VOL. 48, NO. 16 • Friday, Apri123, 2004
FALL RIVER, MASS.
Southeastern Massachusetts' Largest Weekly • $14 Per Year
CATHOLIC CHARITY Appeal volunteers share a moment together at the Attleboro-Taunton kick-off held at Highland Country Club, Attleboro. From left are, Anna Keough, Deacon John Welch, Edna Fernandes and Theresa Galligan. All are from St. Ann's Parish, Raynham. At right, volunteers listen to Director of Development Michael Donly as he initiates the evening program. (Anchon'Gordon photos)
Catholic Charities Appeal kicks off 2004 season ATTLEBORO - Bishop George W. Coleman greeted hundreds of parish chairmen, committee members, and volunteers at "kick-offs" for the 63 rd Annual Catholic Charities Appeal held this past week in three locations across the diocese. These parishioners, many of whom have worked as par-
ish volunteers during the annual Appeal for decades, came together to signal the beginning of this springtime Appeal that occurs as the diocese celebrates its IOOth anniversary. The kick-offs were held on April 13, 14, and 15 in the Cape and Islands, Fall River-
New Bedford, and the Attleboro-Taunton areas respectively. Attendees were treated to a viewing of the newly produced video highlighting many of the services provided by the Catholic Charities funded agencies; observations by the guest speakers, MaryLou Mancini of the Office of Catholic So-
cial Services and Father Edward J. Healey, director of the Office of Pastoral Ministry to the Sick; and comments and thanks from Bishop Coleman. "I'm so deeply grateful for your many years of faithful support of the Catholic Tum to page three - Appeal
Hispanic Apostolate of Cape Cod performs centuries-old tradition
THE HISPANIC Apostolate of Cape Cod performed a Living Way of the Cross on Good Friday afternoon at St. Francis Xavier Church in Hyannis. Additional photos on page 16. (Photo by Tom Mignone.)
HYANNIS - The Passion narrative was brought to life by members of the Hispanic Apostolate of Cape Cod on the grounds of St. Francis Xavier Church here on Good Friday. Although the Living Way of the Cross on Good Friday is a centuries-old Hispanic tradition, this was the first time for the Hispanic Community on the Cape. The characters of the Passion, from Pontius Pilate and the Roman soldiers to Simon of Cyrene and the women of Jerusalem, were portrayed in authentic costume. Christ, portrayed by Gabriel Trinidad, a 33-year-old Mexican native, fell three times under the weight of his life-sized cross. Parishioners followed in procession, stopping at each Station for prayer and song. The Living Way of the Cross culminated with the raising of
three men on their crosses, representing Christ's crucifixion between the two thieves. Finally, Christ was removed from the cross, and recalling the Pieta, appeared lifeless in his mother's arms. While the day had been bright and sunny, at the moment Christ died on the cross in the Living Way, dark clouds covered the sun in downtown Hyannis. Many of the people there were moved by this added extra, which seemed to perfectly reflect the actual Gospel account of the moment Christ died. Father William Rodrigues, director of the Hispanic Apostolate on the Cape said, "No matter how much we prepare, some things remain out of our control." Nearly two months of rehearsals in the church basement, Tum to page 16 - Tradition