t eanc 0 VOL. 40, NO. 16
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Friday, April 19, 1996
FALL RIVER, MASS.
FALL RIVER DIOCESAN NEWSPAPER FOR SOUTHEAST MASSACHUSETTS CAPE COD &. THE ISLANDS Southeastern Massachusetts'
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Catholic educators attend annual NCEA convention
KICKIN G OFF the 1996 Catholic Charities Appeal in the diocese, Bishop Sean O'Malley addresses the congregation gathered earlier this week at S1. Mary's Cathedral, Fall River. (Anchor/ Jolivet photo)
Hundreds brave tOl'rential rains to attend Catholic Chari~ties Appeal Mass By Dave Jolivet Anchor Staff
Index Daily Readings 5 Editorial 4 Necrology 8 Obituaries 2 Saluting Seniors .~ 10 Steering Points 16 Youth News 14
The 1996 Catholic Charities Appeal Campaign is barely off the ground, and already several hundred individl:!als from throughout the diocese have exhibited the true spirit of giving of oneself. Last Tuesday, Bishop Sean O'Malley and a hearty congregation braved torrential downpours, blustery winds and flooded streets to attend a Mass at St. Mary's Cathedral in Fall River, launching the 1996 campaign. Throughout the Mass, a steady heavy rain pounded on the roof of the Cathedral, but inside glowed the warmth of the Eucharistic celebration and t.he spirit of its participants. Prior to the liturgy, the bishop made a special point of thanking those who ventured out on such a dismal night. Bishop O'Malley stressed the importance of beginning this campaign in the context ofthe Eucharist. "God has done His part, but He expects us to do ours," said the bishop. Designated concelebrants were Monsignor Thomas J. Harrington, director of the Diocesan Catholic Charities Appeal, the regional directors, Monsignor George W. Coleman, Rev. Jphn A. Perry, Rev. Vincent Diaferio, Rev. Manuel P. Ferreira, Rev. Bruce M. Neylon and Rev. Thomas L.
Rita. Also att,ending were heads of some of the departments which receive funding from the Appeal: Rev. Horace Travassos (Family Life), Rev. Jack Oliveira (Immigrants), Rev. Stephen Fernandes (Pro-Life), Rev. Jay Maddock (CYO), Rev. George Harrison (Youth Ministry), Rev. Joseph Viveiros (Disabilities), Rev. George Bellenoit (Pastoral Sick), Rev. Richard Beaulieu (Education), Rev. Stephen Salvador (Scouting), Rev. Michal:1 McManus, Secretary of Temporalities, and Rev. Stephen Avila, master of cere-
monies. In addition, a large number of diocesan priests, deacons and religious were in attendance. In his homily, the bishop invoked God's blessing on all who are working on the Appeal, and also on the parish priests. "In the Fall River Diocese, our priests lead by example," said Bishop O'Malley, citing the many generous donations to the Appeal by diocesan priests. "I find their generosity humbling." He told the congregation that the Bible teaches us of the dangers of being too atTurn to Page 13
PHILADELPHIA (CNS) More than 17,000 Catholic educators, including about 25 from the Fall River diocese, met in Philadelphia April 9-12 for the National Catholic Educational Association convention and were praised for putting their faith into action and challenged not to rest on their laurels. "Of all the conventions I have attended over the years, this was by far one of the best," said Father Richard W. Beaulieu, diocesan director of elementary and secondary education and pastor of Notre Dame Church, Fall River. "It was the best attended convention in years." During the opening day of the 93rd annual convention, NCEA delegates who braved Philadelphia's unexpected cold rain and snow were urged to draw on their own faith to help their students. Norbertine Father Alfred McBride, an educator, lecturer and author, said students must not only come to see faith as a personal relationship with God, but as something t·hat makes them "part of a great chain of believers." "Faith is belief in the message of Christ and his church," he said in the keynote address. "It is not an either/ or action. Faith embraces both belief in the person of Jesus and belief in the message of Jesus." Former U.S. Surgeon General Antonia Novello, the keynote speaker April 10, focused on the need to bring today's students up to speed with the rest ofthe world. She noted that the majority of young people today are unable to compete on a global market because so many of them do not know basic skills such as calculating fractions or reading a map. Educators can change this, she said, if they "aggressively prepare students for a new global world and the needs of a new age." She acknowledged that today's teachers encounter more demands than ever before. They not only have to deal with gang violence and teen pregnancies, she said. but they also must "parent and police their students, which detracts from their teaching." In the face of such challenges, she urged Catholic educators to "keep up the momentum" and not to "fall prey to complacency." "The biggest thing that I got out of the convention," said Father Beaulieu, "is the need to maintain our Catholic identity. We are not private schools or independent schools. We are an arm of the Church. Our challenge is to work harder to develop more emphasis on doctrine in our religious ed programs." Father Beaulieu also spoke of incorporating ideas from the convention into his school. "We are Turn to Page 13