The Anchor Diocese of Fall River

F riday , March 15, 2013

State school board approves transgender bathroom policy By Christine M. Williams Anchor Correspondent

BOSTON — Massachusetts legislators passed the controversial Transgender Rights Law in 2011 only after supporters dropped the sections that earned the measure the ominous nickname “Bathroom Bill.” At the time, it seemed that everyone agreed that the law would not open bathrooms and locker rooms to members of the opposite sex. Patricia Doherty, executive director of Catholic Citizenship, told The Anchor that she was present the night the House passed the legislation on Nov. 16, 2011. In an “extremely unusual” move, one of the bill’s sponsors, Rep. Eugene O’Flaherty (D-Chelsea), addressed the floor and assured legislators, “This is not a bathroom bill. It is not a locker room bill. You do not have to worry about this bill,” she quoted him. Apparently, Mitchell Chester, commissioner of the Massachusetts Board of Elementary and Secondary Education, was absent that evening. On February 15, he issued a new policy calling for schools to open bathrooms, locker rooms and athletic teams to transgender students. Two weeks later, he met with legislators who voiced their displeasure with the new directive, but he has not amended it. In a statement released by the Massachusetts Family Institute Rep. Sheila Harrington (R-Gronton), present at the meeting with Chester, said, “I am very disappointed that the commissioner justified his actions on his inter-

pretation of a new law that in no way prescribes such actions.” She added that at the time of the law’s passage, it was “crystal clear” that public accommodations would not be affected. Since then, proponents of the original legislation, which was first introduced more than seven years ago with the public accommodations language intact, have sought to add the omitted parts as an amendment. On the other side, there are two bills — one that would repeal the entire transgender law outright and a second that would specify that lawfully sex-segregated facilities not be open to members of the opposite sex. Both measures are supported by MFI and Catholic Citizenship. The transgender law, passed by the state senate on Nov. 17, 2011 and signed into law by Gov. Deval Patrick, took effect on July 1, 2012. The measure was designed to prevent discrimination in the areas of housing, employment, lending and education. The four Catholic bishops in the Commonwealth have consistently opposed the transgender law. The Massachusetts Catholic Conference submitted testimony against the bill, citing concern over the broad definition of gender identity. According to the law, a citizen need only show that their gender identity is “sincerely held.” “An individual would be legally empowered to pose as both a man and a woman at different times or at the same time, and for any length Turn to page 19

RALLYING CRY — “Show up; step up; step out,” was the mantra repeated by Jesse Manibusan while he performed at this year’s high school youth convention held at Bishop Stang High School in North Dartmouth. Graduates of the Fall River Diocese’s Christian Leadership Institute helped organize the event, and also joined Manibusan on stage during his performance. (Photo by Becky Aubut)

High school youth convention focuses on making students disciples of Christ By Becky Aubut Anchor Staff

NORTH DARTMOUTH — The number of attendees may have been smaller than at past conventions, but that didn’t deter the recent graduates of the Christian Leadership Institute from putting their best efforts into planning this year’s High School Youth Convention focused on the theme: “Go Therefore and Make Disciples” and held at Bishop Stang High School in North Dartmouth. Earlier this summer teenagers from area parishes spent a week at Cathedral Camp in

nesses and how to use them. Just what you can do as a leader, and kids need leaders now.” Sara DaCosta, a junior at Fairhaven High School and parishioner of St. Joseph’s Parish in Fairhaven, said she enjoyed meeting and working with likeminded teen-agers from area parishes. “There was definitely a sense of community,” said DaCosta. “We were just a whole bunch of random kids who did not know each other and we bonded so quickly.” As a student of Joseph Case Turn to page 14

“He called me and I came down to see what was wrong,” Father Hindsley told The Anchor. “They stole the tabernacle with the consecrated Hosts inside, they stole a chalice, they stole three ciboria, they stole candlesticks, a bucket of holy water, and a copy of the Roman Missal. They also smashed some glass and strew things around, throwing the Holy Bible on the floor.” Although Father Hindsley said there was no evidence of a break-in, one of the doors to the church located at 945 Main Road

that “is always locked was found unlocked … that’s all we know.” “The police took fingerprints, but I don’t think they found much,” Father Hindsley added. “A detective came back here this morning (and) they are continuing to investigate.” Father Horace J. Travassos, pastor of the nearby Our Lady of Grace Parish in Westport, said there had been no similar acts of vandalism at his church and he couldn’t recall anything like this happening before. “It’s very distressing to me,” Turn to page 18

Malicious vandalism at Westport church seen as potential hate crime

By Kenneth J. Souza Anchor Staff

SINFUL ACT — A Bible and several religious icons were among the items that were found desecrated on March 2 inside St. John the Baptist Church in Westport after a break-in and deliberate act of vandalism the night before.

East Freetown embracing the CLI philosophies of combining Christian faith with leadership skills, an effort that culminates with the CLI grads organizing the Fall River Diocese’s annual high school youth convention. Caroline Kirby’s sister had attended the CLI program a few years ago and when the opportunity came for her to attend, the parishioner of St. John the Evangelist Parish in Attleboro jumped at the chance. “It showed us not just how to learn how to work with other people,” she explained, “but to find your strengths and weak-

WESTPORT — People arriving for the 4:30 p.m. Saturday vigil Mass at St. John the Baptist Church in Westport on March 2 were distraught to learn the Liturgy had been cancelled due to a malicious act of vandalism that occurred sometime the previous night. According to the church’s pastor, Father Leonard Hindsley, the parish sacristan had arrived about three o’clock that afternoon to prepare for Mass when he discovered the crime scene.

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March 15, 2013 News From the Vatican Universal priest, prophet and king: Next pope faces global challenges

VATICAN CITY (CNS) — example of Blessed John Paul II cial services. The most obvious challenge Like the rest of the world’s 1.2 by incorporating elements of the that the next pope will face in rebillion Catholics, including the Church’s Liturgical diversity into gard to governance is the one clos5,100 bishops and 412,000 priests, papal Masses, especially during est to home: the need for reform the pope exercises what the “Cat- international gatherings such as of the Roman Curia, the Church’s echism of the Catholic Church” World Youth Day. central administration. calls his “baptismal priesthood” Pope Benedict made it a major In their preparatory meetings by participating in “Christ’s mis- project of his pontificate to shape over the week prior to the papal sion as priest, prophet and king.” the Church’s understanding of Vatelection, the cardinals discussed The Bishop of Rome exercises ican II, emphasizing that the counthe corruption and mismanhis ministry in a unique way, of cil’s doctrines did not represent a agement sensationally course, as pastor of the he Bishop of Rome exercises his documented in the 2012 Universal Church. In ministry in a unique way, of course, “VatiLeaks” release of practically everything he confidential correspondoes, he has special re- as pastor of the Universal Church. In dence to the Italian press. sponsibility for preserv- practically everything he does, he has Serious reform would ing and building unity among members of the special responsibility for preserving and almost certainly require diversification largest, most widespread building unity among members of the national of the Italian-dominated and ethnically diverse or- largest, most widespread and ethnically curia, a job that some obganization on earth. That diverse organization on earth. servers think an Italian responsibility is crucial pope would be best poto defining the particusitioned to accomplish, given the lar challenges that await the man radical break with the past but folwill to do so. whom 115 cardinal electors will lowed in continuity with tradition. On a global level, no issue of The next pope may decide that choose in the conclave that started governance is more urgent than this magisterial task has been largeMarch 12. that of clergy sexual abuse. A zeroIn his almost eight-year pontifi- ly accomplished, but he is almost tolerance policy, leading to the excate, Pope Benedict XVI worked certain to maintain Pope Benedict’s clusion of child abusers from any to emphasize the Liturgy’s con- emphasis on the New Evangelizapublic ministry, is now in principle tinuity with the Church’s millen- tion, the effort to revive the faith in the universal norm of the Church. nial traditions. He encouraged a increasingly secular societies. How he pursues this effort However, the application of that revival of Eucharistic Adoration and the use of Gregorian Chant. may depend on where he comes norm remains highly inconsistent Most significantly, he lifted almost from. A European or American at the local level. Financial governance at the all restrictions on celebration of the — whether from the north or the Vatican has been the object of Tridentine Mass, which had fallen south — may continue to highlight heightened media attention in practically out of use amid the the erosion of Christian culture in recent years, and the next pope modernizing reforms that followed its former bastions. A pope from will presumably follow up on Asia or Africa may give relatively the Second Vatican Council. Pope Benedict’s moves to make At the same time, Pope Bene- great emphasis to the Church’s the Vatican bank’s activities more dict condoned a kind of Liturgical rapid growth on those continents, transparent and in conformity with pluralism within the Church, and while frankly acknowledging teninternational norms. even contributed to it by establish- sions with non-Christian commuIn the coming years, the ing personal ordinariates for for- nities, particularly Islam. Church’s management of money Defense of religious freedom mer Anglicans, making it possible and property around the world is for Catholic communities around is bound to be another priority for bound to come under ever greater the world to worship in a form in- the next pope, who will certainly scrutiny from governments, mefluenced by the 16th-century Prot- continue to draw attention to redia and Catholic laity. In order to ligiously inspired violence and estant Reformation. prevent scandals that could unThe next pope will be taking legal restrictions on worship and the helm of a Church with ever evangelization around the world. dermine the Church’s credibility, more varied forms of worship. A European or American is also especially in its pronouncements Like his predecessor, he must be likely to highlight problems in- on matters of economic justice, sensitive to the needs of Catholics creasingly common in developed the next pope may have to call on devoted to the revived Tridentine countries, such as threats to the local churches to develop more Liturgy, but also to those who right of conscientious objection in rigorous and uniform policies on practice charismatic faith healing fields such as medical care and so- their own financial activities. and speaking in tongues. He must help preserve the ancient rites of OFFICIAL NEWSPAPER OF THE the Eastern Catholic churches DIOCESE OF FALL RIVER while setting a reverent example www.anchornews.org Vol. 57, No. 10 for the vast majority of the faithMember: Catholic Press Association, Catholic News Service ful who attend Mass in the form Published weekly except for two weeks in the summer and the week after Christmas by the Catholic Press of the Diocese of Fall River, 887 Highland Avenue, Fall River, MA 02720, established under Pope Paul VI. Telephone 508-675-7151 — FAX 508-675-7048, email: theanchor@anchornews.org. In carrying out this aspect of Subscription price by mail, postpaid $20.00 per year, for U.S. addresses. his mission, the new pope may Send address changes to P.O. Box 7, Fall River, MA, call or use email address draw particular inspiration from PUBLISHER - Most Reverend George W. Coleman the two men who preceded him. EXECUTIVE EDITOR Father Richard D. Wilson fatherwilson@anchornews.org David B. Jolivet davejolivet@anchornews.org In the spirit of Pope Benedict’s EDITOR OFFICE MANAGER Mary Chase m arychase@anchornews.org avowed hope that the older and ADVERTISING Wayne R. Powers waynepowers@anchornews.org newer Liturgies might enrich each REPORTER Kenneth J. Souza kensouza@anchornews.org other, he may encourage a synthe- REPORTER Rebecca Aubut beckyaubut@anchornews.org sis of various forms of worship Send Letters to the Editor to: fatherwilson@anchornews.org embraced by his global flock. In PoStmaSters send address changes to The Anchor, P.O. Box 7, Fall River, MA 02722. practical terms, he may follow the

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smoke signaler — The stovepipe that carries the smoke to signal of the election of a new pope is seen in the Sistine Chapel at the Vatican during recent preparations for the conclave. (CNS photo/Paul Haring)

Confessors called to help Catholics recognize truth of God’s love

VATICAN CITY (CNS) — The Sacrament of Penance, or Reconciliation, helps Catholics recognize “the truth about themselves: that they are beloved children of the Father, Who is rich in mercy,” said Cardinal Manuel Monteiro de Castro. The cardinal, head of the Apostolic Penitentiary, the Vatican court that deals with the Sacrament of Penance and matters of conscience, said the Sacrament is an integral part of evangelization because it is a proclamation of the Good News of God’s love. Cardinal Monteiro de Castro, one of the few top Vatican officials whose job does not end with the end of a pontificate, spoke to more than 500 seminarians, deacons and priests attending a March 4-8 Vatican course on the Sacrament and matters of conscience. “To evangelize is not only to teach doctrine and proclaim the truth. To evangelize is especially to proclaim the Good News of the Gospel that can touch human hearts and open them to accept the love of God,” he said. Msgr. Krzysztof Nykiel, regent of the Apostolic Penitentiary, said the priests who are the best confessors know how to balance being a father, counselor and judge; they must know and understand Church teaching

and know how to convey it in the confessional with “prudence, discretion, discernment and goodness.” The confessor, he said, must avoid “the danger of creating anguish” in the penitent and instead help him or her learn to “trust the infinite mercy of God.” The personality of a priest, “his qualities and his defects, have a noticeable weight in the confessional, more than in any other Sacrament,” Msgr. Nykiel said. With ordination, every priest receives the faculty to absolve sins in the name of the Church, he said, but often “the penitent does not need only forgiveness.” Frequently, the monsignor said, he or she needs education and guidance in forming a truly Christian conscience, or has need of encouragement or comfort. Exercising the ministry of confessor is “one of the most difficult and delicate tasks for a priest,” he said. He needs “to intuit situations of fragility, anxiety, pain or situations of superficiality, boasting and pride.” A priest also needs to be able to set aside his own concerns and worries and the cares of the previous penitent, giving his full attention to the person in front of him at the moment, Msgr. Nykiel said.

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3 The International Church Venezuelan president changed nation, had rocky relations with bishops March 15, 2013

SANTO DOMINGO, Dominican Republic (CNS) — Hugo Chavez, a socialist president who transformed Venezuela while acting as chief protagonist in what was one of the worst Catholic Churchgovernment relationships in Latin America, died March 5. He was 58. Chavez died of complications from a respiratory infection nearly two years and four surgeries after his cancer diagnosis was made public. He flew to Cuba for his fourth surgery in early December and developed post-surgical complications, including bleeding and a lung infection, doctors said. Last April 5, Holy Thursday, shortly before his third surgery for cancer, Chavez attended a Catholic Mass in Barinas, the state in western Venezuela where he was born and where his brother, Adan Chavez Frias, is now governor. Wearing a Rosary and dressed in a blue and white tracksuit, Chavez pleaded for his life. “I ask God to give me life, however painful. I can carry 100 crosses, Your crown of thorns, but don’t take me yet. I still have things to do,” he said, according to press reports. Catholic leaders spoke of Chavez’s relationship with the Church and his legacy for Venezuelans. “The people of Venezuela held him up, considered him a public leader that they felt a connection to; someone they were close with,” said Auxiliary Bishop Jesus Gonzalez de Zarate of Caracas, secretarygeneral of the Venezuelan bishops’ conference. There was “great hope for his recovery and that he would serve his third term.” Chavez, a former military lieutenant colonel, gained attention as leader of a failed coup in 1992. In 2000, he was elected president. He was due to be inau-

past president — Venezuela President Hugo Chavez, the socialist president who transformed the country while acting as chief protagonist in what was one of the worst Catholic Church-government relationships in Latin America, died at age 58 March 5. He is pictured in a 2005 photo. (CNS photo/Reuters, Jorge Silva)

gurated for his third six-year term January 10, but because of his illness he was never sworn in. During his 13 years in office, he placed price caps on products sold by multinational companies and food basics. Chavez’s critics, including many Church leaders, said his programs were inefficient and indoctrinated poor Venezuelans in socialist philosophy. Those programs won him political popularity among the poor, but with food basics, like milk and sugar, in short supply, the cost of some products rising with runaway inflation, and a high crime rate, his support within the poor neighborhoods waned. The roughly 90,000 mostly poor, mostly Catholic Venezuelans that live in Carcacas’ 23 de Enero neighborhood have mixed feelings about Chavez’s legacy, said Franciscan Father Angel Antonio Tornero, pastor at Cristo Rey Parish. “There have been many improvements to infrastructure and the community. The prices of food are lower. Chavez has support from many for the work that his government has done,” Father Tornero said. “But there are contradictions. There are shortages of food, and many people feel like the government ignores their needs.” Father Tornero said the government has slashed funding to Catholic schools in the barrio, leaving them in a “financial crisis.” Church leaders said the Church’s relationship with the president was complicated, if not at times downright nasty. “There were years that were difficult, tense,” said Bishop Gonzalez de Zarate. “There were attacks and strong responses. But I feel that there was a calming in the past year.” He said that in the second half of 2012, the bishops’ conference held two meetings with top Chavez government officials, including Vice President Nicolas Maduro, whom Chavez tapped as his successor. In July, Chavez called the conference and suggested he was open to a face-toface meeting, which would have been the first in at least six years, Bishop Gonzalez de Zarate said. Chavez first won election promising a Cuban-influenced socialist “Bolivarian revolution.” He used the nation’s oil resources and a ballooning national debt to fund social programs that cut the South American country’s poverty rate. Initially, the relationship between Chavez and Church leaders seemed warm. But it did not take long for things to sour. Church leaders lent support to a shortlived coup that overthrew Chavez for 48 hours in 2002, saying he was abusing power and eroding democratic institutions. They kept up their criticism and, several years later, some Chavez supporters said that, with the hierarchy’s almost obsessive opposition to the president, the bishops had distanced themselves from poor Venezuelans. One community activist told Catholic News Service: “I agree there should be criticisms” of the government, “but constructive criticism that unites instead of separating.” The war of words continued, with

successive Venezuelan Catholic leaders criticizing the president, who returned the criticism. More recently, Chavez had suggested he was willing to mend relations with Church leaders. In a July interview with Venezuelan state-owned television, he said, “hopefully we can manage to establish a good relationship with the Catholic hierarchy and to work together for the country. “The Church can contribute much along with the government in the fight against poverty, misery and crime,” he said. Bishop Gonzalez de Zarate said that Chavez had “opened the door” to improved relations. “I’m not saying we have had fluid relations with the government, but there has been improvement,” he said. Born July 28, 1954, as the second of

seven children of schoolteachers, Chavez was raised by his grandmother, a devout Catholic. He was an altar boy at his local church in a rural village in Barinas. As a child, he reportedly had always thought that he would become a priest. As an adult, has described himself as a “Christian” whose policies are based on the teachings of Jesus Christ. He used religion to win support from religious groups that helped elect him president in three consecutive elections. “You have to take into account the evangelical card, which is his support base,” Nikolas Kozloff, author of “Hugo Chavez: Oil, Politics and the Challenge to the U.S.,” said in an email several months before the president’s death. “Chavez has his own brand of Christian socialism, and he plays up the Christ martyr complex in his rhetoric.”

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The Church in the U.S. Poll shows regular Mass attendees oppose ‘gay marriage’

Hamden, Conn. (CNA) — A majority of Catholics who attend services weekly oppose same-sex “marriage,” according to a poll by Quinnipiac University, even though its release suggested that Catholics largely support the practice. Among Catholics who are registered to vote and who attend services weekly, 36 percent support “gay marriage,” while 55 percent oppose it, according to figures provided to CNA by April Radocchio, Quinnipiac University Polling Institute’s associate poll director. The release announcing the poll, by contrast, said that among all registered voters who identify as Catholic — 11 percent of whom never attend religious services — 54 percent support same-sex “marriage,” while only 47 percent of all registered voters are supportive of it. Based on this finding, Peter Brown, Quinnipiac’s assistant director, said that “Catholic voters are leading American voters toward support for same-sex marriage.” Brown’s assertion drew criticism from some Catholic circles, with many suggesting that the poll was flawed in some way. Pia de Solenni, an ethicist who holds a doctorate in sacred theology from the Pontifical University of the Holy Cross, emphasized that the poll, with a sample of less than 500 Catholics, was “hardly representative” of Catholics in America. “When you ask someone if they’re Catholic, you have to further specify, do they attend church regularly or not,” she noted. Survey results are often vastly different between Catholics who do and do not regularly attend Mass. The poll surveyed 497 Catholics from February 27

to March 4, and had a margin of error of plus or minus 4.4 percent for questions asked of Catholics. In the release announcing the poll’s results, Quinnipiac provided figures for several questions pertinent to Catholics in America. Most of these were issues particular to Catholics, and the answers were broken down so that readers could compare the differences between those Catholics who attend religious services weekly and less than weekly. However the question asking about support or opposition to same-sex marriage did not have this distinction, merely showing Catholics as a whole. Radocchio explained the discrepancy, telling CNA that the question about same-sex marriage was asked in the “general issues section” of the poll, and the question was posed to all registered voters. “We reported them with the breakdowns we generally used with registered voter releases,” she explained. She said that the remaining questions were all “Catholic issues” which were asked only of Catholic respondents, regardless of their voter registration. Among Catholics who are registered to vote and who attend services weekly, a mere 36 percent support “gay marriage,” while 55 percent oppose it, the poll found. Among those who attend services less than weekly, 63 percent support “gay marriage” and 29 percent oppose it. The margin of error for those figures is plus or minus 4.7 percent. Fewer than 497 Catholics were asked the question, because not all of the Catholic respondents were registered voters, though Radocchio said the number of Catholic respondents about “gay marriage” was “not much

less” than 497. Brown told CNA that the breakdown of the same-sex “marriage” results was not in the initial poll release because “we only have so much space, and can only do so many things up front.” It was “certainly not malicious,” he said, and was a “completely benign decision.” The poll also found that while 52 percent of respondents think the Church is “moving in the right direction,” 55 percent think the next pope “should move the Church in new directions.” Sixty-four percent said the next pope should “relax the Church ban on contraception,” and 62 percent responded that he should support allowing women to become priests. The responses to these questions consistently showed a stark contrast in the opinions of those who attend Mass weekly, and those who attend less than weekly. For example, of those who do not attend services weekly, 73 percent support the priestly ordination of women. Of those who do attend weekly, that figure is only 38 percent. De Solenni said the poll “shows the importance of more effective teaching” in the Church. She noted that “when you ask a question of those who attend Mass regularly, the ratios are almost inverse.” “So if they really want to do a survey that has some integrity, let us know what the standard is for identifying someone as Catholic.” De Solenni added that these issues are not of interest solely to Americans, but to Catholics worldwide. “It’s really important that we take a global perspective on this, and look at what people are saying around the world.” She said that polls such as the one conducted by Quinnipiac can be useful in terms of “knowing the audience you’re speaking to” and “how much teaching needs to be done.” Such polls, however, are not helpful guides “in terms of telling us which policies we should pursue.”

March 15, 2013

shroud expert — Dr. John P. Jackson demonstrates to visitors at the Turin Shroud Center of Colorado how dimensions of the reputed burial cloth of Christ correspond with the standard unit of measure in early Palestine in this file photo. (CNS photo)

Benedict praised for Holy Saturday broadcast of Shroud

Denver, Colo. (CNA/ EWTN News) — Benedict XVI’s decision to allow a TV broadcast of the Shroud of Turin on March 30, Holy Saturday, has been lauded by experts for highlighting the link between the shroud and death of Christ. “Pope Benedict XVI, when he visited the shroud on pilgrimage in 2010, spoke about the shroud in terms of Holy Saturday,” John Jackson, co-founder of the Turin Shroud Center of Colorado, told CNA recently. “From that vantage point, that all his remarks were made relative to Holy Saturday, it is fitting that the broadcast happens on Holy Saturday.” The shroud is venerated as the burial cloth of Christ, and bears a mysterious image of a man who suffered in a manner consistent with crucifixion. It is kept in the Cathedral of St. John the Baptist in Turin, Italy, and is rarely available for viewing. The extremely limited access to seeing the shroud gives the TV broadcast particular significance. It will be shown internationally by the Italian public service broadcaster Rai 1. On March 1, Archbishop Cesare Nosiglia of Turin announced that as part of the Year of Faith, he had gotten the consent of Benedict XVI, prior to his resignation, to have a worldwide TV exhibition of the shroud. “The shroud of course reminds us of the passion, death and burial of the Lord and then to Good Friday, the day in which the Church remembers and celebrates the Passion of Christ,” reflected Archbishop Nosiglia. “Holy Saturday is a day of silent prayer and meditation on the Lord’s death, but it is also a day of joyful waiting of the light of the Resurrection that will ex-

plode in the great celebration of the Easter Vigil.” The shroud, he noted, “is a witness of this double mystery: it brings us back to the darkness of the tomb, but it also opens the way to receive the light that from it will emerge, in the event of the Resurrection.” The Holy Saturday broadcast of the shroud images is only the second-ever, with the other occurrence taking place in 1973. “This is in honor of the 40th anniversary of the first TV exposition,” Jackson explained. In his March 1 statement, Archbishop Nosiglia said that “the shroud is not a sign of defeat, but of victory, of life over death, of love over hatred and violence, hope over despair ... the face of the Man of Sorrows, which is the face of every man on the earth, represents His suffering, His death, it speaks to us of love and gift, of grace and forgiveness.” He added that the shroud is a reminder that “the proclamation of Christ dead, buried and risen again,” which is at the center of the Christian mystery. The TV exhibition will last about an hour, and will be part of a celebration led by Archbishop Nosiglia. Holy Saturday, the archbishop observed, is “a day of silence, prayer, contemplation of the mystery of the Passion and death of the Lord, but also a day of expectation and openness of heart and life in the light of the Resurrection.” Archbishop Nosiglia voiced his hope “that this worldwide event will lead, in the hearts of many people who will see it, a little light and peace in these complex times and give strength and hope to many sick and poor, but also families and people in need.”

The Church in the U.S. Arkansas passes nation’s broadest abortion restrictions

March 15, 2013

Little Rock (CNA/ EWTN News) — Arkansas legislators have overridden a veto by the governor in order to prohibit most abortions after 12 weeks of pregnancy, the earliest ban of any state in the country. “I feel grateful that people recognize that the abortion policy of this nation has not made abortions rare,” said the bill’s sponsor, Sen. Jason Rapert, in a statement. “In Arkansas, we have now recognized the need for a more balanced policy, and Roe v. Wade has allowed us this option.” “I am so proud of my fellow legislators for standing up and protecting the lives of unborn children,” he continued. “When there is a heartbeat, there is life.” The Arkansas Human Heartbeat Protection Act bans nearly all abortions after 12 weeks of pregnancy. The so-called “heart-

beat bill” is named after its supporters’ argument that unborn babies deserve legal protection once a heartbeat can be identified on an abdominal ultrasound. The new law — which will go into effect this summer — prohibits abortions if a fetal heartbeat can be detected, except in cases of rape, incest and when the mother’s life is endangered. State legislatures enacted the bill by overturning the veto of Arkansas governor Mike Beebe with a 56-33 vote in the state House of Representatives and a 20-14 vote in the state Senate. The passage of the law comes within a week of the Arkansas legislature’s approval of another Pro-Life bill banning abortion after 20 weeks, the point at which scientific evidence indicates that the unborn can feel pain. That bill was also vetoed by the governor, and the veto was likewise

overridden by the legislature, going immediately into effect. Governor Beebe, who has supported some other laws limiting abortion in the past, cited concerns over the laws’ constitutionality as his primary reason for vetoing the fetal heartbeat bill. Planned Parenthood and other abortion advocacy groups have pledged to fight the legislation. Pro-Life organizations are concerned about the effects of a lawsuit challenging the new law. Patrick Gallaher, executive director of Catholic Charities of Arkansas and a lobbyist for the Diocese of Little Rock, warned that the law may be politically and financially risky. “If the state were to lose it would be very costly and may actually wind up bankrolling pro-abortion well into the future,” Gallaher said to the Arkan-

WICHITA, Kan. (CNS) — Father Emil Kapaun, whose actions as a U.S. Army chaplain during the Korean War saved the lives of dozens of soldiers in the field and in a North Korean prisoner of war camp before his death, will be awarded the Medal of Honor. A priest of the Diocese of Wichita, Kan., Father Kapaun will be honored during ceremonies at the White House April 11 and at the Pentagon the next day, said Todd Tiahrt, a former Kansas congressman who has advocated for the honor for years. Citing a letter from an Army staff member preparing for the ceremony, Tiahrt said the award is well deserved. “What he did in the face of adversity at the risk of his own life was remarkable. I’m very pleased by the award. I think it’s justified fully,” Tiahrt told Catholic News Service recently. “I’m very excited that Father Kapaun is getting this recognition,” he said. The Wichita Eagle reported that President Barack Obama called Fa-

ther Kapaun’s sister-in-law, Helen Kapaun, of suburban Bel Aire, in December to tell her the news. She and her family were expected to be on hand to receive the medal. An announcement is expected later in March from the White

House and the Pentagon. Tiahrt has long advocated for Father Kapaun to receive the honor, asking in 2001 then-Secretary of Defense Donald Rumsfeld to review the priest’s record. The record shows the 35-yearold chaplain had the chance to fall back to safety during a battle between U.S. and Chinese forces, but instead chose to stay and was captured along with dozens of men. Former prisoners of war said that during his captivity Father Kapaun defied the intimidating camp guards by praying with captive soldiers, sharing food rations with injured comrades and urging them to resist relentless interrogation. He died of starvation and pneumonia May 23, 1951, in a prison in Pyoktong, North Korea. A canonization cause for Father Kapaun formally opened in 2008 with a Mass at St. John Nepomucene Church in his hometown of Pilsen. Church officials in Kansas and elsewhere have collected documentation to support the sainthood cause and continue to advocate for the priest’s canonization.

Father Kapaun to receive Medal of Honor in April

BATTLEFIELD HERO — U.S. Army chaplain Father Emil Joseph Kapaun, who died May 23, 1951, in a North Korean prisoner of war camp, will be awarded the Medal of Honor. (CNS photo/St. Louis Review)

sas Catholic newspaper in Little Rock. Similar concerns were echoed by Rose Mimms, executive director of Arkansas Right to Life, which neither officially supported nor opposed the bill. “We are incrementalists. That’s our strategy,” Mimms told the Associated Press. “We try to make inroads where we can. We would love for the heartbeat to be able to be held constitutional.” Going forward, the Repub-

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lican legislature intends to use their momentum to continue fighting abortion within the state. Sen. Rapert is hoping to cut public funding to Planned Parenthood and other organizations that provide abortion. “I’m glad for them to do education and do those sorts of things, but I do not like them utilizing funds, indirectly even, to support their efforts with abortion in our state,” Rapert said, according to the Associated Press.

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The Anchor The challenge of welcoming the stranger

As our editor Dave Jolivet notes in his column on page 20, we had to prepare this edition of the paper unaware of whether by the time you received it this weekend a new pope would have been elected. Given that uncertainty, we will hold off on welcoming whomever the Holy Spirit has chosen to lead us and instead look at an issue which has local, national and international implications for us Catholics. Last Saturday, March 9, at Our Lady of Guadalupe at St. James Parish in New Bedford folks from various religious traditions gathered together to commemorate the March 6, 2007 immigration raid at the Michael Bianco factory in the south end of that city. Some of the participants, both immigrants and native-born U.S. citizens, had also engaged in a fast, which they broke in a celebratory meal at the end of the three-hour event, which was a combination of prayer and speeches, calling upon people to work together “en las buenas y en las malas,” in good times and bad, for a greater respect for the human dignity of immigrants, regardless of their legal status. Some might say, “Here comes representatives of the Church again, speaking about issues which are not defined doctrine, when the non-negotiable issues of abortion, Marriage and religious liberty are not even accepted by many Catholics” (see article on page four). The Anchor has spoken out forcefully on those issues; no one can be confused as to what the stance of the paper is on them. Unlike on the issue of gun control, where the statements from the Holy See and the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops have been from very low level spokespeople and not with much frequency, on the issue of immigration the Church’s position has been much more consistent and constantly enunciated. Pope Pius XII in 1952 issued an apostolic constitution, “Exsul Familia,” which is to the Church’s teaching on immigration what Pope Leo XII’s 1891 encyclical “Rerum Novarum” is to the Church’s teaching on social justice towards workers. Both were the jumping off point of the Church explaining how Christ’s revelation in the sacred Scriptures and tradition are to be lived out in the modern world. Exsul Familia takes its name from the exile that the Holy Family of Jesus, Mary and Joseph endured in Egypt. Pope Pius wrote the constitution in response to the great migration crises which arose in the post-World War II world. He quoted St. Ambrose, the great bishop of Milan, who asked, “For who is so callous, unfeeling, hard-hearted and cruel that he does not want men saved from death and women from barbarous attacks worse than death? For who is not willing to rescue girls and boys or little children from the service of pagan idols, into which they have been forced under pain of death? We have not undertaken this work without reason; and we have done it openly to proclaim that it is far better to preserve souls for the Lord than to preserve gold.” St. Ambrose was responding to criticism of him for having melted down and sold sacred vessels so as to save Catholic adults and children from murder, rape, and slavery. In today’s world, sometimes some of us Catholics can be hard-hearted about the reality of the suffering that goes on in Central America (which has a lot of root causes in the United States — from economic policies promoting “banana republics,” to defense policies which promoted “order” over human rights, to the expansion of gangs from U.S. cities into these countries after their civil wars ended), not recognizing that our fellow Catholics (and other human beings created in God’s image and likeness) need the type of compassion that St. Ambrose showed them, which Pope Pius was recalling to people in the 1950s. On page nine we can read about the efforts of the Jesuits to help immigrants. According to the article, besides working with immigrants and with native-born U.S. citizens on this issue, “Soon, they’ll start analyzing what changes might help people to stay in their homelands.” The Church’s goal is not to just “flood” the United States and other Western countries with immigrants for some type of socio-economic change. Rather, the Church wants the dignity of all human beings respected, whether at home or abroad. From “Exsul Familia” until now, the popes have always spoken about how migration almost always comes about as a difficult and painful decision, brought on by economic or security factors which make continuation in one’s home country seemingly impossible. The immigrant does not enjoy leaving behind home, family and culture for some unknown land. The immigrant often feels as if there is no choice but to move. The Church is a leader in working to help make the conditions back “home” less of a cause for a need to escape and in working to “welcome the stranger” in a new land. Ultimately, the Church is concerned about the salvation of souls, the souls of the immigrants and the souls of the people of the “receiving” country. As Jesuit Father Richard Ryscavage said on page nine, we need to work to have our discussions in our parishes “a little less of a screaming match.” We have had some of those screaming matches at times here in the Fall River Diocese, and not just in the last 10 years, but unfortunately even back before the diocese was created. People (i.e., Catholics) would forget that, unless they were Native Americans, their ancestors had come here from someplace else. Sometimes the excuse for treating new immigrants negatively was “well, my ancestors weren’t welcomed when they came.” So, are we to continue an endless cycle of sin, just because the “knownothing” nativists of the 1840s and 1850s were so hostile to our ancestors? Blessed John Paul II issued the Apostolic Exhortation “Ecclesia in America” (“The Church in America”) in 1999 while visiting the Shrine of Our Lady of Guadalupe in Mexico City. In it he urged us, “Migrants should be met with a hospitable and welcoming attitude which can encourage them to become part of the Church’s life, always with due regard for their freedom and their specific cultural identity. Cooperation between the dioceses from which they come and those in which they settle, also through specific pastoral structures provided for in the legislation and praxis of the Church, has proved extremely beneficial to this end. In this way the most adequate and complete pastoral care possible can be ensured. The Church in America must be constantly concerned to provide for the effective evangelization of those recent arrivals who do not yet know Christ.” May God help us to live out this challenge to love under the leadership of our new Holy Father.

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March 15, 2013

Praying for the new pope

was really honored when Raymond Arroyo larly quiet, I went slowly around the upstairs baof EWTN asked me to come to Rome to silica and downstairs crypt praying at the various do television commentary for the papal conclave. altars and sarcophagi where popes are entombed, The week since I’ve arrived has been one of the asking for their intercession for the one who will most enjoyable and exhilarating experiences of soon be numbered among them. my life. I visited and prayed through the intercession As a Catholic disciple, it’s a privilege to be in of John Paul I and Paul VI; Pius III, VI, VII, VIII, Rome when a new pope comes out on the loggia XI and XII; Gregory V, XIII and XIV; Benedict della benedizione. XIV and XV; Innocent VII, VIII, IX and XI; As a priest apostle, it’s an even greater joy to Clement X and XIII; Urban VI and VIII, Paul II make the beautiful teachings of the Church and and III; Hadrian IV and Marcellus II; Alexander the intricate procedures of electing a pope intelliVII and VIII; and Leo XI, Nicholas V, Julius gible to Catholics and non-Catholics back home. III and Boniface VIII. I also prayed on top of It’s an occasion to synthesize my experience the entrance to the polyandrium underneath the covering Catholic news with all I learned about grotto that contains the relics of the vast majority Church history and the popes during my years as of the other popes who don’t have tombs in the a guide here. present basilica. It’s also an opportunity not only to meet cardiIt was a powerful walk through history as I nals and Church leaders, but also to get to know remembered what I had once studied about them and befriend members of the media — national, and used my “pope app” on my iPhone to recall international and local, secular and Catholic — details I had forgotten. Most of them had been helping them, I hope, to understand better what elected in conclaves similar to the one occurring they’re covering and transmit it with greater this week and they would all be able to relate accuracy to people who depend on them for the to what the cardinals would be feeling as they truth. participated, with the weight of history on their But by far the greatest experience here — shoulders, but also counting on the help of God. one, frankly, that But it hasn’t I wasn’t expectjust been the ing to be so powpopes I have been erful — has been pondering, but the opportunity also the teaching to celebrate Mass of the papacy each morning that has been in St. Peter’s for enshrined in art By Father whoever the new and architecture Roger J. Landry Holy Father will within the basilbe. ica. I’ll mention I’m quite two particularly familiar with celebrating Mass at St. Peter’s. evocative images. During my first year as a priest, when I had The first is the famous Altar of the Chair at the returned to Rome to complete graduate studies, back of the basilica. Enshrined by Bernini within I celebrated Mass 106 times at various altars in a bronze sculpture that gave rise to the Baroque the basilica. Every time I’ve visited since, leading era in art is a chair that in the 1600s was believed pilgrimages or participating in Vatican conferto have been the very chair on which St. Peter ences, I have celebrated Mass inside the basilica used to sit to teach the Christians of Rome. The most days. chair symbolizes the teaching authority of Peter, It’s always a joy and something to which where it comes from, what it does, and what the I really look forward. At seven in the mornrelationship needs to be of all of us with it. ing when it opens, St. Peter’s Basilica is what Where it comes from: above the chair hovers it always ought to be, a house of prayer, rather the famous alabaster sculpture of the Holy Spirit, than the holy, beautiful museum into which it indicating that it’s the Holy Spirit Who continues gets transformed once the thousands of tourists to guide the successor of Peter and the Church arrive with their cameras and guides after nine. united with him to the truth. It’s a beautiful time to pray the Mass, to make my What it does: in a bas relief on the frontthanksgiving and pray my breviary in the Blessed facing part of the “back” of the chair is depicted Sacrament Chapel, and even to walk around the Peter feeding Christ’s sheep and lambs, as Jesus basilica praying the Rosary. commanded Peter to do after the Resurrection as But this time celebrating Mass in the basilica a fruit of Peter’s love for Him. That’s precisely has been different. what happens when Peter teaches: he nourishes The first difference is the sense of Liturgical Christ’s flock. deprivation when I get to the part of the Mass What the relationship we’re all called to have when we pray in communion with the Church. with the teaching authority of each pope: at the Beginning March 1 back home, I had already bottom of the chair are four bishop-doctors of begun to feel like a spiritual orphan when I got to the Church, two from the East and two from the part of the Mass in which, every day for the the West, shown pointing toward the chair in previous 2,873 days I had prayed “for Benedict a gesture of upholding it, but without actually our pope.” But it’s even more magnified here, touching it. This points to their communion where the pope is also Bishop of Rome; priests — together with the people entrusted to them have to omit even prayers for the bishop. There’s — with the papal magisterium and their prayer a huge hole where two of the most important rela- sustaining it. tionships for a Catholic ought to be accentuated. The other image is at the front of the basilica. At the same, however, because I’ve been celImmediately over the main entrance, there is ebrating at St. Peter’s, I haven’t felt totally popea sculpture of the Divine foundation of papacy, less. St. Peter’s tomb is here. Blessed John Paul Jesus’ handing the keys of the Kingdom of II’s tomb is here. In fact, 148 of the 265 popes are Heaven. But in counterpoint on the inside of that buried at St. Peter’s. As I have prayed the Mass same door is the very human reality: a mosaic Pro Eligendo Pontifice (Mass for Electing the showing Peter’s sinking in the Sea of Galilee Pope), I have found that my bond with the first after he took his eyes off of Christ as he was pope and all his successors has been growing as walking on water. I pray with them for whoever will soon become This latter image, the last thing pilgrims their successor. would see as they were exiting the basilica, is a It was special for me to celebrate Mass at forceful reminder to pray for the pope: as long the altars over the mortal remains of St. Leo the as he keeps his eyes on Christ, he can do great Great (440-461), St. Gregory the Great (590-604) things; but, even though he has the keys of the and St. Pius X (1903-1914) as I’ve asked them Kingdom, if he takes his eyes off of Christ and to do all they can to influence the outcome of takes account of the winds, he will sink, as some the conclave and get us a pope who will share notorious popes have. their virtues. I’ve prayed for long periods of time That’s a sign for all of us of the need to pray before the altars enclosing the remains of Blessed for our new pope, that he may keep his eyes on John Paul II and Blessed John XXIII, that the the Lord and help all of us to do the same. new Vicar of Christ may have, respectively, their Father Landry is Pastor of St. Bernadette courage and joy. Parish in Fall River. His email address is One morning when the basilica was particufatherlandry@catholicpreaching.com.

Putting Into the Deep

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The Anchor

March 15, 2013

Facing the downstream effects of same-sex parenting

n March, 2013, the British paper The Independent ran an article entitled, “Children in gay adoptions at no disadvantage: Research confirms samesex couples are just as good at parenting as heterosexuals.” The article, based on a study at Cambridge University, concluded there was “no evidence” to support the claim that children’s masculine or feminine tendencies were affected by having gay or lesbian parents, nor were the quality of their family relationships significantly different. The studied outcomes, however, were limited to children four to eight years of age, so that any later effects, as they passed through puberty, for example, and “came of age,” were not included. Common sense, however, begs the question: how capable would two men be at helping their adopted daughter with very female matters pertaining to growing up and maturing physically? For daughters this is often an issue requiring ongoing support, communication and sharing. It’s not something men can just read up on in a book; it can be a delicate, personal matter, closely connected to a young woman’s sense of self-identity, and it’s reasonable to conclude that there are real advantages to the empathy shared between a mother and her daughter. Although The Independent claims this was the first study to look at how children in nontraditional families fared when compared with heterosexual households, at least two other major studies addressing the

question were published during would be natural for the child, 2012, one by Mark Regnerus, a meaning a family relationship: sociologist at the University of mother, father, child. This relaTexas at Austin, and the other tionship would not be, for exby Loren Marks, a researcher at ample, two fathers and a mother, Louisiana State University. Both studies presented compelling evidence countering the claim that a child’s psychosocial growth is equally supported in By Father Tad lesbian and gay environments as it would Pacholczyk be in heterosexual parenting environments. Common sense, instead of common clichés, ought or three women, or a single man to serve as our starting point because this does not exist in the in discussions about adopting natural biological filiation. The children. One of the clichés we love and affection of one, two hear is that adopting children is or five people isn’t enough. In really just a matter of the “rights order for a child to develop into of parents.” As Phoebe Wilson a well balanced and fully mature noted in an article in the New person, he needs the presence of Woman: “If adoption is going to a father and a mother.” be debated as a ‘right,’ then the In recent years, adults rights of the child (innocent and who were raised by same-sex defenseless) are the rights that couples have started to recount must prevail. Adoption exists and write about some of their for the benefit of the child, not childhood experiences. Robert for the couple who adopts him.” Oscar Lopez, who has described Same-sex couples who seek to himself as a “bisexual Latino adopt a child can doubtless be intellectual, raised by a lesbian, motivated by the best of intenwho experienced poverty in tions and by genuine compasthe Bronx as a young adult,” sion for the plight of an orphan. now works as a professor at Yet Wilson goes on to explain California State University. He the deeper reasons that need to described the notable challenges motivate adoption: he faced growing up: “A child in need of adoption “Quite simply, growing up is a child who is in extraordinary with gay parents was very difand abnormal circumstances: ficult. When your home life is so he is a child without parents. drastically different from everyAdoption seeks to ‘create,’ from one around you, in a fundamena social and legal point of view, tal way striking at basic physical a relationship similar to what relations, you grow up weird. My peers learned all the unwrit-

Making Sense Out of Bioethics

HAIL ST. PATRICK St. Patrick — the well known sainted man Revered and loved by every clan Delivered Ireland from upheaval and strife Then all were blessed with a better life.

Every year on March Seventeen The young — the old — and in-between All celebrate this important date With parades, with parties — and stay up late To search for the leprechaun’s pot o’ gold And gather with friends for tales to be told. The greenest of green is seen everywhere Top hats and derbies all love to wear The beer and the pretzels — the cookies and cake These too are green — and all joyfully partake. The day isn’t over til you’ve seen a clover And thanked God above for His unending love. By Mildred Allen, age 104 A member of St. Patrick’s Parish in Falmouth

ten rules of decorum and body language in their homes; they understood what was appropriate to say in certain settings and what wasn’t; they learned both traditionally masculine and traditionally feminine social mechanisms. I had no male figure at all to follow, and my mother and her partner were both unlike traditional fathers or traditional mothers. Being strange is hard; it takes a mental toll, makes it harder to find friends, interferes with professional growth, and sometimes leads one down a sodden path to self-medication in the form of alcoholism, drugs, gambling, antisocial behavior, and ir-

responsible sex. The children of same-sex couples have a tough road ahead of them — I know, because I have been there.” A compassionate society seeks to help and assist orphaned children, but no reasonable society intentionally deprives those children of a mother or a father. That is, however, what placing them into a same-sex home invariably does. Father Pacholczyk earned his doctorate in neuroscience from Yale and did post-doctoral work at Harvard. He is a priest of the Diocese of Fall River, and serves as the director of Education at The National Catholic Bioethics Center in Philadelphia. See www. ncbcenter.org.

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March 15, 2013

The Anchor

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s we enter the fifth and final week of our journey through Lent, we are presented with the story of the woman caught in adultery as found in the Gospel of John. This woman is publicly humiliated by the Scribes and Pharisees who seek only to test our Lord Jesus. They pretend to be interested in the law of Moses, which would have her stoned, however, they are more interested in the response Jesus would have to their question, “So what do You say?” As the woman stands silently in the midst of selfrighteous men, Jesus gives no response, at first. The moment is filled with a tense anticipation that seems to be dispelled by Jesus’ indifference as He bends

New life and new hope

down and begins to write on cheated or spread rumors; if the ground with His finger. you have kept yourself chaste But these men require a and pure; if you have absoresponse and Jesus gives lutely no sin on your soul, them one; although not the then pick up the stone and one they expected, I’m sure. “Let the one Homily of the Week among you who is Fifth Sunday without sin be the of Lent first to throw a stone at her,” Jesus says. By Father Suddenly the focus John A. Raposo of the story shifts; I can only imagine that the eyes of every onlooker were now trained fire away.” on those men. What would How easy it is for us to they do now? They were no stand in judgment of others. longer the accusers but now Can we find the compasthey were the accused. sion of Jesus in our hearts as Listen to this story carewell and thus learn forgivefully and you will discover ness? that the words of Jesus are St. Paul writes in his letter intended for us as well. to the Philippians, “I conIt is as if Jesus is saying to sider everything as a loss us, “If you have never lied, because of the supreme good

of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord. For His sake I have accepted the loss of all things and I consider them so much rubbish, that I may gain Christ and be found in Him, not having any righteousness of my own based on the law but that which comes through faith in Christ, the righteousness from God.” We have spent four weeks of Lent trying to conform ourselves to the likeness of Christ. If I have allowed Christ to enter into my life and make Him the center of my life, then, there cannot be any room for self-righteous judgments or even condemnations. Have we allowed ourselves to focus on our own sinfulness?

Do we realize that our journey of faith is still unfolding and that there is still time for us to grow, to change and to repent? Finally, Jesus is alone with the woman after all the men with stones in their hands discard the punishment they planned to inflict on her and walk away. Even Jesus, the only One without sin, cannot condemn the woman. Instead He offers her a second chance, “Go, and from now on do not sin anymore.” Jesus acknowledges her sin and at the same time offers her an invitation to live a new life. These same words of Jesus apply to us and so does His offer of new life and new hope. Father Raposo is chaplain at Catholic Memorial Home in Fall River.

Upcoming Daily Readings: Sat. Mar. 16, Jer 11:18-20; Ps 7:2-3,9b-12; Jn 7:40-53. Sun. Mar. 17, Fifth Sunday of Lent, Is 43:16-21; Ps 126:1-6; Phil 3:8-14; Jn 8:1-11. Mon. Mar. 18, Dn 13:1-9,15-17,19-30,33-62 or 13:41c-62; Ps 23:1-6; Jn 8:12-20. Tues. 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. Wed. Mar. 20, Dn 3:14-20,91-92,95; (Ps) Dn 3:52-56; Jn 8:31-42. Thurs. Mar. 21, Gn 17:3-9; Ps 105:4-9; Jn 8:51-59. Fri. Mar. 22, Jer 20:10-13; Ps 18:2-7; Jn 10:31-42.

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espite an enormous amount of media chaff throughout April 2005, it was clear to those with eyes to see that Cardinal Joseph Ratzinger was the obvious, leading candidate to succeed John Paul II. There is no such clear frontrunner in 2013, although even more journalistic chaff is being vented into the atmosphere, primarily from Italian media sources whose ability to distinguish fact from fiction is not overly welldeveloped and who like to play Machiavellian games with this candidate and that. Why no frontrunner? As the General Congregations of cardinals began on March 4, no cardinal had anything resembling the stature and authority

The dynamics of Conclave 2013

young man could be elected of Ratzinger in 2005; that’s pope (because “he can do this certainly one reason. But there for 15 years and then retire”) are also unique dynamics shapsuggest a fundamental alteration ing the 2013 Conclave — and, in Catholic understandings of ultimately, the selection of the next Bishop of Rome. 1. Unlike 2005, there is an unsettling sense that the Church is in uncharted and perilous waters because of the abdication of Benedict XVI, an act that By George Weigel really has no precedent (other abdications having happened under the papacy, changes that reduce very different circumstances). Will this abdication set up pres- the papacy to a Catholic variant on role of the archbishopric sures on future popes, some of Canterbury in the Anglican of which cannot be imagined Communion? today? Does the possibility, al2. While there were concerns ready being bruited, that a very about the Vatican bureaucracy in 2005 — there always are when conclaves meet — there is, today, a widespread and firmly held conviction that the central administrative machinery of the Church is broken and that it must be fixed so that the Curia becomes an instrument of the New Evangelization, not an impediment to it. Needless to say, most of those involved in that curial machinery, i.e., cardinal-electors who are either serving in the Curia or are retired from it (and who are some 20

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

The Catholic Difference

percent of the electorate), have a different view. The disconnect between the reformers’ perceptions of what’s been going on and the defensiveness of many curial cardinals has led to an undercurrent of anger that was not discernible in 2005, and that could lead to real tensions. 3. These two currents have, in turn, led to a strong reaction against what is perceived as an excessive and failed re-Italianization of the Vatican, the results of which were to make Benedict XVI’s life and work far more difficult. As with complaints about the Curia, complaints about “the Italians” are a staple of pre-conclave conversation; but the tone, this time, is different. As one Italian friend, a distinguished academic and active Catholic layman, put it to me, “our [Italian] culture has become corrupt;” and he believed, sadly, that that corruption had seeped behind the walls of the Vatican through the re-Italianization of the Roman Curia. A determination to deal with this aspect of the present Roman dysfunction will be another element in Conclave 2013 that was not present

— or at least with such intensity — in 2005. 4. The Catholic Church is in the midst of a major change in leadership cadres or cohorts. Twenty percent of the 2013 electorate is retired. Only eight percent of the cardinal electors are under 65. Men who have spent their entire ecclesiastical lives in the waning years of counter-reformation Catholicism are slowly being replaced by men who have grown into ecclesial maturity in the first phases of Evangelical Catholicism, the Catholicism of the New Evangelization. The latter are the future, but their relative weight in this conclave is slight, and that tension will also be felt. 5. Finally, many cardinals admit that they don’t know their brother-cardinals very well. That’s a problem I anticipated in “Evangelical Catholicism: Deep Reform in the 21st-Century Church” (Basic Books), where I proposed a biennial or triennial meeting of the College of Cardinals to assess the progress of the New Evangelization — and to let these men take each other’s measure, with an eye to future conclaves. George Weigel is Distinguished Senior Fellow of the Ethics and Public Policy Center in Washington, D.C.

March 15, 2013

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The Anchor

Women in combat — Part IV: Deconstructing femininity

o here we come to the conclusion of what was intended to be a reasoned discourse on the decision to place women in combat, and two arguments remain: first, the choice for the few runs the risk of becoming the standard for the many, and second, the newly-constructed ethic undermines authentic femininity. Considering the androgynous agenda at the heart of feminism — which depends upon uninhibited, sterile sexual license for its success — we find that most of the younger generation has indeed detached sexual intimacy from marriage and children. The predominantly secular culture has removed the stigmas previously attached to promiscuity, single-parenthood, and cohabitation, and the last vestiges of discomfort related to same-sex activity are being attacked through legislation and re-education campaigns. Furthermore, just this month, the Department of Justice argued before the Supreme Court — basing its claim on a memo provided by the American Psychiatric Association — that motherhood and fatherhood are not essential components in creating stable families, and that same-sex couples can provide equally healthy homes for children. If this argument stands, the enemies of complementarity will have shut the door on public recognition of authentic femininity and masculinity for the near future. If masculinity and femininity are merely social constructs that can be deconstructed and recreated at will, then there will be no legal barriers in the future to the mingling of sexes in all arenas. The androgynists have already stooped to all levels,

encouraging preschoolers to (Never mind the stereotypes explore cross-dressing, young therein; they are allowed boys to seek entry into the when feminists want to make Girl Scouts, girls to try out a point.) for all-male sports teams, and Interestingly, such reasonyoung men to run for Prom ing employed by those who Queen. While each foray may promote an androgynous seem harmless or even amusworldview proves that they ing, when it comes to the larger thesis — the unique place for motherhood — the looming new world under construction will soon withdraw all protections for maternity itself. By Genevieve Kineke In the classic retelling of the Arthurian legend, “The Once and Future King,” T. H. White count on a deep-seated disuses a chilling phrase about taste against women killing the familiar trajectory of and being killed as leverage totalitarian regimes: “Everyagainst combat as much as thing not forbidden is compul- giving women access to the sory.” Proving the truth in this battlefield. One has to quesadage, it was revealed that as tion therefore whether the early as the mid-1990s, Presipush to create co-ed forces acdent Clinton asked the Depart- tually wants to enhance their ment of Defense to look into effectiveness or undermine having women register for them — especially since the the Selective Service, but no same proponents are usually conclusion was reached about the first to protest military deits feasibility at the time. To ployments around the globe. that end, U.S. Representative So where does that leave Charles Rangel has initiated us? We come to the final legislation four times since point, which is that women 2003 urging the country to are meant to nurture life, to institute a draft for men and foster growth, to provide women, so that the burden of sanctuaries from the hostilidefending the country will be ties of the fallen world. Not more equitably shared. only does the decision to send While many are not conwomen into battle run convinced that removing pretrary to their deepest instincts, existing bans on women’s debut it denies that such a vocaployments will translate into tion even exists beyond the including all young women sentimental imagination asin the future should a draft sociated with archaic religious be necessary, Rep. Rangel’s views. justification for the proposIn the new world order, als fits perfectly with the male and female are anachfeminists argumentation noted ronistic, motherhood and previously: Wars are the result fatherhood incidental, and of testosterone run amok; chastity a pious token. Those including women’s wisdom in who cannot see beyond such the decision-making process categories will no longer be will calm the bellicose and en- allowed to direct public policy hance peaceful collaboration. or influence legislation.

WASHINGTON (CNS) — While politicians and advocacy organizations work at coming up with legislation to reform the U.S. immigration system, the Jesuits are tackling some of its problems head-on at the Mexican border, in higher education institutions and in parishes. Soon, they’ll start analyzing what changes might help people to stay in their homelands. Two reports released by Jesuit institutions in recent weeks lay out problems and propose ways of addressing

two complex situations: how undocumented immigrants are treated as they migrate and what undocumented students encounter in Jesuit colleges and universities. Jesuit Father Richard Ryscavage, director of Fairfield University’s Center for Faith and Public Life and a professor of sociology and anthropology, oversaw the colleges study. He told Catholic News Service that both efforts are part of the Jesuits’ worldwide focus on migration of the past five to six years. He said other components

The Feminine Genius

Multilevel approaches put Jesuits in the thick of immigration issues

in the United States include a project in Long Island to develop a model for debating immigration at the parish level — framing it from the perspective of faith. “How to make it a little less of a screaming match,” is how Father Ryscavage put it. Another effort is a collaboration just beginning with the Red Cross to figure out at what level institutional or economic breakdowns lead people to decide to leave their homes, and then work at fixing it, Father Ryscavage said.

Just days before renouncing the Chair of Peter, Benedict reminded the seminarians of Rome: “And the cross may have very different forms, but no one can be Christian without following the Crucified One, without accepting the martyrological moment too.” The ironies of our “moment” abound. So many women who refused sanctuary to a generation of children will now rush to the gates themselves, forsaking the precautions attached to their inherent maternity. How many will be martyred on the hills of a deconstructed world, seeking the place of men who will stand back to let them fight in their place. How many will delight in offering this sacrifice which has nothing to do with the legitimate sacrifices to which women are called for the benefit of society. It’s all of a piece, this

steady march towards feminine degradation. Morality has been so shredded that authentic purity is rare, many women prefer to be barren, the destruction of innocent life is widespread, and the popular culture has rallied around sirens who preach decadent materialism. This may sound hyperbolic in response to a simple shift in military regulations, but the change is the perfect illustration of how androgyny has undermined the very fabric of society. As long as this confusion reigns, those who understand the Christian ethic must stand back and refuse to participate. As Benedict exhorts, “Let us pray the Lord that He help us to accept this mission of living as exiles.” Exiles we are in this madly drifting world, and our isolation grows deeper year by year. Mrs. Kineke writes from Rhode Island and can be found online at femininegenius.com.

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The Anchor

March 15, 2013

PROUD PASTOR — Father Marc-Edy Dessalines, pastor of St. Claire Parish, pictured inside his newly-restored church in Haiti. (Photo courtesy of Father Bernard Baris, M.S.)

Cape Cod parish helps rebuild ‘twinned’ church in Haiti

By Kenneth J. Souza Anchor Staff

BREWSTER — While the painstaking process of rebuilding the poverty-stricken country of Haiti has sometimes stalled since a devastating earthquake hit the island in January 2010, there appears to be light at the end of the tunnel for members of St. Claire’s Parish in Dessalines — a community about 80 miles north of Port-au-Prince. Much of that newfound hope can be attributed to the generous people at Our Lady of the Cape Parish in Brewster, which long ago adopted St. Claire’s as its “twinned” parish and regularly offers prayers, volunteer efforts and financial support to its distant sister community. “We have been ‘twinned’ with the parish for more than 25 years,” said Father Bernard Baris, M.S., pastor of Our Lady of the Cape. “I’ve been involved for the last 10 years and we have an active committee called ‘Together With Haiti.’ I’ve been down there 13 times since I first became involved.” During Father Baris’ latest trip to Haiti he was able to see the fruits of the parish’s efforts firsthand in the form of the newly-rebuilt St. Claire’s Church. “The original church was 138 years old and it was basically in danger of falling down,” Father Baris said. “It was totally rebuilt from the ground up.” The funding to support St. Claire’s has been raised as part of an “ongoing effort” at Our Lady of the Cape, according to Father Baris.

“We really only have one big fund-raiser a year,” he said. “A couple of years ago besides doing a Giving Tree (at Christmas), I suggested that maybe our main focus should be our brothers and sisters in Haiti. So at Christmas every year I send out (an appeal) letter. This year, we collected more than $70,000. The people here are always very, very generous around Christmas time.” In turn, Our Lady of the Cape will host either the pastor, one of the other priests or one of the Sisters of the Charity of Ottawa from St. Claire’s Parish during the summer to give them an update. One of the key contributions made to the new St. Claire’s Church was a beautiful statue of the parish’s namesake that was made in Italy and shipped to Haiti — purchased and donated by Our Lady of the Cape Parish. “There’s another statue of St. Francis of Assisi that’s on its way there now, too,” Father Baris added. “There’s a deep devotion in that parish to St. Francis — the people there are very close to him.” Although it’s unknown how many people attend St. Claire’s Parish since they are no census figures on record, Father Baris said it serves a great many people and has eight chapels in outlying areas of Haiti — much like the Fall River Diocese’s former mission in Honduras. “They are a great distance from each other and it sometimes takes as much as an hour to get to

one,” Father Baris said. “In this parish there are also five schools with about 3,000 students enrolled.” To that end, Father Baris said another key contribution his parish makes is to support the parish school’s lunch program through a $3,500-a-month donation. “Students are given a hot meal everyday,” Father Baris said. “For a lot of these kids that’s the only meal they get in a day.” In addition to the church and schools, St. Claire’s Parish also supports a medical dispensary in Haiti that “sees between 80 and 100 people every day,” according to Father Baris. “It’s brand new this year and is done in conjunction with the government in the United States,” he said. “There’s a doctor there on staff now and there’s also a clinic for people with AIDS and (tuberculosis) patients.” Despite the progress being made in Dessalines, Father Baris said things remain bleak closer to the nation’s capital of Port-auPrince — even though it’s been more than three years since the catastrophic earthquake ravaged Haiti. “Many, many people are still living in horrible conditions, outside in tents,” he said. “They have about 200 seminarians from all 11 dioceses in Haiti and most of them are still living in tents.” Father Baris said Father Flavio Gillio, M.S., from La Salette Shrine in Attleboro, accompanied him to Haiti on his most recent trip and it was “a real eyeTurn to page 18

Is anyone else out there ready to say enough? I hope this will open up a fruitful dialogue; I am more than ready to hear all views on the matter. I’m talking about the issue of Communion in the hand. In the 22 years since I have been a priest, I have seen a steady decline in reverence for the Holy Eucharist. The catechesis on receiving in the hand, given so long ago, is being forgotten. Most adults still receive reverently, though the exceptions increase each year. Most children do not; it’s not their fault, because the concept of reverence is too difficult for most of them. There is no effective catechesis for reverence, I believe. How many times have I groaned to put Holy Communion into the cute but dirty hands of a child? I have had to chase people of all ages down the aisle and ask them to receive it now or give it back. I have argued with people at the moment of Holy Communion who tried to receive it pincer-like, thumb and forefinger, as one takes a potato chip. I have found hosts on the floor and in

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March 15, 2013

Our readers respond

Missalettes. I am sure I have given Holy Communion unknowingly to non-Catholics and non-Christians at weddings and funerals. It’s not their fault; it’s ours. Most of them have no idea what it is. They just line up and go up like everybody else. I try to make an announcement at every wedding or funeral Mass about who should be receiving (for which I have been strongly criticized), but it doesn’t do much good. This would happen far less often if we knelt and received; non-Catholics not used to kneeling and receiving on the tongue would be far less likely to come forward. I know that in the early Church, people received in the hand. This is what prompted the present idea, trying to return to ancient practice. But I believe we are seeing now why Holy Communion began to be received on the tongue: Communion in the hand came to be too casual and irreverent. There’s a reason why Liturgical practice develops. I will only mention in passing something too horrible to think too much about. Allowing Com-

munion in the hand makes it far easier for anyone with evil intent to steal it in order to abuse it and desecrate it. Returning to Communion on the tongue, if possible while kneeling, will make an immediate change in the mentality of all of us. The Holy Father requires this now. Anyone who receives from him (with some rude exceptions) does so kneeling and on the tongue. You may ask, what prompts me to write this now? It’s very simple. As I said earlier, it’s getting worse. More and more people are receiving Holy Communion according to their own lights and becoming offended when they are corrected. And really, what is more important than safeguarding the Blessed Sacrament and increasing reverence for the Body and Blood, Soul and Divinity of Christ in our midst? Let the dialogue begin. Father Andrew Johnson Pastor of St. Stanislaus and Good Shepherd parishes in Fall River

Executive Editor responds: Thank you for highlighting the reverence which we should always have towards the greatest foretaste of Heaven that exists here on earth — receiving Holy Communion worthily. As a priest, I have experienced most of what you described in your letter. However, you say that “there is no effective catechesis for reverence.” True, it is very difficult to inculcate reverence, but I imagine that you are attempting to do that in your parish, as are many other priests, deacons, parents and catechists. In his 1980 Holy Thursday letter, “Dominicae Cenae,” Blessed John Paul II wrote, “In some countries the practice of receiving Communion in the hand has been introduced. This practice has been requested by individual episcopal conferences and has received approval from the Apostolic See. However, cases of a deplorable lack of respect towards the eucharistic species have been reported, cases which are imputable not only to the individuals guilty of such behavior but also

to the pastors of the church who have not been vigilant enough regarding the attitude of the faithful towards the Eucharist. It also happens, on occasion, that the free choice of those who prefer to continue the practice of receiving the Eucharist on the tongue is not taken into account in those places where the distribution of Communion in the hand has been authorized. It is therefore difficult in the context of this present letter not to mention the sad phenomena previously referred to. This is in no way meant to refer to those who, receiving the Lord Jesus in the hand, do so with profound reverence and devotion, in those countries where this practice has been authorized.” As you noted, while in office, Pope Emeritus Benedict did require people to kneel and receive Communion on the tongue from him, but he did not mandate that for the entire Church. As was discussed on the letters page recently, this is an area where the Church has not settled the question, so, as you wrote, we may freely dialogue about it.

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March 15, 2013

The Anchor

Yea Lent!

By Yvonne de Sousa

Yea, Lent is here! Yes, I know, that is an unusual response to the arrival of Lent. Unlike Christmas, when there is so much to celebrate and become excited about, Lent can be perceived as a time of seriousness and work. We lament the immeasurable suffering that Christ endured for our sins and so, to respect that, we offer up what we call our own silly little sacrifices. We fast and give up our petty vices that we think bring us comfort during our human days. No chocolate or junk food, no more of our favorite TV show or TV channel, and no scratch tickets during Lent for a chance at an instant win. And there is Reconciliation of course. Now, like no other, is a time for confessing our sins and donning our own sackcloth and ashes. Yes, Lent is no fun at all. Or is it? What is the greatest joy? What usually makes us most happy? Love of course. Are we not at our best when we are in love? Are we not giddy with anticipation at seeing our beloved? So, when we put the focus of Lent back on love, it can be a time of great joy! Oh, to give up our favorite TV show and fill that time with reading from the Bible, God’s most beautiful love letter to us all. To skip the “for the moment” pleasure a brownie offers to feast on how much Jesus adores us. To forget the ridiculously minute chance of a financial payout from the lottery and instead cherish with anticipation the greatest payout we will receive when we welcome God’s love, now, and when we pass from this earthly plane. There’s no lottery win that can

compare to spending eternity in His Heavenly kingdom. As for Confession, I like to think of it as a time to honestly admit my failings and deepest betrayals to God, only to have Him tell me how much He loves me anyway. Nothing I could ever tell Him would make Him stop treasuring me. The thought of Jesus’ torture on the cross will never be easy to consider. But to think of how willingly He did it for me, for you! Will anyone else ever be able to love us that much? St. Paul’s description of love in 1 Corinthians 13: 4-7 is a passage often used at Weddings to define how love should be. But do we ever recognize that passage as St. Paul describing Jesus’ love for us? How truly amazing it is to understand that we are loved like that always, no matter what a mess our daily lives are. How exciting to know that Lent is a time where we can focus solely on understanding and appreciating that love. Yea, Lent is here! How cherished and blessed we are to be able to welcome it! It is like the most precious Valentine that doesn’t end when the flowers die or when all that’s left in the box of chocolates are the nougats that nobody likes anyway. Lent is a gift that continues always, an opportunity to feel even more blessed as we use this time to remember and focus on how much God loves us. Yea — Lent is here. Bring it on! Yvonne de Sousa is a parishioner of St. Peter’s Parish in Provincetown.

Diocese of Fall River TV Mass on WLNE Channel 6 Sunday, March 17, 11:00 a.m.

Celebrant is Father Edward A. Murphy, Pastor of St. Anthony of Padua Parish in New Bedford

not in kansas — Michelle Williams stars in a scene from the movie “Oz the Great and Powerful.” For a brief review of this film, see CNS Movie Capsules below. (CNS photo/Disney)

CNS Movie Capsules NEW YORK (CNS) — The following are capsule reviews of movies recently reviewed by Catholic News Service. “Dark Skies” (Dimension) Restrained, but not overly original thriller in which a series of disturbing events beset an ordinary couple (Keri Russell and Josh Hamilton) and their sons: one a teen (Dakota Goyo), the other a six-year-old (Kadan Rockett). The eventual explanation — provided in part by a reclusive conspiracy theorist (J.K. Simmons) — indicates that the family has unwittingly drawn the attention of some highly unusual, and potentially dangerous, visitors. Writer-director Scott Stewart works into his script the pro-family notion that clan discord — under economic pressure, mom and dad have been quarreling — assists dark forces. But he also shows us some adolescent experimentation with drugs, pornography and other forms of sexuality that make his eerie offering unsuitable for kids. Fleeting gore, brief scenes of sensuality, some involving teens, nongraphic marital lovemaking, a couple of uses of profanity, a smattering of crude and crass language. The Catholic News Service classification is A-III — adults. The Motion Picture Association of America rating is PG-13 — parents strongly cautioned. Some material may be inappropriate for children under 13. “Jack the Giant Slayer” (Warner Bros.) Fun fable in which the newfound romance between an absentminded yet courageous peasant boy (Nicholas Hoult) and a plucky princess (Eleanor Tomlinson) is imperiled when a beanstalk of his

own unwitting creation suddenly sprouts up, carrying her aloft to a land of aggressive, people-eating giants (their animated leader voiced by Bill Nighy). On the perilous mission to rescue her, the lad gains the patronage of a chivalrous nobleman (Ewan McGregor) but incurs the displeasure of a conniving official (Stanley Tucci) of the king’s (Ian McShane) court. Director Bryan Singer’s faithtinged 3-D retelling of the classic fairy tale — into which screenwriters Christopher McQuarrie and Dan Studney blend elements of the related story “Jack and the Beanstalk” — is set in an alternate version of the Middle Ages where monks and other characters freely, if only incidentally, acknowledge God. Still, the gruesome fates awaiting various bad guys, together with a touch of salty language, make this unsuitable for the smallest members of its source material’s original audience. Scenes of bloodless but potentially disturbing violence, brief references to the occult, some mildly scatological humor, a couple of crass terms. The Catholic News Service classification is A-II — adults and adolescents. The Motion Picture Association of America rating is PG-13 — parents strongly cautioned. Some material may be inappropriate for children under 13. “The Last Exorcism Part II” (CBS) This low-budget sequel to 2010’s “The Last Exorcism” finds the haunted heroine of the original (Ashley Bell) running around New Orleans trying to escape the demon who once possessed her — and who is now in love with her. Director Ed Gass-Donnelly, who co-wrote the screenplay with Damien Chazelle, saves the big effects for the end. So, for nearly an hour, the main character just wanders around or goes about her job while spooky music plays. Confused treatment of religion, fleeting sexual imagery, mild gore, a couple of uses of profanity. The

Catholic News Service classification is L — limited adult audience, films whose problematic content many adults would find troubling. The Motion Picture Association of America rating R — restricted. Under 17 requires accompanying parent or adult guardian. “Oz the Great and Powerful” (Disney) Lush visuals and sly humor boost this 3-D prequel to the 1939 classic “The Wizard of Oz” — based, like its predecessor, on the writings of L. Frank Baum. A small-time carnival magician (James Franco) finds his life transformed when a Kansas tornado transports him to the magical Land of Oz. There, he discovers that his arrival and his eventual victory over the forces of darkness gripping the realm have been prophesied. But selfdoubt — together with his initial inability to determine which of his new homeland’s three presiding witches (Mila Kunis, Rachel Weisz and Michelle Williams) embodies goodness — pose stumbling blocks on the way to his promised destiny. Director Sam Raimi’s fantasy adventure emphasizes confidence, cooperation, the marvels of science and a generalized faith in happy endings, though his protagonist is shown praying to God in times of need. More problematic is the fact that several plot points turn on the wizard’s womanizing. While the specifics are omitted, the subject matter is unsuitable for small moviegoers, who might also be frightened by some of the spooky creatures jumping out at them from the screen. Mature references, perilous situations, a couple of mild oaths, potentially upsetting images. The Catholic News Service classification is A-II — adults and adolescents. The Motion Picture Association of America rating is PG — parental guidance suggested. Some material may not be suitable for children.

March 15, 2013

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Art historian says Benedict’s ‘way of beauty’ will continue to flower

Rome, Italy, (CNA) — Pope Emeritus Benedict’s emphasis on beauty as a means to encounter truth and grow in faith is one of the “greatest seeds” planted during his pontificate, says art historian Elizabeth Lev. “In his way of beauty, he says the true way of humanity is this beauty we have in the image and likeness of God,” Lev, a faculty member at the University of St. Thomas’ Rome Program, told CNA. “Over the course of his pontificate, and even as cardinal, he has implemented these seeds, these stepping stones for us to follow, to understand the nature of beauty.” Lev, who studied renaissance art at the University of Chicago and who did her graduate work in baroque art at the University of Bologna, writes for Inside the Vatican, First Things, and Zenit. She said that Benedict has taught that though beauty can at first be

“frightening” or overwhelming, it ultimately “leads us out of ourselves to something great.” Lev reflected that over the course of his life, Benedict has “seen real ugliness,” yet recognizes this is not the full truth of humanity. During his childhood he experienced the ugliness of the Nazi regime and the second world war in his homeland, and as prefect of the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith, he had to deal with clergy abuse files. In addition to teaching, Lev is a tour guide in Rome. She has seen that in encountering “real authentic beauty,” people are opened to the truth. Observing this, she said that “Pope Benedict’s words have become clearer to me.” In his 2005 work “On the Way to Jesus Christ,” Benedict wrote that “beauty wounds, but that is precisely how it awakens man to his ultimate destiny” and that

By Richard Pinelle

their method of service under the guidance of Sister Rosalie Rendu, a nun in the order of Daughters of Charity, which was formed in 1633 by St. Vincent de Paul with the assistance of St. Louise de Marillac. St. Vincent de Paul was born in France around 1580 and was ordained in the year 1600. In 1625 he founded the Congregation of the Mission with a small group of missionary priests commonly known as Vincentians. He was totally committed to helping the poor and constantly reminded his followers that the charity that they delivered had to be delivered with love. To paraphrase St. Vincent de Paul, “You will find out that charity is a heavy burden to carry, heavier than the kettle of soup and the full basket. But you will keep your gentleness and your smile. It is not enough to give soup and bread. This the rich can do. You are the servant of the poor, always smiling and good-humored. They are your masters, terribly sensitive and exacting masters you will see. And the more unjust and insulting, the more love you must give to them. It is only for your love alone that the poor will forgive you the bread that you bring to them.” The commitment that St. Vincent de Paul had was intense, and difficult for most Vincentians to imitate, but true love for their “masters” is a goal that all Vincentians must always try to achieve. Vincentians are beggars for the poor. They rely on the generosity of their parishioners to carry out the works of charity. If they sometimes seem to beg too much it is only because there is so much

“beauty is knowledge ... because it strikes man with the truth in all its greatness.” Lev said that she has seen people struck by the beauty of St. Peter’s Basilica or St. Mary Major, and that this encounter with beauty helps them see the changes they need to make in how they live their life. This is what Benedict meant, when in the same work, he wrote that “pastoral ministry must arrange for people to encounter the beauty of the faith.” Lev has seen those who come to Rome and while not Catholic or even Christian, “are receptive to beauty and are in that world willing and happy to listen to the truth behind it, and see it as a goodness.” “Then there are those who are not interested in beauty and convinced they couldn’t care less, but they find themselves slowly seduced by beauty. That’s a real joy.”

St. Vincent de Paul Society: Who we are and what we do

SEEKONK — The Society of St. Vincent de Paul exists in most parishes in the Fall River Diocese but do you really know who the members are and what they do? In the Gospel of Matthew, Jesus is asked about the greatest Commandment and we are all familiar with His response: “You shall love the Lord, your God, with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your mind. This is the greatest and first Commandment. The second is like it: You shall love your neighbor as yourself. The whole law and the prophets depend on these two Commandments” (Mt 22:36-40). The entire Society of St. Vincent de Paul is built upon these two Commandments. SVdP is a Catholic lay organization dedicated to helping poor people of all religions by visiting with them and trying to help with their needs. The need usually involves assistance for food, clothing, heat, electric, and rent but it could also be a home-bound person who simply needs someone to visit periodically for companionship, to run errands for them, or to take them to a doctor’s appointment. It could also mean visiting prisoners or working in a SVdP food bank or clothing center. If it involves charity, Vincentians will answer the call. In fact, Rule 1.3 of the society states “No work of charity is foreign to the society.” By visiting with the people that we help, we distinguish ourselves from most other charities that require the needy to go to them. The society was founded by Blessed Frederick Ozanam in 1833 with the help of a small group of men. They developed

need and they want to always do more. When St. Vincent de Paul was approaching the end of his days he was visited by the Queen of France. She praised him several times for his works of charity and each time he replied, “I’ve done nothing.” Finally the queen asked him that if he felt that he did nothing, what could she possibly do to get to Heaven? His response was “more.” “More” is what we must always do and that is why Vincentians continuously ask for help from the parishioners. And when Vincentians can help one of their “masters” they are accepting the responsibility that Catholics have in practicing the teaching of our Lord Jesus Christ to “love one another.” By their example, they are also preaching the Gospel. St. Francis of Assisi summed it up best when he said: “Preach the Gospel always, if necessary use words.” Today there are more than a million Vincentians in the world in about 150 countries. The society in the United States provides more than $675 million in tangible and in-kind services, serves more than 14 million people each year, performs more than 648,000 visits to people in their homes and delivers more than seven million service hours to those in need. As a Vincentian, I feel confident that I represent all Vincentians in saying thank you for your continued support and please always keep us in your prayers. Richard Pinelle is a member of the St. Vincent de Paul Society and a parishioner of Our Lady of Mount Carmel Parish in Seekonk.

Lev also discussed Benedict’s Nov. 21, 2009 address to artists at the Sistine Chapel. At that time he expressed a desire to “renew the Church’s friendship with the world of art.” Lev believes this friendship will “continue to flower” through coming pontificates. She said Benedict’s teaching about “authentic truth and beauty” was an effort to “develop a discernment” about what is beautiful and what is not. In his address to artists, Benedict distinguished between an “illusory and deceitful” counterfeit of beauty which deprives the onlooker of “hope and joy,” and authentic

beauty, which brings him “out of himself” and draws the viewer “towards the Other, to reach for the beyond.” “Beauty, whether that of the natural universe or that expressed in art, precisely because it opens up and broadens the horizons of human awareness, pointing us beyond ourselves, bringing us face to face with the abyss of infinity, can become a path towards the transcendent, towards the ultimate mystery, towards God,” Benedict said. Reflecting on Benedict’s words, Lev concluded that “we will see a growth of friendship between art and the Church.”

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High school youth convention focuses on making disciples continued from page one

High School and parishioner of St. Dominic’s Parish in Swansea, Sara Ferreira said the program played a huge role in helping form bonds that encouraged partnerships to formulate many of the ideas behind this year’s convention. “Now I think of everybody like family,” said Ferreira. “If you had just thrown us into a room, I don’t think we would have been able to get things done because we would have been working to figure out the roles and how everyone else is — now that we know each other, we were able to work together.” And work together they did, as the CLI graduates welcomed incoming attendees and then led the way by jumping on stage with Jesse Manibusan during his performance. Manibusan founded 2-by-2 Ministries with his wife Jodi, and during his performance played music while repeating the mantra on how to be a disciple of Christ: “Show up; step up; step out.” “This is what disciples do,” said Manibusan. “Make a decision to act. We are Catholics. The Catholic religion isn’t just a set of beliefs; it’s working from the inside out. Be a reflection of God.” As a slideshow played behind him, Manibusan strummed on his guitar while telling the

audience they have to learn to be good stewards of painful feelings. Build on the positivity and “don’t run from difficulty,” he said. “Embrace your own paschal mystery,” said Manibusan. “Disciples need to be committed to growing.” While they made it look easy when they took the stage during Manibusan’s performance, not every CLI grad was comfortable being in the spotlight. Ben Patterson, a Dighton-Rehoboth Regional High School student and parishioner of Our Lady of Mount Carmel Parish in Seekonk, admitted that taking a leadership role was only something he became comfortable with after attending the CLI program. “It taught me a lot about working with others,” said Patterson. “I was one of those too timid to speak up when others were putting out their ideas, but now I have the confidence to put forward my own opinions and get my own ideas across. It’s taught me a lot about the process behind organizing things, whether it’s a group in school assigned some task or an event like today; how to effectively get the group to work together and get the job done.” Mass was celebrated with Bishop George W. Coleman, who continued on the theme of

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“Go Therefore and Make Disciples” by telling the students that “you are His followers and disciples,” and that “to make Christ known is the most precious gift to others.” Bishop Coleman encouraged the students to continue to evangelize the faith and help people appreciate Christ and the Church, and that “as the fruit of God’s love,” the Church was counting on the students to become her missionaries in faith. The salvation of humanity depends on this, explained

March 15, 2013 Bishop Coleman, and when you work to help others, “your own life will be enriched.” “We need to open our hearts to everyone,” said Bishop Coleman. Many of the CLI grads sang during Mass and also played instruments. Four workshops followed Mass, rotated and timed in such a way that everyone would be able to attend all four without being forced to choose only a few due to time constraints. DaCosta attended the convention as a participant last year but now in the role as an organizer this year, she said that she has a greater appreciation

for all that goes into planning the event and has especially enjoyed watching students: “It’s been fun watching the reactions of the kids,” said DaCosta. “We had a lot of fun going to different workshops and making new friends.” Kirby hopes the attendees will become more spiritual after the event; “It’s a good thing to do, that’s why you come here,” she said, “to get closer to God.” Patterson concurred, saying, “I want to see them inspired and have a passion for their faith because they are the future of the Church and we really need to speak to the youth and get them involved.”

Benedict XVI’s cobbler fondly remembers retired pope

Rome, Italy (CNA/EWTN News) — The man who is known around the world as “the pope’s shoemaker” expressed sadness at the retirement of Pope Benedict XVI but also gratitude for the opportunity to serve the pontiff. “I saw on television that he was wearing my shoes and I felt so proud,” recalled Antonio Arellano, who mended shoes for Pope-Emeritus Benedict XVI when he was cardinal and also made special shoes for him during his pontificate. In a recent interview with CNA, Arellano explained that among his vast clientele of cardinals, monsignors and religious, his most special client will always be Pope Benedict XVI. Arellano was born in Trujillo, Peru, where he learned to be a cobbler. He moved to Rome in 1990 and opened a shoe repair shop near the Vatican. Today, a pair of red shoes and a picture of Benedict XVI hang over the entrance to the shop, and the walls inside are covered with articles about “The Shoemaker of the Pope.” Arellano recalled that he

first met Benedict XVI and his personal secretary Archbishop Georg Ganswein years ago when the pope-emeritus was still a cardinal. Benedict XVI was a simple, normal client, he said. “He came in, very politely said good morning, sat down while I did my work, and afterwards said goodbye and thank you.” On the day that Benedict XVI was elected pope, Arellano said that he was at a nearby restaurant watching the events on television. “Everyone was running through the streets, and I saw Cardinal Ratzinger appear on television,” he explained. “I was amazed because he was my customer and I was so happy.” “All of us there were local artisans, we all knew each other and we were thrilled. It was a moment of great joy for us, because someone like the pope came to our store.” Arellano said he remembered Benedict XVI’s shoe size, and decided to give him a new pair of red shoes in person for his pontificate. He gave them to the pope during a general audience

This week in 50 years ago — The Annual Legion of Mary Acies (Consecration) Ceremony was held at St. Mary’s Cathedral in Fall River. Active and auxiliary Legion members from the 23 Praesidia throughout the diocese met with spiritual directors to rededicate themselves to their apostolic work. 25 years ago — Making his first trip to the U.S., Auxiliary Bishop José da Cruz Policarto of Lisbon, Portugal was the homilist and principal celebrant of a Mass at a Lenten series at Our Lady of Mount Carmel Church in New Bedford.

at the Vatican. “When we got there to greet him, the pope recognized me, smiled and said, ‘Here is my shoemaker.’ It was a wonderful moment, because he makes you feel important,” Arellano said. “He gave a blessing to me and my family and we said goodbye.” When the time came for the beatification of John Paul II, Arellano received a request from the Vatican to make a new pair of shoes for Benedict XVI. “It was awesome, because then I really did feel like I was the Holy Father’s shoemaker,” he said, explaining that “It’s one thing to give the pope a present; it’s another for them to call you to specifically make some shoes for him.” Arellano said he used only the best materials to make the pope’s shoes. “Natural, very smooth leather,” he explained, and very light soles. He also touched the shoes up before World Youth Day 2011 in Madrid. “It was great because I also made him some slippers to wear at home,” he added.

Diocesan history

10 years ago — The Carmelite Sisters for the Aged and Infirm left their ministry at the Catholic Memorial Home in Fall River. The Carmelites first arrived in the diocese in 1939 after Bishop James E. Cassidy invited the order to build and staff the home for the aged. One year ago — Msgr. James P. Moroney, executive secretary of the Vox Clara Committee and former executive director of the USCCB Secretariat for the Liturgy, presented a workshop on revisions to the prayers of the Easter Triduum as part of the newly-revised third edition of the English Roman Missal at St. Mary’s Parish in Mansfield.

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March 15, 2013

New pope will have adoration before his presentation

exciting times — Tourists take pictures in St. Peter’s Square at the Vatican March 11, the day before the world’s cardinals gather for the conclave in the Sistine Chapel to elect a new pope. (CNS photo/Max Rossi, Reuters)

Cardinals face issue of Catholics embracing faith, but not the Church

VATICAN CITY (CNS) — A major issue facing today’s U.S. Catholic Church is that many people express “absolutely no problem with faith, but they do have a problem with religion,” said New York Cardinal Timothy M. Dolan. He said this is an issue facing many religions, but noted that for Catholics it is “a particularly pointed challenge because Catholics believe Jesus and his Church are one; it’s a package deal.” “To recover that intimacy of DIOCESAN TRIBUNAL FALL RIVER, MASSACHUSETTS Decree of Citation Since her present domicile is unknown, in accord with the provision of Canon 1509.1, we hereby cite Suzanne G. Houle to appear in person before the Tribunal of the Diocese of Fall River (887 Highland Avenue in Fall River, Bristol County, Massachusetts) on April 1, 2013 at 2:30 PM to give his testimony regarding the question: IS THE CAREY-HOULE MARRIAGE NULL ACCORDING TO CHURCH LAW? Anyone who has knowledge of the domicile of Suzanne G. Houle is hereby required to inform her of this citation. Given at the offices of the Diocesan Tribunal in Fall River, Bristol County, Massachusetts on March 11, 2013. (Rev.) Paul F. Robinson, O. Carm., J.C.D. Judicial Vicar (Mrs.) Helene P. Beaudoin Ecclesiastical Notary

a relationship with Jesus and His Church is a major pastoral challenge,” he told Catholic News Service several days before the cardinals agreed to a media blackout. Cardinal Dolan, president of the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops, was asked about issues the cardinals would likely consider in their general congregation sessions before the conclave when they discuss a variety of needs facing the Universal Church. He said he had some ideas on these challenges, just based on what he has seen in U.S. dioceses from recent reports submitted to him by U.S. bishops in preparation for the next synod of bishops. As these reports have been coming in, he said he is “seeing a clear pattern.” He said the U.S. bishops are concerned with what they describe as an “ecclesiological challenge” as more and more people separate religion from faith and also say they “don’t have a problem with Jesus but they do have questions about the Church.” “That’s not just a Catholic problem, every religion seems to be experiencing this,” he added, but it is still a major challenge Catholic leaders cannot ignore. Another major challenge is the vocations crisis, he said. Cardinal Dolan said he was not just referring to the vocation to the priesthood and religious life

but Marriage and family. “The polls are showing that Catholic people are marrying at (the) same low rate as the rest and are divorcing close to the national rate. That means we have a vocation problem,” he said. He also cited the issue of religious freedom and said there is a strong feeling that the Church “needs to be more robust in its defense of religious freedom not only where Christians are subjected to outright persecution and harassment” but also what he described as a “more insidious kind of harassment” when the “ability to give public witness to the faith is curtailed and thought to be inappropriate.” “Something tells me that those three challenges are not exclusive to the United States” and that they would likely be “priorities for the next pope,” he added. When asked what qualities the new pope should have, he said he should be holy, theologically erudite, have an appreciation of the needs of the Universal Church. He said he should also have linguistic skills, pastoral competency and leadership sense. With that said, he added there is “not a job description for the pope.” He acknowledged that the qualities he is suggesting “nobody can meet up to” but added, “I think that’s what the cardinals will be looking for.”

Vatican City (CNA/ EWTN News) — In a change to past papal elections, the new pope will have the chance to adore Jesus in the Eucharist before he makes his appearance on the central balcony of St. Peter’s Basilica. Vatican press office director Father Federico Lombardi told journalists that, “when the pope goes to the loggia, he passes the Pauline Chapel and will stop there for a brief moment of personal prayer and silence in front of the Blessed Sacrament.” The Vatican press office was buzzing with journalists looking for news about the March 12 conclave. Before looking ahead to the voting, Father Lombardi reviewed the cardinals final general meeting, which was held Tuesday morning. The cardinals made 28 interventions before the assembly voted to end their meetings, given that the conclave began on Tuesday. Father Lombardi reminded the media of the general schedule for the conclave and then later walked through the ceremony that occurs immediately after a new pope is chosen. Cardinal Giovanni Battista

Re, the cardinal deacon, will ask the candidate if he accepts his “canonical election as Supreme Pontiff” and what name will use. If he says yes, then white smoke is sent up while the pope goes to the Room of Tears, vests in his papal garments and then returns to the Sistine Chapel. The cardinals then hold a small ceremony that involves prayer, reading the Scriptures and a time for the cardinals to offer their congratulations to the new pope. This is followed by the singing of the Te Deum, the Church’s traditional hymn of thanks to God, and a procession out of the chapel. As the new pope makes his way between the Sistine Chapel and the balcony where he is presented to the people, he will stop for a brief moment of personal prayer and adoration in the Pauline Chapel. Cardinal Jean-Louis Tauran will then introduce the new pope with the famous Latin words “Habemus papam!” This will be followed by the name he has picked. The total amount of time that lapses between the appearance of the white smoke and the pope’s appearance on St. Peter’s balcony is about 50 minutes.

16

Youth Pages

a moo-ving experience — The pre-kindergarten and kindergarten students at Holy Name School in Fall River, enjoyed a Dr. Seuss story time to commemorate Dr. Seuss’s birthday and Read Across America literacy month. David Mello from the Fall River Public Library dressed as Mr. Brown from “Mr. Brown Can Moo, Can You?” and brought along a favorite well-known friend, the Cat In The Hat. The children enjoyed Dr. Seuss literature, the silly antics of the cat, and continued the month with more Dr. Seuss stories and classroom activities.

March 15, 2013

Stars shine at CYO hoops tourney

NEW BEDFORD — The annual Fall River Diocesan CYO Basketball All Star tournaments recently took place in New Bedford and Fall River. The Junior Girls Tournament was held at the Kennedy CYO Center in New Bedford. In the opening game, the girls from New Bedford outdistanced Taunton by the score of 38-30. Kyara Sylvia led New Bedford with 11 points while Victoria Williams showed the way for Taunton with nine points. In the second game, the girls from Fall River captured the tournament crown with a 4125 victory over New Bedford. Emily Tripp of the Fall River All Stars led all scorers with 10 points while Katelyn Bindas had six points for New Bedford. The All Tournament Team consisted of Victoria Williams from Taunton, Kelsey Clark and Kyara Sylvia of New Bedford, and Abby Callahan of Fall River. Emily Tripp from Fall River was named the tournament’s Most Valuable Player. In the Boys Tournament, held at the Sullivan-McCarrick CYO Center in Fall River, New Bedford and Taunton faced each

other in the first game. New Bedford, playing a pressure defense, forced several turnovers by Taunton and emerged with a 55-34 victory. J. Ashworth led all scorers with 21 points for New Bedford while teammates M. Linhares and B. Goodine had nine and seven respectively. In the second game, New Bedford and Fall River played for the championship. At first a close game, New Bedford began to pull away and employed a tough 1-3-1 defense to force several Fall River turnovers. They took the championship with a 49-38 win. J. Ashworth led New Bedford with 16 points and teammate M. Devlin had seven points. Fall River was led in scoring by Nick Silva with 13 points and teammate Lucas Konarski chipped in with nine. The All Tournament Team was made up of Blake Gallagher from Taunton, Nick Silva from Fall River, and B. Goodine, P. Boukheir and M. Linhares from New Bedford. New Bedford’s J. Ashworth was named tourney MVP. Teams for all areas are now entering into the playoff season with diocesan champions to be determined in late March.

how time flies — Kindergarten and pre-kindergarten students at Our Lady of Lourdes School in Taunton celebrated 100 days of school with hats, vests and posters depicting 100 items.

the century mark — To celebrate the 100th day of school, students at St. John the Evangelist School in Attleboro in Kathleen Harrington’s second-grade class each made a project using 100 items. The various projects included cotton balls, paperclips, Legos, cereal, and spaghetti.

cat tales — The intermediate students at SS. Peter and Paul School in Fall River participated in Read Across America by reading their favorite Dr. Seuss book to the primary students.

Youth Pages

March 15, 2013

I

17

Use it, or lose it

t’s almost spring! After a long winter, those can be the some of the most exciting words that we can hear. Easter is just around the corner. Are you ready for Easter and for summer? During spring, some will start to clean their houses and yards in anticipation of summer. The days get longer, and it gets warmer. We open the windows and let in that fresh air. Spiritually, Lent is also in full bloom. It is a time set aside by the Church to help us prepare in anticipation of Easter. What do spring and Lent have in common? They both represent a time for new birth; a new beginning. This week, I’d like you to consider joining me in getting some spring-cleaning started … on our souls. Yes, that’s right, your soul! Give your soul much thought lately? It’s easy to forget about it since we can’t see it, but it is our very essence as children of God. It is the center of it all. It is our authentic self. It is a part of us that will live beyond our earthly body. Yet,

most of us spend very little So how do we work on our time thinking about it, and souls? I’m not sure there is any very little time dusting it off or one way. We may just need to cleaning it out. True? start by taking time to slow You see, you’ve got to work down and take an opportunity on your soul. to go on an inner retreat. Many I’m always amazed, esof us are afraid to be alone pecially as I grow older and rounder, of the amount of money and time spent working on that beautiful look, that special outfit or that perfect body. How many hours a week do By Frank Lucca we dedicate to those pursuits? In contrast, just how many hours do we spend on our soul? with ourselves, aren’t we? Is With your soul, you’ve got it because we just might be to use it or lose it! You can’t afraid of what we’ll learn? In ignore your health and hope order to work on your soul you that you’ll be OK when you get need to experience solitude older. You can’t ignore your and silence first. It is only then studies and hope that you’ll that we can look into our very pass (although I was not the souls and begin to clean it out, best of students so I’m hardly to remove the junk and to dust the one to give advice in this things off. Then you’ll be able area). You can’t ignore waterto know what God wants from ing a plant and hope that it will you. Only in that silence and live. Well, you can’t ignore solitude will you be able to your soul and hope it will carry hear God’s voice speaking to you into the next life either. you. That is what will make

Fall River — St. Vincent’s Home is participating in the Feinstein Foundation’s 16th annual $1 Million Giveaway to fight hunger now through April 30. A portion of donations in the form of cash, checks, pledges or food items received by St. Vincent’s during that time frame will be matched by Alan Shawn Fein-

stein of the Feinstein Foundation. The more donations made to St. Vincent’s between March 1 and April 30, the more of the Feinstein Foundation’s $1 Million Giveaway that St. Vincent’s will receive. The Feinstein Foundation’s past $1 million challenges to fight hunger have raised more than $1.5 billion for hunger-

Be Not Afraid

St. Vincent’s Home takes part in hunger-fighting program

your soul healthy. Take some time the remaining days of Lent and spring to work on your soul. Sit and just be. First and foremost take advantage of the Sacrament of Reconciliation. Consider attending the Stations of the Cross on the next several Friday nights or an extra Mass or two. Read a passage in the Bible each day or maybe even a chapter! Read some of the other articles in The Anchor. Tune in one of the religious TV channels and just listen. Attend the beautiful services planned during Holy Week and really try to understand what is going on and why. Consider a retreat. The YES! Retreat will be held at Cathedral Camp on April 5-7. All of these things will clear the cobwebs from your soul. They might help you unburden yourself of all the junk that we all accumulate in our souls. All of these things will give your soul a

good workout. All of these things will help you develop a stronger, more “beautiful,” more “perfect” soul. It will be like you threw open the windows of your soul and let in that breath of fresh air! It will be like springtime for your soul, leading to a new and more active “summer.” Paraphrasing from the “Altar Boyz” Broadway show song “Mind, Body and Soul”: “You’ve gotta work, work, work on your soul. You’ve got to use it every day or it will go away. You’ve gotta work, work, work on your soul.” See you at the “gym” and I don’t mean Gold’s! Frank Lucca is a youth minister at St. Dominic’s Parish in Swansea. He is chairman and a director of the YES! Retreat and the director of the Christian Leadership Institute (CLI). He is a husband and a father of two daughters and a son-in-law. Comments, ideas or suggestions? Please email him at StDominicYouthMinistry@ comcast.net.

fighting charitable and religious organizations nationwide. By making a donation to St. Vincent’s, you will become a part of the most successful ongoing efforts to fight hunger. Donations are tax-deductible to the fullest extent allowed by law. For more information, please contact Melissa Dick at St. Vincent’s by calling 508-679-8511.

by the book — Kindergarten students at St. James-St. John School in New Bedford enjoyed themselves while reading to Principal Cristina Raposo.

good sports — Bishop Feehan High School’s (Attleboro) girls lacrosse team was awarded the Friends of Jaclyn Foundation Community Spirit Award for their involvement in FOJ since 2008 and for proactively taking great measures to improve head protection and safety regulations of the game. The FOJ Foundation advocates for children with pediatric brain tumors by pairing them up with “adoptive” school teams who provide love, support and friendship. There are more than 300 college and high school adoptive teams across the country. For more information about the Friends of Jaclyn Foundation, visit friendsofjaclyn.org. From left, Pam Sheerin; Alaina Corsini; Jaclyn Murphy — “the” Jaclyn of the Friends of Jaclyn; Katie Barrera; Nancy Semple; and founder, FOJ president, and Jaclyn’s dad, Denis Murphy.

The Anchor is always pleased to run news and photos about our diocesan youth. If schools or parish Religious Education programs, have newsworthy stories and photos they would like to share with our readers, send them to: schools@anchornews. org

18

The Anchor

Vandalism at Westport church may be hate crime continued from page one

Father Travassos said. “You don’t want to have to keep the churches locked because of this.” While acts of violence against a Catholic Church are rare within the Fall River Diocese, diocesan spokesman John Kearns Jr. admitted “the degree here is much different.” The last known incident took place in December 2009 when someone spray-painted a racial slur and a Nazi swastika on the side of St. Kilian’s Church in New Bedford and also broke two windows in the adjacent rectory. Father Hugo Cardenas, IVE, then-pastor of St. Kilian’s, filed a report with the New Bedford Police Department, which investigated the incident as a potential hate crime. Although the degree of vandalism to St. John the Baptist Church seems much more severe in this case, Father Hindsley said the police in charge of the investigation do not think it rises to the level of a hate crime. “The police told me it didn’t have all the characteristics of a hate crime,” he said. “I mean there was other stuff in there if they wanted to sell or pawn it. There were items (of value) that they could have easily taken, without having to pick up a huge tabernacle and cart it out.”

“I would say at this point there’s nothing to indicate that this is a hate crime,” said Detective Ryan Nickelson of the Westport Police Department, who is heading the ongoing investigation. “I know it appears that it was directed toward the church, but there’s no evidence indicating it was done because it was a Catholic church.” Massachusetts General Laws, Chapter 22C, Section 32, define a hate crime as: “Any criminal act coupled with overt actions motivated by bigotry and bias including, but not limited to, a threatened, attempted or completed overt act motivated at least in part by racial, religious, ethnic, handicap, gender or sexual orientation prejudice, or which otherwise deprives another person of his constitutional rights by threats, intimidation or coercion, or which seek to interfere with or disrupt a person’s exercise of constitutional rights through harassment or intimidation.” “I think the smashing of the crucifix (and) desecration of a Bible and icons … clearly meet the definition, as they are ‘overt acts motivated … by religious prejudice,’” said Dwight Duncan, a professor at UMass School of Law in Dartmouth and an Anchor columnist.

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Duncan also suggested a complaint should be filed with the state police in this matter, since hate crimes are defined by and enforced under state law. Father Hindsley felt that certain aspects of the desecration — things such as the removal of a 100-pound brass tabernacle containing the Holy Eucharist, the breaking of a crucifix, the turning of a statue of Christ to the side, the defiling of the Holy Bible — may perhaps suggest something even a bit more sinister than a simple hate crime. “It seemed pretty clear to me that they took everything related to ritual,” he said. “The clincher to me is they took the Roman Missal. That has no (monetary) value whatsoever to anybody. “I think they definitely targeted the Church — that’s what I believe.” Father Hindsley isn’t alone in thinking the hand of the devil may be at play here. Another diocesan priest, who asked that he not be identified, agreed that the specific items taken all have the earmarks of some type of satanic or cult ritual. But according to Kearns, the Church has never been targeted by any hostile satanic or cult groups in the region. Hate crime or not, because the sanctuary was vandalized and the Holy Eucharist was removed from the church, Father Hindsley said this was clearly considered an act of desecration under canon law, which required him to immediately reconsecrate the church before services could resume the following day. “Bishop Coleman gave me permission to (rebless) the church on Sunday,” Father Hindsley said. “So instead of the eight o’clock Mass, we initially had a half-hour service to conduct those rites and then we followed it with the Mass so we were able to celebrate our regular Masses on Sunday.” Admitting that this is the first time anything like this has ever happened in one of his parishes, Father Hindsley said he greatly appreciates the offers he’s received from fellow pastors in the diocese to give him a tabernacle or replace other items they need. “Thankfully, our former pastor, Msgr. Edmund J. Fitzgerald, was good at buying two of everything,” he said. “The parishioners have been wonderful,” he added. “I know they were very distressed and affected by what happened here.” Westport Police urge anyone with tips or information about the incident to contact detectives at 508-636-1122.

March 15, 2013

CSS, other agencies to host workshop for citizenship

Fall River — On March 30, St. Luke’s Episcopal Church, 315 Warren Street in Fall River will host dozens of specially-trained volunteers who will help qualified immigrants fill out all the paperwork required to become United States citizens. From 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. MIRA Coalition and United Neighbors of Fall River are sponsoring this clinic in collaboration with Catholic Social Services, Greater Boston Citizenship Initiative and the National Partnership for New Americans. Massachusetts enjoys higher rates of naturalization than most states, but it still has room for improvement. Of the state’s 320,000 Legal Permanent Residents (“green-card” holders), 180,000 are eligible to naturalize but have not yet done so. “As a naturalized citizen myself, I can attest to the profound benefits of citizenship,” said Eva Millona, executive director of MIRA. “For families, it allows easier travel, derivative citizenship for children, and greater employment opportunities. But the most important benefit is the full civic participation it allows, including the right to vote. It is a transformational privilege.” At the event, trained immigration specialists and interpreters will guide applicants through the entire 10-page application form. To be eligible a person must have been a legal permanent resident for five years or three years if married to U.S. citizen; have no problems with the law; and speak, write, and read basic English (some may be eligible for an exemption). All applicants must bring their Permanent Resident Card (green card); drivers li-

cense or any other photo ID; Social Security card; two color passport photos; list of home addresses for the past five years and the dates during which you lived at these addresses; list of employer names and addresses for the past five years, including the dates worked with these employers; dates they have been outside of the U.S. since becoming a permanent resident and the countries traveled to during these trips. They must bring their passport, itineraries, and tickets to track all trips made outside the U.S.; complete names, dates of birth, addresses and A#s (number found on their green cards, if any) for children; and their most recent tax return If applying for citizenship on the basis of Marriage please they are to bring: marriage certificate and divorce decrees if applicable; evidence that spouse has been a resident for at least three years such as a birth certificate, passport or certificate of naturalization; documents referring both individuals, such as tax returns, bank statements, leases, mortgages, IRS tax return for the last three years. If name has changed through a court, the court decree that legally changed the name. The workshop is free, but there is an application fee of a $680 money order payable to “U.S. Department of Homeland Security.” If you think you are eligible for a fee waiver, please bring: a letter in English from the Department of Transitional Assistance, Public Housing, MassHealth or other benefitprovider detailing benefits or 2011 tax returns for all family members. To register for the session, or for more information, call 617-500-5998.

Cape parish helps rebuild church in Haiti continued from page 10

opener for him.” “This was the first time he went … and it’s very hard to see the poverty over there firsthand,” he said. “Your initial reaction is ‘I need to get out of here because there’s nothing I can do about this.’ That was how I felt on my first trip. But when you meet the people and come in contact with them, your heart goes out to them.” And yet the one thing the Haitian people have maintained throughout this tragedy is their

faith. With a population estimated to be at least 80 percent Catholic, they have clung to their faith despite the devastation. “Sometimes it’s so depressing to see the situation there, but I always come back feeling very uplifted,” Father Baris said. “They always thank God for what they have. It’s incredible.” Donations to benefit the people of Haiti can be sent to Our Lady of the Cape Parish, 468 Stoney Brook Road, Brewster, Mass. 02631-3252.

March 15, 2013

Eucharistic Adoration in the Diocese

Acushnet — Eucharistic Adoration takes place at St. Francis Xavier Parish on Monday and Tuesday from 9:30 a.m. to 6:30 p.m.; Wednesday from 9:30 a.m. to 9 p.m.; Thursday from 7 a.m. to 5:30 p.m.; Friday from 9:30 a.m. to 9 p.m.; and Saturday from 9:30 a.m. to 2:45 p.m. Evening prayer and Benediction is held Monday through Wednesday at 6:30 p.m. ATTLEBORO — Eucharistic Adoration takes place in the St. Joseph Adoration Chapel at Holy Ghost Church, 71 Linden Street, from 7 a.m. to 9 p.m. daily. ATTLEBORO — The National Shrine of Our Lady of La Salette holds Eucharistic Adoration in the Shrine Church every Saturday from 1 to 4 p.m. through November 17. Brewster — Eucharistic Adoration takes place 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, every first Friday after the 8 a.m. Mass and ending the following day before the 8 a.m. Mass. 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 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. 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 a.m. to noon in the Chapel of Reconciliation, with Benediction at noon. 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 — Espirito Santo Parish, 311 Alden Street, Fall River. Eucharistic Adoration on Mondays following the 8 a.m. Mass until Rosary and Benediction at 6:30 p.m. FALL RIVER — St. Bernadette’s Church, 529 Eastern Ave., has Eucharistic Adoration on Fridays from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. in the chapel. 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. Falmouth — St. Patrick’s Church has Eucharistic Adoration each First Friday, following the 9 a.m. Mass until Benediction at 4:30 p.m. The Rosary is recited Monday through Friday from 8:30 a.m. to 9 a.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 takes place 7 to 9 p.m. Wednesdays at Our Lady of Guadalupe Church, 233 County Street, with night prayer and Benediction at 8:45 p.m., and Confessions offered during the evening. 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 every Friday from 7:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. NORTH DARTMOUTH — Eucharistic Adoration takes place at St. Julie Billiart Church, 494 Slocum Road, every Tuesday from 7 to 8 p.m., ending with Benediction. The Sacrament of Reconciliation is available at this time. NORTH DIGHTON — Eucharistic Adoration 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. OSTERVILLE — Eucharistic Adoration takes place at Our Lady of the Assumption Church, 76 Wianno Avenue on First Fridays from 8:30 a.m. to noon. SEEKONK ­— Our Lady of Mt. Carmel Parish has 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. Expostition begins following the 8 a.m. Mass. The Blessed Sacrament will be exposed, and Adoration will continue throughout the day. Confessions are heard from 5:15 to 6:15 p.m. Rosary and Benediction begin at 6:30 p.m. WAREHAM — Every First Friday, Eucharistic Adoration takes place from 8:30 a.m. through Benediction at 5:30 p.m. Morning prayer is prayed at 9; the Angelus at noon; the Divine Mercy Chaplet at 3 p.m.; and Evening Prayer at 5 p.m. 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 from other parishes are invited to sign up to cover open hours. For open hours, or to sign up call 508-430-4716. WOODS HOLE — Eucharistic Adoration takes place at St. Joseph’s Church, 33 Millfield Street, year-round on weekdays 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m., and Saturday 9 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. No Adoration on Sundays, Wednesdays, and holidays. For information call 508-274-5435.

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The Anchor State school board approves transgender bathroom policy continued from page one

of time, however short in duration,” the bishops’ testimony said. The board of education’s new directive states that “the responsibility for determining a student’s gender identity rests with the student.” The policy says that a student should be allowed to change their gender identity at school without parental knowledge. It adds that students who do not refer to transgender students by their chosen name and chosen pronouns could be subject to disciplinary action. Commissioner Chester seems to be arguing that because the law prevents discrimination in education, it opens the state schools’ single-sex facilities to all students. Andrew Beckwith, MFI’s executive vice president and general counsel, told The Anchor, “Clearly the commissioner has gone outside the intent of the law, and, I would argue, also the letter.” “This highlights what was wrong with the bill because it was vague and overbroad and ripe for abuse,” he said. Beckwith said that individual school committees can choose whether or not to implement the guidelines, and he hopes that “common sense” will prevail at the local level. He urged concerned parents to call their school committee, the state board of education and their state representatives about the issue. Diane Splitz, a mother from Sandwich, told The Anchor that

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

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 March 18 Rev. Robert D. Forand, C.P., West Hartford, Conn., 1989 March 19 Rev. John J. McQuaide, Assistant, St. Mary, Taunton, 1905 March 20 Rev. Francis A. Mrozinski, Pastor, St. Hedwig, New Bedford, 1951 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

she is shocked and upset by the commissioner’s policy. Although she understands that children with gender identity disorder and their parents face difficulties, she does

not believe schools should sacrifice the comfort and privacy of other students. “I want my children to feel safe in the bathroom,” she said.

Around the Diocese 3/16

The Knights of Columbus Council #11690 of Norton is holding a baby shower for single mothers and infants this weekend. The baby shower is being held in conjunction with the Knights of Columbus Day for the Unborn on the Feast of the Annunciation. Donations of basic necessities for babies such as diapers, bibs, lotions, and the like will be collected for local single mothers with infants and distributed through Birthright. Items can be dropped off at the entrance of St. Mary’s Church in Norton at all Masses. For more information contact Joseph or Kathleen Travers at 508-212-6271.

3/19

The Daughters of Isabella Hyacinth Circle will be holding its monthly meeting at 7 p.m. on March 19 at the St. Mary’s Parish Center in South Dartmouth. Join them for a Lenten renewal with Benediction and a talk to follow given by a man of God. Any Catholic women who are interested in joining the group are welcome. In peace and love all current, past, and potential new members are welcome to join them for fellowship, sisterhood, faith renewal, and fun.

3/19

St. Joseph’s feast day will be observed at St. Anne’s Shrine, Fall River, on March 19 with the following Divine services: 7:15 a.m. “low” Mass; 11:30 a.m. “high” Mass; 6:30 p.m. Vespers and Benediction, with guest homilist Father Neil Roy, chaplain of the College of St. Mary Magdalen. The Litany of St. Joseph will be prayed after both Masses.

3/20

In cooperation with the Diocese of Fall River’s Faith Formation Office, St. Patrick’s Parish in Wareham is sponsoring a lecture by Sister Sara Butler, MSBT, titled “Inside the Evangelization Synod” on March 20 at 7 p.m. in the church. Sister Sara is a Missionary Servant of the Most Blessed Trinity and a professor of theology at the University of St. Mary of the Lake in Mundelein, Ill. She was appointed to the International Theological Commission by Pope John Paul II in 2004. Sister Sara was one of 10 experts who participated in last fall’s Synod of Bishops on the New Evangelization. She will be sharing her experiences, insights and observations of the event and all are welcome. For more information contact Father John Sullivan at 508-295-2411.

3/21

All are invited to join in prayers for “Building a New Culture of Life” on March 21 at 1 p.m. inside St. Jude’s Chapel at Christ the King Parish in Mashpee. Prayers will consist of the four mysteries of the Rosary with meditations on each, followed by the Divine Mercy Chaplet.

3/21

A Healing Mass will be held March 21 at St. Anthony of Padua Church, 1359 Acushnet Avenue in New Bedford. The Mass will begin at 6:30 p.m. and includes Benediction and healing prayers. At 5:15 p.m. there will be a holy hour including the Rosary. For location or more information visit www.saintanthonyofnewbedford.com or call 508-993-1691.

4/6

A Day with Mary will be held April 6 at St. Vincent de Paul Parish (Holy Ghost Church), 71 Linden Street in Attleboro from 7:50 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. It will include a video presentation, procession and crowning of the Blessed Mother with Mass and adoration of the Blessed Sacrament. There is an opportunity for Reconciliation. A bookstore will be available. Please bring a bag lunch. For more information call 508-996-8274.

4/1

Holy Cross Parish in Easton invites inactive and fallen-away Catholics to participate in Landings, a national evangelization program, on Monday evenings, April 1 through May 20. Interested parties should contact Harold Smith by March 27 at 508-238-1899 or hrsmith@comcast.net, or visit www.holycrosseaston.org.

Misc.

Maya textiles from the Haffenreffer Museum of Anthropology (Brown University) and the weaving collective Oxib’ B’atz (New Bedford) will be on display through April 7 at the Whaling Museum in New Bedford. Maya weaving is a storytelling practice rooted in tradition that remains an essential form of expression to this day. The exhibit is funded by the Catholic Campaign for Human Development.

20

March 15, 2013

The Anchor

S

We can’t stop the presses

o this is what it must feel could announce it, and that’s not finished product was something like for entertainment good in the newspaper world. the staff is proud of. publications leading up to the Since “stopping the presses!” My hope is that the edition Oscars, what it must feel like isn’t an option should a decifor our new pope will run as for sports journals during the sion come on the first couple smoothly. two-week wait for the Super of votes, we needed plan B: But first, we have to get Bowl, and what it must feel like through this edition. prepare two Anchors for this for CNN and Fox News racweek. The first Anchor is for The days of bellowing “Stop ing down the home stretch of a the scenario where no pope is the presses!” is over. At least presidential campaign. elected Tuesday or Wednesday. for The Anchor it is. Such an For the Catholic The second Anchor press, a papal conclave is awaiting a front page isn’t something that right now. It’s completecomes along every year. ly blank, with all the Actually it’s quite rare. scheduled page one maIn fact, this is only terials shifted to a newsthe sixth since I’ve been paper’s “second front By Dave Jolivet alive, half of which I page,” page three. And don’t remember. I’ve that means other pages been in the Catholic get shuffled around too. press for nearly 17 years and Get it? I hope so, because I’m endeavor would cost this paper this is only my second experiand our friends at the press valu- not sure I do yet. ence with the election of a new Since we can’t “stop the able time and materials — not a Holy Father. presses,” we just won’t start prudent venture. The last conclave experience them ... yet. We at The Anchor have been in 2005, sad to say, wasn’t a sur- waiting several weeks to find Our printer has graciously prise. The Church knew Blessed out when the conclave would extended our deadline until 10 John Paul II was near death for begin. I can’t say I wasn’t disap- a.m. on Wednesday. Should a some time — and it was just a new pope be elected by then, pointed when it was announced matter of time. our cover will include a picture March 12 would be the date. Those hard facts gave us You see, this paper goes to press and information about our new working for Catholic newspaBishop of Rome, allowing us to on Tuesdays. March 12 was a per weeklies time to plan and provide more in-depth coverage Tuesday (actually today, as I’m prepare — the farewell edition beginning next week. writing this). “Of all days,” I for beloved John Paul II, and the grumbled. What this week’s Anchor welcome edition for what turned cover will be is anybody’s guess If a new pope is elected on out to be Pope Benedict XVI. at the moment. But here we go March 12 or early March 13, This time around, Pope The Anchor will have to provide ... this is the Oscars, the Super Emeritus Benedict’s surprise Bowl, and a presidential camsome news of the history-makresignation announcement sent paign all rolled into one. At least ing event. Otherwise, it would a charge through The Anchor of- be another 10 days before we it is for the Catholic press. fice as well as hundreds of other Catholic press sites across the country and the world. All of this was new to every Catholic media outlet there is. It’s safe to say none of us were around the last time a pope resigned nearly 600 years ago. The usual weekly Anchor staff meetings paid special attention to how we would keep our readership informed about the departure of Benedict, the preparations for the election of his successor, and the actual process of determining a new pontiff. all is calm — The Vatican’s St. Peter’s Basilica is illuminated The special farewell ediwhile seen from the Tiber River in Rome the evening before the world’s cardinals gathered for the conclave in the Sistine Chapel tion for the pope emeritus went to elect a new pope. (CNS photo/Paul Hanna, Reuters) pretty much as planned, and the

My View From the Stands