SERVING . . .
t eanc 0 VOL. 25, No. 22
SOUTHEASTERN MASSACHUSETTS CAPE COD & THE ISLANDS路
FALL RIVER, MASS., THURSDAY, MAY 28, 1981
20c, $6 Per Year
Appeal sets record The Most Reverend Daniel A. Cronin, Bishop of Fall River and honorary chairman of the 1981 Catholic Charities Appeal has announced that a record-setting total of $1,277,630.74 has been recorded. "I am profoundly grateful to everyone who has helped in any way," the bishop said, pointing out that the unprecedented generosity of contributors places diocesan programs, including socia.! services, counseling. health care and special apostolates on a firm financial basis for the 1981-1982 fiscal year. Bishop Cronin reported that 1981 Appeal totals were the highest in the 40 year history of the annual spring campaign, topping 1980 figures by more than $67,500. "It's a real consolation to me," he added, "to know that we can make plans to maintain and to improve our diocesan programs. So many folks depend upon us. I am delighted that our good parishioners all through the diocese and our kind friends in business and industry have made the 1981 Appeal so very successful." Monsignor Anthony M. Gomes, director of the Appeal, commented that over 100 of the 113 diocesan parishes had gained honor roll status by surpassing their last year totals. Leading parishes were Mount
Carmel, New Bedford, with returns of $32,829, Saint Pius X, South Yarmouth, $32,605, and Holy Name, Fall River. $30,031. From Diocesan headquarters, Monsignor Gomes noted that while regional and national "special gifts" to the Appeal continue to show growth, the principal strength of the campaign rests in the important parish returns, where, for the second consecutive year, the level of contributions exceeded the $1 million mark. V. Vito Gerardi of New Bedford, lay chairman of the 1981 Appeal, praised the thousands of volunteer workers who conducted the vital door-to-door phase of the drive. An informal survey of pastors indicated that parishioners seemed cheerfully generous, even in an uncertain economic atmosphere. There was a sense that the number of contributors was greater than usual, an indication, one priest said, that people appreciate the good work of the institutions and agencies benefiting from the Appeal. "God has most certainly blessed us," Bishop Cronin concluded, "and I am certain that he will bring abundant blessings to all those who have helped to make our 1981 Catholic Charities Appeal such a grand success.
P ope keeps gaining
KNIGHTS OF COLUMBUS form honor guard for annual Santo Christo procession of Our Lady of Mt. Carmel Church, New Bedford.
.ROME (NC) Pope John Paul II, declared out of danger by his doctors, taped a Sunday noon message for St. Peter's Square May 24 and met briefly with Mrs. Rose Hall, one of the two Americans wounded with him May 13. The pope's doctors said he was in "very satisfactory condition," and should be restored to health within 60 days, barring any unexpected complications. The pontiff is on solid foods after nine days of intravenolls feeding. "That's a real relief," the pope reportedly said when he was told the intravenous feeding tubes in his right forearm would be removed. Meanwhile, Vatican Press Office Vice Director Father Pierfranco Pastore, told reporters that he wanted to "set the record straight" on the pope's words when he was first shot. He denied that the pope made the widely quoted comment: "Why did they do it?" The pope told his secretary,
Msgr. Stanislaw Dziwisz, "I feel a lot of pain," and said that he was hit "in the stomach," Father Pastore said. He said that during the ambulance ride to the hospital the pope repeated several titnes in Polish: "Jesus, Jesus. Mary my mother." As the pope woke up in the hospital room the morning after the operation, Father Pastore added, he told Msgr. Dziwisz at his bedside, "Last night we did not recite compline." Compline is the night prayer of the Liturgy of the Hours, the official church prayers marking the times of the day, which bishops, priests, deacons and some professed Religious are required to say daily in ordinary circum!'>tances. Turn to Page Three
HOLY DAY Today is Ascension Thursday, a holy day of obligation. All should attend Mass.