Diocese of Fall River
The Anchor
F riday , June 24, 2011
Study links same-sex attractions and risky teen-age behavior By Christine M. Williams Anchor Correspondent
BOSTON — A government report, released June 6, found that youth with same-sex attraction are more likely to participate in harmful behaviors. “Any effort to promote adolescent health and safety must take into account the additional stressors these youth experience because of their sexual orientation, such as stigma, discrimination and victimization,” Howell Wechsler, director of the Centers of Disease Control’s Division of Adolescent and School Health, said in a press release announcing the report. The report is based on data from a study conducted by the CDC from 2001 to 2009. It found that students who report being gay, lesbian or bisexual were more likely to use tobacco, alcohol and drugs. They were also more likely to participate in risky sex, suicidal behaviors and violence.
Candi Cushman, education analyst for CitizenLink, told The Anchor that the collected data does not address the root causes of these harmful actions. Instead, it shows a correlation between risky sexual behavior and other actions that cause self-harm. “The study demonstrated a well-documented trend that sexual experimentation leads to long-term emotional and physical harm,” she said. CitizenLink, an affiliate of Focus on the Family, is a family advocacy organization that seeks to inspire people “to live out biblical citizenship that transforms culture.” Cushman said she was surprised at some of the conclusions that have been drawn, particularly because in areas where homosexuality is more widely accepted, risky behaviors by homosexual teens do not decrease. While the study’s median Turn to page 14
Catholic Charities Appeal enters its final week
FALL RIVER — With the closing of the 2011 Catholic Charities Appeal set for June 28, the Catholic Charities Appeal Office was scampering to answer the phones, open the mail, and check parish totals as secretaries and pastors called in to doublecheck their figures. This will continue up until 4 p.m. on June 28 when the books officially close. “It’s pretty remarkable to see the dynamic that unfolds
here in the office and on a grander scale all across the diocese,” said Mike Donly, coordinator of the Appeal for the diocese. “It would be so easy for parishes that have exceeded their previous year’s totals to just sit back and revel in the fact that they had accomplished what some might consider their goal, but the reality is that all of the parishes truly feel their true goal is to raise as much money as they can, from as many parishioTurn to page 19
a Diocesan schools mainstay — Dr. George A. Milot, diocesan superintendent of schools, is retiring after decades of service in the Catholic schools system of the Diocese of Fall River. (Photo by Becky Aubut)
George A. Milot retires after a decade as school superintendent By Becky Aubut Anchor Staff
FALL RIVER — Dr. George A. Milot may be retiring after spending nearly a decade as the superintendent of the Catholic school system of the Fall River Diocese, but his memories of teaching are what he is focusing on most as he prepares to leave the Diocesan Education Center. “Some of my memories always go back to people,” he said. “In all honesty, some of my earlier years when I was actually teaching in the classroom and coaching are some of the most memorable years because you’re dealing with the students. Later on in my career, when I became a principal, although you’re still dealing with students, a lot more of your job had you dealing more with adults, like parents and teachers. Certainly as superintendent, the majority of your job is absolutely with adults.” Milot has spent most of his professional career in Catholic education in the Fall River Diocese. He began as a teacher and a coach at Bishop Stang High School, North Dartmouth in 1966. In 1974, he became principal there, serving until 1982. Af-
ter a stint in public schools, he returned to the diocesan school system in 1994 as principal of Bishop Feehan High School in Attleboro. In January 2002, then-Bishop Sean P. O’Malley, OFM Cap., appointed him director of the Diocesan Education Department, making Milot the first layperson to serve in the top education post in the diocese. The title was changed to superintendent of schools during a later reorganization of the diocesan education apostolate. Milot credits his own Catholic education for the formation of the ideals that he brought not only to his career but also to his daily life. “It gives you the realization that we have a loving God who is always with us and that we learn to make Christ the center of your life. You use that as your basis,” he said. “I always feel the Lord is part of the major decisions that I have made. He has always guided me. There is comfort in that I think He has led me in the right way.” As he began to assume more responsibility in the Catholic education system, Milot said he never lost sight of finding the right balance between Turn to page 14
New Bedford parishes heed call to pray for pope, sanctification of priests, and new vocations By Dave Jolivet, Editor
NEW BEDFORD — The solemn feast of Corpus Christi will be the catalyst for four straight days of eucharistic adoration in honor of Pope Benedict XVI’s 60th anniversary of his priestly ordination. Initiated by the priests and parishes in the New Bedford Deanery, the four-day, 24-hours-a-day event at Our Lady’s Chapel, 600
Pleasant Street in New Bedford, is in response to a letter to bishops worldwide from Cardinal Mauro Piacenza, Prefect for the Congregation for the Clergy calling for 60 hours of eucharistic adoration, in honor of the pope’s June 29 anniversary, for the intention of the sanctification of the clergy, and for the gift of new and holy priestly vocations.
“In this way, the pontiff could be honored with an extraordinary spiritual bouquet of prayer and spiritual union,” Cardinal Piacenza wrote, “capable of showing both the real center of our life from Whom every missionary and pastoral effort comes forth, as well as the authentic face of the Church and of her priests.” Turn to page 11