05.14.82

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FALL RIVER DIOCESAN NEWSPAPER

t eanc 0 VOL. 26, NO. 19

~OR.

SOUTHEAST MASSACHUSEnS

CAPE COD & THE ISLANDS

20c, $6 Per Year

FAll RIVER, MASS., FRIDAY, MAY 14, 1982

Hank Pollard Photo courtesy of Fall River Herald News

Anchor editor Father John F. Moore (left) and Bishop Da-:-iel A. Cronin at height of fill'e

CCA climbs Latest reports of special gift donations and parish contribu­ tions brin~ the 1982 Catholic Charities Appeal up to $969,688. 20. . Donations from parishes, priests and special gift donors should be made in person to appeal headquarters beginning Wednesday, May 19, until Friday, May 21. The books of the appeal will be flosed on Friday, May 21, at 1 p.m. . This 'coming weekend, every solicitor, parish and special gift, should make a last effort to can­ vass ev~ry potential donor. These reports ~hould be made to special gift and parish headquarters on next M~nday. Honor Roll Parishes Twenty-three parishes have

be"Em added to the honor roll of parishes surpassing their 1981 final totals since last week's edi­ tion of The Anchor. These par­ ishes are: St. Joseph, Attleboro; Holy Redeemer, Chatham; St. Elizabeth Seton, Falmouth; Sa­ cred Heart, Oak Bluffs; St. Joan of Are, Orleans. Assumption, Osterville; St. John, Pocasset; Blessed Sacra­ ment, Espirito Santo, Holy Cross, Fall River. Notre Dame, Holy Rosary, St. Louis, Fall River; St. Patrick, St. Thomas More, Somerset. St. Anthony, New Bedford, St. Mary, Sacred Hearts, Fairhaven; St. Rita, Marion; St. Julie, No. Dartmouth; St. Peter, Dighton. Immaculate Conception. No. Easton; St. Ann, Raynham.

Notre Dame lost By Pat McGowan "It was a beautiful edifice, but

you and I are the church." Those were the words with which Father Ernest E. Blais, pastor of fire-gutted Notre Dame .Church, Fall River, consoled his grieving flock at Wednesday morning Mass, the day after their 76-year-old landmark build­ ing was destroyed. Sparks from a soldering torch in use on a church gutter started the Tuesday afternoon fire. Fan­ ned by brisk winds, it eventually destroyed some 26 homes and businesses in a five-block area around Notre Dame. Father Normand Grenier, associate pastor, and Roland Masse, sexton, had scarcely time to save the Blessed Sacrament

before the church building was totally involved. About 30 families were left homeless in the conflagration that was battles! by Fall River firefighters and companies from 34 surrounding communities. "I am sad that the church is gone but joyous that I have all my parishioners, that not one was hurt," said Father Blais. He and Father Grenier con· celebrated Wednesday's Euchar­ istic liturgy, offered in the audi­ torium of nearby Jesus·Mary Convent, where parish Masses will be said for the time being. "We were all in tears," said Father -Blais. He was at LaSalette Shrine, Attleboro, at a day of recollec­ tion when news reached him of

the fire. Bishop Daniel A. Cronin was some 50 miles from Fall River, preparing for confirmation ceremonies . at Corpus Christi parish, Sandwich, when he was notified. Both rushed back to the city, with Msgr. Henry T. Munroe, Episcopal Vicar for the Cape -and Islands, substituting for the bishop at the confirmation. "Our first concern is for the people," said Bishop Cronin, pledging the aid of all diocesan agencies in coping with the fire aftermath and assisting resettle. ment of those left homeless. Immediate aid was given by the Grey Nuns of Mt. St. Joseph School and the Religious of Jesus and Mary at Jesus-Mary AcadTurn to Page Three


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