The ANCHOR, An Anchor 01 fhe Soul, Sure and
Flrm~St.
Paul
Fall River, Mass., 'Thursday, March 21, 1974 Vol. 18, No. 12 漏 1974 The Anchor $5.o&R~~rEy~~
Asks Lenten Sacrifice To Assist Needy The annual collection for the American Catholic Overseas Aid Fund will be taken up next weekend in all churches of the Diocese of ,Fall River. In a letter from Most Rev. Daniel A. Cronin, S.T.D., Bishop of Fall River, read this last weekend, faithful of the Diocese were asked to fulfill the words of the Sunday Lenten Preface of the Mass by being "... more fervent in prayer, more generous in works' of charity ..." Thus, their sacrifices in the spirit of Lent will aid this essential fund which finances the overseas disaster aid and develop路 ment programs of Catholic Relief Services, supports the Migration
and Refugees Services of the United States Catholic Conference, and underwrites grants to the Holy Father's charities, and the Catholic Apostolate of the Sea. In his letter, the Bishop writzs: Dearly beloved in Christ, The Preface recited at Mass on the Sundays of the Lenten Season, serving as the introduction to the solemn Eucharistic goal of our for,ty-day season of Prayer itself, reminds us of the preparation for Easter: that we may be ..... more fervent in prayer, more generous in works Turn to Page Four
CRS COLLECTION' MARCH 23-24
PRESIDING: Most Rev. James J. Gerrard, V.G., Auxiliary Bishop of Fall River, presided over the inauguration of the Official Parish Pilgrimages to the Cathedral in celebration of the Holy Year. The Bishop was assisted by Rev. Cornelius J. O'Neill, pastor of St. John the Baptist Parish, Central Village, and Very Rev. John J. Regan, rector of St. Mary of the Assumption Cathedral.
HOLY YEAR
Pilgrimage Initiate's Parish Involvement Over 800 members of Greater Fall River parishes gathered at St. Mary's Cathedral, Fall River, on Sunday, to open the diocesan phase of the celebration of the Holy Year. Each area of the Diocese, in the f.irst phase, will journey to the Fall River Cathedral in a spiritual journey to symbolize the unity of the Diocese. Most Rev. James J. Gerrard, V.G., Auxiliary Bishop of Fall River, welcomed the Fall Riverites and presided at the special Holy Year service designed by the Diocesan Divine Worship Commission. Noting the differing backgrounds of the participants, ,Rev. Peter N. Graziano, assistant pastor at St. Thomas More Parish, Somerset, and President of the Priests' Senate, emphasized the intended show of unity necessary in the DiocesaQ Family. Tribute to the pastors-Pope Paul VI and Bishop Daniel A. Cronin-also brought parishioners together in prayer, the priest explained.
Pope Calls Modern Man Prodigal VATICAN CITY (NC)-Mod- audience hall. The Pope usually em man, like the prodigal son of exchanges a few words with the Gospel, can find happiness each such guest at tohe general by seeing the sadness within audiences. Although he skipped that part himself and returning to his father, God, Pope Paul told a of, his customary routine, the general audience March 13. It Pope returned immediately to was the Pope's first public audi- greet the bishops who were in ence since being confined to bed . attendance and then delivered a with the flu the previous week. speech to the Vatican Committee The 76-year-old Pontiff ap- on the Family. In his address during the genpeared to be his normal and active self, speaking forcefully eral audience the Pope said that while delivering his address when man 'looks within' himself and rediscOvers his moral conand making occasional asides, The only concession to his re- science, whereby he judges the cent illness was the cancellation morality of his actions, he is on of his personal greeting special the way toward God. Referring to the parable of the guests in the front row of the
prodigal son ,in the Gospel, the Pope recalled that after ,squandering his inheritance the unhappy son "looked within himself" and saw that his happiness depended upon a return to his father. That parable, the Pope continued, "is dramatic and stupendous. This act of personal solidarity and courageous reflection lies at the root of recovering a genuine and reinvigorated life for man," Moral conscience, the Pope said, finds itself "on a field of battle" in modern discussion, but "will emerge victorious because it speaks the truth for us."
But it was especially to live out the theme of the Holy Year -Reconciliation-that all, came to the "Heart of the Diocese" to express themselves in prayer and resolve.
Touching on the sanctity, brotherhood and involvement of Christians, Father Graziano painted a panoramic picture of eager Christian activity in realTum to Page Two
Mrs. Nelson Chairlady Of Attleboro Appeal Mrs. Robert W. Nelson, 37 Prospect St., Attleboro, a member of the Holy Ghost parish and resident of Attleboro for twentysix years, will serve as the 1974 lay chairlady for the Attleboro area in this year's Catholic Charities Appeal. The appointment was announced today by Rev. Msgr. Anthony M. Gomes, diocesan director of the Appeal. The Attleboro area includes, Attleboro, North Attleboro, ' Mansfield, Norton and Seekonk. Mrs. Nelson will assist Rev. Bento R. Fraga of Holy Ghost parish, ' Attleboro, who is the Attleboro area director of the Appeal and Mrs. Gilbert J. Noonan, diocesan lay chairlady of this year's Appeal. The supervision of the two phases of the Appeal-the special gift and parish-will be conducted by Father Fraga and Mrs. Nelson in collaboration with Msgr. Gomes and Mrs. Noonan.
Mrs. Nelson, a native of Emporla, Kansas, was educated in the schools of Emporia, Kansas State Teachers College and the University of Maine at Orono. She has taught in Kansas schools and was head teacher at the Little Folks School in Attleboro. She was a member of the United States Navy as 'a Wave. She is now probation officer for the Fourth Dilstrict Court of Attleboro. She is a member of many organizations and community Turn to Page Two
HOLY YEAR Taunton-Attleboro Pilgrimage
St. Mary's Cathedral Sunday, March 24 3 P.M. MRS. ROBERT W. NELSON