06.26.20

Bishop ordains diocesan priest, transitional deacon at cathedral Diocese of Fall River, Mass. † Friday, June 26, 2020

Diocesan Pro-Life Office advocates for Culture of Life with help from Appeal aid FALL RIVER — The 79th annual Catholic Appeal, which supports the many agencies assisting those in need throughout the Diocese of Fall River, is approaching its halfway point. As of press time, the Appeal has just passed the $1.6 million mark with one month remaining in the annual campaign, which this year runs through July 31.

Since it began in 1942, the Catholic Appeal has assisted those in their times of greatest need across the Diocese of Fall River. One of the beneficiaries of funding through the Appeal is the Diocesan Office of Pro-Life. For nearly 30 years, the Office of Pro-Life has been ministering to people of all ages across the Diocese of Fall River, providing opportunities to come together and learn about the value of life from conception 8 Turn to page eight

On June 14 Bishop Edgar M. da Cunha, S.D.V., ordained Father Steven A. Booth as a priest for the Diocese of Fall River and Rev. Mr. Peter R. Scheffer Jr. as a transitional deacon.

Father George Bellenoit, top, laid hands on Father Booth during the Mass, and below, Deacon Scheffer and Bishop da Cunha pray the prayer of ordination. Archbishop Timothy Broglio of the Archdiocese for the Military Services, was also in attendance. Father Booth will serve as a parochial vicar at Good Shepherd Parish in Vineyard Haven until the end of August and then become a parochial vicar at St. Julie Billiart Parish in North Dartmouth.

Deacon Scheffer will minister at Our Lady of Mount Carmel Parish in Seekonk. (Photos by Deacon Alan Thadeu)

Pro-Life Office spreads The diocese hosts interfaith Saint Vincent’s Services dismessage of life with aid from service for peace and justice. plays sign promoting love and Catholic appeal. Page one.

Page two. peace. Page 15.

July 10 FACE Un-Gala to support Catholic education

MASHPEE — The Foundation to Advance Catholic Education (FACE) provides critical scholarship support to children in need of financial assistance to attend Catholic schools in the Diocese of Fall River. The 23rd annual FACE Summer Gala to support area students will be held on Friday, July 10, 2020 — for the first time as a virtual Un-Gala due to the limitations that the COVID-19 pandemic has imposed.

Event co-chairs, Pat and Jim Gonet, and 8 Turn page† three June 26, to 2020

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Bishop da Cunha takes part in Interfaith Service for Peace and Justice

By Dave Jolivet Print Editor

davejolivet@anchornews.org

FALL RIVER — In the wake of the horrific murder of George Floyd at the hands four policemen in Minneapolis, Minn., and the aftermath, the Diocese of Fall River hosted an Interfaith Service for Peace and Justice on June 14 at St. Mary's Cathedral.

Bishop Edgar M. da Cunha, S.D.V., invited religious leaders from across the area of the Fall River Diocese to take part in the service.

The public, too, was invited, but only by pre-registering because of capacity restrictions due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

In poignant and emotional presentations, Bishop da Cunha and others stressed the need for all to realize that racism is a very real scourge in this country and called for all to accept that fact, and strive to change hearts, beginning with themselves, and educate and encourage others to do the same.

Blacks across the country experience prejudices and being treated as subordinates in all walks of life, Felizvera DePina and Joseph Brandão offered petitions at the Prayer of the Faithful in the Interfaith Prayer Service June 14 at St. Mary's Cathedral, sponsored by the Diocese of Fall River. Father Edward J. Healey, the Ecumenical Officer for the Fall River Diocese, was the Master of Ceremonies for the service. tual convictions regarding respect many on a daily basis. Non-minorities will never know what their for other races and other ethnic groups.

Black brothers and sisters experi“As the Biblical scholar Father ence, but the message at the serRaymond Brown said, ‘If no change vice was to listen, learn and act to occurs as a result of prayer, then eliminate racism in all forms. one has not really prayed.’

The following is Bishop da “Our reaction to this moment Cunha's message that day: “If there is one word we heard ‘must not be an episodic response again and again these past several that seeks to calm the waters of days, that word is change. A call for racial turmoil and then return to change is still echoing in our heads. normalcy. The only authentic moral Some call for change by violent response to this moment in our naprotest; others by peaceful protion’s history is a sustained convertest; and still others by prayer and sion of heart and soul to genuinely reflection. comprehend the overwhelming evil of racism in our society, and to “But we must remember that refuse to rest until we have rooted when we pray for change, we are committing ourselves to change. it out’ (Bishop Robert McElroy).

“George Floyd’s daughter We are not just calling others to change, but this change must begin Gianna said, ‘Daddy changed the world.’ How we hope that it is true: with ourselves.

“What is the change we are that we are changed by this tragedy praying for? Change minds, hearts, and that the world will be changed. attitude, behavior. Change individRacism is a sin and this sin uals, society, policies, laws, the way must be eradicated from our midst. we see each other, the way we treat But in order to be eradicated from each other, the way police enforce our midst, it must be removed from law and protect our citizens. our minds and hearts.

“A change of heart cannot oc“In their 1979 pastoral letter, cur without strengthening Spiri8 Turn to page 14

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† Diocese of Fall River † OFFICIAL Appointments

His Excellency, the Most Reverend Edgar M. da Cunha, S.D.V., D.D., Bishop of Fall River, has made the following appointments and transfers: Rev. Mr. Peter R. Scheffer Jr., Deacon at Our Lady of Mount Carmel Parish in Seekonk Effective: June 14, 2020 Reverend Brian E. Albino, from Parochial Vicar of St. John of God Parish in Somerset, and Saint Francis of Assisi and Saint Dominic Parishes in Swansea, to Parochial Vicar of Saint Anthony of Padua Parish in Fall River.

Reverend Jason Brilhante, from Parochial Vicar at Saint Anthony of Padua Parish in Fall River, to Administrator of Saint John of God Parish in Somerset.

Reverend Dariusz Kalinowski, from Parochial Vicar of Christ the King Parish in Mashpee, to the Diocesan Tribunal and Parochial Vicar at Santo Christo Parish, with residence at Santo Christo Rectory in Fall River.

Reverend Thomas M. Kocik, Parochial Vicar at Santo Christo Parish in Fall River, to Chaplain of Cape Cod Hospital with residence at Saint Francis Xavier Rectory in Hyannis.

Effective June 30, 2020 His Excellency, the Most Reverend Edgar M. da Cunha, S.D.V., D.D., Bishop of Fall River, has accepted the request to retire of: Reverend Richard M. Roy, Pastor of Saint Julie Billiart Parish in Dartmouth Effective August 1, 2020 His Excellency, the Most Reverend Edgar M. da Cunha, S.D.V., D.D., Bishop of Fall River, has made the following appointments and transfers: Reverend David A. Pignato, member of the faculty at St. John’s Seminary in Brighton, to Pastor of Saint Julie Billiart Parish and Chaplain to Bishop Stang High School in Dartmouth.

Effective August 1, 2020 Reverend Steven A. Booth, Parochial Vicar at Good Shepherd Parish in Vineyard Haven.

Effective June 25, 2020 until August 31, 2020 Reverend Steven A. Booth, from Parochial Vicar at Good Shepherd Parish in Vineyard Haven, to Parochial Vicar at Saint Julie Billiart Parish in Dartmouth Effective September 1, 2020

Director, chaplain appointed for diocesan cemeteries

FALL RIVER — A new director of Catholic Cemeteries is in place for the Fall River Diocese.

David Raposa of Johnston, R.I., began in the post on June 1. In his role as director, he is responsible for oversight of cemeteries administered by the diocese, directing their overall operation including fiscal management and compliancy with applicable civil and Church law and with guidelines and standards for Christian burial.

Raposa’s work will not encompass oversight of parish cemeteries whose administration is, by Canon Law, under the jurisdiction of the pastor of the parish.

In a related announcement, Bishop Edgar M. da Cunha, S.D.V., is appointing Father Thomas A. Frechette to serve as a part-time chaplain for diocesan cemeteries while continuing in his pastorate at St. John the Evangelist Parish in Pocasset. As part of his new ministry, Father Frechette will work with Raposa on Spiritual and Liturgical aspects of the cemeteries’ operation.

Raposa will report directly to diocesan Chancellor and Chief Financial Officer Kevin Kiley and be part of the Chancellor’s Leadership Team.

Raposa comes to the Fall River Diocese with experience gained from service in the Diocese of Providence, R.I., where he was most recently assistant director of cemeteries and before that, superintendent of cemetery adminis-

trative management, and regional superintendent.

Prior to joining the Diocese of Providence,

he owned and operated a landscaping, maintenance, and design company in Johnston, R.I.

Raposa is a graduate of the Catholic Cemetery Conference’s School of Leadership and Management Excellence and is now enrolled in its graduate program.

He also attended the Community College of Rhode Island and Rhode Island College.

Father John J. Perry served as diocesan Director of Cemeteries for many years until his unexpected death in February of this year. The decision to bring on a layperson to assume that role in an expanded capacity was made last year and the search process for the right candidate began in December.

FACE Un-Gala is July 10 continued from page one

the FACE Summer Committee have created a virtual event to engage supporters with FACE’s mission and accomplishments. A special program will include video highlights from our students and educators, inspiring photos, the Al Makkay Sr. Award recipient, recognition of our loyal sponsors and donors, and more. The popular Fund A Mission Challenge is also taking place thanks to a $25,000

generous match challenge by an anonymous donor.

If you are interested in becoming a sponsor or donating to help make a difference for hundreds of students and families in need, please go to www.

FACEsummergala.org.

According to cochairs Pat and Jim Gonet, “This year’s event may be different, but certainly no less important as we raise funds for deserving students!”

June 26, 2020 †

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Mary, Mother of the Church and Spiritual maternity for priests

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his year June 1, the memorial of Mary, Mother of the Church sets the tone for a month traditionally devoted to the Most Sacred Heart of Jesus and to prayer for the sanctification of the clergy. With this new memorial we can perceive Our Lady’s maternal influence over the Church and the priesthood. In this article we will meditate on Mary, Mother of the Church as the Spiritual mother of priests and how we can share in her Spiritual maternity by our sacrifice and prayers for priests, in order to extend Christ’s mission and increase vocations in the Church.

St. John Vianney, a saintly model for priests, would often say, “The priesthood is the love of the heart of Jesus.”

This love of the heart of Jesus became a reality first by Mary’s “fiat” in His Incarnation and then by Christ’s institution of the priesthood and the Holy Eucharist. After giving Himself in the Eucharist, “after giving us all He could, Jesus Christ wishes in addition to bequeath us His most precious possession, His Blessed Mother.” Before consummating His self-sacrificing love to the Father, Jesus gave us His mother to be our mother. It was to John the Beloved Apostle that Mary first extended her Spiritual maternity. St. John represents all the faithful, but most especially Mary’s priestsons who are called by their vocation to be “alter Christus,” other Christs, mediators with the one Mediator “in persona Christi” (acting in the person of Christ).

The Virgin Mother, the mediatrix of all graces, bestows the graces needed by the priest to grow in his vocation. She conforms each priest to Christ in His threefold anointing of priest, prophet and king. Mary is the model and mold for the celibate priest striving to live 4

Christ’s chastity, poverty, and obedience. Only with Mary can the priest learn to continuously live the priesthood faithfully. Mary helps a priest to practice the faith he preaches. “Christians are losing their faith because their priests lack it. It is by the power of faith that the masses will be converted, that obstacles will be overcome, and its enemies defeated” (Father Emile Neubert, S.M).

At Mary’s side, contemplating the face of Christ with the Holy Rosary, priests can consult with Mary before their actions.

With Mary, they can meditate on the Word of God and gather from it the fruit by which to instruct and feed souls. With Mary by their side, priests can live modestly and chastely. With Mary’s obedience of faith at the Annunciation and at the cross, the priest can embrace every mysterious blessing and cross with a “Magnificat” of thanksgiving and life in supernatural faith.

Essentially, it is not humanly possible to live the priestly vocation in all its splendor and integrity without the omnipotent intercession and grace mediated by Mary. Mary ensures that the priest is a model of self-denial and availability who according to Pope Pius XII: “in all his activities seeks nothing but the good of souls, and looks toward no one but Christ to Whom he consecrates his energies and his whole self.” The Blessed Virgin Mary’s role is to help the priest become a husband to the Church and a Spiritual father — a strong father, even in his weakness. She does this at the cross by drawing the priest out of his own pain to offer pure masculine love for the Church. This

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mere gossip. We can “adopt” or pray for a particular priest or bishop one finds especially troubled or troubling.

Unlike uncharitable criticism and gossip, Spiritual adoption is not only more effective but requires greater sacrifice. Think of Mary’s prayer for Peter after his three-fold denial of Jesus and his conversion to lead the Church as the rock and Vicar of Christ. The faithful can and must support and pray especially for newly-ordained priests who at the beginning of their ministry experience at times lack of experience, isolation, disillusionment and the temptation to leave purification of his heart, in soon after their ordination. the conformity of his mind Many young priests need the to God. Mary aids the priest encouragement of knowing in living chastely and growtheir flocks are there to suping in charity, wisdom, and fortitude for a martyrdom of port them, even when they have to teach hard truths or love. Through the maternal mediation of Mary, the priest make unpopular decisions. becomes the sacrifice that of- Other suggestions: Offer up a portion of your sufferings fers the perfect Sacrifice; the such as sickness, hardships, priest becomes the love that sleepless nights or other offers love. With Mary Immaculate, the priest becomes crosses for priests. Pray for the souls of priests in purgawhat he offers, a pure, holy tory and ask them to interand immaculate victim.

The lay faithful can coop- cede for their fellow priests on earth. Offer up at least erate with Mary, in taking one Rosary a day for priests, priests into their heart. In preferably in a church before union with Mary, we can the Blessed Sacrament with support our priests, bishops others. Fast with prudence and the Holy Father by our prayers, our hidden sacrific- and the approval of a priest or Spiritual director for the es, our encouragement and support. Some practical ways sanctification and conversion of priests, especially those in we can demonstrate our Spiritual maternity for priests the state of mortal sin and in the grip of the devil. If are offered by the Crusade for Priests. Although it is true you pray the Liturgy of the Hours, the prayer of Christ the faithful have a right and our High Priest in and with sometimes a duty to express to their shepherds their opin- the Church, offer it up in ion on matters which pertain reparation for all priests who have stopped praying their to the good of the Church (cf. Can. 212), without prayer Office. Pray the Divine Mercy Chaplet daily and make to Mary, our opinions easily the Stations of the Cross on become uncharitable and Fridays for priests. Visit a unconstructive criticism or scene becomes an icon of the relationship between the priest and the Church. The priest hands himself over to the Church in her suffering and need — to have his life shaped by hers. Mary enters into the sacrifice of her Son to experience the mystical crucifixion of each priest in imitation of Christ.

Mary assists the priest in the refinement of his will, in the

sick person in a hospital or nursing home in reparation for priests who have failed to console the sick and offer them the grace and consolation of the Sacraments.

Make a holy hour before the Blessed Sacrament at least once a week for priests who have stopped believing in the Real Presence. Make a Communion of reparation each week to the Sacred Heart of Jesus to repair the irreverence of priests and in expiation for the sacrilegious Masses offered by priests in the state of mortal sin. There are many other means to offer prayers and reparation but what needs to be stressed at the present moment is the critical necessity for all of us to do something extra not only for the sanctification of priests but in reparation for the sins of those priests who have failed Our Lord.

As we enter the New Pentecost for priests and the era of a New Evangelization, let us redouble our prayers and sacrifices for priests cooperating with Mary’s Spiritual maternity. The priesthood is the soul of the Church upon which the faithful depend, so let us unite more fervently with Mary, Mother of the Church and Queen of the Clergy to pray for those who give us Christ in the Holy Eucharist and wash us in His Precious Blood!

In the next article we will meditate on Mary, Mother of the Church in her role as Mother of Mercy and Reconciler of Sinners.

Anchor guest columnist Grace Small and her husband Bill are parishioners of St. Vincent’s Parish in Attleboro and have recently made their solemn profession as Third Order Franciscans of the Immaculate on the Solemnity of the Immaculate Conception. They are also attending classes with TINE at the Pastoral Center in Braintree, toward a certificate in Catechetical Studies.

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t the end of March, toward the beginning of the pandemic shutdowns, actor and filmmaker John Krasinski established an uplifting and entertaining eight-part YouTube series entitled “Some Good News.” The show was “dedicated entirely to good news,” focusing on various heroes in the health care field, inspiring generosity from individuals and businesses, buoyant appearances by actors, singers, and other celebrities and other touching features. Framed as a news program from a home studio, it tried to bring some joy out of the pandemic’s various difficulties, like cancelled graduation ceremonies, proms, and weddings. Seventy-two million people tuned in.

The son of a Polish dad and Irish mom from Newton, Massachusetts, Krasinksi’s Catholic roots were hard to miss in the program’s title. In the midst of the incessant bad news of COVID-19, there was a need for “some Good News,” and Krasinski enthusiastically, passionately, contagiously and touchingly provided. The response showed how deeply it resonated: a vast international movement erupted following his paradigm, as others, especially young people, reported on the good news that was happening all around them, too.

The series filled a vacuum. It sought to remedy the obsessive preoccupation with bad news — exacerbated by the pandemic — that is normally prioritized by the secular media. But it also filled a gap left by the Church, which, though commissioned to preach the Good News in season and out of season, in pulpits, on street corners and from rooftops, lacked similar creativity and, with some exceptions, largely retreated when people were hungering for hope. The Church exists to preach the Good News.

And in circumstances like the Coronavirus, with so much suffering, death and instabil-

More than some Good News ity, and, more recently, social unrest, injustice, and violence, its message is all the more urgent and needed.

Someone who never forgot this lesson and who sought joyfully to proclaim the Good News at all times for 66 years was Father John Jay Hughes, a priest of the Archdiocese of St. Louis, author of 12 books, Church historian and good friend, who died of heart failure on June 3 at the age of 92.

He was a seventh generation direct descendant of U.S. Founding Father and first Supreme Court Chief Justice John Jay, whose name he received in Baptism. “Jay” grew up in somewhat elite Manhattan circles and graduated from Harvard at 20. His father and grandfather were leading Episcopalian priests and he followed them to ordination, happily serving for six years in Episcopal parishes. Traveling through Belgium, he met some young Catholic theologians in Louvain who corrected his false notions on papal infallibility, which led him on an arduous journey toward being received into the Catholic Church on Easter 1960. He called it the “most difficult decision I have ever made, but also the best.”

Entering the Church brought with it some enormous loss. His priest father was unyielding with regard to those who “perverted to Rome” and told Jay that were he to become a Catholic, he would no longer be welcome in the family home. His father kept his promise. Jay never saw him again. His coming into full communion also required the sacrifice of the priesthood he loved, at least for a time, as he hoped that he would eventually find a Catholic bishop who would ordain him. He entrusted his priestly vocation to Our Lady and asked her to restore

it to him when God willed.

Eventually, eight years later — with permission from the Vatican after he made the case that the Episcopal bishop who ordained him had valid Apostolic succession — he was conditionally ordained a Catholic priest by the Bishop of Münster, Germany, where he was studying for a doctorate in theology and where one of his professors was a young Father Joseph Ratzinger.

He returned to the United States to teach at St. Louis University’s Divinity School.

He suffered from what he described as a “clerical system [that] didn’t know what to do with me,” living in St. Louis but subject to a bishop in Germany. Eventually he was incardinated into the Archdiocese of St. Louis, where he served in the chancery, as pastor of two parishes, and for many years as theological consultant to the archbishop.

I first got to know Father Jay in 2002, when after reading a homily I had written, he sent me an encouraging email and kindly corrected a mistaken date. Two years later, when I helped to start an annual Seminar for Priests during Easter Week, I sent an invitation to him, who surprised me by readily accepting and traveling from St. Louis. He was the senior priest by more than 15 years, but in some ways was the most childlike. I asked him to preach one of the Masses, on the Gospel scene of Emmaus, and he made the hearts of all his younger brothers burn as he spoke of his love for Christ in the “breaking of Bread” and the gratitude he had for the gift of the priesthood.

Those are two themes that made him such a powerful and joy-filled proclaimer of the Good News.

On his 13th birthday, Jay wrote down a long list of all the things for which he was thankful. He would continue the practice for many years on his birthday. That practice made thanksgiving central in his life and prayer, and he would always begin his morning half-hour meditation with five minutes of thanksgiving to God. “Thankful people are happy people,” he loved to say, and, “If you are looking right now at a happy man, and a happy priest — and I can assure you that you are — it is because I have trained myself to say every day, more times than I could ever tell you: ‘Lord, you’re so good to me.

And I’m so grateful.’”

His thanksgiving abounded for the gift of the priesthood, a love that only grew during his eight years of exile from the altar awaiting Catholic ordination.

“Priesthood has brought me joy beyond telling,” he said. “It has also brought me pain, sorrow, and grief. If you were to ask me, however, whether I have ever regretted obeying the Lord’s call to serve Him and his Holy people as a priest, I would answer without hesitation: never, not one single day. I would change just one thing: I would try to be more faithful. If I were to die tonight, I would die filled with happiness, joy — and thanksgiving beyond telling!”

He never lost the sense of awe at celebrating Mass each day.

He began his long preparation for death at six years old, when his mother died suddenly. He didn’t know how to process his grief. After a few months he received a grace. “It came home to me one day, with blinding certainty,” he said, “that I would see my beloved mother again, when the Lord called me home to Himself ” and left

him with a very real sense of the unseen, Spiritual world of God, the angels, saints and beloved dead.

He was a great preacher. Among his books were a three-volume set of Sunday homilies entitled, “Proclaiming the Good News.” Each week he would send out his Sunday homilies to 3,000 people, including brother priests and bishops. In 2013, when his health began to decline and he needed to move into a priest’s retirement home, he told me he was struggling with having no chance any more to share the Good News each day like he did for decades in parishes. I urged him to start a blog and to post daily Mass homilies, promising him there would be an audience. He took me up on the suggestion.

The blog (jaystl.blogspot. com) is still up. Before Father Jay died, he posted who knows how many upcoming homilies. As of June 24, they’re still appearing every day, as he posthumously continues, as a continuous valedictory of faith, to proclaim some Good News and more.

My last contact with him was about a week before he died. I tried unsuccessfully by phone to check up on him and sent him an email. He replied that he was COVID-free, but that his heart was sick and he was in declining health.

“Commendo me,” he finished the email. My follow-up phone calls all went to voice mail.

He was commending himself to God the Father, in imitation of Jesus’ last priestly act on earth. Please join him with me in that prayer, entrusting his grateful, happy priestly soul to the Father Who created him, the Son Who redeemed him, and the Spirit Who sanctified him, thanking God for blessing us through him for so many years.

Anchor columnist Father Roger Landry can be contacted at fatherlandry@ catholicpreaching.com.

June 26, 2020 †

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Editorial

The image of God

The crisis involving racism has not ended over the last two weeks (if it hadn’t ceased after more than four centuries of Anglo-American culture on this continent, it was not likely that it would disappear in a fortnight).

We Catholics continue to be called upon by Our Lord to love our neighbors as ourselves.

To do that we truly need to know our neighbor. We also need to know ourselves better, as Dave Jolivet indicates in his thought-provoking column on page 15, so that we can repent of our sins, including those societal ones in which we have unwittingly participated — maybe unwittingly up until recently, but now with the terrible “wake up” call of George Floyd’s death, we do not have an excuse for not making this examination of conscience for our sins of omission and commission in the area of racism (this, of course, is also true of all other areas of sin).

At the interfaith service at the Cathedral of St. Mary of the Assumption on Sunday, June 14, Rabbi Raphael Kanter offered a reflection and a prayer that can help us in our trying to do this review. He began, “I don’t know what it feels like to be a black man or woman in America. I don’t know what it feels like to be judged by the color of my skin. I don’t know what it feels like to wear a hoodie and be considered a menace. I don’t know what it feels like to go for a jog and fear someone may think I am a threat.”

After summarizing our history of racism, Rabbi Kanter then changed tack. “Here is what I do know and that we must remember today and every day — that every human being is created in the image of God and is of infinite value. White prejudice and racism is a lifelong fight that must be eradicated from each and every one of us. God, as we condemn the murder of George Floyd, we know with Your presence guiding us, we can build a world, and a country, in which the dignity of people of color is affirmed and cherished.”

The New Bedford rabbi then quoted the late Rabbi Abraham Joshua Heschel, who taught: “There is an evil which most of us condone and are even guilty of: indifference to evil. We remain neutral, impartial, and not easily moved by the wrongs done to other people. Indifference to evil is more insidious than evil itself; it is more universal, more contagious, more dangerous.” Bishop Edgar da Cunha preached a very similar message later in the service — you can read his homily on pages two and 14.

Praying to God, Rabbi Kanter continued, “We hear Your Word in [Rabbi Heschel’s] words and they must enter our heart that we must not remain OFFICIAL NEWSPAPER OF THE DIOCESE OF FALL RIVER Vol. 64, No. 13

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† June 26, 2020

neutral and impartial in the face of continued devaluation of black bodies and acknowledge the evil that lives among us that would allow a policeman to believe that this murder would be condoned. We can do this if we truly sense Your presence. Alohaynu Velohai Avoteynu, Our God and God of our ancestors, give us a new heart, a heart that turns to Your truth, a heart filled with peace and justice.”

Rabbi Kanter concluded, “We pray now for the day when the words of the psalmist become a reality, ‘How good and how pleasant it is when brothers and sisters dwell together in unity’ (Ps 131:1) Amen.”

The “Catechism of the Catholic Church” sounds a similar theme. “Respect for the human person proceeds by way of respect for the principle that ‘everyone should look upon his neighbor (without any exception) as “another self,” above all bearing in mind his life and the means necessary for living it with dignity’ (Gaudium et Spes 27). No legislation could by itself do away with the fears, prejudices, and attitudes of pride and selfishness which obstruct the establishment of truly fraternal societies. Such behavior will cease only through the charity that finds in every man a ‘neighbor,’ a brother” (CCC 1931).

The “Catechism” is not saying that we should never use legislation to work against racism; rather, it is reminding us that legislation alone is not enough — a change of heart is essential.

On March 12, 2000 St. John Paul II led a “Day of Pardon” at the Vatican, asking forgiveness from Our Lord for the past sins of Christians, but also with an eye towards our continuing need to examine our consciences and repent of current sins. “The recognition of past wrongs serves to reawaken our consciences to the compromises of the present, opening the way to conversion for everyone.” When he mentioned compromises, he meant the negative type — our compromising with evil.

This was not the first time that the Polish pope had mentioned the need to repent of racism. He spoke about it repeatedly over his decades as the successor of St. Peter. On Feb. 22, 1992 in Senegal he said, “This sin of man against man, this sin of man against God, must be confessed in all truth and humility. How long the human family must travel before its members learn to look at themselves and respect themselves as images of God, to finally love themselves as sons and daughters of the same Heavenly Father!”

It’s taking too long. But God hasn’t given up. May we not, either.

Daily Readings † June 27 - July 10

Sat. June 27, Lam 2:2,10-14,18-19; Ps 74:1b-7,20-21; Mt 8:5-17. Sun. June 28, Thirteenth Sunday in Ordinary Time, 2 Kgs 4:8-11,14-16a; Ps 89:2-3,16-19; Rom 6:3-4,8-11; Mt 10:37-42. Mon. June 29, Acts 12:1-11; Ps 34:2-9; 2 Tm 4:68,17-18; Mt 16:13-19. Tue. June 30, Am 3:1-8; 4:11-12; Ps 5:4b-8; Mt 8:23-27.

Wed. July 1, Am 5:14-15,21-24; Ps 50:7-13,16b-17; Mt 8:28-34. Thu. July 2, Am 7:10-17; Ps 19:8-11; Mt 9:1-8. Fri. July 3, Eph 2:19-22; Ps 117:1b-2; Jn 20:24-29.

Sat. July 4, Am 9:11-15; Ps 85:9ab,10-14; Mt 9:14-17. Sun. July 5, Fourteenth Sunday in Ordinary Time, Zec 9:9-10; Ps 145:1-2,8-11,13-14; Rom 8:9,1113; Mt 11:25-30. Mon. July 6, Hos 2:16,17b-18,21-22; Ps 145:2-9; Mt 9:1826. Tue. July 7, Hos 8:4-7,11-13; Ps 115:3-7b,8-10; Mt 9:32-38. Wed. July 8, Hos 10:1-3,7-8,12; Ps 105:2-7; Mt 10:1-7. Thu. July 9, Hos 11:1-4,8c-9; Ps 80:2ac,3b,15-16; Mt 10:7-15. Fri. July 10, Hos 14:2-10; Ps 51:3-4,8-9,12-14,17; Mt 10:16-23.

Dartmouth parishioner is voice behind audiobooks for people with special needs

By Kenneth J. Souza Web Editor

kensouza@anchornews.org

DARTMOUTH — There was a time when Bob Zeida envisioned himself working as a radio broadcaster, with a career as an on-air meteorologist.

“I have always had a voice, and I hoped to use it in the broadcast business some 60 years ago, but it didn’t work out that way,” Zeida said. “I aspired to be a radio or television personality because that was just about when television was starting.”

Despite receiving a degree in Radio and Television Broadcasting from American University in Washington, D.C., Zeida eventually found his niche in the wine and spirits industry, spending most of his 33 years in the business as a sales and purchasing professional with United Liquors, Ltd. “I ended up in Dartmouth in another business altogether where the opportunity presented itself — and I’ve been here ever since,” Zeida told The Anchor. “All my children grew up in the Dartmouth school system and I’ve always been a practicing Catholic.”

To that end, Zeida has also been a devoted member of St. Julie Billiart Parish pretty much since its inception nearly 51 years ago.

“I was at the ground floor of every volunteer opportunity — I became sort of a regular on the altar,” Zeida said. “I got on the choir and I canto red for about three or four years. Then about 1980, the church opened up these other ministries, like pastoral care and hospital ministry. I’ve always been very deeply encased in the Catholic faith.”

recording with TIC.” Since 1988, Zeida has worked on hundreds of voice recordings for the visually- and learning-impaired, and every quarter he publishes a catalog of more than 600 fiction and non-fiction books — including best sellers, textbooks, articles, magazines, and manuals — representing countless hours of work over the span of more than 30 years. Although most of his work is tailored for teachers with special needs students at the elementary, middle school, and high school levels, his recordings are suitable for people of all ages. The material is offered at no cost as a digital MP3 file that listeners can easily download to their smartphones or personal computers.

“I’ve done more than of St. Julie Billiart Church, 400 books as of this writso I was very familiar with ing,” Zeida said. “I’ve done them, and they were famil(books) big and small, you iar with me. They are just a credit to our Catholic faith.” know, it could be anything from Dr. Seuss to almost all Having just retired the high school textbooks. from United Liquors, We started recording them Zeida began volunteering on cassettes. Then, as the his time with the Talking different technologies came Information Center, a Marshfield-based non-profit along, I progressed with it.

My son Kerry is a bit of a organization that provides ‘techie,’ so he’s helped me the reading of print inforover the years.” mation to blind and legally “I remember literally blind individuals living boxes of cassettes and later on the South Shore. It was CDs, then DVDs, and now this initial connection that everything is in Dropbox ultimately turned into a or on a thumb drive that he more than 30-year journey mails to people,” Kerry said. of recording books for the “It’s just become easier and visually- and learning-imeasier for him to share this paired.

“I had been working for information.”

The audiobooks are 27 years for United Liquors, provided free-of-charge to which is probably the largest beverage alcohol distributor anyone with special needs under a law that allows their in Massachusetts,” Zeida said. “Then one day I took a dissemination solely for educational purposes. ride over to TIC in Marsh“This is not something field and I’ve been working that is recorded or distribwith them ever since. I was uted to (anyone),” Kerry given a commendation just this past year for 31 years of explained. “If you don’t have In fact, it was this close relationship to parish life that eventually led him to his current labor of love: recording audiobooks for people with special needs.

“I was called by a woman at Bishop Stang High School to ask me if I would record books for them for their special needs students,” Zeida said. “It’s literally attached to the property

a recognized special need, you are not authorized to listen to (or) share these recordings. We share them mostly with priests or with school educators we’ve known for a long time. And the relationships we have with these people are very

tight, so they understand the purpose. It is recorded under the assumption that it will be used for students with special needs and is therefore protected by this law.”

For more than three 8 Turn to page 16

June 26, 2020 †

7

Diocesan Pro-Life Apostolate helps saves lives with Appeal aid continued from page one

to natural death, in accordance with the teachings of the Catholic Church.

“We actively reach out to students and adults through a variety of annual events, with a particular mission and focus on educating our youth across the diocese,” said Irina DeLucca, Pro-Life

8

Apostolate and Project Rachel Ministry director.

The major programs offered through the Office of Pro-Life include the National March for Life, held each year in Washington, D.C. “This was a record year for participation in the March for Life,” said DeLucca.

† June 26, 2020

“Last January, we had nearly 300 participants from our diocesan high schools.”

The office also presents the annual Pro-Life Mass, where the winners of a student essay contest and the diocese’s Pro-Life Person of the Year are announced. Each year, a Edilia Alves, a Pro-Life Boot Camp staff member, new theme is selected in speaks during a Catholic Appeal video.

November for the ProLife essay contest, which parishes across the Dionice for them to underis open to all students in cese of Fall River. Project stand, just because they’re our diocesan junior high not your age doesn’t mean Rachel Ministry, offered and high schools. The through the Office of theme for 2020 is: Christ, that dignity is not there.

It was really nice for them Pro-Life, offers pastoral Our Hope in Every Seacare to women who have to see that dignity in the son of Life. undergone an abortion as elderly, to just sit there For the past decade, and talk to them and have well as anyone impacted the office has offered conversations with them, by abortion. Confidential high school students the chance to attend Pro-Life like they would with their assistance through Project Rachel is available peers. My faith comes Boot Camp, which takes Monday-Friday through alive when I see (that).” place each July at StoneThe Office of Pro-Life its dedicated, private hill College in Easton. phone line, 508-997-3300, also provides essential The program provides services, outreach, and re- or by visiting the Pro-Life youth with an opporsources to pregnant wom- Apostolate website: http:// tunity to hear inspiring www.prolifefallriver.org. en and parenting women speakers, experience In May, the office in need, and works in prayerful witness, and close partnership with 8 Continued on page nine participate in the Sacraments.

The 2020 Catholic Appeal video series continues this week with a spotlight on the Office of Pro-Life, featuring the experience of Edilia Alves, a staff member at the Pro-Life Boot Camp.

“The Pro-Life Boot Camp is a way for youth to come together and learn about the dignity and the respect we should have for life, for all age groups,” said Alves. “What makes my faith come alive is when I see all different age groups come together: when we went to a nursEach year, hundreds of faithful from the Diocese of ing home and I saw the younger kids interact with Fall River attend the annual March For Life in Washington, D.C. the elderly. It was really

8 Continued from page eight

hosted online a special Mother's Day Mass with the Rite of Blessing for a Child in the Womb.

Celebrated by Father Richard Wilson,V.G., the Mass was for the intention of all expecting and pregnant mothers, all mothers contemplating abortion, and all mothers impacted in any way

by COVID-19.

While this year has brought a number of unprecedented challenges to people across our diocese and our world, DeLucca encouraged us to remember a work that contains timeless truths for us as Catholics. “This year marks the 25th anniversary

of Pope John Paul II’s remarkable Evangelium Vitae (The Gospel of Life),” she said. “His writings challenged the world then, and continue to challenge us all, to build a better culture of life.” The essential message of Evangelium Vitae — the incomparable worth of every human person — is perhaps more poignant than it has ever been.

Anyone seeking support through the Office of ProLife is encouraged to reach out to them at 508-675-1311 or by emailing Irina DeLucca at idelucca@dioc-fr.org. You can also follow the office on Facebook at www.facebook.com/

prolifeofficefallriver.

A webpage featuring a story and the Office of ProLife video can be viewed on the Catholic Appeal website: catholicfoundationsema.org/ edilia.

Contributions to the Catholic Appeal may be made either through a one-time donation or through monthly, quarterly, or

semi-annual pledges. Donations may be mailed directly to the Catholic Foundation office, 450 Highland Avenue, Fall River, Mass., 02720, made online at www.givefrdiocese.org/2020, or dropped off at any parish in the diocese.

Please contact the Catholic Foundation office at 508-6751311 with any questions.

Scores of young adults attend an annual Pro-Life Boot Camp each summer, learning how to help promote a Culture of Life. The camp is sponsored by the Fall River Diocese’s Pro-Life Office, which receives assistance from the Catholic Appeal.

June 26, 2020 †

9

It’s all Greek to me

B

ack in the middle of the last century when I first started my college education, Walter Kroy had a room in the dormitory, just two doors away from mine. He later married a Catholic girl. Since he was not Catholic himself, he had to learn a little about the Catholic Church.

The vocabulary was confusing to him, so he sat down and wrote a glossary of all these new terms.

For those who have grownup Catholic, the vocabulary is nothing new. Now I am going to show that our vocabulary is something very old!

The first word we will look at is CHURCH. In the world of Greece, Rome, and Egypt 2,000 years ago, the concept of church did not exist as designating a building for worship, nor as a local congregation of believer/ worshipers, nor as a wider association between local congregations. The Greek word which the first century Christians used for their group gatherings was ekklesia. That word survived and is present and can be recognized in French (eglise), Portuguese (igreja), Italian (chiesa), Spanish (iglesta), etc.

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† June 26, 2020

Nearly 300 years later, when the Roman Emperors Constantine and Licinius allowed Christianity to be a legal religion, there was a building frenzy to erect Christian places of worship. The general terms for these buildings was the Lord’s house (ho otkos Kyriekos). Over time, this was shortened to simply the Lord’s (Kyriekos). This Greek word survives in modern languages also: in German (kirche), Slovak (cirkevne), Danish(kirke), English (church), etc.

Note clearly, these words are not translations, but are the original Greek words in modern guise.

Before the time of Constantine and the declaration of 313 A.D. known as the Edict of Milan, the ordinary place of gathering and worship for Christians was a Christian home which we now call a domestic church, and the leader of the gathering was an elder man of the community (presbyteros), or the senior male

of the household (paterfamilias).

In Greco-Roman society, the paterfamilias had certain religious privileges and responsibilities, so it was a natural step for the Apostles and their successors to ordain that these same fathers and elders be the religious leaders of the Christian gatherings. These two designations have also come down to us without translation.

The ancient Greek word presbyteros exists in modern French (pretre), Icelandic (prestur), Norwegian (prest), English (priest), etc. The ancient Latin word paterfamilias exists in modern French (pere), German (vater), Spanish (padre), Dutch (vader), Portuguese (pai), English (father), etc.

The meaning of these two words in the Christian community as “one who offers sacrifice” is known because sometimes the Latin and Greek words for the pagan counterparts (sacerdos and hiereus) were used interchange-

ably for Christian leaders of worship. In fact, the Latin term is still found in the sacerdote of Italian and Portuguese, and it used to be found in our own Anglo-Saxon and Middle English as Sacred.

The Greek hiereus is found in the English word “hierarchy” meaning “rule by priests.” The office of bishop (episcopos) is mentioned four times in the New Testament.

The office of deacon (diakonos) was the first order established by the Apostles. Episcopos, presbyteros, and diakonos are all masculine nouns and every time they appear in the New Testament referring to church offices, they are found in the masculine form.

In writings after the New Testament we sometimes find feminine forms like diakonessa or presbyteressa which simply refer to the wives of deacons or priests.

At the Last Supper, Jesus “took bread and gave thanks” (kai labon arton eucharistesas, (Lk 22:19). We still call our rite of giving thanks to God the Eucharist. Sometimes also we call this ministry the Liturgy (leitourgia).

At the Ascension, Matthew notes the commission given by Jesus to teach “all nations, baptizing them” (panta ta ethne, baptizontes autous, (Mt 28:19).

For us 21st-century Catholics living in the United States, words like church, priest, father, bishop, deacon, Eucharist, Baptism, etc. used in the context of our religion seem quite ordinary and modern, but in reality, they are the identical Greek words used

by Catholics of the first century without translation. They have simply undergone an evolution of spelling and pronunciation.

Recognizing these words as part of a very old vocabulary helps us recognize the continuity between first-century Christians and 21st-century Catholics: we are one and the same.

Father Buote is a retired priest of the Diocese of Fall River.

In Your Prayers

Going to the Chapel of Love

Please pray for these priests and deacons during the coming weeks:

Please note: The Anchor is running three weeks of Necrology this edition.

Future editions will publish priest and deacon death anniversaries one week in advance for those who receive The Anchor after those dates.

June 26 Rev. William Moran, Former Pastor, St. Peter, Sandwich, 1891 Rev. Charles P. Gaboury, Former Pastor, Sacred Heart, New Bedford, 1931 Rev. Msgr. Albert Berube, Retired Pastor, St. Anthony, New Bedford, 1973 June 27 Rev. John Corry, Founder, St. Mary, Taunton; Founder, St. Mary, Fall River, 1863 Rev. Dario Raposo, Pastor, Our Lady of Lourdes, Taunton, 1933 Rev. Msgr. Thomas F. Walsh, Retired Pastor, St. John the Evangelist, Attleboro, 1980 Rev. Msgr. Bernard J. Fenton, USA Retired Chaplain, Retired Pastor, St. Joseph, North Dighton, 1984 Rev. George F. Almeida, Retired Pastor, Our Lady of Fatima, Swansea, 2012 June 28 Rev. Thomas C. Gunning, Assistant, St. Lawrence, New Bedford, 1947 June 30 Rev. Simon Pease, SS.CC., Administrator, Sacred Hearts, Fairhaven, 1952 Rev. Alphonse M. Reniere, O.P., Dominican Priory, Fall River, 1961 Rev. Msgr. Thomas J. Harrington, Retired, Chaplain, Fall River Fire Department, 2017 July 1 Rev. Fernando A. Veiga, C.M., Vincentian Mission House, Fall River, 1993 Rev. David Stopyra, OFM, Conv., Retired Pastor, Our Lady of the Rosary Parish, Taunton, 2018 July 2 Rev. Gerard A. Boisvert, Assistant, St. Anthony, New Bedford, 1967 Rev. Maurice H. Lamontagne, Retired Pastor, Our Lady of Grace, Westport, 1996 Rev. James T. Donohue, C.S.C., 2006 July 3 Rev. Thomas P. Doherty, Pastor, St. Kilian, New Bedford, 1942 Rev. William G. Condon, C.S.C., Retired, St. Joseph Hall, North Dartmouth; Nativity Prep School, New Bedford; Assistant Superior, North Dartmouth, 2016 July 4 Rev. James A. Coyle, S.T.L., Pastor, Holy Name, Fall River, 1955 Rev. Pierre E. Lachance, O.P., St. Anne Shrine, Fall River, 2006 July 5 Rev. J.F. LaBonte, Retired Assistant, Sacred Heart, New Bedford, 1943 Rev. Edward P. Versailles, M.S., La Salette Shrine, North Attleboro, 1985 Rev. Richard John Neilson, Retired, New York Archdiocese; Holy Redeemer Parish, Chatham; Our Lady of Grace Chapel, South Chatham, 2016 July 6 Rev. Edmond Francis, SS.CC., Pastor, St. Mary, Fairhaven, 1963 Rev. Paul J. Price, SS.CC., 2006 July 7 Rev. James E. Lynch, Founder, St. Joan of Arc, Orleans, 1965 July 8 Rev. Edward Murphy, Pastor, St. Mary, Fall River, 1887 Msgr. Patrick J. O’Neill, Retired Pastor, St. Julie Billiart, North Dartmouth, 1995 July 10 Rev. Pie Marie Berard, O.P., Dominican Priory, Fall River, 1938 Rev. Maurice E. Parent, Assistant, St. Michael, Swansea, 1972 Rev. John E. Morris, M.M., Retired Maryknoll Missioner, Former Assistant, St. Joseph, Fall River, 1987 Rev. Theodore M. Morin, M.S., La Salette Shrine, North Attleboro, 1987 July 12 Most Rev. Joseph P. Delaney, Bishop of Fort Worth, Texas, 2005 July 13 Rev. Arthur P. Deneault, M.S., La Salette Father, 1979 July 14 Rev. Nicholas Fett, SS.CC., Pastor, St. Boniface, New Bedford, 1938 Rev. Edmund J. Neenan, Assistant, Sacred Heart, Oak Bluffs, 1949 Rev. Vincent F. Diaferio, Pastor, Holy Rosary, Fall River, 1998 July 16 Rev. Bernard Percot, O.P., Founder, St. Dominic, Swansea, 1937 Rev. Matthew F. Sullivan, SS.CC. Retired Chaplain Bristol County House of Correction, Former Pastor, St. Mary, Fairhaven, 2002

“Goin’ to the chapel and we’re gonna get married Goin’ to the chapel and we’re gonna get married Gee I really love you And we’re gonna get married Goin’ to the chapel of love.” any of us older folks will remember this hit song, “Chapel of Love” by the Dixie Cups, released in 1964. Today it most likely is the sentiments of many young brides tobe, whose wedding days had to be postponed because of COVID-19. Hopefully the prospective grooms feel the same way. This reminds me of the man who was asked, “When are you getting married?” He replied, “I’m waiting for a nice rich widow.” Now the church doors are about to open again in our diocese for wedding Masses and the grooms may be humming, “Here comes the bride.”

It is very unlikely that we will have any weddings in Kalaupapa this year but there have been many weddings here at St. Francis and St. Philomena over the past 100-plus years.

We do not have any rich young widows here but we do have some golden-age ladies who graced our church Sanctuaries on their special days. I will not mention their names lest they give me the “busi-

M

ness,” but we are happy that they are still with us.

Some are still able to join us for Sunday Mass as we reopened for public Masses on Pentecost Sunday.

Today, on this date, May 25, as I pen these thoughts, I am reminded that on this same date 50 years ago, on the Feast of Pentecost, I knelt along with my classmates before the bishop in the seminary chapel in Cootehill,

County Cavan, and was ordained to the priesthood. Little did I know then that one day I would find myself as the priest on the peninsula where two saints had walked and ministered to the unfortunate victims of the dreaded Hansen’s Disease. Little did I know that I would be on lock-down on this same peninsula along with our patients and workers for this long stretch of time.

My knees are not as flexible and my legs are not as sturdy as they were on that day in 1969, but they will take me in the direction of our church’s open door, for we are going to the chapel of love.

Aloha.

Anchor columnist Father Killilea is pastor of St. Francis Church in Kalaupapa, Hawaii.

June 26, 2020 †

11

F ocus

on

C hurch Y outh

Diocese announces two new school principals

Holy Family-Holy Name School appoints Deacon Peter Schutzler as principal NEW BEDFORD — Father Michael Racine, pastor of Holy Family-Holy Name School as well as the Whaling City Catholic Community of St. Lawrence Martyr, St. Francis of Assisi and Holy Name of the Sacred Heart of Jesus parishes, knew that the next principal of the school would require a unique skill set, due to the current COVID-19 crisis. With many families out of work or with reduced hours because of the crisis, the new principal of Holy Family-Holy Name would need to be compassionate, creative, and patient in order to lead the school through this historical year.

In Pennsylvania, Deacon Peter Schutzler, the father of a young adult daughter who has special needs, researched the best programs in the Northeast that could provide his daughter with the necessary skills to maintain her independence. Because the location of the school is in Hyannis, Deacon Schutzler and his wife, Kate, decided they needed to move from Pennsylvania to Massachusetts. Thus, Deacon Schutzler began to search for a leadership position where he could use his principal, vice-principal, and educational experience, and he learned about Holy Family-Holy Name School in New Bedford.

Father Racine announced Deacon Peter Schutzler as the new principal of Holy Family-Holy Name School, effective July 1. In addition to having extensive educational leadership experience, Deacon Schutzler was ordained a permanent deacon by Bishop John O. Barres in 2015 in the Diocese of Allentown, Penn. He has been assigned as a deacon at St. Ann Parish in Emmaus, Penn. He also served as the assistant director of Permanent 12

† June 26, 2020

Diaconate from 2017-2019.

“Deacon Peter’s extensive experience as a school principal is enhanced by his interaction with parishioners and families as a deacon,” said Father Racine. “Deacon Peter is certainly compassionate and understanding of the challenges faced by families as a result of the COVID-19 crisis. I look forward to working closely with Deacon Peter to strengthen the curriculum and enrollment of Holy Family-Holy Name School.”

Deacon Schutzler added: “Finding Holy Family-Holy Name is such a blessing! My wife and I want to be close to our daughter as well as positively contribute to the SouthCoast area. We have spent summer vacations on the Cape for many years, so to be able to help the students and families of New Bedford is truly a dream come true.” Deacon Schutzler served in the U.S. Coast Guard in the New England area from 1986-1988.

“The Diocese of Fall River is very fortunate to have Deacon Peter Schutzler on our team,” said Stephen A. Perla, superintendent of Catholic schools for the Diocese of Fall River. “This past year has been historical in so many ways, and Holy Family-Holy Name has made great strides with installing MAP growth testing and special education services. The school needs someone like Peter to keep the great momentum going.”

Deacon Schutzler holds a master’s degree in counseling psychology/Marriage and family therapy from Chestnut Hill College and a bachelor’s degree in secondary education and teaching from Penn State University. He and his wife, Kate, have two daughters and will soon reside in Mashpee.

Ryan Klein named principal of St. Michael School

FALL RIVER — As the head of technology as well as the middle school English language arts and social studies teacher, Ryan Klein never imagined that his technology skills would be the backbone of an entire school.

Just two short months ago, Ryan Klein played a key role in the ability for St. Michael School in Fall River to quickly switch from in-person education to remote learning as a result of the COVID-19 crisis.

His leadership and organizational skills are two of Klein’s defining qualifications that will guide him in his new role as the school principal.

Father Jay Mello, pastor of St. Joseph and St. Michael parishes as well as St. Michael School, recently announced Ryan Klein as the next principal for St. Michael School in Fall River.

“Ryan has been a very active member of St. Joseph’s Parish for many years,” Father Mello said.

“After a career in law enforcement, his passion and support of Catholic education prompted him to become a substitute teacher in 2017, which quickly transitioned to head of technology and ultimately, to the middle school ELA and social studies teacher. We are blessed to have his high educational and technology standards.

“The parishes of St. Joseph and St. Michael are such a close-knit community and are huge supporters of St. Michael School. Knowing that the school leadership is a well-known and visible member of this community is invaluable to the

stability and growth of St. Michael School. Ryan will be instrumental to achieving our goals of raising our academic standards, increasing our enrollment, and the continued faith development of the children in our community.”

“It is such an honor to be leading this wonderful school and I am humbled by the extraordinary support and faith from Father Mello and the parish communities,” Klein said. “We are going through unprecedented times and I am prepared to take on the challenge of leading a school when the definition of ‘school’ is still an uncertainty.”

“Ryan has served St. Michael School the past three years in different capacities — as a substitute teacher, a technology teacher, the seventh-grade ELA, and history teacher,” Father Mello added.

“He has high moral and academic standards, focusing on each student and staff member excelling in each.

He also has clear expectations for behavior and discipline, and has earned the respect and admiration of students, parents and families. He is well-prepared to take St. Michael School to the next level, especially using technology.”

Klein holds a bachelor of science degree from Western New England College and is pursuing a master of science in public administration degree from Fairleigh Dickinson University.

He and his wife, Michelle, have three children — two at Bishop Connolly High School and the youngest at St. Michael School, both in Fall River.

FAIRHAVEN — Earlier this year in February, St. Joseph Middle School teacher Laurie Plante broke her foot in two places while training for spring running events. The severity of the injury required major foot reconstructive surgery, requiring weeks of medical

St. Joseph Middle School teacher awarded ‘99.9 The Q’ June Teacher of the Month

leave. One month later, while still on leave and recovering, Plante learned of the need for classes to be taught remotely due to the COVID-19 crisis. She immediately contacted the school principal and offered to return to teaching with a full course load.

Diocese of Fall River TV Mass on the Portuguese Channel Sunday, June 28 at 7 p.m.

Broadcast from Santo Christo Church in Fall River

Diocese of Fall River TV Mass on the Portuguese Channel Sunday, July 5 at 7 p.m.

Broadcast from Espirito Santo Church in Fall River

Diocese of Fall River TV Mass on WLNE Channel 6 Sunday, June 28 at 11:00 a.m.

Celebrant is Father Michael Racine, Pastor of Holy Name of the Sacred Heart of Jesus, St. Francis of Assisi, and St. Lawrence Martyr parishes in New Bedford.

Sunday, July 5 at 11:00 a.m.

Celebrant is Father Riley J. Williams, Pastor of St. Francis of Assisi Parish in Acushnet.

Without hesitation, Plante met with all of her students every day via Zoom and continued teaching the math and science courses for her 53 middle school students. This is one example as to why Laurie Plante has been named the “99.9 the Q” Teacher of the Month for June.

On June 5, Rebecca Romo of “99.9 the Q” interviewed Plante about her passion for educating children. “I feel so good about our future because my students represent the future,” explained Plante.

“During this very difficult time, our school is still open, just the building is closed, and these kids are thirsting to continue to learn, even during the summer. My students love the fact that we still have a schedule and some sense of normalcy. They truly do not want their math and science classes to end!”

Faith Piazza, the principal of St. Joseph School, added, “It is no surprise that Mrs. Plante has received this award. We constantly have received such great feedback from parents and students about her enthusiasm, her dedication, as well as her commitment to teaching middle school students.

Math and science are such important subjects, and Mrs. Plante has always been so creative at teaching these concepts with everyday activities.” This is in reference to the making of pizza dough via Zoom to demonstrate the chemistry between yeast and warm water.

Sandra Cambra initiat-

ed the nomination of Plante and communicated her nomination, which quickly spread throughout the school. “Mrs. Plante is the most energetic and enthusiastic loving and creative middle school teacher a parent could ask for. She has transitioned from inschool to virtual learning easily — even doing video lessons from her wheelchair after leg surgery. Nothing stops her from being with her children.”

The Teacher of the Month contest is sponsored

by Ryan’s Ten Pin Eatery. The interview can be found on the school website and Facebook page or at the following link: https://soundcloud. com/feelgoodmornings/ may-teacher-of-themonth-laurie-plante-stjoseph-school-fairhaven For more information about St. Joseph School, please go to https://www. saintjosephschool.org/.

For more information about the Catholic

School Alliance, please go to https://www. catholicschoolsalliance. org.

The Catholic Schools Alliance comprises administrators, teachers, staff, parents and clergy joined in partnership to educate the children of the Diocese of Fall River in Catholic faith and values. Our schools have a demanding educational culture that helps students from across the academic spectrum reach their God-given potential. With an emphasis on service and respect for the dignity of every person, we prepare students to meet the challenges of today’s diverse world and become meaningful contributors to society.

June 26, 2020 †

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Diocese hosts Interfaith Service for Peace continued from page two

‘Brothers and Sisters to Us,’ the U.S. bishops said, ‘Racism is a sin: a sin that divides the human family, blots out the image of God among specific members of that family, and violates the fundamental human dignity of those called to be children of the same Father.’

“But racism still profoundly affects our culture, and it has no place in the Christian heart. This evil causes great harm to its victims, and it corrupts the souls of those who harbor racist or prejudicial thoughts.

“Every human being is created in the image and likeness of God and is precious in His eyes according to the first chapter of Genesis. This truth is for us the bedrock and foundation of all human dignity. To violate it is an offence against God Himself and against

14

the Sacredness of life.

“Racism takes peace away — We all long for the gift of peace. But we cannot have peace, for ourselves and our world, when racism is still lurking its head in our midst. If you want peace, work for justice.

There cannot be peace without justice, and there cannot peace where there is racism. As Rev. Martin Luther King Jr. said, ‘Injustice anywhere is a threat to justice everywhere.’

“Racism is not something of the past — it is very much here and now.

Racism causes death and suffering. We have seen it in the cases of Amadou Diallo, Michael Brown, Eric Garner, Ahmaud Arbery, Breonna Taylor, and now George Floyd.

“Some say they are not racist. Therefore they don’t have to worry about and

† June 26, 2020

do anything about racism.

If you are not racist, that is a great thing, but it is not enough. We must be anti-racist and must work constantly until we eliminate racism.

“We must renew our commitment to making the dream of peace built on justice and racial equality a

Bishop Edgar M. da Cunha, S.D.V., speaks at the June 14 Interfaith Service for Peace and Justice at St. Mary’s Cathedral.

reality for all our brothers and sisters in our communities, and throughout this country.

“When we tolerate racism we are encouraging this dreadful evil to spread.

We cannot stand by and do nothing when we see inhuman treatment of our brothers and sisters. “‘It is not enough just to decry injustice, or even to pray and sympathize with those who suffer from an everyday experience of being treated as inferior or unworthy because of their racial or ethnic identities.

This must be our constant work’ (Cardinal Joseph Tobin).

“My friends, indifference is not an option.

“Even though we are sympathetic to those who understandably are angry and outraged following the death of George Floyd, we cannot condone the use of violence, looting or destruction of property. It is not with violence that we will solve the problem of racism. “‘The promotion of chaos and anarchy does not serve the cause of justice. You cannot solve the problem of victimization by victimizing others’ (Bishop Michael Sis).

“In his book, ‘Strength to Love,’ Rev. Martin Luther

King Jr, wrote, ‘Returning hate for hate multiplies hate, adding deeper darkness to a night already devoid of stars. Darkness cannot drive out darkness; only light can do that. Hate cannot drive out hate; only love can do that. Hate multiplies hate, violence multiplies violence, and toughness multiplies toughness in a descending spiral of destruction.’ “‘We ask [all people of good will] to fight the evil of racism by educating themselves, reflecting on their personal thoughts and actions, listening to the experience of those who have been affected by racism, and by developing and supporting programs that help repair the damages caused by racial discrimination’ (‘Open Wide Our Hearts,’ U.S. bishops’ pastoral letter). “‘Certainly, we cannot accomplish this task alone. We call on everyone, especially all Christians and those of other faith traditions, to help repair the breach caused by racism, which damages the human family’ (‘Open Wide Our Hearts’).

“The injustice and harm racism causes are an attack on human life. “‘In the midst of this pandemic, turmoil, social unrest, where do we find peace? We must find it 'in knowing that the presence of God surrounds us, especially in these days of sadness and loss, and He calls us to moral and Spiritual conversion, so that the soul of our nation can be renewed and our eyes might truly see the glory of the coming of the Lord once more into our midst’” (Bishop Robert McElroy).

I

There is so very much I don’t know — and I’m sorry

f the year 2020 taught me anything at all, it’s that there is so very much that I don’t know. It’s not because of the COVID-19 pandemic, and fighting an invisible enemy — it’s much worse than that. There is an enemy out there that is far more deadly to the body, heart and soul. It is visible, and it’s as grossly ugly as it is destructive — racism.

What 2020 has taught me is that I truly do not know the plight, fight and struggle that my black sisters and brothers face every day of their lives. I really mean I have no idea.

I always prided myself on loving and respecting all of God’s children no matter what. There’s the problem — pride. I’m not a racist and I thought that was enough. I’m a fool and I’m embarrassed for being such a fool.

I don’t know why I was born white. I don’t know why I was born a man. Only God can answer that.

But what I’m learning more and more each day is that being born white and male comes with incredible advantages and privileges and opportunities that others in this country just don’t have. Why? Because for some reason, they were born of a non-Caucasian ethnicity, or female, or both.

Again, only God can answer why they were born that way. What God doesn’t have to answer is why that matters. Mankind took that

cold, calculated, cruel step all by itself. White mankind to more specific. That’s not to say racism doesn’t exist outside the United States. It does and always has. But I wasn’t born elsewhere, I was born in America, the "land of the free and home of the brave."

Except, too many aren’t free and that’s because of cowardice, not bravery.

Slavery was abolished by Abraham Lincoln with the Emancipation Proclamation in 1862-63. But not the slavery of racism. Blacks made major strides toward equality with thanks to brave people like Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., Rosa Parks and countless others, many of whom gave their lives for the cause leading to the Civil Rights Act in 1964. But in fact, the Act didn’t bring equality, it didn’t eradicate racism.

No political act or proclamation will squash the scourge of racism.

Only a change of hearts, minds, and souls will.

I don’t know what it’s like to be a Black man in America. I don’t know what it’s like to enter a store and be watched like a hawk because of my color. I don’t know what it’s like to be pulled over by

the police because my skin is dark.

I don’t know what it’s like to have suspicions cast my way because I’m Black. I don’t know what it’s like to worry about my children out in the streets at night, wondering if they’ll be killed because of their race.

I’m not a racist, but I never gave any of this thought before George Floyd’s gruesome murder. I don’t know why I didn’t, and I’m sorry for that.

If you’re not part of the solution, then you’re part of the problem. I’m not a racist, but in 2020 I learned that I’m part of the problem because I haven’t been part of the solution of burying racism in this country.

I don’t know why. Maybe I’ve been too comfortable, too complacent, too selfish to give it thought. And to my brothers and sisters who expe-

rience the hell of racism, I’m sorry for not changing my heart to teach others to change theirs about your plight, fight and struggle.

Maybe this column is a tiny step in the right direction to tell others that no one, NO ONE, is more important in God’s eyes than another.

God created all people, not just white males. I know in my heart that racism breaks God’s heart.

There is a lot of hate and anger and violence and destruction out there, and there are those of us who see it and shake our heads in disgust. Why? Because it upsets us.

Well 2020 has taught me that I am not them and I have no idea the hurt and demeaning my brothers and sisters have endured to have such anger and frustration. I don’t know that pain.

I do know that I love. All. And I know I have to listen, learn and act to be a part of the solution to end racism in this country. I know that now in 2020. davejolivet@anchornews.org

Saint Vincent’s Services in Fall River placed on its grounds a sign with a quote from Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., promoting love and peace. (Photo by Dave Jolivet) June 26, 2020 †

15

Dartmouth man is voice behind audiobooks continued from page seven

decades, Zeida has come to realize that the service he humbly provides is much more than a pastime — it’s a calling.

He continues to reach out to organizations and school systems that might benefit from the unique and often personalized services he can provide.

“I steep myself in it and it’s become part of my life,” Zeida said.

“I do this every morning for two or three hours, or until my voice let’s go. I used to spend a lot of my spare time in amateur radio, talking (to people) around the world. I don’t do that anymore, so I had to find something to fill the void.”

“If you look at the work that my father produces, it isn’t just one reading from the beginning of a book to the end,” Kerry added.

“It’s designed very painstakingly to create chapters and section marks and descriptions so that you can move around all of these different books. Some of them are manuals, so they’re complicated with photos and it’s very easy as an instructor to take a book and use it as an instructional tool because everything is so well-crafted.”

“I cross every T and dot every I, chapter by chapter, subsection by subsection, including illustrations and graphs,” Zeida said. “Verbally speaking, I’ve gotten so good at it over the years, I actually make it come out in the voice as to what the student is looking at or listening to and shine it up nice and clear. That’s why I have so many tracks (for each book).”

“This stuff is not like most Audible books you would buy online,” Kerry said. “He’ll take the time to actually describe the illustration to immerse the reader into the experience. This has become more a labor of love than a hobby over the years.

16

† June 26, 2020

And I think the fact that his faith is layered on top of it just makes it more personal and, in some ways, more urgent for him.”

A perfect example of Zeida’s attention to detail would be a project he just completed for Bishop Stang High School in which he recorded a series of books from Ave Maria Press that were needed for the start of school in the fall.

“They gave me two textbooks for the freshmen class and two textbooks for the sophomore class.

It actually is a complete breakdown and an introduction to Catholic faith,” Zeida said. “It’s all about Jesus and His teachings and it’s this giant illustrated book with maps and charts. These two volumes averaged between 300 to 400 tracks and that project took me a month for each book. That’s the biggest single project that had to be done in a quick time frame because Stang has enrolled for September seven or eight special needs individuals.”

“I’ve been back here now six years sort of observing the progression of his work and the requests to do specific books that fueled the original part of his catalog,” Kerry said. “That has really evolved in the last couple of years to my father wanting to share his work with the Catholic community. So, he started to record a lot more work [including that] big, giant project that he just finished this summer for Bishop Stang High School. He is very, very passionate about trying to provide a service for faith-based organizations.”

Now that Zeida has amassed a library of more than 400 titles, the challenge for him now, is to find additional works that might benefit educators with special needs students.

“I generally wait to hear from

an established contact in the school system, because I’ve been around so long, all the local school systems pretty much know about my product,” Zeida said.

Kerry said his father “really wants to share the (work he does) with people who have the ability to and the need to use this information.”

“And the fact that you can now share it so much more efficiently through cloud storage is changing the game,” Kerry said. “But you can’t assume everyone knows what an MP3 file is or how to create a Dropbox folder. So, some of this stuff ends up being lost in the translation.”

When asked if he has a favorite book or author that he’s done over the years, Zeida is noncommittal.

“To be honest with you, I don’t have a particular favorite recording because I’ve done so many,” he said. “I love the subject of history.

I went through the Second World War [and] I was in the Korean War. I’ve always had a great temptation to continue to find out more about the Nazis during World War II [because] I lived through that era.”

Zeida did earn an award recently for doing an audiobook for Ilana Offenberger, a history professor at

UMass Dartmouth, who wrote a historical account of her family and the Jews in Vienna, Austria during World War II. “That was a great example of how she found out about him through contacts,” Kerry said.

“They worked together closely to discuss what she needed [and] she figured out how to integrate it into her special needs curriculum, and then it just became another way for her to tell her family’s story. So, it’s that kind of custom recording that’s the most satisfying.”

Those who might be interested in getting access to Zeida’s existing library of audiobooks or even requesting a special title can simply contact him directly at n1blf@ comcast.net.

“It’s not as if he seeks out special needs organizations necessarily,” Kerry explained. “I think it’s more through people he knows or who know him through this work. People can request access to the library or ask if he can record a special publication for them for a special need. Even if a parent or a family has a special needs kid or kids, and wants to use this service to help them with reading or learning comprehension, absolutely reach out to my father and he can share the library with them.”

“There’s something there for all of them,” Zeida added. “Even if a school said to me, we would like to have that library so we can pick from it at our leisure, if you will, there’s no cost to them. They can pick and choose without even contacting me.”

For more information about Bob Zeida’s audiobook services, email him at n1blf@comcast. net.