06.14.19

Diocese of Fall River, Mass. † Friday, June 14, 2019

Bishop Stang High School graduates Patrick Clark and Elizabeth Golden toss their caps into the air.

(Photo courtesy of Jennifer Golden)

Congratulations to the Class of 2019! — More photos on pages 10-11 June 14, 2019 †

1

Father Riley Williams appointed first-time pastor of Acushnet parish some background in dealing ership roles, but also think that with most of the common the current approach with kensouza@anchornews.org experiences that a parish collaborative parishes will priest would normally face. allow for younger priests to ACUSHNET — Bishop Edgar M. Of course, I always have have more time serving da Cunha, S.D.V., recently announced the Holy Spirit to rely on, under a pastor while also several appointments, transfers and too!” necessarily having a greater reassignments as part of his ongoing Although he’ s just shy of responsibility in assisting “Rebuiling in Faith and Hope” initiabeing a priest for a decade, him to manage sevtive in the Fall River Diocese.

Father Williams said he’ s eral parishes,” Father Among these changes, after a already learned a great Williams said. “In nearly two-year stint as parochial admy first assignment ministrator at St. Francis Xavier Parish deal from his past assignments. with Father Richard in Acushnet, Father Riley J. Williams “One of experiWilson at St. John was announced as the sole first-time ence’s most important the Evangelist and pastor appointment. lessons is of the imSt. Vincent de Paul For Father Williams, the move Father Riley J. Williams portance of listening,” parishes in Attleboro, from administrator to pastor wasn’t Father Williams said.

“While I feel I know that this was the case, and I unexpected. that I have a lot to offer — both from hope that others will have the same “At the time I was sent to St. my seminary training and past experiFrancis, the bishop told me that after ence — I can only know how best to a certain amount of time as administrator I would be made pastor,” Father apply this to a particular community by knowing what the needs of the Williams recently told The Anchor.

“With the ongoing pastoral planning, community are, and I can best do that by listening to the people I serve. I do there was a wait until the situation not see leadership merely as the impowith other parishes could be sorted sition of my own ideas on a parish but out as well. Once that was done, the rather as guiding the community to bishop informed me by letter of my live out together the teachings of Jesus being named as pastor.”

Christ and His Church.

Having now been in Acushnet “I have also learned the importance since 2017, Father Williams has had of finding a balance in my life. It can an opportunity to become familiar be very easy for a priest — especially with the parish and its school and one newly-ordained — to be pulled in now that he’s officially “in charge,” he many directions, and so learning how doesn’t foresee making “any major best to meet all legitimate needs is key changes.” while finding a balance between them “I have been and will continue to and needed personal time.” work with the people of the parish In his new pastorate, Father Wilto develop the ministries already in liams hopes to emulate mentors like existence and to envision new ones,” Father Philip Davignon, who was he said. “When I arrived I reminded pastor at his home parish of Our Lady people that I would only be there for of the Assumption in Osterville. a time, while they are the ones who “I have always said that my first, were there before and after I shall be. I and in many respects best, seminary see my job, both as administrator and was with Father Davignon,” he said. as pastor, simply to be a good steward of what I found, and leave it in an even “Through high school, college, and seminary, I was able to see how he better state.”

Having been ordained in 2011, Fa- responded to nearly any situation that ther Williams said he didn’t encounter a priest could face, and find myself turning again and again to his exany particular surprises since comample in my own ministry.” ing to St. Francis Xavier Parish, and While the notion of someone as he doesn’t expect things to radically young as Father Williams becoming a change now that he’s the new pastor. first-time pastor might seem extraor“What is different now is that I’m dinary, he noted that the majority of the one responsible for making the his seminary classmates have already decisions (and) to respond to them,” been appointed pastors. he said. “Thankfully, my past assign“I think that we will continue to ments allowed me to already face a variety of different situations, so I have see younger priests tasked with leadBy Kenneth J. Souza Editor

2

† June 14, 2019

opportunity. This means that when they eventually take a on leadership role, they will have more experience in having had more limited opportunities for leadership while under the guidance of a more experienced priest.”

And with the shortage of priests and an increasing number of retirees in the Fall River Diocese and beyond, it’s clear this trend will continue.

“I think that this is simply a reality of where we are at as a Church and diocese at this point in time — creating a situation in which the lay faithful will be called to embrace more fully their share in the life of the Church for more fruitful collaboration in the future,” he said.

† Diocese of Fall River † OFFICIAL Appointments and Transfers His Excellency, the Most Reverend Edgar M. da Cunha, S.D.V., D.D., Bishop of Fall River, announces the following appointments: Reverend Mr. Steven A. Booth, Deacon at Our Lady of Mount Carmel Parish in Seekonk Effective June 3, 2019 †††††††††††††††††††††††††††††† Reverend Ryan J. Healy, Parochial Vicar at St. Anthony Parish in East Falmouth, St. Elizabeth Seton Parish in North Falmouth and St. Patrick Parish in Falmouth, with residence at St. Anthony Parish in East Falmouth Rev. Monsignor Edmund J. Fitzgerald, Director of Cardinal Medeiros Residence, Fall River Effective June 26, 2019 †††††††††††††††††††††††††††††† Reverend Rowland Omuegbu, S.D.V., Chaplain to the Bristol County Correctional Facility in Dartmouth to Parochial Vicar at St. Patrick Parish in Wareham Effective July 1, 2019 †††††††††††††††††††††††††††††† Deacon Richard J. Bisson Sr., Deacon at Christ the King Parish in Mashpee Deacon Keith R. Caldwell, Deacon at Our Lady of Victory Parish in Centerville and Our Lady of the Assumption Parish, Osterville Deacon Gary L. Donahue, Deacon at Holy Cross Parish in South Easton Deacon Kevin P. Gingras, Deacon at Holy Family Parish in East Taunton Deacon David O. Harum, Deacon at St. Vincent de Paul Parish in Attleboro Deacon George E. Hults, Deacon at St. Margaret of Scotland Parish in Buzzards Bay Deacon Antonio M. Pimentel, Jr., Deacon at St. Mary’s Parish in New Bedford Deacon Paul D. Spearin, Deacon at St. Ann’s Parish in Raynham Deacon Matthew T. Sweeney, Deacon at Our Lady of Mount Carmel Parish in Seekonk Effective July 1, 2019

Corpus Christi processions planned throughout the diocese NEW BEDFORD — As is the tradition to commemorate the feast of the Most Holy Body and Blood of Christ, or Corpus Christi, on Sunday, June 23, there will be several Corpus Christi processions in the Fall River Diocese.

One of the longest-running observances will once again depart from Our Lady’s Chapel, 600 Pleasant Street in downtown New Bedford beginning at 2 p.m. Inaugurated in 1994, the New Bedford Corpus Christi procession is organized by the Franciscan Friars of the Immaculate and the Perpetual Eucharistic Adoration team at Our Lady’s Chapel.

The procession will proceed from Our Lady’s Chapel to Our Lady of Purgatory Church on Franklin Street (first station), then to St. Lawrence Martyr Church on County Street (second station), across the street to the Missionaries of Charity Convent (third station), and then return back to Our Lady’s Chapel.

The following groups will be processing with their banners: St. Francis Xavier Parish, Acushnet; Men of the Sacred Hearts; St. Damien Pro-Life Prayer Group; God the Father, the Perpetual Eucharistic Adorers from Our Lady’s Chapel; The Franciscans of the Immaculate – Third Order; as well as the Militia of the Immaculate Mediatrix. The Our Lady of Guadalupe at St. James Parish Hispanic Prayer Group is also expected to participate.

Children who come are invited to dress as angels to process in front of Blessed Sacrament, and

angel outfits will be provided.

The street block in front of Our Lady’s Chapel will be decorated with colorful designs as well as highlighting the Chalice with Host.

Van transportation will be available to take anyone in the procession who cannot make the walk.

The Rosary will be recited along the route and in the vans as well.

A reception will immediately follow at Our Lady’s Chapel after last Benediction.

St. Andrew the Apostle Church, 19 Kilmer Avenue in Taunton, will also host a Corpus Christi procession after the 10:30 a.m. Mass.

The procession will be led by the St. Elizabeth’s Band and the parish’s First Holy Communion students, who will follow the Blessed Sacrament.

The procession will travel from the church to the Eagle’s Club, where there will be an outside Benediction, before returning to St. Andrew’s.

In Attleboro, St. John the Evangelist Church, One St. John Place, will be the starting point for a Corpus Christi procession beginning with an 11:30 a.m. bilingual Mass. The procession will commence following the Mass at 12:30 p.m. and will proceed to St. Vincent de Paul Church, 71 Linden Street.

Upon arrival at St. Vincent’s, there will be a picnic sponsored by the Knights of Columbus Council No. 404.

All are invited to join in these unique expressions of the faith and belief in the Real Presence of the Lord in the Eucharist.

June 14, 2019 †

3

Bristol County inmates graduate from St. Vincent de Paul program

By Jonathan Darling

Public Information Officer Bristol County Sheriff’s Office

DARTMOUTH — Officers at the Bristol County House of Corrections buzzed to unlock the doors to three housing units on Thursday evening a little before 6:30 p.m.

Ten inmates exited the units and began the roughly 100-yard walk outside, then down a hallway, then through a security checkpoint to the jail’s chapel.

They walked into the chapel to thundering applause, hugs and handshakes from the crowd of volunteers from the Attleboro District Council Reentry Program of the Society of St. Vincent de Paul and the Residents Encountering Christ (REC) program.

The inmates were celebrating the completion of the St. Vincent de Paul “Getting Ahead While Getting Out” reentry program.

It was the culmination of 10 weeks of classes in which SVdP volunteers met with inmates twice a week to do some soul searching and develop a plan for their first three days after release and beyond.

“I’m proud to say that after doing this program, upon release I now have the understanding, the strength, the will to live my life the right way,” Bristol County inmate Tim Harper said at the graduation ceremony.

He wasn’t the only one lavishing praise for the St. Vincent volunteers and the program. One by one, the 10 inmates, who are called “investigators” during classes, came to the podium in the chapel. After being introduced by one of the St. Vincent volunteers, or 4

program facilitators as they are called, the inmates were given the opportunity to say a few words about the program.

“This program opened my eyes,” Joseph Shaheen said. “I realized I needed to change and I need goals. I want to return to college. I started my engineering degree, now I want to go back and finish it.”

“This program has really changed me 100 percent,” Marcellino Alves said. “I know I’m never coming back (to jail).”

“Thank you for taking time out of your lives so I can better mine,” Adnell Roman told the volunteers.

Started in 2016 by St. Vincent de Paul’s Attleboro Voice of the Poor Committee, the “Getting Ahead While Getting Out” program focuses on the critical 72 hours immediately after release. Where will inmates go for housing or clothing?

Will they have a phone or a driver’s license? The plans, detailed and down to the hour, give an inmate a roadmap (complete with backup plans) on how to succeed and set up future success in the first three days.

Beyond the plan, inmates and volunteers also discuss short- and long-term goals, and how to achieve them.

They accomplish that by looking back, learning from past mistakes, and looking ahead to the future.

Inmates penned stories about their past, then were asked by SVdP volunteers to write about their future, with the stories on display for all to read at the graduation ceremony.

“You can change. There is hope,” Irene Frechette, northeast regional vice president of the Society of

† June 14, 2019

Inmate graduates of the Attleboro chapter of the Society of St. Vincent de Paul’s reentry program, “Getting Ahead While Getting Out,” smile with program facilitators, from left, Paul Hodge, Joan Blagdon and Tom Dwyer during a recent graduation ceremony at the Bristol County House of Correction. The graduates were Adnell Joseph, Joseph Shaheen, Roy Farias, Angel Nunez, Travis Nice, Michael Demers, Marcellino Alves, Jose Avelar, Timothy Harper and Derek Ryder. (Photo courtesy of the Bristol County Sheriff’s Office) St. Vincent de Paul, said at the graduation. “When you get out, there are a lot of wonderful people there to help you. You are future stories ... you’re great writers, great thinkers. Take that with you and share your gifts with everyone.”

SVdP members Paul Hodge, Joan Blagdon and Tom Dwyer served as program facilitators, or instructors.

Joining them and Frechette at the graduation ceremony were Peter Kortright, program director of the District Council of Attleboro Reentry Program and member of the St. Vincent de Paul National Re-entry Task Force; Steve Meaney, Diocesan Central Council president of the St. Vincent de Paul Society ; and Mary Dwyer, Attleboro District Council president of the St. Vincent de Paul Society.

They also read remarks from State Senator Paul

Feeney, Representatives Jim Hawkins and Betty Poirier, and Bristol County District Attorney Thomas M. Quinn.

Several of the graduates are also involved in the REC religious program at the prison, so the volunteers who administer the program attended in support.

“We are all behind you and we all want you to succeed. That handshake, that hug you received when you walked in here, carry that forward in all of your

future endeavors,” Bristol County Sheriff Thomas M. Hodgson said at the graduation. “All of us, at some point in our lives, make bad choices, but that doesn’t mean we can’t catch up and get back on track.

“The Society of St. Vincent de Paul is an amazing organization. For the past 10 weeks, these volunteers have given their time and expressed not only how much they care about you, but how much they love you.”

78th annual Catholic Charities Appeal, ‘See All the People,’ at $3M and nearing home stretch FALL RIVER — The 78th Annual Catholic Charities Appeal has raised $3 million to date, with just two weeks remaining in the annual campaign, which ends on Sunday, June 30. There is still time to make a gift in support of the many agencies assisting those in need throughout the Diocese of Fall River.

Each year, the Appeal invites parishioners of the diocese and community supporters to bear witness to the good works that all make possible, together, through their generous support.

This year’s theme, “See All the People,” is symbolic of the countless people who have benefitted from the agencies and apostolates of our diocese committed to serving anyone in need. Since 1942, the Appeal has helped meet the Spiritual and corporal needs of individuals and families throughout the diocese: from the Attleboros, Mansfield, Taunton, and the greater Fall River and New Bedford areas, to Cape Cod and the Islands.

This year people have the opportunity to see a series of videos on specific minis-

tries receiving much-needed support through gifts to the Appeal. The series continues this week with a video dedicated to Faith Formation, featuring the Christian Leadership Institute (CLI), a six-day program offered each summer at Cathedral Camp in East Freetown.

Parishes and Catholic high schools throughout the diocese can submit applicants for CLI, which is open to any teen demonstrating exceptional maturity and leadership, as well as the potential to take on key

roles within their schools, parishes, and communities.

Participants in CLI develop skills and a deepened commitment to their faith, so they can become our next generation of leaders within the Church. Donations to the Catholic Charities Appeal help defray the cost to attend CLI. The video features Mikayla Amadi (above), a Bishop Stang High School student and parishioner of Our Lady of the Assumption Parish in New Bedford. A participant in last year’s CLI, Mikayla

talks about the importance of Faith Formation in the lives of young people.

A webpage telling Mikalya’s story, along with

2018-2019 statistics for Faith Formation and the video, can be viewed on the Appeal website: catholicfoundationsema. org/mikayla. Please visit the website for more Appeal news and highlights in the weeks ahead.

Contributions to the Catholic Charities Appeal may be made either through a one-time donation or through monthly, quarterly, or semi-annual pledges.

Donations may be mailed to the Catholic Charities Appeal office, 450 Highland Avenue, Fall River, Mass.

02720, made online at givefrdiocese.org/cca19, or dropped off at any parish in the diocese. Please contact the Catholic Charities Appeal office at 508-675-1311 with any questions.

givefrdiocese.org/cca19 New publication date for directory Due to the many changes taking place this year, the 2019-2020 Catholic Directory for the Diocese of Fall River will go to press later than usual, and will be available in late September.

Please be advised that requests for corrections and updates will be sent to parishes and diocesan offices in mid-July.

June 14, 2019 †

5

Editorial Catholic Charities Appeal 2019 We are now more than halfway through the 2019 Catholic Charities Appeal. As you can read on page five of this edition of The Anchor, the appeal is doing well this year, thanks to the generosity of so many people throughout the diocese (and even beyond it).

This past Tuesday we celebrated St. Barnabas, a saint we first hear about in the Acts of the Apostles when he sold property and gave the proceeds to the Apostles. “There was no needy person among them, for those who owned property or houses would sell them, bring the proceeds of the sale, and put them at the feet of the Apostles, and they were distributed to each according to need. Thus Joseph, also named by the Apostles Barnabas (which is translated “son of encouragement”), a Levite, a Cypriot by birth, sold a piece of property that he owned, then brought the money and put it at the feet of the Apostles” (Acts 4:34-37).

Most of us are not called to such radical giving, although we are called by Christ to respond to His needs in our brothers and sisters not just by giving from our surplus, but also giving from our need.

Yesterday (Thursday) we celebrated St. Anthony of Padua. He is most known today as our helper when we have lost something (of course, St. Anthony does this for us as part of Christ’s plan to bring us closer to Him, not as some “side” activity Anthony is doing on his own from Heaven). This Franciscan saint was a great preacher and a great lover of Christ in the poor. He said, “O rich people befriend the poor, welcome them into your homes: it will subsequently be they who receive you in the eternal tabernacles in which is the beauty of peace, the confidence of security and the opulent tranquility of eternal satiety.” Here he is helping us to not lose the most important thing in life — our eternal souls.

On June 13, 2018 Pope Francis said to the crowd in St. Peter’s Square, “Today is the memorial of St. Anthony of Padua, Doctor of the Church and Patron of the Poor. May he teach you the beauty of authentic and freely given love; only by loving as He loved, will no one around you feel marginalized and, at the same time, will you yourselves feel ever stronger in the trials of life.”

That same day Pope Francis signed a message for the Second World Day of the Poor, which was observed on November 18. In it he wrote, “the poor hear voices scolding them, telling them to be quiet and to put up with their lot. These voices are harsh, often due to fear of the poor, OFFICIAL NEWSPAPER OF THE DIOCESE OF FALL RIVER Vol. 63, No. 12

www.anchornews.org

Published biweekly by the Catholic Press of the Diocese of Fall River, 887 Highland Avenue, Fall River, MA 02720, Telephone 508-675-7151; FAX 508-675-7048; email: theanchor@anchornews.org.

Subscription price by mail, prepaid $25.00 per year for U.S. addresses.

Send address changes to 887 Highland Avenue, Fall River, MA, call or use email address.

PUBLISHER – Most Reverend Edgar M. da Cunha, S.D.V. EXECUTIVE EDITOR Father Richard D. Wilson fatherwilson@anchornews.org EDITOR Kenneth J. Souza kensouza@anchornews.org

ADVERTISING Wayne R. Powers waynepowers@anchornews.org

Send Letters to the Editor to: fatherwilson@anchornews.org

PoStmaSters send address changes to The Anchor, 887 Highland Avenue, Fall River, MA 02720.

THE ANCHOR (USPS-545-020) Periodical Postage Paid at Fall River, Mass.

6

† June 14, 2019

who are considered not only destitute but also a source of insecurity and unrest, an unwelcome distraction from life as usual and needing to be rejected and kept afar. We tend to create a distance between them and us, without realizing that in this way we are distancing ourselves from the Lord Jesus, Who does not reject the poor, but calls them to Himself and comforts them. The words of the Prophet Isaiah telling believers how to conduct themselves are most apt in this case. They are ‘to loose the bonds of wickedness, to undo the thongs of the yoke, to let the oppressed go free and to break every yoke ... to share bread with the hungry and bring the homeless and poor into the house ... to cover the naked’ (58:6-7). Such deeds allow sin to be forgiven (cf. 1 Pet 4:8) and justice to take its course. They ensure that when we cry to the Lord, He will answer and say: ‘Here I am!’ (cf. Is 58:9).”

Later in the message, the pope issued an invitation, which, although directed towards last November’s observance, is also relevant as we participate in the Catholic Charities Appeal. “I invite my brother bishops, priests, and especially deacons, who have received the laying on of hands for the service of the poor (cf. Acts 6:1-7), as well as religious and all those lay faithful — men and women — who in parishes, associations and ecclesial movements make tangible the Church’s response to the cry of the poor, to experience this World Day as a privileged moment of new evangelization. The poor evangelize us and help us each day to discover the beauty of the Gospel. Let us not squander this grace-filled opportunity. On this day, may all of us feel that we are in debt to the poor, because, in hands outstretched to one another, a salvific encounter can take place to strengthen our faith, inspire our charity and enable our hope to advance securely on our path towards the Lord Who is to come.”

So, we are called to share not just our money (although that is very important and needed to be able to help address the material and Spiritual needs of thousands of people throughout the diocese), but also our lives, as we work together as brothers and sisters, not in condensation, but in the equal dignity that God placed in us and sees in us.

The Catholic Charities Appeal continues through June 30. If you have not made a donation yet, please see details on page five as to how to do so. If you have, thank you for your generosity. May God help us to respond to each other’s needs, seeing Him as both the giver and the receiver.

Daily Readings † June 15 - June 28 Sat. June 15, 2 Cor 5:14-21; Ps 103:1-4, 9-12; Mt 5:33-37. Sun. June 16, The Most Holy Trinity, Prv 8:22-31; Ps 8:4-9; Rom 5:1-5; Jn 16:12-15. Mon. June 17, 2 Cor 6:1-10; Ps 98:1-4; Mt 5:38-42. Tues. June 18, 2 Cor 8:1-9; Ps 146:2, 5-9a; Mt 5:43-48. Wed. June 19, 2 Cor 9:6-11; Ps 112:1b-4, 9; Mt 6:1-6, 16-18. Thurs.

June 20, 2 Cor 11:1-11; Ps 111:1b-4, 7-8; Mt 6:7-15. Fri. June 21, 2 Cor 11:18, 21-30; Ps 34:2-7; Mt 6:19-23.

Sat. June 22, Cor 12:1-10; Ps 34:8-13; Mt 6:24-34. Sun. June 23, The Most Holy Body and Blood of Christ (Corpus Christi), Gn 14:18-20; Ps 110:1-4; 1 Cor 11:23-26; Lk 9:11b-17. Mon. June 24, Is 49:1-6; Ps 139:1b-3, 13-15; Acts 13:2226; Lk 1:57-66, 80. Tues. June 25, Gn 13:2, 5-18; Ps 15:2-5; Mt 7:6, 12-14. Wed. June 26, Gn 15:1-12, 17-18; Ps 105:1-4, 6-9; Mt 7:15-20. Thurs. June 27, Gn 16:1-12, 15-16, or 16:6b-12, 15-16; Ps 106:1b-5; Mt 7:21-29. Fri. June 28, The Most Sacred Heart of Jesus, Ez 34:11-16; Ps 23:1-6; Rom 5:5b-11; Lk 15:3-7.

T

his weekend we celebrate Father’s Day throughout the United States. It’s a relatively recent feast, made a permanent national holiday on the third Sunday of June only in 1972 when it was signed into law

by President Richard Nixon.

President Lyndon Johnson had given the first presidential proclamation honoring fathers only six years prior. Mother’s Day, by contrast, was proclaimed by President Woodrow Wilson in 1914 to be held on the second Sunday of May. The earlier celebration for mothers is partially explained by the desire to honor the work of moms at a time in our nation’s history when women and their contributions to society were often widely underappreciated. But the length of the delay may also explain how the role of men precisely as fathers has similarly been underappreciated.

Now social science has been documenting just how important the role of fathers is in raising children to be integrated adults. When kids grow up without a father in the home, they experience much higher rates of school suspensions, staying back in school, dropping out of school, child poverty, youth violence, crime, incarcerations, drug use, behavioral disorders, obesity, running away from home, homelessness, sexual abuse, promiscuity, teen pregnancy, and suicide. This is particularly concerning when 43 percent of children in the U.S. now live without a father in the home.

The future Pope Benedict XVI said in a March 2000 speech in Palermo, “The crisis of fatherhood we are experiencing today is an element, perhaps the most important element, threatening man in his humanity.” The crisis, he said more specifically, is a “dissolution of fatherhood,” flowing from reducing paternity to a biological phenomenon without its human and Spiritual dimensions. Fathers are treated as superfluous, seen in the explo-

Appreciating fatherhood sion of what sociologists now term as “sperm dads,” “absent dads,” “dead-beat dads,” “visiting dads,” “nice-guy dads,” and various other descriptors for fathers who have no decisive role in protecting, providing for, rearing and mentoring the children they’ve begotten.

When kids, however, are blessed with a dad who has made a lifetime commitment to their mom and to them, when fathers live up to their calling, they in general do much better.

That’s why on this Father’s Day it is so important to celebrate and thank dads who have lovingly prioritized their responsibilities to their families. But it’s also why it’s key to celebrate and promote fatherhood in general, not just for the good of men, but also for the good of the women who count on their capacity for faithful love and for the children who so much need both parents in such a committed alliance.

In the promotion of fatherhood and the formation of men to be good dads, the Church has much to offer. Practically there are organizations like the Knights of Columbus as well as an explosion of parish men’s groups and diocesan conferences to help men support each other as a band of brothers. Theologically there is a gold mine of wisdom about the paternal meaning of man’s masculinity found in what Jesus revealed about God the Father and in His Own Spiritual fatherhood that can help men.

Pope Benedict in a 2012 General Audience spoke about the greatness of fatherhood in the Divine plan. “Perhaps people today,” he said, “fail to perceive the beauty, greatness and profound consolation contained in the word ‘father’ with which we can turn to God in prayer because today the father figure is often not sufficiently present and all too often is not sufficiently positive in daily life.

From Jesus Himself, from His

filial relationship with God, we can learn what ‘father’ really means and what is the true nature of the Father Who is in Heaven. In the Gospel Christ shows us Who is the Father and, as He is a true Father, we can understand true fatherhood and even learn true fatherhood.”

Jesus came to reveal God the Father and the depth of His love for His children. He showed us how the Father takes delight in His children (Mt 3:17), loves

unconditionally (Mt 5:45), is provident and responsible (Mt 6:26), pays close and caring attention (Mt 6:8), forgives (Lk 6:36, 15:11-32), teaches (Mt 11:25-26, 16:17, Jn 6:44), kindly disciplines (Heb 12:5-11), works hard (Jn 5:17, 36), and shares His life (Jn 6:40), giving an example for all earthly dads.

Likewise Jesus, the icon of the Father, the New Adam and the father of the restored creation, exercised His Own Spiritual paternity in becoming the principle of the new life we receive in the Sacraments through His passion, death and Resurrection.

It is in this sense that priests, who act “in the person of Christ” in the Sacraments, exercise Christ’s fatherhood and are appropriately called “fathers.” This fatherhood cannot be reduced just to Spiritually generative Sacramental actions, but is meant to flow into fatherly identity and behavior, particular in the commitment they make Spiritually to protect, provide for, rear and mentor the Spiritual children entrusted to them. When priests are reduced to ecclesiastical functionaries who never form authentic fatherly bonds with the individuals and families

whose Baptisms, weddings, and funerals they celebrate, there is a huge problem.

That’s why recent remarks by Cardinal John Dew, Archbishop of Wellington, New Zealand, are so short-sighted. In an April 4 column, he praised an article

by Father Jean-Pierre Roche in La Croix International that aruged that we should stop calling priests “Father.” He recited Roche’s three arguments: that Jesus says we should call no one on earth our father (Mt 23:8-9); calling someone “father” necessarily places one in the inferior position of a child when we’re all supposed to be equal; and denoting a “father” inevitably fosters a relationship of dependence and obedience. In response to Pope Francis’ call to fight against clericalism, Cardinal Dew said, ceasing to call priests “father” or him “eminence” or “cardinal” “might seem like a very small thing to do, but it may be the beginning of the reform in the Church.”

The reform of the Church is not going to come from calling the pope “Frank,” or the Archbishop of Wellington “John,” or the pastor of one’s parish by his Baptismal name. It’s not going to come at all from the dissolution of the the Spiritual paternity of the priesthood, but rather, from the buttressing of the authentic fatherly nature of the priestly call. Clericalism is an abuse of Spiritual fatherhood just as much as authoritarianism is an abuse of natural fatherhood. The remedy is not to eliminate the verbal reminders of fatherly identity but to purify the exercise of fatherhood. As the wise aphorism goes, abusus non tollit usum: the misuse of something is no argument against its proper use.

In regard to the arguments cited, Jesus’ words to call no one father, or rabbi, or master was meant to communicate that no one should seek to replace God, for we have one Father,

Teacher and Master in Heaven.

We can still call our dads father, our instructors teacher and our rabbis rabbi, provided that we’re not treating them as if they were God. The context shows that he was correcting the Pharisees for creating and prioritizing a separate set of allegiances based on rabbinical tradition over what God Himself had revealed.

Jesus Himself uses the word father several times, when He speaks about not loving “father or mother” more than Him and of leaving one’s “father” to follow Him. Jesus’ example, as well as St. Paul’s after Him, shows us the use of father to refer to Spiritual fatherhood. Jesus cites Abraham, our father in faith, as “Father Abraham” in a parable.

St. Paul tells the Corinthians, “In Christ Jesus I became your father through the Gospel” (1 Cor 4:15).

Does calling someone a “father” necessarily place the Spiritual son or daughter in an inferior position or create a situation of dependence and obedience? Perhaps when we’re dealing with infants, but not with adults. When adults call their parents “mom” and “dad,” they’re not referring to a poweraxis — in many cases, the children are the ones making the decisions — but employing a term of fact, endearment, and reverence. Similarly when Catholics use father, they’re not employing it in the sense of the ancient, brutal Roman paterfamilias. They’re recognizing the priest’s role to provide for, protect, and guide them Spiritually.

That’s why on this Father’s Day, in addition to celebrating our earthly dads, we should also celebrate God the Father and the Spiritual fatherhood of Jesus — both quite fitting on Holy Trinity Sunday — as well as the way priests are called by both to cooperate with the Holy Spirit in becoming participatory Spiritual fathers after the image of Father and Son. Father Landry can be contacted at fatherlandry@ catholicpreaching.com.

June 14, 2019 †

7

T

The Holy Spirit is knocking!

his is the time in our Liturgical year when the focus is placed on the Holy Spirit and all the Sprit embodies. For many in our local communities, this is a time of feasts and religious celebrations honoring the Third Person of the Holy Trinity. Aside from Sacramental celebrations commemorating milestones such as First Communion and Confirmation, this is a time when many ethnic groups express their devotion, celebrating the Holy Spirit.

As a child of Portuguese immigrants, I have been deeply immersed in the devotion to the Holy Spirit all of my life, fully aware of how the Spirit moves and works within each of our lives. Like the Apostles on Pentecost Sunday, we too are given the gifts of the Spirit that strengthen us and give us what we need to persevere, even in the face of adversity.

Recently, my family and I have had the honor and privilege of hosting a “Dominga” or “Sunday” dedicated to one of the gifts of the Spirit. We hosted the Fifth Dominga which represents “Knowledge.” For the Azorean communities, this is not only a great honor, but a willingness to be open to the workings of the Spirit in their lives. As a child, I learned early on how God works through the Spirit to pour out His abundant love on each and every one of us, giving us what we need. For me, it was evident in the answered 8

prayers, the miracles that occurred, and the outpouring of love from both those we knew and those who simply came to join us in prayer.

For my family it was a new experience. My husband was not raised in these traditions — as this is not common in northern Portugal — and my children were quite young when my parents hosted their last Dominga. So for me it was a passing on of a baton that holds not only beautiful memories and rich traditions, but also a deeper understanding of our faith, traditional prayers, and a deeper knowledge of what God’s love means in our lives.

It was an opportunity for my family, friends and the community to come together each night and pray the Rosary, sing the traditional songs to the Holy Spirit, Christ, and the Blessed Mother, and enjoy fellowship. It was a time in our lives, as St. Paul tells us in his letter to the Romans, that “the love of God has been poured out into our hearts through the Holy Spirit that has been given to us.”

This is a love we fully

† June 14, 2019

experienced from all those who joined us, prayed with us, or prayed for us if they could not attend. For those of you who have had the Holy Ghost (Spirit) in your homes, you know exactly of what I am speaking. For those who have not had the opportu-

nity to host or attend the nightly prayer gatherings, it fills one’s home with so much love. And even two weeks after the crown of the Holy Spirit has left our home, we still feel a fullness, a stronger presence, and a joy that even though existed before, is somewhat more amplified. It is as if the Holy Spirit filled in those gaps in our lives, even the ones we did not know existed.

It is this “filling” or “outpouring” that St. Paul spoke of and of what Jesus

is telling the Apostles in the Gospel reading from John, that the Spirit will come to give us what we need to better grasp the truth and guide us to the truth. It is for this reason that Jesus breathes His Spirit onto the Apostles then, and why He continues to send forth His Spirit onto each of us now. It is through the gifts of the Holy Spirit that we come to understand God, the Father; Christ, the Son; and the Holy Spirit and how each proceeds from the Father, forming the Holy Trinity.

That is why we are reminded in the reading from Proverbs that the Spirit has been the essence of everything God has created, and why we see the Spirit depicted as a “river of life flowing out from the Father and the Son” in Revelations (22:19).

The challenge facing each

and every one of us is: are we willing vessels, are we open to the outpouring of the Spirit? If we are struggling, how can we learn to be more open to the Spirit and to the abundance God has planned for us?

The Holy Spirit has been a true inspiration in my life, it has been a solace in times of trouble and hardship, and has guided me through some very dark times. The key is to open the door and let the Spirit fill you. Do you hear the knocking? Are you ready to let the doors fly open and let the Spirit in?

When you do, it will fill your lives in unimaginable ways.

God Bless and may the Spirit of the Lord fill and renew your lives.

Anchor columnist Rose Mary Saraiva is a member of Holy Trinity Parish in Fall River and works for the diocesan Office of Faith Formation.

Email her at rsaraiva@ dfrcs.com.

The Priestly Ordination of Father Ryan J. Healy † June 1, 2019

Above and below, Transitional Deacon Ryan J. Healy was ordained into the priesthood for service in the Fall River Diocese by Bishop Edgar M. da Cunha, S.D.V., on Saturday, June 1 in St. Mary’s Cathedral in Fall River. On the following day, Sunday, June 2, the newly-ordained priest celebrated his first Mass in his home parish church of St. John the Evangelist in Attleboro, where he was baptized and has been a lifelong member. Father Healy has been assigned as parochial vicar at St. Anthony Parish in East Falmouth, St. Elizabeth Seton Parish in North Falmouth and St. Patrick Parish in Falmouth, and will reside at St. Anthony Parish in East Falmouth. (Photos courtesy of John Kearns and Deacon Alan Thadeu)

June 14, 2019 †

9

Celebrating the Class of 2019 † Diocesan Catholic High Schools

10

† June 14, 2019

Celebrating the Class of 2019 † Diocesan Catholic High Schools

‘For I know the plans I have for you,’ declares the Lord, ‘plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.’

— Jeremiah 29:11

Photos courtesy of Brooke Bigda, Jennifer Golden, Elizabeth McDonough, Karen Pragana, and Gina Simoneau June 14, 2019 †

11

There are no words for this title

I

t was slightly more than 16 years ago when she first set foot in the Jolivet home. During those 16 years, Igor became a fixture, running the house and Lauren, Emilie, Denise and me, as she saw proper.

This is the most difficult sentence I’ve ever written in my life: Igor left us on May 23.

She didn’t die in her sleep. No, that would have been easier, at least a little bit, than us choosing to say good-bye to the best friend each of us would ever have. It had to be done. Our pesky pooch was having a great deal of trouble with her arthritic hind knees. We would assist her to stand up and even walk sometimes. But the most difficult part of the whole thing was that she was still a puppy — in her mind.

Until the end, Iggy wanted to play, to be a pest, to eat, to keep watch on the neighborhood. And did I mention, she wanted to eat and eat and eat?

All typical Igor traits. Except she couldn’t get around and do all those things any more.

The decision to have Iggy put to sleep was an agonizing, long and painful one. Always, one of us would come up with an excuse not to do it. We tried every remedy possible for dogs. She took so many pills that she rattled when she moved. Emilie would give her an injection twice a week to ease the swelling and pain. And that’s coming from a young woman who once passed out having lab work done.

I would carry the nearly 50-pound bundle of unconditional love up the stairs to our bedroom each night; or Emilie would grab hold of her hind quarters and Iggy would propel upstairs on her two good front legs. Denise would spend each day while Em and I were at work helping Iggy go outside to do her thing, or just to get up and and go lap up some water.

I can’t say it enough, we did everything we could for Igor to keep her with us. But as I mentioned earlier, it was time.

We have been friendly with the veterinarian and staff at Pet 12

Partners in Fall River for years.

Emilie’s other half, Danny, has worked there for years. And it must be mentioned that they helped us keep Iggy longer than we thought possible — all while making sure she wasn’t suffering. Even they told us on that painful day that it was the right time. It wasn’t too soon, and it wasn’t too late. Iggy was showing signs that she was ready to call it a day, but she didn’t want us to hurt.

Emilie, Denise and I kept physical contact with Iggy as she first fell asleep, and then left this world for the next. I’ll steal Father Killilea’s line in his column this week about his beloved King Reilly: “When they pass away, they leave us with a great ache in our hearts and an emptiness in our lives, even while we hope they are now in pet Heaven.”

After 16 years, there isn’t an inch in our home that doesn’t evoke a comical or touching moment about Iggy. Or a square inch that doesn’t have some of her fur as well. We’re working on that.

We got Igor from a farm in Easton. Lauren, who lived with us at the time, Emilie, Denise and I were brought to a pen with a dozen or so dogs of different breeds and sizes. Igor, at two months old, was the smallest and most timid. The other pooches were all excited and jumping and barking. Iggy was in the back just looking up at us. I told the farmer, “I want to see her,” referring to the tiny black and white Border Collie/Australian Cattle Dog mix. The farmer said, “Are you sure?” I told him I was.

I picked the little creature up and she immediately put her head on my shoulder. I was hooked. She picked me.

From that moment on a bond formed that will never, ever be broken. Not even by death.

Igor nudged her way into our hearts and souls that day and she will remain there for eternity.

I wish I could tell you all the wonderful Igor stories from the past 16 years, but

† June 14, 2019

there are far too many. In fact, through our grieving process (I can’t say healing process because I don’t know if the heartache will ever heal for any of us), we have been reminiscing about Iggy’s “greatest hits,” and Emilie is chronicling them. We will be gathering the hundreds, literally hundreds of pictures we have of her to put

Igor Jolivet

them in an album.

But allow me to share just a couple of Iggy’s antics if I may.

When she was less than a year, I was grilling slabs of swordfish on the grill. I left one on the kitchen table as I cleaned up outside. I came back and the delicacy was gone. All that was left was Iggy staring at me with those big brown eyes. As much as I love my swordfish, that face made all things right.

Igor would literally be the first one up on Christmas morning, waking us up, even Emile at age seven and onward.

She would fly down the stairs and plant herself under the tree near the gifts. It took her one Christmas to realize that there were always some for her. We would give her one, one at a time, and she would place one paw on the package and delicately rip off the paper, revealing a toy or a treat. We would buy the dog toys that said “completely dog proof, no matter what size or breed.”

We laughed at that. Within an hour the toy, which was often an animal, had no eyes or nose left, and the white stuffing was mingled with the torn wrapping paper on the floor. “Next,” she would tell us with her eyes.

Before Denise retired she

would get up earlier than me for work. Igor would patiently wait for Denise to leave the room and jump up on the bed, take the spot that was still warm and wait for me to put my arm across her. And during thunderstorms, Iggy would nestle on the floor on my side of the bed and I would lay my hand on her until the storm passed.

I could go on and on, but just one more before I wrap this up. On my last birthday, when Iggy was slowing down, Denise, Emilie and I were in the living room and I was receiving my gifts. Igor looked up at me and just pooped on the floor like it was nothing, and as if to say, “Happy Birthday, dad!” The three of us roared with laughter (before I cleaned it up of course).

And whether folks believe it or not, Igor has shown her presence to us in many ways since her passing, and we honestly believe it’s to let us know she’ll always be with us.

Some may scoff, but she is by our side.

Igor, I miss you so much it hurts. And so do mom and Emilie and Lauren. You will always be a part of this family, and always be alive and pesky and hungry in our hearts and souls. And thank you for being the best friend ever. jolivetdb@comcast.net

Diocese of Fall River TV Mass on WLNE Channel 6 Sunday, June 16 at 11:00 a.m.

Celebrant is Father Paul E. Canuel, a retired priest of the Fall River Diocese living in the Cardinal Medeiros Residence

Sunday, June 23 at 11:00 a.m.

Celebrant is Father James M. Fitzpatrick, parochial administrator of St. Louis de France Parish in Swansea

Diocese of Fall River TV Mass on the Portuguese Channel Sunday, June 16 at 7 p.m.

Broadcast from Immaculate Conception Church in New Bedford

Diocese of Fall River TV Mass on the Portuguese Channel Sunday, June 23 at 7 p.m.

Broadcast from St. Francis Xavier Church in East Providence, R.I.

FACE Summer Gala to support Catholic Schools’ scholarship fund MASHPEE — The 22nd annual FACE Summer Gala to support Catholic school students in the Fall River Diocese is set for Friday, July 12 at the Willowbend Country Club in Mashpee.

With a delicious multicourse dinner, a live auction and more, an enjoyable evening for all is planned with the proceeds going to the Foundation to Advance Catholic Education, or FACE. FACE provides needbased scholarships to children attending Catholic schools on Cape Cod and throughout the Fall River Diocese.

Boston TV personality Billy Costa, host of WGBH-TV’s “High School Quiz Show,” and NESN’s “Dining Playbook,” will once again serve as Master of Ceremonies for the Summer Gala. Falmouth resident Peggy Foley is serving as chairman for this year’s event.

Bishop Edgar M. da Cunha, S.D.V., and emcee Billy Costa at the 2018 FACE Summer Gala benefit.

In his letter of invitation, Bishop Edgar M. da Cunha, S.D.V., wrote that the FACE Summer Gala is an opportunity for friends “to come together and demonstrate their love and support for Catholic education.”

He pointed out that through the generosity of supporters of FACE, the Fall River Diocese “has been able to provide scholarships to many children who would otherwise not be able to attend a Catholic school,” adding that, “the

need continues to grow.”

For the 2018-2019 school year, FACE gave out more than $1.3 million in scholarships to 925 Catholic school students.

For ticket information or to find out about sponsorship opportunities, please contact Jane Robin, Event Coordinator, at 508759-3566 or email jrobin@ catholicfoundationsema. org.

Tickets and sponsorships may be purchased online at www.FACEsummergala. org.

June 14, 2019 †

13

C

hristus Vivit is going to change the way we form our youth, and thus, how we form ourselves for the ministry. This is not a document that comes to us from the lofty perch of an ivory tower, but from the young people themselves who have been engaged in the synodal process since the initial inquiry went out in preparation for the 2018 Synod on Young People, the Faith and Vocational Awareness.

Some will read Christus Vivit and find it challenging, others will be affirmed. The document is best understood as a continuum that began with the Pre-Synod inquiry and continued with the Final Document of the Synod.

Christus Vivit is Pope Francis’ reflection on these initial insights, which he delivers directly to youth, young adults, and all who are in their lives.

Speaking to those who minister to youth, Pope Francis called for greater formation in mentorship.

The greatest role that a youth leader can play is to be a person who accompanies a young person on their faith journey. The synod raised the concern that “there is a shortage of qualified people devoted to accompaniment.”

With every challenge there is opportunity.

The real issue behind the dearth in youth leadership is that we limit the ministry to people whom we have designated as the “youth minister.”

Pope Francis made it clear that the whole community is responsible for forming and evangelizing youth. This is a role that requires a great capacity to listen and accompany. He went so far as to say that listening is a charism of the Holy Spirit that “should be given institutional recognition as an ecclesial service” [244].

The qualities of a youth leader are deeply rooted in social and Spiritual maturity, which is crucial to the role 14

Christus Vivit of mentor. Mentors must be well-rounded and non-judgmental, able to recognize that youth are still on a journey that is not yet complete.

Pope Francis called upon the Church to offer ministry to the young that is inclusive and focused on reaching out to the margins. He used the term “popular” to describe this approach, but not in the same way that we use the word. “Popular” describes a ministry that is “broader and more flexible, it goes out to those places where real young people are active, and fosters the natural leadership qualities and the charisms sown by the Holy Spirit” [230].

“Popular” leaders, then, are those able to make everyone, including the poor, the vulnerable, the frail and the wounded part of the journey. “They do not shun or fear those young people who have experienced hurt or borne the weight of the cross” [231]. Youth ministry needs to be synodal, a term Pope Francis uses to describe a communal journey with the youth. The community takes co-responsibility for the formation of youth, which means we have to engage the parish, the schools, sports programs, indeed, wherever they are connected.

This challenges us to embrace the greater community and partner with them to form our youth.

The traditional ways of gathering and forming youth were challenged by the synod, and will take great trust and courage to change.

Youth do not want to be programmed. “The young make us see the need for new styles and new strategies. Youth ministry needs to become more flexible: inviting the young to events or occasions that provide an opportunity not only for learning, but also for conversing, celebrating, singing, listening to real stories and experiencing a

† June 14, 2019

shared encounter with the living God” [204].

Pope Francis described a two-fold approach to the young that begins with outreach and moves to growth.

The young want to be em-

powered to be the protagonists of their faith journey.

Those of us who minister to the young must be willing to minister with them, too.

Pope Francis heard the youth when they talked about their catechetical

formation, and we may not like what they said. He reiterated the importance of the kerygma as the Church’s greatest priority. The young must hear over and over again that God loves them, that Christ saves them, and that this same Christ is alive today.

He talked about the importance of giving youth a “powerful experience of God, an encounter with Jesus that touches their hearts.”

This experience needs to be nurtured, and this may take time. Too often our approach has been to inundate the youth with doctrine that does little to move their hearts, or moral teachings

that do not take root in their uncultivated faith. As a result, many young people get bored, or worse, become downcast and negative.

We have a great opportunity to refocus our mission on forming disciples of Jesus, but we need to allow the youth to show us the way.

Christus Vivit announces to the world that Christ lives!

The youth of the world who contributed to its recommendations and critiques are showing the world that Christ is alive within them, and that they are ready to walk together with us on the journey toward discipleship.

Anchor columnist Claire McManus is the director of the Diocesan Office of Faith Formation.

F ocus

on

C hurch Y outh

The members of American Heritage Girls Troop MA3712, left, based at Our Lady of Mount Carmel Parish in Seekonk were proud to participate in the recent Seekonk Memorial Day Parade to honor members of the military who are either missing or who have lost their lives while serving in the armed forces of the United States of America.

(Photo courtesy of Trish Larkin) Below, the Girls B-1 basketball team at Holy Name School in Fall River recently received a trophy for winning the CYO season. Members of the team included, from left, Grace Machado, Avery Layne, Alexis Layne, Abigail Britland-Raposo, and Alexandra Cousineau. The championship team was coached

by Mr. Scott King. (Photo courtesy of Jayme Chippendale)

Fifth and Sixth Graders at Holy Family-Holy Name School in New Bedford had a chance to show off their “green thumbs” recently. All the students participated in the May Crowning Procession and Rosary Prayer Service by walking over to church carrying individual containers of flowers. Afterwards, the flowers were planted in Mary’s Garden in the yard of St. Lawrence Martyr Church. Pictured above, from left, are Matthew, Conor, Madison, Gianna, Leah, Morgan, Fernando, Colton, and TeaMarie. (Photo courtesy of Margaret McCormick) June 14, 2019 †

15

RequiesCat In Pace

I

first met him at the post office in the summer of 2012 when I first arrived in Kalaupapa. I believe he felt that he had been called to be the official greeter for the post office and the administration office. He was large and strong, yet very gentle and friendly and he sported a magnificent ginger coat.

On occasion I would sit on the bench outside the post office and he would hop up and sit beside me as if to make conversation. The locals would say, “Hi Maka!” and pat him on the back. He was a big favorite and lord of all he surveyed.

I had not planned on having a cat when I came to Kalaupapa and I never had a cat in my 68 years prior to this, but things would change soon. Not long after I first shared a bench with him outside the post office, he showed up at my house. I have no idea why he did so because I had not been feeding any cats, nor did I have any cat food. Besides that, he was well-fed by Mark, the administrator, as well as others. Indeed, he seemed to enjoy the “life of Reilly.”

So now I felt it was the time to rename him Reilly and he made his home on the property surrounding my house.

One year later he was joined by another younger cat whom I named Bailey.

Then in an annual sequence they were joined

by Tony Tiger, Mr. Gray and Timmy Tiger. Reilly was, of course, the king and, though the others 16

would act up at times, he remained a benevolent monarch.

Sadly, however, about a year ago, he developed a tumor in back of his left ear. Dr. Jayne from Topside Molokai came down to the settlement, gave him

shots, put him on antibiotics, and prescribed steroids to reduce the swelling.

The steroids did so but Reilly’s condition continued to worsen gradually as the months went by.

Then he grew weaker day by day until one morning last week he breathed his final breath while laying in his cozy cat bed. It was a sad day for me as we laid his now-frail body to rest in the grassy area of our grounds.

Now some people may shake their heads and

† June 14, 2019

wonder why others are so grief-stricken at the death of a “mere” pet. Pets, they feel, just gobble up food and are totally dependent on their owners. What they do not realize is that these same pets become faithful and loving companions.

They also teach us many things in their innocent ways.

They teach us to be more patient.

They teach us to be loving and not to hold grudges when we say “No!” to them. They teach us to forgive and to forget and they help us be more caring in our relationship with others.

When they pass away, they leave us with a great ache in our hearts and an emptiness in our lives, even while we hope they are now in pet Heaven.

Requiescat in pace, King Reilly.

Anchor columnist Father Patrick Killilea, SS.CC., is pastor of St. Francis Parish in Kalaupapa, Hawaii.

In Your Prayers Please pray for these priests and deacons during the coming weeks

June 16 Rev. James McDermott, Pastor, St. Patrick, Somerset, 1975 June 18 Most Rev. William B. Tyler, First Bishop of Hartford, Founder of the Sandwich Mission, 1849 Rev. James M. Coffey, P.R., Pastor, St. Mary, Taunton, 1935 Rev. Declan Daly, SS.CC., Associate Pastor, St. Joseph, Fairhaven, 1984 Rev. Henri Laporte, O.P., Former Pastor, St. Anne, Fall River, 1992 June 19 Rev. Hormisdas Deslauriers, Founder, St. Anthony, New Bedford, 1916 June 20 Rt. Rev. Msgr. James Coyle, P.R., LL.D., Pastor, St. Mary, Taunton, 1931 June 21 Rev. Owen F. Clarke, Former Assistant, St. Mary, Fall River, 1918 Rev. Desire V. Delemarre, Pastor, Blessed Sacrament, Fall River, 1926 Rev. George A. Meade, Chaplain, St. Mary’s Home, New Bedford, 1949 Rev. Francis D. Callahan, Pastor, St. Patrick, Wareham, 1948 Rev. Clement Killgoar, SS.CC., Pastor, St. Anthony, Mattapoisett, 1964 Rev. David A. O’Brien, Retired Pastor, SS. Peter & Paul, Fall River, 1976 June 22 Rev. Alexander Zichello, Pastor, St. Francis of Assisi, New Bedford, 1977 June 23 Rev. Finbarr B. McAloon, SS.CC.,Retired Pastor, Holy Trinity, West Harwich, 1980 Rev. George Wichland, CSSR, St. Wenceslaus Church, Baltimore, Md., 1992 June 24 Rev. Bernard F. McCahill, Pastor, SS. Peter & Paul, Fall River, 1907 June 25 Rev. Msgr. Louis A. Marchand, Retired Pastor, St. Anthony, New Bedford, 1941 Rev. Raymond J. Hamel, Chaplain, St. Joseph Orphanage, Fall River, 1960 June 26 Rev. William Moran, Former Pastor, St. Peter, Sandwich, 1891 Rev. Charles P. Gaboury, Former Pastor, Sacred Heart, New Bedford, 1931 Rev. Msgr. Albert Berube, Retried Pastor, St. Anthony, New Bedford, 1973 June 27 Rev. John Corry, Founder, St. Mary, Taunton; Founder, St. Mary, Fall River, 1863 Rev. Dario Raposo, Pastor, Our Lady of Lourdes, Taunton, 1933 Rev. Msgr. Thomas F. Walsh, Retired Pastor, St. John the Evangelist, Attleboro, 1980 Rev. Msgr. Bernard J. Fenton, USA Retired Chaplain, Retired Pastor, St. Joseph, North Dighton, 1984 June 28 Rev. Thomas C. Gunning, Assistant, St. Lawrence, New Bedford, 1947

School superintendent explains new Academy model FALL RIVER — The Diocese of Fall River recently announced the establishement of a new Academy strategic partnership. Opening in Fall 2019, the Academy will offer a curriculum that fosters critical and analytical thinking and problemsolving skills.

The Academy will initially serve Coyle & Cassidy School in Taunton and Bishop Connolly High School in Fall River in their home locations, according to Steve Perla, school superintendent for the Fall River Diocese.

In an effort to clear up some of the misconceptions surrounding the Academy, Perla recently spoke to The Anchor and explained the Academy model.

Anchor: What is the Academy model and how will this work with Bishop Connolly and Coyle & Cassidy High Schools?

Perla: I think what’s important to say right up front is that the Academy really has three purposes.

And the first purpose is to develop an instructional model that really meets the demands of the 21st-century higher ed and workplace environment. And what do we mean by that? What we mean by that is we’re going to begin to move towards what they call a personalized learning model, which particularly emphasizes critical thinking skills and also project-based work — all of which are important skill sets for students going into either college or the workplace in the 21stcentury. That’s the first goal:

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

to develop an instructional model that really meets today’s higher ed and workplace demands.

The second goal of the Academy is to develop partnerships with both higher education and corporations to provide, in particular, opportunities for our students in the field. So the first purpose is instruction, the second purpose of the Academy is the partnerships, and the third is to ensure that our schools have the resources to effectively meet the needs of kids who learn differently, or who have learning differences.

The Academy will be a vehicle that will eventually work with all of our schools.

But, initially, Bishop Connolly and Coyle & Cassidy will be the (first) beneficiaries of the work of the Academy. But the intent is that over time the Academy will have implications for all of our schools — pre-K through 12.

Anchor: Are Bishop Connolly and Coyle & Cassidy High Schools merging?

Perla: Let me be clear and just assure everyone that absolutely the two schools are not merging.

What we’re doing here is we’re developing a strategic partnership between the two schools, very similar to what the parishes are doing throughout the diocese.

And that is creating collaboratives — in this case, we’re calling it a strategic partnership. And the reason for that is that we think we can be a lot more effective in terms of utilizing the resources that we have by creating this partnership.

So, for example, we’re going to have one president, one principal between the two schools. We’re going to share other types of administrative leadership positions between the two schools.

Each school, though, will

involved: the University of Notre Dame’s STEM Center is going to be working with us on developing the Academy’s strategic vision, and so the director of the STEM Center will be coming out from South Bend, Ind., in the fall to work with us on that. Then Boston College’s Leadership Group is going to be working with us on Superintendent Steve Perla the development of the new instructional model that I have its own core faculty. referred to earlier. We have They will share some faculty, but it’s very important Stonehill College that will be providing our students to know that each school with what we call dualwill have also its own fullenrollment opportunities, time core faculty.

Each school will continue which means that kids can its respective traditions, and take courses that will apply the beauty of these partner- to both their high school ships besides being, I think, graduation requirements as well as use them for colbetter stewards of people’s lege credit once they enter money, is we’re going to be into college. Those courses able to strengthen some of the athletic and extracurric- will be particularly focused ular programs that we offer initially on STEM areas.

And we also have a similar our kids because now we’re agreement with Regis Colgoing to have a larger pool lege. They will be providof kids to draw from. ing some dual-enrollment So I think there’s a lot courses that will also be of advantages to this: one, initially focused on STEM. I think we’re going to be saving money and be better We also have an agreement with Worcester Polytechnic stewards of people’s funds, Institute, and WPI is going but I think we’re also going to be able to strengthen our to be doing some professional development with athletics and our extracurour faculty in the STEMricular programs. And related fields. overall, because of the Anchor: I would think partnership, we’re going to having these schools inbe able to provide a much volved would increase more quality academic chances for students from program. We’re going to be Connolly and Coyle to get able to strengthen that as well. So I think overall it re- accepted, too.

Perla: The beauty of it, ally benefits those students I think, is that these kids who are attending both of will have an opportunity to these high schools. Again, take some really advanced I want to emphasize, this is courses and they will begin not a merger and we have to accumulate college credit, no plans to merge the two which for the families can schools. help reduce their overall Anchor: Can you talk college costs. Regis and about the colleges and universities that will be in- Stonehill are being extraorvolved in the Academy and dinarily generous, I mean for these courses they’re what they will bring to the only charging $300 each. partnership?

Perla: At the moment, we You cannot get a threecredit college course for have the following colleges

$300 anywhere! It is really a nice opportunity for our students and we already have a donor who has come forward and said that he will pay for the first 10 students who would like to take either one of these programs and who can’t afford the $300. So we’ve already have someone who, without even soliciting for donations yet, has come forward to offer to help those kids who might not be able to afford to pay for these opportunities.

Anchor: Why is there such an emphasis on STEM education and why are you moving in that direction?

Perla: First of all, I think it’s very important to point out that because we’re looking at STEM does not mean in any way that a student who has an interest in the fine arts or who has an interest in social science or those areas, that they will (not have the) same opportunities at both these high schools. So I want to make it very clear because we’re providing these advanced opportunities with STEM, we’re going to continue to provide a strong program in those areas as well.

We think that as we look at kids in the future, that the fields of science, technology, math and engineering — in all those areas there are some great opportunities for kids and we want to make sure that they at least, if they have interest in those areas, are well-prepared to be competitive in those work environments.

STEM is something that really emphasizes the need for kids to develop critical thinking skills, to really work in collaborative ways, and do more project-based type work. Those kinds of skill-sets, as I said at the beginning, are really para8 Turn to page 19

June 14, 2019 †

17

Around the Diocese Saint Vincent’s 11th annual Kick-Off to Summer Celebration will be held on Friday, June 21 from 6 to 11 p.m. at the Fall River Heritage Park Visitors Center. This one-of-a-kind celebration overlooking Fall River’s waterfront will help to raise crucial funds benefiting the youth in Saint Vincent’s Life Skills program. The evening will feature a unique cocktail reception, dinner, and auctions and guests will dance the night way with one of the area’s favorite bands, Played Out. Tickets are $100 per person and sponsorships are available. For tickets or sponsorship information, please contact Jenny Mello Reis at 508-235-3228 or email jreis@stvincentshome.org.

The King’s College London Choir is returning to the Cathedral of St. Mary of the Assumption, 327 Second Street in Fall River, on Friday, June 21 for a 7:30 p.m. concert. A reception will follow and tickets will be available at the door.

Our Lady of the Cape Parish will present its 41st annual Summer Fair on Saturday, June 29 from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. in the Parish Center, 468 Stony Brook Road in Brewster.

This whale of a fair features sales of baked goods, jewelry, gift items, yarn and fabric, themed gift baskets, antiques, collectibles, tools, art work, books, children’s toys, local farm fresh fare and more! There will be face-painting, games and fire truck tours for the kids, plus morning fare at the cafe and lunch at the outdoor barbecue. Try your luck at the fabulous silent auction, lottery tree raffle and cash sweepstakes. Admission is free and all proceeds will benefit local charities and the sister parish in Dessalines, Haiti.

A special silent retreat will be held on Saturday, June 29 from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the Dominican Sisters of the Presentation, 3012 Elm Street in Dighton. The day will include: Mass, prayer, reflections, quiet time and Exposition of the Blessed Sacrament. Registration begins at 9:30 a.m. For more information, call Donna Costa, M.A., Lay Associate of the Dominican Sisters of the Presentation, email streetsofgold531@hotmail.com or call 774-644-5878.

A freewill offering will be accepted and lunch is included.

Quo Vadis Days is an initiative of the Fall River Diocesan Office of Vocations, for young men ages 14-18. It will give them an opportunity to deepen their faith, learn how to discern a vocation, and grow in greater fraternity with other young men from the diocese. It will be held July 8 to July 12 at Betania II Retreat Center in Medway.For more information, please see your parish priest or contact Father Kevin Cook at frcook@fallrivervocations.org or 508-336-5549.

A Divine Mercy Cenacle group meets every Monday from 9:30 to 10:30 a.m. at St. Patrick’s Church, 306 South Street in Somerset. Meetings are held in the parish center, except for holidays. Meetings include formation on the Divine Mercy message from the “Diary of St. Faustina,” readings from the Bible and “Cathechism of the Catholic Church,” and praying the Divine Mercy Chaplet. All are welcome. For more information call 508-646-1019 or 508672-1523.

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

18

† June 14, 2019

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 — 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 — The National Shrine of Our Lady of La Salette holds 6:30 p.m. Mass followed by the Chaplet of Divine Mercy Adoration at 7:15 p.m. every Wednesday evening.

ATTLEBORO — Eucharistic Adoration takes place at St. John the Evangelist Church, North Main Street, Mondays and Wednesdays from 5-6:30 p.m.

ATTLEBORO — Eucharistic Adoration takes place in the St. Joseph’s Adoration Chapel at St. Vincent de Paul Parish, 71 Linden Street, Sunday-Thursday 7 a.m. to 7 p.m., Friday 7 a.m. to 12 a.m., and Saturday 12 a.m. to 7 p.m.

Brewster — Eucharistic Adoration takes place at Our Lady of the Cape Church, 468 Stony Brook Road, on First Fridays from 11:30 a.m. to 7 p.m. buzzards Bay — Eucharistic Adoration takes place at St. Margaret Church, 141 Main Street, every First Friday following the 8 a.m. Mass, ending at 5 p.m.

DARTMOUTH — Eucharistic Adoration takes place at St. Mary’s Church, 783 Dartmouth Street, every First Monday of the month, following the 8 a.m. Mass, ending with evening prayers and Benediction at 5 p.m.

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 — St. Mary’s Church, Main St., has Eucharistic Adoration every Wednesday from 8:30-11:30 a.m. in the Chapel of Reconciliation, with Benediction at 11:30 a.m.

FALL RIVER — St. Anthony of Padua Church, on the corner of Bedford and Sixteenth streets, has Eucharistic Adoration accompanied by music and prayer every first Wednesday of the month from 6-7 p.m.

FALL RIVER — St. Anthony of the Desert Church, 300 North Eastern Avenue, has Eucharistic Adoration Mondays and Tuesdays from 8:45 a.m. to 6 p.m., and Thursdays following the 8 a.m. Mass until Friday at 8 a.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.

FALL RIVER — St. Joseph’s Church has a Holy Hour every Tuesday from 6-7 p.m., with Benediction at 6:45 p.m.

FALL RIVER — St. Michael’s Church has Eucharistic Adoration every Wednesday from 9 a.m. to 5:30 p.m., with Benediction at 5:30 p.m.

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 5:30 p.m., with Benediction at 5:30 p.m.

MASHPEE — Christ the King Parish, Route 151 and Job’s Fishing Road has 8:30 a.m. Each First Friday Mass ends with exposition of the Blessed Sacrament and Adoration continues until Benediction at 5 p.m.

NEW BEDFORD — Eucharistic Adoration is held every Thursday, with Confessions, from 7:30 to 8:30 p.m. at Our Lady of Guadalupe at St. James Church. 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 4 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 4 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.

NORTH EASTON — Eucharistic Adoration takes place at Immaculate Conception Church Chapel on the first Wednesday of the month beginning after the 8:30 a.m. Mass, until 6:40 p.m. Those wishing to make a monthly commitment can sign up on the parish website at www.icceaston.org or call the parish office at 508-238-3232.

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.

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 until 9 a.m.

Taunton — The Chapel of St. Andrew the Apostle, 19 Kilmer Avenue, Taunton, will host Eucharistic Adoration Monday through Friday from 8:30 a.m. until 7 p.m.

Taunton — St. Jude the Apostle Parish in Taunton will host Eucharistic Adoration on Mondays following the 9 a.m. Mass and the St. Jude Novena, until 11:30, ending with Benediction. It will take place at Holy Rosary Chapel during the summer months.

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.

SANTO CHRISTO PARISH FEAST SATURDAY, JUNE 29 6 PM: SOLEMN MASS ~ presided by the Very Rev. Jeffrey Cabral, Pastor, assisted by the Rev. Deacon Jose H. Medina, of St. Anthony Parish in Taunton, who will also preach.

To be followed by a GRAND PROCESSION OF PROMISES.

8:30 to 11 PM: FEAST ACTIVITIES with lively music by Tony Borges & EURO.

SUNDAY, JUNE 30 4 PM: SOLEMN PROCESSION, followed by BENEDICTION OF THE BLESSED SACRAMENT in the Church.

6:30 to 10 PM: FEAST ACTIVITIES with lively music by Edge Band.

During the feast, there will be music, Portuguese & American foods, booths, games, and our famous malassadas.

Superintendent explains Academy continued from page 17

mount today in the workforce. And, it’s important that these kids have these kinds of opportunities. We have a lot of students who go on to college who, in fact, major in STEM-related areas and who get careers in those areas and do extraordinarily well.

Anchor: So, to reiterate, arts and humanities will continue to be part of the curriculum at both schools, right?

Perla: There are a lot of students who have a real love for the arts, and it’s important that we provide those opportunities for our students and, as we know, it’s a real gift for those kids who have those types of talents — whether it be music, art itself, theater, or whatever — those are real gifts and we want to be able to help those students develop those gifts. So we’re going to continue to provide that and those students will not be short-changed in any way.

Anchor: Will any of the instructional practices change at both schools moving forward?

Perla: Yes. Instructional practices will change and that’s a big part of what we’re trying to do here. I’ll be very concrete. The old model of education is someone stands up and provides a lecture and students take notes and then they take a test and study and try to memorize all the facts.

We’re still going to provide a framework. We’re still going to have kids learning facts, but the real emphasis here is that (students) be able to apply what they’ve learned. So what they are learning in the classroom, they should not only be able to just give back to the teacher what he or she may have said, but they need to be able to take what he or she has said and critically

think about it and apply it.

So taking the theories and facts and being able to apply it. When you go into the work environment, a lot of what you do today is working with teams and you have to be able to work with other people and be able to collaborate. And so you need to learn that through your educational process.

We have the opportunity now to be able to really personalize kids’ learning.

And so that child who is extremely bright, he or she can be able to move along and not fall back because we can personalize their learning. For all those kids who learn differently, we can now take the time and be able to provide the kind of instruction that is necessary so they can be equally as successful. So this is an entirely different way to approach instruction, and I think it will have real positive implications for those kids in our schools.

Anchor: So moving forward, Chris Myron will serve as the president, while Kathleen St. Laurent will serve as principal?

Perla: That’s an important distinction. We developed a strategic partnership between Connolly and Coyle. So as a result of that partnership, Chris Myron will be the president of both schools and Kathy St. Laurent will be the principal of both schools. So that’s one thing. The second thing is the Academy — and the Academy is separate from the strategic partnership — and the Academy, as I mentioned earlier, will eventually be involved with all of our schools. These two schools, Connolly and Coyle, just happen to be the first beneficiaries of the Academy’s work. The Academy will fall directly under the school superintendent’s oversight.

June 14, 2019 †

19

Anchor expiration date EXAMPLE New mailing labels (right) are now included on all Anchor publications. Below is a sample of the label that designates when the subscription expires, allowing readers to renew to keep their subscriptions current. If no payment is received within 30 days of the expiration date, your name will be deleted from the mailing list. Please renew before it expires to avoid an interruption in your subscription service. NOTE: We cannot accept credit card payments by phone.

Subscriber name Subscriber Street Address Subscriber City/Town/Zip Code

A subscription to The Anchor would make a wonderful gift for a loved one, a friend, or yourself. It’s a publication that provides a Spiritual uplift and keeps Catholics connected to our Church — locally and beyond.

One-year subscription — $25 Two-year subscription — $45 Name: _____________________________________________ Address: ___________________________________________ City: ____________________ State: _____ Zip: ___________ if given as a gift, the card should read: From: _____________________________________________ Street: ____________________________________________ City-State: _________________________________________ Enclose check or money order and mail to: The Anchor, 887 Highland Avenue, Fall River, MA 02720

20

† June 14, 2019