The big wheels get the Greece After today, there are only 48 more "days until opening ceremonies for the XXVIII Summer Olympiad in Athens, Greece. Seven weeks to go before the world's premier sporting bonanza, yet I have no interest in watching pro hoopsters, basebailers and track & field stars compete for the gold. None. As a young sports fanatic I ate up the Olympic Games much like I did a Thanksgiving turkey - a delectable meal that came only once or twice a year. Back then, the summer and winter games were held in the same year. The Olympic Games were a potpourri of events and dramas I got to witness only e~ery four years. How sweeeet it was when they returned. . Besides the thrill of the games, the leap-year sports bonanzas were also a measuring stick of my development as a person. During the closing ceremo-
nies I would always calculate how old I would be when the next Olympic Games rolled around. I recall in 1968 watching the end of the Mexico City games
My View
from the Stands By Dave Jolivet thinking, "Wow, in 1972, I'll be l6!"; then at the end of the '72 Munich games realizing,. "In '76 I'll be 20!!" I think it was after the 1976 Montr~al games that things changed. I've long since squelched that tradition when I realized I was growing too old too fast that way. Maybe that's when the Olympic magic began to fade. But I doubt it. The magic of the Olympic games lost its edge when the integrity of the games began to ebb.
The terrorist attack on the '72 Munich games was horrible, and that initiated a political influence that would grow and taint future games: like the United States' boycott of the 1980 Moscow games, and the Soviet Union's 1984 boycott of the Los Angeles games. But what tainted the games most, for me, was the elimination of the "amateur" status. It was so refreshing to see a kid from . Harlem work his way up to the Olympic games and stand on the gold medal podium while the "Star Spangled Banner" played. It was inspiring to watch a group of high school and college kids compete against the mighty Soviet "amateur" soldiers. And the only athletes who were suspected of bulking up usually came from the Eastern Bloc. . It was sports at its best. Not anymore. Professionals and steroids have now stolen the limelight. As usual. By.and large, the Olympic the celebration 'of Mass at 5: 15 and a dinner and guest speaker will follow at 6 p.m. For more information call Father Richard M. Roy at 508-255-0170,
Publicity Chairmen are asked to submit news items for this column to The Anchor, P.O. Box 7, Fall River, 02722. Name of city or town should be included, as well as full dates of all activities. DEADLINE IS NOON ON· FRIDAYS. Events published must be of interest and open to our general readership. We do not carry notices of fund-raising activities, which may be advertised at our regular rates, obtainable from our business office at 508-675-7151. FALL RIVER - The Hudner Oncology Center at Saint Anne's Hospital invites area cancer patients to participate in an education and support program held every Wednesday from 5-6 p.m. in Room 220 of Clemence Hall. For more information call Mark Theodore at 508-674-5600 ext. 2279. FALL RIVER - People are needed to become Beacon Hospice Volunteers and help care. for patients with life-limiting illnesses. Training will be provided and other volunteer opportunities including some for teen-agers are available. For more information call Billie Baker at 508-324-1900. FALL RIVER - Catholic Social Services will host a presentation on adoption June 29 from 7-9 p.m. at its 1600 Bay Street
office. It will cover the Domestic Newborn and International Adoption Programs. To register call 508-674-4681. Light refreshments will follow.
POCASSET - The. 11th annual Mass of the Anointing of the Sick will be held Sunday at 2 p.m. at St. John the Evangelist Church, 841 Shore Road. For more information call Betty Kazmier at 508563-9020.
MISCELLANEOUS - The YARMOUTHPORT - FaMassachusetts Citizen for Life Group has established a 24-hour . ther Roger Landry will lead a hotline dedicated to giving men Morning of Recollection July 10 and women important informa- at Sacred Heart Chapel on Sumtion on alternatives to abortion. mer Street. It will begin with the There are several pre-recorded celebration of Mass and include messages on a variety of topics Adoration of the Blessed Sacto assist in any situation. For more rament. The day is themed information call the "Her Choice" "True Devotion to Mary." For more information call 508-775hotline at 508-678-3030. 0818. NORTH DARTMOUTH The Diocesan Divorced-Separated Support Group will meet June 28 from 7-9 p.m. at the Family Life Center, 500 Slocum Road. Refreshments will follow. For more information call Bob Menard at 508-673-2997.
Games were pure and simple. Now, Olympic headlines fit in well with the rest of the garbage on the sports page. . Where can we tum? Wiffle Ball anyone? Dave Jolivet, editor of The Anchor, is afonner sporls editor!
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writer, and regularly gives one fan ~ perspective on the unique world ofsporls. Comments are welcome at dave;olivet@anchornews.org.
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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 with the graces necessary for the salvation oftheir souls, all 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 preceded 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.
HEALING SERVICE WITH MASS Sun., June 27 - 2:00 p.m. - English Fr. Andre Patenaude, M.S.
. ,.JOHN POLCE: BETHANY NIGHTS Friday, June 25 - 7:30 p.m. - Music - Healing - Church , Good-will donation
SACRAMENT OF RECONCILIATION Mon. - Fri. Wednesday Saturday-Sunda~
2:00-3:00 p.m. 2:00-3:00 p.m. & 5:00-6:00 p.m. 1:00-4:00 p.m.
508-236-9090
Gift Shop
10:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m.
Every Day
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Saint Anne's Hospital
Clinical Pastoral Education Program
NORTH EASTON - The public is invited to participate in the praying of the 20 mysteries of the rosary on Sundays at 5 p.m. in the chapel of toe Father Peyton Center at Holy Cross Family Ministries, 58 Washington Street. Daily rosary is recited at 9 a.m. and Mass is celebrated at noon every weekday. ORLEANS - A SeparatedDivorced Support Group for Catholics will meet Saturday at the St. Joan of Arc Parish Center, 61 Canal Road. It will begin with
is now offering an extended unit of
Clinical Pastoral Education September 2004 - January 2005 , Mondays 8:30 a.m. - 4:00 p.m.
Clinical Pastoral Education (CPE) is alearning process, within asupsvised clinical setting, that helps theological students, ordained clergy, and religious and lay ministers develop greater competence in their spiritual roles. CPE is ameans of . supporting people in their ministry and of extending quality spiritual care and education into an integrated health-care setting. For more infonnation, contact: Ann Marie Lauzon at 508·674-5600, ext. 2060 Saint Anne's Hospital CPE program is accredited by the Association for Clinical Pastoral Education, Inc. and United States Conference of Catholic Bishops Commission on Certification and Accreditation.
Saint Anne's Hospital caritas christi health care
795 Middle Street, Fall River, MA 02721 www.saintanneshos ital.or