The Anchor Diocese of Fall River
F riday , April 19, 2013
Boston cardinal says all feel ‘deep sorrow’ for victims of explosions
PROUD MOMENT — Marissa Cline of West Yarmouth proudly shows her husband, Wayne, her newly-acquired U.S. citizenship certification after a Naturalization Ceremony held in Hyannis. Cline was one of 25 who became a U.S. citizen during the event and one of 13 who participated in the citizenship program sponsored by Catholic Social Services of the Fall River Diocese. (Photo by Kenneth J. Souza)
Diocesan CSS assists group in becoming U.S. citizens
By Kenneth J. Souza Anchor Staff
HYANNIS — José Francisco DaSilva sat gripping a small American flag in a room at the JFK Museum, surrounded by colorful photos on the walls of the late President John F. Kennedy and his famous family. In a few minutes he and the 24 other fellow immigrants sitting with him inside this Cape Cod landmark would become part of a new family, too, as they proudly took an Oath of Alle-
giance as U.S. citizens. The gravity and solemnity of the occasion wasn’t lost on DaSilva, whose friends call him “Frank.” It’s something he’s been aspiring to do since moving here from Brazil in 1989. “This is the best day of my life … I’m very excited,” DaSilva said, smiling. “Tonight I’m going out with my niece and my wife to celebrate. It’s a great day.” To help prepare for this milestone achievement, the Center-
ville resident participated in the Citizenship Services program sponsored by the Catholic Social Services apostolate of the Fall River Diocese. The program offered DaSilva assistance with English language, American history and civics classes and also helped him file his application and study for the naturalization exam. “The classes were very nice because the lady who taught us had a lot of experience,” DaSilva said. “She’s been doing this for a Turn to page 18
BOSTON (CNS) — Within hours of two explosions taking place near the finish line of the Boston Marathon April 15, Cardinal Sean P. O’Malley, OFM, Cap., sent a message of prayer and support for those injured, their loved ones and those who experienced the trauma of the tragedy. “The Archdiocese of Boston joins all people of good will in expressing deep sorrow following the senseless acts of violence perpetrated at the Boston Marathon today,” he said. Close to 3 p.m. the Boston Police Department reported that officers had responded to two large explosions along the Boston Marathon route that left three people dead, including an eight-year-old
boy, and more than 176 wounded. “The citizens of the city of Boston and the commonwealth of Massachusetts are blessed by the bravery and heroism of many, particularly the men and women of the police and fire departments and emergency services who responded within moments of these tragic events,” the cardinal said. Many expressed fear the explosions, which were seconds apart, and the AP reported that federal officials were treating the bombings as an act of terrorism. As of early April 16, no one had yet stepped forward to claim responsibility for the act, which took place on Patriots’ Day, a civic holiday in Massachusetts that comTurn to page 14
BOSTON MASSACRE — A runner and race officials at the finish line of the Boston Marathon react to an explosion April 15. Two bombs exploded in the crowded streets near the finish line of the marathon, killing at least three people, including an eight-year-old boy, and injuring more than 176. (CNS photo/MetroWest Daily News/Reuters)
Springtime Cape Cod mission to focus on God’s creation By Kenneth J. Souza Anchor Staff BREWSTER — The parishioners of Our Lady of the Cape Parish invite everyone to participate in a parish mission at 7 p.m. each evening on April 22, 23 and 24 at Our Lady of the Cape Church, 468 Stony Brook Road in Brewster. Spring on Cape Cod sings of the glory of God, and this year’s theme is “All Creation Belongs to Christ.” As spring renews nature, we are invited to the renewal of our spiritual life as well. As taught by St. Francis of Assisi and his Franciscan sons and daughters, we have come to know that all of creation came into being as an expression of God’s love. That belief must always shape how we see everyone and everything — as well as how we treat them. Father Jack Clark Robinson, OFM, is a Franciscan and the director of the mission. He has worked for many
years with Native Americans. Presently, he is a professor of theology in San Antonio, Texas. He will lead the group through a process of spiritual renewal through the prism of Franciscan spirituality. Father Robinson was born on the fourth of July in eastern Kentucky many years ago. His parents and most of his family were school teachers. He went off to Kentucky Wesleyan College as a good Baptist and ended up a Roman Catholic. A few years later, he ran off to law school in an attempt to escape God’s call to religious life and the priesthood, but that didn’t work! He graduated from law school, took the bar exam and went off to the Franciscans. While he was a novice, he was sent to the Southwest, where he fell in love with the land and the people. In 1985, he became a founding member of a new Franciscan province headquarTurn to page 18
CAPE MISSION — Father Jack Clark Robinson, OFM, will be leading a mission at Our Lady of the Cape Parish in Brewster beginning April 22.