School Crisis Present Stud~nt
Squeeze
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New Bedford and Fall. River
One Entire Building Closes, Curtailment The present leasing of "classrooms in parochial schools by the public school system of the city of Fall River, and the problem facing the city of New Bedford in providing for the 250 pupils of that city's St. Kilian's School which closes next month point up the crisis in parochial school education now facing the communities of the area. . In addition, St. Louis de France School of Swansea has announced that it will close its sixth grade and arrangements for some students to enter the schools systems of Swansea and Somerset have already been made. Both diocesan and public school officials are aware that this may very well be but the beginning of a trend that will see a heavy burden of education shifting in ever-increasing percentages to the public school. system.
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dJThe ANCHOR
An Anchor of the Soul, Sure and Firm-St. Paul
PRICE 10c $4.00 per Year
Some Others In Fall River, public school administrators are contacting' various parochial schools to seek available classroom space for the Fall. The financial aspect is intensifed by the fact that the proposed new high school of that city will unquestionably have first claim on school-building funds, even though elementary school facilities are also at a straining point. The increasing immigration of families from the Azores has also confronted both Fall River and New Bedford with an influx of non-English speaking children who must be provided for educationally. Holy Trinity School in West Harwich has announced that it will 'begin class reduction in September, with no 7th or 8th grades. Furthermore, many parochial schools have seen Turn to, Page Thirteen
Early Appeal. Totals Are Most Pleasing First reports from the 111 parishes scattered throughout the diocese total $290,150, the Catholic Charities centrfll headquarters announced today. "It is heartening to see that the initial parish reports exceed those of last year," said Attorney James H. Smith of Falmouth who is the lay chairman of the cur· rent appeal. "In addition," said the Cape Cod lawyer enthused, "we have
realized good increases in the Special Gifts classification, indicating that a large number of parishes are headed for Honor Roll citations in 1969." The early returns, Chairman Smith observed, certainly prove that the 14,125 volunteer parish collectors made contacts with the faithful to whom they had been assigned. They rang the doorbells at 95,250 homes throughout the more than 1,1OO-square mile territory that the diocese encompasses.
Schedu'le CeD Workshops For Laity in Diocese A number of priests and laity have been designated to serve as coordinators for the Parent-Teacher workshops planned for several areas of the diocese in May. The CCD workshops will be held at the CCD Center, 446 Highland Avenue in Fall River, on Saturday, May 17 and at Stang High School, North Dartmouth, the same day. On Saturday, May 24, they will be held simultaneously at St. John the Evangelist School, Attleboro; Bishop Cassidy High School, Taunton and the St. Francis Xavier catechetical center, Hyannis. Mrs. Mary Fuller, Diocesan CCD Board president, will be the coordinator for the conferences on Christian Sex Education. The sessions are designed to provide guidelines for parents and teachers in organizing effective programs in their parishes. . Rev. Thomas Lopes of St. Anthony's parish. in East Falmouth, will coordinate the sessions on Penance which will be held for the parents and teachers of elementary students. Father Lopes is the Cape Cod area CCD co-director. Workshops on Confirmation are being led by Sister Martha Wordeman, OLVM, and Father John Smith, New Bedford area CCD co-director. The units are aimed at intermediate students for the sacrament.
"The generosity of the people was outstanding," Attort:\ey Smith declared, continuing: "The success of the kick-off
Returns Exceed 1968
is hopeful that the 1969 "appeal with a heart" will set another new-time record high. "It is far too early to tell but we are hoping," the lay appeal director asserted. "Parishes are holding special meetings on specified nights . during the remaining seven days of the Appeal in order that returns to the central headquarters might enable the mechanics of the Appeal to be kept up to date. Any delay in r.eturns halts all publicity procedures and a
backlog for a parish might result," Atty. Smith concluded. An innovation in reporting the leaders is being introduced this year. In the past, the 15 leading parishes were listed, regardless of the area. This year's plan is to divide the diocese into its five areas and list the five leading parishes in each section. The areas to be designated are: Cape Cod and Islands, Attleboro, Taunton, New Bedford and Fall River.
Expert in Social Services To Address Vincentians
meeting, which was attended by 800 laymen and women of the Fall River Vincentians are . Paul is well known for its good diocese, certainly emphasizes works among less fortunate the fact that the heart of the making plans to welcome people. Frequently the Vincentappeal pulsates in the individual delegates to the Fourth ians come in contact with public parishes." Northeastern Regional Con- agencies. To lead the discussion St. Stephen's parish in Attle- ference on May 23, 24, and 25, on the subject, "The Role of the boro and Our Lady of Angels in 1969. Several hundred members Society 'when dealing with PubFall River gained early recogni- will attend. lic Agencies", the committee has tion. They were the first two in obtained Walter Sullivan, who Leon Gauthier, secretary of has the knowledge and the exthe 1969 final count to gain the 'the Diocesan Central Council, distinction of 'going-over' their perience to qualify as an exyear earlier count on the first has already received more than pert in his field. day of the house-to-house appeal. 200 registrations representing Sullivan has been working in "And so we might complete many of the dioceses of New public welfare since August our work as quickly and effici- England and New York State. 1933. He worked as a social ently as possible, all volunteers The committee in charge of the worker on the street, a supershould plan to return their re- program is certain that the con- visor in Boston, a field repreceipts to their parish without de- ference will be a great success. sentative and appeal referee for The ~ociety of St. Vincent de the State Department of Public lay," said Attorney Smith who Welfare, a supervisor in the Brockton office, an aide in the Office of Field Operations and as an assistant regional administrator. Sister Mary James Hill, SUSC, Has worked with the retarded During his military service, .he Bishop James L. Connolly for 45 years in the Dio- chil"ren. was a psychiatric social worker announced today that 15 Teacher Sister Marie Claire Bedard, in the Chicago area with sercese. Marian Medals will be .Sister Mary Adrienne Higgins, SSJ. 50 years in the schools of vicemen who had breakdowns. awarded to individuals in- SUSC, Artist and art teacher- the Diocese. At the present time, he is asSister Marie Louise Paulhus, sistant regional administrator for volved in the field of education 40 years of service. SSJ. 45 years in schools. adult services in the New Bedthroughout the Diocese of Fall Sister Yvette Montplaisir, CSC, Sister Mary Ambrose Stanger, ford office. His duties cover the River. 20 years in Diocese. Supervisor O.P. 50 years of service. following programs: Aid to FamThe awards ceremony will take of community. Sister Mary Dalamatius Seguin, ilies With Dependent Children, place on Friday on Friday at Sister Mary Mercy, McAuliffe, Old Age Assistance, Disability Bishop Feehan High School, RSM. Teacher, librarian-:'Princi- O.P. Attist and art teacher. Brother Roger Millette, F.I.C. Assistance, Medical Assistance, Attleboro during the Diocesan. pal 'of Feehan. Principal of Prevost High School. General Relief. Teachers Association ConvenSister Mary Virginia Quinlan, Brother Henry Vanasse, F.I.C. His responsibility is to see tion. RSM. Teacher and administrator. Provincial of Brothers of Christ- that social services are renderThe medal recipients are: Sister M. ROse de Lima Clarke, ian School. ed and the policies of the deMother Ann Thomas Higgins, RSM, Teacher-administrator of Dr. Clement Maxwell. Educa- partment are complied with in SUSC, Provincial of Sisters of the St. Vincent's. tor, Fir.st President of Diocesan the implementation of these proHoly Union. Sister Mary JoelCusty, RSM. Board. grams.
Rev; George Coleman is the coordinator for workshops on First Communion. Father Cole· man is CCD co-director for the Fall River area. . Sister Rose Angela, SUSC, of Cassidy High School faculty and Mrs. Rita Foley, catechetical consultant, are the coordinators for the sessions on "Light on Life," an innovate text book used with junior high CCD students. Father Kevin Tripp and Sister Alice O'Brien, OLVM, share coordinating responsibilities for the workshop sessions on the liturgy. Each coordinator is preparing Turn to Page Two
~nnounce
Marian Medal Recipients