~--------------(This is the first in a series . historic year came the great blessings of freedom to the Cathof articles on the history of Catholicism in America disolic Church. tributed by NC News Service Charles CarroN of Carrollton, a Marylander, and Thomas Fitzin cooperation with the NaSimons of Pennsylvania were tional Conference of Catholic prominent in the state convenBishops' Committee for the tions which led to decisive action Bicentennial.) committing their states to the (Rev. Thomas O'Brien Hanformation of a new nation. ley is the biographer of Two Irish-born Philadelphians, Charles CarrolI, editor of the General Stephen Moylan, aideJohn CarrolI Papers, and reside-camp to Gen. George Washdent Jesuit lecturer at Loyola ington, and Commodore John ColIege, Baltimore.) Barry, were among the more By REV. T. O. HANLEY, S.J. lIn 1776 Catholics in Maryland prominent Catholic military figand Pennsylvania were prepared ures in the war. From the heavily to play. distinguished roles in Catholic St. Mary's County came the Revolutionary War for In· a large number of soldiers in the dependence declared that year. famous Maryland Old Line conIn the first state constitutions tingent which averted the danger established by the ena of that of surrender by Washington in
The ANCHOR An Anchor 01 the Soul, Sure and Flrm-St. Paul
Fall River, Mass., Thursday, June 19, 1975 PRICE 1~c Vol. 19, No. 25 © 1975 The Anchor $5.00 ,.r rear
Father James F. McDermott Was Parish Priest 43 Years Rev. James F. McDermott, former pastor of St. Patrick Parish, Somerset, died unexpectedly on Monday afternoon, June 16. Having resigned the pastoral ministry of the Somerset parish just two weeks ago because of ill health, Father McDermott was recuperating from his latest illness at the time of his death. The Somerset pastor's body was brought to the parish rectory on Tuesday afternoon. Most Rev. James J. Gerrard, Auxiliary Bishop of Fall River, presided over the transferral of the body to the church on Wednesday afternoon. A solemn Mass of Christian Burial was concelebrated this
morning in the tiny Somerset church with Most Rev. Daniel A. Cronin, S.T.D., Bishop of Fall River, as principal celebrant. Pastor of the Somerset parish since March, 1966, Father McDermott was born in Taunton on June 22, 1907. He is the son of the late Bernard and the late Margaret (Lynch) McDermott. . After attending Weir School and Taunton High School he pursued his studies at Boston College. He prepared for the priesthood at St. Bernard Seminary, Rochester, N. Y. Most Rev. James E. Cassidy, D.D., Third Bishop of Fall River, ordained him to the priesthood in St. Mary's Cathedral, Fall River, on May 21, 1932. Father McDermott served as assistant pastor at St. Joseph and Immaculate Conception Parishes in Fall River, and Holy Name, Parish, New Bedford. While in New Bedford, Father MoDermott was the initiator of the Miraculous Medal Novenas. His eloquent talks and stirring singing filled the church beyond capacity at three scheduled Monday services conducted for some four years. Bishop James L. Connolly, D.D., D.Sc.Hist., Fourth Bishop of Fall River, appointed Father McDermott as Administrator of S1. Peter Parish, Dighton, in 1956. T'NO year::: later, he appointed hiw a:; t.he Im.moing raGtor of [Jur JA.1.dy cf :f"Umfl. Parish, Swansea--a newpari51'j formed
FATHER McDERMOTT
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New York City. In 1776 many from the area went to the defense of Boston. Perhaps the culminating event for Catholics in both states in 1776 was the establishment of religious freedom through the adoption of constitutions which Carroll and FitzSimons helped establish. This was a cherished occasion for Catholics, particularly in Maryland. For until 1775 Catholics were forbidden to worship in public and excluded from voting and holding public office. The situation was better in Pennsylvania. Old St. Joseph's in Philadelphia had been open to' Catholic worship since the 1730s. But there was no more security for the future there than in Turn to Page Fifteen
Set Eucharistic Congress For Philadelphia in - '76 His Excellency, the Most Reverend Daniel A. Cronin, Bishop of Fall River, has appointed Rev·· erend John J. Oliveira, Secretary to the Bishop, as the Diocesan Coordinator for the 41st International Eucharistic Congress to be held in Philadelphia. The 41st International Eucharistic Congress, a major spiritual assembly (jf world Catholics, will be held August 1 through August 8, 1976. It will be the first time in fifty years that a Eucharistic Congress has been held in the United States. More than one million people are expected to atte.nd.
Father Oliveira participated in a meeting the first week of June at St. Charles Seminary, Overbrook, Pa. which was attended by more than 120 Diocesan Coordinators from all over the United States. His Eminence, John Cardinal Krol, Chairman of the Board of Governors for the Congress; welcomed the priests and spoke to them of the importance of the Eucharist in the life of the priest and in the life of the Christian. His Eminence noted that the concentration of endeavors was not for the week of the Congress itself, but for a year of spiritual
preparation leading to renewed fervor for the Eucharist, a new love and devotion for the Blessed Sacrament. Lawrence Cardinal Shehan, former Archbishop of Baltimore, was the principal celebrant of· the liturgy each day. The two day meeting dealt with many aspects of the Eucharistic Congress. Reverend Walter J. Conway, Executive Secretary, provided an overview and discussed the role and responsibilities of a Diocesan Coordinator. The Most Reverend Eugene A. Marino, Auxiliary Bishop of Turn to Page Four
Committee Denies Modernization Plans For St. Anne's Hospital in Fall River The Area Review Committee of the Fall River Area Council of Region VII, Comprehensive Health Planning, Inc. has recommended the denial of the Certificate of Need for the proposed St. Anne's Hospital construction project as presently stated. The Monday night meeting in Fall River's YMCA provoked a great deal of discussion concerning the repol't's contents and meaning in relation to its final recommendation for St.· Anne's Hospital's current Certification of Need. Attorney William Regan, attorney for St. Anne's Hospital, spoke in rebuttal to what he called inaccuracies and editorializing that is included in this report. Mr. Regan and other repre-
sentatives of St. Anne's Hospital indica'ted that they feU some of the statistics quoted and information presented in this report could be interpreted in different ways. Due' to -the importance of this project to St. Anne's Hospital's future in the delivery of health care to the Greater Fall River Area, it was felt that this report could ul<timately lead to an un-
fair denial of the Cel'tificate of Need for the replacement of the older facility at S1. Anne's Hospital. On several points the Review Committee did indicate that they did not intend the report to be interpreted as it had been, but Attorney Regan felt that their report, since it could be interpreted in a more detrimental Turn to Page Five
Prayer Groups Convocation Prayer groups in the Fall River diocese will hold a Charismatic Convocation at 2 p.m. Sunday, June 22 at St. Mary's Cathedral, Fall River. Bishop Cronin will preside and Rev. Cornelius J. O'Neill, diocesan coordinator for prayer groups, will be chief con· celebrant for Mass, assisted by other priests of the diocese as.. sociated with the charismatic prayer movement. All other priests are also invited to concelebrate. Turn to Page Twelve
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