05.01.20

Catholic Social Services adjusts to life during and after Coronavirus crisis

By Kenneth J. Souza Web Editor

kensouza@anchornews.org

Diocese of Fall River, Mass. † Friday, May 1, 2020

On April 24, Father André “Pat” Patenaude performed a special “Hope!” concert from the National Shrine of Our Lady of La Salette. The performance was viewed by more than 4,000 people, and is still on Facebook to view. Father Pat said the “Hope!” concert event was a way for him to convey that maybe “God is trying to get our attention with this virus.”

FALL RIVER — Even before the looming threat of COVID-19 completely derailed life for everyone, there were already people throughout the Fall River Diocese who were struggling to find work, housing and food.

And the restrictions now in place during the pandemic have only created additional hurdles for them to clear.

That’s why the many departments under the umbrella of the diocesan Catholic Social Services office have been diligently working to provide assistance and comfort to them during these difficult days.

According to Susan Mazzarella, CEO of Catholic Social Services, even though many things are closed during the pandemic, the essential services and programs at CSS have remained active and busy.

“Although the offices in Fall River, New Bedford, and Hyannis are not taking walk-in clients as a result of social distancing, the staff are present and working,” Mazzarella told The Anchor. “Anyone can call directly and be connected to a program or service. The agency has shifted to a triage strategy, prioritizing the immediate needs of the homeless, sheltered, and those with food insecurity.”

Mazzarella said they first had to delineate what services were considered “essential” or “non-essential,” and then focus their resources on meeting essential needs.

“These included individual and family shelters, food pantries, basic needs, immigration, and housing,” she said. “As a result, other programs such as adoption and ESL classes have been put on hold.”

One of the immediate concerns for Mazzarella was to make adjustments to ensure the safety of those in shelters operated by CSS such as the Samaritan House in Taunton, the Sister Rose Network in New Bedford, and the St. Joseph and St. Clare Houses in Hyannis to “minimize the risk of exposure for both staff and guests.”

“In accordance with Department of Public Health guidelines, shelters had to ‘depopulate’ to accommodate the requisite six feet of space between beds, and guests must sleep in a head-to-toe configuration to comply with social distancing,” Mazzarella said. “To reach this goal, St. Joseph’s shelter in Hyannis had to decrease its census from 50 per night to 40 guests. Typically, these shelters are night shelters. This means that shelter guests leave in the morning and return in the evening for a bed.

“However, since this pandemic, we are encouraging guests to remain in the shelter during the day. St. Joseph’s mandates this; Sister Rose and Grace House in New Bedford are encouraging shelter guests to stay in the soup kitchen space throughout the day and not venture into the community to minimize exposure. The Samaritan House in Taunton could not adequately depopulate 8 Turn to page 11

Virtual reality is no longer virtual amid COVID-19 crisis

Diocesan permanent deacons, aspirants share prayer, fellowship on Sunday evenings. Page two.

The diocesan Pro-Life and Project Rachel Apostolates recently opened a new website.

Page three.

Father Willy Raymond, C.S.C., celebrates Mass, part of Family Rosary’s daily Rosary and Liturgy on Facebook. Page 10.

May 1, 2020 †

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Diocesan permanent deacons, aspirants maintain brotherhood despite social distancing mandates

By Dave Jolivet Print Editor

davejolivet@anchornews.org

ening their bond of brotherhood and allowing them to pray together and share

thoughts, feelings and suggestions to help area faithful stay connected to their Catholic

and people, each other and a return to health for those affected by the pandemic, as

faith. In addition, aspirants of the Diocese of Fall River’s 10th diaconate class were also invited to join to keep strong their formation process as they travel the road to what they hope leads to becoming a diocesan permanent deacon.

“This is an opportune time for our permanent deacons to exercise their ministry in a creative way,” Father Oliveira told The Anchor. “This is their time to be servants. We encourage them to do that.

“This is their time. They shouldn’t be afraid and isolate themselves from a ministry that Christ and the bishop have called them to, to exercise their ministry in their own parish or apostolates.”

More than 30 deacons and aspirants gathered for the inaugural prayer meeting.

“It is important to gather as a community,” Deacon Lucca told The Anchor. “We’ve invited our deacons and aspirants to join every Sunday evening at 6:30 p.m. for Evening Prayer to pray for our parishes

well as to check in with each other.

“As deacons, we are called to serve God’s people in good times and bad. We are meeting each week online as deacons of the diocese to support each other and encourage each other in ministry.

“We shared ideas of what could be done to reach out to parishioners, to offer opportunities for prayer for our parishioners and what we can do to support each other in the days ahead.”

The first session began with some opening words from Father Oliveira and then Deacons Thomas McMahon and Paul Levesque led the Liturgy of the Hours’ Evening Prayers; part of the daily routine of ordained priests, deacons and those in formation to become deacons.

Aspirant Jack O’Brien from St. Mary’s Parish in Mansfield, is part of the 10th diocesan diaconate class. He expressed to The Anchor his gratitude and appreciation for

SWANSEA ­­— As we travel deeper into the pandemic, social gatherings are looking more and more like the opening credits to “The Brady Bunch.” But this isn’t a 70s sitcom, it’s real life and becoming life as we know it.

Laptop, tablet, and smartphone screens are filled with any number of faces and voices all joining together to talk, laugh, commiserate, pray and to give glory to God. On the evening of April 19, the diocesan Permanent Diaconate Office co-directors Father Robert A. Oliveira and Deacon Frank R. Lucca initiated a virtual Sunday evening of prayer to keep the permanent deacons across the diocese connected, strength-

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the efforts of the Permanent Diaconate Office: “In these very atypical times, it seems like the world has adopted ‘virtual meetings’ as one of the important ways for people, whether they be in a company, classroom or church, to stay connected. It is in this vein that the Office of Permanent Diaconate in the Diocese of Fall River has coordinated a weekly prayer meeting for its deacons and deacon candidates.

“These virtual prayer sessions allow the deacons and candidates, who live across the diocese, to fulfill their obligation and more importantly, retain some sense of community.

“Although we have not yet formally been accepted as candidates for the diaconate, having the opportunity to participate as a class, along with the current diocesan deacons, is a very special opportunity.

“It is a very clear visual reminder that, although physically dispersed, the shared ministry of the diaconate is a unique brotherhood and we must not lose sight of the importance of remaining connected and available to help each other.”

Deacon Kevin Gingras from Holy Family Parish in East Taunton sees these unusual times as an opportunity to grow as a Church family.

“As the practice of ‘social distancing’ should be growing, let us pray that our practice of ‘Spiritual distancing’ is shrinking,” he told The Anchor.

“It was really great to touch base with all of them [brother deacons and aspirants] to see how things were going and to realize we are all pretty much on the same page here. Sure, we aren’t audio-video experts by any stretch but we are all doing what we can to connect to our parishioners to bring some 8 Turn to page 15

New website offers women and men hope, help with Pro-Life and Project Rachel resources

By Dave Jolivet Print Editor

davejolivet@anchornews.org

FALL RIVER — While the country’s and the world’s attention is focused on keeping everyone healthy during the pandemic, the Fall River Diocese’s Pro-Life and Project Rachel Apostolates are working hard to continue building a culture of life — for the unborn, the sick and dying and for those suffering the heart-wrenching effects of loss through abortion.

The apostolates recently announced the opening of a new website (prolifefallriver.org) to offer easy access for everyone in and around the diocese to be able to go online for help and resources regarding Pro-Life issues and live hotline information about Project Rachel, a ministry that aids women in post-abortion recovery and crisis pregnancies.

In a recent interview with

The Anchor, diocesan Pro-Life and Project Rachel director, Irina DeLucca said, “This pandemic is one of the primary reasons we

our eyes focused on Christ in a time when many feel isolated and separated from the Sacraments and the Church.

wanted to get the website live as soon as possible. We also plan to be posting video resources of how we can remain Pro-Life and keep

“Our confidential Project Rachel hotline, Project Rachel email and resources are intentionally very accessible and we want any-

one who needs our help, especially now, to feel comfortable reaching out.”

Work on the website, which was supported and encouraged by Bishop Edgar M. da Cunha, S.D.V., began last year, and it’s apparent that this time of crisis provided no better time to open the site offering hope, help, healing and information to people who not only have to deal with the fears and doubts of the pandemic, but also their personal, internal struggles regarding answers to questions and counseling for crisis pregnancies and options other than abortion.

“In this time of isolation and increased loneliness, it’s easier than ever to feel abandoned by God, or anyone that they might trust,” said DeLucca. “This couldn’t be farther from the truth and we would encourage them not to lose hope and know that we’re all here for them.

8 Turn to page 14

Catholic schools petition for funding relief under CARES Act

By Kenneth J. Souza Web Editor

kensouza@anchornews.org

FALL RIVER — On March 27, the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act was signed into law.

The relief package is intended to preserve jobs for American industries and provide direct economic assistance for American workers, families, and small businesses.

The CARES Act also provides each governor with a discretionary Governor’s Emergency Education Relief Fund to provide financial assistance to local education-related entities that have been greatly impacted by the COVID-19 crisis. The

Governor’s Emergency Relief Fund is anticipated to receive about $50 million.

Earlier this month, the Catholic Schools Foundation of the Archdiocese of Boston spearheaded a petition asking Governor Charlie Baker to consider allocating a portion of his discretionary funds to private schools across Massachusetts.

“As the governor and secretary of education decide how to deploy these resources, we are asking people to sign the attached petition to bring the vital work and equal needs of Catholic, private and other religious schools to the attention of the governor and secretary of education,” read an April

16 email promoting the petition.

According to Sandi M. Duxbury, vice president of

Marketing and Corporate Partnerships for the Catholic School Alliance, this relief funding is critical

for Catholic schools here in the Fall River Diocese — especially now that 8 Turn to page 13

May 1, 2020 †

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Mary, Mother of the Church and Mother of the Eucharist

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ccording to St. John Paul II, “Mary, throughout her life at Christ’s side and not only on Calvary, made her own the sacrificial dimension of the Eucharist.

In her daily preparation for Calvary, Mary experienced a kind of ‘anticipated Eucharist’ — one might say a “Spiritual communion” — of desire and of oblation, which would culminate in her union with her Son in His Passion, and then find expression after Easter by her partaking in the Eucharist which the Apostles celebrated as the memorial of that Passion.” Like Mary we too, can anticipate our participation at the Holy Mass.

In this article we will reflect on the Holy Mass in light of Mary’s mystical and maternal presence. As Mother of the Church, Mary teaches us how to prepare for and participate in the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass so as to make it become the “source and summit” of our lives even as it is the center of her life and our way to Heavenly glory.

Often, many Christians, approach Holy Mass as if it were just another event among others. It is not a weird type of entertainment we are commanded to attend by our religion. It is not a business requirement to fulfill on Sunday to meet our obligation with God. It is not even about us at all. It is not whether the music or homily made us “feel good.”

Nor is it about fellowship or making people feel “welcome.” Rather, the Holy Mass is Christ’s Sacrifice and the Wedding Feast of Heaven and Earth. At the heart of the Mass is the Blessed Virgin Mary who is the vertex of love who gathers in herself all of the love of earth to the love of Heaven on our behalf.

She is the most perfect human person, the Immaculate Conception, who in her role as Mother of the Church gathers us to Christ Who in turn offers us perfectly to the Father. As Mediatrix of all graces, Mary also mediates 4

every grace that comes from Christ’s sacrifice to the mystical Body.

The Mass is essentially a “sacrifice” which means a Holy offering in which Jesus Christ, Who is true Man and true God, is offered to our loving Almighty Father in the Bread and Wine which is transubstantiated into the Body and Blood of Christ.

The “Catechism of the Catholic Church” states, “The same Christ Who offered Himself once in a bloody manner on the altar of the cross, is present and offered in an unbloody manner”(1367).

The Eucharistic Sacrifice is also the highest form of worship and thanksgiving, because “in Jesus, in His sacrifice, in His unconditional ‘yes’ to the will of the Father, is contained the ‘yes,’ the ‘thank You’ and the ‘amen’ of all humanity.” Therefore, the Mass is the representation, memorial and effective application of the merits gained

by Christ on the cross. With regards to this mystery, St. John Paul II teaches: “It is in that one sacrifice that Mary had an active part, the first among the redeemed, the Mother of the Church. Each Eucharist is a memorial of that sacrifice and Easter that gave life to the world again; each Mass brings us into an intimate communion with her, the mother, whose sacrifice ‘is present again,’ just as ‘the sacrifice of the Son’ becomes present at the words of consecration of Bread and Wine spoken by the priest.”

Mary’s role in the work of redemption was singular and unique and none can take her place. However, Mary’s participation in the accomplishment of redemption at Calvary is extended in and through time to the application of Christ’s merits in our lives. St. John Paul II stated, “The piety of the

† May 1, 2020

Christian people has always very rightly sensed a profound link between devotion to the Blessed Virgin and the worship of the Eucharist: Mary guides the faithful to the Eucharist.” Mary is still offering her Son on the altar of Heaven in which every earthly Mass participates.

Like Mary in her life at Ephesus with St. John, we too, should make the Holy Mass the “source and summit” of our lives. We should contemplate how Mary would attend

Holy Mass with St. John so that we too, can be conformed to Christ as St. John was, from a “son of thunder” to the “beloved disciple.”

This was possible because he took Mary into his home and entered into the refuge of her heart, allowing her to form him into another Christ.

May we also allow Mary, the Mother of the Church and Mother of the Eucharist to form us into the image and likeness of her Son, so that we can also share in Christ’s glorious victory over sin and death.

Next time we will look at how Mary helps us to prepare for the Mass, to participate in the Mass in its distinct parts, and to live the fruits of the Mass in our daily lives.

Anchor guest columnist Grace Small and her husband Bill are parishioners of St. Vincent’s Parish in Attleboro and have recently made their solemn profession as Third Order Franciscans of the Immaculate on the Solemnity of the Immaculate Conception. They are also attending classes with TINE at the Pastoral

Center in Braintree, toward a certificate in Catechetical Studies.

1 “ENCYCLICAL LETTER ECCLESIA DE EUCHARISTIA OF HIS HOLINESS POPE JOHN PAUL II TO THE BISHOPS PRIESTS AND DEACONS MEN AND WOMEN IN THE CONSECRATED LIFE AND ALL THE LAY FAITHFUL ON THE EUCHARIST IN ITS RELATIONSHIP TO THE CHURCH.” April 17, 2003. 56. http:// www.vatican. va/holy_father/ special_features/ encyclicals/documents/hf_jp-ii_ enc_20030417_ ecclesia_eucharistia_en.html.

2 “APOSTOLIC LETTER MANE NOBISCUM DOMINE

OF THE HOLY FATHER JOHN PAUL II TO THE BISHOPS, CLERGY AND FAITHFUL FOR THE YEAR OF THE EUCHARIST OCTOBER 2004– OCTOBER 2005.” http:// www.vatican.va/content/ john-paul-ii/en/apost_letters/2004/documents/hf_jpii_apl_20041008_mane-nobiscum-domine.html.

3 “ANGELUS “ Last modified June 5, 1983. http://www.vatican.va/content/john-paul-ii/pt/angelus/1983/documents/hf_jpii_ang_19830605.html.

4 “IOANNES PAULUS PP. II REDEMPTORIS MATER on the Blessed Virgin Mary in the life of the Pilgrim Church.”

March 25, 1987. 44. http:// www.vatican.va/content/ john-paul-ii/en/encyclicals/documents/hf_jpii_enc_25031987_redemptoris-mater.html.

In Your Prayers

Please pray for these priests and deacons during the coming weeks: May 1 Rev. Francis J. Quinn, Founder, Immaculate Conception, North Easton; Founder, Sacred Heart, Fall River, 1882 Rev. Joseph F. D’Amico, Pastor, Sacred Heart, Oak Bluffs, 1996 Rev. Walter A. Sullivan, Pastor, St. Mary, South Dartmouth, 1997 May 2 Rt. Rev. Msgr. M.P. Leonidas Lariviere, Pastor, St. Jean Baptiste, Fall River, 1963 May 5 Rev. Leo M. Curry, Retired Pastor, St. Dominic, Swansea, 1973 Rev. Albert Rowley, SS.CC., in residence, St. Francis Xavier, Acushnet, 1985 Rev. Raymond A. Robida, Catholic Memorial Home, Fall River, 2003, May 6 Rev. Thomas P. Elliott, Founder, St. Mary, Mansfield, 1905 Rev. Asdrubal Castelo Branco, Retired Pastor, Immaculate Conception, New Bedford, 1980 Rev. Ernest E. Blais, Pastor, Notre Dame de Lourdes, Fall River, 1994 Rev. John P. Driscoll, Retired, Catholic Memorial Home, Co-Founder of The Anchor, Former Pastor of St. Lawrence Martyr and St. Francis of Assisi Parishes, New Bedord, 2019 May 7 Rev. Raymond P. Levell, S.J., Professor, Spring Hill College, Mobile, Ala., 1958 May 9 Rev. J.E. Theodule Giguere, Pastor, St. Anne, New Bedford, 1940 Rev. John P. Clarke, Pastor, St. Mary, Hebronville, 1941 Permanent Deacon Marcel G. Morency, 2016 May 12 Rev. John F. deValles, D.S.C., U.S. Army Chaplain, 1920 Rev. Herve Jalbert, Retired Pastor, Blessed Sacrament, Fall River, 1986 May 13 Rev. Msgr. Osias Boucher, USA Retired, Pastor, Blessed Sacrament, Fall River, 1955 May 14 Rev. Robert E. McDonnell, C.S.C., 2006

I

n different parts of the United States and other parts of the world, we are reaching what many are calling “Phase Two” in the response to the Coronavirus pandemic. Various restrictions are being gradually rescinded, some businesses reopened, supplementary emergency hospitals closed, panic and fear lessened and normal parts of life restored.

But we are far from being out of danger. The shockingly drastic shortage of tests for the virus or its antibodies leave us blind as to who has it or had it and who may be asymptomatically infectious or immune.

There’s still no effective treatment or vaccine. Nursing homes have gone from safe, caring havens to among the most perilous places on earth.

Obituary sections in newspapers remain the thickest most of us have ever seen.

But the general flattening of the curve in the most afflicted places gives us a chance to take stock of where we’ve been, draw lessons, and, where fitting, make adjustments in medical, economical, social and political approaches.

It’s also a good time for the Church to make such a review.

The Church is called by Jesus to be the salt of the earth, the light of the world and a leaven that makes the whole social dough rise. Jesus warned us, however, not to let our salt become insipid, our light hidden, and our leaven worldly (Mt 5:13-16; Mk 8:15). Many may not acknowledge or appreciate this triple vocation the Church has received for the good of all, but the Church must not forget it or fail to live it.

There are many lessons that the Church can learn from the first phase of the response to the Coronavirus, but the most important and urgent is about the harm that has come, and may worsen, from the Church’s having been defined in various jurisdictions as a “non-essential” service.

It’s not surprising that those who do not believe in God might think that the life of faith is non-essential. It’s similarly unremarkable that Catholics who no longer prac-

Restoring essential services tice the faith, who do not deem it essential to their life, might also reckon it unnecessary in the lives of others.

But that the Church — clergy, religious and faithful alike — would not protest thunderously against such a gross mis-characterization, in which access to liquors stores and booze is considered more essential to life than access to Church and the Sacraments, is disturbing.

More troubling still is in some places the Church has behaved as if she believes that the services she offers Catholics and others were indeed non-essential.

That’s the lesson that is unwittingly taught when the Church in some locales has made the decision to lock churches and forbid all access to the Sacraments, except for priests, even when such decisions were not required. Sacramental life cannot be considered essential when the Church acts as if it’s not needed even in a crisis, as if do-it-yourself Spiritual Communions, acts of perfect contrition, and the availability of plenary indulgences are satisfactory substitutes That lesson is reinforced when such decisions are made as if they’re not particularly vexing.

It’s cemented when certain Church leaders insist that even practical solutions fully in alignment with medical and government directives on safety be shut down, like drive-in Masses, Confessions at safe distances in parking lots, anointing of those dying of non-communicable diseases, all Baptisms, weddings, funerals — even with only a few masked family members properly distanced — and when they provide no opportunity at all to pray before the Blessed Sacrament in church.

These measures are not the situation everywhere, but they are not uncommon.

It should go without saying that the Church should vigorously cooperate with public

authorities to promote public safety and protection. The Church should take special care, out of love, to keep from harm our elderly faithful and priests and those with conditions that make them particularly vulnerable. That’s why so many of the decisions taken by Church leaders — removing the Sunday Mass obligation, stopping the sign of peace, the distribution of the Precious Blood, and Communion on the tongue, and following civil guidelines in terms of the number of people in a closed space, social distancing, cleans-

ing — are wise and fitting.

But there’s a difference in kind, and not just in degree, between prudent, even drastic restrictions and outright bans.

A restriction bears witness that there is a tension between crucial competing values, namely the good of public safety and the essential service of the Sacraments, and therefore limits on various aspects of Sacramental access must be implemented for public safety in an emergency circumstance.

A ban, however, shows that there’s really no competition and that ultimately public safety alone is essential.

Some leaders in those places that have forbidden access to the Sacraments to the faithful have more or less admitted that, stating that the highest priority of the Church at this time is “people’s safety” or “keeping people home” lest they unknowingly catch or transmit COVID-19. Such decisions have been applauded by many of the faithful who think that the risks of transmission and lethality associated with the Coronavirus are so severe that anything short of a total ban is an appalling lack of love of neighbor, anti-life and potentially suicidal and homicid-

al. But the same characterizations are generally not ascribed to going to the supermarket, walking one’s dog, or getting stamps at the post office. The minimal risk assumed in such activities is justified because such activities are deemed either essential or important enough to take the risk.

The Church’s concern for people involves care for the whole person, body and soul.

We provide three essential services: the proclamation of the Word of God, the celebration of the Sacraments, and the exercise of charity. As followers of the One Who taught us that man does not live on bread alone, we must beware of materialist presumptions that prioritize, and treat as essential, only the good of the body.

It is noteworthy that in those places where access to Church and the Sacraments has been forbidden, the Church’s works of mercy — services for the poor, especially food distribution centers — have not been shut down. That’s the right decision, because such care is essential and the risks associated with such masked and gloved, socially-distanced charity can be managed. The idea, however, that we can find the balance between safety and love of neighbor in the church hall, but not between safety and love of God in the church itself, is not credible.

The best way to discover this balance in practice is

through permitting the creativity of priests and faithful who are zealous to protect those entrusted to them and to provide them with access to Christ in prayer and the Sacraments.

This has happened in various dioceses where restrictions, not overprotective bans, are the norm.

That’s where front porches, carports, and parking lots have turned into makeshift confessionals.

That’s where priests have been opening up their churches for Adoration.

That’s where, in order to protect their elderly priest brothers, groups of younger priests have gotten together to form anointing teams, learning to anoint COVID-19 patients’ feet with oiled q-tips while dressed from head to toe in personal protective equipment.

Such pastoral creativity would only expand if priests and faithful everywhere were given the opportunity to brainstorm, together with the light of the Holy Spirit, to come up with workable solutions, in line with guidelines of public safety, to provide greater access to the Sacraments for those starving for them.

As we approach this second phase of the pandemic, it’s time to let this creativity spread, because in times of crisis, what God provides humanity through the Church is as essential a service as ever.

Anchor columnist Father Roger Landry can be contacted at fatherlandry@ catholicpreaching.com.

Parish to offer second ALPHA online

DARTMOUTH — St. Mary’s Parish in Dartmouth is launching another ALPHA Catholic Online on May 13. Sessions will be held on Wednesday evenings beginning at 6:30 p.m.

ALPHA is a series of sessions exploring the Christian faith, typically run over 11 weeks. Each talk looks at different questions centering on faith and is designed to create a conversation. ALPHA is run all around the globe, and everyone is welcome.

This is being offered to all

within the Fall River Diocese, regardless of their faith life.

It is also offered to university students. Teams are comprised of adults and young adults.

To register online, visit: https://diocesefr.wufoo. com/forms/alpha-online-at-stmarys-dartmouth/.

ALPHA is also very much directed to those who are not Christian, non-Catholics or those who may have fallen away from the faith.

For more information about ALPHA, visit https:// alphausa.org/about.

May 1, 2020 †

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Editorial Wisdom and understanding

During the Easter season at daily and Sunday Masses we hear proclaimed (even if only via television or the Internet) the Acts of the Apostles, which chronicle how the early Church was able to grow through the working of the Holy Spirit, Who enabled the Apostles and others to be bold in their proclamation of the Good News of the Risen Christ to all the world (if this were not so, we would not be Christians now).

The “Catechism of the Catholic Church” notes, “The moral life of Christians is sustained by the Gifts of the Holy Spirit. These are permanent dispositions which make man docile in following the promptings of the Holy Spirit. The Seven Gifts of the Holy Spirit are wisdom, understanding, counsel, fortitude, knowledge, piety, and fear of the Lord. They belong in their fullness to Christ, Son of David. They complete and perfect the virtues of those who receive them. They make the faithful docile in readily obeying Divine inspirations” (#1830-1831).

This docility does not mean that the early Christians in Acts were puppets.

Rather, they found joy in having more strength to fight their sinful inclinations and live out the image of God in which they were created and redeemed.

During the seven weeks of the Easter season many people, especially those of Portuguese origin, pray to the Holy Spirit, asking for Him to help them live better His gifts, which they received in their Baptisms and Confirmations. It might be good for us to look at these gifts relative to the crisis we are currently facing.

In 2014 Pope Francis gave a series of talks at his Wednesday audiences about these gifts. On April 9 he spoke about wisdom: “It is not simply human wisdom, which is the fruit of knowledge and experience. In the Bible we are told that Solomon had asked for the gift of wisdom (cf. 1 Kings 3:9). And wisdom is precisely this: it is the grace of being able to see everything with the eyes of God. Sometimes we see things according to our liking or according to the condition of our heart, with love or with hate, with envy. No, this is not God’s perspective. Wisdom is what the Holy Spirit works in us so as to enable us to see things with the eyes of God.” If we have the Holy Spirit’s gift of wisdom, we can take stock of the current world situation, and our own personal role in it, from the Divine point of view, instead of our own. This takes Spiritual effort. Pope Francis said that “this comes from intimacy with God, from the intimate relationship we have with God, from the relationship children have with their Father. When we are in communion with the Lord, the Holy Spirit transfigures our heart and enables it to perceive all of His warmth and predilection. The Holy Spirit thus makes the Christian ‘wise.’ Not in the sense that he has an answer for everything, but in the sense that he knows how God acts, he knows when something is of God and when it is not of God; he has this wisdom which God places in our hearts.” Many times in the Old and New Testaments God corrected people who saw things not as God sees them, but as humans see them.

Regarding Christians who live this gift of wisdom, Pope Francis said, “Everything in them speaks of God and becomes a beautiful and living sign of His presence and of His love. And this is something that we cannot invent, that we cannot OFFICIAL NEWSPAPER OF THE DIOCESE OF FALL RIVER Vol. 64, No. 10

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obtain by ourselves: it is a gift that God gives to those who make themselves docile to the Holy Spirit.” It is a blessing to know people like this — and a blessing to be a person like this.

The next gift is that of understanding. The Holy Father discussed it on April 30, 2014: “We are not dealing here with human understanding, with the intellectual prowess. Rather, it is a grace which only the Holy Spirit can infuse and which awakens in a Christian the ability to go beyond the outward appearance of reality and to probe the depths of the thoughts of God and His plan of Salvation. The Apostle Paul describes the effects of this: ‘What no eye has seen, nor ear heard, nor the heart of man conceived, what God has prepared for those who love Him, God has revealed to us through the Spirit’ (1 Cor 2:9-10). This of course does not mean that a Christian can comprehend all things and have full knowledge of the designs of God: all of this waits to be revealed in all its clarity once we stand in the sight of God and are truly one with Him. However, as the very word suggests, understanding allows us to ‘intus legere,’ or ‘to read inwardly’: this gift enables us to understand things as God understands them, with the mind of God. For one can understand a situation with human understanding, with prudence, and this is good. But to understand a situation in depth, as God understands it, is the effect of this gift, with which the Holy Spirit introduces us into intimacy with God and makes us sharers in the plan of love which He has for us.”

“When the Holy Spirit dwells in our hearts and enlightens our minds, He makes us grow day by day in the understanding of what the Lord has said and accomplished. Jesus Himself told His disciples: ‘I will send you the Holy Spirit and He will enable you to understand all that I have taught you:’ To understand the teachings of Jesus, to understand His Word, to understand the Gospel, to understand the Word of God. One can read the Gospel and understand something, but if we read the Gospel with this gift of the Holy Spirit, we can understand the depths of God’s words.”

For an example, Pope Francis discussed the incident on the road to Emmaus (Lk 24:13-35), “which aptly expresses the depths and power of this gift.” After describing the initial encounter between the sad disciples and the Risen Jesus, the pope noted that “When, however, the Lord explains the Scriptures to them so that they might understand that He had to suffer and die in order then to Rise again, their minds are opened and hope is rekindled in their hearts. And this is what the Holy Spirit does with us: He opens our minds, He opens us to understand better the things of God, human things, situations, all things.” Many of us today may feel despondent as those disciples did, feeling as if we are going through a long Good Friday. This gift of understanding can help us have more perspective — which does not mean having a “Pollyanna” approach (since there are great tragedies happening all around us), but it does mean understanding them from the perspective of the Crucified and Risen Christ.

(We will continue this meditation on the gifts of the Holy Spirit in our next edition.)

Daily Readings † May 2 - May 15

Sat. May 2, Acts 9:31-42; Ps 116:12-17; Jn 6:60-69. Sun. May 3, Fourth Sunday of Easter, Acts 2:14a,36-41; Ps 23:1-6; 1 Pt 2:20b-25; Jn 10:1-10.

Mon. May 4, Acts 11:1-18; Pss 42:2-3; 43:3-4; Jn 10:11-18. Tue. May 5, Acts 11:19-26; Ps 87:1b-7; Jn 10:22-30. Wed. May 6, Acts 12:24—13:5a; Ps 67:2-3,5-6,8; Jn 12:44-50. Thu. May 7, Acts 13:13-25; Ps 89:2-3,2122,25,27; Jn 13:16-20. Fri. May 8, Acts 13:26-33; Ps 2:6-11ab; Jn 14:1-6.

Sat. May 9, Acts 13:44-52; Ps 98:1-4; Jn 14:7-14. Sun. May 10, Fifth Sunday of Easter, Acts 6:1-7; Ps 33:1-2,4-5,18-19; 1 Pt 2:4-9; Jn 14:112. Mon. May 11, Acts 14:5-18; Ps 115:1-4,15-16; Jn 14:21-26. Tue. May 12, Acts 14:19-28; Ps 145:10-13b,21; Jn 14:27-31a. Wed. May 13, Acts 15:1-6; Ps 122:1-5; Jn 15:1-8. Thu. May 14, Acts 1:15-17,20-26; Ps 113:1-8; Jn 15:9-17. Fri. May 15, Acts 15:22-31; Ps 57:8-12; Jn 15:1217.

Parishes working to provide food, meals during pandemic

By Kenneth J. Souza Web Editor

kensouza@anchornews.org

MARTHA’S VINEYARD — Even before the Coronavirus pandemic, Father Michael R. Nagle, pastor of Good Shepherd Parish on Martha’s Vineyard, sensed there was a growing need for a food program on the island.

“We started out with the revelation that a lot of school children were dependent upon the schools for their food, so on the weekends many were going hungry,” Father Nagle told The Anchor.

“We got what we called a ‘backpack’ program going, where we put six meals for a weekend in a backpack and distributed them to children who wanted them. We started with maybe 40 a week and it went to 80 and more. Then we found other schools in other towns on the island and the program expanded.”

That initial effort soon evolved into the Food Baskets MV Program, which for the past two years has provided bags of food and essentials to those in need.

“In the process we got grants to buy a truck to go to the Boston Food Bank every week and pick up 4,000 pounds of food,” Father Nagle said. “We also got grants to purchase a large walk-in refrigerator and then a walk-in freezer.

That way we would be able to put the produce in the refrigerator and the protein in the freezer. Then we progressed to twice a month and have a food distribution at our parish center on School Street in Oak Bluffs.”

When the COVID-19 virus forced many businesses to shut down, Father Nagle said the need only escalated.

“We have a lot of people out of

work, so we have now expanded the program to every Saturday,” he said. “We take our truck and pick up 4,000 pounds and then we rent another large truck and pick up 10,000 pounds and give it away on Saturdays.”

Food is currently being distributed every Saturday from 11:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. at the parish center.

“We have a pretty good system: people drive by in their cars, we ask how many people are being fed, then they open their trunks and we put the bags in the trunks to accommodate the number of people specified,” Father Nagle said. “No one gets out of their cars. We have Portuguese- and English-speaking volunteers for directions. We have other volunteers with masks and gloves filling the bags and putting them into the cars.

“We also have a big tent to set up all of the bags, which we needed because of inclement weather.

We have more than 20 volunteers.

We started with about six — we wanted to keep it small, with less exposure to less people — but now that it has expanded we have asked more people to help and it is working well. We filled more than 300 cars last Saturday and ran out of food.”

Like his brother on the Vineyard, Father Thomas Washburn, pastor of the Catholic Community of Central Fall River, saw an immediate need to provide food for those who had fallen on hard times as a result of COVID-19.

So last month, the collaborative parishes started offering a similar free “Grab-and-Go Meal” drive-by program from outside the parish center at Good Shepherd Church on South Main Street

in Fall River.

“This effort is a direct response to the pandemic,” Father Washburn told The Anchor. “Once the stay-at-home orders came down and the secession of public Masses, I gathered the staff to have a discussion about what the likely needs would be and how we could best respond. This was our answer.

We know that food insecurity is on the rise and we have the infrastructure to be able to pull these meals together.”

Since March 20, Father Washburn and a group of parish volunteers have been providing an array of freshly-prepared meals on Wednesday and Friday evenings,

between 4 and 6 p.m.

“Our first night, we served 220 meals — within a week, that had grown to just shy of 400, and it has stayed at that level since,” Father Washburn said. “The need grew almost immediately.”

Father Washburn said he is thankful for the support of several local businesses that have stepped in to assist. Both the Fall River Grill and Marzilli’s Bakery have been preparing some of the meals and providing them at a “very reduced rate.”

“We pick them up and serve them,” Father Washburn said.

“This gives us the ability also to 8 Turn to page 16

May 1, 2020 †

7

I

COVID Church

f you have ever woken in the middle of the night to racing thoughts and unspecific anxiety, don’t worry, there’s nothing wrong with you. You’re just a member of the “four in the morning club.” This long period of quarantine feels like that dark night of the soul that grips us in the hours before light. Great Spiritual minds are wrestling with our present situation during the COVID-19 pandemic. Richard Rohr posed the question, “How can it be that God’s love is at work in the tragedy happening around us?” He brings us back in touch with St. John of the Cross, who emerged from his own dark night with this

8

insight. “At the threshold of uncertainty what dwells beyond is not simply chaos. The darkness bears the Spirit of God, Who broods over the waters of death and has power to work a Resurrection.” Bishop Robert Barron said that God is doing things that we cannot see, measure, control, or fully understand. It is difficult to reflect on the moment while we are in the middle of a tunnel that has an undefined end. At some point in time we will be able to see the lessons buried deep within this forced quarantine, but for now we must glimpse the shimmer of light that is

† May 1, 2020

breaking through, illuminating what we want seen, but also what might have remained hidden.

The COVID-19 pandemic has lifted the rock that covered the unjust

systems that were shrouded by our booming economy. Once protected from exposure to food insecurity, homelessness, vulnerable children, and compromised health, we now can feel its looming presence in our own communities. We lament the loss of those halcyon days when we could gather with family, kiss a grandchild, cheer for the home team, but for many social distancing is impossible within their overcrowded spaces.

When the schools shut down and sent our children home, our schools made a quick transition to online learning and students adjusted to keep up with their studies. Behind this shining example of adaptation and dedication is the hidden reality that for some students coming to school is an escape from an unsafe home life, or the chance to have a nutritional meal.

Workers adjusted to working from home, challenged though by the needs of their ever-present children. Technology has

never been more of a necessity, and even the resistant troglodytes among us have had to adjust. Not every person can work from home, however. Some were furloughed, hoping that their jobs will still be there when this is behind us.

The government stepped up and money began to fill the gaps to keep workers paid for a couple of months, but others were simply let go, with few options for re-employment.

The light that shines in our darkness has revealed a new breed of heroes, none of whom bounce a ball or swing a stick — nurses, doctors, first-responders, cleaning crews, grocery store and restaurant workers — these are the people that get our standing ovations these days. Teachers have become innovators, throwing a lifeline to parents struggling to keep their children engaged.

Throughout this crisis our Church has been steadfast in its mission.

Though we can no longer gather physically to worship, the Corporal Works of Mercy are safe in the hands of the many parishioners who risk their health to feed the hungry in parish soup kitchens and fill empty kitchens from their food pantries.

Our nursing home workers are heroically fighting against the spread of the virus, and have become substitute family for our

oldest and most infirm loved ones. Our shelters are still receiving homeless guests off the street, never knowing if someone is bringing the virus in with them. We can help fill the food pantries and soup kitchens. We can donate games and activities to our shelters. We can call Catholic Social Services and ask where the greatest needs is. We can write letters of encouragement to our new heroes on the front line. We can call a neighbor who lives alone and check on their well-being. Yes, we have to “attend” Mass virtually, and our Eucharist is only Spiritual, but we never have stopped being Church to the world.

St. John of the Cross taught us that we cannot stop night for it teaches us that we are not always in charge of our destiny.

Historians tell us that the Greatest Generation was forged by economic depression and World War. That generation was not born great, but became that way to survive. We will never be the same after this, but someday another generation will look back and judge our actions. We are capable of emerging from this experience as something new, adaptable and innovative.

We will find new ways to engage with the world.

May the God Who heals in darkness create for us our own resurrection.

Anchor columnist Claire McManus is the director of the Diocesan Office of Faith Formation.

Those masked marvels

M

any of you readers grew up watching the Lone Ranger fight for justice. Some of you may have thrilled at the exploits of Batman as he nabbed all types of crooks and criminals.

More of you marveled at the feats of the Green Hornet. As for myself, I was drawn to the swashbuckling but sometimes reckless Zorro. Indeed I once dressed up as that mystery man, complete with sword and whip and concealed behind a mask, at a parish country fair in Fairhaven. All of these fought for justice behind the mask. All were heroes.

Today, as we witness on our television screens, we have countless heroes working behind their masks. They are not battling crooks or criminals. They

are not rescuing damsels in distress. They are fighting for the lives of fellow citizens, most of whom they do not know. They are fighting against an enemy they cannot see. They are giving their lives to rescue others from this deadly Coronavirus. Let us all give a shout out for all those masked marvels in the medical field.

Here on this Kalaupapa peninsula, as I have previously noted, we are protected by those massive evergreen cliffs and the surrounding ocean which cut us off from the main part of Molokai. So far masks are not commonplace here.

However, the nurses and staff at the Care Home do wear masks to protect the

patients who go to the Care Home for meals. A few days ago at the grocery store, I

met Jane, the bookkeeper at the Care Home, and she was sporting a very colorful mask. I suggested to her

that she must have made it herself from a piece of one of her very colorful dresses. She is indeed a colorful lady. Tomorrow I will wear a mask compliments of the famous Father Chris Keahi, SS.CC. I also plan on wearing an eye mask as a mark of respect to Zorro.

As the days and weeks of this very difficult time drag on, we hope for a swift recovery from this pan-

demic. We pray for those suffering from the disease and we mourn with those who have lost loved ones to the disease.

During this time we may try to mask our fears with a little bravado or we may share them with others, but we must at the same time salute all those masked marvels who battle for us on the front lines.

Aloha.

Anchor columnist Father Pat Killilea SS.CC., is pastor of St. Francis Church, Kalaupapa, Hawaii.

Editor’s note: In the April 17 Anchor edition we ran “Finding God in the Coronavirus: A student’s reflections.” We didn’t receive the author’s name until after that edition went to press. The piece was beautifully written by Tom Canuel, Coyle and Cassidy High School, Taunton, Class of 2020.

May 1, 2020 †

9

Holy Cross Fathers assure ministries continue at HCFM and Family Rosary

By Dave Jolivet Print Editor

davejolivet@anchornews.org

EASTON — Safety first is the mantra of the day and with that comes some hardships and sacrifices. The staff at Holy Cross Family Ministries, for the time being, is no longer there to run the Father Peyton Center and welcome the thousands of guests who visit each year.

That means the priests, following in the footsteps of their founder, Venerable Father Patrick Peyton, C.S.C., are the task masters making sure faithful in the diocese and across the world still have a haven of Spirituality, prayer and peace at HCFM. “We’re reaching out like never before,” said Father Willy Raymond, C.S.C., president of HCFM. “People are isolated and we’re helping them get through it in this time of need.”

Helping them get through

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it means the handful of priests the programs. It’s been quite a to represent the faithful as there are taking phone calls, learning experience!” we offer Eucharist and pray posting on social media, “There is a thirst in the for God’s intervention during producing online programs, hearts of the faithful to be in this pandemic. We realize the operating soundboards and communion with the Lord,” longing for the Eucharist and working in front of and behind said Father Pinto Paul, C.S.C., receiving Communion even the cameras. more particularly in One of the proits absence.” ductions is a daily Despite the chalRosary recital and lenges the priests are Mass on the Family facing without their Rosary Facebook dedicated staff on page Monday through hand, the call off the Friday at 11:30 a.m. faithful remains. “This “Normally, we life is about saying would have our staff yes to God, to listen working the cameras, and to follow where setting up the lighting, He leads,” Father taking care of sound James Phalen, C.S.C., and handling all the Father Pinto Paul, C.S.C., international national director of other technical issues,” director of Holy Cross Family Ministries, Family Rosary told Father Raymond recites the Rosary before the Mass broad- The Anchor. “Would told The Anchor. we have planned “However, they are all cast weekdays on Facebook at 11:30 a.m. working this way? working at home right Certainly no, but in now because of the emergency international director of being faithful to where He situation, so we priests have HCFM. “I feel it is our duty as leads, He can work miracles. had to step up and run things. priests to pray for the faithful “In the face of a crisis, we It has been a baptism by fire and offer Eucharist for them. knew we needed to respond since most of us have little Media is the only possible way and reach out — first with just familiarity with producing to be in touch with people an iPad, saying the Rosary: suduring these troubled times. per simple, but then we started “One of my friends wrote to get ideas. Father Jilson Tom, to me during the Easter week: C.S.C., took it upon himself ‘Please remember me in your to figure out the video techprayers when you receive nology, while enlisting help the Communion.’ It really from some colleagues working struck me. As priests, we are from home. But to the point: privileged to have Mass and we have simply done our best, receive Communion every trusting in God! Now we pray day, particularly during this with thousands every day from pandemic. I believe it is our our chapel at the Peyton Cenduty and privilege as priests ter. It’s an offering, and act of

† May 1, 2020

love. The Lord and Our Lady really will do the rest!”

Prior to the pandemic the HCFM Facebook page was already home to a four-minute daily homily, with plans for a daily Rosary and Mass. “The pandemic forced our hand,” said Father Raymond. “Once people were isolated at home, we realized we needed to move ahead with them as quickly as possible because the faithful really needed this to help them through such a challenging time.”

Sharing the honor of celebrating the Mass and reciting the Rosary are Fathers Raymond, Paul, Phalen, and Tom and also Holy Cross Father Leo Polselli, and Father David Marcham.

Father Raymond told The Anchor that the response has been very good. “People will call and let us know how they are doing or will send us email with intentions,” he said. “We have people watching us from all over the globe, some as far away as New Zealand. We are a big hit in metro Manila, the Philippines. It is really very encouraging to get that feedback, especially since we are so used to celebrating Mass or reciting the Rosary in front of a congregation.”

In an online homily Father Paul said, “The family is God’s masterpiece. We want to continue to pray as a family.”

He told The Anchor, “Our mission of ‘helping families pray’ is God’s work entrusted to us through Venerable Patrick Peyton. Prayer is the most powerful force on earth.

If we use the pandemic as an excuse for not pursuing our mission and doing God’s work, we will be irresponsible. Therefore, we are responsible for finding a way to bring the comforting presence of God to families. God first, everything else next.”

“Whether through phone calls or email, we are only too glad to help our followers with whatever their Spiritual needs are and let them know that we care — that God and the Holy Mother care — and that we are here for them,” added Father Raymond.

CSS adjusts to life during, after COVID-19 crisis continued from page one

due to the size and layout of the building, so the shelter guests and operations have been moved to a tent behind the shelter that was provided by the Massachusetts Emergency Management Agency (MEMA). St. Clare’s is not taking in any new residents, and the current residents must remain in the home to minimize exposure from the community.”

Enhanced screening protocols have also been put in place at all shelters, including a questionnaire before admittance and checking for COVID-19 symptoms before each shift. Portable hand-washing stations have been installed at the entrance to each shelter, and Mazzarella said staff members have all been provided with gloves, masks and face shields. Masks are mandatory for both guests and staff members, “high touch” surfaces are cleaned every two hours, and each site is professionally cleaned on a daily basis.

“The challenge is minimizing exposure, because whenever a shelter guest leaves and returns, or a new guest enters the shelter, the environment runs the risk of new exposure,” Mazzarella said. “Having shelter guests remain in the facility throughout the day has required additional staff and resources for this significant modification, so each shelter is constantly evolving and adapting as this pandemic progresses and as new guidelines and mandates emerge.”

In addition to these individual shelters, CSS also oversees the HOUSE family shelter program under which 76 families are now living in “scattered-site” shelter units.

Mazzarella said CSS staff members remain in contact with them daily via telephone and they also deliver necessities to them such as diapers, food, cleaning supplies, and activities to provide support during the crisis.

“To assist those strug-

gling with food insecurity, the Sister Rose Soup Kitchen remains in operation Monday through Friday, but has switched to take-out meals only,” Mazzarella said. “The Solanus Casey Food Pantry in New Bedford remains open Wednesdays and Thursdays from 10 a.m. to 12 noon and has been reconfigured to maintain social distancing.

This pandemic has amplified the poverty level as the pantry has experienced a 51 percent increase in usage.”

Mazzarella stressed that none of the services CSS provides would be possible without the dedicated staff members who continue working at these facilities.

“The courage, compassion, and dedication of our staff members working in the shelters and food pantries is both unparalleled and deeply inspiring,” she said. “These staff members are in a highrisk environment where they had to modify every aspect of their job functions to maintain safety for their clients, guests, and themselves. They come to work amidst these challenges yet remain mission-driven. CSS is providing hazard pay to compensate them for these increased risks and demands. In addition, staff from other programs are given a stipend to encourage them to support their colleagues in the shelters and food pantries. Our staff faces the fears daily with strength and commitment — they are heroic.”

While inquiries for most CSS services have escalated during the pandemic, Mazzarella said the Basic Needs and Housing Counseling departments have been less active in recent weeks.

“This is largely due to eviction courts being closed, restrictions on foreclosure proceedings, and an increase in short-term unemployment compensation,” she said. “However, there have been many calls from people who have lost their jobs and

are concerned about being evicted once the courts and leasing management offices re-open. We anticipate these departments will be flooded with calls once the pandemic is over. Households have been devastated economically and will need a great deal of financial assistance to regain stability.”

While CSS relies on the charitable support of those throughout the diocese during the annual appeal, financial contributions or donations of in-kind services are always greatly appreciated — even more so during this crisis.

“CSS is happy to receive any financial donations to offset the additional expenses to the shelters,” Mazzarella said.

“For the Samaritan House in Taunton, we are also looking for help in providing breakfast and dinner meals in take-out containers because operations are now in the tent.”

Mazzarella said they are also trying to make resource baskets that will be delivered to some of the homeless families currently living in the “scattered-site” shelters. To fill these, they are looking for donations of: diapers (sizes newborn, one, two, three, four and five), baby wipes, cleaning supplies such as magic erasers, Lysol disinfectant sprays, bleach surface cleaners, Clorox disinfectant wipes, dish soap, personal hygiene products such as deodorants, toothpaste and toothbrushes, and bath soap.

They are also seeking activities for children such as coloring and activity books, crayons, colored pencils, puzzles, board games, drawing pads, or school items. Anyone wishing to donate any of these items can call one of the CSS offices to make drop-off or pick-up arrangements: — Attleboro: 800-2590382; — Fall River: 508-6744681; — New Bedford: 508-

997-7337; — Cape Cod: 508-7716771; or — Taunton: 800-2590382.

CSS staff will then distribute these donations directly to the families.

And if the pandemic weren’t already challenging enough, staff members at CSS have had to deal with the sudden loss of Kathy Wilson, case manager at St. Joseph Shelter in Hyannis, who recently died of cancer that hadn’t been diagnosed until a few weeks ago.

“They were initially expecting her to return and they lost a loved and respected member of their team,” Mazzarella said. “They cannot express their grief in a public way due to this pandemic placing restrictions on funerals.

“I think this virus magnifies loss — loss of freedom, loss of resources, loss of loved ones. It also accentuates immediate grief and simultaneously mandates that grief must be postponed.”

Moving forward, Mazzarella said it’s difficult to predict how the Coronavirus pandemic will ultimately impact CSS services in the

future, but she’s confident things will be changed.

“Certainly, we will need to examine what services need to be fortified and which were under-utilized,” she said. “We will have to assess what new services should be developed to reach populations and geographies and address needs that CSS might have missed during this pandemic, and that may emerge as a result of it. We will also look at enhancing our organizational infrastructure to nimbly, quickly, and effectively respond to any future emergency.”

And while the daily grind has slowed to a crawl for many in the last few weeks, it’s also provided some time to reflect on things we often ignore.

“As far as lessons learned, I’m sure there will be many to reflect upon once we transition away from this crisis,” Mazzarella said. “We can see that loneliness and poverty are magnified; however, generosity, assistance, and heroism have also been amplified.

We have learned that these challenging, frightening circumstances are what draw us all closer to our mission, and closer to our faith.”

Staff from offices within the diocesan chancery in Fall River sponsored a food drive on April 24, to support the CSS food pantry. Members of several offices and ministries responded to the invitation to participate in the drive, dropping off groceries and other essential items over a two-hour period. “I want to take this opportunity to let you know how proud and grateful I am for your incredibly generous response to the food drive to help the work of our Catholic Social Services in this critical time,” said Bishop Edgar M. da Cunha, S.D.V. May 1, 2020 †

11

F ocus

W

ow, I don’t know about you, but my daily routines have just about been thrown out the window.

Over the last month or two that we’ve been on lock-down, everything I did has now changed and I’ve had to develop new routines.

Some of the new routines have been a good change for me. I now have some extra time in the morning to go to the basement and use the treadmill or elliptical which has resulted in feeling stronger and lighter!

Some routines like morning and evening prayer have remained the same, but I find that I’m less in a rush and can spend some quality time with God. And of course, not having to go into the campus daily, leaves a little more time for sleep in the morning or staying up a little later at night.

What first seemed so odd in the beginning has now settled into a regular routine that has become the norm. The only day that it differs is Sunday, when I head to St Mary’s to assist Father David with the live-streaming of Mass.

That is the best day of the week, as I get to leave the house to be at Mass. Such a privilege!

Routines. Routines are patterns of behavior that we repeat often. We all have them. We’re all creatures of habit. Some routines are positive and some types of routines drain us and

12

rob us of a good life. Sometimes our routines can get disrupted as has happened in the last several months and it can throw us for a loop. Other times, a life situation or a change can cause us to abandon our routine or perhaps begin a new one.

I’ve been thinking a lot about routines, since this pandemic lock down started. I’m amazed at how new routines can fill the day if I’m not careful to keep some focus. In the beginning of the lock down, when my usual routine was so disrupted, I just put all aside trying to figure out what needed to be done, but I ended up doing nothing. Sadly, my prayer life was one of the first things to suffer when I was trying to make sense of all that was happening around us. Duh! I soon got my head screwed on straight and started to make deliberate plans to start new routines. One such routine was to make room for God back in my life. How easy it is to just let these important routines go!

That worries me and I want to be sure to keep God in mind as new routines develop in the months ahead. After all, this is the time of year that the weather changes, daylight is extended and the end of the virtual school

† May 1, 2020

C hurch Y outh Routines

on

year looms ahead of some. We may find our daily routines changing a bit again as summer and vacations approach and we are still stuck in our homes. That may surely cause a great deal of angst.

For some of you, getting

out of home school will open up a good portion of your day and the routine of school will be replaced by other routines.

And for many of you, you’ll be preparing to move on to high school or on to college where you’ll have to develop an entirely new set of routines (hopefully in person and not virtually).

I mention this because; I’ve noticed that in my life, I can sometime replace good routines with a less worthwhile routines and then wonder what happened. What about you?

Will you replace the end of home school with sleeping later or take advantage of that extra time? Will you pick up a bad habit as a result of having so much time on your hands or use the time to improve your life.

Will you hang out with others online who may build you up or bring you down? Will you make more room for God in your life or will you place Him on the shelf until you need Him? So, how do things stand between you and God? Where are you coming from, and where is your life in Christ growing? We can answer such questions satisfactorily only if we take time to reflect. As part of our college Ignatian retreat programs, we present a prayer routine by St. Ignatius of Loyola, called the Examination of Consciousness. Sometimes we just don’t know how to pray and as a result we revert to the rote prayers of our youth and that becomes our routine. Because we aren’t actively engaged in conversation with God, we may

soon just say the words without much thought. I know that’s what happened to me. I have found this Examination of Consciousness format a good daily, “just before bedtime” alternative for me. It keeps me engaged and thoughtful. It’s a routine but it isn’t rote. It changes daily depending on what I’ve done and what God wants me to learn. I find it worthwhile, easy to follow and powerful.

It doesn’t take a lot of time either. There are five simple steps to the Examination of Consciousness, which should take about 15 minutes to complete. This prayer can be made anywhere — on the beach, in a car, at home, in the library. I present it here for your consideration.

This short prayer exercise, Adapted from Joseph Tetlow’s “Choosing Christ in the World,” seeks to increase our sen­sitivity to God working in our lives and to provide us with the enlightenment necessary to co-operate with and respond to God’s presence.

Step 1: GIVING THANKS — I take time to thank God for the good things that came into my day. I review the many details of the day in no particular order. For instance, I thank God for sunshine, for getting an article written on time, for feeling good, for my family, for having the ability and energy to complete my work. In this process, I may well come across some action that I did or some emotion or desire that I entertained for which I cannot thank God, since it was offensive or sinful.

Step 2: ASKING FOR LIGHT — I then ask the Holy Spirit to show me what God wants me to see and how I am growing more fully alive in God as a result of all that He has given me.

Step 3: FINDING GOD IN ALL THINGS — Then I look over the events of the day. I ask the Holy Spirit to show me where God has been present in my life, either in me personally or in others, and in what God has been asking of me. I try to

look over my moods, feelings, and urges to see what stands out even slightly. I look for such things as joy, pain, turmoil, increase (or decrease) of love, anger, harmony, anxiety, freedom, presence of God, isolation.

In what general direction do I think that God is drawing me?

How have I been responding to these experiences or situations that draw me toward the Lord and which invite me to be more like Jesus?

Step 4: RESPONDING TO GOD IN DIALOGUE — Now it’s time to chat with God. I try to determine if there is any one area that I’m being nudged to focus my at­tention on, to pray more seriously over, to take action on? This is where my energy needs to be exerted instead of on the many other things I may think are important. I discuss this with Jesus, expressing what needs to be expressed: praise, sorrow, gratitude, desire for change, intercession, etc.

Step 5: ASKING FOR HELP AND GUIDANCE FOR TOMORROW — Here I ask God to give me what I need for tomorrow. I place my trust in God and not in myself. He never lets me down.

Since I began utilizing this prayer routine I feel that it has helped me see God working in my life and it helps me recognize and receive God’s care and assistance. St. Ignatius told his Jesuit brothers that the Examination of Consciousness is the one prayer they should not eliminate; it is the one prayer they absolutely must engage in every single day. The Examination of Consciousness is a simple prayer, a prayer for busy people who are continually seeking to do the Lord’s will, like me. In any case, in whatever way you choose to engage and dialogue with God, be sure to make room in your routine for Him each and every day.

Anchor columnist Frank Lucca is a deacon in the Diocese of Fall River assigned to St. Mary’s Parish in Dartmouth and a campus minister at UMass Dartmouth. He is married to his wife of 42 years, Kristine, and the father of two daughters and their husbands, and five grandsons! So blessed!

Diocesan schools petition for funding relief under CARES Act continued from page three

they’ll be shuttered for the remainder of the academic year.

“This means our ability to get a piece of this pie is even more crucial, because the more we’re closed, the harder it is for our families to pay tuition,” Duxbury told The

Anchor. “So, we definitely need our schools to get a piece of this pie.”

The petition describes the work that Catholic schools have continued to do despite being closed to prevent the spread of the COVID-19 virus. Many of these schools serve fam-

Diocese of Fall River TV Mass on the Portuguese Channel Sunday, May 3 at 7 p.m.

Broadcast from Our Lady of the Holy Rosary Church in Providence

Diocese of Fall River TV Mass

on the Portuguese Channel Sunday, May 10 at 7 p.m.

Broadcast from St. Anthony Church in Taunton

Diocese of Fall River TV Mass on WLNE Channel 6 Sunday, May 3 at 11:00 a.m.

Celebrant is Father Ryan J. Healy, Parochial Vicar of St. Anthony Parish, East Falmouth; St. Elizabeth Seton Parish, North Falmouth; and St. Patrick Parish, Falmouth

Sunday, May 10 at 11:00 a.m.

As of press time, the celebrant for the May 10 Mass was not known.

May 1 has been chosen by the Holy Father to celebrate the vocation of Religious Brothers in the Church. It is also the feast to honor St. Joseph the Worker, model to the Vocation and life of Brothers in the Consecrated Life. Please keep all Brothers in your prayers at this time.

ilies in the lower middle class and below the poverty line. They have continued to provide meals to needy students and implement remote learning.

The petition goes on to point out that unlike public schools, which continue to receive state funding, private schools rely on donors and tuition payments.

Already, the Diocese of Fall River announced April 15 that two Catholic schools — Coyle and Cassidy Middle School and High School in Taunton and St. Margaret Primary School in Buzzards Bay — will close at the end of the school year in part as a result of the financial impact of the COVID-19 crisis.

“We’re asking people to sign the petition and make their case known that the CARES Act should include non-public schools as well,” Duxbury said. “And that’s all private schools — Catholic schools, Christian schools, Jewish schools.

The petition has to be signed by April 27.”

With Governor Baker’s April 21 order to not reopen schools until the fall, Duxbury said the Catholic School Alliance will be “going through a planning process throughout the next couple of days” to plan for the extended closure.

The petition for Catholic school relief under the CARES Act can be viewed and signed at the following link: https://forms.gle/ SbQLsZx9fLxRcTXM7.

With reporting from The Pilot, the newspaper of the Archdiocese of Boston.

Can you hear Him calling?

W

e are living in some trying times and strive on a daily basis to understand — why? Why is this happening to us, to our world, to all we hold Sacred and believe in? In life there are so many questions that unfortunately must be left unanswered, that remain a mystery, and even though we do not like that answer, we learn to live with it.

For anyone who has lost a loved one, you understand completely what that last part means. We are frightened, unsure of the future, and worried about those we love and care for.

Yet in the Scriptures this weekend we are given comfort, we are reminded that we are not alone, and that if we listen, truly listen, we can hear the Shepherd’s voice rising above the chaos.

St. Peter reminds us to be “patient in our suffering for doing what is good.” It seems almost impossible to stay still, to follow the requests laid out before us, to maintain a safe distance in order to keep not only ourselves, but others safe as well; yet, St. Peter tells us that this patience is a “grace before God.” However, we are a restless people, accustomed to being constantly on the go, filing our days with so much busyness and noise that we do not have a clue as to what being patient honestly means, or the ability

to even begin to hear the Shepherd’s voice.

But life has made other plans for us and we are now forced to stop, forego normal routines and activities, and learn to live in ways that are uncomfortable and incomprehensible. Families are kept apart, employers have had to find ways to keep their employees safe, and

measures have been put in place to contain the spread of what threatens us. Today’s heroes do not wear capes — they wear uniforms, work tirelessly to save others, and are called on to be present to those in need. These heroes are everyday people who often went unseen or unnoticed, yet now have become essential — people we cannot live without. Even in our solitude, we too, are making an impact, changing the course of what scares us, insuring that we can return to “normal” once again.

8 Turn to page 15

May 1, 2020 †

13

Sister Virginia O’Hare, S.U.S.C.

FALL RIVER — Sister Virginia O’Hare (Sister Agnes William), S.U.S.C., died April 21 at The Jewish Home of Fall River. Born in Fall River on May 4, 1925, she was the daughter of the late William and Mary (Sullivan) O’Hare.

In addition to her Holy Union Sisters, her sister Angela Hopkins, brother William and his wife Patricia, nieces, nephews, grandnieces and grandnephews survive her. She was predeceased by her sisters Mary O’Hare and Eleanor Paquet.

Sister Virginia graduated from the Academy of the Sacred Hearts, Fall River. She entered the Holy Union Sisters on Sept. 8, 1943 and pronounced her final vows on Aug. 22, 1951.

She received a Bachelor of Arts Degree in History and a Master of Arts Degree in European History from Villanova University.

Sister Virginia taught junior high classes in parish schools in New Jersey and New York. She served as principal and superior at Sacred Heart School, Mount Ephraim, N.J. and Immaculate Conception School, Astoria, N.Y. In 1967 she became principal of Bishop Cassidy High School in Taunton. In 1971 when the school merged with Bishop Coyle High School, she continued as principal of Coyle and Cassidy High School. In 1977 she became treasurer for the Holy Union Sisters Fall River Province, a

14

position she held until 1996.

She was assistant to the Financial Officer for the Fall River Diocese from 1998 to 2011.

She continued to volunteer in the diocese’s Finance Office until 2018. Sister Virginia celebrated her 75th anniversary as a Holy Union Sister in 2018.

While serving as province treasurer, she took courses at Notre Dame University and was an active member of regional and national organizations for treasurers of women religious. Within her Holy Union Congregation, she attended international meetings of treasurers and was a delegate to General Chapters.

In 2016 Sister Virginia joined the Holy Union Sisters Community at The Landmark, Fall River. Recently ill health necessitated her move to The Jewish Home, Fall River.

Following directives of the Diocese of Fall River, the rite of Committal with Final Commendation was private. A Memorial Mass will be celebrated at a later date when the restrictions for public gatherings have been lifted. Burial was at St. Patrick’s Cemetery, Fall River. Funeral arrangements were under the direction of Waring-Sullivan Funeral Home Fall River.

Donations in Sister Virginia’s memory may be made to Holy Union Sisters, Mission Advancement Office, P.O. Box 410, Milton, Mass., 02186.

† May 1, 2020

New website offers Pro-Life/Project Rachel resources continued from page three

Our website provides easyto-use, confidential contact information either through email or phone, and we want them to know that while safety is always our number one priority, we’ll gladly serve them to our greatest capacity despite anything going on.

“The Christian call to love one another is rooted in service to each other and our Lord, and is not bound by any virus or catastrophe that could be going on.”

The website is considered to be an “ongoing project,” with topics, resources and information to be added along the way. “We plan to continue adding more resources for women and men to find the answers to any ProLife questions they may have, as well as be a reliable resource of Catholic social teaching on all different Pro-Life topics,” DeLucca told The Anchor. “As people begin to ask us questions via the website or any other means, we plan to update the website with the information if it’s not already there.

“This will also be a good place where anyone can gather additional information and register for the events we host (March for Life, Pro-Life Boot Camp, Diocesan Pro-Life Essay Contest).”

DeLucca also told The Anchor that there has been a recent decline in the usual amount of contacts to the Pro-Life/Project Rachel Office. She attributes that to the pandemic. People are seeing small businesses close and the Church suspending the Sacraments and Masses and naturally assume the Pro-Life/Project Rachel services have temporarily shut down as well. “This is why we plan on implementing other digital ways across the media to make sure people know we are still here for them and still have access to other means of communication,” she added.

The Project Rachel hotline is local with the pregnancy resource centers, counselors and confessors within the diocesan territory, but “a woman from anywhere is more

than welcome to call asking for guidance and we’ll do our best to serve them to our greatest capacity and connect them with their local crisis pregnancy aid and resources,” stressed DeLucca.

DeLucca was quick to thank “everyone who aided our office with suggestions and advice to get this up and running as smoothly and quickly as possible.

Even though we are not together as usual, please be assured of our continued prayers for all of you, your families, and your intentions.”

DeLucca encourages anyone who is debating about contacting the office to do so knowing their welfare is a priority. “This website is only the ‘summary’ of everything our office does and provides,” she told The Anchor. “We would like to encourage anyone, especially those who may be on the fence about contacting us, to feel free to reach out to us and have access to the full potential of service our office is able to provide.

This can include women in crisis pregnancies or suffering from post-abortion trauma, but it can also be anyone (clergy included) who’s interested in learning more about different ProLife issues.

“Our office provides various classes and training geared to people from teen-agers to elderly, on how they can they can become more active and knowledgeable in the fight against the culture of death.

The website can be accessed at prolifefallriver. org. The Project Rachel Office can be reached at 508730-2887; and the Pro-Life Office phone number is 508-675-7151.

Deacons, aspirants maintain brotherhood during crisis continued from page two

level of sanity to all this.”

And bringing some normalcy to fellow parishioners is high on this group’s list of priorities. “We pulled together this session as we heard from some deacons that their parishes were ‘dead’ due to the COVID-19 pandemic,” explained Deacon Lucca. “As ordained ministers, we have the obligation to find ways to minister to God’s people, even in a time when parish Masses are on hiatus and parish offices are closed. But with today’s technology, from streaming to online meeting systems, we can still communicate with our parishioners.

“Many of our deacons also have experience in technology and communications that may be useful to pastors to reach out to our parishioners. At the least, we encourage our deacons to reach out to those in ministry in the parish, as well as to reach out to parishioners directly using the most basic of technology — the phone.”

The message of reaching out to fellow parishioners and area faithful isn’t lost on the “virtual attendees.”

“Following prayer, Father Bob and Deacon Frank spoke to the deacons, encouraging them to be creative and reach out to parishioners to let them know that even though they may not be able to get to Mass every week, their parish is there for them, praying for them and offering opportunities for them to virtually participate in their faith,” Deacon Levesque, who ministers at St. Joseph and St. Michael parishes in Fall River told The Anchor. “Then, anyone who wanted to, shared some of the things that they are doing to do this. Ideas presented include recording and posting Masses, live-streaming Masses, live-streaming Stations of the Cross, Divine Mercy Chaplet, Holy Hours, Morning and Evening Prayer, faith-based talks, calling parishioners, etc.

“This was a great opportunity for all of us to be together, to strengthen our community.

Usually we’re able to do this at the Chrism Mass and Deacon Area Meetings, but because of the pandemic these have all been canceled. None of us have ever experienced anything like the current situation we find ourselves in. There are no guidelines. It was great to be able to see each other and exchange ideas on how we can minister to the people of our parishes. I’m sure many of us were inspired to do things we hadn’t thought of before, that others were doing.”

Indeed people today have not experienced anything like the pandemic and its effects.

That makes it all the more of a challenge for the current aspirants in their formation process, and the Sunday evening prayer meetings are exactly what’s needed as “new” norms and precedents are set.

“As an aspirant, and hopefully admitted as a candidate, it has been a pleasure to be associated with my cohort of classmates,” Americo Miranda of Our Lady of Grace Parish in Westport expressed to The Anchor. “As we journey on the road of discernment together, we come to know ourselves and one another, as we discern the will of Christ. It is always a gift to meet and dialogue with the many priests and deacons along the journey.

“Unfortunately, due to the epidemic, our candidate retreat has been postponed as well as the annual diaconate convocation. With that being said, it has not shaken our faith. Our trust, faith and hope in the Lord has only increased.

“For the past several weeks the Diaconate Class of 2023 have been taking virtual sessions for our Ecclesiology and Spirituality classes. This method has worked smoothly, with no interruption of our formation. The Sunday evening prayer meetings with deacons and future candidates, have

been a blessing as well.

“The new virtual gathering gives us a wonderful opportunity to be part of the diocesan life by sharing the discussions taking place amongst the brother deacons in association with our priests. All have one goal, to serve the people of God, and to seek ways to spread the Good News of the Gospel of Jesus Christ.

“In my opinion, the Sunday weekly virtual gatherings will inform us, and make us aware of the needs of the diocese. We will also have an opportunity to meet and dialogue with our deacons who have been so influential in the lives of many. My gratitude

to Father Bob Oliveira, and to Deacon Frank Lucca, for taking on this technological initiative,” said Miranda.

Despite many signs pointing to the opposite, life goes on, and diocesan faithful can take heart in the fact that the men who have dedicated their lives to God and the Church, permanent deacons, and those aspiring to be so, have bolstered their commitment to their fellow parishioners by electing to strengthen each other in Spirit, mind, fellowship and prayer. Although miles apart and sheltered in place these men remain close, strong and determined to overcome the challenges of traversing new territories amidst the COVID-19 crisis.

Father Oliveira wrapped it

up succinctly: “It is time to be steadfast of heart and exercise courage in extending God’s peace to those they serve.”

The Office of the Permanent Diaconate in cooperation with the Deacon Council is pleased to present the Deacon Webinar Series.

The webinars will continue on the first Sunday of each month at 6:30 p.m. online.

Upcoming topics included: The Rite of Marriage, Ministry Fair, Spiritual Direction and Homiletics.

CEU credit is granted for participation in the webinars. All webinars will also be recorded and made available on the diaconate website for later viewing.

Visit fallriverdeacons.com for information.

Can you hear Him calling? continued from page 13

These are the “graces” that St. Peter is talking about, what we “have been called” to.

Jesus, by His life and suffering, gave us the model by which we can follow in His footsteps.

We are now led to take a deep look at our lives, take stock of what truly matters, and for many of us, eliminate those things that were merely distractions. We now understand the importance of family, the value of friendship, and how our faith and trust in God can bear us through even the most difficult of times. We have shown the world and each other how creative we can be, how we can still come into each other’s homes, go into our places of worship, and be with others while keeping everyone safe. We have come together to connect, to pray, or to simply be present. Rosaries are shared via chat rooms, Mass is live streamed for all to attend, and prayer groups have formed in unexpected places.

My home was blessed with the Crown of the Holy Ghost, a Portuguese tradition of honoring the seven gifts of the Holy Spirit, culminating with a feast

on Pentecost Sunday. But, because of what is going on around us, we could not have anyone at our home, yet people wanted to pray with us.

So we prayed together every night for a week, but rather than just being in our home, the Holy Spirit was now in the home of each person present online — from our home to Florida, across the country to California, and places in between — there were no boundaries. These creative endeavors have brought God into places where He may not have gone before, or even have been welcomed, giving the Shepherd the ability to find His lost sheep.

The Gospel emphasizes that the Lord is our Shepherd, bringing us back into the fold when we are lost, gently pulling us back when we try to get too far ahead, and easing our fears with a voice that is soothing and comforting, a voice that our hearts and souls know so well. Sadly, a voice that had been overshadowed by “thieves and robbers” vying for our attention, keeping us from the safety of the flock and the loving arms of the Shepherd. These trying times have refocused our

attention, prioritized what matters, and has us tuning in to the voice of the Shepherd, listening for His guidance, knowing that He will lead us to safety, to “greener pastures.”

If there is one lesson to be had from all that is happening, it is that Jesus has come so that we “might have life and have it more abundantly.” When all this has passed, will we go back to the emptiness of our harried lives, ignoring the abundance that is laid before us, or will we choose to see the gifts and blessings in our lives — the gifts of our families, our health, and our ability to be productive in whatever capacity that means — the blessings of knowing we are loved and cared for, and the deeper knowledge that God does not leave us orphaned, but rather sends us Jesus, Our Shepherd, to guides us safely, to lead us home, and to be ever present in our lives?

Are you listening — can you hear Him calling?

Anchor columnist Rose Mary Saraiva is a parishioner of Holy Trinity Parish in Fall River and works at the diocesan Office of Faith Formation.

May 1, 2020 †

15

Parishes work to provide food, meals during pandemic continued from page seven

be helping local restaurants by giving them some business during this crisis. And the meals they are preparing are fantastic!”

They have also received donations of food from Sid Wainer & Sons in New Bedford, from T.A. Restaurant in Fall River, from the Westport School System, from St. Stanislaus School, and from Gold Medal Bakery, along with some individual food donors.

Given the social distancing requirements during the pandemic, Father Washburn said he is grateful for the parishioners who have offered to help, but he is trying to keep the volunteers to a minimum.

“Our most important concern is the safety of everyone involved — staff, volunteers, and those getting the food — so the onsite crew is small,” he said. “We have four in the kitchen preparing the meals (all maintaining proper physical distance and wearing gloves and masks), and we have two or three on the street. So we have about 12 volunteers who we rotate through teams.

“Meals are served curbside, so most people just drive up and we hand them the meals. We also have about a half dozen additional parishioners who are baking the desserts that we serve with the meal. They prepare these at home and drop them off for us — and they are delicious by the way!”

Although Father Nagle said they haven’t had any problems getting the food via the delivery trucks, they are limited with the space they have in the walk-in refrigerator and freezer units.

“We just don’t have the capability of getting more because of costs and room in the refrigerator and freezer, so we are doing what we can,” he said. “Like every other community, we seem to be low on some items — paper towels, toilet paper, wipes, etc. — but everything else seems OK.” Given the expenses involved in obtaining and transporting the food to the island, Father Nagle 16

† May 1, 2020

said donations are always greatly appreciated.

“We figure it is costing more than $2,000 a week, not including the salary for Joe Capobianco, who works for the parish and is in charge of buildings and maintenance,” Father Nagle said. “He just volunteered to help with this project which consumes most of his time now.”

Father Washburn likewise has been blessed with support from District Attorney Tom Quinn’s office, which has committed to cover the cost of one of the “Grab-andGo Meals” each week.

“Our meals cost us between $1,200 and $1,500 each time — about $4 per meal,” he said. “So, that is a significant commitment from the DA’s office, and they have pledged that commitment indefinitely. We are incredibly grateful.”

Father Washburn has also established a GoFundMe campaign to collect donations to offset the costs involved.

“So far, we’ve raised about $7,000 from there and we’ve received a number of donations large and small from individuals, including three individuals who contributed their COVID-19 relief check to the cause,” Father Washburn said. “We would love to partner with other area restaurants as it is also a great way for us to help them, too.”

Donations to the Food Baskets MV program at Good Shepherd Parish on Martha’s Vineyard can be made online at www. goodshepherdmv.com, or mailed to Good Shepherd Parish, P.O. Box 1058, Vineyard Haven, Mass. 02568. Those interested in volunteering can contact Joe at 508-274-1170.

Donations to the “Graband-Go Meals” program at the Catholic Community of Central Fall River can be made online at http://gofundme.com/food-forfall-river, or mailed to Cathedral of St. Mary of the Assumption, 327 Second Street, Fall River, Mass. 02721.

I

Thank you

n my last column I shared a struggle that has plagued me all my life, and the response from Anchor readers was overwhelming. Thank you all for your prayers, support, sharing, and outreach. Thank you. I am a blessed man. Truly blessed.

On Ash Wednesday, my boss and friend, Father Rich Wilson asked me and parishioner Sarah Parker to bring ashes and Holy Communion to a nearby senior center. Sarah and I have become very good friends over the last year and we were both glad to accept the assignment.

We spent more than three hours sharing the Body of Christ, our faith, laughs and a few lumps in the throat, meeting and praying with the residents. Sarah mentioned to Father this week that was probably the last time some of those people had someone to pray with before the pandemic stopped the world. I am so grateful for having had that experience and I think back fondly on it.

Thank you to Father Rich for entrusting that task to me, and thank you to Sarah for becoming such a good friend, and partner in crime.

I’d also like to take the time to thank our priests, deacons, Sisters and Brothers for finding anyway possible to bring the Good Lord to all of us during this historic period in our lives. Your sacrifices, hard work, frustrations, and innovations are not going unrecognized by your sisters and brothers who used to occupy the pews, which have now become couches, recliners and kitchen chairs. Thank you.

A huge thank you to all the essential workers is not nearly enough to show my and other’s gratitude for putting it all on the line to keep us

safe, fed and healthy. Thank you.

And lastly, I have to thank my family. One never knows what the next day will bring and I would hate to have missed an opportunity to say to them, “I love you.”

While Denise, Ben, Lauren and Emilie are so different from each other, we share one extraordinary similarity — our love for each other.

Thanks to Denise for putting up with a hopeless neurotic for the last 42 years. That has to be so difficult. And thanks for making me laugh. Thanks to Ben for your texts and emails checking up on me and making me laugh. Thanks to Lauren and her husband Steve for making sure we are well stocked and cared for and for making me laugh. And thanks to Emilie for her comical IMs and her phone calls and making me laugh.

None of you will ever know how much y’all mean to me, but I’m going on record right now to make it public.

Last Christmas, the last time we were all together, was one of the best days of my life — although it took days for my ribs to stop aching from all the laughter. I miss seeing all of you (except Denise — she’s stuck with me) and I hope we can all get back together again some day.

And lastly, thank You God for allowing me to see so much good coming out of all this bad. Our God is kind of an awesome God, isn’t He? davejolivet@anchornews.org.