FAll RIVER DIOCESAN NEWSPAPER FOR SOUTHEAST MASSACHUSETTS CAPE COD & THE ISLANDS
t eanc 0 VOL. 27, NO.7
FALL RIVER, MASS., FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 18, 1983
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WASHINGTON (NC) - The U.S. Catholic Conference has asked the Supreme Court for a "critical reassessment of the his torical underpinnings" of the First Amendment's religion clauses. In a friend-of-the-court brief urging the justices to uphold Minnesota's tuition tax deduc tion statute, the USCC said re assessment of the history of the religion clauses would yield a more accurate view of the intent of the framers of the Constitu: tion on church-state issues. The brief was filed Feb. 1 in m case (Mueller vs. Allen) which is shaping up to be this term's major examination of the extent to which state educational aid programs can indirectly benefit parochial schools. The case, ex-
pected to be decided by summer, also is being viewed as a critical test of the tuition tax credits President Reagan has proposed to Congress. Critics of the Minnesota tui tion tax deduction say the stat ute unconstitutionally benefits religion since most parents who take thl! deductions send their children to church-sponsored schools. . But the USCC brief, signed by its general counsel, Wilfred R. Caron, argues that the First Amendment's prohibition against an establishment of religion was not meant to rule out all forms of aid to churches or religious groups. Instead it was aimed pri marily at prohibiting establish ment or preference by the gov· Turn to Page Three
BISHOP DANIEL A. CRONIN confirms ir9n lung patient John Hersee of St. Mary's parish, Norton. Left, Msgr. John J. Oliveira, right, Willard Herse!;!, John's father.
A special confirmation.
psalm. Bishop Cronin explained the' ceremony to John and his On Saturday, Jan. 29, Bishop family and friends. He noted in Daniel A. Cronin administered particular the gift of the Holy the sacrament of confirmation as Spirit in showing us' God's wil\ he had done many times before. and assisting us to complete our But this ceremony was special. union with God the Father. John It was the confirmation of renewed his baptismal promises John Hersee, 21, and it was and was sealed with the chrism. celebrated at his home in St.. Father John V. Magnani, pastor Mary's parish, Norton. The son of St. Mary's, led the recitation of Carole and Willard Hersee of the prayer of the faithful and suffers from muscular dystrophy, it was also my privilege to as a progressive disease. He has sist in the ceremony. The annual collection for been confined to' an iron lung After the liturgy all joined in for two years and is completely Black and Indian Missions will a social gathering and in presen immobile except for his neck and be taken up in diocesan churches tation of gifts to John. this weekend, according to an· lhead. The occasion was a reminder Physical infirmity, however, nouncemimt made by Msgr. to all of us of how confirmation, did not impede John's growth in John J. Oliveira, diocesan direc special in itself, can be special tor of the Society for the Propa· to us. It is a reminder and a faith. For six months Father Ro land Nadeau, MS, of LaSalette gation of the Faith. consolation to know that God, is Msgr. Oliveira said the theme present in a special way to the Shrine in Attleboro helped pre pare him for the reception of for this year's collection is sick and handicapped. It is a "Brotherhood Has Many Faces." reminder that the sick and the confirmation. He joined Msgr. Paul A. Lenz, handicapped reveal to us, in a Father Andre Patenaude, MS, director of LaSalett~ Shrine, director of the national Black special way, God's love in our sang the opening hymft as some and Indian MiSSions program in. midst. As John himself said, 35 relatives and friends gather"that's great." Tum to Page Six Bq Msgr. John J. Oliveira
ed in John's room for the con· firmation liturgy. After the opening prayer by the bishop, John, in a strong and clear voice, 'proclaimed the first reading from St. Paul. His god father recited the responsorial
,Many needs still nnmet
YOUNGSTERS AT St. Anne's School, Fall River, appear reluctant to release their balloons at a Catholic Schools Week "sendup." But 350 bright messengers, each containing a. note from the children, eventually made it to the Massa chusetts sky.