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Diocese of Fall River, Mass.

Friday, March 9, 2018

A group from the Archdiocese of Boston recently went on an immersion trip to Haiti. They took the pews from the former Immaculate Conception Church and other supplies from the former Sacred Heart Church, both in Fall River, and assembled and placed them in a church in Haiti where 500 people attended Mass in a building with no pews. See Claire McManus’ column on page 10 for the story and more Photophotos.

by Dave Jolivet

Artwork by Emilie Jolivet

The Anchor - March 9, 2018

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Dr. Mary Pat Tranter named director of Strategic Initiatives for the diocesan Catholic schools

FALL RIVER — The Diocese of Fall River Catholic Schools Office has announced that Dr. Mary Pat Tranter, president of Coyle and Cassidy High School and Middle School in Taunton, will be joining the CSO as director of Strategic Initiatives. This new appointment takes effect on July 1.

Reflecting on her transition Dr. Tranter shared: “Accepting this position is bittersweet for me since Coyle and Cassidy has been my family, home and life for the past 27 years. The greatest gift that my parents gave me, besides the gift of life, was the gift of a Catholic education. Never did I imagine when I was pursuing my Ph.D. at Harvard Medical School, that I would be called to a life of service at the very school that built the foundation for my future educational success. I strongly believe that Catholic education is a national treasure that needs to be preserved. I am humbled by the opportunity to not only work for the best interest of Coyle and Cassidy, but for all of the schools in the Diocese of Fall River.”

In her new role, Dr. Tranter will work on a number of initiatives including the diocesan solar power initiative, providing consultation and technical assistance to Catholic school leaders to assist them with establishing effective Catholic school boards, coordinating the CSO’s review of school-based financial efficiency measures, and forming partnerships with targeted government and not-for-profit organizations to provide much-needed services for family and children.

“I want to thank Dr. Tranter for her deep commitment and service to the Coyle and Cassidy High School and Middle School community.

For the past 27 years and 11 of these years as its president, Dr. Tranter has provided extraordinary leadership,” stated Superintendent of Schools Steve Perla A search for a new president of Coyle and Cassidy High School and Middle School will commence immediately to ensure a smooth transition.

The diocese looks forward to continuing to advance the mission of the school.

For more information please contact the Catholic Schools Office at 508-6782828.

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The Anchor - March 9, 2018

Diocese forms pastoral planning team, schedules ‘listening sessions’

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

FALL RIVER — Taking the next step in its ongoing pastoral planning review, the Fall River Diocese has formed a pastoral planning leadership team comprised of priests who have been tasked with assisting Bishop Edgar M. da Cunha, S.D.V., in implementing the results of the diocesan pastoral planning survey and gathering additional information via a series of upcoming “listening sessions” to be held throughout the diocese.

Members of this new leadership team include Father Gregory A. Mathias, vicar general; Father John M. Murray, moderator of the curia; Father Timothy Reis, pastor of St. Mary’s Parish in Norton; Father Mark R. Hession, pastor of Our Lady of Mount Carmel Parish in Seekonk; and Father James H. Morse, retired.

The pastoral planning process began more than a year ago, according to Bishop da Cunha, when priests were presented with the results of the diocesan-wide survey conducted by the Bostonbased TDC non-profit consulting firm that was commissioned by the diocesan Task Force for Pastoral Planning.

Pastors and parochial administrators then convened with parish leaders to review the findings and, within the context of Bishop da Cunha’s firstever pastoral letter entitled “Rebuilding in Faith and Hope,” determined what things needed to be done to begin the parish renewal process.

In that letter, the bishop

stressed the importance of ensuring that all parishes were moving from “maintenance to mission mode.”

“This team has really been put together to help revise those reports and revise the plan that we are putting together for the whole diocese,” Bishop da Cunha recently told The Anchor. “But this is just a small team, we’re still going to put together a larger diocesan commission comprised of laypeople to oversee the whole (pastoral planning) process.”

To that end, there will be a series of seven “listening sessions” held throughout the diocese beginning on March 20 to “help collect input from the parishes and parishioners,” the bishop said.

Although he stressed that no predeterminations have been made as to whether a parish might warrant closure or consolidation, they have to take a hard look at a parish’s “demographics, the conditions of the buildings, or its financial situation” to determine if a particular parish is sustainable.

“Some parishes may not be sustainable, so that’s what the process will help us determine,” Bishop da Cunha said.

Among the survey findings first presented to priests in February 2017, it was determined that 70 parishes in the diocese use less than 50 percent of their total capacity on average, while 18 parishes use less than 25 percent of their total capacity.

With 84 parishes currently located in 46 distinct cities and towns across the diocese, it was noted that 10 towns have multiple parishes, with the greatest concentration

located in New Bedford and Fall River, with 12 each, and Taunton, which claims six.

About half the parishes in the diocese are also located within close geographic proximity to each other, or less than a two-mile radius. Of these 43 close-knit parishes, the Fall River Deanery tops the list at 17; the New Bedford Deanery has 16; while the Attleboro and Taunton Deaneries each have five. There are no parishes less than two miles apart within the Cape Cod Deanery.

Over the last decade, parishes have also reported a sharp decline in participation, with Marriages down 47 percent; Baptisms down 44 percent; overall enrollment in Religious Education down 27 percent; Confirmations down 24 percent; and First Communions down by 16 percent.

Given the fact that 72 percent of the parishes in the diocese reported flat or declining revenues over the last three years, there are serious concerns

about meeting the critical facilities needs of some 28 parishes moving forward, which could cost more than $25 million to repair.

“We see that Mass attendance has gone down; the Sacramentals have gone down; there are parishes in debt and facilities are in need of repair — so there are parishes in distress, we can’t deny that,” Bishop da Cunha said last year. “There are parishes that may not be sustainable for the future, and we have to accept that reality.”

As he prepares to meet with diocesan faithful to address these concerns, Bishop da Cunha said they have identified an initial pilot group of 11 parishes that “have each formed their own parish implementation committees.”

“These are the parishes that we will be addressing first, and we’ll slowly be moving to other areas and expanding to involve all parishes in the diocese,” he said. “All parishes will eventually go through a process of revitalization where they are going to form a revitalization team

to work with our diocesan consultants and diocesan commission to do whatever they deem is necessary to move the parish from maintenance mode to mission mode.”

The upcoming pastoral planning listening sessions with Bishop da Cunha will be held as follows: — Tuesday, March 20 from 6:30 to 8 p.m. at St. Mary’s Parish in Norton; — Wednesday, March 21 from 6:30 to 8 p.m. at St. Ann’s Parish in Raynham; — Thursday, April 5 from 6:30 to 8 p.m. at Christ the King Parish in Mashpee; — Thursday, April 12 from 6:30 to 8 p.m. at St. Mary’s Cathedral in Fall River; — Wednesday, April 18 from 6:30 to 8 p.m. at St. Joan of Arc Parish in Orleans; — Friday, April 20 from 6:30 to 8 p.m. at St. Julie Billiart Parish in Dartmouth; — Monday, April 23 from 7 to 8:30 p.m. at Our Lady of Victory Parish in Centerville.

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Former St. Vincent’s Camp has bright future ‘for generations to come’

By Dave Jolivet Anchor Editor davejolivet@anchornews.org

camp remained active until 2008, at which time the diocese ceased operaWESTPORT — Febtions there. For the last ruary 26 was a day of 10 years, the land on the reawakening in the town southern-most mainland of Westport. On that day community in the diocese the Diocese of Fall River remained dormant. closed on the sale of the Two years ago the former St. Vincent de WLCT expressed an inPaul Camp on Adamsville terest in the property and Road, handing it over to it and the diocese have the Westport Land Con- been in negotiations. servation Trust.

It was important to the For nearly one-half diocese that such pristine century, the land was the property shouldn’t be dessummer home to countignated for development, less children of all backbut rather, in the spirit of grounds, who enjoyed all Pope Francis’ encyclical the beautiful property had Laudato Si, Bishop Edto offer — fresh air, open gar M. da Cunha, S.D.V. space, nature, fun, food sought to ensure the land and friends. would be conserved and Opened in 1958, the remain a haven for people to enjoy, not destroy.

According to WLCT executive director Ross Moran, “Since its founding in 1972, the Westport Land Conservation Trust has assisted landowners in protecting more than 4,500 acres in Westport.

WLCT is a private nongovernmental organiza-

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The Anchor - March 9, 2018

At a gathering at the former St. Vincent Camp in Westport, Bishop Edgar M. da Cunha, S.D.V., met with from left: Ross Moran, executive director of the Westport Land Conservation Trust; Westport selectperson Shana M. Shufelt; and Westport Board of Selectmen chairman Steve Ouellette, prior to the closing of the sale of the 82acre property to the WLCT. (Photo by Dave Jolivet)

tion dedicated to local land conservation on behalf of the Westport community. The organization accepts gifts of land and conservation restrictions on land, and assists farm-owners in preserving farmland with agricultural preservation restrictions.”

“Since the diocese closed St. Vincent’s Camp, the property has not been used for many years,” Bishop da Cunha said. “When the Westport Land Preservation Trust showed interest in purchasing the property, we were very glad to negotiate with them, which led to this happy conclusion of the transfer of this beautiful piece of land to be preserved and used for generations to come.”

Moran told The Anchor, “The diocese played a significant role in conserving the St. Vincent de Paul Camp and Richmond Pond Wildlife Sanctuary. Iconic community conservation projects require a willing landowner, robust support from the community

at-large, and investment from the local municipality — all of which came together during the protection of the St. Vincent de Paul Camp.

“The diocese’s willingness to work with the land trust to conserve the property and the patience to allow the process to happen over an extended period of time were in-

strumental in this project’s success.”

In November of 2016, the diocese sold to the WLCT the Richmond Pond property in Westport, a short distance from the camp, where campers used to go to enjoy the beach area on Buzzards Bay. Today that property is a sanctuary where wildlife and nature are the key inhabitants.

A press release from Moran indicated, “In the next year, WLCT will enter phase two of this project as it continues to plan for the future of the property and transforms it into a community open space with more than two miles of new trails in the woodland section of the property. That transformation will include removing many of the former camp buildings and creating walking paths, open fields and meadows.”

“The Westport Land Turn to page 12

While some of the buildings on the old site of St. Vincent’s Camp in Westport will be razed, the iconic 19th-century main house on Adamsville Road is slated to remain. (Photo by Dave Jolivet)

Hurricane-like Nor’easter wreaks havoc on St. Michael School

By Dave Jolivet Anchor Editor davejolivet@anchornews.org

FALL RIVER — It’s ironic that in the window of a classroom on the second floor of St. Michael School in Fall River is the word “Precipitation,” surrounded by snowflakes and raindrops.

Just above that window are buckles in the flashing where a large portion of the roof was torn away by Winter Storm Riley, which dumped inches of rain accompanied by hurricaneforce gusts across southeastern Massachusetts, Cape Cod and the Islands on Friday and Saturday, March 1 and 2.

Late Friday afternoon the school and parish received a phone call from neighbors advising that the roof of the school was “flapping in the wind.”

Overnight, the classroom where St. Michael students were learning about precipitation, was swamped by inches-deep puddles of dirty brown water that had flowed through the roof.

It wasn’t only that classroom that sustained damage.

Two-thirds of the school’s

rooms began to leak and it was clear this was a bigger problem. Father Jay, along with some help, worked hard through the night to remove water and minimize damage.

They did a fantastic job.”

When the top layer of the roof blew over, it folded over, blocking drains.

By then water saturated many of the second-floor classrooms.

On Monday, March 5, Father Mello met with diocesan Superintendent of Schools Steve Perla and Part of the roof atop St. Michael School in Fall River shows wind damage caused by Win- Deacon Tom Palanza to ter Storm Riley on March 1. In the window is the word “precipitation,” in a classroom discuss the immediate and where students were learning about weather conditions. That classroom was swamped long-range future of the by inches-deep dirty brown water when water poured in after the roof was heavily dam- school building. aged by hurricane-force wind gusts. (Photo by Dave Jolivet) “We met to see what has to be done,” said Father Mello. “We have to ensure top floor was flooded when some parents who are acmop up.” we don’t let people in unthe roof could no longer tive in the parish and they “Friday after school we til everything is safe, that contain the large amounts of came to help mop, Shopwent to the second floor includes the structure and air water on its surface, drench- Vac and put buckets down,” to lock classrooms for the ing the insulation and ceilFather Jay Mello, pastor of weekend and discovered one quality.”

One of the top priorities ing tiles.

St. Michael and St. Joseph leak in the hallway,” school was to seal the roof again One of the saving graces parishes in Fall River, told principal Pamela Leary because other storms were of the disaster was that no The Anchor. “We worked at told The Anchor. “We placed forecast for Fall River on the students were on the second containing the leaks and barrels under to catch the Wednesday and the upcomfloor at the time and no one went out to dinner. When rain and reported the issue. was hurt. we came back, the buckets Before leaving the building, ing weekend.

Father Mello also met “During the day there were overflowing and we we took one last walk up and with the faculty and staff. were a few leaks, but after had to call SERVPRO to discovered a second leak on the students had left, the come and pull down the tiles the other end of the hallway. “They were very sad and Turn to page 19 leaks increased and we called and insulation, and begin By early evening, the class-

At left, drums were still in place collecting the residual water falling from the ceiling, and a drying machine was hard at work in one of the classrooms at St. Michael School in Fall River, following the March 1 Nor’easter that roared through the diocese. At right are exposed leaks in the ceiling after the ceiling tiles and insulation, both of which were saturated, were pulled down. (Photos by Dave Jolivet) The Anchor - March 9, 2018

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Anchor Editorial

A Lenten message from the past

Back on Nov. 24, 1986 St. John Paul II gave a homily in Christchurch, New Zealand which speaks to us today in our divided United States. Although given on the Feast of Christ the King, the message also is a good Lenten meditation.

The Polish pontiff recalled Jesus’ command to us: “Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you. Be perfect just as your Heavenly Father is perfect” (Mt 5:44, 48). He then said, “Today in Christchurch [We could say, today in the USA], Jesus puts these words, this challenge to you and to me. The standard that is set before us is not merely to give to each one his due. The standard for the followers of Jesus Christ is ‘to be perfect’ as God Himself is perfect.”

The perfection Jesus commands us to seek is not one of “crossing all the ‘t’s’ and dotting all the ‘i’s.’” It is a call to imitate God the Father’s merciful love. If we had more of that in the United States, we’d have a lot less rancor and we’d be able to get a lot more done, in all the levels of government, as well as within the Church and amongst the churches and other ecclesial communities.

St. John Paul reminded his congregation that day of the progress that had been made over history in terms of justice. “In the Ancient Near East, codes of retaliation were developed to protect people against injustice by guaranteeing retribution to those who had been wronged. The Jewish law refined these norms in order to protect against excessive vindictiveness in redressing injustices.” In other words, the ancient Jewish dictum of “an eye for an eye,” which seems terribly harsh to us, was progress over “a life for an eye.”

With the New Testament we move into a focus on mercy. The Holy Father preached, “Christ takes these very laws and goes beyond them. He challenges His hearers and all of us to seek a deeper and richer justice by becoming perfect as our Heavenly Father is perfect, by making His justice, His mercy, His righteousness the measure and the standard of our own.”

St. John Paul spoke to the New Zealanders about the coexistence of “two main cultures” in their society: the Polynesian and the European. “You can show in this land how these two cultures can work together with other cultures. Yours is the noble task of understanding and evaluating all the many elements of your civilization. You face the challenge of ensuring that your separate cultures continue to exist together and that they complement each other.” These words are truly food for thought for us here in America, as we are called to live in a more diverse country than New Zealand.

The pope’s next words are true for us, too. “All of you are invited to share this land in peace and in mutual respect. You do this by recognizing the common bond of being members of one human family, called to see one another as brothers and sisters in Christ. When you build a just society upon the foundation of mutual respect and fraternal love, then, justice is shown to be the path to peace.”

The pontiff immediately admitted, “This is not, however, easily achieved. It OFFICIAL NEWSPAPER OF THE DIOCESE OF FALL RIVER www.anchornews.org

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The Anchor - March 9, 2018

requires that you be open to the Holy Spirit ‘poured on you from above.’ It means that you ‘give to anyone who asks’ and ‘do not turn away’ from those in need.

What a wonderful perspective this is! If, however, there are attitudes among you of racial and cultural superiority, exploitation or discrimination, such attitudes will obstruct justice. They will destroy harmony and peace. For true peace begins in the human heart, and it takes root when the heart has been cleansed and renewed by the mercy of God.” Having lived under Nazism and Communism and (a few years after this homily was preached) later to be one of the principal voices calling for mercy and reconciliation after the fall of the Berlin Wall, St. John Paul knew what can build or destroy harmony in a society.

Although he was speaking on a societal or national level, the Holy Father then immediately brought it to the personal level (since societies are made up of people) and said, “The Sacrament of Penance is the privileged means for this cleansing and renewal to take place. It is truly the Sacrament of peace. In our contemporary world, we can easily be deceived by an illusion of sinlessness, by the loss of a sense of sin which runs directly contrary to the Gospel. St. John counters this error very openly when he says: ‘If we say we have no sin in us, we are deceiving ourselves and refusing to admit the truth’ (1 Jn 1:8).”

After discussing Jesus’ “gentleness and mercy” in the Sacrament, the pope brought it back to the societal level. “He who ‘reconciled all to the Father’ is brother and Lord of all. He calls us to replace hostilities with friendship. He calls us to have sensitive respect for each other’s customs and practices. Instead of misunderstanding, mistrust and even hatred — which in the past may have divided peoples and poisoned societies — He asks us to forgive as our Heavenly Father has forgiven us. With strong faith in the Lord, and through the practice of God’s justice towards one another, we can travel together along the path that leads to peace.”

He added, “Justice between individuals, and in all the interlocking relationships of modern society, is an indispensable requirement for achieving peaceful harmony.” In other words, we need reconciliation on the individual and on the societal level for there to be true peace.

St. John Paul then issued a challenge. “Peace in the world can never be won so long as injustice controls the relationships among peoples. Let us respond to Christ’s call to be perfect as our Heavenly Father is perfect so that we may truly be ‘children of our Father in Heaven.’ Let us help each other for we are fellow pilgrims on the path of justice. Let us walk that ‘extra mile’ with one another and ‘give to anyone who asks,’ so that he or she may not be turned away, but may find in each of us a true brother or sister. So will it be that the justice we practice with one another will become the path to the peace we all yearn for.”

Daily Readings March 10 – March 23

Upcoming Daily Readings: Sat. Mar. 10, Hos 6:1-6; Ps 51:3-4,18-21ab; Lk 18:9-14. Sun. Mar. 11, Fourth Sunday of Lent, 2 Chr 36:14-16,19-23; Ps 137:16, Eph 2:4-10; Jn 3:14-21. Mon. Mar. 12, Is 65:17-21; Ps 30:2,4-6,11-12a,13b; Jn 4:43-54. Tues. Mar. 13, Ez 47:1-9,12; Ps 46:2-3,5-6,8-9; Jn 5:1-16. Wed. Mar. 14, Is 49:8-15; Ps 145:8-9,13c-14,17-18; Jn 5:17-30. Thurs. Mar. 15, Ex 32:7-14; Ps 106:19-23; Jn 5:31-47. Fri. Mar. 16, Wis 2:1a,12-22; Ps 34:1721,23; Jn 7:1-2,10,25-30.

Sat. Mar. 17, Jer 11:18-20; Ps 7:2-3,9b-12; Jn 7:40-53. Sun. Mar. 18, Fifth Sunday of Lent, Jer 31:31-34; Ps 51:3-4,12-15; Heb 5:7-9; Jn 12:20-33. Mon. Mar. 19, 2 Sm 7:4-5a,12-14a,16; Ps 89:2-5,27,29; Rom 4:13,16-18,22; Mt 1:16, 18-21,24a or Lk 2:41-51a. Tues. Mar. 20, Nm 21:4-9; Ps 102:2-3,16-21; Jn 8:21-30. Wed. Mar. 21, Dn 3:14-20,91-92,95; (Ps) Dn 3:52-56; Jn 8:31-42.

Thurs. Mar. 22, Gn 17:3-9; Ps 105:4-9; Jn 8:51-59. Fri. Mar. 23, Jer 20:10-13; Ps 18:2-7; Jn 10:31-42.

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The importance of pilgrimages to the Holy Land

t the beginning of Lent, I was privileged to help lead a pilgrimage of 40 young adults to the Holy Land.

For most of the pilgrims it was their first time to follow in Jesus’ footsteps in the land He made holy. It was moving for me to witness anew the power of a visit to the Holy Land to strengthen their faith. The Holy Land has been called the “fifth Gospel” and a good pilgrimage there is a life-changing peripatetic retreat in which pilgrims are able to meditate on and Liturgically enter into the principal events in the history of Salvation.

We celebrated in Nazareth God’s entering our world through the fiat of Our Lady.

We marked in Ein Kerem how Jesus Sanctified in utero His cousin John the Baptist.

We rejoiced in His birth in Bethlehem, pondered His presentation and finding on the Temple Mount, relived His call of the disciples in Capernaum, pondered His miracles on and around the Sea of Galilee, listened live to His Sermon on the Mount of the Beatitudes, climbed up the exceedingly high mountain where He was transfigured before Peter, James and John, visited Bethany where Jesus was welcomed by Martha, Mary and Lazarus, followed Him over Mount Zion where He wept over Jerusalem, entered into Jerusalem as He did on Palm Sunday, reflected on the Sacraments of Holy Orders, the Holy Eucharist, Penance and Confirmation He and the Holy Spirit instituted in the Upper Room, prayed with Him in the Garden of Gethsemane, followed Him to the place of His arrest and condemnation and along the Way of the Cross, climbed Calvary where He died to take away our sins, kissed where He was taken down

from the cross and anointed, the ongoing conflict between Israel and the State and celebrated Mass in the of Palestine and to the way Holy Sepulcher, restoring Christians are treated by the the Risen Body of the Lord in the Eucharist to the tomb respective Jewish and Muslim majorities. Most Chriswhich He emerged on Eastians in the Holy Land are ter Sunday.

Arabs, and most Arabs there The Masses celebrated at are Muslim. Muslims generthe Holy Sites all have the ally support fellow Muslims, Liturgical rank of solemnities, meaning they have precedence over Putting Into most other celebrations. We celebrate the Deep the Annunciation in Nazareth, Christmas

By Father in Bethlehem, the ExRoger J. Landry altation of the Cross at Calvary and Easter at the tomb. In seven or eight Jews fellow Jews, and Chrisdays one can relive the entire tians are collateral damage in the ongoing struggle Liturgical calendar. There’s between politicized forms of nothing like it.

Judaism and Islam.

Pilgrimages to the Holy For example, there are Land, however, are importwo public school systems tant not just for pilgrims in Israel, one in Hebrew, the coming from afar. They are second in Arabic, both of crucial for the survival of the Christian community in which are basically free beyond a small annual inscripthe Holy Land and for the tion fee. In Hebrew schools, pilgrimage sites themselves.

Judaism is taught. In Arabic Christians in the Holy schools, Islam. Christians Land — mainly Melkite and Latin rite Catholics and have fought — to no avail — to be able to send their kids Greek Orthodox — have to schools in which they are been struggling to maintain able to learn Christianity or their presence. When Israel was born in 1948, Christians at least not be indoctrinated were 30 percent of the over- in another religion. The only option for Christians is to all population; now they’re send their children to the 1.5 percent. In Jerusalem, where Christians once were a great schools run by reliquarter of all residents, there gious orders, but like private schools anywhere, they’re are only 11,000 (of 858,000 not cheap. That educational inhabitants) who remain. reality — and the price to In Bethlehem, which for centuries was an overwhelm- provide a good education ingly Christian town, only 18 — is one reason the average Christian family size is conpercent are now Christian. siderably smaller than Jewish Christians have become so and Muslim family sizes. It’s few that, with the excepalso why some young Christion of Bethlehem, the only tian families seek to leave. way the sanctuaries of the There are also economic Lord can survive as houses pressures. Most Jews support of prayer rather than BibliJewish-owned businesses cal museum pieces is for pilgrims to come to worship and Muslims Muslimowned businesses. Christian there. businesses therefore have the There are various reasons for the dramatic decline, but odds stacked against them.

The consequences of Ismost trace themselves to

rael’s building a wall around Bethlehem, for example, and making traveling from the Palestinian-controlled territories into Israel-controlled territories very onerous and make it very difficult for workers and Christianowned businesses. Many have understandably found it easier to leave the country so that they can live and work on a level playing field rather than in what is essentially an “open air prison.”

Then there are the political issues. On the last day I was in Jerusalem, the Church of the Holy Sepulcher — enclosing both Calvary and Jesus’ empty tomb— was closed, in joint agreement by the leaders of the Orthodox, Catholic, and Armenian Churches to protest two things. The first is the unilateral decision of the Mayor of Jerusalem retroactively to tax Church properties that are not used for worship — like schools and pilgrims’ residences to the tune of millions of dollars, despite the fact that the agreement in the Holy Land for centuries is that the Churches wouldn’t be taxed, because schools carried out their mission, and residences allowed people to come to pray and provided some income to help the Churches pay their bills. The second cause was a bill in the Israeli parliament (Knesset) to confiscate former Church properties that have been sold, something that would obviously prevent the Church from ever selling other property if financial needs warranted. Such actions targeted only Christians.

After three days Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu intervened and got the Jerusalem mayor to withdraw his tax plan and the

Knesset to suspend voting on the bill. But it’s clear the Christian leaders felt that they had no alternative but to raise an international outcry by closing the holiest place in Christianity — reluctantly shutting out pilgrims who had come to Jerusalem precisely to venerate the place where Christ died and rose — until their legitimate complaints were heard by those in the nearby Mayor’s Office and Knesset.

Christians in other places of the Middle East — where they have no right to worship, are treated legally as second class citizens, and are even put to death by certain fundamentalist groups or rogue actors — have been treated much more poorly than in the Holy Land. But that doesn’t minimize the real struggles the Christian community has in the Holy Land. They deserve to be supported. Pilgrimages give them much support, as Christians from around the world are able to familiarize themselves with their plight — which doesn’t often get transmitted through the secular media — where they have the chance to support their businesses, and where they can help them keep the memory of Christ’s life and ongoing work alive.

What about making a pilgrimage to the Holy Land?

It’s safe. It will both strengthen you in faith and strengthen the Church where Christ first established it.

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

The Anchor - March 9, 2018

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W

hat is love? Today the word “love” is used and overused, to the extent that one can wonder about its sincerity and true meaning. Yet this weekend’s Gospel speaks of love, a love so intense that it was willing to make the ultimate sacrifice in order to save us. We are reminded of how much love God has for us, and His willingness to demonstrate that love through Jesus Christ.

One may wonder why?

Why would God love us that much? And does He love everyone? When Jesus came to be among us, He sought out the less fortunate — the sinners, and the outcasts, those whom society had deemed unworthy. Here was Christ reaching out to the very people whom no one else wanted or cared for. He did not seek out the devout and faithful, He

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Love — God’s ultimate gift knew they understood and if they kept the Father’s Commandments and showed compassion for their fellow man, they too would inherit the Kingdom.

However, He reminds us that we must not become so wrapped up in our faith and devotion, as to become blind to the plight of others. We need to learn to see with the eyes of love, a love that came to fill the world with hope, acceptance and forgiveness.

St. Paul reminds us that “God, Who is rich in mercy, because of the great love He had for us ... brought us to life with Christ” (Eph 2:4-5). This is agapé love, the ultimate form of love, one that is willing to put others first, to compromise, suffer and even die for another. In our own lives we have ex-

The Anchor - March 9, 2018

perienced this form of love and caring. For those of you who are parents, you fully understand this type of love, the willingness to put all else aside for your child. Sleepless nights sitting by a sick child’s beside, putting them first, and doing whatever is necessary to ensure that they are safe and healthy. The fa-

In the Palm of His Hands

By Rose Mary Saraiva

milial love that is willing to put differences aside for the sake of helping a brother or sister in need. That love that is willing to accept and bear all for the sake of another.

Recently someone shared a story with me that speaks of the love that forgets all hurts and past indiscretions, recognizing the person in need. A father had spent very little time with his children, walking out on them and their mother when they were still very young. As the years went by, his children (now adults) knew who their father was, saw him occasionally, but he remained distant and

uninvolved in their lives.

One day he became ill and the very children he had abandoned took him in and cared for him until his death. Many would have chosen to turn away, ignore this man who had ignored them. Yet these individuals, saw this man through the eyes of love, and recognized that regardless of who we are and how we have treated others, we deserve to be loved and cared for. It was not simply an act of obligation, but of putting another first, of acknowledging the human need, and responding as Christ would want us to respond.

So we must ask ourselves, can we move beyond our shortcomings, can we forgive, can we allow the grace of God to fill us with His love? St. Teresa of Calcutta once said, “The hunger for love is much more difficult to remove than the hunger for bread” (1989).

Yet, God gives freely of His love, not because we have done anything to deserve it, but because He loves us totally and completely. Yet as St. Teresa pointed out, we remain hungry and unsat-

isfied. Why? The Gospel clearly tells us: “God so loved the world that He gave His only Son, so that everyone who believes in Him might not perish but might have eternal life.”

We have all heard the expression “it is in giving that we receive,” so it is with love — God gives it to us freely, what we do with this love is all up to us. We can choose to hide it away from those we love and the world, or we can share it completely. Yes, it may hurt at times, it may seem unfair and unjust, and it may seem as if we are the only ones who care enough, or are willing to express our love.

Jesus was willing to give His love so completely that He stretched out His arms for us on the cross, to show us just how much His love for us meant. In the words of Father Walter Burghardt, S.J., “If God offers you crucified love, offers God’s Son on a cross for you, the least you can do is accept it.

Welcome the mystery and move on from there” (“Dare to Be Christ”).

Are you willing to accept God’s love and all that it can represent in your life? Lent is the perfect time to reflect on the ways God’s love has been present in our lives, and how it continues to bless us. It is an opportune time to consider how you will choose to live your life knowing that “by grace you have been saved.”

Be open to all God has planned for you, and let His love fill you beyond measure.

Anchor columnist Rose Mary Saraiva is Events Coordinator and Bereavement Ministry for the diocesan Office of Faith Formation.

Email her at rsaraiva@ dfrcs.com.

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Haiti

is adjacent to St. Anne’s Immaculate Conception’s he Paschal Mystery Immaculate Conception Immaculate Conception School that provides a safe pews in the empty space of and Sacred Heart parishes is the cornerstone and Sacred Heart in Fall atmosphere for more than the chapel. upon which our Christian River. On January 30 the had a long history of serv1,200 students to be edu“More than 40 students ing the community of Fall faith is built. During Lent collaborative of parishes cated and protected from from the school’s carpenwe grapple with the core from the North Shore River, especially the poor. the violence.” try class were brought in elements of this mystery arrived in Port-au-Prince.

In his reflection on the The beautiful churches and were showed how that brings Jesus’ Passion, Linda DeCristoforo, who Gospel story of the beggar to assemble the pews. death and triumphant Res- made the trip to Haiti with that were built by our Lazarus, who was willimmigrant forebears are a We spent the entire day urrection into life within her parish, gave this acing to eat the scraps from monument to their hard there and now it was up our Liturgical celebrations. count: the table of the rich man, work and piety. In Haiti, to them to continue the As Christians, we are “With permission from Bishop Robert Barron work. We went a Paschal people, formed the Fall River Dioreminds us that “God is there on a Thursday not pleased with this kind from birth to experience cese we acquired a and by the followthe vicissitudes of life with container and went of economic injustice and The Great ing Sunday the the hope that Resurrection to two parishes that He burns with a passion to carpentry students will be our final destiny. had been closed for set it right.” These parishes Commission had completed the We accompany one ansome time. There we understood well the preferBy Claire McManus task.” Members of other during the passage filled the container ential option for the poor, the gang showed from health to illness; we to capacity. We and it is no coincidence up to see what was ritualize the journey from dismantled all the that they were resurrected Church is less about struc- going on, but the pastor life to death. But when a pews, took statues, altars, in the poorest community tures and more about com- of St. Anne’s had learned parish is suffering from the sound systems, lecterns, in the western hemisphere. munity. The pews from Im- to work with them and inevitable demographic even a piano. When the The people who travelled maculate Conception were they did not interfere with to Haiti had this final mesand sociological shifts that container arrived at Portdelivered to St. Anne’s the work, and some even strip it of its vitality, it’s au-Prince the items were sage to give to the people Chapel, which is actually helped assemble the pews. of Fall River: not often possible to see distributed to needy paran abandoned warehouse The pastor of St. Anne’s Resurrection at the end of ishes in Haiti. The piano “Thank you to the paChapel did not tell the with an altar and no seatthe passage. and a chapel altar went to rishioners of Immaculate ing. More than 700 people parishioners about the Closing parishes is a a convent that serves the Conception and Sacred project, and when they ar- Heart of Fall River, your painful reality for the poor [where] we celebrated attend Mass each Sunday rived for Mass that Sunwhere the saying “standChurch of the United Mass one morning during Spirit lives on forever in ing room only” is the result day they found pews in States, and those who have our visit. The dismantled Haiti.” their church. “Much to the of no seating available for lost their ecclesial idenpews were dropped off at Anchor columnist Claire anyone! Linda explained, delight of the community, McManus is the director of tity through the process St. Anne’s Chapel in Cite “Our task was clear, there 400 people had a place to seldom get to hear of any Soleil. Cite Soleil is a part the Diocesan Office of Faith sit for the first time.” good that comes from of Port-au-Prince and is the were 400 pews to be asFormation. sembled, [and] we brought it. But when a group of largest slum in the westall the necessary tools, parishioners from a colern hemisphere. It is estiincluding drills and power laborative of parishes in mated that nearly 400,000 the Archdiocese of Boston people live there in extreme tools.” All that was needed was the manpower to help prepared for their annual poverty and is overrun by do the work of resurrecting service immersion pilgrim- gangs. St. Anne’s Chapel age to Haiti, they searched the region for whatever they could salvage to help rebuild the impoverished churches in that destitute country.

Father James Barry, pastor of Our Lady of Grace Parish, Chelsea/Everett and St. Mary of the Assumption, Revere and Father David Fontaine, pastor of St. Joseph Parish, L’Asille, Haiti made arrangements with the Diocese of Fall River to bring to Haiti whatever was At left, carpentry students reassemble pews brought to St. Anne’s Chapel in Haiti from the former Immaculate Conavailable from the inside of ception Church in Fall River. At right, volunteers and parishioners gather before statues and other items brought to two of our closed parishes, Haiti from the former Immaculate Conception and Sacred Heart churches in Fall River.

The Anchor - March 9, 2018 9

‘Roamin’ Catholic’ set to greet youth at annual convention

By Dave Jolivet Anchor Editor davejolivet@anchornews.org

FALL RIVER — With less than two weeks to go, plans for the annual Diocesan High School Youth Convention and Middle School Rallies are being finalized.

This year’s High School Youth Convention will take place at Bishop Connolly High School, 373 Elsbree Street, Fall River, on March 18 beginning with arrival and registration at 9 a.m. The day-long event, filled with workshops, fun, prayer, lunch, and Mass with Bishop Edgar M. da Cunha, S.D.V., will wind up shortly after 5 p.m.

The convention will feature musician, retreat leader, presenter and family man Vince Nims, affectionately known as “the Roamin’ Catholic.” Beginning on an eighth-grade retreat in 1981, Nims has been involved with youth ministry for nearly four

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The Anchor - March 9, 2018

decades.

As a musician he has produced four CDs and travels the U.S. and Canada performing concerts, youth rallies, conferences and

move toward Christ and live life uncontrolled by this world and its values, and even more importantly, grounded in the Truth.

According to his website at www.

other faith-based events.

As a speaker, he delivers bold Christ-centered messages that challenge people of all ages to

vincenims.com, “He’s a dynamic storyteller who pays attention to the way God works in and through our day-to-day experiences. He only tells true stories!

People find themselves drawn into his down-to-earth accounts of everyday things where he sees the Lord’s activity. You will laugh, cry, wonder, sing and pray during his keynotes.

“He has been called ‘The Banana Guy’ because of a song called ‘I Like Bananas’ he made popular all over the United States. And since high school he was called the ‘The Roamin’ Catholic’ because of Jesus stickers he had all over his car. Naturally, he continues to roam from place to place sharing faith and doing ministry.”

Recent graduates of the diocese’s Christian Leadership Institute play a large part in planning the convention and rallies, all of which are sponsored by the diocesan Faith Formation Office.

Ashlinn Hoffmeister participated in CLI last summer, going because, “I heard really good stories from my friends who went the previous year and also Father David [Frederici] really convinced me to go,” she told The Anchor.

“I became a part of planning the youth convention because it is our CLI ‘graduation’ as Deacon

Frank [Lucca] calls it. We pick either icebreakers, Liturgy, music or hosting (or a combination) based on what our talents are.”

Hoffmeister has been involved with the welcoming and icebreakers group, developing fun and entertaining activities so attendees will “feel comfortable as they arrive in the auditorium.”

Jasmine Hunt is also a summer 2017 CLI graduate, who took the six-day leadership training experience based on what other CLI grads told her and her own retreat experiences. “During the last few days of CLI we were told about the convention and were given the chance to pick which team we wanted to be apart of,” Hunt told The Anchor. “We met with our teammates for a little and then we all joined a Facebook page to keep in touch and stay posted about any upcoming meetings and such.”

The itinerary for the convention at Bishop Connolly includes two general sessions, one in the morning and the other in the afternoon; Mass with Bishop da Cunha; morning and afternoon workshops where attendees will have four from which Vince Nims to choose; lunch; and a closing prayer and dismissal.

“My hope for this year’s convention is that we meet a bunch of great people and everyone attending will feel comfortable enough to participate and make the most of it” said Hoffmeister. “If everyone participates and has fun, we will have a great day. I also hope that everything we have planned goes smoothly and the CLI grads and myself continue to see each other and catch up once in a Turn to page 14

Friday 9 March 2018 — Homeport: Falmouth Harbor — Just another day at the rectory he title of this column, dear readers, is not a reference to the 1960s song written by Mick Jagger and Keith Richards and recorded by The Rolling Stones. No. No. Today I am considering the topic of “satisfaction” as in “job satisfaction.”

When interviewing young couples preparing for Marriage, I ask a standard question, “What is your occupation?” It used to be people answered without a second thought.

Now the response comes after a significant pause, “Ummm. Let me see.

How can I best put it into words?” They seem to be unsure of what they actually do at work.

Those who graduated from college between 2006 and 2010 can be expected to have at least four job changes before they reach the age of 30.

There are a lot of theories as to the cause of all this job surfing. It’s a given that young people tend to be restless. Maybe today’s young adults want to climb the corporate ladder more quickly than their parents. Maybe they want to make more money. Maybe they just don’t like whatever they happen to be doing at the moment. Maybe employers go through workers more rapidly than in times past.

Maybe it’s a combination of all of the above. The jury is out.

I’ve been wondering what might be the occupations in which people tend to be happier and more satisfied. I found a major scientific study on

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Satisfaction

this subject. The study, by the most satisfied of all the University of Chiare firefighters and physicago, took almost 20 years cal therapists. Other top to conduct and involved satisfying occupations are 27,587 test subjects. school administrators, It’s complicated. There artists, teachers, authors, are people who may be happy to work at entry level The Ship’s Log jobs but dissatReflections of a isfied with the Parish Priest pay, benefits, or advancement opBy Father Tim portunities. ConGoldrick versely, a person can be satisfied with the pay but office supervisors, security not happy in the job. On and financial services, and the whole, people’s feelpsychologists. ings about their work Those who say they have a significant impact are happiest in their jobs on their general happiness include architects, acand on their physical and tors and directors, travel mental health. agents, special education Let’s start with the teachers, science technijobs in which people said cians, mechanics, and they get no satisfaction. industrial engineers.

The least-satisfying jobs Occupations such as were mostly low-skill or editors and reporters, customer service: manual police, registered nurses, laborers, table servers, and accountants fall in bartenders, packagers, the middle on the satisclothing department fied/dissatisfied and the clerks, shelf stockers, happy/unhappy scales. freight handlers, cashiers, And now, dear readers, food preparers (excluding it’s time for what is called cooks and chefs), com“The Great Reveal.” The plaint desk clerks, and occupation coming in home furnishing salesper- number one in the satsons. isfaction category and Those who said they the happiness category is were very unhappy with (envelope please): clergy! their jobs include garage Surprised? I’m not. and gas station attendants, I’ve been a priest for those in construction some 45 years. It can be trades, welfare service frustrating and disapaides, amusement and pointing at times, of recreation attendants, ho- course, but that’s not the tel maids, laundry workdefault mode. The deers, electronic repairers, fault is a sense of personal machine operators, and satisfaction and inner kitchen crews. The unhap- happiness as you strive, piest of all were roofers.

by God’s grace, to do your The professions on the best in serving the souls high end of the satisfacassigned to your pastoral tion scale tend to involve care. It comes as no surcare-giving, teaching, and prise to me that, of all the protecting others from professions, trades, and harm, as well as especially occupations in the United creative pursuits. Among States, ordained ministry

is at the very top of the list. Of course it is.

Some faithful Catholics, in a moment of sincere empathy, might say something like: “Poor Father has to live in these times when the Catholic priesthood is being constantly demeaned by so many critics. Poor Father has to deal with all these changes in a reorganizing Church. Poor Father has to struggle so hard to pay the mounting parish bills. Poor Father has so many added responsibilities these days.

Poor Father has no priests assigned to assist him.

Poor Father has to live all by himself in that huge, empty rectory.”

Poor Father?

While any priest would appreciate words of encouragement and support, “Father” is not poor (except in his personal bank account). The fact is, Father is rich. What he does is who he is. He is called to do what he has chosen to do. It’s a vocation, not a job. Acquiring money, fame, and power has little to do with living a fulfilling and happy life.

In the words of Bob Dylan, the Nobel Prize poet, “A man (sic) is a success if he gets up in the morning, goes to bed at night, and in between does what he wants to do.”

Amen to that.

Anchor columnist Father Goldrick is pastor of St. Patrick’s Parish in Falmouth.

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Former St. Vincent’s Camp in Westport changes hands continued from page four

Conservation Trust and the Town of Westport seek to honor this legacy of connecting people to the land by protecting this property and making it available for the community’s use and enjoyment for generations to come.

The plan is to open the property with public access to the 60-acre forest with nature trails complemented by a 20-acre open space in the heart of the property.”

At a gathering at the camp prior to signing over the property, Bishop da Cunha said this was “a win-win situation.”

He later told The Anchor, “Besides the benefit it will provide to the community, it will also

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The Anchor - March 9, 2018

mean considerable savings to the diocese, since we no longer have to pay taxes and insurance on the property. We feel it is a blessing that this property will continue being used for the benefit of the community of Westport and for the preservation of natural environment.

“We are happy to be partners with the Westport Land Conservation Trust in offering to the community a place where people of all ages will enjoy the beauty and gift of nature right in their neighborhood.”

In a collaborative effort, the Town of Westport agreed to the purchase of two conservation re-

strictions protecting the property in perpetuity. “These restrictions will protect the property’s significant resources and ensure that it remains open for passive recreation,” said Moran.

Chairman of the WLCT’s board of directors, Trip Millikin said, “WLCT is enormously proud of this acquisition. This project is our largest endeavor to date and I am excited for the many future generations that will now get to enjoy the beauty of this iconic landscape.”

Westport Board of Selectmen chairman Steve Ouellette added, “I’m happy to preserve a piece of Westport history. Many of us in town attended camp there as children. I hope to see the property flourish with outdoor and recreational activity as it did back in the day. I appreciate the efforts of all who made this happen and look forward to working on its future usage and preservation.”

Westport residents were largely in favor of the transac-

tion. The WLCT press release said, “The property is an iconic piece of Westport’s landscape as evidenced by the over 140 families, individuals, and foundations that contributed to the purchase of the property. The former camp boasts a number of important resources for protection, including significant open space, rare species habitat, wetlands in the watershed of the west branch of the Westport River, and a variety of features illustrating Westport’s rural character.”

“Today’s closing brings to an end a very positive and cooperative endeavor between the Fall River Diocese and the Westport Land Conservation Trust,” said Bishop da Cunha. “The trust was able to expand its holdings with a mostly wooded, undeveloped track of land in which the Fall River Diocese no longer had interest. The sale makes it possible for current and future residents of the town to enjoy a pristine piece of God’s creation for years to come.”

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he cortege left the St. Francis Church grounds to the strains of an Elvis Presley song and headed up the hill past the movie house toward Staff Row. The procession was led by Kahohulani in her truck, bearing the casket containing the body of our friend and long-time resident, Elizabeth.

We passed the burnedout site of the former state kitchen where she would have enjoyed many a meal with her friends over the years. Then we passed McVeigh Hall where she had participated in

The Pink Lady goes home

said that one would control the foot pedals and the other the steering wheel in their vehicle. That was truly team work.

When I returned to Kalaupapa in 2012, she still lived in her own house and I would get to visit her on Sunday mornings. Then I would see her family pictures as well as her many stuffed animals.

Later, after she moved to the Care Home, I marveled on seeing her bed covered with her stuffed animals and she would laugh when I asked her where she slept.

Elizabeth was an avid fan Moon Over of Elvis Presley and, Molokai when I arBy Father rived at the Patrick Killilea, SS.CC. Care Home on Sunday mornings many celebrations. Next we to bring Communion to her, slowed down as we passed Pauline, and Ivy, she would be her house as well as that of parked in her motorized chair her sister, Gertrude, where in front of the TV, watchher sister had fed all the cats ing Elvis in “Blue Hawaii.” in the neighborhood. Then Then she would motor to the it was on to Bishop Home kitchen/dining room area at where in recent years she the other end of the corridor often visited in her motorized where we conducted our wheelchair. Meantime a few Communion service. On the of her caregivers rode in the way I would tell her to “keep back of the truck, accompathe speed limit.” nying Elizabeth’s body while Afterwards she would horns tooted in celebration invite me to join her for lunch of her spirit’s return to the and I would often sit at the Father in our Heavenly home. table with her and other resiI first met Elizabeth dent patients. Now she had Kahihikolo in the summer of this pink-colored drink set on 2006 when she and Gertrude the table in front of her which would come to Mass every I called the “Pink Lady.” Keep Sunday and sit up front. It is in mind that Pink Lady is

actually an alcohol-based cocktail. So I often joked with her about this and she got a kick out of the idea, even though her drink did not contain any alcohol — at least as far as I know. I will miss my Pink Lady.

The cortege had arrived at the cemetery and the casket had been placed on the temporary platform over the

grave. The committal prayers were offered by the pastor (that’s me) and the casket was then slowly lowered into its soft sandy resting place while the assembled group sang a beautiful farewell. Then the sandy soil began to close over the final resting place of Elizabeth’s earthly remains.

Her soul had already taken flight to the Heavenly realms.

We bade farewell for now to Elizabeth and returned to our homes, but I will always remember her with that smile on her face.

My Pink Lady has gone to her eternal peace with the Lord.

Anchor columnist Father Killilea is pastor of St. Francis Parish in Kalaupapa, Hawaii.

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Youth Convention and Middle School Rallies planning in full swing continued from page 10

while. We are a really close group and it is awesome that we can still catch up and keep in contact while living in so many different areas.

“If anyone has any doubts about attending CLI, they should definitely go because it was the highlight of my summer and

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there are so many memorable surprises.”

Hunt added, “I hope that all those who attend the convention will learn that they have a voice and that they can make a difference in their parish. I hope they leave with the courage and strength to tell others what they have

The Anchor - March 9, 2018

learned and to understand that God is calling them to do so much more than they think they can.”

The Middle School Rallies, for students in grades six through eight will be held on March 19 at Holy Cross Parish Center in Easton and on March 20 at Bishop Stang High

School in North Dartmouth.

Both events begin with arrival from 6-6:15 p.m.

Following opening prayer there will be two general sessions, closing prayer and dismissal at 8 p.m.

The cost for the Youth Convention is $20 per person and the Middle School

Rally cost is $5. Chaperones are free.

For more information on any of the events or for registration forms visit the diocesan Faith Formation Office website at fallriverfaithformation. org, or contact Rose Mary Saraiva at 508-678-2828 or email rsaraiva@dfrcs.org.

New documentary highlights challenges of dating in today’s culture Movie for every single person — One night fathom event — April 17 ATLANTA — Do you want to date differently?

Singles of all ages wonder why it’s so hard to meet, date and marry today. In fact, 50 percent of America is single and fewer people are committing to Marriage, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, 2014. Dating has been replaced by “hooking up” and

“hanging out,” making the traditional days of “courtship” obsolete. Or, has it?

A few years ago, one of the most popular professors of philosophy at Boston College, Kerry Cronin, noticed this decreased dating trend among her undergrad students. “And I thought, ‘Well, this is crazy.’ So I started asking

Diocese of Fall River TV Mass on WLNE Channel 6 March 11, 11:00 a.m.

Celebrant is Father Bradley J. Metz, C.S.C., Pastor, Holy Cross Parish, Easton

March 18, 11:00 a.m.

Celebrant is Father Richard D. Wilson, Rector, St. Mary’s Cathedral, Fall River, and Executive Editor of The Anchor

students to go on what I refer to as ‘traditional dates’ as part of an extra-credit assignment.” However, the act of going on a date was more complicated than she thought. A combination of the prevalent “hook up” culture, as well as the preferred method of social interaction (texting) had all but obliterated skills of basic social interaction. And, so “The Dating Project” began, and her class quickly became one of the most popular courses at Boston College.

“The Dating Project” comes to cinemas nationwide on April 17, through Fathom Events, as a special one-night event featuring an exclusive deep-dive discussion with Dating Project brainchild Professor Kerry Cronin of Boston College. Tickets can be purchased online by visiting www.FathomEvents. com or at participating theater box offices.

“The Dating Project” film follows Professor Cronin and five modernday singles (ages 20-40) in their own quest to find authentic love and meaningful relationships. By engaging in Cronin’s dating philosophy, her mentees find more fulfilling and lasting relationships.

Response to this inspiring documentary has been overwhelming: “There is a huge gulf between single life and relationships in the United States. This powerful documentary is a reflection of today’s culture with a surprising look at how one woman is shifting it, one single person at a time. ‘The Dating Project’ is a must-see, no matter what your relationship status,” said Michael

Scott, CEO and co-founder of Pure Flix.

The film also received critical acclaim from the Heartland Film Festival, the USA Film Festival, and the Downtown LA Film Festival, which awarded it the Audience Favorite Award.

View the Trailer and Learn More at www.

TheDatingProjectMovie. com.

Follow “The Dating Project” on Facebook @ TheDatingProjectMovie.

“The Dating Project” was created in partnership with Paulist Productions, Mpower Pictures and Family Theater Productions, and is distributed

by Pure Flix and Fathom Events.

About Paulist Productions Paulist Productions was founded more than 50 years ago to create thought-provoking entertainment that explores the human condition, and has produced award-winning documentaries, feature films, television, and TV movies addressing pressing social issues and important moral questions. Paulist has provided programming for Paramount, Warner Bros., CBS, ABC, A&E, the History Channel, Hallmark Hall of Fame, and UPtv. In a time of rapid change and declining options for family viewing, Paulist is dedicated to developing positive programming with meaningful content. The Humanitist Prize, one of screenwriting’s most prestigious awards, was founded

by Paulist Productions.

Former Paulist Productions president and Oscar-winning filmmaker Chris Donohue discuss the documentary on “Good

Morning Texas”: http://bit. ly/2Av9tKX. About MPower Pictures Mpower Pictures is a film production company dedicated to “empowering” the artist and the audience by telling stories that are compelling, bold, and uncompromising. Steve McEveety, CEO (“The Passion of the Christ,” “Braveheart”), John Shepherd (“Bobby Jones,” “The Ultimate Gift”), Todd Burns and David Segel launched Mpower in 2007 to make movies that profoundly impact culture, while inspiring and entertaining audiences.

The company was awarded Heartland Film Festival’s Truly Moving Picture award for its feature films “Snowmen” and “The Stoning of Soraya M.” About Family Theater Productions Family Theater Productions creates family faith-based media that inspires, entertains and informs. Founded in 1947

by Father Patrick Peyton, C.S.C., and headquartered on Sunset Boulevard in Hollywood, Family Theater Productions is an awardwinning producer of family media, including films, television, radio and short format video for all the major social platforms.

The Head of Production is Father David Guffey, C.S.C. Learn more at FamilyTheater.org, or on Facebook, at facebook. com/familytheaterHCFM. For more information, or to schedule an interview, please contact Kevin Wandra (404-7881276 or Kwandra@ CarmelCommunications. com) of Carmel Communications.

The Anchor - March 9, 2018

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P

For and About Our Church Youth Grace and mercy

interest is defined

by Wikipedia as, “A web and mobile application company that operates a software system designed to discover information on the World Wide Web, mainly using images and on a shorter scale, GIFs and videos.”

In everyday terms, it’s the black hole that you slide into when you are trying to get work done and then you realize two hours have gone by and your work is not done but you have now decorated your future mansion. While hanging around my black hole of procrastination I came on upon a quote that I thought was perfect for the season of Lent (Side note: you can create a wonderful Pinterest board about Lent). The quote, by the popular author Unknown, read, “Grace is when God gives us what we don’t deserve and mercy is when God

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doesn’t give us what we do and actual grace. Sancdeserve.” tifying grace is the gift We often hear about that perfects the soul grace and mercy durand allows us to live with ing Lent and while they God. We first receive do go together very well, this grace at Baptism and they are different aspects of God’s love for us. “The Catechism of the Catholic Church” states that grace

By Amanda is “the free and Tarantelli undeserved help that God gives us to respond to His call to we continue to receive it become children of God.” through the Sacraments Grace is what is given and prayer. Actual grace to us in order to grow in however is that grace that relationship with God and nudges us to take action in holiness. We are told in our lives. Actual grace that the Sacraments are an is like the Spiritual kick in instrument of God’s grace. the pants that we need to Most of us as babies are follow God and do what brought to the Church to He is calling us to. Actual be baptized and we receive grace is what we use to God’s grace. We did not build a relationship with do anything to deserve God where Sanctifying these gifts. We were simgrace is the grace we use ply born to parents who to stay in that relationship chose to have us baptized. with Him. They are gifts The Church says that that God gives to us even we have Sanctifying grace if we do not deserve it so that we can continue to be His children.

Mercy is defined by Webster’s Dictionary as “compassion or forgiveness shown toward someone whom it is within one’s power to punish or harm.” God is omnipotent. He has the power to punish us for when we turn our backs on Him and He would be absolutely justified. He gave us this life and in return He asks that we use it to love Him. However, when we fall short of this, He chooses to show us compassion and forgiveness rather than turn His back on us.

During the season of Lent we get to focus on grace and mercy. The

The Anchor - March 9, 2018

Be Not Afraid

season, through its three pillars, calls us to grow in grace. Lent calls us to pray more, fast from what we do not need and give to those around us. The more time we pray, the more grace fills our life. If we continue with the analogy of a relationship, prayer is creating time to spend more time with God. The more time we spend with Him, the more we become like Him. When we fast, we rid ourselves of the things that we do not need that are keeping us from God. Fasting allows more time for prayer. It allows us to connect back to Him when we feel like we are not strong enough to continue our fast. This time spent with God fosters in us a desire to give to those around us. When we give what we have, grace continues to move us to want to be who God is calling us to be.

Mercy, through the Sac-

rament of Reconciliation, is offered to us in a visible and amazing way. To hear those words, “you are forgiven” reminds us that we are His beloved children, whom He loves beyond measure.

I pray that during this season of Lent we take advantage of every opportunity to receive God’s mercy and grace. Practice all three pillars of Lent, go to Reconciliation, and spend time in Adoration. In their song “Inside Out,” Hillsong United sings, “A thousand times I’ve failed still Your mercy remains. And should I stumble again I’m caught in Your grace.” There is no end to God’s mercy and grace, only our desire to pursue it or to ignore it. The choice is ours!

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

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

For and About Our Church Youth

Students at Holy Family-Holy Name School in New Bedford celebrated Mardi Gras with a parade, floats, beads, and masks. Pictured with Sister Muriel are eighth-graders Angela (as the queen), Jack (as the king) and Ben (as the court jester).

Second-grade students at Holy Name School in Fall River enjoyed Math Centers: Domino addition war, playing card subtraction war, and Dice 6 — and addition.

Students at Holy Trinity Preschool in West Harwich enjoyed a visit from Cape Tech dental students. They learned about the importance of teeth cleaning and helped demonstrate by brushing the teeth of a toothy puppet friend.

They all got teeth-cleaning goodie bags complete with a lost-tooth case.

Third-grade students from St. John the Evangelist School in Attleboro recently learned to solve a mystery. According to teacher Bridget Lee, “They were applying the scientific method to solve a mystery. They had to form a hypothesis and test it out on the crime scene!” The students, dressed as detectives, had to figure out which “suspect” stole the warm fuzzies from the classroom jar. Analyzing the scene are Phelan Duffy, Anna DeVincent, Hannah Le and Samuel Roy.

Fourth-graders from St. James-St. John School in New Bedford recently successfully logged onto IXL, and were off and running.

The Anchor - March 9, 2018

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Maronite Sister to profess first vows March 19

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

materially, but it just wasn’t soon found herself drawn Jesus in a very beautiful satisfying the deepest to a Roman Catholic monstrance and just speak inclinations of my heart. church located just minwith Him a little bit,” she That’s when I finally said, utes from where she was said. “And then I would DARTMOUTH — you know what, Lord, I’m working which she never come back to work where, The joy and excitement sick of doing this my way. really noticed before. of course, they were totally in Sister Natalie Sayde This is not getting me any“I’ll never forget it was oblivious to what was hapSalameh’s voice is apparpening.” ent as she prepares to take where. So I just said a very St. Patrick’s Church and I remember walking in and Knowing nothing about the next step in her road to simple prayer and I wasn’t really praying very much Jesus was exposed in the her calling, Sister Natalie religious life by professing Blessed Sacrament and remembers that her manher first vows as a member to be honest with you. I wasn’t somebody that was Confessions were going on ager suspected she had a of the Maronite Servants mega-close to God.” in the back,” she said. “A new boyfriend. of Christ the Light.

Sister “When “This has been a long Natalie said I sat down time in the making and in his ofit’s been a two-year postu- she discerned her fice and lancy and a then two-year vocation said I am novitiate,” Sister Natalie after asking tendering recently told The Anchor.

God what my res“This is a very beautiful ignation occasion for me. I hope I’m He wanted for her. because not going to be an emo“I’ll I want to tional wreck. As soon as I never forbe a nun, found out the news of the get it — I he almost day, I was in tears — but just said: fell off they were tears of joy, of I’m sick his chair,” course.” of telling she said.

Having completed her “This is the initial four years of forma- You what I want. corporate tion, Sister Natalie will Why don’t world, the profess her first vows on Sister Natalie Sayde Salameh, center, is pictured with her felsecular Monday, March 19 during You tell low Maronite Servants of Christ the Light, from left, Sister world. a Liturgy at St. Anthony of me what You want, Therese Maria Touma and Mother Marla Marie. Sister Natalie They don’t the Desert Church in Fall will profess her first vows to the order on March 19 at St. An- give a lot because I River beginning at 6:30 know that thony of the Desert Church in Fall River. of mind p.m.

You want to reliIt certainly will be a great deal of people were gion and Jesus. He said: departure for the native of what’s best for me,” she in there. But, oh my gosh, ‘I thought you had a new Sydney, Australia who pre- said. “Really, that was it.”

After praying for guiddid I feel a sense of calm boyfriend.’ And I said: viously was a government ance, Sister Natalie said a and peace just rush over ‘Well, I did — I fell in love employee. girl who admittedly never me and a voice within say, with Jesus.’ I said some“I joined the Maronite used to think about Jesus ‘Come draw close to Me thing has radically altered Servants (of Christ the and I will give you all you my perspective on life and Light) when I was 28 years during the day suddenly found she “couldn’t stop need.’ That is the voice that I have to follow this voice, old after a six-year career thinking about the Lord.”

I followed.”

I have to.” in the New South Wales “It was such a powerful Sister Natalie began to Having been baptized local government,” Sisexperience,” she said. “It make daily pilgrimages to and raised in the Maronite ter Natalie said. “I was a was like this mosquito that St. Patrick’s Church durChurch, Sister Natalie government employee, or kept putting Jesus into my ing her lunch hour to go said she felt compelled to a government bureaucrat, head. It really was amazto Confession and attend find an order in that same you could say.” ing. And I said to myself: Mass. tradition.

Even though she had a “It was literally about “From the very berespectable job with decent ‘you know what, I need to two minutes on foot from ginning, it was always a pay, Sister Natalie said she follow this voice.’ It was where my office was and very big part of my life,” felt “very dissatisfied” with not going away. It’s weird because I knew I loved Je- I would go there at 12:15 she said. “I always had her career choice. sus, but I didn’t quite know every single day and attend this strong sense of my “There was a hole in what to make of this.”

Mass during my lunch Maronite identity. And my heart and an annoying In answer to her prayer, hour and then stay a little it helped having such a feeling of emptiness,” she bit behind as they exposed strong parish nearby — St. said. “I wanted for nothing Sister Natalie said she 18

The Anchor - March 9, 2018

Charbel’s, which is made up of 10,000 families and they’re very active and very involved with the youth and they have a lot of programs. So I was being fed Spiritually.”

After briefly considering another Lebanese order based in Australia — the Holy Family Sisters — Sister Natalie found herself drawn to the newlyformed Maronite Servants of Christ the Light.

“I first met the Maronite Servants in February of 2013, when they came to give a vocation talk to a ladies youth group that I used to attend in Sydney,” she said. “I remember walking in that night — I’ll never forget it was Feb. 14, 2013, Valentine’s Day — and I asked: ‘What the heck are these nuns doing here?’

“But the funny thing is, the joke was on me. Each of them spoke about how they discerned the call of God in their life; and it was really Mother Marla Marie’s story that captivated me the most because the similarities were unbelievable. Like me, she had studied, went to a good university, she was very into her career and wasn’t interested in a vocation, but God touched her heart. And it is amazing because I was sitting there listening to them both speak and I’ve got to say alarm bells were ringing in my head and I remember thinking: ‘Could this be it, Lord?’”

After dashing off an email to Mother Marla Marie and Sister Therese that weekend, she met with the two nuns the following Monday and was soon making plans to come to the U.S. for a “come and Turn to page 19

Monster storm floods St. Michael School in Fall River continued from page five

horrified at what happened to the school,” Father Mello told The Anchor. “This is a second home to them. We discussed what the future will look like. If it is going to be a long-term repair process, we do have the option to use the currently vacant

former St. Joseph School behind St. Joseph’s Church on North Main Street. We are blessed to have that.”

Father Mello told The Anchor that he compared the current St. Michael School situation to when Saints Peter and Paul Church in Fall

River burned down in 1973.

“It was before my time, but I was a parishioner at that parish and I heard the stories of how the parishioners rallied together and helped one another through the tragedy,” he said. “For more than a year, Masses were cel-

Maronite Sister to profess first vows March 19 continued from page 18

see” trip in April.

“I just knew it was a fit,” Sister Natalie said. “I know it seems crazy and you’re thinking: ‘Oh my gosh, Sister, you made this decision within a few months.

But that voice was unmistakable, really. And I knew that feeling of emptiness was dissipating. I just knew that was His doing. And I can honestly say, as I look back and think, I know what it’s like to live without You, Lord. And I know what it’s like to live with You, and it just doesn’t compare.”

Established in 2008, the Maronite Servants of Christ the Light was initially established in the Boston area, where the congregation rented a temporary formation house in Weymouth from Immaculate Conception Parish. But when property that was a former novitiate house for the Dominican Sisters on Tucker Road in

Dartmouth became available in 2011, the Maronite order relocated to the Fall River Diocese.

The motherhouse here is called the Mother of Light Convent, which is currently home to Sister Natalie, Sister Therese Maria Touma and Mother Marla Marie, the order’s superior.

Sister Natalie said she was immediately drawn to the order’s charism, which is greatly inspired by St. Teresa of Calcutta.

“It’s a beautiful and much-needed mission,” she said. “We’re not in the schools, so nobody can see us there, we’re not in nursing homes, we’re not attached to an institution — we’re attached to that beautiful nucleus called the parish where so much goes on, where so much happens behind the scenes.

We don’t always get to see the fruits of our ministry, of our prayers, or our sacri-

fices, but on certain occasions, God has allowed me to see the amazing impact that our mission has on people’s lives.”

Since July, Sister Natalie has been serving St. Anthony of the Desert Parish in Fall River, and she anticipates spending the next three to five years in continued formation doing a combination of parish ministry work and academic studies and taking a more “hands-on approach” to her apostolate.

“I’ll just be very happy to be considered a consecrated woman after (March 19),” Sister Natalie said. “I expect to continue serving the parish by visiting the homebound and sick. It’s something I love doing. And it puts a smile on their face when they know that somebody from the Church is giving them some attention. It just makes them feel special and they are special.”

ebrated in the school basement, and some people said those were some of the best Masses they ever attended.

It was a bonding time and the parish, instead of falling apart, became stronger and more unified.

“I told the faculty and staff at St. Michael School that this could be a blessing in disguise; a time to grow stronger together as a team and a family. Out of this tragedy can come something good. I said the school was more than a building, it was the faculty, staff, students, parents, parishioners and volunteers.”

“The SMS faculty are a true team,” Leary told The Anchor. “They’re focus is on the return to classroom and are eager to do whatever it takes to ease the difficulty of this situation. Throughout this time, they’ve shown their dedication to their students, their school, and to their profession.”

Father Mello was also touched by the outpouring of support so soon after the flooding. “I heard from the mayor of Fall River, from Diman Regional Vocational Technical High School in Fall River, and from principals of other Catholic schools in the diocese; all offering support. The outreach has been tremendous.”

“The outpouring of support and offers to help from the St. Michael community and from our friends throughout the diocese

and neighboring dioceses has been truly heartwarming,” added Leary. “We are blessed that this happened after school and that we have so many to help us during this time.”

As of press time, it appears that the majority of the damage was structural, mostly concentrated on the roof and ceiling. A decision was made late on March 5 that a temporary roof would be installed prior to the forecasted March 7 storm, and a new roof will be installed in June. School was canceled for the entire week following the flood, based on more strong weather to come.

Water fell on the desks and some equipment, but none appear to have been damaged beyond use. The loss was in books and supplies.

“It appears that insurance will assist in most of the renovations and cleanup, but the loss of books and supplies may cost the school,” said Father Mello.

He also said that a few parishioners and friends have already donated money to help St. Michael School get back on its feet. “Anyone who would like to help, their generosity would be greatly appreciated,” said Father Mello.

Those wishing to assist St. Michael School can send donations to the parish at St. Michael Parish, 189 Essex Street, Fall River, Mass., 02720.

To advertise in The Anchor, contact Wayne Powers at 508-675-7151 or Email waynepowers@ anchornews.org The Anchor - March 9, 2018

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Memorial of Mary, Mother of the Church added to Liturgical calendar

VATICAN CITY (CNA/EWTN News) — The Vatican recently announced Pope Francis’ decision that the Church celebrate the Blessed Virgin Mary in her role as “Mother of the Church” every year on the Monday after Pentecost, as a way to foster Marian piety and the maternal sense of the Church.

The decree establishing the memorial was published March 3 in a letter from Cardinal Robert Sarah, head of the Congregation for Divine Worship and the Discipline of the Sacraments.

As Sarah explained, Pope Francis added the memorial to the Roman Calendar after carefully considering how the promotion of devotion to the Blessed Virgin Mary under this particular title might encourage growth in “the maternal sense of the Church” and in “genuine

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Marian piety.” text has been “This celebrapublished, and tion will help the translations us to remember will be prepared that growth in by the bishops’ the Christian life conferences and must be anchored approved by the to the mystery congregation. of the cross, to A celebration the oblation of of a memorial Christ in the generally means Eucharistic that prayers banquet and to and readings the Mother of specific to the Pope Francis incenses the altar during Mass in Gyumri, Armethe Redeemer day’s memorial nia June 25, 2016. (Vatican Media/CNA) and Mother of are used in the Mother of the Church, has the Redeemed,” Mass. been added to the General Cardinal Sarah wrote.

The Marian title of Roman Calendar, the RoThe cardinal noted that “Mother of the Church,” man Missal, and the Litur- was given to the Blessed the “joyous veneration gy of the Hours. The Latin Mother by Blessed Pope given to the Mother of God by the contemporary Church, in light of reflection on the mystery of Christ and on His nature, cannot ignore the figure of WASHINGTON, D.C. chairman of the U.S. bisha woman, the Virgin Mary, ops’ Committee on Do(CNA/EWTN News) — who is both the Mother of mestic Justice, and Bishop In the aftermath of the Christ and Mother of the George V. Murry, S.J., of February 14 shooting at Church.”

Youngstown, Ohio, chairMarjory Stoneman DougThe memorial of the man of the Committee on las High School in ParkBlessed Virgin Mary, Catholic Education. land, Fla. that killed 17 The bishops said the people, two U.S. bishops idea of arming teachhave issued a joint statement calling for “common- ers “seems to raise more concerns than it addresses.” sense gun measures” and Rather, the bishops said dialogue about specific “concepts that appear proposals that will reduce to offer more promise” gun violence and ensure would include “an approschool safety.

“Once again, we are con- priate minimum age for fronted with grave evil, the gun ownership,” universal background checks, and murder of our dear chilthe banning of certain gun dren and those who teach them. Our prayers contin- accessories, such as bump ue for those who have died, stocks.

Previously, the USCCB and those suffering with has voiced support for injuries and unimaginable several gun control meagrief. We also continue sures, among them a ban our decades-long advoon assault weapons, limits cacy for common-sense to high-capacity magagun measures as part of a comprehensive approach to zines, additional penalties the reduction of violence in for gun trafficking, as well as restrictions on who can society and the protection of life,” the statement said. purchase handguns. The USCCB is also in favor The statement was isof child safety locks that sued by Bishop Frank J. prevent children from usDewane of Venice, Fla.,

The Anchor - March 9, 2018

Paul VI at the Second Vatican Council. It was also added to the Roman Missal after the Holy Year of Reconciliation in 1975.

Subsequently, some countries, dioceses and religious families were granted permission by the Holy See to add this celebration to their particular calendars. With its addition to the General Roman Calendar, it will now be celebrated by the whole Roman Catholic Church.

In 2018, the memorial of the Blessed Virgin Mary, Mother of the Church, will be celebrated on May 21.

Bishops call for ‘common-sense gun measures’ after Florida school shooting

ing guns.

The bishops also noted that violent images “inundate our youth.”

“We must explore ways to curb” these images, they said.

The bishops also pointed out that while the vast majority of people with mental health conditions are not violent, mental illness has played a role in many mass shootings. “We must look to increase resources and seek earlier interventions,” they said.

The Parkland shooter’s lawyers say that he has mental illness and “brain development issues.”

Since the shooting in Parkland, some Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School students have become public advocates for increased gun control measures. The USCCB praised these students, saying that “the voices of these advocates should ring in our ears as they describe the peaceful future to which they aspire.”

Saint Vincent’s Home achieves national accreditation

FALL RIVER — St. Vincent’s Home has achieved national accreditation through the New York-based Council on Accreditation. St. Vincent’s provides residential direct care, in-home and community-based services, outpatient behavioral health, residential and group living support, and many forms of support and stabilization for families.

It took St. Vincent’s 18 months to achieve accreditation. Organizations pursue accreditation to demonstrate the implementation of best practice standards in the field of human services.

COA evaluated all aspects of St. Vincent’s programs, services, management, and administration.

COA accreditation is an objective, independent, and reliable validation of an agency’s performance. The COA accreditation process involves a detailed review and analysis of an organization’s administration, management, and service delivery functions against international standards of best practice. The standards driving accreditation ensure that services are well-coordinated, culturally competent, evidence-based, outcomes-oriented, and provided by a skilled and supported workforce. COA accreditation demonstrates accountability in the management of resources, sets standardized best practice thresholds for service and administration, and increases organizational capacity and accountability by creating a framework for ongoing quality improvement.

To achieve COA accreditation, St. Vincent’s first provided written evidence of compliance with the COA standards. There-

after, a group of specially trained volunteer Peer Reviewers confirmed adherence to these standards during a series of on-site interviews with trustees, staff and clients.

Based on their findings, COA’s volunteer-based Accreditation Commission voted that Sat. Vincent’s had successfully met the criteria for accreditation. An endorsement of COA and the value of its accreditation process is reflected in it being named by the U.S. State Department as the sole national independent accrediting body under the Hague Convention on Intercountry Adoption to accredit intercountry adoption service providers. In addition, COA is the only national accreditor designated by the U.S. Department of Defense to develop ac-

creditation standards and processes for human service programs provided to military personnel and their families.

Founded in 1977, COA is an independent, not-for-profit accreditor of the full continuum of community-based behavioral health care and social service organizations in the United States and Canada.

More than 2,000 organizations — voluntary, public, and proprietary; local and statewide; large and small — have either successfully achieved COA accreditation or are currently engaged in the process.

Currently, COA has a total of 47 service standards that are applicable to over 125 different types of programs.

To learn more about COA, please visit www.COAnet. org.

St. Vincent’s is a multi-

service behavioral health, child and family serving organization with program sites in Fall River and Plymouth. Staff provides direct care, in-home and community-based services, outpatient behavioral health, residential and group living support, and

many forms of support and stabilization for families.

For 133 years, St. Vincent’s has been working with children and families to preserve hope.

For more information, please call Saint Vincent’s at 508-679-8511 or visit stvincentshome.org.

In Your Prayers Please Please pray pray for for these these priests priests during during the the coming coming weeks weeks

March 12 Rev. Aurelien L. Moreau, Pastor, St. Mathieu, Fall River, 1961 Rev. Adrien E. Bernier, Pastor, St. Mathieu, Fall River, 1989 Rev. George I. Saad, Retired Pastor, Our Lady of Purgutory, New Bedford, 1991 March 14 Rev. Msgr. Agostinho Pacheco, Retired Pastor, Our Lady of Sorrows, McAllen, Texas, 2017 March 16 Rev. Francis J. Maloney. S.T.L., Pastor, St. Mary, North Attleboro, 1957 Rev. Thomas J. Tobin, C.S.C., 2006 March 17 Rev. Henry R. Creighton, SS.CC., 2004 Deacon Michael E. Murray, 2008 Rev. Bartley MacPháidin, C.S.C., 2016 March 18 Rev. Robert D. Forand, C.P., West Hartford, Conn., 1989 Permanent Deacon Frank W. Mis, 2011 March 19 Rev. John J. McQuaide, Assistant, St. Mary, Taunton, 1905 March 20 Rev. Francis A. Mrozinski, Pastor, St. Hedwig, New Bedford, 1951 Permanent Deacon Lawrence St. Pierre, 2017 March 22 Rev. Joseph A. Martins, Assistant, St. John the Baptist, New Bedford, 1940, Rev. James T. Keefe, SS.CC., Chaplain, U.S. Army, 2003 March 23 Rev. James F. Kelley, USN Ret. Archdiocese of Anchorage , Forrner Assistant, St. Mary’s Mansfield, 2002 Rev. Normand J. Boulet, 2015

Visit The Anchor online at http:www. anchornews.org The Anchor - March 9, 2018

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Around the Diocese The Women’s Guild of St. John Neumann Parish will sponsor an Attic Treasures Sale on Saturday, March 10 from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. This event will be held in the parish hall, located at 157 Middleboro Road in East Freetown. A continental breakfast and hot homemade lunch will be served. The hall is wheelchair accessible and admission is free. Take the Chace Road exit off Route 140.

“Souper Sunday,” a fund-raiser to benefit Catholic Social Services and the Sister Rose House for the homeless of the New Bedford area will be held on Sunday, March 11 from 4 to 6 p.m. at Holy Name of the Sacred Heart of Jesus Parish, 121 Mount Pleasant Street in New Bedford. The event will feature an “all you can eat” menu of eight homemade soups, served with bread, crackers, dessert and beverage. Freewill donations will be accepted. For more information, please call 5o8-287-0962.

The Youth Council of St. Dominic’s Parish in Swansea is hosting a Poor Man’s Supper on Friday, March 16 at 7:30 p.m. in the hall, preceded by Mass and Stations of the Cross in the church. Donation for the supper, which includes soup, bread and water is $1, with all proceeds benefitting a local soup kitchen.

Our Lady of the Cape Parish, 468 Stony Brook Road in Brewster, will host a Lenten Mission entitled “Ablaze: Passionately Pursuing Christ and a Life of Purpose” featuring Deacon Keith Strohm, a well-known international speaker and author on March 19-21 at 7 p.m. each night.

Deacon Strohm has helped tens of thousands of people hear the Gospel message and encounter the mercy, love and power of Jesus. Over the course of three evenings, he will present themes on being created for a relationship with God, finding fulfillment and joy now and in eternal life later through following Jesus, and living the Kingdom life we receive in the Holy Spirit. For more information, call 508-385-3252, extension 10 or email ourladyofthecapebrewster@gmail.com.

Beginning March 20 through May 1, the Fall River Bereavement Group will meet every Tuesday at 7 p.m. for seven weeks at the Catholic Education Center, 423 Highland Avenue, Fall River. For more information contact Rose Mary Saraiva at the diocesan Office of Faith Formation at 508-678-2828, extension 27 or 508-642-0583 or via email at rsaraiva@ dfrcs.org.

The Laurel Tree Players will present “Snoopy! The Musical” at Holy Family-Holy Name School, 91 Summer Street in New Bedford, on Friday, March 23 at 8 p.m., Saturday, March 24 at 8 p.m., and Sunday, March 25 at 2 p.m. Tickets are $15 for adults, $12 for seniors and children, and may be purchased at the school or reserved by calling 508-993-3547.

Divine Mercy Sunday will be celebrated at St. Patrick’s Parish, 82 High Street in Wareham, on April 8 at 2:30 p.m. featuring the Chaplet with Benediction and a special Divine Mercy presentation and performance

by Marty Rotella, international speaker, singer, songwriter and musician.

Refreshments will be served inside the parish hall followed by Marty Rotella in concert from 4 to 5 p.m. in the church. Freewill offerings are appreciated and all are welcome.

An Introduction to the Poustinia Experience led by Anna Rae-Kelly, OCDS, will be held on Wednesday, April 11 from 1 to 4 p.m. at the La Salette Retreat Center in Attleboro. Do you feel beckoned by God to encounter Him in silence, solitude, and prayer? The word “poustinia” is Russian for “desert.” In the silent chamber within our being, a poustinia allows the seeking soul to stand utterly still, to give permission to the God within our being to ignite His flame of love as we contemplate Him. To register for this introduction to the poustinia experience, call 508-222-8530 or visit www.lasaletteretreatcenter.com.

The reunion committee is seeking members of the Class of 1968 at Mount St. Mary’s Academy for its 50th reunion, to be held at the Cove Restaurant in Fall River on June 22. Interested graduates should contact Judi (DePaola) Boardman at mom@team508.org.

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 - March 9, 2018

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 — Beginning September 14, 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 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.

ATTLEBORO — There is a weekly time of Eucharistic Adoration Wednesdays from 7-9 p.m. at St. John the Evangelist Church on North Main Street.

Brewster — Eucharistic Adoration takes place in the La Salette Chapel in the lower level of Our Lady of the Cape Church, 468 Stony Brook Road, on First Fridays beginning at noon until 7:45 a.m. First Saturday, concluding with Benediction and concluding with Mass at 8 a.m. buzzards Bay — Eucharistic Adoration takes place at St. Margaret Church, 141 Main Street, Monday through Saturday, from 6:30 to 8 a.m.; and every first Friday from noon to 8 a.m. on Saturday.

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. Also, there is a First Friday Mass each month at 7 p.m., followed by a Holy Hour with Eucharistic Adoration. Refreshments follow.

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. Bernadette’s Church, 529 Eastern Ave., has continuous Eucharistic Adoration from 8 a.m. on Thursday until 8 a.m. on Saturday.

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.

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. Mass every First Friday with special intentions for Respect Life, followed by 24 hours of Eucharistic Adoration in the Chapel, concluding with Benediction Saturday morning followed immediately by an 8:30 Mass.

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.

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.

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

The Anchor - March 9, 2018

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The Anchor - March 9, 2018