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Southeastern Mass!1chusetts' Largest Weekly'· $14 Per Year

FALL RIVER, MASS.

VOL. 50, NO. 25 • Friday, June 23, 2006

Bishop' Colem~n opens new phase in pastoral planning

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By DEACON JAMES'N~ DUNBAR

AMANDA DRAPEAU, right, a sixth-grader at SS. Peter-&paul Sch~ol, Fall River, received a first-place award in this year's ''Try Prayer, It Works," contest sponsored by Holy Cross Family Ministries in North Easton. Presenting the award at the school's final.Mass for the school year is Beth Mahoney, mission director of Holy Cross Family Ministries. Drapeau was the first winner from the Fall River diocese in the 11.:.year history of the contest. Story on page 1~. (Anchon'Jolivet photo)

FALL RIVER - In an open letter "Towards a Futury of Hope" this week to clergy, religious and laity of the Fall River diocese, Bishop George W. Coleman reflected on "the general directions" that will be taken as Phase Two of pastoral planning l60ks at the needs and challenges over the next five years.

II He asked for a collaborative effort, which he called "a bold effort, yet it is what is Jlequired of us as disciples of the ~ord." ~

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In general terms, "Phase Two .will focus on developing a greater understanding of the mission of the Church, and the responsibility that all the baptized have in caring for its future," Bishop Coleman stated.

"What is most important is that we learn about and formulate sound responses to the changes around us in culture, demographics, the number of priests as well as other factors as we carry out the Church's mission."

Turn to page 10 - Phase Two .

Bishop ColelTJan's· Pastoral letter, "Towards a Future 0f!IHope, appe!'rs "i,! .its. entirety on page 11 of thiS edition.

II

Prison ministry ch.aplains free inmates' hearts for. life- in'Christ.

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By MIKE GORDON

There is a Catholic presence at both the Bristol and Barnstable County houses of q:>rrection. In both FALL RIVER - If you were to ask John E. Nikas prisons, residents are invited to attend a weekend reif the prison ministry program is a worthwhile en- treat called "Residents Encounter Christ." During the deavor you would receive a resounding "yes." course of a year there are tw.o weekends held for men . Nikas; an inmate at the Barnstable County House and women in Bristol County and three in Barnstable. of Corrections in Bourne, underwent a transforma"We're very happy to be assisting with the Prison tion in his life thanks to a Residents Encounter Christ Ministry prograrn through the Catholic Charities Apweekend, made possible by numerous volunteers and peciI," said Donly. According to the director, those by furiding from the annual Catholic Charities Ap- that go through the weekend undergo a change expepeal. riencing only a 15 percent rate ofrecidivism. "In other . After participating in several events, including the institj.ltions that rate might be as high as 80 percent," retreat, he wrote a letter of thanks in which he de- he said. scribed finding faith again and belief in Jesus Christ.

Donly also was grateful for the work the priests, . ."I prayed to Jesus for the first time wholeheart- deacons and volunteers who dedicate their time and edIy in over 20 years," he wrote. "It led to my turning said, "they are doing a phenomenal job." myself completely There have been more than 90 REC retreats since around and giving myself W§"C _. __ 0 the program began with an avup to him. I told Jesus I qi_",~w," erage of 25-30 inmates taking knew he died for me and ~"UA' .. part each weekend. for all of our sins, that I The retreat begins on Friday evening after dinner had sinned in my thoughts and through many deeds. I and continues until 10 p.m. During the weekend, parasked his forgiveness and vowed to him that if he ticipants hear talks on a variety of topics including forgave me that I would walk the rest of my life in his Jesus, breaking the cycle of addiction, goal setting way." and being called to holiness. Music plays a big part Nikas has become an avid reader of Scripture and and priests are available for the sacrament of reconfound the courage to tell others about it during the ciliation. The Blessed Sacrament is exposed throughretreat. He said, "As I stood at the podium I thanked out the retreat. There is also a washing of the feet. these good Christian people for taking time out of Typically there are five inmates to a table and three their lives to share the Word of God with us. I was no facilitators. longer living in the bad. I was living in today. No There is also an open microphone available for longer on a crooked path, but on a straight one in inmates to share their feelings or stories or to give Jesus." . witness at certain points during the retreat.

Michael 1. Donly, director of Development for the "It's a powerful experience," said volunteer Claire diocese, called prison ministry, "an important en- Amiot. deavor. Bringing Christ and opportunities to those in A parishioner at Notre Dame Parish, Fall River, prison are life changing experiences for them. They Amiot has been volunteering at the prisons for eight are'people in need and we're showing that the Church years. She works under the REC program at Bristol is there for them," he said.

Tum to page 18 -1nmates ANCHOR STAFF

-71n -Action

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A CHARRED St. John's Holy Ghost Association sign hours after a rapidly-moving fire destroyed the bUilding is a grim reminder of the four lives lost as some diocesan faithful were praying and preparing for the annual Holy Ghost feast. (Anchon'Jolivet photo),

Tragic d~aths of four women attending Holy Ghost devotion stuns community >

Bishop Coleman and diocese pray for the victims as well as for 10 injured in the social club fire.

By DEACON JAMES N.

DUNBAR AND EDITOR DAVE IJOLIVET

FALL RIVER ---l "Without faith, we are lost and without I,

hope. Without faith, how could we possibly face this calamity that has befallen us. Without faith, how could we continue?" said Father James Ferry, pastor of Espirito Santo Parish in the city's East End. His words of comfort came during his homily at an evening memorial Mass June 16 for two Tum to page 14 - Tragedy

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Friday, June 23, 2006

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CIht1UlIr(CIln expJre§se§ dlJi§may over JEuIrope embryonic stem",cell funding

By CAROL GLATZ CATHOLIC NEWS SERVICE VATICAN CITY - The European Parliament's recent decision to approve funding for embryonic stem-cell research is "a fundamental mistake" based on a logic that is "tragically utilitarian," said the Vatican newspaper.

L'Osservatore Romano said in its June 16-17 edition that European leaders seem to have adopted a "thickheaded" and "blind secularism that denies not only the religious convictions of the majority of its people, but also the inviolable rights of the person."

Earmarking money for research on cells drawn from human embryos represents "an unacceptable reversal of God's plan for humankind," it said.

Though the budget plan passed June 15, members of the European Parliament were divided on the issue. It was narrowly adopted with 284 votes - 249 voted against the plan and 32 abstained.

The EU research policy and budget still needs approval from national ministers in the European Council, after that it will return for a second vote in the European Parliament.

The ruling would allow the funding of research using human adult and embryonic stem cells, but not the use of cloned stem cells. The production of human embryos solely for research purposes would not be financed, and it would also be limited by the legal restrictions each EU member state has adopted on stem-cell research.

Bishop Elio Sgreccia, head of the Pontifical Academy for Life, said the ruling was an "anti-human" decision because it ignores the seriousness of "experimenting on a live human being."

In an interview with Vatican Radio, he said Europe has forgotten the lessons it learned from its past in that it must not justify using and destroying human life with the possible success of curing debilitating diseases.

In a June 18 article published in L'Osservatore Romano, he said the wartime medical experimentation conducted by the Nazi regime

theancho~

on humans resulted in the Nuremberg Code and later the Declaration of Helsinki, which both outline ethical standards for conducting experiments on humans.

The directives include two rules - forbidding that scientific interests override respect for human life and demanding that the person involved in the experiment have legal capacity to give voluntary consent, he said. Research using human embryos violates both rules, he added.

In his interview with Vatican Radio, the bishop said research on human embryos was also unnecessary given the signs of success coming out of research using adult stem cells.

Science has already shown that "ethically responsible research can produce success and positive results," he said.

Meanwhile, the Commission of the Bishops' Conferences of the European Community, or COMECE, expressed its dismay over the measure.

Being opposed to the use of human embryos for research is not just a Catholic position, COMECE's secretary-general, Msgr. Noel Treanor, said in a written statement issued June 15.

"Scientifically, there is no reason to make a moral distinction between an embryo at the very beginning of his or her life and after implantation in the womb or after 14 days," he said. Human life begins at conception and those lives created outside the womb need "particular protection," he said.

Because some EU member states have restricted research using embryonic stem cells and "many EU citizens" are concerned about the use and destruction of human embryos, "the EU has a moral duty to abstain from promoting through joint funding such research prohibited in several member states."

Because money available for EU research is limited, research projects that get financing should be those that are "less controversial," Msgr. Treanor said, adding that the bishops renewed their support for the EU to finance research on adult stem cells. y

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OFFICIAL NEWSPAPER OF THE DIOCESE OF FALL RIVER

Published weekly except for two weeks in July and the week after Christmas by the Catholic Press of the Diocese of Fall River, 887 Highland Avenue.IftFall Riyer, MA 02720, Telephone 508-675-7151 - FAX 508-675-7048, E-mail: theanchor@anchomews.org. Subscription price by mail, postpaid $14.00 peryear.

Send address changes to P.O. Box 7, Fall River, MA, OIlll or useE-mail address Member. Catholic Press A,"ociation, New England Pres, Association. Catholic News Service PUBLISHER· MOlIt Reverend G~rge W. Coleman B' EXECUTIVE EDITOR Father Roger J. Landry fatherrogerlandty@anchonteWs.org EDITOR David B. Jollvet davejo!ivet@anchornews.org NEWS EDITOR Deacon James N..Ounbar4Jimdurii)ar@a,,'c:homews.org REPORTER Michael Gordon mikegoroon@aJ1!:homews.org OFACE MANAGER Mary Chase marychase@anchornews.org

Send Letters to the Ed~or to: theanChor@a1t:horriL.org ~ POS'IMASTERS send address changes to'I'be Anchor. P.O. Box 7, Fall River. MA 02722.

THE ANCHOR (USPS-545..Q20) Periodicni PQStage Paid at Fall River, Mass.

I /.

POPE BENEDICT XVI looks at the monstrance as he celebrates Mass on the feast of the Body and Blood of Christ June 15 outside the Basilica of St. John Lateran in Rome.

Christ's guidance and nourishment are urgently needed, the pope said, since so many people in the world are lost, confused or tormented by physical or spiritual hunger. (CNS photo/Max Rossi, Reuters)

Pope: Jesus draws people close to himself through the Eucharist

By CAROL GLATZ CATHOLIC NEWS SERVICE

eternally present in the world after his death, the pope said.

Made from just flour and water, bread is often considered the food ofthe poor, who are precisely the people Jesus promised to be close to, the pope said.

But bread also represents a harmonious "synthesis" of earth and sky, humans and God, he said.

While humans work the earth, plant the seed, harvest the sheaves and knead the dough, it is also

in which all things die, he said.

Through Christ's death, "he beROME - Jesus calls out and came bread for all of us and, with urges people to draw close to him that, a reliable and living (source of) hope," he said. through the Eucharist so he can transform them as he transformed Meanwhile, Jesus chose wine to simple bread and wine into his own be another sign of his real presence body and blood, Pope Benedict in order to "express the exquisiteXVI said. ness of creation: the joyous feast Christ's guidance and nourishthat God wants to offer us at the end of time," the pope said. ment are urgently needed, the pope At the end of his homily, the said, since so many people in the world are lost, confused or pope called on God to continue his guidance and help show the tormented by physical or Church, priests and the faithspiritual hunger.

The pope emphasized the im- ful "the right path" to follow.

The pope celebrated the He urged God to look to feast of the Most Holy Body portance of never taking God's gift and Blood of Christ June 15 of creation for granted, especially "humanity that suffers, wanduring an evening Mass out- water, when there are "people and ders with insecurity" in a side Rome's Basilica of St. animals dying of thirst" in areas of world full of doubts and to John Lateran. Afterward he the globe parched dry from deser- give bread to feed people's souls and bodies. led a eucharistic procession through the streets of Rome tification.

After the Mass, dozens of cardinals and bishops, hunfrom St. John's to the Basilica of St. Mary Major while thanks to God's gifts of making the dreds of priests, and religious men kneeling before the Eucharist in the earth fertile and providing rain and and women, as well as thousands sunshine that put food on the table, of laypeople, set out on foot under back of a modified flatbed truck. a setting sun in a eucharistic proSpeaking to some 50,000 faith- he said.

The pope emphasized the im- cession to the Basilica of St. Mary ful gathered outside St. John's, the pope said in his homily that the portance of never taking God's gift Major,just more than a mile away.

The 79-year-old Pope Benedict Eucharist is truly "bread from the of creation for granted, especially heavens" that not only provides water, when there are "people and carried the monstrance to a white spiritual nourishment, but is the animals dying of thirst" in areas of truck that was draped with a goldway in which God gives himself the globe parched dry from deser- colored canopy and green garlands. Surrounded by bouquets of tification. to his people.

Bread is also a sign of unity and flowers, the pope knelt before the When the faithful gaze at Christ's real presence in the Eucha- a symbol of Christ's victory over Eucharist as the truck slowly rist, Jesus "is drawing us toward death, said the pope. The many made its way down the tree-lined him, inside his mystery, through grains of wheat become one bread, avenue.

The two-and-a-half-hour cerwhich he wants to transform us like one body and it is only by dying he transformed the host" from be- when it is cut from the ground, emony ended after the pope ing simple bread into the body of milled and cooked, that the grains reached St. Mary Major, placed the can become bread that feeds the monstr~nce on an altar in the the divine, he said. square outside the basilica, and During the Last Supper, Jesus world, he said.

Inside "the grain of wheat is presided over the eucharistic Benechose bread and wine as the signs through which he would become hidden the sign of hope" in a world diction in Latin.

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Friday, June 23, 2006

THE INTERNATIONAL CHURCH"

Medjugorje jubilee: Authenticity remains an issue

By JOHN THAVIS CATHOLIC NEWS SERVICE

ROME - Twenty-five years after six children in MedjugOlje, a village in what is now BosniaHerzegovina, began reportfng apparitions of Mary, pilgrims are still flocking to the site and Church officials are still cautious about the authenticity of the events.

Marian experts continue to debate the significance of MedjugOlje, and severnl have published books ranging from enthusiastically supportive to skeptical - to coincide with the anniversary.

In Medjugorje, Franciscan pastors are preparing for overflow crowds on June 24-25, the dates on which the alleged apparitions and messages began in 1981. They insist, however, that no special commemorations are planned. ''Everything's been booked solid for more than a year, and we're expecting thousands of pilgrims. But we're not putting on any spectacle or festival-just the usual progmrn of prayer," Franciscan Father Ivan Sesar, pastor of St. James Parish in MedjugOlje, said in a telephone interview..

Of the six children who originally reported visions from Mary, sometimes daily, one says she still receives messages from Mary on the 25th of each month. They are published online, eagerly awaited by a large

network of Christians dedicated to . Medjugorje.

According to Bishop Ratko Peric of Mostar-Duvno, whose diocese inciudes Medjugorje, the messages now number more than 30,000, a fact that only increases his own skepticism about the authenticity of the apparitions.

Bishop Perie discussed Medjugorje with Pope Benedict XVI earlier this year during a visit to the Vatican. In a summary of the discussion published in his diocesan newspaper, Bishop Peric said he had reviewed the history of the apparitions with the pope, who already was aware of the main facts from his time as head of the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith. '''The Holy Father told me: We at the congregation always asked ourselves how can any believer accept as authentic apparitions that occur every day and for so many years?"

Bishop Peric said.

Bishop Peric noted that Yugoslavian bishops in 1991 issued a statement that "it cannot be confirmed that supernatural apparitions or revelations are occurring" at Medjugorje. _ Bishop Peric said he told the pope that his own opinion was even stronger - not only that a supernatuml element cannot be proven, but that "it is certain that these events do not concern supernatuml apparitions."

Russian Orthodox invite Vatican officials to July worl~ summit VATICAN CITY (CNS) - The Russian Orthodox Church in Moscow has invited top Vatican officials as well as the bishop of western Siberia to attend a World Summit of Religious Leaders July 3-5 in Russia's capital.

Through its interreligious 'council, the Moscow Patriarchate was organizing the initiative to bring together top religious leaders from a variety of spiritual traditions to discuss how world religions could help give a moral respon"se to the challenges the world is facing.

Russian Orthodox Patriarch Alexy II of Moscow invited Cardinal Paul Poupard, head of the pontifical councils for Culture and for Interreligious Dialogue; Cardinal Walter Kasper, head of the Pontifical Council for Promoting Christian Unity; and Bishop Joseph Werth of Russia's Novosibirsk-based Transfigurntion Diocese.

The inclusion of Bishop Werth, a Russian citizen born in Kazakhstan, signaled an important gesture of rapprochement on the part of the patriarchate toward the Vatican.

The Russian Orthodox Church had criticized the Vatican in February 2002 after Pope John Paul II transformed four Russian church regions into dioceses, one of which

was the former Apostolic Administrntion of Western Siberia, which became the Diocese of the Transfiguration in Novosibirsk, headed

by Bishop Werth.

The Orthodox had accused the Vatican of a modem Catholic invasion of Russia while the Vatican said it was merely restoring Church structures that existed before Soviet communism. The move put a further strain on an already tense ecumenical climate between the two churches.

Bishop Werth was the only bishop in Russia that the patriarchate invited to the summit..

Other officials invited by the patriarch to represent the Catholic Church included U.S. ~ardinal Theodore E. McCarrick, retired archbishop ofWashington; Belgian Cardinal Godfried Danneels of Mechelen-Brussels; Austrian Cardinal Christoph Schonborn of Vienna; and Archbishop Diarmuid Martin of Dublin, Ireland.

The religious leaders representing Christianity, Islam, Judaism, Buddhism, Taoism and Hinduism were expected to draw up a final statement to present to heads of state from the Group of Eight industrialized countries, scheduled to meet July 15-17 in St. Petersburg, Russia.

of Christ," he said.

Marian expert Donal Foley, in his new book, "Understanding Medjugorje," reviews the public evidence, particularly ft:om the early days ofthe reported visions, and says that, "sadly, the only nltional conclusion about Medjugorje is that it has turned out to be a vaSt, if captivating, religious illusion:' Foley said it· was! obvious that

some Medjugorje pilgrims have experienced spiritual awakening. But he said part of this could be attributed to a "charismatic element that grabs people's emotions."

At the Vatican, officials said they are still monitoring events at Medjugorje, but emphasized that it was not necessarily the Vatican's role to issue an official judgment on the alleged apparitions there.

At Medjugorje, the debate over authenticity has been largely 'set aside by the Franciscan friars who minister to pilgrims and keep in contact with the visionaries. ''We are not here to give a judgment about whether the apparitions are true or not. We're here to follow the people who come, to hear their confessions, to give them pastoral . care," said Father Sesar, the 39-yearold pastor.

Msgr. Arthur Calkins, a Vatican official and a member of the Pontifical International Marian Academy, believe that while apparitions do not furnish new truths of faith, they qm help Catholics understand them better. '''The appmitions of Our Lady at Fatima, for example, brought home to the faithful the need for prnyer, MARIJA PAVhOVIC, left, prays in the church of St. James in penance, conversion of heart, repaMedjugo~e, in what was then Yugoslavia, in this Aug. 15, 1987, ration for sins. All of this expands on the doctrine ofthe Mystical Body photo. Pavlovic says she has received a message from Mary on "

the 25th of every month since January 1987. (eNS photo/KNA)

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Friday, June 23, 2006

THE CHURCH IN THE UNITED STATES

u.s. bishops continue to press

Congress on immigration reform

By ELLIE HIDALGO CATHOLIC NEWS SERVICE

based reunification program, among other provisions.

LOS ANGELES- U.S. bish"The problem is not at the borops continued to press Congress der. It's in the labor market," said to legislate comprehensive and Bi$hop Nicholas DiMarzio of humane immigration reform as Brooklyn, N.Y., chairman of the they gathered for their June meet- Catholic Legal Immigration Network. "We must have a secure laing in Los Angeles.

"We urge congressional lead- bor market. Then we can hav~ a ers and the president to seize this secure border."

The bishops acknowledged historic moment and enact a just and humane immigration mea- that not all Catholics agree with sure," said Bishop' Gerald R. them and that they had received Barnes of San Bernardino at a letters in opposition to their pubpres's conference held at the Mil- lic stand on behalf of humane lennium Biltmore Hotel, the site immigration reform. of the meeting of the U.S. ConCardinal Roger M. Mahony of ferenceofCathoLos Angeles lic Bishops. said he had Con g res _ I n response to a been asked why sional conferees reporter's question about the Church had need to resolve whether some lawmakers gotten so indifferences be- were hardening their posi- volved in this tween a Senate t' . t' . . issue. "It is our bill passed {n IOns agams ImmIgratIOn Gospel manMay that in- reform, Bishop Barnes said date," said the . eludes many that while some people will archbishop, recomprehensive always oppose reform "I ferring to the r~form provi- believe the majority of the Gospel of MatSlOns and. a American public wants to thew in which Jesus extols his House . bIll do the right thing." passed In Defollowers to cember that fofeed the hungry, clothe the naked cuses only on the enforcement of immigration laws and and welcome the stranger.

The current immigration.syscriminalizes undocumented immigrants and those who assist tern, added Cardinal Mahony, "is them. morally unacceptable, because it Bishop Barnes, chairman of accepts the labor and taxes of imthe U.S. bishops' Committee on migrants without offering them Migration, observed that the $25 protections." Now immigrants are billion spent on border enforce- being used as scapegoats for the ment in the last dozen 'years has nation's problems, he said.

Laws and policies, added Car- . resulted in double the number of undocumented immigrants and dinal Mahony, must "serve basic the deaths of some 3,000 in the human dignity and protect human desert. "It is clear that an enfo~ce- life."

In response to a reporter's ment-only approach to immigra~ ·tion reform has failed," said the question about whether some lawbishop, urging the Senate and m~ers were hardening their poHouse to produce a bill that would sitions against immigration readdress reform comprehensively. form, Bishop Barnes said that Comprehensive legislation, while some people will always added Bishop Barnes, addresses oppose reform "I believe the mathe root causes of migration so jority of the American public that people can stay in their home- wants to do the right thing." lands and support their families Bishop Thomas G. Wenski of with dignity; includes border se- Orlando, Fla., pointed to the new' curity measures that are targeted, alliances between organizations proportional and humane; creates such as labor unions and chama viable earned path to citizenship bers of commerce.

"The constituency in favor of for an estimated 11 million to 12 million people in the U.S. ille- immigration reform is broadengaIly; creates a temporary worker ing," said the bishop, who chairs program that prot~cts the rights of the U.S. bishops' international workers; and includes a family- policy committee.

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U~S. BISHOPS bow their heads in prayer at the opening of the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops' spring meeting in Los Angeles June 15. At the meeting, among o~her actions, the bishops voted on a new English translation of the Order of Mass. (CNS photo/Greg Tarczynski)

Bishops adopt new Mass texts', study reorganization

By JERRY FILTEAU CATHOLIC NEWS SERVICE LOS ANGELES - Meeting June 15-17 in Los Angeles, the U.S. Catholic bishops approved a new translation of the Order of Mass and studied a proposal to downsize the committee structure, antl eventually the staffing, of the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops. .!They approved an extension of th~ annual national collection for retired religious until 2017.

They approved a 2007 assessment on dioceses, equal to the 2006 assessment, to help fund USCCB operations.

The bishops agreed to a proposal that their Committee on Ste.wardship draft brochures on stewardship for teen-agers, one inEnglish and a separate one in Spanish adapted to differences in the relationship many Hispanic youths have with the Church.

They elected Auxiliary Bishop Dennis J. Madden of BaItimore to fill a vacant slot on the board of directors of Catholic Relief Services.

Only the first day of the bishops' three-day meeting was open to media and observers. puring their public sessions the first morning and afternoon, . they heard a brief report on the work of CRS and lengthier reports on post-hurricane relief in the South; the relationship of Catholic bishops and Catholic politicians; and the rationale behind new Vatican rules Jor translating

Latin liturgical texts into modem languages.

They viewed a new 18-minute DVD on priests and priestly vocations, titled "Fishers of Men" produced nationally but can be adapted for local use by inserting· contact information for local vocation offices and vocation directors.

The day before the meeting several leading officials of the USCCB held a press conference urging comprehensive, humanitarian reform of U.S. immigration law, an issue currently being hotly contested -in Congress. .

The next day, at the start of the meeting, the USCCB president, Bishop William S. Skylstad of Spokane, Wash., issued a statement on immigration reform with the endorsement of the bishops.

In it he said the current immigration system "is seriously flawed" and "the status quo is morally unacceptable and must be changed."

For Catholics in the pew, the most important event of the meet. ing was the debate and vote on a new English translation of the Order of Mass - the exchanges between priest and people and the prayers such as the penitential rite, Gloria, creed, eucharistic prayers and Lord's 'Prayer that are used regularly in daily or Sunday Masses.

Bishop Donald W. Trautman of Erie, Pa., chairman of the bishops' , Committee on Liturgy, said the' new Order of Mass translation still has to be approved· by the

Vatican and probably will not take effect until the rest of the English translation of the Roman Missal is completed and approved. He thought that could take up to two years.

For their own future as a bishops' conference, the most important thing the bishops did in Los Angeles was discuss a proposal for restructuring that would dramatically reduce the number of committees of the USCCB. Under the proposal, the current 35 standing committees and 16 ad hoc committees would be merged into a total of 14 new committees.

A final version of the restructuring proposal is to be brougl1t to the bishops when they meet this November in Baltimore.

The national retirement collection for religious would have ex.pired in 2007 if the bishops did not extend it another 10 years.

Archbishop Jerome G: Hanus of Dub,-!que, Iowa, chairman of the Committee on Consecrated Life, said studies show that the need for supplemental funding for retired religious will continue at least that long.

Recently retired Archbishop Joseph A. Fiorenza of GalvestonHouston, chairman of the bishops' Task Force on Hurricane Recovery, reported that although Catho-. lics made massive donations of· humanitarian aid for victims of hurricap.~s Katrina and Rita, the areas that suffered catastrophic property damage still face serious needs,' he said.

thea~

Friday, June 23, 2006

Cathol ic School Decl i ne The number of Catholic elementary schools in the nation has declined by 339 froIil2000 to 2005.

Great Lakes 2000-1,n2 2005-1,638

Plains

New England

2000-457 2005-427 -30

-134

2000-789 2005-763 ~26

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tooklyn ewark Mideast 2000-1,872 2005-1,729 -143

•

Dioceses or archdioceses with most reported

closings in 2004-2005 school year 020060tS

CARA report examines Catholic school closings over last five years

By CAROL ZIMMERMANN CATliOLIC NEWS SERVICE

WASHINGTON - A decline in the number of Catholic schools in the United States during the past five years reflects a demographic shift of where Catholics live more than a decline in the demand for Catholic education, according to the Center for Applied Research in the Apostolate in Washington.

In a report released May 23, CARA researchers linked the clo-

sure of 339 Catholic schools in the last five years to the dynamic that "Catholic people move, schools don't."

The National Catholic Educational Association commissioned CARA, an independent Catholic research agency based at Georgetown University, to research the status of U.S. Catholic elementary schools and look at both the long- and short-term trends that have brought about school closures.

The results are outlined in "Primary Trends, Challenges and Outlook: A Special Report on U.S. Catholic Elementary Schools, 2000-2005."

The report shows that many of the Catholic schools that have closed recently were located in the mid-Atlantic region, where the number of Catholics has dropped in recent decades, and in the Rust Belt, a region stretching from Chicago to New York City, where population declines have occurred

5/ in almost all demographic segments as factories have closed and steel and automobile production has decreased.

At the same time, communities in the South and West and in New England have experienced increasing demands for Catholi¢ education, with new elementary schools opening and others keeping' applicants on waiting lists. , The CARA researchers used NCEA databases and surveys of 269 Catholic pastors, 5)0 Catholic school principals, 143 diocesan superintendents of education, and a national random samp.)e of 1,419 Catholic parents.

The report also studied other aspects of Catholic elementary schools and found that about 23 percent of Catholic parents with children who are elementary school age have enrolled them in a Catholic elementary school in the last five years. Parental satisfaction with their children's education and experience at these schools remains high. .

Tuition cost is an important factor in Catholic parents deciding not to enroll their childreb in a Catholic elementary school. Many schools, particularly tJtose in inner cities, are facing mounting operational costs, which put an upward pressure on the tuitions that the schools charge to thetr students, the report said. Catholic elementary schools in areas with vouchers or scholarship programs that assist I!

CHRISTIAN

PRO-LIFER HELPER ADVISOR RESTORER MEDICATOR ANTI-ABORTIONIST

ApOSTOLIC TRUE

HOLY

Bishop confers papal honor on retiring Pro-Life congressman ADDISON, Ill. (CNS) - With little fanfare, that inspire him: "When you have done all you have Bishop Joseph L. Imesch gave U.S. Rep. Henry been commanded, say I am an unworthy servant.

Hyde, R-Ill., the documents by which Pope Benedict I've only done my duty."

XVI declared him a Knight of St. Gregory.

The papal honor is one of many Hyde has re"I just want to thank you for your staunch de- ceived for his longtime fight for life. Dating back to fense of life through some very, very difficult times," 1976, as a freshman representative, he introduced said the bishop, who recently retired as head of the and successfully persuaded his colleagues to pass Joliet diocese. ''This is not the environment to speak the Hyde Amendment to the Health and Human up for Pro-Life. But you have been a consistent,. Services Appropriations Act. The amendment resteady voice for life and the Church owes you a stricted the federal government from funding aborgreat deal for that." tions. He continued to recruit others to protect life Hyde, who is retiring from Congress, met with on the House floor and beyond.

In 1985, he wrote a book, "For Every Idle SiBishop Imesch at his Addison district office, surrounded by stacks of papers, books and mementos lence," which outlined his Pro-Life views again. from 32 years of service in the U. S. House of Repre- More recently, he supported the Partial-Birth Aborsentatives and eight years in the Illinois Legislature. tion Ban Act and was present in 2003 when PresiThe member of St. Charles Borromeo Parish in dent George W. Bush signed it into law.

Bensenville pulled out from within the heap of pa"You've been a loud and clear voice for the unpers cherished photos of his most recent trip to the born. The Church needs to show their appreciation Vatican. which show him shaking hands with Pope to you for that leadership. It wasn't easy. You stood Benedict XVI on the first anniversary of his elec- alone for a long time," added Bishop [mesch. He tion as pope. The congressman had met Pope John then extended a special blessing to Hyde before dePaul II three times. parting.

Bishop Imesch had submitted Hyde's name to Hyde spoke with the Catholic Explorer, Joliet Pope Benedict for membership in the Knights of St. diocesan newspaper, about how he has been able to Gregory, a pontifical order of chi valry bestowed by be true to his faith while maintaining a separation the pope on individuals for their service to the between Church and state.

Church.

"I think the purpose of religion is to provide guidAt the Addison office, Bishop Imesch gave Hyde a.nce and to provide a channel over which we learn a diplomalike document, written in Latin, declaring what God wants us to do and how God wants us to his knighthood and bearing the signature and seal live," he said. "I think it's right and proper to distinof the Vatican's secretary of state. guish between those things that are strictly religious Hyde responded by repeating scriptural words in nature and those things that are secular.

parents in paying tuition have higher enrollments.

According to the report, other factors affecting school enrollment include the weakening of attachments to parish life, hurricanes and other national disasters, layoffs in local industries and shifts in housing markets. On the national level, schools also were affected by the country's economic recession in 2001-03.

School leaders cited the overall operation of the school as their biggest challenge, especially the costs of health care and employee benefits and the costs to maintain facilities. .

The clergy sex abuse crisis was listed by 15 percent ofCatholic parents surveyed as a minor factor in their deciding against Catholic schools.

The report described the future for Catholic elementary schools as "cautiously optimistic." It highlighted the need for schools to seek out new funding sources and urged them to tum to the "largely untapped source" of alumni who might be willing to help financially troubled schools provide the same level of Catholic education they themselves received. ''The responsibility to ensure Catholic parents continue to have the option of sending their child to a Catholic elementary school rests with many, including school leaders, teachers and staff, parishes (and) dioceses," the report concluded.

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theanc~

T HE LANDING Liturgical fidelity

o

Friday, June 23, 2006

the living word

Many Catholics were startled last week when they leamed, mainly through secular news outlets, that the U.S. Bishops had voted to change the prayers of the Mass. Provocative headlines on several national television news programs portrayed the story as if some huge revolution were afoot. Local columnists, like Susan Pawlak-Seaman of The New Bedford Standard Times, openly decried that changes would be made and queried, "Given all the huge issues and challenges facing the Catholic Church today... why would Church leaders choose now to force-feed the faithful something totally unnecessary?" She answered her question by scurvily suggesting that it was nothing other than a raw exercise ofpower by out-of-touch bishops intent on putting the laity in theirplace. 'There'~ only one reason I can think of," she said: "Because they can."

Informed Catholic observers should easily be able to come up with more charitable and accurate explanations..

The U.S. Bishops are now several years into a project to bring the English translation ofthe Mass into harmony with the Latin texts of the Roman Missal, revised in 2000, and with the various vernacular translations that have been made from it. Working with the other English-speaking episcopal conferences, they are seeking to translate some relatively minor revisions to the Latin original as well as more accurately to render some ofthe original English translations of the Latin prayers done almost four decades ago.

In 2003, parishes in the Diocese of Fall River incorporated some minor changes in this ongoing project when, as a result ofthe translation ofthe instruction to the Missal, Catholics began to stand at, rather than after, the words, "Pray, brothers and sisters, that our sacrifice may be acceptable to God, the almighty Father," and were asked to make a profound and reverential bow before receiving holy Communion.

The motivation behind this translation work, which every language group of the Church is doing, is to make the Church's liturgy more faithful to the Latin original and thereby more "catholic" in the sense of universal. When the new orderofthe Mass was translated into the vernacular in 1970, several things were lost in the translation. One of the most important casualties was a sense of the universality ofthe rite ofthe Mass in the various languages.

For example, at the beginning ofthe Mass, when the priest greets the people in one of several Biblical expressions, in English the people respond "and also with you," in Spanish, "and with thy spirit," and in Portuguese, ''blessed be God who has reunited us in the love ofChrist."

During the penitential rite, English and French speakers will say ''through my own fault" and strike their breast once; Portuguese speakers will twice say the expression and twice strike their breast; Spanish and Italian speakers will do both three times.

The year was 1673, and a Church on the first Friday of At the end ofthe offertory, when English speaking priests say ''Pray, brothers each month, is a devotion to and sisters, that our sacrifice may be acceptable to God, the Almighty Father" young nun in France dared to Christ, which emphasizes the and the faithful respond, ''May the Lord accept the sacrifice at your hands, for believe that Our Lord was reality of the Incarnation, by the praise and glory of his name, for our good and the good of all his Church," appearing to her when she which Jesus had a real human French priests say instead, ''Let us pray together as we offer the sacrifice of the prayed. When she consulted her heart. When we honor the Sacred whole Church" and French faithful respond ''for the glory ofGod and the salva- spiritual director, he cautioned tion of the world." In German, the most popular option for this important dia- her about making such a preHeart, we affirm our faith that logue is for the priest and people to skip it all together, with the priest's simply sumption; but to confirm such an the Word became flesh (In 1:14). saying ''Let us pray" and the people responding nothing.

But the devotion to the Sacred extraordinary grace, he advised These changes, both individually and collectively, are not minor or inconse- her, the next time she thought she Heart also emphasizes the love quential. Because the vernacular translations vary so much - veering from the was seeing Our Lord, to ask him that Christ had for the world. It is Latin standard in assorted ways and to different degrees - the experience ofthe what were the sins of her last the heart that symbolizes our Mass in the various languages varies well beyond the change in idiom. This was confession. emotional and moral lives. And it never intended and is one ofthe items that the bishops throughout the world are During the next trying to remedy in these revisions. apparition, the nun They are also trying to rectify another important element lost in the various explained that she needed translations: the link between liturgical language and sacred Scripture. In the some proof that it was, Latin Missal, many ofthe Mass texts are taken verbatim from the inspired words of the Bible, which provide the full context for them. Many of these biblical- indeed, Our Lord, so she liturgical links were lost in the original vemacular renderings. One example of asked him, "What were this, in English, happens with the prayer, ''Lord, I am not worthy to receive the sins of my last you." The new translation, approved by the U.S. Bishops and awaiting Vatican confession?" "I can't," ratification, will conclude ''under my roof, but only say the word and my soul came the reply, "I forgot." shall be healed." This literal translation from the Latin is taken directly from the And it was at that humble prayerofthe centurion when he askedJesus to heal his servant (Mt 8:8). moment that Our Lord was the same for Jesus. It was his In praying these words, we are explicitly calling to mind that we are addressing revealed to St. Margaret Mary Sacred Heart that was moved Alacoque, and to the whole the same omnipotent and merciful Jesus he addressed. with love and compassion for Another biblical-liturgical link will be restored in the most commented upon world, his Sacred Heart, overchange. Instead of saying "and also with you," we will begin to say "and with flowing with love and mercy. those who suffered from ailments thy spirit." St. Paul, on several occasions, used to greet Christians with that The words Our Lord spoke to and poverty. It was the Sacred phra$e (see Gal6:18; Phil 4:23; ITun 4:22; Philemon 25). His words illustrate St. Margaret Mary were not as Heart that was also moved with that St. Paul was doing more than giving a salutation; he was expressly address- consoling: "Behold the Heart that mercy and longing for those who ing someone close to God, who has God's spirit within. When we begin to use has so loved men. Instead of were lost in their sins and it at Mass, it will give a much stronger witness that weare part of a spiritual gratitude, I receive from the deprived of true happiness. It community, gathered together by God's spirit was in the Sacred Heart that was greater part of mankind only As Bishop Arthur Roche of Leeds, England, the head ofthe team ofinterna- ingratitude." To atone for this found the divine resolve of Jesus . tional translators, told the U.S. Bishops last week in Los ADgeles, ''In using a injustice, Our Lord asked St. to offer himself to save the translation that is more faithful to sacred Scripture, we are teaching ourselves Margaret Mary to encourage the world. When we honor the and our people to speak [the] Bible! Lex orandi, lex credendi." Since what we Church to establish a feast of Sacred Heart, we recall God's believe is formed by the way we pray, the more we pray with the words of the reparation on the Friday after the infinite love for each of us.

Bible, the more our faith will be grounded in that saving revelation.

It cannot be forgotten, Solemnity of Corpus Christi.

And While these changes will likely not take effectfor a couple ofyears - as the however, that the Sacred Heart it is this great feast the feast other parts of the project are completed and sent to the Vatican for approvalwas revealed to St. Margaret now is the time for faithful Catholics and their pastors to prepare for them. By of the Sacred Heart - that we Mary as being terribly wounded doing so, we will much more fully appreciate them and be able to recognize that celebrate today. by the callous disregard of those The devotion to the Sacred there is no revolution underway, no episcopal powerplay, and no desire to forcefor whom it beats with love.

Heart, celebrated throughout the feed lhe faithful anything.

A

YOUNG WOMAN WEEPS

DURING EUCHARISTIC ADORATION ON YOUTH DAY AT THE DIOCESE OF ROCKVILLE CENTRE, N.Y., EUCHARISTIC CONGRESS AT HOLY TRINITY DIOCESAN HIGH SCHOOL IN HICKSVILLE, N.Y., RECENTLY. (CNS PHOTO/ GREGORY

A.

SHEMITZ,

LONG ISLAND CATHOLIC)

"YOU GAVE ME NO WATER FOR MY FEET, BUT SHE HAS WET MY FEET WITH HER TEARS AND WIPED THEM WITH HER HAIR"

(LUKE 7:44).

The Sacred Heart While the Sacred Heart is filled with love and mercy for each of us, it is frequently ignored or even insulted by the ingratitude of those who are coldhearted or heartless. Thus, when we honor the Sacred Heart, we recall the wounds and pains it feels from neglect and offense, and we add our own effort in an attempt to make reparation for this cruelty and injustice. Remembering that the Sacred Heart is wounded is not to be negative or morbid, but rather to be like Christ who felt the pain of those who suffered.

In our own time, there is no shortage of offenses to the Sacred Heart. The more that our society moves away from the truths that Jesus revealed and died to teach, the more that the Sacred Heart is wounded, and the more that we should try to make reparation, through our own prayers and sacrifices. Making reparation for the sins of others is one sure way of putting into the deep, since it requires us to make an offering of ourselves, but for nothing in return, other than giving consolation to the one we love. In the Sacred Heart of Jesus, we find the love that knows no end, and it moves us to love him in return.

Father Pignato is chaplain at Bishop Stang High School in North Dartmouth and is secretary to Bishop George If. Coleman.

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--:-__F_r_id_a_ Y,_J_U_ne_2_3_,_20_0_6

6W[h)~re ~s "How do I know that God is calling meT' That's the question asked by Enrique, a young man. from the parish who is wrestling with a vocation to the priesthood and wants to know God's plan for his life. For the better part of a year now, he's heen attending the monthly vocation gathering offered by the Archdiocese of Tegucigalpa. Later in . September, "si Dios quiere" (God willing), he will participate in a service where he and others will make a commitment to enter the seminary, and further discern their vocation. We're praying for Enrique that he will be able to listen without distraction for God's call in his life.

The parish has put the spotlight on vocations in recent weeks as we celebrated Father Paul Canuel's 40th anniversary of ordination. As a diocesan priest, he has served God's' people both within and beyond the diocesan boundaries. Now as pastor of our two diocesan

a n c h o l " \ _. ) ..; _ ;:;;" ...

God calling me?"

mission parishes, he is serving God's people .in Guaimaca, Honduras. For him, priesthood and service know no bounds.

In the Jubilee Year 2000 when Bishop O'Malley ex-

faith with enthusiasm and began to walk with them. Six years later, Father Paul is still walking with them and serving them in the image of the Good Shepherd.

Generally, when Father Paul arrives at a village for the celebration of Mass or one of the sacraments, the community already has gathered and been preparing for the celebration. The Delegates of the Word of God, or "delegados," 'come out to greet him pressed a desire for the diocese and welcome him in the name of to reach out to the poor in the community. However, when Central America, Father PailI he arrived in the town of Orica was a natural choice to lead the for his anniversary celebration mission team. He accepted the there, they rang the church bells, . greeted him with applause, and invitation and visited the sang "Las Mananitas", a . mission with the bishop. When traditional song of celebration. they arrived at the rectory, or Inside the church, along with CasaCural, they found it to be a beautiful tropical' flowers, there far cry from the typical rectory back home and the church was were banners and simple posters with greetings of congratulain disrepair.· Yet Father Paul" knew instinctively that God's tions. One could sense that the people, the living church, was community was not only alive and well; He met their celebrating Father Paul's

iJ

- - , . ; .

I

anniversary of ordination, but also the gift of the priesthood through which they! receive the Eucharist. A gift th~t Father Paul has been celebrating for 40 years, since he answered, "Here I am Lord."

God's plan is ll~ually much clearer in hindsight. We can look back and see" how different momentS and experiences belong to our particular we are Path. However, when I' walking the road'l:the path II

does not always seem as clear..

"Where is God calling me?"

"How will I know?" These are typical questions of the' journey and in our parish, young Enrique is looking ahead and wondering where his path leads.

There was another young man 40 years ago who asked similar questions and now can look back and see how life's moments tit into God's plan. www.HonduranMission.org

Happy d,addy's day, pop If I were Irish, I would have thought that it was the work of a leprechaun.

But since it's mostly FrenchCanadian blood coursing through these veins I knew the • "Hirish" weren't involved in this "appening."

I hopped onto the old PC this morning, opened up my Word document "MVFtS623," and found my column already written. All I needed to add was a lead paragraph or two, and a wrap-up at the end.

"Howdy pop. Surely you didn't think that I'd forgotten you on Father's Day, did you?

It's just that you were so revved up about Fall River drivers last week, I had to let you vent.

I mean really, dad, we collaborated on mom's Mother's Day message.

You should have known one was coming your way.

As I told mom, I'm so happy and at peace here, but I miss you.

Since there's no 'time' up here, the last 10 years feel like yesterday. It was so comforting being held by mom and you, and I do lovingly recall your being the last to hold me on that final day.

And I have to tell you that it's most cool to get hugs from Pepere Pete, Great Memere Laura, and Great Pepere Ernie.

But there is nothing, nothing that can compare to a big old hug from Jesus. Nothing.

I know you think of me often dad, every day in fact. And it warms my heart when you blow me a kiss during Mass at the sign of peace, There hasn't been a Mass you've attended when·

you didn't include me.

There are so many things I've watch~d you, mom, Em, Lauren, Ben and Igor do, and I really wish I could be there with you - but it's not a mournful want, and I know I'll see you guys again and we'll all catch up.

Dad, I know you often think of the things we could have done together over the last 10 years, like: - teaching me how to get upset at the Red Sox and yell at

the TV; - giving me the finer points on how to hide behind Emilie's door and to pop out just at the right time to scare the Dickens out of her. I love watching that one; - showing me how to not hear a word mom's saying until she accuses us of not listening, then repeating her word~for­ word; - taking me to Disney World and showing me it's all right to be smitten with a large mouse in a polka dot dress; .

- boarding a ferry to Nantucket to visit Aunt Sue, Uncle Paul, Mimi and Maddy, and then going to "shoot us some quahogs for chowda," as you like to say; - and saying the rosary as a family with our devil dog.

Oh, and by the way dad, there's no way Igor could be that much of a pest without some help from a little nine-year-old from above.

Dad, keep up the good fight,' and know that I pray for you and mom and my brother and sisters, and the devil dog every day.

Tell my grandparents, aunts, uncles and cousins I said hi, and I pray for them too.

And I hate to tell you this but I do know how the Sox, Pats, Celts and Bruins will fare for years to come not a pretty, sight dad.

I also want you to know that I'm praying along with you for things near and dear to you.

Like you, I'm praying that people will care as much about human fetuses as they did about the one that died in the womb of the beached whale in West Dennis last week.

And I'm also praying for Father Paul's and Father Craig's Enrique mentioned in Father Craig's column this week. . That's it for now, but know that just as Jesus calls his Father, abba, I call you daddy.

Now get back to work."

Not bad for a nine-year-old, huh? Had Davey lived, he may have had some big problems to deal with, but we would have tackled them as a family..

There's not much I wouldn't give to have him with us physically, but he's always in our hearts. And I can't wait to see him again - I have to investigate his role with the devil dog.

Comments are welcome oJ

dJ.wejolivet@anchornews.org.

,

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FATHER PAUL E. Canuel recently celebrated his 40th anniversary as priest with Masses in Guaimaca and Orica, Honduras. While Father Canuel celebrates four decades as a priest, young Enrique from the Fall River diocesan mission parish discerns if, he is being called to a similar vocation.

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theanc~

Friday, June 23, 2006

Who's driving?

I have in mind two popular bumper stickers.

One reads, "God is my copilot"; the other, "If God is your co-pilot, change seats!"

These messages express two approaches to life. Either we are in charge or God is.

Some people trust God enough to allow him to direct their lives; others merely bring God along for the ride.

The disciples of Jesus mentioned in today's Gospel reading, like Job, have the "God is my co-pilot" mentality. Job is angry with God because of the calamities he has suffered. He has lost his family and property. Painful sores cover his whole body.

He demands an explanation from God. Similarly, Jesus' ~isciples are frantically trying to save their boat from sinking, and in their despe~a-

tion cry out, "Teacher, do ing that he "fix" the probyou not care that we are lem. perishing?"

While we might sympaGod offers Job no explathize with someone's anger nation. Rather, he reproaches in such circumstances, the Job for having the temerity mature Christian is always to question him in the first ready to trust God, and face place. Likewise, Jesus rebukes his disciples for their lack of faith; only thereafter does He calm the wind and the' sea.

All of us encounter J:fiilitl1l,#w!. #Co difficulties in our Timothy P. Driscoll lives, problems that can shake our faith even the hard events of life and even cast doubt on God;s love for us. A family with a certain tranquility and coping with a terminally ill acceptance. Yet we can do child. Or a parent watching this only if we are serious helplessly as a wanton child about developing our relationship with Christ through descends into a self-made prayer. hell. Situations like these can cause persons of faith to If we hope to develop a child-like abandonment to . grow angry with God, or put the providence of God, we God to the test by demand-

need to develop a familiarity and an intimacy with him that can come about only through a deep prayer life.

We need to turn to him in prayer every day and in every circumstance, much like a little child eagerly tells his parents about how his day went. It is also crucial that we live a life of sacramental intimacy with the Lord, receiving Him frequently - daily, if possible - in Holy Communion and humbly confessing our faults when we've sinned. In short, we - need to keep our eyes always fixed on the Lord, maintaining courage in the face of difficulties. Ifwe fortify ourselves with prayer and the sacraments, we'll avoid the trap of viewing Christ as

a heavenly panic button, someone to whom we turn only when things are bad and we've exhausted all our other resources.

As we strive to deepen our relationship with.the Lord, let us seek the intercession of Our Blessed Mother. Mary is the first and perfect Christian whose faith never wavered, and "who believed that there would be a fulfillment of what was spoken to her from the Lord" (Luke 1:45). If we imitate Our Lady's faith, then our faith will be strong. She'll obtain for us a child-like trust in.the Lord, help us to always keep our eyes fixed on her Divine Son, and so be able to weather whatever storms we might face in our lives.

Father Driscoll is a parochial vicar at Espirito Santo Parish, Fall River.

Boston 路College.follies Boston College's president, Father William Leahy, SJ, is a man of no small dreams, having publicly declared his intention of leading B.C. to the position of the world's premier Catholic university. Tm still trying to figure out what B.C. is doing iq my beloved Atlantic Coast Conference, but that's perhaps another matter. One has to admire Father Leahy's sense of purpose, which less charitable souls might even call chutzpah. Recent goingson at B.C. suggest, however, that the university is more likely to become a Catholic imitation of politically-correct Harvard than -the greatest Catholic institution of higher

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education on Planet Earth.

Secretary of State Condoleeza Rice was invited to deliver this past May's B.C. commencement address and to receive an honorary degree.

Many B.C. students were thrilled; they admired her, and getting Dr. Rice to their commencement trumped that other Bostori~area university, the one in Cambridge. But Father Kermeth Himes, OFM, the theology department chairman, and Father David Hollenbach, SJ, who holds the Flatley Chair in Father Himes' department, were not thrilled. To the contrary, they were very unhappy campers, and organized a petition, signed by some 200 other ~.C. folk, which strongly objected to Rice's honorary degree. Why? Because, they claimed, an article she had written in Foreign Affairs had argued a

PRACTICE THE DEVOTION OF THE FIRST SATURDAYS, AS REQUESTED BY OUR LADY OF FATIMA

On December 10, 1925, Our Lady appeared to Sister Lucia (seer of Fatima) and spoke these words: "Announce in my name that I promise to assist at the hour ofdeath witli the graces . necessary for the salvation oftheir souls, aU those who on the first .

Saturday of five consecutive months shall: 1. Go to confession; 2. Receive Holy Communion; 3. Recite the Rosary (5 decades); and 4. Keep me company for 15 minutes while meditating on the 15 mysteries ofthe Rosary, with the intention of making reparation to me."

In a spirit of reparation, the above conditions are each to be prec~ded by the words: "In reparation for the offenses committed against the Immaculate Heart of Mary."

Confessions may be made during 8 days before or after the first Saturday, and Holy Communion may be received at either the morning or evening Mass on the first Saturday.

view of the role of national interest in U.S. foreign policy that was incompatible with the teaching of the Catholic Church. And because Dr. Rice had, in office, committed grave errors of "practical moral judgment" - meaning her role

as National Security Advisor in the decision to go to war in Iraq.

As Father Paul McNellis, another路 Boston College Jesuit, usefully pointed out, Himes and Hollenbach misrepresented both Rice's concept of national iriterest and its place in the formulation of foreign policy, and the Church's settled moral teaching on international public life. As for Iraq, Himes and Hollenbach were playing politics in the guise of moral theology. For .

Fathers Himes and Hollenbach seemed to assume, as selfevidently true, that the U.S.led action in Iraq did not meet the standards set by the just war .tnidition. But that is not self-evidently true at all, as I triea to demonstrate in the April issue of First Things (www.firstthings.com). Serious just war analysts could and did have different prudential judgments about what should be done, in early 2003, about a genocidal maniac who, defying

a dozen U.N. -resolutions, was has also been home to efforts路 about to break out of "the box" by prominent and wealthy of international sanctions and Catholic laymen to reinvent resume his quest for regional Catholicism as Catholic hegemony and weapons of Congregationalism, under the mass destruction, and his rubric of improved managesupport for international ment practices. terrorism. But to assert, as a There are great teachers and moral given, that the great students at Boston action undertaken by the College. Unless Father Leahy U.S.-led coalition in Iraq gets his faculty to understand was unjustified and that the 60s are over, however, iQ.deed unjustifiable is, his" honorable ambitions are as Father McNellis put going to be, and should be, it, a "political disagreefrustrated. ment masquerading as a George Weigel is a senior moral and theological fellow of the Ethics and dispute."

Public Policy Center in That, alas, is par for Washington, D.C. the course in today's American Catholic theological guild, in Daily Readings which Fathers Himes and June 24 Is 49: 1-6; Ps Hollenbach are prominent 139:1-3,13-15; members. Another member of Acts 13:22-26; lk the guild, Father Drew 1:57-66,80 Christiansen, SJ, now editor of June 25 Jb 38:1,8-11; Ps America, has gone so far as to 107:23-26,28-31 ; propose revising the Catechism of the "Catholic Church" to 2 Cor 5:14-17; establish, not a parallel Mk 4:35-41 . magisterium of theologians, June 26 2 Kgs 17:5-8,13but a shadow government of 15a,18; Ps 60:3theologians who would 5,12-13; Mt 7:1-5 determine when the criteria for June 27 2 Kgs 19:9bthe morally justifiable use of 11,14-21,31. armed force has been met. No 35a,36; Ps 48:2small ambitions there, either.

4,10-11; Mt I certainly don't wish to 7:6,12-14 suggest that Father Leahy's June 28 2 Kgs 22:8hopes for Boston College are 13;23:1-3; Ps misplaced or untoward. Still, 119:33-37,40; Mt the B.C. commencement 7:15-20 follies came in the wake of.

June 29 Acts12:1-11;Ps some other- shall we say 34:2-9; 2 Tm 4:6peculiarities in Golden Eagle8,17-18; Mt land. Another member of the 16:13-19 B.C. theology department, June 30 2 Kgs 25:1-12; Father John Paris, SJ, publicly Ps 137:1-6; Mk supported the campaign to 8:.1-4 euthanize Terry Schiavo. B.C.

Friday, June 23, 2006

Fish are jumping and the cotton is high Wednesday 21 June 2006- have to say. They just stare 8:26 a.m. EDT Homeportback at me blankly. I much The Summer Solstice prefer a congregation of You know how you get a people to a school of fish. My tune in your head and it just sincere apologies to St. won't go away? Today I'm Anthony. humming that catchy lullaby, Ah, today is the first "Summertime," from George official day of summer. No and Ira Gershwin's "Porgy and Bess."

I've never actually seen cotton growing, high or otherwise.

Jumping fish I've seen. As I walk my greyhounds Cleo and Napoleon, I cross the old stone bridge built 1ii>1.>......~~....:ii..-----..;;;;;-r.......Ll in 1868 at Assonet Four Corners. I see the fish. matter what the weather, who Occasionally one will jump. could stay indoors? Rain or They say St. Anthony shine, it's a beautiful day in became so frustrated with the neighborhood, as Mr. people snoozing during his Rogers always said. Makes sermons that he went and you think about going fishing. preached to the fish. These I bumped into Father Assonet River fish don't seem Arnold Medeiros, pastor of all that interested in what I St. Patrick Church, Wareham,

recently. "Tim," he said, "I've got an idea for the Ship's Log!" I took the bait. "Let's hear it." He answered, "Priests Who Fish!" Good one. Thanks for the tip, Arnie.

My initial encounter with Priests Who Fish was at my very first priestly assignment - St. Ann Church, Raynham. My first night in a rectory, around midnight, I got a craving for ice cream.

I snuck quietly downstairs and opened the refrigerator. Out leapt a school of fish. Not live ones - fish fillets. The pastor, Father Bill Farland, was an avid fisherman and a very successful one, it would seem, judging from the supply in the freezer.

There I was with an armful of aluminum foil-wrapped packages of bluefish, stuffing them back in the refrigerator.

Faith for the summertime pew.

Ah, summertime. The season goes like this: I want to know You, like the of warmth and outdoor activiWhen we reach the level of back of my hand. the "sunlight knowing the ties. It is a time for families to I want to know You, like the reconnect after months of leaves," here is where true transformation, happens. The " school-driven schedules, a time ocean knows the sand.

I want to know You, like the for everyone to enjoy a differleaves are actually changed by sunlight knows the leaves. the sunlight and, because of it, ent pace of life. Barbeques.

I want to know You, Father, Bike rides. Gardening. Afterlife is given to the tree. The like You, You know me. "sunlight knowing the leaves" noons at the beach. It is good The lyrics are powerfully and refreshing to have this is an image of the Eucharist.

The leaves' receiving change of rhythm.

It is Ordinary Time ..,......_..-_'!"'!'111~~""""!..".-"""'::::=~-.,.. the sunlight is the image in the Church calendar, of our knowing Jesus, which means we are not just by fulfilling our not preparing for any Sunday obligation, but big feast days or by allowing what we sacramental ceremohear proclaimed at Mass nies. For this reason it , and the "sonlight" we might seem tempting to are offered in the Body and Blood of Jesus to sleep in on Sunday or transform every fiber of to "take the summer off' from Mass our being. progressive images of how we attendance, but that would be I am so grateful to be living need to allow our relationship like someone pressing the near the ocean where images with Jesus to deepen to the pause button in the middle of of sand and water, sunlight and point of his life changing ours. leaves are all around. They your favorite CD. Not good.

What would be good is to We can know the back of our remind me to go deeper, to refresh the tempo of our hand just by seeing it, like we allow Jesus' life to change can know where our churches spiritual life, to linger after mine even during Ordinary are just by driving by and Time.

Mass to talk with friends, to looking at them, but that kind start a prayer journal, or to The end of Cassidy's song take time each week to pray as of knowledge doesn't really beautifully sums up the song of change us. a family. The fact is that while my heart for this summer, a Cassidy's next image, that of song that I hope will become the cadence of our faith life the ocean knowing the sand, may change with the seasons, yours, too: goes deeper. This image is one the lyrics of our faith life do I want to know You, like the of two things commingling; not. The lyrics of our faith life Heavens know your name. water mixing with sand grains are that of Jesus' undying I want to know You, more and the two becoming the desire that we would come to than I can explain. wonderful stuff of drip castles. know him better. It is his I want to know You; You're It is an image of togetherness desire for all seasons and it the lover of my soul, sweet where each affects the other, should be ours, too.

Jesus, Jesus, please, make me but the two remain distinct I have a new CD that is whole. Make me whole. Make entities. It could be compared helping me to hear these lyrics me whole. anew this summer. On this CD, to attending church instead of Heidi is an author, photogjust driving on by. It is the next rapher, andfull-time mother.

Christian singer-songwriter step toward knowing Jesus, but She and her husband raise Shauna Cassidy sings a song it is possible to sit, stand, and about her desire to know Jesus their five children and grow better using some fresh images. kneel at all the right times~ and their faith in Falmouth. yet walk out of Mass basically The song is titled "I Want to Comments are welcome at Know You" and the refrain unaffected by our hour in the homegrownfaith@yahoo.com. >

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Bill Farland heard the ruckus the most rapidly growing and came rushing downstairs; group in the country. There thinking it was a burglar. "Oh are plenty of fish in the sea.

It's summer time. The it's only you, Tim. I see you, attendance in city parishes ah, like bluefish? That would decreases somewhat. The be a good thing. We have lots and lots." opposite is true of the parishes on Cape Cod. Churches Bill Farland was a member of a team of priest fishermen. from Pocasset to Provincetown are dealing with His fishing buddies on the huge numbers of worshipers "Katherine" were Msgr.

Henry Munroe and Father - the summer visitors.

Rene Gauthier. Another team "Preach the Word, in consisted of Msgr. Lou season and out," recomMendon~a, and Father Dan mended St. Paul. I keep a beta Freitas. Fathers Manny fish in a bowl in my living Andrade and Joe Oliveira room. He's a Methuselah would sometimes join them. among fish, but he wouldn't One day these priests be if I neglected to feed him.

Summer or not, Cape Cod or invited young seminarian core-city; urban, rural or Arnie Medeiros out on the resort; the faithful need to be "Morning Star" for a day of fishing. It was b3:ck in the spiritually fed.

1960s, but Arnie savors that It's no accident that Jesus day still. What Arnie rememchose so many fishermen as Apostles. It's no coincidence bers best of all about the expedition is lunch - specifi- that the Lord said: "Follow cally, the dessert; me, and I will make you Joe Oliveira was, in addifishers of men." Fishermen tion to a sports fi$herman, a are patient. They remain souse chef. His world-famous focused on their task. They're chocolate cheesetake was not easily discouraged. When made from scratch. He brought one type of bait doesn't work, , they switch to another. one with him on the boat.

They'll put up with a lot of One bite and Arnie was personal inconvenience for hooked. "This cake is delithe sake of catching fish. And cious. I sure could eat more." they go to where the fish are.

Wouldn't you know, Joe and You will never find a sign Arnie were eventually ason a Catholic Church, "Gone signed together. Arnie spent fishing." Evangelization the next eight yeflrs eating continues year-round, no chocolate cheesecake. Just another exampk of how you matter where your parish have to be careful what you happens to be located. wish for.

Oops. I have reached my allotted number of words.

The technicalliterm for Christian fishing: is "evangeli- There's much more I could zation." This is a task to say on this topic, but not now.

It's summertime. which we are aUil called by virtue of baptisrq.

Father's going fishing.

The number of Americans Father Goldrick is pastor who have no chtlrch family to of St. Bernard Parish, Assonet. Comments are call their own is growing by welcome at one million a year. According to the Pluralist Project of StBernardAssonet@aol.com.

Harvard University, those who Previous columns are at www.StBernardAssonet.org. say they have no religion are 11

TV Mass to air at earlier time this week FALL RIVER The weekly Television Mass sponsored by the Fall River diocese on WLNE-TV, Channel 6, will be aired at an earlier time this Sunday.

The Mass will be broadcast at 7 a.m. Sunday, June 25.

1

The special time is necessitated by the station's live broadcast of World Cup Soccer at the time when the TV Mass is usually aired.

The Television Mass will return to its regular 11 a.m. time slot on Sunday, July 2.

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Phase Two

Leaving Purgatory is hard, says Maronite pastor By

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DEACON JAMES

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while he has been pastor here, continuing a long NEW BEDFORD - "It's not easily done," tradition at Our Lady of Purgatory Parish."

'14 Father Charbel T. Semaan said last week as he He said Father Semaan has been involved not packed his bags for a new assignment in Con- only in his own eparchy, in the diocese, and in necticut. the day-to-day life of his parish, but also in com$ "Our Lady of Purgatory Parish has been my munity issues for the Greater New Bedford area. home sweet home for 14 years and I am certainly "I think Father Semaan will most of all be regoing to miss it, all the beautiful people; a won- membered for his leadership in helping to realderful community, and the fine priests of the Fall ize the Cedars Assisted Living facility for the River diocese too," the affable, broadly smiling elderly here. It is sponsored by his parish and the priest said during an interview The Anchor.

Eparchy of St. Maron."

"People would comically say that I had been Father Oliveira noted that Father Semaan's in Purgatory for years," he said, laughing. mother, Josephine, who, since 1996, has spent "But the parish is a very good one and a great some time each year with her priest-son, "is an place to be and I enjoyed it very much." outstanding cook ... and I shall miss her cookA priest in the ing," he said laught Maronite Rite of r::-'--:-'~~-'---'--=~;;:---:-~---C::;;;C-:::;;;:==7T---:-"'--'-~ ing.

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in Waterbu ry, L=.=-=~':";;"'-'-~:;':;;;"""""_~_ _-'--'--'-"""'-_~"----'--o-:.:..:.J also come to visit Conn. him.

"My first Mass in The son of Lebanese my new parish will be parents, Father Semaan on Sunday, July 23, was born in Senegal, which is also the feast where his late father had of St. Charbel, my a business. The family namesake, a holy returned to Lebanon monk and Lebanese when Father Semaan was priest, to whom I have three years old. After atgreat devotion," he tending schools and a noted. seminary there, he came "Going there will to the U.S. in 1987 to atmean much more work tend the seminary of the and responsibility beOblate College at The cause it is a larger parCatholic University of ish with a faith comAmerica in Washington, D.C. munity of 350 families as compared to the 180 "I had two semesters families at the parish in to finish in my theologiNew Bedford," Father cal studies," he exSemaan said. He plained. "I returned to quickly added, "And I Lebanon to be ordained won't have any help a priest in the Maronite there, because I will be FATHER CHARBEL T. SEMAAN Rite on June 19, 1989 in alone, the only priest."

St. George's Church in He looked straight at me and said: "I'll be Chawieh-Chabab, Lebanon." looking for a deacon."

Back in the U.S. his first assignment was as No matter what life may bring, he said, his assistant pastor at St. Maron's in Youngstown tenure as pastor in New Bedford has created last- Ohio for six months. Then he was assigned to St. ing memories and many lasting friendships.

Charbel Parish in New Jersey for a year-and-a"I came here at age 34, and am now living at half. Since September 1992 he has been in Our age 48 ... and I made a lot of friends who be- Lady of Purgatory in New Bedford. came my family here. But I hope to meet as many Father Semaan took time to answer questions good people where I am going. After all, as about his patron, St. Charbel, well known as the priests, this is our life. This is our mission be- Hermit of Lebanon. cause we are.a mission Church."

"He lived from 1828 to 1898 and was canonHe said he was grateful for the welcome al- ized by Pope Paul VI on Oct. 9, 1977 during the ways offered him by former Bishop Sean P. World Synod of Bishops. He miraculously cured O'Malley, OFM Cap., and "now by Bishop many people of leprosy and cancer. His body, George W. Coleman. Whenever I came to visit I which is kept in Anaya, Lebanon, is incorrupt always found the welcome door open." and it is allowed to be seen by the public every He said the camaraderie he found in priests 50 years," he related. of the diocese "has been wonderful. I always Father Semaan said southeastern Massachuenjoyed meeting and ministering with them as setts has been well served over the years by many : brother priests. Those times were most uplifting popular Maronites, "including the late I , for me. I learned a lot from them. And they were Chorbishop Joseph Eid, more recently the late an inspiration to my vocation as a priest."

Chorbishop Norman Ferris, and more currently I FatherJohn J. Oliveira, pastor of Our Lady of by Chorbishop Joseph F. Kaddo, pastor of St. , Mount Carmel Parish in New Bedford, is one of Anthony of the Desert Parish in Fall River. I think '! Father Semaan's good friends. "His community we have always been well received ... and I am , will miss him and the priests in our New Bedford very grateful for all who have been so kind to I. Deanery will miss him as well," he said. me."

"He's been a very good priest for the Maronite The Anchor encourages readers to nominate Catholic community in the New Bedford area," others for the Person of the Week - who and 'II said Father Oliveira. "He's worked hard to serve why? Submit nominations at our E-mail adwell the second and third generation Lebanese dress: theanchor@anchornews.org, or write to Catholics as well as welcoming the newcomers The Anchor, P.O. Box 7, Fall River, MA 02722.

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Saying "The mission of the Church is truly what is most important," the bishop said the next five years of the planning process will mean "greater means for inter-parish collaboration and sharing of resources will be considered and acted upon, inevitably we will need to enact some form of parish reconfiguration."

Bishop Coleman mentioned he wanted "To make clear that there is no master plan of parishes slated for closure and reconfiguration," and" ... at the end of the five-year process we will not have a 'grand plan' for the diocese; rather through learning together, discerning together changes will arise during the process itself."

It was in 2004 that Bishop Coleman spoke out of the need to plan for the future of the local Church in his letter "To Build a Stronger Church."

In instituting Phase One at that time, he called upon representatives of the five deaneries, as well as representatives from subdivisions of local parishes, to reflect and discuss the options and challenges.

It brought together a wide range of individuals who reflected on the local Church and its current and future needs, he said. As a result, "Many parishes began to consider means for collaboration and have focused on sharing resources," the bishop reported.

"I am especially grateful to all those who were directly involved in the process for their time and commitment," he added.

In recent months Bishop Coleman said he has met with the deans and the Presbyteral Coun-

Continued from page one

cil regarding Phase One's pastoral planning process, and the update in his letter follows from that.

To proceed from the first phase to the second, the steps to be taken, in essence, are: - an evaluation of the first phase by the Office of Pastoral Planning and its delegates to elicit recommendations and feedback; - formation of a Planning Assistance Team that includes parish leaders and others with competencies; - a series of Study Days beginning with priests in September, to be followed later with members of parish and diocesan ministries; - planning teams at the local level to be convened by a trained facilitator and trained during the latter part of the year.

"These pre-planning steps will help us better to undertake Phase Two of the process," Bishop Coleman said.

While it might seem to some that they are steps backward, "We need to look at what we have already accomplished in the process, its strengths and weaknesses, in order to more readily continue our efforts," he added.

Bishop Coleman said it was his desire in carrying on the planning that "we might help each other fulfill the responsibility given us by the Lord, so that our brothers and sisters now and in generations to come may be transformed by his good news of hope."

The Anchor tried to reach Father David Andrade, director of the Parish Planning Office, for his thoughts on the bishop's letter and the beginning of Phase Two, but he was unavailable for comment.

SCORES OF motorcycle riders recently lined up in front of St. Joseph's Church in Fairhaven for the annual Blessing of the Bikes by Sacred Hearts Father Christopher Santangelo. (Eric Rodrigues photo)

11

)In Vpdate on PastoraCPCanning to tlie CCergy, c.RsCigious andLaity of the (j)iocese of PaCC(jQ.ver II

June 2006

proach these situations individually with openness to some type of further process that may - or may notnecessarily incorporate reconfiguration. .

In August 2004, I addressed the diocese regarding the need to plan for the future of our local Church in the letter "To Build a Stronger Church." Various changes, such as the shift in demographics from innercity to suburban residency, a marked decrease in the number of priests, as well as a decline in faithful Mass attendance have compelled us to reflect upon ways in which the mission of the Church may be more readily fulfilled in the future. At that time, I called upon representatives from the various deaneries of the diocese to meet to discuss this challenge. Within the deaneries, representatives from subdivisions of local parishes reflected upon different options to meet these challenges, and then provided recommendations to me based upon their work.

In ''To Build a Stronger Church," I wrote that "it is my sincere hope that this process will reflect the shared obligation of all the baptized to plan and care for the future of the Church, and that the result will be a genuine collective effort, on behalf of all the faithful of the diocese, to strengthen the local Church. In the words of the Holy Father, 'We, as a Church, must face the future with trusting optimism, but without underestimating the problems we face. ...What awaits us therefore is an exciting work of pastoral revitalization - a work involving all of us'" (At the Beginning of the New Millennium, #29).

Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ,

Over the last few months, I have been meeting with the staff of the Office of Pastoral Planning, the deans and the Presbyteral Council regarding the Diocesan Pastoral Planning process. I wish to provide you with an update and general directions we shall be undertaking as we continue.

I truly appreciate your patience and goodwill during this time of reflection. I know that this has not been easy. Uncertainty during these times is difficult for all of us. I am especially grateful to all those who were directly involved in the process for their time and commitment.

No

planning process is ever perfect. In reviewing the recommendations from the delegates who represented the parishes during Phase One, there is much that we have learned. In a general sense, many of the delegates requested the need for enhanced communication regarding the process, the need for further discussion, especially in terms of how parishes and groups may collaborate, and the need for further training of leadership and others involved in the process. rvt.1tat was invariably positive about Phase One was the fact that it brought together a wide range of individuals to reflect on this local Church and to consider its needs, both present and future. As a result, many parishes began to consider means for collaboration and have focused on sharing resources. This has truly been a grace.

Regretfully, when discussion during Phase One shifted from collaboration to structures and buildings, it created an endless string of rumors about parish closures and, in some cases, a defensive posture that focused on parishes' surviving rather than thriving. wish to make clear that there is ~o master plan of parishes slated for closure and/or reconfiguration.

While there were a few subdivisions that did recommend reconfiguration, they were represented only by a small number of persons. It is appropriate for us to ap-

I

Our journey as Christians - as members of the Church - continues. It is my desire that in carrying on the Diocesan 路 Pastoral Planning process, we may help 路each other to fulfill the responsibility 路given us by the Lord, so that our brothers and sisters now and in generations to come may be transformed by His good news of hope.

<Jhis is my hope. It is evident then, that inotdedo . meet the challenges our discussions in pastoral planning must first lead us to examine what it means to exercise our baptismal responsibilities as members of the Church. The mission of the Church is truly what is most important. In order to discuss how to utilize church buildings and other structures, we must first reflect upon and share a common understanding of mission.

Based upon this understanding', I wish to outline some general steps we will take to proceed frOm Phase One to Phase Two.

Pirst, th~ Office of Pastoral PlfuIning has undertaken l an Evaluation of Phase One with its delegates this month. TIle purpose of this ev~luation is two-fold: tp evaluate Phase One of the Diocesan Pastoral Planning Process and to elicit recommendations regarding means of enhanced communication and participation for Phase Two. Feedback from those assemblies will be used to design Phase Two. "

Second, during the middle half of the year a Planning Assis,rance Team will be formed by the Office of Pastoral Planning to assist in the work of Phase Two of the Dioces'an Planning Process. This group, consisting of parish leaders and other persons with various competencies, ilwill assist the Office by providing resources for process. . the plahning <Jhird, the Office of Pastoral Planning will sponsor Study Days on the Diocesan Planning Process for leaders throughout the diocese, beginning in the fall. The first of these Study Days will be convened with the priests of lithe diocese in September. Thereafter, other leaders frpm parishes and diocesan ministries will be convened;: i

generally speaking, Phase Two will focus on developing a greater understanding of the mission of the Church, and the responsibility that all the baptized have in caring for its future. What is most important is that we learn about and formulate sound responses to the changes around us in culture, demographics, the numbers of priests as well as other factors as we carry out the Church's mission. During the five year duration of the process, in which greater means for inter-parish collaboration and sharing of resources will be considered and acted upon, inevitably we will need to enact some form of parish reconfiguration. It is my hope that the process will help us to respond proactivelY to . these situations so c> . '. that the mission of ~ .. ' . : the Church to proclaim the Gospel may be safeguarded and enhanced.

Thus, at the end of the five-year process we will not have a "grand plan" for the diocese; rather, through learning together, discerning together, and acting together changes will arise during the process itself.

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Pourth, Planning Teams will be convened and trained ttJoughout the diocese during the latter part of the year, composed of parish representatives responsible for planning at the local levels. Roughly modeled on the subdivisions of Phase One, these teams will bear the responsibility of planning at the local level. Each will have,ia trained facilitator. rzhese 'l "pre-planning steps" will help us better to undertake Phase Two of the process. Change and process, especially at this level, take time. It may seem to some that we are taking a few steps backward. However, we need to look at what we have already accomplished in the process, its strengths and weaknesses, in order to more readily continue our efforts. This is a bold effort, yet it is what is required of us as disciples of the Lord.

Our j~urney as Christians - as members of the Church JL continues. It is my desire that in carrying on the Diocesan Pastoral Planning process, we may help each other to fulfill the responsibility given us by the Lord, so 'that our brothers and sisters now and in generations to come may be transformed by His good news of hope.

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Sincerely yours in the Lord,

i-f4.hltk.-(Most Rev.) George W. Coleman Bishop of the Diocese of Fall River

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Friday, June 23, 2006

Supreme Court takes second p.artial-birth abortion case

By CATHOLIC NEWS SERVICE WASHINGTON - The Supreme Court has accepted a second case challenging the constitutionality of the federal law that prohibits the procedure known as partial-birth abortion.

The court agreed June 19 to review a January ruling by the 9th U.S. Circuit Court ofAppeals, one of three federal appeals court rulings that have found the 2003 law unconstitutional. The new case is Gonzales v. Planned Parenthood.

In February the court agreed to hear an appeal of a 2003 ruling by the 8th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals, apparently on somewhat different legal grounds from the newly accepted case. That case is Gonzales v. Carhart, brought by a Nebraska abortion doctor who successfully challenged that state's law banning the same procedure.

The court ruled five to four in 2000 that the Nebraska law was

invalid because it lacked an exception to allow partial-birth abortion when the life or health of the mother is in danger.

The newest case stems from a challenge to the federal law filed

by Planned Parenthood Federation of America and its San Francisco-based affiliate. In a January 31 ruling, the 9th Circuit overturned the federal law on the grounds that it lacks a healthy exception, "imposes an undue burden" on a woman's legal right to choose an abortion and "is impermissibly vague."

Also on January 31, a third federal appeals court, the New Yorkbased 2nd U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals said the law was unconstitutional.

In the Gonzales v. Carhart case, the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops and four other Church groups filed a friend-of-the-court, or amicus, brief asking the court to reverse the 8th Circuit ruling.

The brief also urged the court to use the case, to overturn Roe v.

Wade, the 1973 decision legalizing abortion in the U.S. The brief, filed May 19, said the partial-birth abortion ban should be upheld, both because it protects babies that are "substantially outside" the mother's womb and because it doesn't prohibit abortions in general.

Since the Nebraska state law was overturned, the makeup of the Supreme Court has changed, with two new members. Justice Samuel Alito Jr. replaced Justice Sandra Day O'Connor, who was one of the five justices who voted to overturn the Nebrask;a statute.

Chief Justice John Roberts replaced the late Chief Justice William Rehnquist, who was among the minority in the Nebraska case.

Neither of the accepted cases has been scheduled for oral argument yet for the term that begins October 2.

Knights of Columbus set records for donations of time and money NEW HAVEN, Conn. (CNS) - The Knights of Columbus set new records for charitable giving and volunteer service hours in 2005, fueled in part by the massive response to the hurricanes that struck the southern United States.

Statistics released in June by the Connecticut-based international Catholic men's group set total contributions to charity at all levels at $139,711,619, nearly $4 million more than the previous year. The reported number of volunteerhours by Knights for charitable causes was more than 64 million hours last year, up nearly one million hours from 2004. .Members contributed another

8.5 million hours to fraternal service activity, the organization reported.

There were almost 400,000 Knights of Columbus blood do: nors during 2005, and Knights made more than 5.4 million visits to the sick and bereaved.

Much of the money and many of the volunteer hours were in support of relief efforts along the Gulf Coast following hurricanes Katrina and Rita. In addition to an initial $2.5 million allocation for storm relief two days after Katrina struck New Orleans, the Knights matched donations by its members dollar for dollar.

Cumulative figures reported by the Knights showed that during

the past decade members of the organization gave more than $1.2 billion to charity and contributed 574 million hours of volunteer service in support of charitable causes.

The Knights of Columbus is the world's largest lay Catholic organization, with 1.7 million members in the U.S., Canada, Philippines, Mexico, Central America and now Poland.

Earlier this year, the Knights of Columbus announced it was organizing councils in Europe, beginning with Poland. The organization said it now has half a dozen councils and about 300 members there and the group is "growing rapidly."

Saint Pius X School Welcomes the Fastest Portrait Artist in the World Saint Pius X School will be hosting artist extraordinaire, Rob Surette and his famed "WHO ART IN HEAVEN" one-man show for an amazing 60-minl;lte performance.

the anc~ news briefs Cardinal warns against partisan politics within Church LOS ANGELES - Cardinal Theodore E. McCarrick sharply warned the U.S. bishops June 15 that "the intense polarization and bitter battles of partisan politics may be seeping into (the) broader ecclesiallife of our Catholic people and maybe even of our (bishops') conference." The cardinal made his comment at the end of his final report on the work of the bishops' Task Force on Catholic Bishops and Catholic Politicians, which he headed for the past three years. On polarization within the Church he said: "We are called to teach the truth, to correct errors and to call one another to greater faithfulness. However, there should be no place in the body of Christ for the brutality of partisan politics, the impugning of motives, or turning differences in pastoral judgment into fundamental disagreements on principle."

Bishops to write about teen stewardship, freeze assessment LOS ANGELES - The U.S. Catholic bishops, meeting in Los Angeles, agreed June 15 that their Ad Hoc Committee on Stewardship should draft two brochures - one for young Hispanic Catholics and one for other young Catholics - on teen-agers and stewardship in the Church. They also approved a proposal to keep the Same diocesan assessment in 2007 as in 2006 to help fund the operations of the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops, their national organization. In a special election to fill a vacancy on the board of Catholic Relief Services, Auxiliary Bishop Denis J. Madden of Baltimore, was declared the winner.

Catholic health system to settle lawsuit over pricing policy WASHINGTON - A Catholic health system with 41 hospitals in California, Arizona and Nevada has agreed to settle a classaction lawsuit alleging that its billing and collection practices discriminated against the uninsured. Catholic Healthcare West, based in San Francisco, admitted no wrongdoing in the case, saying in a statement that it settled the suit "to put this matter behind us, avoid the cost of litigation and focus our resources on caring for patients." The proposed settlement requires the approval of San Francisco Superior Court Judge Richard A. Kramer, who scheduled a hearing for July 12. Catholic Healthcare West is the eighth largest nonprofit hospital system in the U.S. and one of the largest Catholic systems in the country. The settlement would allow any uninsured patient treated at a Catholic Healthcare West hospital since July 1, 2001, and making less than $250,000 in gross household income during the treatment year, to apply for a retroactive reduction in hospital charges, up to 100 percent of the amount paid.

Churches, famllies urged to prepare for ~ble bird flu pandemic EXCELSIOR, Minn. - Why should churches care about bird flu? Because they are among the organizations that will be called upon to communicate information and serve as immunization or triage sites or temporary housing or health care sites, said a scientist who has studied the issue. The world is statistically overdue for a flu pandemic, said Bruce Johnson, chief strategist for Bioingenuity and chairman of the avian flu task force at Westwood Community Church in Excelsior. A former researcher with a major feed company, he holds a doctorate in animal science. Johnson spoke at a community preparedness forum on the bird flu at Westwood Community Church. The forum drew church staff members from St. Luke Catholic Church in St. Paul to St. Hubert Catholic Church in Chanhassen and elsewhere. A pandemic is a disease that starts locally and spreads worldwide. The bird flu - known as the H5Nl virus -- has caused 128 human deaths as of June 6, according to World Health Organization reports.

Broadcast indecency fines to jump tenfold under new law

Rob Surette is emerging as one of the most exciting artists on earth, as he receives invitations regularly to perform his Amazing Hero Art worldwide. Rob has been invited to over two dozen countries and has been featured on Good Morning America twice in six months during the year 2005.

He will be celebrating (while creating) seven portraits of Christ on gigantic canvases as part of this incredible theatrical performance which artistically celebrates the life of Christ.

WHEN: WHERE: ADMISSION:

Monday, June 26th at 7 p.m.

Saint Pius X Church Parish Life Center $15

Please call 508-398-6112 to reserve tickets

WASHINGTON - The maximum fine for airing indecent material on broadcast television or radio has gone up tenfold, from $32,500 to $325,000, under a new law signed June 15 by President George W. Bush. "This law will ensure that broadcasters take seriously their duty to keep the public airwaves free of obscene, profane and indecent material," Bush said at the signing ceremony for the Broadcast Decency Enforcement Act. "American families expect and deserve nothing less." Religious organizations and family advocacy groups including the Religious Freedom Coalition and the Family Research Council hailed the new law. But other groups such as the Center for Creative Voices in Media called it censorship, saying there are better ways to shield children from indecent programming, including the current V-chip technology. "Parents are the first line of defense," Bush said, "but broadcasters and the electronics industry must play a valuable role in protecting our children from obscene and indecent programming."

Friday, June 23, 2006

Church handled .'Da Vinci' well, says Michigan marketing professor

By JOE KOHN CATHOLIC NEWS SERVICE

(C~~ ~\t()'Viile

(CaIIV~Ulllle~ NEW YORK (CNS) - The following are capsule reviews of movies recently reviewed by the Office for Film & Broadcasting ofthe U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops.

"Garfield: A Tale of1\vo Kitties" (20th Century Fox) Trivial, if innocuously entertaining, sequel to the 2004 comedy based on the Jim Davis comic strip, in which the wisecracking, lazy orange housecat (once again comANIMATED CHARACTERS Garfield and Prince are picputer animated and lethargically tured in the movie "Garfield: A Tail of Two Kitties." For a brief voiced by Bill Murray) travels to England, where he inadvertently review of this film, see CNS Movie Capsules on this'page. switches places with a pampered (CNS photo/20th Century Fox) blueblood feline (voiced by Tim Curry) who has just inherited a girls' basketball coach and his play- Bullock) commences corresponcastle, finding himself in the cross ers, particularly a talented and tough dence with an architect (Keaim hairs of the estate's kitty-hating, inner-city prodigy whose off-court Reeves) who lived in the same Ilnext-in-line human heir (Billy circumstances threaten to derail her linois lakeside house she herself Connolly) while enjoying the royal dreams ofattending college. Filmed once occupied, but they come to treatment from the manor's bam- over a seven-year period, director realize they are existing two years yard staffofta1king animals (voiced Ward Serrill's "Hoop Dreams"- apart from each other. Alejandro by the likes of Bob Hoskins, Vinnie esque movie balances human and Agresti's fantasy is intelligently Jones and Rhys Ifans). Directed by athletic drama in exploring race and adapted by Pulitzer Prize-winning Tim Hill, the follow-up improves responsibility while imparting a playwright David Auburn from a on the first, but the bland script once message about teamwork and sec- South Korean film, "ll Mare." again relies heavily on the kind of ond chances that even nonfans can Though the leads are appealing, screwball sight gags and slapstick appreciate. Some crude expressions and the story of two unhappy that the kiddies may find amusing, and an instance of rough language, people trying to make a connecbut- even at a mere 75 minutes as well as mature themes, includ- tion touching if sometimes per- may induce accompanying ing teen pregnancy and sexual plexing, somehow the movie never adults to take a catnap. Some mildly . abuse, limiting its appropriateness really grips. Just a couple of incrude humor. The USCCB Office to older adolescents and up. The stances of mild profanity and a for Film & Broadcasting c1assifica- . USCCB Office for Film & Broad- crude word, and a brief but violent traffic accident, though othertion is A-I - general patronage. casting classification is A-II The Motion Picture Association of adults and adolescents. The Motion wise refreshingly free ofobjectionAmerica rating is PG - parental Picture Association ofAmerica rat- able content. The USCCB Office guidance suggested. Some material ing is PG-13 - parents strongly for Film & Broadcasting classificautioned. Some material may be cation is A-II - adults and adomay not be suitable for children. inappropriate for children under 13. lescents. The Motion Picture As''The Heart of the Game" sociation of America rating is PG (Miramax) ''The Lake House" - parental guidance suggested.

(Warner Bros.)

Inspiring documentary about the Intriguing ifslow-moving time- Some material may not be suitable relationship between a dedicated, if unconventional, Seattle high school warp romance, as a doctor (Sandra for children.

eNS video reviews NEW YORK (CNS) - The following are capsule reviews of new and recent DVD and video releases from the Office for Film & Broadcasting of the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops.

"Firewall" (2006) Tense noirish thriller of upstanding bank security executive (Harrison Ford), his architect wife (Virginia Madsen) and two young children (Carly Schroeder and Jimmy Bennett) held hostage by master criminal (Paul Bettany) and his gang who force the banker to break into the bank's computer system, which the executive designed, and ex~ tract millions. Director Richard Loncraine maintains a whiteknuckle pace throughout, the performances are good, and though the movie may be too protracted for many the violence is handled with relative discretion. Some profanity, rough and crude lan-

guage, violence, intense suspense and murder. The anamorphic widescreen DVD has no commentary but a leisurely videotaped conversation about the production between Ford and Loncraine, and a featurette on screenwriter Joe Forte, who speaks ofthe Sept. 11,2001, terrorist attacks as inspiration for his script. The USCCB Office for Film & Broadcasting classification is A-Ill - adults. (Warner Home Video).

"The Three Burials of Melquiades Estrada" (2005) Ruminative drama set in rural Texas about a ranch foreman (Tommy Lee Jones) making good on his promise to bury his friend, an undocumented migrant (Julio Cedillo), back in his native Mexico, forcing the dead man's murderer (Barry Pepper) to help in transporting the body. The film's textured performances,

contemplative rhythm and Jones' confident direction result in an affecting, if macabre, study of loneliness and connection ending on a quietly moral note. Some violence, including a pistol-whipping and gunshot gore, the surgical lancing of a venom-swollen foot, a crass but fully clothed sexual encounter between husband and wife, adultery, brief pornographic images, images ofa corpse in various stages of decay, pervasive rough and crude language, and profanity. The DVD can be viewed in either anamorphic widescreen or full screen, and contains laid-back commentary

by Jones and co-stars Dwight Yoakam and January Jones. The USCCB Office for Film & Broadcasting classification is L - limited adult audience, films whose problematic content many adults would find troubling. (Sony Home Entertainment). .

boycott the film, it might have prompted more people to see it.

DETROIT - Th~re were no "Anytime you pronounce excommunications Of top-down, you're against anything, inevita.churchwide boycotts to oppose bly that has some impact on the "The Da Vinci Code," the movie folks who are on the edges," he many Christians believe distorts told The Michigan Catholic, the legacy of Jesus Christ. newspaper of the Detroit ArchWith a ready-made audience diocese. owing to huge sales of the novel As it is, Catholics and other of the same name, no~ to men- Christians organized some oppotion copious advance publicity, sition to the movie, including the movie had a strqng box-of- some prelates, pastors, Catholic fice opening around the globe. television and radio hosts, and But according to U,oiversity of especially the personal prelature Detroit Mercy marketing profes- of Opus Dei, which was porsor Michael Bernacchi, such a trayed in Brown's novel and in tempered responsd from the the film as a secretive cult within Catholic Church was exactly the Church plotting to take over what the situation called for. the Church and willing to kill "The Church . those who stand in its as a formal, in"In many ways, this is a way. stitutional body opus Dei could not have good opportunity for us to handled it any catechize, to evangelize, to formally reb e t t e r , " explain," the cardinal said. quested a disBernacchi said "These questions brought claimer notify. after the ing the audimovie's first up I' in the novel have been ences that the week in the- with us for 2,000 years. movie is, inaters. "I think Wqat we need to under- deed, fiction. they're at the top stand is that ... in the end ... Anglican offiof their game." these are matters of faith, cials in LonThe moviedon banned which was clas- not fiction ... and faith is a the movie's sified as "mor- gift given to those. who can pro d u c e r s ally offensive" see Jesus as the Son of from filming by the U.S. Con- God. That's our reality." scenes in ference of Westminster Catholic BishAbbey. Sevops' Office for Film & Broad- eral Catholic and non-Catholic casting - made more than $77 television programs also have million in its first weekend, ac- been created to point out the falsecording to the mov* industry hoods of "The Da Vinci Code."

Website BoxOfficeMbjo.com.

A USA Today/Gallup Poll of "The Da Vinci Code" is cen- 1,013 adults indicates that most tered on a "religious who see "The Da Vinci Code" symbologist," played by Tom don't plan on letting it shape their Hanks, who uncovers!' a Church- religious perspective. Most facilitated conspiracy to hide the adults polled - 72 percent "fact" that Christ had children by said they see such work as enterSt. Mary Magdalene, resulting in tainment rather than commentary a continuous bloodline that has on religion. Seventy-two percent survived to the present day. also said a movie wouldn't affect A highly promoted adaptation their religious beliefs. of a best-selling novel by author In an episode of Detroit CarDan Brown, the movie got off to dinal Adam J. Maida's talk show, a rocky start at th~ popular "Dialogue," that aired on, the Cannes Film Festival in France, Catholic Television Network of where it was jeered byi!some crit- Detroit, the cardinal urged Cathoics, but that was because of its lics to adhere to the truth of artistic execution rather than its Christ, despite popular media's anti-Christian content. tendency to mix it with fiction for But despite the Qad press, entertainment purposes.

BoxOfficeMojo.com reports that "In many ways, this is a good the movie had the second-largest opportunity for us to catechize, opening among pictures geared to evangelize, to explain," the for adults, trailing only Mel cardinal said. "These questions . Gibson's 2004 movie,il'~The Pas- brought up in the novel have been sion of the Christ" - ironically with us for 2,000 years. What we considered by many the most need to understand is that ... in pro-Christian film to hit theaters. the end ... these are matters of Still, Bernacchi said, if the faith, not fiction ... and faith is a pope had spoken strongly against gift given to those who can see "The Da Vinci Code" or had the Jesus as the Son of God. That's Vatican pleaded with Catholics to our reality."

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In honor of Sister Lucia dos Santos, seer of Fatima, who died Feb~ary ~3, 2005, age 97.

Lucia pray for us.

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Friday, June 23, 2006

prayer for their quick and complete recovery."

The bishop said "incidents like this remind us how difficult and important is the work of our firefighters and other public safety officials. Let us always be grateful for their service and dedication, and pray that God always keep them safe."

Father Ferry said "Mrs. Raposa was an extraordin'ary minister of holy Communion in our parish for perhaps three years. She and her husband John, also brought Communion to the elderly homebound."

Commenting on the scriptural passage of Jesus calming the storm, Father Ferry in his homily noted, "Even with Jesus in the boat, the menacing storm came. Even with Jesus among us, and with the presence of th'e Holy Spirit, we also in our lives 'face storms and not only the HUNDREDS OF family, friends and parishioners filled Espirito Santo, Church last Friday 'storms on the sea~" , Father Ferry said that calaminight for a memorial service for four diocesan women who perished in, a fire June 14 at the ties occur even in the good life S1. John's Holy Ghost Association on County Street in Fall River. The women, along with 'of good people, people of faith. scores of others, were preparing for the upcoming annual Holy Ghost feast when the fire, "We have to do what the disbroke out: (Photo by. Eric Rodrigues) , Ciples did in the boat during the ... stoqn. We have to recognize , that Jesus is still with us in' our Continued from page one tioat, even if we feel assaulted by what has happened. But we of his beloved parishioners, century in the Azores in Portu- managed to escape. The four are here reunited in this holy pl,ace because we need - more Isabelle Raposa, 70, of Westport, gal, when Queen Isabel would victims never made it out.

Bishop George W. Coleman, than anything - !he support of an extraordinary minister of holy place her crown on the heads of Communion; lind her aunt, peasants to show they were her ' who was attending the spring the Lord. And may the Lord , Emiliana Carvalho of Fall River, equal in God's eyes. meeting of the U.S. Conference comfort the families affected by whose 80th birthday was celThe catastrophic fire oc- of Bishops in Los Angeles, Ca- this tragedy."

He reported that others from ebrated by her gathered family , curred about 7:15 p.m., in the lif., issued a statement on June June 11 at a party at the Venus de hall better known as the Recre- 15 just hours following the fatal his parish were injured in the Milo in Swansea. ' ation Association of Our Lady fire. fire, and some ofthem were hos"Today is a very sad day for pitalized. He identified two who Approximately 750, packed , of Light, when reportedly somethe church on Alden Street for one dropped a match while at-, all of us in the City of Fall had been treated and released as tempting to light one the many River," he said. "I offer my "Michelle Pacheco and her the Mass. mother."

Along with two other candles surrounding the Pacheco, holding her women, they were killed in a 14th century replicas of year-and-a-half niece Autragic, three-alarm fire June 14 Queen Isabel's dove-em''It was heartbreaking to be there tumn, was pushed through at St. John's Holy Ghost Asso- bellished banner and silver ciation Hall at 228 County crown and scepter, icons especially with the circumstances the door by her mother. involved-" Father li"emblay toldThe ,Michelle, whose hair was Street, as they gathered to say of the feast. the rosary at an Azorean The match ignited satin Anchor. "These were nice people singed by the heat, and Audominga devotion to the Holy cloth. Flames quickly doing something so innocent They tumn were treated for spread to the crepe paper were praying."He noted that "One burns and released from Spirit.

The other dead are Christina decorations ,draped on the of the responsibilities of the fire Hasbro's Children's Hospital in Providence, R.I. Costa, 33, who had Down's Syn- walls and caused the ceilChristina Costa, who drome, a member of SS. Peter ing to collapse, witnesses chaplain at the scene ofa fatal fire ,& Paul Parish at Holy Cross at the scene told the news is to remain there until the bodies perished in he fire, was .at are removed. At that time we make the hall with her mother, Church; and 63-year-old media.

Geraldine Andrade of Fall River, Officials said the fire sure there are properprayers said Maria Eduardo Costa, who whose funeral Mass was cel- caused thick smoke ham- for the victims and their families. It is hospitalized with serious burns.

Along wIth ebrated Monday in Holy Trinity pering vision and superParish. . ' Christina's father Jose, the heated hot air in the 80-by- was a long difficult night" family belonged to SS. PeThey were among .approxi- 35-foot space of the first ter & Paul Parish at Holy Cross mately 30 people who came to floor hall blistering people's pray at a shrine honoring the faces. The mounting air pressure prayers along with those of the Church in Fall River.

Pastor Father Stephen B. SalHoly Spirit as they prepared for in the hall made an exit door dif~ entire Fall River diocese for the the June 17-18 weekend feast of ficult to open. Those tying to victims of the devastating fire vador told The Anchor that the Holy Ghost held annually flee tried to break through win- last night at the St. John's Holy Christina was a quiet, gentle under the sponsorship of the As- dows, and finally someone Ghost Association building. We young women who always atsociation. The celebrations were kicked the door open, witnesses remember in prayer as well their tended four o'clock Mass on families and friends and grieve 'Saturdays. Others who knew her cancelled. said. said she loved jewelry and col- , A dominga refers to a Sunday Fire raced through the 1951- with them for their loss."

He went on to say, "The St. oring books. celebration on which a particu- era three-story wood-frame "1 went to visit Mrs. Costa in lar person is crowne~ in church building that included apart- John's Holy Ghost Association with a crown symbolizing an mtmts on the upper floors~ in is an independent group not af- the hospital last night (June 15)," outpouring of the Holy Spirit. what State Fire Marshall filiated with the diocese or any said Father Salvador. "She exDuring the week prior to the ' Stephen Coan termed "A per- of its parishes. Yet its roots 'are tended her badly burned arms out crowning, there is a nightly de- fect storm." Residents in the tied to the Catholic faith and its to me, and in Portuguese said, 'I votion of prayer and song to the apartments were forced to toss events to many of the popular tried to go back in and save her.'"

Father Salvador also spent Holy Spirit at a home or a club their young children from win- religious devotions and customs or another fitting place. Visitors dows to people oil the ground. of the people of the Azores Is- time with Jose who, referring to are later treated to traditional Some were rescued from the lands of Portugal. Last night's his daughter's death, told his fire also left several people in- pastor, "Look what they did to .' Portuguese bread and wine, It rQof by firefighters. had its beginnings in the 13th Many suffered bums as they jured. I ask all to join me in Jesus, and he forgave them. We

Tragedy

have to be forgiving now."

"Mr. and Mrs. Costa are daily communicants at our parish," said Father Salvador. "They could be angry with the Holy Spirit or with God, but instead. their faith is carryi'ng them through this. Mrs. Costa said.

'Jesus told us death could come like a thief in the night, and it did.' This fami Iy was always prepared for that thief in the night."

Also on June 16, SS. Peter & Paul School celebrated a 9 a.m.

Mass with Father Salvador marking the end of the school year. Kindergartner Tristan Caetano was a nephew of Christina Costa.

"The teachers told Tristan what happened to his aunt and grandmother, and Tristan and the whole school prayed for them at the Mass," added Father Salvador. "One of Christina's older sisters was a graduate of SS. Peter & Paul School, and many of Tristan's cousins are alumni. This tragedy truly hits close to home with this parish community."

On Monday night, Father Salvador celebrated a memorial Mass in English at Holy Cross Church.

"It is for our parish community as we remember Christina as well as in support of her parents ... it appears Mrs. Costa, still hospitalized, will be having surgery later this week," Father Salvador reported. ,"We had readings from Jeremiah and John - and John's Gospel that talks of mission ... our continued mission at SS. Pe' ter and Paul of feeding the sheep," he said. "We also looked at how we pray to the Holy Spirit ... who always helps the poor and the needy."

Fall River Fire Chief 'David Thiboutot reported that two of the more than 50 to 60 firefighters from Fall River and surrounding towns who responded to the fire also suffered injuries battling the blaze.

Several chaplains ministered at the scene. Msgr. Thomas J. Harrington, chaplain to the Fall River Fire Department, held a prayer service in the street at the fire scene that found 100 onlookers taking part.

Father Marc P. Tremblay, pastor of S1. Mary's Parish in Norton, and the area representative of the Massachusetts Corps of Fire Chaplains was also called to the scene that night.

"It was heartbreaking' to be there especially with the circumstances involved," Father Tremblay told The Anchor.

"These were nice people doing something so innocent. They were praying."

H~ noted that "One of the responsibilities of the fire chaplain at the scene of a fatal fire is to remain there until the bodies are removed. At that time we make sure there are proper prayers said for the victims and their families.

It was a long difficult night."

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Friday, June 23, 2006

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THESE SECOND-GRADE st~entS'from Espirito Santo School, Fall River, recently visited the New Bedford Whaling Mu~um as a culmination activity to their unit on whales.

SENATOR SCOTT Brown visited St. John the Evangelist School in Attleboro and spent time reading to students in kindergarten through grade three. Students were asked questions from the lesson and those who answered correctly received an autographed photo of the Senator's daughter, "American Idol" contestant Ayla Brown. i

METEOROLOGIST DYLAN Dreier on Channel 1D's NBC News and Weather visits with fourth- and fifth-graders at Espirito SantoiSchool, Fall River. While there she discussed weather and weather conditions, answered questions and spoke about the qualifications needed to be a meteorologist.

AS PART of the third-grade curriculum, students at St. MarySacred Heart School learned about the history of North Attleboro and eventually took a tour of historic landmarks. They started at the town hall and visited such sites as the Woodcock Garrison House, First Congregational Church, and the Angle Tree Stone., They are pictured in front of the powder 1J0use where ttfe to\\'n kept gunpowder as well as town records.

SCIENCE FAIR winner Emily Kaliff received the Best Overall Award for grade six at Holy Name School, Fall River. Her project was on mummification.

JUSTIN DION and Meghan Brennan of the Bishop Feehan High School Fencing Team were recently named to the Boston Globe All-State Team. At the state competition the boys and girls teams finished fourth and sixth place respectively.

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Fall River sixth-grader' places first in "world-wide prayer contest

By MIKE GORDON

end our day with prayer."

Smith teaches several classes at the school in~ FALL RIVER - Sixth-grader Amanda Drapeau c1uding religion and was impressed with Drapeau's from SS. Peter and Paul School recently captured entry. "I thought it was very good and I was excited first place for her grade level in the annual "Try that she won," she declared. "When writing comes Prayer! It Works!"contest, sponsored by Family from the heart it's great."

Drapeau is in her first year at the Catholic school Rosary in Easton. She was one of 13 first-place winners chosen from more than 50,000 entries world- and is enjoying the experience. "I like going to wide and was quite amazed at hearing she had won. school here and learning about religion," she said.

"I was surprised when I heard the news," said "I pray every day."

Drapeau smiling. "My mom and grandmother cried Drapeau was honored at a school Mass at Holy Cross Church on the final day of school. "We are so when they heard I won. They were proud of me."

Drapeau en- r---------------------"__--. proud of tered an original Amanda and her prayer in the confamily," said Fatest which was ther Stephen B. open to written How Receiving Jesus in Salvador, pastor and artistic enof SS. Peter & tries. She was seHoly Communion Changes Us Paul Parish. lected from a "Not only is this

By AMANDA DRAPEAU a better week, and to help me a great moment pool of 2,500 finalists that inGRADE SIX become more patient and kind for the diocese, eluded students SS. PETER & PAUL SCHOOL, to others. When I receive Holy but also a great . d FALL RIVER f rom t he U nIte Communion it helps me to re- moment for SS. States, Puerto Celebrating the Eucharist is member all that God has done Peter & Paul Rico, Brazil, receiving the Body and Blood of for me. He made a huge sacri- School. It's a Peru, Iceland, Christ. It is where you become ficedyingon theCrossandlam moment ofgreat Haiti and several connected with God. I feel really very thankful for this. joy for us." other countries.

Bet h "I went to good about myselfwhen I receive I try to help my family un- Mahoney, mischurch that day Communion. I feel like I am get- derstand how important parcici- sian director of and I was think- ting my day off to a good start. I pating in Mass and Holy Com- Holy Cross ing about the feel very dose and connected to munionis to God. lteU my fam- Family Miniscontest during Jesus. When I receive Holy Com- ily that it is important to go to tries, was on Mass," said munion I am thinking about Church each week, and that if hand to present Drapeau. "I re- God being with me, and how im- you believe in God he will al- Drapeau with a member the porcant my relationship with ways be there to help and pro- framed copy of priest was talking God is to me in my life. teet you. I encourage my family her winning esabout how we WhenlamprayingtoGodI members by telling them that say and a $100 should make an thoIn k ab oue all t h at . . on praYing . to G 0 d Wi'U make you award. "Holy is gOing effort to go to. h d 1 kb k f: I h dh 1 b Cross Family church and how 10 my ea . I 00 ac at my lee appy an. e p you to . e- Ministries has · d on th e week and think about what I come the best person that you been sponsoring Jesus d le cross for us. I could have done better. Maybe can be. I have been taught to be- this contest for wrote about I was disrespectful and I ask lieve that a family that prays to- 11 years, and that."

God to forgive me. I ask for gether really will stay together. Amanda is the The 12-year- God's help and for his forgive- When you believe and pray to very first winner old recei ved a ness. I ask him to help me have God anything is possible. from the Dio$100 cash award cese of Fall for her efforts River," said during a June 16 presentation by Family Rosary rep- Mahoney, also a diocesan native. resentatives Beth Mahoney and Ann Melanson. Fam"Years ago when Father Patrick Peyton was preily Rosary is a prayer ministry founded by Father paring to become a priest, he fell very ill with tuberPatrick Peyton in 1942. The school received $200 culosis," Mahoney told the students at the Mass. and a tape by Father Peyton on how to pray the ro- "The doctors told him they did everything they could. sary, as the sponsoring organization.

One doctor told Pat, 'Try prayer, it works.'

The theme of the contest was, "How Receiving "Pat prayed to the Father and for Our Blessed Jesus in Holy Communion Changes Us," and was Mother's intercession, and he was completely designed to give children an opportunity to share healed." Mahoney told the students that's where the the importance of it in their lives. name of the contest came from.

"I was delighted that my teacher Kristen Smith Ann Melanson of the North Easton chapter of took the time to have the students enter the con- the Father Peyton Guild was also on hand to contest," said Principal Kathleen A. Burt. "Getting gratulate Drapeau. students involved in their faith life is a wonder"It's absolutely wonderful that this great young ful opportunity and it's a great chance for them lady be singled out," said Melanson. "She relayed a to express what's in their hearts. We begin and great message, and that starts from the home."

ANCHOR STAFF

1ry Prayer! It Works!

Irish Christian Brothers end presence in over 100 schools DUBLIN, Ireland (CNS) The Irish Christian Brothers plan to end the order's day-to-day direct involvement in their 109 secondary and 29 primary schools in Ireland, Tn recent years the number of vocations to the order in Ireland has decreased dramatically, the main reason that tbe s'chools' management is to be handed over to a new charitable trust called Edmund Rice Schools Trust, named after the order's founder.

The schools will be run by lay "Nevertheless, the order played people once the trust has been a central role in the development formally approved by the Irish of modem Ireland and its prosperbishops' conference. ous Catholic middle class.

The order's reputation in IreChristian Brothers'" schools land has suffered in recent provided free secondary educayears because of allegations of tion to thousands of working-class serious abuse and neglect in the boys. order's residential institutions, Irish Prime Minister Bertie particularly their industrial " Ahem was educated by the Chrisschools. Similar allegations tian Brothers, as were two former were made against members of prime ministers, Charles Haughey the order in Canada and in Aus- - who died June 13 - and Jack tralia.

Lynch.

CARDINAL SEAN P. O'Malley of Boston, second from left, joins a procession from St. John's Seminary to St. Columbkille Parish in Brighton, recently. Survivors, clergy and parishioners affected by the clergy sexual abuse crisis took part in a nine-day "pilgrimage of repentance and hope" and novena to support healing within the Church. (CNS photo/George Martell, Archdiocese of Boston)

Cardinal: Novena helped galvanize commitment to fight sex abuse

By ANTONIO ENRIQUE CATHOLIC NEWS SERVICE

recognized that "sadly and shamefully" some of those priests turned BOSTON - Closing a nine- their back to their call to serve. day "pilgrimage of repentance and "Instead of being good shephope" organized by the Boston herds they became wolves among Archdiocese to atone for the sin innocent sheep, he said. "We must of sexual abuse of minors by recognize and acknowledge that clergy, Cardinal Sean P. O'Malley the body of Christ has been sexuof Boston thanked those survivors ally abused by some of the shepof sexual abuse who shared their herds." experiences throughout the noTaking the lectern, abuse survena celebrations. vivor Bernie McDaid explained "You have helped us to under- that, like most other Irish-Ameristand in some small way the evil can children in his Salem neighof sexual abuse ofchildren, to gal- borhood, he grew up with close vanize us in our commitment to ties to his parish and parochial make ours a safe Church and to school. make ours a safe world," he said McDaid described himself as at the end of a recent Mass at St. an "A" student and class president Columbkille Parish in the Boston - until the day Father Joseph Birneighborhood of Brighton. mingham called him into the sacThe novena to the Holy Spirit risty of St. James in Salem.

"I lost the faith in this instituopened Ascension Thursday, and featured a Mass or prayer vigil at tion you are all in," he said, looknine different parishes throughout ing toward Cardinal O'Malley.

McDaid said he became adthe archdiocese that had been afdicted to drugs at age 15, was exfected by clergy sexual abuse.

"Publicly acknowledging the pelled from high school and has Church's faults and failures is an been in therapy for the last 15 important element of asking for- years. "I put my family through giveness of those who have been literal hell," he said. harmed by the Church," Cardinal Immediately after his testiO'Malley said in announcing the mony, Cardinal O'Malley and the pilgrimage. other clergy present lay prostrate Although the final service had on the stone chapel floor for 10 been scheduled to begin outside minutes as a cantor led the assemthe main doors of the bly in singing a litany of repenarchdiocese's Brighton chancery tance. They took the same action building, persistent rain forced the at each of the nine services. evening's opening liturgy indoors "I have never seen anything to Peterson Chapel at St. John's like it," said Mercy Sister Anthony Seminary, followed by a proces- Mary Diago, a staff member of the sion to St. Columbkille.

Cathedral of the Holy Cross, as Speaking to those gathered at the pilgnmage began May 25.

She said it was the first time Peterson Chapel, Father John Connolly, rector of the Cathedral she had seen priests prostrate exof the Holy Cross, said he de- cept for an ordination. "It was a plored the actions of some of his humble and moving gesture," she brother priests, "whose actions, said. whose sins, whose crimes hurt Following the litany, Father our children and our young Connolly explained the signifipeople." cance of the novena and some of After describing the Christ- the changes that had been made given mission for priests to shep- to the evening's program because herd their flocks, Father Connolly of the weather.

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Friday, June 23, 2006

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The key to a successfu~ first conversati.on

By CHARLIE MARTIN FOR YOU I WILL Wandering the streets in a world undemeath it all Nothing seems to,be, nothing tastes as sweet As what [ can ~ have like you and the way that you're Twisting your hair 'round your finger Tonight I'm not afraid to tell you What [feel about you.

Refrain: ['m gonna muster Every ounce of confidence [ have And cannonball into the water I'm gonna muster Every ounce of confidence [ have For you [ will, for you [ will.

Forgive me iff stutter From all the clutter in my head , 'Cause [couldfall asleep in those eyes Like a,waterbed.

Do [ seemfamiliar?

I've crossed you in the hallways A thousand times, No more camouflage [ want to be exposed And not be afraid to fall.

(Repeat refrain) If[ could dim the lights in the mall JESUS, PORTRAYE;D by Eric Grover, 19, raises his hands And create a mood [ would shout out your name to calm the seas during a summer Bible camp at St. Anthony So it echoes in every room on the Lake in Pewaukee, Wis., recently. Organizers of the [would.

10th annual Bible camp said 145 children, ranging from three· That'S what I'd do year olds to fifth-graders, participated in the week-long camp.

That'swhatI'ddo ' Pictured with Jesus are his disciples played by Anselmo To get through to you.

Pereira Jr., 17, and Kylie Harris, 15. The biblical re-enact- mitten by Teddy Geiger and Billy ment of Jesus calming the sea took place at a pond adjacent Mann, Sung by Teddy Geiger (c) to the church. (eNS photo/Sam Lucero, Catholic Herald) 2006 by Sony

CATHOLIC NEWS SERVICE I

If "For You I Will" is representative ofTeddy Geiger's music, then I ::un going to listen for more of it.

Geiger is a 17-year-old whose artistic approach reminds mit a little of John Mayer, somewhat of James Blunt and even a bit of Maroon 5.

Geiger's debut album "Underage Thinking" and this release off the disc showcase his instrumental talents (guitar, piano, bass ~d drums) and his smooth vocal abilities.

The song's story is one listeners can easily identify with, especially ifyou happen to be a guy. The song's character is attracted toa girl that "I've crossed ... in the ~allways a thousand times." He really wants to tell her ofhis attraction, but he's been hesitant. .

Yet something has changed. He's decided to "muster every ounce of confidence I have and cannonball into the water." He knows he might "stutter from all the clutter in my head," but he's ready to speak. ' While his resolve is commendable, his plan appears faulty. Since it appears he previously has not spoken to this girl, wouldn't it be better to initiate a regular conversation with her.than to express ''what I feel about you." His smile, newfound confidence and kindness will communicate his 'attraction adequately. Otherwise the girl is likely to be overwhelmed by his intensity "and make excuses to end the conversation.

How might he proceed? Well, every good beginning cOQversation starts with an introduction. Afterthat, he might mention some aspects of life they share, for example friends or classes. After these steps, he can

inquire about her interests and activities.

The key to a successful first conversation is to ask open-ended questions that invite the other person to communicate with more than oneword answers. However she responds, he needs to be positive and supportive. Finally, he should tell her that he looks forward to talking with herag~n.

In this first conversation he shouldn't ask for hercell phone number or to go out. Rather, he needs to show he is interested in her as a person, not just as a potential dating partner.

The song does not reveal why he has been hesitant to speak to her, only that nothing "tastes as sweet as what Ican't have." His words indicate that he doesn't think she will find him as attractive as others. Such assumptions don't help him.

True, she might not be open to dating him. But if mustering "every ounce of confidence I have" means overcoming his feelings of inadequacy, then no matter how she responds he is a winner.

Whether another will be romantically interested in you is difficult to predict. But you can be sure that God made you right.

Believe in who y.ou are. Be sensible about how you convey your interest to another, but give yourself the chance you deserve. Every good relationship begins with confidence in yourself. Stvt here, and see what happens.

Comments are at: chmartin@swindiana.net or at 7125W 2OOS, Rockport, IN 47635.

Want to be a YUPpie?

It's time for young people to unite to help each other choose peace over violence.

It's past time. We need to . look at how stupid and· ' wasteful all of the violence we are experiencing really is. We don't hav'e to choose violence, We, don't have to react in violence. Youth United for Peace can be;a driving force for positive change in this world, and particularly in the city of New Bedford.

When someone attacks us, we automatically fight b'ack.

At first we might think we are just defending ourselves, but before we know it, it's not about defense; we are waging a full scale attack.

What's up with that? The initial violence is usually , verbal or attitudinal. Seldom does our interaction with another begin with physical violence. But as we all know, violence escalates.

Peace has to be a decision

we make very early on.

If someone who has made a negative comment about us has, in our opinion, misjudged us, why is it that we feel we absolutely have to "fight back"? We may not call iUhat, but that's what it is. We ar,e fighting. I may feel that your judgment of me is unfair or that your comments to me are cruel, but I cannot change them. What's the'likelihood that my arguing with you is going to force a sincere apology or change your impression of me? And what difference will it make if you just plainly don't like me? It's not like my life is at stake here. And maybe, just maybe, there is some kernel of truth in your comments and that's why I'm as mad as J, am. Maybe this is a real lesson in humility if I'm

because someone felt lithe need to "fight back'! and killing her would somehow send some kind of message.

What a pointless way to make a point. Those who loyed her must now choose how we will respond. The response is in our control.

The word resentment comes from the Latin word "sentire" which means, "to feel," and wheh you put "re" in front of any word, it means "again," so the. word resent means "to feel again." If som~one says something or does no control over. But I can control my response to those something hurtful, why on earth would we want to feel things. it again? How stupid is that?

For the past couple of years, I've been holding on to Yet that is exactly wh~t we do when we hold on to our some resentments. Lately, 'resentments. Choosing peace I've come to realize how futile that is. In large part this sometimes means letting go.

Choosing peace asks ~s to ' lesson was taught to me by look at our own part ih that my friend Bernadette. resentment we are holping, Bernadette was murdered willing to look at it honestly.

I cannot contrQl anyone else. I cannot control what anyone thinks, says or does.

There are a ton of things that have happened in my life, and will happen in my future, that I have absolutely

to see if there is some lesson we've missed. Choosing peace means we opt to treat those we view as attackers as rather brothers and sisters in need of our love. This is why Christ tells us to love our enemies and pray for those who hurt us.

Peace is a lot of work. It demands self-control, tremendous strength, courage, and a strong self-est~em. It also helps if you have Ii desire to ·surrender to God in all things, a desire to be holy, a desire to live as a disciple of Christ. God knows our hearts. God knows who we really are. We need not defend ourselves; honestly, we cannot defend ourselves.

We are all totally reliant on the mercy of God. Jean Revil is director of Campus Ministry at Bishop Stang High School, where she has taught for 27 years.

Comments welcome at: jrevil@bishopstang.com.

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118 Inmates

up to two years.

"We're grateful for.that," said Deacon Murphy. "We didn't have County and helps conduct weekly served as chaplain for the a place they could go before and Communion services. She also Barnstable County Correctional when a woman was kiiled shortly leads the purpose-driven-life pro- Facility from 1990 until recently. It's after she got out of prison we went ' gram and does work at the deten- ajob he's wasn't looking for after to the bishop to see if something tion facility in New Bedford. he retired, but looking back felt it ,could be done."

"I try to bring God intojail," said had a big impact on his own life.

The deacon was also thankful to Amiot. "I help them open the doors "I've grown by leaps and bounds the many priests who've given of to him and help residents sustain a having seen so many people healed their time over the years to visit prisrelationship with God. We need to and the miraculous difference this oners and declared, "It's absolutely reach out to those incarcerated. program makes," he said. imperative to have a Catholic presThese folks have lost so much they There has been a Catholic pres- ence in our prisons." are open to God." ence in the facility for some 23 years Catholic Charities Appeal money Amiot began working in the pris- now. The REC program was estab- also assists a similar facility for men ons at the invitation of the late Fa- lished in 1991. called the Friends ofPrisoners Tranther Matthew Sullivan, SS.Cc., and Deacon Murphy said there are sitional Home for Men in Hyannis. has never looked back. ''What keeps 30-35 team members for the REC ,It was started by a former Protestant me involved is God calls us to serve and when inmates enter the retreat, chaplain at the jail. in his vineyard. He's blessed me with team members are lined up and ofDeacon has been chaplain in the personality traits suitable to this work fer hugs. "Many refuse because Bristol County facility fomine years. like hospitality, the ability to be non- they're playing the role of the tough "It's been an unbelievable experijudgmental and compassion. I've guy," said Deacon Murphy. ''They ence and has been very rewarding," seen miracles in here;" are afraid. They have a poor sense he said.

Amiot said when pris- rr He leads the REC prooners go through the U:j~=========::========*nJ:::J gram and said the team of Continued from page one

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REC program, they still God, _ =,'_-,--',__: n fl sQmetimes struggle with alcohol or drugs once jO~}!.\1'\ , \ """? they get out. Bunhey have a renewed commitUnd~f:'IiI:S\J01'd.~, , d....1+ ment to overcome those ~7 demons becau,se "they ~i~3~a:ttoH;"l ehvered ' have come to know ""f.' arilie.R\:h;t ~ If something else."

According to Amiot, )~l Catholic Charities funds r'\/~':~~ most of the materials for ~~~;j ,,\,~, ", ,/~,.I, I'~'" rl+~erJ"''J . ' â&#x20AC;˘â&#x20AC;˘ ~; 'J;.'.....st~t.:::~ the retreat like Bibles, rosaries, tablecloths, pens, - '; t;~.~. ~~,\t!""""'l""pads and other supplies. ' 1~"',',"~''':;';:;'~\' ~~;~~~, ". ', ";", ~~'-' =~;;~~.tr.~: "It makes such a differoN.Mft.~"''"~'''-J'9' ence," she said. ~ I \ ~~"=~.::~ Father Kevin Cook \, . ' ,,;~~: 'i:;;~~' has been spending time". ~ n, " ! :::~1.~E;E~~ visiting those incarcerated at the Bristol County ~"<1F~ House of Corrections for """""'1'" \ { &lVI'~\;"~several years and is one 1\ j (~~~ of many priests who do

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volunteers also goes in on Monday and Tuesday nights to follow up with residents who have participated.

"We have a prayer service and sing. Men and women share how their spiritual walks are going.

Their attitudes about trying to find a better life and their dedication to prayer is astonishing."

The team also holds Communion services at' the Ash Street detention facility in New Bedford.

Deacon Reardon said the inmates are very honest about their struggles and he has seen the program change lives. ' "It's having a huge impact. I think the biggest

Friday, June 23, 2006

Success of Catholic, Charities realized by persevering effort FALL RIVER - The true sign ofcharity and selflessness shows up each year as the Catholic Charities Appeal draws to a close.

It's not simply the total ofmoney raised. or eyen the number ofdonors who contribute across the diocese.

The most telling sign is the level of effort shown by pastors and parish communities right up until the very end of the Appeal. ' "When you see parishes that ex.ceeded their previous year's total two and three weeks ago continuing to work up until the very end, not to make their parish total "look better," but simply to solicit all the money and support they can for the success of the Appeal diocesan wide, it is the utmost sign of caring and unselfishness in action," said Mike Donly, diocesan director of Development.

"You could have all 95 parishes exceed their previous year's total, but if that was all they were concerned with and ended their efforts once they reached that level, the Appeal would remain basically stagnant from year to year and would never be able to keep up with the increasing demands placed on it by the tens' of thousands of our friends and neighbors in need all across the diocese, which includes southeastern Massachusetts, Cape Cod, and the Islands," he said.

It is "because they look beyond themselves and their local parish" that they continue to strive right up . until the' very end to make certain the agencies funded by the Appeal have the resources neCessary to minister to those who look to the Diocese of Fall River for assistance," Donly asserted.

"Pastors and parishioners are very comfortable standing on the

credibility of the Appeal and the work it funds," he noted. "For 65 years the Appeal has been synonymous with caring and compassion as it ministered to hundreds of thousands of individuals and families.

They know full well that 94 cents of every dollar raised goes directly to the agencies funded by the Appeal, and that this is the only time the diocese asks its parishioners to assist them in ministering to the neediest among us."

All this in a diocese "That is among the very few, perhaps fewer than I0 out ofthe approximately 190 dioceses nationwide, that does not levy a monthly tax on each parish to assist it in financing the administration and operation of the diocese," Donly pointed out. "Quite an amazing testament to the Diocese of Fall River and the significance it places on responsible stewardship."

Contributions to the Appeal can be made either through a one-time donation or through a pledge, which is payable monthly, quarterly, or semi-annually. Matching gifts through employers is a frequent source of revenue for the Appeal as well. Contributors whose employers have matching gift programs are encouraged to contact the personnel or human resources office at their place of employment to utilize this avenue of increased revenue for the Appeal.

Donations can be sent to the Catholic Charities Appeal Office, P.O. Box 1470, Fall River, MA 02722; dropped off at any parish in the Diocese of Fall River; or made on the Appeal Website: www.frdioccatholiccharities.org

For information visit the Website or contact the Appeal Office at 508-675-1311.

Top Five Parishes by Deanery as of 06116106 Attleboro Our Lady of Mount Carmel, Seekonk St. Mary, Mansfield St. John the Evangelist, Attleboro St. Mark, Attleboro Falls St. Mary, Seekonk

.

$ 129,633.00 67,272.00 56,088.00 47,505.00 36,029.00

Cape Cod

St. Pius Tenth, South yarmouth Our Lady of Victory, Centerville Corpus Christi, East Sandwich Christ the King, Mashpee , St. John the Evangelist, Pocasset

$ 171,003.73 90,964.00 81,177.50 78,419.00 72,360.00

Fall Riyer Holy Name, Fall River St. John the Baptist, Westport Santo Christo, Fall River St. Thomas More, Somerset Holy Trinity, Fall River -:1':'

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$ 56,406.00 36,770.00 35,643.00 34,345.00 27,374.75

New Bedford Our Lady of Mount Carmel, New Bedford St. Julie Billiart, North Dartmouth St. John Neumann, East Freetown St. Patrick, Wareham St. Mary, South Dartmouth

$ 59,052.00 57,612.00 49,868.00 45,394.00 40,975.00

Taunton

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St. Ann, Raynham St. Anthony, Taunton Holy Family, East Taunton Annunciation of the Lord, Taunton Immaculate Conception, North Easton

$ 62',848.00 33,875.00 33,374.00 28,457.00 25,700.00

The names of generous donors, parishes and agencies contributing to the 2006 Catholic Charities Appeal, will be published in a single supplement of The ~nchoron July 21.

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ATTLEBORO - Perpetual eucharistic adoration is held at St. Joseph's Church, 208 South Main Street. For more information call 508-226-1115.

NEW BEDFORD - Perpetual eucharistic adoration is held at Our Lady's Chapel, 600 Pleasant Street. New adorers are welcome.

For more information call Laurie Larsen-Silva at 508-888-7751.

WEST HARWICH - Perpetual eucharistic adoration is held at Our Lady of Life perpetual adoration chapel. New adorers are needed. For more information call 508-430-4716.

HEALING MASSES ATTLEBORO - A healing service will be held Sunday at 2 p.m. at the National Shrine of Our Lady of La Salette. It will be led

by La Salette Father Andre Patenaude. For more information call 508-222-5410.

POCASSET - The 13th annual Mass of the Anointing ofthe Sick will be celebrated Sunday at 2 p.m. at St. John the Evangelist Church, 841 Shore Road. For more information call Betty Kazmier at 508-563-9020.

STURBRIDGE-Father Ralph A. DiOrio will conduct a charismatic general healing service with a Sunday Eucharist celebration Sunday at 11 :30 a.m. at the Sturbridge Host Hotel. For more information call 508-791-0610.

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MISCELLANEOUS FALL RIVER - A three-day novena in honor of Our Lady Queen of Peace continues tonight at Holy Name Church with confessions at 6:30 p.m., followed by Mass at 7, then rosary and Benediction. Tomorrow includes rosary and Benediction at 7 p.m., followed by consecration to both hearts.

FALL RIVER - The Institutional Review Board of Saint Anne's Hospital seeks volunteers from the local community to serve as members. They will help to ensure that clinical trials are ethical and participants are protected.

For more information call 508235-5714.

NEW BEDFORD - Confessions are heard every Friday night from 5:45-6:30 at St. Anthony of Padua Parish, 1359 Acushnet Avenue. They are preceded by eucharistic adoration at 4:15 p.m.

Mass is celebrated at 5:15 p.m.

For more information call 508993-1691.

NEW BEDFORD - Volunteers are needed for the Donovan House, a transitional home for women and children. Training and ongoing support will be given. For more information call 508-999-5893. .

Carmelite Secular Order welcomes inquiries from lay men and women regarding new membership. It meets at St. John of God Parish. For more information call Rachel Cote at 508-540-9767.

emotional troubles, depression or mental illness, will meet July 2 from 3-4:30 p.m. atSt. Margaret's Parish. For more information call Timothy Duff at 508-759-1903.

SOCIAL EVENTS ATTLEBORO - Musician John Polce will present his Bethany Nights program June 30 at 7:30 p.m. at the National Shrine of Our Lady of La Salette.

It will include music, prayer and healing. For more information call 508-222-5410.

NORTH DARTMOUTH Still hurting from an abortion experience? Call Project Rachel, a ministry of healing and reconciliation for post-abortion women and men where you'll receive the compassionate love of Jesus Christ. All calls strictly confidential. For more information call 508-997-3300.

SUPPORT GROUPS ATTLEBORO - A support group for separated-divorced persons will meet July 13 and 27 from 7-8:30 a.m. at the La Salette Retreat House, 947 Park Street. For more information call

NORTH DARTMOUTH - A Diocesan Divorced-Separated Support Group will meet June 26 from 7-8:30 p.m. at the Family Life Center, 500 Slocum Road.

For more information call Bob Menard at 508-693-2997.

I n Your Prayers Please pray for the following priests during the coming weeks Jone27 1863, Rev. John Corry, Fo~n. d.er, St. Mary, Taunton; Founder, St. Mary, Fall River 1933, Rev. Dario Raposo, stor, Our Lady of Lourdes, Taunton 1980, Rev. Msgr. Thomas .r-fish, R~d- astor, St. John the Evangelist, Attleboro .~~ 1984, Rev. Msgr. Bernard til , SA Retired Chaplain, Retired Pastor, St. Jost;P~~ ton .

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June 1952, Rev. Simon Pease, S8.CC., ministrator, Sacred Hearts, Fairhaven 1961, Rev. Alphonse M. Reniere, , Dominican Priory, Fall River July 1 1993, Rev. Fernando A. Veiga, CM, Vincentian Mission House, Fall River

July 2 1967, Rev. Gerard A. Boisvert, Assistant, St. Anthony, New Bedford 1996, Rev. Maurice H. Lamontagne, Retired Pastor, Our Lady of Grace, Westport July 3 1942, Rev. Thomas P. Doherty, Pastor, St. Kilian, New Bedford

,

Sister Evelyn Rogers SUSC; teacher and pastoral minister II

FORT WALTON BEACH, Florida. Locally, she taught at Fla. Holy Union Sister St. Joseph's School and at Evelyn Rogers, 7~, formerly Coyle and Cassidy High School known as Sister Jos~ph Leonor, in Taunton; and at Holy Name died June 5 here, where she had School in FaII River. served St. Mary's ~arish as diFollowing her teaching I" Ed . ucatlOn years, she was involved in Rerector of Re 19lOUS,1 and as pastoral minister to the ligious Education ministry at Holy Name Parelderl y and beish in Fall River, reaved. and with the DioBorn in cese of ProviTaunton, she was the daughter of dence in Rhode the late Joseph Island.

Leonor and In Florida, she (Silva) Rogers. was also involved She attended in adult educaschools there and tion. Besides her graduated from full-time minisTaunton High try, Sister Evelyn School. She enwas active in tered the Novivarious organizatiate of the Holy tions that inUnion Sisters in volved her minisFall River, try to school Mass., on Aug. boards and parish HOLY UNION SISTER 22, 1950 and councils.

EVELYN ROGERS made profesShe is survived sions of vows in by two brothers, 1953 and 1959.

George and Joseph Rogers; a She received a bachelor's de- . sister, Patricia Macklin; and by gree in education fropl the Col- her Holy Union Sisters. She lege of the Sacred Hellrts in Fall was also the sister of the late River. She received a master's John and Leonard Rogers, Rita degree in educatioq, from St. Forest, Eleanor Eddy and Mary Michael's College in ~inooski, Elizabeth Brennan.

Vt. Her funeral Mass was cel. For more than 25 years, Sis- ebrated June 13 in St. ter Evelyn taught at, and had Anthony's Church in Taunton. been principal at schools in Interment was in St. Francis New York, New Jersey, and Cemetery there.

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At Our Lady of Guadalupe Parish parents offer views on teen abstinence

By MIKE GORDON ANCHOR STAFF

A FLOAT honoring the Holy Spirit was decorated with flowers by parishioners of Holy Ghost Parish, Attleboro.

Below, women from the parish prepare free Portuguese soup for the recent feast honoring the Holy Spirit which included Mass and procession. From left: Maria Silva, Eugenia Rodrigues, Maria Faria, Maria Matos and Celeste , Amaral. (Anchor/Gordon photos)

NEW BEDFORD - Beth Boucher, abstinence educator of the A.C.T.LO.N Program of Cathol!c Social Services, recently . gave a presentation to Spanishspeaking parents at Our Lady of Guadalupe Parish at St. James's Church.

Through interpreter Naim Benavente, parents learned about the abstinence program that has been taught to children in Catholic schools and in church.es over the past four years by Boucher and Steve Gangloff.

"It was very well received," said Boucher of the 90-minute presentation. "We had a very positive response and it helped stimulate some good conversations and questions about some important topics for their teen-agers."

The presentation provided information about abstinence, sexually transmitted diseases, the major influences teens face today and the importance of communication between parents and their children. ''Things have change a lot over the years and most of the parent

questions centered on sexually eas and hire more abstinence edutransmitted diseases," said cators over the next five years.

Boucher. "There are many nega"Initially we faced a lot of retive influences teens face today sistance when we started, but like peer pressure and the media, through word of mouth and proand our message is that abstinence motion we've been able to reach is th~ only way to protect your- more than 10,000. We've'received self 100 percent from the nega- a tremendous amount of support tive effects of pre-marital sex. We and hope to reach even more." give teens the knowledge so they Boucher believes that it is a can make good choices." beneficial program and she's been Steve Gangloff was director of helping to bring the message to the program from the start, and teens throughout the Fal.J River said he was proud of w.hat was and New Bedford area for several accomplished in the four years. years. "There is a need for this "This program has had a tre- program," said Boucher. "There mendous impact on our young are so many benefits to choosing people. It's strengthened their abstinence. Teens can be free of self-respec.t and self-esteem and worry, have healthier stronger rewe're proud to make a differ- lationships with others, good ence. It shows we believe our physical and mental health and teens can make healthy informed just be free to be a teen," she said. decisions."

"The earlier you talk to teens Gangloff, who recently left about abstinence the better. Good his position as director because communication between parents he and his wife are relocating, and their teen-agers is so imporwas hopeful they· will get the tant." new grant. The four-year grant Parent presentations are given supporting the program ends this at each school or parish prior to, year, but they have already ap- the teen presentations. plied for a, renewal to continue "We hope to hear in July about their work.. They are_looking to that," said Boucher. "We plan to expand the program ~nto more ar- ,expand a great deal if we get it."

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fill are invited to a Special Mass celebrated

by Bishop George W. Coleman.

Sunday July 9th at noon.

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ABSTINENCE EDUCATOR Beth Boucher and translator Nairn Benavente present an abstinence program to parents at Our Lady of Guadalupe Parish, New Bedford.

Famed Irish Catholic singer Dana to perform at St. Mary's Fund Dinner

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A special celebratory banquet will follow the Mass at White's of Westport, featuring a Family Style Turkey Dinner. lickets for the banquet are $30 and can be obtained by calling 508-674-5651, or after weekend Masses. Tables of 8-10 can be reserved.

Come, give thanks, celebrate and reminisce!

MASHPEE - All are welcome to join Bishop George W. Coleman, event chairmen, Albert and Maureen Makkay, and co-chairmen, Thomas and Mary Doherty, for the ninth annual St. Mary's Education Fund Summer Dinner July 14, at 6 p.m. at Willowbend Country Club. Attractions include a cocktail reception, gourmet dinner, silent auction and internationally known entertainer, Dana from Galway, Ireland.

Dana is one of Ireland's most successful entertainers, having enjoyed outstanding acclaim through best selling-records and albums, top rating television appearances and major headlining concerts at home and abroad. Dana, the former Eurovision song contest winner, composed and per-

formed the theme song at World Youth Day in New Orleans and Denver, for Pope John Paul II, and again during the Holy Father's visits to New York, St. Louis, Paris and Rome.

The non-profit St. Mary's Education Fund provides need-based scholarships to children and their families. All proceeds will benefit children in need of financial assistance to attend Catholic schools throughout the Fall River diocese.

For reservations, call Jane Robin 508-759-3566, FAX 508-759-6099, or write to the Cape Cod Office, P.O. Box 405, Monument Beach, MA 02553.

It is sure to be a great summer evening on Cape Cod with Ireland's best, while supporting the St. Mary's'Education Fund.