03.22.13

The Anchor Diocese of Fall River

F riday , March 22, 2013

Families make time to pray together

By Becky Aubut Anchor Staff

NORTH DARTMOUTH — Bishop Stang High School in North Dartmouth played host to this year’s Family Rosary Lent-

en Retreat organized by Holy Cross Family Ministries.

“Holy Cross Family Ministries’ core mission is most aptly defined by our slogan by our founder, Father Patrick Pey-

FAMILY TIME — Dr. José Fermin, a professor of biology and science and past coordinator for Latin-American Family Retreats at La Salette Retreat Center in North Attleboro, was the keynote speaker for the Spanish-speaking attendees of the recent Family Rosary Lenten Retreat at Bishop Stang High School in North Dartmouth. (Photo by Becky Aubut)

ton, and that’s ‘The family that prays together, stays together,’” explained Susan Wallace of HCFM. “So today’s event is to give families the opportunity to spend some time to come together and grow in the faith, especially in the Year of Faith.”

This year’s theme was “Lord, I believe; Help my unbelief,” with praise and worship music provided by Oscar Pozuelos and his band, along with the Bishop Stang Campus Ministry Band.

Dr. José Fermin, professor of biology and science for the City of Providence Department of Education and past coordinator for Latin-American Family Retreats at La Salette Retreat Center in North Attleboro, was the keynote speaker for the Spanish-speaking attendees of the event, while David Cavillo, author and founder of Real Men Pray the Rosary, presented in English.

Children were invited to participate in the “Try Prayer!

It Works!” contest, a national competition in which nearly Turn to page 13

First-time high school basketball champs honored at assembly

By Kenneth J. Souza Anchor Staff

FALL RIVER — Saying he was never prouder to be an alumnus of Bishop Connolly High School, basketball coach and 2002 Connolly graduate Matt Coute praised the efforts of his team in winning the division IV Massachusetts Interscholastic Athletic Association title, during an all-school assembly honoring the athletes on March 15.

“You can have talented athletes that win games, but it takes a lot of moral character to win as a team and to win championships, and these kids embody everything Connolly is about, everything the Catholic religion is about, and all the Jesuit tradition they teach here,” Coute told The Anchor. “They care about other people, not just themselves; and all that came together in a winning formula.”

That winning formula netted the first-ever basketball championship in the Fall River diocesan high school’s history during a nail-biter against Lynnfield High School played on the parquet floor of the TD Garden in Boston on March 12.

The Connolly Cougars topped off their perfect 5-0 postseason with a 65-62 victory to bring home the state title.

Noting how Connolly has Turn to page 19

UNCOMMON WEALTH — Coach Matt Coute, far left, praised the efforts of the Bishop Connolly High School basketball team as they stood on stage flanking the 2013 MIAA Division IV state championship trophy they won March 12 against Lynnfield at the TD Garden in Boston, during a school assembly held in the auditorium of the Fall River school last week. (Photo by Kenneth J. Souza)

man of humility — As one of his first gestures as the Holy Father, Pope Francis, before he bestowed his first papal blessing on the faithful of the world, bowed and asked for prayers from the Catholic faithful for God to bless him. (CNS photo/Paul Haring)

Bishop Coleman’s statement on election of Pope Francis FALL RIVER — Bishop George W. Coleman issued the following statement on the occasion of the election of Pope Francis: “On behalf of all the priests, deacons, religious, and faithful of the Diocese of Fall River, I offer my sincerest congratulations and best wishes to the newlyelected successor to the See of Peter, Pope Francis. Most importantly, on this extraordinary and joyous occasion, I offer my prayers and those of the entire Diocese for the Holy Father as

he sets out on the path chosen for him by the Lord and entrusted to him by the College of Cardinals.

May God grant him the help and strength he will need as he undertakes the office of Bishop of Rome and Pastor of the Universal Church.”

Bishop Coleman celebrated a Mass for Pope Francis at St. Mary’s Cathedral on March 19, the Solemnity of St. Joseph, Spouse of the Blessed Virgin Mary, at which priests, deacons, religious, and laity of the diocese participated.

By Dave Jolivet, Editor

stepped out for lunch at Betsy’s in Falmouth, and all of a sudden the bells at nearby St. Patrick’s Church started to ring like crazy.

I rushed home in time to hear the announcement from the balcony, but I couldn’t understand it. When I eventually discovered who it was, I almost leaped out of my seat for joy. Hearing it was Pope Francis, a Jesuit, was beyond anything I could have believed could happen. I, too, am a Jesuit named Francis.”

Also like most of the CathoTurn to page 13

Local Jesuit priest ‘thrilled’ with election of Pope Francis

EAST FALMOUTH — Like countless others across the globe, Jesuit Father Francis J. Moy was on “pope watch” on March 13, waiting to find out if white or black smoke would waft from the chimney atop the Sistine Chapel in the Vatican. “I was watching off and on throughout the day,” Father Moy, who serves at St. Anthony’s Parish in East Falmouth, St. Elizabeth Seton Parish in North Falmouth, and St. John the Evangelist Parish in Pocasset, told The Anchor. “I

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News From the Vatican

March 22, 2013

Pope Francis explains why he chose St. Francis of Assisi’s name

VATICAN CITY (CNS) — Pope Francis said that “as things got dangerous” in the conclave voting, he was sitting next to his “great friend,” Brazilian Cardinal Claudio Hummes “who comforted me.”

When the former Cardinal Jorge Mario Bergoglio went over the 77 votes needed to become pope, he said, Cardinal Hummes “hugged me, kissed me and said, ‘Don’t forget the poor.’”

Pope Francis told thousands of journalists March 16 that he took to heart the words of his friend and chose to be named after St. Francis of Assisi, “the man of poverty, the man of peace, the man who loves and protects creation,” the same created world “with which we don’t have such a good relationship.”

“How I would like a Church that is poor and that is for the poor,” he told the more than 5,000 media representatives who came from around the world for the conclave and his election.

Pope Francis also said some had suggested jokingly that he, a Jesuit, should have taken the name Clement XV “to get even with Clement XIV, who suppressed the Society of Jesus” in the 1700s.

The pope told the media, “You’ve really been working, haven’t you.”

While the Church includes a large institution with centuries of history, he said, “the Church does not have a political nature, but a spiritual one.”

Pope Francis told reporters it was the Holy Spirit who led Pope Benedict XVI to resign, and it was the Holy Spirit who guided the conclave.

The pope acknowledged how difficult it is for many media to cover the Church as a spiritual, rather than a political institution, and he offered special thanks “to those who were able to observe and

recount these events in the story of the Church from the most correct perspective in which they must be read, that of faith.”

The Church, he said, “is the people of God, the holy people of God, because it is journeying toward an encounter with Jesus Christ.”

No one can understand the Church without understanding its spiritual purpose, he said.

“Christ is the Pastor of the Church, but His presence passes through the freedom of human beings,” he said. “Among them, one is chosen to serve as His vicar on earth. But Christ is the center, the focal point.”

Thanking the reporters again for all their hard work, Pope Francis also asked them to continue trying “to discover the true nature of the Church and its journey through the world, with its virtues as well as its sins.”

Communications, he said, requires study, preparation and a special attention “to truth, goodness and beauty,” which is something the Church has in common with journalism.

He ended his talk by telling reporters he hoped they would grow in their knowledge of “the Gospel of Jesus Christ and the reality of the Church. I entrust you to the protection of the Blessed Virgin Mary, star of the New Evangelization.”

After personally greeting dozens of journalists and representatives of the Vatican press office, the Pontifical Council for Social Communications, the Vatican newspaper and Vatican Radio, the pope came back to the microphone.

“I know that many of you are not Catholic or are not believers, so I impart my heartfelt blessing to each of you silently, respecting your consciences, but knowing that each of you is a child of God. May God bless you,” he said.

Pope’s papal motto comes from homily

by English doctor of Church

VATICAN CITY (CNS) — Pope Francis’ papal motto is based on the Gospel account of “The Call of St. Matthew,” the tax collector, in a homily given by St. Bede the Venerable. The pope slightly altered his episcopal coat of arms and motto for his papal coat of arms.

The choice he made still sheds some light on the person and ministry of the man who became pope March 13. His motto in Latin is “Miserando atque eligendo,” which means “because He saw him through the eyes of mercy and chose him.” The phrase comes from a homily by St. Bede — an English eighth-century Christian writer and doctor of the Church.

St. Bede’s homily looks at Mt 9:9-13 in which Jesus saw the tax collector, Matthew, sitting at a customs post and said to him, “Follow Me.” St. Bede explained in his homily, “Jesus saw Matthew, not merely in the usual sense, but more significantly with His merciful understanding of men. He saw the tax collector and, because He saw him through the eyes of mercy and chose him, He said to him: ‘Follow Me.’ This following meant imitating the pattern of His life — not just walking after Him. St. John tells us: ‘Whoever says he abides in Christ ought to walk in the same way in which He walked.’”

warm welcome — Pope Francis greets people after celebrating Mass at St. Anne’s Parish within the Vatican March 17. The new pope greeted every person leaving the small church and then walked over to meet people waiting around St. Anne’s Gate. (CNS photo/Paul Haring)

At first Angelus, Pope Francis says God never tires of forgiving

VATICAN CITY (CNS) — Citing a distinguished German theologian and an anonymous elderly penitent from Argentina, Pope Francis told an overflow crowd in St. Peter’s Square never to despair of God’s mercy to sinners.

“The Lord never tires of forgiving,” the pope said March 17, before leading his listeners in praying the midday Angelus. “It is we who tire of asking for forgiveness.”

Pope Francis, who was elected March 13, spoke from his window in the Apostolic Palace for the first time. Despite gray skies, a crowd easily numbering 150,000 turned out to see the pope for his first scheduled appearance in St. Peter’s Square since the night of his election.

He opened with an expression of what has already become his trademark informality, greeting listeners with a simple “buongiorno!”

Commenting on the day’s Gospel reading (Jn 8:1-11), Pope Francis noted that Jesus addresses a woman caught in adultery, not with words of scorn or condemnation, “but only words of love, of mercy, which invite her to conversion: ‘Neither do I condemn you. Go, and from now on do not sin any more.’”

Pope Francis referred to a book on the subject of mercy by German Cardinal Walter Kasper, retired president of the Pontifical Council for Promoting Christian Unity, whom he described as a “superb theologian.”

“But don’t think I’m advertising my cardinals’ books. That’s not it,” the pope said in the sort of spontaneous aside that listeners have already come to expect from him.

“This book has done me so much good,” Pope Francis said, apparently referring to a work published in 2012 under the

German title “Barmherzigkeit” (Mercy).

“Cardinal Kasper said that to feel mercy, this word changes everything,” the pope said. “A little mercy makes the world less cold and more just.”

The Argentine pope also recalled an encounter more than 20 years ago with an elderly woman in Buenos Aires, who told him: “If the Lord did not forgive all, the world would not exist.”

Pope Francis said he had wanted to ask her if she had studied at Rome’s prestigious Pontifical Gregorian University, because her words reflected the “wisdom that comes from the Holy Spirit: interior wisdom regarding the mercy of God.” Following the Angelus, the pope offered a particular greeting to Romans and other Italians, noting that he had chosen for his papal name that of St. Francis of Assisi, which he said “reinforces my spiritual tie with this land, where — as you know — my family origins lie.”

Earlier that morning, Pope Francis celebrated Mass at the Church of St. Anne inside Vatican City, where his homily also treated the subject of Divine Mercy.

“It is not easy to trust in the

The Anchor www.anchornews.org

mercy of God, because that is an incomprehensible abyss,” he said. “But we must do it.”

Jesus likes us to tell Him even our worst sins, the pope said.

“He forgets; He has a special ability to forget.”

At the end of Mass, Pope Francis drew attention to the presence of Father Gonzalo Aemilius, founder of the Liceo Jubilar Juan Pablo II, a high school in Montevideo, Uruguay. He described the priest as one “who has long worked with street kids, with drug addicts.

He opened a school for them, he has done so much to make them know Jesus.”

“I don’t know how he came to be here today,” the pope said.

“I’ll find out.”

Afterward, outside the church, the pope personally greeted each of the approximately 200 members of the congregation, then walked over to the nearby St. Anne’s Gate and greeted members of a crowd that had formed on the other side of the boundary separating Vatican from Italian territory.

He also sent his first official Tweet from @pontifex: “Dear friends, I thank you from my heart and I ask you to continue to pray for me. Pope Francis.”

OFFICIAL NEWSPAPER OF THE DIOCESE OF FALL RIVER Vol. 57, No. 11

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March 22, 2013

The International Church

Some in Buenos Aires shocked that their humble prelate is pope

BUENOS AIRES, Argentina (CNS) — Lawyer Diego Morales often walks past the Metropolitan Cathedral in this South American capital. He recently popped in, however, taking a moment for prayer and reflection and to give thanks for what was previously unthinkable: that local Cardinal Jorge Mario Bergoglio would be elected pope.

Many Argentines expressed emotions of shock, surprise and pride that the Church would elect one of their own as pontiff, especially as they remember Pope Francis more as a humble servant, who made the poor his priority, rather than as someone seeking status and power.

His origins in South America made it seem even more improbable that he would become leader of the Universal Church.

“He came from the end of the world,” the daily La Nacion announced in a headline.

Pope Francis became perhaps the best-known Argentine since soccer strikers Lionel Messi and Diego Maradona. The latter led Argentina to the 1986 World Cup title with a goal against England known as “the hand of God.” Maradona, who tipped the ball with his hand and became a sort of demigod in Argentina and beyond, responded to Pope Francis’ election by saying: “The god of football is Argentine, and the pope is, too. When I go to Italy, I hope to be able to have an audience with him.”

Pope Francis is different from the larger-than-life Maradona, whose battles with drugs are well-documented. People interviewed near the cathedral recall Pope Francis as being personable, with a common touch — someone who took time for ordinary people.

“He’s the same person now as he was then,” said hardware store owner Antonio Franco, who was taught catechism classes by a young Father Bergoglio.

“He’s a very humble person.”

“Even for some Jesuits, he was excessively modest,” said Jose Maria Poirier, director the Catholic magazine El Criterio. “But he’s authentically that

way.”

Pope Francis endeared himself to many by acting like a common man, Poirier told Catholic News Service. He lived in a room next to the archdiocesan headquarters and cooked for himself. He had been preparing to move into a home for retired and sick priests, where he planned to celebrate Mass daily and help care for older prelates.

Poirier said the pope never went out to eat — except in archdiocesan missions in poor neighborhoods or to speak with a priest needing attention; rejected all invitations to societystyle gatherings; and rode public transit.

“He never had a car,” Poirier added. With public transit, “He said that I lose less time and meet the people.”

The desire to not lose time describes Pope Francis’ abilities in administration, he added.

He built parishes, promoted the priesthood to potential seminarians coming from poor barrios and overhauled archdiocesan ministries during his 15 years at the helm of the Archdiocese of Buenos Aires.

Mostly, though, the thenarchbishop wanted the Church to be closer to the people — regardless of income, Poirier said.

He made his mark in the media, too, by leading protests against same-sex marriage and abortion laws in Argentina. But he also protested against corruption — a touchy topic in Argentina, where a black market in U.S. dollars thrives and which ranks 102nd in the world on the annual survey by anti-corruption watchdog Transparency International.

Pope Francis has been critical of the International Monetary Fund and the global economic system, especially after the 2001 peso crisis in Argentina.

The country devalued its currency at the time, setting off widespread protests and hardship, along with political unrest.

Pope Francis participated in commissions dealing with the fallout and took to the media to ask people to support those suddenly impoverished.

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The Anchor

March 22, 2013

Pope Francis begins papacy pledging to protect Church, human dignity

VATICAN CITY (CNS) — Pope Francis formally began his ministry as Bishop of Rome and as pope on March 19, by pledging to protect the Catholic Church, the dignity of each person and the beauty of creation, just like St. Joseph protected Mary and Jesus.

“To protect creation, to protect every man and every woman, to look upon them with tenderness and love is to open up a horizon of hope,” he told between 150,000 and 200,000 people gathered under sunny skies in St. Peter’s Square and the nearby streets.

With representatives of other Christian churches and communities, delegations from 132 countries, Jewish and Muslim leaders as well as Buddhists, Hindus, Sikhs and Jains present, Pope Francis preached the Gospel, but insisted the values it espouses are essentially human, “involving ev-

eryone.” it was quite loud; he punctuated father who watched over Jesus, While the rites and rituals of with clenched fists his remarks worried about Him and taught the inauguration of his ministry about the strength required to be Him a trade, the pope said. as pope took place immediately tender and compassionate to othSt. Joseph responded to his before the Mass, the Liturgy itself ers. call to be a protector “by being was a celebration of the feast of “In the Gospels,” he said, “St. constantly attentive to God, open St. Joseph, patron of the e [the pope] must be inspired to the signs of God’s Universal Church and presence and receptive to by the lowly, concrete and God’s plans, and not sim“also the name day of my venerable predecessor,” faithful service which marked St. Joseph ply his own,” the pope Pope Benedict XVI, the and, like him, he must open his arms to said. former Joseph Ratzinger. protect all of God’s people and embrace Fidelity to God’s Word The retired pope was and God’s plan for innot present at the Lit- with tender affection the whole of human- dividuals and for all of urgy, but the crowds ap- ity, especially the poorest, the weakest, the creation makes the differplauded enthusiastically least important,” Pope Francis said. ence, he said, calling on when Pope Francis said, everyone to be sensitive “We are close to him with and loving toward those our prayers, full of affection and Joseph appears as a strong and in their care, especially toward gratitude.” courageous man, a working man, children, the aged, the poor and The new pope stood at a lec- yet in his heart we see great ten- the sick. tern to read his homily, sticking derness, which is not the virtue “In the end, everything has to the text he had prepared in of the weak, but rather a sign of been entrusted to our protection, advance. At times his voice was strength of spirit and a capacity and all of us are responsible for extremely soft and other times for concern, for compassion, for it,” he said. “Be protectors of genuine openness to others, for God’s gifts.” love.”

When people fail to respect “We must not be afraid of creation, when they ignore goodness, of tenderness,” Pope “God’s plan inscribed in nature,” Francis said. or when they treat each other with The new pope said exercising disrespect, he said, “the way is the role of protector as St. Joseph opened to destruction, and hearts did means doing so “discreetly, are hardened.” humbly and silently, but with an “Tragically, in every period unfailing presence and utter fidel- of history there are ‘Herods’ ity, even when he finds it hard to who plot death, wreak havoc and understand.” mar the countenance of men and The Gospels present St. Joseph women,” he said. as a husband to Mary, “at her side Pope Francis asked the govin good times and bad,” and as a ernment leaders present and all

those with responsibility in the field of economics, politics and social life to stand firm when destruction and death threaten human dignity, human life and the environment. He met with the heads of the government delegations after the Mass.

Caring for others, he said in his homily, must begin with watching over one’s own heart, mind and actions, resisting “hatred, envy and pride” and emotions that can tear others down.

Pope Francis told the people he realized his new ministry included “a certain power,” but it is the same power Jesus conferred on St. Peter, which was the “power of service” seen in Jesus’ charge to St. Peter: “Feed My lambs.

Feed My sheep.”

“Let us never forget that authentic power is service and that the pope, too, when exercising power, must enter ever more fully into that service which has its radiant culmination on the cross,” he said.

“He must be inspired by the lowly, concrete and faithful service which marked St. Joseph and, like him, he must open his arms to protect all of God’s people and embrace with tender affection the whole of humanity, especially the poorest, the weakest, the least important,” Pope Francis said.

“Only those who serve with love are able to protect,” he said.

Los Angeles, Calif.

(CNA/EWTN News) — The Archdiocese of Los Angeles has agreed to pay $9.99 million to settle a case brought by four supposed sex abuse victims of Michael Baker, who was formerly a priest of the archdiocese.

The cases allege that Baker sexually abused the boys on multiple occasions as early as the 1970s. Baker was ordained a priest in 1974, and resigned from the priesthood in 2000.

As part of the settlement, announced March 12, none of the parties admit wrongdoing.

In 2007, Baker plead guilty to 12 counts of molesting two minors, and was jailed. He was released in 2011.

The same year as Baker’s conviction, the Los Angeles archdiocese made a “global settlement” with more than 500 alleged victims of clergy abuse for some $660 million.

In January, the archdiocese released personnel files dating from 1986 and 1987, which were filed as evidence in litigation involving Baker and another expriest, Nicholas Aguilar Rivera.

dealing with clergy sexual abuse.

“Nothing in my own background or education equipped me to deal with this grave problem,” he said.

He reproached his archbishop for not expressing displeasure with his policies before now.

“Not once over these past years did you ever raise any questions about our policies, practices, or procedures in dealing with the problem of clergy sexual misconduct involving minors.”

Archbishop Gomez’ decision to relieve Bishops Mahony and Curry of their duties in his archdiocese has been widely welcomed, with local author and historian Charles Coulombe calling it “the best possible thing he could have done.”

“In every way seemingly, he’s the opposite of his predecessor, and that’s what we need,” Coulombe told CNA last month.

The Los Angeles archdiocese now provides training for both adults and children about how to prevent abuse. It has been found in compliance with every audit of child protection measures, which have been conducted since 2004.

“H

L.A. archdiocese settles sex abuse case for nearly $10 million The files showed that in the late 1980s, Cardinal Roger Mahony — then the archbishop of Los Angeles — and Bishop Thomas Curry, who was then archdiocesan vicar of clergy, corresponded often about dealing with priests who had sexually abused minors, including Baker.

Despite this, Baker was not removed from ministry until 2000.

On January 31, Archbishop José Gomez, the current head of the archdiocese, announced that with the release of Baker’s, and other priests’ personnel files, Cardinal Mahony and Bishop Curry would no longer have any official duties in the Archdiocese of Los Angeles.

Archbishop Gomez, who was appointed Los Angeles’ coadjutor bishop in 2010, announced that “I find these files to be brutal and painful reading. We need to acknowledge that terrible failure today.”

Cardinal Mahony led the Los Angeles archdiocese for 26 years. On February 1, he released a letter he wrote to Archbishop Gomez explaining his history of

The Church in the U.S. American bishops overjoyed at election of Pope Francis

March 22, 2013

Los Angeles (CNA/EWTN News) — Bishops across America voiced joy and gratitude over Pope Francis accepting his election as Bishop of Rome and Vicar of Christ on March 13.

“I am very happy with the election of Pope Francis,” Archbishop José Gomez of Los Angeles said.

“For us as Catholics, this is a beautiful spiritual moment, a time of joy and thanksgiving. A time for prayer for the whole Church.”

Archbishop Gomez called it a “beautiful sign” that the new pope is from the Americas, adding that his election “is a call for all of us to strive for holiness and to work to make our countries and our continents a ‘new world of faith.’”

Pope Francis was the Cardinal Archbishop of Buenos Aires.

White smoke wafted from the Sistine Chapel at 7:06 in the evening in Rome on Wednesday, announcing his election.

He greeted the crowds of faithful gathered in St. Peter’s Square an hour later, after spending time in prayer before the Blessed Sacrament in the Pauline Chapel.

The new pontiff was elected

during the fifth ballot of the conclave, on its second day.

Archbishop Gomez noted that Pope Francis has been a “humble man” with a “desire for holiness,” who is “a defender of the poor, a strong teacher, and a leader committed to renewal in the Church and the New Evangelization.”

He concluded his statement by asking Our Lady of Guadalupe’s intercession for Pope Francis.

Bishop James Conley of Lincoln said his local Church in Nebraska “rejoices with the Universal Church on the election of Pope Francis.”

“Our new Holy Father is a man of deep prayer, humility and absolute fidelity to the doctrine and discipline of the Catholic Church,” he noted.

“He understands the plight of the poor and has a real heart for the New Evangelization.”

Cardinal Donald Wuerl of Washington, D.C. said he and the local faithful “pledge to him our loyalty and love as the Vicar of Christ, the visible head of the Church Universal and servant of the servants of God.”

“We thank God for the many intellectual talents and spiritual qualities, pastoral experience and effective ministry of the new pope.”

“In Pope Francis, we recognize the Successor to Peter and the visible sign of the unity of the Church spread throughout the whole world. He is the touchstone for the mission, message and tradition of the Church,” said Cardinal Wuerl.

Cardinal Timothy Dolan of New York weighed in that the election of Pope Francis “marks a great milestone in our Church.”

Archbishop Alexander Sample, who is to be installed next month in Portland in Oregon, urged prayer for Pope Francis through Twitter: “Begin praying now for Pope Francis. He has asked us to do so, and so we will!” he wrote.

Cardinal Sean O’Malley of Boston stated that “I join my brother cardinals in giving thanks to God for the election of Pope Francis ... the world will greatly benefit from Pope Francis witnessing Jesus’ call for us to love God and love one another.”

“We pledge our faithful support

Jesuits surprised that first of their brethren is elected pope

WASHINGTON (CNS) — The Jesuit brethren of the new Pope Francis were as surprised as anyone when Cardinal Jorge Mario Bergoglio of Buenos Aires, Argentina, was announced March 13 as the first Jesuit to be elected pope.

Jesuit Father Gerard Stockhausen, executive secretary of the Jesuit Conference USA, told Catholic News Service that when Cardinal Bergoglio’s name was announced from the Vatican balcony, he didn’t realize immediately that it was a fellow member of the Society of Jesus, the religious order founded by St. Ignatius Loyola in 1534.

Jesuits generally don’t seek higher offices in the Church, Father Stockhausen said. “There are relatively few who are bishops even. We don’t ordinarily take on those posts.”

Even the Vatican spokesman, Jesuit Father Federico Lombardi, told reporters: “Personally, I’m a bit shocked to have a Jesuit pope. Jesuits think of themselves as servants, not authorities in Church.”

“Jesuits resist being named bishop or cardinal. To be named pope — wow,” Father Lombardi said. “Must have been result of a strong call.”

In Dajabon, Dominican Republic, Jesuit Father Regino Martinez, called it “a moment of great hope and opportunity for the

Church.”

He said Pope Francis as the first Latin American pope also offers “an opportunity to support the work being done in the Latin American Church and a show of support for Latin Americans.”

Father Stockhausen said that even those Jesuits who do become cardinals “tend not to move in ‘cardinal circles,’ where they get to know each other. That’s not our world.”

He acknowledged that Jesuits are generally thought of as highly educated, and “men of the world.”

There’s a saying that goes “‘Francis (of Assisi) loved the countryside, Dominic loved the countryside and Ignatius loved the cities,’ we’re ‘worldly’ in the good sense of the word,” he said.

Jesuits also have a reputation for being careful decision-makers, particularly if they follow the spiritual exercises of St. Ignatius, said Father Stockhausen. The exercises lead one to make decisions not out of personal interests or attachments, he said, but out of where the Spirit is leading through prayer.

for the Holy Father as he leads the Church in proclaiming the New Evangelization, inviting all people to develop a closer relationship with Christ and to share that gift with others.”

Archbishop Charles Chaput of Philadelphia said Pope Francis “is a wonderful choice; a pastor God sends not just to the Church but to every person of good will

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who honestly yearns for justice, peace and human dignity in our time.”

In remarks to CNA, Archbishop Samuel Aquila of Denver reflected that “today is a day of great joy for the entire Church.”

“Pope Francis has been called to the ministry of St. Peter: to be the ‘visible source and foundation’ of unity in the Church.”

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The Anchor Rumors aside, let us get to work

The election of Pope Francis has brought great joy to the Church. However, every now and then in the coverage, the topic of his conduct during the years of dictatorship in Argentina is brought up, alleging that he was somehow complicit in the repression which the generals brought to their country.

On the night that the new Holy Father was elected, CNN’s Piers Morgan raised this topic and the former United States Ambassador to the Holy See (the Vatican) Jim Nicholson defended him, saying, “The best evidence that I know of that this was all a lie and a series of salacious attacks was that Amnesty International, who investigated that, said that was — that was all untrue, that it was not true, and it was — these were unfair accusations of this fine priest.”

Attempting to find that Amnesty International report online is not easy. It appears that Ambassador Nicholson may have been referring to a book by syndicated (and Anchor) columnist George Weigel, “God’s Choice,” about the 2005 papal conclave, where then-Cardinal Jorge Bergoglio was reputedly the runner-up in the papal election. On page 138 of that book Weigel writes, “John Allen shot this [allegation] down on CNN via well-placed phone calls to an Amnesty International human rights activist and several Jesuits who are not-notably pro-Bergoglio; according to their testimony, Bergoglio had, in fact, helped to get the two [Jesuits who had been captured by the dictatorship] out of the country and out of the junta’s clutches.” The Associated Press has also reported this.

News stories also make it appear that as the Jesuit provincial from 1974 to 1980 he had incredible power and prestige, which should have made a demand on his conscience to publicly attack the dictatorial regime, which held power from 1976 to 1983. One needs to remember that Father Bergoglio was in his late 30s and early 40s and that the provincial of the Jesuits is not normally an ecclesiastical celebrity (no offense to the Jesuits, but most people could probably not name the Jesuit provincial for New England).

This does not mean that we should be silent in the face of evil, even if that means losing everything and dying. The Associated Press reported, “Under Bergoglio’s leadership, Argentina’s bishops issued a collective apology in October 2012 for the Church’s failures to protect its flock. But the statement blamed the era’s violence in roughly equal measure on both the junta and its enemies. ‘Bergoglio has been very critical of human rights violations during the dictatorship, but he has always also criticized the leftist guerrillas; he doesn’t forget that side,’ Sergio Rubin [author of a biography of Bergoglio] said.”

The current civil wars in Syria and Mali remind us of how difficult it is to say who are the “good guys” in a war. Most of the time there is innocent blood on the hands of both sides — blood that could have been spared if people recognized the inherent dignity that each human being has and, instead of taking up arms, sat down to talk.

Pope Francis, in choosing to take the name of St. Francis of Assisi, mentioned that the secondary reason for taking the saint’s name (after the primary one of remembering the poor) was his prayers regarding the wars which wrack our world and St. Francis’ efforts to promote Christ’s peace. In St. Francis’ day there were wars between Christians and wars between Christian nations and Moslem ones.

James of Vitry (Jacques de Vitry), an author from St. Francis’ time, described how the saint decided to speak to the Sultan of Egypt, so as to end the fighting. He wrote that Francis “was so moved by spiritual fervor and exhilaration that, after he reached the army of Christians before Darmietta in Egypt, he boldly set out for the camp of the Sultan of Egypt, fortified only with the shield of faith. When the Saracens [Muslims] captured him on the road, he said: ‘I am a Christian. Take me to your master.’ They dragged him before the Sultan. When that cruel beast saw Francis, he recognized him as a man of God and changed his attitude into one of gentleness, and for some days he listened very attentively to Francis as he preached the faith of Christ to him and his followers. But ultimately, fearing that some of his soldiers would be converted to the Lord by the efficacy of his words and pass over to the Christian army, he ordered that Francis be returned to our camp with all reverence and security. At the end he said to Francis: ‘Pray for me, that God may deign to reveal to me the law and the faith which is more pleasing to Him.’ The Sultan wanted to give Francis gifts, but as one who had vowed poverty, Francis rejected them. Instead, the Sultan gave Francis a safe travel guarantee so he could visit Israel, which Francis did.”

As our new Holy Father begins his ministry, after having had a cordial meeting with the president of his home country (and surprised her by inviting her to stay for lunch, something popes do not normally do with world leaders, especially surprising given the battles they have had over abortion, same-sex marriage and contraception when he was archbishop), we pray that his example of evangelical poverty and striving for peace will help wash away any false rumors about him and help us all work for a greater respect for human dignity, since we have all been created in the image and likeness of God.

M

March 22, 2013

First impressions

ost of us in Rome to cover the papal Above all, the cardinals have elected someone conclave and inauguration are still who is pre-eminently a pastor, not a professor. getting over the shock at Pope Francis’ election.

On my first night in Rome, I had dinner with the We thought that it was certainly possible, if the other members of Raymond Arroyo’s “conclave conclave dragged on and a compromise candidate crew” and “papal panel.” Teammate Robert Royal was needed, the very well-respected Cardinal provocatively asked whether we needed another Jorge Bergoglio of Buenos Aires, who seems to teaching pope. He was grateful, he said, for the have been the runner-up to Pope Benedict in the teaching treasure bequeathed to us by Popes John last conclave, might be chosen.

Paul II and Benedict XVI, building on the docuWhen the white smoke went up last Tuesday ments of the Second Vatican Council, but added after only five ballots, few of the hundred thouthat he believes that what the Church needs most sand pilgrims who had assembled in St. Peter’s is a pope who helps us to learn and live that rich Square were anticipating that after Cardinal Jeanteaching.

Louis Tauran said the famous words, “Annuntio I think that’s the type of pope God has given vobis gaudium magnum, habemus papam!,” he us. In his initial days, Pope Francis has been was about to mention, “Reverendissiumum Domodeling for us — in his homilies without notes, minum, Dominum Georgium Sanctae Romanae in his departures from his written addresses, in his Ecclesiae Cardinalem Bergoglio.” body language — what the assimilation of that A stunned silence hit the crowd. Everyone teaching means. began asking, “Who?” They were expecting My second impression is that he was elected to hear “Angelum … Scola” or “Marcum … by the cardinals to reform not just the Vatican but Ouellette,” and the majority of Italians — not to the entire Church. And the ways he’s going to mention Americans — were hoping for “Joannem carry out that reform is much more profound than … O’Malley” or “Timotheum … Dolan.” most analysts and perhaps even cardinals foresaw.

Even though many in the crowd were happy When Jesus from the cross of San Damiano when they heard the new pontiff had taken the summoned St. Francis to rebuild his Church, name Francis, Francis originally there was a nothought that the table depression Lord was requestamong the muling the recontitudes. Rather struction of that than the excited tiny dilapidated cheering, singing church. Actually, and rejoicing that the Lord had a

By Father awaited Pope much bigger Roger J. Landry Benedict’s comconstruction ing out on the project in mind: loggia in 2005, rebuilding the the crowd was subdued, similar to what happens Church as a whole, which is made not out of in a football stadium when the home team is losmarble, wood, bricks and glass, but men, women, ing big in the fourth quarter. boys and girls — living stones, built on the holy The situation got worse when the new Holy cornerstone of Christ.

Father finally came out on the balcony. He just Likewise, the reforms the cardinals and Pope stood there, staring downward, saying nothing, Francis are hoping to implement are more than almost looking like he was about to cry. One of just of the Vatican. Reform means to “bring into the Italians behind me blurted, “He looks so sad.” shape again” and it’s far more than the papal court I knew from the homework I had done on all the that needs to shape up. We all need to convert. We cardinals for the EWTN broadcasts that some all need to turn with our whole heart to the God said he seldom smiled. I was afraid that they were Who never tires of giving us His love and mercy. right. I was a little worried for the future.

In his first homily as pope, he called us all to But when they placed a microphone before a three-fold renewal. Speaking to the cardinals in him, everything changed. He came totally alive. the Sistine Chapel from a make-shift pulpit in the He smiled with a smile as big as Bernini’s coloncolloquial form of parish priests, he said that the nade. “Buona Sera!,” he said resoundingly— and Lord is calling us to follow him in a three-fold it was a “good evening” indeed, one of the most interior and exterior exodus: memorable of all our lives.

First, to walk by faith in the light of Christ’s Like a spiritual father, he then led us in prayer, presence and teachings. Many who say they bethe simple prayers every Catholic knows: an Our lieve in Jesus don’t really act on His words. Pope Father, Hail Mary and Glory Be in gratitude to the Francis is summoning everyone, beginning with Lord for the papacy of Pope Benedict. He prayed the cardinals, to this Christian integrity. each of them with such a piety and passion that Second, to build up the Church by becoming there wasn’t a dry eye around me. strong, consistent, living stones who build their But then it got even more moving. Before giv- whole lives on Christ. Many erect only sanding us his first solemn “urbi et orbi” blessing — a castles, the pope said, that can’t resist the tides. benediction “for the city and the world” — he Beginning with himself, he was calling all of us to asked all of us to do him a favor: to pray to the build our lives on rock.

Lord to bless him first. He asked for silence. Then Third, to confess Jesus Christ as our first and he bowed down profoundly to receive the blessing supreme act of love toward others. Many view the of Almighty God. Church basically as a philanthropic organization At first we all looked around at each other that runs schools, hospitals, and pantries. Francis incredulous and wondered what was happening. is calling all believers to care for others’ deepest But seeing him bent over on the large screens, all desires, wounds, and hungers by bringing them to of us just bowed our heads and prayed. At various Jesus the Teacher, Physician, and Living Bread. of the television networks, those who didn’t know In seven minutes, he proposed a simple what was happening were scrambling, thinking three-point plan for the beginning of the renewal that they had lost their audio feed — for you could and reform of the Church he was elected to carry have heard a feather drop in a square filled with out — humbly hoping that all members of the more than 100,000 people.

Church, from the cardinals to you and me, will And after his blessing, he asked us never to walk, build and confess together with him. stop praying for him, that the Lord will continue My final initial observation is how natural, to bless him so that through him the Lord can funny and joyous our Pope Francis is. bless us all.

Contrary to the reports that he seldom smiles, And it’s obvious to me that those prayers are he almost hasn’t stopped smiling since his elecworking. tion. Not only is he obviously comfortable in his I hope in subsequent weeks in this column black shoes and white cassock, but he seems to to explore the thought of the man who became be loving what he’s been asked to do: to guide Pope Francis. Since his election I’ve been reading us all in the joy-filled journey, the beautiful his homilies, letters, articles, and a book-length building up of the Church, and the contagious interview with him. It’s a gold mine of spiritual Confession of Christ, which is the path of the wisdom that has not yet been translated into Church’s reform.

English that will nourish us all.

Father Landry is Pastor of St. Bernadette Today, however, I’d like to share with you Parish in Fall River. His email address is three first impressions. fatherlandry@catholicpreaching.com.

Putting Into the Deep

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his has been a Lenten season filled with surprises for this ever ancient, ever new Church. We began Lent with a surprise resignation and we enter into Holy Week with an even more surprising election of a Jesuit from Argentina as the next Vicar of Christ. If the Holy Spirit hasn’t gotten our attention yet, then Jorge Cardinal Bergoglio’s choice of name should. Pope Francis, named after the saint loved and respected by the entire world, has evoked Francis of Assisi as his manifesto to the Church: Evangelize with your hearts, not your heads!

St. Francis of Assisi was born into a 13th-century Christian society that was associated with a floundering Church that had lost its soul. Jesus was a distant and long ago Benefactor Whom the Church kept shielded by cold and lifeless doctrine. St. Francis was ignorant of Jesus Christ, as were many of the people of his day. This all changed when the Lord spoke to him from a crucifix in the church at San Damiano. Jesus told Francis to “repair My Church,” and though he initially thought this meant the church building, he soon

Giving false hope?

I read with interest the frontpage article in the March 1, 2013, issue of The Anchor regarding Father Roger Landry’s television series on the “prevention and care” of Alzheimer’s disease. While awareness, information and support are greatly needed regarding this terrible disease, I feel you are doing a disservice to the public, and particularly to those with Alzheimer’s, to imply that it can be prevented. Currently, there are no treatments to stop the disease which has a 100 percent mortality rate. While we know that the dementia is caused by plagues in the brain, we really still do not know what triggers their formation or how to stop the damage once it begins. Your article and the television series give false hope to those with the disease and to those who care for them. Furthermore, for those of us who have lost someone to Alzheimer’s, it implies that we could have done something to prevent their illness.

While there are medications that have been shown to be effective in slowing the progression of the disease, nothing can stop the deterioration of your loved one once it begins. The behaviors sug-

7

The Anchor

March 22, 2013

Devoting ourselves to the poor

came to realize that the Church washed the feet of drug addicts, in need of repair was not a prayed with former prostitutes physical edifice, but the people and gang members, and cared of God who were in spiritual for elderly and children alike. ruin. Seven hundred years later The people of Argentina call we need only look around at our him papa villero, “slum pope” empty pews to realize that we once again need to take out our toolbox and get to work.

St. Francis loved Catholicism, loved the Eucharist and loved the

By Claire McManus people who were marginalized in society. His spirituality was one of action, solidarity with the marbecause he fearlessly entered ginalized, and radical poverty. their most dangerous slums to He was not the placid soul of minster to the people. In his the legends, but was strident in early remarks to the world Pope his vow of poverty and love for Francis is calling for a “poor the outcast. He kissed the leper Church that serves the poor.” St. who once repelled him and tried Francis was known as an alter to tear down the building in Christi, another Christ, how which his brother Franciscans extraordinary if our Vicar of lived rather than allow them to Christ is the same. be inconsistent with their vow St. Francis once said, “It is of poverty. This was no docile a great shame for us, servants flower child. of God, that while the saints We are just beginning to actually did such great things, learn about our newly-elected we wish to receive the glory and Pope Francis. He is known for the honor by merely recounthis own radical poverty and ing their deeds.” This might be simplicity, and his work with the starting point for the New people who are marginalized Evangelization. After years of in Argentine society. He has defending doctrine, proposing

The Great Commission

philosophical solutions and apologetics, we are finally being told to evangelize by being the Gospel, not teaching the Gospel.

If we are going to be evangelizers to this generation of nominal Christians we have to live simple lives, love unconditionally, welcome those who live on the margins of society, and be inclusive to those of differing abilities. A new pope with a name that speaks to the world of healing, mercy and love for the most vulnerable portends resurrection for this fractured world.

The New Evangelization has evoked many interpretations, and countless strategies.

Now that St. Francis has been re-injected into the collective consciousness of the Church, the evangelizing bar has been raised. St. Francis performed most of his ministry to the poor and outcast as a layman, not as a member of the clergy. It wasn’t until much later in his life that he was ordained to the diaconate, which he accepted grudgingly, in order to serve in leadership in the Franciscan order. This should serve

Our readers respond

gested by the article, such as antioxidants, physical and brain exercises, good sleep and prayer are helpful to all of us. Suggesting that they will prevent Alzheimer’s disease is misleading.

Although I do not have the credentials of Father Landry or Dr. Vincent Fortanasce, his co-host, I have had first-hand experience with the disease.

My beloved husband of 33 was diagnosed at age 59 and lost his battle 12 years later. I spent over one-third of my married life as his caregiver. Like Father Landry, I am a biologist and have been certified by the National Catholic Bioethics Center in Health Care Ethics.

Additionally, I have served for the past three years as chairperson of the regional Walk to End Alzheimer’s. My team from Bishop Stang High School has raised over $100,000 for research, education and support for those with this horrible disease.

I am thrilled to see that the diocese is taking such an active role in looking at the sixth leading cause of death in the United States, but please be factual. It would also be more beneficial to caregivers to air this program at an hour when they are not exhausted and hopefully are

getting some much-needed rest.

Rose M. Grant, MS Science Department Bishop Stang High School

Father Landry responds: I’m very sympathetic to the suffering of Mrs. Grant and to her personal experience in compassionately accompanying her husband, but scientific studies have shown that several behavioral practices are associated with higher incidence of rates of Alzheimer’s Disease, like a diet poor in antioxidants, elevated stress levels, lack of sleep, little exercise, repetitive mental activities and more. While scientists haven’t yet worked out every step in the cascade as to how these practices lead to a greater level of amyloid plaques, and while there’s no cure for Alzheimer’s, there are steps to alter the behaviors that lead to these higher incidence rates as well as to slow down the progression of the disease.

That’s what this series is about. I would encourage everyone to tune in to hear from Dr. Vince Fortanasce, one of the nation’s top experts in the treatment and prevention of Alzheimer’s disease, and to read his book, “The AntiAlzheimer’s Prescription: the

Science-Proven Prevention Plan to Start at Any Age.” These don’t provide false hope or a disservice, but actually give practical advice to everyone to adopt a preventative lifestyle and to care for those with Alzheimer’s.

Not the answer I wish to take issue with several points in Justice Carey’s letter in the March 1 Anchor: 1.) “The NRA has done nothing worthwhile to protect children.” The NRA has a program called “Eddie Eagle” which teaches children gun safety. 2.) Former President Clinton supported a program similar to the one the NRA has proposed, namely by placing police officers in schools. 3.)

“Most countries in the world do not use guns as a source of protection.” The countries with the most gun control have the highest incidents of gunrelated violence.

The progressives never pursue the true causes of violence: broken homes, children born out of wedlock, lack of family structure, drugs, and street gangs, issues of a failed mental health system, and the promotion and glorification of violence in movies, television, and video games, all which desensi-

as a rallying cry for the many people in our parishes who have encountered Christ in their lives but have been timid about sharing their faith. To be evangelizers to the world we must learn from St. Francis: “Imitate me as I have imitated Christ. Christ is living. He loves us. Let us believe in Him. Let us attach ourselves to Him and from Him receive life. Let us imitate Him and we will find that we are transformed into Him. Therefore let us observe His Gospel to the letter and without any additions. This is the way, the truth and the life.”

The feeling of hope in our Church since the election of Pope Francis is palpable. As one Argentine put it, “You can tell that the Church is going to change. The fact that he chose the name Francisco says it all.

It says: ‘Let’s stop messing around and devote ourselves to the poor.’ That was St. Francis’ message and now ‘Francisco’ can live it.”

The change will come, not from the top down, but within each one of us.

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

tize our youth.

Changes to our gun laws address none of the above. Lawabiding gun owners are not responsible for the violence which has happened. In conclusion, the World Health Organization has released a report on murders per 100,000 of a country’s population and found Honduras with 91.6 percent per 100,000 and the United States with 4.2 percent per 100,000. The remaining countries, all with a much higher percent than the U.S., all have 100 percent gun bans. The best approach to help troubled youth is being done in some school districts: bringing school nurses, school councilors, and teachers to respond to warning signs of depression or bullying. Banning guns from law-abiding citizens is not the answer the progressives would have you believe.

Charles LoGiudice North Falmouth Executive Editor responds: To paraphrase another recent letter-writer, let the dialogue continue.

Letters should be sent to: The Anchor, Letters to the Editor, P.O. Box 7, Fall River, MA 02722-0007, or emailed to fatherwilson@anchornews.org.

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ou are loved. If we remember nothing else from this Sunday, from the long and heart-wrenching tale of our Lord’s passion and death, remember why He did it: because He loves you.

After all, why would He have suffered, if not for us? Why would He have died, if not for us? Why would He “empty Himself, coming in human likeness,” if not for us?

This message, of God’s unconditional love, is one that our world stands in such great need of today. After all, looking around and seeing so many problems in the world — so many conflicts, so much suffering, we may wonder, what could ever make this all better? We may even recognize in our own lives problems that seem to have no solution, wounds or hurts that seem as though they will

March 22, 2013

The Anchor

A love that knows no bounds

never heal. Even if this is not is, why? Why did Christ come our situation, there may be among us in that manger in others we know — family Bethlehem 2,000 years ago? members or friends — who Why did He subject Himself face this in their own lives. to being unjustly condemned The question we must ask ourselves, then, is, how will the story Homily of the Week end? Are the looming Palm tragedies that we face Sunday each day really the last chapter?

By Father The answer, as we Riley J. Williams learn today, is no. If it reminds us of nothing else, the story of the passion of our Lord reminds to death? Why would He us that we are loved. It reundertake the shameful way minds us that we are loved so of the cross? Once again: much by our Heavenly Father because He loves us. that He would send His Son If only we might all be to save us, His Son Who held aware of the awesome grannothing back of what was deur of that fact. How difHis Own but rather poured ferently would we face life?

Himself out on the altar of the With how much more graticross for our salvation. tude would we accept life’s The obvious question here blessings? With how much

more perseverance could we confront life’s difficulties?

With how much more trust in the providential working of God would we face, or even embrace, the suffering that is a part of each of our lives?

The love that Christ offers us isn’t forced.

It’s not given out of a sense of obligation, and much from an intention to guilt us into doing what is right. Rather, in complete freedom, Christ offers us the chance of new life, of a new ending to our story. In the events celebrated in Holy Week, Christ faces all that has gone wrong in human nature, His face set like flint; yet at the same time, in the midst of such evil, so much good is brought out as well. We see it in the witness of Our Lady and

the other faithful women who remained with Our Lord when so many others had abandoned Him. We see it in the charity of Joseph of Arimathea, who buried Christ in His own tomb. Above all, however, we see it in Jesus Christ, Who assumed our human nature at His Incarnation so that, in it. He could live out a life of perfect faithfulness to God. In His humanity He has redeemed ours, so that the scope of our existence is no longer limited to this life, but is rather opened to the eternity His sacrifice has won for us. As we face our own ways of the cross here on earth, may our faithfulness to Christ grant us to be welcomed into the salvation He has won for us.

Father Williams is the parochial vicar at St. John the Evangelist and St. Vincent Parishes, both in Attleboro.

Upcoming Daily Readings: Sat. Mar. 23, Ez 37:21-28; (Ps) Jer 31:10-13; Jn 11:45-56. Sun. Mar. 24, Palm Sunday, (Procession Lk 19:28-40) Is 50:4-7; Ps 22:8-9,17-18a,19-20,23-24; Phil 2:6-11; Lk 22:14—23:56 or 23:1-49. Mon. Mar. 25, Is 42:1-7; Ps 27:1-3,13-14; Jn 12:1-11. Tues. Mar. 26, Is 49:1-6; Ps 71:1-4a,5-6ab,15,17; Jn 13:21-33,36-38. Wed. Mar. 27, Is 50:4-9a; Ps 69:8-10,21bcd-22,31,33-34; Mt 26:14-25. Thurs. Mar. 28, Mass of Chrism, Is 61:1-3a,6a,8b-9; Ps 89:21-22,25,27; Rv 1:5-8; Lk 4:16-21; Mass of the Lord’s Supper, Ex 12:1-8,11-4; Ps 116:12-13,15-16bc,17-18; 1 Cor 11:23-26; Jn 13:1-15. Fri. Mar. 29, Passion of the Lord (Good Friday), Is 52:13—53:12; Ps 31:2,6,12-13,15-17,25; Heb 4:14-16, 5:7-9; Jn 18:1—19:42.

W

hen Pope Francis stepped out onto the central loggia of St. Peter’s on the night of March 13, I thought of the man I had met in his Buenos Aires office 10 months before: Cardinal Jorge Mario Bergoglio, S.J., who was looking forward to laying down the burden of leadership and devoting himself to prayer, reflection and study. Now, because Benedict XVI decided to renounce the Chair of Peter and do what Cardinal Bergoglio wanted to do, the old-school Argentine Jesuit is now Benedict’s successor. His acceptance of the cross that is the papacy was an act of humble obedience by a man who had bent his will to the Divine will

Meeting Pope Francis

for more than a half-century. detect shyness in this, or false What kind of man is he? modesty, but a true evangelical Some impressions from an humility. Pope Francis will not hour’s conversation last May: have the effervescence of a John A man of God. The new pope Paul II; but like the Polish pope struck me then as someone who lived from the inside out: a man whose rich interior life was the basis of his public life; a leader whose decisions grew from prayer and discernment, not

By George Weigel calculation.

A man of profound humility. I had long been interested in getting to know then-Cardinal Berwho created him cardinal, Jorge goglio, but I had the hardest time Bergoglio has spent his life saygetting him to talk about his own ing, not “Look at me,” but rather, life and experiences. I didn’t “Look to Jesus Christ.”

A man of keen and realistic intelligence. Pope Francis is not the university professor that John Paul II and Benedict XVI had been in their pre-papal lives. And while that model of preparing-for-the-papacy served the Church well for 35 years, it’s not the only possible model.

Now, rather than a professor who learned how to be a pastor, the Church has been given a pastor who has long experience of being a pastor. Nonetheless, I was struck last May by Bergoglio’s sharp mind, his familiarity with issues throughout the world Church, and his prudence in judging people and situa-

The Catholic Difference

tions. He was, for example, completely realistic and lucid about the Church’s situation in Latin America. Rather than complaining about evangelical Protestant “sheeprustling,” as more than a few Latin American Churchmen do, the archbishop spoke with insight and conviction about the imperative of Catholicism rediscovering the power of the Gospel through personal conversion to Jesus Christ.

A man of the New Evangelization. The new pope played a significant role in shaping the Latin American bishops’ 2007 “Aparecida Document,” which embraced the New Evangelization and put it at the center of the Church’s life. In our conversation, the man who would become pope made clear his understanding that a kept Church — “kept” in the sense of legal establishment, cultural habit, or both — had no future in the 21st-century West, given the acids of secularism. Pope Francis is a man, I conclude, who intends to go on an evangelical offense: it will be all Gospel, all proposal, all evangelism, all the time.

A man of reform. We spoke of the Latin American edition of

my book, “The Courage To Be Catholic,” for which he thanked me. And in discussing Vatican affairs, then-Cardinal Bergoglio displayed a shrewd, but not cynical, grasp of just what was wrong with the Church’s central bureaucratic machinery, and why. Thus I think we can expect the new pope to lead the Church in a purification and renewal of the episcopate, the priesthood, the religious life, and the Curia, because he understands that scandal, corruption, and incompetence are impediments to the Gospel-centered mission I describe in “Evangelical Catholicism: Deep Reform in the 21st Century Church” (Basic Books).

A man of freedom rightly understood. In addition to Pope Francis’s lifetime commitment to the poor I’d also note his commitment to human rights and democracy, both of which are under severe pressure in Argentina. The new pope knows the fragility of democratic self-governance, and will work to shore up democracy’s eroding moralcultural foundations throughout the West.

Habemus papam. Thanks be to God. George Weigel is Distinguished Senior Fellow of the Ethics and Public Policy Center in Washington, D.C.

March 22, 2013

H

oly Week begins with Palm Sunday. It is different from the regular Sunday Mass because it starts with a procession of people carrying palms. As a child, I could picture the crowd triumphantly greeting Jesus as He entered Jerusalem. Also, to my child’s mind, it was fun to pretend to be a Roman soldier while listening to the reading of the Passion of Our Lord Jesus Christ. I enjoyed saying loudly, “Crucify Him! Crucify Him!” Yet, one year as my mom drove my brothers and I home after Mass, I suddenly felt different.

That year, for the first time in my life, Jesus’ words echoed in my heart, “My God, my God, why have You abandoned Me?” That whole week, I thought about Jesus’ words of abandonment. From then on, my understanding of Jesus’ crucifixion and resurrection changed. I think that I had reached my teen-age years and had the life

T

rue confession: I am quite a self-indulgent person. Even though I may appear to some as pious, I have arranged my life around some sacrosanct comforts which few see — and which I’ve convinced myself are actually reasonably well-deserved. Goodness, anyone who goes to Mass and prays regularly should have some slack, right?

I must say, though, that even so early in our “relationship,” this new pope has rattled my cage. Benedictines have a healthy respect for Franciscan spirituality, but still believe that pantries ought to be wellstocked, closets adequately full, and beds should be comfortable.

Jesus may wear the “distressing disguise of the poor,” but He also comes to visit on occasion, and likes a full-bodied wine with dinner. Hospitality is an art that can give its own glory to God — especially with the right color schemes!

Well, it didn’t take long to realize that Pope Francis prob-

9

The Anchor

Standing with Christ

(disciples) ran from Him in the experiences which enabled garden. Peter lied about knowme to observe the actions of ing Jesus and then hid in fear. the people in the Passion of Pilate judged on opinion, not Jesus. I knew what it meant fact. Without thought, the Roto go along silently with the man soldiers tortured and put crowd’s backing: be cool and to death someone placed into not rock the boat. But, by then I also knew the pain of standing alone against a crowd. I had made my Wrestling with God decision. So, I said to myself, “If I were alive Holding on for when Jesus walked the His blessing earth, I wouldn’t want to be His executioner.”

By Dr. Helen Flavin Thus, that year, on Good Friday I read the Passion silently. I their hands. They even seemed refused to say, “Crucify Him! to enjoy it! What is the point in Crucify Him!” I watched it all play out before me in my imag- commemorating all these foolish people? My teen-age mind ination. I spent my time examrebelled against all of it. ining each and every person Along the way, Jesus fell unmentioned in the Passion narder the weight of His burden. rative. For the most part, each The Roman guards made Sirejected Jesus in his own way.

Judas accepted money to reveal mon of Cyrene help Jesus carry His cross. Did Simon help Jesus’ position to the authorities. Jesus’ chosen companions Jesus out of love or did he just

fear the Romans? Jesus reached the top of Mount Calvary where He was nailed to the wooden cross He had carried all that way. As Jesus suffered and died on the cross, Mary His mother, Mary Magdalene, some other women of Jerusalem and one or two male disciples remained with Him. Standing and watching Jesus slowly die an excruciating death on the cross! What are all of you thinking?

To my teen-age mind, they would have done better to cut Jesus down and rescue Him. It wasn’t until much later in my life that I finally understood that, no matter how hard we try, there are times when we cannot change what is happening in the world around us. In these situations, the best we can do is to stand by a friend who is in difficulty. This

Afflicting the comfortable

ably won’t prioritize either a wine cellar or new cushions for the patio — despite the high caliber company who may come calling. We learned rather quickly that he preferred a small apartment to his own episcopal palace in Buenos Aires, and instead of taking on a servant of his own, he assumed the responsibilities of caregiver for a handicapped Jesuit brother — in addition to all of the responsibilities of his office (Is it warm in here, or is it just me?).

I knew that his brief appearance on the balcony had already made a subtle impact the morning following his election. I had fiddled with my usual bread recipe and the results weren’t impressive. In fact, the loaf was stiff and tasteless. My toast sat on the plate, defying the butter and jam that tried to mask the mistake — and my first thought was to throw the whole thing out. But a second thought

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quickly followed: What would Francis do?

It was hard to imagine that man pitching a perfectly edible loaf of bread. The man who rode mass transit, paid his own bills, and cooked his own dinner was probably inclined to suffer the consequences of his own recipes gone awry. A “Prince of the Church” who washed the feet of the poor probably lived in closer solidarity with them than this middle-class housewife — and didn’t make excuses for his own whims. So I forced the blasted thing down and realized that the landscape in my world may have just shifted — considerably.

It is entirely possible that I have hidden behind words for a very long time. The work of mercy I’ve embraced is “instructing the ignorant,” and that is something that I’ve found easy to do on a comfortable schedule in climate-controlled buildings. Even when I stay up late writing, it’s in a safe place where I toy with sentence structure and pacing — for effect.

My own cozy martyrdom!

No longer, I fear. While I have loved the rich philosophy of John Paul II, and delighted in

the theology of Benedict, it may be time to stop talking about God and simply live a more integrated Christian life. God always provides what we need, and it appears that with this new pontiff He has seen fit to stoke the fires of authentic charity in a distracted, materialistic world.

Thus, it’s time to reassess my own gift of self, and perhaps time to shake up the whole family as well. If God’s

insight allowed me finally to view the actions of Simon and those at the foot of the cross as the genuine, loving responses that they were. That perspective allowed me to appreciate the love involved in the yearly Triduum of Holy Thursday, Good Friday and the Easter Vigil. Celebrating the Triduum allows each of us the opportunity to renew our stand for Christ.

Helen Flavin is a Catholic scientist, educator and writer born and raised in Fall River. She will be joining The Anchor as monthly contributor. She is a member of St. Bernadette’s Parish.

She received her Ph.D. in Neurochemistry from Boston College and teaches in the Chemistry Department at Rhode Island College. She is also a science instructor at Bishop Connolly High School. She can be reached at hflavin@bishopconnolly.com.

newly-elected Shepherd has devoted himself to comforting the afflicted as an foundational expression of Christian duty, then it stands to reason that in following his lead the reverse must come to pass as well. My conscience tells me that here we have an entirely reliable yardstick.

Genevieve Kineke is the author of “Set Free: The Authentic Catholic Woman’s Guide to Forgiveness,” and can be found online at femininegenius.com.

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By Kenneth J. Souza Anchor Staff

ATTLEBORO — Bishop Feehan High School history teacher Michael Deady can trace his nearly lifelong fascination with history back to the Sisters at St. Joseph of Cluny School in Newport, R.I., where he grew up.

“The way the Sisters taught the Old and New Testaments was a lot like history — all of the wonderful stories of the Old Testament is one of the reasons I was drawn to history,” he said. “They were stories about faith and belief. They were about perseverance and courage.

I’ve always been inspired by stories like that: stories of sacrifice.”

For the past 20 years, Deady has been sharing his passion for history and his profound faith with students at the diocesan high school in Attleboro; and his dedication recently earned him recognition from the Attleboro chapter of the Daughters of the American Revolution, who named him the Massachusetts DAR History Teacher of the Year in February.

“It’s a wonderful honor for our school, but it’s also wonderful that the DAR takes the time to recognize teachers,” Deady said. “I just sent a note out this morning to the local director telling her I think it’s a wonderful inspiration for teachers in general, to give them a little recognition. I was very honored and very thrilled to receive the award.”

The product of a Catholic grammar school, Deady credits his parents with instilling in him the importance of not only a good education, but also a solid bedrock of faith.

“Neither of my parents were college graduates — they were very hard-working people and were very involved in the community,” Deady said. “My mother taught Religious Education classes. When I was in the first grade I remember her bringing me in to teach the ‘Our

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Faith and history inspire Attleboro teacher “She’s an American and is re- cited about, it’s my daughter’s fuFather’ and ‘Hail Mary’ prayers to tired now but she still lives in the ture because I think she has a very kids who needed to learn it. That community,” he said. “I had the bright future. She has a wonderful had a tremendous impact on me. privilege of introducing her to my personality and I’m so pleased that Both of my parents were strongly daughter, which was a wonderful she’s embraced her faith.” in favor of education. They were While he’s proud of his daughno different than any other middle- thing for me. I get emotional when ter’s academic accomplishments, class, ethnic family in the New I think of the Sisters.”

It’s no surprise, then, that Deady Deady seems even prouder that England area.” has made a point to provide the she’s embraced the Catholic reliDeady said his mother was very gion. encouraging in getting “I always tell my him to read at a young daughter: the Church age and he’s remained will provide support an avid fan of the and comfort for you written word — paralways, even if you’re ticularly history books having a bad day,” he — ever since. said. “There’s always “I read all the someone you can seek time,” he said. “I go out, whether it’s your to a library or a book parish priest or the store and pick up a head of the Religious book about James Education program.

Garfield. Now the kids The best thing we can think that’s weird, but provide for our chilit’s something I really dren is to give them enjoy. Reading has a sense of belonging brought a great deal of and she belongs to a comfort to me in my number of different life while, at the same things. I’m very proud time, it has challenged of her.” me intellectually.”

Although history In addition to his teachers are someparents, it’s readily times more closely apparent that the nuns associated with secuof the St. Joseph of lar or public schools, Cluny order had a Deady said he views major impact on the Christ’s sacrifice on young Deady and his the cross as “the most decision to become a inspiring story in histeacher. tory.”

“I grew up greatly “It covers every asadmiring the Sisters,” Anchor living stone — Michael Deady. pect of our human exDeady said. “They (Photo by Kenneth J. Souza) istence and it’s a wonwere enthusiastic derful lesson,” he said. about teaching. They He fondly recalled first teaching were so selfless but so strong in same faith-based educational extheir feeling. They were unabashed perience for his daughter, who is his daughter about that important advocates — not just for their faith, currently enrolled as a sophomore lesson through an unlikely source: but for the subjects they taught … at Bishop Connolly High School in an animated movie called “The Iron Giant.” and they loved competition in the Fall River.

“She’s a remarkable young lady “The first time I saw it, I was classroom.”

Deady’s enduring respect and and she’s a far better student than overwhelmed by the message and admiration for one particular teach- her father ever was,” Deady said. I tried to explain it to her then, but er, Sister Ann Marie, led to him “She’s determined to do well. If she didn’t quite understand it,” he there’s something I can truly get ex- said. “Today she understands that paying her a visit last summer.

March 22, 2013

message. The Giant gives of himself to save the world, but he is reborn because of his sacrifice. It was just a very powerful and beautiful story.”

As a sports fan, Deady also credits the many coaches he’s had over the years with inspiring him to coach the girls’ basketball team at Bishop Feehan.

“I always admired people like that,” he said. “I thought it was great that they took the time to be a part of kids’ lives and to try and promote the characteristics that you want in young kids. The fact that they persevere, they don’t quit, that they commit, and they act in a Christian way towards others — I always admired that as a youngster and it had a tremendous impact on me.”

For Deady, the tenets of his Catholic faith remain an integral part of everything he does, be it on or off the court.

“The motto of our basketball team this year is ‘I believe’ and it has meaning on many different levels,” he said. “I believe in my teammates. I believe in God. I believe in the goodness of people. What I’m most proud of is it’s something the girls came up with and we had T-shirts made with that motto. To me, it also reaffirms my belief in the faith. Those who embrace the thought of sacrifice and of giving will find great joy and comfort in that process. I can’t say enough about it.”

To that end, Deady said one of the perks of teaching at a Catholic school is sharing in worship services with the students.

“We’re very fortunate in that regard,” he said. “Our president says that we work for God and we always need to be mindful of that. Sadly, the religious orders are dwindling and so the responsibility for promoting the faith lies with us and it is something that I have come to embrace over the years. I think I’m blessed to be able to do that and it’s a great responsibility, too.”

For two decades now, Michael Deady has considered it a privilege to work at molding young minds while sharing his faith in the process, and he wouldn’t have it any other way.

“I’m a guy who gets up in the morning and I look forward to coming to work every day,” he said. “I work with great kids, I get to teach a subject that I love, I try to impart a love of country in my classes … and I get to do all this in a wonderful place where I get a lot of support. I’m enormously proud of the opportunities that I’ve been given and I try to give back a little bit along the way. I’m a lucky guy.”

To submit a Living Stone nominee, send an email with information to fatherwilson@anchornews. org.

March 22, 2013

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March 22, 2013

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On a wing and a prayer

hen I left you last, I was wondering what the front page of the March 8 Anchor would look like. Would it be our new pope, or our regularly-scheduled news? Well, a mere four hours after I gave the OK for the presses to roll, white smoke poured from the chimney atop the Sistine Chapel. That four-hour difference meant The Anchor couldn’t announce our new Pope Francis for nine more days!

It’s hardly news by then! Oh well, such are the dilemmas faced by weekly publications.

Besides holding my breath for the first two votes last Wednesday, the whole day was out of the ordinary. In a good way.

Once we put the March 8 Anchor to bed, I started on this issue — with one slight difference. Throughout the day, I had one eye on the Apple on my desk, while the other peeper scanned the cable TV in my office, and the Salt & Light network streaming on the laptop resting on my printer.

That was one of the few times I wished I was a chameleon that could look in different directions at the same time (don’t ask about the other times).

Not too long before noon the image of the smoke stack atop the Sistine Chapel appeared again. The watch was on! I was just about to head out to grab a bite to eat when the buzz returned to St. Peter’s Square.

My lunch plans were squelched. With my luck I would have been in the drivethrough at Burger King when our new pope was announced.

“Here you go sir, here’s your cheeseburger with no ketchup.

And by the way we have a new pope.”

What kind of newspaper man would that make me?

I figured I’d turn this into a fast for the new pope and the Church. When life gives you lemons ....

I could feel the anxiety building, much like when I watched the Patriots in the Super Bowls, the Sox in the Series, and the Bruins in Cup finals. I was that nervous.

But I was also excited. As far away as the Vatican seemed last Wednesday, I knew what

My View From the Stands

By Dave Jolivet

(CNA photo)

happened there would have an effect on me, and every other Catholic across the globe.

There are many great memories that came from that March 13, but one that sticks out most is the sea gull that, for about an hour anyway, became the world’s most famous bird.

Our feathered friend landed on the tiles on the chapel roof and sashayed about for a few

minutes, then took off.

Sea gull or not, I don’t think I was the only one who thought about the Holy Spirit at that point.

Our friend was not done yet.

Perhaps sensing history in the making, the gull returned, this time plopping smack dab on the top of the pipe ... and it was in no hurry to leave.

I don’t know if our winged celebrity was Heaven-sent or not, but I did experience a sense of comfort having it around. Must be the dog-lover in me. The eyes of all God’s creatures speak very loudly to me.

Had the ensuing smoke that wafted from the chimney been black, the gull’s appearance would have been dismissed as a comical diversion.

It still can. But I think it was there to let us know that the countless prayers being offered at that time in history, on that day, by millions of Catholics watching worldwide, would be heard and fulfilled.

Our friend eventually said ciao to the limelight and disappeared into the Italian darkness. Its white feathered body was soon replaced with the white smoke of a new pope. A pope who arrived “on a wing and a prayer.”

It was a pleasure to share with The Anchor staff the moment Pope Francis appeared on the balcony. Father Rich Wilson translated the pope’s initial speech as it happened. And we prayed, with Pope Francis and the whole Catholic world, for Pope Emeritus Benedict, for God’s blessings on Pope Francis, and for each other. These are all memories that will last a lifetime. That’s what our Church is all about.

March 22, 2013

Families make time to pray together at Rosary Retreat continued from page one

50,000 children submit artwork, poetry and essays on a faith-related subject.

The event was organized by staff and volunteers of the Diocese of Fall River and the Archdiocese of Boston “that jump in to help us,” said Wallace. “We all want to strengthen our families; our greatest gift from God is our families.”

After hearing that it was difficult for families to carve out time to attend for two days, the half-day program of the past few years is “very manageable for families,” she said.

“Families are busy — even Sundays have sports and other things going on. Every day of the week families don’t get a break. That’s partly why we cut it down to a half-day event.

Years ago we did a two-day event, then a one-day event; we’re just trying to give families an opportunity that will work for them — and the halfday seems to fit — and give them that opportunity to come together and pray,” said Wal-

lace. “We’re pilgrims and it’s often that the children are learning from the parents and it doesn’t get more beautiful than that, so if you really want to live out ‘the family that prays together, stays together,’ then you really need to be together.

During his opening remarks, Father John Phalen, CSC, president of HCFM, recognized the sacrifices the families made to be present at the Rosary retreat.

Father Phalen said the day is about putting God first so that “we can be renewed” and though the rhetoric may have been heard before “because it was put in a different light and in a different setting” the family can feel that renewal happening by taking time to pray together.”

“I think it helps reinforce the whole idea of Sabbath, that this is a special day given to the Lord, and we do that by going to Mass — but often there are conflicting things that happen and they tend to pull the family apart,” he continued. “Some-

Local Jesuit priest ‘thrilled’ with new pope continued from page one

lic population, Father Moy was shocked to learn that Cardinal Jorge Mario Bergoglio of Buenos Aires, Argentina, a Jesuit priest, was elected to become the successor to Pope Emeritus Benedict XVI. “It was absolutely stunning,” continued Father Moy. “It feels so good on two counts: 1.) He and I went through the same training as members of the Jesuit Community. It gives me something of a closeness. And 2.) He has a great affinity for the poor.

He’s done great deeds in his home of Buenos Aires, which has a very poor ghetto area.

“When I was at St. Mary’s Parish in South Dartmouth, I was involved with the very active Social Concerns Ministry there, working with the poor of the New Bedford and Fall River areas. When I learned of Pope Francis’ election, it pleased me to no end. He holds such great promise for the Church.”

Father Moy told The Anchor that he could see the Holy Spirit’s influence in last week’s election. “There was a lot of division in the College of Cardinals,” he said. “They’re a tough crowd, but they saw Pope Francis’ inherent goodness.”

Father Moy was quick to point out some of the examples of the new Holy Father’s humility and kindness. “He gave up the archbishop’s palace in Buenos Aires for a small apartment. He

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also took the subways and buses to work.”

Bringing up some of the Jesuit training he and Pope Francis share, Father Moy pointed out that as cardinal, Pope Francis also cooked for himself. “Every Jesuit knows how to cook,” he added.

Father Moy highlighted Pope Francis’ taking the bus back to the hotel, and the fact that he insisted on paying his bill at the Church-run residence at which he stayed during the conclave.

“It speaks of the simplicity of St. Francis of Assisi,” said Father Moy. It’s been nearly a week and a half since Pope Francis was elected as Bishop of Rome, and over the course of that period, Catholics worldwide have been learning more and more of his humility, great concern for the poor, and immense love for God and His Church. Father Moy saw these traits right from the new Holy Father’s first public appearance shortly after the March 13 election. “You could sense he was a very humble man and how in-tune he is with the people of God when he bowed and asked for the prayers of the people,” Father Moy said. “He said he is ‘nothing’ without the prayers of God’s people.

“He also appeared with a simple cross, and no pomp and circumstance. And that wonderful smile. It’s all so good.”

times there are sports going on in two different places and the family splits up to attend both,” said Father Phalen, “but this kind of concentration on the Scriptures and looking at our faith is something that encourages people and helps them put first things first.”

He added, “We’ll be encouraging people to take a look at their faith to slow down and not just zip through the Creed.

We’ll celebrate the Year of Faith by taking a look at the elements of the Creed, and getting testimonies from people who really live the faith and how to do that in the context of family.”

Cavillo knows all about speaking in the context of family. A father of seven who acknowledged you “never know when the children are watching,” Cavillo spoke of how his own mother led the way by demonstrating her own faith in daily prayer.

A lesson, said Cavillo, which took some time for him to learn; a story he touches on in his book being published in May entitled, “Real Men Pray the Rosary: A Practical Guide to a Powerful Prayer” in which Cavillo talks about how the Rosary is relevant to men, stemming from his own personal story; “If a knucklehead like me, who never listened to mom, can eventually come to love the Mother of Jesus as my own mother and can pray and love the Rosary, then anybody can.”

Calling the Rosary a “sweet chain that links us to God,” Cavillo said that there are a

lot of attacks on the family as a unit, adding it is a “culture run amuck; we need to arm ourselves with that weapon that invites Mary to be by our side.”

Father Phalen agreed with Cavillo’s sentiments: “The Church is a large family, and the family spirit is being eroded over time in our society,” he said. “We’re becoming a very secular and relativist society where people feel that whatever they think is the truth. We go back to a long tradition of 2,000 years, or older in terms of

Hebrew background, and we’re talking about a tradition that speaks of the real truth of a Creator Who loves us, Who calls us to serve.”

We are the evangelizers, added Father Phalen, and for those families struggling to find the time to pray together, he offered this advice: “I think they have to start with small steps, even if it’s a 10-minute block of time.

To me, being faithful to that and taking that small step to grow over time, will make all the difference.”

Diocese of Fall River TV Mass on WLNE Channel 6 Sunday, March 24, 11:00 a.m.

Celebrant is Father Jeffrey Cabral, a judge in the Diocesan Tribunal and a Technical Assistant at Good Shepherd and St. Stanislaus parishes in Fall River

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March 22, 2013

2013 Pro-Life Essay Contest winners This year’s Pro-Life Essay Contest, sponsored by the Diocesan Pro-Life Apostolate, was themed, “Adoption is an Option.” The contest was open to all students enrolled in diocesan schools or Religious Education programs. There were two age categories — Grammar School Level and High School Level. This year’s theme was “Faith opens our eyes to human life in all its grandeur and beauty.” The following are the first- and second-place winners in each category. The students read their essays aloud at the annual diocesan Pro-Life Mass held at St. Julie Billiart Church in North Dartmouth on March 21.

First Place High School Faith Opens Our Eyes to Human Life in All Its Grandeur and Beauty In the devastating accounts of the past century’s oppressive regimes, there is an unmistakable and troubling correspondence between the systematic rejection of religion and the abandonment of the sacredness of human life. Venerable Fulton Sheen, in his 1950s television program “Life is Worth Living,” frequently observed that in Soviet Russia, Mao’s China, Hitler’s Germany, and other states in which government sought to replace God with a political ideology, man was reduced to a utilitarian object, disposable when he no longer fulfilled his political or economic purpose.

Anyone sensible and kindhearted recognizes the danger that these anti-religious philosophies pose to humanity. However, as Catholics, we are blessed with a deeper, more beautiful understanding of human life. According to Genesis, because man was created in God’s image, he possesses the unique capacity and desire to respond to God’s love. Assuming the nature of a newborn child and submitting Himself to crucifixion by His own creation, God, through the Incarnation and the crucifixion, affirmed His love for us, bearing our sufferings and adopting us as His children. He so desired that we become united with Him in the Divine life that He confronted death. Through His life, death, and resurrection, Christ revealed His boundless, unfathomable love for man. As our faith informs us, the worth of a human being is derived not from his own efforts, but from the simple fact that he was created by Divine Love Itself.

Only when we acknowledge that our worth originates in God’s love can we comprehend that all human life, from conception to natural death, is of immeasurable value. Abortion, which has taken the lives of more than 55 million American babies since the 1973 cases of Roe v. Wade and Doe v. Bolton, is widely accepted because of convenience, selfishness, and fear. Yet each child conceived within his mother’s womb is the result of a deliberate plan of God, a product of God’s love created with a unique and necessary purpose.

This is evident in the words of the prophet Jeremiah, “Before I formed you in the womb I knew you, and before you were born I consecrated you; I appointed you a prophet to the nations” (Jer 1:5), and in Elizabeth’s greeting upon Mary’s arrival, “Behold, when the voice of your greeting came to my ears, the Babe in my womb leaped for joy” (Lk 1:44). Mary carried in her womb the Son of God and Elizabeth bore His herald. In that moment, Jesus and John the Baptist existed in the earliest, most vulnerable stages of human life. Yet this did not diminish their humanity. Thus, abortion does not merely destroy a fetus, but human life itself — life created in God’s image, to love and to be loved.

“I believe in Christianity as I believe that the sun has risen: not only because I see it, but because by it I see everything else.” In this statement, C. S. Lewis captures the perspective from which all Catholics must approach human life. However, in our modern, secular culture, we often mistakenly claim our bodies for selfish purposes, saying, “This is my body; I can do whatever I want with it.” Christ made a similar declaration that He repeats at every Mass: “This is My Body.” But He continues: “Given up for you.” He chooses life in the most radical way, renouncing His Own life so that others may live. Our faith calls us to imitate Him, responding to His boundless love by defending the dignity of the human person simply because each person, no matter how small, is created by Divine love and is of infinite worth.

Nicole O’Leary Grade 11 St. Joan of Arc Parish, Orleans

First Place Jr. High School Faith Opens Our Eyes to Human Life in All Its Grandeur and Beauty Every Thursday my older sister picks me up from school and drives me to Sturdy Memorial Hospital to do volunteer work. As we were approaching the half-way point one week, we turned onto a main road that held a small group of men and women bearing large signs, crosses, and sullen faces. As we drew near, it became apparent to me that the men and women were standing in front of a small abortion clinic, holding pictures of what inevitably was the truth. A strange silence I had never felt before slowly loomed upon us as my first experience with a Pro-Life protest came and went as fast as the black Jetta could carry us. Yet, the reality of it all lingered, like smoke in the distance.

Since 1973, more than 50 million babies have perished at the hands of abortion. The greatest gift the Lord has ever granted — life — is being turned from a blessing into an option. In our day and age, newborns are considered lucky if they make it to the point of being born without being murdered.

Whether we realize it or not, a silent holocaust is occurring right before our very eyes. Yet, if we are to let this massacre take place without defending the Lord’s Word, are our eyes really open? Do we really comprehend the great horrors this sin creates? The only true answer to this is no. The only true solution to this is faith.

As a toddler, I was always afraid of the dark. The creepy silence and murky disorientation of the night frightened me. As I become more and more aware of the fast-paced world around me, this is how most people live — in the dark; walking through an endless abyss of darkness and ignorance, refusing to shed any possible “light” on anything. Being afraid of this world of night and sin, I, as well as fellow citizens of the Catholic faith, have let faith be the “light.” Words of truth pour out into a world of hate and fill us with the knowledge of what the real beauty of life is, and, finally, pries open our rusted-shut eyes.

My favorite Bible story is when God speaks to Samuel. As the story goes, the Lord continuously calls on Samuel. He runs to his teacher whom he thinks is doing the calling, until he finally realizes it is, in fact, God. After reading the story, I would fantasize about getting my own “calling” and fall asleep, waiting for the sound of His heavenly voice to speak my name. Little did I know, He has every day. He has called that we defend His Word and stand with the confidence in His power to speak out and protect the gift of life granted to those still in the womb, and to those who are completing their own journey with Jesus. He is calling that we be as St. John the Baptist was, not afraid to shout from rooftops that we choose Jesus — that we choose life. I realize now that, with the strength of Christ, I can proudly say that I have answered the call, and I am Pro-Life.

One Thursday, as my sister and I made our weekly routine of giving back to the community, we once again passed the same sullen cluster of men and women who had answered a call I was very familiar with. As we quickly approached the clinic, I reached over from the passenger seat to the wheel and quickly honked the horn, to show even the slightest bit of support to those brave messengers of God. My heart started to beat fast as I quickly wondered if this was the correct way to show my appreciation. Then time stood still as, in almost slow motion, one of the old men rose his head from intense praying, broke his sullen demeanor, smiled, and nodded in approval. I sat back in my seat and smiled, as a “light” feeling washed over me. As I turned back to the old man from the rear-view mirror, I could see that his eyes were wide open, and so are mine.

Kristina Perez Grade Eight Our Lady of Mount Carmel Parish, Seekonk

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March 22, 2013

2013 Pro-Life Essay Contest winners Second Place High School Faith Opens Our Eyes to Human Life in All Its Grandeur and Beauty Christopher Morley, a famed journalist once said, “A human being is an ingenious assembly of portable plumbing.” The most ground-breaking part of that quote is where he calls the body “ingenious.” The human body truly is ingeniously inspired; God’s Divine imagination sculpted each of us, and He said it Himself: we are “good.” Taking into account the thousands of miracles that occur in the creation of just one human being, it is irreverent and impudent to desecrate the sacred entity that is an unborn child. God takes nine months to weave perfection inside a mother’s womb — He’s done it trillions of times, and He’s not done yet.

With each new embryo God sews a new soul into a beautifully-crafted body. By just the fourth week of development, though the child is only onequarter of an inch long, blood is already running though the child’s veins.

Eight weeks later, facial features can begin to be perceived, and just 12 weeks into its development the body is fully formed. Only four inches long and the first glimmers of humanity can already be recognized. The child has arms, the child has legs, and the child has a soul. God has already set the child on the path to who they are going to be, and in His eyes it is impeccable. The craftsmanship behind even the most minute details is extraordinarily done. God’s brilliance is exemplified in something as simple as human fingers that can be the instruments of beautiful artwork and music, though to something as complex as the human brain that has so much potential that we cannot even grasp its magnificence. The grandeur and beauty encompassed by God’s creation is so extraordinarily “good” that the termination of it before the child can even breathe its own air is immoral.

The abortion of a child is a decision made by the mother, but it is a decision rife with hidden aftermath and consequence. In deciding to refuse the arrival of one of God’s pieces of art, one is in turn refusing the blessings and grace that were to come with that child. The acceptance of this in society is desecrating these holy entities that have done no wrong. They deface the Heavenly miracle that is a human being. It does not matter that the child is unborn. God has already begun to work His wonders in hopes of depositing a blessing upon the world. “The human body and mind are tremendous forces that are continually amazing scientists and society. Therefore, we have no choice but to keep an open mind as to what the being can achieve” (Evelyn Glennie). An unborn child is a clean sheet of paper, a marvel, and God’s grace all rolled into one tiny, blanket-wrapped package. Life is magnificent, and it is not our place to decide its fate — that’s for God to decide. All we can do is promote life in all of its stages, and protect those who have not yet had the chance to show the world just how wonderful God has made them.

Kathryn Saba Grade 10 Bishop Feehan High School St. Mary’s Parish, Norton

Attleboro parishes to host screening of ‘Restless Heart’ film

ATTLEBORO — The parishes of St. John the Evangelist and St. Vincent De Paul in Attleboro are hosting a special screening of the full-length epic motion picture “Restless Heart” at Showcase Cinema in North Attleboro on April 25 at 7 p.m.

“Restless Heart” uses a historic backdrop to tell the true story of Augustine of Hippo — one of the Catholic Church’s most beloved and well-known saints.

Its message is as timely today as it was only a few generations after Jesus walked on earth. It is the story of one who pursues fame and fortune without a moral compass — and the changes that occur when events lead him to see the light. More information on the film can be found at www.restlessheartfilm.com Seating is limited and tickets can be purchase for $10 each after all masses the weekend of April 6 and 7.

Second Place Jr. High School Faith Opens Our Eyes to Human Life in All Its Grandeur and Beauty In recent times our world has been faced with many serious life issues. As I have witnessed these issues, I often wonder why we turn away from God instead of letting Him into our lives. We should realize why we are here on earth, and allow for God’s plan to make our time here on earth a most memorable one. Human life is a most precious gift that is being taken for granted.

It’s an adventure to learn and grow and the challenges we must overcome. We are given a life opportunity to serve God and others, but it is being abused.

Faith is a path in our journey that we must follow to find true happiness.

Growing up used to be less traumatic but the violence in our world today has become an everyday issue. Dignity of human life has faded in our world and we have become so involved with social networks and other material things, that we have begun to lose respect for ourselves as well as others. We are all given free-will and are responsible for our own destinies, but free-will is a responsibility that is being taken for granted. Rash decisions are being made without considering what the consequences may bring. Having faith in God will open our eyes and hearts to help us see the beauty of human life and help us make good personal choices.

Human life is a sacred gift given by God that should be treated with respect and dignity. It is sacred because we are made in the likeness of God. We have a plan and a purpose in each of our lives, but we must keep God close to us in order for us to live a beautiful life and enjoy all it has to offer. Having faith will also lead us to making good responsible decisions. We cannot expect to live a fulfilling and moral life without God by our side. His guidance will lead us to see the beauty of life and its entire splendor.

Ryan Torres Grade Eight Holy Family-Holy Name School, New Bedford

Revised and updated ...

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Youth Pages

March 22, 2013

it’s cool staying warm — Kindergarten students from St. James-St. John School in New Bedford discovered how Arctic animals keep warm. give peace a chance — Under the direction of Mary Frost, art teacher at St. John the Evangelist School in Attleboro, the eighth-graders designed peace posters for the South Attleboro Lions Club Peace Poster Contest. The 2012 theme was “Imagine Peace.” Winning the contest this year was Hillary Schpack shown holding her poster. She will be attending an upcoming special dinner and receiving her reward at that time.

because they care — Students at Holy Name School in Fall River collected canned goods for those in need during January and February. The classes (pre-kindergarten through grade eight) collected more than 1,100 food items.

Dave Perry from the Greater Fall River Community Soup Kitchens picked up and will distribute the food. Pictured are some students and Perry.

food for thought — Seniors enrolled in the popular elective Sociology at Coyle and Cassidy High School in Taunton, were recently asked to contemplate their impressions of tolerance. After completing a lecture series on race and ethnicity, students created mural squares using images,quotes and positive examples of tolerance. The mural hangs in a high-traffic area, enabling the entire student body to reflect on this very important issue.

science-minded — The Bishop Feehan students who placed in first, second, third, and Best of Fair in the Attleboro school’s science fair will go on to Regional Massachusetts State High School Fair on May 2-4 at MIT. Seated from left: Emily Golden, Patrick Chatfield, Emma Clerx, Kathryn Saba, and Thomas Perry. Standing from left: Science teacher Eileen Correia, Madeline Teixeira, Lauren Hart, Mary Eibye, Michael Geraghty, David Payne, Sean Gibney, Chris Chou, Melissa Franco, Emily Dold, Ashley Morse, and Anne Neary. Missing from photo: Collin Kane and Julia Morris.

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

Youth Pages

March 22, 2013

T

his past weekend I had the privilege of being on team for an ECHO retreat.

On Saturday we gathered for the Mass for the Election of a Pope. It is very likely that when this is published we will already know who our new pope is. However, I would like to share the homily I offered to the girls that day since I tried to connect the events in Rome to the life of the high school student: “There has been a lot of coverage coming from Rome as the cardinals of the Church have been gathering to prepare for the start of the conclave on Tuesday.

“Among the coverage has been a lot of speculation and opinions offered about what the Church needs to do and what is needed in the next pope. Some of these have been helpful, others obviously have

Let us pray for each other

no knowledge about what “How is all this relevant to is happening. The cardinals us? are ultimately not choosing a “I was asked to write a political leader, although there column about the reaction of are aspects of governance that B16’s resignation and what go with the job. they thought about the job he “Cardinal Dolan said it best did. a week ago. When asked what the cardinals were looking for His Eminence said, ‘Hopefully we’ll choose the one who most resembles Jesus.’

“This is not

By Father naive thinking, but David C. Frederici the factor that will determine the future effectiveness of the Church. We believe that the “I had a difficult time getScriptures present Christ in ting students to say what they what we call the threefold min- thought of B16’s job perforistry: Priest, Prophet and King. mance. There were a few rea“So the pope will need to sons for this. They didn’t pay be a good administrator, but much attention to the day-toalso a good priest and a good day operations of the Vatican, teacher. they really didn’t know much

Be Not Afraid

good friends — The Friends of Greater Fall River offered its support of St. Vincent’s Home’s mission to help children and youth coping with childhood abuse, trauma, and neglect. Some members of the Friends of Greater Fall River pictured in the photo are, back row from left: Janna Lafrance, President Helinette Souza, Geri Holewiak, Angie Amarantes, Lisa Van Regenmorter, and Janis Karam, along with St. Vincent’s Executive Director Jack Weldon. Front: Dale Ferris and Maggy Biszko.

Friends of Greater Fall River award $5,000 grant to St. Vincent’s Home

Fall River — The Friends of Greater Fall River (formerly the Friends of Saint Anne’s) awarded $5,000 to St. Vincent’s Home to be used for trauma treatment services. The donation was made from the proceeds of a very successful Autumn Basket Evening held in November at White’s of Westport which featured gift baskets of local products and themes.

St. Vincent’s children and youth who are receiving trauma and sensory integration treatment will directly benefit from the support. This donation “is truly in line with our mission statement,” said

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the Friends of Greater Fall River president, Helinette Souza. “The proceeds from this event are going to an organization dedicated to making life better for children and young adults.”

St. Vincent’s executive director, Jack Weldon thanked the Friends of Greater Fall River saying, “We are very appreciative of the Friends of Greater Fall River for its support of our efforts in the community,” said Weldon. “Helping children and youth to heal and grow is an important part of the work we do at St. Vincent’s.”

The Friends of Greater Fall

River was established more than 50 years ago as a volunteer program of Saint Anne’s Hospital.

Since the Saint Anne’s Hospital merger with Steward Health Care, the Friends of Greater Fall River became a separate not-forprofit organization with a volunteer board of directors consisting of community-minded individuals. The Mission of the Friends of Greater Fall River is to serve the community by helping those in need. The Friends own and operate the Hospital Gift Shop and allocate all proceeds directly to local charities.

about him, etc.

“What I found as the biggest reason was the pope was not one to rate, his role is to inspire, to help us live an authentic faith.

“Think about it, his public appearances are not announcing government appointments or state of the union. His public appearances are the Sunday Angelus, weekly audience, homilies at the celebration of Mass. These are how he teaches, encourages and inspires us to live and grow in faith. In short, his role is to encourage us to be Christ in the world as priest, prophet and king.

“Isaiah tells us today that ‘you yourselves shall be named priests of the Lord’ (Is 61:6).

“Our Baptism incorporates us into the priesthood of the faithful. This is different than the ordained priesthood Father Jeff Cabral and I share.

“The ‘Catechism’ states that ‘the faithful exercise their baptismal priesthood through their participation, each according to their own vocation, in Christ’s mission as priest, prophet and king.’

“This priesthood is exercised through full, active and conscious participation in the Liturgy. In addition, we each

have a role in the one mission that St. Paul speaks of in the second reading.

“Parents function as prophet and king in raising their children and teaching them the faith. The laity provides the leadership in the proclamation of the Gospel in the world: business, politics, education, etc. The ordained priest serves the priesthood of the faithful in carrying out their mission.

“You are all involved in a process of discernment: coming to a better understanding of who you are, what your gifts and talents are and how God is calling you to live in this world. When we involve God in our discernment, we have a better chance of finding the path that will bring us closer to God and allow us to live in peace and joy. The ‘Spirit of truth will guide you’ (Jn 16:13) if you allow Him. “So my friends, let us pray for our Church. Let us pray for the College of Cardinals, that they may choose a leader that resembles Christ and inspires us to be Christ. But let us also pray for each other. That we may allow ourselves to be guided by the Spirit and open our hearts and minds to being transformed into other Christs in our world.”

Father Frederici is chaplain at UMass Dartmouth.

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The Anchor

Arrests made in Westport church vandalism, robbery

By Becky Aubut Anchor Staff

WESTPORT — Police have arrested and charged two brothers, Martin Cutler of Taunton and Jesse Cutler of Bourne, with offenses, including a hate crime, in connection to the vandalism and theft of religious items from St. John the Baptist Church in Westport. Martin Cutler is also charged

with the use of infected bodily fluids to injure or kill; he has hepatitis C and urinated in the parish’s holy water.

“I’m so glad there’s some closure,” Father Leonard Hindsley, pastor of St. John the Baptist Parish, told The Anchor. “It’s important for the community to be able to heal.”

The church was broken into

Around the Diocese 3/25

From March 25-27, starting at 11 a.m., a mini-retreat consisting of a spiritual talk followed by Mass at noon will take place at St. Joseph Chapel, 500 Washington Street, North Easton. Monday, Father John Phalen, CSC, will share on the Eucharist; Tuesday, Beth Mahoney will share on Suffering and Death; and on Wednesday, Father John will share on the Resurrection. For more information contact Holy Cross Family Ministries at www.

FamilyRosary.org/Events or 508-238-4095.

3/28

An open meeting of the Divorced and Separated Support Group will be held March 28 from 7 to 8:30 p.m. in the parish center of St. Julie Billiart Church, 494 Slocum Road in North Dartmouth.

This meeting will include an open forum in which people are free to discuss personal difficulties regarding separation and divorce. For more information call 508-678-2828, 508-993-0589 or 508-673-2997.

4/1

The Novena of the Divine Mercy, which begins on Good Friday, is to be celebrated individually through Easter Sunday to give precedence to the Triduum in all parishes. Beginning Easter Monday, April 1, the Divine Mercy Holy Hour will be sung at 7 p.m. at Holy Trinity Church, Route 28, West Harwich, and will continue all week, through Easter Saturday at 7 p.m. Attendees will begin gathering for the Mercy Sunday celebration on April 7 at 2:45 p.m. A priest will celebrate Benediction but no Confessions will be available on Mercy Sunday.

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.

4/5

A New Beginnings Women’s Retreat will be held April 5-7 at the Sacred Hearts Retreat Center in Wareham. For more information, contact Peggy Patenaude at 508-548-9149 or email timeoutretreats@comcast.net.

4/6

A Day with Mary will be held April 6 at St. John the Evangelist Parish, 1 St. John’s Place 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.

4/14

On April 14, Holy Trinity Women’s Guild will be hosting a spectacular “Spring Penny Sale” at 1 p.m. in the church basement located on the corner of Tucker Street and Stafford Road in Fall River.

Admission is $1, which entitles you to 100 prizes on the grand table. Additional raffles will be offered for the larger prizes such as food baskets and appliances, etc.

Door prizes are free to players in attendance. Also, a luncheon menu will be available including: chow mein sandwiches, hot dogs, chouriço and peppers, variety of delicious pastries and other goodies.

4/27

Good Shepherd Parish, 1598 South Main Street in Fall River will be holding its annual Penny Sale on April 27. The kitchen will open at 5 p.m. and drawings will begin at 6 p.m. Admission is free with hundreds of prizes, along with a children’s table and a money rose table. Menu items include linguiça, meatball and chow mein sandwiches, stuffed cabbage, clam cakes, meat pie, stuffed quahogs and much more.

4/28

The Respect Life Walk will be held in Boston on April 28. The Greater Fall River Massachusetts Citizens for Life chapter will sponsor a bus to bring local walkers to Castle Island in South Boston. Please note: the walk will no longer be held on the Boston Common.

There will be two pick-up locations in the diocese: the former Immaculate Conception Church on County Street in Fall River and the Taunton Galleria Mall Park and Ride in Taunton. For more information, call 508-673-9757 or 508415-2599. A bus will also go from Attleboro. Call 508-226-1115.

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 co-curated by Anna Ghublikianand and María D. Quintero and is funded by the Catholic Campaign for Human Development.

earlier this month, sustaining widespread damage to many of the articles inside, including the tabernacle, chalices, and a Roman Missal prayer book. A statue was turned on its side and a crucifix was damaged; the extensive destruction to church property led some to believe it was the work of a Satanic cult, but the idea seems to have been ruled out. The holy water was thrown out, replacements found for the sacred items stolen or damaged, and Father Hindsley reconsecrated the church.

Initially Father Hindsley thought the perpetrators would never be caught and the case would remain open indefinitely.

The police had been keeping him updated on the progress of the investigation and were the first to call him when the arrests were made.

“The police have done a wonderful job,” said Father Hindsley, adding he is “grateful to them for all their hard work.”

Westport police said detectives learned that some of the religious metal items had been damaged and turned in to a local scrap yard.

Police also said that at least eight people participated in either the theft and/or concealment of the crime by hiding stolen items.

So far, none of the people mentioned in the investigation have been linked back to the parish, said Father Hindsley, saying that it seems the act was simply a “chance encounter.”

Father Hindsley said he feels bad for those who perpetrated the crime, but is telling his parishioners to practice what he preaches: “Forgiveness, because Christ says to forgive.”

In Your Prayers Please pray for these priests during the coming weeks March 23 Rev. James F. Kelley, USN Ret., Archdiocese of Anchorage, Former Assistant, St. Mary’s, Mansfield, 2002 March 24 Rev. John J. Murphy, C.S.C., 2004 March 25 Rev. John J. Brennan, SS.CC. Retired Founder, Holy Redeemer, Chatham, 1991 March 27 Rev. James W. Conlin, Pastor, St. Patrick, Somerset, 1918 Rev. Msgr. Antonio P. Vieira, Pastor, Our Lady of Mt. Carmel, New Bedford, 1964 Rev. Richard W. Beaulieu, Former Diocesan Director of Education, Former Pastor, Notre Dame, Fall River, 2007 March 28 Rev. Alfred J. Levesque, Pastor, St. Jacques, Taunton, 1960 Rev. Bernard A. Lavoie, Chaplain, Catholic Memorial Home, Fall River, 1972 Rev. Dieudonne Masse, OFM, Retired, Montreal, Canada, 1983 Rev. Howard A. Waldron, Retired Pastor, St. Thomas More, Somerset, 1985 March 29 Rev. James H. Carr, S.T.L., Assistant, St. Patrick, Fall River, 1923 Rev. Msgr. Edward J. Moriarty, Pastor, St. Patrick, Fall River, 1951

March 22, 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.

March 22, 2013

First-time high school basketball champs honored at assembly continued from page one

always been a small, tight-knit community, Coute lauded the members of the student body, faculty and staff for their unwavering support of the basketball team throughout the year — a devotion that culminated with eight busloads traveling to Boston to witness the championship win firsthand.

“I hope you all take the experience of being at the Garden with you and you all have fond memories forever,” he said.

“The enthusiasm and support you showed us all season and in the tournament will never be forgotten. The students and faculty this year showed what a school should be: a community. You all rallied behind us because we’re not just a school, we’re a family.”

Members of Connolly’s extended family — including Bishop George W. Coleman, diocesan school superintendent Dr. Michael S. Griffin, Fall River Mayor William Flanagan, and other dignitaries — joined the assembly in the school’s Msgr. Prevost Auditorium to honor the area’s newest basketball champs.

“I’ve always been so very proud of Bishop Connolly High School and I’m all the more proud to be with them on this day to celebrate the wonderful win they had at the Boston Garden,” Bishop Coleman told The Anchor.

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

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The Anchor Citing Blessed Pope John Paul II’s well-known affection for athletes and sports, Bishop Coleman further quoted the former pontiff, who said: “Always remember that the competitive spirit of the sportsman, though honorable in itself, must not be an end in itself, but must be secondary to the far more honorable requirements of the spirit. Therefore, while I encourage you to be good sportsmen, I also say to you: be good citizens in family and social life. And even more, be good Christians who are able to give greater meaning to life.”

Mayor Flanagan applauded the Connolly team for earning a well-deserved basketball title for the area and presented Coach Coute and the players with a key to the city, while officially proclaiming it “Connolly Cougar Day” in Fall River.

The team, in turn, presented Bishop Coleman and Mayor Flanagan each with a basketball signed by all the players.

While the successful season was clearly a team effort for the Connolly Cougars, the contributions of Tommy Keyes, the team’s only senior starter, could not be overlooked. Keyes not only reached 1,000 career points this season, but he also scored 26 points in the championship victory over Lynnfield,

going 12-for-12 from the free throw line and 10-for-10 in the final quarter.

But Keyes — whose affiliation with the school dates back even further than his four-year stint as a student — was quick to point out how instrumental everyone was in this victory.

“The whole team came together and the whole school was behind us,” Keyes told The Anchor. “They prayed for us before we left for the game so the Catholic school spirit was with us at all times. It was amazing to bring this win back for the whole area as well as the school. I’ve been here since I was little — my grandmother was athletic director and my dad was a coach here — so it means even more to me to win it for them.”

Echoing Keyes’ sentiments, Coute added how proud he was of all the team members in playing with the highest level of sportsmanship.

“The Jesuit tradition and the mission of the school calls for men and women to find God through all things and respond to that experience with generous service to God,” he said.

“I can honestly say that every one of my players responded to this experience in service to God. The best compliment I received about my players

came in a newspaper article … when a writer stated that when the Connolly players play as a team, they let their playing do the talking.”

Coute also noted how this win has created something of a ripple effect throughout the area that, in turn, has been viewed as a positive reflection on the school.

“I don’t know how many people have come up to me this week who have no association with Bishop Connolly High School — Durfee alumni, Somerset alumni, Diman alumni, Westport alumni, all the way to New Bedford alumni — who

have told me our team is easy to root for, because they play with each other and for each other and they show great sportsmanship on the court,” Coute said.

“Winning games takes talent but winning championships takes character.”

“You guys have put your stamp on Connolly history, and everyone is proud of you,” he told his players as they stood by him on stage. “This was more than an athletic accomplishment or a school accomplishment — this was bigger.

This wasn’t just about us or our school. We brought … a whole community together.”

CAPTIVE AUDIENCE — Bishop Connolly High School students Jacob Tavares and Paul Frost, leaders of the Cougar Den, the name given to the school’s collective fan base, lead a school assembly and Bishop George W. Coleman in the socalled “Cougar Roller Coaster” which was used to rally the basketball team during recent state tournament games. (Photo by Kenneth J. Souza)

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March 22, 2013

The Anchor

Pope Francis will shake up more than Vatican schedules

Vatican City (CNA/ EWTN News) — All the Vatican officials will continue in their positions “until otherwise provided” while Pope Francis takes time for “reflection, prayer and dialogue before making any definitive appointments,” but one can expect changes to happen.

Usually, when a new pope begins his ministry, he confirms all the heads of the congregations and pontifical councils, who lost their posts at the beginning of the sede vacante

period. He also reconfirms the five-year terms for the secretaries of the Vatican departments — who took over the management of the offices while there was no pope.

When he issued the normal confirmation on March 16, Pope Francis only offered a two-sentence statement, and nothing is mentioned about the Vatican Secretariat of State, the second most powerful congregation.

“You should expect a lot of changes under Pope Francis’

Fri., Apr. 5 • 7:30pm Sat., Apr. 6 • 7:30pm

pontificate,” said Alberto Barlocci, a reporter based in Buenos Aires and the director of the magazine Ciudad Nueva.

“With his first gestures, he wants to make a break with the past and signal that the Church is something different from frills and (its) image.

“But if you think that he would not govern the Curia, you are wrong. He knows very well what the problems are, and he has probably already thought of how to handle them,” Barlocci told CNA on

March 15.

One of the first dossiers Pope Francis will receive contains the findings from the investigation conducted by three cardinals into the Vatileaks scandal.

In fact, when he was Archbishop of Buenos Aires, Jorge Mario Bergoglio became acquainted with how maneuvering at the Vatican could affect his ability to carry out his ministry.

An Argentinian prelate who spoke on the condition of ano-

nymity told CNA March 16 that Cardinal Bergoglio was “named as auxiliary and then archbishop of Buenos Aires to save the diocese from the disarray left by his predecessor Antonio Guarracino.”

But, he adds, “when new bishops were appointed in Argentina, he always found out that none of the indications he gave had been accepted.”

The papal nuncio to Argentina responded by submitting the same top three suggestions for new bishops to the Vatican’s Congregation of the Clergy, so “the new bishops were not in agreement with Bergoglio.”

This maneuvering was guided by Cardinal Angelo Sodano, who was then-secretary of state and had a strong influence in Latin America because of the years he served there as a papal nuncio. Many websites speak about the battles for control of the Church in Argentina between Bergoglio and Sodano.

However, Pope Francis seems to be very aware of these problems.

In fact, nothing of the Vatileaks dossier will likely surprise him. Pope Francis will take his time to understand how to “reform” the Curia.

“Cardinals told me,” he joked at a March 16 meeting with journalists, “that I had to take the name of Hadrian VII, since there was the need of a Curia reform, and Hadrian VI was a great reformer.”

The first move of the new pope will presumably be to appoint a new Vatican Secretary of State.

Cardinal Tarcisio Bertone is 78 and he beyond the age of retirement. The race to take over his post seems to be between the two Italians: Giuseppe Bertello — now in charge of the Vatican City State’s administration — and Fernando Filoni — the prefect of the Congregation for the Evangelization of Peoples.

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