THEANCHOR - Diocese ofFall River - Fri., June 30,2000
UPHILL TREK from Santo Christo Church on Columbia Street to St. Mary's Cathedral challenged even the hardy after the long procession with the Eucharist from Kennedy Park.
Mass
Continued/rom page one
The Mass at 3 p.m., at an altar set in upper Kennedy Park ended the June 18 through 25 celebrations in the diocese that centered on the Eucharist and most fittingly ended on the feast of Corpus Christi, the solemnity of the Body and Blood of Christ. Thousands reverently went to communion under both species at 40 stations throughout the park where priests and deacons distributed the sacred host and precious blood. Bishop Sean P. O'Malley, OFM Cap., who hosted the Eucharistic Congress and was principal celebrant at the outdoor Mass under sunny skies, noted that the event was being held in union with the international Eucharistic Congress underway in Rome. "Today, Fall River is Rome. St. Anne's Shrine is St. Peter's Basilica; and Kennedy Park is Pi-路
azza San Pietro of Vatican City," Bishop O'Malley said in his homily. "Actually the chalice we are using for this Mass was a gift from John Paul II and bears his coat of arms." The theme for the congress was "Jesus Christ: The Only Savior of the World, Bread for New Life." It was the same theme being used for the congress in Rome. Bishop O'Malley, his voice echoing distinctly over a loudspeaker system, told the assembly: "The Eucharist is God's invention. It manifests the ingenuity of a wisdom that at the same time is the foolishness of love. Where we can see only bread and wine, we stand before the assertion ofthe presence of God. How can we fail to be astonished at the fact that the one who is God offers Himself as food and drink to his very creatures." He said that while humanity
seeks the grandiose, the spectacular, the "gong show" ... "our God comes in humility and simplicity. As Ghandi once said: 'There is so much hunger in the world that God could appear only in the form of bread.'" The stiffening afternoon wind gusting at times to more than 25 miles per hours, tore lose the fabric from the metal framework serving as an altar covering just minutes before the Mass was to began, and was quickly removed. But clergy seated on the altar platform had to brave the glaring sunlight for the hour-long Mass. However, the backdrop, of gold and cream cloth,containing a quilt fashioned by the Women's Guild of St. Bernard's Parish, Assonet, held firm. Designed by Deacon Thomas J. Palanza and erected by Folan Waterproofing of South Easton and C & D Souza Carpenters of
Somerset, the towering metal framework was fitted with a huge crucifix from St. Jean Baptiste Church. An oak altar from St. Mary's Cathedral, and the large oak chair from St. Patrick's Church that was commissioned by the late Bishop James E. Cassidy were part ofthe furnishings, that included colorful potted plants and small trees. The designated concelebrants included Bishop Robert E. Mulvee of the Diocese of Providence, R.I., and Bishop Aurelio Granada Escudeiro, bishop emeritus of Angra, Azores; and officials of the curia and the presbyterate of the Fall River diocese. Deacons of the Mass were Paul 1: Macedo, Thomas J. Palanza and Thomas J. Souza. Lectors at the Mass were Jean Willis and Dorothy Lopes. The general intercessions, said in English, French, Portuguese and Spanish, were led by Arthur Caetano, Dominican Sister Lorraine Beauchesne, Sister Aida Sansor of the Guadalupan Missionaries of the Holy Spirit, and Manuel Vasconcellos. During the Mass, hundreds of eucharistic ministers from across the diocese as well as many new ones, made a renewal of service and, or, accepted installation. Dozens of volunteers, including laity and permanent deacons, brought up the offertory gifts of bread and wine. Altar servers were from various parishes an'd diocesan seminarians. A 70-member Jubilee Choir comprised of choir members from 13 diocesan parishes and led by Denise Gannon, sang the 路Mass. George Campeau was the organist. The Jubilee Brass 2000, let by Tobias Monte, provided accompaniment. Cantors included Joanne G. Mercier, Patrick Gannon, Shirley Guireiro, Robert Horta and Patrice Tiedmann. Masters of Ceremonies included Msgr. Stephen 1. Avila, who was chairman of the Eucharist
Congress; and Fathers Edward 1. Healey and Maurice O. Gauvin and Deacon Bruce J. Bonneau. Isabel Medeiros coordinated the hospitality ministry. Following Mass, at which an apostolic blessing was given, Bishop O'Malley carried the Blessed Sacrament in a monstrance under a baldacchino or canopy carried by male members of the Santo Christo Parish Feast Committee, in procession to an altar set on the stairs of St. Anne's Church at the top of the park where the bishop presided at Benediction. A small choir sang in French and then led traditional songs of the service. Under the direction of Father Henry S. Arruda of Our Lady of Mount Cannel Church, New Bedford, the procession reformed and with thousands joining in, proceeding north on South Main Street, west on Bradford Avenue, and north down Fountain Street. Along Fountain Street, residents hung colorful tapestries from windows and porches in honor of the Blessed Sacrament. Air along the route, people joined in the songs, went to their knees or genuflected and made the Sign of the Cross as the Blessed Sacrament passed by. Priests, included those newly ordained on June 3, took turns carrying the monstrance. The long procession came up Columbia Street to Santo Christo Parish where an altar had been set up in the nearby plaza. A choir offered hymns in Portuguese. There, Bishop Granada led the Benediction Service. The marchers, continuing in song and prayer, then proceeded up the steep hill of Columbia Street to Second-Street and to an altar set on the east side of St. Mary's Cathedral lawn. There, Bishop Mulveeconducted the Benediction and a hymn was sung in Spanish. The e'vents climaxed eight days of events that included evening reflections and talks on the Eucharist by featured speakers at designated parishes.
Music Director Needed with Liturgy experience
COMING TOGETHER as one faith community at the Eucharistic Congress Mass last Sunday, worshippers from the across the Fall River diocese stand in the shadow of St. Anne's Church to answer the opening prayers.
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Skills required: plays either keyboard or pipe organ, vocal skills to lead singing at two Sunday Liturgies, available for special/ seasonal celebrations, could create and conduct a children's/adult choir for Christmas/Easter. ST. STEPHEN'S PARISH ATTLEBORO, MASS. (A small but spirited parish) For information: (508) 222-0641 Rev. William L. Boffa, Pastor
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