed by Clare Kilner children under 13. best original score and best song. sense of family loyalty; the unity But the role for which she is best between diverse cultures and diknown is her starring role in the verse Catholic Church communiNew York and London productions ties; and the closeness of all God's of ''Miss Saigon." creation," the document says. .

'There were nights when I was ''World of Faith and Values" is doing 'Miss Saigon' in London and presented by Faith & Values MeBy MARK PATTISON can air space is being bombarded don't think people were going to in New York when I was waking dia, which produces religious-based CATHOLIC NEWS SERVICE by television of questionable check February 6 to see whether up in cold sweats because of the programmingforcable'sHallmark WASHINGTON - Rome if not outright objectionable Paul McCartney slips and says a pressure of the show," she said. "I Channel. Faith & Values Media is was just praying, just praying that! the nation's largest coalition ofJew- wasn't built in a day, it is said. And taste. And the budget for the Fed- forbidden word?

Of course, what's forbidden would get through it." ish and Christian faith groups and when Rome fell, it fell after a pro- eral Communications CommisMore than 350,000 Asians and organizations dedicated to media tracted decay from within - so sion doesn't seem to be enough seems to be less and less. In January, the FCC ruled that a slang Pacific Islanders arrive in the production, distribution and promo- protracted the Roman Empire to stop the onslaught. lasted more than a century after Why? Because the enemy is word for penis was not subject to United States every year, a 48 per- tion.

Christianity had gone from being from within - and not recognized an FCC fine or other action. a state pariah to the state religion. as such. It's not necessarily Gen- Expletives uttered during live So now let us look upon these eral Electric (NBC), Viacom awards shows on network TV United States, referred to by some (CBS and UPN), News Corp. haven't brought any fines, just as "the most Christian nation on (Fox), Disney (ABC), or Time promises from networks to use earth." (A Google search of that Warner (the WB) that is the en- several seconds of delay to catch phrase found 50 hits for America, emy. It is the inexhaustible quest bad language. plus one each for Iceland, for profit that is the enemy. The Despite the delay, though, bad Rwanda, South Korea, Serbia and issue becomes less of "what did language has slipped through.

Nazi-era Germany.) they doT' and more of "will they Imagine having the technology to . For the better part of two de- do it next timeT' - a tease to lure stop something bad and not being cades, there has been much angst eyeballs to their programming and able to use it properly. It would and arguing over the practicality their advertisements. be catastrophic if we had "Star and cost of a missile-based deThe viewing public didn't ex- Wars" technology in place and fense system that would knock out pect Justin Timberlake to expose still let a missile enter American incoming bombs and warheads Janet Jackson's breast during last air space. before they could strike U.S. soil. year's Super Bowl halftime show, Yet, over that same space, U.S. Since the debate began, one gen- which itself was the natural out- society is suffering from death by eration of American enemies has growth of an effort to keep more a thousand cuts, one cut at a time, ACTRESS LEA Salonga poses with Oblate Father Jose been replaced by another, and still viewers tuned in after 25 years of when foul language and behavior Arong in Laguna Beach, Calif. The Philippine-born actress nobody's dared to send a missile dull, "Up With People"-like half- slip through. will host "Harmony in Faith," a special presentation of "World this way before the system has time shows. Now, though, with Whoever replaces Michael of Faith and Values," airing Sunday on the Hallmark cable been put in place. the Timberlake-Jackson escapade Powell as FCC head is going to channel. (CNS photo courtesy Oblate Media) Meanwhile, that same Ameri- burned into people's minds, you have a lot of work to do.

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POPE JOHN Paul II addresses lawyers of the Roman Rota, the Vatican tribunal that handles marriage cases. During the meeting the pontiff defended the Catholic Church's practice of presuming a marriage is valid unless serious proof is offered for its annulment.

(CNS photo from Reuters)

Pope asks Church courts not to undermine teachings on marriage

By CINDY WOODEN CATHOLIC NEWS SERVICE

VATICAN CITY-A marriage cannot be declared invalid simply because the couple feels unable to reconcile and continue living together, Pope John Paul II said.

"Acquiescence to interests foreign to the search for truth" is un-

just, undermines Church teaching on the indissolubility of marriage and can neverbe a pastoral response to a troubled marriage, the pope said recently in a speech to the Roman Rota, a Church court dealing mainly with marriage cases.

Pope John Paul's speech focused on the moral obligation of

tribunal staffs to uphold Church teaching and on the responsibility of diocesan bishops to ensure their tribunals operate according to Church law and the requirements of justice.

"In the name of supposed pastoral needs, some voices have been raised to propose declaring

Bishop 'reluctantly' lets Catholic college host Sen. Clinton speech BUFFALO, N.Y. (CNS) Sen. Hillary Rodham Clinton, 0N.Y., gave a speech at Jesuit-run Canisius College recently despite protests by abortion opponents and the withdrawal of sponsorship of the event by agencies of the Buffalo diocese.

Bishop Edward U. Kmiec of Buffalo cited the U.S. bishops' statement on "Catholics in Political Life" in an announcement that he would "reluctantly" allow the event to take place despite Clinton's strong support for keeping abortion legal.

John J. Hurley, Canisius' vice president for college relations, told Catholic News Service that the college "will not give ... awards or honors" to public officials who espouse positions in conflict with fundamental Church teachings, "but they can be invited to speak on campus so long as they do not use that as a forum to disagree with Church teachings."

Clinton's talk was on the government's role in health care.

About 500 people attended the event, held in the college's Montante Cultural Center. It was part of a lecture series at the college on ''The Governmental Role in Effectuating the Corporal Works of Mercy."

As first lady during President Bill Clinton's two terms in office, Hillary Clinton led a task force on

national health care reform. Since ing for the sick. I see this as a her election to the U.S. Senate in moral responsibility, as individu2000, she has introduced legisla- als, people of faith and religious tion to expand health care cover- organizations, but also for our age for children and has supported government."

Bishop Kmiec said the diocese legislation to improve coverage for the elderly and those in man- 'subscribes to the U.S. bishops' policy that "the Catholic commuaged care.

In her talk she said, ''The idea nity arid Catholic institutions of talking about government and should nQt honor those who act mercy may seem like a non sequi- in defiance of our fundamental tur, but it is through government moral principles with awards, - our collective mutual action- honors or platforms which would that we do or fail to do corporal suggest support for their actions." acts of mercy."

He said the bishops also exClinton invoked her spiritual- pressed a commitment, however, ity, the Bible, faith organizations "to maintaining communications and religious figures during her with public officials who make speech on the Catholic campus. decisions every day that touch isShe also cited the role of faith- sues of human life and dignity."

"It is for this reason, despite based organizations and the government working together to face calls for the cancellation of the event, that it was thought best to the challenges of today. ''There is no contradiction be- . allow it to proceed, though reluctween encouraging such chari- tantly, in order to maintain chantable works and respecting the nels of communication with Sen. constitutional principles that pro- Clinton and others who hold her tect people's rights to worship or views," he said.

American Life League presinot, as they choose," she said.

"Our national interests are served dent Judie Brown sharply critiby allowing people of every faith cized the college's decision to to carry out their b~liefs in the host a Clinton speech and called public square. Some ofAmerica's on Bishop Kmiec to repudiate that greatest advances were inspired deciSIon. "A known abortion advocate is being given a public platby people motivated by faith."

"It has never been thought in form at a Catholic institution - a our country that only religious situation that is at best confusing organizations - only people of and at worst scandalous," she faith - are responsible for car- said.

the nullity of unions that have to- condi~ioned either by feelings of tally failed," the pope said. false compassion for persons, or Suggestions have been made, by false ways of thinking, even he said, that tribunal judges make when they are widespread in soit appear that they have followed ciety," the pope said. all the forms and procedures to "He knows that unjust senhide the fact that "a true judicial tences are never a real pastoral procedure" never existed. solution and that the judgment of "It is obvious that the objective God about his actions is that juridical and moral seriousness of which counts for eternity," Pope such behavior certainly does not John Paul said. constitute a pastorally valid soluArchbishop Antoni Stankiewicz, tion to the problems created by dean of the Roman Rota, said that matrimonial crises," the pope judges have an obligation not only said. to render justice, but also to reafPope John Paul also criticized . firm through just sentences "the those who would see Church teach- natural and sacramental identity and ing on the permanenc~ of marriage dignity of marriage." as "mere orientation or exhortation" Marriage, a lifelong union bewhile seeing Church law as an un- tween a man and a woman open connected set of procedures for to having children, is not simply dealing with failed marriages. a concept, the archbishop said, but Tribunal staff members, he is an institution created by God, said, must be motivated by "love unlike "all other interpersonal for the truth." unions of a merely human cre''They must resist the fear of ation (made) in the image and figtruth, which sometimes rises from ure of 'corruptible man' in the the fear of hurting people," he service of the sinful body." said.

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PRACTICE THE DEVOTION OF THE FIRST SATURDAYS, AS REQUESTED BY OUR LADY OF FATIMA

On December 10, 1925, Our Lady appeared to Sister Lucia (seer of Fatima) and spoke these words: "Announce in my name that I promise to assist at the hour ofdeath with the graces necessary for the salvation oftheir souls, all thost! who on the first ,Saturday of five consecutive months shall: 1. Go to confession; 2. Receive Holy Communion; 3. Recite the Rosary (5 decades); and 4. Keep me company for 15 minutes while meditating on the 15 mysteries ofthe Rosary, with the intention of making reparation to me."

In a spirit of reparation, the above conditions are each to be preceded by the words: "In reparation for the offenses committed against the Immaculate Heart of Mary."

COnfessions may be made during 8 days before or after the first Saturday, and Holy Communion may be received at either the morning or evening Mass on the first Saturday.

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Friday, Februaq 11,2005

12

.Dinner raises $lM in ....----, .scholarship money for Catholic UIJ-ivl!rsity .

By ANA RODRIGUEZ-SOTO

those low-income families who want to enroll their children in MIAMI - The Catholic Uni- nonpublic schools.

The Washington Archdiocese is versity of America and Catholic education in general got a boost the only place in the country curwhen the nation's seven cardinals rently receiving federal "opportuwho head U.S. archdioceses gath-· nity scholarships': that allow needy. ered in Miami for the 16th annual families to send their children to private and religious schools. The American Cardinills Dinner.

The dinner raised more than $1 $39 million in scholarship funds million for Catholic University's were part of the omnibus budget scholarship fund. It also provided bill passed by Congress last year.

About 570 students in his archa forum for the cardinals to praise the effectiveness of Catholic diocese are receiving the scholarschools and urge that poor fami- ships, Cardinal McCarrick said, lies be given "equal opportunity" and their families "are noticing the difference." to attend them.

Cardinal McCarrick also ''There is a system that's sucFIRST LADY Laura Bush applauds her husband, U.S. President George W. Bush, prior cessful and it should be supported stressed that a Catholic education to the State of the Union address in Washington February 2. The guests with the first lady if we want to have successful should continue in coliege, so that are Safia Taleb al-Suhail, left, leader of the Iraqi women's political council; Homira Nassery, people in the Church and in the the level of Catholics' religious a teacher at the University of Kabul School of Law and Political Science in Afghanistan; and nation," Cardinal Edward M. Egan knowledge can rise along with La Salette Sister Constancia Parcasio, right, program director for prison ministry of the of New York said during a brief their level of general knowledge.

To have only "a grammar Diocese of Arlington, Va. (CNS photo from Reuters) photo opportunity with reporters.

He cited statistics from his own school education in religion," Cararchdiocese showing that between dinal McCarrick said, "is not the 65 percent and 80 percent of the ideal, because we think religion is students attending New York's 116 important. It should be part of the Catholic schools live below the whole context of an educational poverty line. Yet, 95 percent oithe system." .

Many factors, however, comarchdiocese's Catholic school . graduates went on to college, while .bine to keep Catholic high school

By MARY FRANCES MCCARTHY a diocesan employee it would be ruary 3 statement. "Sister Connie only 40 percent ofNew York City'S graduates from studying in CathoCATHOLIC NEWS SERVICE more fitting for the bishop or the and those who serve with her in public school students graduate lic colleges and universities. Chief director of Catholic Charities to the prison community are a vital ARLINGTON, Va. Sister .. from high school. among them are finances, which go instead. part of the Church's effort to visit Constancia Parcasio, a MissionIn an interview later with The is one reason the American CardiBut she was told, "Sister and serve prisoners, instill hope of Our Lady of La Salary Sister Florida Catholic, Miami's nals Dinner and other fund-raIsers Connie, you are the choice of the and ultimately participate in the of about two dozen ette, was one archdiocesan newspaper, Cardi- are held. president.

You will represent the rehabilitation of those who have people chosen by the White nal Theodore E. McCarrick of ''We're very proud of our unifaith."

House to sit with first lady Laura offended - in short, the ministry Washington cited a 1928 Supreme versity. It's so nice to see the turnWhen she heard this, she acof mercy."

Bush for President George W. Court decision allowing parents to out here," Cardinal McCarrick Sister Connie said she was opt out of the public school sys- said, referring to the more than 600 Bush's State of the Union address cepted the jnvitation.

"Certainly God's ways are tohonored to attend the address.

February 2. . . people who paid $1,000 aplate to tem. tally different from ours" said the "Whatever good will come out Sister Connie, as she is known, .The Supreme Court, he said, attend, the dinner that followed a from my being elevated to Filipino nun the day before the is the director of prison ministry gave poor people ''the gift of a right Mass. . . so high a pedestal is for God for Catholic Charities in the without the opportunity to exercise The Catholic University of alone to measure," she said.

Diocese of Arlington.

She that right. What we must fight for ·America, founded in 1887, is the "But I was happy to be was invited to the "Her witness is a bright light in is the opportunity to exercise the only institution ofhigher education right that the Supreme Court gave founded by the U.S. bishops. As president's speech before a northern Virginia, and her invitation made a symbol and witness such, it is the national university joint session of Congress as by the president last night was only for those who believe in the .us 80 years ago."

He apparently was referring to of the Catholic Church in the a representative of a faith- fitting. Sister Connie and those who existence of God. I guess my veil has served its purbased group and as an aca need for tuition vouchers for United States. knowledgment of her work serve with her in the prison commu- pose once again." with prison inmates in a di- nity are a vital part of the Church's She met the president afocesan program that takes a effort to visit and serve prisoners, ter the speech and thanked Catholic presence to 28 instill hope and ultimately participate him for his support on issues jails. related to the sanctity of life.

Matthew Smith, a mem- in the rehabilitation of those who When she told him she was ber of Bl~ssed' Sacrament have offended - in short, the min- with Catholic Charities, he Parish in Alexandria and istry of mercy. " praised the organization for associate director of the the help it provides to COIJ1White House Office of Pubmunities. Laura Bush lic Liaison, learned of Sister address. "His flare for choosing thanked Sister Connie for her Connie and· her work through an the insignificant, the weak and the work in prison ministry. article last year in the Arlington' poor as instruments to put across The president referred to proCatholic Herald, diocesan news- his message is just beyond my grams like Sister Connie's prison paper, about the last 48 hours of imagination," she told the Arling- ministry in his speech, noting that ton Catholic Herald. the life of a death-row inmate. the U.S. government would "conSteve Luteran, executive direc- tinue to support faith-based and Smith called Sister Connie two weeks prior to the State of the tor of Catholic Charities in the community groups that bring hope Union to get more information on diocese, accompanied Sister to harsh places." prison ministry, and asked if she Connie to a February 2 reception He also announced an exat the wrote House, but she was would be willing to come to the panded use of DNA evidence to U.S. CARDINALS greet gue$ts at The Catholic University White House. the only one invited to the State prevent wrongful convictions and of America's 16th annual American Cardinals Dinner, held in When she received a letter of the Union. said he would be sending a proMiami. Pictured from left are Cardinals Justin Rigali of Phila- from the White House telling her "Her witness is a bright light posal to Congress to fund traindelphia, Edward M. Egan of New York, Francis E. George of that the president and first lady in northern Virginia, and her in- ing for defense counsel in capital Chicago, Adam J. Maida of Detroit, William H. Keeler of Bal- wanted her to be present at the vitation!?y the president last night cases, adding that "people on trial timore, Roger M. Mahony of Los Angeles and Theodore E. State of the Union address, she was only fitting," said Arlington for their lives must have compeMcCarrick of Washington. (CNS photo by Chris Greenberg) insisted that because she was just Bishop Paul S. Loverde in a Feb- tent lawyers by their side."

CATHOLIC NEWS SERVICE

Virginia nun wbo works in prison ministry a guest at State of the Union

,2005

Forward congregational coordinator of the Causes Of the Saints. . The vice postulator position is not new to Father Lachapelle. In addition to holding the title for the Father Peyton cause, he is also vice postulator for the sainthood causes of two other members of the Congregation of Holy Cross; one of its founders, Father Basil Moreau, and Holy Cross Brother Andre Bessette, founder of St. Joseph's Oratory in Montreal.

With the opening ofthe diocesan inquiry, the person is given the title, "Servant of God." During this process, a commission studies the heroic virtues of the candidate. If the reports are favorable;the bishop can forward the findings to the Congregation for the Causes of the Saints, where they will be reviewed, and a study of the life and virtues of the Servant of God prepared and presented to a jury of cardinals and bishops. If their report is favorable, the findings are sent to the Holy Father, who can declare the person "Venerable."

When the Church declares a person venerable, it means the research conducted indicates the person is truly worthy of veneration.

The Church then waits for a sign of divine approval in the fonn of a miracle, usually a healing, which must be instantaneous, permanent, achieved without medical assistance, and incapable of scientific explanation. After such a miracle, the pope may beatify the person, declaring him or her "Blessed." At that time, the person may be honored locally or in a limited way in the liturgy. After a second miracle, the pope can then declare the person a "Saint."

Of the three causes on which Father Lachapelle is working, Father Peyton is a Servant of God, Father Moreau has been declared Venerable, and Brother Andre has been declared Blessed. In May of last year, permission was granted by the Congregation for the Causes of Saints allowing the Diocese of

Continued from page one

Montreal to hold an inquiry concerning a case of healing possibly attributed to the intercession of Blessed Brother Andre.

The official opening of the inquiry was February 4. The results ofthe inquiry will remain confidential to ensure all the discretion needed while processing meqical ftles and to ensure respect to family members. When possible, Vatican authorities will communicate the results.

Father Lachapelle told The Anchor that the sainthood causes are not to glorify the individuals but to provide Catholics with "models to imitate." 'The works of the candidates are good examples of the vitality ofthe Church," he said. 'Their lives are a sign of the presence of God among his people. By studying these individuals I see God acting in the lives of his people. That is a very special blessing for me."

Father Lachapelle will continue the work begun by Father Feeley, in essence picking up where he left off. He won't necessarily duplicate Father Feeley's studie~, but rather, continue the efforts with testimonies received after Father Feeley's death.

"Since the cause opened in June 2001, we've received many testimonies from people who have been touched by Father Peyton's intercession," said Holy Cross Father John Phalen, president of Holy Cross Family Ministries in.North Easton. He said that while many'of the testimonies are not about physical heatings, they tell of favors granted through Father Peyton's intercession. "Many of them include people who have been helped by finding employment or finding their way through financial difficulties," he added. "And many of the favors are similar in the quickness with which they were granted.

There seems to be an immediacy with Father Peyton."

Both priests agreed that Father Peyton is a beautiful example for today's family. "He stressed prayer

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in the family," said Father Phalen.

The famous adage, 'The family that prays together, stays together," comes from Father Peyton.

According to Father Phalen, another exciting happening since the cause opened is that the Congregation of Holy Cross presence has expanded to Chile and Sierra Leone, making 17 countries in all.

Father Peyton is buried in Easton, which is within the Diocese of Fall River. Easton is the home of Holy Cross Family Ministries, founded by Father Peyton, which includes Family Rosary, Family Theater Productions, Father Peyton Family Institute, and Family Rosary International.

Father Peyton was a Catholic.

"People in the Diocese of Fall River are blessed to have Father Peyton so connected with them," said Father Lachapelle, "He is buried right here in Easton, and may someday be a saint."

While Father Lachapelle will remain stationed in Rome, he said, "I will be in touch with the Easton office almost on a daily basis. I look forward to working with people from the Fall River diocese on this important cause."

St. Anne's Prayer "Good St. Anne, Mother of Mary, and Grandmother of Jesus, Intercede for me and my petitions. Amen."

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Continued from page one

a ritual moment that these catechu- . baptism in the Catholic Church.

The catechumens, the unbap- mens are ready for baptism, " Fatized, who will sign the Book of ther Dahl noted.

Earlier on Sunday, many of the the Elect will henceforth be called catechumens and candidates will 'The Elect."

At the same time, those known already have received a Rite of as "Candidates," those already bap- Sending in their own parishes betized in other Christian traditions fore coming to the cathedral. .

This rite was developed to aland who wish to enter into full communion in the Catholic Church, will low members of the local community to experience some aspect of also celebrate the ritual.

Key to the celebrations are two the Rite of Election, because usuelements: the testimony of godpar- ally the ceremony at the cathedral ents and catechists, and the inscrip- can accommodate very few of the tion of the names of the Elect, Fa- faithful from each parish who want to take part in the cathedral certher Dahl pointed out.

Testimony occurs in the fonn of emonies.

Nearly 75 catechumens will be affinnation by the godparents and the assembly. After the catechu- signing the Book of the Elect, and mens are presented, Bishop another 125 candidates will also Coleman will ask the godparents take part in the ritual, Lisa M. if they consider the candidates .Gulino, diocesan director ofAdult Education and assistant director of worthy of initiation. ''The Rite of Election brings to the RCIA, reported.

media pioneer spending 51 years serving the spiritual needs offamilies, especially encouraging them to pray daily together, particularly the rosary.

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Bishop Feehan students selected for musical honors ATTLEBORO - Five Bishop Feehan High School students have recently been selected for various musical honors. Seniors Jessica Moore of Sharon and Christopher Rizzo of Attleboro have been selected for District Chorus and Band. Juniors Kathleen Burke of North Attleboro and Peter Krafka of

Milford, along with Senior Rick Vita of Mansfield have been named to District and All State Chorus and Orchestra.

Additionally, Krafka has been selected to represent Massachusetts at the National High School Honors Orchestra. He will spend four days in Reno, Nevada, performing at the annual convention.

EIGHTH-GRADERS Jenna Myers and Allie Ebzery from St. Mary-Sacred Heart School, . North Attleboro, await judging on their science fair projects. Myers' project was entitled "Global Gases: Bringing the Greenhouse Effect Down to Earth," while Ebzery reported oli the "Aerodynamic Analysis of a Golf BaiL" Below, eighth-grader Billy Warren and seventh-grader Evan Dean discuss their projects. (AnchodGordon photos) STUDENT SHAWN Szczupak of St. Stanislaus School, Fall River, takes a turn in the drivers seat of a real race car recently. Greg Paquin of GP Motorsports was on hand to talk to students about racing and how an engine works.

SSe Peter and Paul students receive gift

THE CHILDREN'S Choir from St. John the Evangelist School, Attleboro, sang during a recent Mass at the parish. Sheryl Walsh and Maureen Merriam serve as the group's directors.

FALL RIVER - Students at SS. Peter & Paul School will now be able to tour the United States thanks to a donation made by the Verizon Telecom Pioneers in the form of a colorful rug depicting a map of the U.S. This map rug will be used as an educational tool and springboard for all subjects across the curriculum. Fourth-grade teacher Douglas Medeiros said, "Before we begin our nation's tour, the students will learn a special song to help them memorize the names of the states in alphabetical order."

The rhyming song is set to the tune of "Turkey in the Straw," which seems to be quickly learned by students, helping them learn all '50 states. After the students memorize the names of the states, the new rug will help the students learn the location of each state as well as its capital. Students will develop their geography skills as they strengthen their cardinal and intermediate directions in relation to each state.

The careful planning of the tour will inchide the use of math skills to help students assess the amount of time needed to go through each state. Students will have to calculate their travel time and distance between states. Their developing math skills will truly

.come in handy as they compute both kilometers and miles for their trip.

Grade four students are excitedly gearing up for their research of each state and the planning of visits to the many popular sites our nation has to offer. Lauren Houston, one of the fourth-graders said she would like to visit Iowa. "I have never been there, and something about it must be . interesting," said Houston. "I heard that there are a lot of farms and cows in that state. I love to look at pictures of farms and their animals and I think I'd like it .there."

The Verizon Pioneers, whose organization is comprised of current and retired employees of Verizon, have a rich history of providing a wide variety of support to local schools. Depending on the, need of each school, this organization's members volunteer their time by performing such tasks as planting trees, donating school supplies as well as painting maps on many playgrounds across America. And now, throiJgh their generosity, SS. Peter & Paul School is excited to be the first in the city to receive this beautiful rug, which will help make education at the school fun.

15

FrIday, February 11,200S

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Addiction can't bring love ~and meaning to life

By CHARLIE MARTIN -

YOUNG PEOPLE hold up the World Youth bay cross at the German parliament building in Berlin. (eNS photo from KNA)

World Youth Day cross on display , in German parliament chapel BERLIN (CNS) ,..- The World Youth Day cross was put on display in the interdenominational chapel of the Gennan parliament, the Bundestag,,in late January.

The speaker of the parliament, Wolfgang Thierse, a Catholic, said the cross' presence was a sign that "we as members ofparliament support the event." World Youth Day is scheduled to be hel,d in the German city of Cologne August t 6-21.

Thierse, who greeted young people accompanying the cross, said the fact that World Youth Day would be held in Cologne was a sign that Christianity was not dying out in Gennany, but was still "full of vitality."

DRUGS OR JESUS In my hometown For anyone that sticks around You're either lost or ' you're found , There's not much in between In my hometown . Everything's still black and white It's a long way from wrong to right From Sunday morning to Saturday night Refrain: Everybody just wants to get high Sit and watch the world go by We're all looking for love and meaning in our lives We follow the roads that lead To drugs or Jesus My whole life I tried to run, I've tried to hide From the stained glass windows in my mind Refusing to let God's light shine down on me Down on me (Repeat refrain.)

We all want proof Everyone's just looking for the truth \' (Repeat refrain.)

To drugs or Jesus To drugs or Jesus To drugs or Jesus Oh I need you Jesus Hallelujah Sung by Tim McGraw Album: Live Like You're Dying Copyright (c) 2004 by Curb Records

Students carried the cross through the streets of Berlin from Humboldt University to parliament, stopping at the Brandenburg Gate for a short prayer service. \ Handing over the cross to the politicians, Bishop Franz-Josef Bode of asnabruck said that bringing politicians and the cross together might seem like a collision of two differentworlds, but "if the state used its positive chances" and A reader from Mt. Vernon, ''the cross was not repressed," then politics and religion could work to- Ind., asked me to review. Tim gether. He called on young people McGraw's "Drugs or Jesus.".The to get involved in society and poli- song is off McGraw's latest disc, tics, and he urged politicians to let "Live Like You're Dying." The themselves be inspired by the ide- , album's title song was McGraw's biggest 2004 hit. alism of youth. ,

CATHOLIC NEWS SERVICE

If you follow this column, you know that I usually stay on the pop/rock charts. However, I chose to feature this song because of the reader's request and the compelling story she shared about her recovery from alcohol addiction.

The reader tells of her journey through addiction to eventual recovery. She emphasizes the song's

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insight into the emotional pain behind the choice to use drugs. In her words: "Addicts don't do what they do for no reason. They are hurting. They are looking for truth, meaning, love, understanding and God's love above anything else, and they don't even know it."

The person in the song agrees with the reader's comments. He says: "We're all looking for love and meaning in our lives; we follow the roads that lead to drugs or Jesus." The word "or" in that sentence starkly portrays the choice that many face. Drugs are very available. So is Jesus!

Both the reader and the song point to the compassion needed to help someone out of using drugs

and into a deeper relationship with God. Doing drugs is a mistake.

Drugs cannot fiU the need for th;" "love and meaning" mentioneJ. However, no addict realizes this at first. The drugs help the addict manage what lies below the decision to use drugs, that is, all the hurt of a searching soul.

Usually the path out of this emptiness is through working the Twelve Steps of addiction recovery. These steps have helped millions of ryurting individuals rediscover the path to God. When any of us connect with God, we also find healing, meaning and true peace.

I had the chance to learn firsthand about the pain that addicts experience. I know even better the pain ofthose who live with someone who is addicted. The miracle of recovery never visited the home of my growing up, but it was a different time. Today Twelve Step programs are found in almost every locality, even in some high schools.

If you feel the type of pain reflected in McGraw's song, hope exists. The reader comments on how to find this hope: "When people choose recovery, they' find out that they have been' looking for God in their lives all along. Although they may think that it hard to find God, it is easy.

All you have to do is invite him in."

If your first choice has been drugs or alcohol, choose again., Ask God to get you onto the road to recovery.

Your comments are always welcome. Please write to me at: chmartin@swindiana.net or at 7125W 200S, Rockport, IN 47635.

Suicide realities By #CASE JOHNSTUN CATHOLIC NEWS SERVICE A man described as deranged and suicidal parked his vehicle on railroad tracks in California January 26, causing a commuter-train crash that killed t t people outside Los Angeles, officials said. "'I think he was intent at that time on taking his own life, but changed his mind prior to the train actually striking his vehicle," Glendale Police Chief Randy Adams was quoted as saying.

It is a common misperception that suicide only hurts those who commit it, that those around them won't care and do not care. The California case is extreme, but it is a concrete

example of how one person taking his own life can create a train wreck in many others' lives.

According the National Center for Injury Prevention and Control: ''The overall rate of suicide among youth has declined slowly since 1992 (Lubell, Swahn, Crosby and Kegler, 2004). Even so, rates remain unacceptably high.

Adolescents and young adults often experience stress, confusion and depression from situations occurring in their families, schools and communities. Such feelings can overwhelm young people and lead them to consider suicide as a 'solution.' Few schools and communities have suicide

prevention plans that include screening, referral and crisisintervention programs for youth." , Families and friends of

Coming of flge suicide victims suffer many different feelings after the one they love has committed suicide - mainly loss, but many times guilt, a guilt that is not easily discarded. These feelings of guilt overwhelm the families of

or to the store. He felt that if he those who have taken their lives hadn't left, his father would not and lead them to ask: "What have done this. could I have done to prevent But the truth is, the son didn't this? What did I or didn't I do to really have, and couldn't have, make this happen?" Sometimes this kind of control over the this spiraling guilt even leads to depression and suicide for those ,situation.

So, when those thoughts pop left behind. up that say, "No one will care" A young man sat with his or "No one will get hurt but father night and day as he me," it's time to rethink. watched his dad fall,closer and It's so hard to accept that closer to his own demise. suicide is the leading cause of Vowing never to leave him, not death for people between the to let him take his own life, he gave up much of his own life for ages of 15 and 24. However, according the U.S. Department the time being. One evening he came back from work to find the of Health and Human Services, house completely locked up, and it is. And if a teen or a parent reading this thinks that suicide is then he heard the gun go off. not a problem, it's time to think When he found his father's again. There may be someone body, the son felt that he shouldn't have left to go to work nearby who needs some help.

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Maryknoll nun prepares for prison stay after SOA trespass, conviction Ten years after joining the MARYKNOLL, N.Y. (CNS)Maryknoll Sister Leila Mattingly is Maryknoll Sisters in 1960, "my first going to jail. Shejust does not know awakening that something wasn't precisely when. But when she does right with our own government was in nursing school in 1970," Sister go, it will be for six months.

Sister Mattingly, 63, was sen- Mattingly told Faircloth, adding that tenced last month to six months in she 'joined most of my class on the prison following her misdemeanor streets to protest the war in Vietnam."

In 1971, she was assigned to a trespass conviction for stepping over the property line during a Maryknoll mission in Bolivia soon 16,OOO-strong protest in November after a coup by Gen. Hugo Banzer at Fort Benning, Ga., home to the Suarez.

"He ruled the country; his miliWestern Hemisphere Institute for Security Cooperation, once known tary chased, grabbed, shot, killed, imprisoned and tortured thousands as the School of the Americas.

The institute is a training facil- during his seven years of dictatority for foreign military personnel. ship," Sister Mattingly said at her For the past 14 years, it has been sentencing. SOA visitors, she the site of annual protests by dem- added, "may have seen Gen. Hugo onstrators who link its graduates to Banzer Suarez's picture there in its human rights abuses committed hall offame! Can you imagine what o,:,er the past two decades by gov- an insult that is to the beautiful ernment security forces in Latin people of Bolivia who suffered terAmerica. ribly under his tyrannical regime?"

According to the U.S. governThe Western Hemisphere ment, only a small number of those Institute's official Website says the who have attended the institute school's mission "is to educate and were ever involved in criminal ac- train military, police and civilians ,tivities. within the context ofthe democratic "I believe that I followed my principles set forth in the charter of conscience and my sense of moral the Organization of American outrage by prayerfully and peacec States,:' and it "adheres to the hemifully protesting," Sister Mattingly sphere-wide desire to maintain said at her sentencing hearing in Co- peace, prosperity and freedom 'for lumbus,Ga. all the people of the region."

It also says the institute was man"I crossed the line because of what the school teaches, what many dated by Congress to develop and of its students have done, and what implement "meaningful and effecit represents in the madness ofmili- tive training in democracy and hutary rationale that might makes man rights," and its program is right," she told U.S. Magistrate G "among the best offered by military Mallon Faircloth, judge of the U.S. educational institutions anywhere in District Court for the Middle Dis- the Western Hemisphere." trict of Georgia.

Asked what there is to gain from Sister Mattingly was the oldest going to prison, she replied, "The woman, and the only woman reli- gain is all based on faith. It is a leap gious, among the 14 people charged of faith because I don't expect a lot for civil disobedience during the of gain except becoming maybe a November 20-21 protests. She and more spiritual person myself, leamAlice Gerard of Buffalo, N.Y., re- ing what it is like to be in prison so ceived the longest prison sentences. I can understand how women are Two still await trial. In all, accord- suffering in prison." ing to School of the Americas Sister Mattingly was to receive Watch, more than 170 people have a letter from the Bureau of Prisons received prison time totaling more notifying her ofthe'prison to which than 75 years for their actions at she must report and the date when protests over the past decade. her sentence begins.

GUATEMALAN AND Salvadoran folk art are featured in a new mural by Claudia Bernardi at the Catholic Worker house in Oakland, Calif. Dedicated recently, the artwork depicts late Catholic social activists, including Salvadoran Archbishop Oscar Romero, Cesar Chavez and Dorothy Day. (CNS photo by Greg Tarczynski)

This Lent marks 30th year of Operation Rice Bowl " By CATffOLIC NEWS SERVICE BALTIMORE - This Lent marks the 30th anniversary of Operation Rice Bowl, a-seven-week program of prayer, fasting, learning and giving through.which U.S. Catholics contribute millions of dollars each year to alleviate poverty and hunger at home and abroad.

In an announcement released from its Baltimore headquarters, Catholic Relief Services, which sponsors the program, said millions of Catholics in parishes, schools and faith communities participate each year. Of the roughly $8 million raised ailllually, three~fourthsgoes to development proje~tsthatcontribute to food security in some 40 countries around the world. The other one-fourth stays in U.S. dioceses to fund local programs.

Operation Rice Bowl began in 1975 as a program of the Diocese of Allentown, Pa., and CRS, the U.S. bishops' overseas relief and development agency, adopted it as a national program the following year.

An important element of the Operation Rice

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MARYKNOLL SISTER Leila Mattingly, 63, was sentenced January 25 to six months in prison following her misdemeanor trespass conviction for stepping over the property line during a 16,OOO-strong protest in November at Fort Benning, Ga. (CNS photo courtesy of Maryknoll Sisters)

Bowl program is its Lenten calendar. The calendar has meal recipes from various countries assisted by the program and a message for each day about the poverty and other needs people in those countries face. It includes practical suggestions linking those realities to daily life in America.

The February 15 message, for example, says that while 55 percent of Americans h a v e Internet access only two of every 1,000 people in Eritrea have Internet access. It asks Operation Rice Bowl participants to learn more about Eritrea on its Website, www.catholicrelief.org, and to contribute 55 cents that day for every computer in their home.

The calendar also has brief stories from individuals who have been helped by CRS projects in the featured countries.

"When the poor remain nameless and without a life story, it is easy to forget them," said Anne Ayella, Philadelphia archdiocesan CRS director.

"Operation Rice Bowl tells their stories and helps us to see our brothers and sisters with eyes of compassion," she said.

Yatican officia~ says aid agencies ~l)~w compassion, don't proselytize ,

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JAKARTA, Indori~~ia (CNS) - Catholic aid ageDc~es'are workin~ 'in. overwhelmingly Islamic Aceh province as a way to show the Church's compassion for victims and survivors of the tsunami disaster, a Vatican official said.

The Church was not present in Aceh to proselytize or preach, but merely to help survivors heal emotionally and physically, Msgr.

Giovanni Dill Toso, undersecretary of the Pontifical Council "Cor Unum," the Vatican's charity promotion and coordinating office, said recently during a press conference in Jakarta. A day earlier, Msgr. Dal Toso toured Aceh province, met with Catholic aid officials and viewed the devastation.

"It was important to be there

and to see what has happened; but it is important also to see the positive response of so many people," he told Catholic News Service. He said Church workers in Aceh told him that Catholic aid agencies were working with their Muslim counterparts and that "there were no tensions" between Church agencies and Indonesian government and Islamic leaders.

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