03.23.07

Page 1

FRIDAY, MARCH 23, 2007

DIOCESE OF FALL RÂŁVER

Pair of dioce~an priests set to 'Go Out and Fish' By DAVE JOLIVET,

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LICENSE TO LIVE - Merry and Kenneth Nordeen display a proposed Choose Life license for autos registered in Massachusetts. (CNS file photo)

Mass. 'Choose Life' license plate campaign moves into higher gear By DEACON JAMES

N. DUNBAR

WAKEFIELD - Pennsylvania is the latest state - along with five others - to approve the use of a "Choose Life" specialty license plate. So how come Massachusetts drivers have failed to respond to the call? "I don't know, but it might be because we haven't had much support until recently" said Merry Nordeen, president of Choose Life, Inc., who for the past four years has been at the helm of the effort by the statewide organization to recruit applicants for the auto plate that would be issued by the Massachusetts Registry of Motor Vehicles. But that's changed with the recent endorsement of the effort by Cardinal Sean P. O'Malley, "After we met and talked about it," reported Nordeen. "What that means is that hopefully pastors who hitherto have been wary and reluctant to use our flyers or newsletters or put notices in their parish bulletins will now do so," she noted. "And the March 17 and 18

Men's and Women's conferences in Boston have raised our hopes, because they accepted using our flyers about the "Choose Life" plates for use in their mailings and at the conventions too, and we're excited," she added. "It could make the difference." Last year, nearly 6,000 men and women attended the conventions. What has been frustrating is that although the state won't move on the issue unless 3,000 people register for them, to date, only 400 applications have come in, she reported. Although the cost for the specialty plate is $40 and there is an additional $20 plate swap fee plus an applicable registration fee due at the time of plate pick-up, "it doesn't seem excessive in light of the message we hope people would want to get out," Nordeen told The Anchor last week. Proceeds from the plates will benefit maternity homes and pregnancy crisis centers, which offer adoption as an alternative to abortion.

Tum to page 18 - Life

EDITOR

is learning the "trade" from director of Vocations, NORTH DARTMOUTH - In a recent interview Father Edward A. Correia. with The Anchor, one said, "It's a great life being a "Father Ed has done great work with vocations in priest." The other added, "This vocation has provided the diocese, and I hope to help continue the programs me with such gracehe has established in , filled days and awe- 1'lIJIIl. ...- ......- . - - - . . _ the diocese to make some moments." others aware of what Bishop' George a blessed calling the W. Coleman tapped priesthood and reliinto that enthusi- Iiiioo';";"~ gious life is," said Faasm, directing Father Bissinger. thers Karl C. "I'm very happy Bissinger and Kevin with the bishop's A. Cook to "Go Out choice of these two and Fish," for men men," sa'id Father and women called Correia, "They bring by God to continue youth, a new energy, the mission of the and a new beginning Catholic Church in to the Church's work the Diocese of Fall to try and foster voRiver. cations." As of March 21, The new "fisherGOING FISHING - Fathers Kevin A. Cook, left, and Karl Father Bissinger, a men" will continue C. Bissinger, were recently appoint~d by Bishop George parochial vicar atSt. Father Correia's "Go W. Coleman, as assistant directors 'of vocati~ns. (Photo Julie Billiart Parish by Dave Jolivet) Out and Fish," vocain North Dartmouth, tion program, based is assistant director on Jesus' making the of vocations, and Apostles fishers of Father Cook, a paromen. chial vicar at St. While having Patrick's Parish in only been ordained Wareham, is assisin 2005, Father tant director of voBissinger has a cations for recruitwealth of experience ment. Tum to page 18Father Bissinger Fishing

For Catholic Social Service workers, it's all about care for illegals snared in raid By DEACON JAMES N.

DUNBAR

NEW BEDFORD-Whiledeportation appears on the horizon for many of the 361 illegal immigrants jailed following a March 6 raid by immigration agents on a manufacturing plant here, freeing the jailed mothers with young children as well as providing immediate basic needs for affected families has become a 24-7 battle for Catholic and other agencies. "But we're making a turn around for the affected immigrants families, slowly perhaps, but energetically," re-

Thousands receive spiritual boost at Catholic Men's/Women's Conferences. Coverage begins on page 11.

ported Denise Porche, of cSS' Office for Child Protection. "Our focus, our accent is on care for all involved." At the same time, other illegals worried about their status, are refrain\.

ing from going to their jobs and causing an added and immense strain on reliefefforts, Porche reports, and CSS is looking to funding by the Massa-

Tum to page 10 - Care

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03.23.07 by The Anchor - Issuu