06.19.09

The Anchor Diocese of Fall River

F riday , June 19, 2009

Bishop ordains two new diocesan priests

By Kenneth J. Souza Anchor Staff

PROPERLY FOCUSED — At his recent baptism at St. Joan of Arc Church in Orleans, little Gerrit Kenneth Savage listened intently to the Word of God read by his great uncle, Deacon John W. Foley. Fathers across the diocese and the country will celebrate the wonderful gift of fatherhood this Sunday on Father’s Day. (Photo

by Barbara-Anne Foley)

FALL RIVER — Noting they were about to be “called into service of the people of God,” Bishop George W. Coleman ordained Transitional Deacons David C. Deston Jr. and Peter J. Fournier during a Mass at St. Mary’s Cathedral June 13.

Surrounded by 60 diocesan priests eager to welcome their new brothers, Bishop Coleman expressed joy in ordaining Father

Deston and Father Fournier as the Church prepares to celebrate the Year for Priests.

“During the upcoming Year for Priests, it is my hope that we will seek the heart of Jesus and implore him to form our hearts in accord with his,” Bishop Coleman said during his homily. “St. John Vianney, the patron of parish priests, was certainly a good shepherd to his people. His life was nurtured by prayer, which draws everything into the love by

which we are loved in Christ.”

Father Deston, 32, a native of Fall River, said he was excited his first year of ministry would coincide with the Year for Priests and expressed joy and relief after the ordination ceremony.

“It was a bit overwhelming at first,” Father Deston said. “I was pretty nervous at the beginning … the whole thing was just very moving. It was nice that my family could be there. I’ve known Turn to page 18

For some, Father’s Day can be a painful time

B y Dave Jolivet, Editor

NORTH DARTMOUTH — Nearly any dad can tell you that being a father is a roller coaster ride of emotions. The joys are there: that first step; hearing “dada” for the first time; the bed-time stories; the hugs; the “thanks dad”; embarrassing your child in front of his or her friends; the ball games; the father-daughter dances; and on and on.

The pains are there as well: the high-grade temperature in the middle of the night; the broken arm; the fear of the dark; that first “D” on a test; losing the big game; a lost first

love; and on and on.

Yet that’s what makes being a father one of the greatest gifts from above — and on Father’s Day, it’s a great time to remember all the good and the bad in the equation that sums up being a daddy.

But there are some fathers for whom the joys never happened. There are some fathers for whom memories are something to repress and deny.

There are some fathers for whom Father’s Day evokes anger and resentment. These are the fathers of aborted children.

Their stories are so much difTurn to page 14

FRUITS OF THEIR LABOR —Fathers Peter J. Fournier and David C. Deston Jr. during the June 13 ordination Mass at St. Mary’s Cathedral. (Photo by Kenneth J. Souza)

Year for Priests: Prayers are not enough; clergy need love, support

By Cindy Wooden Catholic News Service

VATICAN CITY — Each and every one of the world’s 408,000 priests should feel loved, respected, valued and supported in his vocation to bring the Gospel to an increasingly secular — but still open — world, said Cardinal Claudio Hummes.

The Brazilian cardinal, prefect of the Congregation for the Clergy, said the 2009-2010 Year for Priests, which begins today, must recognize the new challenges and possibilities Catholic priests face.

Pope Benedict XVI called for the special year to coincide with the 150th anniversary of the death of St. John Vianney, who was famed for his priestly ministry.

The aim, however, is not to organize a historical commemoration, but to look realistically at the world in which priests live and work and to recognize that the horrible abuse perpetrated by some priests has harmed the reputation of all priests, Cardi-

nal Hummes said.

“Many priests in the world have been wounded by what has happened in recent times — pedophilia and other crimes that the media has publicized and that are true and extremely serious, especially pedophilia in which the victims are minors whose lives often are damaged forever,” Cardinal Hummes recently told Catholic News Service.

“These are terrible crimes that must be judged and punished,” he said.

But justice also requires people to recognize that the vast majority of the world’s priests have never been involved in any kind of abuse, and instead give their lives to Jesus and to serving the Church and humanity, he said.

“We must say to priests that we are proud of them and that we recognize they are a group that is very special for the Church and society,” the cardinal said. “We must recognize who they are and Turn to page 19

News From the Vatican

2

June 19, 2009

Vatican paper highlights agreement with U.S. bishops on Pro-Life issues B y J ohn T havis C atholic N ews S ervice

VATICAN CITY — The Vatican newspaper has again emphasized that when it comes to the Obama administration and Pro-Life issues, the Vatican and the U.S. bishops are in full agreement and that no compromise is possible on the right to life.

The newspaper, L’Osservatore Romano, said it was a mistake to view its press coverage of Obama — which has been positive on many issues — as evidence that the Vatican is following a “different strategy” than the U.S. bishops in dealing with the new administration.

The comments came in the newspaper’s June 5 edition, in an article criticizing the Obama administration’s restoration of federal funding for embryonic stem-cell research.

The newspaper appeared to be defending itself against accusations by some U.S. Catholic commentators that its editorial line was too soft on Obama.

In one of the latest critiques, Michael Novak, director of social and political studies at the American Enterprise Institute, wrote in National Review Online May 26 that L’Osservatore had “published glowing, starstruck, teen-age praise of President Barack Obama” and “seems not to grasp the fundamental realities of abortion politics in America.”

The Vatican newspaper said it wanted to underline that “in reporting on recent statements and initiatives of the president of the United States, L’Osservatore Romano has certainly not intended to express appreciation for his positions on questions of ethical importance.”

“Obviously the Holy See and L’Osservatore Romano have been, are and will be fully at the side of the U.S. bishops

The Anchor

in their commitment in favor of the inviolability of human life in whatever stage of its existence,” it said.

The commentary said it would be wrong to interpret the newspaper’s articles as a sign that it viewed the U.S. bishops’ anti-abortion campaign as an exercise in partisan politics. Nor was the Vatican following a “different strategy” than that used by U.S. bishops when it came to the inherent evil of abortion, it said.

The newspaper said Obama has shown himself to be open to dialogue and that U.S. bishops have welcomed this possibility in a positive manner. But in doing so, it said, “they have reaffirmed, and quite rightly, that in dialogue no compromise is ever possible on the fundamental question of the right to life.”

In May, a similar statement came from L’Osservatore editor Giovanni Maria Vian, who said: “It should be understood that L’Osservatore shares the same position as the American bishops who consider abortion a disaster. It is always a necessary and decisive task, in fact, to promote a culture of life at every level.”

At the same time, Vian has said that, despite obvious differences with the new administration on Pro-Life issues, he does not consider Obama a “pro-abortion president,” and his newspaper has emphasized Obama’s declared commitment to reducing the number of abortions.

The latest statement from L’Osservatore came at the end of an article that ran on an inside page. The same day, the newspaper published a frontpage article giving good marks to Obama’s speech to the Arab world in Cairo.

Pope Benedict XVI and the president are expected to meet in July.

OFFICIAL NEWSPAPER OF THE DIOCESE OF FALL RIVER Vol. 53, No. 24

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FATHERLY TOUCH — Pope Benedict XVI kisses a baby during a recent weekly general audience in St. Peter’s Square at the Vatican. (CNS photo/Tony Gentile, Reuters)

Understanding Bible requires faith, intelligence, pope says

VATICAN CITY (CNS) — Discovering the truth contained in the Bible about God and about each human person requires attentive reading and scholarship as well as a constant willingness to change one’s life, Pope Benedict XVI said.

“God gave us the Scriptures to teach us,” the pope said June 10 at his weekly general audience in St. Peter’s Square.

Reviewing the teaching of John Scotus Erigena, a ninth-century Irish theologian and philosopher, Pope Benedict said Erigena insisted on the fact that the only way to understand the Bible fully was with an approach that relied on intelligence and prayer at the same time and that the final result was not understanding, but contemplation.

An expert on the writings of the early Christian theologians of the East, Erigena said the purpose of the Bible is to help the human person “remember that which was im-

pressed on his heart at the moment he was created in the image and likeness of God,” an understanding of God later clouded over by original sin, the pope said.

“The words of the holy Scriptures purify our reason, which is somewhat blind, and help us remember that which we bear in our hearts as images of God,” Pope Benedict said.

For Erigena, the pope said, a Christian has “the obligation to continue to seek the truth until one reaches an experience of silent adoration of God.” The theologian taught that to know God people cannot start with their own ideas or intuitions, but must begin “with what God has said about himself in the holy Scriptures,” Pope Benedict said.

“Because God speaks only the truth,” Erigena “was convinced that authority and reason can never be in opposition and he was convinced

that true religion and true philosophy coincide,” the pope said.

“This led him to draw certain consequences for interpreting the Scriptures, consequences that still today can indicate the correct path for reading the holy Scriptures,” the pope said.

“This exercise consists in cultivating a constant readiness for conversion. To reach a deep understanding of the text, it is necessary to move simultaneously toward the conversion of heart and the correct conceptual analysis of the biblical passage,” the pope said.

Obviously, the closer a person comes to understanding the text and understanding God, the more one becomes aware of his or her weaknesses and limits, he said.

“The simple and sweet force of truth” pushes the studious believer to go even deeper, finally reaching the point of “adoring, silent recognition” of God, the pope said.

Relics of St. John Bosco will visit five continents

VATICAN CITY — Celebrations for the bicentennial of the birth of St. John Bosco, the founder of the Salesian order and champion of underprivileged children, are underway with a five-continent “pilgrimage” of his relics.

The crystal and aluminum urn containing a likeness of the saint and his right arm bone has been displayed in several Italian cities. On June 4, top Vatican officials honored the saint when the urn was brought to the St. Callixtus catacombs on the Appian Way in Rome.

During his lifetime, the saint, commonly known as Don Bosco, often visited the catacombs, a burial site for early Christians that dates to the second century. He was drawn by the “courage and charity” of those first followers of Jesus Christ, the radio report said. Salesians have been the custodians of the San Callixtus Catacombs since 1930.

The urn’s journey began in Turin, in northern Italy, on April 25 in a celebration of the 150th anniversary of the founding of the Salesian order. It will travel first to Chile, stop in several South American countries, Central America, the United States, Canada, Asia, Africa and back to Europe. The pilgrimage is expected to end in Turin in 2014. The bicentennial of St. John Bosco’s birth in Castelnuovo D’Asti, near Turin, will be celebrated with events in 2015.

Pope Benedict XVI has agreed, at the request of the Father Pascual Chavez Villanueva, the Salesian rector superior, to grant plenary indulgences to those who make a pilgrimage to see

and pray before the urn in various locations around the world.

The International Church

June 19, 2009

3

English nun a step closer to being declared venerable

DEVASTATING CATASTROPHE — Archbishop Jose Ulises Macias Salcedo of Hermosillo, Mexico, celebrates Mass before more than 5,000 people at a concert hall for victims of the June 5 fire at the ABC day care center in Hermosillo. The death toll from the fire rose to at least 44 children as a dozen more fought for their lives in a hospital. (CNS photo/Alonso Castillo, Reuters)

Church’s support extends around the clock to families of fire victims

MEXICO CITY (CNS) — The Catholic Church in Hermosillo, Mexico, has provided aroundthe-clock spiritual and material support to the families that lost children in a June 4 fire at a day care center that has claimed at least 44 young lives.

Hermosillo Archdiocese spokesman Father Luis Cobacame told Catholic News Service that Church staff members have been accompanying families of victims to hospitals, funeral homes and private residences.

In addition, the archdiocesan health ministry has provided medical and psychological attention to burn victims, while the archdiocesan food bank and Caritas, the international Catholic aid agency have provided the mostly poor and working-class families with groceries, household items and transportation, he said.

Priests and others from the archdiocese led more than 100 religious services June 8 in parishes and funeral homes across Hermosillo, an industrial and agricultural center of 700,000 residents located 175 miles south of the Mexico-Arizona border.

The services followed a Mass celebrated by Archbishop Jose Macias Salcedo of Hermosillo in a sports complex for 10,000 people, who Father Cobacame said have rallied to support the families of the deceased children but have been distressed by the tragedy.

“We’ve never had such a painful event in this city that we can remember,” Father Cobacame said.

“The city is in total mourning ... people are crying in the streets,” he said.

The death toll from the tragedy climbed to 44 June 8, while 20 children remained hospitalized — most with severe burns — the newspaper Reforma reported.

Thirteen injured children were moved to hospitals in other parts of Mexico and in California that specialize in burn treatment.

Local officials said the fire in the day care center, operated under contract for the Mexican Social Security Institute, started in an adjacent storage facility after a failure in its ventilation system.

The fire spread quickly and engulfed the center’s only working exit, trapping the children.

People familiar with the day care’s operation told local and national media that a second exit was locked, that the eight-yearold building was made of highly flammable materials and that fire extinguishers were not available.

Still, the center received a passing grade in its most recent inspection, which Mexican Social Security Institute director Daniel Karam said was carried out in May. Firefighters attempted to save the trapped children by hacking through the walls with picks. At least one driver resorted to ram-

Diocese of Fall River

OFFICIAL

His Excellency, the Most Reverend George W. Coleman, Bishop of Fall River, has announced the following appointments: Rev. David Craig Deston Jr., Parochial Vicar, St. Pius X Parish, South Yarmouth.

Rev. Peter John Fournier, Parochial Vicar, St. Francis Xavier Parish, Hyannis.

Effective, June 30, 2009 His Excellency, the Most Reverend George W. Coleman, Bishop of Fall River, has announced the following appointment: Rev. Ronnie Paul Floyd, Parochial Vicar, St. Patrick Parish, Wareham.

Effective, July 8, 2009

ming a concrete wall with his vehicle.

Aldo Munoz, a political science professor at the Jesuit-run University of Latin America in Mexico City, said allegations of corruption in the social security institute contracting practices have been rife. The institute provides health care and pensions for more than 50 million Mexican workers and is mainly funded through payroll taxes.

Father Cobacame expected some social unrest to follow the tragedy as sorrow turns to anger in Hermosillo.

“We know that in two or three weeks, we’re going to see a lot of outrage,” he said.

“People are going to demand justice, clear investigations,” he added. “It’s going to present a social crisis.”

LONDON (CNS) — An English religious Sister who was jailed as a heretic by the same pope who sanctioned Galileo has moved a step closer to sainthood after Vatican theologians ruled that she lived a life of heroic virtue.

Sister Mary Ward, the founder the Congregation of Jesus and the Institute of the Blessed Virgin Mary, known as the Loreto Sisters, may be declared venerable some time in 2010, the relator for her cause, Jesuit Father Peter Gumpel, told Catholic News Service in a recent interview.

The unanimous vote by a panel of theological consultors in late May also was confirmed June 4 by Sister Gemma Simmonds, an English member of the Congregation of Jesus.

“Mary Ward had a vision of what women could do in the Church and in society not only decades but centuries before anyone else saw it,” said Sister Gemma, a lecturer in theology at the University of London’s Heythrop College.

“She had a vision of the equality of men and women before God and a vision of the capacity of women to do good and to work for the kingdom of God,” she said.

Born in Ripon, England, in 1585, Sister Ward founded a religious order for women in 1609 modeled on the Jesuits.

But in 1631 when she crossed the Alps on foot to ask Pope Urban VIII for approval he instead issued a papal bull ordering her movement to be suppressed. The pope

was furious that her religious order, then known as the Institute of Mary, dared to disobey the rule that confined nuns to the cloister.

She spent a year in prison in Munich, Germany, where she was condemned by the Inquisition, and following her release ordered that the pope’s wishes to close her order be carried out. She died in York, England, in 1645.

During the 18th century English nuns persuaded the popes to lift the suppression but they would only do so on the condition that Sister Ward not be recognized as the founder of the order. In the early years of the 20th century Pope Pius X reviewed the affair, and concluded there was no case against Sister Ward and restored her as founder. Pope Pius XI opened her cause for sainthood in 1932.

“She was ferociously persecuted by the Church,” Sister Gemma said, “but she never grew bitter and she never allowed a word of bitterness or resentment against those who persecuted her to appear in her writings. Even in prison, even when they thought she was dying, she never lost that extraordinary gift of hope and trust in God.” “I want her to be canonized,” Sister Gemma added. “I want justice for her and I want the justification for what women can do in the Church.”

Father Gumpel said the Vatican’s Congregation for Saints’ Causes will review the theologians’ decision and scrutinize a 5,500-page position paper on Sister Ward’s life.

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The Church in the U.S.

4

June 19, 2009

Nuns use high-tech methods to spur vocations to religious life

By Carmen Blanco Catholic News Service

WASHINGTON — With an estimated 184 million adults using the Internet and 75 percent of 18- to 34-year-olds having a Facebook or MySpace account, the Sisters of the Society of the Holy Child Jesus are going high-tech to spread information about their order and the call to a religious vocation.

In response to the decrease in number of women answering the call to sisterhood, religious orders are using a variety of technological ways as outreach.

Three Sisters of the society each use a different method to extend their reach beyond the church door and are painting a more modern picture of what it means to be a woman religious.

For the past two years, Sister Mary Ann Buckley has been serving in Chile, ministering to migrant women. She helped expand the society’s reach in Latin America with the development of a Spanish-language Website.

The society’s site, www.shcj. org, provides information about the order’s founder, Mother Cornelia Connelly, the Sisters’ overall mission and gives information about joining the order.

Sister Mary Ann not only maintains the Spanish Website, but she shoots and uploads vid-

eo clips to the Web and provides occasional theological reflections on her blog.

Sister Mary Ann’s computer skills are largely self-taught.

“I don’t really know a lot,” she said modestly. “Just the basics. I’ve been teaching myself how to use iMovie on my Mac to edit some clips.

“It’s just a basic program though. I do use Adobe for Photoshop and I keep on saying that I’m going to learn Dreamweaver but I keep putting it off. It looks a bit hard,” she told Catholic News Service in a telephone interview.

Sister Mary Ann pointed out that Mother Cornelia had a fondness for the arts and insisted that the modes of creative expression be a part of school curriculum.

Sister Margaret Mary Bell added that the society encourages its members to use their creativity and adapt to the ways society is changing in order to understand and communicate with others.

“Although we’re small, the SHCJ is very interested in and open to using different technologies and encourages us to use our personal creativity to develop ways to spread the Gospel,” Sister Margaret Mary said.

Sister Pat Phillips recently wrapped up production on a 30-minute DVD called “Jesus Calls Women,” a film about dif-

Specializing in: Brand Name/ Foreign Auto Parts 1420 Fall River Avenue (Route 6) Seekonk, MA 02771

ferent religious orders.

Sister Pat, the executive director of Wordnet Productions Inc. in California, conducted focus groups and interviews with young adults to target a demographic of 18- to 34-yearold women. Sister Pat was introduced to Larry Jilk, a retired banker, who agreed to fund the project. One of Jilk’s hobbies is promoting religious vocations among women.

According to Church statistics the number of women religious has declined by 65 percent since 1965. Much debate surrounds the cause of the decline, with such factors as declining family size, materialism, secularism and the 1960s feminism movement cited.

All three of the Sisters interviewed by CNS attended Catholic schools and credit their exposure to the women religious teaching at their schools as helping them decide on joining the order. All agree that the scarcity of women religious in schools today may be a contributing factor to the decline in interest in religious life.

“Most of us entered the order after high school,” Sister Margaret Mary Bell told CNS. Sister Pat said, “When I was growing up, you either went on to college and got married or you joined the sisterhood. Now, women have more choices and opportunities and what we are seeing is not only a decline in the number of Sisters but that women are joining at a later age.”

She added that today’s society and culture do not really encourage religious vocations.

CARE FROM THE HEART — Brother Daniel P. Sulmasy, a Franciscan physician and ethicist spoke on the opening day of the assembly, which brought almost 800 leaders in Catholic health care to New Orleans June 7-9. (CNS photo/courtesy of CHA)

Fight secular trends, base ministry on love, health care leaders urged

NEW ORLEANS (CNS) — A Franciscan physician and ethicist warned Catholic health care leaders not to let their ministry become an entirely secular operation that sees patients as customers and leaves out the vital component of love.

Brother Daniel P. Sulmasy recounted his experiences with an unfeeling bureaucracy one evening at his own hospital, St. Vincent’s in New York. He contrasted it with the approach of a nurse at a local secular hospital whose care of patients mirrors more closely the love that saints, heroes and founders of Catholic health care brought to their work.

“Perhaps we can ask ourselves why Mother Teresa went to Calcutta,” he said. “I think we all know that it wasn’t for the outcomes.”

Brother Sulmasy spoke on the opening day of the annual assembly of the Catholic Health Association, which brought almost 800 leaders in Catholic health care to New Orleans June 7-9. A medical doctor who also holds a doctorate in philosophy, he is to become a professor of medicine and medical ethics in the divinity and medical schools of the University of Chicago July 1.

He titled his keynote talk to the CHA assembly “Gospel-Centered Health Care Is a Radical Approach in Today’s Secular World.”

“We are frequently guilty, I think, of turning the Catholicity of our hospitals into a series of moral codes,” Brother Sulmasy said. “We seem to ‘fit in’ better in a secular society when we talk about morality. More conservative institutions will boast of a code which lists the things they will not do. More liberal institutions will boast of a code of social justice. The most Catholic institutions among us will boast of both.

“But none of these codes can serve as replacements for the evernew and ever-renewing encounter with the person who is love,” he added. “That encounter must be the foundation of our health care systems and our institutions.”

Brother Sulmasy said the message about love in the 13th chapter of Paul’s First Letter to the Corinthians — “Love is patient, love is kind” — has been “turned into a bit of wedding kitsch” but offers today’s society words that are “radical, dangerous and countercultural.”

“What Paul is saying, if you can hear it, is that you may have crucifixes in every patient’s room; you may not have a single employee who would ever even think of performing an abortion; you may have excellent services for the poor and the undocumented; but if you do not have love, you are nothing,” Brother Sulmasy said. “You are zero. Zippo. Nada.”

He acknowledged that some might find his words “vague, pious, abstract and irrelevant to the work we must undertake — which is not only assuring the survival of Catholic health care, but providing for its flourishing in the 21st century.”

Brother Sulmasy said the current tough economic times are “exactly the time in which we must return to fundamentals.”

“We must return to a conception of the whole health care project as an enterprise based squarely upon love,” he added. “If we do not, whatever else we might be doing, we will not be doing Catholic health care.”

June 19, 2009

The Church in the U.S.

5

Few surprises, but some glimmers of hope in new U.S. Church statistics

By Nancy Frazier O’Brien Catholic News Service

WASHINGTON — Statistically, there are few surprises in the 2009 Official Catholic Directory.

The number of patients served in Catholic hospitals and the number of clients assisted by Catholic charitable agencies went up. Fewer baptisms, first Communions, confirmations and marriages were performed in Catholic churches last year. The number of Catholic parishes and elementary schools in the U.S. continues to decline.

But here and there, there are signs of hope in the statistical summary that is designed to present a snapshot of what the U.S. Catholic Church looked like on Jan. 1, 2009.

The totals for priests, permanent deacons and diocesan seminarians each experienced a small increase in the 2009 book. There were more students in Catholic colleges and universities; in private, Catholic-run high schools and elementary schools; and in high school religious education programs.

And at 68.1 million, an increase of nearly one million over the 2008 directory, Catholics continue to make up 22 percent of the U.S. population.

The more than 2,100-page Official Catholic Directory, also known as the Kenedy directory after its New Jersey publishers’ imprint, P.J. Kenedy and Sons, was due out June 17. Catholic News Service obtained an advance copy of the statistical summary compiled from annual reports provided by the nation’s 209 dioceses and archdioceses.

The book lists all ordained U.S. Catholic priests, parishes, missions, schools, hospitals and other institutions. It also gives statistical data on the Church by diocese and nationally. Its national figures include data from Puerto Rico, a U.S. commonwealth, and U.S. territories overseas such as the U.S. Virgin Islands, American Samoa and Guam.

The latest edition also features special reports on Catholic higher education in the U.S., the year of St. Paul celebration, a look at the sainthood process and the year in review.

The 2009 Kenedy directory shows a total U.S. Catholic population of 68,115,001, compared to 67,117,016 the year before.

But because the U.S. population rose from 305.2 million to 307.6 million during that time, the percentage of Catholics in the U.S. population was steady at 22 percent.

In a time of economic downturn, it was not surprising to see a rise of 1.2 million in the number of people assisted by Catholic charitable agencies, from just under 26 million in the 2008 directory to 27.2 million the next year.

The number of patients served in Catholic hospitals went up nearly 1.5 million, from 83.8 million last year to 85.3 million in 2009. The 562 Catholic hospitals in the 2009 tally were five more than the 557 counted in the 2008 directory, but the number of Catholic-run health care centers — including ancillary care systems, medical centers, sanatoriums and hospices — declined from 417 to 373. Another 6.7 million patients were served in those centers, according to the 2009 book, a drop of more

than half a million from the 7.3 million patients served the previous year.

In key sacramental moments, according to the directory: — There were 191,265 Church-recognized marriages in the year ending Jan. 1, 2009, more than 5,000 fewer than the year before.

— Confirmations numbered more than 622,000, down about 8,500 from the previous year.

— First Communions numbered nearly 822,000, a drop of about 1,300.

— Infant baptisms totaled more than 887,000, down by almost 16,000.

— Adult baptisms and receptions into full communion totaled more than 124,000, a decline of more than 12,000 from the previous year.

Even though 91 new parishes were opened in 2008, an increase of 34 over the year before, there was a net loss of 216 parishes because of closings or mergers, as the total decreased from 18,890 to 18,674.

The total number of priests in U.S. dioceses and religious orders was 41,489, an increase of 83 over the previous year. The increase was 89 for religious-order priests, offsetting a decrease of six for diocesan priests.

Permanent deacons went from 16,408 at the beginning of 2008 to 16,935 the next year, an increase of 527. The number of diocesan seminarians went up by 26 to 3,274, but the number studying for the religiousorder priesthood decreased by 82 to 1,699.

The number of Brothers dropped by 135 to 4,905 at the beginning of 2009, while the number of Sisters was down more than 2,300 to 60,715.

There was a mixed picture for Catholic education in the United States.

At the college level, there were 795,823 students in Catholic-run schools, up more than 1,500 from the year before. Also showing increases were the student bodies at private Catholic high schools — up more than 6,500 to 312,727 — and private elementary schools, which went up more than 1,600 to 90,501.

But the student populations at diocesanand parish-run Catholic schools continued to decline. There were 361,653 students at those high schools, a drop of nearly 13,000, while the number attending diocesan or parish elementary schools was 1,518,886, a decrease of more than 57,000.

The number of diocesan and parish elementary schools fell by nearly 500 to 5,772, while the number of private Catholic elementary schools increased by five to 361. Diocesan and parish high schools were down by 18 to 751, while private Catholic high schools increased by seven to 590.

Enrollment by public school students in high school Religious Education classes grew by more than 33,000 to more than 722,000, but the number of elementary school students attending such classes fell by more than 64,000 to under 3.1 million.

The faculty at Catholic schools was overwhelmingly made up of lay teachers, at nearly 168,000. There were 1,569 priests, 27 scholastics, 916 Brothers and 5,169 Sisters teaching in Catholic schools at the start of 2009.

TENT CITY — A man walks at dusk at Pinellas Hope tent shelter in Pinellas Park, Fla., recently. Catholic Charities of St. Petersburg established the shelter for 250 homeless adults in late 2007. Many newcomers are people hit hard by the economic crisis. (CNS photo/Carlos Barria, Reuters)

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The Anchor Year of the Priesthood

Today we begin the Year of the Priesthood on the Solemnity of the Sacred Heart of Jesus. Pope Benedict XVI called for this year back on March 16 to coincide with the 150th anniversary of the birth into eternal life of St. John Vianney, whom Pope Pius XI declared in 1929 the patron saint of parish priests and whom Pope Benedict will soon name the patron saint of all priests. St. John Vianney once famously said that the priesthood is “the love of the heart of Jesus,” and so, today, as we celebrate the love of Christ’s Sacred Heart, we are called to see in the ministerial priesthood one of its most powerful manifestations.

Although a little confusing, it’s altogether fitting that the Year of the Priesthood will overlap for 10 days with the Year of St. Paul, since St. Paul was one of the greatest priests in the history of the Church. St. Paul’s example of correspondence to grace, personal holiness and invincible apostolic zeal serve as a compelling spiritual prelude for priests and faithful as we initiate the Year of the Priesthood. The basic theme of the Pauline year has been, “Imitate me just as I imitate Christ” (1 Cor 11:1), and clerics in the year just commencing would do well to imitate the St. Paul the priest as he imitated Christ, the eternal high priest.

The Year of the Priesthood comes at an important time. While the whole Church has suffered as a result of the shame of the clergy sexual abuse scandals and the evil that caused them, good priests — after victims and their families — have probably suffered the most. For several years, these honorable men have frequently been suspected or accused of being wicked instead of holy, perverted instead of chaste, rapacious wolves rather than self-sacrificial shepherds. While this has been a time of obvious reparation for them for the sins of their brother priests and bishops and an opportunity for greater union and identification with Christ — who himself was falsely accused, mistreated, despised and even killed by those he was seeking to save — it’s not exaggeration to say that the image of the holiness of the priesthood has taken a massive hit, one that will likely take generations to repair.

The Year of the Priesthood is an opportunity for the whole Church to make strides along that path, by focusing together on the true identity of the priest, celebrating the gift and mystery of his vocation in the Church, committing to help them live up to their holy mission, and thanking them — and the Lord who called them — for all they do for God and for us. This year is by no means an attempt to divert ecclesial attention from the types of hard reforms that need to occur to prevent and remedy the sins that caused the scandals. It is, rather, an opportunity to address them at their deepest roots. Every true reform in the Church has begun with a reform of the clergy. The Year of the Priesthood is, to quote Cardinal Claudio Hummes of the Vatican’s Congregation for Clergy, a “positive and propositive” means to achieve it, by facilitating what Pope Benedict describes as the year’s purpose: “to encourage priests in their striving for the spiritual perfection on which, above all, the effectiveness of their ministry depends.” The goal of the year is to help priests become genuinely holy, and holy priests, on fire with love for God and those entrusted to their care, will be the adequate response to the culture of spiritual imperfection that made the scandals possible.

To live this year well, there are a couple of things that all Catholics are called to do.

The first is, by prayer and study, to grow in love and appreciation for the gift and mystery of the priesthood. Many Catholics today view the priest the way most of our Protestant brothers and sisters view their ministers: as professional experts in sacred Scripture and theology who are sanctioned by the community to teach and preach the faith, preside over worship services, provide counseling and other assistance to members in need, and help in the governance of Church goods. The priest, however, is so much more than a glorified functionary. He is one whose very being has been changed by God, consecrated to him by vocation and ordination, and made capable of acting in the very person of Jesus Christ. This does not make the priest better than anyone else, but it does make him different. Some in the modern world are uncomfortable with this consecration and essential differentiation, believing that if God loves us all the same he should treat us all the same.

But it is clear from the actions of Jesus in the Gospel that while God calls all of us to be perfect as our Father is perfect, he chooses some to special forms of consecrated service, leaving father and mother, wives and family, property and lands for the sake of the total dedication to the kingdom. Once the essential difference of the priest is obscured, it becomes more difficult to understand all-male priesthood, which flows, among other things, from the original differentiation of man and woman and the reality that Jesus, the bridegroom, was a male. Once one loses a sense of priestly consecration, it becomes harder to appreciate the gift of priestly celibacy for the sake of the kingdom. The first way to live this Year of the Priesthood well is to grow in understanding and appreciation of the priesthood and priestly identity, especially through the study of solid Catholic theology.

But growing in esteem for the ideal of the “priesthood” is not enough. The second thing this priestly year is meant to effectuate is an increased love and gratitude for priests in particular. The point is not to return priests to an artificial pedestal or inaugurate a yearlong series of pep rallies for priests, but, after years in which priests have suffered, to focus on loving them and saying thanks. It’s a happy occurrence that in the United States the beginning of the Year of the Priesthood coincides with Father’s Day weekend. Just as we use this day to pray for, thank, and express our love for our natural or adoptive fathers, it is also a good occasion to do the same for our supernatural fathers, those who have made us children of God through baptism, fed us with Jesus’ Body and Blood, wiped away our filth in confession, joined our hands in marriage, prepared us to meet the Lord at the end of our lives, nourished us with the Word of God, encouraged us when we’re down, and sustained us when family members have died. The Year of the Priesthood is a good time to ensure that we’re all praying for the priests they know each day; a holy card is provided on pages one and two. It’s a time to encourage priests in their work by coming with enthusiasm to receive the fruits of their labor, such as frequenting daily Mass, going to the sacrament of confession, volunteering when the priest asks and even when he doesn’t, taking responsibility for some of his pastoral initiatives, attending at adult educational opportunities, and so on. It’s a time to drop him a note to say thanks for who he is and what he does, to invite him over to have dinner with your family, and maybe even to give him constructive feedback about how he can more effectively achieve his goals. It’s a time to pray for and encourage those with the vocation to continue his priestly work.

At The Anchor, we are beginning today on page seven a year-long series of vocational reflections from priests working throughout our diocese so that all the faithful might be able to appreciate the gift of mystery of the priesthood from the inside. We will also regularly be sharing news of various resources prepared for by the Vatican, the U.S. Bishops’ Conference and other means.

May this year of grace we begin today renew our priests in holiness so that, through them, the love of the Sacred Heart of Jesus may renew us all.

June 19, 2009

Heroic paternity

A few weeks ago, I was interviewed for a When their desires clash against the teachings story on fatherhood by the National Catholic of Christ proclaimed by the Church, many, like Register. The reporter noted that Father’s Day Henry, simply dismiss the Church’s authority, this year occurs the day before the Church cel- establish their own will as the supreme religious ebrates the joint memorial of Saints Thomas arbiter, and behave as if the Church’s teaching More and John Fisher and wondered what all rather than personal behavior is the problem. fathers — both biological and adoptive dads When others, like us, are confronted by such imas well as priestly spiritual dads — might learn moral actions in our leaders, family members, or from these two great martyrs of 16th-century friends, many of us respond like the vast majorEngland. ity of 16th-century English Catholic citizens did, As we prepare to honor our fathers on Sun- consenting to such behavior not only by our siday and these two heroes of the faith on Monday, lence but on many occasions outright encourageI almost can’t help thinking to the conversation I ment and support. had with the reporter about the juxtaposition of For these reasons, the human and paternal exboth celebrations and how these saints — one a ample of Saints Thomas More and John Fisher layman, another a bishop — teach, with the in- is all the more relevant today. Thomas taught his delible ink of their blood, unforgettable lessons son and three daughters, by both word and acto dads and all of us today. tion, that we’re always called to be God’s good Sir Thomas was a true Renaissance man, a servant first. He was the model of fatherly affecbrilliant barrister, member of parliament, intel- tion, but, by refusing to take false oaths when it lectual luminary, defender of the faith, noted might cost their children their father, he showed author, and father of four who was eventually that he loved God even more than he loved them. appointed by King Henry as chancellor of the He taught them about trust in God’s providence, realm. John Fisher was a precocious Cambridge about integrity and fidelity to the truth, and about alumnus who was ordained a priest at 22 and by the all-surpassing value of the good of their soul talent and integrity quickly rose to become that should never be sacrificed to the capricious chaplain to the king’s mother, England’s political correctness of the age. These are lessons most celebrated not just for life, preacher, chanbut for eternal cellor of Camlife. bridge and bishBy his personop of Rochester al behavior, moreat 35, and later over, he illustrates an intrepid Carhow a man should dinal-in-chains. bridle eros rather

By Father They were than be dominatRoger J. Landry united not only ed by it. He loved as friends in life his children so but as martyrs in much that, after death for the truth about the sacrament of mar- his beloved first wife Jane Colt died leaving him riage during the reign of King Henry VIII of to care for their four young kids, he, for their England. sake, married Alice Middleton, an older and King Henry, upset that his wife Catherine physically unattractive widow, whom he knew of Aragon had not yet borne him a male heir, would be a good mother to them. Because of his unsuccessfully petitioned the pope to have his position in the realm as well as his charm, he easmarriage declared null and void so that he could ily could have had his pick of a beautiful second marry Anne Boleyn. There isn’t the time in this wife, but he cared more about the good of his article to go through all of the intrigues sur- children than about the gratification of his eyes rounding King Henry, but he was a man who and flesh. While he and Alice will never be conwas dominated by his libido and governed ac- fused with Romeo and Juliet, he sought to love cording to those unbridled passions. When he her with a loyalty and kindness that transcended didn’t get what he wanted in marriage, he just bodily attraction. He is a model of behavior for took on more mistresses and married again. In all fathers — and for those husbands for whom fact, he wedded six times, divorcing two wives romantic attraction has grown cold. and beheading two others, including Anne.

St. John Fisher is likewise a model of courWhen he didn’t get his way with the pope, he age in the defense of the truth for the good of his just did what he wanted anyway, declared him- family of faith. Even before his glorious end, he self the supreme head of the Church in England. had fought vigorously against the rampant eccleWhen justly criticized for doing so, he elimi- siastical and clerical immorality of his day and nated the opposition by forcing his subjects to fiercely and brilliantly safeguarded the truth of swear oaths supporting his religious authority, the faith against Lutheran attacks. Like any good declaring valid his invalid marriage to Anne, and father, and like the Good Shepherd before him, affirming that his heir to be not what blood and he was willing to die for God and his family. law determined but what he himself determined. His apostolic courage stands in sharp contrast These were oaths that neither More or Fisher in to the pusillanimous cowardice of the rest of the conscience could make; both were imprisoned bishops and most of the priests of England, who for their refusal and ultimately martyred for it capitulated to the king’s will even when it meant through trumped-up charges. betraying God and the faith.

It’s hard not to see in King Henry VIII’s As we begin the Year of the Priesthood, his behavior one of the most notorious instantia- example reminds us that today’s spiritual fations of several of the vices that plague men, the thers need that courage — and not just to remain Church and the world today. Henry was ruled by strong in faith in the context of secular powers lust and his desire for the gratification of his de- seeking every greater adhesion to principles and sires led him not merely to rampant adultery and contrary to the faith on the dignity of human life, serial divorce-and-remarriage, but even to harm the institution of marriage, the inviolable digand kill those he previously claimed he loved. nity of conscience and so much more. They also When the Church got in his way of the fulfill- need it within the Church boldly to be faithful ment of his lower desires, he established himself to Christ, to his earthly vicar, and to the deposit as a supreme religious tribunal and forced oth- of faith in certain ecclesiastical circles where a ers to acknowledge it; sadly, the vast majority majority might think it’s “prudent” not to rock of the Catholic citizens of the day and most of the boat by tackling issues of faith and morality the priests and bishops scandalously did. When that go against the spirit of the world, or by seekgreat and respected men like More and Fisher ing to name and eliminate common abuses in refused to play along because they would not teaching, liturgy, and priestly morality. St. John compromise on the truth to satisfy the king’s Fisher shows us that sometimes a faithful priest whims, he pressured them, imprisoned them, or bishop reluctantly may need to act alone and and had them beheaded. has to have the courage to do so.

There are echoes of his behavior in the way As we approach their feast day, we ask them many in our culture approach marriage today. to intercede for all fathers, natural and supernatuDespite solemn vowed commitments of fidel- ral, in the midst of a culture that so much needs ity and indissolubility, many, like Henry, read- the witness of lovingly heroic paternity. ily break them as soon as someone to whom the Father Landry is pastor of St. Anthony’s person is more sexually attracted comes along. Parish in New Bedford.

Putting Into the Deep

June 19, 2009

The source and summit of priestly life

with all of his children — “I “Amazing grace, that saved love you. I am committed to and set me free.” y entire life and call to you. I promise that I will never the priesthood is a story of “amazing grace.” In the unfolding Year of the Priesthood of God’s plan for my Vocational Reflection life, I did not always have clarity of vision and full understandBy Father ing of what God was George E. Harrison doing at a particular moment in time, but as forsake you. You are mine and I I look back on the road I have am yours. I am your Father and travelled, I see clearly that the you are my child” — has been Covenant God has entered into

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realized in my life.

I was born into an Irish Catholic home that was a genuine school of faith and prayer. In addition to my family, the dedicated and holy priests of my parish had a profound influence on my spiritual life and vocation to the priesthood. I began my Catholic education at Msgr. James Coyle High School in Taunton, which surely was an act of Providence and a significant step in the di-

Catholic schools: A parent’s best friend

hen a child is baptized, structure itself is under atthe parents are told: tack. In the meantime, in many “You are the first teachers of school districts, test scores are your children in the ways of slipping. Because of expensive faith. May you also be the best and ineffective public schools, of teachers, bearing witness to our nation already finds it difthe faith by what you say and ficult to compete in a global do.” economy.

Easier said than done.

I lament this not only beParents today face enormous cause I love my country but challenges and responsibilities also because many Catholic in forming their children after young people attend public mind and heart of Christ. Many schools. Sometimes I speak cultural forces are arrayed with parents who are distraught against them. Parents themover what their children are beselves may not have been prop- ing taught and the overall lack erly formed in the faith and many do not consistently practice their The Value of faith. Powerful voices in the culture try to tell Catholic Schools us that religious faith is not only outmoded but

By Bishop dangerous. Technology William E. Lori is a wonderful tool but what a challenge it is for parents to keep their children safe in the expanding of respect for human values that world of cyberspace. The news prevails even in public schools and entertainment industries of- with all the bells and whistles. ten undermine authentic human It is in everyone’s interest that and Christian values. Even our our public schools be reformed laws and government programs, and that they succeed. which are supposed to enshrine In the meantime, our Cathoand protect our values of this lic schools remain the best great land, sometimes part ways friend parents could have with the ideals upon which our in fulfilling their role as the country was founded. first and best teachers of their Let me give you an example. children. Let’s begin with the Until recently, the Connecticut obvious. Catholic schools are State Government sponsored academically successful. At a Website which promotes soKolbe Cathedral High School called sexual diversity. It was in inner-city Bridgeport, 100 aimed at young people and their percent of the 2009 graduating teachers. Termed a “resource,” class will go on to college. Last it did not hesitate to identify year, the Diocese of Bridgeport which religions are “friendly” had 14 blue-ribbon eligible to inappropriate sexual behavschools — that is to say — the ior and those which are not.

U.S. Department of Education This website did not hesitate recognized that their test scores to include an attack on Pope are in the top 10 percent of all Benedict XVI and to misinterschools, private and public. pret biblical passages so as to One of our schools won the justify immoral behavior. All blue ribbon and we’re expectthis is at taxpayer expense. ing more of the same this year.

Taxpayer dollars fund a lot We’re automating our libraries, of other things that are harmimproving science labs, using ful to our young people. Many smart boards, and laptops on of the textbooks used in public carts. We are mapping curschools inject political agendas ricula, providing principals into history and teach science with leadership training, and with scarcely any ethical limits. ensuring that our teachers are The “rightness” of abortion certified. Our test scores speak and premarital sex is taken for for themselves. Academically granted. And now the family we’re second to none.

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The Anchor

Even more importantly, the faith is taught — systematically and lovingly — five days a week. This goes on not only in religion class but is also integrated throughout other subjects.

Thus the student acquires a Christian world view. Young people have the opportunity to attend Mass, to receive the sacrament of reconciliation, and to develop their relationship with God. Catholic schools give young people the opportunity to serve the needs of others, especially the poor. Parents are invited and encouraged to take part in the formation of their children. Parents who do so with an open mind and heart will have their own faith revitalized. Our schools don’t proselytize but they do evangelize. And opening one’s heart and mind to Christ and the Gospel is the best thing that can happen to any of us.

All this creates a learning atmosphere that is marked by respect. Walk into any Catholic school. They are places of learning, teamwork, and joy.

Recently I took the mayor of Bridgeport on a tour of our inner city schools. He was amazed at what he saw: kids who treat their teachers and peers with respect; schools that are clean and cared for by the whole school community; students with social skills; teachers who love their jobs.

Catholic schools are not a panacea but I’d submit that they are parents’ best friend. They require parents to re-prioritize, to make financial sacrifices, to become involved. They require students to step up to the plate — spiritually, academically, socially. Catholic schools are not besieged by the prevailing culture but rather help provide both parents and their children the resources to transform our culture from the inside out.

Above all, they put parents and students in touch with the one who has loved us with an everlasting love.

Bishop Lori is bishop of the Diocese of Bridgeport, Conn.

rection of my priestly vocation.

Providentially, my experience with horses opened the door to a summer job at Cathedral Camp, a diocesan camp staffed by seminarians.

I remember clearly that one day, while I was teaching the campers how to ride horses, one of the seminarians asked me, “Have you ever thought about becoming a priest?” At the time, my plan was to become a veterinarian. From that time on, with the encouragement of my high school chaplain, I began a period of discernment that would lead to my entering the seminary after graduating from high school.

The summer before entering the seminary, I received the gift of a rosary and a prayer card with a quotation from St. Jean Marie Vianney, which read, “Only in heaven will you know what a priest is; if you were to know this on earth, you would die, not of grief, but of love.” At the time, I did not fully comprehend the meaning of these words, but now they make me tremble.

I was ordained a priest on May 18, 1968 by Bishop James L. Connolly. My ordination invitation read: “It is the Lord who sends me to you, my brothers” (I Cor. 2:1-5). At the beginning of my priestly life and ministry, it was very clear to me that I was a priest because the Lord had chosen me. I am not worthy, I am not the best possible choice, but nonetheless, I am chosen. Like St. Jean Vianney, I realized that the mission given to me was completely beyond my ability.

During the initial years of my priestly life and ministry, there was much excitement in the wake of the Second Vatican Council. With the changing times there were endless meetings and programs. Soon the structured prayer life, established during my seminary formation and essential for a healthy spiritual life, gave way to endless activity. I did not realize at the time that I had begun to put the work of the Lord before the Lord of the work. In retrospect, it was not a spiritually fruitful time in my life, at least not the kind of fruit that would remain. Obviously, this is the reason that the spirit of this world continually attempts to lead us away from prayer and contemplation.

I was at a crossroads in my young priestly life. I grew to realize more fully that if my priestly ministry were to bear abundant fruit, it would come

from Jesus working through me.

I made a decision to spend one hour every day with our Lord in the Blessed Sacrament.

I continue this practice to the present day and I am grateful that the primacy of prayer in my life has been the source of innumerable graces and blessings.

I now realize why St. Jean Vianney, the patron of parish priests, taught that prayer was the most, not the least, a priest could do for his people. He knew that the fruitfulness of his priestly ministry lay not in clever preaching, creative ideas and programs, but first of all in offering himself daily in love as an oblation for his people. The transformation of his parish in Ars, France, teaches us that effective renewal in our parishes is built upon the priest’s inner life with Christ.

Fifteen years after my ordination, the bishop called to tell me he was sending me back to Cathedral Camp as director and to explore the possibility of establishing a new parish community in East Freetown.

Five years later, after the Lord had built a beautiful, faith-filled parish community under the patronage of St. John Neumann, I was standing next to the bishop as he consecrated the altar of a beautiful new church and eucharistic chapel in the middle of the horse field where I had been asked by a seminarian 25 years earlier, “Have you ever thought of becoming a priest?”

Surely, divine Providence was at work.

Today, I count it to be one of my greatest blessings to have established eucharistic adoration chapels in each of my three pastorates. I continue to be inspired as I witness the young and the old, some troubled and afflicted, others anxious and worried, entering into the real presence of the Lord to adore and to seek solace and comfort from the one who spoke to the raging wind and sea, “Be still! And there was great calm” (Mt. 4:39).

Upon reflection, the greatest lesson I have learned during the past 41 years of priestly life and ministry, is that when the eucharistic presence of Jesus is placed at the center of parish life and devotion to Our Lady is fostered, everything else falls into place. This is my true experience.

“Through many dangers, toils and snares, I have already come. ’Twas grace that brought me safe thus far, and grace will lead me home.”

Father Harrison is pastor of Holy Name Parish in Fall River.

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he long and joyful Easter season has come to an end, and now we begin again the numbered Sundays known as Ordinary Time.

Right away, however, we encounter how extraordinary the Lord is in the first reading from Job and in the Gospel.

We are being taught to have faith in God always, and how that faith will overcome our fears.

When we consider the calming of the storm from today’s Gospel, we can understand it better from an Old Testament perspective.

In ancient times, the sea was believed to be where evil forces resided. In the reading from the Book of Job, we are taught that God has control over these elements.

The Old Testament reading reveals to us the power of God’s word and helps us

The Anchor

June 19, 2009

Faith conquers fear

to understand and appreciate St. Mark’s Gospel teaches the basic teaching of today’s us that the word of Jesus, Gospel about Jesus. “Who precisely because it is God’s shut in the sea with doors word, has this power. when it burst forth from the Yet St. Mark portrays the womb; when I made clouds disciples of Jesus, despite its garment, and thick darkJesus’ many confirmations of ness its swaddling band, and his divinity through miracuprescribed bounds for it, and lous signs, as continuously set bars and doors, and said, ‘Thus far shall you come, and no Homily of the Week farther, and here shall Twelfth Sunday your proud waves be in Ordinary Time stayed?’”

Psalm 107 shows

By Deacon this same power of Edward Hussey God’s word over the seas: “He spoke and roused a storm wind — it missing the point of who tossed the waves on high. In Jesus really is. They have to their distress they cried to learn the same lessons over the Lord, who brought them and over again. Unfortunately, out of their peril, hushed at this point, the disciples do the storm to a murmur; the not have an adequate faith in waves of the sea were stilled Christ. Their lack of under(107:25,28-29). standing is a theme in St.

Mark’s Gospel. Today Jesus rebukes them sternly when he says, “Why are you terrified?”

Do you not yet have faith?”

(4:41) But it is through their fear that they will be gradually led to a proper faith in Jesus, since for them it will prove true that “the fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom” (Ps 111:10).

We also must be led to a proper faith in Jesus as our faith grows and allows us to put our fears aside.

The world can be a scary place, and there are moments when our fears can immobilize us. When we are in such a state, such as the disciples were in, it is not uncommon to think that God has abandoned us. We see in today’s Gospel, however, that God never abandons us

no matter how much we may think he’s absent.

It is like the familiar story “Footsteps.” It may occasionally seem that we are walking with God, yet when we are most afraid, most in pain, most confused, we observe only one set of tracks in the sand. Those are the times, as the story tell us, when the tracks are God’s and we are being carried.

This is not to suggest that we shouldn’t be afraid, but that it is precisely in times of fear when we must hold onto our conviction that God is with us and that God is for us. St. Mark is reassuring us that Jesus, the Son of God who calmed the storm, is always with us.

Deacon Hussey serves at St. Patrick Parish in Somerset. He and his wife Dorothy are the parents of two sons, Eric and Aaron.

Upcoming Daily Readings: Sat. June 20, 2 cor 12:1-10; Ps 34:8-13; Lk 2:41-51. Sun. June 21, Twelfth Sunday in Ordinary Time, Jb 38:1,8-11; Ps 107:23-26,28-31; 2 Cor 5:14-17; Mk 4:35-41. Mon. June 22, Gn 12:1-9; Ps 33:12-13,18-20,22; Mt 7:1-5. Tues. June 23, Gn 13:2,5-18; Ps 15:2-5; Mt 7:6,12-14. Wed. June 24, The Nativity of John the Baptist, Is 49:1-6; Ps 139:1-3,13-15; Acts 13:22-26; Lk 1:57-66,80. Thu. June 25, Gn 16:1-12,15-16 or 16:6b-12,15-16; Ps 106:1-5; Mt 7:21-29. Fri. June 26, Gn 17:1,9-10, 15-22; Ps 128:1-5; Mt 8:1-4.

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hen Samuel Alito was nominated to the Supreme Court by President Bush in 2005, there was a great and frequently uncivil hoo-rah to the effect that Alito would give the Supremes a “Catholic majority.” In this case, “Catholic” was code for “anti-Roe v. Wade”— and if you doubt that, consider that there was precious little noise out of the folks who fretted about Alito and the Catholic “majority” when President Obama nominated Judge Sonia Sotomayor, of Puerto Rican and Catholic ancestry, to fill the slot on the Court being vacated by Justice David Souter.

From what little was disclosed about Judge Sotomayor’s religious convictions and practice immediately after her

Judging justices, Catholic and otherwise nomination, it seems fair to say, were inevitable. No one denied at a minimum, that she’s not the latter; the problem was that been particularly ardent in the the communist judges always practice of the faith. But that’s seemed to give higher marks to entirely beside the point when athletes from their own counconsidering what her accestries. Everyone knew this was sion to the Court would mean — as it should have been entirely beside the point with Sam Alito, who by all accounts is a seriously practicing Catholic. To grasp what counts, think back to

By George Weigel the Winter Olympics during the heyday of the Cold War. Olympiad after Olympiad, going on. Most people thought there were bitter protests over it grossly unfair, and a lot were the behavior of Soviet and outraged. But the communist other communist-bloc judges in judges likely thought they were events — like figure-skating — doing their patriotic duty (or that were rule-governed, but in saving their jobs, and perhaps which certain judgments calls in some cases their scalps) by tilting toward those with whom, by their ideological lights, they were supposed to empathize.

If, however, you thought it bad practice in sports that a rule-governed contest into

The Catholic Difference

EasternTelevision

which judgment calls inevitably intruded had been turned inside-out, such that the rules were regularly bent to subjective considerations, you might want to ponder something Judge Sotomayor said in 2001: “I would hope that a wise Latina woman with the richness of her experiences would more often than not reach a better [judicial] conclusion than a white male who hasn’t lived that life.”

In a political culture in which “narrative” is now all, there may be an inclination to think that there’s wisdom in that claim. But Justice Clarence Thomas — whose riveting memoir, “My Grandfather’s Son,” tells a tale of achievement against great odds at least as compelling as Judge Sotomayor’s — would disagree.

Why? Because Justice Thomas thinks it his duty to extrude his personal experiences from his judging, and to interpret the law according to his best understanding of what legislators intended. Judge Sotomayor, who once said that “policy is made” by the courts, has a far more expansive idea of the appellate judiciary’s role in our system.

“Empathy” is an admirable quality in a judge in certain legal circumstances — sentencing, for example — but not in determining what the law

means. If ours is to remain a system in which the people govern themselves through elected representatives, federal appellate judges and Supreme Court justices cannot act as if they were a super-legislature.

Judges are not appointed to make law; that’s what state legislators and members of Congress do. No claim to superior “empathy” ought to change that constitutional fact. Indeed, the federal judicial oath itself enjoins a dispassionate commitment to equal justice on all judges.

There‘s nothing new about this argument, save that this time it’s likely to be submerged beneath the nominee’s personal story. What might be new, though, and what should certainly be put to Judge Sotomayor in her confirmation hearings, is the question of whether she regards as settled law those elements in the 1992 Casey decision that permit regulation of the abortion industry (by such measures as informed consent and parental notification in the case of a minor seeking an abortion). If she doesn’t, then the door will have opened wider to the de facto enactment of FOCA — the Freedom of Choice Act — through judicial rather than legislative action.

George Weigel is Distinguished Senior Fellow of the Ethics and Public Policy Center in Washington, D.C.

Old is as old does

I was a senior citizen. Sorry, I Sunday 14 June 2009 — Cadon’t “do” old. thedral Camp — Alois AlzheimThis week, I went to get a er’s birth anniversary (1864) ome time ago, I was serv- haircut. The barber commented ing on a team for an ECHO high school youth retreat on Cape Cod. One of the arrivReflections of a ing candidates looked Parish Priest vaguely familiar. I went up to her and remarked

By Father Tim that she reminded me Goldrick of a young girl who had been on an ECHO with me many years before. “Could it that I still had an intact head of be that that girl is your mother?” hair, for the most part. When I inquired. She answered, “She’s I was a young seminarian, I received the tonsure at the hands my grandmother, not my mother.” Her comment didn’t faze me of the Archbishop of Baltimore.

The religious ceremony at the because I don’t “do” old. time consisted of snipping a For the past few weeks, I’ve noticed the price of my morning lock of hair rather than shaving a circle on the crown of the head cup of coffee at Dipp’n Doughnuts has gone down. Since when as in the old monastic style. The snip made no difference in my does the price of anything go bushy mop, but over the years, down? I finally inquired. I was told the manager had determined I’ve noticed that a full tonsure

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The Anchor

June 19, 2009

The Ship’s Log

has miraculously appeared.

After last week’s haircut, the barber cut not only my hair but also the price of my haircut, explaining cheerfully, “You get the senior discount.”

Sorry, I don’t “do” old.

Two weekends ago, I served on team for Emmaus Retreat No. 162, held at Cathedral Camp in East Freetown. I was the oldest person on the weekend, but refused to act my age. There’s no fun in that. When the Emmaus Program was founded years ago at the Sacred Heart Retreat House in Wareham, it was designed for young adults. There were then other local retreats readily available for mature adults. This is generally no longer the case.

The Emmaus Retreat board of directors decided to lift the age restriction in order to address the perceived need. The Emmaus

Food for the journey

faith are instilled with the any a mother has smallest concrete acts of love. been astonished to The reality of God is brought hear feedback from neighbors home to the family table, in or teachers, revealing that regular conversations which the children they trip over contextualize the larger world, regularly in their own homes and through humble service or nag over the merest chores that gives each soul a sense of otherwise prove to be cheerful, well-being and meaning. helpful, articulate and kind.

Just as Holy Mother Church Despite hand-wringing and catechizes the faithful and near despair over the seeming spiritually nourishes them, each lack of maturity, reciprocity and initiative around the home, parents are often gratified to discover another hidden personality in these kids that emerges once they are out of sight.

By Genevieve Kineke This common phenomenon came to mind when reading the family setting does likewise, memoirs of Father John Huang providing a “viaticum” of its Yongmu, who spent nearly a own — “food for the journey.” quarter century in prisons and It begins with nursery rhymes labor camps under the Chinese and bedtime stories, then builds Communists. “In that environon the universal faith with ment of hatred and terror, there family anecdotes and personal was nothing but enmity and examples of humor and virtue, cruel hostility. Oh, that opand culminates in an abiding pressive and fatal Communist sense of personal worth only prison!” truly understood through God’s He survived the “thought resalvific and sacrificial love. form” by relying on his ChrisFather John relied on his tian principles, instilled through knowledge of Holy Scripture, long years of formation that especially the Psalms — but he began in childhood. He relied is clear that he knew the love on memories of home, “espeof his own father first. In that, cially the affection and concern mothers play a pivotal role, of my aged father, which gave for as “Mulieris Dignitatem” me courage and strength and makes clear, “The man — even allowed me, during that storm, with all his sharing in parentto remain bold and steadfast in hood — always remains ‘outmy convictions.” side’ the process of pregnancy It is a stark reminder that and the baby’s birth; in many faith begins in the domestic ways he has to learn his own Church, in the bosom of the ‘fatherhood’ from the mother” family where affection and

The Feminine Genius

(MD, 18). While the mother is intricately tied to the child in unique physical and emotional ways, she cannot neglect the essential task of building a bridge for her children — first to their own father, and ultimately to God the Father.

Now none of us is preparing our children for concentration camps or to survive traumas of that magnitude, but we are preparing them for a world that is quite hostile to the Gospel. Just as those little anecdotes about our children’s behavior drift back to us and provide glimmers of hope that our lessons of basic courtesy and decent manners have made inroads — despite their slack efforts at home — we must trust that our words and example take root as well in order to blossom in God’s own time.

When a child is grounded in the Father’s love, given access to and appreciation for the sacramental graces of the Church, and provided with the mutual respect and collaboration natural to a healthy family, he has the tools to endure all things. He has his “food for the journey.” Whether or not we hear of his astonishing acts of virtue from our friends across town, we trust that he’s entirely capable of them — and will come through when it counts.

Mrs. Kineke is the author of “The Authentic Catholic Woman” (Servant Books). She can be found online at www. feminine-genius.com.

Retreat is still mostly a peer ministry for young adults, but mature adults are also welcome to participate. The Emmaus Retreat experience now includes intergenerational faith sharing.

As a result, all have benefited.

Peer ministry remains an important part of an Emmaus.

Here’s an example. One young soldier on Emmaus Retreat No. 162 had returned a couple of months before from serving in Iraq. Returning to civilian life is no easy transition. He arrived on the retreat weekend, but he presented himself as reserved and guarded. He connected to another young man who had already completed his tours of duty in Iraq and successfully returned to civilian life. Still other men approached the soldier and challenged him to let go of whatever was binding him and to just be himself. “What’s up with you, dude?” they asked. The young soldier eventual removed his sunglasses so that we could see each other eye to eye.

The lifting of the age restriction has added a completely new dimension. Let me give you some examples. Mature married couples were on the weekend, as well as engaged and dating couples. Of the 12 talks on an Emmaus weekend, only one is formal presentation on the sacrament of marriage.

Emmaus is not about marriage preparation. It’s about sharing your journey of faith, no matter what your age or station in life.

Wisdom comes from grace and

experience, not from age. Wisdom can be found in people of all ages.

So can the lack of it.

The engaged and dating couples were unanimous in applauding the witness to marriage given by those who had been faithful to the marriage sacrament for years. The young said they were inspired to emulate what they saw in the witness of the older married couples.

Faith is shared person-to-person, almost by osmosis. The mature couples, without even intending it, modeled to the younger couples the sacrament of marriage lived out day to day.

I was assigned as a group leader along with a young woman in her 20s. She was the youngest person in our subgroup. I was nearly three times her age. She had never been on an Emmaus, but she did have much retreat experience working with youths preparing for confirmation. She initially tried to concede leadership to “Father,” but I politely refused. I was convinced she could do it.

She did. Her elders in the group were inspired by her faith and leadership skills and told her so.

There is hope for the future.

Intergenerational faith sharing is the past and the present of the Church community. It is also the future. Age has little to do with it, which is the main reason I don’t “do” old.

Father Goldrick is pastor of St. Nicholas of Myra Parish in North Dighton.

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10

The Anchor

Faith provides lifeline in an economic storm

By Michael Pare Anchor Correspondent

CENTERVILLE — As an executive recruiter for nearly two decades and an executive in the banking industry prior to that, John Allen could see the signs of an economy beginning to spiral downward. Allen has always kept a keen eye on the

June 19, 2009

markets and what he was seeing was ominous.

Word has gotten out.

That was on his mind last fall, on the morning that he and “People come from the parish and the surrounding comFather Mark R. Hession, his pastor at Our Lady of Victory munity,” said Allen. “They range in age from 22 to 70. Most Parish, got together to share a three-hour drive to attend the of them are out of work. Or they are retired, but now need to funeral of a friend in Connecticut. During the drive, Allen told go back to work because of their financial situation.”

Father Hession he could see dark economic clouds on the hoAllen serves as an instructor, as do several volunteers from rizon. A lot of people were going to be hurting, the local business community. In fact, that has been one of the he said. ancillary beauties of the initiative — the outpouring of sup“Why don’t we put some kind of program to- port from local business people who want to be a part of it. gether,” suggested Allen.

“These are the next generation of folks who will be leaders Allen envisioned in the parish,” he said. “They are free training sessions in their 30s and 40s. I haven’t had centered on helping one say no when I have asked for people to hone job their help.” search skills. He saw it Kelley Spodris, a parishioner at as a way for the parish Our Lady of Victory for the past to be proactive, to live decade and a bookkeeper there for its faith. It would be a the past five, marvels at the support unique opportunity to the program has received. touch lives in need.

“The new ministry has been “I saw this as a way very well received,” she said. “I for me to be a part of the know I have been humbled by the vitality of the parish,” stories of some of the struggles of said Allen. “Our faith potential attendees, inspired by the has to be relevant.” faith that has resulted from those Allen wanted to entrials, and moved by the gratitude gage others. He wanted of participants.” the parish community Several people have told Spoto recognize that putting dris, who helps to coordinate the together a program to program, how much they apprecihelp people get through ate that the parish has decided to so tough times was in fact proactively respond to the needs of a demonstration of its community. faith.

Allen is a New Yorker who beFather Hession gan spending summers on Cape agreed. He liked the Cod since the late 1970s. He and idea of the parish being ANCHOR PERSON OF THE WEEK — John Allen. his wife Maureen moved there proactive. Soon, Our year-round eight years ago. The Lady of Victory’s “Career Ministry” was born.

Allens raised three daughters and now have two grandsons.

In what might be another sign of the deeply Our Lady of Victory has always been an important part of distressed state of the economy, the Career Min- their lives. istry has been a hit. Beginning in November of “The Cape has always been Our Lady of Victory and the 2008, and continuing every two weeks since, Ca- beach,” he said. “It has always been a nice place for us to reer Ministry classes have been in session. They be.” are held at the Family Faith Formation Center on But maybe now more than ever, Allen sees it as a vehicle the grounds of the parish and usually run for two to do something for others. That keen vision, seeing through hours. dark economic clouds and finding a light.

A wide range of job search topics have been “If ever there was a time that I could do something,” said featured, including: interviewing techniques; re- Allen. sume writing; Internet job postings; social netAnd so Allen is now combining his business experience working; organizing a job search; and attitude and with his understanding of the importance of living his Cathoappearance. lic faith.

Allen has seen difficult economic times.

You don’t spend four decades in corporate America without experiencing ups and downs. He has felt the sting of being on the outside looking in after a corporate merger. He knows that terrifying feeling of uncertainty that accompanies the typical job search.

“Getting a job is a difficult job,” he said.

In the face of rising unemployment, particularly here in southern New England, truer words have never been spoken.

But maybe now, with the wisdom that accompanies experience, Allen has found a direct line connecting his faith and his determination to help people. It makes sense. After all, Allen doesn’t separate his faith life from his professional. He never has.

“My faith has always been important, but now I think it is a little richer,” he said. “It helps me to keep things in balance and to keep perspective.”

Allen is not alone in this belief. He can see it in so many of those individuals who have attended the job search classes. He has seen their faith operating at a higher level. He has seen trust in God. “In it, they see a lifeline,” he said.

Father Hession said that there is a connection between going to Mass on Sunday and the way someone lives their life. That’s what he loves about the Career Ministry initiative. In touching the lives of others, he sees those who have come forward to offer of their time and expertise as carrying out the words of St. Paul, who challenges us to “be the Eucharist.”

“We can’t simply do nothing,” he said.

To nominate a Person of the Week, send an email message to FatherRogerLandry@AnchorNews.org.

June 19, 2009

11

The Anchor

A NICE PLACE TO VISIT — Beautiful Cathedral Camp, a ministry of the Fall River Diocese located in East Freetown, will be offering one- and two-week summer camp sessions this year for diocesan youth, beginning June 29.

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Diocesan Cathedral Camp offers one- and two-week summer sessions

By Kenneth J. Souza Anchor Staff

EAST FREETOWN — Diocesan youth looking for a brief respite from those lazy, hazy, crazy days of summer will now have the option of attending either one of the previously-offered two-week sessions at Cathedral Camp or a new one-week session, all beginning June 29.

According to Assistant Director Rena C. Lemieux, the one-week session is a great alternative for parents who either can’t afford the longer stay or are unsure whether the camp experience is right for their children.

“I found there was really a need for oneweek programs,” Lemieux said. “A lot of parents can’t afford the full two weeks or they don’t know if their children are going to like the camp and they don’t want to invest in the full two weeks. So this is the first time we’ve ever offered one-week sessions.”

The new one-week sessions are slated to run June 29 to July 3, July 13 to July 17, July 27 to July 31, and August 10 to August 14, with two-week sessions being held June 29 to July 10, July 13 to July 24, July 27 to

August 7, and August 10 to August 21.

Bus transportation is provided free-ofcharge for campers from Wareham to the Rhode Island border and applications are now being accepted for all sessions.

“As of right now, nothing is full,” Lemieux said.

Sprawled across 95 acres on scenic Long Pond in East Freetown, Cathedral Camp is celebrating its 90th year as a viable ministry of the Fall River Diocese, although Lemieux said there aren’t yet any plans to mark the anniversary.

“I’m trying, but we have so much work to do just to get the place opened for the summer,” she said.

Among the new additions to this year’s program are a completely refurbished dance hall, a new paddleboat purchased through the generosity of the St. Vincent de Paul Society, and a defibrillator for the nurse’s station.

“Last year we redid the cave for fouryear-olds and bought a new power boat for the boating program,” Lemieux added.

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12

The Anchor

June 19, 2009

St. Anthony Messenger Press is ‘redefining strategy,’ paring staff

WANT MUSTARD WITH THAT? — Yara Shahidi and Eddie Murphy star in a scene from the movie “Imagine That.” For a brief review of this film, see CNS Movie Capsules below. (CNS photo/Paramount)

CNS Movie Capsules NEW YORK (CNS) — The following are capsule reviews of movies recently reviewed by the Office for Film & Broadcasting of the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops.

“Imagine That” (Paramount/ Nickelodeon) A work-obsessed investment

adviser (Eddie Murphy) connects with his young daughter (Yara Shahidi) after accidentally discovering that the inhabitants of an imaginary kingdom she has created give accurate financial predictions, aiding him in his competition with a pretentious but popular rival (Thomas Haden Church). Director Karey Kirkpatrick’s timely and charming comic fantasy, which also features Martin Sheen as a renowned tycoon, elevates family bonds over the paper kind and, a couple of slightly crass terms aside, makes appropriate viewing for all generations. The USCCB Office for Film & Broadcasting classification is A-I — general

patronage. The Motion Picture Association of America rating is PG — parental guidance suggested.

Some material may not be suitable for children.

“The Taking of Pelham 1 2 3” (Columbia/MGM) Brisk but gritty thriller that pits a New York subway dispatcher (Denzel Washington) against a psychopath (John Travolta) whose small gang (including Luis Guzman) has hijacked the titular train, taking its passengers hostage. Performances by the leads and supporting cast — James Gandolfini as the mayor and John Turturro as a police negotiator among them — are assured, but director Tony Scott’s adaptation of John Godey’s best-seller, previously filmed in 1974, treats its villain’s Catholic upbringing ambiguously and has interludes of gory violence and relentlessly coarse language throughout. Brief but intense violence, pervasive rough and crude language, occasional use of profanity. The USCCB Office for Film & Broadcasting classification is L — limited adult audience, films whose problematic content many adults would find troubling.

The Motion Picture Association of America rating is R — restricted.

Under 17 requires accompanying parent or adult guardian.

Movies Online Can’t remember how a recent film was classified by the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops? Want to know whether to let the kids go see it? You can look up film reviews on the Catholic News Service Website.

Visit catholicnews.com and click on “Movies,” under the “News Item” menu.

CINCINNATI (CNS) — The CEO and publisher of St. Anthony Messenger Press announced June 8 that the Cincinnati-based publishing enterprise is “redefining its strategy” and reducing staffing “to compete more effectively in the current culture and economy.”

Franciscan Father Dan Kroger said the changes are in response to gradual but steady changes among Catholics and “more dramatic changes” in media technology. The current economic climate also has given urgency to redefining the company’s strategy, he said.

It is offering voluntary early retirement to eligible employees, closing its Cincinnati telemarketing center, ceasing the use of its independent field sales force, and implementing company-wide cost efficiencies for purchasing, inventory, utilities, salaries and bonuses.

According to Father Kroger, St. Anthony Messenger Press will become “a more sharply focused, market-driven provider of inspirational products and services”; will move into new markets and expand its reach to existing markets; and will strengthen its existing online evangelization and e-commerce efforts.

The 116-year-old communications company, sponsored by the Franciscan Friars of St. John the Baptist Province, is one of the nation’s largest providers of inspirational and educational Catholic spirituality resources.

It produces St. Anthony Messenger, an award-winning monthly magazine with a circulation of 250,000; Catholic Update, a popular parish resource used in about half of U.S. parishes; St. Anthony Messenger Press and Servant Books; and newsletters, homily services, audio books and DVDs. It also has a Website, www.AmericanCatholic.org.

In his announcement Father Kroger outlined three major factors he said were driving the company’s new direction: — changes in religious affiliation and commitment among

American Catholics. For example, he said, “people who have been raised in the Catholic tradition are expressing their religious imagination in different ways.” “Our traditional Catholic audience is shrinking”; — changes in the way Catholic Church professionals use the print and electronic resources St. Anthony Messenger Press produces. He cited a declining subscriber base; — the current economic crisis that has resulted not only in increased costs but in significant changes in the purchase habits of Catholic individuals and institutions.

“St. Anthony Messenger Press, like many communications organizations,” Father Kroger said, “is examining its corporate mission and goals, the audiences we reach currently and those new audiences we want to develop, and the formats and technology we want to employ to communicate successfully.”

He explained that over the past six months, in consultation with the Xavier Leadership Center of Jesuit-run Xavier University in Cincinnati, the leadership of the publishing company has been “creating a new business plan and marketing strategy that will allow us to continue providing products and services that inspire and enrich people’s lives.”

“People are changing the ways they communicate,” Father Kroger said. “Across the country, we have witnessed the decline of secular and religious newspapers and the diversification of traditional publishers.

“Reading habits are shifting, gradually but noticeably for everyone and rapidly among younger people, from print to electronic sources. Also, people are approaching religion in different ways,” he said.

“We’re looking for new ways as Franciscans and co-workers in mission to communicate the Gospel,” the priest said. “We believe we can attract new audiences and find opportunities to speak to our existing audiences in new ways.”

Diocese of Fall River TV Mass on WLNE Channel 6 Sunday, June 21 at 11:00 a.m.

Celebrant is Father Michael Racine, pastor of St. Bernard’s Parish in Assonet

The Anchor

13

The Anchor

June 19, 2009

news briefs

Health care leaders view Katrina devastation, see hope of rebuilding NEW ORLEANS (CNS) — Gwen Smith keeps an envelope full of her important papers in the trunk of her car, along with bottles of water and Army rations. She and her husband, Leroy, don’t ever want to be caught unprepared, as they were in 2005, when Hurricane Katrina destroyed their home and the lives they had known. But today the Smiths live in a lovely two-bedroom home in the Gentilly Woods neighborhood of New Orleans, where they welcomed dozens of Catholic health leaders June 9. The stop at the refurbished home was part of a tour of postKatrina projects sponsored by Catholic Charities of the Archdiocese of New Orleans for participants in the Catholic Health Association’s annual assembly. The CHA group also visited a program in a former Catholic church that provides “all-inclusive care” for the frail elderly.

They paused for a moment of prayer in the city’s Lower 9th Ward — destroyed but being rebuilt — to remember the 2,800 lives lost in the flooding following Hurricane Katrina. Martin Gutierrez, executive director of neighborhood and community centers for Catholic Charities of New Orleans, said no one knows precisely how many people live in New Orleans nearly four years after Hurricane Katrina. “We can’t wait for the (2010) census,” he said, estimating that 300,000 to 350,000 people currently live in the city, or about three-fourths of the pre-Katrina population. The number of undocumented immigrants is even more difficult to determine, he added.

Bishops of Central, North America call for regional migration summit TECUN UMAN, Guatemala (CNS) — Bishops from the U.S., Canada, Mexico and Central America called on their governments to convene a regional summit to assess the causes of migration and to work out a regional plan for cooperation on migration and development. “We are at a pivotal moment in the history of migration in this hemisphere,” said the statement, dated June 4, which was released at the conclusion of a meeting of 10 bishops from the region and two Vatican representatives.

“There is no time to waste,” it said. The conference, one of a series of regular meetings for the region’s bishops on migration issues, was held at a migrants’ center in western Guatemala, near the Mexican border. The bishops’ statement described the combination of political opportunities created by the change in the White House and urgency fed by the global economic crisis and the increased role of organized crime in human trafficking. “The global economic crisis has impacted all nations and must be considered in seeking solutions to problems of illegal immigration,” the bishops wrote. “An examination of global economic agreements and their impact on migration flows also must be included.” It referred to the dangers faced by migrants who “suffer at the hands of smugglers, human traffickers and drug cartels” who “continue to suffer abuse and even death as they seek to find work to support their families.”

Pakistani Catholic rehabilitation center gives disabled new hope HYDERABAD, Pakistan (CNS) — A Catholic rehabilitation center is giving new hope to people with physical or mental disabilities. John Yousaf, living with a permanent neurological disability since sustaining a head injury in a playground fall when he was three years old, became a teacher and a barber with the support of the center, established by Caritas Pakistan, a Catholic relief agency. “After teaching children in primary classes during the day my regular customers call on me at my house in the evening for a haircut,” Yousaf, 19, told the Asian church news agency UCA News. He is one of 42 disabled young people ranging in age from three to 22 supported by Hayat-e-Nau — new life in the Urdu language — the only daycare rehabilitation center in the Hyderabad district of Sindh province. Launched in 1997, the center is one of 16 similar projects throughout the country. Hayat-e-Nau offers formal education for 23 younger patients. Older patients, such as Yousaf, are provided with free medication at home.

Polish archbishop urges people to keep late pontiff’s letters private WARSAW, Poland (CNS) — A Polish archbishop has urged people with letters from John Paul II not to publish them out of respect for the late pontiff. “If such letters are somewhere in the family, let’s keep them as a great sacredness, a kind of souvenir. Let’s not put them in print,” Archbishop Jozef Zycinski of Lublin said. “Publishing papal letters is a sign of narcissism, a wish to be noticed. It suggests the Holy Father showed special trust in me by discussing particular problems in his letters. We can do without this,” the archbishop said on Lublin’s Radio eR. The archbishop was reacting to controversy over the publication of the late pontiff’s correspondence with a Polish psychiatrist, Wanda Poltawska, with whom the former pope enjoyed a 58-year friendship.

Speaking to the radio station, Archbishop Zycinski said the book had caused “an atmosphere of conjectures, insinuations and sharp polemics.” “The pope tried to treat all his letter writers with respect. He never rebuked them or said what they’d written was immature or unserious,” said Archbishop Zycinski, whose statement was carried June 8 by Poland’s Gazeta Wyborcza daily.

O

The end of the Pauline Year: St. Paul and the Blessed Sacrament

11:23-26). ver the past 12 months, We can see from this that we have had the grace — for St. Paul the Eucharist is a with the opportunity given us by our Holy Father — to explore the significant ritual. The repetition of Jesus’ words and actions person of St. Paul, his life, and serve to memorialize the Lord his writings. By going through and to make his Body and Blood a whole year with Paul, whom present again as a sacrament. some name the most important figure for Christianity after Jesus, Through his minister, Christ we have hopefully come to know makes the saving event of his death and resurrection present to this remarkable man better than us again as we participate in this we had before. Besides his rich mystery. From these words, we humanity and personality, we can see clearly that Paul would have also seen how his writings, have celebrated Mass for the new along with the Gospels, have churches he established at the been foundational for Christian dogma and morality. Through the same time that he preached the Gospel to them and they became Apostle’s eyes, we have looked believers. at the incarnation, the cross, the Holy Spirit, and the Trinity. Concerning the sacraments, we have seen Living the baptism, reconciliation, Pauline Year matrimony, and priesthood.

Recently in the

By Father Church, we have celKarl C. Bissinger ebrated the solemnity of the Body and Blood of A little earlier in the same the Lord (Corpus Christi). For letter, St. Paul writes: “The cup my last installment for the Pauof blessing that we bless, is it not line Year, I would like to write a participation in the blood of briefly on this topic. What does Christ? The bread that we break, St. Paul say about the Blessed is it not a participation in the Sacrament? body of Christ? Because the loaf Because letters give us our of bread is one, we, though many primary knowledge about St. are one body, for we all partake Paul, I think we see him mostly through that lens. We see Paul as of the one loaf” (1Cor 10:16-17). a writer, or perhaps as a mission- We can draw from these verses ary who keeps in contact with the two important implications. First, we have evidence that Paul along communities he has established with the early Christians had through the written word. He an awareness of the sacrificial addresses the immediate issues of the individual churches. In this character of the Eucharist. The transubstantiated bread and wine way, he comes up more with ad now form an offering on the altar hoc treatises to correct specific the same as the flesh of animals problems than with complete and systematic expositions of his once did. Second, we see how the sacrament of Communion thought and beliefs. We witness binds believers together when him reminding his little flocks they share in the same Body and of his teachings. So, in the end, we see him mainly as a preacher. Blood of Christ. By doing so, we The Apostle, however, was also a become the Body of Christ. In priest. We don’t always think of him this way, but it is true.

There is one place in the First Letter to the Corinthians where St. Paul relates the words of consecration that very closely resemble the prayers the priest says at Mass: “I received from the Lord what I also handed on to you, that the Lord Jesus, on the night he was handed over, took bread, and after he had given thanks, broke it and said, ‘This is my body that is for you. Do this in remembrance of me.’ In the same way also the cup, after supper, saying ‘This cup is the new covenant in my blood. Do this, as often as you drink it, in remembrance of me.’ For as often as you eat this bread and drink the cup, you proclaim the death of the Lord until he comes” (1Cor

this way, we see the Church finds its origin and its nourishment in the Bread of Life.

A little later in the same letter, St. Paul explains how no one should receive the Blessed Sacrament unworthily.

He writes, “Whoever eats the bread or drinks the cup of the Lord unworthily will have to answer for the body and blood of the Lord. A person should examine himself, and so eat the bread and drink the cup” (1Cor 11:27-28). This shows that the whole of the Christian life is ordered toward the Eucharist.

Therefore, Paul teaches us that the Church finds its origin, its sustenance, and its goal in the Body of Christ.

I would like to finish by stating that, like St. Paul, I have handed on to you what I have received. My writing of this column has been the most concrete way that I have celebrated the Pauline Year. As it comes to an end, I realize that through these articles I have grown in my own knowledge, appreciation, and personal devotion to the Apostle Paul. I hope the same has happened to you, too. I also pray that our reflection and study of St. Paul doesn’t end here. We have only scratched the surface. May we continue to deepen our relationship with Paul through his writings. May they also induce us to a greater familiarity with the riches contained in the rest of the sacred Scriptures — the Old Testament and the New — so that we may attain a greater familiarity not only with the various biblical authors, but with the mind and the heart of God. Father Bissinger is vocation director of the Diocese of Fall River and secretary to Bishop George W. Coleman.

14

The Anchor

For some, Father’s Day can stir painful memories continued from page one

ferent than those riding the fatherhood roller coaster. One thing, though, is identical — they are all fathers.

Marian Desrosiers is director of the Diocese of Fall River’s Pro-Life Apostolate, which also sponsors Project Rachel, a diocesan-based ministry that provides compassionate, confidential one-on-one care to those women and men who are struggling with the aftermath of an abortion.

Project Rachel is an outreach of the Catholic Church that was founded in 1984 in the Archdiocese of Milwaukee by Vicky Thorn. Today more than 110 dioceses in the U.S. have a Project Rachel ministry.

Desrosiers told The Anchor that she is one of those who speaks to callers on the diocesan Project Rachel line. “During the last few years, we started to get more and more calls from men who are struggling and suffering from an abortion or abortions in their past,” she said. “The calls range from married men with new families who had an abortion with their current wife, or from men who experienced abortion in their past.”

Since the sinful Roe v.

Wade Supreme Court decision in 1973 there have been approximately 450-500 million abortions in the U.S. And with every abortion, there are three victims: the child, the mother, and the father — truly a loselose-lose situation.

“Men are more reluctant to

express their feelings,” said Desrosiers, “so they bury it and it comes out as anger, as a lashing out that can deeply affect present relationships.

Many men carry the guilt of a sin they feel can never be forgiven.”

Desrosiers said that it could take years before an acute awareness grows that “they fathered a child, and that life was lost. It could take years to admit that reality to themselves.”

It’s been known for years that many women who have had abortions experience Post Abortion Stress Syndrome — difficulties with the emotional and physical recovery process. Many experience grief, guilt, sadness, crying and loss.

Sometimes these can become severe, interfering with normal daily activities for long periods of time.

Only fairly recently has it been discovered that some men also experience PASS, with symptoms such as an inability to bond with children; sleeplessness and nightmares; avoidance behaviors and addictions; sexual dysfunctions; guilt, shame, anger; hollow relief, depression, a sense of loss; and others.

In a paper entitled “‘The Hollow Men’: Male Grief and Trauma Following Abortion,” written by Vincent M. Rue, a noted psychotherapist, researcher, lecturer, author, and co-director of the Institute for Pregnancy Loss in Jacksonville, Fla., he said, “Abortion

leaves indelible footprints in the texture of masculinity, in the recesses of a man’s heart.

A father is a father, even of a dead unborn child.”

Rue indicated, “When men do express their grief, they tend to do so in culturally prescribed ‘masculine’ ways, i.e., anger, aggressiveness, silence, control. Men typically grieve following an abortion in a private way. Because of this, men’s requests for help may often go unrecognized and unheeded by those around them.”

Desrosiers said that oftentimes men who call the Project Rachel line are overwhelmed by the fact that their sin is not unforgivable. “They are so unburdened when we tell them that the Church reaches out to them with the forgiveness of Christ.” She said that is a big step in the healing process and that many times she will direct them to a priest for pastoral counseling and to establish a spiritual re-connection.

“Most men definitely know that they were the father of a child and they often feel helpless they did nothing to protect that child or even the mother,” she said. “They feel as though they failed the woman and they did not fulfill their role as protector of the family.”

The after-effects on men of an abortion can range greatly depending on the situation.

Some men did not know about the procedure until well after the fact; some knew and didn’t voice an opinion; some didn’t care either way; and some encouraged it. Rue writes, “If they insisted on an abortion for selfish reasons or out of fear, these men can pay a great emotional price once they recognize the reality of what an abortion is and how it has affected their partners.

“In Evangelium Vitae, Pope John Paul II made it clear that by leaving her alone to face

June 19, 2009 the problems of pregnancy, he deliberately encourages such a decision on her part to abort.”

In some cases, men didn’t want the abortion to occur. According to Rue, “The Supreme Court has held that a woman’s right not to procreate trumps a man’s right to procreate, making his involvement in the abortion decision irrelevant.”

“The male has no say prebirth,” said Desrosiers. “Even if he wanted the child, he has no rights to stop an abortion.”

More men are breaking free of the bondages of postabortion suffering, not only in the Fall River Diocese, but also across the country.

In 2007 Thorn initiated the first men’s conference keying on the affects of abortion on men. “Reclaiming Fatherhood” took place in San Francisco in 2007 and in Chicago in 2008.

Several national Websites allow men the opportunity to find help resources and also gives them the opportunity to anonymously unburden themselves with testimony.

On the menandabortion. info Website, several testimonies provide the reader with tremendously emotional witnesses. One writes, “I will never hold him. I will never see what he looked like. I will never tickle his feet. I will never hear his laugh.” Another father reflected, “Sometimes I look at my two children, and know there should be three. I still cry. The ball game lost, hunting, camping and all the long talks, father-son time we never had. I still cry. I try not to think about it. I would give my life a hundred times over, to give him his. I still cry. I know one day I’ll hold you tight and look into your eyes. ’Til then my son, know that I love you.

I still cry.”

One individual who had multiple abortions wrote after a healing retreat, “I went and for the first time realized what a violent act that takes place on the child and mother. I realized

more and more what my role was as a protector and provider and how I failed. I also was able to grieve for my children and give them names. It gave me an opportunity to ask for their forgiveness and to forgive myself.”

A father who had sought help from the Catholic Church wrote, “I became aware of a new healing ministry called Sons of Adam. I waded in. I wanted to help other men heal.

But before ‘helping,’ I had to ‘be helped.’ For the first time in memory, I felt healing taking place. I forgave myself, and we asked our baby to forgive us.

Somehow, we knew it was a boy, and we named him Jason.

After finishing the program, the priest who was guiding my recovery asked if we would like him to offer a Mass for our baby … a memorial Mass. An opportunity for us to finally lay him to rest. Without hesitation, but with no small amount of trepidation, we accepted the offer. We were finally able to lay Jason to rest.”

Desrosiers told The Anchor that some of the calls she receives come from men who learned about Project Rachel in parish bulletins. “I would encourage all pastors to have the Project Rachel information and number in their bulletins every week,” she said.

“You never know when someone who needs it will find it there.”

The healing process doesn’t end with a simple phone call, but the people who minister on the Project Rachel lines can offer avenues to continue the healing process if so desired by the caller. “We can recommend professional counseling or pastoral counseling,” said Desrosiers. “A phone call can help men who are hurting to reclaim their fatherhood and even express the loss of their child.”

Father’s Day can be a wonderful time for dads to celebrate their fatherhood with the lives they helped bring into the world. It can also be an opportunity for others, whose children never made it past the womb, to do the same. As a Catholic community, faithful can offer prayers for the three victims of each abortion. For the surviving two, the road to healing and forgiveness is but a phone call away.

The Project Rachel phone number in the Fall River Diocese is 508-997-3300. Other online resources include silentnomoreawareness.org, hopeafterabortion.com/Rachel, fatherhoodforever.org, menandabortion.info, and noparh.org.

June 19, 2009

15

The Anchor

PROPS FOR POPS — This is the homepage of Fathers For Good, a Website initiative for men by the Knights of Columbus. The site can be found at www.fathersforgood.org.

A wealth of fatherly advice awaits at the Knights of Columbus Website for dads

By Dave Jolivet, Editor

FALL RIVER — You can always count on the Knights of Columbus. Since 1882 this band of spiritual brothers have committed themselves to bettering their communities and the Church with a wide variety of activities and fund-raising endeavors.

But they offer the faith community so much more. Much of the Knights’ mission is to enhance the faith of its members and those they encounter.

One such tool is a Website dedicated to providing fathers with valuable information about fulfilling their vocation as dad and husband.

Fatherhood is a full-time, often difficult role, and the Knights have compiled a treasure chest of tips and suggestions for making that job successful, fun and rewarding.

In a welcome to visitors to the site, the Knights assert, “Whether you are a seasoned dad, a new dad, a dad to be, or a single guy wanting to know more about fatherhood, this Website is for you.

“There is a role only a father can fill and gifts only a father can give. In a culture that often does not favor fatherhood or masculine virtue, we wish to highlight the unique contributions of men, husbands and fathers. The world would be lacking without them.”

There are five major “chapters” on the site. The first is “What’s New,” offering information on what fathers want and also addresses “A Hidden Issue,” men and pornography.

The second section is “Mission.” Here men will find links to information, inspiration, expert advice, answers to questions, interactive features, a forum for fathers’ stories, a look at living the vocation of fatherhood, ways

to strengthen the marriage, and a list of books and other helpful reading materials.

In “A Father is Involved,” men are encouraged to “take the time, make the effort, and go the extra mile” for their families. Included here are “Eight habits of highly effective fathers.”

Next is “A Father is a Protector.” On this page men are advised to “keep harmful influences away from his family.” Included is an essay entitled “The Father as Protector.”

The fifth section is labled “A Father is a Loving Husband,” where the head of the household is told, “The greatest gift a father can give his children is to love their mother.” Here men can read Pope John Paul II’s work, “Men as Husbands and Fathers,” taken from his 1981 document Familiaris Consortio (On the Christian Family).

In each chapter, visitors can access information on Real Fathers, Common Challenges, A Father’s Spirituality, Model

Fathers, Fathers Are Essential, Good For Mothers, and Fathers’ Bookshelf.

Men can also access audio highlights of testimonies of other fathers and can access blogs from other men.

The site tells men, “A father is a work in progress. Indeed a dad’s work is never done.” He is also, “called by God the Father.

This is the vocation that is the foundation of fatherhood.”

The Website is well worth the time for dads and husbands to explore and extract advice to help them thrive at an often challenging vocation.

Women too are invited to surf the site. “We also welcome wives who want to support their husbands in becoming the best fathers they can be.”

Leave it to the Knights of Columbus.

Other helpful Websites for dads and husbands can be found

by Googling “Catholic sites for fathers/husbands.”

Pilgrimage to Medjugorje

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Sept. 10 - Sept. 19, 2009

Price includes: • Round trip air from Boston to Dubrovnik • 7 nights accommodation/Twin occupancy • Breakfast and Dinner daily • English speaking guide • Daily Mass in Saint James Church • Climb Apparition Hill • Climb Mount Krizevak Mountain of the Cross • Special Time of Prayer and group meeting • Meeting with the Visionaries (when available) • Ground transportation from/to Dubrovnik airport Cost: $1,798.00 per person sharing. Taxes additional $ 199.00 Single Supplement

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From award-winning memoirist Richard J. Ward, this trilogy of inspirational books: Grampas Are For All Seasons (5th printing) “A book of timeless quality, a classic of its genre and a perfect gift for fathers of all ages.”

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16

Youth Pages

GETTING THEIR SEA LEGS — Grade Five students from St. James-St. John School in New Bedford, recently took a field trip to the New Bedford Oceanarium and Envirolab.

STORY TIME — The Pre-K students at Holy Trinity Regional School in West Harwich enjoy being read to by the second-graders during Book Buddies.

June 19, 2009

AUTHOR! AUTHOR! — As part of the curriculum at St. MarySacred Heart School, North Attleboro, each fourth-grader was required to read two children’s picture books. The students wrote reports which included identifying and analyzing the setting, main characters, plot, and climax and providing an illustration of his or her favorite part. This was followed up with a book writing project where each student was the author and illustrator of his or her very own picture book. The culminating activity was sharing their handmade stories with the second-grade class during a story hour. Here fourth-grader Lily Bond shares the book she wrote and illustrated, “The Dog and the Monster,” with the second-graders.

PROVIDING FOR PERUVIANS — Third-grade students at St. John the Evangelist School in Attleboro, organized a school raffle recently to raise funds for a worthy cause, collecting $1,300 which will be sent to a Catholic mission in Peru. Principal Sister Mary Jane Holden visited the Mission and spoke to the students of the plight of the Peruvian people and how the money they raised will be used for them to purchase simple necessities they need for use in their daily life. Students of the school are surrounding a table of handmade goods the Peruvian people sell which Sister brought back from her trip to show the students.

FLOWER POWER — First-graders at St. John the Evangelist School, Attleboro, honored their eighth-grade buddies at the annual “Ribbon Ceremony Day” held at the school. The first-graders praised all the ways their buddies helped them throughout the year and presented them with a carnation.

MOVING ON UP — The Class of 2017 at St. Mary’s School in Mansfield celebrated the end of the school year with a Kindergarten celebration which included morning prayer and several songs followed by an awards ceremony.

Youth Pages The climb

June 19, 2009

I

’m not sure if its because I’m getting older, or that some of today’s music artists have poor diction, but many times I can’t understand the lyrics of particular songs. In some cases that’s a gift, but in this case it was a source of family comedy. I once heard a song on the radio that I just couldn’t make out the lyrics. What I was hearing just didn’t make sense so it made me focus more on this particular song each time it came on because what I was actually hearing was so absurd.

I couldn’t get the lyrics out of my mind and each time it came on, I was hoping someone else was in the car with me so that I could understand what was being sung. Of course I could have gone online but soon forgot to do so (another affliction of older age). One day my daughter was visiting and was in the car when the song came on, I belted out what I thought were the lyrics — “I don’t want to go to Maine … A – Achoo.”

My daughter laughed hysterically, and said that the actual lyrics of the song were “ I don’t want to go to bed mad at you.”

She said other things too, but none that I’ll report here (I

17

think I heard the word “dork” love and support of the CLI in there somewhere.)

2006 community but we knew I mention all of this because, they were hurting and questionas I was driving to the airport ing. Father Gomes’ homily at yesterday, another song came the funeral Mass went a long on that I had heard many times way in helping us all work before, but the lyrics and the through the questions. There is message were so clear this time that I couldn’t ignore them. There was a message in there somewhere and I was hearing it. The song is “The Climb” by Miley Cyrus. OK stop laughBy Frank Lucca ing. Yes, I was listening to a song by Hannah Montana. The lyrics came across clear as a bell. no doubt that we were shaken Each word struck me powerand shell shocked. fully, especially in light of the At times like these we wonrecent tragedies in the world der why. We struggle to underbut even more so within our stand. We search for meaning. own youth community.

Do we turn to God? As Crystal Medeiros wrote In the song “The Climb,” in her absolutely beautiful Miley sings “Every step I’m article in this space last week, taking, every move I make our CLI and YES communities feels, lost with no direction. My lost a young lady in a tragic faith is shaking.” I think that death several weeks ago. As she this captures how we may feel reported, the community came sometimes, especially in light together in support of one anof the unexplainable tragedies other, so that we could all press we encounter. She continues on during this difficult time. on, however, with a possible Crystal mentioned how proud anthem for faithful people we were of the outpouring of when she sings, “The struggles

I’m facing, the chances I’m taking, sometimes might knock me down. But no, I’m not breaking!” and “And I, I got to be strong. Just keep pushing on. ’Cause there’s always gonna be another mountain. I’m always gonna wanna make it move. Always gonna be a uphill battle. Sometimes I’m gonna have to lose. Ain’t about how fast I get there. Ain’t about what’s waiting on the other side. It’s the climb.”

And therein lies the message. It’s all what life is. It’s the climb. As Christian people we were never promised a flat easy walk through life. We know that life has its ups and downs. Life is full of challenges and mountains that won’t move sometimes.

Terrible things happen in this world. But, as Christian people, we have the one to turn to. The one who lived this very life.

The one who faced the mountains, the uphill battles, the struggles of being human. The one who invites us each and every day — that when we come to a blocked path or a mountain

we can’t see the way around — that we just climb it.

Jesus gave us the very path to climb. Yes, sometimes it may be a steep path. Other times it may be rocky. Sometimes the path may be obscured so as to block our way.

But he promised to always be there standing by our side through it all. And he left us the Church to help guide us along the way. It is with this very faith that we get through it all. The climb takes us where we are ultimately meant to go.

You can’t get to the top unless you make the climb. And with the support of each other and with a strong faith in our God, we will get there. Step by step.

Inch by inch. No turning back.

No shortcuts. No quitting.

“Keep on moving, keep climbing. Keep the faith, baby. It’s all about, it’s all about the climb.”

Frank Lucca is a youth minister at St. Dominic’s Parish in Swansea. He is chair and director of the YES! Retreat and the director of the Christian Leadership Institute (CLI). He is a husband and a father of two daughters. He’s still climbing.

be genuine and who want us to share what we truly believe,” Archbishop Schwietz said.

The letter writers mention learning the core tenets of the faith from parents. This family witness is especially important in light of larger cultural trends, the archbishop explained.

“Many young people go to school with people who don’t have any faith and live in a society that does not support their faith,” he said. “I really encourage parents to share their faith experiences with their children, because it means a lot to the young people to know that their parents have an active faith and that they pray and sense God in their lives.”

By the same token, he added that it is important to address the difficult family circumstances many young people face.

“At times, they write about their family life and the fact that their parents have divorced,” Archbishop Schwietz explained.

“They talk about struggling with divorce and how faith helps them. I think it is a lesson for us that we should bring issues like that — family issues — into our personal discussions with young people to let them know that God is there in the pain of situations like that.”

While the annual stack of let-

people are aware of their own past failures, it is important that they do not feel alone in facing them.”

He added that the many young people who will leave for college and other pursuits should know that “wherever they go, the Spirit is with them, and wherever they go, the Church is there and they can receive the sacraments as a source of strength.”

In looking ahead, Archbishop Schwietz said he wants to focus on ways the Church can support young people after confirmation.

“My biggest concern is that we don’t let them down as a Church,” he said. “When they go out to live their faith seriously, how do we keep that enthusiasm going? It is my hope that we can find more ways to do that.”

Be Not Afraid

Letters to Anchorage archbishop reveal faith of Catholic teens

By Joel Davidson Catholic News Service

ANCHORAGE, Alaska — Each spring, Archbishop Roger L. Schwietz catches a unique insight into the hearts and minds of Catholic teens from across the Archdiocese of Anchorage.

In reading an estimated 300 personal letters from confirmation candidates each year, he finds recurring themes that strike at the core of how young Catholics experience their faith.

In his nine years leading the archdiocese, Archbishop Schwietz has read more than 2,500 letters. They reveal a snapshot of Catholic youths that often runs contrary to popular notions that the Church is irrelevant to teens.

“Few mention that they are bored with Church,” Archbishop Schwietz noted in an interview with the Catholic Anchor, the archdiocesan newspaper. “But often they say they were bored before they began to understand the reality of their faith and what it is all about.”

While young people are open to faith, they also desire genuine teaching and examples.

“They can see through people very well. Catechists, directors of Religious Education, pastoral ministers, pastors — all of us I think — are being looked upon by people who want us to

ters is filled with many weighty and profound issues, Archbishop Schwietz finds threads of humor and endearing candor in some of the comments.

“Some letters ask questions that I can’t answer,” he said with a smile, while shuffling through a stack of letters.

One young man wrote, “I have only one question and that is: I ask Jesus every night for a girlfriend in my life but he has never answered me. So I want to know — what’s the deal?”

“How do I answer that in a homily?” Archbishop Schwietz said with a chuckle.

He then read from another candidate’s letter: “Most of the information I know about my Catholic faith was taught to me by my mother, but my grandfather is living with us and he is a normal old man — kind and stubborn. I’m sure you would get along with him well.”

In traveling to parishes across the archdiocese to celebrate confirmation, Archbishop Schwietz said he hopes to relay an important message.

“I want to help the young people see that confirmation celebrates the reality that we are not alone in our faith,” he said. “Jesus promised to be with us in the power of the Spirit that he sends.

Even though many of the young

18

The Anchor

June 19, 2009

Camp to begin one- and two-week sessions continued from page 11

Lemieux calls “instructional recreation.”

“We’re going to teach the kids how to play baseball, teach them how to play soccer, and then they’ll have a game,” Lemieux said. “In the past, it was just ‘let’s have a pickup game,’ but I found children didn’t want to participate because they didn’t know how to play and they were embarrassed. This way they’ll be more inclined to want to play because they’ll know how.”

In an effort to strengthen the camp’s athletic program, Lemieux boasted about the addition of new head counselor, Eric Levine, a football coach from Bishop Stang High School who also has 15 years of teaching experience, and assistant counselor John Perry, a football coach from UMass-Dartmouth with 12 years of experience to his credit.

“So we’re really in good shape this year and looking forward to a great summer,” she said.

The Cathedral Camp experience also includes outdoor adventures with hiking and camping expeditions, outdoor swimming and boating programs, and even an arts and crafts component.

“The kids play capture the flag and take on other challenges,” Lemieux said. “We also have excellent lifeguards who teach ageappropriate swimming skills. We also have volleyball and archery — which is going to be a little more competitive this year with teams — and then we have arts

and crafts along with the younger group which has its own playground area.”

Cathedral Camp is open to all diocesan youth ages four through 13 and is divided up into different categories including ages four and five; ages six and seven; ages eight and nine; ages 10 and 11; and ages 12 and 13. The camp runs with a staff of about 60 during the busy summer months including 43 full-time counselors, 10 counselors-in-training, and an office staff consisting of Lemieux and camp director Father Gregory A. Mathias, along with full-time secretary Pat Conforti, and Pam Radzik, who oversee camp registrations.

In an era where kids seem to be bombarded with all sorts of electronic diversions from video games to cell phones, Lemieux still thinks there’s a need for the simplicity of outdoor recreation.

“The only problem I find is they all want to bring their cell phones with them — which we allow, but they have to keep them off while camp is in session,” she said. “They can only be used for an emergency. But we don’t allow any electronic games or iPods. Even so, I don’t know how to say this without sounding corny, but I watch the kids out here in the summer and they’re all having a ball.”

For more information or an application, visit www.cathedralcamp.net or call 508-763-8874.

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TOTALLY DEDICATED — Affirming their promise of obedience and respect to Bishop George W. Coleman, and to serve in the priesthood with a clear conscience and prayerful spirit in imitation of Jesus, Transitional Deacons David C. Deston Jr., left, and Peter J. Fournier kneel before the bishop at their priestly ordination on June 13. (Photos by Kenneth J. Souza)

Bishop ordains two new diocesan priests continued from page one

Peter for a long time now — we started together — and it was nice to share the day with him as well.”

During the ordination, Father Deston was vested with his stole and chasuble by Father George C. Bellenoit, pastor of St. Pius X Parish in South Yarmouth, where Father Deston previously served as deacon and where Bishop Coleman has also assigned him to remain on as parochial vicar.

Father Deston is the son of David and Donna Deston of Fall River and brother to one sister.

He is a 1994 graduate of B.M.C. Durfee High School in Fall River and a 1998 graduate of UMassDartmouth with a degree in history and a minor in political science.

He studied for the priesthood at Mount St. Mary Seminary in Emmitsburg, Md., from which he received in 2006 a master’s degree in Divinity and a master’s degree in Church history.

Father Deston celebrated his first Mass of Thanksgiving on the day after his ordination, the feast of Corpus Christi, at his home parish of St. Thomas More in Somerset.

“Msgr. Edmund Fitzgerald was very welcoming and helpful,” Father Deston said. “It was a wonderful celebration and it was nice to be back at my home parish for Mass.”

“I feel a tremendous blessing and sense of grace to be ordained as we begin the Year for Priests,” Father Fournier agreed.

Father Fournier received his vestments at the ordination from Father Stephen B. Salvador, pastor of SS. Peter and Paul Parish in Fall River. Like Father Deston, he celebrated his first Mass of Thanksgiving on June 14 at St. Jude the Apostle Church in Taunton, where he had assisted for the previous two years during breaks from the seminary.

“It was a wonderful celebration and there was a good number of priests present,” Father Fournier said of celebrating his first Mass.

“It was great to see all those priests present who have been an important part of my life.”

Bishop Coleman has assigned Father Fournier to St. Francis Xavier Parish in Hyannis, where

he will serve as parochial vicar beginning June 30.

Father Fournier, 28, is the son of Permanent Deacon Paul M. Fournier and Florence Fournier of Attleboro. He grew up in that city’s Holy Ghost Parish and later became a member of St. John the Evangelist Parish. He has one brother and two sisters.

After his 1999 graduation from Attleboro High School, he earned a bachelor’s degree in philosophy from the Franciscan University in Steubenville, Ohio.

He studied theology at the North American College in Rome and at St. John’s Seminary in Brighton, where he earned a master’s degree in Divinity.

While preparing for the priesthood he assisted at St. Stanislaus Parish, Fall River, and also at St. Pius X Parish in South Yarmouth.

WASHINGTON (CNS) — The U.S. bishops’ Secretariat for Clergy, Consecrated Life and Vocations has set up a Website to mark the Year for Priests, a worldwide celebration from June 19 of this year to June 19, 2010.

Pope Benedict XVI chose to begin the Year for Priests on the feast of the Sacred Heart of Jesus, a day of prayer for the sanctification of all priests. The pope will also designate St. John Vianney as the universal patron of all priests on the 150th anniversary of the saint’s death. The saint, who is also known as the Curé of Ars, was declared Pope Pius XI in 1929 the patron of parish priests.

The Year for Priests Website is www.usccb.org/yearforpriests.

The site includes the pope’s message for the occasion and the announcement of the plenary indulgence in conjunction with the celebration. The site also offers specially commissioned prayers for priests and laity. The pope’s messages and the prayers are available in English and Spanish.

Throughout the year, the secretariat also will use the site to publish monthly articles about the priesthood written by prominent Catholic women.

Other activities in the Year for Priests include a retreat on the national level and a gathering of priests in Rome for the celebration’s culmination. Further details about the national retreat will be available on the site.

Year for Priests Website tells of global celebration

June 19, 2009

Around the Diocese 6/20

The New Bedford Deanery Young Adult Group will meet June 20 at 7 p.m. at St. Julie Billiart Parish, 494 Slocum Road, North Dartmouth. Mr. and Mrs. Mike Tellier will give a presentation on “Marriage as a Source of Sanctity. All young adults interested in learning more about the vocation to marriage are welcome. For information, contact Father Jay Mello at fatherjaymello@gmail.com.

6/20

The National Shrine of Our Lady of La Salette, 947 Park Street, Attleboro, will hold a yard sale/flea market June 20 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. in the Shrine cafeteria. The public is invited to attend the event which will include a bake sale. All proceeds will benefit pastoral services, ministries and programs of the Shrine. For more information, call 508-222-5410.

6/21

St. Stanislaus Parish, Fall River, will hold its annual Polish Festival June 21 and 22 from 5 to 9 p.m. and June 23 from 12 to 4 p.m. on the parish grounds at 37 Rockland Street. There will be homemade Polish food, live bands, dancing and more. All proceeds will benefit St. Stanislaus School. For more information, call the school office at 508-674-6771.

6/21

Our Lady of Perpetual Help Parish, 235 North Front Street, New Bedford, will host its “Polish Fest” with festive food and celebrations, including a Polish Polka Mass June 21 at 11 a.m.

For more information, call 508-992-9378.

6/22

A Healing Mass will be celebrated June 22 at 7 p.m. at St. Bernard’s Church, 32 South Main Street, Assonet. Frank Kelly, renowned faith healer, will speak and pray individually over people after Mass. All are welcome to attend. For more information about Frank Kelly, visit www.frankkellyministry.com.

6/23

Father Brian J. Hehir will discuss “Catholics as Citizens and Disciples” on June 23 at 7 p.m. at Christ the King Parish, The Commons, Mashpee. Part of the Summer Catholic Reflections series, the program is sponsored by the parishes of St. Anthony’s in East Falmouth; Our Lady of Victory in Centerville; and Christ the King in Mashpee.

6/27

World-renowned theologian Scott Hahn will present three lectures June 27 at St. Anthony of Padua Church, 1359 Acushnet Avenue, New Bedford. Talks on “St. Paul and Personal Conversion” will be held at 10 a.m., 11:30 a.m. and 1:30 p.m. A $5 offering is requested. To reserve seats, email hahntalks@gmail.com or call 508-9931691.

6/28

“A Summer Evening of Song” will be presented by soprano Elizabeth Grace at St. Mary’s Cathedral, 327 Second Street, Fall River, June 28 at 7 p.m. The program will include music by Mozart, Rossini, Rachmaninoff, Poulene, Ives, Kern, and others. The recital is free-of-charge and open to the public.

6/28

La Ligue des Franco-Americains will celebrate its 90th anniversary on June 28 with a Mass at 10:15 a.m. at St. Anthony of Padua Church, 1359 Acushnet Avenue, New Bedford. A banquet will follow at Rachel’s in North Dartmouth at 12:30 p.m. For reservations or more information, call 508-995-1604 or 508-674-7036.

Eucharistic Adoration in the Diocese: ACUSHNET — Eucharistic adoration takes place at St. Francis Xavier Parish on Mondays 9:30 a.m. to 6:30 p.m.; Fridays 9:30 a.m. to 6 p.m.; and Saturdays 8 a.m. to 2:45 p.m. Mondays end with Evening Prayer and Benediction at 6:30 p.m.; Saturdays end with Benediction at 2:45 p.m.

BUZZARDS BAY — Eucharist adoration takes place at St. Margaret Church, 141 Main Street, every first Friday after the 8 a.m. Mass and ending the following day before the 8 a.m. Mass.

EAST TAUNTON — Eucharistic adoration takes place First Fridays at Holy Family Church, 370 Middleboro Avenue, following the 8:30 a.m. Mass until Benediction at 8 p.m.

NEW BEDFORD — Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament takes place at St. Joseph-St. Therese Church, 51 Duncan Street, Mondays following the 8:30 a.m. Mass until 1:30 p.m. For more information call 508-995-2354.

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

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.

TAUNTON — Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament takes place every First Friday at Annunciation of the Lord Church, 31 First Street, immediately following the 8 a.m.

Mass and continues throughout the day. Confessions are heard from 5:15 to 6:15 p.m., concluding with recitation of the rosary and Benediction at 6:30 p.m.

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.

WEST HARWICH — Our Lady of Life Perpetual Adoration Chapel at Holy Trinity Parish, 246 Main Street, holds perpetual eucharistic adoration. For open hours, or to sign up call 508-430-4716.

19

The Anchor Year for Priests: Clergy need love, support continued from page one

what they do and tell them that we love them and want to be alongside them to support them.”

Cardinal Hummes is not looking for a year-long commitment to baking pies for priests or smiling at them more than usual; he’s looking for study and discussions and meetings and laypeople rolling up their sleeves to work alongside their priests.

And he’s definitely not looking for some 1950s style of keeping the celebration in the church or the parish hall, avoiding the wicked world outside.

“The post-modern, urban, relativistic, secularized culture is the dominant culture,” he said, and the temptation is to say, “Oh, it is impossible to engage this society.

We should remain in our corner, with our little group, closing ourselves into a ghetto,” the 74-year-

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

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

old cardinal said.

But the world still is the place where priests are called to live with joy and “to evangelize with the certainty that it is possible to bring the Gospel to this new society and not demonize it, not ignore it and not be discouraged by it,” he said.

Cardinal Hummes is convinced that men and women still are looking for the love of God and salvation in Jesus, but “maybe not with an approach that starts with doctrine and morals.”

Once people meet Jesus, he said, “then come doctrine and morality as a form of following that Jesus who attracted me, enchanted me, enlightened me. It is then that you begin talking about what it means to follow Jesus in practice; that’s morality.”

Cardinal Hummes said that showing support for priests includes sharing responsibility with them for parish life and for mission.

“Sometimes laypeople help their priests, but think that if things don’t go well, it’s the priest’s responsibility — it’s his Church. But, no, the Church is all of ours,” he said.

Obviously, any discussion about the world’s priests includes talk about the priest shortage, a situation the cardinal insists is not exaggerated.

“We have too few priests,” he

said. “Several countries face a very worrying, very difficult future because the number of priests has fallen so drastically.”

Vatican statistics have reported an increase in the number of priests in the world in the past few years, but that increase has not kept pace with the increased number of Catholics in the world, not to mention the world’s growing population.

The Statistical Yearbook of the Holy See, recently released with figures gathered Dec. 31, 2007, reported that there were 408,024 priests in the world. Five years earlier, the number was 405,058.

The yearbook also provided tables illustrating Cardinal Hummes’ point about the increased number of priests not keeping up with the increasing population. According to the yearbook, there were 2,810 Catholics for each priest in the world at the end of 2007, while there were only 2,642 Catholics per priest at the end of 2002.

While the significant growth in the number of priests in Africa, Asia and Eastern Europe may mean some of those men would be available to minister in Western Europe and North America, Cardinal Hummes said local communities should give rise to local vocations.

“A local Church having its own priests is a sign of vitality,” he said.

20

The Anchor

P

June 19, 2009

Grading on the curve

erhaps they should be graded on the curve — and the fastball, and the slider, and the knuckleball, and the splitter. With the advent of ever-more accurate computer gadgetry, baseball fans witness, on a game-by-game basis, just how “human” Major League Baseball umpires are.

Many networks, including our own beloved NESN that feeds Red Sox Nation, has some type of Brand X Strike Zone. For those not familiar with these Strike Zones, shortly after a pitch or a sequence of pitches has been thrown, the Strike Zone appears on the screen adeptly displaying the final destination of each toss in relation to what the strike zone should be.

According to the Official Rules of MLB, “The strike zone is that area over home plate the upper limit of which is a horizontal line at the midpoint between the top of the shoulders and the top of the uniform pants, and the lower level is a line at the hollow beneath the knee cap. The strike zone shall be determined from the batter’s stance as the batter is prepared to swing at a pitched ball.”

That’s odd, because every umpire seems to have his own idea what the strike zone is. These men are supposed to be the best of the best.

By Dave Jolivet If anyone were to ask me, and no one has yet, ball players seem to know the strike zone better than the men who make the calls. Very often the Brand X Strike Zone displays some pretty blatant boo-boos on the part of the umps. Unlike a play at a base, a strike-ball call is not a bang-bang play. It’s either a strike or a ball, based on where the ball crosses the plate.

Of course there are times when the call is border-line and can go either way, or an ump may miss a call. But it appears to me that far too many calls that are not even close are missed. These missed calls can affect a player’s at-bat, and possibly his batting average, a pitcher’s ERA and win-loss record and ultimately who wins or loses a game.

Most of us labor in the real world, and should it be discovered that we often blow important decisions, there would be a call for us to improve or hit the road.

Umpires should be subject to the same set of standards. They should periodically be required to watch games they call at the plate — including the Brand X Strike Zone results. They should be graded on their performance, and directed by MLB accordingly. I believe this could help, not hurt the umps in the long run.

For an individual who has only a split-second to make a decision to swing or not, strike zone accuracy on the part of an umpire is critical.

Now, if we can only come up with a grading system for weather forecasters. They can be awarded highs and lows for their atmospheric prognostications.

My View From the Stands