AT DEDICATION of addition to Harold K. Hudner Oncology Center, from left, Bishop Daniel A. Cronin, attended by, from left, Rev. John R. FoIster; pastor of St. Anne's parish; Msgr. John J. Oliveira, diocesan chancelIpr; and Rev. David M. Andrade, hospital chaplain, blesses new equipment:
Atty. Hudner kindles eternal flame, a symbol of hope and healing, that will burn at the center's entrance; bishop with Dr. Peter J. Deckers, keynote speaker for the event. (Gaudette photos)
St. Ann'e's Hospital dedicates addition to Hudner Oncology Center By. Marcie Hickey Inclement weather did not 'dampen the spirits of the staff, patients, and friends of St. Anne's Hospital in Fall River as they gathered on June 7 "In Celebration of Life" to dedicate a new addition to the Harold K. Hudner Oncology Center. Since its opening in 1985, the facility has been !l comprehensive regional cancer center, providing radiation, surgery and chemotherapy treatments to patients wlio once would have had to travel to Boston or Providence for care. With its addition, the center now houses two linear accelerators, which emit X~rays that painlessly destroy cancer cells at onethird to one-halfthe cost of surgery. In 1988 alone, St. Anne's administered 12,000 radiation treatments and the addition of the new, more ~ophisticated linear accelerator will enable the facility to accommodate approximately 80 patients per day - an increase of 50 percent - and will decrease waiting time for treatment. Added space in waiting and examining rooms also contributes to the increased capacity. Preceding the blessing and dedication ceremonies was a Mass at neighboring St. Anne's Church celebrated by Bishop Daniel A.. Cronin. Readers were hospital staff members Richard Hellwig, M.D.; Sr. Mary Margaret Mello, O.P.; Simon Kim, M.D.; and Eileen Antonelli, R.N. Music was directed by Madeleine Grace with Normand Gingras as organist, Elaine Nadeau as cantor and Tobias Monte on trumpet. Choristers were from area parishes. In his homily, Bishop Cronin commended the hospital staff and physicians for their integration of modern medicine and science with concern for the emotional and spiritual well-being of patients. He described cancer patients as people "chosen to be saints" and asked to suffer, causing both themselves and those who love them to wonder why. At St. Anne's, the Dominican Sisters of the Presentation who direct the hospital have established an atmosphere for answering that question, said the bishop, pointing out that the answer must lie in faith, and that the suffering of cancer should be viewed in relation to the suffering of Christ. Health care providers, the bishop continued, become part ofthe saving ministry.of Christ in comfOl;t-
ing, giving solace and alleviating physicians in the nation, he mainpain. In them "the patient can see tains his keen interest in St. Anne's. Dr. Deckers discussed the imreflected the care of Jesus Christ." portance of St.· Anne's to area and Bishop Cronin encouraged the health care workers to continue. Christian-oriented health care in improving their ability to provide general. The newly enlarged center, he the best care for the sick. What distinguishes St. Anne's aposto- said, is competitive with any onlate, he concluded, is that "what cology unit in the country and is to be commended for its focus on the we are doing, we are doing in the individual patient. He explained name of Jesus Christ." Following Mass and blessing of that with expanding technology the center addition by the bishop, and growing medical specializathe dedication speaking program tion, cancer treatment is necessartook place in a nearby tent. The' ily multidisciplinary. An unfortukeynote speaker, addressing the nate result is often that an inCelebration of Life theme, was dividual patient may feel subPeter J. Deckers, M.D., surgery merged in a sea of specialists. What makes St. Anne's center department head at the University of Connecticut School of Medi- special, Dr. Deckers said, is that one physician becomes the patient's cine and chairman of the Hartford advocate, coordinating treatments Hospital department of surgery. and dealing with him or her reguDr. Deckers recalled his gratilarly. At the same time, educatude, as the father of three and a tional, emotional and spiritual $400-a-month medical resident, at assistance is provided by nurses, being invited to.work on-Saturday dietitians, social workers, support nights at St. Anne's emergency groups and pastoral ministers as room and he noted the influence well as by physicians. the hospital sisters have had upon In conclusion, Dr. Deckers his life. pointed out that there is a long In the 1970s he was among the way to go before cancer is conoriginal consulting physicians at the oncology center. Today, rec- quered. ~·lt is my very strong hope ognized as one of the top cancer that you won't rest on your lau-
rels," he said. "Build on,what you have." Bishop Cronin spoke briefly at the tent ceremonies, followed by Sister Joanna Fernandes, O.P., provincial superior of the Dominican Sisters, who said it was the community's hope to continue striving "to make visible to each other the invisible God." Mary Ann Rose, M.D., the center's chief of radiation medicine, presented three former patients, Katarina, Cassie and Ricky. Katarina, she said, came to the center in 1980, pregnant with her first child and newly diagnosed with cancer. "This year the child was 9," said Dr. Rose. Cassie, aided by the center's support group some years ago, has remained one Of its mainstays. Ricky, treated in 1984 for a tumor pressing on his windpipe,
"was one of the bachelors at the hospital's bachelor auction a while back," reported Dr. Rose. Other speakers were Fall River Mayor CarltonM. Viveiros; Richard Hellwig, M,D.; and Alan D. Knight, hospital president. Music was provi'ded by the Grace Gospel Music Ministry and harpist Rev. John Evans. The dedication ceremony was followed by a reception and tours of the oncology center. An "eternal flame" has been placed at its entrance to symbolize the hope it offers. A special guest of honor at the dedication was Atty. Harold K. Hudner, at 87 the senior member of St. Anne's board of directors.. Asked how he felt about the latest addition to "his" center, he beamed and said "I'm speechless." But his smile said it all.
Holy Cross jubile~s mark.ed Two Holy Cross Fathers of the Eastern province observed golden anniversaries of priestly ordination earlier this "month at a Mass at Holy Cross Church, South Easton, followed by a banquet. They are Father Denis Sughrue of North Easton and Father Jerome Lawyer of Our Lady of Good Counsel parish, Brooklyn, N.Y. Father Sughrue, born Feb. 3, 1908, in Cllmbridge, entered the Holy Cross community in. 1932. He has been director of the Holy Cross Brothers Postulate in North Dartmouth and chaplain for brothers at high schools in Cleveland and in Rochester, N.Y. He was founder and first principal of Father Baker High School, Lackawanna, N. Y. and is a former provincial councilor. He has worked with Father Patrick Peyton, CSC, of the Family Rosary <;:rusade, both in Albany, N.Y., and in Madrid, Spain. He was a Holy Cross Mission ·Band m~mber for five years and served in parishes in Sandwich, Cohasset and Milton. In retirement, he· re·sides at the Holy Cross Residence in North Easton.
Father Lawler, a native of Dayton, 0., was a prisoner of war in the Philippines during World War II when he was captured en route to a mission assignment in Pakistan. He worked in the Family Rosary Crusade, held administrative offices in the Holy Cross community and has received many awards for work with blacks and Hispanics in the South Bronx.
Pope to Indonesia v ATICAN CITY (NC) - Pope John Paul II, saying he will visit Indonesia this fall, praised the country's "extraordinary increase" in vocations. Speaking to Indonesian bishops, he also discussed inclu~ing Catholic schools, Moslem-Catholic relations and missionaryactivity.
~orrection Msgr. Henry T. Munroe was incorrectly identified as a domestic prelate in last week's issue of The Anchor. He is a prelate of honor, named as such June 30, 1974, by Pope Paul VI. The Anchor regrets the error.
FATHER, FATHER,. FATHER: Father's Day is meaningful for this trio; pictured in front of Sacred Heart Church, Los Angeles. Father Tobias Romero, center, is the father of Fathers Gilbert Romero, left, and Juan Romero, right. Father Tobias, formerly a systems analyst for the CBS television network, entered the seminary in 1971, after the death of his wife. (CNS News)