02.22.19

Diocese of Fall River, Mass.

Friday, February 22, 2019

Bishop Edgar M. da Cunha, S.D.V., formally kicked off the diocesan strategic planning effort, “Rebuilding in Faith and Hope” during a gathering at White’s of Westport on February 7. More than 350 faithful from across the Fall River Diocese attended to discuss changes for the future and how to “embrace a new way of being a Church,” according to the bishop in his remarks. (Photo by Kenneth J. Souza) The Anchor - February 22, 2019

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‘Rebuilding in Faith and Hope’ kickoff draws hundreds of diocesan faithful

By Kenneth J. Souza Anchor Staff kensouza@anchornews.org

FALL RIVER — Nearly 400 Catholic faithful representing more than 70 of the 81 parishes across the Fall River Diocese gathered at

White’s of Westport on Thursday, February 7 for the formal kickoff of the diocesan strategic planning effort.

Branded “Rebuilding in Faith and Hope,” the goal of the campaign is to “embrace the challenges

and the difficulties that we all face, but face them together,” according to Bishop Edgar M. da Cunha, S.D.V., in his welcoming remarks.

“I hope that you are here today because you believe that we can change these problems into real

opportunities,” the bishop said.

“You are here tonight because you believe that we can make a difference and we can rebuild in faith and hope. Have you ever been a part of anything like this in your life?”

The diocesan strategic planning initiative, which Bishop da Cunha began two years ago, was launched in response to changing demographics throughout the Fall River Diocese — and the Catholic Church in general — that have increasingly necessitated the closure and/or merger of once-vibrant parishes.

With the changing times, Bishop da Cunha stressed the importance of the local Church embracing change “because the times call for it.”

“We no longer live in a time like when we all grew up, when everybody went to church every Sunday,” he said. “Those days are not here anymore and unless we embrace this new way of being a Church and are open to revitalize the Church, we will become irrelevant and we will not survive.”

One person who learned to embrace and find inspiration through change was David Rose, a former parishioner of St. Bernadette’s Parish in Fall River, who offered a personal testimonial before the bishop’s remarks.

Admitting that he and his wife were “not the best Catholics,” Rose recalled his first encounter with then-pastor Father Roger Landry when the couple inquired about enrolling their children in CCD classes.

When Rose’s wife called the rectory to ask about CCD, “Father Landry told her, ‘It’s obvious that you don’t go to church, because if you had, you’d already know the answers to the questions you’re asking me,’” Rose recounted. “He told her to come to Mass this Sunday where she can get the information and then hung up.”

Although his wife wasn’t too happy with the response, the family did attend Mass and Rose found himself inspired by Father Landry’s Turn to page 12

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The Anchor - February 22, 2019

Bishops of Massachusetts to the Catholics of the Commonwealth We write as your pastors; we write also at a critical moment for the Catholic Church in Massachusetts, in the nation and throughout the world.

The issue which confronts us all, but especially confronts us as bishops, is the sexual abuse crisis that has again enveloped the life of the Church.

Catholics throughout the United States and the world have struggled with the deepest questions of reason and faith as the multiple issues of sexual abuse by priests and bishops have become public over the last 16 years. The past year has been especially traumatic, and we again apologize to survivors and their families for all they have endured. We also apologize to the Catholic community for the seemingly unending nature of this scandal and the many questions it raises regarding Church leadership.

The attention of the Church and the wider society will be focused in an extraordinary way on the upcoming Summit Meeting in Rome, convoked

by Pope Francis to address the crisis globally. Our purpose in this message is to provide perspective on the meeting considering what has occurred in the Church in the United States and throughout the world.

The Past: The clergy abuse crisis exploded in the United States early in 2002 when the unprecedented dimensions of the crisis became clear, leading the U.S. Bishops Conference to adopt “The Dallas Charter” later that year. The charter promised a policy of zero-tolerance of sexual abuse of minors, meaning that accused priests determined to have abused a minor would be removed from ministry; all cases would be referred to appropriate civil authorities and each case would then be investigated within the Church. Beyond the provisions in the charter, individual dioceses have adopted policies to provide care and counseling for survivors and education and prevention training in our parishes, schools and Religious Education programs. Reviewing the past, we acknowledge the record includes gaps and failures as well as successful implementation of these policies. At the same time, the Church in the rest of the world has experienced the abuse crisis in different ways at different times.

The Present: In 2018, the primary attention of responsibility for the abuse crisis shifted from priests to bishops. It became clear that the Dallas Charter, focused on priests, needed to be amended to include accountability for bishops’ and cardinals. In order to broaden the policy in this way, the U.S. Bishops have proposed that a publicly announced method of reporting cardinals and bishops implicated in occurrences of sexual abuse be established. We also have advocated for the establishment of an oversight review committee that includes appropriately-credentialed professional lay leadership. However, the Holy See asked the U.S. Bishops Conference to postpone action on this proposal until after the meeting in Rome.

The Summit Meeting, convoked by Pope Francis, will involve the presidents of more than 180 Episcopal Conferences from throughout the world; along with Cardinal O’Malley, participating in his role as President of the Pontifical Commission for the Protection of Children. The goal of the Summit Meeting, as stated by the Holy Father, is “catechesis” of the episcopal conferences. A way to interpret this phrase is that the meeting will seek to create a strong consensus throughout the Universal Church of zero tolerance of sexual abuse, to develop the programs which will implement this mandate and to put in place the programs of education and prevention needed to keep children safe throughout the world, even and perhaps most especially in countries where government and law enforcement may not be reliable partners in protecting children.

This meeting will be very complex in its composition, cultural and geographical diversity and the political and legal context that is necessarily present in these matters. We ask your prayers for all involved in the Summit Meeting and your appreciation that a three-day meeting will not produce a finished and final plan for a global Church of 1.2 billion people. Demanding but also realistic expectations will be helpful for us all as we think not only about what the Church in the United States needs to accomplish but also the steps necessary to achieve global solutions, particularly in circumstances where cultural sensitivities must be considered.

The Future: As always, first and foremost in our thoughts are the survivors of abuse for whom we continue to pledge our vigilance. We use this occasion to pledge our continued commitment to the policies we have adopted and to all those measures of care, counseling, education and healing needed to abolish the scourge of sexual abuse throughout the Church.

Thank you.

The Official Public Policy Voice for the Roman Catholic Church in the Commonwealth Archdiocese of Boston — Dioceses of Fall River, Springfield, Worcester The Anchor - February 22, 2019

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ears ago when I was working in the parish preparing high school youth for the Sacrament of Confirmation, I was confronted by a parent who objected to the requirement that her daughter feed the homeless at a nearby shelter. This was the capstone service project in their final year of preparation and included a presentation by the social workers from the shelter prior to each class taking turns to prepare the meal and serve it to the residents. This was a popular and meaningful tradition in our parish, and while some occasionally needed reassurance about their children’s safety, it always generated enthusiastic participation by the parents.

This mother’s objection to the project was more directed at the Catholic Church, not just the parish program.

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Preferential option for the poor “My daughter will buy a the name Sister Blandina, bag of bagels and give them she worked among Native Americans that exposed to the homeless on the her to their needs and led street,” she told me, “That will mean more to her than to the founding of orphandoing this big parish service ages, hospitals and services project.” Looking back with the clarity that 20 years of hindsight can give, The Great the issue in quesCommission tion was her understanding of the

By Claire McManus goal of charity. The mother felt that a collective approach for the poor. She later went to service would strip the charitable act of its personal back to Ohio where she encounter that comes from worked with Italian immigrants, providing day care, within the heart of the English language classes, individual. and Religious Education.

While her point has The cause for the canonizasome validity, it does not leave room for the possibil- tion of Sister Blandina is ity that even a programmed underway, and her legacy lives on in the Santa Maria exposure to the needs of others can lead to a conver- Institute to this day. Sister Blandina didn’t create this sion of the heart. Take for foundation and wonder example the life of Rose who would show up, but Marie Segale, whose story her encounter with the was related on February poor generated a response 23 in the daily devotional that grew out of their need, “Give Us This Day.” Soon after she entered the Sisters and the institutions she of Charity of Cincinnati as founded provide for future a young teen-ager, her com- generations to come into communion with those it munity sent her to Triniserves. dad, Colo., not the island In fairness to that in the Caribbean. Taking mother who objected to the systematic programming of service, there may be a deeply-embedded desire that her child be

The Anchor - February 22, 2019

transformed by her act of charity. She is right to call into question charity that becomes too programmed and impersonal, and while there are some needs so large that they require enormous organizations to address them, we should never remove ourselves from the stories of the individuals who receive our help.

This was how the CRS program, Operation Rice Bowl came into being. In 1975 Msgr. Robert J. Coll of Allentown, Pa. wanted to teach well-fed Americans about the needs of hungry people around the world. He felt that people should experience the kind of hunger that “500 million of our fellow human beings feel like seven days a week.” He asked people to eat a meatless meal and put the money saved into the cardboard bowls that have been part of our Lenten sacrifice for more than 40 years. The story of how Operation Rice Bowl grew from a local gesture to raise awareness of hunger in the world into an international program that involves millions of Catholics each year can be found on the crsricebowl.org

website where the stories of the people receiving our contributions are captured in videos.

From the Church’s founding when the Apostles organized a collection of food for the poor in the community, to the monumental work of St. Teresa of Calcutta, our history is rife with people who encounter their neighbors and find ways to alleviate their suffering. The Preferential Option for the Poor is the foundation on which our Judeo-Christian tradition was built. Whether the charity comes from one hand to another, or from an institution to a group, it all must begin with an encounter. Whatever means we choose to solve inequities in the world, we were given two tools on which to base our response: solidarity and subsidiarity. As Pope Benedict wrote in Caritas et Veritate, “The principle of subsidiarity must remain closely linked to the principle of solidarity and vice versa, since the former without the latter gives way to social privatism, while the latter without the former gives way to paternalistic social assistance that is demeaning to those in need.”

We are approaching the season of Lent when people look for ways to sacrifice and serve as part of their Spiritual journey. When we give of ourselves for others, we should use as our guide the tenets of Catholic social teaching which embraces the principle that every individual deserves dignity, and that every act of giving is best served when it is done at the most local level.

Anchor columnist Claire McManus is the director of the Diocesan Office of Faith Formation.

New Preparatory Academy being created — Coyle and Cassidy and Bishop Connolly to be affiliate schools

FALL RIVER — Building on strengths of two long-established, successful institutions, the Central Catholic Schools Board has voted to create a new Preparatory Academy providing an improved curriculum to students at affiliate schools Coyle and Cassidy in Taunton and Bishop Connolly in Fall River in their home high schools.

The new academy, approved February 14 by the Central Catholic Schools board of the Diocese of Fall River, will implement a personalized learning model that addresses the needs of diverse student populations, according to Superintendent Steve Perla.

Coyle and Cassidy High School and the Middle School are in the second year of implementing a personalized and blended learning model of instruction, which would be expanded to include Bishop Connolly students. It is a data-driven approach on which the Coyle and Cassidy educational team has been extensively trained by a leading expert, and which uses integrated technology, resulting in significantly higher levels of student achievement.

The academy grows out of Bishop Edgar M. da Cunha, S.D.V.’s initiative: “Rebuilding in Faith and Hope!” Included in the improved curriculum will be the introduction of an innovative STEM education program.

STEM —Science, Technology, Engineering and

Math — is a progressive data-driven way to teach research skills, an underserved educational focus in Southeastern Massachusetts. More importantly, the STEM focus will pave the way for graduates, young women and young men, to be extraordinarily wellprepared for their futures, throughout their higher education and careers.

Bishop da Cunha said, “The introduction of STEM education environments into our diocese, which is happening in Catholic schools across the country, means providing the knowledge and skill set for our graduates to change the world for the better by helping to solve many of the problems facing our world.”

Coyle and Cassidy President Bernard Audette has achieved great success with a STEM program at a Catholic School in Worcester that became the third school in the state and the first Catholic school in Massachusetts to be accepted as a member of the National Consortium of Secondary STEM. A learning approach that results in higher levels of academic achievement, STEM builds critical thinking, problem-solving and communications skills resulting from students learning to work collaboratively, applying knowledge and skills in an interdisciplinary way to real-world problems.

Board President Roger Sullivan said, “This is an exciting time for our educational community.

This new academy will improve the entire school experience for Catholic secondary education in Taunton and Fall River, including the sharing of talent, building professional learning communities and joining forces to create robust co-curricular and extracurricular opportunities for students.”

Perla said that Kathy St. Laurent would become the principal and instructional leader for the academy. Bernie Audette would remain as the president for Coyle and Cassidy and Chris Myron would remain as the president for Bishop Connolly.

Perla said, “The academy, which will allow both schools to maintain their individual identities while working together in important ways, will provide families living along the Route 24 corridor with an exceptional school choice at two campuses in Southeastern Massachusetts.

“In the coming weeks, we will be sharing more information about the establishment of this new academy. If you would like to attend a parent forum to hear more about this initiative, please feel free to attend one of the following: — Tuesday, February 26 at 6:30 p.m. at Coyle and Cassidy; — Wednesday, February 27 at 6:30 p.m. at Bishop Connolly. If a playoff basketball game is scheduled for Wednesday, the meeting will be moved to Thursday, Feb-

ruary 28 at 6:30 p.m.

“We will follow up with students at schoolwide meetings at both schools on February 25,” Perla said.

“It is important to

us that everyone in our community has the opportunity to ask questions as we move through this process. Together, we will rebuild in faith and hope.”

Visit The Anchor online at http:www.anchornews.org

The Anchor - February 22, 2019

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Anchor Editorial

Thoughts and prayers

Last Friday, February 15, Supreme Knight Carl Anderson and Archbishop William Lori (the supreme chaplain) wrote to all the Knights of Columbus and invited “every Brother Knight and your families to join us in praying a special ‘Novena for Repentance, Renewal and Rebuilding’ from February 20-28. Together, our prayers will make a difference.”

The supreme knight and the archbishop mentioned how “the Knights of Columbus has had the privilege of undertaking a nationwide pilgrimage of the incorrupt heart of St. John Vianney. We have been deeply moved to see the impact of this relic on the faithful, and particularly on priests and seminarians as they implore the intercession of the patron saint of parish priests whose holiness and integrity they strive to emulate.”

The leaders of the Knights said that they were “especially mindful of this great saint’s example as bishops from around the world meet February 2124 at the Vatican under the leadership of Pope Francis to discuss the sexual abuse crisis.”

The two leaders wrote that the Knights made a commitment last August “to work for repentance, renewal and rebuilding of the Church. That commitment continues today as the Church and her leaders continue to come to grips with the damage that the scandal and its perpetrators have done to victims and to the entire Body of Christ. We also recall the powerful words of Pope Francis in his letter to the U.S. bishops on retreat in January: ‘This situation forces us to look to what is essential and to rid ourselves of all that stands in the way of a clear witness to the Gospel of Jesus Christ.’”

What good will prayer do? It will help us to become more conformed to God, so that we can carry out His will, which always includes purifying ourselves and the Church. A freed hostage, who had been held by ISIS for a long period of time, was asked by NPR’s Terry Gross, if he thought that his prayer would change his captors, if it would get them to free him. The freed man responded, “No, but it changed me.”

If we want a better Church, we need to be better people ourselves, people more open to what God wants. Then we will be able to work for that in the Church and in our world.

The “Catechism of the Catholic Church” (CCC) at paragraph 2725 says, “prayer is a battle. Against whom? Against ourselves and against the wiles of the tempter who does all he can to turn man away from prayer, away from union with God.” It is obvious that the tempter has had many victories, in the Church and in the world. And yet, we know that Christ will ultimately be victorious. Do we truly “want to be in that number, when the saints go marching in”? If so, then we need to pray more and then do what Christ (lovingly, but also challengingly) demands of us.

Many Americans now complain when other people say that their “thoughts and prayers are with” whomever has just suffered the most recent OFFICIAL NEWSPAPER OF THE DIOCESE OF FALL RIVER www.anchornews.org

Vol. 63, No. 4

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PUBLISHER - Most Reverend Edgar M. da Cunha, S.D.V. EXECUTIVE EDITOR Father Richard D. Wilson fatherwilson@anchornews.org ADVERTISING Wayne R. Powers waynepowers@anchornews.org EDITOR Kenneth J. Souza k ensouza@anchornews.org

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The Anchor - February 22, 2019

(often avoidable) tragedy. In part the anger comes in reaction to the seeming glibness of those who say that they are thinking and praying for the people involved (although no reporter has asked, “How much time are you spending in prayer? What type of prayer are you doing about this situation?”). But another part of the rejection of “thoughts and prayers” is that it is considered to be useless. The CCC addresses that objection: “Many Christians unconsciously regard prayer as an occupation that is incompatible with all the other things they have to do: they ‘don’t have the time.’ Those who seek God by prayer are quickly discouraged because they do not know that prayer comes also from the Holy Spirit and not from themselves alone” (#2726).

May our diligence in prayer helps us to leave discouragement behind and to have the courage to do God’s will.

From the executive editor: We have some changes here at The Anchor. David Jolivet, who has served here at the paper for decades, both as a reporter and editor, beginning with Msgr. John Moore and continuing with Father Roger Landry and then myself, is transitioning to work with me at my parish at Holy Family in East Taunton. He will bring the same insight into human nature, reflected in God’s love for him and for all of us, to his collaboration with me at the parish. However, all of us will still be able to partake of his analysis of the Church and the world — he will continue to write his column, “My View from the Stands,” here in The Anchor. He will also continue to help report the news here within the diocese.

Kenneth Souza will now become the editor of The Anchor. He has worked here for many years as a reporter, as webmaster, and as director of special projects, the largest of which is our annual diocesan directory (do you have a copy? We are still selling them — they are handy for addresses, Mass times, photos of the priests and deacons, information about various vendors here in the area, etc. Please feel free to contact our office to see about buying a copy — see page 19 for more information). Like Dave, Ken brings a background of working as a journalist in the secular media and being someone for whom faith and the Church is very important.

Meanwhile, we ask your prayers for the speedy recovery of Wayne Powers, our advertising director. He fell on ice outside our offices a few weeks ago, breaking a few bones, which required surgery and some convalescence at home. Prayers are most appreciative (and given what I wrote above, it should be the first thing that we do for the sick, and for a considerable time) — but if you’d like to purchase an ad, that would make Wayne’s eyes brighten when he returned to work. He is very mindful that revenue from subscriptions and advertising (plus donations) are what keep our newspaper going, so that Dave and Ken, as well as our other columnists, can provide you with thoughtful news coverage and analysis, always from a Catholic perspective. I am very grateful for our staff ’s service to this newspaper and to the Church.

Daily Readings Feb. 23 — Mar. 8

Upcoming Daily Readings: Sat. Feb. 23, Heb 11:1-7; Ps 145:2-5,10-11; Mk 9:2-13. Sun. Feb. 24, Seventh Sunday in Ordinary Time, 1 Sm 26:2,7-9,1213,22-23; Ps 103:1-4,8,10,12-13; 1 Cor 15:45-49; Lk 6:27-38. Mon. Feb. 25, Sir 1:1-10; Ps 93:1-2,5; Mk 9:14-29. Tues. Feb. 26, Sir 2:1-11; Ps 37:3-4, 18-19,27-28,39-40; Mk 9:30-37. Wed. Feb. 27, Sir 4:11-19; Ps 119:165,168, 171-172,174-175; Mk 9:38-40. Thurs. Feb. 28, Sir 5:1-8; Ps 1:1-4,6; Mk 9:41-50. Fri. Mar. 1, Sir 6:5-17; Ps 119:12,16,18,27,34-35; Mk 10:1-12.

Sat. Mar. 2, Sir 17:1-15; Ps 103:13-18; Mk 10:13-16. Sun. Mar. 3, Eighth Sunday in Ordinary Time, Sir 27:4-7; Ps 92:2-3,13-16; 1 Cor 15:54-58; Lk 6:39-45. Mon. Mar. 4, Sir 17:20-24; Ps 32:1-2,5-7; Mk 10:17-27. Tues. Mar. 5, Sir 35:1-12; Ps 50:5-8,14,23; Mk 10:28-31. Wed. Mar. 6, Ash Wednesday, Jl 2:12-18; Ps 51:3-6b,12-14,17; 2 Cor 5:20—6:2; Mt 6:1-6,16-18. Thurs.

Mar. 7, Dt 30:15-20; Ps 1:1-4,6; Lk 9:22-25. Fri. Mar. 8, Is 58:1-9a; Ps 51:36b,18-19; Mt 9:14-15.

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arly in the book of Job, the blameless and upright man is besieged with a series of catastrophes: Sabeans steal his oxen and murder his herdsmen, lightning wipes out his sheep and shepherds, Chaldeans seize his camels and slay those tending them, winds collapse the house where his seven sons and three daughters are feasting and finally he himself is struck with severe boils from his feet to his head.

The suffering compounded and came from all sides.

Those who love God and the Church might be excused for feeling similarly overrun lately by news of rampant sexual infidelity among the clergy. This week in the Vatican there’s a summit on the sexual abuse of minors across the globe. Throughout the last month, there has been growing attention to the sexual abuse of women, including religious women, by priests and bishops, which Pope Francis acknowledged in his airborne press conference returning from the United Arab Emirates.

And there has been a feature story in the New York Times on sexually-active gay priests and a salacious 576-page book released this week entitled, “In the Closet of the Vatican: Power, Homosexuality, Hypocrisy.”

Clerical sexual abuse of minors. Clerical sexual abuse of women. Clerical sexual abuse of men. The deluge of stories of sexual unchastity among clergy, including in the Vatican, might lead one who doesn’t know many priests to question whether

The viral scandal of clerical unchastity

clergy cheating on their ated homosexual activity, vocations and promises do we really anticipate of chaste celibacy are the that we’re going to get rule rather than aberratrue reform? tion.

There are three ways to There is also a secrespond to this problem. ond level of corruption, The first is to try to which involves the failpretend that it doesn’t exure of those in positions ist. There are many who of authority to address choose this path. and attempt to eradicate Some don’t want to sexual infidelity when they become aware of it. Such Putting Into failures have gotthe Deep ten much attention with regard to the

By Father abuse of minors, Roger J. Landry with some now being held accountable. But it still hasn’t been substantially know the extent of the addressed with regard to degeneracy, because when clergy who are unfaithful they turn over the rugs with women or men. they will have to face the The practical toleration reality of cleaning the in many places of clerical dirt they discover. They unchastity with adults has don’t think they have the helped foment a culture strength or the stomach of hypocrisy, secrecy for it. and cover-up that has Others just don’t want enfeebled the Church’s to admit to a culture of response to the abuse of sin because they prefer to minors: when those in keep a culture of happy authority get accustomed appearances in which sin to looking the other way and redemption aren’t with regard to sexual sins urgently necessary. with adults, it facilitates Others try to say a few similar omissions with prayers, passing the rerespect to the molestation sponsibility to God to fix of minors. the problem by miracuThere is an imporlous means. tant lesson here that this These responses are all flood of stories is makimmature, unhelpful, and ing increasingly clearer: abet the problem.

We cannot eradicate the The second response is cancer of the clerical to try to baptize the sins. sexual abuse of minors If there’s a problem with while allowing the tumors priests’ living chastely, of clerical infidelity with then the problem must be adults to grow unadwith chastity rather than dressed. with the priests. There If we’re going to permit are many who think this priests to abuse nuns, do way. we really think that we’re Chaste celibacy, some going to stop their abusimply, makes moral ing innocent children? If monsters. The solution, in the Vatican, or in diotherefore, to the same-sex ceses or religious orders, molestation of teen-age there is widespread, toler- boys — which accounts

for four out of five abuse cases — is somehow to allow potential molesters to marry women.

Others, like the openly gay Frédéric Martel, author of “In the Closet of the Vatican,” or Andrew Sullivan, author of the New York Times feature, advocate to have same-sex attracted priests leave the closet and not feel ashamed for acting on their attractions, Christian sexual ethics notwithstanding.

Others recognize that the chaste celibacy of priests and religious is the last barricade against the triumph of the sexual revolution. If the Church admits defeat, and either overturns celibacy or acknowledges that chastity is impossible for even the so-called Spiritual elite, then everyone who has violated Church teaching against the Sixth Commandment will somehow be exonerated and be able to share in the spoils.

But none of this, of course, will solve the problem of sexual abuse.

It will exacerbate it. The sexual revolution doesn’t protect victims of abuse, but ultimately gives those who would be prone to take advantage of others for sexual gratification the green light.

The third response is to acknowledge and attack the problem.

This demands eliminating a culture of unchastity in the clergy by communicating quite clearly that sins against chastity will not be tolerated. This means reaffirming the basic standards of insisting

clergy be faithful to their promises, and if they refuse, or discover they can’t, to remove them from a situation in which they can take advantage of their office to engage in Spiritually-incestuous relations with the sheep and lambs Christ has entrusted to their care.

But it also requires providing much greater continual formation in celibate chastity throughout the life of the priest.

In general, good, solid formation is provided in most seminaries, but insofar as temptations don’t stop at ordination, neither should formation.

Much of the ongoing training in celibate chastity for priests is negative, focused on not violating boundaries, etc. It must be complemented by much greater formation in the virtues of chaste celibacy, temperance, love, purity and piety.

Many of the falls would be eliminated if bishops and clergy directors held priests accountable for the ordinary means of priestly Spiritual growth, like Spiritual direction, regular Confession, and retreats, where priests can develop an intimate and everdeepening friendship with Christ and learn to imitate His philia (loving friendship), agape (sacrificial love) and chaste celibacy.

The story of Job, as we know, ends well. For the Church’s reform to have a similar outcome, we must approach the problem with the same faith as Job and be aware of “friends” with false solutions.

Anchor columnist Father Landry can be contacted at fatherlandry@ catholicpreaching.com.

The Anchor - February 22, 2019

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(Roman?) Catholic — Part 1 Editor’s note: This begins a new series by Father Martin Buote. am a Catholic priest ordained in and for the Church of Fall River.

(In ecclesiastical terminology, the terms church and diocese for a certain jurisdictional territory have approximately the same synonymity as the terms state and commonwealth in our nation.) Technically, I am not a Roman Catholic priest, but a Catholic priest of the Roman Rite. The name of the religious body to which I belong is the Catholic Church. To be a truly Roman Catholic priest, I would have to be a priest of the Diocese of Rome.

Why, then, is the term Roman Catholic used so widely and accepted in our society in common usage and legally? There are two reasons that stand out, one old and one new.

The Protestant Reformation of the 16th century was a European phenomenon with many geopolitical aspects alongside the ecclesiastical dimensions. Since the Roman Rite was the dominant rite in Europe, in the popular mind, the lines were drawn between those favoring the Church

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of the Roman Rite and be ordained who had the those favoring the Refor- approval of one of their mation Churches: the Ro- self-styled Twelve Aposman Church (or Roman tles. Since there was no Catholic Church) and the formality for the replacing Protestant Churches. of the Apostles, and the A newer reason for the last one died in 1901, that term Roman Catholic is Church was doomed. The to distinguish the Catho- estimated membership at lic Church from some the beginning of the 20th modern religious groups century was 200,000, with which use the term a thousand congregations Catholic in their name. worldwide, 29 of them in Among these are the Catholic Apostolic Church, Guest the Old Catholic Church, the Columnist Polish National

By Father Catholic Church, Martin L. Buote the Traditional Catholic Church, the Primitive Catholic Church — and the United States. The the list goes on. last clergyman died in There have been at least 1972, and the last congrethree Catholic Apostolic gation still extant in 2014 Churches, all unaffiliated. was in London.

One started in England, Another church of that growing out of a Protname began in Brazil estant prayer movement in 1945 with a branch in the first third of the appearing in the United 19th century. It received States in 1949. A third the status of a church in church was established in 1835 and spread to Gerthe Philippines in 1992, many, the United States, and the same name has and beyond. It accepted been associated with yet as clergy those who had other religious movebeen ordained by Cathoments. lic, Orthodox, Lutheran, The Old Catholic Presbyterian, or Anglican Church has maintained bishops. From their own Apostolic succession and ranks, only those could thus has validly ordained male clergy. Although certain aspects of the Old Catholic Church existed in Europe from the 16th century, it was the definition of papal infallibility at Vatican I and a meeting under the leadership of the priest Ignaz von Doellinger at Nuremburg in 1870 that brought things together.

Under the broad title of the Old Catholic Church we have the Old Catholic Churches of the Union of Utrecht in Europe, the

Visit the Diocese of Fall River website at fallriverdiocese. org. The site includes links to parishes, diocesan offices and national sites.

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The Anchor - February 22, 2019

Polish National Catholic Church, the Old Catholic Church of British Columbia, and the Old Catholic Church of the United States of the Old Catholic Confederation, plus several other national entities.

There is no Old Catholic parish in the Diocese of Fall River, but there is one in Cranston, R.I. The Polish National Catholic Church is represented

by Blessed Trinity Parish in Fall River. Currently there is great effort being made to reconcile the Catholic Church and the Old Catholic Church and affiliates.

1976 — Pope Paul VI and Archbishop Glazmaker of Utrecht signed a declaration recognizing the Catholic nature of one another’s Churches and the validity of one another’s Sacraments.

2000 — Joseph Cardinal Ratzinger (the future Pope Benedict XVI) authors and Pope John Paul II issues the declaration Dominus Iesus.

The declaration classifies Old Catholics in the same manner as Easter Orthodox Churches.

“The Church of Christ is present and operative also in these Churches, even though they lack full communion with the Catholic Church.”

2006 — On May 17, a “Joint Declaration on Unity from the Roman Catholic — Polish National Dialogue” was issued by bishops of both Churches who met at Blessed Trinity Parish in Fall River. (Anyone wishing to read this

declaration may find it at www.usccb.org/ news/2006/06-103.cfm).

2014 — Pope Francis, meeting with the Old Catholic bishops of Europe, noted that the separation between the two had been triggered by grave sins and human faults on both sides, but that mutual forgiveness and humble repentance are key for reconciliation.

The Traditional Catholic Church and the Primitive Catholic Church are rather modern movements. The Traditional Catholic Church found a leader after Vatican II in Archbishop Marcel Lefebvre. There are several parishes in the United States which are Traditional Catholic under the leadership of priests of the Society of St. Pius X (SSPX). A smaller group broke away from SSPX and are now known as Traditionalists under the Society of Pius V. This group started in Oyster Bay Cove, N.Y., in 1983. The founder was Clarence Kelly, later known as Bishop Kelly.

This latter group lacks cohesiveness.

Besides those who have left the Catholic Church for these splinter groups, there are many Catholics who enjoy attending Mass in an older Latin form (now called the “extraordinary form”).

The Primitive Catholic Church is a smaller group active in the United States and appears to be poorly organized and theologically unsound.

Father Buote is a retired priest of the Fall River Diocese and a frequent contributor to The Anchor.

FALMOUTH — On the morning of Super Bowl Sunday, the Coonamessett Inn welcomed 300 supporters of the Foundation to Advance Catholic Education to the 14th annual Winter Brunch. In addition to the award-winning brunch

Fourteenth annual FACE Winter Brunch highlights New England sports

buffet, attendees were graced with the appearance of Wally, the official mascot of the Boston Red Sox. Even more exciting is that the Winter Brunch was the very first appearance of the 2018 World Series Championship trophy on Cape Cod,

even garnering an official “blessing” from Bishop Edgar da Cunha!

Once again, Larry Egan of 95.1 WXTK was the Master of Ceremonies and provided entertaining banter with Wally while keeping the program moving forward. During his

opening remarks, Bishop da Cunha announced that, “Over the past 20 years, FACE has awarded more than $13 million in scholarships — allowing about 15,000 kids to attend our Catholic schools.” Bishop da Cunha concluded by thanking everyone for their time, talent, and treasure which has allowed so many young people to benefit from a Catholic education.

As in previous years, participants were able to purchase raffle tickets to win prizes ranging from gift cards to baskets to jewelry. The 41 raffle prizes were generously donated by local businesses and FACE supporters. The grand prize consisted of five One-Day Park Hop-

per Passes to Walt Disney World® (courtesy of Walt Disney World) which was won by Marielos Torres.

The event concluded on a very high note in anticipation of another Super Bowl win by the New England Patriots.

FACE welcomes everyone to enjoy the photo video of the event which is posted on its website (www.face-dfr.org) as well as on its Facebook page (https://www.facebook. com/FACEhelpskids).

For more information about the Foundation to Advance Catholic Education, please contact Sandi M. Duxbury at sduxbury@dioc-fr.org or to make an online donation, please go to www.face-dfr. org/donate/.

Wally, the official mascot of the world champion Boston Red Sox, is greeted by Bishop Edgar M. da Cunha, S.D.V., at the recent 14th annual FACE Winter Brunch at the Coonamesset Inn in Falmouth. Below, the 2018 World Series trophy won by the Red Sox was on display at the brunch and several diocesan students took advantage of it by having their photo taken with it: Owen McGrath, St. Francis Xavier Preparatory School; Brendan Santos, St. Francis Xavier Preparatory School; Ella Pires, St. Francis Xavier Preparatory School; Ava Santos, St. Margaret Regional School; Mike Satkevich, St. John Paul II High School; and Maria Roncelli, St. Pius X School.

The Anchor - February 22, 2019

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Boy Scouts and Cub Scouts celebrated Scout Sunday at St. Mary’s Cathedral in Fall River on February 10. The Scouts are members of Troop 15 whose home parish is St. Mary’s.

To advertise in The Anchor, contact Wayne Powers at 508-675-7151 or Email waynepowers@ anchornews.org 10

The Anchor - February 22, 2019

Visit the Diocese of Fall River website at fallriverdiocese.org The site includes links to parishes, diocesan offices and national sites.

The Anchor - February 22, 2019

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‘Rebuilding in Faith and Hope’ rally draws hundreds continued from page two

homily that Sunday and a subsequent encounter in the confessional.

“After giving my Confession, he took some time to comfort me and then he gave me absolution,” Rose said. “But it was what he said after that I will never forget. He told me that in Heaven, right now, there was a great celebration for me. That Jesus and all the angels and saints were celebrating for me. My life was never the same.”

Rose became actively involved with his parish, joining Bible study programs, serving as a lector, a special minister of Holy Communion, and a sacristan. He also joined the parish finance council and helped Bishop Edgar M. da Cunha, S.D.V. addressed hundreds of diocesan faith- organize Rosary devotions and ful who turned out for the kickoff of “Rebuilding in Faith and Hope” held Eucharistic Adorations.

“The Church changed my life February 7 at White’s of Westport. (Photo by Kenneth J. Souza) forever, but it wasn’t the building that changed my life, it was the people,” Rose said. “As many of you know, St. Bernadette’s is now closed; but we, the people of St. Bernadette’s, live on. Our ministries are being shared throughout the diocese. My only regret is I wish we were collaborating earlier, because maybe our church would still be open today. But we can no longer live in the past, we can only move forward. We can no longer isolate ourselves in our churches and hope things get better.”

Bishop da Cunha emphasized that the success of the “Rebuilding in Faith and Hope” effort is going to require collaboration and cooperation from each and every parish and that it needs to be “affirmed and supported by all our brothers and sisters throughout the diocese.

This idea of isolation in silos and that each parish is my own little kingdom and you leave me alone and I’ll leave you alone is over!”

Noting this isn’t the first time the Church has faced difficult times in its long history, the bishop said it gives him hope because “it tells me if the Church survived then, we are going to survive now.”

“I am convinced that this is not a time to be sad, to be sitting on the sideline,” he said. “It is time to wake up. It is a time to be excited about what we can do as a Church.

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The Anchor - February 22, 2019

We see many instances where the Church went through very difficult times. This is nothing compared to some of the events in the past.

Because God has not abandoned us, and He will not abandon us.”

To that end, Bishop da Cunha has issued a clarion call for everyone to “embrace a new way of being a Church, a new way of informing our people.”

“It will take every one of us here together to really transform this reality of the discouragement, of the hopelessness, of the doom, and say we can change it,” he said. “One of the most dangerous phrases that we often use is: ‘We’ve always done it this way.’ I heard it many times when I first came to Fall River: ‘Oh, we’ve always done it this way.’

But if you do the same thing again and again and expect a different result, that’s what they call insanity, right?”

In an appropriate metaphor, Bishop da Cunha’s presentation was prefaced by a film clip of another type of launch that was memorialized in director Ron Howard’s film “Apollo 13,” where astronaut Jim Lovell (Tom Hanks) famously advises: “Houston, we have a problem,” to which NASA’s Gene Kranz (Ed Harris) defiantly responds: “I believe this will be our finest hour.”

“That’s what many people would like to say today,” Bishop da Cunha said. “With all the scandals in the Church, with the low attendance in our parishes, with young people drifting away from their faith, many people would like to say, ‘Bishop da Cunha, we have a problem.’ Or ‘Pope Francis, we have a problem.’ But I believe this will be our finest hour.

“We are here to say we have a solution, we have an opportunity, we have this great moment of change and transformation. Yes, it can become our finest hour. It depends on us and how we embrace this together.”

Those in attendance had signed up for one of three commissions that will examine a different diocesan entity: Catholic Social ServicContinued on page 13

Continued from page 12

es; youth and young adults; and diocesan governance, which is broken into four subcommittees including communications, human resources, finance and administration, and property and facilities. The kickoff provided an initial meetand-greet opportunity for the commission members and they will subsequently be meeting monthly from March through July.

“We are going through a

moment of transformation,” Bishop da Cunha said. “But we need to die a little bit — to die to our own self-interest, and maybe our own selfishness, our own laziness. You may feel that you are buried, but in reality you are only being planted.

You’ve been planted so that you can germinate and sprout and grow and blossom and bear fruit. Isn’t that what happens to every seed that has to die in order for a new life to be born?

A new life will sprout and grow. It’s going to bear new fruit and this is going to be a new field.”

And like parishioner David Rose, who recognized “a moment that God used to change his life,” Bishop da Cunha said that God may be using this opportunity “to touch your heart and change your life so that you, too, can go and touch the lives of others and change their hearts.”

“So, it turns out that we don’t really have a problem — we have an opportunity,” the bishop said. “Because as we heard Jesus say: ‘Behold, I make all things new.’ The night is only a prelude to a new day.

“So my friends, will you join me to be a part of this solution and not part of the problem? Will you join me and be a part of those who, instead of cursing the darkness, are going to light a candle? Will you join me in being a part of those who transform the problems into opportunities and new dreams? Will you join me in being a part of all of those who will change a stumbling block into a stepping stone?

“We are going to get through this and we’re going to revitalize our diocese.

I pray for that every single day and I know that my prayers are not useless. I know God hears them.”

The next strategic planning meetings will be held at Bishop Connolly High School in Fall River beginning at 6:30 p.m. on March 18 for members of the Youth and Young Adult Commission; on March 19 for members of the Finance and Administration and Property and Real Estate subcommittees; on March 20 for members of the Human Resources and Communications subcommittees; and on March 21 for members of the Catholic Social Services commission.

For more information about the “Rebuilding in Faith and Hope” initiative, visit www.fallriverdiocese. org.

Diocese of Fall River TV Mass on WLNE Channel 6 February 24 at 11:00 a.m.

Celebrant is Father Riley J. Williams, Parochial Administrator, St. Francis Xavier Parish, Acushnet.

March 3 at 11:00 a.m.

Celebrant is Father Jason Brilhante, Parochial Administrator, St. John of God Parish, Somerset.

The Anchor - February 22, 2019

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I

love when people ask me to pray for them or for an intention of theirs. To be able to pray for someone, allows us into their lives in a very unique way. It allows us into a part of their lives that are vulnerable and sometimes fragile. When someone asks you to pray for them, they are trusting you with something that they hold Sacred.

We enter into that area of their life and we hold it up for God to glorify.

Praying for others is a unique gift. I read, “When you pray for someone, you are offering them the most pure kind of love.” To love someone is to wish only the best for them. To offer up their needs or just a prayer of thanksgiving for them, is to love someone so purely. I often listen to K-LOVE and they said something on the radio one day that really stood out to me. They talked about how often when something comes up for

For and About Our Church Youth The gift of prayer

someone we think, “Well the least I can do is pray for them.” They said in this clip that this is the wrong way of thinking.

That we need to change our mentality to “prayer is the most I can do for them.” Prayer is not an insignificant gesture that we do because we feel helpless when our loved ones are in need. Praying for someone else reminds us that we are not the Almighty.

Praying for someone else puts their needs and our anxiety in the hands of the One Who created us. Praying for someone often moves us to help others in need.

Praying for someone else also softens our hearts towards them.

I have had moments where I have been hurt by people and I am so angry. The times that I have prayed for them, I have let go of that anger

The Anchor is always pleased to run news and photos about our diocesan youth.

If schools, parish Religious Education programs or homeschoolers have newsworthy stories and photos they would like to share with our readers, send them to: schools@anchornews.org 14

The Anchor - February 22, 2019

and some of the resentment because when you pray for them you see that, like you, they are a creation of God who desperately needs that Creator.

But I find praying for someone easy. What

in prayer with the other people on the retreat. You are not just praying for their intentions but they are praying for yours as well. As Christians, we get a privilege of sharing in each other’s joys and sorrows. It is easy to see someone having a difficult time and tell them you will pray for them. On the other hand, to say to someone,

By Amanda can I pray with Tarantelli you, is so much more personal. It is so much more I find more difficult is enriching however, when praying with someone. we do pray with someone.

Praying with someone I had an opportunity last puts both of you in a week to ask a student if whole new level of vulthey would like to go to nerability. I recently the chapel and pray. I was blessed to be able to could have gone by myself direct the Yes! retreat. The to pray for them, but the greatest part of this rereality of praying with treat is being able to share someone is such a blessing

Be Not Afraid

for both people involved that we sell ourselves short when we do not try praying together.

Continue to pray for one another. Pray for your family, for your friends, for those who have no one to pray for them, for your enemies, but when given the opportunity to pray with others, take it! Use that moment to be with the One Whose love knows no boundaries, and walk into that grace hand in hand with someone else.

Anchor columnist Amanda Tarantelli has been a campus minister at Bishop Stang High School in North Dartmouth since 2005. She is married, a die-hard sports fan, and resides in Cranston, R.I. She can be reached at atarantelli@ bishopstang.org.

Twenty-five 10th-grade candidates for Confirmation from St. John The Baptist Parish in Westport recently shared in the annual weekend retreat at Cathedral Camp in East Freetown.

For and About Our Church Youth

American Heritage Girls Troop MA3712 celebrated its mid-year Court of Awards ceremony. Service stars were presented to girls who served their local communities as a troop and individually. Badges earned as a troop included Marine Biology, Physical Fitness and Sustainable Living. Many additional badges from all six frontiers of emphasis were awarded: Our Heritage, Personal Well-Being, Family Living, The Arts, Science & Technology and Outdoor Skills.

The Brow Family recently celebrated Scout Sunday at Our Lady of Grace Church in Westport. From left, belonging to the new girls Troop 2019 at St. George are Mary and Rose Brow; Father David Frederici; and Thomas Brow from Troop 100.

Students from Holy Family-Holy Name School in New Bedford, their families, and parishioners of St. Lawrence Parish celebrated the opening of Catholic Schools Week with a Mass. Deacon Maurice Ouellette read the Gospel and then gathered all the children around him for his homily. His lesson was about faith, friendship, and service and following the example of Jesus.

As part of New England’s Catholic School’s Week, Holy Name School in Fall River celebrated a few Academic Achievers and Humble Servants.

Students, teachers and parents from St. John the Evangelist School in Attleboro enjoyed a local children’s author book fair as part of their Catholic Schools Week celebrations. The fair was a meet-andgreet with local children’s authors. The students were able to ask questions, purchase books and enjoy some themed activities. The authors signed books and shared their journey and stories with the attendees. Shown here are students with author April Prince Jones.

Students at St. James-St. John School in New Bedford are nearly done with their amazing model clay hearts, as part of a lesson on the heart and circulatory system.

The Anchor - February 22, 2019

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I

t’s amazing the difference a generation or two can make. What was vogue or “hip” 40 years ago is seen as archaic today. And conversely, what today is considered acceptable and normal was, 40 years ago, considered inappropriate and wrong.

A prime example is television. I can remember, as a lad, being at my Pépère Ernie’s house one day when he was sitting in front of his black and white television (with a bottle of Boh beer with a raw egg in it — right next to his spittoon — wow I miss him!) watching a soap opera. He said, “They do bad things on these shows.” If he could only see them now!

When it came to comedy, those who were funny when I was young were Milton Berle, Bob Hope, Dick Van Dyke, Lucille Ball, Carol Burnett and the like. And while entertaining the whole country, not once, ever, did a vulgarity or innuendo slip from their lips.

There wasn’t a need — they

A ‘heavy sigh’ can lighten a load

were genuinely funny without Mork could switch from the double entendres and vul- silly banter to true caring in garities that are today consid- a heartbeat. Mork loved to have fun, which was the main ered the comic standard. reason he was sent from his But, even though I’m planet here — humor wasn’t nearly a third through this column, generation compari- allowed on Ork. But Mork was much sons is not my primary focus deeper than silliness and crazy — but an old TV show is.

In 1978, when the generational upheavals were in their infancy, a My View refreshing sit-com was From introduced to America the Stands along with a budding young comic. The

By Dave Jolivet show was “Mork and Mindy.” The fledgling comic, who would antics. He had a heart of gold. later be recognized for his One of my favorite exprescomic genius as much as the sions of his was, “Heavy sigh,” aforementioned group a few when he felt bad for someone paragraphs ago, was Robin or something.

Williams.

As Christians, we learn Most of us know the several expressions, some show’s premise — an alien from the planet Ork is sent to Biblical, others not so: “God Earth to study its inhabitants. won’t give you more than you can handle”; “When God Mork was a naive, caring, closes one door, He opens compassionate, albeit bumanother”; and “Things happen bling being. for a reason.”

Just like his true persona,

These are all very encouraging statements, but truth be told, there are many times in my life when they provide little if any comfort.

There are times in my life when I feel I’m being beaten up from all sides with little time to catch my breath — and I look at others not under such relentless attack, and shout “Why?” I know there are some out there who know what I mean.

One of my least favorite Bible passages (I hope that’s OK to say) is the parable of the land-owner who pays a full-day’s wages to those who begin at various times in the work day ­— to the chagrin of those who put in a full day.

I relate, too much I fear, with the early starters. I know God is trying to teach us that His plan is not our plan, but sometimes it’s a tough pill to swallow.

Don’t get me wrong here.

I do know God is merciful and loves us unconditionally, but the times when I don’t feel it, are the times I feel abandoned, much like Christ Himself in the Garden of Gethsemane. And I feel there are others who feel the same.

Those are the moments when I need a “heavy sigh,” from someone. Just a gesture of compassion and understanding — an understanding of the feelings of abandonment.

Robin Williams, unknowingly to his fans for many years, battled with depression all his life. He needed more “heavy sighs” than he got I believe.

With that in mind, I send out a “heavy sigh” to all those who read this who truly know what that means and who truly need it.

It may not be Biblical in nature, and it may come from Mork from Ork, but it is something God sends out to us, whether we feel it or not. davejolivet@anchornews.org.

FALL RIVER — Emidio D. Raposo, 96, formerly of New Bedford, died February 11 at the Catholic Memorial Home. He was the widower of Mariana (Andrade) Raposo and son of the late Antonio J. F. and Clotilde (Duarte) Raposo.

Born in Lagoa, Algarve, Portugal, he served in the Portuguese Army and resided in New Bedford for many years before becoming a resident of Catholic Memorial Home in Fall River.

Raposo was employed as a machine operator at Morse Twist Drill until his retirement in 1984.

He was a parishioner of Our Lady Of Mount Carmel Church in New Bedford where he was a member of the

Holy Name Society and Mount Carmel Seniors.

He served as former president of the Mount Carmel School P.T.A., former president of Day Of Portugal and former treasurer of the Friends of Casa da Saudade.

Raposo was active in the Luso American Soccer Association and was inducted into the Foxpoint Soccer Hall Of Fame Of New England in 1990.

His family includes two sons, Father John A. Raposo, pastor of Our Lady Of Fatima Church in New Bedford and Emidio Joseph “Mickey” Raposo of Dartmouth and his partner, Sharon Bodensieck; two daughters, Theresa M. Arruda and her husband, James of Marion and Sister

Pauline Raposo of Lawrence; one sister, Belmira Almeida of Lisbon, Portugal; six grandchildren, Kellie van Roon, Jennifer Thayer, Elisabeth Arruda, Julie Dziki, Amy Raposo and David Raposo and six greatgrandchildren. He was the brother of the late Faustus Raposo.

A Mass of Christian burial was celebrated February 14 in Our Lady Of Mount Carmel Church. Interment was in St. John Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in his memory to Catholic Memorial Home, 2446 Highland Ave., Fall River, MA 02720.

Funeral arrangements entrusted to AubertineLopes Funeral Home, New Bedford.

www.anchornews.org YOUTH AND YOUNG ADULT MASS Plan to join us on March 3 at 6 p.m. as we begin a new Youth & Young Adult Sunday Evening Mass at St. Mary’s Cathedral. This Mass is youth focused and has excellent contemporary Christian music. It is OPEN TO ALL. Perfect if you didn’t have a chance to get to Mass Sunday morning. We’re always looking for youth and Young adult readers, servers, and Eucharistic Ministers. Contact Father Tom (frtom@3cfallriver.org) if you’d like to help out!

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The Anchor - February 22, 2019

Emidio D. Raposo, father of Father John A. Raposo

Houston, we have a problem!

And the response to that comment was, “With all due respect, sir, I believe this is going to be our finest hour.” And with these words, Bishop Edgar M. da Cunha, S.D.V., addressed the energized crowd of more than 400 people at White’s of Westport for a recent strategic planning kick-off rally focused on Rebuilding in Faith and Hope.

The Scriptural theme for this rally was Jer. 29:11, “For I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord, plans for wholeness — to give you a future full of hope.”

This welcoming rally was preceded by the bishop himself, dressed in casual black clerical clothing, welcoming each and every person. Anyone and everyone who wanted to talk with him had the opportunity to do so. And privately also. He stood by himself, and no one was rushed.

The witness speaker, David Rose, kick-started the rally with an inspirational talk that was a moving field-goal that gave witness to the power of priesthood and the holymystery of the Church.

His talk was followed by all in attendance singing “Amazing Grace” (My Chains Are Gone).” The timing of this song in relation to this week’s celebration of St. Josephine Bakhita, an African slave, was providential. When she was freed from her chains, she dedicated her life to loving the Lord and doing good in any humble way she could.

Her daily life seemed to echo the thought, “How may I be of help?”

After hearing a detailed summary of our current state of affairs, one

Our readers respond

could only feel as did St. Bakhita, “How may I be of help?’

The next step in this journey of faith and hope

comes in March, an appropriate month that by name suggests that we march forward together.

This rally as a first step

was, to quote yet another famous inspirational moment, “That’s one small step for man, one giant step for mankind.”

Can you be of help?

Now is the time to get on board.

Daryl Gonyon Fall River

Anchor renewal and price changes

Visit The Anchor online at http:www.anchornews.org In Your Prayers Please pray for these priests during the coming weeks Feb. 24 Rev. Edward F. McIsaac, Retired Chaplain, Rose Hawthorn Lathrop Home, 2002 Feb. 25 Rev. Leo J. Ferreira, V.G., Pastor, St. Mary, Brownsville, Texas, 1988 Rev. William T. Babbitt, Assistant, St. Mary, North Attleboro, 1998 Feb. 27 Rev. Philip Gillick, Founder, St. Mary, North Attleboro, 1874 Rev. Joseph N. Hamel, Founder, St. Theresa, New Bedford, 1956 Rev. John G. Carroll, Retired Pastor, St. Margaret, Buzzards Bay, 1995 Rev. Roland B. Boule, Retired Pastor, St. Anne, New Bedford, 2005

FALL RIVER — The Anchor has announced a few changes of which current subscribers should be made aware.

At the renewal date for each subscriber, the annual cost for The Anchor will become $25. The Anchor is also offering its readers the option to renew for two years at $45 for 52 issues, a savings of $5.

The date in which the subscription will expire will be listed in each edition above the name and address of the subscriber on page 24.

Subscribers are encouraged to renew their sub-

scription by that date by sending a check or money order for $25 made payable to The Anchor, 887 Highland Avenue, Fall River, Mass.

02720. Subscribers may also renew via PayPal by visiting The Anchor website at anchornews.org and pressing the “Subscribe” button and following the on-screen directions.

We cannot accept credit card payments by phone.

If a payment isn’t received within 30 days of the expiration date, The Anchor will send out one reminder notice.

Feb. 29 Rev. Msgr. James Dolan, Retired Pastor, St. Mary, Taunton, 1980 March 1 Rev. James F. Masterson, Founder, St. Patrick, Somerset, 1906 Rev. Msgr. P L.Damase Robert, P.R., Pastor, Notre Dame, Fall River, 1948 Rev. John McCarthy, CSC, Stonehill College, North Easton, 2003 Rev. William W. Norton, Retired Pastor, Our Lady of Lourdes Wellfleet, 2004 March 2 Rev. Antoine Berube, Pastor, St. Joseph, Attleboro, 1936 Rev. James J. Brady, Retired Pastor, St. Kilian, New Bedford, 1941 Rev. Tarcisius Dreesen, SS.CC., Sacred Hearts Monastery, Fairhaven, 1952 Rev. Alphonse E. Gauthier, Pastor, Sacred Heart, New Bedford, 1962 Rev. J. Omer Lussier, Pastor, Sacred Heart, North Attleboro, 1970 March 3 Rt. Rev. Msgr. Timothy P. Sweeney, LL.D., Pastor, Holy Name, New Bedford, 1960 March 5 Rev. James McGuire, Pastor St. Mary, New Bedford, 1850 Permanent Deacon Manuel H. Camara, 1995 Rev. James A. McCarthy, Retired Pastor, St. Mary, Falmouth, 2007 March 6 Rev. Joseph F. McDonough, Former Pastor, Sacred Heart, Taunton, 1906 Rev. John W. Quirk, Founder, St. Joseph, Taunton, 1932 Rev. Bernard P. Connolly, S.S., St. Charles College, Maryland, 1932 Rev. Antoine Lanoue, O.P., 1996 Rev. Jerome Lawyer, C.S.C., 2006 March 7 Rev. Arthur P.J. Gagnon, Pastor, Holy Rosary, New Bedford, 1958 March 7 Permanent Deacon Victor Haddad, 2014

The Anchor - February 22, 2019

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Around the Diocese Corpus Christi Parish, 324 Quaker Meeting House Road in East Sandwich, invites all to an unforgettable event on Wednesday evening, February 27 beginning at 6:30 p.m. with Father Leon Pereira, chaplain to the English-speaking pilgrims in Medjugorje, along with guide Slavenka Jelavic. Rosary will begin at 6:30 p.m., followed by the speakers.

For more information, call Maureen O’Brien at 508-888-2740 or Paula Scanlan at 774-487-7754.

Our Lady of Perpetual Help Church, 235 North Front Street in New Bedford, will host a World Day of Prayer on Sunday, March 3 beginning at 3 p.m. The event is being held in 140 countries worldwide and the local gathering is coordinated by Church Women United and the ecumenical Women of Slovenia. Attendees are asked to bring donations of diapers for Diapers ‘n’ Things, a local non-profit diaper bank. For more information, contact Pam Cole at 774-328-1490.

Our Lady of the Cape Parish, 468 Stony Brook Road in Brewster, will host an Ash Wednesday Retreat with Peggy Patenaude on March 6 from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m., with Mass and ashes available in the church at 8 a.m. The theme of the retreat is “Growing in Compassion” and will be a very meaningful way to jump-start the Lenten experience. The cost is $20 and includes lunch. Pre-registration is required by March 1 by emailing Tina at ourladyofthecapebrewster@gmail.com, or by calling 508385-3252, extension 10.

The Archdiocese of Boston is hosting its second annual Intentional Discipleship Conference on Saturday, March 2 at Fontbonne Academy in Milton, Mass. Keynote speakers include Boston College professor Hosffman Ospino, the Aquinas Institute’s Scott Powell, and Catholic speaker/teacher Gina Bauer.

The conference is for anyone interested in learning more about evangelization and discipleship in your parish, family, and community. Day conference is 9 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. Plan to stay for the vigil Mass with Bishop Robert Reed at 4 p.m., then join us for dinner and a special additional evening talk by Katie Prejean McGrady. For more information, visit disciplesinmission.com/ conference.

A Lenten Taizé service will be held at St. John Neumann Parish, 157 Middleboro Road in East Freetown, on Sunday, March 10 beginning at 7 p.m.

Our Lady of the Assumption Parish, 47 South Sixth Street in New Bedford, will host a Lenten Mission with Tom Kendzia, nationally-known speaker and Liturgical musician, on Friday, March 29 and Saturday, March 30 beginning at 6 p.m. each night. The mission will be based on Henri Nouwen’s book, “With Burning Hearts,” and CDs will be available to purchase (cash only).

La Salette Shrine and St. Nicholas of Myra Parish will present a retreat entitled “The Transforming Power of Holiness” on Saturday, March 30 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. at La Salette Shrine, 947 Park Street in Attleboro. Cost is $20 per person and includes lunch. For more information, call the La Salette office (508-2225410) or St. Nicholas of Myra Parish (508-822-1425). Deadline to register is March 22.

To submit an event for consideration in The Anchor’s “Around the Diocese” listing, send the information by email to kensouza@anchornews.org

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The Anchor - February 22, 2019

Eucharistic Adoration in the Diocese Acushnet — Eucharistic Adoration takes place at St. Francis Xavier Parish on Monday from 9:30 a.m. to 8:30 p.m.; Tuesday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 8:30 p.m.; and Saturday from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. Evening prayer and Benediction is held Monday through Wednesday at 6:30 p.m.

ASSONET — St. Bernard’s Parish will have Eucharistic Adoration every Monday from 9:30 a.m. to 6:30 p.m. The Blessed Sacrament will be exposed on the altar at the conclusion of 9 a.m. Mass and the church will be open all day, concluding with evening prayer and Benediction at 6:30 p.m.

ATTLEBORO — Eucharistic Adoration takes place at St. John the Evangelist Church, North Main Street, Mondays and Wednesdays from 5-6:30 p.m.

ATTLEBORO — Eucharistic Adoration takes place in the Adoration Chapel at St. Vincent de Paul Parish, 71 Linden Street, from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. daily.

ATTLEBORO — The National Shrine of Our Lady of La Salette holds Eucharistic Adoration in the Shrine Church every Saturday from 1 to 4 p.m. through November 17.

Brewster — Eucharistic Adoration takes place at Our Lady of the Cape Church, 468 Stony Brook Road, on First Fridays from 11:30 a.m. to 7 p.m. buzzards Bay — Eucharistic Adoration takes place at St. Margaret Church, 141 Main Street, every First Friday following the 8 a.m. Mass, ending at 5 p.m.

East Freetown — Eucharistic Adoration takes place at St. John Neumann Church every Monday (excluding legal holidays) 8 a.m. to 9 p.m. in the Our Lady, Mother of All Nations Chapel. (The base of the bell tower).

EAST TAUNTON — Eucharistic Adoration takes place in the chapel at Holy Family Parish Center, 438 Middleboro Avenue, Monday through Friday, 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. On First Fridays, Eucharistic Adoration takes place at Holy Family Church, 370 Middleboro Avenue, from 8:30 a.m. until 7:45 p.m.

FAIRHAVEN — St. Mary’s Church, Main St., has Eucharistic Adoration every Wednesday from 8:30-11:30 a.m. in the Chapel of Reconciliation, with Benediction at 11:30 a.m.

FALL RIVER — St. Anthony of Padua Church, on the corner of Bedford and Sixteenth streets, has Eucharistic Adoration accompanied by music and prayer every first Wednesday of the month from 6-7 p.m.

FALL RIVER — St. Anthony of the Desert Church, 300 North Eastern Avenue, has Eucharistic Adoration Mondays and Tuesdays from 9 a.m. to 7 p.m., and Thursdays following the 8 a.m. Mass until Friday at 8 a.m.

FALL RIVER — Holy Name Church, 709 Hanover Street, has Eucharistic Adoration Monday through Friday from 7:30 a.m. to 9 p.m. in the Our Lady of Grace Chapel.

FALL RIVER — Good Shepherd Parish has Eucharistic Adoration every Friday following the 8 a.m. Mass and concluding with 3 p.m. Benediction in the Daily Mass Chapel. A bilingual holy hour takes place from 2 to 3 p.m. Park behind the church and enter the back door of the connector between the church and the rectory.

FALL RIVER — St. Joseph’s Church has a Holy Hour every Tuesday from 6-7 p.m., with Benediction at 6:45 p.m.

FALL RIVER — St. Michael’s Church has Eucharistic Adoration every Wednesday from 9 a.m. to 5:30 p.m., with Benediction at 5:30 p.m.

Falmouth — St. Patrick’s Church has Eucharistic Adoration each First Friday following the 7 a.m. Mass, with Benediction at 4:30 p.m.

HYANNIS — St. Francis Xavier Parish in Hyannis, 347 South Street, Hyannis, has Eucharistic Adoration from noon to 3 p.m., daily Monday through Friday.

MANSFIELD — St. Mary’s Parish, 330 Pratt Street, has Eucharistic Adoration every First Friday from 7:30 a.m. to 6 p.m., with Benediction at 5:45 p.m.

MASHPEE — Christ the King Parish, Route 151 and Job’s Fishing Road has 8:30 a.m. Each First Friday Mass ends with exposition of the Blessed Sacrament and Adoration continues until Benediction at 5 p.m.

NEW BEDFORD — Eucharistic Adoration is held every Thursday, with Confessions, from 7:30 to 8:30 p.m. at Our Lady of Guadalupe at St. James Church. Please use the side entrance.

NEW BEDFORD — There is a daily holy hour from 5:15-6:15 p.m. Monday through Thursday at St. Anthony of Padua Church, 1359 Acushnet Avenue. It includes Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament, Liturgy of the Hours, recitation of the Rosary, and the opportunity for Confession.

NEW BEDFORD — St. Lawrence Martyr Parish, 565 County Street, holds Eucharistic Adoration in the side chapel Fridays from 7:30-11:45 a.m. ending with a simple Benediction NORTH DARTMOUTH — Eucharistic Adoration takes place at St. Julie Billiart Church, 494 Slocum Road, every Tuesday from 5:30 to 6:30 p.m., ending with Benediction. The Sacrament of Reconciliation is available at this time.

NORTH DIGHTON — Eucharistic Adoration takes place every Wednesday following 8:00 a.m. Mass and concludes with Benediction at 5 p.m. Eucharistic Adoration also takes place every First Friday at St. Nicholas of Myra Church, 499 Spring Street following the 8 a.m. Mass, ending with Benediction at 6 p.m. The Rosary is recited Monday through Friday from 7:30 to 8 a.m.

NORTH EASTON — A Holy Hour for Families including Eucharistic Adoration is held every Friday from 3-4 p.m. at The Father Peyton Center, 518 Washington Street.

NORTH EASTON — Eucharistic Adoration takes place at Immaculate Conception Church Chapel on the first Wednesday of the month beginning after the 8:30 a.m. Mass, until 6:40 p.m. Those wishing to make a monthly commitment can sign up on the parish website at www.icceaston.org or call the parish office at 508-238-3232.

ORLEANS — St. Joan of Arc Parish, 61 Canal Road, has Eucharistic Adoration every First Friday starting after the 8 a.m.

Mass and ending with Benediction at 11:45 a.m. The Sacrament of the Sick is also available immediately after the 8 a.m. Mass.

SEEKONK ­— Our Lady of Mt. Carmel Parish has perpetual Eucharistic Adoration seven days a week, 24 hours a day in the chapel at 984 Taunton Avenue. For information call 508-336-5549.

Taunton — Eucharistic Adoration takes place every Tuesday at St. Anthony Church, 126 School Street, following the 8 a.m. Mass with prayers including the Chaplet of Divine Mercy for vocations, concluding at 6 p.m. with Chaplet of St. Anthony and Benediction. Recitation of the Rosary for peace is prayed Monday through Saturday at 7:30 a.m. prior to the 8 a.m. Mass.

Taunton — Adoration of the Most Blessed Sacrament takes place every First Friday at Annunciation of the Lord, 31 First Street. Exposition begins following the 8 a.m. Mass. The Blessed Sacrament will be exposed, and Adoration will continue throughout the day. Confessions are heard from 4:15 to 4:45 p.m. Rosary and Benediction begin at 5 p.m.

Taunton — The Chapel of St. Andrew the Apostle, 19 Kilmer Avenue, Taunton, will host Eucharistic Adoration Monday through Friday from 8:30 a.m. until 7 p.m.

Taunton — St. Jude the Apostle Parish in Taunton will host Eucharistic Adoration on Mondays following the 9 a.m.

Mass and the St. Jude Novena, until 11:30, ending with Benediction. It will take place at Holy Rosary Chapel during the summer months.

WAREHAM — Eucharistic Adoration at St. Patrick’s Church takes place 9 a.m. Thursday through 7 p.m. Friday. Adoration is held in our Adoration Chapel in the lower Parish Hall. ~ PERPETUAL EUCHARISTIC ADORATION ~

East Sandwich — The Corpus Christi Parish Perpetual Eucharistic Adoration Chapel is open 24 hours a day, seven days a week at 324 Quaker Meeting House Road, East Sandwich. Use the Chapel entrance on the side of the church.

NEW BEDFORD — Our Lady’s Chapel, 600 Pleasant Street, offers Eucharistic Adoration seven days a week, 24 hours a day. For information call 508-996-8274.

SEEKONK ­— Our Lady of Mount Carmel Parish has perpetual Eucharistic Adoration seven days a week, 24 hours a day in the chapel at 984 Taunton Avenue. For information call 508-336-5549.

WEST HARWICH — Our Lady of Life Perpetual Adoration Chapel at Holy Trinity Parish, 246 Main Street (Rte. 28), holds perpetual Eucharistic Adoration. We are a regional chapel serving all of the surrounding parishes.

All are invited to sign up to cover open hours. For open hours, or to sign up call 508-430-4716.

New Catholic Foundation of Southeastern Massachusetts formed

FALL RIVER — The Diocese of Fall River recently announced the launch of The Catholic Foundation of Southeastern Massachusetts.

In the Spring of 2018, the Diocese of Fall River formally established an independent, charitable foundation responsible for raising, managing and distributing philanthropic funds to provide longterm, sustainable support for the parishes, schools and life-changing ministries across the diocese.

Shortly after the foundation’s formation, Bishop Edgar M. da Cunha, S.D.V., announced its new executive director: “I am very pleased to announce the recent hiring of Miriam ‘Mim’ Sherman as our first executive director for the Catholic Foundation of Southeastern Massachusetts! We are very fortunate to have landed a person of Mim’s caliber and feel extremely blessed to have hired such a phenomenal candidate and person. Mim is reporting directly to the two chairs of the board, Mr. Pat Carney and Mr. Nick Christ.

“Mim is a results-driven professional with nearly 20 years of progressively responsible development and fund-raising experience.

Mim came to us from Regis College, where she was the vice president of Institutional Advancement.

Mim worked at Regis for almost 11 years and held the positions of executive director of Development, director of Corporate and Foundation Relations and development officer.”

The foundation comes as a direct outgrowth of a six-month planning process that brought

together more than 40 women and men from across the diocese, to serve on a task force and seek to discern how a foundation may help to fulfill God’s will for rebuilding the Church in Southeastern Massachusetts.

Their collective efforts resulted in a shared vision to establish this Catholic Foundation to serve and support the community of faith in the years ahead.

The foundation will play an active role in advancing the mission of our Church as together we will strive to: — Grow in our personal, living relationship with Christ, and commit to strengthening our parishes, schools and life-changing ministries; — Lead the Church to a new experience of holiness and abundant life in Christ; and — Share God’s love for all people, giving of our time, talent and treasure in a spirit of love for the Lord.

The foundation is incorporated as a separate 501(c)(3) not-for-profit organization, fully endorsed by the diocese and the bishop, the Most Reverend Edgar M. da Cunha, S.D.V. This legal structure ensures that all gifts will be used for their intended purposes and provide a level of efficiency, accountability and transparency that will earn the respect and confidence of donors as well as the pastors/parishes, schools and ministries it serves.

Father Marcel Bouchard, George Agostini and Bob Long have also joined the foundation’s growing

Board of Directors.

At press time, other staff members include: Rebecca Hancock, director of Annual Giving and Stewardship; Sandi Duxbury, executive director of the diocese’s Foundation Ad-

vancing Catholic Education; Jane Robin, assistant director of Development — Cape Cod events; and Doris Desrosiers, development assistant.

All stewardship, development functions and fund raising within the diocese will fall under the purview of the foundation including the annual Catholic Charities Appeal, as well as planned giving, major gifts, capital gifts and grants. In the not too

distant future, the foundation will begin to manage the consolidation of diocesan and parish endowments to leverage investment opportunities and maximize performance.

These activities will chart a new course for the Church in the region.

The Catholic Foundation of Southeastern Massachusetts was formed to serve the diocese and each parish, school and entity as well as the greater community. Some of the services the foundation will provide going forward are: Catholic Charities Appeal; planned giving; memorial and honorary gifts; and charitable IRA. More information on all aspects of the foundation will be released as they become honed and finalized.

“The foundation is excited to work with and be a resource to each parish. In the coming months, we will

be reaching out with more information on our vision and plan,” Sherman said.

Foundation members have already held meetings in areas across the diocese, seeking the recommendations of pastors and inviting them to become a part of the task force.

“The pastors we’ve spoken with have been very open-minded,” added Sherman.

“There are new things to learn for all of us,” Hancock told The Anchor.

“We’re going to come up with a playbook, and by talking with pastors, we can find out things that have worked in the past, and things that haven’t.”

For more information on The Catholic Foundation of Southeastern Massachusetts, contact Sherman at 508-9856510 or email msherman@ catholicfoundationsema. org; or Hancock at 508675-1311, extension 6530 or email rhancock@ catholicfoundationsema. org.

The Anchor - February 22, 2019

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Anchor expiration date EXAMPLE

FALL RIVER — New mailing labels (right) were recently initiated on all Anchor publications, along with the notice of a $25 subscription amount beginning at renewal time. Below is a sample of the label that shows when the subscription expires allowing readers to renew to keep their subscriptions active. If no payment is received within 30 days of the expiration date, The Anchor will send one reminder notice at a later date. We cannot accept credit card payments by phone.

Subscriber name Subscriber Street Address Subscriber City/Town/Zip Code

A subscription to The Anchor would make a wonderful gift for a loved one, a friend, or yourself. It’s a publication that provides a Spiritual uplift and keeps Catholics connected to our Church — locally and beyond.

One-year subscription — $25 Two-year subscription — $45 Name: Address: City:

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if given as a gift, the card should read: From: Street:

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The Anchor - February 22, 2019