t eanc 0 VOL. 37, NO.7.
Friday, February 19, 1993
F ALL RIVER, MASS.
FALL RIVER DIOCESAN NEWSPAPER FOR SOUTHEAST MASSACHUSETTS CAPE COD & THE ISLANDS Southeastern Massachusetts' Largest Weekly
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Lent: a baptismal retreat A letter to be read in churches Feb. 28
Dearly Beloved in Christ, Today we enter into the Forty Days of Lent as we recall Jesus' forty days of prayer and fasting. On this First Sunday of Lent in Catholic cathedrals and parishes, adults who are preparing to join the Catholic Church are formally interviewed in the presence of the community in a ceremony known as the scrutiny. During the season of Lent, these new converts are in the final stages of spiritual formation leading up to Holy Saturday and their initiation into the life ofthe Church with baptism, or, in the case ofthose who have already been baptized in other Christian churches, by their profession of faith and confirmation. The Church invites all Catholics to accompany these new Catholics throughout the world by making Lent a retreat in preparation for the solemn moment of Easter when we all renew our baptismal promises. One ofthe religious controversies of our times is the meaning of being "born again." For us Catholics, being born again is not a religious experience independent of baptism. For us, baptism is rebirth. In John's gospel we read that"Unless one is born' of water and the Holy Spirit, he cannot enter the Kingdom." We are born of water and the Spirit when we receive the sacrament of baptism. Many of us were baptized as infants. The Acts of the Apostles continuously speaks of the baptism of entire families; that means adults and children alike. Infant baptism underscores the fact that salvation is a free gift of God. When someone baptizes, it is Christ who baptizes. He is the one who saves. Infant baptism claims the child for God and the Church from the very beginning of the child's life and reminds us that baptism, whether of a child or an adult, is primarily the work of God and that His initiative in our lives is most important. The infant did not choose to be baptized, but neither did he choose to be born. Baptism, like birth, is God's gift - both brought about through human agents, the child's parents. Just as parents do their part in God's plan by initiating the child's physical life, they also cooperate with God through their faith in initiating the child's eternal spiritual life by presenting the child to be baptized. The scriptures tell us that two effects of baptism are forgiveness of sin and the reception ofthe Holy Spirit. But the New Testament also tells us that baptism makes us a member of the Church: "For . just as the body is one and has many members, and all the members ofthe body, though many, are one body, so it is with Christ. For by one Spirit we were all baptized into one body... "(1 Cor 12:12) So if Lent is a time to intensify and purify our baptismal com· mitment, it should mean three things: 1. overcoming sin 2. living the life of the Spirit 3. being a more active member ofthe Church, a better Catholic 1. We overcome sin in our lives first of all by recognizing it, by examining our I!ves. 2. Living the life of the Spirit, the life of grace is nourished by meditation on the Word of God, participation at Mass, by a growing awareness that we are temples ofthe Spirit, that the Lord lives in our hearts. The life of the Spirit is the life of love. 3. Being an active member of Christ's Body, the Church, should mean that we become involved in the life of our parish; that we try to strengthen friendships with other Catholics who share our faith and ideals. Being an active member of Christ's Body means that we are concerned about the suffering members of the Body - those who suffer from sickness and poverty and need our attention and material help, as well as those who are suffering spiritually because they have drifted away from the community offaith and need our· prayers and encouragement to find their way home. My prayer is that Lent will truly be a baptismal retreat for all of us, a time when we overcome sin and selfishness in our lives, when we consciously live the life of the Spirit"and we become more active in the life of our parishes. If we take Lent seriously in this way, we will encourage those men and women who are contemplating joining our Church; and we will provide testimony and inspiration for our young Catholics who are seeking meaning in a confused world. May our love for Christ and for one another be so genuine that our lives will be an invitation to all to "be converted and believe the Good News." With prayers and blessings, I am Devotedly yours in Christ,
-r~kll~/~ Bishop of Fall River
CHAMPS: in front of CHAMP House on Main Street in Hyannis are, from left, resident Jason Cartier, Carolyn Hebert, Joe Rota and Paul Hebert. (Hickey photo)
cn'AMP: More than a shelter By Marcie Hickey "It's not logical what we're doing!" declares Paul Hebert, founder of. CHAMP House for disadvantaged youth in Hyannis. His easy smile and inherent enthusiasm are the first signs that Paul Hebert is not concerned about "logic" when it comes to loving his neighbor. Another clue is the· crucifix hanging from his neck. According to the Gospel, he says, "we're supposed to take care of one another." For 10 years, Hebert and his wife Carolyn, members of Our Lady of Victory parish, Centerville, have been tireless campaigners against hunger, homelessness,joblessness and, most of all, hopelessness. In 1988 their efforts became incorporated as Housing For All, a network of social support services including a food kitchen, day programs for the homeless and jobless, and distribution of surplus foods. With these programs in place, Hebert, who calls himself HFA's "vision.guy," conceived of a new project that would serve "the least cared for population on Cape Cod" - homeless young men who in better circumstances would be finishing high school, finding work and taking responsibility for their future. CHAMP - the Community Home for Adolescent Mentor Program - located on Main Street in Hyannis, opened its doors Jan. 2, 1992, and in just one year has served over 40 clients. Licensed for 14 residents, it offers safe haven and an open-ended term of stay to youth at risk who are willing to complete school, find work 'and contribute to community living. Hebert sees the program as a "springboard" for those who need help temporarily, and the success
ON PAGE 8: 40 days plus of Lenten and Easter . week suggestions.
stories are those of independence "The hardest thing is not to· gained. To date three clients have . judge," Hebert admitted. "There is graduated from high school and always a temptation to make a gone on to college. value judgment based on where we But for others, progress is not so want them to be and where they dramatic. Turn to Page II
STATEMENT OF BISHOP O'MALLEY Today I am pleased to present the final text of the document "Procedures to be Followed when a Cleric in the Diocese of Fall River is Accused of Sexual Misconduct with a Minor." In the near future other aspects of this question will be discussed and policies will be formalized to insure that proper personnel procedures govern accusations of sexual misconduct on the part of any employee or volunteer of the Church, It is my intention to schedule a workshop/study day at a later date when this docum'tmt can be discussed and the process for its implementation can be explained. At that time, any questions you may have regarding the document will be addressed. I take this occasion to thank all who assisted in the formulation of this policy by their suggestions or observations. In particular, I express my gratitude to Msgr. Daniel F. Hoye, Msgr. Henry T. Munroe, and Reverend Peter N. Graziano for their invaluable assistance. The membership of the Review Board described in the document will be finalized shortly and I will communi' cate their names to you. All of us have been affected by the tragic events which led to the need to formulate a policy of this kind. It is my hope that some positive benefit might result in the adoption of these procedures for the future of our beloved Diocese. Let us pray to the Lord to bless and guide our efforts that we may bring the healing presence of Christ to our Diocese.
-r~kll~/~
. . . Bishop of Fall River See pages 5 and 6 for the Procedures document.