03.08.02

Page 1

"

VOL. 46, NO. 10

• Friday, March 8, 2002

Southeastern Massachusetts' Largest Weekly • $14 Per Year

FALL RIVER, MASS.

Vocations 'booklet available, holy hour planned By

MIKE GORDON ANCHOR STAFF

FALL RIVER - Father Craig Pregana, director of the Diocesan Vocation Office, recently announced that a "Holy Hour for Vocations" booklet is now available. , Compiled by the Diocesan Vocation Council and Father Pregana, the booklet contains· communal prayer which may be used by parish vocation teams as well as private prayers for parishioners who are looking to structure prayer time around vocations. It has prayers for a holy hour split into seven sections of read!ngs and they may be used with music where appropriate. "We're very happy with the booklet," said Father Pregana, adding· that a lot of work went into it. ''The council and I are very pleased and we hope it encourages prayer for vocations to priestly and religious life. It's an essential part of parish life and of our ministry as priests." He went on to say that during Lent and especially on Holy Thursday we celebrate the institution of the priesthood at the Last Supper. Many parishes have holy hours that evening and the booklet will help them offer prayers for vocations. "Holy Thursday is when our Lord instituted the priesthood," said Father Pregana. The "Holy Hour for Vocations" booklet and praying for more people to answer God's call is important because "the Gospel tells us to. Our future priests and religious come from our parishes," said Father Pregana. "Pray for vocations." When asked what young people considering a vocation should do, Father Pregana said they should definitely talk to someone about it and pray. "Pray and do something about it." The booklet includes a section entitled "Litany for Vocations," and parishioners will find seven prayers for vocations in the back of the publication as well as selected Scripture passages relating to the call. On April 21 at the conclusion of the Continental Congress for North America, focusing this year on vocations, a holy hour will be held at St. Mary's Cathedral at 3 p.m. Cosponsored by the

SCOUTS HONOR - Boy and Girl Scouts from parishes throughout the Fall River diocese recited the Scouting Oath during a Religious Emblem Ceremony Sunday at St. Mary's Cathedral in Fall River. (Anchor photo)

Scouts and leaders cited at Religious Emblem Ceremony By DEACON JAMES N. DUNBAR FALL RIVER - Boy Scouts and Girl Scouts and their adult leaders from the across the Fall River diocese were presented with a variety of awards by Bishop Sean P. O'Malley, OFM Cap., at the annual Religious Emblem Ceremony Sunday afternoon in St. Mary's Cathedral. The awards, presented during Mass celebrated by

Bishop O'Malley, were hosted by the Catholic Committee on Scouting. Father Stephen B. Salvador, director ofScouting and a member of the committee, introduced the awardees, noting that they comprised one of the largest groups ever to receive diocesan awards. The Boy Scout promise was led by Andrew Mendes Turn to page 13 - Scouting

National clergy convention led by Fall River diocesan priest By MIKE GORDON ANCHOR STAFF

ORLANDO, Aa - Participants at the 29th annual Convention of the

National Organization for Continuing Education for Roman Catholic Clergy came away from the gathering with new ideas and a renewed

FATHER MARK A. Hession, right, presents the 2002 President's Distinguished Service Award to Bishop Robert Fealey Morneau, the Auxiliary Bishop of Green Bay at the 2002 Convention of the National Organization for Continuing Education for Roman Catholic Clergy.

sense of faith formation. 'These directors of faith formation will impact thousands ofpriests throughout the nation," said Father Mark R. Hession, who convened with them as their president for the first time since being elected at the 200 I convention. "It was an amazing opportunity for me," said Father Hession about leading the group and being able to continue his own formation. "It was a very successful convention." He serves as the director of continuing education and formation of clergy here in the diocese and as pastor of Our Lady of Victory Church, Centerville. He has been involved with the NOCERCC for some time, serving as its vice president from 1998-2001. More than 200 people attended the convention, themed'TheImpact of the Technological Culture on the ChurCh and the Priesthood." Plenary sessions focused on the internal connection between communication and theology and the necessity to reconcile the two realities.

Turn to page 13 - Vocations

Holy":l-1our for Vocations Dioc:ese of Fall River

·r~,·tb tile Loi'J of the l.anrest to "end more Iabore.... ~or the haNC.ort.· M.>tthcw.M6

Turn to page 13 - Convention

,

"

,


Turn static files into dynamic content formats.

Create a flipbook
Issuu converts static files into: digital portfolios, online yearbooks, online catalogs, digital photo albums and more. Sign up and create your flipbook.