04.03.09

Diocese of Fall River

The Anchor

F riday , April 3, 2009

Trio receives Cardinal O’Connor Award at annual Pro-Life Mass

By Kenneth J. Souza Anchor Staff

NORTH DARTMOUTH — During the diocese’s annual ProLife Mass celebrated March 25 at St. Julie Billiart Church, Bishop George W. Coleman and the diocesan Pro-Life Apostolate presented awards to three people who have worked to promote the Pro-Life movement in the diocese.

Samantha Varnerin, a senior at Bishop Feehan High School, Attleboro, and a parishioner at St. Mary’s Church in Mansfield, received the John Cardinal O’Connor Youth Award for her tireless efforts as president of the Feehan Pro-Life Group and in helping to organize students to attend the annual ProLife March held in Washington, D.C. in January.

“These activities, and others, have profound meaning for Samantha and she feels called by the Holy Spirit to voice her beliefs and take a stand for human life at all stages,” said Marian Desroisers, director of the diocesan Pro-Life Apostolate.

“Samantha herself stated: ‘We are meant to spread the truth of what abortion, capital punishment, and

embryonic stem-cell research really mean for the victims and all those involved. It is our duty as Catholics to strengthen the movement.’”

Stephen J. Marcotte and Ronald J. Larose, parishioners at Our Lady of Mount Carmel in Seekonk, were jointly presented with the John Cardinal O’Connor Award for their work in bringing the national “40 Days for Life” campaign — which is active in more than 200 cities across North America — to the Fall River Diocese. Through their efforts, they have twice organized a 40-day, around-the-clock prayer vigil outside the Four Women Abortion Clinic in Attleboro.

“Standing vigil at the abortion facility in our diocese is not to bring condemnation on people — it is to give living witness to the good news of Jesus Christ,” Desrosiers said.

“They both acknowledge the strong support they’ve received from their parish community and from their pastor, Father Brian J. Harrington and when informed they would be receiving this award, they were reluctant because there were so many others who had prepared the way before them. But we agreed Turn to page 14

WHALING CITY ARTISTRY — Evangelina Teixeira, a parishioner at Our Lady of the Immaculate Conception Church in New Bedford, reverently stands before the painted image of Jesus Christ on the wall of a video store in New Bedford’s north end. (Photo by Kenneth J. Souza)

Jesus’ appearance on video store wall draws curious spectators in New Bedford

By Kenneth J. Souza Anchor Staff

NEW BEDFORD — Some considered it a prank. Others suspected a clever publicity stunt.

But most saw at least something relevant and maybe even a bit poignant about the overnight appearance of a life-sized portrait of Jesus Christ on the exterior wall of Premier Video, a rental store located at Lund’s Corner on Ashley Boulevard in the city’s north end.

The detailed black-and-white image was actually drawn and painted on paper that was later

glued to the white-washed brick building sometime in the early morning hours of March 21.

While words like “miracle” and “shrine” had been bantered about — ideas supported by the placement of flowers and votive candles at the image’s feet — the big mystery was finally solved when a 31-year-old New Bedford artist named Mark Carvalho reluctantly confessed to his handiwork last weekend.

Carvalho admitted he wanted to not only create something artistic, but also send a message Turn to page 13

Diocese’s Reconciliation Weekend in parishes hailed as solid success

By Deacon James N. Dunbar

THAT’S LIFE — Samantha Varnerin, a senior at Bishop Feehan High School, Attleboro, was given the John Cardinal O’Connor Youth Award during the annual Pro-Life Mass held at St. Julie Billiart Church in North Dartmouth for her Pro-Life efforts. From left: Jean C. Arsenault, assistant director of the Fall River Diocese’s Pro-Life Apostolate; Varnerin; Bishop George W. Coleman; and Marian Desrosiers, director of the diocesan Pro-Life Apostolate.

(Photo by Kenneth J. Souza)

FALL RIVER — An initial review of the Reconciliation Weekend held March 20-21 in parishes across the Fall River Diocese documents that nearly 3,500 confessions were heard and that when all the reports finally arrive from participating parishes, organizers expect that nearly 5,000 people took advance of the opportunity to make it a grace-filled Lenten experience in their faith lives.

Seventy-three parishes participated in the unique, first-ever such event in the diocese.

Several priests said they had heard confessions of those who had not received the sacrament of penance for years and that the effort seemed to reach out to those who do not regularly come to penance

services or regularly scheduled times for the sacrament of reconciliation.

Most of the priests responding were recommending doing it again,

adding that the numbers of penitents might increase if people become accustomed to it as a tradition of the Lenten season.

Some reported that the num-

bers “made the extra time hearing confessions worth it.” Other priests said they were pleased that many of the penitents who had not been to confession for long periods were inspired as a result of the homilies and catechesis that prepared for the weekend.

Father George E. Harrison, pastor of Holy Name Parish in Fall River, told The Anchor, “It was a wonderful success and I hope it’s repeated next year.”

Father Harrison reported that the sacrament of reconciliation is usually well attended throughout the year, “but there were some who came who hadn’t received the sacrament in 15, 20, or 30 years. I told them to expect an explosion of divine power and grace. I sensed Turn to page 18

News From the Vatican

2

April 3, 2009

Women key to promoting human rights, pope says

By Carol Glatz Catholic News Service

VATICAN CITY — Women have a crucial role to play in promoting human rights, the dignity of life and the family, Pope Benedict XVI said.

“Given the distinctive influence of women in society, they must be encouraged to embrace the opportunity to uphold the dignity of life through their involvement in education and their participation in political and civic life,” the pope said in a written message to participants of the Vatican’s first international conference dedicated to women and human rights.

Because of their “unique capacity for the other, women have a crucial part to play in the promotion of human rights, for without their voice the social fabric of society would be weakened,” the message said..

The March 20-21 conference, titled “Life, Family, Development: The Role of Women in the Promotion of Human Rights,” was organized and sponsored by the Pontifical Council for Justice and Peace, the World Union of Catholic Women’s Organizations and the Rome-based World Women’s Alliance for Life and Family.

The pope said that suppressing, manipulating or compromising human life — especially in its most vulnerable stages — must be “decried as a violation of human rights,” and he urged participants to come up with “a positive and proactive response” to such dangers.

He asked that participants carry on the task of correcting the misconception “that Christianity is simply a collection of commandments and prohibitions.”

It is important that people recognize that the Gospel is a message of joy and that Christian faith and ethics makes spousal love “healthy, strong and truly free,” he said.

The Ten Commandments “are not a series of ‘no’s’ but a great ‘yes’ to love and to life,” said the pope.

The conference’s main aim was to elaborate on Pope John Paul II’s call for a “new feminism” that upholds and respects life and has the power to transform today’s cultures.

Karen Hurley, president general of the World Union of Catholic Women’s Organizations, said, “The new feminism is motivated by love; there is a spirit of hope and a spirit of joy,” which has little to do with radical forms of feminism that seem “to be generated by bitterness and resentment.”

Finding guidance and inspiration in their faith in Christ, women can come together to work to improve the lives of women, children and families in their corner of the

world, she told Catholic News Service.

By touching one life at a time and by putting pressure on government leaders, she said women can work to promote even basic human rights at home and abroad “so that everyone can have enough to eat, safe water to drink, be able to have education for women and for children, things that we sometimes take for granted.”

Olimpia Tarzia, president of World Women’s Alliance for Life and Family, said legalized abortion has spelled defeat for both women and society.

Women, families, life and human dignity need to be the focus of the world’s attention, she said in her concluding remarks to conference participants.

Today’s generation can spark a new liberation movement so that no one — born or unborn — is discriminated against and so that

there would be equal opportunity for everyone: the strong and weak, the rich and poor, and the healthy and the sick, she said.

Cardinal Renato Martino, president of the justice and peace council, said in his closing remarks that the women’s liberation movement “was and is a landmark event that has contrasting and ambivalent meanings.”

There needs to be “a constant, patient, intelligent and prudent Christian discernment in order to keep the good and overcome the bad” that has resulted from the women’s liberation movement and to better promote a civilization of love that is inclusive and based on solidarity, he wrote.

The new feminism, inspired by the Gospel, must take into account different cultural contexts and, therefore, must tailor its programs and initiatives at the local level, Cardinal Martino said.

VISITING THE SICK — Pope Benedict XVI greets a man during a visit to the Cardinal Paul Emile Leger Center in Yaounde, Cameroon, during his recent visit to Africa. The facility is a treatment center for those with disabling diseases or injuries. (CNS photo/L’Osservatore Romano via Reuters)

The Anchor

OFFICIAL NEWSPAPER OF THE DIOCESE OF FALL RIVER Vol. 53, No. 13

Member: Catholic Press Association, Catholic News Service

Published weekly except for two weeks in the summer and the week after Christmas by the Catholic Press of the Diocese of Fall River, 887 Highland Avenue, Fall River, MA 02720, Telephone 508-675-7151 — FAX 508-675-7048, email: theanchor@anchornews.org.

Subscription price by mail, postpaid $14.00 per year.

Send address changes to P.O. Box 7, Fall River, MA, call or use email address

PUBLISHER - Most Reverend George W. Coleman EXECUTIVE EDITOR Father Roger J. Landry fatherrogerlandry@anchornews.org EDITOR David B. Jolivet davejolivet@anchornews.org NEWS EDITOR Deacon James N. Dunbar jimdunbar@anchornews.org OFFICE MANAGER Mary Chase m arychase@anchornews.org ADVERTISING Wayne Powers waynepowers@anchornews.org REPORTER Kenneth J. Souza kensouza@anchornews.org Send Letters to the Editor to: fatherrogerlandry@anchornews.org

POSTMASTERS send address changes to The Anchor, P.O. Box 7, Fall River, MA 02722.

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He is risen! alleluia

PALM SUNDAY:

HOLY WEEK SCHEDULE

Blessing of the palms at all Masses.

HOLY THURSDAY: 7 P.M.: Mass of the Lord’s Supper; Feet Washing Ceremony;

Blessed Sacrament procession to the Altar of Repose.

GOOD FRIDAY:

3 P.M.: Service of the Lord’s Passion and Death; reading of the Passion, Veneration of the Cross and Holy Communion.

7 P.M.: Stations of the Cross - led by Youth Ministry.

HOLY SATURDAY:

12 noon: Blessing of food.

2-4 P.M.: Sacrament of Reconciliation.

7 P.M.: Easter Vigil Service and Mass.

EASTER SUNDAY:

Masses at 8:30, 10:00 & 11:30

Saint Elizabeth Seton Parish North Falmouth

Rev. Msgr. John F. Moore, Pastor Deacon William Martin Deacon Vincent Coates Jr. Deacon Peter Guresh

The International Church

April 3, 2009

3

Pope tells reporters he felt sense of God’s family in Africa

By John Thavis Catholic News Service

ROME — Pope Benedict XVI said he felt a great sense of family and respect for the sacred during his weeklong trip to Africa.

Speaking to reporters aboard his plane back to Rome March

23, the pope thanked everyone involved in the visit, including the journalists who covered it.

“I was particularly struck by two things: on one hand, an impression of this friendliness, of almost exuberant joy, Africa in celebration. And it seemed to me

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that in the pope they saw the personification of the fact that we are a family of God,” he said.

“On the other hand, I was impressed by the spirit of concentration in the liturgy and a strong sense of the sacred,” he said.

There was no “self-presentation and self-animation” by participating groups at Mass, but a focus on the divine presence, he said.

The pope again expressed his sadness at the deaths of two girls trampled before the start of a papal youth rally in Angola and noted that one of the girls still had

not been identified.

“Let us pray for them and hope that in the future things are organized so that this will no longer happen,” he said.

The pope said that in Cameroon he had enjoyed a good conversation with members of a council planning the Synod of Bishops for Africa. He said he learned that some African Church communities that have suffered are now in a position to help others on the continent.

For example, he said, the church in South Africa aided the country’s difficult but eventually

successful reconciliation process.

Today, South African Catholics are helping Burundi do the same and are “trying to do something similar even with the very great difficulties in Zimbabwe,” he said.

The pope took no questions in his brief appearance in the journalists’ section of the Alitalia charter flight. The Vatican spokesman, Jesuit Father Federico Lombardi, who accompanied the pope, wished the pontiff well as he turns his attention to his next trip: to the Holy Land in May.

The Church in the U.S.

4

April 3, 2009

Despite criticism, Notre Dame firm on Obama as commencement speaker

By Deacon James N. Dunbar and CNS and FOXNews.com reports

SOUTH BEND, Ind. — University of Notre Dame officials were standing firm on their choice of President Barack Obama as commencement speaker at the institution’s May 17 graduation, in spite of calls by Bishop John M. D’Arcy, theologians, Catholic advocacy groups, some of the university’s students, and thousands of Catholics to rescind the invitation.

The Indiana university, run by the Congregation of Holy Cross, and the White House announced March 20 that Obama would be Notre Dame’s 2009 commencement speaker and confirmed he will receive an honorary doctor of laws degree at the graduation.

“The invitation to President Obama to be our commencement speaker should not be taken as condoning or endorsing his positions on specific issues regarding the protection of human life, including abortion and embryonic stem-cell research,” said Holy Cross Father John I. Jenkins, president of the University of Notre Dame.

The announcement on Obama was promptly followed by a flurry of criticism from Catholics, who said the president’s support of legal

abortion and embryonic stem-cell research makes him an inappropriate choice to be the commencement speaker at a Catholic university.

Bishop John M. D’Arcy of Fort Wayne-South Bend — the diocese where Notre Dame is located — issued a statement March 24 saying he will not attend the 2009 Notre Dame commencement as a silent protest of Obama’s policies regarding life issues. He said it will be the first time he will be absent from the ceremony in the 25 years he has been bishop of the diocese.

“President Obama has recently reaffirmed, and has now placed in public policy, his long-stated unwillingness to hold human life as sacred,” Bishop D’Arcy said.

“I wish no disrespect to our president, I pray for him and wish him well,” Bishop D’Arcy said.

“But a bishop must teach the Catholic faith ‘in season and out of season,’ and he teaches not only by his words — but by his actions. My decision is not an attack on anyone, but is in defense of the truth about human life.”

“While claiming to separate politics from science, he has in fact separated science from ethics and has brought the American government, for the first time in history, into supporting direct destruction

Rev. Msgr. John J. Oliveira, V.E. 106 Illinois St., New Bedford, MA 02745

ANCH. 04/03/09

of innocent human life,” he added.

The bishop also said he was disappointed with Notre Dame’s choice of Obama as its commencement speaker, a pick he called “prestige over truth,” and cited a 2004 statement by the U.S. Catholic bishops: “The Catholic community and Catholic institutions should not honor those who act in defiance of our fundamental moral principles. They should not be given awards, honors or platforms which would suggest support for their actions. Indeed, the measure of any Catholic institution is not only what it stands for, but also what it will not stand for.”

Noting that the following day, March 25, was the feast of the Annunciation of the Lord, Bishop D’Arcy said, “Tomorrow, we celebrate as Catholics the moment when our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ, became a child in the womb of his most holy mother. Let us ask Our Lady to intercede for the university named in her honor, that it may recommit itself to the primacy of truth over prestige.”

The Cardinal Newman Society — a Manassas, Va.-based Catholic college watchdog group — announced it had collected more than 200,000 signatures so far in an online petition that calls for Notre Dame to rescind its invitation to Obama to be this year’s commencement speaker.

The petition drive initiated by the Cardinal Newman Society called it “an outrage and a scandal” for the university to honor Obama and asked Father Jenkins to “halt this travesty immediately.”

“This nation has many thousands of accomplished leaders in the Catholic Church, in business, in law, in education, in politics, in medicine, in social services and in many other fields who would be far

more appropriate choices to receive such an honor,” the petition says.

Mary K. Daly, president of Notre Dame’s Right to Life group, said that the school administration’s decision to invite President Obama to deliver the Commencement Address is a “slap in the face” to many Catholics and has many students questioning whether they can “in good conscience” attend their own college graduation.

“I think that this is a travesty that students should have to wrestle with whether or not to go to their own college graduation, after working very hard to gain admittance to this university and then working very hard to earn a diploma from this university,” Daly said.

She expressed her “acute disappointment” with the administration’s decision, adding that the invitation “undercuts the University’s Catholic character.” Daly said she believed the school should hold its Catholic identity above that of secular prestige.

She acknowledged that the school has offered numerous Presidents honorary degrees and invitations to speak at Commencements and said she realized the importance of Obama’s being the first African American President but added, “In spite of this, it is an acute disappointment in view of his political and personal beliefs that Obama will be speaking. This president espouses and defends many political ideals that are fundamentally in tension with and in opposition to what lies at the foundation of this University. That these are his ideals and beliefs cannot be separated from his position as president.”

Daly pointed to Church documents such as Ex Corde Ecclesae, saying, “It is a serious conflict of interest and failure to live up to its Catholic obligation for Notre

Dame to allow Obama to speak on campus in the capacity of the graduation ceremonies.”

George Weigel, a Catholic theologian and distinguished fellow of the Ethics and Public Policy Center, said the invitation is not a “neutral act” and will significantly damage Notre Dame’s reputation in Catholic circles following Obama’s decision to reverse restrictions on embryonic stem-cell research and for family planning groups that provide abortions.

“I think Notre Dame should not have issued the invitation, he told FOXNews.com. “This is a colossal mess. This is their mess to fix right now, but they should know they have forfeited an enormous amount of credibility as an institution that takes moral reasoning seriously.”

Weigel said he was not surprised by the outpouring of the criticism following the university’s announcement it had invited Obama.

“Major donors have the most effective leverage in situations like this,” Weigel said. “I hope the donors are paying attention.”

Ralph McInerny, a philosophy professor at Notre Dame for more than 50 years, likened the invitation as a “deliberate thumbing of the collective nose” at the Catholic Church.

“By inviting Barack Obama to be the 2009 commencement speaker, Notre Dame has forfeited its right to call itself a Catholic University,” McInerny wrote in a column for The Catholic Thing.

“It invites an official rebuke. May it come.”

“We fully expected some criticism and have received it, though nothing more than we anticipated,” said Dennis K. Brown, a spokesman for Notre Dame. “I can’t foresee us rescinding the invitation.”

The Church in the U.S.

April 3, 2009

USCCB cites reasons for HHS to keep conscience regulation

By Nancy Frazier O’Brien Catholic News Service

WASHINGTON — Rather than working to rescind a regulation that gives federal protection to the conscience rights of health care providers and institutions, the Obama administration’s proper role is to enforce the will of Congress as already expressed in existing statutes, said attorneys for the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops.

Anthony R. Picarello Jr., USCCB general counsel, and Michael F. Moses, associate general counsel, filed public comments on behalf of the USCCB March 23 with the Department of Health and Human Services.

HHS opened a 30-day comment period March 10 on whether it should rescind a regulation that took effect two days before President Barack Obama took office.

The rule codifies three longtime federal statutes prohibiting discrimination against health professionals who decline to participate in abortions or other medical procedures because of their religious or other moral objections.

“The question is not whether the policy to be pursued is the strong protection of conscience in health care — Congress has already decided that question repeatedly and decisively by a series of statutes — but how best to enforce the policy of conscience protection already expressed in those statutes,” Picarello and Moses said.

The USCCB comments also said rescission of the regulation would conflict with the administration’s stated goals of promoting “choice” and reducing abortions; reduce health care options for the poor and other underserved populations; and perpetuate the “undisguised hostility to conscience rights” and widespread ignorance of existing law that are already rampant.

“If the administration’s policy is one of ‘choice,’ it cannot, consistent with that policy, refuse to accommodate a health care provider’s choice not to participate in abortion,” the USCCB said.

“Otherwise, the policy is simply one of unmasked coercion.”

Similarly, it makes no sense

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 (4/13) the Divine Mercy Holy Hour will be sung at 7:00 PM at Holy Trinity Parish, Route 28, West Harwich, MA, and will continue all week, through Easter Saturday at 7:00 PM.

We will be gathering for the Mercy Sunday celebration, which is not a Mass, at 2:45 PM on April 19.

No Confessions will be available on Mercy Sunday so we encourage all to go to your individual parishes for the Sacrament of Reconciliation.

— For further information call (508) 430-0014 —

to contend that one is working to reduce abortions by increasing access to abortion, the comments said.

“Increasing abortion access increases abortion rates,” the USCCB lawyers said. “The administration cannot coherently — or in good faith — claim to stand for both policies at the same time.”

The USCCB attorneys said rescinding the conscience regulation “would have uncertain effects on access” to abortion and sterilization, but “would certainly reduce access to life-affirming health care services, especially for poor and underserved populations.”

Faced with a lack of conscience protections, health care providers and institutions opposed to abortion or sterilization could be forced out of business, thus reducing access to all health care, they added. “Indeed, the poorest and neediest patients will suffer the most from such reduction in access to life-affirming health care.

“Those who allege a conflict between conscience and ‘access’ neglect to ask why rural and other underserved areas are so frequently served only by a Catholic or other faith-based provider,” the USCCB comments said. “This occurs because for-profit providers see no profit margin in serv-

ing poor or sparsely populated areas, while religiously affiliated providers ... see those patients as having inherent human dignity and human rights.

“If these providers were barred from acting in accord with the moral and religious convictions that motivated them to provide life-affirming health care in the first place, the result will not be more comprehensive health care for these areas but, in some cases, none at all,” they added.

5 As evidence of the need for the current regulation, the USCCB attorneys said negative public reaction even before the rule took effect. They also cited actions by groups such as the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists, the American Civil Liberties Union, NARAL ProChoice America and various state and local governments to ignore or override conscience rights in violation of the current federal statutes.

6

The Anchor The Passion continues

On Sunday, we will all listen to St. Mark’s account of the Passion. We will recall Judas’ perfidy, the failure of Peter, James and John to stay awake in prayerful vigil with the Lord in his agony, the way all of Jesus’ friends abandoned him in the garden, Peter’s multiple denials that he even knew Jesus, the duplicity of the witnesses at his mock trial, and the crowd’s repeated choice of a murderer over Jesus and persistent clamors for his crucifixion. Were it not for the fidelity of those few who stood by Jesus when he was hammered naked to the cross and ridiculed by the chief priests, the soldiers, the passers-by and the robber to his left, it would be a tale of universal betrayal. Jesus, however, in his first word from the cross, cried out not because of the literally excruciating pain, but in supplication for those causing the pain, both his executioners and all those whose betrayals and sins had brought him to the gibbet: “Father, forgive them for they know not what they do!” Even though most were technically aware of every action they were undertaking, all were blind, Jesus reminded his Father, to the significance of what they were carrying out.

Such betrayals of Jesus have not ceased. Many continue to sell out Jesus for a payday. Others, including those closest to him, prefer sleep or comfort to prayer. Others stay mute or run away when he or his bride is attacked. And mobs — including those who are accustomed to shout “Hosanna!” when it’s easy, as many did on Palm Sunday and many still do at Mass — turn on him and elect Barabbas in disguise as many in authority wash their hands out of fear or selfinterest.

As Archbishop Fulton J. Sheen wrote in his powerful meditation for the first station of the Way of the Cross, “Pilate asked the mob to choose between the two: ‘Whom do you want me to release to you, Barabbas or Jesus?’ How would I have answered that question had I been in the courtyard that Good Friday morning? I cannot escape answering by saying that the question belongs only to the past, for it is as actual now as ever. My conscience is the tribunal of Pilate.

As often as I choose to speak the uncharitable word, do the dishonest action, or consent to the evil thought, I say in so many words, ‘Release unto me Barabbas.’ And to choose Barabbas means to crucify Christ.”

Christ is scheduled to be crucified in this way on May 17 in South Bend, Ind. The betrayal came about when Notre Dame University decided to disobey the clear guidelines of the U.S. Bishops’ Conference — “the Catholic community and Catholic institutions should not honor those who act in defiance of our fundamental moral principles” by giving such figures “awards, honors or platforms which would suggest support for their actions” — and award two prestigious honors to President Barack Obama, an honorary doctorate of law and the privilege of delivering its commencement address.

In his first 60 days in office, President Obama has three times acted in defiance of the fundamental moral principle of the natural law, confirmed by revelation and defended vigorously by the Church, that all human life is sacred from the moment of conception. He has forced U.S. taxpayers, in the midst of an economic crisis at home, to fund abortion clinics in other countries.

His administration has announced plans to rescind protections for health-care workers not to participate in procedures that are against their consciences, most notably abortions. He also declared that the government would start paying for human embryos to be created and destroyed for research purposes. President Obama is the first commander-in-chief to view abortion not merely as a regrettable public choice that should be “safe, legal and rare,” but as a public good that is to be promoted by the government and funded not just domestically but overseas.

Notre Dame has given two arguments in its defense. The first is that the invitation to President Obama merely continues a tradition of inviting newly-elected presidents to give the commencement address. The 44th president will be following in the footsteps of Presidents Dwight Eisenhower in 1960, Jimmy Carter in 1977, Ronald Reagan in 1981, George H.W. Bush in 1992 and George W. Bush in 2001. None of those presidents, however, was opposed in principle to the teaching of the natural law and the Catholic Church on the sanctity of innocent human life. It’s also clear from the gaps of presidents in the list that invitations are not pro-forma but deliberate.

The second defense is that the president has been invited to the campus so that a “dialogue” can take place. If the president had received an invitation, for example, to participate in a symposium on how to reduce abortions, there would not have been the same uproar. The president, however, was invited not to share in a dialogue but to give a monologue; in fact, to give the most prestigious address of the academic year. In doing so, the university is not inviting the president to compromise his convictions, but asking faithful Catholic students and others to compromise theirs. By its invitation, the Notre Dame administration is lifting up President Obama as a model of wisdom to the graduating class and saying, in effect, that it is more important for graduates to listen to what he has to say than to what the Church has to say. It’s also saying that the president’s vigorous support for the destruction of innocent human life is in the end a small matter.

To aggravate the situation, the university will bestow on President Obama an honorary doctorate of law, which basically states that it believes he is worthy of esteem as an interpreter, teacher and servant of the law. In his Constitutional Law classes at the University of Chicago as well as during his tenure as a politician, however, Obama has used his formidable legal training to advance the cause of abortion. Testifying before the Illinois State Senate, for example, against protecting from death infants born alive, he put his legal convictions on display: “Whenever we define a pre-viable fetus as a person that is protected by the equal protection clause or the other elements in the Constitution, what we’re really saying is, in fact, that they are persons that are entitled to the kinds of protections that would be provided to a … child that was delivered to term. That determination then, essentially … would forbid abortions to take place … because the equal protection clause does not allow somebody to kill a child.” For a Catholic university to award President Obama a honorary doctorate for this use of the law is about as just, one commentator has noted, as granting Judas Iscariot a posthumous honorary doctorate in business administration.

Various bishops have denounced Notre Dame’s decision because it does affect the Church’s witness as a whole. The most relevant critique came from Bishop John D’Arcy, the leader of the diocese where the university is located. He called the invitation “shocking,” implied it was an instance of choosing earthly “prestige over truth,” and stated that, for the first time in his 25 years as bishop and to prevent further scandal, he had decided not to attend the graduation. In essence, after the bishop’s announcement, Notre Dame was given a choice between having a successor of George Washington or a successor of the Apostles attend its commencement, and its administrators, by refusing to rescind the invitation to the president, decided to prioritize the earthly kingdom over Christ’s kingdom. Such a decision is simply not one that a university faithful to its Catholic identity and to Christ would make.

That the betrayal will occur in a place formally dedicated to Mary, the Mother of all those made in the image of her Son, only makes matters worse. Two thousand years ago and still today, that Mother can hear the cries of the slaughter of those innocents killed in her Son’s place.

“Father, forgive them,” Christ’s words continue to echo, “for they know not what they do.”

April 3, 2009

The Church’s annual weeklong retreat

O

ne of my great joys is to preach retreats institutions bearing the world’s most illustriand parish missions. In my first de- ous surname. The main county on the way to cade as a priest, I’ve given about 30 of them, to Mamou, and the principal church of the city priests, seminarians, religious Sisters and clois- of Opelousas, are both named after St. Landry, tered nuns, those discerning religious life, col- the Bishop of Paris who died in 661. During lege students and high school confirmandi and the mission, I had the chance to meet many of more. The ones I’ve loved the most, however, my long-lost relatives. It was rather striking to are those I’ve given for “ordinary” laypeople, see how consistent the Landry genes are: apwhether “away” at retreat centers or at “home” parently all of the descendents of Guillaume in their parishes.

Landry are vertically-challenged and all of the I think this predilection comes partially adult men have prematurely protruding forefrom my experience as a guide in the Vatican, heads. when I was privileged to witness how deeply The mission exceeded all of my expectations. people’s lives were changed by a pilgrimage Even though Mamou is a town of about 4,000 through an ancient necropolis to the tomb and people, approximately 700 filled the church to bones of the fisherman Jesus chose to tend and capacity each night. The pastor had asked me to feed his flock. So many people would tell me speak on St. Paul’s thoughts on life according to afterward that the 90-minute tour was “like a the Holy Spirit versus life according to the flesh retreat” that brought them to re-examine their and, with long, blunt and “powerful preaching,” relationship with the Lord and commit them- to challenge his people to choose God over the selves to imitating Peter’s fidelity to Christ in flesh. He had put a great deal of work into prothe midst of all their daily activities. I became moting the mission, the first that the parish had so used to seeing deep conversions — among had in decades, and his labors bore fruit. Ofnon-Catholics, fallen-away Catholics, and ten parish missions today draw only the most even among practicing Catholics — that it was fervent Catholics; in Mamou, the zealous were really hard for me to transition to normal par- there, but so were the people who hadn’t seen ish preaching, because I would seldom notice the inside of a church for quite some time, insimilar fruits. vited or shamed I responded there by their in a couple of family memways to that bers and friends. frustration. The The pastor had first was through recruited two leading pilgrimpriest friends to ages to the holy join us in hearBy Father sites of our faith. ing confessions Roger J. Landry I discovered that and we heard getting people for an hour beout of their cusfore each night tomary pews, taking them on an international of the mission and for an hour or more after journey to special shrines and sepulchers of each night’s talk. The confessions were sincere saints, had the effect of “tilling the soil” to re- and profound and many who had been distant ceive the seeds of conversion and holiness that from God for sometime committed, with his the Church teaches is the point of all priestly help, to leave the life of the flesh behind. To work. It didn’t hurt, of course, that these action- me the whole experience was what parish mispacked spiritual adventures with people who sions once were and hopefully one day, in all love to travel are always great fun as well. parishes, will be again.

The second way I responded was through As may be obvious, the main difference another type of pilgrimage. It was during one between a retreat and a mission is that during of my first retreats to laypeople, several years a retreat, people generally leave their parish to ago at the retreat center of the Carmelite Sis- go away with the Lord; during a mission, the ters of the Sacred Heart of Jesus in Alhambra, retreat — and through the retreat, the Lord — is Calif., that I discovered how similar the work brought to them. It is meant to be a re-evangeof a retreat master is to what I loved as a tour lization of a community, which is treated first guide. Just as when I was a guide, I needed to like a “mission” territory and then, with God’s speak for hours — eight 45-minute talks in a assistance, transformed into a missionary band.

40-hour period. Just as with pilgrimages, I was It is an opportunity for the whole parish, and not physically exhausted but spiritually refreshed just individuals, to reflect together on their livat the end of each day from the more than eight ing out of the faith and rededicate themselves, hours of hearing confessions. Just as during my individually and as Christ’s body, to building up time at the Scavi, I routinely saw great fruits his kingdom. of conversion and hunger for God. I soon beOn Sunday, all Catholic parishes and misgan to grasp that the work of a retreat master sionary territories of the world will begin the is to guide people on an interior pilgrimage, an most important annual ecclesial mission or internal exodus, from where they are to the in- weeklong retreat of the year. Holy Week is ternal sanctuary where God longs to enter with meant to be a time in which all of us make them into a transforming union of love. I’ve an interior pilgrimage with Jesus to the upper been using my vacation time to preach retreats room, to Gethsemane, the praetorium, Calvary, ever since. and the tomb. Like a retreat, it’s meant to be a At the beginning of Lent, I went down south week of silence and prayer; like a mission, it’s to preach a retreat and a parish mission. The meant to be a prayer we do together. retreat was in Irondale, Ala., in the shadow of We go with the Twelve and each other to the EWTN studios, where the Sister Servants the Last Supper on Holy Thursday, where Jeof the Eternal Word run a great retreat center sus has earnestly desired to share that Passcalled Casa Maria frequented by Catholics from over meal with us. We accompany the Blessed across the country. In past years I’ve preached Mother, St. John, and the holy, indomitable there during the summer, but I figured that this women on Good Friday, as we keep vigil year I would try to escape the New England with Christ as he mounts the deathbed of the winter and get in a retreat on St. Paul before cross. We enter the darkness of the tomb with the end of the Pauline Year in June. I achieved Christ through death itself and allow the light the latter objective, but as to escaping winter, of his resurrection to ignite us as living taI totally failed. On Sunday morning there was pers at the Easter Vigil. It is the time that we what the Sisters called “the Blizzard of Bir- participate in the greatest and most important mingham,” a whole two-and-a-half inches of pilgrimage of all time, Christ’s Passover from snow, which was the largest snowstorm that death to life. part of Alabama has received in 16 years. The Holy Week is a time during which Christ, as snow, however, was like frosting on the cake of guide, master and mission preacher, leads us on our collective pilgrimage following St. Paul’s an inner itinerary of conversion and holiness. footsteps as he faithfully followed Christ’s.

Like the people of Mamou, let’s make sure we After the retreat, I traveled to Mamou, La. sign up for the pilgrimage and try to bring to all to preach a parish mission in the heart of Ca- nights of the mission those we know and care jun country, the one place in the land where the about. name Landry is like Smith. On the way from Father Landry is pastor of St. Anthony of the airport in Lafayette, we passed dozens of Padua Parish in New Bedford.

Putting Into the Deep

Protestantism: Its background and origin

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ctober 31, 1517, is a wa- text. In that vast stretch of time known as the Middle Ages, usutershed date in Church ally reckoned as A.D. 500-1500, history. On that day Martin the Catholic Church was the Luther, a priest of the Augustinpreeminent institution both in ian order and university profesthe religious and secular realms. sor, posted his 95 Theses on the Her influence wasn’t limited to door of All Saints Cathedral in Wittenberg. His goal was to challenge the selling of indulgences The Fullness in the traditional fashion of a scholar: he of the Truth posted his theses, really his grievances, on the

By Father church door in hopes Thomas M. Kocik of instigating a debate.

Little did he know that in a few years he would what was viewed as religious, find himself in the German city for European culture as a whole of Worms with his life on the line, confronted by the Holy Ro- was informed by Christian faith.

(As Pope Benedict XVI asserts, man emperor. the very idea of Europe was To understand Luther’s ideas the work of Christian civilizaand why he was willing to die for them, we need historical con- tion.) Church institutions served

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The Anchor

April 3, 2009

Thessalonica

he articles for this fervent converts (Acts 17:1-9) column over the remainbut, mostly, fervent controing weeks of the Pauline Year versy and then persecution. The will be based on three sources: upside was that he had his usual the letters of Paul, the Acts of success among the Gentiles the Apostles, and history. They and the prominent women of complement each other beautithe town and rejoiced to see fully. If all we had was the Acts the beginnings of the Church of the Apostles, we would never well established there. But then, know that Paul had written his persecuted and pursued by both letters, since they’re not even unbelieving Jews and Gentiles mentioned there. If all we had alike, he decamped to Beroea were the letters, we’d be unable and then Athens. From Athens, to situate them in the chronology of Paul’s life. If all we had was Living the history, we’d know next Pauline Year to nothing about Paul himself. So off we go, piecing together inforBy Father Andrew mation from these three Johnson, OCSO sources to give us a glimpse into the people who actually knew St. Paul. he sent Timothy back to check He dearly loved the Thessaon his beloved Thessalonians lonians. It can’t be stated more and, when he returned with clearly than that. Though he joy at their steadfast faith, Paul didn’t get to Thessalonica until poured out all his love in words. his second missionary journey So who were they? They (52 AD or so), they were still were inhabitants of a large, among his first converts and 1 wealthy, important port city Thessalonians is probably his in the northern part of Greece oldest letter still existing and (today’s Saloniki) which gained therefore, the oldest book of the its wealth from its position on New Testament. First Thessaan important trade route, the Eglonians contains not a word of natian Way. It was the capital of rebuke or censure, only affirma- the Roman province of Macedotion and exhortation. Second nia, so it had civil and political Thessalonians is darker in its importance as well. They were warnings and fears for the little Jew and Greek, bond and free, flock, but still full of the love of male and female. Most of Paul’s a father for his children. converts here were Gentiles, He had arrived in Thessalonmany of them men and women ica from Philippi with Timothy who had already become prosand Silvanus (or Silas) and elytes to Judaism. Imagine their found the going tough at first. joy when they heard from Paul As he usually did, he headed that the Messiah of their longing for the synagogue to preach had already come in the person the good news of Christ to his of Jesus of Nazareth. fellow Jews. That went about What did Paul feel he needed as well as it usually did: a few to say to these children of his

weary travelers, nursed the sick, and cared for orphans. Almost all schools were Church-run.

Monks copied ancient manuscripts and preserved the books of the Bible and much of classical learning for future generations. The Church patronized the arts and music. Since there was no social security, welfare, or unemployment compensation, people in need turned either to their families or to the Church.

As ever, the Church needed money to support her many activities. Churches had to be built, orphanages staffed, and clergy supported. Since most bishops at that time owned manors and received great income from them, a bishopric provided the when he wrote? He gave thanks for the good condition of the little Church and returned to memories of his stay among them. He exhorted them to increase even more their faith and love. He taught them, in hope, about the coming of the Lord and the condition of those Christians who will have died before his return. He exhorted them to prepare for that day and still to live fully in the moment and in the community until it arrived. All the ethics, all the teaching, all the exhortation are set in the context of Christ-like living, which makes it anything but dry or academic. The sheer joy of being a Christian shines forth in every line. Later there will be questions about the Final Judgment and the delay of the Lord’s coming which Paul answers in the second letter, but the tone is always serene and affectionate. A brief instruction on avoiding idleness in the first letter becomes a major topic in the second, so we can gather that the Church in Thessalonica, though sound, had its “issues.” “Anyone unwilling to work should not eat,” says the Apostle (3:10).

These two letters invite us to imagine what it must have been like in one of Paul’s communities at the dawn of his mission: joyful, simple, loving, yet also deeply human and inquisitive as to the full implications of Gospel living. Thessalonian life was perhaps not so different from modern life at all, or at least the better side of it.

Father Johnson is diocesan director of the Pauline Year and parochial vicar at St. Francis Xavier Parish in Hyannis.

means to wealth. It was therefore assumed that a donation would be made to the pope when a new bishop was appointed; in fact, bishoprics were often sold to the highest bidder. Simony, the buying or selling of Church offices, was the major vice of the Western Church at that time, despite its repeated condemnation by ecumenical and regional councils, then-most-recently by Lateran IV in 1215. Moreover, when someone became pope, it was assumed by his family members that they should benefit from their relative’s good fortune. Thus, all popes saw a steady stream of “nephews” seeking Church jobs. Often they were chosen not for their religious intentions or piety, but for their family connections.

Giovanni de Medici was born at Florence into the wealthiest family of the time. At age 14 his family purchased for him a cardinal’s hat, and in 1513 he was elected pope at the ripe old age of 37, taking the name Leo X. As pope, Leo was conscientious about his religious duties.

Although he didn’t view the papacy as an opportunity to enrich himself (as other popes had), he did wish to beautify Rome and rebuild St. Peter’s Basilica, which was not yet the magnificent church that it now is.

To help raise the money for such an undertaking, Leo practically auctioned off the vacant archbishopric of Mainz, in Germany, an important position that would generate much revenue for its holder. Albrecht of Brandenburg bid the highest; but he was already the archbishop of Magdeburg, and Church law barred him from holding more than one diocese. Leo agreed to grant Albrecht a dispensation from the rule and to appoint him archbishop of Mainz in return for 10,000 ducats and the first year’s income from the archbishopric. Albrecht, for his part, regarded this as an investment and hoped to recoup his expenditure by selling indulgences. Leo authorized the sale of indulgences in the archdiocese for eight years, on condition that half the proceeds go to Rome.

I expect most Catholics would

be hard-pressed to explain what exactly an indulgence is. To be fair, most Protestants probably couldn’t articulate the central doctrines of the Reformation; but among those having some knowledge of their religious heritage there is a vague awareness that Luther’s protest began with an attack on indulgences, which had something to do with working or, worse, buying one’s way into heaven. If you’re foggy on indulgences, read articles 1471-79 of the “Catechism of the Catholic Church” before proceeding. Suffice it to note that they are, and always have been, closely related to the idea of purgatory, which is inexplicable apart from the communion of saints. The doctrine of purgatory holds that after death souls not wicked enough to deserve hell but not yet fit for heaven must undergo purification before entering heaven. If, however, the sinner while still on earth confesses his sins with true contrition, does penance, and then gains an indulgence by performing a good work, he can shorten his stay in purgatory, or perhaps even pass immediately to heaven. Indulgences may be gained also on behalf of the faithful departed.

Luther’s original critique was that the abuses surrounding indulgences – specifically, attaching an indulgence to a financial contribution, which amounted to the sale of indulgences – undercut true penance. Faith, contrition, and discipleship are as important as the good deed, of course; but not all clergymen were clear on that point. Johann Tetzel, the greatest indulgence salesman of his day, is best remembered for his little jingle: “As soon as the coin in the coffer rings / The soul from purgatory springs.” As he roamed the German countryside, the coffer filled many times over, much to the delight of the bishops of Mainz and Rome. Who wouldn’t spend a few coins to attain salvation?

We’ll delve into this issue next time, as well as examine Luther’s life and personality.

Father Kocik is a parochial vicar at Santo Christo Parish in Fall River.

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he scene is set ... the die is cast, from now until next Sunday we live in the “high holy” days of our faith. The question put to Simon Peter by the servant girl in the courtyard on the “night before Jesus died, ‘aren’t you one of this man’s followers?’” — is also placed before each one of us.

How will we answer that question? Like Simon Peter we have some choices to make: to claim our place as fo1lowers of Jesus, even if it means suffering with him, or risk denying him along with those consequences.

There is a bittersweet feeling that carries through all of today’s scriptural texts. The reading from Isaiah describes the lone figure who shadows the person of the Lord’s servant known to us later as Jesus. One can almost feel the tenacity of this servant who witnesses to the obedient servant, while at the same time having the courage to suffer the consequences of discipleship, brutal as they are.

The Anchor

April 3, 2009

We are followers of Christ

The familiar reading from St. sword to Simon of Cyrene; from Paul’s letter to the Corinthians Mary Magdalene to Joseph of does in fact reveal in Jesus that Arimethea. The premise suglone figure about which Isaiah gested that we put ourselves speaks. In this second reading we in the place of each one of the are also given the very reason, the Holy Week characters in order “why” of Holy Week: “He (Jeto feel what they felt; to identify sus) empties himself … human in with one or the other. From this appearance ... becoming obedient to the point of death, even death on a Homily of the Week cross.”

Palm Finally, St. Mark’s Sunday version of the Passion of Our Lord, short as it

By Father is, serves to show that James M. Fitzpatrick Jesus’ prophecy before the Sanhedrin is fulfilled: the tomb is found to be empty. emerge the sentiments that make During this past year I worked these our high holy days. Which with a Jesuit priest in spiricharacter do you most identify tual direction (or rather, spiritual with? companionship). Part of that Holy Week is a week of emospirituality suggested that I look tions; we move from hosannas at all of the characters of Holy (praise and glory) to the loneliWeek, from Jesus to Peter; from ness at Gethsemane. There is Pilate to Mary; from the soldier suspense and anxiety as the week who pierced Our Lord with the continues: Jesus’ last words to his

Apostles are a sort of a farewell.

At the meal of Holy Thursday night there is confusion and wonderment as the Apostles join the Lord Jesus at the table; did they understand what he had just done for them?

What follows after this comes the question: “Aren’t you one of this man’s followers?” Like most of the scriptural characters I have just mentioned, they like us, had the desire to follow Christ whole-heartedly, yet fell short due to their and our humanity.

Years ago there was a popular expression that asked the question: “If you were arrested for being a follower of Jesus, would there be enough evidence to convict you?”

That is perhaps the question to ask as we approach Holy Week; are you one of his company and would there be evidence to convict you? When we apply that

question to all those scriptural characters I mentioned earlier, I wonder how each of them would fare. The extent to which we can humbly see ourselves reflected in all of these figures, walking the road from Palm Sunday to Easter Sunday, will make or break Holy Week 2009.

The sounds of “Hosannas” will shortly give way to the clinking of 30 pieces of silver.

Next we hear the voice of Jesus giving the mandate to love along with words powerful enough to change bread and wine into Eucharist. Good Friday’s voice is that of Jesus submitting to the Father’s will and concludes on Easter morning’s proclamation, “We have seen the Lord!” In the end, let the risen Christ give us the courage to proclaim “We are of his company … We are followers of Christ.” Amen …

Alleluia.

Father Fitzpatrick is in residence at St. Mary’s Parish in New Bedford.

Upcoming Daily Readings: Sat. Apr. 4, Ez 37:21-28; (Ps) Jer 31:10-13; Jn 11:45-56. Sun. Apr. 5, Palm Sunday of the Lord’s Passion, Is 50:4-7; Ps 22:8-9,1718a,19-20,23-24; Phil 2:6-11; Mk 14:1-15;47 or 15:1-39. Mon. Apr. 6, Is 42:1-7; Ps 27:1-3,13-14; Jn 12:1-11. Tues. Apr. 7, Mass of Chrism, Is 49:1-6; Ps 71:1-4a,56ab,15,17; Jn 13:21-33,36-38. Wed. Apr. 8, Is 50:4-9a; Ps 69:8-10,21bcd-22,31,33-34; Mt 26:14-25. Thu. Apr. 9, Holy Thursday; 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 12:1-8,11-14; Ps 116:12-13,15-16bc,17-18; 1Cor 11:23-26; Jn 13:1-15. Fri. Apr. 10, Good Friday of the Lord’s Passion, 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.

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n January 30, an apostolic visitation of religious orders of women in the United States was announced.

The Leadership Conference of Women Religious, whose membership includes most of the Sisters whose manner of life and apostolates will be explored, subsequently released a measured statement, expressing its “surprise” at the Vaticanmandated visitation. The LCWR statement also hinted vaguely at a degree of alarm, noting that the visitation’s “purposes and implications for the lives of

Sisters on a different mountain top

U.S. women religious remain was then published with Schunclear.” neiders’ permission in the online A far more forthright comNational Catholic Reporter. ment on the visitation came There was nothing vague about from Sister Sandra Schneiders, Schneiders’ reaction to the imIHM, who teaches New Testament at the Jesuit School of Theology in Berkeley and is completing a multi-volume study of post-Vatican II religious life. SchBy George Weigel neiders’ letter on the visitation was originally intended for friends and colleagues; it inevitably pending visitation: leaked into the blogosphere and “I am not inclined to get into too much of a panic about this investigation — which is what it is. We just went through a similar investigation of seminaries, equally aggressive and dishonest. I do not put any credence at all in the claim that this is friendly, transparent, aimed to be helpful, etc. It is a hostile move and the conclusions are already in. It is meant to be intimidating. But I think if we believe in what we are doing (and I definitely do), we just have to be peacefully about our business, which is announcing the Gospel of Jesus Christ, fostering the Reign of God in this world.

“We cannot, of course, keep them from investigating. But we can receive them, politely and kindly, for what they are, uninvited guests who should

The Catholic Difference

be received in the parlor, not given the run of the house.

When people ask questions they shouldn’t ask, the questions should be answered accordingly.

I just hope we will not, as we American religious so often do, think that by total ‘openness’ and efforts to ‘dialogue’ we are going to bring about mutual understanding and acceptance. This is not mutual and it is not a dialogue. The investigators are not coming to understand — believe me, we found that out in the seminary investigation. So let’s be honest but reserved, supply no ammunition that can be aimed at us, be non-violent even in the face of violence, but not be naive.

Non-violent resistance is what finally works as we’ve found out in so many arenas.”

Between the circumspection of the LCWR and the call-to-arms of Sister Sandra Schneiders, I’ll take Schneiders’ any day. Hers is perhaps the most candid summation of the cast of mind of many American religious women I’ve read in years.

What it avoids, however, is the clear implication of Schneiders’ use of “them” to identity the “investigators”: “them” are not, so to speak, “us.” “We” are not of, or with,

“them.” “Them” reminds me of the Master of Trinity in “Chariots of Fire,” speaking of a Cambridge student whose approach to athletics (and indeed life) he deplored: “A different god; a different mountaintop.”

What Sister Sandra Schneiders’ admirably frank letter suggests is that the women religious who share her views live in a form of schism. It’s not a formal, canonical schism.

One might call it a kind of psychological schism, in which the outward forms of ecclesial unity are tenuously maintained, but the inner “self” (as these renewed sisters might put it) is, well, somewhere else.

The balance of Schneiders’ letter argues that she and her colleagues have “birthed a new form of religious life,” and makes clear that she and those who stand with her will accept no one’s appraisal of the Catholic authenticity of their creation but their own. That’s an accurate, honest description of the current state of affairs. It’s also bespeaks a form of schism.

Will the impending visitation take a cue from Schneiders and have the courage to name these things for what they are? And if so, then what?

George Weigel is Distinguished Senior Fellow of the Ethics and Public Policy Center in Washington, D.C.

Potluck suppers and why they matter

and love our own faith and then Thursday 2 April 2009 — strive to understand where the Three Mile River — Reconciliother is coming from. I prefer ation Day (as suggested by the to start by socializing with our late Ann Landers in 1989) ’ve never felt ecumenically challenged. This is probably because my extended Reflections of a family is a mélange of Parish Priest religious denominations.

You name it; we have it.

By Father Tim The prejudices that were Goldrick once common (on both sides) never reached me. “separated brethren.” It’s not You can’t disown your cousin only more productive, it’s also because he or she was born a fun.

Methodist or a Baptist or an Whenever another denomiEpiscopalian. nation invites me to a church I’m not one for getting into supper, I try to attend. It seems erudite theological discussions with those of other faiths, unless to me that more grassroots ecumenism happens at a potluck they want to initiate. I suppose supper than at a symposium of this makes me a failure as an scholars. apologist. We must first know

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The Anchor

April 3, 2009

The Ship’s Log

The Taunton Area Clergy Association has sponsored a weekly potluck supper and Lenten prayer service for years.

This year, I was able to participate.

I pulled my truck into the back parking lot of the Methodist church.

There was a problem.

There were so many entrances I couldn’t figure out how to enter the building. I noticed a group of people standing outside a basement door. As I drew closer, I surmised that this must be a renegade group of Methodists. They were smoking cigarettes. Who ever heard of a smoking Methodist?

The smokers greeted me warmly, nonetheless. “Welcome. Are you a friend of Bill

Look good, feel great; Lenten renewal part III

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Doubling back for a minute to his is the final column step two of the spiritual renewal in a three-part series process, we have to remember on spiritual renewal for Lent. I that it is because of the regretbegan the series by introducing table, human tendency to put old St. Paul’s process of spiritual sin back on that we must conrenewal as outlined in Ephesians tinue through the whole process 4:22-24. “You were taught, of renewal in order to experience with regard to your former way full reconciliation with God. As of life, to put off your old self, I explained previously, with the which is being corrupted by its analogy of a house swept clean deceitful desires; to be made of demons given by Jesus in the new in the attitude of your Gospel of Luke, we cannot only minds; and to put on the new cast out our demons and clean self, created to be like God in true righteousness and holiness.”

In the sacrament of baptism we find all three steps of St. Paul’s process literally acted out during the ceremoBy Heidi Bratton ny, especially if it is performed by complete immersion. Termed the our house, and then expect that “most expressive baptism posthe demons will not return. They sible” in the “Catechism of the will return, Jesus tells us, bringCatholic Church” [1237-1243], ing a few demon friends with baptism by immersion is conthem, too. Therefore, we must ducted in the following manner: actively displace the demons, or 1. First the baby arrives at pack our lives so full of goodness the church in his own, ordinary that there is not even the slightest clothes. He is then completely bit of room left for the return of undressed before the baptismal wickedness. font as a visible sign that he has Returning to St. Paul’s gar“put off” his old self. ment analogy, when I have been 2. Then the naked baby is sorely tempted to capitulate to washed clean of original sin by vice instead of holding out for triple immersion in the baptism virtue, it helps me to theorize in waters. this way: “If this sin or vice I’m 3. Finally, the baby is struggling with were a piece of redressed in a clean white clothing, just how dreadful would baptismal garment as a visible it be to wear? Just how ugly or sign that he has “put on” a new uncomfortable would I be in it? self, which is created to be like And so, instead, what astonishChrist. ingly beautiful virtue could I put What a lovely image to repon in place of that sin?” resent the final step of St. Paul’s, St. Paul does a similar thing three-step process of spiritual in the verses following his great renewal; the image of a beautigarment analogy in Ephesians 4. ful infant, radiantly robed in his In verses 25-32 he doesn’t say, white baptismal gown.

Home Grown Faith

“Now that your soul is clean, just stop sinning.” Instead he insists we go to step three and actively replace falsehood with truth, anger with prompt, truthful communication, and stealing with useful work. We could, in fact, go through our entire spiritual wardrobes envisioning the vices as stained, ripped garments, and then replacing them with the neatly pressed, fresh smelling virtues. A specific virtue would grace our spiritual closets where a specific vice once hung; chastity would replace lust, justice would crowd out corruption, kindness would take the place of envy, and so forth.

Catholic tradition also provides us with what I like to think of as a jewelry box of special prayers, unique devotions, and the corporal and spiritual works of mercy from which we can choose a whole host of genuinely godly behaviors to replace our usually self-serving ones; precious gems in place of plastic beads.

The beauty of St. Paul’s garment analogy for the process of spiritual renewal is that children so easily understand it. They already know the process of taking off play clothes, having a bath, and putting on special clothes for a birthday party or for Easter or just putting on clean pajamas for going to bed. And so, there we have it in a nutshell; St. Paul’s very teachable, three-step process for looking good and feeling great.

Heidi is an author, photographer, and full-time mother.

She and her husband raise their six children in Falmouth. homegrownfaith@gmail.com.

W.?” That’s the password for Alcoholics Anonymous. I had stumbled into an AA meeting. I later learned that this particular church hosts several weekly 12step groups.

I asked the AA people for the church meeting. They directed me. Again, it was the wrong group. I found some folks from yet another denomination gathering for a Bible study. It seems that these Methodists share their church with another small congregation. How sensible is that?

I eventually got a whiff of food and followed my nose. At last, I found the potluck supper. It was then I realized I had come to a potluck and didn’t even have a pot. I determined to cover my tactical error by pretending I had already eaten.

The Methodists called my bluff.

I was ushered to the buffet table.

Hospitality is essential in any church, Catholic or Protestant.

After supper, we all went into the church proper. I had never been in the church. It was functional but plain, with none of the costly architectural details one might expect. I didn’t take this as a sign that the congregation favored starkness. The message to me was that this congregation had never been able to afford grandeur. Like my own, this was a congregation struggling with financial challenges. It was, however, easy to see where priorities had been placed. The sanctuary was dominated by a large pipe organ. There was also a concert grand and a baby grand piano. I could see that music was important to them. The other major sanctuary appointment was a lofty pulpit. Preaching was obviously a priority.

I was the preacher. Before the service began, the pastor called me aside to join her and the Minister of Music in a kind of private prayer huddle.

Then the opening hymn began. The mixed-denominational congregation sang every verse, and with gusto. The pianist/ vocalist was stellar. She had training in the Gospel music tradition.

I climbed the stairs into the pulpit. I was worried whether I had prepared to preach for as long as the Methodists expected me to preach. When a priest preaches longer than seven minutes, Catholics start plucking money out of the passing collection basket instead of dropping it in.

Speaking of collections, one thing struck my Catholic sensibilities as odd. As part of the service, the minister prayed over the empty collection plate. After the plate had circulated and returned, she offered another prayer, this time over the full collection plate. Although I do lift the collection basket slightly at the Presentation of the Gifts, I don’t pray over the contents.

Maybe I should try it and see what happens. Who knows?

Maybe the one-dollar bills will change denominations.

After the service, an elderly minister approached and mentioned that he had recently attended Mass in a Catholic church. He said the priest walked down the aisle with a hand-held microphone. He felt badly that the microphone had somehow become so waterlogged that the priest had to shake it to get the water out. I seized the moment to describe the aspergillum used in the Rite of Sprinkling. My new minister friend was relieved.

It’s so easy for us to misunderstand denominations not our own. Lack of understanding is an impediment to ecumenism.

Let’s hear it for potluck suppers.

Father Goldrick is pastor of St. Nicholas of Myra Parish in North Dighton.

10

The Anchor

April 3, 2009

Take another look at our youth, the future may be brighter than imagined

By Michael Pare Anchor Correspondent

Please visit us at: www.CarmelTerrace.org or 508 788 8000 933 Central St. Framingham, MA 01701 On the campus of St. Patrick's Manor

who serves as a wonderful influence in her life.

Finney, for example, spearheaded Annunciation TAUNTON — If you are one of those folks of the Lord’s “Food Fast” this past weekend. who have become jaded in your opinion of to- Every year, the youth of the parish participate in day’s youth, if the baggy pants and blaring music the 24-hour fasting event to raise money for an and incessant fixation with text messaging has organization called “Food for the Poor,” which you convinced that our future is in jeopardy, then ministers to spiritually renew impoverished people throughout Latin America and the Caribbean. you should meet Allison Almeida.

And know that there are so many others like The “Food Fast” program has opened her eyes, and the eyes of others, said Almeida, not only to her. They just don’t tend to generate headlines.

Allison is an 18-year-old parishioner at An- poverty throughout the world, but also to poverty nunciation of the Lord Parish in Taunton, and a closer to home. So Almeida and other members senior at Bristol/Plymouth Regional Technical of the youth group fasted all weekend.

Almeida and others also mixed in the PortuSchool, studying in its Community Health Proguese Romeiros pilgrimage during the weekend, gram and on schedule to graduate this spring. a walk in which they She already works as a visited several parishes certified nursing assisand a cemetery, praying tant at Morton Hospital for others along the way. and plans to become a She walked — while registered nurse, where fasting — for about six she hopes to specialize hours. Almeida menas an operating room tions this almost as an nurse. afterthought. It’s not exThat Almeida has traordinary in her eyes. chosen a career path that But Almeida’s humility will find her, above all, is tangible. helping other people, Her father sees it. comes as no surprise And, yes, he said, he and to those who know her his wife are quite proud well. Folks like her pasof their daughter. tor at Annunciation of “She really likes to the Lord, Father Timohelp people,” said Jaime thy Driscoll. At her parAlmeida. ish, Almeida sings in the Whether she realizes Portuguese Choir, asit or not, Almeida is part sists with confirmation of something very speclasses, and helps with cial at Annunciation of the parish youth group. the Lord. Father Driscoll “She is just so inplaces great emphasis on volved in the life of the parish youth group, the parish,” said Father which is called “Coram Driscoll. “She brings an ANCHOR PERSON OF THE WEEK — Allison Deo” or “The Presence awful lot of spirit to the of God.” parish and in anything Almeida.

In a message on she is asked to do.”

And maybe most importantly, notes the pas- the parish Website, Father Driscoll states: “Our tor, are the messages that she delivers to other youth, as Pope John Paul II often remarked, are not the future of the Church, they are the present parish youth.

“She is a role model to all of the younger of the Church. I am pleased that so many of our people in our Faith Formation program, our con- youth want to stay involved in the life of our parfirmation classes, and our youth group,” he said. ish family. Their energy and enthusiasm brings a “She has a love for her faith and for her parish.” sense of new life and hope to our parish.”

Allison Almeida gets it. She understands that Asked to explain this dedication to her parish, Almeida is quick to credit her parents, Jaime the youth group is critically important, not only to and Aida, who always took her to Mass. She also those young people who take part, but to her parish, mentions her grandparents. As a child, attending and to the Church. Whether it is a fasting event, a Our Lady of Lourdes School, her mother’s par- walk, or even a Pawtucket Red Sox baseball game, ents would take her to Mass each morning. Al- there is a deeper message being delivered.

“They’re going to need young people in the lison would walk over to school after Mass.

It was not always easy, this daily routine. Church,” she said. “Some kids here wouldn’t There was the sense any child would have that have friends within the parish if it wasn’t for she was going to Mass because she had to. But our group … this helps them get to know peolooking back, Almeida sees an impression was ple.”

Meeting Allison Almeida and others like her instilled.

“I realize now what a good thing it was,” she makes the future look bright.

To nominate a Person of the Week, send an said.

Almeida also mentions Susan Finney, of email message to FatherRogerLandry@Anthe parish Faith Formation office, as someone chorNews.org.

April 3, 2009

The Anchor

11

12

CNS Movie Capsules NEW YORK (CNS) — The following is a capsule review of a movie recently reviewed by the Office for Film & Broadcasting of the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops.

“I Love You, Man” (DreamWorks) A socially awkward Los Angeles realty agent (Paul Rudd) becomes engaged to his live-in girlfriend (Rashida Jones) but lacks a male friend close enough to be his best man until a chance meeting with a crudely uninhibited slacker (Jason Segal) leads to almost obsessive bonding. A morally positive wrap-up and Rudd’s gift for delivering creatively contorted wordplay fail to prevent director John Hamburg’s buddy comedy, which also features Andy Samberg as the realtor’s gay brother, from foundering in blue language, tasteless jokes and indiscriminate sexual values. Premarital cohabitation, a promiscuous gay character, much sexual and some gross-out humor, pervasive rough and crude language, and at least one profanity. The USCCB Office for Film & Broadcasting classification is O — morally offensive. The Motion Picture Association of America rating is R — restricted. Under 17 requires accompanying parent or

The Anchor adult guardian.

“Knowing” (Summit) A Boston astrophysicist (Nicolas Cage) discovers that a timecapsule document buried 50 years ago at his son’s (Chandler Canterbury) school accurately predicted all the major disasters of the intervening decades, and sets out to prevent the three calamities, one of them potentially global, it warns will transpire in the near future, eventually aided by the daughter (Rose Byrne) of the woman who wrote it as a schoolgirl (Lara Robinson). Director Alex Proyas’ vastly ambitious, genre-melding drama begins as a horror tale but becomes, by its spectacular though sobering climax, a haunting meditation on faith, sacrifice and family unity. Disturbingly realistic catastrophe scenes, brief sexual humor and a few instances of crude language. The USCCB Office for Film & Broadcasting classification is A-II — adults and adolescents.

The Motion Picture Association of America rating is PG-13 — parents strongly cautioned. Some material may be inappropriate for children under 13.

“Monsters vs. Aliens” (Paramount) Affable animated comedy-adventure in which a trio of kindly monsters (voices of Seth Rogen, Hugh Laurie and Will Arnett) led by a once-ordinary woman (voice of Reese Witherspoon) who became a giant after being struck by a meteor, are released from government captivity in the custody of a gung-ho general (voice of Keifer Sutherland) and commissioned by the president (voice of Stephen Colbert) to combat an evil alien (voice of Rainn Wilson) whose schemes threaten humanity. Co-directors Rob Letterman and Conrad Vernon create a lavish 3-D homage to 1950s-era sci-fi B-movies that also celebrates friendship, teamwork and the heroic potential of everyday people. Also shown in Imax. Moderate action violence and a bit of vaguely sexual and slightly crude humor. The USCCB Office for Film & Broadcasting classification is A-II — adults and adolescents.

The Motion Picture Association of America rating is PG — parental guidance suggested. Some material may not be suitable for children.

Diocese of Fall River TV Mass on WLNE Channel 6 Sunday, April 5 at 11:00 a.m.

Scheduled celebrant is Msgr. Stephen J. Avila, pastor of St. Mary’s Parish in Mansfield and diocesan director of the Television Apostolate

April 3, 2009

Let’s cover his ears too

T

he identity of the artist who created the masterpiece on the video store in New Bedford that appears on page one of this week’s Anchor was finally revealed. There’s another project that would be just perfect for Mark Carvalho. But this job would involve some travel.

Below you’ll find a photo of “The Word of Life,” mural of the risen Christ painted on the Hesburgh Library on the campus of Notre Dame University in South Bend, Ind. The work of art is better known across America as “Touchdown Jesus,” because it prominently

My View From the Stands

By Dave Jolivet

overlooks the Notre Dame Stadium gridiron.

What I’d like our New Bedford artist to do is to have the risen Christ covering his ears this time.

Not to drown out the roars of the crowd during football season, but to send a message to the so-called Catholics at the prestigious university who have blatantly snubbed their collective noses at Christ being the way, the truth, and the LIFE. Yet, the powers that be at Notre Dame don’t find a problem with the invitation they extended to President Barak Obama to be the 2009 commencement speaker.

In less than 100 days in office, Obama has approved funding abortions in other countries, allowed experimentation on human embryos, and continually promises to sign the Freedom of Choice Act into law, basically giving carte blanche to the slaughtering of the

innocents in this land.

Despite waves of protest from Pro-Life Catholics, the “Catholic” university defiantly continues its plans for the Obama speech.

So New Bedford artist, we need you to cover the ears of “The Word of Life” (ironic isn’t it?) that he may not hear the roar of the many who will welcome a man who will be responsible for the annihilation of millions of unborn children over the next four years.

We need you to cover Christ’s ears that he may not hear the painful wails of the tiny victims.

We need you to cover Christ’s ears that he may not hear Obama eloquently wax about the “needed change” in this country.

We need you to cover Christ’s ears so he will not hear the faculty, student body, and families as they’re duped into believing that killing the unborn and tinkering with human embryos is OK, by Obama’s ignoring the topic.

We need you to cover Christ’s ears so he won’t hear the lame excuses why Obama’s visit was a positive thing.

I didn’t know the Fighting Irish meant duking it out with the culture of life.

Shame on Notre Dame University for allowing this to happen.

Shame on those who have sold out their Catholic faith. Shame on those who don’t have a problem with extending an invitation to a man who obviously disregards human life in all its natural progression.

To all those responsible for this, for the alum who agree with it, and the students who are excited about the prospect, may the good Lord have mercy on your souls when you ask him. Let’s hope he’s not covering his ears at the time.

THE LORD OF LIFE — This mural, “The Word of Life,” depicting the risen Christ is painted on the Hesburgh Library on the campus of Notre Dame University in South Bend, Ind. (CNS file photo)

April 3, 2009

Jesus appears on video store wall continued from page one

to get people thinking.

Anchor attempts to reach Carvalho were unsuccessful.

While the seven-foot tall icon is instantly recognizable as the Sacred Heart of Jesus, instead of affecting his usual pose with arms outstretched he has both hands shielding his eyes in a stance reminiscent of the proverbial “see no evil” monkey.

It’s this one obviously intentional change in the traditional depiction of Our Lord that piqued everyone’s curiosity for more than a week and resulted in a steady stream of intrigued people coming to see it for themselves since its first appearance.

“To me, Jesus is so tired to see so many things on the streets,” said Evangelina Teixeira, tears welling up in her eyes. “My sister told me about it and said I should go see Jesus, the way he is, with his eyes closed.”

A parishioner at Our Lady of the Immaculate Conception Church in New Bedford, Teixeira offered her interpretation as to why Jesus is hiding his eyes. “I’m 74 and I’ve never seen things the way they are today,” she said.

“I think that he’s trying to tell us he doesn’t like what’s going on in the world,” added Marion Montembault, a parishioner at Our Lady of Fatima Church. “The way things are going — the people, the killings, the war — everything.”

“Jesus is trying to close his eyes to it, like there’s been enough and maybe he can’t take it much longer,” said Joanne Ferry from Our Lady of Perpetual Help Parish in New Bedford.

“I think the person who did it is trying to say there are a lot of things going on that Jesus doesn’t want to see,” said David Santos, a parishioner at St. Julie Billiart Church in North Dartmouth. “This is not the way he intended things to be, let’s put it that way.”

But not everyone was willing to ascribe a deeper meaning — religious or otherwise — to the painting.

“It’s just a joke as far as I’m concerned,” said Debbie Costa, an employee at Premier Video. “I have no idea why they picked this spot. Maybe it’s the first wall they came to.”

“We woke up one morning and it seemed to have just appeared,” said neighbor Richard Horton, who has a clear view of the image from his front window. “Of course, it was done overnight. People are curious mostly.”

Msgr. John J. Oliveira, pastor of St. Mary’s Parish just up the road from the video store, said while he thought the depiction was “very well done” and “artistic” he didn’t understand why people were compelled to make a pilgrimage to see it.

“I find it curious that people were drawn to an image of Jesus on a video store wall when there are similar statues of Jesus inside three churches within the immediate area,” Msgr. Oliveira said.

Robert Machado, owner of the retail building that is home to Premier Video, Ray’s Pizza, L.A. Look Hair and Nail Salon, New England Comics, St. Anne’s Credit Union Mortgage and Loan Center, and now Jesus Christ, was adamant about keeping his newest tenant even before Carvalho came forward to claim ownership of the rendering.

“It’s Jesus Christ, I have no intention of taking it down,” Machado said. “I’ve spoken to people and I haven’t heard one negative thing about it — from the customers or any of the store owners.”

Machado may have a point: Jesus’ sudden appearance on the video store wall has yet to elicit any negative reaction. Of the steady flow of at least 40 curious onlookers who drove into the parking lot within an hour one afternoon, not one — regardless of belief or denomination — had anything cynical or critical to say about the image.

In fact, most seemed somehow uplifted by it.

“I’m just glad it’s not something derogatory,” said Frank Medeiros from New Bedford. “It’s a positive thing and I think people need to open their eyes in this city.”

“There’s a hymn that says ‘it makes him sad to see the way we live,’” said Shirley Cabral, a Protestant from New Bedford. “In that hymn is a very telling message for our time, because there are so many people who have moved away from the faith and no longer live their lives in a Christian way.”

Although Carvalho encouraged people to interpret his artwork and everyone had an opinion as to why Jesus might want to hide his eyes, Msgr. Oliveira seemed to have the simplest explanation of all.

“We know that the image of the Sacred Heart of Jesus is generally depicted with his arms open, exposing his wounds in a welcoming gesture,” he said. “Perhaps during this Lenten season, it’s symbolic of Jesus himself not feeling welcomed.”

13

The Anchor

T

Role model runways

he financial crunch seems But Pure Fashion offers to be opening the door to more than a bunch of attractive more modest clothes. This is ocevents. The program aims to curring in spite of the logic that build virtues that complement says modest clothes require more and uphold modesty. A young fabric and should cost more. woman’s inherent dignity is No, retailers have not become emphasized. This creates in her overnight moralists. Looking to a desire to dress and act acdrum up more business, howcordingly. If a teen-ager can be ever, they are more interested in helped to discover her interior catering to the desires of potenworth, she won’t have to rely tial clients for more modesty. on what others think of her to And there are a good number of feel good about herself. And she women seeking just that. won’t feel obliged to dress so as A BIGresearch poll of 5,000 to win unwholesome attention consumers last month resulted in from others.

64 percent strongly agreeing with A Pure Fashion model underthe statement, “Fashions for young people have gotten too provocative.”

Brenda Sharman, the national founder of the group Pure Fashion, doesn’t waste time

By Joan Kingsland pondering the effects of a weaker economy on the clothing industry.

According to her it’s always stands it’s all about forming a possible to be trendy but modest. healthy self-image that permits Her group provides a refreshing you to respect both your own answer to the fashion dilemma. self and others. It means letting Pure Fashion is an interyour interior beauty shine. It also national faith-based program, involves being a good role model operating in 24 U.S. cities, and is for other girls. sponsored by the Regnum Christi Some Pure Fashion models Movement. It offers a six- to demonstrate that they’re happy, eight-month model training pronormal, trendy teens in a video gram that culminates in a cityclip found on USA Today. They wide fashion show of “clothing also speak warmly and confidentthat is pretty but not provocative, ly about their decision to wear trendy but still tasteful” (Pureclothes that are stylish but modest.

Fashion.com). Both moms and Liz Cunningham explains how daughters appreciate what Pure she likes using the “box analFashion does for young women. ogy” when she gives short talks The 2008 Atlanta fashion to girls on modesty and fashion. show drew a crowd of nearly One box is torn and loosely 2,000 people. There are a variety wrapped. You can see everything of attractive activities that lead up without having to open it, so the to the grand finale fashion show. gift is not very attractive. The There’s a mother-daughter tea other present is beautiful. The at the Ritz-Carlton, a Christmas ribbon is tightly wrapped around outreach project, a public speakit and there’s a cute bow on top. ing workshop, hair and makeup It has an element of mystery to it, day, as well as “project runway.” because the paper doesn’t reveal

Faithfully Feminine Fashion

what’s underneath. Liz says this gift is worth having.

These models comprehend that they themselves are gifts, so they need to take proper care of themselves. They want to protect their mystery and they’re convinced this makes them attractive. Liz says she wants to become a woman who is strong, feminine, nurturing and beautiful.

Pure Fashion is well suited for the adolescent herd mentality, when peer pressure is so strong.

For one, it provides the meeting ground for teen-age girls to make many like-minded friends. The Website also provides a list of clear modesty guidelines for looking stylish, cute and modest at the same time.

This matches with the adolescent’s desire for clear principles along with the reasons why. Finally, the program presents a high ideal of self-giving and happiness along with the virtues needed for reaching that goal. Young people are by nature idealistic. They just need help to discern what’s worth pursuing in life.

The fashion show clip on PureFashion.com shows pretty, confident girls gliding gracefully down the runway in decent clothes from fashionable outlets.

Younger girls crowd the runway looking up with delighted, starry eyes. They obviously can’t wait until they’re old enough to be the ones on the runway. These little ones are already learning the valuable lesson that dignity, virtue and self-respect are always in fashion.

Joan Kingsland, a consecrated woman of Regnum Christi, teaches theology at Mater Ecclesiae College in Greenville, R.I. This is the fourth installment in a six-part series.

14

The Anchor

April 3, 2009

Trio recognized for Pro-Life efforts continued from page one

they would accept it on behalf of all those who have kept vigil at the clinics — oftentimes alone. To their credit, they have succeeded in bringing this nationwide campaign to our diocese.”

“I’m very grateful for the wonderful work on behalf of human

April 3-5, 2009 April 9-12, 2009 April 14, 2009 April 16, 2009 May 8-9, 2009 May 11, 2009 May 12, 2009 May 16, 2009

life that has been accomplished by our honorees,” Bishop George W. Coleman said of the three award recipients. “Through their respect for life and through their efforts to protect and cherish human life in all its stages, they are building up an organization of love.”

~ Women’s Retreat ~ Triduum Retreat ~ Prayer Shawl Ministry ~ Grief Education ~ Stop the World...I Want to Get Off ~ Grief Education ~ Prayer Shawl Ministry ~ Cancer Survivors Day Retreat

EVER VIGILANT — Ronald J. Larose and Stephen J. Marcotte were jointly presented with the John Cardinal O’Connor Award at the recent annual Pro-Life Mass held at St. Julie Billiart Church in North Dartmouth, for their work in bringing the national “40 Days for Life” campaign to the Fall River Diocese. From left: Larose, the bishop, and Marcotte. (Photo by Kenneth J. Souza)

‘40 Days for Life’ continues; Pro-Life vigil ends Palm Sunday

By Deacon James N. Dunbar

ATTLEBORO — Fresh from receiving his Pro-Life Award in North Dartmouth on the morning of March 25, Steve Marcotte by

Fill Your Easter Basket with Trappistine Quality Candy!

early afternoon was back visiting the faithful in their peaceful vigil outside the abortion clinic at 150 Emory Street.

Marcotte and co-director Ron

Larose of the “40 Days for Life” campaign that links the daily vigil outside the clinic with prayer and fasting, were the adult recipients of the annual Cardinal John O’Connor Award from the Fall River Diocese’s Pro-Life Apostolate, at a Mass celebrated by Bishop George W. Coleman in St. Julie Billiart Church in North Dartmouth.

“We are half-way in this second 40-day campaign we’ve conducted and it will end on April 5, Palm Sunday, said Marcotte, who, with Larose is a member of Our Lady of Mount Carmel Parish in Seekonk.

Speaking from his cell phone, Marcotte said “We’re still managing to have people participating in covering the 6 a.m. to 6 p.m. hours of the vigil every day, and it may seem redundant — because I’ve said it so often — but we are truly blessed to have so many clergy and laypeople and more recently, whole parish groups participating.”

An ecumenical prayer rally from 5 to 6 p.m., on Palm Sunday, will bring the current vigil cycle to a close.

“After that we will celebrate along with our Protestant friends who have been taking part along side us in the vigils with refreshments and acknowledgements at the Good News Bible Chapel on West Street,” Marcotte reported.

“We’ll also be viewing our DVD slideshow about the campaign,” he told The Anchor.

“It is comprised of many photos taken during the 40-Days campaign, which are accompanied with music, and it’s beautifully done and most interesting,” he explained.

The local “40 Days for Life” campaign in the Fall River Diocese is among 173 national campaigns at abortion clinics in 45 states, two Canadian provinces, and Puerto Rico for the largest Pro-Life mobilization in history.

Volunteers can get more information and sign up at www.40daysforlife.com/Attleboro; or by calling Steve Marcotte at 508-406-1211, or contacting him at 40dfattleboro@comcast.net.

April 3, 2009

15

The Anchor

Our readers respond

Women and the washing of feet on Holy Thursday With the approach of the sacred Triduum, our family’s conversation often turns to what new innovations we will experience this year.

When our four daughters were in their formative years, we became aware (via parents from other parishes) of a wide variation of adherence to Roman Catholic standards.

Holy Thursday and the Mass of the Lord’s Supper have become a particular topic of concern. Regarding the washing of the disciples’ feet, the norms of the Church are clear, that only men are to have the feet washed because only men were present at the last supper. The general consensus at our house is that clearly, if our blessed Lord wanted women included, he would have done so. Jesus was never opposed to departing from the cultural norms of the day, particularly where women were concerned. It’s been distressing to us that so many pastors have ignored the Church’s expectations. With all due respect to them, giving in to the very vocal demands of a few parishioners in the hopes of being “progressive” tends to make those who look forward to the beauty of this most important Eucharist feel like second class Roman Catholics, who love and accept Church teaching, but whose convictions are overlooked.

There are five women in our household who feel this way. How many more women in the pews feel the same hurt and sadness we do?

Most of us would think it absurd and be scandalized if in a Hollywood depiction of the crucifixion, Peter, James, and Andrew were inserted into the scene at the foot of the cross instead of Our Lady and the two other women who were there with St. John. The Gospel is true, and yet in some parishes we are repeatedly being subjected to its hijacking during one of its most significant moments. I would assume that for a young man with a priestly vocation, it could be the moment when he realizes the gravity of his divine call with regard to offering the holy sacrifice. For the sake of being trendy, could we be losing the beauty and dignity of that life changing moment for him? In this regard, would The Anchor consider publishing a list of parishes that do not intend to deviate from the Gospel and liturgical norms?

Laurie Larsen-Silva East Sandwich Removing the freedom of conscience clause In regard to the March 20 editorial, voters elected President Barack Obama despite the fact he repeatedly said he was going to make changes, which included to legalize abortions.

Under the last administration, doctors had the right to refuse to perform abortions, if it was against their conscience to do so. Currently, President Obama wants to remove the freedom of conscience clause and force doctors to perform

abortions, even if it is against their conscience. This is totally unacceptable. I hope the public will speak out against this bad change.

Under the Constitution, we have God-given rights. The day our government controls even our consciences will be a sad and bad

day for America. For evil will continue as long as good people do nothing.

President Ronald Reagan on Aug. 23, 1984 said, “Without God democracy will not and cannot long endure…. If we ever forget that we

are one nation under God, then we will be a nation gone under.”

Pray for our president and all our elected officials, our senators and representatives as well.

Alice Beaulieu New Bedford

16

Youth Pages

April 3, 2009

A much-needed ‘drop in the ocean’

By Olivia Bratton and Brittany Jenny Special to The Anchor

GLOBAL FORMING — First-grade students at Holy Name School in Fall River are happily engaged making paper mache globes.

This is one part of their Social Studies assessment for the diocese.

HEARTS OF GOLD — Students from St. Mary’s School, Mansfield, participated in the fourth annual Hearts at Play coloring contest sponsored by Children’s Hospital, Boston. Heart patients from the hospital were the celebrity judges for the event. Winning entries will be displayed on the hospital’s television network bringing smiles and enjoyment to all of the patients and their families.

From left: Linnea Carchedi, Children’s Hospital representative, Grade Two; Meaghan Cahill, First Place, Grade Five; Sofia Pelletiere, Third Place, Grade Three; Matthew O’Keefe, Second Place, Grade One; Paden Palanza, First Place, Grade One; and Zachery Vienneau, Children’s Hospital representative, Grade Two.

SCIENCE NON-FICTION — Nine students in grades six through eight, from Taunton Catholic Middle School, advanced to the Massachusetts Region III Science Fair. Projects were presented for judging by Emma Gasson, Angelina Smith, Lauren Connon and Daniel Shurtleff, Grade Eight; and Samantha Toli, Shawn Carlsen, Ethan Mafouz, Brian Tracey, and Marissa Scott, Grade Six. From left: Carlsen, First Place and Highest Score; Toli, Third Place; Smith, First Place; and Gasson, Honorable Mention.

HONDURAS — During February vacation, a group of 28 students and adults from Christ the King Parish in Mashpee received the opportunity to serve the needy in Honduras.

Inspired by the devotion of many previous missionary groups from the Diocese of Fall River, the teens and accompanying adults had been preparing for the trip since last summer through prayer, meetings, and fund-raisers such as car washes and pasta suppers.

Support flooded in from every corner of the diocese, with schools and parishes collecting donations of supplies and money. The time that the group spent in Honduras taught them how to pray through their work.

On the morning of February 14, the group, along with family and friends, gathered to celebrate a Mass preparing them for the trip.

Immediately after the Mass, with the help of handy vehicles such as buses, planes, vans, and cars, they made their way to Honduras.

A day later, the team arrived at the mission site near Comayagua around noon, unsure of what the week would hold. They were greeted by a group of five longterm missionaries. These “longtermers” were spending a few months or longer serving the people of Honduras through Mission Honduras. They were in charge of the work projects, the mission house, the coordination of the short-term missionary groups, and many other things. During that time, each of them had found Honduras to be a place of discernment. Throughout our week with them, the long-termers blessed our group with their funny personalities, wonderful Catholic examples, and genuine friendships.

The following morning, the teens and adults began the work project that was assigned to their group; cleaning and painting the walls of a boys’ dormitory at a primary school.

Dirty clothes hung over clotheslines strung from one end of the room to the other greeted us when we entered the worksite. There were cobwebs everywhere, and an awful smell engulfed the room.

By the end of the week, however, the missionaries’ work had cer-

REFRESHING TREAT — Honduran schoolboys at La Villa line up to receive a treat of watermelon.

tainly paid off. The once dark and gloomy dorm rooms were now brightly painted and welcoming.

When the group was done with the work project each day, they went to one of the following communities to play with the kids: Guadalupe (the girls’ school), La Villa (the boys’ school), or Margarita Cook (the abandoned mothers and children housing project).

One afternoon, the team had the opportunity to bring a special treat to La Villa: freshly-sliced watermelon. Within 20 minutes, two large watermelon containers had been devoured, and the remains were dripping off the faces of more than 40 happy kids.

A couple of the adults from the team began to pick up the empty containers to bring them to the spigot for a rinsing, but they didn’t get far. Two of the young boys immediately sprang up to take charge, and insisted upon cleaning the bins themselves, in order to show their gratitude.

The energy that enabled the team to continue their exhausting work came from the gift of prayer, a very important part of the week. Each morning at 7 o’clock, a Communion service was held in the chapel at the mission’s volunteer house. Long and short-term missionaries participated in the Liturgy of the Word and received the Eucharist. At noon, everyone in the mission house gathered around a tall cross in the courtyard to pray the Angelus, the traditional Catholic devotion celebrating Jesus’ incarnation. Finally, the Liturgy of the Hours was recited each evening before dinner. The group found that having a structured form of prayer taught them how to set aside time each day to

ARTIST AT WORK — Matthew Laird, a sophomore at John Paul II High School in Hyannis, paints the walls of a boys’ dormitory in Guaimaca, Honduras.

simply be with Christ so as better to recognize, serve and love him in others.

During the week, we needed to battle a fierce stomach bug, which took down 13 out of the 28 people of our group. Everyone stepped up to take care of those who were sick by bringing medicine, composing get-well cards, or just sitting with them. God always brings good out of evil and the community bond within the team grew stronger through their struggles with virus.

Another battle we confronted was between hope and despair.

The extent of poverty in Honduras enveloped the missionaries wherever we went. It opened our eyes to the sharp contrast between our lifestyles in America and those of our contemporaries in Hondurans.

Many of us found it difficult to believe that the small amount of work they were doing in Honduras could have any impact on the country, and so the struggle to keep the faith was constant.

We found hope, however, in the words of Mother Teresa, who once said, “What we are doing is just a drop in the ocean. But if that drop was not in the ocean, I think the ocean would be less because of that missing drop.”

At the end of each day, we had some time to unwind, whether it was through journaling, meditating, or having dance parties. These nightly reflections gave us a chance to talk with each other and share the struggles and triumphs of the day.

Our group grew closer to each other and God through these activities.

This trip to Honduras opened the eyes of all 28 missionaries. Emma Charpentier, a senior at Barnstable High School, said, “This was a lifechanging experience, and I definitely want to go back.”

While it is a dream for many to journey on such mission trips, it is not always possible. Even those who cannot physically make the trip, however, can participate as co-missionaries by supporting the people going on the trip through prayer and donations. By being co-missionaries those who remain at home can also live out the great commission. We thank all those who supported us.

For more information on Mission Honduras and how you can get involved go to http://www.missionhonduras.com/.

April 3, 2009

F

ickle: not a word you hear every day, but you can see examples of fickleness everywhere. According to Webster’s Dictionary, fickle means “wavering; inconstant, especially in affection; unstable; of changeable mind; not firm in opinion or purpose.”

This weekend we celebrate Palm Sunday or Passion Sunday. The people who welcomed Jesus into Jerusalem waving palm branches and shouting “hosanna” would soon show that they were fickle.

Within the week, those same voices would be yelling “crucify him!” That’s the epitome of a fickle heart. Where is the loyalty? We wonder how people could be that quick to turn on Jesus, but perhaps we should look at our own behaviors before we judge anyone else.

Are our hearts fickle? Are we faithful and unfailing in our relationship with Christ? Is our worship consistent or is it intermittent? I’ve noticed over the years that there are many more people at Mass on Palm Sunday than on the average Sunday. The same holds true for Ash Wednesday, and of course, Christmas and Easter. They are sometimes referred to as C.A.P.E. Catholics (Christmas, Ash Wednesday, Palm Sunday, Easter.) Remember to keep holy the Sabbath requires a weekly commitment to worship if we desire faithfulness.

Youth Pages Fickle or faithful

We read how the Pharisees were always looking for a way to trap Jesus.

They would connive behind his back and plot their next move.

Backstabbing seems to have a long history in human relationships; we

By Jean Revil know it didn’t end with the time of Christ.

There are many examples today ranging from the Madoff scandal on Wall Street to the school cafeteria in our own town, and probably every office and workplace in between. Do we contribute to gossip?

Do we desire to see someone fail? Do we complain about others but fail to approach the person with whom we have the problem? Where’s the loyalty? How is this being faithful to the teachings of Christ?

The people we work with, or go to school with, or just pass by on the street are our brothers and sisters.

And, of course, we can’t leave out the major “hot-button” issues of our day.

Some people decide to pick and choose which teachings of Catholicism they will live by and which they will reject. I guess that’s OK if you’re not Catholic.

You may find that some of the

Be Not Afraid

Church’s teachings fit well into your personal life view and adopt them.

But if you are Catholic, you need to be Catholic all the way.

You need to make up your mind and be faithful. I often speak to confirmation classes during the year and I tell them that the Church needs faithful Catholics. We don’t need more fickle Catholics who are not firm in their faith or firm in their purpose of building the Kingdom of God. As we pray and reflect on the readings

17 in the coming week, may we come to a deeper realization that we all play a part in the passion of Jesus. Our sins contributed to humanity’s need for salvation. We are as fickle as the ones who shouted for his crucifixion. He died for us, each one of us, and he continues to offer forgiveness. So many people have been reconciled to God during this Lenten season.

So many have returned to the sacraments and renewed a commitment to be faithful. May they be an example for all of us.

We are not going to be perfect, but as a people, as a Church, we need to be less fickle and more faithful.

Jean Revil teaches spiritual theology and thanatology at Bishop Stang High School. Comments welcome at: jrevil@ bishopStang.com.

Diocesan vocations events planned

FALL RIVER — Bishop George W. Coleman will lead a holy hour for vocations at St. Mary’s Cathedral on Divine Mercy Sunday, April 19 at 3 p.m. The event will include adoration of the Blessed Sacrament and singing of the Divine Mercy Chaplet. A light reception in the Cathedral school will follow.

The diocesan Vocations Office is hosting a men’s discernment retreat weekend May 1-3 at St. John’s Seminary in Brighton, geared toward men 18 years and older.

Young men who feel they may have a calling to religious life are asked to consider spending a weekend in prayer and fraternity to listen intently to what God may be asking of them.

Interested individuals should contact Father Kevin Cook, assistant diocesan vocation director at frkcook@coylecassidy.com, or by calling 508-823-2521.

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The Anchor

Priests’ convocation will key on ministering in today’s culture

By Deacon James N. Dunbar

FALL RIVER — When the priests of the Fall River Diocese take a break from their ministries to gather in convocation December 15-17, it will not be for a winter respite.

“Rather, we will be answering the call to join with our bishop and each other as we reflect on the challenges of preaching the Gospel effectively and the difficulties our secular culture bring to pastoral ministry … as well as assist each other to advance in personal holiness,” reported Father Mark R. Hession.

While many dioceses hold such a convocation annually, this is the first time in four years that Fall River diocesan priests have held one, said Father Hession, director of Continuing Priestly Formation for the diocese and pastor of Our Lady of Victory Parish in Centerville.

“For us priests it is needed time away, to be with Bishop George W. Coleman, our chief priest, and share the Eucharist at Masses and other common prayers and meals, and spend time in adoration before the Blessed Sacrament and in meditation,” Father Hession explained.

“This is a most important collaboration because we must remain healthy, holy and effective in our priestly ministry as we face daunting problems that can make it harder to maintain bonds of friendship and mutual support,” he

added.

At the same time, parishioners in the parishes diocesan wide “will be fasting from the presence of priests … with no Masses on the Wednesday and Thursday (December 16 and 17) during the convocation, and with funeral Masses put on hold” for later in the week, he said.

Efforts are being made for at least one daily Mass those days in each of the diocese’s five deaneries. Masses will also be available at the N a tional Shrine of Our Lady of La Salette in Attleboro as well as Our Lady’s Chapel and the Sacred Hearts Dr. John Cavadini R e t r e a t House in the New Bedford Deanery.

“We ask for the people’s prayers for the well-being of the whole presbyterate as we seek to strengthen our fraternity and zeal,” he said.

The theme for the gathering, taking from the Revelations 22:20, is “Amen! Come, Lord Jesus! Pastoral Ministry in a Season of Expectation.”

The formation will include four, two-hour sessions “set in the con-

Our Lady’s Monthly Message From Medjugorje March 25, 2009

Medjugorje, Bosnia-Herzegovina

“Dear children! In this time of spring, when everything is awakening from the winter sleep, you also awaken your souls with prayer so that they may be ready to receive the light of the risen Jesus. Little children, may He draw you closer to His Heart so that you may become open to eternal life. I pray for you and intercede before the Most High for your sincere conversion.

“Thank you for having responded to my call.”

Spiritual Life Center of Marian Community One Marian Way Medway, MA 02053 • Tel. 508-533-5377 Paid advertisement

text not of an intellectual exercise but in true meditation drawn from four experiences of lectio divina — biblical passages,” Father Hession noted.

They will be lead by the principal speaker, a layperson, Dr. John Cavadini, professor of theology and chair of the Department of Theology at the University of Notre Dame. He is a noted contributor to the ongoing formation for priests, as well as support of bishops, especially in the Diocese of Fort Wayne-South Bend in Indiana.

Cavadini is a scholar of patristic and early Medieval theology with special interests in the theology of St. Augustine as well as in the history of biblical exegesis.

The topics for Cavadini’s talks will focus on the modern world characterized by such major cultural deficits that make pastoral ministry so difficult: poverty and unemployment, aggressive secularism, scandal in the Church, and the lack of quiet. The reflections are meant to find a practical way to turn these deficits into assets, opportunities for blessings.

The speaker will also address the spiritual dimension of formation, the teaching and sanctifying of offices and the ministry of individual priests.

“So, it is easy to see that this convocation time is very important as we priests with the Holy Spirit’s help accomplish Christ’s mission in his Church and survive in an environment of malaise,” Father Hession said.

April 3, 2009

Reconciliation Weekend a great success continued from page one

many felt great relief and they cried tears of joy at being set free.

“They released years of things that were buried deep in their souls.

They thanked me, and I told them it is Jesus who is full of mercy and love. We priests have just slipped in to help him. There were times when I choked up at seeing God’s grace at work.”

“It was absolutely wonderful … it was exceptional,” reported Father Michael Racine, pastor of St. Bernard’s Parish in Assonet Village.

“For the first try at a Reconciliation Weekend, we did wonderfully.

We had spoken of it from the pulpit, and the scriptural readings for the weekend were most timely. It was very well publicized.

“We had 65 people come to receive the sacrament of reconciliation,” he added. “But it was not the numbers, but the quality … because there was a lot of healing going on.

What’s nice is that these were our parishioners.”

What Father Racine was jubilant about was that for one of the penitents, “it was his first time back to confession in 29 years.”

The format used at St. Bernard’s was that on the Friday night following the Stations of the Cross, led by Paul Levesque, a candidate for the permanent diaconate, the Blessed Sacrament was exposed for adoration as Father Racine awaited penitents in the confessional.

“It was a steady flow from 7 to 9 p.m., and I was busy,” he told The Anchor. “I heard confessions again on the Saturday morning, and I was again busy, and it was a better turnout than the regular time for confessions in the afternoon.”

He added, “I think this weekend should become a regular part of our Lenten programs.”

At St. Joseph-St. Therese Parish in New Bedford, pastor Father Philip N. Hamel heard confessions on the Friday from 6:45 to 10:35 p.m., “and people just kept coming,” he reported. “We had only two- to fiveminute breaks the whole time.”

“We began adoration of the

Blessed Sacrament at 7 p.m., and people had an opportunity to spend time in adoration before and after going to confession, and it worked out well,” he said. Adoration was maintained all night until 3 p.m., on the Saturday.

“The line at the confession was steady again on Saturday … when I heard confessions from 10 a.m. to 12:15 p.m., and from 1:30 to 3:30 p.m., and 80 people — including a few who had been away from church for quite a few years — came for the sacrament of reconciliation,” Father Hamel said.

“People asked me if I was tired after all those hours. But oddly enough, I was not. I found it easy, and think it is because of the grace of the sacrament.”

Father Daniel O. Reis, pastor of Our Lady of the Immaculate Conception Parish in New Bedford, also spent much time in the confessional, and heard an amazing 285 confessions, all by himself.

“I was in the confessional Friday from 7 to 10 p.m., and it was very steady,” he said. “I think some people even left because the line was so long,” he reported.

On Saturday he was back in the confessional from 10:30 a.m. to 12:15 p.m., and with a 15-minute break for lunch, resumed administrating the sacrament from 1:30-3 p.m.

“This is a time in Lent when many parishioners in Portuguese parishes usually come to the sacrament of penance, and we are used to the big numbers,” he said.

“We still have penance services ahead when we join with priests at other parishes to hear confessions in their churches, and so we are always busy like this during Lent,” he explained.

“But it was very, very good, and I am happy so many people came.”

Prior to the weekend, pastors announced the Reconciliation Weekend in their parish bulletins and from the pulpit, posters, and a Website, YouTube video, radio ads and stories and publicity in the secular media and in The Anchor, are seen as factors in the success.

The diocese provided parishes with preparation sheets on examination of conscience for use of penitents prior to entering the confessional.

The experience found many pastors offering input and recommendations as to how to make the weekend even more successful, reported Father Roger J. Landry, executive editor of The Anchor, who was at the helm of the Reconciliation Weekend.

In a March 26 letter to his priests, Bishop George W. Coleman expressed his gratitude to Father Landry and others who assisted him.

Bishop Coleman has asked Msgr.

Edmund J. Fitzgerald, chairman of the Presbyteral Council, to form a committee with Father Landry to help evaluate the weekend and to assess the possibility of repeating it.

April 3, 2009

Around the Diocese Eucharistic Adoration: Eucharistic Adoration ACUSHNET — Eucharistic adoration takes place at St. Francis Xavier Church, 125 Main Street, Mondays from 9 a.m. to 6:30 p.m., ending with evening prayer and Benediction.

BUZZARDS BAY — Eucharist 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 TAUNTON — Eucharistic adoration takes place First Fridays at Holy Family Church, 370 Middleboro Avenue, following the 8:30 a.m. Mass until Benediction at 8 p.m.

FALL RIVER — Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament is held every Friday from 8:30 a.m to 6:30 p.m. in the Lourdes Chapel at Notre Dame de Lourdes Church, 529 Eastern Avenue.

NEW BEDFORD — Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament takes place at St. Joseph-St. Therese Church, 51 Duncan Street, Mondays following the 8:30 a.m.

Mass until 1:30 p.m. For more information call 508-995-2354.

Father William Mitchell SS.CC; served in missions and parishes

NEW BEDFORD — Congregation of the Sacred Hearts of Jesus and Mary Father William Alphonsus Mitchell, 87, a missionary to Japan and who ministered in the Enthronement of the Sacred Heart, died March 21.

Born in Cleveland, Ohio, the son of the late Vincent and the late Ursula (Cizauskas) Mitchell, he joined the Congregation of the Sacred Hearts of Jesus and Mary in 1943. He took his first vows in September 1944 in Wareham, and his final vows in 1947.

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.

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.

TAUNTON — Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament takes place every First Friday at Annunciation of the Lord Church, 31 First Street, immediately following the 8 a.m. Mass and continues throughout the day. Confessions are heard from 5:15 to 6:15 p.m., concluding with recitation of the rosary and Benediction at 6:30 p.m.

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.

WEST HARWICH — Our Lady of Life Perpetual Adoration Chapel at Holy Trinity Parish, 246 Main Street, holds perpetual eucharistic adoration. For open hours, or to sign up call 508-430-4716.

Miscellaneous: Miscellaneous ATTLEBORO — A closing ceremony for the “40 Days for Life” campaign will be held at Vigil Park Sunday at 5 p.m. A reception will immediately follow at the Good News Bible Chapel, 235 West St. A light meal will be served by the Attleboro and Seekonk Knights of Columbus councils. To sign up or for more information call 508-339-1127.

ATTLEBORO — Actor Frank Runyeon will present “Hollywood vs. Faith: A TV and Film Actor Tells the Inside Story, With Humor” at the National Shrine of Our Lady of La Salette, 947 Park Street, tomorrow at 7 p.m. in the welcome center. Runyeon, a veteran of more than 1,000 television shows, urges his audience to think about the media. For information call 508-222-5410 or 508-236-9068.

CENTERVILLE — A Mass of the anointing of the sick will take place at the parish center of Our Lady of Victory Parish, 230 South Main Street, on Divine Mercy Sunday, April 19 at 11:30 a.m. Refreshments will follow. For information call 508428-6019 or email: dianejdupont@verizon.net.

DENNIS — What freedoms will you lose if the Freedom of Choice Act passes and what can you do about it? This will be the focus of a discussion by Bea Martins, director/chairman of the Fall River Chapter of Mass. Citizens for Life, tomorrow at 12 p.m. at the Dennis Library, Route 28. For information call 508-776-9506.

MASHPEE — Christ the King Youth Ministry will present “A Walk with Jesus: A Living Stations of the Cross” on Good Friday, April 10 at 3 p.m. in the main church, The Commons. The passion play will include readers, performers and music and all are invited to attend.

NEW BEDFORD — The Catholic movement Communion and Liberation will sponsor a Way of the Cross beginning at St. Joseph-St. Therese Church, 1960 Acushnet Avenue, and processing through Brooklawn Park to Ashley Boulevard and Tarkiln Hill Road on Good Friday, April 10, beginning at 11 a.m. All are invited to join this procession. The Way of the Cross will include prayers, readings and hymns and will be accompanied by Father Accursio Ciaccio, FSCB, who will provide brief meditations at various stops in the park. The Way of the Cross will conclude at 1 p.m. at St. Mary’s Church on Tarkiln Hill Road. For more information, call Robert Sampson at 508-525-0051.

NORTH DARTMOUTH — Dr. Ray Loranger will speak on “Emotional Freedom” at the Fall River Diocese’s Family Life Center, 500 Slocum Road, April 1 at 7 p.m.

Questions may be directed to Loranger after the presentation and refreshments will be available.

NORTH EASTON — A Holy Week retreat featuring the new film, “Rosary Stars: Praying the Gospel,” will be offered at the Father Peyton Center, 518 Washington Street April 6, 7 and 8 beginning at 11 a.m. The film features meditations and inspiring reflections by contemporary film and sports personalities with the rosary led by a rosary star. Mass will follow at 12 p.m. For more information, call 508238-4095.

TAUNTON — The faith community of St. Andrew the Apostle Parish, 261 Tremont Street, prays the Stations of the Cross every Friday during Lent at 6:30 p.m.

WEST HARWICH — The Novena of the Divine Mercy, which begins on Good Friday, should be said individually through Easter Sunday to give precedence to the Triduum in all parishes. Beginning Easter Monday, the Divine Mercy Holy Hour will be sung at 7 p.m. at Holy Trinity Parish, Route 28, and continue through Easter Saturday at 7 p.m. A Mercy Sunday celebration will be held at 2:45 p.m. April 19.

No confessions will be available on Mercy Sunday so all are encouraged to go to their parish for the sacrament of reconciliation. For information call 508-4300014.

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The Anchor

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

April 6 Rev. Philip Lariscy, O.S.A. Founder of the New Bedford Mission, 1824 Rev. Edward J. Mongan, Retired Pastor St. Mary, North Attleboro, 1920 Rev. Msgr. John A. Chippendale, Retired Pastor, St. Patrick, Wareham, 1977 Rev. Lorenzo Morais, Retired Pastor, St. George, Westport, 1980 Rev. Msgr. William D. Thomson, Retired Pastor, St. Francis Xavier, Hyannis, 1987 Rev. Gerald E. Conmy, CSC, Associate Pastor, St. Ann, DeBary, Fla., 1994 Rev. Msgr. Francis J. Gilligan, P.A. STD, Archdiocese of St. Paul, 1997 Rev. Lucien Jusseaume, Chaplain, Our Lady’s Haven, Fairhaven, Retired Pastor, St. Roch, Fall River, 2001 April 7 Rev. James A. Dury, Retired Pastor, Corpus Christi, Sandwich, 1976 April 8 Rev. Alvin Matthews, OFM, Retired, Our Lady’s Chapel, New Bedford, 1988 April 9 Rev. Cornelius McSweeney, Retired Pastor, Immaculate Conception, Fall River, 1919 Rev. Edward F. Dowling, Pastor, Immaculate Conception, Fall River, 1965 April 10 Rev. John P. Doyle, Pastor, St. William, Fall River, 1944 April 11 Rev. John F. Downey, Pastor, Corpus Christi, Sandwich, 1914 April 12 Rev. John Tobin, Assistant, St. Patrick, Fall River, 1909 Rev. Msgr. Alfred J. Gendreau, STD, Retired Pastor, Notre Dame, Fall River, 1996 Rev. Edward P. Doyle, O.P., St. Raymond, Providence, R.I., 1997 Rev. Bertrand R. Chabot, Retired Pastor, St. Anthony of Padua, New Bedford, 2002

He was ordained a priest on June 6, 1950 in Washington, D.C., and was assigned to Enthronement duties.

In 1951, he was one of three priests sent to Japan Father William to work in Mitchell, SS.CC. the missions of the congregation in the Mito, Ibraraki Prefecture, and began studies in the Japanese language. He later served in the Yamagata

Prefecture.

In 1981 Father Mitchell returned to the United States and resumed work in Enthronement.

He leaves two sisters, ZitaJean McCartney of Highland Heights, Ohio, and Dr. Ruth U. Mitchell of Apex, N.C. A wake and prayer service was held March 26 at the Damien Residence in Fairhaven. His funeral Mass was celebrated March 27 in St. Joseph’s Church in Fairhaven, followed by interment in the Sacred Heart Community Cemetery there.

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The Anchor

April 3, 2009

ANOTHER STEPS TOWARD THE PRIESTHOOD — Riley Williams, center, a seminarian for the Diocese of Fall River at the Pontifical North American College in Rome, was recently installed as an acolyte by Cardinal Edmund Szoka, archbishop emeritus of Detroit. Williams, in his second year of theological studies, has now received the ministries of lector and acolyte.