VOL. 49, NO. 17 • Friday, April 22, 2005
FALL RIVER, MASS.
Deaneries ready for Catholic Charities-Appeal drive By JOHN E. KEARNS JR. DIRECTOR, OFFICE OF COMMUNICATIONS
HYANNIS - With a series of kick-offgatherings held over the past week and a half, the Fall River diocese has officially launched the 64th annual Catholic Charities Appeal. The annual springtime campaign provides the financial support for the numerous programs, services and agencies sponsored by the Fall River diocese in southeastern Massachusetts, Cape Cod and the Islands. Diocesan Director of Development Michael 1. Donly explained that the kickoffs offer an opportunity to highlight the wonderful work of Catholic Charities-funded programs, to thank supporters for their loyalty, and to build enthusiasm for this year's Appeal. "So many of those who participated in the Charities Appeal kickoffs have worked on the Appeal in their parishes for literally decades," said Donly. ''The kickoffs give us a chance to say thank you and to share with contributors the impact that Appealsupported agencies and programs are having because oftheir commitment and generosity. We then hope they will help us to spread that word to fellow parishioners." .Parishes will begin 2005 Appeal collections the weekend of April3QMay 1. Kick-off meetings were held in
Hyannis for parish representatives and priests from the Cape & Islands Deanery; in Raynham for those from the Attleboro and Taunton deaneries; and in Dartmouth for those from the Fall River and New Bedford deaneries. At the Hyannis and Raynham sessions, Arlene McNamee, the director ofCatholic Social Services in the diocese, spoke of the growing problem ofhomelessness, especially among children, and how the Appeal provides the financial resources for her agency to respond. In Dartmouth, Deacon Richard 1. Murphy offered a look at his ministry at the Barnstable County House of Correction. The Appeal underwrites the cost ofprison ministry initiatives in the diocese as well as the preparation of permanent d.eacons, like Deacon Murphy, who then go on to work in many parishes and diocesan apostolates. Bishop George Coleman took the opportunity of the kick-off gatherings to express his appreciation to those who assist their pastor in carrying out the.Catholic Charities Appeal year after year. "You have my deep thanks for all you have done at your parish to ensure a successful Appeal each year," he said. In his comments, the bishop went on to recount that during the homily of the Beatification Mass of Mother Tum to page 13 - Appeal
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Southeastern Massachusetts' Largest Weekly • $14 Per Year
Habemus papam!
NEWLY-ELECTED Pope Benedict XVI greets the faithful in St. Peter's Square on Tuesday. (CNS photo) '.
German Cardinal Joseph Ratzinger elected 265th pope: "Benedict XVI By JOHN THAVIS NEWS SERVICE VATICAN CITY - German. Cardinal Joseph Ratzinger, the 78year-old guardian of the Church's doctrine for the last 24 years, was elected the 265th pope and took the name Benedict XVI. TheelectionTuesday cameon the second day ofthe conclave, presumably on the fourth ballot. It was a surprisingly quick conclusion to a conclave that began with many p0tential candidates and no clearfavorite. Cardinal Ratzinger was chosen by at least a two-thirds majority of 115 cardinals from 52 countries, who CATliOUC
cast their ballots in secret in the Sistine Chapel. His election was announced in Latin to a waiting world from the balcony of St. Peter's Basilica. A massive crowd of young and old filled St. Peter's Square and welcomed the news with cheers, applause and the waving of national flags. White smoke poured from the Sistine Chapel chimney at 5:49 p.m. .signaling that the cardinals had chosen a successor to Pope John Paul II. At 6:04 p.m., the bells ofSt Peter's Basilica began pealing continuously to confirm the election. At 6:40, Chilean Cardinal Jorge
Medina Estevez, the senior cardinal in the order of deacons, appeared at the basilica balcony and intoned to the crowd in Latin: "Dear brothers and sisters, I announce to you agreat joy. We have a pope ...." He continued: "... the most eminent and reverend lordship, Lord Joseph Cardinal of the Holy Roman Church Ratzinger." The crowd in the square burst into applause. The day before, Cardinal Ratzinger had opened the conclave with a stem warning about relativism and the "winds ofdoctrine" and ideological currents that had buffeted the Church in recent decades.
Statement by Bishop George W. Coleman on the occasion of the election of Pope Benedict XVI
ARLENE MCNAMEE, director of diocesan Catholic Social $ervices, tells attendees of a kick-off meeting at the Stonefbrge Restaurant in Raynham, how the Appeal provides the financial resources for her agency to respond. (Photo by John E. Kearns Jr.)
FALL RIVER - Within minutes of the Vatican announcement that Cardinal Joseph Ratzinger had been -elected in conclave as the new Holy Father, Bishop George W. Coleman offered a statement for the occasion. His statement reads: "I was overjoyed at the news of the election of Joseph Cardinal Ratzinger, Dean of the College of Cardinals, as the Supreme Pontiff. The inspired work of Pope John Paul II will be the extraordinary challenge to the new Pope, who with great courage and decision has chosen the name
of Pope Benedict XVI. May God give him wisdom, strength, and length of years; and, above all, may the Lord Jesus be side by side with His Vicar on Earth as the Pope shepherds the Church as Successor to Peter, to whom Christ gave this unique ministry."
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Bishop of Fall River
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