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Diocese of Fall River, Mass.

Friday, May 27, 2016

Nine-year-old Skyler Baker, exemplifying the true Spirit of the Year of Mercy, sent this note along with a $7 donation to the Catholic Charities Appeal. See page 13 for the director of the appeal, Jim Campbell’s, view on this heartwarming story.

The Anchor - May 27, 2016

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U.S. Society of St. Vincent de Paul approves new Immigration Position Paper

By Becky Aubut Anchor Staff beckyaubut@anchornews.org

ATTLEBORO — The Society of St. Vincent de Paul has just approved an updated position paper on immigration at its annual midyear meeting.

The Immigration Position Paper, along with a set of frequently asked questions, is available online at the St. Vincent de Paul website: www.svdpusa.org. The updated position paper is based on five “guiding principles” taken from Catholic faith tradition and consistent with America’s highest ideals as a country.

“This is one of 11 or 12 position papers that we have, and we’ve been working on updating it since it was last issued in 2004, and we’ve been working on it during the last six to eight months,” said Tom Dwyer, chairman of the St. Vincent de Paul Voice of the Poor Committee. The Voice of the Poor Committee helps the society develop advocacy positions for social justice particularly for the poor and marginalized in line with Catholic social teaching.

The primary author of the newly-approved posi-

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The Anchor - May 27, 2016

tion paper was a member out of Tucson, Ariz., but it was developed jointly with regional members from across the United States. It then had to be approved by a board of directors from St. Vincent de Paul in January, and then approved by the national council members — the presidents of all the diocesan councils in the country — and that was done at April’s meeting.

It was then sent out to media and members of the St. Vincent de Paul Society.

“The very encouraging news was the paper was approved unanimously by the board of directors and the national council members,” said Dwyer. “The feedback has all been positive. I think the people in the society generally recognize the principles we outline there are the principles we as Catholics and as Vincentians should live by when we look at the immigration question, not only in this country but worldwide.”

In a press release, St. Vincent de Paul National President Sheila Gilbert called for urgently-needed reform of our nation’s immigration system. “The lack of reform causes millions of undocu-

mented immigrants already in the United States to suffer senseless, grinding poverty,” said Gilbert. “This situation is an affront to the American people’s sense of compassion and justice.”

The Immigration Position Paper identifies five key “guiding principles” for reform legislation: — Provide a compassionate and dignified path to citizenship for undocumented persons in the country; — Preserve family unity as a fundamental cornerstone of our national immigration system; — Provide a legal path for low-skilled immigrants to come and work in the United States; — Restore due process protections to our immigration enforcement policies; and — Address the root causes of migration, such as persecution and economic disparity.

“Our position,” said Gilbert, “bases itself on love of neighbor, the principles of our Catholic faith, and the rich tradition and noble history of our country as a land of opportunity and refuge for migrants.”

The position paper fre-

quently references the teachings of Pope Francis and the U.S. Catholic bishops on immigration and includes Biblical passages about the obligations of Catholics to welcome the stranger. In the frequently asked questions section, matters ranging from the teachings of other faith traditions about immigration to a review of common misunderstandings and misinformation are addressed.

Links are provided to important source documents about immigration.

The St. Vincent de Paul Immigration Position Paper offers a “foundation for building consensus to fix the country’s broken immigration system and bringing about social justice for our immigrant friends in need,” said Dwyer.

One of the largest charitable organizations in the world, the Society of St. Vincent de Paul is an international, nonprofit, Catholic lay organization of about 800,000 men and women who voluntarily join together to grow Spiritually by offering person-to-person service to the needy and suffering in 150 countries on five continents. With the U.S.

headquarters in St. Louis, Mo., membership in the United States totals more than 160,000 in 4,400 communities.

St. Vincent de Paul offers a variety of programs and services, including home visits, housing assistance, disaster relief, education and mentoring, food pantries, dining halls, clothing, assistance with transportation, prescription medication, and rent and utility costs. The society also works to provide care for the sick, the incarcerated and the elderly. Over the past year, St. Vincent de Paul provided more than $955 million in tangible and in-kind services to those in need, made more than two million personal visits (homes, hospitals, prisons and eldercare facilities) and helped more than 14.1 million people regardless of race, religion or national origin.

As the position paper makes the rounds in the media and within the Vincentian community, Dwyer noted that not only is the paper timely considering the upcoming presidential election in the U.S., but also “it’s something the pope has been talking about. He’s talking about it in Europe and in the United States. He’s been to the border, and certainly he’s been very visible in Europe talking about the need for compassion, humanity, [and having] a welcoming attitude to anyone who is fleeing persecution and violence from drug cartels. It’s a message that we need to be reminded of.”

To read all of the St. Vincent de Paul position papers that range in topics from fair wages to human trafficking to restorative justice, go to https://www. svdpusa.org/members/ Programs-Tools/Programs/ Voice-of-the-Poor/PositionPapers.

Eleven area men to be admitted to candidacy for permanent diaconate

NEW BEDFORD — Eleven men aspiring to become permanent deacons will be admitted to candidacy at a Mass on June 8 at 7 p.m. at Holy Name of the Sacred Heart of Jesus Church in New Bedford. Bishop Edgar M. da Cunha, S.D.V., will celebrate the Mass during which the admission ceremony will take place.

Assisting Bishop da Cunha will be Msgr. John J. Oliveira, diocesan director of the Permanent Diaconate Program, and Father Robert Oliveira, associate director of the Permanent Diaconate Program. Deacon Frank Lucca, assistant director of deacon and candidate formation, will serve as deacon of the Mass.

This is the ninth class for the permanent diaconate in the diocese and it has been in formation for a year and a half.

Blessed Pope Paul VI, in his Apostolic Letter, Ad Pascendum, wrote, concerning candidacy, “Admission to Candidacy for Ordination as a deacon, comes about by a means of a special rite, by which one who aspires to the diaconate — publicly manifests his will to offer himself to God and the Church, so that he may exercise Sacred orders. The Church in accepting his offering, chooses and calls him to prepare himself to receive a Sacred order, and in this way he is rightly numbered among candidates for the diaconate.”

Admission to candidacy occurs when the prospective candidates have reached maturity of purpose and have demonstrated other necessary qualifications along with the completion of required preparatory steps. During the ceremony, candidates publicly express their desire to be ordained as deacons and the bishop accepts their declaration.

“I am grateful for these men who have volunteered to serve the Church as deacons,” Msgr. Oliveira said. “They are good men, filled with enthusiasm and willing to bring the message of Jesus to others. I look forward to the day that they will be able to exercise their diaconal ministry in our diocese.”

Priests of the diocese are invited to join the pastors of the prospective candidates, including priests who are their Spiritual directors and formation instructors, in concelebrating the Mass.

Deacons and wives from the diocese and the families of the candidates will be present to join in prayer at the Mass.

“The candidates have completed a period of aspirancy during which they were advised of the role of the deacon; expectations for formation; and the ministry to which they have been called,“ said Deacon Lucca.

“Following a lengthy selection process of the many who showed interest, these men underwent interviews, discernment, reflections and a Spiritual retreat. A number of our deacons were involved in this process and I am grateful to them,” he continued.

During aspirancy, prospective candidates submitted required documentation and participated in psychological evaluations. They have completed one year of study, which included Introduction to Theology taught by Father Robert Oliveira; Prayer and Spirituality taught by Father Daniel Lacroix; Revelation/ Christology taught by Father Leonard Hindsley; and Ecclesiology taught by Father David Pignato. They will continue with three more years of academic and pastoral formation before ordination as deacons.

“We are fortunate in this diocese to have so many tal-

ented and willing priests and lay people taking part in and dedicated to teaching courses in theology to the candidates in their first study year as well as the next three years. We are also pleased that we have men and women instructors involved in the formation of our candidates,” said Father Oliveira.

“Days of Reflection have also been held for the wives of our deacon candidates,” continued Father Oliveira, “and of course the wives of these candidates are invited to participate in all of the formation classes held throughout the year. In fact, all deacons and their wives are also invited to and encouraged to continue their own formation by attending these classes.”

The candidates and parishes include: Richard Bisson Sr., Christ the King Parish, Mashpee; Keith Caldwell, Our Lady of Victory Parish, Centerville; Gary Donahue, Holy Cross Parish, Easton; Kevin Gingras, Holy Family Parish, Taunton; David Harum, St. Vincent de Paul Parish, Attleboro; George Hults, Corpus Christi Parish, Sandwich; Gerald McCarthy, Holy Trinity Parish, West Harwich; Antonio Pimental, St. Francis Xavier Parish, Acushnet; Tim Ramey, St. Jude Parish, Taunton; Paul Spearin, St. Ann Parish, Raynham; and Matthew Sweeney, St. Theresa of the Child of Jesus Parish, Attleboro.

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By Becky Aubut Anchor Staff beckyaubut@anchornews.org

City of Taunton honors longtime CYO coach

TAUNTON — John Gouveia was sitting in his parish church watching the Catholic Charities Appeal video explaining about the different services the CCA provides for, and suddenly a segment featuring Donald “Butch” Morrison popped up.

“He was explaining how he had been involved in the CYO since 1958 and was still there,” said Gouveia. “I had no idea that Butch was still involved after all these years. I found that amaz-

ing.”

Gouveia grew up across the street from Morrison’s family, but really got to know Morrison when Gouveia was a teen-ager and joined as a player for the Christian Youth Organization basketball team at Our Lady of the Immaculate Conception Church in Taunton.

“I was always amazed at how unselfish he was at the fact he was always there at the CYO, many nights for many teams, and he just really ran a first-class operation,” said Gouveia of Morrison. “He provided a

league that was really what the youth needed in my time, and I really enjoyed my years of playing at the CYO.” Gouveia reached out

to Morrison and Father Jay Maddock, the current director of CYO, who came to know Morrison early on, said Gouveia, “and he didn’t know that when he first

met Butch in 1975, that Butch had already been involved with CYO for 17 years before that.”

While there are some people who would have moved on very quickly after seeing someone from their past in a Catholic Charities Appeal video — for Gouveia, that wasn’t enough.

“I know myself, and I’ve been involved in youth sports,” he said. “I run a card club and I know what it takes to organize the league for everything that has to go forward to make it work. I know how much work it is for someone to run a league and be responsible for it. Seeing Butch Longtime CYO mainstay and current CYO director at St. Ann’s Parish in Raynham, Donald “Butch” Morrison, is involved all these years, I pictured with St. Ann’s pastor, Father John M. Murray, can just imagine what type left, and Father Jay T. Maddock, CYO director, following of a person it takes [to run his receiving a citation from the City of Taunton for his it], and his organization is a many years of service to area youth in the sports pro- lot larger than mine is.”

Gouveia wanted the city gram. (Photo courtesy of John Gouveia) of Taunton to recognize Morrison for his contributions to the youth of Taunton, and knew the mayor, Thomas Hoye, liked to recognize those involved in youth sports. But when Gouveia called Hoye, he was surprised that Hoye had his own Morrison connection.

“He was a player back in the 80s,” said Gouveia, “and as he became a parent in later years, his daughter joined the CYO and was surprised to see that Butch was still there.”

Morrison was four years old when he moved to Taunton from Springfield.

He played as a teen-ager, or as he put it, “sat the bench,” for the CYO baseball team in his sophomore year of high school.

“The baseball league, which was a terrific league at the time, went up to the age of 21, so I was there for quite a few years,” said Morrison. “By the time I was through in 1965, I then Turn to page 19

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The Anchor - May 27, 2016

Missionary image of Our Lady of Guadalupe coming to Wellfleet parish

By Kenneth J. Souza Anchor Staff kensouza@anchornews.org

the Blessed Mother is very special to me.”

So the upcoming visit of the missionary image of Our Lady of Guadalupe to his home parish of Our Lady of Lourdes in Wellfleet next month is cause for celebration.

Before the image is publicly displayed at the church for veneration on the weekend of June 11-12, it will first arrive and spend the Friday evening in Szedlak’s home.

“I’m so excited, because I’ve had the (Our Lady of Fatima) pilgrim virgin statue in my home before,

and now I’m going to have the missionary image of Our Lady of Guadalupe — WELLFLEET — Frank I’m very fortunate,” he said.

T. Szedlak Jr.’s deep affecAs a member of the Our tion for the Blessed Mother Lady of Lourdes Pro-Life can be traced back to his group, which is sponsoring days in grade school. the weekend event, Szedlak “My father would take was only too eager to help me to Our Lady of Percoordinate a visit from “the petual Help Novenas on patroness of America,” who Tuesday nights,” Szedlak has also become an iconic recently told The Anchor. “I symbol for the Pro-Life left the Church for a few effort. years, when I came back I And it didn’t hurt that came here to (Cape Cod) he’s also a good friend of and went back to that NoDan Lynch, the official vena, I was crying because guardian of one of the four she held onto me all that images that began touring time. She never left me. Yes, the world in 1991.

“I’ve known Dan for Dual processions to bring Body of quite a while,” Szedlak said.

Christ to streets of New Bedford “He had a cottage in Eastham and we rented it for streets of New Bedford.”

By Dave Jolivet him. I went with him down Anchor Editor Also at 2 p.m. on Sunday, to Mexico when St. John davejolivet@anchornews.org an annual Corpus Christi Paul II was there, and we NEW BEDFORD — procession will begin at attended the Masses and Scores of faithful Catholics Our Lady’s Chapel, 600 will be accompanying the Pleasant Street. Here, too, most precious Blessed Sac- the monstrance containrament through the streets ing the precious Body of of New Bedford Sunday, Christ, will be accompathe feast of Corpus Christi. nied by faithful in a visual Two annual processions example of love, respect and will begin at separate locagratitude to Christ for His tions, bringing the Body of supreme sacrifice for the Christ through the center Salvation of all. of the Whaling City in a The procession will powerful display glorifymake stops at Our Lady ing the Body of the Savior of Purgatory Church, 11 present in the monstrance, Franklin Street; St. Lawaccompanied by faithrence Martyr Church and ful with banners, flowers, the Missionaries of Charity prayer and song.

Convent, 565-566 County Beginning at 2 p.m.

Street; returning to Our at St. Anthony of Padua Lady’s Chapel, where a Church, 1359 Acushnet reception will follow the Avenue, the procession ini- procession. tiates with Benediction.

All are invited and enThen the procession will couraged to join the procesbegin through area streets sions and give witness to a led by the St. Anthony profound faith in the Risen Band.

Christ.

Imploring area faithful For more information to take part, Father Edward about the St. Anthony of A. Murphy, pastor of St. Padua procession, call 508Anthony’s Parish asked, 993-1691.

“Won’t you take a moment For information on the to walk with Jesus? Join us Our Lady’s Chapel procesas we bring Jesus into the sion, call 508-996-8274.

Dan Lynch, the official guardian of the missionary image of Our Lady of Guadalupe, wears a representation of St. Juan Diego’s tilma during a recent speaking engagement. Lynch and a replica of the Guadalupe image are coming to Our Lady of Lourdes Parish in Wellfleet on the weekend of June 11-12.

that was wonderful.”

The missionary image is an exact, digital replica of the miraculous image of Our Lady of Guadalupe that appeared on St. Juan Diego’s tilma. It is identical in color and size, measuring four-by-six feet, and

was blessed at the Basilica of Our Lady of Guadalupe in Mexico by its rector, Msgr. Diego Monroy, to bring conversions, reverence for life, sanctity of the family, and solidarity of the Church in America.

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Anchor Editorial

Feed the hungry

Soap operas do not often feature their characters feeding the hungry (unless they are doing so for some ulterior motive). Of course, soap operas are not the place to find out what love is (ABC-TV was using false advertising decades ago, urging people to watch “love in the afternoon”).

In a homily on Jan. 9, 2014, Pope Francis quoted St. John, who wrote, “He who abides in love abides in God and God in him.” The pope then explained that “this abiding is the same as abiding in love. It is beautiful to hear this said about love.” He added, “The love of which John speaks is not the love of which soap operas are made! No, it is something else! Christian love always possesses one quality: concreteness. Christian love is concrete. Jesus Himself, when He speaks of love, tells us concrete things: feed the hungry, visit the sick.”

In this Year of Mercy, as in every year, Jesus demands that we feed the hungry who surround us. If we ignore them, then we are ignoring Christ.

Pope Benedict XVI, in his encyclical Caritas in Veritate, wrote at No. 27, “Hunger still reaps enormous numbers of victims among those who, like Lazarus [the one from the parable about the rich man, not the Lazarus whom Jesus brought back from the dead], are not permitted to take their place at the rich man’s table. Feed the hungry (cf. Mt 25: 35, 37, 42) is an ethical imperative for the Universal Church, as she responds to the teachings of her Founder, the Lord Jesus, concerning solidarity and the sharing of goods. The right to food, like the right to water, has an important place within the pursuit of other rights, beginning with the fundamental right to life. It is therefore necessary to cultivate a public conscience that considers food and access to water as universal rights of all human beings, without distinction or discrimination.”

On Oct. 4, 1979 St. John Paul II celebrated Mass at the Living History Farm in Des Moines, Iowa. There he also called upon us to share our food: “Recall the time when Jesus saw the hungry crowd gathered on the hillside. What was His response? He did not content Himself with expressing His compassion. He gave His disciples the command: ‘Give them something to eat yourselves’ (Mt 14 :16). Did He not intend those same words for us today, for us who have the means available to feed the hungry of the world? Let us respond generously to His command by sharing the fruit of our labor, by contributing to others the knowledge we have gained, by being the promoters of rural development everywhere and by defending the right to work of the rural population, since every person has a right to useful employment.”

In his message for Lent in 1989, St. John Paul again took up this theme: “I unite my voice with that of all believers in asking our common Father to ‘give us this day our daily bread.’ Certainly ‘no one lives on bread alone’ (Mt 4:4), but material food is a compelling need, and even our Lord Jesus Christ acted effectively to feed the hungry crowds. Faith must be accompanied by concrete actions. I invite everyone to become aware of the serious scourge of hunger in the world in order to undertake new initiatives and to support already existing ones in favor of those OFFICIAL NEWSPAPER OF THE DIOCESE OF FALL RIVER www.anchornews.org

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The Anchor - May 27, 2016

who suffer from hunger, in order to share their goods with those who have none, in order to strengthen programs directed to making people self-sufficient in providing their own food. I wish to encourage all the Catholic organizations fighting hunger, and all governmental and nongovernmental organisms as well who do their best in search of solutions, to continue without interruption to give help to those in need.”

To respond to this constant teaching of the popes (and this demand of Christ’s), we have many opportunities to bring food to those in need. The Catholic Charities Appeal helps to feed the hungry, directly in some of its programs where people are either fed a meal or given food to take home, and indirectly through other programs which assist people in rebuilding their lives (which then empowers them to earn their own food).

The pontiffs also urge us to support programs which help the hungry, in our home countries and internationally. They encourage those policies which give food to those who need it, as well as those policies which help to improve societies so that people can have the dignity of providing their own food for the table.

Our feeding the hungry is intimately united to the Eucharist. Jesus feeds us Himself because we are truly hungry for Him (although we often choose to fill ourselves up on things other than Himself, just as we fill our bellies with “junk food” instead of nutritious meals). Pope Benedict noted this connection on July 29, 2012, while commenting on the sixth chapter of John’s Gospel, which begins with the multiplication of the loaves and fishes and continues with Jesus’ dialogue in the synagogue in Capernaum about Him being the Bread of Life: “The miracle was not worked from nothing, but from a first modest sharing of what a simple lad had brought with him. Jesus does not ask us for what we do not have.

Rather, He makes us see that if each person offers the little he has the miracle can always be repeated: God is capable of multiplying our small acts of love and making us share in His gift.” In other words, we should not be daunted by the large number of people in need of food; rather, we should each do what we can and God will help us resolve the problem.

Pope Benedict then commented on how the crowd wanted to make Jesus a king, but “Jesus is not an earthly king who exercises dominion but a King Who serves, Who stoops down to human beings not only to satisfy their physical hunger, but above all their deeper hunger, the hunger for guidance, meaning and truth, the hunger for God. “Dear brothers and sisters, let us ask the Lord to enable us to rediscover the importance of feeding ourselves not only on bread but also on truth, on love, on Christ, on Christ’s Body, taking part faithfully and with profound awareness in the Eucharist so as to be ever more closely united with Him. Let us pray at the same time that the bread necessary for a dignified life may never be lacking and that inequalities may be demolished, not with the weapons of violence but rather with sharing and with love.” What a good prayer to bring to the Lord on Corpus Christi.

Daily Readings May 28 — June 10

Upcoming Daily Readings: Sat. May 28, Jude 17:20b-25; Ps 63:2-6; Mk 11:2733. Sun. May 29, The Most Holy Body and Blood of Christ, Gn 14:18-20; Ps 110:1-4; 1 Cor 11:23-26; Optional Sequence Lauda, Sion; Lk 9:11b-17. Mon. May 30, 2 Pt 1:2-7; Ps 91:1-2,14-16; Mk 12: 1-12. Tues. May 31, Zep 3:14-18a or Rom 12:9-16; (Ps)Is 12:2-3,4bcd,5-6; Lk 1:39-56. Wed. June 1, 2 Tm 1:1-3,612; Ps 123:1-2; Mk 12:18-27. Thurs. June 2, 2 Tm 2:8-15; Ps 25:4-5ab,8-10,14; Mk 12:28-34. Fri. June 3, Ez 34:11-16; Ps 23:1-6 (1); Rom 5:5b-11; Lk 15:3-7.

Sat. June 4, 2 Tm 4:1-8; Ps 71:8-9,14-15b,16-17,22; Lk 2:41-51. Sun. June 5, Tenth Sunday in Ordinary Time, 1 Kgs 17:17-24; Ps 30:2,4,5-6,11-13 (2a); Gal 1:11-19; Lk 7:11-17. Mon. June 6, 1 Kgs 17:1-6; Ps 121:1b-8; Mt 5:1-12.

Tues. June 7, 1 Kgs 17:7-16; Ps 4:2-5, 7b-8; Mt 5:13-16. Wed. June 8, 1 Kgs 18:20-39; Ps 16:1b-2b,4-5ab,8,11; Mt 5:17-19. Thurs. June 9, 1 Kgs 18:41-46; Ps 65:10-13; Mt 5:20-26. Fri. June 10, 1 Kgs 19:9a,11-16; Ps 27:7-9c,13-14; Mt 5:27-32.

T

he celebration of the Eucharist, in words made famous by the Second Vatican Council, is the “source and summit,” the font and apex, the alpha and omega of the Christian life. It’s the starting point from which everything in the Christian life flows and it’s the goal toward which everything goes.

Therefore the Eucharist must likewise be the Root and Fruit of the extraordinary Jubilee of Mercy.

This truth makes Sunday’s celebration of Corpus Christi, the Solemnity of the Body and Blood of the Lord, extraordinarily special.

There’s a deep, intrinsic connection between God’s mercy and the Sacrament of the Holy Eucharist.

When Jesus consecrated the chalice of His Precious Blood, He said He was explicitly doing so “for the remission of sins.”

In the Divine Mercy devotion, the apparitions of Jesus to St. Faustina in the 1930s that the Church has found worthy of belief, Jesus asked us to offer to the Father His “Body, Blood, Soul and Divinity, in atonement for our sins and those of the whole world.”

St. Thomas Aquinas, in his famous “Adoro Te Devote,” written by papal commission for the first celebration of Corpus Christi in 1264, beautifully commented, “Pie pellicane, Iesu Domine, me immundum munda tuo sanguine; cuius una stilla salvum facere totum mundum quit ab omni scelere”: “O Lord Jesus, Holy Pelican, cleanse me totally clean with Your Blood, one drop of which is enough to save the whole world from every sin.”

St. John Paul II emphasized in his 2003 encyclical on the Eucharist that “the two Sacraments of the Eucharist and Penance are very closely connected” and Pope Benedict in his 2007

The Root and Fruit of the Jubilee of Mercy grave sin must receive the exhortation on the EuchaSacrament of Reconciliation rist added that “love for the Eucharist leads to a growing before coming to Communion.” appreciation of the SacraIt’s important to underment of Reconciliation.” line this intrinsic connection This connection was ilbetween the Sacraments of lustrated in a particularly Penance and the Eucharist beautiful and poignant way in the life of the patron saint because, as Pope Beneof priests, St. John Vianney, who heard Confessions 12-18 Putting Into hours a day for 31 years so that his the Deep people and penitents from all over

By Father 19th-century France Roger J. Landry would be able worthily to receive Holy Communion.

And it’s reemphasized in the dict wrote in 2007, we are ministry of confessors today “surrounded by a culture that tends to eliminate the the world over. sense of sin and to promote Pope Francis has himself a superficial approach that stressed that the Eucharist overlooks the need to be in a “is not a prize for the perstate of grace in order to apfect, but a powerful mediproach Sacramental Comcine and nourishment for munion worthily.” the weak.” The Eucharist is It would be a severe itself a Sacrament of Mercy, failure in mercy, a type of strengthening us from the inside to live our life in lov- gross Spiritual malpractice, ing communion with Christ for the Church not to stress this perennial doctrine and and helping us to make our life truly Eucharistic, so that discipline: that before one with Christ we may “do this receives Jesus Christ in Holy Communion one must be in in memory” of Him, offercommunion with life, made ing our own body, blood, so by God’s mercy in the soul, sweat, tears, work, and Sacrament of Penance. all we are and have out of The reason why was love for God and others. stressed

by St. Paul in his St. John Paul II reminded us, however, of the perennial first letter to the Corinteaching of the Church, that thians when he declared, “Whoever eats the Bread “the celebration of the Euor drinks the cup of the charist, however, cannot be Lord unworthily will have the starting-point for communion; it presupposes that to answer for the Body and Blood of the Lord,” in other communion already exists, words, for the Lord’s death. a communion that it seeks Therefore, the Apostle to consolidate and bring to continued, “A person should perfection.” It presupposes as an “intrinsic requirement,” examine himself, and so eat he said, that it be “celebrated the Bread and drink the cup. in communion,” by someone For anyone who eats and drinks without discerning persevering “in Sanctifying the Body, eats and drinks grace and love, remaining judgment on himself ” (1 within the Church ‘bodily’ Cor 11:27-29). as well as ‘in our heart.’”

St. Thomas Aquinas harReaffirming the clear teaching of the “Catechism of the rowingly illustrated St. Paul’s Catholic Church,” he stated point in the Corpus Christi sequence Catholics will sing that “anyone conscious of a

this Sunday, reminding us that the Bread of Life becomes the bread of death for those who consume Jesus in the state of sin.

“Sumunt boni, sumunt mali, sorte tamen inaequali, vitae vel interitus. Mors est malis, vita bonis: vide paris sumptionis quam sit dispar exitus,” the Doctor of the Church stated: “Both good and bad receive, but to totally different ends, one to life and the other to the tomb: death to the bad, life to the good; behold how different the outcome of a similar ingestion.”

When one receives unworthily, the Sacrament becomes a sacrilege; the Spiritual medicine becomes for that person — it’s shocking to say — Spiritual poison.

Receiving Holy Communion is meant to be the consummation of the loving union between Jesus the Bridegroom and His Bride the Church (and the individual Bride, the soul), when the Bride takes within her the Body of the Bridegroom and becomes one flesh with Him. But similar to relations between a man and a woman, what is meant to be an act of mutual love and Sanctification becomes seriously sinful when the man and woman haven’t been joined by God in a one-flesh loving communion.

To receive Jesus worthily, we must be in communion with Him already, intending to persevere in total Sacramental, doctrinal, and

moral union of life with Him — rather than in sin and intending to persevere in a life of sin.

In an age in which many approach Holy Communion superficially, as if receiving birthday cake at a birthday party, this teaching of the Church might seem unwelcoming or lacking in mercy.

But it’s actually the pinnacle of mercy. The Church invites everyone to the banquet while at the same time committing herself to helping everyone arrive properly dressed, restored to their baptismal garments, lest something great serve to their ruin rather than resurrection (Mt 22:12).

It’s this intrinsic requirement of the Sacrament of the Eucharist that helps those who desire to receive Jesus to appreciate and avail themselves of the Sacrament of Penance through which “Mercy Incarnate” Himself gets us ready to receive Him through the same priests through whom He gives us His Body and Blood.

Just as Jesus at the beginning of the Last Supper washed the feet of His disciples and cleansed them of the filth that had accumulated in contact with the world, so He continues to wash us of any filth since Baptism in the Sacrament of His mercy, so that we might participate fully and worthily in the banquet of His Body and Blood.

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

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Embryos and the ‘14-day rule’

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rguments in favor of research on human embryos typically play off our unfamiliarity with the way that we ourselves once appeared and existed as embryos.

Humans in their tiniest stages are indeed unfamiliar to us, and they hardly look anything like “one of us.” Yet the undeniable conclusion, that every one of us was once an embryo, remains an indisputable scientific dogma, causing a “fingernails on the chalkboard” phenomenon for researchers every time they choose to experiment on embryos or destroy them for research.

To enable scientists to get beyond the knowledge that they’re experimenting on or destroying fellow humans, clever strategems and justifications have had to be devised. Among the more successful of these approaches has been the well-known “14-day rule.”

This rule, as noted in a recent article in the journal Nature, represents “a legal and regulatory line in the sand that has for decades limited in vitro human-embryo research to the period before the ‘primitive streak’ appears.

This is a faint band of cells marking the beginning of an embryo’s head-to-tail

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axis. The formation of the ploited and exterminated primitive streak is signifirather than just one. cant because it represents It is also worth emphathe earliest point at which sizing that the 14-day rule, an embryo’s biological despite protestations to individuation is assured. the contrary, has not actuBefore this point, embryos ally restricted real-world can split in two or fuse human embryo research together. So some people to any appreciable degree, reason that at this stage a because scientists have morally significant individual comes Making Sense into being.”

Most people have Out of an instinctive moral Bioethics awareness when

By Father Tad they reflect on the Pacholczyk reality that adults come from embryos.

A particular conclusion organically follows, lacked the ability, until namely, that any decision quite recently, to culture to interrupt an embryo’s human embryos in the lab growth and development for any length of time beinvolves a willingness to yond about a week. In fact, destroy a prospective init was only in 2016 that fant, child, teen-ager, and several new studies figured adult. Even the natural po- out how to grow human tential for the splitting and embryos beyond what the fusing of embryos does 14-day rule might forbid. not substantively alter the The rule, thus, was an fact that adults arise from agreed-upon convention embryonic origins when of no practical significance traced back far enough for any researchers who along their particular may have been carrying developmental trajectories. out experiments on emIf anything, the possibilbryonic humans in recent ity that an early embryo decades. Considering the might divide and make fact that the rule may now twins means that a deciactually begin to hamper sion to destroy such an what some of them are inembryo might involve terested in doing, they are “double” the evil, since two pushing, unsurprisingly, to future adults are being ex- “revisit” and “recalibrate”

the rule.

Historically speaking, the 14-day rule arose largely as a mechanism for justifying what had previously been considered immoral, even unthinkable, research. The rule enabled serious human rights violations to proceed apace under the pretext of providing restrictions and regulatory limitations. By feigning that the 14-day rule was somehow an ethical tenet grounded in biological facts, promoters of the rule devised a clever way of offering lip service to the moral status of the human embryo. They implied that one could show respect for the human embryo through the establishment of such a rule, even though the rule objectively demonstrated no more respect for vulnerable humanity than German researchers during the war would have, had they declared a “14-year rule,” namely, that only concentration camp inmates below the age of 14 would be experimented upon. Whether 14 days or 14 years, such rules at root constitute mere contrivances to justify unethical science. As bioethicist

Daniel Callahan observed back in 1995: “I have always felt a nagging uneasiness at trying to rationalize the killing of something for which I claim to have a ‘profound respect.’

What in the world can that kind of respect mean?

An odd form of esteem — at once high-minded and altogether lethal.”

Hence, the broader strategic goal of conventions like the 14-day rule has been not to identify or set in place any objective moral lines, nor to acknowledge authentic moral concerns, but to circumnavigate those very concerns by means of the convention, and achieve particular pragmatic outcomes, most notably: the continued expansion of the research, the minimization of “public outcry and backlash,” the continued availability of research funding, and the avoidance of legally restrictive embryo-protective measures that might be debated by justly-concerned legislatures. The ultimate goal of a convention like the 14-day rule has been to establish the idea, erroneous at its core, that prior to a certain arbitrarilydetermined time point, developing human beings can be deemed sufficiently different from us that an “us and them” chasm can be used to justify their violent exploitation.

Anchor columnist Father Tadeusz Pacholczyk earned his doctorate in neuroscience from Yale and did post-doctoral work at Harvard. He is a priest of the Diocese of Fall River, and serves as the director of Education at The National Catholic Bioethics Center in Philadelphia. See www. ncbcenter.org.

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Water: The essence of our bodies and our Spiritual life

he readings for April 17 included the following line from the book of Revelations 7:917, “For the Lamb at the center of the throne will be their Shepherd; ‘He will lead them to springs of living water’”(a reference to Is 40:10). The Old and New Testaments are full of references to water.

According to the website Quality-Drinking-Water. com, water is mentioned 722 times in the Bible. If we think about it, it is relatively easy to understand why water would be used, either directly or in metaphor, to express our religion’s message, teachings, and practices. There are not too many other things that are so universally understood by all peoples, all ages, and in all times than the importance of water to our daily existence.

So why is this relatively simple chemical compound so vital to our well-being? It begins with its basic chemical makeup. The chemical formula, H2O, has become part of our common language. The formula shows that two atoms of the element, hydrogen (H), are chemically bound to one atom of the element, oxygen (O) through a sharing of negatively-charged electrons among the atoms.

The molecule looks something like Mickey Mouse’s head, with the two hydrogen atoms being his ears and the oxygen atom being his face. Since oxygen tends to pull the electrons from hydrogen closer to itself, it turns the water molecule into a structure which has a positive pole and a negative pole, similar to a magnet. The polar nature of water gives it many characteristics that make it vital to living things. The positive and negative poles

of one water molecule atallows us to transport nutritract the opposite poles of ents, like sugars, and gases, another water molecule. such as oxygen, to our cells, These bonds between water and to rid our bodies of molecules, called hydrogen waste products, such as salts bonds, give water its coheand urea, and waste gases, sive property. such as carbon dioxide. WaWater molecules bunch ter also acts to cushion our together at the water/air brains and spinal columns, surface creating a memand to regulate our body brane like phenomenon temperature through the known as surface tension. loss of heat by evaporative This allows insects to scurry cooling during sweating. It along the surface of the also aids directly in digeswater without falling into the water, and Our also causes water Common to form raindrops in the atmosphere.

Home Water molecules

By Professor also adhere to other Robert Rak materials that are also polar in nature.

This adhesive property of tion in saliva and gastric water can be demonstrated juices. every time a sand castle is Water on our planet is built. It is the water sticking in constant motion. Energy to itself and to the sand that from the sun provides water holds the sand together. The molecules with the necescombination of cohesive sary energy to break those and adhesive properties hydrogen bonds between causes what is known as them and leave the surface capillary action. This is the of the ocean, fresh water ability of water molecules to body, or the soil, and rise as climb up narrow tubes. Put water vapor in the atmoa small amount of water in sphere by evaporation. Ima bowl and put a dry sponge purities in the water are left in it and you will see capilbehind in the body of water. lary action take place as We no longer see the water the water rises up into the because the molecules are sponge. Plants, including too far apart. As the water very large trees, have mivapor rises, the molecules croscopic tubes that allow spread out and the air mass water to travel from their begins to cool in a process roots to the highest part of called adiabatic cooling. the plant. Water molecules, Colder air cannot hold as which are attached to each much water vapor as warmother and the surface of the er air can. As the air cools tube, can climb their way up it eventually reaches a point with the help of capillary that it holds the maximum action. amount of water vapor Water has the ability to that it can and it becomes dissolve many materials due saturated. The weathermen to its polar nature. It is said would say that the relative to be the universal solvent. humidity is at 100 percent.

This property is critical to When this happens the our survival. Our bodies air cannot hold any more are about 60 percent water moisture and condensation and it makes up much of occurs on surfaces of dust, our cells. Our blood is 80 salt or other particles in the percent water. All this water atmosphere creating clouds.

You can observe condensation by taking a cold glass container out of the refrigerator, putting it on the counter, and watching the beads of water form on its outer surface.

In the atmosphere the cohesive property of water brings these small droplets of water together until they become too heavy for the air currents to hold them up, and we get raindrops.

This is where our fresh water comes from. Ultimately the water that falls to the earth makes its way back to the ocean by infiltration into the ground to a groundwater aquifer and back to the ocean underground, or, if it falls on a hard surface and cannot penetrate into the ground, it will become surface runoff in streams and rivers and make its way back to the ocean where the cycle continues.

Another interesting property of water is displayed when it freezes. As water cools its molecules get closer together. Below 380 F (40 C) the molecules start to move further apart again as they begin forming the ice crystal. At 320 F (00 C), the volume of the frozen water is nine percent greater than the volume of

the liquid water. The ice is less dense than liquid water so it floats. This property of water allows organisms to survive the winter in a pond because the ice forms on the surface and helps insulate the remaining water from the cold.

Pope Francis teaches us in his encyclical, Laudato Si’, that, since water is such a critical part of the existence of all life, it is essential that it be kept clean and available to all. We should not pollute it, or take it away from people for the purposes of selling the water for a profit. We also have a responsibility to conserve it. Jesus taught us to love our neighbors as ourselves.

Sharing and caring for the earth’s water resources is another way that we can demonstrate that love.

Anchor columnist Professor Rak is a Fall River native and a parishioner of St. Mary’s Parish in Fall River. He has been a professor of Environmental Technology and coordinator of the Environmental Science and Technology Program at Bristol Community College in Fall River for 18 years.

He earned a bachelor’s degree in biology from Holy Cross College in Worcester, and a master’s degree in marine biology from UMass Dartmouth. rrak@verizon.net.

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Seasons of the journey

t. Pope John Paul II described the unique essence of woman in these words: “The moral and Spiritual strength of a woman is joined to her awareness that God entrusts the human being to her in a special way” (Mulieris Dignitatem). Her strength is measured by the order of love. I see the life of a Consecrated Virgin as a particular witness to the dignity of our feminine nature through our inward receptivity. Our feminine nature is one that loves and receives love in spousal and maternal dimensions. I became aware of this in high school and was torn as to what state of life I was called to — married or religious. I loved

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children and the thought within the call to union of giving them up was and the call to love, there almost unbearable for are seasons. me, yet I came to know My first few years as a that my love could not be Consecrated Virgin were handed over to just one active. I could deeply special person, but had to be shared more broadly with whoever Guest was in need. I Columnist dated some fine men, but came to

By Elizabeth Lee realize that my heart was restless for God and His people. I realized relate to the statement the Lord was calling me in the homily of the to Himself and I knew Rite of Consecration: this calling was about a “Your motherhood will deeper relationship. This be a motherhood of the relationship was to be in- Spirit, as you do the will timately built on love and of your Father and work self-giving to Him and to with others in a Spirit the family of God. As my of charity, so that a great consecrated life began, I family of children may be was soon to discover how, born, or reborn, to the life of grace.” His love was poured out within me and I sought to share in His love and to draw others towards Him as well. All was joy, peace, wedded bliss — more so than any mortal Marriage, since my Spouse was always with me. I would describe that time of my life as the springtime, when there was new growth and beautiful sharing in the Lord with others.

Summer soon came,

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which was much like spring — a deeper appreciation of the hours of prayer, pondering beloved Jesus in a grateful and ever more intense way — a kind of strengthening and deepening of every initial joy.

The fall came, and as the leaves everywhere seemed striking in their intensity, still their days were numbered. Though life seemed beautiful and serene on the outside — inside a dying process had begun. Yet there was a general awareness, a knowledge that this must come to me, for the good.

It was a time accompanied by uncertainty and a time of transition from an active life to a more contemplative life. I knew it was then that trust, humility and faith had to deepen. I sensed the need to surrender my will ever more, and understood that Christ’s love would never forsake His own. It was in the mystery of dying that His beauty would shine forth.

The winter season invariably followed, where I could sense the dying process in a harder way,

as this season reminded me there is a coldness in the midst of less light and more darkness. It was the experience of abandonment, being cast off, empty, even numb — a sharing in His Passion.

Yet even in the bareness of the trees, I knew there was life deep within. It was a time of dormancy, leading towards the gift of a more authentic understanding of self and God — a paradoxical grace. The period of winter is just such a season, as new hope dawns for the next cycle. And as it arrives — one is forever changed.

So the seasons transition and none are permanent, each bringing a “newness of life.” These Spiritual seasons afford a deeper union, a more complete oneness with Him. Through the gift of the seasons, through the gift of a deepened trust in our changing life with Him, we find joy and peace.

Elizabeth Lee was consecrated to the Order of Virgins in 1995 under Canon 604 of the Code of Canon Law by Cardinal Sean O’Malley, O.F.M., Cap. She is a graduate of Roger Williams University and works as a media manager at the National Catholic Bioethics Center. She has served as secretary of the United States Association of Consecrated Virgins and has been a guest on the North American Catholic Educational Programming Foundation television network and featured on ABC’s “Nightline” discussing the vocation of consecrated virginity.

Go long Wednesday 25 May 2016 — Homeport: Falmouth Village — 39th anniversary of release of the movie “Star Wars” ost of my memories of junior high school, dear readers, are blurred. Just as well.

Those are difficult years in the life of any kid. Who in his right mind would say, “I wish I could go back to those wonderful years I remember from junior high school?” I think not.

There is, however, one thing from my junior high school years that remains vivid in my mind. It was the day I awoke to a new level of consciousness. It was a day that ignited my imagination like never before. It was the day I became a dreamer.

Here’s the story. All us kids were herded into the auditorium for one of those dreaded school assemblies.

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Boring, yes, but at least it was a He was a representative of some break from the tedium of the class- auto manufacturing company (I room. We shuffled down the school don’t remember which one). He was corridor, eyes deflected, like a chain- showing us cars of the future that gang of zombies. In silence, we took were already on the drawing board. our assigned Not the near places on the future, you hard wooden The Ship’s Log understand, seats. but the far Reflections of a A man future (say, Parish Priest stood on in the year By Father Tim stage. Behind 2016). UnbeGoldrick him was a lievable! They projection looked like screen. Oh no, thought I, in my something from outer space. My junior high school mind. This guy is jaw dropped. This man was what going to show us slides (as we called they call “a futurist.” Wow. Just wow. transparencies in those pre-tech Those cars that were once prodays). I was right, of course. He did. totypical sketches are now on the But the slides were fascinating. road. Nobody gives them a second His talk was mesmerizing. The glance. Sometimes, while walking whole topic was engaging. Who down Main Street, I pause to adwas this Pied Piper at the podium? mire passing cars. That futurist was right on the money. Wow, just wow.

The Diocese of Fall River has an Office of Pastoral Planning.

The Office of Pastoral Planning is now overseeing a project called, “Rebuilding in Faith and Hope.”

The immediate task is parish selfevaluation. The phase of receiving feedback from all parishioners in all parishes throughout the diocese will conclude in just a couple of days.

All of this will need to be analyzed and, along with a consideration of the facts and extensive consultation, future directions determined.

Now, here’s a thought: Go long.

Long-range planning was, until very recently, considered to be no longer than five years. Beyond that was the realm of mystery. There is, however, an emerging world consciousness (in government and business) that planners should be looking well beyond a five-year strategy. What will things look like in 10, 25 or 50 years? The rate of change is accelerating. If the past is any indication, the distant future will look very differently, but it will not be beyond our capacity to imagine here and now. The seeds of the future are already sprouting.

There is more to planning than short-term property management and human resources allocation.

In anticipating future issues and designing strategies to meet them, there is need for cooperation beyond

personal convenience and parochial interests. This is about the common good. Easier said than done. Just consider the current presidential election cycle.

Changes in our way of thinking and acting will be as unpopular as they always have been. Envisioning a better future is risky business. I predict there will be an increasing demand for futurists — maybe even in the Church.

How is human activity impacting the earth? Are our various world economies helping or harming the poor? How will technology and automation affect the dignity of human work? How do they affect bioethics? How will the demographics of an aging population impact society? How will all this affect the Sanctity of human life in all its stages? What about the increasing estrangement between governments and religion? How will we better address social justice issues? How do we learn to think and act together across all sorts of compartmentalization, fiefdoms, artificial borders, and divisions? Pope Francis is ahead of the curve on the issues the future will present.

Many dioceses have a Department of Pastoral Planning to deal with the short-term. What about the long-term effects of the decisions we are making today? How about a cross-disciplinary, interoffice Steering Committee for Future Issues, Cooperation, and Strategy Development? Maybe not.

The Catholic Church is the oldest and largest institution in the history of the human race. We learned to dream dreams and see visions long ago.

What will cars look like in 2076?

(At the age of 94, Father F. X. Wallace responds, “Tim, who cares?”)

Nevertheless, the plans are already on the drawing boards. What will the Church look like in 2076? The Muses are whispering in our ear, “Go long! Go long!”

Time for a break. I think I’ll step outside and marvel at the passing cars.

Anchor columnist Father Goldrick is pastor of St. Patrick’s Parish in Falmouth.

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‘… and a child shall lead them’

saiah 11:6 reads: “The wolf shall dwell with the lamb, and the leopard shall lie down with the young goat, and the calf and the lion and the fattened calf together; and a little child shall lead them.”

This Biblical passage doesn’t really refer to a child leading adults by example. It is more appropriately understood as a prophetic vision of the peace promised by the coming of the Lord. However, the following true story is one of a child’s example being worthy of emulation by any adult who hears it.

During the course of an ordinary day, the Catholic Charities Appeal office is often inundated with envelopes. Some arrive with very generous donations that have been prompted by a pastor’s sermon or the testimony of a parishioner. We like to think that the effort to publish compelling brochure text and evocative photographs will motivate thousands to join in the annual Appeal.

We spend considerable time and resources producing a video that illustrates in very human terms the conditions and circumstances that impel our work. Once in a while a single envelope makes one stop, reflect, and shed a tear of

gratitude for the simple act of generosity we are privileged to encounter. This is the story of one such envelope.

Skyler Baker is a nineyear-old boy living in Harwich. He went to Mass recently at St. Pius X Parish in South Yarmouth along with his parents, Colleen and Bob. During the course of the Mass, Father George Bellenoit preached about the start of the annual Catholic Charities campaign, and introduced the video as a way to deepen his flock’s awareness of the needs in their community for the healing power of Catholic social teaching in action.

Skyler watched the video and was touched by the example of the chaplains and others who reached out to help the sick, the hungry, or the lonely. After thinking about the message and discussing it with his parents, Skyler made a decision.

Recently, Skyler had begun receiving an allowance from his parents. Three dollars a week with a plan to divide that into three parts: a dollar to spend each week, a dollar to save, and one dollar set aside to help others. This practice started in late March

WASHINGTON (CNS) — The U.S. Supreme Court, on May 16, sent the Zubik v. Burwell case, which challenges the Affordable Care Act’s contraceptive requirement for employers, back to the lower courts. The justices’ unanimous decision, explained in a nine-page order, was based on the information that both sides submitted a week after oral arguments were heard in the case about how and if contraceptive insurance

coverage could be obtained by employees through their insurance companies without directly involving religious employers who object to this coverage.

The court made clear that it is not expressing an opinion on the merits of the cases that are challenging aspects of the federal government’s health legislation and it also was not ruling on the issue of a potential violation of religious freedom.

Because of the “grav-

and by early May, Skyler had $7 set aside for charity.

Skyler told his parents that his first donation would be to help the people he saw on the video at St. Pius X. Now,

It’s What We Do

By Jim Campbell

his parents had already made their decision to support Catholic Charities and they could have simply enclosed his money with theirs. He decided to send his separately and that is where we come in.

Skyler’s handwritten note, reproduced on the cover of this week’s Anchor, arrived on a Tuesday. My assistant brought it in to me because she thought it was a unique gesture. I opened it and read his simple but profound words: “Hi, my name is Skyler Baker. I am 9 years old. I’d like to use my allowance money to help out.”

Over the course of the Appeal, we will be overwhelmed by the generous responses of so many. Gifts of $50,000, even $100,000, and many gifts or pledges that

will total close to $5 million are expected. However, I can tell you with all sincerity, no gift this year will teach me more about our mission than the $7 donated by this young man. It is a lesson in goodness and charity and the deeply Spiritual desire to help one’s neighbor that makes me proud to toil in this vineyard.

Skyler is a regular kid. He likes playing Little League baseball, mountain climbing, nature and science. He is, in the words of his dad, “A boy who marches to his own drummer. He is his own man.”

He has obviously learned some valuable lessons from his parents and from his CCD classes. Colleen ex-

pressed their appreciation for the lessons being taught there: “We feel lucky to be at St. Pius X and with Father George. They all do a great job teaching the kids.”

I hope as the Appeal moves forward, many people will learn of this young boy’s decision to help and emulate his act of generosity. The Appeal is dependent on all our faithful to listen, absorb, and act upon the call to help.

In this extraordinary Year of Mercy, may we be witness to the actions of this young man and respond in our own way.

May a child lead us.

Anchor columnist Jim Campbell is director of the diocesan Development Office/ Catholic Charities Appeal/ Foundation to Advance Catholic Education.

U.S. Supreme Court sends Zubik case back to lower courts

ity of the dispute and the substantial clarification and refinement in the positions of the parties,” the court stated that religious employers and the government should be “afforded an opportunity to arrive at an approach going forward that accommodates petitioners’ religious exercise while at the same time ensuring that women covered by petitioners’ health plans receive full and equal health coverage, including contraceptive coverage.”

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Some of the winners of this year’s St. Pius X Youth Award gathered with Bishop Edgar M. da Cunha, S.D.V., following the recent award ceremony held at St. Mary’s Cathedral in Fall River. This year, 61 youth from across the diocese were honored. The annual award, named for the pontiff who created the Fall River Diocese in 1904 and presented for the first time in 2001, recognizes teens who serve their parish community with selflessness, commitment and dedication. (Photo by John E. Kearns Jr.)

To subscribe to The Anchor, or give it as a gift, contact Mary Chase at 508-675-7151 or Email: marychase@anchornews.org

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ive them food yourselves.” But Lord, there are way too many people here; there is no way we can possibly feed all of them. Sound familiar! How often have we felt so overwhelmed by everything around us? How often has a task seemed insurmountable?

Or we have lacked the energy to take one more step?

In this Sunday’s reading, Jesus is preaching to so many who have come out to hear what He has to say. As night approaches the disciples share their concern and recommend that Jesus send them on their way.

To their surprise, rather than send them off, Jesus tells them to provide for the people present. No small task, as they numbered in the thousands, and that did not even take into account all the

Feed them yourselves … women and children those in our families, present. relationships, co-workers, If you and I had been faith communities and present that day, we the community at large? would be no different What blessings and gifts than the Twelve. Panic do we possess that could would more than likely fill the need in others? set in as we scanned the Often in my ministries, crowd, made a mental inventory of whatever cash In the Palm we had on hand, of His Hands and thought to ourselves, this

By Rose Mary Man has got to be Saraiva kidding me right now. Yet day in and day out, that is what I meet individuals who Jesus is asking us to do hunger for companion— feed My people! ship, others who simply What does this look long for a listening ear like in our lives? What and so many who just are we being asked to do? need to know that they For so many of us, we are not alone in whatever meet so many individuals trials they may be facwho have hungers that ing. These people are no we are not aware of, and different than those who the task at hand is for us were gathered that day to provide the nourishto be fed by the Words ment they need. What are that Jesus had to say; and the hungers that plague who in turn were not

Diocese of Fall River TV Mass on WLNE Channel 6

Because of ABC’s coverage of the Indianapolis 500 race, the May 29 TV Mass will air at 10:30 a.m.

It will return to its regular time June 5.

Celebrant is Father Robert J. Powell, pastor of St. Lawrence Martyr Parish in New Bedford

June 5, 11:00 a.m.

Celebrant is Father Michael A. Ciryak, pastor of St. Francis of Assisi Parish in Swansea

only fed Spiritually but physically as well. We too, are given what we need, and when we take stock of what we have, it seems like just enough for us, barely enough to share with another. Yet it is through our faith and knowing that all that we need is provided for, that somehow produces miracles in our own lives, allowing us to keep on giving, even when our resources seem so little.

Jesus has empowered us, like He empowered His disciples that day, instructing them and us “to feed them.” Our contribution to the needs of others may seem small and insignificant, and we may feel as if we have made no difference at all.

Yet with only a handful of loaves and fishes, a crowd was fed and satisfied.

We are not asked to perform miracles, we are asked to be present to others, to recognize the Christ in each and everyone we meet. To see beyond our limits and resources, and realize we are instruments working together to feed a people; to help mend wounds, and to lead them to Jesus.

A Savior Who has given Himself to us as the “living Bread”; satisfying even the deepest of hungers in those who believe and let Him in. A Christ Who refuses to send us away hungry; setting a table for us and providing us with the gift of the Eucharist, and His Spirit, so that we may have the nourishment we need to

continue on our journey.

In the second reading we are reminded to “Do this in remembrance of Me.” Like the early Church, we are asked to continually hand on the faith, to constantly provide for others and to do so knowing and believing that our needs are taken care of as we take care of others. In doing so, we find that like the loaves and fishes, our blessings multiplied in ways that are too numerous to count.

As a child I was taught that when one gives with an open heart, we receive so much more in return.

So as we go forth in the upcoming days and weeks, we need to reflect on the instructions we were given, “to feed them ourselves” and how with so simple a phrase, so much is entrusted to us. As disciples of Christ, we need to see what loaves and fishes we possess, and how can it be shared to provide for others? Even if we do not have all that we need, in sharing what we have, we find that it comes back to us in ways that fills our lives more abundantly, with more than enough to spare. As in the words of St. Francis, “It is in giving that we receive.”

Anchor columnist Rose Mary Saraiva lives in Fall River and is a parishioner of St. Michael’s Parish, and she is the Events Coordinator and Bereavement Ministry for the diocesan Off ice of Faith Formation. She is married with three children and two grandchildren. rsaraiva@dfrcs.com.

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Youth Pages

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Be not afraid

here is a phrase that words on that occasion seems to be doing just we’ve heard many constantly echo in my ears: the opposite. We’re all a times in our lives. In fact, ‘Do not be afraid! Open bit afraid. Time and time it is a phrase that, I have wide the doors for Christ!’” again, however, when we learned, is repeated more Pope Francis has contin- join together as a people, than 300 times in the Gos- ued to stress these three lit- as Christian people, we can pels, which would seem to tle words. In his homily at make a difference in the elevate its importance. That World Youth Day in phrase is “Be not afraid,” Rio and just recently, which coincidentally is when he opened the title of this particular the Holy Doors at Anchor feature. the Vatican basilica, In the hymn of the where he added,

By Deacon same name, we sing, “Be “We should not be Frank Lucca not afraid; I go before you afraid: we should always; Come follow Me; allow ourselves to be and I will give you rest.” embraced by the mercy of world! It is this very Spirit And it is a phrase that was God, Who waits for us and of prayer, self-giving and of sounded by Pope Benedict forgives everything.” caring and service to othXVI, Pope Francis, and As we can see this is ers, that will get us through especially the late Pope St. an ongoing message that these difficult times. But to John Paul II, in his consis- needs to be repeated today make it through, we need tent message to the youth and every day to everyone, to set our sights on someof the world over the last but especially the young. one greater than ourselves. quarter century of his life.

Be not afraid. Today we The reason Pope John Paul It was in his very first live in a society where II was not afraid, is that he address as pope on Oct. even the most innocent set his sights on Christ. We 16, 1978, that John Paul II are sometimes treated as must do the same. Pope St. appearing on the balcony disposable objects. Be not John Paul II also stated in overlooking St. Peter’s afraid. Many abuse themhis first address, “Be not Square right after beselves with food, drugs, sex afraid to welcome Christ. ing elected pope, said (at and alcohol. Be not afraid.

Be not afraid. Rather, open least three times) to all Many live with broken wide the doors to Christ! of us, “Be not afraid.” He relationships and broken Open the frontiers of your continued, “Be not afraid, promises and broken lives. states to Christ’s power of young people. Get up, Jesus Be not afraid. Hungry and Salvation, your economic is calling you! He’s your lonely? Be not afraid. Out systems as well as the poCreator; He’s your Reof work, out of savings, litical ones, the wide fields deemer; He has a plan for out of time? Be not afraid. of culture, of civilization, your lives. Give yourselves People are blowing each of development. Be not to Him; give yourselves to other up and slaughtering afraid!” others out of love for Him, their fellow person. Be not At his first World Youth and discover the truth afraid. The rhetoric that is Day in 2013, Pope Franthat will set you free — pitting people against each cis presented three simple the truth that will guide other in this country. Be ideas as the main theme you through this earthly not afraid. Afraid. Be not of his homily — Go — do existence and into God’s afraid. not be afraid — and serve. eternal Kingdom.”

There is no doubt that “Go,” he said, “Do not be At the conclusion of his things are tough right now. afraid. Some people might homily at his Inaugural We are all waiting for the think: ‘I have no particular Mass, Pope Benedict XVI next shoe to drop especially preparation, how can I go continued the message of with the situation in the and proclaim the Gospel?’

John Paul II when he said, Middle East and in EuMy dear friend, your fear is “At this point, my mind rope. Even the presidential not so very different from goes back to Oct. 22 1978, election process, which is that of Jeremiah, a young when Pope John Paul II usually a time for lookman like you, when he began his ministry here ing to positive change, no was called by God to be a in St. Peter’s Square. His matter what your politics, prophet. ‘Ah, Lord God! 16 The Anchor - May 27, 2016

Be Not Afraid

Behold, I do not know how to speak, for I am only a youth.’ God says the same thing to you as He said to Jeremiah: ‘Be not afraid — for I am with you to deliver you’ ( Jer 1:7,8). He is with us!”

He continued, “Do not be afraid!”

When we go to proclaim Christ, it is He Himself Who goes before us and guides us. When He sent His disciples on mission, He promised: ‘I am with you always’ (Mt 28:20). And this is also true for us! Jesus does not leave us alone, He never leaves you alone! He always accompanies you.”

He concluded, “Jesus did not say: ‘One of you go,’ but ‘All of you go’: we are sent together. Dear young friends, be aware of the companionship of the whole Church and also the

communion of the saints on this mission. When we face challenges together, then we are strong, we discover resources we did not know we had. Jesus did not call the Apostles to live in isolation, He called them to form a group, a community.”

Carry on! Together we can! Let’s get going! Be not afraid!

Anchor columnist Frank Lucca is a permanent deacon in the Diocese of Fall River, a youth minister at St. Dominic’s Parish in Swansea, and a campus minister at UMass Dartmouth. He is married to his wife of 37 years, Kristine, and the father of two daughters and their husbands, and three grandsons. So blessed!

Comments, ideas or suggestions? Please email him at DeaconFrankLucca@ comcast.net.

Collecting water for the people of Flint, Mich., began as a Year of Mercy project for the eighth-grade class, at St. John the Evangelist School in Attleboro. However, it soon became a parish project when the Religious Education students joined in as well as many of the parishioners.

Originally the goal was to raise 2,400 bottles of water but they received more than 350 cases of water. Holding the water are SJE School eighth-graders Athan Dafulas and Ciara Cronin along with students from RE Program.

Youth Pages

Catholic Social Services of Hyannis English Language Learners Program recently completed its spring semester with a ceremony at which it gave promotion graduate certificates to 43 students. These participants were promoted from beginning classes, to intermediate, and others to advanced classes. Thirty-one students received a participation certificate and will be receiving a graduate certificate when they complete their level. These students came from South America, Central America, Congo, Belarus, and Bulgaria. Fifteen teacher volunteers taught in the program this semester.

A great banquet was served from foods brought in by all the students and teachers from all the different countries represented. Rich Alves was one of the teachers and administrative assistants. Alves is an intern from Elder Services, Mature Workers Program. Ken Gavin is the coordinator of the ELL Program. All arrangements were coordinated by staff members Cheryl Gallerani and Claudia Kennedy. A great time was had by all. The program has been going on for more than 20 years. At right, some of the students attending spring semester ceremony. At left are teachers, from left: Barbara Flynn, Lucien Poyant, Janet Daly, Barbara Steinkrauss, Gwen Brown, and Diane Coyle. Teachers not shown were Sylvia Kennedy, David Nolan, Jan Rapp, Mary Pat Vogt, Mary Kate Tamash, Val Vaillancourt, Francenete da Silva, Athila Nunes, Karita Campos-Bidwell and JosĂŠ Carneiro.

First Communicants of St. Francis Xavier School in Acushnet gathered with Msgr. Gerard P. O’Connor, the pastor, and Steven Booth, the parish seminarian, and altar-servers who led the school in procession from the church following Mass to the statue of Our Lady of Fatima on school grounds. There they crowned Mary and led those in attendance in praying the Rosary.

St. Stanislaus School (Fall River) eighth-graders Grace Botelho and Zackary Mlynek crowned a statue of the Blessed Virgin Mary at the recent May crowning.

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Youth Pages

Graduation of the 2014 Cohort of the Emmaus Series, a national professional development program for Catholic school principals and heads of school was held recently. Three Catholic school principals from Fall River — Sandra Drummey, Mary Jackson, and Heidi Kuliga, were among the graduates.

More than 50 students participated in the 11th annual Cardboard Tent City at Bishop Stang High School in North Dartmouth to raise awareness and funds for the homeless in the area.

Eighty-three Bishop Feehan High School (Attleboro) students recently experienced “Real World Day” at Bryant University as a culmination of Feehan’s Economic Financial Literacy Month — “Getting FISCALly Fit.” From left Madison Lalor, guidance counselor Chris Charron, Giorgia Munroe, and Nicole Tiberio.

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A first-grade student crowned Mary with beautiful flowers during the school Mass on Ascension Thursday at Holy Name School in Fall River.

Four Explorer Level American Heritage Girls recently hosted a Mother-Daughter Tea for AHG Troop MA3712 at the Parish Center of Our Lady of Mount Carmel Church. This special event was planned and executed by Abi Eckerson, Ireland Larkin, Sarah Baldini and Emily Day as part of their Lewis and Clark Level Award to advance to the Pioneer Level. About 40 mothers, grandmothers and girls enjoyed fresh brewed tea in fancy teacups along with delicious pastries and gifts. This special event also fulfilled some requirements for the girls working on the Social Etiquette badge.

Students from St. James-St. John School in New Bedford raised $8,222 for Pennies for Patients for the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society. Pictured here are employees of the school along with the principal who made the promise to the students if they reached the goal of raising $6,500 for Pennies for Patients that they would kiss a farm animal.

I

t’s a day set aside to remember the selfless women and men who sacrificed their very lives to keep all that we in America hold Sacred and often times take for granted — freedom.

It’s a day that is, to quote from the Catholic Liturgy, “right and just,” and absolutely necessary.

For these heroic grandmothers, grandfathers, mothers, fathers, sisters, brothers, husbands, wives and friends, the war is over.

But there is another band of brothers and sisters for whom every day is Memorial Day — or more aptly said, Memory Day. The numbers may be rapidly dwindling, but there are still many men and women in their 90s across the U.S. who, each day of their lives, whether they have full faculties or not, relive the horrors

For some, every day is Memorial Day of World War II over and the seemingly endless fear over again. Some can’t shake of being killed, or worse, the memories of squatting captured by a seeminglyin a wet, cold trench in a limitless army supported by place in Europe of which two world super powers. they had never knew existed. Some relive the sight of comMy View rades on stretchers From with limbs torn away, agonizingly the Stands waiting for their last

By Dave Jolivet breath.

Others recount daily, maybe even hourly, the stench of gun There are veterans of the powder over the south Vietnam “conflict,” who Pacific Ocean, and later cannot shake the memories solemnly watching as a or flashbacks of engaging comrade, wrapped in cloth in guerilla warfare, again slips into the sea, never to be on enemy ground, that seen again. was swampy, infested with Still others recount the bugs and deadly creatures, frigid mountain condirife with land mines trigtions in Korea, once again gered by catch-lines, and fighting an enemy they surrounded by snipers, and knew little about on their being charged by an endless own turf. They remember stream of troops wielding

bayonets and swords.

Today, there are thousands of our U.S. brothers and sisters who constantly relive the horrors of the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan; the dread of not knowing if the person approaching you is friend or foe, benign or wearing a vest laden with explosives.

Thousands are home now, minus body parts they had when they left to serve our country.

For some, the war has taken on a new dynamic. It’s not being fought in desert villages and towns, but in their heads. Their minds can’t grasp what they have seen, experienced — evoking a mental trauma from which they may never return.

Daily, far too many live with the pain, struggle and perpetual reminder that their lives have changed forever; that a part of them that once lived is now dead.

From 90-year-olds to teen-agers, many of our heroic brothers and sisters still fight a war, often not sharing the inner struggle with anyone.

And many of them also must live with the fact that they have taken another life or lives — of an enemy, who at another time or place, would have been just a fellow human being.

Memorial Day is a day set aside to remember those who gave their lives for this great United States. I want to offer this Memorial Day to those equally brave women and men who die within every day of their lives. davejolivet@anchornews.org

have been times when I would coach three or four different teams, from fourth grade to 21 years old.”

Morrison doesn’t look at his contributions as any big deal, he said, adding he feels “very lucky to do what I do, and being involved with as many different people as I have.”

Last year the Taunton CYO basketball program had 54 teams with a total of 550 kids playing CYO basketball with 75-100 coaches for the teams, 18 referees and four or five score keepers; “It’s a nice program,” said Morrison.

After being a presence in the program for 58 years, Morrison has been there so long to regularly field the question, “You’re still here?” on a regular basis as parents who played under him are now signing up their son or daughter for the program.

He’s still there, said

Morrison, because “I love doing it. My wife and my family have supported me doing this. I just enjoy it.

I have no intention of not continuing in some sort; I’m sure there will come the time I’m replaced as a director. I’m still going to go down there and watch the games, and be involved in whatever way I can. I don’t want to sound corny when I say this, but I literally have 10-year-old friends. I see them on the baseball field, on the basketball court or in church, I know we’re not close buddies but they’re part of my life.”

Getting the citation from the city on Taunton in April was wonderful, and it gave Morrison the opportunity to see people he hadn’t seen in years thanks to social media getting the word out for the ceremony.

“I don’t really see what I do...” said Morrison, trailing off, then pausing before saying, “I don’t know. I struggle to find the right words. I don’t think what I do is extraordinary. Other people put in many years also, and they do it on a parish level. I was humbled by it. I look at it as this is what I do.”

City of Taunton honors longtime CYO coach continued from page four

became an assistant coach in 1966, and then the head coach of the baseball league in 1967.”

Morrison said he felt it was a natural progression to go from player to coach: “It wasn’t anything that I planned and I never thought I would be doing it 50 years later.”

The CYO sports program at Our Lady of the Immaculate Conception Parish continued to evolve through the years. The CYO baseball program ended in 1973 —though Morrison has continued to coach the Babe Ruth League in Taunton for more than 40 years — but basketball has thrived and during the winter Morrison said he can be found on the court every night. Morrison has been coaching basketball since 1968, and became co-director of CYO in 1972.

Though he began to play a larger role in the CYO

program, he took it in stride: “I never looked at it as a jump in duties. The duties included coordinating the schedule, scheduling referees, collecting registration fees, and working with different parishes involved.

I was asked and I said I would do it. I didn’t see it as any big deal. It was something I did.”

In the meantime, his family had moved to Raynham and discovered their new parish, St. Ann’s, didn’t have a CYO program.

Morrison asked to start a program and it launched in the fall of 1975. By default, said Morrison, he became the director of St. Ann’s CYO program.

“Since that time and up until today, I coach any team at St. Ann’s that doesn’t have a coach,” said Morrison. “Fortunately all the spots have been filled almost every year, but there

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Image of Our Lady of Guadalupe coming to Wellfleet parish continued from page five

“At the urging of St. John Paul II, the Mexican bishops made an exact replica of the tilma and he blessed it and in 1991 they sent it out to the Americas to reevangelize and help end the culture of death,” Szedlak said. “When she first appeared in Mexico, there were nine million Indians who converted through her image. It was interesting because there were six million Catholics who had left through the Protestant reformation in Europe. At any rate, the Mexican bishops defined Our Lady’s mission as ‘to end abortion and to bring conversions.’”

After concelebrating Mass at the Basilica of Our Lady of Guadalupe with hundreds of bishops and priests in June 1991, St. John Paul II expanded the designation of the Mexican icon to become “the patroness of America.”

He concluded his homily with a prayer, “Oh, Sweet Lady of Tepeyac, Mother of Guadalupe! We present to you this countless multitude of faithful who pray to God in America. You who have come into their hearts visit and comfort all homes, parishes and dioceses of all the continent.”

In anticipation of the pope’s plea for visitations of Our Lady of Guadalupe, the four missionary images were blessed and began their visitations in June of 1991 from the International Rosary Congress at the National Basilica Shrine of the Immaculate Conception in Washington, D.C. “At that time Dan Lynch was a Pro-Life lawyer living with his wife and nine children in Vermont — and he heard the image was coming and he wanted to help,” Szedlak explained. “So he went down to Washington 20

and they selected him because he had the resources to be a national guardian of the (missionary) image.”

Since that time, the images have been displayed before millions at thousands of sites. They have journeyed throughout America and the world and visited every state of the United States. The images visit churches, abortion centers, convents, prisons, hospitals, nursing homes and schools.

“In those 25 years it’s gone to more than 1,000 parishes and the biggest number of people who saw her was in the Philippines — that was an audience of about two million at one time,” Szedlak said. “From tiny little groups to large audiences, this is an image that touches people. She wants people to touch her and she wants interaction with people.”

To that end, Szedlak said the public veneration sessions are set up so the image is “easily accessible” to everyone and they encourage people to come up and venerate the Blessed Mother.

“A number of miraculous things have happened, and my hope and prayer is that this visit will help our parish get stronger and it will help the people in the area to connect with Mary, our mother. She wants to help us, so that’s the idea — let’s make her available.”

Although the image will arrive on June 10, Szedlak said public veneration begins at 9 a.m. on Saturday, June 11 inside Our Lady of Lourdes Church in Wellfleet.

“Basically, we’re going to open the church up at 9 a.m. on Saturday until the Mass at 4 p.m.,” he said. “So it will really be from 9 to 5 if people stay for the Mass.”

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On Sunday, June 12, the church will open at 10 a.m. for the 10:30 Mass and former judge and custodian Dan Lynch, who also authored the book “Our Lady of Guadalupe, Hope for the World,” will be speaking at 11:30 a.m. After an anticipated question-and-answer session with Lynch, veneration will continue until 3 p.m.

“On Monday we have a 9 a.m. Mass and after Mass we’ll prepare Our Lady to go to the next place,” Szedlak said.

During this Jubilee Year of Mercy, Szedlak said there’s no better time to reconnect with the “Mother of Mercy.”

“We have so many major divisive issues today, I’m hoping the Blessed Mother can soften some hearts and do what she does best when she comes to places,” he said. “This is open to anyone and everyone and we’re giving them an opportunity to be with their Heavenly Mother.”

And with the 100th anniversary of her apparitions in Fatima, Portugal fast-approaching in 2017, Szedlak hopes this visit with extend Marian celebrations throughout the year.

“You see all these special events happening now because of the upcoming 100th anniversary of (Fatima) it’s all over the world, really,” he said. “We really are in an important time now for the Blessed Mother.”

The missionary image of Our Lady of Guadalupe will be at Our Lady of Lourdes Parish, 2282 Route 6 in Wellfleet, on June 11 from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. and on June 12 from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. For more information, contact Frank Szedlak Jr. at 508-364-4758 or email sszedlak@capecod.net.

In support of our Muslim brothers and sisters

By Tom Dwyer Special to The Anchor

That one of my sons-inlaw is a Muslim is only one reason why the new Vincentian Family Statement in Support of Our Muslim Brothers and Sisters is so meaningful to me.

The second is my fervent belief in the Vincentian and Gospel message to welcome the stranger among us and to demand social justice for those who are being ostracized, pushed to the margins (as Pope Francis so often notes and warns against), and discriminated against.

As Vincentians and Catholics, we must speak for those whose voices are being muted and whose legitimate concerns and needs are being brushed aside in the “throw-away” culture that the pope also regularly rails against.

Inad, my son-in-law and now the father of two of our grandchildren, was born and grew up in Amman, Jordan. He was educated there by French Jesuits. About five years ago, my wife and I traveled to Jordan to meet Inad’s family and enjoyed with them a wonderful post-wedding reception for my daughter and her new husband.

They and their friends are warm and caring, as indeed the overwhelmingly vast majority of Muslims are. Like us, they value peace and desire a just and equal society where all are respected and dignity accorded to each. Experiencing this all first-hand, it pains me greatly now to hear the discriminatory, ignorant, unkind, and unwarranted comments that some in our society do not hesitate to make these days about Muslims.

In this hyper-sensitive atmosphere where so much invective is being hurled at those who are not exactly like us, especially our Muslim brothers and sisters, it is worth remembering the Gospel story of the Good Samaritan, as well as the Vincentian call to welcome and assist the stranger without regard to denomination or even lack of religion. The pope’s message in the Jubilee Year of Mercy about the “Merciful and Kind” attributes Islam assigns to the Creator provides an especially compelling perspective.

To have a peaceful and loving society in which the human dignity of each person is respected, these messages from our Catholic social teaching and from our Vincentian heritage must be understood, heeded, and evidenced in our daily lives.

It is for these reasons that the Vincentian Family Social Justice Representatives prepared its Statement in Support of Our Muslim Brothers and Sisters. The statement draws its inspiration and language from the very recent papal declaration of the Jubilee Year of Mercy and from Pope Francis’s 2013 Apostolic Exhortation “Joy of the Gospel.”

We pray that the Spirit of St. Vincent de Paul and Blessed Frederic Ozanam will enable us to see true followers of Islam as neighbors and friends who share our values and aspirations for a better and more humane world.

Tom Dwyer, a parishioner at St. Mary’s Parish, Mansfield, is chairman of the National Voice of the Poor Committee, Society of St. Vincent de Paul.

Deacon Marcel G. Morency

NEW BEDFORD — Deacon Marcel George Morency, 96, of New Bedford passed away peacefully May 9 at Sacred Heart Home. Morency graduated from St. Anthony and St. Joseph’s Schools in New Bedford. He graduated from Assumption Preparatory School in Worcester in 1939, where he studied the classics, Greek, Latin, French and a rigorous classical core curriculum typical of that time. Morency continued his education at the Campbell Secretarial School while learning the family wholesale paper and grocer business, Roy Paper Wholesale Company, founded, owned and operated by his father, Thomas and his uncle Joseph.

Selective service called Morency in 1942 to serve in the Army; he was rejected because of a perforated left ear drum and poor vision.

Recalled and accepted in March of 1943 to serve the Army, he was sent to Fort Leonard Wood, Mo. for basic training with the 289th Infantry of the 75th division.

In March of 1944, the Army transferred Marcel to Military Intelligence G-2 Training Center of Camp Ritchie, Md., where he served as a French interpreter for the procurement of military information until discharged as a sergeant in April 1946, He met and married Muriel (Viens) Morency on Sept. 5, 1949 at St. Anne’s Church in New Bedford.

Upon retirement and after five years of study, Marcel was ordained to the Permanent Diaconate on June 20, 1987 by Bishop Daniel Cronin for the Diocese of Fall River. Because of his profound deafness, his wife, Muriel, became his “ears” throughout the five-year training, accompanying him to classes, taking notes and translating as needed throughout his religious training. Morency also stud-

ied sign language during this period, and learned to lipread to improve his ability to listen to people who sought his assistance. After his ordination on June 20, 1987, Deacon Morency faithfully served St. Anne’s Church in New Bedford until the parish closed in 2004. His diaconate ministry continued at Sacred Heart Home where he resided for the past four years.

Deacon Morency received the Marian Medal in 1974.

In 2008, Morency and his wife Muriel moved from their home in New Bedford’s South End to live with their daughter, to provide care for Muriel as she debilitated from Alzheimer’s disease. He was her constant companion and principle caregiver throughout her illness, a model of a de-

voted husband and best friend.

At the time of Muriel’s death, they were married for 59 years.

Morency began and ended his day with prayer throughout his entire life. He incorporated many people into his mid-day devotions, particularly the Rosary. He was an avid reader, including several newspapers into his morning schedule on a daily basis, and heartily enjoyed historical novels, theological writing and biographies. An avid Red Sox fan, one of his favorite sayings was, “They broke my heart.” He enjoyed watching baseball, basketball and football.

Morency loved his family, enjoyed the company of all people, possessed a good sense of humor and was always ready for a good

In Your Prayers Please pray for these priests during the coming weeks May 28 Rev. Lionel A. Bourque, Former Chaplain, Cardinal Cushing Hospital, Brockton, 1982

conversation. He could relate the stories of the past century with great detail and could tell you the alternative “scenic” back roads that existed in New England. He was a contemplative person at his core; Thomas Merton and Henry Nouwen were among his favorite authors.

Despite his profound deafness throughout his life, Marcel loved opera and classical music and always sought ways to improve his many hearing devices so that he could listen and appreciate live concerts or telecasts or hear his family sing.

He is survived by two of his four children: Denise Morency Gannon and her spouse Patrick Gannon of New Bedford, and Paul Thomas Morency and his spouse, Holly (Brainard) Morency of Riverton, Wyo., and his daughter-in-law Mary (Mello) Morency, wife of Marc E. Morency (deceased); his grandchildren:

Koren Kross, Lauren Medicine Horse, Aaron Morency, Adrienne Morency, Sean Gannon, Timothy Gannon, and Martha Gannon Souza; several great-grandchildren; and many nieces and nephews, cousins and friends.

He was predeceased by his wife Muriel, his children, Robert Marcel Morency and Marc E. Morency, his parents, Thomas Morency and Elizabeth (Parent) Morency, his siblings, Jean Louis Morency, Jacques Morency, Joseph Simon Morency, and Madeleine Robitaille, and his sister-inlaw, Lorette C. Viens.

A Mass of Christian Burial was celebrated at Sacred Heart Home on May 13. Burial with military honors followed at Sacred Heart Cemetery. Remembrances may be made to Sacred Heart Home, 359 Summer Street, New Bedford, 02740.

Arrangements were by the Saunders-Dwyer Home for Funerals.

May 30 Rev. Jordan Harpin, O.P., Dominican Priory, Fall River, 1929 Rev. Edmond J. Potvin, Pastor, St. Jean Baptiste, Fall River, 1937 Rev. James M. Quinn, Pastor, St. John the Evangelist, Attleboro, 1950 Rev. Robert T. Canuel, Assistant, St. Anne, Fall River, 1993 May 31 Rev. Vincent A. Wolski, OFM Conv., Pastor, Holy Cross, Fall River, 1964 June 1 Rev. James A. Ward, Former Pastor, St. Peter, Provincetown, 1911 June 3 Most Rev. James J. Gerrard, DD, Auxiliary Bishop of Fall River 19591976, Retired Pastor, St. Lawrence, New Bedford, 1991 Rev. Luis A. Cardoso, Retired, Former Pastor, St. Michael, Fall River, 2011 June 4 Rev. Louis J. Terrien, O.P., Dominican Priory, Fall River, 1920 Rev. Jose P. d’Amaral, Parochial Vicar, Santo Christo, Fall River, 1949 Rev. George Daigle, Pastor, Sacred Heart, North Attleboro, 1979 June 5 Very Rev. Thomas J. McLean, V.F. Pastor, St. Francis Xavier, Hyannis Rev. Msgr. Louis Prevost, Retired Pastor, St. Joseph, New Bedford, 1970 Rev. Msgr. Edmond R. Levesque, Retired, Former Pastor, St. Anthony, New Bedford, 2011 June 6 Rev. Cornelius J. Keliher, Retired Pastor, St. Mary, North Attleboro, 1993 June 8 Rev. John S. Czerwonka, Assistant, St. Stanislaus, Fall River, 1961 June 9 Rev. Timothy J. Calnen, Pastor, St. Joseph, Woods Hole, 1945 Rev. Joseph S. Larue, Pastor, Sacred Heart, North Attleboro, 1966 June 10 Rev. William H. Curley, Pastor, SS. Peter & Paul, Fall River, 1915 Rev. George A. Meade, Chaplain, St. Mary’s Home, New Bedford, 1949

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Around the Diocese St. John Neumann Parish invites all to its 32nd Annual Lakeside Family Festival on Memorial Day Weekend, May 27-30. Admission is free and hours of operation are Friday: 6 to 11 p.m.; Saturday and Sunday: noon to 11 p.m.; and Monday: noon to 5 p.m. There will be a huge barn sale all weekend, along with amusement rides, entertainment, and a car show on Sunday (rain date: Monday). Enjoy a great selection of home-baked goods, assorted food booths, games of skill and a grand raffle. For more information visit www. sjnfreetown.org.

The Fall River Area Men’s First Friday Club will meet on June 3 at St. Joseph Church on North Main Street in Fall River. On this feast of the Sacred Heart, the club will celebrate a special Sacred Heart Holy Hour beginning at 5 p.m. Father Jay Mello, pastor, will hear Confessions with Mass beginning at 6 p.m. The hour holy and Mass are open to the public. Following the Mass members of the club will gather in the church hall next door for a hot meal prepared by White’s of Westport. Following the meal there will be a special club meeting. For more information, call Norm Valiquette at 508-672-8174.

Noted composer, virtuoso pianist and acclaimed performer Eric Genuis will perform on June 4 at 7 p.m. at St. Joseph’s Chapel, 500 Washington Street in North Easton. Eric will be joined by Chelsea Coyne, noted classical operatic vocalist and cellist Bing Wei. The concert is free and open to the public and is handicap accessible. For information visit Family Rosary at www.FamilyRosary.org/Events or call 508-238-4095.

On June 20, the Society of St. Vincent de Paul Conference of St. Anthony’s Church in East Falmouth will be holding its First Annual Charity Golf Tournament at the Falmouth Country Club. Entry Fee of $100 per player includes golf cart, gift and prizes. There will be welcome breakfast fare and a backyard BBQ lunch. Proceeds from the event will assist needy families in the community. Additional information is available at www. stanthonyscapecod.org/svdp or by calling Steve at 508-495-4402 or Jim at 508-540-1785.

Called By Name, a day of reflection for girls ages 14-18, will be held on July 16 from 9:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. at the Dominican Sisters Convent, 3012 Elm Street in Dighton. Sponsored by the Fall River Diocese Vocations Office, this day-long program will help young women discover their gifts through interactive activities. It will include a nature walk and picnic lunch, time for quiet prayer and reflection, and will explore how to learn to use God-given gifts. Those interested are asked to RSVP by July 11 to Sister Paulina Hurtado, O.P., at sr.paulina@dioc-fr.org or by calling 909-496-2022.

If you or someone you know is pregnant and confused, Catholic Social Services of Fall River offers pregnancy counseling for women/couples experiencing an unplanned pregnancy. Explore the option of parenting or adoption through the supportive services offered by an experienced social worker. For more information, contact Karen Vena, MSW, at kvena@cssdioc.org or call 508-674-4681 (office) or 774-488-4786 (cell). All services remain confidential.

To submit an event for consideration in The Anchor’s “Around the Diocese” listing, send the information by email to kensouza@ anchornews.org

Visit the newly-designed Diocese of Fall River website at fallriverdiocese.org The site includes links to parishes, diocesan offices and national sites.

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The Anchor - May 27, 2016

Eucharistic Adoration in the Diocese Acushnet — Eucharistic Adoration takes place at St. Francis Xavier Parish on Monday from 9:30 a.m. to 8:30 p.m.; Tuesday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 8:30 p.m.; and Saturday from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m.

Evening prayer and Benediction is held Monday through Wednesday at 6:30 p.m.

ASSONET — Beginning September 14, St. Bernard’s Parish will have Eucharistic Adoration every Monday from 9:30 a.m. to 6:30 p.m. The Blessed Sacrament will be exposed on the altar at the conclusion of 9 a.m. Mass and the church will be open all day, concluding with evening prayer and Benediction at 6:30 p.m.

ATTLEBORO — Eucharistic Adoration takes place in the Adoration Chapel at St. Vincent de Paul Parish, 71 Linden Street, from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. daily.

ATTLEBORO — The National Shrine of Our Lady of La Salette holds Eucharistic Adoration in the Shrine Church every Saturday from 1 to 4 p.m. through November 17.

ATTLEBORO — There is a weekly time of Eucharistic Adoration Wednesdays from 7-9 p.m. at St. John the Evangelist Church on North Main Street.

Brewster — Eucharistic Adoration takes place in the La Salette Chapel in the lower level of Our Lady of the Cape Church, 468 Stony Brook Road, on First Fridays beginning at noon until 7:45 a.m. First Saturday, concluding with Benediction and concluding with Mass at 8 a.m. buzzards Bay — Eucharistic Adoration takes place at St. Margaret Church, 141 Main Street, Monday through Saturday, from 6:30 to 8 a.m.; and every first Friday from noon to 8 a.m. on Saturday.

East Freetown — Eucharistic Adoration takes place at St. John Neumann Church every Monday (excluding legal holidays) 8 a.m. to 9 p.m. in the Our Lady, Mother of All Nations Chapel. (The base of the bell tower).

EAST TAUNTON — Eucharistic Adoration takes place in the chapel at Holy Family Parish Center, 438 Middleboro Avenue, Monday through Friday, 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. On First Fridays, Eucharistic Adoration takes place at Holy Family Church, 370 Middleboro Avenue, from 8:30 a.m. until 7:45 p.m.

FAIRHAVEN — S t . M a r y ’s C h u r c h , M a i n S t . , h a s E u c h a r i s t i c A d o r a t i o n e v e r y Wednesday from 8:30 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. in the Chapel of Reconciliation, with Benediction at 11:30 a.m.

Also, there is a First Friday Mass each month at 7 p.m., followed by a Holy Hour with Eucharistic Adoration. Refreshments follow.

Fall River — Espirito Santo Parish, 311 Alden Street, Fall River. Eucharistic Adoration on Mondays following the 8 a.m. Mass until Rosary and Benediction at 6:30 p.m.

FALL RIVER — St. Bernadette’s Church, 529 Eastern Ave., has continuous Eucharistic Adoration from 8 a.m. on Thursday until 8 a.m. on Saturday.

FALL RIVER — St. Anthony of the Desert Church, 300 North Eastern Avenue, has Eucharistic Adoration Mondays and Tuesdays from 9 a.m. to 7 p.m.

FALL RIVER — Holy Name Church, 709 Hanover Street, has Eucharistic Adoration Monday through Friday from 7:30 a.m. to 9 p.m. in the Our Lady of Grace Chapel.

FALL RIVER — Good Shepherd Parish has Eucharistic Adoration every Friday following the 8 a.m. Mass and concluding with 3 p.m. Benediction in the Daily Mass Chapel. A bilingual holy hour takes place from 2 to 3 p.m. Park behind the church and enter the back door of the connector between the church and the rectory.

Falmouth — St. Patrick’s Church has Eucharistic Adoration each First Friday following the 7 a.m.

Mass, with Benediction at 4:30 p.m.

HYANNIS — St. Francis Xavier Parish in Hyannis, 347 South Street, Hyannis, has Eucharistic Adoration from noon to 3 p.m., daily Monday through Friday.

MANSFIELD — St. Mary’s Parish, 330 Pratt Street, has Eucharistic Adoration every First Friday from 7:30 a.m. to 6 p.m., with Benediction at 5:45 p.m.

MASHPEE — Christ the King Parish, Route 151 and Job’s Fishing Road has 8:30 a.m. Mass every First Friday with special intentions for Respect Life, followed by 24 hours of Eucharistic Adoration in the Chapel, concluding with Benediction Saturday morning followed immediately by an 8:30 Mass.

NEW BEDFORD — Eucharistic Adoration takes place 7 to 9 p.m. Wednesdays at Our Lady of Guadalupe Church, 233 County Street, with night prayer and Benediction at 8:45 p.m., and Confessions offered during the evening. Please use the side entrance.

NEW BEDFORD — There is a daily holy hour from 5:15-6:15 p.m. Monday through Thursday at St. Anthony of Padua Church, 1359 Acushnet Avenue. It includes Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament, Liturgy of the Hours, recitation of the Rosary, and the opportunity for Confession.

NEW BEDFORD — St. Lawrence Martyr Parish, 565 County Street, holds Eucharistic Adoration in the side chapel Fridays from 7:30-11:45 a.m. ending with a simple Benediction NORTH DARTMOUTH — Eucharistic Adoration takes place at St. Julie Billiart Church, 494 Slocum Road, every Tuesday from 5:30 to 6:30 p.m., ending with Benediction. The Sacrament of Reconciliation is available at this time.

NORTH DIGHTON — Eucharistic Adoration takes place every Wednesday following 8:00 a.m. Mass and concludes with Benediction at 5 p.m. Eucharistic Adoration also takes place every First Friday at St. Nicholas of Myra Church, 499 Spring Street following the 8 a.m. Mass, ending with Benediction at 6 p.m.

The Rosary is recited Monday through Friday from 7:30 to 8 a.m.

NORTH EASTON — A Holy Hour for Families including Eucharistic Adoration is held every Friday from 3-4 p.m. at The Father Peyton Center, 518 Washington Street.

ORLEANS — St. Joan of Arc Parish, 61 Canal Road, has Eucharistic Adoration every First Friday starting after the 8 a.m. Mass and ending with Benediction at 11:45 a.m. The Sacrament of the Sick is also available immediately after the 8 a.m. Mass.

OSTERVILLE — Eucharistic Adoration takes place at Our Lady of the Assumption Church, 76 Wianno Avenue on First Fridays from 8:30 a.m. to noon.

SEEKONK ­— Our Lady of Mt. Carmel Parish has perpetual Eucharistic Adoration seven days a week, 24 hours a day in the chapel at 984 Taunton Avenue. For information call 508-336-5549.

Taunton — Eucharistic Adoration takes place every Tuesday at St. Anthony Church, 126 School Street, following the 8 a.m. Mass with prayers including the Chaplet of Divine Mercy for vocations, concluding at 6 p.m. with Chaplet of St. Anthony and Benediction. Recitation of the Rosary for peace is prayed Monday through Saturday at 7:30 a.m. prior to the 8 a.m. Mass.

Taunton — Adoration of the Most Blessed Sacrament takes place every First Friday at Annunciation of the Lord, 31 First Street. Exposition begins following the 8 a.m. Mass. The Blessed Sacrament will be exposed, and Adoration will continue throughout the day. Confessions are heard from 5:15 to 6:15 p.m.

Rosary and Benediction begin at 6:30 p.m.

WAREHAM — Eucharistic Adoration at St. Patrick’s Church takes place 9 a.m. Thursday through 7 p.m.

Friday. Adoration is held in our Adoration Chapel in the lower Parish Hall. ~ PERPETUAL EUCHARISTIC ADORATION ~ East Sandwich — The Corpus Christi Parish Perpetual Eucharistic Adoration Chapel is open 24 hours a day, seven days a week at 324 Quaker Meeting House Road, East Sandwich. Use the Chapel entrance on the side of the church.

NEW BEDFORD — Our Lady’s Chapel, 600 Pleasant Street, offers Eucharistic Adoration seven days a week, 24 hours a day. For information call 508-996-8274.

SEEKONK ­— Our Lady of Mount Carmel Parish has perpetual Eucharistic Adoration seven days a week, 24 hours a day in the chapel at 984 Taunton Avenue. For information call 508-336-5549.

WEST HARWICH — Our Lady of Life Perpetual Adoration Chapel at Holy Trinity Parish, 246 Main Street (Rte. 28), holds perpetual Eucharistic Adoration. We are a regional chapel serving all of the surrounding parishes. All are invited to sign up to cover open hours. For open hours, or to sign up call 508-430-4716.

To advertise in The Anchor, contact Wayne Powers at 508-675-7151 or Email waynepowers@anchornews.org

The Anchor - May 27, 2016

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The Anchor - May 27, 2016