04.09.04

VOL. 48, NO. 14 • Friday, April 9, 2004

FALL RIVER, MASS.

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The news vof the Resurr~,tion must !l1ave seemedt9m' g~odto 'heii!rue for tli~~ ~lrstC~!istians.'1;'hey had:} folffiwed Jesus for three ye~s.,:lt~tening to Hifi,l'and h;iintfi~ Hitp. 1J~'!'¥ heard~ib' predict re·peatedly that He >,; would suffer, die and th.eni"ise-ag.mn,"'bu(they ~idn't!~jrlk tt,\would aQ·L;·· ;,happen. They had even ~~t~hed a~r'\ He raised three diffeFetif peopI~~on::t.tD~ ~deap ~..tlie centurjon,'s d. e widow's son; and His frien~; r ~> . Lazarus - bu,t still th~y~;~~~t, ';,~:~ct!h~~l:fiwoUld riselniin the;' the)Lwatched as Jesus w~~L' t arrested, tortured and exeettteiL" ,tnecb()pet\ley had plaQedin aim 'on the cross' nd was buri ' , eSqB'!had bee a" fraud. with Him in the tomb. \~~g~1l.~:.QltM!~;c4~~M?1? the,,~isci~s 1legafl I"

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Father John J. Murphy esc

Notes From the Hill

thers Seminary, chaplain at the Cardinal Cushing Hospital in Brockton and chaplain at the Good Samaritan Medical Center. He had been' administrator of Holy Cross Parish in Easton .. . ..

ThIS bnef synopsIS ofpolitU:al Candaras, Casey, Coughlin, DeLeo, nal vote. Some could not stomach from 1968 to 1969 and was its \ pastor from 1969 ~ntil 1980. goings on in Boston and Washing- Finneran, Gobi, Howland, LeDuc, supporting the so-called comproFrom 1995 to recently he ton is provided by the Massachu- Mariano, Naughton, Verga, Wagner, mise amendment that forces an impossible choice on the general pubheld the Elder Status at My setts Cat.holie.Conf.erence (MCC), and Walrath. lic. Others could not stomach the On the final vote of the day to Brothers Keeper Ministry in thepubliepolicyvou:eoftheCathoEaston. lie Church in this state and gov- approve the dual amendment, 105 thought of the other side declaring He is survived by nieces and e'"!'ed by ~he bishops in each ofthe legislators voted yes while 92 leg- total victory, and opted to vote yes islators voted no. This was the most on a terrible amendment,that nonenephews and his brothers of the dwceses In the Com~nweaJth. Holy Cross Community. He was The March 29th actIon ofthe leg- gut-wrenching vote for legislators theless would nullify the issuance of the brother of the late Mary islature was heartrending. Legisla- who opposed all along the move to marriage licenses to same-sex Ryan and Ann Daly. tors approved a constitu~ional tie a same-sex civil union mandate couples. Total victory was denied His funeral Mass was cel- amendrnentthatdefinesmamageas to a marriage definition. If the no the other side but that's all that can ebrated in Holy Cross Church, the union between one m~. and ?ne votes would have achieved a ma- be said that's positive about the outEaston. Interment was in the woman, but added a civil uruon jority, then the joint session would come from our perspective, which Holy Cross Community Cem- mandate that would guarantee same- have failed to produce any amend- isn't much.

The battle now moves to the exetery, Easton. sex couples everything that spouses ' ment, and would have given samesex marriage supporters a total vic- ecutive branch, which at the time of The Robert 1. Kane Funeral get but not a marriage license. this writing, is pitting Governor Mitt Home, 605 Washington' Street, ~at happened ~o th~ idea of tory.

Gerry D' Avolio, the executive Romney against Attorney General Easton, was in charge of ar- sphttmg the questIOn mto two rangeme~ts. amendments, one dealing with mar- director ofthe Massachusetts Catho- Tom Reilly. Postcard campaigns to riage, the other with civil unions? lic Conference, said that when he support the governor's bid to ask for On a critical vote, 111 legislators saw at the end of the debate the bank a delay in implementing the voted in such a way as to preclude of medi~ cameras and microphones Goodridge ruling, and to urge the any attempt to split, when a differ- being set up outside the chambers , attorney general to represent the HARWICH - Good ShepSister Morrison made her fi- ence of 12 votes would have altered for same-sex marriage supporters, he governor and the people in their bid herd Sister Rita Mary Morrison, nal vows in 1952. She received the outcome and opened up the pOs- envisioned them coming out with to appeal to the court, are positive 78, who had served as a religious a bachelor's degree in French sibility for a split. (For those inter- huge smiles on their faces, and tell- and should be pursued. for 56 years, died March 29 at and biology from Elms College ested in the math, that particular ing the press that the Goodridge deMore will be written in the futhe Cranberry Pointe Rehabilita- in Chicopee, and a master's de- vote required a majority of those cision on gay marriage was totally ture about the heroic efforts of so tion and Skilled Care Center af- gree in French from St. John's 197 legislators then present, which vindicated and the Catholic Church, many people, inside the legislature ter an illness.

University, Queens, N.Y. is 99). among other strong opponents, to- and in the grassroots, and what needs Born in Springfield, the Her ministries took her to Of those legislators in the major- tally vanquished. Inside the cham- to be done next. For now we take daughter of the late William and New York, New Jersey, and ity, the following 21, based on vari- bers, legislators advocating for the time to thank everyone for your the late Josephine (Garvey) Springfield. ous factors, were key potential swing same-sex marriage, anticipating that valiant efforts. Catholics especially Morrison, she attended Our She is survived by nephews votes who refused appeals to vote total victory, got up one after another should be proud. Our active involveLady of Hope Elementary and a cousin. in such a way as to allow for a sub- to lecture their colleagues about ment in self-government should not, School and Sacred Heart High Her funeral Mass was cel- sequent vote on splitting: Senators mean-spiritedness and bigotry., and will not, be a one-time happenSchool there. ebrated April 1 at the Good Hart, Pacheco, and Tarr, and RepIn the end, our strong allies were ing. We are engaged, and will not She entered the Good Shep- Shepherd Center Chapel in resentatives Atsalis, Binienda, counted among both sides of the fi~ go away. Too much remains at stake. herd Novitiate in Peekskill, Marlborough. Interment was in Buoniconti, Callahan, Canavan, N.Y., in 1947 where she began Gate of Heaven Cemetery in her formal training for a long Springfield.

Daily Readings career caring for ~he poor and The Fitzgerald & Collins FuApril 12 Acts 2:14,22marginalized, with a special fo- neral Home, 378 Lincoln Street, 33; Ps 16:1cus on teen-age girls, women, Marlborough, was in charge of 2a,5,7-11; Mt and families. arrangements.

28:8-15 April 13 Acts 2:36-41 ; Ps 33:4-5,18Montie Plumbing 20,22; In & Heating Co. 20:11-18 April 14 Acts 3:1-10; Ps Over 35 Years 105:1-4,6-9; Lk of Satisfied Services 24:13-35 Reg. Master Plumber 7023 April 15 Acts 3:11-26; JOSEPH RAPOSA, JR. Ps 8:2a,5-9; Lk 432 JEFFERSON STREET 24:35-48 FALL RIVER 508-675-7496 April 16 Acts 4:1-12; Ps 118:1-2,4,2227a;Jn21:1-14 April 17 Acts 4:13-21; It's never too late to start Ps 118:1,14planning your summer vacation!

15,16ab-21 ; Mk 16:9-15 April 18 Acts 5:12-16; Franciscan Guest House at St. Anthony's Monastery, Ps 118:2-4,13Kennebunk, Maine's hidden treasure! Located on the 15,22-24; Rv Kennebunk River this luxurious 60-acre estate boasts 1:9-11a, 12expansive rolling grounds and sp~ctacular river views.

13,17-19;Jn A perfect location for relaxation, retreats and receptions.

20:19-31 BROCKTON - Congregation of Holy Cross Father John J. Murphy, .87, former pastor of Holy Cross Parish in Easton, died March 24 at the Caritas Good Samaritan Medical Center in Brockton, after a brief illness.

Born in Cambridge, the son of the late Patrick and the late Mary (Hillary) Murphy, he was raised in Watertown and was a graduate of Boston College High School.' He continued his education at Boston College receiving a degree in education.

In 1942 he entered Our Lady of the Holy Cross Seminary in Easton, made his first profession on August 16, 1944 and was ordained a priest on June 7, 1949.

Father Murphy served in many assignments in the Congregation of the Holy Cross, including director of fund-raising, superior of the Holy Cross Fa-

Sister Rita Mary Morrison RGS

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Franciscan Guest House open Mid-May to Mid-October. Off-Season Rates starting at $60; In-Season Rates starting at $80. Outdoor Salt Water Pool, full complimentary breakfast, TV and AlC. Walking distance to beach and Kennebunkport Shops. Gift Certificates available. Motor Coach Tours Welcome! Call 207-967-4865 for reservations.

1111111111111111111111111111111 '

TIIE ANCHOR (USPS-545-Q20) Periodical Postage Paid at Fall River, Mass. Published weekly except for the first two weeks in July and the week"after Christmas at 887 Highland Avenue, Fall River, Mass. 02720 by the Catholic .

Press ofthe Diocese ofFall River. SubscriptIon price by mail, postpaid $14.00 per year.

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

Fall River DCCW convention planned for May 1 in SODlers~t SOMERSET- Notre Dame de Namur Sister Patricia Chappell of New Haven, Conn., who is prominent in national social work circles, will be the keynote speaker at the 51 51 annual convention of the Diocesan Council ofCatholic Women to be held May I at St. John of God Parish Center in Somerset.

Registration and a coffee hour begins at 7:45 a.m. The conven~ tion opens at 9 a.m. A noon lun-

BISHOP LOUIS

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cheon will be catered.

The organization chose ''The Spirit Gives Life;' the slogan for the l()()'h centennial of the Diocese of Fall River being celebrated this year, as the theme for its convention. lWo other distinguished speakers are also on the agenda for the gathering.

Bishop Louis E. Gelineau, the retired bishopofthe Providence diocese, will be the guest speaker late~

in the morning session. His topic will be "The Spirit Working in the Church to Bring Wisdom, Understanding and Piety;' three ofthe gifts of the Holy Spirit.

And in the afternoon session, Dr. Mildred Jefferson, a surgeon and Pro-Life pioneer, will present "The Spirit Working in the Church to Bring Knowledge and Counsel."

Bishop George W. Coleman will celebrate Mass at 4 p.m., arid be the hornilist.

Sister Chappell, of New Haven,

Conn., holds a master's degree in social work from The Catholic University of America in Washington, D.C. She is a member of the National ASsociation of Social Workers and the National Association of Black Social Workers, the National Association for Female Executives, the Delta SigmaTheta Sorority; and has been inducted into the National Register's Who's Who in Executives and Professionals. A practicing social worker in Washington, she is a former member of the boanl of directors of the National Black Catholic Congress.

BishopGelineau, a native ofVermont, was ordained a priest in 1954.

He retired ·as bishop of Providence in 1997, the same year his observed

his 25th anniversary as its bishop. He continues to be engaged in pastoral ministry in the region.

Dr. Jefferson, the first black female graduate of Harvard Medical School and the first woman to receive the prestigious Lantern Award for Patriotism, is a founding member of the Pro-Life Movement. She is an active board member of the Massachusetts Citizens for Life and a board member of the American Life League. She appears on the list of the Ten Most Admired Conservative Women as compiled by Conservative Digest Magazine.

Registration for the convention can be made by contacting affiliate presidents of the DCCW.

SISTER PATRICIA CHAPPELL SND

GELINEAU

Diocese of Fall River

OFFICIAL His Excellency, the Most Reverend George W. Coleman, Bishop of Fall River, has announced the following appointment: Rev. Thomas M. Kocik from Pastoral Ministry in the Archdiocese of Omaha, Nebraska, to Parochial Vicar at St. Joseph Parish in Taunton and Assistant Chaplain at Morton Hospital in Taunton.

Effective April 1, 2004

Health events announced FALL RIVER - Saint Anne's Hospital announces a series of programs open to the community this month. Beginning in April and running through June 4 is the program "Get Fit, Live Fit," a total fitness program for women with cancer. This 10-week program includes range of motion, cardiovascular, toning and relaxation exercises. Classes meet Mondays from 4:30-5.:30 p.m. and Thursdays from 9:30-10:30 a.m. at the hospital. For more information call Karyl Benoit at 508-674-5600 ext. 2515.

On April 12, 19 and 26 the education and support series "Common Ground;' for men and their families coping with prostrate cancer, includes speakers on a variety of related topics. It will be held from 910:30 am. in the Nannery Conference Room at the hospital. For more information call Mark Theodore at 508-674-5600 ext. 2279.

A Lymphedema Education and Tum to page six - Hospital

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Saturday May 1, 2004

SESSION

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concurrent presentations

Bristol Community College "G" building - follow main entrance to parking lot 12.

Retirement Planning:

Sean F. McLoughlin, CFP, MFS Fund Distributors, Inc. Estate .Planning:

Attorney Deborah K. Blum-Shore and Attorney Jane E. Sullivan

9:00 a.m. - 2:00 p.m. (lunch provided)

II concurrent presentations

SESSION

$10 per attendee (cash or checks only please) to be donated to Bristol Community College Foundation

Long Tenn Care Insurance and Annuities:

David P. Loftus, Oceanstate Financial Medit;aid Planning:

Attorney Deborah K. Blum-Shore and Attorney Jane E. Sullivan S E S S ION

I II

Free Gifts!

Economic Outlook:

Sean F. McLoughlin, CFP, MFS Fund Distributors, Inc.

ALL ATTENDEES WILL RECEIVE COMPLIMENTARY GiFt AND WILL SE

KEYNOTE

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EN1t"!;Il;:~

SPEAKER:

IN A DRAWING fOR GREAT FINANCIAL t~tr.:l SPoRTS RELATa;:D PRIZa;:S.

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Presented by:

fJ3ristol County "Estate 'Planning iC{)~~ Spon$Ored by:

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4

Friday, April 9, 2004

the moorin&.-,

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The peace of Jerusalem We take so very much for granted. This week we live in the freedom to celebrate the mystery of Christ's passion, death and resurrection. If we choose to do so, we are able to share in the great liturgies of the Sacred Triduum. This is a precious g~ft that is denied to so many of our brothers and sisters who live in the hmd made holy by Jesus. The turmoil of the Palestinian and Israeli war is literally diiving out the Catholic population. The remnant that is left is miniscule. Each year more and more Catholics flee their homes and land to find shelter and peace. Many have come to America in such numbers that they now have their own dioceses.

As a result of this immigration, there are fewer people to support the Holy Places. Restrained by war and martial law, many cannot even visit the sacred shrines. Many Christians in the Holy Land depended on tourists and visitors to maintain churches. This source of revenue has been reduced to a mere trickle. Hotels are empty and shops are closed. People who depended on the tourist industry for their livelihood 'are going broke. In such conditions is it any wonder they want to, start a new life in a new country?

These difficulties, which are ever increasing owing to the persistent violence and destruction of houses and schools, have also been accompanied by food shortages caused by the increase in poverty. In addition, the blockades between Palestinian towns and villages have prevented people from traveling. The erection of massive walls has isolated families. People are forced into despair.

Time and time again our Holy Father has pleaded for peace in the Holy Land. Build bridges, he said, not walls. The Holy See reflects, in its mi~sion to the Holy Land, that the peace sought from agreements must be a just peace, not only because it's a moral imperative, but also because it is a necessary condition for stability and continuity. A peace which people could not perceive as just and equitable could never last long. In fact, it would only fuel greater resentment. For peace to be truly just, it is first and foremost necessary that the way in which it is reached is equitable and that negotiations take place in an atmosphere of respect for the equal dignity of all the parties and the equality of their respective demands for liberty and security.

It is natural for the Holy See to speak out and defend the existence of Catholics in the Holy Land. As the Holy Father stressed in a recent Apostolic Letter, "The peace dialogue must continue in the climate of increased cultural and religious pluralism. It is obvious that this dialogue will be especially important in establishing a sure basis for peace and warding off the dread specter of those war's of religion, which have so often bloodied human history. The name of the one God must become increasingly what it is: a name of peace and a summons to peace."

During his visit to the Holy Land, Pope John Paul IT warned that any kind of religious extremism used to justify acts of exclusion and violence is nothing but a perversion of religion. It is to be condemned. What so many in the Holy Land and the Middle East have ignored is that if there is only one God, he asks us all to accept each other as brothers and sisters. .~t This hope cannot be fulfilled in a world of extremism, nationalism and religious fanaticism. Stich an atmosphere only breeds death and destruction, as reflected in our daily headlines. We have the obligation to pray that nations put aside their selfishness and ambitions to dominate other nations. We must cultivate a deep reverence and respect for the whole of mankind. Only in ·this atmosphere can we achieve the peace of Jerusalem. .

The Executive Editor

theanc

OFFICIAL NEWSPAPER OF THE DIOCESE10F'.AE~vRIVER~~·

PUblished weekly by the 9atholicfre~ of t!'e qipc.~~q~fa.l\liivtt: 887 Highland Avenue . P.O. BOX 7 . ' Fall River, MA 02720· Fall River,. 'MA ';(!)27~-OOO7·ii$ Telephone.508;675-;,715 l fAX.~08t?75,iO~~;.' fftZ. E-mail: TtleAnchor@Anthornews.otg' .

Send address changes to RO. Box:, call o~!J$e;:,1~~m~Ladqfe$$'1

EXECUTIVE EPITOfl Flev. Msgr. John F: Mobre EDITOR NEWS EDITOR f OFFI'CEMAN~GER David B. Jolivet James N.• Dunbar ,Brrb~faM*" R.!~

MARY HOLDING THE CRUCIFIED JESUS IS DEPICTED IN A CONTEMPORARY ENAMEL,WORK B'y GERMAN ARTIST EGINO WEINERT. TODAY, GOOD FRIDAY, IS THE FIRST DAY OF THE EASTER TRIDUUM THAT CULMINATES IN THE CELEBRATION OF THE RESUR!lliCTION.

(eNS

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COURTESY CREATOR MUNDI)

"THEY SHALL LOOK ON HIM WHOM THEY PIERCED" (JOHN

19:37).

Reorganizing where it counts By

FATHER EUGENE HEMRICK CATHOLIC NEWS SERVICE

Return the selection of bishops to the local Church! Strengthen national bishops' conferences!

Promote lcx::al, regional, and supernational synods! Get more clergy and laity involved in the choice of a new pope! Refono the curia!

The above recommendations for making the Church a better organization were made by Father Andrew Greeley in a recent Commonweal article. As they suggest, the Church could do a' better job in managing its organizational structures and skills.

Much also has been said about the Church's organizational skills by those studying and commenting on the recent sexual abuse scandal. A cry has been raised for leaders to be more transparent, accountable and ethical. This is to say nothing of leaders possessing better managerial skills and prudence, being more personable, delegating tasks better and, especially, embodying a deep spirituality. ~ersrnpisextremcly

important to our lives! Good

decisions and actions by leaders can continue to improve our lives for d~ades. Bad leadersrnp can have the opposite effect, continuing to disrupt life for a very long time.

In reading the life of Ulysses Grant, I was surprised to learn that when ~e was president he spearheaded the Treaty of Washington that amended our relations with Britain and is one of the primary reasons .we are strong allies today.

Grant's teno as president had it ups and downs, but on the whole he was a very good organizer. His success was due in significant part to the people he chose to assist him. He not only served with them in battle, but especially trusted their judgments and decisions; When we reflect on Father Greeley's recommendations, we see that they require trust. This is the bond and catalyst f9r making things happen.

Years ago I met a doctor from Vilnius, Lithuania, who had lived under communist rule. "We leamed never to tell the truth to the communists," he told me. "We were forever misleading them, and as a consequence we lost all sense

of how to make an organization run well. The trust needed to work

together wasn't there. In fact, we were very proficient in destroying it, and this is why our country is so backWaro now."

In a Church that prides itself on preaching faith, we need to walk the talk better. Even before the sexual abuse scandals, the trust level was thin between the Church in this country and Rome. The same can be said of trust between younger and older priests, priests and deacons, and the laity and the priesthood.

What is most needed in the Church todayjs the ability to truly commit ourselves to each other. I-thou relationships that are at the heart of a personal, warm and well-functioning Church could use an overhaul, as could our powers to truly dialogue with each other.

Suspicion, caution, hesitancy, apprehension, doubt and paranoia, need to be stamped out if the Church is to improve its organizational vitality. Then we'll once again hear onlookers ask, "What is it that makes these Christians so Christian?"

Friday, Apr

The Four Henchmen of Fenway Park-alypse

My View From the Stands

for this to be THE YEAR! But I'm going to get a kick out of watching how the Red Sox' Four Henchmen of Fenway Park-alypse perform this season Pedro (Groan), Nomar Garciaparra, Derek Lowe, and Jason Varitek.

You see, the Boston version of war, famine, pestilence and death are holding their employers and worse yet, Sox fans hostage this season. Not one in this dubious quartet was gracious enough (or thankful enough) to accept what the Sox had to offer, and will no doubt test the lucrative waters of free agency.

Letters to the Editor Editor: I have noticed a political bias in your past writings. It was upsetting to me to read your choice of words pillaring President Bush on our nation's foreign policy. That may be your prerogative as executive editor, but as a subscription-paying customer I do not want to have your in-your-face statements in my diocesan Catholic newspaper.

Illustrati'ons from your editorial: "And the Bush Camp contributing to the this trend," or "Our Wild West gun slinging approach to international problems." President Bush has assembled a cabinet of highly qualified people and, as President, he is in charge of foreign policy. I'd like to suggest you catch up with the unfolding report of the multi-billion dollar scam involving the U.N., France, Germany and Russian interests with the Oil-for-Food program. No wonder they didn't want to support us. Poland and most if not all of the 10 new nations soon to be in the European Union are indeed more with us, as Secretary Powell observed.

It would be my recommendation to the bishop to permit the editor of The Anchor to write the editorials for the rest of Lent, at least.

George Cronin Cummaquid Editor: With all due respects to the executive editor, I really think that you would be more at home as a writer for The New York Times or perhaps even CNN News network. Being a man of God, it is natural that you are against any war, but· you seem to have a short memory about who started this

war, and how we have arrived where are today in Iraq. If you think we can sit down with these mass murderers and try to talk sense to them you are sadly mistaken. Do you think that just because this new Socialist government in Spain, that is against helping to fight terrorism with the coalition and has agreed to pull their soldiers out of Iraq will be left alone by these terrorists? You are very naive and sadly mistaken. You mention "our Wild West gun slinging approach to very difficult international problems is certainly not encouraging the effort in ensuring world peace." This is very reminiscent of some of the garbage coming out of the Left Wing Liberal hate mongers taking every opportunity to bash our President. This President didn't want to go to war. He could have done exactly the same as the previous administration, declare war on terrorism, and shoot a few missiles at some empty buildings in Iraq at night. What we have is a great President who is committed to the safety and well-being of the American people.

So, if you persist in trashing my President along with the other misguided ideologies, I'm not with you and your paper will no longer be with me.

Joseph Alves Jr. Taunton Editor: Upon reading the primary election figures giving John Kerry a huge majority of votes, it occurred to me that a goodly number of those votes came from Catholics ... and I am ashamed.

Have we lost our way? God is being inexorably erased from our national minds, our schools, legislatures and the

vacuum created fills up with immoral prattle and materialism, promoted by a violent attack by the media never before known. We do not go to church, nor take our children. We profess, like so many of our politicians, to be Catholic but make no effort to live our faith. We have come to the point wherein our choice of candidates is linked solely to the economy, welfare, job market, national deficit and defense and foreign policy. But what happens when our leaders have no respect for you, as voters, or the religion they claim: when they endorse abortion, same sex marriage, euthanasia, removal of prayer from schools and the Ten Commandments from courthouses?

Perhaps it is time to put aside our mindless, "tribal custom" of automatically voting for Democrats simply because our ancestors did.

Choosing to vote for someone on the basis that he is a Christian, God worshiping, moral person may sound outlandish, but if we put our faith to work and trust in God, I believe he will solve the rest of the problems.

Patricia Stebbins East Sandwich

also keep track of the good things they do, and when the season ends, and we're watching someone else in the World Series, we can add up the scores and see if any of the four are actually as good as they think they are.

I have a sneaking suspicion that we'll all learn that we weren't being held hostage at all because next year all the uniforms will have a body in them, and the letters across the chest will still spell out Red Sox. And for diehard fans, it won't matter whose bodies they are.

I don't know about you, but this will help me deal with the claims of "no respect" we'll hear all summer long.

And it will hold me over long enough until I can keep tabs on Moan when he puts on the pads for the Patriots later this year.

Dave Jolivet, editor of The Anchor, is a former sports editor/writer, and regularly gives one fan's perspective on the unique world of sports.

Comments are welcome at dave;olivet@anchornews.orf·

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PRACTICE THE DEVOTION OF THE FIRST SATURDAYS, AS REQUESTED BY OUR LADY OF FATIMA

On December 10, 1925, Our Lady appeared to Sister Lucia (seer of Fatima) and spoke these words: "Announce in my name that I promise to assist at the hour ofdeath with the graces necessary for the salvation oftheir souls, all those who on the first Saturday of five consecutive months shall: I. Go to confession; 2. Receive Holy Communion; 3. Recite the Rosary (5 decades); and 4. Keep me company for 15 minutes while meditating on the 15 mysteries ofthe Rosary, with the intention of making reparation to me."

In a spirit of reparation, the above conditions are each to be preceded by the words: "In reparation for the offenses committed against the Immaculate Heart of Mary."

Confessions may be made during 8 days before or after the first Saturday, and Holy Communion may be received at either the morning or evening Mass on the first Saturday.

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I think I'm starting to take the amount of money Moan this personally, and I wonder if and Groan make. The way I I'm the only one. look at it is, if you don't want Guys like Ty Law (Moan) to play for my team, then I and Pedro Martinez (Groan) are really getting under my skin.

When they moan and groan about a lack of respect, I take that as a personal attack.

I have been and always will be a

By Dave Jolivet hometown fan. I don't care who wears the uniforms of the Red Sox, Bruins, Patriots and don't want you.

Celtics. I will always be a fan.

That, for me, is what is It's in the heart, soul, mind and going to make this Red Sox blood. season so enjoyable. Don't get Maybe I'm jealous, but I me wrong, I want, more than don't think so. I don't want anything (in the sports world),

at season's end. Why? Because it's their right to squeeze every possible dime out of the game and the fans that allow them to make (not earn - no one can earn that kind. of bread) a living playing a kid's game. I mean, you can never have too much money, can you?

As a consequence, Red Sox fans should hold the Four Henchmen accountable for their performances this season.

For Groan and Lowe, every loss, walk, home run allowed, error and otherwise bonehead plays made should be noted and tallied for all to see as the season progresses. In addition, let's keep track of Groan's antics like the one he pulled off on opening night - leaving the ball park before the game was actually over; and Lowe's child-like gestures on the mound when things don't quite go his way.

As for Garciaparra and Varitek, every strikeout, error, base-running blunder, man left on base and otherwise bonehead plays made sfiould be noted and tallied for all to see as the season progresses.

And to be fair, we should

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Friday, April 9,2004

I

Sacramentally confessing a crime ATTLEBORO FALLS - , A healing Mass for the elderly, sick and shut-ins will be held April 17 at 11 a.m. at St. Mark's Church. The Sacrament of the Sick will be available during Mass and a luncheon will follow for attendees and caregivers. It is sponsored by the St. Vmcent de Paul Society. For more information call 508-699-7566.

Benediction of the Blessed Sacrament. Aprayer meeting will follow until 9 p.m. For more information call 508-679-6732.

HYANNIS -On Good Friday from noon to 3 p.m. Father Roger Landry will preach meditations on the Seven Last Words of Christ from the Cross, at St. Francis Xavier Parish. '

FAIRHAVEN - A presentaMISCELLANEOUS - The tion on Divine Mercy will be held April 14 at 7 p.m. inthe rectory Massachusetts Citizen for Life basement of St. Mary's Parish. It 'Group has established a 24-hour will feature a video on the life of hotline dedicated to giving men and Saint Faustina. women important information on alternatives to abortion. There are , FALL RIVER - A Mass with several pre-recorded messages on healing service will be celebrated a variety of topics to assist in any April 22 at 6:30 p.m. at St. Anne's situatiQn. For more information call Church. Rosary will be recited at 6 the "Her Choice" hotline at 508p.m. Benediction of the Blessed 678-3030. o Sacrament will follow. For more information call 508-674-5651.

NEW BEDFORD - The New Bedford Catholic Women's Club FALL RIVER - The Hudner banquet at the Wainsutta Club honOncology Center at Saint Anne's oring Bishop George W. Coleman Hospital invites area cancer patients will be held April 28 at 6:30 p.m. to participate in an education and Menu reservations are due by April support program held from 5-6 p.m. 10. For more information call Ethel every Wednesday in Room 220 of Cataldo at 508-994-8542.

Clemence Hall. For more information call Mark Theodore at 508NOlUH EASTON - An in67~5600 ext. 2279. depth look at the Resurrection through music, art 'and film Will be FALL RIVER - The Inter- presented by Holy Cross Brother faith Council of Greater Fall River Joseph Esparza on Thursday evewill present the video "Walking nings April 15-May 27 at 7 p.m. at God's Paths: Christians and Jews Holy Cross Family Ministries, 518 in Candid Conversation;' at 7 p.m. Washington Street Participants are April 12 at the Holy Trinity Parish asked to bring a Bible. For more religious education center. Refresh- information call 508-238-4095 ext 2013. ' ments will be served.

FALL RIVER - A holy hour is held every Thesday from 7-8 p.rn. at Holy Name Church, 709 Hanover Street. It includes rosary, confession, readings, a homily and

Hospital SuppOrt Program will be held from 6-7 p.rn. April 12 on the fourth floor at the hospital's rehabilitation services, 222 Milliken Boulevard. The topic is 'The VodderlFoldi Technique in Treatment of Lymphedema." For more information call 508-646-9470.

'The LiIik: Between Heart Disease and Diabetes," with guest speaker Mara Boudria, will be held in the Nannery Conference Room from 6-7 p.m. April 13. It is open to all persons with diabetes and their families. For more information call 508-674-5600 ext. 2490.

The hospital also announces its April schedule for its Women's Health Network Outreach Program of breast and cervical cancer medical services as follows: April 13 from 8:30 a.rn. to 3 p.m., SSTAR Family Health Care Center, 400 Stanley Street; April 15 and 19 from 6:30-8:30 p.m., FlRSTFED Center for Breast Care at Saint

NOlUH FALMOUTH -

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Cancer Support Group will meet April 21 at 7 p.m, at St Elizabeth Seton Church. For more infonnation call 508-563-7770.

Continuedfrom page three

Anne's Hospital, corrier of South Main and Middle Streets; April 24 from 8:30 a.m. to 3 p.m., FIRSTFED Center for Breast Care at Saint Anne's Hospital.

Since 1994, the hospital has provided free breast and cervical services to more than 4,300 uninsured or underinsured women.

To find out if you qualify or to make an appointment call 508675-5686 or go to the Website: www.saintanneshos.pital.org. , A, nurse practitioner provides clinical breast exams, Pap tests, physical exams and breast and Cervical education at host sites throughout the area. Mammography is provided at the FlRSTFED Center for Breast Care. Other health services including free further diagnostic testing as ordered by the physician are included as needed.

Portuguese speaking staff and interpreters of other languages are available.

Q. I'm a recent convert to you say, but that would not be required. Processes of discovery Catholicism, btlt am stymied by one aspect of the sacraand prosecution of the offender ment of reconciliation. A are left in the hands of the proper civil'authorities. priest, explaining the procedure on television, said he The situation changes drastically, however, if someone once had to refuse absolution because the penitent-wouldn't else, an innocent person, is promise to "come clean" with the law about a crime he committed.

Though I haven't committed any crime, I'd still like to know

By Father whether a priest in confession can require, John J. Dietzen as a condition of absolution, a promise that some incriminating being punished for the crime. action must be taken by a One condition for genuine penitent who has gotten contrition in the sacrament is that the penitent is not planning, himself into a jam. Could I have misunderstood? (pennor is not in the process of doing, sylvania) something that is in fact another A. Normally, a person who serious sin. has committed a sin which is Let's suppose a person also a crime punishable by law commits a crime, the sentence is not required to confess that for which is a long prison term. crime to civil authorities to If another innocent person is obtain absolution. If the usual charged with the crime and requirements for sacramental sentenced to prison, the real absolution (sincere contrition offender would be seriously and firm purpose to avoid sin in obliged to confess to the the future) are present, absoluappropriate authorities or in tion should be given. some other way save the If the priest has good reason innocent person from suffering to do so, he might suggest that for the crime he himself com- , the penitent "come clean" as mitted.

Questions and Answers

Not to do so, to simply walk away and ignore the terrible injustice to someone else, would be aserious sin against charity.

If such an offender goes to confession and deliberately intends to allow another person to suffer imprisonment for the sin he himself committed, he has by his own admission the intention to remain in mortal sin, a sin against the virtue of charity. A priest would be correct to withhold absolution until that intention changes.

All this and possibly . other circumstances of the case must, of course, be weighed by both the priest and the penitent carefully, honestly and compassionately at the time 'of the celebration of the sacrament.

Perhaps this is the kind of confessional experience the priest you heard was referring to.

A free brochure answering questions Catholics ask about the Sacrament.of Penance is available by sending a stamped, self-addressed envelope to Father John Dietzen, Box 325, Peoria, IL 61651.

Questions may be sent to Father Dietzen at the same address, or E-mail: [jdietzen@aol.com.

A major sports conglomerate?

Many of you have asked for an Rows 1-6 bring rolls; 7-15 bring a update on the initiative to request salad; 16-21 a main dish; and 22that the Vatican purchase several 30 a dessert. Bases and tenors are major sports franchises to establish asked to sit in the rear of the itself as a megasports conglomeraircraft.) ate.

(Note 2: OK, it would be sad if We (my friend Bud and 1) the Lutherans came up with an apologize for Qot responding airline and we just played copycat sooner, especially to those of you later. Naturally, this is part of the certain this would lead to discount reason we want to launch the tickets for the major league sports conglomerate as soon as baseball season for all Catholics.

I'll be l:tonest We have not heard an official word of any kind to date on the notion of establishing a Congregation for the Doctrine of the Fan or a

By Dan Morris Pontifical Council on Sports and TV Royalties.

My best guess is that Church officials want to be very possible so that the Lutherans clear on the theological implicaor the Mormons for that mattertions of such a venture and will don't beat us to it. There are demand the most judicious advice already rumors that the Utah Jazz possible on everything from no, basketball team and the Mormon trade clauses to the designated Tabernacle Choir have many of hitter controversy: the same people on their boards of Do not despair. While we wait, directors.) we have come up with what might The inspiration behind Vatican be almost as good an ideaAirlines (Jet Vatican? Angel Air? having the Vatican operate an Wmgs and a Prayer Air?) is airline airline. mileage plans.

(Note 1: this has nothing to do Every day we receive somewith the Internet joke titled "Fly thing in the mail that offers airline Lutheran Air." Granted, that is mileage credit. Switch to Lint funny: an airline where all fares Long Distance and earn mileage. are by freewill offering, but the Use Witty Bank Visa, earn plane won't land until the budget mileage. Try Wurst Rent a Car, is met And meals are potluck: more mileage.

The offbeat world of Uncle Dan

Why not "Give to Catholic' Charities, earn miles"? Or, "Support Catholic Scouting, more miles"? Or, ''Earn Vatican Air free. miles when you have your tonsils out at St. Rose of Lima Hospital"?

Mileage where? On Vatican Air, that's where.

How much fun would it be to earn mileage from your parish?

Contribute a dollar, earn a mile.

Help paint the school, earn mileage. Volunteer to teach eighth-grade religious education, double miles.

The evangelization potential could open eyes.

Catholics who have been away from the Church for years just might slip back for a look-see if they were given ~ few Vatican Air frequentpouter miles.

Msgr. O'Kneel, our pastor, did have some reservations (no double entendre, of course).

"You know, boys," he said, "Catholics should be doing good things because it is the right thing to do, not to earn air miles or trade their good deeds for goods."

Bud and I agreed. "But what if Vatican Air offered clergy discounts and even free flights?"

Bud asked. , "'Vatican Air' does have a good ring to it," he smiled.

Comments are wekome. Email Uncle Dan at cnsuncleOl@yaJwo.com.

I

Friday, April 9, 2004

Needed reminder - That ·we live in a sacred world

Bishop's Message Continuedfrom page one

Sometimes you pick up a the most holy of planets."

I could never forget the day If we can believe this, book and unexpectedly find a he brought home a pomegran"then we see that we have an consoling thought or an ate, showing me that waiting exciting truth. When this intimate and ongoing connecwithin, after he cut through its tion with the mysterious happens, I call it "a challengtough rind, was sweet fruit to ing moment." That's what I moments of life and nature be enjoyed. His eyes were experienced when I picked up we can flourish as humans shining, like they always were "Daybreak Within, Living in a within it." And when that when he introduced me to Sacred World," by Rich happens, "you know that the some new wonder of nature.

Heffern (Forest of Peace ordinary is extraordinary."

His joy at those times was Publishing). It sounded like Given the mood I was in, always catching, because, the right reading for indeed, he was making springtime. the ordinary extraordiMy eyes fell on nary. these lines: "The Here was a man universe, from the first who nearly had lost his instance of its existyoung life in Europe ence, has been satuduring World War I,

By Antoinette Bosco rated with God's grace who knew terror and and presence." I torment. But he didn't always have wanted to - - - - - - - - - - - t . . - ' - - ' - - . . J I - I let the evening news turn him to stone. He was in that might have been a tough believe this, yet at that Heffern's league, one who sell for me - except for moment I was at a low point, accepted that life's events are having just watched yet something unexpected happening. Thinking of Heffern's sacred, even when difficult another series of tragedies on and tragic, because we on words, I suddenly had an the evening news, from wars earth are in a continuous image of my father. From the and train wrecks to celebrity relationship with God's time I was very young, my crimes. father, most always But here was an author universe.

It is sad that in the busythrough action, more than who was not going to get ness of life and with the stuck in tragic messes like words - communicated to these. He was saying that me the wonder, the power and bombardment of so much bad news, we fall into Godfrom the "very first instance the glory of God's world. forsaken moods, justifying My father loved to introof exploding light, God has this by believing we're just been seeking, in love, to duce me to new products of being realistic. When this the earth and always did this impart the divine self into happens, we have gotten lost. with a joy that came from things." He was challenging We are in danger of losing our deep within. He had a piece us to move beyond the connection with the real evening news to a better place of land he called his "farm," world, which is, as Heffern and I loved how his face where we get to know the glowed when he picked giant- reminds us, "a world alive bottom-line truth about our with spirit, saturated with sized tomatoes and beautiful existence - that "we live in sacredness, shot through and golden corn. the midst of a sacred cosmos, through with glory and deep mystery."

With a new spring blooming, it's a good time to resolve to lighten up on the evening news and join him in seeking "the newest, deepdown freshness in things, the daybreak within."

The Bottom Line

divorce (Mt 19:9); and He taught us that His Body and Blood are truly present under the disguise of bread and wine in the Eucharist On 6:55).

These teachings were hard to accept, and those who heard them were tempted to doubt their truth. But by rising from the dead, Jesus gave the ultimate and definitive proof of His divinity and His teachings.

This is why St. Paul wrote, "if Christ has not been raised, then our preaching is in vain and yourfaith is in vain. ... If Christ has not been raised, yourfaith is futile and you are still in your sins" (lCor 15: 14, 17).

But this is not all that we learn from the Resurrection.

The Resurrection also teaches us that goodness has conquered evil, that light has conquered darkness, that love has conquered hatred, and that God's mercy is greater than our sins.

Three days before, on that terrible Friday afternoon, when Jesus died on the cross, it had seemed that evil had won. It seemed that darkness prevailed --:-, afierall, God Himself, the "Author of life," had been put to death (Acts 3: 15). But by rising from the dead, Jesus handed the trophy of victory to life, not to death, to love, not to hatred, and to light, rather than darkness. Because Jesus rose from the dead, we know that goodness is always greater than evil.

In the Resurrection, we see the truth that the suffering of the cross is only temporary, and that the reward for carrying the cross is everlasting life.

In the Resurrection, we see the ultimate goal of our lives, which is nothing less than eternal glory, and we see the reason for our hope. When the cross lands in our lives, it is often difficult and heavy to carry.

But, because of the Resurrection, we can follow Christ's example of enduring suffering, knowing that it is never the end of the story. "By suffering for us [Jesus] not only provided us with an example for our meditation, He blazed a trail, and if we follow it, life and death are made holy and take on a new meaning. ... Through Christ and in Christ, the riddles of sorrow and death grow meaningful. Apart from His Gospel, they overwhelm us" (Gaudium et Spes, 22). Because Jesus is risen from the dead, we can join St. Paul in saying, "0 Death, where is your victory? o Death, where is your sting?" (lCor 15:55).

As we celebrate the feast of our redemption this Easter, during the Centennial Year of our Diocese, I pray that you and your families will know the joy and comfort that come from the news of the Resurrection, and that all of us here in the diocese of Fall River will be united in a renewal of our commitment to follow the Risen Christ and to grow in true holiness.

Sincerely yours in the Lord,

+ Bishop of Fall River

Rejoice and give thanks as we celebrate with joy the wondrous Easter story.

Wisliing you anayourfamify every 6fessing at P.aster anaa[ways.

GERRY 0'AVOLIO, right, executive director of the Massachusetts Catholic Conference, thanks Republican state Rep. Phillip Travis for his work on the protection of marriage amendment March 29 in Boston. At center is the conference's associate director, Maria Parker. Massachusetts lawmakers, in a 105-92 vote, agreed to ban gay marriage while granting same-sex couples rights under civil unions. Legislators will have to vote on the constitutional amendment again in 2005 and put it to a public vote in 2006 before it could become law. Travis was the sponsor of the original measure that triggered a constitutional convention. (CNS photo by Gregory L. Tracy, The Pilo~

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8

Friday, April 9, 2004

The custom' of the Easter Garden

BY FATHER TIMOTHY J. GOLDRICK ASSONET VILLAGE - Anthropologists of religion say that the Chrisbnas Nativity scene as we know it has long and ancient roots.

It developed over the centu- ' ries from bas-relief, three-dimensional Church 'statuary, chancel drama such as the Shepherd's Plays, and even', children's 'puppet theater. Few realize that there is a parallel , Paschal custom that shares these yery same roots.

The Easter Garden was an expression of popular piety arising from the same sources. The word "marionettes" or "little Mary's," refers to the puppet interpretation of the three women named Mary who visited the tomb of the crucified Savior.

The Church statuary used at Easter might be carved completely of wood: Less expensive statuary might be covered with· textiles, as were the Church's Nativity figures.

Easter Gardens, just like Nativity scenes, were popular in Mediterranean-based societies, but especially in pre-Reformation Britain. The concept was to visually represent the death and resurrection of Jesus using an effective teaching tool. So, the Easter Garden was found to be very useful in the catechesis of children and the illiterate.

Like creches, the Easter Gardens were.among season Church displays for the edification of the faithful. The cross or crucifix was a traditional component. The crucifixion scene sometimes ineluded the figures of the Blessed

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During the days just before Easter, other figures, such as a lifesized body of the crucified Jesus or the resurrected Christ, holding a triumphal banner, might be added to the sanctuary decor.

The tomb was represented as a cave whose entrance had been sealed with a large stone. This wassimilartotheEasternChurch iconographic tradition ofportraying the Nativity ofJesusin a cave rather than a stable. The cave, in a certain sense, illustrates the earth joyfully participating in the birth of the Savior as well as sadly receiving back his body.

'It ,was in the PaschiU Mystery that the naturallifeldeath cyele - ashes to ashes, dust to dustbroke through to eternal life. The chains of death were destroyed.

The cave in the earth portrayed Jesus sharing fully. in our human condition.

In these inspirational and educational scenes, the Blessed Mother might be represented wearing the black vesture of mourning. Mary, the Mother of God, might even stand alone as Our Lady of Sorrows. . Perhaps the body of Jesus might be encased in a glass coffin or sarcophagus. The Apostle John was usually portrayed as a beardless youth with flowing hair. A scene of the Resurrection was sure to be enhanced with· white lilies shaped like angels' trumpets.

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EASTER GARDENS, like those shown here at St. Bernard's Church, Assonet, are popular in Mediterranean-based societies. The concept is to visually represent the .Death and Resurrection of Jesus using an effective teaching tool. decorate the Easter Garden. cissus and crocus. To indicate the and scabbard, seamiess garment, Trees that were naturally at arrival of spring, wheat or other flogging pillar, ropes, or a placbloom at Easter, such as the fa- ' grains might also be sprouted in ard with LN.R.I., the Latin inimous Glastonbury Thorn (a haw- dishes or saucers. Among these tials for "Jesus of Nazareth, King th~in), believed to bloom twice shoots could be placed another of the Judeans." a year, at Chrisbnas and Easter, symbol of Easter life - the colSometimes, a miniature was foremost among them. The ored egg. It was originally dyed carved human skull and catkins of the pussy willow were red, other colors and religious crossbones were represented at .often handy. Even the branches designs having been added later. the base of the crucifix. They from the yews - a symbol of The risen Lord emerged from were a reference to the legend death -'- planted in the church- his tomb as miraculously as a that the crucifixi9n of Jesus (the yard, might be pressed into ser- chick emerged from its egg. The new Adam), took place directly vice. shape of the egg, without begin- over the burial place of the first Flowering plants in an Easter Ding or end, represented eternal Adam. Golgotha was legendarily Garden would be the blooming life. The sprouting grass gave rise the site of Adam's grave. primrose, viola, snowdrop, nar- to the shredded cellophane Just as the Nativity scene "grass" cradling the multi-col- spread from the churches into ored eggs in our Easter egg bas- private homes, so did the Easter kets.

Garden. It was not unusual in Sometimes the empty cross it- Britain' to find a Resurrection self was decorated with flowers scene in a domestic setting. Eas- a kind of "world tree" or "tree ter Gardens might even be aroflife." Frequently a white wind- ranged in portable dishes or basing sheet or, shroud might be kets, as was also the case with draped over the cross for dra- the Nativity scene. matic effect.

The custom of the Easter GarLike the Nativity scene, the denremains alive in churches reEaster Garden might well contain flecting Italian, Portuguese, and moss, rocks, sand, stones, and Spanish culture - and in paroother found objects gathered by chial schools and religious elassthe children. ,rooms. But for the most part it It is interesting to note that In '. failed to make the journey across one Gospel account, Mary the Atlantic.

Magdalene mistook the resurPerhaps, some day, that overreeted Jesus for the head gardener sight might be corrected. i.n ~harge of the cemetery!

Father Goldrick is the pastor . Other details in the scene' ofSt. Bernard Church, Assonet. could be the implements of the He is a member ofthe National Passion: a flogging whip, sponge Board ofDirectors ofFriends of on a long stick, pair of dice, Iad- the Creches, the North Amerider, hammer and nails, chalice, can affiliate ofthe International lantern, crowing rooster, foot Society ofCreche Collectors and basin and pitcher, tongs, sword Enthusiasts.

9

Friday, April 9, 2004

Vatican Library using computer chips to identify volumes

PROPOSED DESIGN for new construction on the campus of Ave Maria University in Naples, Fla., shows a structure made of glass and aluminum. The Oratory of Ave Maria, which is to be the centerpiece of the new campus, will seat more than 3,000 people and house a perpetual adoration chapel on the lower level. (eNS photo from Ave Maria University)

Ave Maria University unveils plans for 60,OOO-square-foot oratory

By HEATHER FELTON CATHOLIC NEWS SERVICE NAPLES, Fla. - Ave Maria University has unveiled plans for a soaring glass, steel and aluminum church structure rising 150 feet into the air.

The Oratory of Ave Maria is part of detailed architectural plans for the first phase of a permanent campus to be located on 1,000 acres in Florida's rural Collier County between Immokalee and Naples. This first phase includes 15 campus buildings.

Ave Maria officials say their school is the first major new Catholic university to be built in the United States in 40 years.

The university's founder, Tom Monaghan, said he hopes the 60,000-square-foot oratory will "be filled with people on a regular basis."

"It is only fitting that at a Catholic institution, where faith is at the core of all we do, the dominant building be a church," he said.

The overall architecture of the university and town are "pretty mellow" so the oratory will be the most beautiful building on campus, according to Monaghan, who put down $200 million in seed money in 2002 to get the university started.

As a general term, oratory tisms, weddings and burials, in signifies a place of prayer, but addition to daily Mass.

Monaghan said the final cost technically it means a structure other than a parish church, set of the oratory has yet to be deaside by ecclesiastical author- termined, although he expects ity for prayer and the celebra- it will cost around $40 million.

He said he did not believe tion of Mass.

The Ave Maria structure, de- the oratory will be any compesigned by Cannon Design in the tition for the local parishes in style of Gothic cathedrals, will the Naples/Immokalee area beuse 3,000 tons of structural cause of the distance between steel welded and formed into the town and the ,established arches that "appear to spring parishes. It does help, however, from the building's stone fouQ- that the Venice diocese will not dation," according to an Ave have to build a new parish in Ave Maria, Monaghan said.

Maria press release.

Construction has not yet beThe building's outer walls will be a combination of alumi- gun on this first phase of the num and glass, to filter the university, scheduled to be natural daylight into the sanc- completed in' 2006, Monaghan tuary and nave. The oratory said. The developers are curwill measure 300 feet long and rently in the approval'process, 150 feet wide and will seat although he hopes construc-' more than 3,300 people; ac- tion can begin 'as soon as the cording to the university, it will fall. have the largest permanent ~ The university, currently seating capacity of any Catho- housed at an interim campus lolic church in the United States. cated near the Vineyards area Designers also plan to incor- of Naples, has 122 students porate a 60-foot, red-tinted, from 33 states. It features unglass cross embedded within dergraduate degrees in biology, the glass-and-aluminum exte- classics, early Christian literarior wall, with a 40-footcorpus . ture, economics, American or European history, literature, of Jesus.

Jesuit Father Joseph D. mathematics, philosophy, poFessio, chancellor of the uni- litical science and theology. versity, said the oratory will Graduate degrees are available serve as the Catholic church at in theology and exceptional Ave Maria University for bap- education.â&#x20AC;˘

VATICAN CITY (CNS) The radio frequency tracking and Home to almost two million books identification technology first apand manuscripts, the Vatican Library peared ~ the 1980s as a substitute has begun a different way of track- for the more well-known bar code ing and identifying its massive and label in traCking inventories. As opprecious collections. ' posed to the bar Code, which requires Starting last year, the library be- ~ually scanning an item with a gan inserting so-called Radio fre- laser, RFID can identify many items quency Identification, or RFID, at once, swiftly and up to 90 feet computer chips in books available away. It is based on the same techon its open shelves as a way to find nology that allows cars to pay highmisplaced tomes. way tolls without stopping.

More than 120,000 volumes line A reading device sends out the library's public reading rooms, through its antenna a low-power raand "when one book gets put in the dio signal that the chip - in this wrong place, it's as if it's gone for case; inside a bOok - receives. The good," said the library's vice prefect, chip can briefly ''talk'' to the readAmbrogio Piazzoni. ing device and verify "I am here and With this new technology, a li- this is what my name is," said brary worker can pass a wand-like Piazzoni. ''We will also be able to tell how antenna over the shelves and "if a book is missing or in the wrong often a book gets taken off the shelf place, the antenna will sound an to be consulted. This way a book that rarely ever gets looked at can be put alarm to signal there's a problem," he said. in the back rooms to free up space The library closes for a month for a more requested item," he told every year just to go through inven- Catholic News Service.

According to the Public librartory the old-fashioned way: visually corresponding what is on the shelf ies Association, RFID systems are with a list of the library's collection. relatively new in libraries. A recent When the project is complete, article on the association's Website doing inventory with the RFID sys- said that as of the third quarter of tem "will take just half a day," said 2001 fewer than 50 systems had Piazzoni. So far, 50,000 books have been installed in U.S. public libraries, and most of those were branch been tagged with the RFID chips.

That means each book or libraries.

Although some U.S. libraries see document's catalog data - such as its, title, author, number of pages, RFID technology as a way to make date published - will be inserted book checkout easier and faster, the into the book's chip. This way even application will take on a different readers at the library can aim their dimension at the Vatican since no handheld computer at a book and books can be removed from the get its catalog information without Vatican Library - except by the having to reach up and take it down. pope.

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Friday, April 9, 2004

Christian recording company thrives offthe tt;eaten path in rural Iowa

By JOEL DONOFRIO CATHOUC NEWS SERVICE

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uting Catholic popular music.

"Most of the time, you're not DONNELLSON, Iowa - Lo- going to get a young person to list Lted in the center of Lee County, ten to (liturgical) music;' Stein said. " .~ small town of Donnellson looks 'That's a different style than con;.ke a typical rural communitY in temporary Christian music, where 'southeast Iowa. ' w e ' v e got rap, rock - all sorts of But amid the feed store, gas sta- popular styles. . tions and grain elevator in this toWn "What we've got is something' of963 people is a business that helps you can listen to in your car, at home music fans hear recordings by thou- ... it's pre-evangelization in a way;' sands of Catholic and Christian art- she added. "Contemporary Christian ists. music can't replace liturgical music, Heartbeat Records is an influen- but it might help get someone into a tial player in the world of religious church." music, despite its off-the-beatenWith that goal in mind, Stein path location in the southeast cor- started Heartbeat Records in 1988, ner of the Diocese of Davenport. with her sister, Dana, as one of her "We distribute, we have publish- first artists. ing, we handle contracts for songs, "Dana was a well-known artist, we do concert promotion;' said Su- especially in Europe. With that platsan Stein, vice president and one of form, we began to bring in hundreds the founders of Heartbeat Records. and hundreds of contemporary "We're the biggest distributor in the Christian artists;' Stein said. ''We Catholic marketplace for indepen- became a home base for them, and dent artists." a one-stop service for any Catholic The compact discs distributed by materials, for both bookstores and Heartbeat Records run the gamut of liturgy."

Stein's husband, Ron, is a denmusical tastes and styles-from the music of Catholic rock artists such tist in Donnellson and she.decided as Greg Walton to a recitation of to base her new business in a spare 'The Family Rosary" by Pope John room at the office housing his small Paul n. practice. Ron Stein helps out at Stein is quite proud of the latter, . Heartbeat Records and also serves noting that in obtaining the licens- as a deacon at the couple's pansh, ing for the pope's 2003 rosary com- Sacred Heart in Fort MadiSon. . pilation, ''the Vatican was working ''Afterayear,lhadtomovedown with Donnellson, Iowa." into the basement. Then in 1993, we Rosary recordings are among her moved into this building," Susan comp!1Ily's better-selling CDs, she Stein said from the company's 10said. cation near the Green Acres Coun"The buying marketplace to- try Club. day in the Catholic Church really '~t that time I thought, 'What am goes for the traditional things," I going to do with this building, I've she told The Catholic Messenger, got nothing to put in it.' Now, we've Davenport's diocesan newspaper. actually outgrown it;' she said.

"For example, in our new recordThe Heartbeat Records office has ing, Pope John Paul recites the fO- six full-time employees, including sary in Latin and English, plus there Susan Stein, and three part-time are homilies in English about life and workers. They distribute music, the family." books, videos and other items to alHeartbeat Records - which re- most 1,000 different stores - with places the two '~s" in its logo with the majority being religious booktwo heart symbols representing the stores.

Sacred Heart of Jesus and ImmacuBesides being a storehouse for late Heart of Mary - began in the CDs and a shipping facility, the 1980s as Stein looked to assist her Heartbeat Records office also insister, Irish singer Dana Scallon,路 cludesa recording studio; euchariswho records under the name of tic adoration chapel and small guest Dana. room for visiting recording artists. '~t that time, my sister was singLynn Cooper, a Catholic recording with the evangelical music com- ing artist from Pella who has repany Word," Stein said. ''We came leased several music albums and to realize that a lot of non-Catholics written numerous songs, said Stein's did not understand our faith, particu- many business activities never keep larly the role of Mary, the Eucha- her from getting to know the artists rist, confession, and so on." she works with.

Stein and Dana also noticed ''We can't do it alone;' Cooper that evangelical denominations said. "We are out giving concerts were successfully evangelizing and ministering through word and young people through Christian song ... but it is Heartbeat Records music. that makes the music available to the While the world of Catholic li- stores so the Catholic community turgical music is well-represented can easily have access to their faby companies such as Oregon vorite artist."

Catholic Press, Gregorian InstiFurther information about tute of America and World Li- Heartbeat Records is availbrary Publications, Stein noted able on the Web at: there were few options for distrib- www.heartbeatrecords.com.

COWS MAGGIE, Mrs. Catoway and Grace try to save the farm in the animated feature "Home on the Range." (CNS photo from Buena Vista Pictures)

eNS movie review ---.

'Home On the Range' NEW YORK (CNS) - A trio of cranky cows must band together to save their beloved dairy farm from being put on the block in the rip-roaring animated family feature "Home on the Range" (Di!?ney).

Writers~directors Will Finn and John Sanford turn the traditional western on its horns in telling a rootin' -tootin' cowboy yarn from the other end of the branding iron, resulting in a barnyard full of fun for moo-viegoers of all ages.

The story centers on Maggie (voiced by' Roseanne Barr), a brassy prize cow sold into the cozy confines of the approeriately named "Patch of Heaven" dairy farm, owned by a kindly old homesteader named Pearl. The new-cowon-the-blo'ck's rowdy manner causes the farm's prim and proper British heifer, Mrs. Caloway (voiced by Judi Dench), to practically choke on her cud. But, while Maggie's arrival rufi1es some feathers -literally - and gets the goat of a cantankerous old goat named Jeb (voiced by Joe Haherty), the stir is overshadowed by a visit from Sheriff Brown (voiced by Richard Riehle), who regretfully informs Pearl that "Patch of Heaven" is set to be auctioned in three days unless she ponies.up $750 in arrears.

With no way of paying, Pearl resigns herself to selling off her farm. But Maggie is one cow who doesn't kowtow. She proposes to her barnyard buddies that they try to raise the money themselves. Accompanied by a reluctant Mrs. Caloway and a ditzy cow named Grace (voiced by Jennifer Tilly), Maggie sets out to capture Alameda Slim (voiced by Randy Quaid), a notorious cattle rustler with a $750 bounty on his head.

It is later revealed that Slim, disguised as a wealthy land baron, is using the money he makes off the stolen livestock to buy up all the foreclosed farms. With the desperado's sights set on ''Patch of Heaven," the bickering bovines must put aside their personal beefs and work together to prevent an udder cow-tastrophe. l:Ielping steer them in the right direction is Lucky Jack (voiced by Charles Haid), a jackrabbit of all . trades, and Buck (voiced by Cuba Gooding Jr.), a hyperheroic horse.

While Pixar partisans continue to pen obituaries for traditional animation, "Home on the Range" proves that there is still a place for hand-drawn films. With visuals clearly inspired by classic Western iconography, the movie boasts lusI

cious big-sky backdrops exploding with vibrant mesa hues. . Unfortunately, eight-time Academy Award-winning songwriter Alan Menken's tumbleweed score falls short of his .previous Disney collaborations, such as 'The Little Mermaid" and "Aladdin." However, the film does contain several whistle-worthy songs, including the title rawhide romp "(You Ain't) Home on the Range" and "YodleAdle-Eedle-Idle-Oo," a psychedelic hoedown reminiscent of "Pink Elephants on Parade" from "Dumbo."

Laced with enough comic wit to keep' older cowpokes from sleeping in the saddle, the film, while lacking the character development and mythic scope of "The Lion King," imparts a positive message about teamwork and camaraderie.

For pure fun, there's hardly a discouraging word to be heard about this "Home on the Range."

Due to some brief mild rude humor and innuendo, as well as some cartoon violence, 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.

''The Prince and Me"

NEW YORK (CNS) - The following are capsule reviews of movies recently reviewed by the Office for Film & Broadcasting ofthe U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops.

"Dogville" (Lions Gate) Dismal drama in which a young woman (Nicole Kidman) is protected from gangsters by impoverished villagers (including Paul Bettany, Ben Gazzara and Lauren Bacall) in exchange for her servi-

tude in their tiny Depression-era town nestled in the Rockies. But despite hard-won acceptance, the . young woman is brutally betrayed and ultimately exacts her own appalling reprisals. Although artistically noteworthy, director Lars von Trier's thoroughly misanthropic, anti-American piece makes transparent sociopolitical statements on iminigratiori and the economics of poverty while focusing solely on the depravity of humans as it is weighted down by an oppressive, morally bankrupt tone. Nihilistic view of society, several scenes of rape and forced prostitution, brief nudity and some brutal violence.

The USCCB Office for Film & Broadcasting classification is 0 morally offensive. The Motion Picture Association of America rating is R - restricted.

(Paramount) Breezy but bland fairy-tale romance about a workaholic University of Wisconsin pre-med candidate (Julia Stiles) who falls for a charming exchange student (Luke Mably) only to discover he is actually the crown prince of Denmark.

Director Martha Coolidge's clicheriddled romance has a sweet storybook premise, which eventually gives way to a postmodern twist on the happily-ever-after ending. Some crude language and humor, mild sexual situations and a casual attitude toward student drinking. The USCCB Office for Film & Broadcasting classification is A-ill - adults. TheMotion Picture Association of America rating is PG - parental guidance suggested.

Bishop sentenced to 1,000 hours of service, four years prob~tion

By BRETT HEISING

CATHOUC NEWS SERVICE

MSGR. JOHN E. Kozar, national director of the Pontifical Mission Societies in the United States, talks with Patricia Macias, the organization's education director, about the Holy Childhood Association's "Around the World" program that aims to teach children about the needy in developing nations: (CNS photo by Frank J. Methe, Clarion Herald)

Mission directors Dleet to better coordinate their work

By PETER FINNEY JR.

children, a new interactive missionaries speak at local Website has been developed for churches. The survey showed NEW ORLEANS - A survey the Holy Childhood Association. only 14 percent of dioceses incorof mission activities by U.S. dio- The site - which can be accessed porate missionary speakers into ceses is the culmination of a three- through www. world missions- their promotion of World Mission year effort to improve the coor- catholicchurch.org - uses an Sunday, something that should be dination and effectiveness of mis- animated character called "Polly done more often, Yehle said. sionary work, the national direc- Parrot" to explain how children The survey 'indicated a low tor of the Pontifical Mission So- serve as missionaries through recognition of the work and mincieties in the United States told prayer and sacrifice. istry of the Society of St. Peter 150 diocesan mission officials at Msgr. Kozar also unveiled a Apostle and the Missionary their March 23-25 national meet- new "HCA Around the World" Union of Priests and Religious, ing in New Orleans. program that includes a world two entities under the U.S. misReferring to the meeting's map, a globe bank, a "passport" sion umbrella. theme of "One Family in Mis- and stickers for students to use as The Society of St. Peter raises sion," Msgr. John E. Kozar said they finish studying a country. funds to support the education of 158 U.S: dioceses had returned The program can be tailored for candidates for the priesthood in the survey, setting the stage for students in both Catholic schools the developing world and to sup"another historic opportunity ... and in parish schools of religion, port the formation of men and and a solemn moment to say 'yes' he said. women candidates for the relito Christ, to be his missionaries."

"We have designed a tool that gious life in the missions. The "No matter what we have done will be user-friendly and (age-) Missionary Union of Priests and' in the past - and some of you appropriate so that parents can sit Religious is a spiritual apostolate have done prodigious work - we around the dinner table with their that educates and inspires priests must say humbly that it's not children," Msgr. Kozar said. and religious to be missionaries enough, " Msgr. Kozar said. "We "This should challenge our young themselves. can do more."

Almost two-thirds of local people to share and to learn about Miami Archbishop John C. and respond to the needs of chil- mission directors have at least one Favalora, celebrant of the open- dren around the world." other job, the survey indicated. ing Mass, cited his archdiocese's "The bottom line is we are Asked how they perceive themcommitment to mission work in committed as one family in mis- selves, directors said they were every parish and school and said sion under the Holy Father to fund-raisers (60 percent), educamissionary activities should be work together to become better tors (57 percent) and missionargiven a high priority by all U.S. missionaries," said Monica Yehle, ies (43 percent). bishops.

Bishop Gregory M. Aymond director of development and pro"Ifever we forget the missions, grams for the Pontifical Mission of Austin, Texas, chairman of the then we are something else than Societies.

U.S. bishops' Committee on what we should be," Archbishop The survey revealed dioceses World Mission, described misFavalora said. would like more mission materi- sion work as beginning with a few Msgr. Kozar called the 90 per- als to explain why mission is an "tributaries" that wind up fl()wcent return rate for the survey important aspect of the Christian ing into a "strong, deep, rushing unprecedented and said it indi- life, Yehle said. Mission maga- river." cated a strong desire by U.S dio- zine, which is produced by the "For us today, water represents ceses to "look in the mirror" and Pontifical Mission Societies, will the missionary work of Christ and reflect on how mission work was be expanded to include a supple- the Church," Bishop Aymond being carried out locally. ment for junior high and high said. "Water must cover the earth The survey highlighted the re- school students and adult educa- and touch every land, continent, village, race, language and lationships that local mission di- tion. rectors have forged with their While half of all dioceses re- people. When we work alone and bishops and with their diocesan ported emphasizing the annual without Christ and others, we are newspapers. ' World Mission Sunday, 90 per- a tiny stream. When we work toBased on requests for more cent said they participated in the gether, we are a rushing river, compelling mission education for Mission Co-op Appeal, in which strong and deep."

CATHOUC NEWS SERVICE

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PHOENIX - Retired Phoenix Bishop Thomas J. O'Brien has been sentenced to four years of supervised probation and 1,000 hours of community service for fleeing the scene of a fatal accident last June.

Bishop O'Brien, 68, was found guilty February 17 of a felony for leaving the scene of the accident in which Jim Reed, 43, was kilJed June 14 after being struck by a car as he staggered while drunk across a dark street in mid-block.

Two days after the accident Bishop O'Brien was arrested. His resignation as head of the Phoenix diocese, a post he had held for more than 20 years, was accepted by the pope June 18.

Maricopa County Superior Court Judge Stephen A. Gerst specified that the bishop's community service include hospital visits to severely injured and dying people, and required that the bishop provide a way for the public to request such visits.

Bishop O'Brien's driver's license was suspended for five years, mandatory for anyone conv*cted of a class four felony. In 'addition, starting April 1, the bishop must pay a monthly probation fee of $100.

He is believed to be the frrst Catholic bishop in U.S. history to be convicted of a felony.

Gerst described the factors he weighed in determining Bishop O'Brien's sentence.

He explained that he reviewed every case similar to Bishop O'Brien's brought to court since 1996. Of those 99 cases, 25 defendants went to prison, 44 served jail time and 20 were sentenced to probation only. Those who received jailor prison time in similar cases had aggravating factors, such as prior felony convictions or multiple counts of the crime, he said, noting that the bishop had only failed to return to the scene.

The remaining 10 defendants were given deferred sentences, such as Bishop O'Brien's, meaning that as long as they completed the terms of their probation they could stay out of jail.

Bishop O'Briencould have been sentenced to as much as three years and nine months in prison and ordered to pay a fine of $150,000.

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The county prosecutor had asked for a sentence of six months in jail and four years ofprobation. At a presentence hearing, county prosecutors brought in witnesses who testified about how Bishop O'Brien had handled cases of sexual abuse by priests as a way of arguing that the retired bishop had covered up evidence of crimes in the past.

But Gerst said he did not think the sentence in the case should be affected by whatever Bishop O'Brien's role was in sexual misconduct cases.

He also said he considered mail he received about the bishop.

"I have letters (saying) that the defendant appeared arrogant, aloof and insensitive;' he said. "I have others who described him as shy, quiet and reserved and one who has difficulty showing emotion in public."

He said Bishop O'Brien, who suffers from high blood pressure, depression, anxiety and deep psychological pain, will always bear the stares and hushed whispers of the public. Because he is so wellknown statewide, that is a significant punishment, Gerst said.

He added that he wants the entire community to benefit from Bishop O'Brien's community service, and said the prelate's service work should include people of all religions and all cultures. "It will have no religious component at all," he added.

Gerst said the terms of probation should not prevent the bishop from fulfilling his religious obligations and could be completed in two years.

At his trial, the bishop said that when he couldn't see any obvious cause for the damage he decided to drive the five minutes to his home, rather than stop. He said he concluded hours later that his car must have been hit by a rock or struck a dog, and it never occurred to him to report the incident to police.

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Vatican officials ask U.S. bishops t~ focus on wider pastoral issues

By JOHN THAVIS

"When you're in the center of the storm you think that's all there VATICAN CITY Top is, especially when the media Vatican officials are urging U.S. keeps it in front of your eyes, It bishops to move beyond the sex takes coming to Rome to underabuse crisis and restore their fo- stand this - not that you get away cus to the wider range of pastoral from the problem, but you put it in perspective," Archbishop and international issues.

That's the main message Favalora said.

The bishops later discussed the emerging from a series of encounters in late March between heads handling of sex abuse cases at the . of curial agencies and the first Congregation for the Doctrine of group of bishops to make their the Faith, butthe talks there also ranged over wider topics. "ad limina" visits to Rome.

The bishops, from Florida, In his individual meetings with North and South Carolina, and bishops, Pope John Paul II did not Georgia, spoke to Catholic News inquire specifically about the sex POPE JOHN Paull! is led through a cheering crowd as he arrives for a rally with young Service in interviews. The rest of abuse cases, according to several people in S1. Peter's Square April 1. Tens ofthousands of young people gathered for a the U.S. hierarchy will make simi- bishops. In,stead, he asked about jubilant ceremony during which the pope asked them to "live as true Christians." (CNS photo lar visits over the next nine priestly and religious vocations, from Reuters) months, in a consultation process the state of the family and marundertaken every five years. riage, and the changing cultural The "ad limina" visits are seen makeup of dioceses.

In discussions with Vatican by many in Rome as an opportunity for pastoral regrouping in the ~fficials, the bishops said Prowake of the sex abuse scandal. Life issues received considerable That was the dominant theme in . attention. That included abortion,

By CAROL GLATZ meetings at several Vatican con- euthanasia, care to people in vegCATHOUC NEWS SERVICE gregations. etative states, advances in genetic the past seven international World Youth Days and Cardinal· Dario Castrillon technology and the death penalty, VATICAN CITY - Twenty years after he en- featured music, songs and dance from Italy and other Hoyos, head of the Congregation said Bishop John H. Ricard of trusted the holy year cross to young people, Pope John countries. for Clergy, told the bishops it was Pensacola-Tallahassee, Fla. The event was in preparation for the April 4 celPaul II joined thousands of youths to reminisce and important to keep the sex abuse Bishop Ricard said while it's celebrate its impact on a whole generation across the ebration of World Youth Day, traditionally marked on cases in perspective. recognized that Church teaching globe. a diocesan level on Palm Sunday. This year's theme "He placed great emphasis on on these issues may have politiSt. Peter's Square turned into a fluttering sea of was ''We Would Like to See Jesus." affinning the value of priests in cal impact in an election year, it's colors April 1 as more than 20,000 young people To help symbolize that theme, a white banner with our dioceses. He said that with the important for the Church to stay mostly from Rome and hundreds from around the the World Youth Day logo was unfurled slowly at the recent scandal, it could be very out of party politics. world - waved red, yellow, green, blue and white end of the pope's address. It revealed, hanging from easy to lose sight of the fact that "The Church is principled, not bandanas and their nation's flags in the cool spring the central loggia of St. Peter's Basilica, a giant reprethe great majority of priests were, partisan. It is neither Democratic breeze. sentation of Christ Pantocrator - an ancient icon of working faithfully," said Bishop nor Republican," Bishop Ricard "Twenty years ago, at the end of the end of the -Christ from the sixth century housed in the monastery J. Kevin Boland of Savannah, Ga. said.

Holy Year ofthe Redemption, I entrusted young people of St. Catherine in Egypt's Sinai Peninsula.

At the Congregation for BishIn their other Vatican meet- with the cross:' which "announces the merciful love The pope said to the crowd, "Dear young people, ops March 30, Cardinal Giovanni ings, the bishops said they dis- of God:' Pope John Paul said in his address. here is the face for whom you are looking."

Battista Re asked bishops to sup- cussed: formation of clergy and Contemplate the face of Christ for "a renewed efThe cross travels around the world from one World port their clergy in the wake of the priesthood candidates, with an Youth Day to another, the pope noted. fort toward the Christian life I expect from you," he sex abuses cases, saying they've eye toward the upcoming visita"Thanks to you, dear friends, millions of young said. all been wounded by the scandal. tion of U.S. seminaries; the need • people looking at that cross have changed their lives, Archbishop John C. Favalora for bilingual ministry in the dedicating themselves 'to live as true Christians," he of Miami said one Vatican cardi- South, where in many areas His- said. nal reminded the bishops that the panics make up about half the But the crowd's almost constant chants anq cheers U.S. Church has a strong leader- Catholic population; proposals to stretched what would have been a one-hour ceremony VATICAN CITY (CNS) - When dealing with ship role in the world and has legalize same-sex marriage and into two hours - much to the delight of the pope, much to offer. That's a perspec- the Church's efforts to prevent who appeared buoyed and encouraged by their enthu- suffering people, St. Padre Pio knew what to say and when to say it, according to an Italian governtive the bishops need to hear af- that from happening; immigra- siasm. ment agency welcoming his designation as patron· ter focusing almost exclusively on tion; terrorism; preventive wC;lr; "You certainly are not without lots of energy," he saint of Italian civil defense volunteers. the sex abuse crisis, Archbishop the issue of unilateralism and the said when cheers forced him to interrupt his speech.

The Italian bishops' conference, which had asked Favalora role of the United Nations. , said.

Five minutes later, when the crowd's exuberance the Vatican to make the designation, announced redid n'ot die down, the pope 'said, "they're telling me I cently that it had been approved. have to continue (the speech)."

The Italian Department of Civil Protection, which The pope told those gathered to put their trust in coordinates the work of volunteers providing secuChrist and that choosing him did not mean renounc- rity and emergency relief in the event of earthquakes, ing everything that was good in the world. avalanches, fires, volcanic eruptions and other diThe pope skipped several sentences of his two-page sasters, had supported the request and 'welcomed address, not so much out of fatigue but to make up for the designation. time lost to the many interruptions from the crowd.

"A lesson of simple humanity, humble, hidden, "How the young people of today have ch~ged from nourished by a love that does not want to show off those of 20 years ago, just as the cultural and social but knows when to arrive at the right moment: This context in which we live has changed. But Christ, he is the teaching, the encouragement and the blessing . hasn't changed," the pope said. which the civil defense volunteers ask of Padre Pio, "Young people have changedjust as I have changed, their protector from this day forward," the departtoo, but your heart, like mine, is always thirsty for truth, ment said in a statement. happiness, the eternal, and, therefore, is always young:' The Italian government coordinating office said, he said.

"St. Pio of Pietrelcina can be considered a master of "The pope is with you," he said:. "Bring the strength the virtues required by those who have chosen to of the cross with you for every occasion, whether it is express solidarity, generous self-giving and sharing, convenient or inconvenient, so everyone can see and especially with those who are living dramatic and POPE JOHN Paull! meets with a group of U.S. bishops at believe in the Redeemer of humankind." painful moments because their daily lives have been, the Vatican April 2. (CNS photo from Reuters) The outdoor ceremony highlighted video clips from turned upside down by catastrophe and calamity."

CATHOLIC NEWS SERVICE

Pope, youths .Dlark 20th World Youth Day cross

St. Padre Pio made patron of civil defense. voluf!-teers

v'

DCCWNEWS

BISHOP GEORGE W. Coleman was the guest of the Diocesan 'Council of Catholic Women at its annual dinner-meeting held at Rachel's Lakeside in Westport. From left, Mary Martin, first vice-president of the DCCW; St. Joseph of Cluny Sister Eugenia Brady, moderator; Bishop Coleman; and DCCW President Lynette Ouellette. Below, 32 members of the Diocesan Council of Catholic Women attended the recent annual retreat at the Dominican Sisters of Presentation Facility in Dighton, and heard presentations from Dorothy J. Levesque, who ministers to those suffering from loss and separation from loved ones in the Diocese of Providence. From left, past DCCW President Claudette Armstrong, DCCW President and retreat chairman Lynette Ouellette, Father David Engo, who celebrated Mass for the retreatants; and Levesque. (Photos courtesy of Madeleine Lavoie)

Bush signs Unborn VictiDls of Violence Act WASHINGTON .(CNS) - President Bush April I signed into law the Unborn Victims of Violence Act, which recognizes an unborn child as the second victim when a violent federal crime is perpetrated against a pregnant woman.

"We applaud the president for bringing justice to women and their children who are victims of violent crime," said Cathy Cleaver Ruse, director of planning arid information for the U.S. Catholic bishops' Secretariat for Pro-Life Activities.

"Thanks to him, and to a bipartisan majority of Congress, a woman who loses her child to a brutal attacker in a federal jurisdiction will no longer be told that she has lost nothing," she said in a statement.

During the signing ceremony in the East Room of the White House, Bush said, "as of today the law of our nation will acknowledge the plain fact that crimes of violence against a pregnant woman often have two victims, and therefore, in those cases, there are two offenses to be punished."

"Any time an expectant mother is a victim of violence, two lives are in the balance, each deserving protection and each deserving justice," he said. "If the crime is murder and the unborn child's life ends, justice demands a full accounting under the law."

The Unborn Victims of Violence Act is also known as "Laci and Conner's Law" after Laci Peterson and her unborn son, Conner, whose disappearance and subsequent death drew national attention. The California'woman was nearly eight months pregnant when she disappeared in December 2002; Laci and Conner's bodies were found the following April.

Under the law, anyone who harms a woman's unborn child while committing a federal crime, such as assaulting the woman on federal property, commits a distinct federal crime against the child in addition to the crime against the woman.

The Senate approved the bill by a vote of 6138 March 25. It passed in the House February 26 by a vote of 254-163.

Ceremonies to bring 150,000 new Catholics into Church

By CATHOLIC NEWS SERVICE WASHINGTON - More than 150,000 peopie will join the Catholic Church in the United States at Easter Vigil services Saturday, according to figures compiled by the U.S. bishops' Secretariat for'Evangelization.

Nearly 64,000 joined with their bishops for .the diocesan Rite of Election and Call to Continuing Conversion at the beginning of Lent. Another estimated 90,000 men and women celebrated those rites at the parish level.

Of the 63,891 who participated in diocesan ceremonies, more than 26,000 will be baptized, confirmed and receive the Eucharist for the first time on Holy Saturday. The other 37,000-plus, already baptized as Christians, will enter full communion with the Catholic Church at those ceremonies.

Those who are not yet baptized are called catechumens, while Christians who are already baptized are called candidates.

The numbers from the diocesan ceremonies in early Lent of 2004 are slightly higher than the 62,261 recorded in diocesan ceremonies in 2003. About threequarters of the dioceses responded to the Secretariat for Evangelization's survey.

"The Rite of Election in my diocese was the highlight of the year," said Bishop Edward J. Slattery of Tulsa, Okla., chairman of the bishops' Committee on Evangelization, of the ceremony at the beginning of Lent that marked the beginning of the final preparations for acceptance into the Church.

"I worried that the cathedral would be next-to empty due to all the scandal news this year, but I was delighted to find that the numbers signing the Book of the Elect were higher than last year," Bishop Slattery added. "It is great to know that God is in charge."

At least 17 U.S. dioceses will bring in groups larger than 1,000 people, with the largest groups of candidates and catechumens in the Archdiocese of Los Angeles (3,070) and the Diocese of Galveston-Houston (1,797).

The Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults is an ancient rite that was reinstituted in the Church following the Second Vatican Council. It is the usual means for adults -to come into the Church.

Infant baptisms take place in parishes throughout the year, and it is estimated that there will be more than one million in 2004.

In the Holy Saturday ceremonies, adults will enter the Church in every diocese of the country and in virtually every one of the nation's nearly 19,000 parishes.

Those adults will include John and Cari Brunelle, who will enter the Church at St. Ann Parish in Wilmington, Del. They said theynave-their daughter to thank for them wanting to learn . more about Catholicism.

The couple, who had married in the Methodist Church, found St. Ann when they sought a faith-based kindergarten for their daughter, Jordan. In January 2003, during Catholic Schools Week, they visited the school during an open house and alsq attended Mass.

"Both of us looked at each other and fel t, 'This is it!' It felt like home .... Jordan loved it.

She loved the kids," said Cari Brunelle. The couple enrolled their daughter in kindergarten, then decided they wanted to learn about the Catholic Church and enrolled in the RCIA. "It's been an amazing experience," said John Brunelle. His wife said the couple "realized we were meant to be at St. Ann's.... We know we are doing the right thing with our lives."

CHANCELLOR BRIAN Correia of The Knights of Columbus Columbian Family of Councils leads a rosary during the Day of the Unborn Child at St. Bernard's Church, Assonet.

The event was an opportunity to support the Pro-Life cause and included Benediction of the Blessed Sacrament by Father Tim Goldrick.

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Friday, April 9, 2004

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ST. JOSEPH-ST. THERESE, New Bedford, students recently enjoyed Mad Science Day. Many activities marked the day including 'a visit by a "mad scientist," pictured above with students Zachary Torres and Samantha Tavares, who performed several experi' ments for the school. Students dressed as scientists, doctors or nurses.

FALL RIVER - Players from various areas ofthe diocese recently participated in the annual CYO Allstar Basketball Tournaments. Preliminary games were played followed by the championship games for several divisions. All Tournament Team members were selected and Most Valuable Players were also named. Wmners will receive trophies at the'annual CYO Basketball Dinner later this spring.

In the Junior Boys Tournament, held at the Sullivan-McCarrick CYO Center in Fall River, the New Bedford All-Stars prevailed.

The first game pitted New Bedford against Taunton and New Bedford won 59 to 57. Jordan Todman had 15 points and Ethan Sylvia chipped in with 10 as New Bedford overcame a 43-25 halftime deficit. Chris Briody of Taunton led all scorers with 16.

After leading by just one point at halftime, 25-24, New Bedford pulled away to take the Junior Boys Championship over Fall River 57-48. Jordan Todman led, all scorers with 14 point and Kevin Pare of Fall River had 12 points in the loss.

The All Tournament Team: Chris Briody, Taunton; Corey Baptista and Kevin Pare, Fall Rive~; Erik Johnson and Dan Pratt, New Bedford. Jordan Todman of New Bedford was selected as the Most Valuable Player.

The Junior Girls Tournament was held at the Kennedy CYO Center in New Bedford with Fall River taking the top honors. In the first game Erin Baldwin had 11 points and Shelly DePina added eight to lead New Bedford over Taunton. . Erin Wade led' her Taunton teammates in scoring with seven.

In the championship game Fall

River's Alex Fiola led all scorers with 14 points as her team defeated New Bedford 39-28. Erin Baldwin led the New Bedford squad with 11 points.

The All Tournament Team: Erin Wade, Taunton; Shelly DePina and Erin Baldwin, New Bedford; Emily Travers and Alex Fiola, Fall River. Marissa Mello of Fall River was named Most Valuable Player.

In the Prep Tournament, held at Taunton Cathofic Middle School, New Bedford won the championship. In the first game which went to overtime, New Bedford outpaced Taunton 75-69.

Taunton held a lead at the end of the first half by a score of 33-26, but New Bedford battled back to tie the game when the final buzzer sounded on a three point shot by Duayne Offley. In the overtime, New Bedford pulled away for the win. Derren Almeida had 26 and Jared Lockhard posted 16 for the New Bedford squad. Taunton players Jacob Wren with 17 points and Matt Mirka with 14 led their team.

The championship game saw New Bedford tested again by a strong Fall River team. Leading by 10 at the half, they had to hang on and were victorious 60-57. Peter Wolstenholme had 18 points for Fall River in the loss and teammate Justin Beaulieu chipped in 11.

Derren Almeida was the leading scorer with 20 and Marcus Ferro added 10.

The All Tournament Team: Jacob Wren, Taunton; Peter Wolstenholme and Justin Beaulieu, Fall River; Joseph Almeida and Jared Lochart, New Bedford. Most Valuable Player was Derren Almeida of New Bedford.

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ALTAR SERVERS from Immaculate Conception and Notre Dame parishes of Fall River display certificates they were awarded by the Knights of Columbus Msgr. Prevost Council No. 12380 for outstanding service: The aWards were presented at a recent spaghetti dinner.

MEMBERS OF the Colonial Pipers Bagpipe Band play at Saint Mary-Sacred Heart School, New Bedford, during an Irish Ceili. The event included students performing traditional Irish dances and songs and folk tales. Front from left, Angie' Reekie and Jackie Abernowski. Rear, Ashley Klug and John Abernowski.

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Pope tells university students to be active in life of Church

By CAROL GLATZ CATHOLIC NEWS SERVICE

PLANS FOR Taunton Catholic schools' auction and dinner dance recently got underway as members of the planning committee gathered to discuss the June 19th event at Gillette Stadium. From left, Deborah Smith, William Tranter, Mary Beth Driscoll and Roxane Faidell.

THESE MEMBERS of the Coyle and Cassidy High School novice debate team recently became Eastern Massachusetts Debate League champions. Froml,eft: Shannon Fitzgerald, Alexandra Hill, Caitlin St. John and Patrick Sousa. This is the third year in a row the Taunton school had a first-place debate team in the novice division of the league.

Josef Clemens, council secrc tary, read the pope's message tt· VATICAN CITY - Pope participants March 31.

"Jesus is the truth of the uni· John Paul II told university students to lead an active life in the verse and of history, the meal'Church so they can face "what ing and destiny of human exist· are often difficult environ- ence, the foundation of all real ity," the pope said in his mesments."

In a written message to par- sage.

"It is your responsibility, y , ticipants of this year's Internawho have weltional Youth comed thl' Forum March "It is not enough to truth as the v; ,31-April40utc side of Rome, ~peak' about Jesus to cation and certhe pope urged young undergraduates: titude of y01: I lives," to pay students to deepen their We must also 'show' witness to anci personal rela- Jesus to them, through live out thr: tionships with the eloquent witness of truth, the mef,sage said.

Christ through our lives," it said.

"It is no active particienough t'l pation in the 'speak' aboutJesus to young unChurch.

"If your faith is linked merely dergraduates: We must also to fragments of tradition, fine 'show' Jesus to them, througi. sentiments or a generic religious the eloquent witness of our identity, you will certainly not lives," it said.

Guest speakers from aroull,; be able to withstand the impact of the environment you are in," the world, incl uding Harvard law professor Mary An_l his message said.

"Do not remain isolated in Glendon, were invited to hel} what are often difficult environ- lead discussion and reflectiOl' ments, but play an active part in on the forum's theme of "Youtl the life of Church associations, and University: Witnessing i. movements and communities Christ in the Universit~ operating in the university en- World."

Forum participants joine,l vironment," the pope said.

Some 300 university students young people from Rome all!' from almost 100 countries trav- the pope April I and Palm Sun eled to the Roman hill town of day, April 4, for the Rome di Rocca di Papa for the five-day ocesan celebration of Worl,; event sponsored by the Pontifi- YOl!th Day in St. Peter'~ cal Council for the Laity. Bishop Square.

'Freaky Friday'

By KASE JOHNSTUN CATHOLIC NEWS SERVICE Wouldn't it be great to pull a freaky Friday with someone you just don't understand?

I watched the newest version of "Freaky Friday" last weekend. If you haven't seen it or don't know the premise, a high school girl swaps bodies with her mother, creating a day of havoc as each character has to live the other's life for a day.

The overprotective mother has to go to high school, and the misunderstood teen-ager has to go to work and plan a wedding Of course, in the end, the two understand each other more and realize that life is tough on both ends, drastically improving their relationship.

Again, wouldn't it be great to have this power?

I have sat in conversations

with parents, family, friends and co-workers, and as they tried to convince me of their point, the only thing I could think was: "Huh? What the heck are you trying to say?" or "You are so completely wrong."

Then looking across the table, or the kitchen, or the office desk, their faces look at me with an expression saying, "Huh?" The high school and junior high school years produced an infinite amount of "Huh?" and "What are you talking about?" between teens and parents.

Honestly, how can parents understand what you are going through? They weren't there when all my friends stared at me and dared me to throw a basketball as hard as I could at the light fixture in the gym. And as the light came falling to its

shattering death, they weren't there to see all those kids bail out of the gym like water escaping a windshield on a

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Age blustery day.

Yes, there is the other side parents looking at their children, bewildered by the fact that they got a call from the principal's office saying, "Your child is here, she has been kicked out of class three times this week."

Your parents sit on the end of the phone line saying, "Huh?" "Freaky Friday," the movie, although overdone at times, tells

a story about parents who have forgotten how it is to be a kid and of kids who have no clue how it is to be a parent. But as far as I know, there have been no cases of freaky Fridays documented to date (the exchange of bodies). I am sure some tabloid had run the story, but the American Medical Association has yet to confirm the findings.

So what do we do now? We can't switch bodies. I doubt your parents' boss or your teachers will allow you to roleplay and switch places for a day, although it's not a bad idea.

Wait, my dad is an accountant, and it is tax season. Scratch that idea.

For centuries upon centuries, teen-agers have fought with parents, and parents have misunderstood teen-agers.

What is the solution?

I sure don't have it. I don't have children, and my parents and I still don't' completely understand each other.

I have gone through the sanlt', thing, slamming my door and heading into a month-long grounding for being disrespectful at the table - and they didn't even know that I'd had the worst day ever at school.

The best we can do is take :l little piece of advice from a film like "Freaky Friday" or the old saying, "Walk a mile iJ my shoes." There is no absolute solution to altercations with parents. It's part of growing up, but just making a little more effort to try to understand your parents may make Mondays, Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Fridays a little less freaky.

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BY SusAN BRINKMANN CATHoLiC NEWS SERvice

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PHll.ADELPlllA - Rebecca Porter was three months pregnant when her husband was killed by a dnmk driver.

At 20, she was a widow. After , her sqn was born, grief led her 'into an affair with one of her late husband's friends. ''When I found out I was pregnant, I didn't want anybody to know what I did," the Florida woman recaned 'in a telephone ititerview with The Catholic Standard & TImes, Philadelphia archdiocesan newspaper.

She said a girlfriend who was a nurse told her, "You can just go to the hospital and have an abortion and it will fix your life." Porter did that, but she was never the same person again, she said.

Porter, now 45, is the director of the Operation Outcry: Silent No More campaign in Florida. The national campaign gives a voice to women' who want to prevent other women from suffering the emotional, physical and psychological effects they say were a result oftheir own abortions.

After her abortion, Porter's life began to spiral downward into drugs and alcohol. Eventually, after a third abortion, she tried to take her own life~

''WhenIwentforthe(third)abortion, I was crying. I was so upset, yet nobody tried to talk me out of it," she said. ''Nobody tried to stop me. All they wanted was my money."

She was crying through the whole procedure until she heard the nurse say, "Oh look! 1\vins!" When she heard that, she .remembers. screaming, ''Oh my God, what have I done?"

"I had been clean fr9m drugs for almost a year at·that time, but I immediately went back to them. I tried to commit suicide," said Porter.' ''It wasn't only hearing about my twins, but the reality of the other pregnancies hit me all at once."

In herpain, she turned to God, and she has been clean for 10 years now.

Porter has given a sworn affida-

vit about the harm abortion caused her. Hers is one of a thousand such affidavits from women now being reviewed by a three~judge panel in the 5th U.S. Circuit Court ofAppeals in New Orleans.

The affidavits, are part of a motion filed by Allan Parker of' the Texas-based Justice Foundation on behalf of Norma McCorvey, better known as the ''Roe'' in Roe v. Wade, the 1973 Supreme Court decision that legalized abo~o~ virtually on demand in the United States. , Parkerhoj>es to have the decision reversed by presenting evidence of the harm abortion causes women, a fact that was not known when Roe was decided.

In. mid-March Porter took her message to a different audience.

When Sen. John. Kerry of Massachusetts, the presump~ve Democratic candidate for president, visited Tampa, Florida; Porter and a friend stood on the sidelines at.the event and held up signs reading, ''My abortion hurt me."

Porter said she.was standing only 15 feetfromKerry, a Catholic, wheri the senator caught sight of the sign.

"You could see by his eyes that. he was reading it. I was thinking, 'Oh my God! He's reading my sign.'" she said. Then-Kerry looked: to see who was carrying it, accord-' ing to Porter. ''Thafs when he 'looked at me and our eyes met He had this look of shock and surprise on his face," she said.

Seconds later someone Porter said.was from Kerry's campaign grabbed ~e sign out.of her hands.

"You can't have this in here," she quoted him as saying. He tore it up and walked away. Her friend, Cindy, also haP her sign taken .away and tom up.

When asked by The Catholic Standard & Trmes to comment .on the incident, Kerry c~mpaign spokeswoman Kathy Roeder declined. ''I wasn't there. I have nothing to' say," she .said..

Poftl?r is not ,angry, and',she said. she hoped Kerry will remember the sign and especially ''the pain in:my eyes."

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Rich Bible heritage, ~art I: An overview of Sinai

By JOHN HEIRD

the Gulf of Aqaba.

From the aforementioned modern-day wars of the 20th century back to the time of Exodus, it is I am delighted to be back at work digging into the same story: Egypt and Israel do battle in this the world of biblical archaeology and how we hot, dry and rugged wilderness. might relate it to our study of the Scriptures.

Its landscape in places eerily looks like the surIt has been my lifelong quest and belief that the face of the moon. A well-deserved appearance 'understanding of our her~tage anq. the lives of our since Sinai, whose origin has its name from Sina, predecessors in faith.~c~help us understand.~··· '.' is the. ancient goddess of the moon, whom early , our own daily walk~d'work in minis,. inhabitants worshipped. tering for our Lord and his Church.

The presence of man in the Sinai PeninStrange and foreign words and sula dates back 8,000 years. Later, phrases pop out at us evBronze Age settlers arrived in . ery time we explore the search of valuable minBible, especially the erals. The Sinai was j . Old Testament. What an inhabited by the ,~ aid to be able to put Monitu and was some of those peoples, called "Mafkat" or places and events into Country of Thrquoise. context and meaning. That In developing the is .the purpose of "Dr. Dig peninsula's copper and Uncovers the Bible." turquoise mines, they drew In the past three years, the attention of Egypt's phawe have looked at the daily raohs, from the earliest dynaslife and times in the ancient ties through the New Kingdom world. Now, in this; the . era. By 3000 B.C. Egypt had exfourth year, let's look at those ' erted control over that area, as it hard to pronounce, hard to unremains so today. derstand, and, quite commonly, It was through the desert wasteland hard to concentrate on places and of Sinai, called the Wilderness of peoples and events.

Paran in the Bible, that the Israelites There is no better place to start :-- journeyed on their exodus from than the Sinai Peninsula and the Egypt to the promised land of deserts of the Negev and Egypt Canaan. It has particular significance which affect Old Testament life and in biblical history because it is the site of Mount understanding greatly.

Sinai, where Moses received the Ten Commandments I once threw the photo (below) up as a slide (Exodus 19-20) and where Israel as a nation con,in a Bible study. Without any hint, I asked arqund firmed· its covenant ·with the Lord (Exodus 24). the room, "Where is this land located?" Well. I In the future, we'll tackle those subjects a bit had guesses of everywhere from India to Baja, more: the route of the Exodus and the location of Calif. ..

Mount'Sinai. As with most things in archaeology, .

Not one of the adultparticiparits had a clue;that ,there.is disagreement galore! But these are subit was the famous Sinai,Peninsul~.'And every one jects well worth our attention as we study the land of them had lived through the events of the ~'Six . of the Sinai and its rich heritage. .Day War" of June 1967 and the "Yom KippUr War" Happy Digging! . of October 1973 even if they had never picked up . ; -;,' Ask Dr. Dig a Bible. In thinking about that little exercise,. I Want pose a question to Dr. Dig? Write him thought that this place would be a greatplace 'to ' at drdig@lampcom.com. start. .

Dr. John Heird is' a Bible historian and arThe Sinai is rich with information to cover: more. chaeologist. He is a wTiier and lecturer on biblithan we can contribute here. What a place. It is '. t:al backgrounds and the fonner development dilarge, complex and· diverse politically, econ<?mi- , rector for the Diocese of little Rock. cally, geographi- . cally and religiously and it is a1so of military value. All of these factors at different times in biblical history helped, or hindered, our Hebrew heritage.

This triangleshaped 'peninsula has the Gulf of Suez and the Suez Canal on its western side, the Mediterranean Sea on the north and the Gaza strip and Israel's Negev desert on the east. Saudi Arabia joins the NASA PHOTO of the Sinai Peninsula. (Courtesy Biblical Archaeolscene just across ogy Society)

. Note: Dr. John Heird returns to writing his column after a four-month sabbaticaL

to