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Fall River Diocesan Newspaper For Southeast Massachusetts-Cape Cod & The Islands
VOL. 48, NO.23 • Friday, June 11,2004
FALL RIVER, MASS.
Southeastern Massachusetts' Largest Weekly • $14 Per Year
Father Harrington is ordained for the Diocese of Fall River By MIKE GORDON ANCHOR STAFF
FALL RIVER - Rev. Mr. John Patrick Harrington was ordained a priest by Bishop George W. Coleman before clergy, family and friends at an 11 a.m. Mass at St. Mary's Cathedral, June 5. He is the son of Mrs. Catherine A. Harrington of Braintree, and the late Maurice T. Harrington. The rite of ordination began when the transitional deacon came forward responding to the call by the bishop to be ordained and serve in the Fall River diocese. After the candidate declared his readiness to enter the order of presbyter, and Director of Vocations Father Craig A.Pregana testified that he had been found worthy, applause came forth from the crowd, a signal of their approval. "I'm really proud of my son today," Mrs. Harrington said later. "It's like when Jesus chose his apostles to God's work. He will
also do God's work and we pray that Jack will fulfill all that God asks of him." During his homily, Bishop Coleman advised the candidate: "Impart to everyone the word of God that you have received with joy. Practice what you teach and let that be nourishment to all. By word and example may you build up the house that is God's Church." The bishop went on to say that the sacrifice of Christ will be offered through the hands of Father Harrington and encouraged him . to imitate what he celebrates. "Pope John Paul II has said that if we can truly say the whole Church lives through the Eucharist we can say the same about the Presbyterorum Ordinis, the order of priesthood. At the Last Supper Christ instituted the sacraments of Eucharist and holy orders. The Apostles distribute the food oflife Turn to page 13 - Ordination
BISHOP GEORGE W. Coleman, left, participates in the solemn procession of the annual feast of Senhor Santo Christo at Ponta Del Gada, Azores during a recent visit there. (Photo courtesy of the New Bedford Office of Tourism & Marketing)
Generosity of Charities Appeal donors seen as campaign surges
BISHOP GEORGE W. Coleman prays over Father John P. Harrington at his ordination to the priesthood last Saturday at S1. Mary's Cathedral, Fall River. (AnchorlGordon photo)
FALL RIVER - "There are some wonderful stories unfolding out there," says Michael J. Donly, director of Development for the diocese, as the 2004 Catholic Charities Appeal logged returns from across the diocese. "Once again there are examples of parish communities far surpassing any goal they could have imagined before the Appeal began," Donly· noted, "like the parish that has already doubled its 2003 total! These efforts and successes are wonderful examples and motivators for other parishes as they realize that this same thing can happen in their parish as well." These stories, he said, "are the reason for our confidence and optimism that the parishioners of the diocese will continue to respond generously to the request that they assist the most needy among us. They know full well that this is the one and only time the diocese asks for their assistance ministering to our friends and neighbors in need." As the tally of gifts reaches the $3 million mark, "Our gratitude is equaled only by our hope that those who can make the difference, namely, past donors
as well as first-timers who have not as yet responded to our request for assistance, will once again show their generosity to the needy among us by sending in their gift/pledge by June 17," stated Msgr. Thomas J. Harrington, director of Catholic Charities. "Indeed, $3 million is a wonderful sum," Msgr. Harrington said. "But it is a distance from where we would hope to be when the Appeal ends. The needs of . our agencies ministering to the thousands of needy men, women, and children are at their highest levels. Our distinct hope is that we surpass our 2003 Appeal total of$3,674,844 by as large a sum as possible." . As the Appeal entered its last two weeks, the focus and determination of pastors and parish committees across the diocese remained in high gear. Second mailings were sent to parishioners who had not as yet responded, as well as to business, industry, and professional friends of the Appeal throughout southeastern Massachusetts, Cape Cod, and the Islands. Contributions to the Catholic Charities Appeal Turn to page 10 - Appeal