t eanc 0 VOL. 44; NO. 21 • Friday, May 26, 2000
FAll RIVER D~OCESAN NEWSPAPER FOR SOUTHEAST MASSACHUSETTS CAPE COD & THE iSLANDS Southeastern Massachusetts' Largest Weekly • $14 Per Year
FALL RIVER, MASS.
CCAsoars past $2M mark FALL RIVER - Diocesan headquarters of the Catholic Charities Appeal reports that contributions have surpassed $2 million, hopefully indicating that a new record might be achieved during the 2000 spring campaign. On the issue of increased giving, Msgr. Thomas J. Harrington, director of the Appeal, and Michael J. Donly, diocesan director of development, concurred that early returns suggest that many more contributors each year are making use of the pledge system to increase their level of giving. "We warmly encourage this development," Donly commented. As the Appeal rolls along, many parishes are preparing and conducting a second mailing initiative, communicating with parishioners who have not yet responded and seeking their participation. Father Gerald T. Shovelton, whose retirement from the pastorate at Holy'Trinity Parish in West Harwich was recently an-
nounced, recalled having directed 28 parochial campaigns. Those came during his tenure at S1. Rita's in Marion, S1. Ann's in Raynham, and more recently at the larger . parish on the lower Cape. "I think the Appeal has improved 'a great deal over the years," Father Shovelton said. "The quality of the material, the video, the brochures and the issues of Sharings have all made the Appeal much more professional." Father Shovel ton recalled his days as a curate, cooperating with brother priests in conducting the parish drive -every spring. "In those days, the pastors left most of the work to the curates. Today, it's the reverse!" Although set to enter well-earned retirement from pastor's duties, Father Shovelton said he intends to continue priestly ministry by offering his services to parishes in need of a skilled helping hand. As for this year's Appeal, "We're still Turn to page six - CCA
COME HOLY SPIRIT - First recipient of the sacrament of Confirmation among the hundreds of candidates from nine parishes of -the Taunton Deanery of the Diocese of Fall River who convened on May 17 fora regional conferring of the. sacrament by Bishop Sean P. O'Malley, OFM Cap., at Stonehill College, North Easton, was Deanna Aurelio of St. Mary's Parish, Taunton. The ceremonies were held in the college's Sally Blair Ames Auditorium. (Photo by Stanley A. Bauman)
Assignments of pastors and administrators announced - pages three and five
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St. Louis.'Parish will close in July
Youth Mass to open weeklong eucharistic congress in diocese By JOHN E. KEARNS JR. ASSISTANT DIRECTOR OF COMMUNICAll0NS
FALL RIVER - Franciscan Friars of the Renewal Father Stan Fortuna, known fo!, melding music and message in his ministry to young adults throughout the world, WIll celebrate a special Youth Mass to begin the weeklong Fall River Diocesan Eucharistic Congress. The Mass will take place Sunday, June 18, at 7 p.m., in S1. John Neumann Church, East Freetown. All are invited to attend. Information on the Mass has been forwarded to youth ministry directors throughout the diocese, said Msgr. Stephen J. Avila, secretary to the bishop and chairman for the eucharistic congress. Father Stan, 42, is a member of the Community of the Franciscan Friars of the Renewal, based in the Bronx, N.Y. He serves in the community'S preaching apostolate, a ministry that allows him ample opportunity to combine his love for music with his love for sharing the Word, particularly with young adults. An accomplished musician and composer, he sings, FATHER STAN FORTUNA CFR . Turn to page 13 - Youth Mf}ss
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Fewer parishioners, costly structural repairs are said to force its closure.
FALL RIVER - S1. Louis Church, which in its lIS-year history "transformed the lives of thousands of parishioners" in the Fall River diocese, will close at the end of July, a victim of a changing population distribution, loss of vital resource income and the structure's critical need of expensive rep~irs. In a letter read at Masses this past weekend, Bishop Sean P. O'Malley, OFM Cap., announced to parishioners that it would be necessary to close the parish at the end of July. The difficult decision, the bishop said, was necessitated because of diminishing numbers of parishioners, changing demographics in the city and the end of supple-
mental income from rentai of its former parish school. Bishop O'Malley indicated that he will join the territory which comprises the Bradford Avenue parish to the Cathedral of S1. Mary, located about a half-mile away. The priests currently serving at St. Louis', who are Missionaries of S1. Charles Borromeo, will be reassigned in the diocese pending approval by their community'S superior. . Saying that he understands how painful this step will be for many, the bishop reviewed the reasons for the decision, which he made following consultation with the Diocesan Council of Priests and the Office of Pastoral Planning. He noted that the population of the city has decreased over the years while other areas of the diocese, specifically the towns, Turn to page 12 - St. Louis