02.12.88

Page 1

VOL. 32, NO.7.

FALL RIVER, MASS.

Friday, February 12, 1988

Southeastern Massachusetts' Largest Weekly

$10 Per Year

For world's homeless

N 0 room in the inn By Pat McGowan with NC news reports As church officials at the Vatican and in Washington urged Christians and society in general to attack the mounting crisis of society's homeless, the problem took on a local dimension in the Fall River diocese, where controversy has flared for several months over location of a shelter for the homeless on Rockland Street in Fall River. Although legal maneuvering in the matter has been based on technicalities such as whether the shelter is a "permitted use" in a district zoned for business and whether it is covered by a court decision exempting nonprofit educational facilities from zoning regulations, emotions were strong behind the scenes. This was evidenced by a candlelight march held earlier in the year in freezing weather by shelter supporters and by many writers of newspaper letters to the editor. On the side of opponents, there was fear that "undesirable elements" would harm the Rockland Street neighborhood, while elderly persons lamented loss of their "peaceful retirement." The latest action in the matter came Feb. 2 when the Fall River Zoning Board of Appeals denied a request to close the shelter. At a crowded hearing, city councilor John Medeiros took the part of objecting neighbors when he re-

called the recent case of a homeless person who shot and killed a Dallas policeman. "At least some of the homeless are of a criminal element," he said.

Motta photo

FATHER KASZYNSKI Also speaking were two women whose families had found refuge at the shelter and Rev. Robert Kaszynski. pastor of St. Stanislaus Church on Rockland Street, who admitted that he was "in a very delicate position." But recalling that at one point in his youth his family was homeless because both parents had lost their jobs, he declared that they "weren't scum." The parish was not opposed to the shelter, he declared: "We not only have no objection... we'd be happy to have such a group as fullfledged members of our church."

Although the shelter issue is not settled, since opponents indicated that they would appeal the zoning board's decision, the Feb. 2 action bought the homeless time. Also at the hearing was another city priest known for his concern for the needy, Rev. William W. Norton, pastor of St. Patrick's parish. With the supJ:lort of Bishop Daniel A. Cronin and Catholic Social Services director Rev. Peter N. Graziano, Father Norton has recently made it possible for Fall River's Community Soup Kitchen to remain open on Saturdays, thus assuring the needy of at least one meal daily, Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday at the soup kitchen, Diocesan Department of Social Services, 783 Slade St; Monday and Friday at the Episcopal Church of the Ascension, 160 RockSt.;and Wednesday and Sunday at Salvation Army headquarters, 290 Bedford St. The Saturday meal is served by volunteers from St. Patrick's parish and Bishop Connolly High School.

Vatican, Washington Coincidentally, on the day of the Fall River hearing the Vatican issued a major document on homelessness, terming adequate shelter a "universal right" and caIling for Turn to Page Six

NC photo

Bishop's Lenten Letter Dearly beloved in Christ, "Even now, says the Lord, return to me with your whole heart, with fasting, and weeping, and mourning; Rend your hearts, not your garments, and return to the Lord, your God." (Joel 2:12-13)

Even now our Lord calls us, my brothers and sisters, as in the time oJ the prophet Joel. It is a call to action. He calls us to be mindful ofHis Mercy and consider the power it has to change our lives. Even now this same Divine Mercy invites us to rend our hearts before God and his Church by an honest confession ofsin with true contrition ofheart so that we may be liberated from the shackles of sin. Like the people ofIsrael of the prophet Joel's time, we are called to weep for our sins because they offend God, and to mourn the injustice of humanity against humanity which is stillpresent in our world. We are also called tofast, to sacrifice, to remedy wrong, heal wounds, and work for justice in our community and in the world. With this call ofDivine Mercy there comes also the divine empowerment of the Holy Spirit to accomplish goodness, justice and peace. May our hearts follow the guidance of the Spirit. May we take this time offavor from the Lord, this Holy Season ofLent, to respond to the call ofGod's mercy byfasting, penance, prayer, andselling things right with God and with one another. With every prayerful wish that this Lenten Season may be a holy and grace-filled time, I remain, Faithfully yours in Christ >•

. ·;"··!"'''"<.·c'''~i_'

Bishop of Fall River

ON A BITTER winter night, Gary Cook covers "Miss Gertie" as they take refuge inside St. Ann's Church, Baltimore, which had. opened its doors to the homeless. (NC photo) .

LENTEN REGULATIONS PAGE 2; LENTEN CALENDAR PAGES 11-9


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