04.20.07

Page 1

Bishop rallies faithful on eve of 2007 Charities Appeal

A MOTHERLY GREETING - Travelers entering Fall River from Rte. 6 in Westport are greeted by this billboard extolling the attributes of a Catholic education at Notre Dame School in Fall River. (Photo by Dave Jolivet)

Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ: As we begin our annual Catholic Charities Appeal, to assist the needy of our diocese, I suggest we call to mind the words of 0ur Lord, from Gospel of St. John: "I came so that they might have life and have it more abundantly" (In 10:10). The more abundant life of which Christ speaks refers, of course, to his offer and gift of etemallife in heaven. But it is also true that God t cares deeply about our lives here on earth, and the more abundant life Christ came to bring us includes a life of fulfillment and happiness here 'and now. For many, however, the more abundant life Christ desires for us is hindered by hardships llI1d trials, and the lack of even the most basic needs, such as adequate food, clothing and housing. For others, life is less abundant and less joyful, due to the scars of disadvantage, unemployment, chronic illness or personal and family tragedy: In order to help others experience the more abundant life Christ offers us, we conduct our annual Catholic Charities Appeal to fund ,I

Public not hearing the truth about embryonic stem-cell research By GAIL BESSE ANCHOR CORRESPONDENT

CAMBRIDGE - People are not hearing the truth about human embryonic stem-cell research even as politicians push to subsidize the grisly practice with both state and federal tax dollars. The truth is that promising alternative research - on adult stem cells - is being conducted but largely ignored by the media and scientists intent on public funding of this research that requires killing human embryos. That's the assessment of Dr. James L. Sherley, a nationally re~足 ognized Pro-Life scientist who was honored at Massachusetts Citizens for Life's April 13 dinner for publicly voicing the oftenignored moral side of this issue.

Sherley, 49, is the first and only black faculty member of MIT's biological engineering division. "Scientists aren't giving full and honest disclosure," he said in

DR. JAMES

L.

SHERLEY

a recent interview. "We've already found from adult cells how to address certain diseases and have not had to kill a single person to do this. Scientists know it's unlikely embryonic stem-cell research will work. It's a ploy to get more research funding." Sherley's assessment has been echoed in recent pleas from ProLife advocates, the nation's Catholic bishops and President George W. Bush. Just as abortion is legal in the U.S., so is killing human embryos. The recent heated debate in Congress and on Beacon Hill has focused on who will pay for this research that has not produced one successful treatment. Despite this fact, the U.S. SenContinued on page 13 - Truth

USCCB criticizes Senate funding of embryo research

BOSTON - The Roman Catholic bishops in Massachusetts recently released the following statement, responding to remarks of Gov. Deval Patrick indicating his support for expanding destructive research on human embryos in Massachusetts: "The Governor of Massachusetts announced recently his commitment to encouraging Massachusetts scientists, possibly with the use of public .funds, to create human life in the laboratory, and then to destroy the embryos for "humanitarian" reContinued on page 13 - Bishops

WASHINGTON (CNS) -An official of the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops criticized the U.S. Senate's "fixation on destructive research" after the Senate passed a bill that would provide federal funding for stem-cell research involving the destruction of human embryos. "Many members of Congress remain dazzled by irresponsibly hyped promlses of 'miracle cures' from the destruction of human embryos, although experts in the field increasingly admit that treatments from this avenue may be decades away," said Richard M. Continued on page 13 - Senate

Sincerely yours in the Lord,

;6:/1Ri~

Catholic Charities Appeal slates 66th annual campaign in diocese Weekend kickoffs preview May 1 opener FALL RIVER - More than 600 people gathered in three different locations across the Diocese of Fall River this week to "KickOff' the 66th Annual Catholic Charities Appeal, which officially begins on May 1. These annual launchings in the Attleboro-Taunton, Cape Cod and Islands, and Fall River and New Bedford areas found committee members, pastors, and other supI,

Mass. bishops disapprove of expanding research

the important agencies and apostolates ofour diocese that bring necessary services and aid to those in need. Our Lord seeks our help and cooperation to bring this abundant life to others. He asks us to be collaborators with him in the important work of helping others discover the fullness of life he desires for us. Most ofus will not have the opportunity to meet the many people who tum to the Church for help, but I ask you to remember them all, as you consider your donation to the Catholic Charities Appeal. Each year, thousands of people gratefully receive the help they need from the Church here in our diocese, and this is made possible due to your generous support. Through your generosity, we as a Church, can help them to discover the more abundant life that Christ came to bring us. With gratitude for your support, and requesting your prayers for the success of the Appeal, I am

porters and workers from the 94 parishes of the diocese attending. Mike Donly, director of Development for the diocese, said the significance of these events is not only to bring attention to the "kickoff' of this extremely important yearly endeavor to fund the dozens of agencies and apostolates sponsored by Catholic Charities here in the diocese, but also shine Continued on page 19 - Appeal


Turn static files into dynamic content formats.

Create a flipbook
Issuu converts static files into: digital portfolios, online yearbooks, online catalogs, digital photo albums and more. Sign up and create your flipbook.