02.16.96

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VOL. 40, NO.7¡

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Friday, February 16, 1996

FALL RIVER, MASS.

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At Cathedral Mass

Jubilee 2000 observance begins

By Davl: Jolivet Anchor Staff

A model for education reform Since 1820 Catholic schools have been providing academic excellence and values-oriented education to children of every race, ethnic, economic, and religious background across the Commonwelilth. To recognize the invaluable contributions that Catholic schools have made in serving the common good in Massachusetts, the Parents Alliance for Catholic Educa.tion (PACE), in conjunction with the Massachusetts Catholic Conference, held a statewide celebration at noon yesterday on the grand staircase of the Boston state house.

In attendance at the rally was Robert Massoud, president of PACE in the Fall River diocese.

With lifelong involvement in the Catholic educational system, Massoud attended Espirito Santo School, Fall River, as a child, taught at Bishop Stang High School, North Dartmollth, and now sends his children to Holy Family/ Holy Name School, New Bedford.

Over 2,000 Catholic school students, administrators, teachers, and parents from every corner of the state: Boston, Roxbury, Buzzards Bay, Worcester, Kingston, Beverly, Chicopee, and New Bedford participated in the event. Joining Catholic school families and officials at the parochial school celebration were: Lieutenant Governor A. Paul Cellucci (R-Hudson), State Senator Robert A. Antonioni (D-Leominster), Stall: Senator Jane M. Swift (R-North Adams), and numerous state elected offi. cials, many of whom are Catholic school alumni.

"As Catholic schools recognize 176 years of service to the Commonwealth, they can certainly be proud of their numerous contributions," remarked Steve Perla, executive director of PACE. "Over the years, Cat'holic schools have provided a quality education to thousands of immigrant children, enabling them to build a successful future for themselves, their famiTurn to Page 13

Since the birth of Christ very few people have traveled into a new millennium. We are of a generation that will, and for the Roman Catholic Church, and as of last Sunday, the Diocese of Fall River, the celebration of that transition has already begun. Bishop Sean O'Malley was the principal celebrant and a large gathering of diocesan priests concelebrated a . Jubilee 2000 Mass at St. Mary's Cathedral in Fall River on February' II. At the Mass, the bishop addressed a cathedral filled with members of the clergy, religious, various diocesan apostolates, parishes and members of the newlyformed Diocesan Pastoral Council. "We gather as God's people to celebrate the Eucharist. We recognize Jesus in the breaking of the bread," he said. "We ask the Lord to teach us, feed us and send us forth with hope and love. Herewe begin the celebration of the 2000th birthday of Jesus."

Pope John Paul II has outlined a four-year preparation plan to welcome the new millennium. The Holy Father is calling on Catholics to unite and renew our faith.

Bishop O'Malley, in unity with the pontiff, inaugurated the area's cele-

bration. "We in the Diocese of Fall River are united with Catholics in EI Salvador, Bosnia and throughout the world," he said. "It's time we look into our hearts, stir up our

faith and live as the Body of Christ."

The bishop stated that the role of the Church is to bring people together and learn to love one

another and be witnesses of God's love in the world. "As we prepare for the third millennium, we must redouble our efforts to make the Turn to Page Eight

Pope completes Latin American trip CARACAS, Venezuela (CNS) - To Latin American countries lacerated by civil war and social injustice, Pope John Paul II offered advice for binding wounds and reuniting people.

During his Feb. 5-11 trip, Pope John Paul praised Latin America's progress toward lasting peace, but insisted the process could be completed only with a conversion to solidarity and respect for human rights.

True conversion to Jesus and faith in his victory over death must fill the region's people with strength to follow the path of peace and justice, he said.

"The message of my visits is always the Gospel, which is good news, but there are also reproaches, strong words, proclamations and counsels," the pope said on the airplane as he began his fournation trip.

Civil war has become mainly a

memory and a history lesson for the region's people, but the poverty and social injustice which contributed to decades of death still iinger.

Visiting Guatemala, Nicaragua, El Salvador and Venezuela, the pope said that without a changed approach to economics, politics and human rights, Catholics would not live up to the demands of their faith and could not guarantee peace and prosperity for their children.

True peace, he said in Guatemala, "is a gift of God and the fruit of dialogue, a spirit of reconciliation, a serious commitment to holistic development along with solidarity reaching all sectors of society and, in a particular way, of respect for the dignity of every person."

Guatemala is the only Central American nation that has yet to sign a definitive agreement ending its civil war, although President

Alvaro Arzu announced peace talks would resume almost immediately.

"Stop the thunder of war," the pope said, arriving in the country.

Arzu told' the pope Guatemalans are filled with remorse for having made their homeland "a nation bloodied by injustice and armed conflict."

Pope John Paul traveled by helicopter Feb. 6 to Esquipulas, the Guatemalan town where in 1986 the presidents of Central America agreed on a regional plan for ending their civil wars.

The accords were signed in the Basilica ofthe Holy Christ, a shrine which houses the "Black Christ of Esquipulas," a smoke-darkened crucifix that is the object of popular devotion throughout Central America.

Visiting the shrine and preaching on the power of Christ's crucifixion, the pope summarized his Turn to Page 13

BISHOP SEAN O'Malley leads the Fall River diocese in its opening celebration ofth~ new millennium at the Jubilee 2000 Mass at St. Mary's Cathedral, Fall River, last Sunday. Pope John Paul II has called upon Catholics to unite and renew their faith during the next four years in preparation for the 2000th birthday of Christ. To the bishop's left is Monsignor George W. Coleman, a member of the new Diocesan PastoJraI Council, and to the bishop's right is Rev. Richard W. Beaulieu, chairman of the Jubilee 2000 Committee. (Anchor/ Jolivet photo)

Their apostolic work reaches those in the New Bedford 'area.

They participate'in theYouth 2000 as peacemakers.

"In the Gospel, Jesus said that if retreats and parish missions by we trusted in the Father He would giving talks and witnesses to the provide for us," she continued, Gospel. Their next miBsion will be beaming. "He isn't a liar. People St. Julie Billiart parish, North need to take the Gospel literally Dartmouth, from February 26 to 29. "It's important to bring the when He tells us to trust."

Part of their' vocation' is manual Good News to peoj;Jle," Sister labor, so the sisters have t:Ievoted Theresa explained, "hecause it is themselves to the pursuit of self- so liberating, so freeing." sufficiency. They have learned The sisters are also involved in carpentry skills and have made the food give-out program at St. and finished wooden stools and Anthony's every Thursday night benches for their chapel and din- where they not only provide 35-40 ing room. Also, with the help of families a hot meal, but also try to their brother Capuchins, the sis- nourish their souls by praying with ters constructed the hermitages them and helping ther.:l seek treatused for retreats where each sister ment if their problems include may spend four days every other addictions.

A gift from Bishop O'Malley, month in prayerful solitude.

Since, as mendicants, they do the sisters take a large :;tatue of the not own anything and must move Blessed Mother to tho,e who want from place to place as necessary, Our Lady enthroned in their home. they do not originate new groups The statue is receivl:d into the or services that they must staff. home and the families promise to They do, however, participate in a pray the rosary every day it is , number of community activities there. The statue, a gift to the involving the poor and the youth. bishop from Our Lady of Lourdes "Tuesday and Thursday are our shrine in France, is then taken to 'apostolic days," Sister Theresa, the next family seeking the special explained. "We go out into the devotion. community, visit people and pray "She wants to be w:.th her peowith them. Sometimes they have ple," said Sister Theresa. "Many fallen away from the faith and are touched by her grace." have questions. Ours is the role of And, like the imagt:, many are witnessing the Kingdo.m and help- touched by the caring I:ompassion ing people get to know Jesus as of these meek and humble servants their friend." of God. witness the Gospel by our example

,,.oft he power of a prayerful life ana

WITH SMILES that brighten a room, Capuchin Recollect sisters at the Mother of God Convent, New Bedford, try to live an austere, contemplative lifestyle similar to that of their founder, St. Francis of Assisi. From left are Sister Barbara, Sister Ada Maria, Sister Keily Francis, Sister Mary Da wn, novice Agnes Marie, Sister Joan, and Sister Theresa. The sisters prefer to be identified by their religious names, omitting their surnames. Sisters Joan and Theresa are also blood sisters. (Anchor/ Mills photo)

Living the Gospel in a material world

by Christine Vieira Mills Anchor Staff , Barefooted and smiling, Sister Ada answered the door of the Mother of God convent adjacent to St. Anthony of Padua Church, New Bedford. She is a young sister, part of a newly formed order of Capuchin Recollects invited to the diocese by Bishop Sean O'Malley.

"We live on divine providence," said Sister Theresa, superior of the order, that lives an austere and contemplative lifestyle akin to the original ideals of founder St. Francis of Assisi 460 years ago.

"We do without many things like television, radios, fancy furniture and clothes," she said, alluding to the sisters' bare wooden floors, chairs and tables and their habits homemade from coarse wool. "We find that our poor and happy living gives witness to the Gospel as St. Francis himself did."

速hituarics

FATHER MONTY

Father Monty Bishop Sean P. O'Malley, OFM Cap., was principal celebrant, Father Horace Travassos was homilist and diocesan priests were

, Six sisters and six friars came from religious life in upstate New York about a year ago to form two Capuchin reform communities, each located in New Bedford. They are involved in community projects and church ministries, but have no strong ties to one area.

Truly mendicant, they are a religious order that combines monastic life with outside religious activity. They own no personal or community property and beg for their basic needs.

"Prayer is the essence of our lives," Sister Theresa said. :'Everything else, all works, are subordinate to our prayer and community living." The importance of their prayer is evidenced in the peaceful atmosphere of their home, their bimonthly solitary retreats arid even the sign on the front door: "Due to the sisters' prayer sched ule, the door will not be opened before 9 ,a.m., from 12 to I and 5 to 7 p.m., and after 9 p:m." The sisters also concelebrants at the Feb. 14 Mass , of Christian Burial for Father Raymond P. Monty, Maj., USAF, 52, who died Feb. 8 at Our Lady's Haven, Fairhaven. The Mass was offered at St. Julie Billiart Church, North Dartmouth.

A New Bedford native,arid the son of the late Rita (St. 'Laurent) Monty, Father Monty was a graduate of St. Mary's School, New Bedford, and the former Prevost High School, Fall River. He prepared for the priesthood at Resurrection College, ant., Canada; St. John's Seminary, Brighton; and St. Mary's Seminary, Baltimore.

After o~dination Dec. 5, 1970, by the late Bishop James L. Connolly, he served at St. Patrick's parish, 'Fall River; St. Paul's, Taunton; St. Michael's, Swansea; the former St. Roch's, Fall River; and Notre Dame, Fall River.

Concurrently, he was chaplain for South f:nd Council 295 of the Fall River Knights of Columbus and secretary of the Diocesan Tribtinal.

In 1981, Father Monty entered the chaplain corps of the U.S. Air

have a full day of prayer and silence on Friday. This lifestyle does call to some, as both the sisters and friars have added one person to their orders since their arrival here.

The idea of the "reform" order is to live, in 1996, the primitive, contemplative lifestyle of the Capuchins as it was intended and origi- . nated in 1536. The sisters awaken every morning for the 2 a.m. office, then again at six for morning prayer in silence. They sleep on the hardwood floors, impeccably cleaned and polished throughout all three stories of the large convent. Eating no meat or sweets except on Sundays or special feast days, the sisters give any leftover food from their meager diet to the THE CHAPEL at the Mother of God convent, New poor.

Bedford, reflects the simplicity with which the sisters live. The "God sends people our way who provide us with the things we small benches on the floor were made by the group and the need," said 'Sister Theresa, with altar, a tree stump, serves well for daily Mass. (Anchor/ Mills the excitement of a child speaking photo) of a wonderful gift. "We, in turn, Force as a captain, attaining the rank of major.

He is survived by a cousin, Mrs. Jean C. Taff, an aunt, Mrs. Loretta C. Chapman, and an uncle, avila A. Monty.

Sister Chafey Sister Stella James Chafey, SUSC, 88, of Sacred Hearts Convent, Fall River, died Feb. 10. She was the daughter of the .late Leon A. am! the late Mabel (Rossell) Chafey.

In 1948, she entered the novitiate of the Holy Union Sisters in Fall River. She pronounced her first vows on Aug. 22~ 1951, and her final vows on,Aug. 22, 1957.

She was assigned to the former Sacred Hearts Academy and the former Sacred Heart Parish School in Fall River. She also taught in the commercial department of the former St. Mary's High School in Taunton. ' Other assignments included librarian for the former College of the Sacred Hearts, secretary to the

provincial superior, secretary of Sacred Heart Parish School, clerical worker for Catholic Social Services and switchboard operator at St. Vincent's Home, all in Fall River.

She is survived by a brother, John R. Chafey, a sister, Jean Gaunt; and a niece.

Sister Martineau Sister Imelda Martineau, also known as Sister Gonzalve, 90, of the Dominican Sisters of Hope died recently.

Born in Fall River, she was the daughter of the late Norbert and tile late Lydia (Bourque) Martineau. She was the sister of the late Rev. Joseph Martineau, Ernest and Francois Martineau, Aurore Caron, and Annette and Marguerite Martineau.

She worked at various departments in the motherhouse on Park St. in Fall River. She took her first vows on Dec. 7. 1924. She also served at St. John's Nursery in Fall River arid St. Rose in Ac'ushnet.

praye~

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For Doing GOil'S Will Father in heaven, the loving plan of your wisdom took flesh in Jesus Christ, and changed mankind's history by his command of perfect love. May our fulfillment of his command reflect your wisdom and bring your salvation to the ends of the earth. We ask this through Christ our Lord. Amen.

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Nature's Ribbon

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"A rainbow is the ribbon nature puts on after washing her hair."Ramon Gomez de la Serna

Advicefrom CYhile

OUR LADY'S

Dear Editor: Does God exist? If he does, I offer two quotes, totaling a mere 15 words, that if heeded would put Ann Landers and Dear Abby on the unemployment lines and make guidance counselors obsolete.

The quotes, relating to what people say and do, are from a Chilean girl who died just short of her 20th birthday. Juanita Fernandez was recently [19931 canonized as St. Teresa of the Andes (1900-1920).

Regarding speech, she said "Avoid every word not spoken for God's glory." Regarding action, she said "Before doing anything, offer it to God." Vic Maestri Old Forge, P A

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LaSalette Shrine Lenten schedule Attleboro's LaSalette Shrine will observe Ash Wednesday, February 21, with Masses and distribution of ashes at 12: 10, 4:00 and 6:30 p.m.

Confessions will be heard daily as follows: Monday through Friday 2:00 - 3:30 p.m. and 5:00 - 6:00 p.m.; Saturday 1:00 - 4:00 p.m. and Sunday 1:00 - 5:00 p.m. Confessions in Portuguese will be heard on February 24 from 2:00 - 4:00 p.m.

Every Friday in Lent the Shrine will offer a contemporary version of the Way of the Cross in the chapel at 7: 15 p.m. The first, on February 23, will feature music artistJohn Polce and the LaSalette Youth Group with Brotht:r David Dumaine, M.S. For a complete listing of I_enten programs and services, c:alI 2225410.

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Unity in Christ means accepting diversity ROME (CNS) - Praying for Christian unity means praying that diversity among Christians would become a source of enrichment rather than division. Pope John.

Paul II said.

"Unity in Christ does not mean excluding all differences," the pope said Jan. 25 during an evening Mass marking the end of the Week of Prayer for Christian Unity.

The Mass, at Rome's Basilica of St. Paul's Outside the Walls, featured music by two choirs: one made up of the Benedictines who staff the basilica. and the other representing the Evangelical Lutheran Church of Finland.

In his homily, the pope said the living Body of Christ, which is the church, must have "an organic unity," but it also must have diversity and variety among its members.

"A plurality exists which serves unity," the pope said.

"We must pray for this richness in variety and work so that it expresses itself." the p(lpe said.

"But at the same time, we must ask the Holy Spirit to overcome all those differences which undermine unity."

The annual week of prayer ended on the feast of the conversion of Sl. Paul. which the pope'said is a reminder to all Christians that full, visible unity is impossible without the conversion of each Christian and of each Christian community.

"Only the act of placing ourselves before Goel can offer a solid

basis for that conversion of individual Christians and for that constant reform of the church," the pope wrote in his 1995 encyclical letter on ecumenisrn.

"We must transform ourselves from 'separated confessors' (offaith in Christ) to 'united confessors,''' the pope said at the Mass.

"Christ cannot be divided," he . said. "Christ is one. The unity of Christ is a challenge for separated Christians."

Especially as Christians prepare to celebrate the jubilee of the year 2000, they must move closer to one another and make their desire for full unity more evident. the pope said. .

All followers of Christ are called to go to the ends of the earth and proclaim salvation in him, he said.

"It is precisely responsibility to the Gospel which presses us to seek with persistence the ways of unity," Pope John Paul said.

"Christian unity, in fact, is one of the principal conditions for the credibility of our witness and its fruitfulness."

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THE ANCHOR -Diocese of Fall River -' Fri., Feb. 16,.1996

the moorins.-,·

the living word

The Religious Right Vote

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The political punch of the Christian Coalition and the religious right must not be underestimated. The showing of Republican candidate Pat Buchanan in Louisiana and Iowa was impressive, although it is of course a long road to the White Hou~. .

The Christian Coalition might not win the big prize but it is certainly a force to be reckoned with. Dole, Forbes and Gramm are becoming victims of a religious right ground swell and if this unique coalition continues to gain support, the liberals and Democrats will have a real fight on their hands.

To date, only the Republicans have been confronted by the Christian Coalition but in a very short time all the presidential hopefuls will feel the impact of religious conservatives. The totally unef{pected passion for politics; and mastery of organization of churchgoing conservatives is having a very real influence on the presidential race.

The turmoil they have created in the Republican party and its fallout f~r the party's candidates have been dramatic and unsettling. If they ha ve such an effect on their friends, what will they do to their Democratic political foes? Bill Clinton has his work cut out for him when he takes on the Christian Coalition.

He cannot ignore its power since it controls at least 40 percent of the vote in some states, while, in places where liberalism's image is tarnished, it is daily increasing its numbers. Abortion, murder and other violence are worrying the populace. The righteous right have an extreme answer to such problems. However, the constitutional rights of all would be eroded into oblivion if such ironhanded attitudes become the law of the land.

This could happen if the conservative right continues its aggressive campaign of intolerance and bias. It is difficult to stick to political rhetoric in the face of an aggressive group focusing on the state of the nation.

CNSI Kenne pho.o Realizing the coalition's clout, candidates·havedone everyA SCHOOLGIRL RECEIVES THE MAR~ OF ASHES DURING AN ASH thing possible to win its favor. At its demand, they have been WEDN,ESDAY SERVICE. LENT BEGINS ON FEBRUARY 21 THIS YEAR. quick to show themselves as sheep in wolves' clothing. They have done everything possible to placate the right and at the "See how I am presuming to speak to my Lord, same time to neutralize its efforts. though I am but dust and ashes!" Gn. 18:27 Yet all their efforts seem in vain. Because of the huge turnout of the Christian Coalition at the polls, many an in-house politician has found himself or herself in the out-house. The strategy of divide and conquer has been tested by the coalition and found effective.

By Father Kevin J. Harrington "A New Catechism: Catholic Faith ferno) and Moslems (Iblis) have Religious conservatives are loyal voters. They don't feel that for Adults." In it the Dutch bishops always been places of torment.

There is a joke circulating about their votes have no effect on a given election. They speak their Europe concerning the European asserted that to be damned "means The torments of hell ar,~ not simply mind, they are ready to change the globe! The Democrats are Union (EU) that is worth re- to be entirely closed in on oneself, figments of the artistic imaginasimply scared ofthem and in some situations even on the run. peating: without contact with others or tion of Michelangelo or the literwith God.".

Such a definition of ary genius of Dante! Mark refers "While being expelled from .

As this election year continues, it will be interesting to see hell would be a welcomed alternato a final punishment of going Heaven, Satan asked a favor from the final impact of the right on the primaries yet to come and 'Name it.' snapped God. 'The tive to any 20th century victim of "into Gehenna, into the: unquenchon the general election. Thus far it does not seem to be falter- God. able fire" (9:43). Matthew speaks EU is about to be created and it either Hitler:s or Stalin's madness! ing. The more the right comes together in the state, where the will need laws...' purred Satan. of a "fiery furnace" (13:42) and Thankfully Pope John Paul II's Christian Coalition is flourishing, the more clout it will have at 'What?' said God. 'You who burn catechism, while acknowledging "eternal fire prepared ror the devthe polls. Anyone running for office must see the coalition as a with hatred for humans, ask for that separation from God is the ils and his angels" (25:41). Revelation describes "the fil:ry pool of 'the right to make their laws?' 'Oh greatest sanction, does not jettison reality that must be taken into consideration. no,' said Satah. 'J- ask only that the traditional teaching that hell is' fire and sulphur, which is the However, whatever the outcome, it's great to see a campaign they may be allowed to make their second death" (21 :8). While all that brings a spark of truth to party platforms. No matter what own laws.' And so it was decreed." indeed a place of torment. To truly these apocalytic imagl:s need nO,t appreciate the "Catechism of the be t~ken literally I find it totally one may think bfthe Christian Coalition, one cannot discount This joke seems most approp- Catholic Church", (Ccq (pubits force in the political arena nor the influence of its dynamic riate in light of last month's state- lished by Doubleday Image now unscriptural to dismiss them all as supporters who are willing to put their vote on the line. It bids ment about hell made by a doctri- readily available for $7.99 at al- either irrelevant myth or meaningless hyperbole! nal commission of the Church of most any bookstore) one needs to fair to be a major player in the 1996 election.

England. In the report entitled

Guilty of clerical malpractic:e

The Editor

the

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

EDITOR Rev. John F. Moore

GENERAL MANAGER ~

Rosemary Dussauit LEA-RV PRESS - FALL RIVE A

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"The Mystery of Salvation" their bishops unanimously decided that hell was not a place of eternal torment!

One British tabloid carried this pithy headline: "Hell is not eternal torment - Official." The bishops were subtly employing arguments that would prevent people from seeing God as a sadistic monster who cast the condemned into torment. Instead they contended that "Hell is the final and irrevocable choosing of that which is opposed to God so completely and so absolutely that the only end is total non-being." The same kind of soft approach was used 30 years ago by the' Roman Catholic bishops of the Netherlands, before the Second Vatican Council ended, entitled

invest $29.95 for a book entitled "Companion to the Catechism of the Catholic Church" published

by Ignatius Press and available in most religious bookstores. To exhaustively research all the foot-· notes in the CCC one would need a library of books, but with the companion one can readily access all r.eferences and. derive the full benefit of our tradition.

The three great monotheistic religions which originated in ·the Middle East all share similar ideas of hell, heaven and the choice which leads humans to one or the other. Salvation beyond death is being in a state of union with God, in which the distinct personality of each member is preserved. Hell for Jews (Gehenna), Christians (In-

No doubt the threat of hell was once used as a weapon. Such fear is best used in conjunction with a horror of sin. The horror of sin is sorely lacking in our day. A false compassion is rampant that equates compassion with approval. In the name of compassion :.f a doctor withheld from you that you had a form of cancer that could be cured with treatment, he or she would be subjected to a medical malpractice suit. Perhaps the Engl:ish bishops were guilty of clerical malpractice by making hell and the road to that place one that has been tastefully paved with good intentions.

Maybe these bishops Wl:re the ones that the atheist philos,)pher Jean Paul Sartre had in mind when he said: "Hell is other people!"

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THE ANCHOR - Diocese of Fall River - Fri., Feb. 16, 1996

This Sunday's Message

by Dr. Patrick V. Reid

Daily Readings

Jesus is the radical teacher Seventh Sunday in Ordin~ry Time Readings:

Leviticus 19:1-2,17-18 I Corinthians 3:16-23 Matthew 5:38-48

Today's readings challenge us with Jesus' two most radical ethical teachings: the command to demand no justice for injury and the command to love and pray for one's enemies. As we struggle to be faithful to Jesus' revolutionary teaching, let us remember God's own mercy and pray in the words of our responsorial psalm: "The Lord is kind and merciful" (Ps 103) The Lord's command to Moses in the first reading from Leviticus lays the foundation for Jesus' teaching about love of neighbor in the Sermon on the Mount. First of all, the Lord commands Israel, "Be holy, for I, the Lord, your God, am holy." The word "holy," gadosh in Hebrew, means "separate" or "other." Israel is to be different from the other nations by imitating God's own love. The Lord commands them: "You shall not bear hatred for your brother in your heart. ... Take no revenge and cherish no grudge against your fellow countryman. You shall love your neighbor ~s yourself. I am the Lord.

Jesus radicalized these teachings of the Torah by extending them even to the love of one's enemy.

In the second reading Paul continues his treatment of the problem of factionalism in the Corinthian church by reminding its members of their privileged status as "the temple of God" and "the dwelling of God's Spirit." He warns them that "God will destroy" anyone who "destroys God's temple" with a boastful factionalism rooted in claims to worldly wisdom. The only way to preserve the unity of "the temple" is for the Corinthians to give up "their boasting about men" and embrace the folly of the cross by living the kind of radical love Jesus speaks about in today's gospel (see also I Cor 13).

The gospel completes Jesus' interpretation of his ancestors' Scriptures which began with last week's reading. With two final antitheses Jesus both overthrows and radicalizes commands in the Torah concerned with justice betwl:en "neighbors." Originally, the law of retaliation-· "an eye for an eye, a tooth for a tooth,"-- was a good command because it put a limit on the human tendency to take unlimited revenge for an injury done to one's person or family

5

(see Ex 21:24; Lev 24:20; Deut 19:21). From Jesus' followers, however, a higher standard is demanded - one that overturns the normal standards of all human justice systems. When they have received an injury, Jesus'. disciples are commanded not to seek the justice that a reasonable law would give them.

"But what I say to you is: offer no resistance to injury. When a person strikes you on the right cheek, turn and offer him the other. If anyone wants to go to law over your shirt, hand him your coat as welL ...

Only a few saints, who shared Jesus' vision of the "kingdom of God," have been able to follow this command. Only when we have been remade by the values of that kingdom will we be: able to do the same. .

The last of the antitheses radicalizes the love of the neighbor command from the Leviticus reading. A popular interpretation ofthat command was to limit the term neighbor to one's fellow countryman and encourage hatred of foreign enemies.

"You have heard the commandment, 'You shall love your countryman but hate your enemy.'''

Jesus rejects this narrow nationalistic reading and tells his followers: "My command to you is: love your enemies, pray for your persecutors." The basis Jesus offers for this radical teaching is found in our first reading from Leviticus where God commands Israel: "Be holy, for I, the Lord your God am holy." Jesus' image of God is that of a benevolent Father who is indiscriminate in his love. To be children of such a Father is to imitate that unconditional love.

"This will prove that you are children of your heavenly Father, for his sun rises on the bad and the good, he rains on the just and the unjust."

To only love those who love you is not to act as a true Israelite who has been grasped by God's kingdom, but is to behave like a tax collector or a pagan.

"If you love those who love you, what merit is there in that? Do not tax collectors do that?"

Jesus' followers are commanded to imitate the perfection of God's indiscriminate love. "In a word, you must be perfect as your heavenly Father is perfect."

~

Feb. 19: Jas 3:13-18; Ps 19:8-10,15; Mk 9:14-29 Feb. 20: Jas 4:1-10; Ps 55:7-11,23; Mk 9:30-37 Feb. 21: JI 2:12-18; Ps 51:3-6,12-14,17; 2Cor5:206:2; Mt 6:1-6,16-18 Feb. 22: 1 Pt 5:1-4; Ps 23:1-6; Mt 16:13-19 Feb. 23: Is 58:1-9a; Ps 51:3-6,18-19; Mt 9:14-15 Feb. 24: Is 58:9b-14; Ps 86:1-6; Lk 5:27-32 Feb. 25: Gn 2:7-9,3:1-7; Ps 51:'3-6, 12-14,17; Rom 5:12-19 or 5:12,17-19; Mt 3:1-11

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~ ~::::Ne:W=B:ed:fo:r:d,:M:A:O:2:74:5=~~=:O:27:20======~ Feb. 19 1895, Rev. Andrew J. Brady, Pastor, St. Joseph, Fall River 1953, Rev. Leopold Jeurissen, SS.CC., Pastor, Sacred Heart, Fairhaven Feb. 20 1922, Rev. James H. Fogarty, Pastor, St. Louis, Fall River 1986, Rev. Raymond M. Giguere, O.P., Assistant, St. Anne, Fall River

Feb. 22 1954, Rt. Rev. Msgr. Jovite Chagnon, Founder, St. Joseph, New Bedford

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SISTER VERA Herbert, S USC, acknowledges the capacity crowd at St. Anthony's Church, Taunton, that gathered for a liturgy to celebrate her 70 years as a Holy Union Sister, 60 years as a teacher and her 87th birthday.

72 Church Green . Taunton, MA Sponsored by Marian Manor, a Diocesan Health Facility

6

THE ANCHOR -

Diocese of Fall River -

Artist discusses religious vocatic)n

Fri., Feb. 16, 1996

BANYATEREZA SISTERS Mary Mukanyangezi (left) and Bridget Kabonesa work to help better the lives of Ugandan women in a country battered by civil instability. (eNS/ Rochester Franciscans photo)

Ugandan nuns gain empowerment

There's a 250-year-old forge in a shed-like building in Bethlehem, Conn., that was once the busiest blacksmith shop in the area. For years it fell into disuse, until the propert~ was purchased by the Abbey of Regina Laudis, home of a Benedictine comm~nity of contemplative nuns.

Then 15 years ago this forge came back to life, . restored by a petite and incredibly talented woman who happens to be a nun. She has the charming name of Mother Praxedes, named after a good woman who is said to have sheltered Christians when they were being persecuted by the Roman emperor Marcus Aurelius. ' I met Mother Praxedes about a dozen years ago. I had been visiting the abbey and was struck by the beauty of artwork I saw there, in stained glass and metal. I found out that the hand behind much ofthis beauty belonged to a young nun. I also discovered she runs a blacksmith shop and is one of the few women to belong to the Association of New England Blacksmiths.

Since reopening the shop, Mother Praxedes, with co-workers Jeff Havill and apprentice Sister Anastasia, can point to a prolific outflow of products, from fountains and hinges for gates, to church altars and wrought-iron candlesticks.

Seeing Mother Praxedes at work is a fascinating experience. Most recently she was working on a commissioned sculpture of St. Francis of Assisi for a church on Long Island, N.Y. She showed me the head, cast in cement and not yet finished, but already a work Qf beauty. She explained that she visualized the saint as "young, masculine and handsome."

It struck me, as I watched this artist at work, that often we don't think of nuns as professional women who could hold their own in a competitive world.

But here I was, watching expert professional work being done by a woman in the traditional black habit , of a Benedictine.

ROCHESTER, Minn. (CNS) serves on her community's -pas- Two African nuns whose U.S. toral care team, was the African studies were supported by the sisters' academic adviser during Rochester Franciscans credit the their colleg'e days. She remembers Minnesota sisters with providing them as "remarkable students." the training that "opened us to the She told Catholic News Service needs of our people." that, when they came to MinneSister Bridget Kaboriesa and sota, the Banyatereza sisters were Mary Mukanyangezi, members of very young but already professed. the Banyatereza Sisters (Daugh- "They were very ind ustrious, spoke ters of St. Theresa) in Uganda, English very well," she said, "and East Africa, were religious studies had a good, fundamental edumajors at the College of St. Teresa cation." in Winona, Minn., during the early -In addition to being responsible 1980s. and cooperative, she said, they The college, which closed in ':were very devoted to -their own 1989, was owned and operated by culture." Sister Logan recalled a the Sisters of St. Francis Congre- community vespers service in which gation of Our Lady of Lourdes in the African sisters offered to do Rochester. The order financed the the final hymn. "They got up and U.S. education of the two Banya- danced and sang around the fireterezans and nuns from all over . places in our community room," Africa. she said. "It was beautifuL" In a recent letter from Uganda, The sisters report regularly to Sister Kabonesa said the Francis- their Franciscan benefactors, upcan community had nurtured and dating them on current projects. fostered their development, help- According to Ms. Gunderson, they ing them become "ever ready to concentrate on health care and the move out in service to the people." training of poor and neglected "We can'never thank you enough Ugandan girls to use their domesfor letting us be," she wrote, adding tic skills in small businesses. that their"powerlessness lies in the Sister Mukanyankezi serves on general poverty that surrounds us."

The Banyatereza Sisters are the executive council of her order, based in Fort Portal in the Diocese supervising its various ministries, of Kansese, located in western said Sister Logan. And both nuns Uganda near the Zaire border. are working on an in-pat,ient health They work amid such adverse care dispensary for people in remote conditions as the country's ongo- areas. Patient admissions were exing civil war, the genocide in neigh- pected to begin early in 1996, and borillg Rwanda, earthquakes and the sisters also hope to offer public drought, according to Carol Gunder- health services there.

Last year. the nuns' vocational son, communications director for and skills training program gave a the Rochester Franciscans.

The Minnesota nuns still help dozen girls some security and sheltheir former students. Since 1993, ter. "We are constructing a hostel Franciscan Sisters Genevieve Speltz with an eating place and about 90 and Fidelis Logan have spear- accommodation rooms," Sister headed efforts to provide them Mukanyangezi wrote last Novemwith monetary assistance and'much- ber. neede<;l medical supplies.

"We hope the girls will get an The year before, Sister Kabonesa opportunity to practice .their skills had written of a 30-mile journey' of cooking and catering for the into the mountains to serve 700 many people who come looking people displaced by fighting be- for snacks, food and lodgings," tween government and rebel 'for- she said. They also hope the proces. "As usual," she said, "when ject will become self-supporting two elephants fight, it is the grass and generate enough income to which suffers. So the people lost support formation programs for crops, houses, property and rela- the order. tives."

Ms. Gunderson and Sister Logan With drought and hunger further agreed that the focus of the Banyacomplicating things. the nun said tereza Sisters is empowering others. they went to the people "to give To Sister Logan, their work is a them hope'of survival." "tribe to religious women in the Sister Logan, a retired elemen- United States. There are lots of ,..,."~~jll~'~~~c~ati?n.p~~~c.ip~l.w~~_o_ ~?>w~. ~~~.t:!l_ ~ho.~P.?!:i2,~ ~~~eni?~rs." . ,

I got curious, and boldly I asked her why a talented woman like her would enter a monastery, She didn't get offended and told me truthfully: "In the era of the Vietnam War I fdt a lot of questions. Nothing meant anything to me in the early '70s. I was idealistic, trying to find something -like

..he Bottom IIIâ&#x20AC;˘ â&#x20AC;˘

By Antoinette Bosco an ideal marriage - where I could mak(: a commitment for life.

"But I was not findihg it anywhere. Art had ceilinged for me, not having the depth I was looking for.

I'd traveled to Europe, visiting the medieval cathedrals. But good as these were, they also gave me a sense of emptiness. They offered a spirituality captivating people ofthat time. But was anything like that possible today?

"Then I visited the abbey. I felt som(:thing very solid here. I was struck by the young people coming here and was impressed with the depth of meaning they, like myself, were trying to find."

It took a while before she recognized that she had a vocation. But then she knew that she had found "something much deeper here that opened up 1,500 years of monastic life, like a taproot" to the core meaning of life, love, nature, work, relationships. . "That interior, dynamic structure, bringing a "marriage-like dimension to one's conne,ction with all of creation - that's what I was looking for," said Mother Praxedes.

Kids deserve a smoke-free environ~,ent Dear Mary: We requested that any building belonging' to our p'arish and associated with our children be smoke-free.

This request was presented to our principal, parish priest and parish council. Immediately we were informed that the practice of indoor smoking in our children's gym/ cafeteria one night each week during bingo "isn't even an issue."

What is the Catholic Church's teaching on the moral aspects of this issue?

Smokers cannot prevent their smoke from pervading a room, and our children cannot stop breathing.

Every nonsmoker subjec'ted to cigarette smoke becomes an involuntary smoker and subject to all the deadly effects of that "abit.

There is a new law that prohibits smoking in any building that provides children's services. This may not apply to our school since it is private.

All we are asking is that any building associated with children be smoke-free. Is this unrealistic?

-Indiana Yours is not the only church to face this problem.

Churches run schools, preschool programs, host Scout troops. offer religious education.

Most church buildings serve children. At the same time churches run bingo, bazaars, lunches, dinners, meetings, all ofwhich cater primarily to adults.

When we are informed, we are responsible for using the knowledge and information we have. A few decades back, definitive studies on the hazards of smoking we~e not available: Today the eviaence is incontrovertible. Smoking endangers health. Secondhand smoke endangers the health of those around smokers. . , ' The Fifth Command_ment charges us not to kill. It also charges us to take care of our bodies and the bodies of those entrusted to us such as children or elderly relatives.

-, When we put together our present knowledge about the dangers of smoking and the charge not to injure our'bodies, I personally can only conclude that smoking is morally wrong.

Clearly the habit-forming aspect of smoking must be considered. Physicians tell us that quitting smoking is more difficult than quitting heroin.

It is not for us to judge smokers. But clearly it is our responsibility to protect the health of our children. _Most people today. smokers included, recognize and respect the fact that smoking in public buildings is a thing of the past.

What can you dp'! You may have the law on your side, but using the adversarial !T\ethods of the law can only cause'further discord. kG

Is.~~ ..... ~3:~S~{(PI~r;.nJ\~:.;~~~b~,\q~.n.~;~(?)~)~~~;~:~n., .

cerned into a group. Choose the most tactful to talk further with the principal, the pastor, whoever has some authority. Explain that, given the serious health effects of smoking, this is a maW:r of great ,-" ", importance. " Suggest solutions. Perhaps smoking could be

With Dr. James & Mary Kenny stopped at bingo and all church gatherings. Plan smoking breaks during bingo or church meetings. " Install receptacles outside the church buildings where smokers can gather, smoke and deposit cigarette butts.

If you get a cold reception, remain kind and ta'ctful, but keep trying. All the momentum is with you.

If your church is not smoke-free now, it SOlm will be.

Reader questions on family living and child care tQ be answered in print are invited. Address lIuestions: The Kennys; 219 W. Harrison; Rensselaer, Ind. 47978.

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Feb, 23, Mar. 8, 6:30 p.m.

Mar, 15, 5:30 p.m.

--

Garden weddings and the feast of saints Q. Later this year our son will marry a young woman of another faith. She would like a garden wedding, but the parish priest asked the chancery office and was told marriages had to be in church.

Does the Catbolic Church have a rule about this, or does it change from one place to another! (Indiana) A. Your chancery office is right, and the rule does not change (or shouldn't) from one place to another.

The general law of the church is that a marriage between Catholics, or between a Catholic and a baptized person of another faith, is to be celebrated in a parish church unless the bishop gives permission for another "suitable place."

I( the non-Catholic is not baptized, the marriage may be either in church or in another suitable location (Canon 1118).

As I, have explained several times over the years, our church has a strong traditional respect for church buildings as sacred places where sacred events in our life of faith should take place.

The- celebration -of --the sacrament -of- Christian ·marriage is one of them. Not only because it is an act of worship, but also because a wedding is a solemn act that should be reverent and devout in every way possible, the parish church, the "faith home" of at least one of the parties, is the preferred place.

As I said, the diocesan bishop may make exceptions, even for baptized people, if for example in his judgment the parties have so little connection with, or respect for, religion that their negative attitude would be incompatible with a church ceremony.

The usual policy, however, is the one followed by the bishop in your son's diocese.

It should be noted that these rules do not apply if the bishop has granted what is called a "dispensation from the form" of marriage.

Ordinarily, Catholics must be married before a priest or other qualified Catholic minister to be validly married in the church. For a variety of reasons, however, bishops may dispense from that requirement, allowing the couple to be married, for example, before a Protestant minister or a civil judge.

In that event, the marriage may be held in a courthouse, a non-Catholic church or almost anywhere else. Even then, however, couples are urged to respect the religious character of their wedding in every way possible when they choose the place and other details of the ceremony.

Q. What is this with the change of saints' feast days! My missal says that the feast of St. Rose of Lima (my patron saint) is Aug. 30. A new book I have says the feast is Aug. 23. My missal, from 1950, says St. Rose is the first American saint. A new

...

Q. . . . . . .

Diocese of Fall River -

Fri., Feb. 16, 1996

J- La Salette

Center for Christian Living

R1r

.

Attleboro, MA 02703-5195

February 23·25

WOMEN'S III RETREAT

By Father John J. Dietzen

February 23·25

CASTLE RETREAT

March 2

LENTEN DAY OF PRAYER (Castle)

March 8-10

YOUR GOLDEN SHADOW (Castle)

March 8-10

SINGLES' RETREAT

March 29-31

MARRIED COUPLES' RETREAT

missal says that it is St. Elizabeth Ann Seton. Which is right! (Ohio) A. A number of saints' feasts were transferred to other days many years-ago,-usually for some reason connected with their lives.

S1. Rose of Lima, who died 379 years ago in what is now Lima, Peru, is the first canonized saint in what Spanish and Portuguese explorers called the New World.

About 25 years ago, her feast was transferred to Aug. 23, which is closer to the day she died, Aug. 24, 1617.

St. Francis Cabrini, born in Italy, died in Chicago in 1917. She was the first American citizen to be canonized, in 1946.

Elizabeth Seton is still the only native-born U.S. saint, though her birth was in 1774, several years before the actual establishment of the United States of America. She was canonized in 1975.

Other U.S. citizens who are canonized saints are John Nepomucene Neumann, bishop of Philadelphia (died 1860), and Sister Rose Philippine Duchesne (died 1852).

A new free brochure on ecumenism, about intercommunion and other ways of religious sharing with people of other faiths, is available by sending a stamped self-addressed envelope to Father John Dietzen, Holy Trinity Chureh, 704 N. Maill St., Bloomington, III. 61701 ..

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

ces shared times the number of pieces originally available and add the square root of your desired weight.

Note: Be sure to freeze chocolate-covered cherries before attempting the "cut thin" method.

The salad gambit: It is common knowledge that

eating salads is central to successful diets. Use salads, therefore, as a repository for leftover hotdogs, chunks of ham or hunks of pork roast. Add to the effect by dicing the salad enhancers into tiny pieces.

Presto.

Eat from 'others' plates. By refusing dessert and instead eating my wife's cherry pie a la mode, I have for years avoided my own calories and earned bonus "negative calorie" points by helping her avoid hers.

Take tiny bites. Baby Ruths and Hershey bars, for example, are tugboats of fat. However, you c~n put them in their place by eating them with very, very small bites. Better yet, rewrap them between bites.

If the primer does well, I.have a related volume on the back burner: the "Morris Exercise Regime'" Your comments are welcome always. Please send them to Uncle Dan, 25218 Meadow Way, Arlington, Wash. 98223.

Mary's role VATICAN CITY (CNS) - Old Testament prophecies about the coming Messiah and the New Testament descriptions of Jesus' birth highlight the special role of Mary in God's plan of salvation, Pope John Paul II said.

By offering details about the savior's mother, rather than focusing exclusively on his coming, the Bible passages draw attention to the uniqueness of Mary, the pope said.

7

ANCHOR ADVERTISING IS READ. AREN'T YOU READING THIS?

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A primer for dieting non-dieters Diets rarely work, at least for people like me who at the thought of losing weight ~ on purpose and with a plan ~ immediately begin to plot ways to cheat.

As a matter of fact, I have put together the beginnings of a primer for dieting non-dieters which will help them lose no weight at the same time it provides satisfying rationalizations.

How to eat delicious, fattening foods while having fun losing no weight is the central theme.

Take milkshakes, for example. Create the illusion of dieting by eating them with a demitasse spoon or with the end of the straw. Gulping them or slurping them through large straws, on the other hand, dooms one to inordinate exposure to unwanted calories.

Mayonnaise: Everyone knows mayo is the atom bomb of diets. In the Morris system, one does not glop a big splot of mayonnaise onto a piece of turkey-ham and turn a perfectly innocent low-eal sandwich into a lard-producing monster. Camouflage the mayonnaise. Spread it thinly, working it into the bre'ad until it can hardly be seen.

Cookies: Cut cookie calories in half by cutting the cookies in half. Let's not make d,ietihg difficult, eh?

Return to the cookie later (say 60 seconds to 90 seconds) and eat the other half of the cookie which is still. obviously, only a half a cookie with half the calories of a whole cookie.

For wonderful results, you may also cut an extra large cookie into thirds and even fourths - which means you may return to the cookie that many more times and encouTlter that many fewer calories 9n each trip.

This type logic has been used for years by persons claiming they wanted to balance the fep-eral budget.

Chocolates: Whoever made up the phrase "cut thin to win" was actually a Morris dieter, not a card player. If you are terrified by leftover Valentine's Day chocolates, follow the cookie strategy. Cut chocolates in thin pieces like you were making a slide for a biology class microscope.

Bonus points: Dieters who offer a section of their cookie or a slice of their chocolate to a friend or relative receive extra bonus "negative calories" points.

To calculate your bonus points, multiply the pie-

THE ANCHOR -

For more information, please call or write Retreat Secretary

508-222-8530

He was never too tired to play hide 'nseek or to tuck you inwi1h a story.

Now he needs someone to be there for him.

Dad will meet other residents like himself who like to maintain an active lifestyle.

You were always Daddy's little girl. And you always will be.

But now you know there's something you need to do for him. Assisted living at Carmel Terrace proVides the helping hand your Dad needs on adaily basis in his own private one or two-bedroom apartment.

Mealtimes are an event in themselves, too, at Cannel Terrace. Our residents are an interesting group who enjoy getting together for delidous, home-cooked meals and lively conversation in our restaurant-style dining room.

In the few short months At Cannel Terrace, he's free that Cannel Terrace has been to pursue his favorite open, nearly 65% of the diversion, whether it's in the apartments have already been greenhouse, creative arts reserved.! We invite you to call center, library, fitness and (508) 879-8000 for more health center or country information and a personal kitchen. Through our own tour. We'd like to show activities program and ~(ii!!!~ you how your Mom can excursions to events in live the productive life thE community, your she so richly deserves.

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A new millennium Continued from Page One Lord's kingdom a visible reality," he said. "We must choose life,love and unity as the path that leads us to the Father."

Father Richard W. Beaulieu was introduced as the chairman of the

Jubilee 2000 Committee. Also introduced were the members of the new Diocesan Pastoral Council.

The council consists of the bishop, five representatives from diocesan apostolatcs, two from each dean-

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ery, two religious women, two religious men, one permanent deacon and the Vicar General, Monsignor George W. Coleman. Father John C. Ozug will serve as council secretary. During the liturgy, Bishop O'Malley extended his and the diocese's blessing to the new council members.

Just back from accompanying

Pope John Paul II on his Central American visit, Bishop O'Malley shared some of his experiences in his homily. "I worked in San Salvador for twenty years, yet this was the first time I had been there without a war going on," he said.

"It was tremendous to see the joy

the Holy Father brought the people there." The pope's message was one of reconciliation and peace, a message that transcends all langUiigt:S and cultures, a message that we all must carry into the new millennium When the Anchor went to press last week. one member of the Diocesan Council had not been annoum:ed. Joao Coelho of New Bedford. representing the New Bedford Deanery is the final mem-

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THE KNIGHTS of Columbus (top) provided the honor guard for the Jubilee 2000 Mass.

(Middle) Some of the members of the Diocesan Pastoral Council stand before the congregation; (bottom) the SI. Mary's C~thedral Choir provided musicfor the liturgy. (Anchori Jolivet photos)

FATHER STEPHEN J. Avila (top) processes amid the large congregation gathered for the Jubilee 2000 Mass. (Middle) Members of the Diocesan Pastoral Council and people from throughout the diocese participate in the Mass; (bottom) Bishop O'Malley blesses a new statue of Our Lady at the Cathedral. The Mass was held on the feast day of Our Lady of Lourdes.

(Anchor/ Jolivet photos)

Also: Excavating Equipment Rental Utilities Construction Seal Coatill1g

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10

THE ANCHOR-Diocese of Fall River-Fri., Feb. 16, 1996

A lift, not a Lexus

By Father Peter Daly "I feel like I'm buying a Lexus," I told the salesman as I wrote out

the $40,000 check.

"It's bigger than a Lexus," he replied. "and it seats 60."

A week later. after our parish name was painted on its side. we drove home our new school bus.

It gets plenty of use. Every day 51 children ride it 20 miles to our neighboring parish. OUf Lady Star of the Sea. It didn't come cheaply. Not only did our parents and parish have to

raise about $32,000 to buy the bus (we borrowed the rest), but we charge $60 per month per child just to operate it. That's $3 a day just to ride to school, to say nothing of the tuition.

Frankly, it isn't fair that our parents have to pay for the transportation at all. After all, public school buses are already on the highway. passing our homes and schools. Our parents pay the same taxes as their neighbors but get considerably fewer services.

Across the United States. Catholic schoolchild ren receive very uneven treatment regar<Hng transportation. While 2& states authorize transportation of non public schoolchildren, 12 states do not.

Even in states where it is authorized, local governments or school boards sometimes decide not to provide it.

In Maryland, forinstance, Catholic schoolchildren in one county can ride public school buses. but children in the neighboring county cannot.

There is no constitutional bar to providing publicly funded transportation to Catholic schoolchildren. The U.S. Supreme Court in 1947 ruled that it does not constitute establishment of a religion, but is simply a matter of public safety for the common good.

The court likened providing transportation to assigning police officers or crossing guards to corners near Catholic schools or to providing police and fire pro-

tection or paved streets and sidewalks near parochial schools.

Some people object to this kind of aid because they consider it a subsid}' to Catholic schools. Indirectly, I suppose that is true. But the Supreme Court did not object.

Besides, the really big subsidy goes the other way.

There are more than 8,000Catholic schools in the United States educating more than 2.5 million children at a tremendous savings to the public purse. In Maryland alone, Catholic schools save taxpayers about $320 million a year.

In our little county the more than 200 children attending Our Lady Star of the Sea save the county about $ I million per year, figuring an average cost of $5,700 per pupil. If the pastor closed the school tomorrow. the county would be legally obligated to educate those children.

Most states have recognized the savings Catholic schools represent

and would gladly pay the $500 to $600 per child in transportation costs rather than the $5,000 to $7,000 required to educate the child in public school.

In Ilioois, public and non public schoolchildren ride the same buses.

In Pennsylvania, buses are assigned to every school, including Catholic schools, Ohio pays a direct subsidy to parents for transportation costs if there is no convenient school bus route for their children.

Whatever the arrangement. it saves the government money in the long run and makes good social policy.

Even more important than the economic arguments are the philosophical arguments. Helping parents get their children to Catholic schools is simply just.

American Catholic schools 10ng ago proved their social worth. It seems a simple matter of justice and self-interest on the part ofthe state to provide transportation to nonpublic schoolchildren.

We don't want a Lexus - just a lift on a yeJlow bus like everyone else.

The tooth, the whole tooth and nothing but

By Monica and Bill Dodds "Thanks for bringing your dad in every six months," the dentist said to the man.

"So many older people put it off or they don't come in until there's a problem. It's so much easier -less painful and less costly - to do preventive work. There was no

problem today. Your dad's doing great."

In another of life's little ironies, you can find yourself the one who must arrange for your aging par· ent's annual - or better yet, semiannual - trips to the dentist.

Quick and painless. That's the way we would like an our trips to the dentist to be, but experience has taught us that sometimes that just isn't the way it happens. Small wonder then that few people look -forward to -vis-i-t-i-ng the dentist.

Whether it's a parent talking to a young child or an adult child talking to an aging parent, the rules of good oral hygiene remain the same. Here are some points to consider: - While it's tempting to believe "if it ain't broke, don't fix it," a more appropriate maxim when it comes to teeth is, "An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure."

- People who live alone are less likely to cook nutritious meals. It's easier to snack Instead. Sucking on hard candy or sipping sugared soft drinks promotes cavities whether you are 8 or 80.

- Your parent may not have been to a dentist for a long, long time. If so, remind him or her that methods and equipment have improved a great deal.

- Some dentists are better than others with older patients. Look for one your parent feels comfortable with and trusts.

- When there are treatment options, help Mom or Dad in making a decision but don't step in and make it yourself.

- People of any age sometimes go to great lengths to hide a tooth or gum problem. Be on the lookout for warning signs: a change in eating habits (a switch to soft foods or an almost liquid diet), a

LOVE WAS in the air at Dominican Academy's (Fall River) Sweetheart Dance when students from the school danced the night away with their fathers and escorts. Adding to the special flavor of the annual event were the decorations which were created by the students.

Refreshments for the event were provided and served by the mothers of the Home and School Association. (Gaudette photo)

change in chewing (obviously using only oneside of the mouth or hav· ing difficulty tearing food with the front teeth), swelling in the jaw, reddening or bleeding of the gums, and foul breath.

their use and maintenance. It takes time to adjust to new teeth.

- Don't try to fix dentures yourself. Repair kits are available, but they can lead to sores as well as irritations of the tongue, gums and - It shouldn't be surprising cheeks. If dentures become loose, that a mCluth changes as years go it may be because of a change in by. The greatest danger for a your parent's gums or jaWbone. youngster is tooth decay. For an Let a dentist check it out.

- Tell your parent's dentist if older penon. it's gum disease. Gum the family has a history of oral disease doesn't affect just the gums; . cancer. Its warning signs inctude: it can aho impact the bones and white or velvety red patches that tissues that help hold teeth in can't be rubbed away, persistent place. sores or swelling, repeated bleed- If your parent needs den- ing and a place of numbness or tures. pay particular attention to pain. Oral cancer is very treatable the dentht's instructions regarding in its early stages.

Parelltal communication key to sex ed

By F.ther Kris D. Stubna

knows the difficulty he is talking about. Parents cannot educate children to chastity while themselves using contraceptives or stashing pornography in the nightstand.

Telling your son to save sex for marriage while you slip a condom into his back pocket "just in case" is hypoctrisy kids see through instantly.

No. Parents as educators mu·st be authentic in all they do. They have to teach chastity by pursuing it themselwes. Kids believe in chastity when tthey see it.

But parents also must witness by words" answering kids' questions honestly and as frankly as necessary. One "big talk" at puberty is not enough; it's nothing less than a dereliction of duty.

The church also has a role to play sUPP10rting parents - especially in Catholic schools and catechetical programs.

We need not teach sex techniques. Tlhe human species survived till the 1970s without sex ed.

We'll surviive in the future without it.

The techniques ofchastity, however, must be taught. We are not born - and do not reach puberty - with faculties petfectly formed for faithful sexual lives. This is especiaIJy true in a cuhure the Vatican document describes as "sex· obsessed" and "overly eroticized."

Child rem need to hear the truth from the church - our proven tradition IOf doctrine, discipline and prayer'.

Our histlOry shows that chastity

Sex education, as the term is commonly understood, is miseducation.

For th{past 20 years, schools in the Vnita:! States have subjected millions of children to an illconceivedtutorial in the techniques of sex an4 the sundry methods of disease pevention and contraception. The!e programs give far more details thill kids need, far earlier than theyshould have any use for them.

What 5; happening is no less than the sexual harassment and sexual ablse of our children.

Parent~ long have known that such sex :d is a failure. Sexually transmittld diseases are spreading among tens at an alarming rate and in e'Cr·new varieties. Abortion has tecome a rite of passage for girls n many public schools.

And alunni of the sex-educated generatiOi seem much more likely to divon: than their ancestors, who had '0 muddle through married sexQlllife without the board of educatbn's help.

The chlrch, in "The Truth and Meaning If Human Sexuality" released in December by the Pontifical Coun:il for the Family, has shone a lRrsh light on this situation.

A deva!aling critique of secular sex ed, thl document also calls for strong emcation for chastity.

"Truth ald Meaning"" reaffirms Catholictadition that parents are their child-en's primary educators.

It ,s the p~rents' living example of is livable a nd fulfilling. True love committe. married love that ulti- can wait. Our children are nol mately wlilead children to under- animals whose actions are deter· stand sextality's true meaning and mined by bormones. context.

There is an economy of words Parents must take their role as and witness that provides the coneducators;eriously. "They are failtext for truly effective "sex educaing in ther precise duty as Christion. ~ It's called thefamily and the tian parelts'" if they do not give their kidsadequate formation in church. chastity.

But, as Bishop Elio Sgreccia, secretary cf the pontifical council, made clealin remarks reported by Catholic Jews Service, "parents are often mprepared to give their children al explanation of sexuality within its proper context of morality, elationships and vocation."

Anyone~ithpastoral experience

Pain, suffering not seen reason to die

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Rehabilitation services offer new programs The Rehabilitation Ser, vices Department of Saint Anne's Hospital, Fall River, is offering many new reha' bilitation programs, includ, ing a series of educational lectures.

"The rehabilitation spe, cialists work together to help educate our patients on how to avoid injuries and live healthier lifestyles through providing ongoing educa' tionallectures and the latest treatments available," said Patricia Mclaughlin, hos, pital director of rehabilita' tion services.

Aquatic therapy, offered in conjunction with Gold's Gym of Somerset, is among the newest treatments. Its greatest advantage is that it enables patients to exercise with a greater range of motion, speed, force and control without the nega, tive effects of impact.

"Because of water's buoy, ancy and resistance, patients can exercise at a controlled pace that is very gentle on their joints," explained Ms. Mclaughlin.

Among conditions' com, monly treated with aquatic therapy are arthritis, spinal joint involvement, low back pain, total hip and knee replacement and general aches and pains. "Addition, al benefits of aquatic ther' apy to patients include di, minished inflammation of joints and increased cardi, ovascular endurance and aerobic fitness," added Ms. Mclaughlin. .

The educational lecture series offered by Rehabili, tation Services will begin with a free program, "WheelchairIChair Aero' bics," presented by Tammy Rousseau, PTA, and Mi, chelle St. Laurent, PT, from 5 to 6 p.m. Wednesday, Feb. 21, in the hospital's Clemence Hall Conferen~e Room 128. The speakers will discuss exercise tech, niques for individuals with limited ability to participate in traditional aerobic exer, cises.

Additional topics in the series will inclu3e, liThe Language of Toys," pre' '( ,

sented by Ms. Mclaughlin on Wednesday, March 20th, from 6 to 7 p.m., in Room 134, Clemence Hall. The free interactive presentation will focus on the use of everyday toys and games to enhance children's language development.

The final lecture of the series, entitled ««Spring Into Fitness," will be presented

by Stephen Wing, MS, Karen Corey, MS, RD, and Robin Ponte, PT, from 6 to 8:30p.m. Thursday, March 28, in the Cardiopulmonary Rehabilitation Center in Clemence Hall. The speak,. ers will teach participants how to evaluate their over, all health and wellness and will also provide helpful tips on how to exercise prop' erly, eat well, choose and purchase exercise equip, ment and selt:ct good health clubs.

The cost per person for "Spring Into Fitness" is $10. The fee will include healthy recipes, taste test, ing and a raffle. Preregistra, tion is required by calling (508) 674,5600, Ext. 425.

Parking is available in the Orange Lot on Forest Street.

Patricia McLaughlin holds a master's degree in speech pathology from Northeastern Vni.versity, BQston, is certified by the Massachusetts Licensing Board in Speech Pathol.. ogy and is a member of the American Speech and Pa.. thology Association.

Rehabilitation Services of Saint Anne's Hospital is open from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m.

Mondays and Wednesdays and from 8 a. m. to 5 p.m. on TI!-es.. days, Thursdays and Fri.. days. For more informa.. tion on sen/ices. provided, including physical, occu" pational and speech ther.. apy and cardiopulmonary rehabilitation, call (508) 674..5600, Ext. , 425.

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ANCHORAGE, Alaska (CNS) - A bill that would legalize physician-assisted suicide in Alaska "twists pain and suffering into being a reason to die," said the heads of the state's three Catholic dioceses.

"This bill, H.B. 371, is bad public policy and it is bad morals .... A bias in favor of death will pervade society even more than it does now," they said in ajoint pastoral letter issued Feb. 6.

"The bill is a wake-up call to all Alaskans that the citizens are being asked to make 'suicide' a right ... as basic a right as life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness," they said.

Without life, they wrote, "our rights are meaningless. Euthanasia and assisted suicide contradict life."

The bill would make it legal in Alaska for a physician to prescribe a lethal poison for a terminally ill patient who requests it.

The pastoral letter, titled "The Care of the Te:rminally III," was signed by Archbishop Francis T. Hurley of Anchorage, Bishop Michael J. Kaniecki of Fairbanks and Father Michael Nash, administrator of the Juneau Diocese.

"Freedom is the battle cry of the proponents of euthanasia or assisted suicide," the 2,500-word letter said. "The reasoning seems pretty straightforward: One should be master of his or her own life and consequently have the choice to end it.

"But it is interesting that this freedom - or right - is presented as being contemplated only for the terminally ill," it added. "Will the same 'freedom' be extended to others" such as a suicidally depressed youth?

"When personal freedom is seen as absolute autonomy, the logical consequence is that everyone can exercise the 'right to die,''' the church leaders said.

They cited medical, social, ethical and legal reasons for opposing the bill as well as reasons based on religious conviction.

"Many. in our modern society have given up on God and the notion of universal truth," they said. But they added: "When God is lost, the sense of the human person is lost.. .. Life ceases to be a sacred gift to be venerated and cared for."

"Life is the precondition for every other right, even freedom, and must be protected by our 1 society," they said.

They argue:d that legalizing' physician-assis.ted suicide changes the nature of the doctor-patient relationship, especially when the patient is elderly or terminally ill.

"Recent years have seen enormous advances in medical techniques for control of pain in terminally ill patients," they said, but "good hospice care and euthanasia are mutually exclusive. If society decides that there is no special reason to prevent suicide for terminally ill patients, it will have no' incentive to eKpend its resources on excellent hospice care."

They warned that in an increasingly cost-conscious health care system, those who are already most vulnerable would be at greatest risk of pressures to choose suicide instead of care.

In addition to their fundamental objections to the bill, they expressed concern that its safeguards against someone committing suicide in a sudden fit of depression were inadequate.

"The waiting period from the original request to the administration of. poison is to days," they said. "Clinical depression often lasts more than to days. This waiting period is significantly less than that for divorce."

The letter also warned of dangers of severe abuses despite safeguards, citing the experience in the Netherlands, where voluntary euthanasia with safeguards has been allowed for the past decade.

It quoted from U.S. News and World Report, which in 1994 reported, "In slightly more than half

of euthanasia cases (in the Netherlands) doctors kill without the patient's knowledge or consent."

Initiatives to legalize physicianassisted suicide have been introduced unsuccessfully in a number of states in recent years.

Oregon, through a ballot initiative narrowly approved by voters in November 1994, is the only state so far to have enacted an assisted suicide law. A U.S. district court declared that law unconstitutioJ)al last year, and the lower court's ruling is currently under review in the 9th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals.

A MAN carries a cross on a traditional Lenten pilgrimage to Santuario de Chimayo in New Mexico. The penitential season of Lent provides time forrefIection and prayer before Holy Week. (CNS/ Jacobs photo)

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n Christmas Eve 1932, two missionary priests baptized. the first 12 members of the Church in Wa in northwest Ghana. Today, just a little more than six decades later, Catholics in Wa number 156,000, or 24% of the total population.

• Anselm Bemile was in one of the first baptism classes in the area. Later, he would become a catechist in the Wa Diocese and the father of eight, including a son, Paul, who is today Wa's newest bishop.

• "As I look back, I see the finger of God. at work in my life," Bishop Paul Bem.i1e said.

"1 also see God's work being accomplished in me and the whole diocese through the Propagation of the Faith. It is the Propagation of the Faith which is at the very heart of the growth of the Church here, and which helps it continue to grow.

I rely on those who so faithfully support the Propagation of the Faith for the future growth and evangelization of this vibrant local church."

The Society for THE PROPAGATION OF THE FAITH

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THE ANCHOR-Diocese of Fall River-Fri., Feb. 16, 1996

Nicaraguan church is tired of violence

Cardinal calls on Britain, Ireland to keep hope of talks alive

ARMAGH, Northern Ireland (CNS) - Cardinal Cahal Daly of Armagh, Northern Ireland, has in a telephone interview Feb. 12 called on Britain and Ireland to MANAGUA, Nicaragua (CNS) that his message to churchgoers is The campaign of bomb keep hopes for all-party talks on attacks against Nicaraguan Catho- to "prepare themselves to defend the political future of Northern our churches, although obviously' Ireland alive. lic churches, which continued only not violently." two days after Pope John Paul II's His call fQllowed the end of the visit to the country, was described He said that "everyone here cease-fire by the Irish Republican by church leaders as an effort to repudiates.this terrorist bombirig," Army, marked by a massive bomb destabilize the nation and intimi- which is the work of sick minds attack in London. date the Catholic Church. who "hate the Catholic Church "I most earnestly appeal to the Cardinal Miguel Obando Bravo and wish to create chaos before the IRA to think again and to think of Managua told reporters Feb. II - elections." long and hard before plunging this that the campaign, aimed at "terOn Jan. 12 police arrested 15 community again into the deep, rorizing" the church, and those activitists of the Leon branch of the dark pit of violence," he said, behind the' bombings are "deter- opposition Sandinista Party in adding that "peace can still be mined to create instability ... and connection with the attacks. San- saved. I most earnestly implore to disrupt the forthcoming (general) dinista leaders have denied that them to save it - for God's. sake, elections" scheduled for next Octo- the party is involved in the inci- for their own sake and for all our ber. dents. sakes."

The latest bombing, at midnight The cardinal stated his "absoBishop Vivas Robelo said that Feb. 9, partially destroyed the . authorities have yet to detain the lute and unqualified condemnainterior of Immaculate Conception "intellectual authors" of the terror tion" of the Feb. 9 blast, which Church in a poor neighborhood of campaign. killed two men and left more than Leon, in western Nicaragua.

But "some progress has been 100 people injured. Damage to Leon was the scene of the first of - made ... and I'm confident that property was estimated at millions the 19 bombings of Catholic they'll get to the bottom of it," he of dollars. churches and other church-owned said: It was the first I RA bombing buildings in different parts of the since the movement announced a country since May 1995.

The bishop also denied that the cease-fire in August 1994 that led Cardinal Obando Bravo said attacks are keeping people away many people to hope that peace that authorities have told him that from church. would come after decades offightthe same group responsible for the "On the contrary, church atten- ing over the political status of previous attacks is also responsi- dance is growing," he said.

British-ruled Northern Ireland. ble for the Feb. 9 bombing.

Most Nicaraguans are "tired of , In a statement released Feb. II. Bishop Bosco Vivas Robelo of the violence and the confronta- Cardinal Daly called the bombing Leon told Catholic News Service tion," the bishop said. "morally evil and gravely sinful" and offered sympath'y to the families of the victims.

Canadian presents special flag to pope EDMONTON, Alberta (CNS) than 5,000 people in the Vatican's - Austin Mardon took a liny Vat- audience hall Jan. 17 where he lisican flag to Antarctica 10 years tened to the pope speak in numerago, ang this year he took it to ou's languages for more than an hour.

Rome.

Mardon later joined the long The 33-year-old Canadian science writer ended up inside the line of people who greeted the Vatican at a papal audience where pope and was finally able to hand he kissed Pope John Paul II's the pontiff his Antaractic souvehand and presented him the flag nir. that had been to the southern end of the earth, Canadian Catholic News reported.

"It neiirly brought me to tears," VATICAN CITY (CNS) - Pope Mardon, a Catholic, said of the John Paul II urged Rome officials encounter. "Just think, this man is to take advantage of Year 2000 the successor to St. Peter. It's a celebrations to create jobs for the profound thought." swelling ranks of unemployed in Mardon went to Antarctica as the Eternal City. "I receive continpart of a two-month NASA expe- uous appeals - virtually cries of dition to recover meteorites. All pain - from adults in Rome withthat time', living in tents and unable out work and from young people to wash for two months, Mardin in search of their first job. This is a hung on to the four-by-six-inch drama which the civil and Chrisyellow and white flag his uncle tian' conscience cannot ignore," gave him for the trip. the pope said. He made the reWhen he returned from his polar marks in a speech to Rome Mayor expedition, he called up the papal Francesco Rutelli and members of nuncio in Canada, who suggested his city government. The Vatican that Mardon should present the .and Rome authorities have begun flag to the pope. working together on major plans It took years to arrange a trip, to host as many as 40 million pilbut finally Mardon joined.. more grims during the jubilee year.,.• ,,_

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It had been initially I:stimated Cardinal Daly said the bomb attack isolated the IRA and was that the IRA and Sinn F(:in would disastrous for people favoring pol- be invited to talks within six months itical ties between Northern Ire- after a cease-fire began. But with strong pressure from the Unionist land and the Irish republic.

In Britain, many commentators in Northern Ireland, wh'o favor said the explosion had effectively continued British ties, the British wrecked the peace process. In Ire- government insisted that the IRA land, many blalJ1ed British Prime begin to turn in weapons before Minister John Major for delaying talks could begin.

An international panel, headed the start of political talks involving the IRA's political wing, Sinn by former U.S. Sen. George J. Fein.

Mitchell, had recommended that Sinn Fein President Gerry talks and decommissioning of arms Adams told BBC radio that his could begin togetQer. But Major organization was not to blame for offered the possibility of elections in Northern Ireland as a way out the bombing.

"I have never pretended to speak of the impasse. It was a move that for the IRA. I have never pre- angered the Irish government and tended to have the type of influ- the minority Nationalist populaence over the IRA which .some tion of Northern Ireland wanting commentators have liked to sug- political union with Ireland .. gest in the simplistic way that these In his BBC interview, Cardinal matters are dealt with," he said.

Daly said that many people believe But he also said that "you can- "that obstacle after obstacle was not make peace in Ireland unless being put up" to hinder peace John Major wants to make peace." talks.

In a Feb. II radio interview with Talks are essential for lasting the British Bfo~dcasting Corp., peace and should be continued, he Cardinal Daly'said that "this is not said." Although the pace was slow," a time for recriminations or for peace is worth waiting for, he blaming others." . added.

It is a time to unite efforts "to . "In the meantime we were ensee what we can retrieve from the joying through the ceas(:-fire the peace process and see how we can benefits of peace and realizing ensure that this is nota resump- what peace could have done for tion offull-scale violence," he said. both our communities. It would be Cardinal Daly said that many tragic if all that is throw:~ a way," people feel that the progress of the . he said. peace process had been too slow.

The "disastrous" London bombing and the end of the cease-fire . had left the IRA and Sinn Fein "totally isolated," he said.

"All the support that they were getting up to' now has been recklessly thrown away, and thrown away by the military people within the Republican movement," said the cardinal.

"That is a total disasteT for the whole Republican movement," he said.

The way forward now involves keeping "cool heads in spite of all the gloom that has been spread by this horrible bomb in Canary .Wharf," he said.

"We must try to thin:'~ calmly what we can do to avert the unthinkable, that would bl: 25 more years, or even five more years, of violence," he added ..

"We must keep calm ~. the two governments must keep closely together, and we must all develop a readiness to work to:lgether, Nationalist and Unionist, North and South of Ireland, Ire:.and and Britain,'.' he said.

"Otherwise nothing but more tears and bitterness and Buffering face both our islands." Cardinal Daly said. .'

British Prime Minist~r John Major said Feb. 12 that IRA guerillas might detonate mon~ bombs but he vowed to press ah,~ad with elections to move the Northern irish. peace process.

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Tolerance is key

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DU BLIN, Ireland (CNS) - The Irish bishops have urged citizens to overcome religious misunder'standing and mistrust. Tolerance and pluralism are key to arriving at a proper relationship between Protestants and Catholics, they said. Catholics form 95 p(:rcent of Ireland's 3.5 million inhabitants.

The bishops discussed ecumenism, A WOMAN lights a candle in St. Sava's Serbian Orthodox social problems and the Northern Church in Sarajevo. The church has endured through the Ireland situation in a 12,OOO-word . . d f' statement submitted to the governBosTllan war but now faces the pOSSible exo us 0 ItS congregame nt's National Forum for Peace tion. (CNS/ 'Y-~.~~.photo). . " ..and ..Rec.onciliatio.n ,'. "

THE ANCHOR~Dioceseof Fall River-Fri., Feb. 16, 1996

13

Catholic schools a success

A SALVADORAN girl passes by tapestries of Pope John Paul II and Our Lady of Guadalupe for sale in front of the San Salvador cathedral. The pope addressed hundreds of faithflJl during his visit 'there. (eNS/ Reuters photo)

Pope completes trip Continued from Page One message to the church in Central America: With the passing of war, church workers must focus more intensely on the spiritual lives of the region's Catholics, But leaving behind direct confrontations with or active involvement in the area's governments, the church must continue to teach its code of moral and social ethics, the pope said.

"Reconciliation with God, reconciliation among the children of God," must be the inspiration of the church's work, he said.

Pope John Paul urged the people to draw strength from the memory of church workers killed in the region's wars precisely because they took seriously their Christian obligation to serve and defend the poorest and weakest members of society.

In Guatemala, where some 30 percent of the population belongs to Protestant churches or evangelical sects, the pope prayed the example of those "heroes of the faith" would encourage people to lead back those who have left the church of their ancestors.

Pope John Paul's message of a need for reconciliation was even stronger in El Salvador, where he prayed at the tombs of the late Archbishops Oscar Romero and Arturo Rivera Damas.

Archbishop Romero was assassinated in 1980 by members of a military death squad as he celebrated Mass. Archbishop Rivera Damas died in 1994 after years of active involvement in the Salvadoran peace process, which culminated in 1992.

"God places before you two roads from which you must choose the future of your nation: the way of death or the way of life," the pope said Feb. 8 during his San Salvador homily.

While the war and death-squad activity has ended, Salvadorans are still deeply divided, disputes over land continue and a highly organized crime wave has swept the nation.

"Evil is still lurking in many hearts," Pope John Paul said at the Mass. "Sin is the ultimate cause of personal and social disorder, all forms of selfishness and

oppres~ion, violence and vengeance."

The pope called on Salvadorans to start a "revolution of love" based on Jesus' Sermon on the Mount.

"The gift of the Spirit makes it possible to love our enemies, to do good to those who hate us and pray for those who persecute and slander us," he said.

The pope had the same message for the people of Nicaragua six years after they voted the Marxistinspired Sandinistas out of office and ended their civil war.

While the pope rejoiced at the changes, he encouraged Nicaraguans to keep the dignity of the human person at the center of their policies, working for the more equitable distribution of goods and for a political and economic system that would leave no one on the sidelines.

But the wars in El Salvador and Nicaragua wt:re not fueled only by the failures of Salvadorans or Nicaraguans, he said.

"These problems were coming from the tensions between the two superpowers struggling against each other, making the poor suffer and not recognizing their sovereignty," he told reporters on the airplane.

"In this part of the world," he said in San Salvador, "there was a constant, often violent struggle with vast strategic importance between opposing political and economic ideologies such as Marxism and unbridled capitalism."

Both, he said, "are foreign to your character and your human and Christian traditions."

In Venezuela - an oil-rich, bustling, developed country - Pope John Paul kept his focus on the need for building a new economy based on solidarity and a new political order where corruption would become a thing of the past.

He began the Feb. 9-11 stop on the shores of the Caribbean with an address to inmates at Venezuela's most notorious prison.

The pope told the inmates as he told politicians and business leaders later in the day - to "open your hearts, accept the challenge of conversion."

While the pope did not pretend

the prisoners were innocent, he told the political and business leaders that unless the country reformed its economic life and unless ethical values were strengthened, the country's crime rate would continue to grow.

"One should not forget that the process of material impoverishment often brings about moral and spiritual impoverishment," he said.

In Venezuela today, the pope said, there is a "'grave crisis because of the absence of values in the fields of ethics, justice, social life and respect for the dignity of the human person," At Mass on the final day of his trip, the pop~: told Venezuelans they must make Jesus the center of their lives and turn away from the modern idols of wealth, power, selfishness, violence and corruption.

Continued from Page One lies, and their communities," noted Perla.

"Today, Catholic schools are viewed as model schools," stated Charles McManus, president of P ACE. "With limited resources, Catholic schools' students score higher than the national average on tests in reading, language arts, and mathematics. Statewide, with enrollments increasing to 82,752 students, the dropout rate in Catholic schools is less than 2%, and 90% of Catholic school seniors go on to post-secondary schools. The Catholic schools' academic success is accomplished with less than half of the per-student cost in public schools.

Recent studies show that these high levels of academic performance are tied to the nurturing environment that is characteristic of Catholic schools. "The overall supportive community setting of parochial schools has also been cited as a key factor for the schools' success with at-risk students, especially children from low-income families," concluded McManus.

become models for reform. Legislatures across the nation are looking at Catholic schools for guidance, as they seek to identify solutions to improve the quality of public education," cited Gerry D'Avolio, Executive Director of the Massachusetts Catholic Conference.

"Catholic schools are a halfbillion dollar gift to the Commonwealth, and as the 21 st century dawns, it is time to allow all children the opportunity to attend schools that best meet their needs, without financial barriers. It is their civil right," observed Perla.

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

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KARA DREHER, a fifth grader at St. James-St. John School, New Bedford, portrayed Miss Louisa, a school H:acher in the 1800s, in her class' rendition of the play, Miss Louisa and the Outlaws. .

St. James-St. John School The fifth grade class at St. James-St. John School in New Bedford recently presented the play

Miss Louisa and the Outlaws.

The fifth grade classroom was transformed into a one-room schoolhouse in the west during the 1800s.

Miss Louisa, played by Kara Dreher, is conducting a history class when the classroom is suddenly invaded by two infamous

outlaws, Benny the Kid (Andrew da Silva) and Dead-Eye: Dan (Brian Chipelo). .

Other students in the play were: Jennifer Moreau,James Ferus, Daniel Pryor, Meghan Luwney, Elizabeth Arterberry, Andrew Vitone as the sheriff who saves the day, and Collin Carmo as his assistant.

The rest of the students in the class created and colored the sets.

AS PART of Catholic Schools Week, parents of children at Holy Trinity Regional School, West Harwich, enjoyed a pot luck supper. Students sat in awe of "Inspector Magic," who e.ntertained them that night.

DANNY TAVARES (left), David Frysinger and Kelly Bernardo of EspiTito Santo School, Fall River, participate in the "Lollys for Life" program.

Espirito Santo School, ST. JOSEPH School, Fairhaven, students who will compete in the Region III Science Fair on March 8 and 9 are pictured here w.ith their teacher Susan Medeiros, coordiantor of the Science Fair Program. From left are seventh'gr~ders Chad Santos, Jaclyn Martin, Joshua Sylvester, and eighth grader Peter Lucas.

Instead of the usual Valentines. the' students at Espirito Santo School. Fall River. celebrated by sending lollipops purchased, through the Student Council project. "Lollys,for Life." The council members sold white. pink and red lollipops which students sent to

friends in the school. The different colors represented the different types of friendship.

Even "true love" lollys could be sent and the sender remain anonymous, for an extra price!

The profits were doanted to E:irthright.

THE ANCHOR-Diocese of Fa!I.River-Fri., Feb. 16, 1996

This Guy's Promises Come Up Short

By Charlie Martin Catholic News Service

I'D LIE FOR YOU (and That's the Truth) I'd never tell you one lie I'd never let you down I'd never leave I'd be the one Who'd always be around Baby give me a chance I'd pull the sun down from the sky To light your darkest night I wouldn't let one drop of rain Fall down Into your life Put your heart In my hands Baby believe me I could never paint your world blue And If sometimes It seems I must hllve lost my mind I might be crazy But I'm crazy about you (Refrain) I'd lie fOI' you And that's the truth Do anything you asked me to I'd even sell my soul for you I'd do It all for you If you would believe In me Just takn a look In my eyes You'll see a love that Is blind Just take a hold of my hand I'll take you to paradise Ain't a star that's too far Your every wish will be a wish That I will make come true And If you want the moon I swear NI bring It down for you Let me Into your heart Believe me baby Got your name carved on my soul 'Cause you're the only one That I'll give It to Go let them say That I'm a fool to act this way 'Cause If I'm crazy I'm Just crazy about you (Repeat refrain) I'd lie for you And that's the truth Move mountains If you want me to I'd walk across fire for you I'd walk on the wind for you 11 you would Just believe In me And you'll never see a day I'll break your heart You'll see the sky fall down Before It ever gets that far I'll show you heaven Every second that you're In my arms Baby I'm crazy .

But I'm crazy about you (Repeat refrain) (Repeat third verse) (Repeat refrain) Written by Diane Warren. Sung by Meatloaf.

Copyright (c) 1995 by MCA Records Inc.

"WELCOME TO the Ne'ighborhood" is Meatloaf's new CD. And if "I'd Lie for You," a hit off the disc, is any sign of who lives in the neighborhood, we'd all be better off living elsewhere!

Perhaps the song intends to parody the craziness possible when people lose their minds to romance and infatuation. It's difficult to think that someone would believe, or even want, the promises the guy makes to his girl in this song.

While few are seeking someone to lie for them or to make any of the other dramatic exaggerations mentioned in the song, the recording did bring a question to mind for me: How should we evaluate what supposedly is said in the name of love to us?

What if someone you are dating makes' a promise that leaves you feeling uncomfortable? How would you respond?

For example, what if someone, soon after you have started dating tells you that he or she loves you?

How would you know what is meant?

Love is shown more by actions than words. So, most likely, you would want the way he or she . treats you to "speak" of love.

The fact is, you need to have known each othf:r for a while to be able to judge such words.

Further, be very suspicious if your dating parmer suggests that he or she is willing to do something wrong - to lie, br example - as part of loving you. What the person is saying is that he or she will put aside moral values and, perhaps, common sense in order to have a relationship with you. Such ways of behaving have nothing to do with love.

A great deal of trust is needed in a relationship oflove. But this trust can only develop over time. It takes ongoing effort. Did you know that the sacrament of marriage is a grace-filled base upon which couples can continue to build the trust they need?

When you are dating, focus on the basics. Does the person you date tell the. truth straightforwardly? Are YOlI.comfortable with how you are treated by this person?

If not, it's time to change "neighborhoods." Move out of this romance.

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

Holy Family-Holy Name School 70 families at Holy Family-Holy Name School, New Bedford, recently participated in a Family Science Night. The evening was planned by Suzanne Madden, the fourth grade teacher and a Buzzard's Bay RIM Project Tier 2 teacher. It was a night of ongoing science projects. 'Participants included students from preschool through eighth grade (and even some recent graduates), all working closely with their parents to solve some mysteries of science.

Lois Gacek, a second grade teacher at HFHN recently spoke to a gathering of parents a'1d students about her experiences as an EARTHWATCH team member.

Mrs. Gacek participated in an archaeological dig at Andrew Jackson's Hermitage in Nashville, Tenn., last summer. She worked with other EARTHWATCH members under the direction of Dr. Larry McKee. The expedition was to investigate the remains of field quarter cabins on the plantation.

. Mrs. Gacek has developed a slide presentation, and archaeology curriculum, based on her experiences in Nashville. EA RTHWATCH will be featuring Mrs. Gacek's photos and curriculum on the World Wide Web this month.

15

Coming of Age FOR YOUTH

• ABOUT YOUTH

By Mick Conway "Fire drills" are part of the latter stage of treatment for chemical dependency or codependency.

These exercises are not actual fire drills as we think of them, but preparation for escaping from dangers that will face them when they complete treatment and continue recovery on their own. .

"Fire drills" for alcohol and drugs are important because if we know how to avoid harm, we can usually circumvent disaster.

Some ways recovering teen-agel's ~an stay out .of harm's way might Include making plans for leisure time that avoid alcohol or drugs.

Staying out of hangouts that serve al~ohol might be one way. Finding frIends who don't use drugs or drink might be another.

Easier said than done? Not really. If you put your mind to a task, all kinds of possibilities emerge. Certainly new friends will be found in Alcoholics Anonymous and Narcotics Anonymous gro.up~. These kids have many fun actiVities that don't include alcohol or drugs.

Often the friendships that develop among recovering teens in these groups are wonderful. Sharing a common experience is a foundation on which solid relationships are formed.

Finding new hobbies is another way to fill leisure time. If previous hob~ies included drinking or using, staYing away from these situations is advisable. The list of hobbies is endless.

Get back into spiritual environments that provide the fundamental support we all need. The 12 steps to recovery used by Alcoholics Anonymous are spiritually based, so call on these ideas for direction.

Look for a part-time job that puts you in touch with personal interests and provides enough money for entertainment or hobbies that don't include drinking or using. It's fun to earn money for a bit of financial independence.

Back to fire drills. There's an excellent example of a fire drill on a current television commercial. A man is walking with a grade-school boy, talking to him. The man is using a soft-sell approach to get the boy to accept drugs. He tries to convince the boy that "everybody does it."

Then the commercial reveals t~at he is the boy's father, walking hiS son through a fire drill to prepare the boy for a time when

someone might try to influence him to use drugs. What a powerful learning exercise!

What are some other situations where fire drills might be important? Here are some questions to ask yourself.

- "What willI do if my friends put pressure on me to drink?

- If there is alcohol in the house, how will I handle the temptation to drink?"

- "If I have difficulty controlling the urge to use alcohol or drugs, what should I doT' - Should I avoid social settings where alcohol is served? :- Other members of my family drInk, so how willi manage to stay sober in an environment that may cause me to slip? . In t?e case of codependency, fire drIlls are equally important.

Here are some other questions to ask yourself.

- If my boyfriend starts drinking again what should I do?

- I know I must focus on taking care of myself, but how can I continue to go out with a practicing alcoholic?

- I. tend to take on too many commitments. What can I say when someone asks me to do something I really don't want to do?

- If my mom goes back to using pills, who will I go to for help?

Being prepared is the name of the game, and that's what fire drills are all about. When we plan ahead for possible trouble, the chances of averting serious consequences are diminished.

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16

THE ANCHOR--Diocese

of Fall River-Fri., Feb. 16, 1996

Iteering pOintl PUBLICITY CHAIRMEN are asked to submll news Ilems'lor this column to The Anchor, P.O. Box 7, Fall Rlvllr, 02722. Name of city or10wnsh'ould be Included, as well as full dates of all activIties. Please send news of luture rather than past events.

Due to limited space and also because notices of strictly parish affairs normally appear In a parish's own bUllet!n, we are forced to limit Items to events of general Interesl. Also, we do not normally carry notices of fundralslng activities, which may be advertised at our regular rates, obtainable from The Anchor business office, telephone (508) 675-7151.

On Steering Points Items, FR Indicates Fali River; NB Indicates New Bedford.

ST. THOMAS MORE PARISH, SOMERSET The St. Thomas More Vocation Awareness Team invites everyone to an evening of prayer and song for vocations on Feb, 29 at 7:30 p.m. in the church.

DAUGHTERS OF ISABELLA, NB Hyacinth Circle of the Daughters of Isabella will conduct a business meeting on Feb. 20 at the Holy Name CCD Center. Fun and games will follow the 7:30 p.m. meeting.

CATHOLIC ALUMNI CLUB This international Catholic singles club will hold a monthly social gathering Feb. 18 at 6:30 p.m. lit Ruby Tuesday restaurant in the Silver City Galleria, Taunton. These meetings are held on the thi"rd Sunday of each month. Members will discuss activities in the southeastern Mass. and Rhode Island area. All welComing and dress is casual. For information, call 824-8378 or (40 I) 944-5117.

CAPE COD SEPARATED AND DIVORCED GROUP The group will meet on Feb. 18 at 7 p.m. at St. Pius X Family Life Center, Barbara St., So. Yarmouth.

New members welcome at 6:30 p.in.

Sister Kathy Short will speak on "Life in Abundance After Divorce."

Information: Judy, tel. 362-9873 or Paula, tel. 385-2693.

HABITAT FOR HUMANITY, FR The first Fall River location, at Buffington and Rodman Streets, has been selected. SS. Peter & Paul parish will host a meeting on Feb. 19 at 7:30 p.m. in the Father Coady Center for all who are interested in the work Habitat does and for any who feel they may benefit from their work. ' .

NATURAL FAMILY PLANNING CLASSES St. Mary's parish center, Mansfield: Sunday afternoons Feb. 18, Mar. 17, Apr. 21, May 19. Call Maureen and Jon Howey 339-4730 for information.

St. Anne's. Hospital, Fall River: Tuesday evenings from 6:30 - 8:30 p.m. Mar. 5, Apr. 2, May 7, Jun. 4.

Call Rita Quinn, tel. 676~1440, for information.

Another Fall River session, TBA, Sunday afternoons: Mar. 10, Mar. 31, Apr. 28, May 26 from 2-4 p.m.

Call Sharon and Nestor Levesque, tel. 674-3156, for information.

WOMEN'S HEALTH INITIATIVE Women religious, ages 50-79, are invited to one of three informational sessions on Women's Health Initiative', a research study created to investigate how certain health problems affect women in that age group.

Feb. 26 from4-5 p.m.: contact Sister.

Marie Georgette Chasse, RSM by Feb. 23 at (401) 278-4633. Feb. 28 from 4-5 p.m.; contact Sister Mary Ellen Donohue, SUSC by Feb. 26 at (508) 679-1044. Mar. 5 from 4-5 p.m.: contact Sister M. Noel by Mar. I at 992-9921.

STONEHILL COLLEGE, NO. EASTON To celebrate Black History month, Stonehill wilf be offering a free concert featuring "Psalms One," a seven member vocal ensemble. The concert will be held Feb. 27 at 8 p.m. in the Martin building on campus. For information, call 230-1120.

NEW LIFE, TAUNTON All are welcome to join the "New Life" Catholic Charismatic Prayer Group every Tuesday at 7 p.m. in the chapel at Coyle & Cassidy High School, Taunton. For information, call 824-8378. .

OFFICE OF AIDS MINISTRY, FR A caregivers support group for persons living with HIV and AIDS meets monthly at Clemence Hall, ,Room 225, 243 Forest St., FR, from 5:30-7 p.m. The next meeting will be March II. For more information, contact Dr. Krysten Winter-Green, tel. 674-5600 ext. 2295.

LaSALETTE SHRINE, ATTLEBORO Father Ernest Corriveau, SM will present "Forgiveness leading to reconciliation" on Mar. 9 from 9 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. at the LaSalette Shrine Theater. Call (40 I) 278-463301'(508) 992-9921 to register by Mar. 5.

CANCER GROUP FOR MEN The Oncology Center, 480 Hawthorn Place, Dartmouth, is offering , a group for'men who have or have had cancer. Ron Desnoyers, LICSW, will facilitate the group. Meetings are held the first Tuesday of each month from 3-4:30 p.m. and the third Thursday from 6-7:30 p.m. For information, call the center at 9795858.

LaSALETTE SHRINE, ATTLEBORO On Feb. 17 at 6:30 p.m. in the cafeteria the Coffee House series continues, featuring "Psalm 30," a Christian music duo with a varied music style. On Feb. 18, Rev. Andre Patenaude, M.S., will lead a healing service with Mass, beginning at 2 p.m. in the chapel. On Feb. 24 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., there will be a Lenten day of recollection on "The Name of Jesus," in the Shrine Theater. The day will be led by Father Leo Maxfield, M.S., reflecting on the power in the Name of Jesus and how to invoke it. Participants will also explore the Holy Name and the Church, as Eucharist and as a mystery of salvation. Pre-registration for the day of recollection is recommended. To pre-register or fOr information on any event: tel. 2225410. All events listed are handicapped accessible'.

SACRED HEART CHURCH, FR ,A meditative celebration of the Lenten season will be highlighted by a series of concerts featuring a musical interpretation of "The Way of the Cross," composed by pastoral musician Denise Morency Gannon of New Bedford. The work is arranged for string quartet, oboe, classical guitar and voice. The concert is scheduled for Feb. 23 at 7 p.m. ill Sacred Heart Church, Linden Street, Fall River.

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Mom,hopes son's death from AIDS can help ottlers METAIRIE, La.(CNS)- When Martie Gillin found out five years ago that her oldest son, Bob, was dying of AIDS, her motherly instinct was to try to '~fix it." / She read articles and consulted with specialists, desperate to do whatever she could to heal his physical and emotional suffering.

The sorrow felt by Bob's Catholic Philadelphia family was so great that his parents and nine siblings did not even talk about it among themselves, let alone among friends and neighbors.

But Bob interpreted their silence - an attempt to deny the exist'ence of terminal illness by not Spe;lking its name - as shame.

"One day Bob said to me, 'Mother, I feel you're ashamed of me,''' Mrs. Gillin told The Catholic Standard and Times, Philadelphia archdiocesan newspaper.

"To think my son misunderstood my lack of courage for a lack of love broke my heart," she said in the interview. "At his insistence, we admitted he was HIV-positive and had AIDS." For Bob, dying of AIDS posed the challenge t,o live an honest life as an openly homosexual Catholic and 'to expand the attitudes of family, friends and neighbors so they could put a human face on

FROM LEFT, Sister Helene Hayes, provincial superior, and Sister Carol Bearisto, councilor.

Good Shepherd Sisters elect pro~incial head Sister Helene Hayes, RGS, has been elected provincial superior of the New York provinces of the Religious of the Good Shepherd.

In the Fall River diocese, community members serve at St. Luke's Hospital, New Bedford, and Cranberry Pointe Nursing Center, Harwich. Contemplative sisters also have a convent in Harwichport.

Sister Hayes, community coordinator at Good Shepherd Center in Marlborough, is a native of Malden. A graduate of Fordham University who holds a doctorate from the Boston College School of Social Work, she teaches social policy both at that school and Boston U niversitv.

Elected as a councilor was Sister Carol Bearisto, RGS, director of a New Jersey social 'agency serving adolescents and their families.

Founded by St. Mary Euphrasia in Angers, France, in 1835, the Sisters of the Good Shepherd, a worldwide congregation, provide a variety of human services to the poor and those in need, with a particular focus on the needs of women, families and adolescents.

AIDS. When some of her son's friends, family and neighbors came to visit, it was sometimes awkward, Mrs. Gillin said, but at least they came.

Mrs. Gillin recently v::sited St. Martin's Episcopal School in Metairie to share the story of her son's life and death and to spread a message of compassion and prevention of AIDS. She also showed a video documenting Bob's life and death, which he felr would help educate children ':0 make informed .life choices.

In an interview with The Clarion Herald, New Orleanil archdiocesan newspaper, after ,~er presentation, Mrs. Gillin ~Iaid she wanted to touch people'!. lives so they don't have to walk Bob's journey.

"Education is knowledge and knowledge is control," shl: said. "I want to change the attitude of the public toward people with AIDS and understanding homosexuality."

Like many people aff,:cted by acquired immune deficiency syndrome and the virus that l:auses it, Bob did not display any outward symptoms of the disease until he was diagnosed with it in B. routine life-insurance physical.

Over the next three yt:ars, the energetic, athletic young man became a shadow of his former self.

By the time he died, just months after his 30th birthday, Bob weighed less than 100 pounds, was blind and suffered from gripping headaches and bouts of dementia.

Mrs. Gillin said she has learned to tolerate those who want to pin the cause of her son's bailIe with AIDS on his sexual orientation or some ,kind of divine punishment.

She called such attitudes "playing God" and said she believes God judges people by the purpose of their heart and does not se~k retribution against those he loves.

She said she felt honon:d to be Bob's mother and marveled at the growth of his inner spirituality as he endured each struggle. "It's not what happens to you in life, but how you handle what happens that counts," she said.

Asked what role her Catholic faith played in coping wit h Bob's illness, Mrs. Gillin said she was gifted 'with an intangible courage to leave denial behind and accept the situation.

"My family couldn't walk the journey without the footprints we knew the Lord was c.arrying us," she said.

She said the Catholic Church was supportive ofthe family throughout Bob's battle with AIDS. Archbishop Francis B. Schulte ,of New Orleans, a Philadelphia native who was a classmate of her husband, Robert, celebrated Bob's funeral Mass.

"I had the pastoral satisfaction of ministering to Bob Gillin during the last year of his life on many occasions," the archbishop :;aid. "I brought him Communion and we prayed together."

Bob found special,consolation, Archbishop Schulte said, in a passage from the II th chapter (If Matthew: "Come to me, all you who are weary and find life burdensome, and I will refresh you."

~I . GOD'S ANCHOR HOLDS